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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 Top 10 reasons for expats to get a comprehensive health insurance in Thailand
Moving to Thailand offers a prospect full of excitement and adventure, but in the same vein, if any injuries were to occur (and god forbid it does), the local healthcare system can be confusing at first glance for many expats...
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Monk goes viral for auto rubbish-collecting cart to clean temple
A monk came up with an ingenious idea borne out of necessity, giving birth to a functional, automatic rubbish collection cart. The monk, who lives in the Ayutthaya province, created a cart that can gather and collect discarded items and fallen leaves from a 14-acre temple area without the need for manual labour. Built from scraps collected around the temple…
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Exat toll hike on key expressways pauses by Ministry of Transport
The Progressive Ministry of Transport has issued a directive to the Expressway Authority of Thailand (Exat) to maintain the current toll charges for Chalong Rat and Bang Na expressways for another six months, running through February of next year. This development will stave off the proposal by Exat to implement a 10% increase in tolls on both routes. The toll…
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Chinese resurgence transforms Bangkok’s Huai Khwang district into new Chinatown
Bangkok’s Huai Khwang district, home to a rising number of Chinese expatriates, is reinforcing its reputation as the city’s second Yaowarat or New Chinatown. The Covid-19 pandemic resulted in a temporary withdrawal of Chinese vendors from the district, but with the Chinese government deciding to lift border restrictions earlier this year, investors appear to be flocking back. The district’s pulse…
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Nearly extinct Eastern Sarus Crane eggs discovered in rice field
In a significant win for wildlife conservation, eggs of the Eastern Sarus Crane – also known as Thai Cranes – were found in a rice field adjacent to the Huai Talat Reservoir Non-Hunting Area in the Mueang district of Buriram, according to the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation (DNP). The cranes were believed to be mostly extinct…
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Thailand aims to be top Muslim tourism destination within 5 years
Thailand is projected to emerge as a principal destination for international Muslim tourists within the next half-decade. The Deputy Government Spokesperson, Rachada Dhnadirek, put forth this intent to lure more Muslim travellers, citing their rising numbers and increased spending capacity. She noted, during her Friday announcement, that Muslim tourists comprised a major segment of Thailand’s tourism industry. An impressive surge…
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Songkhla mother alleges neighbour tricked son into drug use
A mother in the province of Songkhla has filed a complaint with the Paveena Hongsakul Foundation for Women and Children, claiming that her 10 year old son has recently been showing signs of drug abuse. His erratic behaviour included destructiveness, verbal abuse towards family members, and attempting to harm a cat. The distressing behavioural shift came to a head when…
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Online fraud declines as Thais embraces digital safety measures
Chaiwuti Thanakamanusorn is confident that online crime measures are effective, as statistics of online scams show a decline. The public is also increasingly aware and cautious, preventing themselves from becoming victims of online fraud. Chaiwuti, the Thai Minister of Digital Economy and Society (MDES), is urging the public to adopt measures to protect themselves from becoming victims of organized cybercriminal…
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Khai Huang international drug trafficking gang busted in Bangkok
A sophisticated cross-border drug trafficking gang named Khai Huang led by four prominent figures was busted in a luxurious house in the heart of Bangkok. The gang had been smuggling crystal methamphetamine concealed within the axle rods of trucks for international shipment. The head operatives, 34 year old Chen Yu Ning and 26year old Li Ming Zhen, were arrested today at…
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Easyrice transforms Thai rice industry with AI-powered inspection solutions
Emerging from academic research projects, Easyrice Digital Technology Co Ltd has grown into a cutting-edge tech startup focusing on artificial intelligence (AI) within the agricultural sector, specifically tailored towards bettering the rice industry in Thailand. Easyrice provides AI-powered solutions designed to simplify and enhance the systems of rice quality inspections and data management, offering faster, more precise processes. As a…
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Prachinburi print shop overcharges customer, shocking Internet
