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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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Big Joke caught partying with leading online gambling operator
Further suspicion has been cast on the Deputy Commissioner of the Royal Thai Police (RTP), Surachate “Big Joke” Hakparn, after a video recorded by a renowned Thai lawyer showed Big Joke singing with a leading online gambling operator at a party. The former president of the Lamphun Warrior Football Club, Pongsiri “Tarn” Ratchawongsuek, and a Thai woman named Suchanan, also…
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Thai steel market stagnation expected in 2023 amid economic concerns
The Thai steel market faces a period of stagnation in 2023, with consumption levels predicted to match those of last year at 16 million tonnes. This prediction comes from Chaichalerm Bunyanuwat, president of the EAF Long Product Steel Producers Association, who cites the slow resumption of government infrastructure projects, weak consumer spending power, and high household debt as contributing factors.…
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Thailand’s State Railway seeks 50 billion baht for expansions
Thailand’s State Railway (SRT) is planning to request Cabinet approval for a funding amount exceeding 50 billion baht. This hefty sum is aimed at financing the construction of a double-track railway stretch from Khon Kaen to Nong Khai and the expansion of Red Line electric train routes. The announcement follows a directive from Transport Minister Suriya Jungrungreangkit, who instructed the…
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Thai retailers urge government to reassess import taxes on luxury goods
The Thai government is being implored to reassess the import taxes imposed on luxury goods to mirror the tax rates in neighbouring countries. This is a strategic move aimed at attracting foreign tourists and bolstering the competitiveness of Thai small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) against established foreign brands in the country. The call for this revision comes from Yol Phokasub,…
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Consumer finds unidentifiable object in FDA-approved seaweed soup
The end of a comforting seaweed soup meal turned into a shock when a consumer discovered an unidentifiable dark string mixed in with the seaweed. The incident, which occurred yesterday, sparked concern among members of the consumer group ‘We Are Consumers’ on social media. Amidst the worry, questions arose about the nature of the foreign object and whether the seaweed…
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Motorcycle accident in Na Yong district claims construction worker’s life
A tragic motorcycle accident claimed the life of a 52 year old construction worker in Na Yong district, Trang province. The incident took place yesterday around 1am, near his home. The construction worker, Seree, lost control of his motorcycle, which then veered off the road and plunged into a canal. His body was discovered a day later after a 30…
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Deputy PM’s passport plea: Thai tourists seek visa-free voyage to Germany, EU
Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Affairs Minister Parnpree Bahiddha-Nukara is calling for visa-free travel privileges for Thai tourists travelling to Germany and other European Union (EU) countries. During his stay in the United States to attend the 78th session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA 78), the 66 year old MP seized the opportunity to meet with German Foreign…
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Thailand’s commerce minister to stimulate exports, tackle Q4 slump
Thai Commerce Minister Phumtham Wechayachai is set to engage in dialogue with the private sector this week with the aim of stimulating exports and reviving the nation’s Q4 performance. The meeting is scheduled for September 27, as stated by Phusit Ratanakul Sereroengrit, the head of the International Trade Promotion Department, with the intent to evaluate the export scenario and devise…
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Hotel worker accused of attacking female guest due to late payment
A Thai woman accused a hotel worker in Parum Thani province, near Bangkok, of attacking her for a late payment. The victim, 26 year old Nattarika, sought help from the non-profit organisation Saimai Survive after the physical altercation at the hotel on Soi Rungsit-Nakhon Nayok 20 in Thanya Buri district of Prahum Thani province. Nattarika recounted that her home was…
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Rare Dumbo octopus flaps into livestream recording in North Pacific expedition (video)
An elusive Dumbo octopus, a rare marine creature with side flippers resembling the ears of the Walt Disney character Dumbo, was accidentally discovered during a livestream by the research vessel EVNautilus in the deep waters of the North Pacific Ocean. The sighting was made at a depth of 2,665 meters by a remotely operated vehicle controlled by the Ocean Exploration…
