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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 unveils road safety centre for seven days of danger
Phuket is gearing up for a heightened focus on road and marine safety with the opening of a road safety operations centre on Christmas Day. This effort is in preparation for the upcoming Seven Days of Danger campaign, scheduled to run from December 27 to January 2, as confirmed by Sopon Thongsai, chief of the Phuket Provincial Disaster Prevention and…
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Thailand seeks return of fishing boat seized by Myanmar
Thailand is taking steps to reclaim a fishing boat seized by Myanmar after four Thai crew members were freed on December 5. This development was confirmed by Defence Minister Phumtham Wechayachai, who highlighted ongoing efforts to secure the return of the boat. The vessel, named Sor Charoenchai 8, was captured along with 31 crew members, including four Thais and 27 Myanmar nationals.…
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Thai pilots oppose foreign pilots on domestic routes amid tourism surge
The Thai Pilots Association has taken a definitive stance against the recent Cabinet decision allowing foreign pilots to operate domestic routes through wet lease agreements. Yesterday, December 6, they formally petitioned the Labour and Transport ministries to reconsider the move, which was introduced to address a perceived shortage of commercial pilots amid a surge in tourism activity. The Cabinet’s decision,…
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Bangkok named world’s most visited city with 32.4m tourists
Bangkok has been named the world’s most-visited city for 2024, welcoming an impressive 32.4 million international tourists. This announcement was made in a report by Euromonitor International yesterday, December 6. The Thai capital experienced a significant growth of over 30% from the previous year, solidifying its status as a leader in global tourism. The city’s allure is attributed to its…
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Fire destroys five cars in Nonthaburi garage blaze
A devastating fire engulfed a car repair garage, reducing five vehicles to ashes after a series of loud explosions rocked the neighbourhood. The incident occurred in the early hours yesterday, December 6, prompting a swift response from local fire services and police in Nonthaburi. The blaze erupted at approximately 12.20am at a garage known as Chang Tao Garage, located within…
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Pheu Thai Party proposes bill to limit Thai military’s power
Pheu Thai Party has introduced a legislative proposal to curb the military’s influence in Thailand by amending the Defence Ministry Administration Act. This proposed amendment seeks to transfer the authority of appointing generals from the armed forces commanders to a committee appointed by the Cabinet, thereby promoting transparency and meritocracy in military promotions. The proposed change is designed to prevent the…
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Thailand braces for cold snap and coastal thunderstorms
Thailand is experiencing a noticeable drop in temperature, with the northern regions facing chilly to cold weather as temperatures plummet by four degrees Celsius (°C). The Meteorological Department of Thailand (TMD) issued warnings for strong winds, thunderstorms and high seas in the south. The TMD’s forecast for the next 24 hours indicates that a high-pressure system or cold air mass…
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Thai woman finds rare Moonrat in southern Thailand canal (video)
A local angler in the southern province of Yala discovered a rare and endangered species known as the moonrat while fishing in a canal. She plans to return it to its natural habitat. The President of the Betong Animal Lover Club, Phatcharin Prathummek, contacted several news agencies to report her rare find. She later guided journalists to her house, where…
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2 Thai women arrested for tricking young virgins into prostitution
Central Investigation Bureau (CIB) officers arrested two Thai women for operating a child prostitution ring, tricking young virgin women into offering sex services to illegal Chinese nationals. CIB officers arrested the 21 year old Thai woman named Panida and a 22 year old woman named Nalatporn for their involvement in child prostitution. Panida was arrested at her condominium in the…
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Mile high sex: Swissair faces blowback over viral in-flight video
Swiss International Air Lines is in hot water after a woman performing oral sex on a passenger, filmed by airline staff, went viral, sparking a public uproar over privacy rights. The scandal unfolded when footage captured by Swissair CCTV emerged, showing a couple getting frisky in the first-class galley of a Bangkok to Zurich flight. Now, the airline is scrambling to…
