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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 Is private health insurance in Thailand worth it? Real costs vs risks explained
Thailand has a strong healthcare system with both public and private options. Public hospitals offer affordable care, but many people, including expats, choose private health insurance for faster service, modern facilities, and more treatment choices. To decide if private health...
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British tourists’ speedboat crashes into Thai mangrove forest (video)
A holiday speedboat carrying British tourists on an idyllic island-hopping adventure turned into a nightmare when the vessel smashed into trees in southern Thailand, prompting screams from panicked passengers. The incident occurred on Friday, January 3 during a journey between Koh Lipe and Koh Lanta. Shocking footage shows terrified passengers clinging to their seats as the speedboat hurtled off course,…
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Road rage: Trucker clash ignites over middle finger in Songkhla
A roadblock and a rude middle finger gesture led to an altercation between a Thai truck driver and another man on a road in the southern province of Songkhla. Facebook user Ting Chukamnued shared videos of the altercation on the road on January 7, with a caption that read, “Thanks to the owner of the videos. Let him know that this…
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Lopburi: Police nab 58 Myanmar migrants in high-speed chase
Thai police swooped on a migrant smuggling operation in Lopburi yesterday, January 7, arresting 58 Myanmar nationals after a dramatic high-speed chase in Phatthana Nikhom district. Dubbed Shark Strike, the operation unfolded after highway police received intelligence on recurring smuggling activities in the area. Officers identified several suspicious vehicles speeding through the district and launched an intense pursuit, intercepting a…
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Pattaya poker face-off: Cops bust beachside card game
A clandestine poker game involving foreigners and Thai nationals in Pattaya was busted by police in a dramatic raid near Jomtien Beach. The illegal gambling operation, disguised as a beer bar, was exposed on Monday, January 6, after officers acted on a tip-off. Officers from the Chon Buri Immigration Police, led by Police Colonel Napassapong Kositsuriyamani, uncovered seven foreigners, including…
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Truck overturns in Nonthaburi, killing two and injuring two
A tragic accident occurred yesterday in Nonthaburi province, where a truck overturned after crossing the central reservation, resulting in two fatalities and two injuries. The accident took place on Ratchaphruek Road, opposite the 18 Chord Market in Bang Phlap subdistrict, Pak Kret district. Officers from Chaiyaphruek Police Station and emergency services, alongside forensic doctors, attended the scene. At the site,…
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Hippo star Moo Deng steals spotlight as election mascot (video)
The Election Commission (EC) has pulled out all the stops to boost voter enthusiasm for the upcoming provincial administrative organisation (PAO) elections, introducing an unlikely but adorable mascot—Moo Deng, the famous pygmy hippo calf. EC chairperson Ittiporn Boonprakong proudly presented Moo Deng during a lively ceremony at the Government Complex on Chaeng Watthana Road. Speaking to a captivated audience, he…
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Litter delivery: Thai rider dumps rubbish and dashes in Isaan
Security camera footage captured a shocking act by a female Thai food delivery rider in the Isaan province of Khon Kaen, who dumped rubbish in the middle of a road outside a restaurant before fleeing the scene. The owner of a local restaurant, 45 year old Mam, shared videos and pictures of the incident on Facebook. The rider reportedly committed…
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Boxer shorts-clad man blocks Bangkok traffic with Mercedes (video)
Traffic congestion is a common issue in Bangkok, often caused by the sheer volume of vehicles on the roads and accidents and unforeseen incidents which further exacerbates the situation. However, traffic was held up yesterday, January 7, by an unusual cause when a man clad only in boxer shorts parked his convertible Mercedes in the middle of the road and…
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Missing man found dead in truck on Chachoengsao motorway
A 53 year old man was found dead inside a truck parked on a motorway after his daughter called him unsuccessfully for three days. Officials from the Department of Highways received a report yesterday evening, January 7, concerning a white Toyota pickup truck, registration number 2 ฒข 2254 Bangkok, parked on the motorway at kilometre marker 42+300 in the Bang…
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Cabinet approves 3.78 trillion baht budget for 2026 fiscal year
