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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 New in July: Save 10% for life on family health plans in Thailand
Cigna has a special offer this July for families in Thailand. When you sign up three or more people on a family health plan, you will save 10% on your premiums for life. This deal helps you get affordable, high-quality...
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Elderly woman with Alzheimer’s abused by caregiver
A bedridden elderly woman with Alzheimer’s has allegedly been abused by her caregiver, resulting in broken teeth and bruises. The caregiver resigned to evade responsibility but continued to seek similar jobs on Facebook. At 11am yesterday, July 12, at Min Buri Police Station, Ekkapop Luangprasert, advisor to the Interior Minister and founder of a prominent Facebook social activist page, arrived…
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Red yeast rice scare: Thai FDA ensures public protection
Thailand’s Food and Drug Administration (FDA) reassured the public that red yeast rice supplements linked to a shocking number of deaths in Japan have not entered the Thai market. This announcement follows Japan’s Kobayashi Pharmaceutical Co’s revelation that it is investigating an additional 76 deaths potentially connected to its benikoji (red rice tablets). The health scare began in March when…
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Indonesian man wreaks havoc after Thai woman rejects him (video)
Police apprehended an Indonesian man yesterday in a rented room in the Phra Pradaeng district of Samut Prakan province near Bangkok for causing a disturbance after being rejected by a Thai woman. The Indonesian man, Iqbal, trashed the rented room in Samut Prakan while drunk. Phra Pradaeng Police Station officers were called to the scene to control the situation. Each…
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Bangkok Botox bust: Police pinch counterfeit ring, seize millions
Bangkok police recently dismantled a major counterfeit Botox production ring, distributing fake beauty products via online platforms, seizing over 26,000 items worth more than 9 million baht. A press conference was held yesterday, July 11, at the Pracha-arak Building of the Central Investigation Bureau (CIB). Police Major General Wichaya Sreeprasert, alongside multiple CIB officers, revealed the crackdown on a counterfeit…
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Viral Phuket motorcycle breast groper arrested
Chalong Police in Phuket apprehended a drive-by breast groper after his attack and the chase of a woman in Rawai earlier this month garnered significant public attention. Chalong Police Chief, Police Colonel Ekarat Plaiduang, announced the arrest today, July 12, confirming that officers detained a 23 year old Myanmar national Aung Ko Phyo yesterday. The arrest followed a thorough investigation.…
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GMM strikes a chord with Tencent, plans IPO crescendo
Thailand’s largest music company, GMM Music, is gearing up for an initial public offering (IPO) as early as this year, thanks to a significant equity investment from China’s Tencent Holdings. GMM Music’s Chief Marketing Officer Fahmai Damrongchaitham revealed in a candid interview with Bloomberg Television that the company is aiming for an IPO as soon as possible, depending on the…
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Samut Sakhon release 90,000 Asian seabass, targets invasive fish
Samut Sakhon officials launched an operation to release 90,000 barramundis (Asian seabass) to combat the invasive blackchin tilapia. The first release is scheduled for tomorrow, July 12, with a focus on introducing large-sized barramundis into the local waterways. A senior fisheries officer in Samut Sakhon, Niran Promkruan revealed the operation, with the initiative marking a significant step in using the…
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Batik Air Malaysia unveils new routes to Thailand
Starting September 13, Kuala Lumpur’s Batik Air will operate daily flights to Hat Yai and Krabi. These routes will be serviced by their state-of-the-art Boeing 737 aircraft, offering both business class with plush 2-2 recliners and a 3-3 configured economy class cabin. Hat Yai serves as the perfect gateway to southern Thailand’s stunning beaches, while Krabi offers seamless access to…
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Thailand’s DDC issues health alert on rising eye infections due to contaminated tap water
The Department of Disease Control (DDC) has issued a public health alert following the discovery of a conjunctivitis outbreak affecting 200 residents in a condominium complex in the Lardphrao area in Bangkok. Investigations have revealed the presence of the parasite Acanthamoeba in the tap water supply within the condominium units. Thai Health officials are currently conducting an in-depth disease investigation…
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Thailand’s 30 baht healthcare policy gets public approval
