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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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Busted flush: 44 gamblers dealt a losing hand as police swoop on Bangkok gambling den
Police swooped on a gambling den in the Don Mueang district of Bangkok and arrested 44 gamblers yesterday, November 21. Officers had raided the place over 10 times in the past but the gambling den continued to operate. Officers from Don Mueang Police Station received a tip-off that the gambling den, which was previously shut down by officers in October…
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Nonthaburi: Road accident leaves pickup truck driver seriously injured
A pickup truck driver caused a serious accident by colliding with an electric pole, breaking through the wall of a company, and scattering the engine and vehicle parts across the accident scene. The shocking moment occurred in front of a company on the Bang Kruai-Sai Noi Road, Sai Noi, Nonthaburi, yesterday at around 11.30pm. The authorities rushed to the site…
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Thailand’s 2023 financial growth predictions revised down due to GDP data
Economic analysts have recently revised their predictions for Thailand’s 2023 financial growth, due to disappointing third quarter GDP expansion data and uncertainties surrounding the contentious digital wallet policy. For the initial nine months of 2023, the economy grew by 1.9%. Maybank Securities, based in Malaysia, has reduced its 2023 Thai growth prediction from 2.9% to 2.3%. This decision was influenced…
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Thailand weather braces for temperature rise and heavy southern rain
The Meteorological Department of Thailand (TMD) today revealed that temperatures across the kingdom are set to rise by 1 to 2 degrees Celsius, with cool conditions persisting in the morning. However, heavy rains and floods are still prevalent in the southern region. As of 5am today, the Thailand weather forecast for the next 24 hours indicates a decline in the…
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Thai govt’s 500 billion baht digital wallet scheme awaits legal review
The Thai government’s bill proposing a loan of 500 billion baht to fund the 10,000-baht digital wallet scheme is yet to be reviewed by the Council of State for its legality, according to the council’s secretary-general, Pakorn Nilprapunt. This came as a rebuttal to Deputy Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai’s previous statement that the loan bill was under the council’s vetting…
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Chon Buri accident claims two young lives, driver flees scene
A tragic road accident involving a pickup truck and a motorcycle claimed the lives of two 14 year old children and seriously injured a 12 year old girl. The pickup driver fled the scene after the unfortunate Chon Buri accident, leaving behind a horrifying scene of crushed bodies. The incident occurred around 5am today, on the agricultural road to Bo…
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Thai abbot disappears from temple with more than 4.7 million baht
A Thai abbot belonging to a temple in the central province of Suphan Buri has disappeared, taking with him a sum of 717,186 baht contributed by local donors and over 4 million baht borrowed from nearly 40 individuals in the temple’s vicinity. The temple’s finance officer, 70 year old Chalong Wongchan, filed a complaint with the Mueang Suphan Buri Police Station…
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Microsoft’s strategic move to establish Thailand as Asia’s AI hub
Microsoft Thailand is set to establish the Land of Smiles as an artificial intelligence (AI) hub in Asia. This strategic move will involve the creation of an AI Centre of Excellence and the development of a cloud data centre region. The Thai government alongside Microsoft, the US tech giant, inked a memorandum of understanding to advance a digital-first, AI-oriented country…
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Myanmar conflict: Thailand calls for urgent peace talks
Thailand has implored all parties involved to contribute towards the restoration of peace in the ongoing Myanmar conflict via immediate discussions. The plea was made during the annual congregation of 97 high-ranking international diplomats at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs yesterday. The Thai ambassador to Myanmar, Mongkol Visitstump, provided a status update on the ongoing peace initiatives amidst the conflict…
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Pink Line monorail: Thailand’s consumer council pushes for 20 baht fare cap
The Thailand Consumers Council (TCC) is pressing for a fare cap of 20 baht per trip on the impending Pink Line monorail. This monorail, whose commercial service launch is planned for December 18, would then comply with the current Red and Purple Line services’ rates. This is part of the government’s strategy to alleviate living costs. During the trial phase…
