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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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Major rainstorm set to pummel Thailand’s south
The Thailand Meteorological Department (TMD) reported that a major rainstorm is set to hit the southern parts of the nation today, while light showers are expected to continue in the northern, central regions, and the metropolitan area of Bangkok. In the next 24 hours, a cool weather mass remains over the northern, northeastern, and central regions. Meanwhile, an equatorial trough…
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Italian police arrest two suspects in Milan linked to IS
Italian authorities cracked down on suspected Islamic State (IS) affiliates, deploying an elite police squad to disrupt and arrest two individuals in Milan, the capital of the Lombardy region in northern Italy. The operation was led by the Milan Public Prosecutor’s Office. The suspects, both of Italian and Egyptian nationality, were charged with promoting, inciting, recruiting and funding the IS.…
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Thai tycoon Premchai Karnasuta’s release reignites interest in Black Panther case
Premchai Karnasuta, a high-profile individual known for his involvement in the infamous Black Panther case, is set to be released from Thong Pha Phum prison today. This news has reignited interest in the case, which once shook the nation, on social media platforms. Premchai, the primary defendant in the case, is the president and managing director of Italian-Thai Development Public…
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Thai human rights lawyer Arnon Nampa bail hopes derailed again on less majeste charge
Arnon Nampa, a prominent human rights lawyer, faced a second denial for his bail request, as informed by Thai Lawyers for Human Rights (TLHR). The appeal court’s decision came yesterday, October 16, justifying it with the severity of the royal defamation charges against Arnon and the potential risk of him absconding if set free. Consequently, the court found no grounds…
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Beachside brawl: Transgender Thai and tourist’s clash sends waves through Pattaya sand (video)
Pattaya’s beach was the backdrop of a dramatic altercation at the weekend as a Thai transgender was seen launching a vicious, physical attack on an unidentified foreign tourist. The conflict erupted after the tourist allegedly insulted her after she propositioned him. The incident, captured in a video and shared via TikTok on ghostcars001, quickly spread across Thai social media platforms,…
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Bangchak finalises Esso Thailand acquisition
The energy conglomerate Bangchak Corporation, listed on the Stock Exchange of Thailand (SET), finalised its acquisition of Esso Thailand shares via a tender offer. The deal, valued at 3.54 billion baht, has resulted in Bangchak owning 76.3% of Esso Thailand. Previously, Bangchak secured a 65.99% stake in Esso Thailand, the entity managing Esso petrol stations, from Esso Asia Holdings Pte…
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Unexpected labour at Thai restaurant results in nine months of free meals for pregnant woman
A surprising incident occurred at a popular Thai restaurant when a pregnant woman dining there suddenly went into labour. The manager, Yuthaphum Kaewkhem, known as Boom, recalled the surprising event where the woman, who had been enjoying a meal, started experiencing labour pains. One of Boom’s staff, at the Moo Krata restaurant, revealed that a customer’s waters had broken and…
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Thai businesses on track to navigate energy price cuts: TDRI concerns loom
Thai businesses are assessing the implications of the government’s recent energy price cuts, amidst concerns from the Thailand Development Research Institute (TDRI) about the potential adverse long-term effects of the policy. The Srettha Thavisin-led government has decided to slash the power tariff from 4.45 baht per kilowatt-hour to 3.99 baht between September and December and cap the retail price of…
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Chinese investment in Thailand gains speed amidst economic slowdown
Chinese firms have significantly increased their investment in Thailand this year, despite China’s economic slowdown, providing a much-needed boost for the Thai Prime Minister, Srettha Thavisin. The increase in investment comes as a welcome relief amid concerns about the impacts of the world’s second-largest economy’s sluggish recovery on global growth. However, Thailand continues to appeal as a crucial investment hub…
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Tesla ghost hunt goes viral: Scientist on track to uncover cemetery mystery in Thailand
A viral TikTok video featuring a Tesla car detecting a ghost in a cemetery sparked scientific analysis today by Dr Chetsada Denduangboripant, a lecturer in the Department of Biology at Chulalongkorn University. He suggested that the anomaly could be due to a malfunction in the car’s sensor and software systems. The viral video was posted by @aunnyc, who drove her…
