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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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Thailand prime minister requests another giant panda from China
Thailand Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin recently voiced his desire for China to send another giant panda to Thailand. This request follows the death of Lin Hui, a beloved panda who had been a significant attraction in the country. The prime minister’s request received support from Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, highlighting the close diplomatic relations between the two nations that span…
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K-pop idol caught selling fan’s gift sparks industry debate
A revelation has shaken the Korean entertainment industry as a member of a boy band was caught selling a fan-given gift on an online flea market. The incident came to light when the idol listed a shirt for sale at 150,000 won (3,900 baht), claiming it was purchased in Japan and was being sold due to a defect. However, the…
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Thai rock icons Cocktail to disband in 2025 after two decades
Renowned Thai rock band Cocktail, acclaimed for hits such as Kneel, You Make Me Sad, You, Persevere, Not Second, and others, announced they will disband in 2025. After more than two decades of captivating audiences with their music, the band members have decided to part ways and pursue individual paths in life, marking the end of an era for their…
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Thai transwoman betrayed by friend and caught in Hong Kong cannabis bust
A Thai man allegedly betrayed a transwoman friend by hiding cannabis in her luggage, leading to her arrest in Hong Kong. More than 30 other victims of the Thai man came forward to expose his fraudulent behaviour. The Facebook account, Pat Catty, shared a story of her transwoman friend on January 25 and urged netizens to be aware of a…
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Bride’s tears at arranged marriage ignite debate in China
A beautiful bride’s tearful appearance throughout her wedding day in Gansu Province, China, sparked sympathy and intense discussion across social media platforms. Netizens shared images of the distraught bride, who was strikingly attractive but visibly upset and consistently avoided any contact with the groom. This has led to widespread speculation about the circumstances that led to such an unhappy day…
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Thai taxi driver seeks justice after brutal axe attack and car theft (video)
A local taxi driver sought justice after a Thai man posing as a passenger attacked him with an axe before stealing his car. The taxi driver said he was seriously injured but the police gave the attacker a lenient sentence. The taxi driver, 51 year old Chinnaphat Chokchana, urged non-profit organisation Saimai Survive to help him seek justice. Chinnaphat recounted…
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Thailand’s car production hits brakes, sees 15.75% drop in December
Thailand’s car production experienced a significant drop of 15.75% in December, compared to figures from the previous year, marking the fifth consecutive month of decline, according to the Federation of Thai Industries (FTI). The downturn resulted in only 133,621 units being produced, largely due to a reduction in pickup truck output. This figure is a stark contrast to November’s year-on-year…
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Visa-lah! Thailand and China ink deal to waive visas, turbocharging tourism
After much anticipation and months of talks, Thailand and China yesterday officially sealed the deal on a reciprocal visa-waiver agreement, aimed at ramping up tourism between the two nations when it kicks into gear come March. Foreign Minister Parnpree Bahiddha-Nukara and his Chinese counterpart, Wang Yi, solidified the pact at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Bangkok. Dubbed the Agreement…
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Model reports sexual assault by brother-in-law in central Thailand
A model bravely stepped forward to report a harrowing series of sexual assaults and blackmail at the hands of her brother-in-law, a troubling case that has recently come to light in Samut Sakhon province. Today at 10am, the 29 year old woman, accompanied by lawyer Sittha Biabangkerd, also known as Lawyer Tum, filed a report at the Ban Phaeo Police…
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Surin teacher’s lottery predictions and healing draw crowds
Surin residents have found luck and healing in the unassuming figure of a local teacher named Sam from Koh Kaew, whose lottery predictions and treatments have captured widespread attention. The phenomenon occurred at house number 142 in the village of Koh Kaew, Samrong Thap district, and has led to an influx of visitors seeking fortune and cures for mental and…
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Monks’ misconduct: Temple faces complaint for dog abuse in southern Thailand
Tha Sala District Livestock Office filed a complaint against an abbot and monks at Jan Por Temple in the Tha Sala district in the southern province of Nakhon Si Thammarat for physically abusing a dog. The dog was seriously injured and may lose its sight. Twitter user @whathappenMr shared a video of three monks and another man beating a black…
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Lisa of BLACKPINK meets Rihanna, fans anticipate collaboration
A historic moment captivated fans worldwide when Lisa of the globally renowned K-pop group BLACKPINK shared a photo with the legendary female artist turned into businesswoman Rihanna, sparking a wave of excitement across social media platforms. This iconic meeting between two influential figures in the music industry became an instant sensation, leading fans to fervently wish for a collaboration between…
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Bangkok battles severe PM2.5 pollution, health warnings issued
Bangkok and several provinces across Thailand are currently grappling with dangerously high levels of PM2.5 particulate matter, exceeding standard pollution values and posing a significant health risk. Bangkok’s Phra Khanong district recorded the highest levels, urging the public to wear masks outdoors at all times for protection. The situation monitored hourly, is a collaborative effort involving the Ministry of Higher…
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Bangkok drug bust: 5 foreign drug dealers arrested, 5 others still at large
Narcotics Suppression Bureau (NSB) officers arrested five foreign drug dealers for trading illicit narcotics in the Sukhumvit and Nana neighbourhoods of Bangkok and detained nine others for violating the Immigration Act. NSB Chief Kirisak Tantinawachai reported to PPTV HD that officers launched an investigation called Operation Mouse Hunt 1 in October last year and managed to arrest seven foreign drug…
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Hong Kong court orders liquidation of China’s indebted developer Evergrande
China’s most indebted property developer, China Evergrande, was ordered to liquidate by a Hong Kong court today, a move that could potentially destabilise the already trembling Chinese capital and property markets. The liquidation process could be intricate due to the multiple authorities involved and the potential political implications. Following the order for liquidation, a provisional liquidator will be appointed, followed…
