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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 Long-term life in Thailand? 5 reasons private health insurance pays off in the long run
Thailand is a great place for expats and retirees, offering a warm climate, affordable living, and rich culture. However, healthcare can be tricky for foreigners since they aren’t eligible for public health coverage, and private care can be expensive. Private...
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Phuket couple held with thousands of meth pills and illegal firearm
In the early hours of yesterday, a man and woman were apprehended in Phuket, Thailand, after they were discovered to be in possession of 27,000 Yaba pills, an illegal form of methamphetamine, and over 900 grams of ya ice, a form of crystal meth. The duo, namely 39 year old Wirawong “Nueng’ Noichan,” who is a resident of Prabaramee Road,…
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Whistleblower’s deadly game: Ex-Thai League referee commits foul murder in Pattaya
A horrifying scene played out yesterday when a former Thai League football referee took a woman’s life in a brutal murder before succumbing to self-inflicted wounds in Pattaya. The gruesome murder incident transpired at a three-storey lodging establishment, featuring a café and shophouse, situated along the Jomtien Beach Road in the Banglamung district of Chon Buri. The heated event transpired…
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Flour protest: Activist group targets Palang Pracharath members at Pheu Thai office
Political chaos erupted outside the Pheu Thai Party head office in Bangkok yesterday, as the Thalu Wang activist group staged a disruptive protest, demanding the party cease negotiations with Thailand’s military-backed factions. The protest, which saw flour being poured on Palang Pracharath Party (PPP) members, resulted in the cancellation of a press conference. The roots of this turmoil can be…
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10 dead after school gym roof collapse in China’s Qiqihar City
The roof of a school gymnasium in Qiqihar City, located in northeast China‘s Heilongjiang Province, collapsed yesterday, leading to the death of 10 people. One person remains unaccounted for and trapped in the rubble. The incident, which took place over the weekend, affected 19 people who were in the gym at the time. The rescue unit reported… “Around 160 firefighters,…
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Unyielding monsoon rains trigger flood and landslide alerts in 44 Thailand provinces
According to the Thai Meteorological Department (TMD), an unbroken spread of rainfall is affecting 44 provinces across Thailand, with a heavy downfall of 80% covering areas including Bangkok. The relentless rain is forecasted to continue into the next 24 hours. The TMD warns of potential dangers with flash floods and landslides being a significant concern, particularly in low-lying areas, and…
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Thao Wessuwan spirit invocation ceremony in Rayong draws devout Buddhists and tourists
Amidst a downpour, villagers assembled for a traditional ‘Thao Wessuwan’ spirit invocation ceremony at the Wat Noen Suk temple, also known as Wat Laok, in Rayong province yesterday. The event, led by Anan Nakniyom, the Deputy Governor of Rayong, saw participation from various government and private sector organisations, as well as devout local Buddhists. The temple area turned into a…
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Clam-bushed in Thailand: 53 year old diver vanishes, family in deep distres
The family of a 53 year old diver are distraught after he disappeared whilst fishing for clams in a reservoir in northern Thailand. His motorbike and discarded shoes were found at the reservoir yesterday, leading his family to believe he had drowned. Police were alerted to the man’s disappearance, leading a coordinated search with local divers. The local police from…
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Traffic accident: Horrific crash in torrential rain claims lives of two Burmese workers in Thailand
Two Burmese workers died when a heavy downpour led to a horrific traffic accident in Thailand. The accident, involving a car and a motorcycle, occurred near Chonprathan Road, Damnoen Saduak District, Ratchaburi Province, resulting in two fatalities at the scene. At around 8.10pm yesterday, local police and medical staff from Damnoen Saduak Hospital rushed to the accident scene, following an…
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District official accused of workplace affair and misconduct
The permanent secretary of the Art Samart District Office in the Isaan province of Roiet has been accused of having a scandalous affair within the workplace and granted special leave days to his alleged lover. On Thursday, July 20, the Facebook page, Watchdog (ปฏิบัติการหมาเฝ้าบ้าน), shared a picture of a Thai woman with text on the top of the picture saying… “Phi…
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ESG Scoring pioneered by Thailand’s GSB for large business loan approvals
