Thailand News
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How to reduce out-of-pocket medical expenses in Thailand?
Managing medical expenses in Thailand is important as healthcare costs continue to rise. The country’s healthcare system includes both public and private options, but even with the Universal Coverage Scheme (UCS) for citizens, many still face high out-of-pocket medical expenses....
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Brew-haha: Lazada and Shopee ban Lung Jun Coffee beans over explicit content
Two leading Asian e-commerce platforms, Lazada and Shopee, have banned Lung Jun Coffee after discovering the brand sold coffee beans with explicit pictures and advertisements referring to a man and woman’s private parts. ThaiRath reported that concerned locals, upon encountering Lung Jun’s coffee beans on an e-commerce platform and noticing social media posts drawing attention to the explicit brand’s content,…
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Stray dog sanctuary’s ‘leash’ of hope in jeopardy as land lease nears end
In an unexpected turn of events, Hope for Strays Foundation, a registered non-profit organisation, is facing a critical situation. Located in Nongprue, to the east of Pattaya, the Foundation is a sanctuary for over 300 dogs. However, the impending end of the land lease in March of next year has put the existence of the shelter in jeopardy. A new…
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Police chief commits suicide after death of subordinate
The Superintendent of Highway Police Division 2 committed suicide today at his house in the Pathum Thani province near Bangkok. Police General Wachira Yaothaisong reportedly had been battling depression and was said to be stressed over the death of his subordinate, Police Major General Siwakorn Saibua. The Highway Police Inspector, Siwakorn, was murdered at a gathering at the house of…
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Stray puppy becomes millionth animal to be neutered and vaccinated by Soi Dog Foundation
A one-eyed stray puppy in Thailand has become the millionth animal to be neutered and vaccinated by the animal welfare organisation Soi Dog Foundation. Aptly named ‘Million’, the homeless puppy was taken in by one of the foundation’s mobile sterilisation teams after she was found on the streets of Nakhon Si Thammarat, and soon after became the millionth animal to…
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Fallen mystery: Thai mother seeks answers in daughter’s Japan condo death
A Thai woman demanded an investigation into the death of her 23 year old daughter who mysteriously fell to her death from the eighth floor of a condominium in Japan, just one day after her arrival. The mother, 48 year old Somporn, reached out to the Pavena Foundation for Children and Women yesterday, September 10, seeking assistance to find the…
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Thai thief’s muddy caper: Stolen food cupboard’s bizarre journey
In a truly ‘food for thought‘ incident in Surin’s Isaan province, a baffled Thai homeowner recounted an odd story involving a thief who swiped his food cupboard, only to ditch it nearby, all thanks to an unexpected ‘muddy munch’ venture. The Thai man, Weerayut Choowa, reached out to the Daily News to share his unusual story. Weerayut stated that he’d…
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New government policy statement urged to focus on escalating costs, tourism
Public expectations are high as the government prepares to present its policy statement in Parliament today, with the populace eager for it to fulfil commitments to resolve daily-life issues and rejuvenate the economy. Leaders in various sectors have made their pleas, requesting the new government to pay attention to its policy to the needs of their industry. Thaniwan Koonmongkon, head…
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Thailand cracks down on illicit artefact racket: Trio arrested with trove of history
A significant victory was recorded in the fight against the illicit trafficking of cultural artefacts in Thailand with the apprehension of three individuals suspected to be key figures in the racket. The police, in conjunction with the Fine Arts Department, successfully conducted an operation which led to the arrest of these suspects and the recovery of about 1,000 historical artefacts.…
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Thai government plans central budget use for farmers’ debt relief
The Ministry of Agriculture is planning to utilise the central budget to support farmers’ debt relief in case next year’s budget is delayed. The ministry is aligning its plans with the government’s policies, especially Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin’s strategy of reducing production costs. In an interview before announcing the policy, Deputy Ministers of Agriculture and Cooperatives Chaiya Phromma stated that…
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Thai call centre scam gang linked to family murder caught in Cambodia
Four Thai citizens were arrested in Cambodia for their involvement in a call centre scam network. Supol Wongwian coordinated the call centre scam network’s operations, while the three young women, Nisarat Sukasem, Kanokporn Kraisuk, and Kornkanok Singthit, made calls to victims. They are facing charges related to participating in a transnational crime syndicate, fraud, and computer crimes and will be deported…
