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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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Alcohol ban in Thailand on June 3 for Visakha Bucha and royal visit
A nationwide alcohol ban will be enforced in Thailand this Saturday, June 3, in observance of the Buddhist holiday Visakha Bucha. The ban coincides with a royal visit to Phuket by King Maha Vajiralongkorn and Queen Suthida Bajrasudhabimalalakshana, celebrating Her Majesty’s birthday. Visakha Bucha commemorates the birth, enlightenment, and death of Prince Siddhartha, which all occurred on the same date,…
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China snubs US invitation for defence meeting in Singapore
China rejected a US proposal for a meeting in Singapore between Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin and his Chinese counterpart Li Shangfu, according to the Pentagon. The refusal to engage in military-to-military discussions raised concerns but the US Department of Defence remains committed to pursuing open lines of communication with the People’s Liberation Army. Pentagon spokesman Brigadier General Pat Ryder said……
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Ex-Chinese CDC head: Don’t rule out Covid lab leak theory
The possibility of the Covid virus leaking from a laboratory should not be dismissed, according to a former leading Chinese government scientist. Prof George Gao, who was once the head of China’s Centre for Disease Control (CDC), played a crucial role in the pandemic response and efforts to trace its origins. While the Chinese government denies any suggestion that the…
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Kyiv targeted for third night as Ukraine intercepts 20+ drones
Kyiv was subjected to a third consecutive night of attacks as Russia targeted the Ukrainian capital, resulting in several buildings being set ablaze. Officials reported that falling debris caused the fires, while Ukraine’s air defences intercepted over 20 drones. At least one fatality has been reported. Ukraine claims to have downed all missiles and drones in the previous two assaults.…
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UK homeless charity St Mungo’s staff strike over pitiful 2.25% pay rise dispute
Homeless charity St Mungo’s is facing a month-long strike from its staff, beginning today, as workers protest against what they consider an insufficient pay increase. Unite union members will form picket lines outside the charity’s offices in London, Brighton, Bristol, and Oxford. According to the union, the employees are “taking a stand” following a “pitiful” offer of a 2.25% pay…
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UK supermarket inflation hits 9% due to coffee, chocolate, and non-food goods
Inflation at UK supermarkets reached a new peak in the year to May, driven by the rising cost of commodities such as coffee, chocolate, and non-food items. The British Retail Consortium (BRC) and NielsenIQ reported that overall inflation at grocers climbed to 9%. Although fresh food prices have experienced a slight decrease, the government is considering asking supermarkets to cap…
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Bangkok bids to host World Pride 2023, promoting LGBTQ+ acceptance
Bangkok is preparing to host the highly anticipated World Pride event in 2028, with Move Forward Party (MFP) leader and deputy prime minister Pita Limjaroenrat unveiling the ‘Road to Bangkok Pride 2023’ campaign. This landmark event aims to celebrate diversity, foster equality, and establish Thailand as a premier LGBTQ+ tourism destination. After Sydney, Washington D.C., and Amsterdam, MFP leader Pita…
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Pattaya City gears up for several exciting events
Pattaya City is gearing up for several exciting events taking place next month in June. On Saturday, June 17, there will be a thrilling lineup of activities to encourage drug-free lifestyles, particularly among youth. The festivities will kick off at 3pm near the sailing memorial across from Mike Shopping Mall and will continue until 10pm at Central Mall. The event…
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China rotates crew on fully operational space station, sends first civilian
China has successfully launched three astronauts, including its first civilian scientist, to its fully operational space station as part of a crew rotation. The Shenzhou-16 spacecraft, carrying commander Jing Haipeng, engineer Zhu Yangzhu, and Beihang University professor Gui Haichao, lifted off from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Centre in the Gobi Desert. The mission aims to conduct large-scale, in-orbit experiments, studying…
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Surat Thani sees 155% increase in international visitors, boosting revenue
Surat Thani sees a significant increase in international tourists, with over 1.5 million visitors arriving in the province so far this year, a 155% increase compared to the same period last year, according to the provincial governor. Governor Witchawut Jinto announced that since January, the province has welcomed a total of 2.05 million visitors, with 1.5 million being international tourists.…
