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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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    Is private health insurance in Thailand worth it? Real costs vs risks explained

    Thailand has a strong healthcare system with both public and private options. Public hospitals offer affordable care, but many people, including expats, choose private health insurance for faster service, modern facilities, and more treatment choices. To decide if private health...

  • Monkey business at Khao Sam Muk: Bitten Thai tourist urges action from Chon Buri authorities

    Monkey business at Khao Sam Muk: Bitten Thai tourist urges action from Chon Buri authorities

    A Thai woman, who was bitten by a monkey at Khao Sam Muk Viewpoint in Chon Buri province, issued a warning to the public and demanded the authorities take action. The victim, 24 year old Salika “Lek” Lasantier, asked the non-profit organisation Saimai Survive to share her story with the public. The site posted her story and a picture of…

  • Thai schoolboy’s erratic behaviour sparks concerns over past drug abuse in Buriram

    Thai schoolboy’s erratic behaviour sparks concerns over past drug abuse in Buriram

    A 13 year old student from a school in Buriram was rushed to Huai Rat Hospital after displaying unusual behaviour including confusion, fear, and sometimes screaming, causing classmates to fear. The schoolboy, known only as A, admitted to having used drugs since primary school, encouraged by older peers to join in illicit activities in the local sugarcane fields. However, recent…

  • Thai government plans evacuation of citizens from Israel amidst escalating conflict

    Thai government plans evacuation of citizens from Israel amidst escalating conflict

    Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin announced the Thai government’s plan for the efficient evacuation of its citizens from Israel amidst the escalating Israel-Gaza conflict. The government is concerned about the potential spread of the war to neighbouring countries and the implications of cyber warfare and drone usage. In his first meeting as chair of the National Defence Council, the 61 year old…

  • Heavy rain warning across 25 provinces in Thailand, southern region hit hardest

    Heavy rain warning across 25 provinces in Thailand, southern region hit hardest

    The Thailand Meteorological Department (TMD) issued a warning for continued heavy rain across 25 provinces today. Southern Thailand is being hit hardest, with 70% of the region experiencing heavy rainfall. The public has been cautioned to be alert for dangers, including flash floods and forest runoff, particularly in areas on hill slopes near waterways and lowlands. The high air pressure…

  • Tipsy Thai tourist turns river ‘cruise’ into sleepover, locals and police ‘buoy’ his spirits in central Thailand

    Tipsy Thai tourist turns river ‘cruise’ into sleepover, locals and police ‘buoy’ his spirits in central Thailand

    Police rescued a tipsy Thai tourist who fell asleep on a boat and floated down the river in Uthai Thani for over 3 kilometres. Locals reached out to the police initially mistaking him for being dead. Residents reported to the Mueang Uthai Thani Police Station on October 30 that they saw a Thai man lying on a boat in the…

  • Thailand tourism aims for 2.38 trillion baht target with late-year surge

    Thailand tourism aims for 2.38 trillion baht target with late-year surge

    Aiming to achieve its revenue target of 2.38 trillion baht, Thailand’s tourism sector is pushing ahead in the last two months of the year. The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) announced that the total takings for the first ten months stood at 1.67 trillion. TAT’s governor, Thapanee Kiatphaibool, outlined plans to stimulate the sector further, with a focus on intensifying…

  • Undercooked pork alert: DDC cautions after hearing loss fever outbreak

    Undercooked pork alert: DDC cautions after hearing loss fever outbreak

    The Department of Disease Control (DDC) issued a warning against consuming undercooked or raw pork following an outbreak of Streptococcus suis, otherwise known as hearing loss fever. This outbreak has resulted in approximately 500 infections and 24 fatalities so far. The announcement was made by Taweechai Wisanuyothin, the director of DDC Regional Office 9 in Nakhon Ratchasima. He revealed that…

  • Medical cannabis: CISW’s events for business and awareness

    Medical cannabis: CISW’s events for business and awareness

    The CISW Holding Group, in partnership with CISW International, CISW Green World and CISW European Wellness World, unveiled plans for two significant events focusing on medical cannabis. These events aim to highlight business prospects and foster a greater understanding of its medicinal applications. The first event, CISW MedCann Investment Summit World (CMCI 2023), is set to take place on December…

  • Railway development gains speed: Thailand fast-tracks five-country rail link

    Railway development gains speed: Thailand fast-tracks five-country rail link

    A plan to accelerate the development of dual railway tracks connecting five countries – Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Laos, and China – was announced at the 4th iTIC FORUM 2023: Power of Connectivity and Smart Mobility. The 4500-kilometre-long Singapore-Kunming rail line, expected to be completed by 2027, aims to boost the capacity of goods and passenger travel, making it more efficient…

