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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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Thaicom to launch Thailand’s first tracking service via LEO satellite
Thaicom, the satellite operator listed on the Stock Exchange of Thailand, is set to launch the country’s first tracking service via a low Earth orbit (LEO) satellite, Spot Gen 4. The launch, planned for the fourth quarter of this year, will primarily target Thailand’s tourism and maritime industries. The launch comes on the heels of a commercial partnership inked last…
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Rise in expatriate residence in Thailand prompts tourism benefits plan
Thailand’s popularity as a residence of choice for expatriates and remote workers is on the rise. As per the data from the Employment Department and Colliers Thailand, the first quarter of this year saw 156,596 expatriates, with over half based in Bangkok. The leading nationalities were Japanese, Chinese, and Indian last year. However, recent reports show an increased interest among…
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Thailand’s fisheries law amendment to ease fishermen’s concerns
A proposed amendment to the fisheries law by the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives is underway, designed to alleviate the economic issues plaguing fishermen who assert that their livelihoods are compromised by stringent regulations. Thammanat Prompow, the Minister, acknowledges the concerns raised by fishing communities, who claim to be adversely impacted by the Fisheries Act. This fisheries law, originally instituted…
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Pattaya Loma Run on the Beach 2023 attracts over 1,800 participants
The celebrated charity event Pattaya Loma Run on the Beach 2023 has once again proven to be a magnet for running enthusiasts, drawing in an impressive crowd of over 1,800 participants from various parts of Thailand and the globe. Deputy Mayor of Pattaya, Krisana Boonsawad, led the opening ceremony and prize distribution at the break of dawn today, at 4.45am. Accompanying…
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Thai health minister backs cannabis ban, citing surge in teen usage
Cannabis and its high tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) variants should be entirely prohibited for leisure use and return to the narcotics list, says Dr Rasmon Kalayasiri, the Centre of Addiction Studies director. This statement was a show of support for Public Health Minister Cholnan Srikaew’s proposed changes to the Cannabis and Hemp bill, initially proposed by former minister Anutin Charnvirakul and rejected…
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Tesla, Google, Microsoft eye US$5 billion investment in Thailand
Thailand anticipates a minimum of US$5 billion (160 billion baht) investment from tech giants Tesla, Google, and Microsoft, as shared by Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin. Tesla is considering establishing an electrical vehicle (EV) manufacturing facility, while Microsoft and Google are exploring data centres, PM Srettha today stated, without specifying whether this projected US$5 billion was an aggregate investment or an…
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Pattaya bar worker severely electrocuted by faulty light pole
A terrifying incident occurred in Pattaya early this morning when a 25 year old female bar worker received a severe electric shock from a light pole. The potentially life-threatening situation unfolded on Third Road in South Pattaya, in front of a fitness centre. It was roughly around 5.30am today when the emergency responders rushed to the scene. Upon their arrival,…
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Army investigates mysterious disappearance of 200,000 litres of diesel in Saraburi
An ongoing probe is being conducted by the army headquarters into the mysterious disappearance of over 200,000 litres of diesel from the Ordnance Materiel Rebuild Center situated in Saraburi province last year, as disclosed by a representative of the army. Deputy spokesperson of the army, Major General Sirichan Ngathong, stated that an internal army audit team noted potential irregularities in…
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Bangladeshi nationals disguised as monks arrested in Thailand
Seven Bangladeshi nationals, masquerading as Buddhist monks to bypass immigration scrutiny, were apprehended yesterday in the southern province of Songkhla, Thailand. The arrest was a collaborative operation between Songkhla immigration officers and Hat Yai tourist police, following an anonymous tip-off. The men, who had shaven their heads and donned monk robes in their attempts to blend in and evade the…
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Pattaya heightens safety measures ahead of Chinese and Kazakh tourist influx
Pattaya, a renowned tourist destination in Thailand, is ramping up safety measures in anticipation of a surge in visitors from China and Kazakhstan. Local police held a comprehensive safety inspection of floating restaurants and squid fishing rafts in Pattaya Bay yesterday, September 23, focusing on the establishments’ adherence to safety guidelines and legal obligations. This intensification of safety checks is…
