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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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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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Chon Buri: Peacock on residential rooftop captured by rescue teams in Nong Prue
A peacock was spotted yesterday perching on a residential rooftop at Eakmongkol Village 3, Bang Lamung, Chon Buri. The Nong Prue rescue teams, upon receiving the unusual report at 5.40pm, promptly arrived on the scene to manage the situation. The peacock, typically an inhabitant of the wilderness, had somehow made its way to the urban locality and decided to make…
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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 man dies on police station waiting room sofa in Bangkok
A Thai man tragically died on a Bang Khen Police Station sofa in Bangkok yesterday, December 7, while waiting to report a physical assault by his employer’s son. Police officer Somporn Sata approached the 45 year old victim, a Thai man named Tui, to inform him that it was his turn to file a complaint. However, upon reaching Tui, Somporn…
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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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Bankrupt millionaire seeks opportunities and jobs after life as thief
A victim urged the Thai police to arrest a former millionaire in Chon Buri who, facing bankruptcy, resorted to becoming a thief. The man evaded several arrests by claiming he was mentally ill, evoking sympathy from some, who wished he could rebuild his life. One Facebook user, Aroon Kab, shared security camera footage of a man stealing three aluminium step…
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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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Chiang Mai teacher dismissed over student lunch programme mismanagement
Chaiyot Suktor, a senior professional level teacher (K3) at Yangpao School in Omkoi, Chiang Mai, has been dismissed from the civil service following allegations of corruption by the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC). Chaiyot, identified as the fourth accused, is allegedly guilty of criminal misconduct as an official, accused of performing or neglecting duties without authority. The case centres around Chaiyot,…
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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 rice absence from World’s Best Rice 2023 comp sparks debate
The online community is embroiled in a heated debate following the omission of Thai rice from the top three spots in the World’s Best Rice 2023 competition. This has sparked questions about the quality of Thai rice, a key export and a source of national pride. However, it has been revealed that Thailand did not participate in this year’s competition…
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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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Perverted abbot accused of sexually assaulting novices and teenage boys in Chiang Mai
Mae Wang Police Station officers forced a perverted Thai abbot to leave his monkhood as they cranked up an investigation after novices and teenage boys accused him of sexually assaulting them. The alleged sexual assaults took place at a well-known temple, which was not named in the report, in the northern province of Chiang Mai. In the past, the 41 year…
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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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Thailand’s tourism tango: TAT’s mixed bag predicts foreign tourist influx but warns of a 400 billion baht revenue remix
The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) released a mixed bag of updates, hinting at a potential foreign tourist surge but cautioning about a colossal revenue shortfall of 400 billion baht. TAT Governor Thapanee Kiatphaibool revealed that Thailand hosted 25.8 million foreign tourists from January to November this year, inching close to the 27 million target. However, with the high season…
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Thai police dismantle illegal cosmetics factory in shocking raid
An illegal lotion and shower cream operation was dismantled by Thai police today. The clandestine factory, operating from a residential house, was found to be mixing products in appalling conditions, shockingly different from the sanitised images shared on social media. The authorities arrested the 63 year old owner, Thitiwat, for selling unregistered cosmetics and products without Thai-language labels, violating the…
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Spanish woman swallows toothbrush in dramatic choking incident
A 21 year old Spanish woman from Galdakao in the Basque region, narrowly averted a choking to death. It occurred while consuming a chicken wing at home, resulting in a piece of meat lodged in her throat. She was at home with her wheelchair-bound father, who was incapacitated due to an old injury, leaving her to fend for herself during…
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Pattaya police under fire for letting foreign sex offenders flee Thailand
Three police officers are now in hot water for their alleged involvement in the escape of two foreign suspects accused of engaging in illicit activities with underage girls in Pattaya. The escapade involves a German and an American who, after arrests, managed to slip away under questionable circumstances. The controversy traces back to a case in September last year when a…
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Rising waves and heavy rain batter Thailand’s south east coast
Torrential rains have battered the southern eastern coast of Thailand, particularly in the Pattani Narathiwat region. The inclement weather has resulted in high waves in the Gulf of Thailand, rising to 3 metres. Fishermen have been warned to exercise extreme caution. Reporters from Songkhla province noted that the sky has been heavily overcast with sporadic thunderstorms. Heavy rain persisted throughout…
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