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Sponsored Long-term life in Thailand? 5 reasons private health insurance pays off in the long run
Thailand is a great place for expats and retirees, offering a warm climate, affordable living, and rich culture. However, healthcare can be tricky for foreigners since they aren’t eligible for public health coverage, and private care can be expensive. Private...
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North Korean defectors struggle adapting to life in the South
For the tens of thousands of North Koreans who have escaped their repressive homeland and completed the often-perilous journey to South Korea, their problems are often far from over. Some defectors face prejudice in South Korean society, according to a recent report looking at the experiences of new arrivals in the South last year — before the North Korean regime…
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Bangladesh: Hindus targeted by violence demand better legal protection
Last week, several Hindu temples were ransacked during violent protests across Bangladesh that were sparked by video of a Quran being placed at the feet of a Hindu statue during celebrations for the Hindu festival Durga Puja. The Quran video provoked outrage in Muslim-majority Bangladesh, and hundreds of Muslims protested violently in more than a dozen districts. Houses belonging to…
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Exposed: How big farm lobbies undermine EU’s green agriculture plan
It is a long way from the farms and fields of Sezze in central Italy to the halls of the European Parliament in Strasbourg. But the decisions made at the European assembly this week can directly impact the lives of farmers like Valentina Pallavicino. Her farm in the plains between Rome and the Mediterranean is the kind that is often…
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Covid-19 Tuesday: 9,122 new cases, 71 deaths, port of entry data
Today, the CCSA reported 9,122 new Covid-19 infections, down 989 since yesterday. They also reported 71 new deaths, which is up by 8 from yesterday. Since April 1, when the most recent wave of infections began, there have been a total of 1,802,934 reported cases of Covid-19 in Thailand, with 18,407 deaths. Today the Thai Department of Disease…
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How To Meet the Newly Announced Health Insurance Requirements For O-A Visa
Health insurance is required for non-immigrant visa holders O-A and O-X who want to spend their retirement years in Thailand. It has recently be announced there will be change to the regulations for non-immigrant OA visas, visitors will now be required to have a minimum of 3 million baht in health insurance for in-patient care to be eligible for long-term…
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Arrest made for the 14 year old murder of pregnant girl
An arrest was finally made for the murder of a pregnant girl that happened 14 years ago. This case has been cold since the murder was committed in 2007, and the fugitive has been on the run ever since. But yesterday the suspect was finally tracked down and arrested in the remote Northeastern Loei province. Police from the Crime Suppression…
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Cyber fraud case renews talks over the safety of online banking
After at least 40,000 people in Thailand were victims of online banking cyber fraud, the Cyber Crime Investigation Bureau is renewing talks over the safety of such online transactions. The losses recently incurred by those using online banking are thought to be over 10 million baht after hackers stole credit and debit card information. Kornchai Klayklueng, the commissioner of the…
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Myanmar’s junta government releases prisoners, cancels arrest warrants
In the wake of ASEAN recently announcing it would exclude Myanmar’s representatives from future summits, Myanmar’s junta government made the move to release prisoners. The government is also cancelling arrest warrants for thousands of its people after making the announcement yesterday. The statement said that 1,316 people in detention will be released and that 4,320 cases will be dropped. Citing…
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MP queries appointment of army general to oversee Covid-19 in southern Thailand
An MP from the Bhumjaithai Party has called on the PM to review his appointment of an army general to oversee the Covid-19 situation in the south of the country. MP Suphachai Jaismut has questioned the appropriateness of appointing Nattaphon Narkphanit, formerly secretary-general of the National Security Council. “My point of contention is that the PM is adopting ‘security as…
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Former U.S. president Trump sues House committee over records request
Former U.S. President Donald Trump has filed a lawsuit alleging that an illegal request was made for his White House records. The request by the US congressional committee was part of its investigation into the January 6 Capitol attacks. Trump says that the materials sought by the House of Representatives are covered by a legal doctrine known as executive privilege,…
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Vietnam to host next Southeast Asia Games
Vietnam is set to host the upcoming 31st Southeast Asia Games in May of 2022, after being delayed this year because of the Covid-19 pandemic. This multi-sport competition features most of the same events as the Summer Olympics, and includes both individual and team events. The SEA games are held every 2 years in a different country within the Southeast Asia…
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Covid-19 pill treatment highly effective at preventing hospitalisation, death
A prominent Thai virologist says the world’s first oral treatment for Covid-19 is highly effective if taken within 5 days of symptoms developing. Dr Yong Poovorawan from the Centre of Excellence in Clinical Virology at Chulalongkorn University made the statement on his Facebook page yesterday. According to a Bangkok Post report, he was citing research published on the health sciences…
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Politicians across the world face growing dangers
Death threats, hate mail, anonymous phone calls — politicians in many countries need police protection as they carry out their work. Here are some prominent attacks on lawmakers that have occurred in recent years. Great Britain Conservative MP David Amess is the second British politician in five years to be murdered. Back in June 2016, Labour Party MP Helen Joanne…
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AfricaLink on Air – 18 October 2021
News+++Sudanese protesters demand return to military rule+++Cameroon separatists declare days of national mourning+++Nigeria battles to revive palm oil industry+++mRNA hopes for malaria vaccine+++Sports SOURCE: DW News
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Brazil: Bolsonaro’s veto on free menstrual products sparks outrage
