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...
-
Thailand’s 2023 financial growth predictions revised down due to GDP data
Economic analysts have recently revised their predictions for Thailand’s 2023 financial growth, due to disappointing third quarter GDP expansion data and uncertainties surrounding the contentious digital wallet policy. For the initial nine months of 2023, the economy grew by 1.9%. Maybank Securities, based in Malaysia, has reduced its 2023 Thai growth prediction from 2.9% to 2.3%. This decision was influenced…
-
Thailand weather braces for temperature rise and heavy southern rain
The Meteorological Department of Thailand (TMD) today revealed that temperatures across the kingdom are set to rise by 1 to 2 degrees Celsius, with cool conditions persisting in the morning. However, heavy rains and floods are still prevalent in the southern region. As of 5am today, the Thailand weather forecast for the next 24 hours indicates a decline in the…
-
Chon Buri: Son severely injures father in stabbing attack, mental health issues and drug addiction implicated
A 30 year old man assaulted his 54 year old father with a knife in a stabbing attack in Bang Lamung district, Chon Buri. The father, 54 year old Udon (surname withheld) was found severely injured with 10 stab wounds in front of their residence. The stabbing attack was reportedly committed by his son Adisak (surname withheld), who suffers from…
-
Thai govt’s 500 billion baht digital wallet scheme awaits legal review
The Thai government’s bill proposing a loan of 500 billion baht to fund the 10,000-baht digital wallet scheme is yet to be reviewed by the Council of State for its legality, according to the council’s secretary-general, Pakorn Nilprapunt. This came as a rebuttal to Deputy Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai’s previous statement that the loan bill was under the council’s vetting…
-
Thai abbot disappears from temple with more than 4.7 million baht
A Thai abbot belonging to a temple in the central province of Suphan Buri has disappeared, taking with him a sum of 717,186 baht contributed by local donors and over 4 million baht borrowed from nearly 40 individuals in the temple’s vicinity. The temple’s finance officer, 70 year old Chalong Wongchan, filed a complaint with the Mueang Suphan Buri Police Station…
-
Microsoft’s strategic move to establish Thailand as Asia’s AI hub
Microsoft Thailand is set to establish the Land of Smiles as an artificial intelligence (AI) hub in Asia. This strategic move will involve the creation of an AI Centre of Excellence and the development of a cloud data centre region. The Thai government alongside Microsoft, the US tech giant, inked a memorandum of understanding to advance a digital-first, AI-oriented country…
-
Village headman implicated in Chon Buri forest land encroachment
A village headman stands accused of participating in forest land encroachment in the Sattahip district of Chon Buri. This allegation surfaced during an investigation led by the district chief, Sunthorn Munaowaroh, who visited the affected region within the Kao Krating forest reserve yesterday. Thawatchai Srithong, the governor of Chon Buri, commanded Sunthorn to conduct the inquiry following the public release…
-
Myanmar conflict: Thailand calls for urgent peace talks
Thailand has implored all parties involved to contribute towards the restoration of peace in the ongoing Myanmar conflict via immediate discussions. The plea was made during the annual congregation of 97 high-ranking international diplomats at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs yesterday. The Thai ambassador to Myanmar, Mongkol Visitstump, provided a status update on the ongoing peace initiatives amidst the conflict…
-
Thai film Sapparor grosses over 700 million baht
The Thai film Sapparor (also known as The Undertaker), directed by Tongtae Thiti Srinual, is nearing the end of its cinema run after an impressive 46 days on screens, during which it grossed over 700 million baht. In a heartfelt Facebook post, the director expressed gratitude for the successful journey of the film. Tongtae Thiti Srinual took to social media…
-
Unexpected love sprouts in the cabbage aisle: A market trip blossoms into a captivating romance
A captivating incident surfaced on social media when a woman revealed her market visit to buy cabbages, which turned into an unexpected romance. Unable to find cabbages of her preference, the woman’s attention was drawn to an attractive young man emerging from a nearby vegetable store, presumed to be the shop owner’s son. The woman intrigued and excited, approached the…
