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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Sponsored Do foreigners get free healthcare in Thailand?
Thailand’s healthcare system is well-regarded across Southeast Asia, with options ranging from public hospitals to world-class private facilities. But when it comes to foreign residents or tourists, healthcare access isn’t as straightforward. So, do foreigners get free healthcare in Thailand?...
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Kuala Lumpur police seek key witness in anti-human trafficking trial
In Kuala Lumpur, police are seeking a crucial witness for a trial related to the Anti-Trafficking in Persons and Anti-Smuggling of Migrants Act (Atipsom) 2007. Kajang district police chief Mohd Zaid Hassan announced that T. Sivakumar, whose last known address is No. 223 Jalan Tempua 6, Puchong Jaya, Selangor, is being sought to appear as a prosecution witness at the…
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Perak considers Penang’s request to purchase treated water supply
Perak Menteri Besar Saarani Mohamad confirmed that an application from Penang to purchase treated water from the state was received two months ago. The Perak Water Board (LAP) currently sells treated water to users in the Nibong Tebal area, situated adjacent to Parit Buntar, based on cubic meters. Saarani expressed readiness to discuss the matter with the Penang state government,…
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Nigeria’s petrol subsidy removal: President promises infrastructure investment
Nigeria’s President Bola Tinubu has acknowledged the additional burden on citizens following the removal of a popular petrol subsidy, but emphasised that the decision will ultimately benefit the nation through investments in education, power supply, transport infrastructure, and healthcare. In a broadcast on Democracy Day, Tinubu stated that the subsidy had become increasingly expensive for the country, with the government…
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Saudi Arabia targets Chinese tourists to bolster Vision 2030 and diversify economy
The bond between Saudi Arabia and China continues to strengthen as Saudi Arabia advances its Vision 2030 plan and Beijing pursues its Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). The collaboration between these two countries has grown significantly in recent years, with Saudi Arabia shifting its geoeconomic focus towards the East and China expanding its presence in the kingdom’s economy. The potential…
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Russia’s defence ministry signs contract with Chechen special forces
A recent contract signing between Russia’s defence ministry and the Akhmat group of Chechen special forces has raised eyebrows, as the paramilitary group is currently involved in the Kremlin’s offensive near Mariinka, in the Donetsk region of eastern Ukraine. This development comes after Yevgeny Prigozhin, head of Russia’s Wagner group of private mercenaries, declined a similar contract offer. The signing…
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Sunak touts AI revolution in education, seeks UK as global hub
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has expressed enthusiasm for the potential of artificial intelligence (AI) to revolutionise education by offering personalised learning for students. He believes AI could assist teachers in lesson planning and marking, reducing their workload, and comparing the impact of AI to having a personal tutor for each student. As schools and universities face the challenge of adapting…
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British man arrested scaling South Korea’s Lotte World Tower
A 24-year-old British man was apprehended by authorities on the 73rd floor of the Lotte World Tower in Seoul while attempting to scale the world’s fifth tallest building without safety ropes. The man, dressed in shorts, had been climbing South Korea’s tallest skyscraper for over an hour before he was intercepted on Monday and forced into a maintenance cradle, after…
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Malaysia tackles poverty-driven school dropouts with compulsory 11-year education
Deputy Education Minister Lim Hui Ying has stated that poverty is a significant factor contributing to school dropouts, particularly among secondary school students in Malaysia. The Ministry of Education (MOE) has discovered that some students are unable to attend school as they must work to support their families financially. Addressing this social issue during a question and answer session at…
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Malaysia amends Act 118 to tackle abandoned housing projects issue
The Malaysian government is working to amend the Housing Development (Control and Licensing) Act 1966 (Act 118) to address the issue of abandoned housing projects and safeguard the interests of homebuyers. Deputy Local Government Development Minister Akmal Nasrullah Mohd Nasir explained that, under the current legislation, liquidators appointed by the court to manage the affairs of a development cannot be…
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Penang PH and BN reach consensus on seat allocation for state elections
