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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 New in July: Save 10% for life on family health plans in Thailand
Cigna has a special offer this July for families in Thailand. When you sign up three or more people on a family health plan, you will save 10% on your premiums for life. This deal helps you get affordable, high-quality...
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Asian elephants’ habitat shrinkage over three centuries
Asian elephant habitats have experienced a significant decline of almost two-thirds since the 18th century, according to a recent study. The loss corresponds to approximately 3.3 million square kilometres, an area equivalent to the size of India. The study revealed that China had the most significant reduction in suitable elephant habitats in the region – losing 94% of its original…
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Bank of Japan reviews monetary easing measures under new governor
The Bank of Japan (BOJ) has announced plans to review its longstanding monetary easing measures, while also stating that it will maintain them for now. This marks the first policy decision under the new governor, Kazuo Ueda. Analysts suggest that the central bank’s stimulus measures, in place for a decade, are becoming increasingly unsustainable. The BOJ issued a statement after…
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Chinese man kidnaps own granddaughter and demands ransom, shocking the nation
A shocking incident has left the entire Chinese populace reeling as a 65 year old man committed a heinous crime by kidnapping his granddaughter, threatening to kill her and demanding a ransom of more than 500,000 yuan (approximately 2.5 million baht). According to reports from local media, the retired government official, known as Yuansai, was heavily involved in gambling and…
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Kashmir villagers sign up for all-Hindu militia units to combat rebel attacks
In Dhangri, India, approximately 5,000 villagers, including civil servant Sanjeet Kumar, have joined all-Hindu militia units to fight off rebel attacks. These Village Defence Guards receive weapons and training from Indian forces, as India seeks to quell a prolonged insurgency in the Muslim-majority region of Kashmir. Last year, authorities announced the establishment of these militias following a series of murders…
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British expat missing for a week in Chiang Mai
A foreigner took to social media to seek help after his British friend went missing in Chiang Mai province in northern Thailand. Kastro Freeman, a member of a Facebook group called Chiang Mai News in English, shared a picture of his missing friend, 46 year old Dominic Boyle, on Wednesday, April 26, with a caption that said… “Howdy all, our…
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From murder to mortician: China’s bold scheme to rehabilitate serious criminals
A special rehabilitation program in Shenyang, a city in northeastern China, is offering ex-prisoners a chance to become a mortician or funeral workers and reintegrate into society. The initiative, named Mama Waves You Off to Heaven, aims to address the challenges faced by ex-convicts who deal with discrimination, lack of reform programmes, and a resultant skills shortage that often pushes…
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Minnesota becomes a refuge for transgender children facing conservative laws in other US states
Transgender youth and their families have increasingly found themselves at the heart of a contentious nationwide debate in the United States, with parents like Mary and her 16 year old child, Jasper, seeking refuge in states that offer them protection and support. Their tumultuous journey started in Texas, but due to mounting concerns for their child’s well-being, the family soon…
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Philippines coast guard confronts Chinese vessels making dangerous manoeuvres in South China Sea
A confrontation involving the Philippines Coast Guard and Chinese vessels in the South China Sea has escalated tensions between the two nations. The incident took place during a week-long patrol mission in the strategically important waterway, coinciding with Chinese Foreign Minister Qin Gang’s visit to Manila to meet his Philippine counterpart and President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. China claims a majority…
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Speedboat carrying 78 people sinks in western Indonesia, leaving nine missing
A speedboat accident in western Indonesia has left at least 11 people dead, with a further nine individuals still missing. The vessel, the Evelyn Calista 01, was carrying 72 passengers and six crew members when it sank on its journey between Tembilahan, a town in the Indragiri Hilir Regency in Riau province, and Tanjung Pinang city in a neighbouring province…
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Chinese man and 23 Burmese nationals arrested for working without permits
