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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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Sponsored Planning to extend your Thai visa? Why health insurance is more important than ever
If you plan to stay longer in Thailand, having health insurance is now more important than ever. Thai immigration often asks for proof of medical coverage when you apply to extend your visa. This applies to many types of visas,...
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Father’s viral post: Humorously lists son for sale after iPhone 15 pro max mishap
A viral social media post has been making rounds, where a father humorously announced the availability of his 12 year old son for purchase. Jackie Chew’s son had recently damaged his new iPhone 15 Pro Max, however, the device still functioned normally. The post quickly became a source of humour amongst netizens as the father cleverly listed his son’s ‘specifications’…
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Bangkok’s reckless foreign rider roils social media, netizens demand action against Sukhumvit speedster
Thai social media users have called upon the police to take action against a serial foreign motorcyclist offender, observed engaging in reckless driving along Bangkok’s Sukhumvit Road. Referred to by locals as “Tua Tueng Sukhumvit,” which translates to “the top of Sukhumvit,” the foreign rider has drawn attention across the region. Numerous Thai TikTokers have shared video footage of the…
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Wang Thonglang police apprehend two Narathiwat natives in late-night methamphetamine bust
Police officers from Wang Thonglang Station apprehended two young men accused of dealing methamphetamines. The suspects, both from Yingo District in the Narathiwat Province, attempted to flee upon spotting the officers. They discarded their illicit drugs along the way, which were later recovered. Both confessed to intending to sell the drugs to teenagers. The arrest took place in the middle…
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Phuket’s spirit sobered: 24-hour alcohol ban for Wan Org Pansa holiday
Popular Thai tourist destination Phuket will observe a strict 24-hour ban on alcohol sales starting from midnight on Saturday, as part of the country’s observance of the Buddhist religious holiday, Wan Org Pansa. This event, which takes place on Sunday, October 29, marks the culmination of the three-month season known as the Rains Retreat, often referred to as Buddhist Lent.…
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Gold shop’s underwear thief leaves police searching for man who ‘phoned it in’ in Isaan
Police are searching for a male thief in underwear who stole a mobile phone from a Heng Heng Yaowarat gold shop in Udon Thani province, Isaan. No, it’s not a Viz episode of Felix and his Amazing Underpants and the man in “hefty undercrackers” did anything but bring a “little sunshine into people’s lives.” The owner of a gold shop,…
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Monkey business: UK tourist sexually assaulted by macaque in Cambodia hotel room
A shocking incident involving a man who was sexually assaulted by a monkey in his hotel room in Cambodia has come to light. The victim, a tourist from the UK, had reportedly forgotten to close his hotel room window, leading to the unexpected sexual assault by a long-tailed macaque. The disturbing sexual assault was reported on Twitter. The victim had travelled…
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Vehicular accident in Chiang Rai leaves driver dead and over 20 students injured
A tragic vehicular accident involving a six-wheeled private delivery truck and a student minibus resulted in the death of the minibus driver and injured over 20 students. The incident occurred today in the jurisdiction of Pa Daet Police Station, Chiang Rai. The authorities were notified about the accident on Road No. 1126 in the Mai Tai Village, Moo 6, Pa…
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Thai banks see 0.71% loan growth as SMEs and households struggle
Thailand’s top six banks reported a meagre loan growth of 0.71% in the first three quarters of 2023, as compared to the same period in 2022. This slowdown is primarily due to reduced loan uptake by small and medium-sized businesses (SMEs) and an increase in household debt. The six banks—Bangkok Bank (BBL), Kasikornbank (KBank), Krungthai Bank (KTB), Siam Commercial Bank…
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Frigate negotiations: RTN discusses submarine switch controversy
Defence Minister Sutin Klungsang announced plans to assign the Royal Thai Navy (RTN) to enter into negotiations with China to reduce the cost of a frigate. This decision comes in the wake of the Thai government’s resolution to acquire such a vessel as a substitute for a submarine. Anticipated to depart for China next week, an RTN delegation will conduct…
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Thailand and Australia unite in fight against child sexual exploitation
