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.
-
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…
-
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…
-
Shell-abrate: Phuket releases baby leatherback turtles into Indian Ocean
Eleven baby leatherback sea turtles have been released into the Indian Ocean off the coast of Phuket, Thailand. Marine conservationists are hopeful these turtles will thrive in the wild and return to lay eggs in approximately two decades. These young turtles, each around the size of a rugby ball and a year old, are the result of an intensive conservation…
-
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…
-
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…
-
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…
-
Phuket Airport: Swedish-Russian man nabbed for extortion
In a dramatic twist at Phuket International Airport, immigration officers apprehended a 25 year old Swedish-Russian man, just as he was about to flee to Kuala Lumpur. The arrest follows a disturbing incident of robbery and extortion that left a young Russian woman traumatised. Police Lieutenant General Ittipol Ittisarnronnachai, the commissioner of the Immigration Bureau, disclosed the details of the…
-
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…
-
Thai PM stands with Slovakia PM following public shooting
Thailand Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin released a message this morning, condemning the attack on the Slovakian Prime Minister Roberto Fico. The 62 year old Thai PM’s message, released on the social media platform X, revealed his shock and condemnation of the violent attack, cementing his stance in solidarity with the people of Slovakia and the international community. “We are shocked…
-
Rats on the rampage: Infestations hit Pattaya beaches
The shores of Pattaya and Jomtien are under siege by a horde of unwelcome guests – rats. This alarming infestation is not just an eyesore but a significant health hazard, leaving locals and tourists in a frenzy. The burgeoning rat population, thriving on nocturnal scavenging, is wreaking havoc, threatening the area’s cleanliness and charm. The Pattaya City Surveillance and Rapid…
-
Ladyboy duo nabbed for stealing gold necklace from Indian tourist
Police arrested two Thai ladyboy thieves for gold necklace theft in Pattaya after one of them was caught pretending to hug an Indian tourist and stealing his necklace worth about 60,000 baht. The 50 year old victim, Subhash Petloj, reported the incident, which occurred around 10.50pm on May 9 to Mueang Pattaya Police Station. Petloj explained that he was relaxing…
-
Thailand’s cannabis crackdown: High hopes hang in the balance
Thailand’s cannabis industry faces an uncertain future as Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin spearheads a controversial meeting to reconsider the legal status of cannabis. The high-stakes discussion, involving Deputy Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul, Minister of Public Health Somsak Thepsuthin, and Minister of Justice Police Colonel Thavee Sodsong, aims to reclassify cannabis as a Category 5 narcotic. This move would restrict its…
-
Thai gold prices climb slightly to 41,500 baht per baht-weight
Gold prices in Thailand saw an uptick today, as reported by the Gold Traders Association (GTA), marking a slight increase from yesterday’s stagnant figures. As of today, May 16, the price of gold ornament per baht-weight was listed at 41,500 baht, reflecting a 50 baht rise from the closing price on May 15. The latest update from the GTA, published…
-
Chinese woman found dead at poolside in Pattaya
A 68 year old Chinese woman tragically drowned in the swimming pool of her residence near Pattaya on Tuesday, May 14. The unsettling discovery has left the local community reeling as authorities scramble to uncover the details. Police Lieutenant Siriyaporn Kongphetsak, Deputy Investigator of the Nongprue Police Station, received the distressing call and swiftly dispatched a team of rescue workers…
-
Rayong residents demand action after fire raises safety fears
A demand for immediate action echoed from Rayong residents following a factory fire last month that has heightened concerns over chemical safety. Community members, deeply troubled by the incident, mobilised a protest to present their case to provincial governor Traiphop Wongtrairat. The villagers convened at Wat Nong Phawa in the Ban Khai district to voice their concerns before proceeding to…
-
Thai man cursed by black magic has insects crawling out his skin
In a scene more fitting for a horror movie, a bizarre tale of supposed black magic and swarms of insects allegedly emerging from a man’s skin gripped the local community in Udon Thani. The afflicted individual, 43 year old Ad claimed that for over two months, he has been tormented by insects crawling out of his skin, a condition he…
-
Suphan Buri guardian spirit festival firecracker ritual brings luck
The yearly festival at the shrine of the city’s guardian spirit in Dan Chang, Suphan Buri, has evolved into a vibrant focal point, attracting throngs of visitors eager to partake in a cherished tradition and, perchance, to take home a touch of luck. The festival reached its climax as attendees fixated on the launch of firecrackers at 8pm yesterday, a…
-
Thai man shoots dead best friend over alleged affair with girlfriend
