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 Leap into English mastery with Green Valley's LEAP Programme
For many years, St. Andrews International School, Green Valley’s students who did not speak English as their first language have typically participated in English as an Additional Language (EAL) programmes to build proficiency. However, the school has recently introduced a...
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Drunk officer leaves 12 year old boy in critical condition after hit-and-run (video)
A reckless police officer under the influence of alcohol crashed his pickup into a motorcycle and dragged a 12 year old boy along the road in the Isaan province of Roi Et, leaving the victim hospitalised and in critical condition. The crash between the two vehicles on Prem Pracharath Road was reported to Mueang Roi Et Police Station at 9.50am…
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Thailand’s NSM Foundation uncovers five unique insect and one plant species
The National Science Museum (NSM) Foundation in Thailand recently uncovered five unique insect species and a novel plant species, bolstering the nation’s strides in the arena of scientific discovery. The revelation was made public by NSM President, Assistant Professor Rawin Raviwongse, last Wednesday. The insect species discovered encompass three distinct earwig species, namely Mongolabis chiangmaiensis Nishikawa & Jaitrong, 2023; Mongolabis…
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Thailand’s rice exports expected to drop 14.4% amid global competition
A projected drop of 14.4% in Thailand’s rice exports is anticipated for this year, due to a combination of reduced production and increased global competition, as reported by the Foreign Trade Department. The department’s director-general, Ronnarong Phoolpipat, revealed that the estimate of 7.5 million tonnes of rice exports this year was jointly made with the Thai Rice Exporters Association. This…
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AI’s impact on jobs raises concerns, experts urge preparedness
Concerns are rising across various sectors about the potential displacement of jobs due to the increasing adoption of artificial intelligence (AI), with experts advising organisations and individuals to prepare for the inevitable impact. A recent blog post by Kristalina Georgieva, chief of the International Monetary Fund (IMF), suggested that AI would affect nearly 40% of global jobs, replacing some and…
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Move Forward Party faces potential dissolution over royal insult laws
The Move Forward Party (MFP), Thailand’s main opposition, is on the brink of dissolution, following a petition submitted to the Election Commission (EC) by leading activists. The objection was lodged on account of the party’s position on royal insult laws. Ruangkrai Leekitwattana, a political activist, took his petition to the EC on Thursday, requesting the dissolution of the MFP. This…
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Thai parties unite to amend Referendum Act for easier constitution change
Thailand’s leading political parties, Pheu Thai and Move Forward, are joining forces to amend the country’s Referendum Act. The act’s existing flaws are viewed as hurdles to modifying the constitution, a critical move supported by many parties who see the current charter as a legacy of the National Council for Peace and Order, the orchestrator of the last coup. Both…
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Health alert: Your favourite grilled pork buffet could be killing you
The Ministry of Public Health (MPH) issued a dire warning to all Moo Kratha enthusiasts, exposing the perilous health risks lurking behind the seemingly innocent Thai barbeque-style grilled pork. Moo Kratha has been a Thai culinary delight but the MPH’s latest survey unveiled a dark side to this all-you-can-eat extravaganza, putting the health of many Thais at risk. A comprehensive…
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Central Group grabs Ploenchit Road for record-breaking 16 million baht per square metre
The land price per square wah in the heart of Bangkok is set to smash records, with Central Group snatching up a plot on Ploenchit Road from the Sukosol family at 4 million baht per square wa (16 million baht per square metre). This coveted three-rai plot, formerly the Morakot parking lot nestled between Central Chidlom and Soi Somkid, has…
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Swine surprise: Task force uncovers pork smuggling scheme in Thailand
A recent expose by the Phaya Naga Special Task Force revealed a significant new piece of evidence linking a smuggling operation importing illicit pork into Thailand. The discovery was announced by Thanadol Suwannarat, advisor to the Minister of Agriculture and Cooperatives and deputy commander and spokesperson of the Phaya Naga task force. At 1.30pm today, the task force prepared to…
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Pattaya motorcycle taxi rider dodges death with IED discovery on Beach Road
