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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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Thai construction firm ITD seeks additional financial backing
Financially beleaguered construction company Italian-Thai Development (ITD) hopes to receive more financial backing from lenders to complete over 100 ongoing construction tasks while also vying for additional projects from the now active 2024 fiscal budget. ITD, listed on the Stock Exchange of Thailand (SET), has plans in the pipeline to offload its non-performing assets, including Asia-Pacific Potash Corp. Meanwhile, a…
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Wedding guest scam ruins dream ceremony in Thailand
A tale of deceit and dashed dreams emerged when a 41 year old British woman conned friends, including a bridesmaid, out of thousands for a Thailand wedding. The scandal unravelled just days before Elaine and Marc Walker’s nuptials, leaving the bride’s mother footing the bill for guests’ flights. In a twist of events, 41 year old Natalie Green was instructed…
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Hong Kong Songkran festival celebrations relocated
The water-splashing festivities of Thailand’s Songkran festival, hosted in Hong Kong’s Kowloon City, are set to make a splash in a new venue – a basketball court. This change came hot on the heels of last year’s arrests of three individuals for dousing police officers and reporters at the event. Kowloon City district officer Alice Choi Man-kwan disclosed that participants…
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Traveloka and Hong Kong Tourism Board collaborate
Traveloka and the Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB) have forged an alliance aimed at showcasing the wonders of Hong Kong to eager travellers from Thailand and beyond. This collaboration, anticipated to skyrocket tourism figures, promises to position Hong Kong as the ultimate hotspot for adventurous souls seeking new experiences. The resurgence of Hong Kong’s tourism sector post-border reopening has been…
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Air Canada and TAT amp up Vancouver to Bangkok flights
Air Canada, in collaboration with the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), is ramping up its seasonal Vancouver to Bangkok flights. In partnership with TAT, the Canadian airline powerhouse, a founding member of the Star Alliance network, has announced the eagerly anticipated return of its Vancouver to Bangkok service. Kicking off earlier than ever on October 27, this strategic move comes…
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Suicide or foul play: Mystery surrounds man’s death in Bangkok (video)
Police are investigating the mysterious death of a Thai man who allegedly committed suicide soon after a drunken row with his Burmese wife. The Thai man bit his Burmese wife’s lip before allegedly committing suicide by setting himself on fire at their shared home in the Saimai district of Bangkok on April 7. However, the circumstances surrounding his death remain…
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Homeless man’s reign of terror sparks concern in Sattahip
In a corner near the junction of Highway 332 and J-Intersection-Kasemphop Road, Bang Saray, Sattahip, a temporary abode has been claimed by a violent 55 year old homeless man. Responding to distress calls, law enforcement officers swooped in to confront the unidentified vagabond, after reports flooded in of his erratic and alarming behaviour. Witnesses recounted harrowing tales of the man…
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Nex Point Plc and Toyota Group unveil hydrgen-powered trucks
In a move towards greener transportation solutions, commercial electric vehicle (EV) giant Nex Point Plc has joined forces with Toyota Tsusho and Denso from Japan to pioneer hydrogen fuel cell vehicle (FCEV) trucks in Thailand. This groundbreaking memorandum of understanding aims to revolutionise the country’s transport sector and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. CEO Khanist Srivajiraprabha highlighted the significance of applying…
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PM Srettha’s surprise visit unveils mega airport upgrades
PM Srettha, making his third unannounced appearance, scrutinised Suvarnabhumi Airport’s operations firsthand, focusing on enhancements crucial for managing the surge in passenger traffic expected during the traditional Thai New Year festivities from April 12 to 15. Sharing his insights on X post-visit, the 62 year old PM applauded noticeable improvements across various services, from streamlined traffic flow at the airport’s…
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Sting operation: Hong Kong duo nabbed in Bangkok mall scam bust
The Cyber Crime Investigation Bureau (CCIB) coordinated with mobile operator AIS in the arrest of two Hong Kong men who attempted to defraud people in a shopping mall in Bangkok by sending scam messages using a StingRay device. CCIB officers, also known as the Cyber Police, were alerted to the scam messages by users of the AIS mobile operator. The…
