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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 Pre-existing conditions? These expat insurance plans still have you covered
Many expats feel worried that their pre-existing health problems will stop them from getting insurance in a new country. This fear is common, especially when medical care can be expensive. But the good news is, some insurance, like the plans...
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Tragedy in rocklin: Man killed while rescuing ducks, teen driver involved
A tragic incident occurred in Rocklin, California, when a 41 year old man was fatally struck by a car driven by a teenager while attempting to help a family of ducks cross the road. The accident took place approximately 25 miles northeast of Sacramento. According to witnesses, Casey Rivara had ensured the ducks reached safety before the collision occurred. No…
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Chinese researchers discover evidence of ancient ocean on Mars
Chinese researchers have uncovered direct evidence of an ancient ocean on Mars’s northern plains, according to a team from the China University of Geosciences in Wuhan. The discovery, recently published in the journal National Science Review, has the potential to further solidify our understanding of the Red Planet’s geological history. Led by Xiao Long, a professor at the China University of…
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Chon Buri woman discovers priceless pearl in local market oyster
A lucky woman in Chon Buri found a valuable pearl inside a large oyster purchased from a local market. The resident, Thevalee Sitonwong, discovered the stunning orange pearl while preparing a meal for her and her husband. Thevalee revealed that she and her husband had gone to the market to buy some ingredients for their dinner, which included a popular Thai…
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Pregnant woman given wrong medication at hospital, experiences uncontrollable spasms
In an alarming incident, an expectant mother was administered the wrong medication during her visit to a medical facility. The 37 week pregnant woman went to the hospital for a regular blood test and was mistakenly given epileptic medication instead of sugar water. After taking the medicine, the pregnant woman experienced severe symptoms, sparking a wave of fear and concern…
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Biden, McCarthy in debt ceiling talks as US default risk looms
US President Joe Biden and House Speaker Kevin McCarthy met at the White House yesterday to discuss raising the US government’s US$31.4 trillion debt ceiling, with the US economy at risk if no agreement is reached within 10 days. The Democratic president and the top congressional Republican have struggled to make progress on a deal, as McCarthy pressures the White…
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Democrats to elect new leader amid Abhisit and Watanya speculation
The Democrat Party is set to meet and establish guidelines for selecting a new leader, with Abhisit Vejjajiva and Watanya Bunnag, head of the party’s political innovations working group, being the potential candidates. Yesterday, party spokesperson Ramet Rattanachaweng announced that the caretaker executive panel would convene tomorrow to outline the process for choosing a new leader and appointing a new…
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Much-loved Thai police officer suddenly dies, hormone disorder blamed for 218kg weight
The unexpected passing of Manop Wongnaree, affectionally known as “Police Senior Sergeant Major Elephant” has left his family, friends and colleagues mourning. The 50 year old was a police officer with a body weight of 218 kilograms. He gained international attention when photos of him were shared online, accompanied by comments ridiculing his excessive weight. Assistant Police Captain Pichetpong Chaengkaikom…
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Cannabis shops near schools allowed amid lack of specific law
Cannabis dispensaries are currently allowed to operate near schools in Thailand, as there is no specific legislation controlling their locations, according to the Department of Thai Traditional and Alternative Medicine (DTAM). However, the Public Health Ministry has prohibited the sale of cannabis to individuals under 20 years old, with penalties including a one-year prison sentence, a fine of up to…
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China bans US Micron chips, escalating global chip industry risks
China’s recent ban on certain sectors using chips from United States-based Micron Technology has highlighted the potential risks faced by the global chip industry amidst rising Sino-US trade tensions. The move against Micron, the largest US memory chipmaker, is widely perceived as retaliation for Washington’s attempts to limit Beijing’s access to crucial technology. This comes as the Group of Seven…
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Lop Buri monkeys suffer heatwave, locals urge support
