News
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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Tourists rescued from capsized boat headed for Phuket
Tourists were rescued from a capsized boat headed for Phuket from Koh Lanta yesterday. The boat capsized in the Andaman Sea near Koh Ma. Marine police and officials from the Hat Nopparat Thara National Park rushed to rescue the three tourists and four crew members after they received a distress call from the Andaman Adventure Company, the operator of the…
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Australian tourist dies at famous cave in Krabi
An Australian tourist tragically died at a famous cave in Krabi yesterday. The 70 year old man died after his gruelling journey to the Tiger Cave, which involves a 1,260-step stair-climb. Rescuers and a doctor took over an hour to walk up the steps after they were alerted that a tourist was unconscious at the cave. The doctor who arrived…
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New bill to legalise sex work proposed
The Thai government is drafting a bill to legalise sex work to protect sex workers from exploitation. The Ministry of Social Development and Human Security (MSDHS) has proposed the bill, which will also limit the minimum age to provide or buy the service. According to Narong Jaihan, a lecturer from the Faculty of Law at Thammasat University, sex workers under…
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Low reserves of Rh negative blood raise concerns for foreigners in Thailand
Low reserves of Rh negative blood are raising concerns for foreigners in Thailand. While only 0.3% of the Thai population has Rh negative blood, around 15% of the UK and European population has the blood type. This shortage has resulted in concerning shortages of Rh negative blood in blood banks across Southeast Asia. Visitors to the region who have had…
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British navy paints Pattaya children’s home
The British navy recently lent a helping hand in Pattaya as part of a push to build relations and friendships in Thailand. The crew of the British offshore patrol vessel, HMS Spey, painted a children’s home in Pattaya during their visit to Thailand. The ship arrived at the Royal Thai Navy’s port in Sattahip as part of the UK government’s…
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Thai officials seek to promote Muslim-friendly tourism
Thai officials are seeking to promote Muslim-friendly tourism in the kingdom. In a recent focus group discussion on Islamic tourism in Phuket province, the Department of Tourism (DoT) and private sectors reviewed strategies to attract Muslim visitors, NNT reported yesterday. The DoT’s Tourist Attractions Development Division Director, Athuek Phrasenmoon, said the global tourism industry recognises Muslim tourists as a fast-growing…
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ICC issues war crimes arrest warrant for Putin
Russian President Vladimir Putin has been accused of illegally deporting hundreds of children from Ukraine as part of his invasion, and as a consequence, the International Criminal Court (ICC) has issued an arrest warrant on war crimes charges. That means if Putin crosses into any territory belonging to the court’s 123 member states they are required to arrest him and…
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Missing Caesium-137 cylinder spotted at car wash
If you stole a cylinder of an isotope that is a main contributor to the total radiation released during nuclear accidents, would you throw it in your truck and go about your normal day? Authorities searching for a capsule of Caesium-137 believed to be stolen from a power plant in Prachin Buri on February 23 are following up on a…
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Big Joke to travel to Phuket following Patong sex trafficking bust
UPDATE The Deputy Commander of the Royal Thai Police, Surachate “Big Joke” Hakpark, plans to travel to Phuket following the recent sex trafficking bust in Patong, ThaiRath reported yesterday. Yesterday, the deputy chief of Provincial Police Region 8, Pol. Maj. Gen. Wasan Techaakasen, went to Kathu Police Station to follow up and apprehend more suspects involved in the scandal. They were charged…
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Exploring new cultures Ft.keis one | Thaiger Podcast EP.28
https://youtu.be/RcsbMPSATM4 Adam Jones aka. keis one This Youtube Creator from Sydney, Australia decided to give up the 9-5 grind and travel, to experience new cultures, travel and live in different countries around the world. One of the most recognizable and successful expat Youtubers in Thailand, you might have seen keis one around Youtube or simply just out on one of…
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Jealous Thai man shoots ex-girlfriend in the head when she refuses to take him back
