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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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Thai actor plans to sue Bangkok barber for cutting off part of his ear
A Thai actor is planning to sue a barber at a shop located in the Thong Lor neighbourhood of Bangkok for cutting off part of his right ear. The actor, 26 year old Natthapong “Oatmeal” Kanthathan, reported details of the incident on his TikTok account, @o.atx, yesterday, November 5. Oatmeal revealed that he is an actor with Mflow Entertainment and…
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Pattaya to trial Thailand’s new 4am bar closing time initiative
Pattaya’s legal entertainment zones are gearing up to pioneer the Thai government’s new 4am bar closing time initiative, starting from December 15. The announcement was made by Pattaya Mayor Poramase Ngampiches. Ngampiches, in his announcement on Saturday, November 4, stated that establishments within the legally designated nightlife zones in Pattaya would be the first to trial the extended operating hours…
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Foreign national arrested for overstaying visa launching Crime Free Phuket year two
A foreign national was taken into custody at the weekend at Phuket International Airport for overstaying his visa by 80 days. This event marks the launch of the second year of the Crime Free Phuket initiative run by the local Immigration Bureau. The past year has seen the arrest of 188 individuals, with overstaying visas accounting for 66 of these…
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Thai AirAsia launches fly-thru flight to boost up lesser-visited provinces
Thai AirAsia has launched a new fly-thru service connecting Phuket to Don Mueang Airport and Phitsanulok. The aim is to encourage foreign tourists visiting Phuket to explore and discover lesser-visited provinces like Phitsanulok and other areas in the lower northern region of Thailand. Sasiwan Siphrom, the President of the Tourism Council of the Lower Northern Provinces, highlighted that in collaboration…
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Safety in numbers: Phuket’s Tourist Police gathering gears up for high season
A remarkable gathering took place yesterday in the bustling epicentre of Phuket Town. The assembly, spearheaded by Tourist Police Commissioner Major General Saksira Phueakam, was a formidable display of dedication towards ensuring the safety of tourists during the impending high season of tourism. The meet-up took place just ahead of the grand opening of the inaugural Chartered Walking Street market on Phang…
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Thai govt reduces foreign worker visa fees to 500 baht to boost economy
Foreign worker visa fees for four nationalities have been reduced to 500 baht, with the fee changes expected to be enforced from November 11 for a duration of four years. This reduction aims to stimulate the Thai economy’s recovery by promoting the legal employment of migrant workers from Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, and Vietnam. Somchai Morakotsriwan, currently acting as the Director-General…
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Thai minibus driver allegedly drugs and rapes 13 year old girl in Bangkok
The family of a teenage girl called on the police to advance their investigation and arrest a minibus driver who allegedly drugged and raped the 13 year old. Channel 3 visited the victim’s house in the Waeng Noi district in the Isaan province of Khon Kaen yesterday, November 5, to interview the teenager’s family about the incident. The victim’s 40…
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Sensational subway stir: Hong Kong commuter’s provocative attire sparks online frenzy (video)
A video clip featuring a woman in provocative public attire travelling on a Hong Kong subway has sparked online debate. The footage, shared widely across social media platforms, showcases a young woman sporting a revealing outfit consisting of a light blue bra-like top and jeans, attracting much attention from fellow passengers. The video has since ignited a flurry of online…
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Inflation rate in Thailand dips for first time in over two years
The Commerce Ministry of Thailand announced today that the country’s inflation rate has dipped for the first time in 25 months, primarily due to a drop in energy and food prices. This development is attributed to the government’s support measures. The consumer price index (CPI) noted a 0.31% reduction in October, compared to the same period last year. This contrasted…
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Gold forgery alert: Thailand’s GIT cautions against new technique
A warning about a new method of gold forgery was issued by the Gem and Jewelry Institute of Thailand (GIT). Fraudsters have been found to mix stainless steel powder with gold, making it nearly indistinguishable to the naked eye. Advanced equipment is required for detection, according to Sumeet Prasongpongchai, the director of GIT. The fraudsters have been known to craft…
