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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 Pre-existing conditions? These expat insurance plans still have you covered
Many expats feel worried that their pre-existing health problems will stop them from getting insurance in a new country. This fear is common, especially when medical care can be expensive. But the good news is, some insurance, like the plans...
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Worker shortage hits Pattaya as Myanmar junta blocks emigration
Dismayed Pattaya employers are raising the alarm over a sudden surge in job vacancies following the Myanmar junta’s recent move to restrict young people, especially men, from leaving the country. The junta’s spokesman, Zaw Min Tun, justified the enforcement of Myanmar’s long-standing conscription laws, stating it was crucial for now due to the mass exodus of citizens to neighbouring countries,…
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Mother-in-law’s intervention in family dispute ends in fatal stabbing
A domestic dispute turned deadly when a mother-in-law intervened in an argument between her daughter and son-in-law, leading to a fatal stabbing in a Bang Kruai residence. The incident occurred in the early hours of today. Police Lieutenant Thanawat Chiwitsophon from Bang Kruai Police Station received a report at 12.20am about a fatal stabbing at a house in Maha Sawat…
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Thailand Video News | Pro-cannabis activists rally at the Ministry of Health, Teenage gang leader arrested after samurai sword spree
In this Thailand video news, Alex and Jay delve into varied stories from across the country. Beginning with pro-cannabis activists converged at the Ministry of Health, advocating for marijuana reforms, while law enforcement apprehended a teenage gang leader responsible for a violent samurai sword spree. In a separate incident, a man faced charges for allegedly concealing his boyfriend’s murder as…
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Algerian man missing for 27 years found alive in basement
An Algerian man thought to have died in his country’s civil war has been found after 27 years, revealing he was kidnapped by a neighbour. Omar bin Omran disappeared in 1998 while he was 17 years old. His family believed he had perished in the war. Reports indicate Omar was abducted while en route to school in Djelfa. His disappearance…
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Mahidol University to launch first mRNA malaria vaccine trial
Mahidol University is nearing the start of the world’s first clinical trial for an mRNA vaccine targeting malaria. This pioneering effort follows successful laboratory trials on mice and is set to advance to testing on monkeys before reaching human subjects. Professor Jetsumon Prachumsri from the Faculty of Tropical Medicine at Mahidol University and chief of the Mahidol Vivax Research Unit…
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Bahraini man suspected of murdering Thai wife (video)
The family of a Thai woman accused her Bahraini husband of murdering her at his home in Bahrain. The woman died last year but the embassy only notified the dead woman’s family in April. The dead woman’s mother, 55 year old Aomjai Sakarin, visited Suvarnabhumi International Airport yesterday, May 16, to collect the dead body of her 31 year old…
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Home loan difficulties lead to six-year low in housing transfers
Difficulties in securing home loans have led to a significant decline in housing transfers across the country in the first quarter, reaching the lowest level in six years and marking the fifth consecutive quarter of decline. The Acting Director-General of the Real Estate Information Center (REIC) Vichai Viratkapan reported that residential demand nationwide contracted in the first quarter, with housing…
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Navigating new depths: RTN seals deal for Chinese submarine
The Royal Thai Navy (RTN) confirmed its decision to proceed with the purchase of a 13.5-billion-baht submarine from China, following successful negotiations earlier this week. This announcement came from an RTN source. General Somsak Rungsita, adviser to Defence Minister Sutin Klungsang and chairman of the Defence Ministry panel dealing with the submarine issue, held discussions with a Chinese delegation led…
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Chiang Mai police invoke 10pm curfew after samurai gang rampage
Chiang Mai Provincial Police officers imposed a 10pm curfew on locals under 18 years old following a deadly rampage by a criminal gang armed with samurai swords. The commander of the Provincial Police Region 5, Krittapon Yi-sakhon, revealed to the MumKhao news platform that a group of men, mostly teenage Burmese nationals, repeatedly caused chaos, committed theft, fatally attacked, and…
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Thailand’s solar panel tax cut scheme to save households on bills
