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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 Long-term life in Thailand? 5 reasons private health insurance pays off in the long run
Thailand is a great place for expats and retirees, offering a warm climate, affordable living, and rich culture. However, healthcare can be tricky for foreigners since they aren’t eligible for public health coverage, and private care can be expensive. Private...
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Taxing times: Thai PM backtracks on VAT hike after public outcry
In a dramatic U-turn, Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra pulled the plug on a proposal to crank up the value-added tax (VAT) following a storm of public outrage. The PM took to X (formerly Twitter) today, December 6, decisively posting: “No VAT adjustment to 15%.” This swift decision emerged from a huddle at Government House with Finance Minister Pichai Chunhavajira and…
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2 Thai women arrested for tricking young virgins into prostitution
Central Investigation Bureau (CIB) officers arrested two Thai women for operating a child prostitution ring, tricking young virgin women into offering sex services to illegal Chinese nationals. CIB officers arrested the 21 year old Thai woman named Panida and a 22 year old woman named Nalatporn for their involvement in child prostitution. Panida was arrested at her condominium in the…
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Mile high sex: Swissair faces blowback over viral in-flight video
Swiss International Air Lines is in hot water after a woman performing oral sex on a passenger, filmed by airline staff, went viral, sparking a public uproar over privacy rights. The scandal unfolded when footage captured by Swissair CCTV emerged, showing a couple getting frisky in the first-class galley of a Bangkok to Zurich flight. Now, the airline is scrambling to…
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Bangkok faces alarming PM2.5 pollution spike, 32 districts affected
Bangkok is suffocating under a cloud of smog as PM2.5 pollution levels surge, forcing 32 districts to breach safety thresholds. Satellite data from the Geo-Informatics and Space Technology Development Agency (GISTDA) casts a spotlight on Nong Khaem, clocking the most dangerous levels at a staggering 61.3 microgrammes per cubic metre. Such pollution spells disaster for our lungs, with the respiratory…
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Gold rush goes bust: Prices nosedive as market loses glitter
A shockwave hit the gold market today as the Gold Traders Association (GTA) announced a startling drop in prices, sending buyers and sellers into a flurry. Gold jewellery is now going for a cool 42,950 baht per baht weight, marking a notable plunge of 350 baht from the closing figures yesterday, December 5. The early birds were the first to…
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2 year old Thai boy crashes motorcycle into glass door, injuring mum
A two year old Thai boy crashed his mother’s motorcycle into the glass door of a house in the Isaan province of Buriram on Wednesday. The boy was unharmed but his mother sustained injuries from broken glass. The Siam Ruamjai Pu-in Rescue Foundation responded to the incident at a house on Nang Rong-Lam Plai Mart Road in the Nang Rong district of…
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Bank loan growth to shrink despite Q4 rise in retail lending
Bank loan growth is anticipated to shrink this year despite a slight rise in the fourth quarter, as banks maintain their cautious lending practices into 2025 to 2026 due to sluggish GDP growth, analysts report. Analyst Weerapat Wonk-Urai from CGS International Securities (Thailand) highlighted a rising ratio of underperforming loans in retail lending, prompting banks to enforce stricter credit standards…
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Thailand’s EV market hits a speed bump in incentive race (video)
Thailand’s electric vehicle (EV) market is experiencing a jolt as major manufacturers weigh the pros and cons of staying plugged into the nation’s incentive scheme amidst a slowdown. With the EV sector currently stuck in neutral, the Electric Vehicle Association of Thailand (EVAT) hints that automakers might be on the verge of bypassing subsidies and revisiting their production game plans.…
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Chinese man blamed for fatal crash in Pattaya glued to phone
Police revealed the Chinese man at the centre of a tragic collision that killed one and injured several others was not under the influence of alcohol. Investigation officers, however, believe he was playing with his mobile phone prior to the horror smash. The accused, 39 year old Zhang Yigong, was at the wheel of a luxurious Toyota Alphard van when…
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Fishing for freedom: Thai crew released from Myanmar custody
