Thailand

Two Miss Universe judges quit scandal-hit pageant, as one claims it’s rigged

Two Miss Universe judges have resigned days before the annual beauty pageant, with one of them accusing organisers of rigging the selection process. Lebanese-French musician Omar Harfouch, who announced his…

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Thailand, Cambodia exchange heavy artillery fire as fighting rages for second day

Thailand and Cambodia exchanged heavy artillery fire on Friday as their worst fighting in more than a decade stretched for a second day, despite calls from the region and beyond…

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Thailand F-16 jet deployed against Cambodian forces as border clash escalates

A Thai F-16 fighter jet bombed targets in Cambodia on Thursday, both sides said, as weeks of tension over a border dispute escalated into clashes that have killed at least…

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Thailand moves to make recreational cannabis illegal again

Thailand is set to reclassify cannabis as a narcotic only three years after the country became one of Asia's first to decriminalize its recreational use. Coming in the wake of…

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Thailand closes border crossings with Cambodia

Thailand's military has closed border crossings into Cambodia to almost all travellers, including tourists and traders, citing security concerns as tensions between the two Southeast Asian neighbours remain escalated over…

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Thai Military Poised for Major Action Amid Cambodia Border Tensions

Tension has been rising between Thailand and Cambodia following the killing of a Cambodian soldier in May during a brief exchange of gunfire at a disputed border area between the…

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Thailand vows tighter controls of cannabis as smuggling cases among tourists soar

Officials in Thailand have said they plan to tighten regulations on cannabis sales after cases of tourists attempting to smuggle the drug out of the country soared in recent months.…

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Thailand says mpox case recorded in traveller from Africa

Thailand has detected an mpox case in a European man who arrived from Africa last week and is awaiting test results to determine the strain, a disease control official said…

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Paetongtarn Shinawatra elected youngest Thai PM

Thailand's parliament elected political neophyte Paetongtarn Shinawatra as its youngest prime minister on Friday, only a day after she was thrust into the spotlight amid an unrelenting power struggle between…

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UPDATED: Thai police say cyanide killed 6 foreigners in Bangkok hotel, including suspect

Cyanide poisoning was likely the cause of the deaths of six foreigners whose bodies were found in a room in a plush Bangkok hotel, with the suspected killer among the…

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Thailand targets tourism boost with longer stays for visitors, students, ‘digital nomads’

Thailand's government said on Tuesday it had approved longer visa stay periods for tourists, postgraduate students and remote workers, and better visa conditions for retirees, in a move to boost…

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Thailand expects to complete free trade talks with EU next year, PM says

Thailand expects to complete negotiations over a free trade agreement with the European Union in 2025, Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin said on Tuesday, as the government seeks to draw trade…

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Thailand plans to send 100,000 labourers to work abroad this year

BANGKOK, March 8 (Reuters) - Thailand plans to send 100,000 labourers to work overseas by the yen of this year, government spokesperson Chai Wacharonke said on Friday. New markets for…

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Thailand to ban recreational cannabis use by year-end, health minister says

Draft heads to cabinet for approval next month, minister says Misuse of cannabis seen having negative impact on children Industry is projected to be worth $1.2 bln by next year…

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Thai PM plans visa-free travel, concerts to boost tourism

BANGKOK, Feb 22 (Reuters) - Thailand's Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin said on Thursday his government plans to roll out more measures to boost tourism, including incentives to lure global artists…

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Thai tycoon Thaksin tastes freedom in homeland, 15 years after fleeing

Thaksin makes low-key exit from detention Opponents outraged over perceived VIP treatment Thaksin-backed Pheu Thai Party now in power Thai PM - release in accordance with law Tycoon's next moves…

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Thailand plans to waive visas for more countries

BANGKOK, Feb 16 (Reuters) - Thailand's Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin said on Friday the government plans to offer visa-free travel to citizens of several more countries. Thailand has recently waived…

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Canadian man opens Thai Airways plane door before takeoff in Thailand

BANGKOK, Feb 10 (Reuters) - A Canadian tourist opened the door of a Thai Airways flight that was preparing to take off from Chiang Mai airport bound for the capital…

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Zika cases surge by almost 300pc in Thailand

Zika has surged to levels not seen since before the pandemic in Thailand, with more than 750 people infected and at least 13 babies born with birth defects in 2023. …

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Thailand offers 10-year visas for investors in industrial east

BANGKOK, Nov 24 (Reuters) - Thailand will offer 10-year visas for investors in targeted businesses in its industrial eastern region to attract foreign investment, a deputy prime minister said on…

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Thailand aims to restore tourist confidence after mall shooting

