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Thailand — a haven for digital nomads — has also emerged as a competitive market for coworking spaces, catering to a wide variety of workplace needs and not just in Bangkok. Whether you’re here on a business trip, an entrepreneur looking to take your startup out of the living room, or a restless digital nomad armed with your trusty laptop, there are several reasons why people are flocking to coworking spaces in Thailand. Here, we unpack some of those reasons and compare coworking spaces in Bangkok and around the country. What exactly are coworking spaces? Coworking spaces provide communal workstations as well as private offices with shared facilities. More than a cafe with a decent Wi-Fi connection, coworking spaces are alternative accommodations to traditional offices, allowing you to collaborate with team members, meet with clients, and grow or reduce office space as needed. Coworking spaces are also ideal for hybrid work. According to The Secret Sauce’s interview with Kincentric Country Head Adisak Chandprapalert, today’s hirees value flexibility in their working arrangements, especially in the wake of remote work necessitated by pandemic restrictions. Coworking spaces create a stable, purpose-built environment that hybrid workers can access for better productivity, like students who need to study at the library or people who need to work out at the gym. This flexibility also creates a melting pot of different companies and professionals, from full-time employees and contractors to entrepreneurs and freelancers. As a result, coworking spaces can foster a strong ecosystem for business networking, collaboration, and incubation. The best coworking spaces will balance a relaxed atmosphere with professional appearances. Why coworking spaces make sense in Thailand Thailand’s entrance into the coworking market can be seen as a natural consequence of several factors, starting with digital infrastructure. Thailand has an 85.3% rate of internet penetration (third-highest in the region after Singapore and Malaysia) and 85% 5G coverage, with the seventh-best fixed internet speeds in the world. Beyond all the office amenities and essentials, Thailand’s cost of living is very competitive and well-balanced against factors like safety, attractions, hospitality, and ease of doing business. Taken as a whole, Thailand offers a competitive quality of life, with major Thai cities like Bangkok, Chiang Mai, and Phuket routinely appearing in the top 10 lists for workations and digital nomads. Alternative workspaces also find plenty of demand in the Thai business landscape. Startups and small businesses are less willing to commit to traditional office leases. That bodes well for the country’s coworking market, where micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) make up 99.6% of businesses in Thailand and 71.8% of the country’s employment. The coworking market may be nascent, but according to Surachet Kongcheep, Managing Director of Property DNA Co., Ltd., “The product is maturing.” More operators are looking to distinguish themselves by adding value, whether it’s building their community, organizing professional workshops and seminars, or connecting their members with venture capital. The COVID-19 crisis has led to more employers realizing the benefits of remote work. This together with the gig economy forecast to thrive in 2023 and a greater push for a stronger creative economy in Thailand make it safe to say we’ll be seeing more coworking spaces in Thailand. Productive coworking spaces in Thailand There are hundreds if not thousands of coworking spaces across the country, but here’s a short list of the coworking spaces worth checking out. HUBBA Thailand HUBBA, touted as Thailand’s very first coworking space, is a prime example of a coworking space that also serves as an incubator. Situated in Bangkok, its great startup ecosystem offers specially crafted business tools and training sessions to support new business development. It also boasts a popular unique greenhouse boardroom, so good luck trying to book it! Open House (Central Embassy) Central Embassy’s Open House’s “Co-Thinking Zone” was developed with a greenhouse-inspired environment with spectacular city views and an open beverage bar. The coworking space is part of Open House’s “Co-Living Space” designed to suit a variety of lifestyles, featuring an on-demand movie theater, eateries, stationery zone, and a massive breathtaking bookstore that feels more like a chic library. WeWork Thailand The O.G. coworking space, WeWork Thailand brings its brand of professional polish to all four Bangkok branches. Its latest, located at The Parq, offers airy spaces that make the most of natural lighting, great city