News
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 Pre-existing conditions? These expat insurance plans still have you covered
Many expats feel worried that their pre-existing health problems will stop them from getting insurance in a new country. This fear is common, especially when medical care can be expensive. But the good news is, some insurance, like the plans...
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Teacher grants funding to 10 year old boy who missed school to help grandmother
A heartbreaking story has surfaced about a 10 year old boy who diligently works to support his family. Despite being the mainstay for his grandmother, he often has to miss classes to sell garlands in order to make a living. The boy, Guitar (nickname), missed so much school that he kept having to repeat his year and is currently still…
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Indian man’s rare condition causes him to sleep 300 days a year
The digital sphere buzzed with interest over a curious case reported by the India Times revealing a man suffering from a rare disease that causes him to sleep for approximately 300 days a year. This man, hailing from the Nagaur district in Western India, has been affectionately dubbed by locals as Kumbhakarna, a name referencing a mythical giant from the…
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Thailand to boost trade with India
The Commerce Ministry is joining forces with the government’s Team Thailand to boost economic growth by tapping into the vast potential of India. The aim is to boost exports to India by an impressive 4% this year. Deputy Commerce Minister Napintorn Srisunpang highlighted the allure of the Indian market, citing its robust economic growth, resilient domestic consumption, and active industrial activity.…
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Samsung’s operating profit takes a hit amidst subdued demand for tech
South Korean giant Samsung Electronics Co reported its sixth consecutive quarter of falling operating profits, underlining subdued consumer demand and fuelling uncertainty about a broader tech recovery timeline. The company witnessed a 35% decline in operating income to 2.8 trillion won (US$2.1 billion), falling short of estimates by 24%. Moreover, revenue slid to 67 trillion won, a steeper plunge than…
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Scandinavian Airlines increase flight frequencies to Thailand
The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) unveiled a soaring surge in flights from Scandinavian cities, transforming Thailand into a must-visit destination. Leading the charge is Norse Atlantic Airways, stealing the limelight with its announcement of an extended direct Oslo-Bangkok service for both the summer 2024 and winter 2024/2025 seasons. Get ready for a thrilling ride as they unleash twice-weekly flights…
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Thai chicken vendor faces 12 years in jail for impersonating lawyer
A Thai grilled chicken vendor faces 12 years in jail after he was arrested in October of 2022 for impersonating a lawyer. Incredibly, he even won several cases in court. The fake lawyer, Pornthep Kachainphak, advertised his legal services on social media for a number of years. He posted pictures of himself in a lawyer’s outfit on social media, claimed to…
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Rare green dragon caterpillar emerges in southern Thailand
A sensational discovery unfolded In the heart of Phatthalung‘s Srinagarindra district: a rare dragon-headed caterpillar (Polyura athamas) emerged at a local mangosteen plantation, surpassing expectations and captivating all who lay eyes on it. This enchanting creature, resembling a mythical dragon with its dark green, elongated, and slug-shaped body crowned by four thrust-back horns, was stumbled upon by an avid photographer.…
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Thai disabilities fund unleashes hefty support for home repairs and rent
The Empowerment for Persons with Disabilities Fund announced an expansion of financial support for house repairs and rent today, January 9, as declared by the Social Development and Human Security Minister, Varawut Silpa-archa. This revolutionary decision, inked during the fund’s pivotal meeting on December 27 last year, promises substantial relief for those navigating the challenges of disabilities. Varawut, the driving…
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Phuket tour boat industry rallies for enhanced safety measures
Phuket’s tour boat industry is taking decisive action, following the tragic accident where a five-year-old Russian girl lost her life in a tour speedboat crash at Koh Maiton. A collective movement is emerging among industry leaders, to bolster safety measures and prevent such incidents from recurring. The initiative is led by prominent figure Shaun Stenning, CEO and Founder of 5…
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Monk killed, 37 injured in wrong-lane lorry crash in Sakon Nakhon