A Thai man shot dead his best friend over an alleged affair with his teenage girlfriend. He immediately turned himself in at Bang Phli Police Station in Samut Prakarn province near Bangkok. The 18 year old murderer, Phichate, yesterday, May 15, arrived at the police station with a gun in hand and confessed to murdering his 22 year old friend,…
-
Police captures over 100 fake Labubu dolls, valued 100,000 baht
In a coordinated raid in Nonthaburi province, authorities seized over 100 unlicensed Labubu dolls and Art toys, collectively valued at over 100,000 baht. The Consumer Protection Police Division (CPPD) and the Thai Industrial Standards Institute (TISI) conducted the operation following complaints about fraudulent sales and counterfeit products causing public distress. The CPPD received numerous complaints from citizens about the rampant…
-
Surin temple’s Buddha statue event sparks lottery buzz
A revered wooden Buddha statue’s head-raising ceremony at Nong Khu Pattana Temple in Surin province has become the talk of the town, as the auspicious numbers divined in the ritual matched the age of the temple’s abbot. The event yesterday drew a large crowd of devotees and lottery enthusiasts eager to witness the traditional ceremony and perhaps gain insight into…
-
Dead body with stab and gunshot wounds identified as Indian man
Police successfully identified the nationality of a foreign man found dead in the southern province of Phang Nga as an Indian clothes seller. The identity of the murderer remains unknown. A Thai resident found the dead body of a foreign man on the side of Ban Na Road yesterday, May 15 and reported the discovery to Khok Kloi Police Station.…
-
Tony Jaa’s temple visit sparks lottery craze in Nakhon Pathom
Renowned action movie star Tony Jaa recently visited Wat Phai Lom in Nakhon Pathom province to seek blessings but ended up inspiring a lottery frenzy among local villagers. Tony paid homage to the revered Luang Phor Phu statue and sought spiritual guidance from the abbot, Phra Khru Palad Sittiwat (Luang Pi Namfon) yesterday, just before the national lottery draw scheduled…
-
Midnight mayhem: Tiger on prowl in West Thailand, alarms locals
A community in West Thailand was thrown into a state of alarm after a tiger emerged in the dead of night, apparently attacking residents. The incident took place in the early hours of today, May 16, when a tiger cub was spotted within a residential area of Bang Pakong, Chachoengsao, causing chaos and prompting an urgent response from local authorities…
-
Kalasin ceremony wax numbers spark lottery fever in community
At a housewarming ceremony in Kalasin province, the mystical numbers generated from candle wax droplets have captivated the local community, with many lottery enthusiasts eager to see if the digits will bring them luck in the upcoming draw. In the district of Mueang, Kalasin, at the residence marked number 182 in village number 7, a significant Buddhist ceremony was held…
-
Thailand faces hot spells and storms, north hits 41°C
The Thai Meteorological Department (TMD) issued a weather warning as the country braces for a day of scorching temperatures and thunderstorms. The northern region is expected to experience the highest temperatures, soaring up to 41 degrees Celsius, while the southern provinces face rough seas with waves exceeding 2 metres. In Bangkok and the surrounding areas, residents can expect hot weather…
-
Thailand’s business confidence drops amid wage hike concerns
Business confidence in Thailand took a hit as the Thai Industries Sentiment Index (TISI) dropped in April, reflecting entrepreneurs’ concerns over a slew of economic pressures, including a proposed daily minimum wage increase. The TISI, a measure of the mood in the industrial sector, registered at 90.3 points, a decrease from the 92.4 points recorded in March, as reported by…
-
Thailand to discuss lese majeste suspects’ amnesty
Amidst Thailand’s ongoing political tension, the House of Representatives‘ special committee is poised for a crucial meeting today to deliberate the formation of a new committee. This body is to consider the inclusion of lese majeste suspects in the proposed political amnesty. Nikorn Chamnong, the committee’s secretary-general, confirmed the upcoming discussion. Yuttaporn Issarachai, leading a sub-committee dedicated to the evaluation…
-
South Korean national murdered, encased in concrete in Pattaya
The perpetrators of a chilling murder in Chon Buri have been partially apprehended, with one suspect confessing to the killing of a fellow South Korean national. The 34 year old victim, Roh Eui-jong, met his demise after being strangled and entombed in concrete inside a barrel by the suspects during a journey to Pattaya. South Korean authorities detailed the confession…
-
Chinese calendar lottery numbers prediction for May 16 draw
Lottery enthusiasts are in a frenzy as the much-anticipated Chinese calendar lottery numbers have surfaced, promising potential wealth in the upcoming draw tomorrow. The Chinese calendar, an often-referenced guide for those seeking lucky numbers, has released four editions worth scrutinising for the next big win. The Chinese calendar, historically a source of lucky lottery numbers, has once again captured the…
-
Durian diva: Thai woman sells durian in bikini, ignoring online drama
A Thai woman is creating a buzz on social media after posting videos and pictures of herself selling durian in a bikini on a roadside in the northern province of Kamphaeng Phet. The sexy 22 year old durian vendor, Aranya, also known as Aum, sparked controversy on Thai social media two years ago for wearing a bikini while selling the…
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.