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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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Sponsored Long-term life in Thailand? 5 reasons private health insurance pays off in the long run
Thailand is a great place for expats and retirees, offering a warm climate, affordable living, and rich culture. However, healthcare can be tricky for foreigners since they aren’t eligible for public health coverage, and private care can be expensive. Private...
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Phantom tuk tuk: Patong locals urge hit-and-run driver to step into the light
A tuk tuk driver in Patong, Phuket, who was involved in a hit-and-run incident with a tourist, is being urged to come forward by locals. The incident took place yesterday at 7.45pm. The tourist victim, who was walking on the pavement with his friends, was knocked over when he stepped onto the road. The impact of the collision sent him…
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Wild west drama unfolds at Samui Airport: Minibus driver shoots Grab driver in fiery clash
Samui International Airport in the southern province of Surat Thani turned into a scene from a Western movie after a minibus driver shot a Grab driver following a heated dispute. Bophut Police Station officers rushed to a parking area of the arrival passenger terminal in the airport to investigate the shooting scene. Officers discovered travellers were shocked by the incident…
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Rain reigns: Homes flooded in surprise deluge in Phayao, northeast Thailand
A torrential rain shower caused mayhem as it dampened the spirits of over 100 households in Phayao province in northeast Thailand. Locals hastily scurried to relocate their possessions to more sheltered spots. The relentless rain, which persisted both day and night, resulted in a cascade of water from the woods, spilling into the Mae Tam River. The resulting flood inundated…
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Pattaya market plunder: Thief swipes 14,000 baht worth of goods from parked car
A recent theft at a bustling market in South Pattaya, Banglamung district, Chon Buri, left a 26 year old woman bereft of her valuables worth over 14,000 baht. The incident unfolded under the cover of darkness on Monday, September 11, with the thief making a swift and unwelcome entry into her parked car. The market, known for its lively atmosphere…
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Hanoi inferno: Devastating apartment fire claims 56 lives, leaves 37 injured
A devastating fire that engulfed a ten-storey apartment complex in Vietnam’s capital, Hanoi, tragically claimed at least 56 lives. The fire, which began on the evening of September 12, left an additional 37 people injured, who are currently receiving treatment in the hospital. Hanoi Firefighters worked tirelessly to control the blaze and rescue trapped residents from the apartment block. Nguyen…
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Rain reigns: Severe weather warning blankets 43 Thai provinces with flood fear
The Thai Meteorological Department issued a severe weather warning for 43 provinces in Thailand, with heavy continuous rain, affecting 80% of the area in the north and northeast regions, including Bangkok. This sudden rainfall could potentially cause flash flooding and forest runoffs. The storm is caused by a strong monsoon trough passing through Myanmar, the upper part of northern Thailand,…
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Time to shine: MFP leader Pita makes it to Time100 Next list
Move Forward Party (MFP) leader Pita Limjaroenrat has been included in the TIME100 Next list unveiled by the American news magazine, Time. Time magazine recently released its annual TIME100 Next list, which aims to recognise individuals who have excelled in their respective fields and have had a significant impact on and served as an inspiration to others in their communities.…
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Car engine snake-tastrophe: Late-night drive in Bangkok takes a twist with surprise python visit
A woman’s late-night drive took a slithery turn when a python, perhaps seeking a different kind of ‘carb’uretor, surprised her by emerging from the engine compartment after she returned from a meal. At around 1am on September 14, emergency services from the Thung Mahamek Fire Station were called to a parking lot in front of a convenience store in the…
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Charlie’s con game crumbles: Sattahip’s wily restaurant scammer finally caugh
A habitual offender yesterday was apprehended in the district of Sattahip, Chon Buri province. Charlie Rodmuang, allegedly known for his cunning tactics, had been targeting restaurants in Sattahip, duping the owners with fraudulent orders. The 55 year old’s modus operandi involved identifying establishments where the proprietors were alone and convincing them of large food orders. Charlie would then lure the…
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Thai netizens’ hearts warmed by heroic duo’s life-saving heart delivery, rain or shine