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Bangkok faces alarming PM2.5 pollution spike, 32 districts affected
Bangkok is suffocating under a cloud of smog as PM2.5 pollution levels surge, forcing 32 districts to breach safety thresholds. Satellite data from the Geo-Informatics and Space Technology Development Agency (GISTDA) casts a spotlight on Nong Khaem, clocking the most dangerous levels at a staggering 61.3 microgrammes per cubic metre. Such pollution spells disaster for our lungs, with the respiratory…
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Thailand seeks US direct flights amid airline hesitance
The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) is actively working to initiate direct flights from the United States to Thailand, as local Thai airlines remain hesitant to establish these routes. This move follows the anticipated lifting of restrictions by aviation regulators next year. The US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) recently provided a positive assessment of Thailand’s aviation safety standards. The Transport…
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2 year old Thai boy crashes motorcycle into glass door, injuring mum
A two year old Thai boy crashed his mother’s motorcycle into the glass door of a house in the Isaan province of Buriram on Wednesday. The boy was unharmed but his mother sustained injuries from broken glass. The Siam Ruamjai Pu-in Rescue Foundation responded to the incident at a house on Nang Rong-Lam Plai Mart Road in the Nang Rong district of…
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Bank loan growth to shrink despite Q4 rise in retail lending
Bank loan growth is anticipated to shrink this year despite a slight rise in the fourth quarter, as banks maintain their cautious lending practices into 2025 to 2026 due to sluggish GDP growth, analysts report. Analyst Weerapat Wonk-Urai from CGS International Securities (Thailand) highlighted a rising ratio of underperforming loans in retail lending, prompting banks to enforce stricter credit standards…
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Thailand’s EV market hits a speed bump in incentive race (video)
Thailand’s electric vehicle (EV) market is experiencing a jolt as major manufacturers weigh the pros and cons of staying plugged into the nation’s incentive scheme amidst a slowdown. With the EV sector currently stuck in neutral, the Electric Vehicle Association of Thailand (EVAT) hints that automakers might be on the verge of bypassing subsidies and revisiting their production game plans.…
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Thai man kills neighbour’s dog for alleged chicken attack (video)
The owner of a light brown Siberian Husky in the southern province of Songkhla is seeking justice after the dog was beaten to death by a neighbour, who claimed it attacked his chickens. Rachan, the owner of the female Siberian Husky named Lucky shared the tragic story on social media, along with a video of the violent attack captured on…
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Fishing for freedom: Thai crew released from Myanmar custody
Four Thai crew members are expected to be released today after being detained in Myanmar. The crew members belong to the Thai fishing vessel S. Charoenchai 8, which was intercepted by Myanmar’s navy. The Royal Thai Navy (RTN) confirmed that all crew members, including the four Thai nationals, are safe and that diplomatic efforts are underway to secure their release.…
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Blowing smoke: House panel’s vape verdict sparks fiery debate
In a twist that’s left health experts fuming, the House special committee on e-cigarettes has rolled out a controversial trio of recommendations that some claim cater to the pro-smoking lobby. The options on the table: uphold the complete ban on e-cigarettes, legalise heated tobacco products (HTPs), or give the all-clear to all forms of e-cigarettes. Cue a storm of backlash…
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Kebaya recognised as UNESCO intangible cultural heritage
Kebaya, a traditional garment worn by women across Southeast Asia, has officially been recognised as an intangible cultural heritage by UNESCO. This acknowledgement came after a joint proposal from five countries, including Thailand, Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, and Singapore. The announcement took place during a meeting of the Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage in Asuncion, Paraguay,…
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Mistaken identity: Thai man bruised by police’s sobering blunder
A 33 year old Thai man and his family are taking legal action against seven police officers for mistaking him for a drink driving suspect and brutally assaulting him in the early hours of Wednesday, December 4, on Prasert-Manukitch Road in Bangkok. The victim’s sister, 29 year old Thanatcha Kirdsri, yesterday, December 5, visited the office of the Anti-Corruption Division (ACD)…
