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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 Do foreigners get free healthcare in Thailand?
Thailand’s healthcare system is well-regarded across Southeast Asia, with options ranging from public hospitals to world-class private facilities. But when it comes to foreign residents or tourists, healthcare access isn’t as straightforward. So, do foreigners get free healthcare in Thailand?...
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Phuket’s Patong beachfront to host air-sea rescue exercise
The beachfront of Patong in Phuket is set to become a stage for an elaborate display of emergency preparedness. The impending air-sea rescue exercise, initially slated to take place later this month, is part of a series of events aimed at showcasing the government’s commitment to ensuring the safety of tourists, announced Phuket Governor Sophon Suwannarat yesterday. The mock disaster scenario…
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Ayutthaya sundown: Experience history at night in special event
Ayutthaya Historical Park has invited the public to the Ayutthaya Sundown event at Wat Chaiwatthanaram, a significant historical site. The event, aimed at promoting Thailand’s soft power policy, allows visitors to explore the ancient temple at night from today to November 21. The initiative, supported by the government’s Thailand Creative Content Agency (THACCA), is geared towards making Thailand a global…
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Thailand’s thriving collectibles market of 90s cassette tapes
The allure of the cassette tape, the quintessential item of the 90s youth, is unwavering. The sensory joy these analogue devices offer through their tangible nature has seen their value increase over time, transforming them into valuable collectables. This is particularly true for tapes from certain artists, which are not only hard to find but have also become a lucrative…
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Thai rights commission calls for immediate Gaza ceasefire
The Thai National Human Rights Commission (NHRCT) called for an immediate ceasefire in the conflict-ridden Gaza Strip. The commission’s plea comes amidst escalating violence which has resulted in the tragic loss of over 10,000 Palestinian civilian lives, with a significant proportion of victims being Arab women and children. This crisis has also led to the displacement of an estimated one…
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Noodle apology: Ichiran stirs controversy with ‘not-so-fresh’ pop-up in Thailand
Renowned Japanese ramen restaurant Ichiran issued an apology following criticisms and confusion over its pop-up store in Thailand. The restaurant admitted that the ramen they served was not fresh but dry, with the soup base imported from Japan. Their statement aimed to clarify the misunderstanding, expressing regret for any communication errors. The pop-up store, which attracted ramen enthusiasts and influencers for…
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Royal Thai Police’s eradication of convictions in massive justice reform
The Royal Thai Police (RTP), under the leadership of Commissioner Police General Torsak Sukvimol, has unveiled a significant achievement for the national justice system. A substantial number of convictions, specifically over 9.3 million from a total of 13 million, have been successfully expunged within two years. This announcement by Torsak was made public yesterday, marking a significant milestone in the…
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Patong Hill road set for major safety makeover in Phuket
The notorious Patong Hill road in Phuket is set to undergo a significant makeover aimed at enhancing safety and reducing the frequency of accidents, particularly on its steep slopes. This development comes as a response to mounting concerns and complaints from local inhabitants about the hazardous condition of the frequently used road. The plan was unveiled after Phuket Governor Sophon…
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Thai man to return from Israel after winning 60 million baht from savings lottery
A Thai man working in Israel during the conflict in Palestine decided to return home after his parents won 60 million baht in the savings lottery conducted by the Bank for Agriculture and Agricultural Cooperatives (BAAC). The official Facebook page of the BAAC, Baan Kok branch, in the northern province of Uttaradit, congratulated a Thai man who scooped the first prize…
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Myanmar earthquake: 6.4 magnitude hits, tremors felt in Thailand (video)
A significant earthquake of 6.4 magnitude jolted Myanmar at 8.37am today, as confirmed by the Earthquake Observation Division of the Thai Meteorological Department (TMD). The epicentre was noted to be around 100 kilometres in the northwest direction from the Mae Sai district of Chiang Rai. The United States Geological Survey (USGS) placed the epicentre of this seismic event approximately 76…
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5 year old girl survives 3 metre fall from balcony in Pattaya
