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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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Unusual golden crab discovery stirs lottery luck hopes in Phayao province
Residents in Phayao province were “claw-struck” when they stumbled upon a rare golden yellow crab. The locals are “pinching” the hope that this quirky catch might be their lucky charm in the upcoming lottery draw. Authorities from Phu Sang National Park have playfully dubbed the crustacean “Cliff Crab” and are delving into whether it falls under the category of protected…
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Health superstitions: Thai neurosurgeon frustration over brain surgery delay (video)
A peculiar health superstitions case was shared by a renowned neurosurgeon at Chiang Mai Ram Hospital involving a 55 year old male patient who postponed a scheduled brain surgery due to astrological beliefs. The patient’s health condition involved a brain haemorrhage, caused by a fall two months ago. The neurosurgeon, Pracha Kanyaphrasith, revealed his patient’s brain was still swollen from the…
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Roya Gazette declares Wat Suthat Thepwararam an archaeological site
The Royal Gazette recently announced the Department of Fine Arts declaration, which designates the land area of the ancient site Wat Suthat Thepwararam as an archaeological site, encompassing 28 rai and 76 square wa. Today, it was reported on the Royal Gazette website that the Department of Fine Arts announced the zoning of the archaeological site. The declaration was signed…
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Unusual cohabitation: Ex marks the spot as Chinese woman shares house with husband’s former wife
A woman in China has shared an unusual tale of marital cohabitation. After marrying a divorced man, she discovered that her husband’s ex-wife continues to live in the same house, a situation they have managed to navigate peacefully. The unusual family arrangement, however, raises eyebrows and sparks widespread discussion. The woman, from Suzhou in Jiangsu province, China, discovered her husband’s…
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Phuket Airport’s future takes flight: Environmental impact on the agenda
A meeting took place this morning to discuss the potential environmental and community impact of the proposed development plans for Phuket International Airport. The meeting, organised by the Phuket office of the Airports of Thailand (AOT), was held at the Proud Phuket Hotel near Naiyang Beach. The Chief Administrative Officer of the Phuket Provincial Office, Somprat Prabsongkhram, led the assembly.…
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Animal trafficking ring in Spain busted, 400 pets rescued and 13 arrested (video)
Over 400 pets, primarily cats and dogs, have been rescued in Spain from a major smuggling operation that illegally trafficked animals from Eastern Europe into Spain via Andorra. The animal trafficking group profited from selling these animals inside Spain, resulting in the arrest of 13 suspects facing charges of animal cruelty, document forgery, and fraud. These animal trafficking charges surfaced…
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Safety concerns for tourists spur diplomatic talks: Thailand-China relations under spotlight
Amid concerns for the safety of foreign residents and tourists in Bangkok following a recent shooting incident at Siam Paragon mall, ensuring a positive international relationship between Thailand and China has become a key focus of discussions between Thailand Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin and China President Xi Jinping. PM Srettha also offered his sympathy regarding the tragedy which saw one…
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British man with depression falls to death from condo in Pattaya
A British man became yet another statistic of the insensitively named “Pattaya Flying Club” after he fell to his death at a condominium in the popular seaside resort. His Thai caretaker said the deceased had been depressed after losing his Thai boyfriend. Officers at Mueang Pattaya Police Station were notified at 7am today, October 20, of the death of an…
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Couple arrested for operating illegal karaoke bar and prostitution in northern Thailand
Officers from the Central Investigation Bureau (CIB) arrested a couple for running an illegal karaoke bar and human trafficking in the Isaan province of Loei and rescued three young Lao women from prostitution. The CIB received a tip-off that a Thai couple had turned their restaurant in the Loei province into an illegal karaoke bar, offering sex services to customers.…
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Ghost encounter leaves Thai Dhamma retreat-goer spooked in Chiang Mai
A Thai woman claimed that a ghost haunted her after completing a Dhamma retreat at a Rampoeng temple in the northern province of Chaing Mai. She also shared her selfie with the ghost in the background on TikTok. Sawitcha “Pear” Butsara, shared a spooky video of her ghost encounter on TikTok @pipimpeary, on Wednesday, October 18, with the caption… “What…
