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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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Suspect spills the beans: Failed escape attempt with Sia Paeng
A suspect confessed to aiding Chaowalit Thongduang, known as Sia Paeng, in his two-night escape attempt that proved unsuccessful initially. The confession by the suspect, Suthiwat (surname withheld), also known as Worm, took place at Mueang Nakhon Si Thammarat Police Station, under the supervision of police officer Natsavut Thongthip and his investigative team. Before being taken to the police station,…
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Gold demand remains strong due to central bank purchases says report
The World Gold Council has released its third-quarter report for this year, indicating a continued strong demand for gold. The council’s data reveals that central bank purchases have been instrumental in maintaining this demand. The report shows that gold demand, excluding over-the-counter (OTC) transactions, reached 1,147 tonnes for the quarter. This figure is 8% higher than the five-year average. When…
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Eight year old girl receives diamond necklace from classmate in Valentine’s surprise
An eight year old girl was gifted a diamond necklace for Valentine’s Day by a classmate, leaving her mother shocked at both the extravagant gift and the subsequent refusal by the boy’s parents to reclaim it. The incident occurred in Yiyang City, Hunan Province, China. The local media reported that on February 14 this year, the young girl returned from…
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Security worker’s fatal motorcycle crash on Sukhumvit Road, Pattaya
A tragic accident claimed the life of a 43 year old security worker who crashed his motorcycle into a large tree on Sukhumvit Pattaya Road near Soi Banglamung 29, Banglamung, Chon Buri. The incident occurred in the early hours of today, at 2.16am, and was reported to the Banglamung Police Station. The deceased, identified as Somchai (surname withheld), was discovered…
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Economic reformation in action: Thailand open for foreign investments amid polycrisis
Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin declared Thailand’s openness to foreign investments and readiness to collaborate with the private sector for an economic reformation to create an inclusive and sustainable future. Speaking on Wednesday at the Foreign Industrial Club Gala Dinner, the Thai PM’s speech, titled Reformation of Thai Economy Amidst Polycrisis, was summarised by government spokesperson Chai Wacharonke. The 61 year…
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Grandparents’ indulgence leads to child’s secret pile of sweets
The mother of a nine year old girl discovered her daughter had hidden a pile of sweets under her bed after she returned home from her grandparents’ house. The young girl had been staying with her father’s parents during a school holiday while her parents were working abroad for a month. Upon her return, her mother noticed a significant change…
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Restaurant fire by the Chao Phraya results in 15 million baht damages
Over ten fire trucks were mobilised after a prominent riverside restaurant, adjacent to the Chao Phraya River in Ayutthaya province, became engulfed in flames. The damage is estimated at more than 15 million baht. The cause of the fire is being urgently investigated. At 5am today, Police Lieutenant Colonel Kamphon Inthiwong, an investigative officer at Ayutthaya Police Station, rushed to…
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Sexual harassment claims spark call for ethical code in Thai politics
A wave of sexual harassment allegations against members of the Move Forward Party (MFP) has sparked a demand for a definitive code of ethics to govern the sexual conduct of politicians. The demand emerged during a seminar organised by the Women and Men Progressive Movement Foundation on Wednesday, following the expulsion of an MFP member on the grounds of sexual…
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Vietnamese man finds heartfelt letter from younger brother to their late mother
A young man from Vietnam discovered a heartfelt letter, crudely drawn but filled with sincerity, left by his younger brother to their dead mother. The letter was found while the young man was cleaning his mother’s shrine. While cleaning his mother’s shrine, a Vietnamese man found a concealed letter. His younger brother had left this heartfelt letter, filled with raw child-like…
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Anta marches into Bangkok, kicks off its first sportswear sensation
China’s premier sportswear label Anta inaugurated a shop in Bangkok, marking its ambitious expansion in the Asia-Pacific region. Gavin Lum, Anta’s regional brand marketing director for Southeast Asia, revealed the new store during a recent Thailand visit. The Anta Sportswear store, occupying a 230 square metre area on CentralWorld’s third floor, kicked off operations on October 31. It caters to sports aficionados,…
