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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 Planning to extend your Thai visa? Why health insurance is more important than ever
If you plan to stay longer in Thailand, having health insurance is now more important than ever. Thai immigration often asks for proof of medical coverage when you apply to extend your visa. This applies to many types of visas,...
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Elderly man kills rival after drunken dispute in Bueng Kan
A 74 year old man received 10,000 baht (US$310) and used the money to buy alcohol, which he drank with his 44 year old wife. As they drank, an old flame joined them and after getting drunk, began to harass the wife. The husband tried to stop him, to no avail, and ended up fatally attacking him with a hammer…
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Police intercepts street racers in Bang Khen
Police in Bang Khen intercepted a group of motorcyclists who had arranged a street race via Facebook, performing dangerous stunts on Ram Inthra Road. Early this morning, the police received a report about a group of teenagers gathering to race motorcycles on Ram Inthra Road. Around 2am, officers arrived at Soi Ram Inthra 14 and found the group engaging in…
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Heavy rain and strong winds to hit 38 Thai provinces today
The Thai Meteorological Department (TMD) has issued a warning about heavy rain and strong winds affecting 38 provinces today due to a weakening southwest monsoon and a low-pressure system over northern Vietnam. Residents are urged to take precautions as temperatures are expected to drop tomorrow. The weakening southwest monsoon is currently covering the Andaman Sea, Thailand, and the Gulf of…
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Waiter in Pattaya threatens taxi driver with gun during standoff
A dramatic incident unfolded when a waiter from a famous establishment in Pattaya brandished a gun and threatened a motorcycle taxi driver. Despite four hours of police negotiations, the situation escalated with the sound of gunfire as the man attempted to flee from his past misdeeds. Police reported that 39 year old Nirut was seen walking with a firearm at…
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Homeless woman injured in Sukhumvit Road accident with sedan
A homeless woman was struck by a sedan while crossing Sukhumvit Road in Nongprue, resulting in injuries. The incident occurred at 10.20pm on September 27. Emergency responders quickly arrived on the scene, along with local news reporters, to find the woman, approximately 40 years old, lying injured on the road. She sustained head injuries and several scratches and was promptly…
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Anti-drunk driving group urges no alcohol spending of 10,000-baht handout
Anti-drunk driving campaigners have called on recipients of the government’s 10,000-baht cash handout to avoid spending the money on alcohol to prevent accidents. Phattarabhandhu Krissana, chairman of the Network of Victims Against Drunk Driving, emphasised that the funds should be used for necessities or investments instead of alcoholic beverages, which could lead to accidents and disabilities. The Network of Victims…
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Police probe Mae Tuck’s gold shop for money laundering
Police are set to investigate the gold shop business of Kornkanok Suwannabut, known on social media as Mae Tuck, to determine if it is being used as a front for money laundering. Kornkanok and her husband Kanpol face accusations of selling jewellery with less gold content than advertised during livestream sessions on her social media platform. Kornkanok has reportedly stated…
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Peta accuses Thai zoo of exploiting baby pygmy hippo Moo Deng
People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (Peta) has levelled accusations against Khao Kheow Open Zoo, alleging that the zoo is exploiting Moo Deng, a baby pygmy hippo, claiming she should be in the wild and not paraded for profit. “TikTok turned Moo Deng into a celebrity, but the reality is far from cute,” read a post on Peta’s Facebook…
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Father demands justice after son’s assault at Rawai school
A father from Rawai has brought his grievance to the public after his six year old son suffered a violent assault by classmates at Wat Sawang Arom School, and an agreed compensation has not been honoured. The incident occurred on August 18 when the 32 year old father reported to Chalong Police that his son had been tied up, stripped,…
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Thai officer’s suicide linked to wife’s 100 million baht fraud scheme
A woman involved in a controversial rotating savings scheme in Buri Ram is now suspected to be linked to the apparent suicide of her police officer husband, investigators report. Police found the officer, 42 year old Nattaphon, dead in his Ford Ranger with a bullet wound to the right side of his head and a 9-millimetre pistol nearby. The vehicle…
