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Thailand best-of guides on travel, lifestyle, entertainment, and property—discover hidden gems, top attractions, and expert tips. Explore with The Thaiger, your trusted source for the best experiences in Thailand.
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US pushing for delay to Thai ban on glyphosate in order to protect imports
The US is urging Thailand to delay its forthcoming ban on glyphosate, saying it will have a significant impact on the country’s import of soybean, wheat, coffee, apples, grapes and other produce from the US and elsewhere, which totals around 51 billion baht annually. The Nation reports that the US Agricultural Department made the request after Thailand announced a ban…
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Three toxic farm chemicals to be banned from December 1
The National Hazardous Substances Committee (NHSC) resolved on Tuesday October 22 to ban the import, sale and use of paraquat, glyphosate and chlorpyrifos in Thailand from December 1. Deputy Prime Minister and Public Health Minister Anutin Charnvirakul, a vocal supporter of the ban, hailed the resolution, saying the “heroic act” of the committee will be inscribed in the history of…
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Out of 37 countries, Thailand has the worst pension system, says Bloomberg
Thai Residents reports that on Sunday, Bloomberg published an article on the world’s best pension systems, using information gathered from the 2019 Melbourne Mercer Global Pensions Index. The survey looked at the pension systems of 37 countries with metrics including employee rights, savings, the number of homeowners, growth of assets, and growth of the economy. The purpose of the analysis…
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Top 10 most boring news stories
In the media we have ‘slow news days’. These days are when you scroll through countless feeds and articles to find something, anything, worth writing about. Then the deadline looms and you have to publish something. Then there are those glorious moments when something get published that really should never have been. But being the internet. these magic moments will…
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Your ultimate guide to Sex Reassignment Surgery in Thailand (male to female)
For those who want to match their physical gender with what they feel is their true gender, Thailand is the place for Sex Reassignment Surgery (SRS) – also known as Gender Reassignment Surgery, Sex Change Operation, and MtF Surgery, to name a few. So, what makes Thailand such an attractive destination for this type of procedure? In short, it’s because…
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Top 5 reasons why Aussies choose medical tourism in Thailand
“With more than 15,000 Aussies travelling to Thailand each year for medical tourism, the country is a burgeoning market for cosmetic procedures. There are numerous Thai doctors who already have more than a 90% Australian client base. The landscape is certainly changing when it comes to price, surgical quality, convenience and post-recuperation.” Darren Lyons from medical information site MyMediTravel has…
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New Wellness venture in Thailand, Singapore multi-national teams up with Anantara Hotel Group
Verita Healthcare Group, a Singapore-based multinational company, just announced their collaboration with Anantara Hotels, Resorts & Spas. The two groups team up to provide a global network of coordinated and property-based wellness centers. As a result of modern lifestyle habits, the levels of chronic disease is increasing and the population is aging. This leads to a rapidly growing demand for…
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Singha grabs a 90% stake in Thailand’s Santa Fe restaurant chain
(…or is that a 90% ‘steak’?) PHOTOS: Wongnai DealStreetAsia, an investor news site reporting on Asian business, confirms that Singha Corporation has purchased a majority stake in the Thai restaurant chain, Santa Fe. It’s understood that Singha purchased the shares held by Lakeshore Capital for approximately US$50 million or 1.53 billion baht, giving it a 90% stake in the chain seen…
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How Much Does a Hair Transplant in Turkey Cost?
Turkey is one of the top five medical tourism destinations on the planet right now, with one of its most important components being the Hair Transplant procedure. Hundreds of hair transplants are performed in the country every day. Thanks to its highly-skilled doctors, top-notch equipment, and ultra-hygienic clinics, the country has become the premier destination for those who want to…
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Top 10 spas and massages in Phuket
One of the best things about living in Asia, and in particular Thailand, is the abundance of fabulous places to have spa treatments. From the true local experience on the beach, to the ultra chic five star luxury treatments here is, in no particular order, our Top Ten Phuket Spa Experiences. 1. Let’s Relax (Boat Lagoon) Let’s Relax’s latest addition…
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57% of Thais gamble – new report
The Thai Health Promotion Foundation has hosted a meeting today to discuss the gambling situation in Thailand in 2019, as a report indicating that a whopping 30.42 million Thais, or 57% of the population, gamble. The meeting was also represented by the Centre for Gambling Studies, Stop Gambling Foundation and related associations. The director-general of the Centre for Gambling Studies,…
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Your Top Tips for Breast Augmentation in Bangkok
In recent years, Bangkok has become a hub for cosmetic tourism. Many women are traveling to the City to get naturally-shaped breasts to enhance their appearance without burdening themselves with debt. You might be wondering whether it’s safe to undergo a breast augmentation in this city. But don’t worry, you can have peace of mind because the quality of the…
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Over-use of social media may be harming our youth
Can time spent on social media – YouTube, Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, etc – affect the mental health of youth? Yes, says a report by Johns Hopkins and other researchers, published in JAMA Psychiatry. For instance, they found that 12 – 15 year olds, who typically spent three or more hours a day on social media, were about twice as likely…
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Hair loss. Is there a real solution?
ADVERTORIAL You can wash your hair with the latest German shampoos, you can increase your vitamin and supplement intake, you can do some creative combing. But none of this will prevent the gradual retreat of your hairline or the ever-increasing circumference of that bald-patch at the back of your head. Genetics are genetics. If your Dad’s balding, your uncles are…
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Fire up the barbecue – red meat’s ok. New study.