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Business collaboration: Thailand and Japan’s Wakayama join forces in furniture and agriculture sectors
Thailand is geared towards fostering new partnerships with Japan’s Wakayama prefecture, with a particular emphasis on the co-development of the furniture and agricultural processing sectors. The main objectives of this business collaboration include enhancing product development and expanding export possibilities. Commerce Minister Phumtham Wechayachai, following a discussion with Wakayama’s governor, Kishimoto Shuhei, yesterday, stated that he urged the prefecture to…
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Scam targets Thai overseas workers’ financial data amid Israel-Palestine conflict
The Thai Department of Employment raised the alarm on a new scam targeting the financial data of overseas workers amidst the ongoing Israel-Palestinian conflict. The scam involves tricking victims into downloading a fraudulent money transfer app on their mobile devices. Sompong Kaewwandee, the head of the Chiang Rai Provincial Employment Office, issued a public warning on Thursday, cautioning people against…
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Monk’s divine intervention calms drunk Russian man causing chaos in Pattaya
A Thai monk used divine intervention to control a drunk, out-of-control Russian man causing chaos on a street in Soi Chalerm Prakiat 19 in Pattaya by tapping the lid of his alms bowl on the foreign man’s head. The monk said the lid tapping was his way to encourage people to remain calm. The 26 year old Russian man, Rusten…
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Thailand’s future so bright, it’s gotta rock Ray-Bans
The future’s looking so bright for Thailand that it’s gotta wear shades, and not just any old shades, preferably Ray–Ban sunglasses. Fortunately, for residents in the Land of Smiles, EssilorLuxottica, the renowned creator of Ray-Ban sunglasses, has recently inaugurated a state-of-the-art factory in eastern Thailand, poised to serve as a prominent production centre for the Asia-Pacific region. Located in Rayong…
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High-speed collision claims the life of an ex-convict in southern Thailand
A man recently released from prison tragically lost his life in a high-speed collision with a parked vehicle. The incident occurred yesterday evening at around 8pm, on Khu Khwang-Pak Nakhon road, in front of Supalai village, Pak Nakhon district. A 30 year old man, Anuwat, was found dead at the scene. He was the driver of a white Isuzu pickup…
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Pickup truck accident leads to woman’s canal rescue in Kanchanaburi
An accident involving a pickup truck teetering on the edge of an irrigation canal alarmed local residents in Thamuang district, Kanchanaburi province. Emergency services were swiftly notified and upon arrival, discovered the empty vehicle poised precariously on the embankment. A search ensued, and 400 metres downstream, a woman was found floating in the water. She was swiftly rescued by locals…
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Ghost hunt in Lopburi village creates chaos as million baht reward retracted
News of a ghostly “Krasue” haunting a village in Ban Berk, Tha Wung district, Lopburi province, has caused widespread fear among locals. A subsequent offer of a million baht reward for capturing the Krasue, a nocturnal female spirit of Southeast Asian folklore, by a resort owner in Saraburi province has escalated the hunt for the spectre. However, it is reported…
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Landslide in Chaiyaphum province prompts dramatic rescue
A landslide incident near the floodgate of the Chi River in Chaiyaphum province led to a dramatic rescue. Five locals yesterday narrowly escaped death as the ground gave way, causing multiple motorcycles to fall into the river. The unexpected event occurred at Bueng Lahan (Yai Kaew canal), Nong Bua Ban sub-district, Chatturat district. Volunteers from the Nong Bua Ban Subdistrict…
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Ceramic plate on TV show revealed as valuable Ming Dynasty relic
The fascination for antique collections has gained traction in modern society, leading to the growth of the antique business market. Numerous people have amassed wealth through trading these relics and ceramic plates. However, expertise is crucial to avoid deception in this field. This has led to the popularity of the show Appraisal of Treasures aired by China Central Television (CCTV).…
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Bangkok airport protest leaders face bankruptcy over 522 million baht compensation order
The Central Bankruptcy Court has dealt a decisive blow to 11 pivotal figures of the dissolved People Alliance for Democracy (PAD) by issuing an absolute receivership order against them. This verdict relates to their involvement in protests that resulted in the closure of Bangkok’s two primary airports. The court order, made public via the Royal Gazette, gives an assigned receiver…
