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 Planning to extend your Thai visa? Why health insurance is more important than ever
If you plan to stay longer in Thailand, having health insurance is now more important than ever. Thai immigration often asks for proof of medical coverage when you apply to extend your visa. This applies to many types of visas,...
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Covid is starting to have economic effects, without government lockdowns or border closures
Over the past 2 years (and it is nearly 2 years since the first case of Covid-19 was identified outside of China on January 14, 2020 in Thailand), the economic impact of the virus spreading has been caused almost entirely by governments acting to limit the spread – lockdowns, restrictions and border closures. Now, the latest variant of Covid, Omicron,…
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The world’s largest trade bloc launches today – January 1, 2022
The new Asian regional trade pact, the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership, or RCEP, becomes effective as of today. The RCEP is the world’s biggest free trade agreement, larger than the EU, the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership, the EU, the Mercosur trade bloc in South America, and the recent US-Mexico-Canada Free Trade Agreement. RCEP includes all the ASEAN…
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Water fights, dancing dragons, and dumpling soup: New Year traditions around Asia
In Western countries, the start of a new year is usually celebrated with fireworks and parties – and often topped off with drunken renditions of Auld Lang Syne. Not so in Asia, where traditional New Year celebrations are a little bit different. As we welcome 2022 (and plead with it to go easy on us), here’s what New Year festivities…
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Chinese netizens pay tribute to the doctor who tried to warn the world
He will forever be known as a hero, but Dr Li Wenliang, the Chinese ophthalmologist who first sounded the alarm over Covid-19, was initially shut down and threatened by his government. Now, nearly 2 years after his own death from the virus, thousands of Chinese netizens have posted messages to honour the Wuhan medic who tried to warn the world.…
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Hong Kong police raid pro-democracy news media, arrest 6 people
About 200 Hong Kong police stormed local pro-democracy news media outlet Stand News in the early morning today, arresting six employees for allegedly publishing stories against the state following the massive and frequently violent democratic protests two years ago. Stand News interim editor-in-chief Patrick Lam was amongst those who got arrested, including Hong Kong pop diva Denise Ho, barrister Margaret…
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Boeing 737 MAX to fly again in Indonesia three years after fatal crash off Jakarta
Indonesia’s transport ministry is allowing the Boeing 737 MAX to resume flights three years after the fatal crash, which killed all 189 people onboard minutes after takeoff from Jakarta. The US lifted its ban on the aircraft last year, as well as the EU about a month later. In October 2018, Lion Air Flight 610 took off at Jakarta. Air…
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Vientiane orders to bar New Year gatherings amidst fears of Omicron
Fears of Omicron have prompted officials in the capital of Laos, Vientiane, to prohibit residents from hosting large parties and gatherings during the New Year holiday. The country’s Covid-19 Prevention and Control Office set measures restricting alcoholic beverages at restaurants and entertainment venues. Local authorities are asked to check, monitor, and disband meetings, with violators being detained. Laos reported 962…
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Malaysia lifts travel ban on eight African countries
Malaysia lifted its travel ban on eight South African countries that were among the first to identify the Omicron strain of the coronavirus, citing its global spread. The move follows Singapore, which recently lifted its travel ban on 10 African countries. Health minister Khairy Jamaluddin told reporters yesterday that officials would rush booster vaccines as Omicron is spreading very fast,…
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Is the new Boeing 737 Max safe to fly? A new book makes you wonder.
