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.
-
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?...
-
Teen dies in e-bike crash with ambulance after police chase in Salford
Saul Cookson, a 15-year-old boy, tragically died after his e-bike collided with an ambulance in Salford. The teenager was being pursued by traffic officers, who had to abandon the chase when their vehicle was obstructed by bollards. The accident occurred on Langworthy Road shortly after the police halted their pursuit. The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) is now investigating…
-
Johor state thanks federal government for Malaysia Madani Budget 2023 aid
The Johor state government has expressed gratitude to the federal government for addressing several critical issues affecting the region. Johor Menteri Besar Onn Hafiz Ghazi highlighted concerns such as floods, road conditions, hospitals, and congestion at the Sultan Iskandar Building (BSI) customs, immigration and quarantine complex (CIQ) in Johor Baru, as well as the Sultan Abu Bakar Complex (KSAB) in…
-
Penang Pakatan Harapan considers Umno leaders for next state administration
Penang Pakatan Harapan (PH) chairman Chow Kon Yeow has announced that the coalition is open to including Umno leaders in the next state administration if they return to power. However, these Umno leaders must first secure their seats in the state election, which is expected to take place in July. Chow, who is also the chief minister of Penang, clarified…
-
Ex-Perlis MB faces false claims, money laundering charges totalling £460k
The Kuala Lumpur Sessions Court is set to hear the case of former Perlis menteri besar, Azlan Man, who faces five charges of making false claims and five charges of money laundering. Judge Azura Alwi granted the prosecution’s request to transfer all five false claims charges to the Sessions Court, and a trial date is being sought. Azlan, 64 years…
-
Police close in on parang-wielding duo after Cheras shootout and scam arrests
Authorities in Kuala Lumpur are closing in on two suspects who evaded capture after a recent shootout with police in Taman Supreme, Cheras. While not providing specific details, Kuala Lumpur Police Chief Mohd Shuhaily Mohd Zain confirmed that a team has been formed to locate the two foreign men thought to be connected to several break-ins in the area. The…
-
Drug dealer arrested in Rayong as 813 Yaba pills found hidden under roof
Officials in Thailand’s Rayong province led a raid on a house in the Ban Khai district, arresting a notorious drug dealer and discovering 813 methamphetamine pills (Yaba) hidden under the roof. The suspect claimed the drugs belonged to a friend, but previous records showed his involvement in drug dealing. Authorities aim to eliminate the drug trade in the region. Officers…
-
Thai school expels students after mother assaults teenage girl
Dispute between students escalates as one mother assaults another student outside school, demanding compensation and causing psychological distress for the girl involved; the school expels both students. Recently, a Thai mother assaulted a teenage girl outside a secondary school in Samut Sakhon, hitting her with a bag, after the girls resolved their dispute in May. The mother demanded 20,000 baht (US$580)…
-
Thailand’s NBTC mulls supervision of OTT platforms for fair telecoms
The National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC) is weighing the potential regulation of over-the-top (OTT) platforms in Thailand to create a level playing field and ensure equal treatment in the telecom sector. Despite major foreign OTT platform providers having established operations offices in Thailand and adhering to value-added tax (VAT) payment rules, the regulator is contemplating whether these operators should…
-
Elderly Thai woman dies in house fire alongside 20 baht of gold
A tragic fire in Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya province claimed the life of a 76 year old Thai woman, leaving her husband heartbroken. The fire, which broke out at their wooden house today at 9.30am, destroyed the entire building and reportedly engulfed an estimated 20 baht of gold. The incident occurred at a high-stilt wooden house in Bang Sai district’s…
-
Mysterious voices lure man to almost drown in Bang Pakong river
A chilling incident occurred on Bang Pakong Bridge in Thailand’s Chachoengsao province, as a 23 year old man, known as A (pseudonym), claimed to have leapt into the Bang Pakong River at the request of mysterious male and female voices in his head. Upon doing so, he found himself in a struggle for survival when, according to him, several unseen…
-
Phuket fishing boats pass inspections, no illegal activity found, officials say
