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.

  • Sponsored

    Live smarter, live greener with Electrolux, redefining sustainable living

    Electrolux is leading the way in creating smarter, more eco-friendly homes. Their appliances, partly made with recycled materials, are designed to help reduce environmental impact while offering advanced technology to make daily tasks easier. With Electrolux, you get modern, stylish...

  • Sunak unfazed by Covid inquiry’s demand for unredacted WhatsApp messages | Thaiger

    Sunak unfazed by Covid inquiry’s demand for unredacted WhatsApp messages

    Chancellor Rishi Sunak has stated that he is not concerned about being embarrassed by messages seen by the Covid inquiry, despite the government’s legal battle over their disclosure. The government has taken the unprecedented step of suing the inquiry over its demands to see unredacted WhatsApp messages sent during the pandemic. However, the prime minister has insisted on a transparent…

  • Heat-health alert issued as England braces for 30C weekend temperatures | Thaiger

    Heat-health alert issued as England braces for 30C weekend temperatures

    A heat-health warning has been announced for certain areas of England as temperatures are expected to soar to 30C (86F) over the weekend. The alert is active from 9am on Friday 9 June to 9am on Monday 12 June, covering London, the Midlands, and eastern and southern England. The public is urged to keep an eye on vulnerable friends and…

  • Labour MP Beth Winter alleges unfair obstacles in Wales seat selection | Thaiger

    Labour MP Beth Winter alleges unfair obstacles in Wales seat selection

    Labour MP Beth Winter has expressed her disappointment after losing a selection battle for a new seat in Wales due to proposed boundary changes. Winter claimed she faced “unacceptable obstacles” during the contest against Labour frontbencher Gerald Jones, who was announced as the candidate for Merthyr Tydfil and Upper Cynon. Winter stated she would be “taking advice and soundings” on…

  • Sunak vows personal responsibility if UK inflation not halved by year-end | Thaiger

    Sunak vows personal responsibility if UK inflation not halved by year-end

    Rishi Sunak has pledged to take personal responsibility if UK inflation has not been reduced by half by the end of the year. The prime minister made this statement during an interview with Sky News political editor Beth Rigby while visiting Washington DC, where he is scheduled to meet President Biden. Sunak has been vocal about his five priorities, which…

  • Teen pleads guilty to defacing Windrush mural with Nazi symbols | Thaiger

    Teen pleads guilty to defacing Windrush mural with Nazi symbols

    A 17-year-old from Port Talbot has admitted to terrorism and criminal damage charges after defacing a Windrush generation mural in South Wales with Nazi symbols. The teenager, who cannot be identified for legal reasons, appeared in Westminster Magistrates’ Court, facing five terrorism charges stemming from his online activities. These charges included three counts of disseminating terrorist material and two counts…

  • Police missed chance to prevent mother-of-five’s murder, family claims | Thaiger

    Police missed chance to prevent mother-of-five’s murder, family claims

    The family of Sherrie Milnes, a 51-year-old mother-of-five, has claimed that police missed an opportunity to prevent her tragic death. Milnes was found dead in her Weymouth flat on April 1, 2021, after being killed by her former partner, Steven Doughty, aged 54. Doughty was discovered dead at his home on the same day, having taken his own life. Bournemouth’s…

  • Family mourns teen Freya Cayley after tragic North Yorkshire sea incident | Thaiger

    Family mourns teen Freya Cayley after tragic North Yorkshire sea incident

    The loved ones of a 16-year-old girl, whose body was recovered from the sea at Saltburn beach in North Yorkshire, have expressed their heartbreak over the loss of their “beautiful daughter.” Freya Cayley was found in the water on Sunday, according to Cleveland Police. Emergency services, including two lifeboats and an air ambulance, rushed to the scene after receiving reports…

  • Prince Harry defiant in tense court battle against Daily Mirror publisher | Thaiger

    Prince Harry defiant in tense court battle against Daily Mirror publisher

    In a tense courtroom encounter, Prince Harry and Andrew Green KC, the barrister representing the Daily Mirror publisher, engaged in a heated exchange during the Duke of Sussex’s legal battle against the newspaper. The prince appeared weary and emotionally drained as he faced questions about his personal life and past relationships, including his time with Chelsy Davy and the late…

  • China’s exports shrink, imports fall amid weak global demand | Thaiger

    China’s exports shrink, imports fall amid weak global demand

    Chinese exports experienced a sharper decline than anticipated in May, while imports also fell, reflecting weak international demand and sluggish domestic consumption. In May, exports from the world’s second-largest economy dropped 7.5% year-on-year, the largest decrease since January, compared to 8.5% growth in April. Imports shrank by 4.5%, a slower rate than the 7.9% decline in the previous month. The…

