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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 How much travel insurance should cost you in Thailand (By trip length)
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Thai court orders Pita and Move Forward Party to refrain from lese majeste law reform
The Constitutional Court ordered the advisor to the former leader of the Move Forward Party (MFP), Pita Limjaroenrat, and the party to cease campaigns to reform Section 112 of the Criminal Law, also known as lese majeste law. Their efforts were deemed to pose threats to the monarchy of Thailand. During the General Election last year, one of the key policies…
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PM Srettha sidelined by flu: Deputies step up as dinner plans go cold
Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin took an unexpected backseat today, delegating his duties to deputies and abandoning plans for a high-profile dinner due to a bout of flu. The notorious influenza A, aka H1N1, has struck the 61 year old PM. Arriving at the Government House this morning, PM Srettha revealed that he is awaiting his doctor’s verdict on whether sick…
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Phuket police hunt bus staffer after tourist’s restroom harassment claim
Phuket police are actively searching for a bus employee who allegedly sexually harassed a female foreign tourist in a restroom at the Phuket Bus Terminal. The incident, which took place today, January 31, was interrupted by a monk, who attempted to intervene before the suspect fled the scene. Police Deputy Inspector Surachart Thongyai of Phuket Mueang Police Station was notified…
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Lending company manager arrested for siphoning 200,000 baht from clients’ accounts
A lending company manager in Buriram has been apprehended following accusations of syphoning approximately 200,000 baht from clients’ accounts. The suspect reportedly manipulated the personal details of three clients, thereby gaining access to cash cards used to withdraw funds from the victims’ loan accounts. Anurak, the 32 year old manager of the lending establishment in Mueang district, was taken into…
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David Beckham scores big with fans at Predator event in CentralWorld (video)
Football legend David Beckham held a meet & greet at CentralWorld shopping mall in Bangkok yesterday for the Adidas event, The Legend of Predator. The 48 year old soccer icon attended The Legend of Predator event held at the Central Court in CentralWorld yesterday January 30, organised by Adidas. At the event, more than 21 models of Adidas Predator football…
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Golden cobra startles homeowner in Thailand kitchen
A homeowner was shocked to discover a large golden cobra in her kitchen in the Ang Thong province of Thailand. The snake, which was menacingly displaying its hood, caused two kittens to run in fright before the homeowner swiftly called for rescue services today, January 31. The Ang Thong Provincial Rescue Association was alerted to the presence of the large…
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Alleged encroachment in Bang Khanun protected forest sparks controversy
The Gulf of Thailand Coastal Area Conservation Network – Andaman (branch) raised concerns over alleged encroachment in the Bang Khanun protected forest reserve, calling for an investigation. Led by the chairman, Chamroon Kerddam, the group complained to the Phuket branch of the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC), implicating government officials in facilitating unlawful activities in the protected area. The complaint, submitted…
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Thai activist gets suspended sentence for lèse-majesté
Activist Pasarawalee ‘Mind’ Thanakitvibulphol has been sentenced to two years in prison by the Bangkok South Criminal Court under Thailand’s lèse-majesté law, also known as Section 112. The sentence has been suspended for three years. This ruling stems from her involvement in a protest and speech at a rally held on March 24, 2021, by the Ratsadon group at the…
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Disturbing behaviour of police officer who raped minor exposed by another student
Female students reportedly exposed the disturbing behaviour of the Patiew Police Station officer, who raped the 17 year old girl in the Isaan province of Yasothon. Ironically, the officer reportedly trained students on how to protect themselves from sexual abuse and assaults but, he now faces a rape charge. A Thai mother sought help from Saimai Survive after her 17…
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Thailand’s manufacturing production sees steep fall due to car output drop
The Industry Ministry reported a year-on-year fall of 6.27% in Thailand’s manufacturing production index for December, attributed to a downturn in car production. This figure was notably steeper than the anticipated 3.2% decrease, according to a Reuters poll. This followed the 4.71% drop in November, rounding out a year in which overall output shrank by 5.11%. In addition to the…
