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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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Thailand’s Public Health Ministry finalises Cannabis-Hemp Act draft
The Cannabis-Hemp Act‘s first draft has been completed by the Public Health Ministry, and despite public speculation, cannabis will not be reclassified as a narcotic. According to Public Health Minister Chonlanan Srikaew, the new legislation is a refined version of the initial draft, now streamlined from 94 to approximately 70 sections. The updated version addresses public concerns and closes loopholes…
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Anti scam centre freezes 2,500 bank accounts in fight against fraud
In a significant move against call-centre scams, the Anti Online Scam Operation Centre (AOC) froze 2,671 bank accounts in its initial two weeks of operation. Government spokesman Chai Wacharonke shared these statistics, highlighting the effectiveness of the centre, which was launched on November 1 to combat such fraudulent activities. The centre received a staggering 38,564 distress calls from victims within…
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TikTok user introduces followers to Thai dish of golden orb spider (video)
A TikTok personality, known as @tdploy, recently introduced her followers to an unusual dish, Golden Orb Spider from her native region. The dish, Golden Orb Spider (แมงย่างซี้น), prepared from a large spider indigenous to Thailand, sparked curiosity amongst her online community yesterday (November 17). Despite the creepy appearance, @tdploy assures that its taste is surprisingly delicious. Nestled within the forest,…
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Northeast Thailand: Fatal motorbike accident at Amata City Chon Buri Industrial Estate claims life
A fatal motorbike accident claimed the life of a 25 year old resident from Don Mod Dang, Ubon Ratchathani. The incident occurred at approximately 10.30pm yesterday, November 17, within the Amata City Chon Buri Industrial Estate located in Don Hua Lo, Mueang District. Ratphol Ratchawakarn, the Deputy Inquiry Official of Don Hua Lo Police Station in Chon Buri, received a…
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Fateful flight: French tourist becomes another statistic of the ‘Pattaya Flying Club’
A 43 year old French tourist became yet another statistic of the insensitively named “Pattaya Flying Club” when he jumped from a hotel building in Pattaya and died at the scene. Police Lieutenant Anirut Jeroh, Deputy Inspector of Investigation, Pattaya City Police Station, received a report at 4.20am this morning of a French tourist who fell to his death from…
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Thai military to engage Myanmar over repatriation delay
The Thai military is set to engage Myanmar over the delay in the repatriation of 41 Thai nationals who were recently rescued from illegal businesses in Laukkaing township. This was revealed today by Colonel Natee Thomsen, the commander of the Thap Chao Tak Taskforce of the Pha Mueang Force. Col. Natee plans to discuss the reasons behind the repatriation delay…
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Chiang Mai: Thief arrested for stealing from temple caught in moral dilemma
A 20 year old man was recently apprehended in Chiang Mai for stealing from a charity donation box at Jettiyanusorn temple, also known as Ban Yang Phra That temple, in Doi Saket. The suspect reportedly fled on a bicycle after the theft, which took place on November 8. Upon his arrest, the man confessed to taking 200 baht in cash…
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Cave heroes to the rescue again: Thailand and Norway aid India’s tunnel turmoil
The government of India asked Thai and Norwegian rescuers from the Tham Luang cave rescue mission to help save 40 workers trapped by a tunnel collapse in the northern state of Uttarakhand. The 4.5-kilometre tunnel in Uttarakhand collapsed on November 12 during construction. Around 50 people were working on the site. Some workers at the ends of the tunnel managed to…
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Ayutthaya sundown: Experience history at night in special event
Ayutthaya Historical Park has invited the public to the Ayutthaya Sundown event at Wat Chaiwatthanaram, a significant historical site. The event, aimed at promoting Thailand’s soft power policy, allows visitors to explore the ancient temple at night from today to November 21. The initiative, supported by the government’s Thailand Creative Content Agency (THACCA), is geared towards making Thailand a global…
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Thailand’s thriving collectibles market of 90s cassette tapes
The allure of the cassette tape, the quintessential item of the 90s youth, is unwavering. The sensory joy these analogue devices offer through their tangible nature has seen their value increase over time, transforming them into valuable collectables. This is particularly true for tapes from certain artists, which are not only hard to find but have also become a lucrative…