The Thai Cabinet has sanctioned a 3.78 trillion baht (US$109 billion) budget for the 2026 fiscal year, alongside soft loans to assist small enterprises, as announced by officials yesterday, January 7. The budget, which includes an 860 billion baht (US$24. billion) deficit, is designed to invigorate the economy, according to Deputy Finance Minister Julapun Amornvivat. In the previous month, the…
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Chon Buri: Woman and cat found dead in car in suspected suicide
A 34 year old woman and her pet cat were found dead in a car near a village in Chon Buri after going missing for four days. The discovery was made yesterday, January 7, when a deputy inspector from Bo Win District Police Station was notified of a death in a black Toyota car parked in a secluded area. The…
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Mother seeks justice after landlord evicts children in Pathum Thani
A mother sort police help after a landlord forcibly entered her rented room and evicted her 14 year old daughter and three year old son. The incident occurred yesterday, January 7 at 8.30pm, when the Saimai Must Survive Facebook page assisted the mother in filing a complaint with Police Captain Sura Lertthaisong at Khu Khot Police Station, Pathum Thani province.…
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Elderly driver in tragic collision with motorcyclist in Sattahip
A tragic accident occurred yesterday when a 71 year old woman driving a white Mitsubishi Triton collided with a motorcycle, resulting in the motorcyclist’s death. The incident happened yesterday, January 7, at 12.30pm, at the Na Jomtien subdistrict in Sattahip, Chon Buri. Police Lieutenant Thanakorn Suetrong from the Na Jomtien Police Station received the report of the collision at the…
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Prehistoric skeletons found near Khon Kaen dinosaur museum
While preparing land for cultivation, villagers discovered prehistoric human skeletons estimated to be 1,500 to 2,500 years old, suggesting an ancient settlement location. The Fine Arts Department is examining the remains, found opposite Phu Wiang Dinosaur Museum in the Wiang Kao district of Khon Kaen province. Thipawan Wong-assapai, a skilled archaeologist from the Fine Arts Office 8 in Khon Kaen,…
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Thai cop accused of selling data to Cambodian scammers
A Thai woman accused a police officer in Chon Buri province of selling her personal information to a call centre scam gang in Cambodia. Mueang Samut Prakan Police Station denied her complaint. The tattoo artist, Mint, sought help from the non-profit organisation Saimai Survive after the police refused to take action on her case. The accused officer is reportedly an…
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Krabi snake catcher bitten by king cobra draws public support
The well-known snake catcher in Krabi is receiving support from the public after getting bitten by a giant king cobra. The incident left Sutee “Bung Cha” Naewhat in a serious condition and at risk of losing his arm. The story has gained a lot of attention given his dedication to helping others over the past 17 years. The news emerged…
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95 billion baht project to upgrade Chao Phraya irrigation system
The National Water Resources Committee has sanctioned a 95 billion baht initiative to enhance the Chao Phraya River irrigation system on the lower eastern side, encompassing Ayutthaya and Pathum Thani provinces, to mitigate flooding. Deputy Prime Minister Prasert Jantararuangtong chaired the meeting on January 6, where the committee endorsed the Department of Royal Irrigation’s extensive project aimed at improving water…
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Opposition plans censure debate against coalition government
The opposition is planning to file a motion for a censure debate against the coalition government by February, with the debate anticipated to occur between late February and early March. This was announced by Pakornwut Udompipatskul, a People’s Party list MP and head opposition whip. Pakornwut emphasised that the debate should not extend beyond the second week of March. Key…
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Foreign Ministry warns against PP visit to detained Thai crew in Myanmar
Concerns have been raised by the Foreign Ministry regarding a potential visit by representatives of the opposition People’s Party (PP) to Myanmar to meet four Thai trawler crew members currently detained there. Vice Minister Russ Jalichandra expressed yesterday, January 7, that while the ministry cannot stop Wiroj Lakkhanaadisorn, a PP party-list MP and chairman of the House’s Military Affairs Committee,…
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Pop Mart makes a splash in Pattaya with new By the Sea store
Global art toy phenomenon Pop Mart is turning heads once again, this time with the grand opening of its brand-new By the Sea store at Central Pattaya Shopping Centre. The quirky, seaside-themed outlet is the latest addition to Pop Mart’s Thai expansion, cementing its position as a major player in the booming collectable art toy market. The move follows Pop…
