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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 How much travel insurance should cost you in Thailand (By trip length)
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Thaksin to hear lese majeste ruling on exile anniversary
All eyes are on Thailand’s Criminal Court as it prepares to deliver a high-stakes verdict in the lese majeste case against former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra—a decision that could reignite political tensions across the country. Today, July 16, Thaksin’s lawyer, Winyat Chartmontree, announced that the court had scheduled August 22 as the date for the ruling. Fittingly, the decision will…
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Thailand opens bidding for Bangkok-Nong Khai high-speed rail 2026
The State Railway of Thailand (SRT) is set to open the bidding process for the high-speed railway project between Bangkok and Nong Khai in the third quarter of 2026. SRT chief Veerath Amrapal led a public consultation meeting to introduce the study, review, and analysis of the project’s bidding documents. This initiative, part of the Thai-Chinese collaboration, aims to align…
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Thailand fights back as Myanmar pollution threatens health crisis
Thailand has launched an urgent crackdown on toxic cross-border pollution after dangerous levels of heavy metals were detected flowing into northern rivers from Myanmar, sparking fears of a looming health and environmental disaster. Yesterday, July 15, the Cabinet officially endorsed recommendations from the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) to protect communities along the Kok and Sai rivers, where contamination has…
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Woman captured after 16 years on the run for aunt’s murder
A woman has been apprehended after evading capture for over 16 years in connection with the murder of her aunt, following a family dispute over an inheritance. Yesterday, July 15, police arrested 47 year old Woraporn in Nakhon Pathom province under a warrant issued by Pathum Thani Provincial Court on February 5, 2009, for charges of collaborative murder and concealing…
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Pattaya woman flees after forced cannabis gummy intake by South Korean man
A Thai woman escaped from a South Korean man in the early hours of this morning and sought help from locals in Pattaya after being forced to consume cannabis gummies. Officers from Mueang Pattaya Police Station were called to a convenience store on Pattaya Sai Song Road at 3.36am today, July 16, to assist the 25 year old woman, identified…
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Topless Thai transwoman busted for beach stunt in Sri Lanka
A Thai transwoman has been slapped with a suspended prison sentence after strutting topless down a popular Sri Lankan surf strip, sparking outrage among conservative locals. The 26 year old tourist was arrested on Monday, July 14, in Arugam Bay, a laid-back beach resort nearly 400 kilometres from Colombo, after social media videos showed her strolling along the sand bare-chested.…
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Thailand anticipates record 2.4 million Indian tourists despite Air India crash
Indian arrivals to Thailand remain strong, despite a recent Air India aircraft accident, with the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) forecasting a record 2.4 million arrivals from India this year. This resilience contrasts with a sluggish short-haul market trend. The TAT has announced that several airlines are interested in joining a forthcoming 750-million-baht flight stimulus programme. ASEAN Executive Director, Patsee…
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Pattaya races to finish mega drainage project before next deluge
Pattaya City officials are scrambling to beat the clock as they push to complete a massive drainage overhaul aimed at finally taming the floods that turn roads into rivers every rainy season. The ambitious project, centred along the railway parallel road, will link a giant new pipeline directly to the Huai Yai municipal canal. Once operational, the system is expected…
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Thailand plots digital baht revolution to lure big-spending tourists
Thailand is taking a bold leap to cash in on the crypto craze, with regulators unveiling plans to let foreign tourists spend their digital coins directly on everything from street food to luxury hotels. The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), in partnership with the Bank of Thailand (BoT), announced a groundbreaking crypto sandbox programme designed to boost tourism and inject…
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Buzzing: Thai motorcyclist’s bee TikTok video sparks lottery fever
A Thai TikToker attracted the attention of lottery enthusiasts after posting a buzzing video showing a swarm of bees building a hive on the side mirror of a motorcycle parked by the roadside in the southern province of Surat Thani. The TikTok user, @pimpitchayasornk, shared the video on July 10 with the caption, “Go all out! #Lottery @LuckyNumbers #AllTimeLuckyLotteryNumbers.” In…
