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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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PM Anutin sets 14-day recovery deadline for Hat Yai flood aftermath
Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul has established a 14-day timeframe to complete clean-up and rehabilitation in Hat Yai following recent floods, aiming to return the city to normalcy. During a visit to Hat Yai in Songkhla province on Saturday, Anutin, also serving as interior minister, expressed appreciation to the rescuers who have been active since the onset of the disaster. He…
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Thai Navy boosts Vietnam ties, denies frigate deal claims
The Royal Thai Navy has reaffirmed its close military cooperation with Vietnam and provided an update on the status of its planned frigate procurement, stating the process remains in its early stages and is being handled with transparency and care. Today, December 6, Rear Admiral Parach Rattanachaiyapan, spokesperson for the Royal Thai Navy, said the naval relationship between Thailand and…
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Cyanide confirmed in Channel 8 reporter’s body, investigation ongoing
Thai authorities are investigating the death of Channel 8 reporter Natthawut Ponglanka after forensic tests confirmed the presence of cyanide in his system. Natthawut, also known as Nutpong, was found dead at his home in Nonthaburi’s Bang Kruai district on the morning of November 30. Initial findings suggested abnormal heart rhythm as the cause of death, but further examination by…
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Thailand urges UN to act on Cambodian border landmines
Thailand has called on the United Nations Office for Disarmament Affairs (UNODA) to address the spread of landmines along the Thai–Cambodian border, warning the situation could affect the credibility of the UN body and the international landmine ban. Foreign Minister Sihasak Phuangketkeow raised the issue during talks with Carolyne-Melanie Regimbal, head of UNODA in Geneva, on Thursday, December 4. “The…
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Shell from Myanmar clashes lands in Tak, injures two
Tensions along the Thai–Myanmar border rose yesterday, December 5, after a projectile landed in a Thai village during clashes between the Myanmar military and anti-government forces. Two Thai residents were injured, one seriously, prompting a response from Thai authorities. At around 12pm yesterday, Myanmar military troops from Light Infantry Division 22 reportedly advanced on opposition forces holding a position in…
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Hip-hop star Way accused of fake stock scheme after wife’s 195m baht scandal
Thai rapper Prinya “Way” Intachai, a member of hip-hop group Thaitanium, has been accused of swindling an investor out of over 50 million baht through a fake stock trading scheme, just days after his actress wife was arrested in a separate high-profile fraud case. A complaint filed with the Economic Crime Suppression Division (ECD) includes bank transfer receipts and chat logs…
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Opposition leader slams flood response committee as headline-making move
Opposition leader and People’s Party MP Natthaphong Ruengpanyawut has criticised the government’s decision to establish a flood response review committee, calling the move unnecessary and performative. In an open letter addressed to Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul and released on December 4, Natthaphong questioned the rationale behind forming yet another committee, arguing that Thailand has already endured numerous disasters and accumulated…
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Vehicle registration rules relaxed for flood-hit southern motorists
Thailand’s Transport Ministry has instructed the Department of Land Transport (DLT) to relax documentation requirements for motorists in the south who lost or damaged their licence plates or vehicle registration documents due to recent flooding. Affected individuals will not need to present the original registration book or ID card to request replacements. The announcement was made yesterday, December 5, by…
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Bangkok to face power outages for maintenance on December 6
The Metropolitan Electricity Authority (MEA) announced a scheduled power outage across parts of Bangkok, Samut Prakan, and Nonthaburi today, December 6, to carry out electrical maintenance and improve service efficiency. The MEA says the temporary electricity interruption is essential for the safety of workers and to upgrade the 24kV power distribution system. A total of 19 locations will be affected,…
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Questions rise over sudden death of renowned Thai journalist
Tributes and questions have emerged following the sudden death of Nattawut Ponglangka, a 35 year old Channel 8 field reporter known for his investigative coverage, after colleagues said he “fell asleep and never woke up”. News of his death was first shared on November 30 by fellow Channel 8 reporter Ice Sarawat Kijpanit, who posted that Nattawut had passed away…
