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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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Nakhon Ratchasima man orders toolset, gets water bottles instead
A man from Nakhon Ratchasima was left disheartened after spending 499 baht on what he believed to be a set of tools but instead received three bottles of water. Nirat Sukboon, a 46 year old resident of Nai Mueang subdistrict, Phimai district, took his complaint to the Phimai Police Station, presenting the evidence of the water bottles. Nirat shared that…
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Court confiscates vehicles after reckless driving caught on camera
Ratchaburi court ordered the confiscation of two vehicles, captured on a dash cam footage, driving recklessly, as both drivers were dangerously cutting each other off in a heated road rage exchange. The drivers have been fined, narrowly escaping prison times. The incident occurred yesterday, July 15, on Phetkasem Road, heading towards Bangkok. A dashboard camera from a trailing vehicle captured…
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State officials implicated in bid-rigging scheme for rubber latex firms
The Department of Special Investigation (DSI) uncovered the involvement of state officials in bid-rigging for rubber latex companies in 10 provinces, leading to significant financial losses for the country. The investigation has been forwarded to the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) for further action. Last year, a group of rubber latex traders submitted a letter to the prime minister, requesting an…
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Body of unidentified man without hands found in central Thailand
The owner of a sugarcane farm on Sunday discovered the body of a man with both hands severed in the central province of Nakhon Sawan. His identity remains under investigation as officers search for the dead man’s missing hands. The sugarcane farm owner, 53 year old Boonyoung Phothong, told ThaiRath that he was walking on his farm as usual to…
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Thai couple arrested for illegal wildlife trade in Surin province
Police arrested a Thai couple involved in the illegal wildlife trade, confiscating two tiger cubs, two pairs of Thai elephant tusks, and 26 pieces of African elephant tusks worth millions of baht. Efforts are underway to rescue an additional four tiger cubs. The operation, led by Director of the National Parks Office Chaiwat Limlikhitaksorn and officers from Dom Police Station…
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Monk kills mentally ill homeless man with hammer over laptop theft
A monk in Nong Khai killed a mentally ill homeless man with a hammer, suspecting him of attempting to steal his laptop. The incident occurred at Wat Phothisomphon Temple, leaving locals and officials in shock. Officers from Nong Khai City Police Station yesterday, July 15, received a report of a fatal assault at Phothisomphon Temple. Arriving at the scene, they…
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Udon Thani hotel calls for delay in electricity rate hike
A prominent hotel in Udon Thani urged the government to delay the planned electricity rate hike, citing concerns about the current purchasing power of consumers. They argue that customers are only spending on necessities, and an increase in electricity costs could further impact the number of patrons using their services. Apicha Veerachatiyanukul, the managing director of Udon Plaza Co., Ltd.,…
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Drunk Thai man stabs bedridden girlfriend in her vagina
A 50 year old drunk Thai man stabbed his 75 year old bedridden girlfriend in the vagina at their home in the central province of Samut Prakan, claiming the victim had bullied him and clashed with him over money. Fortunately, she survived the brutal attack. A neighbour alerted officers from Ban Klong Suan Police Station to the house on Soi…
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Bangkok SWAT team captures notorious gunman hiding in ceiling
A raid by the SWAT team from Bangkok’s Metropolitan Police Division 3 led to the capture of a notorious gunman, who attempted to evade arrest by hiding in the ceiling. The incident took place yesterday, July 15, during a targeted operation aimed at cracking down on firearm and drug-related offences. The raid was part of the Save Khu Khwa campaign,…
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DNA results expected in missing Chinese TikTok star case
DNA test results on human remains believed to belong to a missing Chinese TikTok star are anticipated tomorrow, according to the Institute of Forensic Medicine (IFM) at Police General Hospital. Identification of the body has been challenging due to significant decomposition and difficulties in obtaining DNA samples, noted IFM commander Supichai Limsiwawong. Chinese national 38 year old Yan Ruimin was…