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China aims for moon landing by 2030, expands space station
China announced plans to send astronauts to the moon before 2023 while also expanding its space station. Today, a live broadcast will cover the launch of a spacecraft at 8.31am Thai time, carrying three Chinese astronauts. Tensions between China and the United States have intensified in various spheres, among them the competitive nature of their respective space industries. The US…
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Thai man high on Yaba mistakenly fears Burmese army invasion, kidnaps son
A Thai man reportedly under the influence of Yaba (methamphetamine) confessed to police that he had rushed to pick up his son from a school in the southern province of Chumphon due to a false belief that a Burmese army had invaded Thailand. The man, identified as 29 year old Jirapong Janthong, had taken a rifle with him into Phubodin…
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Fortune teller reveals lucky lottery numbers, thrilling hopeful crowds
The Thevada Fortune Teller‘s office in Rayong held a ceremony, where locals sought blessings for luck after winning significant lottery prizes in the past. The auspicious numbers revealing event mesmerized the attendees. The ceremony took place at Thevada Fortune Teller office located along BanKhai-BanBueng road in Nong Bua, Ban Khai District, Rayong. Niruth Lamdapwong, Thevada Fortune Teller (Psychic Communicator with…
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Bangkok deluge: Heavy rain floods city, prepares for monsoon season
Bangkok yesterday was hit by heavy rainfall, with Bang Khun Thian district receiving the most with 124 millimetres, causing flooding in seven locations. As the rainy season is imminent in Thailand, officials revealed they are prepared to support residents affected by the flooding. In the past 24 hours, several areas in Bangkok experienced moderate to heavy rain, with the Bang…
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Tragic school knife fight claims life and leaves three injured in northeast Thailand
A devastating incident unfolded at a renowned school in Sisaket province, northeast Thailand, as a confrontation between seventh and eighth-grade students escalated into a fatal knife fight, resulting in one fatality and three injuries. The school promptly informed the police, who started an investigation to pursue legal measures. Yesterday, May 29, amidst the sombre atmosphere of grieving teenage students, a…
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Prominent Chiang Mai abbot’s shocking crash leaves trail of carnage
A revered Chiang Mai temple abbot crashed into eight vehicles, including six cars and two motorcycles, causing carnage and prompting netizens to question why he was wearing shorts. The abbot, known as Kru Ba, was travelling to visit his younger brother but ended up in a multi-vehicle pile-up. A witness at the scene, Sakul, reported that the accident occurred around…
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North Korea to launch military satellite amid US-South Korea drills
North Korea is set to launch its first military reconnaissance satellite in June, aiming to monitor US military activities in real-time, according to state media KCNA. Ri Pyong Chol, vice-chairman of the Central Military Commission of the ruling Workers’ Party, criticised joint military exercises conducted by the United States and South Korea, describing them as displays of “reckless ambition for…
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Canadian boxer accuses Thai restaurant of poisoning him
A Canadian boxer accused a Thai restaurant of poisoning him because of a previous insult to Muay Thai. The boxer, Dave Leduc, took to Facebook on Sunday, May 28, to share selfies with captions written in Burmese and Cambodian languages. Apologising for not responding to all the messages, Leduc stated that he had been in the hospital for two days.…
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Nato condemns Kosovo attacks as peacekeepers clash with Serb protesters
NATO has criticised the recent attacks on its peacekeepers in Kosovo, calling them “totally unacceptable.” Clashes erupted between police, NATO troops, and Serb demonstrators in the north of the country, resulting in injuries to approximately 25 peacekeepers. The unrest is connected to the installation of ethnic Albanian mayors, which has sparked tensions in the region. In Zvecan, tear gas and…
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Man fatally stabs himself in chest after row with girlfriend
A distressed 25 year old man fatally stabbed himself in the chest after a row with his girlfriend in Chon Buri, Thailand. Paramedics rushed to the scene, but the man’s injuries were too severe and he later died at Sattahip Naval Base Hospital. The incident took place at around 9pm yesterday in a residence located in Soi Bon Kai 16,…
