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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 Why health insurance costs more each year and how expats in Thailand can save more money
Each year, many expats living in Thailand see their health insurance premiums go up and often without a clear reason. This can be frustrating, especially when you're trying to plan your budget. But by understanding why prices rise and learning...
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Fireworks factory explosion victims wait compensation a year on
A devastating fireworks factory explosion in San Thung Mai village of Chiang Mai, left residents grappling with extensive damage and financial burdens nearly one year later. Compensation from the factory has yet to be received, forcing many to bear repair costs themselves, with some incurring expenses close to 200,000 baht. The explosion occurred around noon on July 24 last year,…
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AirAsia soars to new heights: Asia’s best low-cost carrier for 2024
AirAsia Group and its affiliates AirAsia X and Thai AirAsia X have been crowned Asia’s Top Low-Cost Carrier for 2024 by AirlineRatings.com at their prestigious Airline Excellence Awards. This accolade marks a significant milestone in AirAsia’s storied journey. Launched in 2001 by visionary founders Datuk Kamarudin Meranun and Tony Fernandes with just two aircraft, the airline has soared to unimaginable…
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Police raid snooker club near Buriram school, arrest 9 at drug party
Police raided a snooker club-cum-pub near Buriram Provincial School, uncovering a drug-fueled party in a VIP room. Nine individuals, including three women and six men, were arrested, and various drugs and firearms were confiscated. Police Major General Rutthaphon Naowarat, commander of Buriram Provincial Police, yesterday, May 28, led a team comprising the provincial police investigation unit, the Mueang police investigation…
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Thaksin postpones lese majeste hearing, citing Covid infection
Former Thailand Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra postponed his court hearing on allegedly violating Section 112 of the Criminal Law, also known as the lese majeste law, scheduled for today, citing a Covid-19 infection. The Attorney General’s Office (AGO) rescheduled the hearing for June 18. The 74 year old former politician was accused of violating Section 112 during an interview with…
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Thai Airways airbus to retrofit A320s with reclining seats
In a groundbreaking move for aviation luxury in the Asia-Pacific region, Airbus has inked a deal with Thai Airways International Public Company Limited (THAI) to retrofit its fleet of 20 A320ceo aircraft with premium reclining business class seats. This marks Airbus’ first-ever cabin retrofit for a single-aisle fleet in this part of the world. This initiative is part of THAI’s broader…
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Emergency crash in Lamphun leaves pregnant woman shaken
An emergency vehicle rushing a pregnant woman to the hospital ran a red light and collided with a pickup truck at an intersection before hitting another car, fortunately causing no severe injuries to the woman or her unborn child. CCTV footage captured the moment the emergency rescue vehicle, belonging to Thachiengthong Municipality, sped through a red light at the Jak…
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Students attacked by knife-wielding teens in Samut Prakan
A group of first-year vocational college students riding motorcycles home encountered a terrifying attack by six teenagers wielding knives, leaving two injured. The incident took place at 5pm yesterday, May 28, on Suksawat Road in Phra Samut Chedi, Samut Prakan. Police Lieutenant Sunthorn Pimphan from Phra Samut Chedi Police Station received a report about a group of students being attacked…
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Thailand tourism thrives despite slow GDP growth
Thailand’s tourism sector demonstrates resilience, maintaining momentum despite a GDP growth of only 1.5% in the first quarter, which trails behind its regional counterparts. The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) attributes this robustness to a quicker rebound in tourism compared to other industries and is planning to sustain this through the ongoing promotion of festivals. Reports have shown that large…
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Thai abbot flees after wild animal carcasses found in his room
An abbot fled a well-known Phan Suek Nukun Temple in the Isaan province of Nakhon Ratchasima when officers from the Department of National Parks, Wildlife, and Plant Conservation (DNP) raided the temple and found wild animal carcasses hidden in his accommodation. DNP officers received a tip-off from a monk at the temple that the abbot, later identified as Kittichai Worradhammo,…
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139 kg of heroin seized in Bueng Kan, valued at 280 million baht
