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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 traders in Thailand are choosing EC Markets for gold and forex trading
Gold and forex trading have long been favourites among investors in Thailand, but why are so many traders now turning to EC Markets? The answer lies in a combination of tight spreads, ultra-fast execution, Thai baht (THB) deposit support, and...
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Phuket continues promotion as timeless destination to boost tourism
Championed by the Tourism Authority of Thailand‘s (TAT) local office, Phuket is set to continue its promotion as a timeless destination, void of an official low season. Director Lertchai Wangtrakuldee confirms this strategy following the significant triumph of last year when the resort province achieved its arrival and revenue targets ahead of schedule. By the end of November, the visitor…
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Quake, planes, and prices: Thai tourists undeterred in the face of Japan’s travel turmoil
Thai tourists seem undeterred by Japan‘s recent bout of earthquakes, airplane fireballs, and escalating travel costs. The Thai Travel Agents Association (TTAA) predicts that Japan will maintain its allure as the ultimate outbound destination for Thai visitors this year. Phumiphiphat Meesamran, TTAA’s Vice-President, revealed that the earthquake on New Year’s Day predominantly impacted Ishikawa prefecture, a lesser-known destination for Thai…
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Pheu Thai Party’s Danuporn Punnakan leads Same-sex Marriage Committee in Thailand
A significant stride towards equality has been achieved with the appointment of Danuporn Punnakan, a representative of the Pheu Thai Party, as the chair of the Same-sex Marriage Committee. The committee includes representatives from various sectors, with a particular focus on individuals from the public and the LGBTQ+ community. This collective endeavour aims to review and revise the legislation related…
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Thai e-commerce faces shake-up due to new revenue department mandate
Thailand’s e-commerce industry is set for a shake-up following a recent decision by the Revenue Department to mandate digital platforms to report income earned from their online sellers. Analysts predict that this may result in a 10% reduction in the number of online shops on platforms, as some merchants may resist revealing their true earnings. The move is aimed at…
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Knife-wielding woman causes panic at Tokyo train station
A shocking incident transpired yesterday in the heart of Tokyo, Japan, where a woman wielding a knife at a train station led to four people being injured. The event took place around 11pm local time at the JR Akihabara station, as reported by NHK. The woman’s erratic behaviour with the knife caused panic and led to four individuals sustaining injuries.…
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Common cold, uncommon cost: Rhinovirus spread poses testing troubles
The spread of the rhinovirus, which presents a challenge in its diagnosis due to the high cost of testing, is currently ongoing. Dr Manun Lichaweangwong, head of the respiratory disease unit and ICU at Vichaiyut Hospital, voiced his concerns regarding this today, January 4, via his Facebook page. He explained that the virus, which is prevalent among both children and…
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Potential lithium reserves discovered in Phang Nga for EV industry
The Department of Primary Industries and Mines has identified potential lithium reserves in Phang Nga’s Takua Thung district, which could be instrumental in catering to the growing demands of the electric vehicle (EV) industry. Initial surveys indicate the presence of the element in the Ruangkiet area, where pegmatite, a rock from which lepidolite is derived, was discovered. Lepidolite is a…
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Gold rush con: Isaan pawnshop duo sparks heist, rakes in 170m baht bonanza
Police arrested two Thai women, who worked at a pawnshop in the Isaan province of Nong Khai, for stealing gold accessories pawned by customers and hocked them again for more than 170 million baht. A representative of the Easy Money pawnshop in Pak Kret district of Nonthaburi province, near Bangkok, filed a complaint at Pak Kret Police Station in October…
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Heartless thief in Pattaya targets disabled woman’s lifeline: Stolen electric handcycle sparks outrage
A heartless thief left a disabled woman in Pattaya stranded after callously swiping her electric handcycle, her lifeline to mobility, on December 31 last year. The 20 year old victim, Alisa Umsin, now faces an uphill battle without her essential aid. The Thai woman with impairment to both her legs was left devastated when her electric handcycle, a vital hybrid…
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Mystery unfolds as Thai man’s cremation halted over false identity
