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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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    How to reduce out-of-pocket medical expenses in Thailand?

    Managing medical expenses in Thailand is important as healthcare costs continue to rise. The country’s healthcare system includes both public and private options, but even with the Universal Coverage Scheme (UCS) for citizens, many still face high out-of-pocket medical expenses....

  • Brief bandit: thief strips down to underwear, swipes stash of briefs

    Brief bandit: thief strips down to underwear, swipes stash of briefs

    An underwear thief, dressed only in his undies, drove to a house and stole a collection of underwear, later claiming it was the result of a dare. The incident took place on the morning of May 18 in Ban Pa Tueng Ngam, Pa O Don Chai sub-district, Mueng district, Chiang Rai. The homeowner, 44 year old Somphop shared CCTV footage…

  • Ten-year-old rice auction resumes after safety tests

    Ten-year-old rice auction resumes after safety tests

    Phumtham Wechayachai, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Commerce, announced the continuation of the 10-year-old rice auction after private lab tests showed no contamination. The Public Warehouse Organisation (PWO) has been instructed to expedite the process meticulously. Phumtham yesterday shared that private tests conducted by a leading company found no carcinogens or residue from fumigation in the rice. This follows…

  • 15-metre Tao Wirupaksa statue consecrated at Wat Nong Tabak

    15-metre Tao Wirupaksa statue consecrated at Wat Nong Tabak

    A grand ceremony was held at Wat Nong Tabak in Rayong Province to consecrate the only 15-metre-tall statue of Tao Wirupaksa in the area. The event took place yesterday at 5pm, drawing monks from various temples in Rayong and a large number of devotees. The ceremonial ground was adorned with beautifully arranged fruit trays, garlands, and offerings. Devotees lit incense…

  • Bangkok cops uncover ketamine and cocaine in drug bust

    Bangkok cops uncover ketamine and cocaine in drug bust

    Police officers from Thonglor Police Station uncovered a stash of illicit drugs, including ketamine and cocaine-laced e-cigarette pods, at a condominium in Khlong Toei in a drug bust following a loud argument between a couple. Police officers from Thonglor Police Station responded to a disturbance report in the late hours of yesterday at a condominium in Khlong Toei. Upon arrival,…

  • Police arrest man for selling psilocybin mushrooms in Bangkok

    Police arrest man for selling psilocybin mushrooms in Bangkok

    Police apprehended a 27 year old man in the Bang Chan Subdistrict, Khlong Sam Wa District, Bangkok, on charges of illegal possession and attempted distribution of psilocybin mushrooms, a Category 5 narcotic. Police seized 11 items as evidence. The arrest followed a tip-off from an informant who reported that Chitsanupong was cultivating and selling psilocybin mushrooms online and delivering them…

  • Thais support reclassifying marijuana as illegal, NIDA poll

    Thais support reclassifying marijuana as illegal, NIDA poll

    A recent survey by the National Institute of Development Administration (NIDA) poll reveals that a majority of Thais endorse plans to reclassify marijuana as an illegal drug, although opinions on its benefits remain divided. The NIDA conducted the poll from May 14 to May 15, engaging 1,310 individuals aged 15 and over across various educational backgrounds and occupations. Participants were…

  • Phuket cracks down on illegal jet-ski operations in Yamu Bay

    Phuket cracks down on illegal jet-ski operations in Yamu Bay

    Phuket police cracked down on illegal jet-ski operations in Yamu Bay and the neighbouring areas of Ao Por, Koh Rang, Koh Rang Noi, and Naka Island, all situated off the east coast of the island. Natchapong Pranit, Director of the Marine Department Region 5 office (Phuket Marine Office), revealed that the operation was initiated following numerous complaints from locals. They…

  • British tourist stabbed in gang assault on Bangla Road, Patong

    British tourist stabbed in gang assault on Bangla Road, Patong

    Patong police are currently pursuing a group of men responsible for a gang assault on Bangla Road that left a British tourist injured early yesterday morning. The incident took place near a 7-Eleven close to Soi Sea Dragon at 4.40am. Charlie Faulkner, a British tourist, was found with a stab wound on his lower left side when officers arrived at…

  • Thailand to ratify enforced disappearance convention by June 13

    Thailand to ratify enforced disappearance convention by June 13

    Thailand is set to ratify the International Convention for the Protection of Persons from Enforced Disappearance (ICPPED) by June 13, as announced by the Foreign Affairs Ministry. The ratification marks a significant step in the country’s commitment to human rights. Thailand deposited an Instrument of Ratification for the ICPPED on May 14. The convention will come into effect thirty days…

  • Thailand aims for 7.5 billion baht from foreign filmmakers this year

    Thailand aims for 7.5 billion baht from foreign filmmakers this year

    Thailand is making a concerted effort to boost its economy by attracting international filmmakers to its scenic and diverse locations. The Tourism and Sports Ministry has teamed up with the Culture Ministry to promote these film locations, aiming to generate 7.5 billion baht (US$206.5 million) in earnings from foreign film companies this year. The collaborative effort was highlighted at the…

