News
Thailand news, politics, business, crime, lifestyle, and tourism—stay updated with breaking news and in-depth analysis from Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Pattaya, and beyond.
-
Sponsored Moving with family? Here’s how to cut health costs in Thailand
Relocating to Thailand with your family brings exciting new opportunities, but it also comes with the challenge of managing healthcare costs in a new system. Thailand has both public and private healthcare options, each offering different prices and quality of...
-
Thai police net 966 in nationwide operation against illegal firearms
In a month-long nationwide operation spanning from July 1, Thai police have succeeded in apprehending 966 individuals and seizing a notable amount of illegal firearms and ammunition. The operation’s deputy leader, Police General Torsak Sukwimol, delivered an update on the progress on Sunday. As of July 21, officers have sought out 1,658 targets across the country, netting nearly a thousand…
-
Safety fears rise as key Phuket boat tour facility Chalong Pier sinks again
In Thailand, Chalong Pier, a key Phuket boat tour facility is under scrutiny as concerns are being raised about the potential safety hazards it poses. The main pontoon, used by tourists to board tour boats, is reportedly sinking again and is visibly covered in rust. The pontoon in question had previously gone under reparations last year when it started sinking.…
-
Bluebottle influx at Phuket’s Layan Beach: officials urge caution
Layan Beach has seen the arrival of Portuguese man-o-war, commonly referred to as ‘bluebottles’, washed ashore by the tide. Beachgoers are urged to observe caution and remain vigilant in light of this current issue. This concern was brought to the public awareness by an avid reader of Phuket News who discovered four to five bluebottles on the shoreline on a…
-
Thai court mandates repositioning of wild elephant within 15 days
The Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation (DNP) of Thailand is facing a new directive from the Nakhon Si Thammarat Administrative Court. The court ruling mandates the capture and repositioning of a wandering wild elephant known as “Phlai Chao Nga” within a stringent time frame of 15 days. The wandering pachyderm had ventured away from Tai Rom Yen…
-
Bhumjaithai Party proposes bill to safeguard Thai hajj pilgrims stranded abroad
A groundbreaking solution is on the horizon as the Bhumjaithai Party‘s Southern working committee strategises a preventative measure; proposing a bill to safeguard Thai hajj pilgrims from potential misery abroad brought about by issues back home. Astoundingly, above 500 pilgrims hailing from Yala, Thailand found themselves in an unfortunate entanglement, trapped and unsupervised on arrival in Saudi Arabia during the…
-
Pattaya marathon sets record as over 14,000 runners boost city’s sports tourism
Pattaya in the limelight this weekend as over 14,000 Thai and international enthusiasts took part in the prestigious Pattaya Marathon in its 30th iteration. Introducing the popular event, which sets off from Terminal 21, was none other than the Pattaya City Mayor, Poramese Ngampiches. The marathon, which extends over two consecutive days – from July 22 to 23, is not…
-
Thai waste segregation campaign saves 127.8 million baht in 5 months
The recent waste segregation campaign aimed at advocating for the proper segregation of household rubbish seems to be reaping rewards in Thailand, according to the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA). Aekvarunyoo Amarapala, a spokesperson for the BMA, revealed over the weekend that the last five months saw a considerable decrease in both the amount of garbage making its way to the…
-
Pattaya entertainment venues near U-Tapao airport get 24-hour operations approval
In an effort to stimulate the tourism sector, the Thai Cabinet has given the nod to a proposal that promotes round-the-clock operations of Pattaya entertainment venues. However, this permit is specifically allocated to the region around U-Tapao International Airport. The allowance is aimed at servicing transient passengers who wish to enjoy a relaxing drink while awaiting their flight schedules, not…
-
India’s rice export halt stirs concerns of 10% surge in Thai rice prices
Potential tremors in the global rice markets may soon be felt in Thailand as India calls a halt on non-basmati white rice exports, according to high-ranking industry insiders. The abrupt decision, communicated by Indian authorities this week, immediately ignited concerns among Thai rice traders and industry power players, with predictions of an imminent 10% surge in local rice prices. The…
-
University students’ protest ignites over senators’ role
