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.

  • UK to remove Chinese surveillance cameras from sensitive sites over security

    UK to remove Chinese surveillance cameras from sensitive sites over security

    Sensitive UK government sites are set to remove Chinese surveillance cameras in response to national security concerns relating to China. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak highlighted China as the “biggest challenge” to global security and prosperity during the G7 summit last month. The government will release a timeline for the removal of equipment produced by companies governed by China’s National Intelligence…

  • MP proposes amendment to clarify ‘Allah’ usage in Malaysian law

    MP proposes amendment to clarify ‘Allah’ usage in Malaysian law

    In an effort to address the contentious issue surrounding the use of the word “Allah” in Malaysia, Jasin MP Zulkifli Ismail has proposed amending the Interpretation Acts 1948 and 1967. The suggested amendment aims to provide a specific explanation for the usage and meaning of the word “Allah” when referring to God in the country. Zulkifli, an Opposition lawmaker, believes…

  • Transport Minister urges civil servants to curb corruption for better pay

    Transport Minister urges civil servants to curb corruption for better pay

    Transport Minister Anthony Loke has urged civil servants in Malaysia to avoid corruption, emphasising that the nation could achieve significant economic growth and provide better pay and benefits if corruption were eliminated. He made the statement during a memorandum of understanding signing event between the Port Klang Authority, government agencies, and maritime industry stakeholders to enhance collaboration in combating corruption.…

  • Littoral combat ship project cost surges to RM11.2bn due to delays, changes

    Littoral combat ship project cost surges to RM11.2bn due to delays, changes

    The littoral combat ship (LCS) construction project in Malaysia has seen a significant increase in costs, reaching RM11.2 billion, due to extended construction periods and specification changes. Deputy Defence Minister Adly Zahari revealed that an additional 83 months would be needed to complete the project, based on the Sixth Supplementary Contract (SA6) signed recently. The original agreement stipulated that the…

  • Over 336k Malaysian girls miss HPV vaccine amid global supply disruption

    Over 336k Malaysian girls miss HPV vaccine amid global supply disruption

    A total of 336,592 female Form 1 students from the 2020 to 2022 cohort in Malaysia have not received any human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine shots, according to Health Minister Dr Zaliha Mustafa. The Ministry of Health (MoH) is dedicated to ensuring that all female students from the 2021, 2022, and 2023 cohorts receive the HPV vaccine before they complete their…

  • Truck crashes into roadside shop in Chon Buri, 3 injured, 1 dead

    Truck crashes into roadside shop in Chon Buri, 3 injured, 1 dead

    A truck veered off the road and crashed into a roadside shop in Chon Buri province early this morning, leaving three people injured and one dead. The incident took place on the 331 highway near the Ta Le Thong Market when the truck driver lost control of the vehicle after a car cut in front of him. Upon arriving at…

  • Malaysians less worried about inflation, struggle with daily finances

    Malaysians less worried about inflation, struggle with daily finances

    A recent survey conducted by international market research firm Ipsos revealed that Malaysians are less worried about inflation this year compared to last year. The Ipsos Inflation Monitor 2023 found that 66% of Malaysians polled in May believed inflation would rise, which is a 10% decrease from June last year. The survey also noted similar trends in concerns regarding changes…

  • Penang plans June 28 dissolution for state legislative assembly

    Penang plans June 28 dissolution for state legislative assembly

    The Penang government in Malaysia has announced its intention to dissolve the state legislative assembly on June 28, paving the way for upcoming state elections. Penang Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow disclosed this plan during a news conference in George Town, stating that he will soon request a meeting with Governor Tun Ahmad Fuzi Abdul Razak to propose the dissolution…

  • DAP’s seat negotiations ongoing for Selangor state elections

    DAP’s seat negotiations ongoing for Selangor state elections

    DAP secretary-general Anthony Loke announced today that seat negotiations for the upcoming Selangor state elections are still in progress. Loke clarified that he is not participating in the discussions and described the ongoing negotiations as “normal.” Loke directed reporters to inquire with Gobind Singh Deo, DAP deputy chairman and Selangor DAP chairman, for further information on the matter. The announcement…

  • Couple charged again for child negligence, face RM50,000 fine or jail

    Couple charged again for child negligence, face RM50,000 fine or jail

    A couple in Johor Baru, Malaysia, faced charges in the Sessions Court today after being given a discharge not amounting to an acquittal for negligence that likely caused physical injury to the woman’s four-year-old son. The 23-year-old woman, who is three months pregnant, and her husband pleaded not guilty to the new charge. The alleged offence took place at their…

