News
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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Where to travel in Thailand in July [2025]
This month, I want to invite you to wander through art spaces, misty hills, and garden paths, where the only thing on the itinerary is to linger. Let’s take a slower route, one for the dreamers, the journal keepers, and...
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Phuket police crack down on illegal fireworks trade at Patong Beach
Patong Beach in Phuket has seen a boost in police activity in recent days, aiming to put an end to the unlawful trade and use of fireworks. The initiative, which began on May 1, has already led to the arrest of three individuals, including a citizen of New Zealand. Patong Police have been systematically carrying out inspections along the beach…
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Phuket man narrowly escapes as electric motorcycle bursts into flames
A 28 year old man, Wichuthat Chotchuang, narrowly avoided harm when his electric motorcycle ignited into flames mid-ride on Thepkrasattri Road, Phuket, yesterday afternoon, May 3. Wichuthat, a resident of Moo 1, Thepkrasattri, was headed north on Thepkrasattri Road at around 5.20pm when he observed smoke emanating from his motorcycle. Acting quickly, he managed to pull over near the entrance…
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Maybank drops Thailand’s GDP growth forecast amid export and manufacturing slump
Maybank IBG Research has revised downwards its GDP growth forecast for Thailand, for both the current year and 2025. The downgraded estimates are due to a combination of factors, including a faltering export outlook, a deepening manufacturing slump, an uneven recovery in tourism, and limited chances of interest rate cuts by the Bank of Thailand this year. For this year,…
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Thailand’s dominance in durian exports to China under threat
Thailand‘s reign as the leading exporter of fresh durians to China is teetering, as reported by an industry insider to Xinhua News Agency. The news has emerged in the wake of a report that China’s major land border checkpoint, Youyiguan, has received 48,000 tonnes of durian shipments in this year’s first quarter. The shipment detailed 35,000 tonnes of durians from…
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Deadly motorcycle race on Kanjanapisek Motorway claims teen lives
A tragic event unfolded early this morning on the Kanjanapisek Motorway, where a high-speed motorcycle race turned deadly, claiming the lives of two teenagers and leaving another injured. The incident occurred near the 46+600 kilometre marker, heading towards Bang Pa-In. Two young lives were cut short when a motorcycle race went horribly wrong on the Kanjanapisek Motorway. At approximately 2.40am…
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Thailand’s central bank halts proposed 1% fee on credit cardholders
The Bank of Thailand has stalled the proposed introduction of an additional 1% fee on local credit cardholders, necessitating card issuers to consider other alternatives. This decision was taken after several credit card issuers declared that they would be waiving the 1% fee for payments made in baht to overseas registered merchants and online shopping platforms. Earlier in March, these…
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Gulf Energy signs agreement for 25 solar farms in Thailand
Gulf Energy Development Plc, a leading private power producer, has announced the completion of power purchase agreements for the construction of 25 solar farms with the Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand (Egat). This initiative is expected to aid the government in managing electricity prices, potentially reducing power bills for consumers. The 25-year agreements mark a strategic shift in Thailand’s power…
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Woman kills attacker in self-defense during home invasion in Ban Non Samakkhi
A woman‘s desperate struggle for survival turned fatal when she inadvertently killed a man trying to assault her in her own home. The incident took place in the small community of Ban Non Samakkhi, Bueng Kan, where a 42 year old homeowner, faced an intruder with violent intentions. On the night of the attack, the tranquillity of Ban Non Samakkhi…
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Thai government’s digital wallet scheme under scrutiny
The Thai government’s digital wallet policy, specifically the planned usage of funds from the Bank for Agriculture and Agricultural Cooperatives (BAAC) to support the initiative, will continue to be scrutinised by the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC). The agency has previously raised concerns about potential corruption and legal risks linked to the 10,000 baht distribution scheme and will observe the government’s…
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Thailand’s headline CPI rises unexpectedly in April, ends slump.
