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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 Is private health insurance in Thailand worth it? Real costs vs risks explained
Thailand has a strong healthcare system with both public and private options. Public hospitals offer affordable care, but many people, including expats, choose private health insurance for faster service, modern facilities, and more treatment choices. To decide if private health...
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Three Chinese nationals fined for missing 90-day immigration check-in in Thailand
Three Chinese nationals have recently been fined as part of an ongoing crackdown on immigration violations in Thailand. Acting under the instructions of national deputy police chief Pol. Gen. Surachet “Big Joke” Hakparn, officers in Banglamung and Sattahip have been carrying out weekly checks on Chinese nationals and other foreigners who may be involved in illegal activities or overstaying their…
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Transwoman arrested for stealing 189,000 baht from Sri Lankan tourist
Bangkok Police arrested a Thai transwoman for stealing US$5,500 (189,000 baht) from a Sri Lankan tourist two weeks’ ago. The Sri Lankan victim, 30 year old Suras, filed a complaint at Huay Kwang Police Station on Sunday, April 9 after discovering that his money was missing. Suras said that he drank alcohol at a bar in the Asoke neighbourhood with…
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North Pattaya warzone: One injured in teenage gang clash involving rocks, knives, homemade grenades
A recent clash between rival teenage gangs in north Pattaya has left one person injured after the gangs used rocks, knives, and homemade grenades as weapons. The violent incident took place at 5am on Saturday, April 22 at the Photisan Fresh Market, where a 17 year old employee of the Jay Nooch fruit shop suffered a blow to the head…
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Preventing mosquito-borne diseases in Thailand: Tips and guidelines
Picture this: you’ve finally arrived in Thailand and you’re eager to explore the vibrant street markets, indulge in scrumptious Thai cuisine, and unwind on stunning beaches. But amidst the excitement, one pesky problem lurks: mosquitoes. These tiny creatures may be small, but they can pack a punch in the form of mosquito-borne diseases, which is common in Thailand. Thailand has…
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Chinese ambassador expresses confidence in Belt and Road Initiative benefiting Thailand and China
Chinese Ambassador Han Zhiqiang expressed his confidence yesterday that China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) would foster mutual growth and provide numerous benefits to both Thailand and China. Speaking at a seminar titled “Contemporary China with the World: An Exchange of a New Generation between Thailand and China,” the ambassador highlighted the BRI’s role in guiding and advancing bilateral relations…
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Man and child die in jet ski accident in Pattaya, Thailand
A 35 year old man and seven year old boy were killed in a jet ski accident yesterday at Pattaya Beach, Bang Lamung district, Chon Buri province, eastern Thailand. At 7pm, officers at Pattaya City Police Station were informed that a jet ski overturned in the sea near the entrance of Soi 14 and two people were missing. Police rushed…
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Just clicked: Snap-happy photographer captures Wiki Loves Monuments Launch in Thailand
A snap-happy photographer from Thailand got the picture at the launch of Wikimedia Thailand’s Wiki Loves Monuments (WLM) photography contest. The winning snap, by photographer Kriengsak Jirasirirojanakorn, features the eight stupas located in Wat Phra Kaew or the Temple of the Emerald Buddha in Bangkok. The WLM is an annual competition that focuses on cultural heritage monuments and sites in…
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Power bank explosion causes panic over safety concerns
A recent Facebook post showing a severely burnt table and the charred remains of a power bank that caught fire has raised concerns about the safety of the product and prompted calls for an investigation. The user who posted the shocking image detailed their harrowing experience in the accompanying caption. According to the post, the incident occurred at night when…
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Thai man accuses RTA general of drug abuse, sexual sadism, and physical abuse
A Thai man accused a lieutenant general of the Royal Thai Army (RTA) of using drugs, engaging in sexual sadism, and physically abusing him during their sexual encounter in the southern province of Songkhla. The accuser, a Thai man named Nut, spoke to the media today about his relationship with the aforementioned RTA soldier named Wor. Nut disclosed that he…
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What’s new in Bangkok 2023: new art galleries to visit
