News
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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Phuket MP demands action over forestland grab scandal
A Phuket MP has called on officials to investigate the illegal construction of buildings on protected forestland after claims of encroachment surfaced. Phuket’s forestland is under fresh scrutiny as Members of Parliament call for a full investigation into illegal construction encroaching on protected public land and animal pastures at Laem Phromthep. At a press conference held at Parliament yesterday, November…
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American tourist on drugs leaps from Pattaya condo balcony
An American tourist in Pattaya was seriously injured after leaping from a second-floor balcony while allegedly under the influence of hallucinogenic drugs. The incident occurred around 8.16am on Tuesday, November 18, at a condominium on Soi Thapphaya 7. Rescue workers from the Sawang Boriboon Thammasathan Foundation rushed to the scene after receiving reports of a man falling from the building.…
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Thailand may delay decision on scrapping Cambodia border pacts
A Thai House committee reviewing controversial border MoUs with Cambodia is seeking more time to decide whether to recommend their cancellation. A parliamentary committee tasked with reviewing two controversial memoranda of understanding (MoUs) between Thailand and Cambodia is requesting a 30-day extension as it struggles to sift through a mountain of evidence. The current deadline is December 3, but committee…
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17 year old Thai student stabs classmate for pulling down trousers as prank
A 17 year old student stabbed his classmate multiple times with a knife at a school in Chachoengsao yesterday, November 19, after he allegedly pulled down his trousers as a prank. Teachers urgently contacted the Tha Kradan District Rescue Foundation for help, and the injured student, 16 year old Wuttipong, was transported to Sanam Chai Khet Hospital for treatment. Wuttipong…
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Chilly blast hits Thailand as monsoon brings storms south
A cold spell is sweeping across Thailand as a powerful high-pressure system brings strong winds, falling temperatures and stormy seas to several regions. A strong high-pressure system from China is extending over upper Thailand, triggering a cold snap across the north, northeast, and parts of the south. Morning temperatures are dipping sharply, particularly in northern regions, where residents woke up…
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Thailand opens doors to inclusive tourism with Taiwan visit
Thailand welcomed a group of Taiwanese travellers with mobility disabilities for a five-day pilot tour, aiming to promote the country as an inclusive destination. The initiative is part of a pilot programme led by the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), in partnership with the Association of Thai Travel Agents. The group, hailing from FLOW, Inc., a Taiwanese social enterprise that…
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Police investigate death of woman found on beach in Prachuap Khiri Khan
Police are investigating the death of a Thai woman whose body was discovered on Laem Kum Beach in the Thap Sakae district of Prachuap Khiri Khan province on Monday, November 17. Officers from Thap Sakae Police Station were alerted at around 12.30pm after reports of a body discovered roughly 500 metres from Rocky Point Resort. When police arrived, they found…
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Russian arrested in Bangkok for 12 million baht investment scam
A Russian man has been arrested for allegedly defrauding the elderly owner of a renowned Chinese-Thai herbal medicine company out of over 11 million baht in an elaborate investment scam. The arrest came after cyber police launched a sting operation in response to a complaint filed by the 70 year old victim from Nakhon Pathom province. The victim said she…
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Phuket tattoo artist says Australian client skipped 15,000 baht bill
A tattoo artist in Patong, Phuket, has accused an Australian man of failing to pay for a completed tattoo session worth 15,000 baht, after making an initial deposit. The incident occurred on November 18 at Dragon Ink Patong Phuket tattoo studio. The artist shared photos of the man across multiple Facebook groups to warn other businesses in the area. In…
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Thai budget deficit dips by 8.4% as economy stumbles on
Thailand’s Cabinet approved a new fiscal plan projecting reduced budget deficit and increased spending, aiming to stabilise the economy amid weak growth. Thailand’s government has announced an 8.4% reduction in the national budget deficit for the 2027 fiscal year, signalling a cautious step towards stabilising public finances amid a sluggish economy. Yesterday, November 18, the Cabinet approved a medium-term fiscal…