The photo is of the new Singapore Airlines Boeing 737-8. Except it’s not really. It’s a Boeing 737 MAX, the most controversial engineering makeover of the past 20 years. Singapore Airlines just don’t want you to know that it’s a ‘MAX’ with all the safety baggage that monicker now carries. A new book is out “Flying Blind — The 737…
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Typhoon Rai death toll raises to almost 400, 83 still missing in the Philippines
Following the destruction caused by Super Typhoon Rai in the Philippines last week, the death toll has risen to 397 and 83 are still missing, according to the official figure released by the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council today. Almost 561,500 people have been displaced and 1,147 individuals injured as rescuers from the ground, adding that over half…
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Vietnam reports first case of Omicron
Vietnam’s first Omicron infection was reported by the country’s Health Ministry today, adding that the person had travelled from the UK to Hanoi and is now quarantined at the 108 Military Hospital. The patient arrived in Hanoi on December 19 and was tested for the virus the next day. Her result came back positive for Omicron, or B.1.1.529 variation, according…
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Myanmar actor sentenced to 3 years in prison for role in anti-coup protests
A prominent celebrity in Myanmar was sentenced to three years in prison with hard labour over his involvement in the country’s pro-democracy and anti-coup movement following the February 1 military takeover. The 25 year old Burmese actor, singer, and model, Paing Takhon, is famous in both Myanmar and Thailand. He was nominated as the world’s most prestigious man by TC Candler…
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More than 5,000 refugees cross to Thai border as fighting intestifies in Myanmar
At least one civilian was killed and six others were injured in six airstrikes by the military junta that started on December 20 in the territory controlled by the Karen National Union’s 6th Brigade, forcing more than 5,000 people to flee their villages in Laykaykaw township. As fighting intensified between the Myanmar military and Karan National Union over the past…
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Travel chaos continues into the week, Omicron and weather blamed
Rising Omicron infections, together with poor winter weather, are wreaking havoc on US airlines with nearly 1,000 flights affected yesterday – some cancelled, other postponed. The chaos is also hitting other parts of the world as tens of thousands of Christmas/new year travellers try to keep up with the dynamic situation. Yesterday’s cancellations and postponements mark a fourth day of travel…
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Malaysian government slammed over slow response to devastating floods
The Malaysian government is coming in for fierce criticism from citizens affected by the recent devastating floods to hit many parts of the country. According to an AFP report, days of unprecedented rainfall have destroyed homes, caused rivers to overflow, and left tens of thousands of people homeless. At least 48 people have died and 5 people are still missing,…
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Vaccination required for foreign workers as Singapore tightens restrictions
Foreigners who intend to work, study, or relocate long-term in Singapore will be required to be vaccinated starting February 1, as the country tightens restrictions in response to the emergence of the Omicron Covid-19 variant, according to the Ministry of Health. Children under the age of 12 and those who are medically ineligible for the vaccinations will be exempt from…
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Christmas and New Year travel woes continue around the world
Worldwide, the travel misery lingers with Christmas in the rear view mirror but the new year holiday ahead. Another 1,300+ flights have been cancelled for Monday – Chinese and US destinations are the worst affected, according to FlightAware. The majority of the flights cancelled in China include 366 flights by China Eastern and another 127 from Air China. The most…
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UN urges authorities in Myanmar to investigate Christmas Eve massacre
A high-ranking United Nations official is urging authorities in Myanmar to investigate the massacre in Kayah State, where local sources report that the Myanmar military killed at least 35 civilians, including at least one child, on Christmas Eve. Two staff from the non-profit organisation Save the Children also went missing in the attack by the Myanmar military soldiers, according to…
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China reports highest-daily rise in new Covid-19 infections since pandemic began
An outbreak of Covid-19 infections in the south-western city of Xian has led to a 21-month high in China’s daily case numbers. According to a Reuters report, the city has become the country’s latest hotspot in the pandemic. Its 13 million residents are now entering day 5 of lockdown, with 155 new cases of community transmission. Xian reported 485 symptomatic…
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South Africa’s Archbishop Desmond Tutu, anti-apartheid champion, dies aged 90
