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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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Bang Pu chemical factory fire sparks swift evacuation
A chemical factory within the Bang Pu Industrial Estate was engulfed in flames, resulting in the immediate evacuation of nearby residents. Firefighters swiftly responded to contain the blaze, clearing the area by 7.30am. The fire was reported to have originated in a chemical storage warehouse within the factory complex. By 8.25am, reports suggested that the fire was yet to be…
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Six ex-London police officers arrested for offensive messages
Six former London police officers were arrested in connection to offensive messages targeting Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, and other political figures. The incident, which took place on December 8, involved racially and sexually offensive messages sent through WhatsApp. The issue came to light following an investigation by BBC’s Newsnight. The accused include Michael Chadwell, Peter Booth, Anthony Elsom, Trevor Lewton,…
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Surat Thani’s hidden gems captivate American tourists
Tourism operators within the southern province of Surat Thani are pivoting their attention to the US market, showcasing the distinctive local attractions. Atirat Danpattaraworawat, who heads the Cheow Lan Lake Tourism Promotion Association, disclosed on Sunday that their recent networking expedition to the United States, spearheaded by the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), garnered considerable interest from the US market.…
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Thai police step up probe into underage assault linked to ex-Olympic boxer
Thai police are accelerating their investigation into the case of a 17 year old girl who reported being sexually assaulted after a night out at a club. They are gathering information before summoning Somluck Kamsing, a former Olympic gold medal boxer, for questioning about the underage assault. The incident occurred today, at an entertainment venue on Prachasamran Road, Khon Kaen…
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Bangkok’s mobile grocery stores to ease living costs
The Ministry of Commerce remains steadfast in its mission to operate mobile grocery stores across Bangkok and its neighbouring provinces, to alleviate the cost of living. Goranij Nonejuie, the Deputy Director-General of the Internal Trade Department, confirmed the continuation of the mobile grocery store initiative, now entering its fifth year of operation. The initiative will see deployment in over 100…
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Thai bars to establish sobering-up zones to deter drink driving
A new mandate from the National Alcohol Beverage Policy Committee of Thailand stipulated that entertainment venues intending to remain open till 4am must establish sobering-up zones. This initiative aims to deter patrons from driving under the influence of alcohol. The directive, chaired by Deputy Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai, was declared on December 9. Following the committee’s meeting, Deputy Minister of…
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China positions Guangxi as Southeast Asia’s primary gateway
Guanxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, bordering Vietnam, is being positioned by China as the primary gateway for businesses and tourists from the ASEAN region. Its southern China location and connectivity to Vietnam through land, sea, and air routes make it a strategic point for Southeast Asia. The region is equipped with three international airports and three deep-sea ports which collectively host…
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New M81 motorway segment open for new year holiday traffic in Thailand
Transport Minister Suriya Jungrungreangkit announced that a portion of the new M81 motorway, set to connect Bang Yai district in Nonthaburi to Kanchanaburi province, will be accessible to drivers over the new year holiday season. Suriya and Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin were in Kanchanaburi on Saturday, where they conversed with officials about the province’s development. During the period from December…
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Texas couple becomes siblings post-marriage due to parents’ subsequent union
A peculiar story has emerged from Texas, USA, where a couple finds themselves in an unexpected situation as they have become siblings post their own marriage due to their parents’ subsequent marriage. The tale, shared by a woman named Lindsey on TikTok, has sparked a heated debate online. Lindsey started dating a man named Ked when they were both just…
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Late night fire damages Buriram college dormitory and fertiliser storage
A late-night fire at the student dormitory of Buriram Agricultural and Technology College caused significant damage to a bedroom and fertiliser storage facility. Fortunately, no injuries were reported. The preliminary investigation suggests that the fire may have been caused by an electrical short circuit due to old, faulty wiring. In the early hours of today, the Buriram Sawang Charity Rescue…
