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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 Is private health insurance in Thailand worth it? Real costs vs risks explained
Thailand has a strong healthcare system with both public and private options. Public hospitals offer affordable care, but many people, including expats, choose private health insurance for faster service, modern facilities, and more treatment choices. To decide if private health...
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Thai-MECC rescues Phang Nga student from perilous waters
A dramatic rescue operation unfolded yesterday in the swift waters between Phuket and mainland Thailand. A student from Phang Nga, who was seen jumping off the Sarasin Bridge, was rescued by a local fishing boat and the Thai Maritime Enforcement Command Center (THAI-MECC). The THAI-MECC, stationed at the Royal Thai Navy Third Area Command in Cape Panwa, received word of…
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Bangkok kindergarten tragedy: Technical student fatally shot
A tragedy unfolded in front of a Bangkok kindergarten school today when a renowned technical student was fatally shot by four assailants. The incident took place at around 7.45am near the Kindergarten Krageaw, located on Ranong 2 Road in Dusit district, Bangkok. Superintendent of Dusit Police Station, Tripathi Rattan, along with his deputy and investigation officer, swiftly arrived at the scene…
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Phuket rally takes a stand against violence, abuse, and human trafficking
Phuket was buzzing with a flurry of activity last night as over 250 people gathered for a rally, breathing life into the campaign against violence directed towards women and children and human trafficking. The campaign, bearing the theme Stop Violence with Love, took place in Queen Sirikit Park, under the watchful eye of Phuket Vice Governor Amnuay Pinsuran. The Phuket…
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Sky’s the limit: Nine new airlines on board for Thailand aviation recovery
The Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand (CAAT) announced the registration of nine new airlines to bolster the aviation industry’s recovery. The authority remains confident that passenger traffic will reach 127 million this year, forecasting a significant recovery this year. The Director of the Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand, Suttipong Kongpool, stated that Thailand’s aviation industry is on a steady path…
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DeeMoney partners with SCB to facilitate secure cross-border money transfers, expanding access to the Myanmar market
Sawasdee Shop Co., Ltd., operating as a fintech company, introduced the DeeMoney platform, a robust Thai cross-border transaction system supporting over 26 currencies across 50 countries globally. This company has solidified a business partnership with Siam Commercial Bank, announcing their collaboration to enhance the money transfer service from Thailand to Myanmar. The focus lies in developing cross-border money transfer services…
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Forest faux pas: Illegal loggers caught in the act as DSI turns the spotlight on hidden tree mischief in Thailand
An unsanctioned logging operation, hidden deep within Thailand’s Bang Khanun protected forest, was inadvertently exposed during a routine inspection by officers from the Department of Special Investigation (DSI). Conducted in conjunction with the Royal Thai Navy (RTN) and forest protection officials, the group stumbled upon the illegal exploitation yesterday. Vice Admiral Suchart Thammapitakwet, the commander of the RTN’s Third Area…
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Thailand PM temps European tourists with longer visa incentive
Thailand Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin is making bold moves to boost the nation’s economy by unveiling plans to waive visa requirements for European tourists. Thailand also plans to attract more tourists to the Land of Smiles by lining up hundreds of cultural and sporting events, to encourage visitors to stay longer and spend more. The Bangkok-born Thailand PM sees tourism…
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Khlong Toei shooting claims lives of student and teacher
A tragic event unfolded in the Khlong Toei district as two unidentified assailants opened fire on the roadside, ultimately leading to the death of a 19 year old student from Uthen Thawai Campus, Rajamangala University of Technology, known as Nong Yod. After an eight-day fight for life following the fatal Khlong Toei shooting, his mother confirmed his passing today. The…
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Tragic accident in Samut Prakan claims life of delivery driver
A devastating accident occurred in Samut Prakan, where a 27 year old delivery driver tragically lost his life after colliding with a shrine. The incident took place within a large roundabout near the shrine yesterday, around 10pm. The police are currently investigating the cause of the accident, leaving no stone unturned. The delivery driver, Chokchai, a resident of Klong Lan, Kamphaeng…
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Insufficient street lighting blamed for motorcycle crash in Pattaya
