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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 Do foreigners get free healthcare in Thailand?
Thailand’s healthcare system is well-regarded across Southeast Asia, with options ranging from public hospitals to world-class private facilities. But when it comes to foreign residents or tourists, healthcare access isn’t as straightforward. So, do foreigners get free healthcare in Thailand?...
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Tourist surge at Si Thep sparks concerns over sacred site damage
An unexpected surge in tourists at Si Thep Historical Park, recently declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO on September 19, sparked concerns among locals in Phetchabun. The locals are worried about the increasing number of visitors scaling Khao Klang Nok, a historical site within the park. The site, considered sacred and located approximately 2 kilometres from the old city…
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Thai govt’s shocking move: Sparks fly as power tariff gets a jolt down
The Thai government, under the leadership of Srettha Thavisin, has swiftly approved a plan to lower the power tariff, with the goal of reducing electricity bills for the public. The tariff rate has been revised from 4.45 baht to 3.99 baht per kilowatt-hour, applicable from September to December this year. However, for a long-term solution to high electricity costs, a…
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Rain reigns in Thailand: TMD’s 10th warning as heavy rainfall soaks the nation
The Thai Meteorological Department (TMD) issued its 10th heavy rainfall warning, highlighting many areas across the country at risk. The announcement comes in response to a strong low-pressure area covering the northeastern region and a monsoon trough passing over northern Thailand. These conditions are expected to cause heavy rain in the north, northeast, and central, including Bangkok and nearby provinces,…
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Srettha Thavisin to bolster ASEAN ties, attract Saudi investment
Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin is preparing to bolster Thailand and Cambodia’s relationship with his upcoming visit tomorrow, as announced by Panpree Bahiddha-Nukara, the Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Affairs Minister. This visit marks PM Srettha’s first trip to an ASEAN country since his initiation as prime minister, with Cambodia being one of Thailand’s nearest neighbours to strengthen ASEAN ties. Panpree…
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THAI’S high-flying ambition: Soaring to new heights in tourist traffic
Thai Airways International (THAI) unveiled an ambitious plan to expand its international flight offerings in the forthcoming high season. The airline’s primary focus is to draw in a higher number of tourists. A notable feature of this expansion is the airline’s decision to recommence flights to Istanbul, Turkey, which is a significant aviation hub for Asia, Europe, and Africa. This…
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Thai govt greenlights 500 billion baht boost for state-owned enterprises in 2024 budget bonanza
The Thai government yesterday approved a massive investment budget of 500 billion baht dedicated to 46 state-owned enterprises for the fiscal year 2024, commencing this October. The substantial budget aims to stimulate the national economy and bolster fiscal growth. Government spokesperson Chai Wacharonke detailed the budget allocation, stating that the funding includes 209 billion baht earmarked for ongoing and routine…
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Thai exports spring back to life: A global manufacturing and clean energy surge
After 11 months in decline, Thai exports have made a surprising return to growth, largely due to a resurgence in global manufacturing, consumer spending and a thriving service sector among trading partners. This upturn has been further fuelled by the promotion of clean energy policies, increased demand for technological products and the relative depreciation of the baht, according to the…
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Treasure discovery: Canadian man unearths 14.5 million baht in late music teacher’s home
A Canadian man stumbled upon a treasure trove worth more than 14.5 million baht after purchasing a house from his late music teacher for a little over 300,000 baht. Despite his familiarity with the previous owner, he had never inspected the house before the purchase and was utterly astounded when he discovered an unimaginable wealth inside. The unexpected treasure discovery…
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Stoned students: Cannabis-laced muffins ‘bake’ trouble in South African school
Cannabis-laced muffins sparked the mass hospitalisation of pupils in South Africa which sparked public concern. The incident occurred at Pulamadibogo Primary School in Soshanguve, a city in northern South Africa. The initial investigation identified that the muffins, which were consumed by nearly 100 students aged between 5 and 13 years, were tainted with cannabis, locally known as Dagga. The students,…
