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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 Planning to extend your Thai visa? Why health insurance is more important than ever
If you plan to stay longer in Thailand, having health insurance is now more important than ever. Thai immigration often asks for proof of medical coverage when you apply to extend your visa. This applies to many types of visas,...
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Inflation plummets to 21-month low in Thailand as fuel and electricity prices drop
Inflation in Thailand reached its lowest point in 21 months last month, primarily driven by declining fuel prices and electricity bills, along with a higher price base in May of the previous year. Experts predict that the inflation rate will further decrease throughout June. Wichanun Niwatjinda, deputy director-general of the Trade Policy and Strategy Office, expects inflation for June to…
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Chinese streamer dies in alcohol challenge, second incident in a month
A popular Chinese live streamer, known online as Zhong Yuan Huang Ge, passed away on June 2 after indulging in excessive alcohol consumption during a live show to win a cash prize from his viewers. His death marks the second such incident within a month and highlights the dangers of internet fame mixed with alcohol challenges. Zhong Yuan Huang Ge,…
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Heritage Foundation seeks Prince Harry’s immigration records over drug use
The Heritage Foundation, an American conservative think tank, has called for the release of Prince Harry’s immigration records in light of his past drug use revelations in his memoir, Spare. The organisation has appealed to US District Judge Carl Nichols for a faster response to a records request, which the US government has currently deemed private. Judge Nichols advised the…
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Foreign investors sell 100 billion baht in Thai stocks and shares amid global rate rise
In the first five months of this year, foreign investors offloaded almost 100 billion baht worth of Thai shares, with 33.4 billion baht sold in May alone, due to increasing global interest rates and uncertainties surrounding the formation of a new government. Despite this, the Stock Exchange of Thailand (SET) expressed optimism yesterday, believing that the recent easing of the…
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A question that matters: What is a woman?
The question that had so many politicians stumped recently, a question that five years ago would make you think, why are you asking me such an obvious question? Well, it’s not 2018 anymore and the definition of a woman is no longer based on chromosomes and one’s ability to menstruate and mother a child. As we see in the recent…
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Trang warns of severe dengue fever outbreak, 2 deaths and 164 cases reported
Trang province‘s public health department urges citizens to be vigilant against dengue fever as outbreaks become more severe, with two deaths and 164 infections reported, mostly among children. Authorities are expediting efforts to eliminate mosquito larvae. The province’s deputy public health director, Wacharananon Tin-naiaython, revealed that dengue fever cases have increased significantly in the past two weeks, with 164 infections…
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Thai Shippers’ Council eyes 0-1% export growth amid new government push
The Thai National Shippers’ Council (TNSC) maintains that the nation’s exports can achieve a growth of 0-1% this year, calling for the swift formation of a new government to boost trade competitiveness and tackle economic challenges. TNSC Chairman Chaichan Chareonsuk anticipates that Thai exports from May to June will experience a slight year-on-year contraction, leading to a 5-6% decline for…
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Thai family plagued by swarms of beetles struggles to eat and sleep
A family in Thailand‘s western Ratchaburi province faces a severe infestation of beetles, making their daily lives difficult as they struggle to eat, sleep, and conduct their regular routines. The 70 year old wooden house is the only one in the area affected by the insects, which have invaded various parts of the home, resulting in a desperate cry for…
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Older Thai woman’s abandoned bike found on bridge, personal belongings left behind
A 61 year old Thai woman suspiciously abandoned her vehicle on the Bang Pakong River Bridge, leaving shoes and personal belongings behind. Her 49 year old niece is uncertain of any problems she might have faced, which caused her to disappear in Thailand’s central Chachoengsao province. Officials from the Chachoengsao Police Station and Chachoengsao Rescue Unit examined an abandoned Honda…
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Tour bus catches fire on Sirat Expressway causing heavy traffic (video)
