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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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Thailand’s healthcare system is well-regarded across Southeast Asia, with options ranging from public hospitals to world-class private facilities. But when it comes to foreign residents or tourists, healthcare access isn’t as straightforward. So, do foreigners get free healthcare in Thailand?...
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Thai rice exports valued at 23% more than same period last year
From January to April, Thailand’s rice exports reached 2.79 million tonnes, with an estimated total for the year surpassing 8 million tonnes, according to the government. Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha, expressed optimism regarding the exports being valued at US$1.5 billion (51.2 billion baht) revenue, a 23% increase compared to the same period last year, as reported by government spokesperson Anucha…
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Jennifer Lawrence’s film spotlights Afghan women defying Taliban
A young woman confronts a Taliban fighter, accusing him of oppressing women and closing schools and universities, in a scene from the documentary Bread and Roses. The film, produced by Oscar-winning actress Jennifer Lawrence, explores the lives of three Afghan women following the Taliban‘s takeover. Lawrence highlights the importance of showcasing women fighting back, a side of the story not…
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Thai driver loses control, crashes into fish-loaded vehicle, 3 killed
Three people lost their lives in a devastating crash involving a Toyota Fortuner, another motorbike with a sidecar loaded with fish, and an electric light pole in Thailand. Authorities were alerted to the incident which took place on Rama 2 Road in Amphawa in the central Samut Songkhram province this morning. A 33 year old driver, a manager of a company…
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Thailand faces sizzling heat, heavy rain, and health warnings
The Thai Meteorological Department predicts sizzling heat and heavy rain and warns residents to take care of their health. This morning, the Meteorological Department issued a weather forecast for the next 24 hours, warning that the northern parts of Thailand may experience scorching temperatures with partly cloudy skies during the daytime. Some areas may experience heavy rain and thunderstorms. Residents are…
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Thailand’s Tham Luang Cave reopens for tourists in July
Safety measures are being implemented ahead of the Tham Luang Cave site’s reopening in July, as announced by Thailand‘s Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation, Bangkok Post reported. The cave gained international attention in 2018 when 12 young Wild Boars football players and their coach were trapped inside for 18 days due to flooding before being successfully rescued.…
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Thailand’s Pink Line monorail project faces third extension, delays completion to 2024
The completion date for Thailand‘s Pink Line monorail project has been pushed back by 345 days, marking the third extension granted by the Mass Rapid Transit Authority of Thailand (MRTA). The new estimated finish date is now set for August 2024, as opposed to the previously anticipated July this year, Bangkok Post reported. Sarawut Songsivilai, Highways Department director-general and MRTA…
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Teen lures minors into swinger sex trade, gets caught at Bangkok hotel
Thai authorities apprehended a 17 year old male suspected of being involved in a child prostitution ring in the heart of Bangkok. The suspect allegedly lured male and female minors to sell sexual services in a “swinging” fashion. A background check revealed the suspect had been caught in a human trafficking case previously. Police Colonel Theerasak Janthraphiphat, head of the…
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Move Forward Party drops coalition partners amid supporter backlash
Thailand’s Move Forward Party (MFP) made a recent change to its proposed coalition. The party has decided to drop the New and Chartpattanakla parties from its proposed coalition line-up, following a backlash from its supporters. MFP secretary-general Chaithawat Tulathon announced yesterday that the party will now focus on lobbying for Senate support for its leader, Pita Limjaroenrat, to become premier,…
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Drunk husband kills wife in rage with bamboo stick in northeast Thailand
Yesterday, police in the Thung Fon district of Thailand‘s northeast Udon Thani province were called to investigate a husband’s brutal killing of his wife with a bamboo stick. The incident occurred at a residence in Ban Kam Ta Tan, Moo 6, in Thung Yai sub-district. Upon arrival, the officers discovered the lifeless body of 54 year old Ruedee Khetkhongkwang, who…
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Former bar worker brutally murdered in Pattaya, decomposing body found
