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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 Long-term life in Thailand? 5 reasons private health insurance pays off in the long run
Thailand is a great place for expats and retirees, offering a warm climate, affordable living, and rich culture. However, healthcare can be tricky for foreigners since they aren’t eligible for public health coverage, and private care can be expensive. Private...
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Four Japanese nationals caught illegally crossing Thai-Myanmar border
In Tak province’s Mae Sot district, four Japanese nationals were apprehended after illegally crossing the Thailand-Myanmar border into Myawaddy, as reported by police yesterday, February 8. These four men, arrested on February 7, were wanted in Japan for criminal and drug-related offences, according to Police General Thatchai Pitaneelaboot, inspector-general of the Royal Thai Police. To address international concerns, particularly from…
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Uncontrolled landfill fire in Prachin Buri threatens nearby homes (video)
A landfill fire in Prachin Buri province remains uncontrolled, sparking concerns it might reach nearby residential areas. The fire ignited yesterday, February 8, at the Tambon Kabin administrative organisation’s landfill in Kabin Buri district. Five fire engines have attempted to extinguish the flames, but success has been elusive. The fire is engulfing a substantial waste pile exceeding 3 metres in…
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Cold air mass from China hits Thailand, temperatures drop
The Thai Meteorological Department (TMD) issued a weather warning, highlighting the arrival of a moderately to fairly strong cold air mass from China affecting upper Thailand and the South China Sea. This weather pattern is causing temperatures to drop by 1 to 3 degrees Celsius across the area, accompanied by strong winds. In northeastern Thailand, the weather is cold to…
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Teen arrested with hand grenade outside Bangkok store
Police officers from Khlong Tan Police Station and the Metropolitan Police Bureau arrested an 18 year old for possession of a hand grenade yesterday, February 7 at 8.30pm. The teenager, Siripong, claimed the item was given to him by an older acquaintance. The arrest took place following a tip-off from an informant who reported a suspicious individual loitering outside a…
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Warehouse in Samut Sakhon raided for counterfeit goods
A warehouse linked to a Chinese investor was raided in Samut Sakhon yesterday, February 7, for producing counterfeit laundry detergent and unauthorised LED bulbs. Officers confiscated production machinery and detained 13 illegal workers in the operation. Nirith Niramaiwong, the governor of Samut Sakhon, joined forces with Banphot Chantrawong, the Krathum Baen district chief, Police Colonel So Suetrongpanit, and other relevant…
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Thaksin tasked with cryptocurrency proposal by Malaysian PM
Thaksin Shinawatra has been tasked with proposing and recommending that ASEAN consider adopting a cryptocurrency. He will undertake this role as a personal adviser to Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, who currently chairs ASEAN. Former Thai Prime Minister Thaksin was given this responsibility by the ASEAN chair due to his interest in cryptocurrencies. He emphasised the importance of the regional…
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Furious Phuket residents demand action as gridlock worsens
Phuket’s once-idyllic Cherng Talay is now a gridlocked nightmare, with frustrated residents demanding urgent action as worsening traffic congestion grinds daily life to a halt. Residents and local officials, including Cherng Talay Subdistrict Administration Organisation (OrBorTor) Chief Manoch Panchalad, are calling for immediate solutions to ease the never-ending traffic tailbacks plaguing the area. “Every day, I see private cars clogging…
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Chiang Mai initiative swaps leaves for eggs to combat haze
An innovative initiative has been launched in San Kamphaeng district, Chiang Mai, where leaves can be exchanged for eggs every Thursday until May 15. This project aims to reduce burning and haze while promoting the production of compost for farmers as a substitute for chemical fertilisers. The opening ceremony of the Leaves for Eggs Market was held yesterday, February 7,…
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Cruel man caught on video hurling puppy into Koh Samui sea
Animal rights activists are demanding justice after a shocking viral video showed a man repeatedly hurling a helpless puppy into the sea off the coast of Koh Samui. The disturbing footage, which surfaced yesterday, February 7, captures the man forcefully throwing the terrified stray dog into the water. Despite the puppy’s desperate attempts to swim back to shore, he cruelly…
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Pattaya police crack down on drug addicts setting fire to trash
