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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Sponsored Top 10 reasons for expats to get a comprehensive health insurance in Thailand
Moving to Thailand offers a prospect full of excitement and adventure, but in the same vein, if any injuries were to occur (and god forbid it does), the local healthcare system can be confusing at first glance for many expats...
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9 victims killed in Suphan Buri firecracker factory explosion
An explosion at a small firecracker factory in the central province of Suphan Buri today, July 30, killed nine people. The total number of victims is still under investigation. Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) officers are examining two houses in Ban Pho sub-district, Mueang district, Suphan Buri province, following a report of the explosion at around 11am. The two houses was…
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Thailand considers tax breaks to boost off-peak tourism
The Revenue Department is contemplating tax incentives to boost tourism during the off-peak season, potentially enabling people to deduct travel expenses of up to 15,000 baht from their taxable income. Pinsai Suraswadi, director-general of the department, stated that discussions with the Tourism and Sports Ministry are underway to decide which provinces should be covered by these tax measures. The scope…
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CCTV busts trash dumpers in Pattaya green zone sting
Caught on camera and forced to clean up their mess. That’s the fate that met four litterbugs after Pattaya’s expanding CCTV network spotted them dumping garbage in a forest zone just hours after it had been cleaned. On Sunday, July 27, Pattaya City workers completed a public cleaning and trimming of a green zone. But the next day, officials were…
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US tariffs on Thailand expected to change in August
US tariffs on Thailand are anticipated to be announced on August 1 or August 2, with the rate expected to change from the current 36%, according to Finance Minister Pichai Chunhavajira. After achieving an unconditional ceasefire agreement along the Thai-Cambodian border, Pichai stated that negotiations with the US are progressing, with most issues resolved and only a few remaining. He…
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100 million baht in compensation offered to provinces affected in border clashes
Thailand’s Ministry of Finance approved 100 million baht in compensation for residents in each province affected by the ongoing border clashes. Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance, Phichai Chunhavajira, reported that approximately 160,000 residents in the border provinces had to evacuate to emergency shelters and were forced to stop working due to the continued violence in the area. Locals…
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Thailand enforces no-fly zones for drones in military areas
Fourteen areas across Thailand have been declared no-fly zones for drones, particularly in military regions. The Thai military is equipped with anti-drone systems along the Thai border, ready to intercept any unauthorised aerial devices. Today, July 30, Jirayu Huangsub, Government spokesperson, announced that the Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand (CAAT) has prohibited drone flights in areas that could impact national…
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Thai airport fees set to soar, passengers brace for hike
Travellers flying out of Thailand could soon be hit with higher airport fees, as officials move to raise Passenger Service Charges (PSC) for the first time in years. The Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand (CAAT) confirmed it expects to decide on the proposed hike by October, with a potential increase of up to 100 baht per international passenger. If approved,…
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Pattaya fights back with bold new city health charter
Pattaya is rewriting the rules as it prepares to launch a bold new health charter aimed at cleaning up the city’s image and improving the quality of life for its residents. At the heart of the plan is the use of constitutional authority to drive sweeping reforms across three key sectors: tattoo safety, nighttime worker welfare, and protecting children from…
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Thailand video news | Thai-Cambodian commanders agree on ceasefire measures, Deadly dispute turns festival into tragedy in Southern Thailand
In Thailand video news, Alex and Jay cover news stories, including the new 7-point plan to maintain the ceasefire that’s been agreed to by Thai and Cambodian military leaders, a deadly mass shooting this time taking place in southern Thailand, and some feel-good stories involving Thai heartthrobs and friendly farangs. Thai-Cambodian Commanders Agree on Ceasefire Measures On 29 July, Thai…
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Fire at Nakhon Ratchasima bicycle store causes 3 million baht damages
