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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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Why long-term expats in Thailand say insurance is worth every baht
Thailand’s warm weather, low cost of living, and good healthcare attract many long-term expats, including retirees and remote workers. Life here feels easy and affordable, but medical costs can be high if something goes wrong. Private hospitals are popular because...
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Phachi chemical warehouse fire triggers emergency evacuation
A chemical warehouse fire in Phachi, Ayutthaya, prompted a swift evacuation as toxic fumes spread. Yesterday, February 29, at around 10.30pm, a blaze broke out in a warehouse illegally storing chemicals, necessitating an urgent response from fire services due to ongoing explosions and noxious odours. The Phachi Municipality Facebook page advised residents within a 5-kilometre radius to evacuate immediately, wear…
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Ayutthaya meth bust nets 10 million pills worth 500 million baht
A major drug bust involving 10 million methamphetamine pills, valued at 500 million baht (US$13.9 million), was thwarted by authorities in Ayutthaya province. The capture was made possible after a meticulous tracking operation, leading to the arrest of two suspects who attempted to disguise the illicit cargo amidst vegetables on a six-wheeled truck. Late yesterday night, at around 11pm, law…
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Boxing camp owner arrested for assaulting young female boxers
Police arrested a 54 year old boxing camp owner for allegedly using a firearm to intimidate and sexually assault two 12 year old female boxers at his facility. The arrest followed the mother of one of the victims reporting the incident, which led to the shutdown of the camp and the suspect fleeing to Bangkok to hide. Despite his attempt…
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Thai police arrest duo after violent mugging in Bangkok Noi
Bangkok police apprehended two young men following a violent assault and robbery in Bangkok Noi district. The suspects, identified as 23 year old Pongpattan from Kalasin, and 29 year old Somjai from Bangkok allegedly demanded money from a pedestrian and subsequently attacked and robbed the individual when the request was denied. The incident occurred yesterday when the victim was walking…
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Thai woman plunges to death from 23rd floor of condo in Malaysia
A 32 year old Thai woman met her untimely demise after being allegedly pushed by her boyfriend from the 23rd floor to the seventh floor of a condominium in Setia Alam, Malaysia. Shah Alam OCPD Assistant Commander Mohd Iqbal Ibrahim disclosed that the authorities received a distressing report regarding the incident precisely at 10.02pm local time (9.02pm Thailand time) last…
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Swiss man denies assaulting Thai woman, attributing incident as accident (video)
A Swiss man denied physically assaulting a Thai female doctor for sitting on the steps of his luxury villa in Phuket, saying it was an accident when he stumbled on the stairs, causing his foot to accidentally kick the doctor’s back. The 26 year old female doctor, Tarndao Chandam, took to social to share that a Swiss man, later identified…
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Thai man’s descent into madness ends in shocking temple death
A mentally disturbed Thai man yesterday wreaked havoc within the sacred walls of Nimman Ratbumrung Temple, Nong Prue, Bang Lamung, Chon Buri. The individual, identified as Preecha, barricaded himself inside the temple’s main chapel, setting off a chain of events that would end in tragedy. As news of the disturbance reached authorities, Ban Bueng Police swiftly descended upon the temple…
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Man executed for murder of ex-fiancée in Singapore
In a sombre statement released yesterday, the Singapore Police Force (SPF) confirmed the execution of a Bangladeshi national for the murder of his former fiancée at a budget hotel in Geylang back in 2018. Despite fervent appeals for clemency, the president’s decision stood firm, sealing Ahmed Salim’s grim fate. This chilling incident marks the Republic’s first judicial execution for murder since…
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Tuk tuks and taxis: Bangkok’s solution to overcharging crisis
In a move to safeguard tourists’ wallets, Bangkok unveils an arsenal of measures to tackle the notorious tuk tuk and taxi overcharging crisis. Amidst a flurry of concerns raised over the fleecing of foreign tourists by tuk tuk and taxi drivers, the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) has taken a decisive stand. Permanent Secretary Wanthanee Wattana spearheaded this pivotal moment following…
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Khon Kaen police issues urgent warning against online fraud
