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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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Cocaine shipment from Portugal leads to arrests of 2 Brazilian men in Bangkok
Police arrested two Brazilian men in the Bang Na area of Bangkok yesterday, October 22, after they collected a parcel containing cocaine worth over 3 million baht. The package was delivered from Portugal. The Office of the Narcotics Control Board (ONCB) reported the arrests to the public today, October 23. Officials said the operation was part of an ongoing and…
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Pattaya tots locked in BMV saved after 30-minute ordeal
Two toddlers were rescued by emergency responders in Pattaya after becoming trapped inside a locked car parked near a hospital for over 30 minutes. The incident unfolded on Tuesday, October 21, in the car park behind Bhatamakun Hospital in Naklua. A black BMW sedan became the unintended prison for a one year old girl and her four year old brother…
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Racing teens arrested as police sweep Phuket festival hotspot
Police in Phuket detained dozens of youths and seized modified motorbikes during late-night patrols aimed at ensuring safety during the Phuket Vegetarian Festival. The crackdown saw 45 young people detained and 13 illegally modified motorbikes seized during a late-night sweep at Saphan Hin. The operation began yesterday evening, October 22, and continued into the early hours of today, October 23.…
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3 men pose as police and steal 46,000 baht from Chinese tourist in Bangkok
Police arrested one of three men who posed as police officers and stole about 46,000 baht from a Chinese tourist in Huai Khwang, Bangkok, today, October 23. The victim, Lyu Wanyuan, filed a complaint with Huai Khwang Police Station after losing 11,000 Hong Kong dollars, about 46,000 baht, to the gang. The incident occurred outside a hotel on Ratchadaphisek Road.…
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Thai teen couple caught in motorbike romp near Phuket tourist site
A teenage couple caused public outrage after being filmed engaging in intimate behaviour on a parked motorbike along a popular tourist road in Phuket. The incident, which took place yesterday evening, October 22, quickly drew widespread criticism after a bystander recorded the duo engaging in what appeared to be an intimate moment on a parked motorcycle. The footage, later shared…
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Thai mother denies sending daughter to work for scam gang in Cambodia
A Thai woman denied allegations made by her ex-husband, who accused her of sending their 19 year old daughter to work for a call centre scam in Cambodia for money. The father, 47 year old Joe, appealed for help after losing contact with his daughter, 19 year old Plaifa, also known as Mew. Joe said he only discovered that his daughter…
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Indian tourists fleeced after beach fling turns sour in Pattaya
Two Indian tourists reported to Pattaya police that a woman they met on the beach stole over 50,000 baht from them after visiting their hotel room. The incident occurred around 1am today, October 23, when 52 year old Anower and 38 year old Mamun encountered a young woman on Pattaya Beach, Soi 13/4, in Bang Lamung district. The men, captivated…
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Korean kidnappings in Thailand trigger travel safety alarm
South Korean officials raised concerns after a rise in kidnappings involving their citizens during visits to Thailand, a top destination for Korean tourists. According to a report by The Korea Economic Daily, 11 South Koreans have been kidnapped in Thailand so far this year, marking a disturbing jump from zero cases in 2021. The statistics, based on Ministry of Foreign…
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Prince Andrew accused of royal romps on Thai taxpayer dime
A former UK official has alleged that Prince Andrew used taxpayer-funded trips to Thailand to meet women while serving as a government trade representative. According to Ian Proud, a former senior diplomat at the British Embassy in Bangkok, the disgraced royal regularly mixed business with pleasure during his visits to Thailand as the UK’s special trade envoy. “The prince would…
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2 injuries reported after bus crashes into truck carrying concrete piles
A public bus crashed into a truck carrying concrete piles on a road in Pathum Thani province near Bangkok this morning, October 23, injuring the driver and the female fare collector. Khlong Luang Police Station received a report of the accident involving a bus and a truck carrying concrete piles at 5.30am. The incident occurred on Phahonyothin Road in Khlong…
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Phuket Vegetarian Festival vendors told to clean up and price up
