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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 Government Savings Bank promises low interest rates for home loans
The Government Savings Bank (GSB), an institution committed to enabling Thai citizens to own their homes, is prepping a credit line of 45,000 million baht to offer three home loan products with fixed interest rates for the first three years, marking the end of this year. The initiative is expected to inject liquidity into the economy. According to Karm Phonprakong,…
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French President Macron supports establishment of Wat Pho Paris
French President Emmanuel Macron has publicly thrown his support behind the establishment of Wat Phra Chetuphon Wimon Mangkhalaram, colloquially known as Wat Pho Paris, in the French capital. This announcement was made during a reception at the Elysee Palace for Somdet Phra Maha Theerajarn, the abbot of the original Wat Pho in Thailand, who is currently in France for the…
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2 foreigners killed and many injured in minibus accident in Chiang Mai
A minibus overturned on a road in the northern province of Chiang Mai yesterday. Two foreigners were killed and more than 10 passengers were injured in the accident. The minibus was transporting passengers between Chiang Mai province and Pai district in Mae Hong Son province. When the vehicle reached the Pa Pae district of Chiang Mai at 9.30am yesterday, November…
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BMA plans rubbish fee hike to tackle city’s waste issue
The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) unveiled a new strategy to deal with the capital’s mounting rubbish issue. The plan is to hike the monthly rubbish collection fee for households from the current 20 baht to 60 baht starting from October next year. According to Pornphrom Vikitsreth, an adviser to the Bangkok governor, households willing to continue paying the existing fee…
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Thai government to finance digital wallet scheme with 500 billion baht loan
The Thai government has plans to secure a loan of 500 billion baht to finance a digital wallet scheme, revealed Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin. This digital wallet scheme is targeted towards Thai citizens who are 16 years and older, earning less than 70,000 baht per month with less than 500,000 baht in bank deposits. The 61 year old Thai prime…
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Pattaya: Female bar worker abducted, manhunt underway
Pattaya, a city known for its vibrant nightlife, was rocked in the early hours of yesterday when a female bar worker was allegedly abducted from Soi Pattaya 3. The bar worker’s friend, 36 year old Worasuda Satthaun, reported the incident to Pattaya police, stating that her colleague was forcefully taken by a group of men who whisked her away in…
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Thai deputy PM defends government’s initial performance amidst economic criticism
Thailand Deputy Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai defended the government‘s performance during its initial two months in office, amidst criticism that the economy has seen little to no improvement and the cost of living remains high. The deputy PM stated that the fruits of the government’s labour would not be noticeable until at least 100 days have passed, as many departments,…
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Seaman stains: Luxury yacht stewardess spills the beans, from glass table poops to canine cuddles at sea
A 39 year old yacht stewardess, Giselle Azueta provides an inside look into the peculiar demands of wealthy customers aboard luxury yachts, from pooping on a glass table to stroking a dog’s ears. The job, while financially rewarding and travel-inclusive, has its fair share of unusual scenarios. Azueta often shares her work stories on TikTok, revealing the challenging nature of…
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Thai woman shares spooky experience at Bangkok shopping mall
A Thai woman took to TikTok to share her spooky experience, claiming to have seen a ghost in the car park of a shopping mall in the Bang Kae neighbourhood of Bangkok. The woman posted a video recounting the ghost story on her @sayhibyfai account on Wednesday, November 8. The video’s caption read… “Encountered a ghost in a famous shopping mall…
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Thai government to distribute 10,000 baht through Pao Tang digital wallet from May next year
Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin confirmed the distribution of 10,000 baht through the Pao Tang digital wallet, indicating readiness with over 1.8 million familiar shops. The public can start using it from May next year. At 2pm this afternoon, at the Government House, the 61 year old prime minister and Finance Minister, announced the policy of the 10,000 baht top-up program…
