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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 Top 10 reasons for expats to get a comprehensive health insurance in Thailand
Moving to Thailand offers a prospect full of excitement and adventure, but in the same vein, if any injuries were to occur (and god forbid it does), the local healthcare system can be confusing at first glance for many expats...
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Nottingham major incident: 3 dead, suspect arrested, motive unknown
A traumatic night unfolded in Nottingham as a major incident left three people dead and led to the arrest of a 31-year-old man on suspicion of murder. The suspect is currently in police custody as investigators work to uncover the motive behind the tragic event. Graham Wettone, Sky’s policing analyst, commented on the challenges faced by officers when responding to…
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21-year-old arrested in Sibu with RM402,052 worth of drugs and vehicle
In a recent raid at an apartment in Jalan Wong King Huo, Sibu, a 21-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of drug trafficking. The Sibu IPD Narcotics CID team conducted the operation, which resulted in the seizure of a significant amount of illegal drugs, including 71 packets of powder believed to be a mixture of ecstasy weighing 2.294 grams, 1,511…
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PSD scholars to receive RM100 monthly allowance boost from July
An additional RM100 monthly allowance will be granted to students on Public Service Department (PSD) scholarships starting in July, according to Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim. The announcement was made during a dialogue session with scholars from around Malaysia at University Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM) in Bangi. The event aimed to identify public issues and explore ways the government could help address…
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Malaysia mulls medical fee revision for higher-income groups at public facilities
The Malaysian Health Ministry (MoH) has proposed a review of the low medical fees currently imposed on Malaysians at government health facilities, aiming to match the fees with patients’ affordability levels, according to its recently published White Paper. The document highlights that the low fees charged at public healthcare facilities are greatly appreciated by Malaysians, as they can access healthcare…
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Malaysia ranks second worst for trans rights, MP defends constitution
Malaysia has been ranked as the second worst country globally for transgender rights, according to a recent Global Trans Rights Index report. Pasir Mas MP Ahmad Fadhli Shaari, however, believes that upholding the values set in the Federal Constitution justifies the country’s poor ranking. The index gave Malaysia a score of -105 and the highest danger rating of F, indicating…
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Malaysia proposes progressive contribution scheme for public healthcare funding
The Malaysian Health Ministry has released a Health White Paper proposing a progressive contribution scheme to diversify funding for public healthcare services and implement much-needed reforms over the next 15 years. The paper highlights that the current allocations for healthcare are insufficient to meet the growing demands of the system and that relying on a single source for public healthcare…
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Malaysia to blacklist entities manipulating subsidised sugar prices
The Malaysian government has announced plans to blacklist any entities, including manufacturers, wholesalers, and retailers, found to be manipulating the price of subsidised regular sugar. Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Minister Salahuddin Ayub emphasised that the government will not tolerate any party taking advantage of its efforts and will take stern actions to protect the public interest. Salahuddin warned…
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Malaysia consolidates IT systems, aims to save RM7bn annually
The Malaysian government is working to consolidate its information technology systems, including government databases and websites, according to Economy Minister Rafizi Ramli. The current system costs approximately RM7 billion (US$1.7 billion) annually to maintain. The centralised database initiative aims to bring together 297 separate databases, with government ministries and agencies expressing support for the approach. Rafizi also mentioned plans to…
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U-turn tragedy: High-speed chase ends in fatal crash as taxi driver takes a deadly detour
An officer died during a high-speed chase with suspects after a taxi driver made a u-turn causing the police officer’s motorcycle to crash into the cab. The superintendent of Samre Police Station, Chattakit Phadungchanthabai, told Channel 3 that the fatal accident occurred on Southern Sathon Road in Bangkok at 2.30am on Monday, June 5. Two officers from Yannawa Police Station…
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Stark faces 23 billion baht arbitration dispute with German firms Leoni AG
