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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 9 most common health issues covered by insurance for expats in Thailand
Thailand is a popular destination for expats due to its affordable lifestyle and excellent healthcare system. However, settling in a new country often brings health concerns. To ensure you’re covered for the most common medical needs, understanding what expat health...
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KBank restricts digital personal loans to refine business model
Kasikornbank (KBank), known for its leading mobile banking services, has strategically slowed down its digital personal loan operations. The move aims to refine its business model and enhance the quality of its loan products, according to its Chief Executive Kattiya Indaravijaya. Kattiya revealed that there is no specific timeline for the completion of the business model improvement. However, she assured that…
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Thailand’s steel industry threatened by surge in Chinese imports
The EAF Long Product Steel Producers Association raised concerns about the future of Thailand’s steel industry as local manufacturers face potential closure. This comes as a result of a surge in steel imports from China, which has resulted in a reduction of capacity utilisation to a mere 28% between January and February. The association’s president Chaichalerm Bunyanuwat urged for immediate…
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Thai woman vs British man in altercation in Isaan (video)
A Thai woman accused a British man of harassing and threatening her with a gun at her restaurant Madam Chickan in the Isaan province of Buriram. In response, the foreigner defended himself, alleging that the woman was involved in passport fraud. The 38 year old Thai woman, Komkhai, sought help from Channel 7 alleging that the 55 year old British…
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Predicted surge in global gold prices to US$2,500 per ounce
Global gold prices are set to touch US$2,500 per ounce in the latter half of this year, as per predictions by local gold traders, despite a recent slump below US$2,300. The market has scaled down its expectations for US interest rate cuts this year to a maximum of two times, a reduction from the previously anticipated three to four times.…
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British man lost in Thailand, family issues SOS appeal
The family of a British man issued an SOS after he went AWOL while on holiday in Thailand. Scottish man David Goldthorpe has vanished in Thailand after booking a holiday in the Land of Smiles to celebrate his retirement. The 65 year old Edinburgh-born retiree was supposed to fly home Sunday, May 5, but never boarded his flight, leaving his…
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Woman stabbed in Rangsit mall parking lot in robbery gone wrong
A brazen robbery attempt at a popular shopping mall in the Rangsit area of Pathum Thani province ended in a violent altercation when a woman in a Mercedes-Benz was ambushed and attacked with a knife. The incident occurred at 6pm yesterday in the mall’s parking lot, where the 36 year old car owner Chatrarat, sustained injuries to her left cheek…
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Thai woman abuses daughter to extort money from British husband
Police arrested a Thai woman in Samut Prakarn province near Bangkok yesterday, May 6, after shocking video footage emerged of the woman physically abusing her seven year old daughter to extort money from her British husband. A 61 year old community leader, Somsri Ngamprasert, filed a complaint against a Thai woman named Sudarat on behalf of her British husband named…
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AoT fast-track Suvarnabhumi expansion amid soaring passenger traffic
The Airports of Thailand (AoT) is altering the Suvarnabhumi International Airport master plan to hasten the development of terminal expansion projects, in response to the rapidly increasing demand from passenger traffic. The revised master plan, which outlines the course of action for the next decade, aims to accelerate the progression of main terminal expansion and the construction of new ones…
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Summer storms set to rock Thailand with thunder, wind, and hail
Severe summer storms, characterised by thunderstorms, strong winds, and in some cases hail, have been forecasted to hit several provinces across Thailand. The Meteorological Department of Thailand (TMD) issued its 13th announcement on the matter, alerting residents in affected areas to take precautions against the unpredictable and dangerous weather conditions expected today, May 7. The announcement outlines that the upper…
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Nongprue police dismantle large-scale motorbike theft operation
