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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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High-stakes takedown: DSI nabs UFA’s online gambling kingpin in Thailand
The Department of Special Investigation (DSI) arrested gambling kingpin Pakapoom, a top executive of one of the three largest online gambling networks in Thailand, UFA. At just 29 years old, Pakapoom managed over 80 accounts, circulating more than 10 billion baht. The arrest was announced yesterday by Suraya Singhamon, the DSI Director. Pakapoom, also known as Diddy, was found to…
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Thailand’s inflation drop fuels economic slowdown fears
Concerns are heightening among analysts over Thailand’s first year-on-year inflation decline in 25 months. The drop in the Consumer Price Index (CPI) is viewed as an indication of increasing risks of economic deceleration and deflation. BofA Securities, previously known as Bank of America Merrill Lynch, highlighted that the inflation figure for October signified the first year-on-year decline since August 2021.…
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Gold necklace grabbed: Brazen bandit makes glittering 172,000 baht heist in southern Thailand
A daring theft took place in a well-known jewellery shop when a thief made off with a gold necklace worth 171,665 baht. The incident occurred today at the Yaowarat Gold Shop, located within a shopping mall in Chana district, Songkhla. The thief, identified as 34 year old Madaree, a security guard from Hat Yai, Songkhla, was apprehended shortly after the incident.…
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Trio arrested for alleged involvement in major data breach
A trio, consisting of an insurance broker, a programmer, and a Facebook page administrator, has been apprehended for their alleged involvement in a significant data breach operation. They stand accused of compromising and subsequently selling the personal data of over 15 million individuals to illicit businesses. Acting Deputy National Police Chief, Police Lieutenant General Thana Chuwong, shared these developments in…
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Thailand’s health ministry gears up for severe haze pollution
Thailand’s Ministry of Public Health has established an Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) to address the imminent severe haze pollution anticipated in the forthcoming dry season, triggered by the persistent issue of PM2.5 ultra-fine dust. This was confirmed by Dr Opas Karnkawinpong, the ministry’s permanent secretary, on Tuesday. The critical areas of concern are the northern provinces of the country, with…
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Thai mother confesses to physical abuse on child amidst stress and domestic issues
A distressing case unfolded in Pathum Thani province, where a mother confessed to physically abusing her three year old child due to accumulated stress from menstrual pain after a quarrel with her new husband. The 24 year old mother, Piyaporn Pongchan, admitted to hitting her child twice during an interrogation that lasted over seven hours. Authorities have charged her and…
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Thai hostages likely first to be released amid Gaza conflict
Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Affairs Minister, Parnpree Bahiddha-Nukara, announced that Thai workers held captive by Hamas are likely to be among the first released. This update came as the Israeli military amplified its assault on Hamas in the Gaza Strip, with the majority of Thai workers still in Israel now situated in safe zones. Around 30,000 Thai workers were…
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Heavy rainfall warning: Thailand braces for deluge as 36 provinces, including Bangkok, get soaked
The Thailand Meteorological Department (TMD) issued a warning of heavy rainfall today, affecting 36 provinces, including Bangkok, with 60% of the area predicted to be impacted. The prevailing high-pressure system in the upper part of Thailand and the South China Sea is weakening, resulting in fog in the morning. The increasing strength of the easterly winds covering the eastern region, the…
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Russian tourist arrested for running naked on the streets of North Pattaya (video)
A 23 year old Russian tourist found himself in police custody last night when he was nabbed for causing a public disturbance whilst naked on the streets of North Pattaya. The man, whose identity has been kept under wraps as he awaits psychological assessment, was apprehended around 8pm yesterday on Soi Na Kluea 16. The arrest was executed by a…
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Thai man’s love turns deadly, murders crush’s stepfather in central Thailand
Police arrested a Thai man for the murder of his crush’s stepfather and a witness to the crime after the deceased’s stepdaughter rejected him at his house in the central province of Kanchanaburi. The distressing episode came to light when a Thai woman named Mod contacted the authorities at the Lao Kwan Police Station to report a shooting that occurred…
