News
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 Planning to extend your Thai visa? Why health insurance is more important than ever
If you plan to stay longer in Thailand, having health insurance is now more important than ever. Thai immigration often asks for proof of medical coverage when you apply to extend your visa. This applies to many types of visas,...
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Rayong man arrested with 70,000 meth pills despite daughter’s pleas
A Thai man from Rayong province was arrested by officials from the Bang Lamung Police Station, in Chon Buri province. This incident saw law enforcement confiscating over 70,000 methamphetamine tablets from the man’s Rayong residence. The man’s young daughter was present during this event, and in an emotional plea, asked the officials to let her father go, promising to behave…
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Senegalese tourist’s body recovered at Freedom Beach in Phuket
In a tragic turn of events in Phuket, a team of lifeguards recovered the body of a Senegalese tourist at 6.50am today from the location where he had disappeared two days prior. Freedom Beach, located in Tambon Karon of the Mueang district, had been the last known whereabouts of 22 years old man. The Tambon Karon Municipality mayor, Jadet Vachirasorn,…
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Phuket boosts marine safety measures for holiday tourist surge
Safety measures have significantly increased at the major piers and marinas in Phuket, a recent report from the Phuket office of the Department of Public Relations of Thailand (PR Phuket) revealed. These heightened security measures come in anticipation of a massive influx of tourists to the island, expected to occur during the extended holidays from July 28 through August 2.…
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Beyond Horizon: Thailand’s domestic-made luxury rail carriage
A cutting-edge rail carriage prototype, known as Beyond Horizon, has been launched in an innovative collaboration between the State Railway of Thailand (SRT), Sinogen-Pin Petch Joint Venture and King Mongkut Institute of Technology Ladkrabang (KMITL). With 25 luxury seats all equipped with touch screens for individual passengers, the demonstration unit on display is also fully accessible for wheelchair users. Somyot…
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Long holiday sees spike in road accidents, authorities urge caution
During the initial day of Thailand’s extended holiday period, the Royal Thai Police (RTP) reported nearly 2,000 people were injured in road accidents, with 22 fatalities recorded. The information was announced yesterday by Deputy National Police Chief and Commander of RTP’s Traffic Police Operation Centre, General Roy Ingkapairote. He indicated a sharp increase in traffic offences due to an influx…
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Naked German man’s pre-dawn rant shocks Central Pattaya Beach
In the tranquil pre-dawn hours of yesterday, an unusual incident shook the serene environs of Central Pattaya Beach in Nongprue, as residents discovered an unidentified male wanderer, sans clothing. The naked foreign man, estimated to be approximately 50 years old, was found loudly muttering to himself near the scenic Pattaya Beach, exhibiting erratic behaviour that startled the neighbourhood. Pattaya City…
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Taxi motorbike operator found dead near Pattaya shopping centre
In a tragic incident in Pattaya, a taxi motorbike operator was discovered lifeless on the side of the road. The cause of death is so far unknown. The distressing situation was reported to Captain Chonlawit Athippansri from the Pattaya City Police yesterday morning. The lifeless body was found near a popular shopping centre located in the southern part of Pattaya…
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Pheu Thai party prepares for coalition meeting
In the latest political development, the Pheu Thai Party, one of the primary political entities in Thailand, plans a strategic meeting with its seven coalition partners next week. The primary focus of this meeting is to mull over the future direction of the eight-party coalition. Following this, they intend to update other parties outside of the bloc and opposition members.…
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Thai man held for running “Little Angel” child porn group
Amid growing concern over child exploitation, an individual running a child pornography distribution group labelled Little Angel, infamous for its cache of over 1,000 child sex videos, has been apprehended. Abhisit, the 29 year old behind the group was arrested at a house in the Sattahip district of Chon Buri. The arrest ensued, thanks to the vigilant activities of Police Colonel…
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Radical imagery paraded at school event called child exploitation
In light of a controversial incident at a recent sports day event in the Panare district of the deep south province of Pattani, the Internal Security Operations Command’s (ISOC) Region 4 Forward Command is reportedly preparing to take legal action. This follows the child exploitation allegations as children were paraded holding images of deceased insurgents. The sight has sparked social…
