News
Thailand news, politics, business, crime, lifestyle, and tourism—stay updated with breaking news and in-depth analysis from Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Pattaya, and beyond.
-
Sponsored Digital nomading in Chiang Mai? What US$1,000 a month really gets you
Chiang Mai has become a popular destination for digital nomads due to its low living costs, rich culture, and active remote work community. The city offers affordable housing, tasty food, reliable internet, and many co-working spaces, making it a great...
-
Boy, 14, vanishes in river after horrifying motorcycle accident
The search continues for a 14 year old boy who fell into the river after a severe motorcycle accident, as his distraught mother made an urgent heart-wrenching plea. The unfortunate event occurred in the middle of a bridge in Prachinburi province when the young boy’s motorcycle collided with a pickup truck. The high velocity of the impact flung him into…
-
Umphang Hospital grapples with 40 million baht deficit due to Myanmar crisis
The Thai-Burmese frontier healthcare services face a financial crisis as a result of the current political turmoil in Myanmar. It has been reported that Umphang Hospital, situated in Thailand’s Tak province, has been hit by a considerable deficit of 40 million baht. The hospital has been forced to turn to the Ministry of Public Health for assistance. Umphang Hospital has…
-
Police arrest Thais for alleged smuggling of Burmese refugees
In the district of Khun Yuam, in Mae Hong Son province, law enforcememyannt apprehended three Thai citizens who were allegedly facilitating the illegal smuggling of Burmese refugees from a temporary holding facility. The event unfolded on Thursday evening. Several of these migrants, comprising five children and five adults were discovered in the culprits’ vehicles when they were apprehended the following…
-
ONWR notifies Mekong neighbours of potential flash flooding
As Thailand braces for severe weather and potential flash floods, the Office of National Water Resources (ONWR) has issued an urgent communication to the Mekong River Commission Secretariat (MRCS) and neighbouring nations in the Lower Mekong River Basin, including China. The ONWR urges careful management of water level discharges in the region to prevent damaging floods. Yesterday, Surasri Kidtimonton, the…
-
Pheu Thai Party urges caretaker government to halt civil servants relocation
The Pheu Thai Party is calling for the caretaker government, under PM Prayut Chan-o-cha’s leadership, to heed the national constitution by not relocating leading civil servants, particularly permanent secretaries, whilst the new administration is being formed. Phumtham Wechayachai, the party’s deputy leader, voiced these calls recently. Phumtham issued a statement in which he admonished the transitional approach of Prayut’s government, reminding…
-
Central Retail partners with Ant Group to launch Alipay+ for Asian tourists in Thailand
For the convenience of Asian tourists from China, Hong Kong, Malaysia, and South Korea, Central Retail Corporation (CRC) has announced its partnership with Ant Group, introducing Alipay+ a comprehensive solution for international digital payments. This digital offering will enable travellers to use local digital wallets such as China’s Alipay, Hong Kong’s AlipayHK, Malaysia’s Touch ‘n Go eWallet and South Korea’s…
-
Australian tourist disrupts Pattaya temple, allegedly high on cannabis
The peace of a local Buddhist temple in South Pattaya was abruptly shattered yesterday morning as a seemingly stoned Australian tourist started to wreck the sanctuary. Jason Bradley Scott snuck into the temple at dawn, allegedly high on cannabis, and did damage before injuring himself while trying to flee. Wat Chai, also known as Wat Chai Mongkol Royal Monastery, situated in…
-
DSI freezes 220 million baht in Stark Corp leader Chanin’s scandal
The Department of Special Investigation (DSI) has placed a freeze on a staggering 220 million baht held in the bank account of Chanin Yensudchai, the erstwhile chairman of the beleaguered Stark Corp. According to DSI spokeswoman Pichaya Tarakornsanti, the action is part of a broader measure to offer compensation to victims in light of the ongoing scandal. “The DSI has…
-
Spanish tusker-tamer’s uproarious elephant escapade sweeps online spotlight in Thailand (video)
A Spanish woman, well-versed in transforming tusker-sized tales into online sensations, couldn’t resist sharing her uproarious rendezvous with an elephant during a recent Thailand escapade. The self-deprecating woman, Julia Candela, with a penchant for furry and tusked friends alike, took to TikTok to unveil her rib-tickling tête-à -tête with an elephant in Thailand that left her momentarily nose-to-nose with the ground.…
-
Online death rumours of influencer Lil Tay dispelled after Instagram hacking incident
