Latest news with #Baht
The Star
25-05-2025
- Health
- The Star
Thailand eyes global top spot for gender-affirming surgery, backed by new equality laws
BANGKOK: Driven by comprehensive strategic planning, the Kingdom is leveraging its medical expertise and inclusive policies to attract international patients and the LGBTQ+ community, aiming for a prominent role in the global health sector. Thailand is now making an ambitious push to become the world's leading centre for gender-affirming care, integrating this specialised service into a broader strategy to establish the nation as a premier international health and wellness hub. A key focus of this initiative, recently approved by the high-level Wellness and Medical Hub Board, is leveraging Thailand's established expertise in gender-affirming surgeries, a move set to bolster its medical tourism sector. The average cost for such procedures in Thailand stands at approximately 480,000 Baht per person (around $US 14,774 at current exchange rates). This strategic drive is underpinned by the country's progressive legal landscape. Thailand became the third Asian nation to legalise same-sex marriage, with the Marriage Equality Act coming into force on January 23, 2025. This landmark legislation not only champions human rights and diversity but is also viewed as a significant economic catalyst. The commitment to inclusivity is further highlighted by events such as the Bangkok Pride Festival, held annually in June. The 2025 festival, themed 'Born This Way', will see Pride celebrations extend beyond Bangkok to over 40 provinces across Thailand, with the main Bangkok parade scheduled for June 1st. A new global campaign, 'Thailand: Equality & Excellence in Health', aims to harness this inclusive image, linking Thailand's medical expertise with its marriage equality law to attract health tourists and the LGBTQ+ community worldwide. Ambitious 2034 Vision The comprehensive strategic plan for developing Thailand into an International Health Centre (Wellness and Medical Service Hub) for 2025-2034 received unanimous approval at a recent board meeting, chaired by Deputy Prime Minister Prasert Chanthararuangthong. By 2034, Thailand aims to be a global hub for integrated international health and the medical industry, achieving sustainable growth in its health economic value. This ambitious goal will be pursued through six dedicated sub-committees. The Medical Service Hub Sub-Committee is specifically tasked with promoting four key service areas: health and aesthetic medicine, in-vitro fertilisation (IVF), gender-affirming care, and dental services for international patients. Other sub-committees will focus on areas such as wellness services, medical product development, academic excellence, health conventions, and streamlining business operations for health service providers. A survey from 2021-2022 indicated that the average cost for gender-affirming surgery at private hospitals in Thailand is around 480,000 Baht per person. More specifically, male-to-female (MTF) procedures average approximately 300,000 Baht (around $US 9,234), while female-to-male (FTM) surgeries are around 1,000,000 Baht (around $US 30,780). Supporting measures for this drive include ensuring equal access to health services for all, providing specialised LGBTQ+ health services, strategically linking medical tourism with the marriage equality framework, and funding research and innovation in high-value medical fields such as hormone therapy. The overarching strategy aims to foster a complete medical ecosystem, streamline business operations for health service providers, and promote Thailand's advanced medical research, all contributing to its vision as a pre-eminent international health destination. - The Nation/ANN
The Star
19-05-2025
- The Star
Group of Malaysians fined in Hat Yai for illegal racing
SONGKHLA: Ten Malaysian tourists were fined by Thai police for dangerous driving in Hat Yai district on Friday (May 16) night. The group, comprising six men and four women aged between 21 and 37, were believed to be involved in illegal street racing near the Greenway Bazaar area, following complaints from local residents. Kohong Hat Yai Police Chief, Col. Apichat Wannako, said the incident occurred around 1:30 am. Police received reports from concerned residents about road safety in the area. "Upon receiving the complaints, police conducted an investigation and found that six Malaysian-registered cars, which had been modified, were used in reckless driving. With the help of CCTV footage, police were able to identify and track down the suspects,' he told reporters on Sunday. According to Apichat, all the suspects admitted to the offence and paid a fine of 5,000 Baht each before being released on Sunday. He also reminded tourists to abide by Thai laws to avoid legal consequences. - Bernama
The Sun
18-05-2025
- The Sun
Illegal racing: 10 Malaysians fined in Hat Yai
SONGKHLA: Ten Malaysian tourists were fined by Thai police for dangerous driving in Hat Yai district on Friday night. The group, comprising six men and four women aged between 21 and 37, was believed to be involved in illegal street racing near the Greenway Bazaar area, following complaints from local residents. Kohong Hat Yai Police Chief, Col. Apichat Wannako, said the incident occurred around 1:30 am. Police received reports from concerned residents about road safety in the area. 'Upon receiving the complaints, police conducted an investigation and found that six Malaysian-registered cars, which had been modified, were used in reckless driving. With the help of CCTV footage, police were able to identify and track down the suspects,' he told reporters on Sunday. According to Apichat, all the suspects admitted to the offence and paid a fine of 5,000 Baht each before being released on Sunday. He also reminded tourists to abide by Thai laws to avoid legal consequences.
