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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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    Moving with family? Here’s how to cut health costs in Thailand

    Relocating to Thailand with your family brings exciting new opportunities, but it also comes with the challenge of managing healthcare costs in a new system. Thailand has both public and private healthcare options, each offering different prices and quality of...

  • Thai teenager arrested for blackmailing girlfriend with explicit clips

    Thai teenager arrested for blackmailing girlfriend with explicit clips

    The Thai Internet Crimes Against Children (TICAC) Task Force arrested a 17 year old man for blackmailing his 13 year old girlfriend by posting explicit clips on social media following a quarrel. The arrest took place at 7.30am yesterday, July 1, in the Bangkok Noi district. The Thailand Internet Crimes Against Children-TICAC Task Force coordinated with law enforcement to apprehend…

  • Lights out in Bang Tao: Friday blackout warning for Phuket locals

    Lights out in Bang Tao: Friday blackout warning for Phuket locals

    Hundreds of homes, hotels, and businesses in Phuket’s Bang Tao area are set to be plunged into darkness this Friday, July 4, as part of a planned power cut to upgrade the local grid. The Provincial Electricity Authority (PEA) Thalang Branch says the blackout, scheduled from 9am to 4.30pm, is needed to safely carry out high-voltage upgrades and install new…

  • Taxi horror: Thai tourist harassed by cab driver in South Korea

    Taxi horror: Thai tourist harassed by cab driver in South Korea

    A South Korean taxi driver sparked outrage online after harassing a female tourist from Thailand with inappropriate comments during a ride. The incident, which has since gone viral, has drawn anger from both Thai and South Korean netizens, calling for justice and better protections for women. On June 19, a woman posted a disturbing video on social media, capturing her…

  • Thailand Video News | Thai PM Paetongtarn suspended amid leaked audio scandal involving Cambodia, Thailand introduces prescription form to regulate medical cannabis use

    Thailand Video News | Thai PM Paetongtarn suspended amid leaked audio scandal involving Cambodia, Thailand introduces prescription form to regulate medical cannabis use

    In Thailand, Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra has been suspended amid a leaked audio scandal, while new cannabis prescription rules tighten control over medical use. The country also saw a daring restaurant scam in Pattaya, a major heroin smuggling arrest at Suvarnabhumi Airport, and a rare bear encounter in Khao Yai National Park. Across the region, a Batik Air flight narrowly…

  • Bomb scare patrol: Phuket orders crackdown on abandoned motors

    Bomb scare patrol: Phuket orders crackdown on abandoned motors

    Local government officials in Phuket have been ordered to hunt down abandoned cars and motorbikes, over fears they could be used to hide bombs. The sweeping directive came during a high-level security briefing yesterday, July 1, chaired by Phuket Governor Sophon Suwannarat at the Provincial Hall. “All agencies must take this seriously,” the governor warned. “We need to ensure the…

  • Bangkok abbot’s wealth questioned after he reports 23 million baht theft

    Bangkok abbot’s wealth questioned after he reports 23 million baht theft

    An abbot at a Bangkok temple reported to police the theft of 10 million baht in cash and nearly 13 million baht in gold on Sunday, June 29. He insisted the valuables were his personal property and not related to temple donations. Phra Ratchawatchara Phattanatorn, the abbot of Mueang Temple in Bangkok’s Bang Khae district, assigned the temple manager, Sakda Lertritsomboon,…

  • Missing woman’s body found in car in Kanchanaburi canal

    Missing woman’s body found in car in Kanchanaburi canal

    The body of a woman missing for over a month was discovered in a submerged car in a canal in Kanchanaburi province. Her husband had previously sought help through social media to locate her. Police are now examining CCTV footage for more details. At noon yesterday, July 1, Police Lieutenant Wanchai Phutthiek, Deputy Inspector of Samrong Police Station, received a…

  • Thai Cabinet expands eligibility for ‘You Fight, We Help’ debt relief

    Thai Cabinet expands eligibility for ‘You Fight, We Help’ debt relief

    Thailand is extending a lifeline to millions of debtors, expanding the eligibility for the popular “You Fight, We Help” debt relief initiative. The crucial change will allow debtors with arrears ranging from just one day to those overdue by more than a year to access vital assistance. To provide broader support, the Cabinet approved a revised framework that now includes…

  • Elderly motorcycle taxi driver attacked in Chon Buri dispute

    Elderly motorcycle taxi driver attacked in Chon Buri dispute

    A 69 year old motorcycle taxi driver was assaulted by a colleague from the same service after being accused of stealing customers. The incident, captured on CCTV, occurred yesterday, July 1, at the Chan Chao motorcycle stand on Bang Saen Beach Road, Saen Suk, Mueang district, Chon Buri province. The footage shows the elderly woman being slapped and kicked to…

