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Sponsored Planning to extend your Thai visa? Why health insurance is more important than ever
If you plan to stay longer in Thailand, having health insurance is now more important than ever. Thai immigration often asks for proof of medical coverage when you apply to extend your visa. This applies to many types of visas,...
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Twelve injured in boat accident off Phuket – PHOTOS
PHOTOS: มานพ สิงห์ 8823 / Newshawk Phuket Twelve passengers were injured in a boat accident near Koh Rang off the east coast of Phuket. There was also one captain and a crew on the boat The Phuket PR reports that the speedboat’s name is ‘Kor Sainam’ and that it collided with another boat carrying the name ‘Chock Kreangkrai’. 12 passengers…
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14 carat gold necklace re-united with Russian woman in Pattaya
A 14 carat gold necklace has been re-united with its owner after police presented the jewelry back to her at a Pattaya media conference this morning. The 47 year old Russian woman shed tears of joy when police returned the necklace that was snatched from her late last month. She attended the media briefing at the Pattaya police station today…
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“I wish you all good luck and happiness” – Princess Ubolratana posts on Instagram
PHOTO: The four children of King Bhumibol, Rama 9 Princess Ubolratana Rajakanya Sirivadhana Barnavadi, elder sister to the Thai King, has posted a message on her Instagram account this morning thanking Thais for their love and support. The sister of His Majesty the King posted the message shortly after 6am. His Majesty prohibited her from standing in the upcoming election…
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Thai Raksa Chart Party cancels China Town campaign launch today
The Thai Raksa Chart Party has cancelled plans today to launch their election campaign in Bangkok’s China Town. This follows a dramatic day yesterday when the party dropped a political bombshell by announcing that Princess Ubolratana was the party’s sole candidate for prime minister. Thai Raksa Chart leader Preechaphol Pongpanit stunned the media when he submitted the name of Princess…
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North-east wallows in heavy air pollution, Bangkok improves
Bangkok has had a respite in the past week from almost two months of heavy air pollution. Whilst the Bangkok Metropolitan Authority, government and pollution control department dithered around with spurious explanations, the pollution persisted. Water cannons, fire departments spraying water from atop city towers, amateur drones flying tiny ‘clearing’ missions and asking factories to shut down, kept the media…
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More than 500,000 people say goodbye to Thai celebrity cat “Maew Askoe”
Over half a million people have gone online to bid their farewell to one of Thailands more celebrated stray cats. “Maew Asoke” meaning the cat of Asoke (a busy business district along Sukhumvit road in Bangkok) shot to stardom after being repeatedly spotted using the BTS in the area. Whether or not the feline paid for tickets is still in question.…
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Five metre king cobra caught in Krabi restaurant – VIDEO
A five metre king cobra was caught inside a restaurant in Krabi by plucky rescue workers yesterday. Krabi Pitak Pracha rescue workers arrived at the restaurant to find the restaurant staff and customers outside the restaurant. A staffer says that the king cobra was found at the back of the restaurant inside the kitchen. A rescue worker used a snake…
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Two Burmese arrested with 20 kilograms of ‘ice’ in SUV
PHOTO: Three Pagodas Border Pass in Kanchanaburi Two Burmese men have been arrested with 20 kilograms of crystal methamphetamine with a street value of around 30 million baht. The drugs were hidden in the modified gas tank of their SUV in Kanchanaburi’s Sangkhlaburi district yesterday morning. The police followed up on a tip-off about a Ford Everest SUV smuggling drugs…
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“Princess cannot run for office” – King of Thailand
After a dramatic day in Thai politics yesterday, where the Thai Raksa Chart Party dropped a bombshell into the election campaign by nominating Princess Ubolratana, the King’s eldest sister, as a prime ministerial candidate, the drama continued last night with a statement from HM The King. The Thai monarch issued a strongly-worded statement around 11pm, prohibiting his older sister Princess Ubolratana…
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14 arrested in money-lending network raid
Fourteen suspects are now in custody over racketeering charges after police raided 30 locations in Bangkok and surrounding provinces. The crackdown was targeting the “Yai Jeab” illegal money-lending network. Immigration Police chief Pol Lt-General Surachate Hakparn says they were chasing 28 wanted persons and aiming to collect incriminating documents and seize assets. The simultaneous searches led to the arrest of…
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Cement truck brings down four power poles in Chalong, motorbike driver injured
