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Is tap water in Thailand safe to consume?
Wondering if you can drink the tap water in Thailand? From brushing your teeth to filling up a bottle, it’s helpful to understand a few basics. Tap water safety in Thailand varies by location, and while some people use it...
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Drunken drama: Russian hospitalised after Bangla brawl
A night of partying on Bangla Road turned into chaos when a drunken Russian tourist was hospitalised after a violent altercation with security guards. The incident unfolded at Oscar Bar, Patong, late last night, December 18. Police were called to the scene at 11.50pm, where they found 31 year old Russian national Evgenii Kozlov seriously injured after a scuffle with…
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Woman cheats death in Pattaya pole crash, credits spirit
A 21 year old woman miraculously walked away with minor injuries after her car was obliterated in a high-speed crash near Pattaya. The driver credited her survival to a guardian spirit she prays to before every journey. The accident occurred at 1.16am today, December 19. The Sawang Boriboon Thammasathan Rescue Centre rushed to the scene on a motorway heading into…
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Bangkok crowned Christmas travel top spot, beating Tokyo
Move over Tokyo, Bangkok is stealing the spotlight this festive season! Agoda’s latest insights reveal that Thailand’s bustling capital has clinched the title of the world’s top destination for international travellers this Christmas. With a 14% surge in accommodation searches compared to last year, Bangkok has overtaken Tokyo and is proving irresistible to holidaymakers. Bangkok also ranks as the second…
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Thai woman accepts laced drink at Pattaya nightclub, hospitalised
A night out in Pattaya took a dangerous turn for a woman after accepting a drink from a Chinese tourist, leading to severe health issues. The incident occurred when the Thai woman was celebrating her sibling’s birthday at a club on Walking Street, Pattaya, Chon Buri. The woman, who wishes to remain anonymous, recounted her ordeal, which included passing out…
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Fraudsters target Thai schools with fake dining table sales
A new scam targeting schools by offering stainless steel dining tables has emerged, causing significant financial losses to unsuspecting victims. The scam involves setting up fake stores and using counterfeit documents to deceive businesses into transferring large sums of money, believing they are purchasing these tables for schools. Reports of the scam began surfacing when a Facebook user, Pupe Chiquita,…
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Lorry with missing wheel sparks safety fears on Phuket road (video)
A video clip sparking safety concerns has taken social media by storm, showing a lorry missing a wheel and with a bulging tyre, driving along Thep Kasattri Road, in Thalang, Phuket. Shared by a popular local social media page, the 27-second video amassed significant attention and stirred a variety of reactions online. The incident occurred on the outbound lane of…
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Thai party entertainer assault for allegedly sitting on client’s lap
A Thai party entertainer in the southern province of Surat Thani is seeking justice and compensation from a client’s girlfriend who physically assaulted her for allegedly sitting on her boyfriend’s lap. The female party entertainer, Namphung Sumaporn, shared details of the assault on Facebook to seek justice for her colleague, identified only as 27 year old Bee. The incident occurred…
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Thai farmers receive 20 billion baht in government aid
The Bank for Agriculture and Agricultural Cooperatives (BAAC) has disbursed 20 billion baht over the past three days to 2.6 million farmers as part of a government initiative aimed at supporting rice producers. The goal is to benefit 4.6 million households with a total budget of 37.4 billion baht. Chatchai Sirilai, Manager of BAAC, announced the progress of the financial…
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Revenue department sees 2.1% rise in revenue collection
Collection by the Revenue Department has shown a notable increase in the first two months of fiscal 2025, with a 2.1% year-on-year growth. The surge is largely credited to initiatives aimed at integrating individuals outside the tax system into compliance, along with intensified measures against tax evasion. Director General Pinsai Suraswadi reported that in October, the department successfully collected 146…
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Norovirus outbreak in Rayong prompts health guidelines
The Department of Health issued guidelines for preventing the spread of Norovirus following a significant outbreak affecting 1,436 individuals, including students and school personnel in Klaeng district, Rayong province. The outbreak is attributed to contaminated water and ice consumed during a school sports event. Norovirus, a highly communicable virus, primarily affects children with lower immunity and is prevalent during the…
