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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 Planning to extend your Thai visa? Why health insurance is more important than ever
If you plan to stay longer in Thailand, having health insurance is now more important than ever. Thai immigration often asks for proof of medical coverage when you apply to extend your visa. This applies to many types of visas,...
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Buddhist temple’s blessing: 3000 eggs donated to firefighters
In a heartwarming gesture of support, the abbot of Wat Lok Moli in Chiang Mai, Phrakhru Paibul Jetiyanurak has rallied behind firefighters battling relentless forest fires for over a month. The revered abbot donated a staggering 3,000 eggs to aid park officials and volunteers in their valiant efforts to quell the flames ravaging the province. In a solemn ceremony, the…
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China aims for 5% growth amid economic slowdown
China is poised to set its growth target for the year at about 5%, according to a government work report obtained by Bloomberg News. This growth target hints at the possibility of the government introducing more stimulus to boost the economy’s confidence, which is currently slowing. Premier Li Qiang is expected to disclose the annual gross domestic product (GDP) goal…
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Retired official accused of sexually assaulting Laotian woman
An 18 year old Laotian woman accused her employer, a retired official from the Ministry of Public Health in Thailand, of imprisoning and sexually assaulting her. The accused official denies the allegations, asserting that he cares for her like a father loves his daughter. The older brother of the Laotian victim pleaded with officers from Mueang Udon Thani Police Station…
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5 Thai people injured in missile attacks on Israel-Lebanon border
Five Thai people suffered injuries after missile attacks at an agricultural community called Margaliot on the Israel-Lebanon border on March 4. Authorities advised Thai nationals in the area to evacuate. The conflict between Israel and the Hezbollah group has raged over the past four months at the Israel-Lebanon border in parallel to the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza. The Ministry of…
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Belarusian tourist lost in Phuket jungle found unharmed
A Belarusian tourist, who had got lost while on a jungle trek in the Layan area of Phuket, was found safe and sound. Phuket Tourist Police confirmed the news this morning, stating that the man emerged from the ordeal unharmed. The individual, whose name was not disclosed in the police report, arrived in Thailand on February 18. He initially spent…
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Gold prices hit record high in Thailand, predicted to climb further
Gold prices in Thailand have reached a historic peak, with projections indicating a possible increase to 38,000 baht per baht weight within the year. This surge is largely attributed to the continued global increase in gold prices, which are nearing a two-month high of over US$2,080 per ounce, according to the Gold Traders Association (GTA). The price of gold bars…
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Swift deception leaves Thai influencer stranded outside Taylor gig
A deceptive concert ticket seller left a well-known Thai social media influencer, her friend, and eight other Thais stranded outside the venue of Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour in Singapore on March 3. Thai netizens and social media influencers flooded a social media account of a 27 year old Natrada “Pluem” Thammapanya, known among her fans as Chopluem, with words of…
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Thailand Video News | Bangkok Brawl between Filipino and Thai trans groups, Tesla eyes Thailand for new EV factory
In this video, Alex and Jay delve into the latest news in Thailand. Beginning with a brawl between Thai and Filipino trans groups erupts in Bangkok, while Elon Musk eyes the country for a new EV factory. In a surprising turn, former PM Yingluck Shinawatra is acquitted by the Supreme Court, amidst a backdrop of political tension. Meanwhile, two extraordinary…
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Royal Thai Air Force relinquishes golf course for airport expansion
The Royal Thai Air Force (RTAF) yesterday made a startling decision to relinquish its longstanding ownership of the Kantarat Golf Course, situated near Don Mueang Airport, to make way for the expansion of the airport, confirmed a spokesman from the Defence Ministry. Jirayu Houngsub, the political affairs spokesperson at the Defence Ministry, disclosed that the intricate details of the handover…
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Thailand’s internal trade dept to cut pig production for price stability
