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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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Drunk Thai man arrested for holding Russian woman hostage in Patong hotel
A Thai man, in a state of intoxication, was apprehended in Patong for allegedly keeping a Russian woman hostage in a hotel room. The incident, shrouded in mystery due to the ongoing investigation, was reported to the Patong police on Friday. The man, whose identity has been withheld by the authorities, was also found to be in possession of a…
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Tom Kha Gai hits top spot in global chicken soup ratings
A traditional Thai chicken soup, Tom Kha Gai, took top honours in the 10 Best Rated Chicken Soups in the World list, as revealed by the TasteAtlas global food mapping site this week. The coconut cream soup, infused with galangal, clinched the first spot with a stellar rating of 4.7 out of five stars, outshining 1,376 other entries. Brimming with…
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Pink Line mass-transit system offers free rides in November trial
Free rides are on the horizon for Thailand’s Pink Line mass-transit system in November as announced on the government’s Thai Khu Fah Facebook page. The 34.5-kilometre monorail system is currently undergoing trial runs, a crucial step in the preparation phase before its official launch, as revealed by the Mass Rapid Transit Authority of Thailand (MRTA). The Pink Line’s trial runs…
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Bangkok Airways eyes investment in proposed Phangnga airport to boost tourism
Bangkok Airways has expressed keen interest in an investment in the proposed airport in Phangnga if the government chooses to shift from a public scheme to a collaborative public-private partnership. The fresh investment is seen as a strategic move, as the new airport holds immense potential to become Thailand’s next tourist hotspot. The Thai government’s contemplation over investment into the…
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Thai tourist numbers set to soar with anticipated visa exemption for China
The Thai tourism industry is poised for a significant boost, as an anticipated visa exemption for Chinese travellers could trigger a surge in foreign tourists, according to Chinese government-owned Thai brokerage, CGS-CIMB Securities (Thailand). However, the firm predicts that the arrival figures for tourists from China will still lag behind the 2019 statistics due to the economic challenges faced by…
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Pattaya authorities impose new rules on boat operators at Bali Hai Pier
In Pattaya City, the local authorities have put forth new stringent regulations to deal with issues plaguing boat operators at Bali Hai Pier. This includes the implementation of standardised ticket prices and a ban on herding tourists. Earlier this week, the Pattaya City Council convened to strategise and regulate tour boat operations and rules for operators. This was spurred by…
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Thai taxi drivers seek incentives to shift to electric vehicles
Taxi drivers across Thailand, represented by the Thai Public Taxi Association, are petitioning the country’s transport minister for a financial incentive package to facilitate their switch to electric vehicles (EVs). Association Chairman, Sadit Jaitiang, plans to bring up this key concern during a vital meeting slated for next Friday with Transport Minister Suriya Jungrungreangkit. The meeting is expected to address…
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Pattaya floating market in hot water: Fire disaster causes millions in losses
Pattaya’s Four Regions Floating Market succumbed to a fierce inferno, causing extensive damage and leaving a financial toll of at least 50 million baht. The fire, said to have ignited at a wooden restroom building, was reported at 8.30pm yesterday, with no significant injuries or fatalities reported as of yet. Located on Sukhumvit Road, the Four Regions Floating Market was…
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Thai satellite’s stellar journey: THEOS-2 ready to reach for the stars
Geo-Informatics and Space Technology Development Agency (GISTDA) confirmed that the Thailand Earth Observation Satellite 2 (THEOS-2) is set to soar into space next month. The satellite reached Europe’s Spaceport in French Guiana, South America, after a safe journey from Toulouse, France. This news came to light when GISTDA announced the upcoming launch on their official Facebook page, adding that THEOS-2,…
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Gulf of Thailand spill scare: 60,000 litres of crude oil, but Chon Buri coast unharmed
The upper Gulf of Thailand has experienced a crude oil spill of 60,000 litres, however, marine ecology along the coast of Chon Buri remains unscathed, as reported by the Department of Marine and Coastal Resources. Deputy Chief of the department, Apichai Ekvanakun, confirmed that the department’s teams had examined the coral reefs across five islands in the province. These islands…
