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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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Discrediting Thailand: Chinese TikToker’s distorted info about Soi Nana in Bangkok
A Chinese woman has been slammed by netizens for discrediting and destroying the image of tourism in Thailand by portraying Soi Nana in Bangkok as dangerous and full of bad people. A Facebook page, Lui Jeen (ลุยจีน), shared a video of the spiteful woman who is famous on the Chinese social media platform called Douyin. “Chinese TikToker makes a video…
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Cable cash approved: Thai Cabinet greenlights 28 million baht for sky-high project in Phu Kradueng
The Thai Cabinet recently approved a 28 million baht budget to design a contentious cable car project at Phu Kradueng National Park in Loei, according to Lertsak Watthanachaikul, a Pheu Thai Party MP for Loei. This was further confirmed by PM’s Office Minister Puangpet Chunlaiad, a former Loei MP, who stated the design fund was presented to the cabinet at…
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Tripartite committee set to discuss new daily minimum wage rates
The tripartite committee, which consists of representatives from the ministry, employers, and employees, is set to deliberate on the new daily minimum wage rates across various provinces. The meeting, confirmed by Pairoj Chotikasathien, the permanent secretary for labour, is scheduled for today, December 8. According to the data finalized by a sub-committee under the main wage committee on November 27,…
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Surge in Covid-19 cases prompts advice for public to wear masks
A respiratory expert issues a warning as Covid-19 cases soar, surpassing even the flu. Renowned respiratory specialist, Dr Manoon Leechawengwongs, dropped a bombshell on social media, sounding the alarm on the escalating Covid crisis. Hailing from Vichaiyut Hospital in Bangkok, he disclosed a staggering 545 cases in November alone, divulging the unsettling statistics in a Facebook post yesterday, December 7.…
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Iconic Thai heritage closing for renovation: Kamthieng House Museum shutting down
The historic Kamthieng House Museum, a cultural gem in the heart of Bangkok, is set to close its doors for a major renovation. The Siam Society, custodians of the beloved Kamthieng House Museum, has dropped a bombshell by announcing its closure for extensive renovations starting from December 30. The delay in the restoration, the society reveals, was a meticulous process…
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British literary legend passes away at 65: The legacy of Benjamin Zephaniah (video)
British poet and writer Benjamin Zephaniah passed away yesterday, December 7, at the age of 65. The nation mourns the loss of a titan whose journey from a dyslexic school dropout to a prolific writer and actor has left an indelible mark on the literary landscape. Born and raised in Handsworth, Birmingham, Zephaniah faced the challenge of dyslexia, compelling him to…
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Tomorrowland plans a decade-long dance in Thailand, says PM Srettha
The Prime Minister of Thailand, Srettha Thavisin, this week had dinner with the organisers of the world-renowned Tomorrowland music festival and told Thai EDM music fans to look forward to plans for the festival coming to Thailand over the next ten years. PM Srettha shared a picture and some words with the Tomorrowland organising team on his Twitter account on…
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Homeowners confidence hits rock bottom- is your dream home still a dream?
