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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 5 hospitals in Thailand digital nomads trust most
Thailand is still one of the best places for digital nomads, thanks to its low cost of living, comfortable lifestyle, and good healthcare system. For remote workers living far from home, having access to a trusted hospital is very important....
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Chon Buri woman discovers priceless pearl in local market oyster
A lucky woman in Chon Buri found a valuable pearl inside a large oyster purchased from a local market. The resident, Thevalee Sitonwong, discovered the stunning orange pearl while preparing a meal for her and her husband. Thevalee revealed that she and her husband had gone to the market to buy some ingredients for their dinner, which included a popular Thai…
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Pregnant woman given wrong medication at hospital, experiences uncontrollable spasms
In an alarming incident, an expectant mother was administered the wrong medication during her visit to a medical facility. The 37 week pregnant woman went to the hospital for a regular blood test and was mistakenly given epileptic medication instead of sugar water. After taking the medicine, the pregnant woman experienced severe symptoms, sparking a wave of fear and concern…
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Roof collapses at school in Thailand during storm, 7 killed
Seven people, including four children, died after a roof at a school in Pichit province, northern Thailand, collapsed during a storm yesterday. Eighteen more people are injured. Students at Wat Nern Por primary school in Sam Ngam district were playing football after school when the storm hit at around 6pm. Students, parents, and teachers were sheltering beneath the domed roof…
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Biden, McCarthy in debt ceiling talks as US default risk looms
US President Joe Biden and House Speaker Kevin McCarthy met at the White House yesterday to discuss raising the US government’s US$31.4 trillion debt ceiling, with the US economy at risk if no agreement is reached within 10 days. The Democratic president and the top congressional Republican have struggled to make progress on a deal, as McCarthy pressures the White…
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Much-loved Thai police officer suddenly dies, hormone disorder blamed for 218kg weight
The unexpected passing of Manop Wongnaree, affectionally known as “Police Senior Sergeant Major Elephant” has left his family, friends and colleagues mourning. The 50 year old was a police officer with a body weight of 218 kilograms. He gained international attention when photos of him were shared online, accompanied by comments ridiculing his excessive weight. Assistant Police Captain Pichetpong Chaengkaikom…
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Cannabis shops near schools allowed amid lack of specific law
Cannabis dispensaries are currently allowed to operate near schools in Thailand, as there is no specific legislation controlling their locations, according to the Department of Thai Traditional and Alternative Medicine (DTAM). However, the Public Health Ministry has prohibited the sale of cannabis to individuals under 20 years old, with penalties including a one-year prison sentence, a fine of up to…
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EU regulators apply old laws to control AI as new rules take years to enforce
The rapid development of artificial intelligence (AI) services like ChatGPT has led regulators to rely on existing laws to control a technology that could transform societies and businesses. The European Union is working on new AI rules to address privacy and safety concerns associated with generative AI technology, such as OpenAI’s ChatGPT. However, it will take several years for the…
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China bans US Micron chips, escalating global chip industry risks
China’s recent ban on certain sectors using chips from United States-based Micron Technology has highlighted the potential risks faced by the global chip industry amidst rising Sino-US trade tensions. The move against Micron, the largest US memory chipmaker, is widely perceived as retaliation for Washington’s attempts to limit Beijing’s access to crucial technology. This comes as the Group of Seven…
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Farmer in Thailand puts buffalo up for sale for US$1.5 million
A farmer in Thailand put a giant water buffalo up for sale for 50 million baht (US$1.45 million) yesterday. Forget a pool villa in Phuket, for the same price you could bag yourself one of the biggest buffaloes Thailand has ever seen. “Petch Lamkhong,” a three year and five month old water buffalo (“kwai“) from “Big Ice Farm” in Phitsanulok, weighed…
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Family offers 10,000 baht reward for missing mental health patient last seen at hospital
