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 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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Syphilis surge grips Phuket as tourism booms again
A shocking surge in syphilis cases has hit Phuket, with infections now reported in all three districts of the island province. Health officials are sounding the alarm as the rise coincides with the post-pandemic rebound in tourism and a return to riskier sexual behaviour. “Youths remain a high-risk group, but syphilis can affect people of all genders and ages who engage in…
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When it rains, it pours: Deluge to soak 34 Thai provinces
The Thai Meteorological Department (TMD) forecasted continued heavy rainfall across Thailand, identifying 34 provinces that will be particularly affected. Residents in the southwestern region are advised to remain cautious due to the ongoing weather conditions. The weather forecast for the next 24 hours indicates persistent thunderstorms and heavy rainfall in some areas. This is attributed to a moderate southwesterly monsoon…
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Legal briefs, stolen wires: Pattaya burglars ransack judge’s home
A pair of bumbling burglars have been nicked after breaking into a retired judge’s holiday home in Pattaya, clueless they’d targeted a top legal eagle. Two suspects were cuffed yesterday, June 4, after a dramatic police sting in Chon Buri’s Nongprue subdistrict, following a bold daylight burglary at the private residence of an 83 year old former deputy chief judge…
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Emirates lands a double delight with new SE Asia flights
Emirates is turning up the heat in Southeast Asia with the launch of two brand-new routes, to Vietnam’s coastal gem Da Nang and Cambodia’s cultural heartland, Siem Reap, both flying via Bangkok. The Dubai-based airline kicked off the Da Nang route on June 2, followed by Siem Reap on June 3, pushing its regional network to 23 destinations. Both flights will…
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Singaporean businessman caught at airport over 5 million baht VAT fraud
A Singaporean businessman was apprehended at Suvarnabhumi International Airport while attempting to flee to his home country. He faced allegations of evading value-added tax (VAT), resulting in a 5 million baht loss to the state. Today, June 4, Police Major General Thathapoom Charupraphan directed Police Colonel Naruephon Karuna and Police Captain Noppakhun Thatnamalai to arrest 71 year old Liu David…
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Class act! Posh parents splash out as international schools boom
Thailand’s international school sector is booming and it’s the well-heeled who are fuelling the fire. With tuition at top-tier institutions topping a whopping 1.1 million baht a year, it’s clear that wealthy families, corporate high-flyers, and expat professionals are queuing up for a classroom seat with a global edge. Auramon Supthaweethum, head of the Department of Business Development (DBD), named international…
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British tourist dies in tragic fall in Phuket after night out
A 59 year old British tourist died after falling approximately 7 metres from a steep incline in Patong, Phuket, following a night of dining and drinking. The incident left the victim’s partner, Stewart Raynor, in shock. Today, June 4, Police Lieutenant Chittawan Pengkaew, Deputy Inspector at Patong Police Station, Phuket, received a report from the Patong Radio Centre about the…
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Here comes the sun: Solar panel plan puts minister in firing line
A fresh push to boost solar panel use across Thailand has sparked a political power struggle, with critics warning the new bill could give the energy minister unchecked authority over who can harness the sun. The proposed legislation, aimed at streamlining solar panel installation and energy trade, has drawn mixed reactions from industry heavyweights, some calling it a bright idea,…
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Top 3 must-have apps for exploring Thailand like a local
Sawadee, savvy traveller! If you’re planning a trip to the Land of Smiles, you’re in for a ride full of golden temples, finger-licking street food, island sunsets, and tuk-tuk adventures. But if you want to do it right — not just like a tourist, but like someone who knows their som tam from their satay — you’ll need the right…
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US visa clamp sparks panic but Thai students gets pass
Thai students hoping to hit the books in the United States can breathe a sigh of relief, after officials confirmed student visa interviews in Bangkok are still a go, despite a sweeping clampdown ordered by US President Donald Trump’s team. On April 1, US political news outlet Politico dropped a bombshell: a leaked Trump-era memo revealed that US embassies worldwide…