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Thai jewellery industry urged to focus on sustainable manufacturing
The Gem and Jewellery Institute of Thailand (GIT) urged Thai jewellery producers to bolster their focus on sustainable manufacturing. The call to action comes amid growing customer interest in the ethical and environmental considerations of the industry. GIT, an agency of the Commerce Ministry, emphasised that while the industry primarily centres around design and the ability to refine uncut jewels,…
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Thai woman fatally attacked with knife, secret affair suspected as motive
Police are searching for a killer who fatally attacked a Thai woman with a knife in the northern province of Sukhothai. The motive for the murder is suspected to be a secret affair and jealousy. Officers from the Ban Dan Lan Hoi Police Station dashed to the crime scene at 9.30am yesterday, January 28, and discovered the dead body of a…
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Grade 8 student fatally stabbed by classmate in Bangkok school
A shocking incident occurred at a well-known secondary school in the Suan Luang district, Bangkok, when a Grade 8 student was seriously injured after being stabbed by a classmate. The assault took place shortly after the morning flag-raising ceremony. Police launched an investigation and have confiscated the weapon used in the attack, which occurred at 8.40am today (January 29). At…
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Thai baht heads for poorest January since 2020
The Thai baht, after experiencing a nearly 4% loss compared to the US dollar, is on track for its poorest January performance since 2020. The currency’s downfall signals further challenges ahead, given the significant outflows. Emerging Asia’s top-performing currency in the fourth quarter turned into this year’s biggest loser as global funds avoid Thai assets. This comes amid a dispute…
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Thailand gold prices take a slight tumble
Gold prices in Thailand saw a slight decrease at the start of the week. According to the latest figures from the Gold Traders Association (GTA), the price of gold jewellery is now set at 34,550 baht per baht weight as of Monday, representing a 50 baht drop from the previous day’s close. The domestic gold market experienced a minor adjustment…
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Bus hostess killed, six injured in Phitsanulok night crash
A tragic collision between a tour bus and an 18-wheel truck at a U-turn near a gas station in Phitsanulok in lower northern Thailand resulted in the death of a bus hostess and left six passengers injured. The incident occurred at 12.15am today, January 29, when the Nakhon Chai Air bus travelling from Phrae to Bangkok was struck by the…
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Thai man rapes daughter and stepdaughter, mother turns blind eye
Police arrested a Thai father for repeatedly raping his biological daughter and stepdaughter over a 10- year period. One of the victims became pregnant while the victims’ mother chose to turn a blind eye to the sexual assaults. Officers from the Central Investigation Bureau (CIB) arrested the 38 year old alleged rapist named Ram on January 27 in the central…
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Elderly man’s body found floating in Bang Pakong River
A shocking discovery was made in the Bang Pakong River when locals found the body of an elderly man floating in the water. The unidentified man, estimated to be between 65 and 70 years old, is believed to have been dead for around five hours before his body was discovered at midnight on January 29. The authorities, alerted by Deputy…
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Thai job seekers offered positions in Macau, salaries over 91,000 baht
The Thai Department of Employment announced a significant opportunity for job seekers with a penchant for the service industry. Some 67 positions are available in Macau, with no application fee and attractive salaries and benefits. Applications are accepted via email around the clock until February 12. Karom Phonphonklang Deputy Government Spokesperson, revealed that the Ministry of Labour’s Department of Employment…
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British photographer dies after parachuting from Pattaya condo (video)
A British photographer died after parachuting from the 29th floor of a condominium in Pattaya, Thailand. Bang Lamung Police Station officers received a notification of the parachute accident at about 7.30pm on Saturday, January 27 and rushed to the scene, Lumpini Condo Town North Pattaya-Sukhumvi. Officers found the lifeless body of the foreign man, later identified as a 33 year…
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Thailand plans Philippines tie-up for 75th anniversary bash
Thailand’s Deputy Director General for East Asian Affairs Department of the Foreign Affairs Ministry is gearing up to boost social, cultural and economic ties with the Philippines to celebrate three quarters of a century of bilateral relations. Both Thailand and the Philippines outlined a series of initiatives, including high-level visits, business-to-business collaborations, cultural showcases, and community engagements, to mark 75…
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Bitcoin ETFs surge after US SEC approval boosts annual ROI
Having received approval from the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) for 11 Bitcoin exchange-traded funds (ETFs), the cryptocurrency is seeing a resurgence, boosting its annual return on investment by over 150%. This surge has been aided by a predicted Bitcoin halving in April, leading to the cryptocurrency reclaiming its top position for asset annual ROI. The decision by the…
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Thailand’s Land Bridge project eyed for boosting economy amid local concerns
Thailand’s Land Bridge project, a major infrastructure initiative resembling a proposed shortcut through Southeast Asia, dominated the recent mobile Cabinet meeting in Ranong. Residents expressed apprehensions to Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin, highlighting potential environmental damage and disruptions to their lifestyle. In the face of forecasted stagnant GDP growth, the government views the Land Bridge project as a promising solution for…
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Red sea conflicts could disrupt global trade, Thai economy at risk
The business world is on high alert as the ongoing conflicts in the Red Sea and the Israel-Hamas war pose potential risks to the global economy. The strategic planning unit of the Commerce Ministry is urging stakeholders to keep a close watch on the situation and its potential implications. The conflicts could bring both direct and indirect negative impacts on…
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Thai agencies promote youth political participation amid rising issues
A rise in youth problems related to drugs, violence, mental health deterioration, and financial woes has spurred Thai government agencies to promote greater youth political participation and heed the voices of the young. An event titled Learn Len Hen Local, showcasing the initiatives of the Children and Youth Council of Thailand (CYCT), was recently conducted by the Department of Local…
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