News
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 Do foreigners get free healthcare in Thailand?
Thailand’s healthcare system is well-regarded across Southeast Asia, with options ranging from public hospitals to world-class private facilities. But when it comes to foreign residents or tourists, healthcare access isn’t as straightforward. So, do foreigners get free healthcare in Thailand?...
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Man found dead with phone in hand in Samut Prakan condo
A 31 year old man named Anukul was discovered deceased in his condominium room in Bang Sao Thong district, Samut Prakan, holding a charging mobile phone. His sister had been unable to contact him for two days before discovering his body. Police are investigating the cause of death. At 10pm yesterday, August 2, Police Lieutenant Worakit Pharuang, a deputy inspector…
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Fatal shooting in Phetchaburi leaves one dead after dispute
A violent altercation between two men in Phetchaburi resulted in a fatal shooting. A 35 year old man, Jesakorn or Mark, recently released from prison, shot and killed 46 year old Pongpan or Tum yesterday, August 2 at 10.30pm. The incident occurred in Hat Chao Samran subdistrict, Mueang Phetchaburi district, and stemmed from a previous conflict over a woman. Police…
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Fire at Chon Buri postal warehouse traps four, causes extensive damage
A fire engulfed a postal warehouse in Phanat Nikhom, Chon Buri, causing extensive damage to packages and trapping four residents inside. Emergency services successfully rescued all people, who were safely evacuated. Police are currently investigating the cause. At 1.30am today, August 3, Deputy Investigator Police Lieutenant Colonel Natchapol Saengsee from Phanat Nikhom Police Station received a report of a fire…
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Raids in Jomtien’s Soi 2 lead to drug arrests
In the late evening of August 1, a coordinated raid was conducted in the Jomtien Soi 2 community of Nongprue, Banglamung district, Chon Buri. The operation was led by Deputy Superintendent Arut Saphanont, Deputy Inspector Prasitboon Bunprasit, and the Narcotics Suppression Unit, in collaboration with Banglamung district administrative officials Nathaphop Yomjinda, Tharit Chancharoon, and Natthawat Sophonsewatsilp. This initiative was part…
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Thai hospital fined 1.2 million baht for data breach via snack bags
A significant private hospital in Thailand has been penalised with a fine of 1.2 million baht after patient paper records were discovered being repurposed as snack bags, as reported by the nation’s data protection authority. This incident was one of five major cases announced on August 1 by the Personal Data Protection Committee (PDPC), which also included penalties for data…
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Khao Kradong land rights revoked, SRT confirmed as owner
Anutin Charnvirakul, leader of the Bhumjaithai Party, has defended the management of the Khao Kradong land matter following the Ministry of Interior’s assertion that the land is owned by the State Railway of Thailand (SRT). Anutin’s comments yesterday, August 2, came after the ministry’s announcement, supporting the land ownership by the SRT, in line with decisions from both the Supreme…
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Thailand weather alert: 30 provinces warned of severe thunderstorms
The Thai Meteorological Department (TMD) has issued a weather forecast for today, August 3, alerting 30 provinces to expect thunderstorms, with the southern region facing the most severe conditions. Mariners in the Andaman Sea and the Gulf of Thailand are advised to exercise caution. In the next 24 hours, upper Thailand is expected to have minimal rainfall due to a…
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How much does it cost to live in Thailand in 2025
If you’ve ever dreamed of waking up to the sound of ocean waves or enjoying street food for just a couple of dollars, you may have asked yourself: how much does it cost to live in Thailand? The answer depends on your lifestyle, location, and spending habits — but compared to Western countries, Thailand offers a significantly lower cost of…
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Bangkok man nabbed for selling bank accounts in fraud case
An arrest in Bangkok has uncovered a man selling bank accounts for criminal activities, leading to millions in losses. In an operation led by the Metropolitan Police Division 3, a 25 year old man, Surayut Kungseng, was arrested for selling his bank accounts for 3,000 baht each. These accounts were later used in fraudulent activities that caused financial damage exceeding…
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Pattaya police crack down on illegal sidecar vendors
