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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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Ministry and LINE MAN offer free delivery for Thai SELECT dining
The Ministry of Commerce has joined forces with food delivery app LINE MAN to launch a special promotion for Thai SELECT restaurants, offering free delivery from December 16 until January 31, 2025. The initiative, announced by Oramon Supthaweetham, Director General of the Department of Business Development, aims to boost awareness and encourage locals and tourists to explore Thai SELECT certified…
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Thailand urged to cut interest rates amid low inflation concerns
Finance Minister Pichai Chunhavachira has reiterated his call for a reduction in Thailand’s policy interest rate to boost inflation. He urged the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) to announce another rate cut, citing the current low inflation rate as a driving factor. The Finance Ministry continues to provide economic data and engage in discussions with the Bank of Thailand, although the…
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Bangkok gets ready to get a taste of the Jurassic era
Bangkok’s iconic Asiatique night market is undergoing a jaw-dropping transformation. A massive 6,000-square-metre section of the bustling riverside hotspot will soon transport visitors back 145 million years to the Jurassic era, complete with roaring dinosaurs and thrilling attractions. Wallapa Traisorat, CEO of Asset World Corporation (AWC), revealed that The World’s Largest Immersive Experience of Its Kind will open by the second…
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Thailand’s SET ESG Ratings 2024 hits milestone with 228 companies
The Stock Exchange of Thailand (SET) reported a significant achievement with its ESG Ratings 2024, as 228 listed companies have been recognised, marking a new milestone in sustainable investments both locally and globally. This year’s ratings awarded AAA status to 56 companies, AA to 80, A to 71, and BBB to 21. These firms together account for 82% of the…
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Mysterious objects from sky leave Thai couple on cloud nine
A Thai couple in the southern province of Phatthalung claim that mysterious objects falling from the sky made them feel refreshed and healthier, both physically and mentally. The couple, Wichate Siriphuwadon and Maneerat Siriphuwadon, displayed several shiny black objects of varying sizes, with a total weight of around 20 kilogrammes, to various news agencies. They revealed that they discovered the…
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Chaiyaphum nurse wins 6 million baht in Thai lottery
A nurse from Thepsathit Hospital in Chaiyaphum province has struck gold by winning the top prize in the Thai government lottery, making her a millionaire overnight. The winning ticket number 097863, drawn yesterday, December 16, has brought the Thai nurse a prize of 6 million baht. This news spread like wildfire, capturing the attention of netizens who flocked online to…
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Chinese tourists set to keep Thailand’s travel market cruising
The outlook for the Chinese inbound market to Thailand next year is expected to remain steady, with projected arrivals hovering between seven to eight million, according to the Association of Thai Travel Agents (ATTA). This forecast arises amidst China’s persistent economic difficulties and the anticipated tariff hikes from the incoming Trump administration. ATTA President Sisdivachr Cheewarattanaporn expressed scepticism about Thailand…
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Thailand aims to boost trade with Mongolia to 2027 goals
Thailand is gearing up to expand its trade relations with Mongolia, aiming to surpass the 100 million US dollar mark in trade value by 2027. Following discussions with Amarsanaa Tumur, Mongolia’s Ambassador to Thailand, the Minister of Commerce, Phichai Naripthaphan, highlighted efforts to bolster economic cooperation through the Thailand-Mongolia Joint Trade Committee. This initiative aims to open new markets for…
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Thai AirAsia X expands Bangkok-Delhi route with 4 weekly flights
Budget travellers, rejoice! Thai AirAsia X is ramping up its services, connecting Bangkok and Delhi with four weekly flights starting January 15, 2025. The move comes as the airline capitalises on surging demand from Indian flyers, driven by visa-free travel perks and enhanced connectivity. The carrier, which operates A330 planes, marked its return to the Indian capital on Sunday, December…
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Fiery collision on Phetkasem Road leads to vehicle inferno
