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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 Long-term life in Thailand? 5 reasons private health insurance pays off in the long run
Thailand is a great place for expats and retirees, offering a warm climate, affordable living, and rich culture. However, healthcare can be tricky for foreigners since they aren’t eligible for public health coverage, and private care can be expensive. Private...
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Fatal stabbing during ceremony in Thai village leaves newlywed man dead
A tragic fatal stabbing unfolded recently, resulting in the death of a newlywed man, stabbed by a former computer teacher during a traditional ceremony. The police have now issued a warrant for the assailant’s arrest and identified his escape route. The 44 year old man, Ratchaphon used a knife to attack 25 year old Danuporn in the chest, causing a…
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Thai HIV patient admits having one-night stands with many men
A Thai woman has taken to social media to confess that she is HIV-positive and engaged in a number of one-night stands with men she met in entertainment venues over the past seven months. The woman told the public that she felt guilty for what she had done and wanted every man who had sex with her during that time to…
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Mysterious death of woman in Bangkok triggers police investigation
A 49 year old woman was found dead under mysterious circumstances in the Bang Pakong district, Chachoengsao, early today. The body was discovered on Thepparat Road’s Bangkok-bound side, beneath the elevated Burapha Withi expressway and opposite the Talad Lao fresh market, with the local police receiving the report around 2.30am. The woman, a resident of Bangkok’s Lat Krabang district, showed…
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Motorbike collision tragically claims young Thai worker’s life
A tragic motorbike collision in Chiang Mai saw a young man lose his life after crashing into a tree at high speed. The incident, which took place in the early hours of today was attended by local police and emergency services who confirmed the fatality at the scene. Local law enforcement from the Chiang Mai Municipality Police Station reported that…
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Drug bust in Khon Kaen nets over 2.54 million meth pills
A significant drug bust took place in the early hours of yesterday when Thai police intercepted a vehicle carrying approximately 2.54 million methamphetamine pills. The operation, led by the Thai Highway Police in Khon Kaen, resulted in the arrest of 31 year old man called Thanatchai, who was found to be the sole occupant of the vehicle. The arrest occurred…
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Model snaps back: Peeping Tom photographer’s shocking shower scandal in Chiang Mai
A Peeping Tom photographer in Chiang Mai has been sternly warned by a model after he secretly recorded her showering in the bathroom. This shocking event occurred yesterday, around 11pm. The revelation was made by the model, 24 year old Bee from Lampoon, via her social media page. The post, which warned about the photographer who had hired her for…
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Spicy showdown: Thai eatery saviour gives yakuza gang a taste of justice in Japan
Police arrested a Thai man working at a Thai restaurant in Japan after he killed one and injured two Japanese yakuza gang members while saving his Thai friend from a brutal attack. According to a local news agency, the incident took place outside a Thai restaurant in the city of Yokohama, Kanagawa Prefecture, at around 7.40pm on November 2. Two…
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Ayutthaya proposed as new logistics hub amidst Thai-Chinese rail development
The Joint Standing Committee on Commerce, Industry and Banking (JSCCIB) proposed to the government to establish Ayutthaya as a new logistics hub. This development is in anticipation of the increasing investment stimulated by the construction of the Thai-Chinese high-speed rail system. The suggested logistics hub would integrate with Ayutthaya’s existing rail, road, and river transport network. In addition, there is…
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Tasty transformation: Thai instant noodles ride K-pop and J-pop wave
Thai Instant noodles, a staple in many households and offices, have evolved significantly in recent years, influenced by the growing popularity of Korean and Japanese pop culture in Thailand. As a result, manufacturers are diversifying their offerings, serving freshly prepared instant noodle dishes in their restaurants, petrol stations, and luxury retail complexes in Bangkok. The global demand for instant noodles reached…
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Sizzle and supersize: Sizzler and McDonald’s cook up expansion goals in Thailand
Leading restaurant brands, Sizzler and McDonald’s are set on amplifying their reach, aiming to attract a wider range of customers and heighten patronage frequencies. The general manager of SLRT Co, Anirute David Collins, who oversees the operation of Sizzler Steakhouse, disclosed plans to inaugurate a Steak Lab concept Sizzler along Koh Samui’s coast on December 16. This restaurant expansion is…
