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 health insurance costs more each year and how expats in Thailand can save more money
Each year, many expats living in Thailand see their health insurance premiums go up and often without a clear reason. This can be frustrating, especially when you're trying to plan your budget. But by understanding why prices rise and learning...
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Royal Thai Army officer charged for embezzling funds in Chon Buri
The Royal Thai Army (RTA) announced disciplinary action against a military officer at the 14th Military Circle in Chon Buri, following allegations of embezzling bail money from defendants. The officer is facing both criminal charges and potential severe disciplinary measures. Discussions with the victims are scheduled for tomorrow to explore possible assistance. An internal investigation confirmed the misconduct, leading to…
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Phuket Festival returns to kickstart tourism season this December
Patong City Municipality officially announced the return of the annual Phuket Festival, set to take place from December 8 to 10, marking the kick off of the island’s bustling tourism season. The 38th Phuket Tourism Festival, themed Phuket Memories of a Lifetime, was revealed during a press event held on Patong Beach yesterday, November 19. The event was led by…
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Pickup crash in Chiang Kham causes district-wide power outage
A dramatic incident unfolded when a speeding pickup truck careened off a curve and crashed into an electricity pole, plunging an entire district into darkness. The power outage affected Chiang Kham district, where local electricity authority officials promptly worked to restore power. Yesterday, November 19, a rescue team from the Siam Phayao Foundation’s main office in Chiang Kham responded to…
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Thailand partners with Turkey to build high-speed rail empire
Thailand is gearing up to transform its rail landscape by partnering with Turkey’s state-owned train manufacturer, Türasaş, in a bold step towards high-speed travel. Transport Minister Suriya Jungrungreangkit revealed on Monday, November 18, that the collaboration aims to boost Thailand’s transport sector and establish a domestic rail manufacturing industry. During his recent visit to Türasaş’s Sakarya facility in Turkey, Suriya…
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Sky’s the limit: RTAF aims to reach new heights with space plans
The Royal Thai Air Force (RTAF) is looking to take Thailand’s defences to new heights. Plans are underway for a bold rebranding as the Royal Thai Air Force and Space alongside the creation of a new unit aimed at safeguarding Thailand’s air and space interests. This strategic move, announced by RTAF spokesperson Air Marshal Prapas Sornjaidee yesterday, November 19, highlights Thailand’s…
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Milk-ing the system: Fake powdered milk ring busted in Thailand
Police in Nakhon Pathom have detained a Chinese national alongside two Thai individuals for allegedly distributing counterfeit powdered milk. The arrests were made following a concerted police operation that uncovered a significant quantity of fake Ensure Gold powdered milk. During the raids, which took place yesterday in Nakhon Chaisi district, officers from the Consumer Protection Police Division, led by Withaya…
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Pattaya revamps park to oust venomous visitors near residence
Residents near Jeh Madi Mansion, close to Soi Sukhumvit 28 and Bangkok Hospital Pattaya, raised the alarm over unwelcome slithery neighbours – venomous creatures lurking a little too close to home. In response, Deputy Mayor Manot Nongyai, flanked by local council members and city officials, launched an emergency renovation project yesterday, November 19, clearing out the public area to improve…
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Cheers to safety: Thailand’s plan to tackle alcohol-fuelled crashes
Thailand is ringing in the new year with a determined focus on safety, as Public Health Minister Somsak Thepsuthin reveals a no-nonsense plan to tackle alcohol-fuelled road accidents during the festive celebrations. With the Christmas and new year season notorious for its spike in drink-related mishaps, the Alcoholic Beverage Control Committee has rolled out four game-changing measures to keep partygoers…
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Chiang Mai swept up: Chinese investors leave locals concerned
Residents in Chiang Mai have raised concerns about the future after Chinese investors continue to sweep up real estate in the largest city of northern Thailand. Locals are speaking out against what they see as an increasing domination by Chinese investors swooping in to purchase property en masse, fundamentally altering neighbourhoods and threatening the city’s cultural identity and economic autonomy.…
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Thai task force intercepts illegal immigrants with meth pills near border
