News
Thailand news, politics, business, crime, lifestyle, and tourism—stay updated with breaking news and in-depth analysis from Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Pattaya, and beyond.
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Teen found dead in Bangkok flat, boyfriend arrested
Last week, on December 1, police from Khanna Yao station received a report from 58 year old Saiyon (surname withheld), who requested an investigation at a flat in the Eua Arthorn Koobon 27 building in Tha Raeng, Bang Khen district, Bangkok. This was part of a complex Bangkok incident that drew significant attention. Upon arrival, Saiyon informed the police that…
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French man arrested for rape as police targets illegal activities on Koh Phangan
Special Operations Unit officers in Surat Thani have arrested a French man involved in a rape case, apprehending him at a residence on Koh Phangan. Simultaneously, two Latvian women were caught operating an illegal hotel on the same island. Today, on December 7, Police Major General Suwat Suksri, Surat Thani Provincial Police Commander, along with Deputy Commanders Police Colonel Paisan…
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Patong roads close for Phuket Carnival parade on December 19
Patong Municipality has advised residents and visitors to steer clear of the main roads at the southern end of Patong and Thaweewong Road, also known as Patong Beach Road, on the evening of December 19. This request is due to the annual parade of the ‘Phuket Carnival‘ marking the official start of the tourism high season. The parade is scheduled…
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Taxi driver arrested in Pathum Thani with meth pills worth 200 million baht
In Pathum Thani, a significant drug bust led to the arrest of a taxi driver. He was transporting a massive haul of methamphetamine pills. Yesterday, on December 6, at the Pathum Thani Provincial Police Headquarters, Police Lieutenant General Wathana Yeejeen, alongside other officials, announced the capture of 35 year old Peekorn. He was found with 6,756,000 methamphetamine pills valued at…
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Thai airports to verify baggage scales ahead of holiday travel
Mallika Chiraphanwanit, the Deputy Minister of Transport, has directed the Department of Airports to collaborate with local agencies to inspect the accuracy of luggage weighing scales at airports under its jurisdiction. This initiative aims to reassure passengers ahead of the new year period. Yesterday, on December 6, Mallika Chiraphanwanit instructed airports under the Department of Airports (DOA) to work with…
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Foreign motorcyclist critically injured in Pattaya-area high-speed curve crash
A foreign man, believed to be in his mid-20s, sustained severe injuries in a motorcycle accident early Friday morning, December 5. The accident occurred when he lost control on a sharp curve and collided with an electricity pole at around 6.20am on the Huay Yai Phrom–Na Phrao Road, near Soi Lung Term. CCTV footage revealed the man was travelling at…
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Thai military warns Myanmar after shells injure civilians in Tak
The Chief of Defence Forces has cautioned that strict actions will be taken after artillery shells from Myanmar injured civilians in Tak province. General Ukrit Boontanon reported that artillery rounds from ongoing clashes between Myanmar’s government troops and ethnic armed groups landed in Mae Sot district, Tak, on Saturday. The cross-border conflict involved significant gunfire and artillery shelling, with some…
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Fitness coach Po admits to child discipline incident, offers apology
Fitness coach Po, known for his popular page, has publicly addressed allegations of child assault, admitting to his actions and expressing regret. He confirmed using only a fingertip to lightly discipline the child and is prepared to take responsibility for his actions. The incident, which occurred on November 30 at 4.30pm, involved Coach Po engaging with two boys by a…
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Thai Navy boosts Vietnam ties, denies frigate deal claims
The Royal Thai Navy has reaffirmed its close military cooperation with Vietnam and provided an update on the status of its planned frigate procurement, stating the process remains in its early stages and is being handled with transparency and care. Today, December 6, Rear Admiral Parach Rattanachaiyapan, spokesperson for the Royal Thai Navy, said the naval relationship between Thailand and…
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Cyanide confirmed in Channel 8 reporter’s body, investigation ongoing
Thai authorities are investigating the death of Channel 8 reporter Natthawut Ponglanka after forensic tests confirmed the presence of cyanide in his system. Natthawut, also known as Nutpong, was found dead at his home in Nonthaburi’s Bang Kruai district on the morning of November 30. Initial findings suggested abnormal heart rhythm as the cause of death, but further examination by…
