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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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Hong Kong man’s death-defying leap across train tracks goes viral (video)
In a heart-pounding video that took the internet by storm overnight, a man showcased a breathtaking leap across the tracks at Fo Tan Station on the MTR East Rail Line in Hong Kong. The six-second clip, a fusion of two recordings, unveils the man’s fearless sprint from one platform to the other, executed with seamless precision. What makes this spectacle…
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British couple stranded in Dubai returns home to Manchester
Battling storm-struck Dubai chaos, a British couple turned their 12-day flight wait into a three-day journey, involving three flights and seven taxis, to make it back home to Manchester. The couple, 60 year old Alison Shah and her 52 year old partner, Richard Kay, faced a nightmare scenario as they attempted to return from Shah’s birthday trip to Bangkok, only…
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PM Srettha discusses interest rate cuts with bank chiefs
Prime Minister Srettha Thavasin convened a meeting with top executives from four major banks to discuss potential interest rate reductions aimed at aiding vulnerable groups within the country. The discussions took place at the Government House at 9am today just before the weekly Cabinet meeting. PM Srettha, who also serves as Finance Minister, sought cooperation from the leaders of both…
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Electric car sales to surge by 2024 despite economic challenges
The International Energy Agency (IEA) predicts a robust growth in the sales of electric cars in 2024, despite economic challenges in certain markets. Key driving factors for this surge include affordability and the development of charging infrastructure. The IEA estimates that electric car sales will reach 17 million this year, a boost from 14 million the previous year. This indicates…
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Royal Thai dish that beats the heat
In scorching Thailand, with temperatures soaring to a sizzling 40 degrees Celsius during the summer, one Thai dish has proved effective for our ancestors to keep cool in the absence of modern refrigeration. During the reign of King Rama IV (1851-1868), culinary wizards at the royal court concocted a dish boasting an unparalleled cooling effect on the body. Khao Chae…
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Thailand targets global animal feed market
The Government of Thailand is spearheading a move to become a global leader in the production and export of animal feed, focusing on quality assurance and safety to cater to the global market. The initiative is expected to generate an economic value of up to 300 billion baht. Chai Watcharong, the spokesperson for the Office of the Prime Minister, announced…
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Thai fans press couple to return diamond pendant to Jackson Wang
Thai fans of Hong Kong singer and rapper Jackson Wang put pressure on a Thai couple to return a lost segment of his diamond-encrusted Buzz Lightyear pendant after they discovered it in Phuket and tried to sell it. Wang visited Phuket to celebrate his birthday at a beach club in the province on March 27. During his birthday party, Wang…
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Taiwan rattled by new 6.3 magnitude quake and aftershocks
Taiwan has been rattled by continuous tremors as the island experiences yet another earthquake, setting off more than 180 aftershocks that continue into the night. The most powerful quake, measuring a magnitude of 6.3, causes buildings in the capital city of Taipei to tremble violently. Journalists describe numerous tremors stemming from the earthquake, originating off the east coast of Taiwan.…
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Northern Thailand braces for 44 degrees celcius heatwave
A heatwave accompanied by strong winds and hail is forecasted to hit northern Thailand starting tomorrow, with temperatures expected to soar to a sweltering 44 degrees Celsius, breaking records previously held by Mae Hong Son province in 2016 and Tak province last year. The Thai Meteorological Department (TMD) warned of extreme weather conditions due to a low-pressure area caused by an…
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Thailand government plans to raise minimum wage to 400 baht
Labour Minister Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn unveiled yesterday that the Government of Thailand has assembled a series of fresh employment benefits set to be introduced on May 1, International Workers’ Day. The most notable of these is a proposal to elevate the minimum wage to 400 baht across the nation. The new minimum wage rate of 400 baht has already received the…
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Lop Buri’s growing macaque population to be relocated by DNP
An increasing macaque population has taken over downtown Lop Buri, prompting the Department of National Parks, Wildlife, and Plant Conservation (DNP) to intervene. Athapol Charoenshunsa, the department chief, has unveiled plans to relocate these monkeys once their new holding facility is ready. Currently, an estimated 2,200 macaques are roaming freely within the city’s bounds, causing disruptions to local businesses and…
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Monk’s miraculous escape inspires lottery frenzy over license plate
A revered Thai monk known for his amulets miraculously survived a car accident unscathed, sparking interest among local lottery enthusiasts in the vehicle’s license plate number. The incident occurred yesterday when the monk’s car flipped but neither he nor his passengers sustained serious injuries. This event has captivated the public’s attention, with many attributing the fortunate escape to the protective powers of…
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Fake time, real warning: Thai couple’s scam alert (video)
A Thai couple took to social media to issue a warning, alleging that a foreign man attempted to scam them by selling a fake luxury watch. The couple claim that the man allegedly bought the watch for 59,000 baht but offered it to them for just 6,000 baht. A Thai man, Supakorn Piriyesyangkoon, shared a video and pictures of the…
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PM Srettha aims to boost Asia-Pacific’s sustainable development
PM Srettha charged the United Nations’ Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) to assist in identifying innovative solutions to promote sustainable development across the Asia-Pacific region. This appeal was part of his address at the 80th ESCAP session, themed Leveraging Digital Innovation for Sustainable Development in Asia and the Pacific, held in Bangkok yesterday, April 22.…
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Phuket seeks special administrative zone status for tourism boost
Phuket’s Tourism Council of Thailand (TCT) Region 11 branch, led by Wirintra Paphakityotphat, has made four formal requests to Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin. The topmost request is to elevate Phuket to a Special Administrative Zone. The requests were submitted to PM Srettha during his visit to Phuket on Friday, April 19. The purpose of these requests, presented at the Heroines…
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Thailand Video News | Phuket Portuguese Topless Pandemonium, Scorching heat sparks severe storm warnings
