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 How much does it cost to see a doctor in Thailand?
Thailand is known for its high-quality yet affordable healthcare system, but how much does it really cost to see a doctor? As an expat, this question might be crucial for budgeting your health needs. The answer depends on whether you...
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Motorcyclist killed in hit-and-run by lorry driver in central Thailand
A tragic road incident has claimed the life of a 43 year old motorcyclist in Bang Phli, Samut Prakan. An 18-wheel lorry collided with the victim’s motorcycle, resulting in fatal head injuries. The 39 year old driver, Wasan, refuted allegations of fleeing, claiming ignorance of the incident that killed the victim Phinyo. At approximately 9.20am today, Deputy Inspector Anan Thongleua of…
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Phuket’s tuk tuk turmoil: Driver busted with ‘Yaba’ stash and axe arsenal
A tuk tuk driver from Patong was apprehended by police and charged with possession of 43 methamphetamine pills, known locally as Yaba, and several weapons, including an axe. The 30 year old driver, was arrested on Monday night, October 16, at a checkpoint in front of Patong Hospital. The incident was reported by the Patong Police late the following day.…
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PM2.5 dust particles return due to season change in Bangkok
Bangkok is currently grappling with the return of PM2.5 dust particles, predominantly due to the transition from the rainy season to the colder months. Rising atmospheric pressure and stagnant air contribute to the accumulation of these particles. The Pollution Control Department (PCD) of the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment reported today, that the PM2.5 situation in Bangkok and surrounding…
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Elderly man accused of child sex abuse commits suicide in northern Thailand
A 72 year old man accused of child sex abuse committed suicide, escaping the legal consequences of his actions. The mother of the 11 year old girl victim revealed that she too had been molested by the same man when she was a child. The child sex abuse incident came to light when an 11 year old girl sent a…
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Sunny-side up: Thai exports set to crack 3.6% growth in 2023
Positive prospects are forecasted for Thai exports next year, with an anticipated growth rate of 3.6%. This rebound follows a projected 2% drop this year, according to a recent report by the University of the Thai Chamber of Commerce (UTCC). UTCC’s president, Thanavath Phonvichai, attributes this optimistic projection to several factors including lower interest rates and easing inflation globally, which…
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Thai government committee plans referendum on constitutional amendments
Two sub-panels have been established by the government committee studying the proposed constitutional amendments in Thailand. Their mandate is to measure public sentiment on the proposed changes and devise a blueprint for a potential referendum. Phumtham Wechayachai, chair of the committee, has stated that while there is no set deadline for these sub-panels, it is anticipated that their tasks will…
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Thai PM dismisses rumours of expensive Super App for digital currency scheme
Thailand Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin quashed rumours yesterday regarding the development of a new application for the country’s forthcoming 10,000-baht digital currency handout scheme. Speculation had been rife that an affiliate of property behemoth Sansiri Plc was to develop the new digital wallet application, named Super App, at a whopping cost of 12 billion baht. However, the 61 year old…
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NIA Reform: Thailand supports startups and SMEs market entry
The National Innovation Agency (NIA) reformed its financial assistance measures, shifting focus towards aiding startups and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in getting their products to market, rather than simply supporting the development of prototypes. This year, the state agency has allocated 300 million baht to support these businesses, to generate a 3 billion baht economic and social impact, which…
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Thailand to establish dedicated appeal court for narcotics cases
The Supreme Court of Thailand has set in motion plans to establish a dedicated appeal court for narcotics cases, aiming to expedite the legal process for confiscating assets of drug networks. This initiative follows a meeting between Deputy Prime Minister Somsak Thepsutin and the newly appointed Supreme Court president, Anocha Chevitsophon. The deputy prime minister requested guidance from Anocha Chevitsophon…
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Revved up worries: Middle East turmoil puts Thai car exports in the hot seat