A 10,000 baht reward has been offered for information leading to the whereabouts of a 37 year old psychiatric patient who has been missing for over a week after walking out of Khon Kaen Hospital. Thawatchai Themueang is a resident of Samran district in Khon Kaen province, who sought treatment for spasms at the hospital on Saturday, May 13. Security…
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Lottery winner fulfills promise to Thai shrine, celebrates with movie screening
A Thai woman paid respects to a spirit shrine after she won several hundred thousand baht in a lottery draw by offering a traditional dance and a movie screening. The tribute took place today, May 22, at Wat Pa Pradu, Kabin Buri District, in Thailand’s Prachin Buri Province. The 46 year old woman, known as Srichan Sringarm, took a statue…
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Chinese Internet star dies after excessive alcohol drinking during livestream
A Chinese Internet star died after drinking an excessive amount of Chinese alcohol during a livestreaming PK competition. The 34 year old Wang Moufeng, also known as Brother Sanqian, is a popular Chinese celebrity from Jiangsu province in the northeastern part of China. He died on Tuesday, May 16 after he finished a livestreaming session with others in a competition…
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Grandfather’s arranged marriage shatters woman’s fairy-tale dreams
Marrying into a wealthy family does not ensure a happy ever after as one Vietnamese woman found out after her grandfather organized an arranged marriage. The woman’s parents thought everything was tickety-boo despite little contact with their daughter over the past two years but all that changed when she issues a “come and get me” note hidden in some homemade…
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Firework display gone wrong: Huge explosion sends locals fleeing in Kalasin
A dramatic display unfolded during the annual Bun Bang Fai Talai Lan Festival in Kalasin Province’s Kuchinarai District as a single 20 million-fireworks rocket lifted off and exploded mid-air. The festival, which took place on May 22, is uniquely celebrated in this province with millions of rockets being launched into the sky, attracting numerous local and international tourists. At around…
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Cult in Isaan encourages women to worship vagina and penis statues
A religious shrine in the Pak Chong district in the Isaan province of Nakhon Ratchasima or Korat is encouraging followers, especially women, to worship vagina and penis statues for good fortune. A Facebook page, E Sor News 2 (อีซ้อขยี้ข่าว), shared a picture of some Thai people praying to the golden vagina statue with a caption that said… “Weird… Putting gold…
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South Sudan airport becomes camp for Eritreans fleeing conflict
Paloich Airport in South Sudan has become a makeshift camp for thousands of refugees fleeing the neighbouring Sudan conflict. They now live in dire conditions without basic amenities such as running water, toilets, or kitchens. Many of these refugees are Eritreans, who had sought asylum in Sudan before being displaced once again due to ongoing violence. They are now waiting…
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Durian dispute turns violent after Chinese tourists accuse Thai vendor of selling fake fruit
Things quickly turned sour when three Chinese tourists accused a Thai vendor of selling “fake durian” at a market in Chon Buri province, eastern Thailand, on Saturday. Officers from Sattahip Police Station were called to de-escalate an altercation at Siwanat Nakorn 700 Rai Market on Saturday night which began when three Chinese tourists expressed discontent with the quality of their…
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Deadly consumption of poisonous mushrooms claims 2 lives, 7 seriously ill in Loei Province
Tragedy struck the Isaan province of Loei as a group of individuals fell victim to the consumption of poisonous mushrooms known as Hed Ra Ngok in Thai, resulting in the deaths of two people and leaving seven others injured. The unfortunate incident unfolded on Saturday, May 20, when two residents ventured into a forest near the popular attraction, Phu Lom…
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Thailand unemployment rate drops to 1.05% as tourism industry rebounds
Thailand witnessed a decrease in its unemployment rate during the first quarter, reaching a three-year low of 1.05%, down from 1.15% in the final quarter of 2022, according to the state planning agency’s announcement on Monday. The improvement is attributed to the strengthening recovery of the vital tourism industry. The nation’s economy, which is the second-largest in Southeast Asia, experienced…
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Bangkok Pride parade aims to boost Thailand’s 2028 World Pride bid
Bangkok is set to host a Pride parade on June 4, with the theme “Door to Equal Asia,” as the city prepares to bid for World Pride 2028. Waaddao Chumaporn, the founder of Bangkok Pride, informed the Bangkok Post that this year’s event will be larger than the previous year, highlighting Thailand’s preparedness to host the global celebration in 2028.…
