Hot News
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Sponsored This Christmas, give the gift of health: essential options for expats in Thailand
The holiday season is here, bringing warmth, joy, and a chance to reflect on the year gone by. As an expat in Thailand, this Christmas is a great time to invest in something that truly matters: health. Whether for you...
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Thai cyber-attacks surge as Trojans target biometric data
Thailand has been identified as a hotbed for Trojan malware that steals biometric data, such as facial recognition, as the country’s rate of cyber-attacks exceeds the global average over the last half of 2023, according to state reports from top cybersecurity companies. Andrey Polovinkin, a malware analyst at the Singapore-based cybersecurity firm Group-IB, warned that biometric systems may fall prey…
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Former MP professes innocence in Thai extortion case
Yoswarit Chuklom, affectionately known as Jeng Dokjik, met with the authorities from the Anti-Corruption Division (ACD) of the police force today, asserting his innocence in a high-profile extortion case. He was accompanied by Pimnatta Jiraputthiphak, a former parliamentary candidate from the Ruam Thai Sang Chart Party, and their lawyer, Traisak Thongswai. Jeng arrived with a cheerful demeanour, showing no signs…
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Thai man arrested for cross-border sperm cell smuggling
The Central Investigation Bureau (CIB) officers arrested a Thai man at his home in Nonthaburi province near Bangkok for illegally smuggling sperm cells across the border into Laos and Cambodia for surrogacy. CIB police arrested the suspect, 33 year old Teerapong at his home in Nonthaburi province on February 24. Teerapong was found smuggling to Thailand’s neighbouring countries. Teerapon faced…
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Former RTP boss and 7 others sued for reducing Red Bull heir’s sentences
The Office of the Attorney General (AGO) filed a lawsuit against former Commissioner of the Royal Thai Police (RTP) Somyot Poompanmoung, and seven other relevant political or judicial figures for allegedly reducing the sentences of hit-and-run suspect Vorayuth “Boss” Yoovidhya, better known as the Red Bull heir. This year marks the 12th anniversary since the Red Bull heir, Boss, successfully evaded…
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8 million meth pills seized in Chiang Mai drug courier arrest
A 24 year old drug courier named Jiraphat, hailing from the Phrao district of Chiang Mai, was apprehended by drug suppression police. The arrest took place at an intersection in Chiang Dao district. Approximately 8 million methamphetamine pills were confiscated from the pickup truck driven by Jiraphat. The seizure was made on Monday, with the methamphetamine pills found stashed in…
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Family land dispute ends in uncle’s tragic death
A tragic family dispute over a 10-acre land inheritance turned deadly when a 19 year old man shot and killed his 57 year old uncle at their home yesterday evening. The conflict, simmering for six years and previously brought before the courts, culminated in a fatal confrontation prompted by a parking issue. Yesterday, at approximately 11.30pm, police and rescue services…
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Burned skeleton: Thai woman arrested for death of girlfriend (video)
Police arrested a Thai woman for the death of her girlfriend after her burned skeleton was discovered at a landfill in the Isaan province of Khon Kaen. The suspect admitted to setting her girlfriend on fire but denied the murder, claiming that her girlfriend died of a congenital illness. The burned skeleton of a woman was discovered at a dump site…
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Ex-politician cleared of murder plot in Thai political feud
The Criminal Court acquitted a former local politician of orchestrating a murder plot on a current local political figure due to insufficient evidence, sparking intentions to appeal the verdict. The case stems from local political rivalries and allegations of corruption. Yesterday at 9.45am, the Criminal Court in Ratchadapisek Road, Bangkok, delivered its verdict on the high-profile case of attempted murder…
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Sweeping fires devastate 30,000 rai of forest in Chiang Mai
Sweeping fires engulfed an estimated 30,000 rai (approximately 4,800 hectares) of forest across three districts in the province of Chiang Mai, reported local authorities. The flames, which sparked roughly a week ago, primarily ravaged the Ob Luang National Park. The districts of Hot, Chomg Thong, and Mae Cham are the most severely impacted, with the fires still ablaze and uncontained.…
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Thai man murders relatives in Nong Bua Lamphu
A frenzied son-in-law, identified as Watanyu, also known as Ball, from Buriram province, brutally murdered his mother-in-law and aunt in a shocking spree that ended in their deaths. The horrific incident occurred on February 25, in the district of Sri Bun Rueang, Nong Bua Lamphu province. After the killings, the 26 year old assailant fled the scene on a stolen…
