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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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Thailand is a popular place for digital nomads because it is affordable, culturally rich, and convenient for remote work. With friendly locals, great weather, and delicious food, it offers a high quality of life. Cities like Bangkok, Chiang Mai, and...
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US diplomat’s China visit stirs controversy
The US State Department reported that senior US diplomat Daniel Kritenbrink had candid and productive discussions with Chinese officials during his visit to Beijing. Kritenbrink, assistant secretary of state for East Asian and Pacific affairs, met with Chinese foreign ministry officials Ma Zhaoxu and Yang Tao, alongside US Ambassador to China Nicholas Burns and National Security Council official Sarah Beran. The…
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Youth vaping epidemic: Paediatricians urge UK ban on disposable e-cigarettes
Youth vaping has been described as “fast becoming an epidemic among children” by paediatricians, who are urging the government to ban disposable e-cigarettes. The Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health (RCPCH) voiced its concerns in response to the government consultation on e-cigarettes, stating that they “are not a risk-free product and can be just as addictive, if not more…
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Drunk Frenchman detained after sleeping naked at restaurant in Krabi
Officers from Muang Krabi Police Station detained a drunken Frenchman after they found him sleeping naked in front of a restaurant in the southern province of Krabi. A restaurant owner, near City Market in Krabi, reported to the police at 8pm on Sunday, June 4 that a naked, intoxicated foreigner, aged about 40 years old, was sleeping in front of…
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Ghosts or coincidence? DJ’s death adds to haunted room’s dark history
A former popular DJ was found dead in his haunted room, leaving a haunting note about ghosts and previous deaths. Neighbours were unaware of the tragic incident until a foul smell led rescuers to investigate. On June 4, the Sawang Phon Kuson Rayong Rescue Foundation, local authorities, and police officers from Muang Rayong Police Station responded to a rented room…
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5 trapped as house collapses in Samut Sakhon; rescue efforts underway
A house collapse in Samut Sakhon province left five people trapped under the wreckage, prompting swift action from rescue officials. Two of the victims suffered severe injuries, while preliminary investigation reveals that the house condition had been in bad shape, posing a hazard to its inhabitants. Authorities in Samut Sakhon were alerted to a single-storey wooden house collapse within Soi…
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Slow fraud recovery risks taxpayer money, MPs urge government action
MPs have criticised the government for its sluggish efforts in recovering taxpayer money lost to fraud and error during the pandemic. The Public Accounts Committee (PAC), a cross-party group, has called for a “step change” in Whitehall’s approach to risk in order to avoid similar “panic responses” in the future. The committee’s report revealed numerous “repeated problems,” including an estimated…
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India’s deadliest train crash sparks criminal investigation
Families of victims of India’s deadliest train crash in recent memory gathered at a hospital in Bhubaneswar city on June 5, as railway officials called for the country’s premier criminal investigation agency to probe the accident that claimed 275 lives. Relatives of passengers who perished in the crash on Friday queued outside the eastern city’s All India Institute of Medical…
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Yellow Line monorail trial attracts 80,000 passengers, plans expansion
Nearly 80,000 passengers took advantage of the Yellow Line’s trial run over the weekend, as the Department of Rail Transport (DRT) plans to extend the trial to all 23 stations by mid-month. Pichet Kunadhamraks, the DRT’s director-general, stated that the current trial run includes 13 stations from Hua Mak to Samrong. Pichet noted that a large number of people participated…
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Prince Harry’s US visa under scrutiny amid drug admissions
In an unusual legal twist, Prince Harry finds himself at the centre of a court case in the United States on the same day he is scheduled to appear in London’s High Court. Lawyers are set to appear in a federal courtroom in Washington DC, demanding the release of the Duke of Sussex’s US visa application form, which could potentially…
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Thai and South Korean officials tackle illegal ‘little ghosts’ labourers issue
A recent meeting between the Central Investigation Bureau (CIB) of Thailand and South Korean authorities aimed to address the issue of illegal Thai labourers, or “little ghosts,” working in South Korea. The discussions focused on finding a systematic resolution to labour problems that could lead to human trafficking. Before the Covid-19 pandemic, at least 170,000 Thai labourers were working in South…
