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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Pattaya police raid pub, detain 16 for drugs, illegal work
In the early hours of August 13, a joint operation led by Banglamung District Chief Patcharapat Sritanyanon and Police Colonel Anek Sarathongyoo, Superintendent of Pattaya City Police Station, conducted a raid on a nightlife venue in Pattaya. The operation aimed to address illegal activities as part of the 5 Free policy and the No Drugs, No Dealers campaign initiated by…
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Hero saves woman from drowning at Pattaya Beach
In the early hours of August 12, a young Thai woman was rescued from a near-drowning incident at Pattaya Beach, thanks to the prompt actions of a bystander and emergency services. The event unfolded near Soi 6 along Pattaya Beach when the Sawang Boriboon Thammasathan Foundation’s rescue centre received an urgent call regarding a tourist in distress in the water.…
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2 foreign men flee Pattaya motorcycle accident, leaving injured Thai woman
Two foreign men fled the scene after a motorcycle accident on a Pattaya road, leaving an injured Thai woman and a bag of cannabis behind. Rescuers from the Sawang Borriboon Dhammastan Foundation provided assistance to three injured motorcyclists on Jomtien Sai Song Road in Bang Lamung district, Pattaya, on the night of Tuesday, August 12, following an alert about the…
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Young man arrested in Loei for methamphetamine transport
A 22 year old man was arrested in Loei province for transporting half a tonne of methamphetamine, confessing that he needed the money to pay off football gambling debts. He mistakenly believed that local police were concentrating their efforts at the Cambodian border. Yesterday, August 12, Chaipoj Jaroonpong, the governor of Loei, along with Police Major General Weeradej Lekhawarakul, the…
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Thai navy rescues nine after fishing boat capsizes near Phuket
The Royal Thai Navy deployed the HTMS Hua Hin to rescue nine people after a fishing boat capsized off Racha Yai Island in Phuket. The incident, occurring at 2.50pm yesterday, August 12, involved the fishing vessel Chok Mana 1, which was overturned by large waves. Fortunately, all crew members were equipped with life jackets. The fishing boat, carrying nine people,…
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Plastic recycling factory fire in Chachoengsao raises safety concerns
A fire broke out at a plastic recycling factory in Bang Pakong, Chachoengsao province, yesterday, August 12, causing concern over the potential spread to nearby residential areas. The incident occurred at 1pm, prompting Lieutenant Napadol Taweechat, Deputy Inspector of Bang Pakong Police Station, to investigate and coordinate with local and nearby fire departments, as well as Bang Pakong rescue services.…
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Pregnant student among four trapped in faulty lift at Thai college
Yesterday, August 12, four female students from a renowned college in Mueang Phatthalung were trapped in a lift for nearly an hour. Among them was a seven-month pregnant student. The lift malfunctioned between the first and second floors while they were heading to the fourth floor for a sports event task. Phatthalung rescue services were notified and arrived to assist.…
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Family outing turns violent with shooting at Jomtien Beach
A family outing turned violent when a young man and his family were attacked on Jomtien Beach by a rival group who opened fire. Police are investigating the incident, which occurred at 4.30am today, August 13, when Police Lieutenant Chaiyanaret Phengkhan received a report of a shooting in front of a large market on Jomtien Beach, Pattaya, Chon Buri province.…
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Thailand weather alert: 38 provinces brace for heavy rain
The Thai Meteorological Department (TMD) has issued a weather warning for August 13, cautioning 38 provinces in Thailand about potential heavy rain affecting 60% of the area, including Bangkok. Residents are advised to remain vigilant against flash floods and forest run-offs as Typhoon Podul is being monitored. The weather forecast for the next 24 hours indicates thunderstorms and heavy rain…
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Monks defrocked after drug tests in Taphan Hin temples
Today, August 12, a coordinated operation involving the local administration and Taphan Hin police targeted two temples to conduct drug tests on monks. Five monks were found with positive results for drugs and have been defrocked and sent for rehabilitation. Thaneya Naipinit, Governor of Phichit province, initiated this drug crackdown and temple reform. Suphot Rattanarungruang, district chief of Taphan Hin,…
