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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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9 most common health issues covered by insurance for expats in Thailand
Thailand is a popular destination for expats due to its affordable lifestyle and excellent healthcare system. However, settling in a new country often brings health concerns. To ensure you’re covered for the most common medical needs, understanding what expat health...
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Thailand’s opposition questions rising military budget amid promised reforms
Opposition parties in Thailand expressed concern over the budget allocations for the country’s military, arguing that these contradict the Pheu Thai Party’s commitment to reform and downsize the armed forces. The concerns were voiced during a debate on the 2024 budget bill, with Aekkarat Udomamnuay, an MP with the Move Forward Party (MFP), questioning the Defence Ministry’s request for 198…
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Thai celebrity Beer stirs controversy with mysterious direct message reveal
The Voice’s Beer has stirred up a controversy by sharing a mysterious direct message (DM) that pointed towards a celebrity and a well-known host. The message was shared yesterday, January 4, during a live session, sparking a series of varied reactions from netizens. During the live session, Beer mentioned that a famous person who already had a partner and a…
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Heroic nurses perform CPR at fatal accident scene on New Year’s Eve
Two nurses were honoured for their quick thinking and brave actions when they found themselves at the scene of a fatal road accident on New Year’s Eve. The incident occurred at Samprao intersection in Udon Thani, where a 62 year old woman, Jeerapha (surname withheld), suffering from Alzheimer’s, was hit by a van and left in the middle of the…
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Thailand’s tourism operators question 40 million visitors target
The government’s ambitious target of attracting 40 million foreign visitors is viewed as daunting by Thailand tourism operators, considering factors such as high travel costs, diminished demand in big markets such as China and Russia, and competition from surrounding nations. Thanet Supornsahasrungsi, who heads the Association of Chon Buri Tourism Federation, pinpointed the stagnant Chinese market as a significant issue,…
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Thailand’s deputy police chief set for National Security Council role
Thailand Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin approved the appointment of Deputy National Police Chief Police General Roy Inkhapairote as the Secretary-General of the National Security Council (NSC). The appointment, which has received unanimous agreement from all relevant parties, now awaits the royal seal of approval. The role of NSC secretary-general has been left unclaimed following the retirement of Gen. Supot Malaniyom on September…
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Starbucks steams up with price hike, now costlier than Thailand’s minimum wage
Starbucks, one of Thailand’s most popular coffee chains, announced that the prices of its beverages will be increased by 5 baht at all of its stores across the country from today. One cup of coffee from Starbucks is now more expensive than Thailand’s national minimum wage. The corporation says the reason for the price hike is due to the current…
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British tourist’s lost wallet returned by Thai hotel worker
A British holidaymaker on Koh Samui Island in Thailand is set to return home with a pleasant memory following a hotel worker’s return of his lost wallet during the new year celebrations. The wallet was found on Bophut Beach by Pakdee Trirat, an employee at the Holiday Inn Samui, amidst the festivities on the night of December 31. Surat Thani…
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Transport minister: Feeder buses to save Red and Purple Lines
Transport Minister Suriya Juangroongruangkit slammed naysayers in Parliament, asserting confidence that the state-owned Purple and Red Lines train services are on the brink of turning a profit within the next six months, all thanks to a game-changing feeder bus system. Addressing critics of the government’s daring move to cap maximum fares at 20 baht for electric train services in Bangkok,…
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Vietnam fines TikTok influencer for Angkor Wat mix-up
In a 90-second TikTok clip that shook the social media scene, Vietnamese influencer Hua Quoc Anh found himself in hot waters after overlaying the Thai flag on an image of Cambodia’s Angkor Wat. The influencer faced a hefty US$300 fine (approximately 10,000 baht) and a stern meeting with the authorities. Vietnam, known for its tight grip on social media in…
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KTC reports robust growth, launches Thailand’s first digital credit card
