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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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Thailand-Cambodia border gate to boost trade despite landmine challenges
The Ban Nong Ian-Stung Bot border gate between Thailand and Cambodia is soon to be operational, aiming to stimulate trade and logistics between the two nations. This announcement was made by Parinya Potisat, the governor of Sa Kaeo province yesterday. The new frontier passage will ease the pressure on the Ban Khlong Luek-Poipet border by providing an additional route for…
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45 year old man arrested in Pattaya for alleged sexual abuse of seven year old girl
A 45 year old beach umbrella and chair rental provider in Pattaya was apprehended on February 8 following allegations of child sexual abuse. The suspect, known only by his nickname Tum, was taken into custody by Pattaya police following a warrant issued by the Pattaya Provincial Court. The arrest came after grave allegations of child sexual abuse surfaced against him. The…
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Songthaew driver seriously injured after brawl in Pattaya
In a violent altercation that unfolded on a busy Pattaya street, two Songthaew drivers went head-to-head in a brutal brawl over a group of Chinese tourists. The explosive confrontation left one driver hospitalised and the other facing serious legal consequences. Late in the evening on February 4, just steps away from Grand Honey 3 on South Pattaya Road, chaos erupted…
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Australian governor-general to visit Thailand, strengthening ties
The longstanding ties between Thailand and Australia are set to be celebrated as Governor-General of Australia David John Hurley prepares for a visit to Thailand from February 13 to 17. The visit, as reported by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, promises to be a significant event in the annals of both nations. The itinerary of the visit includes a royal…
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Pita’s shocking family secrets exposed in IG post controversy
Former Move Forward Party leader Pita Limjaroenrat came forward to address the controversies surrounding his alleged Cambodian ancestry. In a recent Instagram post that captivated his 2.7 million followers, Pita shed light on his maternal grandmother, Anusri, and the intriguing connections within his family tree. Setting the record straight, Pita affirmed his grandmother’s birthplace as Bangkok, vehemently dismissing any claims…
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Thai woman arrested in murder for hire case after 16 years
Officers from the Crime Suppression Division (CSD) arrested a Thai woman in Bangkok in a murder for hire case after she evaded arrest for over 16 years. The body of a Thai woman was found in a canal in Pak Poon sub-district, Mueang district, Nakhon Si Thammarat province on July 8, 2008. She bore signs of strangling on her neck…
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PM Srettha heralds visa-free travel between Thailand and China (video)
In a heartening message marking the Lunar New Year, Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin expressed his optimism about the newly lifted visa requirements between Thailand and China, anticipating a significant boost in bilateral relations and travel. During his well-wishing messages on Lunar New Year, PM Srettha conveyed his hopes that the lifting of visa requirements would foster increased interaction between Thailand…
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Interior minister condemns student activist’s act of defiance towards Thai royal convoy
Deputy Interior Minister Chada Thaiseth strongly condemned the actions of student activist Tantawan Tuatulanon and her friend for their behaviour towards a royal motorcade in Bangkok. Chada expressed his disapproval, stating that the motorcade was not causing any traffic obstruction and that the pair could have chosen alternative lanes. The deputy interior minister emphasised that honking at the royal convoy…
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Crackdown on underage prostitution, teen Thai pimp arrested
Children and Women Protection Sub-Division and Chana Songkram Police Station officers swooped on an underage prostitution racket and arrested a 19 year old pimp as she accompanied two underage sex workers to a hotel in Bangkok. The teenage pimp, Rapheporn, was arrested on Wednesday, February 7, at the hotel on Prachathipatai Road in the Phra Nakhon district of Bangkok, and…
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Less than 5% pay rise for Thai employees this year
According to Aon Plc’s latest survey, Thai employees are set to experience a modest 4.9% pay rise this year, trailing behind their regional counterparts. The forecast anticipates a slight uptick from 4.7% last year but still falls short of the salary growth expected in Indonesia (6.5%), the Philippines (5.5%), and Malaysia (5%). Meanwhile, Singapore is projected to witness a 4%…
