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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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Sponsored Long-term life in Thailand? 5 reasons private health insurance pays off in the long run
Thailand is a great place for expats and retirees, offering a warm climate, affordable living, and rich culture. However, healthcare can be tricky for foreigners since they aren’t eligible for public health coverage, and private care can be expensive. Private...
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Thailand seeks OECD membership for global economic standing
Thailand aims to elevate its global standing by seeking membership in the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), as announced by Foreign Minister Maris Sangiampongsa. This move highlights the country’s strategic alignment with the OECD’s objectives, further underscored by the formal launch of Thailand’s OECD Accession Process. Maris shared these developments yesterday, October 30, during an event organised by…
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Thailand airports see passenger surge with 19% increase
Thailand’s air travel sector is experiencing a significant upswing, with the nation’s six principal airports reporting a surge in passenger numbers. In the fiscal year ending yesterday, these airports welcomed 119.2 million passengers, marking a 19% increase from the previous year, as reported by the Airports of Thailand (AoT). The AoT oversees operations at Suvarnabhumi, Don Mueang, Chiang Mai, Phuket,…
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Thailand braces for cooler temperatures and heavy rain
Thailand is experiencing fluctuating weather patterns, leading to temperatures dropping by 2 to 4 degrees Celsius (°C) in the northern and northeastern regions. Meanwhile, heavy rain is expected in parts of the central, eastern, and southern areas, with high waves in the Gulf of Thailand and the Andaman Sea. The Meteorological Department of Thailand (TMD) issued a forecast for the next 24…
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Thailand denies Koh Kut territorial loss to Cambodia amid MoU dispute
Thailand Defence Minister Phumtham Wechayachai firmly denied any governmental action regarding Koh Kut in Trat province amid growing concerns about losing territory to Cambodia. The statement came in response to the Palang Pracharath Party’s (PPRP) objections to the 2001 memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Cambodia. This MoU pertains to joint marine resource development in the Gulf of Thailand—a move the…
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Thailand-Korea Soft Power Festival 2024 boosts cultural ties
Korea and Thailand’s cultural ties are set to be celebrated with the Thailand-Korea Soft Power Festival 2024, scheduled to occur tomorrow at Suralai Hall in ICONSIAM, Bangkok. This vibrant event, orchestrated by the Korean Culture Centre in Thailand (KCC) alongside the Korea Thailand Communication Centre (KTCC), is an expansion of last year’s K-Soft Power Festival and aims to enhance economic…
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Phuket’s courtroom prescription: Legal drama escalates in Swiss assault dismissal
A gripping legal battle is heating up in Phuket as the lawyer representing a woman doctor challenges the court’s shocking decision to dismiss her assault case against a Swiss man. Dr Thandao Chandam claims she was kicked in the back by 45 year old Urs Fehr, also known as David, while she sat outside his villa on Yamu Beach in…
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Dead body found on beach sends shockwaves through Pattaya
A shocking discovery has sent shockwaves through the Pattaya community after a body was washed up on Dongtan Beach in Jomtien. At precisely 9.46am yesterday, October 30, police received a distress call that would lead to a grim scene. Pattaya police wasted no time responding, and they were joined by rescue teams from the Sawang Boriboon Thamasathan Foundation. Upon arrival,…
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iCon Group CEO to sue former members and presenter over negative statements
The lawyer representing iCon Group CEO Waratphol “Paul” Waratworakul, declared intentions to sue seven former members and a former presenter. They are accused of causing harm to the company by making negative statements across various media platforms. A total of 18 leading members of the iCon Group are currently in detention for alleged public fraud and the importation of false information…
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Crime coins: SEC cracks down on crypto laundering in Thailand
In a bold move, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has thrown down the gauntlet, demanding digital asset operators report suspicious transactions as part of a crackdown on crypto money-laundering scams. This action follows hot on the heels of accusations against iCon Group, a direct sales outfit allegedly involved in laundering dirty money through the stablecoin USDT. The Department of…
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Gold rush fever: Prices surge, Thai buyers told to act fast
