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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Sky-high tourism boom: Thai-Chinese flights to double
Aeronautical Radio of Thailand Co Ltd (Aerothai) announced a dramatic increase in flights between Thailand and China. The number of annual flights is expected to double from under 100,000 to a staggering 200,000, thanks to a new mutual permanent visa waiver policy. The policy, which began in March, allows Chinese and Thai passport holders to enjoy visa-free holidays and transits…
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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 cyber outage grounds flights and halts news broadcasts
CrowdStrike, the cybersecurity giant serving a number of global industries, suffered a significant outage this morning, causing disruptions across the globe. This unforeseen technical glitch halted news broadcasts and grounded flights, creating chaos for travellers and media outlets alike. There were no reports of any Thai airports affected. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) in the United States reported that three…
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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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PM Srettha wishes Trump speedy recovery amid assassination attempt
Thai Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin addressed the shocking incident involving former United States President and Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump, who was shot in his right ear in an assassination attempt during a campaign rally in Pennsylvania yesterday, July 14. The FBI has now labelled the event an assassination attempt. Reports from the US indicate that the Secret Service responded…
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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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Vietnam Airlines surges 179%, top-performing airline stock in 2024
Vietnam Airlines made a remarkable return to profit, emerging as the world’s best-performing airline stock this year. The state-owned carrier soared to 179% in 2024, buoyed by a resurgence in travel demand. This surge in performance has allowed the airline to post a significant first-quarter profit, breaking a streak of over four years of consecutive losses. This turnaround is particularly…
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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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British yoga teacher stranded in Bangkok airport over passport tear
A British yoga teacher was stranded at Suvarnabhumi Airport after being barred from boarding her flight home due to a slight tear in her passport. The British woman, 27 year old Rosie Viscomi, had planned to fly back to London from Bangkok last Thursday, July 4. However, she was prevented from boarding her £370 (approximately 17,000 baht) multi-stop flight, which…
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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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Thailand enhances air navigation services, surge in China flights
Transport Deputy Minister Surapong Piyachote announced Thailand’s pledge to streamline the efficiency of its air navigation services and related aviation solutions in routing, and emergency scenarios. This commitment aligns with Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin’s national development policies, which prioritise improving aviation as a key agenda for progress. This announcement comes in response to a report showing a significant surge in…
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Thailand-China flights surge 213% after visa exemption deal
Flights between Thailand and China have surged to 55,000 in the past eight months, following the signing of a mutual visa exemption agreement, according to the Ministry of Transport. Deputy Transport Minister Surapong Piyachote reported that the 55,433 flights from October last year to May marked a 213% increase compared to the same period the previous year. He projected that…
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Thailand aims for 8 million Chinese tourists if airlines boost capacity
The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) has stated that the goal of attracting 8 million Chinese tourists this year is attainable, provided airlines can increase seat capacity to over 80% of pre-pandemic levels. Chinese tourists had surpassed visitors from other countries by June 30, with 3.5 million arrivals out of a total of 17.5 million foreign visitors to Thailand. The…
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Dutch sperm donor splashes out, fathering 550 children
A notorious Dutch sperm donor has fathered more than 550 children in the past 15 years, surpassing legal limits. His actions came to light in a recent documentary, which revealed how he frequently hid his donation history. Netflix’s latest documentary, Father of a Thousand Sons, uncovers the story of 42 year old Jonathan Jacob Meijer, who has made numerous sperm…
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Mid-air mayhem: Turbulence terror hits global flights
Singapore Airlines Flight SQ321 faced severe turbulence over Thai airspace, forcing an emergency landing in Bangkok. This incident, which occurred in late May, reignited concerns over the escalating problem of in-flight turbulence, especially following several other alarming episodes. Recent months have seen a spate of turbulence-related injuries on major airlines. Flights operated by Singapore Airlines Ltd., Qatar Airways, and Air…
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AirAsia unveils new mouth-watering Thai menu
AirAsia takes inflight dining to a whole new level with the introduction of a truly Thai menu, delighting travellers from Thailand and beyond. Starting July 1, passengers on Thai AirAsia (FD) and Thai AirAsia X (XJ) flights can savour the authentic flavours of Thailand, crafted to perfection. The highlight of the new menu is the Flying Kuai Tiew Ruea (Chicken…
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Thailand’s airports hit new highs as passenger numbers increase
Thailand’s six international airports, operated by Airports of Thailand (AOT), witnessed a record-breaking influx of passengers in the first five months of 2024. Transport Minister Suriya Juangroongruangkit announced a whopping 52.16 million travellers, marking a 20.28% rise compared to the same period last year. AOT manages six key airports: Suvarnabhumi, Don Mueang, Chiang Mai, Mae Fah Luang, Phuket, and Hat…
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Thailand’s aviation hub vision depends on domestic travel options
For Thailand to recognise its goal of becoming a regional aviation hub by 2030, a stronger emphasis must be placed on enhancing its domestic travel capabilities by integrating and developing the various transport modes currently available. Managing Director of Alton Aviation Consultancy, Mabel Kwan emphasised the importance of collaboration within the aviation ecosystem, involving airlines, airports, customers, ground handling, and…
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Vietnamese father shocked by son’s rare genetic disorder
A Vietnamese father received a mysterious message claiming that his three year old son was not biologically his, leading him to question the paternity of his child. This suspicion was fuelled by ongoing marital issues and the fact that his wife had not completely severed ties with her former lover until their marriage. The man decided to take matters into…
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Thai AirAsia operates Bangkok-Hat Yai route
Thai AirAsia unveiled an exciting new flight route between Suvarnabhumi International Airport (BKK) in Bangkok and Hat Yai (HDY) in southern Thailand, shaking up domestic air travel. Flight FD4304 is set to depart Suvarnabhumi at 10.45am, landing in Hat Yai by 12.10pm. The return journey, flight FD4305, will leave Hat Yai at 12.40pm, arriving back in Bangkok at 2.15pm. This…
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Jet fuel tax relief losing altitude, says deputy finance minister
The Finance Ministry appears unlikely to extend the jet fuel excise tax reduction, which was initially introduced during the Covid-19 pandemic, stated Deputy Finance Minister Julapun Amornvivat. Julapun addressed a recent proposal by a group of budget airlines seeking further reductions in the jet fuel excise tax. He remarked that such requests are not of immediate importance. Julapun highlighted that…
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