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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 Why health insurance costs more each year and how expats in Thailand can save more money
Each year, many expats living in Thailand see their health insurance premiums go up and often without a clear reason. This can be frustrating, especially when you're trying to plan your budget. But by understanding why prices rise and learning...
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Thammasat medical centre offers premium care at affordable prices
Thammasat Advanced Medical Centre (THAMC) in Pathum Thani province opened its doors to premium-quality yet affordable medical services. Located in a 53,965 square metre, 10-storey building in Khlong Luang district, the centre aims to provide a patient-centric approach with a team of experienced specialists and staff. The soft opening of THAMC took place last week, coinciding with the 90th anniversary…
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RTP drug bust bonanza: Meth and millions seized!
Royal Thai Police (RTP) announced a significant increase in drug seizures over the past nine months, capturing nearly 800 million methamphetamine pills and seizing assets worth 9.3 billion baht. This marks a 120.63% rise from the previous year. Deputy Police Chief Samran Nualma, Narcotics Suppression Bureau (NSB) Chief Kirisak Tantinwachai, and other senior officials, shared details during a press briefing…
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South Korean woman wanted on Interpol notice hides in Thailand
Immigration Bureau officers are searching for a South Korean woman hiding in Thailand following an Interpol blue notice for her alleged involvement in a drug case. The woman is reportedly the ex-fiancée of a former member of the K-pop boy band TVXQ. The South Korean woman, 31 year old Hwang Hana, is a well-known socialite in her home country as…
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Ex-army general open to Senate Speaker role amid security focus
General Kriangkrai Srirak, who received the highest votes in the public administration and security professional group in last week’s Senate election, responded positively to speculation that he might become the Senate Speaker. Kriangkrai expressed yesterday that if the majority of the Senate members trusted him with the position of Senate Speaker, he would not hesitate to accept the role. However,…
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Foreign Affairs Minister Maris to visit China for pivotal talks
Foreign Affairs Minister Maris Sangiampongsa is set to visit China next week at the invitation of Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi. The visit, scheduled from Monday, July 8 to Wednesday, July 10, will see Maris and Wang co-chair the second Thailand-China Foreign Affairs Ministerial Meeting, aiming to strengthen cooperation and support between the two nations. Nikorndej Balankura, a spokesperson for…
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Heavy rain and flash floods in 55 provinces of Thailand
The Thailand Meteorological Department (TMD) issued a severe weather warning, predicting heavy rain and potential flash floods across 55 provinces, including Bangkok, where 80% of the area is expected to experience significant rainfall. Thailand is bracing for continuous monsoon activity, as a monsoon trough stretches across the northern and upper northeastern regions, merging with a low-pressure area over Laos and…
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Mid-air mayhem: Turbulence terror hits global flights
Singapore Airlines Flight SQ321 faced severe turbulence over Thai airspace, forcing an emergency landing in Bangkok. This incident, which occurred in late May, reignited concerns over the escalating problem of in-flight turbulence, especially following several other alarming episodes. Recent months have seen a spate of turbulence-related injuries on major airlines. Flights operated by Singapore Airlines Ltd., Qatar Airways, and Air…
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Pattaya plunged! Streets submerged after heavy rain havoc
Heavy rainfall early today in Pattaya City led to severe flooding, submerging streets and stranding numerous vehicles. The sudden downpour created chaos in various key locations, significantly impacting daily life. Many cars and motorcycles were unexpectedly caught as water levels rose swiftly, particularly affecting sedans parked along roadsides. Notable areas such as Third Road, the Mum Aroi Restaurant intersection in…
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Top cop controversy: PM Srettha denies misconduct
Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin vehemently denied allegations of misconduct in the appointment of Police General Torsak Sukvimol as national police chief. The Thai premier stood firm against accusations that he had breached the Royal Thai Police (RTP) Act when appointing Torsak Sukvimol last year. The complaint was brought against him by Pol. Gen. Surachate Hakparn aka Big Joke, Torsak’s former…
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Road rage: Bangkok taxi driver drags motorcyclist for a kilometre
