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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 Why long-term expats in Thailand say insurance is worth every baht
Thailand’s warm weather, low cost of living, and good healthcare attract many long-term expats, including retirees and remote workers. Life here feels easy and affordable, but medical costs can be high if something goes wrong. Private hospitals are popular because...
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Thai couple arrested for illegal blank gun trade earning 120,000 baht monthly
A married couple was arrested today for illegally manufacturing and selling blank gun weapons and parts through a closed social media group, earning them an astonishing monthly income of 120,000 baht (US$3,415). The arrest of the couple, identified as 39 year old Wimol and 37 year old Chanthana, was led by the Special News and Tools Analysis Division of the…
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Young man dies in tragic motorcycle crash on eve of his 25th birthday
A tragic accident claimed the life of a 25 year old man after he crashed his motorcycle into a lorry carrying electrical poles. The incident occurred on Phaholyothin Road, at kilometre marker 190-191, near Kok Sam Rong Subdistrict, Lopburi Province. The young man, identified as Worut (surname withheld), met his untimely death on the eve of his birthday, leaving his…
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Thai woman arrested for illegal surrogacy on her return from China
Police arrested a Thai woman at Suvarnabhumi International Airport in Bangkok on her return from China for operating an illegal surrogacy racket. The arrest followed a crackdown on a transitional criminal gang in the Isaan province of Nong Khai in May last year. The criminal gang procured Thai women for illegally providing surrogacy services to foreigners. During the operation, Department…
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Thai PM honours teachers on Teacher’s Day, emphasising their role in national education
Thailand Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin today marked Teacher’s Day 2024 by bestowing honours upon teachers for their significant contribution to the nation’s education. He wished happiness and robust health for all educational personnel, underlining their role in fostering Thai children into valuable assets for both the country and the world. Respecting teachers as diligent workers crucial in crafting valuable individuals…
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Bangkok-Chiang Mai train collides with parked pickup, female driver seriously injured
A Bangkok-Chiang Mai train crashed into a parked pickup truck in Lopburi province at 4.45pm yesterday, January 15. The female driver of the pickup truck survived but was seriously injured. Police Major Srettha Saranan, duty inspector at Ban Mi Police Station in the Lopburi Province, along with Ruamkatanyu Foundation volunteers inspected the accident scene which was a railway track in…
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Bank of Thailand maintains policy rate for economic revival
The existing policy rate of the Bank of Thailand is deemed suitable for the nation’s economic revival, while inflation is anticipated to remain within its target range, according to the central bank. This decision, the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) of the central bank states, is based on a comprehensive analysis of various scenarios. Piti Disyatat, Assistant Governor and MPC Secretary…
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Tragic early morning accident claims life in Sam Khok district
A tragic accident occurred today, at 5am, when a 32 year old man lost his life after his vehicle slammed into the rear of a parked piling truck. The incident happened on Kanchanaphisek No.9 Road, Sam Khok district, Pathum Thani province. The truck driver, 29 years old Weeraphon, claimed he had parked his Nissan 18-wheeler piling truck to buy an…
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3 Thais arrested for Bolt driver murder in Pattaya after fare dispute
Police arrested a Thai man, his mother and his girlfriend for the murder of a Bolt driver in Pattaya. One of the suspects claimed he stabbed the victim to death because he could not pay the taxi fare. Locals discovered the dead body of a 31 year old Thai man, Thanathip Waedthaisong, in the forest along the route to Tham…
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Thailand’s chat commerce predicted to hit 1.14 trillion baht by 2028
Chat commerce in Thailand is expected to reach a staggering 1.14 trillion baht by 2028, according to predictions by Line Thailand. This substantial increase, up from 462 billion baht in 2023, represents a compound annual growth rate of 19.2%. Jirat Watanakarin, who heads e-commerce growth and strategy at Line Thailand, said Thailand is one of the world’s largest markets in…
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97 year old woman’s 3.4 million baht stolen by assistant in Thailand
