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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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OpenAI breaks barriers with ‘Sora’ project
Artificial intelligence (AI) juggernaut OpenAI unveiled its groundbreaking project dubbed Sora, a text-to-video model set to democratise video creation as we know it. Gone are the days of pricey equipment and inaccessible know-how. With Sora, all you need is a prompt and a dream. Sora operates much like its predecessors, ChatGPT and DALL·E, responding to written cues by conjuring up 60…
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Thailand’s cultural marvel: Khon dance meets history in Ayutthaya
In a fusion of ancient artistry and historical grandeur, the Khon masked dance will weave its enchanting tales against the backdrop of Ayutthaya next month. This cultural extravaganza promises to be a visual feast, celebrating Thailand’s vibrant legacy in a way never seen before. Part of the esteemed Ayutthaya Sundown 2024 programme by the Ministry of Culture, this Khon performance…
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Surrogacy to be covered by health insurance in Thailand
The Health Service Support Department is joining forces with the Office of Insurance Commission and insurance providers to integrate surrogacy into the health insurance scheme. This move comes in response to Thailand’s plummeting birth rates and the looming spectre of an ageing population. According to Dr Sura Wisedsak, the department’s director-general, a whopping 114 hospitals and clinics across Thailand are…
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Thailand tourism council study reveals surprising spending trends
In an investigation undertaken by the Tourism Council of Thailand (TCT), it has emerged that a significant portion of the Thai populace has adopted a more frugal approach to their expenditure in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic. The TCT’s exhaustive survey, spanning from last year up to now, canvassed the travel inclinations of 418 Thai individuals earning over 10,000…
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Myanmar nationals flee to Thailand to evade military conscription
In Thailand’s border province of Tak, young Myanmar nationals, now including women, attempt to evade compulsory military conscription. Soldiers from the Ratchamanu Taskforce, stationed in Tak’s Mae Sot district, made a startling discovery on Friday, apprehending 27 youths comprising 13 men and 14 women near a stream in Phop Phra district. These young individuals revealed they had embarked on their…
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Uncovering trends in Thai consumers self-confidence by generation
Merz Aesthetics Thailand unveiled the inaugural Self-Confidence Index, shedding light on the mental fortitude of Thai consumers and their quest for physical perfection. Spearheaded by Assistant Professor Dr Watcharaporn Bunyasiriwat, a Social Psychology Lecturer at Chulalongkorn University, this survey marks a significant leap in understanding consumer confidence trends. Delving into the psyche of 1,000 Thai consumers, the survey uncovers intriguing…
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Thailand considers lowering age for criminal responsibility to 14
In response to a disturbing surge in juvenile offences, the Royal Thai Police (RTP) is considering a radical proposal to lower the age threshold for criminal punishment exemption from 15 to 14 years old. This unprecedented move follows a string of harrowing incidents that have rocked the nation and left authorities grappling for solutions. RTP spokesman, Police Lieutenant General Achayon…
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Chon Buri: Teenage girl sexually assaulted by motorcycle taxi driver
A teenage girl became the victim of a sexual assault after being abducted by a motorcycle taxi driver she had hailed through a popular ride app. The perpetrator, 39 year old Pramual was arrested at a lodging house in Na Jomtien Soi 2, Chon Buri province, following the victim’s report of the assault at his residence. The 16 year old…
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Taxpayers perplexed by mysterious income entries
A prominent company named Infofed clarified unusual income sources that surfaced when taxpayers submitted their tax forms online, urging explanations from the Revenue Department. The ease of digital tax filing has been marred by these mysterious entries, sparking widespread concern. The Facebook page Drama-addict raised the alarm yesterday, February 16, about a peculiar issue encountered by taxpayers who ventured online…
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Family leaps to safety from second-floor in Pathum Thani blaze
A family of four made a harrowing escape from their burning home in the early hours of yesterday, as flames engulfed the property in Chalida Village, Pathum Thani province. The incident, which occurred around 1.20am, forced the family to make a desperate leap from the second floor to avoid the rapidly spreading fire. The fire brigade, along with public disaster…