A significant fire engulfed a major bicycle sales and repair centre in Nakhon Ratchasima, trapping the shop owners, a couple, on an upper floor. Police expect damages to exceed 3 million baht (US$92,570). The incident occurred at 4.55am today, July 30, when Police Colonel Nathee Sukuna received a report about a fire at Wandi Bicycle Store in Ban Nong Phiman,…
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3 Chinese men arrested for filming restricted army zones in Surin
Thai officials yesterday, July 29, arrested three Chinese men who claimed to be journalists, after they were caught taking photographs of Thai military bases in the Isaan province of Surin. Several news Facebook pages reported that the three men were detained in the Kap Choeng district, near the contested Chong Chom border area. They were found taking photographs and recording…
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Aeroflot flight drama: Phuket return sparks hacker rumours
An Aeroflot flight bound for Novosibirsk was forced to return to Phuket International Airport yesterday morning just minutes after takeoff, following what was reported as a technical malfunction, but speculation is swirling after the airline confirmed a cyberattack just one day earlier. The Airbus A330, operating as flight SU637, took off at 9.53am local time, around 30 minutes behind schedule. But…
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Chiang Mai sees surge in demand for lottery tickets
In Chiang Mai, the demand for lottery tickets is on the rise, particularly for auspicious numbers and those linked to significant national events. One popular choice is the numbers commemorating the Thai military’s strategic securing of 11 key locations. Phannee Lupungngern, a lottery vendor on Chiang Mai-Lamphun Road in Saraphi district, reported a surge in sales, with many auspicious numbers…
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Furious farangs slam Pattaya over ‘Thai price’ double standard
As domestic tourism campaigns roll out across Pattaya, many foreign travellers are left feeling short-changed. While Thai nationals enjoy government-backed discounts and co-pay perks, expats and tourists say they’re being charged more for the same experiences, from hotel rooms to national park entries. “Should I get a local to book my hotel for October?” one frustrated tourist posted on a…
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Pathum Thani abbot removed over 30 million baht embezzlement scandal
The chief monk of Pathum Thani province has ordered the removal of the abbot of a local temple following embezzlement allegations of nearly 30 million baht of temple funds. This action comes after residents of Bueng Kham Phroi subdistrict, Lam Luk Ka district, Pathum Thani province, filed a complaint with Lam Luk Ka Police Station, prompting an investigation into the…
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Thai army detains 18 Cambodian soldiers after border clash
The 2nd Army Area detained 18 Cambodian prisoners of war (POWs) following a clash in the Sam Tae area of Kantharalak district in Si Sa Ket province. Two other Cambodian soldiers were found dead at the scene. The spokesperson for the Royal Thai Army (RTA), Winthai Suwaree, reported yesterday, July 29, that a clash had erupted in Sam Tae after…
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Missing jet ski operator found dead on island off Phuket
A routine day on the water turned tragic after a young jet ski operator vanished off Koh Naka Yai; his body was pulled from mangroves two days later. The body of 22 year old Jessadawut Hom, also known as Bass, was discovered yesterday afternoon, July 29, tangled in mangroves along the shore of Koh Naka Yai, off Phuket’s east coast.…
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Major drug bust in Sakon Nakhon seizes 500kg crystal meth
Under the government’s Seal Stop Safe border drug prevention policy and the No Drugs No Dealers operation led by Interior Minister Phumtham Wechayachai, a major anti-drug operation took place yesterday, July 29, in Sakon Nakhon province. Key officials, including Police General Kittirat Phanphet, Police Lieutenant General Nitinai Langyen, and Police Lieutenant General Boonsin Phatklang, executed an intense crackdown at the…
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Cambodian artillery damages Thai hospitals, costs exceed 285 million baht
Thai health minister Somsak Thepsuthin has revealed that Cambodian artillery has caused damage to medical facilities exceeding 285 million baht, with Panom Dong Rak Hospital in Surin province suffering the most. Restoration is expected to take years. The World Health Organisation (WHO) has yet to respond to a letter sent yesterday, July 29. Somsak, speaking about the ongoing Thai-Cambodian border…
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‘Flying Giant’ A380 becomes a costly nightmare for airlines
Two decades after its maiden flight, the Airbus A380 is back in demand as international travel roars back to life post-Covid. But while passengers may love its spacious cabins, airlines are groaning under the weight of its soaring maintenance costs. The European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) has issued 95 airworthiness directives for the aircraft since 2020, more than double…
