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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 Long-term life in Thailand? 5 reasons private health insurance pays off in the long run
Thailand is a great place for expats and retirees, offering a warm climate, affordable living, and rich culture. However, healthcare can be tricky for foreigners since they aren’t eligible for public health coverage, and private care can be expensive. Private...
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Sea blooms: Underwater magic in Trang Sea as marine Sakura wows tourists
The underwater world of Koh Waen in the Trang Sea has become an awe-inspiring spectacle, drawing tourists to its depths for a glimpse of the marine Sakura blossoms, a phenomenon so unique it’s likened to witnessing cherry blossoms beneath the waves. It’s here that adventurers and romantics alike converge, as the area hosted the world’s first underwater wedding ceremony, cementing its…
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Anti-corruption bootcamp at Prachuap Khiri Khan unravels secrets
Officials in Prachuap Khiri Khan, led by key figures from the Hua Hin Municipality, have embarked on a rigorous training programme to fortify integrity and transparency within governmental operations. The training took place on January 22 at the Koh Lak Meeting Room in Prachuap Khiri Khan Provincial Hall. The province, in collaboration with the Office of the National Anti-Corruption Commission…
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Cyber cops collar loan shark for high-interest loans with sex repayment
Cyber police arrested a Thai man in the southern province of Trang yesterday for offering high-interest loans and allegedly forcing debtors to repay debts with sex. “loan-shark love: Cyber Crime Investigation Bureau officers came across videos posted by the 38 year old loan shark, Thaweesak, on social media where he publicly shamed debtors unable to repay his loans. Further investigation…
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Biometric system glitch at Suvarnabhumi Airport causes passenger delays
Suvarnabhumi International Airport faced significant disruptions early this morning when its biometric immigration system malfunctioned, causing delays and a rapid build-up of passengers. Immigration police swiftly implemented contingency measures to mitigate the impact on flight schedules. In the predawn hours of yesterday, Suvarnabhumi Airport’s immigration department was thrown into chaos as the biometric system encountered technical issues around 4.30am. Chaired…
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Thai passport holders visa waiver with China boosts tourism
Thai Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin announced the imminent signing of a visa waiver agreement between Thailand and China. The deal, to be sealed on Friday during Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi’s visit to Thailand, promises to liberate citizens from both nations to explore each other’s territories freely, igniting a tourism revolution. Addressing the crowd at the Thailand 2024 – The…
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Thai senator pushes government to solve Cambodia border dispute
Senator Khamnoon Sitthisaman has thrown a spotlight on an unresolved maritime dispute between Thailand and Cambodia, urging the government to address the issue before diving into talks on joint development of a 26,000-square-kilometre energy-rich area in the Gulf of Thailand. The senator’s call for prompt action comes as Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin gears up for crucial discussions with Cambodian Prime…
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Experts warn of looming crisis for Thai economy
Dr Pipat Leungnamritchai, the chief economist at Kiatnakin Phatra Bank warned that the Thai economy is treading on thin ice, relying on unsustainable factors for growth. According to a recent exposé by Krungthep Thurakij on January 20, the nation’s financial stability is hanging by a thread. Dr Pipat highlighted the precarious reliance on low-interest rates, fiscal stimuli, and the booming tourism…
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Dispute over Thailand’s tallest Thao Wessuwan statue escalates
A contentious dispute has erupted over the world’s tallest statue of the deity Thao Wessuwan, as the landowner, who had initially agreed to a sale, has now backed out. This sudden change has caused confusion and concern among the devotees. In a press conference convened at the Sathan Saphan Bun Association in Rayong Province, 27-year-old Chakkrit, renowned for his charitable…
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Transwoman thief allegedly tricks victim into oral sex to steal assets
A Thai man caught a transwoman thief in the act of attempting to steal from a parked pickup on a road in the central province of Ayutthaya and turned her into the police. The transwoman reportedly tricked drunk victims by offering them oral sex before stealing from them. The witness, 26 year old Sittichai Watechadate, reported the attempted theft by…
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Swedish travellers grounded at Bulgaria’s Varna Airport due to aircraft wheel defect
