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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 Long-term life in Thailand? 5 reasons private health insurance pays off in the long run
Thailand is a great place for expats and retirees, offering a warm climate, affordable living, and rich culture. However, healthcare can be tricky for foreigners since they aren’t eligible for public health coverage, and private care can be expensive. Private...
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Tragic death of camping enthusiast in modified vehicle sparks police investigation
A tragic incident unfolded in the town of Buriram, where a camping enthusiast was found dead in his modified vehicle. The 57 year old camping enthusiast, known as Warayuth, was discovered by a friend after he spent the night camping on private land. The cause of death remains unknown and police are investigating. Upon arrival at the scene, police found…
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Tourists injured in ride malfunction at International Silk Festival
Tourists were injured when a giant squid ride at the International Silk Festival malfunctioned, causing a piece to break off and hit the ground. The accident, which occurred during the last ride of the day yesterday, December 1, resulted in three people sustaining injuries. Following the incident, authorities swiftly stepped in, providing immediate medical assistance to the injured and transporting…
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Siblings surrender following fatal shooting in Sichon mall
Two siblings, 21 year old Jeerasak and 15 year old Jeerawat handed themselves over to the authorities at Sichon station last night, December 1, following a fatal shooting. The pair were implicated in the fatal shooting of 18 year old Khanisorn Chan-u-thai in a department store in the Sichon district. The incident was confirmed by Police Lieutenant Colonel Bundit Sukhavisit,…
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Thailand’s looming gun crisis: RTP crackdown nabs nearly 15,000 suspects
In a pre-Loy Krathong Festival blitz, the Royal Thai Police (RTP) swooped down on a staggering 14,909 suspects, unearthing a chilling 14,339 criminal cases. National Police Chief Police General Torsak Sukvimol revealed that of the 1,320 cases linked to guns, the majority centred on illicit sales and wrongful firearm ownership. The crackdown’s focal point? To stem the tide of gun…
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Pattaya: British man involved in late-night road accident
Pattaya was the scene of a road accident involving a British man yesterday, December 1. A pickup truck, driven by a British man, crashed on a road in Soi Mab Yai Lia 53, Nongprue sub-district, Banglamung district, Chon Buri province. The accident happened slightly past midnight, and the local rescue teams and police were quickly alerted by the Sawang Boriboon…
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Fugitive child sexual abuse offender reveals bribery plot to escape justice
German media has uncovered a dark tale of child sexual abuse in Thailand, where a suspect spills the beans on his desperate bid to escape justice by using bribery. The story kicks off in Thailand, where a notorious foreigner involved in child sexual abuse was arrested. The Thai authorities held a press conference to announce the arrest, sending shockwaves through…
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Young motorcyclist injured in hit-and-run incident on Pattaya’s Beach Road
Pattaya witnessed an unfortunate hit-and-run incident in the early hours of yesterday, December 1, where a young motorcyclist was left injured due to a collision with a fruit side cart. The incident took place on the bustling Beach Road, and the victim was identified as 20 year old Krawit Jandang. Pattaya police were alerted about the accident around 2am. They…
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Fatal night-time collision on Uthai Thani road claims teenage life
A tragic collision on a dark road resulted in the death of a 17 year old high school student and injured two others yesterday, December 1. The incident occurred on the Khao Khong Chai-Ban Pa Ao route, in Uthai Thani’s Lan Sak district. The vehicles involved were an E-Tan pickup carrying a full load of rice, a Honda PCX scooter,…
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Chevrolet Captiva catches fire on Phaholyothin Highway
A grey Chevrolet Captiva caught fire on the side of Phaholyothin Highway, Highway No.1, Moo 2, Khao Tha Phra, Mueang Chai Nat, at around 7pm yesterday, December 1. The car, registration number KG 1615 Nakhon Sawan, was quickly spotted by local security officials from the Teachers Savings Cooperative of Chai Nat, who immediately rushed to the scene with a fire…
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Thailand’s digital leisure evolution
Thailand, a country known for its vibrant culture and picturesque landscapes, is currently experiencing a remarkable transformation in its leisure and entertainment sectors. This transformation, deeply rooted in the digital revolution, is reshaping how Thais engage with entertainment and cultural activities. Thailand is forging ahead on an innovative path where technology expands cultural offerings to make them more accessible and…