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Navigating online gaming regulations in Thailand
Online gaming in the Land of Smiles is a complex landscape, marked by stringent regulations stemming from laws that have been in place for nearly a century. As the country grapples with a robust underground gambling ecosystem, legal adjustments are anticipated, potentially signaling a shift toward legalisation and regulation. In this intricate legal landscape, platforms like Captain Rizk find ways…
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Monitor lizards’ amorous display in hospital car park sparks lottery number frenzy
A video clip of two large monitor lizards embracing each other in a hospital parking lot, before scurrying under a hospital bed, has been shared on Facebook by Bunthanya Wachirawongsarak. The clip was filmed while Bunthanya was waiting for her car insurance to be processed. The sight of the lizards in a loving embrace seemed so unusual and cute that…
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Female petrol station attendance sexually harassed by client
A petrol station attendant has sought justice by publicly sharing her disturbing experience of being sexually harassed by a male customer. The 30 year old victim, Mallika, sent CCTV footage of the sexual harassment to several news agencies in a bid to expose the perpetrator. In an interview with Channel 3, Mallika disclosed the incident happened at a petrol station…
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Evergrande’s uphill battle: China’s property giant grapples with dwindling option
China Evergrande Group, the beleaguered real estate titan, is rapidly exhausting its options to salvage one of the most substantial restructuring efforts in the country’s history. A series of unforeseen circumstances, including the cancellation of crucial creditor meetings, the necessity to revise its restructuring plan, the detainment of staff from its money management division, and a failure to meet the…
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Thailand rescue team’s deep dive: 73 year old Thai man saved from water tank peril
Satja Phutta Dham Thailand Rescue Team, in the central province of Prachin Buri, saved the life of a 73 year old Thai man who fell into a 3-metre deep water tank and was stuck there for over two hours. The incident happened yesterday, September 24, at Khao Luk Chang Temple in the Kabin Buri district of Prachin Buri province. The…
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Thai ministry’s water woes: Bueng Boraphet faces aquatic crisis with levels plummeting tenfold
The Secretary of the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment yesterday investigated the water situation at Bueng Boraphet, revealing that the water level is ten times lower than the previous year, creating a water crisis that could impact the ecosystem. The secretary, Jatuporn Burusphat, ordered continuous water replenishment from today. Accompanied by Pichit Sombatmak, Deputy Secretary, and other concerned officials,…
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92 year old granny’s electric rice cooker mishap: A side-splitting dinner delight
A humorous incident recently unfolded in a Chinese household, involving a 92 year old grandmother’s attempt to cook rice using a modern electric rice cooker. The result: a burnt cooker with the rice still uncooked left the entire family in fits of laughter, making for an unusual culinary experience. The incident was documented and shared on a TikTok account. The…
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Thailand’s FDA conducts seafood safety tests on Japanese seafood for radiation amid nuclear water discharge concerns
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in Thailand revealed the results of their analysis of seafood imported from Japan following the discharge of treated water from a nuclear power plant. Out of 75 samples, all were quarantined for inspection and seafood safety. If any were found to be contaminated, they would be destroyed and imports immediately suspended, stated Lerschai Lertsirivorakul,…
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Teenage boy abandoned on roadside after he faints on Bangkok public bus
A Thai bus driver and a ticket collector on the number 75 public bus have been fined for abandoning a sick teenager on the side of the road in Bangkok. The teenager had fainted on the bus. A Thai woman who witnessed the incident urged a news platform on Facebook to spread the story to the public so the staff…
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Lottery enthusiasts roll the numbers: October 1 draw sparks decade-long data dive
Lottery buffs are eagerly preparing for the upcoming October 1 lottery draw, delving into the historical data of the past decade to aid in their number analysis. For the lottery draw held on October 1, 2022, the first prize number was 484669. This winning combination featured three-digit prefix numbers 206 and 996, three-digit suffix numbers 278 and 194, and a…
