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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 Why health insurance costs more each year and how expats in Thailand can save more money
Each year, many expats living in Thailand see their health insurance premiums go up and often without a clear reason. This can be frustrating, especially when you're trying to plan your budget. But by understanding why prices rise and learning...
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Thaksin dodges jail, lawyer eyes travel comeback
Former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra has walked free from a Section 112 trial, and his lawyer now wants his travel ban lifted. Lawyer Winyat Chartmontri announced plans to formally request the revocation of Thaksin’s travel ban following the former premier’s acquittal in a controversial lese majeste case. The Criminal Court cleared Thaksin yesterday, August 22, of charges under Section 112…
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Pattaya locals turn trash into treasure in DIY workshop
Forget the bin, Pattaya residents are turning garbage into gold thanks to a DIY upcycling workshop that’s sweeping the community. Nongprue Municipality, located in East Pattaya, hosted a creative Upcycling Waste workshop under its Happy Health Centre initiative this week, training locals to turn discarded plastic into useful household items. Led by Deputy Mayor Wanchai Saeng-ngam, the event welcomed more…
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Late-night blaze: Inferno torches bikes in Phuket shop fire
Fire ripped through a Phuket motorbike shop in the dead of night, torching more than 10 motorcycles in a dramatic blaze. Kathu Police are investigating the cause of a fire that broke out in the early hours yesterday, August 22, gutting parts of a motorcycle repair shop and destroying multiple vehicles. The alarm was raised at approximately 2am when officers…
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Footbridge collapses in East Thailand, crushes trucks (video)
Motorists on a busy Thai highway had a terrifying near-miss after a massive pedestrian bridge crashed down onto traffic, narrowly avoiding disaster. A 100-tonne concrete pedestrian bridge under construction dramatically collapsed onto two vehicles on Highway No.317 in Chanthaburi last night, August 22, causing severe property damage but no reported injuries. The incident occurred at around 10.20pm near Matai Market…
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Prison shock: Myanmar woman hangs herself in Phuket cell
A Burmese woman detained for deportation was found dead in a Phuket immigration cell after hanging herself with her trousers. A 29 year old Myanmar woman took her own life while being held in an immigration detention room at the Phuket Immigration Office early yesterday morning, August 22. The woman, identified as Htike Darlee, was found dead at around 5.03am…
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Lost Chinese gran saved by ID bracelet in Pattaya
An elderly Chinese tourist became stranded and confused in the middle of Pattaya traffic until a tiny bracelet saved the day. Thai police successfully reunited an 80 year old Chinese woman with her family after she was found disoriented and alone on a traffic island in South Pattaya yesterday, August 22. The woman, identified only as Zhang, was discovered around…
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Tourist tragedy: Young American washes up on Phuket beach
Police are probing the death of a 28 year old American tourist whose body was found washed ashore on Patong Beach in Phuket yesterday afternoon. The grim discovery was made near the Coral Beach Bridge at the southern end of the popular tourist hotspot at around 1.30pm yesterday, August 22. Patong Police Chief Police Colonel Chalermchai Hirasawat arrived at the…
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Monsoon deluge: Heavy rain continues to batter Thailand
Heavy rainfall is forecasted across Thailand this weekend, with a tropical depression expected to make landfall in Vietnam and Laos, affecting the north, northeast, and eastern regions. Warnings have been issued for 49 provinces, including Bangkok, regarding potential accumulated rainfall. Yesterday, August 22, the Meteorological Department (TMD) predicted that sections of Thailand would experience heavy to very heavy rain, particularly…
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Thailand’s petrol prices increases, diesel remain unchanged
Retail petrol prices across Thailand have gone up, with benzene and gasohol now 0.40 baht more per litre after the adjustment took effect at 5am today, August 22. According to PTT Station, benzene now retails at 40.84 baht per litre. Gasohol 95 is priced at 32.55 baht, gasohol 91 at 32.18 baht, E20 at 30.34 baht, E85 at 28.69 baht,…
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MP calls for review of Land Bridge project assessment report