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Bangkok’s air quality improves as PM2.5 levels drop
Bangkok’s populace can anticipate a breath of fresh air in the forthcoming week as the levels of PM2.5 pollutants are projected to undergo a downswing. AirBKK, the Air Quality Monitoring Centre of the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA), confirmed on a Sunday morning that the PM2.5 concentrations in the capital city were well below the 24-hour safe exposure threshold, which is…
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Nakhon Ratchasima tackles water scarcity amid El Niño
The province of Nakhon Ratchasima is facing a water management challenge due to the impact of the El Niño phenomenon, which has led to a critical decrease in water levels across 27 reservoirs. These water sources now contain less than half of their capacity, prompting local authorities to adopt stringent water management strategies. In contrast, the Huai Chorakhe reservoir, almost…
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Thailand aims to become Southeast Asia’s data centre hub
The Thailand Data Centre Council (TDCC) is pushing to establish Thailand as the central hub for data centres in Southeast Asia in the next three years, amid rising competition with foreign data centre providers joining the market. From the United States, Japan, China, Singapore, Malaysia, Australia, and India, global cloud data centre operators are turning their investment focus towards Thailand.…
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Phuket taxi rider denies sexually assault of German woman
A German woman filed a complaint against a Thai motorcycle taxi rider in Phuket, accusing him of sexual assault. The suspect denied the allegation, claiming that the foreign woman hugged him throughout the ride. The victim, a 37 year old German woman, reported the sexual assault to the Mueang Phuket Police Station yesterday, February 26. The foreign victim said the incident…
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Thailand braces for heat and storms across 27 provinces
Today’s weather forecast in Thailand is demanding attention due to an expected combination of extreme heat and significant thunderstorms. The Thai Meteorological Department (TMD) warns that 27 provinces, including Bangkok, should brace for stormy conditions. The southern region is anticipated to experience heavy rainfall, affecting 20% of the area, with high waves predicted on Tuesday, February 27. A low-pressure system…
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Thailand’s border trade faces slowdown amid regional politics
The Federation of Thai Industries (FTI) predicts a slowdown in Thailand’s border trade for the current year due to political turmoil in Myanmar and economic issues in other neighbouring nations. Myanmar, Laos, Malaysia, and Cambodia, nations that share borders with Thailand, are facing obstacles to their economic growth, says Montri Mahaplerkpong, the FTI Vice-Chairman. Among the challenges, he highlights the…
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5 suspects flee Bangkok for Cambodia after killing Taiwanese man
Five suspects fled Thailand for Cambodia after killing a Taiwanese man and leaving his body in an abandoned restaurant near Suvarnabhumi International Airport in Samut Prakarn province near Bangkok. The dead body of the Taiwanese man, 44 year old Shih Mou Chiang, was discovered in the abandoned restaurant on Suvarnabhumi 4 Road in the Bang Phli district of Samut Prakarn on…
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Franchise frenzy: Commerce Ministry ramps up business game
Aiming to bolster its capabilities, the Commerce Ministry is set to upgrade franchise businesses, hasten the creation of franchise business standards, and foster relationships with domestic and international investors. The strategy is designed to expand the market and stimulate economic value. The Director-General of the Business Development Department under the Commerce Ministry, Auramon Supthaweethum, highlighted the appeal of the franchise…
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Thailand’s State Audit Office to streamline large-scale govt projects
In a recent development, the State Audit Office (SAO) of Thailand announced the inauguration of a new section dedicated solely to auditing large-scale government projects. This new initiative will come into effect from April 1, as per the announcement made by the State Audit Commission in the Royal Gazette last month. The SAO Auditor-General, Prajuck Boonyoung, highlighted the necessity of…
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Chinese economic stimulus to boost Thai tourism and economy
Analysts predict that China’s economic stimulus measures will spur an increase in Chinese tourists visiting Thailand, potentially driving the Thai economy to achieve a growth rate of at least 3% this year. This is due to the expectation that Beijing’s financial initiatives will simultaneously boost the economies of both nations. Asia Plus Securities (APS) highlighted that China has rolled out…
