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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 Why health insurance costs more each year and how expats in Thailand can save more money
Each year, many expats living in Thailand see their health insurance premiums go up and often without a clear reason. This can be frustrating, especially when you're trying to plan your budget. But by understanding why prices rise and learning...
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From smog to serenity: Bangkok’s Benjakitti Park breathes new life
Bangkok, former home to a sprawling industrial estate, where Thailand’s state-owned tobacco monopoly churned out millions of cigarettes for over half a century, emerges from the smog. Benjakitti Park, an urban oasis, has rapidly become a beloved haven for Bangkok’s 11 million residents. Officially opened in August 2022 to honour Queen Sirikit’s 90th birthday, the now 40-hectare Benjakitti Park boasts…
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Bangkok authorities crack down on vapes, raiding stores
Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya authorities cracked down on the sale of vapes near schools, seizing 1.6 million baht worth of products. Led by the Consumer Protection Committee, the operation aims to protect public health, particularly children, from the dangers of nicotine addiction The Secretary-General of the Consumer Protection Committee Thosarat Thanitiphan assigned a special operation centre led by the Director…
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Trendy Thai festival takes Shanghai by storm
Shanghai’s Super Brand Mall buzzed with excitement as the much-anticipated Thai Festival 2024, themed Trendy Thai, kicked off last Friday, May 10. During the opening ceremony, Prinat Apirat, Thailand’s Consul General in Shanghai stated that the festival serves as a bridge connecting rich cultures and peoples, fostering mutual understanding, appreciation, and an enduring friendship. The three-day extravaganza, which ran from May…
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27 mischievous macaques relocated to new high-security habitat
To curb the rising menace of aggressive macaques terrorising Lopburi, officials unveiled a new sanctuary at the Pho Khao Ton Monkey Garden. The first 27 macaques were ceremoniously released into their luxurious new home yesterday, May 16, complete with a pool and swinging vines fashioned from motorcycle tyres. This relocation is the province’s strategic response to the escalating conflicts between…
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Jealous durian vendor’s ex-partner opens fire, injuring two
The serene atmosphere of the Thung Kok Police Station was shattered yesterday evening as a durian vendor raced to the station, revealing the gunshot wounds he received from his jealous ex-wife. The incident transpired at a Suphan Buri residence, approximately 5 kilometres away from the police station. The driver, 55 year old Aphichot was shot, and sustained injuries to his…
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Thai school embraces LGBTQ rights: Students enjoy hair freedom
In a groundbreaking move that left students beaming with “Pride,” Boon Wattana School in Nakhon Ratchasima is now allowing LGBTQ students to wear their hair in a style that best reflects their gender identity. This progressive measure has seen many male students proudly sporting shoulder-length hair, a privilege previously reserved only for female students. Panwarit Patwimonsilp, a 16 year old…
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Lopburi landlady’s daughter in law locks in tenants over deposit row
A house owner’s daughter in law in the central province of Lopburi trapped five tenants inside the property after the family failed to pay a tenancy deposit of 2,500 baht. One of the trapped tenants, a 25 year old woman, Siriwan, sought help from police and a rescue team after she, and her husband, were unable to leave the house for…
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Car fire creates traffic jam near Buffalo Market in South Pattaya
A car fire erupted on Thepprasit Road in South Pattaya yesterday, causing chaos near the Buffalo Market. A black Kia van burst into flames, sending thick smoke billowing across the road towards Jomtien Beach, bringing traffic to a standstill. The incident sparked when 36 year old Patcharaporn Chatmong had just dropped her child off at school. Moments later, the brakes…
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Taxi dispute disrupts tourists at Phuket’s Cafe del Mar
Taxi drivers in front of Cafe del Mar in Kamala have once again caused a disturbance that has negatively impacted tourists’ experiences in Phuket. A complaint was lodged at Kamala Police Station following an incident on Wednesday night. A metered taxi driver, 40 year old Chalermphon Kwanyuen, received a booking via the Bolt app to pick up passengers from Cafe…
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Thai man allegedly fakes doctor identity to swindle woman