  • Former temple abbot allegedly sexually assaults teen girl in Thailand

    Former temple abbot allegedly sexually assaults teen girl in Thailand

    An elderly former temple abbot, who is 78 years old, is accused of sexually assaulting a 16 year old girl and threatening to destroy her family’s home within the temple grounds. The girl’s brother secretly recorded the abbot’s behaviour and handed the evidence to the police, leading to the abbot’s suspension. Today, a 25 year old man identified as ‘A’,…

  • Highway horror: Civil engineer’s fatal crash claims delivery rider’s life in Bangkok

    Highway horror: Civil engineer’s fatal crash claims delivery rider’s life in Bangkok

    A Department of Highways civil engineer crashed his car into a delivery rider instantly killing him in the early hours of this morning on the Lat Phrao-Wang Hin Road in Bangkok. The driver’s alcohol test results are yet to be reported. Chok Chai Police Station officers and medical and rescue teams rushed to the road at 12.30am today to investigate the…

  • Chiang Mai human trafficking gang busted, 3 underage victims rescued

    Chiang Mai human trafficking gang busted, 3 underage victims rescued

    Thailand’s plague of human trafficking has once again reared its ugly head. Thai authorities have arrested members of a human trafficking gang operating in Chiang Mai. The arrests followed tip-offs from organisations fighting human trafficking, such as Destiny Rescue and the Immanuel Foundation. Officials discovered that My Tirak Bar and My Tirak Pub were offering sexual services, involving minors, to…

  • All children in Thailand should have education, regardless of nationality, says official

    All children in Thailand should have education, regardless of nationality, says official

    Tri-nut Thiengthong, Thailand’s Minister of Education, has emphasised the right of all children living in Thailand to receive an education regardless of their nationality. This was in response to the recent influx of 124 undocumented children at Thai Rat Witthaya 6 (Ratchamongkol) School in Ang Thong province. The Ministry of Education is working closely with local organisations to ensure the necessary…

  • Teens engage in X-rated act in full view of residents in Pattaya beach park

    Teens engage in X-rated act in full view of residents in Pattaya beach park

    A couple of amorous teenagers having sex in Pattaya beach park shocked residents who witnessed the act in full view. Pattaya residents condemned the horny couple for their immoral behaviour, fearing it may tarnish the image of the world-class resort town. A resident visiting a public park near Pattaya’s Krathing Lai Beach discovered the impassioned couple in the early hours…

  • Thailand’s Excise Department probes official’s involvement in oil smuggling case

    Thailand’s Excise Department probes official’s involvement in oil smuggling case

    An investigation is underway by Thailand’s Excise Department into allegations that a high-level official attempted to persuade police to release a truck carrying 15,000 litres of smuggled oil. The department’s Deputy Director-General Kriangkrai Pattanaporn revealed that a probe committee was formed to look into the arrest of the 47 year old driver, identified only as Sombat, in Prachuap Khiri Khan…

  • Jokic and Murray make NBA history with dual 30-point triple-doubles

    Jokic and Murray make NBA history with dual 30-point triple-doubles

    In a groundbreaking NBA Finals performance, Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray both achieved 30-point triple-doubles, leading the Denver Nuggets to a 109-94 victory over the Miami Heat and securing a 2-1 lead in the series. This marked the first time in NBA history that two teammates accomplished this feat in the same game, whether in the regular season, playoffs, or…

  • Politicians, NGO leaders risk racial unity with divisive rhetoric, warns Umno deputy

    Politicians, NGO leaders risk racial unity with divisive rhetoric, warns Umno deputy

    Umno deputy president Mohamad Hasan has raised concerns over the increasing trend of politicians and non-governmental organisation (NGO) leaders making statements that put racial unity at risk and create public unease. He highlighted that these individuals are willing to undermine fundamental rights, freedoms, and the integrity of public institutions, as well as inappropriately involve the royal institution in political matters.…

  • Putrajaya mulls PM’s Office to oversee foreign workers recruitment

    Putrajaya mulls PM’s Office to oversee foreign workers recruitment

    The Malaysian government is considering proposals to transfer the responsibility of foreign worker recruitment from the Human Resources Ministry and the Home Ministry to the Prime Minister’s Office. In a written parliamentary response, the Human Resources Ministry acknowledged the suggestions, which also call for the department overseeing foreign worker intake to be chaired by the prime minister and led by…

  • Comedian condemned for mocking MH370 tragedy and Malaysia

    Comedian condemned for mocking MH370 tragedy and Malaysia

    Foreign Minister Zambry Abdul Kadir has condemned the actions of a comedian known as “Jocelyn Chia” for making insensitive jokes about Malaysia and the MH370 tragedy. The minister expressed regret and emphasised that the comedian’s actions displayed a lack of sensitivity and empathy towards Malaysians and the victims’ families. Zambry stated that the video featuring the comedian’s performance contradicts the…