In a shocking case, a young woman who formerly worked in a bar was brutally murdered and left in a rented room in Pattaya for several days before her body was discovered. A cleaner at the apartment building had noticed a strong smell of decay and eventually alerted the police. On Friday evening, police from Pattaya City station investigated the…
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Thai man kills wife’s relative over family feud, injures niece
A 28 year old Thai man identified as Top turned himself into the authorities after he fatally stabbed a 51 year old relative of his wife, and injured his 18 year old niece in an alleged act of revenge. He claimed to be motivated by the victims’ disrespectful behaviour towards his family and lack of financial assistance. The incident took…
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Retired Thai teacher found safe after 3 days lost in forest searching for mushrooms
Relatives rejoiced as authorities found Jamlong Kheyakan, a 63 year old retired Thai teacher who had been lost in the forest for three days after searching for wild mushrooms. Authorities from various agencies, including Mae Wa National Park officers, soldiers from the 32nd Army Unit Lamphun, and local residents joined forces in search efforts, attempting to locate the last known…
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Human bones found in black bags by Chon Buri roadside
Villagers were stunned to discover three bags of human bones by the roadside in Thailand’s Chon Buri province. Authorities are now awaiting the arrival of relatives to claim the remains and confirm whether they belonged to any of their family members. Today, police officers from the Nong Ree sub-station in the Mueang Chon Buri district received a report from locals…
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Thai police foil bribery attempt to free Chinese suspects, fake officer arrested
Thai police arrested four individuals, including a man impersonating a high-ranking officer, who attempted to bribe law enforcement to release detained Chinese suspects. Today, it was reported that the authorities successfully apprehended the four culprits in a sting operation in Chiang Rai. Late in the night, officers from the Chiang Saen Immigration Checkpoint and Chiang Saen Police Station, led by…
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Phuket police seize grenades, guns, and drugs in multiple raids
Phuket Provincial Police seized two fragmentation grenades, firearms, ammunition, and drugs in a series of raids carried out in Wichit, Chalong, and Phuket Town. The recent drug and gun busts were announced yesterday, with no exact dates of the arrests provided, The Phuket News reported. Five arrests were made during the raids, led by Phuket Provincial Police Commissioner Pol. Lt. Col.…
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Thailand sees 9.47 million tourists, Chinese visitors to boost growth
The number of foreign tourist arrivals in Thailand has reached 9.47 million this year, contributing approximately 391 billion baht (US$11 billion) to the nation’s revenue, as reported by government spokesperson Traisuree Taisaranakul. Traisuree stated today that the anticipated rise in Chinese tourists will likely boost the growth of Thailand’s tourism sector even further. She also highlighted that the majority of…
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Thai senator faces indictment on money laundering, criminal organisation charges
A Thai Senator Upakit Pachirirangkun faces indictment on charges of money laundering and involvement in a transnational criminal organisation, according to Kosolwat Inthuchanyong, the spokesman for the Office of the Attorney-General. The decision follows a police investigation into the senator’s alleged connections with illicit activities, Bangkok Post reported this morning. However, 61 year old Upakit denied the charges. In a press conference…
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Young motorcyclist fatally crashes into 18-wheeler in northeast Thailand
A tragic accident occurred when a young motorcyclist lost his life after crashing his motorcycle into the back of a lorry at a junction in the Choak Chai district of northeast Thailand‘s Nakhon Ratchasima province. The incident took place at 4.39pm yesterday. Authorities were alerted by Pol. Lt. Col. Precha Suebratcha, a police officer who investigated the scene of the…
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Examination indicates that 3 year old Thai murder victim was sexually abused
A tragic and shocking incident occurred involving the murder of a three year old girl in Thailand’s southern Narathiwat province. The grief-stricken parents suspect foul play and believe someone is responsible for their daughter’s death. The Foundation for Children and Women’s Welfare is assisting the family in their pursuit of justice. Yesterday, Paweena Hongsakul, the president of the Paweena Hongsakul…
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Human skull found floating in Bangkok canal
