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
Long-term life in Thailand? 5 reasons private health insurance pays off in the long run
Thailand is a great place for expats and retirees, offering a warm climate, affordable living, and rich culture. However, healthcare can be tricky for foreigners since they aren’t eligible for public health coverage, and private care can be expensive. Private...
-
Siam Paragon shooting claims third victim, music fan loses fight for life
The tragic shooting at the Siam Paragon shopping mall, where a 14 year old boy opened fire on the public, claimed its third victim. Penpivan, a 14 year old girl and a devoted fan of famous singers Nont Thanont and GOT7, succumbed to her injuries after a ten-day battle. During the shocking event, she sustained critical gunshot wounds to her…
-
Flash Express denies allegations of staff exodus and warehouse crisis
Flash Express, a prominent delivery firm, has refuted allegations of widespread employee resignations and troubling working conditions. The company confirms it’s addressing issues of package backlogs in some branches, but denies an overall warehouse crisis. Flash Express clarifies that any staff resignations are isolated incidents and not a nationwide phenomenon. Today, Flash Express issued a formal statement in response to…
-
MFP MP clarifies sexual harassment accusation, second MP faces same claim
After a Move Forward Party (MFP) Member of Parliament (MP) for Prachin Buri province was accused of sexual harassment, another MP faced the same allegation. Details of his identity have not yet been released. The Facebook page What MFP Lying About Today (วันนี้ก้าวไกลโกหกอะไร) recently accused Prachin Buri MP, Wuttipong “Jae” Thonglao, of sexually harassing a member of the MFP’s volunteer…
-
Vietnamese restaurant’s eating challenge sparks outrage as owner gripes over girl’s win
A restaurant’s promotional eating challenge in Vietnam has sparked controversy on social media. The challenge involved consuming two trays of fried chicken within 90 minutes, with the reward being five million dong. However, the owner’s reaction to a young girl completing the challenge has ignited criticism from netizens. Restaurants often create promotions or games to attract customers, setting various rules…
-
Thai Military Commission’s six-point plan to scrutinize budget and troop size
Wiroj Lakkhanaadisorn, a member of the Future Forward Party and chairman of the Military Commission, revealed a six-pronged policy framework for the Military Commission of the House of Representatives, aimed at scrutinising the military budget and streamlining troop size. According to a Facebook post by Wiroj Lakkhanaadisorn, the Military Commission of the House of Representatives convened a meeting yesterday, at…
-
Thai dad’s wall-knocking bedtime method becomes hit among parents
For new parents, getting their child to sleep can be a challenging task as each child is unique and requires different care, including their own unique bedtime routine. Recently, a young father shared his unorthodox method of lulling his child to sleep, which didn’t involve singing lullabies or rocking the child around the room. Instead, he would stand, sway, and…
-
Hospital reunion: Patient cheered up by former nursing school classmates
A patient in a hospital, typically a place associated with discomfort, was found cheerfully surrounded by a group of radiant nurses, causing quite a hospital reunion stir. The patient, a young man, and these nurses share a unique bond – they were all classmates in nursing school, where the majority were female students. The young man was not just one…
-
Intruder demands cash gift at Chinese wedding, groom’s leg held hostage
A peculiar woman made an unusual demand at a Chinese wedding in Suqian City, Jiangsu Province, China. She grabbed the groom’s leg, knelt and refused to let go until she was given a red envelope (a traditional monetary gift). The groom found himself in an embarrassing situation when an unknown middle-aged woman invaded his wedding reception. She clung to his…
-
Mirror feud in China sparks online debate: Feng Shui or spiteful retaliation?
