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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 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...
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Thailand’s tourism authority faces challenge to boost foreign arrivals
With a significantly decreased budget from its 2019 benchmark, the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) faces the daunting task of increasing foreign arrivals from 28 million in 2023 to 40 million in just a year. The drastic goal was deliberated on Tuesday when Chai Wacharonke, a government spokesperson, revealed potential plans to boost arrivals to this figure, spurred by new…
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Thai and Laos authorities unite to extradite Malaysian drug lord
The Narcotics Control Board Office (ONCB) in Thailand and Laos authorities are collaborating to extradite a Malaysian drug lord, a crucial figure in an international drug cartel, to Thailand. The notable suspect, 39 year old Ong Gim Wah, was apprehended in Laos during a joint mission on December 29. Ong, who had a bounty worth 1 million baht (US$29,036) on…
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Thai baht predicted to appreciate amid expected US interest rate cuts
The Thai baht is predicted to appreciate to 33 against the US dollar in the near future, as the market anticipates an early start to US Federal Reserve interest rate cuts, possibly as soon as March. This expectation could trigger an inflow of funds into the Thai currency. The baht registered at 34.26 to 34.28 per US dollar yesterday, a…
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Thai government to stimulate economy with digital wallet scheme
The Thai government reaffirmed its commitment to launch the digital wallet scheme in May, a key policy of the ruling Pheu Thai Party. The scheme, financed by a 500 billion baht (US$14,518,005,000) loan, aims to inject 10,000 baht (US$290) into the digital wallet of every Thai citizen aged 16 and above as a means to stimulate the economy. The government…
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Thailand’s airports vow to eliminate carbon emissions by 2032
Airports of Thailand (AOT) is gearing up to transform the aviation landscape by pledging to achieve carbon neutrality by 2030 and zero carbon emissions by 2032. AOT, responsible for overseeing the nation’s major hubs, has laid out an ambitious strategy to slash a whopping 50% of its annual carbon footprint, currently standing at 300,000 tons. Keerati Kitmanawat, AOT’s dynamic CEO…
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Nonthaburi’s Jack’s Waterfall Noodles stops free meals due to misuse
Sakrapee Pathomthasaporn, known as Jack, owner of the popular noodle restaurant Jack’s Waterfall Noodles in Nonthaburi, has made a difficult decision to stop serving free meals. For over a year, Jack has been known for his generosity, offering free bowls of noodles to the elderly, disabled, homeless, pregnant women, and anyone who couldn’t afford a meal. However, his goodwill gesture…
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TikTok star defends marrying older man for his wealth
The viral story of a 25 year old woman’s marriage to a 55 year old man on TikTok resulted in a flurry of comments, many accusing her of marrying for money. The woman, who shares her life with her older husband on her TikTok account, tretippayanipasriwirak, responded to the comments with candidness. The woman’s life, filled with travels, gold purchases,…
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Tokyo’s Sushiya Nohachi serves world’s smallest sushi at 1500 baht
Sushiya Nohachi, a sushi restaurant in Tokyo, is redefining the boundaries of culinary art by offering the world’s smallest sushi made with a single grain of rice. The restaurant’s chef, Hironori Ikeno, was inspired to create this unique menu in 2002 when a customer inquired how small he could make it. Ikeno responded with the creation of a single-grain sushi,…
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Russian upper class take over Phuket properties
Phuket has become a playground for Russia’s wealthy elite, causing property prices to skyrocket by 15 to 20%. Amidst Thailand’s tourism boom and the aftermath of the Russia-Ukraine conflict, affluent Russians are making Phuket their long-term home, revealed Maetapong Upatising, president of the Phuket Real Estate Association. “Phuket’s allure lies in its world-class amenities, including an international airport, schools, golf…
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Thai woman challenges traditional roles with refusal to iron husband’s clothes
A Thai woman has taken to an online forum to vent about her mother-in-law’s nagging over her refusal to iron her husband’s clothes. The woman, who works away from home and returns only on weekends, argues that her husband should be able to iron his clothes. The woman revealed that she lives with her husband’s family but works and resides…
