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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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Sponsored New in July: Save 10% for life on family health plans in Thailand
Cigna has a special offer this July for families in Thailand. When you sign up three or more people on a family health plan, you will save 10% on your premiums for life. This deal helps you get affordable, high-quality...
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High stakes: British man nabbed in 300kg cannabis smuggling bust
A British man from Wolverhampton has been caught red-handed in a massive international drug smuggling operation, with more than 300 kilogrammes of cannabis seized at Heathrow and Gatwick airports. The 22 year old Brit, Peter Kargbo, was nabbed at London’s Gatwick Airport on Saturday, September 21, after arriving from Bangkok with a suitcase stuffed with 20 kilogrammes of cannabis. A…
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Chiang Mai pings alarm: River hits record high, flooding fears return
The water level of the Ping River in Chiang Mai reached its highest point last night, breaking previous records and exceeding the severe flooding of 2011. This led to flooding in several areas of the province, including vital economic zones such as the Chiang Mai Night Bazaar and Chang Khlan Road. Channel 7 reported today, September 26, that the water…
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Car-nage in Bangkok: Thai woman’s gun-toting showdown
A chaotic incident unfolded on Sathon Nuea Road when a 28 year old woman crashed her car into eight vehicles and threatened a tuk tuk driver and tourists with a gun. She claimed to have lost control after being cut off in traffic, leading to her eventual arrest. Around 1am today, September 26, Phanom Chueathong, along with officers from Thung Mahamek…
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Woman’s motorcycle stolen in Pattaya, police accused of inaction
A woman in Pattaya reported the theft of her motorcycle after forgetting to lock the handlebars, claiming she had to gather evidence herself due to alleged police inaction. The woman, 34 year old Natthichaya, shared her ordeal with local reporters at 11.30am yesterday, September 25, stating that her blue Honda Wave i motorcycle was stolen from outside her rental room…
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Bangkok is ready for potential flooding: Deputy Interior Minister
Deputy Interior Minister Theerarat Samrejvanich assured the public that Bangkok is well-equipped to manage any potential flooding, drawing a clear distinction from the devastating floods of 2011. Theerarat shared insights from her recent discussion with Bangkok Governor Chadchart Sittipunt, who confirmed the city’s proactive measures against potential floods. Local officials have been tasked with inspecting water pumps and ensuring all…
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Affair-raising evidence: Ex-husband uncovers deputy’s hug scandal
A Chinese man demanded an investigation into an affair between his Thai ex-wife and a deputy attorney general, providing a photograph of the two hugging as evidence. The adultery case involving a Chinese man named Ken, his ex-wife Ava, and her lover Mark came to light when Ken decided to seek justice. He brought the matter to renowned Thai lawyer…
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Thai police arrest trio for human trafficking to West Africa
Thai police arrested two Thai women and a Chinese man for their alleged involvement in a human trafficking network that lured Thai women into prostitution in Benin, West Africa. One of the women, 39 year old Piyanutta Poowiangkaew, was detained at a dormitory in Khlong Preng subdistrict, Mueang district, Chachoengsao province. The other woman, 35 year old Wiyada Pahurat, and…
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Eco-friendly castaway: Phuket hosts 25th ITOP Forum for sustainable island tourism
Phuket proudly hosts the 25th Inter-Islands Tourism Policy (ITOP) Forum, welcoming representatives from island destinations across the globe from September 24 to 27. With over 150 leaders and policymakers from tourism hubs such as Bali (Indonesia), Hainan (China), Jeju Island (South Korea), Okinawa (Japan), and Zanzibar (Tanzania), the event aims to foster collaboration and share strategies for sustainable tourism development…
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Jealous ex stabs man to death in Phuket horror
A late-night romance ended in tragedy after a 22 year old man was brutally stabbed to death by his girlfriend’s jealous ex-boyfriend in a house in Kathu district in Phuket. Police were called to a blood-soaked scene at a residence on Soi Namtok Kathu at around 5.20am today, September 25. They found 22 year old Anukun Ketkaew lying unconscious in…
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Northern Thailand: Electricity bills scrapped in disaster zones
