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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 Planning to extend your Thai visa? Why health insurance is more important than ever
If you plan to stay longer in Thailand, having health insurance is now more important than ever. Thai immigration often asks for proof of medical coverage when you apply to extend your visa. This applies to many types of visas,...
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Thai police tighten dragnet around fugitive in Banthat mountain range
Efforts are underway by the Thai police to surround and close off the mountainous trails of the Banthat mountain range, the border between Phatthalung and Satun provinces, in the chase for Chaowalit Thongduang, also known as Sia Paeng, the fugitive who reportedly has three guns at his disposal. The hunt was initiated after Sia Paeng’s guide was apprehended, leading to the…
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Phuket’s peace shattered: 36,000 methamphetamine pills ‘Yabandoned’ by arrested suspect
The tranquillity of Phuket‘s streets was shattered when local law enforcement apprehended a single suspect, seizing a staggering 36,000 pills of methamphetamine, colloquially known as Yaba. The main protagonist in this unexpected drama was Chanaphon Bamrungwong, also known as Suea, a 36 year old resident of Moo 7, Ratsada. Phuket’s Provincial Police reported his arrest yesterday evening, after intercepting him…
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Drug induced man fatally stabs 21 year old student in southern Thailand
In a shocking incident, a drug-addled man fatally stabbed a 21 year old student in Trang, southern Thailand yesterday. The victim, Kulissara (surname withheld), also known as Bam, was attacked by 36 year old Jakraphong (no surname given), a relative, who was reportedly high on drugs. The incident occurred at 6pm in a local village, and the 21 year old…
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Naked ambition: Cleaning lady bares all, but clients want more than just a spotless house
A 32 year old woman has been cleaning homes in the nude for six years, earning more than £50 (2,190 baht) per hour. Despite her insistence that she’s there strictly to clean, some of her male clients believe they’re getting more than just a tidy home for their money. The naked cleaner, Lottie Rae, admitted that there are a few…
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Charitable gesture: KFC chicken no-show turns sour, but Thai students cluck their way to happiness
A charitable gesture that went awry ended on a happy note for students at a school in Nan Province, Thailand. An anonymous benefactor had promised to donate educational resources and treat the students to fried chicken. However, the person didn’t show up, leaving the children and their teachers waiting in vain, a situation that quickly went viral online. The students…
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14 year old Thai girl commits suicide after suffering sexual assault over 8 years
A 14 year old Thai girl committed suicide at Krung Thep Bridge in Bangkok after being sexually assaulted by her grandfather-in-law for more than eight years. Bangkholaem Police Station officers and rescuers tried to save the teenage girl from the Chao Phraya River at around 11.45am on November 6. Rescuers administered CPR but were unable to save her life. A…
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Thai shippers predict less than 1.5% contraction in 2023 exports
The Thai National Shippers’ Council (TNSC) expressed confidence in a less than 1.5% contraction in the country’s export performance for 2023. This optimistic outlook comes on the heels of export growth recorded in both August and September and an expectation for continued orders in the year’s final quarter. TNSC Chairman Chaichan Chareonsuk cited the Commerce Ministry’s latest data, which showed…
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High-stakes takedown: DSI nabs UFA’s online gambling kingpin in Thailand
The Department of Special Investigation (DSI) arrested gambling kingpin Pakapoom, a top executive of one of the three largest online gambling networks in Thailand, UFA. At just 29 years old, Pakapoom managed over 80 accounts, circulating more than 10 billion baht. The arrest was announced yesterday by Suraya Singhamon, the DSI Director. Pakapoom, also known as Diddy, was found to…
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Gold necklace grabbed: Brazen bandit makes glittering 172,000 baht heist in southern Thailand
A daring theft took place in a well-known jewellery shop when a thief made off with a gold necklace worth 171,665 baht. The incident occurred today at the Yaowarat Gold Shop, located within a shopping mall in Chana district, Songkhla. The thief, identified as 34 year old Madaree, a security guard from Hat Yai, Songkhla, was apprehended shortly after the incident.…
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Trio arrested for alleged involvement in major data breach
