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Sponsored How to travel around Thailand for under US$30 a day
The Thaiger key takeaways Staying in budget hostels or guesthouses and eating street food keeps daily expenses low. Mixing buses, trains, and budget flights allows affordable travel between cities and islands. Free or cheap activities, such as temples, markets, parks,...
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Bank of Thailand likely to hike rates amid inflation concerns
Inflation concerns prompt predictions of further Bank of Thailand rate hikes this year, as the nation’s economy recovers. Siam Commercial Bank’s research unit, SCB Economic Intelligence Center (EIC), anticipates the central bank’s Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) will increase its policy benchmark rate by a quarter percentage point in both August and September, bringing it to 2.5% from the current 2%.…
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Spice of success: Thai chef ‘thais’ the knot as first-ever MasterChef UK winner
Chariya Khattiyot made history last week by becoming the first Thai chef to win the prestigious MasterChef UK competition. Her innovative northern Thai dishes wowed the judges throughout the eight-week BBC One contest, ultimately triumphing over 44 other contestants. The 40 year old Thai chef entered the competition to showcase the diverse flavours of northern Thai cuisine, which she is…
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Creepy crawler goes viral: Giant centipede ‘wall-stounds’ online viewers (video)
A viral video recently circulating online has captured a giant centipede climbing up a residential wall, leaving viewers intrigued and startled. The clip, posted by TikTok user @paphatsanat, has accumulated over 6 million views since it was uploaded on social media. The owner of the clip said… “I have never seen such a huge and long centipede in my life.”…
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Scent-sational breakup: Chinese student dumped over ‘foul’ feet post-abortion
Just under a month after having an abortion, a 20 year old Chinese university student was dumped by her boyfriend because her feet were unbearably smelly. The breakup caused widespread interest on Chinese social media and sparked a multitude of comments on their relationship. The 20 year old Chinese university student Liu shared her emotional breakup story online, attracting significant…
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Lee Kum Kee eyes Thai ready-to-eat market expansion (video)
Asian sauce and seasoning manufacturer Lee Kum Kee Sauce Group is exploring opportunities to enter Thailand’s ready-to-eat food market through collaborations with local partners. Having been in the industry for 135 years, the company recognises the growth potential in this sector as it caters to the demands of busy consumers seeking convenience. Cheryl Chan, the regional marketing director of Mahsuri…
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Thunderstorms hit Thailand: Heavy rainfall sparks flash flood warnings
The Thai Meteorological Department issued a warning for increased thunderstorms, affecting 37 provinces across the country, including Bangkok. Heavy rainfall is expected in several areas, potentially causing sudden flooding and flash floods, particularly in hilly regions and low-lying areas. The warning is a result of the southwest monsoon, intensified over the Andaman Sea, Thailand, and the Gulf of Thailand, as…
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Prudential Thailand hits record Q1 results, joins top six insurers
Prudential Life Assurance (Thailand) achieved a record-breaking first quarter in 2023, with the highest weighted first-year premiums in the company’s history, propelling it into the top six insurance providers in the country. During the first three months, the firm’s weighted first-year premiums grew by 36% year-on-year, surpassing the market growth of 17% and raising its market share from 5.7% in…
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Asian stocks surge as us debt default averted
Asian stocks experienced gains on Friday, following the US Senate’s approval of legislation that prevents a US debt default. The possibility of the US Federal Reserve deciding against raising interest rates this month also contributed to the positive sentiment. Last week, Thai shares fluctuated between 1,521.31 and 1,545.55 points, eventually closing at 1,531.20 on Friday, marking a 0.024% increase from…
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Pupils charged hundreds for fake leaked GCSE and A-level papers on social media
Scammers on social media platforms are targeting students with offers of fake GCSE and A-level exam papers, charging them hundreds of pounds. One pupil stated that the idea of papers being available for sale has become a major topic of discussion during exam season. Exam boards have confirmed that it is highly unusual for genuine papers to be leaked, but…
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Austerity left UK unprepared for pandemic, warns TUC report
