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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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Northeast Thailand: Woman fatally stabbed during Ngiew celebration in Khon Kaen
A shocking incident unfolded at a festive event in the Phon District of Khon Kaen when a woman was fatally stabbed by an unknown assailant. The incident occurred in the early hours of today, December 6, during the Ngiew celebration, a traditional festive event. The fatally stabbed woman suffered from severe injuries, succumbing to the wounds later in the hospital.…
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Thai village in chaos as wild elephant wreaks havoc
A wild elephant, known as Rod Tang, wreaked havoc in a village in Buriram province, damaging a house and sending the inhabitants into a state of fear. The incident occurred yesterday in Nong Samet village, Non Din Daeng district, resulting in significant property damage and leading to pleas for assistance from relevant authorities. The house, a single-storey concrete property numbered…
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Prime minister’s grand almsgiving spectacle in honour of late king
Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin and a star-studded entourage gathered for a regal religious ceremony in Bangkok. The grand affair, coinciding with National Father’s Day, paid homage to the revered late King Bhumibol Adulyadej. As dawn broke, the 61 year old Thai PM, accompanied by his wife and an illustrious assembly of Cabinet ministers, Privy Council members, and military commanders, graced Sanam…
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Golden Buddha statues draw crowds to Phayao’s Wat Phra That Chom Sin
The Wat Phra That Chom Sin in Ban Tham, Dok Khamtai district, Phayao province, now stands out with 108 golden meditating Buddha statues. These statues, each measuring 2.5 metres wide and 3.5 metres tall, are majestically arranged around the temple’s mountainous landscape, attracting a stream of tourists and worshippers. These statues, made from concrete, are a unique attraction in the…
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RTP safety play: Thai tourist police launch ‘i lert u’ app for foreign visitors
The Royal Thai Police (RTP) has unveiled a new tool to ensure the safety and well-being of foreign visitors in Thailand. The Tourist Police Office has launched a new mobile application, dubbed Tourist Police i lert u. This innovation in public safety caters to tourists who find themselves in need of immediate assistance. Leveraging the power of the Global Positioning…
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High depreciation of EVs raises loan concerns says National Credit Bureau
The National Credit Bureau (NCB) raised concerns about the high depreciation rates of electric vehicles (EVs) and the associated loan risks. As the popularity of EVs, particularly Chinese brands, continues to rise, so does the volume of loans attributed to their purchase. However, EVs depreciate faster than traditional internal combustion engine (ICE) cars, which has heightened the risk for auto…
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Iranian boxer allegedly steals over 20 million baht assets from Burmese woman in Bangkok
A Burmese woman filed a complaint against an Iranian boxer accusing him of stealing more than 20 million baht from her condominium in Bangkok before fleeing Thailand. The victim’s brother accompanied his 25 year old younger sister, Nang Mwe Hlaing, to file the complaint at Phra Khanong Police Station yesterday, December 4. The brother revealed that the Iranian man, 21…
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Thailand’s smartphone market to recover in 2024 boosted by AI and 5G
The smartphone market in Thailand is projected to recover in 2024, following an expected slump this year. The rebound is attributed to artificial intelligence (AI) features on smartphones, increased availability of affordable 5G devices, and replacement demand from 2021, according to Canalys, a global tech market analyst firm. Canalys analyst Sheng Win Chow indicated that the AI features on these…
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Isaan illuminates: Thai govt sparks tourism surge in the northeast for economic radiance
The northeast region of Thailand, known as Isaan, is set to become a new focal point for tourism growth. It is part of the government and the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) initiative geared towards stimulating economic activity in secondary cities. The plan was unveiled last month during the China International Travel Mart 2023 where TAT promoted Isan to Chinese…
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Missing Thai man found dead, questions raised over link to unidentified woman
A Thai mother found the body of her missing son by a roadside forest along the Sattahip-Nakhon Ratchasima Road in Chon Buri province. The plot thickens, however, as queries have emerged regarding a potential connection to the body of an unidentified Thai woman discovered just 2 kilometres away from the dead man. On Sunday, December 3, officers from Huay Yai…
