News
Thailand news, politics, business, crime, lifestyle, and tourism—stay updated with breaking news and in-depth analysis from Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Pattaya, and beyond.
-
Sponsored Why 8 Atelier Residence is poised for growth: Phuket’s investment hotspot in the making
Phuket’s residential real estate market is no longer defined only by beachfront villas and short-stay resort condominiums. The island is now seeing sustained interest from international investors targeting long-term yields, capital stability, and access to full-scale lifestyle infrastructure. Looking at...
-
Phuket motorbike mayhem: Tourist Police send clear message on green book ownership
Phuket‘s Tourist Police issued a stern reminder to foreigners purchasing motorbikes, emphasising the importance of having the green registration book in their name. This advice follows a recent dispute between a Russian tourist and a local motorbike rental shop that refused to return his vehicle key. The disagreement came to light on November 18, when the Phuket Tourist Police were informed…
-
Thai Srivijaya Party leader gets one-month prison sentence and 20000 baht fine for intimidation
The Phra Nakhon North District Court sentenced Mongkolkit Suksintharanon, also known as Tae, the leader of the Thai Srivijaya Party, to a month in prison and a fine of 20,000 baht for intimidation. The intimidation charges relate to threats made against Decha Kittiwittayanan, with sentencing to be deferred for a year and a probationary period of one year, during which…
-
Thai economy in crisis: Government seeks foreign investment and tackles debt
The economy in Thailand is in crisis and needs some significant stimulation, according to the nation’s Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin, who also acts as the Thai Finance Minister. The nation’s reliance on tourism has been heavily impacted by lower-than-expected foreign arrivals, resulting in a need to prioritise foreign investment and tackle household debt. The 61 year old prime minister made…
-
Loy Krathong chaos at Chiang Mai Airport: 160 flights shuffled, travellers beware!
With the upcoming Loy Krathong Festival in sight, Chiang Mai Airport is set to experience a whirlwind of changes, with a staggering 160 flights facing disruptions from November 27 to 28, post 7pm. Chiang Mai Airport Deputy Director Wisut Khamyod revealed today a jaw-dropping 101 cancellations and 59 rescheduled flights, creating a turbulence level hitting 47% of regular air traffic.…
-
Matrimony mayhem: Groom kicks bride after learning she’s pregnant at chaotic Chinese wedding
A wedding in the JiuJiang province of China spiralled into astonishing chaos when the groom kicked his pregnant bride, causing her to fall to the stage floor. The incident occurred after the groom discovered his newlywed bride was pregnant, despite their short one-month acquaintance before the wedding. The local media reported that the groom received a text message in the…
-
Tofu turmoil: Viral furry recipe from China divides opinions on safety and health
A unique recipe for furry tofu, a trending dish from China, sparked a global debate over its safety and health benefits. The recipe, which involves fermentation, was shared by a user on the social media platform Twitter and quickly went viral. The video showcases a woman instructing viewers on how to prepare furry tofu. The ingredients required include tofu, tempeh…
-
Bangkok’s trash talk: Police crackdown reveals illegal rubbish dumps, locals left in a stinky situation
The Thai Metropolitan Police Bureau (MPB) has cracked down on 11 points across Bangkok, unearthing five illegal rubbish dumps causing a stench and distress to locals. One rubbish dump caretaker revealed that they charge 60 to 100 baht per vehicle. The operation today was led by Police Lieutenant General Watcharawin Pusit, MPB commissioner, who ordered Police Lieutenant Colonel Arun Watchirasrisukanya,…
-
Phuket’s Quick Win: PM’s health initiative rolls out free flu vaccines for locals and tourists
Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin‘s public health initiative in Phuket, the Quick Win policy, has been launched, offering free flu vaccines for both locals and tourists alike. The Phuket News clarified that this service is available to anyone involved in the tourism industry, either as a Thai national or a foreign worker with a valid work permit. There was an earlier…
-
14 year old girl raped by two men in hotel in northern Thailand
A Thai man and his 14 year old daughter sought help from a Move Forward Party (MFP) member of Parliament after police failed to arrest and charge two men who allegedly raped the girl at a hotel in July in the Isaan province of Ubon Ratchathani. The 40 year old father, Phanu, told MFP MP Wisarut Sawatworn that the sexual assault…
-
Former TAT governor urges government to boost Chinese visitor numbers
