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 Why health insurance costs more each year and how expats in Thailand can save more money
Each year, many expats living in Thailand see their health insurance premiums go up and often without a clear reason. This can be frustrating, especially when you're trying to plan your budget. But by understanding why prices rise and learning...
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Bangkok house used to produce illegal e-cigarettes seized
A Chinese entrepreneur rented a luxurious house in the Ram Inthra area of Bangkok to produce illegal e-cigarettes. The operation involved refurbishing discarded e-cigarette heads with new liquid before repackaging them for resale. Yesterday, June 21, Police Major General Pattanasak Bubpasuwan, commander of the Consumer Protection Police Division, directed Police Colonel Krivis Santhavisuk, superintendent of sub-division 1, Police Lieutenant Colonel…
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Endangered Olive Ridley turtle rescued from net at Karon Beach
Marine officials rescued an endangered Olive Ridley sea turtle at Karon Beach after it was found trapped in a discarded fishing net on June 20. Officers from the Sireetarn Marine Endangered Animals Rescue Centre, which operates under the Department of Marine and Coastal Resources (DMCR), received a report of a turtle washed ashore, alive but entangled in netting. Upon their…
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Thai-Cambodian border crossing closes amid rising tensions
The Chong Sai Taku border crossing in Buri Ram province, located near the Cambodian border, has been closed by Second Army Region commander, Boonsin Padklang. The closure order, issued yesterday, June 21, was shared widely last night. This decision follows a directive from the Royal Thai Army granting the Second Army Region authority over border crossing operations along the Thai-Cambodian…
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Vietnamese nationals arrested in Thailand for illegal online lending scheme
Seven Vietnamese nationals were apprehended in Pathum Thani for running an unauthorised online lending operation, imposing high floating interest rates on Vietnamese clients, reported Thai police yesterday, June 22. Immigration, cybercrime, and tourist police officers conducted a raid on a residence within a housing estate in Lam Luk Ka district. Security personnel had alerted them to suspicious activities by a…
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Thailand braces for heavy rain and flash floods across 46 provinces
The Thai Meteorological Department (TMD) has issued a weather advisory, warning of increased rainfall across Thailand, with some areas, particularly in the east, expected to experience heavy rain. A total of 46 provinces are cautioned about potential flash floods, forest runoff, and landslides, including Bangkok, which is predicted to have a 60% chance of rain today, June 22. The increased…
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10 best sports stadiums in Thailand
Thailand has many iconic stadiums, from grand football arenas to revered Muay Thai venues. Sporting culture is as great as in any other country, and the facilities that follow have a lot to boast about. One stadium even found its place in the Guinness World Records. The love of sport doesn’t come alone–there’s also love for betting. Sports betting expert…
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Peacock tree crushes pickup in Surat Thani, driver killed
A horrific accident unfolded in the southern province of Surat Thani when a towering peacock tree unexpectedly toppled onto a moving pickup truck, tragically killing the driver and injuring two passengers. The shocking incident occurred yesterday, June 20, around 4pm, on Soi Koteng Road in Village 8, Wat Pradu subdistrict, Mueang district, Surat Thani province. The Thakub Public Service Unit…
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Pattaya beach turns green: Plankton bloom causes panic
Pattaya’s popular Wong Amat Beach recently became the centre of environmental concerns as a sudden plankton bloom turned the waters a disturbing dark green and filled the air with a sulfur-like stench. The phenomenon, which began a few days ago, not only altered the sea’s appearance but also raised serious worries among locals and tourists about its potential impact on…
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Measles surge in Thailand: Young children at high risk
Measles concerns have arisen for those returning from neighbouring countries, with young children particularly vulnerable to the disease and at higher risk of death. Measles is airborne, much like tuberculosis, and those at risk are advised to monitor symptoms closely. Doctor Jurai Wongsawat, a senior medical officer and government spokesperson for the Department of Disease Control (DDC), Ministry of Public…
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Pattaya’s parking crackdown: No car is above the law
Pattaya traffic police launched a no-nonsense crackdown on illegal parking, sending a clear message that no vehicle is above the law—whether it’s a luxury sports car or a humble taxi. The key rule is simple: vehicles must strictly adhere to the odd-even parking schedule on South Pattaya roads. Failure to comply? Prepare for a clamp. The new enforcement initiative aims…
