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.
-
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...
-
Endangered marine species in Thailand: Governer’s plea for protection
A call to action for the protection of endangered marine species has been made by Surat Thani Governor Wichawut Jinto. The plea came in response to a recent marine survey, carried out over a nine-day period in the Gulf of Thailand, which revealed a worrying decline in the population of certain species. The endangered marine species survey, conducted by the…
-
CKP and BEM partner for Thailand’s first solar-powered mass transit rail
CK Power Plc (CKP) Bangkok Expressway and Metro Plc (BEM) have forged a partnership to bring the first solar-powered mass transit rail systems to Thailand. The collaboration aims to utilise solar energy to power the MRT Chalerm Ratchamonkol Line (MRT Blue Line) and the MRT Chalong Ratchadham Line (MRT Purple Line) which, combined, span over 71 kilometres and have 54…
-
Thai tourism faces strain from sluggish Chinese, Japanese economies
Tourism operators in Thailand are facing significant challenges due to the sluggish economies of China and Japan and an uneven recovery in Thai tourism that benefits larger operators. A recent survey by the Thai Hotels Association (THA) and the Bank of Thailand revealed that 29% of three-star or lower-rated hotels have been severely impacted by interest rate hikes and may…
-
Health scare as container fire forces evacuation at Thai port
A container fire ignited a cargo of harmful chemicals at the Laem Chabang port in the province of Chon Buri, leading to the swift evacuation of 183 employees yesterday. Six individuals required treatment for breathing difficulties. The container fire, which originated at the JWD warehouse in the Thung Sukhla district of Si Racha, resulted in a thick plume of black…
-
Miracle escape as officer survives Yala-Bangkok train collision unharmed
A collision occurred between a Yala to Bangkok express train and a pickup truck, resulting in the vehicle being seriously damaged but the driver, a corrections officer, miraculously survived unscathed. The collision involved train number 170, the rapid service from Yala to Bangkok, originating from three border provinces in the south. The train collided with a Toyota pickup truck, license…
-
United voices: Education associations list criteria for next Thai minister
Thailand’s National Association of Secondary School Administrators, along with the National Parents and Teachers Association and the Basic Education Committee of Thailand, released a joint statement outlining six desired traits for the country’s next Minister of Education and its deputy. The groups stressed that the roles require individuals with solid educational experience, capable of addressing the current challenges faced by…
-
Teenager critically injured in shocking acid attack in Buriram
A shocking acid attack has left an 18 year old girl critically injured in Buriram. The incident occurred while the victim, Natthikarn Khairum, known as Aum, was dining with her family members at a local eatery in Nang Rong district. The caustic acid resulted in skin burns for both her aunt, Wiwat Chaketram, and grandmother, Ta Bawornram, albeit less severe.…
-
Severe storms to hit Kanchanaburi: flash floods, forest runoff risks
Kanchanaburi is on high alert for severe storms, with the local authorities warning of the risk of flash floods and forest runoff in two districts. The announcement, made by acting governor, Ronnapop Wiangsima, comes after the Thai Meteorological Department issued a strong storm warning. This warning is in effect from today until September 3, affecting Thong Pha Phum and Sangkhla…
-
Fishy business busted: Thai woman nabbed selling sanctuary-seized aquatic treasures
A 49 year old woman was caught red–handed selling aquatic animals captured from a sanctuary area in Rayong province. The incident took place at around 3pm yesterday at Wat Khod Thim Tharam, in the city of Rayong. The woman, named Aun, was spotted by Suwat, a local temple boy, while she was capturing aquatic animals from the sanctuary. Despite being…
-
Thailand’s September sizzle: Festivals, art, sports, and much more
A vibrant array of festivals and events await visitors in Thailand this September. The calendar is packed with religious festivities, art and craft exhibitions, and a variety of sports events. Among these, the Tenth Lunar Month Festival, Ko Lae Boat Racing, Long-boat Racing, Cross-Region Travel Fair, and several marathons and half marathons stand out as key events, promising an exciting…
