Health
Super spreader Covid variant rips through Thailand
A new Covid-19 variant is sweeping through Thailand at breakneck speed, with infections skyrocketing and vulnerable groups most at risk. Health authorities are on high alert as the XEC variant, a descendant of Omicron, spreads nearly seven times faster than seasonal influenza. Since January 1,...
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Cambodia, Laos ban Thai livestock over anthrax fears
Cambodia and Laos have temporarily halted the importation of livestock and related products from Thailand to prevent the spread of anthrax. According to China’s Xinhua News Agency, Cambodia’s Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry, and Fisheries has implemented this precautionary measure and is closely monitoring the anthrax situation in Thailand. The ministry stated that while there are …
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Motorbike accidents in Thailand: Why most insurance won’t cover you
Motorbike accidents in Thailand are a major problem, with the country being one of the most dangerous places for riders. Motorbikes are the most common way to get around for both locals and tourists, but they also make up over 70% of traffic deaths. Having insurance is important, but many travellers and expats don’t know …
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Fourth anthrax case confirmed in northeast Thailand outbreak
The Mukdahan Provincial Public Health Office announced yesterday a new case of anthrax, raising the total number of cases in the current outbreak to four, with one resulting in death. According to a source, three are currently hospitalised; two at Mukdahan Hospital and one at Don Tan Hospital. Of the 636 deemed at risk, 538 …
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No new anthrax infections found in Thailand’s Mukdahan province
The anthrax situation in Mukdahan province is showing signs of improvement, with the Public Health Ministry reporting no new cases as of yesterday, May 5. The province has recorded three anthrax cases, according to Public Health Minister Somsak Thepsutin. Of these cases, one person has died, while two remain hospitalised. Some 636 people in the …
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Thailand reports first anthrax death in 30 years, health alert issued
Thailand has experienced its first anthrax-related death in 30 years, resulting in a public health alert after hundreds in Mukdahan province were possibly exposed to the bacteria. A 53 year old man from Mukdahan passed away on Wednesday, April 30, after contracting anthrax. A second confirmed case and three additional suspected cases are also being …
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Phuket labour day funds cancer centre amid workers’ struggles
Phuket provincial officials marked National Labour Day 2025 with the event Labourers for the Light on Thursday, raising more than 150,000 baht to support the construction of the province’s first government cancer centre at Vachira Phuket Hospital. The event, which took place at Bang Wad Dam, was presided over by Phuket Vice Governor Suwit Phansengiam …
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Top gyms in Bangkok that offer the best workout classes and facilities
If you’re going to sweat in Bangkok, you might as well do it somewhere with cold brew on tap and hydro message bed waiting after your final burpee. Fortunately, the city is home to some seriously impressive spots to break a sweat. The gyms here don’t mess around. They’re stylish and high-tech, with classes that …
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Best facial treatments in Bangkok for radiant skin
If urban life has left your skin feeling as stressed as the Friday evening rush hour, there’s no reason to let it dampen your spirits. The answer to your skin’s prayers might just involve less commuting and more pampering. Thankfully, Bangkok boasts a beauty scene as vibrant as its city skyline. From innovative therapies to …
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Phuket Red Cross pleads for rare blood as tourist demand surges
The Phuket Red Cross (PRBC) and the Blood Bank at Vachira Phuket Hospital are calling on locals to roll up their sleeves this May and donate blood—particularly the rare Rh-negative type. With tourism booming again across Phuket and the surrounding regions, accidents and emergency hospital visits are on the rise—especially among foreign visitors. And that …
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What happens if you get hospitalised in Thailand without insurance?
If you get hospitalised in Thailand without insurance, it can be stressful and expensive. Thailand’s public healthcare does not cover foreigners, and private hospitals often ask for payment before giving treatment. Even public hospitals may delay care if you can’t pay right away. In this article, we’ll explain what to expect if you don’t have …
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Answers to the most common questions about international health insurance
If you’ve been thinking of staying in Thailand long-term, you’ve probably already asked the big question, “Do I actually need international health insurance?” It’s a question that often comes up among expats, digital nomads, retirees, and even frequent travellers. Sure, we don’t think we would be the ones to experience a motorbike tumble in Chiang …
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Thailand vs. the West: What expats save on healthcare each year
Healthcare in Thailand is much cheaper than in Western countries, making it a great choice for expatriates looking for affordable medical care. Both public and private healthcare options offer high-quality services, with savings of up to 80% on procedures like cardiac surgery and diagnostic imaging. Routine medical care is also much cheaper, often costing 50-75% …
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180 countries, US$2 a day: The insurance built for digital nomads
Working and travelling as a digital nomad gives you freedom, but things can still go wrong. You might get sick, lose your bags, or face travel delays, and these problems can be expensive. That’s why many remote workers choose SafetyWing nomad insurance. It costs around US$2 a day and covers you in over 180 countries. …
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Beating the clock: How timing is everything with heart valve disease
Heart valve disease is one of those conditions that quietly chip away your health before you realise something’s wrong. It doesn’t start with a dramatic collapse or blaring warning signs. It starts, usually, with a bit of breathlessness on the stairs, a racing heart after light activity, or feeling a little more tired than usual. …
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UNICEF sounds alarm on Thailand’s rising child obesity
Thailand once made huge strides in improving children’s nutrition but now a new health crisis is growing — and it’s expanding waistlines. UNICEF Thailand has launched a powerful new campaign called Kin Rai Dee (What’s Good to Eat) in response to rising childhood obesity rates and stagnant progress on tackling undernutrition in parts of the country, …
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Siriraj Hospital urges use of advanced radiology technology
Siriraj Hospital is advocating for the use of advanced technology in interventional radiology, a minimally invasive procedure that targets specific medical treatments. The hospital emphasised that investing in this technology could save more lives and has called on the government to consider its importance. Doctor Yongyut Sirivatanauksorn, director of Siriraj Hospital, highlighted the establishment of …
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Deadly heatwave to scorch Phuket, Bangkok and 35 provinces
Thailand is bracing for a brutal blast of heat, with public health officials warning that a life-threatening heatwave is set to grip Phuket, Bangkok, and 35 other provinces. The Department of Health has raised the alarm, predicting the heat index, the temperature people feel when humidity is factored in, will soar to dangerously high levels. …
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Living on a budget in Thailand? Here’s how to stay healthy without breaking the bank
Thailand is a popular place for people who want to enjoy a good life at a lower cost or even on a budget. Many expats, retirees, and digital nomads choose to live here because daily expenses are cheaper than in most Western countries. But staying healthy while saving money is just as important. This guide …
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Can one insurance plan cover you while working from anywhere?
