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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....
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Chiang Mai police invoke 10pm curfew after samurai gang rampage
Chiang Mai Provincial Police officers imposed a 10pm curfew on locals under 18 years old following a deadly rampage by a criminal gang armed with samurai swords. The commander of the Provincial Police Region 5, Krittapon Yi-sakhon, revealed to the MumKhao news platform that a group of men, mostly teenage Burmese nationals, repeatedly caused chaos, committed theft, fatally attacked, and…
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Thailand’s solar panel tax cut scheme to save households on bills
A new tax reduction scheme aimed at encouraging households to install rooftop solar panels is expected to be finalised by mid-year, announced the Department of Alternative Energy Development and Efficiency (DEDE). The initiative seeks to lower electricity bills and reduce carbon dioxide emissions. Households that purchase solar panels with a power generation capacity of less than 10 kilowatts, costing under…
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Ancient human remains and tools found in Satun’s Khao Khom Cave
Human remains and ancient tools, estimated to date back over 10,000 years, have been unearthed inside Khao Khom Cave in Satun’s Khuan Kalong district. This discovery emerged from a project spearheaded by Kamponsak Sassadee, a renowned cave explorer, who aimed to delve into one of the province’s longest and most ecologically diverse caves. Kamponsak’s team initially discovered signs of ancient…
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Taxing times: Local governments urged to ‘build’ a better law
Local governments must take a more active role in revising the land and building tax law, which has been in effect for five years, according to the Director-General of the Fiscal Policy Office, Pornchai Thiraveja. Pornchai stated that the Land and Building Tax Act of 2019 grants local administrative organisations the authority to collect taxes to fund local development initiatives.…
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Thai authorities confirms deaths of 2 Thais held hostage in Gaza
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) yesterday revealed that two out of the eight Thai workers held hostage by Hamas died during an offensive in October last year. PPTV HD reported that IDF spokesperson Daniel Hagari identified the deceased as Sonthaya Oakkharasri and Sudthisak Rinthalak, both of whom previously worked in agriculture at the Be’eri kibbutz, about 4 kilometres from Gaza.…
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Pilot’s close call with rocket, sparks aviation safety debate
A Royal Thai Air Force (RTAF) pilot reported a close encounter with a firework rocket that soared almost 8,000 feet, forcing evasive manoeuvres to avoid a potential disaster. The incident, shared on the Facebook page Unseen Records of Pilots has sparked a wave of public concern over aviation safety. The pilot detailed the alarming event, which occurred after taking off…
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Cambodian worker in Thailand wins 12 million baht in lottery
A Cambodian woman working as a labourer in Nakhon Ratchasima has become a millionaire after winning 12 million baht in the lottery. She shared the emotional moment of realising she had won, celebrating with her partner. Reports emerged that a foreign worker had won the first prize in the lottery, amounting to 12 million baht, at Ban Khok Na Klang,…
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Bangkok’s electrifying plan to bury cables sparks into life
Bangkok citizens may have scoffed last year when the Metropolitan Electricity Authority (MEA) declared its grand plan to bury 1,454 kilometres of electrical cables underground over the next decade. It seemed like a shocking revelation but the sparks of doubt soon flickered away as the city geared up for the electrifying endeavour. This initiative was further illuminated by the newly…
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Today’s results reveals pattern for Thai lottery enthusiasts
Sanook News compiled a 10-year history of lottery numbers drawn on May 16, today’s date, as the lottery results were revealed. Here are the notable numbers that have appeared in previous years. Reviewing past lottery results for draws held on Mondays and in May can also provide interesting insights for lottery enthusiasts. The winning number for the first prize in…
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Trang man wins 72 million baht lottery jackpot
A man from Trang struck it rich after scooping 72 million baht in the latest lottery draw. He also won additional prizes, making his total winnings even more substantial. The Government Lottery Office announced the results of the lottery draw this afternoon. The winning number for the first prize was 205690. The three-digit front prizes were 885 and 747, while…
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Sibling bludgeoned to death by older brother over vegetable dispute
