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 Top 10 reasons for expats to get a comprehensive health insurance in Thailand
Moving to Thailand offers plenty of excitement and adventure, but the local healthcare system can be complex to navigate as an expat. From unique health risks to high costs at private hospitals, having a comprehensive health insurance plan is essential....
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Football field gunman caught in Chanthaburi following dramatic escape
The gunman responsible for an attack at a football field has been apprehended in Chanthaburi province after fleeing the scene. He confessed to the crime, revealing that he had discarded his firearm in a canal. Police are rapidly investigating the motive behind the incident. Today, news emerged that the suspect had been spotted at a checkpoint in Chanthaburi’s Ban Laem…
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NBTC and Thai police bust illegal communications warehouse worth over 200 million baht
The National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC) and the Royal Thai Police (RTP) demolished an illegal communications radio warehouse in Pathum Thani province. The joint operation aimed to disrupt the network of call centres, seizing CCTV cameras fitted with SIM cards and 58,400 related items, valued at over 200 million baht. At 10am today, Dr Sornchai Boonyachaiyapruek, the chairman of…
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Ultrafine dust blankets 50 Thai provinces posing serious health risks
Hazardous levels of ultrafine dust engulfed 50 Thai provinces today, as reported by the Geo-Informatics and Space Technology Development Agency (GISTDA). The Central Plains and the Mortheast were the hardest hit regions. GISTDA’s 7am update on its website PM25.gistda.or.th today, December 11, highlighted that mostly central plains and northeastern provinces were among the 50 out of 77 provinces cloaked in…
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Plastic predicament: Thailand faces a ton(ne) of trouble with a 62% surge in waste
Plastic waste in Thailand has witnessed a surge of 62%, escalating from 2.12 million tonnes in 2019 to 3.4 million tonnes in 2020, according to the Thailand Environment Institute. This increase has been largely attributed to lifestyle changes induced by the pandemic, such as an increased reliance on food delivery services. The Prayut Chan-o-cha government initiated a policy in 2018…
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Six ex-London police officers arrested for offensive messages
Six former London police officers were arrested in connection to offensive messages targeting Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, and other political figures. The incident, which took place on December 8, involved racially and sexually offensive messages sent through WhatsApp. The issue came to light following an investigation by BBC’s Newsnight. The accused include Michael Chadwell, Peter Booth, Anthony Elsom, Trevor Lewton,…
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Surat Thani’s hidden gems captivate American tourists
Tourism operators within the southern province of Surat Thani are pivoting their attention to the US market, showcasing the distinctive local attractions. Atirat Danpattaraworawat, who heads the Cheow Lan Lake Tourism Promotion Association, disclosed on Sunday that their recent networking expedition to the United States, spearheaded by the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), garnered considerable interest from the US market.…
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Thai police step up probe into underage assault linked to ex-Olympic boxer
Thai police are accelerating their investigation into the case of a 17 year old girl who reported being sexually assaulted after a night out at a club. They are gathering information before summoning Somluck Kamsing, a former Olympic gold medal boxer, for questioning about the underage assault. The incident occurred today, at an entertainment venue on Prachasamran Road, Khon Kaen…
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Devastating road accident in Chumphon leaves one dead, six injured
A pickup truck, carrying six workers, swerved drastically to avoid an oncoming motorbike, resulting in the vehicle flipping and leaving one dead and six injured. The incident occurred around 5pm yesterday, in Chumphon province. Manoch Plodkankan, an investigative officer from the Lang Suan Police Station, was among the first to arrive at the scene. The accident happened off the Asian…
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China positions Guangxi as Southeast Asia’s primary gateway
Guanxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, bordering Vietnam, is being positioned by China as the primary gateway for businesses and tourists from the ASEAN region. Its southern China location and connectivity to Vietnam through land, sea, and air routes make it a strategic point for Southeast Asia. The region is equipped with three international airports and three deep-sea ports which collectively host…
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New M81 motorway segment open for new year holiday traffic in Thailand