The 2023 Homebuyer Confidence Index has taken a nosedive, leaving prospective homeowners questioning their property dreams. Recent research unveils the shocking truth behind this unexpected slump in optimism. Despite a generally content outlook on the Thai economy, the Consumer Confidence Index for 2023 has fallen to 76, a noticeable dip from the previous year’s score of 80. Sumitra Wongpakdee, managing…
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Thai man arrested over death of Thai woman with tattoos in Chon Buri
Police arrested a Thai man over the death of a Thai woman with tattoos who was found buried in Chon Buri province. Officers insisted her case was unrelated to the body of a Thai man found near the scene. Locals in the Huay Yai district of Chon Buri discovered the lifeless body of the unidentified Thai woman buried in a…
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Trunk trouble: Wild elephant herd creates chaos in Prachin Buri farmlands
In the heart of Prachin Buri, Khao Mai Kaew subdistrict located in the Kabin Buri district, a herd of over 100 wild elephants emerged from the Khao Ang Rue Nai Wildlife Sanctuary, wreaking havoc on local farming land. The Ministry of Natural Resources and the Environment (MONRE) swiftly took action, initiating an operation to usher the elephants back into their natural…
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Lampang high-speed chase ends with seizure of 1.3 million amphetamine pills
Amidst the serene landscapes of Lampang, the tranquillity was shattered on December 6, as a high-speed chase ended in the capture of two alleged drug smugglers with amphetamine pills. The suspects, identified only as 43 year old Worapot and Chainarong, were found in possession of an astonishing 1.3 million amphetamine pills. The apprehension of such a significant drug haul was…
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Thailand seeks visa exemptions for its tourists travelling to China
Thailand’s government is seeking visa exemptions for Thai tourists travelling to China, with an official delegation planned to negotiate the details by the end of this month. Foreign Affairs Minister Parnpree Bahiddha-Nukara revealed this yesterday, December 7, following a meeting with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi. The discussion took place on the fringes of the 8th Mekong-Lancang Cooperation Foreign Ministers’…
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Thai Health Minister delivers bundle of joy and initiative: Give Birth, Great World
Dr Cholnan Srikaew, the Thai Minister of Public Health and associated agencies, this week launched an initiative called Give Birth, Great World at a press conference in Ayutthaya. The primary concern addressed at the launch meeting was Thailand’s alarming demographic trends, which, according to reports, is causing the nation to be among 23 others worldwide with a higher death rate…
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Democrat party power struggle emerges ahead of leadership election
A power struggle has emerged within the Democrat Party as a group of Members of Parliament (MPs), headed by Dech-it Khaothong, the Democrat MP for Songkhla, made moves to oppose the leadership bid of acting Deputy Leader Narapat Kaewthong. This event, which unfolded on Wednesday, saw a significant number of MPs express their reluctance to endorse Kaewthong. The faction is…
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Knife-wielding man invades Pattananikom School causing panic, quick thinking saves day
A knife-wielding man stormed into Pattana Nikom School in the Pattana Nikom district, Satun province, causing panic among teachers and students. The knife-wielding man, later identified as 31 year old Narong (surname withheld), also brandished a slingshot, causing alarm as teachers and students were participating in a school clean-up. The quick thinking of school staff secured the premises, allowing everyone to…
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Escalating monkey population in Phetchaburi prompts collaborative resolution
The escalating monkey population in Phetchaburi has led to a collaboration between the National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation Department (DNP) and residents to address the issue. Edwin Week, secretary of the Wildlife Friends Foundation, Suraphon Nakhon Nakhon, President of Phetchaburi Future Organization, and a veterinarian from the DNP, along with monks and locals affected by the problem, gathered for…
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Ex-protest leader Chinnawat gets suspended sentence for royal defamation
Chinnawat Chankrachang, better known as Bright, a former co-leader of pro-democracy demonstrations who later supported the United Thai Nation Party (UTN) linked with ex-Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha, has been given a suspended sentence for royal defamation. This conviction is related to a rally held in February 2002. The details were revealed on Chinnawat’s Facebook page, where he shared that the…
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German backpacker speaks out about rape ordeal on Koh Chang
In a horrifying revelation, a young German backpacker shared her traumatic experience of a sexual assault in Koh Chang, Trat province. As her attacker faces justice, the survivor broke her silence, urging caution to lone female travellers. Florentina Retka, a 24 year old cruise ship worker, embarked on a solo adventure to Southeast Asia, seeking the sun-kissed shores of Thailand’s Koh…
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Bangkok’s Pink Line monorail to open on December 18: Free rides until January 2
