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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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Security guard fights off python attack and then wins lottery
Sarayut Malachan had a rollercoaster of luck this past week. After purchasing some lottery tickets and boiling up some snake eggs to eat, he was attacked by a large python. While recovering from the vengeful snake bite, he discovered he won the lottery. The 68 year old man was sleeping in a security post on a chicken farm when the…
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Trumped up: Asian elephant sleuth uncovers opium stash in Chinese forest, gains ‘secret agent’ status (video)
An Asian elephant turned detective sniffing out a stash of opium hidden in the undergrowth of a forest in the southwestern province of Yunnan, China. The event was captured in a video that has since made waves on the Chinese social media platform, Weibo, earning the elephant the title of a secret agent in China’s ongoing battle against drug trafficking.…
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Unearthing riches: Danish man strikes gold with million-baht discovery in second-hand cabinet
A young Danish man stumbled upon three bars of pure gold worth over 7 million baht hidden inside a second-hand kitchen cabinet he had bought from a deceased tycoon. Despite the potential financial gain, he chose to hand the treasure over to the police. In 2019, Ajey, a resident of Denmark, caused a media stir with his accidental fortune. Being a…
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Narrow escape at sea: Quick action prevents speedboat disaster off Phuket’s coast
A near-drowning incident involving five individuals on a speedboat off the coast of Maithon Island, Phuket, was averted by swift action from local authorities. The vessel was in danger of capsizing due to water ingress but was successfully brought ashore at Chalong Bay, with all passengers safe. An investigation into the cause of the incident is underway. The alarming news…
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Teen’s high-risk hustle: 16 year old busted smuggling 14 Burmese migrant workers in stolen ride
A 16 year old boy has been caught in Ayutthaya for smuggling 14 Burmese migrant workers in a stolen vehicle, in exchange for a fee of 15,000 baht (US$429). Highway Police yesterday noticed a suspicious grey Isuzu MU-X with Phitsanulok registration, which looked overloaded compared to regular vehicles. The teenage driver attempted to evade the police, who signalled for the…
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Teenage couple arrested for canal-side murder in Chiang Mai
Police arrested a teenage couple after they murdered a Thai man on a road along an irrigation canal in the northern province of Chiang Mai. On August 21, the lifeless body of a 45 year old Thai man near a roadside forest along the road in the San Sai district of Chaing Mai. The body, which bore several traces of…
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Thai actress among 31 charged over illicit cyanide procurement
Deputy National Police General Surachate “Big Joke” Hakparn revealed that 31 individuals, including renowned Thai actress Preechaya “Ice” Phongthananikorn, are set to be summoned by the police next week. They are to face charges of allegedly procuring cyanide for illicit purposes. The charges were initiated by the Department of Industrial Works (DIW), which lodged complaints with the Crime Suppression Division…
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13 year old Thai student stabs classmate due to persistent bullying in Isaan
A 13 year old schoolboy stabbed his classmate claiming that the victim had subjected him to constant bullying at a high school in the Isaan province of Udon Thani. The Sam Phrao Sub-district Administration Organisation (SAO) rescue team rushed to the school to aid the injured schoolboy, 13 year old Joe. He was found lying on the bed in the…
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Karaoke chaos: Scout’s dishonour as bar’s Girl Scout-themed staff raises eyebrows
A karaoke bar in the Sattahip district of Chon Buri province has come under public scrutiny after images of its staff dressed as Girl Scouts surfaced online. The incident, which was initially justified as a birthday theme, sparked widespread criticism, prompting the individuals involved to apologise to the public and vow that such an event would not happen again. The…
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Peruvian man caught in Bangkok Airport: Tourist’s cocaine-smuggling scheme foiled
Thai authorities apprehended a Peruvian man at Suvarnabhumi International Airport in Bangkok on Monday after the foreigner smuggled cocaine into the country. Thai Customs Department spokesperson Phanthong Loykunlanan yesterday made a report regarding the arrest of the Peruvian man on Monday, August 21. He reported that the authorities received a tip-off on a suspicious passenger aboard an Air France airline.…
