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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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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Thai man pulled to safety in Phuket racetrack drama (video)
Spectators were left horrified after a man casually wandered onto a racetrack in Phuket during the TOYOTA GAZOO Racing Thailand 2025 event, in what could have ended in certain death. The shocking incident occurred yesterday, August 18, just after the high-octane races wrapped up at Saphan Hin Public Park, which had hosted the two-day event over the weekend on August…
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Father urges army to uncover real motive behind soldier’s fatal rampage
The father of a Thai soldier who shot two civilians before taking his own life in Surin province dismissed an emotional breakdown as the motive for the shooting and urged the Royal Thai Army (RTA) to conduct a further investigation. Private Ratthapoom Thepsiri was found dead in a forest in Kap Choeng district on August 15, after he shot two men…
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Thailand video news | Fatal Pattaya Crash, ‘TouristDigiPay’ crypto-to-baht pilot initiative to boost tourism spending
In Thailand video news, Alex reports on a range of stories from across the country. Highlights include an investigation into Jay Fai’s crab omelette pricing, a fatal motorbike stunt in Pattaya, and a Dutch-Thai couple’s escape from border clashes. Other stories cover public outrage over a tourist assault in Patong, the arrest of an Australian drug smuggler, and a crypto-to-baht…
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Thailand launches world-first crypto tourist pay scheme
Thailand has thrown open the doors to a digital revolution in tourism, unveiling the world’s first system allowing foreign visitors to convert cryptocurrency into Thai baht for everyday purchases—from pad thai stalls to 7-Eleven counters. The pilot project, called TouristDigiPay, launched yesterday, August 18, under the watch of Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Pichai Chunhavajira. Unlike crypto-payment models abroad,…
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Phuket woman warns community after alleged theft by foreign man
A Thai woman accused a foreign man, believed to be a British national, of stealing her mobile phone and attempting to steal her car in the Thalang district of Phuket yesterday, August 18. The woman, Mewadi Dokmai, issued a warning about the man by sharing her story on several Facebook groups and through local news outlets. She said the incident…
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Judicial misconduct cases addressed by Supreme Court in Thailand
On August 18, a meeting of the Committee of Judicial Affairs was held at Ratchaburi Direkrit Room, Justice Court Building on Ratchadamnoen Road. Presided over by Supreme Court President Chanakarn Theeravejpolkul, the committee addressed several significant judicial misconduct cases. The committee reviewed a report on a judicial official accused of violating ethical standards by filing an unjustified lawsuit against a…
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Bangkok tops global Gen Z city list
Move over New York and London—Bangkok just stole the spotlight as the ultimate Gen Z city in the world. The Thai capital has clinched the- top spot in Time Out’s 2025 global ranking of the Best Cities for Gen Z, leaving some of the world’s most iconic destinations trailing in its wake. The survey gathered insights from over 18,500 locals…
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Chao Phraya River residents warned of potential flooding risk
The Royal Irrigation Department has issued a warning to residents in low-lying areas along the Chao Phraya River, advising them to prepare for potential flooding on August 21. Increased water discharge from the Chao Phraya Dam is expected due to recent heavy rainfall. The Royal Irrigation Department’s alert anticipates water discharge from the Chao Phraya Dam to increase to 1,200-1,500…
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Close call: Foreign tourist plunges from Patong hotel
A foreign tourist was left fighting for his life last night after plunging from a hotel in Patong under baffling circumstances. The terrifying incident occurred at 6.36pm yesterday, August 18, when Patong Police were alerted to a man falling from a height at a hotel on Phra Mettha Road. Emergency responders from the Kusoldharm Phuket Foundation raced to the scene…
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Trang resident encounters king cobra in home, rescue captures snake
A 74 year old resident of Trang province was startled when a large snake entered her home and sought refuge under a wardrobe. The snake, identified as a deadly king cobra, was eventually captured by rescue workers. The incident occurred on August 18, when Phinyo, the homeowner, discovered the reptile in her house in Mueang district. Despite her previous experience…
