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.
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Sponsored Is private health insurance in Thailand worth it? Real costs vs risks explained
Thailand has a strong healthcare system with both public and private options. Public hospitals offer affordable care, but many people, including expats, choose private health insurance for faster service, modern facilities, and more treatment choices. To decide if private health...
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Chiang Mai abbot accused of physically and sexually abusing novices
Police rescued three Lao novices from a temple in Mae Rim district, northern Chiang Mai province after the abbot was accused of physically and sexually abusing them. Sex toys, G-strings and beer were found in the abbot’s accommodation. A 20 year old Lao man, Tawanchai, sought help from officers at Mae Rim Police Station after his 12 year old brother,…
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Daring daylight theft in Chon Buri: Over 50,000 baht worth of goods and motorbike stolen
A daring theft was carried out by an unidentified man in Chon Buri province, who seized an opportunity to steal a motorbike with the key left in the ignition by a delivery rider. The incident, which took place next to Pattaya Park Night Market yesterday, resulted in the loss of the Honda Wave 125 motorbike and 107 customer packages worth…
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Imported goods: Thailand bolsters measures to safeguard local businesses
The Thai Industry Ministry is intensifying its measures to thwart the entry of low-priced, inferior imported goods into Thailand in the forthcoming six months, to safeguard local businesses and consumers. The measure comes on the heels of a report highlighting the negative impact of such low-quality imported goods on Thai entrepreneurs across various sectors and consumers, according to Industry Minister Pimphattra…
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Escalator accident: Young boy loses finger, sparking safety concerns in Thailand
A heart-wrenching incident occurred involving a young child who tragically lost a finger due to an accident on an escalator in a shopping mall. The mother of the child shared the unfortunate event in the News to the Rangsit Residents group, seeking any evidence or witness accounts from the day of the accident. The unfortunate escalator accident happened on October…
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Temple tears: Police bust child-begging gang, investigate trafficking ties in Thailand
A sweep operation led by the Satthahip police force has resulted in the apprehension of an alleged gang exploiting children for begging activities during a temple event. The police are investigating potential human trafficking links, focusing on the relationship between the adults claiming to be parents and the children involved. At 10.30pm yesterday, Panya Damlek, the head of Satthahip Police…
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Reservoir overflow in Thailand: Alert for potential downstream flooding
A recent alert has been issued by the Office of the National Water Resources (ONWR) on the sudden rise of water levels in nine significant reservoirs. The ONWR revealed that these reservoirs are brimming with excess water that needs to be discharged swiftly. The reservoir overflow could potentially impact downstream areas in the coming days. The ONWR has been vigilantly…
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Israeli officials successfully rescue 30 people, including 14 Thais
The Times of Israel reported today, October 11, that Israeli forces successfully rescued 30 people from the southern kibbutz of Ein Hashlosha, very close to Gaza. The group includes 16 Israelis and 14 Thais. The group of 30 had been missing for three days during the ongoing conflict until the authorities received a report about them at around 9pm last…
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Thailand and Brunei forge deeper ties to boost bilateral trade
Thailand and Brunei have embraced greater bilateral cooperation, expanding into new sectors of trade and investment. The move comes as part of their collective commitment towards achieving economic integration within the ASEAN region. While on an official visit to Brunei, Thailand Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin met with His Majesty the Sultan of Brunei Darussalam, ASEAN’s most senior leader. The two…
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Cargo caper: Hidden migrant workers in household goods truck foiled in Bangkok
The illegal transportation of migrant workers into Bangkok was recently foiled by highway police. A truck, which was seemingly moving household items, was intercepted, revealing nine Myanmar migrant workers hidden within the cargo. Investigations are underway to establish the full extent of this smuggling operation. Today, highway police in Ayutthaya, led by officer Paphinwit Udomphorn, continued their operation against the…
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Mall’s well in the northeast: Central Pattana pours 3 billion baht into booming secondary cities
