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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’s DES minister vows to combat online scams, roll out digital wallet
The new Digital Economy and Society (DES) Minister Prasert stated that he is prioritising combating online fraud and call centre scams, as well as launching the much-discussed digital wallet plan. The ministry, aligned with Pheu Thai Party goals, plans a digital wallet scheme by 2024, starting next year, offering 10,000 baht to all Thai individuals aged 16 and above via…
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Suspect’s wife arrested in Phuket ice cream shop owner murder
The death of a Phuket ice cream shop owner led to the arrest of the wife of the prime suspect. The Central Investigation Bureau (CIB) in Phuket successfully apprehended Ketsuda on Sunday, charging her with conspiracy to murder. The arrest followed an intensive manhunt for her spouse, Tharapong “Jack” Nabbua, who is still at large. Ketsuda was living with her…
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Thai taxi talk tiff: Dialect debate drives social media stir
The Thai Taxi Association ignited a heated debate on the nation’s social media platforms after they advised the capital’s taxi drivers to avoid talking to passengers in the Isaan dialect in order to level up the service standard of Thai taxis. Bangkok is considered to have the most taxis in Thailand due to the bustling demand for their services making…
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Pattaya Central Tunnel to install CCTV to deter motorcycle riders
Pattaya’s Central Tunnel, a vital shortcut for local commuters, has been the centre of a heated debate involving the city’s Mayor, Poramase Ngampiches, and the persistent motorcycle riders who choose to ignore established safety regulations. Despite a standing prohibition, an estimated 5,000 motorcycles continue to navigate the tunnel every month, leading to the proposal of a new deterrent – the…
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Blue Strike 2023 Thai-Chinese naval exercise underway, navy commits to sunken ship recovery
In the Gulf of Thailand, off the coast of Chon Buri in the Sattahip district, a naval training exercise named Blue Strike 2023 is in full swing. This bilateral exercise between the naval forces of Thailand and China is a seven-day event, which started on Sunday, September 3 and is scheduled to wrap up on Sunday, September 10. This exercise…
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Thai man arrested for production of pornography livestream on Chinese app
Police swooped to arrest a Thai interpreter working on a porn set in Thailand that was livestreamed via a Chinese application. The police received a tip-off that a Chinese woman had turned Bangkok condominium into a porn set for her production team. The team produced explicit pornographic content and livestreamed it through an application. Viewers had to purchase a membership…
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Is Booking.com in trouble? Thousands of hotels go unpaid
Booking.com is the most popular hotel booking website in the world, but a recent trend of leaving thousands of partner hotels unpaid for months on end has some questioning the brand’s solvency and reliability. This may, in turn, lead to guests losing their money booking through the platform as suffering hotels cancel or don’t honour bookings they aren’t getting paid…
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Thai weather update: Heavy rain and storms expected across multiple regions
The Thai Meteorological Department warns of heavy to very heavy rainfall across Thailand and the potential for strong storms until September 6. The announcement further warns of flash floods and forest runoff, with high waves expected at sea on September 5. A strong monsoon trough is currently sweeping through the northern, northeastern, and upper central regions of Thailand, combined with a…
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Turkish investment scammer arrested for deceiving Thai woman
Central Investigation Bureau (CIB) officers arrested a Turkish man for operating an investment scam in Thailand after being tipped off by a Thai woman victim. Police discovered the foreigner has been operating the scam in Thailand for more than 10 years. A Thai woman yesterday filed a complaint against the Turkish man, 43 year old Onur Gungor, also known as…
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Monks with luxury backpacks ignite debate over wealth and religion
Two posh monks were spotted at an airport carrying luxury brand backpacks, causing a stir on social media. The high price of these accessories, which are out of reach for most ordinary people, but seemingly affordable for the monks, has left many in shock. The recent images shared on Weibo, a Chinese social media platform, sparked intense online debate. The two…
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Boy showing off sword ends in stabbing, 13 year old friend dies
