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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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Fire in an unused classroom in Krabi
Fire fighters and fire trucks arrived at a class room on the third floor at a school in Krabi yesterday (May 15). Teachers and students were trying to put out the fire with fire extinguishers and buckets of water. Krabi Police were notified of the fire at the Krabi Provincial Administartive Organisation (OrBorJor) School in Krabi City at 1pm .…
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Woman talked down from pedestrian bridge in Thalang
Thalang Police were notified of an incident on Thepkrassattri Road in front of the Thalang District Health Office at 11:50 last night (May 14). Police and rescue workers arrived at the scene to find an emotional woman standing on the iron guard of the 5.5 metre bridge during heavy rain. The woman was later identified as a 38 year old…
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Warnings over cheap cosmetic surgery – Lee’s story
PHOTO: Nine News, Australia Most cosmetic surgeries in Thailand will definitely save you money when compared to the costs in western hospitals. And the vast majority of procedures will go perfectly according to plan with patients broadly happy with their results. But Lee Cameron says she will regret the decision to have cosmetic surgery in Thailand for the rest of…
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Netflix, Spotify and Chill – Navigating the brave new world of music and TV
Subscription movies and music services are booming, in particular Netflix which has over 125 million users worldwide and Spotify which has over 70 million paying users. The subscription model is where you pay a monthly fee and are entitled access to media which is streamed via the internet, rather than buy a physical CD/DVD, an album from iTunes or pay…
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No more beatings, and turn off your cameras – Royal Thai Army
In a tacit admission of the extent of the mistreatment and systemic hazing of Royal Thai Army recruits, the Army has instructed its conscript trainers to mete out punishment strictly in accordance to regulation and to prohibit photos and videos during training. But the recommendation to ‘prohibit photos and videos during training’ suggests that, rather than being open and accountable in the…
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Rescue workers help mother give birth in Krabi
Rescue workers were notified that a woman was about to give birth at a house in Klongthom, Krabi last night (May 14). She was was later identified as 39 year old Chamaiporn Intasar was found in end-stage labour pain and poised to give birth. Rescue workers from the Krabi Pitak Pracha Rescue Foundation assisted Ms Chamaiporn to give birth to…
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Bon voyage – Phuket prepares to move monkeys to islands
Phuket’s Governor Noraphat Plodthong says “Long-tailed macaque and Southern pig-tailed macaque are disturbing local residents and tourists. We are planning to move monkeys to islands that have been provided as a long-term solution. A public hearing will be held this month to discuss all the options.” “Officials have surveyed and found that there are seven main areas that have monkey…
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Cryptocurrency-tax ‘will hit economy’
New tax measures aimed at curbing the Thai initial crypto-coin offering (ICO) market will adversely affect the economy as the measures could drive investors and entrepreneurs overseas, according to experts. The Royal Gazette this week announced a new set of laws related to digital asset businesses, an amendment of the Revenue Code to regulate and impose high taxes on transactions.…
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Three houses flattened in Nakhon Ratchasima by storms
A total of 209 houses in Nakhon Ratchasima’s Muang Yang district have been damaged by thunderstorms. Surveying the scene yesterday, authorities found 209 houses in seven villages in Tambon None Udom were damaged. Three houses in Ban None Sa-ard village and Ban Muang Chak village were completely flattened by the storms, said Siwasek Sinthorum, assistant district chief of the district.…
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1.5 tonne whale shark caught up in a fishing net in Krabi
A whale shark was found caught up in a fishing net at Ao Nang between Koh Phi Phi and Koh Khaew (Green Island) by ‘Kietwarin 3’ fishing boat over the weekend. The whale shark was 5 metres and weighed around 1.5 tons. The owner of the fishing boat, 48 year old Udon Boonsuk, who is also a boat captain says…
