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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 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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Why are some books banned in Thailand?
Despite being the tourist favourite for all the positives, including magnificent beaches, diverse culture, and delicious cuisine, Thailand has been reported for imposing unnecessary censorship even in today’s era of freedom and digitalism. Thais can not decide which books they can read freely because of the influence of religious sensibilities and traditional notions of respect for the monarchy. Here are…
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Today’s results reveals pattern for Thai lottery enthusiasts
Sanook News compiled a 10-year history of lottery numbers drawn on May 16, today’s date, as the lottery results were revealed. Here are the notable numbers that have appeared in previous years. Reviewing past lottery results for draws held on Mondays and in May can also provide interesting insights for lottery enthusiasts. The winning number for the first prize in…
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Trang man wins 72 million baht lottery jackpot
A man from Trang struck it rich after scooping 72 million baht in the latest lottery draw. He also won additional prizes, making his total winnings even more substantial. The Government Lottery Office announced the results of the lottery draw this afternoon. The winning number for the first prize was 205690. The three-digit front prizes were 885 and 747, while…
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Sibling bludgeoned to death by older brother over vegetable dispute
A shocking case of sibling rivalry unfolded today after an argument over littering in a vegetable garden had escalated to brutal levels in Bangkok, culminating with the older brother bludgeoning the younger brother to death with a table leg. Earlier today, Police Captain Jirannathin Klinniran of the Samre Police Department received a report of physical assault with casualties inside an…
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Alipay+ partners with TAT to redefine travel experience
Thai tourism is undergoing a digital revolution as Alipay+ teams up with the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) to redefine the travel experience. With an aim to attract more tourists and enhance their journey, the duo unveils an array of innovations that promise seamless exploration and unforgettable memories. In a joint statement, Alipay+ and TAT announced groundbreaking developments set to…
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Prime minister’s wife enrolls in prestigious politics course
The corridors of power just got a fresh infusion of intrigue as the wife of Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin joined the ranks of students at a top-notch political institution. Dr Pakpilai Thavisin, a prominent figure in the medical world at Bumrungrad International Hospital, secured her spot amongst the prestigious cohort at the College of Politics and Governance, King Prajadhipok’s Institute…
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Progressive Movement leader’s monumental move in Paris
Thanathorn Juangroongruangkit, the leader of Thailand’s Progressive Movement, is set to make waves this weekend with his grand revelation concerning the former residence of the esteemed late Thai Prime Minister Pridi Banomyong, nestled in the serene suburbs of Antony, Paris. The much-anticipated announcement, scheduled for Saturday, will be broadcast live via the movement’s Facebook page. In a tantalising sneak peek…
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PM Srettha: Six advantages to make Thailand an investment hotspot
Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin, addressing potential investors at SUBCON Thailand 2024, asserted that Thailand possesses a plethora of advantages positioning it as an investment hotspot for crucial industries such as electrical vehicle (EV) and electronics manufacturing. Hosting the international trade show for part-sourcing and business-matching, the premier highlighted Thailand’s standout traits, starting with its geopolitical stability, distinguishing it from its…
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Spicy career change: Som tam seller turns full-time drug dealer
Police arrested an elderly woman at her home in the Isaan province of Udon Thani after she left her former career as a som tam seller to become a full-time drug dealer. The suspect said she found drug dealing easier and more lucrative than her previous job, despite her son’s recent arrest for the same crime. Kumphawapi Police Station’s official…
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Palm tree lands on car during thunderstorm in Phuket
A palm tree fell onto a passing car on Thepkrasattri Road in Phuket during a thunderstorm yesterday evening, prompting officials to urge motorists to drive cautiously in such weather. Thalang Police received reports of the incident around 6pm. Upon arrival, police and rescue workers found a heavily damaged white Suzuki car registered in Phuket. The car, which had also collided…
