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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 Digital nomading in Chiang Mai? What US$1,000 a month really gets you
Chiang Mai has become a popular destination for digital nomads due to its low living costs, rich culture, and active remote work community. The city offers affordable housing, tasty food, reliable internet, and many co-working spaces, making it a great...
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Update: Russian band Bi-2 leaves Thailand for Israel escaping potential Moscow punishment
The Russian rock band Bi-2, known for their criticism of the nation’s conflict with Ukraine, last night departed Thailand for Israel. This decision came after Thai authorities threatened to deport them to Moscow due to their work for working on the island of Phuket without a valid permit, according to both the band and the Royal Thai Police. Human rights…
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Hong Kong high school kids splash coke on the homeless in pedestrian tunnel (video)
Four heartless Hong Kong teenagers sparked fury after a video surfaced, capturing their disgraceful act of splashing water and coke on an unsuspecting homeless person in a pedestrian tunnel. The disturbing footage unfolded as one teen darts towards the rough sleeper, dousing him in a heartless liquid onslaught. A cohort quickly follows suit, leaving the disoriented victim shocked, while the…
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Police crackdown on kidnapping for crypto ransom in Phuket, Thailand
Authorities in Phuket detained four foreign suspects in a brazen kidnapping that targeted a Russian couple in the island’s bustling streets. The assailants forced their victims to transfer cryptocurrency worth an estimated 30 million baht but upon interrogation the suspects maintained their innocence, claiming no acquaintance with the victims and identifying themselves as tourists. The incident, which unfolded yesterday, January…
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Whale of a time: Thai tourist’s video reels in awe with rare shark sighting near Koh Samet (video)
A fin-tastic encounter unfolded yesterday as a Thai tourist shared a video capturing the rare moment when a whale shark made a splash near Koh Samet beach in the eastern province of Rayong. A Facebook account, Tanakorn Boontaram, shared a video of a whale shark making a surprise appearance near Koh Samet beach in the eastern province of Rayong, yesterday,…
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Pattaya’s high-speed car crash triggers explosion and blackout
Pattaya witnessed a catastrophic event last night at the entrance of Soi Chaiphonwithi 15, as a high-speed car crash triggered an explosion. This near-fatal incident took place around 11pm when a bronze Toyota pickup truck, bearing Bangkok number plates, slammed into a high-voltage electric pole. The impact ignited a fire, posing a severe threat to the surrounding area. Responding to…
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British couple’s near fatal motorbike crash in Thailand leads to a romantic hospital proposal
In a tale of love, resilience, and an unexpected proposal, a British couple from Durham, in the northeast of England, found themselves thrust into the spotlight after a near-fatal motorbike crash during what was supposed to be a dreamy 28-day Thai vacation. As their love story unfolds amidst the wreckage, a community rallies to support the engaged couple, fighting against…
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Samui Airport sees remarkable surge in tourist arrivals in 2023
The year 2023 witnessed an outstanding surge in tourist arrivals at Samui Airport, in Thailand, with 2.2 million holidaymakers marking their footprints on the east coast island. The figure indicates a significant 66.65% increase compared to the previous year’s numbers. Located in the Surat Thani province, the Koh Samui district is home to Samui Airport. The district’s director, Jirawat Wutthiwatworakun,…
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Stretching for change: Foreign yogi beggar sought near Bangkok’s Mor Chit BTS station
Human Security Emergency Management Center (HuSEC) officers are searching for a foreign beggar who showed off his yoga skills for money near Mor Chit BTS Station in Bangkok . Pictures of a foreign beggar seeking money to travel back to his home country went viral on Thai social media this week. The foreign man in the pictures was seen wearing…
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Phetchaburi police intensify manhunt for suspect in salesman’s murder
A coordinated police operation is underway to apprehend Arm Hua Saphan, a suspect in the fatal shooting of a young mobile merchant in Phetchaburi Province. Police Chief Wan Chai Khawram of Muang Phetchaburi Police Station opened an investigative team to track the suspect, who is the nephew of a high-ranking police officer. The operation involves searches at four locations to…
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Visa applications in Thailand surge, overtaking pre-Covid figures
