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.
-
Sponsored 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...
-
Thai PM to seal multi-billion deal with Microsoft
Thai Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin is poised to welcome Microsoft titan Satya Nadella at the Government House next month, fuelling anticipation for a high-stakes dialogue on technological advancement. Reports suggest the rendezvous will delve into investments spanning a cutting-edge data centre, the Cloud First platform, and pioneering strides in artificial intelligence (AI) within Thailand’s borders. Nadella’s eagerly anticipated appearance is scheduled…
-
Russian man arrested in Pattaya for illegal trade linked to a suicide
Economic Crime Suppression Division (ECD) officers arrested a Russian man at a luxury penthouse in Pattaya yesterday for allegedly running an illegal trade, which led to the suicide of a Thai woman. ECD officers arrested the 40 year old Russian man, Alexey Vegman, at his penthouse yesterday, April 4 on an accusation of illegally trading. Vegman reportedly denied all allegations…
-
Government’s debt hike prompts caution from agencies
Ratings agencies issued cautionary statements following the surprise decision this week by the government to increase its debt in a bid to stimulate the economy. The move, which may compromise the government’s fiscal consolidation efforts, is likely to stimulate short-term growth. The medium-term budget plan was revised by the Cabinet on Tuesday, causing a rise in the deficit next fiscal…
-
Phuket reveals Songkran festival plans featuring music festival
Phuket officials yesterday revealed their plans for the upcoming Songkran festival celebrations, with two major events scheduled to take place in Cherng Talay and Rawai. The Alive Beach On Cloud Songkran Music Festival is set to be held at the Blue Tree complex in Cherng Talay from April 13 to 15. On April 13, a merit-making ceremony and water festival…
-
Gold rush: Bullion prices hit record high, further increase forecast
Bullion prices have hit a new record high of over US$2,300 an ounce with sustained demand from central banks and rising geopolitical conflict. This led local traders to raise their forecasts for both global and domestic prices of gold to US$2,350 and 40,500 baht respectively. The Gold Traders Association (GTA) updated the domestic price by 400 baht per baht-weight before…
-
Intoxicated driver flips car in Pattaya accident
In the early hours of yesterday, an intoxicated Thai man overturned his car on Petchtrakul Road in Pattaya. The Sawang Boriboon Thammatasan Rescue Unit was promptly dispatched to the location in the Na Kluea subdistrict of the Banglamung district in Chon Buri province, where they found a black Toyota Vios sedan, with Bangkok licence plates, lying on its roof. The…
-
Krungsri Bank targets 2-3% growth in SME loans in 2024
Krungsri, Thailand’s fifth-largest lender, is optimistic about achieving a 2-3% growth in small and medium-sized enterprise (SME) loans in 2024, following a surge in the first quarter of the year. The bank’s SME loans increased by over 2% by the end of March, in line with the gradual economic recovery of the country. This follows a robust 11% growth in…
-
15,000 tonnes of cadmium found in Samur Sakhon, no health scares yet
Acting on a tip-off, the Thai authorities yesterday discovered 15,000 tonnes of cadmium in a warehouse in the Mueang district in the central province of Samut Sakhon. No adverse health effects have been reported by residents thus far. The Industrial Commission of the Secretariat of The House of Representatives received a complaint alleging that a company in the northern province…
-
Bolt driver in Pattaya attacked by passenger’s ex-boyfriend
A Bolt driver in Pattaya found himself in an unexpected and dangerous situation when an unidentified man attacked him, mistakenly believing him to be the new boyfriend of his ex-girlfriend. The incident took place yesterday when 40 year old Pairat Songsod was waiting in his parked car for his passenger, 24 year old Kulrat who had booked a ride through…
-
Immigration officials gear up for Songkran rush at Thai border
The head of the Immigration Police and the chief of Immigration Division 6 recently inspected the Sadao and Padang Besar border checkpoints in Songkhla province. The inspection took place yesterday at 10.30am as part of a drive to ensure the readiness of the immigration facilities in anticipation of the increased flow of tourists during the Songkran festival, which marks the…
-
AWC set to scoop jackpot from Thailand’s casino legalisation
