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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 Planning to extend your Thai visa? Why health insurance is more important than ever
If you plan to stay longer in Thailand, having health insurance is now more important than ever. Thai immigration often asks for proof of medical coverage when you apply to extend your visa. This applies to many types of visas,...
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Opposition demands probe into NACC’s Prawit asset case
Opposition leader Natthaphong Ruengpanyawut has requested that House Speaker Wan Muhamad Noor Matha initiate an investigation into the National Anti-Corruption Commission’s (NACC) handling of several prominent malfeasance cases. The opposition is particularly concerned about the decision by five NACC members to terminate a fact-finding mission into the actions of former Deputy Prime Minister Prawit Wongsuwan. Prawit was accused of failing…
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Deadly cobra snagged in Trang, residents eye lottery jackpot
In the sleepy surroundings of Lamor subdistrict, in southern Thailand, a daring snake rescue played out in front of house number 95/2, where a 2-metre-long cobra took unwelcome refuge, throwing the local community into a hiss-terical frenzy. A team led by 20 year old “Benz” Suphat Iadchata from Benz Asorapith Trang, yesterday, February 27, responded to a homeowner’s SOS call:…
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Thailand Anti-Discrimination Bill set for Cabinet approval by April
The Department of Rights and Liberties Protection has announced that the government’s version of the Anti-Discrimination Bill is anticipated to be submitted to the Cabinet for approval by April. Somdech Poonnampao, head of the department’s legal division, stated that the bill’s drafting originated from a 2019 proposal by civil society groups. These organisations encouraged the Ministry of Justice to prepare…
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Netizens condemn foreign motorists for reckless driving in Phuket
A Thai man took to TikTok to condemn foreign motorists for reckless driving after a foreign motorcyclist collided with another foreigner’s hatchback on a road in Phuket. The Thai motorist shared dashcam footage of the accident on his TikTok account, @ram_cream, yesterday, February 27. In the video caption, he criticised the foreign motorists and government officials. “#WakeUp. When will Phuket…
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Labour Ministry backs export of Muay Thai coaches to Hong Kong
The Labour Ministry has committed to fully supporting the export of Muay Thai boxing coaches to Hong Kong, where there is a significant demand for their expertise. This commitment was highlighted during Labour Minister Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn’s recent visit to the territory. During his visit, Phiphat, accompanied by senior ministry officials, toured a fitness centre on Fa Yuen Street in Mong…
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Scaly situation: Bangkok mulls over monitor mayhem in the city
Bangkok’s iconic Lumpini Park is grappling with a surge of reptilian residents, as the city considers crafty manoeuvres to manage the thriving water monitor lizard population that’s raised eyebrows, not alarms. At the heart of the city, the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) faces a slippery challenge: an uptick in water monitors roaming Lumpini Park and the adjacent canal along the…
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Senate votes to ban small mesh nets for night fishing
The Senate has voted to prohibit the use of purse seine nets with mesh sizes smaller than 2.5cm for night fishing, leading to the return of the Lower House’s fisheries bill to MPs for further discussion. The Upper House reviewed the amendment bill for the Royal Ordinance on Fisheries 2015 on Tuesday, following the Senate committee’s evaluation. The bill comprises…
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Spanish YouTuber arrested for possession of protected animals
Police arrested a Spanish YouTuber, the ex-husband of a famous Thai model and singer, at his home in the central province of Kanchanaburi yesterday for the illegal possession of protected animals. Officers from the Immigration Bureau and the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation received a complaint regarding the alleged illegal possession of protected species by the Spanish…
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Cable crackdown: Thailand bridges gap on cybercrime
In a campaign to cut off cybercriminals at their source, Thailand’s top telecom regulator is joining forces with the Department of Highways to tackle illegal cross-border cable networks lurking near national bridges. In a bid to sever the sinister circuits exploited by cybercriminals, the National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC) is tying knots with the Department of Highways to clamp…
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Chinese couple busted at Phuket condo for illegal business
