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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Starting a new life abroad is exciting—new culture, new lifestyle, and new chances to grow. But living far from home also means taking steps to protect your health in unfamiliar surroundings. Without the right coverage, even small health issues can...
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Thai AirAsia acquires Airbus A321neo aircraft
Thai AirAsia is set to revolutionise travel with a massive fleet expansion, aiming to secure 25 Airbus A321neo aircraft from an order placed by AirAsia Aviation Group for 100 of these state-of-the-art planes over the next five years. Thai AirAsia CEO Santisuk Klongchaiya stated that with tourism and aviation rebounding, the airline is prioritising increasing capacity to meet demand and…
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Indonesian man killed over age-old ‘chicken or egg’ question
In a shocking twist to an age-old debate, a friendly discussion turned deadly in South Sulawesi, Indonesia. On the evening of July 24, what began as a casual argument over, “Which came first, the chicken or the egg?” escalated into a fatal altercation. The tragic incident unfolded in a village where two strangers, identified only as DR and 47 year…
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Korean Air’s new 787-10 takes flight to Thailand
Korean Air is set to dazzle travellers with the deployment of its first Boeing 787-10, taking off on the Seoul Incheon to Bangkok route from today, August 1. This marks a significant milestone, as Thailand becomes the inaugural Southeast Asian destination for the airline’s newest widebody jet. The SkyTeam Alliance member currently operates four daily flights on this bustling route,…
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9/11 plotters cut plea deal: No death penalty
Three of the key suspects in the September 11, 2001 attacks (9/11) on the United States have reached a secret plea deal. The US Department of Defence confirmed that Khalid Sheikh Mohammed, Walid Muhammad Salih Mubarak Bin Attash, and Mustafa Ahmed Adam al-Hawsawi have agreed to plead guilty. In exchange, prosecutors will not seek the death penalty. The men have…
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Duty-free shutdown drama: Thai airports set to lose big bucks
Airports of Thailand (AOT) is bracing for a colossal monthly loss of 143 million baht after announcing the closure of all duty-free shops in the arrivals areas of five major airports. This shocking move, aimed at boosting domestic spending, was approved by the Cabinet on July 2 and will come into effect on August 1. The closure affects duty-free shops…
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Olympics sabotage: French trains targeted in coordinated attack
Hours before the much-anticipated opening ceremony of the Paris Olympics, French rail company SNCF revealed that its high-speed network has been deliberately targeted by malicious acts intended to cripple the system. Several high-speed TGV lines to the west, north, and east of Paris have been hit, leading to significant queues at Montparnasse station, which serves destinations to the west of…
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AirAsia revolutionises safety with cutting-edge flight tracking tech
AirAsia Aviation Group and AirAsia X have revolutionised flight safety and efficiency by adopting SITA Mission Watch across seven airlines. This industry-leading technology promises to bring unprecedented improvements to their operations. The partnership between Asia’s top low-cost carriers and SITA culminated in the implementation of SITA Mission Watch, a state-of-the-art flight tracking and monitoring solution. This advanced system provides comprehensive…
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Thai Airways extends lifesaving engine contract with GE Aerospace
Thai Airways (THAI) has just inked a six-year extension with GE Aerospace for their TrueChoice service, ensuring the top-notch maintenance, repair, and overhaul of its GE90 engine-powered Boeing 777 fleet. Russell Stokes, President and CEO of Commercial Engines and Services for GE Aerospace, stated that GE Aerospace is honoured that THAI continues to select us to keep its GE90 fleet…
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New runway at Suvarnabhumi Airport sparks emergency drill
Suvarnabhumi International Airport conducted a high-stakes emergency exercise under the codename SENOP-24 on Tuesday, July 23. This drill, aimed at preparing for the grand opening of the airport’s third runway set for mid-September, was designed to ensure every team is battle-ready for any potential crisis. Kittipong Kittikachorn, the Director of Suvarnabhumi Airport and a key figure in Airports of Thailand…
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China supports Thailand in combating dubious businesses
Chinese Ambassador Han Zhiqiang reaffirmed Beijing’s commitment to supporting Thailand in cracking down on dubious Chinese businesses, while also aiming to enhance bilateral trade and relations. Han made these comments during a seminar held on Tuesday, July 23, to commemorate the 49th anniversary of diplomatic ties between China and Thailand. A recent incident involving a Chinese-language billboard in Bangkok’s Huai…
