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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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9 most common health issues covered by insurance for expats in Thailand
Thailand is a popular destination for expats due to its affordable lifestyle and excellent healthcare system. However, settling in a new country often brings health concerns. To ensure you’re covered for the most common medical needs, understanding what expat health...
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Thailand’s domestic tourism revenue to hit 970 billion baht
Festive events and new stimulus campaigns are set to boost domestic tourism revenue in Thailand to between 950 billion and 970 billion baht (US$28.6 and US$29 billion) this year, according to the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT). Despite these efforts, the target of 1 trillion baht (US$30 billion) will likely be missed due to a sluggish economy and the impact…
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Thai worker’s body to be repatriated from Israel after fatal accident
The body of a Thai worker killed in Israel last week will be repatriated next Tuesday, October 22, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Israeli authorities have completed the autopsy on 42 year old Nisan Meeram from Buriram province. A death certificate has been issued, and the Thai embassy in Tel Aviv has informed Nisan’s family of the developments.…
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Cash-out: Old German man ends life after costly romance
A 91 year old German man committed suicide at his home in Samut Prakan province, near Bangkok, after his Thai girlfriend repeatedly asked him for money. He had reportedly lost more than 30 million baht to this woman. Officers from Bang Phli Police Station investigated the suicide of the 91 year old German, Bothmer Arnulf, at his home in the…
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Joint session on 2017 Thailand constitution set for mid-December
The House of Representatives anticipates holding a joint session with the Senate by mid-December to deliberate on a bill amending the 2017 constitution. According to Nattawut Buaprathum, a People’s Party list MP and opposition whip chief, this decision follows an agreement between the government and opposition whips. The whips agreed that starting deliberation during the nearly concluded parliamentary session would…
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No putt-ing around: RTAF golf course revamp on hold for deeper study
The proposal to transform the Royal Thai Air Force (RTAF)’s Dhupatemiya golf course in Pathum Thani into a public park requires an in-depth study, as the location plays a critical role in the military’s strategic operations, stated Defence Minister Phumtham Wechayachai. Phumtham was addressing questions from the People’s Party (PP) MP for Pathum Thani, Chetawan Thuaprakhon, regarding the potential transfer…
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Heavy monsoon rains to hit 42 Thai provinces including Bangkok
Heavy monsoon rains are expected to lash 42 provinces across Thailand, including Bangkok, with 70% of the area predicted to experience significant rainfall. The Thai Meteorological Department (TMD) issued warnings for flash floods and forest runoffs. TMD forecasts that monsoon troughs will traverse the upper southern and eastern regions of Thailand, moving into a low-pressure area over southern Vietnam. Concurrently,…
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Thailand joins BRICS Plus Summit in Russia, aims to boost ties
Thailand will participate in the 4th BRICS Plus Summit in Russia, with Foreign Affairs Minister Maris Sangiampongsa representing the country instead of Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra, as announced yesterday, October 17. Foreign Affairs Ministry spokesperson Nikorn Balankura confirmed that Thailand will join the meeting, scheduled from October 22 to 24 in Kazan, Tatarstan, upon the invitation of Russian President Vladimir…
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Sisaket woman wins 6 million baht lottery after prayers to serpent
A Thai woman’s prayer to a mythical serpent for lottery luck came true, making her a millionaire. She received 6 million baht after winning the first prize in the lottery. The Thai woman, 43 year old Ratsamee from Ban Nong Khukham, Nong Siang Thun in Prang Ku district, Sisaket province, had an ordinary day turn extraordinary when she discovered she…
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Nakhon Nayok mobile shop worker wins 6 million baht lottery
A young mobile shop employee at a Lotus’s mall won a 6-million-baht lottery prize after asking a disabled person to pick a ticket for him. The winning ticket, drawn yesterday, October 16, resulted in a life-changing windfall. Peraphon, a 31 year old employee at Under the Sky Telecom, was at the Lotus’s mall in Nakhon Nayok to purchase home improvement…
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Thai woman calls foul after man defecates outside her home (video)