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Phuket hospital gets cancer care cash to kickstart cure (video)
Phuket’s medical scene is on the brink of a major transformation, thanks to two hefty contributions that have been earmarked for the region’s first government-run cancer treatment facility at Vachira Phuket Hospital. The Vachira Phuket Hospital is set to welcome a brand-new Radiation Therapy Building, funded by donations ringing in at a staggering 1.5 million baht. In a formal affair…
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State officials probed over Saraburi land encroachment allegations
The National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) embarked on an investigation to determine the involvement of state officials in alleged land encroachment activities in Saraburi. The primary focus is on the Phu Nub Dao Cafe & Farm, accused of constructing buildings illegally on a Sor Por Kor land reform area in Muak Lek district. Witthaya Arkhompitak, the acting chairman of the NACC,…
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Sia Piang released early from prison due to health issues
Apichart Jansakulporn, widely recognised as Sia Piang, has been released from prison, confirmed by the Department of Corrections (DoC). Initially sentenced to 48 years for his involvement in the rice-pledging scandal, Apichart was granted early release due to severe health issues, having served only seven years of his sentence. The DoC Director General, Sahakarn Phetnarin, stated yesterday, December 5, that…
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Warning issued on eve of White Lotus series in Thailand (video)
As legions of White Lotus fans eagerly await the much-anticipated third series of the smash hit HBO drama, a gripping warning emerges from the exotic shores of Thailand. White Lotus mastermind Mike White’s quest across Thailand in search of the ultimate location to capture the magic for the show’s upcoming season has been well documented. His journey led him to…
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Woman dies in Nakhon Phanom crash while rushing to sick child
A tragic accident claimed the life of a woman on a motorcycle who was rushing to visit her sick child in a hospital in Nakhon Phanom. The incident occurred when she collided with a garbage truck, leaving her two children orphaned. The 28 year old woman, who had recently lost her husband, was identified as Onpriya. Officers from the Mueang…
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Married landlord shoots car of tenant’s boyfriend in jealous rage
A landlord in Nonthaburi province, near Bangkok, fired shots at his tenant’s boyfriend’s car on Wednesday, reportedly driven by jealousy, despite being married with children. The 40 year old car owner, Suradate, filed a complaint with Bang Bua Thong Police Station at 5pm on Wednesday, December 4, after discovering his silver-bronze Toyota Vios sedan riddled with three bullet holes. Broken…
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Thai police arrest driver smuggling 18 migrants in Kanchanaburi
Police conducted a dramatic roadside chase in Kanchanaburi, capturing a Thai driver transporting 18 illegal migrants in a single vehicle. The 29 year old driver was apprehended after attempting to evade police. The operation began when senior police officers received intelligence about a group smuggling stolen vehicles across the border and illegally transporting foreign workers into Thailand. Responding to the…
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Ukrainian woman found dead in Krabi hotel with suicide letter
A Ukrainian woman left a suicide note and took her own life at a hotel room in the southern province of Krabi, a few days before her body was discovered by a hotel maid yesterday, December 5. The maid, whose identity was not disclosed, alerted officers from Mueang Krabi Police Station to investigate the room on the fourth floor of…
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Cop with a cause: Chon Buri officer’s goodwill patrol warms hearts
For the past eight years, a Chon Buri police officer has been a silent hero, making waves with his goodwill philanthropic gestures across the Klong Phlu subdistrict. Leading the Nong Yai police patrol, Wallop Tasanathanapong has been spending his own hard-earned cash to bring relief to bedridden patients and struggling families who need a helping hand. Month after month, as…
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A 60 year old man found stabbed 20 times in Thai paddy field
A 60 year old man was found dead in a paddy field after a night out drinking with old friends. The discovery, made by a local, revealed the man had been stabbed 20 times. The incident took place yesterday, December 5, in the rural area of Khlong Khlung, Kamphaeng Phet province. The body was found in the village’s paddy fields,…
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