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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 Do foreigners get free healthcare in Thailand?
Thailand’s healthcare system is well-regarded across Southeast Asia, with options ranging from public hospitals to world-class private facilities. But when it comes to foreign residents or tourists, healthcare access isn’t as straightforward. So, do foreigners get free healthcare in Thailand?...
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Unexpected Eiffel Tower proposal unfolds amid intruder incident
A sudden twist of events led to an unexpected marriage proposal atop the famous Eiffel Tower in Paris when the authorities abruptly closed the lift to apprehend an intruder. While stuck on top, a couple from Washington, DC, seized the moment to get engaged, with an Associated Press journalist unintentionally acting as a witness. Located in Paris, France, the Eiffel…
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Move Forward Party probes MP over Bangkok sexual harassment claims
A sexual harassment allegation against a Move Forward Party (MFP) MP is set to undergo investigation, according to Parit Wacharasindhu, a party list MP and spokesperson. The case involves three women accusing an MP from a district within the Thon Buri region of Bangkok and follows closely on the heels of a similar incident reported on October 12 involving a different…
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Navy officer survives brutal car crash in Pathum Thani, BMW left in ruins
A 25 year old navy officer, racing in his BMW, crashed into a bridge pillar, trapping him in the driver’s seat. His injuries included serious wounds to his buttocks. Rescue workers rushed to his aid and transported him to a hospital for treatment. The incident occurred today on the inbound Phaholyothin Road in the Prachathipat Subdistrict, Thanyaburi District, Pathum Thani…
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Melioidosis outbreak in Thailand claims ten lives, farmers urged caution
An alarming outbreak of melioidosis, also known as Whitmore’s disease, has emerged in Thailand, claiming the lives of approximately 10 farmers in Buriram, Nakhon Ratchasima, and Songkhla. Thailand’s Department of Disease Control (DDC) is warning farmers about the disease, triggered by the fungus Burkholderia pseudomallei, typically found in contaminated soil, water, rice paddies, and cropping farms. The spring outbreak has…
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Disabled man tosses poo at Buriram repair shop over service dissatisfaction
A 66 year old disabled man has been caught on security camera footage tossing poo at a local repair shop due to dissatisfaction with the service he received. The incident took place in Buriram’s Sateuk district. The disabled man used an electric wheelchair to approach the shop late at night and proceeded to scatter faecal matter in front of it.…
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FDA enforces recall of hypertension drugs over cancer-causing impurities
A recall of 42 batches of hypertension drugs has been enforced by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) from five pharmaceutical manufacturers following the discovery of potentially carcinogenic impurities. The decision came after the detection of azidomethyl biphenyl tetrazole (AZBT) impurities in some models of irbesartan, a drug used to control high blood pressure. Acting secretary-general of the FDA, Narong…
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Thailand on high alert as heavy rains, thunderstorms loom: Bangkok braces for 60% chance of severe weather
A cold air mass is engulfing northern Thailand, leading to thunderstorms and heavy rain in some areas. Meanwhile, a monsoon trough is sweeping across the southern region, bringing heavy rainfall and raising concerns about flash flooding and forest runoff. It is advised that residents in affected areas remain vigilant. Bangkok is expected to experience a 60% chance of thunderstorms and…
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Chinese woman divorces despite DNA test proving son’s legitimacy after family suspicions
A Chinese woman, known as Ho, found herself in a tense family situation after her four year old son, Tiewpao, made an innocent comment over lunch. Tiewpao innocently mentioned that his mother often brought home a male visitor during the day. This sparked suspicion and hostility within the family, leading to Ho’s husband taking Tiewpao for a DNA test. The…
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Thailand seeks free trade agreement with Gulf nations to boost investment
Thailand’s government spokesperson, Chai Wacharonke, declared the country’s intention to establish a free trade agreement with the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) member nations, aiming to enhance trade and investment relations. Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin recently concluded his visit to Saudi Arabia, where he participated in the ASEAN-GCC Riyadh Summit at the Ritz-Carlton. During the visit, the 61 year old prime…
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Saudi Arabia pledges to aid Thailand in Israel-Hamas hostage crisis
