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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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Southern Thailand’s Phi Phi boardwalk faces repair delays
Frustrated locals and business owners on Phi Phi Don in Krabi say officials are dragging their feet over repairs to the island’s main boardwalk, more than a year after storms tore it apart. The boardwalk, a vital route linking Ton Sai Bay pier with the island, was wrecked by fierce winds and waves in July last year. Since then, tourists…
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Surin father pleads for return of son taken for deportation
A devastated father in Surin has pleaded for the return of his Cambodian wife and 13 year old son after immigration police removed the boy from school and placed him in a shelter for deportation. The incident unfolded yesterday, August 29, in Bua Chet district when officers arrived at the school and escorted the boy away, citing a lack of…
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Lottery fever grips central Thailand at giant Buddha shrine
With the national lottery draw just around the corner, fortune-seekers have been flocking to Wat Klang Bang Phra in Nakhon Pathom province, hoping to strike it rich with a little divine help. Crowds gathered at the temple in Nakhon Chai Si district, where the towering 30-metre Luang Pho Somwang Buddha statue has become a magnet for those chasing lucky numbers.…
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Slippery smash: Cha-am pickup crash leaves 12 workers injured
A rainy-day crash in Phetchaburi left at least 12 people injured after a pickup lost control and smashed into another truck packed with construction workers. The accident happened at around 5.20pm yesterday, August 29, along Phetkasem Road near kilometre marker 200 in Cha-am subdistrict, Cha-am district. Police and rescue workers rushed to the scene following reports of a serious collision.…
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Pattaya approves 258 million baht boost for hospital and health
Pattaya is splashing out on healthcare, with more than 258 million baht approved to keep hospital services running and ensure residents and tourists have access to quality treatment. The green light came during the city council’s third ordinary meeting of the year, chaired by Council President Banlue Kullavanich and attended by Mayor Poramet Ngampichet, deputy mayors, and senior officials. The…
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Anutin pushes plan for interim government with allies
Thailand’s political chessboard has been thrown into fresh turmoil as Bhumjaithai leader Anutin Charnvirakul declared his readiness to lead an interim government, with crucial backing from the opposition People’s Party. The move comes after the Constitutional Court removed Paetongtarn Shinawatra from the premiership, leaving the country in limbo. Anutin confirmed yesterday, August 29, that his party is canvassing support from…
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M81 motorway to Kanchanaburi planned for opening by year’s end
Drivers could soon slash their journey from Bangkok to Kanchanaburi to under an hour, with the long-awaited M81 motorway on track to open before the end of the year. The Department of Highways confirmed that the 96-kilometre route, stretching from Bang Yai in Nonthaburi to Kanchanaburi, is now in its final stages. Director-General Apirat Chaiwongnoi said only finishing touches remain,…
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Pattaya offers free flu jabs in citywide health drive
Pattaya has kicked off its annual flu vaccination drive, offering residents free protection against the seasonal bug as part of a major push to keep the city healthy. The campaign was launched on Thursday, August 28, at the Pattaya Community Medical Centre (Wat Boon Kanjanaram), where deputy mayors Wuttisak Rermkitjakan and Krisana Boonsawat visited to encourage staff and volunteers while…
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Thailand grants royal pardon to jailed activists and artists
Thailand has released several high-profile prisoners jailed under the controversial lese majeste law following royal pardons issued earlier this year, with activists, artists, and even a mother jailed while pregnant among those walking free. The mass release, which began on Wednesday, August 27, was confirmed by the Corrections Department. Those freed include those convicted under Section 112 of the Criminal…
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Speeding pickup kills biker in deadly Phang Nga U-turn crash
A speeding pickup truck ploughed into a motorcyclist at a U-turn in Khao Lak, Phang Nga province, on Thursday, killing the rider instantly in a horrific crash. The fatal collision occurred at around 5.15pm on August 28 near the Kukkak Subdistrict Health Centre on Phetkasem Road, heading towards Thai Mueang district. Police at Khao Lak Station were alerted to the…
