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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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Turkish engineer arrested in Pattaya over fatal building collapse
A Turkish engineer wanted under an Interpol Red Notice was arrested in Pattaya on Wednesday, April 22, after allegedly fleeing legal action linked to a fatal building collapse in Turkey. Officers from Chon Buri Immigration identified the suspect as 76 year old Abdullah Ayababa, who had been living in Thailand after working as an engineer in Turkey. Turkish authorities sought…
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Thailand News | Pattaya Bar fight leaves German Tourist hurt, Family turns funeral into farewell celebration in Nakhon Si Thammarat
Today we’ve got a whole lot of misbehaving people in store for you. First, the badly behaving foreigners in the form of Pattaya bar fights and lazy Phuket travelers, Then, the badly behaving monks in the form of a 50-year sentence for temple embezzlement not to mention the ones drinking and sniffing glue! After that we’ve got ladyboys getting naughty…
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Unemployment looms as PTT ‘tests’ self-service fuelling
PTT Oil and Retail Business (OR) has officially launched a self-service fuelling option at PTT Station outlets across Thailand, offering drivers a discount of 40 satang per litre with no minimum purchase required. The rollout, framed under an “easy and smart” concept, is designed to cut waiting times during peak hours and give customers full control of the refuelling process.…
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Thailand could scrap visa-free entry for 36 countries to target ‘higher-quality visitors’
Thailand is considering limiting its visa-free policy as the Ministry of Tourism and Sports looks to attract more long-stay and higher-quality visitors while introducing measures to support domestic tourism. Tourism and Sports Minister Surasak Phancharoenworrakun said yesterday, April 22, that the government is currently reviewing Thailand’s visa-free scheme after criticism over its impact. In July last year, Thailand expanded its…
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Foreign tourists slammed for abandoning rental motorcycles at Phuket airport
Two foreign men were seen abandoning rental motorcycles outside the passenger terminal at Phuket International Airport despite signs banning motorcycles and parking, drawing criticism online. The Phuket Times Facebook page shared photos of the men and the two rental motorcycles today, April 22, with the caption, “Foreign tourists rode rental motorcycles to the second-floor of Phuket airport despite no entry…
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Korat men in monk robes filmed drinking alcohol, sniffing glue
Officials in Nakhon Ratchasima (Korat) launched an inspection today, April 22, after a video circulated online showing a group dressed in clothing resembling monk robes allegedly drinking alcohol and sniffing glue near a public area. The incident was reported near a Bodhi tree along the city moat behind the Nakhon Ratchasima Provincial Administrative Organisation, prompting criticism over damage to the…
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Parasailing accident in Phuket caused by boat propeller, investigators say
A Phuket parasailing accident off Kamala Beach in Phuket, on Monday, April 20, was revealed to have been caused by a boat propeller cutting a rope, leading a tourist and an assistant to fall into the sea. The incident gained attention after a foreign witness shared video footage on TikTok, showing the rope connecting the parachute to the speedboat snapping…
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Boxing team member allegedly offers spiked drink to Thai boxer before bout
A Thai boxer poisoning case is under investigation after CCTV footage at a boxing stadium allegedly showed a member of a boxing team handing a drink to a fighter before a bout on March 28. Avatar PK Saenchai Muay Thai gym shared on its official Facebook page last month that one of its boxers, Supachai Sakunwong, also known as Pharuehatnoi…
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Chinese man injured after groping Thai woman outside Pattaya nightclub
A Pattaya sexual assault case is under investigation after a Thai woman accused a Chinese man of groping her outside a nightclub earlier today, April 22. Mueang Pattaya Police Station officers responded to a report of an altercation at a nightclub on Southern Pattaya Road at around 1am. At the scene, officers found two Thai women standing near a Chinese man…
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MPs push law reform over unlicensed nightlife venues
Concerns over the regulation and licensing of nightlife venues in Bangkok and other tourist areas were formally raised today, April 22, after Members of Parliament highlighted widespread non-compliance under current laws, pointing out Khao San Road as an example. People’s Party MP for Bangkok, Bhuntin Noumjerm, along with fellow Bangkok MPs Paramait Vithayaruksun and Chorayuth Chaturapornprasit, and Nakhon Ratchasima MP Nueng…