  • Teacher suicide in China prompts investigation into school pressures

    Teacher suicide in China prompts investigation into school pressures

    A tragic suicide incident involving a 23 year old primary school teacher in China has caught the attention of many. The young woman, known as Lu, jumped from a six-story building ending her life, leaving behind a heart-wrenching note found by her sister on her mobile phone. The school is currently under scrutiny for denying access to the security camera…

  • Taiwan job scam: Thai nationals trapped, seek assistance

    Taiwan job scam: Thai nationals trapped, seek assistance

    Three Thai individuals found themselves stranded on a mountain in Taiwan after being lured there with the promise of work. Fleeing at the airport, they discovered that their tickets back to Thailand were fake. The trio now seek assistance from the Thai embassy as they fear being apprehended by local law enforcement. The Taiwan job scam incident was reported today…

  • Wedding meal mix-up: Boxed lunch sparks online feast of fury

    Wedding meal mix-up: Boxed lunch sparks online feast of fury

    A couple’s decision to serve boxed meals at their lavish wedding in a hotel in Wuhan, China, sparked a heated online debate. Each guest received only one box, containing a simple lunch worth 50 yuan (240 baht), leaving many relatives and friends in shock. Weddings are considered a once-in-a-lifetime event, where most couples meticulously plan the choice of restaurant, food,…

  • Chon Buri tackles social issues with large-scale law enforcement operation

    Chon Buri tackles social issues with large-scale law enforcement operation

    A collaborative operation by law enforcement and administrative authorities was launched yesterday in Chon Buri, aiming to tackle a range of social issues hindering the province. The main issues highlighted for action were drug abuse, human trafficking, illegal possession and carrying of firearms, gambling, and the disruption caused by influential figures who break the law. The law enforcement operation, initiated yesterday, November…

  • Temple trickster: Deceitful vendor bags counterfeit scam in northern Thailand

    Temple trickster: Deceitful vendor bags counterfeit scam in northern Thailand

    A deceitful vendor, Anoma (surname withheld), was apprehended by the Cyber Crime Investigation Bureau (CCIB) outside a famous temple in Chiang Mai. Anoma was caught red-handed for defrauding the public by faking illness to solicit funds for her medical treatment and deceiving customers into buying counterfeit designer bags. The arrest was a result of a court warrant issued on October…

  • Love spell dilemma: Beware of deceptive sorcerer, warns Thai temple Abbot

    Love spell dilemma: Beware of deceptive sorcerer, warns Thai temple Abbot

    A cautionary warning has been issued for women seeking mystical solutions to mend their love lives, as they could end up being victims of deception. This caution came in response to a recent case where a woman was duped by a notorious deceptive sorcerer into spending the night with him under the pretence of lifting a dark magic spell from…

  • Bangkok bus bust-up: Dismissed driver’s fare share of woes

    Bangkok bus bust-up: Dismissed driver’s fare share of woes

    A bus driver has been dismissed following an incident in which a young man claimed he was verbally abused and forced off the bus. The driver, who said he was afraid of dismissal, confirmed he had been let go by the company. The incident occurred on Route 1013, between Hua Takhe and Seacon Square, and was posted on the popular…

  • 22-wheeled truck mayhem: Woman’s lucky escape in Phuket smash

    22-wheeled truck mayhem: Woman’s lucky escape in Phuket smash

    An early morning encounter between a car and a 22-wheeled truck resulted in a shocking crash in the Samkong Underpass, in Phuket today. Miraculously, the car’s driver, a woman, managed to avoid grave injuries despite her vehicle being severely crushed in the accident. Phuket City Police, led by Police Lieutenant Colonel Udom Phetcharat, received the distress call at 4.15am. On…

  • Kid’s joyride costs Lamborghini owner millions: Pricey playtime ride

    Kid’s joyride costs Lamborghini owner millions: Pricey playtime ride

    An eight year old child, left unattended by his parents, ended up playing on a stranger’s Lamborghini worth tens of millions, causing the car owner to pay a hefty money for damages. The incident occurred on October 29 when a man named Su from Zhejiang province in China parked his Lamborghini in an open car park and went about his…

  • Thai man seeks skilled doctor to treat penis infection after enlargement procedure

    Thai man seeks skilled doctor to treat penis infection after enlargement procedure

    In fear of losing his penis, a Thai man turned to a social media influencer for help in finding a skilled doctor to treat an infection in his penis, following an olive oil injection for penis enlargement. Thai social media influencer, Guntouch “Gun” Pongpaiboonwet, accompanied the 29 year old man, who goes by the name A, to Masterpiece Hospital in Bangkok…

  • Social media uproar as Blackpink Lisa Weibo account blocked over cabaret show controversy

    Social media uproar as Blackpink Lisa Weibo account blocked over cabaret show controversy

    A rising online debate about the appropriateness of Lisa from Blackpink‘s participation in Crazy Horse, a renowned cabaret show in Paris, has culminated in the pop star’s Chinese social media account, which had over 8 million followers, being blocked. This action by Weibo has resulted in an uproar among her fans who are fervently supporting the 26 year old and…