Transport Minister Suriya Jungrungreangkit announced that a portion of the new M81 motorway, set to connect Bang Yai district in Nonthaburi to Kanchanaburi province, will be accessible to drivers over the new year holiday season. Suriya and Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin were in Kanchanaburi on Saturday, where they conversed with officials about the province’s development. During the period from December…
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Thailand’s minimum wage increase sparks controversy and calls for revision
The contentious decision to marginally increase the daily minimum wage in Thailand spurred the Ministry of Labour into seeking discussions with the tripartite committee, which approved the hike. Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin critiqued the decision as insignificant, stating that the 2 to 16 baht rise approved last Friday was insufficient. The tripartite committee, also referred to as the wage board,…
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Escaped prisoner recaptured in Thailand following penis enlargement surgery
The Department of Corrections in Thailand recently recaptured an 37 year old escaped prisoner, who had fled from the surgical ward of Bang Lamung Hospital. He was discovered today at approximately 7am, hiding on the rooftop of a one-storey psychiatry ward building, a mere 20 metres from the surgical ward he had escaped from. Thanaphat Mayod, who was serving a…
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Lamduan drug gang apprehended in high-speed chase by operation unit 238
Operation Unit 238, tasked with protecting the city of Lamduan, successfully apprehended a drug gang following a high-speed car chase. The operation ended with two young men in custody and almost 70,000 methamphetamine pills confiscated. Another suspect managed to escape during the pursuit yesterday. Anupong Suksomnit, the Provincial Police Region of Sisaket, revealed the details of the drug bust, which…
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Surat Thani man shoots brother-in-law over land dispute
A brutal domestic dispute escalated to homicide when a man fatally shot his brother-in-law multiple times in front of their family home. The incident, sparked by an argument over inherited land rights, occurred in the Chaiya district of Surat Thani Province. The gunman is now in police custody awaiting prosecution. On the evening of yesterday, at around 10pm, police officers…
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Siam Paragon’s 18th anniversary: December’s world-class events unveiled
Siam Paragon, a ‘World-class Destination’ and the top-of-mind destination for local and international shoppers, is collaborating with The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) and Kasikorn Bank to deliver a unique and unparalleled experience during this festive season with line-up of ‘World Iconic Events’ all through December 2023. “SIAM PARAGON THE GLORIOUS STAGE OF THE WORLD FESTIVAL” is staged as part…
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Update: Thap Sakae bus accident death toll rises to 15 as woman succumbs to injuries
The bus accident in Thap Sakae, Prachuap Khiri Khan province, claimed one more life, raising the death toll to 15. The latest victim was a 29 year old woman, Mantira Deema, who passed away after battling for her life since the accident occurred on December 5. The incident involved a Sri Siam Tour bus (Bangkok-Na Thawi) that veered off the…
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South Thailand: Fatal crash in Chumphon kills two Indian tourists
A collision in Tha Sae district of Chumphon led to the deaths of two Indian tourists and severe injuries to five others, including four Indian nationals and a Thai driver, today, December 9. The ill-fated van they were travelling in crashed into the back of a truck, leading to this catastrophic event. The crash took place near the kilometre marker…
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Thailand and Vietnam set for a strategic partnership
In a diplomatic move, Thailand Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin declared the intention to elevate ties with Vietnam to a comprehensive strategic partnership (CSP). During bilateral talks with Vietnamese National Assembly Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue, the 61 year old Thai PM expressed optimism about the lightning-fast progress in their relations. He highlighted the effectiveness of collaboration across various sectors. Thailand and…
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Private hospitals under fire as government cracks down on skyrocketing costs
The Internal Trade Department tightens control on private hospitals, urging them to play ball in the battle against soaring medical expenses. The government demands transparency and cooperation from over 300 private medical institutions. Wattanasak Sur-iam, the director-general of the Internal Trade Department, has thrown down the gauntlet in a bid to bring down the cost of living for citizens. In a…
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Thai PM blames past governments for Thai students’ poor PISA test results
Thailand Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin places blame on previous governments for the lacklustre performance of Thai students in recent international assessments. PM Srettha, whose government assumed power a mere three months ago, pledged to tackle the issue head-on and place a renewed focus on enhancing the country’s educational standards. The Thai PM’s comments were motivated by the latest results from the…
