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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 Why traders in Thailand are choosing EC Markets for gold and forex trading
Gold and forex trading have long been favourites among investors in Thailand, but why are so many traders now turning to EC Markets? The answer lies in a combination of tight spreads, ultra-fast execution, Thai baht (THB) deposit support, and...
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Russian man dies in Phuket motorbike crash
A fatal motorbike crash claimed the life of a 25 year old Russian man in Phuket’s Baan Don, Tambon Thepkrasattri last night. The unfortunate event, which took place yesterday, March 24, ended when the man’s vehicle collided with the wall of a house. Upon receiving the information about the accident around 10pm, Police Lieutenant Colonel Niwat Thimket of the Thalang…
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Foreigners condemned for spray-painting Phuket footpath (video)
Thai netizens condemned two foreign men for spray-painting graffiti on a footpath and several spots in the Patong neighbourhood of Phuket. The Facebook page, โหดจัง จังหวัดภูเก็ต (meaning so brutal, Phuket province), shared the 13-minute video of the two foreign vandals on March 23. “This completely dares the power of Patong police officers. Foreigners are not afraid of Thai laws. They…
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Metropolitan Police Bureau investigate Thai policewoman’s abuse
A distressing online complaint from a Thai policewoman, newly inducted into the force, has prompted an investigation by the Metropolitan Police Bureau in Thailand. The recruit alleges that she suffered continuous physical and mental abuse during her initial training year, leading to a depressive mental state. A police spokesperson has confirmed the knowledge of the complaint, posted on Sunday evening,…
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2 Thai workers killed, 1 injured in Taiwan aluminium plant explosion
Two Thai workers lost their lives while another suffered a serious injury in an explosion at an aluminium plant in Taiwan, at the weekend. Officials from Kaohsiung City Fire Department in Taiwan told local news agencies that the explosion occurred at Juei Fang Aluminium Plant at around 8.23am, Saturday, March 23. Eight workers were injured in the incident, with one…
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Chinese EV investments in Thailand linked to zero dollar tours
Chinese Electric Vehicle (EV) makers’ investments in Thailand have sparked comparison with a notorious scam, the zero dollar tours, among some industry insiders. The scam, which came into the limelight in 2016, involved Chinese tourists being enticed with inexpensive tour packages in Thailand, only to be compelled to purchase overpriced souvenirs and services. The parallel is being drawn because Chinese…
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Thailand govt releases 1.35 trillion baht from 2024 budget
Between October 1, 2023, and March 8, a whopping 1.35 trillion baht has been released from the 2024 fiscal budget by the Thailand government, according to data from the Comptroller-General’s Department. Comptroller-General’s Department Director-General Patricia Mongkhonvanit explained that the 2024 Expenditure Budget Act draft is still under review by the House of Representatives. In such scenarios, the Budget Bureau’s Budgetary…
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Thailand Stock Exchange shakes up trading oversight
The Thailand Stock Exchange (SET) has launched a series of initiatives to bolster trading oversight and refine company listing criteria. This move is to regain investor confidence, following a 15.5% negative return last year, the worst performance globally among stock exchanges. Foreign investors offloaded 192 billion baht worth of Thai shares last year, with this trend continuing into the first…
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Hungarian couple injured due to hole on Chiang Mai road
A Hungarian couple sustained minor injuries when their motorcycle fell into a 100-centimetre-deep hole on a road near Chang Phueak Gate in Chiang Mai province on the evening of March 23. A video showing the Hungarian couple riding a motorcycle before tumbling into a hole swiftly gained traction on Thai social media. The footage captured the pair travelling in the…
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Thailand grapples with surge in illegal foreign workers in tourism
The Labour Ministry of Thailand has expressed worries over the persistent issue of foreigners being unlawfully employed within the country’s tourism sector. Labour Minister Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn revealed that the ministry has been vigilantly tracking the situation and has reported a steady increase in the number of illegal foreign workers. From October 2023 to February 2024, as many as 13,424 foreigners…
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Thai tensions thaw as peace talks resume between NSC and BRN
