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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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Glue-sniffing man causes havoc at Surin Market, demanding money from traders
In an alarming series of local events, a man known only by the alias Jay has reportedly been terrorising a local market in Surin, Thailand. He was allegedly found under the influence of glue, soliciting money from passersby, and chastising those who refused. His repetitive behaviour has touched the nerves of the locals, resulting in multiple reports to the authorities. The…
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Child abuse: Stepfather accused of sexually assaulting 10 year old girl, another villager suspected
In a disturbing incident, a stepfather is under scrutiny for allegedly committing multiple acts of sexual assault against his 10 year old daughter in the Phanom Sarakham District of Chachoengsao Province. The concerned mother discovered the abusive incidents yesterday, prompted by unsettling signs and changes in her daughter’s behaviour. Initially, the daughter remained silent, primarily due to the threats made…
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Bikini-clad women helping Bali farmers sparks online controversy
In a recent incident, a viral video featuring six female tourists in bikinis assisting local farmers in Bali sparked debate among netizens, with many questioning their motives. The footage and accompanying discourse centred on the appropriateness of their attire and the apparent disruption of local work. This bikini controversy generated extensive attention on social media platforms. According to Daily Mail,…
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Election letdown: MFP leader falls short of prime ministerial votes in Thai race
Pita Limjaroenrat, the leader of the Move Forward Party (MFP) and the top vote-getter in the General Election 2023, fell short of securing enough votes from the members of Parliament and senators to become the Thai Prime Minister. Despite obtaining 323 votes, Pita failed to reach the required threshold of 375 votes. The newly elected President of Parliament, Wan Muhamad…
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Pattaya Police make waves: Murder suspect’s speedboat confiscated German businessman’s murder
Pattaya cops confiscated a speedboat owned by a main suspect in the brutal murder of German businessman Hans Peter Mack. The suspect, 52 year old Olaf Thorsten Brinkmann, is implicated in the murder of the 62 year old German property tycoon. Police believe that Brinkmann might have planned to use the speedboat to dispose of Mack’s butchered remains in the…
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Phuket’s pillar party: Three-day extravaganza to ‘pillar’ in the festivities
A renowned three-day ceremony has been planned for August 5 to 7 to mark the installation of a City Pillar, also known as Lak Mueang, at the site of the upcoming Phuket Provincial Hall. The decision and details regarding the ceremonial event were confirmed at a recent meeting. High-ranking governmental figures were present at the meeting, including Narong Woonciew, the…
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Bloody accident on Asia Highway: Fortune teller killed
A tragic accident occurred midday yesterday in Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya province, resulting in the death of a 61 year old fortune teller. En route to visit both her daughter and ailing mother in Bangkok, her motorbike taxi was struck by an 18-wheel truck whilst crossing between parallel lanes. According to the investigating officer, Chaiwat Tiphsotti, the accident happened on…
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Dead body of naked Thai woman found in southern Thailand
The dead body of a naked Thai woman has been found in a forest in the southern province of Nakhon Si Tammarat last night. The cause of her death is under investigation. Officers from the Kanom Police Station, and a rescue team, last night investigated the forest near the JB Beach in the Kanom district of Nakhon Si Thammarat. Officers…
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Cyber patrol corners notorious online fraudster who caused 2 million baht losses
A cyber patrol unit successfully arrested an infamous online fraudster, a 32 year old woman from Roi Et province. The joint investigation yesterday tracked her down, resulting in her arrest under several warrants from different provinces. Her modus operandi was primarily carrying out fraudulent activities online, causing significant distress and loss to innocent social media users. The alleged fraudulent actions…
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Racket restriction: Thai senators and EC officers ‘served’ ban from Thailand badminton court
A badminton court in northern Thailand announced on its official Facebook page that Thai senators and Election Commission (EC) officers and their family members are banned from visiting or playing on the premises. The Panda Arena badminton centre, in the northern province of Uttaradit, announced on Facebook… “Our badminton court does not allow senators and EC authorities, along with their…