Four Thai crew members are expected to be released today after being detained in Myanmar. The crew members belong to the Thai fishing vessel S. Charoenchai 8, which was intercepted by Myanmar’s navy. The Royal Thai Navy (RTN) confirmed that all crew members, including the four Thai nationals, are safe and that diplomatic efforts are underway to secure their release.…
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Blowing smoke: House panel’s vape verdict sparks fiery debate
In a twist that’s left health experts fuming, the House special committee on e-cigarettes has rolled out a controversial trio of recommendations that some claim cater to the pro-smoking lobby. The options on the table: uphold the complete ban on e-cigarettes, legalise heated tobacco products (HTPs), or give the all-clear to all forms of e-cigarettes. Cue a storm of backlash…
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Kebaya recognised as UNESCO intangible cultural heritage
Kebaya, a traditional garment worn by women across Southeast Asia, has officially been recognised as an intangible cultural heritage by UNESCO. This acknowledgement came after a joint proposal from five countries, including Thailand, Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, and Singapore. The announcement took place during a meeting of the Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage in Asuncion, Paraguay,…
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Construction halted on Rama II Road for new year travel ease
The Transport Ministry has announced the suspension of all construction activities along Rama II Road from December 26 to January 2 next year. This decision aims to ease travel for those heading south during the new year holiday period. Transport Minister Suriya Jungrungreangkit highlighted that the focus of the suspension is to aid travellers using this major route. “We also…
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Phuket hospital gets cancer care cash to kickstart cure (video)
Phuket’s medical scene is on the brink of a major transformation, thanks to two hefty contributions that have been earmarked for the region’s first government-run cancer treatment facility at Vachira Phuket Hospital. The Vachira Phuket Hospital is set to welcome a brand-new Radiation Therapy Building, funded by donations ringing in at a staggering 1.5 million baht. In a formal affair…
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State officials probed over Saraburi land encroachment allegations
The National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) embarked on an investigation to determine the involvement of state officials in alleged land encroachment activities in Saraburi. The primary focus is on the Phu Nub Dao Cafe & Farm, accused of constructing buildings illegally on a Sor Por Kor land reform area in Muak Lek district. Witthaya Arkhompitak, the acting chairman of the NACC,…
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Sia Piang released early from prison due to health issues
Apichart Jansakulporn, widely recognised as Sia Piang, has been released from prison, confirmed by the Department of Corrections (DoC). Initially sentenced to 48 years for his involvement in the rice-pledging scandal, Apichart was granted early release due to severe health issues, having served only seven years of his sentence. The DoC Director General, Sahakarn Phetnarin, stated yesterday, December 5, that…
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Twitter personality arrested for 50,000 baht scam impersonation
A popular Twitter personality with over 30,000 followers was recently apprehended for impersonating a relative to swindle 50,000 baht. She was caught after returning from Malaysia and claimed she only provided OTP codes for small payments. The arrest took place yesterday, December 5, as Pramote Chanbungkaew, head of Phetkasem Police Station, and his team apprehended 27 year old Mathurin, from…
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Woman dies in Nakhon Phanom crash while rushing to sick child
A tragic accident claimed the life of a woman on a motorcycle who was rushing to visit her sick child in a hospital in Nakhon Phanom. The incident occurred when she collided with a garbage truck, leaving her two children orphaned. The 28 year old woman, who had recently lost her husband, was identified as Onpriya. Officers from the Mueang…
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Married landlord shoots car of tenant’s boyfriend in jealous rage
A landlord in Nonthaburi province, near Bangkok, fired shots at his tenant’s boyfriend’s car on Wednesday, reportedly driven by jealousy, despite being married with children. The 40 year old car owner, Suradate, filed a complaint with Bang Bua Thong Police Station at 5pm on Wednesday, December 4, after discovering his silver-bronze Toyota Vios sedan riddled with three bullet holes. Broken…
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Thai police arrest driver smuggling 18 migrants in Kanchanaburi
Police conducted a dramatic roadside chase in Kanchanaburi, capturing a Thai driver transporting 18 illegal migrants in a single vehicle. The 29 year old driver was apprehended after attempting to evade police. The operation began when senior police officers received intelligence about a group smuggling stolen vehicles across the border and illegally transporting foreign workers into Thailand. Responding to the…
