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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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How conservation efforts saved the ecosystem at Maya Bay
In 2016, Maya Bay welcomed a staggering 1.73 million visitors, but its popularity devastated its delicate ecosystem. Fast forward to 2024, and the once-threatened bay stands as a testament to the power of environmental stewardship. Dr Thon Thamrongnawasawat, a leading marine biologist explains that the target point for Maya Bay was to set up a system that would help us,…
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Bitcoin value triples in a year, hitting over 2 million baht
Bitcoin’s value soared to over 2 million baht on the Bitkub digital asset exchange, as global prices reached an all-time high of US$59,000 yesterday afternoon. This surge is due to the institutional acquisition of spot Bitcoin exchange-traded funds (ETFs) and a growing interest in cryptocurrency among retail investors. Udomsak Rakwongwan, co-founder of decentralised derivatives platform FWX, and Mathematics lecturer at…
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Thai minister vows to improve Rama 2 Road traffic ahead of Songkran
The quality of traffic on Rama 2 Road in Thailand is set to improve ahead of the Songkran Festival, as promised by the Thai Minister of Transport, Suriya Juangroongruangkit, on February 27. The vow comes in the wake of a delay in the road’s construction, a setback attributed to the impact of Covid-19 on the contractors in charge of the…
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Thai leader Paetongtarn Shinawatra among 150 selected for new NDC defence course
The National Defence College (NDC) announced a fresh intake of 150 students for its new defence curriculum. Paetongtarn Shinawatra, leader of Thailand’s ruling Pheu Thai Party, is among the selected. Paetongtarn, along with other executives, is set to delve into this new curriculum which aims to broaden their perspectives and build strong networks. Over 500 individuals applied for the prestigious course,…
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Thai police foil luxury car fake plate scam in Bangkok
A sophisticated scheme involving the use of counterfeit license plates on luxury vehicles has been thwarted by Thai highway police in a recent crackdown. A 41 year old woman was arrested for affixing a forged red license plate to a brand-new Bentley. The incident, which took place along Bangkok’s outer ring road, has raised concerns about the ease with which…
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Thailand braces for turbulent weather as storms target 18 provinces
Thailand faces a significant meteorological event as the Thai Meteorological Department (TMD) issues a storm warning affecting 18 provinces. The TMD forecasts thunderstorms, with a 10% chance of heavy rainfall across these regions, signalling a turbulent start to March. As the country braces for summer storms from March 1 to March 3, areas particularly affected should prepare for strong gusts…
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Thai govt considers issuing US$1 billion foreign currency bonds
The Thai government recently announced its consideration to issue foreign currency-denominated bonds valued at US$1 billion, approximately 36 billion baht, an announcement which has sparked debates over the worth and risks associated with such an undertaking. As part of this move, the Public Debt Management Office (PDMO) under the Finance Ministry is examining the feasibility of offering these bonds in…
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Thailand’s tourism industry calls for eased travel restrictions
Faced with intense competition from fellow Southeast Asian countries, Thailand’s tourism industry called on the government to ease travel restrictions and promote cross-border travel. The appeal comes as Malaysia is seen to be catching up with Thailand’s tourism numbers. Earlier this week, Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin embarked on a tour of three southern provinces to boost both trade and tourism.…
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Thailand’s household electricity tariffs remain unchanged
Energy Minister Pirapan Salirathavibhaga affirmed that electricity tariffs for households in Thailand will remain unchanged from May to August, maintaining the current rate of 4.18 baht per unit. Pirapan, also serving as a deputy prime minister, explained that this decision has been made possible due to the continuation of gas production in the Gulf of Thailand by PTT Exploration and…
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Thai Oil predicts surge in jet fuel demand despite slow economy
Despite forecasted sluggish economic growth, Thai Oil Plc, Thailand’s leading oil refinery in terms of capacity, envisages an upturn in demand for refined oil, particularly jet fuel, in the current year. Jet fuel consumption is predicted to surge by 24.2%, equating to an average of 16.8 million litres per day (MLD). This represents a considerable increase from the previous year’s…