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Torrential May downpour turns Bang Saray into river
Relentless rain wreaked havoc across Bang Saray, transforming streets into rivers and causing chaos for locals. Since the crack of dawn yesterday, unyielding rain transformed Bang Saray in Sattahip District into a watery maze, inundating Sukhumvit Road and nearby areas. The deluge overwhelmed drainage systems, plunging streets into chaos and triggering severe traffic snarls. The downpour hit Sukhumvit Road hardest,…
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Ranger killed by escaped aggressive wild elephant nicknamed tank
A wildlife ranger was tragically killed by an aggressive wild elephant nicknamed Tank in the eastern Thai province of Chachoengsao, according to local officials. The incident occurred in the early hours of today, May 16, in the Sanam Chai Khet district of Chachoengsao. Tha Kradan Subdistrict Administration Organisation Chief Trapsawee Kunsari received reports that a wild elephant had attacked and…
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Propionate supplements: A new hope for parkinson’s disease
A revolutionary discovery In a groundbreaking study conducted by Professor Chaogu Zheng and his team from the School of Biological Sciences at The University of Hong Kong (HKU), researchers unveiled that propionate, a short-chain fatty acid (SCFA), significantly suppresses neurodegeneration in animal models of Parkinson’s disease (PD). This discovery offers new insights into the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases, highlighting the…
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Phuket man arrested for illegal firearms, ammo possession
Thalang Police in Phuket apprehended a man in Srisoonthorn for the illegal possession of firearms and ammunition. The arrest took place yesterday evening after law enforcement received a tip-off regarding suspicious activities at an unregistered house. Officers arrived at the residence at 8pm, where they found Amarin Khanitthanam standing near the open front door. After identifying themselves, the police questioned…
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Outcry as activist dies in custody: PM Srettha vows transparency
The untimely demise of political activist Netiporn Sanesangkhom sparked outrage and drew sharp attention to the justice system’s handling of detainees. Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin, expressing profound sorrow, conveyed his condolences to Netiporn’s family. Vowing transparency and justice, the Thai PM promptly ordered the Justice Ministry to investigate the circumstances of her passing. Netiporn’s demise on Tuesday ignited a storm…
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Class commotion: Gridlock grips Nakhon Ratchasima’s first day
The scene on the first day of classes in Nakhon Ratchasima today was chaotic because of a traffic gridlock. Along the main city streets, in front of four large educational institutions in the city centre, over 14,000 students were caught in gridlocked traffic, seemingly with no end in sight. The four main schools were the Nakhon Ratchasima City School, Nakhon…
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Atrial fibrillation is becoming more common and can lead to heart failure
Atrial fibrillation (AF), a condition often characterised by an irregular heartbeat, is increasingly becoming a significant public health concern. Currently affecting more than 37 million people globally and rising at exponential rates annually with many not even aware that they have developed the condition, AF could soon become of the leading contributing factors to rising excess death rates. Recent studies…
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Thai man accused of covering up boyfriend’s murder in car accident
A Thai man’s family and friends in the Isaan province of Chaiyaphum accused his boyfriend of killing him and staging a car accident to cover up the murder. Local news Facebook page Esor News 3 reported yesterday that a 25 year old Thai man named Mark mysteriously died on Tuesday, May 14, while returning home from his birthday party at…
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Speeding driver loses control, traps 4 passengers in the carnage
A speeding pickup truck driver travelling in Nakhon Ratchasima province reportedly lost control of his vehicle, veering into the middle shoulder and flipped his car into the oncoming lane, leaving all passengers stuck inside the flipped vehicle. Earlier today, Police Lieutenant Colonel Awatchai Promwong, an investigator at Klang Dong Police Station, received a report from the Klang Dong Police radio…
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Singapore Airlines to reward staff with eight months’ salary bonus
Singapore Airlines is set to reward its staff with a bonus payout equivalent to nearly eight months’ salary, following its second consecutive year of record-breaking annual profits. This impressive bonus surpasses last year’s record payout, which included a profit-sharing bonus of 6.65 months’ salary and an additional ex-gratia bonus of up to 1.5 months’ salary due to the coronavirus pandemic.…
