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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 Is private health insurance in Thailand worth it? Real costs vs risks explained
Thailand has a strong healthcare system with both public and private options. Public hospitals offer affordable care, but many people, including expats, choose private health insurance for faster service, modern facilities, and more treatment choices. To decide if private health...
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Family drama: Thai thief begs to be jailed to escape cruel life
A Thai man, arrested for theft in the central province of Chachoengsao, pleaded with police officers to jail him so he could escape the cruel realities of the world and issues within his family. He expressed that his family rejected him, and believes his incarceration would be a gift for them. Officers from Bang Pakong Police Station responded to the…
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Buriram yoga teacher exposes photographer’s sexual harassment
A yoga instructor exposed a prominent photographer from Buriram for sexual harassment and attempted coercion into risqué photography, with a subsequent payoff offer of 30,000 baht to silence the matter. The incident, which she believes was not an isolated case, took place on February 15. The victim shared her traumatic experience on social media to warn other women of the…
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Experts warn against Thailand’s cancer crisis revealed by National Cancer Institute stats
Cancer’s relentless grip tightens on Thailand, with the National Cancer Institute’s figures from 2022 revealing over 140,000 fresh diagnoses annually, claiming some 84,000 lives. While strides have been made, certain cancers persist as formidable adversaries, striking at the heart of the populace: liver, lung, breast, colon, and cervical cancers stand firm against medical progress. The culprits behind this epidemic’s ascent…
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Laughing gas balloons burst bubble: Police bar raid in Chiang Mai
In a late-night operation in the Mueang district of Chiang Mai, police and officials carried out a raid on beer bars located near a boxing stadium on Loi Kroh Road. The establishments were alleged to be selling balloons filled with laughing gas to patrons and tourists. The raid, which involved about 100 police officers and consumer protection officials, resulted in…
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Koh Chang woman arrested for mobile scam defrauding 100 people
A 21 year old woman was arrested in Koh Chang for allegedly deceiving over 100 people in a mobile phone down-payment scam that lasted over a year. The woman, identified only as Marisa, who owned a well-known shop, faced several warrants for her arrest, one being from Thonburi Criminal Court dated November 28 last year, for fraud and entering false…
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Disabled Thai woman busted in Valentine’s Day Yaba crackdown
Authorities in the Isaan province of Roi Et arrested a 78 year old Thai woman with a disability and seized 151 tablets of methamphetamine, also known as Yaba, as part of the Expressing Love to Yaba Dealers crackdown on Valentine’s Day. Roi Et provincial administrative authorities together with police and soldiers launched the anti-narcotics operation on Valentine’s Day after receiving…
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Thailand’s hotspots surge, sparking environmental concerns
The Geo-Informatics and Space Technology Development Agency (GISTDA) reported a surge in hotspots across Thailand and neighbouring countries, exceeding 1,700 points in Thailand alone as of February 14. This data, collected from the Suomi NPP satellite alongside other satellites, raised concerns, particularly as the majority of these hotspots are located in conservation forests and national parks. With neighbouring countries also…
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Bangkok Grab driver earns 2,000 baht tip for returning lost phone
A Grab driver’s act of honesty in returning a mobile phone to a customer earned him a generous cash tip, sparking praise and discussion in a popular social media group. A Grab driver recently shared an experience on the Facebook group GrabCar Drivers Club Thailand, which boasts over 110,000 members, where he recounted being tipped handsomely by a customer. After…
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Thailand and Australia consider mutual visa exemption
In a bid to foster seamless travel and boost business ties, Thailand and Australia are contemplating a mutual visa exemption scheme. The proposition was tabled during a high-profile meeting between Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin and David Hurley, the Governor-General of Australia, at Government House yesterday. Amidst a visit to Thailand, Governor-General Hurley, accompanied by his spouse Linda, is set to…
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Homeless to hairstylist: American woman’s life-changing adventure in Thailand (video)
