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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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Battle of the butter cookies: Arsenal vs Imperial – the red tin rivalry
It’s a cookie clash between two heavyweights, Arsenal and Imperial, with packaging so alike that many mistake them for siblings in the snack world. But surprise, surprise – they’re the brainchildren of different culinary maestros. Crafted by KCG Group, Imperial cookies boast Tong Theeranusornkij as their creator since 1985. Meanwhile, Arsenal cookies emerge from the ovens of the Siam Ruammit…
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South Korean firm GCOO brings e-bikes and e-scooters to Phuket
Phuket, Thailand’s famous tourist destination, is now home to e-bikes and e-scooters, courtesy of South Korean firm GCOO. The company recently launched its clean-energy personal transport services, deploying these eco-friendly vehicles at major points across the island, including Phuket Town and Patong. The launch, dubbed Phuket Smart Mobility, was celebrated with an event held at the Chartered Bank Intersection in…
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Government to shoulder Covid-19 insurance claims as insurers buckle under 60 billion baht payouts
Deputy Finance Minister Julapun Amornvivat has revealed that the Thai government may have to step in to assist with the hefty burden arising from Covid-19 insurance claims. The grim situation has seen total payouts skyrocket to almost 60 billion baht, leaving non-life insurance companies in shambles and prompting the closure of those unable to meet the financial demands. Julapun disclosed…
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Thai man kills girlfriend in jealousy and refusal to convert to Islam
A Thai man killed his girlfriend in a luxury condominium in the Jana district in the southern province of Songkhla before taking his own life. The motives for the murder were reportedly jealousy and the woman’s refusal to convert to Islam. Officers from Hat Yai Police Station were called to the murder-suicide in room number 13 on the 25th floor…
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Foreigners defrauded by Thai woman with their passports leads to arrest
More than 30 foreigners turned the tables on a 33 year old woman, dragging her to the Pattaya City Police Station with a trove of 40 passports. The former language school teacher, Supawadee Thongnoi, stands accused of a cunning visa renewal scam that left expats high and dry in Thailand. Previously, victims had lodged complaints at the Pattaya City Police…
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Where to celebrate Christmas in Bangkok 2023
The most wonderful time of the year is coming! And after all those Christmas shopping, you deserve a festive feast. Luckily, numerous restaurants and hotels in Bangkok are offering extravagant and delightful Christmas dining experiences to turn up the holiday cheer. From roast turkey with all the trimmings to seafood and Thai dishes, you can treat yourself and your loved ones…
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Distinctive underwear leads to arrest of tobacconist robber a year later
A trio of armed robbers stormed a tobacconist on 109th Ave, USA, on September 14 last year before escaping, only to be caught a year later due to the distinctive underwear one of the culprits wore during the crime. The criminals, all wearing masks, arrived in a Mazda car. Two of them pointed guns at staff and customers while the…
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Will the 2024 fiscal year save the Thai economy?