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Thai PM announces 10,000 baht digital wallet registration date
Registration for the 10,000-baht digital wallet handout starts on August 1, as announced by Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin. This initiative aims to stimulate the economy through significant government spending. The Bangkok-born PM shared the date on X (Twitter) yesterday, July 15, coinciding with the Digital Wallet Policy Committee’s meeting to finalise preparations for registering eligible recipients and vendors. He emphasised…
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Thailand weather: Heavy rainfall and storms in 57 provinces
Thailand faces severe weather, with heavy rain and thunderstorms across 57 provinces, particularly in the northeast and east regions, with rainfall expected in up to 80% of these areas. The Meteorological Department of Thailand (TMD) forecasts severe weather conditions due to a strong monsoon trough. The TMD predicted that Thailand will experience heavy rain and thunderstorms today, July 16. A…
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TikTok trend: ‘Jackpot’ with dead jackfruit trees worth millions
A TikTok user shared a video revealing the surprising value of dead jackfruit trees, also known as jackfruit standing dead. The clip quickly gained attention when she mentioned that such trees could sell for millions of baht. The woman, under the account, kate_tell_story, explained that she had come across content on TikTok suggesting that dead jackfruit trees could fetch prices…
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The three tours recommended by the Tourism Authority of Thailand
The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), the nation’s leader in tourism operations, recommends three tours for travelers who want to truly experience Thailand’s beauty. Aiming to drive Thailand towards sustainable experience-based tourism activities, TAT promotes the tourism industry through marketing, communications and service provision. TAT hopes to grow Thailand’s tourism ecosystem by providing trustworthy resources, information and data for prospective…
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Thai teacher allegedly forces student to take faeces home
A Thai mother took to social media to complain about a kindergarten teacher in the Isaan province of Phichit who allegedly forced her daughter to take her faeces home from school. She also accused the teacher of beating the girl as a punishment. The mother, Rungnapa, shared her daughter’s story in a Facebook group of locals in the Bang Phai…
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Opal-Suchata Chuangsri wins Miss Universe Thailand 2024
Opal-Suchata Chuangsri has been crowned Miss Universe Thailand 2024, following an evening of intense competition and dazzling performances. The final event, held yesterday, showcased the talents and poise of 40 contestants who vied for the prestigious title. The evening began with a spectacular opening performance by all the contestants, each introduced sequentially, setting the stage for what would become a…
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Man kills wife in drunken rage after finding out she hadn’t bathed
A man in a drunken rage killed his wife with a wooden stick in Roi Et, after becoming angry that she hadn’t taken a bath. He then moved her body to a chair, claiming he didn’t realise she was dead. Police have detained him. Police Lieutenant Phayung Kulkhamsaeng, an investigator from Mueang Roi Et Police Station, yesterday, July 14, reported…
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Thai-German man jailed 25 years for abusing daughter, sharing child porn
The Criminal Court of Thailand sentenced a half-Thai half-German man to 51 years in prison for sexually abusing his daughter and distributing child porn on a dark website based in Germany. His confession led to the sentence being reduced from 51 years to 25 years and six months. Germany’s Federal Criminal Police Office sought help from Thai authorities to arrest…
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Thailand excludes groups from digital wallet project
The Government of Thailand decided to exclude two specific groups from participating in the 10,000-baht digital wallet project. This announcement comes as they prepare to release the registration timeline for the project tomorrow. The Deputy Minister of Finance, Chulaphan Amornvivat, disclosed the decision following a meeting at the Government House. The meeting also addressed the sources of funding for the…
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Party pooper: Drunk Thai man poops pants as cops make arrest
A drunk Thai man poops pants during an arrest after he sneaked into the home of a Thai woman in the Isaan province of Udon Thani and stripped naked. Police officer’s hands were reportedly soiled with the suspect’s poop. Officers from the Nonghan Police Station rushed to the incident scene, a house in the Nonghan district, after receiving a trespassing…
