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A healthy tomorrow starts today: Celebrate the great American Smokeout day
The Great American Smokeout, held this year on November 17, is a nationwide event that encourages smokers to take their first steps towards a smoke-free life. If you’re an expat in Thailand, this day could be a timely reminder to...
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MOPH’s plan to rub out illicit activities in Thai massage shops
The Minister of Public Health (MOPH) plans to clean up traditional Thai massage shops after 75% were found to secretly offer sex services. The Health Minister, Somsak Thepsutin, stated he aims to clean up the seedy side of the industry and promote Thai massage as a soft power. The President of the Charawi Association for the Preservation of Thai Massage,…
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Pattaya initiates youth esports contest to foster unity
The Youth Esports Competition Project has been introduced by the Pattaya City Education Office to provide a platform for young people to display their esports talents while fostering a sense of unity and camaraderie within the community. The grand opening event occurred yesterday at Pattaya City Hall, with Mayor Poramese Ngampiches presiding. Alongside Mayor Poramese were the 2nd Vice President…
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Thai AirAsia acquires Airbus A321neo aircraft
Thai AirAsia is set to revolutionise travel with a massive fleet expansion, aiming to secure 25 Airbus A321neo aircraft from an order placed by AirAsia Aviation Group for 100 of these state-of-the-art planes over the next five years. Thai AirAsia CEO Santisuk Klongchaiya stated that with tourism and aviation rebounding, the airline is prioritising increasing capacity to meet demand and…
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Startups to receive up to 50 million baht from BoI initiative
Startups with significant growth potential in targeted industries will receive financial backing, up to 50 million baht each, through a new initiative launched by the Board of Investment (BoI). This initiative, known as the Matching Fund, operates under a larger fund managed by the Competitiveness Enhancement Board, chaired by Finance Minister Pichai Chunhavajira. The Matching Fund aims to collaborate with…
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Bank of Thailand increases outflow limit, eases forex
The Bank of Thailand (BoT) is set to ease foreign exchange regulations further to bolster business operations and enhance the country’s foreign exchange ecosystem. This strategic move aims to provide long-term benefits to Thailand’s economy. The central bank plans to introduce additional relaxations in the fourth quarter, marking the third phase of its foreign exchange ecosystem initiative. This phase will…
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Woman found dead by Chon Buri roadside after motorcycle crash
A tragic discovery was made when the body of a young woman was found lifeless in the grass by the roadside next to a fallen motorcycle. Police are investigating the scene to determine the cause of the accident. Rueangsak Siributr, Deputy Inspector (Investigation) of Huai Yai Police Station, was alerted to a fatality along Road 2015, Ban Phu Thai, Moo…
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Golden showers: Drug dealer arrested after he urinates on cop
One officer yesterday was urinated on as the Drug Suppression Unit of Suphan Buri Province in central Thailand swooped to arrest a drug dealer, seizing 1,000 methamphetamine tablets, also known as Yaba, during the operation. Officers received a complaint from locals that drug dealers frequently used Highway Number 33 to transport drugs. An investigation revealed the dealers planned to deliver…
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Thai tourists favour China and Japan over South Korea
A marked decline in the number of Thai tourists travelling to South Korea has been observed over the past seven months, with many opting instead for trips to China and Japan. The Korea Tourism Organisation (KTO) reported that 20,150 Thais visited South Korea in June, a significant drop from the 25,023 recorded during the same period last year. This downward…
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Chiang Mai: Fallen tree kills Chinese tourist, injures another
A tragic incident occurred yesterday at a zipline site in Doi Saket, Chiang Mai, where a fallen tree injured two Chinese tourists. The Erawan Emergency Response Center received the report at 2.50pm, prompting immediate action from rescuers. Upon arrival, emergency personnel found that a Chinese couple had been struck by a collapsing tree as they were crossing a rope bridge…
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Phuket Peeping Tom escapes lynching, abandons panties (video)
A Thai man involved in a Peeping Tom incident in Phuket narrowly avoided being lynched. He fled the scene, leaving behind his motorcycle and several items, including women’s underwear, condoms, a cucumber, and drug paraphernalia. Another Thai man shared the incident on social media, which occurred at approximately 10.45pm on Wednesday, July 31, to warn locals in the Pa Klock…
