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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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Sponsored Why health insurance costs more each year and how expats in Thailand can save more money
Each year, many expats living in Thailand see their health insurance premiums go up and often without a clear reason. This can be frustrating, especially when you're trying to plan your budget. But by understanding why prices rise and learning...
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MIC leader dismisses need for explanation on Sivarraajh’s CWC removal
An MIC leader has stated that there is no need for the party to provide an official explanation to former vice-president C. Sivarraajh regarding his removal from its central working committee (CWC). According to Free Malaysia Today, MIC information chief Thinalan Rajagopal claimed that there was no reason given when Sivarraajh joined the CWC in 2021, as it was the…
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Tile pattern ice cream: Must-try ice cream at Wat Arun in Bangkok
A Bangkok café and restaurant has created a delicious, arty ice cream to help support the education of monks and novices and pay for the upkeep of a well-known temple in the capital. The Arun-Cafe Coffee & Restaurant has conjured a 3D ice cream which has been crafted to mirror the ceramic tiles adorning the central prang (which means tall…
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Udon Thani man fatally stabs stepson over missing fighting cocks
A brutal crime unfolded in Udon Thani, Thailand after a 56 year old man allegedly stabbed his 33 year old stepson to death in a fit of rage over the disappearance of two fighting cocks in their family home. The victim, Nookraisak Saikhao, was found lying lifeless in a pool of blood on his bed by his ex-wife, who immediately…
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Newborn girl’s body found in Buriram rubbish heap
A 60 year old man discovered the body of a newborn girl, estimated to be about two days old, abandoned on a rubbish heap in a bag in Thailand’s Buriram province. The disoriented man, who has a speech disability, protected the body from flies until authorities arrived to investigate and recover the infant. Yesterday, Pol. Lt. Col. Chaleow Phayakkul, an…
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Monsoon causes 60% of Bangkok to face heavy rain risk, flash flood warnings issued
A heavy rain warning has been issued for Thailand, with 60% of Bangkok at risk of downpours. The public has been cautioned about flash flooding. The Department of Meteorology forecasts continued to warn of rainfall and stormy conditions, particularly in the northern, northeastern, and eastern regions. The department has issued a 24-hour weather forecast warning that the moderate southwestern monsoon…
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Ukraine advances in counteroffensive, NATO pledges support, US announces US$325m aid
Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has praised the progress of his troops as they advance near the city of Bakhmut in the east and on the southern front. NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg has also acknowledged Ukraine’s progress in its counteroffensive against Russia, promising increased support from NATO leaders in their upcoming meeting. In contrast, Russian President Vladimir Putin claimed that…
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Trump pleads not guilty amid showmanship and Republican unease
The indictment of Donald Trump unfolded in two distinct arenas on Tuesday afternoon – a federal courtroom in Florida and the realm of public opinion. Within the Miami courthouse, Trump and his legal representatives maintained a composed demeanor. A lawyer for the former president informed the judge that Trump was pleading not guilty to all charges. Discussions ensued regarding the…
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NHS struggles with junior doctor strike amid heatwave pressures
NHS England is facing significant challenges as the hot weather and the latest junior doctors’ strike put pressure on the health service. The British Medical Association’s 72-hour walkout began on Wednesday, and it is anticipated that much routine care will be cancelled. The heat is also causing extra demands on accident and emergency units, prompting health bosses to urge people…
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Sarawak ministry mulls Tuak Festival to boost local culture, tourism
As part of its efforts to promote Sarawak culture, the Ministry of Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts Sarawak is considering the idea of organising a “Tuak Festival.” The event, which may initially be held in Kuching, aims to showcase and promote tuak, a traditional rice wine of the Dayaks, and the culture of the state. Deputy Minister Datuk Sebastian…
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Manhunt for Indonesian escapees expands in Sarawak with 100 officers
