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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Axe to grind: Thai father attacks son after suffering years of abuse
A Thai father snapped and attacked his son with an axe in a fit of rage at midnight today after he and his wife suffered years of physical abuse at the hands of the son in the Isaan province of Khon Kaen. Officers from Manchakhiri Police Station received a report of a serious assault at a house in the Manchakhiri…
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Ancient artefacts to return to Thailand for cultural preservation
Artefacts from the ancient Ban Chiang World Heritage Site, which dates back 3,000 years, are set to return to Thailand next week to commemorate the International Day against Illicit Trafficking in Cultural Property. The return of these artefacts signifies a significant step toward preserving Thailand’s rich cultural heritage. The US Embassy in Bangkok, in collaboration with the regional office of…
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Azman Porloh jailed over weapon possession in Songkhla province
A man accused of being involved in numerous terrorist activities in the Songkhla province has been sentenced to more than five years in prison for illegal possession and accumulation of weapons. This marks the first trial he has faced among the many accusations against him. The Na Thawi Provincial Court in Songkhla delivered the verdict yesterday, November 7, sentencing Azman…
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Phuket Tourist Police boosts safety with new High Season drive
Phuket Tourist Police have initiated a comprehensive campaign to enhance tourist safety as the island gears up for the approaching High Season. The initiative, announced on Wednesday, November 6, involves collaboration between various agencies, including the Marine Police, Phuket Provincial Police, and the Phuket Marine Office, among others. This campaign is in line with national efforts to reinforce tourist safety…
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Teenage girl’s phone fished out from Pattaya drain
A teenage girl visiting Pattaya Beach was greatly relieved when local officials managed to recover her mobile phone after it accidentally slipped down a drainage pipe. The mishap occurred on Wednesday, November 6, when the 17 year old, who was in the area with friends, dropped her iPhone 11 into a drain opposite Soi Pattaya Beach 10. The Pattaya City…
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Thieves break into Udon Thani school, sparking security concerns
Thieves broke into a school in Ban Muang, Ban Dung, Udon Thani, causing alarm among staff. A 32 year old teacher, reported the incident to both social media and at Dong Yen Police Station after the headteacher failed to take action, fearing the criminals might strike again. The headteacher summoned the teachers for a meeting to discuss the event. During…
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Thailand migrant workers lose legal status amid new permit hurdles
Employers and migrant workers are expressing significant frustration over new registration and work permit renewal requirements in Thailand, which have led to many migrant workers losing their legal status. These requirements, introduced recently, have been criticised for their complexity and the obstacles they pose to both employers and employees. Nilubol Pongpayom, a representative from the employer group Nai Chang Si…
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Golden gesture: Laotian thief returns bling, claims ‘gift’ mix-up
A Laotian man, accused of stealing a gold necklace, returned the stolen item to its rightful owner in Chon Buri, claiming that he took it home because he believed it was a gift from the gold shop. The 27 year old victim, Butsarin Sirimongkhonsub, filed a complaint with officers at Nong Prue Police Station on November 7 and also contacted…
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Teen vendor killed in motorcycle accident in Pathum Thani
A tragic incident unfolded yesterday involving a 17 year old vegetable vendor who died after a motorcycle accident near a PTT gas station in Pathum Thani, Thailand. Chulayut was riding home when he was sideswiped, causing him to fall, and subsequently run over by a trailer truck, resulting in his immediate death. The incident occurred at 8.50pm yesterday, November 7, and…
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Iron deficiency: Thai boxer Rodtang’s weighty woes lose him title
Thai boxer Rodtang Jitmuangnon, famously dubbed “The Iron Man,” found himself at the centre of controversy this week after failing to make weight twice, resulting in the loss of his ONE Flyweight Muay Thai World Championship title. Despite this setback, he is still set to take on British Muay Thai champion Jacob Smith at the ONE 169 event, scheduled for…
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Famous Thai lawyer arrested on fraud, money laundering charges
Officers from the Crime Suppression Division (CSD) swooped yesterday and arrested a prominent Thai lawyer and his wife on charges of fraud and money laundering, in the wake of the sensational case involving 71 million baht and a Thai millionaire in France. The Thai millionaire, who normally resides in France, Jatuporn “Madam Oi” Ubonlert, returned to Thailand to file a…
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Police raid illegal gambling den in Bangkok, 20 arrested
