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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Ubolratana Dam usable water drops 11% amid insufficient wastewater plants
A significant decrease in usable water has been reported at Khon Kaen’s Ubolratana Dam, with an 11% drop attributed to an insufficient number of wastewater treatment plants in the region. The Office of National Water Resources (ONWR) has revealed that the dam currently holds only 32% of its total capacity, with merely 207 million cubic metres (m³) of usable water,…
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BioNTech faces first German vaccine lawsuit amid claims of side effects
BioNTech is scheduled to make an appearance in a court in Hamburg today in response to a lawsuit that was filed by a German woman. The woman claims that she experienced side effects from the company’s Covid-19 vaccine and is seeking 5.6 million baht (US$160,000) in damages. This is the first time that BioNTech has been sued in Germany in…
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Malaysia appoints Wan Suraya as Auditor-General, effective tomorrow
Malaysia’s Institute of Integrity (IIM) CEO Wan Suraya Wan Mohd Radzi has been appointed as the country’s new Auditor-General, effective tomorrow, according to an announcement made by Chief Secretary to the Government, Tan Sri Mohd Zuki Ali. The appointment follows the procedures outlined in Article 105 (1) of the Federal Constitution and has received the approval of Yang di-Pertuan Agong…
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Ex-Bersatu director faces 30-year sentence for non-consensual sexual act
A Malaysian businessman, Wan Mohammad Ashraf Nasjaruddin, 42, is facing charges for allegedly having a non-consensual sexual connection with a 25-year-old bank officer using an object. The incident reportedly took place in a hotel toilet at Jalan Bukit Bintang in the early hours of January 2. The Sessions Court in Kuala Lumpur has set the next mention date for the…
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Love gone awry: Indian man arrested for grisly ‘cooking’ of girlfriend’s remains
Mumbai Police arrested an Indian man for allegedly murdering his girlfriend, dismembering her body, and boiling the pieces in a pressure cooker. The arrest of 56 year old Manoch Sane followed a neighbour’s complaint of a foul odour emanating from the couple’s Mumbai apartment. Law enforcement searching the residence discovered several cans with human body parts inside, with more in a blender and…
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School students and passengers injured in truck and car collision in Nakhon Si Thammarat
20 people, including school students and passengers, were injured in Nakhon Si Thammarat when a truck crashed into a car and fell into a roadside ditch. The incident occurred at 7am today, on the Nakhon-Ron Phibun road in Chang Sai sub-district, where the truck experienced critical damage, and its right rear wheel detached. At the scene of the accident, officials…
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Malaysia eyes digital economy boom with RM130bn investment target by 2025
Malaysia is striving to become an Asian digital tiger over the next decade, with a focus on attracting talent and expertise in data and technology, according to Communications and Digital Minister Fahmi Fadzil. Addressing around 100 Malaysian students in London, Fahmi highlighted the importance of the digital economy, which is expected to contribute at least one-fourth of the nation’s economy…
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Malaysia sees 60% investment surge, targets 4-5% GDP growth in 2023
The Malaysian Ministry of Investment, Trade and Industry (Miti) is working towards its 2023 Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth target of 4.0 to 5.0% by focusing on investments and exports. In the first quarter of 2023, Malaysia recorded approved investments valued at US$17.1 billion, a nearly 60% increase year-on-year, with 1,265 projects expected to generate 23,977 new job opportunities across…
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Dengue fever cases soar 158% in Malaysia with 34 deaths recorded
Dengue fever cases in Malaysia have risen by 158% from January to June 3, with 48,712 cases reported compared to 18,883 cases during the same period last year. The Health Director-General, Dr Muhammad Radzi Abu Hassan, revealed that 34 deaths due to dengue fever complications were recorded, a significant increase from the 12 deaths reported in 2022. From May 28…
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Thousands evacuated as Philippines’ Mayon volcano oozes lava
Approximately 13,000 individuals have been forced to evacuate in the north-east region of the Philippines as Mayon, the country’s most well-known volcano, continues to emit lava. Residents within the six-kilometre “permanent danger zone” have sought refuge in shelters, using lorries and buffalo-drawn carriages to evacuate. Known for its flawless conical shape, Mayon began to spew lava last week, with evacuations…
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Mother dies in Amazon crash, kids survive 40 days before rescue