A tragic incident unfolded in Sakon Nakhon when a lorry, driven on the wrong side of the road, crashed into a bus instantly killing a monk and inflicting injuries on 37 others. The fatal accident happened on the Nittayo Sakhon Nakhon – Nakhon Phanom Road in Baan Noramai, situated in the Kusuman district. The emergency services were alerted about this…
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Thai man murders father & sister in shocking drowning tragedy
An unhinged Thai man confessed to murdering his father and younger sister by convincing them to lie in a metal box, locking them inside, and subsequently dumping them in a pond in the Isaan province of Sakon Nakhon. Locals in the Phang Khon district of Sakon Nakhon spotted two suspicious metal boxes in Nong Lum Hin pond at 12.40am today,…
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Man warns not to touch glass globe under direct sunlight at temple in Phetchabun (video)
A TikTok user posted a video warning others not to touch a glass globe at Wat Pha Son Kaew, Phetchabun province. The user, @supalack_laijaroen,posted: “Unexpected event at Wat Pha Sorn Kaew. Don’t accidentally touch the crystal ball like me, haha. (No drama, anyone who wants to try it out is welcome).” The young man in the video showed his burnt…
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Rangsit Highway overpass missing a strip of steel railing, emergency repairs
Safety concerns were sparked after strips of steep railing over a pedestrian bridge were found missing across Tesco Lotus Rangsit branch, Phahonyothin Road, Prachathipat Subdistrict, Thanyaburi District, Pathum Thani province. Meanwhile, Rangsit Highway is expediting immediate repairs to the flyover, as well as solving the problem of road lighting to ensure safety at night. Reporters went to inspect the overpass…
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Fire engulfs paper factory in Pathum Thani, Thailand, no casualties
Firefighters in Pathum Thani, Thailand, this morning tirelessly battled a blaze that engulfed a substantial paper factory warehouse in the Muang district. The fire, which started in the early hours of today, did not result in any casualties. The Mawanpathum Paper Co factory, located in Tambon Bang Kradee, was the site of the inferno. According to Suwat Phoree, investigation chief…
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Junior high school students breaks nose of fifth year senior in northern Thailand
A group of third year high school students attacked and kicked a fifth year student in the face until his nose was broken and covered in blood. The parents of the perpetrators were fined for a total of 9,000 baht. The parents of the injured student were shocked to find the same group of kids who assaulted their son posting…
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Viral video reveals Japanese man’s covert train misconduct
A Japanese man’s secret groping of a sleeping woman on a train caused a social media storm after it was caught on video and went viral. The man, discovered to be a successful employee of a major company and a graduate of a prestigious university, is also a father of three. The viral video shows the pervert on a train,…
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Indian tourist’s deep slumber prompts rescue mission in Pattaya city
In the early hours of this morning in Pattaya city, a peculiar scenario was unveiled as a 28 year old Indian tourist, identified as Umang, fell into a profound slumber inside a locked car. His unsuspecting companions were left with no choice but to shatter the vehicle’s windows to rouse him from his sleep. This unusual episode unfolded around 3am…
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Thai wife’s stab at redemption falls flat as she knives her husband again
A Thai wife in the Isaan province of Nakhon Ratchasima in Thailand grabbed headlines after stabbing her husband. Despite expressing remorse and pledging not to do it again, she proceeded to stab him a day later. The 53 year old woman, Janjira, stabbed her 51 year old husband, Thamromg, at their home in the Phimai district of Nakhon Ratchasima on December…
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Thailand’s escalating smog crisis: 48 provinces engulfed by unsafe air quality
Heavy smog has engulfed 48 out of Thailand’s 77 provinces, rendering the air quality unsafe due to high levels of ultra-fine dust. As of this morning, Tuesday, January 9, 21 provinces reported red-level air pollution, a serious health threat. The Geo-Informatics and Space Technology Development Agency (GISTDA) reported that the particulate matter 2.5 micrometres and less in diameter (PM2.5) levels…
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Rajamangala University students fight at Siam Skywalk, one injured
A fight broke out between university students at Pathum Wan District, Bangkok, at approximately 5.50pm yesterday. A group of 30 to 40 students from Rajamangala University of Technology, Uthen Thawai Campus walked around Siam Skywalk on the Tokyo shopping mall side, and at the same time, another group of students from the Pathum Wan Campus came up from the Art…
