Hot News
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Sponsored How much is Thai health insurance?
Health insurance in Thailand is essential for expats and locals, providing financial protection and access to quality care. Costs depend on age, health, and coverage level, with basic plans being cheaper but limited and comprehensive plans offering more benefits at...
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Couple caught having sex in sea at Patong Beach in Phuket
A video and pictures showing a horny foreign couple having sex in the sea at Patong Beach in Phuket quickly went viral, sparking criticism and hilarious comments across Thai social media platforms. The Phuket Times shared footage and images of the incident yesterday, April 16. The couple’s identities and nationalities have not yet been confirmed. Thai netizens pointed out that…
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Global oil prices dip over China’s economic slowdown
With the ongoing economic slowdown in China and diminishing hopes for imminent US interest rate reductions, global oil prices saw a decline in the early trade today. These concerns outweighed supply apprehensions triggered by escalating tensions in the Middle East. Trading at US$89.16 a barrel, Brent futures for June delivery experienced a minor decrease of 7 cents or 0.1%. Similarly,…
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Scorching heatwave hits Thailand with storms and 42C highs
Today’s weather forecast from the Thai Meteorological Department (TMD) warns of thunderstorms and strong winds in 35 provinces, with some regions experiencing hail. As the country grapples with scorching to extremely hot temperatures, which could reach a peak of 42 degrees Celsius, the public is urged to take health precautions by avoiding prolonged outdoor activities. The low-pressure area caused by…
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Clean sweep: 150 tonnes of post-Songkran waste vanish from Bangkok
Some 150 tonnes of waste was cleared from Silom and Khao San roads following the conclusion of Songkran festivities. This colossal clean-up operation was overseen by Bangkok Governor Chadchart Sittipunt, who visited Khao San Road yesterday to assess the situation and boost the morale of the city’s cleaning personnel. Khao San Road and its surrounding area were found to be…
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Chon Buri officials bust illegal kratom juice operations targeting kids
Police in Banglamung district, Chon Buri province, launched a coordinated operation yesterday that resulted in the dismantling of illegal kratom juice production sites known for distributing the substance to minors. The district’s administrative head, along with health officials and local police, led the crackdown on these clandestine establishments, netting nearly 2,000 bottles of the illicit mixture. The operation targeted three…
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Relocation of cadmium tailings from Bangkok commences May 7
The logistics of relocating cadmium tailings from Samut Sakhon, Bangkok, and Chon Buri back to their original location in Tak is set to start on May 7. Bound & Beyond Plc, the company responsible for the task, has a deadline of 36 days to execute the operation, as stated by Pimphattra Wichaikul, the Industry Minister. Pimphattra revealed yesterday that the…
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Duo steals million-baht diamond bracelet from Bangkok mall
A sophisticated heist unfolded at a renowned shopping mall in Bangkok’s Pathumwan district yesterday, where thieves made off with a diamond bracelet valued at over 1 million baht. The pair, posing as customers, managed to deceive the staff and conceal the high-value item before fleeing the scene in a waiting taxi. The two criminals orchestrated the brazen theft yesterday, April…
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Upcoming super app to integrate with digital wallet scheme
The up-and-coming super app, designed for the 10,000-baht digital wallet scheme, is slated to seamlessly integrate with existing banking applications on users’ smartphones, as per Deputy Finance Minister Julapun Amornvivat’s statement. This application, which has been developed in partnership with the Ministry of Digital Economy and Society (DES) and the Digital Government Development Agency (DGA), is designed to optimise the…
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Bangkok police seize 40,000 meth pills in Sai Mai district bust
A significant drug bust occurred today when police apprehended a 32 year old man with a shipment of 40,000 methamphetamine pills in Bangkok’s Sai Mai district. The arrest took place in a desolate area within Soi Sukhaphiban 5 Soi 32, following a covert investigation that linked the drug dealer, Teerapong, to the distribution of drugs to local retailers. The arrest…
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Thailand’s foreign tourism boom: 10 million visitors fuel 500 billion windfall