A trio, consisting of an insurance broker, a programmer, and a Facebook page administrator, has been apprehended for their alleged involvement in a significant data breach operation. They stand accused of compromising and subsequently selling the personal data of over 15 million individuals to illicit businesses. Acting Deputy National Police Chief, Police Lieutenant General Thana Chuwong, shared these developments in…
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Thai tuk tuk driver’s fare fight leads to handcuffs in Bangkok
Police arrested a Thai tuk tuk driver for physically assaulting two foreign passengers on Phloen Chit Road in the Pathum Wan district of Bangkok on the night of November 5 after they failed to agree on the fare. Lumphini Police Station officers received a complaint of theft from two foreigners in the middle of the night and rushed to the…
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Thailand’s health ministry gears up for severe haze pollution
Thailand’s Ministry of Public Health has established an Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) to address the imminent severe haze pollution anticipated in the forthcoming dry season, triggered by the persistent issue of PM2.5 ultra-fine dust. This was confirmed by Dr Opas Karnkawinpong, the ministry’s permanent secretary, on Tuesday. The critical areas of concern are the northern provinces of the country, with…
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Thai hostages likely first to be released amid Gaza conflict
Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Affairs Minister, Parnpree Bahiddha-Nukara, announced that Thai workers held captive by Hamas are likely to be among the first released. This update came as the Israeli military amplified its assault on Hamas in the Gaza Strip, with the majority of Thai workers still in Israel now situated in safe zones. Around 30,000 Thai workers were…
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Heavy rainfall warning: Thailand braces for deluge as 36 provinces, including Bangkok, get soaked
The Thailand Meteorological Department (TMD) issued a warning of heavy rainfall today, affecting 36 provinces, including Bangkok, with 60% of the area predicted to be impacted. The prevailing high-pressure system in the upper part of Thailand and the South China Sea is weakening, resulting in fog in the morning. The increasing strength of the easterly winds covering the eastern region, the…
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Thai singer’s late-night jam turns trashy: Singer crashes Volvo into garbage truck (video)
A Thai singer crashed his Volvo S90 sedan into a garbage truck on the Krung Thep-Nonthaburi Road in Nonthaburi province near Bangkok, injuring two sanitation workers in the early hours of yesterday morning. Officers from Mueang Nonthaburi Police Station received a report of the accident at 4am yesterday, November 7. Investigating officers arrived at the scene with the Ruam Katayu…
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Russian tourist arrested for running naked on the streets of North Pattaya (video)
A 23 year old Russian tourist found himself in police custody last night when he was nabbed for causing a public disturbance whilst naked on the streets of North Pattaya. The man, whose identity has been kept under wraps as he awaits psychological assessment, was apprehended around 8pm yesterday on Soi Na Kluea 16. The arrest was executed by a…
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WHO selects Thai-discovered flu strain for 2024 Southern Hemisphere vaccine
The World Health Organization (WHO) advisory groups have selected a flu virus lineage discovered and sequenced in Thailand as one of the three strains for the manufacturing of a novel influenza vaccine. The vaccine, set to be used in the Southern Hemisphere in 2024, was chosen by vaccine regulatory agencies, influenza vaccine producers, and the WHO Global Influenza Surveillance and…
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Soapy king takes a bubbly detour: Chuwit’s suds-n-cancer-seek in Scotland
Former soapy king Chuwit Kamolvisit, a controversial Thai businessman and politician, has embarked on a journey to Scotland, via England, to receive treatment for terminal cancer. Accompanied by his daughter, who is providing care, the news has sparked an outpouring of support on social media. Earlier today, close relatives shared Chuwit’s departure from Suvarnabhumi International Airport. The 62 year old is…
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Thai government official’s GPS gamble ends in tragic spillway plunge in East Thailand
A government official tragically lost his life when the car he was driving plunged into a water spillway following directions from his GPS. The incident occurred around 7am this morning, in the vicinity of Ban Ko Rang, Nong Waeng district, Sa Kaeo province. The vehicle, a bronze Toyota with registration number TH-824, was found overturned in the water spillway. Residents…
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Thai keyboard player’s final note: Musician found dead days after disappearance