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Bangkok father arrested for incestuous rape of daughter leading to pregnancy
A shocking case of incestuous rape emerged leading to the arrest of a man who confessed to sexually abusing his 14 year old daughter, resulting in her pregnancy. Paveena Hongsakul, the Chair of the Paveena Hongsakul Foundation for Children and Women, today, October 17, at 11am, accompanied the victim’s mother, 34 year old Oi (pseudonym), to the Prawet Police Station…
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Phuket’s waste crisis and eco-tourism plans discussed by Pita Limjaroenrat
Pita Limjaroenrat, the former Move Forward Party (MFP) leader, yesterday paid a visit to Phuket to assess some ongoing projects in the seaside resort and discuss the key issues with the residents and officials. The respected former MFP leader was accompanied by three local MPs affiliated with the MFP, namely Somchart Techathavorncharoen, Chalermpong Saengdee and Thitikan Thitipruekthikul. The first stop…
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Rain doesn’t dampen spirits at the Phuket Vegetarian Festival
The Phuket Vegetarian Festival, a grand spectacle of Chinese culture, witnessed another round of street processions today. Despite the heavy downpour, the processions, featuring devotees from the Sapam Shrine and the Bang Khu Shrine, kicked off with fervour. These processions were a part of the ongoing celebrations which have taken the streets of Phuket by storm. Photographs capturing the essence…
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Phuket shopping mall stages active gunman drill in preparation for Vegetarian Festival
Central Phuket shopping mall became the stage of an active gunman training emergency-response exercise spearheaded by officers from Region 8 Police yesterday before the mall opened its doors to the public. The joint leaders of the active gunman training response scenario were Police Lieutenant General Suraphong Thanomchit, the Region 8 Police Commander, and Police Major General Sermphan Sirikong, the Phuket…
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Money mishap:Thai woman’s 20 baht note goes ‘choo-choo’ in the frying pan
A Thai woman mistakenly fried a 20 baht banknote, resulting in a shrivelled and crispy note that sparked much mirth on social media asking whether a bank would accept it. A wave of humorous responses from netizens ensued after a Twitter user yesterday posted an image, from a life and family problems consultation group, where the woman sought advice, accompanied…
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High-end restaurants warned of new scam involving bogus wine shop and fake reservations
A new kind of scam targeting upscale restaurants has been exposed. Scammers posing as customers reserve tables, deceiving eateries into buying wine from bogus shops. The TikTok account, ambersmixedfamily, shared a video warning about this new type of con targeting high-priced restaurants. Ammy, the account owner, shared a chat conversation where a man approached the restaurant via Line, a messaging…
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Thai court halts government’s wind power purchase scheme over selection irregularities
The Central Administrative Court‘s ruling to halt the government’s scheme to purchase 1,500 megawatts of wind power, on grounds of alleged irregularities in power plant selection, prompted the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) to gear up for an appeal. The judgement came in response to Khon Kaen Wind 2 Co, a subsidiary of the SET-listed Energy Absolute (EA), who had voiced…
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Thong Fah outlets to join online food delivery platforms for cheaper fare
Future talks are in the works between the Internal Trade Department and multiple food delivery platform operators such as Thong Fah food outlets. The goal is to integrate Thong Fah (Blue Flag) outlets into their online systems. These outlets sell food at low prices, potentially helping customers save on daily food costs. Wattanasak Sur-iam, the Internal Trade Department’s director-general, revealed…
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End of the line: Thailand’s railway police disbands after 72 years
After 72 years of service, the Thailand Railway Police Division (RPD), colloquially known as the train marshals, are bidding farewell today. These officers have been a stalwart presence on the trains coursing through Thailand since the modern railway system was established during King Chulalongkorn’s reign. The decision to disband the railway law enforcement unit comes in the wake of the…
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Mourning monkey moment: Emotional video grips india (video)
The social media community in India has been swept up in a wave of emotion following the release of a video clip depicting a grieving monkey refusing to leave the lifeless body of a man who used to feed it. The video, which has since gone viral, offers a poignant glimpse into the profound bond shared by this interspecies duo.…
