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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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Thailand’s oldest hippo Mae Mali to celebrate 59th birthday
Khao Kheow Open Zoo is preparing a special celebration for Mae Mali, Thailand’s oldest hippopotamus, as she turns 59 this weekend. Scheduled for September 7 to 8, the event will feature various activities dedicated to this cherished animal. Mae Mali has been a beloved figure at the zoo, drawing generations of children and visitors with her cheerful demeanour. Despite her…
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Cambodian connection: Police arrest man for brutal Lopburi murder
Police arrested a Cambodian man in connection with the murder of a Cambodian woman in a rented room in the central province of Lopburi. The suspect claimed that a conflict with her brother was the root cause. The lifeless body of the 30 year old Cambodian victim, Mab, was discovered in her unlocked rented room in the Phatthana Nikhom district…
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Bank of Thailand to appoint new chairman amid government push
The Bank of Thailand (BoT) board is set to appoint a new chairperson by early October, as announced by the head of the selection committee. This move comes as the government aims to exert more influence over the central bank following a prolonged public dispute over interest rates. Although the BoT chairperson does not have the authority to set interest…
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Rama II Road projects set for full launch by June next year
Caretaker Transport Minister Suriya Juengrungreangkit announced a firm deadline for three ongoing construction projects on Rama II Road, setting their full launch by June next year. Suriya addressed the media yesterday, detailing the status of the projects on Highway 35, commonly known as Rama II Road, which serves as a crucial link between Bangkok and the southern provinces of Thailand.…
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Truck driver attempts suicide after rampage kills taxi rider (video)
A six-wheel truck driver went on a rampage along Rama IV Road in Bangkok, crashing into several cars and killing a motorcycle taxi driver before attempting suicide. Motorists reported the chaos on Rama IV Road to Tha Rue Police Station at around 2pm, yesterday, September 4. The white Isuzu six-wheel truck was speeding from Maleenont Tower to Phra Khanong Intersection…
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Thailand boosts benefits, extends maternity leave to 98 days
The Ministry of Labour announced significant improvements to benefits for Social Security Fund (SSF) members, which will kick off next year. These enhancements include an increased allowance during maternity leave and extended periods for receiving various social security benefits. Labour Minister Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn revealed new guidelines for managing the SSF, including a legal amendment under the Social Security Act aimed…
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Elderly American expat assaulted in Pattaya, suspect at large
Pattaya City Police responded to an assault on an American expat last night near the Youth Sports Stadium on Soi Wat Boonkanchanaram. Police Colonel Nawin Thirawit, Chief of the Pattaya City Police Station, coordinated with rescue workers from Sawang Boriboon to address the situation at around 10.06pm yesterday, September 4. Reporters were also present at the scene. Officers found Rad…
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Man kills estranged wife, himself in tragic Chiang Mai shooting
A tragic incident unfolded in the Doi Saket district of Chiang Mai yesterday when a 46 year old man shot and killed his estranged wife before taking his own life in front of a convenience store. Chanyut fatally shot his wife, 43 year old Charunee, and then turned the gun on himself. Police from the Doi Saket Police Station have…
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Evidence found in Russian man’s death in Phuket suggests suicide
Police reported yesterday that they have gathered multiple pieces of evidence and information from the wife of a Russian man, whose body was discovered on Karon Beach in Phuket, suggesting that he may have committed suicide. The body of the Russian man, Ilia Orlov, was discovered near Karon Beach in Phuket on Tuesday, September 3. The 27 year old had…
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Man falls from tree into Wang River and dies in northern Thailand
A man who climbed a tree to rest tragically fell into the Wang River and died. His body was discovered by a Good Samaritan who was relaxing at a riverside park. At 4.40pm yesterday, September 4, rescue workers from Sawang Nakhon Lampang retrieved the body of 45 year old Ek, a construction worker who had fallen into the Wang River…