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Pattaya’s party takes a smoggy hit: Tops PM2.5 list in Thailand
Pattaya, a city known for its vibrant nightlife and beautiful beaches, now finds itself at the top of a less desirable list in Thailand. It was reported yesterday, November 5, that Pattaya had the highest concentration of PM2.5, a type of health-hazardous dust, in the entire country. Pattaya’s PM2.5 level surged to a staggering 154 micrograms per cubic meter, which…
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Phuket motorbike crash claims the life of young foreign tourists
A tragic motorbike crash unfolded in the early hours of yesterday morning, in Rawai, Phuket, resulting in the untimely death of two young tourists; a 21 year old American man and a 19 year old woman from Luxembourg. The pair were on a motorbike when a car, reportedly, crashed into them from behind on Wiset Road. The news of the horrifying…
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Foreign hero’s good deed ends in Pattaya Beach brawl: Man injured trying to stop transwomen tiff
A foreign man sustained severe injuries when he attempted to break up a fight among three Thai transwomen on Pattaya Beach. A viral video of the fight between the Thai transwomen went viral on Thai social media. The footage depicted two transwomen assaulting another individual on Pattaya Beach, right in front of Baywalk Residence. The victim, a transwoman, suffered injuries…
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Russian tourist’s iPhone odyssey: Close call on Phuket taxi
A Russian tourist had a close call when he inadvertently left his iPhone in a taxi on his way to Phuket International Airport last Friday. The tourist, whose identity remains undisclosed, was able to retrieve his phone in a nick of time before his flight back to Russia took off, all thanks to the combined efforts of the Phuket Tourist…
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Domestic violence surge in Thailand sparks renewed action
A surge in domestic violence cases in Thailand prompted a reminder from authorities that victims are not alone and assistance is readily available. Social Development and Human Security Minister, Varawut Silpa-archa, emphasized a year-round approach to ending violence, not just during November which is internationally recognized as the month for ending violence against women, children, and families. “If violence is…
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Phuket blood shortage plea: Paradise in peril seeks tourists’ rescue
The tropical island paradise of Phuket, usually a favourite destination for tourists and expats alike, now urgently calls for their help. As the high tourism season kicks off, the island is faced with a critical blood shortage, particularly for the RH-Negative type, prompting an island-wide blood donation drive throughout this month. The plea for blood donations was made public by…
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Urak Lawoi sea gypsies celebrate traditional Loy Reua festival in Phuket
Sweeping waves gently nudged a hand-carved boat off the coast of Koh Siray, east of Phuket Town, marking the culmination of the week-long Loy Reua festival. Celebrated by the Urak Lawoi sea gipsies, the festival is a time-honoured tradition where a boat, brimming with offerings, is set adrift as an offering to the spirit of the sea in hopes of…
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Timber thieves’ tumble: Thai police bust illegal logging gang in 33 million baht raid
In a daring crackdown on timber thieves’ crime, Thai police stormed a deforestation gang’s hideout in central Thailand, arresting one woman while four suspects managed to escape. The operation followed the discovery of illegal wood logs valued at approximately 33 million baht hidden in a warehouse in Phetchabun by officials from the Department of National Parks, Wildlife, and Plant Conservation.…
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How Phuket’s once tourism-reliant Greater Bangtao is tranforming into an international ‘Gold-Coast’ community
Phuket’s once-quiet beachside west coast community of Bangtao is experiencing an unparalleled surge in real estate development. According to new research from C9 Hotelworks, there are currently 7,842 condominium units (click to see upcoming project map). Added to the supply influx are just over 2,400 upscale and luxury homes, which equate to a pipeline of more than 10,000 residential units…
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Navigating Thailand’s weather conditions: From mild winter to sweltering heat
Associate Professor Dr Seree Suparathit, the Director of the Center for Climate Change and Disasters at Rangsit University and Vice President at the National Disaster Warning Council Foundation, recently shared insights on the upcoming weather conditions in Thailand. Dr Seree’s Facebook post highlighted that while the end of the year in Thailand is not expected to be cold, the following…
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Weather warning: Thailand braces for varied conditions in multiple regions
