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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 Airways sees surge in bookings despite pandemic and global conflict
Thai Airways International (THAI) reported a surge in bookings on its European and Australian routes for the fourth quarter of this year, signalling a robust recovery for the airline even amid an ongoing pandemic. Despite the broader global economic slowdown and the Israel-Hamas war, these routes have witnessed heavy bookings. However, the Chinese market remains slow, possibly due to various…
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Pathum Thani male motorcyclist under meth influence arrested for fatal shooting
Police apprehended the male motorcyclist responsible for chasing down and shooting a furniture craftsman, causing a fatal incident. It was revealed that the culprit had just consumed methamphetamine. The family of the deceased, who had only returned to work three months prior, expressed their grief. The incident involved a male motorcyclist chasing and shooting at a Toyota Hilux Vigo pickup. The…
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BAAC organises Japan trip to boost Thai farmers’ global market competitiveness
The Bank for Agriculture and Agricultural Cooperatives (BAAC), led by its president, Chatchai Sirilai, has organised an overseas business study trip to Fukuoka, Japan, from October 20 to October 24. The initiative aimed to aid small-scale Thai farmers and farming businesses by enhancing their business efficiency and competitiveness in the global market. The trip provided an opportunity for knowledge exchange…
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Elderly healthcare at double utilization rate reveals NHSO
The National Health Security Office (NHSO) has revealed that the elderly in Thailand utilise healthcare services at twice the rate of other age groups, accounting for one-third of the system’s total costs. The most common conditions found in this group are enlarged thyroid, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and arrhythmias. The majority of elderly patients utilise the state-provided universal healthcare coverage,…
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Siam Carnival Funfair ride accident causes three injuries
A shocking incident occurred at the Siam Carnival Funfair under the Rama 8 Bridge where a giant octopus ride collapsed, injuring three teenagers. Immediate assistance was provided by authorities who also revealed the cause and pledged to take responsibility. Last night, an amusement ride at the waterfront Siam Carnival Funfair located under the Rama 8 Bridge on Arun Amarin Road,…
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Nightlife extension in Pattaya to 4am could boost tourism, says city business chief
The president of the Pattaya City Night Business Association is optimistic about the potential of nightlife extension activities until 4am. However, she noted that the current directive only applies to the U-Tapao Airport area. She urged the government to better understand the unique dynamics of Pattaya, a city heavily reliant on tourism. Lisa Hamilton voiced her concerns that while the government…
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3P safety policy: Thai Ministry to launch new initiative for public welfare
The Thai Ministry of Public Health (MOPH) approved the implementation of the new 3P Safety policy aimed at ensuring the safety of patients, healthcare personnel, and the general public. Chonnan Srikaew, the Minister of Public Health, revealed this after a meeting with the committee to drive the patient safety policy. This meeting had an agenda to consider the draft policy…
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Gallstones galore: Thai TikTok user warns against bubble tea after 200,000 baht surgery (video)
A TikTok user identified as @ink.pimbongkoch shared her younger sister’s distressing ordeal after she was diagnosed with gallstones, with a shocking count of 72 stones. The sister had been enduring intense abdominal pain, which led to a hospital visit where doctors revealed the unexpected cause. The TikTok user explained in her video. “This is terrifying, how could this many stones…
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Lazada Thailand boosts logistics sector with sorting facility
Lazada Thailand has set the stage for fierce competition in the local logistics sector by investing heavily in a state-of-the-art sorting facility, its largest investment in Southeast Asia. This move anticipates a boom in the e-commerce market, predicted to hit US$32 billion by 2025. Simultaneously, Kerry Express is increasing its logistics operations’ accuracy and efficiency by integrating automation technology and…
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Thai PM to kickstart Naga Fire: Miracle of Faith 2023, boosting tourism
Thailand Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin is set to grace the grand opening of the Naga Fire: Miracle of Faith 2023 event in Phon Phisai District, Nong Khai on Sunday, October 29, according to the government’s spokesperson, Chai Wacharonke. This visit marks the premier’s first official journey to Laos, set to commence the day after his overnight stay in Udon Thani.…