Thailand’s 30 Baht Treatment Anywhere policy has received widespread approval from the public, providing accessible health services for minor illnesses through community pharmacies in 45 provinces. The 30 Baht Treatment Anywhere policy, which allows citizens to receive healthcare services for minor ailments at designated quality pharmacies, has been warmly received by the public. This initiative, part of the National Health…
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Shocking surge: Thai electricity tariffs set to spark debate
The Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) announced a public consultation from today, July 12, until July 26 to discuss the final electricity tariff adjustment of the year. The proposed adjustments could see electricity bills rise from September to December this year, with costs potentially increasing from 4.18 baht per unit to between 4.65 and 6.01 baht per unit. The Secretary-General and…
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Thai cyber police arrest TikTok influencer over gambling links
Thai cyber police arrested a popular TikTok influencer for posting links to online gambling sites, earning 30,000 baht per month. Police led by Worawat Watnakornbancha and Sathit Promuthai, along with Adichat Amornpradit, carried out a search warrant at the home of the owner of the Ara Tae page in Khon Kaen. The search revealed 34 year old Phusanisa, known as Ara…
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Ubon Ratchathani melts hearts with divine candle creation to win ice sculpting world title
Ubon Ratchathani province clinched the world ice sculpting championship title, showcasing its skill by carving a candle into the figure of Phra Mae Thorani squeezing her hair. This reflects a Buddhist narrative, blending the identity of the ancient cave paintings of Pha Taem with symbols of prosperity and success. The masterpiece will be displayed at the Miracle of Candle 2024…
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Elderly woman abducted and sexually assaulted by drug addict
An elderly woman in Kanchanaburi was abducted and sexually assaulted in a forest at 4.20am yesterday, July 11, with the assailant stealing 5,000 baht. The suspect was captured on CCTV, facilitating a quick arrest by the police. Police responded swiftly to the incident as witnesses reported a man entering the home of a 64 year old elderly woman in Wangdong,…
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Thai FDA recalls herbal product Ya Grek Ku over safety concerns
The Thai Food and Drug Administration (FDA) ordered a recall of a popular herbal product found to contain dangerous substances used to treat erectile dysfunction. The FDA instructed the manufacturer to cease sales immediately and remove the product from the market. Thai FDA Deputy Secretary-General Witit Srisurachai revealed that the administration received complaints from consumers about the herbal product, Ya…
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Monk arrested for sexually assulting seven year old niece
Thai police today arrested a monk in his monastic residence in Buriram for allegedly raping his seven year old niece and subsequently fleeing to the northeastern region of Thailand. Police Lieutenant General Titi Saengsawang ordered the arrest of a 57 year old monk, Nookun, today, July 12, who was wanted under an arrest warrant issued by the Sisaket Provincial Court…
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Centara ranked as Thailand’s strongest brand two years in a row
Centara Group has been recognised as “Thailand’s Strongest Brand” for the second year in a row by the Brand Finance Thailand 50 report. This achievement follows a series of domestic and global success as Centara continues to expand their hotel and resort locations. The Thailand 50 report Brand Finance is an international brand evaluation and consultancy agency which independently assesses…
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Tourists from 93 countries can now come to Thailand visa-free
Thailand is set to become the ultimate tourist hotspot as the Ministry of Interior rolls out a sweeping visa waiver, allowing travellers from 93 countries to enter visa-free starting next Monday, July 15. This move, designed to boost tourism and simplify travel, marks a significant increase from the current 57 visa-exempt nations. Traisulee Traisoranakul, secretary to Interior Minister Anutin Charnvirakul,…
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New Bangkok to Vientiane train service launches tomorrow
The State Railway of Thailand (SRT) is set to launch a new passenger train service between Bangkok and Vientiane, Laos. The service, starting tomorrow, July 13, will facilitate travel between the two countries, with tickets available for advance purchase up to 180 days. The new route will operate two round-trip journeys daily, featuring three classes of service, third-class fan-cooled seats…
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Teen gunman shoots seafood vendor over debt in Phetchaburi
