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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Genoa barber caught in drug trafficking sting due to influx of bald customers
A barber in the Italian city of Genoa was apprehended by the police on suspicion of drug trafficking after noticing a high number of bald, beardless customers frequenting his shop. The police officers became aware of potential drug trafficking in the Foce district of Genoa, although they had no clear leads. An investigation was initiated with additional information gathering, aided…
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Revolutionary Thai project turns waste into gold: The PARQ’s green secrets unveiled
In a move towards environmental sustainability, The PARQ, Thailand‘s pioneering mixed-use development, has unveiled its secret weapon: a cutting-edge waste management system that’s turning food waste into nutrient-rich plant vitamins. As the first project in Thailand to achieve the prestigious LEED Gold® version 4 certification and the WELL certified™ core gold standard, The PARQ is not just a real estate…
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Fatal late-night shooting in Nakhon Pathom leaves restaurant server dead
A fatal shooting incident occurred at 1.30am today in Nakhon Pathom when a villain in a pickup truck chased down and shot a young restaurant server. The attacker’s bullets claimed the life of the young man in front of his friend, leaving four others injured. The incident took place on a rural road in the district of Thanon Kad, in…
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Nightly temples extravaganza: Bangkok’s spiritual spectacle lights up the sky
In a dazzling celebration of tradition and spirituality, Bangkokians are set to bask in the mesmerising glow of the city’s temples after dark. The much-anticipated Illuminated 10 Temples and National Museum event promises a spiritual journey like no other, offering locals and tourists alike a chance to bid adieu to the old year and embrace the dawn of the new…
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Detained Thai soldier re-arrested after escaping from hospital
A Thai soldier, held in custody, successfully severed his ankle restraints and escaped from a hospital in the central province of Lop Buri before being recaptured later in the day. A military officer raised the alarm with police in Lob Buri province after the detained soldier, identified only as C, escaped while being treated at the hospital. The detained soldier…
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Thai Airways tests sustainable aviation fuel on Phuket-Bangkok flight
Thai Airways International and PTT Oil and Retail Business PLC piloted a flight employing sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) from Phuket to Bangkok yesterday, December 13. The initiative, which signals a significant stride towards an environmentally friendly aviation industry, was revealed during a media briefing at Phuket International Airport. Disathat Panyarachun, the head of PTT Oil and Retail Business PLC, explained…
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Thailand weather update: Cold north, stormy south and rain in 19 provinces
Today’s weather in Thailand sees a mix of cold in the north, stormy conditions in the south, and a forecast of rainfall across 19 provinces, including the capital city, Bangkok, and its surrounding regions. According to the Thai Meteorological Department‘s 24-hour forecast, high atmospheric pressure or mass cold air covers the northeastern regions and the South China Sea. This, combined…
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NEPC plans to cap power tariff for Thai households at current rate
The National Energy Policy Council (NEPC), in its recent meeting, moved to limit the power tariff for households consuming not more than 300 units a month at the existing rate of 3.99 baht per unit, an insider familiar with the meeting discussions revealed. In the NEPC meeting, led by Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin, two main points were reviewed, both related…
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Distressing discovery of abandoned fetus stuns Phuket neighbourhood
In a quiet corner of Karon, Phuket, a distressing discovery was made yesterday. A five month old fetus was found abandoned on a vacant lot near Soi Green Drinking Water. The alarm was raised around 10.45am, with Karon Police receiving the unsettling news from the 191 Provincial Police call centre. Due to the grave nature of the situation, the Deputy…
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Minimum wage hikes unlikely to impact Thai goods pricing significantly
The Commerce Ministry’s planning unit has weighed in on the ongoing debate regarding the impact of minimum wage increases on domestic goods and services, suggesting that such hikes are unlikely to significantly influence the pricing landscape. Poonpong Naiyanapakorn, the director-general of the Trade Policy and Strategy Office (TPSO), has argued that a rise in the daily minimum wage by an…
