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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 How to reduce out-of-pocket medical expenses in Thailand?
Managing medical expenses in Thailand is important as healthcare costs continue to rise. The country’s healthcare system includes both public and private options, but even with the Universal Coverage Scheme (UCS) for citizens, many still face high out-of-pocket medical expenses....
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Thailand’s first Monkeypox-related death highlights rising infectious disease threat
A severe case of Monkeypox in Thailand, infecting a 34 year old man with HIV and syphilis, culminated in the country’s first fatal mishap related to this viral scourge. The unfortunate news dropped yesterday, courtesy of Thailand’s Department of Disease Control (DDC). Explicating the unfolding of events, the DDC’s Director-General Dr Tares Krassanairawiwong took note of the initial discomforts plaguing…
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Goodbye Family Mart, hello Tops: Thailand’s retail favorite gets a fresh aisle
The well-known Family Mart stores, a cornerstone of the local retail landscape for over 30 years, are set to be rebranded as Tops Daily in the heart of Thailand. The decision made by the Central Retail Corporation PLC (CRC) projected completion by the end of this year will bring an end to an era as it follows a decision to…
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How Blue Tree Phuket is helping businesses build better teams
Transforming the way businesses build their teams, Blue Tree Phuket now offers team-building services to B2B business groups. The initiative utilises their spacious environment and their expertise in fostering individual growth in organisations. More than just an entertainment centre Blue Tree Phuket is an all-encompassing entertainment complex. It boasts more than 55.35 acres of green area and state-of-the-art facilities. And…
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Thailand’s railway safety upgrade: 693 unauthorised crossings to be rerouted
In the aftermath of a tragic accident last week in Chachoengsao, where a freight train collided with a pickup truck at an unrecognised railway crossing, taking eight lives and injuring three, the State Railway of Thailand (SRT) resolved to close 693 unauthorised railway crossings across Thailand. The accident took place on an unauthorised crossing, lacking official signalling mechanisms. Of the…
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Traffic violations rampant in Phetchabun exposed in viral video
The terrible driving habits of motorists in Phetchabun were thrust into the public spotlight following a Facebook video going viral. In a startling traffic violations revelation, the video displayed rampant disregard for traffic rules in the city. The ten-minute clip, comprised of footage from a car’s dashboard camera, exhibited numerous motorists, including bicyclists, openly flouting laws such as cutting through…
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Disability debate over hearing-impaired food delivery rider
A viral video of a woman criticising a hearing-impaired food delivery rider for leading her astray sparked public disability discrimination controversy, accumulating as many as 2.7 million views in Thailand. This incident, which occurred in June, has stirred debates on the appropriateness of allowing individuals with disabilities to handle such job roles, as well as sparked, calls for compassion and…
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Ex-monk and woman shamed by TikTok video at Ayutthaya temple
On the quiet afternoon of August 9, Wat Ratsadhattaram (Old Canal) in Bang Sai district, Ayutthaya province unexpectedly became the centre of controversy. A video posted on TikTok featuring a woman cosily embracing a man dressed in what seemed like a Buddhist monk’s attire and sipping beer near him went viral. The man’s monk robes and the religious paraphernalia surrounding…
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Patong Police raid massage parlours exploiting underage workers
In a recent crackdown on unlicensed operations, the Patong Police force swooped in on two massage parlours suspected of exploiting underage workers. Hatha Massage, located on Rat-Uthit 200 Pi Road, underwent a law enforcement raid at 9.40pm on August 12. The law enforcement action came on the heels of allegations that the establishment was not only operating without the necessary…
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International influencers invited to bolster Thai tourism in TAT initiative
In a move to bolster the nation’s tourism industry, the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) held a lively event over the previous extended Mother’s Day holiday weekend, extending an invitation to notable international influencers. Write Your Own Amazing New Chapter was the title chosen for the event that took place over five days, from August 9 to August 13. The…
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Train dance of Thai woman sparks criticism and debate
