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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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Chinese tour minibus crashes in northern Thailand, 8 injured
A minibus carrying 30 Chinese tourists overturned in Chiang Rai province in northern Thailand on Monday. Eight people were injured in the crash. Officers from Mae Chan Police Station were informed that a minibus lost control and crashed on the Mae Chan-Fang Road in Ban Thung Thang, Pa Tueng subdistrict, Mae Chan district. Police rushed to the scene with Highway…
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Kerry Express partners with All Speedy to expand services into 7-Eleven branches in Thailand
Kerry Express (KEX), a leading express delivery provider in Thailand, has announced a partnership with All Speedy Co, a subsidiary of CP All, to extend its services to 7-Eleven branches across the country. Through this collaboration with All Speedy, Kerry Express is set to broaden its network of service points, offering services from as little as 19 baht and providing…
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US takes down Russian FSB’s sophisticated global malware network
The US Justice Department announced yesterday that it had successfully dismantled a “sophisticated” malware network, known as “Snake” or “Uroburos”, that had been utilized by Russia’s FSB intelligence agency for two decades. This highly advanced cyber-espionage tool allowed the FSB to secretly spy on target computer systems in 50 countries, focusing on government networks, research facilities, journalists, and other high-value…
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In memory of Arman Soldin, an AFP journalist who witnessed Ukraine’s war
As a testament to Arman Soldin’s dedication to journalism, one only needs to view his recent coverage for AFP from the embattled Ukrainian city of Bakhmut. With Russian forces progressively tightening their grip from the north, south, and east, Bakhmut appeared to be on the brink of collapse. Despite the risks, Arman braved the dangers to document the military conflict…
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TAT anticipates Chinese tourist arrivals to reach 1 million per month in October
The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) anticipates that Chinese tourists could reach one million arrivals per month by October, similar to figures from 2019. An increase in flight capacity during the high season and resolving e-visa issues are factors expected to contribute to this growth. Chuwit Sirivejkul, TAT’s Regional Director of Marketing for East Asia, expressed confidence that Chinese tourist…
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Pig farmers raise a stink outside Government House, demanding to ham-mer out solutions against pork smuggling
An estimated 1,000 pig farmers gathered outside Government House yesterday, demanding action against the smuggling of foreign pork and the high cost of feed. They claim both issues are driving up pork prices and threatening the livelihood of local farmers. The group’s representatives submitted their complaint to Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha, stating that both problems are causing serious harm to…
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Intimidation tactics by Erdogan supporters in Germany ahead of Turkey’s crucial election
Supporters of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in Germany have been accused of attempting to intimidate voters ahead of the country’s crucial election. Politicians and voters have reported instances of harassment, particularly directed toward those perceived as anti-Erdogan. In Neukoelln district, Berlin, a local chapter of the opposition CHP party arranged for buses to transport voters across the city to…
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Former Coinbase product manager sentenced in first cryptocurrency insider trading case
In a landmark legal decision, a former Coinbase Global Inc. product manager has been sentenced to two years in prison in what is being deemed the United State’s first case of insider trading involving cryptocurrency. Ishan Wahi, 32 years old, received his sentence from US District Judge Loretta Preska in a Manhattan federal court yesterday after pleading guilty to two…
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Sex offender confesses to murdering Thai-British teenager, girlfriend still missing
A man formerly imprisoned for sex crimes has confessed to murdering the Thai-British teenager who was found dead in the woods of Lampang province, northern Thailand, on Sunday. The police are still searching for the deceased’s missing girlfriend. Police arrested a 44 year old Thai man named Chaiwat Boonkarin under suspicion of murder and concealing a corpse on Monday. Initially,…
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Police attacked while investigating voter fraud, former MP involved
Four to five men attacked a police officer when the officer was investigating voter fraud in a community in the central province of Ratchaburi. The former Member of Parliament (MP) to Ratchaburi from Palang Pracharath Party, Pareena “Ae” Kraikupt, defended the attackers. The officer, identified as Jaruphat Khakaew, suffered neck and knee injuries and had his gun stolen during the…