A confusing situation arose at Wat Sai Noi in Nonthaburi when the police ordered a halt to cremation after discovering that the deceased was using someone else’s identification (ID) card. The deceased had been working under a false identity for several years, leaving his employer in the dark about his real identity. Yesterday, news emerged that a body was found…
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Thailand urged to enhance maritime security amid escalating geopolitics
Thailand has been advised to bolster its maritime security amid escalating global geopolitics, notably in Asia and the South China Sea, according to Kunihiko Miyake, president of the Foreign Policy Institute Japan. Miyake, a former Japanese diplomat, emphasised the strategic location of Thailand and its crucial role in maintaining regional stability during a recent visit to the Japanese embassy in…
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Motorcycle accident near Khuan Pao plantation ends in fatality
A motorcycle accident occurred, resulting in a fatal collision with a pickup truck near the entrance to the Khuang Pao plantation. This event took place in Pong Saen Thong, Mueang district, Lampang yesterday. January 3. Natthanant Kitpatamanont, the Deputy Investigation Officer of Khelang Nakhon Police Station in Lampang, was notified of the accident. At the scene of the accident, a…
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Thai man turns himself in after setting wife on fire after heated argument
A Thai man surrendered to police on January 1 after he allegedly set his wife on fire leading to her death at their shared home in the So Phisai district in the Isaan province of Bueng Karn. Officers from the So Phisai Police Station were alerted to a house fire on December 31 and rushed to the scene. The fire was…
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Air hostess interrogated over 20 million baht cocaine parcel to Australia
A 30 year old air hostess yesterday was interrogated for over six hours following the discovery of her name on a parcel containing 7.5 kilogrammes of concealed cocaine intended for delivery to Australia. The narcotics were hidden in 15 1-metre-long cushions within the parcel, initially intended for a Thai female student residing in Australia. The student had previously posted on…
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Pattaya police bust illegal Kratom ring targeting tourists
Pattaya police apprehended a vendor peddling illicit Kratom concoctions to unsuspecting foreign tourists and youngsters on Pattaya Beach on the night of January 2. Responding to the outcry of concerned locals, Pattaya’s finest executed a well-coordinated sting operation to collar a Thai vendor suspected of flouting the law by selling Kratom-laden drinks under the moonlight along Pattaya Beach. In a…
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Thai elderly in yellow aprons fight homelessness on Bangkok streets
The sight of elderly individuals in yellow aprons diligently cleaning pedestrian flyovers under the pelting sun may be disturbing to many. After all, most Thais have been raised to respect the elders and ensure they are well looked after. With Jang Wan Kha, or Please Hire Us, boldly written on their aprons, these seasoned citizens are not forgotten souls left…
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Bangkok bust: Two Thai men arrested after 250,000 baht stolen from Thai consul’s home
Bangkok police arrested two light-fingered Thai men for stealing assets worth more than 250,000 baht from the home of a Thai consul. An 81 year old Thai man, Sirisak Waroonsukasri, filed a complaint with Bang Phlat Police Station on December 24 revealing that thieves broke into the home of his employer, located in Soi Sirindhorn 2 in the Bang Phlat…
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First fatal casualty reported in Phuket’s new year safety campaign
The bustling tourist destination of Phuket in Thailand reported its first fatal casualty amidst its annual Seven Days New Year safety campaign. The campaign, which began on December 29, aims to promote road safety until midnight on January 4. The fatality was acknowledged at the Day 5 briefing of the Seven Days safety initiative, which also highlighted the road accident…
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Decadent Vietnamese wedding stirs online buzz
The wedding of a mining magnate’s daughter recently took the Vietnamese online world by storm due to its extravagance. The bride, named Hawii, is the daughter of a renowned coal businessman, and the groom, Tangkien, hails from an equally affluent family. The engagement and wedding took place on December 30 and 31 last year, in the city of Halong, Quang…
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Thailand’s fruit exports projected to increase by 4% in 2024
Expectation for a 4% increase in the volume of fresh and processed fruit exports this year has been projected by the Commerce Ministry, driven by a strong demand. Commerce Minister Phumtham Wechayachai, after a meeting with ministry officials and fruit-related representatives, expressed optimism about fruit exports. The ministry predicts a 4% increase in both volume and value of fresh and…
