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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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Thailand’s DES minister vows to combat online scams
Newly appointed Digital Economy and Society (DES) Minister, Prasert Chanthararuangthong, pledged to prioritise the suppression of online fraud and call centre scams. As part of the Pheu Thai Party‘s commitments, the DES ministry is also expected to cooperate with related agencies to roll out a digital wallet scheme by 2024, with an initial rollout anticipated for early next year. The…
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Illegal Thai resort dismantled for violating National Forest Act
Phetchabun witnessed a significant operation yesterday as over a hundred officials systematically dismantled parts of a resort found to be unlawfully constructed on national forest grounds within the Khao Kho district. The collaborative force, comprising soldiers, local administrative officials, and police officers, effectively removed five bungalows that formed part of the Khaokho Freeday resort. The decision to dismantle came following…
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Drug suspect’s escape attempt causes crash, leaving five injured in Chon Buri
A drug suspect fleeing from police caused a traffic accident that resulted in five injuries, including two police officers and a resident. Found in possession of 100 methamphetamine pills and two bags of crystal meth, the suspect was eventually apprehended. The incident occurred yesterday on the Chon Buri-Ban Bueng road. At 9.30pm, the Chon Buri City Police received a report…
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Informant fears for life after exposing drug cartel and corrupt officers
A police informant, known by the alias Jang Talat Phlu, has taken to the Sai Mai Tong Rod (Sai Mai Must Survive) Facebook page, renowned for its help during Covid-19 lockdowns, fearing for his life. He alleges threats from both a police gang and a drug cartel he exposed. Jang claims that a deputy chief inspector and four junior inspectors,…
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Free visa for Chinese tourists stirs Thai transnational crime fears
The newly proposed travel policy by Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin, which includes free visa privileges for Chinese tourists, could potentially escalate transnational crime rates, as per the Immigration Bureau (IB) of Thailand. The program, which is set to kick off on October 1, is designed to stimulate the influx of Chinese tourists, who once dominated the tourist arrivals. However, despite…
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Neighbourly nightmare: Squatter sparks property feud with no end in sight
A couple in need of police and media intervention recently found themselves embroiled in a property dispute when a neighbour decided to squat in their long-abandoned house. The neighbour initiated extensive renovations and showed no willingness to return the property to its rightful owners. Sun, a 27 year old man, unveiled his plans to marry his girlfriend, Eye, by the…
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NBTC and DES ministry prepare for Thaicom 4 satellite transition in 2024
The office of the National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC) is working closely with the Ministry of Digital Economy and Society (DES) to prepare for the Thaicom 4 satellite‘s 2024 lifespan expiry at 119.5° East orbit. Dr Sarana Boonbaichaiyapruck, NBTC board chair, held talks with outgoing DES Minister Chaiwut Thanakamanusorn on joint responsibilities. Thaicom previously managed both Thaicom 4 broadband…
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Kasikornbank’s ASEAN ambitions grow: Eyes on Home Credit Vietnam
Kasikornbank (KBank), the second-largest lender in Thailand by total assets, is in preliminary discussions to acquire consumer finance provider Home Credit Vietnam. This move is part of KBank’s ASEAN business expansion. Home Credit Vietnam belongs to the Netherlands-based non-bank financial institution, Home Credit Group, which is planning to offload its ASEAN businesses. KBank executive vice-president Pattarapong Kanhasuwan revealed the deal…
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Bangkok’s multinational ambitions drive forward: BMA seeks government support
The drive to establish Bangkok as a multinational hub has gained momentum, with the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) expressing intent to garner government backing for the initiative. Bangkok Governor Chadchart Sittipunt, yesterday, announced the intent to align the BMA’s policy with that of the government to stimulate the city’s economy and job creation. In a press briefing, Chadchart illustrated the…
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Catch me if you can: Rapist arrested after challenging police to apprehend him (video)
Police arrested a rapist yesterday who physically and sexually assaulted a 17 year old girl in Pathum Thani province near Bangkok. The sex offender also taunted the police prior to the arrest, saying, “You will never catch me.” The family of the victim filed a complaint against the alleged rapist, 29 year old Suppakarn “Ohm” Khansantier, after the teenage victim…
