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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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Indian man’s rare condition causes him to sleep 300 days a year
The digital sphere buzzed with interest over a curious case reported by the India Times revealing a man suffering from a rare disease that causes him to sleep for approximately 300 days a year. This man, hailing from the Nagaur district in Western India, has been affectionately dubbed by locals as Kumbhakarna, a name referencing a mythical giant from the…
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Thailand to boost trade with India
The Commerce Ministry is joining forces with the government’s Team Thailand to boost economic growth by tapping into the vast potential of India. The aim is to boost exports to India by an impressive 4% this year. Deputy Commerce Minister Napintorn Srisunpang highlighted the allure of the Indian market, citing its robust economic growth, resilient domestic consumption, and active industrial activity.…
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Samsung’s operating profit takes a hit amidst subdued demand for tech
South Korean giant Samsung Electronics Co reported its sixth consecutive quarter of falling operating profits, underlining subdued consumer demand and fuelling uncertainty about a broader tech recovery timeline. The company witnessed a 35% decline in operating income to 2.8 trillion won (US$2.1 billion), falling short of estimates by 24%. Moreover, revenue slid to 67 trillion won, a steeper plunge than…
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IMF predicts six top global economies in 2024 to be from Sub-Saharan Africa
Six of the top-performing global economies in 2024 will be from Sub-Saharan Africa, predicts the International Monetary Fund (IMF). Despite the limited scale of these economies, they’re contributing positively to a region plagued by poverty and inequality. The economic growth of this region is set to rise from 3.3% in 2023 to 4% in 2024, with standout performances from Ivory…
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Thai chicken vendor faces 12 years in jail for impersonating lawyer
A Thai grilled chicken vendor faces 12 years in jail after he was arrested in October of 2022 for impersonating a lawyer. Incredibly, he even won several cases in court. The fake lawyer, Pornthep Kachainphak, advertised his legal services on social media for a number of years. He posted pictures of himself in a lawyer’s outfit on social media, claimed to…
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Rare green dragon caterpillar emerges in southern Thailand
A sensational discovery unfolded In the heart of Phatthalung‘s Srinagarindra district: a rare dragon-headed caterpillar (Polyura athamas) emerged at a local mangosteen plantation, surpassing expectations and captivating all who lay eyes on it. This enchanting creature, resembling a mythical dragon with its dark green, elongated, and slug-shaped body crowned by four thrust-back horns, was stumbled upon by an avid photographer.…
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Thai disabilities fund unleashes hefty support for home repairs and rent
The Empowerment for Persons with Disabilities Fund announced an expansion of financial support for house repairs and rent today, January 9, as declared by the Social Development and Human Security Minister, Varawut Silpa-archa. This revolutionary decision, inked during the fund’s pivotal meeting on December 27 last year, promises substantial relief for those navigating the challenges of disabilities. Varawut, the driving…
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Thai man stabbed as domestic dispute turns violent in Pattaya
The calm of Pattaya was shattered yesterday when a domestic altercation took an ugly turn and saw a Thai man stabbed in the back. The incident, which occurred at a rental residence near the entrance of Soi Khao Makok in the Nongprue sub-district, Banglamung district, Chon Buri province, was reported to the Sawang Boriboon Thammasathan Rescue Unit at 9.16pm. The…
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Monk killed, 37 injured in wrong-lane lorry crash in Sakon Nakhon
A tragic incident unfolded in Sakon Nakhon when a lorry, driven on the wrong side of the road, crashed into a bus instantly killing a monk and inflicting injuries on 37 others. The fatal accident happened on the Nittayo Sakhon Nakhon – Nakhon Phanom Road in Baan Noramai, situated in the Kusuman district. The emergency services were alerted about this…
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Thai man murders father & sister in shocking drowning tragedy
An unhinged Thai man confessed to murdering his father and younger sister by convincing them to lie in a metal box, locking them inside, and subsequently dumping them in a pond in the Isaan province of Sakon Nakhon. Locals in the Phang Khon district of Sakon Nakhon spotted two suspicious metal boxes in Nong Lum Hin pond at 12.40am today,…