A foreigner has sustained an injury after a cement truck became entangled with cables and brought down four power poles in Chalong . The incident was in Soi Anusorn at the intersection with Patak Road in Chalong at 12.25pm today. Police and rescue workers arrived to find the cement truck sitting in the middle of the road. Cables were found…
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Election 2019: A challenge to the Princess’ nomination
PHOTO: The announcement this morning by the Thai Raksa Chart Party threw a political bombshell into the campaign – The Nation A leader of the People’s Reform Party has put in an urgent request for the Election Commission to rule whether the nomination of His Majesty the King’s eldest sister as a candidate for prime minister in the forthcoming election…
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Warning: Massage can be dangerous for pregnant women – Health ministry
Massage can be dangerous for women at different stages of their pregnancy. The warning was issued by the Public Health Ministry after a woman suffered a miscarriage and went into a coma after getting a foot massage in the Chiang Mai province. “Women who are less than three months into their pregnancy should avoid massage because it may lead to…
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Thai tourists abandoned at Suvarnabhumi after buying dodgy tour to South Korea
PHOTOS: The Tourist Police Bureau A Thai man has been arrested over the operation of an non-existent tour. He has abandoned five Thai tourists who had bought a tour to South Korea at Suvarnabhumi Airport this week. The Tourist Police report that 32 year old Thai man Puwanart Prakam was arrested at Suvarnabhumi Airport. He has failed to present a…
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“Compassion for the people” Thai Raksa Chart of Princess Ubolratana
The sister of Thailand’s King Maha Vajiralongkorn is now seen as a leading prime ministerial candidate for a political party loyal to fugitive former PM Thaksin Shinawatra in the March 24 elections. The Thai Raksa Chart party dropped the political bombshell this morning. 67 year old Princess Ubolratana Rajakanya Sirivadhana Varnavadi broke a long-standing tradition of Thai royalty staying out of…
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American tourist dies after being found floating face down at Krabi beach
A 46 year old American tourist has died after falling unconscious while in the water at a beach in Ao Nang yesterday. The Ao Nang Police were notified about the incident at the beach between Koh Kai (Chicken Island) and Koh Yawasam by the Krabi Tourist Assistance Centre (TAC). The male tourist was identified as a 46 year old American…
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Phuket Governor confirms there is enough water in Phuket
PHOTO: Bang Wad Dam, Kathu The Phuket Governor Phakaphong Tavipatana has confirmed that Phuket has enough water supplies for residential use without restrictions. The PWA announced start dates for odd/even day water restrictions to start in some areas of the island from today (Friday). But a day after the announcement, the PWA followed up by cancelling the restrictions. Read more…
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Princess Ubolratana running for the March 24 Thai election
The Thai Raksa Chart Party has thrown Thai politics into chaos after it nominated Princess Ubolratana Mahidol as its candidate as prime minister. The princess is His Majesty King Maha Vajiralongkorn’s elder sister. Thai Raksa Chart Party nominated Princess Ubolratana as its candidate to be prime minister this morning. Today is the final day for political parties to announce candidates and…
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Princess Ubolratana Mahidol runs as Prime Ministerial candidate in election
PHOTOS: Instagram In a stunning political move, Princess Ubolratana Mahidol, the eldest child of the late King Bhumibol, Rama 9, has been nominated by the Thai Raksa Chart party. Her nomination as a Prime Ministerial candidate immediately places the plans of current PM and the Junta-leaning Palang Pracharat party into disarray. To paint this as an ‘upset’ move in the last day of…
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Weather for February 8
Bangkok Generally clear. High 34ºC. Winds S at 10 to 15 km/h. Phuket Thunderstorms developing in the afternoon. High 31ºC. E winds shifting to S at 15 to 25 km/h. Chance of rain 60%. Chiang Mai Generally clear. High 35ºC. Winds ENE and variable. Pattaya Generally clear. High 31ºC. Winds SSW at 15 to 25 km/h. Hua Hin Generally clear.…
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Air quality for Thailand – February 8
Central Thailand Air quality is acceptable; however, for some pollutants there may be a moderate health concern for a very small number of people who are unusually sensitive to air pollution. Northern Thailand Members of sensitive groups may experience health effects. The general public is not likely to be affected. Southern Thailand Air quality is acceptable; however, for some…
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Hakeem al-Araibi UPDATE: “Australia never issued a red notice”
The Bahraini footballer Hakeem al-Araibi is going to file another bail request next week. His lawyer said yesterday that they will continue to seek bail while he awaits his extradition trial in April. Meanwhile, the Australian government, which is pressing for his release and return, yesterday dismissed reports that it had put out the red notice that resulted in the…
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Americans are flocking to Asia. Why?