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Minivan collides with parked truck on Highway 36 in Chon Buri
A tragedy was narrowly averted when a minivan carrying 19 passengers collided with a parked timber truck on Highway 36 in Chon Buri. The unfortunate incident, which occurred on Wednesday, February 7, resulted in injuries to two passengers, while the remaining 17 escaped unscathed. The Sawang Boriboon Thammasathan rescue unit was called to the scene of the accident at 7.16pm.…
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Unsuspecting Singapore chef uncovers Thailand-based vice ring
A Singapore chef found himself entangled in a web of illegal vice activities linked to a Thailand-based syndicate. The Singaporean man’s involvement in the illicit operation not only led to his arrest but also shed light on the sophisticated and lucrative nature of the syndicate’s operations in Singapore. After befriending a woman he met at a karaoke lounge in Golden…
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Thai soldier rapes his stepdaughter, mother forgives rapist
A Thai soldier raped his 14 year old stepdaughter and got her pregnant. The victim’s mother and grandmother insist that the charges be dropped because they are family, and the rapist is the household’s breadwinner. A Thai teacher at a school in the Isaan province of Udon Thani filed a complaint at Mueang Ubon Thani Police Station on February 6…
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Tragic scooter crash in Thailand leaves Queensland dad in coma with costly medical bills
A Queensland father’s life hangs in the balance after a scooter accident in Thailand left him in a coma, paralyzed, and burdened with astronomical medical expenses. The ordeal sparked a desperate plea for help as his family grapples with the overwhelming financial strain. Brenton Simmons faces a harrowing battle for survival after a fateful scooter ride in Thailand resulted in…
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Thailand gears up for World Songkran Festival
Preparations are underway for the World Songkran Festival, with a meeting set to take place next week, as per a statement given by Thapanee Kiatphaibool, the governor of the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), on February 8. The meeting, a collaborative effort between the Ministry of Culture, the Ministry of Interior, the private sector, and other relevant agencies, will focus…
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Thai Airways takes flight with new Boeing 787 jets
Thai Airways soared to new heights with a firm order for 45 Boeing 787 jets, potentially boosting the deal to around 80 aircraft, in response to the escalating demand for international travel, according to industry sources. The deal, set to be formally unveiled later this month, has already been reflected in Boeing’s published order backlog as a contract for 45…
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Peruvian seeks Thai justice as yakuza thugs get ‘light’ punishment
A Peruvian man is seeking justice from the Thai authorities after five Japanese yakuza thugs received light sentences for assaulting him at a restaurant in Bangkok. The victim suffered severe injuries and spent more than 400,000 baht on treatment. The 35 year old Peruvian man, Tetsuo Kobashikawa, contacted non-profit organisation Saimai Survive for help seeking justice. The organisation accompanied him to…
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The realities of PM2.5 in Thailand revealed by ‘Check Dust’
Thailand is facing a grave environmental crisis as PM 2.5 levels soar to dangerous heights, threatening the health of millions. The Thai Ministry of Higher Education, Science, Research, and Innovation (MHESI), in partnership with the Geo-Informatics and Space Technology Development Agency (GISTDA) and other relevant bodies, took decisive action to combat this escalating threat. The Check Dust application, utilising cutting-edge…
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Chinese man flies home in personal aircraft for Lunar New Year
The Chinese online community has been captivated by an image of a father and his young daughter taking a unique approach to returning home for the Chinese New Year: flying in a personal aircraft. The Lunar New Year, a time when millions undertake the arduous journey home, often leads to congested roads and transportation systems. To avoid this annual ordeal,…
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Thailand braces for severe weather as storms hit 17 provinces
A powerful weather front is currently affecting Thailand, with the Meteorological Department of Thailand (TMD) issuing a severe weather warning for 17 provinces. Eastern regions are expected to bear the brunt of the storm, with 30% of the area predicted to experience heavy thunderstorms, strong gusts of wind, and possible hail. The warning comes as a new high-pressure system from…
