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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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Phra Ratchawacharangsi, renowned Thai monk, dies at 89 after lifetime of devotion
Thai monk and respected author Phra Ratchawacharangsi, known for creating the sacred book “Man Pithi”, has passed away peacefully at the age of 89 after 69 years of religious service. The revered figure succumbed to his illness yesterday at Bangkok Hospital. The news of Phra Ratchawacharangsi’s passing was shared on the Facebook page of Buddhist News, with followers and fellow…
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Driver arrested for smuggling 13 illegal Myanmar migrants in Songkhla
A driver has been arrested for the fourth time in Songkhla for smuggling illegal migrants from Myanmar into Thailand. The driver, Aphiwatthana, was apprehended along with the 13 migrants he was transporting in his sport utility vehicle. The arrest took place at the Khuha intersection in the Rattaphum district, following a police pursuit along a highway. Upon questioning, the 46 year…
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Heavy rain continues with flash flood warnings, residents urged to stay cautious
The Thai Meteorological Department issued a warning regarding continuous rainfall and possible flash floods, urging residents to stay cautious. The monsoon winds have caused heavy rainfall in various regions, with the eastern and western coastal areas facing a greater risk of flash floods and forest runoff. The report states that the monsoon troughs passing through the low-pressure area near Myanmar’s coastline,…
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Umno president backs non-Muslims in key government roles, slams PAS leader
Umno president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi has defended the inclusion of non-Muslims in key government positions, in response to remarks made by PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang. Hamidi emphasised that Umno, part of the Barisan Nasional (BN) coalition, has always upheld Malaysia’s multicultural harmony, as it is an Islamic obligation. “Taking ‘ibrah’ or lessons from the event and in accordance with…
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Jailed ex-PM Najib Razak backs Anwar Ibrahim-led government, says Umno president
Umno president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi has confirmed that former Prime Minister Najib Razak, who is currently imprisoned, supports the administration led by current Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim. Zahid, who also serves as deputy prime minister, called for justice for the convicted former leader while Anwar was present at the Dewan Merdeka event. “Even our former leader who is now behind…
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Malaysian independence fighter Lim Kean Chye dies aged 103
Malaysian independence activist Lim Kean Chye passed away at his home late Wednesday evening at the age of 103, according to his family. Lim was a founding member of the Malayan Democratic Union, which fought for the independence of Malaya and Singapore from British colonial rule. A Cambridge-educated lawyer, Lim played a significant role in left-wing politics and was part…
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Tragic inferno: Man locks daughter-in-law in cottage, sets fire to it, results in her death
Police arrested a 60 year old Thai man after he locked his daughter-in-law in a small cottage and set fire to the property, resulting in her death. The murder was motivated by a series of disputes between the alleged alcoholic and the victim. Officers from the Mueng Nakhon Si Thammarat Police Station, who were notified about the murder, rushed to…
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Trump indicted over mishandling classified documents at Florida estate
The legal troubles of former US President Donald Trump have intensified as he now faces federal indictment charges for mishandling classified documents at his Florida estate, Mar-a-Lago. This development comes on the heels of his New York indictment, where he was charged with 34 felony counts of falsifying business records. Trump revealed on his social media platform, Truth Social, that…
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UK hosts global AI summit, deepens economic ties with US
The Prime Minister returns from Washington having made progress on two key objectives: fostering global cooperation on artificial intelligence (AI) risks and strengthening economic ties with the UK’s largest trading partner. The announcement of the first global AI summit in London is viewed as a victory, as it marks the beginning of a larger effort to establish a global AI…
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Hong Kong’s legal ambiguity risks eroding foreign business confidence
Hong Kong’s legal ambiguity surrounding the June 4 anniversary of the 1989 Tiananmen Square crackdown has raised concerns among the city’s foreign business community. The government’s unwillingness to clarify the legal status of the commemorations, which are now deemed illegal under the Beijing-imposed national security law (NSL), is causing unease among companies who have long valued the British-inherited legal system…
