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Thai banks see 0.71% loan growth as SMEs and households struggle
Thailand’s top six banks reported a meagre loan growth of 0.71% in the first three quarters of 2023, as compared to the same period in 2022. This slowdown is primarily due to reduced loan uptake by small and medium-sized businesses (SMEs) and an increase in household debt. The six banks—Bangkok Bank (BBL), Kasikornbank (KBank), Krungthai Bank (KTB), Siam Commercial Bank…
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Phuket taxis: Drivers demand action against illegal private car services
Over 100 public transport operators, including metered taxi drivers, green plate taxis, and passenger van drivers, assembled at Phuket Provincial Hall yesterday to formally complain. They are demanding that the Phuket provincial government take more robust action against illegal private car services operating through taxi apps on the island. The formal complaint was received by Phuket Vice Governor Amnuay Pinsuwan…
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Frigate negotiations: RTN discusses submarine switch controversy
Defence Minister Sutin Klungsang announced plans to assign the Royal Thai Navy (RTN) to enter into negotiations with China to reduce the cost of a frigate. This decision comes in the wake of the Thai government’s resolution to acquire such a vessel as a substitute for a submarine. Anticipated to depart for China next week, an RTN delegation will conduct…
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Thailand and Australia unite in fight against child sexual exploitation
Angela Macdonald, the Australian Ambassador to Thailand, and Deputy Chief of the Royal Thai Police Surachate “Big Joke” Hakparn joined forces in Phuket yesterday to participate in the Countering Child Sexual Exploitation Regional Dialogue Thailand 2023. The dialogue, taking place at the SAii Laguna Phuket resort in Cherng Talay, brings together law enforcement officials and NGO representatives from nine nations,…
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BGRIM’s solar sonata: Renewable energy giant strikes the right chord in Italy
BGRIM, a leading player in the renewable energy sector, has launched a new project for a solar power plant in Italy. The Ortanova project involves the development of an 80.9-megawatt ground solar energy system, complete with a tracking system. This initiative is in response to the growing global demand for clean energy. The undertaking is steered by RES Co Sicilia…
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Debt collector’s haunting discovery: Bank employee stumbles upon dead body in Chon Buri
A Thai bank employee stumbled upon the dead body of a Thai woman when he visited her home to collect a debt in Chon Buri province. It is predicted that the woman took her own life at least three months before she was found. Narrating his shocking experience to Channel 7, the bank employee said his manager had ordered him…
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Thai train station offers refund after Facebook complaint over unexpected 100 baht fee
A popular Facebook page shared a complaint about train station staff closing ticket booths and directing passengers to purchase tickets on-board, leading to an additional 100 baht fee. The State Railway of Thailand (SRT) has since clarified the situation and offered a refund. A local train passenger yesterday took to the famous Facebook page อยากดังเดี๋ยวจัดให้ รีเทริน์ part 6 to express…
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Thai-speed justice: Supreme Court ‘fuels up’ for Benz Racing’s triumphant legal lap
The Supreme Court of Thailand dismissed a drug trafficking and money laundering case involving Thai celebrity and motorcycle racer, Akkarakit “Benz” Worrarojjaroendate, also known as Benz Racing. He vehemently denied all allegations and has spent the past four years in jail trying to clear his name. Benz was implicated in facilitating the drug trade and engaging in laundering money activities…
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Thailand’s business travel bounce-back: TCEB predicts 2024 revival, 2019 return by 2025-26
The Thailand Convention and Exhibition Bureau (TCEB) forecasts a business travel sector revival by 2024, with 23.2 million travellers expected. However, it predicts a business travel return to the pre-pandemic levels of 2019 only by 2025 or 2026 due to global economic unpredictability. TCEB’s president, Chiruit Isarangkun Na Ayuthaya, revealed that their business travel revival strategy will focus on stimulating…
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Collector shocked to discover his favourite teapot is an antique spittoon worth over 2.5 million baht
The popular Chinese television show Antique Appraisal, produced by China Central Television (CCTV), is helping to increase awareness about intriguing antiques. Recently, the show saw a surprising event when a collector, Liu, appeared with what he believed was a valuable antique teapot. Liu, like many of his contemporaries, enjoyed drinking tea and playing chess in his leisure time, leading to a…
