Thailand News
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Sponsored Why retirees in Thailand are choosing long-term health insurance over quick fixes
Retirees in Thailand are increasingly seeing the importance of health insurance in protecting their well-being during retirement. With insurance requirements for retirement visas and rising healthcare costs, many are moving away from short-term plans and choosing long-term coverage. Long-term health...
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Thai car sales plunge; luxury market hit amid economic woes
Mercedes-Benz (Thailand) reports a significant decrease in domestic car sales, affecting even the typically robust premium car sector. The struggling Thai economy and banks’ stricter auto lending policies due to high household debt, are impacting car manufacturers across all sectors. This includes the luxury market, which generally leverages higher purchasing power. “The automotive industry has been hard hit by this…
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Chinese tourist missing in Thailand, 25 million baht ransom
A Chinese tourist has gone missing while holidaying in Thailand, with her father receiving a ransom demand of 25 million baht for her release. Police at Phra Khanong Police Station were alerted by a Thai-Chinese interpreter named Moo, who works with the national cycling team coach, about the missing Chinese woman, 27 year old Xinlei Lu. Lu, who arrived in…
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3,900 Thai community radio stations to cease under new digital scheme
Approximately 3,900 community radio stations will be forced to cease broadcasting after this year due to the transition from analogue to a licensing regime and a digital audio broadcasting (DAB) scheme. The National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC) has been working on the digital radio regulatory framework, aiming to implement it by September. This significant change is set to happen…
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Six arrested for stealing electrical wires in Samut Prakan
A group of six individuals involved in cutting and stealing electrical wires in front of a police flat in Samut Prakan has been apprehended. This incident caused power outages and affected the residents. Police managed to track down and arrest the suspects after multiple thefts. At the Bang Phli Police Station in Samut Prakan yesterday, Police Colonel Pairoj Phetploy, along…
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Foreigners can now own land in Thailand: Land Dept
Thailand updates criteria for foreign land ownership: heirs can inherit land, investors need 40 million baht, writes The Nation. Foreign land ownership in Thailand is a complex issue, primarily dictated by the Land Code Act of 1954, which generally prohibits foreigners from owning land outright. This law is designed to maintain national control over Thailand’s valuable natural resources. There are,…
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Decline in family income threatens Thai children’s education
The average monthly income of Thailand’s very poor families has plummeted, placing children’s education in jeopardy. According to the Equitable Education Fund (EEF), these families’ earnings dropped to a mere 1,039 baht per month in 2023, down from 1,077 baht in 2020. This translates to a daily income of just 34 baht—far below the World Bank’s poverty line of 80…
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70% of Thais support methamphetamine threshold for legal action
Thailand’s Public Health Ministry revealed that 70% of Thai citizens agree with the regulation of having a minimum threshold of one methamphetamine pill for legal proceedings, while 30% prefer zero tolerance. The Ministry insists the threshold is necessary for effective law enforcement. Public Health Minister Somsak Thepsuthin chaired the opening ceremony of the new Thai Traditional and Alternative Medicine Centre…
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Sugar substitute Xylitol linked to increased heart attack and stroke risk
A new study by researchers at the Cleveland Clinic has revealed a significant association between the widely-used sugar substitute xylitol and an increased risk of cardiovascular events, including heart attacks and strokes. This surprising finding, detailed in the European Heart Journal, raises important questions about the safety of sugar alcohols commonly found in a variety of chewing gums, food and…
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Vietnamese fugitive drug kingpin nabbed in Bangkok
One of Vietnam’s most wanted drug suspects has been captured in Bangkok after a year on the run. Vietnamese fugitive Nguyen Tuan Thanh was arrested at a luxurious condominium in Bangkok’s Watthana district, Police Lieutenant General Panurat Lakboon, Secretary-General of the Office of the Narcotics Control Board (ONCB), announced today. The capture was orchestrated following a tip-off from Vietnam’s Counter-Narcotics…
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Silent but deadly: Thai woman nabbed for using mute couriers in drug ring
