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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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Elon Musk aims for 25% voting control for AI and robotics expansion
The world’s most affluent individual and Tesla CEO Elon Musk revealed yesterday that he would feel uneasy expanding the electric vehicle (EV) company’s presence in the artificial intelligence (AI) and robotics sectors unless he possesses at least a quarter of the company’s voting control. This is a significant increase from his current 13% stake in the company. He voiced this…
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MFP MP Suphanat makes recommendations to improvements at Mo Chit 2
Move Forward Party (MFP) MP for Bangkok District 9 Suphanat Minchainan made recommendations for improving the escalators and lifts at Mo Chit 2 Bus Terminal. Suphanat suggested that the deputy minister of transport and executives should listen to service users in terms of the issues that have arisen regarding the station and that they shouldn’t rely on their judgment. He…
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Thai couple arrested for illegal blank gun trade earning 120,000 baht monthly
A married couple was arrested today for illegally manufacturing and selling blank gun weapons and parts through a closed social media group, earning them an astonishing monthly income of 120,000 baht (US$3,415). The arrest of the couple, identified as 39 year old Wimol and 37 year old Chanthana, was led by the Special News and Tools Analysis Division of the…
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Young man dies in tragic motorcycle crash on eve of his 25th birthday
A tragic accident claimed the life of a 25 year old man after he crashed his motorcycle into a lorry carrying electrical poles. The incident occurred on Phaholyothin Road, at kilometre marker 190-191, near Kok Sam Rong Subdistrict, Lopburi Province. The young man, identified as Worut (surname withheld), met his untimely death on the eve of his birthday, leaving his…
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Thai PM honours teachers on Teacher’s Day, emphasising their role in national education
Thailand Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin today marked Teacher’s Day 2024 by bestowing honours upon teachers for their significant contribution to the nation’s education. He wished happiness and robust health for all educational personnel, underlining their role in fostering Thai children into valuable assets for both the country and the world. Respecting teachers as diligent workers crucial in crafting valuable individuals…
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Thai institutional investors foresee policy interest rate cut in 2024
The Association of Investment Management Companies (AIMC) disclosed that institutional investors anticipate Thailand’s policy interest rate to reduce by 0.25% to 2.25% this year. Investors are encouraged to take a heavyweight stance on fixed-income assets. Chavinda Hanratanakool, AIMC chairwoman, conveyed the results of a survey conducted amongst institutional investors. The survey explored their views on economic conditions and interest rate…
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Bangkok-Chiang Mai train collides with parked pickup, female driver seriously injured
A Bangkok-Chiang Mai train crashed into a parked pickup truck in Lopburi province at 4.45pm yesterday, January 15. The female driver of the pickup truck survived but was seriously injured. Police Major Srettha Saranan, duty inspector at Ban Mi Police Station in the Lopburi Province, along with Ruamkatanyu Foundation volunteers inspected the accident scene which was a railway track in…
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Bank of Thailand maintains policy rate for economic revival
The existing policy rate of the Bank of Thailand is deemed suitable for the nation’s economic revival, while inflation is anticipated to remain within its target range, according to the central bank. This decision, the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) of the central bank states, is based on a comprehensive analysis of various scenarios. Piti Disyatat, Assistant Governor and MPC Secretary…
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3 Thais arrested for Bolt driver murder in Pattaya after fare dispute
Police arrested a Thai man, his mother and his girlfriend for the murder of a Bolt driver in Pattaya. One of the suspects claimed he stabbed the victim to death because he could not pay the taxi fare. Locals discovered the dead body of a 31 year old Thai man, Thanathip Waedthaisong, in the forest along the route to Tham…
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Former Thai beauty queen faces fraud charges over bogus property rental
A beautiful businesswoman and former beauty queen stands accused of fraud and misleading the public after she allegedly rented out a house that she didn’t own. The arrest of Tetshinee (surname withheld) was made today, January 16, following orders from senior police officers. The 43 year old was charged with deceiving the public and importing false data into a computer system,…
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Thailand’s chat commerce predicted to hit 1.14 trillion baht by 2028
Chat commerce in Thailand is expected to reach a staggering 1.14 trillion baht by 2028, according to predictions by Line Thailand. This substantial increase, up from 462 billion baht in 2023, represents a compound annual growth rate of 19.2%. Jirat Watanakarin, who heads e-commerce growth and strategy at Line Thailand, said Thailand is one of the world’s largest markets in…
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97 year old woman’s 3.4 million baht stolen by assistant in Thailand
A 24 year old man has been arrested for stealing over 3.4 million baht (US$96,840) from an 97 year old woman. The arrest of the accused, Thanapat (surname withheld), was executed today (January 16), by Police Lieutenant Colonel Piyaphong Wongketuchai, the head of Ban Pong Police Station in Ratchaburi Province, along with his investigative team. The stolen money was spent…
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Thailand recalibrates incentives to boost renewable energy initiative
The Industry Ministry is set to recalibrate incentive packages for organisations as part of the RE100 global renewable energy initiative. This move is intended to allure more investors and facilitate new investment within the nation. RE100, a worldwide initiative comprising hundreds of companies, is committed to 100% renewable energy usage. This aligns with Thailand’s ambitions of reducing carbon dioxide emissions…