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Police raid exposes massive counterfeit cosmetics operation worth millions
The Thai authorities have cracked down on a colossal counterfeit cosmetics ring involving a Chinese investor and the illicit sale of beauty products worth millions. The Commissioner of the Police Consumer Protection Division, Police Lieutenant General Witthaya Sriprasertphap, along with relevant agencies, orchestrated a press conference on Monday, January 29 that marked the unravelling of a major illegal cosmetics empire. A…
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Engineering student arrested for stealing iPhones and iPads in Nakhon Phanom
A 21 year old engineering student was apprehended in Mueang district, Nakhon Phanom, last night, following accusations of stealing iPhone smartphones and iPad tablet computers. The stolen goods, reportedly worth around 200,000 baht (US$5,640), were lifted from a branch of the Big C store. The incident occurred at the Nakhon Phanom branch of Big C around 3am yesterday, January 30.…
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Arrest warrant issued in Phetchaburi for suspect in vendor’s murder
The Thai authorities issued an arrest warrant for Phimwaj, known as Arm Hua Saphan, for the intentional murder of a 30 year old street vendor who was shot dead while driving in Phetchaburi province. The victim’s father has revealed a possible motive of jealousy and vengeance, suggesting that the assailant harboured resentment due to his acquaintanceship with the victim’s girlfriend,…
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Google reigns supreme: Thailand’s top talent magnet for sixth year running
WorkVenture revealed the most coveted companies in Thailand, and surprise, surprise: Google claims the top spot for the sixth consecutive year. Unveiling the Top 50 Companies in Thailand 2024, the survey, conducted among over 11,452 young professionals, offers a snapshot of the Thai job market’s evolving landscape. As the professional arena adapts to the changing tides, the new generation of…
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Royal Thai Air Force faces job loss concern over golf course handover
The head of the Royal Thai Air Force (RTAF) expressed concerns over potential job losses that could result from the return of two military golf courses to the government. The Kantrarat and Thupatemi golf courses, which provide welfare services to military personnel, are currently under the scrutiny of the military commission, which suggests that such facilities should be managed by…
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Thai man kills woman over leaked video of him masturbating
A Thai man confessed to killing a woman in the northern province of Sukhothai in a fit of rage after the victim posted a video of him on social media masturbating. The dead body of a 40 year old Thai woman, Ananya “Tarn” Chaiya, was discovered at a plantation in Ban Dan Lan Hoi district of Sukhothai province on January…
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Elon Musk’s US$55 billion pay deal under threat after judge’s ruling
Having spent several years as the wealthiest person globally, Elon Musk, CEO of Tesla, faces the potential of falling to the third position following a Delaware judge’s ruling on his US$55 billion pay deal. The judge, Kathaleen St. J. McCormick, sided with a Tesla investor who argued that the 2018 remuneration package lacked clarity on Musk’s performance expectations and that…
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Yasothon police inspector detained over minor’s statutory rape
The Yasothon Provincial Court remanded a 50 year old deputy traffic police inspector from the Pa Tio Police Station in custody for an initial 12 days amid allegations of statutory rape and physical assault of a minor. The officer tasked with investigating the case allegedly admitted to the charges, while the investigation team was still waiting for the results of…
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Mystery smell forces Cathay Pacific flight U-turn
Cathay Pacific Airways‘ flight CX 633, destined for Penang, Malaysia, found itself making an unexpected U-turn to Hong Kong International Airport due to an unusual smell in the cabin post-takeoff. The Airbus A330 had taken off on its scheduled Sunday morning, January 28, departure at 8.15am, only to encounter this bizarre situation. The Hong Kong flag carrier revealed that the…
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Ubon Ratchathani teen negotiates fine with community service
A 19 year old woman in Ubon Ratchathani faced a hefty fine of 6,300 baht (US$177) for driving without a license. Lacking the funds to pay the fine, she humorously asked the police if she could borrow money. The officer’s playful response was an offer to lend her the money if she agreed to feed his catfish every night, a…