A peculiar sight of 22 mirrors gracing the balcony of a residential house in Guangdong province, China, has caught the attention of netizens. The unconventional decor was a retaliatory act by a man against his neighbour, who had also hung three mirrors on his own balcony. The incident sparked a fierce mirror feud in July. The man, visiting a friend’s…
-
Phuket family’s plea for justice after harrowing hit-and-run incident
A Phuket resident publicly shared the harrowing ordeal of a hit-and-run incident that took place last Sunday, October 8. The incident involved his family being struck by a pickup truck while they were on their Honda PCX motorbike. The 36 year old man, Wittaya, and his wife along with their young son were en route to Robinson shopping mall in…
-
Revised police hair length rules in Thailand: Insights from the chief
The National Police Office recently abolished its regulation, which required male officers to have a short haircut with a maximum length of 3 centimetres on top. The new regulation allows officers to have hair up to 5 centimetres on top and 1 centimetre on the sides and back. National Police Chief, Torsak Sukvimol, explained that the change in hairstyle policy…
-
Survivor of Israel terror attack returns to Thailand, plans to rest and recover from trauma
Kittiphong Chaiko, a Thai worker from Nong Bua Lamphu who survived a terrorist attack by the political extremist group Hamas in Israel, returned to his home in Thailand, emotionally distressed and shocked by the loss of his colleagues. He arrived at Suvarnabhumi Airport at 12.20pm today, with no plans to return to Israel. Upon arrival, Kittiphong respectfully greeted his father,…
-
Tragic death of Thai police recruit prompts investigation into training methods
A tragic incident occurred during a police training exercise, leading to the death of a 26 year old recruit. The incident took place at Than Muk Camp in Sadao district, Songkhla province. After the recruit, Pakorn, also known as Byte, collapsed during a 10-kilometre run on Monday, October 9 his instructor ordered him to complete the run, leading to his…
-
Thai airlines rescue mission: Stormy skies delay Thai citizen return from Israel
The government spokesperson revealed that commercial airlines AirAsia, Nok Air, and Thai Airways are ready to retrieve Thai citizens from Israel, but current weather conditions are posing challenges. The spokesperson highlighted that alternative routes are under consideration in case of inaccessibility caused by severe weather or war conditions. At Government House at 10.25am today, Chai Wacharonke, the spokesperson for the…
-
Bank of Thailand maintains 4.4% GDP growth forecast amid stimulus measures
A 4.4% GDP growth forecast for the coming year has been maintained by the Bank of Thailand, factoring in the government’s proposed economic stimulus measures. Assistant Governor Piti Disyatat confirmed this projection following the Monetary Policy Committee’s vote on September 27 to hike the benchmark interest rate by a quarter-point, making it a decade-high 2.5%. The committee, however, reduced its…
-
Thai official gets 52 years sentence for misuse of government vehicle
Rungrak Lookbua, the Director of the Department of Religious and Cultural Education under the Provincial Administration Organization of Yasothon, has been indicted by the Anti-Corruption Commission for misuse of a government vehicle for personal gain. The Director, along with his team, was accused of using a government vehicle for commuting and golfing. The charges were brought by the Office of…
-
Thai worker death toll in Israel hits 21, PM Srettha exploring evacuation
The death toll of Thai workers in Israel has risen to 21 following another reported death, announced Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin. The news came out early on this morning, October 12, detailing the ongoing violence since Hamas initiated an offensive over the weekend. Sharing this development at 9.10am Malaysian time, PM Sretta did not elaborate on the factors leading to…
-
Thailand and Malaysia plan to boost bilateral trade and border growth
Economic collaboration between Thailand and Malaysia is set to amplify, with plans to boost bilateral trade and foster growth along the Thai-Malaysian border. Chai Wacharonke, the government spokesman, revealed these plans following a meeting between Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin and his Malaysian counterpart, Dato’ Seri Anwar Ibrahim, held at the Malaysian PM’s office in Putrajaya. During the meeting, a broad…
-
One-legged Thai dine-and-dasher ‘hops’ it, leaves 5,700 baht bill in central Thailand
A one-legged Thai man hopped out of a restaurant and a petrol station in the central province of Ayutthaya in a daring dine-and-dash manoeuvre, resulting in a 5,700 baht loss. A female staff member who accompanied the legless man was also abandoned in the midst of it all. The restaurant’s manager, speaking to Channel 3, revealed that the 60 year…
-
Teen’s truckin’ troubles: Migrant worker smuggling ends in pickup predicament in central Thailand