By Chayut Setboonsarng and Panu Wongcha-um BANGKOK, Oct 4 (Reuters) - Thailand will restore confidence in its critical tourism sector, officials said on Wednesday, a day after a shooting spree…

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Suspected Thai mall shooter modified handgun designed to fire blanks – police

BANGKOK, Oct 4 (Reuters) - A Thai teenager suspected of killing two foreigners in a Bangkok mall shooting had suffered a psychological breakdown and had modified a handgun designed to…

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Thai PM: ‘I don’t agree with recreational use’ of cannabis

BANGKOK, Sept 15 (Reuters) - Thailand's new Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin on Friday spoke out against the recreational use of cannabis, but said his administration would continue the policies supporting…

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Thailand’s jailed ex-PM Thaksin hospitalised after return from exile

Thailand's former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra was moved to hospital overnight, officials said on Wednesday, over concern about his heart and high blood pressure on his first night in jail…

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Ex-PM Thaksin plans return to Thailand as post-poll deadlock drags on

Self-exiled leader faces possible jail term Political parties jostling to take power after May polls Pheu Thai party backed by Thaksin seeking to form government BANGKOK, July 26 (Reuters) -…

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Thailand’s Pita defeated in parliament in bid for PM

By Panarat Thepgumpanat and Chayut Setboonsarng BANGKOK, July 13 (Reuters) - Thailand's Pita Limjaroenrat failed on Thursday in his initial bid to become Thailand's next prime minister, after he was…

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Thailand opposition crushes military parties in election rout

BANGKOK, May 14 (Reuters) - Thailand's opposition secured a stunning election win on Sunday after trouncing parties allied with the military, setting the stage for a flurry of deal-making over forming a…

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What you need to know about Thai elections

By Chayut Setboonsarng and Martin Petty BANGKOK, (Reuters) - Thailand holds an election on May 14 after nearly a decade of a government led or backed by its royalist military…

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Thai parties launch last push to woo voters

By Chayut Setboonsarng and Panarat Thepgumpanat BANGKOK, May 12 (Reuters) - Thailand's political parties prepared for rallies on Friday in a final push to galvanise support and woo the undecided…

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Thai authorities issue extreme heat warnings for dozens of provinces

BANGKOK, April 22 (Reuters) - Thai authorities on Saturday warned residents across large swathes of country, including the capital Bangkok, to avoid going outdoors due to extreme heat. Parts of…

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Thailand’s promised cannabis bonanza disappoints as politicians trade blame

By Devjyot Ghoshal and Napat Wesshasartar BANGKOK, April 6 (Reuters) - Thailand's decriminalisation of cannabis has delighted its fans, alarmed some health experts and has increasingly disappointed farmers who have…

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Thai election to be a close race between parties, surveys show

BANGKOK, March 27 (Reuters) - Thailand's May election is expected to be a tight race, as the main opposition party dominates latest opinion polls but lags the ruling coalition parties'…

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Thai PM Prayuth to run for re-election in May

BANGKOK, March 25 (Reuters) - Thailand's Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha was officially nominated for re-election on Saturday as his party's first candidate for the country's next leader in polls set…

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Thailand dissolves parliament for election

By Panarat Thepgumpanat and Chayut Setboonsarng BANGKOK, March 20 (Reuters) - Thailand's King Maha Vajiralongkorn has endorsed a decree to dissolve parliament, according to an announcement in the Royal Gazette…

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Captain of Thai ‘cave boys’ soccer team dies in Britain

BANGKOK, Feb 15 (Reuters) - One of 12 boys dramatically rescued after two weeks trapped in a flooded cave in Thailand in 2018 has died in Britain where he was…

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Thailand U-turns on COVID vaccination rule for visitors

BANGKOK, Jan 9 (Reuters) - Thailand on Monday rescinded a policy announced at the weekend requiring visitors to show proof of COVID-19 vaccination, its health minister said, citing sufficient immunisation…

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Russians flock to Thailand as tourism rebounds from collapse

By Chayut Setboonsarng and Orathai Sriring BANGKOK, Dec 28 (Reuters) - Thailand is receiving an influx of Russian visitors, with data showing monthly arrivals doubling in November and up nearly…

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Daughter of ex Thai PM Thaksin extends pre-election poll lead

BANGKOK, Dec 26 (Reuters) - The youngest daughter of billionaire former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra remains Thailand's top choice to become its next leader, according to an opinion poll, with…

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Thai navy hunts for 33 missing marines after warship sinks

Thailand's military deployed warships and helicopters on Monday to try to locate 33 marines missing after a corvette sank overnight in choppy waters in the Gulf of Thailand, the navy…

