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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 Top 10 reasons for expats to get a comprehensive health insurance in Thailand
Moving to Thailand offers a prospect full of excitement and adventure, but in the same vein, if any injuries were to occur (and god forbid it does), the local healthcare system can be confusing at first glance for many expats...
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Human trafficking: Thai “masseuses” escaped from Maldives
A woman was arrested at Don Mueang airport on charges of human trafficking and exploiting two Thai women by promising them high-paying massage jobs in the Maldives. The women, however, were forced into prostitution upon arrival. The arrest took place yesterday, followed by a complaint by the victims who managed to escape and seek help from the Thai embassy in…
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Thai NHSO considers expanding 30-baht healthcare to include cancer treatments
The Thai National Health Security Office (NHSO) is contemplating an expansion of its benefits under the 30-baht healthcare universal package, known as the “gold card” scheme. The addition could include cancer treatment and free screenings for non-cardholders. Jadet Thammathat-Aree, secretary-general of the NHSO, made the announcement recently for the proposed expansion to include cancer treatment and screening. In the pursuit…
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Pattaya’s perfect crime: Fake cops fleece shop owners in cunning scam
The bustling city of Pattaya recently fell prey to a scam that saw numerous shop owners tricked into parting with large sums of money by a group of fraudsters, cunningly disguised as fake cops. The fake police officers coerced their unsuspecting victims in Pattaya into paying substantial amounts to avoid what was falsely presented as an impending arrest. The scammers…
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Brutal murder: Jealous rage suspected as motive behind sword attack
A horrifying incident unfolded in the Bangkok Metropolitan Region as a man armed with a sword invaded a home and committed a brutal murder. Law enforcement is now actively reviewing CCTV footage and questioning witnesses to piece together the shocking sequence of events. The incident took place around 5pm on August 28, in a single-storey house near HCK Trading and…
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Thailand’s Q2 economic recovery slows, full-year 2023 growth forecast revised
Thailand’s second quarter of 2023 saw a slowdown in economic recovery, with GDP growth falling from 2.6% year-on-year in the first quarter to 1.8%, as reported by the National Economic and Social Development Council on August 21. The figures fell significantly short of consensus estimates of 3.1% and growth projections of 2.9%. The economy’s quarter-on-quarter growth was a mere 0.2%,…
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Love turns lethal: Intoxicated man’s jealous rage ends in tragic murder of girlfriend
A tragic incident unfolded in the early hours of this morning when a Thai man, intoxicated and under the influence of drugs, murdered his girlfriend in a fit of jealous rage. The fatal event transpired at approximately 3.45am today, in a residential house located in the Bang Kho Laem district of Bangkok. The victim, a 24 year old woman named Minthira…
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Thailand’s household debt soars as auto loans and cooperative debts spike
The secretary-general of the National Economic and Social Development Council (NESDC) issued a warning over the steady increase in Thailand‘s household debt. The critical areas requiring stringent monitoring were identified as auto loans and debt originating from savings cooperatives. During a press conference outlining the nation’s social outlook for the second quarter of 2023, Danucha Pichayanan revealed that household debt…
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What a bummer: Chinese couple’s fertility woes due to unconventional lovemaking, doctor reveals
A Chinese couple who had been married for four years were puzzled as to why they were unable to conceive until a doctor told them they were having sex the wrong way. The couple, from Bijie City in the southwestern province of Guizhou, are both in their early twenties and reportedly in good health. The revelation by a doctor that…
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Thailand’s transit twist: Electric plans spark train fare cap talks in Bangkok
The Department of Rail Transport (DRT) in Thailand is currently considering plans to deliver on the Pheu Thai-led coalition’s promise of introducing a cap on Bangkok’s electric train fares at 20 baht per trip. This was announced by a department source on Monday, who also revealed that the findings from this investigation will be presented to the new administration once…
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Thunderstorm warning for 45 Thai provinces, including 60% of Bangkok: Heavy rain expected
