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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 New in July: Save 10% for life on family health plans in Thailand
Cigna has a special offer this July for families in Thailand. When you sign up three or more people on a family health plan, you will save 10% on your premiums for life. This deal helps you get affordable, high-quality...
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Thailand to tackle declining birth rate as national issue
Cholnan Srikaew, the Public Health Minister, announced the government’s intent to prioritise the country’s dwindling birth rate as a national issue. In a response to Senator Ampol Chindawattana’s query regarding the falling birth rate, Cholnan explained that the challenge isn’t straightforward to address due to shifting priorities and socioeconomic values. The government, however, recognised the urgency of the situation, given…
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Work from Bangkok home possible due to increased PM2.5 pollution
The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) struck a deal with civic groups, proposing work from home plan for 50,000 of the city’s workers if PM2.5 intensity hits the red level for three consecutive days, declared Bangkok Governor Chadchart Sittipunt. The 57 year old city chief, in a strategic morning meeting with top-tier administrators, addressed the escalating PM2.5 dust crisis throttling the…
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Brutal murder of Pattaya ride-hail driver sparks 18-kilometre police chase
A brutal murder in Pattaya led to a police chase spanning over 18 kilometres after a 31 year old Grab and Bolt driver, named Thanathip, was found dead from stab wounds before his body was burnt with four tyres in an apparent effort to cover the crime. The suspects, believed to be a 22 year old man named Wa and…
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Thai hotel sector sees pre-pandemic level investment surge
Thailand’s hotel sector is undergoing a resurgence in investment mirroring pre-pandemic levels, with the boost being propelled by an increase in hotel conversions and an uptick in bank lending, because of a hopeful tourism market. The information is according to C9 Hotelworks, a hospitality consultancy firm. The firm’s managing director, Bill Barnett, reported an upbeat market and investment sentiment, thanking…
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13 year old Thai boy nabbed for stealing phone of Turkish tourist in Pattaya
An overwhelmed Turkish tourist thanked Mueang Pattaya Police Station officers for the swift arrest of a 13 year old Thai boy who stole his mobile phone. The theft took place at 4.30am yesterday, January 15, while Police Sergeant Major Thatsanai Termphon from the Mueang Pattaya Police Station was on duty at a police booth on Jomtien Beach Road. Thatsanai heard…
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High-speed chase in Sisaket ends with seizure of 90,000 meth pills worth 600,000 baht
In a dramatic turn of events, a high-speed chase unfolded as law enforcement pursued and arrested a man and woman, seizing 90,000 methamphetamine pills near Khao Phra Wihan National Park. A high-speed chase led by law enforcement officers ended in the arrest of a 26 year old man and 19 year old woman, in a parking lot at the Khao…
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Thailand launches safety initiative to lure back tourists
In a bid to allure international tourists, the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) rolled out its Thais Always Care project, a beacon of safety and hospitality in the heart of the famed Amazing Thailand campaign. TAT Governor Thapanee Kiatphaibool unveiled the initiative, underlining its core ethos – the Land of Care. “Thais Always Care is more than just a slogan,…
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Thai woman exposes call centre scam gang, forcing sex services for freedom
A Thai woman filed a complaint against a Thai man who deceived her into working for a scam call centre in Cambodia and forced her into prostitution in exchange for her freedom. Her complaint led to the arrest of the deceptive Thai man and the rescue of two other victims. The 25 year old victim filed a complaint against the…
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Thailand’s education system needs urgent overhaul to meet trade, investment demands
The pressing need for Thailand to expedite its educational development to match trade and investment needs has been highlighted by Poonpong Naiyanapakorn, director-general of the Trade Policy and Strategy Office (TPSO). The dynamic and rapidly evolving nature of the contemporary trade, investment, and technological sectors necessitates a workforce equipped with adaptable skills and thinking capabilities. Poonpong detailed that despite some…
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Cyber crime costs Thailand 6.76 billion baht in 70 days
