Thailand News

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    Do foreigners get free healthcare in Thailand?

    Thailand’s healthcare system is well-regarded across Southeast Asia, with options ranging from public hospitals to world-class private facilities. But when it comes to foreign residents or tourists, healthcare access isn’t as straightforward. So, do foreigners get free healthcare in Thailand?...

  • PM not against sale of alcohol on New Year’s

    PM not against sale of alcohol on New Year’s

    PHUKET MEDIA WATCH – Thailand news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community PM not against sale of alcohol on New Year’s The Nation / Phuket Gazette PHUKET: Prime Minister General Prayut Chan-ocha said yesterday that he has no objections to the sale of alcoholic beverages during New Year holidays. When asked about the Public Health Ministry’s plan to…

  • NRC panel sticks to its proposal for directly elected PM and Cabinet

    NRC panel sticks to its proposal for directly elected PM and Cabinet

    PHUKET MEDIA WATCH – Thailand news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community NRC panel sticks to its proposal for directly elected PM and Cabinet The Nation / Phuket Gazette PHUKET: The National Reform Council panel on political reform yesterday reached a consensus on the direct election of the prime minister and the cabinet, election of MPs from large…

  • Cyber-attack on Sony Pictures ‘carried out from 5-star hotel in Bangkok’ | Thaiger

    Cyber-attack on Sony Pictures ‘carried out from 5-star hotel in Bangkok’

    PHUKET MEDIA WATCH – Thailand news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Cyber-attack on Sony Pictures ‘carried out from 5-star hotel in Bangkok’ The Nation / Reuters / Phuket Gazette PHUKET: The crippling cyber-attack on Sony Pictures Entertainment has been traced to a five-star hotel in Bangkok, reports from foreign media said yesterday. The hackers, believed to belong…

  • Koh Tao suspects plead not guilty

    Koh Tao suspects plead not guilty

    PHUKET MEDIA WATCH – Thailand news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Koh Tao suspects plead not guilty The Nation / Phuket Gazette PHUKET: Two Myanmar suspects have pleaded innocent in court over charges related to the murders of two British tourists on Koh Tao. Their case is being closely watched, as the brutal crime made headlines both…

  • Surrender and fight for justice, police tell Nopporn

    Surrender and fight for justice, police tell Nopporn

    PHUKET MEDIA WATCH – Thailand news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Surrender and fight for justice, police tell Nopporn The Nation/ Phuket Gazette PHUKET: Royal Thai Police spokesman Lt Gen Prawut Thawornsiri has called on fugitive billionaire Nopporn Suppipat to turn himself in, and fight what the businessman claims are unfair allegations and distortions of the facts…

  • Billionaire wanted in Pongpat case ‘may have fled to Canada’

    Billionaire wanted in Pongpat case ‘may have fled to Canada’

    PHUKET MEDIA WATCH – Thailand news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Billionaire wanted in Pongpat case ‘may have fled to Canada’ Phuket Gazette PHUKET: Billionaire businessman Nopporn Suppipat – wanted over the alleged abduction and intimidation of someone he owed Bt120 million to – may have travelled to Canada after hiding in Cambodia, a police source said…

  • Crowds mass at Siriraj for The King

    Crowds mass at Siriraj for The King

    PHUKET MEDIA WATCH – Thailand news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Crowds mass at Siriraj for The King Phuket Gazette PHUKET: Despite the cancellation of HM King Bhumibol Adulyadej’s public appearance yesterday at his doctors’ request, his loyal subjects gathered at Bangkok’s Siriraj Hospital – as well as other locations around the country – to wish the…

  • Police corruption fugitive a billionaire Thai in the business world

    Police corruption fugitive a billionaire Thai in the business world

    PHUKET MEDIA WATCH – Thailand news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Police corruption fugitive a billionaire Thai in the business world The Nation / Phuket Gazette PHUKET: Nopporn “Nick” Suppipat, president of Wind Energy Holding (WEH), is accused of being involved in a scandal linked to former Central Investigation Bureau chief Gen Pongpat Chayapan. It is alleged…

  • Police Corruption Scandal: Border patrols hunt for more Pongpat associates

    Police Corruption Scandal: Border patrols hunt for more Pongpat associates

    PHUKET MEDIA WATCH – Thailand news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Police Corruption Scandal: Border patrols hunt for more Pongpat associates The Nation / Phuket Gazette PHUKET: Arrest warrants have been issued for two more suspects allegedly involved in a series of intimidation cases associated with former crime-buster Lt Gen Pongpat Chayaphan, Phra Khanong police said yesterday.…