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Thailand intensifies fight against XDR-TB, targeting eradication by 2030
The battle against drug-resistant Tuberculosis (XDR-TB) is escalating in Thailand, as the Public Health Ministry pushes towards its objective of wiping out the disease by the conclusion of this decade. Dr Cholnan Srikaew, the Public Health Minister, conveyed particulars yesterday about XDR-TB discussed during a meeting of the National Communicable Disease Committee. The committee consented to update the definition of…
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Thai death toll in Israel conflict reaches 33, repatriation efforts underway
The ongoing conflict in Israel has seen the death toll rise to 33 for Thai workers, with an additional 18 injured, as announced by Foreign Affairs Minister Parnpree Bahiddha-Nukara on Wednesday. Furthermore, 18 Thai workers have been captured as hostages by the extremist group, Hamas. This figure was previously reported incorrectly as 19. Reuters, citing an update from the Israeli…
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Thai PM pledges fast-tracking marriage equality and transgender recognition laws
A pledge was made yesterday by Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin to accelerate the progress of three significant bills, inclusive of the marriage equality draft law. These proposed laws are scheduled for Cabinet deliberation next Tuesday before being forwarded to Parliament for further scrutiny. The marriage equality bill seeks to revise the Civil and Commercial Code, enabling individuals of a suitable age…
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Wat Nang Kui temple’s artefacts spark intrigue amidst Phromlikhit drama comparisons
Wat Nang Kui, a historical temple dating back to the Ayutthaya period, is believed to have been established by a wealthy woman named Nang Kui. The temple, located in Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya province, south of the city island and adjacent to the Chao Phraya River, was founded in 1587 during the reign of King Maha Thammaratchathirat. It experienced significant…
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Cake message blunder turns wedding celebration into birthday wishes
A wedding cake intended to celebrate a couple’s nuptials in Vietnam turned out to be a birthday cake, garnering sympathy for the bride and groom from netizens. The viral image, shared on the Vietnamese online world, shows a beautifully laid out cake, but a closer look reveals a glaring mistake. The red ribbon adorning the cake, which should have read…
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Swiss man caught offering illegal medicine after 8 years of hiding in Thailand
Officers from the Central Investigation Bureau (CIB) today arrested a Swiss man at a house in the Isaan province of Kalasin after he escaped arrest for manufacturing and offering illegal medicines in Switzerland and hid in Thailand for more than eight years. Swiss authorities contacted the Thai Ministry of Foreign Affairs in early October to seek cooperation in returning the…
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Telephone scammer posing as police officer busted by a real cop on TikTok video
A viral video posted by TikTok user @champ_z9, showing a real-life confrontation between a police officer and a telephone scammer, racked up more than 7.7 million views. The video captures an unusual event where the policeman is contacted by the scammer who pretends to be a fellow officer from Mae Charim Police Station. The video shows a young policeman engaged…
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Elderly Thai woman cheated out of 2.5 million baht by fraudster claiming to be call centre accountant
An 82 year old woman was scammed out of 2.5 million baht by a call centre fraudster. The call centre fraudster was arrested today after a successful joint operation by various departments of the Thai National Police. Despite denying the allegations, the call centre fraudster admitted to opening a bank account for a known individual around August this year, which…
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High-stakes family feud: Thai woman’s tip leads to gambling grandmother
A Thai woman, angry at her grandmother for losing 70,000 baht gambling, reported the matter to the police, leading to her arrest and five other high rollers at a gambling den in the Isaan province of Maha Sarakham. The furious granddaughter went to the local district office to report the gambling den in her community. More than 10 gamblers gathered…
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Monkeypox morphs: Thailand reports 535 ‘mpox’ cases in a year
A whopping 535 mpox cases (formerly monkeypox) have been reported across Thailand between May last year and October this year, according to the figures released by the Department of Disease Control (DDC). Dr Taweechai Wisanuyothin, the director of the Nakhon Ratchasima-based Region 9 Disease Control Office, disclosed the above data. A total of 481 reported cases were Thai citizens, 50…