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Miss Teen Cambodia contestant accuses Thailand of starting war (video)
A Miss Teen Cambodia contestant sparked controversy when she tearfully accused Thailand of provoking conflict during a speech at a national pageant event. The woman accused Thailand of instigating conflict and demanding the return of 18 Cambodian soldiers. The moment unfolded during the pageant finals and was later uploaded to TikTok by the account @queencambodiaofficial_17. The video, which quickly went…
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Central Thailand woman scammed out of nearly 1m baht online (video)
A woman from central Thailand turned to a well-known TikTok content creator after falling victim to an online scam that cost her nearly one million baht. The woman, an agricultural scholar and longtime follower of TikTok user @Namobanchangtongdaengso0, shared her emotional ordeal during a livestream. She sought Namo’s help in verifying whether her remaining jewellery was real gold after losing…
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Thailand pushes sustainable gem industry with GIT standard programmes
The Gem and Jewellery Institute of Thailand, or GIT, has launched a new national initiative to advance Thailand’s position as a global hub for sustainable gem and jewellery production. The programme, titled Thailand Towards a World Sustainable Gem and Jewellery Hub, aims to help SMEs meet international standards in sustainability, governance, and environmental responsibility as global trade rules continue to…
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Police clarify viral bribe video is from 2019, officer dismissed
The Metropolitan Police Bureau clarified that the viral video showing a police officer demanding a bribe at the Morchit Bus Terminal in Bangkok was old footage from 2019, and the officer in question had already been dismissed from duty. Recently, former Deputy Commissioner of the Royal Thai Police (RTP), Surachate “Big Joke” Hakparn, accused more than 200 police officers of…
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Bangkok Remand Prison chief axed after misconduct scandal
A Bangkok prison director was removed from his post after a raid revealed staff misconduct, prompting the Ministry of Justice to launch an internal investigation. The Ministry of Justice has transferred the director of Bangkok Remand Prison following a surprise inspection that uncovered staff involvement in illegal activities. The move is part of a broader effort to ensure transparency and…
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Lampang man filmed abusing dog with compressed air denies wrongdoing
A Thai man, caught on a viral video abusing a dog by inserting compressed air through its mouth or anus, defended himself, claiming he was merely drying its fur and that the footage is from several years ago. The video, shared on Facebook, sparked widespread criticism and calls for harsher legal punishment for animal abusers. The man in the footage…
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Newborn baby girl’s body found dumped near Bangkok railway
A newborn’s body was discovered near a railway in Bangkok, shocking residents and prompting police to launch an urgent investigation to find the person responsible. The discovery was made yesterday, November 18, in a banana grove at the end of Wutthakat Soi 3, close to the railway tracks. Police Lieutenant Sirote Khayankan, deputy inspector of Talat Phlu Police Station, responded…
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Customer accuses Michelin-starred Jay Fai of poor service, bias
Jay Fai, a one-Michelin-star restaurant in Bangkok, is facing renewed criticism after a customer alleged she was denied entry and told to “mind her manners” for arriving before her dining companions. A Thai woman shared a video online documenting her experience at the restaurant, which she claimed demonstrated poor customer service. She called on others to stop supporting the venue…
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Key flight routes cancelled in Thailand, including at Suvarnabhumi
Several flights were cancelled at major Thai airports, including Suvarnabhumi, causing travel disruption for passengers on domestic and international routes. Travellers across Thailand have been hit by a wave of unexpected flight cancellations, causing widespread disruption at Udon Thani, Phuket, and Suvarnabhumi airports. The cancellations, affecting both domestic and international routes, have left passengers scrambling for alternative arrangements. At Udon…
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Nigerian man arrested for selling cocaine at Patong Hospital
A Nigerian man was arrested in Patong after undercover police caught him selling cocaine during a sting operation in a hospital car park at night. Patong Police have arrested a 31 year old man following a sting operation that caught him red-handed selling cocaine in the parking lot of Patong Hospital yesterday, November 18. The operation was launched at 6.55pm…