Fed-up Pattaya residents got their wish when police swooped in on a notorious hotspot overrun by drug addicts, after complaints of homeless users setting fires and endangering homes. Pattaya police, led by Police Colonel Nawin Thirawit, launched a targeted operation in Soi Bongkot on Thursday, February 6, following mounting fears from locals. Residents reported that drug users had been igniting…
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Russian beauty queen faces grim future in notorious Thai prison
A former child beauty queen faces being locked up in a squalid Thai detention centre after allegedly overstaying her visa by just 10 days. Alexandra Tikhomirova, crowned Little Miss Russia in 2013, is currently behind bars in Pattaya, a popular tourist hotspot, where she is reportedly held in dire conditions. According to Russian media, the 23 year old is imprisoned…
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Three Thai clinics face fraud charges for fake service claims
The National Health Security Office (NHSO) has initiated legal action against three clinics for fraudulently claiming payments without providing actual services. The clinics allegedly used student ID copies to falsely claim services yesterday, February 7. Doctor Attaporn Limpanyalert, deputy secretary-general of the NHSO, stated that at the end of January, the NHSO filed complaints against these clinics for fraud and…
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Woman’s body found in suitcase with dumbbells in Rayong
A woman’s body was discovered inside a suitcase weighted down with dumbbells in Ban Chang district, Rayong province, yesterday, February 7. Local police were alerted by a fisherman near a golf course who noticed a foul odour emanating from the suitcase. Emergency services were called to the scene in Ban Chang subdistrict, where they found a large, locked black suitcase…
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Irishman arrested for cannabis shop break-in in Pattaya
Tourist Police and Pattaya Police have apprehended an Irishman following a break-in at a cannabis shop in Pattaya. The 23 year old man allegedly broke a window to access marijuana products, which he consumed until he passed out. The incident, which took place on February 2, was captured on CCTV. Following a complaint lodged at Pattaya City Police Station, an…
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Thailand unveils third phase of 10000 baht stimulus project
Deputy Finance Minister Julapun Amornvivat confirmed plans to proceed with the third phase of the 10,000 baht economic stimulus project yesterday, Feburary 7. The initiative, aimed at injecting approximately 150 billion baht into the economy, is expected to start in the second quarter of the year. Discussions took place during a subcommittee meeting on economic stimulation projects, with further meetings…
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Daughter of deputy mayor arrested for call centre scam in Thailand
The daughter of a deputy mayor in Nakhon Si Thammarat was recently arrested in Samut Sakhon for her involvement in a call centre scam. The arrest followed a comprehensive investigation by cyber police into the large-scale call centre fraud targeting Thai, Chinese, Russian, and Japanese nationals. Cyber police, under the directive of Police Lieutenant General Trirong Phiuphan, coordinated a search operation…
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Something’s fishy: DSI busts 20 billion baht pork smuggling scam
The Department of Special Investigation (DSI) conducted a raid on a major company suspected of illegally importing pork into Thailand, amassing a staggering 20 billion baht. The company allegedly declared the pork as fish to evade taxes. Police Lieutenant Colonel Nathaphon Ditsayatham, a consumer and environmental protection specialist at the DSI, led a team yesterday at 10am to search Thienkham…
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PM2.5 can lead to heart disease, Thai doctor warns
Doctor Supachai Rotkajornnapalai has raised alarms about the dangers of PM2.5 air pollution, emphasising its underestimated impact on heart health. The doctor shared a concerning case of a patient whose heart stopped despite not smoking, needing multiple medical interventions, including balloon angioplasty and defibrillation, to revive him. A 48 year old patient suffered cardiac arrest today while playing football amid…
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Burmese drug adddict fatally assaulted for sexual harassment
A group of men fatally assaulted a Burmese drug addict after he sought sex from their female friend at an apartment in the Chon Buri province. The 29 year old apartment worker, Pimchanok, called officers from Bor Win Police Station to investigate the brutal attack at building number 8 in the Si Racha district of Chon Buri yesterday, February 6. Upon…
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Baby turtles hatch on Phuket beach, but not all survive
A magical moment unfolded on Kata Noi Beach as around 70 baby sea turtles hatched and made their way into the Andaman Sea yesterday, February 6. However, not all survived the journey, with officials discovering several lifeless hatchlings and one struggling to survive. The Andaman Sea Marine and Coastal Resources Research Center was first alerted to the hatching by a…
