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 9 most common health issues covered by insurance for expats in Thailand
Thailand is a popular destination for expats due to its affordable lifestyle and excellent healthcare system. However, settling in a new country often brings health concerns. To ensure you’re covered for the most common medical needs, understanding what expat health...
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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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Ukraine recaptures villages amid rainfall, Russia enlists Chechen forces
In the midst of heavy rainfall and fierce combat, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy reported progress and losses inflicted on Russian forces. Deputy Defence Minister Hanna Maliar announced that the Ukrainian military had recaptured seven villages, covering an area of 90 square kilometres (35 sq miles) in eastern Ukraine. In contrast, Russia’s defence ministry did not acknowledge any Ukrainian advancements, stating…
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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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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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Sand and screens: Pattaya Film Festival makes waves with free beachfront cinema
The Pattaya Film Festival 2023 is set to captivate cinephiles with its unique offering of free entry to watch movies on Pattaya Beach from June 16 to 19. This groundbreaking event marks the festival’s first venture into transforming the beach into an enchanting outdoor cinema. With a clear vision of becoming a member of the prestigious UNESCO Creative Cities Network…
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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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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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Child’s innocent blunder sparks debate on teaching kids proper crush-etiquette
A young boy’s innocent expression of affection towards his father’s female colleague has prompted online discussions about the importance of teaching children appropriate behaviour. The event happened in China as the boy, around 3-4 years old, encountered the attractive co-worker during a visit to his father’s office and, filled with joy, hugged and attempted to kiss her. The pretty woman,…
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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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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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Anwar Ibrahim addresses maritime border deal, hydrogen economy in Parliament
Today, Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim is set to address the Malaysian Parliament regarding the recently signed maritime border agreement between Malaysia and Indonesia. The Prime Minister will be responding to questions from Takiyuddin Hassan, who is seeking assurance that the agreement will not negatively affect Malaysia’s sovereignty or long-term maritime economic activities. In addition, Noraini Ahmad will be questioning the…
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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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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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Family slams police inaction before daughter’s murder by ex-partner
The family of Nurul Ain Silien, who was tragically killed by her ex-partner in a shopping mall in Kota Kinabalu, has expressed their disappointment with the police’s handling of the case prior to the murder. Nurul’s mother, Siti Aminah Jabar Khan, a Warisan supreme council member, reported that they had lodged a complaint at the Alamesra police station on May…
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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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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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Taliban bans music at weddings, Kabul halls face religious police scrutiny
Kabul’s wedding halls are set to be monitored by the Taliban’s religious police as they enforce a ban on playing music at such celebrations, claiming it goes against Islamic rulings. The Ministry for the Propagation of Virtue and the Prevention of Vice issued an online statement on Sunday, stating that hall owners were informed that music would no longer be…
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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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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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UBS acquires Credit Suisse for $1.6tn, creating Swiss banking giant
UBS has finalised its emergency acquisition of struggling rival Credit Suisse, marking the largest banking deal since the 2008 global financial crisis and creating a Swiss banking behemoth with a balance sheet of US$1.6 trillion. The merger, which sees UBS overseeing US$5 trillion of assets, brings an end to Credit Suisse’s 167-year history, tainted in recent years by scandals and…
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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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Biden undergoes root canal, postpones meeting with Nato Secretary General
US President Joe Biden, 80 years old, is set to undergo a root canal procedure at the White House following complaints of dental pain. On Sunday, White House physician Dr Kevin O’Connor examined Biden and conducted an initial root canal procedure after X-rays were taken. The president continued to experience pain on Monday, leading to the decision to complete the…
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I-95 collapse: Body found, Philadelphia motorway repairs to take months
A body has been recovered from the wreckage of a section of the I-95 motorway in Philadelphia, which collapsed following a petrol lorry fire on Sunday, according to Pennsylvania State Police. The identity of the body, handed over to the Philadelphia County Medical Examiner on Monday, remains unknown. Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro has declared a state of emergency to speed…
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