A disheartening incident unfolded when a woman was charged 500 baht for scanning four documents, at a print shop in the area of Ban Rabao Phai, Sri Maha Pho District, Prachinburi. The shop owner extended his apologies due to a lack of knowledge about appropriate pricing and offered a reimbursement, which the woman declined. Upon scanning the documents, the customer,…
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Cockroach’s thrilling 2,000-km journey rivets Chinese plane passenger
An exciting in-flight encounter with a stowaway cockroach caught the attention of social media after a female Chinese passenger on a flight from Shibaoshan to Ningbo noticed the critter. The insect’s surprising endurance while clinging onto the aeroplane window during a 2,000-kilometre journey at high altitudes added a thrill to the passenger’s air travel experience. The passenger, who opted for…
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Pick-up truck wrecks government-owned rest spot in Nakhon Ratchasima
A pick-up truck driver lost control of his vehicle, causing a multi-flip crash, which ultimately led to the destruction of a state pavilion in Nakhon Ratchasima province. Given the severity of the crash, an investigation was immediately launched to ascertain the circumstances around the incident, which occurred earlier today. Responding to the incident were officers from the Phimai police station,…
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Thai MP has beef with beef restaurant that calls him scum
In an unusual incident, a Member of Parliament found himself on the receiving end of a vulgar slur. The slur was scribed on a delivery package from a renowned beef restaurant, which was ordered by the MP himself, creating a whirlwind of controversy. Piyarat Chongthep, the offended MP in question, represents the Phra Khanong Bangna area of Bangkok. He is…
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InterContinental attends funeral for hotel employee’s mum after denying leave request
The InterContinental Khao Yai Resort in Nakhon Ratchasima’s Pak Chong district expressed its condolences and empathy towards a former staff member whose mother died. But after they denied her leave – a move that went viral – the hotel management attended the funeral of the employee’s mother. Is it a change of heart, or a desperate bid to look caring…
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Bangkok hotel’s eerie statue to stay despite public outcry, officials seek shield solution
A controversial statue displayed at Bangkok’s Bazaar Hotel on Ratchadaphisek Road stirred a debate within the community, prompting the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) to weigh in on the matter. Despite public criticism, the unique sculpture has been permitted to remain at the hotel premises by the BMA. Chadchart Sittipunt, the Governor of Bangkok, responded to inquiries about any potential legal…
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Drunken motorcyclists plunge into power cable pit on Ladprao road
Emergency responders rushed to help two Burmese men after they reportedly plunged their motorcycles into a conduit for power cables on Ladprao Road, located in front of the Lumnai Bar, home to controversial figure Kru Kai Kaew. The unfortunate incident occurred a little after 1am yesterday, due to alleged careless motorcycle riding. The two victims, believed to be intoxicated, had…
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Man awarded multimillion-dollar payout for wrongful conviction in 1986 murder case
In a significant development, a New Zealand man received a multimillion-dollar compensation package after enduring nearly 18 years of imprisonment for a murder he didn’t commit. Alan Hall, first convicted and sentenced to life in 1986 for his alleged involvement in a fatal stabbing during an Auckland home invasion, has finally been served justice in the form of generous financial…
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Rayong lottery seller scoops 6 million baht first prize following temple rites
A local lottery vendor in Rayong Province struck gold recently with the first prize in the national lottery, following a round of prayers at Wat Lao-ok. The win came soon after the lucky aura of Toa Wessuwan at Wat Lao-ok presumably assisted in a second-prize win. The extraordinary turn of events unfolded on August 18 when 61 year old vendor…
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University student falls for double onlinescam, losing 350,000 baht
A university student found himself in a web of deception after falling victim to an online scam, only to be scammed again by fake police officers who offered to reclaim his lost money. The young man ended up losing a total of 350,000 baht. The incident led to a warning about such online scams appearing on the Facebook page Drama-addict.…
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Restroom alert: Thai man’s warning after pervert offers ‘blow job’ at petrol station
A Thai man issued a warning to people using a bathroom at a petrol station after a pervert approached him, seeking to give him a “blow job.” The victim, a 28 year old man named A, revealed to ThaiRath that the incident occurred on Tuesday night, August 15. As he was making his way home from work, a natural need arose,…
