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Do foreigners get free healthcare in Thailand?
Thailand’s healthcare system is well-regarded across Southeast Asia, with options ranging from public hospitals to world-class private facilities. But when it comes to foreign residents or tourists, healthcare access isn’t as straightforward. So, do foreigners get free healthcare in Thailand?...
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Pickup truck fire in Chon Buri ends without injury as driver escapes
A dramatic fire engulfed a pickup truck at a busy intersection in Chon Buri, leaving only a metal frame behind. Fortunately, the driver managed to escape unscathed. The incident occurred yesterday, December 18, at the Ban Bueng Bypass intersection in Mu 6, Ban Suan subdistrict, Mueang district, Chon Buri province. Officers from the Chon Buri City Police Station quickly coordinated…
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Myanmar babies in Thai hospitals not eligible for free healthcare
Babies born to Myanmar parents in Thailand’s border hospitals are not eligible for free healthcare benefits like Thai nationals, despite receiving a 13-digit identification number. The National Health Security Office (NHSO) clarified this policy yesterday, December 18, highlighting that these ID cards specifically categorise the newborns as migrants born in Thailand, not as Thai citizens. Dr Jadej Thammatacharee, NHSO Secretary…
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Australian father mourns ‘perfect’ daughter lost to methanol tragedy
The devastated father of an Australian teenager who died from methanol poisoning last month in Laos has opened up about the heart-wrenching loss of his “perfect” daughter. Shaun Bowles, father of 19 year old Holly Bowles, confessed his shock when he realised she wouldn’t survive. Shaun described Holly as “everything you’d want your daughter to be.” The Aussie teenager was…
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2 Vietnamese men arrested for thefts at love hotel, over 500 evidence seized
Police arrested two Vietnamese men at a love hotel in Nonthaburi province, near Bangkok yesterday, December 18, following a spate of thefts in the area. Over 500 pieces of evidence were seized. Officers from Chaiyaphruek Police Station received multiple complaints regarding thefts in the Bang Bua Thong, Bang Kruai, Bang Si Mueang, and Chaiyaphruek areas of the province. A covert…
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Court dismisses claims of favouritism in Thaksin hospital stay
The Constitutional Court dismissed allegations yesterday that state officials facilitated former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra’s hospital stay during his prison sentence. The petition, brought forward by Kongdecha Chairat, accused key figures, including Justice Minister Police Colonel Tawee Sodsong, the Department of Corrections (DoC) Director General, and the chief of Bangkok Remand Prison, of allowing Thaksin to serve his sentence at…
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CCTV footage leads to arrest of caretaker for abuse of old woman
Police arrested a Thai caretaker for brutally abusing an 85 year old bedridden woman during her employment at the victim’s home in Bangkok. The victim’s son sought help from non-profit organisation Saimai Survive after viewing the CCTV footage of the brutal abuse of his mother. He filed a complaint against the suspect, later identified as 49 year old Napasorn, with…
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Apply for international driving licences via Paotang app in Thailand
The Department of Land Transport (DLT) and Krungthai Bank launched a new service allowing people to apply for international driving licences through the Paotang app, offering convenience and speed with 24-hour accessibility. This collaboration aims to enhance public services through digital technology. The initiative was announced by Suparpong Piyachote, Deputy Minister of Transport, alongside Jirut Wisanjit, DLT Director General, and…
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Call centre bust: 5 Japanese scammers nabbed in Thailand
Thai immigration police arrested five Japanese nationals accused of running a fraudulent call centre in Pattaya that conned elderly Japanese citizens out of a staggering 5 million baht daily. Police Major General Panumat Boonyalak, acting commissioner, revealed that the bust followed a tip-off from the Japanese embassy. The gang had allegedly duped victims with promises of refunds for past medical…
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Hair today, gone tomorrow: Bangkok cops snip illegal Myanmar barbers
Police in Bang Khun Thian district arrested four Myanmar nationals working as barbers, allegedly taking jobs from Thai citizens. This incident unfolded yesterday, December 17, at the ANGEL-20 hair salon located at the end of Nai Riang Market, Bang Bon, Bangkok. The arrest followed a tip-off received by Kittisak Bunsermsak, a police inspector at Bang Khun Thian Police Station. He…
