News
Thailand news, politics, business, crime, lifestyle, and tourism—stay updated with breaking news and in-depth analysis from Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Pattaya, and beyond.
-
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...
-
JSCCIB urges BoT to cut high interest rates amid economic threats
As the economy grapples with internal and external threats, the Joint Standing Committee on Commerce, Industry and Banking (JSCCIB) called on the Bank of Thailand (BoT) to reduce interest rates. The high interest rates are causing a surge in borrowing costs, amidst a volatile recovery due to the global economic downturn. These views were expressed by Sanan Angubolkul, chairman of…
-
Thai woman escapes burning car after dog-related collision
A woman escaped unscathed after her car was engulfed in flames following a dog unexpectedly crossing her path while she was driving home. The incident, which took place today in Buriram, saw the woman manage to flee her burning vehicle, a Ford Fiesta, which was completely damaged. Aphinya Phantaprateeb, a detective from Mueang Buriram Police Station in Buriram province, last…
-
Thai man cites inheritance arguments as motive for drowning family
A Thai man cited repeated arguments on inheritance with his father as a motive for drowning him and his younger sister in the Isaan province of Sakon Nakhon. He insisted the crime was committed without mental illness, alcohol or drug use. Officers from the Phang Khon Police Station arrested 35 year old Warut Datephumee for the premeditated murder of his father…
-
Gold price takes a dip in Thailand, down 50 baht from previous close
The Gold Traders Association (GTA) today revealed a further drop in today’s gold price when compared to the final price of yesterday. Today, a baht of gold ornament is selling for 34,150 baht, a 50 baht reduction from the closing price of yesterday. As per the GTA website, gold bars can be sold for 33,650 baht per baht and purchased…
-
Pa Narae removed from emergency list, southern emergency decree to extend
A recent meeting of the Emergency Situation Management Committee at the National Security Council unveiled that one southern district has been struck off the severe emergency area list, while the emergency decree is predicted to prolong for an additional three months. The district in question, Pa Narae, located in Pattani province, was removed due to improvements in the local situation…
-
Bangkok Governor Chadchart coordinates campaigns to combat PM2.5 with draft bill
Bangkok Governor Chadchart Sittipunt stipulated guidelines for preventing and solving the PM2.5 dust problem in the Thai capital, yesterday, January 10, at Bangkok City Hall, Din Daeng. A campaign has been implemented to change engine oil and air filters according to the usage cycle accordingly to reduce dust caused by dark smoke and exhaust emissions from the combustion engine (diesel). Both…
-
Pattaya City courts elderly Chinese tourists with square dance champions
Pattaya City officials extended a warm welcome to the Chinese square dance champions on Tuesday, January 9, marking a strategic move to boost tourism and instil assurance for elderly Chinese tourists. It was Siwat Boongerd, Pattaya’s Deputy Permanent Secretary, who greeted the Chinese victors of the square dance contest during a ceremony at Pattaya Beach. This welcoming event was not…
-
Fuel tanker overturns in Surin causing potential explosion risk
A tanker truck carrying 40,000 litres of fuel overturned on Route 24 from Chokchai-Det Udom in Surin province. The incident took place yesterday around 10.50am and left the 36 year old driver, Tiwa, injured with back pain and vomiting. The accident was reported by Thanakorn Chaiharn, an investigation officer from Prasat Police Station. The truck, carrying 24,000 litres of diesel…
-
Thai grandfather sexually assaults two young girls, arrested
The mother of two young girls reported their grandfather to authorities on January 9 for the alleged sexual abuse of her daughters. The girls’ mother, known by the alias May, brought the matter to Paveena Hongsakul, Thai Foundation for Children and Women President. May claimed that the girls’ 47 year old grandfather, Man (nickname) had sexually abused the two girls…
-
Electrical leakage sparks safety concerns at Phan Thong district footbridge
A footbridge in Phan Thong district of Chon Buri is sparking concerns among residents due to a potentially dangerous electrical leakage. The bridge is situated near Phan Thong Tonson School, a busy passageway for many young students. The issue appears to be originating from a cluster of wires entwined around an iron rail of the bridge, causing electricity to leak.…
