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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 Why long-term expats in Thailand say insurance is worth every baht
Thailand’s warm weather, low cost of living, and good healthcare attract many long-term expats, including retirees and remote workers. Life here feels easy and affordable, but medical costs can be high if something goes wrong. Private hospitals are popular because...
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Thaksin plans to turn Thailand into a tech and aviation powerhouse
Thaksin Shinawatra is back in the spotlight—and he’s thinking big. The former PM has laid out an ambitious strategy to turn Thailand into a regional superhub for aviation, electric vehicles (EV), and green-powered data centres, in what he calls a “golden opportunity” for national transformation. In his recent public statement, Thaksin said Thailand is geographically primed to become ASEAN’s premier…
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Soap and rob: Pattaya ladyboy claims Indian stole cash mid-shower
A 27 year old ladyboy woman flipped the script in Pattaya after claiming an Indian man swiped her cash while she was in the shower, in a steamy Walking Street encounter that ended with police dragging him off to the cells. The distressed victim arrived at Pattaya City Police Station at 3am today, July 18, to file a complaint against…
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Udon Thani man found dead after financial collapse
A man was found dead outside his home in Udon Thani in a chilling scene that left neighbours and relatives shaken. The 54 year old, who reportedly lost millions and struggled with emotional despair after his divorce, left behind a haunting farewell note and five luxury watches. Police Lieutenant Sirichai Photichak from Udon Thani Police Station led officers and rescue…
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Top of the clicks! Bangkok crowned world’s No.1 nomad hotspot
Bangkok has bagged the title of the world’s dream city for digital nomads, beating out 1,300 other hotspots to take the crown as the top destination for remote workers in 2025. According to a global survey by travel platform HotelWithTub, Thailand’s buzzing capital has been crowned the number one city on the planet for digital nomads this year, scoring 91…
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Thailand hit by mental health spike and baby bust
Thailand’s facing a double dose of trouble—more people are battling mental health issues than ever before, while fewer babies are being born. Experts say it’s a social time bomb. The newly released Thai Health Report 2025, launched yesterday, July 17, by the Thai Health Promotion Foundation (ThaiHealth) and Mahidol University, paints a worrying picture of the nation’s emotional and demographic…
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Thai man dies surrounded by over 100 beer bottles in Rayong home
A Thai man died in his home in the eastern province of Rayong, with over 100 empty beer bottles discovered in his bedroom. Reports suggest he turned to heavy drinking due to severe personal stress. Rescue workers from the Siam Rayong Foundation were called to a house in the Ban Chang district to assist the man, who was reportedly suffering…
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Tonnes of toxic beef haul uncovered in Pathum Thani
More than 41 tonnes of dodgy beef and organ meat—allegedly soaked in toxic formalin—have been seized from a cold storage warehouse in Pathum Thani, sparking fears over contaminated food in Bangkok’s markets. Acting on a tip-off, officers from the Consumer Protection Police Division (CPPD), in coordination with officials from the Livestock Development Department, raided a sprawling cold storage facility covering…
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Flatline shocker: Two Foreign men found dead in Pattaya condo
Two foreign men were found dead in eerily similar circumstances just two hours apart, and just two floors apart, in a Pattaya condo, sparking a full-blown police probe into the bizarre double tragedy. Pattaya police were left scratching their heads yesterday, July 17, after the bodies of a Swedish man and an Australian man were discovered in separate rooms of…
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Contractor kills knife-wielding man in Trang shootout
A knife-wielding man was shot dead in broad daylight on a village road in Trang province, after reportedly terrorising locals in a drug-fuelled outburst. The gunman was identified as a local contractor who claimed he was acting in self-defence. The incident unfolded yesterday, July 17, in Huai Yot district, when 40 year old Pathompong, a contractor, fatally shot 32 year…
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Thai MPs accuse government of trading national security for tariff cuts