Pattaya yesterday witnessed the successful dismantling of a large-scale motorbike theft operation, as Nongprue police apprehended four suspects. The arrest, which was a result of a comprehensive investigation conducted by the Nongprue Police Station, managed to pull the plug on an intricate network of motorbike thieves and illegal resellers. The investigation’s initial breakthrough occurred with the arrest of Phumrin Kesmala,…
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Phuket governor inspects aerator for canal odour control
Phuket Governor Sophon Suwannarat recently examined the aerator installed in Klong Pak Bang, Kamla, as part of a broader effort to combat the unpleasant odour emanating from the canal. The governor’s visit took place over the weekend, joined by the likes of Phuket MP Chalermphong Saengdee, Advisor to the Governor of Phuket Province, Dr Somkid Chokong, and several local officials,…
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Phuket’s small road expansion might ease the traffic congestion
Phuket’s traffic congestion crisis might be getting some relief with the expansion of a small road that connects Wat Tha Reua, south of the Heroines Monument, to Baan Manik in Cherng Talay. The road has been broadened in hopes of reducing the heavy traffic load on Thepkrasattri Road. and Srisoonthorn Road. Previously, this small section of Route 3030, which merges…
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Custom Mercedes Maybach in 11.2 million baht crash goes viral
A recent collision involving a customised two-tone Mercedes-Benz S580e Maybach and a pickup truck caused a stir online, with netizens reacting in shock to the estimated 11.2 million baht worth of damages to the luxury car. The incident was highlighted on TikTok by user Banknitikorn, who shared images of the aftermath. Amidst an outpouring of comments, concerns were raised regarding…
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Man smashes bottles on Bang Saen Beach, sparks safety fears
A disturbing incident at Bang Saen Beach in Chon Buri province raised the alarm over the safety of beachgoers. A man was filmed smashing bottles along the shoreline, creating a hazardous situation as the broken glass could cause serious injuries to tourists walking barefoot on the beach. The act has prompted both locals and authorities to call for better monitoring…
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Chiang Mai ranks fourth in global air pollution as PM2.5 soars
Chiang Mai, along with several northern provinces of Thailand, today woke up to alarmingly high levels of PM2.5, ranking fourth in global air pollution. This report, provided by the Geo-Informatics and Space Technology Development Agency (GISTDA), highlighted that 11 provinces were exposed to seriously harmful red-coded levels of particulate matter 2.5 micrometres or less in diameter (PM2.5). The measured pollution…
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Stars align for change: Astrologer predicts transformative year
This year heralds a period of significant transformation, according to renowned astrologer Acharn Lak Rachasi. She predicts a shift from adversity to prosperity for many, starting after April 30, with fortunes of the zodiac signs taking a turn for the better. She has made bold declarations about the coming year. According to her insights, 2024 is set to be a…
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Boardroom balance: Thailand trails in female representation stakes
Thailand falls slightly short of the Southeast Asian average for women in board positions, with 19% compared to 19.9%, as revealed in the 2023 Women in the Boardroom report by Deloitte Global. This figure also remains behind the global average of 23.3%. Nevertheless, Thailand ranks second in Southeast Asia for female chief executives, equalling Singapore’s 11.9% and sitting just behind…
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Thailand implements blueprint for responsible tourism management
Concerns about overtourism are intensifying globally as popular destinations like Venice start imposing daily entry fees and Japan attempts to divert tourists to less-visited provinces. Thailand, expecting 40 million foreign arrivals this year, faces similar challenges. The Deputy Governor for Domestic Marketing at the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), Somradee Chitchong, emphasised the lack of a tourism-carrying capacity blueprint in…
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Government’s financial burden increases with digital wallet project
The government’s financial burden, expressed as the ratio of interest to estimated government revenue, is expected to rise from the current 8% to 11% in the coming year. This projected increase is due to the implementation of the government’s flagship digital wallet handout. An anonymous source from the Finance Ministry revealed that the present 8% ratio aligns with an A…
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Thailand ramps up border telecom crackdown to curb crimes
A crackdown on crimes facilitated by local telecom signals at Thailand’s borders has been ramped up by the National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC). This move followed an emergency meeting between the regulator and private telecom operators to address potential criminal activities in these areas. NBTC Deputy Secretary-General Trairat Viriyasirikul revealed that in many border regions, there have been instances…