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Bangkok Airways to kick off direct flights between Yangon and Phuket
Bangkok Airways is looking to kick off direct flights between Yangon and Phuket this November. This according to Bangkok Airways’ regional airline vice president, Varong Israsena. Myanmar National Airlines started operating a direct flight between Yangon and Phuket last month and are looking to increase frequency of the flights from Myanmar’s largest city to Phuket. “I see great potential in Myanmar.…
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Some psychiatric medications, plus too much water, can be deadly in summer heat
Health officials are warning people taking medication for psychiatric problems, particularly schizophrenia, to limit their water intake in the summer heat. Mental Health experts are advising that the thirst resulting as a side effect of commonly prescribed medications could prompt people to drink too much water and leave them at risk of contracting potentially deadly hyponatremia. There are 2.6 million…
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Krabi drug dealer tries to bury over 10,000 methamphetamine pills
On Saturday (May 12) Krabi Police arrested a woman, 43 year old Surat ‘Rat’ Sansatan. Police seized 10,700 methamphetamine pills (ya bah). She was charged with possession of Category 1 drug with intent to sell. The arrest follows police receiving a tip-off that a big drug deal was going down at a house in Klongtom, Krabi. Police headed to the house…
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Vanranyu cruises to victory at Singha Laguna Phuket Open
Thailand’s Varanyu Rattanaphiboonkij savoured his first professional victory in front of his family after closing with an even-par 70 to win by six shots in the final round of the Singha Laguna Phuket Open yesterday (Sunday). The 21 year old Thai displayed great form all week as he traded two birdies against as many bogeys on Sunday to secure his…
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Drug dealer arrested in sting operation
Border Patrol Police this week arrested Saksuriya ‘Ta’ Kajornduang at the parking area of the Yeeteng Market on Chao Fa Road in Phuket Town. Police seized 11.93 grams of crystal methamphetamine (ya ice) and a licensed handgun with 15 bullets. He was taken to the Phuket Police Station to face charges of possession with a Category 1 drug with intent to sell,…
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Worries arise over full dams, even before start of rainy season
Despite the Royal Ploughing Day, all the water-throwing at Songkran and the annual rocket festival – all trying to encourage water from the skies for the forthcoming wet season – we still have to hope mother nature plays along and delivers the rain needed for the nation’s agricultural areas. But, rolling into wet season this year, most of the main…
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Royal Ploughing Day – Annual ceremony at Sanam Luang
Thailand will have ample water and food this year and citizens will enjoy convenience in transportation according to the types of food preferred by the oxen involved in the annual Royal Ploughing Ceremony held on Monday morning. His Majesty the King presided at the traditional rite that began at 8.29am at Sanam Luang. Agriculture Ministry permanent secretary Lertviroj Kowatana, acting…
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Man killed, murderer arrested in Rassada
The Phuket City Police have been notified of an incident in front of a house in Soi Malipan, Rassada on Saturday (May 12). Police and rescue workers arrived at the scene to find the body of a man who was identified as 30 year old Peerasit Saelim surrounded by a pool of blood on the ground. A kitchen knife was…
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Female drug dealer arrested in Phuket Town
Border Patrol Police this week arrested 24 year old Saranya ‘Palm’ Arjmongkon at a condominium in Phuket Town. Police seized 29.51 grams of crystal methamphetamine (ya ice) and 355 methamphetamine pills (ya bah). She was charged with possession with Category 1 drug with intent to sell. The arrest follows police receiving a tip-off that Saranya was selling drugs on the street. On…
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Phuket’s Governor inspects lifeguards at the northern beaches
The Phuket Governor Norraphat Plodthong has had his first inspection of lifeguards at Mai Khao Beach. There are now five lifeguards at Mai Khao Beach, the long stretch of beach along the northern end of Phuket’s west coast. Three more lifeguards will be hired. Governor Norraphat says “Currently there are no beach lights, CCTV camera or tourist service centres at Mai…
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Speaker-equipped drone repels wild elephants