Deputy Finance Minister Julapun Amornvivat revealed that Thailand‘s eagerly awaited 3.48 trillion baht budget for the 2024 fiscal year won’t see the light until early May. Originally set to kick off on October 1, the budget got tangled in the web of politics, with May’s election and the lengthy government formation process pushing the official start to September 5. According…
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Thailand Winter Festival fuels tourism boom
Thailand‘s vibrant cultural tapestry, woven with ancient traditions and modern spectacles, is driving a tourism surge, with the Thailand Winter Festival taking the spotlight as the grand finale of 2023. The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) wrapped up the year with a dazzling Thailand Winter Festival, featuring five cultural extravaganzas, including a Colorful Canals promotion for the mesmerising Loy Krathong…
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Middle-aged Chinese bride marries without dowry demand
A 47 year old bride has married for the first time, making no demands for a dowry, house, or car, only wanting her groom, who is remarkably handsome. The wedding took place in the city of Fujian, China, where the middle-aged woman discovered true love and donned a wedding dress for the first time. Despite the age gap seeming significant,…
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Stranded man sells appliances for 800 baht to visit ill sister
A 56 year old man was deceived and abandoned by a van driver, leaving him stranded along Bang Na-Trat Road, Bang Phli district, Samut Prakan province. Phorncharoen Saengthothep, originally from Udon Thani, was travelling back home to care for his sick sister suffering from diabetes and had sold his rice cooker and fridge for 800 baht to fund his journey.…
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Vet shares unusual tale of pet pig choking on pork meatball on TikTok (video)
A bizarre incident occurred when a local villager brought his pet pig to a vet in a fertiliser sack, after it choked on a pork meatball, yesterday, December 20. The incident was shared on TikTok by user @naynaykung019, who happens to be the treating veterinarian. The video clip shows the pet pig owner seeking help, stating that his pet pig…
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Unexplained death after tooth extraction sparks controversy in Phetchaburi
A 25 year old woman‘s mysterious death following two tooth extractions has led to her distraught family seeking answers. The woman, Thiphaphon (surname withheld), experienced severe facial swelling and pain after the dental procedure at a hospital in Phetchaburi. Despite later diagnoses of leukaemia and further tests, her death remains unexplained and has sparked controversy. The news was delivered to…
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Northern Thailand: Endangered red-headed vulture lays egg in sanctuary in Uthai Thani
A significant milestone has been reached in Thailand‘s conservation efforts with the laying of an egg by a critically endangered red-headed vulture (Sarcogyps calvus) in Huai Kha Khaeng wildlife sanctuary, Uthai Thani. The exciting development was announced on social media by Ornyupa Sangkamarn, secretary-general of the Sueb Nakhasathien Foundation, who remains hopeful about the egg’s fertility and successful hatching. The…
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Thailand’s commerce ministry targets 2 trillion baht in cross-border trade by 2027
Aiming to increase the value of cross-border and transit trade to 2 trillion baht by 2027, the Commerce Ministry is expediting the application of the cross-border trade strategy. The Ministry is establishing four dedicated task forces to tackle border trade-related issues. Commerce Minister Phumtham Wechayachai, following Wednesday’s committee meeting on trade, cross-border, and transit trade promotion, shared that the committee…
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Thai health charter chairman advocates for cannabis in wellness tourism
Dr Kampon Sriwatanakul, chairman of the Thailand National Charter of Health, has called for the adoption of a holistic wellness technique to leverage the potential of cannabis in bolstering the nation‘s tourism. He delivered these remarks at the 4th CISW MedCann Investment Summit 2023, which took place yesterday, December 20. The chairman advocated for a wellness tourism model revolving around…
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Cold wave from China hits Thailand: Significant temperature drop and heavy rain forecast
Thailand is currently under the influence of a new surge of high-pressure area or cold air mass from China, as declared by the Thai Meteorological Department. This has resulted in a drop in temperature across the country, with the north-eastern region experiencing a decrease of 5 to 8 degrees Celsius, and the capital city, Bangkok, seeing a drop of 5…
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Northern Thailand: Teenager caught using foreign currency at self-service kiosk
A suspicious incident involving currency manipulation at a self-service payment kiosk was reported in Wichian Buri district, Phetchabun province today, December 20. A local shop owner, Sarayut Singchangchai, spotted a foreign banknote, specifically a 500 Kyat note from Myanmar (equivalent to approximately 8 baht), in his payment kiosk. This discovery led to an investigation and the eventual identification of the…
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Bangladesh on the brink: Opposition calls for general election boycott amidst political turmoil
