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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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Bangkok International Food Festival 2023 starts today
The Bangkok International Food Festival 2023 starts today (May 26) at centralwOrld shopping plaza and complex. The festival will be held until May 30. The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) aims to further elevate Thailand’s standing as a premier gastronomy tourism destination and provide an immersive experience for tourists. This event, centred around the culinary arts, will showcase Thailand’s vibrant…
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Homeless family of 3 living under bridge in Thailand receives 800,000 baht assistance
A homeless family of three received over 800,000 baht (US$23,000) in donations after living in makeshift housing under a bridge. The homeless father and two teenage daughters have since closed donation channels, promising to use the funds wisely and cautiously. In Phetchaburi province, Thailand, a journalist highlighted the homeless plight of 15 year old Daladit Somboonsri, a student at Bang Ta…
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Devastated mother finds 19 year old daughter dead after fall from building
A 19 year old woman tragically fell to her death from a building in Samut Prakan province, Thailand, leaving her mother and family devastated. The young student’s cause of death remains unclear, while surveillance cameras captured her movement moments before the fatal accident occurred. Returning home from work, the mother discovered a crowd gathered outside their building, only to realise…
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Thailand Post to launch digital mailbox service Prompt Post in Q3
Thailand Post is set to launch Prompt Post, a digital mailbox service, by the third quarter of this year. The move is aimed at capitalising on the growing trend of electronic document handling and supporting the company’s Post Digital mission. Thailand Post‘s chief executive, Dhanant Subhadrabandhu, explained that the company has been actively developing its business to offer comprehensive postal…
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A guide to choosing the best international school for your kids
Moving to another country with your family is exciting, but can be stressful and full of worries. One of those worries could be the very real dilemma of trying to find an international school that fits your children’s needs. Such things as the quality and type of curriculum, classroom size, location, and cost can complicate your international school hunt. However,…
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Pregnant woman brutally attacked by employer, police reluctance sparks outrage
A pregnant woman was brutally assaulted by her employer resulting in severe head injuries and the death of her unborn child in Mae Hong Son, northern Thailand. The police reportedly downplayed the incident and pressured the victim to accept compensation instead of pressing charges. The 31 year old woman named Hom, who worked in a tofu shop in Mae Hong Son,…
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Dead dolphin found on Krabi beach with wound on body
In a sad development for Thailand’s wildlife lovers, a dead dolphin was found washed up on a beach in Thailand’s Krabi province, with a wound on its body. The lifeless body of the dolphin was discovered on the island of Koh Sri Boya in the Nuea Khlong district yesterday morning. A village headman told the Department of Marine and Coastal…
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Singapore at high risk of technical recession amid external challenges
Singapore is facing a heightened risk of entering a technical recession in the second quarter as external challenges continue to impact the economy. The city-state saw a 0.4% decline in the economy during the first quarter compared to the previous three months, marking a reversal from the 0.1% growth in the fourth quarter of 2022. Singapore last experienced a technical…
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Excise Department supports Move Forward Party’s Progressive Liquor Act
The deputy director-general of the Excise Department stated that the department’s liquor policy is in line with the Move Forward Party‘s Progressive Liquor Act. The proposed Act aims to liberalise liquor production, allowing both small and large producers to enter the market. Kriengkrai Pattanaporn explained that the proposal is consistent with the department’s policy, and there would be no objections if…
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Jelly blubbers return to southern Thailand river after 3 years
Jelly blubbers, a kind of jellyfish, have returned to a river in Songkhla province in southern Thailand after disappearing for more than three years. Aerial photos reveal jelly blubbers (Catostylus mosaicus) in their masses floating in the Khlong Bang Rieng River in Bang Riang subdistrict, Khuan Niang district, which locals say is a rare natural phenomenon. Normally, jelly blubbers reside…