A five year old girl in Pattaya was left alone in her room and subsequently fell 3 metres from a balcony onto a canopy. The incident occurred in a commercial building in Nong Prue, Bang Lamung district, Chon Buri province. The child suffered abdominal pain and injuries from the impact and was rushed to the hospital. The girl was found…
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Czech mate: Thailand’s wheels of fortune spin with potential investments
The Czech Republic has expressed interest in investing in Thailand’s automotive and medical sectors, according to Nalinnee Taveesin, Thai Trade Representative. The Czechs are keen to establish economic partnerships in Thailand’s automotive industry, to attract Czech automotive companies for investment, develop technology, and set up production bases in Thailand. The companies showing interest are the Skoda Group (Volkswagen Group), a…
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Pheu Thai leader discusses soft power at Thailand 2024 beyond Red Ocean seminar
The leader of the Pheu Thai Party addressed the audience on the Soft Power: The Great Challenger during the Thailand 2024 Beyond Red Ocean seminar organised by Prachachat, a newspaper publisher, on November 15. The term soft power has been making rounds in Thailand recently, defined by the Thai government as an influential power that assimilates new cultures through societal…
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Sadao checkpoint: Entrepreneurs urge continued operation
Songkhla-based entrepreneurs in the Sadao district appealed to the government to keep the old Sadao immigration checkpoint operational alongside the new one. The move aims to stimulate both trade and tourism with Malaysia. The appeal follows the circulation of rumours concerning the government’s intention to close the Sadao checkpoint in preference for the newly constructed border checkpoint. The discussion involved…
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Global EV trend surges with Thailand joining the race
A surge in the global trend of electric vehicles (EVs) usage has been highlighted by Poonphong Naiyanaphakorn, the director of the Trade Policy and Strategy Office. This information was shared with the public on a day not too long ago. The International Energy Agency (IEA) has predicted that the total EV sales are set to rise from 10 million units…
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Wedding crasher: Ex-girlfriend storms wedding ceremony in Suzhou
The online community in China was abuzz with a dramatic wedding in Suzhou, Jiangsu Province. A viral social media clip revealed the source of the drama was not the bride or groom, but the groom’s ex-girlfriend who attempted to disrupt her old flame’s wedding. The groom and the young woman had been in a relationship for seven years before they…
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Trash horror: Waste collector stumbles upon newborn’s tragic fate in black Bangkok rubbish bin
A shocking discovery was made by a waste collector in the Nong Chok district of Bangkok when he found the discarded dead body of a newborn in a black rubbish bin. The incident happened at 4am this morning. Authorities from Suwinthawong Police Station, forensic doctors from the Police Hospital, and officials from the Ruamkatanyu Foundation were swiftly alerted to investigate the…
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Scottish mother spots intruder under bed through baby monitor
A 22 year old mother in Scotland had a chilling encounter when she spotted an intruder crawling out from under her bed via her Baby Monitor app on her mobile phone while she and her one year old son were away visiting a friend. Swiftly, she contacted the police. The monitoring system, installed to keep an eye on her toddler, had…
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Educational inequality sparks call for Thai government investment in human capital
The Equitable Education Fund (EEF) urged the Thai government to bolster investments in human capital to enhance the lives of students belonging to low-income families and curtail educational inequality. The call was made at the annual Equity Forum, held at the Bangkok Art and Culture Centre, to deliberate on the significance of such investments in addressing educational disparities. Kraiyos Patrawart,…
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Northern Thailand: Massive cold front triggers thunderstorms and temperature drop
A massive cold front has descended upon Northern Thailand, causing thunderstorms and strong winds, according to the Thai Meteorological Department (TMD). This is expected to result in a significant drop in temperature, with an additional cold snap predicted to hit tonight. The cold front has already enveloped Vietnam’s upper region, Laos and the South China Sea. As a consequence, northern…
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Photo betrayal: Teenage Thai boy suffers from depression after being blackmailed by 10 classmates
A 15 year old boy is suffering from depression after 10 of his classmates used his naked photo to blackmail him. The victim’s father said the incident happened at the end of July. Three classmates created Instagram accounts pretending to be three female students. The boys used the accounts to chat and flirt with the victim before tricking the victim…
