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 Long-term life in Thailand? 5 reasons private health insurance pays off in the long run
Thailand is a great place for expats and retirees, offering a warm climate, affordable living, and rich culture. However, healthcare can be tricky for foreigners since they aren’t eligible for public health coverage, and private care can be expensive. Private...
-
76 year old ambushed and killed in Chumpon
A 76 year old man has been snared by a cable while riding his motorcycle on a Chumphon road and then stabbed to death. His gold necklace and amulet worth 300,000 baht were stolen. This happened yesterday morning (Wednesday). Ban Nai Hood police say Somporn Chubanna was found dead on the Ban Khuan Hin Mui-Huay Sai Khao road in…
-
Bus driver dies trying to fix air-brakes in Koh Kaew
Police and Kusoldarm rescue workers arrived at a car park inside a Shell gas station in Koh Kaew to find a parked Bangkok-Phuket bus. At the left back wheel they found the body of a man who was later identified as 25 year old Nattakit Bamrungrai from Kamphaeng Phet. The man was found half-sitting next to the wheel. His head was…
-
Similan Islands – no more sleep overs from October
by Pratch Rujivanarom With Maya Bay at Koh Phi Phi Ley poised to close for four months from tomorrow, an announcement yesterday that overnight stays will no longer be allowed in the Mu Ko Similan Marine National Park off Phang Nga province starting from this October. While the number of visitors to its pristine islands will also be limited as…
-
Seconds in it on Day 3 of Samui Regatta
Performance Cruising on Day 3 of 2018 Samui Regatta. Day 3 of the 2018 Samui Regatta started off with a whimper. The storms of yesterday had gone and the sun was out in force, hopes were high for a return to the tropical sailing conditions which have made Samui Regatta so famous. Come start time all the ingredients were there,…
-
Three arrested with drugs and firearms in Phang Nga
More than 10 police from the the Phang Nga Provincial Police raided a house in the Muang Phang Nga District. Police arrested 47 year old Wirat, 44 year old Aditep and 47 year old Kamon. Police seized 378 methamphetamine pills, 21.6 grams of crystal methamphetamine, nine firearms and some ammunition. “Wirat and Aditep have been charged with illegal possession of…
-
Five injured in Phayao bang fai rocket explosion
A bang fai bamboo rocket exploded inside a temple compound in Phayao’s Chiang Kham district last night (Tuesday), injuring five villagers. Police report that the explosion occurred at 10.30pm at the Wat Phra That Sobwaen in Tambon Yuan after villagers performed a candle procession around the chapel to mark Visakha Bucha Day after the procession. Witnesses told police that the…
-
Police poised to introduce new points demerit system
Police are getting closer to linking their computer networks to marry speed and traffic cameras, and traffic tickets with vehicle registration data, making it possible to start automating fines in the hope of having a more thorough and accurate penalty system. The Royal Thai Police say they plan to introduce a penalty point system to deal with traffic offences in…
-
Coral bleaching found off Krabi
On Monday (May 28) divers from Local Diving Krabi Company posted a video clip of coral bleaching underwater at Koh Ya Wa Sam (Koh Koo) near Separated Sea (Thale Waek) which is one of Thailand’s lesser-known highlights in the Hat Noppharat Thara-Mu Ko Phi Phi National Park. Dive instructor Parinya Pantajit says, “We found that coral has been ‘bleaching’ since the beginning…
-
Big boats blamed for trash on Koh Si Chang, Chonburi
By Daily News The local mayor is blaming big boats at anchor offshore dumping their rubbish into the sea off Koh Si Chang in Chonburi. Mayor Damrong Phetra says there were no local people throwing trash on Ngu Beach – his team were constantly having to clear up the rubbish and it definitely came from boats, he said. Daily News…
-
Phuket report shows arrivals up 19% in Q1
By Bill Barnett from c9hotelworks.com Thailand’s great push forward on mega-transportation projects is seeing strong dividends in the local tourism industry. One key example is Phuket, where passenger arrivals grew by nearly 19% in the first four month of the year at the newly upgraded and expanded international airport. Why Phuket? One only has to look at the upward trajectory…
-
Hua Hin taxi driver to face court after assault
PHOTO: Manager online Manager Online is reporting that a Hua Hin taxi driver will appear in court after he is alleged to have attacked a Khao Takiab receptionist at a taxi rank last Saturday. The hotel receptionist, Sasiwimon Srikham, suffered five stitches in her head and mouth wounds after she was attacked while walking by the rank in Khao Takiab.…
-
Rang Hill locals want to keep the monkeys as a tourist attraction
A public hearing was held on Monday (May 28) at Khao Rang Samakkee Temple (Wat Khao Rang) with local residents of Rang Hill in Phuket Town. The meeting was led by Director of the Natural and Wildlife Education Centre at Khao Phra Thaew Non-Hunting Area in Thalang Pongchart Chouehorm. The plan to develop new and remote monkey colonies has emerged…
-
Nipah Virus. What is it?
