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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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Swansea triathlon swim tragedy: Family pays tribute to loving husband
The family of a man who passed away during the swim portion of the Swansea triathlon has expressed their grief and remembered him as a “loving husband, father and grandfather.” Activity Wales, the event organisers, confirmed that Andrew Ireland died during the event on Sunday. In a statement, Ireland’s family conveyed their heartbreak, but also expressed gratitude for the numerous…
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US-Taiwan trade deal signing set to escalate Beijing-Washington tensions
Taipei has announced that the United States and Taiwan are set to sign a trade agreement, a move that is expected to increase tensions between Beijing and Washington over the island. The Office of Trade Negotiations in Taipei stated that the first set of agreements under “The US-Taiwan Initiative on 21st Century Trade” would be signed in Washington, without providing…
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Pattaya Festival 2023 aims to boost local economy and tourism
Pattaya is gearing up for an exciting event as the city prepares to host the Pattaya Festival 2023. Yesterday, Pattaya Mayor Poramese Ngamphichet led a meeting to discuss the arrangements for the highly anticipated event. The festival is set to take place from June 23 to 24 at Pattaya Beach, The Pattaya News reported. The main goal of the Pattaya Festival is…
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Government confirms 4-month electricity discount for users below 300 units
The Thai government confirmed a four-month electricity discount from May to August this year. This relief measure aims to alleviate energy price hardship for users who consume no more than 300 units per month, with an additional 150 baht rebate per household in May for those using no more than 500 units. Anucha Burapachaisr, deputy presidential secretary on political affairs,…
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Noel Gallagher: Divorce-inspired album helps healing process
Noel Gallagher has revealed that creating his latest album played a significant role in helping him cope with his recent divorce. In January this year, Gallagher and Sara MacDonald announced their decision to divorce after 22 years of marriage. The renowned former Oasis guitarist explained that he often seizes upon personal life events that he can express, as they tend…
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Labour MP Geraint Davies suspended amid serious misconduct allegations
Labour MP Geraint Davies has been administratively suspended from the party as they investigate reports of “incredibly serious allegations of completely unacceptable behaviour.” Davies was first elected as an MP in 1997 but was not in parliament from 2005 to 2010. Shadow immigration minister Stephen Kinnock urged women affected by the allegations to come forward with formal complaints to ensure…
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11 year old girl hospitalised after eating cannabis-laced cookies
An 11-year-old Malaysian girl was hospitalised after consuming homemade cookies containing cannabis. Perak‘s Police Chief, Datuk Seri Mohd Yusri Hassan Basri, reported that she was treated at Hospital Taiping in the state last week. The girl is the daughter of a 38 year old man who has been arrested and subsequently tested positive for tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). The father now faces charges…
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Pavement rage: Food delivery rider ‘delivers’ slap to pedestrian for blocking his path
A food delivery rider who violated the law by riding on a pavement slapped a pedestrian in the face because the victim blocked his path. Two days ago, the victim, Kitti Panantanannon, shared a video of the moment when he was attacked on his Facebook account. In the caption, he said… “I filed a complaint at Phra Khanong Police Station.…
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UK house prices suffer largest annual drop in 14 years, warns Nationwide
In May, UK house prices experienced their most significant annual decline in almost 14 years, according to Nationwide. The building society reported a 3.4% drop in prices for the year to May, the largest decrease since July 2009. Nationwide also cautioned that further increases in mortgage interest rates could impact the housing market. Mortgage rates have recently risen due to…
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Only 2-5% of UFO sightings truly unexplained, says Nasa panel
A panel of experts has analysed approximately 800 reports of unidentified flying objects (UFOs) gathered over several years by American authorities, revealing that only a small percentage remain truly unexplained. The panel was established by Nasa last year to study what it refers to as unidentified anomalous phenomena (UAP), defined as sightings that cannot be identified as aircraft or known…
