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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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Do foreigners get free healthcare in Thailand?
Thailand’s healthcare system is well-regarded across Southeast Asia, with options ranging from public hospitals to world-class private facilities. But when it comes to foreign residents or tourists, healthcare access isn’t as straightforward. So, do foreigners get free healthcare in Thailand?...
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Surin locals hunt lottery numbers at temple ceremony
In a lively display of tradition and superstition, residents in Surin province gathered at a prominent local temple to witness the erection of the main pillars for a new sermon hall. The auspicious event, steeped in spiritual significance, drew a crowd of eager lottery enthusiasts hoping to uncover lucky numbers for the upcoming draw on March 1. The ceremony was…
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Bigamy bombshell: Drama unfolds as husband hooks second catch
Heartache and scandal erupted in Udon Thani yesterday, as a 64 year old Thai woman and her children have taken a stand against her husband, accusing him of bigamy in a saga straight out of a soap opera. The victim, Oi, and her family, yesterday, February 27, presented their grievances to investigators in Mueang Udon Thani district. They’ve levelled accusations…
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Thai minister refutes 92 billion baht foreign healthcare cost claim
Public Health Minister Somsak Thepsutin addressed public concerns after the National Economic and Social Development Council (NESDC) reported that healthcare costs for foreign workers reached 92 billion baht last year. He clarified that the actual figure was closer to 2 billion baht. Somsak acknowledged that healthcare spending increased during 2021 and 2022 due to the Covid-19 pandemic, noting that the…
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Opposition demands probe into NACC’s Prawit asset case
Opposition leader Natthaphong Ruengpanyawut has requested that House Speaker Wan Muhamad Noor Matha initiate an investigation into the National Anti-Corruption Commission’s (NACC) handling of several prominent malfeasance cases. The opposition is particularly concerned about the decision by five NACC members to terminate a fact-finding mission into the actions of former Deputy Prime Minister Prawit Wongsuwan. Prawit was accused of failing…
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Thailand Anti-Discrimination Bill set for Cabinet approval by April
The Department of Rights and Liberties Protection has announced that the government’s version of the Anti-Discrimination Bill is anticipated to be submitted to the Cabinet for approval by April. Somdech Poonnampao, head of the department’s legal division, stated that the bill’s drafting originated from a 2019 proposal by civil society groups. These organisations encouraged the Ministry of Justice to prepare…
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Netizens condemn foreign motorists for reckless driving in Phuket
A Thai man took to TikTok to condemn foreign motorists for reckless driving after a foreign motorcyclist collided with another foreigner’s hatchback on a road in Phuket. The Thai motorist shared dashcam footage of the accident on his TikTok account, @ram_cream, yesterday, February 27. In the video caption, he criticised the foreign motorists and government officials. “#WakeUp. When will Phuket…
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Durian sour: Thailand unearths illegal land grab by Chinese investors
Chachoengsao’s forestlands are caught in a tangled web of controversy as Thai government officials crack down on a massive illegal land grab, exposing a durian-driven scheme involving Chinese investors hiding behind a local facade. The Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment swooped to reclaim 1,500 rai of forest in Tha Takiab district, citing illegal sales to a Thai company fronting…
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Labour Ministry backs export of Muay Thai coaches to Hong Kong
The Labour Ministry has committed to fully supporting the export of Muay Thai boxing coaches to Hong Kong, where there is a significant demand for their expertise. This commitment was highlighted during Labour Minister Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn’s recent visit to the territory. During his visit, Phiphat, accompanied by senior ministry officials, toured a fitness centre on Fa Yuen Street in Mong…
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Senate votes to ban small mesh nets for night fishing
The Senate has voted to prohibit the use of purse seine nets with mesh sizes smaller than 2.5cm for night fishing, leading to the return of the Lower House’s fisheries bill to MPs for further discussion. The Upper House reviewed the amendment bill for the Royal Ordinance on Fisheries 2015 on Tuesday, following the Senate committee’s evaluation. The bill comprises…
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Spanish YouTuber arrested for possession of protected animals