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Rainfall roulette: Heavy downpour forecast for 43 provinces, including Bangkok
According to the Thai Meteorological Department (TMD), heavy rainfall is expected across 43 provinces, including Bangkok, later today. The TMD issued a warning for these regions and cautioned citizens in the affected areas to be aware of potential risks associated with heavy rains. Meanwhile, moderate winds from the southwest are sweeping across the Andaman Sea, Thailand, and the Gulf of…
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Pattaya taxi turf war leaves four ride-share drivers severely injured
An otherwise quiet alleyway in Pattaya erupted in violence at around 2.30am today when an eruption of animosity between rival motorbike taxi groups led to a serious altercation. The stand-off which unfolded nearby a popular tourist spot, Central Mall, and within a stone’s throw of the Pattaya Police Station, involved traditional orange-vested motorbike taxi riders, known as Win, and ride-sharing…
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Phuket braces for rain havoc: Urgent weather alert signals flood risk
The southern province of Phuket has been included in an urgent weather notification that advocates for all hands on deck amid the risk of flash floods possibly instigated by heavy, persistent rain forecasted to batter the Andaman coast starting from Sunday, August 20. This alert was issued yesterday by Boonsom Cholpitakwong, the Deputy Secretary-General of the Office of National Water…
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Monk stabs fellow monk at temple in Rayong over alleged misunderstanding
Last night, an incident unfolded at a temple in the eastern province of Rayong where one monk stabbed another monk. The monk who carried out the act stated that he mistakenly believed the victim to be a potential thief. Phe Police Station officers rushed to the unnamed temple at 10pm yesterday after being notified about the stabbing incident. Upon arrival,…
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Deceitful customer exposed: CCTV reveals scheme to gain free meals in Chinese restaurant
A bizarre incident emerged in a Chinese restaurant where a customer falsely accused an eatery of poor hygiene in Taizhou, China. The claim involved a hair in the food but the Chinese restaurant CCTV revealed a different story. The customer placed her own hair in the dish, trying to blame the restaurant. This patron ordered a few dishes like others…
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Cash caper: Thieves on the run after snatching 400,000 baht from Krung Thai Bank ATM
Thieves remain at large after stealing about 400,000 baht from a Krung Thai Bank ATM in front of Prachanukroh School in the southern province of Nakhon Si Thammarat. The deputy manager of the Krung Thai Bank, Janjira Saelim, yesterday lodged a complaint at Tha Sala Police Station complaining that thieves had stolen money from the ATM in the early hours…
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Brewing trouble: Woman fined for stirring up coffee chaos with laxative prank
In a recent ruling by a South Korean court, a woman in her twenties has been fined 2 million won (53,000 baht), for spiking a man’s coffee with laxatives last year. The incident led to health issues and emotional distress for the 19 year old victim, who alleged that the resultant trauma hampered his performance in college entrance examinations. This…
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Chinese economic woes dampen bookings for Thai tourism sector
Tourism operators indicated a slowdown in forward bookings from China for the upcoming Golden Week holiday in October due to a challenging economic climate. A representative from the Tourism Council of Thailand, Surawat Akaraworamat, revealed that a sluggish economic rebound and potential deflation are having far-reaching effects on disposable income for prospective tourists from the Chinese mainland. “Travel agents have…
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Thai couple detained for alleged unauthorised infant burial near Pattaya
A Thai couple was taken into custody following an alleged infant burial attempt near the Huai Chak Nok Reservoir, neighbouring Pattaya in the province of Chon Buri. Their arrest on Wednesday, August 16, was undertaken by the coordinated efforts of the Huay Yai Police and their counterparts in Pattaya. Acting on a tip-off from public-spirited locals, who had concerns about…
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Blazing fire obliterates deserted Pattaya-based construction camp overnight
A blazing fire sparked and swiftly wreaked havoc on a vacant construction camp in the Banglamung district, Chon Buri province, near the famous resort city of Pattaya. Officials reported that the seemingly intense electrical fire completely consumed the deserted wooden structure on Wednesday. Alarming as the blazing destruction was, there were no reported injuries or fatalities, providing some comfort amidst…
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