News
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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Sponsored How one hospital visit in Thailand could cost more than your whole trip
Thailand is a favourite spot for travellers who want to enjoy more while spending less. From cheap street food to low-cost hotels and fun attractions, it’s easy to stretch your budget here. But there’s one thing many people don’t think...
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Mbappe informs PSG of exit plan amid Messi’s Inter Miami move
Kylian Mbappe, the French football sensation, has reportedly informed Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) that he intends to leave the Ligue 1 champions when his contract expires next year. This news comes from French sports newspaper L’Equipe and various international media outlets. On Monday, it was reported that Mbappe, 24 years old, shocked the PSG management with his decision not to take…
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RNZ apologises for publishing pro-Kremlin content on Ukraine invasion
The head of New Zealand’s national public service radio broadcaster, Radio New Zealand (RNZ), has issued an apology for publishing content favouring the Kremlin’s narrative on the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Over a dozen wire agency articles were found to have been altered, prompting RNZ’s chief executive, Paul Thompson, to call it a “serious breach” of editorial standards and label…
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Russian airstrike hits Kryvyi Rih civilians, causing destruction and injuries
A Russian airstrike has struck civilian targets in the central Ukrainian city of Kryvyi Rih, resulting in significant destruction and potentially trapping individuals beneath the debris, according to a local authority. Mayor Oleksandr Vilkul reported on Telegram that several people sustained severe injuries in the attack, adding that there could be individuals trapped under the rubble. Social media videos, purportedly…
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NATO launches largest air force exercise with 250 aircraft, 10,000 personnel
In an unprecedented show of unity, NATO has commenced its largest-ever air force deployment exercise, involving 25 member and partner countries. The German Air Force-led “Air Defender 23” exercises began on Monday, with approximately 250 military aircraft and up to 10,000 service members taking part. The drills are designed to improve interoperability and preparedness of NATO air forces in crisis…
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PN coalition may seize control in Malaysia with ex-Umno members’ support
Perikatan Nasional (PN), a Malaysian political coalition, may seize control of Negeri Sembilan and Selangor from the Pakatan Harapan (PH) coalition in the upcoming state elections, according to PAS spiritual adviser Datuk Hashim Jasin. He suggests that this could be achieved if former Umno members Khairy Jamaluddin and Tan Sri Noh Omar join PN. Hashim also claimed that another suspended…
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PM Anwar urges faster repairs for dilapidated schools, health clinics
In Putrajaya, Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim expressed his dissatisfaction with the slow progress of small-scale projects, such as the repair of dilapidated schools and health clinics, urging for the process to be accelerated. In November last year, the government announced that all such facilities should be repaired, with work to be completed this year. However, the implementation has been less…
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South Korean teen questioned for rocking high-speed railway
South Korean police are set to question a teenager for allegedly placing a large rock, the size of a brick, on a high-speed railway last week. The incident took place at Singyeongju Station in Gyeongju, North Gyeongsang province, where a rail traffic controller noticed the individual trespassing in the restricted area via CCTV cameras. Local reports claim the teenager admitted…
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Thailand investigates activists seeking Muslim Patani State referendum
Security agencies in Thailand are investigating a group of activists advocating for a public referendum on the creation of an independent Muslim “Patani State” in the country’s southern region. The National Security Council (NSC) stated that the Internal Security Operation Command (Isoc) Region 4 Forward Office and Provincial Police Region 9 are examining the group’s activities and monitoring its social…
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Island visitors seek fortune with auspicious lottery numbers
Tourists flocked to Kham Chanod Wang Nakin island in Udon Thani to seek good fortune with auspicious numbers before the lottery draw, while red candle wax revealed beautiful digits akin to the lucky numbers on ceremonial candles. The island is located in the Ban Dung district. Yesterday, it was reported that a large number of tourists visited the ceremonial ground…
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Chiang Mai Police arrest gang after fatal stabbing at traditional dance event
