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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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Couldn’t give a rats: Chinese passengers smuggle animals onboard Bangkok-Taipei flight
Thailand’s VietJet Air found itself in a ‘wild’ situation when some Chinese passengers, who did not give a rats, attempted to smuggle a menagerie of animals onto a flight from Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi International Airport to Tao Yuan International Airport in Taipei, Taiwan. The covert cargo included a white rat, an otter, snakes, and various other critters, which the flight attendants…
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Judicial penalty box: ‘Uncle Thotsaphon’ slapped with jail time and 70,000 baht fine for assaulting political leader
The judicial court issued a six-month imprisonment and over 70,000 baht fine to a retired official, known as “Uncle Thotsaphon,” for assaulting and defaming the political leader of the Love the Nation organisation. The assault incident, which took place outside the Election Commission Office at the Government Complex Building B on 11 May, occurred after 54 year old Srisuwan Janya…
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Father’s daring rescue saves child from watery dock gap at Italian harbour (video)
An eight year old child lost his balance and fell into a small gap in the dock in Salerno, Italy, resulting in a distressing event. The boy’s father lost no time in jumping into the water to save his child in a heart-stopping act of parental love and instinct. As a terrible twist of fate, their adventure took a terrifying…
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Rise in Thai gun ownership raises alarm after Siam Paragon murders
The tragic shooting which claimed the lives of two women at the Siam Paragon shopping mall in Bangkok sparked public concern over how a young man could obtain firearms. More startling was the discovery of a trove of guns and ammunition at the young man’s residence, along with videos of him expertly demonstrating gun use. This incident has raised questions…
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Thai police ‘tourist-trap’ scammer nabbed: Hundreds of thousands in baht swindled
A recent raid by the Thai police led to the arrest of a 52 year old man who is accused of scamming unsuspecting victims out of several hundred thousand baht through a fraudulent tour operation. The Thai man’s arrest occurred yesterday at a Surat Thani residence. A concerted effort by law enforcement, spearheaded by officers from the 5th Crime Suppression…
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Thai patient’s ‘threesome’ encounter sparks mpox alert in northern Thailand
A Thai patient visited an entertainment venue in Chaing Mai and allegedly admitted to having a threesome with two foreigners, subsequently testing positive for mpox. The Lamphun Provincial Public Health Office confirmed the latest mpox case in Thailand yesterday, October 4, marking it as the province’s first recorded instance. Provincial public health doctor Suriyapong Suriyapongtakun reported today, October 5, that…
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Fin-tastic feast: Seafood sensation set to make waves in Sri Racha
In the coastal district of Sri Racha, a fin-tastic feast is on the horizon as the year-end seafood festival gears up to tantalize taste buds from tomorrow until October 8. The Sri Racha Clean Food & Seafood Festival 2023, an eagerly awaited annual event, will be hosted on the third floor of the Central Sri Racha Shopping Centre. Seafood enthusiasts…
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Chinese bride’s sombre pout sets social media abuzz with forced marriage debate
A newlywed couple from Ju’matien, Henan, China, is under online scrutiny after photos of the bride’s sombre expression during post-nuptial rituals went viral on social media. The images, capturing the groom’s jovial demeanour contrasted with the bride’s seemingly forced participation, were shot at the groom’s residence following their wedding ceremony. The bride’s lack of enthusiasm during the post-wedding photoshoot sparked…
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Amulet credited: Thai man’s ‘tree-mendous’ fall sparks belief in ‘nine lives’ miracle
In a ‘tree-mendous’ twist of fate, a Thai man has defied gravity and emerged unscathed after a heart-stopping fall from a towering 15-metre tree. The astonishing survival has led both the victim’s mother and astonished locals to believe he possesses an incredible nine lives, seemingly protected by a Buddha amulet he wore. The resilient 48 year old, Amnuay Siriwaew, embarked…
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Rare sun bear cub arrives, ‘pawsitively’ brightening the day at Nakhon Ratchasima Zoo
In a ‘bear-y’ rare occurrence, a one-month-old sun bear, a species on the brink of extinction and under protection, has been joyfully welcomed at Nakhon Ratchasima Zoo Zoo director, Thanachon Khensing, shared the news of the cub’s arrival today, October 5, stating that the young bear is robust and in good health. Its parents, both sun bears aged 10 years,…