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Hotel maid arrested in Patong for snatching 140,000 baht from foreign guests
A Swiss man and two Cyprus nationals found money missing from their rooms at Patong, Phuket on December 27 last year. The man reported to Patong Police that US$700 (24,600 baht) had gone missing from his room at The Great Hotel on Sirirat Road, Patong, Kathu District. Two more similar incidents were subsequently reported on January 6 by Konstantnos and…
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Zipmex risks losing license over liquidity issues and inadequate management
Zipmex, a digital asset exchange operator, is facing a potential revocation of its business licence from the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) if it fails to resolve its liquidity problem within a fortnight. This issue arises as the company’s capital fund has fallen below the regulator’s minimum standards. The SEC board urged Zipmex to overhaul its operations, blaming the company’s…
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Prominent Thai loan shark arrested for illegal pawnbroking business
A 66 year old Sunthorn from the province of Nakhon Si Thammarat, known as a prominent loan shark, was arrested for running an illegal pawnbroking business, lending money with an annual interest rate of 36%. The authorities seized 31 vehicles, warning debtors that they could become criminal suspects. Yesterday, at Na Bon Police Station in the Nakhon Si Thammarat province,…
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Thai government spends 185 billion baht in 123 days met with criticism
Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin’s coalition government unleashed a whopping 185 billion baht assault on Thailand’s economic and social quagmires, thansettakij.com on January 13. The audacious measures by the 61 year old PM include a multifaceted approach to lighten the burden on citizens, with reductions in fuel and electricity prices, financial lifelines for struggling small to medium-sized businesses, debt relief for…
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Thailand to tackle declining birth rate as national issue
Cholnan Srikaew, the Public Health Minister, announced the government’s intent to prioritise the country’s dwindling birth rate as a national issue. In a response to Senator Ampol Chindawattana’s query regarding the falling birth rate, Cholnan explained that the challenge isn’t straightforward to address due to shifting priorities and socioeconomic values. The government, however, recognised the urgency of the situation, given…
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Work from Bangkok home possible due to increased PM2.5 pollution
The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) struck a deal with civic groups, proposing work from home plan for 50,000 of the city’s workers if PM2.5 intensity hits the red level for three consecutive days, declared Bangkok Governor Chadchart Sittipunt. The 57 year old city chief, in a strategic morning meeting with top-tier administrators, addressed the escalating PM2.5 dust crisis throttling the…
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Brutal murder of Pattaya ride-hail driver sparks 18-kilometre police chase
A brutal murder in Pattaya led to a police chase spanning over 18 kilometres after a 31 year old Grab and Bolt driver, named Thanathip, was found dead from stab wounds before his body was burnt with four tyres in an apparent effort to cover the crime. The suspects, believed to be a 22 year old man named Wa and…
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Royal Project Gastronomy Festival 2024 to tantalise taste buds at Siam Paragon
The Royal Project Gastronomy Festival 2024 is set to dazzle food enthusiasts at Siam Paragon. As it marks the 55th anniversary of the Royal Project Foundation and celebrates the auspicious sixth cycle birthday of His Majesty King Maha Vajiralongkorn, this culinary spectacle promises an indulgent journey into the realm of superfoods and regal delicacies. The festival, titled Vitality Life of…
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13 year old Thai boy nabbed for stealing phone of Turkish tourist in Pattaya
An overwhelmed Turkish tourist thanked Mueang Pattaya Police Station officers for the swift arrest of a 13 year old Thai boy who stole his mobile phone. The theft took place at 4.30am yesterday, January 15, while Police Sergeant Major Thatsanai Termphon from the Mueang Pattaya Police Station was on duty at a police booth on Jomtien Beach Road. Thatsanai heard…
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High-speed chase in Sisaket ends with seizure of 90,000 meth pills worth 600,000 baht
In a dramatic turn of events, a high-speed chase unfolded as law enforcement pursued and arrested a man and woman, seizing 90,000 methamphetamine pills near Khao Phra Wihan National Park. A high-speed chase led by law enforcement officers ended in the arrest of a 26 year old man and 19 year old woman, in a parking lot at the Khao…
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Thailand launches safety initiative to lure back tourists
In a bid to allure international tourists, the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) rolled out its Thais Always Care project, a beacon of safety and hospitality in the heart of the famed Amazing Thailand campaign. TAT Governor Thapanee Kiatphaibool unveiled the initiative, underlining its core ethos – the Land of Care. “Thais Always Care is more than just a slogan,…
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Korean YouTubers’ visa status in Thailand under scrutiny
Intrigue surrounds the visa status of popular Korean YouTubers, P’ Jung and Cullen, as a prominent lawyer’s query ignites discussions on their prolonged stay in Thailand. Recent sightings at the Ministry of Labour add to the mystery. Following the query by prominent lawyer, Ronnarong Kaewpetch, regarding the visa status of two popular Korean YouTubers in Thailand, P’ Jung and Cullen…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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Thai Cabinet to decide on Chinese-built submarine purchase
The Thai Cabinet is set to make a final verdict regarding the purchase of a Chinese-built submarine, stated Defence Minister Sutin Klungsang. The decision comes after the Office of the Attorney-General (OAG) approved the use of a Chinese engine for the submarine and recommended extending the contract. Sutin is expected to discuss the matter further with Royal Thai Navy (RTN)…
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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…
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