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Planning to extend your Thai visa? Why health insurance is more important than ever
If you plan to stay longer in Thailand, having health insurance is now more important than ever. Thai immigration often asks for proof of medical coverage when you apply to extend your visa. This applies to many types of visas,...
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Red sea conflicts could disrupt global trade, Thai economy at risk
The business world is on high alert as the ongoing conflicts in the Red Sea and the Israel-Hamas war pose potential risks to the global economy. The strategic planning unit of the Commerce Ministry is urging stakeholders to keep a close watch on the situation and its potential implications. The conflicts could bring both direct and indirect negative impacts on…
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Thai agencies promote youth political participation amid rising issues
A rise in youth problems related to drugs, violence, mental health deterioration, and financial woes has spurred Thai government agencies to promote greater youth political participation and heed the voices of the young. An event titled Learn Len Hen Local, showcasing the initiatives of the Children and Youth Council of Thailand (CYCT), was recently conducted by the Department of Local…
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Italian scientist receives Thai honour, boosting Thailand-Italy relations
The Prince Mahidol Award 2023, a distinguished Thai honour in the medical field, has been conferred upon Prof Dr Napoleone Ferrara, an Italian medical scientist. The award’s presentation underscores the over 156 year old bond between Thailand and Italy. The Italian Embassy in Thailand celebrated this honour, hosting a ceremony for Professor Dr Ferrara. Distinguished Thai figures with notable Italian…
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Thai films to debut at Osaka Asian Film Festival in government initiative
The Thai government announced plans to showcase a series of Thai films at various international film festivals, commencing with six films at the Osaka Asian Film Festival in March. This was revealed by Paetongtarn Shinawatra, leader of the Pheu Thai Party and Chairwoman of the National Committee on Soft Power Development. Paetongtarn used her Facebook platform on Sunday to applaud…
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Suphanburi crackdown nets 20 for illegal racing and noise complaints
Suphanburi police arrested over 20 motorcyclists following complaints from locals about frequent late-night disturbances. The operation, led by Police Lieutenant Colonel Peerapoj Rawangban, the Superintendent of Muang Suphanburi Police Station, and his deputy, Police Lieutenant Tawan Vatanarangsan, took place at the Ban Pho intersection in Mueang district, Suphanburi province. The crackdown on illegal racing came after residents reported being fed…
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Great Muay Thai fighters in the UFC history
In combat sports, Muay Thai ranks as one of the most challenging and fierce sports. If you are a fan of watching people fight, the UFC is one of the places you can reap the thrill of watching Thai boxing. Muay Thai is one of several forms of kickboxing that involves using eight limbs to strike down your opponent. Like…
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Delivery truck with parcels sinks in Chao Phraya River, goods lost
A delivery truck plunged into the Chao Phraya River near Wat Klang Kred pier, carrying a full load of parcels destined for customers. The incident, which caused significant damage and required several hours for vehicle recovery, has highlighted the vulnerability of goods in transit despite the increasingly common practice of insuring them against loss or damage. The rise of online…
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Bride’s dowry of 60kg dried tangerine peel rivals gold’s value
A wedding dowry, traditionally consisting of gold, silver, and jewellery, took an unexpected turn when a bride’s father prepared 60 kilogrammes of dried tangerine peel as the dowry for his daughter’s marriage. This unconventional gift, typically reserved for monetary or valuable assets, has raised eyebrows and curiosity regarding its true worth. Parents universally dream of their children finding love and…
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Hanoi man discovers he’s not the father of his son after wife’s slip
A 45 year old man from Hanoi, Vietnam, working for a government agency, has been left reeling after a DNA test revealed he is not the biological father of his 10 year old son. The shocking discovery came to light following an inadvertent comment made by his wife during a heated argument. The man, known by the pseudonym Nguyen, has…
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Man leaps into river in Cambodia over declined shower invitation
A young man jumped into a river from a bridge in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, after his girlfriend declined his invitation to shower together, a proposal he saw as a gesture of intimacy. This refusal led him to wrongly believe that her love for him had faded, propelling him into a rash act that has since left authorities searching for his…
