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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 Hot Phuket property deal: Arise Vibe launches limited offer on only four units, now from 2.5m baht
Phuket's property market is full of big names and high prices, but some of the most exciting opportunities are happening just outside the spotlight. That’s where you’ll find Arise Vibe. Set in Si Sunthon, one of Phuket’s fastest-growing areas, this...
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Flight fright: Panic-stricken passenger causes turbulence at Chiang Mai Airport
A Canadian passenger reportedly experienced a panic attack while a plane was taking off from Chiang Mai International Airport last night and attempted to open the plane door, causing chaos and a delay at the airport. The situation was brought under control at around 11pm. Facebook account Watcharapon Pethsurp posted about the incident at about 9.57pm yesterday, February 7. The…
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Khon Kaen buffet fines diner 9000 baht for uneaten food
A buffet restaurant in Khon Kaen made headlines after a customer was faced with a hefty fine of 9,100 baht for leaving an excessive amount of uneaten food. However, the situation was amicably resolved, resulting in satisfaction on both sides. Oshinei Khon Kaen, a Japanese buffet restaurant in Khon Kaen, took to Facebook to recount an incident where a group…
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Thailand and Cambodia to discuss joint exploitation of hydrocarbon resources
Thailand and Cambodia consented to further dialogues concerning the mutual exploitation of the hydrocarbon resources in the Overlapping Claims Area (OCA), located in the Gulf of Thailand, a territory claimed by both nations. The matter was discussed during the recent meeting between Thai Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin and Cambodian leader Hun Manet, as they aimed to enhance cooperation for the…
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Cyber woes: DOP’s PDPA breach prompts CIB intervention
A violation of the Personal Data Protection Act (PDPA) led the Department of Older Persons (DOP) to complain to the Cyber Investigation Bureau (CIB) yesterday. The data breach, involving the DOP’s website, raised alarm bells regarding the possible misuse of personal information. Under the directives of Social Development and Human Security Minister Varawut Silpa-archa, Raemrung Worawat, the DOP’s director-general, reported…
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Ancient dinosaur fossils discovered in Khon Kaen
Dinosaur fossils, estimated to be between 100 million to 110 million years old, have been unearthed in the Nam Phong district of Khon Kaen. The fossils, thought to be from the sauropod and spinosaurid species, were discovered by a team from the Department of Mineral Resources, led by Sasa-On Khansubha, a palaeontologist from the Sirindhorn Dinosaur Museum. The initial investigation…
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Thai cop sparks debate for participating Miss Thailand 2024
A well-known Thai policewoman sparked a debate on Thai social media after participating in the Miss Thailand 2024 beauty pageant. Netizens directed their inquiries towards the Royal Thai Police (RTP), asking about the potential impact of her crown-chasing adventure when on police duty. Before starting her career in the police force, Police Captain Cat, also known as Atitiya “Cat” Benjapak,…
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Thai govt announces largest ever Songkran festival
The Thai government recently sent waves of panic through Thai expats with an announcement that this year’s Songkran, the Thai New Year, would be the largest ever, celebrated from April 1 to April 21. The terror stemmed from the misconception that this would mean 21 days of water-throwing, a popular but divisive feature of Songkran, which is also known as…
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Thai govt urges electric incense use during Chinese New Year
Deputy Government Spokesperson Karom Phonphonklang yesterday shared a statement concerning the upcoming Chinese New Year Celebration, which is to be held from February 8 to 10. The focus of his statement was on the need to monitor the lighting of incense, candles, firecrackers, and the burning of paper money. Karom Phonphonklang expressed the Thai government’s concern over the potential health…
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Four year old boy found dead in central Thailand fishpond
A four year old boy was found lifeless after a disappearance mobilised the community in a frantic search effort in Bang Khla, Chachoengsao province yesterday at around 9.15pm. The young boy was discovered submerged in a fishpond near his home, leading to an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the harrowing incident. The boy went missing from his home in Moo…
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Thai gold market opens with steady prices at 34,700 baht
