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 5 ways retirees in Thailand lose money (and how to stop it)
Retiring in Thailand can be affordable and enjoyable, but many retirees lose money due to common mistakes. High living costs, scams, and unexpected expenses can quickly drain savings. There are five ways that retirees in Thailand can lose money and...
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Phuket orders small boats to stay ashore until Saturday amid heavy weather
In Phuket, a ban has been issued on boats shorter than 10 metres leaving the shore until Saturday, June 10, due to heavy weather conditions. The order, issued by Phuket Marine Office Chief Natchaphong Pranit, applies to all sailing and motor yachts up to 32.8 feet. The ban comes as a reminder of the importance of safety measures in the maritime industry,…
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Ex-official’s wife testifies in US trial over China’s Operation Fox Hunt
A former Chinese official and his wife, who had relocated to the United States and kept their address private, experienced a disturbing encounter when two strangers attempted to enter their New Jersey home. The wife later discovered a threatening note on their doorstep, stating that if her husband returned to China and served ten years in prison, their family would…
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Ghost hunter investigates eerie ex-DJ’s flat after haunting reports
After the mysterious death of a former DJ, whose body was found at a rental residence in Rayong province, a ghost hunter is investigating. This case drew the attention of Dr. Jiranphan Phetkhaw, a well-known psychic. Locals claimed to have seen the DJ’s ghost, while investigations into the cause of death continue. Dr. Jiranphan visited the room in the early hours…
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AI boom offers productivity boost, defying dotcom bubble fears
Despite the hype surrounding artificial intelligence (AI) since Microsoft’s investment in ChatGPT back in January this year, the buzz in the markets is far from the excesses of the dot-com bubble. The recent rise in Nvidia’s market capitalisation, reaching US$1 trillion, has raised some eyebrows. However, the AI boom has a more solid foundation. The decline in Big Tech stocks…
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EU mulls mandatory ban on high-risk 5G firms like Huawei
The European Union is contemplating a compulsory prohibition on member states utilising firms that may present a security threat in their 5G networks, which includes China’s Huawei Technologies, according to the Financial Times. This decision is a reaction to growing apprehensions in Brussels regarding specific national governments postponing measures on the issue, as reported by officials. In 2020, the EU…
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Millionaire takes China’s gaokao exam for 27th time, seeking university dream
In a sea of young students taking China’s rigorous “gaokao” college entrance exam on June 7, 56-year-old Liang Shi stands out as a grey-haired, self-made millionaire attempting the test for the 27th time. Liang has come a long way from working in a factory to founding a thriving construction materials business, but one ambition remains unfulfilled: achieving a high enough…
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Japan debates bill redefining rape to include non-consensual intercourse
Days after being raped, Megumi Okano knew that the attacker would likely escape punishment. Megumi, who uses “they” as a personal pronoun, knew the man and where to find him. However, they also knew that Japanese authorities were unlikely to consider the incident as rape. As a result, Megumi, a university student, decided not to report the incident to the…
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Thailand aims for 300k digital volunteers to boost village tech accessibility
A collaboration agreement between the Office of the National Digital Economy and Society Commission (ONDE) and nine other agencies was signed yesterday, aiming to increase the number of digital volunteers in Thailand to 300,000 by 2024. The primary goal is to enhance the accessibility and comprehension of digital technology among villagers across the country. The plan involves establishing a digital…
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American transwoman marries Thai woman, fuelling hopes for future of same sex marriage (video)
In a heartwarming story that transcended stereotypes, an American transwoman married her Thai partner in Thailand on Sunday, June 4. They hope their same-sex union will be accepted in the country. The touching tale gained widespread attention after a popular Thai makeup artist, known as Wave Make Up on TikTok, shared videos of the couple, introducing them to the online…
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Heavy rainfall to hit 54 provinces, Bangkok at risk of flash floods
