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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 Why long-term expats in Thailand say insurance is worth every baht
Thailand’s warm weather, low cost of living, and good healthcare attract many long-term expats, including retirees and remote workers. Life here feels easy and affordable, but medical costs can be high if something goes wrong. Private hospitals are popular because...
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Foreign man in Phuket caught on TikTok video damaging police wheel clamp
A video featuring a foreign man, using a stone to smash a lock and chain on his motorcycle after it got clamped by police in Phuket, has gone viral in Thailand. Thai netizens called on the police to clarify the charges the foreigner faces. The video was shared by a TikTok user, @_neung132, who appears to be a traffic police…
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Rayong solar company lays off 800 amid financial woes
A prominent solar cell manufacturing company in Rayong has been forced to lay off a significant number of employees, totalling 800, affecting both day and night shifts. The layoffs come as a consequence of several months of financial strain where the company had deferred paying 75% of wages. The Chon Buri-Rayong News Page today reported that the company decided to…
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Australian tourist dies in tragic motorbike crash in Phuket
Tragedy struck in Rawai, Phuket, when an Australian tourist lost his life in a fatal motorbike crash. The man, who had recently arrived on the island from Samui, met with the accident on Friday morning. Local authorities were alerted of the mishap, which occurred across from the Bangchak petrol station on Wiset Road’s southbound lane. Upon arriving at the scene,…
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Chiang Mai lottery fever spikes with lucky numbers for Chinese New Year
The bustling city of Chiang Mai is witnessing a surge in the popularity of lottery tickets as locals eagerly seek out auspicious numbers for the upcoming draw on February 1. The demand is particularly high for numbers associated with Chinese New Year, which aligns with the Year of the Dragon according to the Chinese calendar. In the early hours of…
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Thai Airways flight diverted to Sydney, captain clarifies decision
A Thai Airways captain faced criticism over a decision to divert a Bangkok-Melbourne flight to Sydney due to poor visibility, sparking online debate. The incident occurred on January 28 when the flight was unable to land in Melbourne as planned. A passenger, claiming extensive flying experience, posted a complaint on Facebook accusing the captain of not carrying enough fuel and…
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Thai gold prices drop at market open, gold bars at 34,050 baht
Gold prices in Thailand saw a decline at the opening of the market, comparing the last price from January 29. The Gold Traders Association (GTA) reported the selling rate for gold ornaments at 34,550 baht per baht-weight (a traditional Thai unit of measurement for gold, equating to 15.16 grammes) for today, marking a decrease of 100 baht from the previous…
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Revving up: Thailand’s car production to rise by 3.17% in 2024, predicts FTI
The Federation of Thai Industries (FTI) predicted a 3.17% rise in Thailand’s car production this year, reaching an estimated total of 1.9 million units. This projection comes despite the less-than-anticipated total car production of 1.84 million units last year, falling short of the 1.85 million units target. According to Surapong Paisitpatanapong, Vice-Chairman and spokesperson for the FTI’s Automotive Industry Club,…
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Thai student allegedly raped by police officer over fine fracas in northern Thailand
A Grade 11 Thai student was allegedly raped by a police officer after she failed to pay a 2,000 baht fine for failing to produce a driving licence in the Isaan province of, northern Thailand. The story began when the well-known page Saimai Survive shared the student’s distressing story after she was stopped by officers for not possessing a driving…
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Thailand and China’s visa-free policy not boosting tourism yet
Despite the recent permanent visa-free policy between Thailand and China, airlines and hotels are not anticipating an immediate rise in demand. This is largely due to the gradual increase in demand and the seating capacity that is yet to fully recover. The agreement was reached during China’s Foreign Minister Wang Yi’s four-day official visit to Thailand, where he met with…
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Bumrungrad Hospital battles online investment scam
Bumrungrad Hospital executives in Bangkok filed a complaint with the Cyber Police, targeting a fraudulent page that falsely claimed to represent the hospital in an online investment scam. Atirat Ratanakijpipat, CEO of Bumrungrad Hospital, yesterday, January 30, along with the management team, met with high-ranking Cyber Police officials to initiate legal action against the perpetrators who created the fake page.…