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Foreigners make a ‘cremazing’ splash with Gene Kelly-inspired dance in Thai temple rain
A group of enthusiastic foreigners sparked both amusement and criticism among Thai netizens after sharing a video of dancing and singing in the rain Gene Kelly style in front of a crematorium at a temple in Thailand. A foreign woman shared a video of herself and friends on her TikTok account @ks_photogallery on Wednesday, September 6. The video features six…
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THAI to reintroduce 9 domestic routes after closure plan of Thai Smile Airways
Thai Airways (THAI) revealed that the airline is planning to reintroduce nine domestic routes by the end of this year following the closure plan of its subsidiary, Thai Smile Airways. In February, THAI announced that it would merge with Thai Smile Airways according to its business rehabilitation plan. All 800 Thai Smile Airways staff members would be transferred to work…
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Bangkok crane catastrophe claims engineer’s life and injures Burmese workers
A crane collapse at a construction site within Srinakharinwirot University in the Asoke neighbourhood of Bangkok resulted in the death of a Thai engineer and caused injuries to two Burmese workers. The crane operator fled the scene amid the tragedy. Thong Lor Police Station officers rushed to the construction site at 4pm yesterday together with the rescuers and medical professionals. The…
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Durian dispute turns fatal: Man confesses to brutal murder of elderly buyer in southern Thailand
A brutal murder took a shocking turn yesterday when the perpetrator confessed to the police. The alleged murderer, 24 year old Muhammad Rusli turned himself in, admitting to killing 71 year old durian buyer named Jaelong Baluebae. Rusli revealed that he had buried the elderly man near a canal in the Taya village, Narathiwat province, southern Thailand, after a heated…
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Phuket’s PIPO heroes: Two Thai men saved, but waves claim two
The Port-in-Port-out (PIPO) authorities in Phuket rescued two Thai men after their fishing boat capsized yesterday. Regrettably, two fishermen lost their lives in this tragic incident. The authorities were notified that a red fibreglass boat named Baan Kung Mang Korn capsized near an island called Koh Aeo in the Mueang district of Phuket due to powerful waves. There were four…
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Dusit Thani College shares ideas and knowledge on sustainability for service businesses at PHIST 2023
Dusit Thani College, Thailand’s leading hospitality education institution under the Dusit Thani Hotel Group, has annually participated in the PHIST or Phuket Hotels for Islands Sustaining Tourism event, which this year was recently held at SAii Laguna Phuket Hotel. PHIST is an innovative event rallying the hotel industry and its stakeholders to discuss environmental sustainability and community benefits. It is…
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Japanese fugitive escapes Thai police custody in daring car chase, manhunt underway
A Japanese fugitive escaped police custody in a daring car chase. He was initially detained at the Immigration Bureau in Suan Phlu on Saturday, September 9, before managing to commandeer a police vehicle and flee the scene. The Japanese man, Yuki Yanagi, who was later discovered to have abandoned the vehicle and taken a taxi, remains at large. The incident…
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Suicide rate in Thailand hits half-decade peak despite prevention efforts
Suicide numbers in Thailand have been on a steady incline over the past five years, peaking at 4,800 lives lost in the previous year, as reported by the Department of Mental Health (DMH). Yesterday marked World Suicide Prevention Day, a global initiative spearheaded by the World Health Organisation (WHO) that took place yesterday. This event brings together international efforts to…
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Phuket urges small hotels to obtain a licence ahead of anticipated 2.19 million tourists
Phuket is gearing up for the high season by encouraging small hotel operators to obtain a licence. This move is part of the city’s preparation to host over 10,000 tourists daily, equating to 2.19 million visitors annually. The Phuket Boutique Accommodation Consortium (BAC) held a seminar on September 7 to advocate for a ministerial regulation that was issued by the…
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CCIB nabs five in 2.7 billion baht cryptocurrency scam
The Cyber Crime Investigation Bureau (CCIB) apprehended four individuals from China and one from Laos about a cryptocurrency scam, resulting in a loss of over 2.7 billion baht. The fraudulent scheme operated via an investment platform called bchgloballtd.com and reportedly deceived at least 3,280 people. The victims, who began stepping forward in November last year, were tricked into investing in…
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Civilian defence minister to navigate Thai military reforms amid coalition challenges