The Gold Traders Association (GTA) today announced the Thai gold market’s opening prices, which remained steady compared to yesterday’s close. Ornamental gold was quoted at 34,700 baht per baht weight today. According to the GTA’s morning update, the price of gold bars, which contain 96.5% pure gold, was set at a buying rate of 34,100 baht per baht weight and…
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Mountain ride at Hong Kong Disneyland malfunctions, 12 rescued
At Hong Kong Disneyland, 12 thrill-seekers found themselves stranded on the iconic rollercoaster Hyperspace Mountain as it ground to an abrupt halt. Authorities sprang into action as police and fire services rushed to the scene following distress calls at precisely 3.16pm local time (2.16pm Thailand time) this afternoon. Despite the harrowing situation, there were no injuries reported and no smoke or…
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DJ Tonhom embraces bar host business on fortune-teller’s advice
The entertainment industry is abuzz with the latest venture of the vivacious DJ Tonhom Sakuntala Tianpairot, who is making waves with her foray into the bar host business. The DJ’s new investment is the talk of the town, not just for its promising prospects but also due to a curious prediction by a fortune-teller, who prophesied wealth for her through…
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Nakhon Pathom temple hosts grand gilding with world’s tallest nimitta
At Wat Sawang Arom in Nakhon Pathom, a grand gilding ceremony is set to be held, featuring the world’s tallest nimitta sphere, exceeding 20 metres in height. The ceremony will take place from tomorrow, February 8 to March 3, 2024, and is expected to draw a large number of worshippers and tourists eager to partake in the event and witness…
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Authorities takes action to curb urban macaques in Lop Buri
In a bid to tackle the escalating monkey mayhem in Lop Buri, the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation (DNP) teamed up with local authorities, unleashing a joint effort aimed at disciplining, relocating, and sterilising the troublesome urban macaques. The historic Phra Prang Sam Yot temple in Mueang district has become a battleground for the bustling macaque population,…
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Man dies holding inhaler during social gathering in Prachuap Khiri Khan
A middle-aged man suffering from asthma passed away during a casual gathering with friends in the Khlong Wan district of Prachuap Khiri Khan. The deceased, identified as 46 year old Subin, was found lying on his side with an asthma inhaler tightly gripped in his right hand, suggesting he might have been struggling with a severe asthma attack before his…
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Stop the pigeon! Chinese bird evades dastardly espionage suspicions, flies to freedom
In a plotline more fitting to the 1969 children’s cartoon series Dastardly and Muttley in Their Flying Machines attempting to “Catch the Pigeon,” a pigeon suspected of espionage for China was finally freed after eight months in captivity, thanks to the intervention of animal rights crusaders, PETA. The bird’s release from the clutches of Indian officials this week marks the climax…
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Thai patient seeks HIV prevention after alleged syringe attack in Bangkok mall
A Thai doctor shared that one of her patients sought post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP), for possible exposure to the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), after she was stabbed with a syringe when walking in a shopping mall in Bangkok. The doctor posted the story of her patient on her Twitter account, @VorachatMD, on February 3. “#Warning! A patient requested PEP (a medicine to…
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Chinese New Year ang pao tradition favors lucky numbers in 2024
As Chinese New Year approaches, the customary exchange of red envelopes, known as ang pao, becomes a focal point of the festivities. These monetary gifts, traditionally given to children and younger family members, symbolise good luck and are meant to ward off evil spirits. The art of giving ang pao is steeped in tradition and superstition, with certain numbers believed…
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Tesla’s South Korea sales slump amidst safety concerns, subsidy cuts
Tesla Inc’s sales in South Korea took a hit in January, with the company selling only one electric vehicle (EV) in the entire month. The Austin-based automaker faced a range of challenges, including safety concerns, pricing issues, and inadequate charging infrastructure. Data from the Korean trade ministry and Seoul-based researcher Carisyou revealed that the single sale of a Model Y…
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Chinese activist’s death sentence shatters Sino-Australian accord
Hopes of a swift reconciliation between Australia and China were shattered on Monday when a Beijing court handed down a death sentence to Australian citizen Yang Hengjun, a prominent pro-democracy activist and writer born in China. The court’s verdict, on February 5, which found Yang guilty of espionage, stunned Australia, especially considering the recent release of Australian journalist Cheng Lei…