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Buffalo calf rescued after horn entanglement in Buriram
A peculiar incident occurred yesterday, January 27, when a buffalo calf, entangled in the curved horns of its grandmother, was rescued in Buriram. Despite numerous attempts, the rescue team failed to free the calf, ultimately requiring a veterinarian to safely remove part of the horns using a saw. This is reported to be the first case of its kind, though…
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Swiss man’s wife missing in Thailand after inheriting 13 million baht
The search intensifies for a Swiss national’s Thai wife, who mysteriously disappeared after inheriting a fortune of over 13 million baht (US$364,861). Despite extensive efforts, there remains no trace of Orathai (surname withheld), following a domestic dispute on January 8. Her sister, Thidarat (surname withheld), disclosed financial transactions that could provide leads in the investigation. Thidarat revealed that Orathai had…
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Elderly Saraburi vendor dies in road accident with pickup truck
A tragic incident occurred in Saraburi when a 78 year old man was fatally injured after his motorcycle with a sidecar, loaded with fresh chicken parts, was struck by a pickup truck. The collision took place yesterday, January 27, at around 1.57pm in front of the municipal office of Phu Krang subdistrict, Phra Phutthabat district. The elderly vendor, who was…
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Bangkok bar owner arrested in Bang Na for illegal operations
In a swift operation against illegal nightlife activities, police arrested the owner of an unlicensed bar in the Bang Na district of Bangkok and detained four individuals for drug use. The raid, which took place in the early hours today, January 28 at the Clio bar on Udomsuk 58 Alley, resulted in the discovery of underage patrons and the seizure…
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Thailand tops ASEAN for international tourist arrivals
Thailand emerges as the top destination for international tourists in the ASEAN region, as revealed by Sudawan Wangsuphakitgosol, the Minister of Tourism and Sports, during the 27th ASEAN Tourism Forum (ATF 2024) in Vientiane, Lao People’s Democratic Republic. The forum’s theme, Quality and Responsible Tourism – Sustaining ASEAN Future, reflected a collective intent among ASEAN tourism ministers to restore and…
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61 year old man injured in late-night Chon Buri car crash
A 61 year old man sustained severe injuries after his car, a Toyota with the registration plate กบ387 Chon Buri, veered off course and crashed into a streetlight on Road 315 in Chon Buri province. The incident took place around 2am today, January 28, when the driver reportedly lost control of his vehicle. Local authorities, including Police Lieutenant Colonel Chonnarath…
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Bangkok braces for thunderstorms as cool spell hits northern Thailand
A weather warning has been issued for 30 Thai provinces, including the capital, Bangkok, due to expected thunderstorms affecting 20% of the area. This forecast comes as the northern part of Thailand experiences cool to cold temperatures, while the southern region faces high waves today, January 28. The Thai Meteorological Department (TMD) forecasted for the next 24 hours that the…
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Thai police apprehend call centre scam gang in Sungai Kolok district
A call centre scam gang was apprehended by the police in the district of Sungai Kolok, Narathiwat province yesterday, January 27. The Central Investigation Bureau (CIB) Chief, Jirabhop Bhuridej, disclosed that the operation was executed in collaboration with the Crime Suppression Division Subdivision 6 and local police. They raided a house located in the border district with Malaysia. The arrested…
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British BASE jumper dies in Pattaya condo plunge
A tragic incident unfolded yesterday evening at a Pattaya condominium when a 33 year old British national was killed in a BASE-jumping accident. At around 7.30pm, local authorities were alerted to a body that had fallen from a great height, landing amidst the condominium’s lush foliage before hitting the ground. The accident occurred in the Nong Prue subdistrict of Bang Lamung,…
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British man forges kidnap tale, arrested by Pattaya police
A seemingly distressing kidnapping report took an unexpected turn when a British national’s family in England alerted Thai police that the Brit had been abducted in Thailand. The Central Police Bureau was alerted via Interpol by Ian’s (surname withheld) family in the UK and Police Lieutenant General Jirapop Phuridej, Commander-in-Chief of the Central Police Bureau, deployed an investigative team to…