Police in San Kamphaeng, Chiang Mai province, apprehended all four suspects involved in a brutal attack that left a 16 year old boy killed. The investigators have completed the arrest of the gang members, including 24 year old Thanakorn, who is accused of stabbing the victim. The deceased had been attending a traditional dance event with his girlfriend and friends…
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Stepping for a cause: Brit expat’s 1,050km stroll from Pattaya to Phuket raises 1 million baht for abused children
British expat James Lee Valentine demonstrated the power of determination and charity by completing a 1,050 kilometre walk from Pattaya to Phuket in Thailand. The walk aimed to raise 1 million baht for Take Care Kids, a children’s foundation based in Pattaya that supports underprivileged children who have suffered abuse. The 59 year old, who has two children himself, was…
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Udon Thani woman abuses son, commits suicide after heavy alcohol consumption
Yesterday, a tragic incident occurred in the Nong Na Charoen Village, Udon Thani province, where a 49 year old woman heavily consumed alcohol, assaulted her 14 year old son, and then committed suicide. Her family performed the last rites, while the villagers believed the funeral should be carried out immediately. Today, reporters visited the Wat Nong Na Choren temple where…
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Woman trades 2 houses for ancient inkwell dish worth millions in baht
A young woman surprised Chinese television viewers when she brought an unremarkable ‘brick’ or ‘inkwell dish‘ for appraisal, which turned out to be a valuable artifact. The show’s experts stunned the audience with their evaluation of the item, which was worth far more than anyone expected. Over the past few years in China, there has been a surge of interest…
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Malaysian groom burries mum, marries same day: TikTok video goes viral
A Malaysian groom faced a heart-wrenching day as he lost his mother and got married on the same day. Ikmal and his bride, Ianna Bahari, held his mother’s funeral in the morning and then proceeded with their wedding ceremony in the evening. Ianna shared the gut-wrenching experience on TikTok, explaining that she and Ikmal had initially planned their wedding for…
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UK expands pardon scheme for same-sex convictions to include women
The UK government has expanded its Disregards and Pardons Scheme, enabling women convicted of offences relating to same-sex activity to apply for the removal of their convictions. Launched in 2012 for England and Wales, the scheme initially only applied to men and specific offences. Now, anyone convicted or cautioned under former laws related to same-sex activity can submit an application.…
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UK expands pardon scheme for historical gay convictions
The UK government has expanded its rules to pardon more individuals with historical convictions related to homosexuality. Starting this week, those who were convicted or cautioned for offences linked to same-sex activities that have since been abolished can apply to have their records expunged. This change will enable more veterans to apply for the removal of convictions that were brought…
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Malaysia to replace nearly expired Covid vaccines with 2.7m new doses
Malaysia is set to receive 2.7 million doses of the new generation bivalent Covid-19 vaccines to replace the nearly expired stock held by the Ministry of Health (MoH). Deputy Health Minister Lukanisman Awang Sauni revealed that, based on current data, only 2.5% of the population have received the second booster shot, leading to the possibility of having to dispose of…
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Malaysia targets 200 firms for 20,000 school leavers’ skills programme
The Malaysian government is targeting the participation of 200 companies in its Academy in Industry programme by the end of this year. The initiative aims to train 20,000 school leavers and equip them with the necessary skills to become skilled workers. Economy Minister Rafizi Ramli explained that the programme will provide Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) school-leavers with 18 months of…
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Personal assistant charged with salesgirl murder in Kota Kinabalu
A personal assistant working for an international company has been charged with the murder of a salesgirl in Kota Kinabalu last month. Chung King Fung, 30, appeared before magistrate Lovely Natasha Charles, but no plea was recorded. He is accused of murdering Nurul Ain Silien, 21, at a shop within a shopping complex between noon and 12:20pm on May 29.…
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Sarawak deputy minister proposes film academy to boost local talent
The possibility of establishing a film academy in Sarawak has been proposed by the deputy minister for Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts Sarawak, Sebastian Ting. The idea aims to encourage skilled Sarawakians to venture into the film industry and provide them with diplomas or certificates upon graduation. During a press conference on the Sixth Asean International Film Festival and…
