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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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Tragic death of Thai police recruit prompts investigation into training methods
A tragic incident occurred during a police training exercise, leading to the death of a 26 year old recruit. The incident took place at Than Muk Camp in Sadao district, Songkhla province. After the recruit, Pakorn, also known as Byte, collapsed during a 10-kilometre run on Monday, October 9 his instructor ordered him to complete the run, leading to his…
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Thai airlines rescue mission: Stormy skies delay Thai citizen return from Israel
The government spokesperson revealed that commercial airlines AirAsia, Nok Air, and Thai Airways are ready to retrieve Thai citizens from Israel, but current weather conditions are posing challenges. The spokesperson highlighted that alternative routes are under consideration in case of inaccessibility caused by severe weather or war conditions. At Government House at 10.25am today, Chai Wacharonke, the spokesperson for the…
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Bank of Thailand maintains 4.4% GDP growth forecast amid stimulus measures
A 4.4% GDP growth forecast for the coming year has been maintained by the Bank of Thailand, factoring in the government’s proposed economic stimulus measures. Assistant Governor Piti Disyatat confirmed this projection following the Monetary Policy Committee’s vote on September 27 to hike the benchmark interest rate by a quarter-point, making it a decade-high 2.5%. The committee, however, reduced its…
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Thai official gets 52 years sentence for misuse of government vehicle
Rungrak Lookbua, the Director of the Department of Religious and Cultural Education under the Provincial Administration Organization of Yasothon, has been indicted by the Anti-Corruption Commission for misuse of a government vehicle for personal gain. The Director, along with his team, was accused of using a government vehicle for commuting and golfing. The charges were brought by the Office of…
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Thai worker death toll in Israel hits 21, PM Srettha exploring evacuation
The death toll of Thai workers in Israel has risen to 21 following another reported death, announced Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin. The news came out early on this morning, October 12, detailing the ongoing violence since Hamas initiated an offensive over the weekend. Sharing this development at 9.10am Malaysian time, PM Sretta did not elaborate on the factors leading to…
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Thailand and Malaysia plan to boost bilateral trade and border growth
Economic collaboration between Thailand and Malaysia is set to amplify, with plans to boost bilateral trade and foster growth along the Thai-Malaysian border. Chai Wacharonke, the government spokesman, revealed these plans following a meeting between Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin and his Malaysian counterpart, Dato’ Seri Anwar Ibrahim, held at the Malaysian PM’s office in Putrajaya. During the meeting, a broad…
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One-legged Thai dine-and-dasher ‘hops’ it, leaves 5,700 baht bill in central Thailand
A one-legged Thai man hopped out of a restaurant and a petrol station in the central province of Ayutthaya in a daring dine-and-dash manoeuvre, resulting in a 5,700 baht loss. A female staff member who accompanied the legless man was also abandoned in the midst of it all. The restaurant’s manager, speaking to Channel 3, revealed that the 60 year…
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Teen’s truckin’ troubles: Migrant worker smuggling ends in pickup predicament in central Thailand
A 19 year old man was apprehended for smuggling 13 illegal migrant workers in a pickup truck that he claimed to have borrowed from his father under the pretence of visiting his girlfriend. Phinwit Udomphon, an officer from the Ayutthaya Provincial Police, stated that efforts to curb the smuggling of illegal workers into Bangkok and its surrounding provinces continue unabated.…
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Toll-free treat: Thailand waives toll charges on major expressways for King Bhumibol Memorial Day
The upcoming holiday tomorrow, October 13, has led the Thailand Expressway Authority (TEA), under the Ministry of Transport, to waive toll charges on three major expressways, covering a total of 60 toll gates. The decision was made to facilitate travel on the anniversary of the passing of His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej The Great, a public holiday as declared by…
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Thai worker held hostage by Hamas in Israel as local officials scramble to assist
A Thai worker in Nong Bua Lam Phu, identified as Paiboon Rattanin is among a group of five to seven Thai workers captured by the Hamas group in Israel. The last contact with the 42 year old Paiboon was on October 6, before his co-workers in Israel sent footage of the group being hauled into a trailer by a tractor…
