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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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Purr-fect rescue: Team revives cat that took an electrifying tumble
A rescue team in Samut Prakan province near Bangkok performed CPR on a stray cat whose heart stopped beating after it fell from an electricity pole when a transformer exploded. A member of the Samut Prakan Rescue Foundation, Nattapong, revealed to Channel 3 that he and his team were called to save the cat, which was stuck at the top…
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Two mechanics fatally electrocuted at Suphan Buri repair shop
Tragedy struck a repair shop in Dan Chang district, Suphan Buri yesterday when two mechanics were fatally electrocuted due to a faulty battery charging cabinet. The incident took place yesterday, October 3, at a car repair shop located in Village 21, Nong Makha Mong subdistrict. Upon receiving the report, Nirun Thongpan, Deputy Police Inspector of Dan Chang Police Station, coordinated…
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Thailand unveils 145 billion baht cash handout to boost economy
Deputy Finance Minister Paopoom Rojanasakul unveiled a whopping 145 billion baht ((US$4.4 billion) cash handout scheme that promises to rev up the economy before the year’s end. This mega injection is set to turbocharge the nation’s GDP by a tidy 0.3 percentage points. And it’s not just a flash in the pan, the economic boost is expected to keep rolling…
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Bangkok races ahead: Minister shifts gears for F1 street spectacle
Bangkok might soon be revving its engines as Thailand’s Tourism and Sports Minister Sorawong Thienthong, vows to secure a Formula 1 (F1) street race in the capital. Sorawong is working hard to finalise the deal by the end of this year, after holding talks with Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA), the governing body of F1. Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra is…
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Thailand flights face delays amid severe monsoon weather
Thailand is currently grappling with severe weather conditions, including heavy rainfall during the monsoon season, which is affecting aviation visibility and causing flooding in many areas. The Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand (CAAT) reported that Aeronautical Radio of Thailand Ltd. (AEROTHAI) is prepared to handle these challenges by implementing measures to ensure flight safety and efficiency. The Deputy Minister of…
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Firecracker folly: Phuket driver’s explosive secret sparks car blaze
A Thai driver yesterday admitted to storing an assortment of firecrackers in his car, which led to a blaze that engulfed his vehicle and another nearby in Phuket. A witness lodged a complaint with Mueang Phuket Police Station around 8.30pm, Yesterday, October 3, reporting the fire that erupted on two vehicles in Soi Shopping, right in the heart of Phuket…
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Gold prices in Thailand going for baht-er as market shines bright
Thailand’s gold market is set to sparkle as prices climb to a dazzling 44,000 baht per baht weight, a leap from the previous 41,350 baht. The surge is driven by escalating tensions in the Middle East, a dipping baht, and the US Federal Reserve’s impending interest rate cuts, says the Gold Traders Association (GTA). On October 2, the gold bar…
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Thailand video news | Bus company under fire for concealing illegal gas cylinders after deadly accident, Singaporean ex-minister sentenced for corruption and abuse of power
In today’s Thailand video news, Alex and Jay cover a range of stories from Thailand and neighbouring Southeast Asian countries. Headlines include a bus company under scrutiny for concealing illegal gas modifications following a deadly fire in Pathum Thani, and an investigation into a Phuket tour boat blaze that injured its captain. Other key stories feature a dramatic sword and…
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Transport minister probes bribery involving Deere, ministry depts
Transport Minister Suriya Jungrungreangkit initiated a committee to probe bribery allegations involving two ministry departments in Thailand and the local unit of multinational construction firm Deere, following a case highlighted in the United States. Three weeks after Deere reached a US$10-million settlement with US officials, Suriya announced the formation of the panel to scrutinise the bribes outlined in the US…
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Thief gets carted away: Salt-and-battery in Bangkok bust
Police in Bangkok’s Nong Chok district arrested a Thai man along with his trusty red tricycle cart. The suspect had been masquerading as a salt seller while secretly breaking into unattended homes in the area to steal valuables. Police officials received a report today, October 4, from the local community that homes were being robbed during the day when residents…