Police arrested a Thai woman with impaired hearing in Bangkok for using mute people as drug couriers, believing they would be unable to identify her or other dealers if caught. Officers from the Investigation Division of the Metropolitan Bureau (IDMB) and Makkasan Police Station arrested the 53 year old woman, Prayoon, with impaired hearing, for drug trafficking conspiracy at her…
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Cyber police nab key administrator of major gambling site in Thailand
Cyber police apprehended the key administrator of a major gambling site, slotking77, which had a financial turnover exceeding 180 million baht. The arrest occurred after the individual absconded following a bail release at the prosecutor level today. Phumipat Phattharasriwongchai, Commander of the Cyber Crime Investigation Bureau 5, along with Ukrit Srinitivorawong, Chief of News Analysis and Special Tools Division, led…
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Search continues for missing Thai man at Srinakarin Dam
The search for a 41 year old Thai man continues 20 days after he went missing during a trip to the Srinakarin Dam. The former university lecturer was last seen on May 19 during a gathering with 30 friends. Despite extensive efforts from authorities and local villagers, there has been no sign of him. At 1.30pm today, Jaturapuch aka Toey’s…
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Thailand intensifies bird flu and anthrax monitoring
The Thai Ministry of Public Health (MOPH) and the Department of Livestock Development are gearing up to tackle potential outbreaks of bird flu and anthrax following reports of cases abroad. Four measures have been implemented to monitor these diseases in humans. Thongchai Keeratihatthayakorn, Director-General of the Department of Disease Control under MOPH, stated that there have been three cases of…
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Election bombshell: Call for senator vote delay amid legal storm
Former election commissioner Somchai Srisutthiyakorn urged the Election Commission (EC) to halt the district-level selection of senators slated for this Sunday. Somchai insists it’s “better to be late than to rush ahead” before the Constitutional Court’s impending ruling. The Constitutional Court has accepted two petitions challenging the constitutionality of three provisions in the election law, and a decision date has…
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Flooding in Nakhon Ratchasima boosts income with tadpole sales
Heavy rainfall in Nakhon Ratchasima has led to flooding in several areas, prompting locals to catch tadpoles in rice fields. These tadpoles are used in traditional dishes, reducing household expenses and generating additional income as they sell for 300 baht per kilogramme. Recent reports indicate that various parts of Nakhon Ratchasima province have experienced rainfall, which has moistened the soil…
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Company in Pak Chong under investigation for waste dumping
The Thai authorities have launched an investigation into a company in Pak Chong for waste dumping into the soil, resulting in a strong chemical odour, officials are urgently collecting groundwater samples for lab analysis. The incident came to light when images were shared, showing the private company in Klang Dong, Pak Chong District, Nakhon Ratchasima, seemingly dumping waste directly into…
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TMD issues weather warning for 39 provinces, rain in Bangkok
The Meteorological Department of Thailand (TMD) issued a weather warning for 39 provinces, particularly in the northern and northeastern regions, predicting heavy rainfall in some areas. Bangkok is expected to experience rain in 30% of its area. The TMD forecasts the weather for the next 24 hours, noting that a monsoon trough is passing through the upper part of the…
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Srettha joins meeting at Thaksin’s mansion for Thai goverment talk
Former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra is set to host a critical meeting at his lavish Chan Song La Mansion in Bangkok’s Bang Phlat district today. The gathering, featuring political heavyweights and key family members, promises to tackle pressing issues that could reshape the Thai political landscape. The high-stakes meeting will see the attendance of the Shinawatra clan and Potjaman Na…
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Police arrest foreigner for selling narcotic-laced e-cigarettes
Police arrested a foreign national for selling e-cigarettes laced with Category 1 and 2 narcotics, seizing the contraband and charging the individual. Today, officers from the Narcotics Suppression Bureau, directed by Police Lieutenant General Kheereesak Tantinwachai, launched an anti-drug operation in Pattaya targeting new drug forms, with a heavy emphasis on the quickly emerging Pod-K electronic cigarettes. The operation led…
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Queensland’s direct flights to Bangkok resume after four years
