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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 Do foreigners get free healthcare in Thailand?
Thailand’s healthcare system is well-regarded across Southeast Asia, with options ranging from public hospitals to world-class private facilities. But when it comes to foreign residents or tourists, healthcare access isn’t as straightforward. So, do foreigners get free healthcare in Thailand?...
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Family of 4 rescued after 13 hours in flood in southern Thailand
A family of four members took to social media to plead for help after spending 13 hours in a flood at their home in the southern province of Narathiwas, and they were safely rescued by authorities. A Facebook user, Angles Keef, shared a picture of her family members submerged in chest-high floodwaters yesterday, December 25. She sought assistance in the caption…
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Thai industries battle tide of cheap imports: Government gears up for tough measures
In a bid to rescue Thailand‘s floundering manufacturing sector, the Thai government is gearing up for a fierce showdown against a deluge of low-priced imports that threaten to drown local industries. The Commerce Ministry’s crackdown, aimed primarily at products flooding in from China, promises to safeguard Thai manufacturers from the relentless assault on their market share. Thailand’s industrial output has…
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Thailand tightens border control to curb illegal wildlife smuggling
A concerted effort to tighten borders and stifle illegal wildlife trafficking is underway in Thailand, led by the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation. The department is collaborating with multiple state agencies responsible for border control to clamp down on wildlife smuggling gangs. This action is part of the country’s observance of National Wildlife Protection Day. Narongrit Sookprakan,…
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Thai MICE boom faces hurdles next year
Thailand‘s MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conventions, and Exhibitions) industry, once on the brink, surged back to 80% of its 2019 glory this year, however, a looming slowdown in 2024 raises eyebrows. Thailand’s MICE industry is poised for a remarkable recovery, reaching 80% of its pre-pandemic revenue in 2019. President of Thailand Incentive and Convention Association (TICA), Sumate Sudasna, highlights Thailand’s allure as…
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Pink line monorail’s free trial period may extend after conductor rail failure
The Pink Line monorail system‘s operator will be approached by the Transport Ministry to extend the free trial period after a section of the line was forced to shut down on Sunday due to a failure of the track’s conductor rail. The closure, as of Monday, has impacted seven stations from Nonthaburi Civic Centre (PK01) to Pak Kret Bypass (PK07).…
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Japan revs up Thai automotive industry: Major automakers inject 150 billion baht boost
In a move set to ignite Thailand‘s automotive industry, four major Japanese car giants are gearing up to pump a staggering 150 billion baht into manufacturing electric vehicles (EVs) in the country. This collaboration underscores Thailand’s ascent as a powerhouse in the automotive world and spotlights the government’s triumphant push towards an electrifying future. Four heavyweight Japanese automotive juggernauts are…
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Middle-aged man tricks viewers using AI face-swapping technology on TikTok
A TikTok user, @aifaceai, caused a stir on social media after revealing the true identity of a seemingly attractive female streamer. The streamer was initially believed to be a beautiful woman, given her natural demeanour, and seemingly no use of beauty filters. However, when the artificial intelligence (AI) software was suddenly switched off, the viewers were left in shock as…
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340 tonnes of seized narcotics to be burnt, says government
In an unprecedented move to combat the soaring drug crisis, 340 tonnes of seized narcotics are set to go up in flames at the Bang Pu Industrial Estate in Samut Prakan over a two-week operation commencing today, December 26. Led by Justice Minister Police Colonel Tawee Sodsong and Public Health Minister Cholnan Srikaew, the ceremonious drug incineration aims to create…
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Thailand’s film boom: Global collaboration opportunities
Thailand is famous for its friendly people and welcoming culture. This beautiful country cherishes traditions yet is open to modern ideas and values. Buddhism and the monarchy have always been the anchors of the people and provide order, and stability and bring the Thai people together. Thailand also embraces progress which makes its capital city considered one of the best…
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Thai woman arrested for fraudulent Facebook charity scam in Rayong
