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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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    How to reduce out-of-pocket medical expenses in Thailand?

    Managing medical expenses in Thailand is important as healthcare costs continue to rise. The country’s healthcare system includes both public and private options, but even with the Universal Coverage Scheme (UCS) for citizens, many still face high out-of-pocket medical expenses....

  • 73 year old Thai man found dead on way to lover’s home

    73 year old Thai man found dead on way to lover’s home

    A 73 year old Thai man died en route to his lover’s home in Samut Prakanr province near Bangkok. His family believed the death resulted from an accident, rather than any jealous motives. A Thai woman, Kwanruethai, contacted officers at Khlong Dan Police Station on February 7 after she discovered the dead body of a 73 year old man named…

  • Thai Airways responds to Chiang Mai Airport door incident

    Thai Airways responds to Chiang Mai Airport door incident

    Thai Airways addressed a recent incident at Chiang Mai Airport where a Canadian passenger’s attempt to open an aircraft door while waiting for takeoff caused several flights to circle without being able to land. The disruption occurred yesterday (February 7), leading to temporary chaos as flights were unable to touch down at the airport. Chiang Mai Airport experienced significant disruption…

  • Sea-change agenda: Phuket sets sail for luxury ship entry

    Sea-change agenda: Phuket sets sail for luxury ship entry

    Senate Tourism Committee Chairman General Thanasak Patimaprakon and his delegation visited Phuket yesterday to discuss transforming the popular holiday resort island into a point of entry for small luxury ships. The visit was in response to plans to develop Phuket Deep Sea Port at Ao Makham to serve as a home port for small cruise ships. This move aims to…

  • Taiwan halts group tours to China amid escalating tensions

    Taiwan halts group tours to China amid escalating tensions

    Travel agents in Taiwan have been ordered to cease organising new group tours to China as tensions between Beijing and Taipei continue to escalate. Despite China reopening its borders to other popular tourist destinations post-pandemic, Taiwan remains excluded from the list of approved destinations for Chinese nationals. Since the end of the pandemic, China has gradually allowed its citizens to…

  • Indian short film on transgender issue to be adapted for Thai audiences (video)

    Indian short film on transgender issue to be adapted for Thai audiences (video)

    Renowned Manipuri actor and filmmaker Priyakanta Laishram’s groundbreaking 2015 short film It’s Not My Choice is set to break new ground as it becomes the first Indian short film to be adapted into Thai. This cultural milestone is set to bridge the gap between Indian and Thai cinema, promising to captivate audiences with its powerful message. In 2015, Manipuri actor…

  • Hong Kong ex-student leader clashes with court judge over political statements

    Hong Kong ex-student leader clashes with court judge over political statements

    A former student leader involved in the 2019 Hong Kong protests faced a dramatic courtroom clash with the judge as she attempted to make political statements during her trial for rioting. Althea Suen’s impassioned plea was repeatedly interrupted, leading to a tense showdown at the West Kowloon Law Courts Building, Hong Kong. Suen, former head of the University of Hong…

  • The future of marketing on the Apple Vision Pro

    The future of marketing on the Apple Vision Pro

    The 2023 Apple ‘One More Thing’ hit the US market earlier this month and created a craze on the internet. Despite its late entrance into the “virtual reality” space later than most (the company prefers “spatial computing“), Apple has consistently been at the forefront of high-end technology and setting new norms. With the introduction of the ground-breaking augmented reality (AR)…

  • Jealous Thai man arrested for killing wife by slitting her throat

    Jealous Thai man arrested for killing wife by slitting her throat

    Police arrested a Thai man for killing his wife in a jealous rage by slitting her throat in front of her mother near their shared home in the northeastern province of Chaiyaphum. After witnessing the horrifying scene of her 38 year old son-in-law, Auphon, killing her 44 year old daughter, Ladda, on February 6, the victim’s mother, Suwan, contacted Kaset…

  • Making waves: Phuket water projects dive deep into billion-baht territory

    Making waves: Phuket water projects dive deep into billion-baht territory

    The Phuket Provincial Water Resources Subcommittee delved into water projects exceeding 1 billion baht yesterday and made quite a splash. The meeting, held at Phuket Provincial Hall and chaired by Phuket Vice Governor Norasak Suksombun, saw a flood of attendees from various government agencies. The discussion navigated through the island’s rainfall patterns, water levels in its three main reservoirs, water…

  • Thai football in turmoil: Race for FAT presidency and financial promises revealed

    Thai football in turmoil: Race for FAT presidency and financial promises revealed

    The Football Association of Thailand (FAT) is set to usher in a new president, marking the conclusion of Police General Somyot Poompunmuang’s eight-year tenure as the nation’s football chief. The battle for the coveted position has seen former national men’s team manager Nualphan Lamsam emerge as the frontrunner, with the election scheduled to take place at FAT headquarters in Bangkok’s…

