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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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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 authorities warn against rising LINE app and Facebook scams
A criminal group has been flagged for attempting to scam people by posing as the Thai Red Cross Society, on LINE and Facebook according to a warning issued by Phuket’s Public Relations Department (PR Phuket). The scam involves an OpenChat group on LINE, a popular Thai messaging app, where members are invited to donate money under the guise of the…
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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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Killer on the loose: Thai court’s bail break leads to murderer attack on witness (video)
A murderer granted temporary bail by the Thai courts used it as an opportunity to threaten and attack a witness in the case. A non-profit organisation, Saimai Survive, shared security camera footage of a 41 year old Thai man named Sarun Sinsuphan being strangled by 44 year old Wuttiphat. In the video, another man wearing a LINE Man jacket came…
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Toddler locked in car for hours in southern Thailand after accidental self-locking
A two year old toddler was locked in a car for hours after her mother left her alone to go shopping. The incident, which took place at a convenience store on Niphat Uthit Road behind the Florida Hotel in downtown Hat Yai, Songkhla province, occurred at 10am today. The girl had accidentally hit the lock button, trapping herself inside the…
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Fatal twist of fate in northeast Thailand leaves motorcyclist dead and family grieving
A tragic accident on the bypass at the Don Khee intersection in the Nong Bua Lamphu town area left a 37 year old motorcyclist dead. The incident occurred late at night just 1 kilometre from his home. The motorcyclist was returning home when he collided with a black Ford Ranger pickup, leaving family members devastated. Police Captain Kamplaeng Chaiyarin, an…
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Drug-fuelled son assaults father in Muktahan: Officials intervene
A disturbing incident unfolded in Muktahan as a drug-fuelled, armed with a sharp-edged knife, assaulted his father, inflicting deep wounds on him. The incident was reported today, to the local security officials of Nikhom Kham Soi district, Mukdahan province, by alarmed locals who witnessed the man muttering incoherently and behaving erratically, accusing his father of conspiring to murder him. Security…
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Hero or villain? Thai man arrested for stabbing deputy mayor in Isaan drama
Police arrested a Thai man yesterday for stabbing the Deputy Mayor of Prasart district in Isaan’s Burriram province. The suspect claimed he was a hero, acting to safeguard the community from a corrupt authority. Officers from Ban Darn Police Station rushed to the scene outside a temple in Prasart district to help the victim, 66 year old Deputy Mayor Suriya…
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Nigeria sentences five to prison for exhuming skull in wealth ritual
In a shocking development, Nigeria has sentenced five men to 12 years in prison each for the crime of exhuming a human skull. The suspects, aged between 18 to 28 years, intended to deliver the skull to a traditional healer who claimed it was vital for rituals promising to make them wealthy. The convicted men were found guilty of unearthing…
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Thai worker returns safely from conflict-ridden Israel, brother remains to support family
A Thai labourer has safely returned home amidst the conflict between Israel and Hamas. A construction worker in various farms in the southern region of Israel was about 2 to 3 kilometres away from the Gaza Strip. The Thai labourer, Phollawat Kanphai, had been working in Israel for four years out of a five-year and three-month contract, earning a salary…
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Burmese man shot dead by Thai police in Prachuap Khiri Khan after knife attack
A tragic incident unfolded today in the Kui Buri district of Prachuap Khiri Khan province when a 30 year old Burmese man was shot dead by local police. The man, reportedly suffering from a mental breakdown, had threatened villagers with a knife, leading to a police intervention that resulted in his death. Upon receiving the report of Ao Ko’s erratic…
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Thailand NBTC advances regulatory structure for OTT platforms
Thailand’s National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC) is swiftly developing a regulatory structure for over-the-top (OTT) platforms, focusing primarily on video-on-demand and video-sharing services. This manoeuvre is a further step by the government to supervise domestic and international OTT operators, necessitating that business details be submitted to the regulator to aid in shaping the future of the OTT industry. OTT…
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Thai man fights for justice after losing job due to police error in central Thailand
A Thai man is seeking justice after officers at Bang Pa-in Police Station in the central province of Ayutthaya mistakenly made an error and registered him as a criminal. The mistake led to the man being fired from his job. The 48 year old Thai man, Panya Boonnarong, urged Channel 7 to spread his story and help him seek justice.…
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World’s spiciest chilli, Pepper X, trumps Carolina Reaper with 2.6 million Scoville units (video)
Pepper X has been officially recognised as the world’s spiciest chilli by Guinness World Records, scoring a scorching 2.693 million on the Scoville Heat Units scale, a measure of chilli heat. This chilli outshines its predecessor, the Carolina Reaper, with a spice rating of 1.64 million Scoville units. Pepper X is the creation of Ed Currie, founder of PuckerButt Pepper…
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Chinese toddler critical after brutal rottweiler attack: A call for responsible pet ownership
A two year old Chinese toddler in Chengdu, China, suffered severe injuries following an unprovoked attack by a rottweiler. Despite her mother’s best efforts to shield her from the dog, the young girl sustained a ruptured kidney, multiple fractured ribs and lacerations all over her body. The incident, which occurred yesterday, lasted a mere 40 seconds but resulted in the…
