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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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    Long-term life in Thailand? 5 reasons private health insurance pays off in the long run

    Thailand is a great place for expats and retirees, offering a warm climate, affordable living, and rich culture. However, healthcare can be tricky for foreigners since they aren’t eligible for public health coverage, and private care can be expensive. Private...

  • Krabi FC sport scientist fired after carrying kratom on domestic flight

    Krabi FC sport scientist fired after carrying kratom on domestic flight

    A sport scientist from the Krabi FC football association has been fired from the job after he was found with kratom at an airport on Tuesday (June 26). Police at Don Mueang International Airport arrester 26 year old Teerayut Santiwong who was working as a sport scientist for the Krabi FC football team. He was found with 4 green tea…

  • Police hunt for Krabi TV thief

    Police hunt for Krabi TV thief

    Krabi police are on the hunt for a thief who stole a 39 inch TV from a buffet restaurant in Krabi on Tuesday (June 26). The Police were notified of the thief who stole the television from the restaurant on Pisanpop Road in Krabi City. The Police and Forensic Police arrived at the restaurant to find 37 year old Sarawut Poomipak,…

  • Malaysia: Biggest seizure in history – New Straits Times

    Malaysia: Biggest seizure in history – New Straits Times

    PHOTO: New Straits Times “Items included 423 watches worth 78 million Malaysian Ringit, including the most expensive one, a Rolex Paul Newman Daytona worth about 3.5 million Ringit. (1 Malaysian Ringit = ~8 Thai Baht) PBS English is reporting that up to 1.1 billion Malaysian Ringit (about 9 billion baht) worth of cash, jewellery, luxury handbags and watches, as well…

  • Chiang Rai: 650 personnel now involved in the search

    Chiang Rai: 650 personnel now involved in the search

    PHOTOS: The Nation The cave search party grows after another night of rain. Police sniffer dogs have now joined the rescue workers and Border Patrol police looking for access ways to the cave from the mountaintop above. The number of personnel and sniffer dogs involved in the search has reached 650. The search for 12 young footballers and their assistant…

  • US teacher, accused of student rape in 1982, extradited from Thailand after 36 years on the run

    US teacher, accused of student rape in 1982, extradited from Thailand after 36 years on the run

    PHOTO: Greg Derr/The Patriot Ledger Former Milton Academy theater program director Reynold Buono appeared in Dedham Superior Court on Wednesday. Buono pleaded not guilty to three counts of rape of a child and three counts of rape of a child with force. The Boston Globe is reporting that 72 year old Reynold Buono, a former drama teacher at Milton Academy…

  • Malaysia: Chinese tourists fined for dancing in front of Kota Kinabalu mosque

    Malaysia: Chinese tourists fined for dancing in front of Kota Kinabalu mosque

    PHOTO: Facebook/Sabah Info Dancing on crab sculptures, dancing in front of mosques. Chinese will do anything for THAT selfie. Channel News Asia have reported that two Chinese tourists, caught on video dancing in front of a mosque in Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia, were fined RM25 (200 baht) each. Dance coaches 27 year old Wan Han and 25 year old Zhang Na committed the offence…

  • Chiang Rai: UK cave-diving experts get to work. US providing rescue equipment.

    Chiang Rai: UK cave-diving experts get to work. US providing rescue equipment.

    International experts have arrived in the last 24 hours to add to the level of expertise as every effort continues to be made to rescue 12 young footballers and their deputy coach trapped for five nights in the Tham Luang Cave in Chiang Rai province. Three cave-diving experts from the UK arrived on the scene yesterday to help locate the…

  • Pakistan ambassador shares concerns over safety of Phuket tourists

    Pakistan ambassador shares concerns over safety of Phuket tourists

    Phuket Governor Norrapahat Plodthong welcomed the Pakistan Ambassador Designate in Thailand H.E. Asim Iftikhar Ahmad and his delegation to the Phuket City Hall yesterday (June 27). Topics up for discussion included increasing Pakistani tourism to the island and some of the challenges facing them. The ambassador said he was concerned about Pakistani tourist safety and facilities assisting their comfort and…

  • Malaysia: Luxury items seized from ex-Malaysian PM Najib’s residences valued at over 10 billion baht

    Malaysia: Luxury items seized from ex-Malaysian PM Najib’s residences valued at over 10 billion baht

    Straitstimes.com is reporting that Items seized from six premises linked to Malaysia’s ousted PM Najib Razak as part of the 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB) probe are valued between RM900 million and RM1.1 billion (nearly 10 billion THB) – making it the biggest seizure the police has ever made in the country’s history. Police’s Commercial Crime Investigation Department (CCID) chief Amar…