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US and Cuba dismiss claims of China’s multi-billion dollar spy base plan
Multiple government sources in the Caribbean and the United States have dismissed a Wall Street Journal report claiming Beijing planned to establish a spy base in Cuba. The New York-based newspaper cited an alleged “secret agreement” for China to set up an electronic eavesdropping facility on the island, enabling it to intercept emails, phone calls, and other data from the…
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Zelenskyy visits flood-hit Ukraine; warns of mines, chemicals, disease risks
As the aftermath of the Nova Kakhovka dam breach unfolds, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy visited the flooded regions, expressing concern over the dangers posed by floating mines, hazardous chemicals, and the potential spread of disease. Zelenskyy reported witnessing dead bodies floating in the water, a consequence of the Soviet-era dam’s collapse. Oleksandr Prokudin, the regional governor, stated that flooding from…
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Ukrainian forces target Zaporizhzhia in counter-offensive, heavy fighting reported
Heavy fighting continues in Ukraine’s southern Zaporizhzhia region, with Ukrainian troops, supported by tanks, artillery, and drones, attempting to advance south of the town of Orikhiv for a second consecutive night. Military experts believe that the focus of Ukraine’s counter-offensive will be on regaining access to the Sea of Azov and dividing the Russian forces in the region to weaken…
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Tesco reported to regulator over unclear pricing amid cost of living crisis
Tesco, the UK’s largest supermarket chain, has been reported to the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) by consumer group Which? over concerns regarding unclear pricing on the majority of its food and drink promotions. The complaint comes as the CMA investigates whether supermarkets are making excessive profits through inflated prices amid the ongoing cost of living crisis. Which? accuses Tesco…
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Anwar Ibrahim returns as guest of honour at Umno’s 2023 Assembly
Twenty-five years after his dismissal from Umno, Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim made a triumphant return to Dewan Merdeka as the guest of honour at the party’s 2023 Annual General Assembly. Dressed in a blue traditional baju melayu, Anwar stood out among the sea of Umno delegates clad in red, as he marched alongside his deputies Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, the Umno…
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Perlis halts new gaming licences, discusses fate of existing outlets
Perlis, a state in Malaysia, has decided not to issue new operating licences to gaming and lottery companies, with a discussion scheduled next week to determine if the six existing outlets can continue operations. Perlis Menteri Besar Mohd Shukri Ramli announced the decision, stating that the matter will be brought to the Perlis state executive council (exco) meeting for further…
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Phuket’s diarrhoea disaster: An unpleasant dose hits over 70 students and residents
More than 70 students and residents across Phuket fell victim to an unpleasant dose of diarrhoea yesterday. The Phuket Provincial Public Heath Office suspects the cause of this distressing episode could be attributed to the drinking of contaminated drinking water and ice procured from nearby factories. It is believed that a stomach bug, possibly the notorious norovirus, managed to infiltrate…
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Man hallucinates after drug use, raids neighbour’s home causing fear and chaos
Yesterday, police in Kabin Buri, Prachinburi province were alerted to an incident involving a 50 year old man causing chaos in a neighbour’s home. The man, identified as Kla, displayed signs of drug-induced hallucinations and continually verbally abused residents, prompting police intervention. Kla was eventually taken for treatment at a local hospital. Kabin Buri police responded to a call from…
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Bangkok condos face decline as Gen Z opts for renting, shifting focus to Gen Y
Bangkok and its surrounding provinces are experiencing a decline in condominium transfers as the younger generation, Gen Z, is opting to rent rather than purchase properties. The ttb analytics centre predicts a 12.5% drop in transfers this year. Experts advise developers to attract Gen Y buyers with high financial readiness. In their recent analysis, ttb analytics pointed out that condo…
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Imposter monk scams temples, steals over 20 robes worth 20,000 baht
A man disguised as a monk stole over 20 Buddhist monks’ robes worth 20,000 baht from Chong Lom temple in Samut Sakhon province yesterday. The imposter claimed to be the abbot of the temple and loaded the stolen items into a white Isuzu D-Max pick-up truck with Bangkok registration, as captured on CCTV. Yesterday, a man dressed as a monk…