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No fast solution for Bangkok’s air pollution problem
Experts are urging Thailand to tackle its air pollution crisis head-on, branding it a structural issue requiring citizen-led solutions. The discussion unfolded during the Journey to Clean Air event, orchestrated by the British and Australian Chambers of Commerce in Bangkok. Diving deep into potential solutions, the discourse highlighted institutional limitations and the pivotal role citizens play in driving change towards…
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German national detained by Patong police for stealing 80K from hotel
A 22 year old German national made off with 86,000 baht from a hotel counter in Patong, Phuket. The brazen thief couldn’t resist flashing a cheeky grin at the security camera before vanishing into the night. Police apprehended the mischievous thief, identified as Mohamed Yassine Zariouh, at Patong yesterday evening. The Phuket Provincial Court had issued a warrant for his…
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Love across borders: Malaysian women flock to southern Thailand for forbidden unions
In a surprising trend, Malaysian women, primarily from the East Coast states, are crossing borders to tie the knot with foreign nationals in southern Thailand. The Narathiwat Islamic Council revealed that 90% of these brides were widows, seeking love and legality beyond their homeland. Vice-president Abdul Aziz Che Mamat unveiled the reasons behind this cross-border love affair. “The most common…
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Foreign Ministry warns against Thai consulate fraudsters
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) has issued a red alert, cautioning citizens worldwide against a surge in scam attempts by fraudsters posing as Thai consulate officials. The warning stems from a barrage of reports concerning deceitful social media accounts and phone numbers purportedly linked to Thai consulates, spreading in Australia and Japan. According to Ministry spokesperson Kanchana Patarachoke, Australian…
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Drunken Thai man found dead on Jomtien Beach
A Thai man lost his life after taking a fateful dip into the sea at Jomtien Beach near The Now Hotel on January 25, possibly under the influence of alcohol. A rescue team and the Pattaya Police received a report of the incident at 4pm. Upon their arrival at the scene in Nong Prue sub-district, Banglamung district, Chon Buri province,…
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Three injured in motorcycle accident on Pattaya Central Road
A motorcycle accident in front of McDonald’s on Pattaya Central Road left two Thai teens and a foreigner with injuries on the night of January 25. The Sawang Boriboon Thammasathan Foundation dispatched a response team to the scene upon receiving report of the accident. An unconscious 14 year old Thai girl, sprawled on the road, was found at the site.…
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Latex leak caused car pileup in Northeast Thailand
Torrential rains turned three major roads in the northeastern province of Loei into perilous zones, resulting in a 20-car pileup within a 3-hour span on January 25. The chaos unfolded when heavy rain triggered a cascade of calamities on Loei-Chiang Khan Road. The first report indicated a sprawling multi-car collision, prompting swift intervention from rescue teams. Loei-Wang Saphung Road and…
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AIS introduces new points scheme
Advanced Info Service (AIS) plans to transform its AIS Points programme into a cutting-edge platform with tailor-made privileges through a collaboration with partners across diverse industries. AIS customer and service management chief Jaiporn Srisakul explained that the revamped platform will cater to the individual lifestyles of its 49.1 million customers, employing data analytics to craft personalised privileges using the innovative…
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Srisuwan arrested for alleged extortion in police crackdown operation
Police arrested prolific petitioner Srisuwan Janya at his Pathum Thani home yesterday for an alleged extortion case. Natthakit Khongthip, director-general of the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives’ Rice Department, claimed Srisuwan demanded 3 million baht to keep quiet about supposed irregularities in the department’s projects. Natthakit, fearing for his reputation, negotiated the amount down to 140,000 baht, agreeing to an…
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German president visits rice fields in Isaan and North Thailand
German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier embarked on a journey to Thailand’s rice fields in Ubon Ratchathani and Chiang Rai. The two Thai provinces boast over 4.2 million rai of rice fields. President Steinmeier and his delegation paid a visit to the Suan Ta Rom Demonstration Farm in Trakan Phuet Phon district, Ubon Ratchathani. The 35-rai (56,000 square metres) integrated farmland showcased…
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