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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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Filipino thief’s gem blunder: Nabbed on return to Bangkok airport
A Filipino man who stole a 250,000 baht necklace from a shop in a Bangkok shopping mall in March returned to Thailand today, leading to his arrest at Suvarnabhumi International Airport. The 49 year old Filipino thief, Rolly, committed the crime at an accessory store within a shopping mall in the Pathum Wan district of Bangkok on March 26. He…
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Palang Pracharath executives including key MPs jump ship
Caretaker Agriculture Minister Thamanat Prompow and five key executives of the Palang Pracharath Party resigned from their posts yesterday, sparking speculation about the party’s future. A well-placed source revealed that the six executives have already notified the Election Commission (EC), adding that their departure was imminent. Among those leaving with Thamanat were influential figures such as Samphan Mayusoh, Narathiwat MP;…
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Woman fined 10,000 baht for sweat stains on wedding dress
A woman from Shandong, China, faced a fine of 2,000 yuan (approximately 10,000 baht, US$300) from a wedding dress shop after trying on a gown and leaving sweat stains. The incident sparked a heated debate online, with netizens largely unsupportive of her stance. The woman, who is planning to get married next year, visited a renowned local bridal shop to…
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Thai PM urged to probe environment minister’s state land claims
The Seub Nakhasathien Foundation urged Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra to investigate the qualifications of Chalermchai Sri-on, the newly appointed minister of natural resources and environment, due to allegations surrounding his possession of 120 rai of state land. The foundation emphasised that officials responsible for natural resources must be free from any involvement in the holding of state land. Chalermchai, leader…
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£230k from Jersey bank returned to Thailand after corruption probe
More than £230,000 (about 10 million baht) seized from a Jersey bank account is being returned to Thailand following a high-profile investigation spearheaded by US police. The funds were linked to a major corruption scandal allegedly involving Gerald and Patricia Martha Green, who were found guilty of bribing former Thai Tourism Authority Governor Juthamas Siriwan and her daughter, Jittisopa. The…
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16 year old Thai girl dies of ketamine overdose during sex
A 16 year old girl died of a ketamine overdose while having sex with a 63 year old man in central Thailand. Mueang Samut Prakan Police Station officers were alerted to the death of the teenage girl, Thanyaluck, at around 9pm yesterday, September 4. Police went to the scene, a two-storey house in the Prae Kasa sub-district, Mueang district, Samut…
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Woman injured after 40-metre cliff fall while foraging in Kanchanaburi
A 50 year old woman sustained serious injuries after falling from a 40-metre cliff while foraging for bamboo shoots on a mountain in Kanchanaburi. Rescue teams took over 30 minutes to reach and airlift her to the hospital. At 2.30pm yesterday, September 4, rescue officials from the Phithak Kan Foundation received a report of a severe injury due to a…
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Koh Kaew residents still waiting for paved road and electricity
Residents of Koh Kaew have been stuck in limbo for years, living with an unpaved road and no electricity supply. However, after a tense meeting at Phuket Provincial Hall on Tuesday, there’s a glimmer of hope. The meeting, led by Phuket Vice Governor Adul Chuthong, was convened by the Phuket Provincial Ombudsman’s Office following complaints from the residents. A group…
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Elderly woman loses 600,000 baht in northern Thailand land scam
A gang of scammers defrauded an elderly woman of her entire life savings, amounting to 600,000 baht, by convincing her to invest in a fictitious land deal in northern Thailand. Despite filing a police report four months ago, there has been no progress in the case. Upon arriving at the victim’s home in Isaan district, Chaloem Phra Kiat, Buriram, the…
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Could Thailand become ASEAN’s first spaceport?
