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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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Top 10 reasons for expats to get a comprehensive health insurance in Thailand
Moving to Thailand offers a prospect full of excitement and adventure, but in the same vein, if any injuries were to occur (and god forbid it does), the local healthcare system can be confusing at first glance for many expats...
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UOB LIVE apologizes for Ed Sheeran concert disruption
Suphalak, the Chairperson of UOB LIVE, issued a heartfelt apology following a disturbance at the Ed Sheeran concert held on February 11. In a formal letter, Suphalak expressed deep regret for the disruption caused by excessive noise in the VIP lounge area, which affected the concertgoers’ experience at UOB LIVE. In a move to address the fallout from the incident,…
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Phuket celebrates Valentine’s Day with mass weddings and LGBTQ+ inclusivity
Phuket celebrated Valentine’s Day with a sprinkle of love and a dash of tradition as several couples took their vows and registered their marriages in various district offices across the city. In a nod to the significance of the day, officials showered the newlyweds with blessings and small tokens of appreciation, adding to the joyous atmosphere. In the well-known beach…
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Valentine’s tragedy: Drunk taxi driver kills Thai couple
A drunken Thai taxi driver crashed into a couple on a motorcycle on the Liab Khlong Sam Road in the central province of Pathum Thani yesterday, leading to the victims’ deaths. Khlong Luang Police Station officers were alerted to the fatal accident at 7.30am yesterday, February 14, and rushed to the scene with a rescue team. The two victims, a…
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Critically injured giant king cobra saved by surgery in Sichon
A critically injured king cobra, believed to be the largest ever found in the district of Sichon, Nakhon Si Thammarat, received emergency veterinary treatment after being discovered with severe wounds. At nearly 5 metres long and weighing almost 10 kilogrammes, the male snake was in critical condition with grave injuries near its cloaca. The incident, which resulted in the first-known…
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Phuket gears up for annual Heroines Festival celebrating local legends
Phuket’s renowned Heroines Festival is gearing up for its annual celebration, set to take place between March 9 and March 23. At the heart of the event lies a tribute to the island’s celebrated heroines, Thao Thep Krasattri and Thao Sri Soonthorn, locally known as Chan and Mook. These two figures are revered for their valiant efforts in leading the…
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Bangkok blanketed in toxic air: Emergency work-from-home orders issued
As the dense smog engulfs Bangkok with toxic air levels skyrocketing past safety thresholds, authorities urgently call for remote work, revealing shocking pollution statistics. In a directive by Bangkok Governor Chadchart Sittipunt, the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) urged state entities and private firms to enact emergency measures, allowing their employees to work remotely today and tomorrow. “AirBKK, the city’s air…
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Thai cop allegedly rapes 19 year old woman he met on dating app
A Thai Marine Police Division officer allegedly raped a 19 year old woman he met on a dating application after he lured her to a welfare house in Chon Buri province. ThaiRath reported that a Thai TikToker shared a video about the sexual assault and warned women using dating apps to stay away from police officers. Reporters then spoke to…
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Nonthaburi woman saved from abuse after son’s accidental call to police
A two-day ordeal of domestic abuse in Nonthaburi ended with police intervention after a 13 year old boy mistakenly dialled the emergency number while seeking medical help for his mother. The woman, a landlady, was found locked in a room and severely beaten by her younger, drug-addicted partner who was suspected of infidelity. In the quiet soi of Samakkhi 49,…
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Thailand allocates 50 million baht for foreign tourist insurance
The Thai Tourism and Sports Ministry has allocated a budget of 50 million baht (US$1.38) for the fiscal year of 2024 to financially aid foreign tourists in the event of accidents or death. The ministry stated that this amount is likely to cover its expected influx of 35 million foreign visitors this year, in accordance with the average annual claims…
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Prime minister’s car plate sparks lottery fever in Thailand
Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin embarked on a field trip to the provinces of Saraburi and Lopburi, a visit eagerly anticipated by lottery enthusiasts for the potential lucky numbers found in the prime minister’s car registration plate. Accompanied by officials, the 61 year old prime minister’s visit began in Saraburi province at an agricultural productivity learning centre, where he reviewed and…