A favoured influencer known for flaunting wealth in her content is alive despite widespread online rumours of her death. This misinformation resulted from the Instagram account of Lil Tay being hacked, which also reported false claims of the sudden passing of her 14 years old brother, Jason Tian. However, according to recent US reports, these reports are entirely false. US…
-
Fabricated robbery to escape violent partner leads to justice twist for Thai woman in Chon Buri
A Thai woman who fabricated a robbery in fear of her violent boyfriend has been charged with perverting the course of justice in Ban Bueng, Chon Buri province. The distressed woman, Thanpimon, falsely reported the robbery to local police that her purse and mobile phone had been snatched by two men on a motorcycle but later admitted to fabricating the…
-
Generous Thai woman’s trust shattered as couple she sheltered steals assets worth over 100,000 baht
A Thai woman shared the heartbreaking story of a couple she employed, fed and put a roof over their heads for free, only to discover that they had stolen assets from her totalling more than 100,000 baht. The 66 year old victim, Pimwipa, yesterday filed a complaint at Pluak Daeng Police Station in the eastern province of Rayong saying her…
-
Construction permit withdrawal sparks caution in Thai property lending
The property developer community has been unsettled by the recent Ashton Asoke saga, wherein the construction permit was withdrawn, prompting lenders to proceed with caution when issuing debt instruments and loans to developers. AP Thailand’s chief executive, Anuphong Assavabhokhin, explained that it’s becoming increasingly challenging to secure loans as financial institutions grow wary of extending credit to real estate companies…
-
Shocking outcome: Electrifying mishap on condo balcony leaves painter with First-Degree burns (video)
A painter suffered from First-Degree burns after being electrocuted while painting a condo balcony near an electricity pole in southern Thailand. According to Channel 3, the shocking incident occurred to the unnamed victim at 11am yesterday when he was painting the exterior of a third-floor balcony in the southern province of Songkhla. The man accidentally touched the high-voltage electric wire…
-
Bathroom enigma swirls: Hybrid toilet-sink sparks global curiosity as social media goes down the drain
In a plot twist that has left Thai social media flushed with intrigue, a peculiar addition to the bathrooms of select European and Japanese hotels has taken centre stage. A curious traveller set the virtual world abuzz by sharing snapshots of these lavatories, complete with the usual commode and an enigmatic extra, a cross between a sink and a toilet,…
-
Tears and bridges: TikTok tale of 20-year reunion reveals homeless friend’s tragic journey from loss to living under a bridge
A TikTok user recently shared a heart-rending story of his reunion with a long-lost friend, after 20 years. The individual was left visibly shocked at the condition of his friend who is disabled, homeless, and forced to live under a bridge after losing his home to a train. The user, who goes by the account name @dyb0u0wv8t8l, captured the heart-breaking…
-
Thai tourism embraces easier visa rules, faster approvals for Chinese tourists
In a move geared towards promoting Thai tourism, the government has implemented policy changes that lessen the rules for obtaining a tourist visa and slashes approval time for Chinese visitors. Chinese travellers emerged as the majority of international arrivals over the past week, the deputy government spokeswoman, Rachada Dhnadirek, confirmed yesterday. Statistics displayed that 95,581 visitors from China arrived in…
-
Facebook user shares sole-ful scare as child’s shoe gets trapped in escalator incident in Thailand
A Facebook user, operating under the moniker of Tuk Tuk, shared a heart-stopping experience involving their child’s shoe becoming stuck in an escalator incident. Unbeknownst to the parents, the child made several failed attempts to retrieve the shoe before the kid managed to detach his foot at the last moment, marking a tense and alarming episode of the escalator accident.…
-
YouTube tactics backfire: Elusive thief finally nicked after 3-year game of hide and seek near Bangkok
The Sai Noi Police Station officers finally nicked a thief after an intensive three-year search. The suspect thief revealed that he managed to evade the long arm of the law by learning how police operate strategies for each arrest on YouTube. A string of thefts, all attributed to the same cunning thief, consistently troubled the Sai Noi neighbourhood in the…
-
Central Retail and Ant Group introduce Alipay+ for Asian tourists in Thailand
Central Retail Corporation Limited (CRC) in collaboration with Ant Group has introduced Alipay+, a comprehensive international digital payment platform. The service launched by Piyawan Leelasompop, Deputy Managing Director of Marketing at CRC, facilitates seamless transactions for Asian tourists from China, Hong Kong, Malaysia, and South Korea through their existing local mobile wallets. The tie-up with Ant Group will enable visitors…
