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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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Thai traditional dress set to be listed on UNESCO
The Ministry of Culture is gearing up to propose the inclusion of Thai traditional dress in UNESCO‘s prestigious intangible cultural heritage listings. The visionary behind this move is none other than Kowit Pakamart, the director-general of the Department of Cultural Promotion. To pave the way for this historic proposal, the department recently orchestrated a vibrant brainstorming session at the Thailand…
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Climate crisis: Thailand promises to cut carbon emissions by 40%
Thailand has pledged a whopping 40% cut in carbon emissions, up from its initial 30%, following the resounding success of the 2023 United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP28) in Dubai. At a riveting COP28 debriefing event yesterday, December 20, Phirun Saiyasitpanich, Chief of the Department of Climate Change and Environment, declared that a serious study based on social, environmental, and…
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Thai man arrested for defrauding victims of over 4.5 million baht
A fraudulent individual, claiming to be a high-ranking police officer and a judge’s aide, was apprehended by Thai law enforcement agencies for conning victims out of more than 4.5 million baht. The 35 year old man allegedly exploited his contrived connections to facilitate court proceedings and expedite electronic monitoring bracelet removals. Phromphron was seized near the public service station of…
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Thai man arrested after failing to call on his invisible powers before robbery
Police arrested a Thai man for repeated thefts in the southern province of Nakhon Si Thammarat after he failed to invoke invisible powers before the robbery, and his theft showed on the CCTV footage. Several victims filed theft complaints with the Tham Phannara and Phra Saeng Police Stations in Nakhon Si Thammarat. Officers checked security cameras at each scene until…
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Resort creates stunning Christmas tree from recycled plastic
OUTRIGGER Khao Lak Beach Resort has not only decked the halls but has also adorned its lobby with an extraordinary Christmas tree that’s more than just glitter and baubles. Step into a world where environmental responsibility meets festive flair, as this luxury resort in the heart of paradise unveils a sustainable masterpiece that’s turning heads and sparking conversations. Embracing the…
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Human trafficking ring busted: Underage girls lured to sell virginity to Chinese investors for 200,000 baht
An investigation led by the Crime Suppression Division (CSD) led to the arrest of seven individuals allegedly involved in a human trafficking ring today. The accused were reportedly enticing underage girls from Mae Hong Son province to sell their virginity to Chinese investors in Bangkok for a fee of 200,000 baht (US$ 5,733). If the girls were found to be…
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From winter solstice festivals to Thai celebrations: Unveiling the history of Christmas
Folks all around the globe immerse themselves in Christmas and New Year’s Eve celebrations and festivities during the winter month of December each year with no exception. The atmosphere filled with lively celebrations, joyful reunions, and new beginnings serves as a remedy for the exhaustion accumulated throughout the year. Get ready for the festive season by going back in time to…
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National Police Chief vows to crush criminals behind university violence
National Police Chief Police General Torsak Sukvimol has pledged to eradicate a criminal organisation accused of orchestrating violence and hatred among rival students at Rajamangala University of Technology Tawan-ok, Uthenthawai campus. At a riveting press conference today, December 21, Pol. Gen. Torsak declared war on the shadowy group, linking them to the fatal shooting of Thanasorn Hongsawat in the Khlong…
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Unexpected algae bloom hits Patong beach due to premature seaweed growth
Yesterday, employees from the Public Health and Environment Division of Patong Municipality were hard at work on Patong Beach, clearing off algae that washed ashore. This unexpected event came as a result of an algae bloom and has yet to be formally addressed by Patong Municipality. The purpose of this timely response was primarily to retain the aesthetic appeal of Patong…
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Where to celebrate Christmas in Phuket 2023
The jingle bells start to ring and the fairy lights begin to twinkle, Christmas is almost here! If you’re spending Christmas in Phuket, you’ll be happy to know that the island is teeming with restaurants ready to serve a yuletide feast for you and your kin. From expansive buffets to elegant set menus, here are the best Christmas brunches and dinners in…