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Transwoman attacked by pub guard in southern Thailand
A transwoman filed a complaint against a guard who attacked her at a pub in the Hat Yai district of Song Khla province in southern Thailand. The suspect said she was out of control while she was dancing while the victim insisted, she did not annoy any other partygoers with her moves. The 19 year old transwoman, Arwut, also known…
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New Phuket project sees 100 sterilised monkeys released into forest
Phuket wildlife officials sterilised around 100 monkeys and released them back to their natural habitat in the forest, to control the birth rate of monkeys and address problems that monkeys have caused locals and tourists. The monkey sterilisation project aims to reduce the number of monkeys in Phuket, as well as prevent the spread of diseases that can be transmitted…
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Royal Thai Army officer shoots dead junior soldier over alleged theft
A senior Royal Thai Army (RTA) officer shot dead a junior officer whom he suspected of stealing belongings from his residence in the central province of Lob Buri. The victim, 69 year old Sub Lieutenant Theerapong Ngernpan, was found dead near his house with gunshot wounds to his neck and left eye. An investigation by officers from the Mueng Lob…
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Biden meets Republican leaders in bid to resolve US debt limit impasse
A significant meeting took place between President Joe Biden and Republican leaders yesterday, with the hope of breaking the deadlock over the US debt limit, which could have repercussions in the upcoming presidential election. The key gathering had President Biden, House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, and Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell discussing the national debt ceiling, which currently stands at US$31.4…
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ISS backs ValueAct’s boardroom challenge at Seven & i Holdings
A leading proxy advisory firm, Institutional Shareholder Services (ISS), has supported ValueAct Capital‘s bid to secure positions for its four director nominees on the board of Japanese convenience store operator Seven & i Holdings. ValueAct, which owns 4.4% of Seven & i, has been particularly critical of the company’s conglomerate structure and has recently increased pressure further by publicly demanding…
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Thai woman accuses police officer in Lampang of embezzling 75,000 baht
A Thai woman recently filed a complaint with the Damrong Dharma Centre, alleging that a police officer at a Mueang Lampang Police Station in the northern province of Lampang had embezzled 75,000 baht from her. The woman, Auttaporn, claims that she was charged with buying some stolen property in 2021 and was released on bail for 75,000 baht. After the…
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Thailand’s struggle with high household debt and political promises
Kavita Wongyakasem, a 48-year-old business owner in Bangkok, struggles daily to keep her household afloat. Running a company that provides services for a major energy firm, she owns a house in Nonthaburi, drives a pickup truck, and sends her two daughters to good schools. But beneath the surface, she is eight million baht in debt and lacks any cash savings.…
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Arrested ‘New Pakaphum’ caught attempting suicide in cells at police station in Sa Kaeo province
New Pakpoom, a close associate of drug lord Sua, was apprehended yesterday just before crossing the night and later attempted to commit suicide by hanging himself in his cell at Klong Luek Police Station, Sa Kaeo Province. Today, Atchariya Reuangratanapong, the President of Crime Victims Assistance Club brought a 25-year-old female victim and the family of a 25-year-old deceased male…
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Philip Wall Morris leads Rotary Club Pattaya International as President
Respected philanthropist Philip Wall Morris has been unanimously chosen by the members of the Rotary Club Pattaya International as their Club President for the remainder of the 2022-23 Rotary year and beyond. Philip initially joined the Rotary Club of Jomtien-Pattaya in 2004 and held various positions over the years, dedicating his time and resources to humanitarian projects for the underprivileged…
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Chinese tourist arrivals in Thailand set to hit pre-pandemic levels
The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) has announced that Chinese tourist arrivals are set to reach one million a month starting from October, a figure last witnessed prior to the pandemic. The increase in travel is likely to gain momentum during winter and long national holidays. TAT has observed a rise in advanced hotel bookings and chartered flight requests, indicating…
