Hot News
Stay updated with the latest Hot News in Thailand, featuring in-depth reporting and analysis of local events and goings on! We bring you breaking news, in-depth reports, and exclusive interviews covering a wide range of Thailand-focused topics, from Crime and Politics to Tourism and Business.
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Sponsored The 5 best luxury villa rentals in Koh Samui by The Luxury Signature
Koh Samui has long been known as one of the world’s finest luxury travel destinations. Its pristine beaches, lush landscapes, and crystal-clear waters create an idyllic setting that attracts travellers seeking an escape from the everyday grind. And opting to...
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Thailand’s economy set to grow despite potential export decline
A prominent joint business group announced today that Thailand’s economy is set to grow by 2.5% to 3.0% this year, a prediction consistent with their previous forecast. This anticipated growth is attributed to government support measures and the tourism industry. However, the Joint Standing Committee on Commerce, Industry, and Banking (JSCCIB), which represents these sectors, warned of a potential decline…
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November brings vibrant Thai cultural events for locals and tourists alike
A vibrant tapestry of cultural events and celebrations has been planned to light up the Thailand event calendar this month. From the enchanting Loi Krathong festival, the fierce Boat Race Festival, the rhythmic Pattaya Music and International Fireworks Festival, to the challenging Laguna Phuket Triathlon- there’s something for everyone. The Loi Krathong Festival this year is one of the most stunning festivities in…
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Factory worker murder mystery: Appeal court upholds life sentence for principal in eight-year case
The Appeal Court upheld a life sentence for a school principal found guilty in the murder case of a 19 year old factory worker who mysteriously disappeared for eight years. The news was revealed today, with the Facebook page Missing Persons Information Center, Mirror Foundation detailing the court’s decision and the process of locating the victim’s remains. Nong Liu, a…
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Brawl between taxi and Bolt riders erupts outside Pattaya Police Station
Police officers intervened in a physical altercation between a motorcycle taxi rider and a group of app-based drivers, reportedly Bolt, outside Mueang Pattaya Police Station last night, October 31. This year’s Halloween evening turned violent in Pattaya when a Bolt rider attempted to attack a motorcycle taxi driver with a broken glass bottle. The taxi rider also prepared for the…
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Fake cops dial up the drama: Thai woman’s 800,000 baht loss to scam gang
A Thai woman cried foul to the Royal Thai Police (RTP) following a near loss of 800,000 baht to fake cops part of a call centre scam gang. The gang members, posing as fake cops and officials from the Office of the Narcotics Control Board (ONCB), threatened the grade C7 female public servant with involvement in a mass murder case…
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Bedazzling deceit: Thai woman accuses famous sorcerer of spiritual sex scam
A Thai woman accused a famous sorcerer of tricking her into having intercourse with him, claiming that sex was part of a process to expel evil spirits from her soul. The 26 year old woman approached non-profit organisation Saimai Survive and urged them to file a lawsuit against a 63 year old sorcerer named Harn Raksajit, also known as Novice…
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Phuket Veg Fest food frenzy turns rancid: Sacred shrines face hygiene havoc
A shocking revelation unfolded as revered Phuket Veg Fest food shrines were found in breach of food hygiene standards. This news has undoubtedly rocked the faith of the local Thai community and tourists alike who flock to these places of worship and food consumption, particularly during festivals. The local authorities are yet to comment on the situation and the measures…
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Court sentences man to 27 months for defamation against former Phuket governor
A 27-month jail term has been handed down to Aiya Phetthong by the Phuket Provincial Court, following his guilty verdict for defamation. The charges stemmed from his online posts alleging that former Phuket Governor Narong Woonciew was involved in an illegal operation smuggling Muslims into Phuket in 2021. The formal complaint against Phetthong, who is a registered resident of the…
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High stakes eats: BBQ restaurant on hunt for sharp-dressed dine & dashers
A renowned barbecue pork restaurant is seeking ten well-dressed customers who dined and dashed, leaving a bill worth over 4,000 baht unpaid. The establishment has given a three-day deadline for the culprits to come forward before legal action is taken. This incident occurred at the famed Warehouse Seafood Grill Buffet in Ubon Ratchathani on October 30. The barbecue pork restaurant…