Tisco Securities indicated that Asset World Corporation (AWC), a luxury hotel and retail centre operator, stands to gain significantly from the government’s plan to legitimise casinos within entertainment complexes. This move is part of the government’s strategy to attract high-spending tourists and curb revenue losses from illicit gambling. The government is contemplating the establishment of the first entertainment-casino complex in…
-
Thailand Video News | Ferry fire rescue in Koh Tao, Governor warns of fuel station scams this Songkran
In this video, Alex and Jay cover the news from across Thailand. The Governor has initiated a rigorous crackdown on fuel station scams, just in time for the approaching Songkran festivities. Swift and decisive action by Thai authorities recently averted a potential tragedy, rescuing all passengers from a ferry fire en route to Koh Tao. Meanwhile, the monkhood bid of…
-
Bangkok repays 2.3 billion baht in debt owed to BTS Skytrain
Bangkok Governor Chadchart Sittipunt announced yesterday that the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) had repaid its 2.3 billion baht in debt to the Bangkok Mass Transit System, commonly known as the BTS. It is hoped that this debt repayment will give the private sector confidence to invest in future projects with the BMA. The debt owed by BMA to the BTS…
-
Teen gang fatally shoots boy in Udon Thani province
A group of teenagers ruthlessly chased down and fatally shot a 14 year old boy in the Nong Han District, Udon Thani province, leaving two of his peers severely injured. The horrific incident occurred on the evening of March 31, in the village of Ban Yang. Captured by CCTV, five youths on two motorcycles pursued the group to a dead-end…
-
Thai Tourists undeterred by Taiwan earthquakes for Songkran
Despite Taiwan experiencing its most significant earthquake in a quarter of a century and a series of tremors in Japan, Thai tourists are undeterred and continue with their planned holidays during the Songkran period. Charoen Wangananont, President of the Thai Travel Agents Association (TTAA), revealed that the majority of Thai tourists had already secured their tour packages, flight tickets, and…
-
Thai student arrested for using AI to create explicit celebrity images
Police in Chon Buri Province arrested a 25 year old man for allegedly creating and distributing explicit images of celebrities using artificial intelligence (AI) technology. The student, Suphanat, has been previously apprehended for similar offences and was found with over 1,000 doctored images. The arrest on April 5, 2024, by the Cyber Crime Investigation Bureau (CCIB) led by Police Major…
-
Laem Phromthep’s sunset threatened by caterpillars (video)
Laem Phromthep, a popular sunset viewpoint in Phuket known for its iconic Palmyra palm trees, is under threat due to an infestation of black-headed caterpillars. The local governor, Sophon Suwannarat, observed this alarming situation during a recent visit to the cape. He attributed the sudden surge in the caterpillar population to the uncharacteristically prolonged dry spell in the past few…
-
MFP alleges govt embezzlement in RTN frigate procurement
Thailand’s leading opposition group the Move Forward Party (MFP) has levelled charges at the government for alleged embezzlement about the Royal Thai Navy (RTN) planned acquisition of a new frigate. The controversy, now infamously dubbed as the “change money” scandal, was brought into the limelight by Wiroj Lakkhanaadisorn, an MP from the MFP, on the final day of a general…
-
Thailand’s airports to see more than two million jet-setters
The Transport Ministry anticipates a surge of 2.61 million travellers across Airports of Thailand (AOT)’s six international hubs during the seven-day Songkran festivities. Minister Suriya, in a recent announcement, affirmed preparations for the expected influx, rallying relevant agencies to gear up for the travel onslaught spanning from April 11 to 17. Ensuring passenger comfort and safety remains paramount, Suriya directed…
-
Water crisis hits Koh Pha Ngan and Koh Samui, tap water rationed
On Koh Pha Ngan, a water crisis since late March has led to a stringent rationing of tap water which affected both locals and tourists. The rationing, operating on a rotational basis, leaves some areas parched on certain days while others savour the flow. A meagre 3,500m3 to 4,000m3 of water trickles through the pipes daily, barely meeting the island’s…
-
Thai monk arrested for drinking alcohol and approaching nuns