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SAO wins transparency award despite collapsed building scandal
The State Audit Office (SAO) won first place as the most transparent and integrous government department in Thailand, but the public expressed disagreement, citing allegations of corruption linked to the collapse of the under-construction headquarters in March. The Office of Integrity and Transparency Assessment (ITA), under the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC), announced the results of its annual evaluation of government…
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Lampang motorcycle thief caught with screwdriver method in Samut Prakan
Police have apprehended a 39 year old man from Lampang, known for stealing motorcycles with only a screwdriver, throughout the city. He confessed after being arrested at a restaurant parking lot in Thepharak subdistrict, Mueang district, Samut Prakan province, today, August 19. The arrest was led by Police Colonel Narupon Karuna, along with Police Major Patiphan Pensuk and Police Captain…
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Former traffic officer survives horrific crash thanks to amulet
A former traffic officer narrowly survived a severe road accident involving a pickup truck on the Udon Thani-Sakon Nakhon Road in the Mueang Nong Han district of Udon Thani province. The vehicle overturned multiple times, causing extensive damage, but the driver emerged with only minor injuries, attributing his survival to a protective amulet. The incident occurred at 8pm yesterday, August…
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Massive drug haul found floating in Samut Songkhram canal
Police in Samut Songkhram province were alerted by locals to a large cache of crystal methamphetamine, nearly 100 kilogrammes, found floating in a canal. The discovery has prompted an extensive investigation into the drug network involved. On August 18, Police Lieutenant Chananthip Ongkhlueab, Deputy Inspector at Mueang Samut Songkhram Police Station, received a report of narcotics in the Lampradong canal…
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Drunken blunder: Pattaya waitress’s bike stolen outside bar
A bar waitress in Pattaya lost more than just her buzz after a staff birthday party—she lost her motorbike too. At around 5.06am yesterday, August 18, 25 year old Sumitra Saengarun reported that her black GPX motorcycle had been stolen from outside the Red Cat Bar on Pattaya Beach Road, just metres from Pattaya City Police Station. Sumitra, who works…
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Man arrested after gold theft attempt at Lotus Mall in Tak
A 28 year old man was apprehended after attempting to steal gold from Wang Tokang Gold Shop in Tak Province’s Lotus Mall yesterday, August 18. The suspect, who hails from Mueang district, allegedly feigned interest in buying gold but aroused suspicion, prompting the staff to alert security. As he attempted to flee with a gold necklace, the police present in the…
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Massive blaze reduces Pattaya recycling plant to ashes
A fierce blaze ripped through a recycling factory in Pattaya yesterday, leaving nothing but twisted metal and charred debris. The inferno erupted at the Banjong Recycling Factory in Village 4, Takhian Tia subdistrict, Bang Lamung district yesterday, August 18, with fireballs lighting up the sky and smoke billowing for kilometres. The cause? A suspected electrical short circuit—though forensic teams are…
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Thai army accuses Cambodia of placing new landmines at border
The Royal Thai Army has confirmed that recent landmines discovered along the Thai-Cambodian border were newly placed by Cambodian soldiers for tactical purposes, not remnants from past conflicts. Major General Winthai Suvaree, the army’s spokesperson, highlighted this distinction during a discussion on August 18 following accusations from Cambodian officials. Yesterday, August 18, senior Cambodian minister Dr Lee Thuch and Heng…
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Heavy rain warning for 25 Thai provinces amid monsoon changes
Today, August 19, the Thai Meteorological Department (TMD) issued a weather forecast warning for 25 provinces in Thailand, predicting heavy rainfall in the north and northeastern regions. Residents are advised to remain vigilant against potential dangers, including flash floods and forest runoff, especially in areas near slopes, waterways, and low-lying regions. The monsoon trough is moving across northern Thailand and…
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Stray dog in Songkhla melts hearts begging for toy from claw machine
A stray dog in the southern province of Songkhla has gone viral on Thai TikTok after being filmed begging for a toy from a claw machine. The TikToker who captured the moment was praised by netizens for giving the dog his first-ever toy. The videos were shared by 23 year old Kannika “View” Eabsamrong, on her TikTok account, @i.view12, on…