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Don’t carry cash in Thailand
Are you planning a trip to Thailand? With the many temples, beaches, and other attractions Thailand offers, you will definitely have a memorable experience. However, before your trip, there is an important factor that you should consider other than your passport/visa issues and that’s money. Recent modifications in policies have established that a sufficient amount of cash must be on…
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Factory worker finds body with stab wounds in Ayutthaya canal
A factory worker was shocked to find a partially naked body floating in a canal, riddled with stab wounds, initially mistaking it for a doll. Police Lieutenant Nathakorn Damrongthanawan received a report yesterday, September 27 at 6.30pm of a male body found floating in a canal within the Bang Pa-in Industrial Estate in Ayutthaya province. Upon arrival at the scene…
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Bangkok residents invited to apply as lottery draw officials
The Government Lottery Office (GLO) has announced an opportunity for the public to become lottery draw officials, with applications open until late next month. Residents of Bangkok and its metropolitan areas may apply. The GLO shared a post via Facebook yesterday, September 27 inviting the public to join as officials for the lottery draw. The recruitment message specified the following…
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Flood kills 300 pigs at Lampang farm, causes 21 million baht loss
Over 300 pigs have died after being submerged for three days due to a sudden flood at a farm in the northern province of Lampang, causing significant damage estimated at 21 million baht. The owner of the farm expressed the devastating impact of this year’s flood. The incident occurred at Krissana Farm in Ban Watthana, Sobprab subdistrict, Sobprab district, Lampang…
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Asphalt removal on Nakhon Pathom road leaves 100 cars damaged
Asphalt removal on the Ngiu Rai-Salaya road in Nakhon Pathom province has left numerous vehicles damaged, causing significant inconvenience to drivers. The incident, which saw over 100 cars affected, has sparked calls for responsible authorities to address the issue. A driver named Mee, residing in Nakhon Chai Si, Nakhon Pathom, was travelling on the Ngiu Rai-Salaya road yesterday, September 27…
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Man bitten by snake on Phatthalung mountain shares survival story (video)
A Thai man shared a TikTok video about his last trip where he was bitten by a snake at night on a mountain. He used survival skills passed down through generations to handle the situation, but netizens advised against his methods, calling them dangerous. On TikTok, user @arunsrisuwan512 posted a video describing his experience of being bitten by a green…
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IKEA launches furniture buy-back for Thai flood relief effort
IKEA has partnered with the Mirror Foundation to buy back furniture and help restore homes in northern Thailand affected by flooding. This initiative aims to return these homes to their former beauty. IKEA announced this campaign on its Facebook page, stating, “In these difficult times, our collective help is crucial. IKEA is collaborating with the Mirror Foundation to support flood…
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Pattaya police detains illegal immigrant beggars
Police in Pattaya detained several illegal immigrant beggars yesterday, September 27, to preserve the city’s reputation as a world-class tourist destination. Beginning at 6pm, Chon Buri Immigration, Pattaya City officials, and the Chon Buri Provincial Social Development and Human Security Office launched a coordinated crackdown targeting illegal immigrants begging in high-traffic tourist areas. Officials inspected locations around Wat Chaimongkol on…
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Thai king’s son meets famous pygmy hippo Moo Deng
Vacharaesorn Vivacharawongse, the second-eldest son of His Majesty King Maha Vajiralongkorn Phra Vajiraklaochaoyuhua, visited Khao Kheow Open Zoo near Pattaya yesterday, September 27. His visit aimed to snap a selfie with the world-famous pygmy hippo, Moo Deng, and explore various sections of the zoo. Narongwit Chotchoy, Director of Khao Kheow Open Zoo, stated that the atmosphere was very pleasant, with…
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Thai woman faces complex murder case over son’s death in UK
A Thai woman, accused of murdering her seven year old son in the UK, made an appearance at Swansea Crown Court this week. The defence team described the case as “extremely complicated.” The Thai woman, 42 year old Papaipit Linse, who remains in custody, appeared in court but did not enter a plea. John Hipkin KC, representing Papaipit , requested…