Thailand has welcomed over 10 million foreign tourists this year alone, leading to revenue exceeding 500 billion baht, reported the Tourism and Sports Ministry. The data, up to date as of yesterday, shows 10,723,953 foreign visitors have contributed to an income of 518 billion baht (US$14 billion). Chinese tourists led the pack with over 2 million visitors, followed by 1.39…
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Nearly 100k return to Bangkok post-Songkran via public transport
The acting director and president of Transport Company Ltd made a public announcement yesterday, disclosing the substantial numbers of citizens returning to Bangkok after the Songkran festival. Between April 15 and 17, passenger logs recorded more than 99,995 individuals making their round trips using public buses and vans. The total number of trips during this period exceeded 6,689. Atthawit Rakchamroon…
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Road dispute in Mueang escalates into shooting, two kids injured
A road dispute escalated into a shooting incident in Mueang, Pathum Thani, yesterday. Three teenagers on a motorbike allegedly shot at a taxi, injuring a 10-year-old boy and a seven-year-old girl. The Mueang Pathum Thani police revealed the details of the case at a public briefing held at 10am. The 51 year old taxi driver, Suraphon, was en route to…
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Gold prices in Thailand surge to historic 42,050 baht high
Gold prices reached a new high today, with the Gold Traders Association (GTA) reporting a significant increase to 42,050 baht per baht weight, marking a historic surge. In a remarkable shift, gold ornament prices soared by 600 baht compared to the previous day’s closing figures. The GTA website showed that as of 9.02am, domestic gold bars were purchased at 41,450…
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Phuket’s seven days safety campaign shows zero fatalities
Phuket’s Seven Days safety campaign for Songkran 2024 continues to make its impact as the island remains free of any road fatalities since the commencement of the initiative on April 11. Over the past four days, 39 incidents have been recorded by officials, resulting in the same number of people being hospitalised due to injuries. The report compiled by the…
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Tourism sector divided over elected versus appointed governors
The debate over elected provincial governors versus appointed heads is intensifying, revealing a divide among tourism operators. This issue gained momentum during last year’s general election, when several political parties, including Pheu Thai, proposed allowing locals to elect their governors, a practice already in place in Bangkok and Pattaya. Pheu Thai’s coalition government, during its policy announcement, introduced a CEO-governor…
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Four arrested in Phuket with over 12,000 meth pills seized
Four individuals have been apprehended by Thalang Police in Phuket on charges related to drugs, with over 12,000 methamphetamine pills, locally known as Yaba, confiscated in the process. The arrests were carried out across three distinct operations yesterday. Among those apprehended was Duean Jarachit, a 42 year old resident of Moo 1, Mai Khao. She was taken into custody on…
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Thief snatches 210,000 baht gold necklace in a daring mall heist
A bold theft occurred yesterday at 7pm when a lone robber seized a 5-baht weight gold necklace valued at over 210,000 baht from the Aurora gold shop located inside a shopping mall in Bang Kaeo, Bang Phli District, Samut Prakan Province. The thief, under the guise of examining the jewellery, snatched the necklace and fled the scene, leaving the shop…
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Post-Songkran travel surge leads to heavy traffic into Bangkok
Traffic swelled on the roads heading towards Bangkok as the long holiday season drew to a close, with authorities opening additional lanes to manage the influx. Yesterday, citizens began returning to the capital in droves after celebrating the Songkran festival. The Mittraphap Road, a major thoroughfare connecting the northeastern region of Thailand to Bangkok, experienced significant congestion, particularly at the…
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Tak’s disposal pits scrutinised ahead of cadmium tailings relocation
The disposal pits in Tak are under tight scrutiny by the Industry Ministry and local agencies, as they prepare for the relocation of cadmium tailings from Samut Sakhon. The permanent secretary for industry, Nattapol Rangsitpol, confirmed he had discussions with Tak governor Somchai Kitcharoenrungroj about the readiness of the province to handle the relocation. In collaboration with several local agencies,…
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Southeast Asia lags in green investments
Southeast Asia is significantly lagging in green investments aimed at reducing emissions, according to a report by Bain & Company, a global consultancy. The region’s energy consumption is projected to increase by 40% within this decade, leading to a continued rise in carbon dioxide emissions due to its heavy reliance on fossil fuels. The report, produced in collaboration with green…
