News

Thailand news, politics, business, crime, lifestyle, and tourism—stay updated with breaking news and in-depth analysis from Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Pattaya, and beyond.

  • 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...

  • Tragic car plunge in Udon Thani canal claims three lives

    Tragic car plunge in Udon Thani canal claims three lives

    A tragic accident unfolded when a car, en route to a relative’s ordination ceremony, plunged into a canal between bridges, resulting in three fatalities and two injuries. A one month old girl miraculously survived, ejected from her mother’s lap outside the vehicle. The incident occurred at 1.30pm yesterday. Deputy Inspector Kittikawin Umathitipong of Nong Han Police Station, Udon Thani province,…

  • Bangkok police hunt for Thai woman behind Taiwanese man’s murder

    Bangkok police hunt for Thai woman behind Taiwanese man’s murder

    Bangkok police are pursuing an arrest warrant for a Thai woman alleged to have orchestrated the killing of a 48 year old Taiwanese man, Chu Chiang Shen, in the city. Additionally, they are liaising with Interpol in an attempt to apprehend another suspect hailing from Vanuatu who is believed to have left the country. Following the detention of two male suspects,…

  • Thai chamber calls for infrastructure development in secondary tourism provinces

    Thai chamber calls for infrastructure development in secondary tourism provinces

    A call to accelerate public infrastructure development in 10 secondary tourism provinces has been issued by the Thai Chamber of Commerce (TCC). The move is hoped to push tourism revenue and transform these areas into main tourist attractions. The TCC, on Saturday, shared its development blueprint, which also aims to address social inequality within the 10 provinces currently under consideration.…

  • Tragic motorbike crash: Young Thai man dragged 500 metres by lorry

    Tragic motorbike crash: Young Thai man dragged 500 metres by lorry

    A 26 year old man died tragically after his motorbike crashed into the back of a 10-wheel lorry and was dragged for more than 500 metres. The incident occurred in Chachoengsao and was reported to police at 4.20am yesterday. The deceased, identified as Tawiwan, was found in a shocking state, with broken arms and legs. His helmet was discovered in…

  • Nonthaburi: Fatal road accident on Kamphaeng Phet 6 Road results in fiery crash

    Nonthaburi: Fatal road accident on Kamphaeng Phet 6 Road results in fiery crash

    A serious road accident resulted in a fiery crash and a fatality on Kamphaeng Phet 6 Road, heading towards the Lak Si intersection. The incident took place at 7.45am this morning. Nawin Sonitpon, a police investigator at Don Mueang Police Station, was on the scene to assess the situation alongside Don Mueang Fire Station and Poh Teck Tung Foundation officers.…

  • Pattaya: Central Marina Shopping Mall to host Marina Countdown 2024 festival

    Pattaya: Central Marina Shopping Mall to host Marina Countdown 2024 festival

    The Central Marina Shopping Mall in Pattaya is set to host an exciting food and beverage festival named Marina Countdown 2024. The festival, designed to be a casual and enjoyable affair, is scheduled to run from November 23 to January 3 next year. The event promises a lineup of various artists such as Klear, No One Else, Ble Patumrach, and…

  • Courteney Cox and Matt LeBlanc commemorate late Friends co-star Matthew Perry

    Courteney Cox and Matt LeBlanc commemorate late Friends co-star Matthew Perry

    Known as Friends character Chandler Bing, news of Matthew Perry’s sudden death shocked fans worldwide as well as his co-stars including Courteney Cox and Matt Le Blanc. Both Cox and Le Blanc have since paid their respects to their late co-star Perry who passed away recently, on October 28 in Los Angeles. Chandler Bing’s wife Monica Geller, aka Cox, took…

  • Northern Italy: 31-stone killer who stabbed girlfriend to death released from jail

    Northern Italy: 31-stone killer who stabbed girlfriend to death released from jail

    A 31-stone Italian killer who fatally stabbed his girlfriend in 2017 after a dispute about his eating habits has been released from jail as prison could not provide him with an adequate low-calorie diet. The Italian killer, 35 year old Biella-born Dimitri Fricano murdered his 28 year old girlfriend Erika Preti during a holiday to Sardinia. Preti was stabbed 57…

  • Former insurance employee arrested for selling client data illegally

    Former insurance employee arrested for selling client data illegally

    A former insurance employee has been apprehended by the cyber police for selling client data illegally from a bank-affiliated insurance company. The arrest made on November 16 followed the issuance of a warrant by the Thon Buri Criminal Court. The suspect was seized at the entrance of a posh residential community in Phasi Charoen district, with two mobile phones confiscated…

  • Chon Buri: Unlawful doctor arrested for practising medicine from home

    Chon Buri: Unlawful doctor arrested for practising medicine from home

    Authorities have apprehended an unlawful doctor, known colloquially as Doctor Gee, who was running an unauthorised medical practice from his residence. Despite only having completed his secondary education, Doctor Gee trained in bone-setting and provided treatment to patients. The activities of the unlawful doctor were discovered today (November 18), when the police, along with Health Support Department and the Chon…

