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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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Thailand offers rewards for reporting e-cigarette sellers and users
To crack down on e-cigarette use, the Thai government has launched a new initiative allowing the public to report sellers and users of e-cigarettes through the Thang Rath mobile app. The scheme offers lucrative rewards for tipsters, with informants standing to pocket 60% of the fines imposed on suspects. Those providing information that leads to an arrest could earn a…
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Man shoots thief in Phuket shrimp pond, police investigate
A shocking incident unfolded in Phuket late yesterday when a man opened fire on a suspected thief who had broken into his shrimp pond. The suspect, later identified as 28 year old Thana Phanthip, was shot in the ankle after allegedly attempting to steal from the property. Police Lieutenant Colonel Niwat Timket of Thalang Police Station received a call at 11.30pm,…
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Thailand bans all corporal punishment, a win for children’s rights
In a groundbreaking move for children’s rights, Thailand has officially outlawed all forms of corporal punishment, including both physical and psychological discipline. The amendment to Section 1567 of the Civil and Commercial Code, announced in the Royal Gazette on Monday, March 24, marks a historic moment for the nation, making Thailand the 68th country worldwide to ban violent discipline in…
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Thai Sang Thai MPs back Paetongtarn, leader blasts ‘cobra MPs’
Five MPs from the opposition Thai Sang Thai Party caused a stir by defying their party and voting in favour of Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra. The rebellion left the party’s founder and leader, Sudarat Keyuraphan, furious and vowing consequences for those involved. After the no-confidence vote results were announced, Sudarat was quick to express her outrage on Facebook. She revealed…
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Patong police crackdown on drink driving nets multiple arrests
A late-night operation in Patong saw local traffic police set up a checkpoint at Laem Phet Monastery, where they tested drivers for alcohol consumption. The checkpoint, which ran from 12.30am to 2.30am today, March 26, revealed a disturbing number of intoxicated drivers on the road, said Police Colonel Chalermchai Hirasawat, Superintendent of Patong Police Station. “The results of the checkpoint…
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Fire ravages famous Suphan Buri café, no injuries reported
A fire broke out at a famous café in the heart of Suphan Buri, causing extensive damage to the property. Fortunately, the employees were unharmed. The incident, reported at 7.30pm yesterday, March 25, was promptly attended to by Police Lieutenant Channarong Thaisuwan from the Mueang Suphan Buri Police Station, along with Police Colonel Wanchai Khaorom. They responded to the emergency…
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Mysterious pipe near Pattaya beach sparks pollution concerns
A mysterious pipe emerging from the sea near Wong Amat Beach in Naklua has raised alarm among locals, prompting an investigation by Pattaya’s City Hall complaints division. The issue, which has been brewing for some time, has stirred a mix of reactions from residents, some praising the swift response, while others remain frustrated at the delay in addressing the matter.…
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Tragic collision in Ayutthaya leaves three dead on Rojana Road
A tragic accident occurred in Ayutthaya when a car collided with a motorcycle carrying three people, resulting in their deaths at the scene. The driver claimed he failed to brake in time as the motorcycle made a sudden U-turn. The incident took place today, March 26, on Rojana Road near Baan Montri U-turn, kilometre marker 15, in Khan Ham subdistrict,…
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Russian motorcyclist seriously injured after allegedly running red light
A Russian motorcyclist reportedly ran a red light on a road in Pattaya and collided with a sedan car, resulting in severe injuries. Mueang Pattaya Police Station and the Sawang Borriboon Dhammastan Rescue Foundation were alerted to the accident near the entrance of an entertainment venue at 5.19am yesterday, March 25. The incident took place on Pattaya Sai Sam Road…
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Counterfeit Thai coconut drinks deceive Chinese consumers
The Department of International Trade Promotion (DITP) in Thailand has reported concerns about the imitation of the Thai coconut drink brand “IF” by a Chinese brand “TF”, widely available on Chinese e-commerce platforms. The imitation products, reportedly identical in packaging and name to the IF brand, are confusing Chinese consumers. Despite their similarities in appearance, the TF brand differs from…