A report by the Trades Union Congress (TUC) claims that the UK’s years of austerity significantly impacted the country’s preparedness for the coronavirus pandemic. The TUC asserts that funding cuts left health and social care “dangerously understaffed,” reducing the sectors’ ability to respond effectively to the COVID-19 crisis. The report also highlights that pay caps and freezes contributed to staffing…
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Mum demands apology after son’s psychiatric release leads to fatal stabbing
Sharon Lees has called for a public apology from Hywel Dda health board after her son, David Fleet, stabbed a man to death due to “voices in his head” ten days after being released from a psychiatric unit. Lees claims she warned staff that her son was too unwell for release, and the tragedy “could [and] should have been prevented.”…
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Opec+ agrees extended production cuts to boost flagging oil prices
Oil-producing nations have agreed to extend production cuts in an effort to support struggling prices. Saudi Arabia announced its intention to reduce output by one million barrels per day (bpd) in July, while Opec+ stated that targets would decrease by an additional 1.4 million bpd from 2024. Opec+ represents approximately 40% of global crude oil production, and its decisions significantly…
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Desperate relatives continue search for loved ones after India train crash
Families of victims of Friday’s tragic train collision in India continue their desperate search for missing loved ones. The accident, which occurred in Odisha, is now believed to have claimed 275 lives, making it the country’s worst rail disaster in decades. A signalling fault is thought to be the cause of the tragedy. The rescue mission was declared over on…
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Boy injured as wind lifts inflatable zorb at Southport Food Festival
A nine-year-old boy sustained serious injuries after being lifted into the air by a strong gust of wind while inside an inflatable zorb. The incident occurred during the Southport Food and Drink Festival at Victoria Park. The child was airlifted to the hospital, and Merseyside Police confirmed that his injuries were not life-threatening. Sefton Council carried out a health and…
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Woman stabbed to death walking to meet mum, family shares grief
The relatives of a woman who was fatally stabbed while on her way to meet her mother expressed their profound shock and grief, stating that her last moments must have been “horrific.” Michelle Hodgkinson, 51 years old, was assaulted on Edge Lane in Droylsden, Greater Manchester, around noon on Friday. Her family praised her for her charitable endeavours and her…
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UK’s Illegal Migration Bill could cost £6bn in detention, deportation
The UK government’s proposed Illegal Migration Bill could cost up to £6bn over the next two years, according to internal estimates. The bill, currently being debated in Parliament, aims to remove anyone arriving in the UK illegally and prevent them from claiming asylum. The Home Office expects to spend between £3bn and £6bn on detention facilities, accommodation, and removals. The…
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BCC launches Business Council with Heathrow, BP, IHG Hotels as members
The British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) has established a new business lobby group, the Business Council, with several of the UK’s largest companies as founding partners, including Heathrow, BP, IHG Hotels & Resorts, and Drax. The creation of the Business Council comes at a crucial time for the Confederation of British Industry (CBI), which is facing a critical vote on…
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Epsom Derby disrupted by animal rights protester, man charged
A 32-year-old man from Hackney, east London, has been charged with causing public nuisance after an animal rights protester disrupted the Epsom Derby on Saturday. The protester was quickly apprehended by police and security guards during the opening seconds of the prestigious race, which was not affected by the incident. Surrey Police confirmed that Ben Newman is due to appear…
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Elderly Bournemouth man arrested on suspicion of woman’s murder
Dorset Police have launched a murder investigation following the death of a woman believed to be in her 80s at a residence in Bournemouth. The authorities were alerted to the situation at approximately 7pm on Saturday, after receiving a report expressing concern for the woman’s welfare at an address off Wick Lane in Southbourne, a suburb of Bournemouth. Upon arrival,…
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Royal Ascot security revisited after Epsom Derby activist disruption
Royal Ascot’s security plans are being re-evaluated following the disruption caused by activists at the Epsom Derby. Ascot officials are said to be “observing and learning” from the incident on June 4, when animal rights protesters invaded the track. The five-day horse racing festival, which begins on June 20, features the Royal Procession with horse-drawn landaus, an event that was…
