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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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Thai government considers recriminalising cannabis
Thai Public Health Minister Cholnan Srikaew conveyed his apprehension about the general public’s disagreement with the Pheu Thai Party’s plan to criminalise cannabis once again. This apprehension arose following Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin’s recent interview with France 24, a French state-owned news channel, where he revealed the government’s intent to control cannabis use, which has been decriminalised since 2022. In…
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Thailand Video News | Police catch British pedophile after 25 years in Thailand, Health ministry warns against consuming geckos for sexual prowess
In this video, Alex unfolds the latest news across Thailand. From the arrest warrant for Deputy Police Chief “Big Joke” on money laundering charges to the capture of a long-time fugitive pedophile in the UK. Meanwhile, Bangkok’s Motor Show boosts electric vehicle sales, a Pattaya BBQ restaurant owner faces backlash for employee mistreatment, and preparations for the Songkran Festival include…
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Knife-wielding Portuguese lady refuses to pay taxi in Phuket (video)
A Portuguese woman refused to pay a taxi fare and threatened the female driver with a knife at a hotel in the Rawai neighbourhood of Phuket on April 1. The female taxi driver, 35 year old Ladda Saengthong, shared a video of the incident on several social media platforms to warn other taxi drivers in the area. In the video, the foreign…
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Funding source for digital wallet scheme left out in Cabinet meeting
The government’s weekly Cabinet meeting yesterday left out discussions on a fresh funding source to back the digital wallet scheme, a possibility which might include drawing funds from the budget of the next fiscal year. This disclosure was made by Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin. The Thai PM’s comments addressed rumours that a new financing option for the Pheu Thai Party’s…
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UK and Thailand to boost scientific research and English proficiency
The United Kingdom and Thailand are primed to sign two Memorandums of Understanding (MoU) within the forthcoming three months. The objective is to enhance scientific education and research, as well as improve English language proficiency among Thai students. These MoU agreements are the result of the recent elevation of the Thailand-UK relationship to a strategic partnership. This information was disclosed…
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Thailand’s Cabinet to review legalisation of casinos proposal
The Thai Cabinet is set to review a proposal for the legalisation of casinos within the next fortnight, according to Deputy Finance Minister Julapun Amornvivat. Speaking in his role as the chairman of the special committee of the House, mandated with assessing the feasibility of legalising casinos in Thailand, he revealed that the proposal had secured preliminary approval from the…
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Lop Buri plans macaque control centre to tackle monkey menace
A macaque control centre is being planned in Lop Buri by Phatcharavat Wongsuwan, the Minister of Natural Resources and Environment. This initiative aims to sterilise the monkeys and relocate them to other areas, in a bid to address the issues they are causing within the town. Phatcharavat, following a Cabinet meeting yesterday, expressed the necessity of this control centre, given…
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Thailand braces for 42-degree heatwave and thunderstorms
Today’s weather forecast from the Thai Meteorological Department (TMD) warns of scorching heat across the country, with temperatures expected to soar as high as 42 degrees Celsius. The intense heat is accompanied by the possibility of thunderstorms and strong winds, prompting warnings for residents to avoid open spaces and be cautious of potential hazards. The sweltering heatwave is a result of…
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Massive fight in Pattaya sparked by dog bite incident
A dog bite sparked a massive fight involving over 20 people in Soi Kor Phai 14 in Pattaya’s Nongprue sub-district, Banglamung district, Chon Buri province, on Monday night. The daily rental room was the site of the clash. At 9.36pm, Monday, April 1, Pattaya police received a call and officers arrived at the scene to find a large group embroiled in…
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Thai govt considers sanctions against Bangkok monorail operators