The former Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) governor urged the government to reconsider its tourism strategy to improve the dwindling Chinese market. Predictions for this year suggest that arrivals from China will only total 26.8% of the 2019 level. Former TAT governor Yuthasak Supasorn suggested that the government should negotiate with China to secure more flight routes and slots for Thai…
-
GCNT chairman urges Thailand to boost human resources for Society 5.0
The chairman of Global Compact Network Thailand (GCNT) called on the government to increase its investment in human resources development in preparation for Society 5.0. This new era will be marked by the prominent role of innovative technology and artificial intelligence (AI) in driving the global economy. Suphachai Chearavanont made these remarks while addressing the GCNT Forum 2023 on the…
-
Arun Boonchom elected as new Sheikhul Islam in Thailand
Bangkok‘s Islamic Affairs Committee President, Arun Boonchom, made his mark as the newly elected 19th Sheikhul Islam, or Chularajmontri, in Thailand. Arun’s appointment as the spiritual leader of the nation’s Muslim community follows the passing of Aziz Phitakkumpon in the previous month. The decisive vote took place at the National Administration Centre for Islamic Affairs, located in the Nong Chok…
-
Footwear frenzy: More than 300 shoes stolen from tourist resorts in Chiang Mai, Thailand
Accommodation and hotel resort owners in the northern province of Chiang Mai appealed to the police to take action after more than 300 pairs of guests’ shoes were stolen in the past two months. A Thai man who owns a hostel on Soi Saha Si Phum Place on Manee Nopparat Road in Chiang Mai shared CCTV footage on social media…
-
Cyber police arrest two for purchasing guns online in Thai sting
Cyber Crime Investigation Bureau (CCIB) officers arrested two customers who bought guns online from a factory in Phichit province. The arrest followed an undercover operation where police pretended to buy through a popular YouTube channel after allegations of threats to a family were made today. Colonel Worawat Watnakorbuncha, Commander of the Special Operations Division (SOD), ordered Police Lieutenant Colonel Nipon Boonkeut,…
-
Heroic Thai teacher thwarts armed intruder: Calls for improved school safety measures in Thailand
A heroic teacher, who defended students and faculty from an armed intruder, has drawn praise from the government. Thawatchai Duangtham, a teaching assistant at Ban Nam Phu Hin Lat School in Chaiyaphum in northeast Thailand, bravely fought off an armed intruder, sustaining injuries to his hand and arm in the process. Deputy government spokesperson, Kaenika Unjit, commended his courage and…
-
Bangkok ranked 9th in 2023 best cities for expats, down from 6th last year
One of the globe’s leading expat networking and guide websites ranked the Big Mango, Bangkok, as the 9th best city to live and visit for expats in 2023. The ranking is down from last year when Bangkok was ranked 6th. InterNations said it conducted an online survey from February 1 to 28 this year, with 12,065 expats from 172 countries…
-
Disturbed Thai police officer’s shocking family drama: Father shot, mother and wife taken hostage
A tragic incident unfolded in Nakhon Chai Si, Nakhon Pathom, when a disturbed police corporal shot his 71 year old father while he slept, before taking his mother and wife hostage. As the situation escalated, local law enforcement officials and negotiation teams rushed to the scene to intervene. At 4am today, police received a distress call about a 31 year…
-
BLACKPINK receives MBE honour from British monarchy in historic first for K-pop
The British monarchy has recognised the influential K-pop group BLACKPINK, awarding members Lisa, Jennie, Jisoo, and Rosé with the prestigious Member of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (MBE) honour. The ceremony, hosted by King Charles III and Queen Camilla at Buckingham Palace, was in honour of South Korea’s President Moon Jae-in and First Lady Kim Jung-sook, marking…
-
Teenage love rivalry ends in brutal murder in southern Thailand
The brutal murder of a 16 year old boy has been traced back to a love rivalry over a 14 year old girl. The victim was reportedly beaten by a gang of youths around his age in a shocking incident that took place in the Thung Song district of Nakhon Si Thammarat. On November 19, Police Lieutenant Colonel Jittinan Suwanchatree…
-
Hong Kong Laureate Forum launches Young Scientist initiative for budding academics
The Hong Kong Laureate Forum (HKLF) has launched a Young Scientist initiative, providing a platform for budding academics to network and learn together. The initiative was unveiled during the HKLF forum at the Hong Kong Science Park from November 13 to 18, featuring a poster presentation as a key highlight. This served as a unique opportunity for young scientists to…
-
Rising Zika virus cases alarm health officials in Phuket