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Phuket’s waste crisis worsens with tourist surge
Phuket grapples with a mounting waste crisis as tourism surges post-pandemic. The island’s waste disposal plant now receives 1,100 tonnes of garbage daily, a significant rise from 742 tonnes in 2022 and 961 tonnes last year, according to deputy governor Norasak Suksomboon. Norasak highlighted these challenges at the 25th Inter-Islands Tourism Policy Forum, where 150 global tourism leaders and policymakers…
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Chiang Mai launches cleanup after floods ease in commercial areas
Workers have launched a campaign to clean roads and remove debris in downtown Chiang Mai following the easing of floods in some commercial areas. Chiang Mai Municipality initiated the operation at 5pm yesterday, September 27 to revive economic activity in the bustling northern tourism hub. The effort is divided into five zones, including areas near the Naowarat Bridge and the…
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Sustainability expo 2024 opens in Bangkok, urgent action needed
Immediate action is necessary for sustainability, warns Sumet Tantivejkul, secretary-general of the Chaipattana Foundation. Speaking at the opening ceremony of Sustainability Expo 2024 (SX2024) yesterday in Bangkok, he highlighted the urgency of change as emphasised by the sufficiency economy theory of King Bhumibol Adulyadej The Great King Rama IX. Sumet elaborated on the theory, noting that while it originally seemed…
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Chinese woman saved from 8 million baht scam in Thailand
A Chinese woman lured into transferring over 8 million baht to a ruthless call centre scam gang has been found safe in Samut Prakan after weeks of torment. The 42 year old Chinese woman, Song Xiuhua, was discovered in a Bang Phli district apartment by officers from the Crime Suppression Division (CSD), after a frantic search sparked by her family’s…
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Thai tax riddle: Elite Visa holders off the hook?
Whispers on Facebook’s Elite/Privilege Group suggest that holders of the controversial five to 20 years visa could dodge the Thai Revenue Department’s (TRD) new tax ruling. Starting January 1 this year, assessable income sent from abroad by Thais or foreigners residing in Thailand for at least 180 days will be subject to personal income tax. A group member claimed, after…
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Pizza the action: Foreign man wreaks havoc at Phuket pizzeria
An unidentified foreign man went on a rampage in the Thalang district of Phuket in the early hours of this morning and physically assaulted the Thai owner of a pizza shop near Phuket International Airport. The Phuket Times reported on the incident today. The report included pictures of the injured Thai pizza shop owner, a damaged car and restaurant, as well…
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Anti-spanking bill scrapped: Thai MPs rethink on child discipline
The controversial anti-spanking bill has been withdrawn for further review after a backlash from MPs during the recent parliamentary session. The proposed amendment to the Civil and Commercial Code aimed to prohibit corporal punishment of children but faced fierce opposition on Wednesday, September 25, highlighting serious concerns regarding its vagueness and alignment with fundamental principles. Nipon Khonkhayan, an MP from…
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Doggone floods: Soi Dog races to feed Chiang Rai’s stranded paws
In a race against time, the Soi Dog Foundation dispatched a dedicated team to Chiang Rai to evaluate and address the urgent food needs of pets devastated by recent floods. Partnering with local officials, they aim to provide vital assistance to animals caught in the crisis, including the astonishing figure of 7,650 dogs and cats. Soi Dog’s staff, in collaboration with…
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Thailand 7-Eleven stores now accept QR code payment
Shoppers, rejoice! Thailand’s 7-Eleven stores just made paying for your snacks and drinks easier with the introduction of PromptPay QR code payments. But while customers love the convenience, smaller grocery stores may be facing a fresh nightmare. 7-Eleven’s official Facebook page announced today the rollout of PromptPay, a move that left fans buzzing. “Tears are flowing #Consumers, what do you…
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Thai teen sexually assaulted by drug dealer at Chon Buri temple
A 17 year old Thai girl is seeking justice after being repeatedly sexually assaulted by a drug dealer at a temple in Chon Buri province. Officers from Mueang Chon Buri Police Station were called to a restaurant in the Mueang district of Chon Buri province to question the teenage victim, named Dao. She claimed that the drug dealer named Noi…
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