World News
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Sponsored How to reduce out-of-pocket medical expenses in Thailand?
Managing medical expenses in Thailand is important as healthcare costs continue to rise. The country’s healthcare system includes both public and private options, but even with the Universal Coverage Scheme (UCS) for citizens, many still face high out-of-pocket medical expenses....
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Double trouble: British lookalikes forge unlikely friendship on flight to Thailand
An airport mix-up led a pair of British lookalikes to discover they not only shared the same flight but also the same name, sparking an unlikely friendship. The lookalikes, Mark Garland, a 58 year old bus driver from Trowbridge, Wiltshire, and another Mark Garland, a 62 year old builder from Warmley, Bristol, were inadvertently seated next to each other on an…
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Leopard in the room: Indian boy’s purr-fect phone escape
A young boy in India encountered a leopard in his room while playing on his phone, managing to quietly exit and lock the animal inside. The 12 year old boy, Mohit Ahir, displayed remarkable composure and bravery during the incident. Ahir, the son of a security official at a wedding event, was waiting for his father in the office room…
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Thai government questions credibility of UK’s airport ranking
Thailand’s government spokesperson recently took to social media to question the legitimacy of a ranking released by Business Financing, a UK publisher. The ranking, published in 2023, listed Suvarnabhumi and Don Mueang airports as among the worst in Asia, placing them at the seventh and tenth positions respectively. The ranking also hailed Noi Bai International Airport in Vietnam as the…
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Wheelchair-bound British beautician launches accessible salon
In a remarkable display of resilience, the British beautician, who was paralysed following a balcony fall in Thailand, has launched a pioneering new salon where accessibility is not merely a feature but a guiding principle. Struggling to access conventional beauty treatments after her life-altering accident, Maddi Neale-Shankster envisioned a haven where wheelchair users and the able-bodied could share the same space…
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Scoot to fly to Krabi and Hat Yai with new state-of-the-art jets
Scoot, the budget carrier under Singapore Airlines, is about to revolutionise travel with its cutting-edge E190-E2 jets, set to take flight in May. With the delivery of the first and second of nine E2s scheduled for April, Scoot has unleashed its grand plan, unveiling the initial destinations for these state-of-the-art aircraft. The E2s will pave the way for Scoot to…
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US woman detained for Thai restaurant fatal shooting and robbery
A woman was apprehended and slapped with a staggering US$100,000 (approximately 3.6 million baht) cash bail by the Department of Corrections in the US for her involvement in a fatal shooting and robbery outside a local Thai restaurant. Jenna Manibusan’s alleged shooting and robbery of Sumittra Lairopi triggered a cascade of legal proceedings, escalating into a gripping courtroom drama. A…
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Drug mule busted with 30 kg of cannabis at Manchester Airport
Manchester Crown Court witnessed a case where a 27 year old man was exposed as a drug mule caught with a staggering 30 kilogrammes of cannabis at Manchester Airport. Mohammad Arif’s involvement in the smuggling saga began when a dispute emerged following a charity boxing event. In a bid to settle the feud, Arif embarked on a trip to Thailand…
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Tourists banned from Kyoto’s Geisha District
In a bold move to protect Kyoto’s iconic geisha from relentless harassment by tourists, the local council in Gion has decided to ban sightseers from the district’s narrow backstreets. The decision comes after a surge in appalling incidents where traditional entertainers found themselves accosted and disrespected by unruly visitors. This move marks the latest effort to safeguard the revered geisha…
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Bangkok airports hit turbulence: Ranked among world’s worst
Suvarnabhumi International Airport and Don Mueang International Airport in Bangkok ranked among the worst air travel hubs in Asia according to Business Financing’s recent report. The financial information and research website from the UK, Business Financing, launched the Best & Worst Airports in the World, According to Business Travellers in February this year. This rank is based on the business…
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Thai PM sets sail with plans for exclusive mid-sea airport in Hua Hin
Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin plans to create a cutting-edge mid-sea airport in Hua Hin, exclusively catering to the jet-setting elite. This visionary project aims to connect Thailand’s most stunning destinations, promising unparalleled luxury and convenience for affluent travellers. But the innovation doesn’t stop there. The Airports of Thailand (AOT) is gearing up for a groundbreaking seaplane terminal at Phuket International…
