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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 Bangtao, Phuket: The neighbourhood expats and investors are eyeing in 2025
Bangtao didn't become Phuket’s most talked-about neighbourhood overnight. For a long time, it was a quiet place on the island’s west coast where locals walked their dogs at sunrise and tourists flocked to sunbathe along its eight-kilometre stretch of beach....
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EGCO finalises Compass Portfolio acquisition, boosting US power capacity
Electricity Generating (EGCO), the power generation subsidiary of Thailand’s Electricity Generating Authority, has finalised the purchase of the Compass Portfolio in the US, a move that boosts the company’s overseas earnings from the energy sector. The acquisition bolsters EGCO’s total power generation capacity to 652 megawatts, a figure determined by its stake in the Compass Portfolio. Thepparat Theppitak, EGCO President,…
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Thai bond market set for 890 billion baht redemption this year
This year, bonds worth an estimated 890 billion baht (US$25,406,794,400), primarily investment-grade, are slated for redemption, according to the Thai Bond Market Association (ThaiBMA). Around 73 billion baht (US$ 2,083,928,080) of these are set to mature within this month. The association’s president, Somjin Sornpaisarn, anticipates Thai private enterprises to float long-term bonds of approximately 1 trillion baht (US$ 28,546,960,000) throughout…
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Thai Cabinet reviews submarine procurement contract extension
A submarine procurement contract extension is under review by the Thai Cabinet, following advice from the Office of the Attorney General (OAG). This came as a response to the Royal Thai Navy’s (RTN) inquiries concerning the programme. The OAG highlighted the requirement for a 1,217-day contract extension to undergo a Cabinet review due to the government-to-government nature of the deal.…
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Caution advised over interest rate cuts by Bank of Thailand
Pundits cautioned against hasty moves to cut interest rates and have emphasised the importance of an independent Bank of Thailand as it determines its policy interest rates. They warned that inconsistent fiscal and monetary policies could harm more than they help. Therdsak Thaveeteeratham, Asia Plus Securities (ASPS) executive vice president, insisted that decisions regarding interest rates should be the sole…
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Thai man sets fire to wife’s house and orchestrates rape of mother-in-law
A Thai man is evading arrest after setting fire to his wife’s house and tricking his mother-in-law into meeting his friend, who raped her. Firefighters rushed to control the fire at a house in the Kaeng Krachan district in the southern province of Phetchaburi yesterday, January 9, and brought the blaze under control. Only the bathroom and cattle shed were…
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Visually impaired man accuses relatives of deceit over 20,000 baht loan in Thailand
A 36 year old visually impaired man, known as Likhit, accused his relatives of tricking him into signing off his land rights, under the misconception that he was signing a loan agreement. The incident took place today, at 12pm. Likhit explained that he once borrowed 20,000 baht from his relatives, with a 10% interest rate, for which he agreed to…
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Online bought solar cell causes devastating fire in Thai family home
A tragic incident occurred when a solar cell-induced short circuit resulted in a catastrophic fire that razed an entire house in Pathumthani Province’s Bang Khu Wat district. The unfortunate event happened on January 3, at house number 40, Moo 9, Bang Khu Wat, Mueang Pathumthani District, leaving the house and all its contents destroyed. The single-storey house, elevated and roofed…
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Thailand vows zero dropout rate as education overhaul unveiled
Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin declared his government’s determined mission to tackle Thailand’s education inequality crisis. The premier revealed his commitment to eradicating the denial of educational opportunities for Thai children entirely. PM Srettha disclosed that one of his first actions upon assuming office last year was to direct key government agencies, including the Fund for Education Equality, the Ministry of Digital…
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Chiang Rai accident victims struggle with costs as drunk driver offers minimal compensation
A tragic accident involving a drunk driver in an Isuzu D-Max, who collided with a motorbike, has resulted in serious injuries and financial hardship for the victims. The incident occurred in Chiang Rai on July 30, around 10pm, when Jidapa, a local shopkeeper, and her sister-in-law were returning home. The collision caused both women to be thrown in different directions,…
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Japanese woman’s dramatic weight loss transformation stuns the Internet