Thailand is setting its sights on the stars, with bold plans to become ASEAN’s first spaceport. Thanapant Raicharoen, a commissioner of the National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC), urges the country to seize the opportunity to become a key player in the rapidly growing space industry. Thanapant envisions Thailand playing a vital role not only in satellite development but also…
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Swede deal gone wrong: Man loses 300k baht to ‘married’ scammer
A Swedish man is seeking justice after losing over 300,000 baht to a Thai woman who promised to marry him. He later discovered she was already married, and her husband, a soldier, threatened to harm him. The 42 year old Swedish victim, Ahmet, reached out to non-profit organisation Saimai Survive after officers from Si Samrong Police Station in the northern…
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Son kills mother days after drug rehab return in Nakhon Pathom
A tragic incident in Nakhon Pathom resulted in the death of a mother at the hands of her son, who had just returned from a drug rehabilitation programme three days earlier. The 32 year old son was apprehended by police while riding a motorcycle to buy methamphetamine. Police Lieutenant Sata Porn Duangsi of the Nakhon Pathom City Police Station received…
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Tree falls on school van in Krabi, injures 14
A school van carrying students home in Krabi was struck by a falling tree during a severe storm, injuring 14 people, with the driver sustaining the worst injuries. Fortunately, none of the students lost their lives. Rescue officials from the Pracharuamjai Foundation in Khao Phanom district, Krabi province, received a report at 4.30pm yesterday, September 4, of an accident involving…
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‘Por the Slapper’ strikes store worker for fabricated assault
The owner of a convenience store in the Isaan province of Udon Thani is taking legal action against a mentally ill customer who slapped her employee in the face without reason. The store owner shared CCTV footage on her Facebook account on Monday, September 2, showing the incident, in which the customer, known locally as “Por the Slapper,” struck the…
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Man stabs ex-girlfriend in Trat, crashes motorcycle while fleeing
A man was apprehended in Trat province after stabbing his ex-girlfriend and attempting to flee on a motorcycle, only to crash 20 kilometres away. He claimed he intended to end his life to escape his wrongdoing. While receiving medical treatment, the injured woman confronted him. The incident occurred at 7.50pm yesterday, September 4, when a 41 year old man named…
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Thailand levels up: Set to be Southeast Asia’s e-sports epicentre
Thailand is poised to become a leading e-sports hub in Southeast Asia, according to Riot Games, a US-based game developer. Riot Games Thailand Manager Jon Lor emphasised the strong foundation already present in the Thai gaming community. “From my perspective, it’s about building on the strong foundation we already have. We’ve seen incredible enthusiasm from the Thai gaming community, and…
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Phuket outcry after drunk foreigner drives SUV into Bangla Road
Thai netizens condemned a foreigner who, while drunk, drove an SUV into a crowd of Thai and international visitors on Bangla Walking Street in Phuket. Some netizens have suggested that the driver might not actually be of foreign nationality. The Phuket Times shared pictures of an MG light blue SUV parked on a zebra crossing in the middle of Bangla…
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Thai content creator market valued at 45 billion baht in 2024
Tellscore Co Ltd, a Thai influencer marketing platform, has valued the local content creator market at 45 billion baht (US$1.3 billion) for this year, marking a 25 to 30% increase compared to last year. This growth is driven by surges in news, science, education, and family content. Suvita Charanwong, Chief Executive and co-founder of Tellscore, highlighted that despite Thailand’s sluggish…
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Conveniently caught: Bangkok cops nab woman in multi-store heist
Bangkok Metropolitan Police, along with Investigation Team 115, apprehended a woman involved in a series of thefts at convenience stores across five branches. She confessed to the crimes, citing unemployment and a history of imprisonment while currently under probation. Police Lieutenant General Thiti Saengsawang and other high-ranking officers yesterday, September 4, reported the arrest of 20 year old Montita. She…
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Thailand promotes quality products at Times Square
Thailand’s Ministry of Commerce launched a campaign to elevate the image of Thai products at Times Square. The Ignite Thailand Festival: Think Thailand, Next Level took place at 46-47 Broadway Plaza & Duffy Square yesterday, September 4, aiming to showcase the quality and innovation of Thai goods to over 20 million consumers in the United States. Wuttikrai Leeweeraphan, Permanent Secretary…
