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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Bangkok governor self-rates 5/10, admits undelivered policies in first year
Bangkok Governor Chadchart Sittipunt has rated his performance as five out of 10 after completing his first year in office. Despite facing criticism for his lack of achievements, Chadchart, who won the election by a landslide on May 22 last year, said it was a matter of opinion. During an announcement at City Hall yesterday, Chadchart admitted that he had…
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Monsoon causes 60% of Bangkok to face heavy rain risk, flash flood warnings issued
A heavy rain warning has been issued for Thailand, with 60% of Bangkok at risk of downpours. The public has been cautioned about flash flooding. The Department of Meteorology forecasts continued to warn of rainfall and stormy conditions, particularly in the northern, northeastern, and eastern regions. The department has issued a 24-hour weather forecast warning that the moderate southwestern monsoon…
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Ukraine advances in counteroffensive, NATO pledges support, US announces US$325m aid
Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has praised the progress of his troops as they advance near the city of Bakhmut in the east and on the southern front. NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg has also acknowledged Ukraine’s progress in its counteroffensive against Russia, promising increased support from NATO leaders in their upcoming meeting. In contrast, Russian President Vladimir Putin claimed that…
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Trump pleads not guilty amid showmanship and Republican unease
The indictment of Donald Trump unfolded in two distinct arenas on Tuesday afternoon – a federal courtroom in Florida and the realm of public opinion. Within the Miami courthouse, Trump and his legal representatives maintained a composed demeanor. A lawyer for the former president informed the judge that Trump was pleading not guilty to all charges. Discussions ensued regarding the…
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Essex Police warn of lethal opioid Etonitazene after Basildon deaths
A warning has been issued by Essex Police after the discovery of a potentially lethal synthetic opioid at the scene of two deaths in Basildon. A man and a woman, both in their 40s, were found dead at a property on Tuesday, with the presence of etonitazene identified at the scene. Etonitazene, also known as Pyro, is a synthetic opioid…
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Sarawak ministry mulls Tuak Festival to boost local culture, tourism
As part of its efforts to promote Sarawak culture, the Ministry of Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts Sarawak is considering the idea of organising a “Tuak Festival.” The event, which may initially be held in Kuching, aims to showcase and promote tuak, a traditional rice wine of the Dayaks, and the culture of the state. Deputy Minister Datuk Sebastian…
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Manhunt for Indonesian escapees expands in Sarawak with 100 officers
A manhunt involving 100 police personnel, including members of the General Operations Force’s (GOF) Tiger Platoon, has been launched in Sarawak to locate two Indonesian men who escaped from the Tapah police station lockup. Sarawak police commissioner Mohd Azman Ahmad Sapri announced that the search radius for the escapees, Kelvin, 21 years old, and Bony, 31 years old, has been…
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Sabah police probe handling of woman’s case before ex-lover’s alleged murder
Sabah police are investigating potential breaches of standards in the handling of a case involving a woman who was later allegedly killed by her ex-lover at a shopping mall. Police commissioner Jauteh Dikun stated that if the investigation reveals any shortcomings, disciplinary action will be taken against the officers involved. The family of Nurul Ain Silien, who was allegedly murdered…
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Trump faces federal charges, pleads not guilty to concealing classified documents
Former US President Donald Trump appeared in a Miami courtroom, facing criminal charges for the second time since leaving office. Trump, dressed in a blue suit and red tie, listened as prosecutors accused him of improperly possessing and concealing classified documents. This marks the first instance of a former president facing federal criminal charges. The courtroom did not permit cameras,…
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Trump pleads not guilty to 37 charges, supporters rally in Miami
Supporters of former US President Donald Trump gathered in Miami, Florida, as he pled not guilty to 37 charges of mishandling classified information. This indictment marks the first time a former US president has been federally prosecuted. Trump’s supporters rallied around the court, protesting the charges and claiming they are politically motivated to hinder his potential 2024 campaign. Last week,…
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New law grants police power to intervene in seriously disruptive protests
Parliament has approved a law granting police in England and Wales clearer authority to intervene in protests considered seriously disruptive. The House of Lords passed the new regulations, despite opposition from some peers. The law allows officers to take action when protesters attempt to block roads through slow marching, a tactic employed by groups such as Extinction Rebellion, Just Stop…
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Umno’s decline signals political shift, coalition method future of Malaysia
The declining support for Malaysia’s United Malays National Organisation (Umno) has been evident since the 12th general election in 2008, marking a significant shift in the country’s political landscape. According to Syaza Syukri, an assistant professor of political science at International Islamic University Malaysia, the 2008 election signalled the beginning of a “political tsunami” that has continued to impact Umno’s…
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Press Secretary faces Hatch Act scrutiny for mega MAGA remarks
In a recent development, White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre faces scrutiny for violating the Hatch Act, a law that limits political activity by federal employees. The Office of Special Counsel (OSC) has accused Jean-Pierre of using her official capacity to influence the outcome of an election by referring to “mega MAGA Republicans” during press briefings before the November 2022…
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Cormac McCarthy dies aged 89, leaving legacy of dark tales
Renowned American author Cormac McCarthy, celebrated for his gripping and often dark tales of the US frontier and post-apocalyptic worlds, has passed away at the age of 89. McCarthy’s death was due to natural causes at his home in Santa Fe, New Mexico, as confirmed by his son John McCarthy and publisher Penguin Random House. Cormac McCarthy’s unique writing style…
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Bunge and Glencore-backed Viterra to merge, creating $34bn agri-trade giant
The global agricultural trading sector is set to see a major transformation as US grains merchants Bunge and Glencore-backed Viterra plan to merge, creating a $34bn giant, including debt. This deal, announced on Tuesday, will bring the combined company closer to leading rivals Archer-Daniels-Midland and Cargill, valuing both Bunge and Viterra at approximately $17bn each. Bunge, already the world’s largest…
