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5 hidden healthcare costs in Thailand and how to avoid them
Thailand's healthcare system is affordable and supported by the Universal Health Coverage (UHC) scheme, offering essential services to most citizens. However, hidden healthcare costs can surprise patients and lead to unexpected expenses. These include specialist fees, insurance gaps, emergency services,...
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Songthaew driver seriously injured after brawl in Pattaya
In a violent altercation that unfolded on a busy Pattaya street, two Songthaew drivers went head-to-head in a brutal brawl over a group of Chinese tourists. The explosive confrontation left one driver hospitalised and the other facing serious legal consequences. Late in the evening on February 4, just steps away from Grand Honey 3 on South Pattaya Road, chaos erupted…
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Australian governor-general to visit Thailand, strengthening ties
The longstanding ties between Thailand and Australia are set to be celebrated as Governor-General of Australia David John Hurley prepares for a visit to Thailand from February 13 to 17. The visit, as reported by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, promises to be a significant event in the annals of both nations. The itinerary of the visit includes a royal…
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Lunar New Year rituals at Bangkok’s dragon lotus temple draw Thai-Chinese community
Today marks the onset of the Lunar New Year, also known as the Year of the Dragon, a significant occasion for Thais with Chinese roots. The shared belief of expelling impending misfortune, termed as fixing a cursed year or Pi Chong in Thai, strengthens the cultural ties between the two communities. A customary practice during the Lunar New Year involves…
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Pita’s shocking family secrets exposed in IG post controversy
Former Move Forward Party leader Pita Limjaroenrat came forward to address the controversies surrounding his alleged Cambodian ancestry. In a recent Instagram post that captivated his 2.7 million followers, Pita shed light on his maternal grandmother, Anusri, and the intriguing connections within his family tree. Setting the record straight, Pita affirmed his grandmother’s birthplace as Bangkok, vehemently dismissing any claims…
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PM Srettha heralds visa-free travel between Thailand and China (video)
In a heartening message marking the Lunar New Year, Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin expressed his optimism about the newly lifted visa requirements between Thailand and China, anticipating a significant boost in bilateral relations and travel. During his well-wishing messages on Lunar New Year, PM Srettha conveyed his hopes that the lifting of visa requirements would foster increased interaction between Thailand…
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Interior minister condemns student activist’s act of defiance towards Thai royal convoy
Deputy Interior Minister Chada Thaiseth strongly condemned the actions of student activist Tantawan Tuatulanon and her friend for their behaviour towards a royal motorcade in Bangkok. Chada expressed his disapproval, stating that the motorcade was not causing any traffic obstruction and that the pair could have chosen alternative lanes. The deputy interior minister emphasised that honking at the royal convoy…
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Alleged drunk police officer threatens with gun after pickup truck accident on Pattaya Road
In the early hours of this morning, a car accident in Pattaya took a disturbing twist as the driver of a pickup truck, reportedly claiming to be a police officer, threatened others with a firearm while allegedly under the influence of alcohol. A collision involving a Honda Sumer motorcycle and a black Toyota Revo pickup truck unfolded at the intersection…
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Crackdown on underage prostitution, teen Thai pimp arrested
Children and Women Protection Sub-Division and Chana Songkram Police Station officers swooped on an underage prostitution racket and arrested a 19 year old pimp as she accompanied two underage sex workers to a hotel in Bangkok. The teenage pimp, Rapheporn, was arrested on Wednesday, February 7, at the hotel on Prachathipatai Road in the Phra Nakhon district of Bangkok, and…
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Minivan collides with parked truck on Highway 36 in Chon Buri
A tragedy was narrowly averted when a minivan carrying 19 passengers collided with a parked timber truck on Highway 36 in Chon Buri. The unfortunate incident, which occurred on Wednesday, February 7, resulted in injuries to two passengers, while the remaining 17 escaped unscathed. The Sawang Boriboon Thammasathan rescue unit was called to the scene of the accident at 7.16pm.…
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Unsuspecting Singapore chef uncovers Thailand-based vice ring
