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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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Surge in gold prices today as announced by Gold Traders Association
The Gold Traders Association (GTA) announced a surge in gold prices today, after a significant drop. As of today, December 7, the gold bullion was sold for 34,300 baht per baht, showing a 100 baht increase compared to the closing price yesterday. According to the GTA’s website, as of 9.04am local time, the selling rate for 96.5% gold bar was…
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Drunk Thai man stabs 7-Eleven worker for refusing to sell alcohol after hours
Police used a stun gun to subdue a drunk Thai man after he stabbed a 7-Eleven convenience store worker with a pair of scissors in the central province of Lop Buri because the victim refused to sell him alcohol. The incident occurred at a 7-Eleven store next to the Lop Buri Provincial Police Office on Phra Piya Road in the…
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Thailand probes incident of Chinese tourist wearing Thai police uniform for fun
Thailand Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin verified yesterday that the Royal Thai Police (RTP) is probing a social media incident involving a Chinese tourist seen donning the Thai police uniform, complete with a nameplate, rank insignia, and decorations. The uniform was worn for amusement, an act which the Thai PM condemned. PM Srettha expressed his disapproval. “That isn’t right, and [the…
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Lorry crash in Pathum Thani injures 15 Burmese workers
A lorry carrying 15 Burmese workers collided with a container truck in Pathum Thani province, injuring all the passengers. The incident occurred around 6am today. The Isuzu pickup truck, driven by an unidentified man, lost control and crashed into the container truck, leading to multiple casualties. According to the initial investigation by Warut Poomsak, a duty officer at the Khlong…
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Thai industry calls for retention of current power tariff amid hike fears
The Joint Standing Committee on Commerce, Industry and Banking (JSCCIB) is urging the Thai government to retain the current power tariff of 3.99 baht per kilowatt-hour. The request comes amid concerns that a proposed hike to 4.68 baht could escalate operational costs for manufacturers, leading to a 5 to 10% increase in product prices. The Energy Regulatory Commission previously suggested…
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NBTC plans to boost Internet connectivity for impoverished Bangkok communities
In a bid to bridge the digital divide, the National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC) has announced plans to increase Internet connectivity for impoverished communities in Bangkok. The initiative also includes the provision of WiFi service for districts nationwide. This move forms part of the NBTC’s fourth universal service obligation (USO) plan. In line with the draft USO 4.0 scheme,…
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Thai executives warn against fiscal burden increase: SET survey
The Stock Exchange of Thailand (SET) has published a survey in which top executives from Thai listed firms have urged the government to avoid amplifying the nation’s fiscal burden and distorting markets. The executives also proposed more involvement from the private sector in policymaking. The survey, titled Economic Outlook 2023 to 2024, was the work of the SET’s research department…
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Thailand’s clean air bill targets PM2.5 dust menace
Thailand’s Cabinet has given preliminary approval to the Clean Air Bill, a bold initiative designed to combat the annual scourge of PM2.5 ultra-fine dust. This is a major move that gives authorities the necessary tools to manage sources of air pollutants effectively, particularly the minuscule dust particles that become a significant issue in the country each cool season. The Clean…
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Thailand’s tourism revenue falls short of annual target
The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) projected a shortfall in its annual tourism revenue target, with this year’s earnings expected to reach 2.07 trillion baht (US$58,773,427,200) instead of the projected 2.38 trillion baht. TAT Governor, Thapanee Kiatphaibool, attributes this shortfall to the sluggish performance of international tourism receipts, which were significantly lower than the state’s target of 1.6 trillion baht.…
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Phuket extends pub and bar hours to boost tourism and employment
Phuket is set to extend the operating hours of its pubs and bars till 4am, with the new timing being tentatively scheduled to start on December 15. This decision was reached following a public hearing conducted by the Phuket Provincial Administration Office. The new operating hours are to be implemented in six zones on Bangla Road in the Patong area…
