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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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Thailand Video News | Brawl among Korean tourists erupts in Pattaya restaurant, Chinese tourist robbed by fake cops in Pattaya
In Thailand, violent brawls, nightclub raids, and tourist scams spotlight Pattaya’s growing reputation for chaos—while quick-thinking staff in Ranong foiled a major gold heist. Meanwhile, Southeast Asia grapples with bigger questions: Cambodia honors its painful past with new UNESCO recognitions, Vietnam confronts a looming population crisis, and a Thai academic urges transparency over Trump’s upcoming tariffs. Elsewhere, a viral panda,…
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Ex-monk arrested for stealing 18,000 baht from donation box
A former monk, recently defrocked for 10 days, has been apprehended for stealing 18,000 baht from a donation box. He claims he was drunk and heard voices instructing him to commit the theft. Yesterday, July 13, Police Colonel Wisit Buasongwong assigned Police Lieutenant Colonel Patipat Nuekhoomueang, Police Lieutenant Colonel Suwit Phumprakhon, and Police Sub-Lieutenant Nueng Chaiyamongkol to arrest 54 year…
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Snack thief armed with scissors caught after convenience store heist
Police arrested a Thai man in the Isaan province of Khon Kaen after he threatened a convenience store employee with a pair of scissors and fled with stolen snacks. The incident was reported to Mueang Khon Kaen Police Station at 2.36am yesterday, July 13, after the suspect escaped on a motorcycle. Fortunately, no injuries were reported. According to the employee,…
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Thai hard with a vengeance: Dad quits broken Britain for Thailand
A fed-up dad from Nottinghamshire is packing up his life, and his family, to start over in Thailand with just a suitcase and a dream, after declaring he can’t afford to live in “Broken Britain” any longer. Dale Smith has had enough of sky-high bills, grim weather and what he calls “pointless” schooling for his kids. So this November, the…
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4 Thai and Chinese men arrested for kidnapping and extortion in Pattaya
Police arrested two Thai men and two Chinese nationals for kidnapping and extorting a Chinese tourist in Pattaya. The 52 year old victim, Lin, was abducted by four men posing as police officers on July 10 while standing outside a noodle shop on Pattaya Sai Sam Road. The gang arrived in an SUV and forced him into their vehicle. According…
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Pattaya mechanic batters customer to death after row over parts
A petty row over motorbike parts turned into a fatal street brawl in Pattaya, leaving a 33 year old man dead and his long-time mechanic friend facing a murder charge. The deadly drama unfolded in the early hours of Saturday, July 12 when 31 year old Somjet Sapprasert, allegedly bludgeoned his customer, 33 year old Sonthaya “Toomtam” Nuchlek, to death…
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Kham Chanod draws crowds for spiritual rituals and luck
Kham Chanod, a renowned spiritual site in Udon Thani province, recently attracted a large number of visitors eager to pay their respects to the revered spirits of Grandfather Srisuttho and Grandmother Pratumma. The influx of tourists coincided with a long weekend, culminating yesterday, July 13, as people sought blessings and good fortune ahead of the upcoming workweek starting today, July…
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Tyred and fired! Pattaya garage inferno erupts after fuel blunder
A routine fuel drain turned into a fireball fiasco in a Pattaya garage after a misfuelled Toyota Alphard burst into flames, torching five vehicles and sending plumes of smoke across Phonprapanimit Road. Emergency services rushed to the Somphot Service garage near Moo 7 at 3.30pm on Saturday, July 13, after a blazing inferno engulfed the car repair and tyre shop.…
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Former Thai ranger punches Cambodian soldier at controversial border site
A former Thai volunteer ranger punched a Cambodian soldier at a tourist attraction in the Isaan province of Surin, an area marked by tension between the two countries, yesterday, July 13. The spokesperson for the Royal Thai Army (RTA), Wintachai Suwaree, clarified the incident at Prasat Ta Muen Thom in the Phanom Dong Rak district of Surin, stating that Thai…
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Wave off! Phuket lifeguards issue warning after Kata beach drama
Phuket lifeguards at Kata Beach are once again pleading with holidaymakers to respect safety flags after a dramatic rescue involving two French children caught in a vicious rip current, while their parents were sunbathing. The terrifying moment on Friday, July 11, was caught on camera and shared by Facebook user Kon La Fan, I’m poor. So I have to fight.…