A recent Internet sensation involving a Thai woman, who was caught on camera dancing on a train in Japan, took a cynical turn as the online community, both in Thailand and Japan, voiced criticism. The woman seemed to be unfazed by the attention, causing controversy due to Japan’s traditional public decorum and strict regulations on public transport. The Thai woman…
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Missing child case: Nakhon Pathom man linked to another abduction
Scrutiny intensified today around the case of the 43 year old Nakhon Pathom man, who allegedly snatched a two day old infant from its unconscious 26 year old mother at Bang Len hospital. Police have raided a man named Nanthachak’s home in search of further evidence, fuelling speculation over the possible connection to a separate missing child case. Notably, a…
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SmartLand app scam: Phuket arrest made, victims lose millions
On the popular tourist island of Phuket, a 25 year old man has been apprehended on charges of facilitating a mule account for a fraudulent application known as SmartLand. The application has reportedly swindled people out of millions of baht. The individual, referenced by authorities solely as Winat or Oil, was arrested in a high-traffic lifestyle shopping mall located in…
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Indian woman climbs 24-metre electric pole after argument with boyfriend
There are many ways to cope with a tense argument, to calm down or diffuse the situation. But some options are more reasonable, and some are far more dramatic. A disgruntled Indian woman made the baffling and dangerous decision to scale a 24-metre-high electric pole following a heated argument with her boyfriend. The bizarre pole-climbing incident took place in India.…
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Patong police clamp down on tuk tuk misuse of public parking spaces
In a stringent move, Patong Police issued a stringent directive for all tuk tuk drivers to cease occupancy of public parking spaces, with a particular focus on the area alongside Patong Beach Road. The authorities swung into this action following an incident involving a tuk tuk driver who unlawfully utilised a public parking spot on the Beach Road, also known…
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Alcohol tax overhaul by Excise Dept planned to close loopholes
The head of the Excise Department announced plans to overhaul the excise tax structure on alcohol and beer, aiming to eliminate existing tax loopholes. Ekniti Nitithanprapas said a formal conversation is ongoing with the private sector to secure an equitable and suitable tax framework. Furthermore, many new beverage entries on the market are technically slipping through the cracks of taxation,…
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Phuket downpours wreak havoc, TMD issues repeat weather advisory
Rolling thunder and consecutive downpours continued to wreak havoc in Phuket as the Thailand Meteorological Department (TMD) forecasted heavy rain and strong wind waves in the Andaman Sea through until at least tomorrow. The Phuket downpours announcement came this morning, marking the fifth consecutive wet weather advisory. This series of soaking weather is blamed on the “quite strong” southwest monsoon…
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Wild elephant herd caught on camera in Dong Yai Wildlife Sanctuary
The northeastern province of Buriram recently witnessed the majestic sight of a herd of 12 wild elephants within the lush confines of the Dong Yai Wildlife Sanctuary. The herd was captured on video through state-of-the-art automated cameras strategically positioned by local wildlife officials, meant to record and safeguard the diverse range of flora and fauna thriving within the sanctuary. Somsuan…
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Travel industry girds for weak low season amid cost and weather challenges
The travel industry is bracing itself for an exceptionally weak low season, with predictions of stagnant demand, escalating operational costs at popular destinations, and the impacts of tropical storms. The president of the Thai Travel Agents Association, Charoen Wangananont highlighted that the season’s sale rate for outbound packages significantly lags behind the comparison period recorded before the pandemic. He cited hesitancy…
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Child creativity: Thai kid’s mosquito coil art mesmerizes netizens
An unusual creative spark in a child, using mosquito coils as a plaything, found its way onto social media, showcasing the child’s impressive potpourri of art creations. Netizens were stumped by the child’s ingenuity while advising parents to encourage such creativity rather than stifling it. Social media yesterday was abuzz with several photos posted on a Facebook group. The caption…
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Fake abduction ransom scams target Thailand university students
University students in Thailand have been coerced into participating in an intricate scam operation, revolving around filming fake abduction videos. The intention was for these videos to be sent to the student’s parents as a means to extort ransom money. The case emerged when a student from the Lat Krabang district was entrapped in the same scheme, resulting in a…