  • Bangkok: Amnesty International questions Thailand’s commitment to abolish the death penalty

    Bangkok: Amnesty International questions Thailand’s commitment to abolish the death penalty

    Khaosod English are reporting that Amnesty International Thailand says that it’s unsure whether the government’s fourth national human rights plan will once again commit to abolition as an explicit goal. Uncertainty is looming over Thailand’s commitment to abolish the death penalty in light of massive public support for capital punishment and the recent surprise execution at the Bang Kwan jail in…

  • Bangkok: Nine arrests net 70 million baht in drugs and assets

    Bangkok: Nine arrests net 70 million baht in drugs and assets

    By Khanathit Srihirundaj Five successful drug busts had led to the arrest of nine suspects along with 700kg of marijuana, 2.8kg of cocaine, 306,000 methamphetamine pills, 2kg of crystal meth or “ice”, four vehicles and 12 cell phones. The evidence was worth over 70 million baht. The announcement today from National police chief General Chakthip Chaijinda. In the first case,…

  • Chiang Rai: Army chief says ‘hopes remain high’

    Chiang Rai: Army chief says ‘hopes remain high’

    The Army Commander in Chief, General Chalermchai Sitthisart says hopes remain high in the search for 12 young football players and their deputy coach who went missing last Saturday afternoon in the flooded Tham Luang cave in Chiang Rai province. He was speaking during a visit to the operational site in front of the cave in Mae Sai district. “The…

  • Four more tourists caught climbing crab sculpture in Krabi

    Four more tourists caught climbing crab sculpture in Krabi

    Four more tourists have been caught climbing all over a Krabi landmark – the Mud Crabs Sculpture. Krabi Tourist Police are tracking down the tour company that were in control of the tourists that were filmed climbing on the sculpture. This follows the tour group, two days earlier, climbing all over the popular sculptures. A Facebook user ‘Panisa Laelem’ on…

  • Officials visit ‘monkey island’. Signs placed for new monkey feeding zone on Khao Rang.

    Officials visit ‘monkey island’. Signs placed for new monkey feeding zone on Khao Rang.

    Yesterday (June 26) officials headed out to Koh Payu where 80 monkeys have been recently released to check on their welfare. On June 21, 80 monkeys, which have already been sterilised, were released at Koh Payu, off the coast of Phuket. This island covers 26 rai of land. Raed more HERE. Yesterday morning Pongchart Chouehorm, the Director of the Natural…

  • Chiang Mai: 69 year old Japanese expat found dead outside massage parlour

    Chiang Mai: 69 year old Japanese expat found dead outside massage parlour

    PHOTO: CityNews On June 27, police received a report that a body was found in a car parked at a massage parlour in Chang Klan south-east of the main Chiang Mai centre. An elderly Japanese man was found dead in his car outside the massage parlour. The body was found dead, sitting in the driver’s seat. The car was locked…

  • Songkhla: Teachers, parents and students protest new school director

    Songkhla: Teachers, parents and students protest new school director

    Teachers and parents have joined students of a school in Songkhla to protest against the transfer to their school of a new director who has been alleged to already have a tainted image. The demonstration was held this morning (Wednesday) at the Nawamintha Chuthit Thaksin School in Muang district. It was attended by about 2,000 students, teachers and representatives of…

  • Chiang Rai: HM The King calls for crowd control in the cave search

    Chiang Rai: HM The King calls for crowd control in the cave search

    By Jakrawan Salaytoo The Thai Interior Minister General Anupong Paojinda has told reporters at Government House in Bangkok that the King shares the public’s concern for the missing party. His Majesty the King has instructed officials to ensure that the crowd gathered outside a Chiang Rai cave does not impede the continuing search for 12 youngsters and their football coach…

  • Dengue fever alert in Rassada

    Dengue fever alert in Rassada

    Rassada Municipality is warning residents about the high potential for Dengue Fever this wet season following a recent spike in cases and discussions with relevant health officials. Officers of Rassada Municipality say, “There are many ways to prevent dengue fever by getting rid of their breeding grounds – close water containers and clear up any areas where water has pooled.…

  • Former American police officer found dead

    Former American police officer found dead

    A body of a former American policeman has been found dead at a house in Koh Kaew yesterday (June 26). Phuket City Police were notified of the situation at a house in Koh Kaew at 2.30pm. Police and emergency responders arrived at the scene to find the body of 58 year old Ronald Lee Barfield, an American national from Florida, on…

