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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 Long-term life in Thailand? 5 reasons private health insurance pays off in the long run
Thailand is a great place for expats and retirees, offering a warm climate, affordable living, and rich culture. However, healthcare can be tricky for foreigners since they aren’t eligible for public health coverage, and private care can be expensive. Private...
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Russian tourist arrested for violent conduct in Phuket hotel
A Russian man was apprehended at a hotel in Karon, Phuket, for causing a public disturbance and engaging in violent behaviour. The incident, which occurred earlier this week, prompted Karon Police to issue a stern warning to all foreigners against unruly, alcohol-fuelled conduct. The alert came in response to a Tuesday night altercation that resulted in a police officer resorting…
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Boy reports father’s illegal gun after threat over studies in China
In a dramatic turn of events, an 11 year old boy from Guizhou province, in China, called the police on his father after being threatened with punishment for his reluctance to study. The situation escalated when the boy feared retribution for his academic disinterest, leading him to report his father’s illegal gun as a self-made firearm. The young student, enrolled…
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Female off-duty ranger shot dead in Narathiwat province
Amidst the hustle and bustle of the Dusongyor market in Chanae district, Narathiwat province, southern Thailand, tragedy struck when a lone gunman fatally shot a female para-military ranger. Without warning, the assailant drew a 9mm handgun and fired a fatal shot into the 30 year old off-duty ranger’s head, killing Nurisan Phromsri instantly. The sudden gunfire sent shockwaves throughout the…
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Beijing woman sues ex-lover after spending 20 million baht
A love-struck woman’s infatuation with a charismatic taxi driver led to a legal showdown after the revelation of his secret double life. The Beijing resident spent over 20 million baht on gifts and cash for Wang throughout their relationship, only to discover his deception. In March 2019, a successful clothing store owner in Beijing, Li, instantly fell for a taxi…
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Frendemy: Thai trans stabs friend in Soi 11 in Bangkok (video)
A Thai transwoman stabbed her transgender friend outside a hotel on Soi Sukhumvit 11 in Bangkok in the early hours of this morning. The victim’s friend said the two were previously close friends. Officers from Lumpini Police Station and Ruan Katayu Rescue Foundation rushed to the stabbing scene at about 4am today, March 29. The transgender victim, 27 year old…
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Air India scrambles for aircraft amidst passenger surge
Air India, now steered by Tata Group’s helm, is set to soar with 506 aircraft orders and a delivery every six days. CEO Campbell Wilson anticipates slight delays in their transformation journey, admitting they’re playing catch-up in the market. IndiGo, dominating India’s skies, plans a colossal expansion, eyeing a fleet surge from 300 to 1,000 aircraft by the decade’s end, reveals…
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Thailand’s manufacturing production index falls for 17th time
The Office of Industrial Economics (OIE) disclosed that Thailand’s Manufacturing Production Index (MPI) has fallen for the 17th consecutive month. February saw a year-on-year decrease of 2.8%, bringing the index to 99.2 points. This slump is largely attributed to a drop in manufacturing within key sectors, including the automotive industry. The OIE has also highlighted ongoing issues with high household…
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Video footage shows sewage spill on Jomtien Beach
Authorities sprang into action after a video showing sewage gushing into the sea at Soi 8, Jomtien Beach surfaced on Wednesday. Mayor Poramet Ngampichet hailed the quick response, revealing yesterday that the once-polluted waters had returned to their pristine state, much to the delight of beach enthusiasts. Mayor Poramet lauded the swift reaction to the crisis, highlighting Pattaya City officials’…
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Scientists: Earth’s spinning faster
Scientists warn of a peculiar predicament: Earth’s rotation is hurtling towards a potential adjustment, offsetting the delicate dance of seconds, minutes, and hours as we know them. Duncan Agnew, lead author of the study and a distinguished geophysicist hailing from the hallowed halls of the Scripps Institution of Oceanography at the University of California, San Diego provided insight into the…
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Thai hotel industry resists proposed minimum wage hike