  • BMA ready to order Aetas hotel demolition | Thaiger

    BMA ready to order Aetas hotel demolition

    PHUKET MEDIA WATCH – Thailand news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community BMA ready to order Aetas hotel demolition The Nation / Phuket Gazette PHUKET: The Aetas hotel will be the largest building to face a demolition order from the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration for breaking regulations, its BMA deputy permanent secretary Kritsada Kluntanont said yesterday. “We have ordered…

  • Koh Tao suspects not coerced, police tell human rights panel

    Koh Tao suspects not coerced, police tell human rights panel

    PHUKET MEDIA WATCH – Thailand news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Koh Tao suspects not coerced, police tell human rights panel The Nation / Phuket Gazette PHUKET: Police have not used any violence against two Myanmar nationals detained over the murders of two British tourists on Koh Tao, a senior police officer told a subcommittee of the…

  • Prosecutors claim case against Koh Tao Myanmar pair is solid: source | Thaiger

    Prosecutors claim case against Koh Tao Myanmar pair is solid: source

    PHUKET MEDIA WATCH – Thailand news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Prosecutors claim case against Koh Tao Myanmar pair is solid: source The Nation / Phuket Gazette PHUKET: Public prosecutors expect the case against two Myanmar suspects accused of murdering two British tourists on Koh Tao to be treated seriously by a court in the South because…

  • Charter panel brushes aside call for direct election of Cabinet, PM

    Charter panel brushes aside call for direct election of Cabinet, PM

    PHUKET MEDIA WATCH – Thailand news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Charter panel brushes aside call for direct election of Cabinet, PM The Nation / Phuket Gazette PHUKET: The suggestion for Thais to directly elect both the prime minister and members of Cabinet has been brushed aside by a subcommittee of the Constitution Drafting Committee (CDC) working…

  • Missing Karen activist ‘never released’ after arrest | Thaiger

    Missing Karen activist ‘never released’ after arrest

    PHUKET MEDIA WATCH – Thailand news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Missing Karen activist ‘never released’ after arrest The Nation / Phuket Gazette PHUKET: A police probe into CCTV footage suggests that missing Karen activist Porlajee “Billy” Rakchongcharoen was never released following his arrest on a petty offence by Kaeng Krachan National Park officials, police investigators said…

  • Police Corruption Scandal: Seized artifacts to be repatriated

    Police Corruption Scandal: Seized artifacts to be repatriated

    PHUKET MEDIA WATCH – Thailand news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Police Corruption Scandal: Seized artifacts to be repatriated The Nation / Phuket Gazette PHUKET: Some of the 50 artifacts worth more than 50 million baht found in the treasure trove seized by officers raiding the homes of disgraced former crime-buster Lt Gen Pongpat Chayaphan will be…

  • Royal family to hold much-awaited public audience

    Royal family to hold much-awaited public audience

    PHUKET MEDIA WATCH – Thailand news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Royal family to stage much-awaited public audience The Nation / Phuket Gazette PHUKET: Their Majesties the King and Queen, HRH Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn, and HRH Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn, will grant a much-awaited public audience at the Amarin Winitchai Throne Hall at 10.30am on Friday.…

  • VAT hike will give more room for budget deficit: Sommai | Thaiger

    VAT hike will give more room for budget deficit: Sommai

    PHUKET MEDIA WATCH – Thailand news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community VAT hike will give more room for budget deficit: Sommai The Nation / Phuket Gazette PHUKET: The Finance Ministry is likely to increase the value-added tax (VAT) by at least 1 per cent at the end of next year, giving it room to widen the budget…

  • Plan to tear down palace wall opposed

    Plan to tear down palace wall opposed

    PHUKET MEDIA WATCH – Thailand news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Plan to tear down palace wall opposed The Nation / Phuket Gazette PHUKET: THE Fine Arts Department has registered the whole compound of King Taksin’s palace, including its wall, as a historical site since 1929, ruling out any moves to have it dismantled. The Royal Thai…

  • Bank auditor jailed 20 years in billion-baht fraud case | Thaiger

    Bank auditor jailed 20 years in billion-baht fraud case

    PHUKET MEDIA WATCH – Thailand news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Bank auditor jailed 20 years in billion-baht fraud case The Nation / Phuket Gazette PHUKET: A key suspect in the Bangkok Bank of Commerce (BBC) fraud scandal was yesterday sentenced to 20 years in prison, commuted originally from a total term of 155 years resulting from…

