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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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Pattaya taxi turf war leaves four ride-share drivers severely injured
An otherwise quiet alleyway in Pattaya erupted in violence at around 2.30am today when an eruption of animosity between rival motorbike taxi groups led to a serious altercation. The stand-off which unfolded nearby a popular tourist spot, Central Mall, and within a stone’s throw of the Pattaya Police Station, involved traditional orange-vested motorbike taxi riders, known as Win, and ride-sharing…
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Phuket braces for rain havoc: Urgent weather alert signals flood risk
The southern province of Phuket has been included in an urgent weather notification that advocates for all hands on deck amid the risk of flash floods possibly instigated by heavy, persistent rain forecasted to batter the Andaman coast starting from Sunday, August 20. This alert was issued yesterday by Boonsom Cholpitakwong, the Deputy Secretary-General of the Office of National Water…
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Monk stabs fellow monk at temple in Rayong over alleged misunderstanding
Last night, an incident unfolded at a temple in the eastern province of Rayong where one monk stabbed another monk. The monk who carried out the act stated that he mistakenly believed the victim to be a potential thief. Phe Police Station officers rushed to the unnamed temple at 10pm yesterday after being notified about the stabbing incident. Upon arrival,…
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Bangkok property developers anticipate economic rebound
Bangkok-based property developers on the Stock Exchange of Thailand are optimistic about an economic bounce back in the latter half of the year, expecting it to help meet their annual performance targets after a subdued start to the year. Property Perfect Plc., under the management of Wongsakorn Prasitvipat, is set to launch nine fresh housing ventures in the second half.…
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Cash caper: Thieves on the run after snatching 400,000 baht from Krung Thai Bank ATM
Thieves remain at large after stealing about 400,000 baht from a Krung Thai Bank ATM in front of Prachanukroh School in the southern province of Nakhon Si Thammarat. The deputy manager of the Krung Thai Bank, Janjira Saelim, yesterday lodged a complaint at Tha Sala Police Station complaining that thieves had stolen money from the ATM in the early hours…
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Brewing trouble: Woman fined for stirring up coffee chaos with laxative prank
In a recent ruling by a South Korean court, a woman in her twenties has been fined 2 million won (53,000 baht), for spiking a man’s coffee with laxatives last year. The incident led to health issues and emotional distress for the 19 year old victim, who alleged that the resultant trauma hampered his performance in college entrance examinations. This…
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Chinese economic woes dampen bookings for Thai tourism sector
Tourism operators indicated a slowdown in forward bookings from China for the upcoming Golden Week holiday in October due to a challenging economic climate. A representative from the Tourism Council of Thailand, Surawat Akaraworamat, revealed that a sluggish economic rebound and potential deflation are having far-reaching effects on disposable income for prospective tourists from the Chinese mainland. “Travel agents have…
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ONCB crackdown: Hong Kong men nabbed with smuggled heroin in Bangkok condo
Officers from the Office of the Narcotics Control Board (ONCB) arrested two men from Hong Kong at their condominium in the Rama 9 neighbourhood in Bangkok after finding two smuggled heroin packages addressed to their home country. The collaborative efforts of Thai and Hong Kong authorities have recorded remarkable success since they embarked on a mission earlier this month to…
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Blazing fire obliterates deserted Pattaya-based construction camp overnight
A blazing fire sparked and swiftly wreaked havoc on a vacant construction camp in the Banglamung district, Chon Buri province, near the famous resort city of Pattaya. Officials reported that the seemingly intense electrical fire completely consumed the deserted wooden structure on Wednesday. Alarming as the blazing destruction was, there were no reported injuries or fatalities, providing some comfort amidst…
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Thai railways: Double-track upgrade paves the way for 120km/h passenger speeds
The Thai government is set to partially inaugurate the Map Kabao-Jira Junction double-track railway line next year. This Thai railway development will result in an increased speed limit for passenger trains, potentially enabling them to travel up to 120 kilometres per hour, a significant leap from the existing 50 kilometres per hour. Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha made a visit to…