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Chao Phraya cruise operators slash prices as tourism battles slowdown
Chao Phraya cruise operators are keeping prices level due to sluggish tourism and high competition. While tourism is taking its time to recover, business-oriented charters are sailing towards a stronger comeback. Poowadee Kunpalin, Vice-President of the Chao Phraya River Tourism Association, talks about the resurgence. “Business travellers, especially from South Korea and European countries, are leading the charge. These high…
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China slashes visa fees: Tourists to travel to the PRC for less
China has thrown open its doors, slashing visa fees by a whopping 25% with the offer extending to a range of countries including Thailand, Japan, Mexico, Vietnam, and the Philippines. China, in its latest move to boost tourism and business, has made it more affordable for millions to obtain visas. The unprecedented 25% cut applies to travellers from over a dozen…
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Thai-Myanmar task force takes on border crisis
Thailand and Myanmar have joined forces to address the humanitarian crisis unfolding along the Thai-Myanmar border. The initiative aims to provide much-needed assistance to the thousands affected by the ongoing conflict, with both nations committed to fostering peace in Myanmar. During a bilateral meeting at the 8th Mekong-Lancang Cooperation (MLC) in Beijing, Thai Foreign Minister Parnpree Bahiddha-Nukara underscored Thailand’s dedication…
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Thai government launches aggressive campaign against illegal lending
The Thai government has prioritised an aggressive campaign against illegal lending and loan sharks, in an attempt to curb what Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin refers to as modern-day slavery. The move emphasises the urgency to dismantle such activities to restore social stability and security. The 61 year old Thai PM stated the issue of illegal loans has escalated to a…
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Khao Lampi-Hat Thai Muang park kicks off nesting season with 118 turtle eggs
The latest nesting season in Khao Lampi-Hat Thai Mueang National Park, Thai Mueang district, kicked off with the discovery of 118 leatherback turtle eggs. The eggs were spotted yesterday, December 8, by park officials during their patrol on the beach for signs of a leatherback turtle, locally known as Tao Mafueng, breeding site. Prarop Plaengngan, the park’s chief, recounted the…
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Thai farmers warned against smuggling uncertified Vietnamese rice strains
Thailand‘s Agriculture and Cooperatives Minister Captain Thamanat Prompow, cautioned local farmers against cultivating or smuggling uncertified Vietnamese rice strains. The warning, issued yesterday, December 8, comes in light of potential complaints from Vietnam, which could negatively impact Thailand’s reputation and bilateral relations. Despite the higher yield per area of Vietnamese rice strains providing increased income for farmers, the minister emphasised the…
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Shocking stop: Thai Smile Buses Co., face backlash as passengers left stranded
The Thai Smile Bus Company faced a barrage of criticism as their electric buses ground to a halt, leaving passengers stranded and services disrupted. The uproar prompted an investigation into the sudden cessation of operations, revealing a deep-seated issue affecting the company’s ability to provide a reliable service. The Corporate Communications Department of Thai Smile Bus Company Limited officially addressed…
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Thailand’s 2 billion baht electricity subsidy for 17.7 million households
The Thai Cabinet has allocated 2 billion baht to subsidise electricity costs for 17.7 million vulnerable households. The scheme, set to be a new year’s gift, will apply to those using no more than 300 units of electricity per month, maintaining a cost of 3.99 baht per unit. Deputy Prime Minister and Energy Minister Peeraphan Salirathaviphak, stated today, December 8,…
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Global carbon countdown: Is the world doomed? Shocking revelations from climate talk
At the Thai-German conference Climate Talk in Bangkok, Germany’s Ambassador to Thailand, Dr Ernst Reichel, warns that the world is perilously behind in achieving net-zero carbon emissions. As countries grapple with the devastating consequences of climate change, a fossil fuel ban emerges as a contentious issue during Climate Talk, creating challenges for the upcoming United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP28)…
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Loan sharks circle in: 65 year old business owner seeks refuge in Chon Buri
A 65 year old business owner in Chon Buri approached the Saaih Mai Tong Rod coordination centre at 10.40am today, seeking assistance after being ruthlessly pursued by loan sharks. The business owner, Chai, borrowed just 30,000 baht but has ended up paying over 3 million baht in interest. His lenders, a total of 29, have forced him to become a…
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