The Penang Pakatan Harapan (PH) and Barisan Nasional (BN) leaderships appear to have reached an agreement on seat allocations for the upcoming state elections, according to Penang PH chairman Chow Kon Yeow. However, discussions on seat distribution within the unity government will persist at the federal level. Chow, who is also the Penang chief minister, informed reporters that the central…
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Sarawak drafts biodiversity masterplan for sustainable economic growth
Sarawak’s state government is working on a biodiversity masterplan to integrate biodiversity and ecosystem management into the state’s legal framework and institutions, with the aim of promoting sustainable economic development. The draft masterplan is currently being discussed with relevant stakeholders before it can be officially endorsed by the state government. Sarawak is home to one of the world’s oldest rainforests,…
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Luggage surprise: Ryanair passenger takes ‘overhead’ to new heights in viral TikTok (video)
A TikTok video went viral after capturing the extraordinary moment of a passenger climbing out of the overhead luggage compartment of a Ryanair flight. The footage reveals a passenger emerging from the overhead luggage compartment, sparking a flurry of speculation about the perplexing state of the man in question. A TikTok user under the name @domdolla posted the video showing…
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Thai cyanide serial killer: Big Joke hands over case reports
Deputy national police chief Surachate “Big Joke” Hakparn announced today that the case reports against the alleged Thai cyanide serial killer Sararat “Am” Rangsiwuthaporn will be presented to prosecutors this week. Big Joke made the statement during a visit to the Correctional Institution for Women in Bangkok’s Bang Khen area, where Sararat is currently detained. Sararat is facing additional charges,…
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Marital web of deception: Chinese woman’s hidden pregnancy spins a twisted tale of love
In a surprising turn of events within a Chinese marriage, a 27 year old woman from China weaved a crooked web of deception by concealing her pregnancy from her fiancé and deceiving him into marrying her. The 40 year old man from Hengyang in Hunan Province, found himself facing a challenging dilemma upon discovering the truth. Initially, he resisted the…
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Iraq approves record $153bn budget for infrastructure and job creation
Iraqi parliament has given the green light to a historic budget of 198.9 trillion dinars (US$153bn) for 2023, with the aim of addressing the nation’s increasing public wage bill and funding development projects to enhance services and rebuild infrastructure damaged by years of conflict and neglect. The budget, which covers 2023, 2024, and 2025, is the largest in Iraq’s history.…
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Manipur ethnic clashes displace 40,000, kill nearly 100
In the northeastern Indian state of Manipur, violence has erupted between the mainly-Hindu Meitei community and the predominantly Christian Kukis. Since May 3, nearly 100 people have been killed, 310 injured, and over 40,000 displaced. The conflict was triggered by a Kukis-led protest against the Meiteis demanding to be designated as a Scheduled Tribe. The Meitei Pangals, a Muslim community…
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China’s nuclear arsenal grows 17%, could match US, Russia by 2030
The Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) has revealed that China’s stockpile of nuclear warheads has risen by 17% in 2022, with the nation’s arsenal expected to continue growing. The SIPRI Yearbook 2023 estimates that China’s nuclear arsenal increased from 350 warheads in January 2022 to 410 in January 2023. The report suggests that by 2030, China could potentially have…
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Former Italian PM Silvio Berlusconi dies at 86 after leukemia battle
Italy mourns the passing of Silvio Berlusconi, its former Prime Minister and billionaire businessman, who died at the age of 86. Known for creating the country’s largest media company and transforming the political landscape, Berlusconi had faced several legal and sex scandals throughout his career. His health had been in decline in recent months, including a battle with COVID-19 in…
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Swiss police face homicide charges in Black man’s 2018 death
A Swiss court case commences today, with six police officers facing homicide charges following the 2018 death of a Nigerian man, Mike Ben Peter, aged 39. The man suffered a heart attack after being pinned facedown for several minutes during his arrest. The officers, whose identities remain undisclosed due to Swiss privacy laws, are charged with “homicide by neglect” and…
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Famous South Korean streamer found dead in Cambodian pond, Chinese couple arrested
The body of a famous South Korean DJ, broadcaster, and influencer was found dead in a pond in Cambodia. Police arrested a Chinese couple who allegedly confessed to killing the well-known female broadcaster, BJ Ahyeong, in the nation’s capital Phnom Phen. The 33 year old mysteriously disappeared from all of her social media platforms in March. Her body was discovered wrapped in a…