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Hay fever advice page visits triple as UK pollen count soars
A surge in hay fever sufferers seeking advice on the NHS website has been recorded, with over 122,650 visitors last week as pollen counts reached some of the highest levels this year. According to NHS England, the number of weekly visitors to the hay fever advice pages has tripled in the past five weeks, with the site receiving one visit…
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COVID inquiry begins: Baroness Hallett vows to focus on 226,000 victims
The COVID inquiry is set to commence its initial public hearings today, with Baroness Hallett, a retired judge and the inquiry’s chair, delivering an opening statement. The hearings will also feature a film containing testimonies from grieving families, which has been deemed challenging to view. Baroness Hallett has pledged to centre the investigation around the 226,000 pandemic victims when examining…
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Mother jailed for illegal 32-week abortion using lockdown postal pills
A 44-year-old mother of three has been sentenced to over two years in prison for inducing an abortion beyond the legal limit. Carla Foster obtained medication through a “pills by post” scheme introduced during the lockdown, which allows pregnancies up to 10 weeks to be terminated at home. Stoke-on-Trent Crown Court heard that Foster was between 32-34 weeks pregnant when…
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Malaysia ranks second worst globally for transgender rights, study reveals
A recent Global Trans Rights Index revealed that Malaysia is ranked as the second worst country in the world for transgender rights. The study, conducted by researchers Asher and Lyric Fergusson, gave Malaysia a score of -105 and a danger rating of F, highlighting that transgender individuals face significant obstacles and are often targeted by the police. The report stated,…
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Youth-led climate case in Montana could set precedent for US government
A groundbreaking youth-led climate case is set to commence on Monday in Helena, Montana, marking the first time such a case has reached trial in the United States. Held v State of Montana involves 16 plaintiffs, aged between five and 22 years old, who claim that Montana’s promotion of a fossil fuel-reliant energy system breaches their right to a clean…
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I-95 highway collapse disrupts US East Coast traffic, delays repairs
A major highway collapse has led to severe traffic congestion, potentially affecting transportation throughout the eastern United States. On Monday, commuters faced lengthy delays after a tanker truck caught fire and damaged a section of the I-95 Interstate in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, causing temporary closure of one of the busiest routes in the area. Jana Tidwell, a spokesperson for the American…
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Blinken addresses alleged Chinese spy operation in Cuba
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken has addressed an alleged Chinese spying operation based in Cuba, claiming it is part of a broader effort by Beijing to expand its overseas logistics and intelligence infrastructure. This comes after a US official confirmed that China has been operating an intelligence unit in Cuba for years, which was upgraded in 2019. Blinken stated…
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Trump faces federal charges in Miami amid cautious calm
A sense of cautious calm enveloped the area around the Miami courthouse where former US President Donald Trump is due to face federal charges. Residents and tourists mingled with journalists and law enforcement agents preparing for Tuesday’s arraignment. Although local officials expect pro-Trump protesters and potential counter-demonstrations, the size of these gatherings remains uncertain. Trump, who is running for the…
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Ukraine reclaims seven villages in counteroffensive against Russian forces
Ukraine’s counteroffensive against Russian forces in the south and east of the country has reportedly made progress, with seven villages reclaimed since the weekend. Deputy Defence Minister Hanna Maliar confirmed the recapture of these settlements, encompassing a total area of 90 square kilometres (35 sq miles) along the front line. However, these gains represent only a small portion of the…
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Canadian judge quits over misconduct claims from Arizona resort incident
A Canadian Supreme Court justice has resigned from his position following allegations of misconduct, according to the Canadian Justice Council. Justice Russel Brown was accused of being involved in a drunken altercation at an Arizona resort in January, where he allegedly harassed a female guest. Brown, who has denied the allegations, has been on leave since February. The retirement concludes…
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