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Tragedy strikes as cement truck fatally runs over 2 year old boy near Bangkok
A heart-wrenching incident unfolded in Pathum Thani province near Bangkok, where a two year old boy lost his life after being run over by a cement truck. The driver of the truck blamed a broken brake system. The devastating event took place at the TPI Concrete Company in Pathum Thani. Officers from Mueang Pathum Thani Police Station swiftly arrived at…
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Phuket nightclubs raided for late trading, serving alcohol to minors
Two Phuket nightclubs in the Kathu district have been raided by officials from the Department of Provincial Administration (DOPA) and the Volunteer Defense Corps (OrSor). The clubs, the Ratree Club and Mahanakorn Phuket were accused of late trading, public disturbance, serving alcohol to minors, and operating without proper permits. The raids were carried out early this morning after a plain-clothes officer confirmed…
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UK house prices dip 3.4% YoY in May amid rising interest rate concerns
UK house prices experienced a 3.4% drop year-on-year in May, according to data from Nationwide, one of the country’s largest mortgage lenders. The average cost of a UK home now stands at £260,736, with a month-on-month decline of 0.1%. Nationwide had previously observed tentative signs of market recovery in April, with a 0.4% rise in monthly prices and an improvement…
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Teens arrested in Manchester murder case, increased police presence
Two teenagers have been taken into custody following the discovery of a 21-year-old man’s body at a residence in Manchester. The victim, who had sustained severe injuries, was found at a property on Kings Road, Old Trafford, after the police received a call around 7.45pm on Wednesday. Despite efforts to save him, the man was declared dead at the scene.…
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Asia’s factory demand eases amid China’s faltering recovery and global trade slump
Factories across Asia experienced a further decline in demand during May, as China‘s sluggish recovery impacted a region already grappling with a global trade downturn. Taiwan’s purchasing managers indexes (PMI) dropped to 44.3 from 47.1 in April, while Vietnam recorded its lowest reading since September 2021, according to S&P Global. South Korea’s factory gauge saw a slight increase in May,…
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Urgent call for new govt: Thai Chamber of Commerce stresses budget allocation continuity
The Thai Chamber of Commerce emphasised the urgency of forming a new government to ensure the continuity of budget allocation, following discussions with Pita Limjaroenrat, leader of the Move Forward Party (MFP), and other party executives. Sanan Angubolkul, the chamber’s chairman, highlighted the need to address issues such as costly electricity bills, wages, ease of doing business, and legal reforms…
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Cost of living crisis may fuel online child exploitation, charities warn
Children’s charities have expressed concern that the cost of living crisis may increase the risk of online exploitation for young people during the summer holidays. The NSPCC has urged that the crisis should not be allowed to “fuel another surge in abuse” as witnessed during the COVID pandemic. Barnardo’s has also warned that online interactions can escalate to real-life sexual…
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Undercover payments: Lottery vendors reveal ‘protection fees’ to local police in Kamphaeng Phet
A sticker coined “lottery protection fees” has emerged in Kamphaeng Phet province, with lottery vendors revealing they pay a monthly fee of 500 baht per booth to local police. The fee allegedly allows them to sell lottery tickets above the set prices within their territory only, but it doesn’t guarantee they won’t be fined. According to a lottery vendor in…
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Thai armed forces plan to halve generals, save billions by 2027
Thailand‘s Defence Council has recently given the green light to a reform plan that aims to reduce the number of generals in the armed forces by 50% by 2027, as stated yesterday by Deputy Defence Ministry Spokesperson, Colonel Jittanat Punnotok. Currently, there are approximately 1,200 generals in the military, a military source told Bangkok Post. Between 2017 and 2021, the…
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Krungsri bank expects Thai government to boost Japanese investment
Krungsri, also known as the Bank of Ayudhya, believes that the new Thai government will continue to encourage Japanese investment in the country. Japan is currently Thailand’s largest foreign investor, contributing 28.6% of total investment, or 23.3 billion baht. As political parties form a coalition government, Japanese investors are closely monitoring the situation. Bunsei Okubo, the head of Japanese corporate and…