Police in Suthisan successfully raided an illegal gambling den secretly operating in Bangkok. Twenty individuals were apprehended during the operation, which took place at a house at the end of Soi Inthamara 22 in Din Daeng, Bangkok. The raid was initiated around 9pm yesterday, November 7, following reports of suspicious activity over the past two to three days. Led by…
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Teenager dies in Chachoengsao motorcycle crash with pickup truck
A tragic accident involving six teenagers riding motorcycles ended in the death of 15 year old boy and left two others seriously injured. The crash occurred when their motorcycles collided with a pickup truck waiting to make a U-turn. The incident took place last night around 9pm on Suwinthawong Road, near the Klong Chao Bridge heading into Chachoengsao City. The…
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Thailand halves poverty in seven years despite ongoing challenges
Thailand has achieved a significant milestone in its battle against poverty, reducing the number of people living in poverty by half in just seven years, according to the 2024 Global Multidimensional Poverty Index (MPI). Despite this impressive progress, many Thai citizens endure inadequate living conditions, particularly in rural areas, where access to essential services such as healthcare, education, and sanitation…
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Stormy weather forecast: Thailand braces for a ‘rain’ of trouble
The Thai Meteorological Department (TMD) issued a warning for potential severe weather conditions affecting 28 provinces, with the southern region facing heavy to very heavy rainfall that could lead to flash floods and forest runoff. Meanwhile, cooler temperatures are expected in northern Thailand. A high-pressure system, originating from China, is currently covering the upper regions of Thailand and the South…
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Thai and mighty: Thailand’s soft power shines in Shanghai
Commerce Minister Pichai Naripthaphan led a star-studded delegation to the bustling 7th China International Import Expo (CIIE), held from November 4-6 at Shanghai’s grand National Exhibition and Convention Centre. Thailand took centre stage, flaunting its rich soft power in a bold bid to dazzle the international crowd. Opening triumphantly, Pichai inaugurated the Thailand Pavilion to elevate the nation’s global image…
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Narathiwat mayor fatally gunned down at garment factory
In a shocking daylight assassination, the popular two-time mayor of the Rueso subdistrict in the southern province of Narathiwat was brutally shot dead at his garment factory. The 55 year old mayor, Wichet Thaithongnum, known by locals as Mayor Arm, was gunned down by a group of men wielding war weapons in an audacious attack that has left the community…
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Thailand biofuel subsidy ends in 2027, costs to rise for farmers
Thailand’s Energy Ministry is set to introduce measures to mitigate the effects of the impending cessation of biofuel price subsidies in 2027. With the expiration of these subsidies, the cost of biofuels is anticipated to rise, impacting palm and sugar cane growers who supply raw materials for biofuel production. Farmers sell their crops to factories that produce two types of…
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Thaksin to fire up Pheu Thai campaign in Udon Thani province
Former Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra is back in the political spotlight as he gears up to boost the Pheu Thai Party’s campaign in a major way. Thaksin is expected to make his return to the stage in Udon Thani next week, marking his first public address since ending his self-imposed exile in August last year. The 74 year old’s…
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Phuket transwomen clash with foreigner over alleged cash dispute
Another clash between a group of Thai transwomen and a foreign man was reported on Tuesday in the Patong area of Phuket. The motive for the incident remains unknown. The Phuket Times shared a video of the physical altercation between the transgender group and the foreigner yesterday, November 6. The page captioned the video, “Again! Patong. Ladyboys gang attacked a…
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Police sergeant dies after driving in wrong direction in Prachinburi
A tragic road accident claimed the life of a police sergeant who was driving against traffic and collided head-on with a 10-wheeler lorry. The incident occurred yesterday, November 6, on a road in Prachinburi province, Central Thailand, leaving the sergeant dead at the scene. The accident took place at 7.50pm when police were alerted to a collision involving a white…
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Bangkok bombshell: Thai woman walks as Erawan Shrine case crumbles
A Thai court sent shockwaves throughout the capital of Bangkok after clearing Thai woman Wanna Suansan of charges related to the devastating 2015 Erawan Shrine bombing that claimed 20 lives and injured 120 others. Wanna, a Thai national, was acquitted by Bangkok’s Southern Criminal Court today, November 7. The attack, which occurred in the heart of Bangkok, resulted in 20…
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What can a foreigner own in Thailand?