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Sniffing out success: Thailand’s first sniffer dog training centre unleashed for battling narcotics
The Thai Customs Canine Training Centre (TCCTC) was officially inaugurated yesterday in the Bang Phli district of Samut Prakan. This is Thailand’s first facility for training sniffer dogs, set to become a vital tool in combating narcotics smuggling. Roughly five dogs are anticipated to be enlisted for a program focusing on the identification of illicit substances concealed within imported and…
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82 year old man dies after being stung by swarm of wasps
An 82 year old Thai man tragically died after he was stung by a swarm of wasps in an abandoned house in the Isaan province of Maha Sarakham. ThaiRath reported that the old man, Sai Romyen, requested to use the bathroom at a local grocery shop nearby his house on the incident day. Unfortunately, all the bathrooms were occupied by…
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Canadian woman’s poisoned pen: ‘Ugly Tyrant Clown’ letter to ex-president Trump leads to 20+ years in prison
A Canadian woman faces over 20 years in prison for literally sending a poisoned pen letter to former US President Donald Trump, whom she named “The Ugly Tyrant Clown.” The woman, Pascale Ferrier told the court that she regretted her poisoned pen letter plan had failed and that she “couldn’t stop Trump.” The 56 year old woman, accepted the sentence…
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Thai woman reportedly commits suicide with 2 sons in East Thailand
A Thai woman discovered the lifeless bodies of her older sister with her two sons inside the bathroom after she committed suicide at home in the Baan Chang district in the eastern province of Rayong. A charcoal stove was found nearby their bodies. The Baan Chang Police Station officers and rescuers investigated the scene after being notified by the decease’s…
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Domestic violence in Lopburi turns deadly with wife fatally shooting gout-afflicted husband
An incident of domestic violence turned fatal after a quarrel turned into a violent brawl in Chaibadan district of Lopburi province, yesterday. A 45 year old man identified as Wasan was fatally shot during a heated exchange with his wife. The unfortunate occurrence transpired in a single-storey wooden dwelling where Wasan’s lifeless body was discovered in the middle of the…
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Famous Thai singer’s act of kindness towards elderly delivery rider inspires thousands online
A touching social media interaction between a famous Thai singer named Jenny and an elderly delivery rider garnered significant praise online yesterday. Concerned for the hardworking rider, Jenny sympathetically offered him a generous tip while probing into his life story. As depicted in a notable video post, Jenny asked about the nature of the rider’s contents, feeling compassion upon seeing…
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British TikToker praises Thai gas man’s effort to master the English language
A British Tiktoker shared a video of a Thai gas attendant and applauded his dedication to improving his English communication skills. The British teacher, Dan Thomas, took to TikTok under the handle scootinthailand last Sunday, August 13, to share a video of the gas station attendant with a caption in Thai saying… “Greatly appreciated! I would like to encourage everyone…
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Employee treatment: Hotel manager suspended for cruelty to grieving worker
Following a social media uproar about an employee being denied leave during her mother’s final days, a renowned hotel has suspended the manager involved, known as Kob, pending an internal investigation into employee treatment within the workforce. The management also expressed condolences to the grieving employee. A Facebook post showing chat messages between the worker and her supervisor sparked outrage…
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Former Siam Commercial Bank executive launches 8 million baht shabu restaurant
A passion for the delectable flavours of Japanese shabu dining impelled Thienachariya, the onetime chief marketing strategist for Siam Commercial Bank, to inaugurate his own shabu restaurant at Erawan Bangkok. The restaurant is the brainchild of Thienachariya and a culinary trio of his associates, formed under the banner of their newly established company, Shabudoke Co. The culinary ensemble includes beef…
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Foreign investments bolster Thai economy with 58.9 billion baht boost
From January through July of this year, Thailand welcomed a foreign investment sum of 58.9 billion baht. A notable chunk of this influx originated from Japan, whose companies lavished the largest amount of capital on developing their businesses within Thai borders. Estimates suggest that the Japanese investors led the pack with a total outlay of 19.9 billion baht. They were…
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Thai Rice Trade Associations commit to stabilise retail prices despite market changes