Angela Macdonald, the Australian Ambassador to Thailand, and Deputy Chief of the Royal Thai Police Surachate “Big Joke” Hakparn joined forces in Phuket yesterday to participate in the Countering Child Sexual Exploitation Regional Dialogue Thailand 2023. The dialogue, taking place at the SAii Laguna Phuket resort in Cherng Talay, brings together law enforcement officials and NGO representatives from nine nations,…
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Thai police to enforce Public Penalty Act: no imprisonment for minor offences, fines only
Police across Thailand today will begin implementing the Public Penalty Act, which allows for fines instead of criminal punishments. The new mandate, signed by the National Police Chief, ensures that individuals won’t face imprisonment or detention in lieu of fines and that their offences will not be recorded in their criminal history. This move took effect today at the National…
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BGRIM’s solar sonata: Renewable energy giant strikes the right chord in Italy
BGRIM, a leading player in the renewable energy sector, has launched a new project for a solar power plant in Italy. The Ortanova project involves the development of an 80.9-megawatt ground solar energy system, complete with a tracking system. This initiative is in response to the growing global demand for clean energy. The undertaking is steered by RES Co Sicilia…
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Thai train station offers refund after Facebook complaint over unexpected 100 baht fee
A popular Facebook page shared a complaint about train station staff closing ticket booths and directing passengers to purchase tickets on-board, leading to an additional 100 baht fee. The State Railway of Thailand (SRT) has since clarified the situation and offered a refund. A local train passenger yesterday took to the famous Facebook page อยากดังเดี๋ยวจัดให้ รีเทริน์ part 6 to express…
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Thai-speed justice: Supreme Court ‘fuels up’ for Benz Racing’s triumphant legal lap
The Supreme Court of Thailand dismissed a drug trafficking and money laundering case involving Thai celebrity and motorcycle racer, Akkarakit “Benz” Worrarojjaroendate, also known as Benz Racing. He vehemently denied all allegations and has spent the past four years in jail trying to clear his name. Benz was implicated in facilitating the drug trade and engaging in laundering money activities…
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Popular food blogger’s 11 million baht Ho Chi Minh penthouse plagued with water leaks and cracks
After investing over 11 million baht (US$304,321) in a high-end penthouse in Ho Chi Minh City, 30 year old food blogger and YouTuber Đặng Anh Vũ from Hanoi faced unexpected issues with his new abode. Despite meticulous planning and attention to every detail, Vũ experienced severe problems with water leakage and cracked walls after only two years of residence. Vũ…
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Thailand’s business travel bounce-back: TCEB predicts 2024 revival, 2019 return by 2025-26
The Thailand Convention and Exhibition Bureau (TCEB) forecasts a business travel sector revival by 2024, with 23.2 million travellers expected. However, it predicts a business travel return to the pre-pandemic levels of 2019 only by 2025 or 2026 due to global economic unpredictability. TCEB’s president, Chiruit Isarangkun Na Ayuthaya, revealed that their business travel revival strategy will focus on stimulating…
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Thailand’s export hopes bloom in Q4, aiming to paint a brighter 2023 picture
The Ministry of Commerce in Thailand anticipates an uptick in the country’s exports for the last quarter of the year, potentially mitigating the projected contraction for 2023. This encouraging forecast is attributed to several factors, including a partnership between the government and private sector to boost export activities and address associated challenges, drought-induced spikes in agricultural and food product imports,…
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Deputy Minister’s son-in-law nabbed for extorting contractor as water supply scandal makes waves
Officers from the Public Sector Anti-Corruption Commission (PACC) arrested the mayor of Doo sub-district and the Deputy Interior Minister’s son-in-law on charges of extorting 600,000 baht from a water supply contractor. Bail was set at 400,000 baht yesterday. The contractor told the PACC that his company had put forward two tenders for two supply system projects in Taluk Doo and…
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Thai beauty giants Srichand and Karmarts paint the world with global expansion plans
Srichand United Dispensary Co and Karmarts Plc, two Thai beauty corporations, are preparing for global expansion. Srichand’s Chief Executive, Rawit Hanutsaha, disclosed plans for aggressive international growth, particularly in Indonesia due to its large beauty market and population. The firm is in the process of identifying suitable Indonesian distributors and is also considering Malaysia. Srichand has already established a global…
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Elderly woman reports to police after fatal hit-and-run of disabled man
