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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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Jealous husband shoots wife dead in front of child after catching secret chats
A jealous husband killed his wife in front of their 7 year old son after discovering she was chatting to other men on her phone. The incident, which occurred in Chon Buri province, saw the man fire two shots at his 30 year old wife before surrendering to the police. The crime scene, a two-storey townhouse, revealed the body of…
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Bitkub’s bumpy ride: Thailand’s leading crypto exchange parent company sees sharp revenue decline amid market downturn
Bitkub Online (BO), the parent company of Thailand’s top cryptocurrency exchange Bitkub, experienced a 48% year-on-year drop in revenue last year, attributed to the downturn in the crypto market. Client investments also saw a significant 65% decline compared to the previous year. The financial statement published on BO’s website revealed a net profit of 341 million baht in 2022, marking…
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Thailand banks team up for digital revolution: Collaboration to launch retail CBDC
The Bank of Thailand is collaborating with three payment service providers, Bank of Ayudhya (Krungsri), Siam Commercial Bank (SCB), and 2C2P (Thailand) Co, to develop and launch its retail central bank digital currency (CBDC). The new financial infrastructure aims to enhance the convenience and efficiency of financial transactions while reducing costs. The testing of the retail CBDC is scheduled to…
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Man charged with murder of missing Chloe Mitchell, 21, in Ballymena
Charges have been filed against a 26-year-old man in connection to the murder of Chloe Mitchell, a 21-year-old woman who disappeared earlier this month in Ballymena, Northern Ireland. Additionally, a 34-year-old man faces charges for assisting offenders. The two men are scheduled to appear in Ballymena Magistrates’ Court on Monday. A murder investigation commenced after human remains were uncovered on…
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Malaysia opens seven clinics to tackle male fertility issues
In an effort to address fertility issues among men, Malaysia’s Health Ministry has established seven specialised clinics focusing on men’s health and well-being. The clinics include three subfertility clinics in Kuala Lumpur, Johor Bahru, and Penang, and four Nur Sejahtera Clinics (KNS) in Jalan Raja Laut, Melaka, Dungun, and Sarawak. Deputy Women, Family and Community Development Minister Raj Munni Sabu…
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Sturgeon released pending probe into SNP’s £660k referendum donations
Nicola Sturgeon, Scotland’s former first minister, has been released without charge pending further investigations following her arrest in connection with the ongoing inquiry into the SNP’s funding and finances. Sturgeon was questioned by detectives and later released from custody. In a statement, she expressed certainty of her innocence and described the situation as “shocking and deeply distressing.” Police have been…
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Farmer crashes into petrol station shop after mistaking accelerator for brake
A 69-year-old farmer sustained minor injuries after mistakenly pressing the accelerator instead of the brake pedal, causing his car to crash into a convenience store at a petrol station in Jalan Bukit Rambai, Melaka. The incident took place yesterday evening when the farmer, Jaafar Yusof, was leaving the station after refuelling his Hyundai Sonata. Melaka Tengah district police chief Christopher…
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Mysterious intrusion: Hotel guest’s chilling encounter leaves her shaken in San Jose (video)
A woman guest at a hotel in San Jose, California suffered an unnerving experience while chilling in her room. To her surprise, the woman, Debra, witnessed an unusual device sliding under her room door. The quick-thinking traveller managed to leap off her bed and grab the instrument before it reached the door handle. She then sought help from the hotel…
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Malaysia’s tobacco control bill sent to parliamentary committee for review
The Control of Tobacco Product and Smoking Bill has been referred to a parliamentary special select committee (PSSC) for further review after its first presentation in the Dewan Rakyat. Health Minister Dr Zaliha Mustafa stated that the decision was made due to several recommendations from engagement sessions held with government and non-governmental stakeholders that required additional consideration. Dr Zaliha explained,…
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Chevron Thailand’s gas game-changer: Boosting domestic supply and breaking free from costly imports
Chevron Thailand Exploration and Production aims to boost domestic gas supply to reduce the Thai government’s reliance on costly liquefied natural gas (LNG) imports, with plans to increase petroleum production in the Gulf of Thailand. The US-based company was granted a licence to explore and produce petroleum at Block G2/65, an area of 15,030 square kilometres in the gulf, under…