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Bangkok ramps up AI security for safe Songkran festivities
Bangkok tightens security for Songkran celebrations with artificial intelligence (AI) and emergency measures. Bangkok is bracing for Songkran, the traditional Thai New Year, with stringent security measures in place, particularly in popular celebration areas such as Silom and Khao San Road. In previous years, overcrowding has been a significant concern, prompting authorities to implement new strategies to ensure public safety.…
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Bitcoin rebounds amid Middle East military escalation uncertainty
Bitcoin, the largest cryptocurrency, recently bounced back from its steepest drop in over a year, marking the beginning of potential volatility across asset markets as investors grapple with the looming prospect of a military escalation in the Middle East. Bitcoin yesterday rose by a maximum of 5.9% and was traded at around US$64,600 as of 11.40am in London. Smaller cryptocurrencies…
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Myanmar’s rebel groups seize border trade hub of Myawaddy
Ethnic armed groups in Myanmar, namely the Karen National Union (KNU) and People’s Defence Force (PDF), have successfully seized the significant border trade hub of Myawaddy. In response, approximately 100 soldiers loyal to the Myanmar junta have regrouped near the Second Thai-Myanmar Friendship Bridge, anticipating reinforcements for a counterattack. These soldiers, defying surrender to the rebel forces, retreated towards the…
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Durian exports to undergo regulatory revamp in Thailand
Thailand’s durian exports are set for a regulatory overhaul to ensure quality and competitiveness on the global stage, according to government spokesperson Chai Wacharonke. As the leading global durian exporter, Thailand’s move towards stricter quality control aims to bolster its market position. The export of durians has become a significant revenue source for the country, with earnings reaching 120 billion…
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Severe weather alert for 36 Thai provinces amid heatwave
The Thai Meteorological Department (TMD) today issued a severe weather warning for 36 provinces, forecasting thunderstorms, strong winds, and potential hailstorms across the regions. This alert comes amid a period of intense heat enveloping the country, with scorching temperatures and sporadic thunderstorms expected throughout the day. As of 6am, today, April 15, the low-pressure system caused by the prevailing heat…
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Local leader’s gunfire hits elderly man during Songkran celebration
A celebration took a perilous turn when a local leader of the Volunteer Defense Corps fired shots into the air, with one stray bullet striking a disabled 67 year old man, Somchai, as he rested at home. The gunman, identified as 48 year old Phiphat admitted to losing control due to intoxication during the Songkran festivities. This reckless act not…
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Water gun incident sparks foreign tourist dispute at Songkran event
The lively Thaweewong Road, on Patong Beach in Phuket, bore witness to a heated dispute between two foreign visitors at a Songkran event. This incident, occurring around 4.20pm on April 13, was sparked by a minor altercation involving a water gun. The Songkran event is renowned for its playful water fights, which are enjoyed by locals and tourists alike. Despite…
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April alcohol sales set to double, spiking road accidents feared
The CEO of Carabao Group, Sathien Sathientham, predicts that April’s alcohol sales are set to double, except for December. This increase is anticipated due to the prolonged Songkran festival and the extension of bar and pub opening hours in several areas, including Bangkok and Phuket. Nuttapong Boontob, a board member and assistant secretary of the ThaiRoads Foundation, expressed concerns about…
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Young man found dead in Khon Kaen pond sparks police probe
Tragedy struck when the body of a young man was discovered, his head brutally stuffed in a bag and submerged in a pond, triggering an urgent police investigation. The unsettling find was made at 10am today, April 14, in a water body within the Ban Ped area of Khon Kaen province, Thailand. Law enforcement, accompanied by the Sawang Khon Kaen…
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Man arrested in Thailand for assaulting teen during Songkran
A 40 year old man was arrested yesterday for luring and assaulting a 16 year old girl in a harrowing Songkran holiday incident. Thai police apprehended the suspect, known as Arm Laisak, with an extensive criminal background, including prior offences related to drug trafficking. The arrest followed a mother’s desperate rescue of her daughter, who was found in a traumatised state…
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