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.
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Sponsored Planning to extend your Thai visa? Why health insurance is more important than ever
If you plan to stay longer in Thailand, having health insurance is now more important than ever. Thai immigration often asks for proof of medical coverage when you apply to extend your visa. This applies to many types of visas,...
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Bangkok–Butterworth rail service to resume in 2025
Thailand and Malaysia have agreed to restore the Bangkok–Butterworth rail link by the end of this year, 2025, in a move set to boost cross-border travel and tourism. The decision was finalised during a joint conference between the State Railway of Thailand (SRT) and Malaysia’s Keretapi Tanah Melayu Berhad (KTMB) last week. The talks focused on strengthening bilateral railway cooperation…
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Motorcyclist dies in crash with 20-wheel truck in Pathum Thani
A motorcyclist was killed in a high-speed crash early this morning, August 16, after colliding with the rear of a 20-wheel truck in Pathum Thani. The accident occurred at 5.30am in Ban Klang, Mueang district, where the motorcyclist was reportedly travelling at high speeds. Police Major Parada Tantirungarun from Suan Phrik Thai Police Station arrived at the scene along with…
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Suspended PM Paetongtarn to face court over leaked audio controversy
Suspended Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra is anticipated to attend the Constitutional Court in person regarding the contentious audio recording involving her and Cambodian Senate President Hun Sen, as stated by her secretary. Yesterday, August 15, Doctor Prommin Lertsuridej, the PM’s Secretary-General, commented on the court’s decision to summon Paetongtarn, who also holds the position of culture minister, along with National…
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Pattaya cracks down on nightlife drug use with new curfews
Officials in Pattaya, Chon Buri, have rolled out strict new measures to stamp out drug use and illegal activities in entertainment venues. The crackdown comes under the government’s ‘No Drugs No Dealers’ policy. The initiative was launched during a major meeting yesterday, August 15, at the Alcazar Theatre on Pattaya Second Road. Over 2,000 nightlife operators attended the session, which…
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Karon Municipality ordered to clear Kata Beach chairs in 15 days
The National Anti-Corruption Commission’s (NACC) Phuket office has instructed Karon Municipality to remove all beach chairs from Kata Beach within 15 days; failure to comply will result in legal action. The directive was announced by Suwat Saowarat, Director of NACC Phuket, during a meeting with the Karon Mayor and local officials yesterday, August 15. Following the meeting, an inspection took…
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Bangkok nightclub raided, 328 detained in Huai Khwang operation
Yesterday, August 15, police conducted a raid on an illegal nightclub in Huai Khwang district, Bangkok, detaining 328 patrons, including 122 Thais and 206 foreigners. Six individuals tested positive for drugs, and four packets of “happy water” were discovered. Huai Khwang Police Station, in collaboration with various enforcement units including the Metropolitan Police Division and the Office of the Narcotics…
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High-speed racing crash on expressway causes hefty pile up
In the early hours of today, August 16, an incident involving high-speed racing led to a collision on the Udon Ratthaya expressway, resulting in damage to approximately ten vehicles. The accident occurred at around 1.30am on the expressway in Pak Kret district, Nonthaburi province. The crash, captured by a dashcam, showed several cars racing, then crashing, leading to a multi-vehicle…
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Thailand accuses Cambodia of breaching Ottawa Convention with landmines
Foreign Affairs Minister Maris Sangiampongsa has accused Cambodia of consistently breaching the Ottawa Convention and infringing on Thailand’s sovereignty due to recurring incidents involving anti-personnel landmines. During the 10th Mekong-Lancang Cooperation Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in Anning, China, Maris addressed the issue via a video briefing. The session, held at the Foreign Affairs Ministry yesterday, August 15, was attended by 67…
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Thailand allows drone operations from August 16 to 31
The Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand (CAAT) has issued an announcement permitting the operation of unmanned aircraft (drones) from August 16 to 31, between 6am and 6pm. This follows a suspension from July 30 to August 15, requested by national security agencies to mitigate risks near the Thai-Cambodian border. The announcement stated that drones of all types are allowed to…
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Two Thai police officers arrested in major drug network crackdown
