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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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Roadside ricochet: Thai truck driver shot by mistake when driving in Isaan province (video)
A sedan driver surrendered to the police after he shot a truck driver by mistake on the 304 Nakhon Ratchasima-Kabin Buri Road in the Isaan province of Nakhon Ratchasima on December 12. Pak Thong Chai Police Station officers and rescuers dashed to the incident scene to meet with the 60 year old gunman named Sittichai Wataukana and the 25 year…
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Three Japanese ministers resign amidst 124 million baht kickback controversy
Three high-ranking Japanese government ministers have thrown in the towel amidst a whopping 500 million yen (124 million baht) corruption scandal. The Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), the stalwart ruling force in the world’s third-largest economy, is now grappling with the fallout from allegations that could reshape the nation’s political future. In a seismic blow to the political establishment, three top-tier…
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Xi Jinping’s game-changing Vietnam visit: Unprecedented power plays
China‘s President Xi Jinping descended upon Vietnam for a two-day spectacle, strategically timed just three months after US President Joe Biden‘s high-profile visit. The Chinese president kicked off his much-anticipated two-day sojourn in Vietnam on December 12, marking his first visit to the nation in six years. The intricate dance of diplomacy has been underway for months, with initial contemplation…
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Genoa barber caught in drug trafficking sting due to influx of bald customers
A barber in the Italian city of Genoa was apprehended by the police on suspicion of drug trafficking after noticing a high number of bald, beardless customers frequenting his shop. The police officers became aware of potential drug trafficking in the Foce district of Genoa, although they had no clear leads. An investigation was initiated with additional information gathering, aided…
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Fatal late-night shooting in Nakhon Pathom leaves restaurant server dead
A fatal shooting incident occurred at 1.30am today in Nakhon Pathom when a villain in a pickup truck chased down and shot a young restaurant server. The attacker’s bullets claimed the life of the young man in front of his friend, leaving four others injured. The incident took place on a rural road in the district of Thanon Kad, in…
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Nightly temples extravaganza: Bangkok’s spiritual spectacle lights up the sky
In a dazzling celebration of tradition and spirituality, Bangkokians are set to bask in the mesmerising glow of the city’s temples after dark. The much-anticipated Illuminated 10 Temples and National Museum event promises a spiritual journey like no other, offering locals and tourists alike a chance to bid adieu to the old year and embrace the dawn of the new…
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Thai youth unite to battle climate change and violence against children
Young minds from all corners of Thailand recently converged in Bangkok to unveil General Comment No. 26 (GC26), a global manifesto championing children’s rights and environmental protection. The event, Child Safe & Friendly Environment – Ending Violence Against Children: Environmental Safety, orchestrated by the Thai Child Rights Network in collaboration with the Ministry of Social Development and Human Security, UNICEF…
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Detained Thai soldier re-arrested after escaping from hospital
A Thai soldier, held in custody, successfully severed his ankle restraints and escaped from a hospital in the central province of Lop Buri before being recaptured later in the day. A military officer raised the alarm with police in Lob Buri province after the detained soldier, identified only as C, escaped while being treated at the hospital. The detained soldier…
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Thailand weather update: Cold north, stormy south and rain in 19 provinces
Today’s weather in Thailand sees a mix of cold in the north, stormy conditions in the south, and a forecast of rainfall across 19 provinces, including the capital city, Bangkok, and its surrounding regions. According to the Thai Meteorological Department‘s 24-hour forecast, high atmospheric pressure or mass cold air covers the northeastern regions and the South China Sea. This, combined…
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NEPC plans to cap power tariff for Thai households at current rate
The National Energy Policy Council (NEPC), in its recent meeting, moved to limit the power tariff for households consuming not more than 300 units a month at the existing rate of 3.99 baht per unit, an insider familiar with the meeting discussions revealed. In the NEPC meeting, led by Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin, two main points were reviewed, both related…