An American woman @ExperiencingKiaa with a mere US$7 (approximately 250 baht) in her bank account captivated TikTok followers with her tale of survival in Thailand. The American woman, Kiaa, chronicled her journey on social media, which began with a spontaneous decision to embark on a one-way flight to Japan. However, within a day of arriving, she realised Japan wasn’t her destination…
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UOB LIVE apologizes for Ed Sheeran concert disruption
Suphalak, the Chairperson of UOB LIVE, issued a heartfelt apology following a disturbance at the Ed Sheeran concert held on February 11. In a formal letter, Suphalak expressed deep regret for the disruption caused by excessive noise in the VIP lounge area, which affected the concertgoers’ experience at UOB LIVE. In a move to address the fallout from the incident,…
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Phuket celebrates Valentine’s Day with mass weddings and LGBTQ+ inclusivity
Phuket celebrated Valentine’s Day with a sprinkle of love and a dash of tradition as several couples took their vows and registered their marriages in various district offices across the city. In a nod to the significance of the day, officials showered the newlyweds with blessings and small tokens of appreciation, adding to the joyous atmosphere. In the well-known beach…
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Critically injured giant king cobra saved by surgery in Sichon
A critically injured king cobra, believed to be the largest ever found in the district of Sichon, Nakhon Si Thammarat, received emergency veterinary treatment after being discovered with severe wounds. At nearly 5 metres long and weighing almost 10 kilogrammes, the male snake was in critical condition with grave injuries near its cloaca. The incident, which resulted in the first-known…
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Desperate singles seek divine intervention at Hanoi ancient pagoda
Amidst the ancient serenity of Hanoi’s Ha Pagoda, a modern-day love story unfolds as hopeful hearts flock, laden with offerings, seeking true love. In central Hanoi, young men and women thronged an ancient pagoda on Valentine’s Day, each bearing offerings in a bid to secure a partner, a quest of paramount importance in Vietnamese society. Respectfully placing a tray adorned…
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Phuket gears up for annual Heroines Festival celebrating local legends
Phuket’s renowned Heroines Festival is gearing up for its annual celebration, set to take place between March 9 and March 23. At the heart of the event lies a tribute to the island’s celebrated heroines, Thao Thep Krasattri and Thao Sri Soonthorn, locally known as Chan and Mook. These two figures are revered for their valiant efforts in leading the…
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Bangkok blanketed in toxic air: Emergency work-from-home orders issued
As the dense smog engulfs Bangkok with toxic air levels skyrocketing past safety thresholds, authorities urgently call for remote work, revealing shocking pollution statistics. In a directive by Bangkok Governor Chadchart Sittipunt, the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) urged state entities and private firms to enact emergency measures, allowing their employees to work remotely today and tomorrow. “AirBKK, the city’s air…
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Nonthaburi woman saved from abuse after son’s accidental call to police
A two-day ordeal of domestic abuse in Nonthaburi ended with police intervention after a 13 year old boy mistakenly dialled the emergency number while seeking medical help for his mother. The woman, a landlady, was found locked in a room and severely beaten by her younger, drug-addicted partner who was suspected of infidelity. In the quiet soi of Samakkhi 49,…
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Illicit soda syndicate: Kratom-infused beverages seized in Thai factory raid
Thai officials from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), orchestrated a search operation yesterday, honing in on a factory in Pak Kret, Nonthaburi, amidst suspicions of illicit soda production laced with kratom. Reports from the police unveiled the factory’s alleged involvement in the clandestine distribution of kratom-infused soda under a covert brand across Bangkok. Acting swiftly, the police launched a meticulous…
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Thailand allocates 50 million baht for foreign tourist insurance
The Thai Tourism and Sports Ministry has allocated a budget of 50 million baht (US$1.38) for the fiscal year of 2024 to financially aid foreign tourists in the event of accidents or death. The ministry stated that this amount is likely to cover its expected influx of 35 million foreign visitors this year, in accordance with the average annual claims…
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Prime minister’s car plate sparks lottery fever in Thailand
Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin embarked on a field trip to the provinces of Saraburi and Lopburi, a visit eagerly anticipated by lottery enthusiasts for the potential lucky numbers found in the prime minister’s car registration plate. Accompanied by officials, the 61 year old prime minister’s visit began in Saraburi province at an agricultural productivity learning centre, where he reviewed and…
