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Thailand news, politics, business, crime, lifestyle, and tourism—stay updated with breaking news and in-depth analysis from Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Pattaya, and beyond.
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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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Parliament to consult on charter amendment referendum
Upon the resumption of the Parliament session on December 12, MPs and senators will be consulted on the method of conducting a referendum on a charter amendment, revealed the head of a referendum hearing sub-panel, Nikorn Chamnong. He plans to forward a questionnaire to Wan Muhamad Noor Matha, the House Speaker, and Senate Speaker Pornpetch Wichitcholchai, who will request their…
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Thai PM plans revision of 5.1 billion baht for national art and culture
Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin yesterday announced plans to revise the substantial sum of 5.1 billion baht (US$145 million), originally designated for the promotion initiatives of national art and culture by the National Soft Power Development Committee (NSPDC). The Thai prime minister expressed the need for judicious use of the funds to maximise efficacy. PM Srettha’s statements followed the NSPDC’s second…
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Arrest made in Chon Buri domestic violence case involving firearm threats to wife and child
In the Khao Mai Kaeo region of Thailand’s Chon Buri province, a 53 year old man was arrested following a domestic violence incident involving his wife and child and a firearm. The alarming event unfolded in a rental room within the Ban Phu Sai Village, Khao Mai Kaeo sub-district, Banglamung district, at approximately 7pm on December 3. The police were…
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Myanmar worker crushed to death in Banglamung factory mishap
In a heart-wrenching incident in Banglamung, a 20 year old Myanmar worker lost his life after being trapped and subsequently crushed by a grinding machine at a local factory. The tragic event was relayed to Captain Kamonphon Nadee of the Banglamung Police at approximately 11.30am on a recent Monday at the metal factory located in Takhian Tia. The news agency…
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Thailand poised to become regional hub for electric vehicle production
Thailand is stepping into the spotlight as a potential regional centre for Electric Vehicle (EV) manufacturing, bolstered by Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin‘s confidence and support. This sentiment was shared with the public on December 1 by the Government Spokesperson, Chai Watcharong. PM Srettha has reportedly been working closely with various agencies to encourage and aid international private entities, particularly those…
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Drug traffickers encounter with military patrol in Chiang Mai
A skirmish erupted between the members of the Pha Mueang military patrol squad and a group of alleged drug smugglers in the Ban Muang Chum area of Fang, Chiang Mai. This encounter occurred in the early hours of December 2, around 2 am. The altercation, which lasted for over five minutes, led to the discovery of a substantial amount of…
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Sex-reassignment surgeries covered by national health insurance, says NHSO Secretary-General
After a social media debate on whether the gold card benefits can cover sex-reassignment surgeries, Dr Jadet Thammathacharee, Secretary-General of the National Health Security Office (NHSO), clarified on December 2, that these surgeries have been part of the national health insurance benefits since 2018, with no exclusion clause. Dr Jadet explained that the announcement by the National Health Security Committee…
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Transgender woman brutally murdered in Kanchanaburi: Robbery suspected
A brutal murder has shocked the local community in Kanchanaburi province, where a 38-year-old transgender woman was found dead in her bedroom, shot through the head. Her missing assets suggest a robbery, with the victim’s father pleading for assistance to find the ruthless murderer, who is believed to be an acquaintance. Police captain Mana Samranwong, along with investigation officers from…
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Thailand’s PM courts tech giants for digital sector investment
Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin has been courting major corporations in a bid to bolster foreign direct investment (FDI) in Thailand’s digital and high-tech sectors. This comes after the initial deals struck for tech investment under the previous administration. During his recent visit to the US, the 61 year old Thai PM engaged with several technology behemoths, imploring them to consider…
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University sues former lecturer for 16 million baht over scholarship dispute
