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 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....
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Chon Buri farmer busted with 10,000 meth pills in sting
A routine undercover operation in Nonthaburi turned into a major drug bust when Bang Lamung Police apprehended a 42 year old farmer attempting to smuggle 10,000 methamphetamine pills across provincial lines for sale in Chon Buri. The arrest took place at 12.30pm yesterday, June 26, outside a convenience store in the Sai Yai subdistrict of Nonthaburi province. Acting on a…
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Pattaya kidnap: Russian journalist extorted for over 2.5 million baht
A Russian journalist was left traumatised and nearly 2.5 million baht poorer after being kidnapped, assaulted, and extorted by a gang of fellow Russians. The harrowing ordeal took place in Pattaya, with the victim, identified as David, a special correspondent for a Russian news agency, left with bruises and marks of assault. Yesterday, June 26, at 9pm, Pattaya City Police…
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Bomb plot in Phuket: 6 suspects arrested, officials continue search
Officials are searching for two more bombs, which the suspects claimed to have hidden on Surin Beach in Phuket. All six criminals involved in the bomb plot were arrested. Officers from Mueang Phang Nga Police Station apprehended two suspects, 29 year old Muhama Wadeng and 27 year old Sulaiman Gaza, in the southern province of Phang Nga at 3.30am on…
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Alcohol sales hours to change in Thailand starting today
In a major shake-up to alcohol sales in Thailand, the Royal Gazette has announced that new regulations will take effect starting today. Under the new rules, the sale of alcoholic beverages will be restricted to specific hours, but there are three major exceptions. Here’s what you need to know about the changes that will affect bars, restaurants, and travellers. Yesterday,…
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Heavy rainfall and flash flood continue to batter Thailand
Thailand’s Meteorological Department (TMD) has forecasted heavy rainfall in the country’s upper regions, affecting 70% of two provinces today. A total of 43 provinces are expected to experience severe weather, with warnings issued for potential flash floods, forest runoff, and landslides. The heavy rain is attributed to a monsoon trough stretching across northern Thailand and Laos, merging into a low-pressure…
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NACC probes justice minister, DSI chief over senate collusion
Thailand’s National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) has launched an investigation into the actions of Justice Minister Tawee Sodsong and the director general of the Department of Special Investigation (DSI), Police Major Yutthana Praedam, following allegations of misconduct during the investigation into alleged collusion in the Senate elections. The NACC’s decision to establish a committee to investigate the two officials follows a formal complaint lodged by…
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Thailand and Cambodia relax border rules amid tensions
In a significant move to ease tensions, the Royal Thai Army (RTA) has temporarily relaxed regulations at four border checkpoints in Sa Kaeo province, allowing Thais and Cambodians to cross the border after days of strict closures. The announcement, made by the Burapha Task Force today, June 26, comes amid increasing calls for a relaxation of the blanket border closures…
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Woman caught smuggling exotic food from Thailand into Australia
In a daring attempt to smuggle over 62,000kg of exotic foods into Australia, a woman has landed herself behind bars after her plan to flood the Sydney black market with illegal goods was thwarted by vigilant border agents. The woman, who tried to import a variety of goods from Thailand, used mislabelled polystyrene boxes to ship the products. Inside, agents found a disturbing range of items,…
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Phuket’s tsunami drill to test readiness with 1,000 participants
In a massive push to strengthen Thailand’s disaster response, more than 1,000 people will take part in a major tsunami drill in Kamala tomorrow as part of the national disaster response exercise, C-MEX 25. The drill, aimed at enhancing readiness and coordination across six Andaman coastal provinces, is set to be the largest exercise of its kind in recent years. The…
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Teacher busted with drugs, weapons, and wildlife in Phang Nga
A 53 year old school teacher in Kuraburi, Phang Nga, was arrested in a major crackdown on illegal activities following an operation aimed at suppressing drugs and wildlife crime in the region. Today, June 26, Governor Pairot Petchyuan ordered a security operation, which saw local officials, including District Chief Kittipong Maneesri, set up a checkpoint on Mae Yai Bridge Road. The…
