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Sponsored Long-term life in Thailand? 5 reasons private health insurance pays off in the long run
Thailand is a great place for expats and retirees, offering a warm climate, affordable living, and rich culture. However, healthcare can be tricky for foreigners since they aren’t eligible for public health coverage, and private care can be expensive. Private...
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Thai government forms panel to probe the export of used medical gloves
The Thai government has formed a panel to investigate the export of millions of used medical gloves from Thailand to the US. The investigation follows a recent CNN report into the international trade of substandard medical equipment, with an underground industry having emerged in Southeast Asia, seeking to capitalise on Covid-fuelled global demand. Reporters found that tens of millions of…
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Myanmar no-show a focus as ASEAN summit gets underway
The exclusion of Myanmar military leader Min Aung Hlaing from the ASEAN summit is looming over the annual regional meeting, with PM Prayut Chan-o-cha pointing to international focus on ASEAN’s response to the situation. As reported by Reuters, Prayut noted that the role of the regional association in addressing the matter is of “paramount importance”, with action taken to “have…
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China removes top financial news outlet from official media list
In recent weeks, the Chinese government has revealed new plans to consolidate its control over the media landscape in China. On October 8, China’s National Development and Reform Commission, which oversees the country’s social and economic policies, released the “2021 Negative List of Market Access” and stated that “non-public capital” can’t invest in the establishment and operation of news organizations.…
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Police arrest 3 vans in Korat with 1.82 tonnes of marijuana
In Korat, the northeastern province of Nakhon Ratchasima, police found 4 men in possession of more than 1.8 tonnes of dried marijuana and arrested them. The arrest took place this morning according to the Provincial Police Region 3 commissioner. Police had ramped up patrols of the Mitrapap highway after receiving a tip that a large shipment of compressed marijuana would…
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PM highlights Thailand example in urging Southeast Asian countries to reopen
PM Prayut Chan-o-cha is stressing that Southeast Asian nations follow Thailand’s lead in reopening borders to get tourism back up and running in the wake of the Covid crisis. Prayut addressed the issue via teleconference at the annual ASEAN summit, which this year is taking place online, telling other members the region should be weighing up steps to allow for safe…
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Used car market set for further growth following Covid-19 pandemic
While local industries have broadly suffered in the wake of the Covid pandemic, apparently the used car market in Thailand has been doing fairly well. According to the Bangkok Post, the Association of Used Cars says the pandemic has contributed to strong market growth. With commuters fearful of catching the virus on public transport, many have decided to buy a…
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Over 98% of new Covid-19 cases in Thailand are Delta variant
Expert predictions about the Delta variant of Covid-19 becoming the dominant strain in Thailand by August came true several months ago, but testing shows that the Delta variant is now responsible for 98.6% of all new infections in Thailand. This data from the Department of Medical Science comes as the Delta Plus strain has been found in Thailand and may…
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CCSA in bid to reassure Thais that November 1 re-opening will be safe
CCSA spokesperson Dr Apisamai Srirangsan says Thai residents shouldn’t worry about the country’s imminent re-opening to select countries. From November 1, vaccinated tourists from a list of 46 low-risk countries can enter Thailand with minimal quarantine. They will be required to show evidence of being fully vaccinated and have a negative Covid-19 test within 72 hours of departure from their…
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Health Ministry says Delta Plus variant won’t stop Thailand re-opening on schedule
The Health Ministry says the discovery of the new Delta Plus variant in Thailand will not affect the country’s November 1 re-opening. Sathit Pitutecha, deputy public health minister, says the mutation has not been categorised as a variant of concern. “Because viruses mutate all the time, only a mutation that causes severe illness and makes the virus spread easier or…
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Cambodia confirms partial reopening to international tourists from November 30