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Thailand’s export hopes bloom in Q4, aiming to paint a brighter 2023 picture
The Ministry of Commerce in Thailand anticipates an uptick in the country’s exports for the last quarter of the year, potentially mitigating the projected contraction for 2023. This encouraging forecast is attributed to several factors, including a partnership between the government and private sector to boost export activities and address associated challenges, drought-induced spikes in agricultural and food product imports,…
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Deputy Minister’s son-in-law nabbed for extorting contractor as water supply scandal makes waves
Officers from the Public Sector Anti-Corruption Commission (PACC) arrested the mayor of Doo sub-district and the Deputy Interior Minister’s son-in-law on charges of extorting 600,000 baht from a water supply contractor. Bail was set at 400,000 baht yesterday. The contractor told the PACC that his company had put forward two tenders for two supply system projects in Taluk Doo and…
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Elderly woman reports to police after fatal hit-and-run of disabled man
A 60 year old woman driving a Toyota Fortuner fatally hit a disabled man crossing the road. Shocked, she fled the scene before reporting to the local police station. The hit-and-run incident reportedly occurred in a dark area with tall grass obstructing visibility around 9.15pm yesterday. The hit-and-run incident took place in a school zone, marked with warning signs and…
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SET forecasted to dip amid US bond yield uncertainty
The Stock Exchange of Thailand (SET) index, which dipped below 1,400 points last Friday, is anticipated to continue its downward trajectory this week, potentially hitting 1,330 to 1,350 points, as per market analysts’ predictions. Factors contributing to this trend include fluctuating US bond yields and uncertainties in global factors. Wikij Tirawannarat, a senior executive at Bualuang Securities, pointed out that…
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Public indecency stunt: Korean influencer Aiin faces jail time in Hongdae district
Model Aiin, a prominent social media influencer, is under investigation for her audacious act of wearing a box instead of clothes while moving around the bustling Hongdae district of Korea. She invited passers-by to reach into the box and touch her breasts, claiming to challenge gender equality standards. The public indecency act, which occurred last week, has sparked a sensational…
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Two killed, two injured in violent brawl over a woman in central Thailand
A violent brawl over a woman led to the deaths of two individuals and the injuries of two others in Prachinburi province. The violent brawl incident took place in front of a residential building where the victims were drinking alcohol. The police were able to apprehend one suspect at midnight today. The altercation was initiated by a group of aggressive…
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Home thief: Shanghai woman loses 5 million baht trying to catch criminal alone
A 35 year old wealthy woman from Shanghai found herself a victim of a series of thefts taking place in her home. Despite her losses, which exceeded 1 million yuan (over 5 million baht), she attempted to catch the home thief herself rather than report the theft to the police. Her plan, however, took an unexpected turn. The victim, Jinti, first…
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Thai PM accuses Israeli employers of exploiting Thai workers amidst crisis
Thailand Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin called on Israeli employers to stop exploiting their Thai workers during this perilous period. He alleges that salary payments are being deliberately postponed as a means to retain Thai workers in Israel amidst growing safety concerns. In a press interaction preceding the weekly Cabinet meeting, the 61 year old prime minister revealed he had contacted…
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Winter festival in Thailand to boost tourism through creative events
Thailand Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin declared plans to extend the country’s annual winter festival nationwide, renaming it the Thailand Winter Festivals. This announcement followed a strategic meeting with key figures including Tourism and Sports Minister Sudawan Wangsuphakijkosol, TAT Governor Thapanee Kiatphaibool, and Bangkok Governor Chadchart Sittipunt. The primary focus of their discussion was the forthcoming “Colourful Bangkok Winter Festival” scheduled…
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Young man survives harrowing motorcycle crash in Trat
A shocking accident occurred in Trat when a 24 year old man lost control of his motorcycle and crashed into a concrete pole. The impact caused a large gash on his chest, exposing his heart. He was hurriedly given first aid before being rushed to the hospital at around 11.10pm yesterday. The fatal motorcycle crash was reported by the Sawang…