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Thai film Sapparor grosses over 700 million baht
The Thai film Sapparor (also known as The Undertaker), directed by Tongtae Thiti Srinual, is nearing the end of its cinema run after an impressive 46 days on screens, during which it grossed over 700 million baht. In a heartfelt Facebook post, the director expressed gratitude for the successful journey of the film. Tongtae Thiti Srinual took to social media…
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Unexpected love sprouts in the cabbage aisle: A market trip blossoms into a captivating romance
A captivating incident surfaced on social media when a woman revealed her market visit to buy cabbages, which turned into an unexpected romance. Unable to find cabbages of her preference, the woman’s attention was drawn to an attractive young man emerging from a nearby vegetable store, presumed to be the shop owner’s son. The woman intrigued and excited, approached the…
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“Blade Runner” Oscar Pistorius may be released from prison
South African sprinter Oscar Pistorius, aka Blade Runner, could be released from jail this week after mistakes were discovered regarding his parole bids. Pistorius was sentenced in October 2014 when he was found guilty of murdering Reeve Steenkamp, his then-girlfriend on February 14, 2013. The 36 year old claimed he thought Steenkamp was an intruder and he shot her by…
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Narathiwat explosion prompts 300 million baht lawsuit by 682 claimants
Narathiwat witnessed a massive lawsuit filed by 682 individuals against two fireworks traders and a construction contractor, seeking damages of 300 million baht. The case stems from the disastrous warehouse explosion that occurred in Sungai Kolok district in July. This legal action, filed by 68 lawyers, was triggered by the catastrophic blast at a warehouse in tambon Muno, where fireworks…
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Korat Cat Pants: Thailand’s new cultural symbol takes on Elephant Pants
The Korat Chamber of Commerce is championing the Korat Cat Pants as a new cultural symbol and potential rival to Thailand’s famous Elephant Pants. The product is part of a strategic effort to add value to local goods and services bearing the symbol of Korat, enhancing their recognition among tourists and bolstering their value in the tourism industry. This follows…
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South Korea: Cho Kyu-hyun from Super Junior injured by woman carrying knife
A woman in her thirties stormed into the backstage area of a local theatre, wielding a knife and injuring Super Junior member Cho Kyu-hyun, yesterday in Seoul at around 4pm. The K-pop star was meeting other actors on the show when he sustained a cut on his finger during the altercation. The woman has since been apprehended. Local police are…
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Thai retired colonel fined 66.67 million baht for defamation on YouTube
Retired colonel Sereepisuth Temeeyaves received an eight-month prison sentence and a fine of 66.67 million baht for defaming Paibul Nititawan in an interview conducted on October 20 via YouTube. The court suspended the sentence for two years, recognising the retired colonel’s good character. Today at the Criminal Court on Ratchadaphisek Road, a verdict was issued in a criminal case number 2718/2564.…
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Free trade agreement: Sri Lanka and Thailand set to seal the deal
With a renewed focus on trade agreements, Sri Lanka is preparing to finalise and sign a free trade agreement (FTA) with Thailand on February 3, next year. The development was announced by Sri Lanka’s Cabinet spokesperson today, November 21, confirming that discussions were on track for completion in December. The impending agreement is part of the island nation’s strategic efforts…
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Bare-necessities: Cheeky antics of naked man shocks locals in central Thailand
A naked man shocked locals by wandering and sleeping in the streets without any clothes on in the Bang Nam Priao district of Chachoengsao. The incident unfolded around dusk yesterday when the man, aged between 35 and 40, was initially seen swimming in a canal near the Suan Fun Dream Market along Suwinthawong Road. Vendors and shoppers, particularly those with children,…
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Sour note: Thai singer complains after hotel employee enters room without permission
A Thai singer shared a story on social media after a male hotel employee in the central province of Phitsanuloak entered her room at night without permission. The singer, Rannaphan “Pat” Yangyuenphunchai, from the Thai pop-rock band Klear, shared her experience at a hotel in Phitsanuloak province, later identified as the Holatel Hotel, this morning, November 21. Pat was disgruntled…