New in Bangkok for 2023, the city unveils a wave of captivating art galleries that cater to both tourists and locals. In this article, we present a handpicked selection of must-visit spots guaranteed to delight art enthusiasts. Join us as we explore the latest gems of Bangkok’s thriving art scenes. New art galleries in Bangkok 2023 Here is a list…
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Thailand is the biggest exporter of condoms in the world
Condoms are among five products that Thailand exports more than any other country in the world, according to data from the global trade insights website kidka.com, reports Prachachat. Today, the Ministry of Commerce’s Director of the Trade Policy and Strategy Office, Poonping Naiyanapakorn, revealed that Thailand was the champion exporter of five outstanding Thai products in 2022… Fresh Durian Thailand…
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Azerbaijan establishes border checkpoint on disputed land link, igniting tensions with Armenia
In a provocative move that has riled up its arch-enemy Yerevan, Azerbaijan established a border checkpoint yesterday on the only land link between Armenia and the disputed Nagorno-Karabakh enclave. Tensions continue to mount between the two ex-Soviet Caucasus nations with fierce rivalries centred around the Azerbaijani Armenian-majority territory of Nagorno-Karabakh. Azerbaijan’s state border service announced… “The units of the Azerbaijani…
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Oil spill on Chon Buri’s Bang Saen Beach sparks urgent alls for Marine Department action
Locals and tourists in Chon Buri noticed an oil spill on Bang Saen Beach yesterday and urged the Marine Department to locate the source of the spill. Residents speculated that the oil was released from an irresponsible cargo ship. Many travellers, both Thai and foreigners, had to abandon swimming in the Bang Sean Sea yesterday due to the oil spill.…
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Malaysians urged to take out insurance before driving in Thailand
An activist is urging Malaysians who wish to drive while travelling in Thailand to take out full insurance coverage policies to reduce problems in the case of an accident. Abdul Halim Othman, also known as Cikgu Joe Satun, is a Malaysian activist living in Satun province in southern Thailand. He said the issue of insurance should be taken seriously because…
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Pollution linked to 1,200 child deaths, chronic illness in Europe
Over 1,200 youngsters under 18 are losing their lives prematurely because of air pollution across Europe every year. That’s not all – it’s also raising the risk of chronic illnesses later in life. These saddening stats were revealed by none other than the EU environmental agency itself. Even though there have been some improvements, the levels of crucial air pollutants…
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Scam alert: fake Facebook page swindles Thai tourists out of thousands of baht for Pattaya pool villas
A group of Thai tourists were allegedly tricked out of tens of thousands of baht by a fake Pattaya pool villa Facebook page. Achiraya Malarat, a 27 year old Thai tourist from Khon Kaen province, got in touch with The Pattaya News to expose a scammer who was pretending to be a genuine pool villa operator on Facebook. On April…
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Festival turns fatal: Covid surges post-Songkran
A sharp increase in Covid inpatients and related fatalities was reported in the week following the Songkran Festival, with numbers soaring by 150% compared to the previous week, according to the Department of Disease Control. Between April 16 and 22, the number of Covid inpatients surged to 1,088, a stark increase from the 435 patients in the preceding week of…
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Tour bus driver flees scene after crash in Thailand, 1 dead, 40 injured
A tour bus driver fled the scene after losing control and crashing in Maha Sahakham province in northeast Thailand this morning. One person was killed in the crash and 40 more people were injured. At 12.05am, officers at Rat Charoen Police Station were informed that a Thai Sriram Company’s tour bus from Ubon Ratchathani to Bangkok lost control and crashed…
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Tragic accident: Elderly Thai woman killed by public bus at Si Yan Intersection in Bangkok
A public bus knocked down and killed an 83 year old Thai woman while she was on a zebra crossing at Si Yan Intersection in Bangkok at 7am yesterday. The bus driver confessed he did not see the victim crossing the road when he made a turn. Officers from Samsen Police Station were notified of the accident and rushed to…
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Over 100 evacuated in first French rescue flight from Sudan