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First challenge in 89 years to snooker’s gambling status in Thailand
The status of snooker as a Class B gambling game is set to be challenged for the first time in 89 years, as an agreement has been reached to propose its cancellation to the interior minister. This initiative has garnered support from the Billiard Sports Association of Thailand, the Interior Ministry, the Sports Authority of Thailand (SAT), and the House…
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Concerns over Khao Yai National Park land allocation plans
The Department of National Parks, Wildlife, and Plant Conservation (DNP) has strongly opposed the Agricultural Land Reform Office’s (ALRO) plan to allocate portions of Khao Yai National Park to farmers. The authorities are concerned about the encroachment of agricultural practices into fertile forest zones. Chaiwat Limlikitaksorn, the director of the National Parks Office, expressed grave concerns after learning that nearly…
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Ancient boat unearthed near Krabi’s Khlong Thom District
The discovery of a well-preserved ancient wooden boat found buried along the canal’s banks has captivated the local community in Khlong Thom, Krabi province. The boat is believed to be connected to the same historical period as the famous Khlong Thom beads, dating back some 1,800 years. Villagers stumbled upon the ancient vessel buried in the soil along the canal bank…
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DSI seizes 10 million baht in uncertified goods in southern Thailand
The Department of Special Investigation (DSI) conducted a raid today in the warehouse of a renowned online merchant in Yala province, seizing over 10 million baht worth of uncertified goods. The operation was led by Chayaphon Saitawee, the director of the Special Case Operations Center in the Southern Border Provinces. The DSI, alongside the administrative officials of Mueang Yala District…
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Family feud over billion-baht legacy rocks northern Thailand
A family feud over a billion-baht inheritance from a prominent family in Nakhon Ratchasima province has escalated, with both sides engaging in a fiery exchange of allegations. Three of the four heirs have been ousted from the inheritance following the patriarch’s death, instigating a series of public revelations and legal battles that have captivated public interest. On February 13, three…
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Phuket tour boat operators arrested for safety breaches
Central Investigation Bureau (CIB) and Marine Police Region 8 yesterday arrested two tour boat operators in Phuket for a series of breaches. The authorities detailed their infractions in an online post, including operating boats with expired registrations, failing to provide adequate life rafts and overloading their vessels with passengers. The routine check-up led to the arrests on Klong Tha Jeen,…
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Udon Thani youth wreak havoc in neighbouring village
A violent clash between youth groups from neighbouring villages in Udon Thani province escalated into a full-blown conflict, leading to a series of disturbing incidents that have left residents living in fear. The feud, which has intensified over the past month, has seen teenagers armed with guns, explosives, and knives from the village of Ban Muang in Sakon Nakhon province,…
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Japanese pet shop owner arrested for smuggling fowl and fruit from Thailand
A Japanese pet shop owner has been apprehended by local authorities in Tokyo for his alleged involvement in smuggling birds and mangosteen fruits into Japan from Thailand. The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) disclosed that the shop owner, Masayuki Sekiguchi, stands accused of violating both the infectious diseases control law and the plant quarantine law. His arrest on Wednesday left many…
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Phuket Airport taxis inspected as Thailand legalises three more apps
Phuket Land Transport Office (PLTO) officials yesterday initiated inspections of taxi services at Phuket International Airport. These checks occurred ahead of the PLTO’s announcement that three new app-based taxi services, including Maxim, are now considered legal in Thailand. These inspections took place at Phuket Airport from 4pm to 6pm. In their online statement, the PLTO said the checks were a…
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High stakes: Phuket police weed out illegal marijuana trade
Phuket Provincial Police is intensifying its efforts to halt the illegal marijuana trade on the tropical paradise island. The move arrives in response to public grievances about foreigners unlawfully importing cannabis flowers and hosting impromptu gatherings. Heading the charge is Phuket Provincial Police Commander, Police Major General Sinlert Sukhum, who recently convened with the Phuket Cannabis Association to strategise methods…
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Thai police target major film piracy site causing 1 billion baht loss