A manhunt involving 100 police personnel, including members of the General Operations Force’s (GOF) Tiger Platoon, has been launched in Sarawak to locate two Indonesian men who escaped from the Tapah police station lockup. Sarawak police commissioner Mohd Azman Ahmad Sapri announced that the search radius for the escapees, Kelvin, 21 years old, and Bony, 31 years old, has been…
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Sabah police probe handling of woman’s case before ex-lover’s alleged murder
Sabah police are investigating potential breaches of standards in the handling of a case involving a woman who was later allegedly killed by her ex-lover at a shopping mall. Police commissioner Jauteh Dikun stated that if the investigation reveals any shortcomings, disciplinary action will be taken against the officers involved. The family of Nurul Ain Silien, who was allegedly murdered…
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Trump’s defamation lawsuit advances despite prior sexual abuse verdict
A US federal judge has ruled that E Jean Carroll’s defamation lawsuit against former President Donald Trump can proceed, despite a jury in May finding Trump liable for defaming and sexually abusing her. District Judge Lewis Kaplan dismissed arguments that the case could not go ahead due to the jury’s determination that Trump was responsible for sexual abuse, not rape.…
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Trump pleads not guilty to 37 charges, supporters rally in Miami
Supporters of former US President Donald Trump gathered in Miami, Florida, as he pled not guilty to 37 charges of mishandling classified information. This indictment marks the first time a former US president has been federally prosecuted. Trump’s supporters rallied around the court, protesting the charges and claiming they are politically motivated to hinder his potential 2024 campaign. Last week,…
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New law grants police power to intervene in seriously disruptive protests
Parliament has approved a law granting police in England and Wales clearer authority to intervene in protests considered seriously disruptive. The House of Lords passed the new regulations, despite opposition from some peers. The law allows officers to take action when protesters attempt to block roads through slow marching, a tactic employed by groups such as Extinction Rebellion, Just Stop…
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Umno’s decline signals political shift, coalition method future of Malaysia
The declining support for Malaysia’s United Malays National Organisation (Umno) has been evident since the 12th general election in 2008, marking a significant shift in the country’s political landscape. According to Syaza Syukri, an assistant professor of political science at International Islamic University Malaysia, the 2008 election signalled the beginning of a “political tsunami” that has continued to impact Umno’s…
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Dorsey talks Musk, censorship, and AI in first post-Twitter interview
Former Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey has spoken to Breaking Points in his first interview since leaving the company in 2021, discussing Elon Musk’s involvement with Twitter, censorship issues with governments, and the future of artificial intelligence (AI). Dorsey expressed his satisfaction with Musk’s decision to become more involved with Twitter, stating, “At the very start, I was hoping for years…
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Cormac McCarthy dies aged 89, leaving legacy of dark tales
Renowned American author Cormac McCarthy, celebrated for his gripping and often dark tales of the US frontier and post-apocalyptic worlds, has passed away at the age of 89. McCarthy’s death was due to natural causes at his home in Santa Fe, New Mexico, as confirmed by his son John McCarthy and publisher Penguin Random House. Cormac McCarthy’s unique writing style…
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Bunge and Glencore-backed Viterra to merge, creating $34bn agri-trade giant
The global agricultural trading sector is set to see a major transformation as US grains merchants Bunge and Glencore-backed Viterra plan to merge, creating a $34bn giant, including debt. This deal, announced on Tuesday, will bring the combined company closer to leading rivals Archer-Daniels-Midland and Cargill, valuing both Bunge and Viterra at approximately $17bn each. Bunge, already the world’s largest…
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NATO summit prioritises Ukraine support, Indo-Pacific ties, and defence spending
NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg has discussed key topics for the upcoming alliance summit in Vilnius, Lithuania, during a meeting with top US officials at the White House. Stoltenberg, who will step down as secretary general in September, highlighted NATO’s commitment to support Ukraine and strengthen deterrence on defence at the summit. Stoltenberg also emphasised the importance of sending a strong…
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Football mourns ex-Italian PM Berlusconi’s impact on AC Milan
The football world mourns the passing of former Italian prime minister Silvio Berlusconi, aged 86, who left a lasting impact on AC Milan and the sport itself. Former Dutch internationals Marco van Basten and Ruud Gullit paid their respects, reminiscing about Berlusconi’s influence on their careers and the game during their time at AC Milan. Berlusconi’s 1986 acquisition of AC…
