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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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New in July: Save 10% for life on family health plans in Thailand
Cigna has a special offer this July for families in Thailand. When you sign up three or more people on a family health plan, you will save 10% on your premiums for life. This deal helps you get affordable, high-quality...
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Shaky start: Chiang Rai rumbles with four earthquakes, but no harm done
Chiang Rai, a northern province in Thailand, experienced four minor earthquakes this morning, the most powerful registering a magnitude of 3.6. According to the Earthquake Observation Division of the Thai Meteorological Department, no damage or casualties have been reported. The initial tremor, with a magnitude of 3.6, was detected at 12.45am under tambon Dong Mada in the Mae Lao district.…
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Mind the gap! Bangkok BTS Skytrain startles passengers with open-door drama
A video clip of a Bangkok BTS Skytrain running with one of its doors wide open left passengers and netizens shocked. The footage, which quickly spread around the world online, was captured on a BTS Skytrain in Thailand. A TikTok user, under the account @star111042, shared the video, warning others not to stand or lean against the doors. The video…
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Former FFP MP, Pannika Wanich, banned for life for disrespecting Thai monarchy
The Supreme Court issued an official notice, permanently banning former Future Forward Party (FFP) MP Pannika “Chor” Wanich from participating in elections and holding political positions for life, following her display of disrespect towards the monarchy. This action stems from a 2019 Facebook post by Chor, which prompted the secretary-general of the Association for the Protection of the Thai Constitution,…
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Weixin Pay rolls out red carpet for tourists in Thailand with new payment perks
Tencent’s Weixin Pay, commonly known as WeChat Pay, a Chinese payment service provider, has introduced innovative features aimed at simplifying payments for foreign tourists in China and cross-border transactions in Thailand. These features allow visitors to conveniently make payments by scanning QR codes, streamlining the payment process. Starting in July, Tencent has been collaborating closely with major global credit card…
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Thailand biz shields up: Low cyberattacks, high cybersecurity worries in ASEAN
In the past year, Thai corporations experienced the lowest number of disruptive cyberattacks among ASEAN nations, with only 22% reporting an increase in incidents by 50% or more, according to a recent survey by global cybersecurity firm Palo Alto Networks. However, cybersecurity remains a significant concern for Thai businesses as they grapple with increasingly complex threats. The survey, which examined…
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Phuket’s tourism boom: Visa-free policy sparks influx of Chinese and Kazakhstani visitors
The popular tourist destination of Phuket is on the cusp of a significant increase in Chinese and Kazakhstani visitors, thanks to a new visa-free policy set to take effect next week. The policy, unveiled in the Royal Gazette on Tuesday, grants 30-day visa-free stays for nationals from both countries, starting from Monday and extending until February 29. The Tourism Authority…
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1 killed and 1 injured in sign collapse at petrol station in Chon Buri
Tragedy struck in Sri Racha district, Chon Buri province, after thunder and lightning struck an enormous advertising sign at a PTT petrol station, causing it to collapse and kill a pickup driver. Officers at Sri Racha police station were notified of the sign collapse at around 4.30pm yesterday, September 20. Upon arrival, officers discovered that the advertising sign lay over…
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Thai economy to be driven by private consumption, tourism in 2023
Stimulating private consumption is a reasonable strategy for the government to maintain economic growth amidst global uncertainties, according to Tim Leelahaphan, an economist at Standard Chartered Bank Thailand. The first half of 2023 saw a 7% year-on-year increase in the country’s private consumption. Expectations are high for private consumption and tourism to be the main drivers of economic growth in…
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Thai Smile Bus electrifies its fleet with a shocking 1,083 EVs
Thai Smile Bus, a leading public transportation company utilising clean energy, plans to introduce an additional 1,083 electric buses (EV) to its fleet by next year, according to the company’s CEO, Kulapatsorn Wongmajarabhin. This initiative is part of the company’s ongoing commitment over the past two years to develop environmentally friendly public transportation and reduce PM2.5 dust pollution in urban…
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Thailand’s Student Loan Fund expands reach to address ageing society needs