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Japan and US issue tsunami alerts after mega quake
A colossal magnitude 8.8 earthquake struck off Russia’s Kamchatka Peninsula today, sparking tsunami warnings and urgent evacuations from Japan to Hawaii. The quake, initially measured at 8.7, struck about 126 kilometres southeast of Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky at a depth of 18 kilometres, according to the US Geological Survey (USGS). In the Russian Far East, waves as high as 4 metres battered parts…
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Monk dies in Bangkok motorcycle taxi accident
A 70 year old monk, identified as Vichai Wachayo, passed away following an accident involving a motorcycle taxi in Bangkok’s Rat Burana district. The incident occurred yesterday morning, July 29, as he was returning to Wat Son temple. At 9.30am, Police Lieutenant Nattapong Thasri, an investigator at Rat Burana Police Station, received a report from Rat Burana Hospital regarding the…
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Mystery as human skull found in Samut Songkhram coconut grove
A human skull, along with other scattered remains, was discovered yesterday, July 29, in a Samut Songkhram garden slated to become a coconut plantation, prompting an immediate and significant police investigation. Police Major Chutima Banjongpru of Mueang Samut Songkhram Police Station was alerted to the disturbing find on a 20-rai plot in Tai Had subdistrict by village head Phongphan Chommai.…
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Bangkok couple arrested for motorcycle theft caught on CCTV
A couple riding a motorcycle in Bangkok were arrested after being caught stealing a parked motorcycle. Allegedly, this was not their first offence. CCTV footage captured the incident, revealing the pair’s criminal history, with one having a record of 13 previous arrests. The police apprehended them shortly after the crime. At 12.50am today, July 30, Police Major General Samart Promchat,…
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Shooting at Kamlon Festival leaves one dead, eight injured
A mass shooting at the Kamlon Festival @Kiriwong in Nakhon Si Thammarat resulted in one death and eight injuries. The incident occurred at 1.20am today, July 30, during the festival’s final night, which was held from July 25 to July 29 in Kamlon subdistrict, Lan Saka district. The event was near Kiriwong Bridge, drawing a large crowd of festival-goers. Following…
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Heavy rainfall warning for 32 Thai provinces, flash floods possible
The Thai Meteorological Department (TMD) has issued a weather forecast highlighting heavy rainfall across 32 provinces in Thailand, with a significant downpour expected in 60% of Bangkok. Residents in seven provinces are cautioned about potential flash floods and overflowing banks on July 30. Upper northern, northeastern, central, and eastern regions are predicted to experience heavy rain in isolated areas, particularly…
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When to book cheap flights from Thailand to Gulf
Travelling from Thailand to Gulf countries has gradually become increasingly popular. Be it for business or simply a recreational trip. However, with the hiking flight prices, it is essential to time your booking so you can plan your trip without having to worry about the ticket price fluctuations. In this article, we will discuss a few points that will help…
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Suspected Cambodian spy denies allegation, claiming to be orchard worker
A Cambodian man arrested on suspicion of being a spy in the central province of Chanthaburi denied the accusation, claiming he was merely a worker at a fruit orchard in Thailand. Officers from the Marine Corps Special Operations Unit in Chanthaburi apprehended the Cambodian national, 43 year old Oeun Khoem, at around 7pm yesterday, July 28, after he was seen…
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Woman’s skeleton found in Udon Thani forest during mushroom hunt
Locals in the Isaan province of Udon Thani stumbled upon human skeletons while searching for mushrooms in the forest, prompting an investigation to identify the deceased. Residents in the Kut Chap district of Udon Thani province discovered the skeleton in a forested area near the Ban Dong Keng community yesterday, July 28, and reported their find to the community leader…
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Search continues for missing jet-ski operator off Phuket coast
Efforts continue to search for a 22 year old jet-ski operator who fell into the sea off Naka Yai Island on July 27. The man, Chetthawut Hom from Pa Khlok, went missing after the incident. Chetthawut was reported missing at 7.10pm, having fallen overboard while operating a jet-ski near Naka Yai Island, located off the east coast of Phuket. At…
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