A Singapore chef found himself entangled in a web of illegal vice activities linked to a Thailand-based syndicate. The Singaporean man’s involvement in the illicit operation not only led to his arrest but also shed light on the sophisticated and lucrative nature of the syndicate’s operations in Singapore. After befriending a woman he met at a karaoke lounge in Golden…
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Thailand News Today | Sedan falls into pit in Bangkok, Hazardous levels of ultrafine dust
The Thai Chamber of Commerce (TCC) has urged the Bank of Thailand to consider reducing interest rates at its next meeting, despite the economy showing signs of recovery. The TCC, led by chairman Sanan Angubolkul, highlighted the economy’s vulnerability to challenges such as geopolitical issues, the impact of the Israel-Hamas conflict on shipping and energy prices, and the pressure on…
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Thai soldier rapes his stepdaughter, mother forgives rapist
A Thai soldier raped his 14 year old stepdaughter and got her pregnant. The victim’s mother and grandmother insist that the charges be dropped because they are family, and the rapist is the household’s breadwinner. A Thai teacher at a school in the Isaan province of Udon Thani filed a complaint at Mueang Ubon Thani Police Station on February 6…
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Thailand gears up for World Songkran Festival
Preparations are underway for the World Songkran Festival, with a meeting set to take place next week, as per a statement given by Thapanee Kiatphaibool, the governor of the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), on February 8. The meeting, a collaborative effort between the Ministry of Culture, the Ministry of Interior, the private sector, and other relevant agencies, will focus…
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Thai Airways takes flight with new Boeing 787 jets
Thai Airways soared to new heights with a firm order for 45 Boeing 787 jets, potentially boosting the deal to around 80 aircraft, in response to the escalating demand for international travel, according to industry sources. The deal, set to be formally unveiled later this month, has already been reflected in Boeing’s published order backlog as a contract for 45…
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Trip.com foresees significant rise in Thailand tourism expenditure
On February 8, Bangkok bore witness to a revelation from Trip.com Group, a leading global travel service provider. The data released by the company predicts a notable increase in total trip expenditure for inbound bookings in Thailand. A substantial uptick of 44.3% has been projected for this year’s Chinese New Year (CNY) festive period compared to the CNY period in…
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Peruvian seeks Thai justice as yakuza thugs get ‘light’ punishment
A Peruvian man is seeking justice from the Thai authorities after five Japanese yakuza thugs received light sentences for assaulting him at a restaurant in Bangkok. The victim suffered severe injuries and spent more than 400,000 baht on treatment. The 35 year old Peruvian man, Tetsuo Kobashikawa, contacted non-profit organisation Saimai Survive for help seeking justice. The organisation accompanied him to…
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Chinese man flies home in personal aircraft for Lunar New Year
The Chinese online community has been captivated by an image of a father and his young daughter taking a unique approach to returning home for the Chinese New Year: flying in a personal aircraft. The Lunar New Year, a time when millions undertake the arduous journey home, often leads to congested roads and transportation systems. To avoid this annual ordeal,…
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Thailand braces for severe weather as storms hit 17 provinces
A powerful weather front is currently affecting Thailand, with the Meteorological Department of Thailand (TMD) issuing a severe weather warning for 17 provinces. Eastern regions are expected to bear the brunt of the storm, with 30% of the area predicted to experience heavy thunderstorms, strong gusts of wind, and possible hail. The warning comes as a new high-pressure system from…
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13 year old Thai boy gives gift of life through organ donation
Doctors from Hua Hin Hospital and the Thai Red Cross Society paid tribute to a 13 year old boy who tragically passed away from a brain aneurysm, for his exceptional act of donating organs that will potentially save multiple lives. Patcharaphon Srilert’s family decided to honour his memory by donating his liver, kidneys, and heart valves to aid several patients…
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British man arrested for counterfeit euro scam in Phuket
Police in Phuket apprehended a British man for his involvement in a counterfeit euro exchange scam across various locations in the province. The alleged suspect, 33 year old British national Tobias Drew was reportedly found in possession of a large sum of counterfeit currency and has been charged under Thai law. A 50 year old Thai woman, Janjira Laowlang was…
