THAILAND LIVE Thailand Live Friday 29 Mar 2019

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Medical services and health insurance in Thailand

 

 

Thailand is one of the strongest among emerging economies, its medical services having improved significantly in recent years.

 

Healthcare however can sometimes be handicapped by a shortage of general practitioners. Most doctors are specialists. This can be a problem because they tend to diagnose and treat within the parameters of their specialty. Also, the patient may be suffering from other medical conditions, which may or may not be associated with their primary health problems.

 

Again, these would be better if they were assessed by a general physician. Some hospitals still have general physicians or family doctors, and it is worth seeking them out if needed.

 

Wealthier patients are likely to use one of over 400 private hospitals. In Bangkok, there are several hospitals with good reputations that are very popular with expatriates. The concentration of foreign patients in these hospitals is very high. Overall, the private sector has four times the number of beds per patient than the state sector, and much shorter waiting times.

 

Hospital fees are properly structured and patients should not feel that they are prey to unscrupulous charging. Nursing care is inexpensive, both in terms of professional attention and room hire, though inpatients may be asked to pay in advance.

 

 

As is often the case, certain hospitals offer a broader range of facilities and may be better placed to deal with major emergencies.

 

In such situations, cover with an insurance provider linked to a top-flight assistance company will pay dividends. Assistance companies know where to find the appropriate medical skills. The combination of state and private units sustains a lively health tourism industry. Indeed, Thailand is a credible medical tourism proposition, with lower costs than many other destinations, plus some favourable locations for recuperation.

 

When insured by Pacific Cross Health Insurance, contact us immediately as necessary. We provide a 24-hour helpline and will be able to suggest a hospital specializing in your relevant area of concern. Remember though, our policyholders are always required to pre-notify us before arranging an appointment, except in emergencies.

 

Ensure you are adequately insured.

 

For further advice and guidance, simply contact Pacific Cross Health Insurance PCL at [email protected]

 

Thaivisa Health Protect: Medical insurance for expats

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German tourist beaten over Chiang Mai bar bill

 

Image: Manager
 
A German tourist on Thursday filed a complaint with police, saying he was assaulted by staff at an allegedly over-priced karaoke bar in Chiang Mai. He said he refused to pay the Bt10,000 bill.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1092125-german-tourist-beaten-over-chiang-mai-bar-bill/

 

 

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Two Thais, one Chinese man detained over US entry visa fraud

By The Nation

 

 

Two Thai citizens and a Chinese man have been arrested for allegedly talking eight Chinese nationals into paying them US$6,000 (about Bt200,000) each for a so-called US entry visa.

 

Full Story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1092154-two-thais-one-chinese-man-detained-over-us-entry-visa-fraud/

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Nepali fugitive arrested in Nakhon Phanom on alleged fraud charges

By The Nation

 

 

A Nepali man has been arrested in Nakhon Phanom for allegedly deceiving 16 compatriots out of more than Bt5 million by promising them jobs in a foreign country.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1092096-nepali-fugitive-arrested-in-nakhon-phanom-on-alleged-fraud-charges/

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Uncertainty over new govt may delay investments, hit consumer spending

By PHUWIT LIMVIPHUWAT, 
WICHIT CHAITRONG 
THE NATION

 

 

SEVERAL FACTORS contributing to political uncertainty could delay investment decisions and stop consumers from spending, business leaders warn.
 

In a summit on the possible delay in forming a new government, Supant Mongkolsuthree, chairman of the Federation of Thai Industries (FTI), reckoned that ongoing investment projects would not be affected, though prospective investors may delay their decision.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1092238-uncertainty-over-new-govt-may-delay-investments-hit-consumer-spending/

 

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Democrats undecided on choice of allies

By THE NATION

 

File photo: Senior Democrat politician Thaworn Senneam

 

THE DEMOCRAT Party appeared to be juggling between two choices yesterday, as both Pheu Thai and Phalang Pracharat claimed legitimacy to form the next government.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1092240-democrats-undecided-on-choice-of-allies/

 

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Military strips Thaksin of award, calls for ‘good people’ to govern

By The Nation

 

 

MILITARY TOP brass yesterday issued a strong call for a government of “good people” in accordance with the late King Bhumibol Adulyadej’s exhortation, while the Armed Forces Academies Preparatory School Alumni Foundation stripped former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra of an award due to his alleged disrespect for the monarchy.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1092241-military-strips-thaksin-of-award-calls-for-‘good-people’-to-govern/

 

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Series of errors hound EC

By KAS CHANWANPEN 
THE NATION

 

File photo

 

Election agency announces results but quickly takes documents off its website after discrepancies in numbers revealed.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1092242-series-of-errors-hound-ec/

 

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Further inquiries needed on Songkran booze ban

By THE NATION

 

 

DRINKERS are being kept on tenterhooks after a ministerial panel on alcohol control has not yet decided whether to ban sales of booze during the upcoming Songkran festival.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1092244-further-inquiries-needed-on-songkran-booze-ban/

 

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Network offers solution for Chiang Mai pollution

By THE NATION

 

Mae Puem National Park officials and volunteers fight forest fires in Phayao’s Mae Chai district, despite suffering fatigue and skin and eye problems.

