News
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 Bangtao, Phuket: The neighbourhood expats and investors are eyeing in 2025
Bangtao didn't become Phuket’s most talked-about neighbourhood overnight. For a long time, it was a quiet place on the island’s west coast where locals walked their dogs at sunrise and tourists flocked to sunbathe along its eight-kilometre stretch of beach....
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Former Thai inmate jailed for rape arrested for repeated assault
Police arrested a 64 year old former Thai inmate for the rape of a 70 year old woman in the southern province of Trang on Monday, January 6. The victim, 70 year old lady called Iad, filed a complaint with the Bang Khlong Teng Police Station following the assault, which occurred at 2pm on January 6 while she was on…
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Thailand bets on man-made marvels for tourism cash boost
According to insiders at Krungthai Compass, man-made hotspots, from sports hubs to spectacular events, are set to propel Thailand to the brink of a tourism revolution thanks to a bold new strategy. Thailand is banking on an artificial allure to supercharge its tourism engine, with Krungthai Compass, a top research centre under Krungthai Bank, revealing that new, man-made tourist attractions…
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Tragedy on Death Island: Irish diver found dead in hotel room (video)
Royal Thai Police revealed more news on the death of Irishman Robert “Robby” Kinlan who was on a scuba diving holiday on Thailand’s infamous Death Island. An RTP spokesperson announced the 21 year old from Clare, Ireland, was found dead in a hotel room. Kinlan was discovered on January 9, lying lifeless on his bed in nothing but his boxer…
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Thailand greenlights legal casinos to boost tourism and economy
In a game-changing move, the Thai Cabinet has given the nod to a draft bill that would legalise gambling and casinos, aiming to turbocharge tourism, job creation, and investment. Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra announced the bold move today, January 13, heralding a new era for the country’s economy. Under the government’s ambitious plan, the legislation, soon to be debated in…
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Noodle no more: Ramen shops fold under rising costs (video)
In an unprecedented wave of financial distress, a record number of ramen noodle eateries in Japan went belly up in 2024, unable to stomach the soaring ingredient and utility costs without raising their own prices. Research firm Teikoku Databank Ltd has revealed that insolvencies with liabilities of at least 10 million yen (approximately 2.2 million baht) surged by more than…
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Taxing tunes: Music giant pitches cut to boost Thailand’s soft power
Thailand’s largest music company made a bold appeal to the government for a corporate tax reduction in the entertainment sector, arguing it could supercharge the industry and bolster the nation’s soft power ambitions. GMM Music Plc CEO Phawit Chitrakorn paints a picture of an industry that thrives on slim profit margins, clocking in at a modest average of 10%. Phawit…
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Polish man vanishes with valuables after sex with Phuket woman
A Thai woman issued a warning to others after losing cash and valuables following a sexual encounter with a Polish man in Phuket. The victim shared her story with the Phuket Times yesterday, December 12. She expressed her interest in foreign men and cautioned other Thai women with similar preferences to be wary of deceitful foreigners. She did not disclose when…
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Golden opportunity: NHSO extends care to new Thai citizens
The National Health Security Office (NHSO) is set to expand its groundbreaking universal healthcare initiative through its gold card scheme to at least 480,000 ethnic individuals poised to receive Thai citizenship from the government. NHSO Deputy Secretary Yuphadee Sirisinsuk revealed that the ambitious plan is designed to extend healthcare benefits to all Thai citizens, including those in the process of…
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South Korea to upgrade airport structures after Jeju Air crash
South Korea is set to enhance the structures housing the antennas that facilitate landings at its airports, following the December incident where a Jeju Air aeroplane crashed after skidding off the runway. The Boeing 737-800 hit one such structure at Muan Airport, leading to a fire. The Transport Ministry has been assessing safety at airlines and airports since the crash…
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Catamaran catastrophe avoided: Foreign tourists saved off Phuket
Disaster was narrowly averted today as a catamaran carrying 38 foreign tourists capsized off the coast of Phuket, prompting a panicked scramble before nearby speedboats rushed to the rescue. At around 1pm today, January 13, the catamaran Emiray 888 found itself in deep trouble. As it set sail from Chalong Pier in Phuket’s Mueang district for a day trip to…
