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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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Singapore increases COE quota for categories A and B cars to reduce supply volatility
Singapore’s Land Transport Authority (LTA) has announced that it will increase the Certificates of Entitlement (COE) quota for cars in categories A and B as a one-time adjustment to reduce supply volatility. The quota will rise from 9,575 to 10,431 for the current quarter, with Category A increasing by 24% and Category B increasing by 15%. The LTA will redistribute…
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Donald Trump rejects final chance to testify in rape trial
Former United States President Donald Trump, who once claimed it was fine to “Grab ‘em (women) by the pussy,” declined his last chance to testify at a civil trial where he is accused of raping a US journalist in a luxury department store dressing room in 1996. The trial has been ongoing for two weeks, with Elizabeth Jean Carroll seeking…
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Banking job boom and surging salaries in Saudi Arabia
Despite ongoing global financial challenges, Saudi Arabia is experiencing a significant surge in banking jobs and salaries. This growth is attributed to the ambitious economic expansion plans by Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman, who is utilising oil sales revenue to transform the nation’s economy. With over US$600 billion worth of assets, Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund is hiring swiftly, attracting…
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Thai business leaders’ wishlist for first 100 days under new government
Business executives are contemplating Thailand’s prospects for the first 100 days under a new administration as the election approaches. Key areas of focus for the incoming government include the appointment of suitable ministers and the prioritisation of business sector policies. Jareeporn Jarukornsakul, the 42-year-old chairman of industrial developer WHA Group, emphasises the importance of appointing knowledgeable and capable ministers to…
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Crafty Thai woman allegedly steals British tourist’s Rolex in Pattaya
A British man is warning tourists to keep their wits about them in Pattaya, Thailand, after he was allegedly deceived by a Thai woman who he claims stole his luxury Rolex watch worth almost 1 million baht. At 11pm yesterday, a 38 year old anonymous man of British nationality spoke to reporters about his bad experience with a Thai woman…
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Indian baby with rare case of third arm growing from her back cries when touched
A newly born baby girl at a local hospital in the northern Indian state has caused astonishment among the public as she has been born with a rare condition of a third arm protruding from the middle of her back. The phenomenon is extremely uncommon and has captured the attention of many. A video that was posted online soon after…
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Pattaya taxi drivers avoid charges after harassing and frightening Bangkok driver
A group of taxi drivers in Pattaya recently found themselves in hot water but avoided any charges or fines when they were caught harassing a Bangkok driver and frightening his passengers. The driver, 43 year old Jamnong Sutaboon, showed no remorse when summoned by the police on Thursday, May 4 to explain his actions. A video circulated online showed him…
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Thai stocks dampened by US interest rate hike concerns
Thai stocks are projected to face a challenging investment environment in the coming month due to the potential negative impact of the recent US interest rate hike on regional US banks. Tisco Securities has expressed concerns over the situation, with Apichart Phubancherdkul, Tisco’s head of strategy research, stating that “investment conditions in May are not bright”. The US Federal Reserve…
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At least 27 workers killed in remote Peruvian gold mine fire
In a remote region of southern Peru, a fire at the La Esperanza 1 gold mine has claimed the lives of at least 27 workers, marking one of the worst mining disasters in the country’s recent history. The grieving families of the victims have congregated near the mine, anxiously waiting for updates on their loved ones. The cause of the…
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Police arrest suspect in Cabine gang related shooting of father in trang, Thailand
Police yesterday arrested Akradej Numark, who is suspected of being involved in the Cabine gang responsible for the deadly shooting of a father in Trang province earlier this year. The arrest of the 35 year old was confirmed by Crime Suppression Sub-division 6 commander, Pongpanot Chukaew. Akradej Numark, also known as Tia Carbine, was apprehended by Crime Suppression Division (CSD) police…