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Hazardous dust levels hit 43 Thai provinces in north and northeast
Over the past 24 hours, hazardous ultrafine dust levels were detected across the north, northeast, and other regions, as reported by the Geo-Informatics and Space Technology Development Agency (GISTDA). At 7am, today, March 26, GISTDA announced that 43 provinces experienced unsafe levels of particulate matter (PM2.5) smaller than 2.5 micrometres in diameter. Eighteen of these provinces, located in the north…
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Thai Education Council challenges global ranking, cites flaws
Thailand’s education system has found itself at the centre of controversy after being ranked 107th out of 203 countries in a global education survey. The ranking, published by the World Population Review, has raised eyebrows among Thai officials, who argue that the methodology behind the ranking is flawed and misleading. “These rankings are based on subjective opinions, not measurable, concrete…
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Pawsome comeback: Thai woman spends 6m baht to clone pet dog
A Fifty year old animal lover from Ban Pong district, Ratchaburi province, invested 6 million baht to clone her beloved dog, and bring it back from the grave. The cloned French Bulldog puppy, named Pha Phang, is five months old and displays a playful and lively temperament. Kanjanrat Sakdigratanasiri, also known as Kai, revealed that Pha Phang is the first genetically…
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Jomtien Beach altercation: Tourist slaps vendor, chaos ensue (video)
A beach mat vendor at Jomtien Beach found himself at the centre of a chaotic altercation with a foreign tourist late yesterday, March 25, after the tourist allegedly slapped him. The incident, which took place near the Pattaya Police Station, Dongtan branch, was captured on video and quickly went viral, raising concerns over the safety of locals and tourists. The…
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Fare fight: Ride-hailing drivers trade blows in brawl at Bangkok airport
A confrontation between drivers of a popular ride-hailing app erupted into a brawl at Suvarnabhumi International Airport’s taxi parking area. The incident, shared on social media today, March 26, involved two drivers who had earlier engaged in erratic driving. Video footage captured by a bystander shows drivers from the app’s service attempting to mediate the dispute. The clip ends with…
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Wildfires force indefinite closure of North Thailand park
Doi Phu Nang National Park in Phayao province has been closed indefinitely following a troubling rise in wildfires, the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation (DNP) announced yesterday, March 25. The park, known for its lush mountain ranges and diverse wildlife, will remain off-limits to both tourists and locals as authorities work to address the ongoing fire risks.…
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Phuket’s ‘Pineapple Eyes’ boosts community security efforts
Phuket is stepping up its security game with a new initiative aimed at strengthening community surveillance against modern threats. The Internal Security Operations Command (ISOC) Region 3 branch held a special training session on March 25 to empower residents, airport security staff, and civilian officers to detect and respond to potential risks. The initiative, Community Pineapple Eyes, aims to create…
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Boy’s mysterious disappearance in Lop Buri sparks supernatural theories
A 12 year old boy mysteriously disappeared while playing hide and seek near his home in Lop Buri, only to be found hours later in a perplexing incident that has residents contemplating supernatural explanations. Yesterday, March 25, emergency services and local police were alerted about the boy’s disappearance from his home in the Mueang district. The search efforts began around…
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American throws drunken fit in the middle of a Pattaya road
Late-night drama unfolded in Pattaya yesterday when an American tourist, heavily intoxicated and causing a scene, sprawled himself across a busy road, blocking traffic and annoying passersby. The bizarre incident, which left locals and rescue workers baffled, has sparked a wave of online chatter. At 11.36pm, yesterday, March 25, the Sawang Boriboon Thammasathan Rescue Unit received a call from concerned…
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Thai boys post video when killing 33 year old man on social media
Police arrested two Thai boys after they filmed themselves brutally murdering a 33 year old man in a rubber plantation in Trang and posted the shocking footage on social media. Esor News reported the shocking murder by the young offenders in Trang yesterday, March 25. The page stated that the 14 year old boys took revenge by killing a 33…
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Royal decree boosts allowances for senior Thai police officers