Success in the No Place for Drugs operation in Bueng Kan was announced by Police Lieutenant General Sarayut Sa-nguanphokai, the Commander-in-Chief, alongside relevant agencies. The initiative led to the seizure of 139 kilogrammes of heroin valued at 280 million baht. Bueng Kan investigative police, in collaboration with other officers, initiated an investigation into a drug smuggling network based on information…
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Jealous rider stabs girlfriend, locks her in rented room
A rider consumed by jealousy violently attacked his girlfriend with a knife, leaving her severely injured and locked inside a rented room in Pathum Thani. Her cries for help alerted neighbours, who then called her son to rescue her and rush her to the hospital just in time. At 8.30pm yesterday, the Deputy investigator of Pak Klong Rangsit Police Station…
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Phuket dreams of a Vietnamese tourist boom
Tourism operators in Phuket, the jewel of Thailand’s southern resort islands, are optimistic about a significant influx of Vietnamese tourists following a high-impact promotional campaign in Vietnam’s two largest cities. Thanet Tantipiriyakit, President of the Phuket Tourist Association stated that the island aims to welcome at least 120,000 visitors from Vietnam this year, marking a 50% increase from last year’s…
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Wissanu to advise Cabinet on legal matters, no political role
Seasoned legal expert and former Deputy Prime Minister Wissanu Krea-ngam is poised to become an adviser to the Secretariat of the Cabinet, assisting with the government’s legal affairs. Wissanu confirmed yesterday that Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin would appoint him to the position. He mentioned that the secretariat had previously approached him for the role following his departure as deputy prime minister…
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Red Bull family sues for defamation after son’s hit and run incident
Chalerm Yoovidhya, the son of the Red Bull co-founder, has initiated legal proceedings against a TV presenter and former police lieutenant colonel for defamation, seeking compensation of 50 million baht. The accusations stem from statements implicating him in the alleged use of 300 million baht to sway favour towards his son, Vorayuth ‘Boss’ Yoovidhya, after a fatal hit-and-run incident. Represented…
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Thai banks urged to ‘transact green’ by BoT to aid local businesses
The Bank of Thailand (BoT) urges large commercial banks in Thailand to provide transition finance to aid local businesses in shifting from carbon-intensive operations to more sustainable practices. During the seminar EARTH JUMP 2024: The Edge of Action organised by Kasikornbank, Ronadol Numnonda, deputy governor of the central bank, revealed that last year, large local banks reported a total of…
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Two killed as fatigued truck driver crashes on Pattaya highway
A devastating accident involving an 18-wheeler truck with a fatigued driver occurred yesterday morning on a highway near Pattaya, resulting in two fatalities and multiple injuries. The crash happened at about 8.40am in the Nong Pla Lai sub-district, Banglamung district, Chon Buri province, on Highway 7 inbound to Pattaya. Sawang Boriboon rescue workers responded swiftly to the distress call. Upon…
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Thailand tackles fraud with mobile bank account name verification
Mobile bank account holders can continue using their services uninterrupted as authorities work to ensure the names of account holders match those of phone subscribers, according to the Ministry of Digital Economy and Society (DES). This initiative aims to tackle the misuse of bank accounts by fraudsters. The crackdown, launched at the beginning of the week, has caused some concern…
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Thailand faces mental health crisis with nearly 10 million affected
Nearly 10 million individuals in Thailand are grappling with mental health issues, with almost 11% of the population at risk of suicide, according to the National Economic and Social Development Council (NESDC). Additionally, around 16% of the population experiences regular stress. Secretary-General of NESDC, Danucha Pichayanan highlighted the gravity of the situation as the agency released its first-quarter report on…
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Thai man rapes step-granddaughter and infects her with HIV
Officers from the Investigation Division of the Metropolitan Police Bureau (IDMB) arrested a Thai man for raping his step-granddaughter from the age of seven and transmitting human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) to her. The victim, who is now 16 years old, filed a complaint against the rapist, 59 year old Nookarn, at Bang Khen Police Station on April 28. IDMB officers raided…
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Thai Consulate Savannakhet: No more walk-in services
THAI CONSULATE SAVANNAKHET POLICY CHANGE The Royal Thai Consulate in Savannakhet, Laos, will go to online appointment booking only effective June 1st (actually on Tuesday June 4th which is the first day they’re open after the holiday). The consulate will no longer allow walk up service, you have to book an appointment to get in the gate. At this time the…