Phuket’s Provincial Health Office (PPHO) sounded the alarm over rising cases of Zika virus, particularly in Rawai, Phuket. The warning was triggered by a long-standing expatriate, expressing alarm over the increasing number of infections in the Saiyuan area. In response to these concerns, the Rawai Municipality took swift action, testing all occupants of one house. The expatriates detailed their efforts.…
-
Thai ambassador advises workers to delay return to Israel amidst conflict
The ambassador of Thailand to Israel, Pannabha Chandraramya, advised Thai workers who have recently returned from Israel to refrain from going back due to the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas. She updated on the situation during a meeting involving 97 of the nation’s high-ranking overseas representatives at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Pannabha suggested that those who had returned…
-
Thai Interior Ministry to launch nationwide crackdown on influential figures
The nationwide crackdown on influential figures, orchestrated by Thailand’s Interior Ministry, is set to kick off on December 1, confirmed Deputy Interior Minister, Chada Thaiseth. The operation, a collaborative effort between numerous authorities, including provincial administrative organisations, subdistrict administrative organisations, law enforcement and armed forces, is aimed at scrutinising and disbanding networks of these influential figures. A comprehensive list of…
-
Phuket officials accused of extorting Thai women and their foreign husbands
Multiple Thai women accused officials at district offices in Phuket of extorting money from them and their foreign husbands. The alleged malpractice involves overcharging them between 3,000 to 8,000 baht for marriage certificates, a substantial increase from the standard 200 baht fee. These complaints were brought to the attention of a Facebook news page called Phuket Info Centre, whose administrator…
-
Thailand’s visa exemption policy for Chinese unaffected despite low flight demand
Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin yesterday announced that the government’s visa exemption policy for Chinese citizens remains unaffected amidst the cancellation of flight slots by several Chinese airlines due to low passenger demand. These airlines had previously secured slots for flights to Thailand, inclusive of ground handling services for their aircraft, only to relinquish their landing and take-off rights due to…
-
Israel-Hamas ceasefire agreement offers hope for Thai hostages
The Israeli–Gaza war took an unexpected turn as Israel and Hamas agreed to swap hostages for prisoners. This development has brought a glimmer of hope for the Thai workers who were held hostage during the conflict. As per the information received by Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin, the ceasefire agreement between the two battling factions is likely to facilitate the release…
-
Shocking family tragedy in Songkhla: husband kills wife and child, then himself
A man, driven by obsession, took his own life after fatally shooting his wife and one of their daughters in Songkhla Province. This tragic event occurred yesterday at 5.09pm at house number 57, Moo 12, Kao Rak Kiart village, Kamphaeng Phet Subdistrict, Rattaphum District. The report was received by Police Captain Surachet Suwannoppamat, the station chief of Rattaphum Police Station, who…
-
Thai stock market hit by short selling amid falling figures
Speculation on short selling and naked short sales has been linked with causing havoc in the Thai stock market today, as retail investors attribute the continuous market decline to these practices. The Stock Exchange of Thailand (SET) has taken a hit this year with a drop of 14.9% as of November 20 and a decrease in market capitalisation from 3.2…
-
Local gambling operator in Don Mueang sentenced to four months detention
Don Mueang District Court sentenced a local gambling operator to four months in prison, converting the sentence to detention instead. The gamblers involved received individual penalties of 15-day imprisonment and a 2,000 baht fine but were granted bail awaiting the court’s final judgement. This verdict was delivered yesterday at Don Mueang District Court. The court considered the case where the…
-
Thailand braces for temperature rise of 1 to 2 degrees Celsius
Temperatures across Thailand are set to rise by 1 to 2 degrees Celsius, as the nation experiences a fade in cold weather. Despite this, the mornings in the north and northeast will continue to be cool, with some areas in the south experiencing rainfall. The Thai Meteorological Department (TMD) forecasted the weather conditions for the next 24 hours, attributing this…
Don't forget to check out some other things to do in Thailand - get help starting a business or finding a job in Thailand, buy Thailand property, rent a yacht or book a medical procedure worldwide.