A 24 year old man has been arrested for stealing over 3.4 million baht (US$96,840) from an 97 year old woman. The arrest of the accused, Thanapat (surname withheld), was executed today (January 16), by Police Lieutenant Colonel Piyaphong Wongketuchai, the head of Ban Pong Police Station in Ratchaburi Province, along with his investigative team. The stolen money was spent…
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Thailand and Palestine to join forces to free Thai hostages
Thailand and Palestine promised to take their 12-year relationship to new heights with discussions on tourism and trade between Foreign Minister Parnpree Bahiddha-nukara and Walid Abu Ali, Ambassador of the State of Palestine. Both sides conveyed their pleasure at the strong Thai-Palestinian relations that have flourished since August 1, 2012. With the Thai embassy in Amman, Jordan, assuming control of…
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Thailand recalibrates incentives to boost renewable energy initiative
The Industry Ministry is set to recalibrate incentive packages for organisations as part of the RE100 global renewable energy initiative. This move is intended to allure more investors and facilitate new investment within the nation. RE100, a worldwide initiative comprising hundreds of companies, is committed to 100% renewable energy usage. This aligns with Thailand’s ambitions of reducing carbon dioxide emissions…
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Zipmex risks losing license over liquidity issues and inadequate management
Zipmex, a digital asset exchange operator, is facing a potential revocation of its business licence from the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) if it fails to resolve its liquidity problem within a fortnight. This issue arises as the company’s capital fund has fallen below the regulator’s minimum standards. The SEC board urged Zipmex to overhaul its operations, blaming the company’s…
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Prominent Thai loan shark arrested for illegal pawnbroking business
A 66 year old Sunthorn from the province of Nakhon Si Thammarat, known as a prominent loan shark, was arrested for running an illegal pawnbroking business, lending money with an annual interest rate of 36%. The authorities seized 31 vehicles, warning debtors that they could become criminal suspects. Yesterday, at Na Bon Police Station in the Nakhon Si Thammarat province,…
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9 year old Thai boy accused of sexually assaulting dog
A Thai grandfather is seeking justice for his nine year old grandson after his school teacher in the Chamni district of the Isaan province of Buriram accused the boy of sexually assaulting a dog. As a consequence, the boy has been banned from attending school. The 58 year old grandfather, named Lhong, asked Channel 3 to spread the story of…
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Thai government spends 185 billion baht in 123 days met with criticism
Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin’s coalition government unleashed a whopping 185 billion baht assault on Thailand’s economic and social quagmires, thansettakij.com on January 13. The audacious measures by the 61 year old PM include a multifaceted approach to lighten the burden on citizens, with reductions in fuel and electricity prices, financial lifelines for struggling small to medium-sized businesses, debt relief for…
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Work from Bangkok home possible due to increased PM2.5 pollution
The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) struck a deal with civic groups, proposing work from home plan for 50,000 of the city’s workers if PM2.5 intensity hits the red level for three consecutive days, declared Bangkok Governor Chadchart Sittipunt. The 57 year old city chief, in a strategic morning meeting with top-tier administrators, addressed the escalating PM2.5 dust crisis throttling the…
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Brutal murder of Pattaya ride-hail driver sparks 18-kilometre police chase
A brutal murder in Pattaya led to a police chase spanning over 18 kilometres after a 31 year old Grab and Bolt driver, named Thanathip, was found dead from stab wounds before his body was burnt with four tyres in an apparent effort to cover the crime. The suspects, believed to be a 22 year old man named Wa and…
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Thai hotel sector sees pre-pandemic level investment surge
Thailand’s hotel sector is undergoing a resurgence in investment mirroring pre-pandemic levels, with the boost being propelled by an increase in hotel conversions and an uptick in bank lending, because of a hopeful tourism market. The information is according to C9 Hotelworks, a hospitality consultancy firm. The firm’s managing director, Bill Barnett, reported an upbeat market and investment sentiment, thanking…
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Royal Project Gastronomy Festival 2024 to tantalise taste buds at Siam Paragon