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Man warns not to touch glass globe under direct sunlight at temple in Phetchabun (video)
A TikTok user posted a video warning others not to touch a glass globe at Wat Pha Son Kaew, Phetchabun province. The user, @supalack_laijaroen,posted: “Unexpected event at Wat Pha Sorn Kaew. Don’t accidentally touch the crystal ball like me, haha. (No drama, anyone who wants to try it out is welcome).” The young man in the video showed his burnt…
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Kindee Phuket fair to spotlight local cuisine and music
The culinary and musical delights of Phuket are set to take centre stage at the upcoming Kindee Phuket fair, scheduled from January 19-21 at Sapan Hin. This exciting event, organised by the Phuket Provincial Administrative Organisation (PPAO), comes hot on the heels of the successful Red Cross’s Dee Phuket fair that concluded just a fortnight ago. The spotlight of the…
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Fire engulfs paper factory in Pathum Thani, Thailand, no casualties
Firefighters in Pathum Thani, Thailand, this morning tirelessly battled a blaze that engulfed a substantial paper factory warehouse in the Muang district. The fire, which started in the early hours of today, did not result in any casualties. The Mawanpathum Paper Co factory, located in Tambon Bang Kradee, was the site of the inferno. According to Suwat Phoree, investigation chief…
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Junior high school students breaks nose of fifth year senior in northern Thailand
A group of third year high school students attacked and kicked a fifth year student in the face until his nose was broken and covered in blood. The parents of the perpetrators were fined for a total of 9,000 baht. The parents of the injured student were shocked to find the same group of kids who assaulted their son posting…
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Viral video reveals Japanese man’s covert train misconduct
A Japanese man’s secret groping of a sleeping woman on a train caused a social media storm after it was caught on video and went viral. The man, discovered to be a successful employee of a major company and a graduate of a prestigious university, is also a father of three. The viral video shows the pervert on a train,…
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Thailand’s exports predicted to see slight rise in 2024
The Thai National Shippers’ Council anticipates a slight upturn in Thailand’s exports, predicting an increase of 1%-2% for 2024, as per today’s disclosure. This estimate aligns with a prior forecast, underscoring the critical role exports play in the economic health of Southeast Asia’s second-largest economy. However, the current global demand climate has resulted in sluggish trade in recent times. Chaichan…
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Thai wife’s stab at redemption falls flat as she knives her husband again
A Thai wife in the Isaan province of Nakhon Ratchasima in Thailand grabbed headlines after stabbing her husband. Despite expressing remorse and pledging not to do it again, she proceeded to stab him a day later. The 53 year old woman, Janjira, stabbed her 51 year old husband, Thamromg, at their home in the Phimai district of Nakhon Ratchasima on December…
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Thailand’s escalating smog crisis: 48 provinces engulfed by unsafe air quality
Heavy smog has engulfed 48 out of Thailand’s 77 provinces, rendering the air quality unsafe due to high levels of ultra-fine dust. As of this morning, Tuesday, January 9, 21 provinces reported red-level air pollution, a serious health threat. The Geo-Informatics and Space Technology Development Agency (GISTDA) reported that the particulate matter 2.5 micrometres and less in diameter (PM2.5) levels…
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Rajamangala University students fight at Siam Skywalk, one injured
A fight broke out between university students at Pathum Wan District, Bangkok, at approximately 5.50pm yesterday. A group of 30 to 40 students from Rajamangala University of Technology, Uthen Thawai Campus walked around Siam Skywalk on the Tokyo shopping mall side, and at the same time, another group of students from the Pathum Wan Campus came up from the Art…
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The White Lotus blooms with new A-listers for season 3 set in Thailand (video)
HBO‘s The White Lotus announced yet another stunning A-list cast for its highly anticipated third season set in Thailand. Parker Posey, Jason Isaacs, Leslie Bibb, Michelle Monaghan, Dom Hetrakul, and Tayme Thapthimthong are set to join the gripping comedy-drama, promising an explosive mix of talent and intrigue. Season one’s Natasha Rothwell is making a comeback, reprising her Emmy-nominated role as…