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Indigo soars: Dark horse carrier claims global on-time flight victory in latest Cirium report
India‘s very own IndiGo has emerged as the dark horse, claiming the fourth spot globally in on-time performance for flights, according to the latest report from travel data analytics firm Cirium. In a surprising turn of events, Avianca Airlines of Colombia secured the top spot with an impressive 85.73% on-time performance, closely followed by Brazil’s Azul Airlines and Qatar Airways.…
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New year sees considerable drop in road accidents across Thailand
The new year holiday period witnessed a significant drop in road accidents, with 212 fatalities and 1,860 injuries, according to statistics from the Department of Land Transport. The figures indicate a considerable decrease from the previous year, with the death toll and injury count originating from 1,839 traffic mishaps that occurred from December 29 to January 2. Among the provinces,…
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Heartbreak as woman receives one-word response to breakup text
A Chinese woman experienced a heartbreaking end to her four-year relationship, as she was forced to break up with her boyfriend due to her parents’ disapproval. The woman, Xiao Su, spent an hour composing a nearly 300-word message to end the relationship, only to receive a one-word response: Agreed. Love is regarded as one of the most beautiful emotions in life,…
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From leprosy colony to culinary queen: Thai food blogger’s epic journey
Suwanee Lennon‘s incredible life story takes us from the shadows of a leprosy colony in Thailand to the vibrant kitchens of her American home. Suwanee Lennon’s life began in the heart of Bangkok, within a leprosy colony that stood as a symbol of fear and isolation. Now, she’s a wife, mother, food blogger, and photographer who uses the power of…
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Mysterious high-rise death in Bangkok luxury condo sparks safety concerns
A 27 year old man tragically plummeted from the 52nd floor of a luxury condominium in Silom, Bangkok. Police arrived on the scene in the early hours to investigate the incident, finding the apartment in a tidy condition, with no signs of a struggle. At approximately 12.30am today, police officer Phetamorn Krongchai and inspector Ratthanon Aekthitikulapat, along with a forensic team…
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New year’s grape eating trend goes viral in Asia
The start of 2024 has seen the emergence of a hot new trend on social media, centred around the consumption of 12 grapes under a table on New Year’s Eve. This trend originated from a Spanish custom in which it is believed that eating 12 grapes in sync with the 12 strokes of midnight will bring good luck for the…
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Mysterious human remains in Pak Chong district may be missing woman
On October 31, a renowned bee hunter stumbled upon human remains in the woods near the old Mittraphap Road, opposite the Technical College, in Nakhon Ratchasima’s Pak Chong district. The apparent state of the bones suggested that the individual, suspected to be a woman due to the clothing found, had been deceased for approximately two to three months. The remains,…
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Tourists numbers to return to pre-covid in Chiang Mai
Chiang Mai, the picturesque northern Thai capital, last year witnessed a jaw-dropping 30% plunge in tourism, with a mere 3.9 million visitors gracing its vibrant landscapes last year, in stark contrast to the 5.6 million footfalls pre-Covid in 2019. This startling data, unveiled by social enterprise Visit Chiang Mai, paints a gloomy picture for the once-thriving tourist hotspot. A closer…
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PM’s plush pad revealed: Exclusive peek into Srettha Thavisin’s swanky Government House makeover
Exclusive images of Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin‘s revamped residence at Government House have just hit the headlines, giving us a sneak peek into the luxurious second-floor haven. In a move echoing historical significance, the 61 year old prime minister is set to follow in the footsteps of the legendary Field Marshal Plaek Phibunsongkhram, aka Marshal P. The swanky abode, set…
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Two fatal crashes in Phuket highlight importance of traffic safety
Two fatal accidents have left a sombre note in the otherwise bustling city of Phuket. A motorcyclist lost his life in an early morning crash in Kathu, while a pickup driver met a similar fate on Thepkrasattri Road in Mai Khao last night. Kathu police answered a distress call to the Kuan Lim San Curve on Wichit Songkhram Road around…
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Gold prices take a dip in Thailand: 50 baht decrease reported