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Exploited Thai workers: Debt, deception, and the dark side of berry picking in Europe
In the past 18 years, over 110,000 Thai workers embarked on a gruelling journey to Europe, enticed by the promise of lucrative pay in berry fields, yet behind the allure lies a sinister reality of exploitation, debt bondage, and shattered dreams. From the rural heartlands of Thailand’s northeast, hopeful farmers borrowed staggering sums from banks and illegal lenders to finance…
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Thai man fights for justice after allegations made by ex-girlfriend
A Thai man is seeking justice following allegations made by his ex-girlfriend, who claims he assaulted her. He insists that she actually injured herself and falsely accused him of the assault. The 36 year old accused, Bank, urged Channel 3 to share his story in hopes of finding lawyers or assistance to restore justice. Bank revealed that he faces several…
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Brain cell communication research key to Alzheimer’s treatment
Research into brain cell communication is seen as crucial in finding a treatment for brain-related diseases like Alzheimer’s, according to Nobel Laureate in Medicine, Professor Edvard Ingjald Moser. This research, he says, is particularly relevant given the global ageing populations and the need to enhance their quality of life. Speaking at the Japan-ASEAN Bridges event series in Bangkok, Prof. Moser…
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Australian PM demands Julian Assange Belmarsh release
Australia Prime Minister Anthony Albanese demanded the immediate release of political prisoner Julian Assange from London’s Belmarsh Prison. The 60 year old PM, alongside the Australian Parliament, spearheaded a motion urging the United States and the United Kingdom to release Assange from what they deem as trumped-up espionage charges, just ahead of a pivotal legal hearing. The 52 year old…
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Bangkok retail hotspots top land value at 3.75 million baht per sq wah
Bangkok’s prime retail locations, including Siam Square, Chidlom, and Ploenchit, retain their position as the city’s most expensive land areas, with prices reflecting the lucrative nature of the retail business compared to other commercial ventures. Sopon Pornchokchai, the president of the Agency for Real Estate Affairs (AREA), revealed that a survey of land prices across Bangkok and its vicinity, ongoing…
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Thailand’s agriculture ministry seeks triple budget increase to boost farmer income
A request for a substantial budget increase to 411 billion baht for the upcoming fiscal year has been put forward by Thailand’s Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives. The proposed budget, which is over three times larger than the previous year’s allocation, aims to triple the income of farmers within the next four years. Chantanon Wannakejohn, serving as the Secretary-General to…
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Bangkok battles severe air quality dip prompting remote work
Bangkok’s air quality dipped severely yesterday, February 14, with an escalating level of fine particulate matter, PM2.5, recorded in most districts. This hazardous air quality led the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) to urge both state agencies and private entities to facilitate remote working for their personnel today and tomorrow. According to an official statement issued by Bangkok Governor Chadchart Sittipunt,…
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ONCB considers dropping methamphetamine pill limit to three
The Office of the Narcotics Control Board (ONCB) is contemplating a reduction in the permissible limit of methamphetamine pills from five to three. This proposal is in response to the substantial criticism received for the five-pill cap, enforced by the Ministry of Public Health since February 9. The current rule exempts individuals from criminal charges if they are found with…
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Baht falls to three-month low as US inflation delays rate cut
The Thai currency hit a three-month low against the US dollar yesterday, February 14, slipping below 36 to the dollar. This was attributed to higher-than-anticipated US inflation, which led the market to predict a delay in the Federal Reserve’s first interest rate cut, initially expected in May. Quoting Kasikorn Research Centre, the baht was valued at a low of 36.13 against…
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Unexpected fire at East Thailand hospital disrupts communication and power
A blaze unexpectedly ignited on an electricity pole nearing the Somdet Borommaratchadewi Sri Racha Hospital in Sri Racha yesterday, February 14, wreaking havoc on communication cables and leading to service disruptions in the area. In the early hours of yesterday, around 2.30am, a fire report involving telecommunication lines on an electricity pole situated in front of the hospital was received…
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