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Drug-fuelled Mancunian torments partner over alleged affair: Jailed
A drug-fuelled thug from Oldham, Greater Manchester in the United Kingdom, accused his partner of having an affair with his father, turning her life into a nightmare. The Mancunian, 39 year old Daniel Hadfield, has now been jailed, bringing a semblance of peace to his tormented victim. Hadfield, driven by a cocktail of alcohol and drugs, controlled and isolated his…
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Thai AirAsia expands routes to India amid slow China recovery
Thai AirAsia is set to expand its network by launching new routes to India and Southeast Asia in the second half of the year, aiming to compensate for the slow recovery of flights to China. The sluggish Chinese economy and increased competition from domestic travel have significantly impacted this recovery. Tansita Akrarittipirom, head of commercial at Thai AirAsia, revealed that…
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Tragedy in Kathmandu: Saurya Airlines crash claims 18 lives
A Saurya Airlines aircraft carrying 19 people crashed during takeoff at Kathmandu’s Tribhuvan International Airport, leaving 18 dead. Only the pilot has survived. The ill-fated flight, bound for Pokhara, met with disaster around 11am today, according to news agency PTI. Premnath Thakur, spokesperson for the airport, confirmed the crash and reported the tragic loss of lives. Police and firefighters immediately…
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Bride defends groom after groomsman sprays champagne
A wedding in Hebei, China, turned chaotic when a groomsman sprayed champagne in the faces of the bride and groom. The bride retaliated by hitting him with her bouquet, an action that quickly went viral on social media. The incident occurred as the couple was about to step onto the stage to begin their wedding ceremony. A groomsman approached with…
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Ana maintains pre-pandemic load on Thailand-Japan flights
Japanese carrier ANA has successfully maintained the load factor on Thailand-Japan routes at the same robust level as in 2019, despite the challenges posed by a weak yen. Notably, the majority of its passengers are now Thai tourists and long-haul travellers transiting through Japan. Thailand has emerged as one of ANA’s strongest routes in Asia-Pacific and Southeast Asia post-pandemic, alongside…
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Global chaos as CrowdStrike fixes world’s biggest IT outage
Cybersecurity giant CrowdStrike has issued a fix for a software glitch that caused one of the most massive global IT outages ever recorded, disrupting industries from airlines and banking to healthcare. CrowdStrike’s CEO George Kurtz confirmed yesterday that the issue had been identified and isolated, but affected Windows computers would need manual reboots to regain functionality. While Microsoft announced that…
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Thai AirAsia X suspends Sydney-Bangkok route
Thai AirAsia X announced the suspension of its sole Australian route between Sydney and Bangkok, effective August 1. Despite the temporary halt, the airline assures it remains committed to the Australian market and plans a grand return in December with increased flights and enhanced connectivity. The decision to suspend services was driven by fleet management and operation hub movement. As…
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Thai Airways ranks eighth among world’s top ten airlines
Thai Airways secured a spot among the top ten international airlines in the world, as ranked by Travel & Leisure for 2024. The award, announced today, July 18, places Thai Airways at No.8 on the prestigious list. Travel & Leisure’s World’s Best Awards 2024 surveyed opinions from travellers, tourists, and business people worldwide. This comprehensive survey evaluated excellence in various…
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Thailand to boost exports with soft power in China and Hong Kong
In a move to boost exports, Thailand’s Department of International Trade Promotion (DITP) is targeting China and Hong Kong markets with a potent mix of soft power. From tantalising Thai food to fashion and films, the DITP is pulling out all the stops. DITP Director-General Phusit Ratanakul Seriroengrit announced Monday that eight offices in China and Hong Kong are spearheading…
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Thai AirAsia flights between Bangkok & Lampang take off in October
Thai AirAsia announced a new route connecting Bangkok’s Don Mueang International Airport (DMK) and Lampang, marking the airline’s 25th domestic destination in Thailand. Starting October 1, travellers can look forward to daily flights on this new route, operated by the airline’s trusty Airbus A320 aircraft. Flight FD3923 will leave Bangkok (DMK) at 11.10am, touching down at Lampang Airport (LPT) by…
