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How much is Thai health insurance?
Health insurance in Thailand is essential for expats and locals, providing financial protection and access to quality care. Costs depend on age, health, and coverage level, with basic plans being cheaper but limited and comprehensive plans offering more benefits at...
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Thailand retains 10th spot in Asia Power Index 2024
Thailand maintained its position as the tenth most powerful and influential country in the Asia-Pacific region, according to the Asia Power Index 2024 released by the Lowy Institute. Scoring 19.8 points, Thailand gained 1.1 points from last year but remains in the same ranking as in 2023. The Lowy Institute praised Thailand for its cultural influence and economic relationships, where it…
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Village in Udon Thani draws crowds after 18 million baht lottery win
The village of Naka in Udon Thani has become a significant destination for devotees after tourists reported winning 18 million baht in the lottery. This rare occurrence prompted a major ritual to honour the revered figures of Phraya Srisattanakarat and Prasat Phor Phu Srisuttho. Today, October 14, at Naka Village in Mueang district, Udon Thani, Anon Saennan, the founder of…
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Woman arrested in Nakhon Ratchasima for fake shooting threats
A woman in Nakhon Ratchasima was arrested for posting fake shooting threats at a local mall in a spree of Facebook posts pretending to be a young man plotting the heinous acts. She cited stress and unemployment as reasonings for the hoax messages. Identified by police only as Bang-on, the 31 year old woman was apprehended at her residence in…
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Thai worker killed by leftover ammunition in Israeli orchard
The explosion in northern Israel that claimed the life of 42 year old Thai worker Nisan Meerum, prompted the Ministry of Labour to extend its condolences and seek answers from the Population and Immigration Authority (PIBA) regarding the deployment of Thai labourers in a closed military zone. Israeli government officials and the Royal Thai Embassy in Tel Aviv reported the…
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Thailand to reassess state welfare card criteria amid wage hike
The Finance Ministry intends to reassess the eligibility criteria for state welfare cards in light of the planned minimum wage increase. Deputy Finance Minister Julapun Amornvivat announced that the ministry will conduct a review of the criteria next year, allowing new registrations for Thais who wish to apply for state welfare cards. The review aims to determine if the current…
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Middle East tensions threaten Thai economy with rising oil prices
Geopolitical tensions in the Middle East are having a significant impact on the Thai private sector, as the prolonged conflict between Israel and Hamas extends beyond a year. The ongoing Israeli offensive has led to rising oil prices and shipping blockages, which threaten to affect the Thai economy by increasing inflation and prompting higher interest rates in countries like the…
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Last orders: Alcohol sales dry up nationwide for Buddhist lent finale
A nationwide alcohol sales ban will be enforced for 24 hours on the day of Awk Phansa, which marks the end of Buddhist Lent. This year, it falls on Thursday, October 17. The Alcohol Control Act mandates that all establishments, except duty-free shops in international airports, comply with this ban. The prohibition period begins at midnight on Wednesday, October 16,…
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Scottish tourist in Pattaya paranoid after mixing cannabis and meds
A 55 year old Scottish tourist sparked concern at a Pattaya hotel after exhibiting erratic behaviour, believed to be linked to excessive cannabis and prescription medication use. Around 12.38pm yesterday, October 13, Pattaya police responded to a report from hotel staff regarding a foreign female guest acting irrationally at a hotel on Jomtien Beach Road. Upon arrival, officers encountered Tracy,…
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Confrontation at Phuket restaurant turns deadly, man gunned down
A man in Phuket was fatally shot while attempting to flee his attacker near Kathu Police Station yesterday, October 13 following a dispute between the two which had escalated to deadly levels. The victim, identified as 38 year old Suwit “Lek” Nokket, was shot twice before trying to escape across the street towards the police station. Despite being rushed to…
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Former officer arrested for embezzling 10 million baht
A former special operations officer from the Department of Corrections accused of embezzling 10 million baht from government funds has been arrested. The suspect, identified as 36 year old Pornchai Paripreecha was arrested at a barbecue restaurant in Nong Khai while allegedly waiting for his wife to bring him cash. Police Major General Montree Teskhan, head of the Crime Suppression…