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Thailand’s revised GDP growth forecast met with caution due to global slowdown risks
Analysts expressed caution over the Bank of Thailand’s revised GDP growth forecast of 3.2 to 3.8% for the upcoming year, highlighting potential risks from an economic slowdown in China and the US. Doubts have also been raised about the efficacy of government stimulus to revive the economy. Nattaporn Triratanasirikul, the deputy managing director of Kasikorn Research Centre (K-Research), deemed the…
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Roi Et: Pickup truck’s fatal crash was fatigue-induced
A fatal crash involving a pickup truck occurred yesterday on Route 202, in Suwannaphum District, Roi Et Province, where a family was travelling back from a relative’s ordination ceremony. The 51 year old driver, Suriya, who was behind the wheel of the pickup truck, briefly fell asleep, which resulted in a fatal accident that claimed the life of his 72…
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Update: Thai woman offers free accommodation to bus crash victims
The devastating bus crash that claimed 14 lives in Thailand moved a local woman to offer free accommodation to the victims’ relatives. Thitinun Iamtua, also known as Nan, who hails from Huai Yang, was at the scene of the bus crash where she found a terrified young girl, Mali, who had been separated from her mother. Nan explained that when…
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Chaowalit Thongduang: Thailand asserts active extradition treaty with Indonesia
Thailand‘s Office of the Attorney-General (OAG) asserted yesterday, December 5, that the country has an active extradition treaty with Indonesia. This announcement arrived in light of an unverified report suggesting that notorious fugitive Chaowalit Thongduang, also known as Sia Paeng, might have escaped to the Southeast Asian country. Prayuth Phetkhun, the OAG spokesperson, clarified that the attorney-general possesses the authority…
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Thai teen caught smuggling knives into 4Kings (Part 2) movie screening
A cinema visit in the Sattahip district, Chon Buri province, took a grim turn when a Thai teenager was apprehended while attempting to smuggle a collection of knives into the screening of 4Kings (Part 2). This film is known for its depiction of violence among vocational school students in Thailand. The 17 year old man was intercepted at the Big…
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Thailand’s SET index forecasted to rise due to return of foreign investments
Asia Plus Securities (ASPS) forecasted a potential rise in the Stock Exchange of Thailand (SET) index to the 1,500-point level by year’s end, up from approximately 1,380 points last month. This optimistic prediction stems from the expected return on foreign investments and the impact of the recently approved Thailand ESG Fund (TESG) on trading. ASPS anticipates the index to climb…
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Cable car project causes concerns of potential overcrowding at Phu Kradueng
Concerns have been voiced by the Seub Nakhasathien Foundation over potential overcrowding at Phu Kradueng National Park in Loei, as a result of plans to revive a long-debated cable car project. The foundation, while assured that modern construction techniques can minimise environmental and wildlife disruption, is apprehensive about the park’s capacity to handle an influx of tourists. Ornyupa Sangkamarn, the…
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Fatal car accident ignites fire in Ratchaburi: Driver unidentified
A fatal incident claimed the life of a driver in Ratchaburi when his car collided with a bridge’s pier, igniting a fierce fire that could not be controlled in time. The horrifying event occurred around 2.40am today, on the Phetkasem inbound road in front of an industrial estate in Don Sai Subdistrict, Photharam District. The vehicle involved was an MG5…
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Thai prime minister: Army anti-drug efforts on Myanmar border
Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin directed the army to intensify its efforts to curb illicit drug smuggling along the Myanmar frontier. The directive was issued yesterday, December 5, during a meeting with the army chief, General Songwit Noonpackdee. The prime minister specifically emphasised the importance of the military’s collaboration with the police in executing this task. PM Srettha also stressed the…
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Torrential rain warning issued for 29 Thai provinces: Bangkok included
The Thai Meteorological Department (TMD) issued a warning for torrential rain across 29 provinces, including Bangkok. This is due to a high-pressure system from China spreading over Thailand’s upper and northeastern regions. The southern region will bear the brunt of the storm, with a strong monsoon predicted. The officials have further revealed that temperatures in the upper regions of the…
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Foreign man dies in tragic Pattaya road accident: Intentional act or mishap?