Police arrested 23 Burmese citizens and a Chinese man for working at a construction site in Samut Prakarn province without work permits. The Chinese man reportedly joined the team only three days before his arrest. The crackdown on illegal businesses operated by foreigners and illegal foreign workers is ongoing across the country, particularly in places where there is heavy industry…
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Phuket motorbike rider’s viral video sparks amusement and debate
On Wednesday, a video titled “The end of a reckless teenager” was posted by TikTok user @lineage5578, showing a young man proudly displaying his modified motorbike. At the beginning of the video, he revs the engine to demonstrate its loud and powerful exhaust, before setting off on a nighttime ride. Keen observers will note that two police officers can be…
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First group of Thai evacuees from Sudan arrive in Bangkok
A flight carrying 78 Thai nationals departed from Sudan and was scheduled to land in Bangkok at 10pm, according to the air force, marking the arrival of the first group of evacuees returning home since the conflict in the North African country erupted. Air force spokesman Prapas Sonjaidee stated that an Airbus A340-500 aircraft and two air force C-130s had…
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Thai police official and daughter fall victim to cyber fraud, losing 2 million baht
A former police official and his daughter report a recent cyber fraud case where their bank account was drained of 2 million baht. Yesterday, Suthep, a 65 year old former director of Klongtan Police Station, and his 30 year old daughter, Suthinika, owner of a bakery business in the Lat Phrao area, reported the incident to Naphaporn Rakphichai, an officer…
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US Navy carrier strike group visits Thailand, emphasises free and open Indo-Pacific
The US Navy‘s Nimitz Carrier Strike Group recently expressed readiness to operate in any region of the “free and open Indo-Pacific”, according to the spokesman for the group, which is currently visiting Thailand. The strike group commenced its 11-month patrol mission in the US 7th Fleet area of operations last November, participating in drills with Japan, South Korea, and the…
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FAD to build national museum in Khlong Luang: Over 100,000 artefacts to be accommodated
The Fine Arts Department (FAD) announced plans to construct a national museum in the Khlong Luang district of Pathum Thani, which will include a warehouse to accommodate over 100,000 artefacts. Phanombootra Chandrajoti, the director-general of FAD, revealed that the warehouse would house Thailand’s largest database of artefacts, and the museum would be the first in the nation to adhere to…
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Activist seeks to impeach NACC members over luxury watch saga investigation
Activist Veera Somkwamkid announced his intention to impeach members of the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) for disregarding a court order that required them to divulge details about their investigation into the luxury wristwatch saga involving Deputy Prime Minister Prawit Wongsuwon. Veera accused the NACC of defying the Supreme Administrative Court’s order in an interview, stating that the court had ruled that…
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Jakarta ferry capsizes leaving 11 dead and one missing near Sumatra Island
At least 11 individuals have tragically lost their lives, and another is currently missing after a ferry accident occurred off the eastern coast of Sumatra Island in Indonesia. The national search and rescue agency has disclosed this information as they continue their search operation. The ferry involved in the accident was transporting approximately 74 passengers to the small island of…
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Myanmar migrants arrested for illegally crossing into Thailand
Forty-two job seekers from Myanmar were detained after crossing the border illegally into Sangkhla Buri district late Wednesday night, according to Thai authorities. The group was discovered following an alert in a forested area close to Song Kalia village, in Tambon Nong Lu. However, the individuals had fled the scene by the time officers arrived. Subsequently, the informant advised that…
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Thai appeals court reverses acquittal in lese majeste case over offensive Facebook comment
The Thai Appeals Court overturned a previous ruling yesterday, convicting an individual on charges of lese majeste relating to comments deemed offensive towards the monarchy. The defendant, identified only as Wutthipat, was found guilty by the Appeals Court of violating Section 112 of the Criminal Code, according to the Thai Lawyers for Human Rights. The judges determined that Wutthipat’s comment…
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Chiang Mai’s Mae Chaem district communities granted forest living rights
Over 300,000 rai of reserved forest land in the Mae Chaem district in Chiang Mai now has secured living rights for local communities, according to a senior official at the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment. The communities have been identified as a successful model by the Department of Royal Forest, due to their compliance with a cabinet resolution from…