A tour bus caught fire on the Sirat Expressway’s outbound side in Bangkok, causing heavy traffic but no injuries or deaths. The bus carried 15 Polish tourists, a Thai guide, and a driver, 46 year old Kwonchit. The tour bus caught fire on the Sirat Motorway this morning, blocking the left lane and causing heavy traffic. The fire is under…
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China’s CCP accused of spying on TikTok users with ‘god credential’
In a recent lawsuit, a former ByteDance executive has alleged that China’s Communist Party (CCP) can access user data collected by TikTok through a “god credential” that was used to monitor and track Hong Kong activists and protesters in 2018. Yintao “Roger” Yu, the former head of engineering at ByteDance in the United States, claimed that a special committee in…
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OECD warns Vietnam on handouts to offset global tax rule impact
The Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) has expressed concerns over Vietnam’s plan to provide subsidies to large companies to offset higher taxes under the new global tax rules. A person familiar with the discussions revealed that the OECD warned Vietnam of the risks posed by such arrangements, potentially undermining the purpose of the tax reform. Last week, Reuters…
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Blinken and Saudi Crown Prince discuss stabilising relations and human rights
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken has met with Saudi Arabian Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in an effort to strengthen relations between the two countries after years of increasing disagreements on various issues, including human rights, Iran, regional security, and oil prices. The talks took place during Blinken’s diplomatic mission to the oil-rich kingdom. Following the meeting, US State…
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Asia-Pacific stocks rise on China stimulus hopes and Wall Street gains
Asian-Pacific stock markets experienced gains on Wednesday, as expectations for economic stimulus from China and Wall Street’s overnight gains boosted investor sentiment. The MSCI’s broadest index of Asia-Pacific shares outside Japan rose by 0.7% in the morning, with China’s benchmark equity index increasing by 0.3% and Hong Kong’s Hang Seng adding 1.2%. This comes after China reportedly requested major banks…
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Malaysia wins Paris court case against $15bn colonial-era land deal
The Malaysian government has achieved a significant victory in a Paris court, which upheld their challenge against enforcing a partial award of US$15 billion to the heirs of a former sultan in an arbitration case concerning a colonial-era land deal. This decision implies that the final award will be annulled, and the descendants’ attempts to seize Malaysian assets will come…
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China’s May exports plunge as domestic consumption falters
China experienced a sharp decline in exports in May, with a 7.5% year-on-year drop, marking the largest decrease since January. This slump in exports is attributed to weakened demand for Chinese goods, while imports also fell by 4.5%. The decline in exports has led to increased pressure on the government to boost domestic consumption for the remainder of the year,…
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Facebook foul play: Cyber-criminal floods Thai government pages with explicit content
An unidentified cyber-criminal hacked several official Facebook pages belonging to Thai government agencies and flooded them with explicit videos and pictures. The Minister of Digital Economy and Society (DES) Ministry, Chaiwut Thanakamanusorn, admitted that he could not solve the issue in time and urged the new government to take action. One of the affected pages, the Bangkok Provincial Education Office,…
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Pita Limjaroenrat’s PM bid threatened by iTV share controversy
Pita Limjaroenrat, the leader of Thailand’s Move Forward Party (MFP), is facing a legal challenge regarding his ownership of shares in iTV, an independent broadcaster. Although he has transferred these shares to his relatives, legal expert Jade Donavanik has argued that Pita’s eligibility for the role of prime minister still hangs in the balance. The issue revolves around whether iTV…
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Mystery surrounds drowning of missing 2 month old found under home
A 19 year old mother reported her 2 month old child missing before the baby was found drowned under the house. Police are investigating how the child fell as there was no apparent gap in the sleeping area for the baby to have fallen through. Veena (surname withheld), 19, informed the Pak Kret Police that her 2 month old son…
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Pattaya Beach vendors petition city to reverse parking ban impacting business
Pattaya Beach vendors have united in requesting the city of Pattaya to revoke a parking ban imposed on the beachside of Pattaya Beach in early March. The vendors, led by Wirawit Charoenrit Taweechok, claim that the ban has significantly impacted their businesses. They recently met with Pattaya Deputy Mayor Manoch Nongyai to discuss their concerns and issues with the order.…