views, direct access to the Queen Sirikit Centre MRT subway station, fitness amenities, and even bike storage — fitting for WeWork’s concept of “work well and live well.” Keep an eye out for its lamp shades modeled after northern Thai floating lanterns and other culturally inspired interiors. JustCo (Samyan Mitrtown) JustCo has coworking spaces across the Asia-Pacific and Australia, and its six Bangkok branches are located at AIA Sathorn Tower, Amarin Tower, One City Centre, Samyan Mitrtown, Silom Edge, and Capital Tower, All Seasons Place. At its largest branch of Samyan Mitrtown, an internal stairway connects its six floors. Certain JustCo branches also have some unique amenities that accommodate a wide variety of working lifestyles, like an event space, 24/7 access & security, nap room, lockers, and showers. NapLab A 24-hour “co-napping workspace” near Chulalongkorn University, NapLab is the result of extensive research into what its key demographic, university students, were looking for in a coworking space. Customers can request pillows, cleaned daily, to relax or catch a few winks between classes. With lockers, showers, and plenty of hot desks, NapLab has found a unique formula for the university coworking environment. The co-napping workspace is also part of a multi-purpose building that also houses apartment units and a fitness center. TrueSpace & True Digital Park TrueSpace has multiple locations in and outside of Bangkok. Similar to NapLab, its branches are also marketed towards students, with locations in Mahidol University in Nakhon Pathom Province, Rangsit University in Pathum Thani Province, and Ubon Ratchathani Rajabhat University in Ubon Ratchathani Province. Meanwhile, True Digital Park is an entirely different animal aimed at uniting the startup ecosystem in Thailand. Located in Bang Na District, Bangkok, it provides an upskill/reskill academy, a one-stop service center for startups including business registration and accounting & taxation, and opportunities to meet with investors and secure venture capital. True Digital Park recently celebrated reaching 5,000 startup and SME members. BeacHub Phangan But what if you’re not in the city? BeacHub, the world’s first beachfront coworking space, is located on the gorgeous Phangan Island in Surat Thani Province. Aside from amazing ocean views, you also have access to two beaches for when you need a break or are done for the day. And thanks to co-living facilities, your beach office is only steps away from your beach bungalow. KoHub Named for the Thai word koh meaning “island,” KoHub is located on the secluded Lanta Island in Krabi Province. Named one of the ten best coworking spaces on earth in a 2016 Forbes survey, KoHub has a thriving community of digital nomads who, despite the very relaxing vibe, are very productive. Similar to BeacHub, KoHub also includes bungalow accommodations. However, KoHub is only open from November 1st to April 30th to coincide with good weather and the tourist high season. Yellow Yellow can be found in North Thailand’s Chiang Mai Province. As a Web3 startup incubator, Yellow offers a blockchain-savvy ecosystem with state-of-the-art facilities including sound-proof Skype booths and a fully-equipped YouTube room, all nestled in Chiang Mai’s vibrant digital nomad culture. The last pieces fall into place Thailand’s co-working landscape makes getting business done and living your best life so much easier. Why wait for retirement when a sustainable work-life balance is in your reach? If you’re serious about traveling to Thailand to work and play, just be sure you’ve got the right documents and to take advantage of the accompanying benefits. If you ever find yourself in a creative rut, step away from work and take a swim in the ocean, a run on the beach, a Thai massage, a walk in the park, or any one of the many leisurely activities that have made Thailand a renowned workation destination. There’s just no telling when or how inspiration will strike. 1st photo caption: Source: fizkes / Shutterstock.com 2nd photo caption: Source: HUBBA Thailand website 3rd photo caption: Source: Open House Facebook Page 4th photo caption: Source: WeWork Facebook Page 5th photo caption: Source: JustCo Facebook Page 6th photo caption: Source: NabLap Facebook Page 7th photo caption: Source: True Digital Park Facebook Page 8th photo caption: Source: BeacHub Facebook Page 9th photo caption: Source: KoHub Facebook Page 10th photo caption: Source: Yellow Facebook Page Full story: THAILAND NOW 2023-10-02 - Cigna offers a range of visa-compliant plans that meet the minimum requirement of medical treatment, including COVID-19, up to THB 3m. For more information on all expat health insurance plans click here. Get our Daily Newsletter - Click HERE to subscribe