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Lost elephant calf Kanya finds new family in Chiang Mai
The tale of Kanya, the lost wild elephant calf, has come to a joyful conclusion. Found wandering in a rice field in the Bueng Kan province, she has now joined a new family in Chiang Mai. The journey of Kanya, from Bueng Kan to Chiang Mai, is one worth revisiting. Kanya’s story began on the morning of September 12, when…
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Chinese parents face backlash for expensive winter coat purchase
A wealthy Chinese family sparked controversy after spending 9,000 yuan (44,800 baht) on a winter coat for their daughter. The parents, both CEOs of multinational companies, faced criticism from the local school’s parent association for potentially causing envy among other students. As the cold season approached, the mother purchased a pricey winter coat to shield her daughter from the winter…
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Noodle shocker: Young man stir-fries his emotions after being billed 300 baht in Don Mueang
A young man was taken aback when he was charged 300 baht for a plate of stir-fried noodles at a restaurant in Don Mueang. The page Sai Mai Tong Rot (Sai Mai Must Survive) posted a clip of the incident, showing the customer arguing about the high price of the dish. The restaurant justified the cost by stating they used…
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Digital wallet boost: Thai government to inject 600,000 million baht into economy
The government is set to inject 600,000 million baht into the economy through the well-documented digital wallet initiative. This programme will provide 10,000 baht to Thai citizens aged 16 and above, with an income not exceeding 70,000 baht and savings of no more than 500,000 baht. The initiative, set to run for six months, will be applicable within the citizen’s…
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Former special forces soldier and notorious hitman captured in Surin province
A former special forces soldier and notorious hitman was apprehended today by Police Captain Phadet Ngam Lamom, together with Police Lieutenant Colonel Detwit Utharasat. The arrest of 38 year old Methrit (surname withheld), also known as Suea Oi, took place in Soi Village Uncle Pung, Surin Province, under a warrant issued by Lamphun Provincial Court. Methrit, ranked 105th on the…
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Electricity tariffs: Potential 6 baht/unit increase expected next year
The Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) proposed three options for determining electricity tariffs for the first quarter of next year. The electricity tariffs could potentially increase to a peak of 6 baht per unit. The ERC disclosed that if there are proposals lower than these three options, it would have to reconvene for further discussions today. Komkrit Tantravanich, Secretary-General of the…
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Koh Maphrao residents plead for bridge to Phuket
On the untouched shores of Koh Maphrao, an island nestled off the east coast of Phuket, a pressing issue has been echoing amongst its inhabitants. The island’s residents have made a formal plea to the Department of Rural Roads for the construction of a bridge to connect them with the bustling mainland of Phuket. This idyllic haven has, so far,…
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Heartbreak on duty: Special Branch Superintendent’s birthday turns tragic in Rayong car crash
The fatal car accident involving Special Branch Superintendent Siriwisuk Suwikrom, who was on duty in Klaeng District, Rayong, has left many in grief. The tragedy occurred yesterday, on his birthday. Police officers from Kratham Police Station, Rayong, yesterday, around 4pm, were dispatched to the scene of a car crash. A black Toyota four-door pickup, registration number 4818 Bangkok, was involved in…
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Lottery Plus freezes 282 suspect accounts in fight against fraud
Lottery Plus has successfully frozen 282 of the 308 suspect accounts in its ongoing battle against fraudsters. On November 4, Nott Panthavuth Nakwisit posted on Facebook detailing the progress made so far. Asserting that the authorities are taking the matter seriously, Nott continued by challenging the criminals to see who would be faster – them in creating new accounts, or…
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Barbeque and grilled pork overconsumption may lead to colon cancer, warns Thai neurologist
A warning has been issued to fans of barbeque and tabletop grilled pork to limit their consumption to no more than once a month. Additionally, they are advised to always consume organic vegetables. This caution comes from Associate Professor Dr Surat Tanprawate, a neurologist, who posted the warning on his page, Brain with Dr Surat, on November 10. According to…
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School safety alert: Thai education ministry issues warning after floor collapse
