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 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...
-
Unrest brews over forced card stunts at Thai school football match
A traditional, unity-building football competition has sparked a social media outcry, with the hashtag #EndForcedCardStunts trending. The controversy started during the 30th Jaturamitr Samakee (Unity) Football Match held at the National Stadium in Pathum Wan district between four all-boys schools, namely: Suankularb Wittayalai School, Bangkok Christian College, Assumption College, and Debsirin School, from November 11 to 18. The biennial competition, aimed…
-
British national jailed in Phuket for illegal firearm possession
A British national has been apprehended by Chalong Police in Phuket, Thailand, under an arrest warrant issued by the Phuket Provincial Court for illegal firearm possession and its public display without consent or legitimate reason. The charge against Jamaal (surname not given) stems from an incident where he reportedly dropped a black Glock 19, described by the police as a…
-
Loan sharks heartlessly kill Thai fruit vendor over 400 baht debt near Pattaya
In a shocking event, a 45 year old fruit vendor tragically lost his life after a gang of loan sharks terrorised and shot him right outside a convenience store. The victim’s girlfriend, 41 year old Saengduen revealed the heartbreaking moments leading up to the event, which happened on the evening of November 14. The storefront of Itthiphol (surname withheld), is…
-
Ham handed: 2 Thai men arrested on illegal pork imports, over 10 officials found involved
Two Thai men surrendered to police over illegal pork imports after fleeing Thailand to evade the arrest. More than 10 government officials were found to be involved in the illegal operation. Recently, the Prime Minister of Thailand, Srettha Thavisin, expressed his dissatisfaction with the Department of Special Investigation (DSI) for the delay in investigating and arresting suspects in the illegal…
-
Thai-British boy fights school bully with Thai boxing skills: Video stirs online outrage
The online world is ablaze following a video leak of a school brawl in the UK. The footage shows a 12 year old Thai-British boy being bullied by a 17 year old cohort. Despite his younger age and smaller size, the boy puts up a brave fight using his Thai boxing skills but ultimately fails to withstand the physical assault. The…
-
Northern Thailand: Tourists flock to Doi Mae U-Kor for stunning blooming Mexican sunflowers
The Doi Mae U-Kor mountain is currently attracting a throng of tourists eager to admire the sprawling fields of blooming Mexican sunflowers. These golden blooms, stretching across 500 acres of hillside, have become a significant draw for visitors, both Thai and international. It is expected that the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) will receive no less than 100,000 visitors this…
-
Birthday celebration turns tragic: Man stabbed by jealous wife in Pattaya
A birthday celebration turned tragic for a 34 year old Cambodian man when his jealous wife stabbed him in the chest after he glanced at another woman at a bar in Pattaya’s Bang Lamung District. The incident occurred in their rented room today, around 2.30am. The police, led by Police Captain Itthikorn Saiyatok of Pattaya City Police Station, received a…
-
Thai merchant in warrior outfit draws crowds for lottery luck at local temple
A merchant has donned a warrior outfit in a bid to promote some good luck ahead of tomorrow’s national lottery draw. At Wat Salalee, Bang Phai Subdistrict, Mueang District, Nonthaburi Province, residents yesterday flocked to the local temple to pray for fortune, seek career advice, and crack an egg for lucky numbers. The lottery good luck faithful have returned multiple…
-
Pattaya businesses backs discarded proposal for Chinese police patrols in Thailand
Pattaya Nightlife Business Association chairwoman Lamphueng Hamilton expressed her support for a now-discarded proposal for Chinese police officers to patrol popular tourist areas in Thailand. The proposal, originally mooted by the Thai government, has since been unequivocally dismissed. However, several Pattaya-based private tourism operators continue to champion the idea. Their support stems from a notable decrease in Chinese visitors, which…
-
Lop Buri residents bite back, seek authority action as iguanas wreaks havoc on farms
Residents in the central province of Lop Buri are urging authorities to intervene as the population of iguanas in the region has surged dramatically. The animals have reportedly bitten a resident and caused significant damage to plantations and agricultural produce. Channel 3 reported that a master’s degree student conducted a study in the Khao Phaya Doen Dong community in Lob…
