News
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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Bangkok sinking: City could be underwater by 2030
Bangkok, already notorious for choking traffic and fierce floods, is now staring down an even grimmer fate—sinking beneath the sea within the next decade if climate change and unchecked development continue unabated. Recent studies have singled out Bangkok alongside Jakarta as two of Southeast Asia’s fastest-sinking cities. According to The Guardian, Bangkok is subsiding by over one centimetre a year…
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Thailand commits 1,200 scholarships to boost educational equity
Deputy Education Minister Rinthipond Varinvatchararoj has reinforced the government’s dedication to the Outstanding Development Opportunity Scholarship (ODOS) by announcing the allocation of 1,200 scholarships in the programme’s third phase. At a briefing focused on school registration for ODOS, Rinthipond underscored the ongoing emphasis on educational investment under the leadership of suspended Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra. She stressed the significance of…
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Thailand shelves tourist tax plan over fears of deterring visitors
Thailand’s controversial 300-baht entry fee for foreign tourists has been kicked down the road yet again, with officials admitting that sluggish demand and global uncertainty make this the wrong moment to squeeze travellers’ wallets. The Ministry of Tourism and Sports has announced that the long-discussed Travel Fee—dubbed the Kha Yeap Pan Din, meaning “stepping onto Thai soil”—will not be enforced…
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Thai delivery rider sued for sharing client’s image leading to cyberbullying
A Thai woman is taking legal action against a parcel delivery rider after he secretly took her photograph and shared it on social media, leading to cyberbullying and body shaming. The victim, known as Mint, is seeking justice after receiving offensive comments from strangers, despite having no prior conflict with them. She shared the incident on her Facebook account, writing……
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Cambodia accused of claiming Thailand’s royal literary treasures
A storm is brewing between Thailand and Cambodia after claims emerged online that 22 classic Thai literary works have been quietly registered as Cambodian cultural heritage with UNESCO, sparking outrage over what critics are calling a brazen cultural grab. Social media erupted this week when reports circulated alleging that Cambodia had listed dozens of Thai literary masterpieces—many composed by Thai…
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Thai-Cambodian border closure disrupts trade, boosts Vietnamese imports
The closure of permanent border checkpoints at Ban Hat Lek and temporary border points in Trat province and other areas along the Thai-Cambodian border has led to significant disruptions for traders. Both in the Koh Kong province of Cambodia and at the Ban Hat Lek border market, businesses have been affected. As a result, Cambodian traders are increasingly sourcing goods…
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Butts out: Beach smoke ban sparks flaming row in Pattaya
A fresh crackdown on smoking at Pattaya’s beaches sparked a fiery debate among expats and long-term tourists, who say the ban is little more than a cosmetic fix masking deeper problems. Pattaya’s new smoking ban, which threatens offenders with a 5,000 baht fine for lighting up on the sand or nearby footpaths, was billed as a bold step to clean…
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Mother seeks justice after toddler injured under friend’s care
An 18 year old woman filed a complaint with Lak Song Police Station after her two year and 10 month old son sustained severe injuries while being cared for by a close friend. The incident, which occurred yesterday, July 14, at Mit Pracha Hospital, has left the child with bruises and swollen eyes. The boy’s mother, A, explained that she…
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Thai nationals caught entering illegally at Rong Kluea Market
Three Thai nationals were apprehended after climbing over a wall behind Rong Kluea Market to enter Thailand illegally. Two of the people confessed to working at an online gambling site in Poipet, while the third operated a restaurant. Colonel Chainarong Kasi, commander of the Special Task Force Aranyaprathet under the Burapha Forces, today, July 15, directed Ranger Company 1201 to…
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Sticker shock: Thai food prices soar 106% as wages lag behind
Eating out in Bangkok is becoming a luxury few can afford, with research revealing Thai food prices have more than doubled in just over a decade, while wages have barely kept pace. A new study by the Agency for Real Estate Affairs (AREA) has revealed that the cost of food in Thailand has skyrocketed by 106.5% over the past 13…