  • German airline Condor to operate direct flights to Bangkok and Phuket

    German airline Condor to operate direct flights to Bangkok and Phuket

    German airline carrier Condor unveiled plans to revitalise travel to Asia by introducing non-stop flights from Frankfurt to Bangkok and Phuket starting in September. Condor is gearing up to spread its wings with a thrilling new route expansion. The airline is set to add seven weekly flights to Thailand. Frankfurt to Bangkok flights will operate four times a week while the…

  • China’s warning to students: Beware of foreign spies

    China’s warning to students: Beware of foreign spies

    China’s Ministry of State Security sounded the alarm amidst an extensive nationwide security initiative, bringing to light a distressing narrative involving a Chinese graduate who fell prey to the intricate web of foreign espionage. In a revelation shared on the ministry’s WeChat platform, an ominous case was detailed, chronicling the exploits of a Chinese student, identified solely by the surname…

  • Bangkok Metropolitan Council approves 23.4 billion baht for Green Line extension

    Bangkok Metropolitan Council approves 23.4 billion baht for Green Line extension

    The Bangkok Metropolitan Council (BMC) gave the green light for a whopping 23.4 billion baht payment to the Bangkok Mass Transit System Plc (BTSC) for crucial electrical and mechanical (E&M) installation work and operation services for the Green Line’s second extension. This decision comes after a crucial meeting that saw high-ranking officials deliberate the fate of the city’s transportation system.…

  • Thai activists call for ban on hazardous PFAS in textile industry

    Thai activists call for ban on hazardous PFAS in textile industry

    Calls for the prohibition of Per-and Polyfluorinated Substances (PFAS), perilous chemicals found in the textile industry and other goods, have been made by activists. The campaigners argue that such a ban would generate awareness amongst customers who require environmentally friendly products for their health and the welfare of our planet. Thitikorn Boontongmai, Ecological Alert and Recover-Thailand (Earth) Planning Manager, highlighted…

  • Thailand’s economy set for 3.3% growth amid global uncertainties

    Thailand’s economy set for 3.3% growth amid global uncertainties

    Thailand’s economy is projected to grow by 3.3% this year, despite vulnerabilities from international politics, foreign wars, and unrest in neighbouring countries. These factors pose risks to the nation’s export sector. Tawee Piyapatana, the Senior Vice President of the Federation of Thai Industries, expressed concerns after representing the chair at a Joint Standing Committee on Commerce, Industry and Banking (JSCCIB)…

  • Mentally ill Thai man stabs woman on bus in Isaan (video)

    Mentally ill Thai man stabs woman on bus in Isaan (video)

    A mentally ill Thai man stabbed a local woman he met on a coach bus in the Isaan province of Khon Kaen on February 6. The attacker’s mother revealed that her son had a mental illness but refused any treatment. The victim, Nittaya Pimthong, was rushed to hospital with several cut wounds on her arms. She is in stable condition…

  • CCTV exposes chilling rehearsal before Bangkok murder

    CCTV exposes chilling rehearsal before Bangkok murder

    A shocking revelation has emerged from CCTV footage, raising suspicions of a premeditated abduction and murder plot in Bangkok. In the footage, a man identified as Kittichot is seen tracking the movements of Thanasant, a factory worker, in what appears to be a rehearsal for the actual crime. The popular TV show ‘ลุยชนข่าว’ on Channel 8 disclosed the eerie prelude…

  • Misleading GPS directions left female driver stranded in Phetchabun (video)

    Misleading GPS directions left female driver stranded in Phetchabun (video)

    A driver’s reliance on her GPS turned into an unexpected off-road adventure as she attempted to reach a coffee shop in Khao Kho, Phetchabun, resulting in the vehicle becoming stuck and necessitating assistance. The incident, captured on video and shared on TikTok by user @tulip_kunyapak, has attracted nearly 2 million views. The driver yesterday set out for a coffee shop…

  • Thai rice exporters stir in choppy waters as challenges loom ahead

    Thai rice exporters stir in choppy waters as challenges loom ahead

    Rice exporters in Thailand are bracing for a challenging year ahead due to a host of risk factors, including fluctuating exchange rates, waning competitiveness of Thai rice, fierce price competition, the potential impact of the El Niño weather phenomenon, and India’s restrictive export policies, as reported by the Thai Rice Exporters Association. The association’s honorary president, Chookiat Ophaswongse, referred to…

  • Flight fright: Panic-stricken passenger causes turbulence at Chiang Mai Airport

    Flight fright: Panic-stricken passenger causes turbulence at Chiang Mai Airport

    A Canadian passenger reportedly experienced a panic attack while a plane was taking off from Chiang Mai International Airport last night and attempted to open the plane door, causing chaos and a delay at the airport. The situation was brought under control at around 11pm. Facebook account Watcharapon Pethsurp posted about the incident at about 9.57pm yesterday, February 7. The…