The House Committee on Land, Natural Resources and Environment has urged the government to reassess the Environmental and Health Impact Assessment (EHIA) for the Land Bridge project, warning that the current report contains incomplete or inaccurate information. Poonsak Chanchampee, an MP from the People’s Party and chair of the committee, said the existing EHIA fails to address concerns raised by…
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Thai woman caught smuggling drugs to boyfriend detained in police station
A Thai woman was caught attempting to smuggle drugs to her boyfriend while he was being held at a police station in the northern province of Chiang Rai. The 36 year old woman, identified as Nantacha, arrived at Mae Chan Police Station at around 7pm on Wednesday, August 20, requesting to deliver food to her boyfriend, Thewa, who had been…
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Thai government approves economic relief for border regions
Finance Minister Pichai Chunhavajira has approved a set of economic relief initiatives proposed by the Thai Chamber of Commerce (TCC) to support communities impacted by recent disturbances at the Thai-Cambodian border. The communities in need are located in the provinces of Trat, Chanthaburi, Sa Kaeo, Buri Ram, Surin, Si Sa Ket, and Ubon Ratchathani. After discussions with TCC Chairman Poj…
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2 killed and 13 injured after rescue van runs red light in Rayong
Two Thai students lost their lives while 13 others were injured after a rescue van ran a red light at an intersection in Rayong province and collided with a hatchback. A security camera at an Intersection in Ban Chang district captured the shocking accident, which occurred at about 4.30pm yesterday, August 21. The rescue van was seen speeding through a…
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Illegal abortion ring busted after woman left in critical condition
Police arrested seven suspects in Lamphun and Chiang Mai provinces on Wednesday, August 20, for conducting illegal medical abortions that left a Thai woman in critical condition. Officers from the Consumer Protection Police Division (CPPD) launched the crackdown after a Thai woman ordered abortion pills online and suffered a uterine rupture after consuming them. She lost a significant amount of…
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Thai court acquits Thaksin in royal defamation case
Former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra has been acquitted of lèse majesté (royal defamation) and computer crime charges stemming from a 2015 interview with South Korea’s Chosun Media. Today, August 22, the Criminal Court delivered its verdict on the case filed by the Office of Criminal Litigation 8. Prosecutors had accused Thaksin of violating Section 112 of the Criminal Code (Thailand’s…
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Frontline soldier returns home after mother fatally stabbed by her customer
A frontline soldier returned from duty at the border to attend the funeral of his mother, who was fatally stabbed by a female customer at her restaurant in Kamphaeng Phet province on Wednesday, August 20. Police arrested the 32 year old suspect, Jaruwan Jaifai, at her family home on Wednesday after she stabbed 62 year old restaurant owner Meena Pattatha.…
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Thailand video news | New tax overhaul may sideline expats from welfare perks, Suvarnabhumi airport expansion aims to double passenger capacity
In today’s Thailand video news, Alex and Jay bring you the latest headlines from across the country. Bangkok was shaken by a 5.4-magnitude earthquake with no major damage reported, while Thailand’s planned tax overhaul raises concerns for expats. Michelin-starred Jay Fai faces an investigation over a pricey crab omelette, and two doctors received jail sentences after a botched surgery left…
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4 Vietnamese arrested for turning Bangkok house into drug factory
Police arrested four Vietnamese nationals for transforming a rented house in the Lat Phrao area of Bangkok into a drug production facility. The Office of the Narcotics Control Board (ONCB) disclosed details of the arrests during a press conference yesterday, August 21, following the apprehension of the suspects in mid-August. The operation stemmed from discussions during the Thailand-Vietnam Bilateral Meeting…
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Tempura favourite Tenya exits Thailand after 10 years
Thailand’s tempura lovers are in mourning as popular Japanese restaurant chain Tenya is pulling the plug after nearly a decade in the country. Known for its crispy tempura bowls and authentic Japanese flavours, Tenya will shut its last two branches at Terminal 21 and Samyan Mitrtown on August 31, signalling the end of its run in Thailand. Originally launched in Asakusa,…
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Chinese man caught selling ketamine ‘K-vapes’ in Chon Buri