The newly appointed Defence Minister, Sutin Klungsang, is in the spotlight as he is expected to navigate through various challenges within the military while maintaining stability within the Pheu Thai-led coalition government. As the first civilian to take the defence minister position without also holding the role of the prime minister, Sutin is expected to manage military reform, the southern…
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Supreme court dismisses cannabis case against former Health Minister Anutin
The Supreme Administrative Court has put an end to a lawsuit targeting the former Minister of Public Health Anutin Charnvirakul over his legalisation of cannabis. The plaintiffs, who took legal action against the former minister, have been categorically defined as not being direct victims of the legalisation of cannabis, hence their case has been dismissed. This news follows in the…
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NHSO plans digital transformation, enhanced universal healthcare
Thailand’s National Health Security Office (NHSO) is set to improve its services in alignment with the new government‘s policy, according to the NHSO secretary-general, Jadet Thammathataree. The planned modifications pertain to the universal healthcare package, commonly referred to as the gold card scheme and the digital transformation of the NHSO system. The NHSO has recently engaged in discussions with the…
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Tourism Authority of Thailand eyes sustainable green strategy
The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) has revealed its renewed commitment to promote the country as a ‘sustainable destination’, championing environmental conservation. TAT’s Governor, Thapanee Kiatphaiboon, unveiled this green strategy, aiming to familiarise international travellers with Thailand’s proactive stance towards embracing global sustainability trends. Thailand, known for its vibrant culture, exotic cuisine, and picturesque landscapes, is now determined to enhance…
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Visa-free policy for Chinese tourists may boost economy, workload
The first meeting of the new government’s Cabinet this week will discuss the predicted increase in workload for authorities as they prepare to implement a proposed visa-free policy for Chinese visitors. The policy is viewed as a major strategy to boost Thailand’s tourism sector, expected to generate massive revenue, according to Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin. The prime minister has consistently…
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Thailand considers barter trade with China for submarine amid procurement issues
The Defence Minister of Thailand revealed that the government is considering various alternatives, including a barter trade arrangement or the purchase of fertilisers from China, to resolve the ongoing issues concerning the procurement of a submarine for the navy. Sutin Klungsang spoke on the matter at a seminar discussing Thai security and geopolitical challenges, hosted by Rangsit University’s College of…
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Suvarnabhumi Airport’s SAT-1 terminal to soft-launch boosting capacity by 33%
Suvarnabhumi International Airport, governed by Airports of Thailand (AoT), is set to soft-launch its Satellite 1 (SAT-1) terminal on September 28, following a successful full-scale trial involving 180 mock passengers and their luggage. The trial aimed to evaluate operations at both the SAT-1 satellite passenger terminal and the primary terminal, with Thai Airways offering assistance by supplying cabin crew and…
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Pheu Thai’s Chai Watcharong set to become new government spokesperson
Chai Watcharong, a 64 year old veterinarian and party-list member of Pheu Thai is set to take up the mantle as the new government spokesperson. Positioned 91st on the party list, Chai has confirmed he is prepared to face the challenges of the role. The cabinet is set to officially instate Chai as the government spokesperson this Wednesday. Previously, Chai…
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Digital wallet initiative and anti-corruption boosted by Thai deputy PM
Yesterday, Deputy Prime Minister and Interior Minister, Anutin Charnvirakul, hosted a meeting with the governors of the country’s provinces. The discussion revolved around the ministry’s key objectives, including loyalty to the highest institution, the implementation of anti-corruption measures, and the support for Pheu Thai’s 10,000 baht digital wallet initiative. The meeting took place at Centara Grand at Central Plaza Lat…
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Parliament to curb food waste and costs after social media row
Parliament president Wan Muhamad Noor Matha has vowed to investigate and address the issue of food waste in the parliamentary canteen, following a social media debacle involving a member of parliament and left-over meals. The debate over gratuitous meals and beverages offered to parliamentary members caught public attention following a social media incident involving a Move Forward MP Sirilapas Kongtrakarn,…
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