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Thai PM denies plans to appoint Thaksin Shinawatra as adviser post-prison
Prime Minister and Finance Minister Srettha Thavisin denied reports that he plans to appoint former premier Thaksin Shinawatra as his adviser upon his release from prison. PM Srettha addressed these reports while attending the 78 Session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York. The 61 year old PM clarified that he was asked by a journalist if he…
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Three killed in Nang Rong district motorcycle accident, including child
A tragic accident in Nang Rong district, Buriram, claimed the lives of three individuals, including a four year old girl, her mother and stepfather, when the family was travelling by motorcycle and it collided with a pickup truck leading to an immediate fire. The unfortunate event unfolded on the Sa Pradu-Thung Saeng Thong rural road in Tambon Thung Saeng Thong,…
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Ugly frog figure on Antiques Roadshow revealed as valuable 18th century Scottish pottery
A peculiar three-legged frog figure, initially deemed unattractive by a couple, turned out to be a valuable 18th-century piece of Scottish pottery in a recent episode of the popular BBC TV show, Antiques Roadshow. The episode, which featured the historical Brodie Castle in Morayshire, Scotland, left viewers astonished as the true value of the ugly frog was uncovered. The couple presented…
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Woman saved from suicide leap into Chao Phraya River by quick-thinking volunteers
A 30 year old woman was rescued from the brink of jumping off the Rama 7 Bridge into the Chao Phraya River yesterday. A team of volunteers from the Ruamkatanyu Foundation were alerted by passersby to the distressed woman sitting on the bridge, facing the river. Despite their attempts to console her and convince her to step down from the…
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Interim leader steps in for embattled MFP amidst legal tension
Pending a legal verdict, 45 year old Chaithawat Tulathon assumes the role of interim leader of the Move Forward Party (MFP) after his predecessor stepped down. Chaithawat was elected alongside the board of executives, taking over from Pita Limjaroenrat, who resigned from the MFP leadership earlier this month to facilitate the transition to a new opposition leader. Pita’s position as an…
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Phuket hotels collaborate with ONWR to tackle water crisis and boost sustainable tourism
Facing a critical water shortage, the Office of the National Water Resources (ONWR) devised a strategy to collaborate with Phuket hotels, launching an initiative to decrease water utilisation in the tourism industry. Surasee Kittimonthon, the ONWR secretary-general, highlighted the escalating water crisis in the popular Thai resort island, marked by inadequate water supply and treatment issues. With the tourist count…
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Thailand’s visa-free initiative welcomes Chinese, Kazakhstani tourists
Chinese and Kazakhstani tourists will be welcomed by Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin at Suvarnabhumi Airport tomorrow, signalling the start of the government’s new visa-free initiative. Srettha will be accompanied by a delegation of ministers and officials at a reception organised by the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) to greet Chinese travellers aboard Thai AirAsia X flight XJ761, scheduled to arrive…
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Thailand joins Cambodia and Vietnam to combat call centre scams, fake news
Thailand is set to collaborate with Cambodia and Vietnam in a bid to curb the menace of call centre scams and fake news, as part of a recent regional initiative. This development was made known by Puangpet Chunlaiad, a minister linked to the prime minister’s office, following discussions with her Cambodian and Vietnamese counterparts. On her recent visit to Vietnam,…
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Motorist’s spontaneous act of back-scratching at traffic light sparks laughter online
A viral online incident that amused netizens features an unexpected act of kindness. A woman chose to step down from her motorcycle, parked at a red light, to lend a helping hand to another female motorist in front. In a recent article published on the website Baomoi, a peculiar yet heartwarming incident was narrated. A lady, whilst waiting in traffic,…
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Eerie 3D print shirt in wardrobe sparks fear and laughter across Thai social media
A bizarre incident involving a woman’s wardrobe and a pair of mysterious eyes has been shared online, causing a stir amongst Internet users. The woman, preparing for bed as usual, was startled by a pair of eyes watching her from her wardrobe, causing her to flee in fear. Following the initial shock, the woman decided to investigate the source of…
