Thailand News
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Sponsored 5 ways retirees in Thailand lose money (and how to stop it)
Retiring in Thailand can be affordable and enjoyable, but many retirees lose money due to common mistakes. High living costs, scams, and unexpected expenses can quickly drain savings. There are five ways that retirees in Thailand can lose money and...
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Thailand to reassess state welfare card criteria amid wage hike
The Finance Ministry intends to reassess the eligibility criteria for state welfare cards in light of the planned minimum wage increase. Deputy Finance Minister Julapun Amornvivat announced that the ministry will conduct a review of the criteria next year, allowing new registrations for Thais who wish to apply for state welfare cards. The review aims to determine if the current…
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Last orders: Alcohol sales dry up nationwide for Buddhist lent finale
A nationwide alcohol sales ban will be enforced for 24 hours on the day of Awk Phansa, which marks the end of Buddhist Lent. This year, it falls on Thursday, October 17. The Alcohol Control Act mandates that all establishments, except duty-free shops in international airports, comply with this ban. The prohibition period begins at midnight on Wednesday, October 16,…
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Scottish tourist in Pattaya paranoid after mixing cannabis and meds
A 55 year old Scottish tourist sparked concern at a Pattaya hotel after exhibiting erratic behaviour, believed to be linked to excessive cannabis and prescription medication use. Around 12.38pm yesterday, October 13, Pattaya police responded to a report from hotel staff regarding a foreign female guest acting irrationally at a hotel on Jomtien Beach Road. Upon arrival, officers encountered Tracy,…
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Short changed: Bolt rider stunned by unexpected 2 baht fare
A Bolt rider received a surprising fare of only 2 baht from a customer, leaving both parties bewildered. The incident occurred recently when a Facebook user shared their experience in the Facebook group Bolt Drivers Thailand. The post revealed that the fare displayed on the app was indeed 2 baht, causing the rider to feel awkward when asked about the…
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Controversy at Bang Saen Beach over ice truck intrusion
A dispute erupted at Bang Saen Beach in Chon Buri when a municipal officer ordered tourists to move for an ice delivery truck driving on the beach, claiming he was the mayor’s son. The incident sparked public outrage and led to a heated exchange. Tourists enjoying their long holiday weekend at Bang Saen Beach were interrupted by a pickup truck…
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Shocking arrest: Bangkok electrical wire thief nabbed
Police apprehended a suspect involved in cutting electrical wires, while another managed to escape. The incident occurred early today, October 14, resulting in one arrest and a positive test for illegal substances. Around 4.30am, police officers from Thonglor Police Station, led by Police Colonel Pansa Amornapitak, Deputy Superintendent Police Lieutenant Colonel Natthakit Jokkhoksung, and their team, were patrolling the area…
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Thailand issues weather warning for heavy rain in 40 provinces
Thailand’s Meteorological Department issued another serious weather warning for 40 provinces, urging residents, especially in Bangkok, its surrounding areas, the southern region, and the eastern region, to prepare for heavy rainfall affecting up to 70% of these regions. The TMD forecasts that in the next 24 hours, easterly and southeasterly winds will bring moisture from the South China Sea and…
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Mother and daughter escape machete attack by ex monk neighbour
A 52 year old mother and her daughter narrowly escaped a terrifying ordeal when a 23 year old neighbour, who was once a monk at a nearby temple, broke into their home with a machete after his romantic advances were rejected. The incident occurred yesterday evening, and the CCTV footage from the house in Makkhaeng subdistrict, Mueang district, Udon Thani…
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Van collides with truck, injuring multiple passengers in Thailand
A passenger van collided with an 18-wheel truck, causing significant damage and injuring multiple passengers. Officials are urgently assisting, suspecting the driver fell asleep. Police are investigating to uncover the truth. Early this morning, rescue services from Hook 31, Nakhon Ratchasima, were alerted to an accident involving a passenger van and an 18-wheel truck on the Mittraphap-Khon Kaen road. The…
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Aid expedited for Pathum Thani school bus blaze victims
Education officials are expediting the disbursement of financial aid to those impacted by the bus blaze tragedy in Pathum Thani, which resulted in the deaths of 20 students and three teachers earlier this month. The Office of the Basic Education Commission (OBEC) has been actively monitoring the relief efforts, according to Acting Acting Sub. Lieutenant. Thanu Wongjinda, its secretary-general. A…