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Highway 12 expansion completed, boosting Thailand-Myanmar-Laos economic ties
The completion of Highway 12’s expansion, which connects Thailand with Myanmar, and Laos, is expected to significantly enhance cross-border economic activities among the three nations. Government spokesperson Anucha Burapachaisri announced that Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha is optimistic about the economic benefits the highway will bring, particularly to the residents of Kalasin and Mukdahan in northeast Thailand. Highway 12 forms a…
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Fake police car chase on Malaysian expressway sparks investigation
Malaysian authorities initiated an investigation into an expressway car chase involving three men who allegedly posed as police officers. The incident occurred on the North-South Highway near the Sedenak exit in Kulai, Johor, and was widely shared on social media. The suspects are believed to have used blue beacon lights and hand gestures to signal the driver to stop his vehicle.…
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Heavy rainfall warning for 48 provinces – 70% of Bangkok areas affected
Heavy rainfall and strong winds are forecasted to hit 48 provinces across Thailand, with a 70% chance of precipitation in the Bangkok area. The Meteorological Department warns residents of potential flash floods and forest runoff, while waves up to 3 metres high are expected in coastal areas on June 6. The country’s adverse weather conditions are attributed to a combination…
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Tragedy strikes as mysterious car fire claims life of unidentified woman near Pattaya
A mysterious fire erupted in a parked car, causing a tragic accident, resulting in the death of an unidentified woman. The incident unfolded near a reservoir in Nong Prue, Banglamung, Chon Buri yesterday evening. At around 6.50pm on the said day, local authorities, firefighters, and volunteers from the Nong Prue Municipality and Sawang Boriboon Foundation in Pattaya City arrived on…
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Thai government extends paternity leave to 15 days for male employees
The Thai government extended paternity leave for male government employees, granting them 15 days of paid leave following the birth of their child. This change is part of the recent Government Employees Executive Committee announcement regarding government employee benefits, signed by Deputy Prime Minister Wissanu Krea-ngam. The updated paternity leave regulation was added to the section on maternity leave in the…
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Sky ICT’s subsidiary Pro Inside eyes Stock Exchange of Thailand listing
Sky ICT, a SET-listed aviation technology firm, is planning to list its wholly-owned subsidiary Pro Inside on the Stock Exchange of Thailand in early 2024, in a bid to create a new long-term revenue stream. Pro Inside, an intelligent system integrator, was separated from Sky ICT last year to focus on bidding for state projects. Pro Inside CEO Benyapa Chalermwat…
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UK civil servants strike despite government’s improved pay offer
Strikes by civil servants across the United Kingdom are set to continue despite the government presenting an improved pay offer. Members of the Public and Commercial Services (PCS) union will participate in industrial action on Tuesday in Northern Ireland and Wednesday in Wales. The PCS has stated that the stoppages will persist as they evaluate the “significant concessions” related to…
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Nurse recruitment crisis: Ghana’s health system suffers as UK beckons
A growing number of nurses are leaving countries like Ghana to work in high-income nations, leading to concerns about a “brain-drain” and its impact on healthcare systems in poorer countries. In 2022, over 1,200 Ghanaian nurses joined the UK’s nursing register, as the National Health Service (NHS) increasingly depends on staff from non-EU countries to fill vacancies. Howard Catton, from…
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UK paediatricians demand ban on disposable vapes amid youth vaping surge
Paediatricians are urging a total ban on disposable e-cigarettes due to the potential harm they pose to young lungs and the environment. However, an anti-smoking advocacy group argues that such a ban would make quitting smoking more difficult for some adults and increase the illegal vape trade. UK governments are considering measures to reduce vaping among under-18s, including stricter regulations…
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CBI faces crucial vote on reform package amid misconduct scandal
Rain Newton-Smith, director general of the Confederation of British Industry (CBI), is urging members to approve a series of reforms in a critical vote that could determine the future of the embattled business lobby group. The CBI, a 59-year-old organization that has traditionally represented big business, is facing a potentially existential referendum at an extraordinary general meeting in London. Members…