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Teenager had motorcycle stolen after leaving it for 10 minutes
A teenager had his motorcycle stolen after parking it outside a condo in Pattaya for a mere 10 minutes on January 27. The 16 year old victim, Panupong, reported the theft to Pattaya police at 5.30pm. The black Honda PCX, purchased by Panupong’s mother for his daily commute and delivery gigs, was snatched from its spot outside the apartment. Panupong…
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7-Eleven addresses expired food safety concerns after query
Concerns over the consumption of expired food products have recently been addressed by the official 7-Eleven account, following a query posted by a consumer on Pantip.com. The question raised was whether a packet of fried rice purchased from 7-Eleven, which had passed its expiration date by just a few days, was still safe to eat. A forum member on Pantip.com,…
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Free visa policy to boost Thai tourism stocks amid Chinese arrivals
An agreement for a free visa policy between Thailand and China is set to greatly boost seven Thai tourism-related stocks, as projected by brokerages. This policy, signed earlier this week, is anticipated to cause a significant uptick in Chinese arrivals in Thailand this year. The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) set a target of attracting 8.2 million Chinese tourists in…
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TikTok user exposes taxi overcharge in Bangkok, fare hits 105 baht (video)
A TikTok user sparked a conversation about taxi services after posting a video showing an unusually high fare for a short journey. The user, under the name namotasapakavato1, warned fellow passengers after a taxi ride from a BTS station to Rangsit became a cause for concern—not only did the driver bring along his wife, who sat in the front seat,…
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Significant drop in forest fires in Chiang Mai and northern region
Protected Areas Regional Office 16 Director Kritsayam Kongsatree revealed an unprecedented 79% drop in blazes across Chiang Mai and its northern neighbours. Department of National Parks, Wildlife, and Plant Conservation (DNP) Chief Kritsayam manages a colossal 7.8 million rai encompassing 19 forests in Chiang Mai and Lamphun. His proactive patrolling initiatives have slashed the number of hotspots from the ominous…
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Thai baht surges as US dollar weakens ahead of Federal Reserve meeting
The Thai baht experienced an upturn against a weakening US dollar, with investors predicting the US Federal Reserve to hold its policy rate steady in the upcoming meeting this week. The baht yesterday, January 30, initiated at 35.38 to the dollar, a rise from Monday’s close at 35.58. The local currency fluctuated between 35.28 and 35.45 against the dollar and…
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Aeromexico flight passenger stands on plane wing in response to delay (video)
A frustrated passenger onboard a delayed Aeromexico flight AM 0672 bound for Guatemala City took matters into his own hands. Stranded for hours on the tarmac without air conditioning or water, the unnamed passenger decided he had had enough. In an act of defiance, he unlocked the emergency door and strolled onto the plane’s wing. Mexican International Airport officials confirmed…
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Phuket police warn against tampering with immobilisation devices
The Phuket City Police issued a stern warning against tampering with the immobilisation devices placed on illegally parked vehicles. The caution came into effect yesterday, January 30, after an incident in Phuket City made the rounds on local social media platforms. A video circulating online showed a foreign tourist using a brick to unlock a chain fastened to the wheel…
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Royal Thai Air Force plans 19 billion baht for new fighter jets acquisition
The commander-in-chief of the Royal Thai Air Force (RTAF), Punpakdee Pattanakul, announced a budget request for the upcoming fiscal year totalling 19 billion baht (US$537 million), intended for the acquisition of new fighter jets. These could potentially be the US F-35 or Sweden’s Gripen E/F. Despite the recently instated government offset policy, Punpakdee’s comments suggest the RTAF’s determination to secure…
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German tourist’s beachside stumble turns vacation into footsie disaster
A German tourist stumbled over construction wire mesh at a beachfront construction site in Pattaya on January 27, leaving him with a serious foot injury. Eyewitnesses revealed that the incident occurred as 24 year old Nils Gleissner ambled along the footpath near the beach. The treacherous mishap transpired at a spot undergoing renovations, with the unsuspecting tourist tripping over the…
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