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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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Swinging street: Catfight erupts near Pattaya Walking Street (video)
Pattaya’s party scene took a wild turn yesterday when a vicious catfight between two Thai women, captured in a now-viral 79-second clip, exploded just steps from the city’s infamous Walking Street, all while bars blared music like it was still midnight. The bust-up broke out behind the Marine Hotel in South Pattaya as a rowdy crowd of Thai and foreign…
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Thai PM faces court showdown over leaked call to Hun Sen
Thailand’s political temperature is set to soar next week as the Constitutional Court gears up to decide whether to suspend Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra over a controversial leaked audio clip involving former Cambodian leader Hun Sen. Former Constitutional Court judge Jaral Phakdeethanakul has come out swinging, predicting the court will accept a petition against the Thai premier on July 1…
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Explosive motorcycle at Phuket Airport safely destroyed
The director of Phuket International Airport reported that a suspicious motorcycle found at the airport had been destroyed after being confirmed as containing explosives. This did not affect flight operations, and flights continued as usual. Monchai Tahanod, director of Phuket Airport, stated that at 3.40pm yesterday, June 25, Phuket Provincial Police coordinated the arrest of a suspect with a plot…
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People’s Party wavers on Bhumjaithai’s shock no-confidence move
The People’s Party (PP) seems hesitant to join the Bhumjaithai Party’s initiative to call for a no-confidence debate against Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra once Parliament reconvenes on July 3. Parit Wacharasindhu, a PP list MP and party spokesperson, indicated that Bhumjaithai needs to consult with other parties to justify the necessity of a no-confidence motion. Observers suggest that without broader…
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73 year old woman falls to death from Bangkok condominium
A 73 year old woman tragically fell to her death from the 21st floor of a condominium in the Charansanitwong area, Bangkok. According to rescue workers from the Ruamkatanyu Foundation, the woman fell from the 17th floor, with her body landing in two parts: one half on the fifth floor, near a fitness room, and the other at ground level.…
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Bolt from the blue: Knifeman clash sparks soi showdown in Pattaya
A row over a blocked driveway nearly turned bloody in central Pattaya after a Bolt motorbike taxi driver allegedly pulled a knife during a furious bust-up with a resident. The drama unfolded around 5.42pm on June 22 in Soi Taengmo, just off the bustling Buakhao strip, when 44 year old Thanisorn Polsongkram, known to locals as James, tried to move…
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Paetongtarn visits Sa Kaeo for border security and crime talks
Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra is scheduled to visit Sa Kaeo province today to provide support to frontline personnel amid increased border security measures and rising concerns over cross-border crime. Government spokesperson Jirayu Houngsub announced yesterday, June 25, that the visit will start at 10am and will be attended by key Cabinet members, including Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Phumtham…
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Bangkok cops arrest major drug dealer, seizing drugs worth millions
Police in Bangkok apprehended 45 year old man, believed to be a major drug distributor in the Thonburi area. During the operation, police seized 600,000 methamphetamine pills, 4 kilogrammes of crystal methamphetamine, and 56 kilogrammes of ketamine. The arrest of the man, Vasupol, also known as Boy, took place yesterday, June 25, at around 5pm. Under the direction of Police…
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Thailand urged to act on gender law after marriage bill
Advocates are calling on the government to speed up the enactment of a gender recognition law following Thailand’s historic legalisation of same-sex marriage. People’s Party MP Tunyawaj Kamolwongwat, Vice-Chair of the House Committee on Children, Youth, Women, Older Persons, Persons with Disabilities, Ethnic Groups and LGBTI+, stated, “Gender recognition is our next mission.” Tunyawaj addressed this during the Law Out…
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Heavy thunderstorms to hit 50 Thai provinces, warnings issued
The Thai Meteorological Department (TMD) today forecasted increased thunderstorms, predicting heavy rainfall in 70% of the three regions. Fifty provinces are expected to face severe weather, prompting warnings about flash floods, forest runoff, and landslides. The weather forecast for the next 24 hours indicates that northern Thailand will experience more widespread thunderstorms and isolated heavy rain, particularly in the eastern…