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Phuket governor calls urgent meeting as waste volume nears limit
Phuket Governor Nirat Phongsitthaworn has called an urgent meeting with leaders from all 19 local administrative organisations as the province faces a significant rise in waste volumes that could exceed the capacity of the island’s central disposal facilities by year-end. The announcement followed a briefing at Phuket Provincial Hall on December 4, where Phuket City Mayor Supachok La-ongphet reported growing…
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Sek Loso withdraws from prison duties after family visit dispute
Thai rock star Sek Loso, also known as Seksan Sukpimai, has announced his decision to withdraw from all work assignments outside the prison, following a public incident involving family at the Central Women’s Correctional Institution on December 3. The incident began when Sek’s wife, Wiphakorn “Karn” Sukpimai, took their daughter to the facility to celebrate the girl’s birthday and watch…
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Samut Prakan police rescue student from call centre scam
Bang Phli police have rescued a 20 year old university student who was deceived by a call centre scam gang into believing he was involved in a money laundering case. The student was tricked into transferring money and locking himself in a rented room to stage a fake arrest, as the gang attempted to extract further money from his family.…
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Actress Nana Intachai granted bail in 195 million baht fraud case
Actress Rybena “Nana” Intachai has been released on 1 million baht bail after being charged with defrauding friends and associates of nearly 195 million baht through alleged Ponzi-style schemes. The Criminal Court granted her temporary release yesterday, December 4, prohibiting her from leaving the country without court approval. A psychologist has also been assigned to counsel the 44 year old…
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Death toll from southern floods remains at 145, says Health Ministry
Thailand’s Ministry of Public Health reported that the death toll from the southern floods remains at 145, with 42 bodies returned to families and 103 awaiting identification as of 4pm on December 4. The update was issued from Songklanagarind Hospital in Hat Yai, which is handling post-mortem examinations and forensic identification following the disaster. Among the deceased, 54 died while…
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Man drowns at Pattaya Beach; disabled vendor tried to help
A wheelchair bound lottery ticket vendor entered the sea to assist a person found floating in the water at Pattaya Beach on the evening of December 4, but the individual was already deceased when reached. The Sawang Boriboon Thammasathan Rescue Centre received a call at 7.06pm reporting a possible drowning. Upon arrival, responders found a man’s body on the sand.…
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Anutin admits SEA Games budget woes predate his term
Prime Minister and Interior Minister Anutin Charnvirakul admitted he was aware of the financial challenges surrounding the 33rd SEA Games even before assuming his current role. Addressing reporters’ concerns about the budget, Anutin clarified that the issue was longstanding. “I knew there was an issue, so I asked [Captain Thamanat Prompow] to work at full speed; everyone’s heads are spinning.”…
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December 5 weather: Bangkok, south hit by downpours, haze persists
Thailand’s Meteorological Department (TMD) issued a warning today, December 5, forecasting heavy to very heavy rainfall across 24 provinces, with Bangkok and the upper southern region among the hardest hit. Meanwhile, upper Thailand continues to face chilly morning temperatures. From now until tomorrow evening, people in southern provinces should brace for torrential downpours, especially in Prachuap Khiri Khan, Chumphon, Surat…
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Buffalo attacks one baby elephant, snare traps another in Sa Kaeo
A buffalo attacked one wild baby elephant, and a snare trapped another in Sa Kaeo province yesterday, December 3. Officials rescued both and returned them safely to the forest. The Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation reported that two baby elephants had strayed from their herd and ended up in separate zones near the forest in Khao Chakan…
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Foreign tourist allegedly gropes woman on Pattaya speedboat
A half-Thai, half-Laotian man condemned a foreign tourist for sexually assaulting his girlfriend by groping her on a speedboat in Pattaya. The boyfriend, identified as Leo, shared a video of the incident on Facebook on Tuesday, December 2, with the caption, “I never expected this foreigner to do this. #Travel #Warning.” The accused foreign man, wearing a red T-shirt and…
