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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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Royal reversal: Prince William’s ambitious anti-homelessness project sparks cries of ‘hypocrite’
Prince William has been labelled a “hypocrite” after his royal highness announced an ambitious, some say “unrealistic,” five-year project to end homelessness. The 41 year old billionaire prince, whose wealth is topped up by tax paying UK citizens, rightly stated that homelessness should not exist in a “modern and progressive society” and added that the Prince of Wales’s charitable foundation…
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Former military officer accused of assaulting beer promoter in Nakhon Sawan restaurant (video)
A former military officer has been accused by a 20 year old beer promoter of physically assaulting her in a restaurant in Nakhon Sawan province, northern Thailand. The female worker, Susita Rachakit, who sustained injuries to her face, claims she was slapped and kicked by the man after he accused her of inappropriately touching him. It has been confirmed that…
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Thai council pays tribute after young doctor’s tragic fatal accident
In an unfortunate twist of events yesterday, the Medical Council of Thailand (MCT) extended its deepest sympathies over the untimely passing of a newly qualified young doctor, who endured a fatal traffic mishap in Kanchanaburi. The doctor, 24 year old Yanisa Suebchiang, best known as Dr Mean, fell casualty to a catastrophic four-car accident that transpired at around 4pm on…
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Drought hits Thailand’s cassava yield, imports to fill shortfall predicted
A projected decrease in Thailand’s yield of cassava and its by-products from 11 million tonnes last year to an estimated 9 million tonnes this year has been attributed to drought conditions. This situation is further compounded by more farmers opting for sugar cane cultivation instead. Ronnarong Phoolpipat, director-general of the Foreign Trade Department, revealed that despite the drought-induced shortfall in…
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Koh Tao beach resort faces hefty fines and restoration orders on illegal structures and breaches
The Department of Marine and Coastal Resources (DMCR) and related agencies investigated a Koh Tao beach resort following viral social media images, consequently presenting four charges and ordering a restoration to its former state. The establishment in question, located on the popular Koh Tao island in Surat Thani province, a touristic gem often referred to as Turtle Island, came under scrutiny…
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Man with epilepsy dies after falling into Udon Thani canal during seizure
In a tragic event, a man suffering from epilepsy reportedly drowned after falling into a canal during a seizure. The unsettling event occurred in Udon Thani province, in northeast Thailand at a canal in Ban Bo Nam, Moo 7, Mu Mon municipality. The deceased, identified as 41 year old Chokchai Jandabao, was found lifeless in the canal by his wife…
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Thailand poised to emulate Korean Wave’s success, Asia Video Summit reveals
In a foreseeable shift, Thailand is emerging as a hotbed for flourishing content on a scale reminiscent of the highly influential Korean Wave. Such a promising outlook was significantly echoed in the recently concluded Asia Video Summit 2023, organised by Asia Video Industry Association in Hong Kong. During this gathering, the attendees comprising 180 participants from 22 different nations engaged…
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Malaysian couple discovers they’re half-siblings post-marriage
In a peculiar twist of fate, a Malaysian couple recently discovered they are half-siblings after they were already married and had children. This revelation stirred up the grim reality of prohibited incest relations under Islamic law, likely leading to an imminent annulment of their union. Having met each other at university and dated for three years, the couple eventually tied…
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Miracle man: Thai doctors wave the white flag, but life waves back
An extraordinary incident unfolded in the Amnat Charoen province in northeast Thailand as a 63 year old man was revived after doctors had conceded defeat to his deteriorating health condition. After a final farewell ceremony was abruptly interrupted by the seemingly deceased man, he brought shocking news of his encounter with a long-dead friend in the wilderness. In a quiet…
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Alleged hospital negligence in Buriram leads to patient’s agonising death: Daughter demands accountability
A case of alleged medical negligence has been brought to light in Buriram province with 39 year old Nunchida Chomchaiyaphum slamming a local hospital. The hospital’s reported disregard for the woman’s 58 year old mother’s declining health led to a fatal end after the patient endured agonising pain for over 40 hours. Nunchida said… “Even when I insisted several times…