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Fatal stabbing during ceremony in Thai village leaves newlywed man dead
A tragic fatal stabbing unfolded recently, resulting in the death of a newlywed man, stabbed by a former computer teacher during a traditional ceremony. The police have now issued a warrant for the assailant’s arrest and identified his escape route. The 44 year old man, Ratchaphon used a knife to attack 25 year old Danuporn in the chest, causing a…
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Thai HIV patient admits having one-night stands with many men
A Thai woman has taken to social media to confess that she is HIV-positive and engaged in a number of one-night stands with men she met in entertainment venues over the past seven months. The woman told the public that she felt guilty for what she had done and wanted every man who had sex with her during that time to…
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Motorbike collision tragically claims young Thai worker’s life
A tragic motorbike collision in Chiang Mai saw a young man lose his life after crashing into a tree at high speed. The incident, which took place in the early hours of today was attended by local police and emergency services who confirmed the fatality at the scene. Local law enforcement from the Chiang Mai Municipality Police Station reported that…
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Terminal lung cancer patient Kritthai shares poignant life journey
A 28 year old doctor who has been diagnosed with terminal lung cancer despite maintaining a healthy lifestyle, recently updated his status on his personal Facebook page, hinting at his nearing departure. The young doctor, Kritthai, launched the page Fight for It to share his journey and raise awareness about the disease. His recently published book by the same name has…
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Drug bust in Khon Kaen nets over 2.54 million meth pills
A significant drug bust took place in the early hours of yesterday when Thai police intercepted a vehicle carrying approximately 2.54 million methamphetamine pills. The operation, led by the Thai Highway Police in Khon Kaen, resulted in the arrest of 31 year old man called Thanatchai, who was found to be the sole occupant of the vehicle. The arrest occurred…
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Model snaps back: Peeping Tom photographer’s shocking shower scandal in Chiang Mai
A Peeping Tom photographer in Chiang Mai has been sternly warned by a model after he secretly recorded her showering in the bathroom. This shocking event occurred yesterday, around 11pm. The revelation was made by the model, 24 year old Bee from Lampoon, via her social media page. The post, which warned about the photographer who had hired her for…
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Ayutthaya proposed as new logistics hub amidst Thai-Chinese rail development
The Joint Standing Committee on Commerce, Industry and Banking (JSCCIB) proposed to the government to establish Ayutthaya as a new logistics hub. This development is in anticipation of the increasing investment stimulated by the construction of the Thai-Chinese high-speed rail system. The suggested logistics hub would integrate with Ayutthaya’s existing rail, road, and river transport network. In addition, there is…
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Brutal assault ends in tragic death near Bangkok
In a brutal act of jealousy, a husband and wife’s heated argument in a rented room ended in a brutal assault. The husband attacked his wife with scissors before fleeing the scene. When discovered later, he was found lifeless on a stairwell. The couple’s relatives revealed the cause and recounted the moments when they tried to intervene. Police Lieutenant Colonel…
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Tasty transformation: Thai instant noodles ride K-pop and J-pop wave
Thai Instant noodles, a staple in many households and offices, have evolved significantly in recent years, influenced by the growing popularity of Korean and Japanese pop culture in Thailand. As a result, manufacturers are diversifying their offerings, serving freshly prepared instant noodle dishes in their restaurants, petrol stations, and luxury retail complexes in Bangkok. The global demand for instant noodles reached…
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Sizzle and supersize: Sizzler and McDonald’s cook up expansion goals in Thailand
Leading restaurant brands, Sizzler and McDonald’s are set on amplifying their reach, aiming to attract a wider range of customers and heighten patronage frequencies. The general manager of SLRT Co, Anirute David Collins, who oversees the operation of Sizzler Steakhouse, disclosed plans to inaugurate a Steak Lab concept Sizzler along Koh Samui’s coast on December 16. This restaurant expansion is…
