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Sponsored Digital nomading in Chiang Mai? What US$1,000 a month really gets you
Chiang Mai has become a popular destination for digital nomads due to its low living costs, rich culture, and active remote work community. The city offers affordable housing, tasty food, reliable internet, and many co-working spaces, making it a great...
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Thailand’s economic crisis feared amidst digital wallet dispute
The Bank of Thailand and the government have been at odds for months, with tensions escalating last week when the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) kept interest rates at 2.5% despite political pressure for a reduction. This disagreement came to the fore during discussions about the digital wallet scheme, a 560 billion baht (US$15.58 billion) project which the central bank has…
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Commerce Ministry plans to expand GI product list to boost sales
Aiming to boost sales from geographical indication (GI) products to 60 billion baht (US$1.6 billion) by 2024, the Commerce Ministry is set to expand the GI product list by an additional 20 items this year. Deputy Commerce Minister Napintorn Srisunpang highlighted the plan as a strategy to enhance the competitiveness of the agricultural sector. By utilising GI as a tool,…
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Thailand’s sugar intake quadruples WHO daily limit
Thailand’s sugar consumption soared to a worrying level, with Thai citizens consuming on average 23 teaspoons of sugar per day, almost quadruple the daily limit recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO). The information was revealed by the Thai Health Promotion Foundation (ThaiHealth), which pointed out that this sugar intake greatly exceeds WHO’s guideline of six teaspoons per day. Pairoj…
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Cambodia registers most hotspots amid surge in Southeast Asia
A flurry of nearly 6,000 hotspots was detected across several neighbouring countries on a recent Sunday, with Cambodia registering the most, at 4,056, as per the Geo-Informatics and Space Technology Development Agency (GISTDA). The Suomi NPP satellite images pointed out a total of 5,823 hotspots spread out in countries neighbouring Thailand. After Cambodia, Myanmar had the second-highest number with 979,…
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US-Thailand talks focus on Myanmar crisis and regional connectivity
The United States and Thailand are set to engage in high-level talks on Monday, with a focus on the Myanmar crisis, a strengthening of their security partnership, and regional connectivity through Thailand’s Land Bridge project. Foreign Affairs Minister Parnpree Bahiddha-Nukara, who embarked on his official visit to the United States on Saturday, will meet with his American counterpart and other…
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British man faces disability after motorcycle accident in Thailand
The tranquillity of a family vacation was shattered for Lee Francis, a 54 year old occupational therapist from Church Village, Rhondda Cynon Taf when a motorcycle accident in Thailand left him with paralysis from the waist down. The irony is not lost on Lee, who spent his career aiding disabled individuals to live independently, and now faces a similar struggle…
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Genetic link discovered between prehistoric Thai communities and modern ethnic groups
Ancient human bones and teeth excavated from Iron Age Log Coffin sites in Thailand’s Mae Hong Son province have revealed a genetic link between prehistoric communities and modern ethnic groups in the region. The discovery follows a study led by Rasmi Shoocongdej, a lecturer at Silpakorn University’s Faculty of Archaeology, who has been exploring a prehistoric cave community in Mae…
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Soi Ta-iad’s traffic woes: Tiger Muay Thai urges govt intervention
Traffic congestion woes have hit the bustling Soi Ta-iad in Chalong, with Watchara Jaruriyanon, the Managing Director of Tiger Muay Thai training facility, urging authorities to intervene. The street, albeit petite, is a hub of activity, largely due to the parked cars lining both sides of the road. Watchara voiced his concerns during a meeting aimed at backing the government’s…
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Forex trading fraudster detained in Songkhla after three-year evasion
A 51 year old woman has been detained in Songkhla’s Sadao district, suspected of defrauding investors out of 300 million baht (US$ 8,354,220) via a deceptive foreign exchange trading scheme. The arrest, conducted by the Economic Crime Suppression Division (ECD) police, brings to an end her near three-year evasion of justice. The warrant for her arrest was issued by the…
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Phuket Valentine’s Day blood drive to replenish medical reserves