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Royal Thai Navy busts illegal oil smuggling ring in South Thailand
The Second Naval Area Command of the Royal Thai Navy (RTN) received a report about a boat allegedly involved in illicit oil smuggling to fishing vessels near Songkhla yesterday, February 8. In response, the RTN launched an investigation which uncovered a vessel specifically adapted for clandestine oil transportation, carrying an astonishing 10,000 litres of illicit oil intended for local fishermen…
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Thai PM proposes campus switch to diffuse student conflict at Rajamangala University
Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin yesterday suggested that the relocation of Rajamangala University of Technology’s Uthenthawai Campus (Uthen) from its current location in Bangkok’s Pathumwan district could be the key to resolving its longstanding rivalry with Pathumwan Institute of Technology students. The 61 year old Thai prime minister emphasised that a change of location and a shift in student mindset are…
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Thai industrial authority partners with Japanese firms for green utility project
The Industrial Estate Authority of Thailand (IEAT) is collaborating with Japanese firms, IHI Corporation and IHI Asia Pacific (Thailand) Co, on a green utility project at the Smart Park Industrial Estate in Rayong. The initiative, aimed at encouraging eco-considerate manufacturing, will involve a feasibility study on the development of renewable energy and green infrastructure. The study marks the first phase…
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Canadian man claims fear of criminal gang forced him to open plane door
The Canadian passenger, who attempted to open the door of a Thai Airways plane on February 7, claimed that he had to escape the aircraft because a criminal gang from Vietnam was after him. The foreign man was clean from drugs, and there was no mention of mental health issues. The 40 year old Canadian man, Wong Sai Heung, was…
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Supreme court weighs in on vote buying case against PPRP candidate
The Supreme Court is currently reviewing a vote buying case brought forth by the Election Commission (EC) against a candidate from the Palang Pracharath Party (PPRP) from Nakhon Sawan. The candidate, Pornwisit Jaemsai, is accused of vote-buying, an illegal practice that infringes the Organic Act on the Election of Members of the House of Representatives (2018). This announcement was made…
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Methamphetamine seizures double in Thailand amid increased smuggling
The second half of last year saw a significant spike in methamphetamine seizures in Thailand, with over 250 million pills intercepted, which is twice the quantity seized during the same period the prior year. This rise in the illegal drug trade is reportedly due to increased smuggling activities across the borders from neighbouring nations, as explained by Prime Minister Srettha…
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Teenage gang’s reign of terror over East Pattaya neighbourhood
A gang of teenagers wreaked havoc in a quiet neighbourhood on Soi Huay Yai 15 in East Pattaya with their disruptive antics lasting three consecutive nights. The gang, captured on CCTV cameras, was seen riding more than 10 motorcycles and unleashing a barrage of disruptive activities, including hurling firecrackers and explosive bottles, creating deafening disturbances that reverberated throughout the area.…
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Thai taxi driver threatens Japanese man for refusing his service
A Thai taxi driver faces four charges for threatening a Japanese man with a knife after the foreigner refused to use his service because he would not use his meter and demanded 150 baht for a destination only 1 kilometre away. On February 5, the Japanese victim took to his Twitter account, @ginn_taro, to share his experience with a Thai…
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Honouring His Majesty’s 72nd birthday: Lord Buddha’s relics
The Department of Religious Affairs declared that rare relics of the Lord Buddha and his chief disciples Sariputra and Moggallana will be transported from India to be showcased at Sanam Luang, allowing the public to offer their respects from 9am to 8pm, starting from February 22 until March 19. Following this period, the relics will embark on a journey to…
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Van plunges into ravine on Chiang Mai-Pai route
A passenger van on the Chiang Mai-Pai route lost control of his vehicle and veered off the road, plummeting approximately 15 metres into a ravine yesterday evening. The vehicle was extensively damaged and all 14 passengers on board were injured. Emergency services, including local police, hospital medical teams, and military units, were dispatched to the scene to provide assistance and…
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