Stark Corporation, a SET-listed company, is facing an arbitration dispute with German firms Leoni AG and Leoni Bordnetz-Systeme GmbH. The German firms are claiming 608 million euros (23 billion baht) from Stark, alleging a breach of their sales and purchase agreement, Bangkok Post reported. According to a filing to the Stock Exchange of Thailand yesterday, the case refers to Stark’s exercise of…
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AIS 3BB acquisition may face strict measures due to market share
The potential acquisition of fixed broadband provider 3BB by Advanced Info Service (AIS) may face stringent consumer measures from the telecom regulator due to the combined market share of the two companies. True Corporation, a rival company, reported having 3.84 million household subscribers in the first quarter of this year, accounting for 31.5% of the fixed broadband market share, according…
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Fatal shooting after ex-husband attacks woman with debts
Police in Nong Ruea, Khon Kaen were alerted to the fatal shooting of a Thai man and the injury of a woman at a shop in the Chorakhe subdistrict. A 58 year old man was found dead, identified as the ex-husband of the injured 48 year old woman. Upon investigation, the injured woman, recently discharged from the hospital and still…
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Russia’s national day: President Putin encourages patriotism and unity
Celebrating Russia’s National Day, President Vladimir Putin urged citizens to be patriotic and dedicated to their nation amid challenging times. Speaking in Moscow, Putin did not mention Russia’s military operations in Ukraine. Meanwhile, Russia’s Ministry of Defence released a video showcasing Russia’s beautiful landscapes, as well as citizens and soldiers expressing their love for the country. Putin also paid tribute…
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Zen Corp and CPF launch ready-to-eat Tummour meal at 7-Eleven stores
If you visit 7-eleven a lot in Thailand, there’s good news for you. Zen Corporation Plc, known for operating restaurant chains such as Zen, AKA, and Tummour, has announced its expansion into the ready-to-eat meal market in a bid to strengthen its long-term business prospects. The company’s chief commercial officer for Thai brands, Siruwat Chatchawan, disclosed that Zen Corporation has…
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22 US troops injured in Syria helicopter accident, cause under investigation
A recent helicopter accident in northeast Syria has left 22 US service members injured, according to the United States military. The incident, which occurred on Sunday, is currently under investigation to determine the cause. US Central Command confirmed in a statement that no enemy fire was reported at the time of the accident. “The service members are receiving treatment for…
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Trump faces 37 charges over classified documents at Mar-a-Lago
The indictment of Donald Trump on charges of mishandling classified documents at his Florida estate has thrust a high-profile case into the spotlight, marking a significant development in the United States Justice Department’s history. This comes less than three months after Trump faced 34 felony counts of falsifying business records in New York, making it the most substantial legal threat…
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FTC seeks halt of Microsoft’s $69bn Activision deal amid competition fears
US regulators have requested a judge to halt Microsoft’s US$69bn acquisition of Activision Blizzard, the Call of Duty publisher. The US Federal Trade Commission (FTC) expressed concerns that the deal, the largest in the video game industry’s history, could “substantially lessen competition” within the sector. This development follows the UK’s decision to block the deal over similar concerns, while the…
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Mother jailed for illegal home abortion ignites calls for UK law reform
Carla Foster, a mother of three, has been jailed after inducing an abortion outside the legal limit using pills at home, sparking calls for a parliamentary debate on overhauling abortion rules. The 44-year-old was sentenced to 28 months, with 14 of those months to be spent in custody. Foster was between 32 and 34 weeks pregnant when she took medication…
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Dorries accuses sinister forces of blocking peerage in Johnson-Sunak feud
Nadine Dorries has insinuated that “sinister forces” were responsible for her exclusion from Boris Johnson’s contentious resignation honours list, leading to an escalating dispute with the Prime Minister. The ex-culture secretary penned a forceful column in the Daily Mail, implying that she was intentionally denied a peerage in the House of Lords by “posh boys” working for Rishi Sunak. Dorries…
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Malaysia’s NIMP2030 to boost economic complexity, targeting key sectors
The Ministry of Investment, Trade and Industry in Malaysia is working on the New Industrial Master Plan 2030 (NIMP2030) to drive industrial development and increase the nation’s economic complexity. Set to launch in August, NIMP2030 aims to align with the New Investment Policy (NIP), which has identified five key sectors for enhancing future exports of complex products. These sectors include…