  • Sri Lanka dispels 5G threat to sacred tree after fake news frenzy | Thaiger

    Sri Lanka dispels 5G threat to sacred tree after fake news frenzy

    In Sri Lanka, the government’s concern for the country’s holiest tree, the 2,300-year-old Sri Maha Bodhi, resulted in a swift response to rumours that 5G mobile signals were causing harm. The tree, grown from a cutting of the Indian bodhi tree that sheltered Buddha when he achieved enlightenment, is a symbol of national sovereignty and an object of worship. The…

  • Sri Lanka police fire tear gas at student protest demanding activist release | Thaiger

    Sri Lanka police fire tear gas at student protest demanding activist release

    Sri Lankan authorities have deployed tear gas and water cannons against hundreds of students protesting in the capital, demanding the release of individuals arrested during anti-government demonstrations last year. The protesters argue that the continued imprisonment of numerous students and activists constitutes political persecution. In 2021, Sri Lanka experienced widespread, months-long protests triggered by the nation’s most severe economic crisis…

  • PGA, DP World and LIV Golf merge, creating global golf entity | Thaiger

    PGA, DP World and LIV Golf merge, creating global golf entity

    In a groundbreaking move, the PGA Tour, DP World Tour, and Saudi-backed LIV Golf have announced plans to merge operations, creating a new global golf entity. This marks a pivotal moment in the sport’s history, ending two years of litigation between the parties. The US-based PGA Tour and Europe’s DP World Tour revealed their intention to form a new collectively…

  • Hedge fund founder Alan Howard donates £1m to Conservative Party | Thaiger

    Hedge fund founder Alan Howard donates £1m to Conservative Party

    Hedge fund founder Alan Howard has pledged a £1 million donation to the Conservative Party, marking his largest single contribution to the party thus far. Howard, co-founder of Brevan Howard Asset Management, is one of the UK’s most successful hedge fund managers and is based in Switzerland. He ranked 100th on this year’s Sunday Times Rich List with a fortune…

  • Labour MP accuses party of gaslighting over sexual misconduct claims handling | Thaiger

    Labour MP accuses party of gaslighting over sexual misconduct claims handling

    Labour MP Charlotte Nichols has accused her own party of “gaslighting” her after she criticised its handling of sexual misconduct allegations. Nichols, the MP for Warrington North, claims that Labour only took action against suspended MP Geraint Davies after details about his alleged “unacceptable behaviour” became public knowledge. Additionally, she accused her party of “choosing not to act” over a…

  • Over £10k raised for family of student killed in suspected hit-and-run | Thaiger

    Over £10k raised for family of student killed in suspected hit-and-run

    Over £10,000 has been collected to support the family of Joshua Lloyd Roberts, a 19-year-old student who tragically passed away after a suspected hit-and-run incident in Caeathro, Gwynedd. Joshua, a second-year sports performance analysis student at Cardiff Metropolitan University, was found on Ffordd Waunfawr on June 2. The police arrested a 19-year-old man on suspicion of causing death by dangerous…

  • Man accused of murdering Met sergeant shot at close range, jury hears | Thaiger

    Man accused of murdering Met sergeant shot at close range, jury hears

    Sergeant Matt Ratana was fatally shot in the chest at close range by Louis de Zoysa, 25 years old, at Croydon police station, according to the prosecution at Northampton Crown Court. De Zoysa had been arrested and searched on September 25, 2020, and was found in possession of cannabis and seven rounds of ammunition. However, officers failed to detect a…

  • Heathrow security staff escalate strike action amid ongoing pay dispute | Thaiger

    Heathrow security staff escalate strike action amid ongoing pay dispute

    Heathrow Airport is bracing for a series of strikes by security staff, with walkouts scheduled nearly every weekend from mid-June until the end of August. The industrial action is a result of an ongoing pay dispute involving more than 2,000 members of the Unite union, which led to strikes last month and over the Easter period. This time, officers from…

  • Teen dies after playground incident at West Lothian school | Thaiger

    Teen dies after playground incident at West Lothian school

    A 14-year-old student has died following an incident between two pupils at St Kentigern’s Academy in Blackburn, West Lothian. Emergency services were called to the school on Tuesday afternoon, and the teenager was taken to the hospital but passed away shortly after. Detectives convened with education authorities on Wednesday morning to discuss the tragic event, while fellow students receive emotional…

  • Harry alleges phone hacking in Mirror lawsuit, claims injustice if denied | Thaiger

    Harry alleges phone hacking in Mirror lawsuit, claims injustice if denied

    In the High Court, Prince Harry has addressed questions about a prank voicemail left by his brother William, a visit to a strip club, and his break-up with Chelsy Davy, during his second day of giving evidence. He was also asked if he would be “disappointed” should the court not find in his favour and decide details about his private…

  • Chinese employee sacked for excessive loo breaks causes online debate | Thaiger

    Chinese employee sacked for excessive loo breaks causes online debate

    A Chinese employee was dismissed from his job due to spending up to six hours a day in the restroom, leading to a widely discussed court case. Despite citing chronic health issues as the reason for his frequent bathroom visits, a Chinese court ruled the dismissal as valid and the employee was not reinstated. The case dates back to 2015…