The Thai government is currently mulling over the enforcement of contractual remedies against Northern Bangkok Monorail and Eastern Bangkok Monorail, the operators of the city’s Pink and Yellow lines respectively. This move follows a series of incidents that have raised concerns over the safety standards of the monorail lines. Suriya Jungrungreangkit, the Transport Minister, pointed out that the State Railway…
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UK police catch British pedophile at London airport
The UK police bullishly declared they “finally got their man” when arresting a British pedophile at a London airport after almost 30 years on the run for historic sex crimes. Alleged pedophile Richard Burrows, one of the UK’s “most wanted” fugitives, saw his 50-year reign of terror come to an end when he was apprehended on Thursday, March 28, at…
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Diesel climbs to 30.49 baht, Thai govt ponders support measures
Diesel prices in Thailand have experienced a 50 satang per litre increase, prompting the prime minister to call for a meeting to discuss countermeasures following the retail price adjustment today. Previously, the Ministry of Energy and the Ministry of Finance had jointly managed retail pricing through a tax reduction mechanism to cap diesel prices at 30 baht per litre, a…
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Salt of the laundry: Table salt sparks cleaning revolution
Table salt has emerged as a surprisingly effective aid in the laundry process, not only enhancing the cleanliness of the washing machine but also delivering dual benefits for the clothes themselves. This inexpensive, common condiment has proven to be a thrifty and straightforward solution for maintaining both machine and garment hygiene, offering much more than meets the eye. The use…
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Bangkok motor show fuels surge in electric vehicle demand
Demand for electric vehicles (EVs) is anticipated to surge at the Bangkok International Motor Show, with the Federation of Thai Industries (FTI) attributing the boost to the release of new EV models and the launch of promotional sales campaigns. Automakers are enticing potential customers with competitive pricing and low interest rates, particularly aiming at those planning to purchase new vehicles…
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Thai government increases 2025 budget deficit for economic boost
The Government of Thailand has sanctioned a rise in the 2025 budget deficit by an extra 153 billion baht, to instigate an economic boost. As a result, the budget will increase to 3.752 trillion baht, a significant hike from the previously planned 3.6 trillion, according to Chalermphol Pensoot, the Budget Bureau director at the Ministry of Finance. The budget deficit…
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Crystal meth found floating in Thailand’s eastern seaboard waters
The coastal waters of Thailand’s eastern seaboard were recently afloat with 20 kilogrammes of crystal methamphetamine. This shocking find adds to the growing tally of illegal narcotics discovered in the region, with approximately 400kg of crystal meth found floating in the same area during the past month. The news broke today, April 2, when Thawatchai Kaewkhao, the mayor of Bang…
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Thai man, not foreigner, fined for driving sedan on Kamala Beach
A motorist who flouted the rules by driving a black sedan on Kamala Beach in Phuket yesterday was a Thai man, not a foreigner, contrary to initial assumptions. He received a fine of 1,000 baht for his action. A local in Phuket posted a video of a black Toyota Camry Hybrid sedan on Kamala Beach on Facebook yesterday, April 1,…
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Car bursts into flames in Thailand from dry tissues and toothpicks
A car parked under the scorching Thai sun burst into flames, nearly burning the entire vehicle due to the presence of dry tissues and toothpicks. The incident, which serves as a stark warning about the dangers of leaving combustible materials in a car exposed to intense heat, occurred at noon today, April 2. The vehicle’s owner revealed the harrowing moments…
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Thailand waives tolls for Songkran festival to ease travel costs
The Thai Cabinet approved a toll exemption for vehicles on Motorway No. 7 and Motorway No. 9 during the seven-day Songkran festival period to alleviate traffic congestion and facilitate convenience for travellers. The exemption will be in effect from 12.01am on April 11 to midnight on April 17, in time for the country’s traditional new year celebrations. The decision was…
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Big Joke woes: Warrant issued for money laundering
The Criminal Court on Ratchadaphisek Road was the scene of significant legal developments as investigators sought an arrest warrant for Surachate “Big Joke” Hakparn, Deputy National Police Chief of Thailand, following three previously issued summonses. The request for his capture was rooted in allegations of money laundering and conspiring to commit a crime, related to an investigation into gambling websites.…