Recent inspections of fishing boats operating in Phuket waters have shown no signs of illegal activities, such as human trafficking or compromised working conditions, according to officials. The random inspections were conducted on five boats and aimed to ensure workers’ rights were being upheld, with checks on employment and working conditions, valid working permits, and wages being paid in the…
-
Ratchaburi fruit seller boosts sales with lively dance and vibrant attire
At the bustling Sri Mueang Market in Thailand’s Ratchaburi Province, 51 year old Sorawat Leuang-ngamkham has found a unique way to attract customers and boost sales of his fruits and vegetables. He dances and shucks coconuts dressed in vibrant colours, providing a lively and eye-catching scene for passersby. When visiting the market, one can’t help but notice Sorawat displaying his…
-
Highway scandal shuffles easy pass cops to Yala’s police operations centre
The Highway Police Division’s acting commissioner transferred 42 of the department’s officers involved in the easy pass sticker scandal to the Royal Thai Police Operations Centre in the southern province of Yala. The identities of each officer have not been revealed. The easy pass sticker scandal was uncovered by Move Forward Party (MFP) MP Wiroj Lakkhanaadisorn at the beginning of…
-
Patong Beach ceremony marks World Oceans Day, urges marine protection
In honour of World Oceans Day (yesterday), a ceremony took place at Patong Beach, Phuket, with officials urging increased efforts to protect the marine environment. The event was presided over by Phuket Vice Governor Amnuay Pinsuwan and attended by Wissanu Jaengjai, Director of the Region 10 Office of Marine and Coastal Resources, Sanakorn Kisin, Deputy Mayor of Patong, and representatives…
-
Teka Construction shifts focus to non-condo projects for revenue growth
Teka Construction Plc is shifting its attention towards non-condominium projects, housing developments, and construction materials in an effort to decrease its dependence on high-rise residential projects. Chief Financial Officer Suphon Chongchintaraksa revealed that the company plans to broaden its scope and clientele to encompass various construction projects, including international schools, warehouses, shopping centres, and government sector developments. “Construction work in…
-
Young man ordains to thank heroic student who saved life with CPR after crash (video)
Three months after a near-death motorcycle accident, a young Thai man, Jame, has entered the monkhood to express his gratitude to a heroic 17 year old student, who performed CPR and saved his life. The student, Kanasak Nakte, is a volunteer rescuer in Surat Thani province in South Thailand. The incident took place on February 15, when a motorcycle collided…
-
Trump charged over classified files, faces historic federal indictment
Former US President Donald Trump has been indicted on charges related to his handling of classified documents after leaving the White House. Trump, 76 years old, faces seven charges, including unauthorised retention of classified files, as reported by US media. The charges have not yet been made public. This marks the second indictment of Trump and the first-ever federal indictment…
-
Russian activist faces prison for discrediting army amid war criticism crackdown
Oleg Orlov, a prominent Russian human rights activist, has been making headlines as he faces trial for criticising the war in Ukraine. Upon entering the Moscow courtroom, Orlov displayed a book titled End of the Regime, recommending it to the cameras present. The 70-year-old has been vocal in his opposition to both the war in Ukraine and the Kremlin’s crackdown…
-
Anwar Ibrahim prioritises people over personal experience at Umno Assembly
Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim emphasised the importance of prioritising the interests of the people and the country over personal experiences during his attendance at the Umno General Assembly 2023 in Kuala Lumpur. As the Pakatan Harapan chairman, Anwar focused on promoting unity and strengthening his Unity Government to continue benefiting the nation. Anwar stated, “What’s important is performing the duties…
-
Thai firms eye investment deals in Saudi Arabia
Thailand and Saudi Arabia are forging strong economic ties, with several collaboration deals in progress. Sanan Angubolkul, chairman of the Thai Chamber of Commerce, recently visited Saudi Arabia with a Thai delegation led by Foreign Minister Don Pramudwinai. During the visit, it was announced that PTT Oil and Retail Business Plc (OR) plans to establish petrol stations in Saudi Arabia,…
-
Police raid Bangkok’s Thonglor district, arrest 2 women for drug possession