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Pattaya bar owner faces loan shark threats forcing staff to undress for debt money
A bar owner in Pattaya reported a violent debt-collecting gang to the local police after facing harassment and threats from 14 different loan providers. The 31 year old woman was forced to borrow money from various lenders for financial troubles, accumulating around 800,000 baht (US$23,100) in debt, with a daily interest payment of 30,000 baht (US$870). The bar owner, Daranee…
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Japan prime minister’s son to resign amid scandal of staged news conference photos
The son of Japan Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, Shotaro Kishida, will resign as his father’s aide following a scandal involving photographs of him and other family members pretending to hold a news conference at the official residence. The prime minister announced the decision, stating that his son’s behaviour was “inappropriate” for someone in an official position. Last week, a weekly…
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Thai man set on fire by cousin in drug-related dispute
A Thai man suffered serious injuries after his cousin intentionally set him on fire at his home in the northern province of Chaing Rai at night on May 28. The perpetrator’s girlfriend revealed that the violent act was motivated by a drug-related dispute. The incident took place in a residential area belonging to the Akha ethnic community, situated in the…
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Maduro visits Brazil, signals ‘new era’ in relations with Lula
Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro has made his first visit to Brazil since being banned by former far-right President Jair Bolsonaro in 2019. Maduro was welcomed by the new president, fellow leftist Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, ahead of a summit of Latin American leaders in Brasilia. Lula highlighted the importance of Maduro’s visit, stating it marked the beginning of his…
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Korean War hero’s remains returned to family after 73 years
After 73 years, the remains of a US soldier who perished in the Korean War have finally been returned to his family for burial. Army Cpl Luther Herschel Story was just 18 years old when he was presumed killed in action on September 1, 1950, after being wounded while covering his company’s retreat. Although his remains were found about a…
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Frankfurt police mistakenly arrest stripper with toy gun at stag party
In Frankfurt am Main, Germany, a stripper was mistakenly apprehended by local authorities after receiving reports of a man armed with a gun, which was later discovered to be a toy. The event took place on a Friday evening when a “suspicious man” was spotted in the Nordend district of the city, dressed in a US police uniform and helmet,…
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Ukraine military intelligence chief warns swift response to Russian missile strikes
Ukraine’s military intelligence chief, General Kyrylo Budanov, has issued a warning of a swift retaliation following a series of Russian missile attacks on Kyiv. He stated that Monday’s strikes did not intimidate the capital’s residents, who carried on with their daily lives. Officials confirmed that all missiles were intercepted, with no casualties reported. However, flaming debris from the downed missiles…
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Russia issues arrest warrant for US Senator over edited video row
An arrest warrant has been issued by Russia for US Senator Lindsey Graham after a manipulated video appeared to show him celebrating the deaths of Russian soldiers. The edited footage, which combined two separate instances, was shared by the office of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky after the two met in Kyiv last week. The video showed Senator Graham praising aid…
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Exploring South Asia’s virtual gambling revolution
Like the rest of the world, South Asia has experienced massive growth in the online gambling industry. Understanding why virtual gambling is popular is quite easy and straightforward. The online gambling industry gives those gambling junkies the ultimate entertainment and it’s just a click away. People from all over the world can enjoy the excitement that comes with casino games…
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Child abuse scandal uncovered at Saraburi welfare facility, police investigate
Following a shocking Facebook post revealing the abuse of over 280 children at a welfare institution in Saraburi, central Thailand, a multi-disciplinary team, including social development and human security officials, psychologists, and police, swiftly moved to investigate the claims on-site. The horrific mistreatment and physical abuse of more than 280 young lives at a welfare institution in Saraburi province were…
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