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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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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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Thai-panic: AirAsia flight defies disaster over denied landing in India
A Thai AirAsia flight found itself in a death-defying situation straight out of a Hollywood blockbuster when it was denied permission to land at an airport in India. Passengers were left fearing for their lives as the aircraft was forced to circle for a staggering 45 minutes with only 30 minutes of fuel remaining in the tank. The drama unfolded…
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Sky’s the limit: Suvarnabhumi Bangkok aims for a million flights in a year
An ambitious target set by Thailand’s government aims to handle one million flights nationwide next year, following the recent opening of Suvarnabhumi International Airport’s third runway. Deputy Transport Minister Manaporn Charoensri announced the objective, emphasising the move as part of Thailand’s strategy to become the region’s aviation hub and to stimulate tourism and economic growth. After the official opening of…
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Jay Fai-ning appetite: Michelin Thai chef hangs up her apron (video)
Renowned Thai chef Jay Fai is set to close her one-star Michelin restaurant next year, 2025, due to the increasing price of ingredients and exhaustion after seven years of cooking. Jay Fai Pratu Phee restaurant ranks among the top must-try street food stalls in Bangkok, having earned a prestigious one-star award over its seven years of operation. A visit to this…
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Thai airports to launch biometric ID system this November
Six major Thai airports will introduce an automated biometric identification system using facial recognition technology later this year, allowing passengers to present their physical ID only once during their journey. This system, set to launch for domestic passengers on November 1 and for international passengers on December 1, will be operated by the Airport Authority of Thailand. Kirati Kitmanawat, the…
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Khao Yai park clarifies contractor resigned amid elephant concerns
Khao Yai National Park has clarified that Sutthiporn Sinka, known as “Phlai Su” resigned from his duties of pushing back wild elephants rather than being transferred. He faced numerous complaints for using inappropriate methods that posed risks to tourists. Sutthiporn, a contractor at Khao Yai National Park, was responsible for managing wild elephants that ventured onto visitor paths. As of…
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Fatal shooting in Songkhla after heated altercation
A heated altercation led to a fatal shooting in Songkhla when an ice delivery man was shot dead by a rival. The confrontation occurred yesterday, October 27, in Singhanakhon district, Songkhla province, at around 7.30pm. CCTV footage revealed the confrontation between the victim, 23 year old Thanakorn and his assailant, 33 year old Kritnai. Thanakorn, riding a sidecar motorcycle, encountered Kritnai,…
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Thai man arrested for attempted murder of sex worker over wallet dispute
Police arrested a Thai man for the attempted murder of a sex worker in Pattaya after he crashed his car into her and fired shots at her, following a misunderstanding over a suspected theft. Officers from Nong Prue Police Station apprehended the 51 year old man, identified as Wathin, at his home in the Isaan province of Sisaket at around…
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Snake snack attack: Python’s kitten meal causes a hissy fit in grocery
A massive python was discovered after devouring two adorable kittens in a grocery store near the mountains in Phatthalung. It was too full to move, prompting rescue officials to capture and release it back into nature. Rescue officials in Phatthalung’s Srinakarin district received a call for help from locals reporting a large python that had swallowed a male and a…
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Fowl play: Man busted for snatching rooster as pricey pet
A man was arrested for stealing a prized fighting rooster worth 100,000 baht, claiming he only wanted to keep it as a pet. Police from Sai Mai Station used CCTV footage to track and apprehend him along with the stolen rooster. Police were alerted to the theft by the caretaker of a rooster coop, who reported that a fighting rooster…
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Thailand leads Southeast Asia in agricultural exports, 8th globally
Thailand emerged as the largest exporter of agricultural products in Southeast Asia and the eighth-largest globally, thanks to its free trade agreements (FTAs). The Trade Negotiations Department highlighted this achievement, with the Director-General, Chotima Iemsawasdikul, attributing the success to these agreements despite growing foreign competition and global economic uncertainties. Thailand’s agricultural export value reached US$19.8 billion (638 billion baht) in…
