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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 retirees in Thailand are choosing long-term health insurance over quick fixes
Retirees in Thailand are increasingly seeing the importance of health insurance in protecting their well-being during retirement. With insurance requirements for retirement visas and rising healthcare costs, many are moving away from short-term plans and choosing long-term coverage. Long-term health...
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Bangkok commuters demand missing link between Green and Yellow lines
The operators of Bangkok’s Green and Yellow lines are facing increasing pressure to construct a 2.6-kilometre connection between the two electric train systems. This would enable Bangkok commuters to conveniently switch lines at Ratchayothin and Lat Phrao stations. The Yellow Line monorail, set to begin operations later this year, will serve as a mass-transit link for commuters in Bangkok’s north…
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Thailand sees tourist tax refund surge since reopening in June
Following Thailand‘s full reopening in June last year, the number of tourist tax refunds has surged, as reported by Revenue Department director-general Lavaron Sangsnit. The increase in foreign visitors is evident in the substantial rise in value-added tax (VAT) refund totals. In 2022, over 423,000 tourists received VAT refunds, totalling 1.2 billion baht. Between January and May 2022, there were…
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Pattaya to host 9th Annual International Day of Yoga at H20 Pool Nirvana
Yoga enthusiasts have a fantastic opportunity to participate in a special event in Pattaya. The 9th Annual International Day of Yoga is scheduled to be held at the H2O Pool Nirvana on June 18 from 8am to 9am. This gathering promises to be a delightful experience for all attendees, with free t-shirts and morning refreshments provided. Yoga mats will be…
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Thailand urged to prioritise accessible tourism for disabled and elderly
Tourism operators in Thailand are calling for the development of a long-term action plan to make the country more accessible for elderly and disabled travellers. Jittasak Putjorn, an assistant professor at Silpakorn University researching the development of Thailand as a “Tourism For All” destination, said that the government and private operators should work together to close the gap in development…
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Rat-astrophe at beachside feast! Thai woman’s warning after rodent bite
A Thai woman issued a warning to others after she was bitten by a large rat while she was dining near Bang Saen Beach in Chon Buri province. TikTok user, Wave.ds, posted a video of his sister with a bite wound two days ago with a caption that said… “Poor sister. A rat bit her when eating food on Bang…
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Miracle cosmetics offering: Woman wins lottery after praying to legendary goddess
A significant number of tourists have been visiting Bosot Prawat Pho temple and the shrine of the goddess Monthatip in Thailand’s central Samut Songkhram province, to seek luck and prosperity in their lives and businesses. Among them, Wassana Baisamut, a 49 year old restaurant owner, attributes her fortunate lottery win and booming business to offerings made to Monthatip, drawing further…
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Animal fat jet fuel demand risks palm oil surge, worsening emissions
The use of animal fat as a greener alternative to traditional jet fuel is raising concerns about its impact on the environment. Animal fats, considered waste, are used to create aviation fuel with a lower carbon footprint. Demand for such fuel is expected to triple by 2030, driven by airlines. However, experts warn that scarcity in animal fat could lead…
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Nvidia valuation drops despite rally as earnings estimates outpace share price
Nvidia Corp’s impressive stock rally in recent days has seen the chip developer’s valuation decrease, as measured by the forward price/earnings (P/E) ratio. Over the last three sessions, the company’s stock has risen more than 31%, with a 3% gain reaching $401.11. Despite this, Nvidia’s P/E multiple has fallen due to Wall Street’s earnings expectations for the company rising even…
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Woman fatally shot amid domestic argument, husband blames dog jump for her death
A woman was found dead in her home after an argument with her drunken husband in Chachoengsao, Thailand. Police and forensic officers are investigating the scene and questioning four individuals, including the husband, to identify the perpetrator. Yesterday, officers from Chachoengsao Police Station were notified of a shooting that resulted in a fatality in a two-storey house in the city.…
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Pittsburgh synagogue shooter’s malice and hatred described in court