The Federation of Thai Industries’ Automotive Industry Club warned that the ongoing Middle East conflict could potentially disrupt car exports to the region. Particularly, the popular pickup exports could see a downturn if the dispute remains unresolved. Given the current stagnation in domestic sales, the Thai auto industry relies significantly on its exports. Surapong Paisitpatanapong, the vice-chairman of the Federation…
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Thai PM adviser urges police to improve criminal record updating system
Pichai Naripthaphan, previously holding the position of energy minister and presently advising Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin, has urged the Royal Thai Police (RTP) to enhance their criminal record database updating system. The need for this improvement was highlighted when Pichai found his name still listed on the national police database during background checks, despite being cleared of all criminal offences.…
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Bangkok’s electric train flat fare drops to 20 baht, ridership soars by 90%
A surge of nearly 90% in ridership was recorded on Bangkok’s Red and Purple electric train lines on Monday, following the introduction of a 20-baht flat fare. The Department of Rail Transport (DRT) source revealed that the number of passengers on both lines escalated to 94,446 on Monday, marking an 86% increase from the previous day. The 20-baht flat fare…
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Thai student’s tragic death after falling victim to iPhone online scam
A tragic incident unfolded in Nakhon Si Thammarat when a 19 year old student was found hanged in her home after falling victim to an online scam. The fraudsters duped the victim, Atiya, into paying 20,000 baht for an iPhone 13 that never existed. The police launched an investigation yesterday to capture the culprits, including a woman who held an account…
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Major rainstorm set to pummel Thailand’s south
The Thailand Meteorological Department (TMD) reported that a major rainstorm is set to hit the southern parts of the nation today, while light showers are expected to continue in the northern, central regions, and the metropolitan area of Bangkok. In the next 24 hours, a cool weather mass remains over the northern, northeastern, and central regions. Meanwhile, an equatorial trough…
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Italian police arrest two suspects in Milan linked to IS
Italian authorities cracked down on suspected Islamic State (IS) affiliates, deploying an elite police squad to disrupt and arrest two individuals in Milan, the capital of the Lombardy region in northern Italy. The operation was led by the Milan Public Prosecutor’s Office. The suspects, both of Italian and Egyptian nationality, were charged with promoting, inciting, recruiting and funding the IS.…
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Thai tycoon Premchai Karnasuta’s release reignites interest in Black Panther case
Premchai Karnasuta, a high-profile individual known for his involvement in the infamous Black Panther case, is set to be released from Thong Pha Phum prison today. This news has reignited interest in the case, which once shook the nation, on social media platforms. Premchai, the primary defendant in the case, is the president and managing director of Italian-Thai Development Public…
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Chiang Mai military seize 12.2 million meth pills
Early this morning morning saw the seizure of over 12 million methamphetamine pills by military personnel in the Wiang Haeng district of Chiang Mai. The Pha Muang task force’s rangers of the Royal Thai Army discovered two suspicious pickup trucks parked in a garden along the Ban Mai Muang Jod road in the Piang Luang Tambon at around 5am, today,…
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Beachside brawl: Transgender Thai and tourist’s clash sends waves through Pattaya sand (video)
Pattaya’s beach was the backdrop of a dramatic altercation at the weekend as a Thai transgender was seen launching a vicious, physical attack on an unidentified foreign tourist. The conflict erupted after the tourist allegedly insulted her after she propositioned him. The incident, captured in a video and shared via TikTok on ghostcars001, quickly spread across Thai social media platforms,…
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Chinese investment in Thailand gains speed amidst economic slowdown
Chinese firms have significantly increased their investment in Thailand this year, despite China’s economic slowdown, providing a much-needed boost for the Thai Prime Minister, Srettha Thavisin. The increase in investment comes as a welcome relief amid concerns about the impacts of the world’s second-largest economy’s sluggish recovery on global growth. However, Thailand continues to appeal as a crucial investment hub…
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Tesla ghost hunt goes viral: Scientist on track to uncover cemetery mystery in Thailand
A viral TikTok video featuring a Tesla car detecting a ghost in a cemetery sparked scientific analysis today by Dr Chetsada Denduangboripant, a lecturer in the Department of Biology at Chulalongkorn University. He suggested that the anomaly could be due to a malfunction in the car’s sensor and software systems. The viral video was posted by @aunnyc, who drove her…