Thai police arrested a Thai monk last night and forced him to quit the monkhood after he was caught drinking alcohol and trying to enter the rooms of two nuns at a temple in the Isaan province of Buriram. Two nuns at the unidentified temple in Buriram sought help from Satuek Police Station in the middle of the night after…
-
Thai heritage extravaganza takes off in Pattaya
Pattaya burst into life this week with a dazzling celebration of Thai cultural richness, as Mayor Poramet Ngampichet inaugurated the Thai Heritage Conservation Project: Preserving, Promoting, and Safeguarding Thai Identity in honour of HRH Princess Sirindhorn’s 69th birthday. The beachfront of central Pattaya became the stage for a captivating showcase of Thailand’s cultural tapestry. The event was a magnificent exposition…
-
Governor warns of fuel station scams this Songkran
To safeguard consumers against potential exploitation during the upcoming Songkran festivities, Prachuap Khiri Khan’s provincial authorities have unleashed a new campaign. Led by Deputy Governor Komkrit Charoenpatanasombat, the crackdown aims to ensure fair pricing at fuel stations across the province. Accompanied by a team of officials including Siriwan Kanasorn, Nopadol Suwongpradit, and Chanthip Niamprad, inspections were conducted yesterday, to prevent…
-
Drunk British motorist causes severe accident in Pattaya City
Pattaya City police were alerted to a significant road accident involving an alleged drunk British man and a local motorbike taxi driver in front of Wat Chai, Banglamung, in Chon Buri at 3.16am today. The collision caused several injuries and triggered a quick response from Sawang Boriboon Thammasathan Foundation officers and other relevant agencies. Upon arrival at the scene, officers…
-
Thai condo market dominated by Chinese and Russian investors
Foreign buyers from China and Russia dominated the Thai condominium market in 2023, as per data from the Real Estate Information Center (REIC). The report disclosed a total of 14,449 units, valued at 73.2 billion baht, were purchased by international buyers, marking a 25% increase from 2022. Chinese investors led the way, acquiring 6,614 units, approximately 46% of the total…
-
Vinfast challenges Chinese targeting Southeast Asia’s EV market
Vinfast, a Vietnamese electric vehicle (EV) producer, is contending with Chinese automobile manufacturers to market its EVs within Southeast Asia, leveraging the ASEAN Free Trade Agreement (AFTA). The firm eyes Thailand as the initial export venue, based on the country’s fast-growing EV market which promises lucrative business opportunities, according to Vu Dang Yen Hang, chief executive of Vinfast Auto (Thailand).…
-
Thai man found living in tent by reservoir in East Pattaya
At the edge of Mabprachan reservoir in East Pattaya, a man weakened by muscular dystrophy was found living in a makeshift tent shelter. TMN News Pattaya stumbled upon the man, identified as Chai, who revealed his harrowing tale of survival. Hailing from Kanchanaburi Province, Chai recounted his struggles, abandoned by his community after his mother’s passing and left to fend…
-
Thai comedian’s monkhood plans pickled in debt controversy
Controversy has erupted around a Thai comedian as he prepares to enter monkhood amid a storm of online criticism and debt claims from a pickled crab seller. The comedian’s decision to ordain follows a public dispute over unpaid debts, which has led to widespread condemnation from netizens and creditors alike. The drama unfolded on the popular talk show Hone Krasae,…
-
Thai PM hooked on Kaeng Tai Pla despite TasteAtlas critique
Kaeng Tai Pla may not have tickled the taste buds of international food critics on the TasteAtlas platform but it still won the hearts of the Thai Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin and many locals in Thailand. Surprisingly, its title as the world’s worst food sparked a surge in sales of the dish, particularly in Thailand’s southern provinces, proving that even…
-
Phuket’s Tourist Case court division resumes after four-year break
After a four-year hiatus, the special Tourist Case division of the Phuket Provincial Court has resumed operations. The announcement was made by Kriangsak Rodphanchu, who currently holds the position of Chief Judge at the Wiang Sa Provincial Court in Surat Thani, in addition to serving as the Acting Chief Judge of the Phuket Provincial Court. Initially opened on September 24,…
Don't forget to check out some other things to do in Thailand - get help starting a business or finding a job in Thailand, buy Thailand property, rent a yacht or book a medical procedure worldwide.