Brazilian women are mobilizing against President Jair Bolsonaro. And this time, they could end up having their way on an issue that the president is anything but comfortable with — menstruation. On October 6, Bolsonaro vetoed a bill to combat so-called period poverty, which occurs when people cannot afford or access necessary menstrual products. His move sparked an outcry in…
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Albania’s Rama decries ‘dangers’ of online media freedom
According to Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama, online media in Albania can potentially be as harmful as Nazi propaganda, pedophilia and terrorism. Rama voiced this opinion during the 8th OSCE South East Europe Media Conference “Journalism in times of crisis,” which took place recently in the Albanian capital, Tirana. “When you try to imagine what the Nazi propaganda machine would…
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Children in Jakarta’s slums get a second chance at education
Every child has a right to education, says Desi Purwatuning, the founder of a school for poor children who dropped out of school. Desi teaches both children and parents the importance of education. SOURCE: DW News
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Police in Phuket increasing checkpoints, cracking down on moving violations and crime
Phuket police have warned that anyone driving dangerously through checkpoints will be ticketed. This announcement comes after a report from a Thai news source said that the Tha Chatchai police had received an order to issue more traffic tickets. This was followed by a flurry of posts on social media warning drivers in Phuket that police at the Phuket Check…
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ASEAN snub of Myanmar junta praised by opposition government
Myanmar’s opposition government has commended the ASEAN announcement that they will not invite the junta leader to the regional summit. The Association of Southeast Asian Nations said that any envoy from Myanmar should be a legitimate representative. They have opted instead to invite a non-political representative from Myanmar, in what appears to be a clear snub of the country’s military…
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Covid-19 Monday: 10,111 infections, 63 deaths, provincial data
Today, the CCSA reported 10,111 new Covid-19 infections, down 752 since yesterday, and 63 Coronavirus-related deaths, down 5 from yesterday. Since April 1, in the latest wave of the virus in Thailand, a total of 1,764,949 confirmed Covid-19 infections have been reported. In the 24 hour period since the last count, the CCSA has reported 10,612 recoveries, up 229 from…
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Thailand’s oldest reclining Buddha partially submerged in flood waters
Thailand’s oldest reclining Buddha at Wat Dhammachakra Sema Ram is the latest casualty from the country’s central flooding. Authorities say the statue was partially submerged as a result of flooding by mountain runoff yesterday. The 1,300 year old Buddha is located inside the Muang Sema Historical Park in Nakhon Ratchasima’s Sung Noen district. The Dvaravati-style, sandstone image, which measures 13.3…
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Travel bubble whispers abound between Malaysia and Thailand
Authorities are quietly planning a maritime travel bubble between Malaysia’s Langkawi island and Thailand’s Koh Lipe islands, which would see no quarantine requirements for qualified travellers between the two. Thailand’s Minister of Tourism and Sports, Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn, says Thailand’s southern provinces that border Malaysia, will be able to accept international tourists from December. The 2 Andaman Sea islands are normally connected…
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Certificates of vaccination can now be submitted through Mor Prom app from today
From today, those who have been fully vaccinated can now submit an application through the Mor Prom mobile app to receive a certificate of vaccination online. The move by the Bamrasnaradura Infectious Diseases Institute was made to help reduce long queue lines over applying for the certificates. The institute’s director, Kitpong Sunchatawirul, says the previous time-consuming lines were not ideal, so the institute decided to…
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End of skytrain pass may impact Bangkok condo market
Bangkok’s 30-day BTS skytrain pass is coming to an end. As a result, commute prices will rise significantly for those who have to travel long distances on the skytrain each day. This may also have a major effect on Bangkok’s condo market. According to Sena Development PCL, the discontinuation of this skytrain pass is going to increase the demand to…
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Prominent economic think-tank welcomes November 1 re-opening plans
A leading economic research body says a planned re-opening to international tourism from November will give the Thai economy the boost it needs. According to a Nation Thailand report, the Kasikorn Research Centre predicts further economic growth from next year, provided the government gets Covid-19 under control. It points out that the country’s tourism sector will only see a full…
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Thailand to host top world badminton events in 2022
Thailand is set to host the the world’s top badminton events next year after being chosen as the location for the Thomas Cup and Uber Cup finals. The Thomas Cup is the men’s team event, and the Uber Cup is for the women’s teams. The tournament is set to take place in Bangkok between May 8-15. This is the 2nd…
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SO Sofitel Hua Hin opens its doors to welcome all visitors!
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Covid-19 surge in Nakhon Si Thammarat as province reports 618 new infections
The southern province of Nakhon Si Thammarat is experiencing a surge in Covid-19 infections, with 618 new cases logged yesterday. The provincial health office reported the record high alongside 8 Covid-related deaths, all of them elderly patients. The Bangkok Post reports that of yesterday’s new infections, 210 were in the Muang district, with the others spread across 23 districts. Hospitals,…
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At least 88% of Bangkok high school students now vaccinated
The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration says at least 88% of the capital’s high school students are now vaccinated against Covid-19. Students have received the Pfizer mRNA vaccine ahead of schools re-opening for onsite learning next month. Khachit Chatchawanit from the BMA says 33,048 out of 37,466 registered senior high school students are now inoculated. According to a Bangkok Post report, 29,252…
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Over 100 customers, bar manager charged in Bangkok pub raid
A police raid on a Bangkok bar on Saturday night has resulted in 116 customers and a manager being charged with violating Covid-19 restrictions. According to a Bangkok Post report, the raid occurred at around 10.45pm, at the XOXO bar and restaurant in Korea Town, in the district of Klong Toey. 27 foreigners were among those charged. Bars are currently…
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