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Elephant herd continue to cause havoc in central Thailand
Volunteers in Prachin Buri province warned reporters to watch out for wild elephants in Wang Tha Chang Subdistrict yesterday, January 8, during their visit. The Subdistrict Administrative Organisation and village headman were watching out for wild elephants from Khao Ang Rue Nai Wildlife Sanctuary, Chachoengsao Province, which migrated across the border. The herd, comprising over 150 elephants, invaded deep into…
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Thai PM gives a lesson of appreciation to teachers ahead of Teacher’s Day
Thai Prime Minister and Finance Minister Srettha Thavisin delivered a message ahead of Teacher’s Day, highlighting the importance of teachers as leaders of knowledge, who bring together teachings from textbooks and experiences. He emphasized that teachers are not merely instructors, but creators and givers. In today’s rapidly evolving world, the role of a teacher extends beyond imparting textbook knowledge. Teachers…
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Soldier dies in motorbike accident in Saraburi, another injured
A motorbike accident in Saraburi resulted in the death of a soldier and left another injured. The incident, which occurred at 2.18am today, was reported by the Saraburi Rattnatraysathansuan Rescue Foundation. The scene of the accident was on Phahonyothin Road, near the PTT petrol station in Pak Khao San Neua, Mueang district. The black Honda motorcycle, registered in Bangkok with…
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Thai man suspected of abusing his girlfriend and burying her alive
Police are searching for a Thai man suspected of physically assaulting his girlfriend and burying her alive in the Isaan province of Maha Sarakham. The dead body of the girlfriend, a 30 year old Thai woman called Daraporn “Pare” Phonsri, was found buried in a forest near a residential area in the Mueang district of Maha Sarakham province. She was…
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Thailand’s Ministry of Commerce boosts global recognition for Thai cuisine
Noteworthy strides are being made by the Ministry of Commerce in Thailand as they launch the Travel, Taste, Eat Thai SELECT campaign, a remarkable initiative to advance Thai cuisine’s global recognition. This ambitious endeavour, spearheaded by the Department of International Trade Promotion (DITP), is invested in motivating Thai eateries around the globe to secure the Thai SELECT certification, a seal…
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Thai health minister faces backlash over new cannabis control bill
Public Health Minister Cholnan Srikaew’s recent approval of a fresh draft of the cannabis and hemp control bill sparked a wave of criticism from pro-legalisation activists in Thailand, who called the move a betrayal of his commitment to public consultation. Prasitchai Nunual, who serves as the secretary-general for Thailand’s Cannabis Future Network, shared his disappointment on Facebook, accusing the minister…
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Capital A Malaysia: AirAsia across the globe to merge
Malaysia’s Capital A Berhad announced plans to sell its aviation business to AirAsia X Bhd. This move aims to unite long and short-haul operations under the AirAsia brand. Capital A Berhad declared its intention to offload its aviation business to AirAsia X Bhd. The ambitious goal is to consolidate both short and long-haul operations under the universally recognised AirAsia banner. Group…
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Thailand’s oil refineries ready to market eco-friendly Euro5 diesel
Thailand’s oil refineries are gearing up to market their new eco-friendly diesel that complies with the Euro5 environmental emission standard. This standard was put into effect on the first day of the year, according to the Federation of Thai Industries (FTI). The Euro5 standard, set to replace Euro4, will apply to B7 and B20 bio-diesel, which contain 7% and 20%…
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Electric vehicle market faces risk from non-performing loans
The rising popularity of electric vehicles (EVs) is facing a new challenge as concerns over non-performing loans (NPLs) seep into the EV market. The rapid surge in EV sales has led to worries about whether buyers, many of whom are considered new-generation people with weaker financial standing, will be able to meet their instalments. This could lead to an increase…
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Election disinformation: Threat on integrity and democracy
A staggering 87% of 8,000 respondents across 16 countries, bracing for elections in 2024, are deeply concerned about the impact of disinformation on the integrity of their democratic process. A shocking 47% are very concerned, unveiling a digital battlefield that poses a grave threat to the core of democracy. According to UNESCO-IPSOS, their Global Survey of Online Disinformation and Hate…
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