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Kamphaeng Phet rocket fest sparks awe with serpent-like smoke
A traditional ceremony in Kamphaeng Phet province captivated many when a large rocket was launched, and the resulting smoke resembled a serpent and formed three numbers. Locals believe this was a sign from Phaya Than, acknowledging their rain-seeking rituals and promising good fortune. Despite continuous rainfall across many parts of Thailand, the northeastern Thai community in Kamphaeng Phet upheld their…
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Blade and shame! Burmese teen busted after flaunting weapons
A cocky Burmese teen has landed himself in hot water after posing with machetes and a toy gun for Facebook clout, sparking public outcry and prompting a swift police response in Phuket’s Cherng Talay area. The images, which surfaced on social media with the caption, “So arrogant! ‘Phuket’ Myanmar teenager gang in the Cherng Talay area showing off guns and…
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Russian scammer nabbed at Phuket Airport in digital crime bust
A suspected Russian cyber crook has been collared at Phuket International Airport, accused of helping to run a high-tech fraud racket that’s fleeced thousands and left victims across Thailand reeling. The 36 year old unnamed man was nicked in the arrivals hall around 1.50pm on June 2, following a sting by Phuket Airport Immigration’s Investigation Team and Surat Thani Police.…
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Thailand prioritises peace in Cambodia border dispute
War should remain a last resort in Thailand’s ongoing border dispute with Cambodia, according to Deputy Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai. Speaking yesterday, June 3, he emphasised the country’s commitment to resolving the issue peacefully, highlighting the need to avoid violence while protecting national sovereignty. Phumtham, who also holds the position of defence minister, made these comments as Cambodia continues its…
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Wee-bit out of order: Tourist blasted for peeing on Phuket street
A red-faced tourist is in hot water after being caught on camera peeing in the middle of a busy Phuket street, sparking fury and fresh calls for a police crackdown on unruly holidaymakers. The 14-second clip, filmed on Soi Saensabai in Patong, shows the tourist brazenly urinating in public as people walk by. The footage, posted by the popular Facebook…
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Bangkok man arrested after Bang Sue youth shooting incident
A 21 year old man has been apprehended in connection with a shooting incident following a youth altercation in the Bang Sue district of Bangkok. The arrest occurred yesterday, June 3 at 12.30pm, with police charging him with three offences. Lieutenant General Siam Boonsom, along with other officials from the Metropolitan Police Bureau, directed the arrest of Anon “Joy” Chiamchan.…
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Driver falls asleep, causing fatal Rayong-Surat Thani bus crash
A bus accident occurred in the early hours of this morning, when the driver fell asleep, causing the Rayong-Surat Thani bus to veer off course and crash into a guardrail. The incident today, June 4, at 4.30am, resulted in two fatalities and several injuries among the 28 passengers. The yellow passenger bus, operating on the Rayong-Mukdahan route, bore Chon Buri…
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Manhunt in Surat Thani for suspect in shooting incident
A manhunt is underway for a 36 year old man from Surat Thani after he allegedly shot and killed his ex-girlfriend’s new partner. The incident occurred at 7.30pm yesterday, June 3, at house number 55, village number 4, Si Wiat subdistrict, Tha Chang district, Surat Thani province. Police Lieutenant Suriyan Rueangnui, deputy inspector (investigation) of Sawiat Police Station, was notified…
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Thailand video news | Economic woes could undermine Thai coalition’s stability, Wild elephant ransacks Thai shop for snacks
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bcfBnb1v5x0 Today we’ll be talking about some wild animals running amok, a tourist getting KO’d after assaulting a woman in Phuket, and a little later a urinating Thai man’s rejected bribe landing him in hot water in Singapore. Phuket Tiger Park Denies Attack Claims, Slams Misinformation Phuket’s Tiger Kingdom has denied claims that a tourist was attacked by a tiger…
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Thai university student smeared in fake HIV scandal fights back
A Thai university student falsely accused online of spreading HIV to multiple men has come out swinging, blood test in hand, to clear her name and demand justice. Dear, a real second-year accounting student at Mahasarakham University, was left humiliated and devastated after her image and identity were used in a malicious social media hoax, falsely claiming she was HIV-positive…