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The unique charm of Thai literature
The rich history of Thai literature traces back to the Sukhothai period (1238-1438). However, in the modern age, Thai literature takes on a different form. Distinct features separate modern Thai literature, written in the 20th and 21st centuries, from its historical counterparts. In this article, we delve into the unique characteristics that define modern Thai literature. What is the Golden…
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Thai provincial governors gain CEO-like powers under new decentralisation policy
Thai provincial governors have been granted the authority akin to a company’s CEO, following a Cabinet agreement. This move forms part of the government’s decentralisation policy. However, the main opposition party, the Move Forward Party (MFP), and various critics question if this action truly aligns with accepted international standards of decentralisation. The Cabinet-approved proposal, submitted by the National Economic and…
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Blossoms beyond Earth: Pathum Thani sunflower spectacle transforms into a galactic experience
In a floral frenzy, globetrotters are thronging to a sunflower field in Thailand that’s not just a feast for the eyes but also a rendezvous with interstellar blossoms. Travellers are making a beeline for the 5-rai sunflower field in Pathum Thani province, nestled within the colossal CPRAM headquarters—a jewel in the crown of the Thai conglomerate CP Group. This dazzling…
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Amata abrupt: Rayong company sends new employees packing with a one-day notice
A prominent company situated in Amata City Industrial Estate, Rayong, dismissed its newly recruited employees, providing only a single day’s notice. But the regular employees have not been spared either – they’ve been ordered to take a long leave of up to three months, receiving only 75% of their normal pay. This incident came to light today, December 6, when…
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Taiwanese man arrested for animal smuggling at Bangkok airport
Officers from Suvarnabhumi Animal Quarantine at Suvarnabhumi International Airport in Bangkok arrested a Taiwanese man for animal smuggling yesterday, December 5. Suvarnabhumi Animal Quarantine chief Phakkapong Phathong said officers received a report of a suspicious Taiwanese man at 9.05am that day. Officers suspected that the 22 year old Taiwanese man was concealing live animals in his clothing when he passed…
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Phuket: 16 year old boy found dead in Thalang pond
A 16 year old boy who vanished while enjoying a swim was found dead in Baan Maruan Pond. Warut Butleb, a bright third-year high school student at Rajaprajanugroh School 36 in Kamala, yesterday, December 5, disappeared while swimming with his friend Ngae, a 10 year old from Myanmar. A seven-hour search for the teenage boy ended in a devastating discovery. The…
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Altitude alert: Flight attendant spills beans on why plane coffee gets a turbulent reaction (video)
A flight attendant sparked a heated discussion on social media by revealing why passengers should avoid drinking coffee served on planes. The video clip was posted on the TikTok account @ichbinvin, responding to a query initially raised on the website Reddit about the dirty little secrets of working on an aircraft. The flight attendant, Kevin, agreed with another netizen’s comment,…
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Slumber or blunder? Underwear-clad party entertainer crashes and kills motorcycle rider
A female party entertainer from Thailand claimed she was sleepy, not drunk, after crashing her car into a motorcycle rider and killing him on Phetchakasem Road in Cha-am district in the southern province of Phetchaburi. Officers from Cha-am Police Station were notified of the car accident at an ice factory on Phetchakasem Road at 7am today, December 6, and rushed…
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Singaporean duo’s slam dunk scandal: Basketball match fixing duo hits the court
A 30 year old Singaporean man found himself facing an eight-month jail term for his involvement in match fixing basketball matches in Thailand. The scandalous case, unravelling in the heart of the Singaporean sports scene, involves illicit bets, secret Facebook conversations, and a plot to rig matches in the Thailand Basketball League (TBL). Poh Wei Hao and Koa Wei Quan,…
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Unlock the secrets of Thailand’s museums after dark: Night at Museum 2023 unveiled
In a bid to ignite cultural fervour, the Thai government launched the eagerly awaited Night at Museum 2023 initiative. Running from December 15 to 24, the festival encourages the public to explore the nation’s 48 museums under the enchanting cloak of night. Karom Polpornklang, a deputy government spokesman, stated that the festival aims to boost cultural soft power, inviting everyone…