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Thai CSD captures kidnapping gang demanding 600,000 baht ransom in major sweep
In a major operation yesterday, led by the Crime Suppression Division’s (CSD) special weapons and tactics unit, four suspected gang members involved in kidnap cases were taken into custody across southern and northeastern Thailand. Beginning at 6am, a significant deployment of 80 members from the Hanuman taskforce initiated raids on eight distinct locations. These included three in Yala, four in…
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Monk-inspired amulets fly off the shelves as locals hope for lottery success
Over 2,500 followers and fortune-seekers yesterday thronged Phatthanathammaram temple, also known as Ban Dan Chong Jom temple, in Gab Cheing district, Surin, to get their hands on monk-inspired commemorative amulets. These amulets were being distributed to raise funds for the construction of the largest statue ever made in the likeness of Luang Poo Heng, a famous monk who is deeply…
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Severe weather alert: Heavy rainfall predicted across Thailand due to monsoon impact
In the forecast for the next 24 hours, weather conditions across Thailand are expected to turn severe with heavy rains predicted in the northern, and northeastern regions, and a significant 60% of Bangkok areas facing heavy downpours. These conditions are following the impact of a monsoon trough passing over the northern region and upper Laos, which is leading into a…
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Woman crashes car into convenience store after alleged assault by boyfriend in Ranong
An unfortunate car accident occurred near a convenience store close to the exit gate of Ranong Provincial Police Station at around 8.45pm yesterday, according to Ranong police. A middle-aged woman, navigating a bronze-silver Toyota Yaris with plate number กง 737 Ranong, was involved in the mishap. The car flipped, laying upside down, its wheels pointing skyward. The woman managed to…
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Korat City’s cherished paramedic ‘Doctor Toon’ bids a tearful adieu
A pall of grief swept across Korat city as it mourns the tragic death of its leading paramedic, known locally as “Doctor Toon.” The tragedy left the 38 year old emergency medical personnel’s life abruptly cut short following a shocking road accident. Police in Korat City in Nakhon Ratchasima province yesterday received a distress call at 12.10am about an accident…
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Three former rangers arrested in high-profile 500,000 baht Thai kidnapping incident
Today witnessed a significant operation by the Crime Suppression Division (CSD)’s special weapons and tactics unit, resulting in the arrest of three suspected culprits of a kidnapping gang. Spanning two regions in southern Thailand and one in the northeast, the operation began at 6am, with the CSD’s Hanuman unit targeting eight specific locations. Three of these target sites were identified…
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Foreign motorcyclist struck by hit-and-run baht bus driver in Pattaya
A bizarre incident unfolded in the early hours of this morning as a foreign motorcyclist was struck by a vehicle, believed to be a baht bus, which subsequently fled from the incident scene. The collision occurred at 3.30am, in the vicinity of Hard Rock Hotel. Emergency healthcare workers from the Sawang Boriboon Foundation were alerted and quickly reached the scene,…
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Brit in the buff brings chaos to Pattaya hotel: Unhinged nudist lands behind bars
An unhinged naked British man was taken into custody after causing chaos in a hotel in Pattaya. Police officers are investigating the unusual incident in an attempt to identify the source of the man’s unhinged behaviour. Pattaya Police Station’s Pol. Capt. Kittisuk Suthinitaswong was alerted about the embarrassing incident at exactly 4.30am today at the Centara Nova Hotel & Spa,…
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Thailand No.1 in ASEAN according to UN’s 2023 Sustainable Development ranking
Thailand‘s recent economic, social, and green development has been reflected in the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Report for 2023. In a statement relayed by Trisulee Trisoranakul, the Deputy Government spokesperson, it is reported that Thailand’s Prime Minister and the Minister of Defense, Prayut Chan-o-cha, is pleased. Thailand has now improved its standing to the 43rd position among 166 countries from…
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Two Thais arrested for defrauding Bangkok monk of 500,000 baht in online scam
Thai cyber police yesterday apprehended two key members of a fraudulent call centre operation which orchestrated an elaborate financial scam, defrauding a monk out of almost half a million baht. Named Thitiwatch, aged 38, and 52 year old Ekapetch were arrested in Phaya Thai and Pleonchit districts of Bangkok under arrest warrants 407,408/2023 from Samut Prakan provincial court. The investigation…