A new tax reduction scheme aimed at encouraging households to install rooftop solar panels is expected to be finalised by mid-year, announced the Department of Alternative Energy Development and Efficiency (DEDE). The initiative seeks to lower electricity bills and reduce carbon dioxide emissions. Households that purchase solar panels with a power generation capacity of less than 10 kilowatts, costing under…
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Ancient human remains and tools found in Satun’s Khao Khom Cave
Human remains and ancient tools, estimated to date back over 10,000 years, have been unearthed inside Khao Khom Cave in Satun’s Khuan Kalong district. This discovery emerged from a project spearheaded by Kamponsak Sassadee, a renowned cave explorer, who aimed to delve into one of the province’s longest and most ecologically diverse caves. Kamponsak’s team initially discovered signs of ancient…
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Taxing times: Local governments urged to ‘build’ a better law
Local governments must take a more active role in revising the land and building tax law, which has been in effect for five years, according to the Director-General of the Fiscal Policy Office, Pornchai Thiraveja. Pornchai stated that the Land and Building Tax Act of 2019 grants local administrative organisations the authority to collect taxes to fund local development initiatives.…
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Thai authorities confirms deaths of 2 Thais held hostage in Gaza
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) yesterday revealed that two out of the eight Thai workers held hostage by Hamas died during an offensive in October last year. PPTV HD reported that IDF spokesperson Daniel Hagari identified the deceased as Sonthaya Oakkharasri and Sudthisak Rinthalak, both of whom previously worked in agriculture at the Be’eri kibbutz, about 4 kilometres from Gaza.…
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Pilot’s close call with rocket, sparks aviation safety debate
A Royal Thai Air Force (RTAF) pilot reported a close encounter with a firework rocket that soared almost 8,000 feet, forcing evasive manoeuvres to avoid a potential disaster. The incident, shared on the Facebook page Unseen Records of Pilots has sparked a wave of public concern over aviation safety. The pilot detailed the alarming event, which occurred after taking off…
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Cambodian worker in Thailand wins 12 million baht in lottery
A Cambodian woman working as a labourer in Nakhon Ratchasima has become a millionaire after winning 12 million baht in the lottery. She shared the emotional moment of realising she had won, celebrating with her partner. Reports emerged that a foreign worker had won the first prize in the lottery, amounting to 12 million baht, at Ban Khok Na Klang,…
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Bangkok’s electrifying plan to bury cables sparks into life
Bangkok citizens may have scoffed last year when the Metropolitan Electricity Authority (MEA) declared its grand plan to bury 1,454 kilometres of electrical cables underground over the next decade. It seemed like a shocking revelation but the sparks of doubt soon flickered away as the city geared up for the electrifying endeavour. This initiative was further illuminated by the newly…
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Today’s results reveals pattern for Thai lottery enthusiasts
Sanook News compiled a 10-year history of lottery numbers drawn on May 16, today’s date, as the lottery results were revealed. Here are the notable numbers that have appeared in previous years. Reviewing past lottery results for draws held on Mondays and in May can also provide interesting insights for lottery enthusiasts. The winning number for the first prize in…
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Trang man wins 72 million baht lottery jackpot
A man from Trang struck it rich after scooping 72 million baht in the latest lottery draw. He also won additional prizes, making his total winnings even more substantial. The Government Lottery Office announced the results of the lottery draw this afternoon. The winning number for the first prize was 205690. The three-digit front prizes were 885 and 747, while…
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Sibling bludgeoned to death by older brother over vegetable dispute
A shocking case of sibling rivalry unfolded today after an argument over littering in a vegetable garden had escalated to brutal levels in Bangkok, culminating with the older brother bludgeoning the younger brother to death with a table leg. Earlier today, Police Captain Jirannathin Klinniran of the Samre Police Department received a report of physical assault with casualties inside an…
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Lottery draw reveals winners with 6 million baht top prize
Today’s lottery draw from the Government Lottery Office attracted eager participants who tuned in to the live broadcast. People across Thailand were glued to their screens in anticipation of the winning numbers for the first prize, two-digit and three-digit endings, and other rewards. The live lottery draw began around 2.30pm. The excitement was palpable as viewers awaited the announcement of…
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Prime minister’s wife enrolls in prestigious politics course
