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    Why health insurance costs more each year and how expats in Thailand can save more money

    Each year, many expats living in Thailand see their health insurance premiums go up and often without a clear reason. This can be frustrating, especially when you're trying to plan your budget. But by understanding why prices rise and learning...

  • Villa robbery in Phuket raises safety concerns for foreign family | Thaiger

    Villa robbery in Phuket raises safety concerns for foreign family

    A foreign family, currently residing in Phuket, experienced a shocking robbery of their villa in Chalong, raising serious safety concerns. The audacious theft occurred while the family of four, including two children, were present in the house, and the thief managed to escape with stolen goods worth over 50,000 baht. The family, of Russian origin, reported the invasive villa robbery…

  • Universal healthcare pilot scheme offers flexible hospital choice in Thailand | Thaiger

    Universal healthcare pilot scheme offers flexible hospital choice in Thailand

    The Public Health Minister, Cholnan Srikaew, has announced the readiness of a new pilot scheme that will enable members of the universal healthcare (UC) programme to seek health services at any hospital. The initiative is aimed at enhancing healthcare delivery, providing UC members with the flexibility to seek eligible services at any hospital. It is expected that the scheme will…

  • Srettha Thavisin to bolster Thai-Chinese tourism, bilateral ties in China visit | Thaiger

    Srettha Thavisin to bolster Thai-Chinese tourism, bilateral ties in China visit

    Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin is slated for a diplomatic visit to China from Oct 8-10 to negotiate on 10 pivotal issues, among which strengthening bilateral relations and enhancing Thai-Chinese tourism cooperation take precedence. The announcement came yesterday during his visit to Chiang Mai, where he also hinted at the renewal of the Thai-Chinese memorandum of understanding on the loaning of…

  • Chaiya Pier 60m baht investment to boost Surat Thani tourism | Thaiger

    Chaiya Pier 60m baht investment to boost Surat Thani tourism

    A significant boost to Chaiya district’s tourism is on the horizon as provincial authorities of Surat Thani have earmarked a budget of 60 million baht for the construction of a new pier. The announcement came from Surat Thani governor, Witchawut Jinto, who confirmed that construction will commence shortly. The construction is said to be positioned near a public park in…

  • Phuket tourism and property sectors propose Andaman Wellness Economic Corridor | Thaiger

    Phuket tourism and property sectors propose Andaman Wellness Economic Corridor

    Phuket’s tourism and property development sectors have called on Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin to swiftly consider their proposal for an Andaman Wellness Economic Corridor (AWC). This initiative is intended to align with the global wellness trend, enhancing the tourism industry and related investments. This came to light during the Prime Minister’s recent visit to Phuket and Phang Nga, where he…

  • Birth rate plunge triggers health minister’s urgent action plan | Thaiger

    Birth rate plunge triggers health minister’s urgent action plan

    The national birth rate in Thailand is on a steep decline, prompting urgent action from the country’s Minister of Public Health Chonlanan Srikaew. He plans to push fertility to the forefront of the country’s national agenda, aiming for swift implementation within 100 days as part of the ministry’s “quick win” policies. Chonlanan revealed after Friday’s executive meeting that the current…

  • Weighing passengers to become standard for Bangkok Airways | Thaiger

    Weighing passengers to become standard for Bangkok Airways

    Your chance to weigh in on airport and flight practices in Thailand may be coming, quite literally. Bangkok Airways is looking to join a number of international airlines that will be weighing passengers before boarding. On September 16, it became clear that airlines were getting a bit nosy about passengers’ pounds. Foreign giants like Korean Air and Air New Zealand…

  • Thai citizens suspect state officials’ collusion with mafia-style figures, survey shows | Thaiger

    Thai citizens suspect state officials’ collusion with mafia-style figures, survey shows

    A significant proportion of Thai citizens suspect some state officials, including the police, of colluding with mafia-style influential figures, according to a recent survey conducted by the National Institute of Development Administration (NIDA). The survey, carried out from September 12 to 14, involved telephone interviews with 1,310 participants over the age of 18, representing a diverse range of educational backgrounds,…

  • Cannabis bill to be reviewed, focusing on medical use only | Thaiger

    Cannabis bill to be reviewed, focusing on medical use only

    Cannabis will come under scrutiny as new Public Health Minister Cholnan Srikaew announced the formation of a committee to analyse a bill to regulate the plant. The primary objective, he insisted yesterday, is to ensure the use of cannabis remains strictly within the medical and health realm, prohibiting any recreational use. The cannabis and hemp bill, sponsored by the Bhumjaithai…

  • Young cow fatally hit in Phuket car accident sparks safety concerns | Thaiger

    Young cow fatally hit in Phuket car accident sparks safety concerns

    A tragic incident unfolded last night in Srisoonthorn, Phuket, when a young cow was fatally hit by a car. The cow, believed to be between six to eight months old, had wandered onto the Thung Suea Khruan – Ban Don Road, leading to the unfortunate accident. The incident was reported at 8.30pm, with residents gathering around the lifeless body of…