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Bacon battle: Factory owner shoots director during illegal pork import raid, leaving one official injured
The owner of a pork storage factory shot and killed the director of the Phetchabun Provincial Animal Quarantine Centre in the central province of Phetchabun today when the deceased and other officers raided an illegal pork import operation. Another official was also injured in the melee. Phetchabun Provincial Animal Quarantine Centre officers raided a cold storage warehouse and a house in…
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World Bank identifies growth potential in Thailand’s secondary cities
The World Bank has highlighted the potential for growth in Thailand’s secondary cities such as Chiang Mai, Khon Kaen and Rayong in a recent study. The report, Thailand Urban Infrastructure Finance Assessment, suggests that these cities could boost Thailand’s economy if they invest in urban infrastructure improvements, such as mass transit systems and renewable energy sources. However, the study points…
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Thai labourer’s death in Israel sparks fears, call for government aid
The Thai labourer tragically killed in Israel during a mortar attack on Tuesday sparked pleas from his family for government aid in repatriating his remains back to his native Si Sa Ket province in Thailand. Phongphat Suchat and another Thai worker lost their lives when a mortar round detonated close to their location, according to the 29 year old’s brother,…
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Russian woman’s allergy to ganja causes chaos in Pattaya
A Russian woman in Pattaya caused chaos in an ambulance as Thai rescuers tried to attend to her ganja allergy. A resident came across a Russian couple and their son on a footpath near a seaside condominium at 1am yesterday, October 12. The woman was sitting on the ground looking confused. Her husband also looked unwell but was able to…
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Middle East tensions cause gold rush, prices poised to strike US$1,875
The escalating conflict in the Middle East could drive global gold prices to US$1,875 (67,950 baht) per ounce, as predicted by the Gold Traders Association (GTA). The association’s president, Jitti Tangsithpakdi, pointed out that prices have risen by US$20-30 per ounce since the onset of hostilities between Israel and Hamas militants. Gold prices reached a one-week high of US$1,860 yesterday…
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Luxury van and parked truck collision results in tragic fatal crash in central Thailand
A luxury van collided with a parked 18-wheeler truck late last night, resulting in the van driver’s death in central Thailand. The truck driver admitted that he had not activated any warning or hazard lights when parked. The fatal truck crash accident took place at 11.30pm yesterday, according to Police Lieutenant Damrong Sukchoosi, the investigative officer at Bang Kaew Police…
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Heart-wrenching wedding shock: Guest sees ex-husband marrying best friend
A heart-wrenching wedding shock unfolded at a wedding in Hubei, China, when a guest recognised her former husband on the stage next to the bride, her best friend. The woman, who had severed all contact with her ex-spouse post-divorce, was unable to contain her emotions and broke down in tears. The woman shared her distressing story while attending her best…
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Thailand to launch emergency alert system following Siam Paragon shooting incident
The Ministry of Digital Economy and Society (DES) and the National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC) of Thailand have initiated a collaborative project to implement an effective emergency alert system. The move comes in the wake of a shooting incident at the Siam Paragon Mall on October 3. DES Minister Prasert Jantararuangthong relayed that Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin is keen…
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Mane change: Thai police let their hair down with 5cm rule revision
Thailand’s national police chief has instituted a revision in police regulations, permitting male officers to sport hair up to 5 centimetres long. This move is a marked difference from the 2018 uniform practice code which mandated that male officers maintain a closely cropped hairstyle with the back and sides of their heads completely shaven. In the new 2023 uniform practice…
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Policeman accused of assaulting wife and luring her into gang rape
A Thai woman reached out to a social media influencer to seek help after her police officer husband physically assaulted her and lured her into a gang rape scene. Thai social media influencer Guntouch “Gun” Pongpaiboonwet accompanied the victim, 30 year old A, to the Children and Women Protection Sub-Division to start legal processes against the woman’s husband. The woman…
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Phuket’s vegetarian festival to boost Thai economy with 9 billion baht (video)