In a dazzling turn of events, gold prices shot up today, leaving potential buyers scrambling to make their move as the Gold Traders Association (GTA) reveals hefty increases. Gold ornaments are now flaunting a price tag of 44,800 baht per baht weight, leaping up by a solid 350 baht overnight. According to the GTA, bullion gold with a 96.5% purity…
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Thailand cash splash: Foreign tourists send Visa spending soaring
Thailand is basking in a financial boom, with foreign tourists spending a staggering 90% more on Visa credit cards this year compared to the pre-pandemic high of 2019. While Thai travellers are tightening their purse strings amid a sluggish economy, foreigners can’t seem to get enough of the Land of Smiles. Visa Thailand’s country manager, Punnamas Vichitkulwongsa, revealed that Thailand…
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Thai millionaire reveals lawyer’s 71 million baht fraud, political links
A Thai millionaire returned to Thailand from France to take legal action against a well-known lawyer, who allegedly swindled 71 million baht from her. She also disclosed a secret meeting in Hong Kong involving high-ranking Thai politicians. The millionaire, Jatuporn “Madam Oi” Ubonlert, attended an interview with former political activist Sondhi Limthongkul to publicly reveal the details of the issues with…
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Thailand cuts interest rate to boost economic recovery
Thailand’s central bank has strategically positioned its policy interest rate to counter economic challenges as financial conditions tighten and recovery remains uneven. Minutes from the October 16 meeting of the Bank of Thailand (BoT) revealed that the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) made an unexpected decision to lower the one-day repurchase rate by 25 basis points to 2.25%, marking the first…
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Starbucks stirs up Thai market with a ‘latte’ new stores brewing
Hold onto your coffee cups, folks! Starbucks Thailand is brewing up a storm with plans to roll out 30 new stores annually, even as the country’s coffee market bubbles with fierce competition. This caffeine-fuelled expansion underscores the coffee giant’s faith in Thailand’s untapped potential in Southeast Asia. Spearheading this bold venture is Starbucks Thailand’s Managing Director, Nednapa Srisamai, who’s unfazed…
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Panda-monium: Giant pandas to strengthen Thailand-China ties
Another pair of giant pandas is set to arrive in Thailand as part of a diplomatic gesture to commemorate the 50th anniversary of Sino-Thai relations next year. The announcement follows a meeting of key stakeholders, including representatives from the Zoological Park Organisation, Chiang Mai Zoo, the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation, the Department of East Asian Affairs,…
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Thailand, Laos, Myanmar launch Clear Sky to combat pollution
In a bid to blow away the blanket of smog smothering Southeast Asia, Thailand, Laos, and Myanmar joined forces with a sparkling new initiative: the Clear Sky Strategy 2024-2030. The grand unveiling took place at Bangkok’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs yesterday, with VIPs Maris Sangiampongsa, Thailand’s top minister, and Chalermchai Sri-on, the Minister of Natural Resources and Environment, leading the…
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Police flush out Thai teen’s mall bathroom masturbating video call
Police issued a warning to a perverted 19 year old Thai teen who engaged in a video sex phone call and masturbated in a bathroom of a shopping mall in the central province of Chai Nat. A shocked shopping mall visitor alerted staff members today, October 30, after witnessing the teenager, identified only as P, masturbating in one of the…
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Baht appreciation leads to 4 to 5 billion baht revenue shortfall
Revenue collection for the 2024 fiscal year fell short of government expectations by 4 to 5 billion baht due to the appreciation of the baht. This shortfall occurred as the fiscal year concluded in September, impacting the value-added tax (VAT) revenue from imports, particularly affecting oil imports. Finance Permanent Secretary Lavaron Sangsnit explained that the rapid strengthening of the baht…
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Phuket at the helm of Asia’s Urban Act initiative
Phuket has been handpicked as the focal point for the Urban Act initiative, an ambitious drive set to spearhead low-carbon, resilient urban growth across the Asia-Pacific. The announcement was unveiled at a meeting in Phuket Provincial Hall with Governor Sophon Suwannarat and Vice Governor Ronnarong Tipsiri among the key players present. The Urban Act Project, which kicked off in April…
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Australian man dies of suspected drug overdose in Pattaya hotel
