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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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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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Former dancer speaks out on brutal abuse by boyfriend
A 26 year old former dancer reported to media in Udon Thani that she had been violently abused by her boyfriend, with whom she had been in a relationship for just two months. The abuse included severe beatings, stabbings, and burning with a lighter, causing the victim, known as Aomsin, to jump from a second-floor building in an attempted escape,…
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Pakistan’s top envoy brings friendship mission to Phuket
In a warm show of diplomacy and island hospitality, Pakistan’s Ambassador to Thailand Rukhsana Afzal paid a high-profile visit to Phuket Governor Sophon Suwannarat yesterday, reaffirming her country’s commitment to deepening ties with the popular tourist province. The meeting, held at Phuket Provincial Hall, was more than just a polite exchange of pleasantries. According to an official report, it marked a…
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Green with envy: Beware of wolves in eco-clothing
British politics in the wake of the post-Jeremy Corbyn era has been defined by confusion, disillusionment, and an overwhelming sense of political homelessness on the left, but does the Green Party have the answer? In 2017, Corbyn galvanised millions of disenchanted and previously apathetic voters behind a vision of genuine change, only for his hopes to be dashed, sabotaged by…
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Thailand video news | British tourists targeted in Thai drug mule scam, Cambodia delays opening of Techo International Airport
In today’s Thailand video news, Alex and Jay deliver top stories from Thailand and across Southeast Asia. British tourists fall victim to drug mule scams, a fake mini-marathon in Bangkok leaves runners stranded, and coyote dancers in Samut Prakan face theft charges. Meanwhile, Pattaya sees two bizarre incidents involving a trans woman gang and a faked robbery. Koh Samui struggles…
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Drunk foreign BMW driver crashes in Phang Nga, tries to bribe police
A drunk BMW driver crashed into a road construction vehicle and a local’s car in the southern province of Phang Nga on Sunday, May 26, before attempting to bribe police officers to avoid legal consequences. Phuket Times reported that the accident occurred on the Khok Kloi–Phuket Road, near the Khok Kloi Bus Terminal, at 11.25am yesterday. The foreign couple in…
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LPG truck overturns, causes gas leak in Prachuap Khiri Khan
A truck transporting LPG overturned on Phetkasem Road heading south at kilometre marker 320 in Mueang district, Prachuap Khiri Khan. The incident, yesterday, May 26, occurring near Baan Suan Khwan in Khlong Wan subdistrict, led to gas leakage. Emergency services quickly responded by closing the road to manage the situation safely. By 1pm, the truck had been righted, but gas…
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Thailand seeks ASEAN Heritage status for Doi Inthanon park
Efforts are underway by the government to have Doi Inthanon National Park in Chiang Mai recognised as an ASEAN Heritage Park (AHP), according to Attapol Charoenshunsa, the chief of the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation (DNP). The announcement followed the 12th ASEAN Heritage Park Committee Meeting (AHPCM) in Bangkok, chaired by Attapol. The meeting included over 100…
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Thai teenage girl’s finger freed after 9 hours stuck in doorknob
A rescue and medical team in the Isaan province of Nakhon Ratchasima successfully removed a 16 year old girl’s little finger after it was stuck in a doorknob for over nine hours. The teenager’s family rushed her to Maharat Nakhon Ratchasima Hospital at around 1.50am yesterday, May 26, with a doorknob still attached to her little finger. The family attempted…
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Thai police ground aircraft for safety checks after fatal crashes
The national police chief has suspended all police aircraft for comprehensive safety evaluations following two crashes within a month that resulted in the deaths of nine people. Police General Kittharath Punpetch announced yesterday, May 26, that all planes belonging to the Thai Police Aviation Division (TPAD) would remain grounded until they complete new safety inspections. “Experiencing two crashes in a…
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Soil search ends in heartbreak as boy, 11, loses fight for life