The Thai Meteorological Department today issued a thunderstorm warning for 45 provinces, including 60% of Bangkok. The weather system is sweeping across the northern and northeastern regions, heading towards a low-pressure area over the Bay of Bengal, while a moderately strong southwestern monsoon is blowing across the Andaman Sea, Thailand, and the Gulf of Thailand. This is causing thunderstorms and…
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Banking on change: Kasikornbank unveils shakeup with fresh faces and spin-off plans
Kasikornbank (KBank), Thailand’s second-largest lender by total assets, revealed a significant restructuring of its business operations. This includes the introduction of a new president, co-president, and a spin-off strategy. KBank notified the Stock Exchange of Thailand (SET) yesterday about the appointment of Chongrak Rattanapian to the position of president and executive director, effective from August 29. Chongrak, with over 20…
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Tragic injection: Medical mishap leaves young Trang boy’s life hanging by a thread
A severe incident of medical negligence occurred in Trang Province, where a four year old boy’s condition worsened and then he nearly died after allegedly receiving a wrongful adrenaline injection by a nurse. The Trang Province Public Health Office has initiated an investigation into the case, as stated by Chief Physician Sinchai Rongdech. The incident saw the light of the…
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Valorant Champions crowd demanding Elon Musk “bring Twitter’s back”
Elon Musk faced an unexpected wave of public demand to “bring Twitter back” during his recent appearance at the Valorant Champions competition today. The multibillionaire tech tycoon was greeted with shouts and chants from the crowd, turning the event for the popular first-person shooter video game into a global social media phenomenon. Jake Lucky, a well-known eSports commentator in the…
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Junkie escapes arrest after filming neighbour take a shower, also confesses to selling porn videos of wife
A junkie with a porn habit managed to escape arrest after secretly filming a neighbour in her bathroom. It was later discovered that the sex and drug addict secretly sold pornographic videos of his wife on social media for only 20 baht per video. A 52 year old woman named Sumalee filed a complaint at Kabin Buri Police Station in…
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Phuket Marine Office warns boats of upcoming harsh sea weather
Phuket’s Marine Office issued a stern warning to all boat operators due to the approaching turbulent weather, especially at sea. This advisory comes as the Thai Meteorological Department predicts strong wind, large waves and heavy rainfall in the upper Andaman Sea from tomorrow through Saturday. The forecast, delivered by Nachapong Pranit, Director of Marine Office 5 Phuket Branch, suggests that…
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Mysterious Mother Wrapped in Fig statue draws lottery hopefuls to Kamphaeng Phet
A century-old fig tree has become a sensation as villagers discovered a female statue, referred to as Mother Wrapped in Fig, entwined in its roots in Wat Charoen Suk, Klong Lan District, Kamphaeng Phet. The statue, which appears to be dressed in silk-like clothing and adorned with a crown, attracted over 60 villagers, who arrive daily to pay respects and…
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Highway havoc: Mercedes-Benz driver’s taxi riders gun threat and drug use lead to charges
Police charged a Thai Mercedes-Benz driver after he threatened motorcycle taxi riders in the Thong Lor area of Bangkok with a gun and used crystal methamphetamine. His five friends were charged with using the drug. The Thai man charged, 44 year old Chawin Chanintarawanich, crashed his Mercedes-Benz into a motorcycle taxi rider, 39 year old Kwanchai Tadee at 8.40am on Friday,…
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Revenue target for Thai government exceeds by 150 billion baht
Fiscal Policy Office (FPO) Director-General Pornchai Thiraveja has announced that the Thai government is rolling in cash. The director-general declared that the government’s revenue surpassed expectations, surpassing its target by 150 billion baht in the opening ten months of fiscal 2023. This continues a positive trend reported in May when revenue targets were surpassed by 112 billion baht. As per…
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Zika outbreak: Warning for pregnant women as cases spike and concerns grow in Thailand
A surge in Zika virus cases sparked a warning from the Department of Disease Control (DDC). In the last month, 266 cases were reported. Pregnant women are at risk, as the virus can cause babies to be born with microcephaly, a result of underdeveloped brains. The DDC made the announcement yesterday, August 27. The monsoon season, with its frequent rain,…
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Thai Taxi Association’s controversial tips for satisfactory rides spark debate
The Thai Taxi Association stirred debate by posting six tips to ensure a satisfactory taxi ride. The recommendations include asking before getting in, not forgetting to tip, and calling for a Grab taxi during peak hours or if the location is difficult for a regular taxi to reach. The Thai Taxi Association’s Facebook page recently shared these suggestions, aiming to…