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Pattaya: Extinct Neptune’s Cup Sponge rediscovered
A wave of enthusiasm has swept through the environmental community in Pattaya, following the exciting rediscovery of the Neptune’s Cup Sponge, a marine creature believed to have been extinct. This incredible find was announced by Dr Thon Thamrongnawasawat, serving as the Associate Dean for the Faculty of Fisheries at Kasetsart University, via a post on his personal Facebook page. The…
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Oil palm fruit theft surges in southern Thailand as prices hit 6 baht per kilogramme
Farmers across Trang province, in southern Thailand, are facing serious problems due to the widespread theft of oil palm fruits. This situation has arisen following an increase in the price of these fruits, making them a lucrative target for thieves. This has led to the farmers calling upon the district chief and police to urgently tackle the problem, urging them…
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Phuket drivers protest against new baht bus service threatening livelihoods
Around 50 tuk tuk and taxi drivers swarmed the Patong Municipality offices in Phuket yesterday to express their discontent about a proposed baht bus circular service that could potentially disrupt their livelihoods. Mayor Chalermsak Maneesri, along with other officials, received the formal complaint as the officers of the Patong Police maintained order. The complaint predicted a significant impact on the…
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Thai MPI faces contraction amid global conflicts and tourism slump
The Office of Industrial Economics (OIE) anticipates a contraction between 4% to 4.5% in the Thai Manufacturing Production Index (MPI) this year due to less-than-projected tourism growth and geopolitical conflicts impacting the global economy. In contrast, the MPI was projected to shrink by 2.8% to 3.8% in July. The OIE further predicts a contraction of 2.5% to 3% in the…
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Bolivia severs diplomatic ties with Israel amid Gaza conflict (video)
Bolivia announced the severance of diplomatic ties with Israel, becoming the first nation globally to make such a decision following the recent flare-up of conflict in Gaza amid the brutal Israeli assault on Palestine. This declaration was made yesterday by Bolivia’s Presidential Minister, Maria Nela Prada. “Bolivia has decided to terminate diplomatic relations with the State of Israel in order…
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Cabinet’s gasohol price cut draws scrutiny despite public approval
The recent resolution by the Cabinet to trim the prices of gasohol 91 and 95 by a single baht per litre has prompted queries from energy experts and firms, despite the public’s eager acceptance of this cost-of-living alteration. This determination was reached following Bangchak Corporation, a crucial oil retailer, increasing the prices of the majority of gasohol types, an amalgamation…
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Recruitment scams exposed: Protecting job seekers and employers
The recruitment industry is riddled with a number of deceptive practices and scams. Attracting a wide range of individuals due to its low setup costs, the sector is increasingly becoming a hotbed for unscrupulous activities. There are five prevalent recruitment scams that job seekers and employers should be aware of. Scam one involves recruiters pretending to represent a non-existent client.…
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Thai tourists’ Korea travel ban outcry impacts agencies amid visa woes
Following a surge in posts under the hashtag #BanTravelToSouthKorea (#แบนเที่ยวเกาหลี) on the Twitter (X) platform, tourism agencies are being urged to pay heed to the concerns of Thai tourists. Over a million posts were generated during the past weekend alone, highlighting the losses suffered by both tourists and tour operators in recent years. The Korea Tourism Organisation (KTO) reported that…
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Thai transwoman caught giving handjob to South Korean man on Pattaya Beach
Thai netizens called the relevant authorities to take action after a video showing a Thai transwoman giving a handjob to a South Korean man on Pattaya Beach went viral. The Facebook page, This is Beauty Queen (นางงามนะคะ), posted news of the video it found on Twitter (X) on October 29. “Just found a video of a Thai transwoman giving a…
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Pattaya suicide attempt: Thai man makes the jump after arguing with girlfriend
A 30 year old Thai man attempted to take his own life yesterday when he jumped from the second floor of a condominium in Pattaya. The Thai man, whose name is being withheld to protect his privacy, leapt after a disagreement with his girlfriend. The incident occurred at 6am at a residential complex in the Nongprue sub-district of Banglamung district,…
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4 Chinese and 22 Thai scammers arrested for operating gold scam
Officers from the Economic Crime Suppression Division (ECD) arrested 26 suspects, four Chinese and 22 Thai, for running a fake gold shop and luring victims to invest in counterfeit stock trading. The ECD, yesterday, October 31, launched an operation called CIB Anti-Online Scam to arrest 50 suspects involved in the investment scam run by Chinese nationals. Officers raided 21 suspicious…
