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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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Hong Kong government seeks high court ban on protest anthem
The Hong Kong government has sought an injunction order from the city’s high court to ban the protest anthem “Glory to Hong Kong,” which emerged during the massive demonstrations in 2019. If the injunction is granted, it would be the first song to be banned in Hong Kong since the handover to China in 1997. The government claims the song…
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TSMC’s German chip factory talks progress, subsidy negotiations ongoing
Taiwanese chipmaker TSMC has expressed optimism regarding ongoing talks to establish its first European factory in Germany. The company has been in discussions with the German state of Saxony since 2021 about constructing a fabrication plant in Dresden. The European Union recently approved the EU Chips Act, a US$46.07 billion subsidy plan aimed at doubling the region’s chipmaking capacity by…
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Thailand set to exchange financial data to combat transnational tax evasion
The Revenue Department of Thailand is set to enhance its efforts to combat transnational tax evasion through the exchange of financial information, according to its director-general, Lavaron Sangsnit. Thailand joined the Global Forum on Transparency and Exchange of Information for Tax Purposes in 2017 and has since been working towards adhering to international standards for tax cooperation. The Convention on…
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Chinese suppliers protest Changan’s 10% payment cut amid price war
In the wake of an ongoing price war among automobile manufacturers in China, Chongqing Changan Automobile, a state-owned automaker, has faced backlash from its suppliers after cutting their payments by 10%. The suppliers claim that they are being unfairly forced to bear the brunt of the intense competition in the world’s largest auto market. Since January, over 40 brands have…
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Blinken faces uphill battle amid Middle East’s shift towards China and Russia
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken faces challenges during his three-day visit to Saudi Arabia this week, as the United States seeks to maintain its influence in the Middle East. Despite President Joe Biden’s commitment to staying engaged in the region, countries such as Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates have been forging stronger ties with China, Russia, and…
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FBI’s most damaging spy Robert Hanssen dies in maximum-security prison
Nearly 20 years ago, FBI agent Richard Garcia was assigned to a covert operation that would lead to the arrest of the most damaging spy in the history of the agency, Robert Hanssen. Hanssen’s death in prison at the age of 79 has brought back memories of the case that sent shockwaves through the intelligence community and changed the lives…
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Gonorrhoea and syphilis cases surge in England amid sexual health cuts
Record levels of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) such as gonorrhoea and syphilis are being reported in England, following a decline during the Covid-19 pandemic. Health experts are urging individuals to practice safe sex and get tested if they believe they are at risk. According to the UK Health Security Agency, there were 82,592 cases of gonorrhoea in 2022, a 50%…
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Asian nations revive Mice industry, Taiwan focuses on preferred destination
As the demand for on-site meetings, incentives, conferences, and exhibitions (Mice) activities recovers following the pandemic, Asian countries are preparing their exhibition venues and marketing strategies to welcome international visitors. Northeast Asia has shown significant enthusiasm, with South Korea’s Busan bidding for the World Expo 2030 and Hong Kong unveiling the West Kowloon Cultural District, a 40-hectare area designed to…
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Thailand celebrates five cities designated as UNESCO Creative Cities
Thailand earns global recognition with five cities designated as UNESCO Creative Cities. Government Spokesperson Anucha Burapachaisri celebrated the achievement, emphasizing the cities’ diverse creative talents and cultural heritage in areas like gastronomy, crafts, folk arts, and design. Phuket was the first Thai city to be honoured with the UNESCO Creative City of Gastronomy status back in 2015. The island’s local…
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Fashion frenzy: Ayutthaya’s traditional Thai costume rentals thrive as Blackpink’s Lisa sparks tourist trend
Thai traditional costume rentals in Ayutthaya are experiencing a surge in business as tourists flock to follow in the footsteps of Blackpink member Lalisa “Lisa” Manoban, who today visited the historical site wearing a traditional Thai outfit. The singer’s Instagram post, showcasing her visit to the ancient temple of Wat Chaiwatthanaram, has reignited public interest in traditional Thai clothing and…