Pattaya witnessed a motorcycle crash in the early hours of yesterday that left two people injured on Soi 11. The driver of one of the motorcycles, a 21 year old man named Korakot, reported that insufficient street lighting in the area was to blame for the accident. The incident occurred at approximately 1am on November 19 and was promptly reported to…
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Thailand weather update: Slight temperature increase in upper regions, heavy rainfall threatens south
The Thai Meteorological Department (TMD) announced today that temperatures in the upper part of Thailand will slightly increase, with morning fog expected. Meanwhile, the Thailand weather forecast predicts that southern regions face heavy rainfall, leading to high sea waves. The public is warned of potential flash floods and forest runoffs, particularly today. The prevailing high-pressure system or cold mass that…
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Chinese beggar nabbed in Bangkok, human trafficking suspected
Police arrested a Chinese beggar outside the Major Cineplex Pinklao in Bangkok yesterday. Suspicions of human trafficking were raised as there was more than one Chinese beggar and each earned more than 10,000 baht a day. Social media influencer Guntouch “Gun” Pongpaiboonwet yesterday reported a suspicious beggar to the Bang Phlat Police Station. Gun explained that he had been contacted…
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Thai customs paws animal smuggling duo, 124 untamed treasures seized
Two men were apprehended by Thai customs officers at Suvarnabhumi Airport on Friday for alleged wildlife smuggling, according to Phanthong Loykulnanta, the spokesperson for the Customs Department. Over 124 wild, unregistered animals were seized in the operation. A 24 year old man from Korea was one of those detained. Airport officers found 44 wild animals, including tarantulas and iguanas, concealed…
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BAAC plans to boost export of high-value agricultural goods
Chatchai Sirilai, the president of the Bank for Agriculture and Agricultural Cooperatives (BAAC), stated that the bank will augment its role as a facilitator for the export of high-value agricultural goods. This move is aimed at increasing income for farmers. The BAAC’s strategy is focused on nurturing a new generation of farmers who concentrate on producing quality products, rather than…
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Call centre scam alert: Thai DES ministry urges probe after Myanmar repatriation
The Ministry of Digital Economy and Society (DES) in Thailand has urged the Central Investigation Bureau (CIB) to probe a call centre scam following the repatriation of victims from Myanmar, a country currently in the throes of conflict. DES Minister, Prasert Jantararuangtong, disclosed that 41 Thai citizens were repatriated from the embattled town of Laukkaing in the Shan State over…
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Kazakhstan courts ASEAN investors to become Central Asia’s investment hub
Kazakhstan is reaching out to foreign investors, particularly from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), in a bid to establish itself as a central investment hub in the Central Asia Region. The Kazakh government has expressed interest in mutual economic development with the Southeast Asian region, according to Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Roman Vassilenko. He made these remarks…
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Generative AI takes center stage: Chinese tech giants intensify development to compete globally
Leading technology corporations in China are escalating their efforts in the development of generative artificial intelligence (AI), aiming to compete with their US counterparts. They are launching extensive language models (LLM) that will support a wide array of applications, from weather prediction and financial analysis to 3D e-commerce, with the primary objective of enhancing enterprise productivity and user experience. McKinsey,…
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Sugar cane farmers dispute government’s 2 baht price hike
Sugar cane farmers in Thailand are seeking clarification from the industry and commerce ministries regarding the Cabinet’s decision to allow a mere 2-baht increase per kilogramme in ex-factory sugar prices. The decision has been deemed unfair by sugar manufacturers as it falls short of the four-baht price hike requested by the Cane and Sugar Board. Citing escalating manufacturing costs due…
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Unexpected reunion at Siam Paragon leads to 350,000 baht repayment (video)
The world indeed goes round in unexpected ways, as discovered by a TikTok user @kanokyai2022 who chanced upon an old friend in Siam Paragon, Bangkok, after a separation of 22 years. Following this unexpected reunion, the friend promptly returned a long-overdue loan of 10,000 dollars, which converted to almost 500,000 baht yesterday. Once upon a time, the two were friends…
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Economic ties in focus: Thai PM extends invitation to Biden
Thailand Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin recently extended an invitation for an official visit to US President, Joe Biden. This invitation was extended during the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Summit that took place in San Francisco. The Thai PM used this platform to assure President Biden of Thailand’s readiness to serve as a base for major American companies’ production, boosting their…