  • Thailand hotels face delays in 1.7 billion baht subsidy scheme

    Thailand hotels face delays in 1.7 billion baht subsidy scheme

    Hotel operators in Thailand are experiencing delays in the approval process for the initial phase of the 1.7 billion baht co-payment scheme, while some online travel agents (OTAs) are offering prices lower than those under the government’s subsidy. The scheme, aimed at local tourists, opened registration for the public yesterday, July 1, after hotels were able to register since June…

  • Noodle-icious win: Saraburi vendor hits jackpot, shares the flavour

    Noodle-icious win: Saraburi vendor hits jackpot, shares the flavour

    A well-known noodle vendor in Saraburi celebrated winning the first prize in the government lottery draw on July 1 by giving away free noodles for two days. Locals gathered to congratulate the lucky winner, Aunt Pao, on her newfound fortune. Yesterday, July 1, the results of the government lottery draw were announced, revealing the winning first prize number as 949246.…

  • Phuket boosts security with 98 million baht ‘Phuket Eye’ expansion

    Phuket boosts security with 98 million baht ‘Phuket Eye’ expansion

    Phuket is about to get a major security upgrade as local officials unveil plans to expand the “Phuket Eye” initiative, a groundbreaking security model aimed at making the island safer. With crime suppression, tourist safety, and traffic management as top priorities, the initiative promises to bring peace of mind to both residents and visitors. Police Major General Sinlert Sukhum, a…

  • Pattaya paint rage: Worker batters delivery lad over smudged lines

    Pattaya paint rage: Worker batters delivery lad over smudged lines

    A furious road worker launched a savage attack on a young delivery rider in Pattaya yesterday because he accidentally rode over freshly painted traffic lines. The shocking assault happened at 6pm, yesterday, July 1 outside a convenience store on Soi Naklua 12, after 20 year old Phattharadanai Phimthong returned from a delivery run and was confronted by a man now…

  • DLT warns against counterfeit licence plates sold on social media

    DLT warns against counterfeit licence plates sold on social media

    The Department of Land Transport (DLT) warned about the growing online trade of counterfeit licence plates. The warning, which targets the public, highlights the rising dangers posed by purchasing these fake plates, which are increasingly being marketed via live streams on popular social media platforms such as Facebook and TikTok. DLT Deputy Director General and spokesperson Seksom Akraphand raised concerns…

  • Thai teacher arrested for drug use and weapon possession

    Thai teacher arrested for drug use and weapon possession

    Local officials, including district chief Rungreung Thimabut and Police Colonel Chaipol Kamnork, arrested a 44 year old teacher for taking drugs in Naklang district of Nong Bua Lamphu province. The suspect, Suphaksak, who has been a contract teacher for 20 years, yesterday, July 1, confessed to using methamphetamines for the same duration. Following the arrest, police searched Suphaksak’s residence in…

  • Thailand eyes alcohol law reform to boost tourism and safety

    Thailand eyes alcohol law reform to boost tourism and safety

    The Thai Ministry of Public Health anticipates the review of a new bill, which proposes amendments to the Alcohol Control Act 2008, to conclude later this month, according to Minister Somsak Thepsutin. This legislation aims to eliminate outdated military-era sales restrictions, ease advertising curbs, and introduce stricter regulations, including increased fines for selling alcohol to minors. The House of Representatives approved…

  • Splash ‘n’ grab: Floods wreak havoc as Pattaya bikes washed away

    Splash ‘n’ grab: Floods wreak havoc as Pattaya bikes washed away

    Tourists and locals in Pattaya were left soaked and stranded yesterday as a torrential downpour turned Thailand’s Sin City into a sodden swamp, with over 20 bikes washed away in raging floodwaters. The heavens opened for more than two hours last night, July 1, swamping Bang Lamung district and bringing traffic to a watery standstill. Water levels surged to between…

  • Barking mad: Boy rescued after being raised by dogs in drug den

    Barking mad: Boy rescued after being raised by dogs in drug den

    An eight year old Thai boy has been rescued from a squalid drug den where he was raised alongside six dogs and ended up barking instead of speaking. The boy, who had not been to school in two years, was found living in filthy conditions in Laplae district, Uttaradit province, with his drug-addicted mum and older brother. With no friends…

  • Bangkok minimum wage hits 400 baht: Boost for 700,000 workers

    Bangkok minimum wage hits 400 baht: Boost for 700,000 workers

    A historic pay boost is on the horizon for Bangkok’s workers, as the government acknowledges a major wage hike that will benefit hundreds of thousands. The Cabinet has officially confirmed a significant increase in Bangkok’s minimum wage, with the daily rate set to rise to 400 baht starting July 1. The wage increase, which will benefit approximately 700,000 workers, was…

  • Helicopter tail number sparks lottery frenzy in Udon Thani

    Helicopter tail number sparks lottery frenzy in Udon Thani

    A helicopter landing in Udon Thani has sent lottery fever into overdrive, with residents betting on a number they believe will lead them to fortune. Excitement is mounting in Udon Thani as lottery enthusiasts eagerly await today’s draw, all eyes on the tail number of a helicopter that has taken the town by storm. The focus is on the army…

