World News
World news, global politics, business, technology, and culture—stay updated with breaking stories, international trends, and major events. Get the latest from The Thaiger, your trusted source for global news.
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Sponsored Why health insurance costs more each year and how expats in Thailand can save more money
Each year, many expats living in Thailand see their health insurance premiums go up and often without a clear reason. This can be frustrating, especially when you're trying to plan your budget. But by understanding why prices rise and learning...
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Senior flight attendant sues United Airlines for calling her a snitch
A senior United Airlines flight attendant filed a lawsuit against the airline, alleging harassment and retaliation after reporting safety violations. The 52 year old flight attendant, Ingrid Raganova, claims she was labelled a snitch and subjected to online abuse after reporting breaches of Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and airline regulations by her colleagues. Raganova, who has been with United for…
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Thai woman nabbed in 90 million cannabis haul in Taiwan
In a dramatic drug bust at Taiwan’s Taoyuan International Airport, a 24 year old Hong Kong Airlines worker and a 62 year old Thai woman were caught with over 45 kilogrammes of cannabis, worth an eye-watering 90 million Taiwanese dollars (approximately 94 million baht). The joint operation by Taiwan’s customs officials and the Aviation Police on April 18 uncovered the…
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Chiang Rai Airport remains open amid flooding, flights from Bangkok cancelled
Mae Fah Luang International Airport in the northern province of Chiang Rai remains open despite heavy flooding in the area. However, some airlines cancelled flights for safety reasons. The official Facebook page of Mae Fah Luang Airport issued an announcement this morning, September 12, stating that the airport is open as usual, although the entrance is flooded. The water level…
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Hong Kong Airlines launches daily flights to Chiang Mai next month
Hong Kong Airlines is upping the ante for travel lovers, rolling out a brand-new daily flight to Chiang Mai starting on October 27. This exciting expansion marks the airline’s third destination in Thailand, adding to its Bangkok and Phuket routes, and promises to give tourists even more reasons to visit the Land of Smiles. Flight HX749 is set to take off…
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Thai Airways to take off from India’s Gaya Airport in October
India’s Gaya International Airport is gearing up for a major transformation as international flight operations kick off on October 10, with Thai Airways (THAI) taking the lead. The boom is expected right after the conclusion of Pitru Paksha, a key period in Hindu traditions. The Gaya Airport Authority has officially unveiled the flight schedule, THAI’s take-off on October 10 will…
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London firefighters take on 110-floor climb to honour 9/11
In a powerful tribute to the bravery of their New York counterparts, two British firefighters will tackle an extraordinary feat: climbing the equivalent of 110 floors—while wearing full fire gear. The firefighters, 35 year old Sam Hayward and 40 year old Jonathan Freeman from Bethnal Green Fire Station in East London, are set to undertake the gruelling challenge this afternoon…
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Pastry drama: Temu croissant lamp turns out to be edible (video)
We’ve all had our fair share of disappointing online shopping experiences but this one takes the biscuit—or should we say, croissant. TikTok user Neta Murphy, with the handle @froginahatgirl, got more than she bargained for when her much-anticipated parcel from Chinese e-commerce company Temu arrived. Instead of the quirky croissant lamp she ordered, she unwrapped what turned out to be…
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Thai kid sensation dominates international kiteboarding
A Thai kid rising star in the world of kiteboarding has made waves by securing an impressive 4th place at the prestigious International Super Cup Kiteboarding Championship on Jeju Island, South Korea. At just 9 years old, Thanawat Promwaen, also known as Shane, the youngest competitor in the professional men’s category, is already being hailed as a future Olympic hopeful. But…
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Australia cracks down: Social media ban for kids in the works
Australia is set to make waves with a bold plan to keep kids off social media, citing concerns for their mental and physical wellbeing. In a sweeping move, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese announced his government’s intention to introduce legislation that would restrict children’s access to platforms like Instagram and TikTok by the end of the year. “I want to see…
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China approves three more Thai poultry plants for export