Four siblings were rescued from the Amazon jungle after surviving 40 days following a plane crash that killed their mother and two pilots. The children’s father, Manuel Ranoque, revealed that their mother, Magdalena Mucutuy, was alive for four days after the crash and urged them to leave and seek help. The siblings, aged 13, nine, five, and one, were airlifted…
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Russian military defector reveals low morale, high losses in rare interview
A Russian military defector has given a rare interview to the BBC, revealing an army suffering heavy losses and low morale. Lieutenant Dmitry Mishov, a 26-year-old airman, sought political asylum in Lithuania after escaping from Russia on foot. He is among a small number of known cases of serving military officers fleeing the country to avoid being sent to Ukraine…
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Sturgeon arrested amid SNP funding probe, faces suspension calls
Scotland’s First Minister Humza Yousaf is under pressure to suspend former leader Nicola Sturgeon from the Scottish National Party (SNP) following her arrest on Sunday. Sturgeon was questioned by police in connection to an investigation into the SNP’s funding and finances but was released without charge. She has maintained her innocence throughout the process. The SNP has stated that it…
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Met Office issues UK-wide yellow warnings for thunderstorms, rain
The Met Office has issued yellow weather warnings for thunderstorms and rain across the UK, following the hottest days of the year. Four yellow thunderstorm warnings are in place from 12pm to 9pm on Monday, covering parts of Scotland, Northern Ireland, much of southern England and the Midlands, and most of Wales. Forecasters have warned that heavy downpours could lead…
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Anwar defends subsidy restructuring, excludes Malaysia’s affluent from benefits
Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim recently defended Malaysia’s subsidy restructuring programme, which aims to benefit targeted groups by excluding affluent households. Anwar explained that the policy shift differs from previous administrations’ proposals for a nationwide electricity tariff hike, as the increased tariff will only impact multinational companies and high-income households. “This does not burden the people as compared to the proposal…
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Monitor lizard’s jaw-dropping surprise visit sends Chon Buri locals in a tail spin
A giant monitor lizard shocked locals when it entered a residential property in Chon Buri province, requiring a team of local rescue officers to remove it. The reptile hid behind a water basin, where it resisted capture. This forced authorities to use some special equipment and it took three to four officers to safely restrain the animal. Yesterday, the Nong…
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Jealous husband shoots wife dead in front of child after catching secret chats
A jealous husband killed his wife in front of their 7 year old son after discovering she was chatting to other men on her phone. The incident, which occurred in Chon Buri province, saw the man fire two shots at his 30 year old wife before surrendering to the police. The crime scene, a two-storey townhouse, revealed the body of…
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Bitkub’s bumpy ride: Thailand’s leading crypto exchange parent company sees sharp revenue decline amid market downturn
Bitkub Online (BO), the parent company of Thailand’s top cryptocurrency exchange Bitkub, experienced a 48% year-on-year drop in revenue last year, attributed to the downturn in the crypto market. Client investments also saw a significant 65% decline compared to the previous year. The financial statement published on BO’s website revealed a net profit of 341 million baht in 2022, marking…
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Thailand banks team up for digital revolution: Collaboration to launch retail CBDC
The Bank of Thailand is collaborating with three payment service providers, Bank of Ayudhya (Krungsri), Siam Commercial Bank (SCB), and 2C2P (Thailand) Co, to develop and launch its retail central bank digital currency (CBDC). The new financial infrastructure aims to enhance the convenience and efficiency of financial transactions while reducing costs. The testing of the retail CBDC is scheduled to…
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Man charged with murder of missing Chloe Mitchell, 21, in Ballymena
Charges have been filed against a 26-year-old man in connection to the murder of Chloe Mitchell, a 21-year-old woman who disappeared earlier this month in Ballymena, Northern Ireland. Additionally, a 34-year-old man faces charges for assisting offenders. The two men are scheduled to appear in Ballymena Magistrates’ Court on Monday. A murder investigation commenced after human remains were uncovered on…
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Malaysia opens seven clinics to tackle male fertility issues
