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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Suvarnabhumi Airport sorry after train breakdown causes 30-minute delay
Suvarnabhumi International Airport in Bangkok issued an apology following a breakdown of the automated people mover (APM) train today, February 23, resulting in passengers being stranded in the underground train station and a 30-minute delay. The driverless APM train operates between the new concourse, Satellite 1 (SAT1), and the main passenger terminal. Today marked the first malfunction since the concourse…
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Thailand captivated by lottery craze as March 1 draw nears (video)
Lottery fever grips Thailand once again as hopefuls seek winning numbers for the March 1 lottery draw. Enthusiasts tirelessly hunt for their lucky numbers, drawing inspiration from various sources including celebrities, social media influencers, and even the Chinese calendar, which remains a popular method for selecting potential winning combinations. On March 1, the anticipation for the Thai Government Lottery draw…
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Man falls from Khu Khot BTS station platform, community shocked
A tragic incident occurred today at Khu Khot Skytrain station when a Taiwanese man fell from the platform onto the street below, causing shock among the local community and prompting authorities to review CCTV footage to determine the cause of the event. Residents and taxi drivers waiting for passengers near Khu Khot Skytrain station were left in a state of…
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Disturbing hygiene at Bangkok chicken rice restaurant exposed (video)
A video showing the questionable hygiene practices of a famous chicken rice restaurant on Banthat Thong Road was shared by a customer. The video, which quickly went viral on social media, exposed the staff’s method of cleaning glasses and straws used by patrons by dipping them into a bucket of water before arranging them on a shelf for new customers…
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Thai music venue bans Klear hit song that caused tissue mayhem (video)
A local music venue implemented an unusual policy by banning the performance of the hit song Pha Chet Nha (Handkerchief) by Thai band Klear as the venue’s tissues have been used excessively. Klear bassist Kee Kiyapat shared the surprising rule on social media, tagging Bo Suratnawee of Triumphs Kingdom, which sparked a humorous online debate about fairness and practicality in…
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Thai Airways records recovery with US$782 million profit in 2023
Thai Airways International Public Company Limited witnessed a significant rebound in its earnings following an increase in air travel demand. The airline reported a net profit of 28.1 billion baht (US$782 million) in 2023, a substantial recovery from the 272-million-baht loss experienced in the previous year. This is the second-highest annual net income recorded by the company, surpassed only by…
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Tour bus ferrying Malaysian tourists crashes in West Thailand
A tour bus veered off course, leaving a trail of injuries among Malaysian tourists and locals in Bo Phloi district, Kanchanaburi. The calamity struck between kilometre markers 14 and 15 on the Bo Phloi-Lat Ya Road, drawing a swift response from authorities yesterday afternoon. First responders, including police and medical teams, rushed to the scene following the distress call around…
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Thai transwoman arrested for trying to swindle monk
Police arrested a Thai transwoman for offering a sex service and trying to swindle 20,000 baht from a monk at the Dong Sam Muen Monastery in the northern province of Lamphun. The 33 year old monk, Phra Kru Winai Dhammawat, collaborated with officers from Ban Hong Police Station to setup the 23 year old transwoman, Charnnarong, leading to her arrest…
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Phuket’s traffic crisis: over 500,000 vehicles clog the island’s roads
The Thai holiday resort of Phuket is grappling with a serious traffic problem. Senate Transportation Commission Chairman, General Yodyut Bunyathikarn, was informed on his recent visit to the island that over half a million vehicles are congesting the roads. Gen. Yodyut’s two-day visit aimed to understand the issues and challenges in implementing transportation and infrastructure projects in Phuket. During a meeting at…
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Pattaya hotel left stunned as guest snatches speaker
A Pattaya hotel manager unveiled some CCTV footage capturing a guest allegedly pilfering a speaker before making a swift getaway last Thursday, February 15. The unnamed guest, who checked in for a two-night stay on February 14, seemingly orchestrated the criminal act alongside two Thai companions. Under the cloak of darkness, they brazenly attempted to swipe a speaker positioned near…