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Tide turns: Chinese man in hot water over risky Ping River plunge
A Chinese man faces a fine of up to 5,000 baht for swimming in the Ping River in Chiang Mai province during a strong current and flooding. A video of the man floating and relaxing in the Ping River during heavy flooding in Chiang Mai was first shared last month. The video drew widespread criticism, with many expressing concern that…
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Thailand welfare card benefits updated for October
Thailand’s Comptroller General’s Department has updated the welfare card benefits for October. Eligible individuals will receive various allowances and benefits starting this month, including purchasing allowances, transport subsidies, and additional disability payments. The welfare card benefits for October began on Tuesday, October 1. Teeraporn Phasuk, Deputy Director-General of the Comptroller General’s Department and spokesperson for the department, stated that those…
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Pattaya thief begs for mercy after stealing to aid sick grandmother
A shop owner in Pattaya set a trap to catch a persistent thief who had been stealing from his stall, only to face a tearful plea for forgiveness as the suspect claimed he was stealing to feed his sick grandmother. Officers from Nong Prue Police Station responded to a call about a detained thief at the Khao Talo Market in…
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Rolling the dice: Pattaya homes raided in Chinese gambling bust
Police raided three luxury houses in Pattaya and arrested 20 Chinese nationals for operating a gambling website and illegal loan service. Officers from Mueang Pattaya Police Station discovered a group of Chinese nationals running illegal businesses based in Thailand. They were found to be offering loans illegally to clients in China. The gang rented three luxury houses to carry out…
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Chon Buri man arrested for threatening mother, assaulting family
A man in Chon Buri was arrested after he allegedly threatened to kill his mother, assault his son, and attempted to rape his daughter. Officials found methamphetamine in his possession. Police and administrative officers arrested 46 year old Sornchai (surname withheld) at his home in Bang Lamung district, Chon Buri. The arrest followed a plea for help from a 64…
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American woman makes long journey to Thailand to see Moo Deng (video)
An American woman travelled by air for nearly 21 hours to see Moo Deng, the baby pygmy hippopotamus who has become a global Internet sensation at Khao Kheow Open Zoo in Chon Buri. The US national, Molly, shared details of her journey on TikTok, noting that she flew for 18.5 hours and faced disbelief from immigration officials about her unique…
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Pattaya car chase over Thai woman sparks gunfire
A dramatic car chase involving gunfire unfolded in Pattaya yesterday after a heated confrontation between two Thai men over a woman. Pattaya police responded to a report of the incident on Soi Khao Talo 5/1 at 11am, yesterday, October 3. Police officers apprehended 34 year old Thosawat at the scene, who is suspected of firing shots. A .32 calibre revolver…
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Thai woman held for impersonating diplomat in 6 million baht scam
Thai police apprehended a young woman impersonating a Thai diplomat in Canada, accused of scamming a student out of 6 million baht using fake passport allegations. Following directives from Police General Kittirat Phanphet and Police Lieutenant General Thatchai Pitaneelabut, who are focused on eradicating criminal organisations causing public distress, the online patrol unit of the Metropolitan Investigation Bureau unearthed a…
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Pattaya pool party busted: Cops dive into illegal ops crackdown
Pattaya police raided three pool villas where a Chinese gang was operating illegal money lending and online gambling activities, seizing 13 computers and over 100 mobile phones. Chatchai Surachetphong, Deputy Regional Police Chief of Region 2, along with Navin Theerawit, Pattaya City Police Chief, and Thananon Athiphansri, Deputy Chief of Pattaya City Police, led a raid to investigate a pool…
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Cabbie chaos: Thai app rider punches cop in Bangkok (video)
A Thai app-based taxi rider physically assaulted a police officer and damaged his car, claiming the cop was responsible for an earlier road accident in Bangkok. The footage of the physical assault on 30 year old Police Corporal Wirodom Najaiboon, from the Protection and Crowd Control Division, went viral on Thai social media and was shared by many news outlets.…