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Golden gun drama: Russian tourist’s Phuket fright
A Russian woman filed a complaint to the police after a Thai man threatened her with his golden gun while hanging out at a hotel in Phuket. The Patong Police Station officers dashed to the scene and arrested the gun toting Thai man, 37 year old Kittiphum Mamark, at the hotel and seized his 9mm Beretta golden handgun and 14…
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Phuket Airport taxi turmoil: Grab’s entry drives cabbies to complain
Phuket’s International Airport taxi drivers filed an official complaint about reduced income following the inclusion of Grab as an authorized service at the airport, effective from last Friday, September 1. The complaint was submitted by Chukiat Panyawai, President of Phuket Business Car Service Cooperative Limited, to Rewat Areerob, President of Phuket Provincial Administration Organisation (PPAO), on September 6. Members of…
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Road rage ruckus: Foreign man’s Kung fu chaos takes a painful turn in Chon Buri (video)
A foreign man lost control of his senses and went on a rampage after crashing his car on Phraya Satcha Road in Chon Buri province. He attempted to kung fu one motorcycle rider, after crashing his SUV into four vehicles, and ended up being trapped inside his overturned car, suffering severe injuries. A Thai motorist took a video of the…
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Thai government’s rainy day plan: Combating drought and El Nino
Confronted with the detrimental impacts of the El Nino weather phenomenon, the Thai government is mobilising to tackle the decreasing rainfall and drought plaguing the nation’s agricultural sector, according to Thailand Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin. Following a special Cabinet meeting yesterday, PM Srettha highlighted the government’s commitment to the welfare of the agricultural community and the nation at large. The…
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Village head surrenders to police over involvement in lieutenant’s murder case
Praween Chanklai, also known as the village head Nok, a suspect in the murder case of Police Lieutenant Siwakorn Saibua, surrendered at Nakhon Pathom Police Station. The incident occurred at around 4.30pm yesterday, following the death of Lieutenant Siwakorn during a meal. Praween, who had a worried look on his face, refrained from commenting or interacting with a large number…
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Commerce captain charts cost of living course: Cost-cutting and export-boosting ahoy
New Commerce Minister Phumtham Wechayachai aims to address the cost of living and align product prices with production costs. He plans to expedite efforts to discover new export markets and enhance Thai shipping opportunities through increased trade negotiations. On his first day, Wechayachai emphasized his commitment to Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin‘s policies and assured prompt attention to public concerns, especially…
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Two-year run ends: Swedish drug trafficker captured in Koh Samui
A 60 year old Swedish man on the run for two years to evade drug trafficking accusations and a visa overstay in Koh Samui, was apprehended and taken into custody by the Surat Thani Immigration Police. The Swedish man, Reno Penti Olavi Martin, was arrested yesterday at approximately 7pm, on the orders of the Chief of the Immigration Police, and the…
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Thai Parliament’s policy showdown: Two-day debate unveiled
Parliament President and House speaker Wan Muhamad Noor Matha announced a rigorous two-day debate on the government’s policy statement, scheduled to kick off on Monday. This decision came about following a meeting with the government, Senate and opposition whips, where the debate’s timeline was discussed. Wan stated that the debate would kick off on Monday, running from 9am to midnight. The…
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Thai man accused of sexually harassing 10 year old boys
A Thai man apologised to the mother of a 10 year old boy for reportedly sexually harassing him and a friend and sending lewd messages via Facebook Messenger during their novicehood. A 33 year old woman named A accompanied her 10 year old son B and her son’s friend C to file a complaint against a 31 year old Thai…
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Tragic tune: Thai pop star’s brother’s accident hits a sour note
The fatal accident involving the boyfriend of Lux, the younger brother of Thai pop star Bai Toey R-siam has seen an arrest. The driver of a white Mazda car who crashed into the motorcycle, resulting in the death of Phuchit Boontho or Phoom, Lux’s boyfriend, has been apprehended. The 31 year old suspect, Pronsak, was arrested yesterday after the accident…
