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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 to reduce out-of-pocket medical expenses in Thailand?
Managing medical expenses in Thailand is important as healthcare costs continue to rise. The country’s healthcare system includes both public and private options, but even with the Universal Coverage Scheme (UCS) for citizens, many still face high out-of-pocket medical expenses....
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BMA plans rubbish fee hike to tackle city’s waste issue
The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) unveiled a new strategy to deal with the capital’s mounting rubbish issue. The plan is to hike the monthly rubbish collection fee for households from the current 20 baht to 60 baht starting from October next year. According to Pornphrom Vikitsreth, an adviser to the Bangkok governor, households willing to continue paying the existing fee…
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Phaya Thai: Condo fire claims life of elderly woman, 20 injured
A devastating fire broke out in a condominium in the Phaya Thai district, causing more than 20 residents to choke on smoke and resulting in the tragic demise of a 70 year old woman. The cause of the fire was traced back to a room used by a mango trader for storage and fruit ripening. At around 12.35am this morning,…
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Thai government to finance digital wallet scheme with 500 billion baht loan
The Thai government has plans to secure a loan of 500 billion baht to finance a digital wallet scheme, revealed Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin. This digital wallet scheme is targeted towards Thai citizens who are 16 years and older, earning less than 70,000 baht per month with less than 500,000 baht in bank deposits. The 61 year old Thai prime…
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Pattaya: Female bar worker abducted, manhunt underway
Pattaya, a city known for its vibrant nightlife, was rocked in the early hours of yesterday when a female bar worker was allegedly abducted from Soi Pattaya 3. The bar worker’s friend, 36 year old Worasuda Satthaun, reported the incident to Pattaya police, stating that her colleague was forcefully taken by a group of men who whisked her away in…
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Seaman stains: Luxury yacht stewardess spills the beans, from glass table poops to canine cuddles at sea
A 39 year old yacht stewardess, Giselle Azueta provides an inside look into the peculiar demands of wealthy customers aboard luxury yachts, from pooping on a glass table to stroking a dog’s ears. The job, while financially rewarding and travel-inclusive, has its fair share of unusual scenarios. Azueta often shares her work stories on TikTok, revealing the challenging nature of…
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Mischievous bride: Groom’s jaw drops as ex-girlfriends play bridesmaids in unexpected wedding twist
A groom received an unexpected surprise when he arrived to pick up his bride and found that her bridesmaids were all his ex-girlfriends. This unusual event took place at the wedding of a couple from Chongqing, China, after a two-year courtship. The bride, known as Liu, discovered that some of her friends had previously dated her groom. Instead of being…
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Thai woman shares spooky experience at Bangkok shopping mall
A Thai woman took to TikTok to share her spooky experience, claiming to have seen a ghost in the car park of a shopping mall in the Bang Kae neighbourhood of Bangkok. The woman posted a video recounting the ghost story on her @sayhibyfai account on Wednesday, November 8. The video’s caption read… “Encountered a ghost in a famous shopping mall…
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Thai government to distribute 10,000 baht through Pao Tang digital wallet from May next year
Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin confirmed the distribution of 10,000 baht through the Pao Tang digital wallet, indicating readiness with over 1.8 million familiar shops. The public can start using it from May next year. At 2pm this afternoon, at the Government House, the 61 year old prime minister and Finance Minister, announced the policy of the 10,000 baht top-up program…
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Chinese parents face backlash for expensive winter coat purchase
A wealthy Chinese family sparked controversy after spending 9,000 yuan (44,800 baht) on a winter coat for their daughter. The parents, both CEOs of multinational companies, faced criticism from the local school’s parent association for potentially causing envy among other students. As the cold season approached, the mother purchased a pricey winter coat to shield her daughter from the winter…
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Thai Tourist Police wear new reflective jackets for enhanced public safety
The Tourist Police, led by the National Police Chief, have begun to wear new reflective jackets while ensuring public safety for both residents and tourists. The move, spearheaded by Police Lieutenant Colonel Saksira Pheuakam, aims to inspire confidence and security in the preservation of people’s lives and property as the festive season approaches. The operation was launched at the centralwOrld…