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Thai temples ordered to limit cash holdings amid monk scandal
Following a romantic scandal involving monks, the Sangha Supreme Council issued a regulation requiring every temple across Thailand to hold no more than 100,000 baht in cash. The regulation is expected to come into effect on October 1. The scandal, which involves a Thai woman named Golf and several respected monks, captured widespread public attention. In addition to focusing on…
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Ant-agonising: Korea Michelin eatery in a stew over Thai insects
It was hailed as a fine-dining thrill, but a two-star Michelin restaurant in Seoul is now in hot water after its trendy sorbet—topped with ants imported from Thailand and the United States—triggered a food safety scandal. South Korea’s Ministry of Food and Drug Safety has referred the owner of the high-end restaurant in Gangnam district to prosecutors for allegedly violating…
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Nakhon Ratchasima temple’s ‘miracle Buddha’ sparks lottery frenzy
A centuries-old Buddha statue in Nakhon Ratchasima is fuelling a frenzy among lottery devotees, who swear its blessings have turned them into instant millionaires—seven draws in a row. Wat Muen Wai, an ancient temple tucked away in Muen Wai subdistrict, Mueang district, has become a magnet for hopeful devotees and lottery fans alike. The star attraction is Luang Pho Thong,…
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Japanese tourist faces legal action for train vandalism in Bangkok
The State Railway of Thailand (SRT) has taken legal action against a Japanese tourist accused of spray-painting a train and its carriages near a railway bridge on Kanchanaphisek Road, Bangkok. The incident occurred on Sunday, July 13, and resulted in property damage and train delays. According to Weeras Amrapal, the SRT Governor, the foreign tourist used spray paint on the…
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Patong Tunnel project advances with 16.76 billion baht budget
The Kathu-Patong expressway project, commonly referred to as the Patong Tunnel project, is advancing with a budget of 16.76 billion baht. Land expropriation has been completed and the Patong Municipality, appointed by the Expressway Authority of Thailand (EXAT), has started land clearing, expected to be completed by September 7. Weerawit Kreuasombat, President of the Patong Municipality Council, confirmed that all…
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Tweetment needed: Woman hurt as birds smash window, roof caves in
The roof of a rented house in the central province of Suphan Buri collapsed after two birds struck a second-floor window, injuring a Thai woman. The 40 year old woman, Duangkamon, sustained injuries to her left leg, knee, shoulder, and back. She showed a long laceration on her back to Channel 3, explaining that a falling roof tile caused the…
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6-time Thai lottery winner from Loei seeks luck in Ayutthaya
The hermitage of Rishi Naen That Phutthakun in Pho Taeng subdistrict, Bang Sai district, Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya province, teemed with worshippers and lottery enthusiasts yesterday, eager to boost their luck ahead of tomorrow’s draw. Hundreds of visitors flocked to pay respects and ask for blessings from revered figures believed to hold supernatural power. Among the most popular were the…
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Gother’s travel takeover: Thai platform rockets 300% in 7 months
Thailand’s newest travel sensation is taking off at lightning speed. In just seven months, Gother has exploded with 300% business growth, setting its sights on becoming the country’s ultimate travel booking powerhouse. Gother, the rising star of Thailand’s travel tech scene, is making waves with astonishing momentum since its launch in early 2024. Operated by Search Engine Optimisation Co., Ltd.,…
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Style, strikes, and stardom: honouring Adesanya on his special day
There aren’t many MMA fighters that connected different generations like Israel Adesanya did. He came in flashy just like an anime character would, and made his character stand out from the moment he was signed by UFC. It takes something special in terms of MMA proficiency to be nicknamed The Last Stylebender. In a few days, Israel is going to…
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Rare wildlife captured in Kaeng Krachan National Park
Kaeng Krachan National Park shared captivating images and videos of rare and endangered wildlife captured by strategically placed cameras and park staff surveys. The visuals, yesterday, July 14, highlight the park’s biodiversity, showcasing various wildlife, including some on the brink of extinction. Among the endangered species spotted were the clouded leopard mother and cub, seen foraging at night, and the…
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Thai shops face jail over illegal cannabis sweets