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Aussie journalist faces Thai trial over Malaysia blog posts
An Australian journalist living in Thailand will face trial after publishing blog posts criticising Malaysia, prompting legal action and international concern. Murray Hunter will stand trial in Thailand on December 22 after being charged with defamation over articles critical of the Malaysian government. The 64 year old Aussie, who resides in Hat Yai, faces prosecution following a complaint lodged by…
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Flash floods swamp Patong again, traffic brought to standstill
Patong was flooded again after sudden downpours caused severe traffic disruption, prompting police to respond and issue warnings across the tourist hotspot. Yesterday, November 18 at 4.30pm, Patong Police released a statement warning motorists to steer clear of several waterlogged zones. Officers were dispatched to monitor flood levels and assist in managing traffic as major intersections became submerged. The operation…
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Chinese, Russian tourists lose cash after showing money to Pattaya scammers
A Chinese tourist and a Russian couple reported losing cash to suspected foreign scammers in Pattaya on Monday, November 17, after being tricked into showing their money. All three victims filed complaints at Mueang Pattaya Police Station on the same day. Based on their descriptions, the suspects are believed to be foreign nationals, possibly from an Arab country. The first…
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Hitchhiking tourist gets surprise lift from Thai immigration officers (video)
A tourist hitchhiking in Thailand ended up catching a ride with immigration officers, leading to a humorous encounter that was later shared on social media. The video, posted on TikTok, shows the tourist beaming as he gets picked up on the roadside, unaware of the surprise that awaits. As it turns out, the vehicle he flagged down was no ordinary…
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Motorbike crash leaves man critically injured in Pattaya
A motorbike collision in Pattaya late at night left two riders injured, one critically, after they crashed head-on while travelling along a local soi. A 28 year old man is fighting for his life following a violent motorbike collision on Soi Nern Plub Wan in Pattaya last night. The crash left both riders injured, with one in critical condition. The…
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Tugboat hits riverside homes in Nonthaburi, causes 10m baht damage
A tugboat carrying more than 5,000 tonnes of gypsum boards crashed into three riverside homes along the Chao Phraya River in Nonthaburi yesterday, November 18, causing over 10 million baht in damage. The incident occurred at around 1am in the Koh Kret area of Pak Kret district. No injuries were reported. Pak Kret Police arrived at the scene around 5am…
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Royal Thai Army denies rangers assaulted Cambodian workers
The Royal Thai Army (RTA) has strongly denied accusations made by Cambodian officials and human rights groups, dismissing the claims as fake news and part of an orchestrated attempt to damage Thailand’s international reputation. The allegations surfaced between November 17 and 18, when Cambodian government agencies and civil society groups claimed that seven Thai rangers had detained, beaten, robbed, and…
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Immigration raid in Pattaya nets 15 Indian visa offenders
Immigration police in Pattaya detained a group of Indian men during a late-night raid, after reports of suspicious activity linked to visa overstaying and illegal work. The operation was carried out under orders from Police Major General Songprod Sirisukha, Commander of Immigration Division 3, and Police Colonel Hrit Ekuru, Deputy Commander, following directives from the Royal Thai Police and the…
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Volunteer divers stunned to find second body in pickup driven off Phuket bridge
Volunteer divers searching for a pickup truck in a suspected suicide of a Thai man at the Sarasin Bridge in Phuket today, November 18, found two bodies inside the vehicle, not just one as was initially anticipated. Officers from Tha Chatchai Police Station, together with rescuers from the Kusol Dham Foundation, were called to Sarasin Bridge in Thalang, Phuket, after…
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2 held at Phuket checkpoint for transporting illegal migrants
Two men were arrested at a Phuket checkpoint after police discovered they were transporting 20 illegal migrant workers in pickup trucks from another province. Two men from Chiang Rai were arrested early yesterday, November 17, after police intercepted two pickup trucks attempting to smuggle 20 illegal migrant workers into Phuket. The arrests occurred at approximately 8.30am at the inbound lane…
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