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Thailand news, politics, business, crime, lifestyle, and tourism—stay updated with breaking news and in-depth analysis from Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Pattaya, and beyond. The Thaiger delivers the latest national news that matters.
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Why retirees in Thailand are choosing long-term health insurance over quick fixes
Retirees in Thailand are increasingly seeing the importance of health insurance in protecting their well-being during retirement. With insurance requirements for retirement visas and rising healthcare costs, many are moving away from short-term plans and choosing long-term coverage. Long-term health...
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Odisha train crash: Signal failure likely cause in India’s deadliest accident
India’s Railway Board has suggested that the Central Bureau of Investigation take over the inquiry into Friday’s train collision in Odisha, which claimed the lives of at least 275 people and injured nearly 1,200. The crash, which occurred near the Balasore district, is the deadliest in India in over two decades. As rescue operations concluded on Sunday, signal failure has…
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Taxi-ous times in Phuket: Crackdown leads to double ‘fare-ests’ in Kathu
Phuket‘s crackdown on illegal taxi drivers continues, with two arrests made in Kathu last week. At Si Kor Intersection, Phuket Land Transport Office (PLTO) officials and Kathu Police officers set up a checkpoint to identify and apprehend drivers using their private vehicles for commercial transportation services. The operation took place on the main road to and from Patong, the island’s…
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Bank of Thailand likely to hike rates amid inflation concerns
Inflation concerns prompt predictions of further Bank of Thailand rate hikes this year, as the nation’s economy recovers. Siam Commercial Bank’s research unit, SCB Economic Intelligence Center (EIC), anticipates the central bank’s Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) will increase its policy benchmark rate by a quarter percentage point in both August and September, bringing it to 2.5% from the current 2%.…
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Spice of success: Thai chef ‘thais’ the knot as first-ever MasterChef UK winner
Chariya Khattiyot made history last week by becoming the first Thai chef to win the prestigious MasterChef UK competition. Her innovative northern Thai dishes wowed the judges throughout the eight-week BBC One contest, ultimately triumphing over 44 other contestants. The 40 year old Thai chef entered the competition to showcase the diverse flavours of northern Thai cuisine, which she is…
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Scent-sational breakup: Chinese student dumped over ‘foul’ feet post-abortion
Just under a month after having an abortion, a 20 year old Chinese university student was dumped by her boyfriend because her feet were unbearably smelly. The breakup caused widespread interest on Chinese social media and sparked a multitude of comments on their relationship. The 20 year old Chinese university student Liu shared her emotional breakup story online, attracting significant…
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BAFS targets 7.5 billion baht revenue by 2026 with renewable energy focus
Bangkok Aviation Fuel Services Plc (BAFS) is predicting its revenue to hit 7.5 billion baht by 2026, with a significant boost from its diversification into renewable energy development. Although the jet refuelling service, which has bounced back from pandemic-induced losses over the past three years, remains the company’s primary focus, its earnings proportion is expected to decrease. BAFS estimates that…
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Lee Kum Kee eyes Thai ready-to-eat market expansion (video)
Asian sauce and seasoning manufacturer Lee Kum Kee Sauce Group is exploring opportunities to enter Thailand’s ready-to-eat food market through collaborations with local partners. Having been in the industry for 135 years, the company recognises the growth potential in this sector as it caters to the demands of busy consumers seeking convenience. Cheryl Chan, the regional marketing director of Mahsuri…
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Thunderstorms hit Thailand: Heavy rainfall sparks flash flood warnings
The Thai Meteorological Department issued a warning for increased thunderstorms, affecting 37 provinces across the country, including Bangkok. Heavy rainfall is expected in several areas, potentially causing sudden flooding and flash floods, particularly in hilly regions and low-lying areas. The warning is a result of the southwest monsoon, intensified over the Andaman Sea, Thailand, and the Gulf of Thailand, as…
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Asian stocks surge as us debt default averted
Asian stocks experienced gains on Friday, following the US Senate’s approval of legislation that prevents a US debt default. The possibility of the US Federal Reserve deciding against raising interest rates this month also contributed to the positive sentiment. Last week, Thai shares fluctuated between 1,521.31 and 1,545.55 points, eventually closing at 1,531.20 on Friday, marking a 0.024% increase from…
