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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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Is private health insurance in Thailand worth it? Real costs vs risks explained
Thailand has a strong healthcare system with both public and private options. Public hospitals offer affordable care, but many people, including expats, choose private health insurance for faster service, modern facilities, and more treatment choices. To decide if private health...
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Thousands protest in Bangkok, demand PM Shinawatra’s resignation
Protesters numbering in the thousands convened at Victory Monument in Bangkok yesterday, June 28, calling for Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra’s resignation following a leaked phone conversation involving her and former Cambodian leader Hun Sen. This event marked the largest anti-government protest since the Pheu Thai Party assumed power in 2023. The demonstration was spearheaded by the Ruam Palang Paendin Pokpong…
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Wild tiger spotted observing researchers in Thai wildlife sanctuary (video)
In the Huai Kha Khaeng Wildlife Sanctuary, a team of researchers from the Department of National Parks had an unusual encounter with a wild tiger that observed them quietly during their field mission. The sanctuary spans across Uthai Thani and Tak provinces. On June 28, the researchers were engaged in a tiger tracking and data collection mission when a tiger…
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Illegal e-cigarette factory raided in Pathum Thani, 29 arrested
In Pathum Thani’s Khu Khot district, police conducted a raid on an illegal e-cigarette manufacturing facility early yesterday morning. The operation led to the seizure of over 21,000 e-cigarette devices and the arrest of 29 people, including foreign nationals. With a court warrant, officers entered a three-storey commercial building on Phahon Yothin Soi 80 in Lam Luk Ka district, which…
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Heavy rain and thunderstorms forecast across Thailand on June 29
Weather forecasts for June 29 predict heavy rain across 40 provinces in Thailand, including Bangkok, with rainfall expected to cover 60% of the area. Residents are advised to be cautious of accumulated rainfall, and moderate sea waves are anticipated. The Thai Meteorological Department (TMD)’s 24-hour weather forecast indicates thunderstorms and isolated heavy rain in the northern and upper northeastern regions.…
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Protest showdown: Bangkok governor inspects Victory Monument
Bangkok braces itself for a day of tension and traffic chaos as Governor Chadchart Sittipunt swept into Victory Monument to personally oversee preparations for a massive political rally. This morning, Governor Chadchart, accompanied by Sobchoke Na Srito, Chief of Ratchathewi district, and a team of Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) officials, toured the landmark to inspect safety arrangements and ensure everything…
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Power play: Pattaya races to finish underground cable overhaul
Pattaya’s ambitious plan to drag its tangled web of overhead wires underground is charging ahead—though not without a few bumps in the road. Deputy Mayor Manot Nongyai chaired the sixth progress meeting of the Big City Electrical System Development Project – Phase 1 (Pattaya), where officials shared the latest updates on the enormous infrastructure upgrade transforming the resort city’s power…
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Cambodia accused of mislabelling rice as Thai jasmine in China
Cambodia has been accused of falsely labelling its rice as Thai jasmine rice and selling it in China, prompting the Thai Ministry of Commerce to act swiftly. Yesterday, June 27, Sunanta Kangvalkulkij, director-general of the Department of International Trade Promotion, revealed that reports from Thai nationals in China indicated Cambodian rice was being sold in Chinese supermarkets with packaging displaying…
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Thailand plans AI legislation to boost adoption and governance
Thailand is drafting legislation to establish an artificial intelligence (AI) ecosystem and broaden AI adoption. The Electronic Transactions Development Agency (ETDA) concluded an online public hearing on the draft, intending to present it to the Cabinet by the end of July. The development of Thailand’s AI regulatory framework has been grounded in soft laws and guidelines. Sak Segkhoonthod, senior advisor…
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Vape bust shock: Pattaya police nab man with 40 illegal e-cigs
A Pattaya man’s side hustle went up in smoke after police swooped in and seized a stash of illegal vapes in a sting that sent a clear warning to would-be e-cigarette dealers. Pattaya City Police, led by Police Colonel Anek Sarathongyoo, Superintendent of Pattaya City Police Station, launched a targeted crackdown aimed at shutting down the black market sale of…
