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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 Long-term life in Thailand? 5 reasons private health insurance pays off in the long run
Thailand is a great place for expats and retirees, offering a warm climate, affordable living, and rich culture. However, healthcare can be tricky for foreigners since they aren’t eligible for public health coverage, and private care can be expensive. Private...
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ITV chief to face parliament over Schofield scandal and safeguarding concerns
ITV Chief Executive Dame Carolyn McCall has been summoned to appear before the parliamentary Culture, Media and Sport Committee to discuss the broadcaster’s approach to safeguarding and complaint handling. This development follows the recent departure of presenter Phillip Schofield from ITV after admitting to an “unwise but not illegal” relationship with a younger male colleague. The committee has requested McCall’s…
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Ukraine accused of Belgorod shelling as Russia reports thwarted invasion
The Belgorod region in Russia has experienced another attack from across the Ukrainian border, with at least eight individuals reportedly injured due to shelling. Russia’s defence ministry also claimed that it had prevented further attempts by Ukraine to “invade” the region. While Kyiv has not commented on these allegations, it has denied any involvement in previous cross-border attacks. This incident…
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Prince William and Kate attend Jordan’s royal wedding unannounced
In a surprise visit, the Prince and Princess of Wales attended the wedding of Jordan’s Crown Prince Hussein, 28 years old, and Saudi Arabian architect Rajwa Alseif, 29 years old, in Amman, Jordan. Prince William and Kate joined other foreign royalty at the ceremony held at Zahran Palace, a venue with historical significance for the Jordanian royal family. The unannounced…
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Funeral firm offers custom coffins to break death taboo
A funeral company, Go As You Please, is aiming to change the way people perceive death by offering custom-made coffins, including a casket designed to resemble a Greggs sausage roll. The firm believes that no idea is off limits in an effort to make a challenging day more bearable. Suggested designs include the Doctor Who Tardis, a pint of Tennent’s…
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Government faces legal action over unredacted Covid inquiry material
The Covid inquiry has given the UK government until 4pm to provide unredacted messages and notebooks, or face potential legal action. The inquiry seeks access to various communications between Boris Johnson and his advisers during the pandemic, as well as his diaries and notebooks. The government has resisted disclosing some of the material, claiming it is not relevant to the…
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Labour MP suspended amid claims of boasting about bringing sex workers to Commons
Allegations of sexual harassment have led to the suspension of a Labour MP, who has been accused of bringing sex workers into parliament for drinks by two of his colleagues. A Labour MP and a Labour peer informed Sky News that it was common knowledge in Westminster that Geraint Davies would take women to one of the Commons’ bars and…
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Stroud lottery winner urged to claim £10k monthly prize for 30 years
A Stroud-based National Lottery player has won a life-changing prize of £10,000 per month for 30 years and is being encouraged to claim their winnings. The winning ticket for the Set For Life draw was purchased in Gloucestershire, according to the National Lottery. The ticket matched the five main numbers – 10, 32, 36, 39, 43 – and the Life…
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Endangered ghost orchid flowers in UK for first time at Kew Gardens
A rare and endangered ghost orchid, also known as dendrophylax lindenii, has bloomed for the first time in the UK at the Royal Botanic Gardens (RBG), Kew. The unique flower, known for its frog-like shape, is mainly found in southern Florida and Cuba, with only around 2,000 plants remaining worldwide. The International Union for Conservation of Nature lists the ghost…
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Swimmers brave treacherous waters for Uri Geller’s island rock quest
A team of intrepid fundraisers, known as the Salty Selkies, has successfully completed a swim to The Lamb, an uninhabited Scottish island owned by Uri Geller, to retrieve a rock for the renowned magician. Geller, who purchased the island off North Berwick in East Lothian in 2009, wanted a rock from the location to be tested and displayed in his…
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Baby donkey reunited with mum after two-week Hampshire farm abduction
A two-month-old donkey named Moon, who was taken from a field at Miller’s Ark Animals farm in Hook, Hampshire, has been safely recovered after over two weeks. The young donkey was found in Buckinghamshire, and the farm announced on Thursday that Moon had been reunited with her mother, Astra. In a social media post, Miller’s Ark stated, “Yesterday evening we…