A teen gunman surrendered to police after shooting a seafood vendor over a 200 baht debt. The incident occurred in Cha-am, Phetchaburi province, leaving the vendor dead in his pickup truck. The incident unfolded when the seafood vendor, 24 year old Thawatchai, was shot dead in his pickup truck on a road in a Karen village in Ban Hu Pakhong,…
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Thai man arrested for special needs girl sexual abuse
A 25 year old Thai man was arrested for allegedly luring an 18 year old special needs girl onto his motorcycle and taking her to a secluded area where he committed indecent acts. The police caught him at his grandfather’s house following a warrant issued earlier. The Songkhla Provincial Police, together with Hat Yai Police and the Anti-Human Trafficking Division,…
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Thai school director denies sexually assaulting 27 girls in Lopburi
A Wat Phongam School director in the central province of Lopburi denied sexually assaulting 27 schoolgirls and accused a dance teacher of fabricating the story due to an ongoing conflict. The schoolgirls and their parents filed a complaint against the director of Wat Phongam School, Nitisak, accusing him of sexually assaulting the girls. Nitisak reportedly spoke inappropriately to the girls,…
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Chulalongkorn University introduces 3D miracle cure for dog eyes
Does your dog struggle with cloudy eyes, frequent squinting, or unusual tears? If so, it might be suffering from a corneal ulcer, a condition that could lead to blindness if left untreated. But fret not, because scientists at Chulalongkorn University have developed a groundbreaking solution: a three-dimensional (3D) artificial cornea made from stem cells. Chulalongkorn University’s Faculty of Veterinary Science…
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Friends assault teenager, anger over harmless message to Thai ex
A teenager became the victim of an assault by three friends, who forced her to kneel and apologise, before trapping her in a home. The altercation stemmed from a seemingly harmless message exchange between her and an ex-boyfriend of one of her friends. At 5pm yesterday, July 12, the 18 year old, referred to as A, filed a complaint with…
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FTI disappointed by the underutilisation of biomass and biogas
The Federation of Thai Industries (FTI) expressed discontent with the state’s plan to reduce biomass and biogas fuels in the upcoming power development plan (PDP). The FTI advocates for maintaining or increasing the proportion of these fuels to better utilise agricultural waste. Scheduled for enforcement from 2024 to 2037, the PDP promotes a substantial increase in renewable power, with a…
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Pickup truck crashes into van injuring passengers in Chachoengsao
A serious accident involving a pickup truck crashing into a van left numerous passengers injured, including a two year old with a severe head injury and a two month old baby who was ejected from the vehicle. The incident occurred at 4pm yesterday, July 11, on Road 3076 near the Hua Fai intersection in Nong Khok village, Klong Takrao subdistrict,…
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13 year old Thai boy dies after ketamine injection by his friends
The family of a 13 year old Thai boy suspected his friends of killing him with a poisonous kratom drink. The teenager’s friends later confessed to giving the victim an injection of ketamine, which led to his death. The teenager, Akkarawat “Tigger” Phonlasen, was found lying lifeless on the sofa in his home in Bangkok on the morning of July…
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Udon Thani residents offer reward to stop nightly disturbances
Residents in Ban Dung, Udon Thani have reached their limit with local teenagers causing nightly disturbances by ringing doorbells. They are offering a 5,000 baht reward for information leading to their capture. Weeraphon Rak Samerwong, administrator of the Ban Dung Update Facebook page, reported receiving numerous complaints from residents in the municipal area of Ban Dung. The complaints involve three teenagers,…
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Three women injured after motorcycle runs red light in Udon Thani
Four young women riding a single motorcycle ran a red light and collided with a car in Udon Thani, resulting in three of them suffering broken legs and requiring immediate hospitalisation. The accident occurred while they were on their way to get food. Ekaphan Laiking, head of the Udon Thani Songserm Dharma Rescue Foundation, received a report of the accident…
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Meatball mishap prompts prosecutors to grill Buriram thief
Prosecutors have called for additional investigation into a case involving the theft of grilled meatballs, which were stolen out of desperation to cook for a man’s children and to share with his elderly, ill parents. This case raises concerns about whether it should be classified as a non-beneficial prosecution. The Lawyers Council of Thailand offered assistance, noting that the crime…
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