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 Do foreigners get free healthcare in Thailand?
Thailand’s healthcare system is well-regarded across Southeast Asia, with options ranging from public hospitals to world-class private facilities. But when it comes to foreign residents or tourists, healthcare access isn’t as straightforward. So, do foreigners get free healthcare in Thailand?...
-
Thai economy set to boom with 106 billion baht splash with new year expenses
The University of the Thai Chamber of Commerce (UTCC) predicts a staggering 106 billion baht surge in consumer spending during the upcoming New Year festivities – a four-year high that could inject new life into the nation’s financial veins. President Thanavath Phonvichai, the maestro behind this optimistic symphony, attributes the spending spree to the government’s strategic new year’s gift measures.…
-
Staggering investment of 150 billion baht in AOT airports
In a move set to revolutionise Thailand‘s air travel scene, Airports of Thailand (AOT) has unveiled ambitious plans for the construction of two new airports and a staggering investment of 150 billion baht. Speaking exclusively at the Section II: Next Step seminar on December 20, AOT’s dynamic CEO, Kirati Kitmanawat revealed plans for the Lanna and Andaman airports. These megastructures,…
-
Chinese man allegedly leaves pregnant Thai woman over son preference
A Thai woman is seeking justice after her Chinese man left her and fled the country after discovering she was pregnant with their daughter, not a son. The 36 year old Thai woman named Noey asked the non-profit organisation, Saimai Survive, to help her seek justice. She told the organisation that the Chinese man lured her into marrying him but…
-
Listening devices found at MCOT headquarters
Authorities unearthed concealed listening devices strategically placed within the conference rooms of Thailand‘s Mass Communication Organisation (MCOT) yesterday, December 21. The discovery took place during a thorough sweep of the MCOT headquarters. The eavesdropping devices, cunningly planted in the rooms designated for MCOT board meetings, sent shockwaves through the media landscape. The police, accompanied by forensic experts, meticulously combed through…
-
INS Kadmatt’s unprecedented naval move shakes South China Sea
In a sensational stride towards strengthening ties, India‘s naval gem, INS Kadmatt, stealthily docked in Bangkok on December 19. The move is part of its covert mission in the North Pacific Ocean and South China Sea, promising to reshape maritime dynamics. The port of Bangkok witnessed a whirlwind of activities as INS Kadmatt hosted a cross-ship visit by Royal Thai…
-
Vietnamese man arrested for illegally operating beauty clinic in Bangkok condo
Officers from the Consumer Protection Police Division (CPPD) arrested a Vietnamese man for turning a condominium in Bangkok into a beauty clinic and illegally providing beauty services without a permit. CPPD officers received a report that a Facebook user of a Vietnamese man advertised a beauty clinic in Bangkok. The complainant was unsure whether the beauty clinic was legal or…
-
Drunk British suspect refuses arrest and tries to injure Thai police
Police released a video of a drunk British man refusing to be arrested and attempting to assault Thai police after he crashed his pickup into another vehicle in Sattahip district, Chon Buri province. The Englishman, identified as Martin, reportedly crashed his white Nissan pickup into a white Toyota Fortuner of a 43 year old Thai woman whose identity was not…
-
Bangkok BTS accepts WeChat Pay
In a move set to revolutionise the travel experience for Chinese tourists in Bangkok, the city’s iconic BTS Skytrain has opened its gates to the Chinese WeChat Pay. Tourists will be able to enjoy a seamless journey across the vibrant city as this alternative payment option takes centre stage at every ticket vending machine across all 68 stations on the…
-
Climate crisis: Thailand promises to cut carbon emissions by 40%
Thailand has pledged a whopping 40% cut in carbon emissions, up from its initial 30%, following the resounding success of the 2023 United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP28) in Dubai. At a riveting COP28 debriefing event yesterday, December 20, Phirun Saiyasitpanich, Chief of the Department of Climate Change and Environment, declared that a serious study based on social, environmental, and…
-
Thai man arrested for defrauding victims of over 4.5 million baht