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Amid economic turbulence, Malaysia’s illicit trade crackdown must stay the course
After an economically disappointing 2023, Malaysia faces further headwinds due to global economic and political uncertainties. New research published in late March has identified the country’s East Coast Rail Link (ECRL) among the Southeast Asian megaprojects affected by a $50 billion gap between China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) commitments and delivery for the region. Reflecting the broader ASEAN growth…
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Thai govt plans huge digital wallet handout to boost economy
The Pheu Thai Party government, led by Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin, is set to roll out a massive digital wallet handout scheme worth 500 billion baht (US$13.75 billion) in the fourth quarter of this year. The scheme, which is designed to stimulate economic activity, involves transferring a sum of 10,000 baht (US$275) to 50 million Thai citizens, intended to be…
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Airfares drop for popular domestic routes ahead of Songkran
Transport Minister Suriya Juangroongruangkit announced a decrease in airfares for three popular domestic routes by 3.8% to 14% starting this Friday, in line with the Songkran festival. The fares for the six airlines offering flights between Bangkok and Chiang Mai, Krabi, and Phuket have been set at a maximum of 3,000 baht (US$80) per one-way trip. The anticipated fares for…
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Severe summer storm wreaks havoc in Phichit, Thailand
A severe summer storm recently ravaged Phichit province in Thailand, causing extensive damage to homes, religious sites, and infrastructure. The storm, which struck yesterday evening, particularly impacted three districts: Bang Mun Nak, Dong Charoen, and Taphan Hin. The powerful storm toppled trees, snapped utility poles, and sent roofs flying, resulting in widespread power outages that lasted through the night. The…
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Thailand faces first consumer confidence dip in eight months
A recent survey has revealed a decline in Thailand’s consumer confidence for the first time in eight months. This dip in March is attributed to a sluggish economic recovery and escalating living expenses. The University of the Thai Chamber of Commerce (UTCC), which conducted the survey, reported a decrease in the consumer index to 63.0 in March, down from 63.8…
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Thai man disappears after allegedly killing his 10 year old daughter
A Thai man vanished after allegedly killing his 10 year old daughter at a resort in the northern province of Uttaradit on April 8. Mueang Uttaradit Police Station officers were alerted to the death of the 10 year old girl, Napat, yesterday, April 9, by an employer of a resort. Upon arrival at the scene, employers led officers to room…
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Lottery fever peaks as draw nears in Thailand
The lottery community is abuzz with excitement as the upcoming draw on April 16, approaches. Enthusiasts and fortune seekers are eager to discover which numbers will emerge as the most auspicious, with various sources offering their predictions and tips for this lottery cycle. A popular lottery forecast figure, known simply as Notty, shared their final set of lucky numbers with…
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Thailand primes for haze mitigation ahead of Songkran festival
Responding to the escalating haze crisis, Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin has directed all provinces in the upper north, including Chiang Mai, to prepare their operation centres. This step aims to mitigate air pollution during the forthcoming Songkran festival, which traditionally sees a surge in tourist arrivals. According to Deputy Prime Minister and Natural Resources and Environment Minister Phatcharavat Wongsuwan, these…
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Chon Buri childcare center shock: Police probe guard’s death
A 52 year old security guard was found dead under mysterious circumstances at a childcare centre in Chon Buri Province, sparking an immediate police investigation. The distressing scene, discovered early this morning, included the guard’s body with multiple injuries and torn clothes scattered across the area, raising suspicions of foul play. Upon receiving a distress call around 5am today, April…
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Thai banks’ loan jitters: ITD woes prompt provision provisions
Two major Thai banks, Siam Commercial Bank (SCB) and Krungthai Bank (KTB), have set aside provisions for possible loan losses related to Italian-Thai Development Plc (ITD), one of the nation’s foremost contractors. Provisions have been determined using a forward-looking expected credit loss (ECL) framework, according to Arthid Nanthawithaya, chief executive of SCB X, SCB’s holding company. Despite economic uncertainties and…
