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Bangkok taxi tango: Bad boy driver tries to rip off South Korean tourist
Another bad boy Bangkok taxi driver was caught engaging in unscrupulous deeds, this time attempting to rip off a South Korean tourist, charging the foreigner 700 baht for a 30-minute trip. Fortunately, the South Korean man saw through the taxi driver’s antics and paid him only 300 baht. The taxi driver was furious with this and went into meltdown, cursing…
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New kidney disease test kit offers 94% accuracy, eases early diagnosis access
A new effective and accurate diagnostic kit has been developed to screen for early-stage kidney disease, with a correctness rate of 94%, a sensitivity rate of 96%, and a specificity rate of 97.8%. This screening method has been approved by the Thai Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and has been proposed for inclusion in the gold card scheme to make…
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Thai police investigate lorry sticker corruption, truck association meets today
The Royal Thai Police is working expeditiously to penalise those involved in the nationwide scandal concerning truck registration stickers, following the receipt of information from a Member of Parliament (MP) and the Thai Truck Association president. They are set to meet today to discuss relevant documents and deepen the investigation of the sticker corruption, potentially leading to disciplinary or criminal…
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Children stabbed in Lake Annecy park attack, suspect arrested
A violent incident occurred in a park near Lake Annecy, in the south-eastern region of France, where multiple children were stabbed. Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin confirmed that the attacker has been apprehended by the police. Antoine Armand, a regional deputy, referred to the attack as “abominable” and stated that the authorities are currently conducting an investigation into the matter. French…
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Malaysia allocates RM1m to promote Coopmart, reduce living costs
The Malaysia Cooperative Societies Commission (SKM) has allocated RM1 million to support the Madani Cooperative Sales initiative this year, encouraging the public to shop at cooperative retail stores, also known as Coopmart. Entrepreneur Development and Cooperatives Minister Ewon Benedick highlighted that the Madani Cooperative Sales offer prices of daily necessities up to 20% lower than local market prices. As of…
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World Oceans Day: The fight to save our seas and combat climate change
On World Oceans Day, today, Warawut Sillapa-archa, Thailand’s Minister of Natural Resources and Environment, encouraged Thais to help conserve the oceans by not littering in water. He also stressed the importance of oceans absorbing 30% of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, acting as a natural carbon sink. However, increased human activities have led to higher levels of carbon dioxide and…
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Police promotion whirlwind: Secret RPCA training course fast tracks beauty queen to top ranks, prompting scrutiny
The popular Facebook page Police Friends recently exposed some damning information regarding the rapid promotions of police officers who took part in the Royal Police Cadet Academy (RPCA) training course, held four times a year. The post cited a beauty queen-turned-police officer as an example of RPCA training being misused by unqualified people. According to the Facebook page, the female…
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Pakistani widow’s life cleaning UK expats’ vacant villas
In Bhatial, a rural village in the Jhelum district of Punjab, Pakistan, 42-year-old widow Zubeida Begum works as a domestic helper for several families who have migrated to the UK. These families return to their luxurious villas in Bhatial for a few weeks each winter, leaving the houses vacant for the rest of the year. Zubeida’s job is to maintain…
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Ukraine dam destruction exposes dark history of warfare tactics
The blame game between Ukraine and Russia continues as both nations accuse each other of causing the explosion at the Nova Kakhovka dam in southern Ukraine. Regardless of who is responsible, the destruction of dams in warfare has a long and devastating history. The recent flooding in the region, forcing the evacuation of thousands of civilians, serves as a stark…
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Isuzu factory relocation rumours hit Thai auto parts shares
A significant decline in the shares of Thai auto parts companies was observed today, following rumours that Japanese automaker Isuzu Motors intended to move its Thai factory to Indonesia. The Indonesian Industry Minister, Agus Gumiwang Kartasasmita, stated yesterday that Isuzu could potentially commence production in Indonesia as early as next year. However, Isuzu denied any such relocation plans today. In…
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UK to remove Chinese surveillance cameras from sensitive sites over security