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Thailand storm alert: Tropical system barrels in with torrential rain
Thailand is bracing for a wet and wild week ahead as heavy rain, flash floods, and runoff threaten large parts of the country, just days after storm Kajiki wreaked havoc. The Thai Meteorological Department (TMD) has warned of intensifying rainfall from today, August 30, through to Wednesday, September 3, with the northern and northeastern regions set to take the hardest…
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LINE MAN Wongnai snaps up Thailand’s beauty tech giant
LINE MAN Wongnai has announced the acquisition of JERA Cloud, a Thai startup specialising in cloud and point of sales (POS) solutions for the beauty and wellness sector. This move marks the company’s initial expansion of its Merchant Digital Solutions portfolio beyond the restaurant industry, creating new opportunities in high-growth sectors. JERA Cloud, part of Lamunpun IT Company Limited, has…
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PM out: Paetongtarn booted over Hun Sen audio scandal
Thailand’s Constitutional Court today removed Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra from office, ruling she committed serious ethical violations in a leaked audio clip with Cambodian Senate President Hun Sen. At 9.30am today, August 29, the nine judges, led by court president Nakarin Mektrairat, convened to deliberate the petition lodged by 36 senators and endorsed by the Senate President. The complaint alleged…
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Police officer denies involvement after uniform found in gambling den
A police officer, whose uniform was discovered during a gambling den raid in the Don Mueang district of Bangkok, denied ever gambling but admitted to meeting a friend who worked as a security guard at the venue. Officers from the district administrative office raided the gambling house in Don Mueang on Wednesday, August 27. The establishment has been raided more…
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Indian tourists turn Pattaya songthaew into dance floor
Pattaya’s famous Beach Road was turned into an impromptu party zone this week after a group of Indian tourists transformed a songthaew into their very own mobile nightclub, blasting Bollywood music and dancing under the neon glow of the city’s nightlife. Videos posted online show the tourists standing on the back of the pickup truck, arms raised in the air,…
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Chon Buri dealer collapses after swallowing Yaba and cystal meth
A disabled drug dealer swallowed methamphetamine, known locally as Yaba, and crystal meth in an attempt to destroy evidence, causing him to lose consciousness during a sting operation in Chon Buri on Wednesday, August 27. Officers from the Bang Lamung Administrative Office and the Volunteer Defence Corps launched the operation following information obtained from previously arrested dealers. The suspects told…
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Pheu Thai on edge as court rules on Paetongtarn case
Tensions are running high in Thai politics as the Constitutional Court prepares to rule on suspended Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra’s fate, with the Pheu Thai Party adopting a cautious wait-and-see stance. Speaking at Government House today, August 29, PM’s Office Minister and Pheu Thai list-MP Chousak Sirinil said the party had made no contingency plans in the event of an…
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Royal closure: Sanam Luang shut down for big Bangkok facelift
Bangkok’s historic Sanam Luang has been closed off for a major makeover, with city officials confirming the popular site will be out of action until mid-November. The Phra Nakhon District Office announced the temporary closure from August 25 to November 15, citing the need for significant renovations after years of heavy use had left damage across the lawn and parking…
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Russian man arrested on Koh Samui over Phuket cryptocurrency robbery
Police arrested a Russian man on Koh Samui, an island in Surat Thani, for his involvement in a cryptocurrency robbery that took place in Phuket on August 26. The 28 year old Russian victim, Aleksandr, filed a complaint at Chalong Police Station in Phuket, reporting that he had lost cryptocurrency worth 35,000 USDT, or about 1.2 million baht, to four…
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Thailand’s rights body urges halt to mega land bridge plan
Thailand’s ambitious Ranong–Chumphon land bridge project has hit a major roadblock after the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) called for it to be suspended over fears of human rights abuses, flawed economics, and a lack of genuine public input. At its meeting on Tuesday, August 26, the NHRC advised the government to put the project on hold until comprehensive public…
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Caught out: Suspected Phuket cat burglar faces fresh charges