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Chinese boy’s peculiar thirst diagnosed as diabetes insipidus after years of baffling doctors
In a strange twist of health phenomena, a 14 year old boy from Jiangxi province, China, developed a staggering water-drinking habit. Consuming up to 30 litres of water per day, the boy becomes agitated without his abundant intake. Medical professionals finally diagnosed this unusual condition as diabetes insipidus, a rare disease causing extreme thirst. When he was just a small…
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Rare sighting of two battling Asian black bears in Khao Yai National Park
Tourists in Nakhon Ratchasima province were stunned to discover two large Asian black bears embroiled in a fierce battle in Khao Yai National Park. The stunning spectacle was swiftly caught on camera by a tourist, Kritsanaphong Kwangphimai. Officials have since issued warnings urging members of the public and visitors to keep their distance from these magnificent beasts. A video clip…
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Social media plea: Thai women entangled in Myanmar prostitution ‘web’ seeks rescue
A Thai woman reached out to a local news Facebook page for help after she and three other women were lured into prostitution in Myanmar NinJa ToDay posted a video of a woman showing her Thai identification card and crying for help. She stated in the video… “I am from the Isaan province of Ubon Ratchathani. I and three friends…
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Thai teen lies in coma after alleged police shooting: Family seeks justice
The relatives of a 14 year old boy are seeking justice after he was allegedly shot in the head by a police officer in Phetchabun province, Thailand. Together with a social justice advocate, the boy’s aunt, 56 year old Monnat Pa Kaew, and his mother, 40 year old Eum Phon Somsri, reported the case to the Central Investigative Bureau today. The…
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Ex-military man turns himself in for fatal case of mistaken identity in milk trailer shoot-out
In a shocking turn of events, a woman who drove a milk transport trailer was brutally gunned down in a tragic case of mistaken identity. An ex-military personnel, assigned to the Thung Song area in Nakhon Si Thammarat, turned himself in and confessed to being the gunman, in lieu of a mercenary fee. However, he had targeted the wrong person. The…
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Woman’s fall from third floor meets ‘slippery’ rescue on banana tree in Thailand
A young woman from Phayao province fell from the third floor of an apartment building in Chon Buri province and landed on a banana tree. The incident took place at Soi Chaiyaporn Withee 7 in Bang Lamung district around 12.20am today. The surrounding villagers and the apartment owner quickly reported the event to the local rescue centre in Pattaya City,…
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Cops expose fake licence plate scam across Thailand: Government officer arrested
The national traffic police dismantled an operation selling fake red licence plates across Thailand. Two suspects have been apprehended, one of whom is reportedly a government officer. The suspects were captured following a raid on a residence yielding substantial evidence. The apprehension comes on the back of numerous reports of cars with fraudulent red plates evading toll booth fees. Major…
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Cutting-edge crime: Pattaya tool shop linked to chainsaw used in gruesome murder of German
Police identified the tool shop in Pattaya that sold the chainsaw used in the gruesome murder of a German businessman. The police closely followed the trail of money involving 1.2 million baht (US$34,682) returned to the victim’s family so far. Hans Peter Walter Mack was discovered dismembered and stored in a freezer at a residence in Chokchai Garden Home 1,…
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Rain-ravaged India: Grappling with floods and landslides in a watery ordeal
India is grappling with a heightened disaster situation following continuous heavy rainfall that has led to extensive flooding and landslides. The fatality count has tragically risen to at least 66, with severe damage reported across multiple states in the northern part of the country. Today, 33 casualties were confirmed in the Himachal Pradesh state in northern India. Further south in…
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Cop’s alleged mistress cries foul: Betrayed and financially ‘cuffed’ by high-ranking officer
The alleged mistress of a high-ranking police officer filed a complaint with the Royal Thai Police (RTP) claiming that she was betrayed by her lover who did not provide the financial support he promised. She also accused him of embezzling the RTP budget for personal gain. The mistress, named A, yesterday, July 12, visited the RTP Office in Bangkok to…
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Thai private sector braced for impact amid political unrest and government delays