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Power play on the border: Thai electricity authority shocks Myanmar towns with supply halt
The Provincial Electricity Authority (PEA) of Thailand halted the supply of electricity to two Myanmar border towns following a request from the Myanmar government. These towns, located across the Moei River, have been the site of significant illegal investments by groups of Chinese businessmen. Shwe Kokko and Ban Le Le Ko, both situated in Myanmar’s Karen State, are the two…
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Tourists deceived: Travel agency crew ‘unpacked’ by police on fraud charges in South Thailand
Six people from a travel agency have been apprehended by the Provincial Police on charges of fraud in Surat Thani, South Thailand. The suspects are accused of selling counterfeit overseas package tours to a minimum of 99 customers, resulting in damages amounting to 27 million baht. The six arrested allegedly include Sumontri Sonnong, Phanuda Thepchum, Kobsak Pensawat, and Wongchan Pensawat,…
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North Korea orders city workers, students to farms amid escalating starvation deaths
North Korea has ordered government officials and students to help with farming in South Hwanghae Province, as the country faces a severe food shortage. It has been reported that starvation deaths in the country have tripled over the past year. Russian diplomats have also been called upon to provide “goodwill labour” on vegetable farms. Government officials and students were sent…
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Bittersweet bite: Tearful TikTok video of woman savouring late mother’s final meal melts hearts online
A heart-wrenching TikTok video has gone viral, featuring a woman tearfully eating the last meal prepared by her late mother, sparking an outpouring of support from netizens worldwide. A TikTok user, @boi_masam, tearfully shared a 51-second clip of herself eating a meal. In the video, she reveals that her mother passed away on May 27 and had cooked it as…
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Couple uncovers century-old secret well beneath kitchen floor during renovation
A couple discovered a secret well over 100 years old hidden under their kitchen floor while renovating their recently purchased home. The well, with a depth of six metres, dates back to the reign of Queen Victoria. The couple, 28 year old Emma Harrison and 27 year old Rhys Stainer from the United Kingdom, found the unexpected secret beneath the…
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Prayut government accused of severe ethical breach over Thai constitution violation in torture law delay
The National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) received a petition from the Thai Constitution Protection Association and officials of the May 1992 Heroes’ Relatives Committee. The petition accuses the government of PM Prayut Chan-o-cha, particularly Somkid Thepsuthin, the former Minister of Justice, of violating the Thai Constitution through the deliberate postponement of the implementation of the anti-torture and enforced disappearance law. Srisuwan…
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ITV boss faces MPs over workplace culture amid Schofield scandal
Parliament’s media committee chair has clarified that the upcoming questioning of ITV’s chief executive will not be a “witch hunt” against former presenter Philip Schofield. Instead, Dame Caroline Dinenage explained that the session aims to address broader questions about workplace culture and practices following Schofield’s resignation due to a relationship with a younger colleague. The Department of Media, Culture and…
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Friendly gesture turns fiesty: Singaporean woman’s anger leads to assault on Thai man
An angry Singaporean woman today assaulted a well-intentioned Thai man trying to help her at an entertainment venue in the northern province of Chiang Rai. The victim’s girlfriend, Prempraphat Suwanachai, provided a detailed account of the incident during an interview with Channel 7. According to Prempraphat, the altercation occurred around 3.30am. Prempraphat and her boyfriend were working at the entertainment…
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WHAUP eyes Vietnam wind, solar assets to meet rising energy demand
WHA Utilities and Power (WHAUP), a subsidiary of Thailand’s largest industrial land developer and operator, is set to acquire wind and solar power generation facilities in Vietnam with a capacity of 50-100 megawatts. This move aims to capitalise on the increasing energy demand in the country. The acquisition is expected to be finalised by the end of the year, according…
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Slippery roads lead to terrifying motorcycle accident for mother and 12 year old child
A mother and her 12 year old son encountered an accident on their way to school, with the boy’s arm caught in the wheel of their motorcycle in Bangpakong, Chachoengsao. Good Samaritans and a police officer immediately rushed to help the injured pair in the incident that happened on a rainy morning. The left arm of the boy, age 12,…