The price of gold fell again on the morning market today, with a decrease of 50 baht (US$1.46) compared to the closing price yesterday. As reported at 9.05am today, the cost of gold ornament was selling at 34,050 baht (US$99.4) per baht, according to the Gold Traders Association (GTA). Meanwhile, the 96.5% gold bar was bought at 33,450 baht (US$976.93)…
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Pattaya’s stinky scandal: Indian restaurant responsible for foul smell
The air near Phra Tamnak Hill in Pattaya recently turned putrid, leaving residents fuming over an unrelenting foul smell since yesterday, January 2. Suspected to emanate from a deluge of waste clogging up the drainage system, fingers are pointing at a nearby unnamed Indian eatery, accused of sidestepping proper waste disposal. Despite two complaints lodged with the Pattaya Municipal Office…
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Raw deal tragedy: Thai man chokes on pork outside Samut Prakarn grocery (video)
A Thai man died outside a local grocery store in Samut Prakarn province near Bangkok after choking on some raw pork. A 35 year old Thai man, Sittikorn, spotted the victim, 48 year old Rate, lying prostrate outside the grocery store in Soi Thetsaban Bang Pu 59 in the Mueang district of Samut Prakarn province at 9.30pm on January 1…
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Minivan driver confesses to overloading after fatal crash in Ayutthaya
A minivan driver, fleeing a deadly accident was apprehended early this morning. The tyre of his vehicle exploded, causing it to crash into a tree and kill a front-seat passenger. The driver, who was found hiding in a hotel in Ayutthaya, confessed to being in shock and fear of prosecution. He admitted to unlawfully carrying more passengers than permitted. The…
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Defective wheels result in temporary reduction of Yellow Line monorail service
Defective Yellow Line monorail trains have been recalled and are no longer in use as they undergo comprehensive safety checks, according to Surapong Piyachote, the Deputy Transport Minister. The operator of the Yellow Line, Eastern Bangkok Monorail Co, has been instructed to conduct intensive safety inspections on all trains before reinstating them into service. This directive was issued following an…
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Thailand’s delayed 2024 budget bill presented in Parliament
The delayed budget bill for this year, amounting to 3.48 trillion baht (US$101.52 billion), was presented today by Prime Minister and Finance Minister Srettha Thavisin in the House of Representatives. This event marked the start of a three-day debate among lawmakers. PM Srettha emphasised the importance of the budget to Parliament. “The budget is crucial in moving the economy forward.”…
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Thai man surrenders after stabbing his wife’s lover to death
A Thai man surrendered to the police after he stabbed the lover of his wife to death outside a convenience store in the central province of Ratchaburi. Officers from the Ban Pong Police Station were called to investigate the death of the 67 year old Thai man named Wanchai outside a convenience store in the Ban Pong district of Ratchaburi…
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Essential ascent: Despite fiscal twists, analysts predict vital goods to drive economic lift-off
Despite the financial rollercoaster, essential goods are set to expand. Analysts declare that essential goods will help boost the economy. The Thai Chamber of Commerce’s recent survey predicts a 1.5% dip in purchasing power, attributed to escalating interest rates, inflation, and the lingering pandemic hangover. Undeterred, consumers are rallying around staples like food, beverages, personal care products, household items, and…
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Claudine Gay steps down amid plagiarism and anti-semitism accusations
Claudine Gay, the first black dean of Harvard University, stepped down amid accusations of plagiarism and allegations associated with anti-semitic sentiments within the institution. Alan M. Garber has been appointed as her successor. Gay, the dean of the prestigious Harvard University, announced her resignation amid a plagiarism controversy and her criticized endorsement of the US Senate committee’s anti-semitic attitudes within…
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Understanding the risk of personal belongings during aircraft evacuations
Did you know that aircraft evacuations occur more frequently than you might think? These events bring to mind the fiery plane cases, similar to the Haneda Airport incident, underscoring the potentially life-threatening risks of personal belongings. Yesterday, January 2, an Airbus A-350 of Japan Airlines collided with a coastguard aircraft at Haneda Airport in Tokyo, Japan. All 379 passengers and…
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