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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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Sponsored Long-term life in Thailand? 5 reasons private health insurance pays off in the long run
Thailand is a great place for expats and retirees, offering a warm climate, affordable living, and rich culture. However, healthcare can be tricky for foreigners since they aren’t eligible for public health coverage, and private care can be expensive. Private...
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Thailand Video News | Thailand to reclassify cannabis and restrict use to medical only, Malaysia backs Iran’s right to self-defence, urges diplomatic solution to conflict
Today we’ll be talking about Thailand’s plans to restrict cannabis to medical use only, Cambodia criticizing Thailand for allegedly copying Angkor Wat in temple design, and a little later a Taiwanese woman detained in China after testing positive for cannabis use. Thailand to Reclassify Cannabis as Narcotic, Restrict Use to Medical Only Thailand’s Public Health Minister Somsak Thepsutin has signed…
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Family finds rare two-headed snake in Chiang Mai home
A family in Phayao, returning to their home in Chiang Mai, discovered a two-headed snake while cleaning their house. The unusual find yesterday, June 24, was made at house number 40/2 in Mueang Don Luang, Nong Tong subdistrict, Hang Dong district. While cleaning a wardrobe, the family found the snake, approximately 40 centimetres in length, with yellow and black colouring…
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Cambodia assures SEA games go ahead despite border tensions
Despite growing political tensions between Cambodia and Thailand, the kingdom’s athletes are pushing forward with their preparations for the upcoming 33rd SEA Games, set to take place in Bangkok this December. Vath Chamroeun, Secretary General of the National Olympic Committee of Cambodia (NOCC), reassured the public that the ongoing border dispute will not interfere with the prestigious sporting event. Speaking…
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Neigh-sayers: Thai boy trots to school stardom
A Thai boy in the central province of Ang Thong has gone viral on social media for riding a horse to school. The school director supported the idea, saying it is part of the school’s soft power initiative. The 16 year old boy, Teeraphat “Ten” Ransawaranon, drew attention from Thai media for his unique way of commuting to Wiset Chai…
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Thailand shopping giant hits CRC button on spending spree
Thailand retail heavyweight Central Retail Corporation (CRC) is splashing out up to 47 billion baht in a three-year spree of store openings, renovations and regional rollouts, even as spending on the high street looks shakier than a Black Friday bargain bin. CRC, listed on the Stock Exchange of Thailand (SET), unveiled a sweeping investment plan of 45–47 billion baht between…
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Tragic fire claims life of 78 year old woman in Chon Buri
A tragic fire engulfed a luxury home in Chon Buri, resulting in the death of a 78 year old bedridden woman. The incident occurred at 4am today, June 25, when local police and firefighters were alerted to a blaze at a residence in Soi Baan Piyawat 2/2, village 3, Samed subdistrict, Mueang district. Emergency services promptly arrived at the two-storey…
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Thai military may close Surin temple amid border tensions
Defence Minister Phumtham Wechayachai stated yesterday that local military commanders may advise the closure of Ta Muen Thom Temple in Surin province if tensions at the Thai-Cambodian border escalate. The temple, along with the nearby Prasat Ta Kwai, has become a focal point in the ongoing border disagreement. Recently, there were complaints from Thai citizens regarding inappropriate behaviour by Cambodian…
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Rev it up: Tax breaks drive Thai pickup market into high gear
Thailand’s struggling pickup market is getting a turbo boost from a government scheme that lets drivers swap their clapped-out motors for shiny new rides, with tax breaks thrown in to sweeten the deal. The Federation of Thai Industries (FTI) is banking on a state-backed trade-in scheme to kickstart domestic pickup sales, which have taken a sharp nosedive this year. Sales…
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Thai student attacked at school prompts investigation
A video clip posted on Facebook, showing a 13 year old student being kicked in the neck and knocked unconscious by a fellow student in Ubon Ratchathani province, has prompted officials to investigate. The incident, which occurred at a school, has been identified as a disciplinary issue that can be addressed under the Ministry of Education‘s regulations. Meanwhile, mediation efforts…
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Police probe death of unidentified man in Ayutthaya canal