-
Bangkok woman arrested for K-pop ticket scam, accused of defrauding 7,000-8,000 baht
A 57 year old woman, known as Aunt Prayun, was arrested yesterday, for allegedly defrauding people by selling fake tickets and merchandise for popular K-pop bands. She was taken into custody from her rental home in the Phaya Thai district in Bangkok. Prayun was accused of claiming to pawn her bank account for 7,000-8,000 baht she was netting selling fraudulent…
-
Gold prices see slight lift, gold ornaments trading at 32,500 baht
Gold prices surged today as the Gold Traders Association revised rates upwards. This comparison is made to the end prices of August 28, when gold ornaments were selling at 32,500 baht per baht weight. Today, the price was revised upwards by 100 baht, compared to the closing price of August 28. The price of gold ornaments moved to 32,500 baht…
-
Unchanged fortunes: Chinese prostitute becomes online sensation for low rates
A Chinese prostitute became an online sensation after it was revealed she maintained the same low rate for the past eight years following her arrest. The woman, from Jiangsu province in China, was arrested by the police recently. The Chinese prostitute set social media on fire after the unusual story came to light on the mainland. Upon learning her reasons,…
-
Farm-to-table movement takes centre stage at PHIST 2023
The flourishing farm-to-fork movement will take centre stage at PHIST 2023 (Phuket Hotels for Islands Sustaining Tourism), as a group of leading chefs demonstrate how Michelin ratings can raise the bar for sustainability and social responsibility in Thailand. PHIST 2023, Southeast Asia’s biggest sustainability event for the travel and hospitality sectors, returns to Phuket on 4th September with an energizing full-day…
-
Smooth ride: Phuket Airport opens doors to all ride-hailing taxi services for travellers
Phuket International Airport will begin welcoming taxis from all ride–hailing applications as of Friday, September 1, according to the Phuket Info Center managed by the Phuket office of the Ministry of Interior. The policy revision has been confirmed by Kirati Kitmanawat, President of Airports of Thailand (AoT). However, the new allowance comes with specific regulations and designated zones, the details…
-
Rain reign: TMD’s fifth warning signals monsoon mayhem
The Thai Meteorological Department (TMD) issued its fifth warning due to a strong monsoon bringing heavy rain across various regions. Flash floods and forest runoffs are anticipated, especially in mountainous and low-lying areas. People are urged to be cautious, particularly in thunderstorm-prone zones. The warning comes as a robust monsoon trough is currently passing through northern, northeastern, and upper central…
-
Sand and smiles: Nearly 18 million tourists make waves in Thailand this year
With the close of this year on the horizon, Thailand’s Tourism and Sports Ministry reported that almost 18 million overseas tourists have laid a beach towel in the Land of Smiles. Thailand, which heavily leans on tourism as a significant economic pillar, is setting its sights on welcoming around 28 million visitors by the end of the year. The statistics…
-
Chinese breasts: Couple’s sexy subway ride, Idol’s nude mishap
Things are getting spicy in China. A couple was spotted getting frisky on a subway train, while a Chinese social media influencer fell out of her bikini top, baring her breasts in a live broadcast. A daring couple recently put on a public display of affection on a subway train in Shenzen, undeterred by the presence of numerous fellow passengers.…
-
Dine, dash, and deceive: Crafty customer feasts and flees without paying the bill at Pattaya eatery
A deceitful customer dined and dashed from a local Pattaya restaurant without paying after ordering an abundance of food and three bottles of beer. The man left behind a mobile phone and cigarette, claiming he needed to pick up a friend. It was later revealed that the phone was a decoy, and the same individual had previously impersonated an assistant…
-
Postal truck crash injures seven and causes traffic chaos
A postal truck en route to deliver parcels crashed into five vehicles in the Bangkok Metropolitan Region province of Pathum Thani, injuring seven. The incident occurred today at 7am. Officer Jesada Sornmuang, an investigator at Khu Khot Police Station, was notified of the multi-vehicle collision on Phaholyothin Road near the Si-Rangsit underpass in Kukot subdistrict, Lam Luk Ka district. The…
-
Shaken, not stirred: Thai elephant Play Pepsi survives brutal training with no serious injuries