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Singapore aims to shed stopover status and hit pre-pandemic tourist numbers by 2024
Australians, Bryan and Christine Mansfield were delighted to start their three-day holiday in Singapore, marking the beginning of their golden jubilee celebrations delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Like other tourists, Singapore was their first foreign destination since 2020 when the pandemic halted international travel. Although Singapore served as a layover before proceeding to their main destinations within the Southeast…
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Digital bank runs: How social media fuels panic and threatens financial stability
A crisis of confidence in the US banking sector has led individuals to withdraw their money from financial institutions including Silicon Valley Bank, Credit Suisse, First Republic Bank, and California-based PacWest Bancorp. This series of events has given birth to a new term in the finance lexicon: digital bank run. In contrast to traditional bank runs, where people would form…
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7 killed as car ploughs into Texas bus stop crowd
At least seven people lost their lives yesterday in South Texas, and several others were injured when a vehicle crashed into a group of individuals waiting at a bus stop outside a migrant aid centre. The police currently consider the incident an accident; however, a witness claimed that the driver had shouted insults at the group before speeding up. The…
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Binance resumes bitcoin withdrawals after brief closure due to congestion issue
Binance, the world’s leading cryptocurrency exchange, recently announced that it had resumed Bitcoin withdrawals following a temporary halt due to a congestion problem. The exchange experienced an interruption in withdrawals for the most widely recognised cryptocurrency, Bitcoin, lasting for over an hour before the issue was resolved. The cryptocurrency exchange did not disclose additional information regarding the nature of the…
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Former monk denies embezzling 180 million baht from Nakhon Ratchasima temple
A former monk and two other individuals have been arrested on suspicion of embezzling 180 million baht from Wat Pha Dhammakiri in Nakhon Ratchasima. The accused ex-monk, Khom Khongkeaw, previously known as Phra Ajarn Khom Abhivaro, denies the allegations. During police questioning, Khom and his sister claimed that the money was used for “other purposes,” and that they had no…
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Electoral fraud: Man alleges he was tricked into filming controversial video
A man accused of manipulating electoral registration in a controversial video on the “Chuwit” Facebook page has filed a police report, alleging he was deceived into participating and was paid only 1,000 baht despite the agreed sum of 5,000 baht. He also revealed that someone wrote a script for him to recite in the footage. Recently, the video of a…
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Huge concrete slab falls onto Bangkok’s Rama II Road killing construction worker
A huge slab of concrete fell from the under-construction expressway elevated over the Rama II Road yesterday in Bangkok, Thailand, crushing a construction worker to death, injuring another person and damaging eight cars. At 5pm, officers at Tha Kham Police Station were informed that a concrete beam fell and killed someone along the outbound Rama II Road opposite the Snake…
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Today’s summer storm forecast, Thais warned of heavy rain, strong wind and hail
Today, Thailand’s Meteorological Department forecasted a 24-hour weather outlook, with the northern region experiencing summer storms characterised by thunderstorms, strong winds, and isolated hail. Some areas may also experience lightning. Residents in these regions are advised to exercise caution during summer storms, avoiding open spaces, large trees, weak structures, and billboards. It is also recommended to avoid wearing metallic items…
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Perverted Japanese man breaks into woman’s home over 150 times in 18 months, sniffs her knickers
A shocking case took place in Osaka District Court in Japan, where a 30 year old Japanese man was accused of breaking into a young woman’s home over 150 times in just 18 months. The man confessed to his criminal actions and bizarre perverted sexual behaviour, ultimately receiving a jail sentence of 18 months. According to reports, the Japanese man…
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Rising electricity bills spark energy policy debate ahead of Thai general election
High electricity bills have become a significant concern for voters, leading political parties to focus on their energy policies as they look to gain support in the upcoming general election. This comes after a new power tariff of 4.70 baht per kilowatt-hour took effect, which has resulted in costlier electricity bills for consumers. The Energy Regulatory Commission decided to reduce…