The Meteorological Department of Thailand (TMD) issued a weather warning for Thailand today. Over the next 24 hours, various regions of the country will experience different weather conditions. In the northern and northeastern regions, morning fog is expected, with a 20% chance of thunderstorms in specific areas. These areas include Chiang Rai, Phayao, Kamphaeng Phet, Phichit, Phitsanulok, and Sukhothai. Temperatures…
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Road crash mystery: Woman’s fatal fall on Burapha Withi Expressway
In the early hours of today, a baffling road crash incident unfolded on the Burapha Withi Expressway, which left authorities puzzled. Police Lieutenant Warayut Jenwichumaet, Deputy Inspector of the Bang Pakong Police Station in Chachoengsao Province, led an investigation alongside the Chachoengsao Rescue Unit and the Burapha Withi Expressway Rescue Team. Their mission was to unravel the mystery surrounding a…
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Internal Security Agency stresses crucial role in addressing Deep South conflicts
The Internal Security Operations Command (ISOC) reaffirmed its critical function in resolving conflicts within the Deep South and upholding national security during a recent press conference led by Major General Winthai Suvaree, ISOC’s spokesperson. The discussion also addressed the Move Forward Party’s (MFP) proposal to dissolve ISOC and tackled prevalent misconceptions surrounding its responsibilities. Maj. Gen. Winthai underscored the significant…
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South Korean Immigration issues prompt diplomatic concerns for Thai tourists
The South Korean Foreign Affairs Ministry has expressed regret over reports of its immigration officials denying entry to Thai tourists, causing diplomatic tensions between the nations, as conveyed by the Thai Foreign Affairs Ministry. The annual meeting between the Thai permanent secretary of foreign affairs, Saran Charoensuwan, and the South Korean First Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs, Chang Ho-jin, was…
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Thai Foreign Minister donates 3 million baht to UN for Palestine refugees
In a compassionate gesture, Panpri Phahitthanukon, Thailand’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, acted as a representative of his nation on November 3, in donating 3 million baht (US$84,451) to the United Nations (UN) to provide aid to Palestine refugees. This generous contribution is aimed at offering support during a tumultuous time in the Gaza Strip and expresses Thailand’s condolences for those…
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Public Health Ministry launches Mini Thanyarak drug rehabilitation centres nationwide
The Public Health Ministry unveiled the establishment of 42 Mini Thanyarak drug rehabilitation centres across 27 provinces as part of an initiative aimed at having such facilities operational nationwide by the year-end. Announced by Dr Cholnan Srikaew, the Minister of Public Health, this effort falls under the One Province, One Mini Thanyarak campaign, a crucial component of the Ministry’s Quick…
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Two more Thai workers in Israel confirmed dead, one taken hostage
In a distressing turn of events, two more Thai nationals working in Israel have been confirmed dead, and another has been taken hostage, as reported by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. This escalates the already devastating situation in the region, with the death toll among Thai workers climbing to 34 and the number of Thai hostages held by Hamas rising…
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Thai Ministry proposes Clean Air Act to combat rising pollution crisis
The Ministry of Natural Resource and Environment (MNRE) is set to introduce a groundbreaking Clean Air Act to address the escalating air pollution concerns that have gripped the nation. Police General Phatcharavat Wongsuwan, the Environment Minister, revealed that a draft of the bill is currently open for public feedback on the ministry’s website until November 13. Following this, on November…
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Illegal firearm imitations uncovered in Bangkok warehouses raid
In a recent operation conducted on November 2 by the Anti-Trafficking In Persons (ATP) officers, two warehouses located in the Suksawat area, Rat Burana, Bangkok, were thoroughly searched following a warrant from the Thonburi Criminal Court. During the search, police made a startling discovery: the warehouses harboured an extensive stash of illegal blank guns and BB guns, totalling more than…
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El Nino-induced drought disrupts Indonesia’s rice production, hikes prices
Indonesia, Southeast Asia’s largest economy, is grappling with a severe disruption to its rice production due to the extreme El Nino phenomenon. This drought-induced shortage has led to a surge in rice prices, impacting small businesses and consumers. Yanto, an East Jakarta food stall owner who caters to the lower-income bracket, has seen a significant profit decline since August, unable…
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