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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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Omura’s whale spotted in Thailand’s Surin Islands for first time
A sightseeing trip in Thailand’s Surin Islands took an unexpected turn when tourists spotted a rare Omura’s whale, a species only identified in the wild eight years ago. The sighting was confirmed by the national park officers at Mu Ko Surin National Park through an online post on Thursday, October 26. The online post featured a video of the whale…
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Struggling student’s 5,000 baht hustle in Khon Kaen sparks online empathy wave (video)
The online world is abuzz with the story of an 18 year old high school student from Khon Kaen province who has shared his struggle to make ends meet on a monthly income of 5,000 baht. His father’s salary has to stretch to cover the needs of four people, resulting in him resorting to unusual measures to survive. The student,…
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LiuGong Machinery’s blueprint: Constructing a new chapter across Asia-Pacific
LiuGong Machinery, a Chinese construction machinery manufacturer, unveiled plans to establish three new factories and three machine assembly facilities in the Asia-Pacific region. The company is still in the process of deciding on the specific countries for these new developments, with Thailand being one of the potential locations. The commencement of these projects is anticipated for the following year, according…
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Lottery numbers soar: Chiang Mai locals rush to buy lucky tickets at 120 baht
Lottery fever is gripping Chiang Mai as locals throng to buy tickets bearing lucky numbers, Chinese calendar numbers, and lunar eclipse numbers. With lottery tickets still selling at high prices ranging from 100 to 120 baht per piece, people are flocking to markets and major vendors in the town, Mahidol Road, and Chiang Mai-Lamphun Road. One lottery vendor, Phannee, reported…
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Thailand persists with 10,000-baht digital money giveaway to reboot economy
The Thailand government is standing firm on its decision to proceed with the 10,000-baht digital money giveaway, despite various calls for its reconsideration. The government maintains that while the specifics of the project can be tweaked, the fundamental principle of using it as a tool to reboot the economy remains steadfast. According to Deputy Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai, the Thai…
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Pothole accident: Dodge causes pickup truck to crash into pole in Nakhon Ratchasima
A pick-up truck, in an attempt to avoid a large pothole on the road and prevent damage to its alloy wheels, lost control and collided with a high-voltage electricity pole in front of a minimart in Nakhon Ratchasima. The pothole accident, which took place yesterday at 6.30pm, resulted in vehicle damage and minor injuries to the driver and two passengers.…
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Thai ministry condemns Israel’s UN display of Thai hostage brutal murder
The Thai Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) expressed severe condemnation of Israel’s presentation of a video showing the gruesome murder of an individual, claimed to be a Thai hostage, during a recent session at the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA). The MFA statement confirmed that such a display of horrific brutality has incited outrage globally, not just among Thai citizens.…
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Naga worship ceremony draws crowds in Kamphaeng Phet
The well-known Wang Nakarin Kamphaeng Phet, owned by 41 year old Kritsana Phong Naak Chan, hosted a grand Naga worship ceremony at the end of Buddhist Lent. The event attracted a large crowd of devotees and included a special lottery number prediction ritual today. Located at house number 26/3, Moo 2, Khlong Mae Lai Subdistrict, Mueang District, Kamphaeng Phet Province,…
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3 Thais killed after jet ski crashes into their longtail boat near Bangkok
Three Thai people lost their lives after a jet ski crashed into their longtail boat in the Nong Ngu Hao Canal in the Samut Prakarn province near Bangkok on October 28. Officers from Bang Sao Thong Police Station and rescuers rushed to the accident scene in the canal. They met with the tragic deaths of three victims, including a 31…
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Thai food delivery rider arrested for murdering female DJ in northern Thailand
Police arrested a Thai food delivery rider on Saturday, October 28, for the murder of a female disc jockey (DJ) and the subsequent abandonment of her body in the woods within the Phichit province of Isaan. On October 22, 68 year old DJ named Jutathip “Ju” Daanwannakit disappeared from her house. Her family filed a missing person report with the…
