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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 health insurance costs more each year and how expats in Thailand can save more money
Each year, many expats living in Thailand see their health insurance premiums go up and often without a clear reason. This can be frustrating, especially when you're trying to plan your budget. But by understanding why prices rise and learning...
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Time to shine: MFP leader Pita makes it to Time100 Next list
Move Forward Party (MFP) leader Pita Limjaroenrat has been included in the TIME100 Next list unveiled by the American news magazine, Time. Time magazine recently released its annual TIME100 Next list, which aims to recognise individuals who have excelled in their respective fields and have had a significant impact on and served as an inspiration to others in their communities.…
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Car engine snake-tastrophe: Late-night drive in Bangkok takes a twist with surprise python visit
A woman’s late-night drive took a slithery turn when a python, perhaps seeking a different kind of ‘carb’uretor, surprised her by emerging from the engine compartment after she returned from a meal. At around 1am on September 14, emergency services from the Thung Mahamek Fire Station were called to a parking lot in front of a convenience store in the…
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Phaya bung magic strikes again as lottery hopefuls in Thailand conjure winning numbers
For over three hours, lottery enthusiasts performed good luck rituals at the legendary Phaya Bung hole, leading to the emergence of three full numerical digits. This followed a successful prediction from the previous round, sparking a frenzy among hopeful lottery players for the draw on Saturday, September 15. Reports highlighted a bustling scene at Bunok Village, Yanri Subdistrict, Kabin Buri…
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Charlie’s con game crumbles: Sattahip’s wily restaurant scammer finally caugh
A habitual offender yesterday was apprehended in the district of Sattahip, Chon Buri province. Charlie Rodmuang, allegedly known for his cunning tactics, had been targeting restaurants in Sattahip, duping the owners with fraudulent orders. The 55 year old’s modus operandi involved identifying establishments where the proprietors were alone and convincing them of large food orders. Charlie would then lure the…
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Chiang Mai Airport plans massive expansion to accommodate 16.5 million travellers
Chiang Mai Airport is set to table its expansion proposal to Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin during his scheduled visit this weekend. The airport’s director, Wijit Kaewsaitiam, revealed that the Thai Cement Manufacturers Association (TCMA) is set to spearhead the construction of the terminal’s first phase. The extension plan is aimed at significantly increasing the airport’s capacity, allowing it to accommodate…
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Take your family vacation up a notch at the pet-friendly Somerset Pattaya
Somerset Pattaya is not just a leisure property; it’s a game-changer. Never before has a residence managed to cater to the distinct needs of tourists, locals on a weekend getaway, and business people with such panache. This stunning 324-unit property, marked as Ascott’s first footprint in Pattaya, is uniquely positioned to serve those visiting the region for pure relaxation and…
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Bangkok Gems fair dazzles with record-breaking success
The 68th Bangkok Gems and Jewellery Fair, which recently concluded, surpassed all anticipated outcomes. The Fair took place at the Queen Sirikit National Convention Center (QSNCC) from September 6 to 10 and welcomed almost 40,000 attendees hailing from 117 countries, a notable 44% surge compared to the previous event, according to Phusit Ratanakul Sereroengrit, the director-general of the Department of…
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Bangkok’s Khlong Toei to host ASEAN’s largest sustainability expo in 2023
Experience the heart of sustainability in Bangkok’s Khlong Toei District: SX 2023, ASEAN’s premier gathering. Mark your calendar for a journey to the future of sustainability, as the spectacular Sustainability Expo 2023 (SX 2023) unfolds at the Prestigious Queen Sirikit National Convention Center (QSNCC) from September 29 to October 8. SX 2023’s director, Tongjai Thanachanan, briefed the press about the…
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Ericsson Thailand’s 5g vision: Auctioning spectrum for king-sized connectivity
To boost 5G development in the kingdom, Ericsson Thailand advises the auctioning of the 3,500-megahertz spectrum by 2025, thus ensuring the best economic value and meeting consumer and enterprise needs. If the National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC) fails to allocate the 3,500MHz spectrum range by then, it may have to reallocate the 2,300MHz spectrum after 2025 when the National…
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American man faces dilemma as Thai girlfriend’s parents demand 1 million baht dowry