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Popular snack vendor finds 100,000 baht stolen from Chiang Mai home
A popular snack vendor known for her revealing outfit, returned to her Chiang Mai home yesterday, November 30 to find nearly 100,000 baht had been stolen from her safe. The 27 year old vendor, Aranya Abhaiso, also known as Olive Tokyo No Bra, suspects the culprit to be someone close to her and is preparing to file a police report.…
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House committee formulates 2024 budget proposal
The House committee responsible for scrutinising planning and monitoring budget expenditure is formulating a budget proposal for next year. The proposal is expected to be reviewed by the House in early January. Natthapong Ruangpanyawut, the committee’s chair and a list MP of the Move Forward Party, confirmed that the panel is currently processing budget requests from various state agencies. These…
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Firefighter criticised for unprofessional conduct in fire incident (video)
A rescue worker has come under criticism for demonstrating power and being unprofessional by stepping on and kicking a junior firefighter while responding to a fire. The incident was brought to light when a Twitter user named Red Skull posted a video of the event online. The behaviour, deemed inappropriate, especially in front of locals, sparked widespread online criticism. “So…
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Sky’s the limit for drama: Fire drill steals the show near Phuket International Airport
Onlookers in the vicinity of Phuket International Airport yesterday were treated to an unexpected spectacle of dark smoke rising into the sky. Fear not, Phuket Airport General Manager Monchai Tanode clarified that the source of the smoke was a routine fire drill conducted by the airport’s Fire and Rescue Department. Monchai, in his role as the general manager of Phuket…
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Rice production crisis forecast: Dry woes, dwindling waters, and El Nino brew trouble
Asian rice production during the off-season is predicted to suffer due to a blend of unfavourable weather conditions including dry planting, dwindling reservoirs and ongoing El Nino weather patterns. These issues are due to reduce the early 2024 yields, further squeezing supplies and potentially causing a rise in food inflation. Both India, the world’s largest rice exporter and Thailand, the…
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Stamp spectacle: World’s priciest stamps unveiled in unprecedented exhibition
Stamp enthusiasts, brace yourselves for an unprecedented clash of philatelic titans at the Thailand 2023 – World Stamp Championship Exhibition! The famed British Guiana One-Cent Magenta, a global record-holder at over US$8 million (280 million baht), and the Japan 1871 500mon Center Inverted, valued at a staggering 4.4 million euros (168 million baht), are sharing the limelight for the first…
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Phuket’s uphill battle conquered: Patong Hill road reopens, paving the way for smooth travels
Vehicles are once again smoothly navigating the stretch of road over Patong Hill in Phuket, following the successful completion of repair works. The vital link, which was previously marred by subsidence beneath the road surface, is now fully operational with both lanes leading to Patong open for traffic. The confirmation of this development was announced yesterday, November 30 by the…
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Slap happy: Quirky Slap Bar leaves social media buzzing with bizarre business antics (video)
An unusual business venture known as the Slap Bar has been creating a buzz on social media. The account of @harry_shosta on the Twitter platform shared a clip of this bizarre enterprise, where customers pay for the privilege of being slapped by female employees. This cafe, while offering the usual food and drink services, extends its uniquely strange service to…
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Major tourist alert: National parks drop e-ticketing system
The National Park, Wildlife and Plant Conservation Department (DNP) has pulled the plug on e-ticketing for six of Thailand‘s prized national parks, sparking outrage and concerns as the tourist high season kicks off. The decision to suspend e-ticketing for tourists visiting six national parks in Thailand has triggered a storm of criticism, with many deeming it untimely and poorly planned.…
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Thai man punches neighbour to death after conflict over dog waste
A Thai man reportedly punched his neighbour to death on the side of the road in the northern province of Lampang after a dispute over dog waste. The killer claimed he acted in self-defence. Mueang Lampang Police Station officers and a rescue team rushed to the scene on Lampang-Ngao road at 7.45am today, December 1. The deceased, 68 year old…
