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5 hidden healthcare costs in Thailand and how to avoid them
Thailand's healthcare system is affordable and supported by the Universal Health Coverage (UHC) scheme, offering essential services to most citizens. However, hidden healthcare costs can surprise patients and lead to unexpected expenses. These include specialist fees, insurance gaps, emergency services,...
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Suspect confesses to fatal Pattani bombing
One of the six detainees who were allegedly involved in a bomb attack that killed fours rangers in Pattani’s Sai Buri district last week, has confessed to the crime, Pattani Taskforce commander Maj-General Jatuporn Klampasut told a press conference on Friday. Following the September 22 attack that also wounded six others including a civilian, Jatuporn led a 500-strong manhunt at…
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250,000 expected to attend the Royal Cremation next month
About 250,000 Thai citizens are expected to attend the Royal Cremation of His Majesty the late King Bhumibol Adulyadej at Sanam Luang in Bangkok on October 26, Deputy Prime Minister General Prawit Wongsuwan said on Friday. If Sanam Luang becomes overcrowded, the authorities will seek the cooperation of mourners to place funeral flowers at replicas of the royal crematorium at…
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Laypang, Phuket’s star croc, has finally started to eat
The crocodile captured from the tin mine lake near Laypang and Bang Tao Beach last month has started to eat some chicken today (September 29) after rejecting the tasty morsels for a month. The crocodile’s complete DNA test is expected early next month. The 200 kilogram reptile, that remains in the rehabilitation pond at the Phuket Coastal Aquatic Animals Development…
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Ao Sane luxury villa being investigated by the DSI
The 12 metre high beach villa project on the cliff at Ao Sane has been proven to be illegal according to the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment. The owners were instructed to demolish the upper structure to meet the legal height of 6 metres back in August. In the meantime DSI (Department of Special Investigations) officials have been on…
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THAIGER TODAY Friday, September 29
Phuket OrBorJor says it will continue the existing contract until a new contract is negotiated for Phuket’s Lifeguards | Custard Pie led police to the ATM bomber | May Bay to be closed next year | Two men arrested over rape of a woman in Ubon Ratchathani. Plus all the fun of the Cake & Coffee day at Kajonkiat International…
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Ao Sane and Nakkerd Mountain under DSI investigation for encroachment
The DSI deputy director-general, Pol Lt Col Prawut Wongsinil, along with his DSI team, Forestry officers and local authorities, visited two alleged encroached land plots including at Ao Sane Beach (Baan Laem Krating) near Nai Harn beach and Nakkerd Mountain in Karon. The first spot visited was Nakkerd Mountain following complaints about an illegal land deed covering 20 rai of…
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Maya Bay being closed for three months next year
Park officials say they’re going to close Phi Phi island’s famous Maya Bay from June for three months next year. Officials of the Koh Phi Phi National park authority held crisis talks yesterday where they were told that the bay has been ravaged by too much tourism. So it’s going to be shut to allow the beach side of Maya Bay, as well…
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UPDATE: Phuket’s beach lifeguard emergency sorted, in the short-term
Phuket’s Governor Norapat Plodthong hosted a meeting at the provincial hall today (September 28), gathering all local authorities, including the Tambon administration organisation with defence volunteers and Royal Thai Navy area 3, to discuss about the beach security measures after the Phuket Lifeguard Company finishes its contract on Saturday night. The Governor says the team of defence volunteers, working with…
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Yingluck says she’ll stay out of politics
Fugitive former prime minister Yingluck Shinawatra is in Dubai and has promised not to be involved in any political activities, Deputy Prime Minister Prawit Wongsuwan said on Thursday. Authorities in Dubai have also promised the Thai Foreign Ministry that they would keep an eye on Yingluck and ensure she did not take part in any political campaigns, Prawit said. Prime…
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Tourist Police getting ready for high-season
Today (September 28), the tourist police rehearsed aerial transportation of injured people to improve their readiness for the forthcoming high season. The rehearsal took place on the football field of Baan Sapam Mongkol Wittaya School, demonstrating the transportation of injured patients by helicopter. “We got a great cooperation for this rehearsal. The safety of tourists in Phuket is our priority…
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THAIGER TODAY Thursday, September 28
PM says Yingluck is in Dubai | Polish man suspected of blowing up an ATM ‘planning more attacks’ | Crisis meeting in Pattaya to sort out Taxi/Uber turf wars | UN Aid agencies visiting Rhakine State today
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Don’t hold your breath! Unless it’s for a good cause.