PM’s Closed-Door Meeting with Thai Central Bank Governor BANGKOK (NNT) - In a significant turn of events, a private discussion was held between key officials concerning Thailand’s economic and financial landscape. The meeting, which occurred at the Government House, lasted approximately 45 minutes and both parties opted not to give any interviews post-discussion. Full Story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1308158-pm’s-closed-door-meeting-with-thai-central-bank-governor/

BANGKOK (NNT) - In a significant turn of events, a private discussion was held between key officials concerning Thailand’s economic and financial landscape. The meeting, which occurred at the Government House, lasted approximately 45 minutes and both parties opted not to give any interviews post-discussion. Sethaput Suthiwartnarueput, Governor of the Bank of Thailand, met with Prime Minister and Finance Minister Srettha Thavisin for this closed-door gathering. Following the meeting, the Prime Minister took to social media platforms, including Twitter, to state that the exchange of views on the economy and finance was highly beneficial. He added that similar meetings will take place on a monthly basis. Earlier in the day, the Prime Minister briefly spoke to the media in Muang Thong Thani. When asked whether interest rates were a topic of discussion in his meeting with the Central Bank Governor, he stressed that all matters were on the table for discussion. By Woraprat Lerpaisal Full story: NNT 2023-10-02 - Cigna offers a range of visa-compliant plans that meet the minimum requirement of medical treatment, including COVID-19, up to THB 3m. For more information on all expat health insurance plans click here. Get our Daily Newsletter - Click HERE to subscribe

Govt Unveils 2024 Budget Plan BANGKOK (NNT) - Thailand’s government has disclosed its budget blueprint for the 2024 fiscal year, with a strong emphasis on transparent and efficient financial management. Full Story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1308157-govt-unveils-2024-budget-plan/

BANGKOK (NNT) - Thailand’s government has disclosed its budget blueprint for the 2024 fiscal year, with a strong emphasis on transparent and efficient financial management. Prime Minister and Finance Minister Srettha Thavisin outlined the core principles underpinning the budget plan, highlighting five key areas. These include aligning budget allocations with public commitments, streamlining efforts to minimize redundancy, maintaining fiscal discipline, setting measurable objectives for all projects, and tapping into various sources of capital. The total budget allocation for the upcoming year is set at 3.48 trillion baht. Acknowledging potential delays in the budget process, Prime Minister Srettha emphasized the importance of all government departments adhering to legal frameworks and accelerating their spending efforts. Each agency is required to submit its individual budget plans by October 6th. To stimulate immediate revenue growth, the government will inject 560 billion baht into the economy through a digital wallet program, offering 10,000 baht to citizens. This financial boost is scheduled for release in February of the following year, with the aim of invigorating local economies and subsequently replenishing state coffers through taxes. Prime Minister Srettha underlined specific economic objectives, including a targeted 5% GDP growth rate over the next four years and a plan to raise the minimum wage to 600 baht by 2027. He stressed that successful policy implementation hinges on a thriving economy and the well-being of citizens, urging all sectors to actively engage with the public and adapt their strategies accordingly. The 2024 fiscal year budget represents a significant step towards fostering transparency, economic growth, and overall prosperity in Thailand. By Woraprat Lerpaisal Full story: NNT 2023-10-02 - Cigna offers a range of visa-compliant plans that meet the minimum requirement of medical treatment, including COVID-19, up to THB 3m. For more information on all expat health insurance plans click here. Get our Daily Newsletter - Click HERE to subscribe

Free trade agreements with the EU, UAE and Sri Lanka expected next year Thailand is expected to finalise free trade agreements (FTAs) with the European Free Trade Association (EFTA), Sri Lanka and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) in the second and third quarters of next year, which will increase trade volume between Thailand and the three export markets by about US$31 billion, or one trillion baht, annually. Full Story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1308156-free-trade-agreements-with-the-eu-uae-and-sri-lanka-expected-next-year/

Thailand is expected to finalise free trade agreements (FTAs) with the European Free Trade Association (EFTA), Sri Lanka and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) in the second and third quarters of next year, which will increase trade volume between Thailand and the three export markets by about US$31 billion, or one trillion baht, annually. Auramon Supthaweethum, director-general of the Department of Trade Negotiations, said that, after four rounds of negotiations, she expects the FTA between Thailand and the UAE to be the first to be concluded, possibly before the end of this year. She said that the UAE enjoys high purchasing power from its citizens, foreign workers and tourists. As such it is an ideal logistical hub for the distribution of Thai products to other markets in the Middle East. Full story: Thai PBS 2023-10-02 - Cigna offers a range of visa-compliant plans that meet the minimum requirement of medical treatment, including COVID-19, up to THB 3m. For more information on all expat health insurance plans click here. Get our Daily Newsletter - Click HERE to subscribe

Buoyant EV market raising skill gap concerns EV car charger The EV market in Thailand is growing rapidly thanks largely to the government’s promotional packages to incentivise both car manufacturing and consumers, high fuel costs and increasing awareness about emissions from road-based transportation. Full Story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1308155-buoyant-ev-market-raising-skill-gap-concerns/

