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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 retirees in Thailand are choosing long-term health insurance over quick fixes
Retirees in Thailand are increasingly seeing the importance of health insurance in protecting their well-being during retirement. With insurance requirements for retirement visas and rising healthcare costs, many are moving away from short-term plans and choosing long-term coverage. Long-term health...
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Thai govt considers issuing US$1 billion foreign currency bonds
The Thai government recently announced its consideration to issue foreign currency-denominated bonds valued at US$1 billion, approximately 36 billion baht, an announcement which has sparked debates over the worth and risks associated with such an undertaking. As part of this move, the Public Debt Management Office (PDMO) under the Finance Ministry is examining the feasibility of offering these bonds in…
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Thailand’s tourism industry calls for eased travel restrictions
Faced with intense competition from fellow Southeast Asian countries, Thailand’s tourism industry called on the government to ease travel restrictions and promote cross-border travel. The appeal comes as Malaysia is seen to be catching up with Thailand’s tourism numbers. Earlier this week, Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin embarked on a tour of three southern provinces to boost both trade and tourism.…
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Bangkok gears up for grandiose govt backed Songkran festival
Bangkok is set for an unprecedented Songkran, the annual water festival. The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) has plans to incorporate the festivities into the government’s soft power promotion policy, making this year’s festival more grandiose. The announcement came from Chadchart Sittipunt, the governor of Bangkok, yesterday. The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) had a meeting discussing the city’s readiness for…
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Thailand’s household electricity tariffs remain unchanged
Energy Minister Pirapan Salirathavibhaga affirmed that electricity tariffs for households in Thailand will remain unchanged from May to August, maintaining the current rate of 4.18 baht per unit. Pirapan, also serving as a deputy prime minister, explained that this decision has been made possible due to the continuation of gas production in the Gulf of Thailand by PTT Exploration and…
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Rare Siamese crocodile hatchlings spotted in Nakhon Sawan
In a heartening discovery, the elusive Siamese crocodile has made a triumphant return at Bueng Boraphet Wildlife Sanctuary in Nakhon Sawan province. After a seven-year absence, the sanctuary proudly welcomed eight Siamese crocodile hatchlings into the world. This remarkable event, announced via an uplifting Facebook post by the Department of National Parks, Wildlife, and Plant Conservation (DNP), has reignited hope…
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Beach blues: Thai woman assaulted by Swiss man in Phuket
A female doctor in Thailand is seeking justice after being attacked by a Swiss man for sitting on the staircase of his beachfront villa in Phuket. The foreign man is reported to be the owner of an elephant sanctuary with alleged connections with the high-ranking Thai police. The father of the victim, Chaiyachot Uttamang, took to Facebook to share the…
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Global forests in crisis: Shocking decline revealed
In a staggering revelation, the world’s forests have undergone a drastic reduction of nearly 20 million square kilometres over the past 30 years, plunging from 42.03 million square kilometres in 1992 to 40.44 million square kilometres in 2021, as per the latest data from the World Bank. Attributing this alarming loss to the relentless encroachment of agriculture and industrialisation, the…
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Chinese city gives out lottery tickets to boost birth rates
Authorities in Xi’an, China, are rolling the dice on love with a jaw-dropping scheme aimed at tackling the nation’s plummeting birth rates. In a bold move to combat China’s declining birth rates, the city of Xi’an is set to splash a whopping 700,000 yuan (equivalent to 3.6 million baht) on lottery tickets, all in the name of encouraging newlyweds to…
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Massive amphetamine haul seized in northeast Thailand
Minister of Defence Sutin Klungsang convened a press briefing to unveil a significant crackdown resulting in the confiscation of 6 million amphetamine pills, valued at over 180 million baht, in Bung Khla, Bueng Kan on Monday. According to police sources, the operation unfolded on February 25 at 7pm when Surasakmontri rangers and Bung Khla police officers received a tip-off regarding…
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Tragic last ride: Bangkok taxi driver found dead at gas station
