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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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Moving with family? Here’s how to cut health costs in Thailand
Relocating to Thailand with your family brings exciting new opportunities, but it also comes with the challenge of managing healthcare costs in a new system. Thailand has both public and private healthcare options, each offering different prices and quality of...
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Chinese man nabbed over Thai entertainer’s fatal drug ordeal
A Chinese national has been apprehended after allegedly coercing a young Thai entertainer into drug use, leading to her death in a hotel. Duoyin Wu, who fled to Laos, surrendered under pressure from officials after being charged with drug-related offences. At 3pm yesterday, June 27, Police Major General Nopasin Poolsawat, deputy commissioner of the Metropolitan Police Bureau, along with Police…
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Protest showdown: Bangkok governor inspects Victory Monument
Bangkok braces itself for a day of tension and traffic chaos as Governor Chadchart Sittipunt swept into Victory Monument to personally oversee preparations for a massive political rally. This morning, Governor Chadchart, accompanied by Sobchoke Na Srito, Chief of Ratchathewi district, and a team of Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) officials, toured the landmark to inspect safety arrangements and ensure everything…
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Power play: Pattaya races to finish underground cable overhaul
Pattaya’s ambitious plan to drag its tangled web of overhead wires underground is charging ahead—though not without a few bumps in the road. Deputy Mayor Manot Nongyai chaired the sixth progress meeting of the Big City Electrical System Development Project – Phase 1 (Pattaya), where officials shared the latest updates on the enormous infrastructure upgrade transforming the resort city’s power…
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Cambodia accused of mislabelling rice as Thai jasmine in China
Cambodia has been accused of falsely labelling its rice as Thai jasmine rice and selling it in China, prompting the Thai Ministry of Commerce to act swiftly. Yesterday, June 27, Sunanta Kangvalkulkij, director-general of the Department of International Trade Promotion, revealed that reports from Thai nationals in China indicated Cambodian rice was being sold in Chinese supermarkets with packaging displaying…
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Thai Airways takes off for charity in Oslo celebration
Thai Airways stepped up to support a high-profile charity walk-run in Oslo, Norway, combining fitness, friendship, and fundraising in a celebration of diplomatic history. On Sunday, June 22, the streets of Oslo came alive as Thai Airways joined the Royal Thai Embassy in Oslo and the Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital to mark 120 years of Thai-Norwegian relations with a…
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Vape bust shock: Pattaya police nab man with 40 illegal e-cigs
A Pattaya man’s side hustle went up in smoke after police swooped in and seized a stash of illegal vapes in a sting that sent a clear warning to would-be e-cigarette dealers. Pattaya City Police, led by Police Colonel Anek Sarathongyoo, Superintendent of Pattaya City Police Station, launched a targeted crackdown aimed at shutting down the black market sale of…
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Giant king cobra invades Trang home, sparks lottery frenzy (video)
A giant king cobra caused panic in Trang province when it entered a home in search of prey, attacking a sizable cobra. Residents were alarmed by the incident and took note of the house number for lottery luck. Yesterday, June 27, Khajornkiat Kongkaew, known as “Nong Mew Bongla Trang” from the Bung Ya Bongla King network, was called to assist…
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Patong Beach bomb scare: Hidden explosives uncovered in sand
Holidaymakers were left rattled as police scoured Phuket’s beaches to unearth a series of hidden explosive devices planted by suspects intent on chaos. Police confirmed yesterday evening, June 27, that the last two devices connected to the suspects’ shocking confession have been safely recovered and neutralised. The first discovery was made at Patong Beach around 3.45pm, just 50 metres from…
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Drug den blitz: Bang Lamung cops bust bamboo hideout
Bang Lamung officials stormed a notorious bamboo hideout, rounding up suspected drug users in a sweeping crackdown. Yesterday, June 27 at 5pm, Bang Lamung District Chief Patcharapat Sritanyanon led a coordinated operation targeting a known drug hotspot in Village 1, Khao Mai Kaew subdistrict. The mission, aimed at choking off local drug networks, was carried out under the supervision of…
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Russian drug kingpin hunted down in Phuket paradise bust
A Russian fugitive who thought he could hide in Phuket’s tropical playground has been dragged back into the spotlight after Thai police swooped in to end his run from justice. Phuket Immigration officers arrested 46 year old Igor, a Russian national, after uncovering he was wanted on an international Red Notice for drug trafficking and membership of a serious criminal…
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Thai PM promotes peace amid Hun Sen’s provocative claims
Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra has responded with a forgiving message following provocative remarks made by Cambodian Senate President Hun Sen during a recent livestream, amid escalating tensions between Thailand and Cambodia. Neither the 38 year old Thai PM nor her father, former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, have issued a formal response to Hun Sen’s comments. Instead, Paetongtarn shared a reflective…
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Thailand cannabis crackdown: New prescription rules spark outcry
Thailand’s cannabis free-for-all is coming to an abrupt end, with health chiefs vowing to tighten the rules on who can grow, sell, and smoke the controversial herb. Dr Tewan Thanirat, Deputy Director-General of the Department of Thai Traditional and Alternative Medicine (DTAM), announced that stricter controls are on the way. Under the proposed regulations, anyone selling cannabis flower buds will…
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Pattaya cracks down on illegal ramps to tackle drainage issues
Pattaya is cracking down hard on illegal ramps obstructing public footpaths, with officials warning that unauthorised structures will be removed and could result in legal action. The renewed effort aims to tackle recurring drainage issues caused by the concrete ramps, which have long been a source of frustration for residents. This week, municipal teams from the Office of Public Works,…
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Injured Thai man lies to protect drunk girlfriend after car crash
A Thai man took the blame for a car crash in the central province of Chachoengsao to protect his drunk girlfriend, asking her to leave him at the scene despite suffering a head injury himself. Officers from Bang Pakong Police Station were alerted to the incident at around 3am today, June 27, after a sedan crashed into an electricity pole…
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People’s Alliance rallies to protect Koh Kut, oust Thai PM
The People’s Alliance for Democracy has kicked off a movement to protect Thailand’s sovereignty over Koh Kut, rallying against neighbouring Cambodia’s claims on the island. The movement, led by Kanyut Boonloy, a former civil servant and local leader, gathered around 200 people in Trat yesterday, June 26. Residents, civil servants, former civil servants, students, and merchants donned yellow shirts, waving…
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Flash floods devastate Chiang Rai: Homes and farmland destroyed
Chiang Rai province is reeling from catastrophic flooding after continuous heavy rainfall last night and this morning. Flash floods and mountain runoff have wreaked havoc across several districts, with Phaya Mengrai and Wiang Chai hit the hardest. The torrential downpours caused rivers of rainwater to cascade rapidly from the mountains, flooding low-lying areas and causing water levels to surge unexpectedly.…
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Thai govt urged to scrap casino bill over constitutional concerns
A Senate committee reviewing the controversial casino bill has called on the government to withdraw its draft legislation, warning that it could violate multiple sections of Thailand’s 2017 Constitution. Yesterday, June 26, Senator Veerapun Suvannamai, the chair of the panel, highlighted that the bill may breach Sections 3, 58, 63, and 65 of the Constitution. He explained that the legislation,…
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Aussie man searches for long-lost Thai mother, makes public plea
A 38 year old Australian man is making an emotional plea for help as he embarks on a mission that has consumed his entire life—finding his Thai mother. Jeffrey, who was separated from his mother when he was just a child, has spent decades searching for answers, clinging to the hope of a reunion. Born in Phuket, Jeffrey lived with…
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PAO official escapes rape attempt by colleague at Pathum Thani love hotel
A female official from a Provincial Administrative Organisation (PAO) narrowly escaped a rape attempt by a colleague at a love hotel in the central province of Pathum Thani on June 19. The victim complained to Kukot Police Station, accusing a member of the Khlong Luang PAO, Noppanan “Tee” Noocharoen, of attempted rape. The victim is reportedly a PAO official from a…
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Black beauty: Rare leopard spotted at Phetchaburi national park
Another rare black leopard has been spotted in Kaeng Krachan National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site in Thailand. The sighting, which took place on Wednesday, June 25 at 5.20pm, sparked excitement among nature enthusiasts and wildlife experts. This breathtaking encounter was captured at the 18-kilometre mark of the park, a popular spot for butterfly-watching, highlighting the park’s rich biodiversity. Park Chief Mongkol Chaiphakdi…
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Phuket airport tightens security, passengers urged to arrive early
Phuket airport is on high alert following the discovery of an explosive device hidden in an abandoned motorcycle on its premises. Passengers are urged to arrive at least two hours early from today, as security measures have been tightened in the aftermath of the threat. The warning comes after bomb experts successfully neutralised the device found on Wednesday night, June…
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Thailand’s 36% US tariff at risk: Will minister secure a deal?
