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.
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Pattaya police raid targets noisy teens, seizes modified motorcycles
Around 12.30am today, July 10, Pattaya City Police, led by Police Lieutenant Colonel Suchat Dusadee, along with patrol officers and Pattaya volunteer forces, carried out a raid at Phratamnak Hill in Pattaya. This action was in response to reports of a group of teenagers causing disturbances by riding motorcycles and creating loud noises that disrupted residents nearby. At the location,…
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Phuket tourism boom: 223 billion baht from Russian, Chinese visitors
Phuket has emerged as a popular destination for Russian, Chinese, and Indian tourists in the first five months of this year, contributing approximately 223 billion baht in revenue, according to the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT). Kamolphan Chalermsakulrat, deputy director of TAT Phuket, reported yesterday, July 9, that the island province received 5.85 million visitors between January and May, reflecting…
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Cyber police detain six over Thai baht fraud scheme
Cyber police have detained six people linked to an international fraud scheme that deceived a prominent Japanese corporation into transferring over 228 million baht to a Thai bank account using fake email invoices. Police successfully froze 215 million baht (US$6.58 million) before it could be laundered and are collaborating with the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) in the United States…
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Heavy rainfall and thunderstorms hit 43 Thai provinces
Weather conditions across 43 provinces in Thailand are expected to deteriorate as heavy rainfall affects Bangkok and surrounding areas, with 70% of these regions experiencing thunderstorms. The northeastern and eastern provinces are also anticipated to face thunderstorms and heavy rain in several areas. According to the Thai Meteorological Department (TMD)’s 24-hour weather forecast, heavy rainfall in some areas of Thailand…
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Fire-breathing car stirs outrage after footpath drive in Chon Buri
A Thai man faced a fine after driving a fire-breathing sedan along a footpath beside Bang Saen Beach in Chon Buri. The annual car race, the Bangsaen Grand Prix (BGP), was held in Chon Buri from July 2 to 6. The event attracted both local and foreign visitors, as well as racing car owners who gathered in the province for…
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Elderly poacher busted in West Thailand national park raid
Khao Laem National Park rangers collared an elderly poaching suspect armed to the teeth in a hidden forest hideout, highlighting Thailand’s ongoing battle against illegal wildlife hunting. Around 11am yesterday, July 8, rangers patrolling a remote area of the park stumbled upon a longtail boat tied up along a forest stream. With no one in sight, they grew suspicious and…
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New regulations for ride-hailing services in Thailand announced
The Electronic Transactions Development Agency (ETDA) announced new regulations for ride-hailing service providers. Drivers using such platforms must register their vehicles as public transport and possess a public transport driving licence. These new rules will be enforced 90 days following the announcement today, July 9. The Royal Gazette has published the ETDA’s announcement, specifying that digital platform services for public…
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Casino clash: Paetongtarn blasts Anutin for twisting Xi’s words
Thailand’s suspended Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra fired back at Bhumjaithai Party leader Anutin Charnvirakul, accusing him of distorting Chinese President Xi Jinping’s views on Thailand’s controversial casino policy. Speaking in her capacity as culture minister, Paetongtarn took aim at Anutin’s claim that President Xi had voiced strong objections to Thailand’s plans for entertainment complexes that include casinos. “Xi offered various…
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Illegal street race disrupts highway traffic, sparks public outrage (video)
A recent incident involving illegal street racing on a public highway caused significant traffic disruption, igniting public outrage. Groups of racing enthusiasts closed the road to stage a drag race, leading to prolonged traffic congestion. Many online users criticised the event, questioning the whereabouts of law enforcement and the lack of intervention. The event occurred on July 8, when TikTok…
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Student scammed: Fake landlord steals rent in Thai Facebook con