A Thai woman accused a man of impersonating a skilled doctor from the United States and swindling her of over 500,000 baht. She claims he deceived her by alleging that the funds were required for his mother’s cancer treatment. The victim, identified only as Pei Pei, told Channel 3 that her ex-boyfriend, named Golf, deceived her into giving him over…
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Israeli girl dies in tuk tuk accident on Patong Beach Road
A tragic accident claimed the life of a young Israeli girl on Patong Beach Road last night. Patong police received a report at 10.40pm that a five year old girl, Nbaa Bahnasi from Jerusalem, had fallen from a tuk tuk while travelling with her family on Thaweewong Road. The tuk tuk driver, 51 year old Bunyang Kaewaksorn, explained to the…
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Heavy rainfall warnings for Thailand’s 54 provinces
Thailand is braced for heavy rainfall today as the Thai Meteorological Department (TMD) issues warnings for 54 provinces, including Bangkok, which faces a 60% chance of storms. The southern region is expected to be hit the hardest, with 70% of the area affected. The TMD forecasted the weather for the next 24 hours, indicating that high-pressure systems or cold air…
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Pattaya terrorised by two fires in the night, locals evacuated
Two major fires erupted in Pattaya in the early hours this morning, terrorising locals and tourists alike. The first fire erupted at a well-known shopping centre in Nong Prue district, and the second incident erupted at a high-rise condominium on South Pattaya Road. A large amount of smoke emerged from the mall, frightening many tourists strolling along Pattaya Beach. The…
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Red carpet rollout: Thaksin spotted at ex-redshirt’s new restaurant
In a surprising public appearance today, former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra surfaced to congratulate an ex-redshirt leader on the grand opening of his second southern Thai cuisine restaurant in Bangkok. The 74 year old ex PM was warmly welcomed at Yeam Tai on Chaiyaphruk Road by a cadre of influential political figures. Among them were Bhumjaithai Party leader and Deputy…
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Simple advice for World Hypertension Day: Reduce dietary sodium to prevent or treat high blood pressure
Reduce salt, reduce blood pressure Reducing dietary sodium, including salt intake, is one of the most effective strategies for lowering blood pressure. This advice is particularly significant on World Hypertension Day, observed on May 17, which aims to raise awareness about the dangers of high blood pressure and promote healthy habits. Reducing salt intake is a proven strategy to lower…
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Motorbike rider fatally crushed by trailer truck in Srisoonthorn
A tragic accident occurred in Srisoonthorn, Phuket last night when a motorcycle rider was fatally crushed by a trailer truck on the Khao Lan-Bang Jo road. The truck driver claimed he did not see the motorcycle rider. Thalang Police received the accident report at 5.20pm. Upon arrival at the scene, opposite Soi Ban Kluai in Moo 1, Srisoonthorn, police and a…
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Thai man seeks justice after assault by Bangkok nightclub thug (video)
A Thai man is seeking justice after being brutally assaulted by a thug outside an entertainment venue in Bangkok. His crime? Intervening to protect a female friend from harassment. The 21 year old victim, Prayut, reached out to non-profit organisation Saimai Survive after the attacker, Parkphoom, remained at large despite the serious assault on him on April 21. Prayut revealed that…
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Thai betel nut exports hit by India tariffs and Myanmar conflict
Thai betel nut exporters are currently facing significant challenges due to tariff barriers imposed by India and the ongoing armed conflict between the Myanmar military and rebel forces. Betel nuts, also known as areca nuts, are widely chewed for their stimulating effects across many Asian countries, including Bangladesh, Myanmar, Cambodia, Thailand, and Laos. However, the nuts are classified as a…
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Thai government cracks down on illegal loans
Illegal lenders have been given a final ultimatum: Register with the Thai government’s debt settlement programme by May 31 or face severe consequences. Deputy Interior Minister Chada Thaised announced this stern warning yesterday, emphasising that this crackdown on illicit lending is a top priority for Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin’s administration. Despite the Interior Ministry’s success in bringing over 100,000 illegal…
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Worker shortage hits Pattaya as Myanmar junta blocks emigration
Dismayed Pattaya employers are raising the alarm over a sudden surge in job vacancies following the Myanmar junta’s recent move to restrict young people, especially men, from leaving the country. The junta’s spokesman, Zaw Min Tun, justified the enforcement of Myanmar’s long-standing conscription laws, stating it was crucial for now due to the mass exodus of citizens to neighbouring countries,…
