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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 Digital nomading in Chiang Mai? What US$1,000 a month really gets you
Chiang Mai has become a popular destination for digital nomads due to its low living costs, rich culture, and active remote work community. The city offers affordable housing, tasty food, reliable internet, and many co-working spaces, making it a great...
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Thai man’s chilling TikTok coffin stunt sends shivers down online community’s spine
In an eye-opening post on TikTok, a man is lying peacefully in a transparent chilled coffin, visible from both the inside and outside. Two days ago, this unusual demonstration managed to send both a chill and a shock throughout the online community. @chayuttapongboopao เย็นจนแข็ง #โลงเย็นแก้ว #โลงเย็นกระจก #วิเชียรบุรีโลงเย็น #โรงงานผลิตโลงศพโลงเย็น #โลงเย็น ♬ original sound – Fino the Ranad The clip shows a…
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4 Chinese passengers seriously injured in bus accident in Rayong
Four Chinese passengers yesterday suffered serious injuries in a bus accident in the eastern province of Rayong. The remaining 20 passengers, along with the two drivers and a tour guide, were fortunate to escape with mild injuries. The incident took place on Road No. 36 during heavy rain. The white Zunlong bus, carrying 27 people, was found flipped on its…
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Phuket venues inspected for age and narcotics compliance, one found in violation
Ten entertainment venues in Mueang District, Phuket, yesterday were raided by police after a tip-off. Although underage drinkers and illegal narcotics went unnoticed, one establishment was found to be operating beyond its legal trading hours. The raids were conducted under the supervision of Mueang District Chief Phairot Srilamul. The team consisted of officers from Phuket City Police Station, Chalong Police,…
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Elderly Samut Prakan trader clears debts after land sale for over 10 million baht
A 65 year old merchant from Samut Prakan pulled out all the stops to repay her debts. She successfully managed to sell her land for more than 10 million baht after praying to a monk. The money was subsequently donated to a temple. The community curiously questioned her age and other numerologies, hoping it would prove lucky for them too. The…
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Atlanta nail salon robbery attempt foiled by disinterested staff and customers (video)
An audacious yet futile robbery attempt at a nail salon in Atlanta, United States, has left not only the perpetrator in disbelief but also the public, as both the staff and patrons seemed to be unfazed by the incident. A nail salon in Atlanta, USA, was the unusual backdrop of a robbery attempt that took place back on July 3,…
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Saving love: Heroic Chinese man hailed ‘marriage material’ after saving fiancée from flood
A man has been hailed as “marriage material” by China‘s online community after choosing to save his fiancée’s life during a life-threatening situation. This follows extensive reports by the BBC and Reuters of severe weather warnings across central and south-western China, necessitating the evacuation of thousands to escape floodwaters. The severe weather caused a building collapse, but amidst the chaos,…
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Fatal collision with electric pole kills two, leaving four critically injured in Samut Sakhon
Two people tragically lost their lives when their pick-up truck lost control and collided with an electric pole, following the collision, the vehicle was completely wrecked in central Thailand. This heartbreaking incident also left four other passengers critically injured. The accident occurred around 3.30am today, on Sethakit 1 Road in Krathum Baen district, Samut Sakhon. The scene of the accident…
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Four dead, 27 injured as bus carrying Thai marathon runners topples over
In Sisaket, a province in northeastern Thailand, a tragic turn of events led to the death of four individuals and left 27 others with injuries of varying severity. The Sisaket bus accident took place yesterday morning when the vehicle ferrying marathon runners toppled over and plunged into the dense forest on a steep mountain road. The runners, affiliated with Luang…
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Heavy rain, floods, and landslide dangers as monsoon air currents persist in Thailand
Thailand continues to experience heavy rainfall in various regions due to eastward-moving monsoon air currents and southwestern monsoon winds that still cover the Andaman Sea, Thailand, and the Gulf of Thailand. The adverse weather conditions have resulted in the need for vigilance against potential danger from intense and accumulated rainfall, which might lead to sudden floods and landslides, particularly in…
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BRT improvements: Bangkok’s bus service to continue with 455 million baht funding boost