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Minister denies hiring designer amid SEA Games ceremony controversy
The Sports and Tourism Minister responded to the controversy over the cancelled SEA Games ceremony design, insisting that no hiring contract was ever made with the designer or his team. The drama began after Thai visual and lighting designer Rueangrith “Ton” Suntisuk shared on December 2 that he and his team had been working on the opening and closing ceremony…
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Israel confirms identity of Thai hostage’s body from Gaza
The Israeli Prime Minister’s office has confirmed that the Red Cross handed over the body of Thai national Sudthisak Rintalak on Wednesday, December 3. Only one deceased hostage remains in Gaza, 24 year old Ran Gvili, an Israeli police officer. Sudthisak and Gvili were the final two hostages who had not been recovered from the territory. The Palestinian Islamic Jihad’s (PIJ)…
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Thai netizens call out Cambodia’s Miss Charm video
Thai netizens are accusing Miss Charm Cambodia 2025 of using Thailand’s iconic tourism slogan and traditional-style attire. The recently released video on Miss Charm’s Facebook page, titled “Miss Charm Cambodia 2025 | Introduction Video”, features this year’s Miss Charm Cambodia contestant, Det Sreyneat, narrating the kingdom’s cultural wonders, historic temples, and natural beauty. But what caught the attention of many Thai…
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South Korean man allegedly pours hot water over Thai girlfriend out of jealousy
A jealous South Korean man allegedly poured hot water over his Thai girlfriend in an attempt to disfigure her so she would be unable to date other men. The Thai woman took to a Facebook group of Thai people in South Korea yesterday, December 3, seeking a free interpreting service after she was assaulted by her South Korean boyfriend. She…
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Chon Buri spa denies responsibility on client loses gold worth 300,000 baht
A Thai woman lost more than 300,000 baht worth of gold jewellery yesterday, December 3, after keeping her valuables in a locker at a spa in the Sriracha area of Chon Buri province. The 38 year old woman, Suwadee Fadchin, filed a complaint with Sriracha Police Station after discovering that several gold accessories had vanished from her locker. She told police…
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Danish tourist erupts at Trat bus terminal after missing final airport bus
Police intervened after a Danish man caused a disturbance at the Trat Bus Terminal on Tuesday, December 2, after he missed the last bus to Suvarnabhumi International Airport for his midnight flight. Staff at the terminal called officers from Mueang Trat Police Station at around 6pm after the foreign tourist began shouting and causing chaos. The man, a Danish national,…
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Phetchaburi homeowner shoots intruder after repeated break-ins
A homeowner in Phetchaburi shot an intruder today, December 4, after burglars had targeted the house multiple times before the latest incident. Police identified the injured suspect as 18 years old Arun, from Ban Laem district in Phetchaburi province. Officers found him with gunshot wounds to his right shoulder, arm, and knee. Emergency responders transported him to Phra Chomklao Hospital…
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AOT to hike airport tax in 2026, eyes 10 billion baht revenue boost
Passengers flying internationally from Thailand will soon face higher airport taxes, after the Civil Aviation Board approved a 53% hike in the Passenger Service Charge (PSC) at six major airports. Transport Minister Pipat Ratchakitprakarn, who chaired the board’s meeting yesterday, December 3, confirmed the PSC for international departures will rise from 730 baht to 1,120 baht per person. The increase…
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Thailand unveils six eco-friendly tax measures for 2027
Thailand’s Excise Department plans to roll out six new tax initiatives to promote environmental sustainability and improve public health. Director-General Pornchai Thiraveja said these policies aim to align with shifting global trade standards, which now place more emphasis on climate action and public health. The measures also support upcoming carbon-related regulations. Bangkok Post reported that the first measure expands the tax…
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Thailand video news | Thailand loosens alcohol sale rules starting 3 December, Former homeless man in Chiang Mai wins lottery jackpot
In today’s Thailand video news, Alex and Jay cover key stories from across Thailand and Southeast Asia — from the official rollout of relaxed alcohol sales regulations to cases involving gambling, drugs, and defamation among foreign visitors, plus a heartwarming story of a man’s journey from rags to riches. Thailand Loosens Alcohol Sale Rules Starting 3 December Thailand has approved…
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