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Ayutthaya residents warned of flash floods amid rising water levels
The Royal Irrigation Department (RID) alerted residents in parts of Ayutthaya to prepare for flash floods due to a continued surge in the Chao Phraya River. Monitoring is ongoing at two primary water stations, and the warning comes as water levels rise significantly. Residents near Khlong Phong Pheng in Ang Thong, as well as those living along the banks of…
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Man dies in collision with cow on Thai road
A 54 year old man tragically died in a collision with a cow while riding his big bike. The accident occurred on the road connecting Nang Rong and Buriram on September 3. His grieving wife appealed for the cow’s owner to take responsibility. Nantachai, a resident of Village 13, Sakae Phrong subdistrict, Mueang district, Buriram province, was riding his big…
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Jailhouse rock or just a comfy block? Police probe luxe prison stays
Provincial Police Region 7 launched an investigation into a hotel-style service provided to inmates at a prison in the central province of Samut Sakhon, following revelations from two former prisoners about their comfortable lives in jail. The 26 year old male inmate A, and the 30 year old female inmate B, from Mueang Samut Sakhon Police Station, reached out to…
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Thailand braces for heavy rain and floods as Typhoon Yagi nears
The Meteorological Department of Thailand (TMD) issued its seventh warning about Typhoon Yagi. Northern and northeastern Thailand are expected to experience heavy rain and strong winds, with potential flash floods and landslides. Coastal areas face high waves, urging caution for all residents. Today, September 5, the TMD announced Typhoon Yagi’s seventh warning (166/2024). At 4am, the typhoon was positioned over…
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Chiang Rai vendor receives 54-year sentence for lese-majeste
A Chiang Rai clothing vendor has had his prison sentence extended to a record 54 years and 6 months for lese-majeste offences, according to Thai Lawyers for Human Rights (TLHR). The appeal court’s decision yesterday, September 4, upheld Mongkol Thirakot’s earlier conviction, adding to his existing sentences to make it the longest ever under Section 112 of the Criminal Code,…
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Thai Red Cross slashes dengue fever jab prices
The Thai Red Cross Society’s Immunisation and Travel Medicine Clinic is rolling out an unbeatable dengue fever vaccination campaign. For a limited time, the life-saving jab is available at a slashed price of just 1,600 baht per dose, with the full two-dose course set at a budget-friendly 3,200 baht. This special offer runs until October, giving ample time for people…
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Repairs underway for Cathay Pacific A350 faulty engines
Cathay Pacific Airways has been thrown into chaos after an in-flight engine failure on one of its Airbus A350 jets sparked urgent repairs across its fleet. The airline, which operates 48 of these aircraft, revealed that it had identified fuel line issues in 15 of its aircraft, leading to the cancellation of 45 return flights this week. The cancellations, mostly…
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Cambodian worker buried alive by Chon Buri landslide saved
A Cambodian worker was miraculously rescued after being buried alive by a landslide while fitting a drainage pipe. The terrifying ordeal unfolded this morning, September 4, in an alley on Soi Wat Boonsamphan, in Nong Prue subdistrict, Bang Lamung district, Chon Buri province. Rescuers from the Sawang Boribun Thammasathan Foundation rushed to the scene, where they battled against time and…
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Thai school bus driver accused of sexually assaulting teenage girl
A Thai mother accompanied her 13 year old daughter to file a complaint against a school bus driver who allegedly sexually assaulted her. The accused driver denies the accusation. The 41 year old mother, Ta, brought the sexual assault case to her lawyer, Kritsada Lohitdee, who took her to the Damrongdham Centre, under the Ministry of Interior, to file a…
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Economic challenge: Business tycoon Pichai to the rescue
Pichai Naripthaphan, a businessman-turned-politician, is stepping into the hot seat as Thailand’s new Commerce Minister at a time when the nation’s economy teeters on the edge of disaster. With sky-high expectations from every corner, Pichai faces the daunting task of steering the country out of economic turbulence. Pichai takes over from Phumtham Wechayachai, who has moved to Defence Minister and…
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Aussies now need an ETA to enter Thailand