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House approves US debt ceiling raise, averting default threat
The US House of Representatives has given its approval for a deal permitting the nation to borrow more funds, mere days before the world’s largest economy is set to begin defaulting on its debt. The measure was passed in the chamber with a 314-117 vote, despite some members from both sides not supporting it. The US Senate must vote on…
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Visa crackdown in Phuket: Over 1,000 foreigners nabbed for overstaying
A crime-free initiative in Phuket has seen significant success, with over 1,000 foreigners caught for overstaying their visas. This achievement is credited to the collaboration between the Phuket Immigration Office and 800 accommodation providers on the island, who have adopted crime-free measures that enable them to report any suspicious activities involving their foreign guests. Phuket’s immigration chief, Thanet Sukchai, revealed…
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Decorated soldier loses defamation case over true war crime allegations
In a landmark defamation case, highly decorated Australian soldier Ben Roberts-Smith has been unsuccessful in his lawsuit against three newspapers that accused him of committing war crimes in Afghanistan. The publications were sued for multiple articles that also alleged Roberts-Smith bullied his peers and assaulted a woman with whom he was involved in an extramarital affair. This is the first…
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NHS-contracted staff risk missing out on pay rise for over a million health workers
Over a million National Health Service (NHS) workers are set to receive pay increases starting today, but thousands of staff contracted by the NHS may miss out on the negotiated pay rise. These staff members, employed by social enterprises contracted to work in primary care, mental health, charities, and other health sectors, have not yet been made eligible for the…
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Thai textile factory ordered to pay 19 million baht in overdue wages to workers
Textile factory workers in Thailand’s central Samut Prakan province are set to receive 19.33 million baht in unpaid wages, plus 15% interest, after labour authorities intervened on their behalf. The factory operator has been ordered to expedite the payment process for approximately 109 workers who had not received their full wages between July 2020 and April this year. These workers…
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Daring cannabis vendor chases fleeing client, gets shot while leaping from speeding pickup (video)
A cannabis vendor in the central province of Nakhon Pathom jumped onto the back of a speeding pickup to demand payment from his fleeing client. The ganja thief then shot the vendor in the leg after he leapt from the moving vehicle. Officers from Pho Kaew Police Station rushed to investigate the shooting scene in front of Soi Tessaban in…
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Thailand’s DDC warns of monkeypox in LGBTQ community
News about monkeypox is circling in Thailand once more. Thailand’s Department of Disease Control (DDC) has issued a warning regarding the potential rise in monkeypox cases, particularly within the LGBTQ community. The DDC has advised reducing close skin contact and limiting the number of sexual partners to prevent the disease from spreading, Bangkok Post reported. Jakkarat Pittayawong-anont, the director of…
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Sherpa’s high-altitude Everest rescue saves Malaysian climber’s life
A Malaysian mountaineer was saved from near death in a rare high-altitude rescue on Mount Everest. Gelje Sherpa, a 30 year old Nepali sherpa guide, was leading a Chinese client to the summit on Thursday, May 18 when he spotted the Malaysian climber clinging to a rope in the “death zone,” where temperatures can plummet to minus 30 degrees Celsius…
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Asia-Pacific markets to gain from US-Europe supply chain diversification
Asia-Pacific emerging markets are predicted to gain from the ongoing supply chain decoupling, as analysts highlight the US and Europe’s efforts to diversify risks in security-related sectors. Steven Cochrane, Moody’s Analytics chief Asia-Pacific economist, recently discussed the decoupling between the US and China within intermediate goods production during an online event. He explained that incentives, rather than government policies, are…
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Lottery expert Uncle Pong deciphers cultural image on ticket for June 1 draw
Lottery enthusiasts eagerly follow “Uncle Pong” for his analysis of six-digit numbers derived from the Thai Government Lottery’s cover image for today’s June 1 draw, depicting Mahasarakham Province‘s cultural festival featuring rice-stuffed puppets. One popular trend for lottery aficionados is the interpretation of winning numbers based on the images found on the covers of Thai government lottery tickets. Recently, TikTok…
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