The EV market in Thailand is growing rapidly thanks largely to the government’s promotional packages to incentivise both car manufacturing and consumers, high fuel costs and increasing awareness about emissions from road-based transportation. That’s good news for the country and the environment, but there are very real concerns among educational institutes and the auto industry at a widening skill gap. As of July 2023, the Board of Investment (BOI) had granted promotional privileges to 23 projects with a total investment of over Bt75 billion. There are currently 13 BEV (Battery Electric Vehicles), 6 HEV (Hybrid Electric Vehicles), 6 PHEV (Plug-in hybrid electric vehicles), and 2 battery electric bus projects. In August, the number of registered EV cars was almost 60,000 units, a surge of 280 per cent over the same period last year. Caption: EV car charger Full story: Thai PBS 2023-10-02 - Cigna offers a range of visa-compliant plans that meet the minimum requirement of medical treatment, including COVID-19, up to THB 3m. For more information on all expat health insurance plans click here. Get our Daily Newsletter - Click HERE to subscribe

The EV market in Thailand is growing rapidly thanks largely to the government’s promotional packages to incentivise both car manufacturing and consumers, high fuel costs and increasing awareness about emissions from road-based transportation. That’s good news for the country and the environment, but there are very real concerns among educational institutes and the auto industry at a widening skill gap. As of July 2023, the Board of Investment (BOI) had granted promotional privileges to 23 projects with a total investment of over Bt75 billion. There are currently 13 BEV (Battery Electric Vehicles), 6 HEV (Hybrid Electric Vehicles), 6 PHEV (Plug-in hybrid electric vehicles), and 2 battery electric bus projects. In August, the number of registered EV cars was almost 60,000 units, a surge of 280 per cent over the same period last year. Caption: EV car charger Full story: Thai PBS 2023-10-02 - Cigna offers a range of visa-compliant plans that meet the minimum requirement of medical treatment, including COVID-19, up to THB 3m. For more information on all expat health insurance plans click here. Get our Daily Newsletter - Click HERE to subscribe

Thailand to host BIMSTEC summit on November 30th Thailand has convened a summit of countries on the rim of the Bay of Bengal for the end of next month, according to an informed source. Full Story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1308153-thailand-to-host-bimstec-summit-on-november-30th/

Thailand has convened a summit of countries on the rim of the Bay of Bengal for the end of next month, according to an informed source. The summit was planned and agreed upon when the foreign ministers of the Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC) met informally in Bangkok in July. Currently, Thailand serves as the chair of BIMSTEC, which was established in June 1997. The regional organisation aims to deepen cooperation in trade, technology, energy, transport, tourism, fisheries, security, counterterrorism, disaster management and energy. Full story: Thai PBS 2023-10-02 - Cigna offers a range of visa-compliant plans that meet the minimum requirement of medical treatment, including COVID-19, up to THB 3m. For more information on all expat health insurance plans click here. Get our Daily Newsletter - Click HERE to subscribe

Chiang Mai’s sizzling lottery craze: Rain or shine, locals bet on luck Photo: by Goran Pavlović, on Flickr The buzz around the “hot lottery” is intensifying in Chiang Mai, with locals eagerly purchasing tickets for Sunday’s draw in hopes of securing the lucky numbers revealed by revered teacher Sreevichai. Full Story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1307948-chiang-mai’s-sizzling-lottery-craze-rain-or-shine-locals-bet-on-luck/

The buzz around the “hot lottery” is intensifying in Chiang Mai, with locals eagerly purchasing tickets for Sunday’s draw in hopes of securing the lucky numbers revealed by revered teacher Sreevichai. The allure of the lottery is strong, despite the ongoing rainy season and the ticket price remaining at 100 baht per ticket and 110-120 baht for a series. The lottery draw is scheduled for October 1. The lottery sales atmosphere in Chiang Mai is bustling despite intermittent rain showers. Locals are flocking to various stalls to get their hands on these coveted tickets. Areas bustling with activity include the Mahidol Road in the Mueang district, the train station area, the Hai Ya Cemetery area, and the Chiang Mai Gate area. Even early morning markets in various districts and larger stalls along the Chiang Mai-Lamphun road in Saraphi district are teeming with eager participants. Miss Pornnee, a lottery vendor along the Chiang Mai-Lamphun Road, revealed that despite the challenges of the rainy season, sales are steady. By Nattapong Westwood Caption: Photo: by Goran Pavlović, on Flickr Full story: The Thaiger 2023-09-29 - Cigna offers a range of visa-compliant plans that meet the minimum requirement of medical treatment, including COVID-19, up to THB 3m. For more information on all expat health insurance plans click here. Get our Daily Newsletter - Click HERE to subscribe