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Thai rights commission calls for immediate Gaza ceasefire
The Thai National Human Rights Commission (NHRCT) called for an immediate ceasefire in the conflict-ridden Gaza Strip. The commission’s plea comes amidst escalating violence which has resulted in the tragic loss of over 10,000 Palestinian civilian lives, with a significant proportion of victims being Arab women and children. This crisis has also led to the displacement of an estimated one…
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Central Thailand: Lorry driver hits two motorcyclists, refuses responsibility causing public outrage
The incident of a lorry driver hitting two motorcyclists and refusing to take responsibility has been met with outrage. Chalipa Rinradamanee, also known as Pim Seefor, decided to confront the driver after her son and his friend were injured in the accident. The lorry driver, who initially apologised for the incident, claimed that he was unable to meet her due…
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Royal Thai Police’s eradication of convictions in massive justice reform
The Royal Thai Police (RTP), under the leadership of Commissioner Police General Torsak Sukvimol, has unveiled a significant achievement for the national justice system. A substantial number of convictions, specifically over 9.3 million from a total of 13 million, have been successfully expunged within two years. This announcement by Torsak was made public yesterday, marking a significant milestone in the…
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Patong Hill road set for major safety makeover in Phuket
The notorious Patong Hill road in Phuket is set to undergo a significant makeover aimed at enhancing safety and reducing the frequency of accidents, particularly on its steep slopes. This development comes as a response to mounting concerns and complaints from local inhabitants about the hazardous condition of the frequently used road. The plan was unveiled after Phuket Governor Sophon…
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Thai man to return from Israel after winning 60 million baht from savings lottery
A Thai man working in Israel during the conflict in Palestine decided to return home after his parents won 60 million baht in the savings lottery conducted by the Bank for Agriculture and Agricultural Cooperatives (BAAC). The official Facebook page of the BAAC, Baan Kok branch, in the northern province of Uttaradit, congratulated a Thai man who scooped the first prize…
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Northeast Thailand: Fatal motorcycle accident in Udon Thani caused by poorly lit conditions
A fatal motorcycle accident in the dark claimed the life of a 25 year old man from Udon Thani province. The incident occurred near a concrete factory situated on the Na Kha-Sum Sao Road, in the large Thon district of Na Kha. The accident scene was attended to by Police Lieutenant Colonel Ratchapol Morarat, an investigative officer of Na Kha…
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5 year old girl survives 3 metre fall from balcony in Pattaya
A five year old girl in Pattaya was left alone in her room and subsequently fell 3 metres from a balcony onto a canopy. The incident occurred in a commercial building in Nong Prue, Bang Lamung district, Chon Buri province. The child suffered abdominal pain and injuries from the impact and was rushed to the hospital. The girl was found…
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Czech mate: Thailand’s wheels of fortune spin with potential investments
The Czech Republic has expressed interest in investing in Thailand’s automotive and medical sectors, according to Nalinnee Taveesin, Thai Trade Representative. The Czechs are keen to establish economic partnerships in Thailand’s automotive industry, to attract Czech automotive companies for investment, develop technology, and set up production bases in Thailand. The companies showing interest are the Skoda Group (Volkswagen Group), a…
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Pheu Thai leader discusses soft power at Thailand 2024 beyond Red Ocean seminar
The leader of the Pheu Thai Party addressed the audience on the Soft Power: The Great Challenger during the Thailand 2024 Beyond Red Ocean seminar organised by Prachachat, a newspaper publisher, on November 15. The term soft power has been making rounds in Thailand recently, defined by the Thai government as an influential power that assimilates new cultures through societal…
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Bangkok ranked fourth most searched destination in the world
One of the world’s leading online travel agencies ranked Bangkok as the fourth most searched destination in the world. Prime Minister Office Spokesperson Chai Watcharong announced the good news for Thai tourism at a recent press conference, saying that Bangkok, the capital of Thailand, was praised by eDreams Odigeo, is one of the top ten destinations most searched for by…