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The meteoric rise of women’s cricket in Thailand
The Bangkok City Cricket Club, the first official cricket club founded in Thailand, was formed in 1890 by locals who had been exposed to the sport during travels to England. At the time, the sport was considered only for the wealthy in society—mainly because only those who could afford to travel had experienced the thrill of playing it. However, the…
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Thailand unscathed by Crimean-Congo fever, dengue cases surge
In an official statement, the Department of Disease Control (DDC) confirmed that Thailand is currently not affected by the Crimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever (CCHF). This comes in the wake of the World Health Organization’s (WHO) notification that classifies CCHF as a high-risk infectious disease. Dr Thares Krasanairawiwong, the DDC Director-General, put the country’s populace at ease today. “No case has been…
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Bangkok’s Ashton Asoke in legal crisis over construction permit
The 50-storey Ashton Asoke Condominium in Bangkok, an impressive high-rise establishment, is in hot water. After a recent judgement by the Supreme Administrative Court revoked its crucial construction permit, the Governor of Bangkok, Chadchart Sittipunt, faces increasing pressure to intervene. This decision escalates the ongoing legal conflict involving the 233 billion baht project, located in the Watthana district. This judgement…
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Thai King encourages national prosperity on his 71st birthday
Yesterday marked the 71st birthday of the King of Thailand, who celebrated the occasion by encouraging all Thais to act in a manner that benefits not only themselves but also others. The speech took place in the grand audience, or Maha Samakhom, at the Amarindra Vinijaya Throne Hall in the Grand Palace. The king emphasised that, to achieve national prosperity,…
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Bangchak Corporation pivots to sustainable aviation fuel
A forward-looking strategy is being implemented by energy conglomerate Bangchak Corporation as it navigates the uncertain future of the oil refinery business, deeply impacted by the global push for electric vehicles. In an endeavour to address this dilemma, the corporation has steered its focus towards the development of biofuel, known as sustainable aviation fuel (SAF), for aircraft, potentially a major…
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Phuket and neighbouring provinces bracing for heavy rainfall
The Thai Meteorological Department’s Phuket branch has issued a strong warning cautioning of substantial rainfall anticipated in Phuket and its peripheral regions from July 30 until August 2. The warning is extended over four provinces stretching along the Andaman coast. The Southwestern Meteorology Centre, functioning near Phuket International Airport, sent out the warning about heavy rainfall at 6am yesterday and…
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Thai banks see modest rise in mortgage loans
In the first six months of this year, a modest increase in mortgage loans was recorded by banks as purchasing power of homebuyers took a hit due to rising interest rates. Collectively, eight out of the ten SET-listed banks reported consolidated outstanding mortgages tallying 2.39 trillion baht as of June, marking a 1.04% rise from 2.37 trillion baht in December…
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Unprecedented six-day holiday leads to tourist boom in Pattaya
Yesterday marked the kick-off of an unprecedented six-day holiday. Pattaya‘s beaches and tourist hotspots were abuzz as visitors flocked, particularly to Koh Larn, a stunning island located roughly 7 kilometres from the coast. According to local accommodation providers, the entirety of the island’s estimated 3,000 rooms were booked out. The rush of tourists, both Thai and foreign, regularly set sail…
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1.9 million baht hidden treasure discovered in Chinese apartment
Residents in China’s Zhejiang province expressed amazement after a woman found a hidden treasure hoard inside the wall of her recently rented apartment. The unanticipated discovery contained gold and silver jewellery and cash totalling around 400,000 yuan, equivalent to approximately 1.9 million baht. The unusual finding took place in Jinhua City, located in the Zhejiang Province of China. The female…
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Female teachers required to serve alcohol, dance at religious event
An ongoing Thai school controversy has unfolded, involving a large school planning to host a religious “Pa Pha” ceremony, which attracted criticism due to directives issued that required female teachers to perform traditional dance and serve alcohol to guests. The incident has provoked heated discussions online following the incident’s exposure on social media. The Thai school controversy came to light…
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Royal pardon for ex-PM Thaksin?