A devastating attack on a Pittsburgh synagogue in 2018, which claimed the lives of 11 worshippers, has been described as an act of “malice and hatred” during the ongoing trial of the accused gunman, Robert Bowers. The 50-year-old is facing over 60 federal charges, including hate crimes resulting in death and obstruction of free exercise of religion resulting in death.…
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Phuket sees Covid-19 surge, lax prevention and booster shot issues
Thailand’s island province of Phuket has experienced a concerning surge in Covid-19 infections over the past month, according to the Provincial Public Health Office. Deputy Chief Dr Muanprae Boonlorm highlighted that Vachira Phuket Hospital has seen a rise in Covid-19 patients since the Songkran holiday in mid-April. The number of hospitalisations due to pneumonia and Covid-19 related fatalities have also…
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Tragic property dispute ends in fatal shooting: Former owner surrenders to police
The former owner of the repossessed house in Pathum Thani province near Bangkok surrendered to the police last night after he shot and killed its new owner. The new owner bought the property from the bank. The accused murderer alleged that the bank unjustly seized his house and resold it. At 3pm yesterday, the former owner of the house, 65…
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Lorry crashes into house after swerving to avoid truck in Thailand
A six-wheel lorry veered off the road and crashed into a house in Thailand‘s eastern Chanthaburi province, causing significant damage to the property. The homeowner narrowly escaped injury, while the truck driver stated that a sudden lane change by a pickup truck forced him off the road. The incident occurred yesterday in the Chanthaburi district when the vehicle lost control…
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Urine Luck! Controversial video of drinking pee for the good of your health goes viral (video)
An old video featuring Sondhi Limthongkul delivering health advice on drinking your urine has resurfaced online. In the video, he promotes urine therapy as a method for maintaining one’s health and treating illnesses. Debates have ensued questioning the efficacy and safety of the practice. In the video, Sondhi Limthongkul, a prominent Thai personality, discussed maintaining one’s health with the controversial…
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Bullied Thai student fatally stabs 1 and injures 2 others at renowned school
A secondary school student fatally stabbed a fellow student after an argument at a reputable school in Sri Rattana district in Thailand‘s northeast Sisaket province. Two other 14 year olds sustained serious injuries, Khaosod reported this morning. The incident led the Sisaket Provincial Governor, Samruay Kasemsuk, to urgently visit and aid the deceased student’s family, providing financial assistance and moral…
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Cabinet approves extension for over 200,000 migrant workers amid government limbo
The Thai Cabinet approved an extension for over 200,000 migrant workers’ employment contracts, allowing them to retain their jobs until the new government assumes office, according to Deputy Prime Minister Wissanu Krea-ngam. The decision impacts workers from Myanmar, Laos, and Cambodia, and comes after an initial rejection of the Labour Ministry’s request for an extension. The change of heart was…
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Motorbike rider killed in tragic collision with 6-wheel truck in central Thailand
A tragic accident occurred at Nawanakorn Industrial Estate in Thailand‘s central Pathum Thani province when a 26 year old man on a motorbike collided with a six-wheeled truck, resulting in his death. The incident took place at 7.30pm yesterday, and authorities are investigating the cause of the accident. The deceased man, originally from Ban Haet district in the northeast Khon…
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SET and SGX launch cross-border trading for Thai depositary receipts
The Stock Exchange of Thailand (SET) and the Singapore Exchange (SGX) announced a joint venture that enables the trading of three depositary receipts (DRs) of Thai-listed companies on the SGX. This innovative collaboration, launched yesterday, is the first of its kind under the Thailand-Singapore DR Linkage project and aims to boost the appeal of Thai-listed companies in the regional market by…
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Economist warns of panic as new Thai government risks fiscal sustainability
Concerns about fiscal sustainability have been raised by Kiatnakin Phatra Securities (KKP), as the new government‘s potential “addiction to budget deficits” may cause panic in the stock market. KKP’s chief economist, Pipat Luengnaruemitchai, expressed his apprehensions regarding the country’s fiscal outlook if excessive expenditure is allocated by politicians and the government without a clear financing plan. As Thailand prepares for…
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Skeletons of three infants found in 70 year old woman’s wardrobe
A 70 year old Japanese woman in Osaka alarmed police with a phone call stating she had just given birth. Upon arrival at her home, officers discovered the skeleton remains of three infants hidden in a wardrobe for around 40 years. The woman from Daito, Osaka, Japan, made a sudden call to the police on Thursday, May 25, vaguely claiming…