A Thai woman demanded accountability from a man who defecated outside her home in the Isaan province of Udon Thani. The 48 year old woman, Mew, took to a local Udon Thani Facebook group to share CCTV footage of the man defecating outside her house. In her post, she stated, “Is this too much? If the post violates group rules,…
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Chatuchak condo residents glue-d to growing homeless woes
Residents of a condominium in Chatuchak district, Bangkok, raised concerns about a growing number of homeless individuals who have taken up residence in front of their building, indulging in alcohol and glue sniffing, and leaving food waste scattered. Despite repeated reports to local government officials, the issue remains unresolved. A post on the Facebook page Drama-addict highlighted the problem, with…
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Interest peaked: Thailand banks on MPK rate cut to boost economy
The Government of Thailand believes the recent reduction in the policy interest rate by the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) will positively impact the economy. Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Pichai Chunhavichir stated that the decrease was anticipated and would help alleviate financial burdens. Yesterday, October 16, at 9.30am, Pichai addressed the media at the Government House regarding the MPC’s…
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All aboard: Vietnam charts a 7.2 billion baht track to China
Vietnam announced an estimated cost of 179 trillion dong (US$7.2 billion) to build a new railway connecting it with China‘s Yunnan province. The proposed 427-kilometre railway will traverse from Lao Cai province, through Hanoi, and extend to the port city of Haiphong and Ha Long City, according to the Vietnam News Agency. The country is actively pursuing the upgrade of…
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Chon Buri villagers celebrate lottery win with 10,000 firecrackers
Residents of a small town in Chon Buri province joyfully gathered at Wat Huai Sup to celebrate their lottery winnings by offering a traditional dance and setting off 10,000 firecrackers. The lucky number, 00, brought fortune to many, resulting in a joyous community event. Several villagers came together at Wat Huai Sup, located in Na Matuem subdistrict, Phanat Nikhom district,…
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Hack attack: Thai student caught in mule account mayhem
A female vocational student from Nakhon Si Thammarat sought media assistance after her mobile phone was hacked, leading to the unauthorised opening of a mule account in her name, resulting in two police summonses being sent to her home, raising concerns about her studies. Somnuk and Oranong Thongsuk reported to the media that their daughter, Natnaree Thongsuk, a student at…
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Jackpot: New Thai government lottery tickets now on sale, 20 baht
The new N3 three-digit lottery tickets are now on sale, offering a total prize pool of 2 million baht. Each ticket costs 20 baht, and the first draw is scheduled for November 1. The Government Lottery Office (GLO) announced the launch of N3 three-digit lottery tickets, available to the public today, October 17. The tickets, priced at 20 baht each,…
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Pump up: PTT station drops petrol prices by 0.50 baht per litre
PTT Station announced a reduction in retail petrol prices by 0.50 baht per litre for all types of gasoline and gasohol, effective today, October 17 after 5am. The new prices will come into effect starting today. The announcement from PTT Station outlines that the price for regular petrol will now be 43.64 baht per litre. Gasohol 95 will be available…
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Rain check: Chiang Mai braces for possible downpour deluge
Chiang Mai residents are on high alert due to heavy rainfall, raising fears of potential flooding. The Northern Meteorological Centre warned locals to be cautious of severe weather conditions, including flash floods and landslides. Heavy rain has been pouring on Chiang Mai since early morning, showing no signs of easing. The continuous thunderstorms and lightning have added to the residents’…
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Minor earthquake in Chiang Mai causes no damage
An earthquake of magnitude 1.1 struck Chiang Mai yesterday with its epicentre in the Pa Phai subdistrict, San Sai district. Occurring at a depth of 2 kilometres, the tremor caused no reported damage or awareness among the locals. The Earthquake Surveillance Division of the Meteorological Department reported the seismic activity at 11.07pm yesterday, October 16. Despite the occurrence, there were…
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Thai man wanted for raping two disabled girls for over 2 years
Police summoned a Thai man to answer a legal charge of sexually abusing two disabled sisters over two years while the victims worked as maids at his home in the central province of Singburi. The girls’ 31 year old mother, Dao, turned to Channel 7 for help after her two daughters were raped revealing the rapist’s lawyer threatened her not to take…