An engineering student’s quest for affordable housing ended in heartbreak after he was duped into paying rent on a property he wasn’t allowed to enter. Siwakorn turned up at Mueang Nonthaburi Police Station this week clutching evidence of a slick rental scam that cost him every baht he had saved for accommodation. “I just wanted to save money on rent,”…
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Stranded chihuahuas reunite with owner after 3-month hotel stay
An online community helped reunite seven chihuahuas with their owner after the dogs were left at a dog hotel in Pattaya for over three months. The couple who run the dog hotel decided to make the story public after they could no longer afford to care for the animals. One of the owners, 38 year old Buncha Phimonrat, revealed that…
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Meth-fuelled mayhem: Thai cops nab drugged driver on Patong Hill
Patong police swooped late last night to arrest a Thai man who was not only high behind the wheel but also carrying methamphetamine on Phuket’s notorious Patong Hill. The dramatic arrest unfolded at around 1.30am today, July 9, at the Patong Hill intersection on Phra Metta Road, a busy route popular with late-night revellers. Under orders from Police Colonel Chalermchai…
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Foul play: Buriram village choked by giant chicken farm nightmare
A once-tranquil village in Buriram has been plunged into misery as a sprawling chicken farm turns daily life into a living hell. Residents of Ban Khok Wan, in Nang Rong district, say their community is overwhelmed by noxious odours, swarms of flies, and the constant roar of heavy trucks thundering through the night. Today, July 9, locals and members of…
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Thai exports face threat from proposed 36% US tariff
The Employers’ Confederation of Thai Trade and Industry (EconThai) expressed concerns over the proposed 36% tariff on US imports of Thai products, highlighting potential challenges for the manufacturing sector and its workforce. Set to be implemented on August 1, the proposed tariff surpasses those on imports from other Southeast Asian nations, with Vietnam facing a 20% tariff, Malaysia 25%, and…
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Wave of caution: Patong stages tsunami drill to save lives
Patong is set to go into full emergency mode this month, as officials prepare to evacuate the town in a massive tsunami drill that could one day mean the difference between life and death. Patong Mayor Lalita Maneesri announced the ambitious exercise yesterday, July 8, during a high-level meeting at the Patong Municipality Office. “The safety of everyone in Patong—residents,…
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Man throws stones at cars in Bangkok, subdued by locals (video)
A dramatic incident unfolded on Srinakarin Road, near Soi 27, in Bangkok, when a man was seen carrying a metal rod and throwing stones at passing vehicles. The situation was captured in a TikTok video posted by user @ion_x_noi, yesterday, July 8, showcasing the tense moments as several brave locals intervened to subdue the man. The video depicted the man,…
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Online date vanishes with Thai man’s pickup after resort stay
A Thai man lost his pickup to a woman he met online after they arranged to meet at a resort in the Isaan province of Chaiyaphum on Monday, July 7. The 56 year old victim, Pramuan, filed a complaint with officers at Mueang Chaiyaphum Police Station after the theft. He was unable to identify the suspect beyond knowing her as Ead,…
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Major drug network dismantled in Thonburi by police operation
The Metropolitan Police Division 8 conducted a successful operation to arrest a major drug network operator and her associates in the Thonburi area. Police Lieutenant General Siam Boonsom, Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police Bureau, along with senior officers, yesterday, July 8, ordered the arrest of 49 year old Phakhamon, also know as Joy, 45 year old drug transporter Pathomporn, known…
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Fermented fury: Barefoot pensioner splashes Hun Sen portrait
Bangkok commuters were treated to a bizarre spectacle on Monday, July 7, when a barefoot pensioner splashed fermented fish sauce over a portrait of Cambodian Senate President Hun Sen, earning himself a small fine and a lot of attention. Retired tennis coach 69 year old Thewa Sritawan set out from his home in Pak Kret, Nonthaburi province, before dawn, carrying…
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Monks defrocked in Prachin Buri for drug use and theft
Three monks and four temple disciples were apprehended at a prominent temple in Prachin Buri province for drug use, following complaints of frequent thefts and Buddha statue defacement. The suspects were defrocked before legal proceedings commenced. Police in Prachin Buri received complaints about monks and disciples at Wat Sawang Arom (Khok Hom) engaging in theft and vandalism, including decapitating Buddha…