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Jodd Fairs blaze: 1 injured as 120 shops go up in smoke, vendors hit with 1.3m baht setback (videos)
A fire broke out at Jodd Fairs Rama 9 market in Bangkok yesterday resulting in a minor injury to a Thai woman. A total of 120 shops were obliterated, leading to financial losses of approximately 1.3 million baht for the vendors. The fire was reported to police at about 4.21pm yesterday, December 13. Firefighters and rescue workers from Huay Kwang…
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Distressing discovery of abandoned fetus stuns Phuket neighbourhood
In a quiet corner of Karon, Phuket, a distressing discovery was made yesterday. A five month old fetus was found abandoned on a vacant lot near Soi Green Drinking Water. The alarm was raised around 10.45am, with Karon Police receiving the unsettling news from the 191 Provincial Police call centre. Due to the grave nature of the situation, the Deputy…
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MFP MP, Rukchanok Srinork, granted bail with conditions
The Criminal Court of Thailand granted a temporary release to Move Forward Party (MFP) MP Rukchanok Srinork. Rukchanok was prosecuted for violating Section 112 of the Criminal Law or lèse majesté law, and Computer Act after she retweeted posts from her Twitter account between July 18 to August 9 of last year, 2022. The messages she retweeted were about the…
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Thailand’s tourism authority plans strategy revamp to boost visitor spending
The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) is setting its sights on revamping its strategies to rejuvenate tourist spending, which has experienced a notable decline since the onset of the pandemic. Foreign tourists’ expenditure has dipped from an average of 50,000 baht to 42,000 baht. Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin yesterday urged TAT executives and domestic offices to reignite tourism expenditure. He…
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Luxury car crashes into sisters post-concert, dismembers bodies in horrific Prachin Buri accident
An upscale Mercedes-Benz crashed through a wall after leaving a high-profile concert, colliding with two sisters, resulting in their bodies being dismembered. The gruesome scene, littered with body parts, left friends of the deceased in a state of shock and profound sorrow. The incident took place at approximately 3.20am today and was reported to Deputy Inspector Chaiyong Ampansan, the investigating…
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Thai rice purity at risk due to popularity of foreign strains
Thai rice finds itself in a perilous position as the purity of its strains is at risk due to the rising popularity of foreign rice strains smuggled from neighbouring countries, warns the nation’s agriculture minister, Thammanat Prompow. Speaking at the annual Thai rice conference organised by the Thai Rice Foundation Under Royal Patronage, Thammanat expressed his worries about the future…
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Pattaya journalist shooting suspect surrenders and confesses
The prime suspect in the Pattaya journalist shooting case has turned himself in. He confessed to the charges of attempted murder and violation of the Firearms Act, following a warrant issued by Pattaya Provincial Court. The incident involved the shooting of a local journalist, 28 year old Nathaphat Boonchaalee, who sustained severe injuries. He surrendered himself to Nawin Theerawit, Pattaya…
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Young transport worker dies in tragic roadside accident in Lampang
A tragic accident has taken a young private transport company worker’s life as he collided with an electricity pole on a roadside, his body flung into the dark forest, unseen by passersby. The incident occurred at 8.45pm yesterday. Natthanan Kamsan, Deputy Investigator at Khelang Nakhon Police Station, Lampang Province, was alerted about a motorcyclist’s fatal collision with an electricity pole…
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Bangkok struggles with escalating PM2.5 levels: urgent government intervention needed
Bangkok is grappling with a severe rise in PM2.5 levels, necessitating immediate intervention from the government. Nearly 29 of the city’s 50 districts have recorded PM2.5 concentrations surpassing 35 micrograms per cubic metre (μg/m3), making the air unfit for breathing. The districts with the highest PM2.5 concentrations include Bangkok Yai (105.1μg/m3), Thonburi (104.8μg/m3), Nong Khaem (103.7μg/m3), Khlong San (100.6μg/m3), and…
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2.4 million lights transform Bangkok cityscape into magical wonderland
In a luminous extravaganza set to rival the stars, over 2.4 million enchanting lights are casting their glow upon Bangkok‘s cherished Ratchadamnoen Avenue and Rattanakosin Island. This breathtaking spectacle, unveiled by Interior Minister Anutin Charnvirakul, promises to be a visual feast for locals and tourists alike. The dazzling campaign, inaugurated yesterday, December 12, at the Ministry’s headquarters on Atsadang Road,…