A Thai village has been left in mourning after an obese 11 year old boy with a bizarre craving for dirt tragically died following weeks of hospital treatment for a string of serious health issues. Nong Phum, from Dong Bang village in Nakhon Phanom province, became the focus of local concern after relatives revealed his unusual habit of eating soil.…
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Heavy rainfall forecast in Thailand with 59 provinces on alert
The Thai Meteorological Department (TMD) issued a weather forecast predicting heavy to very heavy rainfall in 59 provinces across Thailand, with Bangkok expected to experience significant precipitation in 80% of its area. Residents are advised to exercise caution due to potential flash floods, forest runoff, and landslides, especially in hilly regions and low-lying areas. It is recommended to avoid travelling…
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Bangkok restaurant criticised over misleading birthday promotion
A Japanese restaurant in Bangkok faces criticism after a customer’s dissatisfaction with a birthday promotion gained traction on social media. The incident was highlighted yesterday, May 26, by a well-known Thai consumer rights Facebook group. The customer visited a popular à la carte Japanese restaurant, enticed by an online promotion offering a complimentary salmon rice cake for those celebrating their…
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Thai-tanic Toy Story discovery: Villagers unbox temple surprises
A Thai village turned into a real-life Toy Story treasure hunt when stunned locals discovered piles of brand-new children’s toys dumped behind a temple and wasted no time swooping in with sacks to scoop them up. The Toy Story frenzy kicked off when a photo began circulating on social media showing a huge mound of untouched children’s toys discarded behind…
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Coyote dancers arrested for convenience store theft in Samut Prakan
Police arrested three Thai nationals, including two coyote dancers, for stealing from at least nine convenience stores in Samut Prakan province near Bangkok, between May 16 and 17. Employees at the convenience stores filed a complaint with Phra Samut Chedi Police Station after CCTV footage showed two Thai women stealing products from the shops. The security cameras clearly captured their…
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Jet-ski operator arrested for helmet attack in Phuket
In Phuket, a jet-ski rental operator has been detained following an altercation involving an elderly three-wheeler driver, during which the suspect used a helmet as an attack weapon in Thalang yesterday, May 25. The incident occurred at approximately 10.30am and was caught on video, which gained traction on social media. The footage shows the 45 year old, identified as Wisan…
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Thailand tightens checks on frozen durian imports to boost safety
Agriculture and Cooperatives Minister Narumon Pinyosinwat has directed a thorough inspection of frozen durian imports to Thailand, ensuring they are contaminant-free as part of the ministry’s aims to elevate standards and boost the value of this high-demand product. Narumon has tasked the National Bureau of Agricultural Commodity and Food Standards (ACFS) and the Department of Agriculture with inspecting facilities that…
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Pattaya transwoman strikes Indian tourist after alleged theft
A Thai transwoman in Pattaya allegedly stole from an Indian man after engaging in sexual activities and struck him on the head with her handbag before fleeing the scene. The receptionist at a hotel in Pattaya’s Sai Song Soi 12, Jamjan, called the Sawang Borriboon Thammasathan Rescue Foundation to provide first aid to the 41 year old Indian guest, Hemant…
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Falling tree kills couple in Mukdahan, teenage daughter survives
A tragic incident occurred when a large tree fell onto a pickup truck, resulting in the deaths of a married couple, while their teenage daughter survived with minor injuries. The family was en route to visit a relative in a hospital when the tree collapsed during a stint of heavy rain. Today, May 26, police from Mueang Kham Soi district…
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Paetongtarn denies using public funds for UK, Monaco trips
Yesterday, May 25, Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra dismissed claims that her recent visits to the United Kingdom and Monaco were privately motivated and funded by taxpayer money. Speaking at Wing 6 of the Royal Thai Air Force Base in Don Mueang, Bangkok, the 37 year old premier clarified that the trips were not personal holidays. She also addressed an online…
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Public health response team aids flood-stricken Mae Sai communities