The bustling city of Pattaya witnessed a sorrowful scene on Sukhumvit Road in the early hours of yesterday when a foreign man lost his life in a traffic accident. The driver of the vehicle involved reported that the man had intentionally leapt in front of his car, thereby causing the fatal collision. Pattaya police were alerted to the incident at…
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Indian tourist assaulted in Pattaya over parking misunderstanding
The bustling seaside resort of Pattaya was recently the setting for an unfortunate incident involving an Indian tourist assaulted by a local motorbike taxi driver. The Indian visitor, Somnath Saha, fell victim to a physical assault, allegedly perpetrated by the taxi driver. The conflict began when the 39 year old Indian tourist parked his motorbike in a spot the local…
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Rise in meningitis cases sparks health concerns in Thailand ahead of new year
Thailand has recorded nearly 100 cases of meningitis, also known as swine fever, this year, resulting in four fatalities in Nakhon Ratchasima. The disease, caused by a bacterium found in raw pork and blood, is raising concerns as festivities for the new year approaches. Dr Thaweechai Wisanuyotin, Director of the Disease Prevention and Control Office, revealed that between January 1…
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Drastic drop in Thai gold prices today following recent surge
Gold prices in Thailand have plummeted drastically today following a continuous surge, according to the Gold Traders Association. The price of gold ornaments fell by 250 baht compared to the last price yesterday, selling at 34,450 baht per baht-weight. The buying price of gold bars in the country stands at 33,850 baht per baht-weight and the selling price is 33,950…
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Certainties of life: Death, taxes, and ladyboys robbing Indian men of gold in Pattaya
There are several certainties guaranteed in life, death and taxes, US interference in other countries’ foreign policies, and ladyboys in Pattaya robbing Indian men ostentatiously flaunting their gold. In the vibrant streets of Pattaya, where the night unfolds with many unexpected tales, a recent incident involving a pickpocketing ladyboy added another chapter to ladyboys in Pattaya robbing Indian men of…
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Social media influencer Little Muay fights for justice after severe burns in clinic review
A popular social media influencer, affectionately known as Little Muay, continues her battle for justice after a year-long ordeal. The influencer was severely burnt during a review of a clinic’s procedure, which resulted in her being engulfed in flames. Today’s trending show featured Little Muay, a renowned influencer who suffered severe injuries following a review session at a clinic. The…
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Reckless truck driver leads Thai police on a high-speed chase
A death-defying high-speed chase unfolded yesterday on the bustling Kanchanaphisek Expressway Road in Phra Pradaeng, Samut Prakan. At around 3.30pm, December 4, Thailand Traffic Police found themselves in hot pursuit of a truck that had evaded their stop and had proceeded to recklessly cause damage to over 20 vehicles. The chase ended in four police officers sustaining injuries. Officers from…
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Thai road safety groups challenge extended bar hours over drink-driving fears
Alcohol temperance and road safety groups are challenging the new government decision to allow late-night bars and clubs in major Thai cities to extend opening hours until 4am. The critics argue that the authorities failed to make necessary arrangements to avert potential alcohol-related mishaps. This protest follows an announcement made by the Interior Ministry nearly a week ago, permitting bars…
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BCPG to divest its nine solar farms in Japan for strategic reinvestment
BCPG Plc, Bangchak Group’s power generation subsidiary, is planning to divest all its nine solar farms in Japan, in a strategic move to revamp its long-term investment in renewable energy. The assets on sale include equity worth 6.93 billion baht and net debt totalling 3.44 billion baht. The company has entered into an asset purchase agreement with Danish renewable energy…
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Brave police officer thwarts attempted assault in broad daylight
A Bang Phli Noi Police Station officer, Yuttakorn Kao Kaeo, was heading to work on his motorcycle today when he spotted two teenagers signalling for help. The officer discovered a man, 38 year old Anek, attacking a 23 year old woman called A, in a nearby forest. Initially, the officer suspected a domestic dispute, but A, who was in a state…
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