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Putin hints at Ukraine sanitary zone amid escalating border attacks
Russian President Vladimir Putin has hinted at the possibility of expanding military operations in Ukraine to safeguard Russian territory on the border. This comes as Ukrainian forces report progress in their counteroffensive against Russian troops. Putin shared his perspective on the conflict during an open meeting with military journalists and bloggers, revealing that Ukraine has allegedly lost 160 tanks and…
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Trump pleads not guilty to charges over classified documents
Former US President Donald Trump has entered a not guilty plea in response to criminal charges alleging he unlawfully retained classified documents after leaving the White House. The 37 charges against him include obstructing the government’s attempts to retrieve the files. Prosecutors are pushing for a swift trial now that Trump has made his court appearance; however, legal experts suggest…
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Malaysia seeks Interpol help to find comedian over MH370 joke
Malaysia is seeking assistance from Interpol in locating a New York-based comedian who made a joke about the missing Malaysia Airlines flight MH370. Jocelyn Chia, a US national who was raised in Singapore, is being investigated under laws related to incitement and offensive online content, according to the police. The joke she posted online last week sparked an official protest…
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Amnesty urges ICC probe into Israel-Gaza Strip conflict war crimes
Amnesty International has reported that war crimes may have been committed during the recent conflict between Israel and Palestinian militants in the Gaza Strip last month. The human rights organisation found that Israeli forces carried out seemingly disproportionate air strikes, resulting in the deaths of Palestinian civilians. Additionally, the report states that indiscriminate rocket fire by the Palestinian Islamic Jihad…
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Ukraine’s counteroffensive sees heavy fighting in Neskuchne village
In the eastern Donetsk region of Ukraine, the village of Neskuchne has experienced some of the heaviest fighting in the country’s ongoing counteroffensive against Russian forces. As one of the first media organisations to gain access to the recently liberated village cluster, the BBC reported that six Ukrainian soldiers were lost during the liberation of Neskuchne. The village was first…
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Trump pleads not guilty to mishandling classified documents in Miami court
Donald Trump has entered a not guilty plea to historic charges of mishandling classified documents at a federal court in Miami, Florida. Trump is the first US president, either current or former, to face a federal criminal indictment. Appearing sombre and subdued in court, he wore a dark suit and red tie with his arms crossed. This marked the second…
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IOPC probes police conduct in Cardiff e-bike crash that killed teens
An investigation into the conduct of two police officers is underway following the tragic deaths of two teenagers in a Cardiff e-bike accident that sparked riots. The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) has issued gross misconduct notices to both the driver and passenger of a police van seen in the vicinity of the boys in the Ely area prior…
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Boris Johnson submits last-minute letter to MPs investigating Partygate
A last-minute letter from Boris Johnson has been submitted to the Members of Parliament (MPs) investigating allegations that he misled Parliament over lockdown parties. The privileges committee confirmed receipt of the submission from the former Prime Minister just before midnight on Monday. The committee’s conclusions are expected to be published this week, although not on Wednesday as initially anticipated. Johnson…
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UK Covid inquiry questions lack of lockdown planning and impact foresight
The lack of consideration given to the “potentially massive impact” of lockdowns on society before the pandemic has been highlighted by Hugo Keith KC, the lead lawyer for the Covid inquiry. As the investigation into the government’s response to the pandemic began hearing evidence, Keith stated that the UK might not have been well prepared “at all.” He found it…
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UK unprepared for COVID-19, focused on flu outbreak, inquiry hears
The UK’s official COVID-19 inquiry has been informed that the nation was unprepared for the pandemic, as it had focused on the possibility of an influenza outbreak rather than a coronavirus. Lead counsel to the inquiry, Hugo Keith KC, stated that this lack of foresight led to the country being “taken by surprise” by the virus, which has resulted in…
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