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Sponsored Why long-term expats in Thailand say insurance is worth every baht
Thailand’s warm weather, low cost of living, and good healthcare attract many long-term expats, including retirees and remote workers. Life here feels easy and affordable, but medical costs can be high if something goes wrong. Private hospitals are popular because...
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Thai school conducts mass drug testing: Is it a violation of student rights?
A Thai school recently conducted a mass urine drug testing initiative for its entire student body, causing online debate as netizens clashed over whether this practice constituted a violation of the students’ rights. The school, local authorities, and health officials collaborated on the project to ensure a drug-free environment. The school is located in the town of Tha Rong in…
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Saha Group urges Thai govt to prioritise agriculture over wage hikes
The Saha Group, a prominent consumer product conglomerate in Thailand, advised the new Thai government to prioritise the promotion of the agricultural sector instead of significantly raising the daily minimum wage. The group’s chairman, Boonsithi Chokwatana, believes this approach would contribute to sustainable economic growth. Boonsithi also suggested that the government should concentrate on enhancing the economy through educational initiatives…
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Argentina removes prescription barrier for morning-after pill access
Argentina has recently announced that women will no longer need a prescription to access emergency contraception, in a move aimed at removing a significant obstacle for those seeking to prevent unintended pregnancies. Feminist groups have applauded this decision as a positive step forward in the predominantly Catholic nation, while opponents argue that it highlights the failure of pregnancy prevention initiatives.…
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New heat health alert system to combat climate change risks in England
England is set to introduce a new alert system this summer to warn the public about high temperatures that could adversely affect their health. The system, a collaboration between the UK Health Security Agency and the Met Office, aims to reduce illnesses and fatalities among the most vulnerable populations. As climate change is expected to increase the frequency of heatwaves,…
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UN tribunal increases Serbian officials’ sentences for ethnic cleansing role
The Hague’s UN war crimes tribunal has imposed longer prison sentences on two high-ranking former Serbian security officials, Jovica Stanisic and Franko Simatovic. Initially sentenced to 12 years in 2021, they will now serve 15 years for their involvement in training death squads accused of ethnic cleansing during the disintegration of Yugoslavia. This final verdict on the former Yugoslavia is…
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Danny Masterson found guilty of rape, faces 30 years in prison
A Los Angeles jury has convicted American actor Danny Masterson on two counts of rape, with the That ’70s Show star potentially facing up to 30 years in prison. The actor was led from the courtroom in handcuffs after the verdict. Three women, all former Church of Scientology members, accused Masterson of sexually assaulting them at his Hollywood residence between…
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Amazon pays £20m over Alexa’s breach of children’s privacy rights
Amazon has agreed to pay US$25 million (£20 million) to settle claims that it breached children’s privacy rights through its Alexa voice assistant. The tech giant reached a settlement with the US Federal Trade Commission (FTC) after being accused of not deleting Alexa recordings when requested by parents, resulting in the retention of sensitive information for years. Additionally, Amazon’s doorbell…
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Ex-British soldier dies in Ukraine crash while aiding refugees
A former British soldier, Julian Thorn, tragically lost his life in a car accident in Ukraine. The 36-year-old from Hexham, Northumberland, had travelled to the country to assist refugees and train Ukrainian fighters in using military equipment supplied by the UK. Thorn had previously served with the Fusiliers and completed tours in Afghanistan. His fiancée, Louise Lathbury, received the devastating…
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Body found in Sheffield house sparks murder probe, woman arrested
A murder inquiry has been initiated after the discovery of a body in a house in Sheffield. South Yorkshire Police officers found the remains while searching a property on Crofton Avenue in the Hillsborough area on Tuesday. The force is currently conducting investigations to determine the identity of the deceased and the circumstances surrounding their death. A woman, 40 years…
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Two teens die, man arrested after Bournemouth beach sea incident