Ayutthaya police are investigating the death of an unidentified man found in the Raphiphat Canal in Phachi district yesterday. The inquiry is focusing on migrant worker communities in the vicinity. The deceased, estimated to be between 40 and 60 years old, had grey hair and was approximately 160 to 170 centimetres tall. A floral-patterned cloth was wrapped around his torso,…
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Totes tragic: Luxury handbag hire scene left holding the purse
Thailand’s luxury handbag hire scene has lost its sparkle, thanks to tighter wallets, fewer holidays and a growing trend for subtle spending over flashy splurges. Siam Borrow Bag Co Ltd, once riding high on the rise of rented luxury, is now facing a serious slump. Founder and owner Chadasa Panomyant says the high-end accessory rental business has struggled to bounce…
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Thai man arrested minutes after stealing 1.3 million baht gold from Songkhla mall
A security guard and patrol police officers swiftly arrested a Thai man who stole five gold necklaces worth approximately 1.3 million baht from a shop inside a shopping mall in Hat Yai district in the southern province of Songkhla yesterday, June 24. The security guard pursued the thief from the mall on Phetchakasem Road to Soi Phetchakasem 41, around 300…
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Class action: Thai schoolkids fight fire with fryer power
Thai schoolkids in Sriracha have been swapping textbooks for fire extinguishers in a fiery crash course to fight fire and stop blazes before they burn out of control, just weeks after a spate of high-rise infernos rocked nearby Pattaya. Disaster chiefs from Sriracha yesterday, June 24, joined forces with fire safety officers from Phyathai Sriracha Hospital to deliver a scorching…
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Rain and shine: Thailand braced for torrential takeover
Get your brollies out, folks, the Thai Meteorological Department (TMD) is sounding the alarm today, predicting relentless downpours across 29 provinces. Yes, that includes Bangkok! Brace yourselves, as about 40% of the city could face a serious soaking. Residents are advised to be cautious of potential flash floods, forest runoffs, and landslides, especially in mountainous regions and low-lying areas. The…
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Heartfelt project: Thai photographer offers portraits and snacks to border soldiers
A Thai photographer offered free portraits and snacks to soldiers stationed at Prasat Ta Muean Thom, a tourist attraction located near the Thailand-Cambodia border and associated with territorial tensions, as a gesture of encouragement and appreciation for their hard work. The photographer, Jirasak “G” Charoenwong, shared a video on his TikTok account, @photoharvest_g_lee, on Sunday, June 22. The caption read: “The…
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Vietnamese passport dreams are made of this, leaving Thailand behind
Vietnam has torn up the red tape for foreigners with local family, making it easier than ever to bag a Vietnamese passport, no lingo, no money, and no five-year wait required, leaving Thailand behind. Foreigners married to Vietnamese citizens, or with family roots in the country, can now apply for citizenship without needing to speak the language, prove they can…
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Half-price holidays: Thailand’s 1.75 billion baht tourism boost
Thailand is rolling out an exciting new campaign to encourage domestic tourism, with a generous budget of 1.75 billion baht set aside to fuel the Half-Half Thailand Travel initiative. Announced by Tourism and Sports Minister Sorawong Thienthong today, June 24, the programme is designed to stimulate travel during the low season, aiming to bolster the country’s tourism industry and help…
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Pattaya Beach gets a major cleanup as locals unite for safer shore
Pattaya Beach was alive with energy yesterday as over 500 enthusiastic participants, led by Mayor Poramet Ngampichet, gathered for a large-scale beach cleanup. The event, supported by city executives, municipal officials, local community networks, and tourism stakeholders, aimed to restore the iconic shoreline, ensuring it remains a safe and welcoming destination for tourists. The cleanup saw active involvement from Deputy…
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UN urges Thailand to tackle cross-border trafficking linked to scams
The United Nations issued a stark letter to the Thai government, demanding answers on its role in combating cross-border human trafficking connected to online scam operations across Southeast Asia. The communication, sent on March 10, calls for urgent clarification on 10 critical points, highlighting serious concerns over human trafficking and forced labour in scam centres, which are reportedly operating in…
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Pattaya to fine businesses blocking roads and footpaths
Pattaya City officials have launched a crackdown on hotels and businesses that continue to block public roads and footpaths with signs, barriers, or parked vehicles. In a bold move aimed at restoring accessibility for locals and tourists, officials warned of fines and enforcement actions for those who obstruct public spaces. The crackdown comes as frustration grows among residents and visitors,…