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Thai woman demands justice after husband abandons her following 12 million baht lottery win
A 26 year old woman from Buriram province finds herself in dire straits with her three year old daughter after her husband, who won a lottery prize of 12 million baht, abandoned them and declared he had a new wife. The woman, identified as Janya (surname withheld), hails from Lahan Sai district in Buriram. Seeking legal assistance through media outlets,…
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Thai singer seeks justice after lookalike porn damages reputation
Police arrested a Thai man in Bangkok yesterday for distributing and selling pornography of a man resembling a Thai singer on social media. ThaiRath reported that a male Thai singer had filed a complaint with Cyber Crime Investigation Bureau (CCIB) officials that his image and reputation had been damaged by pornography shared online. A person who posted the video claimed…
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Southern Thailand: Illegal waste dumping threatens Ratsada’s mangrove forests
Garbage dumping within the mangrove forests near the Soi King Kaew community in southern Thailand is causing concerns and disrupting the harmony of the ecosystem. Local authorities have started investigations led by Ratsada’s Mayor, Nakarin Yosaengrat who has pointed out a potential culprit and initiated legal action. Mayor Nakarin, along with an entourage of officials from the Ratsada Municipality executive…
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Inferno consumes Chevrolet Aveo in Phuket, arson not ruled out
A Chevrolet Aveo sedan was consumed by an inferno late last night in Soi Thanuthep, Chalong, Phuket. The cause of the blaze is currently under investigation, with local authorities yet to confirm whether it was an accident or a deliberate act of arson. The police were notified about the incident around 10.30pm. Lieutenant Charat Lemphan of the Chalong Police Department…
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Thai woman and family faces death threats from her jealous ex-husband
A Thai woman sought protection from non-profit organisation Saimai Survive after her jealous ex-husband threatened to kill her and her family. The jealous ex claimed he knew the Royal Thai Police (RTP) commissioner and was not afraid of legal action. The victim, Ya, sought the attention of Saimai Survive founder Ekkaphop Lueangprasert so the organisation could help her solve the…
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Motorcyclist shot dead in road rage incident in central Thailand
A motorcyclist was shot dead last night in a violent road rage incident in Mueang district, Samut Prakan. Supakorn Chankhati was taking his girlfriend to the hospital when the 24 year old was hit by a stray bullet in the right side of his head around 7pm on the Bang Phli-Tamiru Road in Bang Pu Mai subdistrict. Despite being quickly…
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China: Unsuspecting woman mistakes 1.5 million baht luxury phone for cheap handset
A woman stumbled upon a luxury phone in Jiangsu province, China, initially assuming it to be a cheap handset for the elderly due to its simplistic design. However, the mobile phone belonged to a businessman and was a luxurious Rolls-Royce of the mobile industry, valued at over 300,000 yuan (1.5 million baht). According to CTWANT, the woman picked up the…
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Hamas: PM Srettha seeks verification of CCTV showing Thai national in custody (video)
Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin directed the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to verify CCTV images that allegedly depicted Hamas militants taking a Thai national to a Gaza City hospital following the massacre in southern Israel on October 7. This comes amidst ongoing efforts by the government to assist Thai citizens residing in Israel, despite the absence of additional attacks by Hamas.…
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Bangkok battles rising air pollution as PM2.5 dust levels exceed safe standards
Air pollution in Bangkok has recently spiked, with 17 locations across the city registering levels of PM2.5 dust particles that exceed safe standards. The most severe pollution was recorded at the intersection of Mahajai and Phet Kasem 81 in Nong Khaem district, where the PM2.5 level reached 47 microgrammes per cubic metre today. The Bangkok Air Quality Information Center revealed…
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Fatal boat crash into house shocks locals in central Thailand
A thrilling boat race in Samut Prakan turned fatal when a boat crashed into a local home after veering off course. The incident, which occurred along the canal behind Wat Hom Sin, Bang Phli Noi, Bang Bo District, Samut Prakan province, was caught on camera by a local. Amid the high-speed boat race, one of the boats lost control and…
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