KTC, the leading credit card service provider in Thailand, reported a robust growth in its operations for the year 2023. The company revealed a surge in card spending exceeding its initial target by over 10%. Continuing its growth trajectory into 2024, KTC maintains its previous growth target of 15%. Currently, KTC holds a 12% market share in the total card…
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Journey of hope: Thai-American woman seeks long-lost Thai mother
A half Thai half American woman reached out to the Thai media in a bid to reunite her with her long-lost mum who is believed to live in the Isaan province of Ubon Ratchathani. The 53 year old Thai-American woman, identified only as Janny, told her story to The Isaan Record, in the hope that someone knows her Thai mother…
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Pickup truck plunges into Bangkok canal in shocking late-night incident
A shocking incident unfolded today when a pickup truck plunged into a drainage canal alongside Vibhavadi Rangsit Road. The driver managed to escape unharmed and reported that the accident occurred while he was swerving to avoid a municipal water truck. Late that night, Police Lieutenant Colonel Theerapoj Thonghet, an investigator at Vibhavadi Police Station, received a report of a pickup…
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Rare oarfish discovered near Adang Island, Thailand: Mythical sea creature or tsunami predictor
A rare deep-sea creature, known as the Oarfish or Ribbonfish, was recently discovered near Adang Island, in the region of Satun Province, Thailand. The Science of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources TSU page reported the sighting of this marine species, recognised scientifically as Regalecus glesne, yesterday, January 3, by the fishing vessel Thepcharoenporn 15. Belonging to the Regalecidae family, the Oarfish,…
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Royal ripple: US court docs weave tangled ties, linking Prince Andrew to Jeffrey Epstein scandal (video)
Newly released US court documents have unveiled a web of connections between high-profile figures and the notorious sex offender Jeffrey Epstein – including Prince Andrew. The scandalous details, including accusations against the 63 year old Duke of York, and former Presidents Bill Clinton and Donald Trump, are sending shockwaves through elite circles. Prince Andrew finds himself entangled in the latest…
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Discovering Ruki: The world’s darkest river
Ruki, a tributary of the Congo River, has been identified as the world’s darkest river due to its near-black colouration which makes it almost impossible to see anything, even one’s reflection. Scientific tests revealed that this extreme darkness is due to the high level of dissolved organic matter in the water, which originates from the surrounding dense forests. This dark…
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Thailand’s Kra Isthmus Land Bridge promises economic boom for Penang Port
Thailand is eyeing a colossal infrastructure project, a 90-kilometre land bridge across the Kra Isthmus, set to revolutionise maritime trade and shower economic benefits on ports in northern Peninsular Malaysia. Penang Port Sdn Bhd CEO V Sasedharan envisions this ambitious project as a potential game-changer, akin to the impact the Suez Canal had on Egyptian waterway-adjacent ports. The proposed land…
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Pattani police crack down on cross-border migrant smuggling
Authorities in Thailand detained a man from Pattani province on charges of orchestrating the illegal transport of migrant workers into the country, subsequently facilitating their clandestine journey into neighbouring Malaysia. The Immigration Police disclosed the arrest of a 56 year old man named Abdullah, in the district of Nongjik, following a concerted effort to dismantle a human smuggling network. The…
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Boo in Nong Bon: Local grandma spooks community with twilight tales of ghostly bamboo antics
Rumours have spread throughout the Nong Bon community that an older woman known as Grandma Prapong is a local ghost, reportedly seen lurking in the bamboo forest and exhibiting peculiar behaviour at dusk. The intrigue escalated to such an extent that it frightened children into feverish states, leading local paranormal investigator, Prasert, to intervene and verify the validity of these…
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LA orthodontist’s narrow escape from electrocution in Thailand
When a Los Angeles-based orthodontist‘s dream Thai vacation took a horrifying turn, it shocked social media with her Instagram and TikTok followers expressing their concern and support. Dr Cara Hodgson, boasting a considerable online following of 25,500 on Instagram and 97,000 on TikTok, usually shares glimpses of her jet-setting lifestyle and dental tips. However, her recent revelation about a life-threatening…
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Townhouse collapse in central Thailand raises safety concerns
A devastating incident occurred as a two-storey townhouse collapsed, causing damage to multiple properties in central Thailand. The calamity took place within the Teacher’s Village in Ban Khlong Suan, Phra Samut Chedi District, Samut Prakan last night. The authorities were alerted and emergency response teams were dispatched to assess the situation and provide assistance. The area, roughly 5 kilometres from…