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Srettha dismisses ‘backup PM’ rumours amid court ruling concerns
Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin dismissed rumours suggesting a “backup prime minister” is being considered to replace him. Speculation arose due to concerns about his potential removal over the appointment of ex-convict Pichit Chuenban as a PM’s Office Minister in the latest Cabinet reshuffle. The Thai premier assured the public of his commitment to his role. “I am still the prime…
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New facilitator boosts Thai-BRN peace talk optimism
Peace talks between the Thai government and the Barisan Revolusi Nasional (BRN) separatist movement are expected to yield positive outcomes with the appointment of a new talks facilitator. This optimism stems from the recent designation of Datuk Mohd Rabin Bin Basir, former Director-General of Malaysia’s National Security Council, as the new mediator by Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim. He replaces…
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Heavy rain and flash flood warnings for northern Thailand
The Thai Meteorological Department (TMD) issued a weather warning today, indicating heavy rainfall across the northern regions, with 80% of the area expected to be affected. People are advised to be cautious of flash floods and sudden water surges. The TMD’s 24-hour forecast predicts moderate southwesterly monsoon winds over the upper Andaman Sea, Thailand, and the upper Gulf of Thailand.…
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Thailand calls for strict e-cigarette law amid rising seizures
Thailand’s Deputy Public Health Minister called for the creation of a distinct law aimed at restricting the use and sale of e-cigarettes, citing the ineffectiveness of current regulations. During a discussion at the National Health Commission Office yesterday, Health Minister Thanakrit Jitareerat highlighted the absence of a specific law addressing e-cigarettes. While the Public Health Ministry has established a task…
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Thai police intercept 400kg meth haul at Mukdahan City Hall
Thai narcotics suppression officers intercepted four dealers allegedly attempting to smuggle 400 kilogrammes of methamphetamine (meth) at Mukdahan City Hall. The operation took place at 8.05pm on Wednesday, July 31, with the illicit substances intended for transport to Central Thailand. Officers revealed that intelligence indicated a group would deliver illegal drugs at the Mukdahan City Hall parking lot. Upon arrival,…
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Municipal worker in Ratchaburi wins 12 million baht lottery prize
A municipal employee from Ratchaburi unexpectedly became a millionaire after buying random lottery tickets and winning a significant prize. Varanya won 12 million baht yesterday, August 1, from two first-prize lottery tickets, fulfilling a dream inspired by a mystical vision. The lottery draw yesterday revealed the winning number 407041. Nott, the representative from Lottery Plus, announced live that there were…
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Transwoman busted at Bangkok hotel for pimping out teenage girls
Officers from the Children and Women Protection Sub-Division arrested a Thai transwoman at a hotel in Bangkok for pimping out two teenage girls, aged 16 and 17. Officers found several advertisements for the young sex workers on various social media platforms, so they posed as clients and contacted the 30 year old transgender woman, Samart, who had shared the ads.…
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Nonthaburi: Elderly man found dead in car after altercation
An elderly man was found dead in his car after a heated argument with a younger colleague escalated into violence. The incident occurred at a company in Sai Noi district, Nonthaburi province. The discovery of the deceased, Prasert Donkaew, a 77 year old company driver, was made when his lifeless body was found inside a white Toyota Hilux Revo parked…
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US ambassador to join PM’s drug mission in Thailand
Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin is considering inviting US Ambassador Robert F Godec to the northern region later this month to observe the progress in anti-drug operations. The Thai premier yesterday revealed that he and Godec discussed the country’s drug problems on Wednesday, July 31. While the US anti-narcotics agency collaborates with the Office of the Narcotics Control Board, there have…
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Prachin Buri residents forced out of their homes by flash floods
Residents of Prachin Buri have been camping in tents by the roadside for five consecutive days after flash floods from Khao Yai and Thap Lan National Parks inundated their homes. Twenty-two households are affected, with water levels still over 60 centimetres. Heavy rains over several days caused flash floods to surge from Khao Yai and Thap Lan National Parks, flooding…
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Bangkok requests extension to settle BTS Skytrain debt