Thailand is on the edge of a crucial trade deadline with the US, and the stakes couldn’t be higher. Finance Minister Pichai Chunhavajira announced today that he will be heading to the US next week for urgent trade negotiations. With Thailand facing a 36% tariff on its exports unless a deal is struck, time is running out for the kingdom to…
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Pattaya sports complex plagued by delays and corruption concerns
A staggering 774 million baht sports complex in Pattaya, Chon Buri, designed to serve as a national hub for sports events, has been left in a state of neglect and disrepair since its construction began in 2008. Yesterday, June 26, Thailand’s National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC), led by Secretary-General Saroj Phueng-ramphan, conducted an on-site inspection of the Eastern Region National Sports…
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Gunmen at large after fatal shooting of Thai businessman in Kanchanaburi
Two suspects remain at large following the fatal shooting of a Thai businessman in the car park of a construction materials store in the central province of Kanchanaburi. The 51 year old victim, Sittikorn, also known as Sia Piak, was gunned down outside the store in the Pak Phraek sub-district of Mueang district on Wednesday, June 25. Sittikorn and his…
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Thailand Video News | Cannabis advocates plan mass protest over recriminalisation push, South Korea bans dog meat—but what happens to 500,000 dogs?
Cannabis advocates and opposition groups plan large-scale protests in Thailand, while criminal cases involving teachers, robberies, and fraud shake public trust. Meanwhile, regional cooperation improves as Thailand and Cambodia ease border tensions, and Vietnam rolls out landmark free public education. Other notable developments include South Korea’s historic dog meat ban, chaotic nightlife incidents in Pattaya, and a bear disrupting flights…
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Thai student attacked in New York, transport staff criticised
A 26 year old Thai student and aspiring model was attacked and robbed in New York, prompting concerns about the lack of assistance from Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) staff. She was forced to flag down a vehicle to seek help from police. A Facebook user shared details of the incident today, June 27, highlighting a warning for Thai nationals to…
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Fugitive Irishman caught in Thailand after 415-day visa overstay
Immigration officers in Krabi apprehended an Irish national who overstayed his visa by 415 days. Yesterday, June 26, Police Lieutenant General Panumas Boonyalak, along with senior immigration officials, coordinated with the Irish police to locate the suspect, who has a history of criminal activities in Ireland. The Irishman is reportedly involved in numerous crimes, including 12 offences related to drug…
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Police drives against traffic flow and fatally crashes woman in Ratchaburi
A police officer, who was reportedly drunk, drove against the flow of traffic and crashed into several motorcycles, resulting in the death of a 64 year old woman in the central province of Ratchaburi yesterday, June 26. The fatal accident occurred at 7.55am on Song Phon Road, in front of an Isuzu car showroom. A motorist stuck in traffic on…
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Chon Buri farmer busted with 10,000 meth pills in sting
A routine undercover operation in Nonthaburi turned into a major drug bust when Bang Lamung Police apprehended a 42 year old farmer attempting to smuggle 10,000 methamphetamine pills across provincial lines for sale in Chon Buri. The arrest took place at 12.30pm yesterday, June 26, outside a convenience store in the Sai Yai subdistrict of Nonthaburi province. Acting on a…
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Pattaya kidnap: Russian journalist extorted for over 2.5 million baht
A Russian journalist was left traumatised and nearly 2.5 million baht poorer after being kidnapped, assaulted, and extorted by a gang of fellow Russians. The harrowing ordeal took place in Pattaya, with the victim, identified as David, a special correspondent for a Russian news agency, left with bruises and marks of assault. Yesterday, June 26, at 9pm, Pattaya City Police…
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