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Escaped prisoner recaptured in Thailand following penis enlargement surgery
The Department of Corrections in Thailand recently recaptured an 37 year old escaped prisoner, who had fled from the surgical ward of Bang Lamung Hospital. He was discovered today at approximately 7am, hiding on the rooftop of a one-storey psychiatry ward building, a mere 20 metres from the surgical ward he had escaped from. Thanaphat Mayod, who was serving a…
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Hot coffee spill burns passenger on Thai Airways flight
A passenger aboard a Thai Airways flight suffered burns on December 8 when hot coffee was accidentally spilled on him. The man, who recounted the incident on social media, noted that the flight attendant had poured several hot drinks at once and was handing them out to passengers when the accident occurred. As he was seated in the middle, a…
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Lamduan drug gang apprehended in high-speed chase by operation unit 238
Operation Unit 238, tasked with protecting the city of Lamduan, successfully apprehended a drug gang following a high-speed car chase. The operation ended with two young men in custody and almost 70,000 methamphetamine pills confiscated. Another suspect managed to escape during the pursuit yesterday. Anupong Suksomnit, the Provincial Police Region of Sisaket, revealed the details of the drug bust, which…
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Thai pubs and restaurants to extend hours and implement sobering-up areas
The National Alcohol Beverage Policy Committee recently decreed that pubs and restaurants, which will extend their operating hours until 4am starting from December 15, must establish sobering-up areas and take measures to prevent intoxicated customers from driving. This announcement was made by Santi Promphat, the Deputy Minister of Public Health. The committee’s meeting, led by Deputy Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai,…
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Tragic discovery as government official found hanged in Samut Songkhram
The body of a 43 year old government official was discovered hanging from a bridge over the Mae Klong River in Samut Songkhram province at 3am today. The deceased, was an employee of the Department of Agriculture and Cooperatives in Samut Songkhram. Her body was found by a group of shrimp fishers, who alerted the authorities. The incident took place…
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Thailand pushes for violence reduction and public involvement in southern peace talks
Two urgent matters were put forward by Thailand for discussion in endeavours to resolve the southern conflict, as revealed by a source close to the Peace Dialogue Panel. These topics include the reduction of violence and public involvement in the peace negotiation process. Chatchai Bangchuad, the head of the government’s peace panel, is set to advocate for these issues once…
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Surat Thani man shoots brother-in-law over land dispute
A brutal domestic dispute escalated to homicide when a man fatally shot his brother-in-law multiple times in front of their family home. The incident, sparked by an argument over inherited land rights, occurred in the Chaiya district of Surat Thani Province. The gunman is now in police custody awaiting prosecution. On the evening of yesterday, at around 10pm, police officers…
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Thai prime minister criticises marginal increase in minimum wage
Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin of Thailand has voiced his disagreement with the decision of the tripartite wage committee to marginally increase the daily minimum wage rate by 2 to 16 baht across the country. Expressing this during a government project inspection in Kanchanaburi, he criticised the low raise and promised to seek a revision. Srettha pointed out that the government…
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Bangkok nightclub raided for illegal operation and drug use
A prominent nightclub was raided by a team led by Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Public Health, Anutin Charnvirakul, today for violating the law by operating beyond the legal hours and allowing drug use on premises. The operation carried out at 2.20am, was also joined by Ansit Samphantharat, Director-General of the Department of Provincial Administration, Ronnarong Thipsiri, Inspector-General of…
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Bank car operator trapped inside vehicle during cash delivery at Shell petrol station
A tense scenario unfolded on December 8, when a bank car operator found himself trapped inside his vehicle amidst a routine cash delivery at a Shell petrol station in Khlong Rang, Si Maha Phot, Prachinburi. The Rabao Phai police and rescue teams were alerted to the incident at approximately 1.30pm. Armed with specialist equipment, they hurried to the scene due…