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Rare Siamese crocodile hatchlings spotted in Nakhon Sawan
In a heartening discovery, the elusive Siamese crocodile has made a triumphant return at Bueng Boraphet Wildlife Sanctuary in Nakhon Sawan province. After a seven-year absence, the sanctuary proudly welcomed eight Siamese crocodile hatchlings into the world. This remarkable event, announced via an uplifting Facebook post by the Department of National Parks, Wildlife, and Plant Conservation (DNP), has reignited hope…
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Beach blues: Thai woman assaulted by Swiss man in Phuket
A female doctor in Thailand is seeking justice after being attacked by a Swiss man for sitting on the staircase of his beachfront villa in Phuket. The foreign man is reported to be the owner of an elephant sanctuary with alleged connections with the high-ranking Thai police. The father of the victim, Chaiyachot Uttamang, took to Facebook to share the…
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Chinese city gives out lottery tickets to boost birth rates
Authorities in Xi’an, China, are rolling the dice on love with a jaw-dropping scheme aimed at tackling the nation’s plummeting birth rates. In a bold move to combat China’s declining birth rates, the city of Xi’an is set to splash a whopping 700,000 yuan (equivalent to 3.6 million baht) on lottery tickets, all in the name of encouraging newlyweds to…
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Dessert vendor saves woman on footbridge in Pattaya
In a heart-stopping moment near Pattaya City School 7, a dessert vendor witnessed a young woman teetering perilously close to the edge of a footbridge along Sukhumvit Road yesterday. Whilst en route to Sattahip, the vendor, 46 year old Pradit Yoosawad, halted his vehicle without hesitation and alerted authorities to the unfolding crisis. Pradit approached the distressed woman, urging her…
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Massive amphetamine haul seized in northeast Thailand
Minister of Defence Sutin Klungsang convened a press briefing to unveil a significant crackdown resulting in the confiscation of 6 million amphetamine pills, valued at over 180 million baht, in Bung Khla, Bueng Kan on Monday. According to police sources, the operation unfolded on February 25 at 7pm when Surasakmontri rangers and Bung Khla police officers received a tip-off regarding…
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Tragic last ride: Bangkok taxi driver found dead at gas station
A taxi driver was discovered dead in his vehicle at a gas station in Bangkok’s Jomthong district. The incident occurred early this morning, February 28, and the circumstances surrounding the driver’s death are currently under investigation. The gas station on Kalapapruek Road became an unexpected crime scene this morning when a 59 year old taxi driver, identified as Sathian (surname…
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7 year old receives explicit images from father’s new wife amid family feud
A seven year old girl became the unintended recipient of inappropriate images and messages from her father’s new wife, who also targeted the child’s mother with spiteful words. The incident, which occurred today, February 28, has led to a criminal complaint filed by the girl’s family, who are distressed by the new wife’s continuous harassment and aggression. The girl’s aunt,…
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Hong Kong Express launches ultra-cheap route to Bangkok
Hong Kong Express announced its latest venture: a brand-new route from Hong Kong to Bangkok’s Don Mueang International Airport (DMK), scheduled to take flight on April 25. Confirming the exciting development, the airline took to its Facebook page to share the news, revealing that the daily service will complement its existing flights to Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi Airport, along with popular destinations…
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Thai bank customer’s account drained from 300,000 to 5,000 baht
A Facebook user’s shocking discovery that her bank account balance plummeted from 300,000 baht to just 5,811 baht after 20 unauthorised withdrawals sparked widespread concern over bank security. The user’s post, which included screenshots of the transactions, has gone viral, calling into question the safety of depositing money in banks and urging a swift explanation from the financial institution. In…
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Foreign couple condemned for sex antics on Phuket beach (video)
An allegedly outraged Thai voyeur shared a video capturing a foreign couple having sex on Patong Beach in Phuket on social media platforms. Locals condemned their act and demanded authorities to take action on the matter. The video of the foreign couple was shared on social media by a Thai motorist-cum-voyeur who rode a motorcycle past the scene. The incident…
