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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 Why long-term expats in Thailand say insurance is worth every baht
Thailand’s warm weather, low cost of living, and good healthcare attract many long-term expats, including retirees and remote workers. Life here feels easy and affordable, but medical costs can be high if something goes wrong. Private hospitals are popular because...
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Thai fisherman slips into river: Rescuers face 4-hour search in strong currents
A 27 year old Myanmar fisherman tragically drowned in the Mae Klong River after he slipped while walking on a wet dock in Thailand’s central Samut Songkhram province. Despite challenging conditions, rescue teams found the body after an extensive four-hour search. Yesterday at 3pm, friends of the lost fisherman conducted a floating pillow ceremony, a ceremony that locals believed would…
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Bangkok considers Japanese central kitchen system for school lunches
Is there a solution to improve the quality of Thai schools’ cafeteria food? The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) is exploring the possibility of implementing a central kitchen system, similar to the one used in Japan, to enhance the quality of school lunches in Thailand. The central kitchen concept was introduced by Nobuko Tanaka, a former Japanese school lunch specialist, during…
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Royal streak: Thai man arrested for naked motorcycle ride and nude hotel stroll
Police arrested a Thai man after he rode his motorcycle naked and strolled majestically around a hotel in the buff in Chacheongsao province near Bangkok. Prompted by a notification, officers from Bang Pakong Police Station swiftly responded to the Blue Diamond Hotel in the Bang Pakong district of Chachoengsao province at 8am yesterday. The report indicated that a 31 year…
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Minor Hotels to reach 600 properties amid optimistic tourism outlook
Minor Hotels is set to expand its portfolio to 600 properties across 59 countries, with over 91,000 rooms this year, as the global tourism industry shows signs of recovery following the easing of Covid-19 infections. Dillip Rajakarier, Group Chief Executive of Minor International Plc and Chief Executive of Minor Hotels, believes that pent-up demand will drive the industry for years,…
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Japan on alert as Typhoon Mawar threatens floods and landslides
Torrential rains loom over Japan as Typhoon Mawar approaches, threatening to bring heavy rainfall and strong winds across the main islands. Having already caused significant damage in Guam earlier this week, Mawar has since weakened from its super typhoon status to a tropical storm. Taiwan’s coast also experienced the effects of Typhoon Mawar, with seawater flooding the streets of Suao,…
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Rooting for innovation: Thai researchers unveil PRK, the tooth-ally awesome breakthrough
In a significant advancement for dental healthcare in Thailand, local researchers successfully developed an artificial tooth root named PRK, which stands for Phraramkao in Thai or Rama IX in English. This innovation is expected to make dental implant services more accessible to the public by reducing the cost of implants by a factor of ten compared to similar quality imported…
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Thai digital industry sentiment hits three-year high amid economic recovery
A recent survey by the Digital Economy Promotion Agency (Depa) revealed that the Digital Industry Sentiment Index has risen above the 50-point threshold for the first time in a year, reaching a three-year high. The index reached 54.0 during the first quarter, up from 49.0 in the final quarter of 2022, indicating increased confidence among entrepreneurs as Thailand‘s economy recovers…
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Heavy rainfall warning: 33 provinces hit, 70% of South Thailand to be impacted
Heavy rainfall is expected in 33 provinces across Thailand, with the southern region facing a high risk of flash floods and landslides. The Thai Meteorological Department urges citizens to remain vigilant to sudden flooding from June 2 as 70% of the area is expected to experience torrential downpours. The department has issued a 24-hour weather forecast warning of thunderstorms and…
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Chinatown crackdown: 48 partying Chinese nabbed in Bangkok massage parlour drug bust
Forty-eight Chinese nationals were arrested by Children and Women Protection Sub-Division and Narcotics Control Board officers during a drug-fuelled party at a massage parlour on New Phetchaburi Road in Bangkok early this morning. The Superintendent of the Children and Women Protection Sub-Division, Theerasak Chantarapipat, shared the arrest details with ThaiRath. Theerasak disclosed that a tip-off had been received by the…
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Thai bank employee drinks 6 beers, shoots at Youtuber’s car in road rage incident