 

Petition given to governor details three phase scheme.

 

MEMBERS OF the Chiang Mai “network for tackling the haze” urged Governor Supachai Iamsuwan yesterday to follow the Singaporean “Green City” model as part of many recommended solutions. 

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1092247-network-offers-solution-for-chiang-mai-pollution/

 

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Head North for the soaking of a lifetime

 

The Chiang Mai Songkran festival in full swing. Photo: Tourism Authority of Thailand

 

The best-known Songkran celebrations in the whole of Thailand take place in the northern city of Chiang Mai, and this year the Chiang Mai Songkran Festival 2019, during April 1-16, will be focusing on “telling the story of the Lanna culture while celebrating the auspicious new year with safety and without alcohol.”

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1092250-head-north-for-the-soaking-of-a-lifetime/

 

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Hike in minimum wage will cause more losses than gain: FTI

By PHUWIT LIMVIPHUWAT 
The Nation

 

Supant Mongkolsuthree, chairman of the Federation of Thai Industries.

 

The Federation of Thai Industry (FTI) is urging the next government to work more closely with the private sector in crafting key economic policies, stating that further hiking the minimum wage – a policy proposed by several political parties – will hurt the low-income sector and be harmful to the economy.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1092256-hike-in-minimum-wage-will-cause-more-losses-than-gain-fti/

 

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Fast cars could lead to an EV future

By The Nation

 

 

Bangkok should bid to host a Formula E event so Thais can see electric vehicles at their best

 

There is a good chance that Bangkok could be successful if it were to bid to host the Formula E championship race, an event that’s built up a global audience in the past year or two. Touted as “more environmentally friendly” than the long-established Formula One Grand Prix, the newer, so-called E-Prix has attracted broad attention because it involves 100-per-cent-electric vehicles.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1092262-fast-cars-could-lead-to-an-ev-future/

 

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PM asks media not create stress with excessive political coverage

 

Thailand’s Prime Minister Prayut Chan-O-Cha arrives at the Government House for a cabinet meeting in Bangkok on March 26, 2019, two days after the country’s general election. (Photo by Ye Aung THU / AFP)

 

Incumbent Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha has expressed his concern over the psychological effects on people who have been closely monitoring political developments since Sunday’s election and is pleading with the media to be more discreet in their news presentation in order not to add to their stress.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1092268-pm-prayut-asks-media-not-create-stress-with-excessive-political-coverage/

 

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Students launch impeachment campaign against Election Commission

 

 

Students from nine of Thailand’s universities have launched a signature-collection campaign to demand the impeachment of the Election Commission (EC), accusing it of mishandling the March 24th general election resulting in alleged poll irregularities.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1092270-students-launch-impeachment-campaign-against-election-commission/

 

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Phuket’s Songkran festivities announced

By The Phuket News

 

The schedule of festivities for this year’s Songkran celebration has been announced.

 

PHUKET: Phuket City Mayor Somjai Suwansupana and Patong Municipality have invited people to join this year’s Songkran celebrations in various locations on the island between Thursday, April 11 and Monday, April 15.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1092289-phuket’s-songkran-festivities-announced/

 

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Phuket PEA chief debunks election slurs over rising power bills

By Waranya Prompinpiras

 

One of the tariffs on power bills has increased, but the rise has nothing to do with politics, the Phuket PEA chief explained today (Mar 28). Photo: Natapol Umloy

 

PHUKET: The chief of the Phuket office of the Provincial Electricity Authority (PEA) today responded to a slew of complaints online over higher electricity bills although the standard rate charged per unit had not increased, with some people blaming the utility price hike on political machinations.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1092292-phuket-pea-chief-debunks-election-slurs-over-rising-power-bills/

 

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Child drowning cases – dramatic drop over two decades

By The Thaiger

 

 

The leading cause of death in Thai children, below the age of 15, is drowning.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1092296-child-drowning-cases-–-dramatic-drop-over-two-decades/

 

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UK PM May plans watered-down Brexit vote to secure departure delay

By William James and Alistair Smout

 

FILE PHOTO: Britain's Prime Minister Theresa May is seen in a car outside the Houses of Parliament in London, Britain, March 27, 2019. REUTERS/Hannah McKay/File Photo

 

LONDON (Reuters) - British Prime Minister Theresa May scrambled on Thursday for a way to secure a new delay to Brexit in the face of parliamentary deadlock by setting out plans for a watered-down vote on her EU divorce deal to be held on Friday.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1092297-uk-pm-may-plans-watered-down brexit vote-to-secure-departure-delay/

 

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Boris Johnson says PM May's Brexit deal is 'dead': Evening Standard newspaper

 

Former British Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson leaves the Cabinet Office in London, Britain March 19, 2019. REUTERS/Henry Nicholls

 

LONDON (Reuters) - Boris Johnson, who led the campaign to leave the European Union, said Prime Minister Theresa May's twice-defeated Brexit divorce deal is dead, the Evening Standard newspaper said on Thursday.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1092299-boris-johnson-says-pm-mays brexit deal-is-dead-evening-standard-newspaper/