The Internal Trade Department is looking to partner with the Department of Livestock Development (DLD) and the Swine Raisers Association of Thailand, with a plan to cut pig production down to an average of 8,000 piglets each day. This action aims to stabilise the price for livestock producers across the country. According to the director-general of the Internal Trade Department,…
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Loan rejections soar for Thai homes under 3 million baht
The Thai housing market is facing a significant challenge as a growing number of loan applications for homes priced below 3 million baht are being rejected. According to the Housing Finance Association, the rejection rate has spiked to 50%, highlighting the vulnerability of this segment despite its substantial market size. The association’s secretary-general and chairman of the executive board, Alangkot…
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Over a million Buddhists gather to venerate Buddha’s relics in Bangkok
Sanam Luang in Bangkok recently played host to over 1 million Buddhists who congregated to venerate the relics of the Lord Buddha and his chief disciples, Sariputra and Moggallana. The Ministry of Culture reported this mass gathering took place between February 24 and March 3. The Culture Minister, Sermsak Pongpanich, revealed that roughly 100,000 Buddhists visited each day during the…
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Mono next to test AI-generated news anchors on digital platform
Mono Next, a publicly traded media and content provider, announced plans to test artificial intelligence (AI)-generated news anchors on its Mono 29 digital TV channel and online platform. The trial run, set to kick off next month, will be used to gauge audience reactions to these AI-generated anchors. Patompong Sirachairat, Mono’s chief executive, clarifies that the move is not aimed…
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Foreign currency deposits surge in Thailand
The past year has seen a significant upturn in foreign currency deposits (FCDs), spurred by appealing interest rates due to global rate hikes. According to data from the Deposit Protection Agency (DPA), member financial institutions observed a surge in FCDs to a total value of 812 billion baht (US$22 billion) by November 2023, up from an earlier figure of 640…
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Rama II expressway construction issues prompt contractor downgrade considerations
The construction of the Rama II Road expressway, currently plagued by delays, substandard work and safety concerns, has prompted Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin to consider downgrading contractors responsible for the project. The state budget office was instructed to investigate possible penalties for the contractors involved. Patricia Mongkhonvanit, director-general of the Comptroller General’s Department, was called to meet with the prime…
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Swiss national’s visa status under review following Phuket assault
The visa status of a Swiss national, embroiled in an assault case in Phuket, is set to undergo review by the immigration police, according to Deputy Phuket Governor, Adul Chuthong. The Swiss national, known as Urs Fehr or David, whose visa is due to expire on March 13, is the operator of several Thai businesses and has a registered foundation…
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Unexpected roadside delivery: Thai woman helps stranger give birth
A sudden roadside birth turned a routine day into an unforgettable experience for a Thai woman on her way to a temple, as a pregnant stranger delivered a healthy baby boy in her car. On March 3, Thitiwan Keardpum shared an extraordinary encounter on Facebook, detailing how a heavily pregnant woman unexpectedly gave birth in her vehicle. The post, accompanied…
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Pattaya woman injured by glass thrown in dog-caused dispute
A 37 year old local woman named Amawalee Tongfark, found herself in an unfortunate altercation when a glass, thrown by a foreign man, left her with an arm injury in Pattaya. The incident, which was sparked by an agitated response to a barking dog, occurred at a cafe near Jomtien Beach where Amawalee and a friend were spending time. The…
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Drunken altercation in Pattaya ends in injuries and property damage
In Pattaya, a heated altercation escalated into a violent incident in a rented room in the Nongprue sub-district, Banglamung district, Chon Buri province. The incident, which occurred at around 2am yesterday, ended in multiple injuries and a considerable amount of property damage. The police were first alerted to the situation when they received a call from the Nongprue Police Station…
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Suspect surrenders in Pattaya Bolt rider murder case
Pattaya experienced a shocking turn of events when a man suspected of a brutal murder yesterday voluntarily handed himself over to the police. Piriyapong Nampetcharoenphon, known locally as U, presented himself at the Nongprue Police Station at 12.30pm on Monday, March 4, following an arrest warrant issued by the Pattaya Provincial Court. The warrant was connected to the fatal shooting…
