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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...
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Thai provinces report surge in Covid-19 cases amid rainy season
The Ministry of Public Health reported the five provinces with the highest Covid-19 infections, with a national total of 324,692 cases and 69 fatalities. The surge in cases is attributed to the rainy season and school reopening, while the XEC variant is noted for its ease of transmission. Doctor Taweesin Visanuyothin, Director General of the Department of Medical Services, highlighted…
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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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Snubbed middle-income retirees look beyond Thailand to SE Asia
For decades, Thailand has been the quintessential destination for retirees seeking an affordable, beautiful, and culturally rich new home. With its golden beaches, vibrant cuisine, and famously welcoming population, the Land of Smiles has lured hundreds of thousands of Westerners to spend their golden years soaking up its tropical hospitality. Yet, a quiet transformation is taking place beneath the palm…
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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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Samut Songkhram man accused of assaulting stepdaughter for years
In Samut Songkhram province, a 33 year old father is accused of sexually assaulting his stepdaughter since she was in fifth grade, resulting in her having a four year old child. The girl’s mother allegedly knew about the abuse but attempted to sever ties with her daughter instead of addressing the issue. Chalida “Ton Aor” Palamat, an advocate for the…
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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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British Onlyfans mum nabbed at Spanish airport with £200k in weed
A British OnlyFans model has swapped lingerie for lockdown after allegedly trying to smuggle over £200,000 (8.82 million baht) worth of cannabis into Spain in her luggage. Clara Wilson, a mum-of-four from Huthwaite, Nottinghamshire, was busted by the Civil Guard at Barcelona’s El Prat Airport on January 20 after stepping off a Qatar Airways flight from Doha. But her real…
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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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Heavy rainfall warning for 37 provinces in Thailand
The Thai Meteorological Department (TMD) issued another warning for heavy rainfall affecting 37 provinces due to a moderate southwest monsoon. Bangkok is expected to experience significant rainfall, covering 60% of the area. Residents are advised to remain cautious. The weather forecast for the next 24 hours predicts thunderstorms and heavy rains in certain areas across Thailand. This is attributed to…
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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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Wild elephant causes chaos in Thai shop, damages shelves
In Nakhon Ratchasima, a wild elephant from Khao Yai National Park surprised a local shop in Pak Chong district yesterday, June 2, causing chaos as it rummaged around for food, damaging shelves in the process. The shop, located approximately one kilometre from a park entrance in Ban Tha Maprang, tambon Mu Si, witnessed the unexpected visit of the elephant, known…
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Phuket Port to transform into cruise and cargo hub
The Deputy Minister of Finance, Phaophum Rojanasakul, visited the Phuket Port Improvement Project in Wichit subdistrict, Mueang district, Phuket province, yesterday, May 2. The project aims to enhance the port’s capacity to accommodate large cruise ships and stimulate tourism in the Andaman region. The Treasury Department is overseeing the transformation of the Phuket Port into a tourism and cargo hub.…
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Pattaya motorbike taxi drivers slam ‘unfair’ 2,000 baht helmet fine
Motorbike taxi drivers in Pattaya are pushing back against a new 2,000 baht fine for riding without a helmet, calling it unaffordable and a threat to their already fragile incomes. Starting June 1, the Royal Thai Police began strict enforcement of Section 122 of the Land Traffic Act. The law requires both riders and passengers on motorcycles to wear helmets,…
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Thai Air Force tests gun-mounted drone amid border tensions
The Royal Thai Air Force (RTAF) has tested a drone armed with an M4 carbine, aiming to boost surveillance and reduce troop risk along the Thai-Cambodian border. The test flight took place today, June 3, and was part of a joint development between the RTAF and the Defence Technology Institute. The drone is designed to assist ground patrol units during…
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Tourists attacked in Patong after assaulting local woman (video)
Two tourists were rendered unconscious following an altercation with a group of Thai men in Patong, Phuket. The incident reportedly followed an alleged assault on a local woman by the intoxicated tourists. The altercation, which was captured on video and widely circulated on social media yesterday night, June 2, took place on Bangla Road, a well-known nightlife district in Patong,…
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Patong police probe suspicious foreign car with hidden plates
Police in Patong are currently investigating a suspicious vehicle left by a foreign national near Paradise Beach, with its license plates intentionally hidden. The situation came to light around 9am today, June 3, when members of the Patong Crime-Free Community Project LINE group reported the incident. They informed the police that a foreign man had parked a sedan opposite an…
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R12, newly proposed route to boost Thailand-Vietnam trade
Plans are underway for the construction of Route R12, a new trade corridor in Laos, which will connect Thailand, Vietnam, and China. Perames Vudthitornetiraks, President of the Neighbouring Countries Economic Development Cooperation Agency (NEDA), stated that the route will begin in Thakhek, Khammouane province, Laos, 17 kilometres from Thailand’s Nakhon Phanom border checkpoint. The route will link the towns of…
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Udon Thani couple resolve engagement dispute with 100,000 baht agreement
A dispute over a postponed engagement ceremony in Udon Thani has been resolved, with both parties agreeing not to pursue financial claims further. The couple will continue residing in the family home, and the bride’s side has agreed not to make additional demands. The incident, involving 43 year old Saengduan, the groom’s mother, and a woman, A, unfolded at Saengduan’s…
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Thailand targets 4.5 billion baht from pride month tourism
The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) aims to position Thailand as a top destination for the LGBTQ+ community, with expectations for the pride month celebrations to generate up to 4.5 billion baht in economic activity. Thapanee Kiatphaibool, the Governor of TAT, highlighted that June is celebrated globally as pride month. Thailand continues to hold grand celebrations for the LGBTQ+ community,…
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Icomos experts to assess Wat Phra Mahathat for World Heritage status
Experts from the International Council on Monuments and Sites (Icomos) are set to visit Wat Phra Mahathat Woramahawihan in Nakhon Si Thammarat province this week. They will assess the site for potential recognition as a World Heritage Site. The Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment recently received a report from Chayanan Pakdeejit, secretary-general of the Office of Natural Resources and…
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Motorbike clash in Pattaya leads to serious assault
Two women on a motorcycle allegedly exited a side street, leading to an altercation that resulted in a serious assault. The incident, which involved a man being attacked with a bottle, occurred in the early hours of June 3. Emergency services from Sawang Boriboon Thammasathan in Pattaya and police from the Nong Prue station responded to the scene in Soi…
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