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Thailand leads ASEAN dairy market with 19 billion baht in revenue
Thailand has emerged as a leader in the ASEAN dairy market, generating over 19 billion baht in revenue, according to a government spokesperson. The country’s strategic use of Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) has bolstered exports of processed milk products across ASEAN. Anukool Pruksanusak, deputy spokesperson for the Prime Minister’s Office, reported that Thailand has maintained its top position in ASEAN…
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Foreign man steals iPhone worth nearly 60,000 baht from Phuket shop
A foreign man remains at large after stealing an iPhone worth nearly 60,000 baht from a local shop near Chalong Intersection in Phuket. A Thai man took to social media in an attempt to track down the foreign thief who stole from his younger sister’s mobile phone shop near Chalong Intersection on Wednesday, February 5. He shared CCTV footage of the…
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South Thailand: Bomb attack injures four police officers in Pattani
A bomb attack occurred at the entrance of a village security post in Nong Chik district, Pattani province, injuring four police officers. The Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) team is currently investigating the incident, which took place at 8am today, February 7. The attack was reported at the village security post located along the Don Yang-Hat Yai road. Initial reports confirm…
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Stable vision: Binance pushes for baht-backed crypto in Phuket
The Government of Thailand is being urged by Binance’s Thai branch to explore the development of stablecoins tethered to the baht, intended for use within the country and particularly within the proposed Phuket crypto sandbox. Unlike volatile digital assets such as Bitcoin, stablecoins are linked to fiat currencies, offering a more stable alternative. Nirun Fuwattananukul, CEO of Gulf Binance, explained…
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8 South Koreans arrested for illegally teaching in Bangkok schools
Officers from the Immigration Bureau arrested eight South Korean nationals for working illegally as teachers at two language schools in Bangkok. The officers raided two language schools in the Bang Na and Ratchada areas of Bangkok yesterday, February 6. The schools had multiple separate classrooms, each equipped with students’ tables and teachers’ tools, including whiteboards, student exercises, Korean textbooks, and…
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Toddler mauled by vicious dog in Ranong, mother demands justice
A devastated mother is demanding justice after her three year old son was viciously attacked by a Bangkaew dog in the Kapoe district of Ranong, leaving him with a severe head injury. The shocking incident occurred on February 1 while little Thanawat Makmun was playing outside his home. Without warning, the dog, owned by local Pramote Sae-lo, lunged at the…
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Taxing decisions: Thai businesses brace for higher import duties
Thailand’s business entrepreneurs are leaning towards higher import tariffs should the government forge ahead with its ambitious tax reform plans, according to a fresh poll from the Federation of Thai Industries (FTI). This survey follows hot on the heels of Finance Minister Pichai Chunhavajira unveiling a set of tax reform proposals designed to swell state coffers, fuel national development, sharpen…
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Thai Airways’ big bet: 8 brand-new Airbus jets to boost fleet
Thai Airways is making a major move to modernise its fleet, signing a lease agreement for eight brand-new Airbus A321neo aircraft with Dublin-based SMBC Aviation Capital. The deal, confirmed on February 5, will see the cutting-edge jets delivered between 2026 and 2027 as part of the airline’s long-term expansion strategy. This latest addition comes just months after Thai Airways made…
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Tiger dies in Suphan Buri park despite rescue efforts
A tiger, ensnared by a poacher’s trap in Phu Toei National Park, Suphan Buri, has died despite efforts to save it. The animal was discovered on January 8 and treated at Huai Kha Khaeng Wildlife Breeding Centre, Uthai Thani, until its death on February 3 at around 3pm. On February 4, specialised veterinarian Pimchanok Songmongkhon, along with wildlife conservation officials,…
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Fuelling growth: Thailand’s energy use rises as tourism powers up
The Department of Energy Business revealed fuel consumption in Thailand saw a 2.1% rise last year, reaching a daily average of 155.4 million litres, in tandem with an estimated GDP growth of 2.6-2.7%, largely fuelled by bustling tourism-related industries. In 2023, total fuel consumption was slightly less, at 152.3 million litres per day. Jet fuel, driven by the surge in…
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