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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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  • Northeast Thailand: Local uncovers rare square yams, boosts income by 4,000 baht

    Northeast Thailand: Local uncovers rare square yams, boosts income by 4,000 baht

    A 74 year old local known as Uncle Aum from the Map Krat district of Nakhon Ratchasima province dug almost 3 metres deep to forage for a rare variety of wild yams, referred to as square yams by locals due to their distinct shape. Uncle Aum used his free time after the end of the rice harvest season to supplement…

  • Fine dust pollution spikes across Thailand, Bangkok plans tree-planting pilot

    Fine dust pollution spikes across Thailand, Bangkok plans tree-planting pilot

    Intensified fine dust pollution has led to heightened levels of fine particulate matter under 2.5 microns, known as PM2.5, in 30 provinces across Thailand, including Bangkok. This development was recorded yesterday through the satellite-based Check Foon application, developed by the Geo-Informatics and Space Technology Development Agency (GISTDA). Samut Songkhram experienced the highest dust level, peaking at 84.1 microgrammes per cubic…

  • Thailand’s universal healthcare covers gender-affirming surgery, NHSO confirms

    Thailand’s universal healthcare covers gender-affirming surgery, NHSO confirms

    National Health Security Office (NHSO) Secretary-General, Jadet Thammathataree, clarified that Gender-Affirming Surgery (GAS), commonly referred to as sex reassignment surgery, is covered under Thailand’s universal healthcare scheme for patients diagnosed with gender dysphoria. This clarification comes as an exception to the rule that excludes cosmetic surgeries from the scheme, leading to confusion about whether GAS is considered a cosmetic procedure,…

  • Thai tourism boom: 9,000 Chinese flock to Bangkok for game-changing conference

    Thai tourism boom: 9,000 Chinese flock to Bangkok for game-changing conference

    Thailand played host to a jaw-dropping 9,000 Chinese entrepreneurs, propelling the country into the limelight as the ultimate business and leisure destination. Amid the glitz and glamour of Bangkok’s Queen Sirikit National Convention Centre, the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) held a conference on agricultural products and technology. Chinese agricultural and technology experts, as well as economic professionals, attended the…

  • Phuket switches to ‘seven days of family happiness’ to boost road safety

    Phuket switches to ‘seven days of family happiness’ to boost road safety

    Phuket is taking a fresh approach to road safety during the forthcoming festive season. The island is rebranding its annual Seven Days of Danger campaign as Seven Days of Family Happiness in a bid to reduce accidents, injuries, and fatalities on its roads. The revised campaign was announced during a press conference yesterday, December 14, presided over by Sattha Thongkham,…

  • Unemployed Thai man arrested for gold theft after his birthday party

    Unemployed Thai man arrested for gold theft after his birthday party

    Police arrested an unemployed Thai man for stealing a gold necklace from a shop in Bangkok after paying off debts and throwing himself a belated birthday party at a resort in the central province of Kanchanaburi. Officers at Phetchakasem Police Station received a theft complaint at the Mae Thong Kham gold shop on Phetchakasem Road in Bangkok’s Bang Kae district…

  • Canadian man and Thai wife fatally stabbed in Khon Kaen over parking dispute

    Canadian man and Thai wife fatally stabbed in Khon Kaen over parking dispute

    Tragedy struck in the early hours of this morning in the Muang district of Khon Kaen, a northeastern province of Thailand, when a Canadian man and his Thai wife were fatally stabbed by a neighbour. The couple, 54 year old Michael Nixon, and his 47 year old wife, Anurak, were found dead outside their two-storey house. A 36 year old…

  • Motorcycle parking fee confusion at Mo Chit 2 terminal clarified by TCL

    Motorcycle parking fee confusion at Mo Chit 2 terminal clarified by TCL

    Transport Company Limited (TCL) clarified a recent complaint about a 1,500 baht fee for a four-day motorcycle parking at Mo Chit 2 terminal. The matter, raised on the Facebook page “Want to be famous, I’ll arrange it with a video clip,” featuring a caption claiming a charge of 1,500 baht for four-day motorcycle parking at Mo Chit 2, has been…

  • Former deputy leader Prinn Panitchpakdi acquitted in indecency case

    Former deputy leader Prinn Panitchpakdi acquitted in indecency case

    The Criminal Court yesterday pronounced Prinn Panitchpakdi, previously a deputy leader of the Democrat Party, not guilty in a case where he was indicted for an obscene act on a 17 year old girl back in 2018. The court’s decision was based on the statute of limitations expiration. The prosecution’s lawsuit stated that during the day on April 25, 2018,…

  • Luxury BMW catches fire in Phuket: Engine malfunction suspected

    Luxury BMW catches fire in Phuket: Engine malfunction suspected

    A high-end BMW caught fire near a fuel station in Phuket, causing significant damage to the vehicle in the early hours of the morning today, December 15. The local authorities quickly responded to the incident, extinguishing the blaze to prevent further harm. The owner of the car revealed that smoke began to emit from the engine, prompting suspicions of mechanical malfunction.…