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Giant king cobra invades Trang home, sparks lottery frenzy (video)
A giant king cobra caused panic in Trang province when it entered a home in search of prey, attacking a sizable cobra. Residents were alarmed by the incident and took note of the house number for lottery luck. Yesterday, June 27, Khajornkiat Kongkaew, known as “Nong Mew Bongla Trang” from the Bung Ya Bongla King network, was called to assist…
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Patong Beach bomb scare: Hidden explosives uncovered in sand
Holidaymakers were left rattled as police scoured Phuket’s beaches to unearth a series of hidden explosive devices planted by suspects intent on chaos. Police confirmed yesterday evening, June 27, that the last two devices connected to the suspects’ shocking confession have been safely recovered and neutralised. The first discovery was made at Patong Beach around 3.45pm, just 50 metres from…
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Rush hour inferno: Car fire sparks Vibhavadi traffic chaos (video)
Commuters endured a nightmare journey last night after a car burst into flames on one of Bangkok’s busiest roads, turning rush hour into a gridlocked inferno. At 8.44pm yesteryday, June 27, the Phra Ram Radio Centre received frantic reports that a vehicle was ablaze near Vibhavadi Rangsit Soi 22 in the Chom Phon subdistrict of Chatuchak district. Within minutes, fire…
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Russian drug kingpin hunted down in Phuket paradise bust
A Russian fugitive who thought he could hide in Phuket’s tropical playground has been dragged back into the spotlight after Thai police swooped in to end his run from justice. Phuket Immigration officers arrested 46 year old Igor, a Russian national, after uncovering he was wanted on an international Red Notice for drug trafficking and membership of a serious criminal…
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Thai PM promotes peace amid Hun Sen’s provocative claims
Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra has responded with a forgiving message following provocative remarks made by Cambodian Senate President Hun Sen during a recent livestream, amid escalating tensions between Thailand and Cambodia. Neither the 38 year old Thai PM nor her father, former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, have issued a formal response to Hun Sen’s comments. Instead, Paetongtarn shared a reflective…
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Thailand cannabis crackdown: New prescription rules spark outcry
Thailand’s cannabis free-for-all is coming to an abrupt end, with health chiefs vowing to tighten the rules on who can grow, sell, and smoke the controversial herb. Dr Tewan Thanirat, Deputy Director-General of the Department of Thai Traditional and Alternative Medicine (DTAM), announced that stricter controls are on the way. Under the proposed regulations, anyone selling cannabis flower buds will…
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Weekend sees more heavy rain across Thailand in seasonal deluge
Thailand’s Meteorological Department (TMD) has issued a warning for 57 provinces to prepare for heavy rainfall over the weekend. The northeastern and northern regions, as well as Bangkok and surrounding areas, are expected to experience significant rainfall, covering 60-80% of these areas. In Bangkok and its vicinity, thunderstorms are anticipated across 60% of the area with some places experiencing heavy…
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Injured Thai man lies to protect drunk girlfriend after car crash
A Thai man took the blame for a car crash in the central province of Chachoengsao to protect his drunk girlfriend, asking her to leave him at the scene despite suffering a head injury himself. Officers from Bang Pakong Police Station were alerted to the incident at around 3am today, June 27, after a sedan crashed into an electricity pole…
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People’s Alliance rallies to protect Koh Kut, oust Thai PM
The People’s Alliance for Democracy has kicked off a movement to protect Thailand’s sovereignty over Koh Kut, rallying against neighbouring Cambodia’s claims on the island. The movement, led by Kanyut Boonloy, a former civil servant and local leader, gathered around 200 people in Trat yesterday, June 26. Residents, civil servants, former civil servants, students, and merchants donned yellow shirts, waving…
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Flash floods devastate Chiang Rai: Homes and farmland destroyed
Chiang Rai province is reeling from catastrophic flooding after continuous heavy rainfall last night and this morning. Flash floods and mountain runoff have wreaked havoc across several districts, with Phaya Mengrai and Wiang Chai hit the hardest. The torrential downpours caused rivers of rainwater to cascade rapidly from the mountains, flooding low-lying areas and causing water levels to surge unexpectedly.…
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Thai abbot accuses bank of embezzling over 1.3 billion baht
