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 Do foreigners get free healthcare in Thailand?
Thailand’s healthcare system is well-regarded across Southeast Asia, with options ranging from public hospitals to world-class private facilities. But when it comes to foreign residents or tourists, healthcare access isn’t as straightforward. So, do foreigners get free healthcare in Thailand?...
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Sabah set to control electricity supply with PM Anwar’s approval
Sabah’s Chief Minister Hajiji Noor announced that a special state assembly sitting is set to take place on January 3 next year, paving the way for Sabah to assume regulatory control of its electricity supply. Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has given the green light for the transfer of regulatory power, which is expected to occur on January 1, 2024. To…
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Malaysia urged to end child detention, adopt alternatives for refugee welfare
In the Dewan Rakyat, the debate on the 2022 Annual Report of the Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (Suhakam) brought forward concerns regarding child welfare and the empowerment of children’s rights. Ahmad Tarmizi Sulaiman urged the government to put an end to the detention of refugee children and families by implementing initiatives such as the Alternative to Detention (ATD) pilot…
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Nigeria’s eurobonds surge after Central Bank Governor suspension
Nigeria’s sovereign dollar-denominated bonds experienced a significant increase as international investors reacted positively to the suspension of Central Bank Governor Godwin Emefiele. His tenure saw multiple exchange rates that failed to maintain a strong naira. The country’s eurobonds prices surged, with many issues reaching their highest values since late January. Longer-dated maturities, such as the 2049 maturity, witnessed the largest…
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Pakistan welcomes first Russian crude oil shipment amid economic crisis
Pakistan has welcomed its first shipment of Russian crude oil, marking a new chapter in the relationship between the two nations. The cargo, containing 45,000 metric tonnes of crude oil, arrived in Karachi, with an additional 50,000 metric tonnes expected later this week. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif hailed the arrival as a “transformative day” for the economically troubled country. As…
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Dnipro River flooding escalates Russia-Ukraine tensions over dam destruction
The flooding of areas surrounding the Dnipro River has escalated tensions between Russia and Ukraine, as both nations point fingers at each other for the destruction of the Nova Kakhovka dam. Amidst the ongoing conflict, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has been seeking support from NATO members in the form of weapons training and financing to strengthen Ukraine’s counteroffensive against Russia’s…
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Sunak denies Johnson’s request to ignore HOLAC’s Lords appointment advice
Rishi Sunak has claimed that Boris Johnson requested him to disregard the House of Lords Appointments Commission’s (HOLAC) recommendations regarding his resignation list appointments to the House of Lords. HOLAC has verified that it did not approve eight of the former prime minister’s nominations. Sunak stated that he declined Johnson’s request, as he believed it was not the right thing…
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Thunderstorms cause 109 easyJet cancellations, affecting 15,000 Gatwick passengers
Disruptions at Gatwick Airport have affected thousands of easyJet passengers, as a series of thunderstorms led to the cancellation of 55 flights on Monday, following the grounding of 54 flights on Sunday. Approximately 15,000 passengers have been impacted by the cancellations. EasyJet emphasised that the safety and wellbeing of its customers and crew are the top priority and that efforts…
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Scottish Highlands wildfires persist amid extended ‘very high’ warning
Wildfires continue to rage in the Scottish Highlands, with emergency crews working tirelessly since Saturday afternoon to extinguish the flames. The fire, which began near Daviot, south of Inverness, prompted local authorities to advise residents to stay indoors and keep their windows and doors shut to avoid smoke inhalation. The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) initially deployed six appliances…
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Sturgeon avoids suspension amid SNP funding investigation
The Scottish National Party (SNP) has announced that Nicola Sturgeon, its former leader, will not face suspension as police investigate the party’s funding and finances. Sturgeon, who remains an MSP, was arrested and questioned for seven hours before being released without charge. The SNP confirmed to Sky News that Sturgeon’s membership would not be revoked. First Minister Humza Yousaf responded…
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Woman arrested after two children found dead in Stoke-on-Trent