Police arrested a Spanish YouTuber, the ex-husband of a famous Thai model and singer, at his home in the central province of Kanchanaburi yesterday for the illegal possession of protected animals. Officers from the Immigration Bureau and the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation received a complaint regarding the alleged illegal possession of protected species by the Spanish…
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Top US Navy official praises Pattaya police for flawless security
In a high-profile visit that highlighted Pattaya’s growing reputation for safety and security, Luu Pham, Assistant Force Protection Attaché from the US Naval Criminal Investigative Service (NCIS) at the US Embassy in Thailand, met with Police Lieutenant Colonel Piyaphong Ensarn, head of Pattaya Tourist Police Station, to commend the city’s exceptional security measures. The meeting, held amidst the bustling backdrop…
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Cable crackdown: Thailand bridges gap on cybercrime
In a campaign to cut off cybercriminals at their source, Thailand’s top telecom regulator is joining forces with the Department of Highways to tackle illegal cross-border cable networks lurking near national bridges. In a bid to sever the sinister circuits exploited by cybercriminals, the National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC) is tying knots with the Department of Highways to clamp…
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Thailand video news | Thailand Park Ranger Calls Out Italian Tourists for Damaging Coral Reefs, Two Men Publicly Caned for Homosexuality in Indonesia’s Aceh Province
Thailand Park Ranger Calls Out Italian Tourists for Damaging Coral Reefs A Thai park ranger, Sai, called out two Italian tourists for snorkeling in a restricted coral reef area despite warnings. He posted a video on social media, frustrated by their disregard for Thai laws, questioning if money makes foreigners feel above the rules. The tourists ignored officials’ orders and…
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Top cop gunned down after mosque prayers in Pattani
A senior police officer was shot dead as he returned from prayers at a mosque in Pattani province yesterday, February 27, marking another deadly attack in Thailand’s troubled southern region. The officer, 58 year old Police Lieutenant Muhammad Azan Jamae, Deputy Inspector of the 6th Investigation Division, Natural Resources and Environmental Crime Suppression Division, was ambushed outside his home in Ban…
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Ctrl-alt-delete: Thai police shut down notorious Singaporean hacker
A cunning keyboard warrior’s reign of terror hit a roadblock as Thai police swooped on a notorious Singaporean hacker, capturing a cyber kingpin whose skills turned sinister. In a dramatic takedown, Thai police nabbed a 39 year old Singaporean hacker, known in the digital underworld as “Desorden GhostR.” The man, identified solely as Chia, faces a slew of charges, including…
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New entertainment complex law to shake up Thailand’s nightlife
A controversial new law that could revolutionise Thailand’s entertainment industry is set to be reviewed by the Cabinet on March 11, sparking curiosity and speculation about the future of nightlife in the country. The Entertainment Complex Business Act aims to regulate entertainment venues more strictly, impacting nightclubs, bars, and other entertainment establishments nationwide. The Council of State recently returned the…
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Thailand’s north faces rising temperatures and increased dust risk
The Meteorological Department of Thailand has issued a warning regarding rising temperatures in the northern regions, with hot conditions expected during the day. This change in weather could lead to increased PM2.5 dust particle accumulation. The forecast for the next 24 hours indicates higher temperatures in northern Thailand, with hot conditions prevailing during the day. This is due to a…
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Pattaya taxi driver bricked in booze-fuelled bust-up
High drama unfolded on the streets of Pattaya as a row turned deadly, leaving a motorbike taxi driver savagely struck down with a concrete block. In the hustle of Central Pattaya, an early morning clash spiraled into horror when a motorbike taxi driver was left fighting for life after a brutal concrete block attack. The fracas erupted at 9am, yesterday…
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Phuket petrol station refuses rider’s coin payment
A delivery rider in Phuket encountered a surprising situation at a petrol station when his attempt to pay with coins was rejected. The Facebook page โหดจัง จังหวัดภูเก็ต highlighted the incident yesterday involving a rider named Bob, who faced refusal from an older attendant while trying to refuel his motorcycle. The rider expressed his frustration, stating he regularly refuels at the…
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Pickpocket peril and ladyboy larceny: Pattaya’s foreign tourist trap