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Elderly captive released from Hamas praises captors for unexpected care (video)
An 85 year old woman revealed the reason for extending a farewell handshake to her Hamas captors, citing their good care and tenderness towards the elderly. International news reported last night that Hamas had released two elderly Israeli women with health issues, citing humanitarian reasons. In a Hamas statement, it was clarified that the captives, 85 year old Yosef Lifchitz…
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Drunken man’s dangerous stunt with python nearly turns fatal in Kerala
A near-death experience unfolded in Kerala, India, as a drunken man sought to showcase his bravado by enacting a stunt with a giant python. The man, known as Chandran, was heading home in a state of inebriation when he picked up the python from the roadside and began to perform stunts with it, turning the heads of passers-by. This audacious…
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British man suffers broken nose after stumbling over road stud in Pattaya (video)
President of the Pattaya Entertainment Business Association urged local authorities to take action after a British man stumbled on a stud on Jomtien Beach Road in Pattaya and suffered a broken nose. CCTV footage along Jomtien Beach Road in Pattaya showed a British man crossing the road and tripping over the road stud. He fell to the ground as his…
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Thai Cabinet fuels up for savings: Gasohol 91 prices set to drop
The Thai Cabinet today gave initial approval for a 2.5 baht per litre reduction in the price of gasohol 91 for three months, likely to start from October 31, as stated by the Thailand Energy Minister. Thailand Energy Minister Pirapan Salirathavibhaga confirmed that this price cut would be facilitated by a 2.5 baht per litre reduction in excise tax, a method…
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Asia’s crypto craze: Bitcoin’s impressive ascent fuels ETF hopes
The cryptocurrency market witnessed a notable surge in Asia, with Bitcoin reaching a near 18-month high. The climb in value today, October 24, by over 6% to US$35,198, is the highest recorded since May 2022 and is the result of speculation around the potential launch of a Bitcoin exchange-traded fund (ETF). Monday, October 23, saw Bitcoin’s best session in almost…
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Retired football coach drowns in municipal pond in central Thailand
A retired football coach tragically lost his life in an accident during an exercise routine in Nakhon Pathom. The incident occurred when he suddenly felt dizzy and fell into a municipal water storage pond. Witnessed by locals, the incident occurred around 7am today. Officers from the Nakhon Pathom Police Station, along with officials from the Nakhon Pathom Municipality Disaster Prevention…
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Foot-and-mouth disease probable cause for Phayao buffalo deaths
A number of buffaloes have been found dead under mysterious circumstances in the Phayao province, in northern Thailand. The livestock department of Phayao province suspected the cause to be foot-and-mouth disease and has expedited investigations to affirm the cause of death. The incident occurred in village number 10 of Champa Wai sub-district, Mueang district, Phayao province, where the local livestock department…
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Bangkok buffet restaurant’s spicy 59 baht offer: Dine with sexy dancers (video)
The Auan Rice and Curry Buffet (อ้วน ข้าวแกงบุฟเฟ่ต์ 59.-) restaurant on Phuttamonthon Sai 1 Road in Bangkok gained widespread attention on Thai social media after offering 59 baht all you can eat dishes alongside performances by sexy dancers. The restaurant owner, Katekaew Sophalert, gave an interview to KhaoSod after her restaurant hit the headlines in several media outlets. Katekaew explained…
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Phuket police crackdown: 39 nabbed in weeklong sweep against drugs and guns, boosting tourist security
The Phuket Provincial Police apprehended 39 individuals on counts of drug and firearm offences over the past week in their continuous effort to enhance the security of its tourism sector. Between October 15 and 21, Phuket police reported that they had caught 32 suspects red-handed with narcotics. Among them, 11 were implicated in allegations of drug distribution and conspiring to…
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Pattaya Tourist Police cracks down on crime committed by transgender women
Pattaya Tourist Police are taking swift measures to address issues caused by transgender women who have been stealing from tourists. Over 50 high-risk individuals have been identified, with more than 20 of them apprehended and profiles created. Problems have arisen after a number of transgender women targeted foreign tourists around Pattaya Beach in Chon Buri, including theft, quarrels, and physical…
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