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Storm topples trees, causes chaos and flooding in northeastern Thailand
A sudden storm in Chaiyaphum province, in northeastern Thailand, yesterday caused fallen trees to block roads and flooding. Two cars slipped off the road in the darkness, though drivers managed to escape unharmed. Local authorities have been urged to improve lighting in the area to reduce accidents. In various areas of Chaiyaphum province, heavy rain and strong winds led to…
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Thai senator summoned for alleged involvement in attack on monks and residents in Isaan
Police summoned Thai senator Kittisak Rattanawaraha for questioning after it was discovered that he was allegedly involved in an attack on monks and residents in the Isaan province of Phichit last month. On April 6, a group of men wearing all-black came to Bang Klan Temple, also known as Hirunyaram Temple, in the Pho Talay district of Phichit and attacked…
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Singapore maintains 2023 growth forecast amid global economic risks
Singapore‘s Ministry of Trade and Industry (MTI) has announced that it is maintaining its growth forecast for 2023 at 0.5% to 2.5%, with growth expected to be around the mid-point of this range. This comes as the economy experienced a 0.4% year-on-year growth between January and March, primarily due to the manufacturing, wholesale trade, and finance and insurance sectors. The…
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Melissa Caddick’s death mystery unsolved, coroner rules
The mysterious case of conwoman Melissa Caddick, who vanished from her luxurious eastern Sydney home in November 2020, has captivated Australia. Her partially decomposed foot washed up on a beach months later, sparking numerous theories about her fate. Despite a long-running inquest, a coroner ruled on Thursday that the exact circumstances of her death would remain unknown. Melissa Caddick’s life…
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Baht volatility looms amid political risk and new government formation
Kasikornbank (KBank) has warned investors that the formation of a new government and political risk may result in increased baht volatility over the next month. The bank forecasts that the baht will fluctuate between 33.80-35.40 per US dollar during this period due to various internal and external factors. The primary determinant is the direction of the US Federal Reserve’s policy…
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Thailand on track for 10 million tourists despite low season
The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) anticipates that by the end of this month, Thailand will have welcomed 10 million foreign tourists, with at least 2 million visitors per month expected during the low season. TAT Governor Yuthasak Supasorn stated that Thailand has consistently recorded over 50,000 arrivals daily, indicating that the monthly minimum rate of 2 million visitors during…
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Krungsri Auto targets 1/3 EV lending market share amid 203% growth forecast
Krungsri Auto, a leading automotive finance company under the Bank of Ayudhya, is targeting a one-third market share in electric vehicle (EV) lending this year. The firm anticipates a 6% decline in new motorcycle sales, amounting to 1.7 million units, mainly due to a high base effect. Out of these, 30,000 units are expected to be electric motorcycles, an increase…
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Chinese hackers target US critical infrastructure in massive cyber-espionage campaign
Chinese hackers have been spying on a wide range of critical infrastructure organisations in the US, including telecommunications and transportation hubs, according to intelligence agencies and Microsoft. The espionage also targeted the US island territory of Guam, which houses strategically important American military bases. Analysts consider this one of the largest known Chinese cyber-espionage campaigns against American critical infrastructure. Microsoft’s…
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Residents in northern Thailand cash in on rare mushrooms as monsoon season begins
Residents in Phayao province in northern Thailand are reaping the benefits of collecting wild mushrooms known as Hed Torb or Hed Por at the start of the rainy season, after prices rose to 830 baht (US$24) per kilogram. Today, residents and villagers from the Thung Nong and Chiang Muan areas travelled to several forests in the area to take advantage…
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24-hour alcohol ban in key Patong areas during councillor election
A 24-hour alcohol ban is set to take place in key areas of Patong, Phuket, as local residents prepare to vote in a councillor election on June 11. Patong Municipality Election Director Wipa Chanthong confirmed the ban, which will be in effect throughout Patong Municipality Constituency 3 from 6pm on June 10 to 6pm on June 11. Constituency 3 is…