The Student Loan Fund (SLF) in Thailand, managed by Chainarong Katchapanan, announced plans to extend its loan services to all working-age adults, aged between 18 and 65. The move, aimed at upskilling and reskilling, is in response to Thailand’s shift towards an ageing society. This initiative will be implemented by the end of this year, marking the first time since…
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Intense rainfall warning for 49 Thai provinces: Bangkok to face severe impact
The Thai Meteorological Department (TMD) issued a warning for intense rainfall, impacting 49 provinces, with 70% of these regions likely to be severely affected. Bangkok is anticipated to bear the full brunt of the storms. Residents are cautioned against potential dangers, including flash floods and rapid forest water flow. This forecast is valid from 6am today until 6am tomorrow. Eastern…
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Foreign income tax proposal raises eyebrows among retail investors
A call has been issued to the government to reconsider the proposed foreign income tax, which could significantly impact retail investors with overseas investments, according to Jitta Wealth Asset Management. Trawut Luangsomboon, Jitta’s chief executive, voiced his concerns about the Revenue Department’s plan to include assessed income from abroad in the personal income tax calculations. He pointed out that the…
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Thai influencer Bew detained in South Korea sparking immigration scrutiny debate
Popular influencer and Bondi Jelly CEO, Waraphon Piyathansomsin, known as Bew, has been detained overnight in South Korea’s immigration detention centre, drawing extensive online attention. Bew, who has over 700,000 followers, was travelling to South Korea for vacation and wedding dress fitting with her fiancé, who was allowed to pass through immigration. However, Bew was held back, leading to an…
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Motorcycle taxi driver collided with pickup truck door in Bang Phli
A brutal collision ensued as a motorcycle crashed into an opened door of a pickup truck, injuring the rider severely. The incident occurred yesterday when local police from Bang Phli station in Samut Prakan were alerted about a motorbike colliding with a pickup truck door, resulting in injuries. The accident took place inside Soi Bang Pla 45, Bang Pla, Bang…
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Debt debate: Thailand’s teachers face scrutiny over financial discipline
The financial discipline of Thailand’s teachers has come under scrutiny, with calls for strict regulations to curb inappropriate debt. Narin Chamanadou, Director of Kanchanaphisek School and President of the Association of Secondary School Administrators in Thailand revealed that the country’s teachers collectively owe over 1.4 trillion baht. The majority of this debt, approximately 64%, is owed to the Teacher’s Savings…
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Fatal slip at Indian restaurant prompts safety warning after 18 year old worker’s death
A tragic accident unfolded at a restaurant in Madhya Pradesh, India where an 18 year old employee tragically lost his life when he slipped and suffered a fatal head injury while rearranging tables after the restaurant had closed. This shocking incident occurred on September 9. The heartbreaking incident unfolded in the presence of the chef and several other staff members…
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Sadistic Thai father confesses to killing five children in chilling case
Police officers further questioned the sadistic Thai father who brutally murdered his two year old daughter and confessed to the abuse and killing of four more of his five children from another marriage. Officers from Bang Khen Police Station disclosed disturbing details surrounding the tragic demise of two year old Natekwansuda “Model” Songsaeng to the media. The police confirmed that…
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Carport construction dispute leads to deadly shooting in Samut Prakan
A long-standing dispute over a carport construction project led to a fatal shooting in Samut Prakan Province. The incident occurred at 10.30am today. One man was killed and another injured in a snooker hall on Thepharak Road, Bang Sao Thong District, Samut Prakan Province. The deceased was identified as 54 year old Sompron, a construction worker, who was found with…
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Thai dating coach scores own goal after using famous German footballer photos to swindle clients
Several Thai women accused a Thai dating coach of using pictures of renowned German footballers to swindle money from them. The accused, Coach P’Lek, admitted using the pictures of former German footballers Michael Ballack and Philipp Lahm but denied deceiving the victims, saying it was just her marketing strategy. The victims’ representative, 43 year old Or, came forward to share…
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Four Thailand hotels make a ‘suite’ entrance in world’s 50 best awards