Thailand’s Department of Livestock Development announced that the General Administration of Customs of China (GACC) recently approved and registered three additional Thai poultry processing and production facilities for export. This approval brings the total number of certified Thai poultry plants exporting to China to 26. The continuous approval of Thai poultry export facilities by China reflects confidence in Thailand’s stringent…
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Cathay soars again: A350 fleet back in action after fiery setback
Cathay Pacific Airways triumphantly re-launched its Airbus A350 aircraft, after a dramatic engine fire grounded the fleet and caused the cancellation of 90 flights over the past week. The fiery incident uncovered a rare issue with fuel hoses, triggering an urgent, large-scale inspection and repair operation across the airline’s A350 lineup. With 48 of these widebody jets under Cathay’s wing,…
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Drunken Hong Kong taxi thief crashes into police station
A man who stole a taxi in Hong Kong ended his wild ride by crashing into a police station gate on Wednesday. The chaos unfolded around 4pm local time, on Wednesday, September 4, when a 41 year old taxi driver, surnamed Hau, reported a terrifying incident at the Long Ping Commercial Centre in Yuen Long district. According to Hau, a…
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New customs centre at Suvarnabhumi aims to boost Thai logistics
Airports of Thailand Ground Aviation Services (AOTGA) has inaugurated a new Customs Service Centre at Suvarnabhumi International Airport’s Free Zone 3, designed to boost Thailand’s logistics industry. Covering over 4,872 square metres and costing 150 million baht, this centre aims to streamline various transport and warehousing services. Sirivat Towachirakul, General Manager of AOTGA, announced the launch, highlighting its strategic importance…
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38 flights cancelled as Hong Kong braces for super storm Yagi
Hong Kong’s skies are set for turbulence as super typhoon Yagi approaches, forcing 38 flight cancellations today, September 5, with more disruptions expected. The city’s airport is bracing for impact, and authorities are pulling out all the stops to manage the chaos. Chapman Fong, the airport authority’s deputy director for operations, warned that the weather is expected to worsen towards…
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Thai woman denied entry to South Korea over bizarre questions
A Thai woman’s trip to South Korea took an unexpected turn when she was shockingly denied entry due to failing to answer bizarre questions about her hotel. The incident, which took place on Tuesday, September 3, has since sparked heated discussions online. Posting in the Facebook group Travelling to Korea by Yourself, the woman revealed her peculiar encounter with immigration…
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Woman fined 10,000 baht for sweat stains on wedding dress
A woman from Shandong, China, faced a fine of 2,000 yuan (approximately 10,000 baht, US$300) from a wedding dress shop after trying on a gown and leaving sweat stains. The incident sparked a heated debate online, with netizens largely unsupportive of her stance. The woman, who is planning to get married next year, visited a renowned local bridal shop to…
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Repairs underway for Cathay Pacific A350 faulty engines
Cathay Pacific Airways has been thrown into chaos after an in-flight engine failure on one of its Airbus A350 jets sparked urgent repairs across its fleet. The airline, which operates 48 of these aircraft, revealed that it had identified fuel line issues in 15 of its aircraft, leading to the cancellation of 45 return flights this week. The cancellations, mostly…
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French woman drugged and raped by 72 men over nine years
A harrowing case of sexual assault has emerged in France, involving Giselle, a 72 year old woman, who was drugged and raped by 72 men on 92 occasions over nine years. Her husband, 71 year old Dominique, orchestrated the assaults. Giselle has bravely chosen to have the trial conducted publicly. The disturbing events took place between 2011 and 2020, with…
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Thai Airways’ Airbus A350s remain unaffected by engine issues
Thai Airways International (THAI) continues to operate its fleet of Airbus A350s without any detected engine issues, affirmed THAI President Chai Eamsiri. This statement follows the disruption experienced by Cathay Pacific due to faulty engines on the same aircraft model. Chai confirmed that THAI’s Airbus A350s undergo regular inspections and maintenance, ensuring the fleet’s smooth operation. “No faulty engine has…
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China: Bus ploughs into crowd near school, killing 11
A horrifying scene unfolded outside a junior high school in eastern China this morning when a bus ploughed into a crowd, leaving 11 dead and 24 injured. The tragic incident occurred at around 7am, today, September 3, in front of Foshan Junior High School in Dongping County, Shandong province, just as students and parents gathered for the second day of…
