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Sponsored Why health insurance costs more each year and how expats in Thailand can save more money
Each year, many expats living in Thailand see their health insurance premiums go up and often without a clear reason. This can be frustrating, especially when you're trying to plan your budget. But by understanding why prices rise and learning...
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Future luminaries unite: Hong Kong Laureate Forum to showcase Shaw Prize scientists
The prestigious Hong Kong Laureate Forum has been pencilled in later this year bringing together over 20 Shaw Prize scientists and approximately 200 young scientists from 30 countries, including Thailand. The event, scheduled for November 13-18, is designed as a global scientific exchange and networking opportunity to cultivate future leaders in science, as stated by the Hong Kong Laureate Forum…
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Shell shock: Songkla beach residents bemoan mussel decline
Residents around the Samila Beach area in Songkhla reported a decline in the green mussel population stating that it’s had a negative effect on the community who rely on them as a source of food. Small-sized mussels remain unsuitable for consumption, and it is estimated that the population requires further growth before harvesting is possible. Today, it was reported that the number…
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ITV dispute: Lawyer highlights alleged false evidence, who’s facing charges?
The recent disclosure of a video today from an ITV shareholders’ meeting has intensified scrutiny over the company’s operations and potential legal implications for stakeholders. Lawyer Decha Kittiwitthayanan made headlines after drawing attention to the inconsistencies between the meeting’s video footage and previously released reports, suggesting possible legal repercussions for those involved. Decha pointed out the clear discrepancy between the…
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Nightlife note: College director denies teacher’s resignation over moonlight melodies in Thailand
A vocational college director in Yala, southern Thailand, denied that a female teacher was forced to resign for singing part-time at a bar at night for breaching professional ethics. The woman, known as “Teacher Jane,” hit out, accusing the director of twisting the truth. The director of Phadungpracha Yala Vocational College denied pressuring “Teacher Jane” to resign due to her…
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BioNTech faces first German vaccine lawsuit amid claims of side effects
BioNTech is scheduled to make an appearance in a court in Hamburg today in response to a lawsuit that was filed by a German woman. The woman claims that she experienced side effects from the company’s Covid-19 vaccine and is seeking 5.6 million baht (US$160,000) in damages. This is the first time that BioNTech has been sued in Germany in…
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Malaysia appoints Wan Suraya as Auditor-General, effective tomorrow
Malaysia’s Institute of Integrity (IIM) CEO Wan Suraya Wan Mohd Radzi has been appointed as the country’s new Auditor-General, effective tomorrow, according to an announcement made by Chief Secretary to the Government, Tan Sri Mohd Zuki Ali. The appointment follows the procedures outlined in Article 105 (1) of the Federal Constitution and has received the approval of Yang di-Pertuan Agong…
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Ex-Bersatu director faces 30-year sentence for non-consensual sexual act
A Malaysian businessman, Wan Mohammad Ashraf Nasjaruddin, 42, is facing charges for allegedly having a non-consensual sexual connection with a 25-year-old bank officer using an object. The incident reportedly took place in a hotel toilet at Jalan Bukit Bintang in the early hours of January 2. The Sessions Court in Kuala Lumpur has set the next mention date for the…
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Malaysia cuts combat ships order amid PAC investigation, saves costs
An article published by Malay newspaper Utusan Malaysia has been accused of jeopardising the Public Accounts Committee’s (PAC) ongoing scrutiny into the littoral combat ships (LCS) scandal. PAC chairman Datuk Mas Ermieyati Samsudin expressed her concerns over the article, which claimed that the government had decided to reduce the number of LCS to be built from six to five to…
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School students and passengers injured in truck and car collision in Nakhon Si Thammarat
20 people, including school students and passengers, were injured in Nakhon Si Thammarat when a truck crashed into a car and fell into a roadside ditch. The incident occurred at 7am today, on the Nakhon-Ron Phibun road in Chang Sai sub-district, where the truck experienced critical damage, and its right rear wheel detached. At the scene of the accident, officials…
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Malaysia eyes digital economy boom with RM130bn investment target by 2025