In a tragic accident, a 16 year old boy stands accused of inadvertently stabbing to death his 13 year old friend while showing off his sword. The tragic incident took place in Nong Han, in the northern Thai province of Udon Thani, where local police are now investigating the case. In the late hours of September 4, the Nong Han police…
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Thai hotel industry fears revenue and tax loss over reclassifying small properties
The Thai Hotels Association (THA) voiced concerns over recent ministerial regulations that exclude accommodations with fewer than eight rooms and 30 guests from being classified as hotels. The THA predicts this new rule will result in a 15-20% decrease in hotel tourism revenue, heightened safety risks, and loss of tax revenue. This regulation, announced in the Royal Gazette, has been…
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Line Man Wongnai and Line Thailand tap into booming Thai e-payment market
Tech giants Line Man Wongnai and Line Thailand recently revealed plans to expand their businesses by capitalising on the rising e-payment market within their business ecosystem. They officially announced last month their successful joint acquisition of shares in Rabbit Line Pay Co (RLP) from previous shareholders, RabbitPay System Co and Advanced mPAY Co. This crucial transaction has allowed Line Man…
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Thai police score big: Massive drug bust nets millions in meth and firepower
Thai police seized a staggering haul of illegal narcotics, in a drug bust, including three million methamphetamine pills, 11 kilogrammes of crystal meth, 7 kilogrammes of heroin, and a slew of military-grade weapons. The drug bust occurred in the Thanyaburi district of Pathum Thani province, following an eight-day stakeout operation. Despite the suspect evading capture, the operation has dealt a…
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Foot Locker kicks off its Thai journey, stepping into youth-driven sneaker scene
Foot Locker, the renowned speciality athletic retailer based in New York, launched its first store in Thailand, targeting the youth demographic and aiming to invigorate the sports shoe/sneaker market. The announcement came from Deepak Tomar, country general manager and director of MAP Active Adiperkasa, the official licensee for Foot Locker in Thailand, who revealed the store’s opening in the Siam…
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Buzz around relic-embedded Buddha statue in Ban Khai District
A renowned temple in the Ban Khai District of Rayong recently created a buzz with the construction of a colourful rendition of the Buddha statue, featuring vibrant green, yellow, and red hues. This edition, known as the Wat Taek version of the Buddha, also comprises relics of famous eastern monks, making it a hot topic among Buddhist statue enthusiasts. The construction…
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Thai man falls into hot spring in Chiang Mai due to broken bridge railing
A 16 year old Thai youth suffered severe burns after plunging into a scorching hot spring with temperatures exceeding 80 degrees Celsius at Doi Pha Hom Pok National Park in the Fang district of the northern province of Chiang Mai. According to Channel 3, the victim was a tourist who had come to stay at a camping site within the…
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Stormy surprise: Thailand tempest turns 54 provinces soggy
A powerful storm system is wreaking havoc across 54 provinces in Thailand, with the Thai Meteorological Department issuing a warning today. The southern region is experiencing the most rainfall, covering 80% of the area. Bangkok is also affected, with the residents urged to be vigilant for sudden flooding and forest runoff. The storm system is moving across the northern and…
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Thailand’s first expressway tunnel proposed through 36 billion baht investment
The Expressway Authority of Thailand (EXAT) has put forth a proposal for an underground expressway, aiming to replace a contentious section of the N1 Expressway development. The proposal came after an extensive 17-month initial feasibility study. EXAT Governor Surachet Laophulsuk revealed this plan during the project’s second hearing, stating that multiple factors such as engineering, investment costs, and environmental impact,…
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Thailand’s DES minister vows to combat online scams
Newly appointed Digital Economy and Society (DES) Minister, Prasert Chanthararuangthong, pledged to prioritise the suppression of online fraud and call centre scams. As part of the Pheu Thai Party‘s commitments, the DES ministry is also expected to cooperate with related agencies to roll out a digital wallet scheme by 2024, with an initial rollout anticipated for early next year. The…
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Drug suspect’s escape attempt causes crash, leaving five injured in Chon Buri