In this Thailand video news, Alex delves into the news stories across Thailand. Beginning with the Prime Minister proposes Bangkok for Formula One, Chinese parents reunite after a “Virtual Kidnapping” scam, a heatwave triggers thunderstorms in 26 provinces, unlicensed crypto exchanges face blocks, a Thai transwoman is fined for assault, and chaos ensues at a Phuket hotel as a Portuguese…
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Thai tourism sector proposes 300-baht tax to counter over-tourism
Thai tourism operators are advocating for government regulations to address the rising issue of over-tourism in the country. They propose the implementation of a 300-baht tourism tax, which they believe could alleviate the problem. Their call for action comes in response to Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin’s commitment to make 2025 a pivotal year for Thai tourism. The Federation of Thai…
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Thai stock market rebounds amid renewed investor confidence
The Thai stock market made a strong comeback yesterday, experiencing a rise of approximately 1.3%. This resurgence was mirrored in other regional markets which also bounced back from significant losses incurred on Friday. Investors are seemingly reassured by the belief that a full-scale war in the Middle East is unlikely. This sentiment was further bolstered by the decision of the…
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Krabi smoothie shop owner accused of investment fraud
Approximately 10 victims have reported a local smoothie shop owner in Krabi for investment fraud involving over 3 million baht. The suspect, using her acquaintance with a well-known lawyer as leverage, challenged the victims to take legal action against her. Police are now gathering evidence to pursue the suspect legally. A group of around 10 individuals filed complaints yesterday at…
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Thai police bust illegal lender for extreme rates and data breach
Thai authorities apprehended 37 year old man at his residence for running an illegal money-lending enterprise that charged exorbitant interest rates of 8% per week. The operation, led by senior police officials, uncovered not only evidence of the illicit business but also a trove of personal data harvested from individuals, signalling a breach of Thailand’s Personal Data Protection Act. Yesterday,…
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Authorities struggle to control fire at chemical warehouse in Rayong
A fire broke out at an industrial waste and chemical warehouse belonging to the Win Process Company in the eastern province of Rayong at 8.30am yesterday. The Thai authorities have been working for over 20 hours to extinguish the fire and are struggling to fully control it due to flammable chemical substances. Residents living near the warehouse in the Ban…
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Motorbike and minivan collision injures three in Pattaya
A collision between a motorbike and a minivan in Pattaya led to injuries for three people, including two young women and a blind individual. The incident occurred in the early hours of yesterday, April 22, at 2.36am, near Pattaya School 7 on the inbound lane heading towards Sattahip. The motorbike, a Honda Scoopy I model, was ridden by 18 year…
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Government launches utility cost subsidy for welfare cardholders
A new government initiative has been launched to alleviate the burden of utility costs for households in Thailand. The programme, aimed at state welfare cardholders, offers a single electricity and water subsidy per household, linked to one household registration code. Eligible participants must confirm their identity and register for the subsidy, which applies to either electricity or water services, not…
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Thai baht expected to weaken against US dollar
The Thai baht is expected to weaken to an estimated 37.20 baht against the US dollar later this week, due to the continued Middle East tensions, says Kasikorn Research Centre (K-Research). The economic indicators from the US, due for release this week, are also predicted to bolster the dollar’s strength. Monday morning trading saw the Thai currency quoted at 36.97…
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Second phase of Thai-Chinese high-speed rail project approved
The State Railway of Thailand (SRT) has given the green light for the second phase of the Thai-Chinese high-speed rail project. This phase, which spans from Nakhon Ratchasima to Nong Khai, has an investment total of 341.35 billion baht. Details were shared by SRT governor, Nirut Maneepan, who disclosed that the project’s approval occurred during a recent board meeting. Chirute…
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Deputy police chief charges Thai prime minister with malfeasance
Thailand Deputy National Police Chief Surachate “Big Joke” Hakparn charged Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin with malfeasance, claiming that the prime minister’s actions led to his suspension and thwarted his path to becoming the next national police chief. Big Joke took his complaint to the Office of the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) and addressed it to its secretary-general, Niwatchai Kasemmongkol. He…
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Phuket anticipates one million Chinese tourists post-Songkran
The popular tourist resort island of Phuket is gearing up to welcome an additional influx of 1 million Chinese tourists this year. This forecast comes in the wake of a targeted tourism promotion that took place across three Chinese cities. Anupab Vejwanichsanong, who occupies the role of the vice president for the Phuket Administration Organisation, revealed today, April 22, that the roadshow’s…
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Singapore CEO wins hearts washing dishes himself
The CEO of FairPrice Group from Singapore took the corporate world by surprise with his unconventional approach to leadership. Henry Chu wasn’t content with merely issuing orders from the boardroom, instead, he made headlines by rolling up his sleeves and getting involved in the day-to-day operations of the company’s restaurants, including cooking and washing dishes—a move that has garnered widespread admiration.…
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Thailand police bust fake pet medication ring
Thailand police swooped to bust a clandestine operation producing counterfeit flea and tick treatments for pets, uncovering over 40,000 illicit products. The raid, which revealed a shocking use of termite poison in the mix, has potentially saved countless pets from life-threatening heart failure. The joint operation by Thailand’s Consumer Protection Police Division (CPPD) and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA)…
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Thai woman claiming Steven Gerrard her father, arrested
Police arrested a drug-addicted Thai woman for causing disturbances and scaring away customers at a petrol station in the Isaan province of Udon Thani today, April 11. She previously gained attention on Thai social media last year for falsely claiming to be the daughter of Steven Gerrard. Mueang Udon Thani Police Station officers were notified of the ensuing chaos at…
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