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Crowds flock to Nakhon Pathom temple for fortune and blessings
Today, August 12, at Wat Phai Lom in Mueang district, Nakhon Pathom province, crowds gathered to seek fortune and blessings from the revered monk Luang Por Phun and the spirit known as Kuman Sombat. The temple was bustling as people visited to pay their respects, especially during the holiday period leading up to the lottery draw. Luang Por Phun, a…
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Thai ranger loses leg in landmine blast near Cambodia border
A landmine explosion resulted in a paramilitary ranger losing his leg during a border patrol near an ancient temple in Surin province this morning, August 12. According to the Royal Thai Army, the incident occurred at 9.10am as a team from the 2610 Paramilitary Ranger Company was conducting a patrol near the Ta Muen Thom temple ruins in the Phanom…
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Phuket man arrested for illegal high-interest loan operation
A 61 year old man has been apprehended by Wichit Police in Phuket for running an illicit high-interest loan operation. The arrest resulted in the confiscation of 12 motorcycles, five sedans, a pickup truck, and numerous related documents. Residents in Soi Charoenlap, Wichit, had reported unregistered vehicles parked for long periods along the roadside and motorcycles concealed under covers at…
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Chanthaburi seeks 30,000 Thai workers for longan harvest amid shortages
Yanathicha Buaphuean, a member of Parliament for Chanthaburi province from the Prachachon Party, has posted a video online highlighting a significant labour shortage in the province. The post urgently calls for 30,000 Thai workers to harvest longan in Chanthaburi, offering good pay and free accommodation. This shortage results from recent conflicts between Thailand and Cambodia, leading to a mass exodus…
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Thailand clears 432 explosives on Thai-Cambodian border in 10 days
The Thailand Mine Action Centre (TMAC) has successfully cleared over 400 explosive devices along the Thai-Cambodian border in 10 days, spanning four provinces. Residents are urged to report any suspicious items immediately to authorities. Yesterday, August 11, TMAC and explosive ordnance disposal (EOD) teams announced the successful recovery of 432 explosive items in Buriram, Surin, Sisaket, and Ubon Ratchathani between…
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Truck runs red light, causing fatal collision in Phayao
A truck ran a red light and collided with a pickup truck, trapping it underneath and resulting in the driver’s death. Four others were injured, including a six year old child. The accident occurred yesterday, August 11, at Phra Ubalee Road intersection in Dok Khamtai district, Phayao province. Rescue personnel rushed to the scene to assist. They discovered the pickup…
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Family feud in Nakhon Pathom ends in tragic shooting
A familial business dispute in Nakhon Pathom turned deadly on August 11, resulting in two deaths. A 70 year old man shot his 63 year old brother and 20 year old nephew before taking his own life. The incident occurred at a residence in Mueang district. Police Colonel Thananut Intharprasert from Nakhon Pathom Police Station received reports of a shooting…
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Misinformation spreads amid Thai-Cambodian border tensions, fuels public outrage
Misinformation has proliferated on social media amid recent tensions at the Thai-Cambodian border, with one viral TikTok video becoming a focal point. The clip, allegedly showing nighttime gunfire at Prasat Ta Kwai as a ceasefire began on July 28, quickly spread across major digital platforms. Three prominent news outlets amplified the video’s reach, sparking public outrage in Thailand and potentially…
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Ministry urges swift action on wild elephant alert system
The Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment has directed the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation (DNP) to hasten the development of a wild elephant tracking and alert system to enhance the safety of communities within the elephants’ habitats. Chalermchai Sri-on, the minister, stated that the DNP has been tasked with updating its maps for integration into a…
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Banglamung nightclub raid uncovers drug use in anti-narcotics campaign
In the early hours of yesterday, August 11, a coordinated raid was conducted at the popular Finup nightclub in Banglamung district, Chon Buri province. At 3am, Patcharapat Srithanyanon, the Banglamung district chief, led a task force consisting of local administrative officials, Pattaya City police, and members of the Banglamung District Volunteer Defence Corps. The operation was organised by Nathaphop Yomjinda,…
