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Retiring in Thailand: Why and how health insurance is crucial for your golden years
Thailand offers an ideal setting for retirees with its tropical climate, warm hospitality, and affordable living. But enjoying your golden years to the fullest means planning for health coverage. Here’s a complete guide on why health insurance is essential for...
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New year sees considerable drop in road accidents across Thailand
The new year holiday period witnessed a significant drop in road accidents, with 212 fatalities and 1,860 injuries, according to statistics from the Department of Land Transport. The figures indicate a considerable decrease from the previous year, with the death toll and injury count originating from 1,839 traffic mishaps that occurred from December 29 to January 2. Among the provinces,…
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Fatal shootout in Thailand: Local figures clash in a community dispute
Two notorious figures in the southern Thailand community clashed in the heart of the community, resulting in a fatal shootout. The incident took place at 10.30am today when the two men, Thew Wang Sai and Thian Kamlon, were unable to settle their differences. Police swiftly apprehended the suspect. The incident occurred on a busy street in the community. The body…
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Heartbreak as woman receives one-word response to breakup text
A Chinese woman experienced a heartbreaking end to her four-year relationship, as she was forced to break up with her boyfriend due to her parents’ disapproval. The woman, Xiao Su, spent an hour composing a nearly 300-word message to end the relationship, only to receive a one-word response: Agreed. Love is regarded as one of the most beautiful emotions in life,…
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From leprosy colony to culinary queen: Thai food blogger’s epic journey
Suwanee Lennon‘s incredible life story takes us from the shadows of a leprosy colony in Thailand to the vibrant kitchens of her American home. Suwanee Lennon’s life began in the heart of Bangkok, within a leprosy colony that stood as a symbol of fear and isolation. Now, she’s a wife, mother, food blogger, and photographer who uses the power of…
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New year’s grape eating trend goes viral in Asia
The start of 2024 has seen the emergence of a hot new trend on social media, centred around the consumption of 12 grapes under a table on New Year’s Eve. This trend originated from a Spanish custom in which it is believed that eating 12 grapes in sync with the 12 strokes of midnight will bring good luck for the…
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Loan shark allegedly attacks pregnant woman, causing victim to lose baby
A Thai woman accused a loan shark of attacking her at her home in the northern province of Phetchabun, causing her to lose her unborn baby. The accused loan shark denied responsibility and demanded proof of her pregnancy. The victim, 45 year old Chusri, asked Amarin TV and other news agencies to spread her story and help her seek justice.…
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Mysterious human remains in Pak Chong district may be missing woman
On October 31, a renowned bee hunter stumbled upon human remains in the woods near the old Mittraphap Road, opposite the Technical College, in Nakhon Ratchasima’s Pak Chong district. The apparent state of the bones suggested that the individual, suspected to be a woman due to the clothing found, had been deceased for approximately two to three months. The remains,…
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Tourists numbers to return to pre-covid in Chiang Mai
Chiang Mai, the picturesque northern Thai capital, last year witnessed a jaw-dropping 30% plunge in tourism, with a mere 3.9 million visitors gracing its vibrant landscapes last year, in stark contrast to the 5.6 million footfalls pre-Covid in 2019. This startling data, unveiled by social enterprise Visit Chiang Mai, paints a gloomy picture for the once-thriving tourist hotspot. A closer…
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Two fatal crashes in Phuket highlight importance of traffic safety
Two fatal accidents have left a sombre note in the otherwise bustling city of Phuket. A motorcyclist lost his life in an early morning crash in Kathu, while a pickup driver met a similar fate on Thepkrasattri Road in Mai Khao last night. Kathu police answered a distress call to the Kuan Lim San Curve on Wichit Songkhram Road around…
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Tragic hit-and-run leaves two dead in Kanchanaburi, police in pursuit
At 8am today, a tragic car accident occurred in Lukkae, Kanchanaburi, left two dead and one seriously injured. The incident involved a sedan recklessly overtaking a large truck, slamming into a motorcycle-trailer combo with three passengers, and fleeing the scene. The devastating accident took place on the canal-side road in the Thamaka district, where a 52 year old street vendor,…