Palang Pracharath Party (PPRP) MPs accused the government of concealing a significant deal with the United States from the public, claiming officials plan to allow the US to use a naval base in southern Thailand in exchange for a tariff reduction. A group of MPs from the Palang Pracharath Party, led by Phang Nga MP Chakaj Phatthanakitwibun, held a press…
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Charges urged against 229 over Thai Senate vote-rigging scandal
An investigative panel has urged charges against 229 people, including executives from the Bhumjaithai Party, related to allegations of extensive vote-rigging during Thailand’s Senate election last year. The Election Commission (EC) must now evaluate these findings to decide on further action, which might involve petitioning the Constitutional Court to disband the Bhumjaithai Party. The group of accused comprises 138 sitting…
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Durian and gone! Thai jailbird’s dream life stolen by ex-husband
A Thai woman who dreamed of a quiet life growing durians after prison was left in tears, after discovering her dodgy ex-husband flogged her home and orchard behind her back while she was locked up. Fresh out of prison and ready to rebuild her life, 53 year old Ratchaneeporn was hoping to return to her family home in Chumphon and…
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Chadchart warns 20 baht train plan could spark lawsuits
A feel-good fare cut could turn into a legal nightmare. Bangkok’s 20 baht train policy is under fire, again, not for what it promises passengers, but for what it could cost the city in court. Bangkok Governor Chadchart Sittipunt urged the government to clarify its compensation plan under the second phase of the 20 baht maximum electric train fare policy.…
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Kuwait ’til dark: Pattaya’s Middle Eastern night riders in firing line
Young Middle Eastern night riders brought late-night mayhem to a Pattaya street this week, sparking a bust-up that had locals fuming and cops revving into action. A confrontation between two gangs of Middle Eastern youths on Soi Yen Sabai on July 16 sent tempers flaring and engines roaring, as the summer influx of Kuwaiti college kids hit Pattaya’s streets with…
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Frenchman in Phuket claims he buried dog alive by mistake
A Frenchman in Phuket defended himself against accusations of animal cruelty, claiming he believed one of his three Siberian Huskies had already died, prompting him to bury it in his yard. A foreign woman yesterday, July 17, took to an online community to raise concerns about the welfare of her neighbour’s Siberian Husky. She reported hearing a distressing howl and later witnessed…
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Trigger-nometry: Songthaew driver goes ballistic in Thai traffic tiff
A hot-headed songthaew driver lost the plot during a road rage bust-up in Chumphon, pulling out a gun and blasting two men in broad daylight after a row over right of way. The chaos erupted at around 3pm yesterday, July 17, just 300 metres from Chumphon City Hall, when a red public taxi pickup suddenly cut in front of a…
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Tit for tat: 3 Indian men call cops on Pattaya bar girl over small boobs
Three Indian men in Pattaya sparked a police call-out after accusing a Thai bar girl of ripping them off, claiming she looked nothing like she did under the bar lights and even complained about her “small boobs.” Officers from Mueang Pattaya Police Station rushed to a hotel on Soi Pattaya 11, Bang Lamung district, after the men rang for help, demanding…
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Bangkok spa inferno guts building in early morning blaze
Flames ripped through a Bangkok spa at dawn today, sending thick black smoke billowing into the skies above Siam Square and gutting parts of a four-storey building. At 6.40am today, July 18, the 199 emergency hotline received a report of a fire raging at a commercial property on Siam Square Soi 3, off Rama I Road in Pathum Wan district.…
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Banking on trouble: SCB scales back as storm brews in Thailand
Siam Commercial Bank (SCB) is battening down the hatches and scaling back its operations for the next 12 to 18 months, warning of tough times ahead as Thailand’s economy hits choppy waters. SCB Chief Executive Kris Chantanotoke painted a bleak picture of the months to come, blaming soaring household debt, sluggish growth, and the threat of US tariffs for the…
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Shock decision: Electricity bills stay high despite energy dip
Electricity bills in Thailand are set to stay stubbornly high for the rest of the year, despite falling fuel costs, lower demand and a stronger baht. The Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) has chosen to freeze the power tariff at 3.98 baht per unit, brushing aside options for a cheaper rate, even as economic conditions hinted at a possible reduction. The…