Thailands Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin announced that Saudi Arabia has pledged to assist in securing the release of Thai hostages caught in the ongoing Israel-Hamas war. His statement came after meeting with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman Al Saud at the Asean-Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Summit in Riyadh. The Crown Prince expressed his sympathy towards the Thai workers affected…
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Prominent company loses 9 million baht in security guard-led heist: Couple arrested in Nong Bua Lam Phu province
Police have apprehended a security guard and his girlfriend in a rented room in the Nong Bua Lam Phu province, following a burglary in which over 9 million baht was stolen from a prominent company. The 41 year old male suspect, and his girlfriend, a 27 year old Cambodian national, were arrested on charges of “joint theft of an employer’s…
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Thailand prepares to send workers back to Israel post-conflict
Thailand’s Labour Ministry has expressed readiness to send its workers back to Israel once the tensions between Israel and Hamas ease. The statement came from Pairote Chotikasathien, the permanent secretary of the ministry. This came after Kittana Srisuriya, a minister counsellor at the Thai embassy in Tel Aviv, held discussions with Eyal Sisu, the director-general of the Population and Immigration…
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Bangkok sees drop in PM2.5 levels but 41 areas still exceed standard, orange alert issued
Air Quality Data Centre in Bangkok reported a decrease in PM2.5 levels today, from 5am to 7am. The measurements ranged from 25.8 to 60.2 micrograms per cubic metre (µg/m³), with an average of 40.1µg/m³ across Bangkok. Despite the decrease, 41 areas still exceed the standard level, impacting health with an orange level alert. As of 7am, PM2.5 measurements ranged between…
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ACE’s 18 solar projects to boost revenue with 665m baht annually
Absolute Clean Energy (ACE), a prominent biomass power developer and operator based in Bangkok, is set to see a significant increase in revenue following the selection of its 18 solar power generation ventures to feed the national grid. The projects are being executed under the umbrella of ACE’s 14 entirely owned subsidiary companies. ACE, in a recent announcement by its…
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Teenager killed instantly in fatal forklift-motorbike crash near Phetchabun Market
A fatal crash involving a forklift and a motorbike occurred near the Phetchabun Central Grain Market yesterday. The motorcyclist, a teenager in his early teens, collided with the forklift as it was turning into the market. T he impact was so severe that the young man was killed instantly, with severe injuries to his head and neck. The accident was…
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Thai workers in debt eager to return to Israel after conflict cessation
The cessation of conflict in Israel is eagerly awaited by Thai workers who have returned home, as they are burdened by significant debts that require their return to work. Among them is 38 year old Thaworn Aksornsue, a recent returnee from Israel where he spent seven months labouring on a farm, earning approximately 55,000 baht (US$ 1,507) monthly. A substantial…
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Changsha woman falls into coma following allergic reaction to salon hair dye
A 60 year old woman from Huinan, Changsha City, suffered a severe allergic reaction after having her hair dyed at a beauty salon. Four hours after leaving the salon, she started to experience breathing difficulties and was rushed to the hospital. In the emergency room, she was put on a ventilator and she fell into a coma which lasted for…
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Court rejects anti-corruption agency’s review bid in Prawit’s wristwatch probe
The Supreme Administrative Court yesterday upheld a prior court’s decision against the National Anti-Corruption Commission’s (NACC) request for a case review involving luxury wristwatches linked to former Deputy Prime Minister Prawit Wongsuwon. The court found no basis for the review, which would require the NACC to disclose details of their investigation into the wristwatch controversy to political activist Veera Somkhwamkid.…
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Tourist minivan crash in Mae Hong Son injures seven: Steep route and driver inexperience blamed
A tourist minivan lost control on a curve in Mae Hong Son, crashing into guardrails and a tree, leaving multiple passengers injured. The crash took place yesterday, in the Ban Rak Thai area. The minivan, carrying seven tourists from Sing Buri province, was travelling back from Ban Rak Thai, a popular Yunnan Chinese tourist village. The vehicle, a Toyota with…
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Hong Kong man praised for compassionate act during public altercation with naked woman