Central Pattana Plc (CPN), the retail and property developer and operator of Central shopping centres across Thailand, declared plans to invest 3 billion baht in the development of secondary cities within the northeastern provinces of Nakhon Phanom and Nong Khai. The aim is to enhance these cities’ potential to rival megacities. Tos Chirathivat, Central Group’s executive chairman and chief executive,…
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Danish danger on Thai island: Illegal firearms arrest on Koh Samui
Thai police apprehended a Danish man in Koh Samui, an island in the southern province of Surat Thani yesterday, for his illegal possession of firearms. Following the strict measures implemented after the shooting at Siam Paragon mall in Bangkok, Thai police yesterday, October 10, conducted an investigation into owners of firearms both legal and illegal across the country and discovered…
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Tourism turmoil: Troubles in Israel & Bangkok’s bullet blues spell trouble for Thai tourism
The ongoing conflict in Israel and the recent shooting incident at Siam Paragon in Bangkok last week are anticipated to result in a decline in foreign arrivals for the upcoming week, which will have a substantial impact on the Thai tourism industry. Nevertheless, the private sector remains optimistic that the visa exemption scheme will play a crucial role in rejuvenating…
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Bubbling brilliance: Thai soft drink market fizzes with 16% growth, ending years of flat fizz
The Thai soft drink market has seen a significant upturn, with a growth rate of 16% between September last year and August this year. This surge is a stark contrast to the previous five years’ tepid single-digit growth. The resurgence of food service restaurant operations can be credited for this change. Environmental conditions such as the El Niño phenomenon, which…
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Hit-and-run in Chon Buri: Pickup truck collides with motorcycle, driver flees scene
A pickup truck collided with a motorcycle in a hit-and-run incident yesterday at 8.40pm, dragging it for 70 metres in Chon Buri’s Nong Kham district. The motorcyclist, 27 year old Juthamat Iamsamang, suffered serious injuries, including a deformed left leg. The pickup driver fled the hit-and-run scene, leaving behind the vehicle’s key and a driver’s license identifying him as 44…
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Fatal motorcycle crash in Samut Prakan prompts investigation
A fatal motorcycle crash occurred when a 17 year old boy lost control of his vehicle and hit a footpath, resulting in his death and injuries to his girlfriend and younger brother. The incident occurred around 10pm yesterday, on a road near Bang Sao Thong Municipality in Samut Prakan province. The local authorities, led by deputy investigator Worakrit Parruang, responded…
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Chinese kindergarten principal’s illicit affair with student’s dad ignites online uproar
A relationship beyond the usual teacher-parent interaction between a kindergarten principal and a student’s father in Guangxi, China sparked controversy on social media. The principal’s husband revealed the scandal, accusing his wife of having an “intimate relationship” with the student’s father, providing photographic evidence of them sharing a hotel room multiple times, at least three to four times per month,…
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Lotto-laden: Upcoming October 16 draw stirs double excitement with lottery numbers
The lottery numbers for the upcoming draw scheduled on October 16 have ignited excitement within the community, as various predictions and noteworthy events have influenced people’s choices. Enthusiasts have been keeping a keen eye on intriguing occurrences and their associated numbers, but a word of caution is advised when engaging in gambling activities. In lottery-related news, renowned Thai singer Tao…
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Unsafe Karon stadium in Thailand dismantled for community redevelopment
The demolition of the Karon Stadium, a prominent structure at the southern end of Karon Beach for the past 28 years, is currently in progress. The Phuket Provincial Public Works Department declared the arena, officially known as the Thet Phra Kiat Nawamin Sports Stadium, unsafe to use, prompting this move, according to Karon’s Mayor, Jadet Wicharasorn. The stadium had been…
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Urgent weather warning: Heavy rains and strong winds expected
The Thailand Meteorological Department (TMD) issued an urgent weather warning for continuous heavy rainfall across 44 provinces, including Bangkok. The rainfall is expected to affect 80% of these areas, accompanied by strong winds and sudden flash floods. The department has forecasted 24-hour weather from today, detailing extensive heavy rainfall in the northern and eastern southern regions. Some areas in the…
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Phuket property swindle: Frenchman exposes multimillion-baht real estate scam
A Frenchman took to social media to accuse three Thai nationals of running a huge real estate scam, luring hundreds of victims into investing in a property project in Phuket. The total loss was over 100 million baht. The Frenchman said on his Twitter account, Swann Polydor (@soueuls) on October 7, that many people, both Thai and foreign, had invested…