Archbishop Desmond Tutu, the anti-apartheid icon who championed human rights in his native South Africa has died at the age of 90. Announcing his death, President Cyril Ramaphosa described Tutu as a patriot without equal, according to an AFP report. “Desmond Tutu was a patriot without equal; a leader of principle and pragmatism who gave meaning to the biblical insight…
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Prayut promises aid to Burmese refugees amid border fighting
After fighting flared between ethnic Karen rebels and the Burmese military and locals took refuge by fleeing across the border into the Mae Sot district of Tak, PM Prayut Chan-o-cha has pledged to aid and care for every refugee. The humanitarian gesture was offered yesterday as the prime minister commanded local authorities to provide food rations and medical treatment to…
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Thai vaccination now accepted in the EU Digital Covid Certificate
In a move that will help expats and travellers who have weathered the Covid-19 pandemic in Thailand, the European Union is now accepting Covid-19 vaccination certificates and passports issued in Thailand as part of the EU Digital Covid Certificate. The announcement was made on a Twitter account belonging to the deputy chief of mission for the EU delegation to Thailand.…
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TikTok content moderators sue over exposure to disturbing content
Maybe it’s an “Okay Boomer” thing, but many of our readers may find scrolling endlessly through the short and often obnoxious videos that make up the TikTok app somewhat nauseating. But if you think what’s published on there is bad, the millions of videos that don’t make the cut are far, far worse. That content is blocked by a team…
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Luxury Selfridges chain bought by Central Group and Austrian property firm
Thailand’s Central Group has bought the luxury British retail chain Selfridges in partnership with Signa, an Austrian property firm. According to a Reuters report, the deal is worth around UK£4 billion (180 billion baht). Central Group is owned by Thailand’s billionaire Chirathivat family, while the Signa group is owned by Rene Benko, an Austrian investor. Between them, they already own…
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Popular Philippines surf spot devastated by Typhoon Rai
Restrictions in the Philippines were lifted for the holiday season, businesses were expecting an upturn in tourism on the surfing island in the southern Philippines. But Super Typhoon Rai hit the tropical paradise in Siargao, ripping its palm trees, houses, and electricity poles last Thursday with wind speeds of 195 kilometers per hour. Locals, including many Filipino families who came to…
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Myanmar ethnic army requests “no-fly zone” near Thai border
Following the airstrikes on Myanmar’s oldest ethnic army controlled area that forced thousands of refugees to flee to neighbouring Thailand last week, the Karen National Union urged the UN Security Council to recognise a no-fly zone in its territory. As fighting between the state military and the Karen’s armed wing has escalated, Thailand took in about 3,400 migrants last week,…
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Jade mine landslide in Myanmar kills at least two, dozens missing and feared dead
A landslide at a Myanmar jade mine killed at least two people. Dozens of miners are still missing, feared dead as rescuers say they don’t expect to uncover any survivors who buried under rubble and debris the mine’s lake in Northern Hpakant, which borders China. About 200 rescuers, including firefighters and local volunteers, joined the hunt for missing miners, some…
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Indonesia increases Jakarta’s minimum wage for next year
Indonesia has decided to raise Jakarta’s provincial minimum wage (Upah Minimum Provinsi) starting in 2022 as its economic growth is predicted to reach 4.3% at the same time. The decision was made for the benefit of the community, especially employees from various departments who were targeted by the impact of the Covid-19 outbreak, according to Deputy Governor Ahmad Riza Patria.…
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Singapore cancels its quarantine-free VTL programme for 1 month
Much like Thailand has ceased its Test & Go programme that allows vaccinated travellers to enter the country without quarantine aside from waiting for an RT-PCR test result, Singapore is putting their quarantine-free travel plan on hold as well. The government of Singapore says they are taking action to try to avoid the spread of the Omicron variant of Covid-19…
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Indonesia bars travellers from Denmark, Norway and the UK amidst fear of Omicron
Amidst fear of the Omicron outbreak, Indonesia has barred travellers from Denmark, Norway, and the UK aside from ten African countries and extended the quarantine period for all arrivals to 14 days, according to the Jakarta Post. The Indonesian government decided to add Denmark, Norway, and the UK to the no-entry list because “Omicron has been spreading very fast in…
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