Officials in Phuket inspected food vendors to ensure fair pricing and food safety during the Vegetarian Festival. The Phuket Provincial Commerce Office and local health officials have launched a series of inspections on vendors taking part in the annual festival, urging them to display clear prices and maintain proper hygiene standards. Officers visited stalls at Kathu Shrine on October 21,…
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Thai football boss defends axing coach after big win shock
Thailand’s football association removed the national team coach after an internal review, sparking public backlash just before key qualifying matches. Masatada Ishii, who had been at the helm of the Thai national football team since December 2023, was dismissed in a surprise announcement from the Football Association of Thailand (FA Thailand) yesterday. The news sparked a wave of backlash from…
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PM Anutin pushes 4am pub hours and nationwide booze revamp
Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul has proposed lifting alcohol zoning laws and extending pub hours to boost revenue and modernise nightlife regulations nationwide. Anutin has ordered the Ministry of Interior and the Ministry of Public Health to study the nationwide removal of zoning restrictions on alcohol sales and extend closing times for entertainment venues from 2am to 4am. The plan also…
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Gone too soon: Thai teen financial whiz dies after long cancer fight (video)
A young financial educator passed away after a long battle with illness, leaving behind a legacy of resilience, wisdom, and inspiration for many. Teenage prodigy Phasawin “Win” Tantiniti, who became known for his appearances on the hit TV show Manut Tang Wai มนุษย์ต่างวัย (People of Different Ages), passed away today, October 23, after battling cancer for most of his life.…
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Indian man drops assault complaint against Pattaya nightclub manager
An Indian man withdrew a complaint against an Indian nightclub manager in Pattaya, saying that the alleged assault and threat were simply a misunderstanding. The two men hugged in front of cameras to show their renewed friendship. The 33 year old Indian man, Rohit, filed a complaint at Mueang Pattaya Police Station in September, accusing 35 year old Bittu Vishal,…
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Thailand and Cambodia to sign peace pact at ASEAN Summit
Thailand and Cambodia plan to sign a declaration at a regional summit to ease border tensions and boost cooperation on security and territorial issues. Foreign Affairs Minister Sihasak Phuangketkeow revealed that both nations are expected to officially sign the Declaration of Thai-Cambodian Relations during the ASEAN Summit in Malaysia, held from October 25 to 28. The agreement is poised to…
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Bangkok to raise BTS Green Line extension fares from November 1
The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) will increase fares for the BTS Green Line train extensions starting from November 1. The change will affect three routes: Mo Chit–Khu Khot, Bang Chak–Samut Prakan, and Pho Nimit–Bang Wa. The official Facebook page of the BMA published a statement from Deputy Bangkok Governor, Wisanu Subsompon, yesterday, October 22. Wisanu explained that the fare increase…
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British woman wakes from stroke speaking in Thai accent
A British woman who suffered a stroke during a holiday in Turkey got the shock of her life when she woke up sounding like her Thai mum. The woman, 29 year old Cathy Warren, who is half Thai and half British, was on holiday with friends in Fethiye, Turkey, in September last year to celebrate her 28th birthday when disaster…
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Patong Hill landslide shuts road as Phuket hit by flash floods
Phuket was battered by torrential rain yesterday, triggering flash floods, flight chaos and a landslide that has shut a major road for days. The island was lashed by uninterrupted downpours from the early hours of yesterday morning, October 22, causing widespread flooding across Cherng Talay, Kathu, and Mueang districts. The rain finally eased around 7am but not before wreaking havoc…
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Finance minister of Thailand resigns after 33 days amid scam allegations
The finance minister resigned from his position yesterday, October 22, after 33 days of working due to an accusation of involvement in the call centre scam network based in Cambodia. The Minister of Finance, Vorapak Tanyawong, who is the former president of Krung Thai Bank, recently joined the government under the lead of the Prime Minister (PM) Anutin Charnvirakul on…
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Storm threat looms as southern Thailand braces for floods