  • Thai man arrested for illegally possessing 30 guns and ammunition

    Thai man arrested for illegally possessing 30 guns and ammunition

    Officers from the Investigation Division Provincial Police Region 4 (INVP4) arrested a Thai man at his house in the Isaan province of Kalasin for illegally possessing 30 guns and over 2,300 rounds of ammunition. The Deputy Commander of the INVP4, Nattanon Prachum, reported that the Royal Thai Police (RTP) introduced an operation to crack down on people involved with illegal…

  • Thailand’s inflation hits 33-month low sparking economic slowdown concerns

    Thailand’s inflation hits 33-month low sparking economic slowdown concerns

    Inflation in Thailand experienced a downward trend for the second month in a row, marking a 33-month low in November. This decrease sparked concerns regarding the increased risk of economic deceleration and potential deflation. The Commerce Ministry of Thailand has also predicted a further decline in the inflation rate in December. Deflation is defined as a period where the prices…

  • Hong Kong police offer 4 million baht rewards for overseas dissidents

    Hong Kong police offer 4 million baht rewards for overseas dissidents

    Hong Kong police raised eyebrows by doubling the stakes, offering staggering rewards of HK$1 million (4 million baht) for information on five more local dissidents currently residing overseas. This controversial move amplifies the ongoing news of the authorities resorting to bounties in their pursuit of pro-democracy activists. At a press briefing yesterday, December 14, Chief Superintendent Li Kwai-wah of the…

  • Foreign e-commerce giants to dominate Thailand’s market in 2024

    Foreign e-commerce giants to dominate Thailand’s market in 2024

    An e-commerce chief predicts that foreign operators will continue to control Thailand’s e-commerce landscape, with live commerce and affiliate marketing becoming increasingly prevalent in the next year. Overcoming the nation’s digital trade deficit continues to be a challenge as international companies lead in sales, delivery, and advertising. The value of Thailand’s e-commerce market is slated to surge to an impressive…

  • Thailand’s tourism recovery under threat from safety concerns and sluggish Chinese economy

    Thailand’s tourism recovery under threat from safety concerns and sluggish Chinese economy

    The future of Thailand tour packages hangs in the balance as safety concerns plague the minds of tourism operators in China. They forecast that tourism levels might only return to pre-pandemic figures by 2025. Tourism bookings take an immediate hit whenever safety incidents occur in Thailand, and Chinese social media plays a significant role in the rapid dissemination of such…

  • Dangerous blue-ringed octopus found in seafood in Thailand

    Dangerous blue-ringed octopus found in seafood in Thailand

    Seafood enthusiasts are urged to exercise caution as instances of the dangerous blue-ringed octopus found in food have been increasing, whether in barbecue restaurants, skewers prepared for grilling, or even sushi. But why is this particular species a cause for concern? Let’s delve into the interesting yet perilous world of the blue-ringed octopus, a creature that is 20 times more…

  • Khao San Road unaffected by 4am closing time due to exclusion from approved zone

    Khao San Road unaffected by 4am closing time due to exclusion from approved zone

    Tourism operators on Khao San Road expressed their indifference towards the forthcoming 4am closing time set to come into effect from today, stating it will have minimal impact due to the area’s exclusion from the approved zone for extended hours. Sanga Ruangwattanakul, who presides over the Khao San Road Business Association, pointed out that there is a prevailing confusion among…

  • IndiGo unleashes Phuket frenzy: Boosts flights, beats malfunction woes

    IndiGo unleashes Phuket frenzy: Boosts flights, beats malfunction woes

    In a bold move to amplify global ties, IndiGo, India‘s high-flying airline, unleashed a flight bonanza, with additional routes from Mumbai to Phuket and the revival of operations from Bengaluru to the Thai hotspot. But that’s not all—this strategic move comes amidst a soaring demand for year-end getaways. IndiGo is set to soar to new heights with extra flights connecting Mumbai…

  • EGCO acquires 30% stake in Indonesia’s PT Chandra Daya Investasi

    EGCO acquires 30% stake in Indonesia’s PT Chandra Daya Investasi

    Electricity Generating (EGCO), the power generation subsidiary of the state-run Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand, announced the acquisition of a 30% stake in PT Chandra Daya Investasi, an Indonesia-based company. The deal, valued at US$194 million, was orchestrated via EGCO’s fully-owned subsidiary, Phoenix Power BV, and is expected to be finalised by year-end. PT Chandra Daya Investasi (CDI) is a…

  • Former transport minister Saksayam Chidchob to be judged by charter court

    Former transport minister Saksayam Chidchob to be judged by charter court

    The Constitutional Court will unveil its verdict on January 17 on the contentious share concealment accusations against former Transport Minister Saksayam Chidchob. Following a marathon six-hour hearing, Saksayam defended himself against all accusations. “I’ve laid bare the truth about my stake in Burijarearn Construction Limited Partnership. I’ve fully explained the matter.” The court spectacle featured an ensemble cast, including Varaporn Thetsen,…