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Thai-Chinese high-speed train project faces delay and extra costs
The Thai-Chinese high-speed train project is set to experience a delay of approximately two years, alongside an additional funding requirement of around 4 billion baht (US$111 million). This arises from a proposed track modification in Nakhon Ratchasima, according to the State Railway of Thailand (SRT). The State Railway of Thailand Governor, Nirut Maneephan, disclosed that this change involves contracts numbered…
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Thailand’s prime minister unfazed by triple prime minister’s scenario
Despite the growing public opinion of a potential triple prime ministers scenario, Thailand’s current Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin remains unfazed. He expressed confidence in his ability to execute his duties as the nation’s sole leader, regardless of differing perceptions. Speculation about the possible return of former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra to politics has been rife since his parole release two weeks…
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Thailand explores long-term visa-free scheme with India
Tourism authorities in Thailand are pushing for a long-term reciprocal visa-free scheme with India, projected to become the world’s third-largest economy by 2027. Somsong Sachaphimukh, the vice president of the Tourism Council of Thailand, highlighted the positive impact of the current temporary visa exemption for India, which has accelerated the Indian market’s growth. As of February 18, the Indian market…
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Thai life assurance set for 2-4% growth in premiums this year
The Thai Life Assurance Association (TLAA) has set its sights on a projected growth of 2-4% in industry premiums this year, amounting to 640-650 billion baht (US$17.8 billion-18 billion). Health insurance premiums are expected to see a significant rise, likely due to an increased public focus on health and wellbeing. TLAA President, Sara Lamsam, who also holds the position of…
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Elderly Swiss cyclist killed in hit-and-run in Sattahip district
A 73 year old Swiss cyclist, was tragically killed in a hit-and-run accident on Sukhumvit Road, in the Sattahip district of Chon Buri, late on Sunday night. The local police received a report of the incident around 11.30pm, near the vicinity of tambon Na Jomtien. On arrival, they found the senior cyclist in an unconscious state, but attempts at resuscitation…
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Power bank explosion sparks panic on Thai AirAsia flight
An explosion of a power bank on a Thai AirAsia flight destined for Nakhon Si Thammarat sparked alarm on a recent Saturday morning. Pimphattra Wichaikul, the Industry Minister, who was among the 186 passengers on the flight, witnessed the incident that filled the cabin with smoke. The crew, however, managed to extinguish the fire within two minutes, enabling the flight…
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Thailand optimises on Kazakhstan’s tourism and trade potential
Deputy Foreign Minister of Thailand, Jakkapong Sangmanee, emphasised the government’s optimism about enhanced tourism and trade between Thailand and Kazakhstan. This follows the forthcoming signing of three memoranda of understanding (MoUs) in April. Sangmanee, accompanied by the Tourism and Sports Minister Sudawan Wangsuphakijkosol, led a delegation of Thai investors to Kazakhstan’s capital, Astana, and its largest city, Almaty. During their…
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Retired district chief drowns as SUV plunges into Mae Klong River
An unfortunate accident on the Thana Rach Bridge over the Mae Klong River resulted in a tragic loss of life yesterday evening at around 6.30pm. The incident involved a collision between a sports car and an SUV, which led to the latter vehicle plunging into the river, taking with it a retired district chief and his wife, both of whom…
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Thai government’s revenue collection could fall short in 2024
Deputy Finance Minister Krisada Chinavicharana expressed concerns that the government’s revenue collection for fiscal 2024 might not surpass the target, unlike the 174 billion baht (US$4.8 billion) surplus witnessed the previous year. This was announced at the Outstanding Revolving Fund Award event held yesterday. The government has projected an expenditure budget of 3.48 trillion baht (US$96 billion) for fiscal 2024,…
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Thaksin Shinawatra’s return stirs interest in Thailand’s economic policy
Former Prime Minister of Thailand Thaksin Shinawatra is back in the political limelight following his release on parole. His return to his Ban Chan Song La residence in Bangkok, which previously served as his command centre during his time in office, has sparked interest from the business sector. They are keen to understand the potential implications this could have on…
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