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Thailand rolls out red carpet with bigger rebates for filmmakers
The Thail Cabinet approved an increase in the rebate offered to foreign film productions, raising it to a range of 15 to 30% to attract more international filmmakers to shoot in the country. This decision, announced by Jirayu Huangsap, spokesperson for the Prime Minister’s Office, is part of a revised strategy to bolster Thailand’s appeal as a filming destination. The…
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BB gun vendors spark shootout on Pattaya Walking Street (video)
More than 20 police officers intervened in a violent clash between two BB gun vendors on Pattaya Walking Street yesterday, December 17. Fortunately, no innocent people were injured in the incident. Officers from Mueang Pattaya Police Station were called to Pattaya Walking Street on the night of December 16 after a 43 year old BB gun vendor, Chart “Job” Sukboondaeng, punched…
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Former monk’s reckless driving leaves two girls critically injured
A shocking accident occurred when a former monk drove recklessly, resulting in a severe collision that left two young girls critically injured. The incident, captured on CCTV, sparked outrage on social media to locate the responsible driver. The accident took place recently on a road in Ban Dung, Udon Thani province. CCTV footage clearly shows a green Toyota Corona, driven…
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Thai man tricked in car sale scam with fake nurse in Nonthaburi
A man from Nonthaburi found himself entangled in a sophisticated scam involving a fake nurse and a fraudulent car sale, resulting in a loss of half a million baht. A 30 year old man, Thawatchai, filed a complaint with Tevagrit Maneerat, Deputy Superintendent of Investigation at Bang Yai Police Station, Nonthaburi, after being deceived by a 41 year old woman…
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Thailand’s first F1 race planned for Bangkok’s Chatuchak by 2027
The Thai government is continuing the Formula One (F1) project initiated by former Prime Minister (PM) Srettha Thavisin, with plans to hold Thailand’s first F1 race in the Chatuchak neighbourhood of Bangkok. F1 enthusiasts were given hope after former PM Srettha discussed the project with the race organisers during his visit to France in March this year. The former PM…
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Young man confesses to fatal stabbing of teen in Samut Prakan
A 21 year old man admitted to fatally stabbing a 16 year old boy in a heated confrontation over a perceived slight. The incident occurred last night, December 17, in a car park in Samut Prakan, resulting in the younger man’s death. Police in Samut Prakan were alerted to a violent altercation involving a knife at a shopping centre’s car…
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AMLO freezes assets worth billions in major fraud crackdown
The Anti-Money Laundering Office (AMLO) has made remarkable strides in addressing fraud cases, including those involving notable figures and corporations, resulting in the seizure and freezing of assets valued at billions of baht. The development was shared by AMLO Secretary General Theppasu Bavornchotidara and Witthaya Neetitham, its spokesperson, following a meeting with the transaction committee. Twelve significant cases have seen…
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Thai couple arrested for illegal online gambling in Mae Sai
Police apprehended a young couple for allegedly operating an illegal online gambling website in the heart of Mae Sai. Police from the Technology Crime Suppression Division of Provincial Police Region 5 (PCT Region 5) and local law enforcement carried out the arrest of 25 year old Anuthai, also known as Golf Las Vegas, and his girlfriend 22 year old Phon,…
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Squid vendor’s bribery allegation shakes Pattaya officials
Pattaya’s image-polishing efforts took a dramatic turn after a street vendor’s explosive accusations exposed alleged corruption among city officers. During a crackdown on illegal street vending near Walking Street, police arrested Nicha, a grilled squid vendor, who unleashed a fiery claim that certain officers had been extorting her for free food and bribes while turning a blind eye to her…
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Thai husband shoots wife dead after alleged affair with tomboy
A Thai man in the Isaan province of Roi Et shot his wife dead in front of their son and the wife’s tomboy friend after suspecting his wife of having an affair with the tomboy. Police arrested the 49 year old Thai man, Boonlai, in the Nikhom Kham Soi district of Mukdahan yesterday, December 17, for the murder of his…