A suspected cat burglar already behind bars in Phang Nga is now staring down more charges in Phuket, after police linked him to a string of break-ins in Wichit and Chalong. Wichit Police Chief, Colonel Somsak Thongkliang, confirmed yesterday, August 28, that investigators are pushing the Phuket Provincial Court to issue an arrest warrant for the suspect, identified only as…
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Vietjet turbocharges fleet with new Boeing jets and routes
Budget airline Vietjet Thailand is gearing up for a massive fleet expansion, rolling out new aircraft and routes in a bold bid to challenge rivals and scoop up millions more passengers. Chief Executive Woranate Laprabang confirmed the airline will acquire nine new Boeing 737-8 jets this year, moving towards a full Boeing fleet within five years. The switch will give…
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Lights, camera, Pattaya: Film festival brings global cinema buzz
Pattaya rolled out the red carpet yesterday as the third Pattaya Film Festival burst onto the scene, promising free screenings, cultural exchange, and a boost for the city’s tourism economy. The event kicked off yesterday, August 28, at SF Cinema Central Pattaya, with filmmakers, actors, and film buffs from across Thailand and overseas flocking to the seaside city. Running until…
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Thai woman and foreign boyfriend physically assaulted at Pattaya bar
A Thai woman and her foreign boyfriend filed a complaint yesterday, August 28, against a Pattaya bar owner and several staff members, accusing them of physical assault. The 35 year old Thai woman, identified as Angkana, reported the incident at Mueang Pattaya Police Station at around 5am. She stated that the assault took place at Laila Bar, near the Marine…
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Outta control: Runaway truck ploughs into Patong ditch
A Bangkok-registered six-wheeled truck caused a stir in Patong yesterday after careering off Phra Barami Road and crashing into a roadside ditch, just metres away from a local temple. The dramatic accident occurred around 11.10am yesterday, August 28, when the driver reportedly suffered brake failure while descending the notoriously steep Patong Hill. The truck lost control at the dangerous Pla…
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Thailand video news Suspended PM Won’t Attend Court, Will Monitor from Govt House,Chuwit Sentenced for Defamation, Freed Pending Appeal
Thailand is entering a turbulent week marked by political suspense, courtroom drama, and shifting social narratives. Suspended Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra faces a looming Constitutional Court verdict, while former MP Chuwit Kamolvisit begins his legal battle over a defamation conviction. Prosecutors are also moving to appeal the acquittal in the notorious “Boss” hit-and-run case. Beyond politics, a YouTuber’s controversial stunt…
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Buzzed and breathless: Bee sting sends biker to Pattaya ER
A routine motorbike ride turned into a medical emergency for a Rayong man after a rogue bee sting left him gasping for air and fighting for his life in Pattaya. At around 11.30am yesterday, August 28, rescue teams from the Sawang Boriboon Thammasathan Foundation rushed to a scene along Highway 331, near a construction materials shop on the road to…
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NACC swoops on shady Phuket land works in corruption blitz
Corruption busters are getting their boots dirty in Phuket as the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) zeroes in on suspicious land excavation and filling projects across the island. The NACC Phuket office, led by Chief Suwat Saowarat, launched a new initiative titled Pinning Areas at Risk of Corruption, targeting projects carried out by local administrations. The inspections, which took place from…
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Power play: Anutin eyes PM seat if Paetongtarn falls
Political winds are swirling in Bangkok as reports emerge of a secret pact that could see Bhumjaithai Party leader Anutin Charnvirakul take over as prime minister if Paetongtarn Shinawatra is booted from office. According to Palang Pracharath Party (PPRP) deputy leader Chaiwut Thanakamanusorn, Anutin has urged PPRP leader Prawit Wongsuwan to back him for a six-month interim premiership, should the…
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Thailand to slam the gate shut with Cambodia border wall
Thailand will construct its first permanent border fence with Cambodia this year. The project, confirmed by the Royal Thai Army (RTA), will begin near Aranyaprathet to address ongoing security concerns along the shared boundary. The permanent 10-kilometre fence along the Thai-Cambodian border, planned to rise near boundary markers 50 and 51 in Aranyaprathet, Sa Kaeo province, comes after a joint…
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