What is the Nipah virus and why do we need to know more about it? Whilst there are no recorded cases of the virus in Thailand but an outbreak in India has experts concerned. Thailand is not safe from a Nipah virus outbreak, as fruit bats in Thailand are a natural host for the deadly infection that can cause encephalitis…
-
Forensic police investigate Phuket market fire
Forensic police have been investigating the ‘Trunk’ market fire last Sunday night (just off Phang Nga Road, Phuket Town), while an executive of the Jatujak Phuket Company, Wannakorn Pattarapakorn, was visiting shop-holders to discuss options. Fire fighters at the Phuket City Municipality were notified of an incident on Phang Nga Road on Sunday night (May 27). Read more HERE. Mr…
-
Variable conditions test sailors on Day 2 of 2018 Samui Regatta
Early morning thunder and lightening made way for a wet and breezy start to Day 2 of the 2018 Samui Regatta. The four classes lined-up in 10 knots of wind topping out at 15, and it was the IRC classes off first with a quick windward/ leeward. They were then sent on the same course as the Performance Cruising and…
-
Boracay. Maya Bay. Phuket?
Bangkok, July 30, 2018 Today the Thai Government has announced a six month closure of the island of Phuket. The shutdown will commence on May 1, 2019 and reopen on October 31, 2019. PM Gen Prayut Chan-o-cha spoke to a meeting of Thailand’s peak tourism and business groups saying the drastic closure is necessary to ‘get Phuket’s house in order’…
-
Be a part of the Paws Squad. Join Soi Dog’s Saturday opening.
This Saturday morning, Soi Dog Foundation will open as usual but is adding some freebies and fun activities for everyone this week. At the Gill Dalley’s Sanctuary, we have recently extended the opening hours to half a day on Saturday from 9 am – midday. This Saturday, the first five visitors will receive a cool Soi Dog ‘freebies’ set, including…
-
Taxi trouble in Hua Hin – Threats, assaults and arrests
In a story that could be played out anywhere around Thailand, the taxi wars in Hua Hin are heating up with the arrival of the ride-sharing App ‘Grab’ in the coastal town. A taxi driver has assaulted a female hotel employee just hours after posting online threats against all Grab taxi drivers working in Hua Hin. A local taxi driver,…
-
Complaints flow in for dodgy balloon festival organiser – Chiang Mai
PHOTO: thaitravelblogs.com These balloon festivals have been popping up around the country and work like a travelling carnival of hot air balloons. The festivals tend to involve little more than a music festival with some well-lit hot air balloons around the perimeter. A similar show, the International Balloon Festival, was n Chiang Mai at the Cowboy Army Riding Club from March 2-4…
-
Why we wear seatbelts!