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Reckless rock-thrower arrested in Ang Thong after damaging vehicles and risking lives
Police arrested a 27 year old man in the Ang Thong province allegedly responsible for throwing rocks at three vehicles, causing damages and endangering lives. It was reported that following a cannabis-induced hallucination, the suspect become a potential threat to public safety. Upon investigation, the man was found to have a history involving drug arrests. Today, Pol. Lt. Col. Sayachon…
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Phuket som tam restaurant returns 200,000 baht to European tourist
A European tourist was reunited with his bag containing money and assets worth 200,000 baht yesterday thanks to the honest owner of a som tam restaurant in Phuket, southern Thailand. The restaurant, Som Tam Yam 3 Aow, posted photos of the smiling tourist with a big stash of cash on Facebook with the caption… “From the incident where a customer had…
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Greece’s political earthquake: Mitsotakis wins, Tsipras suffers huge setback
Greece experienced a “political earthquake” as the conservative Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis and his centre-right New Democracy party secured a significant electoral victory. With nearly 41% of the vote, the party was just five seats short of a majority. Alexis Tsipras, the centre-left rival and leader of the Syriza party, congratulated Mitsotakis as Syriza only managed to secure 20% of…
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Naked Buddhist monk stuns Udon Thani residents as he sheds robes in public
An alarming incident took place in the Udon Thani province of Thailand when a 42 year old Buddhist monk, identified as Damrongsak, suddenly disrobed and walked naked in the streets, unsettling nearby residents. The monk, who originally hails from Ban Pho Chon Temple in Phetchabun province, was discovered having discarded his garments near a local community school, yesterday, May 21,…
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China cybersecurity watchdog fails Micron, urges halt on chip purchases
China’s cybersecurity watchdog has announced that US semiconductor company Micron failed its national security review, urging operators of “critical information infrastructure” to cease purchasing its products. This marks a new development in the ongoing chip dispute between the US and China, with the US seeking to limit Beijing’s access to advanced semiconductors. In March, Chinese authorities initiated a review of…
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Stolen ambulance radio requested back, needed for life-saving communication
Emergency responders from the Bangkok Medical Centre have reported the theft of a vital communication radio from an ambulance, urging the thief to return the equipment as it is crucial for saving lives. Yesterday, May 21, Mahesak Kanrat, a 48 year old ambulance captain from the Bangkok Medical Centre, reported the theft to Pipatpong Puempoon, a sergeant major investigating the…
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Mysterious woman drugs man, steals US$600k in one-night stand
A luxury condominium in Miami, USA, became the scene of a daring theft after an unsuspecting man allegedly woke up to find his possessions worth over US$600,000 (20 million baht) stolen. The suspect, a woman who is currently being hunted by the Miami Police Department, is accused of drugging the 35 year old victim she met at a club before…
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3 illegal Cambodian monks found living in Samut Prakan forest
Authorities in Samut Prakan province recently apprehended three Cambodian nationals dressed in monk-like attire, living in a makeshift shelter in a forest near a local market. The raid took place on May 21, led by Pol Lt Col. Phakphumpiphat Sajjaphan, Chief of the Immigration Police, and Pol Lt Col Waritsiri Lelasiri, Head of Subdivision 3. The operation aimed to investigate…
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Russia pulled deeper into costly battle for Bakhmut as Kyiv readies offensive
As the battle for the frontline city of Bakhmut continues, Moscow finds itself being drawn deeper into an increasingly costly conflict, while experts suggest that Kyiv is preparing for a major offensive. Despite Russia’s claims of having taken control of the city, which Ukraine denied, the capture of Bakhmut does not offer a significant strategic advantage in terms of launching…
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Scorsese’s ‘Killers of the Flower Moon’ skips Cannes competition
Renowned filmmaker Martin Scorsese, 80, revealed that he chose not to enter his latest film, “Killers of the Flower Moon,” into the main competition at the Cannes Film Festival, stating that it was “time for others” to take the spotlight. The movie, which stars Leonardo DiCaprio and Robert De Niro, received rave reviews from critics and is based on the…
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