Asia is sexy. From K-Pop sensation BTS topping the Billboard charts to “Crazy Rich Asians” owning the summer box office in the US, Americans can’t get enough of Asian film, music, and of course, noodles. “It’s all a sign of the Asianisation of the world”, reports CNN. “Asia has the world’s lowest taxes. Despite having some of the world’s largest…
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23 Chinese tourists rescued off sinking boat at Koh Samet
In the latest of a spate of speedboat incidents, another speedboat has capsized off KohSamet in Rayong. 23 Chinese tourists were on the vessel but all were recovered safely and without incident. Initial reports say the boat hit rocks causing holes in the boat and water leaks that the crew were unable to control. It’s been reported that all the…
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Chiang Mai hotel staffer admits to faking gang attack story
PHOTO: Thairath A story about a gang of three armed men attacking an employee and stealing money from a Chang Mai Hotel appears to have been a false report. The employee has eventually confessed to making the story up. The original story alleges that the men had held up the Airport Resident Hotel on Mahidol Road at 5:45 am in the…
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Fire extinguisher explodes at BKK airport link station, killing one
PHOTO: The Nation The Airport Rail Link has issued an announcement confirming that one person has died while another has sustained serious injuries and another three sustaining minor injuries in a chemical tank accident this afternoon. A fire extinguisher exploded in a service zone inside Suvarnabhumi Airport this afternoon, killing one person and injuring four others. The Airport Rail Link statement…
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Armed gang steals 30,000 baht in early morning Chiang Mai hotel attack
UPDATE of this story HERE….. An armed gang has robbed the Airport Resident Hotel in downtown Chiang Mai early this morning. Daily News reports that the deputy provincial police chief is asking police to locate the criminals in what he said was a “brazen attack that could damage tourist confidence”. A 30 year old staff member of the hotel, Yossakorn…
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British man dies after falling from Pattaya condo
A British man has died after falling from a condo in Pattaya. The Sawang Boriboon Foundation responded to a call from the condo security guard last night after he heard the sound of the body hitting the ground. Ruk Siam News reports that the rescue services arrived to find 60 year old Brian Dobing with multiple fractures by the entrance to building…
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Six Chinese arrested for begging in Bangkok, Thailand
PHOTOS: Tourist Police | Immigration Bureau Six Chinese, in wheelchairs, have been arrested for begging in Bangkok. The Tourist Police Bureau reported yesterday that the arrests came after Tourist Police and the Immigration Officers found the Chinese disabled begging gang who were staying at a hotel on Soi Intharama. They headed out for begging at tourism spots around Bangkok in…
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Helicopter crashes in Nakhon Sawan
A helicopter from the Royal Rain-making and Agricultural Aviation Department has crash-landed while on a training flight in Nakhon Sawan, north of Bangkok, yesterday. The pilot, a co-pilot and a mechanic escaped with only minor injuries after the chopper crashed into an empty field and caught fire. Rescuers managed to extinguish the fire. Department officials said that the helicopter developed…
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