The Tourism Ministry in Cambodia has confirmed that the country will reopen partially to vaccinated travellers from the end of next month. The country’s prime minister also reportedly ordered that quarantine be waived for air arrivals from Thailand. The first areas in Cambodia set to reopen to overseas travellers are the popular tourist destinations of Sihanoukville and Koh Rong, as…
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Wednesday Covid Update: 8,452 new cases and 57 deaths
8,452 new Covid-19 cases and 57 coronavirus-related deaths were reported today by the CCSA. Thailand’s latest wave, which was first recorded on April 1, has accounted for 1,846,452 confirmed Covid-19 infections. In the 24-hour period since the last count, the CCSA has recorded 8,449 recoveries. There are now 98,096 people in Thailand being treated for Covid-19. Out of the new…
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Tourism Ministry to invite K-pop megastar to perform at Phuket NYE celebration
Thai-born K-pop star Lalisa “Lisa” Manoban, from the band Blackpink, is being invited to perform during New Year celebrations on the southern island of Phuket. The cost won’t be cheap, but the government is defending the move. Tourism Minister Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn says the superstar’s presence will help promote Thailand’s re-opening to the world. “The main key reason for bringing global…
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Explained: Why Turkish President Erdogan is backpedaling in diplomatic row
What happened exactly? Over the weekend, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan instructed his Foreign Ministry to declare the ambassadors of 10 states, including those of Germany and the US, “persona non grata.” Following a Cabinet meeting on Monday, Erdogan stuck a more conciliatory tone, explaining that the embassies had “taken a step back from this slander against our country and…
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Bangladesh: Gang violence in Rohingya refugee camps prompt fear
Growing conflicts among armed criminal gangs inside the overcrowded Rohingya refugee camps in southern Bangladesh have alarmed authorities. At least six people were killed and 20 wounded in an attack at a Rohingya camp in Cox’s Bazar on Friday, police said — the latest incident of violence in the refugee settlement. The gang shot and stabbed people attending an Islamic…
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In pictures: A rare look into Amazon tribe’s funeral rites
When the chief dies, the endangered Indigenous people in Brazil’s Xingu region gather for a unique ritual. A Reuters photographer was the only journalist invited to the funeral ceremony in September. SOURCE: DW News
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Why Iran fears chaos in Afghanistan
Iran is hosting a meeting of Afghanistan’s neighbors plus Russia on Wednesday to discuss the current situation in the war-ravaged country. The conference, organized by the Iranian Foreign Ministry, will see the foreign ministers of Iran, China, Pakistan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan and Russia holding talks in the Iranian capital Tehran on Afghanistan’s political future and the formation of a new…
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Expert says Delta Plus could be up to 15% more transmissible than Delta Covid variant
The Delta Plus coronavirus subvariant, which has recently been detected in Thailand, could be up to 15% more transmissible than the original Delta strain, according to the vice chairman of the Thai Senate health committee. As reported by Thai PBS World, Dr Chalermchai Boonyaleephan says that preliminary studies indicate Delta Plus cases account for 6% of new infections in the…
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Critics seek proof after Israel designates Palestinian rights groups as terrorists
The Israeli Defense Ministry’s unexpected decision to designate six Palestinian human rights and civil society establishments as terror organizations has resulted in swift criticism from Palestinians and several international organizations. Palestinian civil rights activists, international human rights organizations and some United States lawmakers have denounced the move, which was first announced Friday. They have accused Israel of trying to silence…
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India: Escaping child marriage to land a dream tech job
Ashwini Doddalingappanavar grew up in a small south Indian village. Her parents wanted her to get married as a young teenager, but she knew she wanted a different life. She now inspires other girls to achieve their goals. SOURCE: DW News
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Digital platforms to be subject to new regulations following draft decree
Digital platform businesses will be required to observe a number of new regulations in Thailand following cabinet’s recent approval of a draft decree. As reported by Reuters, a government spokesperson has confirmed the decree, which will apply to business both in and outside of Thailand, is aimed at maintaining financial and commercial stability, in addition to preventing damage to the…
