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.
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Wang Thonglang police apprehend two Narathiwat natives in late-night methamphetamine bust
Police officers from Wang Thonglang Station apprehended two young men accused of dealing methamphetamines. The suspects, both from Yingo District in the Narathiwat Province, attempted to flee upon spotting the officers. They discarded their illicit drugs along the way, which were later recovered. Both confessed to intending to sell the drugs to teenagers. The arrest took place in the middle…
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Phuket’s spirit sobered: 24-hour alcohol ban for Wan Org Pansa holiday
Popular Thai tourist destination Phuket will observe a strict 24-hour ban on alcohol sales starting from midnight on Saturday, as part of the country’s observance of the Buddhist religious holiday, Wan Org Pansa. This event, which takes place on Sunday, October 29, marks the culmination of the three-month season known as the Rains Retreat, often referred to as Buddhist Lent.…
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Workplace abuse: Japanese restaurant owner in Bangkok accused of abusing young waitress for years
A brutal case of workplace abuse was reported in a Japanese restaurant located in Bangkok where the owner physically tortured a 21 year old waitress. The victim, identified as A, revealed her ordeal of being subjected to horrific physical abuse, culminating in intense burns all over her body. The workplace abuse case was brought to light yesterday, October 24, when…
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Gold shop’s underwear thief leaves police searching for man who ‘phoned it in’ in Isaan
Police are searching for a male thief in underwear who stole a mobile phone from a Heng Heng Yaowarat gold shop in Udon Thani province, Isaan. No, it’s not a Viz episode of Felix and his Amazing Underpants and the man in “hefty undercrackers” did anything but bring a “little sunshine into people’s lives.” The owner of a gold shop,…
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Vehicular accident in Chiang Rai leaves driver dead and over 20 students injured
A tragic vehicular accident involving a six-wheeled private delivery truck and a student minibus resulted in the death of the minibus driver and injured over 20 students. The incident occurred today in the jurisdiction of Pa Daet Police Station, Chiang Rai. The authorities were notified about the accident on Road No. 1126 in the Mai Tai Village, Moo 6, Pa…
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Thai banks see 0.71% loan growth as SMEs and households struggle
Thailand’s top six banks reported a meagre loan growth of 0.71% in the first three quarters of 2023, as compared to the same period in 2022. This slowdown is primarily due to reduced loan uptake by small and medium-sized businesses (SMEs) and an increase in household debt. The six banks—Bangkok Bank (BBL), Kasikornbank (KBank), Krungthai Bank (KTB), Siam Commercial Bank…
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Phuket taxis: Drivers demand action against illegal private car services
Over 100 public transport operators, including metered taxi drivers, green plate taxis, and passenger van drivers, assembled at Phuket Provincial Hall yesterday to formally complain. They are demanding that the Phuket provincial government take more robust action against illegal private car services operating through taxi apps on the island. The formal complaint was received by Phuket Vice Governor Amnuay Pinsuwan…
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Frigate negotiations: RTN discusses submarine switch controversy
Defence Minister Sutin Klungsang announced plans to assign the Royal Thai Navy (RTN) to enter into negotiations with China to reduce the cost of a frigate. This decision comes in the wake of the Thai government’s resolution to acquire such a vessel as a substitute for a submarine. Anticipated to depart for China next week, an RTN delegation will conduct…
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Thai police to enforce Public Penalty Act: no imprisonment for minor offences, fines only
Police across Thailand today will begin implementing the Public Penalty Act, which allows for fines instead of criminal punishments. The new mandate, signed by the National Police Chief, ensures that individuals won’t face imprisonment or detention in lieu of fines and that their offences will not be recorded in their criminal history. This move took effect today at the National…
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BGRIM’s solar sonata: Renewable energy giant strikes the right chord in Italy
BGRIM, a leading player in the renewable energy sector, has launched a new project for a solar power plant in Italy. The Ortanova project involves the development of an 80.9-megawatt ground solar energy system, complete with a tracking system. This initiative is in response to the growing global demand for clean energy. The undertaking is steered by RES Co Sicilia…
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Debt collector’s haunting discovery: Bank employee stumbles upon dead body in Chon Buri