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Child abuse allegations surround Samut Prakan father as violent videos surface online
Officers of Bang Kaew Police Station in Samut Prakan province, yesterday at 4pm, came to aid a 14 year old boy and his sister aged 10 in their residence. Their 39 year old father was apprehended for questioning following allegations by the children’s mother of child abuse. He was stated to have sent threatening video clips depicting violence against the…
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Waterspout disaster: One dead, one missing as Thai tour boat sinks in Bang Ta Boon Bay
In a tragic waterspout disaster off Ban Laem district, one holidaymaker perished, while another remains unaccounted for following the fateful sinking of a tour boat amid Bang Ta Boon Bay. The calamity took place on Saturday afternoon when a waterspout, an atmospheric oddity resembling a miniature tornado, assailed their vessel. The rather unusual maritime waterspout disaster, highlighted due to its…
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Pattaya sets 1.9 billion baht budget aiming to revitalise tourism and local economy
Emphasising tourism and local economy stimulation, the city of Pattaya has delineated its budget allocation for the upcoming fiscal year. Paramet Ngampichet, the Mayor of Pattaya City, announced the conclusion with the budget set to be effective from October 1. In a recent meeting participated in by municipality executives, councillors, and local government entities, a resources allotment of 1.9 billion…
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Pink Line monorail set for trials, free rides for two months
A significant advancement in Thailand’s transportation network is poised to launch its trial operations tomorrow, adding to the city’s mass transit system. The Pink Line, under the control of the Mass Rapid Transit Authority of Thailand (MRTA), is expected to begin trial runs following the completion of the systems test by the Northern Bangkok Monorail (NBM), the entity bestowed with…
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Massive 200 year old Mother Takian tree resurfaces from Chao Phraya River to astonishment of locals
A centuries-old fallen tree trunk, known as “Mother Takian,” last night resurfaced from the depths of the Chao Phraya River. An astonishing sight unravelled as the gigantic timber, reportedly 27.60 metres long and just over 3 metres wide, requiring the strength of three adults to embrace, was unearthed and relocated to Wat Intharam, commonly known as Wat Taluk. Hundreds of…
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Bus driver in Ayutthaya’s shocking death prompts investigation
An unfortunate event occurred at a factory bus car park in Ayutthaya, Thailand when a 57 year old bus driver was found dead in his vehicle on the eve of Mother’s Day. It was an unusual death scene as he was found seated at the back of the bus. Local authorities are currently investigating this case for more concrete details.…
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Buriram United mishap sparks football field safety concerns
Some things just shouldn’t happen to you on a football pitch in the middle of a match. But in Thailand, footballer Theerathon Bunmathan of Buriram United shared how he fell into a pit whilst contending against Khon Kaen United, nearly breaking his left leg. The shocking incident happened yesterday at Khon Kaen’s administrative stadium and has since caused a stir…
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Devastating Rayong motorbike accident takes young boy’s life
A 12 year old boy’s life was cut short when his motorbike collided with a pickup truck in a violent road accident. The heart-wrenching scene transpired in the Rayong province at around 1.10am this morning, shocking the serene local township of Ban Chang. Upon arrival, police officials observed a horrific sight on Ban Chang-Phala Road. The lifeless body of the boy…
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Aussie bridesmaid drops out over 227,000 baht wedding bill
An Australian woman named Grace recently shocked the public after revealing that a friend had attempted to charge her approximately 10,000 Australian dollars (227,858 baht) to participate in her wedding as a bridesmaid. The sum of this wedding bill, Grace revealed, was to cover every aspect of the celebratory pre-events, including the costs of a spa day, skincare treatments, a…
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Wanted suspect in massive robbery captured after daylong pursuit
In Chachoengsao Province, police captured a wanted suspect after a daylong hunt. The man was wanted for his alleged involvement in a massive robbery, making off with over half a million baht. Upon his arrest, the man immediately collapsed and became incoherent, leading police to transfer him to lockup and proceed with the process of drug testing. Assistant Police Major…
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