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Blinken likely to reschedule China visit amid easing tensions
A rescheduled visit to China by US Secretary of State Antony Blinken is anticipated in the coming weeks, as both nations attempt to ease tensions. Blinken’s initial trip in February was cancelled after the US detected and subsequently shot down a Chinese espionage balloon over its territory. However, recent talks in Beijing involving senior US officials, including Daniel Kritenbrink, the…
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Thief smashes donation box at Chiang Mai temple, gets caught and confesses
Chiang Mai police have arrested a 24 year old Myanmar national, accused of stealing a donation box from Chedi Luang Worawihan temple and other thefts in the area. The suspect confessed to the crimes after being detained for a separate incident involving stolen motorcycles. Investigating the case, Police Lieutenant Colonel Phuwanat Duangdi, the superintendent for Chiang Mai’s local police, reported…
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Thailand’s TPIPP allocates 14 billion baht to phase out coal by 2026
TPI Polene Power Plc (TPIPP), the leading waste-to-energy project developer and operator in Thailand, is set to continue its five-year capital expenditure plan of 14 billion baht. The plan, which began last year, aims to replace coal usage with renewable energy sources and increase the company’s power generation capacity. TPIPP has earmarked 3 billion baht for projects focused on reducing…
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Richmond shooting: Two dead, five injured after high school graduation
A tragic shooting incident unfolded in Richmond, Virginia, as a man opened fire on a crowd following a high school graduation ceremony, resulting in the deaths of two individuals and injuries to five others. The attack took place on Tuesday near a theatre adjacent to the Virginia Commonwealth University campus, where the graduation had been held. Police apprehended a 19-year-old…
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Weight-loss jabs offered by GPs may ease NHS obesity crisis
Weight-loss injections may soon be offered to some patients by GPs in England as a means to combat obesity-related illnesses and alleviate pressure on hospitals. The drug Wegovy has been approved for use within the NHS after studies indicated that users could lose over 10% of their body weight. Wegovy works by suppressing appetite, causing users to feel full and…
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Desperate search: Loved ones cross borders to find missing Chinese woman
Concerned family members and friends of the Chinese woman who went missing last week on the Thai-Myanmar border arrived in Thailand to try and find her. Two videos featuring Chong Sumyee, also known as Angie, have emerged, providing information about her whereabouts. The mother, brother, and friends of Angie arrived in Chiang Mai province yesterday, June 6. Angie’s mother, 51…
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Phuket orders small boats to stay ashore until Saturday amid heavy weather
In Phuket, a ban has been issued on boats shorter than 10 metres leaving the shore until Saturday, June 10, due to heavy weather conditions. The order, issued by Phuket Marine Office Chief Natchaphong Pranit, applies to all sailing and motor yachts up to 32.8 feet. The ban comes as a reminder of the importance of safety measures in the maritime industry,…
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Ex-official’s wife testifies in US trial over China’s Operation Fox Hunt
A former Chinese official and his wife, who had relocated to the United States and kept their address private, experienced a disturbing encounter when two strangers attempted to enter their New Jersey home. The wife later discovered a threatening note on their doorstep, stating that if her husband returned to China and served ten years in prison, their family would…
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AI boom offers productivity boost, defying dotcom bubble fears
Despite the hype surrounding artificial intelligence (AI) since Microsoft’s investment in ChatGPT back in January this year, the buzz in the markets is far from the excesses of the dot-com bubble. The recent rise in Nvidia’s market capitalisation, reaching US$1 trillion, has raised some eyebrows. However, the AI boom has a more solid foundation. The decline in Big Tech stocks…
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SEC seeks to freeze Binance US assets amid web of deception claims
The US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has sought a temporary restraining order from a federal court to freeze the US assets of leading cryptocurrency exchange Binance. This development follows the recent lawsuit filed by US regulators against Binance and its CEO, Changpeng Zhao, accusing them of operating a “web of deception.” The pressure on the world’s largest cryptocurrency exchange…
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