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Scheduled power cut in Layan Soi 1, Phuket for essential maintenance work
An announced power cut is set to disrupt numerous residences, condominiums, and villa estates along Layan Soi 1, Moo 6, Cherng Talay, Phuket. The Provincial Electricity Authority’s Thalang branch (PEA Thalang) has planned this interruption for tomorrow, The blackout, scheduled from 9am to 4.30pm, is required to facilitate maintenance work on the high-voltage electrical system in the said area. The…
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Japan Airlines cancel 130 flights amid Haneda Airport runway repair
Approximately 130 flights were cancelled today by Japan’s All Nippon Airways (ANA) and Japan Airlines (JAL) as the fallout from Tuesday’s accident at Haneda Airport continues to impact operations. The cancellation was necessitated after a collision between a JAL passenger plane and a Japanese coast guard plane at the airport. Reports indicate that one of Haneda Airport’s four runways remains…
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Government Savings Bank issues alert on fake news loan scam
The Government Savings Bank (GSB) issued a warning to the public regarding fake news circulating on Facebook. A page has been promoting that GSB offers emergency loans ranging from 10,000 baht (US$289) to 50,000 baht (US$1,448) with low interest and no guarantor needed. The Anti-Fake News Centre Thailand (AFNC) investigated the matter and GSB clarified that it was a case…
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Major international drug ring busted in Thailand: Over 15 million meth pills and 105 million baht assets seized
A significant international drug ring has been dismantled, leading to the arrest of the operation’s leader and the seizure of over 15 million methamphetamine pills, and more than one tonne each of heroin, ketamine, and ice. The operation also netted assets worth approximately 105 million baht. The announcement came today from the Anti-Narcotics Police Headquarters, spearheaded by Kittirat Phanphet, Deputy…
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Wat Phra Dhammakaya denies association with Yore sect amid misleading media reports
Wat Phra Dhammakaya, a revered Thai temple, has officially announced its lack of association with the Yore sect, in response to misleading information presented by certain online media outlets today. The temple emphasised its position as a devout Buddhist institution under the Thai Sangha, adhering to the principles of Dhamma and Vinaya discipline. The temple’s clarification came after a news…
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100% recovery predicted for Thailand’s hospitality sector
In an exclusive interview, Marisa Sukosol Nunbhakdi, the Thai Hotel Association (THA) President, shared her optimism about Thailand‘s tourism prospects, predicting a remarkable comeback from the pandemic’s impact by the latter half of 2024. “2023 saw Thai hotels at a 60% occupancy rate, down from the pre-Covid glory of 75% in 2019. However, with more flights to Thailand and a…
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Essential guide to alcohol regulations in Thailand for 2024 visitors
As we welcome the blossoming year of 2024, those planning to visit Thailand should have a grasp of the specific days when alcohol sales will face restrictions and bars and entertainment venues will close. These dates, referred to as “No Booze Days,” are critical as they prohibit all booze sales, including stores, restaurants, and hotels. To assist you in planning…
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Twins born in different years mark unique start to 2024 at New Jersey hospital
The birth of twin boys in the United States at Virtua Voorhees Hospital in New Jersey marked an extraordinary start to 2024. Despite being born only 40 minutes apart, their birth years differ by one. The first sibling, Ezra, arrived on December 31 last year at 11.48pm, weighing 2.72 kilogrammes, while the second, Ezekiel, was born in the early moments of…
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Vietnamese mother expertly bathes newborn with her feet: Inspiring millions
A video of Phan Tường Vy, a young mother from Dalat, Vietnam, bathing her one month old baby with her feet has gone viral, amassing hundreds of thousands of views. Born in 1995, she shared the video on YouTube, where it initially received nearly 250,000 views and has since climbed to over 750,000 views. In the video, Vy revealed that…
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Zika alert: Hua Hin calls for pregnant women to undergo virus test
As Zika fears grip Hua Hin, the quaint Thai resort town finds itself battling a sudden surge in cases. The Public Health Office of Prachuap Khiri Khan is sounding the alarm, urging expectant mothers to take immediate action. In response to an alarming spike in Zika virus cases, the Public Health Office of Prachuap Khiri Khan has issued a stark…
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