-
From beauty queen to brave MP: Sirilapas Kongtrakarn’s inspiring battle against depression
In a plea for increased public funding for mental health services, Move Forward Party (MFP) MP Sirilapas Kongtrakarn, also known as Mew, spoke unreservedly during a passionate parliamentary debate on the budget bill last Friday, January 5. The 36 year old politician, who has been an advocate for mental health, shared her harrowing journey with depression, calling for attention and…
-
TMD warns of impending cold front in northern Thailand
A new cold front is expected to grip the northern region of the country, bringing thunderstorms, strong winds, and hail, warns the Meteorological Department of Thailand today. The temperature will drop by 3 degrees Celsius starting today. The high-pressure system, or cold air mass, is currently covering the northeastern region and the South China Sea. The department advises residents in…
-
Brutal murder shocks Chumphon as mini-mart owner found dead
A heinous murder has shocked the community after a 36 year old mini-mart owner was brutally killed and his body dumped in remote woodland near Chonlprathan Canal, Bang Luek Subdistrict, Chumphon Province, on the evening of January 7. The 27 year old prime suspect, Jenarong Wongsuwan, also known as Em, was a close friend of the deceased. The intense manhunt…
-
Midnight blaze turns golf course into ‘tee-rific’ inferno
A midnight explosion echoed through Chachoengsao province, leading to a massive fire that razed a golf course warehouse, destroying five vehicles in the process. The incident unfolded at 12am today. Deputy Inspector Pak Jambairat of San Pudas Police Station, upon receiving the fire report, immediately rushed to the scene with the Chachoengsao fire-fighting unit and the San Pudas municipal fire…
-
Innobic divests Alvogen Malta shares, refocuses on Asia-Pacific pharmaceutical market
In a strategic move to refocus its pharmaceutical sector, Innobic (Asia) Co, the life sciences division of the PTT Plc national oil and gas conglomerate, has entirely divested its shares in Alvogen Malta (Out-licensing) Holding (AMOLH). The shares were acquired by Floki Holding Société à Responsibilité Limitée, a healthcare and pharmaceutical firm based in Luxembourg. The transaction is expected to…
-
Thai PM and central bank clash over interest rates amid low inflation
The clash between Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin, who also holds the Finance Minister portfolio, and the Bank of Thailand (BoT) intensified. The prime minister has been vocal about his belief that the central bank should lower its interest rates as inflation rates have decreased. On a social media platform, PM Srettha blamed the BoT for causing harm to the economy…
-
Thai bond market set for 890 billion baht redemption this year
This year, bonds worth an estimated 890 billion baht (US$25,406,794,400), primarily investment-grade, are slated for redemption, according to the Thai Bond Market Association (ThaiBMA). Around 73 billion baht (US$ 2,083,928,080) of these are set to mature within this month. The association’s president, Somjin Sornpaisarn, anticipates Thai private enterprises to float long-term bonds of approximately 1 trillion baht (US$ 28,546,960,000) throughout…
-
Thai Cabinet reviews submarine procurement contract extension
A submarine procurement contract extension is under review by the Thai Cabinet, following advice from the Office of the Attorney General (OAG). This came as a response to the Royal Thai Navy’s (RTN) inquiries concerning the programme. The OAG highlighted the requirement for a 1,217-day contract extension to undergo a Cabinet review due to the government-to-government nature of the deal.…
-
Caution advised over interest rate cuts by Bank of Thailand
Pundits cautioned against hasty moves to cut interest rates and have emphasised the importance of an independent Bank of Thailand as it determines its policy interest rates. They warned that inconsistent fiscal and monetary policies could harm more than they help. Therdsak Thaveeteeratham, Asia Plus Securities (ASPS) executive vice president, insisted that decisions regarding interest rates should be the sole…
-
Human rights committee investigates Pattani activists’ dress code penalty
The Internal Security Operation Command (ISOC) Region 4’s decision to penalise activists for wearing Malay traditional dress at an event in Pattani in 2022 came under scrutiny yesterday as the Committee on Legal Affairs, Justice, and Human Rights vowed to investigate a complaint lodged against this action. Kamolsak Leewamoh, the committee chairman, affirmed that a thorough questioning session involving all…