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Global EV trend surges with Thailand joining the race
A surge in the global trend of electric vehicles (EVs) usage has been highlighted by Poonphong Naiyanaphakorn, the director of the Trade Policy and Strategy Office. This information was shared with the public on a day not too long ago. The International Energy Agency (IEA) has predicted that the total EV sales are set to rise from 10 million units…
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Wedding crasher: Ex-girlfriend storms wedding ceremony in Suzhou
The online community in China was abuzz with a dramatic wedding in Suzhou, Jiangsu Province. A viral social media clip revealed the source of the drama was not the bride or groom, but the groom’s ex-girlfriend who attempted to disrupt her old flame’s wedding. The groom and the young woman had been in a relationship for seven years before they…
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Trash horror: Waste collector stumbles upon newborn’s tragic fate in black Bangkok rubbish bin
A shocking discovery was made by a waste collector in the Nong Chok district of Bangkok when he found the discarded dead body of a newborn in a black rubbish bin. The incident happened at 4am this morning. Authorities from Suwinthawong Police Station, forensic doctors from the Police Hospital, and officials from the Ruamkatanyu Foundation were swiftly alerted to investigate the…
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Crop déjà vu: Critics dub gov’s agri-reform a rerun of past plans
The government’s current measures to reform the nation’s agricultural sector, particularly rice farming, are largely seen as reiterations of former strategies, declared industry commentators. They suggest that any budget-based support should come with certain stipulations. Aat Pisanwanich, an international economics lecturer, after evaluating these measures, observes that the central policy appears to be a three-year debt suspension for farmers, with…
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Educational inequality sparks call for Thai government investment in human capital
The Equitable Education Fund (EEF) urged the Thai government to bolster investments in human capital to enhance the lives of students belonging to low-income families and curtail educational inequality. The call was made at the annual Equity Forum, held at the Bangkok Art and Culture Centre, to deliberate on the significance of such investments in addressing educational disparities. Kraiyos Patrawart,…
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Northern Thailand: Massive cold front triggers thunderstorms and temperature drop
A massive cold front has descended upon Northern Thailand, causing thunderstorms and strong winds, according to the Thai Meteorological Department (TMD). This is expected to result in a significant drop in temperature, with an additional cold snap predicted to hit tonight. The cold front has already enveloped Vietnam’s upper region, Laos and the South China Sea. As a consequence, northern…
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Photo betrayal: Teenage Thai boy suffers from depression after being blackmailed by 10 classmates
A 15 year old boy is suffering from depression after 10 of his classmates used his naked photo to blackmail him. The victim’s father said the incident happened at the end of July. Three classmates created Instagram accounts pretending to be three female students. The boys used the accounts to chat and flirt with the victim before tricking the victim…
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Samut Prakan: Lottery vendor strikes gold with first-prize ticket in unsold stock
A lottery vendor experienced an unexpected stroke of luck when she discovered a first-prize winning ticket in her husband’s unsold stock. She credits her fortunate find to the spirit of the 7-Eleven store in Bang Hua Suea where they operate their lottery stand. At 8pm last night, reporters spoke with 56 year old Paiboon Panphakdee and his 52 year old…
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Powering up the tracks: Red Line operator urged to spark commuter surge with enhanced feeder network
Red Line operator SRT Electrified Train Co was asked by the Transport Ministry to enhance its feeder network to drive an increase in the number of rail passengers within Bangkok. Surapong Piyachote, the Deputy Transport Minister, explained that the SRT Electrified Train Co, in conjunction with the Department of Rail Transport, has charted out plans for an integrated feeder network…
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Uthai Thani resident scoops 60 million baht in BAAC Gold Bag lottery
A lucky resident of Ban Khok, Uthai Thani, became the latest millionaire after winning the first prize in the Bank for Agriculture and Agricultural Cooperatives (BAAC) Gold Bag lottery. The winner walked away with a staggering 60 million baht in the first draw of the lottery. The BAAC Thailand Facebook page announced the news yesterday. The post congratulated the new red-label…
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