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Triple bomb blasts at Pattani fair injure 7, stalls damaged
The aftermath of the triple bomb explosions at the Pattani Red Cross Fair resulted in injuries to seven people, including vendors and police personnel. The blasts, which occurred at three locations within the fair on Samanchai Sawan Road, Rue Samilae subdistrict, Mueang district, Pattani province, also caused significant damage to over 15 stalls. A reporter visiting the fair observed a…
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Ratsada’s bold plan: Mayor unveils 7 key initiatives for growth
Jirayut Songyos, the newly elected Mayor of Ratsada Subdistrict Municipality, laid out an ambitious policy plan aimed at transforming his subdistrict into a stronger, more prosperous community. Following his certification by the Phuket Provincial Election Commission on June 4, Jirayut spoke to the Ratsada Subdistrict Municipality Council, outlining his commitment to work under the principles of good governance and transparency.…
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Bangkok police arrest trio for selling drug-laced e-cigarettes
Officers in Bangkok arrested a group yesterday for selling e-cigarette liquids laced with drugs online. The three suspects, 37 year old Netnapa, 46 year old Thanakorn, and 33 year old Pratchaya, were caught red-handed yesterday, June 20, with a large stash of illegal vaping liquids and equipment, sparking a serious drug trafficking investigation. The bust came after concerned residents in…
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Senate seeks to oust Paetongtarn over leaked call with Cambodia
The Senate Speaker has petitioned the Constitutional Court and the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) to remove Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra from office due to a leaked phone call with Cambodian Senate President Hun Sen. The petitions question if the Thai PM engaged in corruption by violating the Constitution or laws, or if she seriously breached ethical standards. Concurrently, the Constitutional…
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Siblings nabbed with crystal meth in Pattaya drug raid
A major drug bust in Pattaya has resulted in the arrest of two siblings, accused of running a dangerous drug operation in the heart of the city. On Thursday, June 19, Bang Lamung district officials swooped in on a workers’ camp and apartment complex after receiving multiple complaints from locals about widespread drug use and distribution. The operation was led…
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Thai aide accuses Cambodian leader of national security threat
An aide to Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra has lodged a police complaint against Cambodian Senate President Hun Sen, alleging threats to Thailand’s national security and causing internal discord. Somkid Chueakong, the deputy secretary-general for political affairs to the prime minister, submitted this complaint yesterday, June 20, to Police Lieutenant General Trairong Phiewphan, head of the Cyber Crime Investigation Bureau (CCIB).…
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Russian tourist drowns after ignoring red flags at Phuket beach
A Russian tourist disregarded red warning flags and entered the sea at Karon Beach, Phuket, before tragically drowning in front of his family. Despite rescue efforts, he was pronounced dead on June 10 at 11.40am. Police Sub-Lieutenant Jaras Lempan of the Karon Police Station received a report of the incident and informed Police Colonel Khundech Na Nongkhai, the Karon Police…
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More rain: Thunderstorms and downpours continue to hit Thailand
Thailand’s Meteorological Department (TMD) has issued a weather warning for today, forecasting increased rainfall across Thailand, with heavy showers expected in the north, east, and south. The northeast will experience particularly severe conditions. Residents are advised to remain cautious. The intensified southwest monsoon over the Andaman Sea, Thailand, and the Gulf of Thailand, combined with a low-pressure area over northern…
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Everything you need to know about MetaTrader 4 (MT4)
Getting into trading can feel a bit confusing at first. A lot is going on, and it’s easy to feel lost. But one thing that really helps is using a platform that makes everything easier to manage. MetaTrader 4 (MT4) is one of those platforms that traders keep coming back to. It’s been around for years, and there’s a reason…
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Scam alert: Fraudsters pose as SCB agents to freeze your account
Siam Commercial Bank (SCB) is sounding the alarm over a new scam targeting unsuspecting customers, where fraudsters impersonate bank staff and trick victims into freezing their accounts. The bank issued a public warning this week after receiving reports of con artists calling or messaging customers to ask if they had authorised someone else to open an SCB account on their…