Two young children, aged seven and eleven, have been discovered dead in Stoke-on-Trent, leading to the arrest of a woman on suspicion of murder. The tragic incident unfolded after police initially responded to a stabbing report involving a man and a woman at a car wash on Campbell Road just after 2pm on Sunday. A man in his 40s was…
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Kuala Lumpur police seek key witness in anti-human trafficking trial
In Kuala Lumpur, police are seeking a crucial witness for a trial related to the Anti-Trafficking in Persons and Anti-Smuggling of Migrants Act (Atipsom) 2007. Kajang district police chief Mohd Zaid Hassan announced that T. Sivakumar, whose last known address is No. 223 Jalan Tempua 6, Puchong Jaya, Selangor, is being sought to appear as a prosecution witness at the…
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Perak considers Penang’s request to purchase treated water supply
Perak Menteri Besar Saarani Mohamad confirmed that an application from Penang to purchase treated water from the state was received two months ago. The Perak Water Board (LAP) currently sells treated water to users in the Nibong Tebal area, situated adjacent to Parit Buntar, based on cubic meters. Saarani expressed readiness to discuss the matter with the Penang state government,…
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Saudi Arabia targets Chinese tourists to bolster Vision 2030 and diversify economy
The bond between Saudi Arabia and China continues to strengthen as Saudi Arabia advances its Vision 2030 plan and Beijing pursues its Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). The collaboration between these two countries has grown significantly in recent years, with Saudi Arabia shifting its geoeconomic focus towards the East and China expanding its presence in the kingdom’s economy. The potential…
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Former Italian PM Silvio Berlusconi dies at 86, leaving controversial legacy
The passing of former Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi at the age of 86 marks the end of an era in Italian politics. Born in Milan on September 29, 1936, Berlusconi was a controversial figure known for his financial and sex scandals, but also for transforming the political landscape of Italy. Often compared to former US President Donald Trump, Berlusconi…
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Russia’s defence ministry signs contract with Chechen special forces
A recent contract signing between Russia’s defence ministry and the Akhmat group of Chechen special forces has raised eyebrows, as the paramilitary group is currently involved in the Kremlin’s offensive near Mariinka, in the Donetsk region of eastern Ukraine. This development comes after Yevgeny Prigozhin, head of Russia’s Wagner group of private mercenaries, declined a similar contract offer. The signing…
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Sunak touts AI revolution in education, seeks UK as global hub
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has expressed enthusiasm for the potential of artificial intelligence (AI) to revolutionise education by offering personalised learning for students. He believes AI could assist teachers in lesson planning and marking, reducing their workload, and comparing the impact of AI to having a personal tutor for each student. As schools and universities face the challenge of adapting…
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Malaysia tackles poverty-driven school dropouts with compulsory 11-year education
Deputy Education Minister Lim Hui Ying has stated that poverty is a significant factor contributing to school dropouts, particularly among secondary school students in Malaysia. The Ministry of Education (MOE) has discovered that some students are unable to attend school as they must work to support their families financially. Addressing this social issue during a question and answer session at…
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Malaysia upholds 54.6% forest cover, exceeding 1992 Rio Summit pledge
Malaysia has successfully maintained over 50% of its land area as forest and tree cover for nearly three decades, according to Deputy Minister of Natural Resources, Environment and Climate Change, Huang Tiong Sii. Currently, the nation’s forest cover stands at 54.6%, or 18.04 million hectares, demonstrating Malaysia’s commitment to preserving its natural environment. This pledge was made during the 1992…
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Malaysia amends Act 118 to tackle abandoned housing projects issue
The Malaysian government is working to amend the Housing Development (Control and Licensing) Act 1966 (Act 118) to address the issue of abandoned housing projects and safeguard the interests of homebuyers. Deputy Local Government Development Minister Akmal Nasrullah Mohd Nasir explained that, under the current legislation, liquidators appointed by the court to manage the affairs of a development cannot be…
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Penang PH and BN reach consensus on seat allocation for state elections
The Penang Pakatan Harapan (PH) and Barisan Nasional (BN) leaderships appear to have reached an agreement on seat allocations for the upcoming state elections, according to Penang PH chairman Chow Kon Yeow. However, discussions on seat distribution within the unity government will persist at the federal level. Chow, who is also the Penang chief minister, informed reporters that the central…