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Harassed ex-reporter seeks police protection in Nakhon Sawan
A former reporter sought police protection, alleging harassment by a politician’s wife after testifying in a murder case in Nakhon Sawan. She now lives in fear with her elderly mother, seeking justice and safety. The ex-journalist of a well-known newspaper, Benjasirin, approached Police Lieutenant Panupon Somrak at the Crime Suppression Division (CSD) to request an investigation into the harassment she…
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Single mother faces multiple theft accusations in Pathum Thani
A single mother of four has been accused of theft by the owner of her former rental apartment after her seven year old son inadvertently took a plastic bucket worth 45 baht while they were moving out. To attend the police summons, she had to sell her rice cooker for 300 baht. The CRSJ Foundation’s Facebook page received a complaint…
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Public health minister rejects 30-baht scheme co-payment review
Public Health Minister Somsak Thepsutin dismissed a proposal from health experts to revisit the co-payment system of the universal healthcare policy, known as the 30-baht gold card scheme. Somsak stated emphatically that he had no intention of reopening discussions about the co-payment plan. “The ministry is doing its best to take care of people’s health. No changes have been made.”…
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US Navy’s MV Ocean Valor visit to boost economy in Pattaya
The US Navy is set to make a significant visit to Pattaya with the MV Ocean Valor scheduled to dock at Pattaya Port from September 16 to 19. Chon Buri Provincial Officials received a notification from the Ministry of the Interior, based on an announcement from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, that the request for docking permission has been approved.…
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Court’s ruling: MoU-tain of evidence favours Thai-Cambodian deal
The Constitutional Court dismissed a petition challenging the legality of the 2001 Thai-Cambodian memorandum of understanding (MoU) on joint development in the Gulf of Thailand. The petition, submitted by Deputy Palang Pracharath Party leader Paiboon Nititawan, claimed that the MoU had not been approved by Parliament before its signing. Paiboon argued that the MoU, used by the Department of Treaties…
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Thailand’s oldest hippo Mae Mali to celebrate 59th birthday
Khao Kheow Open Zoo is preparing a special celebration for Mae Mali, Thailand’s oldest hippopotamus, as she turns 59 this weekend. Scheduled for September 7 to 8, the event will feature various activities dedicated to this cherished animal. Mae Mali has been a beloved figure at the zoo, drawing generations of children and visitors with her cheerful demeanour. Despite her…
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Cambodian connection: Police arrest man for brutal Lopburi murder
Police arrested a Cambodian man in connection with the murder of a Cambodian woman in a rented room in the central province of Lopburi. The suspect claimed that a conflict with her brother was the root cause. The lifeless body of the 30 year old Cambodian victim, Mab, was discovered in her unlocked rented room in the Phatthana Nikhom district…
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Bank of Thailand to appoint new chairman amid government push
The Bank of Thailand (BoT) board is set to appoint a new chairperson by early October, as announced by the head of the selection committee. This move comes as the government aims to exert more influence over the central bank following a prolonged public dispute over interest rates. Although the BoT chairperson does not have the authority to set interest…
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Defence minister announces new commanders in military reshuffle
A significant military reshuffle list is nearing completion, pending final adjustments from the new Defence Minister Phumtham Wechayachai and his Deputy General Natthapol Nakpanich. The proposed list, which includes appointments for new leaders of the armed forces and other high-ranking positions, was discussed at a meeting on Tuesday. This meeting saw the participation of six top commanders and officials from…
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Truck driver attempts suicide after rampage kills taxi rider (video)
A six-wheel truck driver went on a rampage along Rama IV Road in Bangkok, crashing into several cars and killing a motorcycle taxi driver before attempting suicide. Motorists reported the chaos on Rama IV Road to Tha Rue Police Station at around 2pm, yesterday, September 4. The white Isuzu six-wheel truck was speeding from Maleenont Tower to Phra Khanong Intersection…
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