-
Thai gunman admits to fatal shooting of teenage student
In a shocking turn of events, a 22 year old Thai gunman, known as Jeans, admitted to fatally shooting a 16 year old technical student, known as Phu. Jeans, who was apprehended following the incident, revealed that the victim was a stranger to him and that the confrontation was merely a result of a night of drinking and an impromptu…
-
“Blade Runner” Oscar Pistorius may be released from prison
South African sprinter Oscar Pistorius, aka Blade Runner, could be released from jail this week after mistakes were discovered regarding his parole bids. Pistorius was sentenced in October 2014 when he was found guilty of murdering Reeve Steenkamp, his then-girlfriend on February 14, 2013. The 36 year old claimed he thought Steenkamp was an intruder and he shot her by…
-
Korat Cat Pants: Thailand’s new cultural symbol takes on Elephant Pants
The Korat Chamber of Commerce is championing the Korat Cat Pants as a new cultural symbol and potential rival to Thailand’s famous Elephant Pants. The product is part of a strategic effort to add value to local goods and services bearing the symbol of Korat, enhancing their recognition among tourists and bolstering their value in the tourism industry. This follows…
-
South Korea: Cho Kyu-hyun from Super Junior injured by woman carrying knife
A woman in her thirties stormed into the backstage area of a local theatre, wielding a knife and injuring Super Junior member Cho Kyu-hyun, yesterday in Seoul at around 4pm. The K-pop star was meeting other actors on the show when he sustained a cut on his finger during the altercation. The woman has since been apprehended. Local police are…
-
Ghost? Thai woman found herself with three arms in portrait taken at temple
Ghost or camera malfunction? A Thai woman solicited the expertise of several photographers and photo editors after a picture emerged of her with three arms instead of two. TikTok user, @ppynnpk, shared a portrait of her sister yesterday, November 20, with the caption “Ghost?” The picture shows a Thai woman sitting in a temple. She has one arm resting on…
-
Thai retired colonel fined 66.67 million baht for defamation on YouTube
Retired colonel Sereepisuth Temeeyaves received an eight-month prison sentence and a fine of 66.67 million baht for defaming Paibul Nititawan in an interview conducted on October 20 via YouTube. The court suspended the sentence for two years, recognising the retired colonel’s good character. Today at the Criminal Court on Ratchadaphisek Road, a verdict was issued in a criminal case number 2718/2564.…
-
Bare-necessities: Cheeky antics of naked man shocks locals in central Thailand
A naked man shocked locals by wandering and sleeping in the streets without any clothes on in the Bang Nam Priao district of Chachoengsao. The incident unfolded around dusk yesterday when the man, aged between 35 and 40, was initially seen swimming in a canal near the Suan Fun Dream Market along Suwinthawong Road. Vendors and shoppers, particularly those with children,…
-
Sour note: Thai singer complains after hotel employee enters room without permission
A Thai singer shared a story on social media after a male hotel employee in the central province of Phitsanuloak entered her room at night without permission. The singer, Rannaphan “Pat” Yangyuenphunchai, from the Thai pop-rock band Klear, shared her experience at a hotel in Phitsanuloak province, later identified as the Holatel Hotel, this morning, November 21. Pat was disgruntled…
-
Phuket police launches anti-crime campaign ahead of Loy Krathong Festival
Phuket City Police Station was a buzz of activity as it marked the initiation of an intensive seven-day anti-crime campaign, aimed at ensuring safety during the upcoming Loy Krathong Festival. The campaign, spearheaded by Region 8 Police Deputy Commander Police Major General Nipon Rattanasirisaengchot, kicked off yesterday, November 20 and is set to run until November 26. The Loy Krathong…
-
Thai woman demands justice after husband abandons her following 12 million baht lottery win
A 26 year old woman from Buriram province finds herself in dire straits with her three year old daughter after her husband, who won a lottery prize of 12 million baht, abandoned them and declared he had a new wife. The woman, identified as Janya (surname withheld), hails from Lahan Sai district in Buriram. Seeking legal assistance through media outlets,…
-
Southern Thailand: Illegal waste dumping threatens Ratsada’s mangrove forests
