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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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9 most common health issues covered by insurance for expats in Thailand
Thailand is a popular destination for expats due to its affordable lifestyle and excellent healthcare system. However, settling in a new country often brings health concerns. To ensure you’re covered for the most common medical needs, understanding what expat health...
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Cyclone Mocha brings storm surge to western Myanmar and southeastern Bangladesh
Cyclone Mocha swept through Myanmar and southeastern Bangladesh yesterday, causing storm surges in western Myanmar, despite sparing large refugee camps. The cyclone made landfall between Bangladesh’s Cox’s Bazar and Sittwe in Myanmar, with winds reaching up to 195kph in the most significant storm to hit the Bay of Bengal in over ten years. Although communications with Sittwe were mostly cut…
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Thailand General Election shows opposition parties in the lead
Preliminary results of Thailand’s General Election revealed that the majority of voters support the opposition parties Move Forward and Pheu Thai to lead the country, potentially ending nearly nine years of pro-military rule under incumbent Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha. Data from the Election Commission of Thailand displayed a strong lead for both parties, with 114 and 111 constituency seats respectively.…
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MFP predicted to form coalition government with Pheu Thai
Academics predict that the Move Forward Party (MFP) is likely to form a government coalition with the Pheu Thai Party and other smaller parties following the recent Thai election. Their assessment comes after the Election Commission (EC) began counting votes when polling stations closed. As the counting continued, MFP led in both the constituency and party-list races, followed by Pheu…
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Turkey’s earthquake impact on presidential election
In the southern Turkish city of Antakya, residents feel that it’s time for change as they prepare to vote in yesterday’s election. Ravaged by a 7.8 magnitude earthquake in February, Antakya has experienced significant devastation, which many believe will be a deciding factor in the polls. The crisis has soured the opinions of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, potentially ending his…
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Biden optimistic about avoiding US debt default despite impasse with Republicans
Tensions continue to rise over the US debt limit, with President Joe Biden expressing optimism about reaching an agreement with Republican counterparts while acknowledging that no deal has been struck yet. The ongoing deadlock has raised the spectre of a first-ever US default, which could bring potentially disastrous consequences, including a possible recession and global financial contagion. Republicans in Congress…
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Machine anxiety: How to reduce confusion and fear about AI technology
In the 19th century, computing pioneer Ada Lovelace wrote that a machine can only “do whatever we know how to order it to perform”, little knowing that by 2023, AI technology such as chatbot ChatGPT would be holding conversations, solving riddles, and even passing legal and medical exams. The result of this development is eliciting both excitement and concern about…
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Former ByteDance executive sues company for wrongful dismissal over alleged culture of lawlessness
A former high-ranking executive at ByteDance, the Chinese firm behind the immensely popular TikTok platform, has filed a lawsuit against the company, charging it with wrongful dismissal. According to Yintao Yu’s testimony, he was terminated from his position for exposing what he describes as the company’s “culture of lawlessness.” The legal action in the San Francisco court comes when political…
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Cambodian runner’s determination at SEA Games captures hearts (video)
Phnom Penh witnessed the rise of a new local hero, Bou Samnang. The 20 year old Cambodian runner gained fame during the Southeast Asian (SEA) Games, particularly for her performance in the 5,000-metre event. Despite finishing last, her determination to complete the race in heavy rain endeared her to the nation, and she even received praise from Prime Minister Hun…
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French suspect arrested for theft, and Burmese suspect for human trafficking in Phetchaburi
In two separate incidents in Thailand’s central Phetchaburi province, police apprehended a French suspect for alleged theft, and a Burmese suspect for alleged human trafficking. Both arrests took place yesterday. Phetchaburi Police arrested Patrick, a French suspect, at his residence in Phetchaburi on suspicion of theft against a Belgian man named Laffel C. Patrick allegedly stole Laffel’s backpack, which contained…