A drug suspect fleeing from police caused a traffic accident that resulted in five injuries, including two police officers and a resident. Found in possession of 100 methamphetamine pills and two bags of crystal meth, the suspect was eventually apprehended. The incident occurred yesterday on the Chon Buri-Ban Bueng road. At 9.30pm, the Chon Buri City Police received a report…
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Informant fears for life after exposing drug cartel and corrupt officers
A police informant, known by the alias Jang Talat Phlu, has taken to the Sai Mai Tong Rod (Sai Mai Must Survive) Facebook page, renowned for its help during Covid-19 lockdowns, fearing for his life. He alleges threats from both a police gang and a drug cartel he exposed. Jang claims that a deputy chief inspector and four junior inspectors,…
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Lotto love: Husband’s phone peek uncovers wife’s secret fortune
A shocking revelation came to a husband while checking a text message on his wife’s phone, uncovering a decade-old secret that his wife had won the lottery and amassed a substantial fortune. At times, not all aspects of a relationship between a husband and wife can be shared due to various reasons. Some people choose to keep secrets to themselves.…
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Free visa for Chinese tourists stirs Thai transnational crime fears
The newly proposed travel policy by Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin, which includes free visa privileges for Chinese tourists, could potentially escalate transnational crime rates, as per the Immigration Bureau (IB) of Thailand. The program, which is set to kick off on October 1, is designed to stimulate the influx of Chinese tourists, who once dominated the tourist arrivals. However, despite…
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NBTC and DES ministry prepare for Thaicom 4 satellite transition in 2024
The office of the National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC) is working closely with the Ministry of Digital Economy and Society (DES) to prepare for the Thaicom 4 satellite‘s 2024 lifespan expiry at 119.5° East orbit. Dr Sarana Boonbaichaiyapruck, NBTC board chair, held talks with outgoing DES Minister Chaiwut Thanakamanusorn on joint responsibilities. Thaicom previously managed both Thaicom 4 broadband…
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Kasikornbank’s ASEAN ambitions grow: Eyes on Home Credit Vietnam
Kasikornbank (KBank), the second-largest lender in Thailand by total assets, is in preliminary discussions to acquire consumer finance provider Home Credit Vietnam. This move is part of KBank’s ASEAN business expansion. Home Credit Vietnam belongs to the Netherlands-based non-bank financial institution, Home Credit Group, which is planning to offload its ASEAN businesses. KBank executive vice-president Pattarapong Kanhasuwan revealed the deal…
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Chery’s EV dreams charge ahead in Thailand: BoI blessings pending
China‘s Chery International, through its subsidiary Omoda & Jaecoo International Co, intends to establish an electric vehicle (EV) production facility in Thailand, pending Board of Investment (BoI) privileges. Qi Jie, Thailand’s national director at Omoda & Jaecoo International, will unveil detailed investment and business plans in the coming months. Chery, one of China’s top vehicle manufacturers, plans to introduce two…
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Bangkok’s multinational ambitions drive forward: BMA seeks government support
The drive to establish Bangkok as a multinational hub has gained momentum, with the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) expressing intent to garner government backing for the initiative. Bangkok Governor Chadchart Sittipunt, yesterday, announced the intent to align the BMA’s policy with that of the government to stimulate the city’s economy and job creation. In a press briefing, Chadchart illustrated the…
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Thai leadership insights: Decade-long study proves remarkably accurate
A decade-long research study on Thai leadership, conducted by an executive and Professor Bruce McKenzie, demonstrated remarkable accuracy. This study, based on global data and insights from diverse Thai groups, offered a comprehensive perspective on leadership. Over the past dynamic decade, predictions by Thai contributors have proven highly accurate, leading to the emergence of six key leadership approaches. These encompass…
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New Thai Cabinet prioritises economic recovery, property and tourism sectors
The newly confirmed Cabinet, featuring many Pheu Thai Party members, is focusing on economic recovery matters and pledged to reduce energy costs to ease financial burdens. Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin engaged with various business sectors but concerns about potential bias make it unlikely that the property sector will receive preferential treatment. Tritecha Tangmatitham, MD of SET-listed developer Supalai, believes the…
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