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Luggage surprise: Ryanair passenger takes ‘overhead’ to new heights in viral TikTok (video)
A TikTok video went viral after capturing the extraordinary moment of a passenger climbing out of the overhead luggage compartment of a Ryanair flight. The footage reveals a passenger emerging from the overhead luggage compartment, sparking a flurry of speculation about the perplexing state of the man in question. A TikTok user under the name @domdolla posted the video showing…
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Woman confesses to cryptocurrency scam involvement after husband’s suicide
A 31 year old woman named Priyanuch was arrested today, in connection with an online investment scam involving cryptocurrency trading. Upon interrogation, she confessed that her husband had encouraged her to open six bank accounts for the scam, and he later took his own life after learning he was wanted by authorities. Priyanuch, a mother of three children aged 13…
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Thai cyanide serial killer: Big Joke hands over case reports
Deputy national police chief Surachate “Big Joke” Hakparn announced today that the case reports against the alleged Thai cyanide serial killer Sararat “Am” Rangsiwuthaporn will be presented to prosecutors this week. Big Joke made the statement during a visit to the Correctional Institution for Women in Bangkok’s Bang Khen area, where Sararat is currently detained. Sararat is facing additional charges,…
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Marital web of deception: Chinese woman’s hidden pregnancy spins a twisted tale of love
In a surprising turn of events within a Chinese marriage, a 27 year old woman from China weaved a crooked web of deception by concealing her pregnancy from her fiancé and deceiving him into marrying her. The 40 year old man from Hengyang in Hunan Province, found himself facing a challenging dilemma upon discovering the truth. Initially, he resisted the…
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Manipur ethnic clashes displace 40,000, kill nearly 100
In the northeastern Indian state of Manipur, violence has erupted between the mainly-Hindu Meitei community and the predominantly Christian Kukis. Since May 3, nearly 100 people have been killed, 310 injured, and over 40,000 displaced. The conflict was triggered by a Kukis-led protest against the Meiteis demanding to be designated as a Scheduled Tribe. The Meitei Pangals, a Muslim community…
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Cyclone Biparjoy threatens India’s Gujarat, Pakistan’s southern coast
A powerful cyclone, named Biparjoy, is set to hit India’s Gujarat state and southern parts of Pakistan, according to the India Meteorological Department (IMD). The cyclone is anticipated to make landfall on Thursday afternoon, with maximum sustained wind speeds of 125-135kmph (78-84mph), gusting up to 150kmph (93mph). The IMD has advised fishing communities to cease operations and evacuate people from…
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China’s nuclear arsenal grows 17%, could match US, Russia by 2030
The Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) has revealed that China’s stockpile of nuclear warheads has risen by 17% in 2022, with the nation’s arsenal expected to continue growing. The SIPRI Yearbook 2023 estimates that China’s nuclear arsenal increased from 350 warheads in January 2022 to 410 in January 2023. The report suggests that by 2030, China could potentially have…
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Former Italian PM Silvio Berlusconi dies at 86 after leukemia battle
Italy mourns the passing of Silvio Berlusconi, its former Prime Minister and billionaire businessman, who died at the age of 86. Known for creating the country’s largest media company and transforming the political landscape, Berlusconi had faced several legal and sex scandals throughout his career. His health had been in decline in recent months, including a battle with COVID-19 in…
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Famous South Korean streamer found dead in Cambodian pond, Chinese couple arrested
The body of a famous South Korean DJ, broadcaster, and influencer was found dead in a pond in Cambodia. Police arrested a Chinese couple who allegedly confessed to killing the well-known female broadcaster, BJ Ahyeong, in the nation’s capital Phnom Phen. The 33 year old mysteriously disappeared from all of her social media platforms in March. Her body was discovered wrapped in a…
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Former Italian PM Silvio Berlusconi dies at 86 after battling leukaemia
Former Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi has passed away at the age of 86. He was pronounced dead at San Raffaele hospital in Milan, as reported by Italian media. Berlusconi had been treated for a lung infection in April, which was connected to a previously undisclosed case of chronic leukaemia. Berlusconi was a prominent billionaire media tycoon before entering politics.…
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