World News
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Sponsored 9 most common health issues covered by insurance for expats in Thailand
Thailand is a popular destination for expats due to its affordable lifestyle and excellent healthcare system. However, settling in a new country often brings health concerns. To ensure you’re covered for the most common medical needs, understanding what expat health...
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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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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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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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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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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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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 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 targets top 20 ranking for Suvarnabhumi Airport by 2029
The Ministry of Transport is aiming to elevate Suvarnabhumi International Airport into the world’s top 20 airports by 2029, aligning with the government’s ambition to make Thailand a global aviation hub, according to government spokesperson Chai Wacharonke yesterday. Deputy Prime Minister and Transport Minister Suriya Jungrungreangkit set the target following Suvarnabhumi Airport’s ranking of 58th on the 2024 World’s Best…
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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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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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Taking off: Really Cool Airlines CEO ready to revolutionise air travel
After 14 years as the mastermind behind Nok Air, Really Cool Airlines CEO Patee Sarasin is back with a daring new venture promising to shake up the airline industry. At 62, Patee believes that the winds of change are about to sweep through the world of air travel. Having witnessed the tumultuous impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on the aviation…
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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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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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Phuket flight turbulence: Rainstorm forces diversions amid deluge
Fourteen flights bound for Phuket were forced to divert to alternative airports as a deluge of rain battered the popular resort island, causing widespread flooding. Phuket Airport Director Monchai Tanod confirmed that although the airport itself remained dry, visibility plummeted to dangerously low levels between 7am and 9am, today, July 2. “Pilots simply couldn’t see the runway.” Flights had to…
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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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Bangkok airport’s automatic passport control ready for check-in
The head of the Thai Immigration Bureau inspected the readiness of Suvarnabhumi International Airport’s new automatic passport control channels, which will start being used by Thai citizens tomorrow, July 3. He also took the time to dine with the immigration officers, expressing the need to uphold their welfare. The Commissioner of the Immigration Bureau, Ittipol Ittisarnronnachai, visited the immigration checkpoint…
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Thai Airways launches new routes to Milan and Oslo
Thai Airways International Public Co., Ltd. announced the inauguration of two new flight routes to Milan, Italy, and Oslo, Norway, starting tomorrow. The launch ceremony took place at Suvarnabhumi International Airport’s departure hall. Chairman of the Rehabilitation Plan Executive Committee of Thai Airways, Piyasawat Amranand, revealed that the airline resumed flights to these European destinations, aiming to accommodate increasing passenger…
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Philippines ranks in top 10 for coal power reliance
The Philippines has emerged among the world’s top ten economies most reliant on coal-fired power, surpassing Indonesia and China. Data from energy think tank Ember highlights the country’s growing challenges in achieving its green energy objectives. In 2023, the Philippines saw its coal share in electricity generation increase for the 15th consecutive year. This rise comes despite the nation’s goal…
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Japan Airlines joins Love Pride Parade 2024 in Thailand
Japan Airlines (JAL) made a significant statement in support of gender equality in Thailand by participating in the inaugural Love Pride Parade 2024. The airline’s vibrant Color Your Skies parade float, featuring actor Luke Ishikawa, underscored JAL’s commitment to diversity and inclusion. The parade marked a milestone for Japan Airlines as it showcased its values of equality and non-discrimination on…
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Phuket flight fiasco: Downpour delays leave one still in the clouds
Phuket International Airport confirmed that only one of the 17 flights delayed by yesterday’s downpours has yet to complete its journey. To mitigate any dangers posed by landing in intense weather conditions, inbound flights were diverted to Don Mueang and Suvarnabhumi International Airports, as well as airports in Krabi, Langkawi, Penang, and Surat Thani as pilots had no vision of…
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Influencer’s quest for love: Dutch model rejects 5,000 suitors
A Dutch influencer and model with over 5.5 million Instagram followers has turned down nearly 5,000 men who failed to meet her 15-question criteria for dating. Despite three candidates making it to the first date, none progressed further. Influencer Vera Dijkmans has a unique approach to finding a partner, requiring potential suitors to complete a 15-question survey. Questions ranged from…
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