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Motorcycle crash leaves trio bloodied in late-night Pattaya smash
A late-night motorcycle crash left three people sprawled across the tarmac in a tangled mess of twisted metal and bloodied limbs after two black Honda PCX scooters collided head-on in Soi Khao Noi, Pattaya. The smash happened just after midnight, today, June 26, prompting a rapid response from the Sawang Boriboon Thammasathan rescue team. At the scene, medics found both…
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Market row turns ugly as perfume punks brawl in Pattaya
A brawl broke out in a Pattaya night market after a petty squabble over loud music escalated into a punch-up, with one stallholder ending up in hospital. Emergency crews raced to the Threpprasit Soi Market just before midnight yesterday, June 25, after reports of a violent bust-up between rival vendors. They arrived to find a bloodied clothing seller nursing bruises…
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Chiang Rai café caught serving kratom tea to schoolkids
A café in Chiang Rai has been raided by local officials for illegally selling kratom leaf tea to teenage students. The operation, led by Chiang Rai Governor Charin Thongsuk, uncovered a disturbing trend of youths consuming the stimulant-laced tea during school hours and late into the night. Officers found 19 students, some still in school uniform, at the café on…
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Black kitten survives 240km ride under car and finds forever home in Udon Thani
A black stray kitten survived after clinging to the drive shaft under a car for 240 kilometres and eventually found a forever home in the Isaan province of Udon Thani. The 58 year old railway officer, Wipachet Soikliao, called rescuers from the Songserm Dham Udon Thani Foundation to help him and his colleagues search for a cat in their welfare…
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MP Rangsiman wins defamation case against ex-senator Upakit
In a major legal victory for opposition MP Rangsiman Rome, the Criminal Court has acquitted him of defamation charges brought by former senator Upakit Pachariyangkun. The court ruled that Rangsiman’s remarks were made in good faith, as part of his duty as a Member of Parliament, and did not constitute defamation. The case stemmed from comments Rangsiman made on April…
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Swedish fraudster arrested in Pattaya in transnational crime bust
A major fraud case has led to the arrest of a Swedish national in Pattaya as immigration police continue their crackdown on transnational crime. The 39 year old suspect, identified as Ludde, was apprehended in a condominium in the bustling tourist district, following a red notice warrant issued by European authorities. The suspect, wanted by Stockholm courts and European law…
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Finnish murder suspect arrested in Thailand by undercover police
Immigration Division 3 investigators disguised themselves as fitness trainers to apprehend an international criminal hiding in Thailand. Finnish national Daniel Reijo Karvonen, wanted for murder and drug-related crimes, was arrested yesterday, June 24, after being under investigation for some time. At 1.30pm, Police Major General Chairit Anurit, head of Immigration Division 3, ordered a team to conduct a raid on…
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Bhumjaithai’s no-confidence motion delayed until July
As the political scene in Thailand heats up, the Bhumjaithai Party’s attempt to initiate a no-confidence motion against Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra is likely to be delayed. The chief government whip, Wisut Chai-aroon, indicated that a censure debate could take place in late July, advising the newly formed opposition party to exercise caution before rushing into its role. Responding to…
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Thai businessman loses 22 million baht to mistress, posing as royalty
A Thai businessman lost about 22 million baht to a romance scammer who also posed as royalty to gain his trust. The victim, Thian, and his family appeared on the news programme Hone Krasae to share their story with the public in the hope of finding a solution. Thian explained that he and his wife, Joei, operated a window-cleaning business, but…
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Phuket deputy mayor jailed for corruption, 4 others appeal verdict
A corruption scandal in Phuket continues to unfold as Deputy Mayor Thaworn Chirapattanasophon faces a four-year jail sentence for his alleged involvement in a botched construction project. The case, which has caught the attention of both local and national authorities, centres around the Bang Yai Canal construction project that was never completed according to the contract. Despite this, an extension…