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Malaysia seeks Interpol help to locate comedian over controversial remarks
Malaysian authorities are seeking assistance from Interpol to locate Singapore-born comedian Jocelyn Chia, who is believed to be based in New York, following her controversial remarks about Malaysia during a recent comedy performance. Inspector-General of Police Acryl Sani Abdullah Sani announced that the application to obtain Chia’s identity and location will be made as soon as possible to commence investigations.…
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Malaysia’s King appoints 16 judges in ceremony at Istana Negara
In a recent ceremony at Istana Negara, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia’s King, Yang di-Pertuan Agong Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah, granted an audience and presented the instruments of appointment to 16 judges. Queen Raja Permaisuri Agong Tunku Azizah Aminah Maimunah Iskandariah was also in attendance. The ceremony commenced with the presentation of the instruments of appointment to Federal Court judges…
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Malaysia identifies 190 election hotspots, launches Op PRN 6N for security
Authorities in Malaysia have identified 190 hotspots in six states ahead of the upcoming state elections, with the highest number found in Selangor, according to Inspector-General of Police Acryl Sani Abdullah Sani. Terengganu follows with 66 hotspots, while Kedah has 20, Negeri Sembilan and Kelantan each have 16, and Penang has two. These areas are considered hotspots due to their…
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Malaysia denies sale of Iskandar film complex, sells operator shares
The Malaysian Finance Ministry has refuted claims that a 49-acre film and television production complex in Iskandar Puteri, Johor Baru, has been sold. Deputy Finance Minister Steven Sim clarified that the land remains under the ownership of state investment firm Khazanah Nasional Bhd through special-purpose vehicle Tanjung Bidara Ventures Sdn Bhd. Instead, the shares of studio operator company Iskandar Malaysia…
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Malaysia to review health workforce needs amid oversupply concerns
The Ministry of Health (MoH) in Malaysia is set to conduct a study this year to review the country’s actual needs for different categories of human resources for health, according to Health Minister Dr Zaliha Mustafa. The study will consider the impact of new policies introduced after 2016 and the health needs of the population, enabling the distribution and requirement…
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Malaysia aims for digital investment hub status with startup ecosystem revamp
The Malaysian government seeks to reform the country’s startup ecosystem by focusing on funding and investment opportunities at the seed and angel investor stages, according to Economy Minister Rafizi Ramli. In a recent talk, Ramli highlighted Malaysia’s potential to become a regional hub for digital investors, on par with neighbouring Singapore and Indonesia. Plans are also underway to integrate back-end…
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CIB arrests Thai man who allegedly stole foreigner’s car in Phuket
Thailand’s Central Investigation Bureau (CIB) arrested a Thai man who allegedly stole a foreigner’s car in Phuket. The suspect allegedly stole an SUV from an unidentified foreigner at a housing estate in Koh Kaew in Phuket’s main city district, The Phuket Express reported. The CIB reported announced this week that its officers arrested a Thai male suspect, whose name and age…
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Kind-hearted Thais donate over 1 million baht to help 4 year old girl and her blind grandmother (video)
The gut-wrenching struggle of a four year old girl and her 68 year old blind grandmother in the Isaan province of Buriram tugged on the nation’s heartstrings leading the good people of Thailand to dig deep into their pockets and donate 1 million baht to help the family. A Thai teacher, Phatcharin “Aoom” Esatee, took to social media to seek…
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TCEB seeks global support for Phuket to host Specialised Expo 2028
As the Thailand Convention and Exhibition Bureau (TCEB) prepares for its final presentation to the Bureau International des Expositions (BIE) next week, it continues to seek support for Phuket’s bid to host the Specialised Expo 2028. Over the past three years, TCEB has been working with Thai stakeholders and BIE member states to garner votes for Phuket as the host…
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Thailand’s tourism rebounds with 11.4 million visitors
Thailand has experienced a surge in foreign tourist arrivals, with 11.4 million visitors recorded from January to June 11, according to a statement released by the Ministry of Tourism and Sports. This figure has already surpassed the total number of tourists in 2022, which reached 11.15 million. The statement also revealed that tourist spending during this period amounted to 472…
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