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Thai clinics exposed in massive gold card fraud scandal
A major healthcare scandal is rocking Thailand as the Ministry of Public Health cracks down on 16 clinics accused of defrauding the country’s universal health scheme out of nearly 30 million baht. Yesterday, July 15, Thanakrit Chitareerat, Secretary to the Minister of Public Health, revealed he had personally inspected several clinics in Sakhon Nakhon’s Song Dao district as part of…
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Heavy Udon Thani rainfall causes flooding, electrocution tragedy
Heavy rainfall in Udon Thani led to widespread flooding yesterday resulting in two residents being electrocuted and later passing away at a hospital. The downpour began at 5.30pm, yesterday, July 15, causing severe flooding on nearly every street in the city. Despite municipal efforts to prevent such flooding, it remains a recurring issue. In a shocking incident, two people were electrocuted…
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Something smells fishy: Locals kick up stink over reservoir pollution fears
Residents of Nong Prue subdistrict in Chon Buri expressed their concerns about the suspected illegal wastewater discharge into Mabprachan Reservoir, an essential water source for locals. The issue emerged yesterday, July 15, near the reservoir’s exercise area, opposite a popular restaurant near the Hot Two Point intersection on Phonpraphanimit Road 34. Upon receiving the complaints, reporters visited the location and…
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Mentally ill man nabbed after bag theft at Phuket hospital
Chaos erupted at Vachira Phuket Hospital yesterday when a man suffering from mental illness allegedly snatched a nurse’s shoulder bag and bolted, sparking a frantic search across the city. The incident unfolded around 3pm yesterday, July 15, inside the outpatient examination room on the hospital’s third floor. Witnesses reported seeing the suspect grab the bag before sprinting out of the…
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Ham-fisted: Cambodian couple busted for illegal pork stall in Bangkok
A Cambodian couple was apprehended by police for illegally operating a pork stall in Bangkok’s Khlong Sam Wa district. The pair, identified as 31 year old Nga Phon and 30 year old Chanty Rav, were found selling fresh pork at a market in the Bang Chan subdistrict on Monday, July 14. The operation was led by Police Lieutenant General Siam Boonsom,…
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Thailand builds giant bridges to save wild elephants from roads
Thailand has launched two colossal new bridges to stop wild elephants from meeting a grisly end under speeding cars. Yesterday, July 15, Transport Minister Suriya Juangroongruangkit declared open the towering structures built in Rayong’s Khao Chamao district and Chanthaburi’s Kaeng Hang Maew district—key corridors for elephant herds roaming the east. “These bridges will help wild elephants coexist with humans sustainably,”…
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Chinese crew member dies after crane accident on cargo ship
Aa Chinese crew member suffered severe injuries from an accident on a cargo ship and later succumbed to his injuries at 3.15pm, yesterday, July 15. Deputy Director Natthaphon Sinpunpon of the Centre for Maritime Security in Surat Thani, along with officials from the Centre for Maritime Security Region 2, deployed a high-speed vessel, the Maritime Security 4003, to assist the…
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Fake AMLO boss gang busted in Bangkok for scamming student
Police in Bangkok have dismantled a criminal gang posing as a fake director of the Anti-Money Laundering Office (AMLO), who deceived a postgraduate student into losing hundreds of thousands of baht. The group, notorious for its call centre scams, was apprehended at a popular shopping mall in the Bang Na area yesterday, July 15. The operation was led by Police…
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Thai lottery predictions stir excitement with unique sources
Thailand’s lottery enthusiasts eagerly searched for lucky numbers, with social media buzzing with predictions for today’s draw. While the Government Lottery Office did not travel, those interested in the lottery were keen to follow various sources for their lucky picks. One of the popular predictions came from Wat Somwang’s Ai Khai, whose incense stick numbers have previously brought fortunes to…
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Lottery fever grips Kham Chanod as lucky numbers vanish
Hopeful punters have swarmed Udon Thani’s mystical Kham Chanod Island, desperately trying to snag elusive lucky numbers before the lottery draw today. Yesterday, July 15, hundreds of visitors descended on the sacred home of Phaya Naga, where believers flock to seek blessings from Pu Sri Sutho and Mae Ya Sri Pratumma. Despite a noticeable drop in foot traffic this year,…