Ranked as the 6th most expat-friendly country globally, Thailand offers a welcoming environment for international citizens, though some legal restrictions do apply. While Thai law places certain limitations on foreign ownership and investment, these regulations vary depending on the type of asset or business venture you’re interested in. Whether you’re an expat looking to invest in Thailand or planning to…
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Police churn up Burmese gang’s dirty ice cream operation (video)
Police raided an illegal ice cream factory operated by a group of Burmese criminals in Bangkok, following a viral video that revealed shocking unhygienic production methods. The video, widely circulated on social media, garnered over 2.9 million views, showing a makeshift factory where ice cream was being produced in unsanitary conditions. The video depicted ice cream being mixed on the…
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Victims of Thai fortune teller rise to 25, losses exceed 82 million baht
The number of victims of a famous Thai fortune teller rose to 25, with their losses now reaching 82 million baht, yet the fortune teller continues to deny the allegations. The fraudulent behaviour of the renowned fortune teller, Thanawan “Odd” Jiracharoenwet, also known as Ti Li Feng Shui, came to light after a 77 year old victim and her daughter…
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Infant’s body found in Si Racha condo bin shocks community
In a harrowing discovery that has left Si Racha residents reeling, police are investigating the death of an infant whose body was found in a condominium’s waste disposal area in Bo Win, Chon Buri, yesterday, November 6. A worker sorting through the trash made the heartbreaking find, uncovering the remains of a five to six month old infant wrapped in…
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Patong motorbike taxi driver faces legal action for slapping rider
A Patong motorcycle taxi driver faces legal action after being caught on video slapping another rider in Soi Saensabai. The incident, which took place yesterday, November 6, quickly circulated on local social media, igniting discussions on the conduct of motorcycle taxi drivers in the area. Patong Police have identified the driver involved as Patiwat. He was summoned to the Patong…
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Stray dog menace: Pattaya residents terrorised by aggressive pack
Residents of Sukhumvit Pattaya Soi 15/3 are calling for urgent action as a pack of stray dogs has transformed their neighbourhood into a danger zone. These dogs, including a mother and her pups, were left behind by a former resident who moved away. The dogs have since turned aggressive, terrorising the community. More than 10 dogs are reportedly involved in…
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Thailand targets 8 million European tourists to boost long-haul numbers
Thailand aims to attract eight million European tourists next year as part of a strategy to boost the number of long-haul visitors to a record 11 million, the Tourism and Sports Ministry announced. This move follows plans to collaborate with airlines and foreign ambassadors to ensure a full resumption of international flights. Tourism and Sports Minister Sorawong Thienthong emphasised the…
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Holy scandal: Love affair prompts calls for temple’s open account-ability
Thai Buddhists and netizens demanded that a temple in the Isaan province of Maha Sarakham disclose its financial transactions to the public after the revelation of a romantic relationship between the deputy abbot and a woman. The romantic scandal between the deputy abbot of Wang Nam Yen Temple, Tinnaphon Chayaphu, and his girlfriend, identified only as Weeratha, was exposed by…
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