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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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    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...

  • Indian man quizzed after bomb scare on Phuket flight

    Indian man quizzed after bomb scare on Phuket flight

    A 52 year old Indian man was arrested for questioning after a bomb threat forced an Air India flight to make an emergency landing at Phuket International Airport yesterday morning. The alarming incident triggered a swift security response, with 156 passengers onboard caught in the tense drama. The flight, AI 379, was en route from Phuket to Delhi when, around…

  • Let it rain: Heavy downpours to drench Thailand

    Let it rain: Heavy downpours to drench Thailand

    Thailand’s Meteorological Department (TMD) has forecasted heavy rainfall for today across 44 provinces, with the northeast and eastern regions expecting the heaviest downpours. Residents are urged to anticipate potential flash floods and forest runoffs, especially in hilly areas and low-lying regions. Heavy rains are predicted for the northeast and east. Rain is expected in 51 provinces, with a 60% chance…

  • Thai singer shares connection to Air India crash survivor

    Thai singer shares connection to Air India crash survivor

    A Thai singer, who survived a plane crash in Surat Thani in 1998, revealed that he once sat in the same seat number as the British survivor of the recent Air India crash. The singer, Ruangsak “James” Loychusak, took to his Facebook page, Jamesruangsak, to comment on the Air India crash near Ahmedabad, India, which occurred today, June 13. In…

  • Thai government backs new AI law to boost investment

    Thai government backs new AI law to boost investment

    The government has expressed readiness to endorse the current draft of principles for the artificial intelligence (AI) law, aiming to ensure uniform regulations for AI developers and service providers. The principles are designed to foster rather than deter investment. These principles address safety standards for AI systems, data management for AI development, and risk levels concerning personal data. Wisit Wisitsora-at,…

  • Presumed dead man found alive after week in mangrove mud

    Presumed dead man found alive after week in mangrove mud

    Rescuers assisted a Thai man who was trapped in mud in a mangrove forest in the southern province of Chumphon for seven days, after a local fisherman discovered him and initially mistook him for a corpse. The 53 year old fisherman, Sila Wongpaen, fled the mangrove in shock and filed a report at Ban Wisai Nue Police Station, stating that…

  • Air India flight AI171: Experts probe deadly takeoff crash (video)

    Air India flight AI171: Experts probe deadly takeoff crash (video)

    A devastating crash involving Air India Flight AI171 has left 241 people dead and raised serious questions about what went wrong just moments after takeoff. The Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, en route from Ahmedabad to London Gatwick, plunged shortly after departing Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport yesterday, June 12, just 1.5km from the runway. The tragic incident marks the first fatal…

  • Flying truck wheel strikes car and injures doctor in Udon Thani

    Flying truck wheel strikes car and injures doctor in Udon Thani

    A Thai female doctor sustained minor injuries after a wheel detached from a truck and struck her car on a road in the Isaan province of Udon Thani yesterday, June 12. Officers from Mueang Udon Thani Police Station coordinated with a rescue team to assist the 44 year old doctor, identified only as Eng, on the Friendship Highway. Eng told…

  • Phuket pushes for gender equality with vibrant pride events

    Phuket pushes for gender equality with vibrant pride events

    Phuket is taking bold steps towards inclusivity and gender equality with a major seminar and a packed Pride Month programme. Yesterday, June 12, the Phuket Provincial Social Development and Human Security Office hosted a seminar titled Our World is Equal: Awareness, Awareness, Awareness of Gender Equality (Pride for All) at the Seabed Grand Hotel in Wichit. Vice Governor Samawit Suphanphai, who…

  • How Thailand’s new traffic fines are playing out?

    How Thailand’s new traffic fines are playing out?

    Now that some time has passed since the Royal Thai Police (RTP) formalised their list of new traffic fines and sanctions, in effect since June 1, 2025, it would be an understatement to say that this change has done much to quench the scepticism of the public. The core of the new fines are the motorcycle helmet laws and operating…

  • Pattaya launches new emergency medical training initiative

    Pattaya launches new emergency medical training initiative

    To enhance safety and attract more investment, Pattaya is rolling out a new emergency medical system project that aims to reassure both tourists and investors. Mayor Poramet Ngampichet recently welcomed Paisan Konjampa, Deputy Secretary-General of the National Institute for Emergency Medicine (NIEM), along with his team, to discuss the details of this exciting initiative. The NIEM team highlighted Pattaya’s status…

