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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 to reduce out-of-pocket medical expenses in Thailand?
Managing medical expenses in Thailand is important as healthcare costs continue to rise. The country’s healthcare system includes both public and private options, but even with the Universal Coverage Scheme (UCS) for citizens, many still face high out-of-pocket medical expenses....
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Alcohol advertising: Tightened restrictions urged amidst youth risk concerns
Further restrictions against alcohol advertising are being urged by the Alcohol Watch Network. Concerns centre around young people and new drinkers who are at risk due to various impacts on health, economy and society. Teera Watcharapranee, director of the office of the Alcohol Watch Network, stated yesterday, that despite the responsibility of enforcing the law falling on the Ministry of…
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German man reportedly sets fire to house after Thai wife vanishes
A German man reportedly set fire to his house in the northern province of Phayao after his Thai wife disappeared for a few days. A team of firefighters managed to rescue the man who suffered burns across his body. Chun Police Station officers, in coordination with both rescue and firefighter teams, swiftly made their way to the house in the…
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Shell-shocked: Peculiar red-mouthed turtle shells out lottery luck in Prachin Buri
Villagers in the Prachin Buri province dashed to a local temple to seek good fortune for today’s lottery following the appearance of a peculiar red-mouthed turtle. Having never seen such a creature before, residents believe its unique features, mirroring the revered Buddha, imply promising future luck. In the tranquil setting of Nong Mak Monastery located in Ban Dong Khwang, Yan…
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Highway collision leaves a lorry driver critically injured in Bangkok
A grave accident occurred on the Thapratan Highway (Bangna-Trat Road), Kilometre 43, inbound lane, Bangkok, in which a lorry driver was severely injured. His 22-wheeler truck crashed into another stationary lorry of similar dimensions. Responding immediately, officials, along with paramedics from Bang Pakong Hospital and Chachoengsao rescue units equipped with vehicle-extraction tools, arrived at the scene at 3am today. The…
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Map Ta Phut port to see third phase by 2027, IEAT confident
Reports from Thailand indicate that the Industrial Estate Authority of Thailand (IEAT) remains optimistic about presenting the third phase of development of the Map Ta Phut deep-sea port in Rayong by the year 2027. The port, a notable part of ongoing development in the Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC), is seen as an essential addition to Thailand’s infrastructure. Map Ta Phut…
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Grab Thailand partners with Alipay, Kakao Pay to appeal to Chinese, Korean tourists
Grab Thailand is entering a strategic alliance with Alipay and Kakao Pay to expand the payment alternatives available to Chinese and South Korean tourists who visit the country, an announcement from the company relayed. As the Thai tourism sector remains buoyant, Grab has identified Chinese tourists as pivotal to its strategy for this year. Worachat Luxkanalode, Country Head of Grab…
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Elderly allowance scheme raises financial accessibility concerns in Thailand
In a bid to ease the strain on government finances, a transition from universal welfare payments to a stringent elderly allowance scheme has been initiated. This shift has been met with substantiated criticism, although the authorities maintain the necessity of the move, justifying it as a responsive adaptation to cope with Thailand’s rapidly ageing populace. In yesterday’s internal meeting of…
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El Nino lowers Chao Phraya levels, predicted rain in 16 Thai provinces
Thailand’s National Water Command Centre (NWCC) issued warnings regarding severe rainfalls predicted in 16 provinces, even as water levels around the Chao Phraya River are seen to decrease due to the El Nino weather conditions. Surasri Kidtimonton, the deputy of the NWCC and the Secretary-General of the Office of the National Water Resources (ONWR), warned of the heavy showers expected…
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Sexual abuse: Indian men receive life sentences for horrific assault and murder of teen sisters
Two Indian men have been sentenced to lifelong imprisonment for the sexual abuse and fatal assault of two teenage sisters. Their bodies were discovered hanging from a tree in Uttar Pradesh in September last year. This horrific crime led to widespread public outrage and significantly impacted India’s discourse around sexual violence. On Friday, August 11, India’s Sexual Abuse Child Protection…
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Traffic police uniform revamp addresses efficiency, nationwide rollout set for mid-September
A new uniform for the traffic police is set to be rolled out nationally from September 15, with all 19,662 officers expected to be wearing the revised attire. Netizens queried the changes, claiming they could hardly discern any difference in the new design. Police Lieutenant Colonel Kittipraphat, Commissioner of Police, under the directives of Police Lieutenant General Prachuap Wongsuk, yesterday…
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Tragic twist: Phuket official loses life in motor accident
A tragic turn of events unfolded today when a 51 year old member of the Phuket Provincial Administration Organisation (PPAO) lost his life in a motor accident in Thalang, Phuket. Paisarn Utouchkul, acting Councillor for PPAO District 4, died on the spot when his pickup truck veered off the road and crashed into a roadside ditch. Police Lieutenant Colonel Noppadol…
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Mysterious hospital bed movement sparks confusion: ghost or glitch?
