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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 Top 10 reasons for expats to get a comprehensive health insurance in Thailand
Moving to Thailand offers a prospect full of excitement and adventure, but in the same vein, if any injuries were to occur (and god forbid it does), the local healthcare system can be confusing at first glance for many expats...
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Bangkok child rescue: 8-year-old escapes brutal treatment
A shocking incident unfolded in Bangkok as an 8 year old child was rescued and immediately placed in a children’s home following harsh treatment by his grandmother. The child was reportedly forced to starve and eventually driven out of the house. The authorities also revealed the boy’s 10 year old sister is still living with the grandmother, whose fate remains…
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Thai online vendors required to file taxes from 2024 as new directive kicks in
Online vendors are required to file taxes for the year 2024, with the Revenue Department mandating online platforms to disclose income data. This directive, effective from January 1 applies to all businesses, including e-Commerce, food and product delivery services like Shopee, Lazada, Grab, and TikTok. These platforms, registered in Thailand and having an annual income exceeding 1 billion baht, are…
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Teacher grants funding to 10 year old boy who missed school to help grandmother
A heartbreaking story has surfaced about a 10 year old boy who diligently works to support his family. Despite being the mainstay for his grandmother, he often has to miss classes to sell garlands in order to make a living. The boy, Guitar (nickname), missed so much school that he kept having to repeat his year and is currently still…
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Indian man’s rare condition causes him to sleep 300 days a year
The digital sphere buzzed with interest over a curious case reported by the India Times revealing a man suffering from a rare disease that causes him to sleep for approximately 300 days a year. This man, hailing from the Nagaur district in Western India, has been affectionately dubbed by locals as Kumbhakarna, a name referencing a mythical giant from the…
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Samsung’s operating profit takes a hit amidst subdued demand for tech
South Korean giant Samsung Electronics Co reported its sixth consecutive quarter of falling operating profits, underlining subdued consumer demand and fuelling uncertainty about a broader tech recovery timeline. The company witnessed a 35% decline in operating income to 2.8 trillion won (US$2.1 billion), falling short of estimates by 24%. Moreover, revenue slid to 67 trillion won, a steeper plunge than…
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IMF predicts six top global economies in 2024 to be from Sub-Saharan Africa
Six of the top-performing global economies in 2024 will be from Sub-Saharan Africa, predicts the International Monetary Fund (IMF). Despite the limited scale of these economies, they’re contributing positively to a region plagued by poverty and inequality. The economic growth of this region is set to rise from 3.3% in 2023 to 4% in 2024, with standout performances from Ivory…
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Scandinavian Airlines increase flight frequencies to Thailand
The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) unveiled a soaring surge in flights from Scandinavian cities, transforming Thailand into a must-visit destination. Leading the charge is Norse Atlantic Airways, stealing the limelight with its announcement of an extended direct Oslo-Bangkok service for both the summer 2024 and winter 2024/2025 seasons. Get ready for a thrilling ride as they unleash twice-weekly flights…
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Thai chicken vendor faces 12 years in jail for impersonating lawyer
A Thai grilled chicken vendor faces 12 years in jail after he was arrested in October of 2022 for impersonating a lawyer. Incredibly, he even won several cases in court. The fake lawyer, Pornthep Kachainphak, advertised his legal services on social media for a number of years. He posted pictures of himself in a lawyer’s outfit on social media, claimed to…
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Thai disabilities fund unleashes hefty support for home repairs and rent
The Empowerment for Persons with Disabilities Fund announced an expansion of financial support for house repairs and rent today, January 9, as declared by the Social Development and Human Security Minister, Varawut Silpa-archa. This revolutionary decision, inked during the fund’s pivotal meeting on December 27 last year, promises substantial relief for those navigating the challenges of disabilities. Varawut, the driving…
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Thai man stabbed as domestic dispute turns violent in Pattaya