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Man turns 1,700-baht online auction chair into 3 million baht jackpot after designer discovery
In an extraordinary turn of events, Los Angeles resident Justin Miller unknowingly discovered a highly valuable Danish designer chair while browsing an online auction site. He bought it for just 1,700 baht (US$49) and sold the item for an astounding 3 million baht (US$86,500) to an eager collector. Miller stumbled upon an online auction listing featuring the broken-down, leather-covered chair,…
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Mysterious red light in sky sparks panic and intrigue in social media (Video)
A mysterious red light hovering in the sky has been captured on video, leaving residents in Ratchaburi Province on edge. Authorities have been called to investigate the source of the phenomenon, shared on Facebook, while villagers are curious to discover if the supernatural may be the cause. A video clip on Facebook featuring a floating red light in the sky…
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George Soros hands $25bn empire control to son Alexander
Philanthropist and billionaire George Soros has decided to entrust his 37-year-old son, Alexander, with the control of his philanthropic and financial empire, worth US$25bn. A spokesperson for Soros, a significant supporter of liberal and democratic initiatives, confirmed the plan following its initial report by the Wall Street Journal. Previously, Soros, who is now 92, did not want any of his…
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Ofsted reforms insufficient, says sister of teacher who died post-downgrade
The sister of a headteacher who took her own life after her school received a downgrade from Ofsted has stated that the recently announced inspection system reforms are insufficient. Ruth Perry, former headteacher of Caversham Primary School in Reading, passed away in January. The school was rated “good” in every category except leadership and management, where it was deemed “inadequate.”…
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Anwar orders transfer of minor infrastructure projects from JKR to district offices
In a recent announcement, Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim stated that minor infrastructure projects, such as repairs of dilapidated schools currently overseen by the Public Works Department (JKR), will be transferred to other departments or district offices. This decision aims to reduce the workload of JKR, which is responsible for implementing development projects and maintaining infrastructure for various ministries, departments, statutory…
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Dengue fever outbreak hits 3-year high, nearly 20,000 affected, 15 deaths
A recent warning from Thailand’s government deputy spokesperson, Trisuree Trisaranakul, has alerted the public to the rapidly growing dengue fever outbreak. With nearly 20,000 reported cases and 15 deaths in the past five months, the epidemic reached its highest level in three years. Citizens are urged to take precautions to protect themselves and their children during the rainy season from…
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Health Ministry to table bill targeting smoking products for public health
The Control of Smoking Products for Public Health Bill 2023 is set to be tabled today in the Dewan Rakyat by Health Minister Dr Zaliha Mustafa. The bill, which includes amendments and suggestions to cover both conventional and new smoking products, aims to address the growing issue of smoking, particularly among young people. Dr Zaliha stated that the bill still…
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Malaysia needs action plan to retain talent amid planter shortage
Malaysia is urged to develop an action plan to retain existing talents and attract a new generation of planters, as the industry faces a potential shortage of skilled professionals. Deputy Prime Minister Fadillah Yusof highlighted the issue at the 10th International Planters Conference 2023, noting that some planters have retired or are seeking opportunities in other countries. Fadillah, who also…
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PAS open to all members contesting in six state elections
PAS secretary-general Takiyuddin Hassan has stated that all party members, including Muafakat Nasional President Annuar Musa, are eligible to become candidates in the six states facing elections this year. The party is yet to finalise its list of candidates, but Takiyuddin expects a decision to be made next week. “Any PAS member has the right to be a candidate and…
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Anwar Ibrahim emphasises musyawarah culture for civil servant input
Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim emphasised the importance of ‘musyawarah’ or deliberation in Malaysia, stating that it is essential to provide civil servants with the opportunity to express their opinions when determining the nation’s course. Speaking at the Prime Minister’s Department monthly assembly, Anwar highlighted the crucial role civil servants play in making deliberations more meaningful and effective. Anwar, who also…