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Thai police shut down ketamine beverage site in Samut Prakan
Thai police, in collaboration with the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), recently dismantled a ketamine beverage production site in Samut Prakan. The operation uncovered 13 new flavours mixed with sweet syrup, leading to the confiscation of over 2,000 bottles valued at more than 250,000 baht. At 4pm yesterday, July 8, Police Colonel Weerapong Khlaitong, head of Division 4 of the…
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Close shave: Phuket cops rescue woman after scarf snags (video)
A routine patrol turned into a dramatic roadside rescue in Phuket after a woman narrowly escaped serious injury when her scarf tangled in her motorcycle wheel. Today, July 9, at 8.30am Police Senior Sergeant Major Thanakrit Kodi and Police Senior Sergeant Major Nattawich Kaewprom, squad leaders from the Riot Control Unit, Crime Suppression Division Region 8, were carrying out their…
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Chiang Rai man claims worms emerge from skin after forest visit
A Thai man in the northern province of Chiang Rai sought help after discovering unidentified insects, resembling worms, emerging from his skin. The 59 year old man in the Mae Chan district contacted rescuers from the Thap Yang Foundation, hoping they could assist him in finding a proper treatment for the strange symptoms he was experiencing. The man told rescuers…
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Aussie lawyer’s massage ends in mystery after powder discovery
An Aussie lawyer’s late-night massage on the Thai island of Koh Samui ended not only in tragedy, but in mystery too, after police found him dead with a bag of white powder in his pocket. Christopher Saines, a prominent Brisbane lawyer and CEO of GLG Legal, was discovered unresponsive at the Siam Touch Massage parlour in Bo Phut at around…
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Boozy brawl: Drunk lovers trash Pattaya flat and attack cops
A wild late-night brawl between a pair of drunken lovers erupted into chaos in Pattaya, leaving shattered glass, bloody floors and even bruised police in its wake. At 1.39am yesterday, July 8, Pattaya City Police Radio Centre received a frantic call about a violent altercation inside an apartment building on Soi Kopai 4 in Bang Lamung district, Chon Buri province. Patrol…
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Khon Kaen council member accused of assaulting two young girls
A recently elected municipal council member in Khon Kaen has been accused of sexually assaulting two eight year old girls in a local village. The incident, which occurred on July 6, has caused significant concern in the community. According to reports, the two victims, referred to as Girl A and Girl B, went to play at a friend’s house in…
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Tangmo’s mother greenlights Netflix documentary on mysterious death
The mother of the late actress Nida “Tangmo” Patcharaveerapong expressed her approval for Netflix to produce a documentary about her daughter’s case. The cause of Tangmo’s death remains a subject of controversy, and her mother, Panida Siriyudthayothin, continues to pursue justice. The legal action was brought against the friends who were present during the fatal boat trip, including: Idsarin “Gatick”…
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Pattaya takes off: New flights promise tourism boom and big bucks
Pattaya prepares for a tourism and economic surge as a wave of new domestic flight routes connects the city like never before. The bold move is part of Thailand’s New Route – New Airline initiative, aimed at turning the kingdom into a regional aviation powerhouse. Leading the charge are Thai AirAsia, Thai Lion Air and newcomer EZY Airlines, all of…
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Rainy horror: Phuket-bound tour bus topples in ‘killer curve’ crash
A late-night bus journey turned into a terrifying ordeal after a Phuket-bound tour bus flipped over on a notorious bend, injuring 11 people and stranding dozens more in the pouring rain. At 8.30pm yesterday, July 8, Police Lieutenant Sunantha Rotphet of Phetchaburi City Police Station received reports of the accident on the southbound stretch of Phetkasem Road at kilometre 151…
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Thai forces disrupt cross-border motorcycle smuggling operation
Military personnel, alongside paramilitary forces, disrupted a motorcycle smuggling operation along the Thai-Cambodia border, arresting one person while seven others evaded capture. Eight motorcycles, popular in Cambodia, were seized yesterday, July 8. Police had received intelligence regarding the smuggling of stolen and untaxed motorcycles destined for Cambodia. Security forces lie in wait along agricultural routes in the risky border area…
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