Bangkok Police are investigating the discovery of a human skull found floating in the Bang Kho Laem canal. The preliminary investigation has not revealed the gender or cause of death. At 4.30pm on Thursday, Pol. Lt. Col. Pramote Maneein, an investigator from Bang Kho Laem Police Station, was informed about the discovery of human bones in the canal near Tonson…
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14 macaque carcasses found in house raid, wildlife trafficking suspects arrested
A recent raid in Cha-am district, Phetchaburi, led to the discovery of 14 deceased macaques and five more in distress, locked up without food or water. The provincial wildlife protection area director, Prawet Sunthornthai, led the wildlife conservation team that searched the rented house in Ban Khao Mainual, tambon Khao Yai, after receiving a tip from a neighbour. The search…
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Queen’s funeral costs taxpayers £162m amid cost-of-living crisis
The UK government has disclosed that the state funeral and related events for Queen Elizabeth II, who passed away last September, cost taxpayers almost £162 million (US$201 million). This is the first public estimate of the expenses associated with the funeral of Britain’s longest-serving monarch. The state funeral, held on September 19, required an extensive security operation to accommodate hundreds…
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Gambling addiction may have motivated Thai cyanide poisonings
The police investigation into the case of “Thai cyanide serial killer, Sararat “Am” on social media, has revealed that severe gambling addiction may have been a driving factor behind her alleged poisoning of 14 individuals. The investigation uncovered that 78 million baht had passed through the suspect’s bank accounts, with some of the money being transferred to proxy accounts set…
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Teenage lese majeste suspect leaves Thailand detention centre with severe rash
The second youngest person ever accused of committing lese majeste in Thailand, allegedly violating Section 112 of the Criminal Code, was released on bail yesterday after a 51-day stay inside a detention centre in Nakhon Pathom province. The accused, 15 year old Thanalop “Yok” Phalanchai, left Ban Pranee Juvenile Vocational Training Centre for Girls with a severe rash on her…
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School minibus crash injures several students in Prachinburi province
A school van crash leaves students injured and concerned parents rush to the hospital, as the first term of school starts. At 5pm on May 18, a terrible road accident occurred involving a school van carrying several students from Prachin Kallayanee and Prachinratsadorn Amroong schools in Prachin Buri province. The van collided with an electrical pole on the side of…
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Durian purchase escalates into heated couple argument over financial priorities
A debate among netizens has arisen after a quarrel between a Chinese couple was shared on social media. The wife, who works long hours, wanted to enjoy some durian fruit after returning home from work. However, her husband criticised her for spending excessively on the fruit, resulting in a heated argument. The incident occurred on May 6 in Hangzhou, Zhejiang…
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Indonesian shamans scam victims with ‘magic money’ schemes, face murder charges
Shamans posing as spiritual figures in Indonesia have swindled fearful citizens out of their life’s savings, leaving them destitute and shamed. Scammers promising to turn small investments into substantial riches have been widely circulated on social media sites like Facebook, reaching over 1.4 million viewers. This has led to a rise in fraudulent activities involving shamans which, in turn, has…
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Thai man turns gun on himself after threatening ex’s new boyfriend
A Thai man shot himself dead yesterday after breaking into his ex-girlfriend‘s house in Pathum Thani province, central Thailand, and threatening her new boyfriend with a gun. The relationship ended more than three years ago. At 7pm, officers at Lam Luk Ka Police Station were informed of a fatal shooting at a village in Bueng Kham subdistrict. Police travelled to…
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World’s largest seed bank races to save threatened plant species
Tucked away beneath the English countryside, a vast collection of 40,000 wild plant species from around the globe is carefully preserved in bomb-proof frozen vaults. The Millennium Seed Bank (MSB), the world’s largest seed bank, is located south of London and is racing against time to save these seeds, as two out of five plant species face the threat of…
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Patong local election may impact Bangla Road nightlife
Patong Municipality has announced a local election set to take place on June 11, which will impact the popular nightlife district of Bangla Road and its surrounding areas. The election is being held to elect a new representative for Patong Municipality Constituency 3, covering the heart of the bustling tourism town. The need for a new representative arose following the…
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