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Young motorcyclist emerges as hero in Phuket traffic jam
During the evening rush hour chaos at the Koh Kaew intersection in Phuket last night, December 12, an unassuming young motorcyclist helped clear the way for an ambulance carrying a patient through heavy traffic. The motorcyclist rode a Honda Click. The incident was captured on video by Wisarut Saman, a rescue worker with Kusoldharm. He took to TikTok to share…
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Thai man commits suicide for funeral fund to pay off debts
A Thai woman sought help from non-profit organisation Saimai Survive after her husband decided to commit suicide to get money from a government funeral fund so she could pay off their debts. The 60 year old woman, Yupin, and Samai Survive founder, Ekkaphop Luengprasert, revealed that she and her 59 year old husband were vendors selling shallots and garlic in…
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Thai police arrest two Cambodians for shooting at football match
A friendly football match in Khu Khot, Pathum Thani, transformed into a battlefield when gunfire erupted, sending more than 200 Cambodian players and spectators into a panicked frenzy. Police Lieutenant General Jirasant Kaewsaeng-eak, Commissioner of the Provincial Police Region 1, revealed the details of the incident during a press conference. The perpetrators were identified as two Cambodian nationals, 20 year…
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Fire disrupts wedding in Rama 3 district: Couple unsatisfied with event organiser’s response (video)
A wedding celebration in the Rama 3 district was thrown into chaos as fire broke out, forcing guests to flee. The newlyweds, Vat and Porn, had hired a local event organiser for their special day but were left unsatisfied with their handling of the incident and the lack of responsibility shown. Despite the fire, the event organiser quickly focused on…
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Thai Prime Minister confident Liverpool will crush Manchester United 5-0
Thai Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin yesterday predicted he is confident his team Liverpool will beat Manchester United 5-0 at Anfield on Sunday. PM Srettha, a big Liverpool supporter, took part in a talk-in called Thais Ask, PM Answers, at the InterContinental Bangkok Hotel yesterday, December 12. During the discussion, reporters asked the PM to give his opinion on the upcoming…
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Healthcare revolution or expat confusion? Thai Minister unveils game-changing scheme
In a move that promises to transform healthcare access for foreign nationals and the stateless, Thai Health Minister Cholnan Srikaew is set to launch a registration scheme on January 1 next year. The scheme, which boasts a mere five-minute registration process, aims to streamline access to public hospital coverage, leaving behind the antiquated healthcare systems that took weeks or even…
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Japanese car makers risk lagging behind in EV production, warns Thai PM
Srettha Thavisin, the Prime Minister and Finance Minister, issued a cautionary note to Japanese car manufacturers, warning that they risk falling behind in the industry unless they accelerate the production of electric vehicles (EVs). This comes as Chinese competitors continue to gain a substantial market share in Southeast Asia. The business mogul turned political figure voiced his concerns during an…
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Vietnamese culinary wonderland: Thailand’s first official Vietnam town
Thailand just welcomed its very own Vietnam town, officially recognised and inaugurated on December 9 by National Assembly Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue. Thailand’s northeast province of Udon Thani, about 550 kilometres from Bangkok, witnessed the grand opening of Vietnam town at Alley No. 2 on Si Suk Street. National Assembly Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue expressed confidence in the town’s success,…
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ONESIAM unveils spectacular celebration of joy at Siam Paragon, Siam Center, and Siam Discovery
Siam Paragon, Siam Center, and Siam Discovery, which are interconnected shopping centres collectively known as ONESIAM, are establishing a joyous year-end festival. United to become a Global Destination, they are presenting a parade of happiness for Thai patrons and international visitors alike. Infused with lively energy and excitement, the event features themed decorations curated by global artists in three distinctive…
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Delivery rider disguise: Armed man coerces Chinese merchant for 2 million baht
An indebted young man, disguised as a delivery rider and armed with a gun, coerced a Chinese merchant into transferring 2 million baht by claiming the money was for his child’s medical treatment. The assailant promised to return the money in six months. The incident occurred at the Kukot Police Station in Pathum Thani province. Senior Police Colonel Jirasan Kaewsangaek,…
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