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Production manager wins over 100,000 million baht in Taiwan Power Lottery
A 50 year old man from Kaohsiung district hit the jackpot of the 27th round of the Taiwan Power Lottery, taking home a whopping 911 million Taiwanese dollars (100,510 million baht). The lottery win prize was won through an online purchase with a meagre 700 Taiwanese dollars (774 baht). Liaw, a lottery shop owner for ten years, recounted an incident…
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Powering up the tracks: Red Line operator urged to spark commuter surge with enhanced feeder network
Red Line operator SRT Electrified Train Co was asked by the Transport Ministry to enhance its feeder network to drive an increase in the number of rail passengers within Bangkok. Surapong Piyachote, the Deputy Transport Minister, explained that the SRT Electrified Train Co, in conjunction with the Department of Rail Transport, has charted out plans for an integrated feeder network…
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Uthai Thani resident scoops 60 million baht in BAAC Gold Bag lottery
A lucky resident of Ban Khok, Uthai Thani, became the latest millionaire after winning the first prize in the Bank for Agriculture and Agricultural Cooperatives (BAAC) Gold Bag lottery. The winner walked away with a staggering 60 million baht in the first draw of the lottery. The BAAC Thailand Facebook page announced the news yesterday. The post congratulated the new red-label…
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Beefed-up border battles: Thailand tightens grip on smuggling surge
Government spokesman Chai Wacharonke yesterday revealed an alarming rise in beef smuggling into Thailand, with yearly figures reaching over 100,000 tonnes. This has led to the government committing to tougher actions against the culprits. Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin ordered all relevant departments including the Customs Department and Department of Livestock Development, to intensify their efforts in curbing this illegal beef…
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Thai man arrested for setting fire to 2 cars to relieve stress
Police arrested a Thai man who set fire to two cars in Pluak Daeng district in the eastern province of Rayong. The suspect said he burned the cars to relieve stress. Firefighters rushed to control the blaze, which broke out at 3.30am on November 6, engulfing two cars parked outside a condominium on Road 3245 in Pluak Daeng district of…
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TikTok Thai training twist: App eyes Thailand for next big move
TikTok, the popular video-sharing social media app, is considering establishing a training centre in Thailand. Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin revealed this after meeting with the app’s executives during the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit in San Francisco. The intent is to utilise the platform’s popularity to promote Thai food and local products, often referred to as soft power. The 61…
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3 foreign men under suspicion in murder of Taiwanese man in Bangkok hotel
Police revealed three foreign men are under suspicion in the murder of a Taiwanese man at the Niran Grand Hotel in the Udomsuk neighbourhood of Bangkok. Bangna Police Station officers provided details after an investigation into the death of the 47 year old Taiwanese man, Chu Chiang-shen last night. Deputy Police Inspector Kongphon Wongchan reported that Chu had several head…
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Thailand’s Den Chai-Chiang Rai-Chiang Khong railway project on track for 2028
The State Railway of Thailand (SRT) is progressing well with the Den Chai-Chiang Rai-Chiang Khong double-track railway project, a 323.1-kilometre initiative set to be operational by 2028. Construction of the railway started on February 15 last year and is ahead of its schedule with 3% completion while 80% of the required land has been expropriated, as per Nirut Maneephan, the…
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Multi-vehicle collision disrupts traffic on Chiang Mai-Chiang Rai road
A catastrophic traffic accident involving three cars and a motorcycle resulted in one fatality and six injuries on the Chiang Mai-Chiang Rai Road at the intersection leading to the Mae Kwang Dam in Doi Saket, Chiang Mai. The multi-vehicle collision occurred at 7.20pm yesterday, leading to an immediate investigation by the police to ascertain the cause. The scene of the…
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Thai prime minister set to meet world leaders at APEC summit in San Francisco
Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin is set to meet US President Joe Biden among other world leaders at the 2023 Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Summit in San Francisco. Discussions on a broad spectrum of issues are projected to take place today during their meeting at the APEC Summit dinner. In addition to the US president, the 61 year old prime minister’s…
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