To ease the burden on flood-ravaged communities, Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra announced that electricity bills for this month will be waived for those living in the northern and northeastern regions of Thailand. After chairing a crucial Cabinet meeting at Government House, the 38 year old PM confirmed, “We are suspending the collection of electricity fees for this month. It’s a…
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Homeless woman with multilingual skills goes viral in Thailand
A homeless woman with an extraordinary background and multilingual skills sparked significant interest after her story went viral on social media. An entrepreneur who frequently distributes his products to the community, encountered the woman while delivering meatballs and bubble tea to construction workers in Nakhon Sawan. The entrepreneur, Apisit Khongsin, who owns a meatball and bubble tea business, first met…
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Thai woman claims Indian ‘businessman’ gave her STD
A 24 year old Thai woman has come forward with shocking claims that an Indian man posing as an Arab businessman lured her into a relationship, only to leave her with a sexually transmitted disease. Miss B (pseudonym), a nail art instructor from Samut Prakan, reported her ordeal yesterday, September 24, to Ekapop Luangprasert, advisor to the interior minister and…
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Chiang Rai launches ‘Big Cleaning Day’ after flood devastation
Chiang Rai is gearing up for a massive province-wide cleanup on Sunday, September 29, aiming to restore communities battered by recent floods. Dubbed “Big Cleaning Day,” this operation will target public spaces and homes in eight zones across the capital district, with a special focus on vulnerable residents, including the elderly and disabled. But it’s not all smooth sailing. A…
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Influencer detained for online gambling, earning 2,500 baht per post
Central Investigation Bureau (CIB) officers have detained a 29 year old influencer who has over 410,000 followers, for posting clips with links to gambling websites. Each post earned him 2,500 baht. Yesterday, September 24, the CIB, under the direction of Police Lieutenant General Jiraphob Bhuridej, conducted an operation led by the Technology Crime Suppression Division (TCSD). The team included several…
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Catch of the day: Pattaya fisherman’s grim pond discovery
A quiet evening of fishing turned into a grisly discovery when a local fisherman stumbled upon a lifeless body near a pond in Pattaya’s Soi Thep Prasit 17. As of press time, police are scrambling to identify the man and uncover the cause of his mysterious death. The chilling find took place at around 8.06pm, yesterday, September 24, in an…
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Russian fined 5,000 baht after driving dangerously on Koh Samui
A Russian man yesterday faced a 5,000 baht fine after dangerous driving on Koh Samui, an island in the southern province of Surat Thani. Locals were impressed by the police’s swift action, though some felt the punishment was too lenient. A Thai woman took to a Facebook group called รวมพลคนสมุย (meaning Samui locals gathering) to expose the dangerous behaviour of…
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Baht to the future: Finance Ministry and BoT tackle currency surge
The Finance Ministry and the Bank of Thailand (BoT) are set to convene next week to address the strengthening baht and the nation’s inflation target amidst governmental pressure for interest rate reductions. Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Pichai Chunhavajira announced plans to meet with BoT Governor Sethaput Suthiwartnarueput to discuss the baht’s appreciation and related economic concerns. Observers anticipate…
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Nine suspects arrested for Pattani petrol station robbery
Police apprehended nine suspects involved in a brazen robbery at a petrol station in Panare district, Pattani province. The incident occurred when a group of men and women on motorcycles were ambushed by the suspects, who were armed with two guns. An alarming report emerged yesterday, September 24, of nine individuals robbing victims as they exited a PTT petrol station…
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3 year old Thai girl sexually assaulted by foreign man in Phuket
An unidentified foreign man allegedly sexually assaulted a three year old Thai girl at her home in the Rawai district of Phuket in the early hours of Monday, September 23. The young victim suffered severe injuries to her private parts. A Thai man who lived near the victim’s home shared the story of the three year old victim with the…
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DSI pursues charges over 1 billion baht fraud at Ananda subsidiary
The Department of Special Investigation (DSI) initiated legal proceedings against former board members of a subsidiary of Ananda Development for violations of the Securities and Exchange Act, following the discovery of over 1 billion baht in damages. Through its Financial and Money Laundering Case Division, the DSI submitted case file No. 7/2021 yesterday, September 24, regarding Ananda Development Public Company…