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Thailand’s population ages like fine wine, marking a global trend
The global ageing population has seen a swift rise in the past three decades, with two-thirds of individuals over 60 residing in developing Asian countries. As of 2021, Thailand has officially become a fully aged society, with a fifth of its population aged 60 or above, as per World Health Organisation and UN data. By 2031, Thailand is projected to…
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Chon Buri agricultural event scam sparks outrage after woman duped out of 300 baht
A young woman was dishonestly lured into a scam at an agricultural event in Koh Jan, Chon Buri province yesterday where she was conned out of 300 baht. The incident ignited uproar amongst customers and called for immediate action from officials. The victim took to the Facebook group Koh Pho, Koh Jan, and Prok Fha, to recount her experience. At…
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Coach crash from Loei to Bangkok leaves one injured
A near-fatal crash involving a coach and two dogs left almost 40 passengers in a state of shock and one with leg injuries. The fully loaded coach from Loei to Bangkok veered off the road and plunged into a canal, hitting a tree on the way down. The driver revealed that the incident occurred because he swerved to avoid two…
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Thailand seeks 1 trillion baht investment for southern land bridge
The Office of Transport and Traffic Policy and Planning is organising a roadshow targeting foreign investors for the upcoming southern land bridge megaproject. Scheduled to kick off next month, the roadshow will span 10 countries, including notable names in the logistics and maritime shipping sectors, such as China, Japan, France, and Taiwan. The intelligence gathered from this event will be…
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Severe weather warning for 37 provinces as Bangkok braces for heavy rain
The Thailand Meteorological Department (TMD) today issued a severe weather warning to 37 provinces, cautioning about continuous heavy rainfall and strong winds that could affect 70% of the area. The capital city, Bangkok, is expected to face the full brunt of this weather onslaught. The TMD predicts that a new wave of high atmospheric pressure or cold air mass will…
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Thai DUI products face stricter controls amid global conflicts
The Foreign Trade Department, under Thailand’s Commerce Ministry, announced its plans to tighten control measures over goods linked to weapons of mass destruction (WMD) and dual-use items (DUI). The Thai DUI products refer to goods that can serve both commercial and military applications. The decision, formulated in response to escalating global conflicts, aims to bolster international trust in Thai products.…
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Bangkok’s Sai Mai district set to receive its first hospital
Bangkok’s Sai Mai district, the second most populated district with 209,556 inhabitants, is set to receive its first hospital. This development comes as a result of the initiative by Bangkok Governor Chadchart Sittipunt, who recognised the district’s lack of hospitals under the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA). Chadchart, on a recent visit to the district alongside Sai Mai district councillor Rattikan…
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Chinese wedding apron ritual sparks social media backlash
A lavish Chinese wedding ceremony in Wanpu, Guangdong province, China, on October 19, was disrupted when the groom’s aunt abruptly threw an apron over the bride’s elaborate wedding gown. This sudden act confused the bride and caused laughter among the guests. However, the incident sparked severe criticism online, as viewers construed the act as a symbolic gesture, suggesting that the…
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Roller coaster crash at China’s Shenzhen park results in eight injuries
A high-speed roller coaster crash at Shenzhen Happy Valley amusement park in China resulted in eight tourists sustaining injuries, out of which four are in critical condition. The incident occurred around 6.30pm on October 27, when a roller coaster suddenly reversed and hit the one behind, causing significant distress among the park-goers. A female tourist who witnessed the crash recalled…
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Factory worker wins lottery thrice after monk appears in dreams
A 29 year old factory worker revealed a popular monk have miraculously appeared in his dreams, leading to his lottery win in three consecutive draws. Sunan Santalap’s story sparked a wave of faith among locals, causing a significant number of them to flock to the Nong Kho temple in Ban Khai district, Rayong province, to seek good luck and avert…
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Chinese company pays severance in coins: Woman in Anhui receives 17300 baht in change
