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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 speeds up warning system after Siam Paragon shooting
Thailand’s Digital Economy and Society (DES) Minister confirmed the development of a cell broadcast (CB) emergency warning system. Set to be ready for deployment within the next six months to a year, the system is a collaborative project coordinated by the National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC), in liaison with mobile service providers. The decision to develop this CB system…
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Baggage blunder: 25 more animals smuggled onboard, Thai airport officer suspended
Suvarnabhumi International Airport admitted that its baggage screening officer allowed two foreigners to smuggle animals onto a flight from Bangkok to Taipei. The airport reported it had already suspended the reckless officer after 25 more smuggled animals were discovered onboard the same flight. A Thai passenger on a flight from Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi Airport to Tao Yuan International Airport in Taipei,…
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Thailand’s crackdown on blank guns following Siam Paragon shooting
The use of “blank guns” in crimes across Thailand has been on a steady rise, with over 1,000 cases recorded last year. The surge was triggered by a shocking incident involving a 14 year old boy who opened fire in Siam Paragon shopping mall, Bangkok resulting in two deaths and multiple injuries. The weapon of choice by the teenage murderer…
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Commerce Ministry revises inflation forecast, amid falling prices
Revising its earlier forecast, the Commerce Ministry now anticipates headline inflation to be within 1-1.7% for the current year, with an average of 1.35%. This comes as a result of expected lowered inflation in the last quarter. In July, the forecasted range was 1-2% with an average of 1.5%. Poonpong Naiyanapakorn, director-general of the Trade Policy and Strategy Office, revealed…
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Pet abandonment tragedy: Shih Tzu dies after two year wait for owners at Bangkok vet clinic
The heart-wrenching saga of Dano, a seven year old Shih Tzu, has been shared by a local vet, shedding light on a tale of pet abandonment that unfolded over two agonising years. Dano’s poignant story began when he was left at a veterinary clinic in Bangkok and tragically ended with his passing, abandoned by owners who had initially appeared caring…
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Russian attack on Ukrainian village during funeral leaves 51 dead (video)
Russian military forces launched a fatal attack on the village of Hroza, located in Ukraine’s eastern Kharkiv region, killing at least 51 individuals, including an eight year old boy. The tragic event occurred when villagers were attending a funeral service for a resident, a soldier who had fallen defending the country against Russia’s invasion. Interfax Ukraine, the local news agency,…
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Norwegian man murders his Thai boyfriend in Chiang Mai
Police arrested a Norwegian man on Tuesday for the alleged murder of his Thai boyfriend at their home in the northern province of Chiang Mai. A resident of Wang Singha Kham village in Pa Dad district of Chaing Mai province reported the death of a 39 year old Thai man named Charit to Mueang Chiang Mai Police Station on the…
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Hit-and-run incident in Buriram leaves two cyclists dead: Community demands justice
Two cyclists tragically lost their lives, and others sustained injuries when a speeding pickup truck crashed into a group of cyclists in a hit-and-run incident. The incident, which occurred in the darkness of the early morning, has left the victims’ families and cycling community in shock and demanding justice. Today at 5am, local police in Buriram province received an alert…
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Young man escapes fatal car accident at Chon Buri ferry dock
A tragic car accident resulted in two fatalities and one survivor at the Sattahip – Samui ferry dock, Chon Buri, yesterday, at 5.30pm. The survivor, 20 year old Veeraphap, managed to escape the sinking vehicle by smashing a window with his high-heeled shoe. He was unable to assist his two friends, who were seated in the front and were unable…
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Myanmar ambassador attends memorial for Siam Paragon shooting victim
The solemn atmosphere of the Phasukmanee Chak Temple in Ban Mai, Pak Kret, Nonthaburi, deepened on the second night of the memorial service for Momin, also known as Nong Tawan (her Thai name). Momin, a Myanmar woman, tragically lost her life in the Siam Paragon shooting incident on October 3. The ceremony was attended by her work colleagues and employer,…
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ERC approves new tariff, reducing Thailand’s electricity costs
The Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) approved a new electricity tariff of 3.99 baht per kilowatt-hour, a reduction aimed at decreasing power bills for households and businesses for the remaining four months of this year. This change is a response to the government’s energy price policies. In its initial meeting on September 13, the Cabinet agreed to lower the electricity tariff…
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Outbound travel market resilient despite weakening baht and fluctuating forex
Despite the weakening baht and fluctuating foreign currency exchange rates, the outbound travel market is predicted to remain stable. This is largely due to the fact that potential tourists, possessing the necessary purchasing power, are prepared for travel in the cooler season, coupled with the fact that airlines are increasing flights. Chotechuang Soorangura, the vice president of the Thai Travel…
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Vietnamese husband’s surprise birthday party touches hearts online
A heartfelt gesture by a loving husband has warmed hearts online. Despite their modest means, he managed to throw a surprise birthday party for his wife. This event, filled with warmth and love, was reported on the Vietnamese website saostar.vn and has since gone viral on social media. The surprise birthday party video captured an emotional and adorable moment between…
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Lost in paradise: British tourist forgets hotel name in Phuket, ends up at airport
In a rather unusual turn of events in Phuket, a British tourist suffering from amnesia found himself lost and unable to recall the name or location of his hotel in Thalang. This unexpected predicament led him to seek the aid of the Phuket Tourist Police and the Phuket Tourist Assistance Centre at Phuket International Airport. The incident unfolded today, October…
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Bangkok mall killer in Juvenile Protection Department amidst concerns
The 14 year old boy, who shot two women dead and injured five others at Siam Paragon mall in Bangkok, is currently under the care of the Juvenile Observation and Protection Department, according to Siripraya Worapreecha, the department’s deputy director. She revealed that the teenage boy arrived last night with his father who was deeply concerned about him. Upon his…
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Unexpected gift soothes parking row as stranger parks in their spot
A recent tale of an enigmatic car park intruder has surfaced, initially provoking frustration in the parking space’s rightful owner. However, a surprising twist awaited them as they unfolded a note left behind. This unusual incident came to light when a user on Xiaohongshu, often referred to as the Chinese Instagram equivalent, reported the intrusion after discovering their parking spot…
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Thai Defence Ministry prioritises flood response in annual fiscal policy
The Ministry of Defence in Thailand recently put forth a directive highlighting the urgency of flood response preparations by military units. This announcement followed a Defense Council gathering that outlined the yearly fiscal policy under the jurisdiction of the Defense Ministry. The goal is to bolster administration efficiency and smooth functioning within the ministry. A crucial aspect of this policy…
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Facebook live bust: Rogue doctor injects trouble with counterfeit cosmetics in Thailand
A rogue doctor has been apprehended in action during a live Facebook session, following allegations of injecting counterfeit substances that caused severe facial damage to victims. The arrest operation was conducted by authorities, led by Bunlue Pudngtun, the Deputy Chief of Police, alongside Sravut Jantawong, the Commander 2nd Division, and Pratch Manadech, the Director of the 2nd Division, on October…
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Couldn’t give a rats: Chinese passengers smuggle animals onboard Bangkok-Taipei flight
Thailand’s VietJet Air found itself in a ‘wild’ situation when some Chinese passengers, who did not give a rats, attempted to smuggle a menagerie of animals onto a flight from Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi International Airport to Tao Yuan International Airport in Taipei, Taiwan. The covert cargo included a white rat, an otter, snakes, and various other critters, which the flight attendants…
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Judicial penalty box: ‘Uncle Thotsaphon’ slapped with jail time and 70,000 baht fine for assaulting political leader
The judicial court issued a six-month imprisonment and over 70,000 baht fine to a retired official, known as “Uncle Thotsaphon,” for assaulting and defaming the political leader of the Love the Nation organisation. The assault incident, which took place outside the Election Commission Office at the Government Complex Building B on 11 May, occurred after 54 year old Srisuwan Janya…