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Chiang Rai hospital error leads to death of woman in dental surgery
A family in the northern province of Chiang Rai is seeking compensation from a private hospital for the death of a Thai woman who suffocated during dental surgery. The deceased, 33 year old Katesuda Buanark, passed away at a private hospital in Chiang Rai on December 19 last year. Katesuda primarily resided in Singapore with her husband and nine year…
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Thailand’s new housing project targets lower income families
Lower-income Thai citizens will soon have access to an affordable housing project through the Homes for Thais initiative, which offers accommodation on state-owned land without requiring down payments. The programme instead implements a monthly rental system. The Transport Ministry will present the project details to Cabinet today, January 13. Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra will launch the initiative on Friday, January…
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Rice to the occasion: Commerce Ministry fast-tracks SME trade talks
The Commerce Ministry is moving to accelerate the liberalisation of rice trade, with a meeting planned for January 17. This session aims to finalise strategies to assist small enterprises in becoming rice exporters, targeting concrete outcomes in the first quarter of the year. During a meeting on January 10 to discuss pressing policies, Commerce Minister Pichai Naripthaphan instructed all departments…
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Frost warning: Phetchabun chills hit a cool -3 Celsius
In Nam Nao district, Phetchabun province, temperatures have dropped to a chilling -3 degrees Celsius, with frost covering the ground and car rooftops. In 2023, the temperature reached a record low of -5 degrees Celsius. The provincial governor urged close monitoring of the situation. A Facebook user reported that today, January 13, they awoke at 4am to find the temperature…
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Built-in loan apps raise data security fears for Oppo and Realme users
The Ministry of Digital Economy and Society urged representatives of the electronics company Oppo and its subsidiary Realme to clarify allegations of illegal data collection from built-in loan apps found on their smartphones. A technology-focused social media influencer, known as คุณลุงไà¸à¸—ี (Khun Lung IT, meaning IT uncle), took to his official Facebook page to warn Oppo and Realme smartphone users…
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Bomb blast near TK Park Pattani injures six officers
A bomb explosion occurred in a side alley near TK Park, central Pattani, injuring six volunteer officers. The incident happened at 8am today, January 13, just 20 metres from the Mueang Pattani Police Station. The assailants had hidden the explosive device in a vehicle parked in front of a row of shophouses, causing damage to nearby buildings. Residents expressed alarm…
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Honda CR-V crash causes power outage in eastern Thailand
A Honda CR-V collided with electricity poles, causing three to fall and damage a car, resulting in a widespread power outage. The driver is missing. The incident occurred at 9pm yesterday, January 12, when Police Lieutenant Colonel Nopadon Thaweecharat from Bang Pakong district, Chachoengsao province, was informed of the accident in front of Grand Village on Sukhumvit Road, heading towards…
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Forest fires in Pak Chong extinguished after eight-day battle
Forest fires on Khao Loi mountain in Pak Chong district, Nakhon Ratchasima, have been extinguished after burning for eight days. Officials suspect the fires were initiated to facilitate a wildlife hunt. Chaiwat Chuenkosum, governor of Nakhon Ratchasima, stated that multiple agencies, including the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation (DNP), the Royal Forest Department, and local administration, collaborated…
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Thai police intercept pickup with illegal Burmese migrants
Thai police intercepted a pickup truck carrying six illegal Burmese migrants in Kanchanaburi province. Yesterday, January 12, a joint operation involving multiple law enforcement agencies led to the arrest of two Myanmar nationals. They were allegedly paid 3,000 baht per person to transport the undocumented migrants. Police Major General Nakarin Sukonthawit, commander of Kanchanaburi provincial police, received a tip-off about…
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Bangkok taxi driver slashes passenger on face in fare dispute (video)
A Thai taxi driver claimed self-defence after slashing a male passenger’s face on the roadside in the Silom neighbourhood of Bangkok on Friday, January 10. A witness shared a video of the incident near Silom Soi 6 in Bangkok at about 1am on Friday on his Up Dol Facebook account. The video showed the witness intervening in the argument between…