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Universal credit parents to get hundreds more for childcare costs
Universal credit recipients will be able to claim significantly higher amounts for childcare costs starting from the end of June, according to a recent government announcement. Parents on the benefit will now be able to claim back £951 for childcare costs for one child and £1,630 for two or more children, marking a 47% increase. This policy, announced as part…
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US punishes Kosovo for forcibly installing Albanian mayors, cancels Nato exercise
Tensions have escalated in northern Kosovo following the forced installation of ethnic Albanian mayors in majority-Serb areas, leading to the United States taking measures against the country. Clashes between police, NATO troops, and Serb protesters in Zvecan resulted in injuries to 30 peacekeepers and 52 demonstrators. In response, NATO plans to deploy an additional 700 troops to the region. The…
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Macau enforces new security law, widening punishments for opposition to Beijing
Macau has implemented a new national security law, increasing penalties for opposition to Beijing and placing a stronger focus on preventing foreign interference in the special administrative region. The legislation builds upon a law introduced in 2009, and the Macau government claims it aligns with legislation in Hong Kong, where Beijing has tightened control following political unrest. The initial national…
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AI extinction risk warning backed by OpenAI, DeepMind chiefs
The potential threat of artificial intelligence (AI) causing human extinction has been highlighted by numerous experts, including the leaders of OpenAI and Google DeepMind. They have endorsed a statement on the Centre for AI Safety’s website, which calls for mitigating the risk of extinction from AI, placing it alongside other global priorities such as pandemics and nuclear war. However, some…
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UK government probes video games’ mental health impact and economic benefits
The UK government is seeking to gain a deeper understanding of the nation’s thriving video game industry, including the potential impact on users’ mental health. With popular games such as Grand Theft Auto and Football Manager being produced in the UK, the industry is valued at £2.8bn and over half of the country’s adults participate in gaming. However, the government…
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Woman rescued waist-deep in mud near West Kirby Marine Lake
A woman was rescued after being trapped waist-deep in thick mud while walking near West Kirby Marine Lake on Merseyside. The Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) deployed the Hoylake hovercraft Hurley Spirit to assist her at approximately 2:45pm on Monday. The woman had become stuck in a channel of shallow water and was unable to reach the shore. Following her…
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Prince’s Trust drops Phillip Schofield as ambassador over affair admission
The Prince’s Trust has decided to part ways with Phillip Schofield, 61 years old, as an ambassador after he confessed to having an affair with a young male colleague and lying to cover it up. The charity, established by the King, stated that continuing to work with the presenter was no longer suitable. Schofield announced his departure from ITV last…
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UK mortgage deals drop 10% as lenders reassess amid interest rate fears
In the wake of rising concerns over interest rates, nearly 10% of UK mortgage deals have been withdrawn from the market since the previous week. Financial data company Moneyfacts reported that close to 800 residential and buy-to-let deals have been removed as lenders reassess their offerings. Furthermore, average rates on two-year and five-year fixed deals have experienced an increase. This…
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Woman shot dead by ex-owner refusing to vacate repossessed house
A tragic incident unfolded this afternoon in Thanyaburi district, Pathum Thani when a woman was fatally shot by the irate former owner of a house she had recently purchased from a bank. The man, 65 years old, had refused to vacate the property and was in a standoff with the police at the time of the shooting. Officers were alerted…
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Viral sensation: Vietnamese couple’s extravagant engagement ceremony leaves social media in awe
A Vietnamese couple’s lavish engagement ceremony, involving extravagant gifts of cash and gold necklaces, gained a lot of attention on social media. The bride received more than 50 gold necklaces and 7.3 million baht (US$201,000) in cash, causing online users to express amazement and envy. Local media reports state that the engagement ceremony took place on Saturday, May 27, involving…
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