The transformation of a Japanese woman who dramatically lost weight has stunned the Internet, with her before-and-after photos becoming a social media sensation. In Japan, the second Monday of January each year is celebrated as Coming of Age Day. It’s a day dedicated to those who have reached the age of 20, marking their transition into adulthood. On this day,…
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Pattaya: Women queue up for breast cancer screening in Nong Prue
Scores of female residents in Nong Prue, Pattaya, descended upon the Municipal Dome for a mobile breast cancer screening. A state-of-the-art mobile mammography unit, strategically designed to zero in on women in high-risk and underserved communities was unveiled in the district. Kitti Boonratananet, the Public Health Officer of Banglamung District, hailed the inaugural screening day as a triumph, drawing in…
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Charged down: Electric rates spark joy with 50-satang drop to 4.18 baht per unit
Electricity rates for January through April 2024 have been adjusted to 4.18 baht per unit, a decrease of 50 satangs per unit from the previous rate of 4.68 baht per unit. However, this is an increase of 19 satangs per unit from the September to December 2023 rate of 3.99 baht per unit. These changes were announced today by Khomkrit…
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Panida Siriyuthayothin sheds light on leaked photo with assistant Chang
Panida Sirayuthayothin addressed the recent controversy surrounding a leaked photograph of her with a personal assistant, known as Chang. The incident occurred at 12.30pm today. In the image, Chang appears to be kissing her on the cheek. Panida denied any romantic involvement with Chang, stating the unfounded accusations likely stemmed from jealousy. She pointed out Chaiwat Lomakul, her former legal…
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BMA accused of favouring capitalists with new city plan for Bangkok
Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) outlined an ambitious new city plan for the capital, marking the first update in 11 years. However, the BMA is facing criticism from the public, who claim that the new plan primarily benefits large capitalists. The new city plan sparked a heated debate on social media, as many residents were unaware of the proposed changes, despite…
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Young mother in Thailand pleads for action against abusive husband
A case of domestic abuse that resulted in severe injuries came to light when a young mother filed a complaint against her drug-addicted husband. Watanya Inju had only given birth two weeks ago and had reported the abuse to the police ten times previously but was told it was a family matter. The 25 year old woman had been in a…
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Hong Kong’s Cathay Pacific flight cancellations spark inquiry
Cathay Pacific Airways finds itself stuck on the runway as the pilots’ union demands a government investigation into the airline’s chaotic flight cancellations. The blame game points directly to severe job cuts made during the peak of the Covid-19 pandemic. Paul Weatherill, Chairman of the Hong Kong Aircrew Officers Association, states that Cathay’s current plight, rooted in the decisions made…
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BOI electric push: Thai circuit suppliers charged up with global incentives
Thailand’s Board of Investment (BOI) unleashed a wave of support and several incentives to catapult local electronic circuit suppliers onto the global stage. This commitment aligns with Thailand’s grand vision of becoming Southeast Asia’s electronic industry hub, focusing on the cutting-edge production of Printed Circuit Boards (PCB) and Printed Circuit Board Assembly (PCBA) – the lifeblood of all smart devices.…
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Former Deputy PM’s ex-son-in-law accused of 100 million baht luxury handbag scam
The former son-in-law of an ex-deputy prime minister has been accused of defrauding investors in a bogus luxury handbag business, resulting in losses exceeding 100 million baht. Today at the Central Investigation Bureau, Ronnarong Kaewpetch, head of the Ronnarong Network for Social Justice, accompanied by, 42 year old Jittitikarn Thiradechapaphan, 44 year old Charinee Yuaisai, and about ten other victims, primarily…
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Russian tourists survive as tour boat sinks off Coral Island
A tour boat named Martini carrying six Russian tourists, sank off Koh Hey, also known as Coral Island, yesterday, January 9. Thankfully, no injuries were reported from the incident, according to the Phuket Marine Office. The tour boat named Martini met its unfortunate fate near Nam Bo Bay, on the west side of Koh Hey around 3.50pm. The vessel had embarked…
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Royal Phuket Marina makes waves as Asia’s pioneering carbon-neutral paradise
Royal Phuket Marina (RPM) announced its historic achievement as Asia‘s first-ever carbon-neutral marina. A beacon of eco-innovation, RPM goes beyond merely housing boats, transforming into a luxurious haven where sustainability meets opulence. Situated at the gateway to Phang Nga Bay and the Andaman Sea, RPM offers an unparalleled lifestyle immersed in tranquillity. From plush apartments to lavish villas, complete with…