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Phuket faces fire risk from unspent firecrackers after festival
Phuket City Municipality officials are addressing the fire hazard posed by unspent firecrackers at the landfill in Saphan Hin following this year’s Phuket Vegetarian Festival. Large quantities of firecracker waste were collected after daily street processions and shrine activities during the festival, according to Phuket City Deputy Mayor Suphot La-ongphet. When strips of firecrackers were ignited, not all detonated, leaving…
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Man storms dormitory, attacks with sword over estranged wife
A 19 year old man stormed a dormitory in search of his 17 year old wife and, seeing a distressing scene, grabbed a sword and attacked, injuring two people. He claimed they had been together for a long time and had a two year old child, hoping to bring her back home. At 1am yesterday, Ekachalit Seesan, Deputy Inspector at…
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Thailand braces for heavy rain and flash floods in 36 provinces
The Thai Meteorological Department (TMD) issued a severe weather warning for 36 provinces, predicting continued heavy rainfall. Bangkok and the southern regions are expected to be significantly affected, with the latter facing an 80% chance of torrential rain. Citizens should be on high alert for potential flash floods and forest runoffs. The TMD forecast for the next 24 hours highlights…
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Krabi Airport gears up for 60% surge in tourist season flights
Deputy Transport Minister Manaporn Charoensri has directed Krabi International Airport and associated agencies to prepare for a substantial rise in flights and passenger traffic during the high tourist season, particularly along the Andaman coast. According to the Department of Airports (DOA), the 2024/2025 winter flight schedule includes over 160 domestic flights, more than 60 international flights, and 90 charter flights…
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Thai defence minister mandates legal reforms to protect soldiers
Phumtham Wechayachai, the Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister, has mandated legal reforms to protect conscripts and low-ranking soldiers, emphasising stricter enforcement against superior commanders who fail to address military misconduct. Following a Defence Council meeting yesterday, October 12, Defence Ministry spokesman Major General Thanathip Sawangsaeng revealed that Phumtham outlined a new framework for the online recruitment of soldiers, focusing…
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Bangkok monorails test new systems after recent malfunctions
Operators of Bangkok’s Yellow and Pink monorail lines are actively testing redesigned guide wheel and conductor rail systems to prevent future malfunctions. This initiative follows recent incidents where a guide wheel fell from a Yellow Line train, damaging vehicles below, and a section of the Pink Line’s conductor rail fell causing similar damage. Eastern Bangkok Monorail Co (EBM) and Northern…
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Three dead in southern Thailand floods, more heavy rain expected
Three people perished in flood-related incidents in Nakhon Si Thammarat and Yala yesterday as the southern border region braces for more rain, potential flash floods, and forest runoff. Two of the victims were in Phrom Khiri district, Nakhon Si Thammarat, where three tourists were caught off guard by forest runoff while visiting Wang Lung waterfall in the late afternoon. Heavy…
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Vietnamese trio arrested on drug charges in Nonthaburi karaoke bar
Thai police apprehended three Vietnamese nationals on drug charges at a Nonthaburi karaoke bar that catered exclusively to Vietnamese patrons, according to a police statement released today. Police raided at the establishment located within Bua Thong Market 3 in tambon Bang Bua Thong at 1am yesterday, September 12. This action followed a complaint alleging that foreigners were operating a bar…
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Man arrested for abusing disabled sister and children in Chumphon
A distressing incident unfolded in Chumphon province yesterday, where a man was arrested for allegedly abusing his disabled sister and three children. The man, Chai (pseudonym), was reported to have been under the influence of drugs and alcohol at the time of the abuse. Village head Somphun Suwan received a call for help from a desperate older brother, who could…
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Thai police crack down on SIM card fraud in nationwide operation
Thai police have launched Operation Bridge Burst to crack down on shops registering SIM cards for call centre scams nationwide, seizing a large number of items in the process. Yesterday, at the Royal Thai Police (RTP) headquarters, Kittirat Phunphech, Deputy Commissioner-General of the Royal Thai Police and Director of the Technology Crime Suppression Centre (TCSC), along with Tatchai Pitaneelabut, Assistant…
