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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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Nationwide ceremonies planned for Queen’s birthday celebrations
Nationwide celebrations marking Her Majesty the Queen’s 4th Cycle Birthday Anniversary are underway across Thailand, with major events planned in Bangkok and at provincial halls, Thai embassies and consulates abroad. Organised by the Prime Minister’s Office in coordination with state agencies, the programme features ceremonies at three marquee venues in Bangkok: Wat Ratchathiwat Wihan in Dusit district, Siam Paragon, and…
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Mae Hong Son landslide blocks highway, cars trapped
A landslide has blocked a highway in Khun Yuam district, Mae Hong Son, causing a significant traffic build-up after large boulders fell onto the road at around 9.20am today. The Mae Hong Son Highway District Director, Yodphet Khamseangdi, received reports that boulders had fallen and completely blocked the route on Highway 108 at kilometre marker 301, in the Mae Surin…
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Co-payment scheme begins, opposition flags borrowed funds
More than 39.2 million people have begun receiving 1,000 baht in government support today, June 1, as the Thais Help Thais Plus co-payment scheme officially launches, according to the Finance Ministry. Permanent Secretary for Finance Lavaron Sangsnit said beneficiaries comprise 13.18 million state welfare cardholders and 26.04 million people registered under the 60/40 co-payment programme. Funds are accessible daily from…
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Thailand’s ‘Dine and Dash’ Problem: When tourists walk out without paying
Small restaurants across Thailand’s tourist hotspots are facing a rising pattern of foreign visitors who eat full meals and then refuse to pay and the legal system offers them almost no protection. It was 120 baht. About three dollars. That was how much a Russian couple short-changed a small restaurant in Mai Khao, Phuket, on 26 April 2024. When the…
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Southwest monsoon drives flash flood risk across Thailand
Thailand’s Meteorological Department (TMD) has issued a weather forecast for June 1, warning of heavy to very heavy rainfall across much of Thailand as the southwest monsoon strengthens over the Andaman Sea, the South, and the Gulf of Thailand. A monsoon trough extends across the lower North, upper Central, and lower Northeast regions into a low-pressure cell off the coast…
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Pattaya app driver locks car doors before sexually assaulting passenger
A ride-hailing app driver in Pattaya has been reported to police after a female passenger accused him of sexual assault and later entering her hotel room in South Pattaya yesterday, May 30. The case was shared on Facebook, along with a video clip. The woman, identified only as 27 year old May, is from Phichit province. She said she booked a…
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Street racing raid in Roi Et detains 51 youths over noisy bikes
Police and district officials detained 51 youths and seized 38 modified motorcycles during a Roi Et street racing crackdown overnight from May 29 to May 30, after residents complained about noisy bikes. The operation took place between 11.30pm and 2.30am on Highway 215. Officers checked areas in Nong Kaeo and Khaen Yai subdistricts, Mueang Roi Et district, and Ban Du…
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Democrats aim to sway Bangkok voters from Chadchart
Democrat Party leader Abhisit Vejjajiva has expressed confidence that Bangkok voters currently backing incumbent Chadchart Sittipunt can still be persuaded to support Democrat gubernatorial candidate Anucha Burapachaisri and the party’s council candidates ahead of the June 28 election. Abhisit was responding to a King Prajadhipok’s Institute (KPI) poll showing many Democrat supporters leaning towards Chadchart, who is running as an…
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Bangkok international school found illegally teaching 100 foreign students
An illegal international school in Soi Pridi Banomyong, Bangkok, was raided yesterday, May 30, after immigration officers found it had operated without a licence and employed six foreign teachers without work permits. The inspection took place at about 1pm, after Immigration Bureau officers received a tip-off that the school was operating without approval and employing foreign teachers illegally. The Office of the…
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Chiang Mai named top digital nomad destination
Chiang Mai has earned a place among the world’s top eight destinations for digital nomads and creators, after Forbes magazine included the northern Thai city in its 2026 ranking. The city joins Medellín, Cape Town, Lisbon, Bali, Mexico City, Tokyo, and Berlin on the list, reflecting Chiang Mai’s growing focus on intellectual capital and creativity as drivers of urban development.…