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Thai leadership insights: Decade-long study proves remarkably accurate
A decade-long research study on Thai leadership, conducted by an executive and Professor Bruce McKenzie, demonstrated remarkable accuracy. This study, based on global data and insights from diverse Thai groups, offered a comprehensive perspective on leadership. Over the past dynamic decade, predictions by Thai contributors have proven highly accurate, leading to the emergence of six key leadership approaches. These encompass…
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New Thai Cabinet prioritises economic recovery, property and tourism sectors
The newly confirmed Cabinet, featuring many Pheu Thai Party members, is focusing on economic recovery matters and pledged to reduce energy costs to ease financial burdens. Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin engaged with various business sectors but concerns about potential bias make it unlikely that the property sector will receive preferential treatment. Tritecha Tangmatitham, MD of SET-listed developer Supalai, believes the…
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Famed chef accused of unfair dismissal and misconduct
A renowned chef has been exposed by a former employee for unfair dismissal and deception, leading her into a group sex event. The chef’s deceptive behaviour towards multiple employees has been revealed, with some even facing threats. The disclosures were posted on the popular page Let’s Be Famous, I’ll Arrange It Return Part 6, featuring stories of the chef’s misconduct.…
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Government economy plan: Cost of living cuts, fuel and electricity price adjustments
The government plans to announce initiatives to reduce living costs and boost the economy in an upcoming Cabinet meeting. Deputy Finance Minister Julapun Amornvivat revealed these measures would involve changes to diesel and electricity prices. A reduction in diesel excise tax is under consideration to lower retail prices at the pump and help the economy. A potential freeze on government…
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Nissan nightmare: Car inferno at Prachin Buri petrol station, owner vanishes
A Nissan sedan caught fire at a petrol station in the central Prachin Buri province today, though the owner of the burning car seemingly disappeared. The blaze prompted a swift response from the station staff and local fire services. The incident occurred at approximately 8.45am today, along Route 304, Mueang Kabin Buri-entrance to Nakhon Ratchasima, in the old city area of…
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Antique hunters nabbed with over 1,000 artefacts and 10 million baht earnings
Officials from the Department of Fine Arts and the Crime Suppression Division apprehended a gang of antique hunters, who had been selling their finds through Facebook. Over 1,000 items were seized in the raid which took place today. The operation that nabbed the antique hunters was led by Major General Jiraphop Puridej, the head of the Crime Suppression Division, along…
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TikToker shares flight passenger’s smelly feet on her armrest
A recent incident on a plane has sparked outrage among online viewers of a viral post. A woman shared a video on TikTok, showing her disgust as a fellow flight passenger placed his stinky feet on her armrest. The video was posted by the username @kenggii, and it has since amassed a significant number of views and comments, raising serious…
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Justice whispers: Thaksin’s sentence may shrink yet
Undisclosed sources within the Justice Ministry leaked news that the sentences handed to Thailand’s former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra could be reduced further. Thaksin’s return to Thailand on Tuesday, August 22 this year marked the initiation of legal proceedings against him, encompassing three charges that had been levied against him before he departed from the country in 2008. The 74…
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Strong waves warning in Krabi, Andaman Sea, and Gulf of Thailand
The Nopparat Thara Beach National Park in Krabi issued a weather warning for high waves, strong winds, and heavy rainfall. The park has advised caution for all marine activities within its jurisdiction. Thapanee Ariyudomwong, head of Nopparat Thara Beach-Phi Phi Islands National Park, announced the weather warning and urged careful conduct of tourism activities during the period of storms and…
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British man assaulted after provoking locals in Pattaya shop
A severely drunk British man met a violent fate in Pattaya today when he was assaulted by a group of Thai men at a local convenience store. The incident occurred in the early hours of the morning, with the British man allegedly causing a disturbance that provoked the Thai men into retaliation. According to the store owner, the British man,…