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Phuket motorbike crash claims the life of young foreign tourists
A tragic motorbike crash unfolded in the early hours of yesterday morning, in Rawai, Phuket, resulting in the untimely death of two young tourists; a 21 year old American man and a 19 year old woman from Luxembourg. The pair were on a motorbike when a car, reportedly, crashed into them from behind on Wiset Road. The news of the horrifying…
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Govt orchestrates return of Thai nationals stranded in Myanmar via China
The Thai government is orchestrating the return of 162 stranded Thai nationals from Myanmar’s Shan state through Kunming, China, as the conflict between the Myanmar military regime and local ethnic factions intensifies. The Deputy Police Chief, Surachate “Big Joke” Hakparn, revealed this repatriation strategy yesterday. The chosen route was verbally agreed upon during a recent meeting with Chinese and Myanmar…
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Foreign hero’s good deed ends in Pattaya Beach brawl: Man injured trying to stop transwomen tiff
A foreign man sustained severe injuries when he attempted to break up a fight among three Thai transwomen on Pattaya Beach. A viral video of the fight between the Thai transwomen went viral on Thai social media. The footage depicted two transwomen assaulting another individual on Pattaya Beach, right in front of Baywalk Residence. The victim, a transwoman, suffered injuries…
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Russian tourist’s iPhone odyssey: Close call on Phuket taxi
A Russian tourist had a close call when he inadvertently left his iPhone in a taxi on his way to Phuket International Airport last Friday. The tourist, whose identity remains undisclosed, was able to retrieve his phone in a nick of time before his flight back to Russia took off, all thanks to the combined efforts of the Phuket Tourist…
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Phuket blood shortage plea: Paradise in peril seeks tourists’ rescue
The tropical island paradise of Phuket, usually a favourite destination for tourists and expats alike, now urgently calls for their help. As the high tourism season kicks off, the island is faced with a critical blood shortage, particularly for the RH-Negative type, prompting an island-wide blood donation drive throughout this month. The plea for blood donations was made public by…
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Green glow or green go? Viral lights stir aurora confusion above Thailand’s national park
Images of a bright green light above Kaeng Krachan National Park in the southern province of Phetchaburi went viral on Thai social media. Netizens said it was the first-ever aurora display in Thailand while one scientist dampened spirits somewhat saying it was just the green fishing light. Facebook page Khao Panoentung Scenic Point at Kaeng Krachan National Park in Phetchaburi…
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Urak Lawoi sea gypsies celebrate traditional Loy Reua festival in Phuket
Sweeping waves gently nudged a hand-carved boat off the coast of Koh Siray, east of Phuket Town, marking the culmination of the week-long Loy Reua festival. Celebrated by the Urak Lawoi sea gipsies, the festival is a time-honoured tradition where a boat, brimming with offerings, is set adrift as an offering to the spirit of the sea in hopes of…
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Timber thieves’ tumble: Thai police bust illegal logging gang in 33 million baht raid
In a daring crackdown on timber thieves’ crime, Thai police stormed a deforestation gang’s hideout in central Thailand, arresting one woman while four suspects managed to escape. The operation followed the discovery of illegal wood logs valued at approximately 33 million baht hidden in a warehouse in Phetchabun by officials from the Department of National Parks, Wildlife, and Plant Conservation.…
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Navigating Thailand’s weather conditions: From mild winter to sweltering heat
Associate Professor Dr Seree Suparathit, the Director of the Center for Climate Change and Disasters at Rangsit University and Vice President at the National Disaster Warning Council Foundation, recently shared insights on the upcoming weather conditions in Thailand. Dr Seree’s Facebook post highlighted that while the end of the year in Thailand is not expected to be cold, the following…
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Guestless wedding shocks rural Chinese village
In a small rural village in Guizhou Province, Southwestern China, a grand wedding took place with over 100 Chinese tables meticulously set up to celebrate the union of a groom and his bride. However, the most startling aspect of this extravagant event was the complete absence of guests. At the guestless wedding, not a single villager from the community attended…
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