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Tragedy strikes as factory owner’s car takes a watery plunge in Nonthaburi canal
A fatal accident occurred when a factory owner’s vehicle plunged into a canal, in Nonthaburi. The incident took place last night, near the canal on Bang Bua Thong, Nonthaburi. The unfortunate car plunge was reported to Prut Jamsanson, Bang Bua Thong police station’s commander, and Apisit Momnitykul, an investigating officer. The vehicle, owned by the factory owner, had skidded off…
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Baby shark swims into fun-filled fair: A fin-tastic day for kids and parents in Pattaya
The Baby Shark Pattaya Swim Academy yesterday hosted a lively and engaging event, the Baby Shark Fun Fairs exhibition. This community event, held in Pattaya, saw the active participation of children who are members of the club, alongside their parents. Offering a day filled with amusement and learning, this exhibition served as a wholesome recreational platform for the participating families.…
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Thailand secures 10th spot in Asia Pacific in 2023 World Talent Ranking
Thailand proudly claims the 10th position in the Asia Pacific region, according to the 2023 World Talent Ranking (WTR) conducted by the International Institute for Management Development (IMD). The latest 2023 WTR report reveals Thailand’s respectable standing at 45th place among the 64 countries assessed. This accomplishment, coupled with a global ranking of 29th in the appeal category, solidifies Thailand’s…
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Hit and run in Samut Prakan leaves young man dead
A tragic car accident took the life of a 20 year old man while crossing a road in Samut Prakan province today, around 2.30am. The hit-and-run incident, reported by police captain Somai Charoenraj, an inquiry officer at Bang Pu Police Station, occurred on Praeksa Road near The Moon restaurant in Praeksa Subdistrict, Mueang District. On arrival at the scene, the…
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Stormy skies ahead: TMD warns of widespread rain havoc
The Thai Meteorological Department (TMD) issued a storm warning today, with torrential rain predicted across 41 provinces, including Bangkok. Some 60% of these regions are expected to be significantly affected. The public is urged to remain vigilant for possible flash floods and forest runoffs. The weather warning for the next 24 hours indicates the remnants of a storm sweeping across…
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Big Joke accused of being involved in online gambling operation
Cyber Crime Investigation Bureau (CCIB) officers raided the home of Royal Thai Police (RTP) Deputy Commissioner Surachate “Big Joke” Hakparn this morning over allegations of his involvement in an online gambling operation. Big Joke denied the allegation and refused to allow officers to enter his home. CCIB officers attempted to raid five houses owned by Big Joke in Soi Vibhawadee 60 near…
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Thailand’s Ghost Tower: A haunting legacy of opulence left in ruins (video)
Sathorn Unique Tower, eerily dubbed the Ghost Tower, remains an unfinished, forsaken, and unloved edifice, 33 years after its inception in the heart of Thailand’s capital city, Bangkok. Construction of the opulent 49-storey skyscraper kicked off in 1990 with the grand vision of accommodating Thailand’s most affluent families, yet it languishes in a state of perpetual emptiness. The towering structure…
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Car accident: Two killed in high-speed collision at Sakon Nakhon temple
A tragic car accident took place, resulting in two fatalities, including a mother who held her ten month old son firmly in her arms until her last breath. The incident, which left many heartbroken, occurred at Phra Phutthabat Namthip Temple, Phu Phan district, Sakon Nakhon province. A Facebook page, named Wat Phra Phutthabat Namthip, Phu Phan, and n Nakhon, posted…
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Wage increase: Thai businesses wary of proposed 400 baht hike
The business sector expressed concerns over the possible negative effects of the proposed daily minimum wage increase to 400 baht. The announcement, made by Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin, could lead to higher costs for consumers. Industries that rely heavily on labour, such as agriculture, food export, retail trade, and construction, would be most affected by the wage increase, according to…
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Fiscal incentives may reward farmers bypassing Thai government’s debt suspension plan
An anonymous source from the Finance Ministry revealed that farmers who opt out of the government’s planned debt suspension programme may be rewarded with incentives. This policy is reminiscent of one enacted during the Thaksin Shinawatra administration and is designed to encourage fiscal discipline among farmers. Previously, in the period between 2001 and 2004, the Thaksin regime introduced a three-year…
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