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Thai education embraces UK programmes to boost English language proficiency
Thailand has officially embraced programmes initiated by the United Kingdom, designed to boost English language proficiency among Thai students and teachers. The Education Minister of Thailand, Police General Permpoon Chidchob, held a conversation with the UK Minister of State for the Indo-Pacific, Anne-Marie Trevelyan, to discuss this educational collaboration. The British ambassador, Mark Gooding, was also present at the discussion…
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Indonesian woman deceived into marrying transgender man: A 20-year ordeal unveiled
A 58 year old woman from Indonesia recently shared her harrowing experience 20 years ago of being deceived into marrying a transgender man. In 2000, Ida was introduced to a man named Nardinata Marchioni by a friend during a trip to Europe. The two kept in touch via expensive international phone calls until Nardinata returned to Indonesia. Ida was impressed…
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Couple accuse daughter of swindling over 300 million baht assets
An elderly couple in their 80s lodged a formal complaint against their youngest daughter, alleging that she swindled them out of more than 300 million baht over three years by reportedly drugging them. The couple’s granddaughter, Praw, accompanied her grandparents to seek help from the non-profit organisation, Saimai Survive. Praw revealed to the organisation and media that her grandparents lost…
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Sky skirmish looms: Low-cost airlines face turbulence from price-dumping giants
The survival of emerging low-cost carriers in Southeast Asia could be threatened as dominant airlines may resort to price-dumping strategies to safeguard their market share. The airline industry’s seat recovery is also projected to take a decade to fully bounce back. Really Cool Airlines’ Chief Executive, Patee Sarasin, previously the chief executive of Nok Air, expects to obtain the Air…
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Phuket tourism industry generates 370 billion baht in eight months
Over the past eight months, the tourism industry in Phuket has managed to amass a substantial revenue of nearly 370 billion baht, as reported by the President of the Phuket Tourism Association. This encouraging development signals a significant rebound from the adverse effects of Covid-19, with the present surge in tourist numbers representing a remarkable 40% year-on-year rise when compared…
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Debt dodger’s fake ‘theft’ tale backfires: Thai woman faces charges for false report
A Thai woman is facing charges after faking a theft and filing a fake police report to escape a 48,000 baht debt. The 45 year old woman, whose identity remains undisclosed, made the complaint to officers at Mueang Trat Police Station by phone yesterday, October 18. She explained that four thieves in a pickup with no number plate cut off…
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Bangkok breathes uneasy: PM2.5 dust levels reach ‘unhealthy’ zones
Bangkok, alongside other provinces, is grappling with unsettling levels of ultra-fine dust, or PM2.5. The quality of air in several areas has been categorised as either moderate or in the unhealthy spectrum. People, especially those living with chronic illnesses, have been cautioned by the Public Health Ministry to review the air quality before stepping out or participating in outdoor activities.…
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Black bear caught after stealing food from local in central Thailand (video)
Royal Forestry Department authorities have successfully captured an Asian black bear that was stealing food from a local kitchen in Prachantakarm district in the central province of Prachin Buri. The 62 year old homeowner, Wimon Ngammeesri, reached out to the authorities after the black bear repeatedly stole food from her refrigerator and food cupboard. Wimon explained that her house is…
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Phuket to introduce ‘baht bus’ style transport service in tourist hotspot
Phuket Land Transport Office (PLTO) is currently accepting applications from operators to establish a circular ‘baht bus’ style public transportation system in Phuket’s busiest tourist area. The announcement was made on the PLTO’s official Facebook page yesterday, with three separate notices for potential operators to provide bus transport services within Patong. Two of these notices outlined two circular routes, while…
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Yala temple’s amusing rules for resident spirits capture netizens’ attention
An intriguing set of rules has emerged from a renowned temple in Yala, aimed at the spirits residing within the temple’s vicinity. The rules, designed to foster harmony among the monks, villagers, and spirits, have gone viral, sparking amusement among netizens. This unusual story began gaining traction when a vinyl signboard with the rules was posted within the famous Yala…
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