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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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46 foreign extras arrested in Krabi for working without permits
Police arrested 46 foreign extras yesterday, February 12, after discovering they were working without permits at an abandoned mine in Krabi province while filming a television series reportedly based in Dubai. Officers from the Krabi Provincial Employment Office, Mueang Krabi Police Station, Border Patrol Police, and Immigration Bureau conducted a joint raid at the mine in the Thab Prik sub-district…
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Nine foreigners busted in Phuket luxury villa poker raid
Police in Phuket arrested nine foreign nationals at a luxury villa in Rawai on February 11 after uncovering an illegal poker operation promoted through Instagram that required players to pay 20,000 baht per session. Officers had received information that a group of foreigners were advertising poker games via an Instagram account named Poker Level. The promotional messages, written in Russian,…
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ECT rejects Chon Buri vote recount request, cites lack of corruption evidence
The Election Commission of Thailand (ECT) formally rejected a request for a vote recount in Chon Buri’s District 1, stating there was no concrete evidence to support allegations of corruption. On February 9, a group of voters gathered at a badminton court in Chon Buri province, which had been used to store ballots from the District 1 polling station, after…
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Thailand News | Russian man assaults Thai woman in Pattaya, Krabi installs heart-shaped traffic lights for Valentine’s day
In today’s episode we will be talking about a Russian arrested for assault in Pattaya, a stolen pickup tracked by GPS, an illegal doctor exposed, a bizarre fermented-fish protest in Bangkok, Krabi’s Valentine traffic lights, and a US$2.8 billion corporate shake-up in Malaysia. Russian Man Assaults Thai Woman in Pattaya A Russian man has been arrested in Pattaya after assaulting…
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Pattaya hotel staff confronts foreign couple over sex near spirit house
A foreign man allegedly assaulted a hotel employee in Pattaya who sprayed water over him and his girlfriend for engaging in sexual activity near a spirit house outside the property late at night. The incident came to light after a 41 year old Cambodian staff member at Dream Hotel Pattaya, Piatra, shared a video online exposing the couple’s behaviour. The…
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Thailand deploys rainmaking aircraft to tackle PM2.5
Yesterday, February 12, the Department of Royal Rainmaking and Agricultural Aviation said it is continuing its operations in Bangkok and surrounding provinces, as well as the North and Northeast, to help disperse PM2.5. Monitoring indicated PM2.5 levels between February 12 and 16 would be moderate to beginning to affect health (yellow to orange). The operations, led by Director-General Rachen Silparaya,…
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Pattaya man stabs British tourist in Pattaya over drug dispute
A Thai man stabbed a British national outside a convenience store in Pattaya earlier today, February 13, claiming the foreigner punched him and broke his tooth after he insisted he was not a drug dealer. Officers from Mueang Pattaya Police Station were alerted to the incident at 1.29am at a convenience store along Jomtien Beach Road. Police arrived at the…
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Overlapping score sheets seen again in Trang vote count footage
A viral video recorded in Kantang district, Trang province, appeared to show two election officials marking tallies behind overlapping score sheets, raising eyebrows regarding the transparency of the process. The footage, shared today, February 12, by the Facebook page “อีซ้อขยี้ข่าว อีซ้อ”, shows a similar setup to a previously circulated clip in which score sheets are placed over one another on a…
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Prison-trained ‘doctor’ busted for illegal penile procedures
A man was arrested in Si Racha, Chon Buri, today, February 12, for allegedly operating as an unlicensed doctor and running an illegal clinic from his home, where he offered penile enhancement procedures to clients he contacted through TikTok. Officers from the Consumer Protection Police Division, acting under the direction of senior commanders, detained the suspect, identified as 38 year…
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Man throws fermented fish at Election Commission office in Bangkok
A man wearing exercise clothing and carrying a tennis racket hurled bags filled with fermented fish paste at the wall of the Election Commission office in Bangkok, today, February 12, claiming he was unhappy with the agency’s performance. The incident occurred while most reporters were gathered to cover political activist Sonthiya Sawatdee, who had arrived to submit a petition urging…