  • Budget 2023 eases financial burden for Malaysian fresh grads

    Budget 2023 eases financial burden for Malaysian fresh grads

    Helena Roshnee Eswaran, a 24-year-old junior executive, is among the many Malaysian fresh graduates who have benefited from the repayment discount incentive for National Higher Education Fund Corporation (PTPTN) borrowers under the federal government’s Budget 2023. The initiative aims to ease the financial burden of borrowers amidst the challenging economic climate. The PTPTN offer covers four categories, including a 20%…

  • Ex-minister Khairy slams MP’s opposition to anti-smoking policy

    Ex-minister Khairy slams MP’s opposition to anti-smoking policy

    Former Malaysian minister Khairy Jamaluddin has criticised Sungai Buloh MP R. Ramanan for opposing the government’s generational end game (GEG) policy, aimed at reducing smoking among future Malaysians. Khairy, who championed the Tobacco Products and Smoking Control Bill 2022 and the GEG policy during his tenure as health minister, shared his disapproval of Ramanan’s stance on his Instagram story. Ramanan…

  • Sabah targets RM1bn local oil and gas contracts, eyes green energy

    Sabah targets RM1bn local oil and gas contracts, eyes green energy

    Sabah’s Chief Minister, Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor, announced that the state aims to secure RM1 billion in local contract awards, accounting for 20% of total oil and gas contracts awarded this year. As of now, local contract awards have reached RM564 million, which is equivalent to 11% of the total spend in 2022. The revenue from oil and gas has…

  • Malaysia not expanding visa-on-arrival beyond China and India

    Malaysia not expanding visa-on-arrival beyond China and India

    The Malaysian government has confirmed that there are no plans to extend the visa-on-arrival programme for travellers from countries other than China and India. Home Minister Saifuddin Nasution Ismail stated that the current visa-on-arrival policy is limited to Chinese and Indian visitors entering Malaysia. Saifuddin Nasution Ismail explained that the government does not plan to grant visa exemptions for tourist…

  • Police kill two machete-wielding burglary suspects in Cheras, Kuala Lumpur

    Police kill two machete-wielding burglary suspects in Cheras, Kuala Lumpur

    In the early hours of the morning, two men believed to be foreigners were fatally shot by the police in Taman Supreme, Cheras, near Kuala Lumpur. The police were forced to open fire in self-defence when the suspects attempted to attack them with machetes. The two men, both in their 30s, died at the scene, while their two accomplices managed…

  • Malaysia and Indonesia boost trade, investment and halal sector cooperation

    Malaysia and Indonesia boost trade, investment and halal sector cooperation

    Malaysia and Indonesia have strengthened their trade, investment, and halal sector collaboration by signing agreements during Indonesian President Joko Widodo’s visit to Malaysia. Investment, Trade, and Industry Minister Tengku Zafrul Abdul Aziz and Indonesian Minister of Trade Zulkifli Hasan represented their respective countries in sealing the border trade agreement and memorandum of understanding on investment promotion cooperation. The Department of…

  • Puteri Umno chief urges unity for political stability and Malaysia’s prosperity

    Puteri Umno chief urges unity for political stability and Malaysia’s prosperity

    Puteri Umno chief Nurul Amal Mohd Fauzi acknowledged today the need for her party to adapt to the current political landscape under the unity government led by Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim. Speaking to over 1,000 delegates at Umno’s Annual General Meeting, Nurul urged party members to broaden their perspective and accept the new political dynamic. Nurul admitted that it took…

  • Malaysia to float egg and chicken prices, ending subsidies from July

    Malaysia to float egg and chicken prices, ending subsidies from July

    Kuala Lumpur’s Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Datuk Seri Mohamad Sabu, has announced that the prices of eggs and chicken will be floated starting July 1. This follows the termination of government subsidies for these items on June 30. The domestic trade and cost of living ministry will oversee the pricing of eggs and chicken. Mohamad Sabu, also known…

  • Proton sales surge 40% with new export market and strong demand

    Proton sales surge 40% with new export market and strong demand

    Proton Holdings Bhd, Malaysia’s national carmaker, reported a 40.9% increase in vehicle sales in May 2023 compared to the previous month, selling 13,268 vehicles (domestic and export). This also represents a 35.5% increase over May last year. The surge in sales is attributed to a rebound in the total industry volume (TIV) after a slow start in April. The company’s…

  • Minister condemns comedian’s insensitive MH370 tragedy joke at US show

    Minister condemns comedian’s insensitive MH370 tragedy joke at US show

    Kuala Lumpur witnessed strong condemnation from Communications and Digital Minister Fahmi Fadzil regarding the inappropriate actions of Singaporean comedian Jocelyn Chia. She made offensive remarks about Malaysia and the tragic MH370 incident during a recent comedy show in New York. Fadzil stated that local comedians Adflin Shauki and Harith Iskander have also criticised and condemned Chia’s actions. In her performance,…