A Thai elephant named Play Pepsi, which was recently subjected to brutal training methods is not seriously injured said examining veterinarians. The owner, who paid 1.5 million baht for the elephant, is willing to sell it to the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation for a fair price. The case came to light when the Watchdog Thailand Foundation…
-
Teen love triangle leads to shooting, father seriously injured
A midnight teen brawl over a girl ended up in a violent shooting, leaving one seriously injured in Bang Khonthi district in Samut Songkhram province. Officers from Bang Khonthi Police Station were alerted to the incident, which took place at around 10.30pm yesterday. The violence unfolded near the popular local eatery, Pad Thai Jee Tan. At the scene, authorities found…
-
Human trafficking: Thai “masseuses” escaped from Maldives
A woman was arrested at Don Mueang airport on charges of human trafficking and exploiting two Thai women by promising them high-paying massage jobs in the Maldives. The women, however, were forced into prostitution upon arrival. The arrest took place yesterday, followed by a complaint by the victims who managed to escape and seek help from the Thai embassy in…
-
Thai NHSO considers expanding 30-baht healthcare to include cancer treatments
The Thai National Health Security Office (NHSO) is contemplating an expansion of its benefits under the 30-baht healthcare universal package, known as the “gold card” scheme. The addition could include cancer treatment and free screenings for non-cardholders. Jadet Thammathat-Aree, secretary-general of the NHSO, made the announcement recently for the proposed expansion to include cancer treatment and screening. In the pursuit…
-
Brutal murder: Jealous rage suspected as motive behind sword attack
A horrifying incident unfolded in the Bangkok Metropolitan Region as a man armed with a sword invaded a home and committed a brutal murder. Law enforcement is now actively reviewing CCTV footage and questioning witnesses to piece together the shocking sequence of events. The incident took place around 5pm on August 28, in a single-storey house near HCK Trading and…
-
Lottery frenzy: Seekers decode signs from pythons to prayers for winning numbers
Lottery enthusiasts are eagerly deciphering potential winning numbers from various events and rumours for the latest draw on Friday, September 1. Townsfolk have been seen praying and performing rituals by a Bodhi tree, hoping to get lucky numbers. An unexpected appearance of a python in a garage and the registration number of a car has also been interpreted as potential…
-
Thailand’s Q2 economic recovery slows, full-year 2023 growth forecast revised
Thailand’s second quarter of 2023 saw a slowdown in economic recovery, with GDP growth falling from 2.6% year-on-year in the first quarter to 1.8%, as reported by the National Economic and Social Development Council on August 21. The figures fell significantly short of consensus estimates of 3.1% and growth projections of 2.9%. The economy’s quarter-on-quarter growth was a mere 0.2%,…
-
Love turns lethal: Intoxicated man’s jealous rage ends in tragic murder of girlfriend
A tragic incident unfolded in the early hours of this morning when a Thai man, intoxicated and under the influence of drugs, murdered his girlfriend in a fit of jealous rage. The fatal event transpired at approximately 3.45am today, in a residential house located in the Bang Kho Laem district of Bangkok. The victim, a 24 year old woman named Minthira…
-
What a bummer: Chinese couple’s fertility woes due to unconventional lovemaking, doctor reveals
A Chinese couple who had been married for four years were puzzled as to why they were unable to conceive until a doctor told them they were having sex the wrong way. The couple, from Bijie City in the southwestern province of Guizhou, are both in their early twenties and reportedly in good health. The revelation by a doctor that…
-
Elderly man caught stealing from Nonthaburi temple sparks online debate
A dramatic video has emerged, showing an elderly man surreptitiously stealing money from a temple donation tree. The clip, shared by a Facebook user, has sparked a fierce debate among netizens, with some sympathising with the thief, suggesting his actions were driven by necessity. However, others condemned the act as a violation of religious sanctity, regardless of the amount stolen.…
Don't forget to check out some other things to do in Thailand - get help starting a business or finding a job in Thailand, buy Thailand property, rent a yacht or book a medical procedure worldwide.