News
Thailand news, politics, business, crime, lifestyle, and tourism—stay updated with breaking news and in-depth analysis from Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Pattaya, and beyond.
-
Sponsored Why retirees in Thailand are choosing long-term health insurance over quick fixes
Retirees in Thailand are increasingly seeing the importance of health insurance in protecting their well-being during retirement. With insurance requirements for retirement visas and rising healthcare costs, many are moving away from short-term plans and choosing long-term coverage. Long-term health...
-
Thailand’s education system needs urgent overhaul to meet trade, investment demands
The pressing need for Thailand to expedite its educational development to match trade and investment needs has been highlighted by Poonpong Naiyanapakorn, director-general of the Trade Policy and Strategy Office (TPSO). The dynamic and rapidly evolving nature of the contemporary trade, investment, and technological sectors necessitates a workforce equipped with adaptable skills and thinking capabilities. Poonpong detailed that despite some…
-
Cyber crime costs Thailand 6.76 billion baht in 70 days
Cyber crime inflicted a devastating blow to Thailand’s economy with losses amounting to 6.76 billion baht (US$192 million) within a span of 70 days, as reported by the Cyber Crime Investigation Bureau (CCIB). Despite a decline in call centre scams, there was a noted surge in scams related to the struggling economy, including those promising additional income and fraudulent loan…
-
Thai government contemplates extending humanitarian aid to Myanmar
A military source revealed that the Thai government is deliberating on extending widespread humanitarian aid to assist the vulnerable populations in Myanmar. Additionally, Thailand is considering hosting discussions with the leader of Myanmar and ethnic minority factions to resolve the country’s crisis. The Thai prime minister, Srettha Thavisin, has been engaged in conversations with Foreign Minister Parnpree Bahiddha-nukara and the…
-
Thai education: Foundations and milestones under King Rama V’s Reign
This Teacher’s Day, let’s journey back in time to delve into the establishment of the first Thai schools, both royal and public, dating back to the reign of King Rama V. These institutions have survived to this day, marking a significant milestone in the country’s education history. King Rama V, after ascending the throne in 1868, observed the importance of…
-
Bangkok braces for rising dust pollution, considers work-from-home scenario
Bangkok’s City Hall is on high alert as it keeps a close watch on the escalating ultra-fine dust pollution levels. The governor, Chadchart Sittipunt, raised the possibility of initiating a work-from-home programme if alarmingly unsafe levels persist for three days in a row. Chadchart yesterday indicated that a warning would be disseminated through the City Hall’s network, which boasts over…
-
Royal Thai Navy honours Krom Luang Chumphon with tribute walk-run event
The Royal Thai Navy (RTN) yesterday staged an event titled Walk-Run in Tribute to His Royal Highness Krom Luang 100 Years Apakorn Day. The event was inaugurated by Admiral Adung Phan-iam, Commander of the RTN, along with His Royal Highness Chiyakorn Apakorn Sesavej Chairman of the Apakorn Foundation. The event took place at the Navy Command Headquarters, Wang Nanthana Nayan…
-
Tao Ngoi’s tortoise statue: Thailand’s new hotspot for lottery enthusiasts
The famed Tortoise Statue of Tao Ngoii has become a hot spot for lottery enthusiasts seeking lucky numbers after its landscape was revitalised. The changes, which took place at the end of 2023 in the Tao Ngoi public park, have turned the area into a flourishing tourist attraction. The park is home to two large Naga sculptures located near the…
-
Phuket community gathers for fun-filled Children’s Day celebrations
Phuket was brimming with joy and laughter yesterday as the community gathered to commemorate Children’s Day. A plethora of activities were arranged throughout the island, transforming the usually serene atmosphere into a vibrant, lively carnival for the younger generation. In a heartwarming gesture, Phuket Governor Sophon Suwannarat and his wife, Busadee Suwannarat, opened the doors of the Provincial Hall to…
-
Rare event in northern Thailand sparks lottery number hunt
In an unusual occurrence in Surin province, a steel tree branch pierced through the trunk of a peacock tree, sparking the interest of local lottery enthusiasts. The unique event, witnessed by 74 year old Sai Wansiri and other villagers, took place in the forest next to a paddy field in Nong Sai village. The villagers, armed with flowers, incense sticks,…
-
Oink oink: Unidentified man allegedly rapes pregnant pig in Buriram