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Ukrainian families return to frontline towns despite Russian threat
In the eastern Ukrainian city of Dnipro, the train station continues to operate despite Russia’s ongoing invasion. Millions of people depend on these trains, with many passengers travelling to the last stop before the eastern front line. Among them are soldiers and young families returning to their homes. One such passenger is 20-year-old Viktoria, who is heading back to Pokrovsk…
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Pupils charged hundreds for fake leaked GCSE and A-level papers on social media
Scammers on social media platforms are targeting students with offers of fake GCSE and A-level exam papers, charging them hundreds of pounds. One pupil stated that the idea of papers being available for sale has become a major topic of discussion during exam season. Exam boards have confirmed that it is highly unusual for genuine papers to be leaked, but…
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Austerity left UK unprepared for pandemic, warns TUC report
A report by the Trades Union Congress (TUC) claims that the UK’s years of austerity significantly impacted the country’s preparedness for the coronavirus pandemic. The TUC asserts that funding cuts left health and social care “dangerously understaffed,” reducing the sectors’ ability to respond effectively to the COVID-19 crisis. The report also highlights that pay caps and freezes contributed to staffing…
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Opec+ agrees extended production cuts to boost flagging oil prices
Oil-producing nations have agreed to extend production cuts in an effort to support struggling prices. Saudi Arabia announced its intention to reduce output by one million barrels per day (bpd) in July, while Opec+ stated that targets would decrease by an additional 1.4 million bpd from 2024. Opec+ represents approximately 40% of global crude oil production, and its decisions significantly…
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Hong Kong police detain activists on Tiananmen Square anniversary
Hong Kong police have arrested multiple pro-democracy activists, including 67-year-old Alexandra Wong, during the anniversary of the 1989 Tiananmen Square massacre. Public commemorations of the tragedy have been banned, although candlelight vigils have taken place in other cities globally. Despite the ban, several individuals were detained in Hong Kong, including the leader of a major opposition party and a former…
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Desperate relatives continue search for loved ones after India train crash
Families of victims of Friday’s tragic train collision in India continue their desperate search for missing loved ones. The accident, which occurred in Odisha, is now believed to have claimed 275 lives, making it the country’s worst rail disaster in decades. A signalling fault is thought to be the cause of the tragedy. The rescue mission was declared over on…
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Boy injured as wind lifts inflatable zorb at Southport Food Festival
A nine-year-old boy sustained serious injuries after being lifted into the air by a strong gust of wind while inside an inflatable zorb. The incident occurred during the Southport Food and Drink Festival at Victoria Park. The child was airlifted to the hospital, and Merseyside Police confirmed that his injuries were not life-threatening. Sefton Council carried out a health and…
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UK’s Illegal Migration Bill could cost £6bn in detention, deportation
The UK government’s proposed Illegal Migration Bill could cost up to £6bn over the next two years, according to internal estimates. The bill, currently being debated in Parliament, aims to remove anyone arriving in the UK illegally and prevent them from claiming asylum. The Home Office expects to spend between £3bn and £6bn on detention facilities, accommodation, and removals. The…
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UK urged to cut hotel reliance for housing asylum seekers amid room-sharing row
Immigration Minister Robert Jenrick has called for the UK to “reduce its reliance on hotels” for housing asylum seekers, stating that his duty is to the British public and taxpayers. The comments come after a disagreement with asylum seekers over their temporary accommodation in a central London hotel. Last week, around 40 asylum seekers declined to enter a Pimlico hotel…
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BCC launches Business Council with Heathrow, BP, IHG Hotels as members
The British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) has established a new business lobby group, the Business Council, with several of the UK’s largest companies as founding partners, including Heathrow, BP, IHG Hotels & Resorts, and Drax. The creation of the Business Council comes at a crucial time for the Confederation of British Industry (CBI), which is facing a critical vote on…
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Epsom Derby disrupted by animal rights protester, man charged