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Missing autistic teen in Bangkok prompts urgent search
A 17 year old autistic teenager has been reported missing after leaving school to visit a swimming pool located within the Huai Khwang flats yesterday, June 25. The Facebook page FM91 Trafficpro has shared a post seeking assistance in locating the teenager, Nong Suea, from the Huai Khwang area. Nong Suea, whose full name is Chawakon Hengyai, is described as…
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Bangkok Airways cancels flights to Lampang and Mae Hong Son
Bangkok Airways announced the temporary suspension of its flights between Suvarnabhumi International Airport and Lampang starting from October 26. This decision, which has left many passengers concerned, also affects the route between Bangkok and Mae Hong Son, which will be suspended from July 1. The airline revealed that the suspensions are due to fleet maintenance and commercial considerations, though it reassured passengers that alternative options would still be available. Despite the…
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Phuket’s luxury real estate boom raises green space concerns
Phuket’s latest luxury real estate development, Utopia Urban Glam, has made waves as it positions itself as a key driver of the island’s economic growth. The seven-storey building, currently under construction in Rawai’s Saiyuan area, boasts 110 residential units and a range of high-end amenities, including seven swimming pools, a private cinema, a fitness centre, and a rooftop Sky Lounge. The…
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Cambodian woman with missing arm arrested after Sa Kaeo protest
A Cambodian woman with a missing arm has been arrested following her participation in a protest at the Khlong Luek border checkpoint in Sa Kaeo province. The protest arose as a large group of Cambodians demanded that Cambodian officials reopen the border, having waited on the Thai side for nearly eight hours. Despite the efforts of Thai military personnel to…
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Chiang Mai aims to be entertainment hub with major film deal
Chiang Mai is set to become Asia’s next big entertainment hotspot, thanks to a groundbreaking new collaboration. Hylife Group, the city’s leading real estate, asset management, and manufacturing giant, has just signed a major Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Busan International Film Festival (BIFF) and key industry partners to transform the northern Thai city into a regional film and…
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Neighbour dispute in Pathum Thani ends in fatal stabbing
A long-standing neighbourhood dispute in Pathum Thani’s Nong Suea district culminated in tragedy when a 64 year old man fatally stabbed a neighbour. The incident occurred after the suspect’s son was allegedly harassed by the victim. Yesterday, June 25, Police Lieutenant Nipon Butsana of Nong Suea Police Station was informed of a fatal stabbing incident within a village in Bueng…
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Businessman shot dead in Kanchanaburi mall car park
A well-known businessman in Sangkhla Buri was fatally shot in a car park of a wholesale mall in central Kanchanaburi, highlighting potential personal or business conflicts. The incident occurred at 7.26pm yesterday, June 25, when police received reports of a fatal shooting in the car park of a prominent wholesale mall in Pak Phraek subdistrict, Mueang district, Kanchanaburi province. Upon…
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Bangkok scoops design awards for manhole cover and website
Bangkok’s commitment to innovation and sustainability has been recognised with two prestigious Design Excellence Awards (DEmark 2025), awarded by the Value Added Promotion for Trade Office of the Department of International Promotion. The awards were announced by Ekwaranyu Amrapal, spokesperson for the city, who proudly revealed that Yaowarat Road’s Identity Manhole Cover and the Greener Bangkok website were both recipients of the esteemed honours.…
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Unrest in Pattani as assailants target officials during rescue
Unidentified assailants caused unrest in two districts of Pattani province, aiming to harm officials during rescue operations. The incidents yesterday, June 25, at 9.30pm, took place in Sai Buri and Kapho districts, leading to multiple road closures. In Sai Buri district, arsonists set fire to a vehicle belonging to the Paen Subdistrict Administrative Organisation, resulting in significant damage. Emergency services…
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Woman caught running million-baht online sex service in Ayutthaya
A woman has been arrested in Ayutthaya for operating a lucrative online sex video subscription service, making millions of baht over the past three years. The arrest took place in Samruan subdistrict, Bang Pa-in district, following an in-depth investigation by the Central Investigation Bureau (CIB). The investigation began after police discovered explicit content being marketed and sold on social media…