  • Revving up touble: Pattaya police arrest two in connection with motorcycle thefts

    Revving up touble: Pattaya police arrest two in connection with motorcycle thefts

    The peaceful district of Banglamung in Pattaya was recently shaken by a series of motorcycle thefts. Two Thai nationals were arrested yesterday in connection with these crimes. The arrests were made by Pattaya police following an investigation that was initiated after a victim reported a stolen motorbike on October 24. The Chief of Pattaya Police, Thanapong Phothiti, stated that the…

  • Thai karaoke bar raided: Narcotics worth 1,200 baht seized

    Thai karaoke bar raided: Narcotics worth 1,200 baht seized

    Last night, a karaoke bar in Aranyaprathet, East Thailand, was raided by police and administrative officials, who discovered a substantial amount of narcotics on the premises. In a surprise crackdown, five employees were found to have tested positive for drug use and were subsequently taken into custody for legal action. At around 11pm yesterday, leading the operation was Lieutenant Colonel…

  • Chiang Mai: Illegal venue serving minors shut down in police raid operation

    Chiang Mai: Illegal venue serving minors shut down in police raid operation

    In the early hours yesterday, a police raid was set into motion in the Chang Phueak area of Mueang Chiang Mai, Chiang Mai Province. The operation, at precisely 12.30am, was led by Ronarong Thipsiri, the Inspector General of the Department of Provincial Administration (DOPA), alongside DOPA SWAT and other relevant officials. Their target was an illegal entertainment venue, which had…

  • Lottery vendor allegedly burns shrine for giving locals winning numbers

    Lottery vendor allegedly burns shrine for giving locals winning numbers

    Residents in the central province of Ratchaburi accused a lottery vendor of burning the sacred Mae Niang-Mae Norm Shrine because its spirits have been giving locals in the area the correct winning numbers, causing the vendor to lose money. Officers from Mueang Ratchaburi Police Station received a report that a fire had broken out at a small shelter in front of…

  • Own goal: Chiang Mai authorities tackle covert football betting operation

    Own goal: Chiang Mai authorities tackle covert football betting operation

    A covert football betting operation was raided in Chiang Mai, with police seizing betting slips, cash, and computers. The operation was discovered in a nondescript terraced building near Tonpao Plaza, Tonpao subdistrict, San Kamphaeng district. One suspect was apprehended, who had a previous criminal record for the same offence. The raid on the illegal operation was led by the special…

  • Thailand’s proposed land bridge project could boost various sectors

    Thailand’s proposed land bridge project could boost various sectors

    The potential implementation of the proposed land bridge project in Thailand could significantly benefit sectors such as contractors, industrial estates, transport, and finance, according to industry analysts. The project, which has been under discussion by various governments for four decades, aims to connect the Andaman Sea to the Gulf of Thailand, specifically via the provinces of Ranong and Chumphon. The…

  • Sheffield Wednesday FC’s Thai owner urges fans to help pay debt

    Sheffield Wednesday FC’s Thai owner urges fans to help pay debt

    The Thai owner of Sheffield Wednesday Football Club (SWFC) yesterday admitted that the South Yorkshire outfit is in financial crisis and urged SWFC’s fans to contribute 90 million baht (£2 million) to rescue the club from debt. Just last week, the Owls found themselves in a precarious situation, as the English Football League (EFL) imposed a registration boycott on the…

  • Phuket police’s drug sweep bags 49,000 meth tablets and 4.43 grammes of crystal clear success

    Phuket police’s drug sweep bags 49,000 meth tablets and 4.43 grammes of crystal clear success

    In a sweeping crackdown against narcotics in Phuket Town, the Phuket Provincial Police successfully confiscated a hefty amount of illegal drugs, totalling over 49,000 methamphetamine tablets and 4.43 grams of crystal meth. The street value of the seized drugs is estimated to be more than 800,000 baht. This operation targeted various drug dealers across the city and resulted in multiple…

  • Thai Airways launches direct flights from Bangkok to Istanbul

    Thai Airways launches direct flights from Bangkok to Istanbul

    Thai Airways International (THAI) is set to start direct flights from Bangkok to Istanbul on December 1, marking a significant expansion of its international flight network. The announcement was officially made in a recent launch ceremony, presided over by the Chairperson of THAI Plan Administrators, Piyasvasti Amranand, and the Ambassador of the Republic of Turkiye to Thailand, Serap Ersoy. The…

  • Phuket advances new road project to ease traffic and boost disaster resilience

    Phuket advances new road project to ease traffic and boost disaster resilience

    The working group tasked with overseeing the proposed new road project linking Kathu and Srisoonthorn in Phuket confirmed that it will proceed with the required surveys and inspections. The group will also create maps delineating the land boundaries, thus paving the way for the road’s construction. The working group, led by Phuket Vice Governor Amnuay Pinsuwan, convened at Phuket Provincial…