A motorcycle taxi rider narrowly escaped death after discovering two improvised explosive devices (IEDs) on a Beach Road in Pattaya. Fortunately, he escaped without a scratch when one of the bombs exploded. The 57 year old motorcycle taxi rider, Suwit Srijantuek, told Channel 7 that he stumbled upon the IEDs hidden in a traffic cone he routinely uses daily to safeguard his…
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High speed train and dual tracks to transform travel experience in Hua Hin
The newly inaugurated dual-track train line on December 15 promises faster travel times and increased efficiency for Hua Hin’s commuters. Yet, confusion reigns among the public as they grapple with the distinction between this groundbreaking initiative and the upcoming high-speed train project. The dual track line, complete with the gleaming new elevated train station in Hua Hin, stands as a…
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Brief encounter: Thai man in underwear dodges death after sick leave refusal sparks murder attempt
A Thai man narrowly escaped death and urgently sought help from a neighbour while clad only in his underwear, after a subordinate tried to kill him for rejecting a sick leave request. The suspect was arrested yesterday, January 31. Deputy District Chief Rojanin Borwonthitichairat filed a complaint against his subordinate, 39 year old Adul, at Nonsuwan Police Station at about…
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Automakers’ ties to forced labour in China under scrutiny, says HRW report
Five prominent automakers, including Toyota, General Motors, Volkswagen, Tesla, and China’s BYD, have questionable ties to forced labour in China’s Xinjiang region, as identified by a report by Human Rights Watch (HRW). Xinjiang, an important aluminium producer contributing to approximately 9% of the global supply, has been linked to state-sponsored labour transfer programs accused of coercing Muslim minorities into forced…
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Police crackdown on kidnapping for crypto ransom in Phuket, Thailand
Authorities in Phuket detained four foreign suspects in a brazen kidnapping that targeted a Russian couple in the island’s bustling streets. The assailants forced their victims to transfer cryptocurrency worth an estimated 30 million baht but upon interrogation the suspects maintained their innocence, claiming no acquaintance with the victims and identifying themselves as tourists. The incident, which unfolded yesterday, January…
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Whale of a time: Thai tourist’s video reels in awe with rare shark sighting near Koh Samet (video)
A fin-tastic encounter unfolded yesterday as a Thai tourist shared a video capturing the rare moment when a whale shark made a splash near Koh Samet beach in the eastern province of Rayong. A Facebook account, Tanakorn Boontaram, shared a video of a whale shark making a surprise appearance near Koh Samet beach in the eastern province of Rayong, yesterday,…
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Pattaya’s high-speed car crash triggers explosion and blackout
Pattaya witnessed a catastrophic event last night at the entrance of Soi Chaiphonwithi 15, as a high-speed car crash triggered an explosion. This near-fatal incident took place around 11pm when a bronze Toyota pickup truck, bearing Bangkok number plates, slammed into a high-voltage electric pole. The impact ignited a fire, posing a severe threat to the surrounding area. Responding to…
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Entertainment guard gunned down at traffic light in Pattaya
An entertainment guard was shot multiple times while waiting at a traffic light at the intersection at Na Kluea sub-district, North Pattaya, at 6.16am yesterday. The 39 year old guard, Panya Khayanngan, succumbed to his wounds despite a swift rush to the hospital. The crime scene painted a gruesome picture, with Panya’s overturned motorcycle and his body riddled with bullet…
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Phetchaburi police intensify manhunt for suspect in salesman’s murder
A coordinated police operation is underway to apprehend Arm Hua Saphan, a suspect in the fatal shooting of a young mobile merchant in Phetchaburi Province. Police Chief Wan Chai Khawram of Muang Phetchaburi Police Station opened an investigative team to track the suspect, who is the nephew of a high-ranking police officer. The operation involves searches at four locations to…
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Visa applications in Thailand surge, overtaking pre-Covid figures
Visa applications from Thailand have surged, surpassing 2019 pre-pandemic levels. Visa application volumes from Thailand, after a turbulent spell, are on the brink of eclipsing pre-pandemic levels, signalling a remarkable recovery in global travel confidence. A 35% increase in applications last year compared to 2022 promises a boost to international tourism. Key points: Visa applications rebounded with a 35% surge…
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Sightseers sans stamps: Syrian, Egyptian guests nabbed for visa overstay in Bangkok hotel