In a bid to enhance the current quality of public transportation in the capital, the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) has announced BRT improvement plans to continue the city’s bus service after the concession held by the Bangkok Mass Transit System Plc (BTSC) expires on the last day of August. The BMA’s commitment to maintaining and improving the BRT service was affirmed…
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Transgender masseuse accused of molestation, sparking social media controversy
A Northern Thai man took to social media to tell a story about his partner being allegedly touched inappropriately by a transgender masseuse, during their visit to a Thai massage parlour in Wua Lai Road, Haiya Sub-district, Chiang Mai Province. Enraged, the male had to resort to physically reprimanding the masseuse. Meanwhile, the accused masseuse insisted on not overstepping any…
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Pattaya crime: Couple arrested for string of home burglaries in Na Jomtien area
An unexpected series of home robberies have come to light in the Sattahip district of Pattaya. With a spate of break-ins leaving residents in the Na Jomtien area wary and sceptical, Thai law enforcement officers made an arrest yesterday that centres around an unlikely pair, a Thai couple involved in this Pattaya crime. The duo was brought into custody following…
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Japanese tourism numbers in Thailand threatened by weak yen and slow Japan flight reintroduction
In light of Japan’s hesitant return to tourism and a faltering yen, Thailand’s Tourism Authority (TAT) admitted there may be difficulty in meeting the year’s target of 850,000 Japanese arrivals. The figure reflects 50% of the Japanese tourism figures reported in 2019, considered an optimistic scenario by the Tokyo office director of TAT, Kajorndet Apichartrakul. As enclosed by Kajorndet, the…
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Diabetes Insipidus: Chinese teen’s alarming 30-litre daily water intake linked to rare disease
In a strange incident, a 14 year old boy in Jiangxi Province, China, alarmed many with his excessive water consumption, peaking at a staggering 30 litres a day. Not getting enough water often led to hunger, melancholy, fatigue, irritability and convulsions, signalling signs of the rare disease, diabetes insipidus. The entire diabetes insipidus episode began back in 2004 when the…
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Thai submarine to be powered by Chinese engine following German withdrawal
In a recent development, an American naval source revealed that a panel is expected to recommend a Chinese-designed engine for the Thai submarine as a replacement for the original German one intended for the under-construction S26T Yuan-class submarine in China. This comes on the heels of a committee chaired by the navy’s chief-of-staff, Adm Chonlathis Navanugraha, unofficially proposing the use…
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Dengue outbreak: Triple surge in cases challenges Thai healthcare system in first half year
A shocking surge in dengue patients has been recorded in the first half of this year, with numbers almost triple that of the same period last year, according to the Department of Disease Control (DDC). The dengue outbreak continues to challenge the healthcare system, as the number of infected individuals soars. From January 1 to June 28, 27,377 dengue cases…
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New ambulance stations launched in Phuket for enhanced emergency response
In a positive development for tourists and locals in the central Phuket subdistrict of Cherng Talay, two new ambulance stations were launched earlier this week in the Surin and Pasak districts. The recent inauguration is part of a wider initiative to enhance emergency responders’ capability in the bustling tourism hub. Both newly unveiled stations saw the light of day within…
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Thailand’s PM set to review Pink Line urban rail project progress
In a move to accelerate urban transport development, the Prime Minister of Thailand, Prayut Chan-o-cha, is scheduled to examine the Pink Line urban rail project‘s ongoing progress tomorrow before it is set to commence its trial operations. This announcement came from Anucha Burapachaisri, the acting government representative. This inspection visit is centred on the Pink Line, a massive elevated monorail…
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Triumphant strides: Thai mother amputee defies odds, on road to recovery (video)
The son of the Thai mother who lost her leg in a faulty airport escalator believes she will be running faster than him in no time as she took her first steps on the road to recovery. Suphannee Kittirattana yesterday took her first tentative steps since her leg was amputated after it got tangled in a dodgy travelator at Don…
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Real estate tycoon disappears in Pattaya under mysterious circumstances
Police in Pattaya were called to examine a vehicle suspected to belong to missing real estate tycoon Hans Peter Mack, who has been reported missing. The German businessman’s family is offering a generous reward of 3 million baht for any information leading to his safe return, as well as a 100,000-baht reward for locating his car. The car, a bronze/grey…