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15 police officers found guilty in fatal shooting cover-up
At the Central Criminal Court for Corruption and Misconduct Cases, 15 police officers have been convicted of dereliction of duty for their involvement in a cover-up surrounding the fatal shooting of a highway police officer in Nakhon Pathom last year. Former Krathumban Police Station inspector, Police Major Kiartisak Somsuk, alongside 14 other officers and seven civilians, faced justice for colluding…
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Thai stocks shed by foreign investors amidst delayed US rate cuts
The Stock Exchange of Thailand (SET) reported that foreign investors offloaded Thai stocks to the tune of 68.9 billion baht (US$ 2 billion) in the first quarter, with 41.2 billion sold in March alone. This trend is linked to the delayed US interest rate cuts, weaker financial performance of Thai companies compared to those on other exchanges, and overall economic…
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Thai doctor offered bribe to drop lawsuit in Swiss scandal
The Thai doctor who was a victim in the Swiss scandal case in Phuket revealed that an unidentified person offered her and her family a bribe in exchange for withdrawing the lawsuit against the Swiss man. The female doctor, 26 year old Tarndao Chandam, took to social media and accused the 45 year old Swiss man, Urs Fehr, of physically…
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Senate approves AI regulation in election campaigns
A report advocating for the regulation of election campaigns conducted using artificial intelligence (AI) was approved by the Senate yesterday. The Senate Committee on Politics compiled the report, which was presented during a meeting chaired by Senate Speaker Pornpetch Wichitcholchai. The report primarily focused on the use of social media in politics and election canvassing. The Senate’s term will come…
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Splashy Songkran: Thai restaurant sales set to surge despite economic lull
Looking ahead to the upcoming Songkran festival, a trade group predicts a boost in restaurant sales during the second quarter, which could potentially surpass pre-pandemic levels, despite the current stagnant economy. Thaniwan Kulmongkol, President of the Thai Restaurant Association, noted that although the second quarter is typically a slow season for the Thai restaurant industry, the Songkran festival is expected…
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Tourist’s car wheel trapped in poorly covered sewer hole in Sattahip
A peculiar incident unfolded on Monday when an unsuspecting tourist found his car wheel ensnared in an inadequately covered sewer hole on Bang Saray Beach Road, in Sattahip, Chon Buri province. Local media outlets reported this event as it happened under the veil of the previous night. On arrival at the scene of the incident, emergency responders came across a…
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Dusit International urges government to boost quality tourism in Thailand
Dusit International Vice Chairman Chanin Donavanik urged the government to focus on enhancing the quality of tourism and encouraging exploration of lesser-known destinations to boost the industry. Chanin believes the government’s existing tourism promotion policies, including visa-free schemes and luxury tax reductions, are effective. Chanin, who also serves as the executive committee’s chairman, highlighted several areas for the authorities to…
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Stormy forecast: Thailand braces for thunder, wind, and hail
Thailand’s northern region is bracing for severe summer storms, as the Thai Meteorological Department (TMD) issues a warning for thunderstorms, strong winds, and possible hail in some areas. The warning, which took effect from 5am today, April 10, and is expected to continue until tomorrow, April 11, is a result of high-pressure systems from China extending over the northeast of…
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British man fined 5,000 baht for naked stroll on Krabi beach
A British man faces a fine of 5,000 baht after a viral video, filmed by a Thai local, showed him walking naked with his friends along Ao Nang Beach in the southern province of Krabi. A resident of Krabi province witnessed the naked British man, later identified as 23 year old Joseph William Kershaw, and filmed him. The video was…
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Thai govt explores legalisation of casino entertainment complexes
The Thai Cabinet yesterday endorsed a House committee report, greenlighting the prospect of legalising entertainment complexes featuring casinos within the country. The Ministry of Finance received orders to conduct a further feasibility study concerning this potential investment within a 30-day timeframe. Kenika Ounjit, the deputy government spokeswoman, highlighted that the entertainment complex initiative constitutes a vital component in the government’s…
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