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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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Thaksin hospital scandal: Supreme Court sets verdict date
The Supreme Court has set September 9 as the day it will deliver its verdict in a highly watched case probing whether former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra was unlawfully spared prison time by bunking down in the Police General Hospital (PGH) instead of a jail cell. The court concluded its seventh and final hearing in the self-initiated inquiry this week,…
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Holy water hype: Revered Thai monk’s bowl sparks lotto frenzy (video)
Superstitious Thais are going wild again over a “miraculous” holy water bowl in the run-up to the August 1 lottery draw, convinced it’s brimming with lucky numbers. With the Government Lottery draw looming on Friday, August 1, hopeful punters across Thailand are once again placing their faith in sacred rituals, and this time, all eyes are on the holy water…
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Next US ambassador to Thailand says border clashes do nothing to strengthen alliance
Thai netizens criticised the next US ambassador to Thailand, Sean Kotaro O’Neill, after he commented on the recent clashes at the Thai-Cambodian border. O’Neill, the former US Consul General in Chiang Mai, was recently nominated by President Donald Trump to serve as the next ambassador to Thailand. Following his nomination, O’Neill was asked to share his views on the ongoing…
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Paetongtarn gets final lifeline in leaked tape scandal
Suspended Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra has been granted a last-minute reprieve by the Constitutional Court, which voted 5–4 in favour of extending her deadline to submit a defence in the now-infamous leaked audio scandal involving Cambodian Senate President Hun Sen. The decision, announced yesterday, July 29, allows Paetongtarn until August 4 to respond, a final extension under Section 31 of…
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Armed gang brawl erupts at Phuket’s Saphan Hin fest
A fiery clash between rival youth gangs turned Phuket’s Parn Hin festival into a crime scene late last night, with weapons seized and three suspects in custody after a confrontation involving firecrackers, knives, and even a homemade gun. The incident erupted around 10.30pm yesterday, July 29, near the central stage at the Saphan Hin fairground, where witnesses reported two groups…
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Knives and walkie-talkies found in Bangkok school sweep
Bangkok police uncovered a stash of weapons hidden across two prominent educational institutions during a sweeping raid ahead of a major school celebration. Yesterday, July 29, more than 100 officers mobilised in Pathum Wan district for a coordinated crackdown targeting the Pathumwan Institute of Technology and Rajamangala University of Technology Tawan-ok. The operation aimed to prevent clashes and violence during…
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Thai man shot while riding motorcycle on Samut Prakan road
Police are searching for a gunman who shot a Thai man while he was riding a motorcycle on Bangna-Trat Road in Samut Prakan province near Bangkok, this morning, July 30. The Facebook page Mueang Prakan V2 reported that the shooting occurred at around 7.40am on Bangna-Trat Road, opposite the Bangna Tower office building. The victim was a 25 year old…
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Bag bump at Pattaya bar sparks bloody brawl
A drunken bump turned bloody in the early hours of yesterday after a Thai woman was attacked near a South Pattaya bar in a row over a handbag. At around 3am yesterday, July 29, the Sawang Boriboon Rescue Centre received a report of a physical altercation outside a pharmacy near a well-known restaurant on South Pattaya Road. Responders arrived to…
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Studio7 Phuket staff fired over photo privacy scandal
An Apple retailer in Phuket has landed in hot water after a shocking breach of customer privacy ended with a private photo appearing on Tinder. Studio7, an official Apple distributor in Thailand, issued a public apology and confirmed it has fired six employees and launched legal proceedings after one of them allegedly stole a customer’s intimate photo from their phone…
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9 victims killed in Suphan Buri firecracker factory explosion
An explosion at a small firecracker factory in the central province of Suphan Buri today, July 30, killed nine people. The total number of victims is still under investigation. Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) officers are examining two houses in Ban Pho sub-district, Mueang district, Suphan Buri province, following a report of the explosion at around 11am. The two houses was…
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Thailand considers tax breaks to boost off-peak tourism