A 51 year old Thai bank employee was arrested for allegedly shooting at a popular YouTuber’s car after consuming six cans of beer. Police apprehended the suspect at the junction of Chaturathit and Phra Ram 9 roads in Bangkok, seizing a 9mm pistol and nearly 30 rounds of ammunition. Punnanikorn Pholmakrut, a 46 year old YouTuber behind the channel ‘Diew…
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Florida teen wins US National Spelling Bee with ‘psammophile’
In an impressive display of linguistic prowess, 14-year-old Dev Shah from Largo, Florida, emerged as the champion of the 2023 Scripps National Spelling Bee in the United States. Demonstrating exceptional skill, Dev correctly spelled the word “psammophile” to secure his victory in the 95th edition of the prestigious competition, along with a prize of US$50,000. The runner-up, Charlotte Walsh, also…
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Burger Thailand’s ‘kids meal’ campaign serves up a whopper of a strategy to win over youngsters
Burger Thailand, the local operator of Burger King, is intensifying efforts to appeal to children as part of its global strategy. According to the company’s general manager, Tanawat Damnernthong, children significantly influence their parents’ choices when selecting a restaurant, with families with children typically spending more per meal than working professionals. For the first time in its 23 year history…
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Airport Rail Link suffers 70 million baht monthly loss amid 25% commuter drop
The State Railway of Thailand (SRT) reports that the Airport Rail Link (ARL) service has been losing 70 million baht per month, as it continues to carry fewer passengers than before the pandemic in 2019. To address long-standing operational issues, the SRT chose to involve a private company, Asia Era One, in managing rail operations during the pandemic. An agreement…
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Thai homeowner haunted by ghostly tokay gecko, forced to flee
A homeowner in Surin province has been driven to spend sleepless nights away from her own home due to the ghostly presence of a dead tokay gecko. Jitapha Pothisa, the distressed owner, claims to frequently hear the eerie calls of the phantom lizard but has never actually seen it. The unsettling experience has compelled the 32 year old mother of…
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WhatsApp’s role in UK Covid-19 response under scrutiny in official inquiry
WhatsApp has been revealed to play a central role in communications between UK ministers during the COVID-19 pandemic, thanks to the release of over 100,000 messages by former health secretary Matt Hancock and his memoir co-author Isabel Oakeshott. These messages, which were handed over to The Daily Telegraph, have raised questions about the transparency of government communications and the availability…
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Government blocks COVID inquiry access to PM’s WhatsApp messages and notebooks
The UK government faces accusations of attempting a “cover-up” as it seeks to prevent the COVID inquiry from accessing Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s unredacted WhatsApp messages and notebooks. Bereaved families and opposition parties have expressed their disapproval after the Cabinet Office announced its intention to bring a judicial review of Baroness Hallett’s order to release the documents. This move comes…
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Grab taxi driver threatens to harm former Thai singer
A former Thai singer took to social media to reveal that a Grab taxi driver, claiming to be a soldier, threatened to physically harm her. The singer, Jamila “Mila’ Panpinij, demanded that Grab takes responsibility for the incident and pay for treatment costs associated with her post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), which was triggered by the incident. On Wednesday, May 31,…
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Brics foreign ministers demand global order rebalancing amid Putin arrest warrant
Foreign ministers from the BRICS nations gathered in South Africa, urging for a shift in the global order away from Western nations. The BRICS group, comprising Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa, envisions providing global leadership in a world facing geopolitical tension, inequality, and global insecurity. However, the recent allegations of Russian war crimes in Ukraine have cast a…
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Luxury watch thefts surpass drugs as criminals’ top choice in UK
The theft of high-end watches has become a criminal enterprise more profitable than drug dealing, according to former dealer Paul Thorpe, who was forced to retire after being violently robbed three times. Thorpe claims that a week’s worth of stealing luxury watches in London could generate more money than some people earn in a lifetime. He believes that in many…
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US mass shootings spark fear, change lives and boost bulletproof backpack sales
The increasing frequency of gun violence and mass shootings in the United States is impacting the lives of millions of Americans, causing anxiety and prompting changes in daily routines. With National Gun Violence Awareness Day approaching, around 60% of US adults have discussed gun safety with their children or other family members, according to a survey by the Kaiser Family…