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Sri Lankan man stabs Bangkok peacemaker to death
A Sri Lankan national has been arrested after a Thai man was fatally stabbed while trying to stop a knife attack in Bangkok’s Prawet district on May 29. Police investigated the crime scene on Soi Phatthanakan 61, where the confrontation took place. Apisek Racha, a Sri Lankan citizen, allegedly attempted to assault his friend, 23 year old Adiman Hayilapeh, with…
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Chinese loan shark gang found hiding in Chon Buri estates
A Chinese loan shark gang wanted in China was arrested in Bang Lamung, Chon Buri, yesterday, May 30, after Thai police and immigration officers found four Chinese nationals hiding in luxury housing estates. The four suspects were identified as 34 year old Zhang Chuay, 36 year old Ko, a 34 year old Chinese woman, and 34 year old Yang. They…
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Thai army officer honoured in South Korea for truck rescue
A Thai army officer received a certificate of honour in South Korea yesterday, May 30, after helping rescue a driver from an overturned trailer truck on a road in Seoul earlier this month. Colonel Srisawat Sriprakon, a Thai army officer attending the National Defence College course in South Korea, received the certificate from Professor Lee Hong Sub, acting president of…
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Two teens, 14 and 15, arrested for stabbing student in Bueng Kum
Two teenagers were arrested for allegedly stabbing a 15 year old vocational student in Bangkok’s Bueng Kum district, with police tracking them down using CCTV footage. On May 30, Metropolitan Police Bureau commander Police Lieutenant General Siam Boonsom led the arrest of two suspects, a 14 year old identified as “A” and a 15 year old identified as “B”. Officers…
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Foreign man killed by train in Chon Buri after standing on track
An unidentified foreign man was killed after being struck by a special express passenger train on the Bangkok-Chuk Samet route in Nong Pla Lai, Bang Lamung, Chon Buri, at 5pm yesterday, May 30. Police, investigation officers, and Sawang Boriboon Pattaya rescue workers were called to the railway line after a report that a train had hit a person. The Bangkok-Chuk…
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Uncle knifes nephew over handyman choice in Pattaya
A family dispute over a hired handyman escalated into a knife fight between an uncle and nephew outside their home in Nong Prue, Pattaya, on Friday afternoon. Rescue personnel from the Sawang Boriboon Thammasathan Pattaya Foundation arrived at the scene at approximately 5pm after receiving reports of a knife-related altercation. At house No. 38, Village 12, they found 36 year…
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Laos cave rescue: one out, six still inside as rains threaten progress
Rescue teams in Laos freed one of seven villagers trapped inside a flooded cave in Xaisomboun province on the night of May 29, after more than ten days underground. The rescued man, identified in some reports as Muen, was brought out at approximately 8.37pm. He was alive but exhausted, covered in mud. Thai rescue group Metta Tham Rescue Kalasin confirmed…
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Fuel prices drop in Thailand as global oil prices fall
Oil prices have fallen for the second consecutive day as of May 30, with updated figures now in effect at PTT, Bangchak, PT, Caltex, and Shell stations across Thailand. The new prices took effect at 5am. The Energy Policy and Planning Office, under the Ministry of Energy, released the latest fuel price updates. PTT (May 30, 2026) Gasohol 95: 42.90…
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May 30 weather forecast warns of heavy rain across 51 provinces
The Thai Meteorological Department has issued a weather forecast for continuous rainfall across 51 provinces today, with heavy rain expected in 60% of Bangkok and surrounding areas. Residents are urged to watch out for flash floods and forest runoffs. The pattern is driven by a strong southwest monsoon covering the Andaman Sea, Thailand, and the Gulf of Thailand, alongside a…
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Nakhon Nayok locals question tree felling and bat deaths in temple
A temple in Nakhon Nayok province is facing criticism after the removal of a tree believed to be more than 100 years old resulted in the deaths of numerous bats and raised concerns about wildlife protection and public health. The controversy began when a Thai woman posted images and allegations on social media regarding the felling of a large old…
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Thai workers in Japan to face deportation for illegal lobster poaching
