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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 Planning to extend your Thai visa? Why health insurance is more important than ever
If you plan to stay longer in Thailand, having health insurance is now more important than ever. Thai immigration often asks for proof of medical coverage when you apply to extend your visa. This applies to many types of visas,...
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US Navy and Royal Thai Navy conduct maritime enforcement exercises – PHOTOS
The US Navy and Royal Thai Navy are joining annual maritime enforcement exercises ‘Guardian Sea 2019’ up to April 11 in the Andaman Sea around Phang Nga and Phuket. The Royal Thai Navy in Phang Nga and the Third Area Command based at Cape Panwa is responsible for maritime security along the Andaman coast. Joining the five-day maritime enforcement exercises…
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Water trucks asked not to cross Patong Hill on Songkran day
PHOTOS: Patong Municipality Water truck operators will be asked to stop delivering water by crossing the notorious Patong Hill on April 13 (Songkran Day). The announcement was issued by Patong Traffic Police Chief Lt Col Lert Pokhwang. The statement says, “April 13 will be Songkran Day. There will be many road users on that day which heightens the risk of…
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Moral and social media support pours in for leading medical marijuana researcher
Khao Kwan Foundation president Decha Siripat has been receiving moral and social media support after a combined force of police, military and anti-narcotic officials raided the foundation’s offices in Suphan Buri last Wednesday, seizing about 200 marijuana plants, cannabis oil, dried marijuana seeds and marijuana powder. Some foundation staff were also held in police custody on charges of illegal possession of narcotics whilst a summons…
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“Nong Gee” turns heads at Koh Samui military conscription
Thai media’s fascination with ‘ladyboys’ continues with Daily News reporting about the military conscription event in Koh Samui and, as usual, getting diverted by the one or two “kathoey” who role up, as required by law, to draw lots to see if they will get conscripted into the national Army. “Thai men screamed their appreciation as a very attractive lady…
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“Toxic air pollution shortens children’s lives by 20 months”
In the wake of the PM’s visit to Chiang Mai this week, and more than two months of high levels of hazardous air pollution, a report emerges that links air pollution to the life expectancy of children. The international report says that air pollution will shorten life expectancy of children by up to 20 months on average. The 2019 State…
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Officials say Songkran can still go ahead on Khaosan Road this year
Today the Bangkok Post did a story headlined ‘No Songkran on Khaosan Road this year’. What?! No Songkran at Thailand’s most popular water splashing location? The story went on… “Business operators on Khaosan Road have decided to cancel activities for Songkran this year to allow authorities to prepare the area for the coronation of His Majesty the King.” “Shows, merit-making…
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British passports have removed the words ‘European Union’
Britain has now begun issuing passports with the words “European Union” removed from the front cover. It’s a pre-emptive move, even though the contentious Brexit is currently delayed and no clear date has been set when Britain will leave the bloc. The Home Office has confirmed that some passports introduced after March 30 no longer include references to the EU.…
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Regular street racing crackdown nets 79 motorbikes
FILE PHOTO Police arrested 83 motorcyclists and seized 79 motorcycles in this week’s regular crackdown on the streets of Bangkok. The motorbikes were found to have been illegally modified for road racing. 4 of the arrested were of people under the age of 18 and one was arrested over illicit drug abuse. Pol Maj Gen Nithitorn Jintakanon, traffic police chief…
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Protest at London’s Dorchester Hotel as international protests against Brunei ramp up
Anti-discrimination demonstrators staged a protest outside the Brunei-owned luxury Dorchester Hotel in London yesterday. The protest is part of ongoing protests around the world over the tiny South East Asian Sultanate of Brunei’s adoption of harsh new Sharia laws. The new laws include death by stoning for gay sex and amputation of hands for theft. The Dorchester Hotel is majority…
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Sacred waters begin their journey to Bangkok for Royal Coronation
PHOTOS: Phuket – Kritsada Meuanawong Thailand’s 76 provinces have taken part in a nationwide ceremony to draw sacred water from 108 water sources to be used during the Coronation of HM King Maha Vajiralongkorn on May 4. The ceremony began in all provinces at the same time of 11.52am. The only exception was Bangkok where the same ritual will be held on April 12 at the Haw Sastrakhom, inside…
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Surachate Hakparn “transferred”? No joke.