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Egypt unearths 3,400-year-old cemetery from New Kingdom era packed with ancient treasures
The Egyptian Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities announced the discovery of a 3,400-year-old ancient cemetery from the New Kingdom era at the Tuna El-Gebel necropolis in the southern Minya governorate. These burial grounds belonged to high-ranking officials and priests of ancient Egypt, according to Mostafa Waziri, the Secretary-General of the Supreme Council of Antiquities. Waziri said the excavation, led by…
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Submarine snag: Thai prime minister dives into talks with China
Thailand Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin is set for talks with the Chinese government regarding the delay in the delivery of a commissioned Chinese submarine to Thailand. The submarine in question, an S26T Yuan-class model, was initially planned to reach Thailand last month. However, due to the ongoing pandemic, the delivery has been postponed until April of the coming year. China…
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Thai worker reveals his heroic hound Bright saved his life in Israel
A Thai worker in Israel posted a touching story about how his pet dog, Bright, saved his life from an ambush. The worker, identified as @now__january__1993 on TikTok, is preparing to return to Thailand and hopes to bring the dog back with him. In the posted clip, The Thai worker revealed that he raised Bright from a puppy and is…
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Thai tourism hit as gun violence prompts Chinese visitor cancellations
The Thai government has been urged to tighten gun control measures by Chiang Mai hoteliers and tourism entrepreneurs in the aftermath of the Siam Paragon shopping mall shooting on October 3. The incident, which resulted in the death of three people, including a Chinese tourist, and injured four others, has shaken the confidence of Chinese travellers in Thailand. The fallout…
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Thailand’s wildlife trafficking battle: A US$20 billion trade swinging into action
The fight against wildlife trafficking in Thailand, a trade valued at approximately US$20 billion, is in full swing. Police Colonel Wanpichit Wattanasakmonta, an officer dedicated to the wildlife trafficking cause, stresses the importance of not only preserving wildlife but also protecting the environment and natural resources for a sustainable world. Thailand, a country that houses 10% of the world’s animal…
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Thai students return home amid escalating Israel-Hamas conflict
Thirty-three Thai students, who had been in Israel amidst the escalating conflict with Hamas, safely arrived back in Thailand yesterday. They were part of a larger contingent of 244 Thai nationals who flew back on a special charter flight from Ben Gurion Airport in Tel Aviv. The students, including 30 from the Princess of Naradhiwas University and the rest from…
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Heartbreaking divorce: Man discovers wife’s shocking secret after six years
A shocking divorce tale has emerged from Siyang in Hubei province, China, where a man discovered his wife’s shocking secret: their child was fathered by another man. The man, known as Wang, was a poor rural worker who quit school after primary education to work on the farm. A lack of romantic prospects concerned his mother. Eventually, he was introduced…
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Middle East crisis and US inflation trigger 2% fall in Thai stocks
Escalating the Middle East conflicts and persisting high inflation in the US are contributing to a more than 2% fall in Thai stocks. The Stock Exchange of Thailand (SET) is encountering renewed selling pressure, with the index nearing a crucial resistance level of 1,400 points. Concurrently, gold prices have seen a sharp increase, reaching nearly US$1,950 (70,870 baht) per ounce…
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Thai ‘super app’ set to launch with 10,000-baht digital wallet scheme
The completion of a multi-purpose mobile application, or super app, is on track for early next year, coinciding with the launch of the 10,000-baht digital wallet initiative, as announced by Deputy Finance Minister Julapun Amornvivat. The mobile app is designed as a comprehensive solution, with developers assuring its readiness for the digital wallet scheme’s rollout, expected between February and March…
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Thai PM seeks Saudi aid for stranded workers in Israel
Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin revealed plans to negotiate with Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince for assistance in facilitating the return of Thai workers stranded in Israel. The proposal involves granting the Royal Thai Air Force (RTFA) permission to traverse Saudi airspace, a currently prohibited action. This was disclosed at Suvarnabhumi Airport before PM Srettha’s trip to China to attend the 3rd…
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