An American man asked netizens for advice on what to do after his Thai girlfriend’s family demanded a million baht dowry, known as sinsod in Thailand. He said he loved her very much but was not a foolish farang. The American shared his story on the social media platform Reddit yesterday, September 12. The man began by explaining that he…
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Search intensifies for mentally disabled teen lost in Thung Salaeng Luang forest
The fate of a 17 year old boy with a mental disability, who has been lost in the Thung Salaeng Luang forest for four days, remains unknown. The search operation is being intensified, with the discovery of a common route previously used by lost individuals. Aerial search teams from the 11th Division of the National Park Department are waiting for…
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Thai men caught for 10 million baht motorway CCTV system shutdown theft
Two men were nabbed by the police in Chon Buri for stealing power cables from the Pattaya–Rayong motorway, an act that led to the complete shutdown of the CCTV system along the inter-provincial highway last month. The arrested individuals, 35 year old Anulak Obchoo, and 31 year old Traiphop Buahom, were caught in tambon Huai Yai of Bang Lamung district…
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Rangers seize riverine treasure trove: Meth stash dumped in daring escape
A considerable haul of over 250,000 methamphetamine pills was seized by army rangers on the Mekong River’s shoreline in the district of Ban Phaeng, Nakhon Phanom province, as three smugglers made a hasty escape. The drugs were found stashed in sacks which were callously abandoned by the fleeing perpetrators. Acting on a tip-off about an impending drug transaction, the paramilitary…
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Dolphin tragedy: Tangled in net, washed ashore in Chon Buri
A dolphin carcass was discovered today washed up on the shores of Bangsaen beach, near Laem Thaen roundabout, in Chon Buri. The 2 metre long, 50 kilogramme animal had a fishing net entangled around its tail, suggesting it had been dead for approximately two to four days. Amornsak Saksaensilp, a 33 year old member of the Sea Patrol Volunteers, relayed…
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Health supplement scams sizzle online as FDA flags revoked claims
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has identified three health supplement products advertising overblown claims on e-marketplaces despite their licences being revoked. The products, found in advertising online, claim to control sugar levels, burn fat and decrease hunger. The FDA today disclosed the results of their surveillance of health product advertisements on e-marketplaces. They identified three products: 1. Mix Oil…
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Pattaya’s sunny side: Hotel industry shines amid European gloom
Despite Europe’s deteriorating economic forecast, Pattaya’s hotel industry remains robust, backed primarily by Asian and domestic tourists, says the Managing Director of LH Mall and Hotel (LHMH). Pattaya, traditionally known for its nightlife, has successfully rebranded itself as a family and business-friendly destination. As the European Commission revises the Eurozone’s growth outlook and Germany faces a potential recession this year,…
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Fake love, real trouble: Thai man’s romance scam unravels
Cyber Crime Investigation Bureau (CCIB) officers arrested a Thai man for operating a romance scam by using a fake social media profile of an attractive foreign man to deceive a Thai woman. A Thai woman filed a complaint to the police at the end of last year. The victim reported that the scammer, called Roland, contacted her via Instagram before…
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Supernatural near-drowning ordeal: Ghost tells Thai woman to commit suicide
A Thai woman in the central province of Samut Sakhon survived a near-drowning incident in the Sanamchai Canal and alleged afterwards that a ghost had compelled her to attempt suicide by leaping off a bridge. Footage captured by a security camera at a restaurant along the canal revealed the incident at 11am yesterday. The woman was seen struggling to swim…
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Thai businesses ride China’s e-commerce wave, reveals ministry study
The rapid expansion of the e-commerce sector in China offers substantial benefits for Thai businesses, as revealed in a recent study by Thailand’s Ministry of Commerce. The study, released yesterday, highlights the potential gains from the surge in China’s cross-border e-commerce (CBEC) trade. In a bid to streamline the cross-border sale of goods, the Chinese government has established 165 pilot…
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Oil price surge stokes investor fears of further US interest rate hikes
Equity markets demonstrated uncertainty as investors awaited a critical United States inflation report. Their apprehension stemmed from the fear that the recent oil price surge might push consumer prices upward, pressuring the Federal Reserve to increase interest rates once more. The Federal Reserve asserted that its monetary policy decisions will be driven by data, considering a variety of figures. Throughout 2023,…
