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Sponsored 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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Surprise drug test at Phuket’s Ratsada Pier reveals shocking find
At the heart of Phuket‘s east coast, a pivotal marine tourism hub, Ratsada Pier, was the scene of a surprise drug testing operation today. The results revealed a shocking find – one out of the 18 boat captains and crew members tested had traces of drugs in their system. The harbour, also known as Rassada Harbour, is managed by Seatran…
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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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Gunkul Engineering targets 25 billion baht to fund renewable energy projects
Gunkul Engineering Plc, a leading renewables developer and construction company, announced intentions to generate 20.8-25 billion baht (US$607 million-730 million) through fundraising. The raised funds are earmarked for the development of 17 renewable energy initiatives, as part of the government’s 5.2-gigawatt renewable scheme. The company’s chief financial officer, Thitipong Techaratanayuenyong, disclosed the plans. In the previous year, Gunkul Engineering participated…
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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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Thai father saves daughter from cocaine smuggling syndicate
A Thai father rescued his daughter from an international drug smuggling syndicate after a dealer attempted to deceive her into smuggling 7.5 kilograms of cocaine, valued at over 20 million baht, into Australia. The girl’s Thai father, 53 year old Borommawat Pheeraruengrit, told ThaiRath that his 23 year old daughter, Pornratchakwan Pheeraruengrit, is currently studying in Australia and plans to…
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Thai-Chinese visa exemption policy may boost outbound travel by 10%
The Association of Thai Travel Agents (ATTA) predicted a 10% surge in outbound visitors from Thailand to China, due to the new mutual visa exemption policy between the two countries. However, the ATTA President, Sisdivachr Cheewarattanaporn, expressed doubts over the government’s projected figure of 8.2 million inbound visitors from China. The visa-free arrangement, aimed at enhancing bilateral relations and boosting tourism…
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Export of Thai fruit faces competition from China
Deputy Commerce Minister Napintorn Srisunpang reveals a bumpy road ahead, with China’s market becoming a fierce battleground for Thai fruit exporters. In the opening 10 months of last year, Thailand exported 1.74 million tons of fruits, pocketing 174.27 billion baht. Thailand’s fruit royalty, including durians, longans, mangosteens, mangoes, and pineapples, dazzled the export scene. However, trouble lurks in the dragon’s…
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Red skirt revelation: Chinese man unravels wife’s mysterious attire, unlocking life-altering secret
A Chinese man named Zhang Yu, noticed his wife, Li Ting, consistently donning a red skirt each time he returned from a business trip. This peculiar behaviour became an enigma that Zhang decided to investigate, only to discover a hidden secret that would change their lives forever. Zhang and Li had a harmonious marriage since they tied the knot after…
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Golden blunder: Granny’s 2 million baht treasure trashed by unwitting grandkid
A 60 year old woman lost over 2 million baht in gold after it was mistakenly thrown out with the rubbish by her unaware grandchild. The fortune was later discovered by a waste collector, who initially believed it to be counterfeit. The police were involved in the recovery of the gold, and it was returned to its rightful owner. Wandee today…
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Thai vet’s estranged husband links cult and depression to shocking double suicide exit
The estranged husband of a Thai vet believes his wife committed suicide with his 12 year old daughter because she suffered from depression and her involvement in a cult that advocated peculiar rituals as a means to attain freedom. The vet’s employee, 52 year old Thaweesak Boonthawee, found the dead bodies yesterday, January 2, at his employer’s home in the eastern…
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Former Thammasat University rector Nongyao Chaiseri passes away at 90
The esteemed former rector of Thammasat University, Khunying Nongyao Chaiseri, yesterday passed away. He was 90 years old. Charnvit Kasetsiri, another former rector of the University, confirmed her demise in a personal Facebook post. Nongyao, born in 1935, had a remarkable career in academia and public service. Her tenure as rector from February 25, 1982, until May 31, 1988, was marked…
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Ko Mai Thon speedboat accident: Captain found drug positive
A speedboat collision off Mai Thon Island near Phuket on New Year’s Eve claimed the life of a five year old Russian girl, with others facing life-threatening injuries. The tragedy took a bizarre turn as reports surfaced, revealing that the 41 year old captain, currently on life support, tested positive for an amphetamine-related substance. Phuket authorities are now under scrutiny,…
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Pattaya’s tourism tide: Aims to lure 27 million visitors, making waves under local authority’s watch
The coastal city of Pattaya, under the auspices of the local tourism authority, sets its sights on drawing an impressive 27 million visitors this year. Urai Mukpradapthong, the director of the Tourism Authority of Thailand‘s Pattaya office, revealed this target, noting that it isn’t ambitious given the predicted number of tourists last year, which is expected to have hit the…
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Yellow Line’s wheel deal: MRT mishap takes a detour, hits taxi, driver escapes unscathed near Bangkok
After the MRT Pink Line mishap a week ago, another train accident was reported yesterday when the wheel of an MRT Yellow Line carriage fell off and hit a taxi on Thepharak Road in Samut Prakarn province near Bangkok. Fortunately, the driver escaped any injury. Samrong Nuea Police Station officers received a report of the accident at 6.30pm yesterday, January…
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Thai Smile Bus to decommission gas vehicles, focuses on electric fleet