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Controversy at Bang Saen Beach over ice truck intrusion
A dispute erupted at Bang Saen Beach in Chon Buri when a municipal officer ordered tourists to move for an ice delivery truck driving on the beach, claiming he was the mayor’s son. The incident sparked public outrage and led to a heated exchange. Tourists enjoying their long holiday weekend at Bang Saen Beach were interrupted by a pickup truck…
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Shocking arrest: Bangkok electrical wire thief nabbed
Police apprehended a suspect involved in cutting electrical wires, while another managed to escape. The incident occurred early today, October 14, resulting in one arrest and a positive test for illegal substances. Around 4.30am, police officers from Thonglor Police Station, led by Police Colonel Pansa Amornapitak, Deputy Superintendent Police Lieutenant Colonel Natthakit Jokkhoksung, and their team, were patrolling the area…
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Mother and daughter escape machete attack by ex monk neighbour
A 52 year old mother and her daughter narrowly escaped a terrifying ordeal when a 23 year old neighbour, who was once a monk at a nearby temple, broke into their home with a machete after his romantic advances were rejected. The incident occurred yesterday evening, and the CCTV footage from the house in Makkhaeng subdistrict, Mueang district, Udon Thani…
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Winning lottery numbers for October 16 spark excitement
Winning lottery numbers for the upcoming draw on October 16 have caught the attention of many, especially with a decade of historical data revealing interesting patterns. The Government Lottery Office will announce the results at their prize announcement building on Nonthaburi Road, Sanambinnam, Nonthaburi Province. Historical data from October 16, spanning 2014 to 2023, has shown some notable trends. For…
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Van collides with truck, injuring multiple passengers in Thailand
A passenger van collided with an 18-wheel truck, causing significant damage and injuring multiple passengers. Officials are urgently assisting, suspecting the driver fell asleep. Police are investigating to uncover the truth. Early this morning, rescue services from Hook 31, Nakhon Ratchasima, were alerted to an accident involving a passenger van and an 18-wheel truck on the Mittraphap-Khon Kaen road. The…
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Aid expedited for Pathum Thani school bus blaze victims
Education officials are expediting the disbursement of financial aid to those impacted by the bus blaze tragedy in Pathum Thani, which resulted in the deaths of 20 students and three teachers earlier this month. The Office of the Basic Education Commission (OBEC) has been actively monitoring the relief efforts, according to Acting Acting Sub. Lieutenant. Thanu Wongjinda, its secretary-general. A…
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Man storms dormitory, attacks with sword over estranged wife
A 19 year old man stormed a dormitory in search of his 17 year old wife and, seeing a distressing scene, grabbed a sword and attacked, injuring two people. He claimed they had been together for a long time and had a two year old child, hoping to bring her back home. At 1am yesterday, Ekachalit Seesan, Deputy Inspector at…
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Woman falls to death from fifth floor in Bangkok mall
A tragic incident occurred when a woman fell from the fifth floor of a prominent shopping mall in central Bangkok. Despite the efforts of emergency responders performing CPR, she was pronounced dead at the scene. Police are conducting an investigation. At 9.30pm yesterday, October 12, Anucha, Deputy Inspector at Phahonyothin Police Station, received a report of a woman falling from…
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Thailand braces for heavy rain and flash floods in 36 provinces
The Thai Meteorological Department (TMD) issued a severe weather warning for 36 provinces, predicting continued heavy rainfall. Bangkok and the southern regions are expected to be significantly affected, with the latter facing an 80% chance of torrential rain. Citizens should be on high alert for potential flash floods and forest runoffs. The TMD forecast for the next 24 hours highlights…
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Krabi Airport gears up for 60% surge in tourist season flights
Deputy Transport Minister Manaporn Charoensri has directed Krabi International Airport and associated agencies to prepare for a substantial rise in flights and passenger traffic during the high tourist season, particularly along the Andaman coast. According to the Department of Airports (DOA), the 2024/2025 winter flight schedule includes over 160 domestic flights, more than 60 international flights, and 90 charter flights…