The calm of Pattaya was shattered yesterday when a domestic altercation took an ugly turn and saw a Thai man stabbed in the back. The incident, which occurred at a rental residence near the entrance of Soi Khao Makok in the Nongprue sub-district, Banglamung district, Chon Buri province, was reported to the Sawang Boriboon Thammasathan Rescue Unit at 9.16pm. The…
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Phuket tour boat industry rallies for enhanced safety measures
Phuket’s tour boat industry is taking decisive action, following the tragic accident where a five-year-old Russian girl lost her life in a tour speedboat crash at Koh Maiton. A collective movement is emerging among industry leaders, to bolster safety measures and prevent such incidents from recurring. The initiative is led by prominent figure Shaun Stenning, CEO and Founder of 5…
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Monk killed, 37 injured in wrong-lane lorry crash in Sakon Nakhon
A tragic incident unfolded in Sakon Nakhon when a lorry, driven on the wrong side of the road, crashed into a bus instantly killing a monk and inflicting injuries on 37 others. The fatal accident happened on the Nittayo Sakhon Nakhon – Nakhon Phanom Road in Baan Noramai, situated in the Kusuman district. The emergency services were alerted about this…
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Man warns not to touch glass globe under direct sunlight at temple in Phetchabun (video)
A TikTok user posted a video warning others not to touch a glass globe at Wat Pha Son Kaew, Phetchabun province. The user, @supalack_laijaroen,posted: “Unexpected event at Wat Pha Sorn Kaew. Don’t accidentally touch the crystal ball like me, haha. (No drama, anyone who wants to try it out is welcome).” The young man in the video showed his burnt…
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Kindee Phuket fair to spotlight local cuisine and music
The culinary and musical delights of Phuket are set to take centre stage at the upcoming Kindee Phuket fair, scheduled from January 19-21 at Sapan Hin. This exciting event, organised by the Phuket Provincial Administrative Organisation (PPAO), comes hot on the heels of the successful Red Cross’s Dee Phuket fair that concluded just a fortnight ago. The spotlight of the…
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Rangsit Highway overpass missing a strip of steel railing, emergency repairs
Safety concerns were sparked after strips of steep railing over a pedestrian bridge were found missing across Tesco Lotus Rangsit branch, Phahonyothin Road, Prachathipat Subdistrict, Thanyaburi District, Pathum Thani province. Meanwhile, Rangsit Highway is expediting immediate repairs to the flyover, as well as solving the problem of road lighting to ensure safety at night. Reporters went to inspect the overpass…
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Fire engulfs paper factory in Pathum Thani, Thailand, no casualties
Firefighters in Pathum Thani, Thailand, this morning tirelessly battled a blaze that engulfed a substantial paper factory warehouse in the Muang district. The fire, which started in the early hours of today, did not result in any casualties. The Mawanpathum Paper Co factory, located in Tambon Bang Kradee, was the site of the inferno. According to Suwat Phoree, investigation chief…
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Viral video reveals Japanese man’s covert train misconduct
A Japanese man’s secret groping of a sleeping woman on a train caused a social media storm after it was caught on video and went viral. The man, discovered to be a successful employee of a major company and a graduate of a prestigious university, is also a father of three. The viral video shows the pervert on a train,…
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Thailand’s exports predicted to see slight rise in 2024
The Thai National Shippers’ Council anticipates a slight upturn in Thailand’s exports, predicting an increase of 1%-2% for 2024, as per today’s disclosure. This estimate aligns with a prior forecast, underscoring the critical role exports play in the economic health of Southeast Asia’s second-largest economy. However, the current global demand climate has resulted in sluggish trade in recent times. Chaichan…
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Indian tourist’s deep slumber prompts rescue mission in Pattaya city
In the early hours of this morning in Pattaya city, a peculiar scenario was unveiled as a 28 year old Indian tourist, identified as Umang, fell into a profound slumber inside a locked car. His unsuspecting companions were left with no choice but to shatter the vehicle’s windows to rouse him from his sleep. This unusual episode unfolded around 3am…
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Thai wife’s stab at redemption falls flat as she knives her husband again
A Thai wife in the Isaan province of Nakhon Ratchasima in Thailand grabbed headlines after stabbing her husband. Despite expressing remorse and pledging not to do it again, she proceeded to stab him a day later. The 53 year old woman, Janjira, stabbed her 51 year old husband, Thamromg, at their home in the Phimai district of Nakhon Ratchasima on December…