A drug sting in Chon Buri exposed a black market operation selling ketamine-laced vape pods, ending in a car chase and arrest. Bang Lamung Police, led by Police Colonel Sarawut Nuchanart, launched a sting operation yesterday, August 21, at 8pm in the Huai Yai area, targeting Yu Shizhone, a Chinese national allegedly running an online black market for so-called “K-vapes.”…
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China eyes Phuket as Thailand’s next film hotspot
Phuket may soon be the next big-screen sensation as top Chinese film officials tour the island to explore its potential as an international filming destination. A senior delegation from China’s Hainan Province, led by Chen Jiyang, Deputy Minister of Public Relations and Secretary-General of the Hainan International Film Festival Organising Committee, visited Phuket on Wednesday, August 20. Their mission was…
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Thailand eyes kratom crackdown amid abuse fears
Thailand’s justice minister has vowed to rein in kratom abuse after nationwide reports of users mixing the herbal drink with narcotics. Justice Minister Tawee Sodsong said new regulations may soon be introduced to restrict kratom leaf sales, following talks with Public Health Minister Somsak Thepsutin earlier this week. “On August 20, I discussed with the public health minister the necessity…
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Russian man sacrifices life to save girlfriend in Phuket waters
A Russian man drowned after saving his girlfriend’s life during a late-night swim between Banana and Nai Thon beaches in Phuket yesterday, August 21. The Russian woman, 24 year old Kamila Sharipova, sought help at about 12.30am after her boyfriend, 35 year old Denis Nonenkov, disappeared into the dark waters at a Phuket beach. The incident occurred outside the Andaman…
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Thaksin faces jail as court drops royal insult verdict
Thailand’s political soap opera enters a tense new chapter as the Criminal Court delivers its long-awaited verdict today in the lese majeste case against former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, exactly two years after his dramatic return from exile. Security is being ramped up around the courthouse, with media crews banned from entering without prior approval. Reporters will be allowed to…
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Phuket holiday turns tragic as Russian vanishes at sea
A late-night beach swim turned into a nightmare for a Russian couple in Phuket, after a powerful wave dragged the man into the sea, sparking a desperate search effort. The incident occurred shortly after midnight today, August 21, near a secluded stretch of coastline between Banana Beach and Nai Thon Beach in northern Phuket. Sakhu Police identified the missing man…
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Bangkok taxi rider tries to run down passenger for safety complaint
An app-based motorcycle taxi rider allegedly attempted to run over a female passenger after she complained about his dangerous riding on a Bangkok road. The 41 year old woman, identified as Aunyamanee, shared her account of the assault attempt with the non-profit organisation Saimai Survive. The incident occurred at around 2am yesterday, August 20, outside a hotel in Soi Sukhumvit…
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Lumpini Park’s new street food hub to open next year
Bangkok’s famous street food scene is about to get a facelift, as the city races to complete its first official hawker centre next to Lumpini Park. The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) confirmed that the Lumpini Park Hawker Centre, currently under construction on Ratchadamri Road, is set to open early next year. It’s designed to tidy up footpaths, raise hygiene standards,…
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2 doctors face jail time after cosmetic surgery leaves woman in coma
A Thai doctor, who owned a clinic in Bangkok’s Huai Khwang district, faces six months in prison after a cosmetic surgery performed six years ago left a woman in a coma. Another doctor who owns the clinic faces three months behind bars. In 2019, 31 year old Apiphu Hirunyanit filed a complaint with Sutthisan Police Station after his younger sister,…
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New Thai tax plan could cost expats their perks
Thailand is preparing to flip its tax system on its head, and expats could soon be caught in the crossfire. By 2027, the government plans to roll out a negative income tax, a major shift in how financial aid is delivered. Instead of handing out subsidies to broad social groups, the new system will offer direct payments to those who…
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Fake tower, real scam: Korean man busted in Bangkok SMS sting
A South Korean scammer took mobile fraud to the streets of Bangkok before cyber cops caught him with a fake cell tower in his car. On Tuesday, August 19, 35 year old Kim Do-yeong was arrested at Pracha Songkroah Intersection in Din Daeng district while driving a Toyota sedan loaded with a false base station (FBS) device. The high-tech kit…
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