Heavy rainfall and floods are expected to hit 54 provinces in Thailand, with a 70% chance of precipitation across the country, according to the Meteorological Department. Bangkok could face flash floods, while increased wave heights are predicted for the Andaman Sea today. The Meteorological Department’s 24-hour forecast predicts heavy rainfall and thunderstorms due to a trough of a low-pressure area…
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Thai Buddhist monk’s daily life TikTok goes viral (video)
A video showing a day in the life of a Thai Buddhist monk went viral, garnering over 600,000 views within hours, as the TikTok vlog gained praise from netizens and increased interest in monastic life. Yesterday a Thai Buddhist monk using the TikTok handle @mek_tc posted a video blog (Vlog) offering a glimpse into the daily life of a monk.…
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Drunk driver hits motorcyclist, injures pedestrian before crash in Bangkok
A motorcyclist tragically lost her life when she was struck by a drunken pickup truck driver, who then went on to hit another woman. The driver, a 57 year old man, claimed he had a blackout caused by pre-existing health problems. The collision occurred yesterday at approximately 9pm, in the vicinity of the entrance to Soi Krungthep Kreetha 45, Thap…
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Clop gang ultimatum to MOVEit hack victims: email before 14 June or data leaked
A cybercrime gang believed to be operating from Russia has issued a deadline to victims of a global hacking attack, warning that stolen data will be published if they fail to contact the group by June 14. The Clop group posted the notice on the dark web, targeting organisations affected by the MOVEit hack. Over 100,000 employees at the BBC,…
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US LGBTQ group declares national emergency amid record anti-LGBTQ legislation
The United States is witnessing a surge in legislation targeting the LGBTQ community, prompting the Human Rights Campaign (HRC) to declare its first-ever national state of emergency. The HRC reported that over 70 bills it deems anti-LGBTQ were passed in statehouses during this legislative session, marking a significant increase from last year’s record. The organization identified a total of 525…
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Isle of Man TT racer dies in crash, organisers confirm
A tragic accident occurred during the Isle of Man TT Races, resulting in the death of Raul Torras Martinez, 46 years old. The fatal crash took place during the year’s first Supertwin Race at Alpine, between the 16th and 17th mile markers on the final lap of the three-lap race. The organisers released a statement acknowledging the loss of the…
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Prince Harry accuses Mirror Group of illegal info gathering in court
In an ongoing legal battle, Prince Harry has attended the High Court, accusing Mirror Group Newspapers of illegally obtaining information for stories about him. Sky News provided a transcription of the Duke of Sussex’s statements and recreated his court appearance using an actor. Here are five key moments from Harry’s first day in court. Questioning the source of information Prince…
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Oliver Stone’s Nuclear Now documentary champions atomic energy
Renowned Hollywood director Oliver Stone remains a staunch advocate for nuclear power, even amid the ongoing war in Ukraine. In his latest documentary, Nuclear Now, Stone argues that the dangers of nuclear power have been greatly exaggerated, especially when compared to the devastating impact of fossil fuels on human health and the environment. Based on research from the book A…
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Atlanta approves contentious Cop City despite police violence and environmental concerns
Atlanta’s City Council has given the green light to a contentious new law enforcement training facility, dubbed “Cop City” by critics, despite concerns over police violence and potential environmental impacts. The $90m project was approved by an 11-4 margin on Tuesday, following 14 hours of public comment, much of which opposed the facility. Reverend James Woodall, former president of Georgia’s…
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Chris Christie joins 2024 presidential race, targets Trump and DeSantis
Former New Jersey Governor Chris Christie has officially entered the race for the United States presidency in 2024, joining a growing list of Republican candidates. Having filed the necessary paperwork on Tuesday, Christie is set to launch his campaign at an event in New Hampshire. Known as a pragmatic conservative, Christie previously ran for president in 2016 but withdrew after…
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Judge hears case to reveal Prince Harry’s US immigration records
A federal judge in Washington DC has started hearing arguments in a lawsuit that aims to make the Duke of Sussex’s US immigration records public. The conservative Heritage Foundation has filed the lawsuit, seeking to force the government to reveal the records to determine whether Prince Harry, 38, disclosed his past drug use. The outcome of the case may take…