Jetstar is launching direct flights from Queensland‘s Brisbane Airport to Bangkok this December, a route last serviced by Thai Airways (THAI) before its suspension in March 2020 due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Brisbane Airport (BNE), backed by the Queensland Government, has been pivotal in restoring international connections post-pandemic. Reintroducing the Bangkok route is one of the final pieces in this…
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Bangkok police dismantle gang after street shooting
Police in Bangkok disbanded a gang following a shooting incident involving 16 shots fired on a street in Nong Chok. The shooting was reportedly provoked by a rival gang. Commander of the Metropolitan Police Division 3, Major General Kiatikul Sonthinen, alongside his associates today collaborated with the Metropolitan Investigation Team to track down and arrest a gang leader, Suphanat, also…
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MFP’s bold stance amid PM Srettha scandal
Move Forward Party (MFP) leader Chaithawat Tulathon quashed rumours that his party may align with the Pheu Thai party to form a new government if Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin is ousted by the Constitutional Court for gross ethical misconduct. The scandal centres around the 62 year old Thai prime minister’s appointment of convicted Phichit Chuenban as PM Office minister. “The…
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Man stabs childhood friend after dispute over stolen cannabis
A young man fatally stabbed his childhood friend yesterday following a heated argument over stolen cannabis. The victim was transported to a local hospital. The incident took place yesterday, June 6, at 9pm, and was reported to the police in Nong Bua Lamphu, where rescue officials initially provided first aid before transporting the victim to a local hospital. Upon arrival…
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Chiang Mai University tops regional state rankings
Chiang Mai University has been named the most popular regional state university in Thailand this year, according to the latest uniRank rankings. The rankings, which evaluate universities based on website popularity, were released today. UniRank evaluates university popularity based on three main criteria: website popularity, accuracy and completeness of information, and the frequency of updated news. These comprehensive criteria ensure…
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Thailand’s steel sales slump 11 to 12% due to weak car market
Thailand’s sluggish car sales prompted an 11 to 12% decline in premium-grade steel sales during the first four months of 2024, raising concerns about reduced steel consumption this year, according to the Federation of Thai Industries (FTI). FTI Iron and Steel Industry Club Vice-Chairman Nava Chantanasurakon stated that local steel manufacturers are bracing for a tough period, with expectations of…
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Spooky film screened at Nakhon Ratchasima cemetery
A spooky film screening was held at the Chinese cemetery in Nakhon Ratchasima, with hundreds of empty chairs set up for unclaimed spirits. The event, organised by the Sawang Metta Thammasathan Foundation, took place at a cemetery home to 2,800 graves. After a ceremony for the unclaimed deceased, the foundation arranged an open-air film screening from June 2 to June…
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Khon Kaen Zoo opens for wild mushroom harvesting, aids economy
Khon Kaen Zoo opened its Khao Suan Kwang area to villagers for wild mushroom harvesting, aiming to boost the local economy through sales to tourists and family consumption. The early arrival of the rainy season this year has led to a noticeable increase in rainfall across the Khao Suan Kwang mountain area, resulting in lush greenery and a significant growth…
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Thai leaders dodge meeting with UN human rights commissioner
Thailand’s leaders, including the prime minister and foreign minister, sidestepped a meeting with the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Türk, during his Bangkok visit on June 5 and 6. Instead of rolling out the red carpet, Thailand’s leaders turned a blind eye, reducing Türk’s visit to a mere stopover, unlike his official engagements in Malaysia where he…
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Scammed Thai man finds help from philanthropic Danish investor
A Good Samaritan reached out to help a poor Thai man in the Samut Prakarn province near Bangkok after he was scammed out of 10,000 baht by his supposed fiancée. A Danish investor living in Pattaya read the sad story about a Thai security guard paying his girlfriend 300 baht a day in instalments, only to be abandoned, on The…
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Infant’s body found in plastic bag at Phitsanulok bus stop
A seven month old infant’s body was discovered in a plastic bag near a bus stop in Phitsanulok, prompting an investigation into a possible premature birth or intentional abortion. The Thai authorities were alerted at 5pm yesterday by Min Misinth, an investigator at the Phitsanulok City Police Station, who received reports of a baby’s body found discarded next to the…
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