A Thai bank employee stumbled upon the dead body of a Thai woman when he visited her home to collect a debt in Chon Buri province. It is predicted that the woman took her own life at least three months before she was found. Narrating his shocking experience to Channel 7, the bank employee said his manager had ordered him…
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Thai train station offers refund after Facebook complaint over unexpected 100 baht fee
A popular Facebook page shared a complaint about train station staff closing ticket booths and directing passengers to purchase tickets on-board, leading to an additional 100 baht fee. The State Railway of Thailand (SRT) has since clarified the situation and offered a refund. A local train passenger yesterday took to the famous Facebook page อยากดังเดี๋ยวจัดให้ รีเทริน์ part 6 to express…
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Popular food blogger’s 11 million baht Ho Chi Minh penthouse plagued with water leaks and cracks
After investing over 11 million baht (US$304,321) in a high-end penthouse in Ho Chi Minh City, 30 year old food blogger and YouTuber Đặng Anh Vũ from Hanoi faced unexpected issues with his new abode. Despite meticulous planning and attention to every detail, Vũ experienced severe problems with water leakage and cracked walls after only two years of residence. Vũ…
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Thailand’s business travel bounce-back: TCEB predicts 2024 revival, 2019 return by 2025-26
The Thailand Convention and Exhibition Bureau (TCEB) forecasts a business travel sector revival by 2024, with 23.2 million travellers expected. However, it predicts a business travel return to the pre-pandemic levels of 2019 only by 2025 or 2026 due to global economic unpredictability. TCEB’s president, Chiruit Isarangkun Na Ayuthaya, revealed that their business travel revival strategy will focus on stimulating…
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Collector shocked to discover his favourite teapot is an antique spittoon worth over 2.5 million baht
The popular Chinese television show Antique Appraisal, produced by China Central Television (CCTV), is helping to increase awareness about intriguing antiques. Recently, the show saw a surprising event when a collector, Liu, appeared with what he believed was a valuable antique teapot. Liu, like many of his contemporaries, enjoyed drinking tea and playing chess in his leisure time, leading to a…
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Thailand’s export hopes bloom in Q4, aiming to paint a brighter 2023 picture
The Ministry of Commerce in Thailand anticipates an uptick in the country’s exports for the last quarter of the year, potentially mitigating the projected contraction for 2023. This encouraging forecast is attributed to several factors, including a partnership between the government and private sector to boost export activities and address associated challenges, drought-induced spikes in agricultural and food product imports,…
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Thai beauty giants Srichand and Karmarts paint the world with global expansion plans
Srichand United Dispensary Co and Karmarts Plc, two Thai beauty corporations, are preparing for global expansion. Srichand’s Chief Executive, Rawit Hanutsaha, disclosed plans for aggressive international growth, particularly in Indonesia due to its large beauty market and population. The firm is in the process of identifying suitable Indonesian distributors and is also considering Malaysia. Srichand has already established a global…
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Elderly woman reports to police after fatal hit-and-run of disabled man
A 60 year old woman driving a Toyota Fortuner fatally hit a disabled man crossing the road. Shocked, she fled the scene before reporting to the local police station. The hit-and-run incident reportedly occurred in a dark area with tall grass obstructing visibility around 9.15pm yesterday. The hit-and-run incident took place in a school zone, marked with warning signs and…
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SET forecasted to dip amid US bond yield uncertainty
The Stock Exchange of Thailand (SET) index, which dipped below 1,400 points last Friday, is anticipated to continue its downward trajectory this week, potentially hitting 1,330 to 1,350 points, as per market analysts’ predictions. Factors contributing to this trend include fluctuating US bond yields and uncertainties in global factors. Wikij Tirawannarat, a senior executive at Bualuang Securities, pointed out that…
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Public indecency stunt: Korean influencer Aiin faces jail time in Hongdae district
Model Aiin, a prominent social media influencer, is under investigation for her audacious act of wearing a box instead of clothes while moving around the bustling Hongdae district of Korea. She invited passers-by to reach into the box and touch her breasts, claiming to challenge gender equality standards. The public indecency act, which occurred last week, has sparked a sensational…