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Boris Johnson faces MPs’ verdict on lockdown party deceit allegations
The inquiry into whether Boris Johnson misled Parliament regarding lockdown parties at Downing Street is set to conclude today, with the Privileges Committee finalising their report. Johnson, who resigned as an MP on Friday, criticised the committee as a “kangaroo court” attempting to “drive him out of Parliament.” The report is expected to be published later this week. The seven-member…
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Jodie Comer wins Tony Award for one-woman Broadway show Prima Facie
Jodie Comer expressed her overwhelming gratitude after receiving a prestigious Tony Award for her one-woman Broadway show, Prima Facie. The Killing Eve actress was awarded best leading actress in a play for her role as a defence lawyer who finds herself in the witness box. The Tony Awards, held in New York, were hosted by Ariana DeBose, who opted not…
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Three UK tourists presumed dead in Egyptian Red Sea dive boat fire
A fire on a dive boat in the Egyptian Red Sea has resulted in the presumed deaths of three British tourists, according to tour operator Scuba Travel. The boat, named Hurricane, had 26 other individuals on board, including 12 Britons, who were rescued. Authorities believe the fire, which occurred on Sunday, was caused by an electrical fault. The Foreign and…
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Upskilling crucial for women to excel in leadership, says Dr Wan Azizah
Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail, the wife of Malaysia’s Prime Minister and the Girl Guides Association of Malaysia president, emphasised the importance of continuous education, upskilling, reskilling, and cross-skilling for women to remain at the top of leadership. She believes that women’s participation in leadership roles should be based on their skills and capabilities, rather than simply filling…
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Malaysia’s oldest Johor Zoo set to reopen by year-end after upgrades
The Johor Zoo, Malaysia’s oldest, is set to reopen its doors to the public by the end of the year, following its closure in 2020 for upgrading work, according to Johor Mentri Besar Onn Hafiz Ghazi. The reopening is anticipated to take place with the consent of Johor Ruler Sultan Ibrahim Sultan Iskandar. Onn Hafiz made the announcement during his…
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Hishammuddin questions Umno suspension, awaits disciplinary board summons
Former Umno vice-president Hishammuddin Hussein has revealed that he was never summoned by the party’s disciplinary board after his suspension. He stated that the usual suspension process involves appealing for reinstatement and presenting one’s case to the disciplinary board. However, Hishammuddin remains uncertain about the reasons behind his suspension and the sincerity of recent statements suggesting the possibility of reinstating…
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Anwar Ibrahim to address Indonesia maritime border deal in Parliament
Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim announced he will address the concerns raised by Perikatan Nasional (PN) chairman Muhyiddin Yassin regarding the recent maritime border agreement with Indonesia during the Prime Minister’s Questions and Answers (PMQ) session in Parliament. Anwar urged Muhyiddin to attend the debate and stated that he hopes he will be present. The prime minister’s statement came during a…
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Health Ministry tackles Johor staff shortage with 35 nurses and RM771,600
The Malaysian Health Ministry is taking action to address the urgent staff shortage at health facilities in Johor by allocating 35 permanent staff nurses and other staff, including medical assistants. The allocation will also include various contract posts awaiting confirmation. This immediate solution is a collaboration between the Health Ministry and the central agency. Health Minister Dr Zaliha Mustafa stated…
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Selangor state assembly not dissolving in June, confirms Menteri Besar
Selangor Menteri Besar Amirudin Shari announced that the Selangor state assembly will not be dissolved in the coming weeks, despite June 19 marking his fifth year in office. He dispelled rumours that a dissolution would be called on that date during a meeting between Selangor public servants and Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim. The Penang government, on the other hand, plans…
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PM urges public servants to embrace Madani concept, tackle corruption
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has called on public servants in Selangor to embrace the Madani concept and be open to change in order to combat corruption and cronyism. Selangor is considered the fortress of the national unity government and a crucial element in Malaysia’s aspirations to become a developed country. During a speech to Selangor civil servants, Anwar…
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