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Gold prices take a dip in Thailand: 50 baht decrease reported
The price of gold fell again on the morning market today, with a decrease of 50 baht (US$1.46) compared to the closing price yesterday. As reported at 9.05am today, the cost of gold ornament was selling at 34,050 baht (US$99.4) per baht, according to the Gold Traders Association (GTA). Meanwhile, the 96.5% gold bar was bought at 33,450 baht (US$976.93)…
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Pattaya’s stinky scandal: Indian restaurant responsible for foul smell
The air near Phra Tamnak Hill in Pattaya recently turned putrid, leaving residents fuming over an unrelenting foul smell since yesterday, January 2. Suspected to emanate from a deluge of waste clogging up the drainage system, fingers are pointing at a nearby unnamed Indian eatery, accused of sidestepping proper waste disposal. Despite two complaints lodged with the Pattaya Municipal Office…
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Minivan driver confesses to overloading after fatal crash in Ayutthaya
A minivan driver, fleeing a deadly accident was apprehended early this morning. The tyre of his vehicle exploded, causing it to crash into a tree and kill a front-seat passenger. The driver, who was found hiding in a hotel in Ayutthaya, confessed to being in shock and fear of prosecution. He admitted to unlawfully carrying more passengers than permitted. The…
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Motorcyclist killed in pickup truck crash in Chon Buri
A road accident on Chon Buri-Ban Bueng Road in Mueang District resulted in a fatality where a pickup truck hit a motorcyclist, on New Year’s Day. Panuwat Jinpra, a 26 year old Thai man, lost his life in a gruesome motorcycle accident at kilometre marker 7 in the Nong Ree sub-district, Mueang district. The chilling crash, involving a yellow motorcycle…
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Defective wheels result in temporary reduction of Yellow Line monorail service
Defective Yellow Line monorail trains have been recalled and are no longer in use as they undergo comprehensive safety checks, according to Surapong Piyachote, the Deputy Transport Minister. The operator of the Yellow Line, Eastern Bangkok Monorail Co, has been instructed to conduct intensive safety inspections on all trains before reinstating them into service. This directive was issued following an…
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Thailand’s delayed 2024 budget bill presented in Parliament
The delayed budget bill for this year, amounting to 3.48 trillion baht (US$101.52 billion), was presented today by Prime Minister and Finance Minister Srettha Thavisin in the House of Representatives. This event marked the start of a three-day debate among lawmakers. PM Srettha emphasised the importance of the budget to Parliament. “The budget is crucial in moving the economy forward.”…
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Essential ascent: Despite fiscal twists, analysts predict vital goods to drive economic lift-off
Despite the financial rollercoaster, essential goods are set to expand. Analysts declare that essential goods will help boost the economy. The Thai Chamber of Commerce’s recent survey predicts a 1.5% dip in purchasing power, attributed to escalating interest rates, inflation, and the lingering pandemic hangover. Undeterred, consumers are rallying around staples like food, beverages, personal care products, household items, and…
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Thai man surrenders to police following fatal assault on girlfriend
A 34 year old man today surrendered to local police in the Nonthaburi province of Thailand, following accusations of causing fatal injuries to his girlfriend. The incident took place at the Bang Sri Mueang Police Station, where the accused, Thanawat, was interrogated by law enforcement officials. The accused was brought to the station in the early hours by his relatives.…
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Claudine Gay steps down amid plagiarism and anti-semitism accusations
Claudine Gay, the first black dean of Harvard University, stepped down amid accusations of plagiarism and allegations associated with anti-semitic sentiments within the institution. Alan M. Garber has been appointed as her successor. Gay, the dean of the prestigious Harvard University, announced her resignation amid a plagiarism controversy and her criticized endorsement of the US Senate committee’s anti-semitic attitudes within…
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Understanding the risk of personal belongings during aircraft evacuations
Did you know that aircraft evacuations occur more frequently than you might think? These events bring to mind the fiery plane cases, similar to the Haneda Airport incident, underscoring the potentially life-threatening risks of personal belongings. Yesterday, January 2, an Airbus A-350 of Japan Airlines collided with a coastguard aircraft at Haneda Airport in Tokyo, Japan. All 379 passengers and…
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Thailand’s interior ministry initiates nationwide waste bank scheme