The Thai Meteorological Department (TMD) has issued a warning for residents across South Thailand, urging them to brace for heavy to very heavy rainfall and possible flash floods, particularly in low-lying areas and near waterways. With widespread storms forecast across both eastern and western coastal provinces, people have been advised to avoid travelling through flood-prone areas. Tropical Storm Fengshen is…
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Thai artist faces criticism for painting with dinosaur fossil pigment
A Thai artist and social media influencer was recently criticised online for using colours made from dinosaur fossil fragments in her paintings. The artwork by Thai artist Darisa “Pahn” Karnpoj, better known as Reity, drew widespread attention online following a post by X user @TMtheEQplusNerd. The user shared screenshots from a YouTube video on Pahn’s channel with the caption… “Oh…
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Bangkok ramps up safety checks ahead of Loy Krathong Festival
Bangkok’s governor has ordered safety checks at piers across the city ahead of Loy Krathong, urging residents to use eco-friendly floats for the festival. Bangkok Governor Chadchart Sittipunt has ordered safety inspections at all piers and floating platforms across the capital ahead of this year’s Loy Krathong Festival on November 5. The move is aimed at ensuring public safety and…
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Suvarnabhumi Airport officials accused of corruption after seized belonging sold online
A Thai woman accused officials at Suvarnabhumi International Airport of corruption after finding that her pocket knife, which was confiscated on August 25, was sold on Facebook. Chongpriang Tainangam took to her Facebook account, demanding clarification from Suvarnabhumi Airport and the Airports of Thailand (AOT) regarding the sale of her seized knife. She discovered the item being sold on the Leatherman…
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Breath of life: Chiang Mai’s ‘frozen’ escalator revived after decades
Chiang Mai’s Warorot Market has brought its long-idle escalator back into operation, delighting locals and vendors after decades of remaining unused. The century-old market, better known as Kad Luang, has witnessed the revival of a long-dormant symbol of modernity: its only escalator, which moved last week for the first time in over 50 years. Once a futuristic addition to the…
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Thailand gears up for busy winter with 250 plus airline services
Thailand will welcome over 250 airlines this winter season, as aviation officials allocate flight slots and charter flights surge to boost tourism. Thailand is preparing for a surge in international arrivals this High Season, with the Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand (CAAT) confirming that 255 airlines have been allocated flight slots for the winter 2025 schedule. The season, running from…
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Kuwaiti man arrested in Phuket for crystal meth possession and overstay
Police arrested a Kuwaiti man for possession of crystal meth and overstaying his visa in Patong, Phuket, on Monday, October 20. Officers from Patong Police Station reported the arrest of the 36 year old Kuwaiti national, whose name has not been disclosed, via the Phuket Info Centre Facebook page yesterday, October 21. The arrest took place a day earlier at…
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Phuket Vegetarian Festival processions light up the streets
Devotees from local shrines took part in vibrant street processions across Phuket as part of a major annual festival aimed at promoting spiritual cleansing. Phuket erupted in colour, firecrackers and ritual yesterday, October 21, as the island launched the second day of its annual Vegetarian Festival with sacred street processions, despite rain. Devotees from 39 Chinese shrines are participating in…
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Russian car rental network dismantled in Koh Pha Ngan crackdown
Tourist police launched a joint operation on Koh Pha Ngan to crack down on an illegal car rental and hotel business run by foreign nationals, seizing hundreds of vehicles. The operation, carried out yesterday, October 21, was led by Police Major General Krits Warit, in line with the Tourist Police Bureau’s policy to suppress transnational crime. The joint task force…
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Skeletal Thai man rescued after alleged kratom addiction
A Thai volunteer rescuer issued a warning after being called to assist a man who became severely emaciated, allegedly due to his kratom addiction. The rescuer, Jirasak Prayonghom, shared a photograph of the man he had helped on his Facebook account yesterday, October 21. In part of his caption, Jirasak wrote… “#Warning This 23 year old man was weak and skeletal,…
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