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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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Illegal pork pursuit: Thai investigators crack down on Makro for shady swine supplies
The Department of Special Investigation (DSI) raided Makro, a popular cash and carry store warehouse in Thailand after discovering the store ordered illegal pork products from a company previously indicted for illicit imports. DSI director, Suriya Singhakamon, said officers conducted a raid on Wealthy & Healthy Foods, which illegally imported pork into Thailand, and discovered that the company supplied some…
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Lost in translation: Thailand struggles to climb global English proficiency ladder
Thailand, famed for its vibrant culture and stunning landscapes, is grappling with a linguistic challenge, its national English proficiency, which has caught the attention of educators and language enthusiasts worldwide. Despite recent strides in enhancing English proficiency through virtual classrooms in Bangkok, Thailand finds itself in the shadows of its ASEAN neighbours, ranking a modest eighth in the region and…
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Tailspin surprise: Man’s daylight drive in China halted by woman with a fox tail blocking the road
A man driving in the bright daylight in China was taken aback upon encountering a woman with a fox tail, strolling along and blocking the road. With her back towards him, he was intrigued to see her face. The bizarre incident unfolded when the Chinese man was driving along a road and found a young woman slowly strolling across the…
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Unprecedented tourist influx on full moon day at Wan Nakee Island’s shrine
Tourists flocked to Wat Kham Chanot Wang Nakee coinciding with the revered day of the full moon and the traditional Loy Krathong Festival on November 27. The shrine, located in Ban Muang, Ban Dung district, Udon Thani province, is dedicated to Nakee Island’s spiritual guardians, Grandfather Sri Sutho and Grandmother Ya Sri Pathum. The shrine’s spiritual significance attracted a vast…
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Escape to Thailand’s best-kept secret: Mae Chaem, a hidden paradise of culture, tranquillity, and starlit nights
In the heart of northern Thailand lies a hidden gem, away from the tourist throngs that swarm popular destinations. Mae Chaem, nestled on the flank of Doi Inthanon mountain, beckons discerning travellers seeking respite from the usual hustle and bustle. As you wind through lush greenery and scenic landscapes, Mae Chaem unfolds like a dream. The journey itself, a four-hour…
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Russian man dies in Phuket motorbike accident involving Chinese tourists
A fatal collision on Kata Hill, Phuket has claimed the life of a Russian man after his motorbike collided with a passenger van carrying six Chinese tourists, on Saturday, November 25, according to Phuket Tourist Police. The incident took place on the stretch between Kata and Chalong, and while the specifics of the collision are yet to be revealed by…
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Democrat Party leader Prawit Wongsuwan embraces eco-friendly Loy Krathong tradition
Prawit Wongsuwan, leader of the Democrat Party (DP), along with key party executives, participated in an environmentally friendly version of the Thai tradition of Loy Krathong. Using biodegradable Krathongs (floating baskets), they wished for the good health and happiness of all Thai people and for illnesses to be swept away by the river current. Prawit, the DP leader, was joined…
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Fuelling frustration: Saraburi petrol station owner shuts shop after losing over 1 million baht to deceitful customers
The owner of a petrol station in the central province of Saraburi announced that she will soon close her business after losing over 1 million baht worth of fuel to dishonest customers. The station owner, 67 year old Sirikarn Rakwitham, shared a picture of a sign at her patrol station yesterday, November 27 broadcasting the news. “The station will be…
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Bangkok university student falls from building during Loy Krathong Festival
An 18 year old student fell from a well-known university building in central Bangkok on the night of the Loy Krathong Festival. The incident took place last night, November 27, as reported by Thanapat Suwannanak, Deputy Sheriff (Investigator) of the Thonglor Police Station. The university premises were examined by police, doctors and charity workers following the incident. The incident occurred on…
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Palm tree falls on top of Thai man and kills him in southern Thailand
A dead palm tree fell on top of a Thai man and killed him at a plantation in the southern province of Satun yesterday, November 27. A Thai man named Sorn reported the incident to officers at Manang Police Station and the Nikhom Pattana Sub-district Rescue Team. His 47 year old employer, Date, had been hit by a large palm…