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Rajamangala University students fight at Siam Skywalk, one injured
A fight broke out between university students at Pathum Wan District, Bangkok, at approximately 5.50pm yesterday. A group of 30 to 40 students from Rajamangala University of Technology, Uthen Thawai Campus walked around Siam Skywalk on the Tokyo shopping mall side, and at the same time, another group of students from the Pathum Wan Campus came up from the Art…
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The White Lotus blooms with new A-listers for season 3 set in Thailand (video)
HBO‘s The White Lotus announced yet another stunning A-list cast for its highly anticipated third season set in Thailand. Parker Posey, Jason Isaacs, Leslie Bibb, Michelle Monaghan, Dom Hetrakul, and Tayme Thapthimthong are set to join the gripping comedy-drama, promising an explosive mix of talent and intrigue. Season one’s Natasha Rothwell is making a comeback, reprising her Emmy-nominated role as…
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Elephant herd continue to cause havoc in central Thailand
Volunteers in Prachin Buri province warned reporters to watch out for wild elephants in Wang Tha Chang Subdistrict yesterday, January 8, during their visit. The Subdistrict Administrative Organisation and village headman were watching out for wild elephants from Khao Ang Rue Nai Wildlife Sanctuary, Chachoengsao Province, which migrated across the border. The herd, comprising over 150 elephants, invaded deep into…
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Thai PM gives a lesson of appreciation to teachers ahead of Teacher’s Day
Thai Prime Minister and Finance Minister Srettha Thavisin delivered a message ahead of Teacher’s Day, highlighting the importance of teachers as leaders of knowledge, who bring together teachings from textbooks and experiences. He emphasized that teachers are not merely instructors, but creators and givers. In today’s rapidly evolving world, the role of a teacher extends beyond imparting textbook knowledge. Teachers…
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Thai man suspected of abusing his girlfriend and burying her alive
Police are searching for a Thai man suspected of physically assaulting his girlfriend and burying her alive in the Isaan province of Maha Sarakham. The dead body of the girlfriend, a 30 year old Thai woman called Daraporn “Pare” Phonsri, was found buried in a forest near a residential area in the Mueang district of Maha Sarakham province. She was…
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Cambodian PM’s Thai-ties tour set for February 7
Cambodia Prime Minister Hun Manet is gearing up for a visit to Bangkok on February 7 to bolster bilateral ties between Cambodia and Thailand, as revealed by a well-placed diplomatic source. The diplomatic meeting will focus on an array of crucial topics to elevate the partnership between the two nations. Topping the discussion agenda is the cross-border trade, a joint crackdown…
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Thailand’s Ministry of Commerce boosts global recognition for Thai cuisine
Noteworthy strides are being made by the Ministry of Commerce in Thailand as they launch the Travel, Taste, Eat Thai SELECT campaign, a remarkable initiative to advance Thai cuisine’s global recognition. This ambitious endeavour, spearheaded by the Department of International Trade Promotion (DITP), is invested in motivating Thai eateries around the globe to secure the Thai SELECT certification, a seal…
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Thai health minister faces backlash over new cannabis control bill
Public Health Minister Cholnan Srikaew’s recent approval of a fresh draft of the cannabis and hemp control bill sparked a wave of criticism from pro-legalisation activists in Thailand, who called the move a betrayal of his commitment to public consultation. Prasitchai Nunual, who serves as the secretary-general for Thailand’s Cannabis Future Network, shared his disappointment on Facebook, accusing the minister…
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Thailand’s oil refineries ready to market eco-friendly Euro5 diesel
Thailand’s oil refineries are gearing up to market their new eco-friendly diesel that complies with the Euro5 environmental emission standard. This standard was put into effect on the first day of the year, according to the Federation of Thai Industries (FTI). The Euro5 standard, set to replace Euro4, will apply to B7 and B20 bio-diesel, which contain 7% and 20%…
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Ukrainian drowns trying to swim from Koh Chang to nearby island
A Ukrainian man drowned near Bailan Beach on the island of Koh Chang in the eastern province of Trat. He reportedly tried to swim from Koh Chang to Koh Man Nai after an argument with his family. Locals discovered the dead body near Bailan Beach in the Koh Chang Tai sub-district, on Koh Chang at around 2pm yesterday, January 8,…
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