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Suphanburi thief arrested for stealing water meters to fund drug habit
A persistent thief In Suphanburi was apprehended for stealing water meters right under the nose of homeowners, simply to fund his drug habit. The arrest was made and charges were filed against him today. The crime was reported to be in progress at a resident’s home in Moo 6, Nong Makha Mong Subdistrict, Dan Chang District, Suphanburi. The homeowner was…
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Flash flood warnings issued for 33 Thai provinces due to heavy rain forecast
The Thailand Meteorological Department (TMD) issued a weather warning for 33 provinces, predicting continuous heavy rain, particularly in southern Thailand, which is expected to experience heavy rain in 70% of its area. The accumulating rainfall could lead to sudden flash floods. The danger is particularly high in the southern region where people are urged to be cautious of heavy rainfall…
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Pattaya City takes legal action against businesses for Koh Lan forest encroachment
Legal action is being pursued by Pattaya City against businesses accused of encroaching on forest land on Koh Lan, confirms Deputy Mayor, Manote Nongyai. The city received information regarding the alleged encroachment near Sangwan Beach from a local non-profit organisation. After conducting a survey, city officials confirmed that the encroachment had taken place with approximately 10 rai of forest land…
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Python takes a ride in parked pickup truck in Chon Buri, causing local stir
In an unusual incident, a large python was discovered nestled within a parked pickup truck in Chon Buri, causing a stir among locals. The snake had taken up residence in the vehicle while its owner took a brief pause for a roadside toilet break. The snake was eventually captured and released back into the wild by the rescue unit of…
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Four die in Surat Thani as pickup truck crashes into ditch during heavy rainfall
A pickup truck crashed into a roadside ditch in Surat Thani province during a heavy downpour, resulting in four fatalities. The accident occurred on Route 401 linking Surat Thani and Nakhon Si Thammarat. The investigation was led by Thawatchai Jaihao, the head of the local police force, and Jatupol Duangchuay, also an officer. The officers were alerted to the crash…
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Bangkok police and FDA seize codeine-laced syrup worth 1 million baht
Police Major General Anan Nanasombat, who heads the Consumer Protection Police Division (CPPD), and a team from the Thai Food and Drug Administration (FDA) sparked a meticulous search operation at six designated locations on Tuesday, October 17. The focus of this operation was to locate and seize syrup laced with Codeine and other drugs that had not been officially registered…
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Crocodile surprise: Malaysian family discovers predator in home sewer pipe
A Malaysian family were rocked by a crocodile shock at their residence after hearing unusual noises emanating from their sewer pipe. They decided to urgently inform the authorities, only to discover a large crocodile had made its way into their drainage system. The incident, a close call with a potential predator, could have ended disastrously. The peculiar event unfolded in…
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Pattaya elephant Nam Chok retires to Wildlife Friends Foundation Thailand sanctuary
In a momentous event, Nam Chok, an elderly elephant who has given rides to tourists in Pattaya for decades, has been granted retirement. In her sixties, she was released by her owner into the care of the Wildlife Friends Foundation Thailand (WFFT), a sanctuary that offers a refuge for elephants. Nam Chok, who is partially sighted, is suspected to have…
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Taylor Swift’s bodyguard forgoes 18 million baht salary to fight for Israel against Hamas
A well-known bodyguard of global music sensation Taylor Swift reportedly abandoned his US$500,000 annual salary, equivalent to approximately 18 million baht, to return to his native Israel. He volunteered to fight against the Hamas group, stating that he could not stand idle while his homeland was being destroyed by Hamas forces. According to local media reports, the security officer gained…
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Raving undercover: Pattaya police raid nightlife gem in early morning swoop
The early hours of this morning were punctuated by a Pattaya police raid on an active nightlife spot known as Rave. Nestled in the heart of South Pattaya, this popular venue in the Banglamung district found itself under scrutiny following a tip-off from vigilant locals. The time of the Pattaya police raid, which took place at 2am today, October 18, found…
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Thailand invites Russian President Putin for official visit amidst global isolation
Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin extended an invitation for an official visit to Russian President Vladimir Putin during the next year, during his recent visit to Beijing. This invitation emerges amidst Putin’s global isolation due to Russia’s conflict with Ukraine which kicked off in February last year. Furthermore, the International Criminal Court has issued an arrest warrant against Putin over accusations…
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Thieving specter or cunning crook? Lopburi thefts stir mythical creature suspicions
A recent spate of thefts in the Lopburi province ignited fear amongst residents, who are attributing the incidents to the mythical creature Phi Kra Sue. However, local authorities have pacified public concerns, stating the culprit is merely a masked thief and not a supernatural mythical creature. The situation came to light when Yotsawin Bamrungwet, Lopburi’s provincial governor, and the province’s…
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Fruitful feast: Six friends juice things up with 111-bottle drinking marathon
Six friends in China’s Sichuan province shocked a popular buffet restaurant by consuming a staggering 111 bottles of fruit juice. The young men, known for their love of value-for-money meals, decided to forgo the typical meat dishes commonly associated with buffet dining, instead, they opted to maximise their investment by ordering mass amounts of sour plum juice. The incident took…
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