A 23 year old woman from Khon Kaen, Juthamas Poolmee, was apprehended by the Anti-Trafficking Police squad for fraudulently using Facebook to deceive charitable individuals into donating money. The arrest, which occurred today at a dormitory in Chiang Nern, Mueang District, Rayong, followed a warrant issued by the Trat Provincial Court on November 20. Juthamas was charged with deceiving the…
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Brutal assault at Chon Buri nightclub leaves young men seriously injured
Tan, a 21 year old victim of a brutal assault at a well-known nightclub in Chon Buri was dragged out from the bathroom and beaten, leaving him and a friend seriously injured. The incident, which happened in the early hours yesterday, was sparked by a misunderstanding that the young men were using drugs in the club’s bathroom. Tan revealed that…
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Bangkok driver warns of aggressive young windscreen washer
A Thai driver issued a warning to other motorists after a young windscreen washer showed violent behaviour and threatened him for refusing his windscreen washing service at Asoke Intersection in Bangkok. Anyone driving cars in Bangkok may be familiar with young boys or girls selling garlands or offering car window wiping services on roads. They seized opportunities of the heavy…
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Female ranger survives rape attempt but faces resignation pressure
A female Thai ranger faced resignation pressure from her superior after she filed a complaint against a soldier who attempted to rape her with the Royal Thai Army (RTA). The female ranger, 28 year old Chonlada Charoenram, reached out to the social media influencer, Guntouch “Gun” Pongpaiboonwet, after being forced to resign even though she was the victim. She tried…
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Bangkok collector’s home raided: 35 firearms seized
A significant collection of firearms was discovered in the residence of a local Bangkok collector. The police seized over 35 guns and a large number of bullets. Despite the discovery, the homeowner, a fan of Japanese collectables and firearms, had no intention to sell or misuse the weapons. Today (December 25) Deputy Chief of Police, Naris Prathanaporn, along with Phawat…
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South Thailand hit by extensive flooding due to heavy rain
South Thailand has been hit by extensive flooding over the last two days due to relentless heavy rain, impacting Narathiwat and Yala provinces. The flood has affected 67 sub-districts across 16 districts, disrupting the lives of thousands of inhabitants. The inundation in Narathiwat has flooded nine districts on Monday morning, including Waeng, Sukhirin, Chanae, Rangae, Sungai Padi, Si Sakhon, Cho…
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Taiwanese YouTuber sparks debate with controversial naked sushi party
The wealthy Taiwanese YouTuber, Chao Ge, sparked internet buzz after posting pictures of a birthday party he had arranged for a friend. The standout feature of the celebration was the naked sushi, where various Japanese dishes were served on the body of a naked woman, used as an alternative to a dining plate. Chao Ge is widely recognised as the…
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Japanese man turns heads with Thai Tuk-Tuk rides in Tokyo
A Japanese man, known as Jin From Japan on TikTok, has garnered attention after purchasing a Thai Tuk-Tuk to use as a passenger transport vehicle in Tokyo. He also offers a promotional deal of a free ride for the first three kilometres. Jin revealed his unique travel method in Tokyo, which doesn’t cost a single yen, which is riding a…
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Bangkok taxi driver arrested for stealing million-baht wristwatch
A 44 year old Bangkok taxi driver was apprehended on Monday morning, accused of delaying his journey for several hours in wait for a Japanese passenger, who was inebriated, to fall asleep. The motive behind this delay was allegedly to pilfer a wristwatch worth a million baht. Pol Col Pansa Amarapitak, the chief at Bangkok’s Thong Lor station, reported the…
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Vietnamese man arrested in Khon Kaen for murder of his Vietnamese friend
Police arrested a Vietnamese man for the murder of his Vietnamese friend in the northeastern province of Khon Kaen. The suspect claimed he stabbed a fellow Vietnamese man to death because he tried to rape his wife. A Vietnamese man, 37 year old Hoang Van Tang, was stabbed in the stomach in a rented room in Soi Suksanti 8 in…
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Tourist speedboat capsizes near Bubu Island: all passengers rescued
The tourist speedboat Bandaya 19 met with an unfortunate incident on Sunday (December 24) as it capsized near Bubu Island, a mere 3 kilometres from Satun’s Lipe Island. The boat was ferrying 73 tourists, which included 3 children, and had 4 crew members on board at the time of the mishap. Without losing a beat, the Navy’s 491st Special Warfare…