A minor altercation between two road users culminated in a road rage incident, where a taxi driver collided with a motorcyclist, running him over multiple times and dragging his bike along the road for over a kilometre before crashing into a utility pole. The event transpired at 7.40am this morning, July 4, on Chaeng Watthana Road, beneath Rama IV Bridge,…
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Taking off: Really Cool Airlines CEO ready to revolutionise air travel
After 14 years as the mastermind behind Nok Air, Really Cool Airlines CEO Patee Sarasin is back with a daring new venture promising to shake up the airline industry. At 62, Patee believes that the winds of change are about to sweep through the world of air travel. Having witnessed the tumultuous impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on the aviation…
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Phuket officials inspect Chamcha Market for hygiene
Officials conducted a thorough inspection of Chamcha Market in Phuket Town yesterday, July 3, to ensure vendors adhere to food hygiene guidelines and display accurate prices. The inspection, led by Phuket Provincial Commercial Office Chief Woranit Apirat Jirawong, was a collaborative effort with the Sanitation and Environmental Health Department of Phuket City Municipality. Chamcha Market, also known as Lor Rong…
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Love bug: Rare blue beetle blooms in Phayao village
A rare blue love flower beetle was discovered in Mae Sai Village, Phayao province, feeding on the leaves of a climbing plant. This small, shiny insect with distinctive features is increasingly hard to find. Phan Yudee from Mae Sai Village, Phayao Province, recently encountered a blue love flower beetle, a rare insect, feeding on the leaves of a climbing plant.…
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Singapore’s food for thought: Official keen on Thai collaboration
In a significant step towards ensuring food security, a high-ranking Singapore official expressed a keen interest in collaboration with Thailand. This landmark meeting promises to reshape the agricultural landscape for both nations. Permanent Secretary of Singapore’s Ministry of Sustainability and Environment Stanley Loh held talks with Prayoon Insakul, Permanent Secretary of Thailand’s Agriculture Ministry, on Tuesday, July 2. The meeting…
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Thailand to see heavy rain and thunderstorms until July 9
The Thai Meteorological Department (TMD) issued a weather forecast for increased rainfall across Thailand from today, July 4 to Sunday, July 7. Heavy rain is expected in Bangkok and surrounding areas, as well as in the northern, northeastern, eastern, and southern regions. Thailand is set to experience a significant increase in rainfall with heavy showers in certain areas. The northern,…
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Temple tantrum: Anarchist tag lands man behind bars for 8 months
A man who spray-painted an anarchist symbol and the number 112, referencing the lese-majeste law, on the wall of the Temple of the Emerald Buddha, part of the Grand Palace last year has been sentenced to eight months in jail without suspension. The accused, 26 year old Suttawee Soikham, is appealing the Criminal Court’s ruling and has posted bail. The…
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Bike bandits busted: Samut Prakan theft spree ends in arrests
Officers from Bang Kaew Police Station apprehended three suspects involved in a motorcycle theft spree in Samut Prakan province. The suspects were caught with stolen items and are now facing legal proceedings. Today, July 4, officers in Samut Prakan arrested 20 year old Teerapon, 19 year old Attaporn, and 18 year old Ekkarin for their involvement in nighttime theft using…
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Songkhla police arrest illegal workers in Koh Pha Ngan crackdown
Police in Songkhla launched an operation targeting illegal foreign workers, arresting six Myanmar nationals and one Thai employer for working outside their permitted rights in Koh Pha Ngan. This action follows complaints from local leaders and residents. The operation was ordered by Sak Sira, the Commissioner of Tourist Police, and executed by Winich Boonchit, a senior officer in the Tourist…
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Foreign teacher allegedly sexual assaults at least 5 Thai schoolgirls
A Thai woman accused the management and teachers of a school in the northern province of Phitsanulok of ignorance after several schoolgirls, including her niece, were sexually assaulted by a foreign teacher. The victim’s 30 year old aunt, Kai, decided to share details of the sexual assault with Channel 3 today, July 4, after the school dismissed the issue. Kai…
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True Corporation’s emergency alert system unveiled
Thailand’s True Corporation (True) conducted a successful live test of its new emergency alert system, the Cell Broadcast Service (CBS), marking a major step forward in national security. True CEO Manat Manavutiveth declared that the system, developed in collaboration with key government agencies, signifies True’s commitment to building robust infrastructure for emergency communication. This innovative system has been crafted with…