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Pattaya: Bali Hai Pier walkway roof finally taking shape
Pattaya’s ambitious project to build a 310-metre roof over the Bali Hai Pier walkway is finally approaching completion but not without drama. Initially set to finish in March, the 8.8-million-baht project hit a series of delays, leading to hefty fines for the contractor. The roof, designed to protect residents and tourists from the relentless sun and sudden downpours, has been…
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Thai man arrested for selling upskirt videos, earning 50k monthly
A 20 year old Thai man arrested for selling upskirt videos online revealed that he could earn up to 40,000 and 50,000 baht a month, significantly higher than the minimum wage of around 12,000 baht. Officers from the Investigation Division of the Metropolitan Police Bureau (IDMB) discovered secret groups on various social media platforms offering upskirt videos of students to…
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Thai Airways rolls out discounts for students, seniors, and monks
Thai Airways (THAI) is rolling out jaw-dropping discounts for select travellers, making it the perfect time to pack your bags and fly for less. The national carrier just announced special fares for students, senior citizens, and religious travellers, with massive savings on both domestic and international flights. But hurry, the sale ends on September 30. Students under 25 can now…
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Pattaya’s million-baht plan to save Koh Larn’s water supply
In a high-stakes bid to protect Koh Larn from future water shortages, a team from Pattaya City inspected the ambitious Haad Samae Beach reservoir renovation on Sunday, September 22. With a whopping 7.5 million baht budget on the line, this project is set to breathe new life into the neglected reservoir, ensuring locals have access to a reliable water supply…
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Phuket’s tourism boom set to break records this year
After a rocky few years post-Covid, Phuket is poised to smash its highest-ever revenue records in 2024, even if tourist numbers don’t quite hit pre-pandemic levels. Longer stays, higher spending and a shift in visitor profiles are key to this tourism boom, according to Rangsiman Kingkaew, Vice President of Strategy and Planning at the Phuket Tourist Association (PTA). Speaking at…
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9 year old Thai girl rescued from brutal domestic violence
The wife of social media influencer Guntouch “Gun” Pongpaiboonwet rescued a nine year old Thai girl who was brutally abused by her aunt in Nonthaburi province, near Bangkok. The girl had bite marks across her body and deformed ears. A Thai woman from the Bang Bua Thong district of Nonthaburi province sought help for the nine year old girl by…
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Bikers gang smash LED, sabotages Pattaya’s go-go scene
In a shocking act of vandalism, a gang of masked bikers unleashed a violent attack on a mobile LED advertising truck in Pattaya, causing a staggering 100,000 baht in damage. The brazen assault, which occurred on Monday night, September 23, saw four to five young men on unlicenced motorcycles armed with metal rods, smashing the truck’s LED display to pieces.…
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Thailand’s car industry slams the brakes: August downturn hits hard
Thailand’s automotive industry is hitting the skids, with car manufacturing, domestic sales, and exports all taking a nosedive in August, according to the Federation of Thai Industries (FTI). Surapong Paisitpatanapong, Vice-Chairman and spokesperson for the federation’s Automotive Industry Club, sounded the alarm, pointing to tough times in securing auto loans as a major roadblock for domestic sales. In August, total…
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What you need to know about digital wallet 10,000 baht
The Thai government’s digital wallet scheme, set to distribute 10,000 baht to eligible citizens, aims to stimulate the economy and ease the cost of living burden. As reported by Thailand’s Public Relations Department, the initiative targets Thais aged 16 and above with specific income and savings criteria, allowing them to spend the digital currency at local participating businesses across 878…
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2 Thai men arrested for sale of crystal meth found on beach
Police arrested two Thai men who gathered more than 100 kilogrammes of crystal methamphetamine, which had washed up on Chanthaburi beaches, and sold it to drug users in the province. In March of this year, locals in Chanthaburi and nearby provinces witnessed packs of crystal meth floating in the sea, with some of the drugs washing up on multiple beaches…
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