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Syntec construction prioritises data centre projects
Public traded contractor Syntec Construction formed a dedicated team to manage the growing demand for data centre construction projects, particularly from industry heavyweights. This initiative is part of Syntec’s business strategy for this year, which prioritises bids for data centre construction owing to their heightened demand across the industry, according to Chief Executive, Somchai Sirilertpanich. The company has expanded its…
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Mysterious death near Chi River: Woman found handcuffed
An unidentified woman, approximately 40 to 50 years old, was found dead in mysterious circumstances in a scrubland near the Chi River, with her hands locked behind her back. Officers from Changhan Police Station in Roi Et Province yesterday, May 5, were alerted to a body discovered in a scrubland area by the Chi River in Ban Leng Kha, Din…
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Bangkok maintains top spot as tourist hotspot
Thailand’s vibrant capital of Bangkok retained its crown as the top tourist hotspot for the month of March, with the Ministry of Tourism and Sports‘ data revealing an impressive 4,459,579 visitors. The city, known for its bustling markets, opulent shrines, and vibrant street life, saw international tourists making up 49.60% of the visitors, leading to a hotel occupancy rate of…
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Illegal fireworks frenzy disrupts Jomtien Beach bliss
The tranquil serenity of Jomtien Beach in Pattaya was disrupted last night by the clamour of illicit fireworks. In response to a spate of complaints from residents about noise pollution, Banglamung officials swiftly intervened, leading to the arrest of three vendors illegally selling the pyrotechnics. The three individuals, whose identities have not been disclosed, were apprehended near The Now Hotel.…
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Summer storm wreaks havoc in Hat Yai, southern Thailand
The city of Hat Yai in Songkhla was hit by a severe summer storm yesterday, resulting in significant damage to public infrastructure. Billboards and electricity poles were toppled by the powerful gale. The incident occurred at 3pm, yesterday, May 5, and was covered by local media. Remarkably, despite the storm’s intensity, no injuries or fatalities were reported. The destructive storm…
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Chinese businessmen extorted for 2.5 million baht in Bangkok
Bangkok was the scene of a daring extortion case involving five Chinese businessmen and a group of Thais, including law enforcement officers, yesterday, May 5. A press conference, held by Din Daeng police and other relevant agencies, revealed the shocking incident where the businessmen were forcibly detained and extorted for 2.5 million baht. The incident began unfolding on April 25…
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Thailand unites for eco-friendly transformation of rice farming
A cohesive effort to revolutionise Thailand’s rice farming industry has been forged, with a collective aim to modernise traditional farming methods towards environmentally friendly practices. This initiative is targeted at preserving biodiversity and enhancing the overall ecosystem across the varied landscapes of the nation. This recent synergy saw the collaboration of governmental bodies, the public, private sector participants, and non-governmental…
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Thai government boosts welfare benefits for workers
Government spokesperson Chai Wacharonke indicated that the Thai government is committed to improving welfare benefits to enhance the quality of life for all workers in the country. This commitment follows a recent roll-out of new regulations aimed at supporting the needs of the informal workforce, a significant demographic in Thailand. “The government is determined to push for regulations that will…
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Myanmar man ignores swimming warning, drowns at Phuket beach
Tragedy unfolded as a 20 year old Myanmar man drowned at Kalim Beach in Phuket. Despite the presence of a red no swimming flag, Nay Myo Zaw and his friends decided to swim in the area. The incident transpired around 12.23pm yesterday, May 5, with local authorities promptly informed. Nay Myo Zaw arrived at the beach with three of his…
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Thai farmers feeling the heat: Climate change threatens crop yields
Farmers in Thailand are facing a significant threat from climate change, with an alarming drop in crop yields predicted over the next seven decades. This growing crisis has prompted calls for the government to implement strategies to safeguard food security. Witsanu Attavanich, a lecturer in economics at Kasetsart University, is at the forefront of research into the impact of climate…
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