Over a hundred people were evacuated from Sudan on the first French rescue flight, as part of a complex and challenging operation. Two planes have so far rescued hundreds of individuals, with more flights expected soon. The 106 passengers on the first flight landed safely in Djibouti in the late afternoon. The French military has been instrumental in the rescue…
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Ya Ya, the beloved panda, bids farewell to the US, heads home to China
After an incredible 20 years as an ambassador of friendship in the United States, Ya Ya the female giant panda will soon return to her homeland of China. The National Forestry and Grassland Administration has confirmed that she’ll be hopping on a plane bound for Shanghai in the next few days. Ya Ya, born on August 3, 2000, at the…
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Thai woman sets new record at London Marathon
A woman from Thailand who ran the London Marathon in the UK yesterday set a unique new Guinness World Record for “the fastest marathon dressed in Thai traditional dress.” The marathon runner, Shrinya “Dr Miyu” Kanchanasewi, is a 33 year old dentist based at Chao Phraya Hospital with a passion for running. Dr Miyu posted a photo on Facebook holding…
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China’s Fujian: A naval game-changer
China is about to seriously shake things up in the world of naval warfare, as the latest state-of-the-art aircraft carrier, the Fujian, reportedly gears up to launch new-type aircraft. As soon as this beauty is commissioned, it’s expected to be the lynchpin of China’s ambitious plans to develop a blue-water navy – making its presence known on the open ocean…
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Transwoman fined for dancing naked on Bang Saen Beach
Police fined a Thai transwoman 2,000 baht for dancing naked during Wan Lai along Bang Saen Beach Road last week. A video of the naked dance was circulated on Thai Twitter and quickly went viral on Sunday, April 16. In the video, the transwoman can be seen dancing on top of an ice bucket, taking off her panties and hanging…
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Pregnant elephant tramples mahout to death in northeast Thailand
A pregnant elephant trampled its 60 year old mahout to death in Buriram province in northeast Thailand yesterday. The deceased’s wife said the elephant was moody because of the extremely hot weather. Officers at Satuek Police Station were called to Ban Nong Kaen village in Sanam Chai district after receiving a report that an elephant killed its owner. Police found the…
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Europe’s military spending skyrockets in wake of Ukraine crisis
In a jaw-dropping revelation, Europe‘s military spending has leapt to unbelievable heights this year, and the situation in Ukraine is the primary reason for this trend. Global security researchers unveiled that the ongoing strife has catapulted European military expenditure to dizzying levels, something not witnessed since the end of the Cold War! With challenges brewing in East Asia between the…
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47 dead bodies discovered in wake of the cult tragedy in Kenya
Kenyan police announced yesterday that they had discovered an additional 26 dead bodies in eastern Kenya. This new revelation brings the number of deceased individuals linked to the Good News International Church cult up to a staggering 47. Investigators wearing white coveralls and masks are currently on-site carrying out further excavations in Malindi, searching for more potential remains. Several bodies…
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XBB Omicron variant rising in Thailand: New strategies deployed
Approximately 52% of new Covid-19 cases in Thailand have been attributed to the XBB sub-strain of the Omicron variant, according to the Centre for Medical Genomics. As a result, a prominent doctor has urged the public to obtain booster shots before the onset of the rainy season. The XBB variant and its sub-strains have been responsible for recent surges in…
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Thailand’s Tourist Police under fire for carrying famous lawyer’s luggage (video)
Thailand‘s police chief Pol. Gen. Damrongsak Kittipraphat ordered an urgent investigation into a video of Tourist Police officers assisting with the luggage of a famous lawyer at Suvarnabhumi Airport after the clip sparked concerns that the act was inappropriate and outside of the officers’ specified duties. Chief Damrongsak held a conference yesterday at the Royal Thai Police (RTP) Headquarters to…
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Jordanian attacks Thai singer’s brother at condo in Thailand
A Jordanian man allegedly attacked the brother of a Thai singer, Kanyarat “Lula” Tatiyaporn, at a condominium in Thailand. The victim sustained a ruptured eardrum and multiple wounds all over his body. Lula revealed details of the incident and provided an update on her brother’s condition to KhaoSod yesterday. She explained that the incident occurred on the evening of Saturday,…
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