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Pizza company projects 15% sales growth despite food delivery downturn
Despite a challenging economic environment and a downturn in the food delivery sector, The Pizza Company remains optimistic about its growth prospects, projecting a 15% increase in sales this year. This confidence stems from its 20-minute delivery guarantee and strategic initiatives aimed at attracting younger customers. The company, a subsidiary of Minor Food, continues to focus on providing a value-for-money…
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Riot fallout: 18 ex-inmates face death sentence in Thailand prison riot
Thong Pha Phum Provincial Court in the central province of Kanchanaburi sentenced 18 former Thai inmates to death following the death of two people and six injuries in a riot in the Thong Phra Phum Prison nine years ago. The death penalty was given to 18 of the 26 inmates involved in the riot that occurred on February 22, 2015.…
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Royal Forest Department investigates land appropriation
The Royal Forest Department launched a probe into allegations of land encroachment within the Pang Asok woodlot. The claim comes from Chaiwat Limlikhitaksorn, head of the Office of National Parks, who stumbled upon a disturbing sight: a backhoe and tractor clearing swathes of land purportedly for personal gain. Chaiwat asserts that approximately 64 hectares stand despoiled, with a suspicious Sor Por…
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Last member of Bangkok motorcycle theft gang nabbed by police
The arrest of a 21 year old woman, identified only by her nickname Khem, has made headlines as she was apprehended for her involvement in a motorcycle theft gang. The capture took place at a residence in the district of Krathum Baen, Samut Sakhon province, after an extensive investigation led by the authorities. The operation was initiated under the direction…
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Princess Sirindhorn’s stunning photography exhibition at BACC
The Bangkok Art and Cultural Centre currently holds an exhibition by Thailand’s royal photographer, HRH Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn. Those familiar with the photographs taken by the late King Rama IX will recognise the shared passion for photography and the arts of the princess and her late father. The Thai public has grown accustomed to seeing at least one camera…
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Thai foundation advocates green switch for Makha Bucha day
The Tree Planting Foundation is advocating for Thais tomorrow to make a green switch from the traditional practice of burning candles and incense sticks during the imminent Makha Bucha day candle processions. The campaign is aimed at fostering environmentally friendly merit-making customs that contribute to the expansion of green spaces in Thailand. Tawatchai Tositrakul, leading the Tree Planting Foundation, voiced…
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Thai wildfires rage across 10 provinces in northern Thailand
An apocalyptic blaze threatens to engulf vast swathes of the northern Thai landscape, with an estimated 1 million rai (equivalent to 160,000 hectares) poised to succumb to wildfires between February 19 and 25, as revealed by the Geo-Informatics and Space Technology Development Agency (GISTDA). The inferno’s ominous reach spans 10 provinces including Tak, Lampang, Chiang Mai, Phetchabun, Nakhon Sawan, Mae…
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Thai and US navies kickstart mission to salvage sunken HTMS Sukhothai
A joint military exercise between the Thai and US navies initiated a challenging mission yesterday, involving a squad of 49 divers to salvage the sunken HTMS Sukhothai over 19 days. The operation is part of the Cobra Gold military exercise hosted in Prachuap Khiri Khan. Admiral Adoong Pan-iam, the Royal Thai Navy (RTN) commander-in-chief, visited the mission base, the US…
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Oxygen treatment makes Thai wastewater clean
In a move to tackle Thailand’s wastewater crisis, a pioneering oxygen treatment method promises to transform foul-smelling waters into pristine streams, all while slashing carbon emissions. In the heart of Thailand’s bustling capital, Bangkok, a silent revolution is underway. Piyabut Charuphen, the managing director of BIG, a trailblazer in industrial gas technology, unveils the Generating A Cleaner Future initiative. This…
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Thailand boosts welfare benefits for elderly, infants, and disabled
Thailand’s Ministry of Social Development and Human Security has taken a momentous step forward to enhance welfare benefits for the elderly, infants, and individuals with disabilities. The sub-committee under the ministry assented to this significant development. According to Varawut Silpa-archa, Minister of Social Development and Human Security, the proposed scheme would offer a flat rate welfare payment of 1,000 baht…