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Thai man turns himself in after unprovoked assault on 2 gay men
A Thai man surrendered to police after assaulting two gay men in the Isaan province of Sakon Nakhon on Saturday, June 21, despite having no prior conflict with the victims. The incident came to public attention after the Facebook page Jmoi V+ shared videos of the assault along with images of the suspect, identified only as Joe. The attack occurred…
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Cambodia blasts Thailand’s Buriram temple for copying Angkor Wat
A cultural storm is brewing between Thailand and Cambodia, with latter’s Minister of Culture and Fine Arts strongly condemning the construction of Wat Phu Man Fa in Buriram province, northeast Thailand. The Cambodian government accuses the temple of copying the design of Angkor Wat, a world-renowned UNESCO heritage site and a symbol of Khmer culture. The accusations are not new,…
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Thai scammer caught before monkhood escape attempt
Thai police apprehended 43 year old man in Wang Nam Khiao district, Nakhon Ratchasima province, and charged with fraud and providing false information to a computer system. The suspect, Patcharat, linked to a call centre gang in Poipet, was preparing to enter the monkhood to evade legal consequences. The arrest yesterday, June 23, followed an investigation triggered by a complaint…
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Pattaya hit by torrential rain: Flash floods and storm warnings
Pattaya was hit hard by torrential rain late Sunday night into yesterday morning, as the beachside city grappled with heavy downpours that left streets flooded and traffic snarled. The Thai Meteorological Department (TMD) has issued a weather warning for Pattaya and surrounding areas, predicting more heavy rain and advising residents and tourists to stay vigilant. According to the TMD, very…
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Chulalongkorn University ranks among top 10 in ASEAN
Chulalongkorn University has solidified its position as one of Southeast Asia’s premier institutions, securing a spot in the top 10 universities in ASEAN according to the QS World University Rankings (WUR) 2026. Announced on June 19, this prestigious recognition highlights the university’s continued excellence in education, academic reputation, and employability outcomes. Not only does Chulalongkorn remain at the forefront of…
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Fire engulfs Chon Buri shop, owner leaps from second floor
A fire engulfed a fresh produce shop in Chon Buri‘s Bang Lamung district early today prompting the owner to leap from the second floor in panic. Residents helped extinguish the flames, fearing they might spread to a nearby stockpile of fireworks. The Nong Prue subdistrict’s municipal emergency radio centre received reports of the fire at 4.06am, today, June 24, with…
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2026 World Cup stripped from ‘Must-Have’ TV broadcast list
The Royal Gazette published a new announcement from the National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC), removing the highly anticipated 2026 World Cup from the list of “Must-Have” sports for free TV broadcasting. The update signals a shift in television regulations that will impact how key events, including major international sports, are accessible to Thai viewers. The decision, detailed in the…
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Thailand evacuates 3,000 workers amid Israel-Iran conflict
Thailand plans to evacuate around 3,000 Thai construction workers from Israel, along with 73 people from Iran, due to the conflict between the two countries, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA). MFA spokesperson Nikorndej Balankura announced yesterday that the Thai embassy in Tel Aviv, along with other Thai embassies in the Middle East, successfully evacuated the first group…
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Bangkok man arrested for selling e-cigarettes via online store
Police in Phetkasem arrested a 32 year old man for using an online clothing store as a front to sell electronic cigarettes. The arrest took place yesterday, June 23, in front of a department store in Phetkasem, Bangkok, with police seizing some 166 items, including disposable electronic cigarette pods and refill liquids. Under the direction of Police Major General Pallop Aermla,…
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Pattaya’s crackdown: Vendors face fines as traffic chaos intensifies
Pattaya’s traffic police have launched a major crackdown on roadside vendors, especially the three-wheeled food and merchandise carts that frequently block busy streets, including the popular Pattaya Beach Road and various side alleys. Officers are stepping up enforcement efforts, aiming to reduce congestion and improve safety for both drivers and pedestrians. On Sunday, June 22 at 11.30pm, Police Lieutenant Colonel…
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