Remote work and the digital nomad lifestyle let people earn a living from almost anywhere—whether it’s a city, a beach, or a small village. But with this freedom comes one big question: can one insurance plan cover you while working from anywhere? Most regular insurance plans don’t work well for people who travel often or …
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Dust levels at Chatuchak building site exceed safety limits
The Department of Health has reported that tests on the site of the collapsed SAO building show levels of heavy metals and asbestos within the normal range, but PM10 dust levels exceed standards, potentially requiring long-term monitoring. Yesterday, April 18, Dr Amporn Benjapolpitak, Director-General of the Department of Health, Ministry of Public Health, revealed that …
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Thailand pioneers 3D-printed titanium hip socket surgery
Siriraj Hospital at Mahidol University has achieved a world-first by developing and implanting a 3D-printed, customised titanium hip socket for a patient. This advancement marks a significant step forward in orthopaedic surgery and highlights Thailand’s medical innovation. Apichat Asavamongkolkul, dean of the Faculty of Medicine at Siriraj Hospital, shared insights into this pioneering procedure during …
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Limited-time deal: Save 20% on Cigna’s expat health plans forever
Starting a new life abroad is exciting—new culture, new lifestyle, and new chances to grow. But living far from home also means taking steps to protect your health in unfamiliar surroundings. Without the right coverage, even small health issues can turn into major stress. To help expats feel more secure, Cigna is now offering a …
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Staying safe during Songkran: Why travel & health insurance are a must
There are few things in this world as joyful, as unhinged, as perfectly chaotic as Songkran in Thailand. The Thai New Year, from April 13 to 15, is a time for renewal, for washing away the past, for temples filled with offerings, and families gathering to honour their elders. It’s graceful, spiritual, and full of …
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How to find English-speaking doctors and hospitals in Thailand
One minute, you’re wading through the thick heat of Bangkok, Phuket, or Chiang Mai. The next, you’re woozy from food poisoning or a motorbike mishap. Suddenly, you realise that you are in a country that does not speak your language, in a place where the words for hospital and doctor and help do not slip …
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Warning: Deadly mushrooms on the rise this rainy season
Health officials in Thailand have issued an urgent warning about the lethal dangers of wild mushrooms, as the rainy season spurs their rapid growth across the country. With both edible and toxic varieties sprouting, officials urge the public to exercise extreme caution when foraging, as misidentification could result in deadly consequences. Thailand’s recent rainy season …
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How to avoid common Songkran health risks
Songkran is Thailand’s New Year festival, known for water fights, temple visits, and family time. It’s a fun and exciting celebration, but Songkran can also bring some health risks when you are in Thailand. The hot weather, large crowds, and water play can cause problems like heatstroke, infections, or stomach issues. This article shares easy …
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An inside look at HappyLyfe – An organic alternative
In a world where consumers are becoming increasingly conscious of what they buy, where it comes from, and its impact on the planet, brands such as HappyLyfe continue to lead the movement. Born from a personal journey of seeking clean, natural products, HappyLyfe has evolved into a thriving marketplace that connects consumers directly with trusted …
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Toxic smog chokes 42 provinces in Thailand, public warned
Thailand is gasping for breath as hazardous levels of PM2.5 dust grip 42 provinces nationwide, sparking serious health warnings and calls to avoid outdoor activities. From Bangkok to the northern highlands, the country is blanketed in smog with levels far above safe standards. At 7am today, April 3, the Air Pollution Resolution Communication Centre reported …
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Thailand to train 20,000 masseurs as medicine assistants
The Department of Thai Traditional and Alternative Medicine announced an initiative to train 20,000 traditional Thai masseurs as certified Thai traditional doctors’ assistants. This will enable them to address seven specific muscle-related conditions. Doctor Somruek Chungsaman, the department’s chief, highlighted yesterday, April 2, the effectiveness of traditional Thai massage in treating various muscle-related conditions. The …
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5 health conditions that could get your insurance denied in Thailand
Health insurance is important for anyone living in Thailand, helping cover unexpected medical costs. However, it can be harder to get full coverage if you have pre-existing conditions like diabetes, high blood pressure, or heart problems, as many insurers may not cover them or charge extra. In this article, we’ll look at five health conditions …