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Delivery rider helps himself to water dispenser in Thai restaurant
A delivery rider sparked an outcry on social media after being captured filling his cup with water from a restaurant’s dispenser without permission. The incident, which quickly became a hot topic online, began when an individual posted an image and message on the LINE Man Rider Thailand Facebook group. The post highlighted a delivery rider who was seen filling up…
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Thailand’s summer sun takes the heat up a notch: Temperatures set to sizzle at 45°c
The summer sun has begun its sizzling reign over Thailand, officially declared by the Meteorological Department of Thailand (TMD), with temperatures set to soar to a scorching 45°C on some days. Daily averages are predicted to hover around a balmy 36°C. This surge in heat is credited to the blazing rays of sunshine blanketing the nation’s northern reaches, then whisked…
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Serial rapist remains at large after assaulting boys in Rayong
Residents in the eastern province of Rayong condemned police for failing to arrest a serial rapist who repeatedly assaulted more than 10 boys in the province for years. Social media influencer Guntouch “Gun” Pongpaiboonwet, yesterday, February 22, accompanied two Thai boys, aged 11 and 14 years old, to Mueang Rayong Police Station to file a complaint against the rapist named…
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South Korean man arrested by Thai police for fraud
Chon Buri Immigration Bureau arrested a notorious South Korean fugitive for fraud and a call centre syndicate on Wednesday. Acting swiftly on intelligence shared by foreign counterparts, immigration officers seized 51 year old Oh Suk Yeon in Pattaya for orchestrating a call centre fraud ring that preyed on unsuspecting victims back in South Korea. According to Chon Buri Immigration, this…
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Khon Kaen Zoo celebrates first successful black swan breeding
Khon Kaen Zoo proudly announced the successful breeding of black swans, marking a first in the zoo’s history. The arrival of three cygnets, hatched in early February, comes as a delightful surprise to zoo officials and animal lovers alike. Thipawadee Kittikhun, the acting director-general at the zoo, revealed that three eggs were laid by a seven year old swan in…
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Thai police chief denies involvement in online gambling scandal
Police General Surachate “Big Joke” Hakparn, Deputy National Police Chief, yesterday refuted allegations of his involvement with online gambling networks. Despite the rumours that have been swirling since early this week, Big Joke clarified that no formal charges have been brought against him following the widely publicised house search conducted last year. Furthermore, he noted that only eight individuals, some…
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Calls for government subsidy on all Bangkok public transport
A call for government subsidisation of all public transportation in Bangkok was made at a forum aiming to alleviate the city’s commuting issues. The event, attended by approximately 100 individuals including locals, was a collaboration between the House Committee on Consumer Protection, the Thailand Consumers Council and the Foundation for Consumers. The agenda was to gather consumer perspectives on the…
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Thailand’s ex-PM Thaksin paroled raising legal questions
Convicted former Prime Minister of Thailand Thaksin Shinawatra has been granted parole in compliance with legal criteria, according to Police Colonel Tawee Sodsong, the Justice Minister. This comes following Thaskin’s return to Thailand last year, during which he did not serve any jail time. This development sparked questions from Nattacha Boonchaiinsawat, a Bangkok MP for the Move Forward Party (MFP),…
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PDMO to sell 100 billion baht savings bonds for budget deficit funding
The Public Debt Management Office (PDMO) announced plans to sell 100 billion baht (US$2.78 billion) worth of savings bonds within the fiscal year to finance the budget deficit. The initial issue, valued at 40 billion baht (US$1.1 billion), will be offered next month, according to the director-general of the PDMO, Patchara Anuntasilpa. The first tranche of savings bonds for the…
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SET proposes market cap rise for short selling, higher fines for violations
The Stock Exchange of Thailand (SET) proposed a rise in the stock market capitalisation requirement for securities eligible for short selling, along with a threefold increase in fines for rule violations. This move forms part of the SET’s strategy to enhance market supervision and bolster investor confidence. These changes, which are subject to a public hearing, propose to raise the…
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