The Ministry of Interior Thailand has launched a nationwide initiative, collaborating with 7,773 local administrative organisations (LAOs) across the country, to establish at least one waste bank in each LAO within 60 days. This scheme is part of a broader effort to improve environmental conditions and promote sustainable living among Thai citizens. Sutthipong Juljarern, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry…
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Special tactic: Thai police pays respect to buffaloes to clear road (video)
A great number of people have read the book or seen The Horse Whisperer movie, now get ready for the buffalo whisperer after a video shared by Bang Chan Police Station went viral showing a Thai officer whispering sweet nothings in the ears of two buffaloes blocking a road in Bangkok. The Horse Whisperer is a 1998 movie based on…
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Leatherback turtle surprises Thai park officers with fifth nest of the season
A rare spectacle unfolded early this morning at the Khao Lampi-Hat Thai Mueang National Park in Thai Muang, Phang Nga, situated north of Phuket. Park officials stumbled upon a female leatherback turtle who had come ashore to deposit her eggs, marking the fifth such nest spotted this breeding season. Officers were engaged in their routine patrol, skimming the shoreline with…
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Covid-19 cases skyrocket after new year holiday
As the world ushered in the new year with hope, statistics revealed a rapid surge in Covid-19 cases across Thailand, leaving experts scrambling for answers. The Covid wave is intensifying, sending shockwaves through the medical community. According to an epidemiologist from Chulalongkorn University, hospitalisations have soared by 7% compared to last week. Associate Professor Thira Woratanarat warns that respiratory problems linked…
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Japan’s devastating earthquake and plane crash: A double tragedy with increasing death toll
The death toll from the devastating 6.7-magnitude earthquake that rocked Japan’s central sea yesterday has risen to at least 62, with expectations of a further increase. The latest two victims were found in the city of Suzu, northeast of Ishikawa province, bringing the city’s specific death toll to 22. In Wajima City, at least 24 fatalities were reported. Efforts by…
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Employee critically injured in shooting at Krabi’s Maya Bay national park
A violent disagreement escalated into a shooting incident between two employees of Hat Noppharat Thara-Mu Ko Phi Phi National Park in Krabi, leaving one critically injured. Yutthapong Damsrisuk, the park’s chief, revealed that the victim was shot twice during the dispute, which happened at their residence in Maya Bay, a beloved tourist spot. Following the altercation, the injured party was…
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Thai PM gives ultimatum on Mor Chit 2 bus terminal
Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin issued a stern warning to a Transport Company chief, threatening dire consequences if the Mor Chit 2 interprovincial bus terminal isn’t swiftly improved. The ultimatum comes on the heels of public outrage and scathing remarks from Move Forward Party (MFP) MP Suphanat Minchaiynunt, who exposed the terminal’s grim conditions. Government spokesman Chai Wacharonke declared yesterday, January…
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Thailand’s tourism revenue surges by 44% as new year ushers in boom
The start of the new year saw a significant boom in Thailand’s tourism sector, with a 44% spike in tourism-related revenue. The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) attributes this surge to the visa-free scheme and extended entertainment hours in select provinces. Thapanee Kiatphaiboon, the Governor of TAT, revealed that the country amassed a staggering 54.4 billion baht (US$1,588,321,152) from December…
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Tying the knot with change: Thailand raises marriage age to 18 in human rights stride
The Thailand Cabinet has embraced a proposal to elevate the minimum age of marriage from 17 to 18, aligning with global human rights standards. The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) is spearheading this change, aiming to bring the country in line with international principles. Deputy government spokesperson Rudklao Suwankiri disclosed that amendments to the Civil and Commercial Code, along with…
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English national arrested in Phuket over violent tuk tuk altercation
A violent altercation involving a gun and a tuk tuk in Phuket led to the arrest of an English national. The incident, which occurred on the evening of January 1, involved the suspect, identified as 38 year old Jamie, hitting his co-passenger with a hidden firearm. The argument escalated within the tuk tuk while en route to a café in…
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