  • Thailand’s digital wallet loan bill yet to reach Council of State

    Thailand’s digital wallet loan bill yet to reach Council of State

    Deputy Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai announced yesterday that a proposed bill, which aims to secure a loan of 500 billion baht for the digital wallet scheme, has not been presented to the Council of State yet. The revelation came after the digital wallet policy committee meeting, where numerous issues were discussed. Despite the Council of State’s readiness to scrutinise the…

  • Samut Prakan: Young woman hit by lorry and killed in road accident involving motorcycle

    Samut Prakan: Young woman hit by lorry and killed in road accident involving motorcycle

    A 21 year old woman was killed in a road accident at 9.30pm last night (November 17) when her motorcycle collided with a dog, causing her to lose control and be run over by a trailing lorry. The road accident occurred in the middle of Soi Bang Pla 2, in front of Sinpetch Village, Moo 11, Bang Pla Subdistrict, Bang…

  • Seismic upheaval in Myanmar prompts call for earthquake-resistant structures in Thailand

    Seismic upheaval in Myanmar prompts call for earthquake-resistant structures in Thailand

    A seismic upheaval of 6.4 magnitude rattled Myanmar and was perceptible in various regions of Thailand yesterday, prompting engineers and academics to urge the implementation of stringent regulations to ensure the resilience of structures against future earthquakes. The earthquake, with a magnitude of 6.4, originated in Myanmar at 8.37am yesterday. The Earthquake Observation Division of the Meteorological Department reported the…

  • Thailand’s Public Health Ministry finalises Cannabis-Hemp Act draft

    Thailand’s Public Health Ministry finalises Cannabis-Hemp Act draft

    The Cannabis-Hemp Act‘s first draft has been completed by the Public Health Ministry, and despite public speculation, cannabis will not be reclassified as a narcotic. According to Public Health Minister Chonlanan Srikaew, the new legislation is a refined version of the initial draft, now streamlined from 94 to approximately 70 sections. The updated version addresses public concerns and closes loopholes…

  • Anti scam centre freezes 2,500 bank accounts in fight against fraud

    Anti scam centre freezes 2,500 bank accounts in fight against fraud

    In a significant move against call-centre scams, the Anti Online Scam Operation Centre (AOC) froze 2,671 bank accounts in its initial two weeks of operation. Government spokesman Chai Wacharonke shared these statistics, highlighting the effectiveness of the centre, which was launched on November 1 to combat such fraudulent activities. The centre received a staggering 38,564 distress calls from victims within…

  • TikTok user introduces followers to Thai dish of golden orb spider (video)

    TikTok user introduces followers to Thai dish of golden orb spider (video)

    A TikTok personality, known as @tdploy, recently introduced her followers to an unusual dish, Golden Orb Spider from her native region. The dish, Golden Orb Spider (แมงย่างซี้น), prepared from a large spider indigenous to Thailand, sparked curiosity amongst her online community yesterday (November 17). Despite the creepy appearance, @tdploy assures that its taste is surprisingly delicious. Nestled within the forest,…

  • Noodle shop owner’s touching tale of caring for ailing old man goes viral (video)

    Noodle shop owner’s touching tale of caring for ailing old man goes viral (video)

    A TikTok user named @doodee_jau, posted a video clip while watching a sick old man that she cared for lying in bed. The accompanying message read: “Grandpa, you are at peace now. I don’t think it will be the last time. I will love and miss you always. This life is nothing like this. But merit brought us together.” At 1.30pm…

  • Fateful flight: French tourist becomes another statistic of the ‘Pattaya Flying Club’

    Fateful flight: French tourist becomes another statistic of the ‘Pattaya Flying Club’

    A 43 year old French tourist became yet another statistic of the insensitively named “Pattaya Flying Club” when he jumped from a hotel building in Pattaya and died at the scene. Police Lieutenant Anirut Jeroh, Deputy Inspector of Investigation, Pattaya City Police Station, received a report at 4.20am this morning of a French tourist who fell to his death from…

  • Thai military to engage Myanmar over repatriation delay

    Thai military to engage Myanmar over repatriation delay

    The Thai military is set to engage Myanmar over the delay in the repatriation of 41 Thai nationals who were recently rescued from illegal businesses in Laukkaing township. This was revealed today by Colonel Natee Thomsen, the commander of the Thap Chao Tak Taskforce of the Pha Mueang Force. Col. Natee plans to discuss the reasons behind the repatriation delay…

  • Chiang Mai: Thief arrested for stealing from temple caught in moral dilemma

    Chiang Mai: Thief arrested for stealing from temple caught in moral dilemma

    A 20 year old man was recently apprehended in Chiang Mai for stealing from a charity donation box at Jettiyanusorn temple, also known as Ban Yang Phra That temple, in Doi Saket. The suspect reportedly fled on a bicycle after the theft, which took place on November 8. Upon his arrest, the man confessed to taking 200 baht in cash…