A 30 year old Thai keyboard player was found dead in a roadside ditch in the Nong Ki district, Buriram province, alongside his black PCX motorcycle, six to seven days after he disappeared. His body was discovered today, following a report by his relatives who had reported him missing on November 4. The musician, Anusorn (no surname given), who lived…
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Buddhist office turns to Thai Cyber Police over AI-generated Facebook content
The National Office of Buddhism (NOB) sought assistance from the Thai Cyber Police, following the discovery of inappropriate content related to Buddhism on Facebook. The content, generated by artificial intelligence (AI), depicts Buddhist monks engaging in non-religious activities, such as playing musical instruments and racing on motorbikes. These images, deemed damaging to the image of the monastic community, have raised…
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Thai boy with alleged supernatural powers sparks concern
Concerned netizens have condemned a 12 year old’s boy’s Thai parents for taking advantage of their son with the claim that he has supernatural powers and encouraging him to believe in superstition. The parents of the 12 year old boy, named Nice, announced to the public that their son possessed supernatural abilities because he started learning the Dhamma when he was…
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Victims seek justice after unsuccessful surgery by convicted Thai doctor
Two victims have sought legal assistance after a renowned surgical doctor, previously convicted for causing a patient’s death due to a botched liposuction procedure, reportedly ruined their faces in a case of unsuccessful surgery. The incidents occurred at a clinic in Huai Khwang district. The victims, 37 year old Nam (nickname) and 25 year old Tae (nickname) reported their experiences…
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Monk’s Starbucks latte confession brews storm on TikTok
A video posted on TikTok by a monk has sparked controversy online. The monk, seen drinking a famous brand of coffee, Starbucks, thanked his followers for their donations that allowed him to afford the beverage. “Thanks to the donations from my followers, I can sit here at Starbucks today, feeling satisfied.” The monk clearly states in the video that the…
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American woman sexually assaulted in Bangkok
A 24 year old American woman was sexually assaulted by a man in her apartment, following a meeting arranged via a dating app. The 25 year old suspect, Tienming Ho, asked if he could spend the night at her place, and then committed the crime. Ho allegedly confessed to the offence and was apprehended by the police at 11.15am today. The…
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Rice or wrong: Chinese student’s homework stirs online uproar
A Chinese primary school student was given an unusual homework assignment, sparking a heated online debate. The task required him to count 10,000 grains of rice, a task that kept his family up all night. The incident took a surprising turn when the teacher revealed the true aim of the exercise. The assignment, given by a teacher in Liaoning province,…
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Morning mayhem: Student transport crash takes a detour for disaster in northern Thailand
A student transport vehicle suffered a brake failure, lost control and overturned, causing severe injuries at a U-turn on the 201 road. The incident, which took place at 8.15am this morning, was reported by investigating officer Chanarong Krotha from Chum Phae Police Station. The vehicle was transporting students to a local college when it lost control and flipped at a U-turn…
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Sneaky conversation of cheating partner found on YouTube’s search history
A TikTok video caused a stir among Thai netizens when it showed that a cheating partner can talk to a lover via YouTube search history. The TikTok account @music_1999 shared a screenshot of the YouTuber’s search history with a message that read, “Give up on the attempts you two.” The TikToker said in the video caption, “Sneaking to talk to each…
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Leech’s eye for adventure: Thai trekker’s blood-curdling tale
A Thai man shared an eye-opening survival experience when a leech sucked blood from a friend’s eye, along with a warning and recommendation for all trekking enthusiasts. The Thai man, Apichart Prommathat, shared the story on his Facebook page Der Baag (เดอะแบก) at 9am yesterday, November 6. Apichart began his story with a warning to trekkers to be aware of…
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Phuket’s Safety Sandbox: Island paradise prepares for full-scale safety drill
Phuket, a tropical paradise best known for its white sandy beaches, is gearing up for a comprehensive safety drill. Dubbed the Safety Phuket Island Sandbox, the exercise is slated for November 26 and will unfold in three different locations across the island. The initiative will showcase the readiness of emergency services while providing hands-on experience for the island’s emergency responders.…
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