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Noodle shocker: Young man stir-fries his emotions after being billed 300 baht in Don Mueang
A young man was taken aback when he was charged 300 baht for a plate of stir-fried noodles at a restaurant in Don Mueang. The page Sai Mai Tong Rot (Sai Mai Must Survive) posted a clip of the incident, showing the customer arguing about the high price of the dish. The restaurant justified the cost by stating they used…
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Digital wallet boost: Thai government to inject 600,000 million baht into economy
The government is set to inject 600,000 million baht into the economy through the well-documented digital wallet initiative. This programme will provide 10,000 baht to Thai citizens aged 16 and above, with an income not exceeding 70,000 baht and savings of no more than 500,000 baht. The initiative, set to run for six months, will be applicable within the citizen’s…
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Electricity tariffs: Potential 6 baht/unit increase expected next year
The Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) proposed three options for determining electricity tariffs for the first quarter of next year. The electricity tariffs could potentially increase to a peak of 6 baht per unit. The ERC disclosed that if there are proposals lower than these three options, it would have to reconvene for further discussions today. Komkrit Tantravanich, Secretary-General of the…
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Thai news influencer sparks controversy with news copyright claim
Renowned news influencer Chainon Harnkirirat, better known as Off, sparked controversy today when he posted on his Facebook page, Off Chainon, followed by over 490,000 individuals, asserting that his page was not about copying news but summarising it. This statement provoked a strong response from Thapanee Eadsrichai, or Yam, a prominent journalist from The Reporters, who accused Chainon of misinterpreting the…
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Koh Maphrao residents plead for bridge to Phuket
On the untouched shores of Koh Maphrao, an island nestled off the east coast of Phuket, a pressing issue has been echoing amongst its inhabitants. The island’s residents have made a formal plea to the Department of Rural Roads for the construction of a bridge to connect them with the bustling mainland of Phuket. This idyllic haven has, so far,…
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Heartbreak on duty: Special Branch Superintendent’s birthday turns tragic in Rayong car crash
The fatal car accident involving Special Branch Superintendent Siriwisuk Suwikrom, who was on duty in Klaeng District, Rayong, has left many in grief. The tragedy occurred yesterday, on his birthday. Police officers from Kratham Police Station, Rayong, yesterday, around 4pm, were dispatched to the scene of a car crash. A black Toyota four-door pickup, registration number 4818 Bangkok, was involved in…
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Barbeque and grilled pork overconsumption may lead to colon cancer, warns Thai neurologist
A warning has been issued to fans of barbeque and tabletop grilled pork to limit their consumption to no more than once a month. Additionally, they are advised to always consume organic vegetables. This caution comes from Associate Professor Dr Surat Tanprawate, a neurologist, who posted the warning on his page, Brain with Dr Surat, on November 10. According to…
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Cash cabaret: Japanese man loses over 60,000 baht to 2 transwomen in Pattaya
A Japanese man lost more than 60,000 baht in cash to two transwomen while travelling on a baht bus in Soi Bua Khao in Pattaya. The Japanese victim, Toshiaki Shinohe, filed a complaint against the two Thai transwomen at Mueang Pattaya Police Station around 10.30pm yesterday, November 9. He said the transwomen pickpocketed 60,000 baht cash, 40,000 Thai baht and…
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School safety alert: Thai education ministry issues warning after floor collapse
The Ministry of Education (MoE) issued a warning to all schools about the safety of their educational buildings. This cautionary message comes in the wake of an incident where the floor of an old school building in Phanat Nikhom, Chon Buri collapsed, injuring nearly 30 students. The students fell almost 2 metres to the ground, fortunately, the area was flooded,…
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Lock, stock, and regulations: Deputy PM Anutin aims to bulletproof firearm laws for public safety
The Interior Minister and Deputy Prime Minister recently shed light on the advancements in firearm regulations in Thailand. Deputy PM Anutin Charnvirakul underscored the pivotal role of the legal framework and collaborative law enforcement in ensuring public safety and curbing civilian gun ownership. Anutin elaborated on the responsibilities of his ministry, which included registering and issuing permits for gun possession…
