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Hua Hin’s property title deeds/Construction work on Soi 94/Royal Hua Hin Golf Course/3×3 basketball coming/Buying health insurance/Tips to reduce risk of illness/6 Dead, 2 Missing As Typhoon Yagi Hits/Six Teenagers Swept Away/Thai Coach Trapped Again/Tham Luang cave faces worst flooding/Flooding in heart of Chiang Rai/Support reaches flood victims/Water-borne diseases on the rise/Flash floods warning for 43 provinces/Big Buddha boss charged/Baby hippo draws crowds/Over 34% of Thai children miss out/US equipment firm settles/Foreigners behaving badly/Economy: Set for a glamorous makeover/‘Worse than Covid-19’ era/Industrial fund to prioritize SMEs/EV makers seek to renegotiate incentives/Thai Fish-Based Products Under Scrutiny/Tourism: Thai tourism rebounds/Mid-priced hotels struggle/Thailand a top choice for returning travelers/‘Thailand MICE Visa Prepaid Card’/Global medical tourism/Hong Kong Airlines to Chiang Mai/Thailand Experience: How spicy do you like Thai food?/Who Created Massaman Curry?/Best Things To Do On Phi Phi/Thailand top eco-tourism destination/5 best Isaan restaurants in Bangkok/Climate Thailand: Thai Farmer’s Organic Rice/International/Links: Calendar of events/Airport schedule/Bangkok airport bus schedule/Hua Hin-Pattaya bus schedule/Air pollution index map/90-day online report/driver’s license/Market Village and Bluport cinemas/Emergency numbers

10 common mistakes to avoid while buying health insurance

Understanding health insurance can be tricky with all the options and terms. It’s essential to get it right to ensure both your health and financial security. With so many options and details, it’s easy to make mistakes that could affect you later. Here are the 10 common mistakes people make when buying health insurance.

Insufficient research

When buying health insurance, it’s crucial to do thorough research to avoid any regrets. Simply searching for “Thai health insurance” online won’t give you the full picture. Instead, you need to carefully evaluate several key aspects of potential insurance plans. Continued …

9 tips to reduce the risk of illness during the rainy season in Thailand

The rainy season in Thailand definitely has a vibe, but it also increases your risk of getting sick. During the rainy season, it’s important to take proactive steps to maintain your health and well-being.

The cooler and humid weather can bring mosquitoes and diseases like dengue fever. To help you stay healthy during this season, here are nine practical tips to help you reduce the risk of getting sick. Continued …

6 Dead, 2 Missing As Typhoon Yagi Hits North Thailand

Thailand’s northern regions are reeling from the devastation caused by Typhoon Yagi, which brought relentless rains, leading to deadly floods and landslides. As of now, six people have been confirmed dead, including four in Chiang Mai and two in Chiang Rai, while two others remain missing.

In Chiang Mai’s Mae Ai district, the overflowing Mae Ai river triggered landslides and flash floods, isolating around 2,000 residents in villages such as Ban Doi Laem, Doi Lang, Pang Ton Duea, and Pang Saen Kluea. Rescue efforts are underway, but the situation remains dire. Emergency teams, including soldiers from the Pha Muang task force and Border Patrol Police, have been mobilized to clear the roads and reach the stranded villagers. Continued …

Mae Sai: Six Teenagers Swept Away by Floodwaters, Two Rescued

A tense night unfolded in Mae Sai, Chiang Rai, yesterday, as six teenagers attempted to cross floodwaters at night, with disastrous results. Four are missing after being swept away by strong currents, while two were rescued in a dramatic operation.

The incident was livestreamed online. Six teenagers had ventured into a dangerous, fast-moving flood in the Mae Sai district. Out of the group, two survived, but the remaining four were swept away and remain unaccounted for. Continued …

Thai Coach of Tham Luang Cave Boys Trapped Again – by typhoon floods

Ekkapol Chantawong, the coach of the “Wild Boars” football team that gained worldwide attention after their dramatic cave rescue in 2018, is now facing another life-threatening situation. This time, he was stranded on the roof of his house due to flash floods caused by Typhoon Yagi in Mae Sai, northern Thailand.

Ekkapol described how the floodwaters rose suddenly early Tuesday morning, leaving him, his girlfriend, and her aunt with no time to escape. They spent the night on the roof as the waters continued to rise. Continued …

Famous Tham Luang cave faces worst flooding in 13 years

Mae Sai district’s most famous cave, Tham Luang-Khun Nam Nang Non, is currently facing its worst flooding in 13 years, after the mountain range was lashed by torrential rain, measured at 263mm yesterday alone.

