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.
-
Trade storm brewing: Uyghur deportations threaten EU deal
Thailand’s potential deportation of Uyghurs could throw a spanner into delicate free trade talks with the European Union (EU), sparking fears of an international trade storm. Concerns are mounting over how these actions might jeopardise Thailand’s economic relationships and its bid to join the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD). A high-stakes meeting convened by the Committee on Economic…
-
Thai police seize assets worth 50 million baht in money laundering bust
Police seized assets worth 50 million baht and arrested Ekachart Miprom, a high-level executive involved in money laundering, along with his wife and mother. The operation took place on March 27 at two locations in Chanthaburi province and one in Rayong province. Police Lieutenant General Trairong Phueapan, Commissioner of the Cyber Crime Investigation Bureau, ordered Police Major General Sarayuth Junawath…
-
Thai Cabinet approves tax breaks for big EV investments
The Cabinet has approved a draft decree to offer tax incentives for companies investing in large commercial electric vehicles (EVs). This measure allows companies to claim double the expense for locally produced EVs and 1.5 times for imported ones. Deputy Government spokesperson Sasikarn Watthanachan stated that the decree aims to encourage the use of large commercial EVs, such as electric…
-
Singaporean man hides in Myanmar after death of Thai girlfriend
The Singaporean man suspected of murdering his Thai girlfriend in a Bangkok condominium reportedly fled Thailand to hide in the Tachileik area o.f Myanmar. The 30 year old Thai woman, Proudphilas Paladon, was found lying lifeless and naked in the bathroom of her accommodation on the 22nd floor of a condominium in Bangkok on Tuesday, March 25. Her body was…
-
Pattaya hotel thief targets expat and transwoman
A brazen thief with a taste for unlocked doors and dating apps is on the run in Pattaya after targeting two victims in separate hotel-room heists — including a 63 year old Swedish tourist and a transgender woman he met online. At around 12.30am today, March 28, a hotel receptionist and a Swedish guest marched into Pattaya City Police Station…
-
Thai heatwave on the horizon: It’s a storm in a hot cup
The Thai Meteorological Department (TMD) has issued a warning for Thailand, predicting hot to very hot weather and cautioning against potential dangers from summer storms, including thunderstorms and strong winds. Residents are advised to avoid outdoor activities and take precautions from today, March 28. A moderate high-pressure system from China is currently affecting southern China and is expected to extend…
-
British couple jailed for running drugs empire from Thailand villa
A British couple who orchestrated a massive drugs empire from their plush villa in Thailand have been banged up for 10 years. Brian Pitts and Katie Harlow masterminded the production and distribution of millions of fake Xanax pills, raking in a staggering £4 million (176 million baht) through the dark web. Operating from their luxurious Thai hideaway between 2018 and…
-
Thailand’s new gambling bill: What it could mean for the country
The conversation around legalising gambling in Thailand has been simmering for years. Now, it’s starting to reach crunch time. On March 27, cabinet members approved the highly debated Entertainment Complex Bill. It could pave the way for casino resorts to operate legally across the country. For a nation where gambling has been mostly outlawed for decades, this bill could represent…
-
Bangkok’s new archways to boost Charoen Krung’s cultural growth
The Federation of Business and Professional Women’s Associations of Thailand (FBPW), under the Royal Patronage, officially handed over the 72nd Birthday Anniversary Archways to Bangkok, anticipating their contribution to the sustainable economic, cultural, social, and tourism growth in the Charoen Krung area. This grand project was initiated to commemorate the auspicious occasion of the 72nd birthday anniversary of His Majesty…
-
Digital money registration opens for those sans smartphones
The latest update on the economic stimulus programme reveals that those without smartphones can register for the 10,000 baht digital money initiative. Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Pichai Chunhavachira stated that the Ministry of Finance is tasked with determining a suitable registration period for these citizens. Deputy Finance Minister Julapun Amornvivat highlighted that the registration process for those without…