The tourism industry has voiced its concerns over the recent approval by the tripartite wage committee to increase the minimum wage to 400 baht for four-star hotels in 10 key tourism cities, beginning with the Songkran holiday. Hoteliers argue that the implementation of the wage hike is unjust as the recovery from the pandemic has been uneven across the targeted…
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Former Thai MP returns after 15 years political asylum
Former Thai politician Jakrapob Pemkair returned to Thailand after 15 years of political asylum in Cambodia. Upon his return, he was apprehended due to two remaining arrest warrants but was later granted 400,000 baht bail. Jakrapob previously served as a government spokesperson under former Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra from 2003 to 2005, and later as a minister of the…
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Thai national arrested in Pattaya after attempted assault on officer
A Thai national was apprehended in Pattaya in the small hours of this morning, following reports of his erratic behaviour and an attempted assault on a local officer. The incident was reported to the Pattaya City Special Affairs Radio Centre at six minutes past midnight, leading to the immediate dispatch of officers to the scene, located at the entrance of…
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Thai products flood Vietnam: Mini Thailand Week 2024
Hundreds of Thailand’s finest commodities are set to make waves in Vietnam as the third Mini Thailand Week 2024 kicks off in the seaside city of Ha Long. The event, part of Thailand’s strategic push to integrate its businesses into Vietnam’s booming economy, kicked off yesterday, March 28, at the Centre of Planning Fair and Exhibition in Ha Long, Quang…
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Puffing problems: Bangkok seminar on e-cigarettes perils
A pivotal seminar in Bangkok about the perils of e-cigarettes was attended by administrators from 437 educational institutions. The event was orchestrated by Dr Puangpetch Chunlaid, the minister attached to the Prime Minister’s Office, commencing precisely at 9am. The seminar’s aim was to bring into sharp focus the rising concerns about e-cigarettes within Thailand’s societal fabric, especially regarding their easy…
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Thailand Video News | PM floats legalizing casinos to boost economy, Aussie arrested in Koh Pha Ngan after joyriding in stolen motorbike
In this video, Alex captures news across the country. From the dismissal of an Air India pilot due to alcohol misconduct during a Phuket-Delhi flight, to the bold proposition by Thai Prime Minister Srettha for the legalization of casinos as a means to bolster the economy and tackle illegal gambling, the region grapples with issues spanning from aviation safety to…
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Chiang Mai tourism expects rebound despite hotel booking slump
Chiang Mai, once bustling with tourists, has been grappling with a slump in hotel bookings as recorded on Wednesday. The Northern Thai Hotels Association advisor, La-iad Bungsrithong, disclosed that the reservations were only 30% full compared to the beginning of April last year. However, she projected a silver lining in the looming clouds of despair. The occupancy would bounce back…
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Human remains found near Udon Ratthaya Expressway
A chilling discovery has been made along the Udon Ratthaya Expressway, where additional human remains were found not far from where a skull was previously located. A Laotian woman came forward with critical information regarding her husband, missing for two months, identifying the skull through its distinct dental work. Late last night, police were alerted to the presence of human…
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Naked Chinese saved after suicide attempt at Bangkok cop shop
Officers successfully prevented a Chinese man from a suicide attempt at Lumpini Police Station after he was arrested for causing chaos while drunk at a hotel in Soi Sukhumvit 5 in Bangkok. Lumpini Police Station officers apprehended the 59 year old Chinese man, Fuyu Kinghai, at a hotel in Soi Sukhumvit 5 in the Wattana district of Bangkok because he…
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Man arrested in Phuket for fatal stabbing
Phuket police apprehended a man for the fatal stabbing of a server at a renowned Phuket city pub, citing self-defence and denying any intention to flee. The suspect was found with the weapon used in the attack. Phuket police tracked down and arrested a man linked to the death of a server from a well-known pub in the heart of…
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Robot arm crushes worker to death in Chon Buri (video)
In a heart-wrenching incident at the Vandapac factory in Chon Buri province on Wednesday, a routine day turned fatal when a robotic arm struck a worker, crushing him to death. The unsuspecting worker was going about his duties, laying out sheets of material, when tragedy struck most unexpectedly. Unsettling CCTV footage reveals the horrifying sequence of events, as the massive…