British cave explorer Vernon Unsworth, who has been living in Mae Sai district with his Thai wife for more than a decade, inspected the cave and said that the water rushing out of the cave’s entrance is stronger than a waterfall, indicating that all the chambers in the cave are now flooded. Unsworth is one of the hero divers who rescued 13 Thai boys and their soccer coach from the cave six years ago. Continued …

Flooding in heart of Chiang Rai, flights cancelled

The economic center of Chiang Ri Province is now inundated, with floodwaters reaching waist-deep levels and continuing to rise due to the overflowing Kok River.

Officials announced the closure of roads and bridges in Muang district this morning, affecting access to key locations, including Mae Fah Luang Chiang Rai International Airport, the five-way Pho Khun intersection and the provincial hall. Continued …

Massive amounts of support reaches flood victims in Chiang Rai

Manpower, equipment and relief supplies from various sources have been arriving in Chiang Rai province to help flood victims, many of whom remain stranded in their homes by the worst flooding for three decades.

Runoff water from a mountain range in Myanmar’ Shan state and from watershed areas is yet to reach the Sai and Ruak rivers. Satellite images, provided by the Geo-Informatics and Space Technology Development Agency (GISTDA), show 767 hectares on the Myanmar border under water, while nearly a thousand hectares in Mae Sai district are flooded. Continued …

Water-borne diseases on the rise as flooding continues

Thailand is seeing increasing cases of diseases caused by flooding, the Department of Disease Control (DDC) said on Wednesday, urging the public to avoid wading through floodwater and mud.

Cases of rat fever (leptospirosis), a blood infection caused by the bacteria leptospira that can infect humans, rodents and other animals, has exceeded 2,600 patients this year, with 28 deaths so far, Dr. Wirawat Manosutthi, the DDC spokesman, said. Continued …

Flash floods, water runoff warning for 43 provinces

The Office of National Water Resources (ONWR) today warned residents in 48 provinces of flash floods and water runoff due to heavy rains brought by the monsoon trough over the upper country from Friday to Wednesday (Sept. 13-18).

The office also predicted that water levels in the Mekong River would rise by 0.5 to 1 meter from today to Wednesday due to heavy rains in the north, the upper northeast, and Laos. This may result in overflow at riverbanks in Chiang Rai, Loei, Nong Khai, Bueng Kan, Nakhon Phanom, Mukdahan, Amnat Charoen, and Ubon Ratchathani provinces. Continued …

Big Buddha boss charged with illegal land grab in landslide scandal

Suporn Wanichkul, the chairperson of the Phra Phuttha Ming Mongol Sattha 45 Foundation, which oversees Phuket’s iconic Big Buddha, has landed in hot water. Accused of illegal forest encroachment, Suporn now faces serious charges connected to the deadly landslide that rocked the region last month.

Suporn was formally charged yesterday, at Karon Police Station. The charge, which extends to the foundation itself, involves illegal clearing, construction, and occupation of protected forest land. Continued …

Baby hippo draws crowds to Chon Buri zoo

A playful baby pygmy hippo is drawing crowds at Khao Kheow Open Zoo in Chon Buri. Videos and photos of two-month-old “Moo Deng” have gone viral on social media, with people highly entertained by her cute appearance and antics. The zoo is posting daily photos and videos of the pygmy hippopotamus family on its Facebook pages. Little Moo Deng quickly became the viewers’ favorite. Her playfulness stands out from the other animals. The cute little hippo has attracted visitors to the zoo, with people queueing from nine in the morning to take pictures of Moo Deng. (Bangkok Post)

Over 34% of Thai children miss out on vital support grant

A recent study by UNICEF and the Thailand Development Research Institute (TDRI) revealed that over 34% of children from impoverished households do not receive the monthly allowance they are entitled to under the Child Support Grant scheme.

This finding highlights the urgency of addressing the high exclusion error and expanding the grant to all children under six years old, especially in light of Thailand’s low birth rate and rapidly aging population. Continued …

US equipment firm settles Thai bribery case

The U.S. agricultural and construction equipment firm Deere has agreed to pay $10 million to settle U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) charges that its Thai subsidiary bribed state agencies to win business.

The bribes took the form of massage parlor services, lavish overseas trips and other improper gifts to win government business, the SEC said on Tuesday in Washington, D.C. Continued …

Tanzanian, Syrian Arrested for Hiding Illegal Foreign Workers – Continued …
Foreigner Steals Taxi While High on Cannabis, Crashes into Lamp Post – Continued …

Bangkok Port set for a glamorous makeover

Bangkok’s iconic port is about to get a transformation. The Thai Transport Ministry has unveiled plans to turn parts of the port into an entertainment complex – but there’s a catch. Officials are calling for clearer government regulations before the project can truly set sail.