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British Airways reignites Bangkok and Kuala Lumpur routes
British Airways (BA) is recommencing its connections with Bangkok and Kuala Lumpur, adding fuel to the excitement of travellers eager to explore Asia once more. Starting in late October, British Airways will be steering its Boeing 777s three times a week from London Gatwick (LGW) to Bangkok, veering away from the previous daily flights from Heathrow. However, first-class cabins will…
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US Army captain defying tradition with a Buddhist twist
In a bustling Southwestern bar at a Royal Thai Navy (RTN) base, a US Army captain stood out, not just for his uniform but for the emblem adorning his cap, the Buddhist wheel of dharma, a rare sight in military circles. Chaplain (Captain) Songkran Waiyaka, one of only 10 Buddhists among over 3,000 religious leaders in the Army, often finds…
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Thai Airways operates new routes to Perth, Colombo, and Kochi
Come March 31, Thai Airways (THAI) will operate flights to Perth in Western Australia and Colombo in Sri Lanka. In addition, THAI’s first flight to Southwest India’s Cochin Airport will take off on April 2. Chief Commercial Officer, Korakot Chatasingha, unveiled the grand plans yesterday, promising a daily dose of connectivity between Bangkok and Perth, complementing the airline’s existing routes to…
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China aims for 5% growth amid economic slowdown
China is poised to set its growth target for the year at about 5%, according to a government work report obtained by Bloomberg News. This growth target hints at the possibility of the government introducing more stimulus to boost the economy’s confidence, which is currently slowing. Premier Li Qiang is expected to disclose the annual gross domestic product (GDP) goal…
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Royal Thai Air Force relinquishes golf course for airport expansion
The Royal Thai Air Force (RTAF) yesterday made a startling decision to relinquish its longstanding ownership of the Kantarat Golf Course, situated near Don Mueang Airport, to make way for the expansion of the airport, confirmed a spokesman from the Defence Ministry. Jirayu Houngsub, the political affairs spokesperson at the Defence Ministry, disclosed that the intricate details of the handover…
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British man dies from vitamin D overdose, spurs health warning
An 89 year old British man tragically passed away after nine months of consuming excessive amounts of vitamin D supplements, leading to a fatal case of hypervitaminosis D. This is characterised by elevated blood calcium levels, which ultimately caused heart failure. The incident has sparked medical professionals to raise alarms over the potential dangers of overconsumption of dietary supplements. David…
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Thai pilot turns midwife to deliver baby on Taiwan to Bangkok flight
In a tale straight out of a gripping Hollywood movie, a Thai airline pilot stepped up to the plate as the heroic Bruce Willis/John McClane-type protagonist to deliver a baby after a pregnant mother went into labour on a flight from Taiwan to Bangkok. The courageous Thai pilot, Jakarin Sararnrakskul, reportedly lacked medical training beyond basic first aid but he…
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Runway blackout: Krabi Airport power failure affects 508 passengers
Krabi International Airport suffered a power failure on the runway on Saturday night, affecting three flights and 508 passengers. The Acting Director of the Airport Department, Montri Dechasakulsom, reported that a power failure occurred at the third apron of Krabi Airport on Saturday, March 2, preventing aircraft from landing or taking off at the time. Montri said three flights and…
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New airport planned for Kalasin to boost tourism and exports
Srettha Thavisin, the Prime Minister and Finance Minister, has endorsed the proposition of constructing a new airport in the northeastern province of Kalasin. While touring the region recently, PM Srettha indicated that the government has reserved funds for a feasibility study concerning the airport. The results of this study will guide the government’s next steps. The district of Yang Talat…
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Thailand speeds up development of six airports to boost global aviation ranking
In a substantial move to elevate Thailand’s aviation stature on the global platform, the Airports of Thailand Public Company Limited (AOT) fast-tracked the development of six of its national airports. This ambitious venture, set in motion on March 2, entails an estimated investment of 210 billion baht (US$5.86 billion). It resonates with the Thai government’s policies aimed at transforming Thai…