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Thai NBTC to investigate 40,000 numbers linked to SMS and phone scams
The Thai National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC) is poised to probe 40,000 numbers, suspected to be instrumental in SMS and phone scams, to apprehend the main culprits. A meeting was recently held by an NBTC subcommittee to discuss the data collected on these alleged scam phone numbers. Key representatives from law enforcement agencies, the central bank and mobile phone…
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Thai thrill-seekers turn heads with illegal jet ski scooters on public road in Bangkok (video)
Four Thai men admitted to engaging in an illegal activity by fabricating jet ski scooters and riding them on a road in Pathum Thani province near Bangkok. They made known that they would visit a police station to pay fines for their indiscretion today, November 28. A video shared on a Facebook account captured the scene of the four Thai…
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Thailand and Malaysia enhance bilateral relations to boost border trade and tourism
A significant agreement was recently reached between the leaders of Thailand and Malaysia to bolster their bilateral relations, with a specific focus on enhancing border trade and tourism. The Thai Prime Minister, Srettha Thavisin, and his Malaysian counterpart, Anwar Ibrahim, agreed upon this during their working visit at the newly inaugurated Sadao customs checkpoint in Songkhla. Their meeting, which took…
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7km bridge over Songkhla Lake to boost southern Thailand transport
Plans are underway to construct a 7 kilometre bridge over Songkhla Lake starting next year, a project aimed at enhancing regional transport in southern Thailand. This proposal includes a commitment to protect the local environment and wildlife, particularly the endangered Irrawaddy dolphins living within the lake. The Department of Rural Roads (DRR) has formed a pact with four other state…
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Thai hostages freed: House Speaker’s gratitude shines in Hamas release
The release of three Thai hostages held by Hamas was greeted with relief and expressions of gratitude by House Speaker Wan Muhamad Noor Matha. This event, which happened Sunday night, brings the total number of liberated Thai hostages to 17, leaving 15-16 still in captivity. The House Speaker is optimistic about their liberation during the next ceasefire between Israel and…
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Alisha Pool Villas: Invest smartly, live luxuriously, and design your own paradise in Phuket
If you’re looking for a property in Phuket, why not buy your very own private pool villa and embrace the island lifestyle? Not only can you enjoy unmatched privacy and exclusivity, but also the potential for a lucrative return on investment. That’s exactly what Alisha Pool Villas, led by Chaiwat Thepphrueksa (CEO of Alisha Group), offers. Located on the foothills…
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Child injured by firework debris during Ayutthaya’s Loy Krathong Festival
A four year old boy suffered a head injury during a Loy Krathong Festival in Ayutthaya when debris from a firework struck his head. His mother is demanding accountability as she recounted the terrifying moment at 8.30pm when her son cried out in pain from the unexpected injury. The incident occurred at Wat Boromwong Isararam’s riverfront in the Suan Phrik…
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Carer caught stealing from elderly woman in Plymouth
A 77 year old woman’s carer was exposed for theft after her daughter secretly installed a camera in her bedroom. The incident took place in a family home in Plymouth, a city in the southwest of England. The carer’s disgraceful conduct was uncovered when the daughter saw her stealing money from her mother’s purse. The elderly woman, in her declining…
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Chinese teacher’s night-time rehearsal stirs admiration
A teacher’s sincerity and dedication have sparked intrigue and admiration amongst netizens after a video of her lecturing in an empty classroom in the middle of the night went viral. This incident, captured widespread attention on social media, as a woman teacher in Hebei Province, China, passionately delivering a lecture in a classroom late at night, despite there being not…
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Low Chinese tourist influx despite Thailand’s visa exemption policy
Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin unveiled an update on the nation’s tourism landscape following the introduction of a visa exemption policy, at a media briefing held at noon on November 25. Despite the waiver of visa fees, the daily influx of Chinese tourists has been unexpectedly low, averaging around ten thousand visitors. This surprising figure sparked questions from Thai journalists regarding…
