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.
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MFP alleges govt embezzlement in RTN frigate procurement
Thailand’s leading opposition group the Move Forward Party (MFP) has levelled charges at the government for alleged embezzlement about the Royal Thai Navy (RTN) planned acquisition of a new frigate. The controversy, now infamously dubbed as the “change money” scandal, was brought into the limelight by Wiroj Lakkhanaadisorn, an MP from the MFP, on the final day of a general…
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Thailand’s airports to see more than two million jet-setters
The Transport Ministry anticipates a surge of 2.61 million travellers across Airports of Thailand (AOT)’s six international hubs during the seven-day Songkran festivities. Minister Suriya, in a recent announcement, affirmed preparations for the expected influx, rallying relevant agencies to gear up for the travel onslaught spanning from April 11 to 17. Ensuring passenger comfort and safety remains paramount, Suriya directed…
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Water crisis hits Koh Pha Ngan and Koh Samui, tap water rationed
On Koh Pha Ngan, a water crisis since late March has led to a stringent rationing of tap water which affected both locals and tourists. The rationing, operating on a rotational basis, leaves some areas parched on certain days while others savour the flow. A meagre 3,500m3 to 4,000m3 of water trickles through the pipes daily, barely meeting the island’s…
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Khon Kaen parents forced to pay ‘tea money’ for student admission
Eight secondary schools in the northeastern province of Khon Kaen found themselves in hot water as officials from the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) launched an investigation into alleged corruption practices. Parents have lodged complaints, accusing decision-makers within these schools of demanding exorbitant “tea money” sums, reaching up to 100,000 baht, from families whose children failed the entrance examination. Thirat Bangpetch,…
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Thai heritage extravaganza takes off in Pattaya
Pattaya burst into life this week with a dazzling celebration of Thai cultural richness, as Mayor Poramet Ngampichet inaugurated the Thai Heritage Conservation Project: Preserving, Promoting, and Safeguarding Thai Identity in honour of HRH Princess Sirindhorn’s 69th birthday. The beachfront of central Pattaya became the stage for a captivating showcase of Thailand’s cultural tapestry. The event was a magnificent exposition…
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Governor warns of fuel station scams this Songkran
To safeguard consumers against potential exploitation during the upcoming Songkran festivities, Prachuap Khiri Khan’s provincial authorities have unleashed a new campaign. Led by Deputy Governor Komkrit Charoenpatanasombat, the crackdown aims to ensure fair pricing at fuel stations across the province. Accompanied by a team of officials including Siriwan Kanasorn, Nopadol Suwongpradit, and Chanthip Niamprad, inspections were conducted yesterday, to prevent…
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Drunk British motorist causes severe accident in Pattaya City
Pattaya City police were alerted to a significant road accident involving an alleged drunk British man and a local motorbike taxi driver in front of Wat Chai, Banglamung, in Chon Buri at 3.16am today. The collision caused several injuries and triggered a quick response from Sawang Boriboon Thammasathan Foundation officers and other relevant agencies. Upon arrival at the scene, officers…
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3 Russians and Thai arrested for illegally running Phuket restaurant
Police arrested three Russian men and one Thai nominee for illegally operating a restaurant in the Thalang district of Phuket. More than 80 million baht was found circulating in their bank accounts. Provincial Police Region 8 and Phuket Provincial Police officers told Phuket Hotnews that they received a tip-off about suspicious foreigners who frequently gathered at a restaurant called Octopus.…
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Vinfast challenges Chinese targeting Southeast Asia’s EV market
Vinfast, a Vietnamese electric vehicle (EV) producer, is contending with Chinese automobile manufacturers to market its EVs within Southeast Asia, leveraging the ASEAN Free Trade Agreement (AFTA). The firm eyes Thailand as the initial export venue, based on the country’s fast-growing EV market which promises lucrative business opportunities, according to Vu Dang Yen Hang, chief executive of Vinfast Auto (Thailand).…
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Thai man found living in tent by reservoir in East Pattaya
At the edge of Mabprachan reservoir in East Pattaya, a man weakened by muscular dystrophy was found living in a makeshift tent shelter. TMN News Pattaya stumbled upon the man, identified as Chai, who revealed his harrowing tale of survival. Hailing from Kanchanaburi Province, Chai recounted his struggles, abandoned by his community after his mother’s passing and left to fend…