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Monkey business at Khao Sam Muk: Bitten Thai tourist urges action from Chon Buri authorities
A Thai woman, who was bitten by a monkey at Khao Sam Muk Viewpoint in Chon Buri province, issued a warning to the public and demanded the authorities take action. The victim, 24 year old Salika “Lek” Lasantier, asked the non-profit organisation Saimai Survive to share her story with the public. The site posted her story and a picture of…
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Thai schoolboy’s erratic behaviour sparks concerns over past drug abuse in Buriram
A 13 year old student from a school in Buriram was rushed to Huai Rat Hospital after displaying unusual behaviour including confusion, fear, and sometimes screaming, causing classmates to fear. The schoolboy, known only as A, admitted to having used drugs since primary school, encouraged by older peers to join in illicit activities in the local sugarcane fields. However, recent…
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Heavy rain warning across 25 provinces in Thailand, southern region hit hardest
The Thailand Meteorological Department (TMD) issued a warning for continued heavy rain across 25 provinces today. Southern Thailand is being hit hardest, with 70% of the region experiencing heavy rainfall. The public has been cautioned to be alert for dangers, including flash floods and forest runoff, particularly in areas on hill slopes near waterways and lowlands. The high air pressure…
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Illicit pork trade crackdown in Thailand set to conclude next month
Government spokesperson Chai Wacharonke announced a determined push to dismantle the underground illicit pork trade in Thailand, indicating that all related cases should be resolved by next month. The joint statement was delivered yesterday, alongside representatives from the Anti-Money Laundering Office (Amlo), Department of Special Investigation (DSI) and other agencies, providing an update on the ongoing operation. Chai Wacharonke stressed…
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Tipsy Thai tourist turns river ‘cruise’ into sleepover, locals and police ‘buoy’ his spirits in central Thailand
Police rescued a tipsy Thai tourist who fell asleep on a boat and floated down the river in Uthai Thani for over 3 kilometres. Locals reached out to the police initially mistaking him for being dead. Residents reported to the Mueang Uthai Thani Police Station on October 30 that they saw a Thai man lying on a boat in the…
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Thailand tourism aims for 2.38 trillion baht target with late-year surge
Aiming to achieve its revenue target of 2.38 trillion baht, Thailand’s tourism sector is pushing ahead in the last two months of the year. The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) announced that the total takings for the first ten months stood at 1.67 trillion. TAT’s governor, Thapanee Kiatphaibool, outlined plans to stimulate the sector further, with a focus on intensifying…
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Medical cannabis: CISW’s events for business and awareness
The CISW Holding Group, in partnership with CISW International, CISW Green World and CISW European Wellness World, unveiled plans for two significant events focusing on medical cannabis. These events aim to highlight business prospects and foster a greater understanding of its medicinal applications. The first event, CISW MedCann Investment Summit World (CMCI 2023), is set to take place on December…
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PM2.5 dust surge: Bangkok on alert, schools may halt activities
Bangkok is bracing for an imminent surge in PM2.5 dust pollution from today until the end of the week, with the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) preparing strict measures to mitigate the environmental hazard. The city’s Department of Education, under BMA’s directive, may consider a 15-day halt to school activities if dust pollution reaches a critical red level in two to…
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Railway development gains speed: Thailand fast-tracks five-country rail link
A plan to accelerate the development of dual railway tracks connecting five countries – Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Laos, and China – was announced at the 4th iTIC FORUM 2023: Power of Connectivity and Smart Mobility. The 4500-kilometre-long Singapore-Kunming rail line, expected to be completed by 2027, aims to boost the capacity of goods and passenger travel, making it more efficient…
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Teacher suicide in China prompts investigation into school pressures
A tragic suicide incident involving a 23 year old primary school teacher in China has caught the attention of many. The young woman, known as Lu, jumped from a six-story building ending her life, leaving behind a heart-wrenching note found by her sister on her mobile phone. The school is currently under scrutiny for denying access to the security camera…