A fraudulent individual, claiming to be a high-ranking police officer and a judge’s aide, was apprehended by Thai law enforcement agencies for conning victims out of more than 4.5 million baht. The 35 year old man allegedly exploited his contrived connections to facilitate court proceedings and expedite electronic monitoring bracelet removals. Phromphron was seized near the public service station of…
-
Thai man arrested after failing to call on his invisible powers before robbery
Police arrested a Thai man for repeated thefts in the southern province of Nakhon Si Thammarat after he failed to invoke invisible powers before the robbery, and his theft showed on the CCTV footage. Several victims filed theft complaints with the Tham Phannara and Phra Saeng Police Stations in Nakhon Si Thammarat. Officers checked security cameras at each scene until…
-
Pattaya: Traffic chaos at Bali Hai Pier
The picturesque road from Walking Street to Bali Hai Pier in Pattaya has transformed into a bustling bazaar, causing mayhem for both locals and tourists alike. The 1.5-kilometre stretch, once a serene link between nightlife and island getaways, is now a traffic-ridden nightmare. The situation has escalated to the point where motorcycles are haphazardly strewn across the road, leaving no…
-
Human trafficking ring busted: Underage girls lured to sell virginity to Chinese investors for 200,000 baht
An investigation led by the Crime Suppression Division (CSD) led to the arrest of seven individuals allegedly involved in a human trafficking ring today. The accused were reportedly enticing underage girls from Mae Hong Son province to sell their virginity to Chinese investors in Bangkok for a fee of 200,000 baht (US$ 5,733). If the girls were found to be…
-
From winter solstice festivals to Thai celebrations: Unveiling the history of Christmas
Folks all around the globe immerse themselves in Christmas and New Year’s Eve celebrations and festivities during the winter month of December each year with no exception. The atmosphere filled with lively celebrations, joyful reunions, and new beginnings serves as a remedy for the exhaustion accumulated throughout the year. Get ready for the festive season by going back in time to…
-
National Police Chief vows to crush criminals behind university violence
National Police Chief Police General Torsak Sukvimol has pledged to eradicate a criminal organisation accused of orchestrating violence and hatred among rival students at Rajamangala University of Technology Tawan-ok, Uthenthawai campus. At a riveting press conference today, December 21, Pol. Gen. Torsak declared war on the shadowy group, linking them to the fatal shooting of Thanasorn Hongsawat in the Khlong…
-
Social media meltdown: X and X Pro crash
All around the globe, social media behemoths X and X Pro plunged into darkness, leaving millions in the dark. The cyber realm descended into chaos early today, December 21, as Downdetector.com sounded the alarm, uncovering a vast outage on the platforms that left users stranded and bewildered. Formerly the avatars of tweets and trends, X (formerly Twitter) and X Pro…
-
Where to celebrate Christmas in Phuket 2023
The jingle bells start to ring and the fairy lights begin to twinkle, Christmas is almost here! If you’re spending Christmas in Phuket, you’ll be happy to know that the island is teeming with restaurants ready to serve a yuletide feast for you and your kin. From expansive buffets to elegant set menus, here are the best Christmas brunches and dinners in…
-
China powers up Thailand’s South with groundbreaking transmission line
China‘s transmission line project in Thailand has sparked a new era in the southern province of Phatthalung. A groundbreaking event unfolded on December 19 as the Thung Song-Songkhla 500kV Transmission Line Project, also known as the Thung Song Project, lit up the skies over Thailand’s southern Phatthalung province. The culmination of two years of relentless construction, this power transmission marvel…
-
Rice prices surge to 15-year high amid demand and El Niño concerns
Rice prices have surged to a 15-year high amid growing concerns about the impact of increased demand and the effects of El Niño on supplies. The grain, a dietary staple for billions of people in Asia and Africa, saw its cost rise 2.5% last week, reaching US$650 a tonne, the highest point since October 2008. This information, provided by the…
-
Thai PM and Interior Minister slam brakes on gun licences until December 2024
In a bid to quell the rising tide of shooting tragedies, Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin and Interior Minister Anutin Charnvirakul have issued a joint directive, temporarily halting the issuance of gun licences until December 19, 2024. The move, effective yesterday, December 20, was officially announced by Traisulee Traisoranakul, deputy government spokesperson, who revealed that the directive had been published in…
