World News
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Sponsored 9 most common health issues covered by insurance for expats in Thailand
Thailand is a popular destination for expats due to its affordable lifestyle and excellent healthcare system. However, settling in a new country often brings health concerns. To ensure you’re covered for the most common medical needs, understanding what expat health...
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Power bank explosion sparks panic on Thai AirAsia flight
An explosion of a power bank on a Thai AirAsia flight destined for Nakhon Si Thammarat sparked alarm on a recent Saturday morning. Pimphattra Wichaikul, the Industry Minister, who was among the 186 passengers on the flight, witnessed the incident that filled the cabin with smoke. The crew, however, managed to extinguish the fire within two minutes, enabling the flight…
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Optical illusion on plane goes viral as passenger shares baffling photo
A passenger’s perplexing experience aboard an aeroplane, where a seemingly vigilant gaze from the seat in front turned out to be a mere optical illusion, has gone viral, captivating social media users and generating widespread amusement. Kisha Kitchen, while travelling by plane, noticed something peculiar about the passenger seated ahead on the right. It appeared as though she was being…
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UK woman’s laziness turns out to be rapid thyroid cancer
A 21 year old woman’s excessive lethargy led to a shocking medical discovery. Courtney Nettleton, from the United Kingdom, felt unusually tired and slept for up to 14 hours a day during the summer of 2021, sparking concerns for her well-being. Despite early signs that something was amiss with her health, her symptoms were initially dismissed as teenage laziness by…
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Woman barred from wedding for being too poor after 15-year friendship
A friendship spanning 15 years came to an abrupt end when a woman was excluded from her best friend’s wedding for being too poor, a situation that left her devastated. The high-society boyfriend of her friend was reportedly the catalyst for this change in their relationship. The woman, whose identity remains undisclosed, shared the heartbreaking tale of her dissolved friendship.…
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Mysterious body found in burnt Japan home sparks online intrigue
A mysterious case has captured the attention of online communities after a house fire in Japan revealed a charred body, raising questions about the victim’s identity since the homeowner and his relatives were confirmed safe. The incident occurred in the town of Koriyama, Fukushima Prefecture, Japan, at noon on February 20, when a house was engulfed in flames, resulting in…
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Betong tourism association pushes for airport runway extension
The Betong District Tourism Association is pressing for an extension of the runway at Betong International Airport. The expansion is integral to Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin’s tourism enhancement agenda. The longer runway is anticipated to allow larger aircraft to land, subsequently increasing the influx of tourists. Deputy President of the association, Narin Ruangwongsa, expressed the intention to propose this expansion…
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Freed baby elephant Tofu begins new life in sanctuary (video)
In a heart-wrenching tale of suffering and salvation, a baby elephant named Tofu, just 8 months old, has been plucked from a life of torment in Laos and given a fresh start. Chained and mistreated, his plight symbolises the ongoing battle against exploitation in the tourism industry across Asia. Planting Peace, a stalwart organisation dedicated to the rehabilitation of captive…
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YouTuber’s false 73.2 million baht mansion purchase exposed
A prominent YouTuber has been called out by a Malaysian real estate agent for falsely claiming to have purchased a luxurious mansion valued at approximately 73.2 million baht, a report from Sinchew revealed. The property in question, which the YouTuber, with a subscriber base in the millions, claimed to have bought for 9.7 million ringgit (about 73.2 million baht), was…
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Suvarnabhumi Airport sorry after train breakdown causes 30-minute delay
Suvarnabhumi International Airport in Bangkok issued an apology following a breakdown of the automated people mover (APM) train today, February 23, resulting in passengers being stranded in the underground train station and a 30-minute delay. The driverless APM train operates between the new concourse, Satellite 1 (SAT1), and the main passenger terminal. Today marked the first malfunction since the concourse…
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Thai Airways records recovery with US$782 million profit in 2023