A shocking case of sibling rivalry unfolded today after an argument over littering in a vegetable garden had escalated to brutal levels in Bangkok, culminating with the older brother bludgeoning the younger brother to death with a table leg. Earlier today, Police Captain Jirannathin Klinniran of the Samre Police Department received a report of physical assault with casualties inside an…
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Lottery draw reveals winners with 6 million baht top prize
Today’s lottery draw from the Government Lottery Office attracted eager participants who tuned in to the live broadcast. People across Thailand were glued to their screens in anticipation of the winning numbers for the first prize, two-digit and three-digit endings, and other rewards. The live lottery draw began around 2.30pm. The excitement was palpable as viewers awaited the announcement of…
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Prime minister’s wife enrolls in prestigious politics course
The corridors of power just got a fresh infusion of intrigue as the wife of Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin joined the ranks of students at a top-notch political institution. Dr Pakpilai Thavisin, a prominent figure in the medical world at Bumrungrad International Hospital, secured her spot amongst the prestigious cohort at the College of Politics and Governance, King Prajadhipok’s Institute…
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Progressive Movement leader’s monumental move in Paris
Thanathorn Juangroongruangkit, the leader of Thailand’s Progressive Movement, is set to make waves this weekend with his grand revelation concerning the former residence of the esteemed late Thai Prime Minister Pridi Banomyong, nestled in the serene suburbs of Antony, Paris. The much-anticipated announcement, scheduled for Saturday, will be broadcast live via the movement’s Facebook page. In a tantalising sneak peek…
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PM Srettha: Six advantages to make Thailand an investment hotspot
Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin, addressing potential investors at SUBCON Thailand 2024, asserted that Thailand possesses a plethora of advantages positioning it as an investment hotspot for crucial industries such as electrical vehicle (EV) and electronics manufacturing. Hosting the international trade show for part-sourcing and business-matching, the premier highlighted Thailand’s standout traits, starting with its geopolitical stability, distinguishing it from its…
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Taiwan haunted house listed for 10 million baht sparks debate
A 29 year old haunted house in Taiwan, listed for sale at 10 million baht after revealing a death occurred on the premises, sparked interest and a heated debate online. A real estate agent recently posted about the sale of a haunted house in a Taiwanese Facebook group, openly disclosing that a previous tenant died from a drug overdose in the…
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Palm tree lands on car during thunderstorm in Phuket
A palm tree fell onto a passing car on Thepkrasattri Road in Phuket during a thunderstorm yesterday evening, prompting officials to urge motorists to drive cautiously in such weather. Thalang Police received reports of the incident around 6pm. Upon arrival, police and rescue workers found a heavily damaged white Suzuki car registered in Phuket. The car, which had also collided…
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Torrential May downpour turns Bang Saray into river
Relentless rain wreaked havoc across Bang Saray, transforming streets into rivers and causing chaos for locals. Since the crack of dawn yesterday, unyielding rain transformed Bang Saray in Sattahip District into a watery maze, inundating Sukhumvit Road and nearby areas. The deluge overwhelmed drainage systems, plunging streets into chaos and triggering severe traffic snarls. The downpour hit Sukhumvit Road hardest,…
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Ranger killed by escaped aggressive wild elephant nicknamed tank
A wildlife ranger was tragically killed by an aggressive wild elephant nicknamed Tank in the eastern Thai province of Chachoengsao, according to local officials. The incident occurred in the early hours of today, May 16, in the Sanam Chai Khet district of Chachoengsao. Tha Kradan Subdistrict Administration Organisation Chief Trapsawee Kunsari received reports that a wild elephant had attacked and…
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Fears mount as Thailand’s 10 year old rice set to hit Nigeria
Growing concerns and fears are emerging in Africa’s most populous country over the possibility of Thailand’s 10-year-old stored rice entering the Nigerian and African markets. This comes after the Thai government announced plans to sell it to the public, BusinessDay Nigeria has reported. Thailand plans to auction 150,000 sacks of rice that have been kept in warehouses for 10 years,…
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Phuket man arrested for illegal firearms, ammo possession