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Fowl play: Ratchaburi cops ruffle feathers in illegal cockfighting raid
Ratchaburi cops raided an illegal cockfighting ring hidden in a forested area, apprehending 25 gamblers and charging them with three serious offences. The operation followed complaints from locals about the activities near Moo 7 in Ang Thong subdistrict. Sutthiphong Phutthachantra, the district chief of Mueang Ratchaburi, received reports from locals about a makeshift cockfighting arena attracting numerous gamblers. Consequently, he…
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Record-breaking crowds cause traffic chaos at Khao Yai
Khao Yai National Park was the place to be during the recent long weekend, smashing visitor records and causing traffic nightmares at the gates. Over the three-day holiday from October 12 to 14, the park saw daily entrance fees soar past 1 million baht as hordes of tourists flooded in to enjoy the cooler weather and stunning scenery. Park chief…
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People’s Party MP denies speeding after Parliament car park collision
A People’s Party MP denied driving at high speed following a collision in the parliament car park building yesterday. The car accident, which occurred on the B2 floor of the car park, was reported by Thai media yesterday, October 16. The collision reportedly took place in a section of the parking lot reserved for MPs, involving a black sedan and a…
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Billion-baht investment boosts Pattaya’s Terminal 21 mall
The bustling beachside retreat of Pattaya is about to see its shopping scene taken to new heights. Land and Houses (LH), one of the country’s largest property developers, announced a massive 5.7 billion baht investment in its Terminal 21 Pattaya shopping mall, proving that the city’s economic potential is glowing as bright as its beaches. Terminal 21 Pattaya, which opened…
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BLACKPINK’s Lisa steals the show at Victoria’s Secret
BLACKPINK’s Lisa turned up the heat at the 2024 Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show in Paris, leaving the audience breathless with her electric rockstar energy. Riding high, literally, on a motorbike suspended in the air, the K-pop sensation opened the show with her hit single Rockstar, dazzling fans in a leather two-piece that screamed power and glamour. The Thai-born superstar didn’t…
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Bangkok bombshell: Chilling find at iCon Group office turns heads
Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) officers dashed to the scene this afternoon after a resident made a chilling discovery at the iCon Group office in Soi Ramintra 9, Bang Khen district, Bangkok. What first appeared to be a hazardous bomb left locals trembling in shock but turned out to be a well-crafted fake. The bomb packed ominously in a black briefcase,…
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High-end hotels check in higher rates amid rising tourist numbers
High-end hotel operators are poised to increase room rates during the High Season as tourist numbers are anticipated to rise in the coming months, while mid-tier and lower-tier hotels continue to face challenges. The hotel operator sentiment index reveals this trend. Thienprasit Chaiyapatranun, President of the Thai Hotels Association (THA), reported that the average occupancy rate in September was 55%,…
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Chadchart inspects footpath renovation in Bangkok Yai district
The capital’s streets are getting a makeover and Bangkok Governor Chadchart Sittipunt is leading the charge. The 58 year old city chief, accompanied by Deputy Governor Wisanu Subsompon, hit the streets on Tuesday, October 15 to inspect the ongoing footpath renovation project on Itsaraphap Road near the MRT Itsaraphap Station in Bangkok Yai district. This ambitious upgrade, launched in June,…
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Chiang Rai cops needle out 126kg heroin in Mae Sai drug bust
A significant drug bust occurred in Chiang Rai yesterday where police seized over 126 kilogrammes of heroin following a confrontation between a task force and a drug smuggling group near the Mae Sai border. Police Colonel Anuwat Panyanant, Commander of the Task Force Thap Chao Tak, Pha Mueang Force, announced the details of the operation during a press conference. The…
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Cash ‘n’ climb: Thailand GDP rises but 2026 could be a steep drop
Thailand’s GDP forecast has been upgraded for this year and next to 2.8% and 3%, respectively, due to the government’s cash handout boosting the economy. However, analysts warn of an economic cliff in 2026 if no new growth engines are introduced. Kiatnakin Phatra Research (KKP) and BofA Global Research have both raised their Thai GDP outlooks for 2024 from 2.6%…
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