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Bangkok governor urges universities to join citywide cleanup efforts
Bangkok Governor Chadchart Sittipunt recently participated in a Big Bangkok cleanup event at Swuniplex retail plaza on Asokemontri Road, organised by Srinakharinwirot University. The event saw the involvement of university lecturers and students, Watthana district office executive officials, and representatives from various networks and agencies. During his address, Chadchart praised the university for being a role model in environmental maintenance…
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Chinese gang caught selling overpriced amulets to tourists in famous Thai temple
Two Chinese men willingly surrendered as they were about to be arrested for their involvement in scamming tourists at a well-known temple in Chon Buri, Thailand. The gang had been selling sacred objects at inflated prices. Thai police established a connection between the two men and another group that was apprehended at Khaocheechan Temple in the Bang Sare area of…
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Suvarnabhumi Airport’s SAT-1 terminal set for soft takeoff in September
Suvarnabhumi Airport in Bangkok is set to soft launch its Satellite Airport Terminal 1 (SAT-1) in September, with a full opening planned for early next year. Airports of Thailand (AoT) president, Kerati Kijmanawat, stated that the new 216,000-square-metre facility, with a capacity for 28 aircraft parking bays, aims to address existing issues at the airport. With the ability to accommodate…
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Plant of prosperity: Wealthy Wilson draws crowds in northern Thailand, leafing people in awe
Residents in Phayao, northern Thailand, flocked to witness a bizarre plant known as the “Wealthy Wilson” believed to bring luck and fortune to whoever owns it. The plant’s leaves have taken on an unusual shape, resembling the mythical creature called the Naga. This extraordinary sight has led to a surge of believers seeking lottery numbers from this mystical tree The Wealthy…
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Ukraine recaptures villages, Russia shoots down fighter jet amid flooding
In a significant development, Ukrainian forces have managed to recapture three villages from Russian control in the southeast region, marking the first liberated settlements since the launch of their latest counteroffensive. Meanwhile, Russia’s defence ministry announced that it had downed a Ukrainian Su-25 fighter jet in the Kherson region and repelled three Ukrainian attacks in Zaporizhia. The aftermath of last…
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MPs set to condemn Boris Johnson in partygate inquiry conclusion
The parliamentary panel investigating allegations that Boris Johnson lied to Parliament regarding the “partygate” scandal is concluding its inquiry and is expected to deliver a harsh judgement. The former Prime Minister expressed outrage after receiving advance notice of the privileges committee’s conclusions, leading MPs to anticipate strong criticism of his behaviour. Before Johnson’s unexpected resignation as an MP, the committee…
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Malaysia aims to attract Microsoft, Google for data hub ambitions
As part of its strategy to become a data hub, Malaysia’s Minister of Investment, Trade and Industry, Tengku Zafrul Abdul Aziz, is seeking to attract tech giants Microsoft and Google to establish operations in the country. Amid escalating tensions between the United States and China, Malaysia aims to position itself as a neutral supply chain base. Tengku Zafrul stated that…
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Malaysian PM and Health Minister uphold medical student scholarships
Malaysian Medics International (MMI) has expressed its gratitude and support towards Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim and Health Minister Zaliha Mustafa for their decision to continue public scholarships for medical students in Malaysia. This announcement comes after the Public Service Department (PSD) considered ending scholarships for students in medicine, dentistry, and pharmacy. MMI praised the government’s choice to prioritise the education…
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Eggs-traordinary crisis: Thailand’s soaring egg prices crack traders and consumers alike
The soaring cost of eggs in Thailand has left traders and consumers concerned, with some attributing the price hike to a shortage of supplies at farms and increased export demand. Wanchai Rungmitcharatsaeng, a 65 year old egg shop owner in Khon Kaen’s Mueang district, has been in the business for over 20 years and claims that egg prices have reached…
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Thrifty mother’s extreme frugal cooking raises concerns among netizens
A TikToker from Vietnam gained attention with her frugal cooking methods on social media after it was brought to netizens’ attention she spends between 7 and 22 baht per family meal. Netizens criticised the Vietnamese mother’s approach, concerned about the potential health impacts on her children. A Vietnamese TikToker, who currently has around 250,000 followers, garnered attention after posting budget…
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