Anticipations are high as the annual 10-day vegetarian festival in Phuket is set to yield more than 9 billion baht in revenue, as estimated by the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT). Meanwhile, the Phuket Provincial Commercial Office reports a drop in vegetable prices compared to the corresponding period last year. Thanet Tantipiriyakit, who presides over the Phuket Tourist Association, noted…
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Influenza cases rise fivefold in Thailand amid illegal antiviral drug concerns
A startling surge in influenza cases has been observed in Thailand this year, with a fivefold increase compared to last year’s monthly averages. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued a warning to the public about illegal antiviral medications labelled as oseltamivir being smuggled into the country. Doctor Thira Woratanarat from the Faculty of Medicine at Chulalongkorn University revealed, on…
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El Niño could trigger three-year rice shortage, warns Thailand’s Commerce Minister
Commerce Minister Phumtham Wechayachai expressed worries over a potential three-year-long impact of the El Niño-induced drought. This prolonged effect could potentially harm rice production and create a shortage in domestic consumption. Phumtham commissioned the Internal Trade Department and Foreign Trade Department to jointly monitor and alleviate the potential impacts of the El Niño phenomenon and the ensuing drought. He voiced…
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Thai government defends 10,000-baht digital wallet scheme amid economic criticism
Economic experts’ criticism of the 10,000-baht digital wallet scheme was rebuffed yesterday by its supporters, who asserted that the cash handout would alleviate disparity and provide a crucial financial boost to the disadvantaged. Jutipong Phummul headed the faction, which handed a plea to the government, encouraging the implementation of the digital wallet initiative. Presented in Parliament as an economic strategy…
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Two more Thai labourers die in Israel-Palestine conflict, death toll rises to 20
The ongoing conflict in Israel has claimed the lives of two more Thai labourers, according to the Foreign Affairs Ministry, bringing the total Thai death toll to 20. The Thai labourers lost their lives amid Hamas rocket attacks and aerial bombardments near the Gaza Strip. Kanchana Patarachoke, the ministry’s spokesperson and director-general of the Department of Information, shared this distressing…
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Tour firm directors arrested for misleading Thai workers about overseas job opportunities
A Thai police force led by senior officer Eakasit Pansita arrested two tour company directors today, for allegedly deceiving over 80 individuals with promises of overseas job opportunities. Thirty year old Warintorn and 27 year old Pattanachai were taken into custody at separate locations. Warintorn was detained at a hotel in Mu Si, Nakhon Ratchasima, while Pattanachai was arrested inside a…
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Chon Buri man arrested after threatening and sexually assaulting minor leading to pregnancy
A 49 year old man has been arrested for sexually assaulting a 12 year old girl, resulting in her pregnancy. The suspect was apprehended at a friend’s house in the Phanat Nikhom District of Chon Buri Province after he had been in hiding since the incident occurred. Boonlue is believed to have committed the assault twice at the girl’s home…
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Indonesian woman marries brother-in-law, causes social media storm
The viral saga of a 24 year old woman from Depok, West Java, Indonesia, has taken the social media world by storm. Surprisingly, she revealed that she married her former brother-in-law. Rafida Sonia had garnered viral attention since 2022 when she posted a heartfelt wedding video. The video featured her sister’s wedding in 2014, and it was the same brother-in-law…
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Legal action demanded over former police chief’s alleged 200 million baht bid-rigging scandal
The president of the Crime Victims Assistance Club, Atchariya Ruangrattanapong, demanded legal action against a former national police chief for alleged bid-rigging in the construction of ammunition factories. The former police chief is accused of transferring over 200 million baht intended for the purchase of stun guns. Atchariya lodged a complaint with the Anti-Corruption and Misconduct Commission today, alleging that…
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Phichit flooding: Eight districts hit, 885 households submerged
The province of Phichit is currently grappling with severe flooding that has affected eight districts, with as many as 885 households submerged and damage to the local infrastructure. The situation has been worsened by the overflowing of the Nan and Yom rivers, leading officials to raise red flags, signalling the start of a flood crisis. The water level in the…
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