“They added that the quality of evidence linking processed meat with cardiovascular diseases and diabetes was very low.” by Ivan Couronne Cutting back on red meat is standard medical advice to prevent cancer and heart disease over recent decades. But a review of dozens of studies now concludes that the potential risk is low and evidence “uncertain”. In new guidelines…
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Land of teenage tears – tackling Thailand’s youth depression and suicide
Thailand had the highest suicide rates in ASEAN, according to a recent study conducted by the World Health Organisation. The WHO ranked Thailand 32nd worldwide in its annual suicide rate report which came out earlier this month. The report indicated around 10,000 deaths by suicide per year, much higher than other ASEAN countries. Many of the deaths are Thailand’s younger…
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Thailand ranked sixth best in the world for healthcare
Sixth best healthcare system in the world! Well done Thailand. The Kingdom is gaining worldwide recognition for quality healthcare services after placing sixth in a ranking of countries with the best healthcare systems. The ranking was conducted by the US magazine CEOWORLD who do annual rankings of a number of world businesses and services. The rankings came out last month.…
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The 5 Thai dishes most likely to harbour bacteria
Research shared by Thai Residents reveals the 5 Thai dishes most likely to contain E-coli and other nasty bacteria. They are Red Pork Rice, Crunchy Pork Rice, Chicken Rice, Pork Leg Rice, and Papaya Salad. It’s believed that the reason for this may be that while many of the individual ingredients in these dishes are pre-cooked, they are then left…
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Thailand by numbers
The National Economics and Social Development Council have prepared some snapshot infographics which provide a window into Thai society at the moment. The stats have been prepared from information relating to Q2 this year. Key facts are… • Thai people reading more than they were four years ago • People are moving away from the agricultural sector and into blue…
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Sexual harassment is rife in Thailand – survey
“I’ve seen women in Thailand begin to collectively speak out, sharing their stories and pushing back on this victim-blaming which previously has gone completely unchecked here.” A recent survey of 1,107 Thais found that 21% of respondents say they have experienced sexual harassment. The survey was conducted by YouGov, a UK-based market research company. Sexual assault was the most common form…
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Student revolt over school lunches pays off
FILE PHOTO School officials in the Hanka district in Chainat, central Thailand have now upgraded the quality of the daily school lunches for their students after receiving a deluge of complaints from parents. The story was reported in khaosod.co.th. The scandal, one repeated too often around the state schools, broke after the students told their parents that only one or…
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All cigarettes in Thailand sold in drab packaging starting September 12
Noting that tobacco companies have started complying with Thailand’s Standardised Packaging Regulation two weeks ahead of the required deadline, the Southeast Asia Tobacco Control Alliance is commending Thailand being the first country in the ASEAN Region and Asia to usher in standardised tobacco packaging. Starting September 12, 2019 with a 90 day full phase-out of old cigarette stocks by December…
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Thai Health Minister debunks ‘urine’ craze “body wastes must not be eaten or drunk”
“She added that urine is a kind of waste discharged from the body and is not for drinking.” The Thai Department of Health is warning the public against following the example of several online stories of Thais drinking their own urine and using it to wash their faces. The practice has become somewhat of a craze in recent weeks. Doctor…
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Chikungunya virus mutates – “mosquitoes can carry chikungunya and dengue”
A Thai respiratory and critical care specialist at Bangkok’s Vichaiyut Hospital is claiming that the chikungunya virus, spread through the bites of an infected Aedes mosquito, has mutated where one mosquito could be the carrier of both the chikungunya and dengue viruses. Dr Manoon Leechawengwongs reported that in the past 30 days his hospital has treated 13 chikungunya patients compared to…
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Smoking at home in Thailand has been banned from today
The ban on smoking at home in Thailand comes into effect today. From today people can be prosecuted for “domestic abuse” by lighting up a cigarette inside a home. People can call Family and Protection centres on 1300 to report a smoker. According to the new law, women and children are often the recipients of second hand smoke and the…
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Thai Department proceeds with crackdown on shameless price gouging on medications
Despite a lot of resistance from the local Thai private hospital networks, The Department of Internal Trade says they will proceed with its crackdown to control prices of medicines now that it has received their price lists. Once legislation is enacted, hospitals selling medicines above the median price set by the department will face fines and/or imprisonment. Since August 16,…
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Mandatory health insurance details for some visas announced this week
Details on the proposed mandatory health insurance requirements for Non-Immigrant O-A visas will be made next week, according to ThaiVisa. A senior executive from one of the insurance companies involved in the scheme told ThaiVisa that the Office of Insurance Commission, Ministry of Public Health, Foreign Ministry and Immigration Bureau will announce the insurance requirements for Non-Immigrant O-A visas on…
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Ten things the Thai Government could to do right now
OPINION Thailand is a proud country with a rich cultural tradition. And great food. Expats and visitors have been flocking to the Land of Smiles for a century, especially the last 20 years when tourism has surged to become a major contributor to the country’s GDP. But the veneer of a never-ending rise in tourism numbers lost some of its…
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Top 10 things the internet is changing forever
The internet continues to change everything. Whilst it’s creating entire new industries and jobs it’s also putting a lot of people out of work and killing older business models. Accelerating the changes is the rise and rise of smartphones as a source of just about everything. It’s an evolutionary digital disruption, as profound as the Industrial Revolution. The genie is…
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Health Minister pushes the availability of cannabinoid oils to Thai hospitals
The new Thai Public Health Minister, and deputy PM, Anutin Charnvirakul will allow hospitals to prescribe marijuana to some patients in a move to make the alternative medicine more publicly available. “This week I will sign an order to allow ministry-run hospitals to prescribe the cannabis oil extracts,” he told the Bangkok Post. The minister says he vows to push…
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