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Deadly duel: Teenager accidentally stabs friend to death while playing with knife
A 17 year old man accidentally stabbed his friend to death while they were playing with their brand-new knives in a public park in the northeastern province of Nong Bua Lamphu. Nong Bua Lamphu Hospital reported the teenager’s death to Mueang Nong Bua Lamphu Police Station at 7.30pm on Sunday, September 24. The hospital reported that the teen, named Ton,…
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Italian mafia boss Matteo Denaro dies aged 61 after cancer battle
Matteo Messina Denaro, a leading mafia figure in Italy who was apprehended in January, has succumbed to cancer at the age of 61. Denaro, who had been diagnosed with colon cancer at the time of his arrest, had evaded capture for 30 years and was later found guilty. His condition had deteriorated over recent weeks, necessitating his transfer from a…
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US dollar surge hits Asian currencies: Thai baht suffers
Asian currencies experienced a dip today, with the Thai baht and Indonesian rupiah bearing the brunt of the losses. This was mainly due to the rising strength of the US dollar, bolstered by robust economic indicators and the threat of inflation from the Federal Reserve, which have pushed US bond yields to a 16-year peak. The baht saw a fall…
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Lost in translation: Thai road sign riddle baffles tourists
The director of the Phitsanulok Highway District, Awirut Thapthimthae, addressed the public confusion caused by the road sign for Wat Chan Thawan Ok. The sign, situated on the Phitsanulok-Nakhon Sawan highway or Si Racha Dechochai Road, in Wat Chan, Mueang, Phitsanulok, has been in place for over a decade. However, it has led to mispronunciations by foreign tourists, causing confusion…
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Social media stress sparks ‘rash’ decisions: Medical mystery solved for overworked Thai man
A young man shared a distressing experience on social media about overworking, which led to an unusual rash all over his body within just three days. Despite multiple medical tests, all the results came back normal. The doctor’s advice was simple yet crucial: Get some quality sleep for two days. This incident serves as a warning about the potential harm…
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Climbing restrictions loom for tourists at sacred Khao Klang Nok
Phetchabun’s Si Thep Historical Park may soon restrict tourists from climbing Khao Klang Nok, a ruin considered sacred by locals. The move comes in response to the increasing number of visitors following the park’s declaration as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO on September 19. Locals expressed concerns about the influx of tourists, many of whom have been climbing Khao…
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Travel Daily Media rebrands as Brand TD
In the ever-evolving landscape of the travel industry, one thing has remained constant – the importance of a strong and memorable brand. It is the essence of a company’s identity, the first impression that potential customers have, and the lasting image that loyal clients carry with them. Singapore-based travel trade news agency Travel Daily Media (TD) recognises this fundamental truth and…
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Unseeded Thai triumphs, but sportsmanship takes a dive in Asian Games tennis showdown
A recent Asian Games tennis match delivered an enthralling contest between an unheralded Thai player and a highly-ranked South Korean opponent but ultimately concluded with a display of poor sportsmanship. Thai tennis player, Boom Kasidit, emerged as the surprising victor, causing an upset given that Kwon Soon-woo is 112th in the world and was favourite for overall victory. The 25…
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Royal rumble: Four years behind bars for outspoken lawyer and Thai activist
A prominent Thai activist and lawyer, known for his brazen calls for reforms in Thailand’s monarchy, received a four-year prison sentence today over charges of royal insults, a verdict confirmed by both the judge and his legal counsel. Arnon Nampa emerged as a notable figure during the pro-democracy demonstrations in 2020, where the Thai activist publicly advocated for a discourse…
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Florida’s jaws-dropping discovery: Alligator spotted with human body in its jaws
A shocking incident unfolded in Florida, USA, when a large 4-metre alligator was spotted carrying what appeared to be a human corpse in its mouth. The victim has been identified as a 41 year old homeless woman. The incident was reported in Largo, Tampa Bay when a local man noticed the massive alligator near a pond, close to the road,…
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4 fake police officers kidnap woman for 300,000 baht ransom
A Thai woman filed a complaint alleging that four men posing as police officers kidnapped her for a 300,000 baht ransom. One of the suspects involved was the ex-boyfriend of the victim’s daughter. He was arrested by police while the other three suspects remain at large. The 48 year old victim, Patcharee, told officers at Mueang Prachuap Kiri Khan Police Station…