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US government tempts RTA with fleet of F-16 fighter jets
The US government has made a tantalising offer to the Royal Thai Air Force (RTA) – a loan to purchase an entire fleet of F-16 fighter jets. Defence Minister Sutin Klungsang revealed this intriguing development, shedding light on the high-stakes negotiations. In a meeting at the Defence Ministry, US Ambassador Robert Frank Godec presented the enticing proposition. Godec conveyed that…
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Thailand and Malaysia aim for 1 trillion baht trade by 2027
Thailand and Malaysia have set an ambitious goal to boost bilateral trade to 1 trillion baht by 2027, with a focus on enhancing border economic connections through the Twin Cities initiative. Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Commerce Phumtham Wechayachai outlined the plans following the third Thailand-Malaysia Joint Trade Committee (JTC) meeting in Kuala Lumpur. Phumtham highlighted the strong relationship…
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Nakhon Ratchasima braces for flooding in five districts
Officials in Nakhon Ratchasima are on high alert for potential flooding in five districts, with the Department of Rural Roads holding a meeting to prepare for the rainy season and ensure the safety of road users. Director of the Nakhon Ratchasima Rural Roads Department Phaivarn Kheaw-on convened a meeting with staff to prepare personnel, tools, and machinery. The meeting focused…
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Thai family seeks help after meningitis scare in South Korea
A Thai woman‘s family appealed to the public for financial support after she suffered meningitis while attending a company seminar in South Korea. The woman’s brother, Nakarin Rungthongkumkul, took to social media to share that his sister, Purima “Kim” Rungthongkumkul, was hospitalised at Inje University Haeundae Paik Hospital in Busan City, South Korea, due to meningitis. According to Nakarin, Kim…
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Three year old Thai girl rescued from busy road
A three year old girl sprinted into a busy road but was saved in the nick of time by a quick-thinking bystander. The child’s mother, in tears, revealed that she had left her daughter asleep to quickly buy some items, unaware that the child would wake up and follow her. A Facebook user shared CCTV footage showing the three year…
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Elderly woman in Samut Prakan assaulted by daughter-in-law
An elderly woman was allegedly assaulted by her daughter-in-law, resulting in severe facial injuries that required 10 stitches. The incident was reported yesterday, July 3, and the police, along with the social service and health officials, intervened to assist at the 73 year old woman’s residence in Bang Sao Thong, Samut Prakan. Upon arrival, police discovered the elderly woman, Udom,…
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Thai man arrested for opening mule accounts in call centre scam
Police apprehended a man for allegedly opening mule accounts for a call centre gang that tricked victims into downloading a fraudulent app, which promised land tax refunds, resulting in losses exceeding 2 million baht. Yesterday, July 3, the suspect, 29 year old Natthaphon was apprehended following an arrest warrant issued by the Nonthaburi Provincial Court dated November 28, 2023. The…
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Elderly man in Lampang loses winning lottery ticket
A 74 year old man in Lampang found himself at the centre of a lottery ticket dispute after discovering his winning ticket was missing. Later, the ticket was found torn into pieces, raising questions about its authenticity. A reporter visited a home in Serm Sai Subdistrict, Serm Ngam District, Lampang Province, yesterday, July 3, following reports of a lottery ticket…
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Mae Hong Son hit by 3.1 magnitude earthquake, mild tremors
An earthquake measuring 3.1 on the Richter scale struck Mae Hong Son today causing mild tremors felt by residents. The quake, which occurred at 5.23am, today, July 4, had its epicentre in the Huai Pu Ling sub-district, Mueang district of Mae Hong Son. The Department of Mineral Resources’ Earthquake Operations Center, under the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, reported…
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Police warn of AI scam using fake video calls in Lamphun
Police in Lamphun issued a public warning about con artists using artificial intelligence (AI) to create convincing video calls impersonating police officers. A recent incident involved scammers using the image of a female officer, Ploy, to deceive the public. The police reported that fraudsters took a still image of Ploy, who manages a social media page called Accountant Aspires to…
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