Protests and potential political instability are causing growing unease within Thailand‘s private sector, chiefly due to the impact of delays in forming the country’s new government. The possible effects are multifaceted, potentially touching areas such as new investments and the tourism industry. The Thai Chamber of Commerce’s vice-chairman, Poj Aramwattananont, expressed concern yesterday in light of recent moves by the…
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Pakistani family defends accused in high-profile German businessman murder
The family of the Pakistani man, arrested yesterday for his involvement in the murder of the German businessman Hans Peter Mack, say he is innocent. The family of the arrested man, Sahruk Kareem Uddin, pointed the finger of blame towards another suspect, a German woman, Petra Christl Grundgreif. They accused Grundgrief of tricking him into the plot to murder the…
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Songkhla temple encourages solar cell donations, not traditional wax candles, for Lent
A temple in Songkhla province put up a clear sign requesting that instead of offering traditional wax candles for the upcoming Buddhist Lent, supporters should donate solar cells. The use of local language on the signage has added a touch of levity and sparked conversation amongst the community. Lieb Temple has grabbed attention with its unique request showcased on banners…
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Bangkok’s Luang Phaeng road collapse spurs urgent motion for improved oversight
A discussion unfolded in the House of Representatives yesterday, centred on an urgent motion following the catastrophic collapse of an under-construction elevated road on Luang Phaeng Road the evening before. The motion was brought forth by Theerarat Samrejvanich of the Pheu Thai Party, a representative for Bangkok. During the meeting, Theerarat asked for cooperation from agencies associated with the project…
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UNESCO nomination bid at risk as contractors flout Thai temple preservation orders
Deep in the heartland of Nakhon Si Thammarat, the tranquil expanses of Wat Phra Mahathat Woramahawihan are churning with concern as contractors persist with the dismantling of age-old cannons at the temple, regardless of instructions from the Fine Arts Department (FAD) to halt until an investigation is carried out. The fabled temple is on its path to being nominated as…
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Thai-China pact amplifies crackdown on Chinese fugitives in Thailand
A recent agreement between Thai and Chinese law enforcement signals an increased effort to crack down on Chinese criminals who have sought refuge in Thailand. Policymakers from both nations are keen on bolstering cooperation in dealing with significant instances of Chinese criminals fleeing from China to Thailand to evade apprehension. High-ranking officials of the Thai Immigration Bureau (IB), directed by…
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THAI scandal sees corruption charges dropped against ex-PM Thaksin
The National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) has aborted all charges against Thaksin Shinawatra, the former prime minister, and three others in the Thai Airways (THAI) corruption saga. The case involved allegations of corruption linked to the acquisition of 10 Airbus aircraft by Thai between 2003 and 2004. This was revealed by former deputy transport minister Pichet Sathirachawal, who was also accused…
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Plastics factory owner dies in fatal Bangkok car crash, 2 passengers injured
A tragic accident occurred early yesterday when a car crashed into an electricity pole, resulting in the death of a plastics factory owner and injuring two of his companions. Police and emergency services responded to the incident around 3.30am, near Ratchaburana Road in Bang Pho, Bangkok. The fatal mishap involved a Subaru Legacy car, registered number ฬฮ5030 Bangkok. The driver’s…
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Thai police intensify crackdown on international crime after German businessman’s murder
Police in the Thai province of Chon Buri are intensifying their efforts against international criminal organisations, an enforcement surge prompted by the grisly murder of a German businessman in Pattaya. Deputy national police chief, Police General Surachate “Big Joke” Hakparn, spoke of these measures after an urgent meeting was convened with local police forces late on Tuesday. Following the gruesome…
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Thai tourism hit by weak Chinese market and waning local interest
The sluggish Chinese economy and hesitant local budget travellers have dealt a blow to Thai tourism operators along the eastern seaboard, casting a gloomy cloud over this year’s revenue prospects. The slow recovery marks it as a testing time for places like Pattaya, particularly with a quiet Chinese market yet to bounce back and local visitors not returning en masse,…
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