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Samut Prakan factory worker injured in knife fight after drinks
A factory worker and his friends engaged in a drinking session that turned violent, resulting in one man severely injured. The altercation escalated from a verbal spat to a knife fight yesterday evening, October 11, in Bang Phli, Samut Prakan. Police responded to a reported altercation around 9pm. The incident occurred within Soi Ruamjai on Theparak Road, kilometre 19, in…
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Disabled Thai woman scammed by iCon Group scheme
Thai social activist Gun Jompalang, has pledged to assist a disabled woman who was deceived into borrowing over 300,000 baht to join a membership scheme, with the promise of helping her family. This scheme, however, left her with no sales and substantial debt. A complaint was filed against The iCon Group by victims who lost hundreds of thousands to millions…
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Road rage: Electric car and box truck crash in Thailand goes viral (video)
A road rage incident involving an Ora Goodcat electric vehicle and a box truck on a Thai road has grabbed significant attention online. TikTok user @first_thepeak shared a dramatic clip of the encounter, showing the box truck attempting to block and force the electric car off the road. The situation escalated until the truck spun out of control and came…
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Thousands of dead fish wash ashore in Patong, alarming locals
Beachgoers in Patong were met with a shocking scene yesterday, October 11, as thousands of dead fish washed ashore, prompting immediate concern among locals, tourists, and officials. Various species of fish were scattered along the beach, driven in by strong winds and waves. The sudden die-off has left officials scrambling to identify the cause of this marine disaster. Locals quickly…
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Pattaya police boost patrols ahead of Police Day celebration
Pattaya’s police force is ramping up security measures in the lead-up to the city’s Police Day celebration. The city’s police chief has directed officers to bolster patrols and target crimes to enhance safety and security. Police Colonel Navin Teerawit, Superintendent of Pattaya Police Station, presided over a monthly meeting to issue new directives and review the performance of each department.…
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Thai woman arrested on Pattaya Walking Street with loaded gun
A Thai woman was apprehended on Pattaya Walking Street for carrying a loaded firearm, claiming it was intended for self-defence against harassment. Pattaya police received a report early yesterday, October 11, at 5.06am regarding a woman with a firearm in the bustling area of South Pattaya. Upon arrival, officers discovered 39 year old Isaree who was visibly intoxicated. A thorough…
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Pheu Thai dismisses petition alleging monarchy undermining
The Pheu Thai Party dismissed the recent petition against it which accused the party of undermining Thailand’s constitutional monarchy. Pheu Thai asserted that it can address all raised concerns and emphasising that some claims lack merit. Chousak Sirinil, the party’s legal adviser, said yesterday, October 11, that the six accusations against Pheu Thai do not have sufficient grounds to be…
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Thailand and Myanmar discuss Mae Sai River illegal structures
Thai officials are set to engage in discussions with Myanmar regarding illegal structures along the Mae Sai River, aiming to address the flood crisis in Chiang Rai’s Mae Sai district, Deputy Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai announced. Severe flooding has inundated the district, leaving a thick layer of mud as waters receded, prompting these high-level talks. Phumtham, who also serves as…
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Phuket to hold ceremonies for mudslide victims next week
Phuket will collaborate with local agencies to host ritual ceremonies next week, aiming to build morale and honour those who perished in the recent mudslide tragedy. Sophon Thongsai, director of the Provincial Office of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation, stated that the event is set to commemorate the victims of the catastrophic mudslide that struck on August 23 at 5am in…
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RTAF pledges no protection for officers involved in bribery scandal
The Royal Thai Air Force (RTAF) has declared it will not shield any logistics officers implicated in bribery tied to the procurement of asphalt concrete pavers during 2019 to 2020. RTAF spokesperson Prapas Sornchaidee announced that a probe into the procurements commenced following an order by RTAF chief Panpakdee Pattanakul. This statement follows the release of a document by the…
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