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Customer testing a lighter triggers devastating fire in Thai supermarket
A shocking escape unfolded as a customer testing a lighter ignited a fire at a shop at the mouth of Lat Phrao-Wang Hin Soi 22. The entire store was engulfed in flames. Authorities were alerted to the fire at a supermarket today at 9am, Thai time. Assistant Inspector Chatri Khaosaat, Deputy Detective (Investigator) of Chok Chai Police Station, along with…
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Anntonia Porsild secures highest Miss Universe placement for Thailand since 1988
Anntonia Porsild, the 27 year old representative of Thailand in the Miss Universe 2023 beauty contest, garnered the first runner-up position, earning the nation’s highest placement since 1988. This achievement was announced at the 72nd Miss Universe pageant, which took place at the José Adolfo Pineda Arena in San Salvador, El Salvador. Government spokesman Chai Wacharonke revealed Prime Minister Srettha…
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Long-hunted Thai vegetable vendor arrested for child molestation
A 63 year old vegetable vendor was arrested today in the bustling market of Rayong, after evading justice for six years. The man was apprehended by a police team led by Police Lieutenant Colonel Phadet Ngam Lamom and Police Lieutenant Colonel Burin Kapitta. The arrest was executed under a warrant issued by the Loei Provincial Court in 2017, on charges…
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Cyber police nab call centre gang for 1.5 million baht scam
The Cyber Crime Investigation Bureau (CCIB) led an operation to apprehend a call centre gang, that swindled a doctor’s wife out of 1.5 million baht through account manipulation. The behaviour of the gang was exposed, and a key arrest warrant was issued today. Police Lieutenant General Worawat Watnakornbuncha, Chief of the Special Operations Division, directed Police Lieutenant Colonel Satra Sukhanusas,…
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Struggling family with ill father seeks roadside aid in Sattahip
A three month old baby girl from Nakhon Phanom was taken by her mother to seek help for her husband suffering from a facial tumour, which caused blindness in his right eye. The family, living by the roadside, found themselves in dire straits with the father’s pain intensifying, prompting an emergency call to rescue services around 12.30am today. Sa-wang Rojanathammasathan…
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Temperature plummets to 11 degrees in Huai Nam Dang National Park
Huai Nam Dang National Park in Mae Hong Son Province is experiencing a rapid drop in temperature, reaching as low as 11 degrees Celsius. The park’s head anticipates the temperature may soon dip into single digits, possibly leading to frost. Buncha Ramsiri, the head of Huai Nam Dang National Park, disclosed that the lowest temperature recorded this morning was 11…
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Jatuporn criticises government’s proposed digital wallet scheme
The digital wallet initiative proposed by the government has come under fire from Jatuporn Prompan, a former red-shirt leader and co-leader of the Melting Pot Group. In a livestream on Facebook, Jatuporn voiced his concerns about the ruling Pheu Thai Party’s repeated withdrawal from pledges, including their initial vow not to form a government with ex-coalition parties from the previous…
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South Korea’s advanced tech industries endorsed by international alliances
South Korea, poised to become the world’s epicentre for advanced technology industries, received a vigorous endorsement from international alliances eager to accelerate its economic growth and competitiveness. The nation also committed to bolstering cooperation with its ASEAN partners to promote trade and investment. Specifically, South Korea showcased interest in the automobile sector within Thailand’s Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC) in Rayong…
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Thai PM sees hope in Land Bridge megaproject to lure overseas Thais back
Acknowledging the lack of attractive job opportunities in Thailand, Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin expressed hope that the Land Bridge megaproject would allure high-calibre Thais working abroad to return home. The prime minister made this remark during a meeting with the Thai community members in the US at the Ritz-Carlton Hotel in San Francisco. Government spokesperson Chai Wacharonke provided a summary…
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Tragic car plunge in Udon Thani canal claims three lives
A tragic accident unfolded when a car, en route to a relative’s ordination ceremony, plunged into a canal between bridges, resulting in three fatalities and two injuries. A one month old girl miraculously survived, ejected from her mother’s lap outside the vehicle. The incident occurred at 1.30pm yesterday. Deputy Inspector Kittikawin Umathitipong of Nong Han Police Station, Udon Thani province,…
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