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Foreigners filmed chasing and beating Thai man in Phuket
Another viral video circulated on Thai social media yesterday, August 17, showing a group of foreigners attacking a Thai man outside a restaurant in the Patong neighbourhood of Phuket. The Phuket Times Facebook page reported, “Phuket, again! A swaggering gang of foreigners beat up a Thai national until the victim had to hide under a table. They then chased after…
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Thai flying trainer dies after Phuket glider crash with Russian student
A Thai flying trainer died in hospital today, August 18, after he and his Russian student crashed a glider on the side of a road in the Thalang district of Phuket yesterday, August 17. The accident occurred at around 4.30pm along the Mueang Mai–Paklok Road near Phuket Airpark in the Paklok sub-district. Two people were injured, 40 year old Thai…
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Thai cancer patient faces scrutiny over 1.6 million baht donation
The public demanded that a female cancer patient clarify her treatment costs after she launched a donation campaign and raised 1.6 million baht, yet only around 587,000 baht appeared to remain in her bank account. A Thai woman, identified only as Bew, took to her Facebook account, CarBew Donlaya, to share with her followers that she is battling stage three…
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Thai and Cambodian officials clash over legitimacy of landmines
The Royal Thai Army (RTA) and the director of the Cambodian Mine Action Centre (CMAC) engaged in a disagreement over the legitimacy of Cambodian PMN-2 anti-personnel landmines displayed during an inspection event in Sisaket province on August 16. CMAC director Heng Ratana questioned the authenticity of the mines, noting they were still fitted with safety pins, which raised doubts about…
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Australian arrested with meth in soap at Bangkok airport
A 68 year old Australian was detained at Suvarnabhumi airport after officials discovered 4.26 kilogrammes of methamphetamine concealed within soap bars in his luggage. He was about to board a flight to Western Australia. The arrest was conducted by the narcotics and Airport Interdiction Task Force police, following a tip-off, as reported by Customs Department spokesperson Panthong Loykulnan. The man,…
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Dutch man and Thai wife recount escape from border clashes to ambassador
A Dutch man, who has a Thai wife, recounted the moment when he and his family escaped border clashes and claimed Cambodia initiated the violent attack during a meeting with the Ambassador of the Netherlands. Thai Foreign Affairs Minister Maris Sangiamphongsa and Royal Thai Army Spokesperson Winthai Suwaree led ambassadors and representatives from 33 countries and international organisations to survey…
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Thai uncle with history of drug use beats niece to death in Trang
Police yesterday, August 17, arrested a Thai man for beating his niece to death at a house in the southern province of Trang on Saturday, August 16. The Siam Ruamjai Pu-in Rescue Foundation was alerted to the incident at 10.36am on Saturday and rushed to the scene, a house in the Huay Yod district of Trang, to transport the victim,…
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Thailand video news | Thailand forces closure of over 1,000 cannabis shops in major sweep, Alcohol-Free movement picks up among Thai teens
In Thailand video news, Alex covers news stories from across Thailand. The stories include Thailand faces sweeping changes this week, from a nationwide cannabis crackdown and tightened retiree visa rules to border tensions with Cambodia and a senator’s corruption probe. Other headlines include a fake “White House journalist” scandal in Cambodia, a stranded Australian pensioner in Udon Thani, a Pattaya…
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Thai woman dies after collision with British motorcyclist in Pattaya
A Thai woman tragically died in hospital in Pattaya after a British man crashed his electric off-road motorcycle into her motorbike on Thursday, August 14. The accident occurred in Soi Bonkot 8 in Bang Lamung district at around 11pm on Thursday. The British national, whose name has not been released, reportedly collided with the motorbike of 49 year old Churairat…
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Thai trainer and Russian student injured in plane crash in Phuket
A small plane crashed into roadside woodland in the Paklok sub-district of Phuket yesterday, August 17, leaving two men injured, a Thai trainer and a Russian flying student. The plane, reportedly belonging to a private company, went down beside a road near a runway at around 4.30pm. The victims were identified as 40 year old Thai trainer Surasak Chana and…
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