Thai netizens showered praise upon a dedicated traffic police officer and doctor for their successful efforts in delivering a life-saving heart organ from a hospital in Samut Sakhon province to Bangkok, despite heavy rain and severe traffic jams. The urgency of the situation cannot be overstated, as a heart can remain viable outside the human body for no more than…
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Chiang Mai Airport plans massive expansion to accommodate 16.5 million travellers
Chiang Mai Airport is set to table its expansion proposal to Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin during his scheduled visit this weekend. The airport’s director, Wijit Kaewsaitiam, revealed that the Thai Cement Manufacturers Association (TCMA) is set to spearhead the construction of the terminal’s first phase. The extension plan is aimed at significantly increasing the airport’s capacity, allowing it to accommodate…
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Take your family vacation up a notch at the pet-friendly Somerset Pattaya
Somerset Pattaya is not just a leisure property; it’s a game-changer. Never before has a residence managed to cater to the distinct needs of tourists, locals on a weekend getaway, and business people with such panache. This stunning 324-unit property, marked as Ascott’s first footprint in Pattaya, is uniquely positioned to serve those visiting the region for pure relaxation and…
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Bangkok’s Khlong Toei to host ASEAN’s largest sustainability expo in 2023
Experience the heart of sustainability in Bangkok’s Khlong Toei District: SX 2023, ASEAN’s premier gathering. Mark your calendar for a journey to the future of sustainability, as the spectacular Sustainability Expo 2023 (SX 2023) unfolds at the Prestigious Queen Sirikit National Convention Center (QSNCC) from September 29 to October 8. SX 2023’s director, Tongjai Thanachanan, briefed the press about the…
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FTI urges Thai PM for definitive strategy, not just lower energy costs
The Federation of Thai Industries (FTI) called for a more definitive strategy and concrete plans from Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin, rather than just a pledge to lower prices. The FTI’s focus is on energy costs, particularly oil and electricity, as they have an impact on both businesses and households. During a two-day parliamentary debate on the Pheu Thai-led coalition government’s…
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Ericsson Thailand’s 5g vision: Auctioning spectrum for king-sized connectivity
To boost 5G development in the kingdom, Ericsson Thailand advises the auctioning of the 3,500-megahertz spectrum by 2025, thus ensuring the best economic value and meeting consumer and enterprise needs. If the National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC) fails to allocate the 3,500MHz spectrum range by then, it may have to reallocate the 2,300MHz spectrum after 2025 when the National…
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American man faces dilemma as Thai girlfriend’s parents demand 1 million baht dowry
An American man asked netizens for advice on what to do after his Thai girlfriend’s family demanded a million baht dowry, known as sinsod in Thailand. He said he loved her very much but was not a foolish farang. The American shared his story on the social media platform Reddit yesterday, September 12. The man began by explaining that he…
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Thai men caught for 10 million baht motorway CCTV system shutdown theft
Two men were nabbed by the police in Chon Buri for stealing power cables from the Pattaya–Rayong motorway, an act that led to the complete shutdown of the CCTV system along the inter-provincial highway last month. The arrested individuals, 35 year old Anulak Obchoo, and 31 year old Traiphop Buahom, were caught in tambon Huai Yai of Bang Lamung district…
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Indonesia mulls banning social media merchandise sales, TikTok expresses concern
Indonesia is contemplating prohibitive measures against merchandise transactions conducted via social media platforms such as TikTok as stated by the deputy trade minister during a parliamentary hearing recently. The move is aimed at e-commerce vendors who employ predatory pricing strategies on social platforms, thereby jeopardising traditional marketplaces in Southeast Asia’s largest economy. Social media and social commerce cannot be combined, declared…
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Rangers seize riverine treasure trove: Meth stash dumped in daring escape
A considerable haul of over 250,000 methamphetamine pills was seized by army rangers on the Mekong River’s shoreline in the district of Ban Phaeng, Nakhon Phanom province, as three smugglers made a hasty escape. The drugs were found stashed in sacks which were callously abandoned by the fleeing perpetrators. Acting on a tip-off about an impending drug transaction, the paramilitary…
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Dolphin tragedy: Tangled in net, washed ashore in Chon Buri