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Thai senator calls Parliament’s free meal cancellation an ‘insult’ to her honour
A Thai senator faced backlash on social media after declaring that cancelling free meals in Parliament was an “insult” to the honour of senators, during a Senate meeting on Monday, April 20. The issue follows a March 15 Parliamentary meeting where Members of Parliament (MPs) agreed to end free meals following public criticism over the misuse of taxpayer funds. MPs,…
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Thailand seeks closer cooperation in Myanmar visit
Thailand said talks with Myanmar’s new leadership today, April 22, would focus on key bilateral and regional issues, including border security, pollution and the country’s return to ASEAN. Speaking in Naypyidaw at 8.15am local time, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sihasak Phuangketkeow said the official visit had three main objectives. The first was to congratulate Myanmar on the formation…
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Kaeng Krachan forest fire burns 5,000 rai in Phetchaburi
A forest fire has burned about 5,000 rai (roughly 8 square kilometres) in Kaeng Krachan forest and spread near homes in Phetchaburi, while officials have also found two gaur carcasses in the burned area with gunshot wounds. The update was reported yesterday, April 21, after the Natural Resources and Environment Ministry ordered agencies to step up forest fire prevention and…
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Frenchman files counter complaint after his arrest for assaulting Phuket man during Songkran
A Frenchman filed a counter-complaint after he was arrested yesterday, April 21, for assaulting a Thai man during Songkran celebrations in Phuket on April 12. He claimed the Thai man had started the altercation. The incident came to light after the wife of 38 year old Weerasak Madlee contacted the Facebook page โหดจัง จังหวัดภูเก็ต, alleging that police had not acted on…
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Transgender fined over topless Songkran dance in Chon Buri
Police in Sattahip fined a transgender woman yesterday, April 21, after she was filmed removing her top and then dancing topless during Songkran celebrations in Bang Saray, Chon Buri, on April 20. The incident took place during the Wan Lai festival along Bang Saray Beach Road, where festivalgoers, including women and transgender participants, were dancing to loud music. One individual,…
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Thai parasailing staff and tourist fall into Phuket sea after rope snaps
A tourist and parasailing assistant fell into the sea in Phuket on Monday, April 20, after a rope snapped mid-flight. No injuries were reported. The incident was captured on video by a foreign witness and shared on TikTok account, @burcuus, with the caption “That was close.” The footage shows two men, believed to be a tourist and a parasailing assistant, being…
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Thai woman’s Songkran GHB exposure claim investigated as poison centre questions theory
Ramathibodi Poison Centre said the chances of successfully administering gamma-hydroxybutyrate, or GHB, through a water gun were very low after a Thai woman claimed she may have been exposed to the drug during Songkran celebrations in Bangkok. The woman posted a warning on TikTok on April 13, saying she was hospitalised after being exposed to GHB at an entertainment venue…
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Woman catches, punches peeping tom filming in Surat Thani toilet
A woman punched a man after catching him filming her inside a toilet at a petrol station in Surat Thani on April 16, before police were called. The incident took place at a petrol station in Baan Na Doem district after a group of women were returning from Songkran celebrations and heading back to Khian Sa district. They stopped at…
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Japanese chef closes ramen shop after online fame reveals permit issue
A Japanese chef temporarily closed his ramen shop in Samut Prakan after a work permit issue came to light following the shop’s rise to fame on Thai social media. The story began when a Thai woman posted a review in the Facebook group Ramen Lover Association of Thailand about a shop called Kham Sanya Kub Moo Tua Nan, or The…
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Frigate deal puts Thai Navy on path to shipbuilding self-reliance
The Royal Thai Navy held a meeting with the Thai Shipbuilding and Repairing Association (TSBA) and domestic shipyard operators yesterday, April 20, to discuss the offset policy framework for its planned frigate procurement. Rear Admiral Parach Rattanachaiyaphan said the National Science and Technology Development Agency (NSTDA) also participated in the meeting to clarify the principles and calculation methods used under…