Malaysia is striving to become an Asian digital tiger over the next decade, with a focus on attracting talent and expertise in data and technology, according to Communications and Digital Minister Fahmi Fadzil. Addressing around 100 Malaysian students in London, Fahmi highlighted the importance of the digital economy, which is expected to contribute at least one-fourth of the nation’s economy…
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Malaysia sees 60% investment surge, targets 4-5% GDP growth in 2023
The Malaysian Ministry of Investment, Trade and Industry (Miti) is working towards its 2023 Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth target of 4.0 to 5.0% by focusing on investments and exports. In the first quarter of 2023, Malaysia recorded approved investments valued at US$17.1 billion, a nearly 60% increase year-on-year, with 1,265 projects expected to generate 23,977 new job opportunities across…
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Diver Datuk Pandelela Rinong named Malaysia’s national unity icon
National diving champion Datuk Pandelela Rinong has recently been named a national unity icon in Malaysia, according to National Unity Minister Datuk Aaron Ago Dagang. This move is part of the ministry’s efforts to promote unity among the people by recognising leaders, artists, and sports legends who embody the values of unity and harmony. Pandelela Rinong, 29 years old and…
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Thousands evacuated as Philippines’ Mayon volcano oozes lava
Approximately 13,000 individuals have been forced to evacuate in the north-east region of the Philippines as Mayon, the country’s most well-known volcano, continues to emit lava. Residents within the six-kilometre “permanent danger zone” have sought refuge in shelters, using lorries and buffalo-drawn carriages to evacuate. Known for its flawless conical shape, Mayon began to spew lava last week, with evacuations…
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Mother dies in Amazon crash, kids survive 40 days before rescue
Four siblings were rescued from the Amazon jungle after surviving 40 days following a plane crash that killed their mother and two pilots. The children’s father, Manuel Ranoque, revealed that their mother, Magdalena Mucutuy, was alive for four days after the crash and urged them to leave and seek help. The siblings, aged 13, nine, five, and one, were airlifted…
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Russian military defector reveals low morale, high losses in rare interview
A Russian military defector has given a rare interview to the BBC, revealing an army suffering heavy losses and low morale. Lieutenant Dmitry Mishov, a 26-year-old airman, sought political asylum in Lithuania after escaping from Russia on foot. He is among a small number of known cases of serving military officers fleeing the country to avoid being sent to Ukraine…
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Wedding bus crash in Australian wine region kills 10, injures 20
A tragic bus accident in Australia’s Hunter Valley wine region has claimed the lives of at least 10 individuals and left over 20 hospitalised. The passengers were returning from a wedding celebration at a local winery on Sunday night when the bus they were travelling in overturned on Wine Country Drive near Greta, New South Wales. Authorities are currently investigating…
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Met Office issues UK-wide yellow warnings for thunderstorms, rain
The Met Office has issued yellow weather warnings for thunderstorms and rain across the UK, following the hottest days of the year. Four yellow thunderstorm warnings are in place from 12pm to 9pm on Monday, covering parts of Scotland, Northern Ireland, much of southern England and the Midlands, and most of Wales. Forecasters have warned that heavy downpours could lead…
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Anwar defends subsidy restructuring, excludes Malaysia’s affluent from benefits
Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim recently defended Malaysia’s subsidy restructuring programme, which aims to benefit targeted groups by excluding affluent households. Anwar explained that the policy shift differs from previous administrations’ proposals for a nationwide electricity tariff hike, as the increased tariff will only impact multinational companies and high-income households. “This does not burden the people as compared to the proposal…
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Monitor lizard’s jaw-dropping surprise visit sends Chon Buri locals in a tail spin
A giant monitor lizard shocked locals when it entered a residential property in Chon Buri province, requiring a team of local rescue officers to remove it. The reptile hid behind a water basin, where it resisted capture. This forced authorities to use some special equipment and it took three to four officers to safely restrain the animal. Yesterday, the Nong…
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Krabi bluebottle: Officials deny Portuguese man-o-war at Phi Phi Islands
Despite recent media reports, officials have confirmed that the dangerous Krabi bluebottle Physalia, also known as the Portuguese man-o-war, has not been found on Phi Phi Islands. Last week, Phuket lifeguards raised concerns about the presence of the venomous hydrozoan on the islands, causing alarm for tourists’ safety. However, Ratchanok Phaenoi, Chief of Hat Noppharat Thara-Mu Ko Phi Phi National…