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Thai defence minister mandates legal reforms to protect soldiers
Phumtham Wechayachai, the Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister, has mandated legal reforms to protect conscripts and low-ranking soldiers, emphasising stricter enforcement against superior commanders who fail to address military misconduct. Following a Defence Council meeting yesterday, October 12, Defence Ministry spokesman Major General Thanathip Sawangsaeng revealed that Phumtham outlined a new framework for the online recruitment of soldiers, focusing…
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Bangkok monorails test new systems after recent malfunctions
Operators of Bangkok’s Yellow and Pink monorail lines are actively testing redesigned guide wheel and conductor rail systems to prevent future malfunctions. This initiative follows recent incidents where a guide wheel fell from a Yellow Line train, damaging vehicles below, and a section of the Pink Line’s conductor rail fell causing similar damage. Eastern Bangkok Monorail Co (EBM) and Northern…
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Thailand’s new scheme offers 400 baht to boost northern tourism
A new co-payment tourism promotion scheme aimed at revitalising the flood-affected northern region of Thailand will be presented to the Cabinet for approval, said Tourism and Sports Minister Sorawong Thienthong. Dubbed Travelling North Half-Half, the initiative will subsidise trips to the northern region later this year, offering up to 400 baht (US$12) per trip to 10,000 visitors. This scheme, proposed…
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Three dead in southern Thailand floods, more heavy rain expected
Three people perished in flood-related incidents in Nakhon Si Thammarat and Yala yesterday as the southern border region braces for more rain, potential flash floods, and forest runoff. Two of the victims were in Phrom Khiri district, Nakhon Si Thammarat, where three tourists were caught off guard by forest runoff while visiting Wang Lung waterfall in the late afternoon. Heavy…
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Man arrested for abusing disabled sister and children in Chumphon
A distressing incident unfolded in Chumphon province yesterday, where a man was arrested for allegedly abusing his disabled sister and three children. The man, Chai (pseudonym), was reported to have been under the influence of drugs and alcohol at the time of the abuse. Village head Somphun Suwan received a call for help from a desperate older brother, who could…
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Thai police crack down on SIM card fraud in nationwide operation
Thai police have launched Operation Bridge Burst to crack down on shops registering SIM cards for call centre scams nationwide, seizing a large number of items in the process. Yesterday, at the Royal Thai Police (RTP) headquarters, Kittirat Phunphech, Deputy Commissioner-General of the Royal Thai Police and Director of the Technology Crime Suppression Centre (TCSC), along with Tatchai Pitaneelabut, Assistant…
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Former politician caught with meth in underwear in South Thailand
A former local politician was arrested at a checkpoint after attempting to hide methamphetamine (meth) in his underwear. A subsequent search of his home revealed a firearm. Local police set up the checkpoint to maintain order. Police Lieutenant Colonel Sawat Niyomdecha of Koh Thuat Police Station in Nakhon Si Thammarat, in coordination with local administrative officials, established the checkpoint in…
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Samut Prakan factory worker injured in knife fight after drinks
A factory worker and his friends engaged in a drinking session that turned violent, resulting in one man severely injured. The altercation escalated from a verbal spat to a knife fight yesterday evening, October 11, in Bang Phli, Samut Prakan. Police responded to a reported altercation around 9pm. The incident occurred within Soi Ruamjai on Theparak Road, kilometre 19, in…
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Road rage: Electric car and box truck crash in Thailand goes viral (video)
A road rage incident involving an Ora Goodcat electric vehicle and a box truck on a Thai road has grabbed significant attention online. TikTok user @first_thepeak shared a dramatic clip of the encounter, showing the box truck attempting to block and force the electric car off the road. The situation escalated until the truck spun out of control and came…
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Thousands of dead fish wash ashore in Patong, alarming locals
Beachgoers in Patong were met with a shocking scene yesterday, October 11, as thousands of dead fish washed ashore, prompting immediate concern among locals, tourists, and officials. Various species of fish were scattered along the beach, driven in by strong winds and waves. The sudden die-off has left officials scrambling to identify the cause of this marine disaster. Locals quickly…
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