Activists comprising mainly students, as well as supporters of the Move Forward Party (MFP), held protests at the Kasetsart University, situated in the Bang Khen district of Bangkok, yesterday evening. The protests sparked from the increasing tension and anger against the seemingly prominent role individuals appointed as senators hold in the prolonged political disturbance of the country. This rally was…
-
Thai hotel chains unfazed by political uncertainty, anticipate revenue growth
Despite the ongoing political uncertainty, Thailand’s major hotel chains remain optimistic, as long as the situation stays peaceful and avoids any violent unrest. Centara Hotels and Resorts (CHR) and Minor International Plc voiced their confidence in their ability to weather any potential political storms, providing the environment remains stable. Gun Srisompong, the chief financial officer of CHR, stated that any…
-
Torrential rain in Rayong causing unavoidable flash floods
In Rayong province, located in Eastern Thailand, the tranquillity was shattered as several hours of torrential rain created havoc, resulting in several homes in the area being flooded. The intense deluge led to an onslaught of water on Road 3191 located in the Nikhom Patthana District. The event, reported as a flash flood, occurred in the wee hours of the morning…
-
Pattaya cannabis shop employee outwits rent scammer
A deception attempt was recently unearthed at a cannabis shop located on the busy street of Pattaya Second Road. A swindler, cowardly hiding behind a mask and the guise of a landlord, tried to trick an innocent shop employee into handing over a sum of 25,730 baht, claiming it to be due for shop rent. The incident came to light…
-
Thai Democrat party denies rumors of joining Pheu Thai party
The Democrat Party of Thailand vehemently dismissed circulating rumours that more than half of its members of parliament were in the process of joining a coalition led by Pheu Thai. The party remains undecided regarding its stance on voting for Pheu Thai’s prime ministerial nominee, Srettha Thavisin. Party spokesman, Ramet Rattanachaweng, quashed speculations about a mass defection yesterday. Gossip had…
-
Alleged ammunition theft from naval base prompts stern response from Thai Navy
In the face of theft allegations, the Royal Thai Navy (RTN) has exerted tactical measures to address the claims linked to a significant disappearance of ammunition from a naval base. The accusations are centred on an officer, who once held the position of chief petty officer second class and was entrusted with the supervision of the arsenal situated at the…
-
Phuket’s Nanai Rd undergoes partial closure for resurfacing
Phuket‘s Patong Municipality announced a partial closure of Nanai Rd, starting from today till August 5, for resurfacing amidst the persistent traffic challenges caused by ongoing flood works in Phra Metta Rd. The resurfacing work, expected to span a period of two weeks, prompts the necessity of one-way traffic regulation at separate sections of Nanai Rd. The municipality confirmed this…
-
Three-way crash on Phuket’s main road leaves one hospitalised
A road mishap involving three vehicles on Phuket‘s principal thoroughfare, Thepkrasattri Rd, ended with one individual hospitalised and two others escaping serious injuries. The unfortunate incident occurred yesterday morning. Reports detailing the accident indicate that the event transpired on Thepkrasattri Rd in Koh Kaew. The repercussions led to one individual being ferried to Thalang Hospital for immediate medical attention. Notification…
-
Police seize lethal weapons cache in Chon Buri
In the latest chapter of the firearms crackdown saga unfolding in Chon Buri, the local law enforcement authorities successfully seized bundles of lethal weapons and ammunition from a Thai national who had a penchant for brandishing his arsenal on social media. However, the suspect gave the police a slip by swiftly disappearing into a nearby patch of woodland. This operation…
-
Bangkok police shut illegal beauty clinic attracting foreign clients
In a decisive move against illegal medical practices in Thailand, police have shut down an illicit beauty clinic operating without authorisation in the Ekamai region of Bangkok. The unapproved facility, CCoco Beauty Clinic, was found operating on Thursday and immediately closed based on reports from the Department of Health Service Support. The entity of the clinic was discovered to be…
-
Pattaya police crack down on motorbike gang linked to murder case
In a significant crackdown on international crime, Pattaya law enforcement carried out a successful operation against the notorious ‘Outlaws’ motorbike gang. The group has been identified as a major player in criminal activities, with links to the chilling murder case of German businessman Hans Peter Mack. The subsequent operation led by Deputy National Police Chief Pol. Gen. Surachate Hakparn resulted…