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Thai taxi driver steals 1.1 million baht watch from Japanese passenger
A Thai taxi driver took a two-hour detour to steal a luxury watch worth 1.1 million baht from a Japanese passenger in the Thonglor neighbourhood of Bangkok. The Japanese victim filed a complaint at Thonglor Police Station on December 19 that he lost his watch, an Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore model, valued at 1.1 million baht, in a taxi…
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Thailand enforces cautionary sign display for kratom sales, restricts alcohol promotions
Cracking down on the sale of psychoactive kratom, Thailand’s Ministry of Public Health has mandated all vendors to prominently display a cautionary sign at their point-of-sale. The sign is a warning to individuals under the age of 18, as well as pregnant and breastfeeding women, prohibiting the purchase of the substance. This directive became operational on Saturday, following its announcement…
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Drug addicted and mentally ill Thai man stabs police officer to death
A drug addicted and mentally ill Thai man went on a rampage and stabbed a Thai police officer to death in the northeastern province of Nakhon Panom. The deceased officer, police Lieutenant Itsarawut Phonrat, of the That Panom Police Station, was called to check on a Thai man, 49 year old Arnudate Chaipanya, in the Um Mao district of Nakhon…
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Airborne pollutants rise prompts health alert in Thailand
A surge in respiratory issues is anticipated as airborne pollutants are predicted to rise in the forthcoming weeks across Thailand, prompting a critical directive from the Ministry of Public Health to all national public hospitals. The directive mandates these hospitals to ready themselves to handle the expected increase in health problems. Deteriorating air quality was observed in various districts of…
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26 year old man dies in tragic road accident in Nong Chok district
A tragic road accident, a motor vehicle collision resulted in the death of a 26 year old man and severe injuries to a 27 year old woman. The incident occurred last night (December 24), on the route from Saen Phuda to Pimpa, in the Nong Chok district of Bang Pakong, Chachoengsao. The Isuzu D-Max pickup, bearing the registration number 1ฒพ2547…
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Pheu Thai seeks to enhance community communication, says secretary-general
Sorawong Thienthong, 48 year old MP and the secretary-general of the Pheu Thai Party, stated yesterday that the party needs to enhance its communication methods to ensure the public is aware of its achievements. Sorawong, also a Member of Parliament from Sa Kaeo and a descendant of political influencer Sanoh Thienthong, asserted that Pheu Thai remains resilient and proactive, demonstrating…
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UN urges Thailand to bolster multi-sector approach to child rights protection
Thailand has been urged to broaden its efforts in child rights protection, with the United Nations Special Representative of the Secretary-General on Violence Against Children, Najat Maalla M’jid, calling for a more comprehensive, multi-ministerial approach. Maalla M’jid emphasised that safeguarding children should not be the sole responsibility of the Ministry of Social Development and Human Security but rather a shared…
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Mother’s emotional 10-hour drive home after daughter’s lonely outcry grips internet
A heart-wrenching incident involving a mother and her daughter in Zhaotong, Yunnan Province, China, has recently taken the internet by storm. The mother, who works away from home, discovered a distressing scene via her home’s security camera, leading her to make an emotional 10-hour drive back home. The woman referred to as Gu, had left her daughter at home while…
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Thai government makes headway in battle against informal debts
The Thai government has reported progress in its ongoing battle against informal debts, stating that it has resolved the issues of 233 registered debtors. Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin personally observed the progress of a debt resolution model in Nan last Saturday. Government spokesman Chai Wacharonke revealed that the Interior Ministry’s data indicates that 106,863 debtors have registered with the government…
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Construction worker critically injured in Purple Line subway site accident
A tragic accident occurred today at the construction site of the Purple Line subway on the Suriya Theatre side of Somdet Phra Chao Taksin Road, Bang Yi Ruea, Thonburi. A steel beam fell on a construction worker around 8.50am, causing severe injuries. The injured worker was promptly rushed to Taksin Hospital by the Po Tek Tung Foundation. The accident took…
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