In a surprise late-night operation, Pattaya police are cleaning up the beachfront road, taking action against illegal sidecar vendors blocking traffic. Pattaya police officers launched a crackdown on illegal sidecar vendors along the city’s beachfront road at 11.30pm yesterday, August 1. The operation, led by Deputy Superintendent of Investigation, Police Lieutenant Colonel Arut Saphanont, and traffic inspector Pol. Lt. Col.…
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Thaksin pushes for high EV tax to protect Thailand’s car industry
Could the rise of electric vehicles (EVs) be putting Thailand’s homegrown auto industry at risk? Former PM Thaksin Shinawatra thinks so, and he’s pushing for drastic tax changes to protect local manufacturers from foreign competition. Thaksin has called for a high excise tax to be imposed on imported EVs that contain minimal local content, in a bid to protect Thailand’s…
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Phuket sand fence project launched to combat coastal erosion
A stunning move to preserve Phuket’s natural beauty is underway, with a major investment to combat coastal erosion. Natural Resources and Environment Minister Chalermchai Sri-on has launched an ambitious project to combat the relentless coastal erosion threatening Phuket’s shores. Sirinat National Park has been tasked with the implementation of sand fences at Sai Kaew Beach in the Maikhao subdistrict of…
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Pattaya launches eco-tourism project to boost marine life
In an exciting step towards eco-tourism, Pattaya has launched a groundbreaking project to restore marine life and teach the public how to nurture aquatic species. On Thursday, July 31, Pattaya began a new eco-tourism initiative to raise public awareness about the breeding and care of aquatic species. Part of the Nature Restoration for Eco-Tourism Promotion programme for 2025, this project…
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Etihad’s A321LR brings luxury to Phuket flights
Etihad Airways has just upped the ante in luxury air travel, launching its first commercial flight of the all-new A321LR to Phuket. Etihad Airways has officially launched its all-new A321LR, marking a new chapter in luxury short and medium-haul flights. Flight EY414, which departed from Zayed International Airport yesterday, August 1, heralded the arrival of the aircraft designed to provide…
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Love triangle turns deadly in Bangkok minibus shooting
A bitter love triangle turned deadly in Bangkok, leaving one man dead and another on the run. At around 2am today, August 2, a tragic shooting occurred outside an apartment on Rama 2 Road, leaving 38 year old minibus driver Anucha dead after being shot multiple times. The suspect, 36 year old Sira—also a minibus driver—is currently on the run.…
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Sweden denies stopping fighter jet deal with Thailand
A major international defence deal is under threat after claims surfaced that Sweden may freeze a fighter jet sale to Thailand. Thailand Deputy Defence Minister Nattaphon Narkphanit has firmly dismissed reports that Sweden plans to halt a fighter jet agreement with Thailand due to concerns about the jets being used in recent air strikes against Cambodia. This came after allegations…
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Thailand deluge: Nan province hit by worst flood in 40 years
A province in northern Thailand has been left reeling from catastrophic floods, but in the darkest hours, help came from unexpected places. Volunteers braved rising waters to save lives, leaving one woman grateful for the anonymous heroes who rescued her. On July 23, Diane Francheska Ruiz, a Filipina English teacher in Nan province, noticed something was off. While she couldn’t…
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Chiang Rai MP booted over budget scandal
In a major political shake-up, the first deputy House speaker and MP for Chiang Rai, was disqualified by the Constitutional Court. Found guilty of misusing public funds to influence budget decisions for personal gain, Pichet Chuamuangphan is now barred from holding office for 10 years and faces a by-election. Yesterday, August 1, the Constitutional Court delivered a bombshell ruling, disqualifying…
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South Korean tourist assaulted in Pattaya robbery gone wrong
A brutal assault on a South Korean tourist outside a Pattaya nightclub has left police probing whether it was a botched robbery or something darker. At 4.06am yesteday, August 1, Police Lieutenant Colonel Alis Phuangwai, Deputy Chief of Pattaya City Police Station, received an urgent call about a violent incident in a parking lot near an entertainment venue on Soi…
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Thunderstorms set to batter Thailand’s southern coast
The Thailand Meteorological Department (TMD) reported that thunderstorms are expected in 28 provinces, with 30% of the areas likely to experience rain. Residents in the southern region are advised to exercise caution as sea waves may rise above 2 metres. Upper Thailand will see limited rainfall due to a weak southwesterly monsoon over the Andaman Sea, Thailand, and the Gulf…