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Phuket MP fury as budget crumbs leave paradise island penniless
A furious Phuket MP slammed the Government of Thailand over a shockingly low stimulus handout, calling the move “a betrayal” and “an insult” to one of the country’s top tax-contributing provinces. Chalermpong Saengdee, who represents Constituency 2 for the opposition People’s Party, hit out after Phuket was handed just 267.34 million baht from the 157-billion-baht national stimulus budget, ranking 75th…
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Puff justice: Cops snuff out illegal cigarettes shop in Bangkok
A Chinese convenience store in the Prawet district of Bangkok was raided by police for selling illegal cigarettes. The operation yesterday, July 15, led by Police Colonel Santi Kornkasem, along with other officers, resulted in the arrest of Thai national, 32 year old Chutima or Yo and 29 year old Myanmar national, Naw Aye. They were found in possession of…
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Chiang Mai University warns of deadly brain-eating disease
The Faculty of Medicine at Chiang Mai University warns of the silent threat posed by the brain-eating amoeba found in natural water sources, urging caution even with seemingly clean water. Yesterday, July 15, the official page of the Chiang Mai University Faculty of Medicine published an article highlighting the dangers of Naegleria fowleri, a single-celled parasite that can cause fatal…
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Truck brake failure causes pile-up, four injured near Bangkok
A 10-wheel truck experienced brake failure and collided with eight vehicles, resulting in four injuries, outside a prominent shopping mall in Ngamwongwan. The incident led to severe traffic congestion. The driver faced charges but was released temporarily. Yesterday, July 15, at 8.30pm, officers from the Rattanathibet Police Station received reports of a 10-wheel truck experiencing brake failure and causing a…
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Missing man’s body found in forest after week-long search
A 68 year old woman sought help at the Lan Sak Police Station on July 15, desperate to find her husband who had been missing for seven days. Anuban Sarasuwan, the headman of Rabam subdistrict, Uthai Thani province, accompanied the woman, Janhom, as she searched for her 62 year old husband, Bunliang, who had last been seen riding his motorbike…
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Wrong note: Thai man criticised for singing in middle of Pattaya road
A Thai man sparked safety concerns and drew online criticism after singing in the middle of an intersection in Pattaya on Monday, July 14. The witness, Ittinat Terdsaran, shared a video in a Facebook group named พัทยา (Pattaya), showing the singer dressed in elephant-themed clothing singing on a public road. In the caption, he wrote, “Pattaya, what are you doing…
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Asia awaits: Turkish Airlines unleashes flight frenzy on Bangkok
Turkish Airlines is poised to significantly expand its presence in Southeast Asia, with Bangkok firmly in its sights. From October 27, the airline will offer an impressive 21 flights per week to the Thai capital from Istanbul, marking a substantial boost in connectivity. This ambitious move underscores Turkish Airlines’ commitment to the region and solidifies Bangkok’s status as a premier global…
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Malaysian caught smuggling drugs worth 90 million baht in Nan
A Malaysian national was apprehended at the Huai Kon border checkpoint in Nan province while attempting to smuggle 72 kilogrammes of crystal methamphetamine, valued at over 90 million baht, into Thailand. The arrest took place on July 14 after customs officials at the Thung Chang checkpoint noticed a suspicious vehicle with black smoke billowing from it. The suspect, Surrenthiran Jayabalan,…
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Ladyboyz n the hood: American left reeling after Pattaya rock attack
An American holidaymaker ended up bloodied and battered after a run-in with two transgender sex workers near Soi 6 in Pattaya turned violent, with one of them allegedly smashing a rock into his skull. The victim, Mr Saber, who was strolling through the notorious alley at around 4.30am, yesterday, July 15, told police he was approached by two scantily dressed…
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Thailand Video News | Tourists evacuated after Thai-Cambodian troops scuffle at Ta Muen Thom, Thai poll reveals over 80% want suspended PM to step down
A NIDA poll reveals over 80% of Thais want suspended PM Paetongtarn Shinawatra to step down or call fresh elections, reflecting political uncertainty. Meanwhile, social issues spark outrage as a man is arrested for assaulting autistic individuals in Chiang Mai. Pattaya’s new beach smoking ban faces backlash from tourists and expats, while local concerns grow over an Iranian national living…
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