-
Thai artist’s ethical odyssey: Morals across time and culture
In a riveting solo exhibition, Thai artist Sakarin Krue-On intricately weaves the tapestry of human morality, transcending temporal and cultural confines. Rather than a scathing critique of progress or tradition, his art masterfully unveils the intricate web of consequences arising from our choices, encouraging introspection on the pivotal moments where good and evil collide, irrespective of cultural or temporal backdrops. At…
-
Young man tragically crushed under reversing tractor in Thai village
A tragic accident took place at 9amt today in the village of Kok Pheg, Buri Ram, where a 22 year old man was run over by a reversing tractor. The deceased was preparing the vehicle to plough a sugarcane field when the incident occurred. The young man’s 13 year old brother, who was assisting him, witnessed the horrifying event. At…
-
Chilling chase forces Thai man to leap into canal, still missing
A 25 year old man faced a chilling ordeal as he was chased by a man masquerading as a police officer, causing him to jump into the Mamuang Song Ton Canal in the Nakhon Si Thammarat province. The chase left him terrified, and he has been missing since the incident. The pursuer, who disappeared without offering any assistance, left only…
-
Thai man arrested for smuggling 15 Bangladeshi nationals
The Songkhla Provincial Immigration Police arrested a Thai man for smuggling 15 Bangladeshi people into the country in exchange for a transport fee of 2,000 baht each. Immigration police received a tip-off that a Thai driver was using the Asian Highway in the Rattanaphum district in the southern province of Songkhla to transport Bangladeshi workers to a construction site in…
-
South Korean firm GCOO brings e-bikes and e-scooters to Phuket
Phuket, Thailand’s famous tourist destination, is now home to e-bikes and e-scooters, courtesy of South Korean firm GCOO. The company recently launched its clean-energy personal transport services, deploying these eco-friendly vehicles at major points across the island, including Phuket Town and Patong. The launch, dubbed Phuket Smart Mobility, was celebrated with an event held at the Chartered Bank Intersection in…
-
Government to shoulder Covid-19 insurance claims as insurers buckle under 60 billion baht payouts
Deputy Finance Minister Julapun Amornvivat has revealed that the Thai government may have to step in to assist with the hefty burden arising from Covid-19 insurance claims. The grim situation has seen total payouts skyrocket to almost 60 billion baht, leaving non-life insurance companies in shambles and prompting the closure of those unable to meet the financial demands. Julapun disclosed…
-
Thai man kills girlfriend in jealousy and refusal to convert to Islam
A Thai man killed his girlfriend in a luxury condominium in the Jana district in the southern province of Songkhla before taking his own life. The motives for the murder were reportedly jealousy and the woman’s refusal to convert to Islam. Officers from Hat Yai Police Station were called to the murder-suicide in room number 13 on the 25th floor…
-
Endangered leatherback turtle nest discovered on Phuket beach
Phuket woke up to a delightful surprise on December 18 when a nest of a leatherback turtle was discovered at Tha Sai Beach in the Na Toei area of Thai Mueang District, Phang Nga, situated north of Phuket. The find, reported by the Department of Marine and Coastal Resources (DMCR), marks another significant milestone in the conservation efforts for this…
-
Where to celebrate Christmas in Bangkok 2023
The most wonderful time of the year is coming! And after all those Christmas shopping, you deserve a festive feast. Luckily, numerous restaurants and hotels in Bangkok are offering extravagant and delightful Christmas dining experiences to turn up the holiday cheer. From roast turkey with all the trimmings to seafood and Thai dishes, you can treat yourself and your loved ones…
-
Distinctive underwear leads to arrest of tobacconist robber a year later
A trio of armed robbers stormed a tobacconist on 109th Ave, USA, on September 14 last year before escaping, only to be caught a year later due to the distinctive underwear one of the culprits wore during the crime. The criminals, all wearing masks, arrived in a Mazda car. Two of them pointed guns at staff and customers while the…
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.