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WHO selects Thai-discovered flu strain for 2024 Southern Hemisphere vaccine
The World Health Organization (WHO) advisory groups have selected a flu virus lineage discovered and sequenced in Thailand as one of the three strains for the manufacturing of a novel influenza vaccine. The vaccine, set to be used in the Southern Hemisphere in 2024, was chosen by vaccine regulatory agencies, influenza vaccine producers, and the WHO Global Influenza Surveillance and…
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Soapy king takes a bubbly detour: Chuwit’s suds-n-cancer-seek in Scotland
Former soapy king Chuwit Kamolvisit, a controversial Thai businessman and politician, has embarked on a journey to Scotland, via England, to receive treatment for terminal cancer. Accompanied by his daughter, who is providing care, the news has sparked an outpouring of support on social media. Earlier today, close relatives shared Chuwit’s departure from Suvarnabhumi International Airport. The 62 year old is…
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Thai keyboard player’s final note: Musician found dead days after disappearance
A 30 year old Thai keyboard player was found dead in a roadside ditch in the Nong Ki district, Buriram province, alongside his black PCX motorcycle, six to seven days after he disappeared. His body was discovered today, following a report by his relatives who had reported him missing on November 4. The musician, Anusorn (no surname given), who lived…
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Case of the elusive Chaowalit: Fourth accomplice in hot pursuit
An arrest warrant has been issued for another accomplice following more case evidence, making it the fourth in line, in the case of aiding the fugitive Chaowalit Thongduang, known as Sia Paeng. Meanwhile, the Deputy National Police Chief has called for all units involved to tighten the case and pursue further. Today at the Nakhon Si Thammarat City Police Station,…
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Buddhist office turns to Thai Cyber Police over AI-generated Facebook content
The National Office of Buddhism (NOB) sought assistance from the Thai Cyber Police, following the discovery of inappropriate content related to Buddhism on Facebook. The content, generated by artificial intelligence (AI), depicts Buddhist monks engaging in non-religious activities, such as playing musical instruments and racing on motorbikes. These images, deemed damaging to the image of the monastic community, have raised…
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Thai boy with alleged supernatural powers sparks concern
Concerned netizens have condemned a 12 year old’s boy’s Thai parents for taking advantage of their son with the claim that he has supernatural powers and encouraging him to believe in superstition. The parents of the 12 year old boy, named Nice, announced to the public that their son possessed supernatural abilities because he started learning the Dhamma when he was…
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Monk’s Starbucks latte confession brews storm on TikTok
A video posted on TikTok by a monk has sparked controversy online. The monk, seen drinking a famous brand of coffee, Starbucks, thanked his followers for their donations that allowed him to afford the beverage. “Thanks to the donations from my followers, I can sit here at Starbucks today, feeling satisfied.” The monk clearly states in the video that the…
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From apartheid assault to unsettled sanctuary: Gaza citizens’ desperate exodus amidst Israel’s onslaught causing 10,000 Palestinian deaths
A charity worker was forced to leave her home in northern Gaza along with her elderly mother after the brutal bombardment of Palestine by apartheid Israel that began post-October 7. Reda Sahoiun and her mother jumped into a taxi, taking with them only a ring, two necklaces, bracelets, blankets and some painkillers, as they fled the chaos and carnage to…
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American woman sexually assaulted in Bangkok
A 24 year old American woman was sexually assaulted by a man in her apartment, following a meeting arranged via a dating app. The 25 year old suspect, Tienming Ho, asked if he could spend the night at her place, and then committed the crime. Ho allegedly confessed to the offence and was apprehended by the police at 11.15am today. The…
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Rice or wrong: Chinese student’s homework stirs online uproar
A Chinese primary school student was given an unusual homework assignment, sparking a heated online debate. The task required him to count 10,000 grains of rice, a task that kept his family up all night. The incident took a surprising turn when the teacher revealed the true aim of the exercise. The assignment, given by a teacher in Liaoning province,…