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Gunman sparks terror in Sai Mai district, police on manhunt (video)
A gunman sparked terror through the Sai Mai district yesterday when he started firing shots at Nong Bua Temple before walking with a gun along the busy Sukhapiban 5 Road. Police are currently hunting for the suspect and investigating the motives behind the incident, which occurred at 2pm on April 2. At the initial stage of the investigation, Sai Mai police…
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Thailand’s waste-fighting wave: InterceptorTM 019 makes a splash
The fight against marine waste has taken a monumental step in Thailand with the official launch of the InterceptorTM 019, a solar-powered and fully automated device dedicated to capturing waste. This milestone is the result of joint efforts by The Ocean Cleanup, a Dutch non-profit environmental engineering organisation, and its first global implementation partner, The Coca-Cola Company, along with a…
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Govt bets big on Thai entertainment complex, stakes high
The stakes are high for each venue within the integrated Thai entertainment complex development project by the Government of Thailand, with investments expected to reach over a staggering 100 billion baht. The chairman of the ordinary committee of the House of Representatives and Deputy Finance Minister, Julapun Amornvivat, plans to present the results of a study on entertainment complexes and…
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Paws for alarm: Thai woman’s wrong turn ends in tragic mauling
A dog tragically mauled a 74 year old Thai woman to death after she entered the wrong house in the Thawi Watthana district of Bangkok due to her Alzheimer’s condition. The incident was reported to Saladaeng Police Station and Por Teck Tung Foundation by a homeowner around 8pm on March 31. Police investigated the scene and found Prapaipit lying in…
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Love con: Thai woman nabbed for 1.7 million baht romance scam
Thai authorities have successfully apprehended a 24 year old woman in connection with a sophisticated romance scam operation that swindled a victim out of 1.7 million baht under the guise of a lucrative investment in London gold shares. The arrest of the woman identified only as Saovaluck, which took place yesterday in front of a convenience store in Samrong Klang…
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Shocking surge: Thailand market sparks rise in EV loans
The Thai market is seeing a rise in loans for electric vehicles (EVs), as they are projected to lead the expansion in auto lending this year. Krungsri Auto, a prominent auto loan provider and a Bank of Ayudhya (Krungsri) unit, has projected new EV sales to climb to 100,000 units this year, a significant increase from 76,000 units the previous…
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Banyan Group and Urasaya Property launch Nakhon Si Thammarat’s first luxury residence
Nestled directly on Thailand’s Gulf Coast, Banyan Tree Residences Sichon represents a pioneering project by Banyan Group, the independent global hospitality company, in partnership with Urasaya Property Co., Ltd, a pioneering real estate developer. This venture not only promises a unique living experience but also marks a significant step in the expansion and diversification of luxury living options in Thailand.…
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Thai man murders granddaughter and commits suicide
A 78 year old Thai man in the central province of Phetchabun murdered his 12 year old granddaughter and committed suicide because he allegedly had romantic feelings for her. The dead body of the girl, Natticha, was found in a pond by a roadside forest in the Nong Phai district of Phetchabu province on Saturday, March 30, after she disappeared from her…
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Foreign tourists flock to Thailand, boosting economy
Foreign tourists in Thailand reached 9.4 million in the initial quarter of this year, pouring an estimated 454.6 billion baht (US$12.4 billion) into the national economy through their expenditure, as disclosed by the Tourism and Sports Ministry. This year, the Southeast Asian nation is setting its sights on an ambitious goal of 40 million tourists, almost equal to the pre-Covid-19 pandemic…
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Thai man’s arm severed outside liquor store after smoking dispute
Two suspects embarked on a barbaric act of severing the arm of a Thai man after the victim warned the attackers against smoking cigarettes outside his liquor store in the Sriracha district of Chon Buri last night. The Sriracha Police Station received reports of the knife attack at the liquor store at around 8am yesterday, April 1. They met a…
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