Bangkok News
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Sponsored Long-term life in Thailand? 5 reasons private health insurance pays off in the long run
Thailand is a great place for expats and retirees, offering a warm climate, affordable living, and rich culture. However, healthcare can be tricky for foreigners since they aren’t eligible for public health coverage, and private care can be expensive. Private...
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Japanese man arrested in Bangkok for overstaying visa
Thai Immigration apprehended a Japanese national in Bangkok’s Khlong Toei district after receiving a tip-off about his illegal stay. The 43 year old man was found to have overstayed his visa. Further investigations revealed the Japanese man, Miyoshi’s alarming criminal history. Allegedly involved in 111 theft cases across five areas in Japan last year, he caused damages amounting to approximately…
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Thai beautician tops senator votes with 79 votes
A 45 year old beautician emerged as one of the 200 newly elected senators, achieving the highest vote count with 79 votes. Her victory highlights a notable career in preventive medicine, skin and beauty expertise, and extensive advisory roles. Chinnachot Saengsang secured 77 votes, Police Lieutenant General Yutthana Thaiphakdi received 76 votes, General Kriangkrai Srirak garnered 74 votes, and Sopon…
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Taxi driver alerts police to car fire on Bangkok expressway
A taxi driver witnessed a dramatic car fire on an expressway and quickly alerted the police, resulting in a successful containment of the blaze. The incident, which occurred at 4.30am today, saw a Toyota Corolla engulfed in flames on the Chalerm Mahanakorn Expressway near the Sukhumvit 62 curve in the Phra Khanong district of Bangkok. Police Captain Paniphak Silachot, an…
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Thailand poised for unprecedented surge in tourists
Thailand is set to witness a phenomenal surge in tourists, with visitor numbers from four key markets, Malaysia, India, South Korea, and Russia, expected to hit record highs in 2024, thanks to robust government support and the country’s soft power initiatives. According to the Association of Thai Travel Agents (ATTA), arrivals from Malaysia are projected to soar to 5 million…
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Fare cut: Bangkok train rides slashed to just 20 baht
The Transport Ministry announced that commuters on Bangkok’s Blue, Yellow, and Pink electric train lines will pay a maximum fare of 20 baht by June 2025. Transport Minister Suriya Juangroongruangkit, who also serves as Deputy Prime Minister, revealed the progress of the government’s initiative to implement this fare cap on all electric train routes in the capital by September next…
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BLACKPINK Lisa’s ‘Rockstar’ hits two million views (video)
Lisa from BLACKPINK took the Internet and social media by storm with her latest release, Rockstar, which surpassed two million views within just an hour of its debut. This marks the Thai star’s first solo project since establishing her own company, LLOUD Co. Thai netizens were glued to their screens as Lisa’s highly anticipated video dropped at 7am today on…
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PDRC leader Suthep Thaugsuban’s jail time drastically reduced
The Appeals Court upheld the convictions of key People’s Democratic Reform Committee (PDRC) leaders, including Suthep Thaugsuban, but significantly reduced their prison sentences. Suthep Thaugsuban and Thavorn Senniam, initially handed hefty sentences by the Criminal Court, saw their prison terms cut to just one year each. Sawat Charoenphol, Suthep’s lawyer, stated that the Appeals Court made this decision without providing…
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Thailand’s digital wallet budget faces review
A portion of Thailand’s 2025 national budget designated for the government’s digital wallet scheme is likely to be reconsidered by the special House Committee vetting the budget bill within the next couple of weeks, according to Deputy Finance Minister Julapun Amornvivat. Julapun, who serves as vice chairman of the 72-member committee, commented on the panel’s decision to suspend scrutiny over…
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SCB denies UN claims of aiding Myanmar military transactions
Siam Commercial Bank (SCB) firmly denied any involvement in irregular transactions with Myanmar, challenging claims made in a recent United Nations report concerning the bank’s alleged role in financing military procurement. Tom Andrews, the UN special rapporteur on human rights in Myanmar, released a report this week detailing how Myanmar’s military regime continues to acquire weapons used against civilians. The…
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Police arrest man for smuggling crystal meth in clothes in Bangkok