Barnama
18-05-2025
- Barnama
Illegal Racing: 10 Malaysians Fined In Hat Yai
By Tuwaedaniya Meringing SONGKHLA, May 18 (Bernama) -- Ten Malaysian tourists were fined by Thai police for dangerous driving in Hat Yai district on Friday night. The group, comprising six men and four women aged between 21 and 37, was believed to be involved in illegal street racing near the Greenway Bazaar area, following complaints from local residents. bootstrap slideshow Kohong Hat Yai Police Chief, Col. Apichat Wannako, said the incident occurred around 1:30 am. Police received reports from concerned residents about road safety in the area. 'Upon receiving the complaints, police conducted an investigation and found that six Malaysian-registered cars, which had been modified, were used in reckless driving. With the help of CCTV footage, police were able to identify and track down the suspects,' he told reporters on Sunday. According to Apichat, all the suspects admitted to the offence and paid a fine of 5,000 Baht each before being released on Sunday. He also reminded tourists to abide by Thai laws to avoid legal consequences. -- BERNAMA
The Star
15-05-2025
- The Star
Kedah police seize over RM1.6mil in cannabis, two arrested
ALOR SETAR: Police have seized 45.5kg of cannabis worth over RM1.6mil and arrested two men suspected of smuggling them into the country at the Bukit Kayu Hitam Immigration, Customs, Quarantine and Security (ICQS) Complex on Wednesday (May 14). Kedah police chief Datuk Fisol Salleh said the suspects, a 29-year-old local man and a Thai national in his 50s, were arrested at 5pm, before police discovered 80 compressed packets believed to contain cannabis in a pickup truck bearing Thai licence plates that the suspects were travelling in. "Further checks uncovered two suitcases placed in the cargo area, each containing 40 transparent compressed plastic packets filled with dried leaves suspected to be cannabis buds. "The total seizure is estimated to be worth RM1.6mil on the black market. In Thailand, the price is around 100,000 Baht per kg, while in Malaysia it is valued at RM36,000 per kg. 'We believe their modus operandi involves the use of luggage bags. If we hadn't inspected the bags, they could have passed through as they used a legitimate entry route," he said in a press conference here on Thursday. He added that this is the first cannabis seizure in Kedah this year, and investigations show that the drugs were likely intended for distribution in the Klang Valley and Johor. Investigations also revealed that the local suspect acted as a drug transporter and admitted to smuggling drugs from Thailand into Malaysia multiple times via the Bukit Kayu Hitam and Sungai Golok, Kelantan borders, for payments ranging from RM1,000 to RM2,000 per trip. "The suspect also has three prior drug-related offences, and a urine test confirmed he was positive for methamphetamine. Meanwhile, the Thai man, who works as a taxi driver in Danok, Thailand, tested negative and has no criminal record," he said. Fisol said both suspects are currently remanded for seven days until May 21 to assist investigations under Section 39B of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952. He added that following the arrests, police have tracked down other individuals believed to be the masterminds of the smuggling syndicate, and the Johor Narcotics Crime Investigation Department (NCID) successfully apprehended two more suspects on Thursday. He added that a man in his 30s with seven prior narcotics offences and other criminal convictions, and a 38-year-old woman with no prior record, were arrested on Thursday in Johor to be brought to Kedah for further investigation. "We are not just focusing on distribution and drug abuse, but also on the supply chain. This is a significant success for the Kedah police contingent," he added. - Bernama