The case involving a former lecturer with mental health issues, being sued for a whopping 16 million baht by the university that granted her a Ph.D. scholarship, has drawn the attention of the Higher Education Ministry and a House committee. Both bodies have declared their intent to investigate the matter thoroughly. Takorn Tantasith, the chair of the House Committee on…
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Thailand’s weekly Covid-19 cases surge over 500 with three fatalities
The Department of Disease Control in Thailand (DDC) reported a sudden surge in weekly Covid-19 cases with over 500 new patients and three fatalities. The DDC revealed 88 cases of pneumonia among Covid patients. The report, which covers the period from November 26 to December 2, confirms an average of 76 hospital admissions and one death per day. Since the…
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Japanese actress Ikawa Rune’s untimely death shocks fans globally
Fans are mourning the shocking death of a Japanese actress who died because of poor health at just 31 years old. The tragic news was announced by her agency, ENA Entertainment, which disclosed her death on Twitter. “On December 1, ENA Entertainment revealed the sad news that actress Ikawa Rune had passed away on November 18 following a period of…
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Thai EV solutions provider teams up with Chinese manufacturer for electric taxis
In an innovative move to capitalise on the upswing in electric vehicles (EVs) in Thailand, EVme Plus Co, a leading EV solutions provider, is partnering with a Chinese EV manufacturer. This collaboration is aimed at promoting the usage of battery-powered cars among taxi drivers. EVme Plus Co is a part of the oil and gas colossus PTT Plc. The company…
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Phu Kradueng cable car project set for debate at mobile Cabinet meeting
The mobile Cabinet meeting in Nong Bua Lamphu province today is set to deliberate on the long-awaited cable car project at the Phu Kradueng mountain resort in Loei province, according to Phuangphet Chunla-iad, the Prime Minister’s Office Minister. The local authorities of Loei province are requesting a 28 million baht budget to carry out a survey and draft the design…
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Thailand considering month-long Songkran Festival to boost economy
The National Soft Power Development Committee in Thailand is proposing to extend the Songkran Festival for the entire month of April. Traditionally held from April 13-15, the water-splashing festivities are a cornerstone of the celebration. The committee hopes that by extending the festival and incorporating a range of other cultural events across the country, the festival could be promoted to…
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Coin-tastic: Teenager breaks the ‘piggy bank’ to bag a gaming smartphone
A young man carrying a bag filled with coins and banknotes weighing at least 5 kilogrammes, left smartphone shop owners and social media users in awe when he used the contents of his piggy bank to purchase a gaming smartphone. The incident was shared by a TikTok user @lovemobile999, a mobile phone store in Samut Sakhon province, which revealed a…
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Winter wanderlust: Doi Inthanon sees tourism spike as holiday-goers chase the chill in Chiang Mai
The holiday season has brought a surge of tourists to Doi Inthanon, Chiang Mai, as they flock to experience the chill of the winter months. Tourism numbers have hit a record high for this winter season, nearing 10,000 visitors. Kriangkrai Chaiyaphiset, head of Doi Inthanon National Park, revealed that the upcoming holiday tomorrow, December 5, resulted in a continuous stream…
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Englishman’s late bloom: Loses v-card at 40, breaks social media with his virgin voyage
A 40 year old Englishman’s unusual story recently went viral on social media after the popular web forum, Reddit, revealed that he lost his virginity just four months ago. The anonymous gentleman posted under the name GuaranteeThin4918, on December 1, and invited users to ask their questions. “I just lost my virginity at age 40, four months ago. It’s crazy,…
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Invest in foreign bonds, REITs, healthcare, and tech stocks for 2024, advises Tisco bank
Tisco Bank’s Head of Wealth Advisory, Nattakrit Laotaweesap, advises investors to focus on foreign bonds, real estate investment trusts (REITs), and healthcare and technology stocks in the next year as a safeguard against potential downturns. The global economy’s pace is anticipated to decelerate next year due to the impact of tighter monetary policies, which could result in a potential downgrade…
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Lesson learned: Thailand issues recruitment scam alert for assistant teacher gigs
Education officials in Thailand urged people to be wary of potential scams linked to the recruitment of assistant teacher positions. This warning comes after the Office of the Civil Service Commission (OCSC) received complaints about attempts to extract benefits from the special selection process for assistant teachers. The OCSC is currently refining the selection criteria, aiming for transparency, fairness, and…