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Ukraine accused of shelling Belgorod as Russia claims thwarted invasion
Belgorod, a Russian region, has once more experienced attacks from across the Ukrainian border, with at least eight individuals injured due to shelling. Russia’s defence ministry asserts that it has prevented other attempts by Ukraine to “invade” the region. Kyiv has not responded to these claims but has denied involvement in previous cross-border attacks. This latest incident occurs over a…
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Elon Musk regains world’s richest title as Tesla value soars, Arnault slips
Tesla CEO Elon Musk has once again become the world’s wealthiest individual, surpassing LMVH founder Bernard Arnault. Musk’s net worth increased by US$55.3 billion since January, reaching US$192 billion, primarily due to the rising value of his electric car company, Tesla. Meanwhile, Arnault’s fortune dropped by US$24.5 billion to US$187 billion, according to Bloomberg’s Billionaires Index. Jeff Bezos and Bill…
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Thousands jeer far-right minister at Jerusalem Gay Pride amid security fears
The Jerusalem Gay Pride march saw thousands of participants, despite security concerns due to online threats and counter-protests. This was the first march since the election of a hardline religious-nationalist government, which includes senior ministers with openly homophobic views. The event highlighted the deepening divisions within Israeli society, where secular Jews have long supported LGBTQ rights, but political and demographic…
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Biden trips at Air Force graduation, reigniting age concerns
US President Joe Biden stumbled and fell during a graduation ceremony at the US Air Force Academy in Colorado, where he was presenting diplomas to the graduates. At 80 years old, Biden is the oldest serving president in the nation’s history. He was assisted by Air Force officials in getting back up and continued walking to his seat without any…
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Phillip Schofield denies grooming amid affair scandal with younger colleague
Phillip Schofield, the former This Morning presenter, has denied being a “groomer” after admitting to having an affair with a younger male colleague. Schofield left ITV last week following the confirmation of the relationship and his dishonesty about it. In an interview with The Sun, he expressed deep regret for his actions and the impact on the other individual’s life.…
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Referee Anthony Taylor harassed by Roma fans at Budapest Airport
English referee Anthony Taylor and his family faced harassment from a group of Roma supporters at Budapest Airport following the Italian team’s loss to Sevilla in the Europa League final. Videos on social media depict Taylor and his family being escorted from a cafe to a secure area by airport security as fans targeted the referee after a contentious match…
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Schofield denies grooming in affair scandal, feels ‘broken and ashamed’
Phillip Schofield has expressed his remorse and shame following a scandal involving a relationship with a younger male colleague, while denying allegations of grooming. The 61-year-old resigned from ITV last week and was dropped by talent agency YMU after admitting to an “unwise but not illegal” affair with the younger colleague. In an interview with The Sun, Schofield emphasised that…
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British Airways fined £877k for delayed US flight refunds amid pandemic
United States regulators have imposed a fine of US$1.1 million (£877,000) on British Airways, following accusations that the airline failed to provide prompt refunds for passengers on flights to and from the US during the COVID-19 pandemic. The US Transportation Department issued the penalty, which British Airways contests. According to the department, the airline violated federal regulations by not processing…
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Nova Scotia battles largest wildfire in history, thousands evacuated
Nova Scotia firefighters are currently facing the largest wildfire in the history of the Atlantic province. The fire, located on the southern tip of the province, has burned over 17,000 hectares with flames reaching nearly 100m in height. In addition, another fire near Halifax, the largest city, has led to the evacuation of thousands of residents. As of Thursday morning,…
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Canadian socialite avoids jail for Belize police chief’s manslaughter
Canadian socialite Jasmine Hartin, 34 years old, has reportedly avoided prison time for the killing of Belize police chief Henry Jemmott with his own weapon. Local reports state that she has been given a £30,000 fine and 300 hours of community service. Hartin pleaded guilty to manslaughter in April after Jemmott’s death on 28 May 2021, which was caused by…
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