Troops from the Ratchamanu Special Task Force apprehended a group of illegal immigrants attempting to cross the border into Thailand. During a search, police discovered 14 methamphetamine pills on one individual, leading to immediate legal action. The operation was conducted at 4am today, November 20 and is part of an ongoing effort directed by General Phana Khlaewplodthuk, the Commander-in-Chief of…
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Sisaket holds vibrant cultural celebration for 242nd anniversary
Over 5,000 people from four ethnic groups—Suay, Lao, Yer, and Khmer—gathered to celebrate the 242nd anniversary of Sisaket province. The event, held yesterday, November 19, at the Kopura area within the King Rama IX Park in Mueang Sisaket district, was a homage to the province’s rich history and the ancestors who laid its foundations. The celebration, led by Anupong Suksamnit,…
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Thai court delivers justice: Cyanide serial killer sentenced to death
The Criminal Court of Thailand delivered a nail-biting verdict today, sentencing the notorious cyanide serial killer to death for her chilling role in the murder of 14 innocent people. The Criminal Court wasn’t pulling any punches, as her accomplices didn’t get off lightly either. The cyanide serial killer’s ex-police officer husband, Police Lieutenant Colonel Witun Rangsiwutthaphon, has been given a…
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Justice minister says ‘no special treatment’ for Yingluck
Former Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra’s potential return to Thailand sparked a national debate after her brother, former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, hinted at a possible homecoming around next year’s Songkran festival. Speaking in an interview with Nikkei Asia, Thaksin stated his sister could be coming home. “I don’t think there’s any issue preventing her from coming home. I believe she…
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Cash-ing in on digital: Thailand handout boosts seniors with 10,000 baht
The Government of Thailand announced the second phase of its digital cash handout, offering 10,000 baht (US$290) to over 4 million citizens aged 60 and above. This initiative, approved by the economic stimulus policy committee, aims to support vulnerable elderly individuals by leveraging a budget of 40 billion baht (US$1.16 billion). The decision follows a meeting chaired by Paetongtarn Shinawatra,…
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GLO hosts Chiang Mai lottery draw to boost transparency
The Government Lottery Office (GLO) of Thailand is set to conduct a lottery draw in Chiang Mai province on December 1. This initiative aims to enhance transparency in the lottery process and methods, offering the public an opportunity to witness the proceedings firsthand. The lottery draw, set for December 1, will take place at the Chiang Mai International Exhibition and…
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Sunbathing crocodile makes snappy getaway into Ping River
A 2-metre crocodile was spotted sunbathing at a sand quarry in Chiang Mai before making a quick escape into the Ping River. Witnesses believe the reptile might have escaped from a farm during recent floods. Concerns for public safety have prompted calls for its immediate capture. Reports have emerged from Chiang Mai about an unexpected encounter with a crocodile at…
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Gun attack at Phatthalung furniture store leaves youths terrified
An alarming incident unfolded at a furniture store in Phatthalung, where eight youths were left terrified following an attack by an assailant wielding two guns. The attack, which occurred in the early hours of today, November 20, left bullet casings scattered and glass shattered. Police were alerted to the incident when vehicles were heard circling the area just after 3.30am.…
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Cheers: Thai hotels to offer 24-hour alcohol service over new year
Hotel guests will soon enjoy the convenience of ordering alcoholic beverages to their rooms at any time over the new year period. This change, sanctioned by the Alcoholic Beverage Control Board, was announced following their recent meeting. Somsak Thepsutin, the Public Health Minister, led the approval for this adjustment, which allows hotel patrons unrestricted access to alcohol from in-house bars…
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Thailand video news | Phuket clash over gender misunderstanding, Cambodia targets foreign-led human trafficking
In today’s Thailand news video, Alex and Jay bring you the latest news from Thailand and Southeast Asia. From a gender misunderstanding sparking a hotel clash in Phuket to a British tourist’s drunken brawl in Pattaya, these stories highlight the region’s diverse happenings. In Nakhon Phanom, police uncover drugs hidden in Buddha statues, while a Khon Kaen officer faces bribery…
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Teen rescued after leg trapped in rice harvester in Uthai Thani
A 17 year old boy suffered a harrowing incident when he slipped and his leg got caught in a rice harvester‘s grain tank. Emergency services rushed to the scene in Uthai Thani province to rescue him using cutting equipment, highlighting the dangers of agricultural machinery. Officials, including Chatmongkol Suwannasate, Deputy Mayor of Nong Chang Subdistrict Administrative Organisation, received an alert…