  • Phuket’s Patong beachfront to host air-sea rescue exercise

    Phuket’s Patong beachfront to host air-sea rescue exercise

    The beachfront of Patong in Phuket is set to become a stage for an elaborate display of emergency preparedness. The impending air-sea rescue exercise, initially slated to take place later this month, is part of a series of events aimed at showcasing the government’s commitment to ensuring the safety of tourists, announced Phuket Governor Sophon Suwannarat yesterday. The mock disaster scenario…

  • Ayutthaya sundown: Experience history at night in special event

    Ayutthaya sundown: Experience history at night in special event

    Ayutthaya Historical Park has invited the public to the Ayutthaya Sundown event at Wat Chaiwatthanaram, a significant historical site. The event, aimed at promoting Thailand’s soft power policy, allows visitors to explore the ancient temple at night from today to November 21. The initiative, supported by the government’s Thailand Creative Content Agency (THACCA), is geared towards making Thailand a global…

  • Thailand’s thriving collectibles market of 90s cassette tapes

    Thailand’s thriving collectibles market of 90s cassette tapes

    The allure of the cassette tape, the quintessential item of the 90s youth, is unwavering. The sensory joy these analogue devices offer through their tangible nature has seen their value increase over time, transforming them into valuable collectables. This is particularly true for tapes from certain artists, which are not only hard to find but have also become a lucrative…

  • Thai rights commission calls for immediate Gaza ceasefire

    Thai rights commission calls for immediate Gaza ceasefire

    The Thai National Human Rights Commission (NHRCT) called for an immediate ceasefire in the conflict-ridden Gaza Strip. The commission’s plea comes amidst escalating violence which has resulted in the tragic loss of over 10,000 Palestinian civilian lives, with a significant proportion of victims being Arab women and children. This crisis has also led to the displacement of an estimated one…

  • Noodle apology: Ichiran stirs controversy with ‘not-so-fresh’ pop-up in Thailand

    Noodle apology: Ichiran stirs controversy with ‘not-so-fresh’ pop-up in Thailand

    Renowned Japanese ramen restaurant Ichiran issued an apology following criticisms and confusion over its pop-up store in Thailand. The restaurant admitted that the ramen they served was not fresh but dry, with the soup base imported from Japan. Their statement aimed to clarify the misunderstanding, expressing regret for any communication errors. The pop-up store, which attracted ramen enthusiasts and influencers for…

  • Royal Thai Police’s eradication of convictions in massive justice reform

    Royal Thai Police’s eradication of convictions in massive justice reform

    The Royal Thai Police (RTP), under the leadership of Commissioner Police General Torsak Sukvimol, has unveiled a significant achievement for the national justice system. A substantial number of convictions, specifically over 9.3 million from a total of 13 million, have been successfully expunged within two years. This announcement by Torsak was made public yesterday, marking a significant milestone in the…

  • Patong Hill road set for major safety makeover in Phuket

    Patong Hill road set for major safety makeover in Phuket

    The notorious Patong Hill road in Phuket is set to undergo a significant makeover aimed at enhancing safety and reducing the frequency of accidents, particularly on its steep slopes. This development comes as a response to mounting concerns and complaints from local inhabitants about the hazardous condition of the frequently used road. The plan was unveiled after Phuket Governor Sophon…

  • Thai man to return from Israel after winning 60 million baht from savings lottery

    Thai man to return from Israel after winning 60 million baht from savings lottery

    A Thai man working in Israel during the conflict in Palestine decided to return home after his parents won 60 million baht in the savings lottery conducted by the Bank for Agriculture and Agricultural Cooperatives (BAAC). The official Facebook page of the BAAC, Baan Kok branch, in the northern province of Uttaradit, congratulated a Thai man who scooped the first prize…

  • Myanmar earthquake: 6.4 magnitude hits, tremors felt in Thailand (video)

    Myanmar earthquake: 6.4 magnitude hits, tremors felt in Thailand (video)

    A significant earthquake of 6.4 magnitude jolted Myanmar at 8.37am today, as confirmed by the Earthquake Observation Division of the Thai Meteorological Department (TMD). The epicentre was noted to be around 100 kilometres in the northwest direction from the Mae Sai district of Chiang Rai. The United States Geological Survey (USGS) placed the epicentre of this seismic event approximately 76…

  • 5 year old girl survives 3 metre fall from balcony in Pattaya

    5 year old girl survives 3 metre fall from balcony in Pattaya

    A five year old girl in Pattaya was left alone in her room and subsequently fell 3 metres from a balcony onto a canopy. The incident occurred in a commercial building in Nong Prue, Bang Lamung district, Chon Buri province. The child suffered abdominal pain and injuries from the impact and was rushed to the hospital. The girl was found…