A major pirated film broadcasting website, causing an estimated loss of 1 billion baht to movie agents, has been targeted by police in a series of raids across Bangkok and two other provinces. The Economic Crime Suppression Division (ECD) spearheaded the operation, conducting raids on four locations linked to siambit.com, a website notorious for streaming pirated films. The raids were…
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Web-slinging scoop: Spider-Man serves ice cream on Thailand boat tour (video)
A surprising sight left tourists bemused during a boat trip in Thailand, as they encountered a person dressed as Spider-Man selling ice cream. This unusual event quickly became a viral sensation online, with the hashtag #onlyinThailand drawing laughter and bewilderment from social media users. Traveller experiences in the Land of Smiles are often filled with unexpected moments but a superhero…
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Songkhla sings new tune: Lifting bus restrictions could drive cross-border travel
Songkhla province is considering lifting restrictions on foreign-registered buses, potentially allowing them to cross provincial boundaries. The move aims to attract more visitors, predominantly from Malaysia, to explore other scenic destinations in southern Thailand, reveals a local tourism authority. President of the Phatthalung Tourism Association, Charoon Kaewwaveesub, disclosed today that Songkhla, in collaboration with the local land transport office, has…
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Thailand plans visa-free travel expansion to stimulate tourism
Thailand Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin revealed the government’s intent to extend visa-free travel to citizens of several additional countries. This development follows Thailand’s recent decision to waive visas for Chinese and Indian citizens, an attempt to stimulate the tourism sector, a vital component of Southeast Asia’s second-largest economy. During Wednesday’s meeting at Government House, PM Srettha and Australia’s Governor-General, David…
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British man killed in triple vehicle collision in Rawai, Phuket
Tragedy struck in Rawai, Phuket, when a fatal collision involving three vehicles claimed the life of a British man in the early morning hours yesterday, February 15. The incident occurred outside the Patak Road branch of a local 7-Eleven store, according to local police sources. The scene was first attended by Police Lieutenant Colonel Retired Somrak from Chalong Police Station…
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Thailand’s newest UNESCO learning cities revealed, Bangkok on the list
Bangkok, Khon Kaen, and Yala have clinched spots in UNESCO’s 2024 Global Network for Learning Cities (GNLC), heralding a new era of lifelong learning across Thailand. Education Minister Permpoon Chidchob unveiled the exciting news, showcasing Thailand’s commitment to fostering continuous education and development. Joining the ranks of previously listed cities such as Chiang Rai (2019), Chiang Mai, Phuket, and Chachoengsao…
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Phuket man nabbed with substantial narcotics stash in town raid
Phuket’s Provincial Crime Suppression Division managed to apprehend a 38 year old man in the bustling area of Phuket Town, following a discovery of a significant amount of narcotics on his person. Identified as Bunma “Golf” Chimmala, a resident of Ratsada, he was found in possession of 4,500 methamphetamine pills, also known as Yabah, and 265.2 grammes of crystal meth,…
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Pattaya preps to tee off with Honda LPGA Thailand 2024 tourney
Pattaya, Chon Buri is set to host the world-renowned Honda LPGA Thailand 2024 tournament. Organised by the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), the event will feature 72 of the globe’s top female golfers, all vying for a total prize of US$1.7 million (62 million baht) from February 22-25. Honda has also promised a brand-new Honda Accord e:HEV, e:HEV RS variant,…
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Trang single mother of nine faces dire straits on 200 baht a day
Battling against overwhelming odds, a 30 year old single mother, identified only by her nickname Dam, shoulders the responsibility of caring for nine lives in a cramped rental home in Trang province. Her household includes her five children, two siblings with support needs, and a nephew. The family’s struggle is compounded by a meagre income, making their daily survival a…
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Muscle madness: Strongman showdown set for Pattaya, Thailand
Prepare to witness the power and prowess of Thailand’s strongest individuals. An exciting strongman competition, hosted by Bench Fitness Equipment and Thai Strength Club, is set to take place tomorrow, February 17, by the picturesque Mapprachan Lake in Pattaya. This thrilling event will showcase the strength and endurance of 55 robust competitors hailing from 14 different countries, all vying for…
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