-
Visually impaired man accuses relatives of deceit over 20,000 baht loan in Thailand
A 36 year old visually impaired man, known as Likhit, accused his relatives of tricking him into signing off his land rights, under the misconception that he was signing a loan agreement. The incident took place today, at 12pm. Likhit explained that he once borrowed 20,000 baht from his relatives, with a 10% interest rate, for which he agreed to…
-
Online bought solar cell causes devastating fire in Thai family home
A tragic incident occurred when a solar cell-induced short circuit resulted in a catastrophic fire that razed an entire house in Pathumthani Province’s Bang Khu Wat district. The unfortunate event happened on January 3, at house number 40, Moo 9, Bang Khu Wat, Mueang Pathumthani District, leaving the house and all its contents destroyed. The single-storey house, elevated and roofed…
-
Thailand vows zero dropout rate as education overhaul unveiled
Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin declared his government’s determined mission to tackle Thailand’s education inequality crisis. The premier revealed his commitment to eradicating the denial of educational opportunities for Thai children entirely. PM Srettha disclosed that one of his first actions upon assuming office last year was to direct key government agencies, including the Fund for Education Equality, the Ministry of Digital…
-
Governor’s bold move against toxic haze: Chiang Mai’s war on farm fires heats up
Chiang Mai Governor Nirat Pongsitthithavorn is leading the charge against the annual curse of PM2.5 pollution caused by the burning of agricultural residue. In a teleconference with the province’s 25 district chiefs, he laid down strict instructions to tackle the issue head-on. The provincial administration has already taken a decisive step by banning unauthorised burning of farm waste from January…
-
Japanese woman’s dramatic weight loss transformation stuns the Internet
The transformation of a Japanese woman who dramatically lost weight has stunned the Internet, with her before-and-after photos becoming a social media sensation. In Japan, the second Monday of January each year is celebrated as Coming of Age Day. It’s a day dedicated to those who have reached the age of 20, marking their transition into adulthood. On this day,…
-
Pattaya: Women queue up for breast cancer screening in Nong Prue
Scores of female residents in Nong Prue, Pattaya, descended upon the Municipal Dome for a mobile breast cancer screening. A state-of-the-art mobile mammography unit, strategically designed to zero in on women in high-risk and underserved communities was unveiled in the district. Kitti Boonratananet, the Public Health Officer of Banglamung District, hailed the inaugural screening day as a triumph, drawing in…
-
Charged down: Electric rates spark joy with 50-satang drop to 4.18 baht per unit
Electricity rates for January through April 2024 have been adjusted to 4.18 baht per unit, a decrease of 50 satangs per unit from the previous rate of 4.68 baht per unit. However, this is an increase of 19 satangs per unit from the September to December 2023 rate of 3.99 baht per unit. These changes were announced today by Khomkrit…
-
Gold shop in Tha Sala district falls victim to armed robbery
An armed robbery occurred at a gold shop in the Tha Sala district of Nakhon Si Thammarat, Thailand, where necklaces worth 500,000 baht were stolen. A 54 year old man, Chaiwut Wethayawong, has been identified as the prime suspect in the case, and the police have applied for a court arrest warrant. The robbery took place yesterday and the investigation…
-
BMA accused of favouring capitalists with new city plan for Bangkok
Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) outlined an ambitious new city plan for the capital, marking the first update in 11 years. However, the BMA is facing criticism from the public, who claim that the new plan primarily benefits large capitalists. The new city plan sparked a heated debate on social media, as many residents were unaware of the proposed changes, despite…
-
Young mother in Thailand pleads for action against abusive husband
A case of domestic abuse that resulted in severe injuries came to light when a young mother filed a complaint against her drug-addicted husband. Watanya Inju had only given birth two weeks ago and had reported the abuse to the police ten times previously but was told it was a family matter. The 25 year old woman had been in a…
Don't forget to check out some other things to do in Thailand - get help starting a business or finding a job in Thailand, buy Thailand property, rent a yacht or book a medical procedure worldwide.