-
Skateboard skirmish between foreigner and police sparks stir at Don Mueang Airport in Bangkok (video)
A fracas erupted at Don Mueang International Airport as a foreign man attempted to assault a police officer with a skateboard, resulting in a significant online reaction. The skateboard incident occurred yesterday according to a video posted by TikTok user @angpao.cn. Clip via TikTok user @angpao.cn The clip, which rapidly stirred up an online storm, shows a foreign national assumed…
-
Dead body of Chinese man found in wastewater pond in Rayong, police reel in murder probe
A security guard discovered the dead body of a Chinese man floating in the Bueang Pradit Wastewater Treatment Pond in the Amata City Rayong Industrial Estate in the eastern province of Rayong. Police suspect he was murdered as severed wounds were found on the body. The security guard stumbled upon the dead body of the Chinese man, 30 year old…
-
200,000 baht debt dispute culminates in marketplace shooting in Thailand
An argument over a debt ended in a man being shot, rocking the bustling Thung Sri Mueang evening market in Kalasin, Thailand. A restaurateur was shot in the busy marketplace by a 63 year old man, Wanna, following a dispute arising from the latter’s loan. Just before the shooting at 5.40pm, the victim, 51 year old Sa-ad, who runs a…
-
Thai woman rescues 19 puppies abandoned in Isaan forest
A Thai woman rescued 19 puppies that were abandoned near a roadside forest in the Isaan province of Nong Bua Lamphu. The animal lover is now looking for new homes for the abandoned puppies. The compassionate woman shared pictures of the black and light brown coloured puppies on a Facebook group on Tuesday, August 8, in the hope of finding…
-
Thai tycoon Prayudh Mahagitsiri sentenced in 400 million baht land scandal
In a recent surge against corruption, the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) confirmed the sentencing of Prayudh Mahagitsiri, a well-known tycoon, to two years and eight months imprisonment with the charge linked to an infamous land encroachment scandal. The judgement was passed by the Region 8, Criminal Court for Corruption and Misconduct Cases. Niwatchai Kasemmongkol, who serves as the secretary-general of…
-
Beach regulations: Pattaya considers time limits due to litter and noise surge
Escalating noise levels and litter are being reported on the popular beaches of Pattaya City. As a result, the city council is contemplating the introduction of strict timings for public access to these beaches, in line with the proposed beach regulations. Reports include disturbances from visitors who choose to extend their beach parties into the early hours of the morning.…
-
Green airport: Suvarnabhumi’s sustainable future fueled by solar panel installation
In a decisive move towards clean energy, the Airports of Thailand (AoT) are looking to harness the sun’s power, with the installation of solar rooftop panels on the passenger terminal of Suvarnabhumi Airport. The green airport project is part of a larger crusade intending to derive 20% of the airport’s electricity from renewable sources in the coming two years. Announced…
-
Chaipattana fraud: Thai police nab 7 in 1.5 million baht foundation scam
Ten people suspected of running a sham investment scheme, donning the name of the distinguished Chaipattana Foundation, have been apprehended by the Thai police. The Chaipattana fraud team have caused havoc since 2021, deceiving their victims into believing they were investing in development projects in the Northeast region. The Chaipattana fraud revelation came from the police’s top boss, the Crime…
-
Drug raid leads to the arrest of 40 individuals at high-end Bangkok birthday party
A high-end birthday party yesterday turned into a drug raid and saw the arrest of 40 young, affluent individuals at a hotel in the Ram Inthra district. Notably among them, 30 were detained and escorted to Chokchai Police Station for questioning. The suspects possessed four packages of crystal methamphetamine and a further 26 had tested positive for drug use. According…
-
Iraqi man arrested for overstaying in Thailand for nearly 15 years
Immigration police officers arrested an Iraqi man in the central province of Kanchanaburi today after almost 15 years of overstaying in Thailand. As part of a concerted effort to root out illegal immigrants across the country, Thai authorities, led by the Royal Thai Police and Immigration Bureau, meticulously investigated cases in each province. The meticulous operation led to the discovery…
Don't forget to check out some other things to do in Thailand - get help starting a business or finding a job in Thailand, buy Thailand property, rent a yacht or book a medical procedure worldwide.