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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 Why long-term expats in Thailand say insurance is worth every baht
Thailand’s warm weather, low cost of living, and good healthcare attract many long-term expats, including retirees and remote workers. Life here feels easy and affordable, but medical costs can be high if something goes wrong. Private hospitals are popular because...
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Vape escape: Thai ATP’s contraband crackdown sparks cloud of justice in Ayutthaya
The bustling province of Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya was the scene of a significant crackdown on illegal goods on November 8. Thai Anti Trafficking In Persons (ATP) officers swooped in on a private distribution centre in Bang Pa-in, seizing a massive haul of E-cigarettes, E-liquids, and associated equipment. This operation led to the confiscation of 60,500 units of contraband, with…
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Woman nearly dies after jumping into river to retrieve 1,000 baht bill
A 71 year old Thai woman almost died for literally chasing money by jumping into the Bang Pakong River in the central province of Chachoengsao to retrieve a 1,000 baht bill. Officers from Mueang Chachoengsao Police Station rushed to the pier in front of the Chachoengsao Provincial Fire Station after receiving a report of a water accident. At the scene,…
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Sex trade crackdown: Thai woman leaps from hotel window in Malaysia
A 27 year old Thai woman sparked a frenzy as she leapt from the third floor of a budget hotel in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia while attempting to evade the authorities. Suspected of being involved in the sex trade, she was ultimately apprehended by immigration officers. The incident occurred when immigration officers stormed the hotel on a sex trade crackdown mission…
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Chiang Mai MP refutes accusations of falsifying documents for party funds
Chiang Mai’s Move Forward Party (MFP) MP, Phattarapong Leelaphat, refuted accusations of falsifying documents to garner financial support from his party yesterday. This controversy was brought to light by the Democrat Party’s Tankhun Jittitsara on Wednesday, November 8. In response to the allegations, Phattarapong took to Facebook, dismissing the claims as baseless. The politician explained that most of the funds…
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First coalition party dinner signals unity and relaxed political discourse
Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin reported a warm atmosphere at the first coalition party dinner held on November 8, with no bargaining for political gains witnessed among the government parties. The dinner, hosted by the leading Pheu Thai Party, was attended by leaders of coalition parties and was deemed successful enough to warrant monthly repeats, as reported by Deputy Prime Minister…
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Breaking news: Anchor keeps composure as false tooth falls out on live TV
An unexpected incident occurred during a live television broadcast when a female news anchor’s supposed false tooth fell out while she was speaking. The incident took place on November 4, on the 24-hour news channel CCTV13 of China Central Television. The professional manner in which she handled the awkward situation has drawn widespread praise online. The anchor, known for her…
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Thai government to reveal details of contested 10,000-baht digital wallet scheme
The Thai government is set to disclose the specifics of its contentious 10,000-baht digital wallet scheme distribution today. Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin, in response to critics who argue the initiative could inflict more economic damage than benefit, will conduct a news conference at 2pm today to elucidate all aspects of the policy. The 61 year old Thai prime minister has…
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13 year old girl confesses to fabricating minibus driver rape story
The 13 year old girl who reportedly accused a minibus driver of drugging and sexually assaulting her, later confessed that she had fabricated the rape story. However, a medical examination revealed signs of sexual assault and her relatives are suspected. The grandmother of the victim revealed to the public that her 13 year old granddaughter lost control of herself and…
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Prominent Thai officials arrested over alleged 2.3 million baht bribe
Samut Prakan‘s Bang Phli district saw the arrest of prominent figures within the Bang Pla subdistrict administrative organisation (TAO), including the chairman, 61 year old Chanin Ruenroeng, and his 44 year old personal secretary, Pornmanee (surname withheld). These arrests were initiated by the Anti-Corruption Division (ACD) who acted on a complaint from a local firm alleging that the officials demanded…
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Consumer confidence in Thailand soars to 44 month high