Today in Rawai Phuket, a rather unusual challenge took place with Krix Luther, founder of Clean The Beach Boot Camp, Phuket taking to the water in an attempt to hold his breath underwater. For 10 minutes! The purpose of the challenge was to raise funds, through sponsorship, for the Clean The Beach Boot Camp now in its 4th year. The…
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DSI checking alleged Phang Nga National Park encroachment
The DSI (Department of Special Investigations) are checking two luxury houses located on Pa Kuantohla and Pa Laemsam mountains alongside another 2,000 rai of land that is alleged to have an illegal land deed. After checking the land document at the local land office, DSI have found that the names of landlords are a famous millionaire and his children who…
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Yingluck guilty
Fugitive former prime minister Yingluck Shinawatra has been sentenced to a five-year jail term. The Supreme Court took almost three hours to read the verdict on Yingluck’s alleged negligence in her government’s rice-pledging scheme. The former Prime Minister, ousted by the current military-led Government in 2014, wasn’t at the Court to hear today’s verdict. She fled the country on August…
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Crisis unfolding on our doorstep
PHOTO: Voice of America A significant regional humanitarian crisis is underway only a few thousand kilometres from our tropical island. Whilst the situation for the Rohingya has been parlous for decades, it’s only recently become acute after a group calling itself the Arakan Rohingya Salvation Army attacked several Myanmar Army outposts on August 25 – the Myanmar Army has…
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UPDATE: Phuket Lifeguard boycott of OrBorTor contract
The Governor said today (September 27) that there is no auctioneer joining the bid so far, possibly because of the lower budget of this year. “I can see that the budget has been cut down every year, from 25 million to 22 million and this year 19.8 million Baht. Today is the last day for interested auctioneers to file their…
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Thai PM promises to shorten his weekly Friday night address
Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha says he’s going to continue with his weekly “Returning Happiness to the People” address on Friday nights, but is promising to cut the speech down by 50%, to around 20 minutes. In a rather candid speech at a seminar in Pattaya, the Thai PM apologised for “not talking politely sometimes with the media”. General Prayut has…
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HM King Maha Vajiralongkorn extends time to pay respects at Grand Palace
His Majesty the King has ordered an extension of the final day Thais can pay their last respects to His Majesty the late King Bhumibol Adulyadej in the Grand Palace from this Saturday to next Thursday, October 5. The Royal Household Bureau had initially set this Saturday as the last day people could pay their respects before the late King’s…
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Kite-boarding accident at Patong Beach injures Chilean tourist
A Chilean man in his late 20s was lucky to escape more serious injuries after his kite board canopy finished up in trees after dragging the man along the ground and into several parked motorbikes. The incident happened at 3.30 this afternoon (September 26) at Patong Beach. Kusoldarm volunteers attended the scene and the man has been taken to Patong…
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Karabi’s Bok Koranee Waterfall closed
Than Bok Koranee Waterfall in Krabi has been closed due to possible flash flooding. The Chief of Than Bok Koranee National Park, Weerasak Srisajjang, has ordered national park officers to closed down the waterfall today (September 26) after muddy water was found along the swiftly flowing waterfall. In front of the waterfall signage has been installed to strictly prohibit the…
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UPDATE: Another 17 bodies found in mass graves – Rhakine State
Update from Voice of America Mass graves of dozens of slain Hindus have been found in Myanmar’s troubled Rakhine state, according to government officials. Social Welfare, Relief and Resettlement Minister Dr. Win Myat Aye told VOA’s Burmese Service he witnessed another 17 bodies recovered Monday, after 25 bodies were found in two mass graves a day earlier. Aye said most…
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THAIGER TODAY Tuesday, September 26
Phuket Lifeguards taking a stand against OrBorTor budget | Yingluck’s verdict from Supreme Court handed down tomorrow | Mass grave of 28 Hindus found in Rhakine | TaT reveal August tourist arrivals | Mt. Agung showing signs of erupting.
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78 year old German killed in his Chalong home
Last night (September 25), 52 year old Niran Pratumsin surrendered herself to police confessing that she had killed her husband in the house they lived. At the scene, police found 78 year old Johann Friedrich Speckbacher dead on the floor, next to a dining table with traces of rope still around his neck. There was no other injury found on…
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Phuket Lifeguards finish this Saturday – not renewing contract
There will be no more lifeguard on Phuket beaches from the end of this month according to Phuket Lifeguard after 7 years of duty. The meeting of the Phuket Lifeguards announced that the Company won’t be joining the auction organised by the Phuket OrBorJor this year. Their final duties finish at 6.30 pm on September 30. “We will finish the…
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Thailand’s tourism numbers continue to soar
The tourists keep arriving, the numbers keep soaring. Assuming the numbers have to plateau at some stage, when will that be? For the past 20 years, through floods, bombings, coups, political upheavals and a few unsolved, mystery murders, Thailand’s tourist arrival numbers just keep rising and rising, heading into unfamiliar territory. So many people have predicted doom and gloom –…
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Fire jellyfish washing up on Koh Phi Phi beaches
A large number of jelly fish have been found washed up on the shores of Koh Phi Phi. The chief of Hat Noppharat Thara–Mu Ko Phi Phi National Park warns for swimmers to be aware of the jelly fish around Phi Phi after a lot of them were found washed up on the beaches. “on Ao Ling (Monkey Beach) on…
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Phuket expecting 5 – 7 percent increase in high-season tourists
Phuket Hotels Association President Anthony Lark The Phuket Hotels Association is expecting the number of international direct passenger arrivals at Phuket International Airport for the high season of 2017 to 2018 to increase by between 5 per cent and 7 per cent year year-on-year. This, according to Association President Anthony Lark. The latest figures show that from January to April…
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Krabi couple need your help
66 year old Jiam Chusuan and 52 year old Prasert Akabut have been found in a small decayed shack in a palm plantation and are in dire need of help. The couple also have about 40 dogs and the lady is disabled from a car crash. The couple live in a shack on the plantation that belongs to Chalerm Kerdsuk,…
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Hi So Hill in Chiang Mai ends up being an expensive scam
Story from Thai language ‘Manager Online‘ The enticing advertisement online promised a dream: quiet retirement in the beautiful hills of Chiang Mai. Many foreigners thought this was what they deserved after a life of saving so they eagerly signed up to buy houses in the luxurious, quality development. Now they are left with illegal properties that they can’t sell and their dreams are over.…
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Ditch the car. Get on your bike. Phuket Car Free Day.
Phuket Car Free Day 2017 Early this morning (September 24), Phuket hosted the Phuket Car Free Day 2017 chaired by Vice Governor Siwaporn Chuasawat, who joined the ride alongside local authorities, including Phuket Mayor and Phuket Police Station Deputy Chief. The event took place at the 72nd Anniversary Queen Sirikit Park (in front of Limelight Avenue mall), which was the starting and…
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