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Bangkok voting area with large army presence sees crowding and long qeues
Army members flocked to vote at Bangkok‘s Dusit district polling station, while the public complained about long queues and inadequate facilities for over 6,500 people. The atmosphere at the voting site Health Service Centre 38 was bustling and hectic since the polls opened today at 8am. This location, with eight polling stations, has a total of 6,506 eligible voters, with…
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Imran Khan calls for nationwide ‘freedom’ protests after arrest in Pakistan
Imran Khan, the former prime minister of Pakistan, has called for nationwide “freedom” protests today after last week’s unrest following his brief arrest and detention. The former cricket star, who has faced numerous legal cases since his removal from office in April last year, was released on bail on Friday when the Supreme Court declared his detention unlawful, AFP reported.…
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Phuket governor casts first vote in General Election
Phuket Governor Narong Woonciew kicked off the General Election process on the island by casting the first vote at the Phuket Auditorium in Phuket Town today. The Phuket Auditorium, located at the government administration centre on Tha Kraeng Road, is one of 22 polling stations established throughout the Talad Yai sub-district of Phuket Town. Candidates are vying for Constituency 1…
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Thai student gives birth and hides baby on fire escape
A 19 year old Thai student left her newborn baby on a fire escape after giving birth, having kept her pregnancy a secret from friends and family. Her 19 year old boyfriend found out only after discovering the baby on the fire escape. This morning police in the city of Pak Kret in Nonthaburi province received reports from concerned citizens…
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Thai teen faces extended stay in juvenile facility due to royal defamation charge
A Thai teen is facing an extended stay in a juvenile facility due to a royal defamation charge. The Central Juvenile and Family Court has become involved in the case involving a 15 year old girl who has been held in a juvenile facility for over 40 days. The court said yesterday that the girl’s mother neglected to attend her…
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Thai police keep an eye on vote-buying in competitive provinces
Thai police are keeping a vigilant eye on incidents of vote-buying today, following allegations of election law malpractices in three intensely competitive provinces. After a meeting with election officials, National Police Chief Police General Damrongsak Kittiprapas confirmed yesterday the arrest of a man in the northeast Bueng Kan province, under the suspicion of vote-buying. Evidence collected during the arrest included…
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Free shuttle bus services to ease Bangkok traffic on school routes
School routes in Bangkok might soon see a bit less traffic. The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) is set to offer free shuttle bus services connecting Samsen Road to various areas in Thon Buri to alleviate traffic congestion when schools reopen tomorrow. Bangkok Governor Chadchart Sittipunt spoke after a trial run, stating that the shuttle bus services will help mitigate heavy traffic…
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Thaiger Top Shelf: Best dispensaries in town (Video)
With its captivating culture and mouth-watering cuisine, Bangkok has long been known as an attractive destination for travellers seeking a one-of-a-kind adventure. And now, with the flourishing cannabis industry, the capital of Thailand has also transformed into a hotbed for cannabis enthusiasts eager to find the best dispensary spots in the country. From the bustling streets of Sukhumvit to the…
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Intimidation by armed men against anti-cannabis rally in Bangkok
Former politician Chuwit Kamolvisit led a team to file a complaint after being threatened by a group of men with guns during an anti-cannabis rally in Bangkok. The 61 year old claimed that some wore logo shirts of the Thai Pride Party (Bhumjaithai Party), with live broadcast footage as evidence. Chuwit led his team to file a complaint at Phaya…
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Body of missing teen found buried in northern Thailand forest
UPDATE #2 The body of 16 year old “Ping Pong” was found buried in the forest in Lampang province, northern Thailand, this morning after a week-long search. Ping Pong went missing on Saturday, May 6, after she did not return from a motorbike ride with 17 year old Woramet “Ben” Taota, a dual Thai-British national, whose body was found in the…
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Drunk driving incident kills Phuket motorbike rider
A drunk driving incident killed a Phuket motorbike rider this morning. A 48 year old Phuket passenger van driver has been charged with drink driving causing death following a collision with a motorbike in Samkong, resulting in the death of the 54 year old motorbike rider. The incident occurred at around 6am when the van, travelling at a high speed,…