Thai Smile Bus (TSB) company announced its commitment to clean air and environmental sustainability with plans to decommission its entire fleet of 350 natural gas-fuelled vehicles (NGV) buses by the end of the month. Kulpornpath Wongmajarapinya, TSB Chief Executive Officer, revealed that over 95% of the NGV buses have been already phased out, including the latest batch of 58 buses…
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Thailand’s new reserves to boost tiger population
Thailand’s Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation set plans in motion to create new wildlife reserves in Ratchaburi and Kanchanaburi. This move is part of a broader initiative to bolster the tiger population across the western forest complex. The reserves are anticipated to serve as a link between Huai Kha Khaeng Wildlife Sanctuary, located in Uthai Thani, and…
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Bangkok City Pillar Shrine flooded with devotees with new year wishes
Believers swarmed the Bangkok City Pillar Shrine on the occasion of welcoming another new year, seeking celestial blessings for a triumphant start to 2024. The usually tranquil shrine, nestled on Lak Mung Road in the Phra Borom Maha Ratchawang sub-district of Phra Nakhon district, witnessed an unprecedented surge of faithful on New Year’s Eve, extending their spiritual quests well into…
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Thai government initiates measures to alleviate SMEs’ debt
As part of its ongoing commitment to address economic issues, the government has launched a programme to suspend and alleviate debt for small to medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). Government spokesperson, Chai Wacharonke, confirmed this. The board of the Thai Credit Guarantee Corporation (TCG), a state-owned specialised financial institution under the jurisdiction of the Finance Ministry, has recently given the go-ahead for…
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Fatal accident in Ayutthaya as tyre burst leads to van crash
A tragic incident struck a passenger van when one of its tyres unexpectedly burst, leading to the vehicle colliding with a tree. This unfortunate event resulted in one fatality and several injuries. The accident transpired at 5am today on Rojana Road, en route to Ayutthaya, near both a school and a PTT petrol station. The van had been commissioned by…
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UTCC lowers Thailand’s 2023 economic growth forecast to 2.5%
The University of the Thai Chamber of Commerce (UTCC) lowered its economic growth forecast for 2023 to 2.5%, a dip from the previous prediction of 3% made in October of the previous year. The UTCC also anticipates a growth rate of 3.2% for the current year. The UTCC’s president, Thanavath Phonvichai, linked this downgrade to the third quarter’s lower-than-expected 1.9%…
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SF Holding’s acquisition to boost Thailand’s delivery services sector
The delivery services sector in Thailand is set to experience a surge in competition following SF Holding’s acquisition of shares in Kerry Express (Thailand). The move is poised to equip Kerry Express with a wider range of services and the potential for greater application of artificial intelligence (AI) technology, thereby boosting its competitive position. Shippop, a logistics aggregator, anticipates a…
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Thai central investigators capture Pattani’s wanted criminal at hospital
In a successful operation, Thai central investigative officers apprehended a wanted criminal at Pattani Hospital in Mueang, Pattani, on January 1. The 33 year old suspect, identified as Manase, was arrested based on a warrant issued by the Pattani Provincial Court. The charges levied against him include conspiracy to attempt murder on officers, obstruction of officers performing their duties, possession…
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Thailand tourism soars with 28 million visitors in 2023, dominated by Malaysia and China
A surge in international tourism has been witnessed in Thailand, with the Thai Minister of Tourism and Sports, Sudawan Wangsuphakijkosol, disclosing that over 28 million foreign tourists graced the country in 2023. This massive inflow of tourists contributed to an impressive income of over 1.2 trillion baht (US$35 billion). The leading countries, from where these tourists hailed, were Malaysia, with…
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Thailand mulls tax-free local alcohol to boost economy and tourism
A breaking development unfolded at 10.10am yesterday, January 2, with Thai Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin making a significant announcement after a Cabinet meeting centred on boosting international tourism and the national economy. The Thai government is contemplating overhauling the excise taxes and duties structures, with an eye on making Thai local alcoholic beverages tax-free and prompting a review of related…
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Horrifying domestic incident in Udon Thani village leaves woman with multiple wounds
A horrifying domestic incident unfolded yesterday in the village of Ban Na Chum Saeng, Udon Thani province of Thailand. The victim 53 year old Nongyao, was assaulted by her husband, 55 year old Boonruang, resulting in nine wounds on her neck and three on the back of her head. The incident was reported by Veeraphon Raksa Meruang, an admin of a…
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Weather alert: Thailand bracing for cold snap and heavy southern rainfall
Thailand’s Meteorological Department (TMD) issued a cold weather warning across the country, with foggy conditions expected in the morning. The southern region continues to experience severe flooding due to heavy rainfall in eight provinces. The level of airborne dust particles remains significantly high due to weak winds, resulting in poor air ventilation. A high-pressure area or cold air mass covers…
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Eight new Thai airlines set to launch amid anticipated travel recovery
This year, eight new Thai airlines are set for take off, anticipating a continued recovery in leisure travel and anticipating around 35 million foreign tourists. Among them is Cool Airlines, which intends to provide scheduled services on medium to long-haul international routes. This comes following approval from the Ministry of Transport for operating licenses, as stated by the Civil Aviation…
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