Garbage dumping within the mangrove forests near the Soi King Kaew community in southern Thailand is causing concerns and disrupting the harmony of the ecosystem. Local authorities have started investigations led by Ratsada’s Mayor, Nakarin Yosaengrat who has pointed out a potential culprit and initiated legal action. Mayor Nakarin, along with an entourage of officials from the Ratsada Municipality executive…
-
Inferno consumes Chevrolet Aveo in Phuket, arson not ruled out
A Chevrolet Aveo sedan was consumed by an inferno late last night in Soi Thanuthep, Chalong, Phuket. The cause of the blaze is currently under investigation, with local authorities yet to confirm whether it was an accident or a deliberate act of arson. The police were notified about the incident around 10.30pm. Lieutenant Charat Lemphan of the Chalong Police Department…
-
TikTok video of late-night ghostly encounter on car’s sunroof goes viral (video)
A chilling ghostly encounter captured on TikTok video of a woman perched on a car’s sunroof, dressed in white with long hair, nearly led to a car crash in the late hours of the night. The incident, caught on camera, went viral with over 2.5 million views after being posted by @c.aphisama on TikTok. “I almost went off the road…
-
Thai woman and family faces death threats from her jealous ex-husband
A Thai woman sought protection from non-profit organisation Saimai Survive after her jealous ex-husband threatened to kill her and her family. The jealous ex claimed he knew the Royal Thai Police (RTP) commissioner and was not afraid of legal action. The victim, Ya, sought the attention of Saimai Survive founder Ekkaphop Lueangprasert so the organisation could help her solve the…
-
China: Unsuspecting woman mistakes 1.5 million baht luxury phone for cheap handset
A woman stumbled upon a luxury phone in Jiangsu province, China, initially assuming it to be a cheap handset for the elderly due to its simplistic design. However, the mobile phone belonged to a businessman and was a luxurious Rolls-Royce of the mobile industry, valued at over 300,000 yuan (1.5 million baht). According to CTWANT, the woman picked up the…
-
Hamas: PM Srettha seeks verification of CCTV showing Thai national in custody (video)
Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin directed the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to verify CCTV images that allegedly depicted Hamas militants taking a Thai national to a Gaza City hospital following the massacre in southern Israel on October 7. This comes amidst ongoing efforts by the government to assist Thai citizens residing in Israel, despite the absence of additional attacks by Hamas.…
-
Wife suspected after Thai man reportedly commits suicide over feelings of neglect
A Thai woman reported to police that her husband committed suicide because he felt neglected after a row but investigations continue as police suspect the wife murdered her spouse. The wife reported the death of her husband, 69 year old Wirat, at Samae Dam Police Station yesterday, November 20. Officers rushed to the couple’s home in the Bang Bon district…
-
Bangkok battles rising air pollution as PM2.5 dust levels exceed safe standards
Air pollution in Bangkok has recently spiked, with 17 locations across the city registering levels of PM2.5 dust particles that exceed safe standards. The most severe pollution was recorded at the intersection of Mahajai and Phet Kasem 81 in Nong Khaem district, where the PM2.5 level reached 47 microgrammes per cubic metre today. The Bangkok Air Quality Information Center revealed…
-
All aboard the history express: Hua Hin Train Station gears up for inaugural joyride
It’s full steam ahead for historic Hua Hin Train Station as it readies itself for its inaugural journey next month. The State Railway of Thailand (SRT) announced it’s all aboard the ticketing express at the opening of the new elevated station which is on track for partial operations on Monday, December 11. As outlined in the State Railway of Thailand…
-
Fake Thai police on the loose after stealing valuables in Isaan raid
Police are searching for four Thai men posing as police officers who stole valuables from a house in the Isaan province of Nakhon Ratchasima. A Thai couple, Somprat and Jaruwan, reported the incident to officers at Si Khio Police Station after falling victim to four thieves on November 20. The couple disclosed that the impostors, claiming to be police officers, confiscated…
Don't forget to check out some other things to do in Thailand - get help starting a business or finding a job in Thailand, buy Thailand property, rent a yacht or book a medical procedure worldwide.