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Father killed by son in drug-fuelled attack in Phrae
Tragedy struck as a 75 year old father was brutally attacked and killed by his son in a drug-induced frenzy. The elderly man was found with eight severe wounds across his body. This shocking incident was reported yesterday in Den Chai district, Phrae province. Police Lieutenant Colonel Natthawut Maneekat, from Huai Rai Police Station, received the distressing report of an…
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Cop with a cause: Chon Buri officer’s goodwill patrol warms hearts
For the past eight years, a Chon Buri police officer has been a silent hero, making waves with his goodwill philanthropic gestures across the Klong Phlu subdistrict. Leading the Nong Yai police patrol, Wallop Tasanathanapong has been spending his own hard-earned cash to bring relief to bedridden patients and struggling families who need a helping hand. Month after month, as…
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A 60 year old man found stabbed 20 times in Thai paddy field
A 60 year old man was found dead in a paddy field after a night out drinking with old friends. The discovery, made by a local, revealed the man had been stabbed 20 times. The incident took place yesterday, December 5, in the rural area of Khlong Khlung, Kamphaeng Phet province. The body was found in the village’s paddy fields,…
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Brake and enter: Motorcycle thief’s last ride ends in Pattaya
In a scene worthy of a crime caper movie, a notorious motorcycle thief met his match in Bang Lamung, as police swooped in on his hideout. The thief, Watit Poomsritong found himself caught in a net of justice after a bumbling bid to evade capture. The police had been closing in, with the Pattaya Provincial Court having issued an arrest…
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Cyber police arrest Khon Kaen lottery tipster over illegal gambling
Cyber police raided a hermitage in Khon Kaen, arresting a renowned lottery tipster for promoting illegal online gambling. The tipster, with a large following, admitted to receiving a monthly payment of 15,000 baht for advertising online lottery links. Following complaints from the public, cyber police launched an investigation into a popular TikToker known for spiritual content, who commands an audience…
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Drunk Mercedes-Benz driver kills delivery rider in Bangkok (video)
A drunk Mercedes-Benz driver crashed into a female Thai delivery rider on the Thai-Japanese Bridge in Bangkok, causing the victim to fall off the bridge and die at the scene. Officers from the Pathum Wan Police Station received a report of the accident at approximately 2.18am on Wednesday, December 4. The incident occurred on the Thai-Japanese Bridge above the Henri…
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Rain check: Thailand provinces brace for a flood of trouble
Weather conditions across Thailand prompted warnings for heavy rain and potential flash floods in 10 provinces, with Bangkok experiencing morning fog and a minimum temperature of 24 degrees Celsius. The Thai Meteorological Department (TMD) reported that the northeast monsoon, covering the Gulf of Thailand and the southern region, has weakened. Meanwhile, a low-pressure area near the Strait of Malacca is…
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Paws for alarm: Koh Muk walk turns into stray dog attack (video)
A tropical stroll turned into a nightmare for a Thai tourist and her Russian husband on the picturesque shores of Koh Muk as a marauding pack of stray dogs set upon them with terrifying aggression. Angkana and her husband’s idyllic walk turned into a fight for survival when faced with an onslaught from five to six stray hounds. In a valiant…
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Reckless Chinese man hits the brakes on safety in Pattaya
Carnage unfolded on Thepprasit Road as a reckless Chinese man unleashed mayhem in a high-speed horror crash, leaving several injured and claiming at least one life. The catastrophe struck at 9.06pm, yesterday, December 5, prompting a swift response from authorities led by Police Lieutenant Sanan Kotanon and emergency crews from Sawang Boriboon Thammasathan Pattaya City. On arrival, officers were greeted…
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Paradise to Pattaya peril: Canadian’s vacation takes deadly dive
A Canadian tourist’s dream getaway to a plush resort near Jomtien Beach in Pattaya turned into a nightmare after a fatal fall. The Canadian, Gilbert Giroud, met his tragic end when he slipped and suffered fatal injuries, leaving holiday heaven in heartbreak. In a regular afternoon turning to chaos, patrolling police got the alarming call at 3.34pm, yesterday, December 5.…
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