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Heavy rain refrain: TMD issues another stormy warning for Thailand
Thailand Meteorological Department (TMD) issued yet another alarming warning today to 40 provinces across Thailand, cautioning against continuous heavy rain. The central region is bearing the brunt of the deluge, with 80% of the area experiencing significant downpours. As the capital city remains waterlogged, the public in Bangkok is urged to remain vigilant against potential dangers. Today the TMD forecasted…
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Bangkok police seek warrants in Siam Paragon shooting case
The diligent efforts of the Yannawa Station Police officers are currently focused on compiling substantial evidence to secure arrest warrants for three individuals embroiled in the grave incident which resulted in two deaths and five injuries. These individuals are alleged to have engaged in the illicit sale of a blank gun to a 14 year old boy, a transaction that…
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Tragic wedding convoy crash in China, seven fatalities (video)
A catastrophic car accident occurred recently that involved a wedding convoy and a large garbage truck, resulting in seven fatalities, including the pregnant bride. The shocking event unfolded near a petrol station in Huanan in the Heilongjiang province, China, and sparked an ongoing police investigation. The accident, which occurred on October 3, involved a seven-seater off-road vehicle suddenly veering into…
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Global stocks take a rollercoaster ride as investors chase ‘oil-usive’ recovery
Global stocks experienced a mixed performance yesterday, as investors sought recovery from the significant drop in the previous session, induced by a sharp dip in oil prices. The 10-year US Treasury note, which reached a 16-year high on Tuesday, experienced a retreat after a disappointing US recruitment report surfaced. Adam Sarhan of 50 Park Investments stated that investors are entering…
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Croc courtship gets ‘snappier’ at Koorana Crocodile Farm as mating season leaps ahead in Queensland, Australia
In a rather ‘snappy’ turn of events, the crocodile mating season at the Koorana Crocodile Farm in Queensland, Australia, has kicked off earlier than its usual schedule this year. The farm’s owner, John Lever, is attributing this unconventional phenomenon to the frequent flyovers of military helicopters. The farm, which plays host to a colossal population of over 3,000 crocodiles, happens…
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Bangkok bust: CIB officers nab 18,000 imported sex toys, couple faces sticky situation
Officers from the Central Investigation Bureau (CIB) embarked on a rather titillating mission at a luxury house in Bangkok‘s Lat Krabang district yesterday where they seized 18,000 sex toys imported from China. A Chinese man and his Thai wife were arrested for illegally importing and selling sex toys. Patthawit Wongpinit, director of the Technology Crime Suppression Division (TCSD), told Channel…
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JSCCIB for water: Thai committee floats idea to dip into digital wallet funds for H2O solutions
The Joint Standing Committee on Commerce, Industry and Banking (JSCCIB) proposed that the Thai government allocate a portion of its 560 billion baht digital wallet scheme budget towards supporting water management plans. The committee argues that Thailand needs immediate and long-term solutions to deal with flooding and drought, which is forecasted to affect the agricultural sector due to El Niño-induced…
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Royal revelation: Johor Crown Prince shares harrowing encounter at Siam Paragon shooting
Tunku Ismail Sultan Ibrahim, the Crown Prince of Johor, a state in southern Malaysia revealed the shooting at the Siam Paragon mall in Bangkok was “the worst experience I have ever gone through.” Tunku Ismail, speaking from a hotel near the crime scene shooting in the Thai capital, was with his family to watch a football match between his team,…
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Thai PM vows enhanced security after deadly Siam Paragon shooting
Two people, both foreign nationals, met their unfortunate end while five others sustained injuries in a shocking shooting incident at the Siam Paragon shopping mall on Tuesday. In response to the tragic event, Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin directed various state agencies to enhance security precautions to avert future occurrences. The 61 year old Srettha took to Twitter to express his…
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Thai baht hits new low against US dollar amid gold price drop
The 2023 financial year has seen the Thai baht rank as one of the region’s poorest performing currencies, depreciating to a low of 37.14 to the US dollar on Tuesday – a level not seen since November of the previous year. The recent plummet in gold prices, with a decline of around 5% or US$7.45 (274.65 baht) per ounce, has…