The Revenue Department is contemplating tax incentives to boost tourism during the off-peak season, potentially enabling people to deduct travel expenses of up to 15,000 baht from their taxable income. Pinsai Suraswadi, director-general of the department, stated that discussions with the Tourism and Sports Ministry are underway to decide which provinces should be covered by these tax measures. The scope…
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CCTV busts trash dumpers in Pattaya green zone sting
Caught on camera and forced to clean up their mess. That’s the fate that met four litterbugs after Pattaya’s expanding CCTV network spotted them dumping garbage in a forest zone just hours after it had been cleaned. On Sunday, July 27, Pattaya City workers completed a public cleaning and trimming of a green zone. But the next day, officials were…
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Late-night raids in Kamala and Patong net drug suspects
Phuket’s nightlife came under fire this week as authorities launched surprise raids in Kamala and Patong, arresting suspected drug users and pushing deeper into local trafficking networks. As part of the national No Drugs, No Dealers campaign, officials from the Kathu District Office carried out surprise inspections at nightlife venues in Village 3, Kamala, near Soi Pa Jak, on Monday,…
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100 million baht in compensation offered to provinces affected in border clashes
Thailand’s Ministry of Finance approved 100 million baht in compensation for residents in each province affected by the ongoing border clashes. Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance, Phichai Chunhavajira, reported that approximately 160,000 residents in the border provinces had to evacuate to emergency shelters and were forced to stop working due to the continued violence in the area. Locals…
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Thailand enforces no-fly zones for drones in military areas
Fourteen areas across Thailand have been declared no-fly zones for drones, particularly in military regions. The Thai military is equipped with anti-drone systems along the Thai border, ready to intercept any unauthorised aerial devices. Today, July 30, Jirayu Huangsub, Government spokesperson, announced that the Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand (CAAT) has prohibited drone flights in areas that could impact national…
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Thai airport fees set to soar, passengers brace for hike
Travellers flying out of Thailand could soon be hit with higher airport fees, as officials move to raise Passenger Service Charges (PSC) for the first time in years. The Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand (CAAT) confirmed it expects to decide on the proposed hike by October, with a potential increase of up to 100 baht per international passenger. If approved,…
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Activist urges dissolution of 7 Thai parties over Thaksin influence
A complaint was filed with the Election Commission (EC) by a political activist yesterday, July 29, seeking the dissolution of seven political parties. The activist alleged that these parties permitted former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra to interfere in their internal operations, potentially breaching the organic law on political parties. Nopparuj Vorachitwutthikun, previously involved with the Phirap Khao (White Dove) 2006…
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Thailand video news | Thai-Cambodian commanders agree on ceasefire measures, Deadly dispute turns festival into tragedy in Southern Thailand
In Thailand video news, Alex and Jay cover news stories, including the new 7-point plan to maintain the ceasefire that’s been agreed to by Thai and Cambodian military leaders, a deadly mass shooting this time taking place in southern Thailand, and some feel-good stories involving Thai heartthrobs and friendly farangs. Thai-Cambodian Commanders Agree on Ceasefire Measures On 29 July, Thai…
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Fire at Nakhon Ratchasima bicycle store causes 3 million baht damages
A significant fire engulfed a major bicycle sales and repair centre in Nakhon Ratchasima, trapping the shop owners, a couple, on an upper floor. Police expect damages to exceed 3 million baht (US$92,570). The incident occurred at 4.55am today, July 30, when Police Colonel Nathee Sukuna received a report about a fire at Wandi Bicycle Store in Ban Nong Phiman,…
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3 Chinese men arrested for filming restricted army zones in Surin
Thai officials yesterday, July 29, arrested three Chinese men who claimed to be journalists, after they were caught taking photographs of Thai military bases in the Isaan province of Surin. Several news Facebook pages reported that the three men were detained in the Kap Choeng district, near the contested Chong Chom border area. They were found taking photographs and recording…