  • Yellen urges China to reconsider state-driven economy due to investment deterrence

    Yellen urges China to reconsider state-driven economy due to investment deterrence

    US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen urged China to deviate from its state-driven economic policy, citing the deterrence it creates for investors. Speaking at the US-China Business Council’s 50-anniversary dinner in Washington, Yellen highlighted the stifling effect of an overbearing role for state-owned enterprises. US businesses have repeatedly voiced their concerns about the perceived unfair Chinese business environment, including limited intellectual…

  • PTTEP forecasts 9% rise in petroleum sales due to expanded gas production

    PTTEP forecasts 9% rise in petroleum sales due to expanded gas production

    PTT Exploration and Production Plc (PTTEP) anticipates a 9% surge in petroleum sales in the coming year, largely due to the expanded gas production from the Erawan field in the Gulf of Thailand. The company’s President and CEO, Montri Rawanchaikul, revealed that the average sales for this year are anticipated to be around 464,000 barrels each day. This increase in…

  • 16 year old Thai girl accuses Chinese man met on dating app of rape

    16 year old Thai girl accuses Chinese man met on dating app of rape

    A 16 year old Thai girl filed a complaint against a Chinese man for allegedly raping her at a condominium in Nonthaburi province near Bangkok. He and his friends also attempted to gang-rape her on the day. The victim named Mo lodged a complaint at Rattanatibet Police Station on December 13. She explained that she met the Chinese man on…

  • Electric dreams charge ahead: Aiming for a ‘shocking’ 359,000 EVs in the next year

    Electric dreams charge ahead: Aiming for a ‘shocking’ 359,000 EVs in the next year

    Aiming for a substantial boost in their electric vehicle (EV) production, Thai authorities have set a target of 359,000 units for the coming year. This ambitious plan is supported by a 39.5 billion baht investment, as confirmed by industry insiders. The Office of Industrial Economics (OIE) is optimistic that the state’s EV policy, coupled with incentives for investment, will lead…

  • Bangkok’s Red Cross Fair at Lumpini: Where the fun never ‘cross’-es the deadline

    Bangkok’s Red Cross Fair at Lumpini: Where the fun never ‘cross’-es the deadline

    The renowned Red Cross Fair, held at Lumpini Park, Bangkok, is still going strong after it kicked off on December 8. Don’t miss out on the fun and frolics before the fair ends on December 18. A golden location within the event sees vendors bidding for the best spots. With a theme of Joyful Happiness at the Place of Giving,…

  • Thai hospital compensates family with 30,000 baht after medication mix-up

    Thai hospital compensates family with 30,000 baht after medication mix-up

    A hospital has compensated a family with 30,000 baht after a one year old infant was mistakenly given the wrong medication. The child, who had fallen and hit his head in the bathroom, was taken to a hospital in Samut Prakan province to have a brain scan. During the journey to another hospital for a second scan, a nurse gave…

  • Motorcyclist dies in accident under Rangsit Railway Station bridge

    Motorcyclist dies in accident under Rangsit Railway Station bridge

    A road accident in Pak Khlong Rangsit, Pathum Thani, ended in the death of a motorcyclist late yesterday evening, December 14. The 37 year old motorcyclist, Adisorn (surname withheld), lost control of his vehicle and collided with a vegetable truck, causing his death. The accident took place under the stairs of the Lokal road’s railway station, going towards Rangsit. Adisorn’s motorbike,…

  • Social Security Board candidates call for higher pension rates

    Social Security Board candidates call for higher pension rates

    A majority of the candidates in the race for the new Social Security Board have underscored the need to increase pension rates for retirees within the social security system. They also drew attention to the crucial requirement of enhancing transparency and efficiency in managing the Social Security Fund (SSF). The election, slated for December 24, will see over 800,000 registered…

  • 7 police surrender over money extortion while police spy charged with rape

    7 police surrender over money extortion while police spy charged with rape

    Seven Prathum Thani Provincial Police officers and an alleged police spy turned themselves in at Pratunam Chulalongkorn Police Station in Bangkok on charges of extorting money and raping a female drug suspect. A Thai woman and her boyfriend sought justice after accusing seven police officers in the central province of Prathum Thani of extorting 300,000 baht from them when they…

  • Olympic medallist Somluck faces attempted rape charges in Khon Kaen

    Olympic medallist Somluck faces attempted rape charges in Khon Kaen

    Olympic medallist Somluck Kamsing surrendered to the local police in Khon Kaen on four charges, including attempted rape, in a case involving a 17 year old girl. Deputy Chief Investigator of Muang District Police, Police Lieutenant Colonel Suparerk Suwanraj, confirmed that Somluck, accompanied by his elder brother and a close associate, presented himself at the station at 12.30am yesterday. The…