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Row with boyfriend leads Thai woman to step into oncoming traffic
A woman came under criticism from Thai social media users after she was seen walking in the middle of a road in Chachoengsao at around midnight on Saturday, April 18, allegedly following an argument with her boyfriend. The incident was captured on dashcam footage by a passing driver, who posted the clip on TikTok under the account @mutita_kn before later deleting…
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Foreign creator falls in love with Thailand, moves to Bangkok
A foreign content creator has drawn attention online after announcing she has moved to Bangkok, describing the Thai capital as her dream city as she begins a new chapter in Thailand. Louise, who posts on TikTok under the username @louisesolotravels, revealed on March 26 that she had relocated to what she described as her “dream city,” Bangkok. She previously travelled…
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Russian suspect arrested in Phuket over scam cash withdrawals
Police in Phuket arrested a Russian national yesterday, April 20, in connection with a call centre scam after he was found withdrawing funds linked to fraudulent operations. The suspect, identified as 41 year old Anton Kurchenko, was monitored by Phuket Provincial Police after making multiple ATM withdrawals outside a supermarket in Soi Ta-iad, Chalong subdistrict. According to a report from the…
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Foreigner claims 0% tax after buying 56 million baht Phuket home
A foreign social media user has drawn attention online after claiming to have bought a 56 million baht home in Phuket and could live in Thailand long-term while paying zero tax on global income. The post, shared on X, showed the individual with his partner alongside a message stating they had signed a contract to purchase a “dream home” near…
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Thailand video news | Senate floats sweeping tax overhaul as debt pressure builds, US visa applicants in Bangkok told to open social media profiles
In Thailand video news, Alex covers major stories from across Thailand and Southeast Asia. Highlights include a proposed increase in value-added tax in Thailand, emergency borrowing plans amid energy concerns and the potential impact of a super El Niño weather event, and new requirements for US visa applicants in Bangkok to provide public social media information. Also featured is a…
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Ayutthaya temple abbot missing after trip to Khon Kaen with 100,000 baht in cash
An abbot from a temple in Ayutthaya has been missing for more than a month after travelling to Khon Kaen with more than 100,000 baht in cash alongside an unidentified driver. A worker at Sanam Chai Temple, 64 year old Phruek Sukkasem, filed a complaint with police after losing contact with the abbot, 58 year old Sombat Sirisuwanno, on March…
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US visa applicants must now set social media accounts to public
The United States has expanded screening requirements for the US visa applicants, requiring individuals in multiple non-immigrant visa categories to set their social media accounts to public to support vetting under US law. The update, announced by the US Department of State and shared by the US Embassy in Bangkok on April 20, applies to applicants across a wide range…
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Thai woman attempts suicide after family dispute over affair with work colleague
A 21 year old woman attempted to commit suicide at her home in Sam Phrao subdistrict, Mueang district, Udon Thani yesterday, April 20, following a dispute with family members over an alleged affair with a married colleague. Officers from Mueang Udon Thani Police Station responded to the incident at around 8.30am, alongside rescue workers and a medical team from Udon…
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Technician arrested for gold theft at Chon Buri hotel using master keycard
Police arrested a technician yesterday, April 20, for stealing valuables worth more than 500,000 baht from a guest’s room at a hotel in Najomtien subdistrict, Sattahip district, Chon Buri. The victim, 42 year old Laddawan, checked into the hotel at around 2pm on Sunday, April 19. She left her belongings in the room, including a waist bag containing gold items…
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‘Hallucinating’ Irishman held for setting Pattaya condo on fire
An Irishman allegedly set a Pattaya condo room on fire while experiencing hallucinations early today, April 21. Emergency crews rescued three people, including his partner and children, from the fourth-floor unit and took them to the hospital. Police were alerted to the incident at 3.46am. Officers at Pattaya City Police Station coordinated with Pattaya City disaster prevention officials and Sawang…
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