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Phuket’s waste crisis and eco-tourism plans discussed by Pita Limjaroenrat
Pita Limjaroenrat, the former Move Forward Party (MFP) leader, yesterday paid a visit to Phuket to assess some ongoing projects in the seaside resort and discuss the key issues with the residents and officials. The respected former MFP leader was accompanied by three local MPs affiliated with the MFP, namely Somchart Techathavorncharoen, Chalermpong Saengdee and Thitikan Thitipruekthikul. The first stop…
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High-end restaurants warned of new scam involving bogus wine shop and fake reservations
A new kind of scam targeting upscale restaurants has been exposed. Scammers posing as customers reserve tables, deceiving eateries into buying wine from bogus shops. The TikTok account, ambersmixedfamily, shared a video warning about this new type of con targeting high-priced restaurants. Ammy, the account owner, shared a chat conversation where a man approached the restaurant via Line, a messaging…
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Thai court halts government’s wind power purchase scheme over selection irregularities
The Central Administrative Court‘s ruling to halt the government’s scheme to purchase 1,500 megawatts of wind power, on grounds of alleged irregularities in power plant selection, prompted the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) to gear up for an appeal. The judgement came in response to Khon Kaen Wind 2 Co, a subsidiary of the SET-listed Energy Absolute (EA), who had voiced…
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Thong Fah outlets to join online food delivery platforms for cheaper fare
Future talks are in the works between the Internal Trade Department and multiple food delivery platform operators such as Thong Fah food outlets. The goal is to integrate Thong Fah (Blue Flag) outlets into their online systems. These outlets sell food at low prices, potentially helping customers save on daily food costs. Wattanasak Sur-iam, the Internal Trade Department’s director-general, revealed…
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Egypt unearths 3,400-year-old cemetery from New Kingdom era packed with ancient treasures
The Egyptian Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities announced the discovery of a 3,400-year-old ancient cemetery from the New Kingdom era at the Tuna El-Gebel necropolis in the southern Minya governorate. These burial grounds belonged to high-ranking officials and priests of ancient Egypt, according to Mostafa Waziri, the Secretary-General of the Supreme Council of Antiquities. Waziri said the excavation, led by…
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Submarine snag: Thai prime minister dives into talks with China
Thailand Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin is set for talks with the Chinese government regarding the delay in the delivery of a commissioned Chinese submarine to Thailand. The submarine in question, an S26T Yuan-class model, was initially planned to reach Thailand last month. However, due to the ongoing pandemic, the delivery has been postponed until April of the coming year. China…
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Thai tourism hit as gun violence prompts Chinese visitor cancellations
The Thai government has been urged to tighten gun control measures by Chiang Mai hoteliers and tourism entrepreneurs in the aftermath of the Siam Paragon shopping mall shooting on October 3. The incident, which resulted in the death of three people, including a Chinese tourist, and injured four others, has shaken the confidence of Chinese travellers in Thailand. The fallout…
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Heavy rain warning in 32 Thailand provinces, severe flooding expected
The Thai Meteorological Department (TMD) issued a heavy rain warning for 32 provinces today, with the southern region expected to receive heavy rainfall, covering 70% of the area. Residents are urged to be cautious of the accumulated rainfall, which could lead to sudden flooding. The 24-hour forecast from the TMD reveals that the high atmospheric pressure, or cold air mass,…
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Thai visa extension for Russians sparks mixed industry reactions
The Thai Cabinet’s decision to extend the stay period for Russian tourists under the visa extension to 90 days, from the previous 30 days, has sparked mixed reactions. While some tourism operators fear an increase in illegal work activity, others in the south see potential for a boost in spending. The new policy, announced on Monday, aims to stimulate the…
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Thai ‘super app’ set to launch with 10,000-baht digital wallet scheme
The completion of a multi-purpose mobile application, or super app, is on track for early next year, coinciding with the launch of the 10,000-baht digital wallet initiative, as announced by Deputy Finance Minister Julapun Amornvivat. The mobile app is designed as a comprehensive solution, with developers assuring its readiness for the digital wallet scheme’s rollout, expected between February and March…
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