An Australian man died today of an alleged drug overdose in a Pattaya hotel, according to a heavily intoxicated friend. Officers from the Mueang Pattaya Police Station and rescuers from the Sawang Boriboon Pattaya Foundation were called today, October 30, to investigate the death at a hotel on Pattaya Sai Sam Road in the Bang Lamung district. The dead Australian…
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Snack attack: Thai woman’s sticky fingers prank is no joke (video)
A Thai woman caught stealing snacks from a shop in the central province of Chachoengsao claims that she did not mean to steal, and only wanted to prank the shop owner. The owner of a local grocery shop in the Bang Pakong district of Chachoengsao, 53 year old Supaporn, called Bang Pakong Police Station to arrest the 42 year old…
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Thai influencer arrested with drugs and firearms in Bangkok
Thai social media influencer Phor Ban Khlong Toei, renowned for his presence on TikTok and participation in Fight Club Thailand, was apprehended by police at his residence yesterday. Officers from the Metropolitan Police Bureau’s Division 5 seized a quantity of crystal methamphetamine and firearms during the arrest. The arrest sent ripples through the online community, as many followers of Phor…
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Phuket road rebels: Law takes a backseat as foreign bikers run wild
Police have yet to take legal action against two foreign motorcyclists who were caught on video riding dangerously down a main road in Phuket. A Thai motorist who witnessed the reckless actions of the two foreign riders yesterday, October 29, recorded a video of their traffic violations and shared it with Phuket Times, today, October 30. The news page shared…
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Phrae canal mystery: Bald death discovery leaves locals scratching heads
A chilling discovery was made when a man stopped for a roadside break and stumbled upon the body of an unidentified bald man floating face down in a canal in Phrae Province. The police initiated an investigation to ascertain the cause of death and identify the deceased, urging anyone who may have a missing relative to contact the police. The…
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Tragic truck accident on Bangkok bridge claims driver’s life
A tragic accident occurred when a four-wheel truck driver stopped to change a tyre on the Lad Phrao Bridge in Bangkok and was fatally struck by a six-wheel truck. The accident left his wife devastated as she recounted the harrowing moments leading up to the collision. The incident took place at 5.40am today, October 30. Thosaporn Rungjang, a police lieutenant…
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French duo’s extortion plan fails to baguette away with it in Phuket
Two foreign men, believed to be French nationals, reportedly attempted to extort 2,000 baht from a Thai tourist in the Patong area of Phuket on Monday. The Thai victim shared his shocking experience on Monday, October 28, with Phuket Times to warn other tourists and to urge action from the local police. The victim revealed that the incident took place…
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Traffic cop sorry for punchline in Chon Buri motorcycle rev-enge
A traffic police officer in Sattahip, Chon Buri, apologised after punching a 13 year old boy who he believed purposely revved his motorcycle engine at him. The 35 year old boy’s mother has forgiven the officer but cautioned it should be the last such incident. Pornlada, took her son, referred to as A, to file a complaint with the Sattahip Police…
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Grieving Thai mum delays funeral for justice in teen’s tragic murder
A tragic incident unfolded in northeast Thailand when a 16 year old boy was fatally attacked by nine teenagers, leaving his family devastated. The victim’s mother insists that the investigation into her son’s murder is progressing slowly, and she refuses to cremate him until justice is served. Nine teenagers were involved in the attack on a 16 year old boy,…
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Stormy skies ahead: It’s raining warnings and waves in Thailand
The Meteorological Department of Thailand (TMD) issued a fresh warning about cold weather and heavy rainfall expected to hit 33 provinces in Thailand, including Bangkok, with the southern regions forecasted to experience severe storms across 60% of the area. Sea waves could exceed 2 metres in height. Thailand is bracing for significant weather changes as a high-pressure system or weak…
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Michelin chef Jay Fai cooks up clarity: ‘I’m not closing my restaurant’ (video)
Renowned Thai chef and owner of Michelin-starred restaurant Jay Fai Pratu Phee denied rumours of her retirement, clarifying that it was a misunderstanding. The 81 year old street food legend also extended an invitation to the Prime Minister of Thailand to try her food. Recently, multiple media outlets reported that Supinya Jansuta, better known as Jay Fai, planned to close…
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