https://www.facebook.com/tengkumohammedhanafijerungadindaherbs/videos/1512877415488547/ The child who was thrown out of a vehicle in an incident which occurred at the Road Transport Department traffic light junction here last night in Terengganu (May 28), was probably not secured with a seat belt, said Terengganu police chief Aidi Ismail. Terengganu is the Sultanate on the northern east coast of Malaysia. “If the seat belt had been…
-
Illegal hostel crackdown in Krabi
Administrative officers, soldiers, police and land officers in Krabi have conducted another raid in efforts to crackdown on illegal hotels and hostels. They measured the boundaries of some hostels after receiving complaints that public areas have been encroached. Officers found that a few of the hostels checked were using traffic cones to block public areas such as car park areas…
-
Phuket celebrates Visakha Bucha Day
A Buddhism ceremony was held this morning (May 29) at Wichit Sangkaram Temple (Wat Kwuan) in Phuket Town led by Phuket’s Governor Norraphat Plodthong and Phuket Provincial Police commander Maj Gen Teerapol Thipjaroen. The Phuket Office of Buddhism conducted the ceremony to encourage people, especially students, to learn more about one of the most important international Buddhism holidays. Today’s activities included offering food to monks,…
-
UPDATE: Coral bleaching around Thailand waters
By Pratch Rujivanarom PHOTO: Save Coral Reefs More coral reefs in Thailand’s seas are suffering from mass bleaching as the result of continuous warm seawater. A special task force to tackle coral bleaching has been set up by the Marine Science Association of Thailand to monitor the bleaching problem and suggest mitigating measures. Many reports of coral bleaching have been shared…
-
Yingluck granted 10 year UK visa – BBC Thai website
The UK is reported to have granted a ten-year visa to former Thailand prime minister Yingluck Shinawatra, who has been ruled in absentia to a five-year prison term back home for her role in her government’s rice-pledging scandal. The BBC Thai website has quoted a close aide as saying that Yingluck is now free to travel in and out of…
-
Property report tips Phuket property boom
According to Knight Frank Thailand’s research, the Phuket condo market is expected to perform better in line with the brighter economic situation and the growing population of the island. Increasing supply and higher selling prices will be the key drivers, while demand is forecast to improve slightly. The number of launches in Phuket is predicted to increase and Thai developers…
-
Man rescued after jumping off Thepkrasattri Bridge in Phuket
Tha Chatchai Police were notified of a suspected suicide incident in Mai Khao this afternoon (May 27). Police arrived at the far north of the island to find 47 year old Sutat Jitpromsri had already been brought from water by a passing fishing boat. A mobile phone charging cable was found loose around his wrists. He was rushed to Thalang…
-
Landlords petition PM to kill off the new tenant protection laws
Business operators are urging PM Prayut Chan-o-cha to cancel a Consumer Protection Board measure implemented at the start of May1 to protect customers from being overcharged on utility fees by hostels, apartments or rented rooms in residential buildings. Another measure in the new Consumer Protection Board legislation prohibits landlords from removing the belongings of a tenant alleged to have breached…
-
Man arrested for raping his neighbour
A re-enactment of an alleged rape was held at a worker’s house in Soi Baan Klang, Chalong last Friday (May 25) led by Chalong Police Chief Col Pakayot Tanongsak. The suspect in the re-enacment was 26 year old Jakkapan ‘Pom’ Chanyut. Col Pakayot says that last Wednesday night (May 23) a 51 year old woman name ‘Chuan’ reported to Chalong…
-
Two arrested with meth pills and ‘ice’ at Phuket Town hotel
Yesterday (May 27) a team of Phuket City Police led by Capt Teerasak Narasri arrested a 22 year old woman Chenuya ‘Kim’ Thepsing from Lampang and 26 year old Naruebet ‘Net’ Paparnsit from Trang at a hotel room on Patipat Road in Phuket Town in relation to possession of drugs. Police seized 227 methamphetamine pills and 6.63 grams of crystal…
-
Crackdown on illegal motorbike racing
A team of officers from the 5th Infantry Division of the Royal Thai Army, the Royal Thai Navy Third Area Command and the Phuket City Police on Friday night (May 25) conducted a crackdown on illegal, noisy, disruptive and modified motorbikes at Saphan Hin, Phuket Town – a popular place for motorbike racers to gather. Officers arrested 70 motorbike drivers and 47 passengers. Police also seized…
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.