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Thai-Chinese high-speed rail project phase two set for year-end approval
Deputy government spokesperson Rachada Dhnadirek announced that the second phase of the Thai-Chinese high-speed train project is anticipated to receive Cabinet approval by the close of the year. Meanwhile, operations on the first phase of the project are slated to kick off by 2026. Rachada yesterday briefed the public on the state of the high-speed rail venture following the 30th…
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Severe weather warning issued for Thailand: Expect heavy rain and potential flash floods
The Thai Meteorological Department (TMD) issued a severe weather warning for the entire country today, with heavy rain and thunderstorms expected in 32 provinces. Bangkok could see a chance of 70% rainfall from the afternoon till dusk, posing a potential risk of flash floods. The department also advises boat operators to exercise caution, especially in the Andaman Sea and Gulf…
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Internet idol’s public exposure on bus sparks outrage: Potential 9000 baht fine
A viral video of an Internet idol sparked both criticism and shock among netizens in Hong Kong and Taiwan. The short clip reveals a woman, known for her provocative figure, openly exposing her chest while seated on a public bus, in full view of other passengers. The 12-second-long video, shared extensively across social media platforms, shows the woman, dressed in…
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Teenager dies in high-speed motorbike crash on Chon Buri’s new tourist bridge
An 18 year old young man tragically lost his life in a motorbike crash on the new Chon Buri Bridge, a popular tourist spot in Chon Buri province. The accident occurred at 11.30pm yesterday, when his motorbike hit a speed bump, causing him to lose control and crash. The young man, identified as Theerawat, was visiting the bridge for the…
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British trans comedian Darcie Silver dies unexpectedly in Thailand at 35
Darcie Silver, a trans comedian from Britain who hit the spotlight with her groundbreaking performance at the renowned Edinburgh Fringe Festival in 2019, met an untimely demise in Thailand at the tender age of 35. The specifics surrounding her sudden departure remain as yet unknown. However, what is undeniably clear is the profound impact Silver managed to leave behind, courtesy…
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Ex-PM Thaksin begins 8-year prison term in medical ward
Former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, 74 years old, is currently housed in a private room in the medical ward of the Bangkok Remand Prison due to his four underlying health conditions, including heart and lung problems. The head of the Department of Corrections, Aryut Sinthoppan, revealed this information to journalists yesterday. The news follows the Supreme Court’s decision to sentence…
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60 year old Chinese man dons frog mascot costume for romantic surprise
Romance isn’t just for the young, as proven by a 60 year old man from China who surprised his girlfriend with a charming public gesture. Donning an adorable frog mascot costume, the man waited for his partner on a busy street, with their sweet interaction caught on camera and subsequently shared online, sparking widespread admiration. The heartwarming video was posted…
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UPDATE: Man lost in wilderness found after king cobra encounter
In an update to a story earlier today, an elderly man lost in the Khao Sanam Priang Wildlife Sanctuary in Kamphaeng Phet province has been found alive. He had been foraging with a friend and the duo were in search of wild mushrooms and other forest yields. However, their day took an unexpected turn when Phorn lost his way and encountered a king…
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Fatal accident: Mother killed, son injured after motorcycle collision with two pickup trucks in northeast Thailand
A tragic accident occurred today when a mother swerved her motorcycle to avoid a car, collided with the back of a pickup truck, and was subsequently hit by another in northeast Thailand. She was dragged under the vehicle and killed on the spot. Her 10 year old son, who was riding a pillion, was thrown off and seriously injured. Assistant…
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Dolphin drama: Injured marine friend plays ‘shore’ game at Thai Mueang Beach, Phuket
An injured dolphin was discovered stranded at Thai Mueang, a beach located north of Phuket. The incident occurred yesterday, with locals initially trying to help by pushing the marine creature back into the sea. However, within an hour, the dolphin had returned to the shore. Immediately sensing the urgency, the locals contacted the authorities at Khao Lampi-Hat Thai Mueang National Park…