  • 15 Chinese arrested in northern Thailand luxury home raid for scam

    15 Chinese arrested in northern Thailand luxury home raid for scam

    A significant police operation in Hang Dong, a district in northern Thailand, led to the arrest of 15 Chinese nationals and two Myanmar workers linked to an online scam network. Provincial Region 5 police conducted a raid on a luxury residence in the Ban Waen area of the district today, July 1, after receiving information that the house was being…

  • Tragic accident claims lives of mother and daughter in Chon Buri

    Tragic accident claims lives of mother and daughter in Chon Buri

    A tragic accident occurred yesterday, resulting in the deaths of a mother and daughter when their motorcycle collided head-on with a pickup truck. The incident happened around 3pm, yesterday, June 30, on Sukaphiban 8 Road, in the Khao Khayai community of Bo Win subdistrict, Si Racha district, Chon Buri province. Police Lieutenant Somporn Panjan, Deputy Inspector of Bo Win Police…

  • Bangkok Airways takes off with green fuel to slash carbon emissions

    Bangkok Airways takes off with green fuel to slash carbon emissions

    Bangkok Airways Public Company Limited is propelling its Low Carbon Skies by Bangkok Airways initiative with a major commitment to reducing carbon dioxide emissions. Starting today, July 1, the airline will officially introduce Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) on its commercial flights, marking a significant step towards a more environmentally friendly future for aviation in Thailand. Captain Puttipong Prasarttong-Osoth, President of Bangkok…

  • Thai cannabis prescriptions standardised, symptoms list clarified

    Thai cannabis prescriptions standardised, symptoms list clarified

    Thailand’s Department of Thai Traditional and Alternative Medicine has confirmed that the new cannabis prescription form, known as PorThor 33, will proceed without the previously listed 15 medical symptoms, following concerns about overlapping authority among professional groups. Somruk Chungsaman, Director-General of the department, said yesterday, June 30, that the decision aims to allow each of the seven recognised professions to…

  • Broke British dad busted smuggling £100k cannabis from Thailand

    Broke British dad busted smuggling £100k cannabis from Thailand

    A cash-strapped dad who feared for his life tried to smuggle £100,000-worth (around 4.47 million baht) of cannabis from Thailand — but his secret haul was busted by airport officers. Jason Horne, a 24 year old dad from Rycroft Avenue, Dringhouses in York, northeast England, narrowly avoided an immediate prison sentence after admitting he tried to import huge quantities of…

  • Thai man sells ‘floating durian’ for 300,000 baht at fruit festival auction

    Thai man sells ‘floating durian’ for 300,000 baht at fruit festival auction

    An 81 year old Thai man sold his homegrown durian, the first floating durian in Thailand, for 300,000 baht at an auction during the Thong Pha Phum Fruit Festival 2025 in the central province of Kanchanaburi. The elderly man, Pid Sinthao, is known for his famous floating homestay, Phae Malai, located in the Thong Pha Phum district of Kanchanaburi. He…

  • Chiang Mai official arrested for extorting migrant worker brokers

    Chiang Mai official arrested for extorting migrant worker brokers

    In Chiang Mai‘s San Sai district, the assistant chief has been detained for extortion, following allegations from brokers of migrant workers in the northern province. Boonyarit Nipawanich, who also serves as the head of the Registration Management Centre, Region 5, at the Chiang Mai branch, was apprehended by the Central Investigation Bureau’s Anti-Corruption Division. The arrest, involving charges of corruption…

  • Jobless win big as Thailand ups unemployment payouts

    Jobless win big as Thailand ups unemployment payouts

    Thailand’s workers are set to get a bigger lifeline as the Labour Ministry rolls out more generous unemployment benefits. The Labour Ministry officially approved higher unemployment compensation rates, offering fresh relief to insured employees under Thailand’s social security system. Marasri Jairangsi, Secretary General of the Social Security Office (SSO), confirmed that a new ministerial regulation took effect on Saturday, June…

  • Thaksin faces court over monarchy remarks in closed-door trial

    Thaksin faces court over monarchy remarks in closed-door trial

    Former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra appeared at the Criminal Court on Ratchadapisek Road today as prosecutors began presenting witnesses in his high-profile lese majeste case. The proceedings mark the first witness hearings since charges were filed accusing Thaksin of insulting the monarchy under Section 112 of the Penal Code and breaching the Computer Crime Act. The case centres on a…

  • Man charged with assault causing death after field confrontation

    Man charged with assault causing death after field confrontation

    A 48 year old man reportedly killed a younger man during a confrontation in a field in Non Suwan district on June 30. Police Colonel Kanasnan Suwansap, Police Lieutenant Suthon Krachangjit, investigators, a forensic doctor, and rescue services examined the scene in Bsan Khok Krabueang, Mueang Non Suwan district, after residents reported an assault. They discovered the body of Thawatchai,…