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Swimming, tourist boats banned at Phi Phi Island due to rough seas
Officials have temporarily banned swimming and tourist boats at Phi Phi Island due to strong winds and rough seas. Officials have placed red flags along the beaches in Koh Phai, Ao Nang subdistrict, Mueang Krabi district, and other marine tourist areas to ensure safety. This decision was made yesterday, January 12, following continuous strong winds in the afternoon. Emergency personnel,…
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Belgian kite surfer’s final flight: Tragedy strikes in Khao Kalok
A Belgian kite surfer lost his life after being swept away by a massive wave and trapped headfirst in a rocky crevice at Khao Kalok near Pran Buri. Despite valiant rescue efforts, his life was tragically cut short as he remained pinned 4 metres deep amidst the unforgiving rocks. Pak Nam Pran Police Radio Centre today, January 13, received an…
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Bangkok man arrested for motorcycle theft after licence plate swap
A patrol unit from Phetkasem apprehended a 37 year old man for motorcycle theft, catching him in the act as he attempted to swap out the licence plate of the stolen motorcycle. The arrest occurred yesterday, January 12 at 3pm, in the Lak Song subdistrict, Bang Khae district, Bangkok. The suspect, 37 year old Chaiyot “Boy” Boonyawong, confessed to stealing…
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17 arrested: Phuket police roll the dice on illegal gambling
Phuket City police swooped down on an illegal gambling den in Phuket Town on 12 January, bagging 17 people in the process of a dramatic after-dark sting. The raid, executed with precision by officers in tandem with provincial police, caught the crooks red-handed at a residence on Soi Wichit Songkhram 4, just after 9pm. Upon arrival, officers immediately sensed something…
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Police intercept over 200 motorbikes in Kanchanaburi for violations
Over 200 motorbikes from the Nam Mai Arb gang were intercepted by police in Kanchanaburi for various legal violations. The gang, travelling from Nong Khao Police Station in Tha Mueang district towards Kanchanaburi City, was stopped by police at 7.10am yesterday, January 12, after receiving reports from locals about their noisy presence on Highway 324. Upon receiving the report, Police…
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Nakhon Pathom police seize 79 kg of meth in drug bust
Police in Nakhon Pathom arrested two suspects and seized over 70 kilogrammes of crystal methamphetamine hidden in a secret room beneath a staircase. The drugs were intended for distribution, with one suspect denying all charges. Yesterday, January 12, at 11pm, senior police officers, including Police Major General Chomchawin Purathananon and Police Colonel Phongsakorn Uppapong, along with other local officials, conducted…
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Thailand video news | Taxi driver slashes passenger in Bangkok, Japan’s ‘Cuddle Cafes’ combat loneliness
In today’s Thailand video news, Alex delivers a comprehensive roundup of stories from across Thailand and Asia. From a shocking altercation in Bangkok’s Silom district to a human skeleton discovery in Chon Buri, the coverage highlights key incidents making headlines. Other stories include an update on Thailand’s weather warnings, the lifting of Phuket’s building restrictions, and a lawsuit by Leicester…
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Making waves: Miss Grand Roi Et turns up heat with sexy swimwear
The Miss Grand Roi Et 2025 beauty pageant ignited quite a stir, thanks to a daring choice of swimwear that sent social media into a frenzied meltdown. Contestants strutted their stuff in swimsuits that some deemed trendy but others branded as inappropriate because they aren’t practical to wear for a swim. Held on Saturday, January 11, the pageant didn’t shy…
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Thailand and China unite to tackle call centre scams and trafficking
Thailand and China have joined forces to combat call centre scams, human trafficking, and transnational crime, with a focus on locating missing individuals who have been deceived into travelling to neighbouring countries. A meeting was held yesterday, January 12 at the Royal Thai Police headquarters in Bangkok, attended by senior officials from both nations. Police General Thatchai Pitanilabutr, the National…
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Royal Thai Air Force selects Gripen jets in 19 billion baht deal
The Defence Ministry is backing the Royal Thai Air Force‘s (RTAF) decision to select Swedish-made Gripen fighter jets over the American F-16 aircraft, as announced by Defence Minister Phumtham Wechayachai. Phumtham, who also serves as Deputy Prime Minister, provided insights into the 19 billion baht (US$547 million) plan for acquiring four new fighter jets. The RTAF has opted for Gripen…
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