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AI accelerates: Dell’s 2024 forecast unveils tech integration triumph for business evolution
Dell Technologies predicts that by 2024, artificial intelligence (AI) will be the driving force behind the integration of other emerging technologies, including advanced hardware, edge devices and cybersecurity, all aimed at enhancing business transformation. The tech firm foresees a convergence of quantum computing and generative AI within the next five years. John Roese, Dell Technologies’ Global Chief Technology Officer, shared…
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Devastating road accident claims life in Chon Buri: Drunk driving suspected
A devastating road accident in Chon Buri province claimed the life of a factory worker and severely injured her colleague, riding on a motorbike. The incident occurred when a pickup truck veered off the road and collided with the two-wheeler. The driver of the pickup truck, who appeared intoxicated, also suffered injuries. Around 5am today, Deputy Inspector Sravut Sribundit of…
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Veterinary scientist turned political spokesperson finds success in new role
A 64 year old veterinary scientist turned political spokesperson is thriving in his new role leveraging his years of experience in sales and marketing to effectively communicate the government’s message. Having transitioned from working in pet companies to politics, Chai Wacharonke’s ability to simplify complex issues has proven to be a critical asset. “When they wanted to convey important messages…
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German national alleges bribe for release on pedophilia charge in Thailand
Provincial Police Region 2 launched investigations into allegations against a 55-year-old German national accused of paying a bribe of 1 million baht to secure his release on charges related to pedophilia. The police announcement follows a documentary by Deutsche Welle titled Sex Tourists in Thailand, which highlighted the account of the accused, Jens Kirch. It is worth noting that the…
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Thailand’s transport ministry commits to 100% public electric vehicles
A bold step towards a greener future was taken by Thailand’s Transport Ministry as it committed to transforming its entire fleet of public transport vehicles into a 100% electric. The initiative, as announced by the Transport Minister, Suriya Jungrungreangkit, begins with the electric conversion of the limousine service of the Airports of Thailand (AoT). This development was shared during Suriya’s…
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Thai lecturer’s 10 million baht lawsuit after mental health dismissal
Sombat Boongamanong, also known as Polka Dot, has shed light on the life journey of Dr Keng, a scholarship student who, after completing her PhD in England, returned to work as a Thai university lecturer. However, she fell ill and was asked to resign by the university management, leading to a lawsuit seeking over 10 million baht. Sombat arrived this…
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Thailand intensifies efforts to free remaining Thai hostages in Gaza
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) is pushing forward with efforts to secure the release of the remaining nine Thai hostages held captive by Hamas. This comes as six additional Thai workers, recently liberated from their captors, are on the brink of returning to Thailand, scheduled to arrive on Monday. Expressing concern over the termination of the ceasefire in the…
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Tax deductions and returns: key investment options in Thailand
Shrewd investors actively seek opportunities that provide tax deductions while ensuring respectable returns. Within this context, three primary investment options demand consideration. These options comprise insurance, long-term funding, and savings through provident and social security fund contributions. Investment choices are manifold. Social Security Fund, for instance, offers a tax deduction equivalent to the amount paid, capped at 9,000 baht per…
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Golden delight: GTA unveils gold rush with prices soaring to new heights
The Gold Traders Association (GTA) today announced a strong surge in today’s gold prices. Compared to yesterday’s closing price, gold ornaments are selling at 34,800 baht per baht, up by 200 baht. This information was released on their website at 9.08am. Gold bars of 96.5% purity are currently being bought at 34,200 baht per baht and sold at 34,300 baht…
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Baconomics at play: Pork prices sizzle down, fuelling October’s inflation cool-off
A decline in pork prices significantly contributed to a reduction in the inflation rate in October, an anonymous figure within the Finance Ministry has revealed. The inflation experienced a year-on-year decrease of 0.31% in October, largely due to a 0.2% drop in energy prices, attributed to lower oil costs and employed subsidies to keep energy prices in check. Moreover, food…
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