Tragedy struck Bournemouth beach as a 12-year-old girl and a 17-year-old boy lost their lives after being pulled from the sea. Eight others received treatment for non-life-threatening injuries following the incident. Emergency services were alerted at 4:32pm on Wednesday. Dorset Police have arrested a man in his 40s, who was on the water at the time, on suspicion of manslaughter.…
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ITV enlists barrister for external review of Schofield’s affair handling
A barrister has been appointed by ITV to lead an external review into the network’s handling of a relationship between Phillip Schofield and a younger male colleague. The review was confirmed by ITV’s chief executive, Dame Carolyn McCall, in a letter seen by the PA news agency. Schofield, 61 years old, resigned from ITV last week after admitting to having…
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Boris Johnson hands over WhatsApps, notebooks to Covid-19 inquiry
The former UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson has provided the government with all the WhatsApp messages and notebooks requested by the Covid-19 inquiry. Johnson is encouraging the government to submit the materials to the inquiry without any redactions. The inquiry, set to begin public hearings in two weeks, will investigate the government’s handling of the pandemic. However, the government has…
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UK, European governments urge FIFA for Women’s World Cup TV rights deal
Major European governments, including the United Kingdom, have urged FIFA and independent broadcasters to swiftly settle on an agreement for televising the Women’s World Cup in July and August. This joint appeal follows FIFA president Gianni Infantino’s threat to withhold the tournament’s broadcast in five European nations – the UK, France, Germany, Italy, and Spain – due to a financial…
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Third man charged in Run-DMC star Jam Master Jay’s murder case
A third individual has been charged in connection with the murder of Run-DMC star Jam Master Jay, according to prosecutors in New York. Jay Bryant, 49 years old, from Queens, who was already in custody on unrelated federal drug charges, denies the charges. In 2020, two other men, Ronald Washington and Karl Jordan Jr, were charged with the murder. Both…
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UN begins removing million barrels of oil from decaying Yemeni supertanker
The United Nations has initiated an operation to remove over a million barrels of oil from a deteriorating supertanker, FSO Safer, anchored off Yemen’s Red Sea coast. A salvage vessel carrying a team of experts arrived at the site on Tuesday to prepare the tanker for the transfer of oil to another vessel, Nautica, which is set to sail from…
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CBI launches change programme amid scandals and confidence vote
The Confederation of British Industry (CBI) members are set to vote on the organisation’s future amid recent scandals. The business lobby group faced turmoil following serious sexual assault allegations made by employees. The CBI is now launching an “ambitious programme of change,” focusing on governance, culture, people processes, and refining its core purpose. Over 1,000 business leaders provided input on…
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ASA bans Litty Liquor ads with rapper ArrDee for promoting excessive drinking
The Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) has banned advertisements for Litty Liquor featuring rapper ArrDee, due to the promotion of excessive and irresponsible alcohol consumption and the inclusion of an individual under 25 years old. Two Instagram posts from December displayed ArrDee surrounded by bottles of spiced rum in a distillery, violating advertising regulations. Another post showcased a video of the…
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Judge to hear appeal on unsealing Prince Harry’s US immigration records
A US federal judge is set to hear an appeal from the Heritage Foundation, a conservative think tank, regarding the unsealing of Prince Harry’s US immigration records. The hearing, scheduled for June 6, comes after the Duke of Sussex’s book revealed his past drug use. Nile Gardner, from the Heritage Foundation, announced that the case will take place in Washington,…
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Pattaya drug bust: Thai police nab South Korean dealer, seize 17 million baht worth of drugs
Thai police arrested a South Korean drug dealer in Pattaya following the rounding up of 70 drug suspects and the seizure of drugs worth about 17 million baht. The Thai Immigration Bureau (TIMB) held a press conference at the Brighton Grand Hotel in Pattaya today, where they shared the details of the arrest. Officers emphasised that the successful capture of…
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Singapore Airlines scraps paper food boxes after customer backlash
Singapore Airlines (SIA) CEO Goh Choon Phong acknowledged that the airline could have done better with its introduction of paper food boxes and the removal of appetisers. The paper boxes were launched in March for a trial run on some medium- and long-haul flights but received strong criticism from customers regarding food standards and presentation. As a result, SIA has…