Various media are reporting that immigration chief and “Batman” of the Thai police Lt -Gen Surachate Hakparn has been transferred to RTP headquarters. Sanook reports there are no official written confirmation of the news under their headline “Lightning Transfer”. Thai media report say he had been transferred “until further notice”, according to Sanook. Surachate’s Facebook page and the Thai Immigration Facebook…
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Smoke haze hits northern Songkran hotel bookings
By Sakaorat Sirima, Nattawat Laping The Northern smog crisis is taking its toll on the popular tourist region, with officials admitting a significant drop seen in hotel-room bookings, even in Chiang Mai, which is otherwise hugely popular as a destination for Songkran celebrations. “Thai tourists are worried that the haze will harm their health,” La-iad Boonsrithong, the president of the…
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Thanathorn urged to ‘fight on’ as he surrenders to Bangkok police
Hundreds of supporters gathered around the Pathumwan police station this morning as Future Forward Party leader Thanathorn Juangroongruangkit handed himself in to police to face sedition charges. Barriers were placed around the police station and 620 policemen were deployed to control the crowd. When Thanathorn arrived at 10am he used a megaphone to thank his supporters who had been waiting…
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Baby elephant rescued from unused drain in far north-east Thailand
A baby elephant has been rescued from an unused drain in Bueng Kan’s Boongkla district in far north east Thailand this morning. Local villagers of Ban None Phaisarn in Tambon Khokkwang contacted officials of the Phu Wang Wildlife Sanctuary after they found the baby elephant trapped in the 2 metre deep well in a rubber plantation. About 20 officials and villagers…
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Is your web page ‘mobile first’? If not, you’re losing out.
Mobile devices have become the main points of accessing information, news, bookings and retail across South East Asia. This is now the case for more than 90% of digital users in the region. It’s not just a move to the internet from traditional media portals (TV, papers/magazines, radio), it’s a move away from desktops and laptops onto mobile platforms. According…
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Bangkok’s bye bye to Boyzone and hello to BTS
by Kitchana Lersakvanitchakul and Tim Newton In a stark reflection in the massive changes in musical tastes, music business models and the spread of world music in the last 20 years, Bangkok has witnessed the passing of one boyband icon and welcomes the next frenzy, all within 10 days. In both cases, Irish crooners Boyzone and South Korea’s BTS (Bangtan…
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No foam parties for Songkran
by Suriya Patathayo, Jessada Chantharak Songkran foam parties are being banned this year in the interest of public safety. The announcement today from the national police deputy commissioner Pol General Chalermkiat Srivorakan.Chalermkiat says there had been several deaths and injuries by electrocution at foam parties during previous Songkran festivals. Police have also been instructed to provide security at Songkran celebration…
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Thai Air Asia introduces Chiang Rai-Shenzhen route
Thai AirAsia is adding new flights to its Chiang Rai hub with a new direct route to China that starts on April 30. The new daily direct flight from Chiang Rai to Shenzhen (adjacent to Hong Kong) is being promoted this week with fares as low as 735 baht one-way. Bookings opened this week and the promotional fare remains the…
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ASEAN launches $1 billion investment for green projects
South East Asian governments, the Asian Development Bank and major development financiers have launched a new US$1 billion (32 billion baht) initiative to spur green infrastructure investments across the region. The launch ceremony was witnessed by Thailand’s Minister of Finance Apisak Tantivorawong and ADB President Takehiko Nakao. Senior officials from ASEAN and private sector partners also joined the ceremony. ADB…
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Boeing reveals another software problem in 737 MAX jets
US jet manufacturer Boeing says it has found a new but “relatively minor” software error in its 737 MAX jet models. The aircraft’s anti-stalling system, the MCAS, is already being investigated as the possible cause of two deadly crashes. In both cases all passengers and crew died when the Boeing 737 MAX model jets fell out of the sky after…
