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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 Long-term life in Thailand? 5 reasons private health insurance pays off in the long run
Thailand is a great place for expats and retirees, offering a warm climate, affordable living, and rich culture. However, healthcare can be tricky for foreigners since they aren’t eligible for public health coverage, and private care can be expensive. Private...
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No ruff times for rescue dogs: Thailand muzzles donation rumours
The Government of Thailand has slammed false claims circulating online that donations are needed to support military working dogs (K-9s) involved in earthquake rescue efforts. Government officials have made it clear, these highly trained dogs are well cared for, and no public funding is required. Karom Phonphlang, deputy government spokesperson, set the record straight on yesterday, March 30, urging the…
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Thailand hosts 6th BIMSTEC Summit, fostering regional ties
Thailand is set to host the 6th Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC) Summit from April 3 to 4, according to reports from the Thai government. Government spokesperson Jirayu Houngsub announced yesterday, March 30, that Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra is preparing to welcome leaders and representatives from six member countries: Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Myanmar, Nepal,…
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Storm warning: Thailand braces for wild weather chaos
Thailand is in for a wild ride today as the Thai Meteorological Department (TMD) warns of severe summer storms set to batter 34 provinces. Expect torrential rain, howling winds, hailstorms, and even lightning strikes in some areas. The extreme weather is being fuelled by a moderate high-pressure system sweeping in from China, hitting northeastern Thailand and the South China Sea.…
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Thai Board of Trade caught in tariff crossfire over Uyghur issue
Thailand’s business leaders are urging firms to stay agile amid fears that the ongoing Uyghur issue could disrupt trade talks. Sanan Angubolkul, chairman of the Thai Board of Trade, warned it’s too early to predict the fallout but said businesses must adapt to survive. Companies are being urged to make the most of Thailand’s 16 free trade agreements (FTAs) with…
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Eight Thai state banks offer earthquake relief measures
Eight state-owned banks have announced a range of relief initiatives to support individuals and businesses affected by the recent earthquake. These measures include suspending debt repayments and offering low-interest loans. Deputy Government Spokesperson Anukul Prueksanusak stated that the aim is to offer immediate relief and assist in sustaining livelihoods and business operations. The involved financial institutions are: The Government Housing…
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Bangkok building collapse rescue mission continues amid structural challenges
Deputy Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul and Industry Minister Ekanat Prompan visited the site of the Office of the Auditor General building collapse, which was caused by an earthquake on January 28. Approximately 50 people are still trapped under the debris. A committee has been established to investigate the cause of the collapse, with a deadline of seven days for their…
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Canadian man found unconscious after domestic dispute in Pattaya
Police responded to an early morning call yesterday regarding a domestic disturbance involving a Canadian man at a residence in Pattaya. Upon arrival at the scene, officers found a 47 year old man called James unconscious on the floor. James was discovered yesterday, March 30, with bruises on his body, indicating a violent altercation had taken place. Rescue teams from…
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Thai minister demands building collapse answers from Chinese firm
Thailand’s interior minister has demanded answers within seven days after the shocking collapse of the State Audit Office building in Bangkok, constructed by a Chinese company, during last week’s earthquake. Rescuers are still working at the disaster site in Chatuchak district, with at least 12 confirmed dead, 33 injured, and 78 people still unaccounted for. Four Chinese workers have already…
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Phuket boosts motorbike safety with 4 million baht funding
Phuket officials have secured over 4 million baht from the road safety fund to bolster accident prevention measures, with an emphasis on motorbike safety. This funding was confirmed during a meeting held at the Phuket Land Transport Office on March 25 to discuss road safety strategies for the 2025 fiscal year. The meeting was presided over by Adcha Buachan, the…
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Myanmar earthquake affects Bangkok, 17 dead, 83 missing