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Police bust romance scammer turned car thief, uncover trafficking gang
A police investigation into a romance scammer who stole cars from women has led to the arrest of a vehicle trafficking gang. Two women and one Thai man who trafficked stolen cars were arrested Friday. Police officers arrested a romance scammer after eight victims filed a complaint that the man stole their cars. The conman, 26 year old Pheeraphat, created…
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Huge turnout for advance voting as election nears
Yesterday, advance voting saw a large turnout across the nation, with citizens keen to exercise their democratic rights following a four-year wait. The Election Commission (EC) reported that 2,235,830 individuals registered for early voting yesterday, ahead of the May 14 election. Bangkok governor Chadchart Sittipunt stated that the process went smoothly, with only a few minor issues emerging at polling…
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Foxconn founder Terry Gou vows to preserve peace between Taiwan and China if elected president
Richard Fox, a 72-year-old billionaire, pledged to “preserve peace” between Taiwan and China at a rally held in the run-up to the January 2024 presidential elections. Fox is the founder of technology giant Foxconn, a significant provider of components for Apple’s iPhones. In April, he announced his bid for the presidential nomination from Taiwan’s opposition Kuomintang party, which advocates for…
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Singaporean youth moving back with parents due to skyrocketing rents
Singapore sees rising rents amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, forcing some young tenants to return to their parent’s homes or face soaring rental fees. Since the onset of the pandemic, the number of Singaporeans and permanent citizens under 35 years old living alone increased from 15,900 in 2019 to 25,000 in 2020. However, data from the Urban Redevelopment Authority and 99.…
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Scientific expedition to Antarctica reveals surprising temperatures and climate impact on Singapore
Standing on an ice sheet with only a t-shirt on his back, 52-year-old Professor Benjamin Horton certainly did not expect such weather during his trip to Antarctica. “The first couple of days, the weather was amazing. The oceans were like a mirror. We had wildlife, humpback whales, popping out (of the ocean),” said the director of the Earth Observatory of…
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Pattaya looks to allocate 30 million baht to Bali Hai Pier repair and upgrade
Pattaya is looking to allocate 30 million baht for the repair and upgrade of the popular Bali Hai Pier. Pattaya Mayor Poramet Ngampichet announced on May 3 that the Bali Hai bridge, which connects the pier to the mainland, was deteriorating and required repair work to its foundations. The last significant maintenance performed on the bridge was back in 2015,…
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Japan’s Prime Minister visits Seoul seeking deeper ties amid regional threats
Tokyo/Seoul: Japan’s Prime Minister Fumio Kishida arrived in Seoul yesterday to meet South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol amidst a sceptical public regarding the leaders’ pursuit of deeper ties in the face of nuclear threats from North Korea and China’s increasing assertiveness. Kishida’s bilateral visit marks the first by a Japanese leader to Seoul in 12 years, responding to Yoon’s trip…
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Thai villagers complain to Election Commission over alleged vote-buying
Thai Villagers from Non Reuang, in the district of Ban Kho in the northeast Khon Kaen province, stormed the Election Commission (EC) office with their lawyer and village headman, accusing a well-known political party’s candidate of engaging in vote-buying activities. The villagers presented video clips and witness statements to the investigative team, along with an official complaint against the alleged…
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Chinese man treks 2,000 km to play prayer on speaker at Buddha statue
A 27 year old Chinese man embarked on a 2,000-kilometre journey to make his dreams a reality by visiting a giant Buddha statue carrying a large Airpod-shaped speaker to amplify his prayers to the deity. The man, named Zhang, posted a video on social media on April 25, showing him holding the large speaker next to the ear of the…
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Elderly woman with horn-like growth on head sparks debate about ‘longevity symbol’
A video of an elderly Chinese woman with a horn-like growth on her head sparked a debate over the so-called “longevity symbol.” A video of a 107 year old woman from Guangdong province, China, has become the talk of the town after it was revealed that she has a horn-like growth on her head. Netizens have commented on the video,…
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