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Thailand’s tourism authority faces challenge to boost foreign arrivals
With a significantly decreased budget from its 2019 benchmark, the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) faces the daunting task of increasing foreign arrivals from 28 million in 2023 to 40 million in just a year. The drastic goal was deliberated on Tuesday when Chai Wacharonke, a government spokesperson, revealed potential plans to boost arrivals to this figure, spurred by new…
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Thai and Laos authorities unite to extradite Malaysian drug lord
The Narcotics Control Board Office (ONCB) in Thailand and Laos authorities are collaborating to extradite a Malaysian drug lord, a crucial figure in an international drug cartel, to Thailand. The notable suspect, 39 year old Ong Gim Wah, was apprehended in Laos during a joint mission on December 29. Ong, who had a bounty worth 1 million baht (US$29,036) on…
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Thai baht predicted to appreciate amid expected US interest rate cuts
The Thai baht is predicted to appreciate to 33 against the US dollar in the near future, as the market anticipates an early start to US Federal Reserve interest rate cuts, possibly as soon as March. This expectation could trigger an inflow of funds into the Thai currency. The baht registered at 34.26 to 34.28 per US dollar yesterday, a…
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Thai government to stimulate economy with digital wallet scheme
The Thai government reaffirmed its commitment to launch the digital wallet scheme in May, a key policy of the ruling Pheu Thai Party. The scheme, financed by a 500 billion baht (US$14,518,005,000) loan, aims to inject 10,000 baht (US$290) into the digital wallet of every Thai citizen aged 16 and above as a means to stimulate the economy. The government…
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Thailand’s airports vow to eliminate carbon emissions by 2032
Airports of Thailand (AOT) is gearing up to transform the aviation landscape by pledging to achieve carbon neutrality by 2030 and zero carbon emissions by 2032. AOT, responsible for overseeing the nation’s major hubs, has laid out an ambitious strategy to slash a whopping 50% of its annual carbon footprint, currently standing at 300,000 tons. Keerati Kitmanawat, AOT’s dynamic CEO…
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Nonthaburi’s Jack’s Waterfall Noodles stops free meals due to misuse
Sakrapee Pathomthasaporn, known as Jack, owner of the popular noodle restaurant Jack’s Waterfall Noodles in Nonthaburi, has made a difficult decision to stop serving free meals. For over a year, Jack has been known for his generosity, offering free bowls of noodles to the elderly, disabled, homeless, pregnant women, and anyone who couldn’t afford a meal. However, his goodwill gesture…
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TikTok star defends marrying older man for his wealth
The viral story of a 25 year old woman’s marriage to a 55 year old man on TikTok resulted in a flurry of comments, many accusing her of marrying for money. The woman, who shares her life with her older husband on her TikTok account, tretippayanipasriwirak, responded to the comments with candidness. The woman’s life, filled with travels, gold purchases,…
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Tokyo’s Sushiya Nohachi serves world’s smallest sushi at 1500 baht
Sushiya Nohachi, a sushi restaurant in Tokyo, is redefining the boundaries of culinary art by offering the world’s smallest sushi made with a single grain of rice. The restaurant’s chef, Hironori Ikeno, was inspired to create this unique menu in 2002 when a customer inquired how small he could make it. Ikeno responded with the creation of a single-grain sushi,…
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Russian upper class take over Phuket properties
Phuket has become a playground for Russia’s wealthy elite, causing property prices to skyrocket by 15 to 20%. Amidst Thailand’s tourism boom and the aftermath of the Russia-Ukraine conflict, affluent Russians are making Phuket their long-term home, revealed Maetapong Upatising, president of the Phuket Real Estate Association. “Phuket’s allure lies in its world-class amenities, including an international airport, schools, golf…
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Thai woman challenges traditional roles with refusal to iron husband’s clothes
A Thai woman has taken to an online forum to vent about her mother-in-law’s nagging over her refusal to iron her husband’s clothes. The woman, who works away from home and returns only on weekends, argues that her husband should be able to iron his clothes. The woman revealed that she lives with her husband’s family but works and resides…
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