Cannabis-laced jelly treats could soon land shop owners behind bars, as Thailand’s government launches a sweeping crackdown to stop potent THC sweets from reaching children’s hands. The government has vowed to intensify its inspection of sweets and drinks containing cannabis extracts, warning that anyone caught selling over-strength products or failing to label them properly could face stiff fines and prison…
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Grid-lock and loaded: Phuket officials vow fix for ‘Kaew’ chaos
Phuket officials have finally drawn up a game plan to tackle the chronic congestion plaguing the Koh Kaew Intersection, a notorious choke point that’s long tested the patience of school-run parents and frazzled commuters. The bold new measures were hammered out at a meeting yesterday, July 14 at Phuket City Police Station, chaired by Police Colonel Chatree Chueakaew, chief of…
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Punters spin web of hope at Ang Thong temple tarantula tip-off
Villagers and lottery enthusiasts flocked to Bot Ratsattha temple in Bang Rakam, Pho Thong district, Ang Thong province yesterday evening, hoping to glean a lucky tip from the temple’s resident tarantula. Armed with flower trays, incense sticks, candles, and three sets of numbered papers marked from one to 10, dozens gathered behind the temple to conduct a ritual steeped in…
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Kuwaiti biker’s wipeout sparks heated rescue drama in Pattaya
A Kuwaiti biker’s motorbike crash turned into late-night chaos in Pattaya after a gang of overzealous friends swarmed an ambulance, sparking a heated rescue drama. The crash happened just after midnight today, July 15, in Soi VC, South Pattaya. Emergency responders from the Sawang Boriboon Thammasathan Rescue Unit were dispatched at 12.06am after reports of a single-vehicle accident. On arrival,…
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Fiscal 2025 revenue set to miss target amid economic slowdown
Revenue collection for the government’s fiscal year 2025 is anticipated to fall short of its target due to an economic slowdown, according to Finance Permanent Secretary Lavaron Sangsnit. From October 2024 to May 2025, net revenue amounted to 1.7 trillion baht, which is 12.7 billion baht, or 0.7%, below the target, though it is 1.7% higher compared to the same…
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Bangkok BTS policy under question after armed police denied entry
Thai police officers raised concerns over safety measures on Bangkok’s BTS Skytrain system after being barred from carrying firearms while using the service. According to Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) regulations, passengers are prohibited from bringing any weapons onto the Bangkok Mass Transit System (BTS), except for government officials legally authorised to do so. The BTS website reiterates this rule under…
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Pheu Thai hits back: Thaksin no puppet master, just an adviser
The Pheu Thai Party firmly rejected accusations that Thaksin Shinawatra is exerting improper influence over the government, branding the claims as baseless and politically driven. Wisut Chainarun, a Pheu Thai list-MP and chief government whip, defended the former prime minister’s involvement, stressing that seeking his counsel does not amount to taking orders. “Thaksin is a knowledgeable and capable individual who…
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Security guard arrested for stealing 2,000 baht from student’s bike
A security guard at a prominent shopping centre in Khon Kaen was arrested after stealing 2,000 baht from a university student’s motorcycle storage compartment. The incident occurred on Sunday, July 13 at 5.30pm, when a student accidentally left her wallet behind. CCTV footage captured the security guard, identified as 32 year old Kasidit “Mark” Klongyut, while patrolling the motorcycle parking…
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Two longtail boats collide on Prachin Buri River, one missing
A collision between two longtail boats on the Prachin Buri River resulted in one person missing and another slightly injured. The incident occurred today, July 15, at a river bend near the bridge in front of Wat Wang Bua Thong, Mueang Haad Nang Kaew, Kabin Buri district, Prachin Buri province. The missing person, identified as 50 year old Yothin Sarai,…
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Thailand Video News | Naked American pulled from Bangkok drainpipe after bizarre standoff with rescuers, ex-U.S. soldier arrested after violent episode in Pattaya
In Phuket, a Thai man pleads for the return of his beloved cat caught on CCTV being taken by foreigners. Meanwhile, an ex-U.S. soldier is arrested in Pattaya after a violent outburst, and Bangkok launches major safety reforms on Sukhumvit Road. As Thailand strengthens its stance on online safety and heritage recognition, regional tensions rise with Cambodia’s announcement of a…
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