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Crane operator found dead at Ayutthaya construction site
A tragic incident unfolded yesterday when a 41 year old crane operator was discovered dead atop a crane, standing over 20 metres tall, at a construction site in Ayutthaya province. His colleagues noticed his absence during lunch, prompting the search. Police Lieutenant Saknarit Rattanaphan from Bang Sai Police Station received the report about the death on the crane located in…
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Trat: Man punches woman unconscious due to sarcastic remarks
A violent altercation occurred last night when a man repeatedly punched a woman until she lost consciousness, leaving her with a swollen face. The incident took place in a rented room in Trat province, following a drinking session where the woman reportedly made several sarcastic remarks. Despite warnings, the man lost patience, resulting in the assault. Trat City Police received…
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Pickup truck crash leaves seven dead after police chase in Thailand
A high-speed chase involving a suspected pickup truck ended in tragedy when the vehicle crashed into a power pole and plunged into a roadside canal, resulting in seven fatalities. The incident occurred today, November 20, at 12.30am, as reported by Pratchaya Bunnat, an investigator at Bang Len Police Station. The crash site was identified at the Koh Rat curve in…
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Nakhon Pathom police instructor accused of sexual assault
Allegations have surfaced regarding a police academy instructor and a fellow officer in Sam Phran district, Nakhon Pathom province, accused of sexually assaulting a cadet. The whistleblower claims multiple victims, with higher-ranking officers allegedly covering up the incidents. The Facebook page บิ๊กเกรียน (“Big Grean”), boasting over 320,000 followers, has brought to light distressing allegations from a police cadet. The cadet…
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Elderly couple gets 500 baht electricity bill for a single fan (video)
A TikTok user discovered an unusually high electricity bill for an elderly couple who used only a single fan. The bill amounted to 500 baht, raising suspicions among social media users about potential electrical issues or misuse. TikTok user @bank_waiyaphat, who works as an electricity bill distributor, posted a video highlighting the anomaly in the electricity usage of a home…
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SMS-sational bust: Thai police ‘text’ down SMS scam in Bangkok
Undercover Thai police made a significant breakthrough in a dramatic move against cybercrime when arresting a Chinese national linked to a massive SMS scam operation right in the heart of Bangkok’s bustling Sukhumvit area. Yang Mu Yi, the alleged mastermind, was detained after investigators traced a barrage of fraudulent messages back to a high-tech mobile transmitter found in his possession.…
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Suphan Buri monk defrocked after 400k baht fraud scandal
A Buddhist monk in Suphan Buri province has been defrocked following allegations of involvement in a fraudulent scheme with a spirit medium, deceiving a family out of 400,000 baht. Dr Phra Maha Praipai Nontkaew, the head monk of Suphan Buri province, explained on social media that the case emerged when Gun Jompalang, a well-known influencer, assisted the affected family in…
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Thailand braces for cooler north and heavy rainfall in south
Thailand’s northern regions are experiencing a drop in temperature accompanied by strong winds, while the southern part is facing heavy to very heavy rainfall in certain areas. The Thai Meteorological Department (TMD) issued a forecast for the next 24 hours, highlighting these weather conditions. A moderate high-pressure system from China extends over upper Thailand and the South China Sea, contributing…
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Horror as sedan tangles with train in near-fatal crash in Pattaya
In a shocking turn of events yesterday evening, a terrifying crash between a train and a sedan left residents in disbelief and one man with serious injuries. The drama unfolded at the Soi Khao Talo railway crossing around 7pm, where a red Suzuki SUV found itself disastrously entangled on the tracks, with a diesel locomotive screeching to an unplanned stop just…
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Man high on meth crashes fleeing police on Suphan Buri highway
A man was apprehended after attempting to evade Suphan Buri highway police on a motorcycle high on meth, leading to a roadside crash. Subsequent searches revealed methamphetamine (meth) pills in his possession. The incident unfolded yesterday, November 18, when officers were patrolling Highway 333. Police Lieutenant Nat Pin Krachan, along with colleagues Panithan Jaichuen and Thongchai Sriruangam, detained 39 year old…
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