A 32-year-old man from Hackney, east London, has been charged with causing public nuisance after an animal rights protester disrupted the Epsom Derby on Saturday. The protester was quickly apprehended by police and security guards during the opening seconds of the prestigious race, which was not affected by the incident. Surrey Police confirmed that Ben Newman is due to appear…
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Royal Ascot security revisited after Epsom Derby activist disruption
Royal Ascot’s security plans are being re-evaluated following the disruption caused by activists at the Epsom Derby. Ascot officials are said to be “observing and learning” from the incident on June 4, when animal rights protesters invaded the track. The five-day horse racing festival, which begins on June 20, features the Royal Procession with horse-drawn landaus, an event that was…
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Boy, 9, seriously injured as zorb ball soars into air at Southport park
A nine-year-old boy sustained serious injuries after an inflatable zorb ball he was in was lifted into the air during a sudden gust of wind at Victoria Park in Southport, Merseyside. The incident occurred at around 2pm on Sunday during the Southport Food and Drink Festival. The boy was taken to the hospital by air ambulance and remains there for…
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Woman stabbed to death in Droylsden named, suspect detained under Mental Health Act
Police have identified the woman who was fatally stabbed in Droylsden, Manchester on Friday as 51-year-old Michelle Hodgkinson. A 28-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of murder and has since been detained under the Mental Health Act. The family of Hodgkinson expressed their shock and grief, describing her as a loving, selfless, and funny person who was dedicated to…
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UK braces for hottest day this year with 27C forecast in Wales, southwest
The United Kingdom is preparing for the warmest day of the year this week, as the Met Office forecasts temperatures reaching up to 26C or 27C in Wales and southwest England on Thursday. Sunshine is expected across the country, although showers and breezes may occur in the South towards the end of the week, with windier conditions in the South…
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Teen chef and girl, 12, die in Bournemouth beach tragedy, 8 others injured
Joe Abbess, a 17-year-old from Southampton, was identified by Dorset Police as one of the two individuals who tragically lost their lives in a drowning incident off Bournemouth beach. The other victim was a 12-year-old girl, locally identified as Sunnah Khan. In addition to their deaths, eight other people sustained injuries. The family of Joe Abbess shared a heartfelt tribute…
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Man charged over offensive Hillsborough shirt at FA Cup final
A 33-year-old man, James White, has been charged with displaying threatening or abusive writing likely to cause harassment, alarm, or distress, in connection with a shirt he wore at the FA Cup final on Saturday. The shirt allegedly referenced the Hillsborough disaster. White has been granted bail and is scheduled to appear at Willesden Magistrates’ Court on June 19. The…
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Elderly woman’s murder in Bournemouth prompts police investigation
Dorset Police have initiated a murder investigation following the tragic death of a woman believed to be in her 80s at a residence in Bournemouth. The police were alerted to concerns about the woman’s welfare at a property off Wick Lane in the Southbourne suburb of Bournemouth around 7pm on Saturday. Upon arrival with the ambulance service, the woman was…
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Funeral held for girl, 12, after tragic Bournemouth sea incident
A 12-year-old girl, Sunnah Khan from High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire, who tragically died after being pulled from the sea in Bournemouth, has been laid to rest. The incident, which took place near Bournemouth Pier, involved 10 swimmers and resulted in the death of Sunnah and a 17-year-old boy from Southampton. Over 200 people attended Sunnah’s funeral, organized by High Wycombe Mosques…
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Elderly woman dies in Glasgow car collision, police seek witnesses
A tragic accident in Glasgow has resulted in the death of a 75-year-old woman who was struck by a car on Saturday evening. The incident occurred near the intersection of Farmington Gardens and Farmington Avenue at approximately 6.50pm, involving a white Mercedes and the pedestrian. Despite the efforts of emergency services, the woman was pronounced dead at the scene. Following…
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Sheffield murder charge: Man accused after woman’s body found
A murder charge has been filed against a man following the discovery of a woman’s body in Sheffield. Emily Sanderson, 48 years old, was found in a Hillsborough house on Tuesday. South Yorkshire Police charged Mark Nicholls, 43 years old, with her murder on Saturday after arresting him the previous day. Nicholls is now in custody and is scheduled to…
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