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Kalasin mystery of missing Rosewood logs leads to investigation of officials and illegal logging networks
Seven logs of Rosewood, worth over 1 million baht, have mysteriously disappeared from Kalasin’s Itue municipality office. Amidst the controversy, six state officials are reportedly involved, though they deny any wrongdoing. Meanwhile, illegal logging continues unabated in the region, notably at Khumhaiwitthaya School in Nong Kung Si district, where a broker was allowed to cut down 22 Rosewood trees and…
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Evergrande collapse in China set to hit Thai tourism and exports
The Thai tourism and export sectors are set to experience a significant impact due to the financial downfall of China’s real estate giant, Evergrande. The Evergrande collapse revelation came from Poonpong Naiyanapakorn, Head of Policy and Trade Strategy Office (PTS), Ministry of Commerce, today. He suggested business operators closely monitor the situation. Evergrande, a giant in China’s real estate sector,…
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Brutal Thai loan shark arrested after 4-hour high-speed chase with police (video)
Police arrested a violent Thai loan shark after a four-hour high-speed chase in the Jom Thong district of Bangkok. The loan shark, 38 year old Thaksin Phanpian, had been on the police radar after a vicious assault on the debtor last year. Thaksin brutally assaulted the debtor to reclaim money owed. He kicked the victim who was sitting on his…
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Canine rescue: UK police sober up intoxicated owner at Wolverhampton station
A local police team in the UK promptly intervened to safeguard a dog from its intoxicated owner at a Wolverhampton railway station. According to the BBC, the British Transport Police (BTP) received an emergency report from the station, raising concerns about a young woman who appeared heavily intoxicated and seemed unable to adequately care for her dog. As part of…
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Taiwanese man’s spider egg sac photo stirs horror and humour online
A Taiwanese man’s post on social media has drawn attention and caused concern after he shared images of a spider holding what he thought was a mint candy, along with other insects on his window. The man jokingly suggested that the arachnid’s mysterious object was a minty trick to help the spider stay cool. However, Internet commenters were quick to…
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Smelly situation: Car rear-ended by manure hauler leaves Chinese man in a mess
A Chinese man had a particularly crappy day when his car was rear-ended by a vehicle transporting animal waste. The crash resulted in injuries and significant damage to his car. And yes, the manure was flung all over his car exactly like you would imagine it. The unusual accident occurred in Xianyang City, Liaoning Province, a coastal province in northeast…
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Love, money, and revenge: Thai wife’s fury leads to stabbing of husband’s mistress
A Thai woman stabbed her unfaithful husband’s mistress after she discovered he spent all his money on her and could not even spare 20 baht money for their child. The scorned wife told police she is willing to go to jail rather than lose her dignity. Police were alerted to the dispute in front of a convenience store in the…
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Phuket authorities takes action against 13 illegal cannabis shops
A crackdown is underway in Phuket, where legal proceedings have been initiated against 13 illegal cannabis shops operating without proper licensing. The local health authority, under the direction of Chief Doctor Kusak Kookietikun of the Phuket Provincial Public Health Office, confirmed the actions on Monday. The majority of these unlicensed shops, nine in total, are located in Kathu. Meanwhile, Mueang…
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Search for elderly man lost in Kamphaeng Phet forest continues
A 71 year old man has gone missing in a dense forest under the jurisdiction of the Wildlife Conservation Zone in Kamphaeng Phet province. Over 50 forest officials, administrators, and local villagers have launched an extensive search, combing the forest area for any signs of the man. The missing septuagenarian is Phorn Muekkwang, a local from Nong Kong Village. He…
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Undercover revelation: Hidden cameras unveil maid’s saucy double life
A startling discovery of some sexy underwear hidden under her pillow led a woman to uncover her maid’s shocking double life via hidden cameras. The woman, known as Wang, and her husband reside in the bustling city of Shenzhen, Guangdong Province, China. They lead a comfortable life, with stable executive roles in a company and are proud parents to their…
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