A taxi driver was discovered dead in his vehicle at a gas station in Bangkok’s Jomthong district. The incident occurred early this morning, February 28, and the circumstances surrounding the driver’s death are currently under investigation. The gas station on Kalapapruek Road became an unexpected crime scene this morning when a 59 year old taxi driver, identified as Sathian (surname…
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Ride historic steam trains from Bangkok to Ayutthaya on March 26
In a nostalgic nod to the past, the State Railway of Thailand (SRT) is reviving history with a special train journey from Bangkok to Ayutthaya. Commemorating SRT’s 127th anniversary on March 26, the trip honours the inauguration of the rail link between the current and former capital cities back in 1896 by King Rama V. Passengers will have the unique…
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7 year old receives explicit images from father’s new wife amid family feud
A seven year old girl became the unintended recipient of inappropriate images and messages from her father’s new wife, who also targeted the child’s mother with spiteful words. The incident, which occurred today, February 28, has led to a criminal complaint filed by the girl’s family, who are distressed by the new wife’s continuous harassment and aggression. The girl’s aunt,…
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Thai bank customer’s account drained from 300,000 to 5,000 baht
A Facebook user’s shocking discovery that her bank account balance plummeted from 300,000 baht to just 5,811 baht after 20 unauthorised withdrawals sparked widespread concern over bank security. The user’s post, which included screenshots of the transactions, has gone viral, calling into question the safety of depositing money in banks and urging a swift explanation from the financial institution. In…
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Foreign couple condemned for sex antics on Phuket beach (video)
An allegedly outraged Thai voyeur shared a video capturing a foreign couple having sex on Patong Beach in Phuket on social media platforms. Locals condemned their act and demanded authorities to take action on the matter. The video of the foreign couple was shared on social media by a Thai motorist-cum-voyeur who rode a motorcycle past the scene. The incident…
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Swedish boxer-turned-chef spices up Bangkok’s culinary scene
An ex-Swedish boxer carved a unique path from the world of Swedish Muay Thai to the heart of Bangkok’s culinary landscape. As the executive head chef of the acclaimed Villa Frantzen, Nilas Corneliussen’s story is one of determination, passion, and a love affair with Thailand that transcends borders. “I’m both a night and morning person. I much prefer to be in…
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Thai workers win million baht each after Naga visits dreams
A group of municipal workers hit the lottery jackpot, each winning 1 million baht after a sacred Naga, a mythological serpent, allegedly visited them in their dreams. This windfall coincided with an auspicious ceremony held today, February 28, at the Nong Yat Municipal Office in Nakhon Phanom Province, where Uthai Kotsa, the Mayor, and Chawanin Buntengsaksiri, the Municipal Clerk, led…
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Chalong council proposes 132 million baht infrastructure projects
The bustling municipality of Chalong, in Phuket, held its inaugural council meeting of the year. On the agenda, a series of extensive projects requiring a hefty 132 million baht in funds were proposed. One of the standout projects includes an ambitious 28 million baht plan to revamp the well-trodden Soi Palai. The meeting was held at the municipal offices of…
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10 regions of Thailand to use new minimum wage calculation
The tripartite Wage Committee has given the green light, by a close vote of 7 to 5, to a new method for setting minimum wages. Ten key regions, including the bustling metropolis of Bangkok, are set to pioneer this transformative change from April onwards. The freshly endorsed formula marks a paradigm shift, incorporating elements such as labour productivity, contribution to…
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Mysterious death of Russian woman in Chon Buri baffles police
Police are investigating the mysterious death of a Russian woman after her body was found on Bang Saray Beach in the Sattahip district of Chon Buri province at 6am today. A Thai man stumbled upon the dead body of a foreign woman while collecting garbage on Bang Saray Beach, today, February 28. The man said he first spotted some belongings…
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Phuket MP warns of fire risks amid soaring 38°C heatwave
As the mercury soars to a scorching 38°C in Phuket, local MP Somchart Techathavorncharoen has sounded the alarm, warning residents to take measures against potential fire outbreaks. This warning comes as the city braces for a heatwave that is predicted to last from today, February 28 to March 1. Somchart Techathavorncharoen, the Move Forward Party (MFP) representative for Phuket District…