The Public Health Ministry has deployed a medical operations team to assist four flood-affected communities in Mae Sai district, Chiang Rai. A patient care centre has been established, with medications and medical supplies prepared, and bedridden patients are being evacuated to safer locations. The minister highlighted the concern of Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra regarding the floods and relayed her directive…
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Motorcyclist dies after losing control on Pattaya overpass
A tragic accident occurred when a motorcyclist lost control while overtaking on a curve of an overpass, hitting the bridge’s rail and falling to his death. The incident took place yesterday, May 25, at 4.06pm at Highway 7 in Pattaya, Chon Buri. The scene of the accident was attended by Police Lieutenant Colonel Ratphon Warana, Deputy Superintendent (Investigation) of Highway…
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Koh Samui faces overtourism crisis as locals retreat from paradise
Koh Samui is struggling to cope with a tourism boom that’s pushing the island’s infrastructure—and residents—to the brink. A surge in visitors, partly driven by the hit TV series White Lotus, has overwhelmed the island. The Four Seasons resort featured in the show reportedly saw a staggering 600% spike in website traffic after the show aired. Koh Samui’s overtourism crisis…
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2 British tourists expose Chiang Mai monk for inappropriate kissing
Two British tourists exposed a monk at a temple in the northern province of Chiang Mai for inappropriately kissing her and her friend on the cheek during a visit on March 30. The monk reportedly responded to the foreigners with rude and aggressive language after the incident was made public. A Thai man named Thanawat shared the account, which he…
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11 tonnes of smuggled avocados seized in Thailand’s Pathum Thani market
Approximately 11 tonnes of avocados from Vietnam, mislabelled as mangoes, were illicitly brought into Thailand and sold at a prominent wholesale market in Pathum Thani province. Yesterday, May 25, consumer protection police, along with customs and agriculture officials, conducted a raid at Talad Thai fresh market located on Phahon Yothin Road in Khlong Luang district. A total of 421 boxes…
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Cannabis lab fire erupts in Pattaya shop
A fire broke out at a cannabis shop in Pattaya yesterday afternoon, May 25, sparking panic among tourists and damaging a rooftop grow lab. The blaze began around 4pm at a cannabis shop located on Soi 13/2 in central Pattaya. The fire originated on the fourth floor of a four-storey commercial building, where a cannabis cultivation lab was housed. Officials…
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Fatal motorcycle taxi driver stabbing in Bangkok’s Khlong Toei
A dispute between two intoxicated motorcycle taxi drivers in Bangkok escalated into a fatal stabbing, resulting in the death of one person. The incident occurred on Ratchadaphisek Road in Khlong Toei district on May 24 at approximately 11pm. During the altercation, 32 year old Apivat, who was drinking beer at the scene, got into a heated argument with 27 year…
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Muay Thai coaches in Japan certified for soft power initiative
The Department of Skill Development (DSD) is promoting soft power by certifying Muay Thai coaches in Japan to enhance economic value and increase Thai income while sharing martial arts culture with Japanese and other international communities. Yesterday, May 25, Decha Prukpatanarak, the Director-General of the DSD under the Ministry of Labour, officially launched the project to promote the capability standards…
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Chinese tourist stabbed in drunken altercation at Pattaya restaurant
A Chinese tourist was rushed to the hospital after being stabbed in a drunken brawl at a restaurant in Pattaya early this morning, May 26. The incident occurred around 12.46am today, at a Chinese restaurant on Pattaya Second Road. Police and rescue workers responded to reports of a violent assault with injuries. Officers from Pattaya City Police Station, led by…
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Myanmar man’s body found after tragic Phuket fishing accident
The body of a 26 year old Myanmar man, who was swept into the sea while fishing with friends near Paradise Beach, Phuket, has been recovered, as confirmed by the police. The incident occurred on May 24. Wasana Khamchomphu reported the disappearance of her employee, Lone Lone, to Patong Police at 5.53pm on the same day. Lone Lone and two…
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