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Butt out: Phatthalung police snuff out illegal cigarette ring
Police in Phatthalung launched a major operation yesterday dismantling a significant illicit cigarette network with raids at seven locations. This operation, the largest of its kind in southern Thailand, resulted in the seizure of over 400 boxes of untaxed cigarettes and the arrest of seven individuals. Under the leadership of Ruanglak Ruengyungmee, Isara Charoenchasri, and Sakchai Rojarat, more than 50…
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Meth-induced man defacates, wields knife in police standoff
Police officers in Samut Songkhram successfully subdued a 50 year old local man wielding a long knife in a pomelo orchard. The incident occurred yesterday, December 18, behind Wat Worapoom Health Promotion Hospital, with officers employing negotiation tactics to defuse the situation. The Samut Songkhram Police Station received reports of a man, identified only as Yod, brandishing a 2-foot-long sword…
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French Bulldog missing in Uthai Thani, reward offered (video)
A search is underway for a four year old male French Bulldog called Peter, who has been missing since yesterday. His owner, from Uthai Thani province, is offering a reward of 2 salungs (7.5 grammes) of gold for Peter’s safe return. Wachirawit shared that Peter went missing after an unexpected visit from a monk on a walking pilgrimage. It was an…
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Naval officer accused of lewd acts with 18 cadets under investigation
A naval officer, working as a physiotherapist, is under investigation for allegedly committing lewd acts against 18 cadets at a military prep school. The school has promptly set up a committee to thoroughly investigate the claims made by the students’ parents, assuring them of a fair process and appropriate action if misconduct is confirmed. The troubling incident was reported after…
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Sacks found in Phatthalung canal are decomposed pork, not bodies
The mysterious discovery of two bloated sacks floating in a canal triggered a rapid response from the rescue services in Phatthalung province. Residents reported a strong stench emanating from the canal near Apai Borirak Road, leading to fears that the sacks might contain bodies. Rescue personnel arrived swiftly to investigate, only to find a surprising revelation. “The smell was unbearable,…
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Myanmar cops rescue kidnapped businessman after deadly shootout
Police in Myanmar successfully rescued a 78 year old businessman who had been abducted outside a currency exchange shop. The dramatic operation resulted in a shootout, leaving six suspects dead and significant evidence uncovered. The victim, who had not eaten since his capture, was found safe. The incident occurred at 6am on December 13, when Yan Tin Chan was kidnapped…
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Thai woman exposes employer’s lewd advances, explicit messages
A Thai woman took to social media to expose her employer, a restaurant owner in the Isaan province of Khon Kaen, for sexually harassing her by sending lewd messages and pictures, including an image of his penis. The 30 year old victim, Nat, resigned from the restaurant and filed a complaint against the owner at Mueang Khon Kaen Police Station.…
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Illegal foreign tour guides threaten Thailand’s tourism industry
The growing issue of illegal foreign tour guides in Thailand, exacerbated by extended visa-free stays and lax enforcement, is concerning industry experts. The Professional Tourist Guides Association of Thailand has raised alarms about foreigners illegally managing both tour companies and guide services in major tourist destinations. Recent social media reports highlighted an incident involving an unauthorised Russian guide leading a…
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Phuket police profile trans workers to boost nightlife safety
Police in Phuket are actively compiling profiles of transgender people working in a bustling nightlife area of the city to bolster public safety measures. This initiative, undertaken by local police and administrative officials, is happening along Bangla Road, a popular spot near Patong Beach frequented by tourists. Head of Patong Police Station Chalermchai Hernsawat explained that this effort is primarily aimed…
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Thailand targets US$308bn exports by 2025 amid trade optimism
The Commerce Ministry has ambitious plans to boost Thailand’s export sector, setting a target of 2% to 3% growth for 2025. The goal, projected to bring in US$305 to US$308 billion, follows a robust performance in 2024, where export growth is expected to reach 5%, generating a record US$300 billion. These figures reflect optimism driven by the electronics, agricultural, and…