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MFP MP, Rukchanok Srinork, granted bail with conditions
The Criminal Court of Thailand granted a temporary release to Move Forward Party (MFP) MP Rukchanok Srinork. Rukchanok was prosecuted for violating Section 112 of the Criminal Law or lèse majesté law, and Computer Act after she retweeted posts from her Twitter account between July 18 to August 9 of last year, 2022. The messages she retweeted were about the…
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Thailand’s tourism authority plans strategy revamp to boost visitor spending
The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) is setting its sights on revamping its strategies to rejuvenate tourist spending, which has experienced a notable decline since the onset of the pandemic. Foreign tourists’ expenditure has dipped from an average of 50,000 baht to 42,000 baht. Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin yesterday urged TAT executives and domestic offices to reignite tourism expenditure. He…
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Thai rice purity at risk due to popularity of foreign strains
Thai rice finds itself in a perilous position as the purity of its strains is at risk due to the rising popularity of foreign rice strains smuggled from neighbouring countries, warns the nation’s agriculture minister, Thammanat Prompow. Speaking at the annual Thai rice conference organised by the Thai Rice Foundation Under Royal Patronage, Thammanat expressed his worries about the future…
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Thai stock market could sink below 1,300 amid foreign investor exodus
In a worrying development, analysts signalled that the Stock Exchange of Thailand (SET) index, which plummeted to a three-year trough yesterday, could continue its descent to below 1,300 points in the short term as foreign funds persist in their exodus. The Thai stock market appears unaffected by the recent resurgence of other equity markets, despite encouraging indicators emerging since last…
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Pattaya journalist shooting suspect surrenders and confesses
The prime suspect in the Pattaya journalist shooting case has turned himself in. He confessed to the charges of attempted murder and violation of the Firearms Act, following a warrant issued by Pattaya Provincial Court. The incident involved the shooting of a local journalist, 28 year old Nathaphat Boonchaalee, who sustained severe injuries. He surrendered himself to Nawin Theerawit, Pattaya…
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Young transport worker dies in tragic roadside accident in Lampang
A tragic accident has taken a young private transport company worker’s life as he collided with an electricity pole on a roadside, his body flung into the dark forest, unseen by passersby. The incident occurred at 8.45pm yesterday. Natthanan Kamsan, Deputy Investigator at Khelang Nakhon Police Station, Lampang Province, was alerted about a motorcyclist’s fatal collision with an electricity pole…
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2.4 million lights transform Bangkok cityscape into magical wonderland
In a luminous extravaganza set to rival the stars, over 2.4 million enchanting lights are casting their glow upon Bangkok‘s cherished Ratchadamnoen Avenue and Rattanakosin Island. This breathtaking spectacle, unveiled by Interior Minister Anutin Charnvirakul, promises to be a visual feast for locals and tourists alike. The dazzling campaign, inaugurated yesterday, December 12, at the Ministry’s headquarters on Atsadang Road,…
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Taiwanese singer Jay Chou wows 70,000 fans in epic Carnival Concert in Bangkok (video)
At Rajamangala National Stadium, Bangkok, Mandopop sensation Jay Chou last week transformed the venue into a musical carnival. Breaking records as the first Mandopop artist to grace the iconic stadium, the Taiwanese singer’s Carnival World Tour left fans breathless in an extraordinary audio-visual journey on December 8 and 9. Returning to Thailand after two decades, the 44 year old kicked…
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Young motorcyclist emerges as hero in Phuket traffic jam
During the evening rush hour chaos at the Koh Kaew intersection in Phuket last night, December 12, an unassuming young motorcyclist helped clear the way for an ambulance carrying a patient through heavy traffic. The motorcyclist rode a Honda Click. The incident was captured on video by Wisarut Saman, a rescue worker with Kusoldharm. He took to TikTok to share…
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Thai man commits suicide for funeral fund to pay off debts
A Thai woman sought help from non-profit organisation Saimai Survive after her husband decided to commit suicide to get money from a government funeral fund so she could pay off their debts. The 60 year old woman, Yupin, and Samai Survive founder, Ekkaphop Luengprasert, revealed that she and her 59 year old husband were vendors selling shallots and garlic in…
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Fire disrupts wedding in Rama 3 district: Couple unsatisfied with event organiser’s response (video)