A dolphin carcass was discovered today washed up on the shores of Bangsaen beach, near Laem Thaen roundabout, in Chon Buri. The 2 metre long, 50 kilogramme animal had a fishing net entangled around its tail, suggesting it had been dead for approximately two to four days. Amornsak Saksaensilp, a 33 year old member of the Sea Patrol Volunteers, relayed…
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Pattaya’s sunny side: Hotel industry shines amid European gloom
Despite Europe’s deteriorating economic forecast, Pattaya’s hotel industry remains robust, backed primarily by Asian and domestic tourists, says the Managing Director of LH Mall and Hotel (LHMH). Pattaya, traditionally known for its nightlife, has successfully rebranded itself as a family and business-friendly destination. As the European Commission revises the Eurozone’s growth outlook and Germany faces a potential recession this year,…
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El Niño’s unexpected twist: Industries in hot water as mining and livestock hit hard
El Niño’s weather anomaly is triggering a ripple effect on industries beyond just agriculture with mining and livestock sectors also feeling the pinch. This is according to a new study by the Trade Policy and Strategy Office, which warns that the phenomenon may lead to a surge in prices for consumer goods, energy, and inflation, compounded by an increase in…
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Fake love, real trouble: Thai man’s romance scam unravels
Cyber Crime Investigation Bureau (CCIB) officers arrested a Thai man for operating a romance scam by using a fake social media profile of an attractive foreign man to deceive a Thai woman. A Thai woman filed a complaint to the police at the end of last year. The victim reported that the scammer, called Roland, contacted her via Instagram before…
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Supernatural near-drowning ordeal: Ghost tells Thai woman to commit suicide
A Thai woman in the central province of Samut Sakhon survived a near-drowning incident in the Sanamchai Canal and alleged afterwards that a ghost had compelled her to attempt suicide by leaping off a bridge. Footage captured by a security camera at a restaurant along the canal revealed the incident at 11am yesterday. The woman was seen struggling to swim…
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Oil price surge stokes investor fears of further US interest rate hikes
Equity markets demonstrated uncertainty as investors awaited a critical United States inflation report. Their apprehension stemmed from the fear that the recent oil price surge might push consumer prices upward, pressuring the Federal Reserve to increase interest rates once more. The Federal Reserve asserted that its monetary policy decisions will be driven by data, considering a variety of figures. Throughout 2023,…
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Man accused by Chinese government of 5.6 billion baht fraud arrested in Phuket
A 55 year old Chinese man was apprehended in a villa in Rawai, Phuket, following an arrest warrant issued by the Chinese government. The man is accused of fabricating documents to secure an illicit loan, causing the Chinese government to suffer losses of around 1.133 billion yuan (approximately 5.6 billion baht). This news was revealed during a press conference at…
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Man spends 200k baht to investigate girlfriend’s online sex video with shocking results
Imagine sitting down for your daily dose of internet porn only to stumble upon an explicit video of your girlfriend and another man. One Chinese man was shocked when he encountered just that. Seeing her appearing intoxicated and unconscious during the sex video, he spent over 40,000 yuan (almost 200,000 baht) to investigate the situation. Believing she had been sexually…
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Call for help: Mobile phone shields Thai woman from ex-boyfriend’s bullet
A mobile phone became an unexpected life-saving shield for a Thai woman when her ex-boyfriend shot her in the Isaan province of Chaiyaphum. Thanks to the phone shield the woman only suffered a mild injury near her waist. The victim, 24 year old Ratda, who remains at Khon Sawan Hospital, recounted the shooting to police and reporters. According to Ratda,…
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Ex-PM Thaksin’s special treatment risks unrest, warns senator
A cautionary note has been sounded by a senator who has advised the government to exercise equal treatment for all prisoners. The senator has expressed concerns that the special treatment accorded to Thaksin Shinawatra, the former prime minister who has been convicted, could potentially invite future complications for the government. The warning was issued on Tuesday during the second day…
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Cyber police apprehend furniture company owner for 100 million baht online fraud
A massive online fraud was thwarted by cyber police in the Bangkok Metropolitan Region province of Nakhon Pathom, as they shut down a furniture manufacturing company that took over 100 million baht in orders but never delivered any products. Poonnaporn, a 32 year old woman was arrested, determined to be the proprietor of the furniture manufacturing company. The company accepted orders…
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