  • Anti-mine protest leader shot dead | Thaiger

    Anti-mine protest leader shot dead

    PHUKET MEDIA WATCH – Thailand news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Anti-mine protest leader shot dead The Nation / Phuket Gazette PHUKET: The leader of protests against a barite mining operation was shot dead in Nakhon Si Thammarat’s Nopphitam district on Sunday night, police said. Pithan Thongpanang, 45, was shot two times – once in the body…

  • Police corruption scandal: B1mn reward for ‘Sia Jo’

    Police corruption scandal: B1mn reward for ‘Sia Jo’

    PHUKET MEDIA WATCH – Thailand news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Police corruption scandal: B1mn reward for ‘Sia Jo’ The Nation / Phuket Gazette PHUKET: A bounty of 1 million baht has been offered for information leading to the arrest of a much-wanted Pattani-based businessman accused of trading in contraband petrol and bribing police. Royal Thai Police…

  • Public hearings on reform to start on December 27

    Public hearings on reform to start on December 27

    PHUKET MEDIA WATCH – Thailand news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Public hearings on reform to start on December 27 The Nation / Phuket Gazette PHUKET: The National Legislative Assembly will commence public hearings on national reform and reconciliation in the northeastern provinces of Mukdahan and Bueng Karn in late December. Under the process, NLA vice president…

  • Debt collectors arrested in police corruption scandal

    Debt collectors arrested in police corruption scandal

    PHUKET MEDIA WATCH – Thailand news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Two civilians arrested in CIB chief graft case The Nation / Phuket Gazette PHUKET: The roundup of accomplices of the former Central Investigation Bureau (CIB) chief facing corruption probe continues with the arrests of two civilians yesterday and the scheduled surrender today of two soldiers to…

  • American arrested for sex crimes in Thailand and the US | Thaiger

    American arrested for sex crimes in Thailand and the US

    PHUKET MEDIA WATCH – Thailand news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community American arrested for sex crimes in Thailand and the US The Nation / Phuket Gazette PHUKET: Police have arrested an American man for sex crimes allegedly committed in the United States and Thailand. Thomas Andrew Erickson, 47, who is also known as Andrew McLean or Barry…

  • Abuse against women on the rise: study

    Abuse against women on the rise: study

    PHUKET MEDIA WATCH – Thailand news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Abuse against women on the rise: study The Nation / Phuket Gazette PHUKET: Moves to stem the rising incidents of violence against women have not succeeded and in Thailand there are almost 100 abuse cases reported daily, with most of the attackers a partner or family…

  • Deep South death sentences prompt fears of attacks | Thaiger

    Deep South death sentences prompt fears of attacks

    PHUKET MEDIA WATCH – Thailand news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Deep South death sentences prompt fears of attacks The Nation / Phuket Gazette PHUKET: Security officers were tightening security across the deep South amid fears of retaliatory attacks by insurgents following the Pattani Provincial Court’s verdict on Wednesday sentencing five men to deaths for their roles…

  • NRC panel in favour of direct election of Cabinet and PM | Thaiger

    NRC panel in favour of direct election of Cabinet and PM

    PHUKET MEDIA WATCH – Thailand news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community NRC panel in favour of direct election of Cabinet and PM The Nation / Phuket Gazette PHUKET: A new parliamentary system that has never been seen before in Thailand – separation of the executive and legislative branches where the entire cabinet, including the PM, will be…

  • Elections ‘unlikely before 2016’

    Elections ‘unlikely before 2016’

    PHUKET MEDIA WATCH – Thailand news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Elections ‘unlikely before 2016’ The Nation / Phuket Gazette PHUKET: The next general election could be delayed by a year, two top ministers said yesterday. In an interview with the BBC on Wednesday, Finance Minister Sommai Phasi said bringing back democracy any time before mid-2016 was…

  • Brakes not to blame for fatal car plunge from Bangkok mall car park: expert

    Brakes not to blame for fatal car plunge from Bangkok mall car park: expert

    PHUKET MEDIA WATCH – Thailand news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Brakes not to blame for fatal car plunge from Bangkok mall car park: expert The Nation / Phuket Gazette PHUKET: Brake failure has been ruled out as a likely cause behind a fatal accident at a Bangkok shopping mall on Tuesday, a police expert has reported.…

  • Five more caught in police graft scandal

    Five more caught in police graft scandal

    PHUKET MEDIA WATCH – Thailand news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community Five more caught in police graft scandal The Nation / Phuket Gazette PHUKET: Five civilians accused of involvement in the corruption scheme engulfing crime buster Lt Gen Pongpat Chayaphan have been apprehended and are going through the criminal process, National police chief Gen Somyot Poompanmoung said…