A hospital bed used for transferring patients is raising eyebrows after it was witnessed moving and spontaneously adjusting itself. On Sunday, August 13, a video on Facebook, posted by a user named Mot Kpt, abruptly went viral showcasing this uncanny phenomenon. The footage depicts an unattended hospital bed, elevating on its own. The bed is a manual unit, not an…
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Call centre scam crackdown: Thai cyber police nab nine, seize 300 million baht in evidence
A significant blow has been struck against the fraudulent operations of a call centre gang, masterminding scams worth over 300 million baht, as the cyber police arrested nine individuals and seize numerous items of incriminating evidence. Officers from the Crime Technology Investigation Department at Thong Thanee today were successful in their crackdown against this notorious gang in Mae Sai, Chiang…
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Should you name your baby Hitler? Nazi? The N-word?
Naming a child is an important decision that parents-to-be spend days or weeks pouring over. But a trend in Thailand is drawing harsh condemnation and has critics imploring Thai people to reconsider the names they choose for their offspring. The contentious trend of giving children names like Nong Hitler, Nong Nazi, and Nong Ni**a, ignited an intense debate. The crazy…
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Mysterious death: Unsettling discovery of local man found dead in East Thailand
An unsettling report has emerged from Chanthaburi in eastern Thailand regarding a local man found dead under distressing circumstances five days ago. The 46 year old, Thanpong, lived alone, and it is believed that his body was in the room for five days before it was discovered. Police officer Phuriphat last night received a distress notification from the emergency rescue…
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Thailand’s baht leads Asian currency downturn amid China’s economic worry
Asian currencies experienced a downturn yesterday, led by Thailand‘s baht, as concerns heighten surrounding the recovery status of the global economy’s second-largest player, China. The baht plunged by a substantial 0.8%, marking it as the largest depreciation against the US dollar in half a dozen weeks. Across the waters of offshore markets yesterday afternoon, it was changing hands at approximately…
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Thai university student arrested for selling child pornography
Department Of Special Investigation (DSI) officers yesterday arrested a 19 year old Thai university student for selling child pornography online at a condominium in Pathum Thani province near Bangkok. The Director of the DSI’s Technology and Information Litigation Division, Khemmachart Prakuyhongmanee, reported the successful operation to the media today. Khemmachart stated that officers received a tip-off about the online sale…
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Late-night clash: Move Forward Party MP’s apology after Ekkamai eatery dispute
A heated dispute during the early hours of August 4 at an Ekkamai eatery in Bangkok led a prominent Move Forward Party (MFP) MP to publically clarify events and issue an apology. Chorayuth Chaturapornprasith took to Facebook to share his account of events and refute online allegations suggesting he initiated the brawl at the Ekkamai eatery, one of the prime…
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Otter attack: Montana woman savaged, raises 270,000 baht for medical costs
In otter news… Although regarded as adorable and gentle creatures, the story of an American woman attacked by an otter has gained international attention. Bozeman, Montana resident 37 year old Jen Royce was unexpectedly mauled by the cute vicious creature during a visit to the Jefferson River to celebrate her birthday in early August. Royce and her two friends were…
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Tomorrow’s treasure hunt: Thailand’s lottery craze tracks stars and signs
The lottery frenzy continues in Thailand with hopefuls keenly following several notable figures and events to predict the winning numbers for the draw tomorrow, August 16. The hot picks taking social media by storm include homages to celebrities, supernatural hints and unusual happenings. Noting the ambulance number at a medical facility, some punters are betting their cash on number 5387…
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Monk’s plea: Thai woman scams 78 year old monk of 800,000 baht