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Pattaya’s grand Christmas party with Miss Universe models and B2F orchestra
Pattaya is all set to host the grandest Christmas party of the year on December 16. With an overwhelming response of over 200 tickets already sold, organisers have decided to extend the special discounted ticket price of 1,600 baht for a bit longer. So, if you haven’t grabbed your ticket yet, now is the time! The evening promises to be…
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Shinawatra greenlights 5.1 billion baht for soft power industries and Songkran
The Soft Power National Development Committee, headed by Paetongtarn Shinawatra, has approved a budget of 5.1 billion baht to boost 11 industries in Thailand, including the Songkran festival. The plan includes a grand Songkran celebration, dubbed the World Water Festival – The Songkran Phenomenon, to draw international tourists to Thailand. The announcement was made on December 1. The Soft Power…
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Young women ignore safety warnings at Phu Chi Fah, sparking concerns
Two young women risked their lives by crossing a safety line at Phu Chi Fah viewpoint to take photographs, triggering concerns from officials about a potential increase in copycat behaviour. Phu Chi Fah National Park in Thoeng, Chiang Rai, reported the incident occurred at 6.04am on October 26, and issued a public warning on their page. The tourist attraction has…
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Pregnant Burmese woman begs thief to return 240,000 baht’s worth of gold
A pregnant Burmese woman turned to social media to convey her heart-wrenching disappointment and appeal to a thief for the return of gold accessories valued at over 240,000 baht, which were stolen from her. The Burmese victim shared an image of now-empty gold containers along with a video capturing her emotional plea on social media. In the video, she tearfully disclosed…
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Thai government invites citizens to register debts for resolution
The Thai government is inviting citizens to register their debts, both within and outside the formal system, to alleviate the burden of unregulated debt. This move by Prime Minister Settha Thaweesin and the Ministry of Finance is seen as a national issue, aiming to restore dignity, hope, and stability to Thai citizens suffering from the detrimental effects of unregulated debt.…
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Chon Buri: Four Cambodian men posing as fake monks apprehended in Si Racha
Four Cambodian individuals posing as fake monks were apprehended by immigration police on a mountain near a community in the Si Racha district, Chon Buri. They were disguised as fake Buddhist monks in yellow robes, residing in makeshift shelters. The operation was carried out this morning, December 1, following residents’ grievances about several Cambodian nationals masquerading as monks and asking…
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Thai man jailed for up to 10 years for illegally selling tiger carcasses
The Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation (DNP) and related departments arrested a Thai man for running an online shop illegally selling tiger carcasses and other protected animals. This comes in the wake of the arrest of two individuals in January this year for selling tiger carcasses online. The case was connected to another suspect managing a Facebook…
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NACC scandal: Former Deputy Secretary-General’s shocking assets cover-up lands him in Supreme Court snare
The Supreme Court delivered a decisive blow to Prayat Puangjumpa, the former deputy secretary-general of the National Counter-Corruption Commission (NACC). Prayat’s appeal, aimed at overturning a false asset declaration conviction, was mercilessly rejected, resulting in a suspended jail sentence and a hefty fine. The Supreme Court, in a plenary meeting, upheld the previous court’s ruling, affirming a four-month suspended jail…
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Political prognosis: Advisor probes Thaksin Shinawatra’s health and cell
The health status and incarceration conditions of former Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra have come under the scrutiny of Somchai Srisutthiyakorn, an advisor to the Parliament Committee on Budgeting Study and Budget Administration Follow-up. Somchai is pressing the government to shed light on Thaksin’s situation, 100 days after his transfer to the Police General Hospital following chest pain, hypertension, and low…
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409 million baht assets of Thai senator seized for transitional crime involvement
The Office of Narcotics Control Board (ONCB) raided seven locations yesterday linked to Thai senator Upakit Pachirirangkun and seized assets worth 409 million baht on charges of involvement in a transitional crime organisation. Move Forward Party MP Rungsiman Rome revealed the alleged close relationship between Senator Upakit and Myanmar’s leading drug trafficker, Tun Min Latt, during a 2022 Parliament debate.…
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