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Art Deco hairclip shocks owner with 880,000 baht valuation on Antiques Roadshow
A vintage hairclip, nearly discarded multiple times, stunned its owner when it was valued at a whopping 20,000 pounds on the popular TV show Antiques Roadshow. The show, which is aired by the BBC, features experts travelling across the United Kingdom to examine and appraise antiques brought by locals. Antiques Roadshow, which began operations in 1979, has evaluated millions of…
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MFP elects Chaithawat Tulathon as leader amid Pita MP status uncertainty
Previously the secretary general of the Move Forward Party (MFP), Chaithawat Tulathon was elected as the new leader, succeeding Pita Limjaroenrat. Pita resigned amid ongoing uncertainty regarding his Member of Parliament status. Chaithawat, however, indicated this may be a temporary measure, as he and the new executive committee members are prepared to step aside, should Pita be able to resume…
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Handsome Thai pancake seller goes viral, adds charm to local markets
A handsome Thai pancake seller who helps his mother at her market stall in Rangsit has become an Internet sensation. The young man has caught the attention of netizens after a TikTok user, @niwat_kj, shared a video of him following a visit to the market stall at Si Mum Mueang Market. In the TikTok post, the user wrote, “The pancakes…
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Swiss tourist falls to death at Phuket airport raising safety concerns
A 53 year old Swiss tourist met a tragic end last night, plunging from a parking structure at Phuket International Airport. The Sakhu Police Station’s chief, Police Colonel Salan Santisatsanakul, reported that the police were alerted about the foreigner’s fall around 7.30pm. The officers on arriving at the scene discovered blood traces on the ground floor of the parking building. The…
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Fatal accident in Sri Racha as storm rips PTT signboard from mountings
A terrifying incident unfolded in the Sri Racha, Chon Buri district on Wednesday, September 20. A PTT signboard was torn from its mountings by violent winds and heavy rain. In a tragic turn of events, the plummeting signage caused one fatality and inflicted damage on several nearby convenience stores. The PTT gas station at Pha Daeng branch was the scene of…
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El Niño effect forecasted to lower Thai rice production in 2023-24
The Agricultural Economics Office of the Agriculture and Cooperatives Ministry in Thailand forecasted a decline in rice production for the 2023-24 harvest season. The expected drop is approximately 871,000 tonnes, a decrease of 3.27%, totalling 25.8 million tonnes. This significant decrease is primarily due to the effects of the El Niño weather phenomenon. Deputy Secretary-General of the Agricultural Economics Department,…
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Phuket hotels thrive amid economic uncertainty, thanks to diverse visitor base
Phuket hotels are showing resilience amid a sluggish European economy and a weak British pound, with Laguna Phuket setting sights on its best high season yet. This optimism is fuelled by the return of Chinese tourists and a rebound in international travel demand. Paul Wilson, who holds the position of Vice-President and Deputy Managing Director at Laguna Phuket, revealed that…
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Malaysian ‘Godfather’ of wildlife trafficking jailed in US over rhino horns
A Malaysian wildlife trafficker has been confined to prison for a period of 18 months in the United States. The charge against the trafficker, Teo Boon Ching known infamously as the Godfather, is the planned trafficking of hundreds of kilogrammes of rhinoceros horns. The horns, a result of the illicit poaching of rhinoceroses, are valued at millions of dollars. The…
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Significant arrest over 41 million baht embezzlement case
Bangkok was recently the scene of a significant arrest as Thai authorities apprehended a man implicated in a substantial embezzlement case. A 52 year old individual, known as Chaloam, was taken into custody in Bang Kapi, a district in Bangkok. This arrest comes in response to a warrant issued by the Central Criminal Court for Corruption and Misconduct Cases in…
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Sky ICT aims for top three global aviation software spot by 2024
Having clinched a deal with Airports of Thailand (AoT) in 2020 to develop smart airports, the Stock Exchange of Thailand (SET)-listed aviation tech firm Sky ICT is now setting its sights on becoming a top three global player in aviation software by 2024, according to Sithidej Mayalarp, the company’s chief executive. Sky ICT is negotiating with a leading global aviation…
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