A wave of thefts has left three foreign tourists reeling in Pattaya’s crime-laden streets, with light-fingered pickpockets and audacious robbers striking under the cover of night. Three unfortunate tourists fell victim to the crafty crooks, transforming their vacations into tales of woe, in the seedy heat of Pattaya that showcased the city’s underbelly of crime. At 1.49am, yesterday, February 27,…
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Thailand deports 40 Uyghurs to China despite UNHCR warnings
Thailand has deported 40 Uyghurs to China after holding them for over a decade, drawing condemnation from the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR). The agency expressed its deepest condolences and labelled the deportation a violation of international law. UNHCR reported that it repeatedly requested access to the detained Uyghurs, who feared persecution if returned to China. Thai officials…
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Fairway to heaven: Icons of Football tee up for swings and banter
Sparks flew and banter soared as football legends clashed over the fairway before the Icons of Football golf tournament tee-off this weekend. With friendly jabs and claims sure to slice through the tension, the stage is set for an unforgettable weekend of links and laughs. In a scene teeming with jabs heftier than a golf club, Team England and Team…
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Cruise company apologises for pouring trash into Chao Phraya (video)
In a scandal that sparked outrage among environmentalists and Bangkok residents, Royal Galaxy Cruise issued a public apology after a video surfaced showing trash being dumped into the Chao Phraya River. The company expressed deep regret over the incident, blaming an untrained temporary employee for the environmental blunder. The video, which quickly went viral on social media, showed garbage being carelessly…
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Search underway for missing American woman in Phuket
A jet ski rental operator on Patong Beach in Phuket contacted the police yesterday after an American woman went missing, leaving the rented jet ski floating in the sea. The operator reported the incident to Patong Police Station at approximately 11.25am, yesterday, February 27, stating that the foreign woman, later identified as 38 year old American citizen Nina Ng, disappeared.…
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British family races to save loved one after Thailand crash
A British family finds themselves in a race against time as they strive to bring their comatose loved one back home after a horrific bike crash in Thailand. Desperate to raise £100,000, the famly has turned to kind-hearted Brits for help. In a heart-wrenching saga, the family of Okemena Sule, a 30 year old British man, is locked in a…
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European tourists flock to Pattaya for extended stays
Pattaya continues to charm European tourists even as the High Season winds down, with many choosing to extend their stays thanks to the city’s laid-back vibe, stunning beaches, and improved tourism policies. This thriving beach town remains a top destination, proving that its appeal goes beyond seasonal travel trends. A survey conducted on Tuesday, February 25 in the Yinyom and…
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Man seeks identity of foreign motorcyclist after hit-and-run in Phuket
Yesterday, February 26, a Thai man was a victim of a hit-and-run by a foreigner in Phuket as he was making a U-turn. The man took to social media to seek the identity of the foreign motorcyclist, urging those in the area to share their dashcam footage if possible. The Thai man urged the Facebook news page Newshawk Phuket to…
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Thailand offers 50% travel subsidy: 1 million vouchers available
Thailand’s Tourism Minister, Sorawong Thienthong, has announced a bold plan to boost domestic tourism with a 3.5 billion baht budget request to fund the new We Travel Together programme. The scheme will offer Thai tourists 50% subsidies on hotel rooms and meals from May to September, with one million vouchers up for grabs. The proposed programme aims to revitalise the…
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Cosmic spectacle: Rare planet parade visible this week in Thailand
Stargazers in Thailand are in for a celestial treat as a rare planetary alignment will light up the evening sky this week, according to the National Astronomical Research Institute of Thailand (NARIT). For a limited time, all the visible planets in the Solar System will be lined up, creating a breathtaking parade that can be seen with the naked eye.…
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2 Thai wives team up to catch police husband in alleged affair
A Thai wife and mistress joined forces to catch their police husband and another mistress which led to an altercation at a restaurant in the central province of Lop Buri. The Facebook news page Esor News reported on Tuesday, February 25, that two Thai wives urged the page to help them seek justice. They revealed that their husband, a police…
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