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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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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...
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Energy Absolute CEO runs for top spot in FTI
The race for the top position at the Federation of Thai Industries (FTI) has heated up, as vice-chairman Somphote Ahunai, also the CEO of Energy Absolute, a company specialising in renewable energy and electric vehicles, has thrown his hat into the ring. The FTI, a significant body in Thailand, boasts a membership of over 15,000 nationwide. The current chairman, Kriengkrai…
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Manufacturing production index dips in Thailand amid economic challenges
The Office of Industrial Economics (OIE) has reported a 2.94% year-on-year dip in the Manufacturing Production Index (MPI), falling to 99.2 points in January. This downturn is largely attributed to a range of economic challenges, most notably the highest level of car seizures in half a decade. The domestic automotive industry’s stagnation was a significant contributor to January’s MPI decline,…
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Thai govt to use One Map system for land disputes resolution
Sutin Klungsang, the Defence Minister, stated that the Thai government will employ the One Map system, developed by the Royal Thai Survey Department, to resolve ongoing land ownership disputes nationwide, including a contentious issue in Khao Yai National Park. Sutin, who is also the chair of the One Map preparation committee, made it clear that any disagreements about the map’s…
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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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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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Thailand escapes ‘not free’ label despite election chaos
Thailand’s surge from the shackles of “not free” to “partly free” status in the annual Freedom House survey has sent ripples across the globe. Despite a rocky electoral journey that left many questioning the integrity of the democratic process, the Land of Smiles defies the odds, prompting scrutiny and speculation. Freedom House, a Washington DC-based non-profit organisation championing democracy and…
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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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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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Thai citizenship for migrant workers’ kids to boost birth rates
In a bid to address Thailand’s declining birth rates, the research director of inclusive development at the Thailand Research Development Institute (TDRI) has put forward a radical proposal to grant Thai citizenship to migrant workers’ children. With a projected drop of 100,000 births over the next four to five years, attributed to financial constraints and lifestyle choices, Dr Somchai Jitsuchon’s…
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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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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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Chon Buri apartment owner battles raucous bars in neighbourhood
In a neighbourhood near Wat Boon Kanjanaram, Bang Lamung, Chon Buri, a battle rages between the tranquillity of the residences and loud music from neighbouring bars. Seven nearby bars, each blasting tunes with the fervour of a rock concert, have transformed the once-tranquil area into a sleepless nightmare. International tourists, seeking refuge in apartment owner Kanjana Brousa’s building, now toss…
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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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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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Bangkok gems and jewellery fair exceeds expectations
The 69th Bangkok Gems and Jewellery Fair, held at the Queen Sirikit National Convention Centre, concluded on a high note, exceeding its initial expectations. The event, organised by the Department of International Trade Promotion (DITP) and the Gem and Jewelry Institute of Thailand (GIT), recorded an estimated value of orders surpassing 3.7 billion baht, a 12% increase over the target.…
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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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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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Phuket parasail operator shells out 400,000 baht to injured Chinese tourist
A Thai parasailing operator agreed to pay a Chinese tourist 400,000 baht in compensation after she broke her leg in a parasailing accident on Karon Beach in Phuket on Saturday, February 24. The operator blamed the accident on a change in wind direction and insisted they adhered to strict safety measures. The Chinese woman, Nadahan, took to social media to…
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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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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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Swedish man arrested for fake euro currency caper in Phuket
Police arrested a Swedish man in the Patong sub-district of Katu district, Phuket province, after discovering that he exchanged money using fake euro banknotes. Patong Police Station officers received a complaint from an employer at the Violet Money Exchange 2 on Saen Saai Road that a Swedish man was exchanging money using counterfeit euro notes at 1.50pm on February 26.…
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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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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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