Concerned residents are urging government agencies to provide support to monkeys residing in Lop Buri province landmarks, the Phra Kan Shrine and Phra Prang Sam Yot, after a scorching heatwave restricted the movements of its monkeys. Lop Buri finds itself in the grip of an intense heatwave, with temperatures reaching a scorching 41 degrees Celsius. Residents are concerned because the…
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Farmer in Thailand puts buffalo up for sale for US$1.5 million
A farmer in Thailand put a giant water buffalo up for sale for 50 million baht (US$1.45 million) yesterday. Forget a pool villa in Phuket, for the same price you could bag yourself one of the biggest buffaloes Thailand has ever seen. “Petch Lamkhong,” a three year and five month old water buffalo (“kwai“) from “Big Ice Farm” in Phitsanulok, weighed…
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Family offers 10,000 baht reward for missing mental health patient last seen at hospital
A 10,000 baht reward has been offered for information leading to the whereabouts of a 37 year old psychiatric patient who has been missing for over a week after walking out of Khon Kaen Hospital. Thawatchai Themueang is a resident of Samran district in Khon Kaen province, who sought treatment for spasms at the hospital on Saturday, May 13. Security…
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Chinese Internet star dies after excessive alcohol drinking during livestream
A Chinese Internet star died after drinking an excessive amount of Chinese alcohol during a livestreaming PK competition. The 34 year old Wang Moufeng, also known as Brother Sanqian, is a popular Chinese celebrity from Jiangsu province in the northeastern part of China. He died on Tuesday, May 16 after he finished a livestreaming session with others in a competition…
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Debtor pawns 3 French bulldogs in Thailand
A loan shark in Thailand claims that a debtor who couldn’t make their repayments pledged three French bulldogs as collateral one year ago, but never returned to collect the dogs or repay the loan. The loan shark posted in the “French bulldog club of Thailand” to seek advice… “These are my three adopted kids. These three dogs did not do anything…
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Grandfather’s arranged marriage shatters woman’s fairy-tale dreams
Marrying into a wealthy family does not ensure a happy ever after as one Vietnamese woman found out after her grandfather organized an arranged marriage. The woman’s parents thought everything was tickety-boo despite little contact with their daughter over the past two years but all that changed when she issues a “come and get me” note hidden in some homemade…
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Firework display gone wrong: Huge explosion sends locals fleeing in Kalasin
A dramatic display unfolded during the annual Bun Bang Fai Talai Lan Festival in Kalasin Province’s Kuchinarai District as a single 20 million-fireworks rocket lifted off and exploded mid-air. The festival, which took place on May 22, is uniquely celebrated in this province with millions of rockets being launched into the sky, attracting numerous local and international tourists. At around…
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South Sudan airport becomes camp for Eritreans fleeing conflict
Paloich Airport in South Sudan has become a makeshift camp for thousands of refugees fleeing the neighbouring Sudan conflict. They now live in dire conditions without basic amenities such as running water, toilets, or kitchens. Many of these refugees are Eritreans, who had sought asylum in Sudan before being displaced once again due to ongoing violence. They are now waiting…
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Statistical lottery results revealed: Check out past June 1 winning numbers
Lottery enthusiasts in Thailand are gearing up for yet another exciting draw on Thursday, June 1, with many keen to analyse the winning numbers over the past 10 years. These keen-eyed lottery buffs are using historical data to provide insight into the most frequently drawn numbers and use them to guess the upcoming Lottery draw. Looking back at June 1…
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Durian dispute turns violent after Chinese tourists accuse Thai vendor of selling fake fruit
Things quickly turned sour when three Chinese tourists accused a Thai vendor of selling “fake durian” at a market in Chon Buri province, eastern Thailand, on Saturday. Officers from Sattahip Police Station were called to de-escalate an altercation at Siwanat Nakorn 700 Rai Market on Saturday night which began when three Chinese tourists expressed discontent with the quality of their…
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Deadly consumption of poisonous mushrooms claims 2 lives, 7 seriously ill in Loei Province
Tragedy struck the Isaan province of Loei as a group of individuals fell victim to the consumption of poisonous mushrooms known as Hed Ra Ngok in Thai, resulting in the deaths of two people and leaving seven others injured. The unfortunate incident unfolded on Saturday, May 20, when two residents ventured into a forest near the popular attraction, Phu Lom…