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Jim Hines, first to break 10-second barrier in 100m, dies aged 76
The world of athletics mourns the loss of Jim Hines, the first man to complete the 100m race in under 10 seconds, who has passed away at the age of 76. Hines set the groundbreaking record in 1968, achieving a hand-timed 9.9 seconds at the US Championships. He then surpassed his own record at the 1968 Olympics in Mexico City,…
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Canada faces worst wildfire season on record, burning area size of Belgium
Canada is preparing for what could be its most severe wildfire season to date, with 2,214 fires already recorded this year, burning an area roughly equivalent to the size of Belgium. Forecasters predict the risk of wildfires will escalate in June and remain unusually high throughout the summer. Jonathan Wilkinson, the federal natural resources minister, described the season’s projections as…
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Pence battles Trump for 2024 GOP nomination and evangelical vote
The prospect of a 2024 presidential campaign led by Mike Pence, with his background in Congress and experience as a state governor, would have been highly promising in a conventional political landscape. As a former vice-president, Pence has had numerous high-profile roles within the administration and four years to establish connections with his party’s grassroots. Additionally, he is a methodical…
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Prince Harry’s US visa under scrutiny amid drug use revelations
A US judge is set to hear an appeal from the Heritage Foundation, a conservative think tank, demanding that Prince Harry’s visa application be made public due to his past drug use. The federal court hearing is scheduled for Tuesday in Washington DC and will be open to the media. In his memoir Spare, released in January, Prince Harry admitted…
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Green Party secures first Northern Ireland mayoral role amid budget cuts
The Green Party in Northern Ireland has achieved a historic milestone by securing its first-ever mayoral position, with Áine Groogan being appointed as the deputy lord mayor of Belfast. This development comes after the party lost three seats in the recent Northern Ireland council elections, including the seat held by party leader Mal O’Hara in Belfast. Today, seven of Northern…
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Mass hack hits BBC, British Airways, Boots, and Aer Lingus, exposing staff data
A series of organisations, including the BBC, British Airways, Boots, and Aer Lingus, have been impacted by a large-scale cyber attack. Employees have been alerted that personal information, such as national insurance numbers and, in some cases, bank details, may have been compromised. The hackers infiltrated a widely-used software program, enabling them to access multiple companies simultaneously. No ransom demands…
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Princess Eugenie welcomes baby boy Ernest George Ronnie Brooksbank
Princess Eugenie has shared the joyful news of the arrival of her second child, a baby boy, on Instagram. Born on May 30, the young royal has been named Ernest George Ronnie Brooksbank. Eugenie, 32, and her husband Jack Brooksbank welcomed the 7lb 1oz baby, whose names pay tribute to his great-great-great grandfather George, his grandpa George, and Eugenie’s grandpa…
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Riptide suspected in Bournemouth beach drowning of girl and teenage boy
A riptide is believed to have caused the tragic drowning of a 17-year-old boy and a 12-year-old girl off Bournemouth beach, according to an inquest. Joe Abbess from Southampton and Sunnah Khan from Buckinghamshire both passed away in hospital following the incident. The inquest held at Dorset Coroner’s Court suggested that a riptide may have led to the pair’s drowning.…
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Last Wilson cabinet member Lord Morris of Aberavon dies at 91
Lord Morris of Aberavon, the final remaining member of Harold Wilson’s cabinet and the last Labour MP elected in the 1950s, has passed away at the age of 91. Previously known as John Morris, he held the position of Welsh secretary under Harold Wilson and James Callaghan, and served as attorney general during Tony Blair’s tenure. Lord Morris was one…
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COVID inquiry chair may resign if WhatsApp battle lost to government
The chair of the COVID inquiry, Baroness Hallett, has been cautioned that resigning may be the “only logical response” if she loses the battle with the government over access to unredacted WhatsApp messages. Solicitor Elkan Abrahamson, representing the COVID-19 Bereaved Families for Justice campaign group, expressed his concerns after the government decided to launch a judicial review into Baroness Hallett’s…
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