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Thailand taxman’s 2-year sweetener to lure overseas millions home
The taxman in Thailand is having a rethink and it could mean a big win for globe-trotting Thais with cash stashed abroad. In a bid to woo back an estimated 2 trillion baht in overseas investments, the Revenue Department is planning a two-year tax holiday on foreign-earned income, so long as it’s brought back into the country pronto. Revenue Department…
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American arrested in Pattaya for using fake US dollars
Police in Pattaya arrested a 66 year old American for attempting to exchange counterfeit US dollars for Thai baht. The incident yesterday, June 3, took place at the TT Currency Exchange booth on Jomtien Beach Road in Chon Buri province. Police Colonel Anek Sathongyu, along with Deputy Police Colonel Arus Saphanon and Pattaya’s investigation team, led the operation. The suspect, Jeffrey…
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High stakes and hash: British mum busted in German airport sting
A young British mum has landed in hot water after allegedly trying to smuggle cannabis from Thailand into Germany, in the latest twist in a growing trend of globe-trotting ganja girls. Cameron Bradford from Knebworth, Hertfordshire, was arrested at Munich Airport on April 21 after raising red flags with border cops. The 21 year old reportedly changed her flight at…
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Wooden house collapses into Chao Phraya River, woman rescued
A wooden house belonging to 68 year old woman collapsed into the Chao Phraya River early yesterday, June 3, leaving her clinging to a wooden post for safety. Rescue volunteers from the Ruamkatanyu Foundation safely evacuated the woman, Somsong Praphaimani, suffering a torn ligament in her left shoulder and bruising on her left hip, to a hospital for urgent treatment.…
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Suspect dies after ingesting 50 meth pills in police custody
A man suspected of drug possession ingested approximately 50 methamphetamine pills before his arrest, eventually leading to his death after being sent to hospital. Yesterday, June 3, police received a report regarding Thiranai, a detainee in Nakhon Pathom City Police Station’s holding cell. He had collapsed and experienced convulsions for unknown reasons. Police promptly transferred him to Nakhon Pathom Central…
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Full Moon tragedy: British tourist found dead on Koh Pha Ngan
A British tourist has been found dead and half-naked on a beach just days before the island’s notorious Full Moon Party, sending shockwaves through the Thai holiday hotspot. The 54 year old was discovered face-down in the sand by a local villager at around 6.30am today, June 4, wearing nothing but an orange bra. Her underwear was later found washed…
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17 year old student shot dead in Bangkok motorcycle attack
A 17 year old student was tragically shot and killed while riding as a passenger on a motorcycle driven by a friend in Bangkok. The incident occurred today, June 4, at 1.35am, near the under-construction market area by Hathaimit intersection on Hathairat Road. Police and forensic teams are reviewing CCTV footage to identify the gunman. At the scene, the body…
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Burglar nicks bling and cash in Pattaya pool villa theft
A relaxing getaway turned into a nightmare for a holidaymaker after a crook broke into her private pool villa in Pattaya and swiped gold and cash, all caught on CCTV. Thanyarat, from Prachinburi province, had checked into the Yoo Dee Pool Villa in Huai Yai on June 2 for a peaceful overnight stay. But the peace didn’t last long. The…
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Pattaya police stunned as boy, 13, caught dealing with druggie
Pattaya police cracking down on narcotics in a seedy corner of Jomtien were left stunned when they nabbed a drug dealer, only to find a 13 year old boy helping her peddle meth. The shock bust happened yesterday, June 3 during a raid led by Chon Buri Provincial Police in Jomtien Soi 2. Officers arrested 39 year old Bang-on, also…
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Thai-Lao Friendship Bridge repairs proposed with 50bn budget
The Ministry of Transport plans to propose the commencement of repairs on the fifth Thai-Lao Friendship Bridge to the Cabinet on June 4. The proposal includes a budget of 50 billion baht aimed at boosting the economy. A ministry source revealed that the economic stimulus project, with a budget framework of 157 billion baht, has been reallocated from the digital…
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