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South Korean tourist’s dramatic spectacle in Pattaya condo
A 41 year old South Korean tourist, caused quite a stir on a serene Sunday evening, November 26, in Pattaya. The man was seen pacing around the balcony of an upscale condominium situated in Soi Buakhao in Central Pattaya. He threatened to end his life by jumping off the 8th floor, also adding an unusual twist by scattering Thai banknotes…
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Thai soldier shot dead in car after honking horn at murderer
A murderer shot dead a Thai soldier on a road in the central province of Prachin Buri last night after the deceased honked his horn at the killer because he drove his pickup across the victim’s car, cutting them up. The 25 year old girlfriend of the victim, Monticha, sought help for her severely injured soldier boyfriend, 22 year old…
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Commerce carnival: Ministry’s mega discount campaign aims to slash living costs for Thai citizens
In a grand gesture to ease the cost of living for Thai citizens, the Ministry of Commerce is joining forces with over 300 manufacturers, wholesalers, retailers, and convenience stores to roll out a colossal discount campaign. Scheduled to kick off on December 15 and last until January 15, 2024, this initiative is considered a new year present to the public…
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Surin Beach sunbeds mysteriously vanish, sparking tourist speculation in Phuket
A sudden and unexplained removal of sunbeds from the popular Surin Beach in Phuket has left tourists and locals alike perplexed. The event occurred last week, with only one operator, the Surin Beach Club, left unaffected, leading to a surge in inquiries and speculation. The mystery deepens as the Cherng Talay Tambon Administration Organisation (Cherng Talay OrBorTor), the local government…
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Unravelling the mystery of Mona Lisa and Leonardo da Vinci
Leonardo da Vinci, a name synonymous with the fusion of art and science, sought to understand the world around him, incorporating his scientific discoveries into his art and his enigmatic masterpiece the Mona Lisa. His passion for exploration and understanding was evident from his childhood. As a young boy, he would sit at the doorway, observing birds and cloud formations,…
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Fuelling the fire: Thai-Italian man arrested for stealing petrol in Bangkok (video)
Police arrested a half-Thai, half-Italian man for stealing 2,600 baht worth of fuel from a petrol station in the Lat Phrao district of Bangkok. The Thai-Italian suspect, 29 year old Tanrak Corsaro, stole fuel from a petrol station on Soi Lat Phrao 134 in Bangkok on October 5. Tanrak was seen on CCTV driving his white Mercedes-Benz C 350 into…
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Phuket paves way for new visa for parents of international school students
Phuket officials are paving the way for a new visa category, aimed specifically at parents of children studying in international schools. However, this new visa provision is not without its safeguarding measures. The approval process will include a thorough criminal background check, an effort to keep individuals with a criminal past from residing in Phuket under the guise of their…
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Chang’an automobile invests over 120 million baht in Thai EV parts research
Chang’an Automobile, China’s leading automotive company, received encouragement from the Thai Deputy Prime Minister and Commerce Minister, Phumtham Wechayachai, to invest in the research and development of electric vehicle (EV) parts in Thailand. This came about after a meeting between Phumtham and Churu Huarong, Chang’an Automobile’s Chairman today. As a prominent player in the automotive industry, Chang’an Automobile has a…
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Divorce dock dating: Woman takes to civil affairs office to find love in unconventional pursuit
A 36 year old woman embarked on an unconventional method of finding a partner by waiting outside a civil affairs office, scanning for recently divorced men. She was inspired by a video of a single man who had done the same thing, befriending a newly divorced woman. After stationing herself on the stairs outside the office for three days, she noticed…
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Nakhon Ratchasima abuzz as lottery ticket prices reach 130 baht
Lottery enthusiasts in Nakhon Ratchasima are buzzing with anticipation as the Government Lottery Office is set to announce the draw on December 1. Hot numbers related to the provincial governor, Siam Sirimongkol, such as his age and vehicle registration number, are in high demand. The price per ticket has risen to 130 baht due to the increased interest. Nakhon Ratchasima,…
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