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Tuesday Covid Update: 7,706 new cases; provincial totals
7,706 new Covid-19 cases were reported by the CCSA today, a record low over the past several months. In the 24-hour period since the last count, the CCSA recorded 9,532 recoveries. There are now 98,150 people in Thailand being treated for Covid-19. Since the start of the pandemic last year, the CCSA has recorded 1,866,863 confirmed Covid-19 cases. The latest…
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PM Prayut Chan-o-cha addresses Southeast Asia leaders at 38th ASEAN summit
The following is the intervention by PM Prayut Chan-o-cha at the 38th ASEAN summit, delivered via videoconference. The prime minister’s intervention was translated and posted by the Thai government’s public relations department. “Your Majesty Excellencies, I wish to thank Brunei Darussalam for hosting this ASEAN Summit amid many challenges facing the region such as the Covid-19 pandemic and the shifting…
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Don’t wait!! Book your berth or booth at the Thailand International Boat Show
Press Release The Thailand International Boat Show (TIBS) 2022 is set to raise the bar for boating and lifestyle exhibitions in the region. Initial feedback from the industry has been very good, with organisers expecting a large in-water line-up of boats and an exciting collection of marine products and luxury lifestyle in the marina-side exhibition hall. The show is set…
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Japan: Princess Mako marries commoner amid controversy
Japanese Princess Mako has quietly married a commoner without traditional wedding celebrations and said their marriage “was a necessary choice to live while cherishing our hearts.” The couple’s marriage document was submitted by a palace official Tuesday morning and made official, the Imperial Household Agency said. There was no wedding ceremony, reception banquet or other marriage rituals for the couple.…
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British divers say they risked arrest for giving boys ketamine during cave rescue
Rescue divers who saved the 12 football players and their coach trapped in a flooded cave say they risked getting arrested for giving the boys ketamine to sedate them for the two and a half hour underwater journey out of the cave. The Sun reported that British divers Rick Stanton and John Volanthen say they warned that if any of…
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US President Biden to join ASEAN summit as leaders poised to discuss key regional issues
US President Joe Biden is taking part in Tuesday’s virtual summit with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, marking the first time the US has joined at a presidential level since his predecessor, Donald Trump, attended a meeting in 2017. Reuters reports that the US embassy in Brunei has confirmed Biden will lead the US delegation for the ASEAN-United States summit…
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Prayut orders investigation into used medical gloves exported to the US
Following a CNN investigation into the export of millions of substandard medical gloves from Thailand, PM Prayut Chan-o-cha has tasked his deputy with delving further into the matter. According to a Bangkok Post report, Deputy PM and Commerce Minister Jurin Laksanawisit will take the reins of a probe, looking into the issue which has attracted global headlines since the CNN…
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Health officials play down concerns over Thailand’s first case of Delta Plus variant
The Disease Control Department has confirmed that Thailand has recorded its first case of the Delta Plus variant. However, Dr. Chawetsan Namwat from the DCD insists there’s no cause for alarm. The Delta Plus variant was first reported in the UK, which is currently experiencing a surge in infections. According to a Thai PBS World report, Delta Plus cases in…
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Thai PM defends plan to spend 100 million baht on New Year’s Eve celebrities
The Thai PM is standing firm amid fierce criticism of a plan to spend 100 million baht on 2 global singing stars for New Year’s Eve festivities in Phuket. Prayut Chan-o-cha has defended the government’s plan to spend around US$3 million dollars to secure Italian tenor, Andrea Bocelli, and Lalisa “Lisa” Manobal, from the K-pop band, Blackpink. The Bangkok Post…
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Government’s domestic tour package subsidy receives lukewarm response
A tour package subsidy scheme aimed at domestic travellers is so far failing to prove popular with either tourists or tour operators. Tour Teaw Thai provides a 40% subsidy on tour packages up to 5,000 baht to 1 million people, but Chotechuang Soorangura from NS Travel and Tours says the conditions are proving a deterrent. “Locals find the hotel subsidy…
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