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Cameroonian men flee to Singapore after killing Burmese man
Two Cameroonian men fled from Thailand to Singapore in the early hours of yesterday morning after killing a Burmese businessman and stealing 5 million baht in cash from a mansion in the Sukhumvit neighbourhood of Bangkok. The killers were originally believed to be Scottish. A Burmese woman, 58 year old The The Win, filed a complaint with the Lumpini Police…
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Exploited Thai workers: Debt, deception, and the dark side of berry picking in Europe
In the past 18 years, over 110,000 Thai workers embarked on a gruelling journey to Europe, enticed by the promise of lucrative pay in berry fields, yet behind the allure lies a sinister reality of exploitation, debt bondage, and shattered dreams. From the rural heartlands of Thailand’s northeast, hopeful farmers borrowed staggering sums from banks and illegal lenders to finance…
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Brain cell communication research key to Alzheimer’s treatment
Research into brain cell communication is seen as crucial in finding a treatment for brain-related diseases like Alzheimer’s, according to Nobel Laureate in Medicine, Professor Edvard Ingjald Moser. This research, he says, is particularly relevant given the global ageing populations and the need to enhance their quality of life. Speaking at the Japan-ASEAN Bridges event series in Bangkok, Prof. Moser…
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Australian PM demands Julian Assange Belmarsh release
Australia Prime Minister Anthony Albanese demanded the immediate release of political prisoner Julian Assange from London’s Belmarsh Prison. The 60 year old PM, alongside the Australian Parliament, spearheaded a motion urging the United States and the United Kingdom to release Assange from what they deem as trumped-up espionage charges, just ahead of a pivotal legal hearing. The 52 year old…
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Yearly rotational fishing ban begins in Gulf of Thailand
The Department of Fisheries initiated its yearly cycle of rotational fishing ban in the Gulf of Thailand, extending until September. The restriction starts at the Khao Mong Lai coast in Prachuab Khiri Khan, extending to the Don Sak district in Surat Thani, effective from today until May 15. Following this, the prohibition will shift to the stretch between Khao Ta…
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Bangkok retail hotspots top land value at 3.75 million baht per sq wah
Bangkok’s prime retail locations, including Siam Square, Chidlom, and Ploenchit, retain their position as the city’s most expensive land areas, with prices reflecting the lucrative nature of the retail business compared to other commercial ventures. Sopon Pornchokchai, the president of the Agency for Real Estate Affairs (AREA), revealed that a survey of land prices across Bangkok and its vicinity, ongoing…
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Bangkok battles severe air quality dip prompting remote work
Bangkok’s air quality dipped severely yesterday, February 14, with an escalating level of fine particulate matter, PM2.5, recorded in most districts. This hazardous air quality led the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) to urge both state agencies and private entities to facilitate remote working for their personnel today and tomorrow. According to an official statement issued by Bangkok Governor Chadchart Sittipunt,…
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ONCB considers dropping methamphetamine pill limit to three
The Office of the Narcotics Control Board (ONCB) is contemplating a reduction in the permissible limit of methamphetamine pills from five to three. This proposal is in response to the substantial criticism received for the five-pill cap, enforced by the Ministry of Public Health since February 9. The current rule exempts individuals from criminal charges if they are found with…
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Military and vets save giant python in Thailand after dog attack
A giant python named Boonrod was saved from a near-fatal dog bite by military personnel in Nakhon Si Thammarat, Thailand, and required urgent veterinary care, including sterilisation, before being returned to the wild. The incident occurred yesterday, February 14, when soldiers from the Special Warfare Training Camp in Sichon, along with their instructors, carried the nearly 5-meter-long, 10-kilogramme male python…
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Baht falls to three-month low as US inflation delays rate cut
The Thai currency hit a three-month low against the US dollar yesterday, February 14, slipping below 36 to the dollar. This was attributed to higher-than-anticipated US inflation, which led the market to predict a delay in the Federal Reserve’s first interest rate cut, initially expected in May. Quoting Kasikorn Research Centre, the baht was valued at a low of 36.13 against…