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China powers up Thailand’s South with groundbreaking transmission line
China‘s transmission line project in Thailand has sparked a new era in the southern province of Phatthalung. A groundbreaking event unfolded on December 19 as the Thung Song-Songkhla 500kV Transmission Line Project, also known as the Thung Song Project, lit up the skies over Thailand’s southern Phatthalung province. The culmination of two years of relentless construction, this power transmission marvel…
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Rice prices surge to 15-year high amid demand and El Niño concerns
Rice prices have surged to a 15-year high amid growing concerns about the impact of increased demand and the effects of El Niño on supplies. The grain, a dietary staple for billions of people in Asia and Africa, saw its cost rise 2.5% last week, reaching US$650 a tonne, the highest point since October 2008. This information, provided by the…
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Nonthaburi police nab Indian man for illegal money lending and visa overstay
Nonthaburi Immigration Police apprehended an Indian man yesterday, accused of illegal money lending and found to have overstayed his visa by more than six years. The 39 year old man was apprehended outside a rented accommodation in Moo 3 village, located in Tambon Bang Rak Noi of Mueang district. The detention was a result of an investigation into foreign nationals…
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Thai artist’s ethical odyssey: Morals across time and culture
In a riveting solo exhibition, Thai artist Sakarin Krue-On intricately weaves the tapestry of human morality, transcending temporal and cultural confines. Rather than a scathing critique of progress or tradition, his art masterfully unveils the intricate web of consequences arising from our choices, encouraging introspection on the pivotal moments where good and evil collide, irrespective of cultural or temporal backdrops. At…
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Young man tragically crushed under reversing tractor in Thai village
A tragic accident took place at 9amt today in the village of Kok Pheg, Buri Ram, where a 22 year old man was run over by a reversing tractor. The deceased was preparing the vehicle to plough a sugarcane field when the incident occurred. The young man’s 13 year old brother, who was assisting him, witnessed the horrifying event. At…
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Chilling chase forces Thai man to leap into canal, still missing
A 25 year old man faced a chilling ordeal as he was chased by a man masquerading as a police officer, causing him to jump into the Mamuang Song Ton Canal in the Nakhon Si Thammarat province. The chase left him terrified, and he has been missing since the incident. The pursuer, who disappeared without offering any assistance, left only…
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Battle of the butter cookies: Arsenal vs Imperial – the red tin rivalry
It’s a cookie clash between two heavyweights, Arsenal and Imperial, with packaging so alike that many mistake them for siblings in the snack world. But surprise, surprise – they’re the brainchildren of different culinary maestros. Crafted by KCG Group, Imperial cookies boast Tong Theeranusornkij as their creator since 1985. Meanwhile, Arsenal cookies emerge from the ovens of the Siam Ruammit…
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South Korean firm GCOO brings e-bikes and e-scooters to Phuket
Phuket, Thailand’s famous tourist destination, is now home to e-bikes and e-scooters, courtesy of South Korean firm GCOO. The company recently launched its clean-energy personal transport services, deploying these eco-friendly vehicles at major points across the island, including Phuket Town and Patong. The launch, dubbed Phuket Smart Mobility, was celebrated with an event held at the Chartered Bank Intersection in…
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Government to shoulder Covid-19 insurance claims as insurers buckle under 60 billion baht payouts
Deputy Finance Minister Julapun Amornvivat has revealed that the Thai government may have to step in to assist with the hefty burden arising from Covid-19 insurance claims. The grim situation has seen total payouts skyrocket to almost 60 billion baht, leaving non-life insurance companies in shambles and prompting the closure of those unable to meet the financial demands. Julapun disclosed…
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Thai man kills girlfriend in jealousy and refusal to convert to Islam
A Thai man killed his girlfriend in a luxury condominium in the Jana district in the southern province of Songkhla before taking his own life. The motives for the murder were reportedly jealousy and the woman’s refusal to convert to Islam. Officers from Hat Yai Police Station were called to the murder-suicide in room number 13 on the 25th floor…