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Thailand Video News | Pro-cannabis activists rally at the Ministry of Health, Teenage gang leader arrested after samurai sword spree
In this Thailand video news, Alex and Jay delve into varied stories from across the country. Beginning with pro-cannabis activists converged at the Ministry of Health, advocating for marijuana reforms, while law enforcement apprehended a teenage gang leader responsible for a violent samurai sword spree. In a separate incident, a man faced charges for allegedly concealing his boyfriend’s murder as…
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Algerian man missing for 27 years found alive in basement
An Algerian man thought to have died in his country’s civil war has been found after 27 years, revealing he was kidnapped by a neighbour. Omar bin Omran disappeared in 1998 while he was 17 years old. His family believed he had perished in the war. Reports indicate Omar was abducted while en route to school in Djelfa. His disappearance…
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Pattaya man victim of robbery after date meetup gone wrong
A member of the LGBTQ+ community reportedly fell victim to the robbery of his motorbike during a date arranged online in Pattaya. The incident unfolded in yesterday’s early hours on Soi Phaniat Chang, close to a prominent school in the area. Upon receiving a report of the robbery, Police Lieutenant Sonthaya Khansap, Deputy Investigator of the Pattaya Police Station, promptly headed…
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Mahidol University to launch first mRNA malaria vaccine trial
Mahidol University is nearing the start of the world’s first clinical trial for an mRNA vaccine targeting malaria. This pioneering effort follows successful laboratory trials on mice and is set to advance to testing on monkeys before reaching human subjects. Professor Jetsumon Prachumsri from the Faculty of Tropical Medicine at Mahidol University and chief of the Mahidol Vivax Research Unit…
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Home loan difficulties lead to six-year low in housing transfers
Difficulties in securing home loans have led to a significant decline in housing transfers across the country in the first quarter, reaching the lowest level in six years and marking the fifth consecutive quarter of decline. The Acting Director-General of the Real Estate Information Center (REIC) Vichai Viratkapan reported that residential demand nationwide contracted in the first quarter, with housing…
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Navigating new depths: RTN seals deal for Chinese submarine
The Royal Thai Navy (RTN) confirmed its decision to proceed with the purchase of a 13.5-billion-baht submarine from China, following successful negotiations earlier this week. This announcement came from an RTN source. General Somsak Rungsita, adviser to Defence Minister Sutin Klungsang and chairman of the Defence Ministry panel dealing with the submarine issue, held discussions with a Chinese delegation led…
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Foods to avoid and must-haves when taking antibiotics
When you’re handed a prescription for antibiotics to tackle an infection, it’s more than just taking a pill a few times a day. What you eat during this time can significantly influence how effective the medication is and how well your body copes with the treatment. Here’s a comprehensive guide on the foods to avoid and those to embrace during…
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Chiang Mai police invoke 10pm curfew after samurai gang rampage
Chiang Mai Provincial Police officers imposed a 10pm curfew on locals under 18 years old following a deadly rampage by a criminal gang armed with samurai swords. The commander of the Provincial Police Region 5, Krittapon Yi-sakhon, revealed to the MumKhao news platform that a group of men, mostly teenage Burmese nationals, repeatedly caused chaos, committed theft, fatally attacked, and…
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Ancient human remains and tools found in Satun’s Khao Khom Cave
Human remains and ancient tools, estimated to date back over 10,000 years, have been unearthed inside Khao Khom Cave in Satun’s Khuan Kalong district. This discovery emerged from a project spearheaded by Kamponsak Sassadee, a renowned cave explorer, who aimed to delve into one of the province’s longest and most ecologically diverse caves. Kamponsak’s team initially discovered signs of ancient…
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Taxing times: Local governments urged to ‘build’ a better law
Local governments must take a more active role in revising the land and building tax law, which has been in effect for five years, according to the Director-General of the Fiscal Policy Office, Pornchai Thiraveja. Pornchai stated that the Land and Building Tax Act of 2019 grants local administrative organisations the authority to collect taxes to fund local development initiatives.…
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