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Elderly woman killed during robbery, daughter with disability witnesses horror
An elderly woman was murdered during a robbery at her grocery store in Nakhon Si Thammarat, Thailand. The 74 year old victim was strangled by the intruders using her own clothing in front of her 43 year-old disabled daughter. The suspects fled, taking two mobile phones with them. In a shocking incident on June 1, the woman was brutally murdered…
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Illegal truck bribe stickers prompt Thai police chief to launch investigation
The existence of covert stickers indicating that trucks operating illegally on Thailand’s roads have paid bribes to police and other officials to avoid arrest has been confirmed by national police chief Pol Gen Damrongsak Kittiprapas. This revelation comes after the issue was raised by Wiroj Lakkhanaadisorn, a Move Forward Party list MP-elect. As a result, Pol Maj Gen Ekkaraj Limsangkat,…
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Study reveals senior Singaporean volunteers contribute more time to charities
A recent study has shown that senior volunteers in Singapore contribute more time to charitable causes than their younger counterparts. Conducted by the National Council of Social Service (NCSS) and the Singapore Management University, the study aimed to help social service agencies attract and retain volunteers by identifying what drives people to volunteerism and areas for their own growth. The…
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Roadblock frustration: Chiang Mai woman’s year-long struggle to register and insure EV
A Chiang Mai woman revealed her distress after buying an electric vehicle (EV) only to find herself unable to register it with the transport authorities and get insurance for over a year. The woman claims that numerous others face the same issue. A Facebook user named “Sipim Manassawat,” a young woman living in Chiang Mai province shared her harrowing experience…
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Labour MP suspended over serious misconduct and unwanted attention claims
Swansea West MP Geraint Davies has been suspended from the Labour Party due to allegations of “completely unacceptable behaviour.” The party described the claims as “incredibly serious” and urged anyone with a complaint to report it. News website Politico reported that the MP is accused of subjecting younger colleagues to unwanted sexual attention. Davies denied recognising the allegations and expressed…
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Jane McDonald to host British Soap Awards after Phillip Schofield’s exit
Jane McDonald has been confirmed as the new host for the upcoming British Soap Awards, taking over from Phillip Schofield, who recently stepped down from his ITV roles. The awards ceremony is set to take place this weekend in Salford, Greater Manchester. McDonald, a well-known singer and television presenter, expressed her excitement about hosting the event. Schofield’s departure from ITV…
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Jackpot triumph: Lucky winner pockets 36 million baht from digital lottery ‘E-Wallet’
One lucky winner claimed the first prize of the digital lottery “E-Wallet” and scooped 36 million baht (US$1,000,000) from six tickets. Following the announcement of the government Lottery results today, June 1, the winning ticket numbers for the first prize were 125272, while the three-digit suffix prize numbers were 971 and 386. The two-digit suffix prize numbers were 09. According…
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School defends haircuts policy after social media uproar in Thailand (video)
A Thai school has explained a controversial video showing teachers giving male students haircuts during a boy scout uniform inspection. The school in the northern Phayao province detailed the measures taken and defended the hair-cutting policy following fierce online criticism. The video clip from a school in Phayao stirred up controversy on social media as it portrayed teachers cutting male…
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Scam alert: Thai men charged for deceiving foreigners with false promises to resolve criminal charges
Police charged two Thai men for allegedly deceiving foreigners in Thailand by promising to resolve their criminal charges in exchange for cash. The suspects denied the accusations, arguing that they intended to assist the foreigners. The Deputy Commissioner of the Royal Thai Police (RTP), Torsak Sukvimol, received a tip off that two Thai men claimed to have connections with him…
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Nakhon Ratchasima hosts 11-day grand Vesak celebration with renowned Thai monks
Nakhon Ratchasima province in northeast Thailand is set to hold an 11-day grand event to celebrate Vesak Week, featuring the veneration of holy relics from Sri Lanka, Myanmar, and Thailand. The celebration, starting today, coincides with the 555th anniversary of Nakhon Ratchasima City and will take place at MCC Hall on the third floor of The Mall. Attendees will have…