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Thailand’s DLT combats illegal driving license sales exposed by MP on Facebook
Thailand‘s Department of Land Transport (DLT) is taking action against individuals selling driver’s licenses illegally, following a Move Forward Party MP’s exposé on the matter. MP-elect Wiroj Lakkhanaadisorn discovered several people advertising online services to provide driver’s licenses without requiring the driving test and posted screenshots of customers who had received valid DLT-certified licenses despite not taking the test. Wiroj expressed concerns…
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Lorry driver dozes off and crashes into car, female passenger killed
A lorry crashed into a passenger vehicle on Prasert Manukitch Road in Bangkok, resulting in the tragic death of a woman who was flung five metres from the car. The accident occurred in the early hours of the morning, with investigations revealing that both drivers experienced bouts of drowsiness. At around 5.45am this morning, Tai Sawangjit, Deputy Inspector at the…
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Teenager and his father plot murder of another teenager in northern Thailand
A teenager and his father conspired to murder a teenage rival on a road in the central province of Uthai Thani, northern Thailand on Wednesday night. The alleged murderers surrendered themselves to the police yesterday. A 16 year old friend of the victim alerted officers at Lan Sak Police Station at 11.50pm on Wednesday, June 7 after his 14 year…
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Woman feigns insanity to avoid restaurant bill, takes shower on premises (video)
A woman dined at a Thai barbecue restaurant, left without paying and feigned insanity. After finishing her meal, she claimed to be waiting for a friend, but ultimately entered the bathroom and took a shower before leaving the establishment without paying the bill. Yesterday, a Facebook user named Thotsaphon, the 33 year old owner of the barbecue restaurant, posted images…
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90% Thai employees seek new jobs despite bleak economy
A significant majority of Thai workers are open to exploring new job opportunities despite an uncertain global economic climate, a recent study by recruitment firm Michael Page has found. The Talent Trends report, which surveyed 942 individuals in Thailand, revealed that over half of the respondents are actively seeking or planning to find new employment within the next six months.…
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Nurse scams lovestruck man out of 100,000 baht, taunts him to sue for refunds
A heartbroken man from Sisaket in northeastern Thailand warned others to be vigilant after falling prey to a deceptive nurse he met on an online dating app. Despite his genuine love and financial support, he was duped, losing over 100,000 baht (US$2,888). Yesterday, Sek, a storekeeper, shared his heart-wrenching experience. In late October 2022, he met a nurse through a…
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Groom attends bride’s wedding twice, first as guest then as husband
In a twist of fate, a Vietnamese couple married after initially meeting at the bride’s first wedding when the groom attended as a guest. Seven years later, they found themselves tying the knot once more, but this time as bride and groom. No one can predict the future or determine whom they will marry or spend their life with. However,…
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FTI seeks Chinese investment boost in Thai EV, food, and healthcare sectors
The Federation of Thai Industries (FTI) is seeking to boost Chinese investment in Thailand, focusing on the electric vehicle (EV), food, and healthcare sectors, through increased business collaboration with Beijing. Kriengkrai Thiennukul, chairman of the FTI, recently met with the Chinese ambassador to Thailand, Han Zhiqiang, to discuss potential investment opportunities. Kriengkrai envisions Thailand as a production base for Chinese…
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Watchdog warns public trust in police at all-time low, urges neighbourhood policing
The police watchdog has issued a warning that public trust in the police has reached an all-time low, and urgent action is needed to restore it. Chief constables have been advised to focus on crimes that matter most to the public, ensure proper investigations, and reinstate the policy of neighbourhood policing. His Majesty’s Chief Inspector of Constabulary, Andy Cooke, is…
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Umno deputy backs Youth’s demand for DAP apology in alliance row
Umno deputy president Mohamad Hasan has expressed support for Umno Youth’s demand that the Democratic Action Party (DAP) apologise for past criticisms of the party. This controversial stance appears to contradict that of Umno’s president. Hasan, also known as Tok Mat, believes that the proposal made by Umno Youth is a good one and that an apology would be a…
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