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Hidden camera in Malaysian Airbnb sparks outrage and tightens homestay regulations
A startling discovery of a hidden camera in an Airbnb room in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Malaysia, alarmed a newlywed Chinese couple. The couple’s shocking claim, which went viral on the Chinese social media platform Xiaohongshu in mid-September, sparked widespread online discussions. The Chinese couple reported their unsettling find to the local police on September 7. Kota Kinabalu police Chief Zaidi…
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Phuket’s pristine promise: Chalong’s no-littering sign takes center stage
In a bid to maintain cleanliness and orderliness, the Chalong Municipality erected a sign prohibiting littering and the dumping of garbage in Phuket. This commendable move is aimed at preserving the beauty and hygiene of the municipality. According to Chalong’s village headman Kokchai Sae-Ung, the land is privately owned. Last year, approval had been given to raise the site using…
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Rain reigns in Khon Kaen: Pumps pump out the flood
Heavy rains in Khon Kaen triggered a swift response from emergency services, with seven water pumps set up in flood-prone areas to efficiently drain the excess water. The local authorities are confident in their ability to manage the high water volumes in Bueng Kaen Nakhon and Bueng Thung Sang. Essential manpower and equipment are on standby to aid those affected around…
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Faulty brakes lead to 14 vehicle pile up on Rama II Road, Bangkok
A bus with faulty brakes caused a massive pile-up involving 14 vehicles on Rama II Road, resulting in numerous injuries. The crash occurred at 8am today. The incident led to severe traffic congestion as the damaged vehicles blocked all four lanes of the road. Upon arriving at the accident scene, officers from Bang Mod Police Station observed several damaged vehicles…
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Former PM Thaksin Shinawatra to be eligible for parole next year
Former Prime Minister of Thailand Thaksin Shinawatra will be eligible for parole in February next year, 2024. The ex-PM will not have to wear the Electronic Monitoring (EM) bracelet and will be able to express his views on Thai politics. The Committee on Human Rights, Freedom and Consumer Protection of the Thai Senate invited the Department of Corrections and Police…
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Banpu’s rare earth pivot for cleaner energy
Banpu, a Stock Exchange of Thailand (SET)-listed company, is planning a strategic shift towards the mining of rare earth, a move anticipated to replace its coal mining operations as the firm prioritises the creation of a cleaner, smarter energy. The company’s interest is especially piqued by the elements required to produce lithium-ion batteries for electric vehicles (EVs). Banpu is in…
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Thailand’s DoPA cracks down on ‘influential figures’ in nationwide crime hunt
The Department of Provincial Administration (DoPA) in Thailand is vigorously working to identify individuals linked to criminal activities across the nation, revealed Deputy Interior Minister Chada Thaiset. These individuals, referred to as “influential figures,” are purportedly involved in 16 distinct criminal offences. These include predatory lending, bid collusion, bribery from public transport vehicles, smuggling of untaxed goods, both online and…
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Tragic early morning crash claims life of young man on rain-soaked Thailand highway
A 26 year old man lost his life in a tragic crash when a pickup truck he was driving plunged into a ditch after hitting an electricity pole on the Asia Highway, Route 32, in Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya province today at 3am. The tragedy, which unfolded in the early hours of the morning, also resulted in injuries to two other…
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Thai woman found dead in Chon Buri sea, Russian boyfriend disappears
A restaurant worker found the dead body of a Thai woman floating in the sea near Koh Larn, an island in Chon Buri province, while her Russian boyfriend was missing. A worker at the Haad Thian restaurant on Koh Larn reported the discovery to Mueang Pattaya Police Station and the Sawang Borriboon Dhammasatan rescue team. He explained that the Thai…
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Weather forecast: Storm to bring heavy rain across Thailand
Today’s weather shows a fading yet still potent storm set to pass through northern Thailand with heavy rains anticipated between September 26 and 29. The Department of Meteorology announced the weakening of the pressure system at 1am today. The storm, formerly known as “Depression,” has diminished into a strong low-pressure system near the city of Danang in Vietnam. This system…
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