A 60 year old woman driving a Toyota Fortuner fatally hit a disabled man crossing the road. Shocked, she fled the scene before reporting to the local police station. The hit-and-run incident reportedly occurred in a dark area with tall grass obstructing visibility around 9.15pm yesterday. The hit-and-run incident took place in a school zone, marked with warning signs and…
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Public indecency stunt: Korean influencer Aiin faces jail time in Hongdae district
Model Aiin, a prominent social media influencer, is under investigation for her audacious act of wearing a box instead of clothes while moving around the bustling Hongdae district of Korea. She invited passers-by to reach into the box and touch her breasts, claiming to challenge gender equality standards. The public indecency act, which occurred last week, has sparked a sensational…
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Two killed, two injured in violent brawl over a woman in central Thailand
A violent brawl over a woman led to the deaths of two individuals and the injuries of two others in Prachinburi province. The violent brawl incident took place in front of a residential building where the victims were drinking alcohol. The police were able to apprehend one suspect at midnight today. The altercation was initiated by a group of aggressive…
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Heavy rain warning for 36 Thai provinces, flash floods and forest runoff predicted
The Thailand Meteorological Department (TMD) today issued a heavy rain warning for 36 provinces, including Bangkok, cautioning against potential flash floods and forest runoff. The advisory follows the weakening of a high-pressure system that has dominated Northern Thailand and the South China Sea. The eastern monsoon winds are now covering the lower northeastern region, the eastern region, and the Gulf…
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Home thief: Shanghai woman loses 5 million baht trying to catch criminal alone
A 35 year old wealthy woman from Shanghai found herself a victim of a series of thefts taking place in her home. Despite her losses, which exceeded 1 million yuan (over 5 million baht), she attempted to catch the home thief herself rather than report the theft to the police. Her plan, however, took an unexpected turn. The victim, Jinti, first…
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Winter festival in Thailand to boost tourism through creative events
Thailand Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin declared plans to extend the country’s annual winter festival nationwide, renaming it the Thailand Winter Festivals. This announcement followed a strategic meeting with key figures including Tourism and Sports Minister Sudawan Wangsuphakijkosol, TAT Governor Thapanee Kiatphaibool, and Bangkok Governor Chadchart Sittipunt. The primary focus of their discussion was the forthcoming “Colourful Bangkok Winter Festival” scheduled…
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Young man survives harrowing motorcycle crash in Trat
A shocking accident occurred in Trat when a 24 year old man lost control of his motorcycle and crashed into a concrete pole. The impact caused a large gash on his chest, exposing his heart. He was hurriedly given first aid before being rushed to the hospital at around 11.10pm yesterday. The fatal motorcycle crash was reported by the Sawang…
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Lucky turtle: Thai lottery fans embrace headless, legless hero
The lottery enthusiast community was buzzing with excitement as images of a rare headless, legless turtle, considered a harbinger of good luck, spread across social media. The photographs were shared by a Facebook user yesterday who captivated the audience by claiming that the lucky turtle had arrived to bring fortune. The peculiar post quickly gained traction, attracting a barrage of…
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Elderly captive released from Hamas praises captors for unexpected care (video)
An 85 year old woman revealed the reason for extending a farewell handshake to her Hamas captors, citing their good care and tenderness towards the elderly. International news reported last night that Hamas had released two elderly Israeli women with health issues, citing humanitarian reasons. In a Hamas statement, it was clarified that the captives, 85 year old Yosef Lifchitz…
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British man suffers broken nose after stumbling over road stud in Pattaya (video)
President of the Pattaya Entertainment Business Association urged local authorities to take action after a British man stumbled on a stud on Jomtien Beach Road in Pattaya and suffered a broken nose. CCTV footage along Jomtien Beach Road in Pattaya showed a British man crossing the road and tripping over the road stud. He fell to the ground as his…
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Thai Cabinet fuels up for savings: Gasohol 91 prices set to drop
The Thai Cabinet today gave initial approval for a 2.5 baht per litre reduction in the price of gasohol 91 for three months, likely to start from October 31, as stated by the Thailand Energy Minister. Thailand Energy Minister Pirapan Salirathavibhaga confirmed that this price cut would be facilitated by a 2.5 baht per litre reduction in excise tax, a method…
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