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Thai comedian’s monkhood plans pickled in debt controversy
Controversy has erupted around a Thai comedian as he prepares to enter monkhood amid a storm of online criticism and debt claims from a pickled crab seller. The comedian’s decision to ordain follows a public dispute over unpaid debts, which has led to widespread condemnation from netizens and creditors alike. The drama unfolded on the popular talk show Hone Krasae,…
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Dark history to exotic delights: Cambodia and Thailand tourist strategy
In the race for international tourist supremacy, Thailand and Cambodia are deploying contrasting tactics. While Thai PM Srettha Thavisin opts for traditional methods, Cambodia is embracing a darker approach, urging visitors to explore its tragic past. Cambodia’s tourist authority has revamped facilities at the Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum and the Choeung Ek Killing Fields, sites synonymous with the horrors of…
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Phuket’s Tourist Case court division resumes after four-year break
After a four-year hiatus, the special Tourist Case division of the Phuket Provincial Court has resumed operations. The announcement was made by Kriangsak Rodphanchu, who currently holds the position of Chief Judge at the Wiang Sa Provincial Court in Surat Thani, in addition to serving as the Acting Chief Judge of the Phuket Provincial Court. Initially opened on September 24,…
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Michelin Guide makes a tasty debut in Thailand culinary hotspot
Representatives from the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), government officials, media personalities, and distinguished guests converged at the Okura Prestige Bangkok hotel yesterday for a high-profile press conference for the revelation of Chon Buri as the New City Debut for the Michelin Guide Thailand 2025 edition. Chon Buri, nestled on the eastern coast of Thailand, emerges as the perfect canvas…
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Thai police suspect Russian and Thai firms in money laundering
Police in Phuket yesterday and today carried out a series of eight raids prompted by suspicions of a Russian man’s involvement in money laundering and the establishment of fraudulent companies by certain Thais. These sham firms were purportedly set up to aid foreigners in obtaining visas and work permits, as revealed by Police Major General Montree Theskhan, the commander of…
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Police nab knife-wielding teenagers in Nakhon Ratchasima
A gang of teenagers brandishing knives and causing late-night disturbances with firecrackers in Nakhon Ratchasima province has been apprehended by the police. The group, comprising of both boys and girls, reportedly terrorised the local community with their threatening behaviour. Law enforcement officers from Pak Chong Police Station, led by Police Colonel Veerapol Rabiapthoh, and his team, in collaboration with local…
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Counterfeit 1,000-baht notes found in central and east provinces
Counterfeit 1,000-baht notes have hit businesses hard in two provinces, with shop owners in Samut Songkhram and Ratchaburi reeling from the circulation of fake currency. A warning has been issued to the community, along with guidance on how to distinguish between genuine and counterfeit banknotes. This follows a social media alert in Samut Songkhram Province about the spread of fake…
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Two more Russians arrested for illegal tour guiding in Phuket
Phuket’s popular tourist spots, Laem Phromthep and Big Buddha viewpoint in Karon, were the scenes of two more arrests involving Russian nationals working unlawfully as tour guides. The Phuket Tourist Police disclosed the arrests yesterday. A 37 year old man, Iurii Blazhko, was apprehended at the Laem Phromthep parking area. He was observed leading a group of tourists from a…
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Mysterious late-night car crash baffles Pattaya police
The peace of Pattaya was interrupted in the early hours of this morning by the sound of a car crash on Bang Dej Hill, near the Map Prachan Reservoir in the Nongprue sub-district, Banglamung district, of Chon Buri province. The accident, which occurred at approximately 12.16am, involved two vehicles, a black Toyota Yaris and a black Chevrolet Captiva. However, upon…
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Stranded melon-headed whale rescued on Phuket Beach (video)
Patong Beach in Phuket yesterday was the scene of a thrilling rescue operation as lifeguards hastened to save a melon-headed whale, a protected marine species in Thailand, that had been cast ashore. The event drew the attention of numerous tourists, who flocked around the site, cheering on the lifeguards during their daring rescue mission. The marine mammal, also known less…