Bangkok Police arrested a Thai man for smuggling crystal methamphetamine hidden in second-hand clothing parcels. The man confessed to working for over a month, earning 3,000 baht daily by packing and shipping drugs. Police officers, including Kiattikul Sonthinene, received a report from Kornwarat Promsawan and the Romklao investigation team about alleged drug trafficking activities in the Rong Kha Daeng community.…
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50 illegal Cambodian and Burmese immigrants arrested after brawl
Police raided a condominium in Samut Prakan, uncovering a violent feud between Cambodian and Burmese immigrants. The raid, led by Police Major General Wichit Boonchinwutikul, Chief of Samut Prakan Provincial Police, saw over 50 officers descend on the Bang Pu area, resulting in the arrest of 50 illegal migrant workers. The crackdown was triggered by a brutal altercation on Monday…
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Thai blaze: Narcotics go up in smoke on international anti-drug day
To mark the International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking, Thailand incinerated over 20 tonnes of confiscated narcotics valued at a staggering 6.45 billion baht yesterday, June 26. The vast quantity of drugs, primarily methamphetamine, was seized from 41,800 cases, underscoring the country’s relentless war on drugs. Public Health Minister Somsak Thepsutin stated that this destruction is part of…
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Bhutan prime minister visits Thailand after 10 years
Bhutanese Prime Minister Dasho Tshering Tobgay kicked off his official visit to Thailand on Tuesday, June 25, making history as the first Bhutanese leader to do so in over 10 years. The visit, which marks the 35th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two nations, has set the stage for a series of significant discussions and agreements aimed at strengthening…
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Purr-fect innovation: Chulalongkorn’s urine luck with cat health kit
Researchers from Chulalongkorn University unveiled the Cat Urine Test Kit designed to screen for kidney disease, gallstones, and cystitis in cats. This easy-to-use test kit promises quick and precise results, ensuring prompt treatment for our furry friends. All cat lovers cherish their pets’ health, but cats, like humans, can suffer from various ailments. The most prevalent feline issues include kidney…
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Music teacher in Bangkok denied bail over sexual abuse charges
A 38 year old music teacher from a prestigious school in the Ekkamai area was taken to the Southern Bangkok Criminal Court for a remand hearing. Facing 10 serious sexual abuse charges, he was denied bail by investigators. The teacher remained expressionless as the police escorted him from the cell to the police vehicle, ignoring questions from the media. The…
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Army general tops polls in national Senate election
The Election Commission (EC)’s vote counting began at 9.40pm yesterday and concluded around 5am today, revealing the biggest political surprise of the year. With 2,989 candidates vying for seats, the new Senate will comprise 200 members from 20 professions, replacing the 250 junta-appointed senators whose term expired on May 10. Former 4th Army Region Commander General Kriangkrai Srirak, a classmate…
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Former PM Niwatthamrong faces Senate election defeat
Former Deputy Prime Minister Niwatthamrong Boonsongpaisan faced an early exit in the first round of the national Senate elections yesterday, June 26. Despite his loss, Niwatthamrong, who served as caretaker prime minister following Yingluck Shinawatra’s removal by the Constitutional Court in 2013, remains unbowed and resolute. Niwatthamrong admitted that, like his fellow candidates, he had cast a vote for himself…
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Thaksin’s comeback: Ex-PM delivers lecture at Pheu Thai HQ
Paroled former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra made a high-profile appearance at the Pheu Thai Party headquarters yesterday. As a special guest speaker for the Pheu Thai Party Academy, Thaksin delivered a riveting lecture, urging party members to continually improve their skills and embrace lifelong learning. Addressing a class comprised predominantly of Pheu Thai MPs, Thaksin commended their active participation in…
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BLACKPINK’s Lisa transforms Bangkok mall in latest MV (video)
Thailand’s K-pop sensation Lalisa Manoban, better known as Lisa, of the renowned girl group BLACKPINK, has set social media ablaze with a 10-second teaser of her latest solo track, Rockstar, sparking a frenzy among fans worldwide. The teaser, a mere glimpse of the full song set to release this Friday, showcases vibrant scenes from Bangkok’s Chinatown at night. Iconic locations…
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AOT shakes up commercial space at Bangkok and Phuket airports
Airports of Thailand (AOT) plans to reclaim prime commercial and office spaces at Suvarnabhumi and Phuket International Airports in a move to improve passenger satisfaction, despite facing a potential loss of over 90 million baht. AOT revealed plans to reclaim areas currently operated by King Power Duty-Free and office spaces used by key government agencies, including the Immigration Bureau, the…