Bangkok Governor Chadchart Sittipunt announced yesterday that the city will require additional time to address its substantial debt owed to Bangkok Mass Transit System Plc (BTSC), the operator of the BTS Skytrain. The debt, amounting to billions of baht, was accumulated through hiring BTSC to manage the electric train service on two extended sections of the BTS, known as the…
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Butterbear brings joy to children battling cancer at Siriraj Hospital
Butterbear, the popular mascot beloved by teens and office workers, recently visited Siriraj Hospital to lift the spirits of children battling cancer. The visit was warmly received by doctors, nurses, and the young patients themselves. Butterbear made a special appearance at Ananda Mahidol 6 Ward, engaging in charitable activities to support young cancer patients. The event was documented by the…
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Thai senators pledge better welfare for media professionals
Senators from professional group No.18, specialising in mass communication and literature, have committed to enhancing the status and quality of life for media professionals. One of the leading senators in this group, Chaiyong Maneerungsakul, revealed that the recently elected Senate candidates come from diverse media backgrounds, including roles such as public relations officers in hospitals. As the most senior senator…
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10.5 million sign up for Thailand’s digital wallet scheme in six hours
More than 10.5 million people signed up for the eagerly anticipated digital wallet scheme within the first six hours of its registration opening yesterday. This number surpassed initial expectations, according to Deputy Finance Minister Julapun Amornvivat. However, he also clarified that not all who registered will qualify for the benefits, as eligibility will be determined after a review period, with…
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Pattaya City achieves 99.41 score in anti-corruption assessment
Pattaya City achieved a significant milestone by securing a score of 99.41 in the Integrity and Transparency Assessment (ITA) conducted by the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC). This assessment evaluates ethical practices and transparency among local administrative organisations across Thailand. Pattaya Mayor Poramese Ngampichet proudly shared the results for the fiscal year 2024, highlighting the comprehensive evaluation by the NACC. A…
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AIS, Oracle Alloy unveil Thailand’s first hyperscale cloud service
Advanced Info Service (AIS) announced a partnership with Oracle Alloy to introduce Thailand’s first locally owned and operated hyperscale cloud infrastructure services. This significant collaboration aims to enhance the country’s cloud and artificial intelligence (AI) landscape, currently valued at around 100 billion baht. The newly formed partnership, confirmed to involve a joint investment of up to 8 billion baht by…
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Pattaya seeks public input on Red Line Monorail Project
Pattaya City held a public consultation to gather feedback on the proposed Red Line Monorail Project. The meeting featured presentations on environmental impact mitigation measures and the planned route. Residents attended the session to review the details and provide suggestions to ensure the project meets community needs. Local officials revealed that the Red Line Monorail will stretch from Dolphin Roundabout…
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MFP MPs to join lesser-known TKCV if court dissolves party
All MPs from the opposition Move Forward Party (MFP) will transition to the lesser-known Thinkakhao Chaovilai Party (TKCV) if the Constitutional Court rules to dissolve the MFP next week. The court is set to decide whether the MFP should be dissolved for violating Section 92 of the organic law on political parties, following a complaint filed by the Election Commission…
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Thailand to increase forest ranger salaries and workforce
The Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment plans to bolster its forest protection efforts by increasing the number of forest rangers, aiming to alleviate the current workload and enhance forest conservation across the nation. Ratchata Pisitbannakorn, assistant to Environment Minister Phatcharavat Wongsuwan, highlighted the ministry’s appreciation for the diligent work of rangers during a World Ranger Day event on Wednesday,…
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Thailand’s bike boom hits a brake with debt drag
Thailand’s motorcycle manufacturing output is expected to continue its decline in the second half of the year due to high household debt and a weak economy, according to the Federation of Thai Industries (FTI). The FTI Vice-Chairman and spokesperson for the federation’s Automotive Industry Club, Surapong Paisitpatanapong, commented on the challenging economic conditions. He noted that while the motorcycle industry…
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