Yesterday, August 15, two police officers were arrested for their involvement in a drug network, leading to the seizure and freezing of assets worth 35.2 million baht. The operation involved multiple police units focusing on money laundering activities linked to drug trafficking. Police Lieutenant General Santi Chaiyanirami, Commander of the Narcotics Suppression Bureau, and Police Lieutenant General Surapol Prembutr, Commander…
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People’s Party opposes 2026 budget bill over economic concerns
The People’s Party (PP) has decided to oppose the 2026 fiscal budget bill during its final reading in Parliament yesterday, Friday, August 15, criticising the government’s spending plan for not adequately reflecting the current economic conditions. PP Deputy Leader Sirikanya Tansakul disclosed the party’s decision at around 1pm yesterday in Parliament. She indicated that the PP planned to reject the…
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AirAsia flight lands at Gimpo due to turbulence, not error (update)
AirAsia has refuted claims that one of its flights mistakenly landed at the wrong airport, which initially headed towards Seoul, explaining that the pilot diverted to Gimpo Airport due to turbulence. The budget airline clarified that flight D7506 from Sepang to Incheon initially landed at Gimpo for refuelling because of adverse weather conditions. AirAsia X CEO Benyamin Ismali stated that…
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Thai-born American man dies in accident after being lured by Meta AI chatbot
A 76 year old Thai-born American man died following an accident after being lured to a meeting arranged by a Meta artificial intelligence (AI) chatbot on Facebook, which he believed was a real woman. According to a Reuters report, the incident took place in March this year when Thongbue Wongbandue, who suffered from brain impairment due to paralysis, packed up…
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Paetongtarn defends negotiation strategy in leaked conversation
Suspended Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra has presented her defence to the Constitutional Court, asserting that her remarks in a leaked conversation with Cambodian Senate President Hun Sen were part of a negotiation strategy and not an improper offer of favours. In her written submission, she addressed a contentious statement from the audio clip, where she said… “If there’s anything you…
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3 teenagers arrested for burning disabled dog in Lampang temple
Police arrested three Thai teenagers for burning a disabled dog alive in a temple bathroom in the northern province of Lampang. Locals in the Ko Kha district of Lampang reported the cruel act by the 14 year old suspects to the Watchdog Thailand Foundation (WDT) yesterday, August 14. The incident had occurred the previous week in the abandoned bathroom of…
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Udon Thani lottery thief returns stolen tickets and begs for forgiveness
A thief returned 23 out of 51 stolen lottery tickets to a vendor in the Isaan province of Udon Thani and promised to pay for the remaining tickets within three days. The lottery stall owners, 68 year old Boonmee Bootpho and 43 year old Wannaporn Bootpho, lodged a complaint at Nong Wua So Police Station on Tuesday, August 12, after…
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Phuket district chief addresses viral altercation over rental motorcycle dispute
A district chief in Phuket clarified details about a physical altercation involving nearly 20 foreigners and two Thai men in a dispute over a rental motorcycle, promising to ensure justice for both parties. Kathu District Chief Akkaraphon Sutthirak, yesterday, August 14, addressed the viral incident between a group of foreigners and two Thai men, one of whom was the owner of…
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AirAsia flight lands at wrong airport in South Korea, passengers confused
An AirAsia flight from Kuala Lumpur landed at the wrong airport in South Korea on Wednesday, August 13, leaving passengers and even flight attendants confused. AirAsia Flight D7 506 to South Korea was scheduled to arrive at Incheon International Airport at 7.50pm, but instead touched down at Gimpo International Airport, around 40 kilometres away, at 8.08pm. South Korea’s JoongAng Daily…
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Thai man’s calm response to snack theft goes viral on TikTok
A Thai grocery store owner shared a video on TikTok showing her husband watching a Burmese thief stealing snacks from their store in the central province of Pathum Thani, delighting Thai netizens. The store owner, Sumalee Wongintawang, posted the video of her husband on her TikTok account, @su.pananchita995, on Tuesday, August 12, with the caption… “#GoodHusbandIsNewHusband #ThisIsMyHusbandLol”. The caption was…
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Thai soldier allegedly commits suicide after shooting 2 civilians in Surin
A Thai soldier in the Isaan province of Surin allegedly took his own life after shooting two civilians with an M16 rifle last night. The Royal Thai Army (RTA) reported this morning, August 15, that the gunfire broke out near Ban Khuean Kaeo Temple at around 12.45am. Ten shots were initially fired, followed by two more shots nine minutes later.…