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UN urges Myanmar to allow life-saving aid after deadly Cyclone Mocha
The United Nations has urged Myanmar to allow life-saving aid to reach areas affected by the devastating Cyclone Mocha. UN rights chief Volker Turk called on the country’s military rulers to permit needs assessments and ensure access to essential aid and services. The cyclone brought torrential rain and 195km per hour winds to Myanmar and neighbouring Bangladesh on May 14,…
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Lottery winner accuses granddaughter of stealing jackpot tickets
A 93 year old lottery winner accused her granddaughter of stealing her winning lottery tickets worth 12 million baht. The accused woman denied all allegations. The alleged lottery winner, Jee Chaowangyen, filed a complaint with Nong Prue Police Station in the central province of Kanchanaburi that her granddaughter, 53 year old Saengthong Sri-atcha, stole two winning lottery tickets worth 12…
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Russia warns Kyiv of harsh response to future incursions after Belgorod attack
Russia has issued a stern warning to Kyiv, stating that it will retaliate “extremely” harshly to any future incursions, following a significant attack on Russian soil. This comes after Moscow deployed jets and artillery to repel an armed group that crossed over from Ukraine. Russian Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu addressed military officials, stating that Russia would continue to respond promptly…
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Florida school limits access to Amanda Gorman’s inaugural poem
A Miami-based school has limited access to the poem “The Hill We Climb,” which was recited by Amanda Gorman at President Joe Biden’s inauguration, following a parent’s complaint. Gorman, who was 22 years old at the time, gained widespread recognition after reading her poem to an audience of almost 34 million people on January 21, 2021. Gorman expressed her disappointment…
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Indian man allegedly snatches Thai woman’s iPhone in Krabi
An Indian man allegedly snatched a Thai woman’s iPhone in Krabi‘s resort town of Ao Nang earlier this week. According to Krabi Provincial Police, the suspect allegedly approached the woman at a restaurant to chat with her, before nabbing her iPhone 8 Plus. The victim reported the incident to Ao Nang Police. Officers then used CCTV footage from the restaurant…
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Gold heist foiled: Ex-guard’s fake gun fails to secure glittering loot
A former security guard was arrested for attempting to steal gold worth US$76,600 with a fake gun from a popular gold store in a Bang Khae shopping mall in Bangkok. Police Colonel Ponganun Klaiklueng, together with other officers, arrested the 35 year old suspect, Nitinant, in Nonthaburi. The man was found in possession of 71 baht of gold, valued at approximately US$76,600,…
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‘8 or 9’ people in Thailand bought cyanide to commit suicide, Big Joke says
As Thai police find more potential victims of Thailand’s notorious cyanide serial killer, an investigation reveals that more than 100 factories are suspected of illegally selling cyanide for misuse. “Eight or nine people” bought cyanide to commit suicide, deputy police chief Surachate “Big Joke” Hakparn said yesterday. At 4.30pm, Big Joke met with the Deputy Director-General of the Department of…
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Pattaya steps up sterilisation efforts with stray dogs
Thailand’s eastern city of Pattaya is stepping up its sterilisation efforts with stray dogs roaming the city’s streets and beaches. Pattaya Mayor Poramet Ngampichet deployed teams of veterinarians and environmental health experts from the Department of Public Health and Environment, Pattaya Mail reported yesterday. These teams have been assigned to clean the beaches regularly and implement regular sterilisation programmes within…
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Man’s body found in canal near abandoned car in central Thailand
A 60 year old man’s body was discovered in a canal next to his car under a flyover in Pathum Thani-Lat Lum Kaeo Road near Lat Lum Kaeo district in central Thailand. The deceased, who had a history of high blood pressure, worked for a company that employed GPS tracking in its vehicles. The incident took place near a silver…
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Mysterious disappearance of Thai monk stirs fears of foul play
A Thai monk disappeared from a temple in the Isaan province of Loei to go on a pilgrimage and hasn’t been seen for over a month. The mother of the 40 year old monk, Sarawut “Yod” Larbpho, believes that her son has been murdered. She is convinced after the soul of her monk son possessed her body to tell the story.…
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