The unseated ex-Prime Minister of Thailand, Thaksin Shinawatra, is eligible to request a royal pardon upon his return to the country. When he returns, he would be imprisoned but can request a pardon, according to the acting Deputy Prime Minister Wissanu Krea-Ngam in an announcement yesterday. According to the deputy premier, who also holds the interim role of justice minister…
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Barbie: Woman ends relationship after boyfriend reacts badly to feminist film
Popularity of the film Barbie has taken the world by storm as it resonates with a youthful audience, propagating a strongly feminist message. The film’s content has captivated many viewers, leading to discussions about the themes explored in it. However, an unexpected consequence emerged when a woman revealed that her relationship ended dramatically after the couple viewed the film due…
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Road accident claims life of motorbike group member in Samut Songkhram
A fatal road accident occurred in the central province of Samut Songkhram today, claiming the life of 38 year old Suriya, a member of a large motorcycle group on a southern holiday trip. The incident came about as a pickup truck, with 33 years old Nonthaphon behind the wheel, attempted to turn into a petrol station, inadvertently crashing into the…
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Blue Flag market unveiled by Phuket to combat rising costs
Phuket is preparing to host a monthly special market dubbed the “Blue Flag.” The market is hoped to bring an economic lifeline to the less affluent residents of the city as they struggle with the inflating prices of common household essentials. The Phuket Provincial Commerce Office has taken the initiative of kick-starting the Blue Flag market beginning from the first week…
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Drug trafficking ring spanning across Thailand busted by police
A police crackdown resulted in the arrest of seven individuals in connection to a drug trafficking ring spanning the length of Thailand. Police stated the organised criminals caught yesterday had a long-standing pattern of sustained violence, striking fear into local communities. The drug trafficking ring’s operations extended from Chiang Rai through Nakhon Si Thammarat and on to Trang. The arrests were…
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Jet ski rider disappears in Bang Pakong River, near Bangkok
A tragic incident unfolded in Bang Pakong, east of Bangkok, where a well-respected jet ski rider vanished without a trace. Rescuers were alerted to the missing man after locals who had been cutting saplings on the riverbank spotted an abandoned jet ski mid-river. Despite an extensive overnight search which lasted more than nine hours, authorities have yet to locate the…
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Ayutthaya woman falls victim to online sex video leak
In a disgraceful incident, a young man has been accused of blackmailing a woman, identified as A, by releasing a sex video of them having intercourse online. A 33 year old factory worker from the province of Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya expressed deep distress over the incident, which caused her immense embarrassment and anxiety. The episode traces back to the…
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Student safety urged as Bangkok police chase man harassing schoolgirls
The parents of students from a prominent school in Ratchadamnoen yesterday warned of a man exhibiting signs of mental illness who has been causing harm to female students in a number of locations. The police are hot on his trail after he struck several times. The student safety alert shared on the LINE app includes a picture of the man.…
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Booze cruise escape: Thai driver miraculously ditched disaster in Pattaya (video)
A lucky Thai driver, allegedly under the influence of alcohol, escaped a potentially fatal accident in the early hours of this morning after he somehow managed to divert his pickup into a roadside ditch in Pattaya. Narongrit Chanton, a native of Sa Kaeo province in Eastern Thailand, was identified by police officers as the accident victim. According to rescue workers…
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Toll-free travel treats: Thailand’s EXAT suspends expressway fees to ease the burden on residents
The Expressway Authority of Thailand (EXAT) today announced that toll fees for three major expressways will be suspended on select dates this year, to ease travel and lessen the financial strain on residents. To make commuting smoother and friendlier to the pocket during the upcoming holiday season, EXAT has provided toll-free access to the following expressways: Chaloem Maha Nakhon Expressway…
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