A female employee in Anhui province, China, was dismissed from her job and paid her severance entirely in coins. The company justified the unusual payment method, claiming there were no rules prohibiting such a practice. The woman, who was let go on September 19, claimed the company cited poor performance as the reason for her dismissal. The company was reducing…
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Thai delivery rider jets to Singapore for chicken rice order (video)
A delivery rider was commissioned to fly to Singapore to fulfil a customer’s craving for Singaporean chicken rice, causing astonishment among those aboard the same flight. The bizarre incident was documented and shared online by TikTok user @thita.vy, sparking intrigue and amusement worldwide. The video clip showed the rider, equipped with his signature food delivery bag, at an unspecified airport…
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Endangered gaur sighted in northern Thailand after 37-year absence
A gaur, an endangered wild animal, has been sighted for the first time in 37 years at the Salwin Wildlife Sanctuary in Mae Hong Son, a northern province on the Thai-Myanmar border. The sanctuary’s chief, Arkhom Boonnontae, confirmed the sighting, noting the rarity of such occurrences in northern Thailand. The camera trap that captured the elusive bull gaur clicked into…
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Lorry driver dies in tragic Kanchanaburi accident due to brake failure
A devastating accident occurred involving a 33 year old lorry driver who lost his life when his 18-wheel truck, loaded with 20 tonnes of utility poles, lost its brakes and crashed on the longstanding slope in Sankhla Buri, Kanchanaburi today. Police officer Thara Nawanich, from Sankhla Buri Police Station, was alerted to the incident and immediately rushed to the scene…
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Notorious Thai fugitive’s alleged accomplices detained in ongoing manhunt
Two suspects were detained for allegedly aiding in the escape of the notorious fugitive, Chaowalit, also known as Sia Paeng Nanod. The fugitive escaped from Maharaj Nakorn Sri Thammarat Hospital and turned himself into the police in Pattalung province before being transferred to Muang Nakorn Sri Thammarat Police Station for further investigation. Jakree, or Big, confessed to being close friends…
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Search intensifies for 67 year old woman lost in Lamphun forest
A massive search involving hundreds of officials is currently underway for a 67 year old woman who went missing while collecting mushrooms in the forest with a friend. Despite cries for assistance, there has been no response. As of 7pm yesterday, the woman’s fate remains unknown, leaving local authorities with the task of locating her in the dense forest behind…
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Thai PM backs deputy amid criticism over 10,000-baht digital wallet plan
Thai Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin stood firm against criticisms levelled at his deputy, Julapun Amornvivat, concerning his capacity to chair the governmental sub-committee responsible for the roll-out of the 10,000-baht digital wallet handout initiative. Responding to requests for a more equipped individual to hold the chairmanship, PM Srettha stated unequivocally in a message on platform X (formerly Twitter), that he “won’t…
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Underage bride denied name change on marriage certificate after 19 years
After covertly using her older sister’s identity for marriage registration 19 years ago, a woman known as Kao sought to amend the name on the document to her own. However, her application was denied by the court, and the appeal period has since expired. Kao and her partner, Aai, were introduced to each other by their families in April 2004.…
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Three injured in birthday party shooting near Prachin Buri city hall
A birthday celebration near Prachin Buri City Municipality turned violent when a shooting incident left three individuals injured. The incident occurred last night, prompting police to investigate swiftly. Upon reaching the scene near Prachin Buri City Municipality, officials discovered significant amounts of blood on the road and two 9mm bullet casings. The three injured parties were 43 year old Suttipoj,…
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Chiang Rai man discovers three-carat natural pearl worth thousands of Thai baht
A three-carat natural pearl discovered inside a clam has been confirmed as genuine. The owner, who hails from Buasali, Mae Lao, Chiang Rai, vowed to keep the valuable find for its auspicious significance rather than sell it. Yesterday, in Chiang Rai, the news of 45 year old Sethapong Sivavong’s unusual discovery, a 1-centimetre pearl inside a clam, made headlines. Sethapong,…
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