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Thailand’s overhyped hotspots: Why you should skip the crowds
Once considered the must-visit hotspots of Thailand, cities like Bangkok, Phuket, Pattaya, and Chiang Mai, are now losing their appeal among seasoned travellers. Overcrowding, rising prices, and the overwhelming shift toward mass tourism have tainted these once-iconic destinations, leaving many visitors feeling disconnected from the authentic cultural experiences that first attracted them. As a result, more and more travellers are…
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Police uncover Thai nominee company in 500 million baht scheme
Thai police conducted searches in three provinces to target a nominee company run by Chinese investors that leased heavy machinery. It was discovered that Thai employees were designated as the company’s directors, with transactions exceeding 500 million baht. Police Major General Thanphoom Charupraphat, commander of the Economic Crime Suppression Division, directed Police Colonel Naruephon Karuna and Police Colonel Krit Woratat…
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Pattaya releases 100,000 shrimp and sea snails to boost marine life
Pattaya is taking significant steps to protect its coastal ecosystem with a major marine animal release event. Deputy Mayor Krissana Boonsawat led the initiative, which saw the release of 100,000 juvenile whiteleg shrimp and 1,000 spotted Babylon sea snails into the sea off Jomtien Beach. Organised in collaboration with the Department of Fisheries, the Coastal Aquaculture Research and Development Centre…
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Speeding car crashes into Bangkok home, killing one
In the early hours of this morning, a tragic car accident occurred when a vehicle lost control and crashed into a residential house near the entrance of Soi Seri Thai 16 in Khlong Kum, Bueng Kum, Bangkok. The incident, reported at 5.30am, today, June 25, was attended by Bueng Kum police and volunteers from the Ruamkatanyu Foundation. Upon arrival, the…
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Man arrested in Pattaya for copper rods theft worth 100,000 baht
A 45 year old man was apprehended by police while visiting his wife in Pattaya Special Prison yesterday, June 24. He, Yongyut, stands accused of stealing copper lightning rods from numerous petrol stations across Chon Buri, causing damage exceeding 100,000 baht. The arrest was conducted by Police Lieutenant Colonel Kornpong Sukwisit, Deputy Superintendent of Investigation at Bang Lamung Police Station,…
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Chinese investment boosts amulet trade in Bangkok’s Pantip Plaza
The amulet business in Bangkok’s Pantip Plaza is booming, with foreign investors, especially from China, driving the trade of Thai Buddhist amulets and sacred objects. The market, once dominated by Thai collectors, has transformed into a major hub for Chinese investors, who have set up shop in the mall to cater to their fellow countrymen. Despite a slight downturn in…
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Man arrested for selling drugs to Koh Pha Ngan tourists
A 22 year old man was arrested for persistently offering drugs to tourists for beach parties on Koh Pha Ngan. The incident occurred at 4pm yesterday, June 24, when Police Lieutenant Vinij Boonchit, Tourism Police Section 5, Division 2, with his investigative team, apprehended Sarayuth with 73.82 grammes of crystal methamphetamine and 150 methamphetamine pills. The arrest took place near…
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Sabotage suspected after 3 locals injured by exploding electrical appliances
Three residents in the central province of Lop Buri sustained injuries in explosions after using electrical appliances retrieved from a landfill. Police now suspect the incidents were deliberate rather than accidental. Officers from Ban Mi Police Station were alerted to an explosion at a house in the Chon Mueang sub-district on Monday night, June 23. Two people were injured, including…
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Smoked: Phuket raid seizes 30,000 illegal cigarettes, woman arrested
Phuket police have made a significant bust, seizing nearly 30,000 illegal cigarettes and arresting a woman in a raid on a rental room in the Ratsada neighbourhood. The operation, carried out on Monday, June 23, follows complaints about the illegal sale of tobacco products, including e-cigarettes, to the public and minors. The raid targeted a rental property in Village 6…
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Teenagers arrested for bombing outside Chai Wan Hospital
Thirteen unruly teenagers were apprehended following an incident where they threw homemade bombs outside Chai Wan Hospital in Udon Thani. The explosions, eight in total, alarmed patients and medical staff. The group, who were later caught by the police, claimed they had learnt to create the bombs via the popular YouTube channel. Police Colonel Ratphonchai Pensongkhram from Chai Wan Police…
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