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Death penalty sought for Korean murderer in Pattaya, Thailand
Prosecutors in South Korea are demanding the death penalty for two men accused of the chilling murder of a Korean tourist in Thailand, an act described as both premeditated and brutal. Court officials confirmed the request today, as grisly details of the crime emerged. The suspects, 39 year old Kim Hyeong Gwon and a 27 year old surnamed Lee, face…
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Police officer killed in Kamphaeng Phet migrant smuggling incident
A tragic event unfolded yesterday when a pickup truck transporting illegal migrants crashed into a police officer at a checkpoint in Kamphaeng Phet, resulting in the officer’s death. The driver, along with two other suspects, was apprehended following the incident. The operation, led by Opas Khongmueang, Provincial Police Commander of Kamphaeng Phet, was initiated after police received intelligence about a…
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Srinagarind Hospital overwhelmed by 830% rise in cancer patients
Srinagarind Hospital in Khon Kaen called on the National Health Security Office (NHSO) to address the overwhelming demand for cancer treatment, following a staggering 830% increase in patients seeking care under the Cancer Anywhere (CA) programme. Hospital director Somsak Tiamkao yesterday, December 17, highlighted that the facility is struggling to cope with the significant rise in cancer patients referred through…
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Jet ski accident off Phuket coast leads to tourist’s tragic death
A tragic accident involving a jet ski and a tourist took place off the coast of Karon, Phuket, leading to the tourist’s disappearance underwater. The body was discovered in the early hours of this morning and police are set to conduct an autopsy to investigate further. At 7pm yesterday, December 17, Sanya Suksawat, a police officer with the Karon Police…
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Thai man assaults wife after discovering her sex-for-drug deals
A Thai man physically assaulted his wife in a rented room in the Isaan province of Udon Thani after discovering she traded sex for drugs twice. The abusive husband later forgave her. The owner of the rented room, 62 year old Ittiphon, contacted officers from Nakha Police Station and asked the couple to explain the physical assault and the loud…
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PEA to sue firms for illegal cable use on power poles
Private firms and state enterprises face legal action by the Provincial Electricity Authority (PEA) for the illegal installation of communication cables on power poles. This decisive move follows directives from Deputy Prime Minister and Interior Minister Anutin Charnvirakul, urging the PEA to clamp down on these violations. The PEA has long grappled with this issue. According to Prasit Chanprasith, the…
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Teen dies in Lopburi motorcycle crash with slide truck
A tragic motorcycle accident in Lopburi resulted in the death of a 14 year old girl while a 22 year old and a 17 year old sustained serious injuries. The incident occurred when their motorcycle collided with a six-wheel slide truck. At 9.05pm yesterday, December 17, police in Lopburi’s Tha Hin district received reports of a serious accident at the…
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Ten-wheeler crash in Ang Thong claims driver’s life
A tragic accident unfolded yesterday when a 10-wheeler crashed into the back of a truck carrying rice husks, resulting in the driver’s death at the wheel. Rescue teams employed cutting tools to retrieve the body from the wreckage. Prasertsak Wiphanngern, a deputy inspector at Ang Thong Police Station, was notified of a collision involving two ten-wheeler trucks at 4pm yesterday,…
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Phuket takes a bite out of food waste with food banks project
Phuket is stepping up to combat food waste and hunger with a groundbreaking new initiative. The Food Conservation Project: Developing Food Banks was officially launched yesterday, December 17, in the Laem Tukkae Community, Ratsada, spearheaded by the Ministry of Social Development and Human Security (MSDHS) in partnership with the Scholars of Sustenance Foundation (SOS Thailand). Deputy Permanent Secretary Chatuphon Rojanaphanich…
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Thai man dies on railway track while recording TikTok video
A 51 year old Thai man died on a railway track in the central province of Ratchaburi after parking his bicycle and sitting on the track to record TikTok videos . The fatal train accident was reported to Mueang Ratchaburi Police Station at about 8.15am today, December 18. It occurred on the Chulalongkorn Railway Bridge over the Mae Klong River…
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