A dramatic accident unfolded when a pickup truck collided with the back of a container truck, triggering a chain reaction that involved three vehicles and resulted in a fiery blaze. The accident, which occurred on the outbound side of Phetkasem Road, Highway 4, near kilometre marker 311+600 in front of a petrol station in Prachuap Khiri Khan City, left vehicles…
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Catfight chaos: ‘Coconut tree girls’ brawl shocks Pattaya tourists
Tourists in Pattaya were left stunned in the early hours of yesterday as a group of women engaged in a public brawl outside the Pattaya City Police Station, just steps away from the beach. Dubbed the “Coconut tree girls” due to their notorious hangouts under the beachfront palms, these provocatively dressed women put on a shocking spectacle that police say…
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Police apologise with 10 sit-ups after cop fires gun outside Bangkok nightclub
All 140 officers at Thong Lo Police Station performed 10 sit-ups today, December 17, as an apology after an officer fired a gun into the sky outside a nightclub on Soi Thong Lo 10 in Bangkok on Saturday, December 14. Police Sergeant Major Montri Meedate brought embarrassment and disgrace to Thong Lo Police Station last Saturday night. He was caught…
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Khon Kaen man arrested for selling meth to support family
Police in Khon Kaen arrested a 31 year old man recently been released from prison just two months prior. Caught selling methamphetamine to support his family, the drug dealer, Jay Ban Phai, claimed all his legal ventures ended in failure, leaving him with no choice but to resort to illegal activities. The police are moving forward with prosecution. At around…
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Panic in Pattaya: Apartment blaze sparks late-night chaos
Chaos erupted late last night in Pattaya as a fire broke out in a four-storey apartment building, sending thick smoke billowing into the air that was seen from miles around. Despite the panic, no injuries were reported in the incident, which could have ended far worse. The Pattaya City Land Disaster Relief Department received the emergency call at 11.46pm yesterday,…
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Thai woman attacks neighbour over cigarette smoke dispute (video)
A Thai woman took to social media to share a video in which she attacked her neighbour, blaming the victim for cigarette smoke entering her home in Nonthaburi province, near Bangkok. The Thai woman, 32 year old Kannika, shared a video of the altercation between herself and her neighbour, 64 year old Tuk, on Facebook yesterday, December 16. In the…
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Polish man sentenced for trafficking £100k of cannabis into UK
A young Polish man in the United Kingdom was sentenced to two years in a young offenders institution after pleading guilty to trafficking almost £100,000 (4.3 million baht) of cannabis into Newcastle International Airport in the North-East of England. He claimed he was coerced into the illicit operation by a threatening organised crime syndicate. On August 30, Border Force officials…
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Falling tree branch severely damages car in Nonthaburi accident
A horrifying incident unfolded when a gigantic tree branch unexpectedly crashed into a car, severely damaging the vehicle as it travelled along a road. The mishap occurred at 12.30pm yesterday, December 16, leaving the car’s roof caved in and the windshield shattered. The driver, identified as 56 year old Dan Dusit Prananon, a lecturer at King Mongkut’s University of Technology…
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Thaksin scandal: Officials probed over cushy hospital stay
A corruption storm is brewing as the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) launches a probe into 12 government officials accused of giving former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra a luxurious loophole to avoid prison. NACC Secretary General Sarote Phuengramphan revealed yesterday, December 16, that the commission is investigating claims that officials from the Department of Corrections and Police General Hospital granted Thaksin…
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Phuket police pursue Uzbek man over fake US dollars exchange
Phuket police are on the hunt for an Uzbek national accused of attempting to exchange counterfeit US dollars at a currency exchange shop in Cherng Talay. The incident took place at the Ai-Tem Money Exchange kiosk near the entrance to the Laguna complex on December 14, with the report filed later that day. Shop employee Dechawanit Sama-kas recounted that three…
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Thai pig farms face closure risk amid pork oversupply crisis