Police and Narcotics Control officers conducted a raid in Bangkok’s Thonglor district, arresting two Thai women possessing illegal drugs and detaining tourists for drug testing. During the operation, several persons were found to have ingested methamphetamine and ketamine, with voluntary rehabilitation announced for some of them. At around 12.30am this morning, police and narcotics control officers led by Pol. Lt.…
-
Anwar Ibrahim discusses Johor projects with Menteri Besar for regional impact
The Malaysian federal government and the Johor state government are collaborating to ensure that the implementation of various projects in the state has a comprehensive impact, including on neighbouring countries, according to Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim. He met with Johor Menteri Besar Onn Hafiz Ghazi to discuss several governance and allocation issues related to Johor’s development and economy. Among the…
-
Thai air-con component exports to US soar amid heat wave surge
Rising heat waves in the United States have driven a surge in Thailand’s exports of air-conditioner components during the first quarter. The increase in demand has led to air-conditioner parts becoming the top product category benefiting from the generalised system of preferences (GSP) privileges awarded by the US. The Foreign Trade Department reported that Thai exporters utilised GSP privileges worth…
-
Thailand nurse resignations up to 7,000 yearly due to low pay, heavy workload
A concerning trend has emerged in Thailand‘s state-run hospitals, with up to 7,000 nurses resigning each year due to heavy workloads and insufficient overtime pay. This is despite an annual influx of 10,000 new nursing graduates, according to the nurses’ union and Nurses Connect. The alarming rate of Thailand’s nurse resignations has prompted calls for the government to implement more…
-
Foreign investors target luxury Bangkok condos, India eyes Pattaya properties
Foreign buyers are showing renewed interest in luxury condominiums in Bangkok, with potential investors primarily coming from China, Myanmar and India. Yesterday, Capital One Real Estate and its representatives have reaffirmed that Thailand’s real estate market is showing positive signs as their portfolio value is on track to reach 50,000 million baht (US$1.42 billion). As a result, foreign market sales…
-
Sudan declares UN special representative Volker Perthes persona non grata
Sudan has declared Volker Perthes, the United Nations special representative and head of the UN Integrated Transition Assistance Mission in Sudan (UNITAMS), as “persona non grata,” according to a statement from the country’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Perthes was in Ethiopia’s capital, Addis Ababa, for diplomatic talks when the announcement was made. Late last month, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres expressed…
-
Anwar Ibrahim attends first Umno assembly since 1990s expulsion
Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim recently attended his first Umno general assembly since being expelled from the party in the 1990s. He stated that the main purpose of his visit was to strengthen the camaraderie within the unity government and prioritise the interests of the country and its people. “The important thing is to complete the task for the country, personal…
-
Man jailed for assaulting female driver in viral Lata Iskandar incident
A man who assaulted a female driver in Lata Iskandar, Malaysia, in an incident that went viral on social media, has been sentenced to seven days in prison by the Tapah Magistrate’s Court. Mohammad Zaim Faiz Tarmizi, 29, pleaded guilty to two charges, criminal intimidation and voluntary causing hurt, which could have resulted in imprisonment for up to seven years,…
-
Phra Ratchawacharangsi, renowned Thai monk, dies at 89 after lifetime of devotion
Thai monk and respected author Phra Ratchawacharangsi, known for creating the sacred book “Man Pithi”, has passed away peacefully at the age of 89 after 69 years of religious service. The revered figure succumbed to his illness yesterday at Bangkok Hospital. The news of Phra Ratchawacharangsi’s passing was shared on the Facebook page of Buddhist News, with followers and fellow…
-
Driver arrested for smuggling 13 illegal Myanmar migrants in Songkhla
A driver has been arrested for the fourth time in Songkhla for smuggling illegal migrants from Myanmar into Thailand. The driver, Aphiwatthana, was apprehended along with the 13 migrants he was transporting in his sport utility vehicle. The arrest took place at the Khuha intersection in the Rattaphum district, following a police pursuit along a highway. Upon questioning, the 46 year…
Don't forget to check out some other things to do in Thailand - get help starting a business or finding a job in Thailand, buy Thailand property, rent a yacht or book a medical procedure worldwide.