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Ploughing through prejudice: Chinese farmer’s job rejection due to being ugly
A rural farmer in China recently faced a peculiar predicament after multiple job rejections, not due to a lack of qualifications but, because he was too ugly and his facial features were deemed too angular. Pursuing better work opportunities, the farmer, named Truong, relocated to Chongqing, attracted by numerous job openings in local electronics factories known for their decent salaries and…
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Phuket Airport: American man arrested for overstaying visa by 79 days
As dawn broke over the bustling Phuket International Airport, an American man found himself in the grip of the law. The man was apprehended by Thai immigration officials around 5.30am yesterday for overstaying his visa by 79 days, a direct violation of the country’s immigration laws. The American man’s actions had turned him into an illegal resident in the Land…
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Drumming up excitement: Phuket’s Surin Beach beats to the rhythm of tourism’s future with groundbreaking Glass Terrace project
The sound of ceremonial drums echoed across Surin Beach, Phuket, early this morning marking the start of construction on a project of substantial tourism potential – the Glass Terrace. With an estimated completion time of two years, this 198 million baht project is anticipated to become a significant tourist attraction along the island’s west coast. Leading the groundbreaking ceremony was…
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Final call for Social Security Fund members to register for inaugural election
The Labour Ministry has made a final call to Social Security Fund (SSF) members to register for the inaugural election of Social Security Board members, with today marking the end of the registration period. Labour Minister Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn explained the extension of the registration period, which was originally set to end on October 31, was granted to provide members with…
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The Coffee Club expands with 24/7 and pet-friendly services in Bangkok
The Minor Food Group Plc subsidiary, The Coffee Club, is venturing into new market avenues with its innovative 24-hour service and pet-friendly concept at specific locations. This strategy has been adopted to increase sustainable sales and enhance customer experience. Nongchanok Stananonth, the General Manager, highlighted that their inaugural 24/7 Coffee Club at Staybridge Suites Bangkok, Sukhumvit 55, opened its doors…
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Thai Airways reports profitable Q4, driven by Chinese visitor surge
Thai Airways International Public Company Limited (THAI) announced a profitable fourth quarter, marking the fourth consecutive quarter of profits, underpinned by a steady recovery in passenger numbers amid the Covid-19 era. The growth has been particularly driven by a surge in visitors from China. Thai Airways recorded a net income of 1.54 billion baht (US$43 million) for the quarter ending…
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Mild earthquake shakes Pai district affecting four provinces
A 4.7 magnitude earthquake at a depth of 2 kilometres shook Pai district, Mae Hong Son province, causing tremors that were felt across four provinces. The Geology Department reported that the quake occurred today, with no initial damage found. The earthquake originated in the northern part of Wiang Nuea subdistrict, Pai district, Mae Hong Son province. It was followed by…
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Post office denies responsibility after giving 49,800 gold to thief
A Thai woman demanded a post office in Nonthaburi province near Bangkok to take responsibility for the loss of her gold bars worth 49,800 baht after they were handed over to a thief. The 30 year old woman, Rattanakorn Songserm, visited Bang Bua Thong Police Station on November 8 to follow up on the development of the investigation into her…
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Notorious motorbike thief’s joyrides hit the brakes in Thailand
A notorious thief, who swiftly stole motorbikes in under 15 seconds and sold them at cheap prices online, was arrested in his latest act as police slammed the brakes on his illegal business. The suspect, Phongsathon, was involved in over 40 such thefts and used the proceeds for gambling and drug abuse. The arrest took place today, by the police…
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Vape escape: Thai ATP’s contraband crackdown sparks cloud of justice in Ayutthaya
The bustling province of Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya was the scene of a significant crackdown on illegal goods on November 8. Thai Anti Trafficking In Persons (ATP) officers swooped in on a private distribution centre in Bang Pa-in, seizing a massive haul of E-cigarettes, E-liquids, and associated equipment. This operation led to the confiscation of 60,500 units of contraband, with…
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