An unidentified man allegedly raped a pregnant pig in a pen at a Thai woman’s home leaving residents living in fear in the Chalerm Phra Kiat district in the Isaan province of Buriram. Concerns grew among locals in the area after a 40 year old pig owner named Kong, revealed a shocking story to Channel 3. Kong explained that she…
-
Thai data privacy watchdog uncovers massive breach involving over 5,000 organisations
Thailand’s Personal Data Protection Commission (PDPC) recently uncovered a significant privacy breach involving 5,261 organisations. Among these, a majority of 4,886 were government agencies from both central and local sectors. The lapse in data protection was observed between November 9 of the previous year and January 12. The violations were primarily due to excessively revealing personal data on various websites…
-
Glove wars: Public Warehouse Organisation gears up for legal battle over undelivered goods
The Public Warehouse Organisation (PWO) is currently embarking on a legal battle against its former director and six other officials for undelivered gloves. The lawsuit is centred around the return of a 2 billion baht deposit that was paid for a 112 billion baht rubber glove purchase during the Covid-19 pandemic, which was never delivered. Kriangsak Prateepvisut, the PWO director,…
-
Blood quest: Phuket seeks lifelines as blood centres make urgent appeal
As the Thai island of Phuket launches into another year, the Phuket Regional Blood Centre (Phuket RBC) and the Phuket Blood Bank at Vachira Phuket Hospital have once again put the call out for blood donations. This initiative, run by the Phuket branch of the Thai Red Cross Society, kicked off its annual campaign, spanning the full breadth of January and…
-
19 year old Thai faces 5 charges for pimping out 13 year old boy
Police arrested a 19 year old Thai man in Bangkok on Saturday night, on five charges of pimping out a 13 year old boy. Patrol and Special Operation Division officers received a tip-off on January 13 that the teenager, 19 year old Peeraphat Bootcham, was procuring boys aged under 15 years old to provide sex services. Peeraphat advertised the services…
-
Colombian man arrested in Patong for bag snatching incident
Friday was an unsettling day for a Russian tourist as she found herself at the receiving end of a bag snatch incident while holidaying in Patong, Thailand. The incident occurred at the entrance of Soi Suk Charoen off Phra Mettha Road as Karolina Rusaleeva was returning to her hotel room from a nearby 7-Eleven store. An unidentified man, who later…
-
Ancient artefacts over 600 years old discovered in Phayao province
The Department of Fine Arts began inspecting a historical site and ancient artefacts over 600 years old, discovered by locals in Phayao province. The villagers had unearthed coins and ancient Buddha statues while renovating a sacred site. The discovery occurred today in Ban Hua Khua, Chun District, Phayao Province. Villagers revealed the discovery of a large number of ancient artefacts following…
-
Driver of sedan involved in taxi collision to undergo alcohol test in Thailand
Police are set to conduct a thorough physical examination of the driver involved in a collision with a taxi on Ratchada Road in Bangkok. Suspicion was raised after a yellow liquid was found discarded in his white sedan, prompting an investigation into potential alcohol consumption. The offending vehicle, which had been abandoned in a side street, has been seized and…
-
Cop’s gunshot drama: Thai police officer faints in car after marital gunfire misfire
A Thai police officer reportedly fainted in her car after discharging a firearm in an attempt to threaten her husband, only to be startled by the recoil of the gunfire, in the southern province of Surat Thani. A Thai rescuer, Somwang Sang-ngam, told Channel 3 that his team received a report of a shooting from the Mueang Surat Thani Police…
-
Patong’s wild night: Tipsy Ukrainian tourist tamed after rowdy escapades in Phuket
A drunken Ukrainian tourist was apprehended in the early hours of yesterday in Phuket following a succession of boisterous episodes at Patong Police Station. Displaying signs of intoxication, the Eastern European man made an appearance at Patong Police Station yesterday, January 14, instantly becoming a source of disturbance and public inconvenience, revealed the local police. According to the Patong Police,…
-
Thai health expert urges caution on mRNA vaccines due to rising disease rates
With the death toll rising and various diseases increasing from head to toe, the use of mRNA vaccines has been in question. Teerawat Hemajuta, Head of the Health Science Centre for Emerging Diseases at Chulalongkorn University’s Faculty of Medicine, called for the Ministry of Public Health to study this data before recommending the frequency of vaccination. Teerawat asserts that the…