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Belgian man in Thailand hospitalised after violent road rage incident
A 70 year old Belgian expatriate found himself in a violent altercation with a Thai citizen in a recent incident that took place in Chon Buri province. The Belgian man, a long-term resident of Thailand for two decades, was allegedly attacked following a road incident sparked by a language barrier and misunderstanding. The Belgian, Danny and his 50 year old…
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Paws for concern: Unlicensed vet accused in Nonthaburi pet death scandal
A dog owner complained to a veterinary clinic in Nonthaburi, alleging that an unlicensed vet performed a sterilisation operation on his pet, which subsequently died. The 36 year old owner, Songwut Sammawutikun, has sought an investigation into whether the individual who conducted the operation was, in fact, a qualified veterinarian. Songwut Sammawutikun disclosed that his three year old Thai-breed female dog, named…
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Trade negotiations with EFTA set to boost Thai GDP
The Trade Negotiations Department of the Commerce Ministry gears up for the seventh round of trade negotiations with the European Free Trade Association (EFTA), to seal the deal by mid-2024. The announcement was made by Auramon Supthaweethum, the director-general of the department, who confirmed that the negotiations will take place from November 6 to November 9 in Geneva, Switzerland. The…
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Thunderstorm warning: TMD issues alert for 30 provinces, including Bangkok
The Thailand Meteorological Department (TMD) issued a thunderstorm warning in 30 provinces including Bangkok, with South Thailand being the hardest hit. Citizens are advised to be alert for potential flash floods and forest runoff. At 5am today, a 24 hour forecast reveals that high atmospheric pressure or a mass of cool air from China has spread to cover northern Thailand.…
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Foiled in gold: Chinese-led scam gang’s Aurora of deception comes to light
A Chinese-led gang operating an elaborate gold investment scam, falsely using the name of a trusted jewellery manufacturer, Aurora Design, has been busted by Thai police. The scheme is reported to have an estimated 1.2 billion baht in circulation. Over the past week, police conducted raids on 21 locations across Bangkok, Chon Buri, and Chiang Mai, arresting 26 suspects, among…
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Prescription for drama: Accused mistress denies love affair, claims she is a nurse
A Thai woman accused her husband of cheating and conspiring with his mistress to file a lawsuit against her. The accused woman denies being her husband’s lover, insisting that she is only his nurse. The 52 year old wife, Naruecha “Sida” Kamutyothin, gave an interview to Channel 3 yesterday, October 30, explaining that she married her husband, Jade, and have…
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New Thai law: Less meth tablets, more help – addicts eligible for treatment, not jail
Thailand‘s Public Health Ministry is set to roll out a new regulation, enabling individuals found with less than ten methamphetamine tablets to be seen as drug addicts, making them eligible for treatment over imprisonment, according to Health Minister Cholnan Srikaew. This significant shift in policy was revealed yesterday during a ministry meeting centred on drug suppression efforts for the fiscal year 2024.…
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Seoul-searching: South Korean authorities accused of discriminating against Thais (video)
Outraged Thai netizens called for a ban on travel to South Korea, accusing authorities of discriminating against Thai nationals, pushing the hashtag #BanTravelToSouthKorea (#แบนเที่ยวเกาหลี) to the top of Twitter (X). The Southeast Asian nation is a popular destination for Thais due to the influence of K-pop artists, fashion and South Korean drama. Thais do not need a visa to enter…
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Drive-by drama: Gunman targets hospital in Japanese shootout
A doctor and a patient were shot this afternoon by a gunman on a motorcycle at a Japanese hospital in Toda, Saitama Prefecture. Police reported that the suspect gunman was holed up in a post office in the neighbouring city of Warabi. The suspect gunman entered the post office at approximately 2.15pm. The police have confirmed that both victims, a…
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Thailand to lift visa requirements for Taiwanese and Indian tourists
Thailand is set to lift visa requirements for tourists from India and Taiwan starting next month, lasting until May 2024. This move aims to attract more tourist influx as the peak season is on the horizon. This move follows in the footsteps of the decision made in September to abolish visa requirements for Chinese tourists, Thailand’s leading tourism market before…
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