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Thailand’s tourism ministry to compensate shooting victims amid regulatory gap
The aftermath of the recent Siam Paragon shooting has unveiled an apparent regulatory gap in Thailand’s support mechanism for distressed tourists. A previous government disbanded the Foreign Tourists Assistance Fund – a safety net providing financial aid for tourists in times of adversity, and a replacement source of funding had not been set in place. The Tourism and Sports Ministry,…
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Siam Paragon shooting prompts new mental health unit
A new mental health consultation unit, established to assist individuals emotionally distressed by the recent fatal shooting in Siam Paragon, started operations yesterday. The tragic incident, involving a teenage boy who killed two women, left many feeling traumatised and in need of psychological support. Amporn Benjaponpitak, the leading authority of the Department of Mental Health, revealed that she, along with…
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Bottom’s up: 50 year old Thai woman takes legal action against cheeky neighbour in morning merit mishap
A 50 year old Thai woman filed a police complaint against her 66 year old neighbour for flashing her bottom while she was doing her morning merit. The accused neighbour defended herself by saying that the complainant was bothering residents in the community by banging a bucket. The 50 year old complainant, Watinee, filed a complaint against her 66 year…
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Ayutthaya builds dykes to protect homes amid rising Chao Phraya River levels
The fast-rising waters of the Chao Phraya River have led to the construction of dykes along its banks in the province of Ayutthaya. There is a growing concern that the swelling river may overflow, potentially flooding homes and historical landmarks. The Chao Phraya River’s rising levels are attributed to an increased water volume from upstream provinces. However, on Wednesday, it…
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Thai man murders wife’s ex-husband after seeing them have sex in Chiang Mai
An outraged Thai man allegedly murdered his wife’s ex-husband after he caught her having sex with him last night in the northern province of Chaing Mai. The killer’s 16 year old son reportedly took part in the gruesome murder. Jom Thong Police Station officers and the Intanon Rescue Team rushed to the rented room in the Jom Thong district of…
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Thai woman found dead in Pattaya condominium, suicide suspected
A tragic incident occurred last night in the Naklua sub-district of Pattaya, where a Thai woman lost her life in what is suspected to be a case of suicide at a 32-story condominium complex. The Pattaya Police Station’s Deputy Investigator, Chanan Kaserabua, received a direct notification regarding an individual who had fallen from a building situated on Naklua Road in…
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Fuelled for trouble: Police pickup Thai thief’s cross-province chase ends in arrest
A young man sparked a cross-province chase after stealing a police pickup truck from a station in Phichit and fleeing to a petrol station where he fuelled up and left without paying. The incident, which took place today, ended in Sing Buri, where the police finally apprehended the suspect. The director of Bueng Na Rang Police Station in Phichit revealed…
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Monkey business cleaned up: Tourists cheer innovative solution at Samila Beach, Songkhla
Tourists visiting Samila Beach in Songkhla are delighted by an innovative solution to the issue of macaque monkeys scavenging through rubbish bins, causing odour and litter. Complaints had been previously made about the monkeys rummaging through the bins, spilling litter and creating a foul smell, disturbing the natural environment of the beach and causing fear among the visitors. The Songkhla…
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Fish store shocker: Customer buys out entire stock, sets them free in Singapore river
A customer left a fish store employee astounded after spending more than 400 Singapore dollars to buy all the fish in the store, only to release them all into a river. The unusual event was reported by local media, following the account of the fish store’s worker. The male customer walked into the store and stated his intention to purchase…
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Critical look at emergency alert systems: Thai agencies lag behind global counterparts
The Cell Broadcast or the modern Emergency Alert System has become a crucial tool for many countries around the world in times of crises that affect public safety. This mobile phone-based warning system, compatible with 2G, 3G, 4G LTE, and 5G, is used by various governments globally to issue wide-ranging emergency alerts or disaster situations. Cell Broadcast is a method of sending…
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