Thai Airways International Public Company Limited witnessed a significant rebound in its earnings following an increase in air travel demand. The airline reported a net profit of 28.1 billion baht (US$782 million) in 2023, a substantial recovery from the 272-million-baht loss experienced in the previous year. This is the second-highest annual net income recorded by the company, surpassed only by…
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Vientiane hotel faces backlash for degrading game
A Chinese-owned hotel in Vientiane, Laos, faces a furious backlash after a controversial game involving young women sparked outrage. In a bid to win wine and beer, Chinese men partook in a demeaning ring-toss game at the capital’s hotel, prompting swift condemnation from locals and authorities alike. According to Radio Free Asia (RFA), the hotel took swift action after a…
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Vietnam’s rice exports soar towards 178 billion baht milestone
Vietnam’s rice sector is projected for a remarkable milestone of US$5 billion (approximately 178 billion baht) in turnover. Anticipating a rollercoaster ride in the global rice market, experts emphasise the pivotal role of innovation and adaptable export strategies in propelling Vietnam towards its ambitious growth targets. The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development underscores the industry’s resilience despite a shrinking…
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Cargo ship ploughs into bridge in Guangzhou, China (video)
Chaos erupted as a colossal cargo ship collided with a vital bridge spanning the Pearl River in Guangzhou, China. The city, located in the southern region, was rattled this morning when the vessel smashed into the Lixinsha bridge, propelling vehicles into the murky depths below. Authorities swiftly descended upon the scene, scrambling to manage traffic pandemonium while launching a full-scale…
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Japanese mafia scandal: Allegations of nuclear weapon trafficking
Japanese mafia Takeshi Ebisawa stands accused of attempting to peddle uranium and plutonium under the belief that they would find their way to Iran’s clandestine nuclear arsenal. Ebisawa, alongside a Thai accomplice, previously tangled with the law over charges related to arms and narcotics in April 2022. Now, facing the prospect of life behind bars if found guilty of the…
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Thai aviation set for turbulence as CAAT navigates high air fares
Transport Minister Suriya Juangruangreangkit disclosed on Wednesday that the Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand (CAAT) is in active discussions with all six domestic airlines in Thailand. The aim is to increase flight frequency during holiday periods and lower the flight price ceiling, in response to the issue of excessively high fares. The CAAT convened a meeting on Tuesday with the…
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Dublin’s AerCap lends 17 aircraft to Thai Airways
Thai Airways International (THAI) and AerCap have signed agreements to lease 17 aircraft to THAI. These aircraft include four Airbus A350-900, three Boeing 787-9, and 10 Airbus A321neo airliners. THAI acquired these in 2023 as part of its short-term fleet development. Two of the four A350 aircraft have been transferred over and the other two will be sent to THAI…
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Phuket El Al flight thwarts communication hijack attempt
An El Al flight en route from Phuket to Ben-Gurion Airport in Israel encountered a spine-chilling moment on Saturday night as unidentified hostile elements attempted to seize control of its communication network. This nerve-racking incident, the second of its kind within a week, sent shockwaves through the aviation world. Despite the menacing takeover attempt, the aircraft managed to reach its…
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Thai airlines vow cheaper domestic flights after public outcry
Six Thai airlines have asked for authorisation to expand domestic flight operations during peak holiday periods, responding to widespread public fury over exorbitant airfares. Representatives from Thai Airways International, Bangkok Airways, Thai AirAsia, Thai Lion Air, Nok Air, and Thai Vietjet convened with the Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand (CAAT) yesterday to delve into strategies for curbing fare hikes. This…
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Phuket Airport seeks public input on expansion plan
A call to action echoes across Phuket as the Airports of Thailand invite the public to the final hearing on the second phase of Phuket International Airport’s expansion. Slated to be conducted at the prestigious Proud Phuket Hotel in Sakhu, the hearing is scheduled from 9am to 12pm on March 8. The primary objective of this public hearing revolves around…
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Young girl amasses over 50,000 baht in locked piggy bank
A young girl’s diligent savings efforts culminated in an unexpected revelation when firefighters were summoned to unlock her iron piggy bank, discovering over 50,000 baht inside. The heartwarming incident unfolded in the southwestern Chinese province of Yunnan, where the young saver had persistently deposited money received from adults over four years into the rectangular iron bank, which lacked a withdrawal…