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Ammonia leak prompts evacuation in Chon Buri ice factory
An ammonia leak at an ice factory in Soi Noen Plubwan, Nong Prue subdistrict, Bang Lamung district, Chon Buri, prompted emergency services to evacuate residents due to strong, irritating odours. The situation was controlled, and residents returned home after the smell subsided at 10.06pm yesterday, July 13. The Sawang Boriboon Thammasathan Rescue Radio Centre in Pattaya received a report of…
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Holy scandal! Monks caught with robes down in Miss Golf romp
A saucy scandal involving 11 randy monks and a mystery woman known only as Miss Golf has sent shockwaves through Thailand’s Buddhist community and now the country’s top clerics are scrambling to clean up the mess. Thailand’s Sangha Supreme Council (SSC) is forming a special committee to review monastic regulations in the wake of a sex scandal that’s left the…
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Man’s failed gold heist thwarted by brave staff in Ranong
A man, identified as 35 year old Sumet from Trang province, attempted a daring theft at a renowned gold shop in Ranong. He managed to seize gold necklaces valued at approximately 500,000 baht before being captured by a quick-thinking employee and good Samaritans. The incident occurred at 7.29pm yesterday, July 12, when local police were alerted to a robbery at…
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Buriram man caught with stolen motorcycle and drugs
A 22 year old man has been apprehended for stealing a motorcycle from residents in Buriram, intending to impress a girlfriend. The police, upon investigation, discovered drugs and stolen money with him. The suspect is now in custody. Today, July 13, Police Lieutenant Colonel Theerapong Phonarin, an investigator at Baan Dan Police Station in Baan Dan district, Buriram province, received…
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Thai fraudster caught posing as electricity official on Koh Samui
A former employee posing as an electricity authority official was apprehended on charges of defrauding a Russian businessman on Koh Samui by falsely claiming overdue electricity bills would lead to power disconnection. The suspect confessed to multiple offences on the island. Today, July 13, Police Colonel Den Duang Thongsrisuk of Bo Phut Police Station in Koh Samui, Surat Thani province,…
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Thai soldiers intercept illegal entrants from Cambodia
Yesterday, July 12, Thai military personnel discovered two people, a man and a woman, entering Thailand from Cambodia through an illicit route. They were found without passports and had reportedly been working in Poipet, Cambodia, under false pretenses. The pair, who were suspected of illegal entry, were intercepted by soldiers from the Burapha Force and the 1201st Ranger Company along…
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Motorcyclist’s body found in canal after Bangkok accident
A motorcyclist’s tragic accident resulted in his body being found in a drainage canal, prompting police to examine CCTV footage for a clearer understanding of the incident. Witnesses questioned whether a public transport vehicle was involved. At 1.30am today, July 13, Police Lieutenant Nattapong Kanarat from Bukkhalo Police Station received a report of a fatal motorcycle accident at the entrance…
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Luxury watch worth 5.65 million baht stolen in Bangkok scam
A high-end luxury watch valued at 5.65 million baht was reportedly stolen after a man expressed interest in purchasing it but failed to transfer the payment. The incident was reported today, July 13, at a renowned parcel delivery service located in Soi Lat Phrao 101, Bangkok, where the seller had placed the watch for pickup. Police Major Ekpote Manee from…
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Bangkok launches Sukhumvit Model to improve safety and public order
The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) has introduced the Sukhumvit Model, a project designed to enhance safety, public order, and the quality of life along Sukhumvit Road. Bangkok governor Chadchart Sittipunt conducted an inspection of the area on the night of July 10, accompanied by deputy governor Wisanu Subsompon, Deputy Interior Minister Theerarat Samrejvanich, and other senior officials. The inspection covered…
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Women detain rider accused of blackmail in Pattaya
On the evening of yesterday, July 12, a group of women in Pattaya took decisive action by detaining a 26 year old motorbike rider nicknamed Boom Khunphaen Rider, identified as Phonlawat, and handed him over to Pattaya police. The man is accused of blackmail, assault, and making threats involving explicit videos. The confrontation took place outside a motorbike rental shop…