  • PM backs Phu Kradueng cable car project to boost tourism

    PM backs Phu Kradueng cable car project to boost tourism

    Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin expressed his support for the long-awaited cable car project at Phu Kradueng National Park in Loei. During his official visit to Italy, he met with Leitner, an Italian-based ropeway company, to discuss plans for building electric cable cars. Leitner, which had already contracted with the Thai government for the cable car and ropeway sales, received praise…

  • Voluntary exodus leaves 1% of workforce jobless in first quarter

    Voluntary exodus leaves 1% of workforce jobless in first quarter

    Over 400,000 individuals, representing approximately 1% of the working-age population, were unemployed during the first quarter of the year, with the primary reason being voluntary resignation. Piyanuch Wuttisornon, the Director-General of the National Statistical Office (NSO), announced the findings from a survey on the working-age population. The results indicated a decrease in unemployment numbers for the first quarter compared to…

  • Tiger cub sighting triggers arrest of animal farm owner

    Tiger cub sighting triggers arrest of animal farm owner

    A tiger cub spotted roaming a community in Bang Pakong district has led to the arrest of an animal farm owner in Chachoengsao for allegedly possessing an endangered animal. Atthapol Charoenchansa, Director-General of the Department of National Parks, Wildlife, and Plant Conservation, directed the DNP’s Yiew Dong task force and 1362 special task force to investigate the incident further. The…

  • NBTC crackdown on online scams: 106 million mobile numbers under scrutiny

    NBTC crackdown on online scams: 106 million mobile numbers under scrutiny

    Scammers in Thailand use SIM cards registered under other people’s names to call potential victims and lure them into sending money or take control of their phones remotely to steal money with banking apps. The NBTC is working with banks and mobile network operators AIS and True to ensure that connected phone SIM cards and mobile banking accounts are registered…

  • Disgraced Khon Kaen school director nabbed for buying sex from student, 12

    Disgraced Khon Kaen school director nabbed for buying sex from student, 12

    Authorities in Khon Kaen have launched an investigation into allegations of child sex abuse after the arrest of a school director and a retired teacher accused of purchasing sex from a 12-year-old student. The school director has been reassigned to the local educational services office and will face disciplinary action, according to Thee Pawangkhanan, deputy secretary-general of the Office of…

  • Durian: Can The King of Fruits kill you when you drink alcohol?

    Durian: Can The King of Fruits kill you when you drink alcohol?

    Durian, the notorious “king of fruits,” is a culinary adventure synonymous with Thailand. Its spiky exterior hides a creamy, custard-like flesh with a flavor that’s been described as anything from sweet caramel to pungent onion. Durian has a devoted following throughout Thailand, where it’s enjoyed in everything from ice cream to savory curries. But what happens when this tropical king…

  • House committee debates amnesty for lese majeste law violators

    House committee debates amnesty for lese majeste law violators

    A special House committee is urging the government to decide whether to include those who violated the lese majeste law in an amnesty bill following the death of Netiporn Saneysangkhom. Nikorn Jamnong, chairman of the House sub-committee focusing on politically motivated cases, announced that the meeting addressed several key topics. Among these was the demand from Thalufah, a political group,…

  • Thai influencer deceived by ex-partner over 200,000 baht payment

    Thai influencer deceived by ex-partner over 200,000 baht payment

    A Thai influencer tearfully disclosed being deceived by her former lover into losing a substantial amount of advertising money. Unable to contact her ex, she is now seeking legal recourse. The 59 year old influencer Sataporn Phutthakul, known as Aunt Porn, revealed that her ex-partner swindled her out of 200,000 baht, leaving her with only 50,000 baht and subsequently deducting…

  • Pattaya raid busts South Korean gambling in coffee shop

    Pattaya raid busts South Korean gambling in coffee shop

    Authorities in Pattaya arrested 10 South Korean nationals during a raid on a coffee shop that doubled as a gambling den. The police operation took place yesterday evening on the second floor of Sand Coffee in Bang Lamung district. Bang Lamung district chief Veekit Manarojkiit and Pattaya Police Colonel Navin Thirawit led the raid at 9.26pm. Upon entering, they discovered…

  • British family leaves UK for Thailand for cheaper living costs

    British family leaves UK for Thailand for cheaper living costs

    A young British family has swapped the grey skies of Cheshire for the sunny shores of Thailand, seeking refuge from the UK’s crippling cost of living crisis. Jess, her partner Harry (surnames withheld), and their two year old daughter Cece uprooted their lives in Congleton to start afresh in Southeast Asia. Their decision was driven by surging energy bills that…