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Thailand tourism faces slowdown amid Vietnam, South Korea competition
As travellers are shifting their sights to Vietnam and South Korea, intensified competition in Asia’s tourism market may lead to a slowdown in Thailand’s tourism sector for the rest of 2025. According to industry experts, the expansion of visa exemptions from the two nations will most likely siphon tourists away from the Kingdom. Additionally, the domestic co-payment subsidy initiative has…
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British motorcyclist attacked after wheelie crash injures Thai woman
A British man last night, August 14, performed wheelies along a road in Pattaya before crashing into the motorcycle of a Thai woman, leaving her in a serious condition. The foreign suspect was reportedly attacked by angry locals after the collision. Rescuers from the Sawang Borriboon Thammasathan Foundation were alerted to the accident at around 11pm. The incident occurred in…
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Thailand video news | Strong baht and safety concerns threaten Thai tourism recovery, Bangkok crowned best city in the world for Gen Z in 2025
In today’s Thailand Video News, Alex reports on stories from across the country. Highlights include the slump in Thai tourism driven by an unusually strong Baht and rising safety concerns among Chinese visitors. The Tourism Authority of Thailand is working to boost visitor numbers, and Bangkok has just been crowned the world’s best city for Gen Z. Strong Baht and…
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Thai man commits suicide on girlfriend’s video call after being rejected by ex-wife
A Thai man commit suicide at a condominium in Samut Prakan province near Bangkok yesterday, August 14, during a video call with his girlfriend, after failing to reunite with his ex-wife. The 34 year old woman, Janejira, contacted officers from Mueang Samut Prakan Police Station, reporting that her boyfriend committed suicide in his room on the fourth floor of a…
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Senate proposes aid reduction for Cambodian students
A proposal by a Senate education committee to reduce funding for undocumented Cambodian students in Thailand has faced criticism from a fellow senator and human rights advocate, who claims it could breach international humanitarian laws and children’s rights. Kamol Rodklai, Chair of the Senate committee on Education, Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation, urged the government on Wednesday, August 13,…
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Thief in delivery uniform escapes with over 8 million baht in gold
A male thief in a delivery rider’s uniform remains at large after stealing gold accessories worth over 8 million baht from a shop inside a shopping mall in Samut Prakan province near Bangkok. The manager of the Yaowarat Krung Thep gold shop reported the heist to Bang Bo Police Station at 3.50pm yesterday, August 14. According to the manager, the…
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Armed Thai soldier opens fire on civilians in Surin, injuring 2 victims
The Royal Thai Army (RTA) is pursuing a soldier who fled his military base with an M16 rifle and opened fire on civilians in Kap Choeng district, in the Isaan province of Surin, injuring two people. The official Facebook page of the 2nd Army Area reported this morning, August 15, that troops heard a burst of ten gunshots near Ban…
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Heavy rains and floods predicted for 36 Thai provinces
The Thai Meteorological Department has forecast heavy rainfall across 36 provinces today, August 15, including Bangkok, with the potential for flash floods, strong winds, and rough seas. Today’s weather forecast indicates that the eastern and western southern regions will experience very heavy rain in some areas. Northern, northeastern, central, and eastern southern regions are expected to see heavy rain in…
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Thai transwoman says nightclub guard assaulted her over mismatched ID photo
A Thai transwoman is seeking justice, accusing a nightclub security guard in the northern province of Chiang Rai of physically assaulting her for looking different from the photograph on her identification card. The 19 year old transgender victim, identified only as Weerapong, told ThaiRath that the incident occurred outside a nightclub in Mae Sai district, Chiang Rai, on the night…
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Border clash victims complain over extra costs for document copies in Buriram
Locals in the Isaan province of Buriram are demanding an investigation after a community leader collected an extra cost of 20 baht from residents who claimed compensation following recent border clashes. A resident from the border community in Nong Wang sub-district, Lahan Sai district, told reporters she was unhappy about the fee. She claimed the community leader collected 20 baht from…
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