Conversations between the Director-General of the Internal Trade Department and the Thai Associations of Rice Millers and Rice Entrepreneurs Association aim to stabilise rice prices, thus easing household expenses for consumers. Wattanasak Sueaiam, the Director-General, revealed yesterday that these industry bodies have been asked not to increase retail prices, despite market factors. However, ultimate decisions will be influenced by the…
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Deadly road incident: Teenager dead and friends injured in Nakhon Pathom
A horrific accident occurred during the early hours of the day as a teenager fell victim to a deadly road incident. Three young boys were returning home after celebrating a friend’s birthday when their journey turned fatal. Their motorcycle was hit by a red truck, leading to the tragic death of an 18 year old boy, while the other two…
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Chicago festival-goers risk lives for selfies on electrified train tracks
In an era where selfie culture is prevalent, there have been increasing instances of individuals being drawn to capture images in hazardous situations. A recent case emerged in Oak Park, Chicago, USA at the Ridgeland Green Line station on August 5, around 7.30pm. Three festival-goers decided to pose on electrified train tracks risking their lives for a photograph. One of…
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Thailand’s insurance sector embraces digital revolution to boost resilience and consumer experience
Thailand’s insurance sector is adopting digital tech to tackle artificial intelligence (AI) and cyber threats and deal with the medical costs of the nation’s ageing population. Further steps were taken to boost industry strength and user experience. The strategy is headed by the Office of the Insurance Commission (OIC). Suthiphon Thaveechaiyagarn, the OIC secretary-general, disclosed that the first part of…
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Texas tot triggers turmoil with unloaded handgun in kindergarten
A kindergarten in San Antonio, Texas, was thrown into disarray as an unloaded handgun was discovered in the backpack of a three year old pupil. The child’s father, identified later as Pete Robles, was subsequently arrested today, sparking widespread controversy. The alarming incident was reported on Tuesday at the San Antonio Pre-K Center, with no injuries or security risks highlighted.…
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Family of six survives crash in brand new pickup on first day of ownership in northern Thailand
In a surprising twist of events, a newly acquired pickup truck with a red license plate, indicating its fresh out-of-showroom status, was involved in a significant collision on the same day in northern Thailand. Miraculously, all six occupants of the vehicle, heading from Udon Thani province to Nakhon Nayok province, walked away from the accident unharmed. The accident is suspected…
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Parky’s final sign-off: Broadcasting legend Sir Michael Parkinson drops the mike at 88 (video)
Heartfelt tributes poured in after news broke earlier that chat host and broadcaster Sir Michael Parkinson has died at the age of 88. Parkinson enjoyed a glorious television career that spanned seven decades and saw him engaging with the world’s most prominent stars on his enduring chat show. A statement from Parkinson’s family revealed his peaceful passing. “After a short…
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Lettuce talk about it: Burger King says ‘no more’ to tomatoes as veggie prices squash profits in India
Reverberations from a skyrocketing surge in vegetable prices throughout India are being felt by consumers and the food industry alike, resulting in the popular fast-food business Burger King withdrawing tomatoes from several branches across the nation. Burger King explained to customers that even tomatoes need a vacation. Reuters reported yesterday that two of Burger King’s Indian branches announced… “Even tomatoes…
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Phuket savings group ex-loan officer nabbed for 12 million baht embezzlement
The former loan officer of a savings group was arrested by police in a Phuket restaurant on charges of forging loan documents, fabricating account data, and embezzlement of over 12 million baht. The arrest of the 44 year old woman named Arwarran, made under the jurisdiction of Narathiwat Province’s court, follows a complaint lodged in 2020 by more than 50…
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Raw crab leads to life-threatening lung fluke infection in Vietnamese man
A 31 year old man was hospitalised after coughing up blood and suffering from pulmonary inflammation, caused by a lung fluke infection contracted from consuming raw crab salad at a friend’s house. On August 10, Vietnamese newspaper Tuoi Tre reported that a 31 year old man was admitted to a local hospital after contracting a lung fluke infection (Paragonimiasis) from…
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