Cyber crime inflicted a devastating blow to Thailand’s economy with losses amounting to 6.76 billion baht (US$192 million) within a span of 70 days, as reported by the Cyber Crime Investigation Bureau (CCIB). Despite a decline in call centre scams, there was a noted surge in scams related to the struggling economy, including those promising additional income and fraudulent loan…
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Thai government contemplates extending humanitarian aid to Myanmar
A military source revealed that the Thai government is deliberating on extending widespread humanitarian aid to assist the vulnerable populations in Myanmar. Additionally, Thailand is considering hosting discussions with the leader of Myanmar and ethnic minority factions to resolve the country’s crisis. The Thai prime minister, Srettha Thavisin, has been engaged in conversations with Foreign Minister Parnpree Bahiddha-nukara and the…
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Thai education: Foundations and milestones under King Rama V’s Reign
This Teacher’s Day, let’s journey back in time to delve into the establishment of the first Thai schools, both royal and public, dating back to the reign of King Rama V. These institutions have survived to this day, marking a significant milestone in the country’s education history. King Rama V, after ascending the throne in 1868, observed the importance of…
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Bangkok braces for rising dust pollution, considers work-from-home scenario
Bangkok’s City Hall is on high alert as it keeps a close watch on the escalating ultra-fine dust pollution levels. The governor, Chadchart Sittipunt, raised the possibility of initiating a work-from-home programme if alarmingly unsafe levels persist for three days in a row. Chadchart yesterday indicated that a warning would be disseminated through the City Hall’s network, which boasts over…
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Royal Thai Navy honours Krom Luang Chumphon with tribute walk-run event
The Royal Thai Navy (RTN) yesterday staged an event titled Walk-Run in Tribute to His Royal Highness Krom Luang 100 Years Apakorn Day. The event was inaugurated by Admiral Adung Phan-iam, Commander of the RTN, along with His Royal Highness Chiyakorn Apakorn Sesavej Chairman of the Apakorn Foundation. The event took place at the Navy Command Headquarters, Wang Nanthana Nayan…
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Tao Ngoi’s tortoise statue: Thailand’s new hotspot for lottery enthusiasts
The famed Tortoise Statue of Tao Ngoii has become a hot spot for lottery enthusiasts seeking lucky numbers after its landscape was revitalised. The changes, which took place at the end of 2023 in the Tao Ngoi public park, have turned the area into a flourishing tourist attraction. The park is home to two large Naga sculptures located near the…
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Phuket community gathers for fun-filled Children’s Day celebrations
Phuket was brimming with joy and laughter yesterday as the community gathered to commemorate Children’s Day. A plethora of activities were arranged throughout the island, transforming the usually serene atmosphere into a vibrant, lively carnival for the younger generation. In a heartwarming gesture, Phuket Governor Sophon Suwannarat and his wife, Busadee Suwannarat, opened the doors of the Provincial Hall to…
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Rare event in northern Thailand sparks lottery number hunt
In an unusual occurrence in Surin province, a steel tree branch pierced through the trunk of a peacock tree, sparking the interest of local lottery enthusiasts. The unique event, witnessed by 74 year old Sai Wansiri and other villagers, took place in the forest next to a paddy field in Nong Sai village. The villagers, armed with flowers, incense sticks,…
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Oink oink: Unidentified man allegedly rapes pregnant pig in Buriram
An unidentified man allegedly raped a pregnant pig in a pen at a Thai woman’s home leaving residents living in fear in the Chalerm Phra Kiat district in the Isaan province of Buriram. Concerns grew among locals in the area after a 40 year old pig owner named Kong, revealed a shocking story to Channel 3. Kong explained that she…
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Thai data privacy watchdog uncovers massive breach involving over 5,000 organisations
Thailand’s Personal Data Protection Commission (PDPC) recently uncovered a significant privacy breach involving 5,261 organisations. Among these, a majority of 4,886 were government agencies from both central and local sectors. The lapse in data protection was observed between November 9 of the previous year and January 12. The violations were primarily due to excessively revealing personal data on various websites…
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Glove wars: Public Warehouse Organisation gears up for legal battle over undelivered goods
The Public Warehouse Organisation (PWO) is currently embarking on a legal battle against its former director and six other officials for undelivered gloves. The lawsuit is centred around the return of a 2 billion baht deposit that was paid for a 112 billion baht rubber glove purchase during the Covid-19 pandemic, which was never delivered. Kriangsak Prateepvisut, the PWO director,…