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Bride chains groom’s wrists to make him attend wedding
A bizarre incident involving a bride and groom caught the attention of a large crowd in Xian, China. The bride, dressed in her wedding gown, was seen attempting to pull a chain wrapped around the bound wrists of her would-be groom, who was lying on the floor, trying to hold onto the chain, and refusing to be dragged away. The…
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Pheu Thai Party candidates launch campaign caravan at Democracy Monument
Today at 9.30am, the Pheu Thai Party began its campaign at the Democracy Monument in Bangkok. Led by 35 year old Patongthan Shinawatra, and Sathorn Taweewon, they were joined by 33 Bangkok constituency candidates. Patongthan and Sathorn waved flags and released a car caravan as a symbol of their commitment to Thailand’s democracy. The Pheu Thai Party’s caravan procession was…
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Two arrested for human trafficking in karaoke bar raid in northeast Thailand
Two individuals were arrested and charged with human trafficking following a raid on a karaoke bar in Warin Chamrap district of the northeast Ubon Ratchathani province last night. A police team from the Anti-Trafficking in Persons Division (ATPD) apprehended the 63 year old owner of the karaoke bar on Pathumtheppakdi Road, named Somporn. They also arrested the bar manager, 45…
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Pattaya’s transgender thieves target Indian men in separate incidents
An age-old legend has once again repeated itself. In Pattaya, two Indian men separately reported thefts by transgender individuals on the same night. In both incidents, the thieves ripped gold necklaces off the victims’ necks. The first incident took place when 34 year old Nagasesha Reddy Neeruganti was walking along Pattaya Beach with friends near Soi 13. A transgender person…
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Thai tourism rebound evident with surge in new business registrations
Thailand’s tourism sector has witnessed a strong rebound, as evidenced by the significant surge in new registrations for tourism-related businesses during the initial four months of this year. The Ministry of Commerce revealed yesterday that the number of new tourism-related business registrations had doubled year-on-year, reaching 2,579 in the first four months, with a total registered capital increase of 135%…
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Marine Department official allegedly smuggled Chinese nationals into Thailand
A Marine Department official allegedly smuggled eight Chinese nationals into Thailand. Police arrested the official in Chiang Rai last night. A joint patrol led by the Deputy Chief of Chiang Saen Police Station, Kittiphum Kanjini, and Sub-Lt Vathit Thampradit of the navy’s Mekong Riverine Unit, discovered a suspicious vehicle near the Ban Sob Kok community in Chiang Rai’s Chiang Saen…
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Thai Airways anticipates 130 billion baht revenue this year
Thailand’s flagship carrier, Thai Airways (THAI) is optimistic about its revenue this year. Thai Airways is anticipated to accumulate at least 130 billion baht in revenue this year after its net profit in the first quarter reached 12.5 billion baht. THAI CEO Chai Eamsiri announced yesterday that the airline is projected to complete its financial rehabilitation in 2025 as planned,…
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FazWaz’s successful Agent Recruitment Event in Phuket paves way for Koh Samui
Thailand’s leading real estate company, FazWaz, held a successful Agent Recruitment Event on Friday, May 5, 2023, at Four Points by Sheraton at Patong Beach. The event aimed to give interested agents an in-depth understanding of FazWaz and the advantages of working with the esteemed firm. The recruitment event included informative presentations, speed interviews, and an engaging networking session. Aspiring…
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Israel launches further strikes on Gaza as truce efforts continue
Violence intensified between Israel and Gaza as Israel’s military launched additional strikes on Friday, in response to rockets fired by militants on the fourth day of conflict. The fighting has resulted in the deaths of dozens of Palestinians, as well as one Israeli civilian reports Bangkok Post. Egypt’s ongoing efforts to lead truce negotiations offer some hope, as initial talks…
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Ladyboy steals 10,000 baht from Israeli tourist’s pocket in Bangkok
A ladyboy was arrested for stealing 10,700 baht from an Israeli tourist on Sukhumvit Soi 4 in Bangkok, Thailand, on Monday night. A 63 year old man of Israeli nationality travelled to Lumpini Police Station late on Monday night to report that a ladyboy stole 10,700 baht from his pocket as she hugged him. The victim managed to snap a…
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