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Cooler catastrophe: Roi Et fridge explosion leaves 4 houses chilling in ruins
A refrigerator explosion in Roi Et left four houses significantly damaged, with a family narrowly escaping harm. The incident occurred early this morning, July 15, prompting police and rescue teams to investigate the cause. Police in Roi Et received a report of a refrigerator explosion at a home in Dong Lan subdistrict, Mueang district. Upon arrival, they found a single-storey…
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Pattaya police urged to take action on Kuwaiti street racers (video)
Residents in Soi Yen Sabai, Pattaya, urged police officers to take action against Kuwaiti motorcycle racers following a noise pollution disturbance and a recent physical altercation on Saturday, July 13. A video of the altercation between two groups of Kuwaiti nationals was shared on Thai social media yesterday, July 14, but the incident reportedly took place on Soi Yen Sabai…
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Thai border patrol seizes illegal online gambling equipment
The Thai police intercepted a significant haul of computer equipment allegedly intended for an online gambling operation, marking a crucial step in curbing illegal activities along the Thai border. Border patrol soldiers and police seized the equipment near the Myanmar border in Tak province. The cargo was reportedly en route to Aranyaprathet in Sa Kaeo province, a known hub for…
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Wild elephant in Ang Rue Nai sanctuary dies from severe injuries
A wild elephant from the Ang Rue Nai Wildlife Sanctuary in Chachoengsao has succumbed to severe injuries and infections. The elephant, found immobilised with significant wounds, will undergo a detailed autopsy to determine the exact cause of death. The Ang Rue Nai Wildlife Sanctuary‘s mobile rapid response team discovered the wild elephant lying in a ditch at Ban Nayao, Tha…
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Mooo-ving violation: RTA stops cattle smugglers’ herd scheme
The Royal Thai Army (RTA) intercepted five individuals attempting to smuggle 20 cattle into the country. The suspects, all Myanmar nationals, were caught receiving 250 baht per cow for their efforts from an unnamed middleman. The 35th Ranger Forces Regiment, today, July 15, conducted a patrol in Ban Mae Salid Luang, Mae Song subdistrict, Tha Song Yang district, Tak province.…
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Garbage truck crash in Buriram kills worker, injures driver
A garbage truck skidded on a slippery road and crashed into a village sign and an electric pole, causing the death of a worker who fell from the truck and leaving the driver severely injured. A tragic accident occurred when a municipal garbage truck lost control on a wet road and collided with a village sign and an electric pole,…
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Thai residents plant rice on pothole-ridden road to protest neglect
Residents in Wichian Buri district, Phetchabun, have taken an unconventional approach to protest the deplorable state of a main road by planting rice on it. The damaged road, riddled with countless potholes, has caused numerous accidents and has been a persistent source of frustration. After a local Facebook user highlighted the issue, the post quickly garnered attention and widespread criticism…
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Thai woman seeks justice over hermit’s naked massage cancer cure claim
A Thai woman is seeking help after a hermit in the southern province of Surat Thani sexually assaulted her by tricking her parents into taking her to his compound for a naked massage, claiming she had breast and cervical cancer. The 20 year old victim, identified only as Or, told a Thai news agency yesterday, July 14, that she had…
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Thai factory closures, a victim of Chinese imports surge
Chinese electric vehicle (EV) manufacturer BYD recently opened its inaugural Southeast Asian factory in Thailand, garnering considerable attention and praise for the country’s industrial foresight. However, this development also adversely affected long-established Japanese automakers, leading to a ripple effect across numerous Thai factories. A crucial development went relatively unnoticed as Suzuki Motor announced the closure of its Thai factory, with…
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Thailand senator under fire for questionable PhD certificate
A Thai senator is facing criticism over her educational background after many academics and Thai netizens pointed out that her doctorate from California University was allegedly obtained for 8,600 baht. The newly elected senator, Associate Professor Doctor Keskamol Pleansamai, garnered the highest number of votes (79) in the recent selection of the Thai Senator election. The top score and her…
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