A 19 year old man was apprehended for smuggling 13 illegal migrant workers in a pickup truck that he claimed to have borrowed from his father under the pretence of visiting his girlfriend. Phinwit Udomphon, an officer from the Ayutthaya Provincial Police, stated that efforts to curb the smuggling of illegal workers into Bangkok and its surrounding provinces continue unabated.…
-
Toll-free treat: Thailand waives toll charges on major expressways for King Bhumibol Memorial Day
The upcoming holiday tomorrow, October 13, has led the Thailand Expressway Authority (TEA), under the Ministry of Transport, to waive toll charges on three major expressways, covering a total of 60 toll gates. The decision was made to facilitate travel on the anniversary of the passing of His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej The Great, a public holiday as declared by…
-
Thai worker held hostage by Hamas in Israel as local officials scramble to assist
A Thai worker in Nong Bua Lam Phu, identified as Paiboon Rattanin is among a group of five to seven Thai workers captured by the Hamas group in Israel. The last contact with the 42 year old Paiboon was on October 6, before his co-workers in Israel sent footage of the group being hauled into a trailer by a tractor…
-
Bacon battle: Factory owner shoots director during illegal pork import raid, leaving one official injured
The owner of a pork storage factory shot and killed the director of the Phetchabun Provincial Animal Quarantine Centre in the central province of Phetchabun today when the deceased and other officers raided an illegal pork import operation. Another official was also injured in the melee. Phetchabun Provincial Animal Quarantine Centre officers raided a cold storage warehouse and a house in…
-
World Bank identifies growth potential in Thailand’s secondary cities
The World Bank has highlighted the potential for growth in Thailand’s secondary cities such as Chiang Mai, Khon Kaen and Rayong in a recent study. The report, Thailand Urban Infrastructure Finance Assessment, suggests that these cities could boost Thailand’s economy if they invest in urban infrastructure improvements, such as mass transit systems and renewable energy sources. However, the study points…
-
Russian woman’s allergy to ganja causes chaos in Pattaya
A Russian woman in Pattaya caused chaos in an ambulance as Thai rescuers tried to attend to her ganja allergy. A resident came across a Russian couple and their son on a footpath near a seaside condominium at 1am yesterday, October 12. The woman was sitting on the ground looking confused. Her husband also looked unwell but was able to…
-
Middle East tensions cause gold rush, prices poised to strike US$1,875
The escalating conflict in the Middle East could drive global gold prices to US$1,875 (67,950 baht) per ounce, as predicted by the Gold Traders Association (GTA). The association’s president, Jitti Tangsithpakdi, pointed out that prices have risen by US$20-30 per ounce since the onset of hostilities between Israel and Hamas militants. Gold prices reached a one-week high of US$1,860 yesterday…
-
Luxury van and parked truck collision results in tragic fatal crash in central Thailand
A luxury van collided with a parked 18-wheeler truck late last night, resulting in the van driver’s death in central Thailand. The truck driver admitted that he had not activated any warning or hazard lights when parked. The fatal truck crash accident took place at 11.30pm yesterday, according to Police Lieutenant Damrong Sukchoosi, the investigative officer at Bang Kaew Police…
-
Tragic farewell: Depression claims life of MP’s wife in central Thailand
The wife of Chart Thai Pattana Party MP Supachok Srisukajorn reportedly committed suicide at her home in the central province of Nakhon Pathom. It is believed the 28 year old pharmacist had a prolonged battle with depression. A housemaid discovered the body of the MP’s wife, Yadapa Tansudcharoenying, in her bedroom at the home in Nakhon Pathom’s Phra Patone sub-district yesterday,…
-
Thailand to launch emergency alert system following Siam Paragon shooting incident
The Ministry of Digital Economy and Society (DES) and the National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC) of Thailand have initiated a collaborative project to implement an effective emergency alert system. The move comes in the wake of a shooting incident at the Siam Paragon Mall on October 3. DES Minister Prasert Jantararuangthong relayed that Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin is keen…
-
Mane change: Thai police let their hair down with 5cm rule revision
Thailand’s national police chief has instituted a revision in police regulations, permitting male officers to sport hair up to 5 centimetres long. This move is a marked difference from the 2018 uniform practice code which mandated that male officers maintain a closely cropped hairstyle with the back and sides of their heads completely shaven. In the new 2023 uniform practice…
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.