Monk’s mysterious death unveils temple ‘whodunit’ Photo: KhaoSod The mysterious death of a 57 year old monk in a temple in Ang Thong province sparked a police investigation. The body was found in a monk’s hut, lying on the floor surrounded by a foul smell, with blood and yellow liquid on the ground. Full Story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1307947-monk’s-mysterious-death-unveils-temple-‘whodunit’/

The mysterious death of a 57 year old monk in a temple in Ang Thong province sparked a police investigation. The body was found in a monk’s hut, lying on the floor surrounded by a foul smell, with blood and yellow liquid on the ground. A lottery ticket for the October 1 draw was discovered in the hut, which drew the attention of local villagers keen to note down the number. The police, along with medical staff from Wiset Chai Chan Hospital and rescue volunteers from Ang Thong, were called to Wat Muang, Hua Ta Phan subdistrict, Wiset Chai Chan district, Ang Thong province. The deceased monk, named Samchai, had been unseen for several days, raising suspicions and concerns among the temple staff. Upon inspection, the monk’s body was found in a decomposed state, with wounds on the back of the head. The monk is believed to have been dead for at least three to four days. By Nattapong Westwood Caption: Photo: KhaoSod Full story: The Thaiger 2023-09-29 - Cigna offers a range of visa-compliant plans that meet the minimum requirement of medical treatment, including COVID-19, up to THB 3m. For more information on all expat health insurance plans click here. Get our Daily Newsletter - Click HERE to subscribe

Tyre blowout flips lorry in east Thailand Photo: KhaoSod A lorry transporting fish suffered a tyre explosion in Rayong, causing the vehicle to flip and crash into a tree, seriously damaging the entire vehicle. Full Story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1307946-tyre-blowout-flips-lorry-in-east-thailand/

A lorry transporting fish suffered a tyre explosion in Rayong, causing the vehicle to flip and crash into a tree, seriously damaging the entire vehicle. The driver, 29 year old Sunthorn Yotdam, sustained injuries, while the fish, primarily tilapia numbering in the thousands, were scattered across the road, resulting in an estimated loss of no less than 100,000 baht. Police from Wang Chan District, Rayong, today received a report of an accident involving a flipped lorry in the middle of the road, causing the transported tilapia to spread across the surface. The lorry tyre explosion incident occurred at the Chawaew Cooperative intersection, on the Ban Bueng-Klaeng road, 83 kilometres from Wang Chan district, Rayong. Authorities coordinated with Wang Chan hospital doctors and Rayong rescue units to assist at the scene. Upon arrival, they discovered a distressed pickup truck parked by the roadside, severely damaged throughout. By Nattapong Westwood Caption: Photo: KhaoSod Full story: The Thaiger 2023-09-29 - Cigna offers a range of visa-compliant plans that meet the minimum requirement of medical treatment, including COVID-19, up to THB 3m. For more information on all expat health insurance plans click here. Get our Daily Newsletter - Click HERE to subscribe

Tak’s rising waters put dams at risk, residents urged to seek high ground Photo: KhaoSod Severe rainfall in Tak province caused a mass influx of water into reservoirs, exceeding their storage capacity and raising concerns over potential dam breaches. The deputy governor has ordered immediate action to prevent further erosion and expansion due to Tak flooding, urging residents to quickly move their belongings to higher ground. Full Story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1307945-tak’s-rising-waters-put-dams-at-risk-residents-urged-to-seek-high-ground/

Severe rainfall in Tak province caused a mass influx of water into reservoirs, exceeding their storage capacity and raising concerns over potential dam breaches. The deputy governor has ordered immediate action to prevent further erosion and expansion due to Tak flooding, urging residents to quickly move their belongings to higher ground. Heavy rainfall in Tak province today resulted in a significant amount of water flooding low-lying areas and a major surge into the water storage areas, reaching their full storage capacity. Deputy Governor, Veeraphan Dee-on, along with Sompong Fungtweevong, the District Chief Officer of Mueang Tak, were dispatched to inspect and command the situation following a report from Wanchai Choeichu, the Subdistrict Headman of Pong Daeng. They found the Charalad Rang reservoir in the fourth village of Pong Daeng, Mueang Tak, which is an earth dam with a water capacity of approximately 1 million cubic metres, displaying signs of leakage on the east side of the dam crest. By Nattapong Westwood Caption: Photo: KhaoSod Full story: The Thaiger 2023-09-29 - Cigna offers a range of visa-compliant plans that meet the minimum requirement of medical treatment, including COVID-19, up to THB 3m. For more information on all expat health insurance plans click here. Get our Daily Newsletter - Click HERE to subscribe