 

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Trump, allies tangle with key Democrat; Mueller report is 300 pages

By Patricia Zengerle and Andy Sullivan

 

House Intelligence Committee Chairman Adam Schiff (D-CA) listens during a House Intelligence Committee hearing titled "Putin's Playbook: The Kremlin's Use of Oligarchs, Money and Intelligence in 2016 and Beyond" on Capitol Hill in Washington, U.S., March 28, 2019. REUTERS/Brendan McDermid

 

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - President Donald Trump's Republican allies tangled with one of Trump's most prominent Democratic critics during a chaotic congressional hearing on Thursday and the U.S. attorney general revealed that Special Counsel Robert Mueller's Russia inquiry report is more than 300 pages long.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1092301-trump-allies-tangle-with-key-democrat-mueller-report-is-300-pages/

 

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Dissident group accused of North Korean embassy intrusion suspends operations

 

FILE PHOTO: A Spanish National Police car is seen outside the North Korea's embassy in Madrid, Spain February 28, 2019. REUTERS/Sergio Perez

 

SEOUL/MADRID (Reuters) - A shadowy dissident group accused of breaking into North Korea's embassy in Madrid last month said on Thursday it was temporarily suspending operations, after a Spanish judge issued international arrest warrants for two suspects Spanish authorities say fled to the United States.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1092302-dissident-group-accused-of-north-korean-embassy-intrusion-suspends-operations/

 

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Mexico raises alert level for Popocatepetl volcano as activity intensifies

 

A general view shows the Popocatepetl volcano as seen from Santiago Xalizintla, in Puebla state, Mexico March 27, 2019. Picture taken March 27, 2019. REUTERS/Edmundo Diaz

 

MEXICO CITY (Reuters) - Mexican authorities on Thursday raised the alert level for the Popocatepetl volcano near Mexico City to indicate increasing intensity after it started spewing steam and gas and ejected burning fragments that caused fires in surrounding pastures.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1092303-mexico-raises-alert-level-for-popocatepetl-volcano-as-activity-intensifies/

 

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Trump calls Smollett case 'embarrassment,' announces review

 

FILE PHOTO: Actor Jussie Smollett leaves court after charges against him were dropped by state prosecutors in Chicago, Illinois, U.S. March 26, 2019. REUTERS/Kamil Krzaczynski/File Photo

 

(Reuters) - U.S. President Donald Trump said on Thursday that the Department of Justice will "review" the case of actor Jussie Smollett, who was charged with staging a fake hate crime in Chicago before prosecutors abruptly dropped the case this week.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1092306-trump-calls-smollett-case-embarrassment-announces-review/

 

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"European" gives Korean and hug - now his won is gone!

 

Picture: Sanook

 

A Korean man reported to police that as he walked along Pattaya Sai 2 near Central Marina a tall man suddenly came up to him, greeted him and gave him a hug. 

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1092312-european-gives-korean-and-hug-now-his-won-is-gone/

 

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Police and suspect tight lipped over assault of toddler in Pattaya

 

Picture: Daily News

 

The police volunteer charged with assaulting a two year old boy with a hand held weapon has been interviewed by his colleagues at Nong Prue police station in Pattaya. 

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1092317-police-and-suspect-tight-lipped-over-assault-of-toddler-in-pattaya/

 

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Uni student gets sex offers: says shop owner put spy app on her phone during repairs

 

Caption: I didn't sell myself

 

A Khon Kaen university student went to the police after she said that the owner of a mobile repair shop put an application on her phone to spy on her at home. 

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1092320-uni-student-gets-sex-offers-says-shop-owner-put-spy-app-on-her-phone-during-repairs/

 

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Ubon Ratchathani: Supermarket offers cute Pomeranian as prize in lucky draw

 

Caption: Dog prize inspires comments

 

Thai social media went into meltdown after a well known supermarket in Thailand's north-east offered a Pomeranian dog as a prize in a lucky draw. 

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1092321-ubon-ratchathani-supermarket-offers-cute-pomeranian-as-prize-in-lucky-draw/

 

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Mongolian pick-pocket trio arrested after theft from American at famous Bangkok temple

 

Picture: INN

 

Immigration chief Lt-Gen Surachate Hakparn announced the arrest of a team of three Mongolian pick-pockets preying on tourists at a famous Bangkok temple. 

 

Full Story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1092322-mongolian-pick-pocket-trio-arrested-after-theft-from-american-at-famous-bangkok-temple/

 

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Trump overrides advisers, backs funding for Special Olympics after uproar

 

U.S. President Donald Trump waves as he departs for travel to Grand Rapids, Michigan from the White House in Washington, U.S., March 28, 2019. REUTERS/Carlos Barria

 

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. President Donald Trump overrode his budget team and backed funding for the Special Olympics on Thursday after his proposed cuts to the athletic program drew heavy fire from both Republicans and Democrats.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1092324-trump-overrides-advisers-backs-funding-for-special-olympics-after-uproar/