-
Indonesian volcano Mount Merapi erupts again, causing ash rain and evacuations
Mount Merapi, an Indonesian volcano, erupted for the second time in a month, sending a 1,300-metre high plume of ash into the sky and covering nearby homes, vehicles, and evacuation tents in volcanic ash. This latest eruption occurred on Sunday, with no reported fatalities. Mount Merapi is among over 120 active volcanoes in Indonesia, notorious for their unpredictable and sudden…
-
Tantrum in the sun: Foreigners’ sunbathing sparks debate at Wat Phra Kaew in Bangkok
A debate erupted over two foreigners sunbathing at Sanam Luang, a leisure park in front of Wat Phra Kaew in Bangkok. Numerous netizens expressed disapproval of the act, while some argued that the foreigners might be behaving based on cultural differences. Additionally, there were calls for the park to be opened to the public. Facebook user Kamron Patprayoon shared a…
-
Sedan’s shocking hit and run on Ratchada Road sets social media abuzz (video)
A shocking road incident involving a white sedan and a yellow-green taxi recently set social media abuzz. The white car was filmed reversing into a stationary taxi in the middle of Ratchada Road before speeding away from the scene, sparking widespread online debate. The video, shared by the popular Red Skull page, left both locals and tourists in shock, seeking…
-
Steady gold prices in Thailand spark call for quick decisions
The Gold Traders Association (GTA) revealed that today’s gold prices remain unchanged from yesterday, urging quick decisions to be made. As of today, the selling price for gold ornaments is stated at 34,350 baht per baht-weight, a steady hold from the final price of yesterday, according to the most recent data from the GTA at 9.03am. Gold bars with 96.5%…
-
Migration education: Thai vice minister urges deep understanding to tackle illegal migration roots
Sihasak Phuangketkeow, Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs, emphasised the necessity for a profound understanding of illegal migration among lawmakers and the general public to address the root causes of the issue. He voiced these comments during a recent seminar, Shaping Public Perception Towards Migrants, organised by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the International Organisation for Migration. Sihasak pointed out…
-
Astrologer predicts financial prosperity for three zodiac signs in lottery season
As the lottery season approaches, people are hopeful to boost their finances at the start of the year. According to astrologer Thosaporn, three zodiac signs are poised for financial fortune. Thosaporn reveals that those belonging to the zodiac signs of Aquarius (born between February 13 and March 14), Cancer (July 17 and August 16), and Sagittarius (November 17 and December…
-
Thai man wrongly arrested for wife’s death, CCTV exposes 5 teenage murderers (video)
Police arrested a Thai man who confessed to murdering his wife, only to later discover his innocence and identify five teenagers as the guilty perpetrators of the crime in the Isaan province of Sa Kaeo. Police discovered their error upon reviewing CCTV footage. Aranyaprathet Police Station officers in Sa Kaeo were alerted to the discovery of a dead body in…
-
Thai lottery enthusiasts in a flutter over auspicious numbers for January 17 draw
Thai lottery numbers for the draw on January 17 have sparked excitement throughout the Kingdom of Thailand, with various predictions being made. Several prominent figures, including Khun Phaen, Tuktaen Chonlada, and the Prime Minister, have been connected with these predictions. Khun Phaen and Hong Prai Khun Phaen and Hong Prai, while making a ceremonial offering, drew the numbers 9, 8,…
-
Thai market trader extorted by fake officers for 20,000 baht
Four men, posing as officers from the Crime Suppression Division, extorted a 39 year old market trader, known as Ta, of 20,000 baht. The incident occurred on January 9 when the man, without showing any legal identification or paperwork, confiscated about 20 fashion bags from his stall at a local flea market. Ta explained that the men proceeded to lead…
-
Tragic motorcycle sidecar accident claims life of Thai child
A tragic accident occurred just a day after Children’s Day when five related children were driving a motorcycle sidecar home and crashed into an electricity pole. The oldest of the children, a ten year old girl, lost her life. The unfortunate incident took place around 9.30pm yesterday, January 14, when Thai Buddhist Charity Foundation volunteers in Kabin Buri were notified…
Don't forget to check out some other things to do in Thailand - get help starting a business or finding a job in Thailand, buy Thailand property, rent a yacht or book a medical procedure worldwide.