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British man arrested for counterfeit euro scam in Phuket
Police in Phuket apprehended a British man for his involvement in a counterfeit euro exchange scam across various locations in the province. The alleged suspect, 33 year old British national Tobias Drew was reportedly found in possession of a large sum of counterfeit currency and has been charged under Thai law. A 50 year old Thai woman, Janjira Laowlang was…
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Thai tourism index for Q4 2023 signals risk of deflation
The Tourism Council of Thailand’s (TCT) quarterly index has reported a lower-than-normal confidence level for the fourth quarter of 2023, signalling concerns among operators about the risk of deflation and delayed fiscal budget disbursement. The Thai tourism index for the last quarter of the year scored 77, with 100 being the average; this is an increase from the third quarter’s…
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Royal Thai Navy busts illegal oil smuggling ring in South Thailand
The Second Naval Area Command of the Royal Thai Navy (RTN) received a report about a boat allegedly involved in illicit oil smuggling to fishing vessels near Songkhla yesterday, February 8. In response, the RTN launched an investigation which uncovered a vessel specifically adapted for clandestine oil transportation, carrying an astonishing 10,000 litres of illicit oil intended for local fishermen…
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Thai PM proposes campus switch to diffuse student conflict at Rajamangala University
Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin yesterday suggested that the relocation of Rajamangala University of Technology’s Uthenthawai Campus (Uthen) from its current location in Bangkok’s Pathumwan district could be the key to resolving its longstanding rivalry with Pathumwan Institute of Technology students. The 61 year old Thai prime minister emphasised that a change of location and a shift in student mindset are…
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Canadian man claims fear of criminal gang forced him to open plane door
The Canadian passenger, who attempted to open the door of a Thai Airways plane on February 7, claimed that he had to escape the aircraft because a criminal gang from Vietnam was after him. The foreign man was clean from drugs, and there was no mention of mental health issues. The 40 year old Canadian man, Wong Sai Heung, was…
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Thai AirAsia boosts flights to visa-free Japan and China
In response to robust demand, Thai AirAsia is set to increase flights to coveted travel destinations like Japan and China, which offer visa-free access to visitors. The airline also plans to introduce a fresh route to Okinawa. The initiative comes from Thai AirAsia’s chief executive, Santisuk Klongchaiya, who also helms SET-listed Asia Aviation (AAV). According to him, the surge in…
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Supreme court weighs in on vote buying case against PPRP candidate
The Supreme Court is currently reviewing a vote buying case brought forth by the Election Commission (EC) against a candidate from the Palang Pracharath Party (PPRP) from Nakhon Sawan. The candidate, Pornwisit Jaemsai, is accused of vote-buying, an illegal practice that infringes the Organic Act on the Election of Members of the House of Representatives (2018). This announcement was made…
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Methamphetamine seizures double in Thailand amid increased smuggling
The second half of last year saw a significant spike in methamphetamine seizures in Thailand, with over 250 million pills intercepted, which is twice the quantity seized during the same period the prior year. This rise in the illegal drug trade is reportedly due to increased smuggling activities across the borders from neighbouring nations, as explained by Prime Minister Srettha…
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Thai taxi driver threatens Japanese man for refusing his service
A Thai taxi driver faces four charges for threatening a Japanese man with a knife after the foreigner refused to use his service because he would not use his meter and demanded 150 baht for a destination only 1 kilometre away. On February 5, the Japanese victim took to his Twitter account, @ginn_taro, to share his experience with a Thai…
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Appeal to limit Chinese New Year’s paper burning to curb pollution
A pressing call to the public has been made by the Pollution Control Department (PCD), appealing for a reduction in the burning of paper offerings and incense during the Chinese New Year celebrations. This plea is part of a broader initiative to manage the increasing levels of ultra-fine PM2.5 pollutants during the season. The traditional burning of gold and silver…
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