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Chinese tourist drowns in Rayong cave during dive tour
A Chinese tourist drowned while participating in a tour at Rayong’s Khang Khao Cave. She was swept away by an undercurrent and her body was found 2 kilometres away. The incident occurred yesterday, January 7 when police were alerted by Khao Laem Ya National Park officials about the discovery of a deceased female tourist near Ko Kudi, Mueang Rayong district.…
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Fake policewoman wanted for swindling 400,000 baht from man
Officers at Mueang Narathiwat Police Station in southern Thailand are searching for a woman who impersonated a policewoman and swindled over 400,000 baht from a Thai man by falsely claiming she was pregnant. The victim revealed to officers at Mueang Narathiwat Police Station that he met the suspect, 21 year old Fatina Nanta-ariyakun, on a dating application at the end…
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Mahout charged for elephant goring Spanish woman in Thailand
Police in Thailand have charged the mahout responsible for the elephant that gored a Spanish woman to death last week in Koh Yao. The deadly incident has since ramped up intense scrutiny of Thailand’s elephant tourism industry. The 38 year old mahout, Theerayut Inthaphudkij, faces charges of negligence causing death after a tragic accident involving the 22 year old Spanish tourist…
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Thai university faces legal threats over unauthorised police training
The Ministry of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation (MHESI) will initiate legal proceedings against Siam University if it fails to address the issue of a Chinese executive allegedly conducting an unauthorised volunteer police training programme for Chinese nationals. Minister Supamas Isarabhakdi stated yesterday, January 7, that Siam University confirmed its lack of involvement or awareness regarding the programme and…
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Thai woman, initially reported missing, admits to faking abduction
The Be One organisation yesterday reported that a Thai woman, initially reported as missing, faked her abduction and disappearance. Her friends and family allegedly complained to the organisation for revealing her photographs to the public. Friends of the 26 year old Thai woman, Arissara “Alice” Srichathum, urged the Facebook page Tudd Entertain to spread news about her disappearance. Many netizens, as well…
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Thai man arrested with 1,800 meth pills and crystal meth
A 56 year old Thai man was apprehended by Bang Lamung police with a significant quantity of drugs, including 1,800 methamphetamine pills and crystal meth. Yesterday, January 7, officers arrested Amnuay Uean-amnuay and seized the drugs, which were contained in a green plastic bag, along with a white Toyota Altis sedan, at a property in the Takhian Tia area. This…
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Orange Line construction closes Bangkok flyover for two years
The flyover on Bangkok’s Charan Sanit Wong Road has been closed to facilitate the construction of the Orange Line electric railway. Motorists are advised to seek alternative routes to alleviate traffic congestion. Mass Rapid Transit Authority (MRTA) Deputy Governor Kittikorn Tanpao announced the closure to accommodate the development of the Orange Line, specifically the Bang Khun Non-underground station. This station…
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Israeli Embassy lacks updates on six Thai hostages held by Hamas
The Israeli Embassy in Thailand reported that it lacks any information regarding the six Thai hostages still held by Hamas, amidst reports of potential hostage exchanges in the region. A representative from the Israeli Embassy confirmed the news yesterday, January 7. “There is still no information about the Thai hostages.” The statement follows a report from January 6 by Reuters,…
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Thailand’s Children’s Day logo sparks joy and vitality
Thailand’s Ministry of Education has unveiled the heartwarming story behind the Children’s Day logo set to represent the nation from 2023 to 2027. The spotlight falls on Wikawee Rattamanee, a talented Silpakorn University student whose design won a nationwide competition last year. Her creation, centred on the theme of a child’s smile, earned her the top prize of 35,000 baht.…
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Ruble ruckus: Russian suspect nabbed in Phuket hotel heist
Police yesterday arrested one of two Russian suspects for stealing approximately US$5,000 (nearly 200,000 baht) in cash from a fellow countryman at a hotel in Phuket on Sunday, January 5. The 31 year old Russian victim, Zelimkhan Iusupov, rushed to Karon Police Station at around 3.30am on Sunday after being physically assaulted and robbed by one of the suspects, later identified…
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