Japanese Coast Guard officers arrested four Thai technician trainees in Choshi City, Chiba prefecture, Japan, for illegally poaching spiny lobsters. The arrests were widely discussed online, particularly within the Thai community in Japan. Many users criticised the group for ignoring warning signs at the location and argued that the incident could damage the reputation of Thai people working in Japan.…
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Koh Samui taxi mafia crackdown targets illegal turf control
A Koh Samui taxi mafia crackdown in Surat Thani began yesterday, May 28, as officials moved to dismantle taxi queue groups accused of occupying public areas and stopping other legal taxis from picking up passengers. Koh Samui district chief Amorn Chumchuay led the operation with Koh Samui district officials, transport officers, police, tourist police, and municipal officers. The operation targeted…
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Thai boy helped after mum leaves him behind at bus terminal
A 10 year old boy was left alone at a Phetchabun bus terminal after his mother allegedly could not afford a ticket for him to travel with the family to Chon Buri, prompting assistance from residents. The incident came to public attention after Natchakitnan “Beer” Yodsawai shared the boy’s story on Facebook yesterday, May 28. According to Beer, the child…
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Chicken farm fly infestation plagues Chai Nat, officials turn blind eye
More than 200 households along the Chai Nat and Nakhon Sawan provincial border have complained about a fly infestation allegedly linked to chicken farms, according to reports today, May 29, with residents saying they now eat meals under mosquito nets and fear disease. Residents said large numbers of flies have entered homes in U-Taphao subdistrict, Manorom district, Chai Nat, and…
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Senior Mukdahan official arrested at office after positive meth test
A senior local official in Mukdahan tested positive for methamphetamine yesterday, May 28, after district officials inspected an office in Dong Luang district following a tip-off about alleged drug involvement. The suspect is reportedly the head of the administrative office at a subdistrict administrative organisation in Dong Luang district. Officials said the operation followed information from a resident that a senior…
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Thai police ban folded arms, hands in pockets to improve public image
Police posture rules were issued on May 27 by the Royal Protection Police Sub-Division 1 under the Protection and Crowd Control Division, banning six gestures by uniformed officers to improve discipline, public confidence, and approachability. The order bars officers from standing with folded arms, standing with hands on hips, putting hands in pockets, standing with hands clasped behind the back,…
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Chinese man says Pattaya transwoman stages assault to extort money
A Chinese man, who was accused of assaulting a Thai transwoman in Pattaya, denied the allegations, claiming the incident was part of an attempt to extort money from him. The transwoman, identified as 24 year old Thanawat Thongduang, previously shared video footage of herself being injured and covered in blood on social media. She claimed a Chinese man assaulted her…
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Thailand video news | Thailand rolls out new digital immigration app to shorten arrival queues, Empower foundation submits bill seeking legal protections for sex workers
In Thailand video news, Alex covers news stories from across Thailand. The stories include a new digital immigration app rolling out aiming to shorten arrival lines, then, we’ll do a deep dive on Thailand’s alleged ‘Taxi Mafia’ as the killing of a driver on Koh Samui exposes deeper problems in the tourist transport industry, also, an Australian influencer was…
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Thailand extends alcohol sales hours to midnight in select areas
Thailand has revised its alcohol sales regulations, allowing sales from 11am to midnight in certain locations under a new announcement published in the Royal Gazette yesterday, May 28. The updated rules take effect today, May 29, and replace the previous 2025 regulation. The Alcoholic Beverage Control Committee issued the announcement, titled Announcement on Prohibited Alcohol Sales Hours B.E. 2569 (2026),…
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Man stabs two store workers, tells police he wanted to die
A Thai man stabbed convenience store employees in Prachin Buri province yesterday, May 28, leaving one woman in a coma. The suspect later told police he wanted to be killed during his arrest. Officers from Prachantakam Police Station were called to a convenience store in Pho Ngam subdistrict at about 3am after reports of a violent attack involving two female…
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