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Photo Story: The Night at The Museum 2022 in Bangkok

Visitors view skeletons and fossils found in Thailand on display during the 'Night at the Museum 2022', at the scientific museums of Chulalongkorn University, in Bangkok, Thailand. More than 20…

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Taiwan’s APEC representative says met China’s Xi briefly

BANGKOK, Nov 19 (Reuters) - The founder of Taiwanese chip giant TSMC 2330.TW said on Saturday that he had briefly met Chinese President Xi Jinping on the sidelines of the…

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Leaders at APEC condemn recent firing of missiles by North Korea in strongest terms

(Reuters) - The United States, South Korea, Canada, New Zealand, Japan, and Australia agreed on Friday to condemn the launch of North Korea's ballistic missiles in the strongest terms in…

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UPDATED: China’s Xi says Asia should not become arena for ‘big power contest’

China's Xi to meet Japan leader on sidelines Unilateralism, protectionism must be rejected - Xi Thai foreign minister warns against 'cancel mentality' Leaders of Russia, United States not joining APEC…

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PHOTO STORY: Bangkok Illumination 2022 show at ICONSIAM shopping mall

People visit the Bangkok Illumination 2022 show at ICONSIAM shopping mall in Bangkok, Thailand. The theme of this year’s show is ‘Smart Solar Christmas Light,’ with its centerpiece being a…

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Prayers, sorrow at temples as Thailand mourns children slain in massacre

UTHAI SAWAN, Thailand, Oct 8 (Reuters) - Hundreds gathered in temples in northeast Thailand on Saturday, offering candles, toys and prayers to mark the lives of more than 30 mostly…

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Thailand mourns after over 34 die in daycare centre attack targeting children

NA KLANG, Thailand, Oct 7 (Reuters) - Thai government buildings flew flags at half mast on Friday to mourn the death of more than 30 people, including 23 children, after…

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UPDATED: Thai mass shooting deaths include 22 children, among 34 killed – police

BANGKOK, Oct 6 (Reuters) - Thirty-four people were killed in Thailand on Thursday in a mass shooting at a day-care centre by a former policeman who killed his wife and…

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Thailand may receive more than 10 mln foreign tourists this year – minister

BANGKOK, Sept 29 (Reuters) - Thailand may record slightly more than 10 million foreign tourist arrivals this year, the tourism minister said on Friday, as a vital industry has recovered…

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Thailand records 5.2 mln tourists from Jan to late September

BANGKOK, Sept 23 (Reuters) - Thailand received 5.2 million tourists from January to Sept. 21 this year, a government official said on Friday. Tourism revenue was recorded at 212 billion…

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Thailand expects $64.5 billion in 2023 tourism revenue

BANGKOK, Sept 19 (Reuters) - Thailand expects to earn 2.38 trillion baht ($64.50 billion) in tourism revenue in 2023, a government official said on Monday. The government wants tourism next…

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Thailand looks to Indian weddings to boost tourism revenue

BANGKOK, (Reuters) - Thailand hopes to boost its tourism revenue to between 600 billion-700 billion baht ($16 billion-$19 billion) by year-end, by targeting high-spending groups like Indian wedding parties and…

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Thai court suspends PM Prayuth

BANGKOK, Aug 24 (Reuters) - Thailand's Constitutional Court on Wednesday suspended Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha from official duties after it decided to hear a petition to review his legally mandated…

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Thailand saw 3.78 million tourists from January to mid-August

BANGKOK, Aug 19 (Reuters) - Thailand saw 3.78 million tourist arrivals from January to Aug 17, a government official said on Friday. The arrivals, mainly from Malaysia, India and Singapore,…

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Pot-smoking tourists not welcome in Thailand, says health minister

BANGKOK, Aug 17 (Reuters) - Thailand's health minister on Wednesday discouraged tourists from visiting the country only to smoke weed, just two months after new laws were passed that have…

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Multiple bomb, arson attacks rock Thailand’s south

BANGKOK, Aug 17 (Reuters) - Explosions and fires ripped through at least 17 locations in southern Thailand on Wednesday, authorities said, in what appeared to be multiple coordinated attacks that…

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Instant noodle makers ask Thailand for price hike after 14-year peg

BANGKOK, Aug 15 (Reuters) - Instant noodle makers asked Thailand on Monday to allow them to charge more for their products to meet rising costs, potentially paving the way for…

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Thailand foreign tourist arrivals to reach 10 mln this year

BANGKOK (Reuters) - Thailand's foreign tourist arrivals should reach 10 million this year, helping drive the economy along with increased exports, the finance minister said. Southeast Asia's second-largest economy is improving this…

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