  • OECD raises global growth outlook as inflation eases, warns of long road | Thaiger

    OECD raises global growth outlook as inflation eases, warns of long road

    The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) has marginally increased its global economic growth forecast to 2.7%, up from 2.6% in its previous report. This revision is attributed to easing inflation, China lifting Covid restrictions, falling energy prices, and supply chain improvements. However, the recovery remains below the 3.3% growth recorded in 2022, and the organisation warns of a…

  • Frustrated man welds car park entrance after dispute with stubborn driver | Thaiger

    Frustrated man welds car park entrance after dispute with stubborn driver

    A Chinese man, frustrated by a stranger repeatedly parking in his rented parking space, resorted to welding an iron barrier around the vehicle, demanding an apology before allowing it to be moved. The incident took place in Chaosheng in China’s Chaozhou province when the man, known as “Zasu”, found his space obstructed. Despite numerous requests to relocate the car, the…

  • Thai tourism campaign targets secondary cities for foreign visitors boost | Thaiger

    Thai tourism campaign targets secondary cities for foreign visitors boost

    Thailand‘s Tourism Authority (TAT) has revealed a significant increase in international travellers visiting the country in the first five months of 2023, with a total of 10,568,485 visitors. In collaboration with Central Pattana Plc., TAT aims to promote local and alternative tourism destinations, targeting a shift in the proportion of travellers from major to secondary cities. During the first five…

  • Woman boards Hong Kong Uber in towel, changes while driver watches | Thaiger

    Woman boards Hong Kong Uber in towel, changes while driver watches

    A video of a female passenger in a Hong Kong Uber car has gone viral, sparking debate on whether the incident is staged. The woman, seen initially wearing only a towel, changes her clothes in the car and seemingly irritates the driver, resulting in several exchanges of words. The clip’s duration is approximately five minutes and 52 seconds, showing the…

  • SET and AIMC to use class action law to protect investors amid Stark fraud probe | Thaiger

    SET and AIMC to use class action law to protect investors amid Stark fraud probe

    The Association of Investment Management Companies (AIMC) and the Stock Exchange of Thailand (SET) are set to utilise class action law to safeguard investors’ interests as the Department of Special Investigation (DSI) examines potential fraud involving former executives of Stark Corporation. Stark’s shares plummeted by approximately 90% after the SET allowed trading to resume on June 1, causing significant harm…

  • Phuket bar raided for illegal operation, underage drinking and restricted hours | Thaiger

    Phuket bar raided for illegal operation, underage drinking and restricted hours

    A crackdown on illegal entertainment venues in Phuket Town continued as a bar was raided by authorities in the early hours of yesterday. Muang Phuket District Chief Pairote Srilamoon led a team of officers from the Department of Provincial Administration (DOPA) in the raid on the ‘At Five’ bar at 1.30am. They were joined by Danai Jaikaeng, Deputy District Chief from…

  • India’s new parliament map angers neighbours, Bangladesh demands explanation | Thaiger

    India’s new parliament map angers neighbours, Bangladesh demands explanation

    Tensions have risen among South Asian nations, including Bangladesh, Nepal, and Pakistan, after the unveiling of a map in India’s new parliament building. The Akhand Bharat, or Undivided India, map includes parts of Afghanistan, as well as the entirety of Pakistan, Nepal, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, and Myanmar. Bangladesh’s foreign ministry has sought clarification from New Delhi on the matter. Shahriar…

  • Canadian politicians’ China witch-hunt threatens democracy more than Beijing | Thaiger

    Canadian politicians’ China witch-hunt threatens democracy more than Beijing

    In recent months, Canada’s capital has been gripped by a manufactured scandal involving alleged Chinese interference, leading to a wave of hysteria that has paralysed the city. The situation has been exacerbated by sensationalist reporting and hyperbolic politicians, who have claimed that Chinese agents are covertly undermining Canada’s democratic institutions. Amidst this panic, some have turned to Canada’s law-abiding spy…

  • Virginia graduation shooting kills two, injures five in chaotic attack | Thaiger

    Virginia graduation shooting kills two, injures five in chaotic attack

    A graduation ceremony in Virginia turned tragic as two individuals were killed and five others injured in a shooting incident. The attack occurred outside the Altria Theater in Richmond, causing panic among the attendees, many of whom were dressed in graduation gowns. The police chief described the scene as chaotic, with people scattering in all directions. A 19-year-old suspect attempted…

  • Pope Francis to undergo abdominal surgery at Rome hospital | Thaiger

    Pope Francis to undergo abdominal surgery at Rome hospital

    Pope Francis is set to undergo abdominal surgery at Rome’s Gemelli hospital on Wednesday afternoon. The Vatican stated that the 86-year-old pontiff will remain in the hospital for several days to recover from the hernia operation. Vatican spokesman Matteo Bruni noted that the hernia has been causing “recurrent, painful and worsening” symptoms for the Pope. “In the early afternoon he…