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Thailand government slashes hotel fees in tourism boost gamble
The Thai Cabinet made a bold move to bolster its tourism sector by extending a waiver on operating fees for hoteliers for another two years. This strategic decision, made yesterday, June 25, aims to support the country’s ongoing economic recovery following the devastating impact of the Covid-19 pandemic. The fee exemption, which spares hoteliers from the annual charge of 40…
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Mysterious dead body mistaken for a doll in Bangkok Canal
The body of a woman was discovered floating in Bang Mot Canal today by a passerby who initially mistook the body for a doll before realising it was a dead person. Bang Mot Police Station Police Lieutenant Thanakorn Thammaniramon received a report of the woman’s body floating in Bang Mot Canal, Thung Khru, Bangkok. Police quickly coordinated with forensic doctors…
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EC under fire for broken livestream promise
Yingcheep Atchanont, the manager of Internet Dialogue on Law Reform (iLaw), unleashed a scathing critique against the Election Commission (EC) for failing to live up to its promise of livestreaming the crucial final round of senatorial election voting. “The EC had publicly promised that observers could follow the procedure on CCTV streamed from the halls. What we found, however, is…
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Senate bid: Ex-PM Somchai reveals the secret to his success
Former Prime Minister Somchai Wongsawat revealed the key to his success in reaching the final round of the Senate election: His wife’s unwavering support. Upon arriving at Impact Arena in Mueang Thong Thani today to participate in the election, Somchai dispelled rumours that he had been chosen to lead the next Senate. He clarified that he was competing in the…
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Thailand government launches ambitious Cloud initiative
The Thai government greenlit a new committee to spearhead its ambitious Cloud First Policy. This transformative initiative, revealed by an insider from the Government House, aims to transition the nation’s administration into a fully digital realm, harnessing the power of cloud technology. The Cloud First Policy is designed to integrate cloud infrastructure across all governmental agencies, propelling Thailand towards its…
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Thailand ranked 4th most beautiful country in the world
Thailand has been ranked as the 4th most beautiful country in the world, according to the latest report by the World of Statistics. The ranking, which was shared on the social media platform X, formerly Twitter, used global reports and data from the United States to determine the results. Thailand stands out as the 4th most beautiful country, following New…
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Thailand needs to step up its fight against human trafficking
Thailand remains in Tier 2 on the US Department of State’s Trafficking in Persons (TIP) Report, indicating a determined effort to combat human trafficking. The US authority remarked that although Thailand has not met the minimum standards for eradicating trafficking, the government is making significant strides. “The [Thai] government demonstrated overall increasing efforts compared with the previous reporting period. These…
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Seized drug assets to fund addict rehabilitation in Thailand
Public Health Minister Somsak Thepsutin endorsed initiatives to allocate seized assets from narcotic drug cases towards funding the rehabilitation of drug addicts. Somsak revealed that during his tenure as the Justice Ministry chair, he had amended several narcotic laws, particularly those concerning asset seizures. He noted that the previous laws were too passive, resulting in only 20 million baht annually…
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Government to accelerate Sino-Thai HSR project
The Sino-Thai high-speed rail (HSR) link construction will be a major item on the agenda at next week’s mobile Cabinet meeting in Nakhon Ratchasima, with the government eager to accelerate the project, according to Digital Economy and Society (MDES) Minister Prasert Jantararuangtong. The 250.77-kilometre high-speed rail link between Bangkok and Nakhon Ratchasima is projected to be completed by 2028. Currently,…
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Thailand to adopt offset policy for military procurements
Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin emphasised the necessity for the armed forces to adopt an offset policy when procuring weapons and military hardware. This policy aims to secure reciprocal benefits as a precondition for approving new procurement deals. The Thai premier said the policy should include opportunities for Thailand to participate in the development of new defence technology from the country…
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