A wedding celebration in the Rama 3 district was thrown into chaos as fire broke out, forcing guests to flee. The newlyweds, Vat and Porn, had hired a local event organiser for their special day but were left unsatisfied with their handling of the incident and the lack of responsibility shown. Despite the fire, the event organiser quickly focused on…
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Taiwanese tourist’s stolen motorbike recovered in Phuket within three days
An unsuspecting blue Honda Scoopy motorbike was whisked away from its temporary parking spot on Wiset Road, Rawai, in Phuket leaving its rider, Taiwanese tourist Chen Hong Xi, and owner, Narongchai Wangboonkong, in a state of distress. The theft of the rented motorbike was promptly reported to the Chalong Police on December 2 by Narongchai. The officers of Chalong Police…
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Thai Prime Minister confident Liverpool will crush Manchester United 5-0
Thai Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin yesterday predicted he is confident his team Liverpool will beat Manchester United 5-0 at Anfield on Sunday. PM Srettha, a big Liverpool supporter, took part in a talk-in called Thais Ask, PM Answers, at the InterContinental Bangkok Hotel yesterday, December 12. During the discussion, reporters asked the PM to give his opinion on the upcoming…
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Healthcare revolution or expat confusion? Thai Minister unveils game-changing scheme
In a move that promises to transform healthcare access for foreign nationals and the stateless, Thai Health Minister Cholnan Srikaew is set to launch a registration scheme on January 1 next year. The scheme, which boasts a mere five-minute registration process, aims to streamline access to public hospital coverage, leaving behind the antiquated healthcare systems that took weeks or even…
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Vietnamese culinary wonderland: Thailand’s first official Vietnam town
Thailand just welcomed its very own Vietnam town, officially recognised and inaugurated on December 9 by National Assembly Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue. Thailand’s northeast province of Udon Thani, about 550 kilometres from Bangkok, witnessed the grand opening of Vietnam town at Alley No. 2 on Si Suk Street. National Assembly Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue expressed confidence in the town’s success,…
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Hong Kong actress Kathy Chow passes away at 57
Renowned Hong Kong actress Kathy Chow bid an unexpected farewell just days after celebrating her 57th birthday. The beloved star, well-known for her illustrious three-decade-long career in the entertainment industry, left her fans in mourning on December 11, as her studio confirmed the devastating news following a whirlwind of social media speculation. The studio’s sombre announcement on Weibo left a…
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ONESIAM unveils spectacular celebration of joy at Siam Paragon, Siam Center, and Siam Discovery
Siam Paragon, Siam Center, and Siam Discovery, which are interconnected shopping centres collectively known as ONESIAM, are establishing a joyous year-end festival. United to become a Global Destination, they are presenting a parade of happiness for Thai patrons and international visitors alike. Infused with lively energy and excitement, the event features themed decorations curated by global artists in three distinctive…
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Delivery rider disguise: Armed man coerces Chinese merchant for 2 million baht
An indebted young man, disguised as a delivery rider and armed with a gun, coerced a Chinese merchant into transferring 2 million baht by claiming the money was for his child’s medical treatment. The assailant promised to return the money in six months. The incident occurred at the Kukot Police Station in Pathum Thani province. Senior Police Colonel Jirasan Kaewsangaek,…
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Thai man shoots wife and son after they discover secret affair
A Thai man shot his wife and son after they uncovered his secret affair with another woman, discovering that he had been showering the mistress with gifts and money. The two victims are in critical condition. Song Phi Nong Police Station officers rushed to a house in the Song Phi Nong district in the central province of Suphan Buri at…
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Vietnamese jetsetters flock to Thailand and Taiwan as domestic airfares soar
In a year-end revelation, Google’s search engine trends have unveiled a surprising travel trajectory for the Vietnamese populace, with overseas destinations topping the charts amid escalating domestic airfares. The search giant’s findings disclosed a fervent interest in international getaways, presenting a shift in travel preferences for 2023. Taiwan, with its captivating allure, emerged as the undisputed leader, dominating the list…
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