-
Accident or foul play? Thai woman killed by husband’s pickup
A Thai woman lost her life at her home in Bangkok today after her husband crashed his pickup into her. The husband insisted it was an accident. A 61 year old Thai man, Thianchai, today, March 27, called officers from Bang Sue Police Station and rescue workers to investigate the death of his wife, 61 year old Phummaree, at around…
-
Phuket goes high-tech with new heart care innovations
Phuket is stepping up as a global medical hub, this time with a focus on matters of the heart. On Tuesday, March 25, Bangkok Hospital Phuket officially launched a suite of high-tech innovations aimed at transforming cardiac care in Thailand, positioning itself as a leader in the advanced diagnosis and treatment of heart disease. The launch event, held at the…
-
Big Brother boost: Pattaya invests 2.1 million baht in CCTV
Pattaya is getting serious about surveillance—with a multi-million-baht tech upgrade designed to keep a closer eye on streets, storms, and suspicious activity. To bolster public safety and modernise city management, the Pattaya City Council has approved a 2.1 million baht budget to enhance its real-time CCTV system. The decision was made during a recent council meeting at Taksin Hall, where…
-
Thai labour minister pledges 400 baht wage hike by May 1
Labour Minister Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn has committed to a 400 baht wage increase by May 1, alongside support for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). During a censure debate on March 25, People’s Party MP Sirikanya Tansakul criticised the government for not implementing the 400 baht (US$11) wage policy earlier, as promised by the prime minister. She argued that the promise was…
-
ChatGPT update sparks fake Bangkok Bank slip warning
A tech-savvy warning has sent shockwaves through the online financial world: ChatGPT can now fake bank transfer slips with near-flawless accuracy—watermarks and all. In a recent post, technology blogger Kafaak raised the alarm about the powerful capabilities of ChatGPT’s latest update, which reportedly allows users to generate eerily realistic bank transfer receipts. The development has sparked serious fraud concerns, especially for small…
-
Bangkok delivery rider accuses customer for locking him up
A Thai food delivery rider accused a customer of locking him inside her house in Bangkok for nearly 30 minutes for reasons he could not determine. Other riders shared similar experiences with this particular customer. A LINE Man delivery rider posted a video of himself attempting to leave the customer’s home on his TikTok account, @ice_23648, on Monday, March 24.…
-
61 billion baht Motorway 8 project to begin in 2027
The initial phase of the Motorway 8 (M8) project, designed to connect Nakhon Pathom to Ratchaburi, is set to start in 2027, according to Deputy Prime Minister and Transport Minister Suriya Jungrungreangkit. This month, the Department of Highways is poised to submit a proposal for the first phase of the M8 project, valued at 61 billion baht (US$1.78 million). This…
-
Similan scandal: Park boss booted over dodgy e-ticket scheme
A top official at one of Thailand’s most iconic national parks has been reportedly booted from his post amid a brewing scandal over alleged ticket fraud. Rittikorn Nunloy, head of Mu Ko Similan National Park in Phang Nga province, has been transferred to an inactive position following reports of serious irregularities in the park’s e-ticketing system. The Department of National…
-
Russian man arrested in Phuket for reckless driving with kids exposed
Phuket police arrested a Russian man for driving recklessly while intoxicated. The arrest on Tuesday, March 25, followed an incident where he endangered his family by allowing his children to hang out of his moving vehicle. Traffic police observed the vehicle, a red MG5 sedan, being driven precariously along the Kamala-Patong Road around 7.30pm. A child was seen sitting on…
-
Rape-accused Bangkok MP denies vote-for-favour claims
Scandal-hit MP Chaiyamparwaan Manpianjit is fighting back against explosive claims that he supported the government in exchange for help with his ongoing rape case. The Thai Progress Party lawmaker, who represents Bangkok’s Bang Khuntien district, insists there was no political deal behind his surprise vote for Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra during Wednesday’s no-confidence debate. “This issue [the rape case] has…
-
Renowned Thai abbot dies from heatstroke amid soaring temperatures