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Thailand urges UN to act on Cambodian border landmines
Thailand has called on the United Nations Office for Disarmament Affairs (UNODA) to address the spread of landmines along the Thai–Cambodian border, warning the situation could affect the credibility of the UN body and the international landmine ban. Foreign Minister Sihasak Phuangketkeow raised the issue during talks with Carolyne-Melanie Regimbal, head of UNODA in Geneva, on Thursday, December 4. “The…
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Norwegian arrested for attempted tuk-tuk, bicycle theft in Bangkok
Police arrested a Norwegian man for theft after he attempted to take a tuk‑tuk and later a bicycle along Sukhumvit Road, before officers detained him in front of a hotel in Thong Lor, Bangkok, yesterday, December 5. Pol. Maj. Gen. Witawat Chinnakam, Commander of Metropolitan Police Division 5, along with senior officers from Thong Lor Police Station, ordered patrol units…
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Hip-hop star Way accused of fake stock scheme after wife’s 195m baht scandal
Thai rapper Prinya “Way” Intachai, a member of hip-hop group Thaitanium, has been accused of swindling an investor out of over 50 million baht through a fake stock trading scheme, just days after his actress wife was arrested in a separate high-profile fraud case. A complaint filed with the Economic Crime Suppression Division (ECD) includes bank transfer receipts and chat logs…
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Opposition leader slams flood response committee as headline-making move
Opposition leader and People’s Party MP Natthaphong Ruengpanyawut has criticised the government’s decision to establish a flood response review committee, calling the move unnecessary and performative. In an open letter addressed to Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul and released on December 4, Natthaphong questioned the rationale behind forming yet another committee, arguing that Thailand has already endured numerous disasters and accumulated…
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Vehicle registration rules relaxed for flood-hit southern motorists
Thailand’s Transport Ministry has instructed the Department of Land Transport (DLT) to relax documentation requirements for motorists in the south who lost or damaged their licence plates or vehicle registration documents due to recent flooding. Affected individuals will not need to present the original registration book or ID card to request replacements. The announcement was made yesterday, December 5, by…
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December 6 weather: Stormy south, foggy north, and light rain in Bangkok
Thailand’s Meteorological Department (TMD) issued a weather alert today, December 6, warning of increased rainfall in the south and dropping temperatures in the north and northeast. Bangkok and nearby provinces are also expected to see light rain and moderate dust levels. From now until tomorrow morning, scattered heavy rain is expected in parts of the south, particularly in Chumphon, Surat…
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Questions rise over sudden death of renowned Thai journalist
Tributes and questions have emerged following the sudden death of Nattawut Ponglangka, a 35 year old Channel 8 field reporter known for his investigative coverage, after colleagues said he “fell asleep and never woke up”. News of his death was first shared on November 30 by fellow Channel 8 reporter Ice Sarawat Kijpanit, who posted that Nattawut had passed away…
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Phuket governor calls urgent meeting as waste volume nears limit
Phuket Governor Nirat Phongsitthaworn has called an urgent meeting with leaders from all 19 local administrative organisations as the province faces a significant rise in waste volumes that could exceed the capacity of the island’s central disposal facilities by year-end. The announcement followed a briefing at Phuket Provincial Hall on December 4, where Phuket City Mayor Supachok La-ongphet reported growing…
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Sek Loso withdraws from prison duties after family visit dispute
Thai rock star Sek Loso, also known as Seksan Sukpimai, has announced his decision to withdraw from all work assignments outside the prison, following a public incident involving family at the Central Women’s Correctional Institution on December 3. The incident began when Sek’s wife, Wiphakorn “Karn” Sukpimai, took their daughter to the facility to celebrate the girl’s birthday and watch…
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People’s Party demands deputy PM’s removal over alleged crime ties
The opposition People’s Party has renewed its call for the dismissal of Deputy Prime Minister Thamanat Prompow, citing concerns that his continued role in the Cabinet may affect ongoing investigations into a transnational crime and money laundering network. The remarks were made by Rangsiman Rome, Deputy Leader of the People’s Party, following the Anti-Money Laundering Office (AMLO)’s seizure of assets…