A 78 year old Thai monk from Rat Samakkhi Temple in Chon Buri urged police to track down a woman who swindled over 800,000 baht from him. The monk added that he will forgive her and stop the legal process if she presents herself to the police and take responsibility for her actions. The community leader, Yotsadhammo Puangsisang, accompanied the…
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Unsettling find: Tragic discovery of newborn baby on South Pattaya Road
In the late hours of Monday evening, a deeply unsettling discovery of a newborn baby was made on South Pattaya Road, Pattaya. The lifeless body of the newborn baby girl was found on a mound of waste, left to the mercy of fate. The details of this harrowing incident were disclosed by local police who received a distress call at…
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Two young boys severely injured by menacing hanging wire trap
A 14 year old boy and his eight year old cousin sustained severe injuries after getting tangled in a hanging wire on their way home. One boy’s 35 year old mother Namjai Sa Lee detailed the horrific incident, which occurred in Mahapho, Kao Liao district, Nakhon Sawan on July 29. The two boys were knocked off a motorcycle by the…
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Heatwarming gesture: Thai father dresses up as woman for adopted daughter on Mother’s Day (video)
A devoted Thai father dressed up as a woman in order to participate in a Mother’s Day activity at the school of his adopted daughter in the central province of Kampaeng Phet. Netizens praised him for his love and dedication to the girl. The 48 year old man, Pratchaya “Joe” Tadeebu, shared a video and picture of himself dressed as…
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Massage parlour raid reveals galaxy of illegal operations in Phuket (video)
A spate of illegal operations was brought into sharp focus, after a massage parlour known as Universe Massage in Phuket was raided and its owner nabbed due to operating without requisite permissions. The drive to crack down on such infringing operations headlined by the Patong Police continues in earnest, with this instance being the third in just over a week.…
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Daria’s Pattaya condo fall: Arrest warrant denied for person of interest
A new wrinkle in the investigation concerning the tragic death of a Russian woman, Daria Iuzifiak, after her fall from a Pattaya condo window, raises questions. The Pattaya Provincial Court refused to issue an arrest warrant for a person of interest due to a lack of substantial evidence tying him to the fatal fall. The Russian woman, simply identified as…
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Fuelling the future: Thailand’s gas giant gears up production to avert power crisis
Efforts to prevent a second power crisis in Thailand are underway as the nation’s primary gas producer, PTT Exploration and Production (PTTEP) Public Company Limited, looks to increase its output substantially. With plans to double gas production in the Erawan field, Thailand’s largest, Montri Rawanchaikul, the Chief Executive Officer, confirmed plans to scale up production to as high as 800…
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Twerk video outrage: teacher posts kindergarteners dancing inappropriately
The internet was set ablaze with controversy following a video of a kindergarten teacher instructing children to perform the raunchy twerk dance move during a school event. Critical voices arose, expressing their concern about the inappropriateness of such instruction. The now-infamous footage was initially posted by a teacher on her social media account. It captured some young students practising for…
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Teen survives life-threating 30-metre fall at Grand Canyon
In a miraculous story, a 13 years old boy survived a 30-metre tumble down the Grand Canyon, sustaining numerous grave injuries. Remarkably, the plunge did not kill him, and rescuers were able to reach him within two hours and transport him to a hospital. Kauffman, on vacation with his mother, had been admiring the scenic views at Bright Angel Point,…
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Factory explosion near Bangkok leaves two workers injured due to faulty cutting tool
An explosion at a factory has left two workers injured in Samut Prakan province near Bangkok. The incident occurred yesterday when a newly bought cutting tool malfunctioned. The device had been in use for only a few hours when it exploded, severely injuring the employees. The factory specialises in recycling old car air conditioners. The explosion happened around 5.30pm yesterday…
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