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Thai workers win million baht each after Naga visits dreams
A group of municipal workers hit the lottery jackpot, each winning 1 million baht after a sacred Naga, a mythological serpent, allegedly visited them in their dreams. This windfall coincided with an auspicious ceremony held today, February 28, at the Nong Yat Municipal Office in Nakhon Phanom Province, where Uthai Kotsa, the Mayor, and Chawanin Buntengsaksiri, the Municipal Clerk, led…
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Thai doctor’s allergy leads to fatal dinner at Florida Disney World
A Thai doctor from New York died after an allergic reaction at a restaurant at Disney World, Florida. Her grieving husband is taking legal action against the Florida resort and the restaurant where they dined, alleging negligence in a lawsuit filed recently. According to reports from NBC News Digital, the complaint filed in a Florida circuit court on behalf of…
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Chalong council proposes 132 million baht infrastructure projects
The bustling municipality of Chalong, in Phuket, held its inaugural council meeting of the year. On the agenda, a series of extensive projects requiring a hefty 132 million baht in funds were proposed. One of the standout projects includes an ambitious 28 million baht plan to revamp the well-trodden Soi Palai. The meeting was held at the municipal offices of…
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10 regions of Thailand to use new minimum wage calculation
The tripartite Wage Committee has given the green light, by a close vote of 7 to 5, to a new method for setting minimum wages. Ten key regions, including the bustling metropolis of Bangkok, are set to pioneer this transformative change from April onwards. The freshly endorsed formula marks a paradigm shift, incorporating elements such as labour productivity, contribution to…
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Phuket MP warns of fire risks amid soaring 38°C heatwave
As the mercury soars to a scorching 38°C in Phuket, local MP Somchart Techathavorncharoen has sounded the alarm, warning residents to take measures against potential fire outbreaks. This warning comes as the city braces for a heatwave that is predicted to last from today, February 28 to March 1. Somchart Techathavorncharoen, the Move Forward Party (MFP) representative for Phuket District…
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Thai newlyweds reunited with wedding ring in Taiwan
In a heartwarming tale of lost and found love, a pair of Thai newlyweds were left in despair when their precious wedding ring disappeared during their dream honeymoon in Taiwan. But thanks to a good Samaritan and the diligent efforts of local police, their love story took a delightful turn. The drama unfolded when the Jizhong Police Station received a…
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BDMS’s sustainable business practices shine on global stage
Bangkok Dusit Medical Services (BDMS) has been recognised as a global leader in sustainable business practices by the 2023 Dow Jones Sustainability Index (DJSI). The healthcare giant’s commitment to Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) principles underscored its dedication to responsible business conduct. Adherence to these principles aims to uphold BDMS’s reputation as a healthcare innovator while making a positive impact on…
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Thai man attempts to kill benefactor over alleged affair with his wife
Police arrested a Thai man in the central province of Lop Buri for attempting to kill his benefactor, over an alleged affair with his wife. The benefactor, a 49 year old Thai man named Thanat, was shot outside a restaurant on Pracha Withi Road in the Khok Samrong sub-district in Lop Buri at about 7.30pm on February 16. Thanat said…
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Thief nabs 127,000 baht worth of goods from tourists on Koh Samui
A brazen thief from Phuket got more than he bargained for when he attempted a hotel heist on Koh Samui, leaving two foreign tourists in dismay and authorities in hot pursuit. The Bo Phut Police, in a swift operation, apprehended 44 year old Prayat Lisem following reports from a distressed Polish couple, aged 32 and 30. The couple woke to…
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Early morning tremors jolt Thailand with no reported damages
A tremor registering 3.4 on the Richter scale jolted the inhabitants of the Pai district in Mae Hong Son province in the early hours of this morning. Originating from a depth of 3 kilometres within the Mae Na Toeng tambon of Pai district, the earthquake was followed by four aftershocks. The Earthquake Observation Division of the Meteorological Department reported the…
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