Thailand Named Worst Country for Female Freelancer Pay Gap

The transcription below provides news stories from across Thailand, hosted by Alex in the Good Morning Thailand program. The stories range from Thailand being named the worst country for the female freelancer pay gap to an honest taxi driver returning 300,000 baht to tourists.

Thailand Named Worst Country for Female Freelancer Pay Gap

A new global report by Remitly has ranked Thailand as the country with the world's largest freelancer gender pay gap. Female freelancers reportedly charge an average of 980 baht per hour, compared to 2,000 baht for men, creating a gap of more than 51%. The disparity is particularly severe in web design, where women charge significantly less than their male counterparts.

Korean Tourist Reports Gucci Bag Theft on Pattaya Walking Street

A South Korean tourist has reported that his Gucci bag containing cash and personal belongings was stolen by two suspected ladyboy pickpockets on Pattaya's Walking Street. Police are reviewing CCTV footage after the incident, which allegedly involved distraction tactics commonly associated with theft gangs operating in the area.

British Man Arrested After Second Phuket Disturbance

A 24-year-old British man has been arrested in Phuket after allegedly causing a second public disturbance in just two days. Police say he appeared heavily intoxicated, resisted officers, and attempted to flee before being detained in Chalong. He has been charged with disorderly conduct while intoxicated in a public place.

Homeless Man Removed from Pattaya Beach Over Indecency Complaints

Authorities in Pattaya have ordered a homeless man to leave South Pattaya Beach following repeated complaints of public indecency. Residents and tourists alleged the man engaged in inappropriate behaviour near the beachfront, prompting officials to intervene and issue a warning.

Thai Caregiver Faces Backlash Over Drinking and Dancing Videos

A freelance caregiver in Thailand has come under fire after videos surfaced appearing to show her drinking alcohol and dancing while caring for elderly and bedridden patients. The footage sparked widespread criticism online, with many questioning the professionalism and safety of her conduct while on duty.

Chinese Student Rescued from Virtual Kidnapping Scam

Thai police have rescued a 21-year-old Chinese student who fell victim to a sophisticated virtual kidnapping scam. Fraudsters allegedly convinced her to stage her own abduction and extorted over 12 million baht from her family. Authorities are now working with Hong Kong police to investigate the criminal network behind the scheme.

Phuket Airport to Launch Automated Passport Gates

Phuket International Airport will introduce automated outbound passport gates on June 13 in an effort to reduce long immigration queues. Officials say the new system will speed up passenger processing and improve travel experiences as tourist arrivals continue to increase.

Honest Taxi Driver Returns 300,000 Baht to Tourists

A Bangkok taxi driver has been praised after returning a forgotten bag containing more than 300,000 baht in cash and valuables to two Sri Lankan tourists. The driver worked with the FM91 radio station to track down the owners, who later recovered their belongings and rewarded him for his honesty.