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Taiwanese idol Gan Lian Mei’s cheeky strip show goes viral after Chinese baseball victory (video)
In a scene that left spectators astounded, the sexy net idol Gan Lian Mei, living up to her promise, performed a strip show on the sidelines of a triumphant national baseball match. The act quickly became a viral video, amassing over 700,000 views and garnering more than 15,000 likes. Gan Lian Mei, a popular Taiwanese net idol, had pledged to…
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Bark and brawl: 2 families engage in physical altercation after conflict over dog pee (video)
Two families living in the Yannawa district of Bangkok engaged in a physical bout of fisticuffs after a pet dog peed on a car. Two Thai women named Ya and Phat shared footage of the brawl with the non-profit organisation Saimai Survive of Ya being physically assaulted by a neighbour called Pop at 9pm on November 29. Ya and Phat…
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Thai students’ performance dips in PISA rankings, calls for educational reform
Fifteen year old Thai students faced a significant setback in their performance in maths, science, and reading, according to the recent rankings by the Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA). The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, which conducted the assessment, revealed that these students scored 394 in maths, a sharp fall from 419 in the previous year. A similar…
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Tokyo taxi driver feathers his cap with arrest after fatal dove collision
A 50 year old Tokyo taxi driver has been arrested for striking a flock of doves and killing one in Shinjuku district last month. Authorities, who detained the driver, Atsushi Ozawa, under charges of violating wildlife protection laws and causing public alarm, initiated an investigation following a call from a concerned citizen who reported a taxi suddenly accelerating and hitting sparrows…
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Update: Brave Thai doctor’s final battle ends, Dr Krittai loses fight against cancer
The Thai medical sector is mourning the loss of Dr Krittai Tanasombatkul, a 29 year old doctor, known for his Facebook page, Fight for It, and who fought against terminal lung cancer. In a poignant announcement on his Fight For It web page last month, Dr Krittai revealed his grim diagnosis of stage four lung cancer. Despite his regular exercise…
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Veggie vendetta: Foreign workers in hot water for dumpster diversions in Thai market
A group of foreign workers sparked controversy after being accused of selling vegetables picked from dustbins in a local Thai market. The incident prompted calls for the authorities to investigate whether these actions contravene the law. The issue, widely debated on social media, emerged when a Facebook user exposed the problem by sharing pictures along with a caption that questioned…
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Lao woman’s harrowing experience with Thai taxi driver in Bangkok
Officers from Bang Kruai Police Station in Nonthaburi province near Bangkok arrested an illegal Thai taxi driver for sexually harassing and overcharging a Lao woman. The driver denied he sexually harassed the woman, stating that he was just teasing the passenger. The Lao victim, 19 year old Phouangmalay Keovilay, and her older brother filed a complaint against a Thai taxi…
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Northeast Thailand: Woman fatally stabbed during Ngiew celebration in Khon Kaen
A shocking incident unfolded at a festive event in the Phon District of Khon Kaen when a woman was fatally stabbed by an unknown assailant. The incident occurred in the early hours of today, December 6, during the Ngiew celebration, a traditional festive event. The fatally stabbed woman suffered from severe injuries, succumbing to the wounds later in the hospital.…
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Prime minister’s grand almsgiving spectacle in honour of late king
Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin and a star-studded entourage gathered for a regal religious ceremony in Bangkok. The grand affair, coinciding with National Father’s Day, paid homage to the revered late King Bhumibol Adulyadej. As dawn broke, the 61 year old Thai PM, accompanied by his wife and an illustrious assembly of Cabinet ministers, Privy Council members, and military commanders, graced Sanam…
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Golden Buddha statues draw crowds to Phayao’s Wat Phra That Chom Sin
The Wat Phra That Chom Sin in Ban Tham, Dok Khamtai district, Phayao province, now stands out with 108 golden meditating Buddha statues. These statues, each measuring 2.5 metres wide and 3.5 metres tall, are majestically arranged around the temple’s mountainous landscape, attracting a stream of tourists and worshippers. These statues, made from concrete, are a unique attraction in the…
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