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Furious wife clings to car and exposes husband’s mistress (video)
A Chinese wife shopping with her children got a shocking surprise when she caught her husband in a car with his mistress, leading to a dramatic scene in which she was dragged along the road for 20 meters. The incident has since gone viral online. The event occurred in Xuejiagou, Hebei province, China and started when the wife spotted her husband’s…
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Thai hospital misdiagnoses man’s gallstone condition, quick intervention saves health
A 42 year old expatriate named Nick reached out for help on May 21 after being discharged from the hospital without a clear diagnosis of his abdominal pain. He had been experiencing discomfort in his right lower abdomen and an ache in his left lower chest that radiated into his back and upper abdomen. Nick had been unwell for two…
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Fugitive Thai man finally arrested after murdering British man in Pattaya 17 years ago
A Thai man on the run for 17 years after murdering a British man in Pattaya was finally arrested after a hospital checkup exposed his identity. Three other suspects involved in the crime were jailed, served their time and subsequently released. The incident occurred in 2006 when 47 year old British tourist Stephen Parkinson encountered four Thai men while riding…
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Japan sees fastest wage growth in 30 years but weak household spending persists
In April, Japan experienced a rise in wages as major companies increased pay at the fastest rate in 30 years, responding to workers’ demands for higher salaries to cope with inflation. However, household spending remained weak, highlighting an uneven economic recovery. The wage data offers an early insight into the effects of the spring labour negotiations, known as “shunto,” and…
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US SEC sues Binance for deception, crypto market takes a hit
Cryptocurrencies and shares in blockchain-related firms experienced a sharp decline following the US Securities and Exchange Commission’s (SEC) lawsuit against Binance, the world’s largest crypto exchange. The SEC accused Binance and its CEO Changpeng Zhao of secretly controlling Binance.US, inflating trading volumes, diverting customer funds, and failing to restrict US customers from its platform. This has led to a drop…
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Gutsy guards apprehend armed bank robber after 207,000 baht theft near Bangkok
Brave security guards tackled an armed bank robber after he stole 207,000 baht from a bank in Market Village Suvarnabhumi shopping mall in the Bang Phli district of Samut Prakarn province near Bangkok. Officers from the Bang Phli Police Station swiftly responded to the scene after a tip-off and discovered the robber, identified as Thaweesak Palalert, under the control of…
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Ageing population may slow global GDP but not per capita income
As the global population ages, concerns about the future of the economy are growing. By 2050, the number of people aged 65 and above is expected to double, reaching 1.6 billion. This shift in demographics has led to fears of a potential slowdown in economic growth. However, there is evidence to suggest that if advanced economies can maintain the health…
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Snap hires ex-Google VP to boost ad targeting and measurement
Snap Inc announced yesterday that it has appointed a new senior vice president of engineering from Google, marking the latest addition to its team in a bid to boost its advertising business. Eric Young, who previously served as vice president of engineering for Alphabet Inc’s Google Cloud, will be responsible for overseeing Snap’s core infrastructure, which includes the widely-used photo…
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Oklahoma approves first US publicly-funded religious school despite legal warnings
In a controversial move, the Statewide Virtual Charter School Board in Oklahoma has given the green light for the establishment of the first publicly-funded religious school in the United States, despite the state attorney general’s warning that such a decision is unconstitutional. The board approved the Catholic Archdiocese of Oklahoma’s application to create the St Isidore of Seville Virtual Charter…
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Ukraine forces advance amid counteroffensive speculation
Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has commended his troops as Ukrainian forces advanced in several sections of the front line with Russia, leading to increasing speculation that Kyiv’s anticipated counteroffensive is underway. In a video address, Zelenskyy expressed gratitude to the Ukrainian soldiers, particularly those in the Donetsk region, for their efforts in defending the country and progressing forward. Zelenskyy’s praise…
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