Bangladesh‘s political landscape is teetering on the edge as the main opposition party, the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), intensifies its calls for a boycott of the upcoming January 7 general election. The stakes are high, with the BNP warning of a one-sided dummy election unless Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina steps down. Struggling with key leaders either imprisoned or in exile,…
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Thai TikToker condemned for encouraging cheating and partner manipulation
Thai netizens condemned a Thai TikToker for encouraging his followers to cheat on their partners and manipulate them for money and other benefits. The videos which now under fire were created and shared by the TikTok account, ครูตี๋ สà¸à¸™à¸ˆà¸µà¸šà¸ªà¸²à¸§. which means learning how to flirt with girls with teacher Tee. The TikToker is identified as Tee. He has over 500,000 followers…
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KBank to create digital currency system
As mainstream lenders remain cautious about digital assets, Kasikornbank (KBank) is on a mission to create a digital-asset ecosystem, providing a groundbreaking funding route for companies. KBank acquired the licenced digital-asset exchange Satang Corp in October. Notably, this acquisition marks a rare instance of an established lender stepping into the crypto trading platform domain. The rebranded Satang Pro platform, now…
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Survey reveals half of Thai workers unprepared for retirement
In a startling revelation, a recent survey conducted by the Faculty of Commerce and Accountancy at Chulalongkorn University has unveiled a concerning truth – a staggering 50% of working-age Thais are not financially equipped for retirement. The implications are dire, as experts warn of the impending challenges faced by the nation’s ageing population. The survey, involving 2,400 participants nationwide, disclosed…
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MFP Pita defends himself over shareholding charge at Constitutional Court
Pita Limjaroenrat, the advisory chairman of the Move Forward Party (MFP), defends himself at the Constitutional Court over the charges against him for the iTV shareholding case. The Court was poised to dissect his involvement in the beleaguered iTV – a spectacle eagerly anticipated by political enthusiasts. At precisely 9.10am, Pita, exuding an air of calm confidence, addressed the media.…
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Thai wage committee upholds 2.37% minimum wage increase
Yesterday, a senior government official announced that the tripartite wage committee has decided to uphold their previously agreed-upon plan to increase the average daily minimum wage by 2.37%. The committee, consisting of representatives from the government, employers, and employees, has agreed to uplift the pay threshold range to 330 to 370 baht, starting in January. This was confirmed by Pairoj…
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Phuket paradise beckons: TAT teams up with Saudia Airlines for tourism extravaganza
The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) has joined forces with Saudia Airlines, setting their sights on a jaw-dropping target of 300,000 arrivals and a staggering 27.68 billion baht in revenue. TAT Governor Thapanee Kiatphaibool revealed ambitious plans after a high-stakes meeting in Riyadh with Saudia Airlines bigwigs. Thapanee disclosed discussions that could make this a game-changer for Saudi tourists seeking…
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Motorbike rider cheats death in Pattaya cable catastrophe
In Pattaya, a Bolt motorbike rider narrowly cheated death when he collided with a hanging cable, leaving his neck gruesomely wounded. The motorbike rider, 22 year old Ethan Ketwongsa, took to Facebook to recount his harrowing ordeal that unfolded on December 17. Cruising down Soi Ban Nern Thang Rotfai 1, just off the parallel railway road in East Pattaya, Ethan…
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Thai woman falls off building while fleeing mentally ill neighbour
A Thai woman fell from the third floor of a building in Nonthaburi province near Bangkok while she was fleeing from a mentally ill neighbour who attempted to stab her. Mueang Nonthaburi Police Station officers were called to rescue a Thai woman, 63 year old Chamaiporn, who fell from her room on the third floor to an awning on the…
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Young firefighter steals hearts and extinguishes flames
Capturing the internet’s attention, six year old Peerapat, a kindergarten student at Wat U-Tapao Kindergarten in Chon Buri, has become a viral sensation after a video of him extinguishing a forest fire alongside adult firefighters surfaced on social media. The video, shared on Thai social media on December 18, has amassed over 2 million views, turning Peerapat into a symbol…
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Explosive growth in Thai insurance industry predicted for 2024
The Thai General Insurance Association (TGIA) has foreseen an unprecedented surge in the insurance industry, with premiums expected to skyrocket to 303 billion baht in 2024. The TGIA president, Somporn Suebthawilkul, revealed the industry’s trajectory, unveiling that premiums for the initial nine months of this year already hit a whopping 210 billion baht, marking a staggering 5.2% rise from the…
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BWH Hotels signs Best Western Hotel at Jomtien Beach, Pattaya
BWH Hotels (BWH), the leading global hospitality network comprising WorldHotelsâ„¢, Best Western® Hotels & Resorts, and SureStay® Hotels, has continued the rapid expansion of its portfolio in Thailand with the signing of the Best Western Jomtien Beach Pattaya, a brand-new midscale hotel which is being constructed just steps from the golden sands of Jomtien Beach. Just a short drive from…
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