Peace talks between Thailand’s National Security Council (NSC) and the Barisan Revolusi Nasional (BRN) are set to continue next month, despite recent setbacks, according to deputy spokeswoman Rudklao Suwankiri. This announcement follows a series of arson attacks on March 22 in Yala, Pattani, Narathiwat and Songkhla, and indications that 45 other locations are likely targets during the holy month of…
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Thai-China high-speed rail set to boost ASEAN connectivity
Chinese Ambassador Han Zhiqiang projected a significant enhancement in the collaboration between Thailand and China upon the conclusion of the anticipated high-speed rail project. The statement came during a seminar addressing the economic ties between the two nations and the Thai-China visa-free agreement, held by the Thai-Chinese Journalists Association recently. The ambassador emphasised that the completion of the Thai-China high-speed…
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Significant expansion planned for Thailand’s Red Line rail network
The State Railway of Thailand‘s (SRT) Red Line electric commuter rail network is set to undergo a significant expansion, according to Deputy Transport Minister Surapong Piyachote. The Transport Ministry will put forth proposals for the construction of three extensions this week: the Taling Chan-Salaya extension, the Rangsit-Thammasat University, Rangsit Campus extension, and the Taling Chan-Siriraj extension. The proposals will be…
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Songkhla man arrested for multiple sexual offenses against teen
The arrest of a 43 year old man, Sativat, on charges of multiple sexual offenses in Songkhla province has triggered a meticulous police operation led by the Commander of the Anti-Human Trafficking Division. The suspect, identified as the father of the victim’s friends, is accused of committing heinous acts against a 17 year old girl, including rape and molestation. Yesterday,…
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House fire in Kra Chon causes 100,000 baht damage, sparks investigation
A single-storey concrete house was engulfed in flames, leading to extensive damage and a call for those responsible to come forward. This incident, which occurred today, March 24, is believed to have originated from local farmers illegally burning rice straw in nearby fields, causing the fire to spread uncontrollably. The 50 year old homeowner, Duangsamorn, returned home to a scene…
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Tragic motorbike collision in Phuket leaves three dead, one injured
A devastating motorbike collision on Wiset Road, Rawai, in Phuket, resulted in the death of two foreign men and a Thai woman earlier today. An 18 year old Thai woman, another victim of the incident, was left injured and was immediately rushed to the nearest hospital. The tragic accident, which occurred at approximately 2.48am, was captured on CCTV footage. The…
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Child abuse case surfaces involving stepmother and malnourished 5-year-old
A five year old child was allegedly subjected to abuse by their stepmother, who reportedly left bruises and signs of malnutrition on the child’s body. The 31 year old biological mother, Jiraporn, has filed a police report against the 34 year old stepmother, identified as Fon. The 32 year old child’s father, Warut, previously won a lottery prize of 12…
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Japan experiences surge in qr code transactions amid push for digitalisation
Across Japan, a surge in electronic payment drives has been noted, as municipalities aim to encourage digitalised consumption through QR code transactions. These campaigns, often run in collaboration with local businesses, have seen increasing popularity, despite resistance from certain demographics, particularly the elderly and those less adept with digital devices. The country’s significant elderly population, a group that has been…
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Thailand aims to reduce tuberculosis rate by 5% annually
The Public Health Ministry of Thailand has set a goal to decrease the annual rate of tuberculosis (TB) cases by 5%. Dr Cherdchai Tontisirin, Dr Niti Haetanurak, and Dr Jos Vandelaer announced this target during a press conference on Friday, marking World Tuberculosis Day. The trio emphasised that, despite being globally recognised as the deadliest disease, tuberculosis’s prevalence is still…
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Undernourished dugong spotted in Trang raises alarm for marine life
A dugong, appearing undernourished and weak, was spotted in Trang’s Koh Libong area, a well-known sanctuary for these marine creatures. The animal’s condition has generated alarm among the public and researchers, considering the diminishing seagrass around the island due to human activities and climate change. Santi Nirawat, director of the Marine and Coastal Resources Research Centre (Lower Andaman Sea) at…
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Motorcycle crash on Suwinthawong Road claims life in Bangkok
A catastrophic traffic incident occurred on Suwinthawong Road, near the Harajuku curve in Bangkok, when a motorcycle collided with a parked pickup, resulting in the rider’s death. The accident, which took place today, March 24, saw the motorcycle rider tragically killed after being run over by another vehicle. Police Lieutenant Colonel Somkuan Nasommai, an investigator from the Suwinthawong Police Station,…