An earthquake centred in Myanmar on Friday, which wreaked havoc in Thailand too, has resulted in significant damage and casualties. The tremors were strong enough to rock Thailand, causing the collapse of a 30-storey building under construction on Kamphaeng Phet 2 Road in Chatuchak district, Bangkok. Many condominiums in the city also sustained damage. According to the Erawan Centre’s report…
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Secret drug discovery raises questions over Shane Warne’s death in Thailand
New revelations have emerged regarding the circumstances surrounding the death of Australian cricket legend Shane Warne, with claims that a powerful sex drug was discovered at the scene but later removed by police. Fifty-two-year old Warne passed away in March 2022 while on vacation with friends on the Thai island of Koh Samui. A postmortem concluded that the former cricketer,…
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Family demands answers after woman’s fatal fall during earthquake
A 24 year old woman has raised concerns following her sister’s mysterious death after falling from a condominium during Friday’s earthquake, which rocked Thailand and Myanmar. The incident involved 28 year old spa manager, Mon, who fell from the 13th floor to the 5th floor. Her sister, Rin, has questioned the absence of using the fire escape, suspecting foul play…
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Thai restaurants waive charges for earthquake-affected diners
Following the devastating earthquake that struck several provinces in Thailand on March 28, numerous restaurants in shopping malls in the kingdom have shown compassion by waiving charges for customers who fled without paying. The earthquake, which caused significant damage in Bangkok, including building collapses, resulted in injuries and fatalities. Many high-rise buildings suffered structural cracks. The earthquake occurred during the…
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Earthquake chaos exploited for drug trade, 2.5m pills seized
Drug traffickers exploited the chaos following an earthquake to transport illegal substances, resulting in the seizure of over 2.5 million methamphetamine pills. Police apprehended 42 year old Ekalak Krataijun when his pickup truck was found without a registration plate on March 29. The arrest was reported by the superintendent of Highway Police Station 1, Subdivision 8, of the Highway Police…
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Debt dispute leads to fatal shooting at Samut Prakan factory
A dispute over a debt yesterday led to a fatal shooting at a factory in Samut Prakan. CCTV footage captured 53 year old Kan, a creditor, arriving on a motorcycle with his friend Toy, a 48 year old, to retrieve a debt of over 1,000 baht from Man, an employee at the factory. Present with Man were his friends, including…
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Traffic police officer dies in Phetchabun truck accident
A traffic police officer tragically lost his life after being hit by an 18-wheel truck while on duty in Phetchabun province. The officer, 41 year old Chawinnathat Phadungthammasanti, was recognised for his exemplary service by the Royal Thai Police. The incident, which occurred yesterday, March 29, has deeply saddened the community. The accident took place on the Saraburi-Lomsak Road near…
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Bangkok sees surge in building crack reports post-earthquake
Reports of building cracks across Bangkok have surged to almost 6,000 cases via Traffy Fondue. The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) is adjusting its system to ensure timely action by volunteer engineers. Bangkok Deputy Governor Sannon Wangsrangboon yesterday, March 29, disclosed that after the earthquake, over 2,100 cases of building cracks were reported within a day. By midday, this number had…
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Detained Thai crew return home after Myanmar pardon
Four Thai crew members, detained by Myanmar officials since November last year, returned to Ranong province yesterday afternoon. Ras Chaleechan, Vice Minister for Foreign Affairs, led a Thai delegation, including members of the Thailand-Myanmar Township Border Committee and senior officials from relevant agencies, via speedboat to Myanmar’s Kawthaung province to receive the crew members. The Myanmar government released them following…
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Bangkok hospital evacuates patients after Myanmar earthquake tremors (video)
Hospital beds were set up in a sports hall in Bangkok as patients were evacuated from Rajavithi Hospital due to concerns over damage from a powerful earthquake. The 7.7-magnitude quake struck central Myanmar on March 28, followed by a 6.7-magnitude aftershock, causing tremors to be felt as far as Bangkok, located over 1,000 kilometres away. Patients at Rajavithi Hospital were…
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Storm alert: Heavy rain to lash Bangkok and 46 other provinces
Thailand is bracing for another round of wild weather as the Meteorological Department of Thailand (TMD) issues its eighth summer storm warning. Forecasters predict heavy downpours will batter 47 provinces, with Bangkok and the northeast set to take a major hit. Up to 60% of the capital is expected to be drenched as the storm rolls in. The TMD is…