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Scoot flight horror: Technical fault sparks panic among passengers on Singapore to Bangkok route
Passengers on a Scoot flight from Singapore to Bangkok feared for their lives when a technical fault caused the aircraft to catch fire yesterday afternoon. Pictures taken by a passenger on the TR605 flight showed a plume-filled cabin. The Airbus A321 departed Bangkok at 3.56pm and was due to arrive in Singapore at 7.15pm. As a result of the technical…
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Canada expels Chinese diplomat accused of bullying Canadian lawmaker, Beijing hits back
China refuted allegations that one of its diplomats in Canada had engaged in threatening, intimidating, and bullying behaviour toward a Canadian opposition legislator and interfering in the country’s internal affairs. Foreign Minister Melanie Joly announced yesterday that the Canadian government had declared Zhao Wei as “persona non grata” and ordered him to leave the country immediately, despite Beijing’s denials. She…
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SAIC Motor begins construction of new energy industrial park in Thailand
Chinese car manufacturer SAIC Motor has commenced construction on a new energy industrial park in Thailand, focusing primarily on localised production of vital automotive components for the company’s new energy vehicles (NEVs). SAIC has announced the park’s Phase I construction is projected to wrap up this year, while the park’s full completion is expected by 2025. Situated in Chonburi province,…
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Pattaya’s real estate market soars thanks to Chinese and Russian buyers
Real estate in Pattaya, eastern Thailand, is being snapped up like hotcakes thanks to Russian and Chinese buyers, according to leading real estate developer Habitat Group Co. Ltd. Chief Executive Officer of Habitat Group Chanin Vanichwong revealed today that demand for real estate in Pattaya from both Thai and foreign customers is continually growing, reports Thansettakij. Demand from the foreign…
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Thai citizens swarm truck shop owner’s son’s ordination for chance to win over US$11,000
Crowds of Thai citizens gathered at the ordination ceremony of a prominent truck body shop owner’s son, hoping to win a cash prize exceeding US$11,000 (372,000 baht). Naka, short for Warapol Pensri, is 20 years old and the son of a major truck body shop business in Thailand. The ordination ceremony took place at their residence, followed by a traditional…
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Ukrainian man arrested for working illegally on Thai island
Royal Thai Immigration Police arrested a Ukrainian man on Thursday after he was allegedly discovered working illegally for a motorbike rental company on Koh Pah Ngan island in Surat Thani province in southern Thailand. Surat Thani Immigration revealed on Sunday that they arrested an unnamed 45 year old man from Ukraine on Thursday – the same day as the Full…
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Indonesia’s president condemns attack on ASEAN officials in Myanmar
Indonesia‘s President Joko Widodo, today, condemned an attack in Myanmar on ASEAN officials delivering humanitarian aid but did not provide further details of the occurrence. Myanmar’s shadow National Unity Government, allied with the anti-junta militias, the People’s Defence Forces (PDF), stated that it was not aware of any attack. The PDF in Taunggyi District, Shan State, where the attack reportedly…
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Asia-Pacific cyber-attack risks in line with global trends but high attack expectations remain for 2023
Cyber-attack risks in the Asia-Pacific region decreased to a moderate level last year, mirroring the global trend, yet a recent survey found that 78% of organisations worldwide anticipate successful attacks occurring in 2023. Jon Clay, 42 years old, vice-president of threat intelligence at multinational cybersecurity software company Trend Micro, stated that the global cyber-risk index (CRI) shifted into positive territory…
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Voyeur captures Chinese students having sex behind a lorry in Wenzhou
Two Chinese students having sex behind a lorry was snapped by an opportunist voyeur in Wenzhou, a city in the southeastern province of Zhejiang, in the People’s Republic of China. Unsurprisingly, the video clip and snaps went viral on social media. The Chinese students, taking advantage of what they believed to be a hidden corner next to a lorry, thought…
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Bank of Thailand predicted to raise policy rate to 2% this month
Economists anticipate that the Bank of Thailand will raise its policy rate to a terminal level of 2% this month, following their estimation that the Federal Reserve’s funds rate has reached its peak. The research centre of TMBThanachart Bank (ttb) suggests that the central bank’s Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) will increase the policy benchmark rate by 0.25 percentage points during…
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