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Bangkok freezes fire drills after fatal school mishap, calls for rigorous reform
The Governor of Bangkok, Chadchart Sittipunt, appealed for extensive reform of disaster prevention and mitigation systems in the wake of a lethal explosion that occurred during a fire drill at a local school. Fire evacuation exercises throughout the city will remain suspended while safety checks on fire-fighting apparatus are carried out. This update in policy comes in the aftermath of…
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Counterfeit caper in northeast Thailand: Scammer’s fake money fiasco sends a warning to the community
A cautionary tale has emerged from the local community in northeast Thailand involving a scammer using counterfeit money for purchases. The perpetrator paid with a fake 1,000 baht banknote and received 903 baht in change. Around 1pm yesterday, Police Lieutenant Colonel Chedchai Chaisaeng, an acting inquiry officer of Chai Wan Police Station in Udon Thani, was visited by local retailer Prapaphon,…
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Police arrest woman over Japanese job recruitment scam
Udon Thani law enforcement agencies arrested a woman believed to have duped people into seeking work in Japan in a crackdown on fraudulent recruitment agencies. Identified as Sukanya Buasri, alias Ruen, she was apprehended amidst a flurry of complaints concerning her activities. Homing in on alleged unscrupulousness, Bang Dung and Thungfon police jointly detained Buasri. She was subsequently transported to…
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Fatal tragedy strikes as young biker crashes into tree near national research office
A fatal accident occurred in the early hours of this morning, with a young man crashing his motorbike into a tree near the National Research Office. The victim, 25 year old Kamphol, was said to be en route to meet a friend in the Bang Khen area for an outing at Khao San Road. At approximately 3am today, police officer…
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Kasikornbank branches out into Vietnam aiming at top 20 by 2027
Breaking new ground in its expansion strategy, Kasikorn Business-Technology Group (KBTG), a subsidiary of Thailand’s Kasikornbank, has laid the foundation stone for KBTG Vietnam in Ho Chi Minh City. With an aim to serve the surging regional digital expansion of its parent conglomerate and to attain a spot amongst the top 20 banks in Vietnam by 2027, this development is…
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Phuket roads to close for grand Peranakan Festival parade today
Phuket Town’s arterial ways are set to experience a temporary shutdown late this afternoon into the evening due to a grand carnival parade. The procession forms part of the Phuket Peranakan Festival ceremonies and will cover the historical Phuket Old Town region. Thalang Road, Soi Rommanee, and parts of Phang Nga Road, Yaowarat Road, and Thepkrasattri Road will remain inaccessible to…
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Phuket authorities clamp down on illegal taxi practices, impose hefty fines
Over the past five months, the Phuket Land Transport Office (PLTO) has conducted an operation targeting individuals involved in illegal taxi practices. Their recent crackdown at Phuket International Airport resulted in the apprehension of two additional drivers. Led by Kornpitak Assuwan, head of the academic group at PLTO, also referred to as the policy division, officers initiated another phase of…
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Illegal Cape Shark Villas shut down on Koh Tao Island”
A villa constructed without permission in Cape Shark Villas has been instructed to cease operations by local authorities on Koh Tao Island. An investigation is underway to check if other villas within the resort have conformed to obligatory construction permits. The villa under investigation is strategically perched on a rocky ledge, providing direct access to the clear waters of the…
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Healing the rumor mill: Bangkok hospital denies ‘rejuvenating DNA’ trials with a dose of truth
King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital, alongside Chulalongkorn University (CU), yesterday refuted allegations of conducting “rejuvenating DNA” trials on human subjects following a claim by someone to have undergone such treatment at their facilities. In a joint statement, both institutions clarified that the pioneering rejuvenating DNA, developed by CU’s Faculty of Medicine specialist team under the RED-GEMs (REjuvenating DNA by GEnomic Stability…
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Tham Luang cave rescue heroes honoured on 5th anniversary
The fifth anniversary of the Tham Luang cave rescue will be observed with a merit-making ceremony honouring the deceased – including Nang Nom’s governor, Seaman Sam and Young Dom. The preparations for the ceremony have been initiated at various sacred spots within the park and will include a homage to the Lady of Nang Non. PR.Thailand shared pictures of the…
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