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Frustration mounts over costly and limited professional teacher exam registration in Thailand
Social media was ablaze yesterday with complaints about the online application process for the professional teacher exam. Internet users were left frustrated by the high cost and limited availability of spaces. Some had to travel to different provinces for the exam and questioned whether a survey of potential applicants had been conducted before the opening. The Office of the Secretary…
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Internet star apologises for staged kissing clip misinterpreted as sexual violation
A famous Internet personality is offering clarification on a viral kissing video clip that caused an uproar, featuring a woman forcibly kissing a delivery worker. She stated that the incident was merely a staged scene for content creation and not an act of sexual violation. The kissing clip that sparked controversy among social media users shows a delivery worker being…
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Roadside accident sends baby flying from car, vendor turns hero
A horrifying roadside accident involving an 18-wheel lorry, a 6-wheel truck, and a sedan caused tragedy in the Nong Khae district of Saraburi. A nine month old infant was flung through the car’s windscreen during the collision. The incident occurred on Phahon Yothin Road, under the Phra Chai overpass. Three people were injured in the chilling event. The victims included…
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Tragic twist: Death of two year old Thai boy leads to arrest in Suphan Buri
Police arrested a Thai man over the death of a two year old boy in the central province of Suphan Buri. The man claimed that the death was a result of an unintentional shooting. On September 1, the medical professionals of the Uthong Hospital filed a complaint at Uthong Police Station after a Thai man delivered an injured boy to…
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Lift plunge tragedy: Five employees killed at Bali’s Ayuterra Resort
A tragic lift plunge on the popular Indonesian tourist island of Bali led to the death of five hotel employees. The small electric railcar used within the Ayuterra Resort in Ubud was reported to have suddenly fallen on September 1. The ongoing investigations by the local police are focusing on why the railcar’s cable snapped. The unfortunate lift plunge transpired at the…
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Tidal wave of troubles: Hua Hin beach road left in ruins, affecting 2,500 households
An intense tidal wave, coupled with rising sea levels, caused severe damage to a cement road along Hua Hin beach in the Satun province. The tidal wave damage disrupted the lives of 2,500 households in ten villages, causing transportation difficulties. Local officials have swiftly initiated an assessment of the damage and marked hazardous areas. Following the distress signal from local…
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Electric car fire: Week-old million baht vehicle ignites in Udon Thani mall
A week-old electric car costing over a million baht, suddenly caught fire while being charged in front of a shopping mall in Udon Thani, northeast Thailand. The owner, a 41 year old man named Vin (pseudonym), was taken aback when 50% charged, the vehicle began to emit smoke from under the hood. Chinese engineers are currently investigating the electric car…
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Digital economy minister urged to support SMEs and combat online scams in Thailand
The newly appointed Digital Economy and Society (DES) Minister is being urged by industry leaders to combat online scams, bolster cross-border e-commerce for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), and provide additional incentives to businesses for technological investments. The National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC) is also looking to collaborate with the minister, Prasert Chanthararuangthong, on various initiatives to bridge the…
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Violent altercation tragically claims life of Pathum Thani man
A 34 year old man was tragically killed in a violent altercation in a rented room in Khlong Luang, Pathum Thani, central Thailand. The incident, which occurred yesterday, at 8pm, was reported to the police by Wirawat Niyom Thatsap, a Khlong Luang Police Station investigator. The victim’s father, 57 year old Narin, who was heavily inebriated and sporting facial wounds,…
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Boat capsize tragedy: Retail manager and friend drown in northeast Thailand reservoir
A prominent 35 year old retail store manager, along with a friend, tragically drowned after their boat capsized due to a leak in a reservoir in Nakhon Phanom province, northeast Thailand. The boat capsize incident, which occurred yesterday, was reported to the police department by a 29 year old woman, the deceased’s friend, who was present at the scene but…
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