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Gunfire at Trump rally in Pennsylvania leaves two dead (video)
Gunfire erupted at a campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, leading to the immediate evacuation of Donald Trump, the former president and Republican candidate. Shots fired resulted in Trump sustaining an injury near his right ear, causing significant bleeding. Today, July 14, according to Thai time, Reuters reported that Donald Trump, the former President and current Republican presidential candidate, was swiftly…
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Potential assassination attempt of President Trump
Former President Donald Trump was swiftly taken off stage by Secret Service agents after apparent gunshots were fired at the former president whilst he was at a rally in Pennsylvania. Footage shows Trump reacting and ducking as sharp cracks rang out. Agents quickly surrounded him and escorted him to a waiting vehicle. Trump raised a fist as he was bundled…
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GMM strikes a chord with Tencent, plans IPO crescendo
Thailand’s largest music company, GMM Music, is gearing up for an initial public offering (IPO) as early as this year, thanks to a significant equity investment from China’s Tencent Holdings. GMM Music’s Chief Marketing Officer Fahmai Damrongchaitham revealed in a candid interview with Bloomberg Television that the company is aiming for an IPO as soon as possible, depending on the…
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Batik Air Malaysia unveils new routes to Thailand
Starting September 13, Kuala Lumpur’s Batik Air will operate daily flights to Hat Yai and Krabi. These routes will be serviced by their state-of-the-art Boeing 737 aircraft, offering both business class with plush 2-2 recliners and a 3-3 configured economy class cabin. Hat Yai serves as the perfect gateway to southern Thailand’s stunning beaches, while Krabi offers seamless access to…
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New Thai Airways deal supercharges UK-Asia courier service
Heathrow Airport’s only on-site express courier handler, CFL, inked a three-year deal with Thai Airways (THAI), boosting courier capacity between the UK and the Asia Pacific (APAC) region. CFL Chief Executive Matthew Ware expressed his excitement. “We are delighted to formalise this important partnership with THAI. Exporting is vital for the UK economy, and this deal will give UK businesses…
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Baidu’s robotaxis face backlash from Wuhan taxi drivers
Baidu’s fleet of over 500 autonomous taxis (robotaxis) in Wuhan is rapidly attracting customers, despite backlash from locals and taxi drivers. The Apollo Go service, which launched in August 2022, has become so popular in this city of 13.7 million that local taxi drivers are now urging the municipal transport authority to limit its use. In late June, Wuhan Jianshe…
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AirAsia launches cinematic inflight experience in India
AirAsia is bringing a cinematic inflight experience to selected cinemas across India. This partnership with Qube Cinemas aims to showcase the airline’s diverse and unique destinations as part of the movie-going experience. Over the next six months, more than 130 cinemas across 12 cities will feature this immersive experience, offering movie-goers the chance to win flights to any destination in…
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New bus routes from Phuket Airport to major tourist hotspots
A new agreement between Airports of Thailand (AoT) and state-run bus operator The Transport Co, better known by its Thai initials BorKorSor (บขส), will introduce new bus services from Phuket International Airport before the year ends. BorKorSor Acting President, Atthawit Rakjamroon, announced yesterday, July 9, that this initiative will see buses operating directly from three key airports managed by AoT:…
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Asia Aviation sees record earnings from China, India travel surge
Asia Aviation Plc, Thailand’s largest low-cost airline operator, anticipates record earnings from core operations this year, driven by a significant increase in international visitors, which is boosting demand for seats and airfares. According to Chief Executive Officer Santisuk Klongchaiya, Thai AirAsia, the fully-owned budget airline unit of Asia Aviation, plans to increase flights to China and India to take advantage…
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Thailand allocates 15.3 billion baht for VIP aircraft and helicopters
The 2025 budget bill outlines the allocation of 12 billion baht for a new VIP aircraft and 3.3 billion baht for two mid-sized helicopters designated for important passengers. These additions aim to bolster the Royal Thai Air Force’s (RTAF) capabilities in supporting various training programs and other essential activities. Intended to replace the ageing Airbus 304 scheduled for decommissioning in…
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