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Pheu Thai leader denies backroom deals: High-ranking Parliamentary roles still up for grabs
The Pheu Thai leader denies allocating high-ranking Parliamentary roles for his party, asserting that discussions are still ongoing to fill key positions. Despite rumours of potential nominees, Pheu Thai chief Chonlanan Srikaew maintains that no final decision has been made. Chonlanan addressed the ongoing negotiations concerning the appointment of the President of the House of Representatives, stating that talks between his…
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Shining Surge: Gold prices soar in Thailand, hitting 32,650 baht per baht
The Gold Traders Association reported an increase in gold prices in Thailand today, with gold bullion trading at 32,650 baht per baht, up 50 baht compared to the closing price of yesterday. Gold bars are being bought at 32,050 baht and sold at 32,150 baht. Recording a rise in gold prices today, the Gold Traders Association stated that gold ornaments…
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Pregnant woman vomits 10-15cm roundworms, warns on undercooked food risks
A pregnant patient at DonSak Hospital in Surat Thani, Thailand, discovered two intestinal roundworms, each longer than 10-15 centimetres, in her vomit. Doctors believe the 27 year old ingested the parasites from contaminated fruits and vegetables. DonSak Hospital shared the story on its Facebook page, explaining that the eight months pregnant woman had been experiencing abdominal pain, nausea, and vomiting…
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Singapore Airlines offers free unlimited WiFi to economy passengers
Singapore Airlines (SIA) revealed plans to offer free unlimited WiFi to economy and premium economy class passengers from July 1. To access this benefit, travellers must be members of SIA’s rewards programme, KrisFlyer. With this move, SIA is set to become the first airline to provide free unlimited WiFi across all cabin classes and nearly its entire aircraft fleet. Currently, about…
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Money laundering mastermind nabbed: Chinese man busted in Pattaya for multibillion-baht scam operation
Thai authorities apprehended a Chinese man in Pattaya on charges of money laundering over 2.5 billion baht for the scam call centre gang based in Cambodia. The crackdown, led by the Thai Immigration Bureau (TIMB), was carried out in response to instances of criminal behaviour causing harm to citizens and tarnishing the country’s image. Details of the operation were released…
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Drunk as a monk: Intoxicated Thai monks defrocked after selling temple items
In northeast Thailand’s Nong Bua Lamphu province, two intoxicated monks were defrocked after testing positive for high levels of alcohol consumption. The monks were also accused of selling temple-owned items without permission. Concerned locals alerted the Mueang Nong Bua Lamphu Police about the monks’ behaviour on a recent Tuesday. The police, accompanied by around 20 frustrated residents, visited the temple…
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Officials monitor religious offering prices amid Visakha Bucha preparations
Udom Srisomsong, Deputy Director-General of the Department of Internal Trade, revealed that due to the upcoming significant Buddhist holiday, Visakha Bucha Day, people are keen to purchase merit-making sets and Thai Dharma sets to offer to monks. As a result, the department has sent officers to inspect the prices of these products at markets in Bangkok, such as Huay Kwang…
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Lottery market’s dirty secret exposed: Decades of bribery unveiled
Bribery in the lottery market in Thailand has been prevalent for about 20 years, according to the president of the Thai Lottery Traders Association, Sam-ang Sonklin. He claims the issue stems from high costs at the source, which forces sellers to increase their prices. The police also face pressure to address the problem, resulting in a vicious cycle that affects…
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Opportunity knocks: 7,813 assistant teacher positions up for grabs, beware of scam traps
The Office of the Basic Education Commission (OBEC) is set to conduct recruitment examinations for 7,813 assistant teacher positions in 63 subject areas, warning candidates to study hard and not to fall for scam groups. The application period runs from today, May 31, and June 6, with 204 regional zones and one Special Education Administration Office participating in the process.…
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Sappe Plc invests 1 billion baht in warehouse automation amidst wage hike
Sappe Plc, a leading beverage manufacturer, unveiled plans to construct an automated warehouse, establish a new production line, and implement a cost reduction scheme in response to the government’s commitment to increase the daily minimum wage. Piyajit Ruckariyapong, the company’s CEO, disclosed that the project is expected to cost around 1 billion baht between 2023 and 2024. Out of the…
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