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NATO summit prioritises Ukraine support, Indo-Pacific ties, and defence spending
NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg has discussed key topics for the upcoming alliance summit in Vilnius, Lithuania, during a meeting with top US officials at the White House. Stoltenberg, who will step down as secretary general in September, highlighted NATO’s commitment to support Ukraine and strengthen deterrence on defence at the summit. Stoltenberg also emphasised the importance of sending a strong…
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US lawmakers urge relocating US-Africa summit over South Africa-Russia ties
A group of American legislators has urged for the relocation of the upcoming US-Africa trade summit, initially set to take place in South Africa later this year. The lawmakers cited concerns over South Africa’s “deepening military relationship” with Russia as the reason for their request. In a letter addressed to US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and other high-ranking officials,…
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Putin hints at Ukraine sanitary zone amid escalating border attacks
Russian President Vladimir Putin has hinted at the possibility of expanding military operations in Ukraine to safeguard Russian territory on the border. This comes as Ukrainian forces report progress in their counteroffensive against Russian troops. Putin shared his perspective on the conflict during an open meeting with military journalists and bloggers, revealing that Ukraine has allegedly lost 160 tanks and…
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Trump pleads not guilty to charges over classified documents
Former US President Donald Trump has entered a not guilty plea in response to criminal charges alleging he unlawfully retained classified documents after leaving the White House. The 37 charges against him include obstructing the government’s attempts to retrieve the files. Prosecutors are pushing for a swift trial now that Trump has made his court appearance; however, legal experts suggest…
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Malaysia seeks Interpol help to find comedian over MH370 joke
Malaysia is seeking assistance from Interpol in locating a New York-based comedian who made a joke about the missing Malaysia Airlines flight MH370. Jocelyn Chia, a US national who was raised in Singapore, is being investigated under laws related to incitement and offensive online content, according to the police. The joke she posted online last week sparked an official protest…
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Pulitzer-winning author Cormac McCarthy dies aged 89
Renowned American author Cormac McCarthy has passed away at the age of 89, according to an announcement from his publisher, Penguin Random House. The celebrated writer, who won the Pulitzer Prize for his novel The Road, died from natural causes at his residence in Santa Fe, New Mexico. McCarthy’s literary works, which include No Country for Old Men and The…
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Ukraine’s counteroffensive sees heavy fighting in Neskuchne village
In the eastern Donetsk region of Ukraine, the village of Neskuchne has experienced some of the heaviest fighting in the country’s ongoing counteroffensive against Russian forces. As one of the first media organisations to gain access to the recently liberated village cluster, the BBC reported that six Ukrainian soldiers were lost during the liberation of Neskuchne. The village was first…
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Trump pleads not guilty to mishandling classified documents in Miami court
Donald Trump has entered a not guilty plea to historic charges of mishandling classified documents at a federal court in Miami, Florida. Trump is the first US president, either current or former, to face a federal criminal indictment. Appearing sombre and subdued in court, he wore a dark suit and red tie with his arms crossed. This marked the second…
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IOPC probes police conduct in Cardiff e-bike crash that killed teens
An investigation into the conduct of two police officers is underway following the tragic deaths of two teenagers in a Cardiff e-bike accident that sparked riots. The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) has issued gross misconduct notices to both the driver and passenger of a police van seen in the vicinity of the boys in the Ely area prior…
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Early breast cancer survival rates soar from 14% to 5% since 1990s
Significant advancements in treatments for early breast cancer have led to a substantial increase in survival rates, according to a recent analysis by the British Medical Journal (BMJ). The study found that the risk of dying within five years of diagnosis has decreased from 14% in the 1990s to around 5% today. Cancer Research UK has welcomed the findings but…
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UK Covid inquiry questions lack of lockdown planning and impact foresight
The lack of consideration given to the “potentially massive impact” of lockdowns on society before the pandemic has been highlighted by Hugo Keith KC, the lead lawyer for the Covid inquiry. As the investigation into the government’s response to the pandemic began hearing evidence, Keith stated that the UK might not have been well prepared “at all.” He found it…
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UK unprepared for COVID-19, focused on flu outbreak, inquiry hears
The UK’s official COVID-19 inquiry has been informed that the nation was unprepared for the pandemic, as it had focused on the possibility of an influenza outbreak rather than a coronavirus. Lead counsel to the inquiry, Hugo Keith KC, stated that this lack of foresight led to the country being “taken by surprise” by the virus, which has resulted in…
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Johnson urges release of absurdly unfair partygate report amid suspension threat
Boris Johnson has called on the privileges committee to release its report concerning allegations that he lied to MPs about partygate, labelling the committee’s rules as “absurdly unfair.” The former prime minister has been accused by the cross-party group of MPs of deliberately misleading parliament with claims that COVID regulations were adhered to at all times within Downing Street during…
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Klang River rubbish removal declines, water quality improves in Malaysia
A decline in the amount of rubbish removed from the Klang River in Malaysia has been observed since 2016, with the water quality also showing marked improvement, according to Natural Resources, Environment and Climate Change Minister Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad. The minister revealed that the water quality, which was previously categorised as Class Four and Five, has improved to Class…
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Over 11,000 luxury serviced apartments unsold in Johor amid foreign interest
A total of 11,512 serviced apartments priced at RM500,000 and above remain unsold in Johor Baru and Iskandar Puteri, according to Datuk Mohd Jafni Md Shukor, the state Housing and Local Government committee chairman. Despite the high number of unsold units, developers have started to receive positive feedback from foreign buyers, particularly those from Singapore, where property prices are among…
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