In a bid to tackle the rising tide of online fraud, Khon Kaen Police Station took an unprecedented step, adorning its exterior with colossal signs standing up to 3 metres tall. These giant warnings, unveiled yesterday, February 28, aim to arm citizens with crucial advice on dodging the traps set by cunning scammers. With phrases like: Do not believe, Do…
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Nurse dies in Chanthaburi road accident on maternity leave
A tragic road accident claimed the life of a young nurse who had only recently taken maternity leave. At 9am today, February 29, her car veered off course, hitting a man signaling for assistance before crashing into a roadside pole and falling into a drainage ditch. The nurse was pronounced dead at the scene inside her vehicle. The incident occurred…
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Serial rapist arrested after sexually assaulting Bangkok schoolgirls
Police arrested a serial rapist at his condominium in the Bang Sue district of Bangkok yesterday for sexually assaulting at least three schoolgirls in the Bangkok and Nonthaburi provinces. The Thai rapist admitted to being a pedophile and claimed that all the victims consented. A 12 year old victim and her parents filed a complaint at Tung Mahamek Police Station…
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Factory owner’s son stabs man at Phatthalung pig butchering event
A grisly incident unfolded at a furniture factory in Phatthalung province where the son of the factory owner, after slaughtering a pig, fatally stabbed a fellow participant, leading to an urgent manhunt. The perpetrator’s father warned against interference, insisting on handling the matter privately. At the scene of a chilling crime in Phatthalung’s Khuan Khanun district, police discovered blood traces…
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Thai VietJet cites safety reasons for refusing disabled passengers
Several Thai people with disabilities stepped forward to lodge complaints with the Ministry of Transport, accusing Thai VietJet Air of refusing to accommodate them. The airline responded to the accusations today, February 29, stating that it denied service to certain disabled passengers as a precautionary safety measure. The president of the Association for the Empowerment of Disabled Women (AEDW), Saowaluck…
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Transport minister slashes prices with 38 more domestic flights
Amid escalating complaints over skyrocketing airfare prices, Transport Minister Suriya Juangroongruangkit announced an additional 38 domestic flights and an estimated 13,000 seats for the upcoming Songkran holiday season in April. Suriya asserted that this measure is just one of the short-term solutions being devised to combat the escalating airfare predicament. “We’re taking decisive action to address the concerns raised by…
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Thailand’s manufacturing sector sees slump for 16th month
Thailand’s manufacturing sector witnessed a prolonged slump for the 16th month in January, as the country’s key economic pillar grapples with dwindling domestic and overseas motor vehicle sales, according to information released by the Industry Ministry. The year-on-year decline of 2.94% in the sector fell short of the anticipated 5.1% fall predicted in a Reuters survey and followed a revised…
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Thailand’s hotels produce the most greenhouse gas in Asia
According to KResearch’s latest findings, Thai hotels are the leading culprits in greenhouse gas emissions, emitting a whopping 0.064 tonnes of carbon per guest each night, significantly higher than the regional and global averages of 0.057 and 0.019 tonnes respectively. Urging the government to intervene, KResearch emphasised the crucial role of sustainable practices in curbing this environmental menace. “While hotels…
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Pilgrimage bus crash near Khao Kitchakut claims a life, injures 9
A pilgrimage bus met a tragic fate today as it descended from the Khao Kitchakut mountain in Chanthaburi province, Thailand, veering off course and overturning. The calamitous incident claimed the life of one individual and left nine others with injuries, including three foreigners. The accident occurred close to a toll station when the bus, filled with worshippers returning from a…
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PM Srettha’s surprise visit to Yala province sparks tourist frenzy
Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin, flanked by a cadre of ministers, paid a surprise visit to Yala Province yesterday, igniting a blaze of excitement aimed at boosting the region’s tourism. This high-stakes visit, part of an expansive tour spanning Pattani, Yala, and Narathiwat, aims to catapult Yala’s tourism sector into the stratosphere, setting a bold target of 2 million visitors, both…
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Illegal Myanmar workers found in vegetable crates on Thai border
A covert operation to smuggle illegal workers across the Thai-Myanmar border was thwarted when vigilant paramilitary forces discovered eight Myanmar nationals hidden in vegetable crates. The shocking find occurred during a routine vehicle stop by soldiers from the 35th Ranger Forces Regiment at a checkpoint on the Mae Sot-Tha Song Yang road in Tak province. Paramilitary forces, led by Colonel…