A Valentine’s Day blood donation drive has been announced in Phuket, a collaboration between Vachira Phuket Hospital and Limelight Phuket. The event, scheduled for February 14, is an open invitation to locals and tourists alike, to replenish medical blood reserves. The blood donation drive will be held at Limelight Phuket, a frequent host to Vachira Phuket Hospital’s special blood donation…
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Thailand’s population sees slight drop to 66 million in 2023
Thailand’s official population count witnessed a slight downtrend in 2023, marking a 0.06% decrease in comparison to the previous year’s figure, revealed the Interior Ministry. The recent civil registration documented Thailand’s population as 66,052,615 as of the close of 2023, marking a decline by 37,860 individuals from the conclusion of 2022. The data showed that out of the total population…
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Phuket residents urged to conserve water amid dry season
A water conservation plea has been issued to Phuket residents by Udomphon Kan, the Director of the Phuket Provincial Office of the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation (DDPM-Phuket), in an attempt to prevent shortages amid the ongoing dry season. Udomphon Kan, while confident about the current water reserves, voiced his concerns about the diminishing water levels in the island’s…
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Royal Thai Air Force relinquishes Kantarat golf course for public projects
A recent decision by the Royal Thai Air Force (RTAF) opened up new prospects for public project development. The RTAF consented to relinquish its Kantarat Golf Course, situated between the runways of Don Mueang Airport, for state project development, as revealed by Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin. In a social media post, the prime minister expressed gratitude towards the RTAFforce’s initiative…
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Phuket fraud suspects arrested over mule bank account scams
A recent operation led by the Central Investigation Bureau (CIB) and the Crime Suppression Division (CSD) resulted in the apprehension of two fraud suspects in Phuket. They were allegedly involved in creating mule bank accounts for scam gang operators. One of the individuals detained, referred to as Chaiphong, was arrested at a Patong residence. It was not disclosed when the…
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Public health ministry sets drug possession thresholds
The Public Health Ministry issued a directive setting a threshold for the possession of illegal drugs. Individuals found with quantities below this threshold will be classified as drug users and will not face criminal charges. This directive was issued by Public Health Minister Cholnan Srikaew and was announced in the Royal Gazette on February 9. This initiative is a companion…
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Thai prosecutors allege life-threatening harassment linked to gambling probe
Thailand’s Office of the Attorney General (OAG) is currently investigating claims of life-threatening harassment against two of its senior prosecutors, allegedly committed by a group of police officers connected to major gambling operations. The distressing allegations were brought forward by Kulthanit Mongkolsawat, the chief of the OAG’s Investigation Office, and Suriyon Prabhasavat, a senior public prosecutor. The OAG spokesperson, Prayut…
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Dark web leak reveals 19.7 million Thai older persons’ personal data
A dark web data leak has exposed the personal details of 19.7 million members of the Department of Older Persons (DOP) in Thailand, sparking the Thailand Consumers Council to prompt immediate action. The council has implored the DOP to enlighten its members about the potential risks they face and to devise strategies that will ensure the protection of their data.…
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BioThai urges caution over EU’s eased restrictions on gene-editing crops
BioThai, a leading environmental organisation, called for the Thai government to tread carefully in the wake of the European Parliament’s decision to ease restrictions on gene-editing crops, also known as new genomic techniques (NGTs). The European Parliament’s decision was made on February 7 and was accompanied by stringent regulations. After a vote of 307 in favour and 263 against, the…
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Phuket fraudster’s hotel booking scam leaves 40 victims high and dry
A man from Phuket has been apprehended in Mae Hong Son for allegedly duping over 40 unsuspecting victims in an elaborate hotel booking scam. With damages estimated to be a staggering 800,000 baht, this cyber criminal’s web of lies has left a trail of frustrated tourists in its wake. The Phuket Express reports that the Cyber Crime Police recently made…
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Classical music world mourns death of renowned Japanese conductor Seiji Ozawa
Japanese conductor Seiji Ozawa, renowned for his vibrant style and cultural fusion, passed away peacefully at the age of 88 on Tuesday, February 6. The music maestro, whose career spanned decades, left an indelible mark on the world of Western classical music. From Chicago to Boston to Vienna, Ozawa mesmerized audiences with his East Asian sensibility, infusing his performances with…