  • SpiceJet launches daily flights from Delhi to Phuket

    SpiceJet launches daily flights from Delhi to Phuket

    Indian low-cost airline SpiceJet unveiled its latest venture: daily non-stop flights connecting Delhi to Phuket, commencing on May 31. Ajay Singh, SpiceJet’s Chairman and Managing Director, expressed his enthusiasm for the new route. “We are incredibly excited to launch our first-ever service to Phuket, a world-renowned destination. We are confident that our new daily non-stop flights will be a popular choice…

  • Indonesia: Airline staff plummets from Airbus A320 (video)

    Indonesia: Airline staff plummets from Airbus A320 (video)

    A jaw-dropping video has emerged showing an airline staff member’s terrifying fall from an Airbus A320 after a step ladder was prematurely retracted. The incident, caught on camera and shared by Sanjay Lazar on Twitter, now known as X, quickly went viral, leaving viewers stunned and authorities scrambling for answers. The footage, reportedly taken in Indonesia and involving Transnusa Airlines,…

  • Patong: Intoxicated tourist causes chaos on Thaweewong Road

    Patong: Intoxicated tourist causes chaos on Thaweewong Road

    Authorities in Patong had to intervene when a foreign tourist, heavily intoxicated, caused a disturbance on Thaweewong Road early Tuesday morning, May 14. Despite the incident occurring four days prior, details were released today, underscoring that officers adhered to standard police protocols. At approximately 2.30am on Tuesday, Patong Police Station received multiple alerts from concerned citizens and tourists about a…

  • E-cigarette drug ring busted in Bangkok: Meth-infused vapes

    E-cigarette drug ring busted in Bangkok: Meth-infused vapes

    Thai authorities announced the capture of an international drug ring after a dramatic raid on several Bangkok condominiums on Thursday. The Thai Special Service Division (SSD) and other agencies revealed their findings in a high-profile press conference. According to the SSD, the operation targeted a criminal network distributing modified e-cigarettes laced with methamphetamine and other dangerous substances. The investigation began…

  • Black May deceased protesters honoured: Demand for democracy

    Black May deceased protesters honoured: Demand for democracy

    In a poignant gathering to commemorate the 32nd anniversary of the Black May protests, politicians, academics, activists, and relatives of those killed in the 1992 crackdown honoured the fallen democracy heroes. The Black May 1992 Memorial on Ratchadamnoen Avenue was the site of a solemn ceremony and merit-making rituals for the deceased yesterday. Officially, 44 lives were lost, though the…

  • Thailand unveils Phuket monorail plan to improve transport

    Thailand unveils Phuket monorail plan to improve transport

    The government unveiled an ambitious plan to enhance Phuket’s transportation infrastructure, featuring a new monorail system linking the airport and Phuket Town. This initiative arises from the island’s robust economic performance, with over 300 billion baht in circulation last year. Government spokesman Chai Wacharonke announced yesterday that Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin recognised Phuket’s potential, aligning with the government’s strategy to…

  • Flash flood warning issued for 26 provinces due to heavy rain

    Flash flood warning issued for 26 provinces due to heavy rain

    Residents in 26 provinces have been alerted to the risk of flash floods starting today until May 25 as heavy rainfall is anticipated across various regions, prompting the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) to intensify efforts to clear the city’s drainage system and install water pumps. Deputy government spokesperson Karom Phonphonklang announced that heavy rain is forecasted for 26 provinces, including…

  • Thailand and Italy to strengthen ties in renewable energy

    Thailand and Italy to strengthen ties in renewable energy

    Thailand and Italy will intensify cooperation in renewable energy, sports tourism, medical science, pharmaceuticals, and defence, according to Deputy Government Spokeswoman Radklao Intawong Suwankiri. Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin and his Italian counterpart Giorgia Meloni will discuss these topics to bolster bilateral ties during the premier’s official five-day visit to Italy which started yesterday. Celebrating the 156th anniversary of diplomatic relations,…

  • Buffalo farmer in Phetchabun wins 6 million baht lottery

    Buffalo farmer in Phetchabun wins 6 million baht lottery

    A buffalo farmer in Phetchabun scooped first prize in Thailand’s latest lottery draw, receiving a whopping 6 million baht. The Thai farmer attributed his luck to confiding in his buffalo named Jao Thapthim after a storm damaged his pen. Samrerng, a resident of Village No. 1 in Thaidong Subdistrict, Wang Pong District, Phetchabun Province, became the lucky winner of the first…

  • Thai mother-in-law admits to fatal stabbing in Nonthaburi

    Thai mother-in-law admits to fatal stabbing in Nonthaburi

    A mother-in-law confessed to fatally stabbing her son-in-law after a heated argument between him and her daughter over a video call with another woman. The incident occurred in a village in Maha Sawat, Bang Kruai District, Nonthaburi Province. The victim, 38 year old Warakorn, was found dead in his home with stab wounds. Following the incident, the mother in law,…