Fake soldier leaves locals with tab after dine-and-dash Photo: by vecstock, on Freepik A Thai man suspected of serial dine-and-dashing targeted two local Pattaya restaurants this month, leaving unsuspecting individuals to foot the bill. Posing as a soldier from Naresuan Camp, the fraudster would arrange a fake business meeting at the restaurant, consume a meal, and then quietly disappear. Full Story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1307944-fake-soldier-leaves-locals-with-tab-after-dine-and-dash/

A Thai man suspected of serial dine-and-dashing targeted two local Pattaya restaurants this month, leaving unsuspecting individuals to foot the bill. Posing as a soldier from Naresuan Camp, the fraudster would arrange a fake business meeting at the restaurant, consume a meal, and then quietly disappear. Yum Workshop, a well-known eatery located in Soi Khao Talo, Nongprue sub-district, Banglamung district, Chon Buri province was the first to fall prey. On Tuesday evening, September 26, the man entered the restaurant and claimed to be meeting friends for a business-related discussion. He ordered various dishes and three bottles of beer. Two hours later, three unsuspecting men joined him. However, the man vanished from the table within 30 minutes of their arrival, leaving the trio to deal with the restaurant staff. Upon realising the man’s absence, the 41 year old restaurant manager, Wasna Kosaengrak, questioned the three men about their missing companion. To her surprise, they revealed that they were not friends with the man but were his supposed customers who were there to discuss a curtain purchase for his boss’s house. After a suspicious phone call, he had excused himself from the table and never returned. The CCTV footage showed the man making his exit on a motorbike, leaving the restaurant with a loss of 1,065 baht. While it is not clear if Wasna intends to press charges, she urged fellow business owners to be wary of such deceitful patrons. By Top Caption: Photo: by vecstock, on Freepik Full story: The Thaiger 2023-09-29 - Cigna offers a range of visa-compliant plans that meet the minimum requirement of medical treatment, including COVID-19, up to THB 3m. For more information on all expat health insurance plans click here. Get our Daily Newsletter - Click HERE to subscribe

Bangkok Governor warns residents near Chao Phraya River of potential floods Photo: Bangkok Post Bangkok Governor Chadchart Sittipunt issued an alert for communities living near the Chao Phraya River to be on guard against high water levels due to the storm surge effect at around 7pm today. The 57 year old city chief revealed at Bangkok City Hall that the volume of seawater was significantly higher than forecasted, leading to a 30% surge in sea levels on October 28. Full Story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1307943-bangkok-governor-warns-residents-near-chao-phraya-river-of-potential-floods/

Bangkok Governor Chadchart Sittipunt issued an alert for communities living near the Chao Phraya River to be on guard against high water levels due to the storm surge effect at around 7pm today. The 57 year old city chief revealed at Bangkok City Hall that the volume of seawater was significantly higher than forecasted, leading to a 30% surge in sea levels on October 28. This increase caused the Chao Phraya River to rise and overflow slightly into areas outside the dike, such as the Dusit district along the riverbank. The unparalleled surge of seawater was largely unexpected, hence communities along the Bangkok riverbank and the mouth of the Chao Phraya River in Samut Prakan province should remain vigilant. Chadchart further explained that one of the causes could be the southeast winds in the Andaman Sea pushing water inland, resulting in a storm surge. A storm surge refers to the rise in sea level under the impact of a tropical cyclone with wind speeds of at least 100 kilometres per hour, which pushes a large volume of water into the Chao Phraya River, causing it to overflow and flood urban areas along the banks. The periods when the water level is expected to be at its highest and should be closely monitored are the early morning to mid-morning and evening around 7pm. By Nattapong Westwood Caption: Photo: Bangkok Post Full story: The Thaiger 2023-09-29 - Cigna offers a range of visa-compliant plans that meet the minimum requirement of medical treatment, including COVID-19, up to THB 3m. For more information on all expat health insurance plans click here. Get our Daily Newsletter - Click HERE to subscribe

Russian man drowns at Phuket beach PHOTO: Facebook/ศูนย์ข้อมูลภูเก็ต Phuket Info Center A Russian man has become the latest victim of the island’s rip currents prevalent at this time of year. The Phuket News reports that the 34 year old tourist drowned at Bang Tao Beach yesterday. It’s understood he arrived on the island last Saturday, September 23. His name is being withheld until next-of-kin have been informed. Full Story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1307942-russian-man-drowns-at-phuket-beach/