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Man exploits New York hotel tenancy laws leading to fraud charges
A man successfully exploited New York’s housing laws to live rent-free in the renowned New Yorker Hotel for five years, even collecting rent from other tenants, before being charged with fraud for his boundless greed. Claiming to be the owner, he was eventually arrested and accused of filing false property records. A 48 year old man expressed astonishment when police,…
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Hong Kong woman strips naked on street during breakup argument
Footage surfaced showing a woman running naked across a Hong Kong street late at night on Monday, followed by a man picking up clothes she discarded along the way. The video, which swiftly went viral, captures a couple’s argument that escalated into a shocking public display on the streets of Tuen Mun in Hong Kong. It begins with the man…
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Dutchman fined 14,000 baht by AI for scratching head whilst driving
A routine act of scratching his head while driving led to an unexpected fine for a Dutchman after an AI-powered traffic camera misinterpreted the gesture for using a mobile phone. Tim Hansen received a fine of 380 euros (14,000 baht) last November, sparking a debate on the efficacy of AI in law enforcement. Hansen was stunned to receive a traffic fine…
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Edinburgh Thai eatery’s 20-year business comes to an end
Phuket Pavilion, a renowned Thai eatery nestled across from the Playhouse Theatre on Union Street, Edinburgh, UK, closes its doors after over 20 years of operation. The announcement of the eatery’s permanent closure came via a sombre social media post, with a staff member expressing gratitude for 15-plus years of serving food. The once vibrant eatery now stands vacant, marked by…
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Minister orders CAAT to cut Bangkok-Phuket flight prices for Songkran
Transport Minister Suriya Juangroongruangkit ordered the Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand (CAAT) to negotiate with airlines to explore ways to lower airfares following complaints from passengers about the high cost of flights from Bangkok to Phuket. He expressed confidence that reduced prices could be in effect in time for the Songkran travel period. Today, at 9.30am, Suriya Juangroongruangkit addressed the…
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PM Srettha pledges to woo back Russian tourists with revived flights
Thai Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin is gearing up to welcome a surge of Russian tourists to Thailand, unveiling plans to tackle the flight shortage bottleneck yesterday. Acknowledging reports of a burgeoning number of Russian tourists eyeing Thailand for their holidays, PM Srettha highlighted the critical lack of flights to accommodate the demand. “Inadequate flights are hindering the influx of Russian…
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Did Singapore pay millions to keep Taylor Swift to themselves?
Thailand Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin alleges that Singapore may have struck a multimillion-dollar pact to secure Taylor Swift’s exclusivity in Southeast Asia, leaving fans fuming and conspiracy theories swirling. PM Srettha made waves with his claims at a business forum in Bangkok, stating that concert promoter AEG had disclosed Singapore’s purported offer of hefty subsidies, ranging from US$2 million (approximately…
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Chaos outside passport office claims lives in Myanmar
In Myanmar’s Mandalay, a rush for escape turned fatal as two lives were lost in a stampede outside a passport office yesterday. According to an AFP report, the victims, two women aged 52 and 39, succumbed to the overwhelming surge of hundreds clamouring to secure their passage out of the country, amplifying the harrowing toll of Myanmar’s societal upheaval. A…
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Bangkok airport battles congestion with tech amid tourism recovery
Suvarnabhumi International Airport in Bangkok, Thailand’s busiest, is facing daily traffic congestion as vehicles compete for parking spaces. The problem is compounded by long queues at immigration and baggage claim areas due to inoperative kiosks and staff shortages. Tourist complaints prompted an unannounced visit from Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin, who has since ordered airport authorities to quicken procedures to under…
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Malaysian bride heartbroken as groom’s ex attends wedding
The wedding of a Malaysian bride turned bittersweet when her husband’s ex-girlfriend attended the event, and the groom’s family’s actions left her heartbroken. The father of the groom’s comments struck a particularly painful chord, prompting sympathy from those aware of the situation. Marriage ceremonies are traditionally occasions of immense joy, marking the beginning of a new shared life. Yet, when…
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