  • Thailand and Laos in talks to link tourism routes and build second bridge | Thaiger

    Thailand and Laos in talks to link tourism routes and build second bridge

    In a bid to boost tourism and enhance relations, Thailand and Laos initiated discussions to connect tourism routes and expedite the construction of a second Thai-Lao friendship bridge in the Pak Chom district of Loei. The talks took place yesterday between Tawee Sermpakdeekul, the governor of Loei, and Khamphan Sithidampha, the governor of Laos’ Vientiane province, during the 20th Thai-Lao…

  • Thailand and China’s Guangxi discuss bolstering trade via ILSTC route | Thaiger

    Thailand and China’s Guangxi discuss bolstering trade via ILSTC route

    Trade discussions took place yesterday between Thailand and China‘s Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, focusing on the potential use of the New International Land-Sea Trade Corridor (ILSTC) to enhance trade cooperation. Guangxi Zhuang, a southern Chinese region adjacent to Vietnam, is the operational hub of the ILSTC, a trade and logistics channel. The route extends from Chongqing to the Beibu Gulf…

  • Alcohol consumption bans at retirement parties win praise | Thaiger

    Alcohol consumption bans at retirement parties win praise

    Two key Thai ministries, the Interior and Education, have gained recognition for their commitment to stamping out alcohol consumption during retirement parties for their staff ending their service after this month. Introduced seven years ago, this policy was brought into effect following requests made by the StopDrink Network Office, the Office of the Basic Education Commission, the Thai Health Promotion…

  • Protein foam to boost elderly nutrition unveiled by researchers | Thaiger

    Protein foam to boost elderly nutrition unveiled by researchers

    A research group at Mahidol University has unveiled a novel plant-based protein supplement aimed at bolstering the protein consumption of the elderly. The supplement, a foam protein derived from Thailand’s acclaimed Hom Mali rice, is designed for effortless consumption. Warangkana Srichamnong, assistant director of the Institute of Nutrition and spearhead of the foam protein project, explained the simplicity of its…

  • Four arrested in Thailand for child sex trafficking operation | Thaiger

    Four arrested in Thailand for child sex trafficking operation

    Four individuals implicated in child sex trafficking have been apprehended in Bangkok and Samut Prakan, according to a police announcement today. The Anti-Trafficking in Persons Division (ATPD) of the police force detained the two suspects. Criminal Court arrest warrants had been issued for the pair on September 6. The suspects, 40 year old Noppadol Chanthong and 51 year old Khachaporn…

  • Thailand urges US to restore GSP to give trade protection | Thaiger

    Thailand urges US to restore GSP to give trade protection

    Thailand is accelerating discussions with the United States, aiming to reinstate the Generalized System of Preferences (GSP) and eliminate its place on the intellectual property assets watch list. The kingdom is urging the US to expedite the restoration of the GSP programme, which concluded in 2020, to safeguard the benefits of Thai exporters and US importers and give protection to…

  • 20 year old arrested in Phuket drug raid amid ongoing suppression campaign | Thaiger

    20 year old arrested in Phuket drug raid amid ongoing suppression campaign

    A drug raid executed in the Rawai Sea gypsy village in Phuket led to the arrest of a 20 year old local man. He was apprehended on charges of possessing 20 methamphetamine pills, colloquially known as Yaba. The arrest was part of a three-month campaign to crack down on drug dealing, use, and possession in Phuket. The operation was executed…

  • Fiscal budget deficits risks Thai economy, chief economist warns | Thaiger

    Fiscal budget deficits risks Thai economy, chief economist warns

    Kiatnakin Phatra Securities’ chief economist issued a stark warning over the government’s increasing reliance on fiscal budget deficits, cautioning that such an approach could harm the economy over an extended period. Pipat Luengnaruemitchai openly criticised the government’s latest populist strategies, including a digital money initiative and reduced oil costs, stating that these measures could erode fiscal discipline. He further warned…

  • BMA fast-track road returns to ease city’s traffic congestion | Thaiger

    BMA fast-track road returns to ease city’s traffic congestion

    The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) issued a call to the Mass Rapid Transit Authority of Thailand (MRTA) for the swift restoration of roads surrounding various MRTA construction sites. This move is aimed at mitigating the escalating traffic congestion in the city. The deputy Bangkok governor, during a recent BMA meeting, revealed that the MRTA has assured the BMA of the planned…

  • US auto industry strike continues, workers demand 40% wage increase | Thaiger

    US auto industry strike continues, workers demand 40% wage increase

    Remaining defiant in their stand for better pay, employees from the United States’ renowned Big Three auto manufacturers – General Motors, Ford, and Stellantis (the parent company of Dodge and Chrysler in the US) – continued to strike for a second day. The lack of agreement between the United Automobile Workers (UAW) and the companies could potentially destabilise the economy…

  • Thailand’s airlines resist price war despite rising operational costs | Thaiger