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Failed escape: Korean, Chinese fugitives busted in Pattaya swoop
Thailand immigration police swooped on two foreign fugitives in a transnational crime crackdown in Pattaya, including a Chinese crook caught trying to escape over the roof and a Korean drug boss with a taste for crystal meth. Commissioner Panumas Boonyalak and his team swooped on suspects in separate raids across Pattaya this week as part of a major international sting.…
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Thailand booms as Hat Yai steals budget travel spotlight
Thailand continues to attract record-breaking numbers of tourists in 2025, with Chinese, Malaysian, and South Korean travellers leading the way. Meanwhile, Hat Yai is gaining traction as one of Asia’s most affordable and exciting travel hotspots. Agoda, one of Asia’s top digital travel platforms, has released fresh data showing Thailand continues to dominate regional tourism in the first half of…
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Thai man missing after bamboo hunt in Khon Kaen forest
A Thai man went missing on a mountain in the Isaan province of Khon Kaen after foraging for bamboo shoots with his family members on July 11. His mother reportedly provided “unclear information” to officials. The 52 year old mother, Samorn, filed a missing persons report at Nong Ruea Police Station on July 11, stating that her 24 year old…
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South Korean influencer goes viral with ‘kappa haircut’ in Pattaya
A South Korean social media influencer went viral on Thai social media for his unique haircut and hilarious video content, with Pattaya serving as the backdrop. The owner of Sixteen Barbershop Pattaya shared pictures and a video of the quirky South Korean customer on his Facebook page, Barber King, on July 11. The footage showed the man receiving an unusual…
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Thailand boosts ornamental fish exports with new strategies and logistics
The Thailand is intensifying its initiatives to boost the ornamental fish industry, recognising it as a significant contributor to agricultural exports. The goal is to enhance Thailand’s global market presence and increase income for local farmers. Bancha Sukkaew, Director General of the Department of Fisheries, highlighted that the global ornamental fish market is projected to be valued at 10 billion…
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Russian teen busted for Pattaya pier graffiti
A 16 year old Russian boy has been caught red-handed after launching a midnight graffiti attack on Pattaya’s iconic Bali Hai Pier Overpass. In the early hours of today, July 17, Pattaya City’s Special Affairs Unit swooped in on the teen, identified only as Dobrynia, as he vandalised the structure with spray paint. The sharp-eyed officer spotted the youth in…
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NBTC to revise mobile tariffs, cheaper packages under 240 baht
The National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC) is revising mobile phone tariffs, encouraging operators to introduce cheaper Blue Flag Packages from the current cap of 240 baht per month. Yesterday, July 16, acting Secretary-General of the NBTC Trairat Viriyasirikul announced that today’s NBTC meeting covered a total of 86 agenda items, with 25 items reviewed. These included business operation permits,…
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Pattaya investigates oil pollution in local water source
In response to community complaints regarding a significant water source, an investigation has been initiated by local officials. Pattaya officials have launched an investigation into oil and grease pollution discovered in drainage near a local restaurant Concerns were raised about a drainage pipe situated near a popular cycling spot opposite a well-frequented restaurant, close to the Hot Two Point intersection…
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Phuket tourism revenue set to rise 10% amid European off-season surge
Phuket is experiencing a notable shift in tourism patterns as European visitors increasingly opt for off-season travel, with tourism revenue anticipated to grow by over 40 billion baht, or approximately 10%, this year, according to the Phuket Tourist Association. The association’s president, Thanet Tantipiriyakit, highlighted a growing interest among tourists from the UK, Germany, and France in visiting Phuket during…
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Pattaya cops rescue Russians with highway bike push
Two stranded Russian tourists were left stunned—and grateful—after a team of Pattaya police officers came to their rescue in one of the city’s more unusual displays of public service: pushing a broken-down motorbike through traffic with nothing but a boot and big hearts. The drama unfolded around 9.40am yesterday, July 16, when the couple’s motorbike battery unexpectedly died right in…
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