-
Stabbing spree at Seoul’s Sillim subway station leaves 1 dead, 3 wounded
South Korea’s capital city of Seoul witnessed a chilling incident of violence near the Sillim subway station. A man in his thirties embarked on a perilous stabbing spree inciting widespread terror. The consequences of the attack were fatal, with one man in his twenties losing his life, and three others sustaining injuries. One among the injured is reported to be…
-
Former monk arrested for 10 million baht fraud through online religious artefact shop
Police arrested a former monk for defrauding people of over 10 million baht through his online religious artefact shop. His illicit proceeds were used for everyday needs, online gambling, and to rent accommodation for hiding. The arrest occurred near a bustling night market in the Phang Khon district of the northeast Sakon Nakhon province. Warakorn Kongu-tit, a 46 year old…
-
Undocumented foreign workers caught in East Thailand: Illegal entry attempt foiled
Police in Chanthaburi, East Thailand, apprehended six undocumented foreign workers attempting to enter the country illegally. This action took place amid a nationwide crackdown in response to a directive by the Ministry of Labour, allowing for the registration of foreign labourers in the country. The apprehended individuals were caught following a high-speed pursuit. Under the command of Superintendent Khemarin Phitsamai…
-
Move forward, step back: Thailand’s election winner yields to Pheu Thai Party to form govt
Thailand’s General Election winner, the Move Forward Party (MFP), and its leader, Pita Limjaroenrat, have agreed to step back and make way for the Pheu Thai Party to lead the coalition parties and form a government. The MFP Permanent Secretary, Chaitawat Tulathon, today, July 21, revealed the party’s struggles over the past two months during a press conference. The conservative…
-
Tragedy in northern Thailand as durian picker loses life in perilous hillside fall
An incident in northern Thailand left locals in a state of shock, highlighting the dangers endured by durian pickers navigating treacherous terrain. Tragedy struck a community when a woman lost her life and her devastated son could do nothing but grieve. The disaster unfolded within a durian orchard in Laplae district, situated on the challenging hillside terrains of the northern…
-
Argentina’s coastal mystery: Penis fish find ‘resting’ place en masse
In an unexpected turn of events, the coastline of Argentina has become the resting place for thousands of aquatic creatures colloquially known as ‘Penis fish‘ (urechis unicinctus), due to their resemblance to the male sexual organ. This bizarre phenomenon has sparked curiosity and intrigue among the local populace. Well-known for their habitation in muddy or sandy terrain, these fish, extending…
-
US woman sues Thai restaurant claiming spicy dish caused irrevocable harm: Is meal too hot to handle?
A woman in the US is suing a Thai restaurant due to an intensely spicy dish, ‘dragon balls,’ which she claims is “unfit for human consumption” and is “dangerous to life.” The incident has sparked global controversy. Neurologist Harjasleen Walia, the woman in question, alleges that she experienced permanent bodily harm after eating at the restaurant on July 15, 2021. She…
-
Tiktok user’s stunning story reveals funeral fiasco: The ‘not-so-dead’ elderly man
In a captivating twist of events, a TikTok user, going by the handle ‘Sellpae phopping,’ shared a remarkable tale of an elderly man who was mistakenly believed to be dead and had an already planned funeral. However, the story took an unexpected turn when it became clear that it was all a misunderstanding. Despite facing numerous challenges after a severe…
-
Buriram Highway Police crack down on driver using deceptive number plate sticker
A 45 year old man landed himself in hot water with highway police in Thailand’s northeast Buriram province after attempting to foil them with a deceptive tactic. He attempted to dodge speeding tickets by putting a sticker over his vehicle’s number plate, leading the traffic police on a convoluted hunt. The bizarre case began with a Mercedes-Benz owner filing a…
-
MFP leader Pita Limjaroenrat hailed as politician of the year in E-Saan Poll
The leader of the Move Forward Party (MFP) was hailed politician of the year according to an E-Saan Poll. The survey was compiled by the E-Saan Centre for Business and Economic Research (ECBER) of the Faculty of Management Science, Khon Kaen University, in the Isaan province of Khon Kaen. The annual “Rewards of E-Saan” poll aims to gauge the sentiments…
Don't forget to check out some other things to do in Thailand - get help starting a business or finding a job in Thailand, buy Thailand property, rent a yacht or book a medical procedure worldwide.