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Bangkok Pride parade aims to boost Thailand’s 2028 World Pride bid
Bangkok is set to host a Pride parade on June 4, with the theme “Door to Equal Asia,” as the city prepares to bid for World Pride 2028. Waaddao Chumaporn, the founder of Bangkok Pride, informed the Bangkok Post that this year’s event will be larger than the previous year, highlighting Thailand’s preparedness to host the global celebration in 2028.…
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Driver confronts taxi counterpart with arrest warrant in viral video, escorted to police station
A long-standing feud between two taxi drivers in Samut Prakan culminated as one driver took matters into his own hands to ensure justice was served. According to a video posted online, the taxi driver waited several years to confront the other driver and had a warrant for his arrest but he evaded capture. The incident, which occurred under a BTS…
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Reckless rock-thrower arrested in Ang Thong after damaging vehicles and risking lives
Police arrested a 27 year old man in the Ang Thong province allegedly responsible for throwing rocks at three vehicles, causing damages and endangering lives. It was reported that following a cannabis-induced hallucination, the suspect become a potential threat to public safety. Upon investigation, the man was found to have a history involving drug arrests. Today, Pol. Lt. Col. Sayachon…
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Phuket som tam restaurant returns 200,000 baht to European tourist
A European tourist was reunited with his bag containing money and assets worth 200,000 baht yesterday thanks to the honest owner of a som tam restaurant in Phuket, southern Thailand. The restaurant, Som Tam Yam 3 Aow, posted photos of the smiling tourist with a big stash of cash on Facebook with the caption… “From the incident where a customer had…
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Naked Buddhist monk stuns Udon Thani residents as he sheds robes in public
An alarming incident took place in the Udon Thani province of Thailand when a 42 year old Buddhist monk, identified as Damrongsak, suddenly disrobed and walked naked in the streets, unsettling nearby residents. The monk, who originally hails from Ban Pho Chon Temple in Phetchabun province, was discovered having discarded his garments near a local community school, yesterday, May 21,…
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Burmese man attacks 3 colleagues with knife near Bangkok
A Burmese man attacked three colleagues with a knife yesterday at the Owl Market in Nonthaburi province near Bangkok. The incident took place around 5pm yesterday, May 21, at the Owl Market or Nok Hook Market along the Nonthaburi Bypass Road. Officers from Rattanathibet Police Station were notified of the incident and quickly arrived on the scene along with rescuers…
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China cybersecurity watchdog fails Micron, urges halt on chip purchases
China’s cybersecurity watchdog has announced that US semiconductor company Micron failed its national security review, urging operators of “critical information infrastructure” to cease purchasing its products. This marks a new development in the ongoing chip dispute between the US and China, with the US seeking to limit Beijing’s access to advanced semiconductors. In March, Chinese authorities initiated a review of…
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Stolen ambulance radio requested back, needed for life-saving communication
Emergency responders from the Bangkok Medical Centre have reported the theft of a vital communication radio from an ambulance, urging the thief to return the equipment as it is crucial for saving lives. Yesterday, May 21, Mahesak Kanrat, a 48 year old ambulance captain from the Bangkok Medical Centre, reported the theft to Pipatpong Puempoon, a sergeant major investigating the…
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3 illegal Cambodian monks found living in Samut Prakan forest
Authorities in Samut Prakan province recently apprehended three Cambodian nationals dressed in monk-like attire, living in a makeshift shelter in a forest near a local market. The raid took place on May 21, led by Pol Lt Col. Phakphumpiphat Sajjaphan, Chief of the Immigration Police, and Pol Lt Col Waritsiri Lelasiri, Head of Subdivision 3. The operation aimed to investigate…
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Bitcoin rebounds 80% in 2023 amid US banking system turmoil
Cryptocurrencies are making a comeback in 2023, with Bitcoin rallying by 80% above last year’s value, despite still being almost 50% down from its record high of US$69,000 in November 2021. This resurgence is partly due to improving macroeconomic conditions and the deteriorating state of the US banking system, which has led investors to seek alternatives to traditional financial instruments.…
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