Commerce Ministry officials in Thailand announced today that the country’s headline consumer price index (CPI) experienced a year-on-year increase of 0.19% this April. This is a notable shift from the previous month’s 0.47% year-on-year decrease and considerably exceeds the 0.25% fall projected by a Reuters poll. Such a rise in inflation after a seven-month negative streak indicates a significant change in…
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Thai Chamber of Commerce highlights 10 top tourist provinces
The Thai Chamber of Commerce (TCC) set in motion plans to promote 10 provinces within the country as first-tier tourist destinations. The selected provinces of Phrae, Lampang, Nakhon Sawan, Nakhon Phanom, Sisaket, Chanthaburi, Ratchaburi, Kanchanaburi, Trang, and Nakhon Si Thammarat will soon be under the international spotlight as they prepare to welcome an influx of tourists. This initiative is part…
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Thai PM scores with legendary Liverpool stars in tourism boost
Thailand Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin welcomed three legendary Liverpool players to the Government House of Thailand as part of a campaign to promote Thai tourism. It is well known among Thai football fans that PM Srettha is a big Liverpool fan and is obsessed with football, even inspiring him to write a book called Srettha and Sports. The 62 year…
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Chinese student rescued from scam gang kidnapping attempt
A young Chinese student was deceived by a call centre scam gang in a kidnapping attempt, demanding a ransom of 7 million baht, has been rescued in Chiang Mai. Initially lured from Australia, she faced threats of visa revocation for non-compliance. Thai police successfully located her today at 11am, following coordination with Samut Prakan police. The rescue operation led by…
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Pattaya restaurant under fire for excessive pricing of food dish
A restaurant in Pattaya, Chon Buri Province, has come under scrutiny for reportedly charging an excessive 70 baht for a basic dish of rice with two fried eggs. Following this, the Department of Internal Trade ordered provincial commerce officials to conduct inspections of made-to-order food outlets in the region. The restaurant’s alleged high pricing and lack of clear price signage…
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Bangkok taxi meter scam outcry after 1,800 baht airport fare
A recent social media post sparked an outcry over alleged taxi meter fraud in Bangkok. A passenger complaint was highlighted, claiming an overcharge for a ride from Bang Khae to Suvarnabhumi International Airport, where the fare meter read an exorbitant 1,800 baht. The incident has raised concerns about overcharging and exploitation of foreigners by taxi drivers in the city. Bangkok’s…
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Purrilous pickle: AOT warns pet owners after airport cat caper
Airports of Thailand (AOT) issued a stern warning to pet owners not to let their cats roam free in airport areas to prevent potential damage and ensure the safety of travellers. This announcement follows an incident at Suvarnabhumi International Airport where a cat was filmed wandering the premises without supervision. The feline in question, an orange cat named Nuarang became…
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Udon Thani land dispute ends in brother fatally shooting sibling
A family dispute in Udon Thani this morning ended tragically, resulting in a 62 year old man being fatally shot by his brother, who then calmly waited for the police with a bottle of alcohol. The tranquillity of a small village in Udon Thani was shattered when a 62 year old man was shot dead by his younger brother over a…
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Saudi Arabian man reunites with Thai nanny after 20 years (video)
A 33 year old Saudi Arabian man reunited with his former Thai babysitter after searching for her for over 20 years. He wished to express gratitude for her care during his childhood. Several Thai media outlets shared the story of the 33 year old Saudi Arabian man, Ali Bokhari, and his Thai babysitter, 77 year old Banyen Thongchaitanawut, after they…
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Man arrested for selling counterfeit shampoos in Nonthaburi
The Thai authorities arrested a man for producing counterfeit shampoo by refilling old bottles and distributing them at significantly lower market prices. Garnering his knowledge from YouTube tutorials, the individual’s actions have led to a coordinated crackdown by the Central Investigation Police and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), revealing that counterfeit products could pose serious risks to consumers’ eye…
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GIF expedites Covid-19 payouts amid financial strain
The General Insurance Fund (GIF) proposed an expedited payment option for Covid-19 policyholders, where they can avail of an immediate reduced payout rather than wait for a decade for the full claim. This could mean receiving 60 baht now instead of 100 baht in the future, according to Finance Permanent Secretary Lavaron Sangsnit. Governmental body GIF was formed to safeguard…
