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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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Smart Digital Prime project launched at Nakhon Pathom school
The Miracle of Life Foundation and the National Telecommunications Public Company (NT) officially signed an agreement for the Smart Digital Prime project to enhance digital skills and technology education at Ubon Rattana Rajakanya Rajawittayalai School in Nakhon Pathom, central Thailand. The agreement was signed to promote and support digital and technological skills, with R.T.N. Dr Manat Nonuch, Chairman of the…
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Thai influencer injured in accident during flood relief in Nong Khai
A Thai influencer was injured in a car accident while assisting with flood relief efforts in Nong Khai, causing concern among fans. Updates on his condition are expected tomorrow. Sungstarwin, whose real name is Starwin, experienced a serious car accident while on his way to help flood victims in the Phon Phisai area. The incident occurred amidst ongoing flooding issues…
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Bangkok joins 30-baht healthcare scheme with 6 billion baht budget
A budget allocation of 5.9 billion baht has been approved to support the 30-baht healthcare scheme, which will now extend to Bangkok, making it the 46th province in the programme. The project will be officially launched on September 27. The announcement was made at the National Health Security Office (NHSO) in Bangkok, where Jadej Thamatachaaree, Secretary-General of the NHSO, explained…
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Flooding in Thailand reduced to 13 provinces, 45 dead, 24 injured
Thailand’s Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation (DDPM) initially reported that 30 provinces experienced flooding but it has now reduced to 13 provinces. Some 45 people have died, and 24 sustained injuries. Efforts are ongoing to assist those affected and alleviate public distress. The floods, which occurred between August 16 and yesterday, impacted 30 provinces including Chiang Rai, Chiang Mai,…
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Man found in longan orchard after fatally shooting ex-wife
Police successfully apprehended a 42 year old man who had been hiding in a longan orchard after fatally shooting his ex-wife in front of her home. The incident stemmed from unresolved resentment over their breakup. Suksan, shot his 43 year old ex-wife, Ko, in the forehead, causing severe injuries while she was waiting for a ride to work outside her…
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Capella Bangkok named World’s Best Hotel 2024
Capella Bangkok has taken the hospitality world by storm, claiming the coveted top spot on The World’s 50 Best Hotels 2024 list. Leaping from No.11 in 2023 to No.1 this year, the hotel not only tops the global rankings but also secures the title of Best Hotel in Asia. Since its 2020 opening, the riverside retreat has charmed guests with…
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Thailand unveils transport development policy to boost infrastructure
Transport Minister Suriya Jungrungreangkit unveiled an extensive policy for the country’s transport infrastructure development, aiming for improvements across short, medium, and long-term phases. During a meeting with transport organisations under the Paetongtarn Shinawatra administration, Suriya, along with his two deputies, presented a strategic policy guideline encompassing nine key points to be executed in three distinct phases. Suriya emphasised the need…
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Egg-cellent gratitude: Lottery winner hatches a plan with 900 eggs
A Thai woman who won the lottery with 87 tickets offered 900 chicken eggs as a form of gratitude. She previously won five second-prize tickets and revealed the source of her lucky numbers. Following the announcement of the government lottery results for September 16, the winning numbers for the first prize were 608662, and the two-digit ending was 37. Many…
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Is AI a reliable tool for medical self-diagnosis?