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Thai doctors’ heroic efforts in saving 5 year old girl who drank cyanide
A heroic Thai doctor from Srisangwan Hospital in the northern province of Mae Hong Sorn shared her experience of saving the life of a five year old girl who accidentally drank silver cleaning fluid containing cyanide. The female doctor, Theerada Wongjai, shared the life-saving story on Facebook on January 7 beginning the post with the hashtag, #CyanideRunningCompetition. The hashtag reflected how…
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Safety alert issued at Buriram University due to suspicious notes
The Student Administration of Buriram Rajabhat University, as announced on their Facebook page today (January 10), issued a safety warning to students and staff concerning suspicious behaviours observed on campus. The warning pertains to a man who allegedly infiltrated the university campus, leaving small notes requesting to add him on the messaging app, LINE. The messages, attached to students’ motorbikes,…
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Alternative heartache: Party spokesperson’s daughters report mother for years of abuse (video)
The daughters of New Alternative Party Spokesperson Sarinthip Sripak yesterday reported their mother to the police after years of physical abuse. Sarinthip, also known as Nikki, the owner of the Nikki Ka-yee Khao Facebook page was called to answer physical abuse charges. Nikki’s daughter, A (nickname) claimed that her mother forced her to extort hundreds of thousands of baht from…
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DNP arrests Vietnamese trio in Bangkok, saving 1,000+ animals from illegal trafficking
Officers from the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation (DNP) arrested three Vietnamese men in the Lat Phrao district of Bangkok for an illegal wildlife trafficking attempt. More than 1,000 animals were rescued. The Watchdog Thailand Foundation (WDT) reported the wildlife trafficking to the DNP, claiming that their members had observed suspicious activities at a residence in Sinthon…
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Finance ministry’s vigilant watch over corporate debenture repayments
Corporate debenture repayments are under the watchful eyes of the Finance Ministry, according to a statement by Lavaron Sangsnit, its permanent secretary. The ministry, along with the Bank of Thailand (BoT) and the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), are vigilantly monitoring potential defaults on maturing debentures. In a recent evaluation, it emerged that only a single company was struggling to…
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Depressed woman assaults mother and baby in Thai shopping mall
A woman claiming to be suffering from depression was caught on camera assaulting another woman and her eight-month-old baby in a prominent Thai shopping mall. The incident, which occurred on January 7, was reported on a social media page, sparking public outrage. Around 10.30am today, January 10, the victim, referred to as Wipaporn (surname withheld), detailed the incident. She had…
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Switzerland criticised: Thai electric buses would have been introduced without carbon offsets
Switzerland‘s purchase of carbon offsets from Thailand under the Paris Agreement‘s Article 6.2 mechanism has been criticised as the legitimacy of the emission reductions claimed comes under fire. Switzerland has sealed the first-ever transaction under the Paris Agreement’s Article 6.2, acquiring carbon offsets from Thailand linked to the introduction of electric buses in Bangkok. Despite parties celebrating it as a…
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Thai deputy PM calls for stricter nightclub regulations after minor scandal
Thailand’s Deputy Prime Minister and Interior Minister, Anutin Charnvirakul, is set to enforce stricter regulations on night entertainment venues following an early morning raid on a nightclub in Pathum Thani on January 7, which resulted in the apprehension of 489 minors. The venue, known as Heaven Rangsit, is alleged to have been operating without the necessary license and accommodating underage…
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Thai man loses 50,000 baht after being blackmailed with explicit video
A Thai man revealed he contemplated suicide before turning to the police after losing 50,000 baht to a scammer who blackmailed him with an explicit video. The victim told the Police Cyber Taskforce (PCT) that he met a Thai woman on social media who claimed to be a teacher. After a period of online conversation, he asked her to be…
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Disabled Thai woman crafts dolls for survival, selling from 15 to 120 baht
A disabled woman, crafting dolls for a living to provide for her son and sick mother, reached out to the public to buy her produce. Abandoned by her husband for another woman, she now fights for her survival. Those wishing to assist can buy her crafts today. Siapai Paton, a resident of Namduan, Mueangbangklang, Sawankhalok, Sukhothai, was left disabled after…
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