A fresh royal decree has been enacted, bringing significant changes to the allowance structure for police officers in Thailand. Effective from yesterday, March 25, the decree, which was published on the Royal Gazette website, outlines new pay guidelines for senior police positions, all under the authority of King Maha Vajiralongkorn. “The new decree aims to overhaul the position allowances for…
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Woman arrested for stealing valuables worth 600,000 baht
Police apprehended a 38 year old woman after she was caught stealing valuables worth approximately 600,000 baht from a luxury home in Chon Buri. The incident occurred yesterday, March 25, when Police Colonel Somchai Thiwangsa, superintendent of Ban Bueng Police Station, directed Deputy Superintendent Thanongsak Suwannawat to lead an investigative team to arrest Naritsara while she was asleep in a…
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Thailand SSO extends care for stroke and heart disease
The Social Security Board has approved an extension for urgent treatment access for two critical conditions, stroke and heart disease, ensuring care until treatment completion. This initiative begins on April 1 and will run through the end of 2025. Marasri Jairangsi, Secretary-General of the Social Security Office, revealed the decision yesterday, March 25, at the Social Security Office in Nonthaburi…
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Thai teenager stages fake funeral allegedly to extort money from mourners
An 18 year old Thai boy in the Isaan province of Udon Thani held a fake funeral for his mother, allegedly to obtain money from a group of friends and teachers. His grandmother defended him, claiming they were merely performing a ritual to ward off an evil spirit. The fake funeral came to light after the community leader, Sisawat Phodhiwat,…
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Fisherman dies on longtail boat in Nakhon Si Thammarat
A 55 year old fisherman tragically passed away after losing consciousness while on a longtail boat near Tha Sala district, Nakhon Si Thammarat province. Despite his wife’s efforts to seek help during the incident, the boat was eventually carried ashore by waves. The incident occurred at 1pm yesterday, March 25. Police Lieutenant Colonel Somchai Muaydee, deputy superintendent of the investigation unit…
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Thai tourism fears Chinese decline over casino legalisation
Tourism operators have expressed concerns that the Chinese tourism market may experience a significant decline if Thailand proceeds to legalise casinos and online gambling. This issue was highlighted during a censure debate against Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra. The opposition People’s Party argued that the legalisation of casinos was not part of the Pheu Thai Party’s campaign promises. They suggested that…
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Fraudulent drug network busted, two arrested in major operation
A significant operation targeting a fraudulent drug network linked to a veterans’ hospital resulted in the arrest of two key figures today, March 26. The operation, conducted at 6am, involved searches at 18 locations across Bangkok, Lop Buri, Prachin Buri, and Chon Buri. Police Major General Charunkiet Pankhaew, Deputy Commissioner of the Police, alongside Police Major General Prasong Chalermphon and…
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Thailand Industry Ministry probes illegal import of radioactive waste
The Ministry of Industry has launched an investigation into the illegal importation of over 10,000 tonnes of radioactive waste falsely labelled as zinc concentrate. The potentially dangerous material, tainted with radioactive caesium-137, was smuggled into Thailand using fraudulent documentation, sparking alarm over the safety of the country’s waste management practices. Yesterday, March 25, Industry Minister Akanat Promphan revealed the investigation,…
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Transport minister denies secret 100bn baht high-speed rail deals
Transport Minister Suriya Jungrungreangkit refuted claims from the opposition that the government is covertly negotiating two major deals exceeding 100 billion baht with the concessionaire for the high-speed rail project connecting Suvarnabhumi, Don Mueang, and U-Tapao airports. “The debater attempted to distort facts using his imagination to mislead the public.” Suriya’s response yesterday, March 25, addressed accusations from Surachet Pravinvongvuth,…
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Bangkok thief in food delivery jacket steals 1.5 million baht in gold necklaces
A cunning thief wearing a food delivery rider’s jacket stole gold necklaces worth 1.5 million baht from a gold shop at a supermarket in Bangkok’s Bang Khae district yesterday, March 25, and remains at large. The theft was reported at the Aurora gold shop on the ground floor of the Big C supermarket near Soi Phetchakasem 67 in Bang Khae…
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