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Man spends 200k baht to investigate girlfriend’s online sex video with shocking results
Imagine sitting down for your daily dose of internet porn only to stumble upon an explicit video of your girlfriend and another man. One Chinese man was shocked when he encountered just that. Seeing her appearing intoxicated and unconscious during the sex video, he spent over 40,000 yuan (almost 200,000 baht) to investigate the situation. Believing she had been sexually…
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Call for help: Mobile phone shields Thai woman from ex-boyfriend’s bullet
A mobile phone became an unexpected life-saving shield for a Thai woman when her ex-boyfriend shot her in the Isaan province of Chaiyaphum. Thanks to the phone shield the woman only suffered a mild injury near her waist. The victim, 24 year old Ratda, who remains at Khon Sawan Hospital, recounted the shooting to police and reporters. According to Ratda,…
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Bangkok bids farewell to Police Major Siwakorn Saibua in moving temple service
In Nakhon Pathom, a police funeral service took place yesterday at the Wat Phra Si Mahathat temple in Bangkok’s Bang Khen district, marking the solemn farewell of Police Major Siwakorn Saibua. The fallen highway police officer was tragically gunned down after declining a corrupt promotion proposal from a local village official. The sorrowful event was attended by immediate family, close…
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Ex-PM Thaksin’s special treatment risks unrest, warns senator
A cautionary note has been sounded by a senator who has advised the government to exercise equal treatment for all prisoners. The senator has expressed concerns that the special treatment accorded to Thaksin Shinawatra, the former prime minister who has been convicted, could potentially invite future complications for the government. The warning was issued on Tuesday during the second day…
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65 executives summoned as DSI investigates bid-rigging ties to construction tycoon ‘Nok’
The Department of Special Investigation (DSI) has summoned executives from 65 companies following concerns over their potential involvement in bid-rigging with construction businesses owned by Praween Chanklai, also known as Nok. Nok was recently arrested in the Muang district of Nakhon Pathom, following the murder of Police Major Sivakorn Saibua, an officer of Highway Police Division 2. Nok’s close aide,…
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Vietnamese man lives with ex-mother-in-law who arranges remarriage
A 33 year old Vietnamese man remained in the same household as his former mother-in-law even after divorcing his wife. Surprisingly, not only did the mother-in-law permit him to continue residing with her following his divorce from her daughter, but she also facilitated his marriage to another woman. Consequently, her daughter decided to move out instead. The story began over…
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Land Department scam dupes dentist out of 300,000 baht
A renowned dentist in Ubon Ratchathani was targeted by a fraudulent group claiming to be from the Land Department. The fraudsters duped him into confirming land ownership through the LINE application, leading to a loss of over 300,000 baht. The dentist revealed this incident today while issuing a musical warning about such scams. While working with a patient, Mohal Sakbhuakeaw…
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Close call at Patong Beach: Tourist’s life saved by vigilant lifeguards
A hazardous rip current at Patong Beach, Phuket, nearly claimed the life of a foreign tourist on Monday. Thanks to the swift and skilled response from Patong Beach’s lifeguards, the individual was safely brought back to shore and revived. The beach was already under lifeguard surveillance due to the rip current threat when the victim was found unconscious in the…
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Thailand’s government proposes swift minimum wage increase to 400 baht
Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin announced that the government will be pushing for a swift increase in the minimum daily wage to 400 baht, in a bid to assist workers grappling with rising living costs. The decision will be reached through negotiations between the government, employers, and workers to agree upon a reasonable amount. The prime minister shared the plans during…
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Japanese fugitive Yagi arrested in Pattaya after embezzlement, dramatic escape
Pattaya was the scene of a dramatic arrest yesterday, as its police apprehended a 35 year old Japanese tourist. Yuki Yagi was not only wanted back home in Japan for an embezzlement case involving over 20 million yen (4.8 million baht), but he was also on the run after escaping the custody of Bangkok police by stealing a police car…
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