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Revved-up reckoning: Bangkok teen bike bandits get comeuppance
In a dramatic takedown that reads like a crime thriller, a gang of young motorcycle thieves has been nabbed in Bangkok—shockingly, with a 14 year old among the culprits. This motley crew, responsible for filching over ten bikes across the capital, were flogging their ill-gotten wheels for a measly 1,000-1,500 baht apiece, spotlighting a worrying trend of young hooligans descending…
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EGAT to add 110 EV charging outlets in Thailand this year
The Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand (EGAT) is intensifying its electric vehicle (EV) solution services, notably by expanding charging outlets, to capitalise on the burgeoning EV market and support Thailand’s carbon reduction goals. EGAT’s expansion follows its pilot-scale operations in collaboration with state agencies and building owners. With 50 years of expertise in electricity supply and transmission system development, EGAT…
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DJ’s dental dilemma: Online shop ‘bites back’ leaving him toothless
In a saga that had more ups and downs than a DJ’s mixing session, Buriram’s own DJ Odd Inter, real name Rewat Wongkamchan, found himself toothless after he took a costly bite out of online shopping. Seeking a snazzy set of dentures to fix his show-stopping smile, Rewat ended up with a child’s plaything instead, paying 699 baht for the…
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Man caught after 13 hour search near Thaphra MRT station
A man was apprehended after a 13-hour search in Bangkok, following an incident where he threatened to harm himself at the Thaphra MRT station. He was eventually found hiding near a drainage canal. Police from Thaphra station received a report of a man behaving erratically and threatening to jump from a height at the Thaphra Blue Line station on Charansanitwong…
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AI storm: Brands brew up digital ‘spell-utions’ for savvy shoppers
In the world of marketing, there’s a storm brewing with artificial intelligence (AI) at its eye. Brands are diving into digital wizardry to craft campaigns that click with today’s choosy consumers, according to digital agencies and tech analysts. The challenge? Reaching and resonating with audiences when marketing budgets are tighter than ever amid economic uncertainty. Leading the charge is marketing…
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Van crash kills four officials returning to Bangkok from ceremony
A tragic accident involving a van carrying officials from the Department of Water Resources resulted in the deaths of four people after the vehicle crashed into a tree. The van was returning to Bangkok when the incident occurred. Yesterday, October 27, police from Kosamphi Nakhon Police Station in Kamphaeng Phet province responded to an accident involving a white Toyota van…
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Potential Trump return haunts global finance leaders at IMF meeting
Amidst the typical chatter of low growth, high debt, and conflicts flaring up, the real buzz at the annual IMF and World Bank meetings was the possible political comeback of Donald Trump. This was the hot topic for finance leaders in Washington last week, overshadowing the usual suspects on the agenda. According to some sources, Trump’s alleged leap in the polls…
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Traffic officer accused of assaulting 13 year old boy in Sattahip
A traffic officer in Sattahip, Chon Buri, allegedly assaulted a 13 year old boy by punching the teenager in the face multiple times after accusing him of revving his motorcycle engine. The boy’s mother, 35 year old Pornlada, is determined to seek justice for her son and has filed a complaint with the officer’s superiors. The incident occurred yesterday, October 27,…
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Thailand to set to ‘whip’ up new parenting rules with no-cane bill
In a groundbreaking move that could change the way Thai parents discipline their children, a committee is poised to introduce a “no-cane” bill to the House. If given the green light, Thailand will become only the second nation in the ASEAN region to outlaw corporal punishment, potentially marking the end of an era for its 89 year old disciplinary law.…
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Thai public debt remains under 70% of GDP despite borrowing
Thailand’s public debt remains within manageable levels, according to the Public Debt Management Office (PDMO), despite recent borrowing for fiscal 2024. Jindarat Viriyataveekul, a public debt advisor for the PDMO, confirmed that the debt level has not surpassed the critical threshold of 70% of GDP. “The level is still within this limit, even though the government borrowed an additional 145…