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Thai PM gives a lesson of appreciation to teachers ahead of Teacher’s Day
Thai Prime Minister and Finance Minister Srettha Thavisin delivered a message ahead of Teacher’s Day, highlighting the importance of teachers as leaders of knowledge, who bring together teachings from textbooks and experiences. He emphasized that teachers are not merely instructors, but creators and givers. In today’s rapidly evolving world, the role of a teacher extends beyond imparting textbook knowledge. Teachers…
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Soldier dies in motorbike accident in Saraburi, another injured
A motorbike accident in Saraburi resulted in the death of a soldier and left another injured. The incident, which occurred at 2.18am today, was reported by the Saraburi Rattnatraysathansuan Rescue Foundation. The scene of the accident was on Phahonyothin Road, near the PTT petrol station in Pak Khao San Neua, Mueang district. The black Honda motorcycle, registered in Bangkok with…
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Thai man suspected of abusing his girlfriend and burying her alive
Police are searching for a Thai man suspected of physically assaulting his girlfriend and burying her alive in the Isaan province of Maha Sarakham. The dead body of the girlfriend, a 30 year old Thai woman called Daraporn “Pare” Phonsri, was found buried in a forest near a residential area in the Mueang district of Maha Sarakham province. She was…
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Cambodian PM’s Thai-ties tour set for February 7
Cambodia Prime Minister Hun Manet is gearing up for a visit to Bangkok on February 7 to bolster bilateral ties between Cambodia and Thailand, as revealed by a well-placed diplomatic source. The diplomatic meeting will focus on an array of crucial topics to elevate the partnership between the two nations. Topping the discussion agenda is the cross-border trade, a joint crackdown…
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Thai health minister faces backlash over new cannabis control bill
Public Health Minister Cholnan Srikaew’s recent approval of a fresh draft of the cannabis and hemp control bill sparked a wave of criticism from pro-legalisation activists in Thailand, who called the move a betrayal of his commitment to public consultation. Prasitchai Nunual, who serves as the secretary-general for Thailand’s Cannabis Future Network, shared his disappointment on Facebook, accusing the minister…
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Capital A Malaysia: AirAsia across the globe to merge
Malaysia’s Capital A Berhad announced plans to sell its aviation business to AirAsia X Bhd. This move aims to unite long and short-haul operations under the AirAsia brand. Capital A Berhad declared its intention to offload its aviation business to AirAsia X Bhd. The ambitious goal is to consolidate both short and long-haul operations under the universally recognised AirAsia banner. Group…
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Thailand’s oil refineries ready to market eco-friendly Euro5 diesel
Thailand’s oil refineries are gearing up to market their new eco-friendly diesel that complies with the Euro5 environmental emission standard. This standard was put into effect on the first day of the year, according to the Federation of Thai Industries (FTI). The Euro5 standard, set to replace Euro4, will apply to B7 and B20 bio-diesel, which contain 7% and 20%…
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Ukrainian drowns trying to swim from Koh Chang to nearby island
A Ukrainian man drowned near Bailan Beach on the island of Koh Chang in the eastern province of Trat. He reportedly tried to swim from Koh Chang to Koh Man Nai after an argument with his family. Locals discovered the dead body near Bailan Beach in the Koh Chang Tai sub-district, on Koh Chang at around 2pm yesterday, January 8,…
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Election disinformation: Threat on integrity and democracy
A staggering 87% of 8,000 respondents across 16 countries, bracing for elections in 2024, are deeply concerned about the impact of disinformation on the integrity of their democratic process. A shocking 47% are very concerned, unveiling a digital battlefield that poses a grave threat to the core of democracy. According to UNESCO-IPSOS, their Global Survey of Online Disinformation and Hate…
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Bank of Thailand forecasted to initiate rate cuts later this year
Leading economists anticipate that the Bank of Thailand will initiate rate cuts in the second half of this year, potentially reducing the policy rate to 2%. This prediction aligns with the current economic status of the country and the assumption of an impending rate cut by the US Federal Reserve in the second quarter. Amonthep Chawla, the chief economist at…
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