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Three Chinese men arrested after illegal border crossing in Sa Kaeo
Thai rangers in Sa Kaeo arrested three Chinese men yesterday evening, February 11, after they were found illegally crossing into Thailand from Cambodia through a natural path in Aranyaprathet district, reportedly intending to seek business opportunities in Bangkok. According to a report from the Burapha Task Force, Aranyaprathet rangers intensified patrols along the Thai-Cambodian border and intercepted the group at…
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Man rams his own stolen pickup to stop thief in Korat
A Nakhon Ratchasima man recovered his stolen pickup truck yesterday, February 11, after locating it several kilometres from his home via GPS and ramming it in an attempt to stop the suspect, though the man managed to escape. The 61 year old man said he woke up at around 5am and noticed that his pickup truck, usually parked in front…
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Russian man detained after assault on Thai woman in Pattaya
Police in Pattaya detained a Russian man today, February 12, after he allegedly assaulted a Thai woman while heavily intoxicated on Pattaya Second Road in Chon Buri, prompting bystanders to restrain him before officers arrived. Police Lieutenant Jittisuk Suthinitatwong, deputy inspector of the Pattaya City Police Station patrol unit, received a report from residents that an intoxicated foreign man had…
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Chon Buri election director files complaint over ballot obstruction
The election director for Constituency 1 in Chon Buri yesterday, February 11, filed a police complaint against two women following an alleged intrusion and obstruction during the collection and consolidation of ballot boxes at the tally venue. The complaint was lodged following an incident that reportedly took place on February 9 during the transfer and consolidation of ballot boxes after…
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School shooting in Songkhla leaves principal dead, students injured
A young gunman stormed into Phatongprathan Kiriwat School in Hat Yai, Songkhla, yesterday afternoon, February 11, after seizing a police rifle, opening fire on staff and students, and taking hostages before eventually surrendering. Police were first alerted to the incident at 2.54pm after receiving reports of a young man armed with a machete in the Thung Lung area. Officers and…
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Bangkok offers free Valentine’s Day marriage services with prizes for couples
Bangkok is set to celebrate Valentine’s Day 2026 with a citywide initiative allowing couples to register their marriages at 10 specially themed venues, including romantic and unique locations across the capital. Narong Ruangsri, the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) permanent secretary, announced that couples can register either at district offices or at designated off-site events on February 14. Each location will…
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Thailand to revise visa policies in economy revamp efforts
Thailand’s Cabinet has formally approved a new phase of visa policy changes aimed at attracting more tourists, digital nomads, students, and retirees as part of a broader economic stimulus strategy. Deputy government spokesperson Aiyarin Phanrit confirmed yesterday, February 10, that the Cabinet has endorsed a proposal by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs covering short-, medium-, and long-term visa measures. The…
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Thailand launches taxi QR code system for tracking, safety and complaints
Thailand’s Department of Land Transport (DLT) has introduced a three-colour QR code system in taxis nationwide, allowing passengers to verify drivers, track trips in real time, estimate fares and file urgent complaints. The initiative aims to improve passenger safety and service transparency across the industry. QR code stickers are now being installed on approximately 70,000 metered taxis currently in operation,…
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Udon Thani MP candidate questions missing vote after casting ballot for herself
A Parliamentary candidate in Udon Thani has filed a formal complaint after discovering that her vote, which she personally cast for herself and her party, was missing from the official tally. Former teacher and candidate for the Thai People’s Party in Constituency 2 of Udon Thani, 68 year old Yaowalak Khamsri, visited the provincial Election Commission (EC) office yesterday, February…
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Thailand News | Thai election talks on hold pending official results, new taxi QR code system rolls out to help riders track and fare estimate
Today we’ll be talking about election coalition talks as well as debates over vote counting transparency, a suspect nabbed with rhino horns at Suvarnabhumi Airport, and a little later QR code systems are rolling out in Thai taxis just in time for the Chinese New Year travel rush. Thai Election Talks on Hold Pending Official Results Acting prime minister Anutin…