Sensitive UK government sites are set to remove Chinese surveillance cameras in response to national security concerns relating to China. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak highlighted China as the “biggest challenge” to global security and prosperity during the G7 summit last month. The government will release a timeline for the removal of equipment produced by companies governed by China’s National Intelligence…
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MP proposes amendment to clarify ‘Allah’ usage in Malaysian law
In an effort to address the contentious issue surrounding the use of the word “Allah” in Malaysia, Jasin MP Zulkifli Ismail has proposed amending the Interpretation Acts 1948 and 1967. The suggested amendment aims to provide a specific explanation for the usage and meaning of the word “Allah” when referring to God in the country. Zulkifli, an Opposition lawmaker, believes…
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Littoral combat ship project cost surges to RM11.2bn due to delays, changes
The littoral combat ship (LCS) construction project in Malaysia has seen a significant increase in costs, reaching RM11.2 billion, due to extended construction periods and specification changes. Deputy Defence Minister Adly Zahari revealed that an additional 83 months would be needed to complete the project, based on the Sixth Supplementary Contract (SA6) signed recently. The original agreement stipulated that the…
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Malaysia may pause OPR hikes as inflation remains steady
Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM) has indicated that it may maintain its overnight policy rate (OPR) as long as inflation remains under control, according to a Bloomberg report. BNM Assistant Governor Fraziali Ismail stated that the central bank has room for a “conditional pause” on OPR hikes, given that inflation is not “misbehaving.” “Many central banks have taken the step, us…
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Over 336k Malaysian girls miss HPV vaccine amid global supply disruption
A total of 336,592 female Form 1 students from the 2020 to 2022 cohort in Malaysia have not received any human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine shots, according to Health Minister Dr Zaliha Mustafa. The Ministry of Health (MoH) is dedicated to ensuring that all female students from the 2021, 2022, and 2023 cohorts receive the HPV vaccine before they complete their…
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Truck crashes into roadside shop in Chon Buri, 3 injured, 1 dead
A truck veered off the road and crashed into a roadside shop in Chon Buri province early this morning, leaving three people injured and one dead. The incident took place on the 331 highway near the Ta Le Thong Market when the truck driver lost control of the vehicle after a car cut in front of him. Upon arriving at…
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Penang plans June 28 dissolution for state legislative assembly
The Penang government in Malaysia has announced its intention to dissolve the state legislative assembly on June 28, paving the way for upcoming state elections. Penang Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow disclosed this plan during a news conference in George Town, stating that he will soon request a meeting with Governor Tun Ahmad Fuzi Abdul Razak to propose the dissolution…
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Malaysia and Indonesia resolve maritime disputes, boost bilateral ties
The relationship between Malaysia and Indonesia has reached a level of which both nations can be proud, according to Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim. He attributed this achievement to the close and familial ties between himself and Indonesian President Joko Widodo, as well as the rapport among government officials. These strong connections have led to the resolution of several long-standing…
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DAP’s seat negotiations ongoing for Selangor state elections
DAP secretary-general Anthony Loke announced today that seat negotiations for the upcoming Selangor state elections are still in progress. Loke clarified that he is not participating in the discussions and described the ongoing negotiations as “normal.” Loke directed reporters to inquire with Gobind Singh Deo, DAP deputy chairman and Selangor DAP chairman, for further information on the matter. The announcement…
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Couple charged again for child negligence, face RM50,000 fine or jail
A couple in Johor Baru, Malaysia, faced charges in the Sessions Court today after being given a discharge not amounting to an acquittal for negligence that likely caused physical injury to the woman’s four-year-old son. The 23-year-old woman, who is three months pregnant, and her husband pleaded not guilty to the new charge. The alleged offence took place at their…
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Highway horror: Civil engineer’s fatal crash claims delivery rider’s life in Bangkok