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Actress Nana Intachai granted bail in 195 million baht fraud case
Actress Rybena “Nana” Intachai has been released on 1 million baht bail after being charged with defrauding friends and associates of nearly 195 million baht through alleged Ponzi-style schemes. The Criminal Court granted her temporary release yesterday, December 4, prohibiting her from leaving the country without court approval. A psychologist has also been assigned to counsel the 44 year old…
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Death toll from southern floods remains at 145, says Health Ministry
Thailand’s Ministry of Public Health reported that the death toll from the southern floods remains at 145, with 42 bodies returned to families and 103 awaiting identification as of 4pm on December 4. The update was issued from Songklanagarind Hospital in Hat Yai, which is handling post-mortem examinations and forensic identification following the disaster. Among the deceased, 54 died while…
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Man drowns at Pattaya Beach; disabled vendor tried to help
A wheelchair bound lottery ticket vendor entered the sea to assist a person found floating in the water at Pattaya Beach on the evening of December 4, but the individual was already deceased when reached. The Sawang Boriboon Thammasathan Rescue Centre received a call at 7.06pm reporting a possible drowning. Upon arrival, responders found a man’s body on the sand.…
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Mother stabs daughter in Udon Thani after dispute over boyfriend
Police in Udon Thani launched an investigation after a 36 year old woman was found dead in a bathroom, allegedly stabbed by her mother during an argument over the daughter’s relationship with a man involved in drug dealing. At 11.30am yesterday, December 4, officers from Nong Saeng Police Station responded to a call reporting a fatal stabbing at a home…
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December 5 weather: Bangkok, south hit by downpours, haze persists
Thailand’s Meteorological Department (TMD) issued a warning today, December 5, forecasting heavy to very heavy rainfall across 24 provinces, with Bangkok and the upper southern region among the hardest hit. Meanwhile, upper Thailand continues to face chilly morning temperatures. From now until tomorrow evening, people in southern provinces should brace for torrential downpours, especially in Prachuap Khiri Khan, Chumphon, Surat…
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Buffalo attacks one baby elephant, snare traps another in Sa Kaeo
A buffalo attacked one wild baby elephant, and a snare trapped another in Sa Kaeo province yesterday, December 3. Officials rescued both and returned them safely to the forest. The Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation reported that two baby elephants had strayed from their herd and ended up in separate zones near the forest in Khao Chakan…
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Foreign tourist allegedly gropes woman on Pattaya speedboat
A half-Thai, half-Laotian man condemned a foreign tourist for sexually assaulting his girlfriend by groping her on a speedboat in Pattaya. The boyfriend, identified as Leo, shared a video of the incident on Facebook on Tuesday, December 2, with the caption, “I never expected this foreigner to do this. #Travel #Warning.” The accused foreign man, wearing a red T-shirt and…
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Iconic Thai voice actress behind Conan and Suneo passes away
Channel 9 Cartoon announced the death of Took Arunee, a legendary Thai voice actress behind Conan and Suneo. The Facebook page “Channel 9 Cartoon” shared sad news of the passing of Arunee Nanthiwat, also known as Aunty Took, a legendary senior voice actress. She was the iconic voice behind many beloved characters, including Edogawa Conan, from Detective Conan, and Suneo,…
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Israel confirms identity of Thai hostage’s body from Gaza
The Israeli Prime Minister’s office has confirmed that the Red Cross handed over the body of Thai national Sudthisak Rintalak on Wednesday, December 3. Only one deceased hostage remains in Gaza, 24 year old Ran Gvili, an Israeli police officer. Sudthisak and Gvili were the final two hostages who had not been recovered from the territory. The Palestinian Islamic Jihad’s (PIJ)…
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Thai netizens call out Cambodia’s Miss Charm video
Thai netizens are accusing Miss Charm Cambodia 2025 of using Thailand’s iconic tourism slogan and traditional-style attire. The recently released video on Miss Charm’s Facebook page, titled “Miss Charm Cambodia 2025 | Introduction Video”, features this year’s Miss Charm Cambodia contestant, Det Sreyneat, narrating the kingdom’s cultural wonders, historic temples, and natural beauty. But what caught the attention of many Thai…
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