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Man charged with murder over fatal Wellington hostel fire amid housing crisis
A 48-year-old man has been charged with five counts of murder in connection with a fatal fire at a hostel in Wellington, New Zealand. The man was previously detained and charged with arson following the incident at Loafers Lodge last month. The tragic event has reignited discussions about the nation’s housing crisis, as the hostel provided emergency accommodation for vulnerable…
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Two teens die in Bournemouth beach tragedy, man arrested for manslaughter
Two young individuals, a girl aged 12 and a boy aged 17, tragically lost their lives after being rescued from the sea near Bournemouth beach. Dorset Police stated that there was “no physical contact” between the victims and any vessel in the water at the time of the incident. Authorities continue to investigate the circumstances that led to several swimmers…
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US-Taiwan trade deal signing escalates tensions with China
The United States and Taiwan are preparing to sign a new trade agreement on Thursday, amidst escalating tensions with China. This will be the inaugural deal under the US-Taiwan Initiative on 21st Century Trade framework, which was established last year. The signing is scheduled ahead of a major global security summit in Singapore this weekend, where the strained relationship between…
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Trump admits keeping classified Iran memo after leaving White House
US prosecutors have reportedly obtained an audio recording in which Donald Trump acknowledges retaining a classified document after leaving the White House. The news was first reported by CNN, and sources later confirmed this to the BBC’s US partner, CBS. The justice department is currently investigating Trump’s handling of classified material, which he denies any wrongdoing in. The inquiry is…
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Nurse vanishes after 7-day marriage: Thai soldier plans to file lawsuit
A young Thai lieutenant found his newlywed life turn sour after only seven days of marriage to a nurse he met through a dating app. Having shared their story online, it is now suspected that the man was duped into paying a sizeable dowry. The 28 year old lieutenant, Sutha (surname withheld), has opened up about his short-lived marriage to…
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Thai rubber industry gets 2 billion baht boost to increase global competitiveness
The Thai Finance Ministry has joined forces with the Thai Chamber of Commerce, and the Rubber Authority of Thailand to launch the Capital Flow in Rubber Industrial Estate project, aimed at enhancing the competitiveness of businesses in the rubber supply chain on a global scale. The rubber and rubber product exports amount to over 680 billion baht annually, with more…
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Thailand’s PC market set for 7.9% growth amid business transformation demand
The personal computer (PC) market in Thailand is predicted to expand by 7.9% this year, driven by the increasing demand from businesses seeking digital transformation, according to IDC Thailand’s market analyst. The first quarter of 2023 saw the market contract by 20.3% year-on-year, but it experienced a 12.9% growth quarter-on-quarter due to consumer spending through the government’s “Shop Dee Mee…
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Heartbreaking secret: Chinese couple’s repeated miscarriages unravel wife’s hidden sacrifice
A Chinese couple’s repeated miscarriages raised concerns and worries until the husband discovered that his wife had been secretly taking abortion pills to protect the feelings of her 8 year old stepdaughter, who did not want a new brother or sister. The 30 year old man from Zhenjiang, Hefei, married a woman three years older than him. He faced emotional distress…
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Thailand intensifies efforts to end childhood statelessness
In a seminar held in Bangkok, officials from the Thai Government, civil society organisations, and UN agencies gathered to reinforce their efforts towards ending childhood statelessness in Thailand. The seminar was part of the UNHCR-UNICEF Joint Strategy for Addressing Childhood Statelessness and aimed to evaluate the progress made in the country, identify challenges, and explore solutions for improved collaboration among…
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Thailand targets 3 trillion baht tourism revenue in 2023 with sustainability focus
The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) is optimistic that the country’s tourism industry will achieve a revenue of 3 trillion baht in 2023, equal to the revenue generated in 2019. Tanes Petsuwan, TAT’s deputy governor for Asia and the South Pacific, revealed that the agency is developing new promotional strategies for the next fiscal year and anticipates finalising its proposal…
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