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SET index may drop below 1,300 due to digital wallet handout
The Stock Exchange of Thailand (SET) index could potentially plummet below the 1,300-point mark this year, warns the CEO of One Asset Management (ONEAM), Pote Harinasuta. This alarming projection is associated with the government’s proposed digital wallet handout which could result in Thailand’s credit rating being downgraded and a subsequent hike in corporate borrowing costs. Key factors that could influence…
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Thailand welcomes cooler mornings as temperatures dip
A high-pressure system or moderate cold air mass continues to cover Thailand and the South China Sea, leading to cooler morning temperatures across several regions of the country. The Thailand Meteorological Department (TMD) forecast that the north, northeast, central, eastern, and upper southern parts will experience cold weather in the mornings. In the north, residents woke up to chilly conditions…
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Body of missing Thai man found on roadside, arms and legs bound
A motorcycle rider stumbled upon the dead body of a missing Thai man on the roadside of a motorway in the Bang Pakong district of Chachoengsao province near Bangkok. He bore a gunshot wound to his head, and his arms and legs were bound. The 18 year old motorcycle rider, Pornthep Thomthisaeng, reported the discovery of the body to Bang…
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MFP confident on Constitutional Court ruling on lese majeste law amendment
The Constitutional Court’s impending verdict on the main opposition Move Forward Party‘s (MFP) bid to amend the lese majeste law is anticipated with confidence by the party. The MFP’s list MP and spokesperson, Parit Wacharasindhu, stated yesterday, January 29, that an internal discussion would take place before the court’s ruling. The Constitutional Court was petitioned by Theerayut Suwannakasorn to determine…
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IFEC begins rehabilitation with top advisors for Dara Thewi Hotel
The Central Bankruptcy Court ordered the rehabilitation of Inter Far East Energy Public Company Limited (IFEC), the original owner of Dara Thewi Hotel, and appointed Deloitte Planner as the financial advisor and Phoenix Advisory Services as the legal advisor. The announcement, made today, follows IFEC’s petition for rehabilitation under case number black ฟฟ.7/2566 according to the Bankruptcy Act B.E. 1940…
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Foreign man refuses to pay fare and bites Bolt driver in Pattaya
A Thai Bolt driver in Pattaya reached out to a news agency after a foreign man refused to pay his transport fare and bit him, leaving him with a cut lip. Channel 7 announced that the reporters visited the Thai Bolt driver, Weeraphon, in hospital yesterday, January 29. The man was being treated for bite marks and scratches on his…
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Rock-solid plea: Don’t send Bi-2 back to Russia, urges Human Rights Watch director (video)
A Human Rights Watch director pleaded with the Thai authorities not to deport a Russian rock band back to their homeland. Elaine Pearson, the Asia Director of the Human Rights Watch division, revealed that the Russian-Belarusian rock band Bi-2 faces persecution for their outspoken public criticism of the Russian government if Thailand deports them back home. The Thai police arrested…
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Thailand pledges support to Laos in handling ASEAN issues
Thailand is prepared to back Laos in addressing the Myanmar crisis and other significant issues within the ASEAN region, according to Thai Foreign Minister Parnpree Bahiddha-Nukara. During a press conference yesterday, January 29, he explained that this support would bolster Laos’s success as the ASEAN chair this year. Parnpree held discussions with his Lao equivalent, Saleumxay Kommasith, on Sunday to…
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Thai woman narrowly escapes after car gets stuck on broken footbridge
A Thai woman narrowly escaped with her life after she drove her car onto a broken, wobbly wooden footbridge in the northern province of Phrae. The Sung Men Rescue Team successfully retrieved her car after she came a cropper. The 38 year old Thai woman carefully got out of her white sedan, a Honda City, which was stuck on the…
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Nakhon Si Thammarat abbot charged with animal cruelty
The abbot of a temple in Nakhon Si Thammarat is facing animal cruelty charges after reportedly hitting a stray dog with a stick, causing severe eye injuries. The 37 year old abbot Danai of Wat Chan Por in Tha Sala district, along with a 15 year old temple novice, identified only as A, voluntarily appeared at the Tha Sala Police…
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Thailand govt pushes for 500-billion-baht loan to boost economy