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Beauty pageant entrance stirs debate with dramatic emergency
The recent staging of a dramatic entrance by Kanyaphatsaphon Rungrueang Misgrand Pathum Thani at a beauty pageant sparked a mix of criticism and concern across social media platforms. Kanyaphatsaphon, representing Pathum Thani in the Miss Grand Thailand 2024 competition, made her debut with the sound of emergency sirens blaring, as she was laid on a stretcher, ostensibly receiving CPR, before emerging…
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Thai call center scam mastermind nabbed at border
The Thai authorities arrested a Thai national, on charges related to operating a call centre scam that duped victims into installing fake electricity utility apps and draining bank accounts of up to 1 million baht. The suspect, 24 year old Supharit, who received a 10-20% commission per scam, totalling over 500 million baht, is also linked to a case where…
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Thailand intensifies crackdown on illegal short selling
The Chairman of the Stock Exchange of Thailand (SET), Pichai Chunhavajira, announced plans to intensify the country’s crackdown on illegal short selling as shares continue to underperform. Currently, the law permits penalisation of only the securities companies that initiate the short-selling order. However, the market authorities are contemplating amending the law to allow the prosecution of both individuals and companies…
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Bangkok hosts Lim Ko Niao spiritual event for devotees
Bangkok’s Po Teck Tung Foundation currently hosts a revered spiritual event, inviting devotees to venerate the goddess Lim Ko Niao from Hat Yai. The event at the foundation’s headquarters in Plabplachai is a collaborative effort with the Samakkhi Mitrapap Foundation (Thung Siang Tung) from Hat Yai. It runs from March 10 to 13 corresponding to the Western calendar. On Sunday,…
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Thai cop spills beans on bid to hush British backpacker’s drugs dealing bust (video)
An unnamed Thai police officer revealed that his superiors attempted to suppress a story about the arrest of a British backpacker for selling Category 1 drugs on a notorious island in Thailand. Andrew Brett was arrested on Thursday, February 29, for allegedly selling ecstasy and LSD to other foreign tourists at the Ecco Bar on Koh Tao island in the…
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Thai minister ready to battle over funding for Russian helicopter
Thai Interior Minister, Anutin Charnvirakul, is set to challenge the parliamentary subcommittee’s refusal to approve funding for a new Russian-made helicopter. The helicopter is intended to augment the capabilities of the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation (DDPM), particularly in dealing with the country’s increasing wildfires and haze pollution. The subcommittee, tasked with scrutinising the fiscal budget for 2024, had…
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Thai racing champion faces backlash after gym altercation
A well-known Thai racing driver is currently facing scrutiny after a video surfaced online showing the athlete assaulting a Mahidol University student in a condominium gym. The incident, which occurred on February 27, stemmed from a dispute over the use of gym equipment. The altercation took place in the late afternoon at 5.45pm when Non, a 21 year old student…
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Tesla in Thailand: The future of green mobility and autonomous vehicles
Following its debut in Thailand at the end of 2022, US-based automobile giant Tesla continues to expand its influence in the Thai market and it is also exciting to purchase a new car in Thailand. With a test centre open in Ramkhamhaeng, customers can try driving various Tesla models as they wish, buy Tesla products, and pick up their ordered…
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Surin school head arrested for drug trade, 2.4 million pills seized
The Thai Ministry of Education is currently carrying out a stringent investigation following the shocking arrest of a school director in Surin province for his involvement in a drug trafficking operation. The director was caught with a staggering 2.4 million methamphetamine tablets and has been promptly dismissed from his position to face the full force of the law. On March…
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Bangkok’s Rama followed the deer as far as Paris
Khon Ramayana episode: “Phra Ram Tam Kwang” (Rama Followed the Deer) is one of the Thai performances that the Thai Arts and Culture Group from the Culture, Sports and Tourism Department performed at the activity area on the rooftop of the Galeries Lafayette department store, located in a major shopping area in the middle of Paris. It attracted a lot…
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