Immigration police arrested a Syrian man and an Egyptian woman at a hotel in Sukhumvit Soi 4 in Bangkok for overstaying their visas. The Syrian man was discovered to have committed several prior offences. Immigration Bureau officers announced news of three successful operations at a press conference yesterday, January 31. The three cases included the arrest of a British man…
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Tourist thrill ride: Hanging out of car windows lands travellers in hot water in Phuket
A group of reckless tourists in Karon, Phuket, were caught on video hanging out of a car’s windows on the road on Tuesday afternoon. Karon police confirmed that the tourists were seen engaging in impulsive behaviour at approximately 3pm on January 30. The police tracked down the individuals in question at 5.45pm and took them to the local police station…
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Palang Pracharath Party member calls for dissolution of Move Forward Party
Palang Pracharath Party (PPRP) MP Rueangkrai Leekitwattana plans to submit a letter to the Office of the Election Commission of Thailand (ECT) seeking the dissolution of the Move Forward Party (MFP) following the recent decision by the Constitution Court. Thai lawyer Teerayut Suwannakaesorn accused the MFP and former party leader Pita Limjaroenrat of trying to overthrow the monarchy and the…
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Burmese magnate Tun Min Latt walks free from drug trafficking trial
The Criminal Court acquitted Myanmar magnate Tun Min Latt and Senator Upakit Pacharirangkun’s son-in-law, Dean Young Gultula, of drug trafficking charges. The ruling cited insufficient evidence, leaving jaws dropping in disbelief. The charges were filed against Tun Min Latt, the Myanmar businessman, and Gultula, along with two others and the Allure Group (P&E) Co., Ltd., an electricity supply business. The…
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Teenager detained for premeditated murder in Suan Luang school
A 14 year old schoolboy, recently detained at a juvenile detention centre, stands accused of premeditated murder and public possession of a weapon. This follows a tragic incident that occurred on Monday at a school in the Suan Luang district, where he allegedly stabbed and killed another student. Awaiting judgment, the teenager remains under the jurisdiction of the Central Juvenile…
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Pattaya plight: Migrant beggars roam the streets
Migrant beggars, disabled individuals, and the elderly have been spotted roaming the streets near Pattaya Beach, raising eyebrows and causing discomfort among residents and tourists alike. The alarming scenes, particularly along Second Road and in front of the Wat Chai Mongkol Market in South Pattaya, triggered concerns about the city’s struggle to tackle street begging, leaving its impact on the…
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Student Loan Fund recalculates debt repayment to reduce 100 billion baht bad debts
With a staggering 100 billion baht (US$2.8 billion) in bad debts, the Student Loan Fund (SLF) is set to see a decline in its debt pile following the implementation of a new debt repayment calculation method, according to SLF manager, Chainarong Kajchapanan. This change is a result of the recent amendment of the Student Loan Fund Act (No.2) 2023, which…
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Thai man arrested for repeated thefts at house of well-known celebrity manager
A well-known Thai celebrity manager filed a complaint against a local man for repeatedly stealing designer brand products from her home. The transwoman celebrity manager, Suppachai “A” Srivijit, filed a theft report with the Investigation Division of the Metropolitan Police Bureau (IDMB) in mid-January after designer brand items worth about 2 million baht were stolen. Officers investigated the matter and…
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Man dies in high-speed motorcycle crash on Phuket road
A tragic motorcycle accident claimed the life of a 33 year old man in Phuket early this morning after he lost control of his vehicle and crashed. Police and emergency services rushed to the scene, where they discovered the victim had suffered fatal head injuries. Before dawn today, a sharp curve on a road in Phuket turned into the scene…
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Good Samaritan injured aiding crash victims in Pathum Thani
In the early hours of today, February 1, a good Samaritan tragically became a victim himself while assisting at the scene of a crash involving two motorcycles in Pathum Thani Province. A 38 year old man was struck by a speeding car, sustaining severe injuries. The accident, which initially left three people injured from the motorcycle collision, occurred on the…
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Thailand’s steel industry suffers as cheap imports from China flood market
Steel industry capacity utilisation in Thailand is on a downward spiral, with Tata Steel Thailand Plc (TSTH), a subsidiary of India’s largest steelmaker, attributing this trend to the sluggish economic recovery and the influx of inexpensive steel from China. The postponement of the fiscal 2024 state budget planning as a consequence of the 2023 general elections and the protracted process…
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