  • Thailand and Cambodia to discuss joint exploitation of hydrocarbon resources

    Thailand and Cambodia to discuss joint exploitation of hydrocarbon resources

    Thailand and Cambodia consented to further dialogues concerning the mutual exploitation of the hydrocarbon resources in the Overlapping Claims Area (OCA), located in the Gulf of Thailand, a territory claimed by both nations. The matter was discussed during the recent meeting between Thai Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin and Cambodian leader Hun Manet, as they aimed to enhance cooperation for the…

  • Cyber woes: DOP’s PDPA breach prompts CIB intervention

    Cyber woes: DOP’s PDPA breach prompts CIB intervention

    A violation of the Personal Data Protection Act (PDPA) led the Department of Older Persons (DOP) to complain to the Cyber Investigation Bureau (CIB) yesterday. The data breach, involving the DOP’s website, raised alarm bells regarding the possible misuse of personal information. Under the directives of Social Development and Human Security Minister Varawut Silpa-archa, Raemrung Worawat, the DOP’s director-general, reported…

  • Thai abortion rights advocates call for increased legal services access

    Thai abortion rights advocates call for increased legal services access

    Abortion rights supporters in Thailand called for improved access to legal abortion services, issuing a petition to Thossaporn Sereerak, a Pheu Thai MP for Phrae and member of the House Committee on Public Health. The Tamtang Group, a prominent advocate for safe abortion, yesterday, February 7, expressed concerns over the difficulties pregnant women face when seeking legal abortions, despite recent…

  • Ancient dinosaur fossils discovered in Khon Kaen

    Ancient dinosaur fossils discovered in Khon Kaen

    Dinosaur fossils, estimated to be between 100 million to 110 million years old, have been unearthed in the Nam Phong district of Khon Kaen. The fossils, thought to be from the sauropod and spinosaurid species, were discovered by a team from the Department of Mineral Resources, led by Sasa-On Khansubha, a palaeontologist from the Sirindhorn Dinosaur Museum. The initial investigation…

  • Thai govt announces largest ever Songkran festival

    Thai govt announces largest ever Songkran festival

    The Thai government recently sent waves of panic through Thai expats with an announcement that this year’s Songkran, the Thai New Year, would be the largest ever, celebrated from April 1 to April 21. The terror stemmed from the misconception that this would mean 21 days of water-throwing, a popular but divisive feature of Songkran, which is also known as…

  • Thai govt urges electric incense use during Chinese New Year

    Thai govt urges electric incense use during Chinese New Year

    Deputy Government Spokesperson Karom Phonphonklang yesterday shared a statement concerning the upcoming Chinese New Year Celebration, which is to be held from February 8 to 10. The focus of his statement was on the need to monitor the lighting of incense, candles, firecrackers, and the burning of paper money. Karom Phonphonklang expressed the Thai government’s concern over the potential health…

  • Thai Tourist Police enhance Grand Palace facilities ahead of Chinese New Year

    Thai Tourist Police enhance Grand Palace facilities ahead of Chinese New Year

    In a recent endeavour to uplift the image of Thailand’s tourism, the Thai Tourist Police and associated agencies carried out an intensive inspection at the iconic Grand Palace in Phra Nakhon, Bangkok, at 10am on February 7. The operation was part of an initiative to gear up for the arrival of tourists, especially considering the upcoming Chinese New Year. In…

  • Four year old boy found dead in central Thailand fishpond

    Four year old boy found dead in central Thailand fishpond

    A four year old boy was found lifeless after a disappearance mobilised the community in a frantic search effort in Bang Khla, Chachoengsao province yesterday at around 9.15pm. The young boy was discovered submerged in a fishpond near his home, leading to an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the harrowing incident. The boy went missing from his home in Moo…

  • Mountain ride at Hong Kong Disneyland malfunctions, 12 rescued

    Mountain ride at Hong Kong Disneyland malfunctions, 12 rescued

    At Hong Kong Disneyland, 12 thrill-seekers found themselves stranded on the iconic rollercoaster Hyperspace Mountain as it ground to an abrupt halt. Authorities sprang into action as police and fire services rushed to the scene following distress calls at precisely 3.16pm local time (2.16pm Thailand time) this afternoon. Despite the harrowing situation, there were no injuries reported and no smoke or…

  • DJ Tonhom embraces bar host business on fortune-teller’s advice

    DJ Tonhom embraces bar host business on fortune-teller’s advice

    The entertainment industry is abuzz with the latest venture of the vivacious DJ Tonhom Sakuntala Tianpairot, who is making waves with her foray into the bar host business. The DJ’s new investment is the talk of the town, not just for its promising prospects but also due to a curious prediction by a fortune-teller, who prophesied wealth for her through…