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Thailand and Cambodia discuss joint petroleum exploration in Gulf
Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin of Thailand and Cambodian counterpart Hun Manet have instigated discussions about the potential for joint petroleum exploration and production in the Gulf of Thailand. The overlapping claims area (OCA), an area of 26,000 square kilometres that is believed to be rich in fossil fuels, is the focal point of these negotiations. The OCA is considered a…
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Thai automotive industry urged to embrace sustainability
Emphasising the necessity for sustainability and clean energy, the Thai automotive industry is being encouraged to swiftly adapt to new global regulations. Furthermore, the industry is advised to utilise free trade agreements (FTAs) to enhance its competitive stance. Following a meeting with the Thai Automotive Industry Association (TAIA) and the Automotive Industry Club of the Federation of Thai Industries (FTI)…
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Thai Airways confirms mega aircraft deal with Boeing
Thai Airways International made headlines by sealing a monumental deal with Boeing, announcing an order for at least 45 aircraft. The airline confirmed on Wednesday, February 13, that the order, which includes options for additional jets, will see the new aircraft joining its fleet between 2027 and 2033. This strategic investment comes at a crucial time for Boeing, offering a…
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Love triumphs on Valentine’s Day as LGBTQ+ couples flock to register unions
In a heartwarming Valentine’s Day spectacle, the Jewellery Trade Centre (JTC) on Silom Road became the epicentre of love as numerous LGBTQ+ couples flocked to register their unions today. Amidst the glittering aura of romance, approximately 800 couples, eager to formalise their relationships, gravitated towards the Bang Rak district, a symbolic haven dubbed the land of love. However, this year,…
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Finger-lickin’ love: KFC unveils fried chicken rings for Valentine’s Day
Love stories, laughter, and shared moments have been filling buckets of joy for dating and loving couples at KFC Thailand for 40 years. These sweet moments have become the secret ingredient in every crispy KFC meal, creating memories as finger-lickin’ good as the chicken itself. In an exclusive celebration of this heartwarming 40-year love affair, KFC and Colonel Sanders invite…
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Thai farmer’s blooming rose garden rakes in cash on Valentine’s Day
The owner of Phraew Banpha Namthiang Rose Garden in Khon Kaen once toiled in the sugarcane fields, until she took a gamble six years ago, swapping cane for the delicate allure of roses. This Valentine’s Day, love isn’t the only thing in the air: the sweet scent of roses drifts from Phraew Banpha Namthiang, where demand for the enchanting blooms…
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Thai poultry exports soar, feathering their cap as world’s third-largest
With over 100,000 tonnes of chicken valued at a staggering 100 billion baht shipped abroad last year alone, Thailand has secured its spot as the world’s third-largest exporter, trailing only behind Brazil and the US. Thailand’s poultry industry has been on an upward trajectory, with Chaweewan Kampa, President of the Poultry Promotion Association of Thailand, hailing the nation’s climb to…
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Thai teacher accused of ignoring sick student, leading to his death
A Thai mother accused a teacher at a school in the central province of Pathum Thani of ignoring her six year old son who was having a seizure, leading to the boy’s death. The mother shared a video of her son shaking uncontrollably on Facebook with a caption complaining about the teacher who took a video of the sick boy.…
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BMA halts mega transit plans due to cash crunch
The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) slammed the brakes on the construction of three ambitious mass transit projects, citing a crippling shortage of funds. Instead, the projects, the Silver, Grey, and Light Blue lines, will now be handed over to the Ministry of Transport for execution, leaving commuters in the Thai capital hanging in uncertainty. The decision, rubber-stamped at a meeting…
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PM Srettha urges citizens to dress yellow on Mondays in homage to Thai King
Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin ignited a national fervour, urging Thai citizens to pay homage to His Majesty the King’s 72nd birthday. Addressing the nation post-Tuesday’s Cabinet summit, the 61 year old Thai PM, clad in golden hues, disclosed plans for a weekly ritual. “In jubilant celebration of His Majesty’s sixth-cycle milestone on July 28. I’ve directed civil servants to don…
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