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German passenger’s terrifying mid-flight death leaves Lufthansa plane splattered in blood
On a Lufthansa flight from Bangkok to Munich, a 63 year old German passenger sparked panic in the cabin when he began spurting an endless flow of blood. The German passenger boarded the plane visibly ill. As the flight progressed, his condition rapidly deteriorated, causing panic among the passengers. Fellow passenger Martin Missfelder described the scene as absolute horror, with…
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Pheu Thai’s Paetongtarn hopeful for Thaksin’s release on parole
Paetongtarn Shinawatra, leader of the Pheu Thai Party, expressed wishes for the release of her father, convicted former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, on parole. With the possibility of his release looming, Paetongtarn remains uncertain if her father’s name will be included in the Department of Corrections’ (DoC) list of eligible inmates for parole and special parole. Special parole is typically…
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Thailand takes lead in Myanmar crisis: Calls for active role in finding peaceful solution
Thailand’s plan to provide humanitarian aid to displaced persons within Myanmar has earned praise from the chairman of the House Committee on Foreign Affairs, Noppadon Pattama. Speaking exclusively to Thai PBS World, Noppadon emphasised the urgency for the current Srettha Thavisin government to step up its efforts in resolving the conflict in Myanmar. Dubbing it a good starting point, Noppadon…
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Party chief Suwat celebrates 69th birthday with prime minister
Chart Pattana Kla Party chief Suwat Liptapanlop celebrated his 69th birthday by hosting the prime minister and lending his backing to the government’s highly debated digital wallet policy. Despite facing opposition from the central bank and various government agencies, Suwat firmly believes that the controversial plan to distribute 10,000 baht to nearly every Thai aged 16 and above is crucial…
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Chinese New Year celebrations across Thailand: Golden dragons, vibrant attire, and mouthwatering feasts
Chiang Mai has been transformed into a mesmerising spectacle as lion and golden dragon dance troupes from Bangkok took to the streets for the Chinese New Year celebrations. Store owners eagerly invited them inside, hoping to bask in the good luck and prosperity they brought. Meanwhile, at the iconic Tha Phae Gate, Chinese tourists swarmed, dressed in Thai traditional attire,…
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‘Pattaya flying club’: Romanian tourist plunges to death from hotel balcony
A 63 year old Romanian tourist became the newest addition to the “Pattaya Flying Club” when he met with a fatal end after falling from the balcony of a seven-story hotel in Soi 5, Pattaya. The incident, which occurred yesterday morning has left the local community in a state of shock. Authorities were alerted to the incident at approximately 9.30am…
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Thailand-Cambodia border gate to boost trade despite landmine challenges
The Ban Nong Ian-Stung Bot border gate between Thailand and Cambodia is soon to be operational, aiming to stimulate trade and logistics between the two nations. This announcement was made by Parinya Potisat, the governor of Sa Kaeo province yesterday. The new frontier passage will ease the pressure on the Ban Khlong Luek-Poipet border by providing an additional route for…
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45 year old man arrested in Pattaya for alleged sexual abuse of seven year old girl
A 45 year old beach umbrella and chair rental provider in Pattaya was apprehended on February 8 following allegations of child sexual abuse. The suspect, known only by his nickname Tum, was taken into custody by Pattaya police following a warrant issued by the Pattaya Provincial Court. The arrest came after grave allegations of child sexual abuse surfaced against him. The…
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Australian governor-general to visit Thailand, strengthening ties
The longstanding ties between Thailand and Australia are set to be celebrated as Governor-General of Australia David John Hurley prepares for a visit to Thailand from February 13 to 17. The visit, as reported by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, promises to be a significant event in the annals of both nations. The itinerary of the visit includes a royal…
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Lunar New Year rituals at Bangkok’s dragon lotus temple draw Thai-Chinese community
Today marks the onset of the Lunar New Year, also known as the Year of the Dragon, a significant occasion for Thais with Chinese roots. The shared belief of expelling impending misfortune, termed as fixing a cursed year or Pi Chong in Thai, strengthens the cultural ties between the two communities. A customary practice during the Lunar New Year involves…
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