Passengers can now embark on a thrilling ride through Bangkok‘s Pink Line monorail, soaring 34.5 kilometres from northwest to northeast. Offering an early holiday treat, the city is generously providing free rides until January 2, creating a buzz of excitement among locals and tourists alike. Mark your calendars for the grand opening on Monday, December 18. The Pink Line, an…
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Thai cybercrime nightmare: 50 billion baht online fraud shocks nation
Thailand has been plunged into a cybercrime crisis, with online fraud cases skyrocketing to a staggering 50.87 billion baht in damages over the last 21 months. Deputy government spokesman Karom Polpornklang disclosed today, December 7, that the Royal Thai Police website, www.thaipoliceonline.com, has been inundated with a whopping 405,194 fraud complaints from March 1 last year to November 30 this…
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Thai King and Queen gear up for 35th Phuket King’s Cup Regatta
The Thai King and Queen participated in today’s international sailing competition training in Phuket, joining the THA72 team in the IRC Zero category. The event took place today, December 7, at 7.42am at Kata Beach. His Majesty the King Maha Vajiralongkorn Phra Vajiraklaochaoyuhua and his wife Queen Suthida were preparing for the 35th Phuket King’s Cup Regatta, a prestigious international…
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Pattaya punch-up: Ex-US soldier seeks answers as Thai man delivers unexpected blow
A former US soldier sought help from locals in Pattaya after a Thai man punched him in the face. The victim was unaware of the motive for the attack. Mueang Pattaya Police Station officers and rescue team rushed to the Pattaya Sai Song Road near Soi Pattaya 13 after a Thai woman, 44 year old Nattanan, notified them about the…
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Infant boy found abandoned in community rubbish bin in Nakhon Ratchasima
An infant boy was discovered abandoned in a community rubbish bin, rescued by locals who heard his cries. Previously, a deceased infant was found discarded in the same area. Today, Police Lieutenant Colonel Saichon Sawangpop, Deputy Chief of Crime Prevention at the Mueang District Police Station in Nakhon Ratchasima, received a report from a good Samaritan about the abandoned infant…
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Unlock Thailand’s secret tourist destinations: 5 mind-blowing provinces that will transform your year-end (video)
As the year winds down, explore Thailand‘s secret tourist destinations that promise adventure, tranquillity, and jaw-dropping scenery. Agoda spills the beans on the top five emerging destinations that are making waves in the travel scene. With a whopping 50% surge in searches on Agoda compared to last year, Nakhon Nayok, just a stone’s throw from Bangkok, is a must-visit. Dive…
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Thai officials nabbed for 8 million baht procurement scam
Thai anti-corruption forces today led by Police Major General Prasong Chalermphan along with other officials, raided and arrested a mother and her daughter, both officials of the Department of Medical Sciences, Ministry of Public Health, for allegedly forging procurement documents resulting in losses exceeding 8 million baht. The main target was a building within the Department of Medical Sciences in…
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Heartless teenage thief leaves double amputee legless in Phatthalung
In Phatthalung province, a 63 year old double amputee who is a resident of the village of Talenoi in Khuan Khanun district had her money stolen, which was meant for her prosthetic legs appointment on December 26. Nuuray, known as Aunt Pong, underwent double leg amputation due to diabetes, first in 2021 and then in 2023. When her wounds healed,…
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Frozen seafood smokescreen exposed: Shocking meat swap scandal unveiled in cargo containers
In a startling revelation at Thailand‘s Laem Chabang deep-sea port, two unremarkable cargo containers have remained unclaimed since 2021. Contrary to their declared contents of frozen seafood, an intricate inspection unveiled a deceptive hoard of frozen pork and beef. Agriculture Minister Thammanat Prompao, leading a special unit on the hunt for illegal pork imports, cracked open the lid on one…
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Over 2,500 debtors in Nakhon Ratchasima seek resolution for 195 million baht informal debts
Over 2,500 debtors in Nakhon Ratchasima have registered for assistance in resolving their informal debts, amassing a total debt of 195 million baht. The highest number of registrations came from the Mueang district. The scene at the registration point in Mueang Nakhon Ratchasima district was bustling with both debtors and creditors seeking to register for state assistance in addressing their…
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Thai farmer turns backyard into mussel farm, earning 400 baht daily
A farmer in Nakhon Ratchasima has turned a hollow behind his house into a lucrative freshwater mussel farm. The mussels, which are large, fresh, and clean, have found a ready market, with customers even purchasing directly from the mussel farm. With an average daily income of 400 baht, the farmer is gearing up to expand his mussel farming operations. A…
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Shark tale: Thai PM warns loan sharks not to test government waters as they target debt-relief participant
The Prime Minister of Thailand, Srettha Thavisin, warned loan sharks not to challenge government power after two loan sharks threatened a debtor who participated in a government debt relief programme. A Thai woman named Som sought protection from the police and the government after the loan sharks came to her restaurant in the Sankaburi district in the central province of…
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