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PTT plc eyes green methanol production
PTT Plc, a major national oil and gas conglomerate, is contemplating the construction of a green methanol production facility. The project, costing an estimated 3.1 billion baht, aligns with PTT’s initiative to curtail carbon dioxide emissions and manufacture methanol-derived fuels. Traditionally, methanol production relies heavily on fossil fuels. However, PTT’s proposed method utilises biomass or carbon capture techniques, paving the…
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Thai woman loses 43 million baht business to ex-girlfriend
A Thai woman accused her ex-girlfriend of conspiring with her husband to deceive her and seize control of her business and assets worth more than 43 million baht. The businesswoman, Phattaranit “Tak” Suppadatepakun, urged Channel 7 to publish her story to the public and help her pursue justice after she went bankrupt due to her ex-girlfriend‘s actions. Tak revealed that…
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LiVE Fin Corp launches new S curve to capital market initiative
LiVE Fin Corp, under the aegis of the Stock Exchange of Thailand (SET), has set in motion a new initiative that seeks to bolster the potential of 60 entrepreneurial entities, startups, and small to medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in high-growth sectors. The initiative, christened “New S Curve to Capital Market,” has been crafted in partnership with KPMG Thailand, the National Innovation…
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Thailand mulls over legalising casinos to boost economy
Thailand Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin advocated for the establishment of entertainment complexes housing casinos in the country. The 62 year old prime minister stated his belief yesterday, March 28, that legalising casinos could potentially extinguish illegal gambling dens and divert gamblers’ money towards the state. The Thai PM further added that these complexes would operate under proper regulations, leading to…
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Youth gang violence in Pattaya escalates over jeans
Violence erupted in Pattaya South at Laem Bali Hai Pier when a gang of approximately 30 youths descended on the area, wielding knives and seeking retribution over a pair of jeans. The confrontation left two young men injured, with one unconscious and the other with a severe head wound, prompting an urgent response from rescue services and local officials. Upon…
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PM Srettha: Legalise casinos to save Thailand’s economy
Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin advocated for the legalisation of casinos to combat the shadowy underworld economy in Thailand. PM Srettha outlined his vision for a new law permitting entertainment complexes housing legal casinos, aiming to drag illicit activities into the light and bolster national revenue streams. “We have to bring the grey [underground] economy into the light to allow us…
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Woman finds roommate atop fridge at night
A young woman’s plea for help after witnessing her roommate’s bizarre behaviour on a fridge in the middle of the night has sparked online discussion about the challenges of shared living. The incident involved the woman waking up to a startling and somewhat eerie scene that left her reaching out to netizens for advice. Urban living often necessitates sharing accommodation…
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Taiwanese and Thai nationals charged for heroin smuggling
Taiwanese aviation police have cracked down on an international drug cartel smuggling heroin which involved one Taiwanese and four Thai nationals. The cunning scheme involved smuggling a whopping 36.644 kilogrammes of heroin into Taiwan, with an eye-watering value of over US$3.1 million (approximately 113 million baht), as disclosed in a press release by the Aviation Police Bureau (APB) yesterday. According…
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Lamphun family hospitalised after toxic fungus ingestion
A family in Lamphun province was hospitalised after consuming a toxic fungus, commonly known as Waan Jak Jan. The incident occurred after the husband, 60 year old Tui, collected fungus from a termite mound in his longan orchard, mistaking it for a recently deceased termite larvae which he thought was safe to eat. Tui, a resident of Thung Man, Pa…
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Meet Natcha and Nitchan: Thailand’s first AI news reporters (video)
Thailand’s first artificial intelligence (AI) reporters were unveiled today by the Thai news television channel Nation TV. The two AI-generated reporters will make their TV debut on Monday, April 1. Nation TV Managing Director Apirawee Pichayadecha introduced the two AI reporters to the public today. The female AI reporter goes by the name Natcha while the male reporter is called Nitchan.…
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