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Blood quest: Phuket seeks lifelines as blood centres make urgent appeal
As the Thai island of Phuket launches into another year, the Phuket Regional Blood Centre (Phuket RBC) and the Phuket Blood Bank at Vachira Phuket Hospital have once again put the call out for blood donations. This initiative, run by the Phuket branch of the Thai Red Cross Society, kicked off its annual campaign, spanning the full breadth of January and…
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19 year old Thai faces 5 charges for pimping out 13 year old boy
Police arrested a 19 year old Thai man in Bangkok on Saturday night, on five charges of pimping out a 13 year old boy. Patrol and Special Operation Division officers received a tip-off on January 13 that the teenager, 19 year old Peeraphat Bootcham, was procuring boys aged under 15 years old to provide sex services. Peeraphat advertised the services…
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Colombian man arrested in Patong for bag snatching incident
Friday was an unsettling day for a Russian tourist as she found herself at the receiving end of a bag snatch incident while holidaying in Patong, Thailand. The incident occurred at the entrance of Soi Suk Charoen off Phra Mettha Road as Karolina Rusaleeva was returning to her hotel room from a nearby 7-Eleven store. An unidentified man, who later…
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Ancient artefacts over 600 years old discovered in Phayao province
The Department of Fine Arts began inspecting a historical site and ancient artefacts over 600 years old, discovered by locals in Phayao province. The villagers had unearthed coins and ancient Buddha statues while renovating a sacred site. The discovery occurred today in Ban Hua Khua, Chun District, Phayao Province. Villagers revealed the discovery of a large number of ancient artefacts following…
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Driver of sedan involved in taxi collision to undergo alcohol test in Thailand
Police are set to conduct a thorough physical examination of the driver involved in a collision with a taxi on Ratchada Road in Bangkok. Suspicion was raised after a yellow liquid was found discarded in his white sedan, prompting an investigation into potential alcohol consumption. The offending vehicle, which had been abandoned in a side street, has been seized and…
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Cop’s gunshot drama: Thai police officer faints in car after marital gunfire misfire
A Thai police officer reportedly fainted in her car after discharging a firearm in an attempt to threaten her husband, only to be startled by the recoil of the gunfire, in the southern province of Surat Thani. A Thai rescuer, Somwang Sang-ngam, told Channel 3 that his team received a report of a shooting from the Mueang Surat Thani Police…
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Patong’s wild night: Tipsy Ukrainian tourist tamed after rowdy escapades in Phuket
A drunken Ukrainian tourist was apprehended in the early hours of yesterday in Phuket following a succession of boisterous episodes at Patong Police Station. Displaying signs of intoxication, the Eastern European man made an appearance at Patong Police Station yesterday, January 14, instantly becoming a source of disturbance and public inconvenience, revealed the local police. According to the Patong Police,…
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Thai health expert urges caution on mRNA vaccines due to rising disease rates
With the death toll rising and various diseases increasing from head to toe, the use of mRNA vaccines has been in question. Teerawat Hemajuta, Head of the Health Science Centre for Emerging Diseases at Chulalongkorn University’s Faculty of Medicine, called for the Ministry of Public Health to study this data before recommending the frequency of vaccination. Teerawat asserts that the…
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Indonesian volcano Mount Merapi erupts again, causing ash rain and evacuations
Mount Merapi, an Indonesian volcano, erupted for the second time in a month, sending a 1,300-metre high plume of ash into the sky and covering nearby homes, vehicles, and evacuation tents in volcanic ash. This latest eruption occurred on Sunday, with no reported fatalities. Mount Merapi is among over 120 active volcanoes in Indonesia, notorious for their unpredictable and sudden…
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Tantrum in the sun: Foreigners’ sunbathing sparks debate at Wat Phra Kaew in Bangkok
A debate erupted over two foreigners sunbathing at Sanam Luang, a leisure park in front of Wat Phra Kaew in Bangkok. Numerous netizens expressed disapproval of the act, while some argued that the foreigners might be behaving based on cultural differences. Additionally, there were calls for the park to be opened to the public. Facebook user Kamron Patprayoon shared a…
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