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Thailand signs MOU for comprehensive electric charging station project
The Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand (EGAT), the Office of the Eastern Economic Corridor Policy Committee (EECO), and the Thai Department of Energy Business signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on Monday concerning a comprehensive electric charging station project within Thailand’s Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC). The ceremony took place at the EGAT Head Office in Nonthaburi. Sarawut Kaewtathip, director-general of…
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Phallic faux pas: Thai man gets penis stuck in plastic bottle
A randy 65 year old Thai man sought help from a rescue foundation in the Taling Chan district of Bangkok after making a dick of himself by getting his penis stuck in a plastic bottle for a day. The leader of the Thawi Wattana Ruam Katanyu Rescue Foundation, Thawatchai Sintumongkhon, told Channel 7 that he and his team were alerted…
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Bangkok woman arrested for 360 million baht medical glove fraud
Police arrested a 27 year old female sales representative for allegedly defrauding international companies through a fake medical glove business. The arrest took place yesterday at a residence in the Lat Phrao 71 Alley, Lat Phrao Road, Bangkok. The suspect, identified only by her first name, Supanida, is accused of accepting orders and payments for medical gloves from companies based…
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Thailand Video News | Disabled son of premier league star takes to Muay Thai ring, Deputy PM Anutin affirms support for regulated cannabis use
In this video, Alex and Jay cover the news stories across the country. The Move Forward Party faces legal hurdles over monarchy reform, while Deputy PM Anutin advocates for regulated cannabis amidst controversy. Laotian monks on pilgrimage encounter harassment in Thailand, and a Thai man runs naked for conscription exemption. In Muay Thai, a disabled man breaks boundaries with a unique…
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Chiang Mai: Thailand’s biggest pumpkin weighs 380 kilos
Thailand’s largest pumpkin, tipping the scales at 380 kilogrammes, has been successfully cultivated by a group of alumni at Maejo University in Chiang Mai. The university’s acting president, Associate Professor Weerapon Thongma, officially opened the annual giant pumpkin showcase at Panawat Garden in tambon Bo Luang, Hot district, yesterday. Financial support for career and agricultural development was also handed out…
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Sun at zenith dazzles across Thailand without creating hottest day
Today, a solar phenomenon graced all 77 provinces of Thailand, with a sun at zenith event that stretched from the southernmost district of Betong to Mae Sai in Chiang Rai. There’s a common misconception that such an event marks the hottest day of the year, but this is not necessarily the case. The National Astronomical Research Institute of Thailand (NARIT)…
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Southeast Asia sees 130% growth in YouTube Shorts daily views
A significant increase in daily views for YouTube Shorts has been observed in Southeast Asia, with a growth of over 130% in the year ending July 2023, according to Niharika Kapoor, the Asia-Pacific head for Shorts scaled partnerships. This format, which limits videos to a maximum of 60 seconds, has been instrumental in attracting new creators to the global YouTube…
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Thai ferry fire: Authorities blaze into action saving all aboard (video)
The Thai authorities successfully rescued 97 passengers and 11 crew members after a fire broke out on an overnight ferry travelling from the mainland in the southern province of Surat Thani to Koh Tao. ThaiRath reported that the fire started in the engine room of the Koh Charoen 2 ferry at around 6.30 am today, April 4, when the boat…
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Big Joke still laughing: Royal Thai Police delay investigation
Police General Surachate “Big Joke” Hakparn, the Deputy National Police Chief, remains in his position as the Royal Thai Police (RTP) has yet to form a committee to investigate the allegations against him, according to the acting National Police Chief, Police General Kitrat Panphet. “Strict procedures have to be followed.” Two issues require consideration. Firstly, an investigation into the allegations…
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Thai durian dismay: Growers feeling ‘fruit-ile’ as production plummets
The revered Nonthaburi durian, a cherished variety of Thailand’s king of fruits, has witnessed a drastic production decline to just 10% compared to the previous year, plunging growers into a state of crisis. This significant drop is attributed to the rapidly changing and prolonged hot weather conditions affecting the country. The scarcity has driven up the prices of this year’s…
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