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Russian tourist rescued off Patong Beach
PHOTOS: Patong Surf Life Saving A Russian tourist has been rescued after getting into difficulty while swimming at Patong Beach this morning. Patong Surf Life Saving report that around 10.45am at Patong Beach a Russian tourist was spotted in the water, choking and fighting to stay afloat after being hit by a breaking wave. Lifeguards dived in and brought him…
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Phuket’s Songkran ‘seven days of danger’ safety campaign is on again
Phuket officials are preparing for the annual ‘Seven Days of Danger’ Songkran safety campaign that will this year runs from April 11 to April 17. The official Songkran day (Thai New Year) is on April 13. Phuket Governor Phakkapong Tavipattana says, “Road safety is being emphasised for drivers who are over speed limit, ghost riders, running through a red light,…
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False Killer Whales sighted of Koh Similans in Phang Nga – VIDEO
VIDEO: Wow Andaman About ten killer whales have been sited off Koh Similans in the Andaman off the Khao Lak coast this week. Thai Rath reports that tour guides from the Wow Andaman Tour were on a speedboat with tourists in the morning at Koh Similans this week. They say they sighted about ten False Killer Whales near the boat. The…
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Motorcyclist dies after slamming into power pole in Wichit – VIDEO
A male motorcyclist has died instantly after trying to overtake a minivan and colliding with a power pole in Witchit this morning. Wichit Police report that they were notified of the incident in Soi Thep Anusorn, Wichit at 5.45am this morning. Police and emergency responders arrived to find the body of a man who was later identified as 26 year…
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Losing face: ‘Face Off’ Dr Xeping charged with fraud
PHOTO: Bangkok Post Beauty expert Xeping Chaiyasan has been charged with fraud but continues to deny any wrongdoing claiming the allegation has been brought against her by people with malicious intent. Xeping is known as “Dr Xeping”, although she is not a medical doctor, became famous for the so-called Face Off cosmetic surgery services she promoted. Her arrest, along with…
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Pattaya’s wide new beaches have been washed out to sea
The Pattaya Harbor Department admits that their plans to extend Pattaya’s eroded beaches didn’t go to plan. In fact around 400 million baht was just washed out to sea. Now the sand has been flushed away in this week’s storms and Pattaya’s landmark project is in tatters. Following Monday’s unseasonal torrential rain storm a huge chunk of the new sand…
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Thai AirAsia connects Phuket direct to Phnom Penh
Low-cost carrier Thai AirAsia has announced direct flights between Phuket and the Cambodian capital Phnom Penh. The new route comes as part of the airline’s ongoing establishment of a network across Asia and its push into the Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar and Vietnam (CLMV) market. The new route starts June 1 and will be available four times a week. Thai AirAsia…
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Police intercept 9 million methamphetamine pills near Chiang Rai
Chiang Rai police have foiled an attempt to smuggle nine million methamphetamine pills in Wiang Pa Pao district this morning. Police found the drugs when they intercepted and searched a car on the Chiang Rai-Chiang Mai road in Ban Tala village in Tambon Sanslaee. Police declined to give details of the arrested suspects, saying they need to conduct further investigations…
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Man drowns after being washed off rocks in Rawai
A man’s body has been washed up on Nai Harn Beach today after going fishing near the windmill in Rawai. Chalong Police were notified at 10am this morning that the body of the man was found floating near Nai Harn Beach. Police and emergency responders arrived at the scene to find the body on the beach where lifeguards had already…
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Recounts and new elections ordered in eight polling stations
PHOTOS: The Nation The Election Commission has decided that two polling stations should recount their ballots while six others should re-hold the election due to discrepancies in the number of ballots in those booths. The two polling stations that have been ordered to re-count the ballots were in Nam Pong District in Khon Kaen province. The poll results they provided…
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