Panic swept through the streets as a woman was spotted running naked, eventually engaging in an altercation with a man. Amid the chaos, one man took compassionate action, earning praise from onlookers. Recently, a video clip circulated in Hong Kong’s WhatsApp groups showed a naked woman running wildly on the street before engaging in an altercation with a man. The…
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Thailand set to become ASEAN’s gaming hub, says Thailand Game Show organisers
With its burgeoning gaming sector, Thailand is poised to become the gaming hub of the ASEAN region, according to organisers at the Thailand Game Show 2023. The nation’s gaming industry, valued at 30 billion baht, is leading in Southeast Asia and ranks 20th globally. In addition to boasting impressive user numbers and hosting gaming competitions, Thailand is also nurturing game…
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Thai hostages safe in Gaza, release hinged on Israeli military ceasefire
Seyed Reza Nobakhti, the Iranian ambassador to Thailand, confirmed that the Thai hostages currently held in Palestinian territories remain safe. He mentioned that the hostages, along with others, will only be released once the Israeli military halts its attack on the Gaza Strip. The Palestinian militant group, Hamas, had captured about 200 hostages, including 19 Thai workers, during an unexpected…
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Thai man survives throat slitting in Hamas attack in Israel
A Thai man revealed how he survived having his throat slit by a member of the Hamas group in Israel. He arrived home in Thailand yesterday, October 19, and was immediately reunited with his family for the first time in four years after moving to Israel to work. The Royal Thai Air Force (RTAF) evacuated 136 Thais from Israel, arriving at…
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Capsized kayak calamity off Pattaya: Adventure takes an unexpected plunge
A kayaking adventure off the coast of Pattaya nearly ended in tragedy as a boat carrying a 42 year old man and a 14 year old girl capsized in the early hours of yesterday morning. The incident, which occurred at 4.30am, drew swift response from emergency services who attended the scene near Walking Street in South Pattaya, Banglamung district, Chon…
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Universal healthcare with one ID card set to expand in Thailand
The One ID Card, Universal Healthcare initiative is set to be extended to four additional provinces in Thailand, according to Dr Chonnan Srikaew, minister of the Ministry of Public Health. Stating that the new policy will be officially announced on October 24, the minister clarified that the single ID card will enable citizens to access healthcare services in all networks, including…
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Chinese couple’s 20-year routine leads to 15 million baht gold theft
A gold shop owner couple who have been transporting 30 kilogrammes of gold back and forth from their home for over 20 years woke up to a shocking gold theft reality – a thief had stolen their gold worth over 15 million baht. The couple, based in the city of Shuangyashan, Heilongjiang province, China, were under the impression that keeping…
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Phuket Airport’s ‘cool’ conundrum: A chilling malfunction
Phuket International Airport publicly addressed the ongoing issue of its malfunctioning air conditioning system at the international terminal managed by Airports of Thailand (AoT Phuket), Phuket International Airport general manager is Monchai Tanode but a response to the problem was delivered in a press release yesterday with no specific signatory. The document clarified the issue of the air conditioning system’s…
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Over 100 victims lured into buying fake concert tickets and perfume
Forty victims, representing more than 100 others, filed a complaint with the police after a Thai woman lured them into buying fake concert tickets and perfume from their beloved Thai singer, Palitchoke “Peck” Ayanaputra. One of the victims, whose identity has not been revealed, told ThaiRath that Peck’s fans formed a group on social media to talk about Peck and…
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Indie guitarist hits rock bottom: From strings to online gambling sins
A renowned ex-Indie band guitarist found himself on the wrong side of the law after falling into online gambling and resorting to theft. The 31 year old musician, Anutree, was apprehended for theft today by the police team led by Thiti Saengsaeng, Napasorn Poolsawat, Theeradech Thammasuthee, and Warapoj Rungkrajang. The arrest came after an incident on October 10, when an unidentified…
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Internet star Lina Jung highlights squalid state of 100 million baht Bangkok complex home
Popular Internet idol Lina Jung recently exposed the shocking condition of her city-centre shopping complex home, worth over 100 million baht, which she has resided in for over 30 years. The building has been left in a squalid condition, filled with drugs, sanitary bags, and rubbish, prompting Jung to draw the attention of the Royal Thai Police and the Governor of…
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