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Indonesian man goes viral after accidentally leaving wife at petrol station during road trip
A 37 year old man named Arief became a viral sensation in Indonesia after accidentally leaving his wife behind during a journey back to their hometown. The incident came to light when their 8 year old son asked about his mother’s whereabouts, causing Arief to realize that his wife was not on the back of the motorcycle like he had…
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Malaysian gang conflict leads to double murder in Bangkok
Eight Burmese nationals allegedly murdered two Thai men at a house near Bangkok due to a conflict within a human trafficking gang led by Malaysian men. The murderers reportedly fled Thailand following the incident. The Superintendent of the Bang Kaew Police Station, Mongkon Onkaew, told ThaiRath that officers received a complaint from a Thai woman, 23 year old Wanutpreeya Patrhumthong,…
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Another victim similar to Thai cyanide serial killer case
Another victim has emerged in a case similar to that of the “Thai cyanide serial killer” incident in Khun Han district, Sisaket Province. The deceased, Nittaya, aged 36, who had previously worked as a share farmer in Nakhon Pathom, reportedly died suddenly of heart failure. A reporter travelled to a house in Khun Han district, Sisaket Province, to investigate the…
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Today’s weather forecast: Northern region warned of thunderstorms and strong winds
Today, the Meteorological Department issued a 24-hour weather forecast for Thailand, indicating that a combination of southerly winds and southeasterly winds will bring moisture from the Gulf of Thailand and the South China Sea. Covering Northern Thailand, the region will experience weakening strength, leading to scattered thunderstorms and strong wind gusts in some areas. Residents in the north are advised…
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36 year old Thai woman accused of premeditated cyanide serial killings and theft
The prime suspect in the cyanide serial killings, 36 year old Sararat “Am” Rangsiwuthaporn, is accused of premeditated murder and property theft by administering cyanide poison. The case has gained significant attention since it has been suspected to be linked to over ten fatalities so far. Dr Weerachai Phutdhawong, more commonly known as Dr Aod, a full-time lecturer in the…
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NHRC urges end to conscript servant practice in Thai army within 90 days
The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) in Thailand has declared that the longstanding practice of using conscripts as servants by Royal Thai Army (RTA) officers constitutes a human rights violation. The NHRC has urged the Defence Ministry to put an end to this practice within 90 days. During a press conference, NHRC commissioner Wasan Paileeklee shared that the commission has…
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Thailand’s cyanide serial killer claims another life, 14 victims so far
The Police Forensic Science Office has announced today that the number of victims of the Thai cyanide serial killer has risen to 14, with 13 fatalities. Of the 13 murdered victims, one person managed to survive after being poisoned by Sararat “Am” Rangsiwuthaporn. Police officers added they discovered cyanide substances in Am’s car. Yesterday, the Police Forensic Science Office discovered…
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Trang governor reveals plans to develop Koh Kradan, the ‘best beach on earth’
Plans are in the pipeline to develop Thailand’s Koh Kradan. Trang province’s governor, Kajornsak Charoensopha, on Wednesday, revealed plans to develop Koh Kradan into a major tourist spot. The move comes after the island was named the best beach on earth in the Top 100 Beaches on Earth by the UK’s World Beach Guide. The governor announced plans aimed at…
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Vietnamese man loses hearing after showering with cold water at night
A 30 year old Vietnamese man experienced a sudden hearing loss in his left ear while taking a cold shower at night, and within just two days, his hearing was irreversibly impaired. Medical experts from the Department of Otorhinolaryngology at Hong Ngoc General Hospital in Vietnam identified that the patient’s loss of hearing resulted from his routine of taking cold…
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Australia’s oldest coal-fired power plant closure and shift towards renewable energy
Australia‘s most senior coal-fired power plant is set to close today, marking a significant step towards the nation’s transition to renewable energy sources. Previously notorious for its climate inaction, Australia is now preparing for a remarkable transformation in its energy sector. The Liddell power station, located approximately a three-hour drive north of Sydney, is just one of several ageing coal-fired…
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