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Heavy rain warning for 36 Thai provinces, flash floods and forest runoff predicted
The Thailand Meteorological Department (TMD) today issued a heavy rain warning for 36 provinces, including Bangkok, cautioning against potential flash floods and forest runoff. The advisory follows the weakening of a high-pressure system that has dominated Northern Thailand and the South China Sea. The eastern monsoon winds are now covering the lower northeastern region, the eastern region, and the Gulf…
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Home thief: Shanghai woman loses 5 million baht trying to catch criminal alone
A 35 year old wealthy woman from Shanghai found herself a victim of a series of thefts taking place in her home. Despite her losses, which exceeded 1 million yuan (over 5 million baht), she attempted to catch the home thief herself rather than report the theft to the police. Her plan, however, took an unexpected turn. The victim, Jinti, first…
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Thai PM accuses Israeli employers of exploiting Thai workers amidst crisis
Thailand Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin called on Israeli employers to stop exploiting their Thai workers during this perilous period. He alleges that salary payments are being deliberately postponed as a means to retain Thai workers in Israel amidst growing safety concerns. In a press interaction preceding the weekly Cabinet meeting, the 61 year old prime minister revealed he had contacted…
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Winter festival in Thailand to boost tourism through creative events
Thailand Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin declared plans to extend the country’s annual winter festival nationwide, renaming it the Thailand Winter Festivals. This announcement followed a strategic meeting with key figures including Tourism and Sports Minister Sudawan Wangsuphakijkosol, TAT Governor Thapanee Kiatphaibool, and Bangkok Governor Chadchart Sittipunt. The primary focus of their discussion was the forthcoming “Colourful Bangkok Winter Festival” scheduled…
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Lucky turtle: Thai lottery fans embrace headless, legless hero
The lottery enthusiast community was buzzing with excitement as images of a rare headless, legless turtle, considered a harbinger of good luck, spread across social media. The photographs were shared by a Facebook user yesterday who captivated the audience by claiming that the lucky turtle had arrived to bring fortune. The peculiar post quickly gained traction, attracting a barrage of…
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Elderly captive released from Hamas praises captors for unexpected care (video)
An 85 year old woman revealed the reason for extending a farewell handshake to her Hamas captors, citing their good care and tenderness towards the elderly. International news reported last night that Hamas had released two elderly Israeli women with health issues, citing humanitarian reasons. In a Hamas statement, it was clarified that the captives, 85 year old Yosef Lifchitz…
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Drunken man’s dangerous stunt with python nearly turns fatal in Kerala
A near-death experience unfolded in Kerala, India, as a drunken man sought to showcase his bravado by enacting a stunt with a giant python. The man, known as Chandran, was heading home in a state of inebriation when he picked up the python from the roadside and began to perform stunts with it, turning the heads of passers-by. This audacious…
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British man suffers broken nose after stumbling over road stud in Pattaya (video)
President of the Pattaya Entertainment Business Association urged local authorities to take action after a British man stumbled on a stud on Jomtien Beach Road in Pattaya and suffered a broken nose. CCTV footage along Jomtien Beach Road in Pattaya showed a British man crossing the road and tripping over the road stud. He fell to the ground as his…
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62 year old woman commits suicide in Chiang Mai after 5.2 million baht scam by call centre fraudsters
A 62 year old woman took her own life in Mae Rim, Chiang Mai after she was deceived by a group of call centre fraudsters. A financial loss of 5.2 million baht was involved. The case propelled Sector 5 Police into a fervent pursuit of 14 more suspects connected to the case. The deceased, 62 year old Yupin, was found dead,…
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Asia’s crypto craze: Bitcoin’s impressive ascent fuels ETF hopes
The cryptocurrency market witnessed a notable surge in Asia, with Bitcoin reaching a near 18-month high. The climb in value today, October 24, by over 6% to US$35,198, is the highest recorded since May 2022 and is the result of speculation around the potential launch of a Bitcoin exchange-traded fund (ETF). Monday, October 23, saw Bitcoin’s best session in almost…
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