Four celebrated Thai hotels proved life is “suite” at the inaugural World’s 50 Best Hotels grand awards ceremony held at London’s Guildhall. The prestigious event, held yesterday, September 19, marked the first-ever global gathering of the hotel industry, celebrating the crème de la crème of hospitality experiences worldwide. Drawing from a diverse array of hotels spanning 35 destinations across six…
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Viral TikTok video: Thai woman’s online date ends in surprising twist in South Thailand (video)
A TikTok user @rof..2541 posted a video about an online date that instantly went viral, featuring a young woman from Hat Yai in South Thailand. The video recounts her experience of meeting a man she chatted with online, which ended in an unexpected twist. In the video, Som holds up a picture she had previously sent to the man, who…
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Home is where the heartache is: Thai boyfriend seeks advice on unemployed girlfriend’s extended stay
A young man turned to social media for advice after his unemployed girlfriend moved into his family home, sparking a heated debate among netizens. Taking to a popular Thai web forum, Pantip, the man shared his predicament: His girlfriend had lost her job and moved into his parents’ home, initially for a month while she looked for work. However, more…
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Python’s lucky twist: Flood refugee brings double lottery fortune (video)
A large python seeking refuge from flooding became a source of lottery luck for a homeowner, according to a recent TikTok video by user @iidonuz. The snake, whenever it appeared, was said to coincide with the homeowner’s house number winning the lottery, with two consecutive wins last time. The video featured the large python crawling on the house’s roof and…
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Caught on camera: Thieving duo swoops on 20,000 baht windfall
A CCTV camera caught two Thai men stealing 20,000 baht that the victim accidentally dropped on the road in the Nong Ree district of Chon Buri province. A 75 year old man, Auad Sanitjairak, sought help from netizens after two men stole his cash at about 8am on September 15. Auad explained that he wanted to buy a car from…
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Price plunge plan: Thai Commerce Minister sets sights on grocery relief
Expectations rise as the Thai Commerce Minister initiates an internal trade department survey with the goal of lowering prices on 20 consumer goods, including staples like rice, eggs, chicken, and pork. This effort aims to alleviate the financial strain on citizens and reflects the principle of supporting the less fortunate. Phumtham Wetchayachai, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Commerce, this…
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Online DJ Chamrat Jiamram strikes a chord with Khmer dialect
Social media platforms are continually providing new avenues for people to augment their income. One such individual is 32 years old Chamrat Jiamram, an administrative officer turned online DJ who found success by marrying his love for music with his regional Khmer dialect. His content has struck a chord with thousands of followers both in Thailand and Cambodia, generating a…
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Fake police officer’s bid to free pal foiled by real police in Chon Buri
Officers at Samet Police Station in Chon Buri province arrested a fake police officer who tried to trick genuine law enforcement officers into releasing his friend from jail. Police officer Chingchai Pauboon told Channel 3 that a 59 year old Thai man, named Prasit, came to the station in a police uniform on Sunday, September 17. He claimed to be…
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Pattaya gold shop robbery suspect finally caught in South Korea
The suspect involved in the high-profile gold shop robbery in Pattaya has been apprehended, according to an announcement by the Region 2 Police. The accused had been on the run since the incident took place on November 9 last year, at the Aurora Gold Shop’s Pattaya South branch. The audacious robbery, which saw two trays of gold valued at over…
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Phuket makes waves: Forum tackles island’s watery woes
Thailand’s popular island destination of Phuket held a forum to discuss the region’s persistent water issues, led by Secretary-General of the Office of National Water Resources (OWNR), Dr Surasee Kittimonthon. The forum, which took place yesterday, was attended by over 300 individuals, including Phuket Vice Governor Amnuay Pinsuwan and Phuket Chamber of Commerce President Kongsak Khuphongsakorn. Dr Surasee later joined another…
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Pop goes the chaos: Opening day at POP MART’s Thai flagship store at CentralWorld turns topsy-turvy
Leading art toy company POP MART introduced its inaugural flagship store in Thailand at the popular Bangkok shopping mall, CentralWorld. Regrettably, the opening day took an unexpected turn, resulting in chaos and posing a threat to the safety of customers waiting in the queue. The first-ever POP MART flagship store, spanning an area of 169 square metres, was officially unveiled…
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