  • 2 fake police officers arrested for extorting Indian man of 5,000 baht

    2 fake police officers arrested for extorting Indian man of 5,000 baht

    Police arrested two Thai men who posed as officers and extorted an Indian national of 5,000 baht in the central province of Sing Buri on Monday, June 9. The victim, 53 year old Sanjay Siner, filed a complaint with Mueang Sing Buri Police Station on the same day, stating that two Thai men, claiming to be police officers, forced him into their…

  • New compensation policy for wild elephant attacks in Thailand

    New compensation policy for wild elephant attacks in Thailand

    The Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation (DNP) has updated its financial assistance policy for those affected by wild elephant attacks, with a maximum payout of 500,000 baht. This new guideline, effective immediately, is designed to ensure timely and transparent compensation, with approved funds transferred within five working days. Director-General Atthapol Charoenchansa announced yesterday, June 12, that the…

  • Thailand video news | Air India jet crashes after takeoff in Ahmedabad, killing hundreds, MIFFest 2025 to screen 62 films from 48 countries in July

    Thailand video news | Air India jet crashes after takeoff in Ahmedabad, killing hundreds, MIFFest 2025 to screen 62 films from 48 countries in July

    Today’s top stories in Thailand include a violent incident involving a security guard and two young boys, a 40-million-baht student visa scam tied to Chinese mafia networks, and an unsettling underwear-sniffing case caught on CCTV. Environmental concerns mount with toxic red dust seized at Bangkok Port and worsening landfill odors in Phuket. Internationally, the tragic crash of an Air India…

  • Buddhist amulet saves Thai man from shooting in Bangkok restaurant

    Buddhist amulet saves Thai man from shooting in Bangkok restaurant

    A Thai businessman survived a shooting at a restaurant in Bangkok yesterday, June 12, after a Buddhist amulet he was wearing reportedly blocked a bullet from piercing his chest. Officers from Bang Khen Police Station responded to reports of gunfire at a restaurant on Phahonyothin Road in Bangkok’s Bang Khen district. Upon arrival, they found a chaotic scene, with tables…

  • Bomb threat forces emergency landing of Air India flight in Phuket

    Bomb threat forces emergency landing of Air India flight in Phuket

    Following the Air India flight crash yesterday, a bomb threat forced another flight from the troubled airline to make an emergency landing at Phuket Airport today. Flight AI 379, en route from Phuket to Delhi with 156 passengers aboard, was diverted to Phuket after a bomb threat message was discovered on board. At 9.30am today, June 13, Phuket International Airport…

  • Patient punches nurse in Nonthaburi hospital, cites disrespect

    Patient punches nurse in Nonthaburi hospital, cites disrespect

    Police immediately transferred a male patient from the hospital to a detention cell after he punched a nurse in the face on Wednesday, June 11, at Pranangklao Hospital in Nonthaburi province near Bangkok. Excessive cannabis use is suspected to have played a role in the violent outburst. The assault occurred at around 2pm in front of the nurses’ counter on…

  • US State Department: Thailand safe for most, caution in south

    US State Department: Thailand safe for most, caution in south

    Thailand’s travel advisory has been updated, and the verdict is in: the country is generally safe for tourists. However, there are some areas where extra caution is recommended, particularly in the southern provinces due to ongoing civil unrest. The US State Department has placed Thailand on its “Level 1” advisory for most of the country, meaning “Exercise Normal Precautions.” This…

  • British man cheats death in horror Air India crash (video)

    British man cheats death in horror Air India crash (video)

    A British man has miraculously walked away from the burning wreckage of an Air India plane crash that killed at least 241 people, making him the sole known survivor in one of the deadliest aviation disasters in recent years. The lucky survivor, 38 year old Vishwashkumar Ramesh, was seated in 11A on Air India flight AI171, which crashed into a…

  • Police chase and escape of Bangkok taxi rider end in injury of passenger

    Police chase and escape of Bangkok taxi rider end in injury of passenger

    A traffic police officer chased an app-based motorcycle taxi rider who ran a red light, causing the female passenger to fall and suffer a head injury. The incident sparked mixed reactions online. The Facebook page, อยากดังเดี๋ยวจัดให้ รีเทริน์ part 6, posted dashcam footage of the incident yesterday, June 12, stating the administrator’s opinions in the caption… “Both parties were at fault.…

  • Thailand’s ageing F-16s, what’s the next move?

    Thailand’s ageing F-16s, what’s the next move?