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Bitkub’s bumpy ride: Thailand’s leading crypto exchange parent company sees sharp revenue decline amid market downturn
Bitkub Online (BO), the parent company of Thailand’s top cryptocurrency exchange Bitkub, experienced a 48% year-on-year drop in revenue last year, attributed to the downturn in the crypto market. Client investments also saw a significant 65% decline compared to the previous year. The financial statement published on BO’s website revealed a net profit of 341 million baht in 2022, marking…
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Thailand banks team up for digital revolution: Collaboration to launch retail CBDC
The Bank of Thailand is collaborating with three payment service providers, Bank of Ayudhya (Krungsri), Siam Commercial Bank (SCB), and 2C2P (Thailand) Co, to develop and launch its retail central bank digital currency (CBDC). The new financial infrastructure aims to enhance the convenience and efficiency of financial transactions while reducing costs. The testing of the retail CBDC is scheduled to…
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Man charged with murder of missing Chloe Mitchell, 21, in Ballymena
Charges have been filed against a 26-year-old man in connection to the murder of Chloe Mitchell, a 21-year-old woman who disappeared earlier this month in Ballymena, Northern Ireland. Additionally, a 34-year-old man faces charges for assisting offenders. The two men are scheduled to appear in Ballymena Magistrates’ Court on Monday. A murder investigation commenced after human remains were uncovered on…
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Malaysian Haj pilgrim dies in Makkah, country introduces ATMs in Holy Land
A Malaysian Haj pilgrim, aged 57, passed away due to heart failure on June 4 in Makkah. The woman from Raub, Pahang, died at the Tabung Haji (TH) Treatment Centre, according to Datuk Seri Syed Saleh Syed Abdul Rahman, Head of the Malaysian Haj Delegation. Her funeral prayers were held at Masjidil Haram (the Grand Mosque) after the Zohor (midday)…
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Sturgeon released pending probe into SNP’s £660k referendum donations
Nicola Sturgeon, Scotland’s former first minister, has been released without charge pending further investigations following her arrest in connection with the ongoing inquiry into the SNP’s funding and finances. Sturgeon was questioned by detectives and later released from custody. In a statement, she expressed certainty of her innocence and described the situation as “shocking and deeply distressing.” Police have been…
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Farmer crashes into petrol station shop after mistaking accelerator for brake
A 69-year-old farmer sustained minor injuries after mistakenly pressing the accelerator instead of the brake pedal, causing his car to crash into a convenience store at a petrol station in Jalan Bukit Rambai, Melaka. The incident took place yesterday evening when the farmer, Jaafar Yusof, was leaving the station after refuelling his Hyundai Sonata. Melaka Tengah district police chief Christopher…
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Mysterious intrusion: Hotel guest’s chilling encounter leaves her shaken in San Jose (video)
A woman guest at a hotel in San Jose, California suffered an unnerving experience while chilling in her room. To her surprise, the woman, Debra, witnessed an unusual device sliding under her room door. The quick-thinking traveller managed to leap off her bed and grab the instrument before it reached the door handle. She then sought help from the hotel…
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Myanmar worker killed in stabbing, three foreigners arrested in Malaysia
A factory worker from Myanmar tragically lost his life after being stabbed by a colleague during an argument at a house in Butterworth, Malaysia. Seberang Perai Utara district police chief Mohd Asri Shafie announced that three foreign individuals have been arrested and are currently being held in remand for seven days in connection to the murder. Two coworkers of the…
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Chevron Thailand’s gas game-changer: Boosting domestic supply and breaking free from costly imports
Chevron Thailand Exploration and Production aims to boost domestic gas supply to reduce the Thai government’s reliance on costly liquefied natural gas (LNG) imports, with plans to increase petroleum production in the Gulf of Thailand. The US-based company was granted a licence to explore and produce petroleum at Block G2/65, an area of 15,030 square kilometres in the gulf, under…
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Man turns 1,700-baht online auction chair into 3 million baht jackpot after designer discovery
In an extraordinary turn of events, Los Angeles resident Justin Miller unknowingly discovered a highly valuable Danish designer chair while browsing an online auction site. He bought it for just 1,700 baht (US$49) and sold the item for an astounding 3 million baht (US$86,500) to an eager collector. Miller stumbled upon an online auction listing featuring the broken-down, leather-covered chair,…
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