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Thailand seeks family of woman found in Germany 35 years ago
The Mirror Foundation of Thailand are looking for the family of a Thai woman found dead in Germany 35 years ago so they can identify her. The foundation posted the details on its official Facebook page yesterday, December 18, along with an artist’s simulation of her appearance and an image of the clothing she was wearing when discovered. The details…
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2 million baht in valuables stolen from secure apartment in Pattaya
A shocking burglary took place yesterday at an apartment in Pattaya, leaving a woman stunned as thieves managed to infiltrate her room and break into a safe hidden within a storage cabinet. The thieves made off with nearly 2 million baht worth of valuables, including gold jewellery and cash. There were no signs of forced entry into the room, leading…
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Thailand GDP set for 3% growth despite global economic challenges
The Tisco Economic Strategy Unit (ESU) forecasts a 3% growth in Thailand’s GDP for the coming year, aligning this growth with a projected 3.2% expansion of the global economy. This comes amidst concerns over potential trade wars and rising inflation, which may pose challenges to these optimistic forecasts. Economist Methas Rattanasorn highlighted that the anticipated growth for Thailand is driven…
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Thailand’s power plan may see revisions for climate goals
Thailand’s 2024 power development plan (PDP) may undergo significant revisions to enhance the management of the nation’s long-term energy supply and bolster efforts against global warming. This was suggested by Energy Ministry Permanent Secretary Prasert Sinsukprasertas after he highlighted the need for adaptation in response to evolving energy concerns. The Energy Policy and Planning Office is currently evaluating the PDP. Once…
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Phuket plans major disaster drill for flood preparedness
Phuket is set to enhance its disaster preparedness with an integrated exercise aimed at tackling potential floods and mudslides. Scheduled for January 16, 2025, the event is designed to boost the island’s readiness and response capabilities in the face of such emergencies. A significant planning session took place recently at the Phuket Provincial Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Office (DDPM Phuket).…
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Chinese man arrested in 70 million baht heroin bust in Nong Khai
Police in Nong Khai apprehended a Chinese national involved in a transnational drug trafficking operation. The suspect allegedly concealed 120 kilogrammes of heroin within car batteries, claiming he was merely hired to manage logistics and inspect the parcels. Yesterday, December 18, Police officials, including Piratch Udompisutikun, Yutthana Ngamchat, Rattasart Chidchu, and Suchart Thonmanee, collaborated with various police and military units…
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Thai film ‘Grandma’ shortlisted for 97th Academy Awards
A significant milestone for Thai cinema unfolded yesterday, December 18 as Thai film studio GDH announced that How to Make Millions Before Grandma Dies has been shortlisted for the 97th Academy Awards in the Best International Feature Film category. The film, directed by Pat Boonnitipat and penned by screenwriter Ped Thodsapon, stands out among 85 international submissions, marking a first…
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3 Thai girls fake forest blackout after resort stay with man
Three Thai girls, initially reported missing, confessed to going to a resort with a man they met on a dating app after lying to their parents that they fainted in an abandoned house in a deep forest for a night. Three families filed missing persons reports to Thamenchai Police Station officers in the Isaan province of Buriram after three girls,…
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Landslides devastate Huai Kaeo, isolating communities in Nakhon Si Thammarat
Landslides have ravaged the Huai Kaeo community in Si Chon, Nakhon Si Thammarat, leaving homes in ruins and cutting off communication. Local officials urgently seek help as 23 districts report damage, with 10 fatalities confirmed. Heavy rain has caused severe landslides across Nakhon Si Thammarat, particularly affecting the Huai Kaeo village in the Si Chon district. The village, located in…
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Thailand video news | Thailand’s new E-Visa simplifies travel, U.S. repatriates Guantanamo detainees to Malaysia
In today’s Southeast Asia news roundup, Alex highlights major developments across the region. From Thailand’s groundbreaking E-Visa launch and its renewed focus on attracting foreign filmmakers to a British mother’s heartfelt warning about drug dangers, these stories reveal the country’s evolving travel, legal, and social landscape. Additional updates include Bangkok’s ambitious plans to host its first Formula One race, Gordon…
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