A Chinese couple was arrested yesterday in a dramatic raid at a luxury condominium in Kathu, Phuket for allegedly operating an illegal business in Thailand. Phuket Immigration, working with the Investigation Unit of the Crime Suppression Division 3 and Region 8 Crime Suppression Division, swooped on the couple’s lavish hideout at 11.30am, yesterday, February 27, catching them by surprise. The…
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Thailand video news | Thailand Park Ranger Calls Out Italian Tourists for Damaging Coral Reefs, Two Men Publicly Caned for Homosexuality in Indonesia’s Aceh Province
Thailand Park Ranger Calls Out Italian Tourists for Damaging Coral Reefs A Thai park ranger, Sai, called out two Italian tourists for snorkeling in a restricted coral reef area despite warnings. He posted a video on social media, frustrated by their disregard for Thai laws, questioning if money makes foreigners feel above the rules. The tourists ignored officials’ orders and…
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Top cop gunned down after mosque prayers in Pattani
A senior police officer was shot dead as he returned from prayers at a mosque in Pattani province yesterday, February 27, marking another deadly attack in Thailand’s troubled southern region. The officer, 58 year old Police Lieutenant Muhammad Azan Jamae, Deputy Inspector of the 6th Investigation Division, Natural Resources and Environmental Crime Suppression Division, was ambushed outside his home in Ban…
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New entertainment complex law to shake up Thailand’s nightlife
A controversial new law that could revolutionise Thailand’s entertainment industry is set to be reviewed by the Cabinet on March 11, sparking curiosity and speculation about the future of nightlife in the country. The Entertainment Complex Business Act aims to regulate entertainment venues more strictly, impacting nightclubs, bars, and other entertainment establishments nationwide. The Council of State recently returned the…
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Stray dog leads Tak police to decomposed body of identified girl
A stray dog brought a bone from a roadside grassland onto the road in the northern province of Tak, leading to the discovery of a sack containing the decomposed body of an unidentified young girl yesterday, February 27. Residents of the Ban Nam Dip community in the Mae Sot district of Tak called officers from Mae Sot Police Station to…
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Thailand’s north faces rising temperatures and increased dust risk
The Meteorological Department of Thailand has issued a warning regarding rising temperatures in the northern regions, with hot conditions expected during the day. This change in weather could lead to increased PM2.5 dust particle accumulation. The forecast for the next 24 hours indicates higher temperatures in northern Thailand, with hot conditions prevailing during the day. This is due to a…
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Pattaya taxi driver bricked in booze-fuelled bust-up
High drama unfolded on the streets of Pattaya as a row turned deadly, leaving a motorbike taxi driver savagely struck down with a concrete block. In the hustle of Central Pattaya, an early morning clash spiraled into horror when a motorbike taxi driver was left fighting for life after a brutal concrete block attack. The fracas erupted at 9am, yesterday…
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Pickpocket peril and ladyboy larceny: Pattaya’s foreign tourist trap
A wave of thefts has left three foreign tourists reeling in Pattaya’s crime-laden streets, with light-fingered pickpockets and audacious robbers striking under the cover of night. Three unfortunate tourists fell victim to the crafty crooks, transforming their vacations into tales of woe, in the seedy heat of Pattaya that showcased the city’s underbelly of crime. At 1.49am, yesterday, February 27,…
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Thai transwoman rescued in suicide attempt over boyfriend’s affair with sister
Good Samaritans successfully intervened in a suicide attempt by a Thai transwoman on the Bhumibol 1 Bridge in Samut Prakan province near Bangkok. She claimed her decision was motivated by the discovery of her boyfriend’s affair with her sister. Motorists and pedestrians travelling on the bridge noticed the suspicious behaviour of the 30 year old transwoman, Thanakorn, and reported the matter…
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Thailand deports 40 Uyghurs to China despite UNHCR warnings
Thailand has deported 40 Uyghurs to China after holding them for over a decade, drawing condemnation from the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR). The agency expressed its deepest condolences and labelled the deportation a violation of international law. UNHCR reported that it repeatedly requested access to the detained Uyghurs, who feared persecution if returned to China. Thai officials…
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Fairway to heaven: Icons of Football tee up for swings and banter