The corridors of power just got a fresh infusion of intrigue as the wife of Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin joined the ranks of students at a top-notch political institution. Dr Pakpilai Thavisin, a prominent figure in the medical world at Bumrungrad International Hospital, secured her spot amongst the prestigious cohort at the College of Politics and Governance, King Prajadhipok’s Institute…
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Progressive Movement leader’s monumental move in Paris
Thanathorn Juangroongruangkit, the leader of Thailand’s Progressive Movement, is set to make waves this weekend with his grand revelation concerning the former residence of the esteemed late Thai Prime Minister Pridi Banomyong, nestled in the serene suburbs of Antony, Paris. The much-anticipated announcement, scheduled for Saturday, will be broadcast live via the movement’s Facebook page. In a tantalising sneak peek…
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PM Srettha: Six advantages to make Thailand an investment hotspot
Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin, addressing potential investors at SUBCON Thailand 2024, asserted that Thailand possesses a plethora of advantages positioning it as an investment hotspot for crucial industries such as electrical vehicle (EV) and electronics manufacturing. Hosting the international trade show for part-sourcing and business-matching, the premier highlighted Thailand’s standout traits, starting with its geopolitical stability, distinguishing it from its…
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Taiwan haunted house listed for 10 million baht sparks debate
A 29 year old haunted house in Taiwan, listed for sale at 10 million baht after revealing a death occurred on the premises, sparked interest and a heated debate online. A real estate agent recently posted about the sale of a haunted house in a Taiwanese Facebook group, openly disclosing that a previous tenant died from a drug overdose in the…
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Palm tree lands on car during thunderstorm in Phuket
A palm tree fell onto a passing car on Thepkrasattri Road in Phuket during a thunderstorm yesterday evening, prompting officials to urge motorists to drive cautiously in such weather. Thalang Police received reports of the incident around 6pm. Upon arrival, police and rescue workers found a heavily damaged white Suzuki car registered in Phuket. The car, which had also collided…
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Torrential May downpour turns Bang Saray into river
Relentless rain wreaked havoc across Bang Saray, transforming streets into rivers and causing chaos for locals. Since the crack of dawn yesterday, unyielding rain transformed Bang Saray in Sattahip District into a watery maze, inundating Sukhumvit Road and nearby areas. The deluge overwhelmed drainage systems, plunging streets into chaos and triggering severe traffic snarls. The downpour hit Sukhumvit Road hardest,…
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Ranger killed by escaped aggressive wild elephant nicknamed tank
A wildlife ranger was tragically killed by an aggressive wild elephant nicknamed Tank in the eastern Thai province of Chachoengsao, according to local officials. The incident occurred in the early hours of today, May 16, in the Sanam Chai Khet district of Chachoengsao. Tha Kradan Subdistrict Administration Organisation Chief Trapsawee Kunsari received reports that a wild elephant had attacked and…
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Fears mount as Thailand’s 10 year old rice set to hit Nigeria
Growing concerns and fears are emerging in Africa’s most populous country over the possibility of Thailand’s 10-year-old stored rice entering the Nigerian and African markets. This comes after the Thai government announced plans to sell it to the public, BusinessDay Nigeria has reported. Thailand plans to auction 150,000 sacks of rice that have been kept in warehouses for 10 years,…
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Phuket man arrested for illegal firearms, ammo possession
Thalang Police in Phuket apprehended a man in Srisoonthorn for the illegal possession of firearms and ammunition. The arrest took place yesterday evening after law enforcement received a tip-off regarding suspicious activities at an unregistered house. Officers arrived at the residence at 8pm, where they found Amarin Khanitthanam standing near the open front door. After identifying themselves, the police questioned…
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Outcry as activist dies in custody: PM Srettha vows transparency
The untimely demise of political activist Netiporn Sanesangkhom sparked outrage and drew sharp attention to the justice system’s handling of detainees. Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin, expressing profound sorrow, conveyed his condolences to Netiporn’s family. Vowing transparency and justice, the Thai PM promptly ordered the Justice Ministry to investigate the circumstances of her passing. Netiporn’s demise on Tuesday ignited a storm…
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