A jealous Thai man shot his ex-girlfriend in the head this morning in Nakhon Pathom province, central Thailand after she refused to take him back. At 10am, officers at Kamphaeng Saen Police Station were informed that someone was shot and seriously injured at a house in Sa Si Mum subdistrict, reports KhaoSod. The victim, 27 year old Anuthida, was shot in…
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Phuket restaurant caught selling stonefish, known to be venomous
Yet another Phuket restaurant has been caught selling a protected fish, this time a stonefish, which is known as the most venomous fish in the world. Yesterday, officials from the Department of Marine and Coastal Resources (DMCR) Phuket Office received a tip-off that the restaurant, located in Rawai sub-district in Phuket’s main city district, was selling protected marine animals. Officials…
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Fire ravages Pattaya scrapyard
A scrapyard in Pattaya was engulfed in flames this morning causing significant damage to the property but fortunately, no injuries were reported. The Pattaya Firefighter Unit dashed to the site, located on Soi Ko Phai in the Banglamung district of Pattaya, after being alerted to the blaze at 10.30am. According to eyewitnesses, plumes of smoke could be seen rising from…
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Over 50% of Gen Z in Asia, and world, suffers with poor mental health
The latest findings from the annual AXA Study of Mind Health and Wellbeing 2023 have revealed that over 50% of Gen Z (aged 18-24) suffer from poor mental health in Asia and across the globe. Around the world, 53% of Gen Z is experiencing poor mental health, according to the survey. The survey reported that half of Gen Z in…
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Thai man ‘nearly dies’ from replacing water with kratom tea
A Thai man says he “nearly died” after replacing drinking water with kratom tea. Now, he’s warning others against abusing the formally-illegal plant. Kratom (Mitragyna speciosa) is a tropical evergreen tree native to Southeast Asia. The leaves of the kratom tree are known for their opioid and stimulant-like effects. Leaves of the kratom tree have been used for centuries in Thailand,…
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Pattaya island Koh Larn draws in 130,000 tourists this month
Pattaya‘s picturesque island of Koh Larn is proving to be a hit with tourists this month, with over 130,000 tourists flocking to the island. Officials expect this number to rise as Chinese tourists start to return to the area. Pattaya Deputy Mayor Manote Nongyai said on Wednesday, March 15, that Koh Larn saw an average of 10,000 visitors per day…
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Ricegate: China’s fake jasmine rice scandal rocks Thai Exporters Association
The Thai Rice Exporter Association recently raised concerns and demanded solutions after a rice mill in China was found to be producing fake jasmine rice and using a Thai brand name to deceive customers. The President of the Thai Rice Exporter Association, Chukiat Opassawong, revealed in an interview with KhaoSod that the rice mill in China had been producing fake…
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Phuket thief nabs German tourist’s mobile phone
There’s been another theft against a tourist in Thailand, this time in Phuket. A Phuket thief nabbed a German tourist’s mobile phone yesterday morning. The thief snatched the victim’s mobile phone on Soi Cherng Talay. The victim was a 56 year old German man named Haugg Fred. After receiving a report at about 9.50am, Cherng Talay Police arrived on the…
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Songkran water fights are returning to Pattaya
It’s time to hold on to your water guns and get ready to make a splash after the Pattaya mayor announced that the Songkran festival will go ahead in the city this year. The mayor made it clear that it’s going to be a soaking good time. That’s right, folks, the water fights are back on! The Facebook page Direct Line…
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Golf’s ruling bodies clash with pros over plans to reduce golf ball distance
Some of the world’s top professional golfers slammed plans by golf’s ruling bodies to impose restrictions on the distance that golf balls can travel during elite tournaments. US PGA champion Justin Thomas and former US Open champion Bryson DeChambeau both publically voiced opposition to the move proposed by the R&A, and the United States Golf Association USGA). The plans have…
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EEC Colourful festival to hit Pattaya March 30
The Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC) Colourful festival is set to hit Pattaya Beach with an array of diverse activities that highlight the local cultures of three neighbouring provinces. Rayong, Chachoengsao, and Chon Buri provinces will be featured in the festival in a bid to spur tourism. Souvenir shops, plays and live music will be available at the event which runs…
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Thai Vietjet launches Bangkok – Okinawa route
The inaugural flight on Thai Vietjet Air‘s new Bangkok – Okinawa route took off from Suvarnabhumi Airport and land landed safely at Naha Airport in Japan yesterday. Budget carrier Thai Vietjet Air is currently the only airline servicing the nonstop route, flying on Thursdays and Sundays. Passengers on the inaugural flight were given a warm welcome from Miss Okinawa, Naha Airport…
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Former Thai model arrested for scamming victims out of 100 million baht online
Police arrested a former Thai model for creating an online investment scam that stole over 100 million baht from victims. According to the Bangkok Post, Wetika Jaija was arrested in the San Sai district of Chiang Mai at a residential address. The 30 year old Wetika was charged with obtaining loans amounting to public cheating, entering false computer system data into…
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Thai monk charged with attempted murder after leaving policeman in need of urgent brain surgery
A Thai policeman underwent urgent brain surgery after being attacked by a Buddhist monk at a temple in Phitsanulok province in northern Thailand on Wednesday. Police have charged the monk with attempted murder. At 2.30pm, officers of Matum Patrol Police Force were informed that a monk was displaying manic behaviour, harassing people and destroying property at Wat Tha Chang temple…
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Thailand to celebrate 241st anniversary of Bangkok as its capital around Rattanakosin Island
Thailand will celebrate the 241st anniversary of Bangkok serving as its capital around Rattanakosin Island. The Ministry of Culture and more than 30 other agencies are teaming up to hold the event between April 21 and 25, just a week after the Thai New Year of Songkran. Organisers are hoping to promote tourism and create awareness of the history of…
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SRT on right track to lead Thailand’s green recovery
The State Railway of Thailand (SRT) is on the right track after announcing plans to build a hospital and develop land around Thon Buri Railway Station into an environmentally friendly zone, to lead the way in Thailand’s green recovery. The transit-oriented development (TOD) project is the first of its kind in the country, designed to bring people, human activities, residential…
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Tourist bitten by Krabi dog donates 20,000 baht worth of food for strays
UPDATE Despite being bitten by a stray dog on Krabi’s Ao Nang Beach, one tourist is now trying to help stray dogs. Media reported yesterday that the man, 60 year old Thai national Daniel Sudjai Kutrakun, donated 20,000 baht worth of food for stray dogs to the Ao Nang Administrative Organisation Office. This is after a stray dog bit Daniel’s…
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6 Bangkok restaurants make the 51-100 list of Asia’s 50 Best
Six Bangkok restaurants made the 51-100 list of Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants for 2023. The list was decided by the votes of Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants Academy, which comprises over 300 leaders made up of food writers, critics, chefs, restaurateurs, and regional culinary experts. The list features restaurants from 17 cities across the region, with Hong Kong leading with eight…
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Man arrested after robbing 6 convenience stores in 90 minutes
A 22 year old man was arrested yesterday after robbing six convenience stores in the Thon Buri neighbourhood of Bangkok. The suspect spent only ten minutes in each shop and managed to steal 3,500 baht. Officers from three police stations, Ratburana, Bukkhalo, and Wat Praya Krai, worked together to track down the suspect, later identified as 22 year old Thawee…
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Koh Samui needs more direct flights to boost post-pandemic recovery
Koh Samui Tourism Association chief is urging authorities to enhance the island’s tourist infrastructure and increase flight capacity to boost a full post-pandemic recovery of the popular holiday resort. Association president Ratchaporn Poolsawadee revealed that only 70% of independent hotels with three or four-star have resumed operations following the pandemic. This is due to slow cash flow in comparison to…
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