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Thailand redefines ‘normal sweet’ drinks to 50% sugar
Thailand’s Department of Health has officially implemented a new sugar standard effective today, February 11, redefining the “normal sweet” level in beverages as just 50% of the original recipe. The move is part of a nationwide collaboration between the Department of Health and nine major beverage brands, including Café Amazon, Inthanin, All Café, Black Canyon, PunThai and Chao Doi. From…
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Oil spill from sunken cargo ship off Phuket not expected to threaten islands
Authorities say a refined oil spill from a cargo ship that sank near Phuket over the weekend is unlikely to threaten nearby islands or coral reefs, with the slick now drifting out to open waters. The Pollution Control Department (PCD) confirmed yesterday, February 10, that the latest oil spill modelling shows the refined petroleum is moving southwest, away from coastal…
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People’s Party calls for vote recounts, urges probe into alleged election irregularities
The People’s Party is calling for vote recounts in 18 constituencies across Thailand, raising concerns over alleged irregularities in ballot counting and unusually high numbers of invalid votes in the recent general election. Although party leader and prime ministerial candidate Natthaphong Ruengpanyawut acknowledged the overall election outcome, he urged the Election Commission (EC) to conduct a thorough investigation into reports…
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February 11 weather: Foggy mornings, warmer days, Southern rain
Thailand is waking up to foggy mornings and a slight warm-up today, February 11, as the moderate high-pressure system covering upper Thailand and the South China Sea continues to weaken, according to the Thai Meteorological Department (TMD). While temperatures are on the rise, cool conditions persist in the upper regions. Authorities are urging people to stay healthy amid the fluctuating…
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Thai man gets 30 years in jail for monarchy-related tweets
The Criminal Court today, February 10, delivered its verdict in a lèse-majesté case involving Pruttikorn “Jo” Sarakul, a former staff member of the Progressive Movement, who faced charges under Section 112 of the Criminal Code and the Computer Crime Act. The hearing took place after prosecutors from the Office of Criminal Litigation 4 filed charges against the defendant. The trial…
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Thai man arrested for firing shots at renowned late politician’s home
A Thai man, believed to be under the influence of drug, was arrested after firing multiple gunshots into the air at the luxury residence of late politician Chonsawat Asavahame in Samut Prakan province. Officers from Mueang Samut Prakan Police Station were alerted to the incident at around 10am today, February 10. The shooting took place at Chonsawat’s residence in the…
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Drunk American man found injured outside Pattaya condominium
An injured American man collapsed outside a condominium in Pattaya, prompting rescue workers to rush him to hospital. The man was reportedly heavily intoxicated and unable to explain how he sustained his injuries. A security guard at a condominium in Soi Bongkot 8, located in the Bang Lamung district of Pattaya, contacted rescuers from Sawang Borriboon Dhammastan Foundation after discovering…
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Video shows election official marking votes behind blocked papers
A viral video on Facebook has raised eyebrows online after it appeared to show an election official marking vote tallies behind overlapping score sheets, limiting public visibility during the counting process. The video, shared by Facebook user นิ้ง เทวราช, captures what seems to be a routine vote count, with score sheets posted on a wooden board. However, several of these…
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Udon Thani woman loses car and 80000-baht amulet to online date
A Thai woman lodged a police complaint after a man she met online stole her car and a valuable Buddha amulet worth more than 80,000 baht following an in-person meeting at a resort in Udon Thani province. The 50 year old victim, identified only as Bee, filed a complaint at Mueang Udon Thani Police Station yesterday, February 9. She accused…
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Big Joke’s wife wins defamation lawsuit over affair accusations
The Civil Court ordered a Thai woman to pay 8 million baht in compensation to the wife of former Deputy Commissioner of the Royal Thai Police Surachate Hakparn, widely known as “Big Joke”, after ruling that she falsely accused the police officer’s wife of having an affair with her husband. The ruling was delivered yesterday, February 9, concluding a civil…
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