Phetchaburi Rajabhat University academics have used, on a trial basis, a drone equipped with speakers blaring a recording of bee sounds to drive away wild elephants from the La Au forest in Hua Hin district, Kaeng Krachan National Park official Mana Phermpoon said on Sunday. The test at the Phu Sai-Sai En area and some farmland around Anant School in…
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Descendants gather for Siamese Twins Chang & Eng Bunker’s 207th birthday
By Phatarawadee Phataranawik PHOTOS: Chalinee Thirasupa If “Siamese twins” Chang and Eng Bunker, Thailand’s most famous twin entertainers, were alive today, they would no doubt be impressed to see their descendants making their first official visit to the Kingdom to celebrate their 207th birthday on Friday in Samut Songkhram province, the birthplace of the twins. “This [birthday celebration] is so…
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Thai young gun Varanyu leads by eight shots at Singha Laguna Phuket Open
Thailand’s Varanyu Rattanaphiboonkij extended his lead by eight shots after shooting a one-under-par 69 in the third round of the Singha Laguna Phuket Open on Saturday. The 21-year-old Thai, who has led since round one, put himself in prime position for his first professional win. He leads on 18-under-par 192 at the award-winning Laguna Phuket course. New Asian Development Tour…
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Taxi catches fire outside Cassia Laguna Hotel – No injuries
Officials at the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation (DDPM) stationed in Cherng Talay were notified of an incident in front of Cassia Hotel in Laguna, Cherng Talay at 9:05pm last night (May 11). Fire fighters with two water trucks arrived at the scene along with the Cherng Talay Police. At the scene they found a burnt white Toyota taxi…
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Malaysian election decoded
by Tim Newton Don’t be under any illusion what has just happened in Malaysia. The country hasn’t been freed from the bonds of a corrupt and draconian long-term government and about to soar into a new era of democracy, growth and prosperity. That a 92 year old former premier, who nurtured both his current deputy Anwar Ibrahim and the ousted…
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Six arrested in child-porn crackdown
Six suspects have been arrested in nationwide crackdowns on child pornography websites. Pol Maj Gen Surachet Hakpal says five suspects from three networks carrying online child pornography have been arrested under warrants and their accounts led to an arrest of another suspect. He said the suspects were arrested in Samut Prakan, Surat Thani and Ubon Ratchathani. Surachet said police learned…
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Varanyu holds commanding lead at Singha Laguna Phuket Open
Thailand’s Varanyu Rattanaphaibulkij maintained his position at the top with his second round of nine-under-par 61 at the Singha Laguna Phuket Open on Friday. The 21-year-old Thai carded a flawless round with seven birdies and one eagle to lead the field by seven strokes on a 17-under-par 123 total at the 2 million baht (approx. USD64,000) event co-sanctioned by the…
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Andaman Hub Medical Network launched in Phang Nga
An opening ceremony was held today (May 11) at the Andaman Hub Medical Network in Takua Pa, Phang Nga. The launch was hosted by Public Health Minister Doctor Piyasakol. Beach safety and marine accident rescue drills were being held. Doctor Piyasakol says, “We have developed public health services for 23 coastal marine provinces. Health Premium Service and Maritime Emergency Care Systems…
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Chinese delegation visit Patong lifeguards and had some suggestions too
A meeting was held yesterday (May 10) at the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Phuket Office (DDPM-Phuket) with the Consul-General for Thailand Zhou Guangxi, Counsellor Li Chunlin, Chinese Consulate-General in Phuket Ma Cui Hong and Phuket Vice Governor Prakob Wongmaneerung in attendance. Vice Governor Prakob says, “We are paying a lot of attention to tourist’s safety these days. The Phuket Provincial…
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Phuket Gateway officially launched
The opening ceremony for the Phuket Gateway was held this morning (May 11) in Mai Khao, just north of the Thachachai Checkpoint. The ceremony was hosted by Phuket’s Governor Norraphat and Thalang District Chief Adul Choothong. Governor Norraphat says “The government has been paying attention to locals in the area saying they want to generate more local income for tourists…
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