The Swine Raisers Association of Thailand (SRAT) expressed growing concern that small pig farms could face closure due to an increasing oversupply of pigs, as larger farms aggressively expand their production capabilities. This oversupply issue arises from major pig farms in Thailand continuously boosting their production without aligning with the actual market demand for pork, according to SRAT President Sitthiphan…
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Phuket driver faces charges after fatal hit-and-run incident
A driver involved in a tragic hit-and-run incident in Phuket turned himself into the police. Police confirmed that the driver will face charges for his actions following the fatal accident that occurred in the early hours of December 14. The unfortunate event took place around 3.20am along Srisoonthorn Road, near the Bang Jo Intersection in Srisoonthorn. The 22 year old…
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NHSO to keep Cancer Anywhere programme despite rising costs
The National Health Security Office (NHSO) confirmed its commitment to maintaining the Cancer Anywhere (CA) programme, which empowers patients to choose their preferred location for cancer treatment. This decision comes amidst calls from various experts to discontinue the scheme due to escalating costs. NHSO Secretary General Jadej Thammatacharee addressed concerns regarding the programme’s new guidelines, announcing the formation of a…
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Copy-paste tourism: Phuket Airport owns up to Singapore snap
Phuket International Airport today announced that the use of images of buildings from Singapore’s old town to market its own tourism were intentional and not a mistake. Phuket Airport yesterday, December 16, found itself in the eye of a social media storm after they used some pictures of Singapore to promote the popular holiday resort. Netizens took to social media…
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Bangkok’s air pollution costs 400 billion baht annually
Bangkok is grappling with significant economic repercussions due to persistent air pollution, particularly from fine particulate matter known as PM2.5, leading to annual losses exceeding 400 billion baht. The revelation emerged during a seminar organised by the National Health Commission Office in conjunction with the 17th National Health Assembly, where the financial toll of pollution was a focal point of…
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Sisaket hospital criticised for charging patients 5 baht per spoon
Controversy erupted over public hospitals in Thailand selling spoons to patients for 5 baht each. This practice, particularly at Kantharalak Hospital in the Sisaket province, was initially introduced during the Covid-19 pandemic to prevent virus spread but it has now drawn criticism. The issue gained attention when a popular online page highlighted the situation, igniting a debate about the responsibilities…
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Severe floods in South Thailand claims 8 lives, impacts thousands
Severe flooding has engulfed five southern provinces of Thailand, devastating 47 districts and affecting more than 128,000 households. The death toll has tragically increased to eight as the region grapples with this natural disaster. The floods hit the Nakhon Si Thammarat and Koh Samui districts in Surat Thani the hardest yesterday, December 16. These areas are at the core of…
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American expat gifts helmets to Pattaya residents to boost safety
An American expat residing in Pattaya gained widespread admiration for his charitable efforts directed at enhancing children’s safety. Along with other generous donors and with the support of local restaurant Cajun Life Cafe and compassionate Pattaya police officers, the American distributed helmets to children and some adults in need on Pratumnak Soi 5. The expat, 57 year old Rick Brown…
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Thai woman escapes attempted rape by biting suspect’s finger
A Thai woman survived an attempted rape at her home in the Isaan province of Nakhon Ratchasima in the early hours of yesterday by biting the suspect’s ring finger. Police arrested suspect, a 29 year old former conscript, identified as Thawatchai, after he allegedly attempted to rape the 19 year old victim at 2am, yesterday, December 16, in her home.…
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Thailand video news | Tourist found dead after full moon party in Koh Phangan, Thailand accelerates universal healthcare coverage nationwide
In today’s Thailand video news, Alex brings key updates from across Thailand and ASEAN. Stories include the tragic death of a tourist after a Full Moon party in Koh Phangan, a fatal stabbing in Bangkok following a traffic dispute, and an assault on a Swiss tourist in Pattaya. Regional headlines highlight former Thai PM Thaksin’s new advisory role for Malaysia’s…
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