A renowned abbot from a well-known temple passed away unexpectedly yesterday after suffering from heatstroke in a bathroom. The 66 year old Phra Khru Kampeera Siddhikun, abbot of Wat Burapha Ban Khae and head monk of Phak Phang subdistrict, was discovered by fellow monks and rushed to a hospital. Despite medical efforts, he was pronounced dead at 6.30pm, yesterday, March…
-
PM Paetongtarn heads to Phuket to boost sustainable tourism
Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra is bringing her soft power message to the golden sands of Phuket in a bold bid to reshape the future of Thai tourism. The 38 year old Thai premier is set to jet off to the southern island tomorrow, March 28, as part of her push to position Thailand as a global leader in sustainable travel.…
-
Air quality worsens, affecting 56 Thai provinces with high PM2.5
Air quality in the Kingdom of Thailand has deteriorated over the past week, impacting 56 provinces with elevated PM2.5 levels, notably affecting the north and northeast. Projections for the week indicate worsening conditions. As of March 27, the Air Pollution Solution Communication Centre released its air quality report. The report highlights that the PM2.5 levels exceed national standards across several…
-
‘You park, we arrest’: Pattaya cracks down for order
Pattaya is on a mission to clean up its act—literally and figuratively. With public spaces overrun by private businesses and traffic jams choking its streets, the city is launching bold new initiatives to restore order and improve quality of life for both residents and tourists. Leading the charge is Pattaya City Mayor Poramet Ngampichet, who has rolled out two key…
-
Thailand approves mega entertainment complex bill with casino cap
Thailand is going all-in on entertainment—but not just for gamblers. In a landmark move, the Cabinet has approved the draft Integrated Entertainment Business Act and sent it to the House of Representatives for further consideration. While the inclusion of casinos may raise eyebrows, the government insists they’ll be strictly regulated and capped at just 10% of any entertainment complex. “The…
-
Pattaya lifeguards and foreigner rescue man from suicide (video)
Two Thai lifeguards and a foreigner yesterday successfully rescued a man who attempted to commit suicide in the sea off Pattaya. Two Thai lifeguards and a foreign man who witnessed the incident yesterday, March 26, pulled the Thai man, later identified as Pisit, out of the sea. Pisit reportedly choked on seawater and was exhausted, as the sea had very…
-
Suspect in 7.8 million baht gold robbery arrested
The suspect involved in a gold robbery valued at approximately 7.8 million baht has been apprehended. Police, after scrutinising CCTV footage for two days, discovered a suspicious pickup truck used by the suspect to survey the area before committing the crime. A press briefing is scheduled for today. March 27. The incident involved a male suspect who used a firearm…
-
Behind bars and under fire: Thailand’s prisons slammed for slow reform
Thailand’s prison system is under fresh international scrutiny, with human rights organisations condemning the country’s slow progress in reforming its outdated and overcrowded facilities. According to last year’s annual report by the International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH) and the Union for Civil Liberty (UCL), Thailand’s efforts to adopt alternative measures to incarceration have been insufficient, and critical changes remain…
-
Police slam brakes on teen biker gang in Chalong crackdown
A gang of 11 teenagers were arrested early yesterday morning for causing a disturbance and loitering in Chalong, with six motorcycles seized during the operation. The arrests were made yesterday, March 26, under the supervision of Police Colonel Rungrit Rattanaphakdi, Superintendent of Chalong Police Station, after officers were alerted to a gathering of youths causing a nuisance near Soi Chao…
-
Thai man found dead in car after unusual online order
A 29 year old man was discovered dead in his vehicle after ordering items online, raising suspicions among family members who had noticed his unusual behaviour three to four days before his death. Yesterday, March 26, at 7.30pm, Police Lieutenant Colonel Jaresak Suwannasont, Deputy Inspector of Bang Nam Priao Police Station, was informed about a death inside a car parked in…
Don't forget to check out some other things to do in Thailand - get help starting a business or finding a job in Thailand, buy Thailand property, rent a yacht or book a medical procedure worldwide.