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Thailand book fairs return after Myanmar earthquake disruption
The Publishers and Booksellers Association of Thailand (PUBAT) announced that the 53rd National Book Week and the 23rd International Book Week will resume as normal today, March 29, following a temporary closure due to an earthquake. The statement confirmed the reopening times from 10am to 9pm at the Queen Sirikit National Convention Centre. The earthquake, measuring 8.2 on the Richter…
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Chiang Mai condo closed after cracks appear post-Myanmar quake
Yesterday, the Chiang Mai municipality ordered the closure of a luxury condominium complex due to visible cracks on the building’s structure, following a significant earthquake. Residents have been barred from entering the premises to ensure their safety. According to the Meteorological Department (TMD), the earthquake occurred at 1.20pm yesterday, March 28, with its epicentre in Myanmar, registering a magnitude of…
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Earthquake panic: Over 100 evacuated from Pathum Thani hospital
An earthquake in Pathum Thani province caused noticeable tremors, particularly affecting high-rise buildings, including an 18-storey medical centre at Pathum Thani Hospital. The management and medical teams, along with rescue volunteers from Ruamkatanyu Foundation and Poh Teck Tung Foundation, swiftly evacuated over 100 people, including ICU patients and staff. Doctor Ninnat Mookdee, director of Pathum Thani Hospital, stated that while…
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10 dead, 16 injured, 101 missing in Bangkok earthquake
Rescue teams worked tirelessly through the night yesterday, March 28, desperately searching for survivors under the collapsed State Audit Office (SAO) building in Chatuchak, Bangkok, after a deadly earthquake originating in Myanmar. At around 7pm, Petchkasem Rescue Foundation volunteers discovered further fatalities while investigating the site, particularly near the third floor, where massive structural cracks had formed. The collapse, caused…
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PM cuts Phuket meeting to respond to Bangkok earthquake
Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra was forced to cut short a crucial meeting with Phuket officials yesterday after receiving urgent news of the devastating earthquake that struck Bangkok. At 12.30pm, March 28, the 38 year old Thai premier was in the middle of a high-level meeting in Phuket, reviewing the island’s development plans and tourism policies, when she received an emergency…
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Fatal fall: Crane operator dies in Bangkok earthquake
A crane collapse during an earthquake in the Bang Pho area in Bang Sue district, Bangkok, resulted in the death of a crane operator after he fell from the machinery. The incident occurred at 1.30pm yesterday, March 28, at a condominium construction site in Chatuchak district, Bangkok. Police Lieutenant Colonel Itthikorn Treeprapakorn from Taopoon Police Station reported that the earthquake…
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Pattaya hospitals evacuate patients after Myanmar earthquake
Hospitals in Pattaya and Bang Lamung were thrown into action yesterday afternoon, March 28, after a massive earthquake in Myanmar sent shockwaves through the region, prompting emergency evacuations. At 1.20pm yesterday, March 28, the Thai Meteorological Department (TMD) reported a 7.4-magnitude earthquake with its epicentre located in Myanmar at 21.682°N latitude and 96.121°E longitude, approximately 326 kilometres northwest of Mae…
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Pickup truck crashes into Phuket monument, blocking traffic
A pickup truck driver caused chaos on the roads of Phuket early yesterday morning after crashing into the Heroines Monument, leaving traffic at a standstill. At 12.54am on March 28, Thalang Police were alerted to the incident and rushed to the scene, along with rescue workers from the Phuket Kusoldharm Foundation. Arriving at the scene, officers found the Toyota pickup…
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Krungthai Bank reveals quick way to spot fake transfers
Think you’ve been paid? Better check again. Krungthai Bank is warning customers to double-check their transfer slips, revealing a dead-easy way to tell if that proof of payment is legit, or a scam. In a post made yesterday, March 28, via its official Facebook page, Krungthai Care, the bank urged customers to learn how to spot fake transfer slips to…
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Thailand’s ditching arrival cards—but the digital fix is a mess (video)
Thailand is finally ditching its notorious TM6 paper arrival form—but don’t celebrate just yet. From May 1, every foreigner entering the country must now navigate the Thailand Digital Arrival Card (TDAC) system. And as usual, it’s already a hot mess. The government has launched an operational website for the TDAC, which is set to replace the old-school blue-and-white forms used…
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