Modern-day challenges demand high speed and accuracy in medical consultation, forcing many people to turn to artificial intelligence. Because AI systems can interpret complaints or suggest diagnoses, we can ask ourselves, ‘Why not try to use such tools for self-diagnosis?’ But how good can they really be? These tools may help the patient, but they do not substitute for the…
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TAT launches three-city roadshow in Indonesia
Thailand is turning up the heat on its tourism campaign in Indonesia with an exciting new initiative. The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) is bringing its Amazing Thailand Road Show to Indonesia 2024 to three Indonesian cities (Medan, Jakarta, and Bali) in a bid to solidify its spot as the top holiday destination for Indonesian travellers. Kicking off tomorrow, September…
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Minibus drivers clash on Phahonyothin Road causing major traffic jam
Two minibus drivers clashed in the middle of Phahonyothin Road, near Khu Khot, Lam Luk Ka, causing a severe traffic jam and forcing passengers to flee. This incident occurred yesterday, September 17, around 8am, leading to a disruption in the traffic flow towards Bangkok. The altercation involved a white BMTA minibus on the Chatuchak-Thammasat University route and an interprovincial minibus…
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Thailand launches halal app to boost Muslim tourism
Muslim tourists in Thailand can now explore the country without a hitch, thanks to the newly launched Halal Route app. Developed by the Halal Science Centre at Chulalongkorn University, this game-changing app offers a comprehensive guide to halal-friendly restaurants, hotels, mosques, and even prayer locations. As Islamic tourism booms globally, with a predicted 168 million Muslim tourists this year, Thailand…
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Krabi land officer arrested for fraudulent land titles in forest area
The anti-corruption commission apprehended a Krabi land officer for the fraudulent issuance of 33 land titles within a permanent forest area, knowingly violating the law. This action was directed by Niwatchai Kasemmongkol, Secretary-General of the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC), and Suchart Kluykitanon, Assistant Secretary-General of the NACC Region 8. The arrest of Thawatchai Thabtimthong was made under a warrant issued…
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Headless corpse found in flood shelter in Nong Khai
A woman intending to open her home for flood victims discovered the headless corpse of a man in a state of advanced decomposition submerged in water. Police have not yet identified the deceased, and no missing person reports have been filed in the area. Police Lieutenant Netipong Jamnongnit from Tha Bo Police Station in Nong Khai province was informed of…
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Burmese binman killed in horrific Patong crash
A Burmese binman tragically lost his life in a three-vehicle crash in front of Wat Suwan Kiriwong School in Patong in the early hours of yesterday morning. The incident unfolded around 5am, yesterday, September 17 on Phra Barami Road, just 370 metres from Wat Patong. The victim, identified as Myanmar national Aung Aung, was a garbage collector employed by Patong Municipality.…
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Woman tricked into 10 million baht debt after friend’s betrayal
A 41 year old woman devastated by the betrayal of a close acquaintance has found herself burdened with over 10 million baht in debt after her personal information was used to secure loans. She appeals to the police for justice and help. Krisyaniporn, from Sankhaburi in Chai Nat province, tearfully recounted her ordeal. She explained that a woman named Mat,…
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Phuket tourists engage in steamy street show on tuk tuk
In a jaw-dropping scene that left locals stunned, two foreign couples were caught engaging in intimate acts aboard a tuk tuk near Phuket’s Patong Beach during a traffic jam caused by heavy rain. Despite the crowd of onlookers, the couples carried on brazenly, seemingly unfazed by the attention. The scandalous incident took place yesterday morning, September 17, when a 40-second…
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7,300 unsafe Chinese bug repellent devices seized in Bangkok
Police confiscated approximately 7,300 Chinese-made plug-in bug-repellent devices from three separate warehouses in Bangkok, citing potential health hazards and fire risks. The devices were discovered yesterday, September 17, in warehouses located on Sukhumvit Soi 54 in Phra Khanong district, Thian Thale Soi 20 in Bang Khun Thian, and a commercial building at Sampeng 2 market on Kanlapaphruek Road in Bang…
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Pattaya’s park and spark: New parking plan kicks off on South Road
Pattaya City is preparing to introduce new parking areas, beginning with a pilot programme on Pattaya South Road. Deputy Mayor Wuttisak Rermkijakarn chaired a meeting yesterday with officials responsible for organising parking in the city. The meeting included city council members and traffic police from Pattaya and Bang Lamung police stations. Following the discussions, Wuttisak revealed that the city council…
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Laotian man steals van in drug-fuelled chase through Khon Kaen