Australians planning a getaway to Thailand will soon have an extra step to complete before boarding their flight. The Thai government is introducing a mandatory electronic travel authorisation (ETA), which must be obtained ahead of travel. This new system, introduced by Thailand’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, is designed to enhance the screening and tracking of foreigners entering the country. “The…
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French woman drugged and raped by 72 men over nine years
A harrowing case of sexual assault has emerged in France, involving Giselle, a 72 year old woman, who was drugged and raped by 72 men on 92 occasions over nine years. Her husband, 71 year old Dominique, orchestrated the assaults. Giselle has bravely chosen to have the trial conducted publicly. The disturbing events took place between 2011 and 2020, with…
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SCB predicts Bank of Thailand to lower rates by 0.25%
Siam Commercial Bank (SCB) anticipates the Bank of Thailand (BoT) will initiate a series of policy rate cuts starting later this year, potentially continuing into early next year. This move is expected to trigger a reduction in interest rates across the banking sector. SCB’s Chief Executive Kris Chantanotoke predicts the central bank’s Monetary Policy Committee will reduce the policy rate…
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Indian man refuses to leave Thai wife despite divorce demand
An Indian man in Samut Prakarn province, near Bangkok, is seeking justice after his Thai wife heartlessly demanded a divorce and expelled him from their home. He acknowledged that he was aware she had deceived him for money but he loved her enough to tolerate it. Chaos erupted at Mueang Samut Prakarn Police Station yesterday, September 3, due to a…
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Blocking bad clicks: DES ramps up crackdown on shady sites
The Digital Economy and Society Ministry (DES) has significantly ramped up efforts to curb access to illicit online content, blocking 138,660 attempts to access unlawful social media pages and website URLs over the past 11 months. This marks an 11-fold increase compared to the same period last year. The DES, led by Prasert Jantararuangtong, has concentrated on fighting cybercrime by…
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Romantic comedy ‘Love You to Debt’ tops Netflix Thailand charts (video)
Love You to Debt, the top movie on Netflix in Thailand as of today, is a Thai romance-action film entirely set and filmed in Pattaya. Premiering in cinemas in April, the film has recently become available for streaming on Netflix. The story centres on Bo, an illegal loan shark and debt collector working for his formidable mother. His life takes…
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Thai man loses millions to masseuse in love scam (video)
A Thai man’s pursuit of love with a masseuse led to a courtroom showdown after she allegedly drained nearly 2 million baht from his account using a mobile banking app. The 47 year old victim, named Wittawat, sought help from non-profit organisation Saimai Survive after losing 2 million baht to the masseuse identified as Ray. He was worried that she…
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Thailand’s life-saving tech boost to guard against natural disasters
Thailand is gearing up to supercharge its natural disaster warning system with a sweeping expansion of automated monitoring stations. In a bold move to protect lives and property, a memorandum of understanding (MOU) was signed yesterday, September 3, by the Friends in Need Volunteers Foundation and various national agencies, marking the launch of the second phase of a nationwide project.…
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Thai wheelchair fencing queen’s stunning comeback victory
In a thrilling showdown at the Paralympic Games in Paris, Thai wheelchair fencing queen Saysunee Jana clinched her fourth gold medal in a nail-biting women’s sabre category B final yesterday. The 50 year old wheelchair fencing legend defied the odds, defeating China’s Xiao Rong, the world’s No.3, with a razor-thin 15-14 victory. Saysunee, ranked No. 4 globally, faced a daunting…
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Turbulence ahead: Thai pilots unhappy over foreign job wet lease plan
The Thai Pilots Association expressed significant concerns regarding the potential liberalisation of pilot jobs for foreigners through wet lease agreements for domestic routes. This move, they argue, could risk another red flag from the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO). Several stakeholders, including the Department of Employment, the association, the Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand, and an airline that requested the…
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