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Foreigners defrauded by Thai woman with their passports leads to arrest
More than 30 foreigners turned the tables on a 33 year old woman, dragging her to the Pattaya City Police Station with a trove of 40 passports. The former language school teacher, Supawadee Thongnoi, stands accused of a cunning visa renewal scam that left expats high and dry in Thailand. Previously, victims had lodged complaints at the Pattaya City Police…
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Where to celebrate Christmas in Bangkok 2023
The most wonderful time of the year is coming! And after all those Christmas shopping, you deserve a festive feast. Luckily, numerous restaurants and hotels in Bangkok are offering extravagant and delightful Christmas dining experiences to turn up the holiday cheer. From roast turkey with all the trimmings to seafood and Thai dishes, you can treat yourself and your loved ones…
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Distinctive underwear leads to arrest of tobacconist robber a year later
A trio of armed robbers stormed a tobacconist on 109th Ave, USA, on September 14 last year before escaping, only to be caught a year later due to the distinctive underwear one of the culprits wore during the crime. The criminals, all wearing masks, arrived in a Mazda car. Two of them pointed guns at staff and customers while the…
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Will the 2024 fiscal year save the Thai economy?
Deputy Finance Minister Julapun Amornvivat revealed that Thailand‘s eagerly awaited 3.48 trillion baht budget for the 2024 fiscal year won’t see the light until early May. Originally set to kick off on October 1, the budget got tangled in the web of politics, with May’s election and the lengthy government formation process pushing the official start to September 5. According…
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Thailand Winter Festival fuels tourism boom
Thailand‘s vibrant cultural tapestry, woven with ancient traditions and modern spectacles, is driving a tourism surge, with the Thailand Winter Festival taking the spotlight as the grand finale of 2023. The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) wrapped up the year with a dazzling Thailand Winter Festival, featuring five cultural extravaganzas, including a Colorful Canals promotion for the mesmerising Loy Krathong…
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Middle-aged Chinese bride marries without dowry demand
A 47 year old bride has married for the first time, making no demands for a dowry, house, or car, only wanting her groom, who is remarkably handsome. The wedding took place in the city of Fujian, China, where the middle-aged woman discovered true love and donned a wedding dress for the first time. Despite the age gap seeming significant,…
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Stranded man sells appliances for 800 baht to visit ill sister
A 56 year old man was deceived and abandoned by a van driver, leaving him stranded along Bang Na-Trat Road, Bang Phli district, Samut Prakan province. Phorncharoen Saengthothep, originally from Udon Thani, was travelling back home to care for his sick sister suffering from diabetes and had sold his rice cooker and fridge for 800 baht to fund his journey.…
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Vet shares unusual tale of pet pig choking on pork meatball on TikTok (video)
A bizarre incident occurred when a local villager brought his pet pig to a vet in a fertiliser sack, after it choked on a pork meatball, yesterday, December 20. The incident was shared on TikTok by user @naynaykung019, who happens to be the treating veterinarian. The video clip shows the pet pig owner seeking help, stating that his pet pig…
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Unexplained death after tooth extraction sparks controversy in Phetchaburi
A 25 year old woman‘s mysterious death following two tooth extractions has led to her distraught family seeking answers. The woman, Thiphaphon (surname withheld), experienced severe facial swelling and pain after the dental procedure at a hospital in Phetchaburi. Despite later diagnoses of leukaemia and further tests, her death remains unexplained and has sparked controversy. The news was delivered to…
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Northern Thailand: Endangered red-headed vulture lays egg in sanctuary in Uthai Thani
A significant milestone has been reached in Thailand‘s conservation efforts with the laying of an egg by a critically endangered red-headed vulture (Sarcogyps calvus) in Huai Kha Khaeng wildlife sanctuary, Uthai Thani. The exciting development was announced on social media by Ornyupa Sangkamarn, secretary-general of the Sueb Nakhasathien Foundation, who remains hopeful about the egg’s fertility and successful hatching. The…
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