Last month witnessed a surge in consumer confidence for the third consecutive month, reaching its highest point in 44 months, according to the University of the Thai Chamber of Commerce (UTCC). Factors contributing to this uplift include the government’s initiatives to curb living costs, a boost in foreign arrivals, and a revival in exports. The UTCC reported that the consumer…
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Content creator economy thrives in Thailand with Meta’s support
Meta, the company behind Facebook and Instagram, is cultivating a thriving content creator economy in Thailand, offering local creative talent numerous avenues to monetise their output. This initiative allows creators to offer unique content and experiences to their subscribers, thereby establishing a new stream of revenue. According to Meta, these revenue-earning opportunities encompass branded content, partnership ads, and Instagram subscriptions.…
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Thais in Myanmar issued emergency documents for repatriation
Emergency travel documents are being issued to the majority of Thais awaiting repatriation in Myanmar, as most of them are without passports, according to a statement by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) yesterday. The MFA revealed that these individuals had their passports taken away by their employers. The information was disclosed by Ruj Thammamomgkol, director-general of the MFA Consular…
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Handsome teacher sparks classroom shuffle in China
Despite the common understanding that students attend school to acquire knowledge, teachers can also play an integral role in making learning more enjoyable. A teacher’s vibrant personality can be an asset in winning over students. However, an excessively handsome teacher can sometimes create issues for themselves. Take, for instance, the recent situation involving a young male teacher from Guangdong province,…
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Budget travel: Thai travelers choose affordability amid economic instability
In the wake of an unpredictable global economy, travellers are becoming increasingly cost-conscious. A recent survey by online travel agency Booking.com revealed that the majority of Thai citizens are apprehensive about the escalating cost of living and are thus curtailing their expenditure on travel, opting for budget travel instead. Michelle Gao, the regional manager for the Mekong region at Booking.com,…
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Cyberattacks plague Thailand: Over 10 annual incidents cause significant losses
A recent survey reveals that more than half of Thai organisations have experienced over 10 cyberattack incidents in the past year, leading to significant financial losses. The report, released by US-based cloud connectivity firm Cloudflare Inc., highlights the urgent need for Thai businesses to strengthen their cybersecurity infrastructure. According to a data breach report commissioned by IBM, the global average cost…
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Phuket tourism operators push for international convention centre
In a bid to elevate Phuket’s status as an exhibition hub, local tourism operators are urging for the rapid implementation of a long-stalled project for an international convention centre and a freeport city initiative. The urgency has arisen due to the impending enforcement of new environmental laws which may necessitate a redesign of the project. The Health Ministry recently abandoned…
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Cupid’s Arrow: Factory worker’s romantic gesture misses target, woman rejects overtures, sparks viral sympathy
A viral story from China has caught the attention of netizens after Cupid’s Arrow apparently missed its target. A factory worker’s bold declaration of love to a female colleague, complete with a bouquet, was met with rejection and disdain. The woman’s reason for the dismissal was simple – they didn’t know each other well enough for such a declaration of…
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Chilled vibes: Beat smelly fridge odours with toilet paper
A new social media trend is sweeping social media, with many people placing toilet paper in their refrigerators. This strange behaviour has puzzled many, leading to questions about the potential benefits of such an act. The answer, surprisingly, lies in combating unpleasant odours and excess moisture. Excessive moisture in a fridge often results in the growth of mould and undesirable…
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Two men arrested in major drug bust by MPB worth millions of baht
A recent crackdown by the Metropolitan Police Bureau (MPB) led to a drug bust and the arrest of two 25 year old men. The duo, identified as Ton from Chiang Rai province, and Narongkiet from Suphanburi province, were apprehended today at their rental residence in Phutthamonthon, Nakhon Pathom province, with an assortment of illegal drugs worth millions of baht. The…
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Pattaya Jazz Festival hits the right notes: Kenny G takes the stage to blow minds tomorrow