  • Phuket Prison escapee surrenders in Trang

    Phuket Prison escapee surrenders in Trang

    A male prisoner, who escaped from hospital custody on Monday night (June 25), has surrendered himself to the Kan Tang District Chief in Trang. The Phuket Provincial Prison Commander Somkid Kammang filed a report with the Phuket City Police on Monday (June 25). Commander Somkid says, “The male prisoner 23 year old Prawit Pitak from Trang has escaped from Vachira…

  • Chiang Mai: Mission ‘Rabies’

    Chiang Mai: Mission ‘Rabies’

    In response to the increased number of human deaths from rabies in Thailand this year, Mission Rabies was keen to work with the government to protect the communities of Chiang Mai. Upon the kind invitation of Chiang Mai Municipality, San Pong municipality and Khi Lek municipality, Mission Rabies, in combination with WVS Thailand (locally known as WVS Care for Dogs),…

  • Into Day Five: Rescuers battle rising water

    Into Day Five: Rescuers battle rising water

    Rescuers are considering tunnelling through the roof of the Chiang Rai cave as a last resort. Dead end caves and heavy rain is blocking efforts to find the 12 teenage footballers and their football coach. The group has been missing since Saturday afternoon in the flooded Chiang Rai caves. In Tham Luang cave, a team of divers led by Navy SEALs…

  • Chiang Mai: Axe-wielding monk attacks abbot and nun at temple

    Chiang Mai: Axe-wielding monk attacks abbot and nun at temple

    A small quarrel has led to an abbot being attacked by a monk with an axe in Mae Rim, north-west of Chiang Mai city. Chiang Mai City news reports that the assault took place at Huay Pha Pu in Pong Yaeng, Mae Rim, after a quarrel broke out between an 58 year old monk and a newly appointed acting abbot,…

  • Saudi Arabian dies after trip to Koh Naka

    Saudi Arabian dies after trip to Koh Naka

    A Saudi Arabian citizen has died following a trip to Koh Naka yesterday (June 25). Thalang Police were notified by staff at the Thalang Hospital last night. A body of a man, identified as 56 year old Alanazi Ali Awad M from Saudi Arabia, was at Thalang Hospital when police arrived. 38 year old Sarawut Denser, a tour guide, told police…

  • Chiang Rai: Search area becomes crowded with media and onlookers

    Chiang Rai: Search area becomes crowded with media and onlookers

    The ongoing search in Chiang Rai, where 13 members of a football team are trapped inside by rising floodwaters, is starting to suffer from too much media and local interest. The search of Luang Cave in Tham Luang-Khun Nam Nang Non Forest Park is being led by Navy SEAL personnel, who have been joined by teams of experts from universities…

  • Phuket locals protest against pork processing factory

    Phuket locals protest against pork processing factory

    Locals in Mai Khao are protesting against a company who is planning to construct a pork processing factory. Locals at Baan Dan Yid and Baan Dan Yut are protesting against the private company’s plans after a notice was placed on June 8 at the area to build the processing plant. Prawat Pimanprom says, “The company has submitted a construction license with…

  • Chiang Mai: Gas tank explosion kills man, destroys half the house

    Chiang Mai: Gas tank explosion kills man, destroys half the house

    A faulty gas tank has exploded in the home of a man in Saraphi, south-west of Chiang Mai’s city centre, killing him instantly. The explosion also destroyed half the man’s home. This incident happened over the weekend. Police rushed to the scene at a house in Nong Pheung, Saraphi. Police entered the home and discovered a man who had been…

  • Chiang Rai: King expresses concern over the safety of the trapped team

    Chiang Rai: King expresses concern over the safety of the trapped team

    His Majesty King Maha Vajiralongkorn has expressed concern over the safety of the 13 missing people in the Chiang Rai caves. Interior Minister Anupong Paochinda, quoting the principal private secretary to the King says His Majesty has been closely followed up the rescue operations. As the commander of the national public disaster prevention and mitigation, General Anupong will fly to…

  • Phichit: Hundreds affected by Dengue

    Phichit: Hundreds affected by Dengue

    All 12 districts in the province of Phichit in central Thailand will soon be declared dengue outbreak control zones with 652 cases of dengue fever now reported in the province so far this year. A committee in charge of disease control made the call this week in a bid to integrate efforts by all pertinent government agencies. The committee was…

  • Chiang Rai: Search continues for missing teenagers in flooded cave

    Chiang Rai: Search continues for missing teenagers in flooded cave

    The desperate search continues today for 12 children and their coach from a local football team who went missing in a Chiang Rai flooded cave on Saturday afternoon. Rescue teams will search to the end of the limestone cave that is believed to be the fourth longest cave in Thailand. So far, searchers have found children’s slippers, footprints and palm…