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Bangkok braces for heavy rain with 50mm expected today
Bangkok Governor Chadchart Sittipunt has instructed preparations for heavy rainfall expected in the city today, August 12, particularly in the northern and eastern areas. Districts such as Don Mueang, Lak Si, Bang Khen, Sai Mai, and Khlong Sam Wa are predicted to experience significant downpours. At the Bangkok Flood Prevention Control Centre in Din Daeng, the governor, along with the…
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Lop Buri temple faces dual fraud probes over donations and land ownership
A Thai spiritual medium and the abbot of Wat Phrabat Nampu in the central province of Lop Buri shifted the blame for alleged embezzlement onto each other, while an alleged land fraud within the temple came to light. The abbot, Phra Alongkot, called on spiritual medium Sakesan “Bee” Bubsuebsakun to clarify the matter of missing donations to him and the public.…
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Thai grandmother appeals for help to find missing 12 year old in Chon Buri
A Thai woman is seeking assistance from the public after her 12 year old granddaughter went missing for more than two weeks after leaving the family home in Chon Buri on a motorcycle. The 63 year old woman, Daeng, appealed to news agencies to help spread the word about her missing granddaughter, 12 year old Pitchanan, also known as Noona.…
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British motorcyclist blocks rescue vehicle and causes collision in Pattaya
A British motorcyclist blocked a rescue vehicle and raised his middle finger at rescuers before crashing into a local’s motorcycle on a Pattaya road. He claimed that the sound of the siren startled him and caused his behaviour. Rescuers from the Sawang Borriboon Dhammastan Foundation were responding to a call to transport a patient who had lost consciousness after being…
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17 year old Thai schoolboy attacks teacher after exam dispute
A 17 year old Thai schoolboy attacked a female teacher at a school in the central province of Uthai Thani on August 5, allegedly because he was dissatisfied with his exam score. The physical assault came to light after the victim shared her account with a well-known teacher who runs the Facebook page Teacher Arty. The page posted details of…
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Monitor lizard crashes through ceiling at Ayutthaya beauty shop
A large monitor lizard caused a stir after crashing through the ceiling of Lady Beauty in Bang Pa-in district, Ayutthaya province, today, August 11. Captured by CCTV, the animal startled the shop owner, prompting an immediate call for assistance from the Ayutthaya Ruam Jai Association. The team specialised in capturing reptiles arrived with the necessary equipment to help. Upon inspection,…
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Thai army says Cambodia misuses landmine clearance funds amid fresh blast
The Royal Thai Army (RTA) accused Cambodia of violating the Ottawa Treaty and deceiving several countries into donating funds for landmine clearance, claiming no operations have taken place, and another Thai soldier lost his left ankle in a landmine blast in the Isaan province of Si Saket. Thailand and Cambodia held a meeting of the General Border Committee (GBC) in…
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Thailand ranked top in Asia for cultural heritage wealth
Thailand has been ranked first in Asia and eighth globally for cultural heritage wealth in the U.S. News & World Report 2024 rankings. Announced by Government spokesperson Sasikarn Wattanachan today, August 11, the ranking assesses 89 countries based on five key factors: cultural accessibility, rich history, cuisine, cultural attractions, and geographical appeal. Despite tourism revenue accounting for about 7% of…
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Thai woman turns herself in after bathroom cleaner attack on ex-boyfriend
A Thai woman surrendered to police yesterday, August 10, after attacking her ex-boyfriend with a bathroom cleaner at a shopping mall in Samut Prakan province near Bangkok. Rescue workers from the Ruam Katanyu Foundation and medical staff from Chularat 1 Suvarnabhumi Hospital rushed to a bathroom outside a shopping centre in the Bang Phli district of Samut Prakan at about…
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Thailand video news | Bangkok gallery censors exhibition under Beijing pressure, Tourist deceived and robbed by duo in Pattaya hotel room
In Thailand video news, Alex and Jay report on a range of stories from across the country, from cultural controversies to high-profile crime cases. This edition covers the Bangkok Arts and Cultural Centre’s censorship of an exhibition after alleged Chinese embassy pressure, a corruption scandal surrounding Thailand’s submarine purchase from China, and a series of violent and deceptive incidents in…
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