-
Southern Thailand: 30K meth pills found in car wreck after fatal crash
A high-speed car crash in the rainy weather led to the discovery of a large stash of meth pills. The driver of a white Honda sedan collided with an electric pole around 10.30pm last night, in Tha Sala, Nakhon Si Thammarat province. The severe impact left the car in ruins and the driver, identified as 41 year old Phatthrawatee from…
-
Unusual banana tree stirs lottery frenzy in central Thailand
An unusual banana tree in Prachin Buri province has become a source of fascination for locals and lottery enthusiasts. The tree’s peculiar flower, resembling a pointing skyward lotus, has led to a rush of locals seeking to tap into its assumed good fortune. People flocked to the site, carrying five flowers, incense, and candles to pay homage and request good…
-
Thailand PM invites Tesla, HP, and Analog Devices to invest
Thailand Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin extended an invitation to three significant American corporations to consider investing in Thailand, asserting the nation’s capability to act as their productive bases. The 61 year old prime minister recently visited the manufacturing plant of Tesla’s electric vehicles (EVs), where he participated in a trial run of the company’s cyber truck, which is set for unveiling…
-
Digital wallet and e-refund schemes in Thailand face legal and funding challenges
The proposed digital wallet and e-refund schemes considered significant growth drivers for Thailand’s GDP next year, are potentially at risk due to legal and funding obstacles. Analysts have indicated that these challenges could lead to a substantial reduction in the implementation of these costly digital schemes in Thailand, which are scheduled for rollout next year. Maybank Securities notes that legal…
-
TMD: Thailand braces for winter onset with lower temperatures and shifting winds
The Thai Meteorology Department (TMD) officially marked the onset of the winter season from yesterday, November 14. With this shift in seasons, the northern regions of Thailand are bracing for a noticeable drop in temperature, potentially reaching below 23 degrees Celsius in some areas. Signifying the winter’s arrival, the wind direction across Thailand, ranging from 100 to 3,500 metres in…
-
Sobering reminder: Entertainment venues to open until 4am, but no alcohol sale to drunks
The Thailand Health Minister yesterday stressed that entertainment venues must not serve alcohol to customers who are already drunk, even if establishments are allowed to stay open until 4am. Partygoers have been advised to carry breathalysers. Public Health Minister Cholnan Sikaew said that the policy allowing nightclubs to stay open until 4am had not yet been implemented. Cholnan made known…
-
Illegal botox operation uncovered in Chumphon beauty clinic
Cyber Crime Investigation Bureau officers raided a renowned beauty clinic, arresting a 31 year old medical assistant, identified as Urairat. Today, she was caught operating an illegal Botox and skin whitening injection operation on the premises located in Sukkasem Road, Tha Taphao, Chumphon. The suspect revealed that she had learnt the injection procedure from a doctor and initially practised on…
-
TCAS round 3 fees waived by Thai government for higher education boost
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Public Health Anutin Charnvirakul announced that the TCAS Round 3 testing fees will be waived to alleviate the financial burden on students and parents. This initiative provides an opportunity for all Thai students to pursue higher education. During a policy presentation and inspection at the Ministry of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation (MHESI),…
-
Serpent-haired sensation slithers into the spotlight: Indian woman’s knotted hair captivates community
A woman with a distinctive long, unkempt knotted hair that bears an uncanny resemblance to a coiling snake has become a sensation in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, India. Her peculiar appearance has prompted locals, who believe in sanctity, to chant prayers in her presence, offer flowers, and donate money. The woman’s videos have swiftly gone viral online, leaving netizens in awe…
-
Woman from Kalasin province tragically killed in high-speed collision with pickup truck
A tragic accident occurred when a woman from Kalasin Province rode her motorbike onto the road and was hit by a speeding pickup truck. The force of the collision propelled her into a forest across the road where she tragically lost her life. The incident took place yesterday. The local police in Ban Pho, Chachoengsao Province, were notified about the…