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Thai police capture Chinese suspect in airport escape attempt
Thai police have detained Hao Yong, a 45 year old Chinese national, at Suvarnabhumi Airport as he attempted to escape to Phnom Penh, Cambodia. He is suspected of orchestrating a crime in South Pattaya, where a victim was abducted after leaving an entertainment venue. Police investigations revealed that Hao Yong admitted to identifying the victim, who was seized after stopping…
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Cyclist saved by locals after seizure collapse in Lop Buri
Locals promptly administered CPR to a cyclist around 50 years old after he lost consciousness from a seizure while riding in Lop Buri province yesterday morning, July 12. He has since been reported as stable at Phra Narai Maharaj Hospital. The incident took place at 8.53am on Lop Buri-Wang Muang Road in tambon Nikhom Sang Ton Eng, Mueang district. Hospital rescue workers and…
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Lifeguard rescues French children from rip current at Kata Beach (video)
A lifeguard at Kata Beach in Phuket rescued two French children using a surfboard after they were carried out to sea by a strong rip current and were unable to swim back to the shore. Despite red flags being present to alert tourists to avoid entering the water due to rough conditions, the incident still took place. The rescue, occurring…
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Pattaya police detain four over Chinese man’s abduction, robbery
Police in Pattaya have detained four people, comprising two Chinese nationals and two Thais, in relation to the abduction and robbery of a Chinese national by people impersonating police officers earlier this week. The incident unfolded at approximately 5.30am on July 10 outside a noodle shop located on North Pattaya Road. Lin Yifan, a 52 year old man, was reportedly…
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Samut Prakan journalist attacked probing hit-and-run
A local journalist filed a complaint against a 32 year old man for assault following an incident yesterday in Phra Samut Chedi district, Samut Prakan province. Sarawut Wanya, a 41 year old reporter, alleged that a man named Sahachart punched him in the face at the latter’s residence while Sarawut was pursuing a hit-and-run investigation yesterday, July 11. The incident…
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Ayutthaya abbot scammed, loses 120k baht to call centre gang
A prominent abbot from Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya province admitted to being deceived by a call centre gang, leading to a personal indiscretion which he later regretted. At Wat Chang Lek in Bang Sai district, locals gathered to support the abbot, Prakhru Pratheep Watcharaporn, who is also the district head monk of Ban Klueng. Prakhru Suwat Bunyoophas, the district head…
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UNESCO: Thailand primed to lead ASEAN AI revolution
Computing capabilities, data interoperability, and policy harmonisation are essential elements of ASEAN regional collaboration in developing artificial intelligence (AI) capabilities, according to UNESCO. The organisation emphasises Thailand’s potential to position itself as a strategic hub for AI capacity building, strengthening its leadership in Southeast Asia’s digital future. Thailand recently hosted the UNESCO Global Forum on the Ethics of AI, marking…
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Guard nabbed with meth stash on duty in Wichit, Phuket
Wichit Police have arrested a 28 year old security guard after discovering methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia stashed inside his workplace. The suspect, identified only as Nattawat, also known by the nickname “Big”, was detained on Thursday, July 10 at a guard post within a luxury condominium construction site off Mueang Naka Road in Village 4, Wichit. Officers reported finding 17…
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Chon Buri duo nabbed in midnight aluminium theft
Two desperate men armed with hammers and a beat-up motorbike were caught red-handed slicing aluminium in a Chon Buri backstreet—fuelled by poverty and the urge to feed their families. In the early hours of yesterday, July 11, Bang Lamung Police Station officers swooped on a quiet lane near Soi Sukhumvit-Pattaya 79 after concerned residents reported suspicious activity. Led by Police…
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Thai Airways taps ECS group for Swiss cargo takeover
Thai Airways is gearing up for a major cargo push in Europe, handing the reins of its Swiss freight operations to Globe Air Cargo in a move set to shake up the market. Globe Air Cargo Switzerland, a subsidiary of the logistics heavyweight ECS Group, has secured an exclusive deal to become the general sales and service agent (GSSA) for…
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