    Thailand’s airlines resist price war despite rising operational costs

    Despite escalating operational costs, Thailand’s airlines are unlikely to trigger a new price war, while the Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand (CAAT) intends to retain the existing ceiling for ticket prices. This information was shared by Suttipong Kongpool, the CAAT director, during a seminar co-hosted by the Airlines Association of Thailand (AAT) and CAAT this week. Suttipong indicated that with…

  • New Parliament building nears completion, Constitution Day unveil | Thaiger

    New Parliament building nears completion, Constitution Day unveil

    The near completion of Sappaya-Sapasathan, Thailand’s new Parliament building, is set to be celebrated by House members and staff on Constitution Day, December 10, as stated by Deputy House Speaker, Padipat Santiphada. He disclosed that the structure is virtually finished, with a final audit committee meeting planned for Monday to examine the project’s status. Padipat indicated that if the Parliament…

  • Economic data in China sees Asian stocks surge, Thai shares dip | Thaiger

    Economic data in China sees Asian stocks surge, Thai shares dip

    Asian stocks experienced a significant surge yesterday, a continuation of the global equity rally, following encouraging Chinese economic data that sparked optimism about the imminent culmination of major central banks’ tightening initiatives. Despite the overall momentum, Thai stocks saw a slight dip of 0.3% from the prior week, closing at 1,542.03 on Friday, with an average daily turnover of 46.97…

  • Thai education minister’s appointment in question over Red Bull heir scandal | Thaiger

    Thai education minister’s appointment in question over Red Bull heir scandal

    The recent appointment of Education Minister, Police General Permpoon Chidchob, has been challenged by the Move Forward Party (MFP), following allegations of his involvement in aiding Vorayuth “Boss” Yoovidhya, the heir to the Red Bull fortune, to evade prosecution. MFP MP Teerajchai Phunthumas voiced these concerns during a press briefing yesterday, September 15. He drew attention to the National Anti-Corruption…

  • Thai Education Minister plants ‘sufficiency seeds’ in teacher finance debate | Thaiger

    Thai Education Minister plants ‘sufficiency seeds’ in teacher finance debate

    Education Minister Pheeraphon Nitikorn sparked controversy by suggesting teachers and educational staff adopt a sufficiency economy philosophy to reduce their debt and financial planning burdens. This proposal was made during the presentation of educational policies and guidelines for the Good Study, Happy Policy. Another issue related to reducing the burden of teachers and educational staff is addressing their debt problems.…

  • Phuket’s forest-working group takes root: Mapping a path for protected land issues | Thaiger

    Phuket’s forest-working group takes root: Mapping a path for protected land issues

    Phuket’s inaugural meeting of a newly established working group, tasked with resolving issues concerning residents residing in or near the Bang Khanun Protected National Forest, resolved to develop a database to record all land parcels owned or occupied within the forest area. The decision also included creating a map of the occupied areas within the forest. The resolution was made…

  • Critical condition: Thai activist’s battle against stomach tumour prompts urgent hospital transfer | Thaiger

    Critical condition: Thai activist’s battle against stomach tumour prompts urgent hospital transfer

    Thai political activist Ekachai Hongkangwan remains in a critical condition due to a stomach tumour, according to Thai Lawyers for Human Rights. The lawyers requested the Department of Corrections to urgently transfer Ekachai to Thammasat University Hospital for treatment. The tumour, as revealed by tests, measures 11 centimetres in length and 8cm in width. The 48 year old Thai activist was…

  • Rice prices boil over, stirring inflation concerns for Asian central banks | Thaiger

    Rice prices boil over, stirring inflation concerns for Asian central banks

    Central banks across Asia are bracing themselves for the challenge of curbing inflation amid soaring food prices, particularly rice, a dietary staple in the region. The cost of rice surged to its highest since 2008, sparking concern among economists at HSBC Holdings Plc. Frederic Neumann, leading a team of economists at HSBC, referred to the significant impact of the 2008…

  • Shocking TikTok video reveals tapeworms in wild bear: Wildlife photographer’s startling discovery | Thaiger

    Shocking TikTok video reveals tapeworms in wild bear: Wildlife photographer’s startling discovery

    A viral video, viewed over 24 million times, features documentary wildlife photographer Mark Bouldoukian, known as @markian.b on TikTok, having a startling encounter with a brown bear with what appeared to be long white ropes attached to its rear but in reality, these were not ropes but rather tapeworms. The video’s creator indicated that tapeworms residing inside bears can grow…

  • EconThai urges government: Debt-lift measures needed for all, not just farmers | Thaiger

    EconThai urges government: Debt-lift measures needed for all, not just farmers

    EconThai, the Employers’ Confederation of Thai Trade and Industry, called on the government to hasten steps to alleviate the heavy domestic debt burden, aiming to aid not only farmers but also middle-income earners who are bearing substantial financial loads. EconThai Vice-Chairman, Tanit Sorat, highlighted the necessity for debt suspension measures to be inclusive, covering a wide range of individuals in…