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British woman in Thailand raves over epic English roast fix (video)
Homesickness hits hard—especially when it’s Sunday and there’s no roast in sight. But one British expat in Thailand just struck gold. TikTok content creator Julia, who shares her overseas adventures under the handle @awaywithjuliaa, recently went viral after posting a mouth-watering food hunt video that has UK expats and travel lovers drooling. In her latest upload, Julia sets off on…
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Thai woman dies after crashing SUV into parked truck in Pattaya
A Thai woman died after crashing her SUV into a parked 18-wheel truck on Sukhumvit Road in Pattaya in the early hours of today, August 1. The Sawang Borriboon Dhammasatan Rescue Foundation was alerted to the fatal accident at 1.36am and rushed to the scene, along with officers from Bang Lamung Police Station. Upon arrival, rescuers found a black BMW X1…
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Vietnam eyes Phuket for tourism and trade boost
In a high-profile diplomatic visit yesterday, Phuket Governor Sophon Suwannarat welcomed Vietnamese Ambassador to Thailand Pham Viet Hung to Phuket Provincial Hall for a courtesy meeting aimed at strengthening tourism ties, economic collaboration, and potential sister-city agreements. Held yesterday, July 31 at 2.30pm in the Governor’s Reception Room, the gathering was a show of mutual interest in deepening cultural and…
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Pattaya gridlock sparks calls for urgent rail fix
Pattaya’s roads are choking—and so are its residents. As traffic jams grow worse by the day, frustrated locals and weary tourists are demanding immediate action to overhaul the city’s outdated transport system. At the centre of the debate is Pattaya’s long-delayed Monorail Green Line project, a tram-style light rail network aimed at solving the city’s chronic congestion. Yesterday, July 31,…
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Thailand shows its side of border conflict to foreign ambassadors
The Royal Thai Army (RTA) led military attachés from 23 countries, along with other foreign ambassadors and representatives, on a visit to Thailand’s border provinces to present evidence that the Cambodian military targeted residential areas and Thai civilians. On Tuesday, July 29, the Cambodian military invited ambassadors from 13 countries to the disputed border area between Thailand and Cambodia. During…
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Bank of Thailand may cut rates amid US tariff concerns
The Bank of Thailand (BoT) may reduce interest rates multiple times by the end of this year to bolster the economy if US tariffs on Thai goods prove uncompetitive compared to regional counterparts. Head of research for the banking and financial sector at Kasikorn Research Centre, Kanjana Chockpisansin, indicated that the think tank anticipates at least one additional rate cut…
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Petrol station owner left stranded after deadly cross-border attack
An owner of a petrol station in the Isaan province of Si Saket, where a deadly attack occurred on July 24, stated that she has yet to receive any assistance from government officials. The Cambodian military reportedly attacked the Ban Phue PTT petrol station in Kantaralak district, resulting in the deaths of 12 innocent Thai civilians. Initially, officials discovered seven…
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Armed man busted en route to Phuket gang showdown
A 25 year old man has been arrested in Krabi after allegedly attempting to smuggle a loaded handgun into Phuket, with police suspecting he was preparing for a violent clash with rival youth gangs. Identified only as Natthaphong by Central Investigation Bureau (CIB) officers, the suspect was stopped during a routine checkpoint operation on Phetkasem Road in Ao Luek district,…
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Truck slams into cars in Phuket underpass horror
Terrified drivers in Phuket watched chaos unfold in seconds after a semi-trailer truck ploughed into multiple vehicles inside the Darasamut Underpass this morning, leaving three people injured, including a young girl. The collision, which occurred at 10.44am today, August 1, near Central Festival Phuket, sparked immediate panic as rescue teams scrambled to the scene. Police and emergency responders from the…
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2 Cambodian POWs with mental issues and injuries returned home
The Royal Thai Army (RTA) transferred two Cambodian soldiers, detained as prisoners of war (POWs) following a clash in the Sam Tae area of Si Sa Ket province, back to Cambodia today, August 1. Sixteen others remain in custody for further questioning. The Cambodian soldiers reportedly attacked Thai officers in Sam Tae on July 29. Thai troops retaliated, dismantling a…
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