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Wedding meal mix-up: Boxed lunch sparks online feast of fury
A couple’s decision to serve boxed meals at their lavish wedding in a hotel in Wuhan, China, sparked a heated online debate. Each guest received only one box, containing a simple lunch worth 50 yuan (240 baht), leaving many relatives and friends in shock. Weddings are considered a once-in-a-lifetime event, where most couples meticulously plan the choice of restaurant, food,…
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Trial twist: Tangmo’s case peels back for fresh witnesses
The Nonthaburi Provincial Court scheduled a hearing for the prosecution witnesses in the case concerning the death of Nida Patcharaveerapong, better known as Tangmo, who was separated and tried with the remaining four defendants after the initial case had been concluded. The four defendants are Sansara Manomaipiboon aka Zan, Itsarin Juthasuksawat also known as Kratik, Nittas Kiratisuthisathorn aka Job, and…
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Chon Buri tackles social issues with large-scale law enforcement operation
A collaborative operation by law enforcement and administrative authorities was launched yesterday in Chon Buri, aiming to tackle a range of social issues hindering the province. The main issues highlighted for action were drug abuse, human trafficking, illegal possession and carrying of firearms, gambling, and the disruption caused by influential figures who break the law. The law enforcement operation, initiated yesterday, November…
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Temple trickster: Deceitful vendor bags counterfeit scam in northern Thailand
A deceitful vendor, Anoma (surname withheld), was apprehended by the Cyber Crime Investigation Bureau (CCIB) outside a famous temple in Chiang Mai. Anoma was caught red-handed for defrauding the public by faking illness to solicit funds for her medical treatment and deceiving customers into buying counterfeit designer bags. The arrest was a result of a court warrant issued on October…
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Bangkok bus bust-up: Dismissed driver’s fare share of woes
A bus driver has been dismissed following an incident in which a young man claimed he was verbally abused and forced off the bus. The driver, who said he was afraid of dismissal, confirmed he had been let go by the company. The incident occurred on Route 1013, between Hua Takhe and Seacon Square, and was posted on the popular…
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Thai woman accused of stealing identity to swindle 3 million baht from man
A Thai woman accused another in the central province of Kampang Phet of stealing her identity to swindle more than 3 million baht from a man. The accused woman denied the allegation but admitted to knowing the victim. The male victim, who works as an engineer, filed a police report after realising that his girlfriend, named Bumbim, did not love…
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22-wheeled truck mayhem: Woman’s lucky escape in Phuket smash
An early morning encounter between a car and a 22-wheeled truck resulted in a shocking crash in the Samkong Underpass, in Phuket today. Miraculously, the car’s driver, a woman, managed to avoid grave injuries despite her vehicle being severely crushed in the accident. Phuket City Police, led by Police Lieutenant Colonel Udom Phetcharat, received the distress call at 4.15am. On…
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Kid’s joyride costs Lamborghini owner millions: Pricey playtime ride
An eight year old child, left unattended by his parents, ended up playing on a stranger’s Lamborghini worth tens of millions, causing the car owner to pay a hefty money for damages. The incident occurred on October 29 when a man named Su from Zhejiang province in China parked his Lamborghini in an open car park and went about his…
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Social media uproar as Blackpink Lisa Weibo account blocked over cabaret show controversy
A rising online debate about the appropriateness of Lisa from Blackpink‘s participation in Crazy Horse, a renowned cabaret show in Paris, has culminated in the pop star’s Chinese social media account, which had over 8 million followers, being blocked. This action by Weibo has resulted in an uproar among her fans who are fervently supporting the 26 year old and…
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Triggered by glance: Off-licence spat leads to fatal road incident arrest by Nakhon Si Thammarat police
Police in Nakhon Si Thammarat apprehended a gunman involved in a fatal road incident following a dispute at an off-licence. The suspect allegedly pursued the victim after feeling provoked by a glance. He then shot the victim in the head, resulting in his immediate death. The incident took place on the Thung Song-Trang Road, near the entrance to the Wang…
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