A man from Laos, under the influence of methamphetamine, stole a luxury van while its owner was buying chicken with his son. The dramatic chase ended with the suspect’s arrest after he crashed through police checkpoints, injuring one officer. At 7pm yesterday, September 17, police from Khao Suan Kwang Police Station in Khon Kaen received a report about a stolen…
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Woman arrested after decade-long human trafficking chase
Police apprehended a 62 year old woman involved in human trafficking linked to forced labour on fishing trawlers after she evaded capture for over a decade. Sompong Sroithong was taken into custody when officers intercepted her pickup truck in the Mueang district of Samut Prakan yesterday, September 17, according to Police Major General Sarut Kwaengsopha, commander of the police Anti-Trafficking…
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Tourists urinate on Pattaya Beach, sparking local outrage
Outrage erupted among Thai social media users after a video emerged showing male tourists urinating on Pattaya Beach. The video, shared by a Facebook user with the caption “Swimmers swim, and urinators urinate,” quickly went viral within a popular Pattaya Facebook group, which boasts over 200,000 members. The incident has sparked widespread anger, particularly among Pattaya locals, who questioned why…
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Thailand allocates 3.04 billion baht for flood relief
Thailand’s Cabinet has approved a request from the Ministry of Interior to allocate 3.04 billion baht (US$91 million) from the central budget to assist flood victims across the country. This decision, taken at the new Cabinet’s first weekly meeting, will provide financial relief to approximately 338,391 households affected by flooding since May, according to ministry spokeswoman Traisuree Taisaranakul. The financial…
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Iranians nabbed for stealing cash from Chinese tourist in Bangkok
Thonglor police arrested two Iranian suspects for allegedly stealing cash from a Chinese tourist in Soi Sukhumvit 20, Khlong Toei, Bangkok. The suspects, 29 year old Dinarvand and 41 year old Mirzaniapargoo, were apprehended in front of a condominium in the Sathorn district. The incident began when the Iranian pair befriended the Chinese tourist outside a hotel in Soi Sukhumvit…
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National wage committee to finalise 400-baht minimum wage
Labour Minister Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn announced that the national wage committee will reconvene on Friday to discuss the implementation of a 400-baht minimum wage for large employers nationwide starting October 1. The tripartite committee, which includes representatives from employees, employers, and the government, met on Monday. However, all five employer representatives were absent, leaving only the 10 members from the employee…
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Thai military faces renewed bribery allegations involving US firm
Allegations of transnational bribery involving the Royal Thai Air Force (RTAF) have resurfaced, prompting responses from top officials. Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Phumtham Wechayachai acknowledged the persistent issue, stating that bribery has long plagued the military. “It’s been around for a long time.” Phumtham, addressing the recent claims of kickbacks allegedly paid by a US company to the…
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Jirayu Houngsub to become new Thailand govt spokesperson
Jirayu Houngsub, previously a spokesperson for the Ministry of Defence, is on course to become the new government spokesperson next week. Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra appointed Jirayu as her public relations adviser yesterday while his credentials are further scrutinised. The screening process for political appointees intensified due to a surge in ethics-related complaints. The Pheu Thai Party and PM Paetongtarn are…
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Storm Sulik stir: TMD warns of heavy rain brewing trouble across Thailand
The Thai Meteorological Department (TMD) issued another warning for heavy rain expected tomorrow, revealing that a new storm, Sulik, is likely to intensify into a tropical storm. The public is advised to closely monitor the situation. TMD predicts that over the next 24 hours, Thailand will experience heavy rainfall in some areas. The eastern and southern western regions are expected…
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Education director reassigned amid Sa Kaeo exam scandal
In a dramatic twist, Prayong Saraphum, the Director of Sa Kaeo’s Secondary Education Service Area Office, has been yanked from his post and reassigned to the Office of Basic Education Commission (OBEC) headquarters while an investigation heats up. The probe centres on Prayong’s alleged involvement in the shocking removal of a woman from the list of top candidates for a…
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Pakistani tourist duped in US$900 Pattaya Beach heist (video)
A Pakistani tourist’s dream holiday in Pattaya took a sour turn when two crafty pickpockets allegedly swiped US$900 (nearly 30,000 baht) right under his nose during a stroll on Jomtien Beach. Farrukh U, a 33 year old tailor from Pakistan, had only just arrived in Pattaya for the first time when his holiday turned into a nightmare. He rushed to…
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