Sparks flew and banter soared as football legends clashed over the fairway before the Icons of Football golf tournament tee-off this weekend. With friendly jabs and claims sure to slice through the tension, the stage is set for an unforgettable weekend of links and laughs. In a scene teeming with jabs heftier than a golf club, Team England and Team…
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Search underway for missing American woman in Phuket
A jet ski rental operator on Patong Beach in Phuket contacted the police yesterday after an American woman went missing, leaving the rented jet ski floating in the sea. The operator reported the incident to Patong Police Station at approximately 11.25am, yesterday, February 27, stating that the foreign woman, later identified as 38 year old American citizen Nina Ng, disappeared.…
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Phuket Airport to boost flight capacity to 35 per hour
The Thai Ministry of Transport has instructed the Aeronautical Radio of Thailand Company Limited (AEROTHAI) to enhance Phuket Airport’s flight handling capacity. By 2025, the aim is to increase from 25 to 35 flights per hour. Deputy Minister of Transport Monaporn Charernsri announced yesterday, February 27 that AEROTHAI is examining methods to boost Phuket Airport’s efficiency, one of Thailand’s busiest…
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British family races to save loved one after Thailand crash
A British family finds themselves in a race against time as they strive to bring their comatose loved one back home after a horrific bike crash in Thailand. Desperate to raise £100,000, the famly has turned to kind-hearted Brits for help. In a heart-wrenching saga, the family of Okemena Sule, a 30 year old British man, is locked in a…
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European tourists flock to Pattaya for extended stays
Pattaya continues to charm European tourists even as the High Season winds down, with many choosing to extend their stays thanks to the city’s laid-back vibe, stunning beaches, and improved tourism policies. This thriving beach town remains a top destination, proving that its appeal goes beyond seasonal travel trends. A survey conducted on Tuesday, February 25 in the Yinyom and…
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Thailand offers 50% travel subsidy: 1 million vouchers available
Thailand’s Tourism Minister, Sorawong Thienthong, has announced a bold plan to boost domestic tourism with a 3.5 billion baht budget request to fund the new We Travel Together programme. The scheme will offer Thai tourists 50% subsidies on hotel rooms and meals from May to September, with one million vouchers up for grabs. The proposed programme aims to revitalise the…
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Thailand deports 40 Uyghurs to China amid global outrage
Thailand has secretly deported 40 Uyghur detainees to China after nearly 11 years in detention, sparking international outrage and accusations of human rights violations. The deportation was confirmed by Defence Minister Phumtham Wechayachai, who stated that the transfer was conducted under international standards and after receiving assurances from China regarding the detainees’ welfare. The operation began in the early hours…
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Cosmic spectacle: Rare planet parade visible this week in Thailand
Stargazers in Thailand are in for a celestial treat as a rare planetary alignment will light up the evening sky this week, according to the National Astronomical Research Institute of Thailand (NARIT). For a limited time, all the visible planets in the Solar System will be lined up, creating a breathtaking parade that can be seen with the naked eye.…
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2 Thai wives team up to catch police husband in alleged affair
A Thai wife and mistress joined forces to catch their police husband and another mistress which led to an altercation at a restaurant in the central province of Lop Buri. The Facebook news page Esor News reported on Tuesday, February 25, that two Thai wives urged the page to help them seek justice. They revealed that their husband, a police…
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Phuket crackdown: 11 arrested in nominee business scam
Phuket Immigration has launched a major crackdown on illegal nominee businesses, leading to the arrest of 11 foreigners and the seizure of substantial evidence. The coordinated raids targeted 15 suspected businesses across the island, exposing a network of foreign nationals allegedly using Thai nominees to operate prohibited enterprises. The large-scale operation was led by Police Colonel Kriangkrai Ariyaying, head of…
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Thai restaurant owners accuse delivery rider of attempted assault
Two Thai restaurant owners accused a food delivery rider from LINE MAN of attempting to physically assault one of them over a forgotten order. The Thai woman shared security camera footage showing her and her husband engaged in a heated argument with the food delivery rider in front of their shop yesterday, February 26. “Hot-headed rider. We completed the order and…
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