Thalang Police in Phuket apprehended a man in Srisoonthorn for the illegal possession of firearms and ammunition. The arrest took place yesterday evening after law enforcement received a tip-off regarding suspicious activities at an unregistered house. Officers arrived at the residence at 8pm, where they found Amarin Khanitthanam standing near the open front door. After identifying themselves, the police questioned…
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Outcry as activist dies in custody: PM Srettha vows transparency
The untimely demise of political activist Netiporn Sanesangkhom sparked outrage and drew sharp attention to the justice system’s handling of detainees. Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin, expressing profound sorrow, conveyed his condolences to Netiporn’s family. Vowing transparency and justice, the Thai PM promptly ordered the Justice Ministry to investigate the circumstances of her passing. Netiporn’s demise on Tuesday ignited a storm…
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Class commotion: Gridlock grips Nakhon Ratchasima’s first day
The scene on the first day of classes in Nakhon Ratchasima today was chaotic because of a traffic gridlock. Along the main city streets, in front of four large educational institutions in the city centre, over 14,000 students were caught in gridlocked traffic, seemingly with no end in sight. The four main schools were the Nakhon Ratchasima City School, Nakhon…
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THEOS-2 satellite captures first high-detail images of Bangkok
Thailand’s Geo-Informatics and Space Technology Development Agency (GISTDA) unveiled the first images captured by its THEOS-2 satellite. Launched into space on October 9 last year, the satellite has now successfully entered orbit and undergone rigorous testing and calibration by engineering teams to ensure it meets universal standards. Dr Pornthep Navakitkanok, Director of the National Satellite Manufacturing Centre, confirmed that THEOS-2…
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Thai man accused of covering up boyfriend’s murder in car accident
A Thai man’s family and friends in the Isaan province of Chaiyaphum accused his boyfriend of killing him and staging a car accident to cover up the murder. Local news Facebook page Esor News 3 reported yesterday that a 25 year old Thai man named Mark mysteriously died on Tuesday, May 14, while returning home from his birthday party at…
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Speeding driver loses control, traps 4 passengers in the carnage
A speeding pickup truck driver travelling in Nakhon Ratchasima province reportedly lost control of his vehicle, veering into the middle shoulder and flipped his car into the oncoming lane, leaving all passengers stuck inside the flipped vehicle. Earlier today, Police Lieutenant Colonel Awatchai Promwong, an investigator at Klang Dong Police Station, received a report from the Klang Dong Police radio…
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Singapore Airlines to reward staff with eight months’ salary bonus
Singapore Airlines is set to reward its staff with a bonus payout equivalent to nearly eight months’ salary, following its second consecutive year of record-breaking annual profits. This impressive bonus surpasses last year’s record payout, which included a profit-sharing bonus of 6.65 months’ salary and an additional ex-gratia bonus of up to 1.5 months’ salary due to the coronavirus pandemic.…
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Thai police arrest OnlyFans model for promoting illegal gambling
Thai police arrested a prominent OnlyFans model at her condominium in Lat Phrao, Bangkok, on charges of promoting illegal online gambling. The 23 year old woman, Lalada, allegedly received 20,000 baht per 30 posts for advertising gambling websites on her social media accounts. Police Major General Thiti Saengsawang ordered the operation, carried out by a team led by Police Colonel Teeradech…
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Cannes craze: Thai films poised for global stardom
In a dazzling showcase at the 77th Cannes Film Festival, Thai films have captured the interest of international buyers, offering a promising boost for Thailand’s film and tourism industries. The government heralds this as a new era of global recognition and economic expansion. Yupa Taweewattanakitbovorn, permanent secretary for the Ministry of Culture, announced that the films The Undertaker, Death Whisperer, and…
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Thai govt showcases Thai art and culture to FIFA members
The Thai government, serving as the host of the 74th FIFA Congress, welcomed Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) member nations with a grand reception at the Government House. The event featured mesmerising cultural performances that elevated the arts of Thailand directly to the global football community. Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin yesterday, May 15, presided over a gala dinner at…
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