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Mysterious death in Chon Buri: Thai woman found lifeless, sudden demise puzzles community
A mysterious death shook the community when a 54 year old woman was found lifeless in her single-story room in Tung Community, Si Racha District, Chon Buri Province. The woman, Inthiporn, was found lying on her back, her arms rigid, with foam around her mouth. No signs of physical assault were detected on her body. Inthiporn’s 42 year old partner,…
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Breakfast blunder: Thai food delivery app yields otherworldly blue omelette
A startling revelation sent shockwaves through social media when a young man, relying on a popular food delivery app, placed an order for a healthy omelette infused with butterfly pea flowers, only to receive an egg of an otherworldly, alien-like blue hue. This extraordinary culinary encounter quickly became a viral sensation, leaving netizens awestruck. The unexpected turn of events unfolded…
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Taking the p*ss: Experts decode urine’s health secrets
Your urine colour could reveal your health issues, according to urological experts. These professionals recommend self-health checks by observing one’s urine colour, as this can reflect physical discomfort. Urine is typically pale yellow and clear, with more water consumption leading to clearer urine. However, if despite high water intake, your urine remains dark yellow or conversely, without consuming a lot…
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Thai man accuses foreign man of raping him in Bangkok hospital
An 18 year old Thai man sought help from the non-profit organisation Saimai Survive claiming that a foreign man from a Middle Eastern country raped him in a bathroom of a well-known private hospital in Bangkok‘s Sukhumvit district in the early hours of October 6. The teenage victim urged Saimai Survive founder, Ekkaphop Lueangprasert, to pursue his complaint against the…
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Thailand consumer confidence sails higher, defying global economic waves
Following a more stable political climate, consumer confidence in Thailand increased for the second consecutive month in September, notwithstanding global economic uncertainties. The consumer confidence index, as reported by the University of the Thai Chamber of Commerce (UTCC), rose to 58.7 in September from 56.9 in August, and 55.6 in July. UTCC President, Thanavath Phonvichai, attributed this boost in confidence…
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Israeli tourist causes chaos on Pattaya’s Walking Street, blames cannabis and stress
Pattaya’s bustling Walking Street witnessed an unusual scene last night when an Israeli tourist was apprehended for causing disruption and stealing from a local convenience store. The man, whose identity remains confidential, admitted to having consumed cannabis beforehand, attributing his disorderly conduct to the stress induced by the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas, coupled with the effects of the…
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Phuket’s Chalong Pier sets sail for smart upgrade, boosting tourist experience
Phuket’s regional marine office has initiated the enhancement of its fourth private pier, Chalong Pier, to a smart pier to improve tourist services. The upgrade, which is in collaboration with several agencies including the Digital Economy Promotion Agency (Depa), is expected to cost around 60 million baht. At present, Phuket boasts three other smart piers: Ao Por Pier, Visit Panwa…
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Thai man denies sexually assaulting 7 year old French boy in Koh Samui
The Thai man accused of sexually assaulting a seven year old French boy in Koh Samui, denied the charge, saying he only slapped the boy’s bottom because he thought he was cute. Police also denied confiscating the French woman’s passport. The boy’s 30 year old French mother, Mina, said on Twitter that her seven year old son was sexually assaulted…
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Kaisa Group warns of under 5% recovery rate in potential liquidation
Facing severe financial difficulties, Kaisa Group, a prominent Chinese property developer, has forewarned creditors of a less than 5% recovery rate, should the company be driven into liquidation. This was the chilling forecast laid out by a legal representative for one such creditor who is currently pursuing a lawsuit against the beleaguered company. The revelation was made in a Hong…
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Thai PM assures Hong Kong investors of streamlined business process
Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin yesterday extended a warm welcome to potential investors in Hong Kong, assuring them of Thailand’s readiness to encourage and facilitate investment. While serving as the finance minister, PM Srettha travelled to Hong Kong to meet with significant private entities and explore investment opportunities in Thailand. This visit to Hong Kong marked the beginning of a five-day…
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