Deputy Finance Minister Julapun Amornvivat underlined the government’s prerogative to deem the current economy as crisis-ridden, a pivotal aspect for sanctioning the 500-billion-baht loan bill to propel its digital wallet disbursement scheme. According to him, the definition of an economic crisis is subjective, hinging on individual perception. Nonetheless, the government’s assessment paints the picture of an economy in dire need…
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Bank of Thailand urged to slash interest rates amid economic struggle
Pressure is mounting on the Bank of Thailand to ease the economic strain on small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) by slashing interest rates on commercial bank loans. Pichai Naripthaphan, deputy chairman of the Pheu Thai Party‘s strategies and politics committee and an advisor to Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin, argued that the central bank needs to acknowledge the real-world challenges people…
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Thai PM invites Xi Jinping to mark 50 years of Thai-Sino relations
Thailand Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin has invited China President Xi Jinping to visit the Land of Smiles in the upcoming year, a move set to commemorate the 50th anniversary of Thai-Sino relations. This invitation was extended following a meeting with China’s Foreign Minister, Wang Yi, who just concluded a four-day visit to the Southeast Asian nation. The meeting between the…
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Bangkok’s Chinatown gears up for Lunar New Year celebrations
This year’s Lunar New Year festivities in Bangkok’s Chinatown, Yaowarat Road, will officially kick off on February 10 under the auspices of Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn. The Deputy Governor of Bangkok, Tavida Kamolvej, confirmed her Royal Highness’s arrival at the Odeon Circle’s gate at 5pm to formally inaugurate the two-day celebrations. The announcement was made at a…
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Thai government seeks interest rate cut as household debt fuels recession
Thailand’s economy is currently grappling with a recession triggered by soaring household debt, as reported by the Deputy Finance Minister, Julapun Amornvivat, today. This intensified the call for the central bank to reduce interest rates. Julapun also expressed the government’s commitment to the 500 billion baht distribution plan, which aims to allocate 10,000 baht per person to 50 million Thai…
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Extortion racket tied to anti-corruption advocate Srisuwan Janya more structured than thought
The extortion racket, previously linked to the anti-corruption advocate Srisuwan Janya, is more extensive and well-structured than initially suspected, according to reports from the Central Investigation Bureau (CIB). The organised group, which is believed to have a mastermind, has targeted numerous individuals. CIB’s deputy commissioner, Charoonkiat Pankaeo, stated that the police investigation into the alleged 3 million baht extortion from…
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Thailand eyes foreign bonds to set private sector rates
Thailand’s Ministry of Finance is poised to issue foreign currency bonds for the first time in 20 years, a move that is not aimed at fundraising but at establishing a benchmark interest rate for the private sector. The announcement was made by Julapun Amornvivat, Deputy Minister of Finance, who stated that the Public Debt Management Office (PDMO) has been tasked…
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Thailand prime minister requests another giant panda from China
Thailand Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin recently voiced his desire for China to send another giant panda to Thailand. This request follows the death of Lin Hui, a beloved panda who had been a significant attraction in the country. The prime minister’s request received support from Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, highlighting the close diplomatic relations between the two nations that span…
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Thai rock icons Cocktail to disband in 2025 after two decades
Renowned Thai rock band Cocktail, acclaimed for hits such as Kneel, You Make Me Sad, You, Persevere, Not Second, and others, announced they will disband in 2025. After more than two decades of captivating audiences with their music, the band members have decided to part ways and pursue individual paths in life, marking the end of an era for their…
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Thai transwoman betrayed by friend and caught in Hong Kong cannabis bust
A Thai man allegedly betrayed a transwoman friend by hiding cannabis in her luggage, leading to her arrest in Hong Kong. More than 30 other victims of the Thai man came forward to expose his fraudulent behaviour. The Facebook account, Pat Catty, shared a story of her transwoman friend on January 25 and urged netizens to be aware of a…
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