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Phuket magic spells its way into Asia’s ‘Top 10’ destinations
Phuket’s tropical charm has once again worked its magic, landing it among Asia’s Top 10 island destinations, as revealed by the esteemed Condé Nast Traveler Readers’ Choice Awards. UK tabloid Daily Express also got into the act, gushing over Phuket’s recognition by Condé Nast Traveler Readers’ Choice Awards. “A stunning island in Asia has been crowned one of the best…
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Thai cake shop in controversy for gecko surprise
A Facebook user recently shared a dramatic post, showing a chocolate cake with a gecko inside. The post, which quickly went viral, included a caption expressing disgust and confusion about how the gecko ended up in the cake. The user mentioned feeling nauseous after eating half the cake and only discovering the gecko when using a spoon to inspect the…
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Temple turmoil: Monks clash in a not-so-holy ‘axe-ident’ in Nakhon Pathom (video)
Two Thai monks engaged in a violent holy altercation at Don Khanak Temple in the central province of Nakhon Pathom yesterday. One of them suffered serious injuries after suffering two axe blows to the head. Officers from Mueang Nakhon Pathom Police Station were alerted to the physical altercation at the temple at around 10.30am yesterday, October 27. Upon investigation, police…
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Phuket beachgoers warned of Portuguese man o’ war sting operation (video)
Phuket holidaymakers at Mai Khao Beach have been warned a trip to the sandy shores could have a sting in its tail. Beachgoers in Phuket have been given a red alert about the arrival of the notorious Portuguese man o’ war – aka bluebottles. The Phuket Lifeguard Service confirmed a sighting of these perilous sea creatures yesterday, October 27, prompting a…
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Casino royale: Thailand rolls the dice on mega gaming complex
In a bold move worthy of James Bond himself, the Finance Ministry of Thailand is pulling out all the stops to push forward a high-stakes casino-entertainment complex project, with Deputy Finance Minister Julapun Amornvivat at the helm. This ambitious venture is straight out of the Pheu Thai Party-led government’s policy playbook. But while the ministry’s immediate focus remains on flood…
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FBS provides humanitarian relief to flood victims in Thailand
FBS, a leading global broker, continues to make a positive impact through its charitable work and humanitarian efforts. In response to the devastating flooding in Thailand, the company has mobilised its resources and partnered with local volunteers to deliver essential aid to the hardest-hit areas. FBS has always led the way in the global community through its charitable work and…
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Thai motorcycle rider claims self-defence after stabbing taxi driver (video)
A Thai motorcycle rider stabbed a taxi driver on a road in Nonthaburi province, near Bangkok, after the taxi driver cut him off and hit him with an iron rod. The motorcycle rider, 30 year old Nattaporn, is seeking justice for himself, claiming that the stabbing was an act of self-defence. He insisted that the taxi driver, later identified as…
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Thailand video news | Phuket’s tourism tax won’t affect foreign residents or workers, Thai baht may weaken if Trump wins US election
In today’s coverage, Alex brings top stories from Thailand and Southeast Asia to Thailand video news. Key updates include Phuket’s tourism tax exemptions for foreign residents, potential impacts on the Thai baht in the upcoming U.S. election, and rising PM2.5 pollution levels in Bangkok. Additionally, Thailand’s retirement age increased to 65, a driver’s heroic action stopping a gunman in Phatthalung,…
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Trami’s tempest: Storm brews up a windy welcome for Thailand
The Meteorology Department of Thailand (TMD) dished out the latest lowdown on Tropical Storm Trami, as it aims to swoop on Thailand’s northeastern and eastern regions with blustery winds and rain. Currently swirling near Vietnam’s central coast, Trami is edging back towards the South China Sea, losing steam thanks to a cold air mass blocking its advance into Thailand. Expect…
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Thai kickboxer accuses French Muay Thai fighter of cheating
A Thai kickboxer accused a French Muay Thai boxer and sports programme host of cheating him. The accused French national denied the allegations. Thai boxer, Nattawut “Jo” Somkhum, known in the industry as Jo Nattawut, announced his resignation from UPR Vision Entertainment after signing a contract for just three months. He stated that he noticed suspicious actions in the collaboration…
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