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BDMS’s sustainable business practices shine on global stage
Bangkok Dusit Medical Services (BDMS) has been recognised as a global leader in sustainable business practices by the 2023 Dow Jones Sustainability Index (DJSI). The healthcare giant’s commitment to Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) principles underscored its dedication to responsible business conduct. Adherence to these principles aims to uphold BDMS’s reputation as a healthcare innovator while making a positive impact on…
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Thai man attempts to kill benefactor over alleged affair with his wife
Police arrested a Thai man in the central province of Lop Buri for attempting to kill his benefactor, over an alleged affair with his wife. The benefactor, a 49 year old Thai man named Thanat, was shot outside a restaurant on Pracha Withi Road in the Khok Samrong sub-district in Lop Buri at about 7.30pm on February 16. Thanat said…
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Pattaya tourism bosses lobby for fixed visa-free policy with India
Pattaya tourism chiefs are lobbying for a permanent visa-free travel agreement with India in a move driven by the Asian giant’s projected ascension to the world’s third-largest economy by 2027. The conviction behind this push lies in the promising impacts of a temporary visa exemption for Indian tourists, which is due to conclude on May 10 but is proposed for…
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Thief nabs 127,000 baht worth of goods from tourists on Koh Samui
A brazen thief from Phuket got more than he bargained for when he attempted a hotel heist on Koh Samui, leaving two foreign tourists in dismay and authorities in hot pursuit. The Bo Phut Police, in a swift operation, apprehended 44 year old Prayat Lisem following reports from a distressed Polish couple, aged 32 and 30. The couple woke to…
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Terrifying mishap leaves young boy’s foot impaled by metal rake
A chilling incident shook a quiet townhouse complex on Soi Chaiyapornwithi 14, East Pattaya, as a young boy faced a harrowing ordeal when his foot became impaled by a metal rake. Rushing to the scene near the forest’s edge, rescuers found the 10 year old boy, Heng, in agony, his right foot pierced through by the sharp implement. The rescue…
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AOT and immigration unite to tackle Suvarnabhumi Airport queues
Airports of Thailand (AOT) and Immigration Division 2 are joining hands to tackle a pressing issue at Suvarnabhumi Airport: inordinately long passenger queues. The urgency to address this problem was triggered by the concerns raised by Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin about the prolonged processing times at the airport. AOT President Kerati Kijmanawat and Immigration Division 2’s Police Major General Choengron…
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Bangkok police nab alleged serial rapist targeting schoolgirls
Police in Bangkok apprehended a 40 year old man, known by the alias Toey Bang Pho, who is accused of being a serial rapist targeting young girls in school uniforms. Toy, recently released from prison, allegedly resumed his criminal activities, leading to his capture today, February 28, in a condominium elevator in the Tao Poon area. The arrest was a…
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Chinese tourist blasts parasail operators for profit-over-safety ethos
The Thai government’s plan to boost tourism faces another tough challenge after a Chinese woman, who suffered a broken leg while parasailing in Phuket, condemned Thai service providers for putting money before safety. She said, “Business operators in Thailand only saw a foreign tourist like me as a source of income.” The Chinese woman, identified as Nadahan on social media,…
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School van crash in South Thailand injures 20
A catastrophic multi-vehicle collision involving a school transport van, a pickup truck, and a motorcycle in Nakhon Si Thammarat province resulted in nearly 20 injuries and severe vehicle damage. The crash occurred on the morning of today, February 28, at approximately 7.30am on the Nakhon-Thung Song Road, leading authorities to initiate a thorough investigation into the cause of the accident.…
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Thailand and Cambodia in talks over disputed Gulf area
Negotiations are underway between Thailand and Cambodia concerning overlapping border regions in the Gulf of Thailand, according to Sutin Klungsang, Thailand’s Defence Minister. He addressed public concerns and queries from the press about the possible implications of a meeting held in Bangkok on February 21 between Hun Sen, former Prime Minister of Cambodia, and Thaksin Shinawatra, ex-Thai Prime Minister. Sutin…
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