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15 Vietnamese arrested for illegally working on cannabis farm in southern Thailand
Thai police arrested 15 Vietnamese workers yesterday for working illegally on a cannabis farm in the southern province of Phetchaburi. The owner of the farm is under investigation. Phetchaburi Provincial Public Health Office and Administration Office received a complaint from locals in the Tha Yang district that a number of Vietnamese nationals were working on a cannabis farm in the…
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Food for thought: Activist hospitalised after 11-day hunger strike
Political activist Netiporn Sanesangkhom, aka Bung, was transferred from prison to the Correctional Hospital yesterday, following a hunger strike lasting 11 days, as confirmed by her legal representatives. Suffering from symptoms including hepatitis and cystitis, Netiporn was too frail to walk, as stated by Thai Lawyers for Human Rights on their official account. Her confinement began at the Central Women’s…
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Australian actor Gregory Rivers dies in Hong Kong, suspected suicide
Tributes flooded in for the late Australian actor Gregory Charles Rivers following the news of his suspected suicide at his residence in Clear Water Bay, Hong Kong last Friday, February 2. The Hong Kong TV drama icon, discovered near a tray of burning charcoal at his home in Tai Au Mun Village, left a void in the hearts of his…
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Promising future for Thai SET in healthcare, tourism, food sectors
Despite the slow recovery of the Stock Exchange of Thailand (SET) from last year’s significant slump, executives see a promising future in healthcare, tourism, and food stocks. They believe these sectors can offer attractive opportunities for investors and encourage more companies to enlist on the bourse. Manpong Senanarong, SET Senior Executive Vice-President and head of the Issuer and Listing Division,…
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Sandal scandal: Thai temple thief swaps white flipflops for black in Chiang Mai (video)
A CCTV camera at Phra That Doi Suthep Temple in the southern province of Chiang Mai captured a Thai man stealing a pair of shoes from a South Korean tourist. The man entered the temple wearing white flipflops but left wearing black ones. The leader of the security team at the temple, Porramate Ngamchuen, told Channel 7 that the theft took…
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Thailand taps Chinese influencers to boost exports
The Thai government launched an initiative to boost the country’s exports to China, the world’s second-largest economy. The plan involves inviting 30 to 50 of China’s leading social media influencers to visit Thailand in May. During their stay, these influencers will livestream their Thai experiences, promoting local products from traditional elephant pants to native sweet treats to their followers back…
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Amnesty Thailand urges government to free activist Arnon Nampa
Amnesty International Thailand urged the Pheu Thai-led administration to immediately free political activist Arnon Nampa, who stands accused of insulting the monarchy. Despite facing serious threats from Thai conservative groups, the pressure mounts for his release. Amnesty, alongside numerous political activists, gathered near the government house, some donning wizard costumes akin to Arnon’s attire at previous protests. The NGO submitted…
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Thai prime minister pressures Bank of Thailand for rate cut
The Bank of Thailand (BoT) is under increasing strain today as Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin publicly urges a 25 basis point reduction in rates. The demand is part of a continued push from the government for the BoT to decrease interest rates, a tactic it views as crucial for stimulating an economy it believes to be struggling. The government also…
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Thailand anticipates foreign arrivals surge during Chinese New Year
A considerable surge in foreign arrivals is anticipated in Thailand during the Chinese New Year holiday, as reported by the Airports of Thailand (AOT). Kirati Kijmanawat, the AOT director, announced yesterday, February 6, that passenger numbers flying into Thailand are predicted to experience a 206% leap, compared to the same time last year. This comes in the wake of the…
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Korean Air’s sky-high soar: More flights to Bangkok amid tourism rebound
Korean Air unveiled plans for two more weekly flights from Incheon to Bangkok, reflecting the resurgent appetite for travel as the world emerges from the grip of the pandemic. Kim Jongmin, the airline’s country manager, revealed that the added flights on the Incheon-Don Mueang route are in response to surging demand, particularly from South Koreans seeking reprieve from the winter…
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