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Emergency decree against insurgency extended in Deep South
While emergency decrees over the Covid-19 pandemic situation are finally a thing of the past, the continuously troubled Deep South region of Thailand has been operating under an ongoing emergency decree aimed at protecting citizens from the threat of the long-term insurgency constant in the area. The three southern border provinces of Pattani, Yala, and Narathiwat, are a buffer between…
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UPDATE: Thai woman stands by pregnancy truth after marriage fraud accusations
In an update to a previous article, every side has two stories. The woman accused of falsely claiming a pregnancy to collect a marriage dowry, only to leave her new husband just three days later is sharing her version of the events that transpired. A 35 year old man from Kanchanaburi had been dating the woman for six months when…
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VAT’s next? Thailand mulls talks amid dismissals over potential increase
The Thai administration yesterday dismissed the possibility of increasing the value–added tax (VAT) from 7% to 10%. Despite this official stance, talks have been initiated around this proposal, attributing the potential increment to the requirement for additional funding to cater to the escalating needs of the country’s ageing populace. From the Office of Fiscal Economy, Pornchai Thiravej, the director, shed…
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Beautiful Taiwanese woman’s struggle with Samoyed dog goes viral
The captivating video of a beautiful woman attempting to guide a Samoyed dog across the road has gone viral in Taiwan’s online world. The video was shared by a man on his Facebook group, revealing that he was on Jonghekgwongfu Road, New Taipei City around noon yesterday. The woman, having a hard time leading the large Samoyed across the zebra…
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Probing Phuket: 49 residences face investigation over suspected illegal construction
Investigations have been launched into 49 residences suspected of illegal construction in Thailand’s Phuket region. Thalang District Chief, Bancha Thanu-in, instructed the leaders of Thepkrasattri Tambon Administration Organisation (OrBorTor) and Sakhu OrBorTor to carry out these probes. These alleged violations came to light earlier this month, with a deadline of September 15 for the two OrBorTor chiefs to present their…
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Thunderstruck: TMD predicts stormy weather across 32 provinces and Bangkok
The Thai Meteorological Department (TMD) warned of thunderstorms and stormy weather across 32 provinces, with Bangkok expected to experience heavy rainfall in 20% of its areas. The southwest monsoon is predicted to cover the Andaman Sea and the Gulf of Thailand. The weather forecast for the next 24 hours is stormy and a trough is to pass over Myanmar’s upper region…
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Liquid dreams: Thailand’s Pilatus Marine charts global growth with 1.05 billion baht vessel acquisition
Pilatus Marine, a SET-listed company and Thailand’s leading liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) transport operator, is set to acquire three large used liquid-carrying vessels for a total cost of 1.05 billion baht. This move is aimed at expanding their services overseas. Operating in both marine and land transport of LPG, Pilatus Marine also leases vessels to other companies. The incoming ships,…
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Gun-grab getaway: Daring Thai man captured after snatching police officer’s gun
Provincial Police Region 6 officers finally arrested a Thai man yesterday after he snatched a gun from a police officer in the northern province of Uttaradit and escaped on a stolen motorcycle. Traffic police officer Chitipun Kunnarmang was on duty Friday, August 25 on the Boroma-as Road when he spotted a Thai man, later identified as 40 year old Pitsanupanya…
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Thai Internet idol Mintan speaks out on unending stalker harassment despite court order
Internet idol Mintan, renowned for the page หนูมินตันทาสกระดาน continues to face relentless harassment from a persistent stalker. Mintan recently updated her followers that the same security guard who had previously been found guilty of harassing her is once again causing her distress. Mintan exposed her ordeal in a post, revealing that she has been tormented for almost three years by…
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Governor’s serene journey: Phuket official’s monk ordainment sets tone for upcoming retirement
In preparation for his forthcoming retirement on September 30, Phuket Governor Narong Woonciew initiated a 15-day monk ordainment at Wat Pa Phutthaphot Hariphunchai in Lamphun province. The ceremony, conducted by the revered Chao Khun Luangpo Arayawangso, was held on Saturday night, August 26. The governor’s decision to take temporary monkhood reflects a deep-rooted Thai tradition and is a testament to…
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