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Mystery woman accused of drugging young girl to steal gold necklace
A 13 year old Thai girl filed a police complaint alleging that a woman she met in Mueang Thong Thani, Nonthaburi province, near Bangkok, drugged her and tried to steal her gold necklace. The victim’s mother accompanied her daughter to file a complaint at Pak Kret Police Station at 5pm yesterday, October 24. The mother told Channel 3 about the…
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Escape assistants in hot water: Arrest warrant brewing for prison break aiders
An arrest warrant is in the pipeline for two individuals who allegedly aided a prisoner in his escape, while CCTV footage from the prison is being thoroughly examined as a manhunt continues for the at-large escapee. In a bizarre twist, the escaped prisoner, Chaowalit Thongduang, was reportedly overmedicated, sparking anger among law enforcement officers on the manhunt. Police are now…
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Golden catfish and Thai PM’s Range Rover hint at lucky lottery numbers for November draw
The upcoming lottery draw for Wednesday, November 1, is causing quite a stir, with various intriguing incidents hinting at potential winning numbers, including a golden catfish revealing numbers 325 and 055, the registration plate of a wealthy politician’s Range Rover displaying 8832, and a peculiar beehive found under a bed in a house numbered 75 are among the unusual circumstances that…
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6 suspects, including monk, arrested for illegally running medical centre
Consumer Protection Police arrested six suspects, including a monk, at Khao Phra Krut temple in the central province of Suphan Buri for running an illegal medical centre. The gang claimed to be able to provide treatment for all diseases and offered medicines with exaggerated benefits. Locals in the area urged officials to investigate the medical centre inside Khao Phra Krut…
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Roaring opportunity: Phuket zoo seeks lionhearted caretakers
Phuket Zoo has two vacancies for lion caretaker positions, giving priority consideration to applicants with experience in lion or tiger care, according to a recent post on the Phuket Work Facebook group. The job advertisement quickly garnered attention and sparked a wave of online speculation, with many netizens questioning what had happened to the previous lion caretakers and where one…
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Spirits high: Thai nightlife gets a boost with potential two-hour extension for venues
Thai nightlife enthusiasts have a reason to raise a glass in celebration as the Ministry of Interior has rung the bell to a two-hour extension for entertainment venues. Previously closing at 2am, these nightspots can now keep their doors open until 4am. The decision was announced by Traisulee Traisornkul, the Secretary-General of the Ministry, yesterday, October 25. The move is seen…
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Illegal pork smuggling operation busted in Bangkok, Thai DSI raids business properties
The Department of Special Investigation (DSI) launched a raid on a prominent company in Bangkok, hunting down two investors behind the sale of illegal pork. The police discovered around 200 kilogrammes of illegal pork contraband. The raid followed a DSI investigation into an illegal pork smuggling operation importing carcasses, particularly frozen pork, into Thailand illegally. The case began in 2021…
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Maine shooting sparks hunt for 40 year old gunman
A man armed with a rifle stormed a bar and restaurant, resulting in at least 16 deaths and at least 50 injuries in Lewiston, Maine, US. The shooting incident occurred yesterday at 6.56pm local time (5.56am Thailand time) at a restaurant and a bowling alley, according to local police. The suspect has been named as 40 year old Robert Card…
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Thai man arrested following violent attack on ex-wife and her sibling over 5 million baht dispute
Police arrested a violent Thai man who stabbed his wife and her transgender brother, alleging a dispute over 5 million baht (US$137,589). He claimed to have given everything to his wife, only to be evicted from the house and divorced. The incident took place yesterday, with the suspect, 42 year old Phuwis, assaulting both 38 year old Kanchana, a school…
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Scrapping immigration forms may boost Malaysian tourist influx in Thailand
Tourism professionals in Songkhla have voiced their desire for the discontinuation of the TM6 immigration paperwork as an additional border checkpoint and the eradication of extra-time service charges, as these measures continue to slow the influx of tourists from Malaysia. The government gave its approval this week to scrap the TM6 forms from November 1 to April 30, 2024, at…
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