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Finance ministry secures deals for 250 billion baht investments
Following the passing of the fiscal 2024 Budget Expenditure Act, the Finance Ministry has confirmed that new financial agreements for investment projects totalling 250 billion baht have been finalised. Deputy Finance Minister Krisada Chinavicharana revealed that during the delay in the act’s signing, governmental bodies with pending investment projects initiated their procurement processes. These processes included creating terms of reference…
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Magical mishap: Parents sue Monk after amulet test injures children
The parents of five children filed a lawsuit against a monk from Khao Rae Temple in the northern province of Sukhothai, after the monk injured the children while testing the magical powers of his amulets. The father of one of the children took to Facebook to share his 13 year old son’s story and pressured the monk, later identified as…
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Thailand’s daily online fraud falls to 110 million baht in April
Online fraud damage in April was reported at 110 million baht daily, indicating a 26% decrease from the 149 million baht experienced daily in March. This significant reduction is a result of the intensified crackdown on online fraud by authorities. On the first of April, Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin delegated several organisations to yield tangible results from their efforts to…
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Crafty diamond thief nabbed after swindling 2.2 million baht gem
A deceptive gem heist in Bangkok has come to an end with the arrest of the 57 year old perpetrator, who had been posing as a jewellery broker. The cunning thief managed to swindle a 3-carat diamond worth 2.2 million baht from an unsuspecting seller by replacing it with a counterfeit stone before making his escape. The Royal Thai Police…
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Thai man attacked by girlfriend’s ex-boyfriend in hotel encounter
A Thai man suffered an attack by his girlfriend’s ex-boyfriend after they unexpectedly stayed next door to each other at a hotel in the Isaan province of Buriram. The victim, 22 year old Suriya “Boy” Matiyaphak and his 17 year old girlfriend, named Bee, visited Satuek Police Station in Buriram to file a complaint against Bee’s ex-boyfriend and his friends…
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Thaksin Shinawatra’s leisure trip to Phuket sparks controversy
Former Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra stirred controversy following his recent visit to Phuket, which was initially presented as a casual leisure trip. The trip has come under scrutiny as Thaksin was observed mingling with various business figures and local administrative authorities on the island. Local reports stated that this incident prompted speculation about the actual intention behind Thaksin’s trip…
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Thai scientists find fossil-fuel pollution in Antarctica’s soil
Thai scientists have uncovered evidence of fossil-fuel pollution in the soil of Antarctica, prompting calls for stricter measures to protect the world’s most pristine environment. A research team, utilising the cutting-edge SR-FTIR microspectroscopy technique at the Thai Synchrotron National Lab in Nakhon Ratchasima, made the discovery in sediment samples collected from five sites across King George Island. Siwatt Pongpiachan, who…
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Tourist allegedly assaulted by group of ladyboys in Phuket
A tourist became the centre of an unpleasant incident on Bangla Road, Phuket, when he was allegedly assaulted by a group of transgender women, widely referred to as ladyboys in Thailand, in the early hours of yesterday morning. The event is currently under investigation by the Patong Police. Patong Police reported yesterday that they had called in multiple witnesses to…
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Prominent Thai business figure found dead in luxury car
The prominent business figure known as Sa-gna was found dead in his luxury vehicle yesterday at 9.30pm in Soi Pattanakarn 54, Suan Luang district of Bangkok. Police and forensic teams rushed to investigate. A black Lexus SUV, with Bangkok license plates, was discovered with its engine still running. Inside, the 47 year old man was found having taken his own life…
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Thai woman demands justice after taxi takes her to wrong airport
A Thai woman is seeking justice after an app-based taxi driver took her to the wrong airport in Bangkok, causing her to miss her flight. The woman, whose identity was not revealed, shared her story on Facebook, expressing frustration that both the driver and the ride-hailing app refuse to take responsibility for her losses. The driver blamed her for not…
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