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Patong Beach gets bomb squad and sniffer dogs for tourist safety
Phuket officials are ramping up security in one of Thailand’s most popular tourist destinations after a safety inspection at Patong Beach, aimed at reassuring tourists and locals. Yesterday, June 25, a bomb scare was averted thanks to the swift action of local police, Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) units, and specially trained sniffer dogs. At 12.30pm, Police Colonel Akanit Danpitaksan, Deputy…
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Thai woman kills teen boy over mistaken identity
A 69 year old woman killed a 14 year old boy after mistakenly believing he had assaulted her grandson. Yesterday, June 25, Police Lieutenant Colonel Manop Marotarakul reported the incident after Police Lieutenant Phatrawit Kittisirivuwan, deputy inspector of Khiri Ratthanikhom Police Station, received a report of a stabbing outside a house in Village 11, Tha Khanon subdistrict, Khiri Ratthanikhom district…
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Detour de force: Drivers dodge Rama II death trap to reach Hua Hin
A weekend getaway to Hua Hin should be a breeze but, thanks to the notorious Rama II Road, it’s more of a gamble than a getaway. The highway, which links Bangkok to southern destinations, has earned itself a grim reputation as one of Thailand’s deadliest routes. Endless construction, heavy traffic, and a staggering accident rate have made it a route…
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Pattaya deputy mayor leads cleanup of sunken docking buoys
In a move aimed at restoring order to Pattaya’s troubled boating sector, the deputy mayor has led a team to collect sunken buoys from a failed docking project, a cleanup effort long overdue since tropical storm Vamco wreaked havoc on the area 10 years ago. Yesterday, June 25, Deputy Mayor of Pattaya City Manoch Nongyai and officials from the Pattaya…
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Earthquake swarm rattles Andaman amid tsunami rumblings
A flurry of undersea earthquakes off Thailand’s southern coast has put experts on high alert and locals are being urged to brush up on their evacuation plans, just in case. A popular Thai science page has warned that over 15 moderate tremors have rocked the Andaman Sea in the past few days, sparking fears of an underwater volcanic eruption —…
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Grab Thailand rolls out 0% fees, AI tools to save restaurants
As Thailand’s economy stumbles and food businesses tighten their belts, Grab Thailand is stepping in with a bold new lifeline. The food delivery giant has launched a series of targeted initiatives aimed at helping small restaurant operators and solo entrepreneurs survive the current financial crunch, complete with zero commission deals, AI tools and micro-loans. Chantsuda Thananitayaudom, country head of Grab…
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Thai official accused of attempted abduction in Pathum Thani
A woman from the provincial administrative organisation in northern Thailand yesterday reported a distrurbing incident to Ko Kret police in Pathum Thani. The 38 year old, identified as A (a pseudonym), accused a male colleague of attempting to lure her into a motel against her will. The incident reportedly took place on Thursday, June 19 at 11.30pm, following a party at…
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Thai officials dismantle wildlife trafficking network at Jam Pong
The Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation, in collaboration with several agencies, dismantled a wildlife carcass trafficking network at Jam Pong checkpoint, arresting two Laotians with over 100 kilogrammes of rare wildlife carcasses intended for sale. Investigations are ongoing to expand the case and proceed with legal action. Yesterday, June 25, the operation was led by Chaincharn Sriyong,…
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Husband hides in pineapple field after Sri Racha knife rampage
A newlywed’s flat turned into a house of horror after a blazing row between a young couple ended in bloodshed, with the husband fleeing into a pineapple field to dodge arrest in Sri Racha. Police were called to a rented room in Moo 5, Khao Khansong, Sri Racha, just after 7pm, Monday, June 23 where they found 21 year old…
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Bangkok protest shuts hospital clinics, triggers traffic meltdown
Bangkok is bracing for chaos this Saturday as a major political protest near Victory Monument forces a leading hospital to shut its doors and the police to warn of severe traffic disruption across the Ratchathewi district. Ramathibodi Hospital announced the suspension of services at its special and premium clinics on Saturday, June 28, from 3pm onwards, citing safety concerns over…
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