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Nonthaburi suit shop owner injured in row with ex-wife
A confrontation unfolded in Nonthaburi’s Mueang district when an 88 year old suit shop owner, Sombat or Pa Den, faced his ex-wife, who accused him of preventing her from retrieving personal belongings post-separation. The altercation occurred yesterday, July 29, at 6pm, prompting police intervention. Police received reports of an altercation within a lane in Bang Kraso subdistrict. Upon arrival, they…
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Chiang Mai sees surge in demand for lottery tickets
In Chiang Mai, the demand for lottery tickets is on the rise, particularly for auspicious numbers and those linked to significant national events. One popular choice is the numbers commemorating the Thai military’s strategic securing of 11 key locations. Phannee Lupungngern, a lottery vendor on Chiang Mai-Lamphun Road in Saraphi district, reported a surge in sales, with many auspicious numbers…
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Furious farangs slam Pattaya over ‘Thai price’ double standard
As domestic tourism campaigns roll out across Pattaya, many foreign travellers are left feeling short-changed. While Thai nationals enjoy government-backed discounts and co-pay perks, expats and tourists say they’re being charged more for the same experiences, from hotel rooms to national park entries. “Should I get a local to book my hotel for October?” one frustrated tourist posted on a…
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Pathum Thani abbot removed over 30 million baht embezzlement scandal
The chief monk of Pathum Thani province has ordered the removal of the abbot of a local temple following embezzlement allegations of nearly 30 million baht of temple funds. This action comes after residents of Bueng Kham Phroi subdistrict, Lam Luk Ka district, Pathum Thani province, filed a complaint with Lam Luk Ka Police Station, prompting an investigation into the…
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Chiang Rai residents brace for floods as Kok River rises
Residents along the Kok River in Chiang Rai are being urged to prepare for potential flooding as water levels rise. Warnings have been issued for areas such as Huai Chomphu, Mae Yao, Doi Hang, Wiang, Rim Kok, and the Chiang Rai City Municipality to move belongings to higher ground. Eight temporary shelters have been established by the city municipality. Yesterday,…
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Missing jet ski operator found dead on island off Phuket
A routine day on the water turned tragic after a young jet ski operator vanished off Koh Naka Yai; his body was pulled from mangroves two days later. The body of 22 year old Jessadawut Hom, also known as Bass, was discovered yesterday afternoon, July 29, tangled in mangroves along the shore of Koh Naka Yai, off Phuket’s east coast.…
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Major drug bust in Sakon Nakhon seizes 500kg crystal meth
Under the government’s Seal Stop Safe border drug prevention policy and the No Drugs No Dealers operation led by Interior Minister Phumtham Wechayachai, a major anti-drug operation took place yesterday, July 29, in Sakon Nakhon province. Key officials, including Police General Kittirat Phanphet, Police Lieutenant General Nitinai Langyen, and Police Lieutenant General Boonsin Phatklang, executed an intense crackdown at the…
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Cambodian artillery damages Thai hospitals, costs exceed 285 million baht
Thai health minister Somsak Thepsuthin has revealed that Cambodian artillery has caused damage to medical facilities exceeding 285 million baht, with Panom Dong Rak Hospital in Surin province suffering the most. Restoration is expected to take years. The World Health Organisation (WHO) has yet to respond to a letter sent yesterday, July 29. Somsak, speaking about the ongoing Thai-Cambodian border…
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Cambodia denies second ceasefire breach, Thailand shows evidence
The Royal Thai Army (RTA) Deputy Spokesperson alleged that Cambodia violated the ceasefire agreement again last night, July 29, by attacking Thai military positions at Phu Makhuea and Chong Anma. Ritcha Suksuwanon, Deputy Spokesperson for the RTA, told the media this morning that the army received a report from military units stationed at Phu Makhuea in Si Sa Ket province…
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Japan and US issue tsunami alerts after mega quake
A colossal magnitude 8.8 earthquake struck off Russia’s Kamchatka Peninsula today, sparking tsunami warnings and urgent evacuations from Japan to Hawaii. The quake, initially measured at 8.7, struck about 126 kilometres southeast of Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky at a depth of 18 kilometres, according to the US Geological Survey (USGS). In the Russian Far East, waves as high as 4 metres battered parts…
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