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Sneaky conversation of cheating partner found on YouTube’s search history
A TikTok video caused a stir among Thai netizens when it showed that a cheating partner can talk to a lover via YouTube search history. The TikTok account @music_1999 shared a screenshot of the YouTuber’s search history with a message that read, “Give up on the attempts you two.” The TikToker said in the video caption, “Sneaking to talk to each…
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Minivan driver’s alleged sexual assault of teenage girl sparks investigations
Authorities are investigating the alleged sexual assault of a teenage girl by a minivan driver. The victim is currently hospitalised and unable to provide a statement due to her condition. The police are urgently examining a red liquid substance found in the vehicle. The incident took place today as reported by Police Lieutenant Colonel Sommat Mueangthaisong, the station chief of Waeng…
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Leech’s eye for adventure: Thai trekker’s blood-curdling tale
A Thai man shared an eye-opening survival experience when a leech sucked blood from a friend’s eye, along with a warning and recommendation for all trekking enthusiasts. The Thai man, Apichart Prommathat, shared the story on his Facebook page Der Baag (เดอะแบก) at 9am yesterday, November 6. Apichart began his story with a warning to trekkers to be aware of…
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Phuket’s Safety Sandbox: Island paradise prepares for full-scale safety drill
Phuket, a tropical paradise best known for its white sandy beaches, is gearing up for a comprehensive safety drill. Dubbed the Safety Phuket Island Sandbox, the exercise is slated for November 26 and will unfold in three different locations across the island. The initiative will showcase the readiness of emergency services while providing hands-on experience for the island’s emergency responders.…
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Illegal mushroom mayhem: Patong’s peaceful dawn disrupted by police raid
The tranquil resort town of Patong was startled in the early hours yesterday morning, as police swooped on a local shop, apprehending one individual for the illegal sale of mushrooms. The Patong Police confirmed the raid, which took place around 12.10am yesterday. The illicit merchandise seized by the police was an assortment of mushrooms, each variety carefully stored in separate…
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Pot predicament: Thai mum blames foreign neighbours’ toke trouble for son’s illness
A Thai woman took to social media to demand responsibility from her foreign neighbours after their personal cannabis use allegedly caused her son’s illness. The woman, Arpapan Jaiman, posted on Facebook on November 2 that a foreigner had just rented a room within her condominium in the northern province of Chaing Mai. Arpapan accused the foreigner and his friends of smoking cannabis…
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Thai couple arrested for stealing pickup truck and evading police
Local authorities arrested a couple suspected of stealing a pickup truck, fleeing the scene, and later changing clothes to evade police. Today, 37 year old Theerawich (no surname given) and 30 year old Parichat (no surname given) were caught by Phetchaburi highway police with a red Ford pickup truck and a motorcycle as evidence. The couple was apprehended near the…
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Bangkok twins arrested after fatal shooting of teenager
The serene stillness of a Bangkok morning was disrupted by the shocking act of some twins shooting a fellow teenager, leading to his untimely demise. The twins, known as Yossakorn and Yossaphon, both 19 years old, have been apprehended by the Prawet Police. The arrest, which occurred on November 5, came on the heels of a fatal altercation on On…
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TikTok video: Thai mother’s unique trick to soothe crying baby goes viral (video)
A TikTok video of a Thai mother calming her crying infant has gone viral, thanks to an unconventional method that surprisingly worked. The trick? She pretended to converse loudly with an imaginary friend outside the house. The video was posted by TikTok user @mommy_chicky and gained over 6.5 million views, with netizens applauding the mother’s creative approach. In the TikTok…
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Emergency greens: Ambulance meets veggie truck in crunchy collision in central Thailand
An ambulance rushing to pick up a patient was involved in a severe collision with a vegetable-carrying truck at a red light intersection in central Thailand. The incident, which occurred today, caused significant damage to both vehicles and injured three people, including the ambulance driver and a medical officer. The ambulance, belonging to Chulabhorn Hospital 304 Inter, was travelling urgently…
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