In a first for Thailand, the Government Savings Bank (GSB) is revolutionising its loan approval process. Chief executive Vitai Ratanakorn shared that GSB will introduce environmental, social and governance (ESG) scoring when deciding loans for sizeable businesses, requiring a credit limit of 500 million baht or more. This ESG scoring pioneering model aims to incentivise companies to contribute positively to…
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Thailand’s smartphone market holds promise despite economic strain
In these difficult financial times, Thailand’s smartphone market still carries incredible potential for device makers, particularly in high-end models, despite reduced support of handset subsidies by mobile operators, according to Oppo, a leading Chinese smartphone maker. With a market value exceeding 100 billion baht, Thailand’s smartphone market is regarded as a gem within Southeast Asia. The Senior Executive Vice-President at…
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Thai entrepreneur couple found dead in their home, baffling Nakhon Ratchasima community
The dead bodies of a Thai entrepreneur couple, with a gripping rags-to-riches tale, were found on their home turf after having been out of touch for four days. A time-stamped 4pm report confirmed the event unfolded yesterday in the Nakhon Ratchasima district, northern Thailand. The shocking discovery of a Thai entrepreneur couple, aged 48 and 43 years old respectively, came…
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Thailand’s economy eyes rebound in 2023 buoyed by China’s booming influence
A light of hope has started to shine on the future of Thailand’s economy as we look forward to this year, and China’s influence as a significant driving force cannot be ignored, so suggests a leading Thai economist. The said economist, Kirida Bhaopichitr, who honours the position of Director for the Economic Intelligence Service at the Thailand Development Research Institute…
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Food allergy: Thai woman’s severe reaction to buffet lunch prompts food safety warning
After eating at a well-known buffet, a woman suffered severe food allergy reactions. She took to TikTok to recount her ordeal, warning others of the potential risks associated with consuming food from such establishments, and calling for businesses to exercise more caution regarding food safety. The woman posted a video on TikTok. She said… “That this incident won’t happen to…
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Car fire: Luxury vehicle bursts into flames on Bhumibol Bridge, family escapes unharmed
A prestigious factory owner and his family barely escaped when their luxury vehicle spontaneously caught fire on the Bhumibol Bridge. The car fire incident took place while the man was driving his wife and three children home from a shopping centre. The entire car was scorched when the fire took hold, however, incredibly, there were no injuries. An investigator from…
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Thai police net 966 in nationwide operation against illegal firearms
In a month-long nationwide operation spanning from July 1, Thai police have succeeded in apprehending 966 individuals and seizing a notable amount of illegal firearms and ammunition. The operation’s deputy leader, Police General Torsak Sukwimol, delivered an update on the progress on Sunday. As of July 21, officers have sought out 1,658 targets across the country, netting nearly a thousand…
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Bluebottle influx at Phuket’s Layan Beach: officials urge caution
Layan Beach has seen the arrival of Portuguese man-o-war, commonly referred to as ‘bluebottles’, washed ashore by the tide. Beachgoers are urged to observe caution and remain vigilant in light of this current issue. This concern was brought to the public awareness by an avid reader of Phuket News who discovered four to five bluebottles on the shoreline on a…
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Thai court mandates repositioning of wild elephant within 15 days
The Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation (DNP) of Thailand is facing a new directive from the Nakhon Si Thammarat Administrative Court. The court ruling mandates the capture and repositioning of a wandering wild elephant known as “Phlai Chao Nga” within a stringent time frame of 15 days. The wandering pachyderm had ventured away from Tai Rom Yen…
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Extended Thai public holidays offer rare six-day break amidst King’s birthday
In the week ahead, residents and visitors in Phuket are encouraged to soak up a rare bounty of public holidays, set across five out of six consecutive days. Starting next Friday (July 28), the nation will unite to celebrate the 71st birthday of the King. Adding to the festive period, two significant Buddhist events, Asarnha Bucha Day and Khao Phansa…
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Bhumjaithai Party proposes bill to safeguard Thai hajj pilgrims stranded abroad
A groundbreaking solution is on the horizon as the Bhumjaithai Party‘s Southern working committee strategises a preventative measure; proposing a bill to safeguard Thai hajj pilgrims from potential misery abroad brought about by issues back home. Astoundingly, above 500 pilgrims hailing from Yala, Thailand found themselves in an unfortunate entanglement, trapped and unsupervised on arrival in Saudi Arabia during the…