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Interest-ing development: Ministry slashes housing loan rates
The Ministry of Social Development and Human Security announced a significant reduction in housing loan interest rates by 0.5% for one year, aiming to support citizens during challenging economic times. Minister of Social Development and Human Security, Varawut Silpa-archa revealed this decision at a press conference at Government House at 10am today, May 28. The Community Organisations Development Institute (CODI)…
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Tourism boom: Thailand clocks in 14.3 million visitors
Thailand welcomed 14.3 million international tourists in the first five months of this year, generating close to 683 billion baht (US$18.7 billion) in revenue. The Tourism and Sports Minister, Sermsak Pongpanich, shared these figures, highlighting the significant contribution of foreign visitors to the country’s economy from January 1 to May 26. The top five countries with the highest number of…
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Shocking house fire in Pathum Thani claims life of a bedridden man
A fire broke out in a single-storey house in Khlong Luang, Pathum Thani, resulting in the tragic death of the bedridden homeowner. The incident left his wife in shock after being informed by a neighbour’s call. An investigator from Khlong Luang Police Station, Teerasak Saento received the report about the fire in Moo 9, Khlong Sam Subdistrict, around 6am yesterday,…
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Record sea temperatures leave Thai corals feeling the heat
Sea surface temperatures on Thailand’s eastern gulf coast hit record highs during a regional heatwave, causing significant coral bleaching and threatening the local marine ecosystem. This poses severe risks to tourism and the livelihoods of local communities. Marine biologists and locals are alarmed by the impact of rising sea temperatures on marine life. The vibrant and colourful corals, typically found…
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Cracking news: Egg prices to soar due to extreme weather
As announced by the Thai Cooperative Network for Chicken Egg Producers, egg prices are set to rise by 20 satangs per egg tomorrow, citing the extreme weather as the reason for the increase. The farm price for eggs will be 4 baht each, marking an increase of 6 baht per tray. The members of the network include producers from Chachoengsao,…
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Chinese investors show strong interest in Thailand at RCEP-tion
Chinese investors eagerly engaged with Thailand’s business landscape at a recent matchmaking event held under the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) agreement. Marking its debut in Thailand, the event seeks to draw interest towards emerging S-curve industries and facilitate the transfer of technology from China. At the helm of the 1st RCEP Business Opportunities Matchmaking Conference (China-Thailand) was Commerce Minister…
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Police bust heroin smuggling gang after high-speed chase
The Thai authorities apprehended a transnational heroin smuggling gang after a high-speed chase ended with the suspect’s vehicle crashing into a roadside forest. Police discovered 380 bars of heroin weighing 139 kilogrammes with an estimated street value of 280 million baht. At 9.30am yesterday, senior police officials held a press conference at the Region 4 Provincial Police headquarters, announcing the…
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Pool tragedy sinks holiday: 74 year old Austrian drowns in Pattaya
A 74 year old Austrian man tragically drowned at a condominium pool in Pattaya. The incident took place at an unidentified complex in the Naklua area of Banglamung district, Chon Buri province. The Thai authorities received a report about the drowning around 9.30pm yesterday, May 27, prompting Banglamung police and rescue workers to rush to the scene. Upon arrival, officials…
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Immigration’s fruitful swoop on illegal vendors selling durians
Immigration Division 1 officers swooped on illegal seasonal fruit vendors, arresting several foreign nationals attempting to sell durians and other fruits on Nawamin Road in Bangkok. They were promptly apprehended despite efforts to flee on motorised tricycles. Commander of Immigration Division 1, Police Major General Prasart Khemaprasit, along with Deputy Commander, Police Colonel Keeratisak Kongkiatsiri, and Investigation Superintendent, Police Colonel Kachapon…
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Thailand Cabinet boosts 2024 fiscal budget by 122 billion baht
The Thai Cabinet approved a plan to increase the 2024 fiscal budget by 122 billion baht to support its delayed household stimulus scheme, Deputy Finance Minister Paopoom Rojanasakul today announced. This adjustment will raise the new budget to 3.6 trillion baht, representing a 13% increase from the previous year, with the deficit swelling to 805 billion baht. The government’s decision…
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