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Atlanta council approves £25m Cop City despite protests and environmental concerns
The Atlanta City Council has given the green light for additional funding towards a contentious police training centre, which has been the subject of protests for almost two years. The council members voted to allocate US$31m (£25m) towards the construction of the Atlanta Public Safety Training Center, commonly referred to as “Cop City” by its detractors. The centre was initially…
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Wagner Group boss dismisses Russian military’s claims of heavy Ukraine losses
Tensions have escalated between the Wagner Group and the Russian military, as disagreements over recent events in Ukraine’s Donbas region intensify. Yevgeny Prigozhin, head of the Wagner Group, dismissed Russia’s claims of inflicting significant losses on Ukraine during an attempted offensive action, labelling them as “wild and absurd science fiction.” Despite this, Russia’s defence ministry reiterated on Tuesday that Ukraine…
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SNP’s Ian Blackford to step down as MP at next general election
Former SNP Westminster leader Ian Blackford has announced his intention to step down as MP for Ross, Skye, and Lochaber at the upcoming general election. Blackford has held the position since 2015 when he defeated ex-Lib Dem leader Charles Kennedy. He led the SNP’s Westminster group for half a decade, facing four Conservative prime ministers during question time in the…
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Elderly woman’s death prompts criminal probe into police escorting Duchess
A criminal investigation is underway following the tragic death of an 81-year-old woman who was struck by a police motorbike escorting the Duchess of Edinburgh. Helen Holland was hit at a junction in Earl’s Court, West London, on May 10. The police officer riding the vehicle is being investigated for offences, including causing death by dangerous driving, by the Independent…
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Influencer Andrew Tate accused of choking woman during non-consensual sex
A 30-year-old British woman has accused social media influencer Andrew Tate of choking her until she lost consciousness during a sexual encounter in 2014. The woman, who was 20 at the time, claims that the consensual act turned violent when Tate choked her and continued to have sex with her after she regained consciousness. Tate has denied the allegations, stating…
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Sturgeon’s WhatsApp messages sought in Covid-19 inquiry by bereaved families
The legal team representing families who lost loved ones to Covid-19 in Scotland has requested complete transparency regarding former First Minister Nicola Sturgeon’s WhatsApp messages. Although counsel for Scottish ministers has claimed Sturgeon has no relevant informal correspondence, lawyers for the bereaved argue that inquiry officials should determine what is considered relevant, including private messages, emails, or diaries related to…
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Sunak condemns potential Russian dam attack amid Ukraine visit
The Prime Minister has condemned the destruction of the Nova Kakhovka dam in Ukraine, stating that if Russia is found responsible, it would represent the largest attack on civilian infrastructure in Ukraine since the war began. Rishi Sunak, on his way to Washington for a two-day trip, said that intelligence agencies had not yet made a definitive judgement on whether…
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Driver jailed after drug-fuelled crash kills girl he met hours earlier
A young driver has been sentenced to three years and nine months in prison after causing a fatal car crash under the influence of drugs and alcohol. Keilan Roberts, 22, lost control of his Skoda Octavia in Fochriw, Caerphilly county, last July, leading to the death of his 17-year-old passenger, Chloe Hayman. The car collided with protective railings on a…
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Piers Morgan hits back at Prince Harry’s phone hacking trial accusations
Piers Morgan has responded to Prince Harry’s accusations of phone hacking during the Duke of Sussex’s ongoing legal trial against Mirror Group Newspapers (MGN). The former editor of the Daily Mirror was criticised by the royal for allegedly intercepting his mother’s private messages. In a statement to Sky News, Morgan said he hadn’t seen Harry’s comments but wished him luck…
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Woman to sue influencer Andrew Tate over alleged rape and death threats
A 30-year-old woman, who wishes to remain anonymous, has come forward with allegations of rape against social media influencer Andrew Tate. She claims that during a sexual encounter, Tate strangled her until she lost consciousness and continued to have sex with her while she was unconscious. The woman, who was 20 at the time of the incident, met Tate in…
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