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Thailand aims to boost economy with health tourism campaign
The Thai government has launched an ambitious campaign, “Discover the New You” to entice international visitors to spend upwards of 18 million baht (US$510,000) by September of this year. This initiative is a concerted effort by the government, the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), and over 130 healthcare, wellness businesses and service providers including hotels, spas, health resorts, hospitals, and clinics.…
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Phuket launches pilot reforestation project for combating climate change
A unique pilot project bolstering reforestation efforts was initiated in Phuket yesterday. This initiative marks a concentrated effort towards environmental sustainability and energy efficiency. Spearheaded by the Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand (EGAT) and the Rowing Association of Thailand, the project saw its launch at the Nai Harn public park in Rawai. The event was strategically selected based on a…
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Phuket Police crackdown on illegal motorbike racing
In a recent attempt to curb unlawful motorcycle racing, Phuket Police initiated an exhaustive operation, which has resulted in the confiscation of numerous illegally modified vehicles and exhausts. The crackdown, which spanned over three days from July 5 to 7, has seen Provincial Police Command Major General Saksira Phuakam and his team detain 19 modified motorbikes and 69 altered exhaust…
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TikTok’s popularity shaping e-commerce’s future in Southeast Asia
In the feverish hive of activity within a Northeast Jakarta shophouse, a myriad of salespeople takes turns advertising products ranging from cosmetics and contact lenses to hair accessories. While one individual gives guidance on choosing optimum lipstick shades, another trumpets the most recent price drop in vitamin supplements. However, far from the chaotic scene of a bustling market, this is…
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TTB to tackle household debt and promote ESG standards
Piti Tantakasem, Chief Executive of TMBThanachart Bank (ttb), insists that tackling high levels of household debt should be a priority on the national agenda. Piti made known that he is poised to tackle the issue, given his leading role within the household debt resolution team set up by the Thai Bankers’ Association (TBA). Alongside the central bank and other pertinent…
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Thai royal family honours Sri Lankan caretaker of elephant Sak Surin
The King and Queen of Thailand have bestowed an honour upon Don Upul Jayarathna Denelpitiyage, a Sri Lankan mahout, in recognition of his unyielding care for the recuperating Thai elephant, Sak Surin. The elephant is currently in a 30-day quarantine in Lampang province, following his flight from Sri Lanka on the second day of July. Air Marshal Pakdee Saengchuto, serving…
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Phuket says fond farewell to beloved expat Arnaud Verstraete
The local community and members of the Rotary Club of Patong Beach in the heart of Phuket gathered at Wat Chalong to pay their respects to the cherished figure of Arnaud Verstraete who died earlier this week. Arnaud’s funeral service today highlighted his significance not only as a long-standing expatriate, having made Phuket his home for over two decades but…
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Russian tourist dies in tragic fall from a pagoda in Phuket
Phuket, an exhilarating hub of Thai culture and heritage, yesterday turned into a scene of panic and concern. An unidentified Russian male tourist tragically lost his life after falling from the roof of a pagoda at the notable Wat Chaithararam, commonly known as Wat Chalong, situated in the Mueang district of the island. The police were alerted around 5.30pm when…
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Thailand’s potential as international events hub questioned amidst Taylor Swift tour snub
The exclusion of Thailand from the itinerary of Taylor Swift‘s world tour has prompted the denizens to reconsider the nation’s global standing as a viable hub for international exhibitions and events. Bringing the country’s potential into question, it was revealed that the total revenue from meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions (MICE) industry for the final quarter of last year was…
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Only one firm bids for Central Terminal transformation project
Contrary to the anticipation of a competitive bidding process for the commercial development of Krung Thep Aphiwat Central Terminal, the State Railway of Thailand (SRT) has revealed that only one company has stepped forward with a bid. Three firms, reportedly interested, had initially procured invitations to tender. The disclosure surfaced yesterday after the bidding process culminated earlier this week. Ekkarat…
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