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Thailand gears up to become global festival hub hosting Tomorrowland and Summer Sonic
Thailand is set to become a global festival hub as it gears up to host two internationally acclaimed music festivals, Summer Sonic and Tomorrowland. This move forms part of the government’s broader vision to stimulate economic activity by attracting major international events. Chai Watcharonke, a government spokesperson, revealed that Prime Minister and Finance Minister Srettha Thavisin is spearheading this initiative,…
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Thailand grapples with scorching heat and sporadic thunderstorms
Thailand is currently experiencing a period of intense heat, with many areas also facing sporadic thunderstorms. The Thai Meteorological Department (TMD) has issued a 24-hour forecast indicating that a low-pressure system, stemming from the prevailing heat, is covering the upper parts of the country. This system is expected to bring very hot weather and isolated thunderstorms throughout the day. The…
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Mysterious demise of young woman in Samut Songkhram sparks police probe
A 22 year old woman was found dead and partially undressed in her home in Samut Songkhram Province, prompting a police investigation into the mysterious circumstances surrounding her demise. The incident occurred yesterday evening, and the police were alerted at 7.30pm yesterday, March 23. The deceased, known only as Ajchara, was discovered lying on her bed, wearing a white shirt…
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Alarming rise in Thailand’s air pollution prompts call for dedicated committee
Air pollution in Thailand has escalated to an alarming level, prompting the Thailand Development Research Institute (TDRI) to call for the formation of a dedicated national committee to tackle the PM2.5 problem and a separate agency to manage smog. These proposals were presented in an academic paper published on the TDRI’s website yesterday. This comprehensive study was conducted by esteemed…
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Bangkok couple arrested for scamming delivery workers via app
Bangkok police have arrested a couple accused of orchestrating a delivery app scam that tricked delivery employees into topping up a digital wallet, causing significant financial losses. The operation, led by high-ranking police officials, culminated in the capture of the suspects at their home yesterday. The police were alerted to the criminal activity following complaints from delivery workers who had…
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Egyptian man damages Phuket taxi in violent outburst
An Egyptian traveller was taken into protective custody at a hospital following a violent outburst which caused significant damage to a taxi in Bang Tao, Phuket, yesterday. The taxi driver, 53 year old Suriya Plodmai reported to the police that he had picked up the 31 year old Egyptian national, Basem Aly Ismail, from the Patong area and was ferrying him…
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‘Jekyll and Hyde’ man’s rampage in Canada sparks public concern (video)
A man with conflicting behaviour resembling the iconic fictional character Jekyll and Hyde unleashed a series of seemingly unprovoked attacks in downtown Vancouver, Canada on Wednesday. The man has previous form from time in Thailand. The incidents prompted the mayor of Vancouver and the city’s police chief to address the public, despite an arrest being made in connection with the…
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Chinese national’s lost gold Cartier bracelet found in Phuket
A valuable gold Cartier bracelet, worth approximately 750,000 baht, was reported missing by a Chinese national on Thalang Road in Phuket late on Thursday evening. The Chinese man, 45 year old Wang Lei, expressed his gratitude to the local police force for their quick action in locating and returning his lost property. Wang approached the Phuket City Police shortly after…
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Chiang Mai summer storm topples gateway arch, damages car
The northern city of Chiang Mai witnessed the aftermath of a summer storm when a significant gateway arch collapsed at the intersection of Bo Sang traffic lights, causing damage to a red sedan and nearby structures. In the wake of the incident, local officials and emergency services worked through the night to clear the debris and restore normalcy to the…
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Man found dead in Greater Manchester home
British police took to social media to reach out to the Thai family of a Manchester man found dead in his own home in Denton, Greater Manchester, in the United Kingdom. The deceased, 48 year old Lee McDonough’s untimely demise has left authorities scrambling for answers as they seek to connect with his family, believed to be in Thailand. Tameside…
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