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Phumtham defends PM, dismisses audio scandal backlash
Thailand’s Deputy Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai has come out swinging in defence of Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra, urging calm and diplomacy following the political storm triggered by her leaked audio conversation with former Cambodian leader Hun Sen. Phumtham, who also serves as Defence Minister, downplayed the fallout from the controversial clip, reaffirming the coalition’s support for Paetongtarn and brushing off…
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Thai couple accused of faking rape to extort former police officer
A Thai couple accused a former police officer of raping and accused another officer of extorting 15,000 baht, but a lawyer later discovered that the pair withheld significant information about the case. The couple, known as Em and Bee, sought assistance from well-known lawyer Paisarn Rueangrit. They claimed to have filed complaints with local police, but alleged that no progress was…
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Tiger comeback: Prey release sparks hope in Thai jungle
In Thailand’s dense, steaming western forests, 20 sambar deer leap into freedom — and straight into the domain of one of Asia’s most elusive predators: the Indochinese tiger. This dramatic release in Khlong Lan National Park, Kamphaeng Phet, Central Thailand, is part of an ambitious government and WWF-backed effort to revive Thailand’s wild tiger population by restoring their natural prey…
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Thai woman calls out after paying 9,500 baht for boat trip at floating market
A Thai woman accused a boat operator at Damnoen Saduak Floating Market in the central province of Ratchaburi of overcharging her and her foreign friends after they paid 9,500 baht for a short boat trip. The woman, Yamolpon Kaeosakun, posted her story today, 20 June, in the popular Facebook group We Are Consumers (พวกเราคือผู้บริโภค). She shared a photograph of the…
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Pattaya motorbike thug attacks Bolt rider in road rage meltdown
An early morning altercation at a busy Pattaya intersection has ignited public outrage after a motorcycle taxi driver was caught on camera assaulting a Bolt passenger, and now police are under pressure to act. The incident took place at around 6.45am yesterday, June 19, at the intersection of Pattaya South Road and Thanon Sai Sam, near Soi Pattaya South 18…
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‘Get out!’: Rally erupts in Phuket over PM’s leaked clip
The streets of Phuket Old Town roared with anger as hundreds rallied against Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra, demanding her resignation following a bombshell leaked audio clip. Yesterday afternoon, June 19, a group that called themselves Phuket Loves the Nation staged a highly charged protest at Queen Sirikit Park on Thalang Road, drawing a crowd of 200 to 300 demonstrators. Their message…
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New driving rules: Foreigners must take test in Thailand
No more shortcuts — foreigners in Thailand will soon be required to pass a written test to get a Thai driver’s licence, even if they hold a valid international permit. The Department of Land Transport (DLT) is tightening its rules with a new draft regulation that scraps the use of international driving permits (IDPs) as acceptable proof for obtaining a…
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Thai activist calls mass protest to ‘sink the boat’ over PM scandal
Veteran activist Jatuporn Prompan has declared political war, calling for a mass protest at Bangkok’s Victory Monument on June 28. His mission? To oust Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra, whom he accuses of betraying the nation. At a fiery press conference held at the Rattanakosin Hotel on Ratchadamnoen Road, Bangkok, at 10am today, June 20, more than 40 prominent figures from…
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iCloud loan sharks busted in Bangkok raid over 30% interest scam (video)
The Economic Crime Suppression Division (ECD) conducted a raid on an illegal loan company in Bangkok and Samut Prakan. The company allegedly accepted iCloud accounts as collateral and locked devices if payments were missed. It had over 5,000 clients and charged interest rates of 30% per month. The operation was led by Police Major General Thasanphumi Charuprachya, commander of the…
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Thailand video news | Thai opposition urges house dissolution as leaked call deepens political crisis, Thailand approves 5-year crypto tax break to spur growth
In today’s Thailand video news, Alex and Jay present key developments from across the region, spotlighting political tensions, diplomatic fallout, and shifting expat sentiments. Thailand’s government faces mounting pressure after a leaked call with Cambodia’s Hun Sen triggered coalition fractures and calls for new elections. Meanwhile, Phuket eyes cannabis zoning to protect its tourism image, and police crack down on…
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