A Thai abbot in the Isaan province of Ubon Ratchathani is taking legal action against a bank for allegedly embezzling over 1.3 billion baht from a non-profit organisation under his care. Phra Panya Wachiramolee, the abbot of Wat Pa Si Saeng Tham in Khong Chiam district, Ubon Ratchathani, shared on social media that over 1.3 billion baht had disappeared from…
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Aussie man searches for long-lost Thai mother, makes public plea
A 38 year old Australian man is making an emotional plea for help as he embarks on a mission that has consumed his entire life—finding his Thai mother. Jeffrey, who was separated from his mother when he was just a child, has spent decades searching for answers, clinging to the hope of a reunion. Born in Phuket, Jeffrey lived with…
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PAO official escapes rape attempt by colleague at Pathum Thani love hotel
A female official from a Provincial Administrative Organisation (PAO) narrowly escaped a rape attempt by a colleague at a love hotel in the central province of Pathum Thani on June 19. The victim complained to Kukot Police Station, accusing a member of the Khlong Luang PAO, Noppanan “Tee” Noocharoen, of attempted rape. The victim is reportedly a PAO official from a…
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Black beauty: Rare leopard spotted at Phetchaburi national park
Another rare black leopard has been spotted in Kaeng Krachan National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site in Thailand. The sighting, which took place on Wednesday, June 25 at 5.20pm, sparked excitement among nature enthusiasts and wildlife experts. This breathtaking encounter was captured at the 18-kilometre mark of the park, a popular spot for butterfly-watching, highlighting the park’s rich biodiversity. Park Chief Mongkol Chaiphakdi…
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Thai man punched by stranger on Chiang Mai road
A Thai man is seeking justice after being punched by a stranger on a road in Chiang Mai province without any prior altercation, in the early hours of Wednesday, June 25. The victim, 30 year old James, posted CCTV footage of the assault on his Facebook page, appealing to the online community to help identify the attacker. He uploaded the…
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Thailand’s 36% US tariff at risk: Will minister secure a deal?
Thailand is on the edge of a crucial trade deadline with the US, and the stakes couldn’t be higher. Finance Minister Pichai Chunhavajira announced today that he will be heading to the US next week for urgent trade negotiations. With Thailand facing a 36% tariff on its exports unless a deal is struck, time is running out for the kingdom to…
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Pattaya sports complex plagued by delays and corruption concerns
A staggering 774 million baht sports complex in Pattaya, Chon Buri, designed to serve as a national hub for sports events, has been left in a state of neglect and disrepair since its construction began in 2008. Yesterday, June 26, Thailand’s National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC), led by Secretary-General Saroj Phueng-ramphan, conducted an on-site inspection of the Eastern Region National Sports…
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Gunmen at large after fatal shooting of Thai businessman in Kanchanaburi
Two suspects remain at large following the fatal shooting of a Thai businessman in the car park of a construction materials store in the central province of Kanchanaburi. The 51 year old victim, Sittikorn, also known as Sia Piak, was gunned down outside the store in the Pak Phraek sub-district of Mueang district on Wednesday, June 25. Sittikorn and his…
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Hun Sen warns Thaksin: Betrayal, treason, and exposing the truth
In a display of frustration and betrayal, Cambodia’s Senate President Hun Sen has lashed out at his former “godbrother” and ex-Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, accusing him of betrayal and warning that he will expose the “treasonous” actions of Thaksin’s family, including their alleged disrespect towards the Thai monarchy. But Hun Sen has made it clear he’s not acting alone…
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Thai student attacked in New York, transport staff criticised
A 26 year old Thai student and aspiring model was attacked and robbed in New York, prompting concerns about the lack of assistance from Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) staff. She was forced to flag down a vehicle to seek help from police. A Facebook user shared details of the incident today, June 27, highlighting a warning for Thai nationals to…
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Fugitive Irishman caught in Thailand after 415-day visa overstay
Immigration officers in Krabi apprehended an Irish national who overstayed his visa by 415 days. Yesterday, June 26, Police Lieutenant General Panumas Boonyalak, along with senior immigration officials, coordinated with the Irish police to locate the suspect, who has a history of criminal activities in Ireland. The Irishman is reportedly involved in numerous crimes, including 12 offences related to drug…
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