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Thai woman steals 560,000 baht from businessman in romance scam
A Thai woman confessed to working with a romance scam gang to defraud a Thai businessman of approximately 560,000 baht. The victim, 41 year old Nontaphan, reached out to non-profit organisation Saimai Survive on May 9 after losing 560,000 baht to the 26 year old Thai woman named Akira. He sought their help to track down the woman, who was…
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Cannes craze: Thai films poised for global stardom
In a dazzling showcase at the 77th Cannes Film Festival, Thai films have captured the interest of international buyers, offering a promising boost for Thailand’s film and tourism industries. The government heralds this as a new era of global recognition and economic expansion. Yupa Taweewattanakitbovorn, permanent secretary for the Ministry of Culture, announced that the films The Undertaker, Death Whisperer, and…
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Thai govt showcases Thai art and culture to FIFA members
The Thai government, serving as the host of the 74th FIFA Congress, welcomed Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) member nations with a grand reception at the Government House. The event featured mesmerising cultural performances that elevated the arts of Thailand directly to the global football community. Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin yesterday, May 15, presided over a gala dinner at…
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Durian scam: Street vendor gets seven years for scale trickery
A woman in Chumphon province has been caught red-handed and faces severe consequences after duping customers with a rigged scale at her roadside durian stall. The scandal unravelled when a suspicious customer, who purchased two durians weighing 16 kilogrammes for 1,640 baht, discovered a significant discrepancy upon shipping the fruits to their mother. The actual weight turned out to be…
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Pattaya’s traffic tangle tackled: Mayor unveils school scheme
Pattaya Mayor Poramet Ngampichet launched a groundbreaking initiative to tackle the chaos of school traffic as the new semester kicks off. The mayor has rallied the Order Maintenance Division and traffic police from Pattaya City to ensure smooth and safe commutes for students and parents. Determined to ease the daily gridlock, city officials are out in force every morning and…
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Teenage gang leader arrested after samurai sword robbing spree
Chaing Mai authorities apprehended an 18 year old gang leader following a robbery spree, his latest venture involved threatening and attacking local skateboarders with a samurai sword, before speeding off on a motorcycle driven by his assailants. Police Lieutenant and Deputy Investigation Chief of Mueng Chiang Mai Police Station Worawan Kanwana, along with investigation officers, yesterday arrested an 18 year…
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Thai father surrenders after abducting and assaulting 7 year old son
A Thai man surrendered at Krathumbaen Police Station in Samut Prakarn province near Bangkok after physically assaulting and abducting his seven year old son. The boy’s mother, a 34 year old Thai woman, sought help from a social media influencer, Guntouch “Gun” Phongpaiboonwet, and Krathumbaen Police Station officers yesterday, May 15. She explained that her ex-husband, 33 year old Naweesak…
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From Russia with blow: Cocaine bust nets three Nigerians
A Russian man‘s arrest in Wichit for cocaine possession has led to the apprehension of three Nigerian nationals, identified as significant drug dealers in Phuket. The Immigration Bureau announced these arrests during a press conference held yesterday in Bangkok. The operation began in early April following a tip-off regarding a 38 year old Russian national, referred to as Denis (not…
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Foreigners detained for illegal daycare services on Koh Pha Ngan
Police in Surat Thani detained several foreigners suspected of illegally running a daycare and a wakeboarding service centre on Koh Pha Ngan. Tourist Police apprehended a 26 year old Russian woman and an 18 year old Myanmar woman at a residence where they were taking care of foreign children. The Russian woman confessed to the police that she had been…
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Phuket: International gang nabbed for selling illicit drugs
In a crackdown on an international drug ring, Phuket police have arrested one Russian and three Nigerian men for allegedly selling a cocktail of illicit drugs including cocaine, ecstasy, and crystal meth. Police Major General Phanthana Nutchanart, Deputy Chief of the Immigration Bureau, detailed the dramatic arrests to reporters yesterday. “Three suspects were found distributing cocaine last weekend.” The suspects,…
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