    Thailand’s Royal Thai Air Force (RTAF) is facing an important challenge: how to replace its ageing fleet of F-16 fighter jets while keeping pace with regional security demands and budget realities. For decades, the F-16 has been the backbone of Thailand’s air defence. But with many of these jets approaching their retirement age, the RTAF has now shifted gears, looking…

  • British man found dead at sea after missing from yacht off Phuket

    British man found dead at sea after missing from yacht off Phuket

    A search team, yesterday, June 12, discovered the deceased body of a British man who went missing from his family’s private yacht off Phuket on June 8. The British national, 28 year old Endnaler Johnson, disappeared during a trip with four family members aboard a private yacht, De Mareft. The vessel was anchored approximately one kilometre off Cape Yamu in…

  • ‘Screw-up’ at Suvarnabhumi: Broken bolt brings escalator to a halt

    ‘Screw-up’ at Suvarnabhumi: Broken bolt brings escalator to a halt

    An escalator at Suvarnabhumi Airport gave travellers a fright this week when it suddenly ground to a halt — but no injuries were reported and engineers have already fixed the glitch. The malfunction occurred around 11pm on Wednesday, June 11, at an escalator linking the APM train station to the new SAT-1 terminal. A video clip of the incident quickly…

  • It keeps raining: Thailand continues to brace for heavy downpours

    It keeps raining: Thailand continues to brace for heavy downpours

    The Thai Meteorological Department (TMD) forecasts significant rainfall across 44 provinces, with the heaviest downpours expected in the northern and northeastern regions, potentially affecting up to 70% of these areas. Residents are advised to be cautious of potential flash floods and forest runoff. The department’s 24-hour weather forecast predicts heavy rain in parts of the northeast and eastern Thailand, while…

  • Air India flight to London crashes post-takeoff with 242 passengers (video)

    Air India flight to London crashes post-takeoff with 242 passengers (video)

    Tragedy struck in Ahmedabad, India, this afternoon when an Air India flight bound for London Gatwick crashed just moments after takeoff. Flight AI171, carrying over 240 people, crashed into a residential area, sending a massive plume of black smoke into the sky. The airline has called the incident a “tragic accident,” and authorities are investigating the cause. The Boeing 787-8…

  • Pheu Thai reshuffles Cabinet, Prasert to lead Interior Ministry

    Pheu Thai reshuffles Cabinet, Prasert to lead Interior Ministry

    A major reshuffle is in the works for Thailand’s Cabinet, with Pheu Thai proposing a significant change in leadership roles. The party is set to replace Prasert Jantararuangtong’s current position as Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Digital Economy and Society with a new role as Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of the Interior. According to a report from Government…

  • CCTV captures man sniffing men’s underwear outside Udon Thani dormitory

    CCTV captures man sniffing men’s underwear outside Udon Thani dormitory

    A CCTV camera outside a dormitory in the Isaan province of Udon Thani captured a Thai man sniffing men’s underwear before leaving on a motorcycle. The 38 year old Thai man, known as Ball, shared the CCTV footage in a Facebook group for residents in Udon Thani province to warn others and help identify the suspect. The video was posted…

  • Macron offers to mediate Cambodia-Thailand border dispute

    Macron offers to mediate Cambodia-Thailand border dispute

    French President Emmanuel Macron has extended a helping hand to resolve the ongoing border dispute between Cambodia and Thailand, offering to facilitate the provision of documents if needed. The announcement came during a meeting with Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet in Nice, France, with the French president expressing willingness to assist both countries in resolving their differences peacefully. Speaking at…

  • Phuket school, Chinese mafia linked to 40 million baht scam

    Phuket school, Chinese mafia linked to 40 million baht scam

    A student visa scam has rocked Phuket, with police investigating alleged ties between a private international school and a Chinese criminal network. Victims, who claim they were defrauded out of over 40 million baht, are now seeking justice after falling victim to a fraudulent visa application scheme orchestrated by a woman identified only as Patcharin. Yesterday, June 11, Phuket MP…

  • Police intercept 736,000kg of illicit red dust at Bangkok port

    Police intercept 736,000kg of illicit red dust at Bangkok port

    The Department of Industrial Works and a special task force known as the Sudsai Team recently intercepted over 736,000 kilogrammes of illicit red dust at the Port of Bangkok. This operation, conducted on June 10, involved collaboration with the Bangkok Port Customs Office, the Department of Special Investigation, and the Natural Resources and Environmental Crime Suppression Division. Initial investigations suggested…

  • Phuket’s stink crisis: Landfill odours worsen amid rainy season

    Phuket’s stink crisis: Landfill odours worsen amid rainy season

    Phuket’s bustling streets are getting a whiff of something far less pleasant as the city grapples with an intensifying odour crisis. The stink emanating from the Phuket Waste Disposal Centre at Saphan Hin has reached unbearable levels, especially as the rainy season worsens conditions at the already overcrowded landfill. With more than 1,200 tonnes of rubbish arriving at the site…