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Thai Department of Commerce collaborates to stabilise fruit market
The Department of Commerce, in collaboration with global fruit importers, is examining the futures market and preparing to roll out an additional 35 initiatives. These initiatives are aimed at promoting Thai agricultural products, to maintain price stability throughout the year. Commerce Minister Phumtham Wechayachai yesterday presided over a business-matching project’s launch. This project, centred on fresh and processed fruit and…
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Thailand’s tusker turnaround: TAT teams up with WWF for elephant-friendly travels
In a bid to promote responsible tourism and protect Thai elephants, the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) continues to pledge unwavering support to the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) Thailand and its Travel Ivory Free initiative. This collaborative effort aims to combat the illegal ivory market by encouraging travellers to refrain from purchasing ivory items during their visits. Recently,…
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Singapore’s Tada revs up in Thailand with zero commission fees
In a bid to capture the hearts and wallets of Thai commuters, Tada, the Singapore-based ride-hailing giant, is revving up for its grand entrance into Bangkok’s competitive market. With zero commission fees and a vow to balance the books within three to five years, Tada aims to disrupt the status quo and dominate Thailand’s ride-hailing landscape. Establishing its foothold in…
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War on online scams: Nearly 40,000 fraudulent accounts frozen
Since its establishment on November 1 last year, the Anti-Online Scam Operation Centre (AOC 1441) has waged a battle against cyber fraud, culminating in the freezing of 39,918 bank accounts, revealed Digital Economy and Society Minister Prasert Chantararuangthong. Prasert disclosed that this drastic action was prompted by a deluge of 307,515 complaints received by AOC as of January’s conclusion. Explaining…
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Consumer confidence hits 47-month high amid economic recovery
January saw a significant rise in consumer confidence, reaching the highest level in 47 months due to the ongoing economic recovery, according to a statement by Fiscal Policy Office (FPO) Director-General Pornchai Thiraveja. The consumer confidence index marked its sixth consecutive month of growth, reaching 62.9, a slight increase from 62.0 in December. This growth is indicative of improved domestic…
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Planting seeds of change: Thai veggie market sprouts into billion-baht industry
In a culinary revolution, plant-based food companies are urged to overhaul taste, slash prices, and boost health benefits. Will this signal a paradigm shift in global dining habits? The Thai plant-based food market, once a niche, is now a burgeoning industry worth billions. By 2024, it’s expected to skyrocket to 45 billion baht, according to Statista, a German online platform…
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Chinese makeup artist turns 57 year old into youthful sensation
The transformation of a 57 year old comedian into a youthful idol by a Chinese makeup artist named Tuzi has sent shockwaves across the Internet and social media platforms, leaving even the comedian’s wife unable to recognize him. Tuzi’s talent for age-defying makeup has earned her the title of master of transformation and has become a viral sensation. Tuzi, famed for…
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Devotee donates gold to Thai statue after land sale
A Thai woman devotee made a grand gesture of gratitude by donating gold necklaces, bracelets, and rings to a revered statue after selling her land for over a million baht. The act of devotion took place at Wat Sawang Arom in Nakhon Pathom, as believers and lottery enthusiasts gathered before the government lottery draw. The serene premises of Wat Sawang…
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How conservation efforts saved the ecosystem at Maya Bay
In 2016, Maya Bay welcomed a staggering 1.73 million visitors, but its popularity devastated its delicate ecosystem. Fast forward to 2024, and the once-threatened bay stands as a testament to the power of environmental stewardship. Dr Thon Thamrongnawasawat, a leading marine biologist explains that the target point for Maya Bay was to set up a system that would help us,…
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Bitcoin value triples in a year, hitting over 2 million baht
Bitcoin’s value soared to over 2 million baht on the Bitkub digital asset exchange, as global prices reached an all-time high of US$59,000 yesterday afternoon. This surge is due to the institutional acquisition of spot Bitcoin exchange-traded funds (ETFs) and a growing interest in cryptocurrency among retail investors. Udomsak Rakwongwan, co-founder of decentralised derivatives platform FWX, and Mathematics lecturer at…
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