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Ping River on the rise: Chiang Mai braces for watery wake-up call
Chiang Mai braces for more flooding today as the Ping River is set to reach 4.95 metres, starting in the morning. Heavy rainfall in upstream areas has caused a rapid rise in the Ping River, according to Governor Nirat Pongsitthithaworn. He urged residents along the river to relocate their vehicles and valuables to higher ground. Hospitals and clinics in low-lying…
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Bets off: Jilted Thai man gambles on lawsuit after wedding deception
A Thai man is taking legal action against his ex-girlfriend, who tricked him into transferring 500,000 baht to fund her gambling, claiming the money was for their dream wedding. The victim, 38 year old Jaruwat, filed a complaint against his ex-girlfriend at the Central Investigation Bureau (CIB)‘s complaint centre today, October 3. Jaruwat said he was the victim of a…
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Winter story: Thai cool season arrives fashionably late with icy twist
Brace yourselves, Thailand’s winter this year will arrive a little late but pack an extra punch of chill. The Thai Meteorological Department (TMD) announced that the cool season will kick off in the third week of October, with temperatures set to dip lower than last year. Although winter will extend until late February, the TMD is predicting cooler-than-usual temperatures. The…
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Thai activist-turned-filmmaker takes home top award
Netiwit Chotiphatphaisal, best known for taking on the Thai establishment as a student activist, has swapped protest placards for a camera, earning him a prestigious film accolade. His co-produced documentary, The Last Breath of Sam Yan, claimed Best Documentary Film at the 2023 Suphannahong Awards, bringing attention to an ongoing battle over Bangkok’s cultural heritage. The documentary, directed by Prempapat…
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Pheu Thai hits the brakes on Amnesty push
The Pheu Thai Party has put the brakes on its push for an Amnesty Bill, aware that it could spark a political storm and risk the stability of its already fragile coalition government. The ruling party, led by Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra, is walking a tightrope, as opposition from the Senate looms large. Despite holding a slim majority in Parliament,…
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Bangkok safe from floods despite heavy rain, says PM
Thailand Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra assured the public that Bangkok will remain safe from flooding, noting that the current rainfall levels are significantly lower than those experienced during the devastating floods of 2011. The Thai premier reviewed the water situation yesterday, October 2, at the Royal Irrigation Department (RID) in Pak Kret district, Nonthaburi. She highlighted that while Thailand was…
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Thailand’s new PM makes TIME100 Next list
Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra has made waves by being included in the prestigious TIME100 Next list of leaders for 2024, as announced by Time magazine. This remarkable recognition marks a significant milestone for the 38 year old politician, who has emerged as a trailblazer in Thai politics. Elected as Thailand’s 31st Prime Minister following the dismissal of property tycoon Srettha…
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Ayutthaya woman saved from sexual assault by good Samaritan
A petrol station attendant attempted to sexually assault a woman after pretending to help her with directions. The incident occurred near a community road in Ayutthaya. The suspect, a 37 year old Myanmar national, was subsequently arrested and charged by local police. The incident involved a 29 year old woman (anonymous), who was riding her motorcycle to visit a friend…
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Rice Department fraudsters cook up fake seed sales online
The Rice Department’s Facebook page highlighted an increase in online scams. Fraudsters are using fake pages to impersonate legitimate businesses, luring victims to purchase rice seeds and disappearing after receiving payments. The Rice Department’s Facebook page revealed that scammers have created a fake page named Phantawee Mall Corporation, falsely using images and names of Rice Department officials to build trust.…
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Penny-wise, pound foolish: Thailand’s budget delay leaves fiscal year in arrears
The Government of Thailand’s delayed budget approval led to significant underinvestment in the previous fiscal year, according to the Comptroller General’s Department (CGD). The state budget for the fiscal year is divided into a fixed fund and an investment fund. For fiscal 2024, which ended on September 30, the fixed fund amounted to 2.8 trillion baht (US$84 billion), covering expenses…
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