Visa applications from Thailand have surged, surpassing 2019 pre-pandemic levels. Visa application volumes from Thailand, after a turbulent spell, are on the brink of eclipsing pre-pandemic levels, signalling a remarkable recovery in global travel confidence. A 35% increase in applications last year compared to 2022 promises a boost to international tourism. Key points: Visa applications rebounded with a 35% surge…
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Chulalongkorn University’s CU Radio on air hours change triggers debate
Chulalongkorn University‘s iconic CU Radio station, a beacon of knowledge for over six decades, triggered a storm of criticism by chopping its broadcasting hours from 6am to midnight to 6am to 6pm. Starting today, the airwaves on FM101.5 will fall silent post-6pm, heralding the advent of Chula Radio Plus. Established in 1958, the station, synonymous with quality education, faces a…
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Suspected arson leads to wildfire in Trat, Thailand’s Samet Forest
A wildfire ravaged nearly 100 acres of the Samet Forest in Trat province, Thailand, with suspicions that locals secretly set the fire to forage for forest products. Despite the efforts of firefighting teams, the blaze remains uncontained and there are concerns it could spread to an adjacent 2,000-acre forest. The Thai authorities are closely monitoring the situation, including the safety…
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China surpasses Japan as world’s largest car exporter in 2023
China has seized the title of the world’s largest car exporter in 2023, according to recent industry figures. This marks a significant shift, seeing Japan’s reign topple for the first time since Germany’s lead in 2016. This new data, released yesterday, January 31, by a Japanese trade organisation, indicates a 16% increase in Japan’s car exports from the previous year,…
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Tourist thrill ride: Hanging out of car windows lands travellers in hot water in Phuket
A group of reckless tourists in Karon, Phuket, were caught on video hanging out of a car’s windows on the road on Tuesday afternoon. Karon police confirmed that the tourists were seen engaging in impulsive behaviour at approximately 3pm on January 30. The police tracked down the individuals in question at 5.45pm and took them to the local police station…
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Rare Pokémon Oreo fetches up to 200,000 baht
A recent online sensation has emerged as a Facebook page announced it is willing to pay up to 200,000 baht (US$5,637) for a special edition Oreo cookie featuring the rare Mew Pokémon design. This limited-edition cookie has caused a stir among collectors and raised questions about the authenticity of the buying offers, with some speculating it might be a price…
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Welsh tourist dies of heart failure on first day of Phuket holiday
A 60 year old Welsh holidaymaker tragically passed away from heart failure on the first day of his vacation in Phuket, Thailand, reported by Patong Police. The lamentable event was confirmed to Police Lieutenant Colonel Pacharathorn Chan-iad of Patong Police by Patong Hospital at around 12.30pm yesterday, January 31. The man, accompanied by his family of three, had embarked on…
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Burmese magnate Tun Min Latt walks free from drug trafficking trial
The Criminal Court acquitted Myanmar magnate Tun Min Latt and Senator Upakit Pacharirangkun’s son-in-law, Dean Young Gultula, of drug trafficking charges. The ruling cited insufficient evidence, leaving jaws dropping in disbelief. The charges were filed against Tun Min Latt, the Myanmar businessman, and Gultula, along with two others and the Allure Group (P&E) Co., Ltd., an electricity supply business. The…
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Teenager detained for premeditated murder in Suan Luang school
A 14 year old schoolboy, recently detained at a juvenile detention centre, stands accused of premeditated murder and public possession of a weapon. This follows a tragic incident that occurred on Monday at a school in the Suan Luang district, where he allegedly stabbed and killed another student. Awaiting judgment, the teenager remains under the jurisdiction of the Central Juvenile…
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Foam and scale: Dishwashing liquid divides netizens in fishy transport debate
A fish vendor’s unconventional method of using dishwashing liquid to keep fish alive during transportation has sparked intense online debate. A video went viral showing the vendor pouring the liquid into a fish transport container, claiming it helps provide oxygen to the fish, preventing them from water shock. However, Dr Jesada Denduangboripant, a biology lecturer at Chulalongkorn University and a…
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Heroic bus driver’s honesty wins hearts: Returns lost wallets to French couple
A Thai bus driver is breaking the Internet with his virtuous act after returning the wallets of a French couple. Kanta Sridara, the 59 year old driver of Mini Bus No. 44 on the Kanchanaburi-Bangkok route, not only discovered misplaced wallets belonging to French tourists but also promptly returned their lifetime savings, earning praise and admiration across social media. According to…