The Royal Project Gastronomy Festival 2024 is set to dazzle food enthusiasts at Siam Paragon. As it marks the 55th anniversary of the Royal Project Foundation and celebrates the auspicious sixth cycle birthday of His Majesty King Maha Vajiralongkorn, this culinary spectacle promises an indulgent journey into the realm of superfoods and regal delicacies. The festival, titled Vitality Life of…
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High-speed chase in Sisaket ends with seizure of 90,000 meth pills worth 600,000 baht
In a dramatic turn of events, a high-speed chase unfolded as law enforcement pursued and arrested a man and woman, seizing 90,000 methamphetamine pills near Khao Phra Wihan National Park. A high-speed chase led by law enforcement officers ended in the arrest of a 26 year old man and 19 year old woman, in a parking lot at the Khao…
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Thailand launches safety initiative to lure back tourists
In a bid to allure international tourists, the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) rolled out its Thais Always Care project, a beacon of safety and hospitality in the heart of the famed Amazing Thailand campaign. TAT Governor Thapanee Kiatphaibool unveiled the initiative, underlining its core ethos – the Land of Care. “Thais Always Care is more than just a slogan,…
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Thai woman exposes call centre scam gang, forcing sex services for freedom
A Thai woman filed a complaint against a Thai man who deceived her into working for a scam call centre in Cambodia and forced her into prostitution in exchange for her freedom. Her complaint led to the arrest of the deceptive Thai man and the rescue of two other victims. The 25 year old victim filed a complaint against the…
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Korean YouTubers’ visa status in Thailand under scrutiny
Intrigue surrounds the visa status of popular Korean YouTubers, P’ Jung and Cullen, as a prominent lawyer’s query ignites discussions on their prolonged stay in Thailand. Recent sightings at the Ministry of Labour add to the mystery. Following the query by prominent lawyer, Ronnarong Kaewpetch, regarding the visa status of two popular Korean YouTubers in Thailand, P’ Jung and Cullen…
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Cyber crime costs Thailand 6.76 billion baht in 70 days
Cyber crime inflicted a devastating blow to Thailand’s economy with losses amounting to 6.76 billion baht (US$192 million) within a span of 70 days, as reported by the Cyber Crime Investigation Bureau (CCIB). Despite a decline in call centre scams, there was a noted surge in scams related to the struggling economy, including those promising additional income and fraudulent loan…
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Thai government contemplates extending humanitarian aid to Myanmar
A military source revealed that the Thai government is deliberating on extending widespread humanitarian aid to assist the vulnerable populations in Myanmar. Additionally, Thailand is considering hosting discussions with the leader of Myanmar and ethnic minority factions to resolve the country’s crisis. The Thai prime minister, Srettha Thavisin, has been engaged in conversations with Foreign Minister Parnpree Bahiddha-nukara and the…
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Thai education: Foundations and milestones under King Rama V’s Reign
This Teacher’s Day, let’s journey back in time to delve into the establishment of the first Thai schools, both royal and public, dating back to the reign of King Rama V. These institutions have survived to this day, marking a significant milestone in the country’s education history. King Rama V, after ascending the throne in 1868, observed the importance of…
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Thai Cabinet to decide on Chinese-built submarine purchase
The Thai Cabinet is set to make a final verdict regarding the purchase of a Chinese-built submarine, stated Defence Minister Sutin Klungsang. The decision comes after the Office of the Attorney-General (OAG) approved the use of a Chinese engine for the submarine and recommended extending the contract. Sutin is expected to discuss the matter further with Royal Thai Navy (RTN)…
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Royal Thai Navy honours Krom Luang Chumphon with tribute walk-run event
The Royal Thai Navy (RTN) yesterday staged an event titled Walk-Run in Tribute to His Royal Highness Krom Luang 100 Years Apakorn Day. The event was inaugurated by Admiral Adung Phan-iam, Commander of the RTN, along with His Royal Highness Chiyakorn Apakorn Sesavej Chairman of the Apakorn Foundation. The event took place at the Navy Command Headquarters, Wang Nanthana Nayan…
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Tao Ngoi’s tortoise statue: Thailand’s new hotspot for lottery enthusiasts
The famed Tortoise Statue of Tao Ngoii has become a hot spot for lottery enthusiasts seeking lucky numbers after its landscape was revitalised. The changes, which took place at the end of 2023 in the Tao Ngoi public park, have turned the area into a flourishing tourist attraction. The park is home to two large Naga sculptures located near the…
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