In an effort to address fertility issues among men, Malaysia’s Health Ministry has established seven specialised clinics focusing on men’s health and well-being. The clinics include three subfertility clinics in Kuala Lumpur, Johor Bahru, and Penang, and four Nur Sejahtera Clinics (KNS) in Jalan Raja Laut, Melaka, Dungun, and Sarawak. Deputy Women, Family and Community Development Minister Raj Munni Sabu…
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Sturgeon released pending probe into SNP’s £660k referendum donations
Nicola Sturgeon, Scotland’s former first minister, has been released without charge pending further investigations following her arrest in connection with the ongoing inquiry into the SNP’s funding and finances. Sturgeon was questioned by detectives and later released from custody. In a statement, she expressed certainty of her innocence and described the situation as “shocking and deeply distressing.” Police have been…
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Farmer crashes into petrol station shop after mistaking accelerator for brake
A 69-year-old farmer sustained minor injuries after mistakenly pressing the accelerator instead of the brake pedal, causing his car to crash into a convenience store at a petrol station in Jalan Bukit Rambai, Melaka. The incident took place yesterday evening when the farmer, Jaafar Yusof, was leaving the station after refuelling his Hyundai Sonata. Melaka Tengah district police chief Christopher…
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Mysterious intrusion: Hotel guest’s chilling encounter leaves her shaken in San Jose (video)
A woman guest at a hotel in San Jose, California suffered an unnerving experience while chilling in her room. To her surprise, the woman, Debra, witnessed an unusual device sliding under her room door. The quick-thinking traveller managed to leap off her bed and grab the instrument before it reached the door handle. She then sought help from the hotel…
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Malaysia’s tobacco control bill sent to parliamentary committee for review
The Control of Tobacco Product and Smoking Bill has been referred to a parliamentary special select committee (PSSC) for further review after its first presentation in the Dewan Rakyat. Health Minister Dr Zaliha Mustafa stated that the decision was made due to several recommendations from engagement sessions held with government and non-governmental stakeholders that required additional consideration. Dr Zaliha explained,…
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Chevron Thailand’s gas game-changer: Boosting domestic supply and breaking free from costly imports
Chevron Thailand Exploration and Production aims to boost domestic gas supply to reduce the Thai government’s reliance on costly liquefied natural gas (LNG) imports, with plans to increase petroleum production in the Gulf of Thailand. The US-based company was granted a licence to explore and produce petroleum at Block G2/65, an area of 15,030 square kilometres in the gulf, under…
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Man turns 1,700-baht online auction chair into 3 million baht jackpot after designer discovery
In an extraordinary turn of events, Los Angeles resident Justin Miller unknowingly discovered a highly valuable Danish designer chair while browsing an online auction site. He bought it for just 1,700 baht (US$49) and sold the item for an astounding 3 million baht (US$86,500) to an eager collector. Miller stumbled upon an online auction listing featuring the broken-down, leather-covered chair,…
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Mysterious red light in sky sparks panic and intrigue in social media (Video)
A mysterious red light hovering in the sky has been captured on video, leaving residents in Ratchaburi Province on edge. Authorities have been called to investigate the source of the phenomenon, shared on Facebook, while villagers are curious to discover if the supernatural may be the cause. A video clip on Facebook featuring a floating red light in the sky…
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George Soros hands $25bn empire control to son Alexander
Philanthropist and billionaire George Soros has decided to entrust his 37-year-old son, Alexander, with the control of his philanthropic and financial empire, worth US$25bn. A spokesperson for Soros, a significant supporter of liberal and democratic initiatives, confirmed the plan following its initial report by the Wall Street Journal. Previously, Soros, who is now 92, did not want any of his…
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Ofsted reforms insufficient, says sister of teacher who died post-downgrade
The sister of a headteacher who took her own life after her school received a downgrade from Ofsted has stated that the recently announced inspection system reforms are insufficient. Ruth Perry, former headteacher of Caversham Primary School in Reading, passed away in January. The school was rated “good” in every category except leadership and management, where it was deemed “inadequate.”…
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