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Thai waste segregation campaign saves 127.8 million baht in 5 months
The recent waste segregation campaign aimed at advocating for the proper segregation of household rubbish seems to be reaping rewards in Thailand, according to the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA). Aekvarunyoo Amarapala, a spokesperson for the BMA, revealed over the weekend that the last five months saw a considerable decrease in both the amount of garbage making its way to the…
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Pattaya entertainment venues near U-Tapao airport get 24-hour operations approval
In an effort to stimulate the tourism sector, the Thai Cabinet has given the nod to a proposal that promotes round-the-clock operations of Pattaya entertainment venues. However, this permit is specifically allocated to the region around U-Tapao International Airport. The allowance is aimed at servicing transient passengers who wish to enjoy a relaxing drink while awaiting their flight schedules, not…
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Ban Pong police raid pubs for underage drinking and drug violations
A thorough investigation has been instigated by Ratchaburi Provincial Police against five high-ranking officers stationed at Ban Pong police station, in light of a raid at two unauthorised pubs supposed to have allowed entry of teenagers, underage drinking, and drug consumption. The raid, initiated in the small hours of yesterday, resulted in the arrest of Thanawat Wijitcharasakul, aged 30 and…
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India’s rice export halt stirs concerns of 10% surge in Thai rice prices
Potential tremors in the global rice markets may soon be felt in Thailand as India calls a halt on non-basmati white rice exports, according to high-ranking industry insiders. The abrupt decision, communicated by Indian authorities this week, immediately ignited concerns among Thai rice traders and industry power players, with predictions of an imminent 10% surge in local rice prices. The…
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Thai hotel chains unfazed by political uncertainty, anticipate revenue growth
Despite the ongoing political uncertainty, Thailand’s major hotel chains remain optimistic, as long as the situation stays peaceful and avoids any violent unrest. Centara Hotels and Resorts (CHR) and Minor International Plc voiced their confidence in their ability to weather any potential political storms, providing the environment remains stable. Gun Srisompong, the chief financial officer of CHR, stated that any…
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Torrential rain in Rayong causing unavoidable flash floods
In Rayong province, located in Eastern Thailand, the tranquillity was shattered as several hours of torrential rain created havoc, resulting in several homes in the area being flooded. The intense deluge led to an onslaught of water on Road 3191 located in the Nikhom Patthana District. The event, reported as a flash flood, occurred in the wee hours of the morning…
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Thailand’s yearly military reshuffle may be delayed due to coalition government
In light of the formation of an impending coalition government, Thailand’s yearly military reshuffle might be subjected to a delay, as revealed by Prayut Chan-o-cha, who is concurrently serving as the Defence Minister and Prime Minister. His announcement was made on Friday, upon the closure of a Defence Council session. Expressing uncertainty about the timing of the reshuffle, Prayut said…
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Pattaya cannabis shop employee outwits rent scammer
A deception attempt was recently unearthed at a cannabis shop located on the busy street of Pattaya Second Road. A swindler, cowardly hiding behind a mask and the guise of a landlord, tried to trick an innocent shop employee into handing over a sum of 25,730 baht, claiming it to be due for shop rent. The incident came to light…
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Alleged ammunition theft from naval base prompts stern response from Thai Navy
In the face of theft allegations, the Royal Thai Navy (RTN) has exerted tactical measures to address the claims linked to a significant disappearance of ammunition from a naval base. The accusations are centred on an officer, who once held the position of chief petty officer second class and was entrusted with the supervision of the arsenal situated at the…
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Phuket’s Nanai Rd undergoes partial closure for resurfacing
Phuket‘s Patong Municipality announced a partial closure of Nanai Rd, starting from today till August 5, for resurfacing amidst the persistent traffic challenges caused by ongoing flood works in Phra Metta Rd. The resurfacing work, expected to span a period of two weeks, prompts the necessity of one-way traffic regulation at separate sections of Nanai Rd. The municipality confirmed this…
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