The eagerly anticipated Pattaya Jazz Festival 2023 blows its trumpet tomorrow, featuring the world-class talents of renowned jazz musician Kenny G. Set against the bustling backdrop of Pattaya Beach, the event is conveniently situated in proximity to the Central Klang intersection, neighbouring Central Mall. The festival promises an array of captivating performances from world-class artists, all offered without charge, making…
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South Korean factory worker fatally injured by robot misidentification
Tragedy struck in South Korea as a robot misidentified a factory worker for a box of vegetables, causing fatal injuries. The incident, which took place on November 7, involved a 40 year old man who was inspecting the sensors of a machine at an agricultural distribution centre in South Korea’s Gyeongsang Province. The robot seemingly confused the man for a…
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Bloody confrontation on dusty road: Fatal stabbing rocks peaceful village in Nakhon Phanom
A tragic incident unfolded in the village of Phathai, Tha Uthen, Nakhon Phanom, where a 48 year old local man was fatally stabbed multiple times by a 56 year old man from Loei province. The killing took place on a dusty road near the perpetrator’s residence at around 5.30pm yesterday. Police Lieutenant Colonel Saewang Khonklong, station chief of Tha Uthen…
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Woman discovers husband’s cruel bet to be the first to take her virginity was the reason for marrying her
A woman was left heartbroken upon discovering that her husband had married her as part of a cruel bet to be the first man to take her virginity. The shocking truth was revealed to her during a party by a former coworker. She first met her husband while working at the age of 20. Coming from a religious family with…
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Phuket’s new high-flier: Sattha thongkham lands as vice governor, family in tow
Sattha Thongkham, accompanied by his wife and daughter, arrived in Phuket yesterday, ready to assume his new role as the Vice Governor of Phuket. The family made their debut in the city by paying tribute to the statue of King Chulalongkorn (Rama V) at the historic former Phuket Provincial Hall, situated on Narisorn Road in Phuket town. The venerable structure…
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Manhole lorry accident: BMA orders review of 371 construction sites
The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) has ordered a review of 371 construction sites after a lorry incident revealed overloading up to 61 tonnes. The BMA is considering the use of a Bridge Weight Motion system to measure vehicle weight, with results expected within two months. Yesterday at the Bangkok City Hall, the Governor of Bangkok, Chadchart Sittipunt, and Deputy Governor…
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Whale of a time: Holidaymakers treated to rare sea spectacle near Phuket
Holidaymakers on a leisurely boat tour around the Racha Islands, located south of Phuket, yesterday were privy to a thrilling spectacle: the rare sight of a whale in its natural habitat, a relatively unusual occurrence in these parts. The Star Sailing Club’s head, Ilya Saldaev, captured and shared footage of the majestic creature breaking the water’s surface on social media.…
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Tiny trumpeter: Lost wild Thai elephant calf finds a voice and milk refuge
A one-month-old wild Thai elephant calf discovered alone and in a weakened state has begun making some noise and consuming milk regularly. Despite the absence of a wild elephant herd in the nearby vicinity, Thap Lan National Park and its veterinary team have been assisting the lost calf. The calf was found wandering near a cassava farm belonging to villagers in Talingshan…
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Malaysian bride’s feast fiasco: Uninvited ‘wedding crashers’ sneak in for a bite-sized sequel
A Malaysian bride was left angered by uninvited guests who snuck into her wedding reception for a free meal in what sounds like a sequel to the Hollywood blockbuster the Wedding Crashers. Despite careful planning for each table, the couple received complaints from guests that there were no seats available. Upon investigation, they discovered that unfamiliar faces had infiltrated the…
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Brazilian national’s reckless car chase in Patong leads to multiple collisions
A reckless high-speed car chase on the streets of Patong resulted in the capture of a Brazilian national. The man’s careless actions not only caused multiple collisions but also sent a van carrying foreign tourists careering off the road. Early this morning, a report came into the local police station about a hit-and-run incident near the Government Savings Bank Intersection…
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Pattaya police pacify possessed man with exorcism in unexpected late-night disturbance
A most unusual scenario unfolded on Thappraya Road in Pattaya, in the early hours of today. Pattaya police found themselves playing the role of exorcists when they were called in to placate a local man, aged between 40 to 45 years old, who was causing a late-night disturbance. The man, who was said to be possessed, had been wreaking havoc…
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