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Cathay chaos: Engine failure grounds entire A350 fleet
Hong Kong carrier Cathay Pacific has been forced to ground its entire fleet of Airbus A350 aircraft after discovering a never-before-seen engine component failure, throwing travel plans into disarray for thousands. The Hong Kong flag carrier cancelled 48 flights, leaving passengers stranded and scrambling for alternatives. The trouble began when Zurich-bound flight CX383 had to return to Hong Kong shortly…
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Aircraft shortage delays launch of Thailand’s Really Cool Airlines
The worldwide aircraft shortage has led to a delay in the launch of Really Cool Airlines in Thailand. The airline, headed by chief executive Patee Sarasin, is finalising a lease agreement for two Airbus A330 aircraft, with delivery now expected by the end of this year rather than the initially planned first half. Commercial airlines are struggling to acquire aircraft…
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Thai taekwondo star wins Thailand’s first Paralympic medal in Paris
Thai taekwondo star Khwansuda Phuangkitcha, aka Khwan, clinched Thailand’s first medal at the Paris 2024 Paralympics, securing a bronze in the women’s 47-kilogramme taekwondo category. Khwansuda triumphed over Iran’s Maryam Abdollahpour Deroei in a fiercely contested match. The bout concluded in a 4-4 tie, leading to a golden round where no points were scored. Ultimately, Khwansuda, ranked third in the…
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Pattaya Airways’ maiden flight set to revolutionise Thai logistics
Thailand’s skies witnessed a game-changing event as Pattaya Airways launched its inaugural cargo flight on August 21. Flight PTW822 soared out of Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi Airport at 6am, touching down in Phuket by 8.15am. The aircraft returned to the capital just after midday, marking a significant milestone in Thailand’s logistics industry. Phuket Governor Sophon Suwannarat rolled out the red carpet for…
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Indonesian motorcycle taxi drivers strike for fair pay
Over 1,000 motorcycle taxi drivers initiated a strike in various Indonesian cities today, protesting against inadequate pay and demanding greater protection from what they deem unfair practices by ride-sharing firms. The drivers, clad in their distinctive green jackets, converged outside the Communications Ministry and near the Jakarta offices of Indonesia’s largest tech company GoTo and Southeast Asia’s leading ride-hailing and…
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Malaysia Airlines cuts network capacity by 20% amid shortages
Malaysia Aviation Group (MAG), the parent company of Malaysia Airlines, announced a 20% reduction in network capacity across its airlines for this year due to shortages in planes, labour, and parts. This decision affects domestic flights and routes in Southeast Asia, North Asia, Australia, New Zealand, mainland China, South Asia, and the Middle East. The group, which also includes Firefly…
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New sinkhole swallows road in Malaysia capital
A fresh sinkhole has appeared in the heart of Malaysia’s capital, Kuala Lumpur, just 50 metres from where a woman vanished into the ground last week. The unsettling new collapse emerged yesterday on Jalan Masjid India, a bustling thoroughfare not far from the iconic Petronas Twin Towers. Officials have cordoned off the area as they investigate potential damage to the…
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CAAT debunks YouTuber’s aircraft maintenance claims
The Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand (CAAT) has clarified the case where a pilot exposed aircraft mechanics using fake and expired parts for maintenance, causing concern that it could be life-threatening. The X account Aviation Knowledge (@aviknowledge) stated that another point that needs to be answered is the standard for issuing a Certificate of Airworthiness. CAAT Deputy Director of Civil…
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AirAsia cabin crew rock out: Performs Lisa’s Rockstar on flight (video)
In a dazzling twist on standard in-flight service, AirAsia’s Funteam cabin crew at Kuala Lumpur turned a routine flight into a concert extravaganza. Mid-journey, they burst into a high-energy performance of K-pop girl group BLACKPINK’s Lisa’s chart-topping hit Rockstar, followed by a rousing rendition of Lady Gaga’s Applause. “Passengers were thrilled by the surprise entertainment.” Social media erupted with praise…
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£5m UK cannabis bust leaves Thai holidaymakers feeling high and dry
In a dramatic bust at Birmingham Airport in the UK, a staggering 5 million pounds (around 225 million baht) worth of cannabis was uncovered in just one day, as Thai holidaymakers flooded the terminal. A whopping 510 kilogrammes of the drug were found stashed in 28 suitcases on August 9, leading to the arrest of 11 British travellers who had…
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