Hundreds of Swedish travellers were grounded at Varna Airport in Bulgaria after a wheel glitch on a flight from Phuket to Stockholm. A Sunclass Airlines Airbus A330-900neo (reg. OY-VKP) suffered a wheel glitch, throwing a spanner in the works of flight DK2577 from Phuket to Stockholm Arlanda. What was supposed to be a quick refuelling pitstop was met with complications…
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Southeast Asia capitalises on China’s Australian lobster ban
The protracted ban on Australian rock lobsters by Beijing has prompted Southeast Asian countries to capitalise on the opportunity, increasing their seafood exports to China. As the ban continues, the shift in sourcing may become irreversible, experts predict. New Zealand currently dominates the Chinese market for rock lobsters, holding nearly 40% of the total market share, based on data from…
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Thai naval forces intercept tax-evading oil vessel near Ta Lu Island
An oil-carrying vessel, illegally modified and suspected of tax evasion, was intercepted and detained by the Royal Thai Fleet near Ta Lu Island in Rayong province, in the Gulf of Thailand on Monday, January 22. The incident took place in the Sattahip district of Chon Buri, following a tip-off that led to the naval forces taking swift action. Originally registered…
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Saraburi mayor arrested on bribery allegations involving construction contracts
Prachum Khwanmuang, mayor of tambon Talad Noi municipality in Saraburi province, was apprehended by authorities yesterday, January 23, due to alleged allegations of bribery. Accused of taking a 12% bribe for authorising the payment of construction contracts, his illicit gains are estimated to be around 700,000 baht. The arrest took place in front of Sing Buri Wetchakarn Hospital in the…
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Domestic dispute escalates to stabbing in Sri Racha worker’s camp
A chilling incident unfolded in Sri Racha, a city in the province of Chon Buri, Thailand, when a domestic squabble escalated into violence yesterday, January 23. The event took place at a workers’ camp and involved a vicious stabbing of a woman, allegedly by her partner. The woman who was unfortunately at the receiving end of the violence is Aye,…
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Wat Choeng Khao festival merges spiritual rites with lively concerts
The annual festival at Wat Choeng Khao in Saraburi Province promises to be a vibrant blend of religious reverence and festive entertainment as it welcomes visitors to participate in various activities from February 9 to 25. Headlined by celebrated artists including Pu Pongsit and Monkan Kankoon, the event is set to deliver a full-scale concert experience, alongside the opportunity to…
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Thai PM announces stimulus measures amidst economic crisis
Acknowledging Thailand’s struggling economy, Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin, who also serves as the Finance Minister, said today the government is set to introduce a series of stimulus measures to bolster growth. This revelation comes amidst criticism from Bank of Thailand‘s (BoT) Governor Sethaput Suthiwartnarueput, who argued that the government’s efforts will not rectify the underlying structural problems at the root…
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Thai monk sent to rehab after discovery of drugs, condoms, and penis enlargement pump
The Thai authorities sent a monk for rehabilitation at a hospital in the Isaan province of Maha Sarakham after the jaw-dropping discovery of drugs, condoms, and a penis enlargement pump in his accommodation. Complaints flooded the Borabue district office, in the Maha Sarakham province, by locals who were fearful of the 54 year old monk named Thawee. Frightened locals voiced…
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Chememan signs Khimsar agreement to become major lime producer in India
Chememan Public Company Limited (CMAN), a leading lime producer, inked the Khimsar Agreement with Khimsar Mine Corporation (KMC), marking its initiative to set up a state-of-the-art lime factory in Khimsar, Rajasthan, India. This endeavour positions CMAN on the path of becoming a significant lime producer in India. The agreement was signed with KMC, a fresh entrant in the Indian mining…
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Croatian tourists survive van collision in Phuket
A close shave with disaster was experienced by three Croatian tourists on January 22, when the van they were travelling in collided with a power pole on Thepkasattri Road in Phuket. The accident resulted in minor injuries for the tourists who were immediately rushed to the hospital. The mishap was reported to the local Thalang Police Station around 10pm, as…
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Pisces set for a prosperous 2024 with lucrative online opportunities
Astrological enthusiasts have been given a forecast to pay attention to a prominent astrologer Thosaporn, better known as Dr Chang, who has shared his insights for the Pisces sign for the year 2024. According to his predictions, individuals born under Pisces, which includes birthdays from March 15 to April 13, are expected to experience a stroke of good fortune, especially…