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Woman stabbed to death in Droylsden named, suspect detained under Mental Health Act
Police have identified the woman who was fatally stabbed in Droylsden, Manchester on Friday as 51-year-old Michelle Hodgkinson. A 28-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of murder and has since been detained under the Mental Health Act. The family of Hodgkinson expressed their shock and grief, describing her as a loving, selfless, and funny person who was dedicated to…
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UK braces for hottest day this year with 27C forecast in Wales, southwest
The United Kingdom is preparing for the warmest day of the year this week, as the Met Office forecasts temperatures reaching up to 26C or 27C in Wales and southwest England on Thursday. Sunshine is expected across the country, although showers and breezes may occur in the South towards the end of the week, with windier conditions in the South…
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Woman’s body found in sea off Saltburn beach, North Yorkshire
Emergency services were called to Saltburn beach in North Yorkshire after receiving reports of a body in the water at around 2pm. Two lifeboats and an air ambulance quickly arrived on the scene, where they discovered and retrieved a woman’s body from the sea. Cleveland Police have confirmed the incident, stating that the woman has not been named, but her…
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Teen chef and girl, 12, die in Bournemouth beach tragedy, 8 others injured
Joe Abbess, a 17-year-old from Southampton, was identified by Dorset Police as one of the two individuals who tragically lost their lives in a drowning incident off Bournemouth beach. The other victim was a 12-year-old girl, locally identified as Sunnah Khan. In addition to their deaths, eight other people sustained injuries. The family of Joe Abbess shared a heartfelt tribute…
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Elderly woman’s murder in Bournemouth prompts police investigation
Dorset Police have initiated a murder investigation following the tragic death of a woman believed to be in her 80s at a residence in Bournemouth. The police were alerted to concerns about the woman’s welfare at a property off Wick Lane in the Southbourne suburb of Bournemouth around 7pm on Saturday. Upon arrival with the ambulance service, the woman was…
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Funeral held for girl, 12, after tragic Bournemouth sea incident
A 12-year-old girl, Sunnah Khan from High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire, who tragically died after being pulled from the sea in Bournemouth, has been laid to rest. The incident, which took place near Bournemouth Pier, involved 10 swimmers and resulted in the death of Sunnah and a 17-year-old boy from Southampton. Over 200 people attended Sunnah’s funeral, organized by High Wycombe Mosques…
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Prince Harry takes personal risk in tabloid hacking case at High Court
In a historic move, Prince Harry is set to appear as a witness at the High Court, marking the first time a senior royal has done so since 1891 when Prince Edward testified during the Royal Baccarat Scandal. Though the circumstances are different, with Harry’s case centred around media intrusion rather than gambling, the stakes are just as high. The…
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Elderly woman dies in Glasgow car collision, police seek witnesses
A tragic accident in Glasgow has resulted in the death of a 75-year-old woman who was struck by a car on Saturday evening. The incident occurred near the intersection of Farmington Gardens and Farmington Avenue at approximately 6.50pm, involving a white Mercedes and the pedestrian. Despite the efforts of emergency services, the woman was pronounced dead at the scene. Following…
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Kremlin bars unfriendly countries journalists from St Petersburg Economic Forum
The St Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF), an event often considered Russia’s response to the World Economic Forum in Davos, will not be open to journalists from “unfriendly countries,” according to the Kremlin. The annual forum, held since 1997, has never before imposed such a blanket ban on Western journalists. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov confirmed the decision to TASS news…
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Mysterious death of Thai man just days after leaving prison
A 46 year old Thai man, recently released from prison, was found dead under a broken election banner in the northeast Nakhon Ratchasima province, just three days after his release. Authorities believe the cause of death could be sudden heart failure due to the extreme heat and his weak physical condition. The body of the ex-prisoner was found beside a…
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