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Bangkok’s condo market: Buyers rush for ‘ready-to-move’ amid sales slump
The second quarter of this year witnessed a significant slump in sales for newly launched condominiums in Bangkok. Buyers, gripped by mortgage rejection fears, exhibited a strong preference for ready-to-transfer units. Tritecha Tangmatitham, Managing Director at Supalai, highlighted that a staggering 70% of condo sales in the current year have been for completed units, underscoring a marked shift in consumer…
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Thailand and Cambodia unite to combat transnational crime and bolster security
Sweeping strides have been made in the fight against transnational crime, and Thailand and Cambodia recently pledged to enhance their joint efforts in this area. The collaboration aims to bolster the stability and security of both nations through increased cooperation. This commitment was solidified during a meeting between the Deputy Commissioner of the Royal Thai Police, Surachate “Big Joke” Hakparn,…
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Recruitment adventures: When job hunting in Thailand feels like a blind date
Navigating the waters of a job interview can often feel akin to treading the unpredictable path of a blind date. The entire process can be punctuated by uncertainty, ambiguity, and occasionally, a lack of respect and courtesy from the hiring party. An interviewee’s experience can be marred by a lack of information about the interview process: from the number of…
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Ticket turbulence: Thai airlines aim to price things right amid rising costs
Thai airlines plan to explain the accusations of raising ticket prices amid higher jet fuel costs. The Airlines Association of Thailand (AAT) announced it will host a seminar to clarify airfare structures and CAAT price regulations following consumer complaints. Nok Air CEO Wutthiphum Jurangkool stated that price increases mainly occurred during extended holidays due to high demand, impacting last-minute bookings.…
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Thai MP’s ‘carry-out’ leftovers kindness goes viral among netizens
An online discussion among netizens was prompted by an act of kindness by a member of Parliament for the Pheu Thai Party who hails from the province of Phrae. Following a session in the legislature, it was reported that MP Thossaporn Sereerak was spotted carrying bags stuffed with leftovers that he intended to give to people living on the streets.…
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Gunman shot dead in fatal cross-province catastrophe in Thailand
In a tragic turn of events that unfolded across two provinces, a fatal shooting in Nakhon Pathom province led to the death of a police officer, Siwakorn Saibua, and sparked a dramatic confrontation in the central province of Kanchanaburi. The incident involved a prominent community leader, Prawin Chaiklai, commonly known as Nok, who enjoys considerable influence in the area due…
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Shock and recharge: Thailand’s EV sector hopes for spark
The Electric Vehicle Association of Thailand (EVAT) expects greater manufacturer interest in Thailand’s EV sector. The latest incentive package might be less appealing than earlier ones. Current incentives consist of tax reductions and subsidies for car producers and importers. These incentives aim to boost EV production and consumption from 2022 to 2023. The incentives range from 70,000 to 150,000 baht…
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Cooling clash in Bangkok: Air con proposal met with heated debate
A proposal to provide classrooms with air conditioning units sparked a heated debate in Bangkok, despite the city’s ongoing concern about PM2.5 safety. The recent rejection by the Bangkok Metropolitan Council (BMC) of this initiative aimed at protecting young learners from PM2.5 dust pollution raises concerns about balancing health protection and potential drawbacks in school environments. The BMC turned down…
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Thai love triangle: Husband denies ‘gay love,’ embraces divorce
A 64 year old Thai woman accused her 65 year old husband of cheating on her with a young man, adding that her husband refused to divorce her. The husband denied the allegation of a sexual relationship with the man and added he was happy to divorce his wife. The Thai wife, Prattana, urged Channel 3 to report her story…
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Sub-merging optimism: Thai’s submarine engine deal with Germany and China
The Thai government is hopeful of a renewed agreement with Germany and China, centring around the engine for a new submarine under construction in China. Defence Minister Sutin Klungsang conveyed his confidence in a mutually beneficial deal between the three nations. The discourse involves the potential installation of a German-made engine in the Chinese manufactured submarine, as initially stipulated by…
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