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Wealthy heiress found dead in Chanthaburi, police suspect foul play
The mysterious death of a wealthy heiress from a prominent family has shocked the community in Chanthaburi province. Today, early at 6.10am, local police led by Police Major General Phadungsak Raksasuk arrived at the residence, a house behind an old petrol station in Ma Kham district, to investigate the circumstances leading to the untimely demise of 77 year old Panithi…
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TAT holds Amazing Thailand Product event in Indonesia
The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) rolled out the red carpet for the Amazing Thailand Product Update 2024 in Jakarta and Bandung. Aiming to strengthen ties between Thai and Indonesian tourism, this event was more than just a gathering; it was a powerhouse of collaboration. Drawing a crowd of approximately 100 Indonesian tourism wizards in each bustling city, the week-long…
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Man posing as undercover cop with BB gun arrested in Chon Buri, Thailand
Chaos erupted in the municipality of Ban Bueng, Chon Buri province, when a 40 year old man, under the influence of drugs, terrorised residents by brandishing a gun and claiming to be an undercover police officer. The incident occurred around 10.30pm yesterday, January 23, and ended with the man’s arrest by local authorities. The man, identified only as Sorachai to…
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Thai man dies after falling from third floor of Bangkok shopping mall
A Thai man died after falling into an artificial pond from the third floor of a shopping mall in the Bang Kae district of Bangkok yesterday. A witness said it was a suicide. An employee at the mall reported the incident to Lak Song Police Station at about 12.50pm yesterday, January 23. She said she heard the sound of something…
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Mobile Cabinet headquarters in Ranong ready for meeting
Prime Minister’s Office Minister Puangpet Chunlaiad and Government Spokesperson Chai Wacharonke took a firsthand look at the cutting-edge Press Centre set to host the inaugural mobile Cabinet meeting of the year in Ranong province. Accompanied by Teerapong Wongsiwawilas, Secretary-General of the Prime Minister’s Office, Sudruetai Lertkasem, acting Director-General of the Public Relations Department (PRD), and Supaphong Chaolaen, Director of PRD…
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SEC considers banning NVDR securities for Thai investors
With plans to limit Thai investors from making investments in non-voting depository receipts (NVDRs), the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) is setting up a public hearing to enforce a ban on securities companies offering such services. Citing concerns over NVDR securities as a mechanism to sidestep compliance with regulations or as a means to obscure shareholding data, the SEC believes…
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Thailand’s tasty revival: Spending spree at food shows signals economic upswing for MICE sector
A surge in spending at food and packaging trade shows indicates a revival in the economy and a favourable trend for business tourism this year. Thailand remains a favoured location for the meetings, incentives, conventions and exhibitions (MICE) sector, according to Informa Markets Thailand, a leading trade show organiser. Kotchasorn Tocharoentanapol, the Deputy Event Director at Informa Markets Thailand, noted…
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Thailand probes private ownership of 153 lions after Pattaya Bentley incident (video)
Thailand’s Department of National Parks, Wildlife, and Plant Conservation revealed that there are 153 lions in the possession of 24 Thai nationals, highlighting the controlled status of these wild animals and the legal requirement to declare ownership. This announcement comes amidst a high-profile investigation following the circulation of a video showing a lion being driven around Pattaya in a Bentley,…
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Late night kitchen blaze claims three young lives in Phichit
Three young lives were tragically lost to a fierce house fire that erupted late last night in Phichit province, with two others sustaining serious injuries. The blaze, which police and emergency services responded around 1.30am today, January 24, is believed to have begun in the kitchen of the two-story dwelling, according to a 14 year old survivor who reported hearing…
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Record-breaking business registrations and foreign investment in Thailand
Business registrations in Thailand soared to an all-time high in the previous year, exceeding 85,000, a figure not seen in the last decade. These registrations represented a total registered capital of 560 billion baht (US$15 billion). Foreign investment also saw a significant rise, hitting 130 billion baht (US$3.6 billion) in 2023, with Japan leading the investment pool. Projections for the…
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