-
Family feud: Dirty plates row boils over into violent clash in central Thailand
A heated dispute over unwashed dishes escalated into a violent encounter in a residence in Bang Pakong, Chachoengsao, on the night of yesterday. The family feud resulted in severe injuries and a police investigation, as revealed by Deputy Inspector Pataweekarn Prakobkaew. A 37 year old man, Montri, sought help from neighbours, bloodied and beaten, claiming he was attacked by his…
-
Teen almost loses penis after being forced to get beeswax injection
A 15 year old Thai boy almost lost his penis after his school friends forced him to have a beeswax injection and recorded a video of the procedure to blackmail him. The victim’s mother claimed the incident happened at her son’s school in the southern province of Nakhon Si Thammarat on August 1 but the case has not progressed because…
-
Thailand extends visa deadline for migrant workers from four nations
The Ministry of Interior in Thailand declared an extension for migrant workers from Myanmar, Laos, Cambodia, and Vietnam. The extension allows them to remain in the country while applying for fresh visas and work permits. This decision, announced yesterday, is the Ministry’s response to two new regulations that were disclosed in the Royal Gazette on Monday. According to Traisuree Taisaranakul,…
-
Vibhavadi Road accident: Fatal big bike crash in Bangkok stirs public concern
A fatal road accident that occurred around 4.30am today, saw a young man on a big bike collide with a parked sedan on Vibhavadi Road, resulting in a fatality. The accident was reported to Police Captain Kajorndet Bunma, Deputy Investigation Officer at Vibhavadi Police Station. The Vibhavadi Road accident took place near the 238th toll booth on the Vibhavadi-Rangsit inbound…
-
Psychic power healing innovator plans registration in Thailand
Keerati Somkid, also known as Ajarn Aek, clarified that he did not challenge Chonnan Srikaew, the Minister of Public Health, but invited him to validate the existence and benefits of his self-invented psychic power healing method. He expressed his intentions to register this method yesterday, as he believes it should be supported and recognised officially, despite having no formal certification…
-
Thai couple disappearance in South Korea sparks debate on travel risks
A Thai couple travelling in South Korea has reportedly disappeared from their tour group, prompting fears that the tour company may face a 10-year ban from operating in the country. The Thai couple’s disappearance has sparked significant debate online about the risks to Thai nationals travelling in South Korea, where stricter immigration controls have been implemented due to concerns over…
-
Office love controversy: Young worker proposes to 50 year old boss
A surprising love confession between a 26 year old office worker and his 50 year old female boss stirred Chinese social media. The young man decided to propose to his boss amidst a company party, revealing the affection he had developed over time. The 26 year old had previously been romantically linked to his colleagues, but due to income disparities,…
-
Bride returns dowry tenfold and gifts land rover in Thai baht value
What is the appropriate dowry? Many people have argued that for couples who truly love each other, the value of the dowry is merely a formality. This is because what the bride truly desires may not be wealth, but rather the positive attitude of her life partner and a married life filled with happiness and understanding. On November 9, a…
-
Thailand PM denies rumours of inviting Chinese police for tourist patrols
Thailand Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin quashed rumours about inviting Chinese police to patrol the nation’s tourist hotspots. The clarification comes in light of a recent uproar following remarks from the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) regarding such an arrangement. PM Srettha, during a visit to San Francisco, revealed that the country’s interest lies solely in collaborating with Chinese police for…
-
Reaping health benefits of nutrient-rich cabbage: Caution for thyroid patients
The benefits of cabbage, a vegetable rich in nutrients, have been highlighted by nutritionists. However, it is warned that individuals with a specific type of condition should avoid excessive consumption of cabbage, as it may cause thyroid dysfunction. Cabbage is filled with nutrients that can help fight against cancer, detoxify the liver, and balance estrogen hormones. Consuming it in adequate…
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.