The Ministry of Education (MoE) issued a warning to all schools about the safety of their educational buildings. This cautionary message comes in the wake of an incident where the floor of an old school building in Phanat Nikhom, Chon Buri collapsed, injuring nearly 30 students. The students fell almost 2 metres to the ground, fortunately, the area was flooded,…
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Lock, stock, and regulations: Deputy PM Anutin aims to bulletproof firearm laws for public safety
The Interior Minister and Deputy Prime Minister recently shed light on the advancements in firearm regulations in Thailand. Deputy PM Anutin Charnvirakul underscored the pivotal role of the legal framework and collaborative law enforcement in ensuring public safety and curbing civilian gun ownership. Anutin elaborated on the responsibilities of his ministry, which included registering and issuing permits for gun possession…
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Thai woman slashed by vendor after motorcycle parking dispute
A Thai woman filed a complaint against a fruit vendor in the southern province of Songkhla after she slashed her mother following a dispute over a parked motorcycle in front of the shop. The victim’s daughter, Waranart, shared videos of her injured mother standing in front of a fruit shop on Facebook yesterday, November 10. She also explained in the…
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Ploughing through prejudice: Chinese farmer’s job rejection due to being ugly
A rural farmer in China recently faced a peculiar predicament after multiple job rejections, not due to a lack of qualifications but, because he was too ugly and his facial features were deemed too angular. Pursuing better work opportunities, the farmer, named Truong, relocated to Chongqing, attracted by numerous job openings in local electronics factories known for their decent salaries and…
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Drumming up excitement: Phuket’s Surin Beach beats to the rhythm of tourism’s future with groundbreaking Glass Terrace project
The sound of ceremonial drums echoed across Surin Beach, Phuket, early this morning marking the start of construction on a project of substantial tourism potential – the Glass Terrace. With an estimated completion time of two years, this 198 million baht project is anticipated to become a significant tourist attraction along the island’s west coast. Leading the groundbreaking ceremony was…
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Final call for Social Security Fund members to register for inaugural election
The Labour Ministry has made a final call to Social Security Fund (SSF) members to register for the inaugural election of Social Security Board members, with today marking the end of the registration period. Labour Minister Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn explained the extension of the registration period, which was originally set to end on October 31, was granted to provide members with…
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HPV vaccination drive: Thailand aims to inoculate 1 million young women
The Phuket Provincial Public Health Office (PPHO) in Thailand is on a mission: to vaccinate one million young women against the human papillomavirus (HPV) within 100 days. This ambitious initiative is part of a national campaign aiming to safeguard the health of the country’s female population. The campaign’s life-saving work began at Plookpanya School in Phuket Town, where 200 female…
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The Coffee Club expands with 24/7 and pet-friendly services in Bangkok
The Minor Food Group Plc subsidiary, The Coffee Club, is venturing into new market avenues with its innovative 24-hour service and pet-friendly concept at specific locations. This strategy has been adopted to increase sustainable sales and enhance customer experience. Nongchanok Stananonth, the General Manager, highlighted that their inaugural 24/7 Coffee Club at Staybridge Suites Bangkok, Sukhumvit 55, opened its doors…
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Mild earthquake shakes Pai district affecting four provinces
A 4.7 magnitude earthquake at a depth of 2 kilometres shook Pai district, Mae Hong Son province, causing tremors that were felt across four provinces. The Geology Department reported that the quake occurred today, with no initial damage found. The earthquake originated in the northern part of Wiang Nuea subdistrict, Pai district, Mae Hong Son province. It was followed by…
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Post office denies responsibility after giving 49,800 gold to thief
A Thai woman demanded a post office in Nonthaburi province near Bangkok to take responsibility for the loss of her gold bars worth 49,800 baht after they were handed over to a thief. The 30 year old woman, Rattanakorn Songserm, visited Bang Bua Thong Police Station on November 8 to follow up on the development of the investigation into her…
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