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PM Srettha’s billion-baht plan to transform Suvarnabhumi Airport
Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin announced plans to boost the annual capacity of Suvarnabhumi International Airport in Samut Prakan. “We’re gearing up to more than double our capacity to a staggering 150 million passengers annually.” Currently handling a substantial 60 million passengers, Suvarnabhumi Airport is set for a dramatic makeover, including the addition of a third runway. This makeover will catapult…
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Don Mueang Airport combats congestion with designated drop lanes
An initiative to combat heavy traffic congestion at Don Mueang International Airport‘s Terminal 2 will see the enforcement of designated passenger drop lanes for taxi drivers starting today, March 1. This mandate is part of the Transport Ministry’s broader strategy to enhance passenger experience at the nation’s largest low-carrier hub, an imperative necessity as the Songkran holiday period is expected…
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Chem-mess: Essex man and Thai girlfriend nabbed for flat folly
An Essex man and his Thai girlfriend have been arrested for running a nefarious chemsex operation from her West London flat. The 29 year old toy boy, Kane Duncan, hailing from Bracken Close, Loughton, found himself behind bars alongside his partner-in-crime, 42 year old Jurairat Suttabut, following revelations of their sordid dealings unveiled at Southwark Crown Court last Friday, February 23.…
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Thailand PM unveils plan to become global cargo distribution hub
Thailand Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin envisions the country as a regional aviation centre and one of the world’s top five cargo distribution hubs. During a live broadcast scheduled for Friday at 9.30am, the premier will elaborate on this ambitious plan on the government’s NBT television channel and various online and social media platforms. The news of this upcoming discourse was…
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Man executed for murder of ex-fiancée in Singapore
In a sombre statement released yesterday, the Singapore Police Force (SPF) confirmed the execution of a Bangladeshi national for the murder of his former fiancée at a budget hotel in Geylang back in 2018. Despite fervent appeals for clemency, the president’s decision stood firm, sealing Ahmed Salim’s grim fate. This chilling incident marks the Republic’s first judicial execution for murder since…
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Thai VietJet cites safety reasons for refusing disabled passengers
Several Thai people with disabilities stepped forward to lodge complaints with the Ministry of Transport, accusing Thai VietJet Air of refusing to accommodate them. The airline responded to the accusations today, February 29, stating that it denied service to certain disabled passengers as a precautionary safety measure. The president of the Association for the Empowerment of Disabled Women (AEDW), Saowaluck…
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Transport minister slashes prices with 38 more domestic flights
Amid escalating complaints over skyrocketing airfare prices, Transport Minister Suriya Juangroongruangkit announced an additional 38 domestic flights and an estimated 13,000 seats for the upcoming Songkran holiday season in April. Suriya asserted that this measure is just one of the short-term solutions being devised to combat the escalating airfare predicament. “We’re taking decisive action to address the concerns raised by…
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Global forests in crisis: Shocking decline revealed
In a staggering revelation, the world’s forests have undergone a drastic reduction of nearly 20 million square kilometres over the past 30 years, plunging from 42.03 million square kilometres in 1992 to 40.44 million square kilometres in 2021, as per the latest data from the World Bank. Attributing this alarming loss to the relentless encroachment of agriculture and industrialisation, the…
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Hong Kong Express launches ultra-cheap route to Bangkok
Hong Kong Express announced its latest venture: a brand-new route from Hong Kong to Bangkok’s Don Mueang International Airport (DMK), scheduled to take flight on April 25. Confirming the exciting development, the airline took to its Facebook page to share the news, revealing that the daily service will complement its existing flights to Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi Airport, along with popular destinations…
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Thai doctor’s allergy leads to fatal dinner at Florida Disney World
A Thai doctor from New York died after an allergic reaction at a restaurant at Disney World, Florida. Her grieving husband is taking legal action against the Florida resort and the restaurant where they dined, alleging negligence in a lawsuit filed recently. According to reports from NBC News Digital, the complaint filed in a Florida circuit court on behalf of…
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