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Pattaya plight: Migrant beggars roam the streets
Migrant beggars, disabled individuals, and the elderly have been spotted roaming the streets near Pattaya Beach, raising eyebrows and causing discomfort among residents and tourists alike. The alarming scenes, particularly along Second Road and in front of the Wat Chai Mongkol Market in South Pattaya, triggered concerns about the city’s struggle to tackle street begging, leaving its impact on the…
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Lottery frenzy hits Thailand ahead of Chinese New Year
As the festive season of Chinese New Year beckons, lottery fever grips Thailand, with enthusiasts eagerly anticipating the draw today, February 1. The blend of Chinese New Year and Valentine’s Day sparked a surge in lottery ticket sales, with a particular focus on numbers associated with these celebrations. The government lottery office, however, has yet to commence its travelling draw…
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4 year old boy falls to his death from 23rd floor of Bangkok condo
Tragedy struck the Jomthong district of Bangkok yesterday when a four year old boy fell to his death from the balcony of a 23rd-floor condominium on Rama II Road. The family had only just moved into the condo on the day of the heartbreaking incident. Bangmod Police Station officers visited the 26-storey condo at about 4pm yesterday after receiving reports…
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Student Loan Fund recalculates debt repayment to reduce 100 billion baht bad debts
With a staggering 100 billion baht (US$2.8 billion) in bad debts, the Student Loan Fund (SLF) is set to see a decline in its debt pile following the implementation of a new debt repayment calculation method, according to SLF manager, Chainarong Kajchapanan. This change is a result of the recent amendment of the Student Loan Fund Act (No.2) 2023, which…
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Man dies in high-speed motorcycle crash on Phuket road
A tragic motorcycle accident claimed the life of a 33 year old man in Phuket early this morning after he lost control of his vehicle and crashed. Police and emergency services rushed to the scene, where they discovered the victim had suffered fatal head injuries. Before dawn today, a sharp curve on a road in Phuket turned into the scene…
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Thai Transport Ministry announces 652 billion baht for infrastructure projects
The Thai Transport Ministry recently announced a substantial investment of 652 billion baht (US$18,345,526,120). The funds are earmarked for around 150 transport projects to be initiated this year and the next, in a bid to bolster the country’s infrastructure. Transport Minister Suriya Jungrungreangkit detailed the plans following a policy seminar held yesterday, January 31. According to him, 64 projects, with…
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Potential rise in minimum wage to 400 baht in select provinces
The anticipated increase in the daily minimum wage to 400 baht in select provinces is set for review by the tripartite wage committee in April, according to Labour Minister Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn. The committee’s chairman, Pairoj Chotikasathien, assigned a subcommittee to reassess the wage calculation formula and explore the potential for wage hikes in certain provinces and professions. The findings from…
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Good Samaritan injured aiding crash victims in Pathum Thani
In the early hours of today, February 1, a good Samaritan tragically became a victim himself while assisting at the scene of a crash involving two motorcycles in Pathum Thani Province. A 38 year old man was struck by a speeding car, sustaining severe injuries. The accident, which initially left three people injured from the motorcycle collision, occurred on the…
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Marine animal fossils from Permian period discovered near ancient Si Thep town
Unearthed in the vicinity of Si Thep ancient town, Phetchabun, a trove of marine animal fossils dating back over 250 million years have been uncovered, shedding light on the region’s ancient history. Apsorn Sardsud, leading the Geology Division Department of Mineral Resources Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, shared that the archaeological team discovered fossil remains in tambon Ban Phot,…
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Thailand’s manufacturing sector set to rebound by 2024 despite 2023 contraction
Despite the economic slowdown causing a 5.1% contraction in Thailand’s Manufacturing Production Index (MPI) last year, it is expected to rebound in 2024. The forecasted improvement comes in response to an increase in the export of industrial products, which grew by 3.22% in December, marking the third consecutive month of growth, according to Warawan Chitaroon, the director-general of the Office…
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