Speaking at a media briefing, Deputy Transport Minister Manaporn Charoensri made it clear that Bangkok Port isn’t going anywhere. “We have no plans to relocate the port. The focus is on improving it.” Continued …

REIC warns of ‘worse than Covid-19’ era for property sector

Amid the continued decline in demand for new properties in the real-estate sector, the second-hand market seems to be witnessing a surge, as demand for used homes continues to remain strong in provinces that are of economic importance despite the “worse than Covid-19” slump in the industry.

The Real Estate Information Center (REIC) recently came out with two reports, with one stating the rise in demand for second-hand properties and the 10 provinces that are witnessing a surge, and the second report that the demand for new properties is among the worst in years. Continued …

New Bt20-billion industrial fund to prioritize SMEs

Newly appointed Industry Minister Akanat Prompan plans to set up an Industrial Reform Fund worth at least 20 billion baht to help manufacturers, especially small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), better deal with liquidity and improve their competitiveness.

Many SMEs are struggling with liquidity and finding it difficult to access financial resources, while competition intensifies and technology changes rapidly, Akanat said on Wednesday. Continued …

Thailand’s EV makers seek to renegotiate incentives as sales slow

As sales of electric vehicles (EVs) miss expectations in Southeast Asia’s largest market, Thailand’s main group of manufacturers, comprising large Chinese and Japanese firms, seeks to extend production deadlines set in a government scheme of incentives.

The scheme helped lure investment of more than US1.44 billion in new production facilities from Chinese EV car makers, such as BYD Motors and Great Wall Motor, making Thailand a regional hub in turning out EVs. Continued …

Thai Fish-Based Products Under Scrutiny as US Updates Forced Labor List

“Findings on the Worst Forms of Child Labor” (TDA Report) released by the U.S. Department of Labor, included three more Thai products added to the Trafficking Victims Protection Reauthorization Act (TVPRA) list, even though shrimp has been removed.

The Thai government, industry, and civil society organizations who have worked together to address the issue of child and forced labor in the shrimp industry in Thailand say they are grateful that it is removed from the TVPRA list, improving its chances of exporting shrimp to the U.S. market. However, they face new bans on three products. Continued …

Thai tourism rebounds as hotel bookings expected to beat pre-Covid level

Hotel bookings in Thailand are expected to exceed pre-Covid levels this year as domestic tourism surges, according to Krungthai Compass, the research unit of Krungthai Bank.

Foreign arrivals in the first half of this year reached 17.5 million, down 12% on the pre-pandemic period in 2019, the unit reported on Tuesday. But Thai domestic travelers rose to 136.2 million, up 21% from the pre-Covid level. Continued …

Mid-priced hotels struggled in August

Tourists in the mid-priced and budget segments remain sensitive to prices, meaning hotels rated less than four stars struggled to maintain their room and occupancy rates in August.

Thienprasit Chaiyapatranun, president of the Thai Hotels Assn. (THA), said while the average occupancy rate of hotels nationwide improved to 61.8% from 58.4% year-on-year last month, the figure still lagged the pre-pandemic rate of 64.7%, according to the hotel operator sentiment index for August. Continued …

Agoda data reveals Thailand is a top choice for returning travelers

According to a recent survey by travel booking platform Agoda, Thailand has been named as one of the top destinations for returning travelers. Thailand was also mentioned as the top destination for returning travelers to their favorite destinations, in addition to Japan and South Korea.

A survey revealed that more than half of respondents have returned to the same destination multiple times, with some having visited as many as two times in the past two years. While some travelers enjoy exploring new places, others feel more comfortable revisiting familiar places, said Andrew Smith, Agoda’s senior vice president of sourcing. Continued …

TCEB launches ‘Thailand MICE Visa Prepaid Card’ for business travelers

The Thailand Convention and Exhibition Bureau (TCEB) has partnered with Visa to launch the “Thailand MICE Visa Prepaid Card”, which aims to boost the country’s MICE industry.

TCEB President Chiruit Isarangkun Na Ayuthaya said the collaboration was in line with the organization’s vision of positioning Thailand as a premier destination for business events and transforming the country into a high value-added destination for global business travelers. Continued …

Global medical tourism is expected to grow at a CAGR of 20.8%, USD 79.30 billion by 2030

The global medical tourism market is expected to expand significantly, with the value projected to reach USD 79.30 million by 2030, from USD 21.12 million in 2023. This growth, driven by a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 20.8%, is mainly driven by the demand for cost-effective healthcare solutions, access to cutting-edge medical treatments, and reduced waiting times in countries with advanced healthcare infrastructure.