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Update: Thap Sakae bus accident death toll rises to 15 as woman succumbs to injuries
The bus accident in Thap Sakae, Prachuap Khiri Khan province, claimed one more life, raising the death toll to 15. The latest victim was a 29 year old woman, Mantira Deema, who passed away after battling for her life since the accident occurred on December 5. The incident involved a Sri Siam Tour bus (Bangkok-Na Thawi) that veered off the…
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Thai Airways resolves seating dispute following passenger complaint
The Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand (CAAT) convened with Thai Airways International Public Co. Ltd. yesterday, December 8 following a passenger’s complaint that surfaced on social media. The disgruntled passenger had purchased a business-class ticket but was seated in the economy class. An ensuing investigation revealed that Thai Airways had restructured its business model, replacing Thai Smile flights with continuous flights…
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Popular Thai meatball franchise accused of unfair practices
A well-known meatball franchise is in the midst of a drama, as a customer accuses the franchise owner of unfair practices and taking advantage of buyers. The complainant shared her experience on Facebook, sparking a wave of controversy. Numerous other individuals have allegedly suffered similar mishaps and are considering legal action. The Facebook user detailed her experience with the popular…
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South Thailand: Fatal crash in Chumphon kills two Indian tourists
A collision in Tha Sae district of Chumphon led to the deaths of two Indian tourists and severe injuries to five others, including four Indian nationals and a Thai driver, today, December 9. The ill-fated van they were travelling in crashed into the back of a truck, leading to this catastrophic event. The crash took place near the kilometre marker…
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Private hospitals under fire as government cracks down on skyrocketing costs
The Internal Trade Department tightens control on private hospitals, urging them to play ball in the battle against soaring medical expenses. The government demands transparency and cooperation from over 300 private medical institutions. Wattanasak Sur-iam, the director-general of the Internal Trade Department, has thrown down the gauntlet in a bid to bring down the cost of living for citizens. In a…
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Thai PM blames past governments for Thai students’ poor PISA test results
Thailand Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin places blame on previous governments for the lacklustre performance of Thai students in recent international assessments. PM Srettha, whose government assumed power a mere three months ago, pledged to tackle the issue head-on and place a renewed focus on enhancing the country’s educational standards. The Thai PM’s comments were motivated by the latest results from the…
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Thai PM unleashes secret weapon: Muay Thai to conquer the world
Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin unveiled a bold plan to transform Muay Thai into Thailand‘s ultimate soft power. The Thai PM declared Muay Thai as Thailand’s top soft power, highlighting its vast economic potential. Government spokesperson Chai Wacharonke conveyed the PM’s vision, stating that the administration is keen on integrating Muay Thai into school curricula to foster a new generation of…
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Chao Phraya cruise operators slash prices as tourism battles slowdown
Chao Phraya cruise operators are keeping prices level due to sluggish tourism and high competition. While tourism is taking its time to recover, business-oriented charters are sailing towards a stronger comeback. Poowadee Kunpalin, Vice-President of the Chao Phraya River Tourism Association, talks about the resurgence. “Business travellers, especially from South Korea and European countries, are leading the charge. These high…
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Thai-Myanmar task force takes on border crisis
Thailand and Myanmar have joined forces to address the humanitarian crisis unfolding along the Thai-Myanmar border. The initiative aims to provide much-needed assistance to the thousands affected by the ongoing conflict, with both nations committed to fostering peace in Myanmar. During a bilateral meeting at the 8th Mekong-Lancang Cooperation (MLC) in Beijing, Thai Foreign Minister Parnpree Bahiddha-Nukara underscored Thailand’s dedication…
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Thai government launches aggressive campaign against illegal lending
The Thai government has prioritised an aggressive campaign against illegal lending and loan sharks, in an attempt to curb what Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin refers to as modern-day slavery. The move emphasises the urgency to dismantle such activities to restore social stability and security. The 61 year old Thai PM stated the issue of illegal loans has escalated to a…
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