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Rise in Thai gun ownership raises alarm after Siam Paragon murders
The tragic shooting which claimed the lives of two women at the Siam Paragon shopping mall in Bangkok sparked public concern over how a young man could obtain firearms. More startling was the discovery of a trove of guns and ammunition at the young man’s residence, along with videos of him expertly demonstrating gun use. This incident has raised questions…
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Flash flood in Sikkim, India, claims ten lives, 82 missing
A sudden downpour over the Lhonak Lake in India’s northeastern Sikkim state resulted in a catastrophic flash flood, claiming at least ten lives with 82 people still unaccounted for. The deluge swept through the Teesta River, submerging vast areas and causing widespread damage. Local authorities initially reported five fatalities with three more bodies recovered later. However, the BBC put the…
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Thai police ‘tourist-trap’ scammer nabbed: Hundreds of thousands in baht swindled
A recent raid by the Thai police led to the arrest of a 52 year old man who is accused of scamming unsuspecting victims out of several hundred thousand baht through a fraudulent tour operation. The Thai man’s arrest occurred yesterday at a Surat Thani residence. A concerted effort by law enforcement, spearheaded by officers from the 5th Crime Suppression…
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Thai patient’s ‘threesome’ encounter sparks mpox alert in northern Thailand
A Thai patient visited an entertainment venue in Chaing Mai and allegedly admitted to having a threesome with two foreigners, subsequently testing positive for mpox. The Lamphun Provincial Public Health Office confirmed the latest mpox case in Thailand yesterday, October 4, marking it as the province’s first recorded instance. Provincial public health doctor Suriyapong Suriyapongtakun reported today, October 5, that…
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Chinese bride’s sombre pout sets social media abuzz with forced marriage debate
A newlywed couple from Ju’matien, Henan, China, is under online scrutiny after photos of the bride’s sombre expression during post-nuptial rituals went viral on social media. The images, capturing the groom’s jovial demeanour contrasted with the bride’s seemingly forced participation, were shot at the groom’s residence following their wedding ceremony. The bride’s lack of enthusiasm during the post-wedding photoshoot sparked…
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Rare Tiffany Blue snake slithers into Thai woman’s backyard, sparking a ‘hiss-teria’ on lotto day
A rare blue snake, also known as a “Tiffany Blue” snake, was discovered by a 62 year old Thai woman in her backyard in Photharam, causing “hiss-teria” among her local community. The sighting, which has a one-in-a-million chance of occurring, coincidentally happened on a lottery day, leading locals to believe it to be a sign of good luck. The Thai…
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Amulet credited: Thai man’s ‘tree-mendous’ fall sparks belief in ‘nine lives’ miracle
In a ‘tree-mendous’ twist of fate, a Thai man has defied gravity and emerged unscathed after a heart-stopping fall from a towering 15-metre tree. The astonishing survival has led both the victim’s mother and astonished locals to believe he possesses an incredible nine lives, seemingly protected by a Buddha amulet he wore. The resilient 48 year old, Amnuay Siriwaew, embarked…
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Rare sun bear cub arrives, ‘pawsitively’ brightening the day at Nakhon Ratchasima Zoo
In a ‘bear-y’ rare occurrence, a one-month-old sun bear, a species on the brink of extinction and under protection, has been joyfully welcomed at Nakhon Ratchasima Zoo Zoo director, Thanachon Khensing, shared the news of the cub’s arrival today, October 5, stating that the young bear is robust and in good health. Its parents, both sun bears aged 10 years,…
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Bangkok police seek warrants in Siam Paragon shooting case
The diligent efforts of the Yannawa Station Police officers are currently focused on compiling substantial evidence to secure arrest warrants for three individuals embroiled in the grave incident which resulted in two deaths and five injuries. These individuals are alleged to have engaged in the illicit sale of a blank gun to a 14 year old boy, a transaction that…
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Influenza outbreak in Thailand schools kills two children, vaccinations urged
The tragic loss of two young lives to influenza, compounded by encephalitis, has cast a sobering light on the importance of vaccination and vigilant healthcare practices. A prominent medical source issued a fervent plea for influenza vaccinations, especially as we enter the rainy season when respiratory illnesses tend to proliferate. The spectrum of common diseases during this period includes influenza,…
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