A Department of Highways civil engineer crashed his car into a delivery rider instantly killing him in the early hours of this morning on the Lat Phrao-Wang Hin Road in Bangkok. The driver’s alcohol test results are yet to be reported. Chok Chai Police Station officers and medical and rescue teams rushed to the road at 12.30am today to investigate the…
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SEC offers guidance for investors amid Stark’s potential bond default
The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has issued guidelines for investors as Stark Corporation faces the possibility of defaulting on bond payments worth nearly 9.2 billion baht. The SEC has emphasised that investing in debt securities carries high risks and that investors could lose both principal and interest. The guidelines aim to clarify the roles and functions of bond representatives…
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Chiang Mai human trafficking gang busted, 3 underage victims rescued
Thailand’s plague of human trafficking has once again reared its ugly head. Thai authorities have arrested members of a human trafficking gang operating in Chiang Mai. The arrests followed tip-offs from organisations fighting human trafficking, such as Destiny Rescue and the Immanuel Foundation. Officials discovered that My Tirak Bar and My Tirak Pub were offering sexual services, involving minors, to…
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All children in Thailand should have education, regardless of nationality, says official
Tri-nut Thiengthong, Thailand’s Minister of Education, has emphasised the right of all children living in Thailand to receive an education regardless of their nationality. This was in response to the recent influx of 124 undocumented children at Thai Rat Witthaya 6 (Ratchamongkol) School in Ang Thong province. The Ministry of Education is working closely with local organisations to ensure the necessary…
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Thailand’s Excise Department probes official’s involvement in oil smuggling case
An investigation is underway by Thailand’s Excise Department into allegations that a high-level official attempted to persuade police to release a truck carrying 15,000 litres of smuggled oil. The department’s Deputy Director-General Kriangkrai Pattanaporn revealed that a probe committee was formed to look into the arrest of the 47 year old driver, identified only as Sombat, in Prachuap Khiri Khan…
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North Korea children’s union donates rockets to army amid rising patriotism efforts
North Korea’s political youth group, the Korean Children’s Union (KCU), demonstrated its patriotism by donating rocket launchers to the army during its 77th anniversary celebrations. High-ranking officials from the North Korean Communist Party attended the event, which comes amid increased efforts by the nation to develop nuclear and conventional weapons. North Korea has recently intensified its propaganda and public signalling…
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Jokic and Murray make NBA history with dual 30-point triple-doubles
In a groundbreaking NBA Finals performance, Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray both achieved 30-point triple-doubles, leading the Denver Nuggets to a 109-94 victory over the Miami Heat and securing a 2-1 lead in the series. This marked the first time in NBA history that two teammates accomplished this feat in the same game, whether in the regular season, playoffs, or…
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Politicians, NGO leaders risk racial unity with divisive rhetoric, warns Umno deputy
Umno deputy president Mohamad Hasan has raised concerns over the increasing trend of politicians and non-governmental organisation (NGO) leaders making statements that put racial unity at risk and create public unease. He highlighted that these individuals are willing to undermine fundamental rights, freedoms, and the integrity of public institutions, as well as inappropriately involve the royal institution in political matters.…
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Comedian condemned for mocking MH370 tragedy and Malaysia
Foreign Minister Zambry Abdul Kadir has condemned the actions of a comedian known as “Jocelyn Chia” for making insensitive jokes about Malaysia and the MH370 tragedy. The minister expressed regret and emphasised that the comedian’s actions displayed a lack of sensitivity and empathy towards Malaysians and the victims’ families. Zambry stated that the video featuring the comedian’s performance contradicts the…
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Malaysia PM to clarify Haj selection criteria, HPV vaccine status
The classification criteria for the B40, M40, and T20 groups in selecting Haj pilgrims for the 1444H season, as well as the number of individuals to receive offers this year, are expected to be discussed during today’s Dewan Rakyat session. Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim will address these concerns during the Minister’s Question Time, responding to questions from Abdul Latiff Abdul…
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