Patients are seeking international medical services for a variety of procedures, including plastic surgery, dental care, and specialized treatments. Major destinations such as India, Thailand, Malaysia, and Mexico are attracting patients by offering high-quality healthcare at affordable prices, resulting in faster growth in the market. Continued …

Hong Kong Airlines launches daily flights to Chiang Mai next month

Hong Kong Airlines is upping the ante for travel lovers, rolling out a new daily flight to Chiang Mai starting on Oct. 27. This expansion marks the airline’s third destination in Thailand, adding to its Bangkok and Phuket routes. – thethaiger.com

How spicy do you like Thai food?

Continued …

Who Actually Created Massaman Curry?

There’s no Thai food as universally beloved as Massaman Curry – after all, it’s a two-time winner of the “World’s Best Food”. But in Thailand, Massaman is known as a foreign-inspired dish; something brought to the Kingdom from…well, that’s the problem. There are passionate arguments favoring many different theories, and three of those are backed by a great deal of proof and evidence. So we set out to test those three theories and see if there’s any way to figure out who actually created Massaman Curry. Video …

The Best Things To Do On Phi Phi Islands

A tropical paradise right out of a postcard, Phi Phi Islands in the Krabi province of Thailand is one of the most popular archipelagos in the world. Vibrant marine life, pristine beaches, uncrowded lagoons, towering cliffs, stunning sunsets, and a crystal-clear turquoise sea make it one of the most sought-after holiday destinations.

Located in the Andaman Sea, Phi Phi Islands are a haven for beach babies and adventure enthusiasts. Comprising six islands in total, the archipelago promises a unique blend of fun nightlife, party vibes, and unbelievable dive sites. Before planning your trip to this stunning destination, take a look at some of the best things to do on Phi Phi Islands. Continued …

Thailand a top eco-tourism destination for environmentally conscious travelers

As the world becomes more aware of the impacts of climate change, more and more travelers are seeking experiences that align with their values of sustainability and environmental conservation. In recent years, Thailand has emerged as the number one destination for eco-tourism, attracting visitors from around the world looking for meaningful and responsible travel experiences.

(Editor: Sorry, but taking a fuel-guzzling jet 10,000 miles so you can take a hike is not saving the environment.)

As ecotourism grows and travelers make more conscious decisions about their environmental impact, Thailand is accelerating its sustainable tourism efforts to become a leading destination for green travel. From preserving natural habitats to supporting local communities, Thailand is showing the world that tourism and environmental responsibility can go hand in hand. Continued …

5 best Isaan restaurants in Bangkok

Are you craving bold Isaan flavors? Bangkok has hidden gems that deliver. Isaan food is known for its perfect spicy, sour, and savoury mix, offering a delicious glimpse into the region’s rich culture. From grilled meats to spicy salads, each dish showcases traditional flavors.

Whether you love som tam, larb, or gai yang, Bangkok offers plenty of spots to savour authentic Isaan food without leaving the city. Here are the top 5 Isaan restaurants in Bangkok, where you can enjoy an authentic taste of the northeast. Continued …

Solar-Powered Success: Thai Farmer’s Organic Rice Finds International Markets

A female farmer from Nakhon Phanom in northeastern Thailand has learned innovative methods to add value to rice in order to increase her income, and has transformed herself into a rice-processing entrepreneur with solar-drying systems.

Nim-Anong Kaewpaisan, the founder of Phetpaisankamkhun Co, started with a piece of family farmland used for rice cultivation. However, selling paddy rice to middlemen did not provide sufficient income for a sustainable livelihood. She then decided to return to her roots and look for ways to increase the income from rice cultivation. Continued …

400 minors rescued from suspected abuse at Malaysia charity homes

Malaysian authorities rescued more than 400 children on Wednesday suspected of being sexually abused at charity homes run by a prominent Islamic business organization with links to a banned religious sect, the top police official said. Continued …

Typhoon-hit factories in Vietnam may need weeks to recover

Typhoon Yagi has severely damaged a large number of factories and flooded warehouses in the export-oriented industrial hub of northern Vietnam, forcing plants to shut, with some expected to take weeks to resume full operations, executives said. Continued …

Key Takeaways From US Presidential Debate

Donald Trump and Kamala Harris faced each other on the debate stage Tuesday night for the first — and possibly the last — time. The Democratic vice president opened the faceoff with a power move, marching across the stage to Trump’s lectern to shake his hand.
“Kamala Harris,” she said, introducing herself as the pair met for the first time ever. “Let’s have a good debate.” Continued …