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 Digital nomading in Chiang Mai? What US$1,000 a month really gets you
Chiang Mai has become a popular destination for digital nomads due to its low living costs, rich culture, and active remote work community. The city offers affordable housing, tasty food, reliable internet, and many co-working spaces, making it a great...
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Thailand’s tourism boom tainted by zero-dollar tours
Thailand’s booming tourism sector is thriving under a new visa-free policy, attracting millions of foreign tourists. Yet, while Chinese visitors top the list, concerns are mounting over the resurgence of Chinese zero-dollar tours, which could be draining potential revenue from the Thai economy. From January 1 to August 18, Thailand welcomed a staggering 22,474,172 international tourists, who pumped 1.05 trillion…
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Bangkok to Beijing train: Mekong River railway bridge opens
Travellers are one step closer to an epic train journey from Bangkok to Beijing as a new railway bridge over the Mekong River has opened, linking Thailand and Laos by rail for the first time. This milestone, completed last month, leaves just a few dozen miles of a trackless gap before the route can finally reach China. With the launch…
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Suvarnabhumi Airport gears up for third runway trials
Suvarnabhumi International Airport is pulling out all the stops to ensure its much-anticipated third runway is ready for prime time later this year. With support from the Royal Thai Air Force (RTAF), the Bangkok airport conducted extensive trial operations to guarantee the runway’s readiness to handle a significant increase in air traffic. To test every aspect of the new runway,…
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Thai Airways soars to new heights with RateGain partnership
Thai Airways (THAI) is set to revolutionise its pricing strategies with a multi-year partnership with RateGain Travel Technologies, leveraging its cutting-edge platform, AirGain. This collaboration marks a significant move for the national flag carrier of Thailand as it aims to maintain its competitive edge in the global aviation market. Operating out of its central hub at Suvarnabhumi Airport in Bangkok,…
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Disney drops attempt to dismiss Thai doctor’s death lawsuit
Disney dropped its attempt to dismiss a lawsuit filed by the husband of a Thai doctor who died from a severe food allergy at a Disney restaurant in Florida, following controversy over Disney’s initial reliance on its Disney+ streaming service terms to argue the case. The 42 year old Thai doctor, Kanokporn Tangsuan, died from an allergic reaction after a…
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Thai AirAsia X launches new Sydney-Bangkok route
Thai AirAsia X announces new direct flights between Sydney and Bangkok’s Don Mueang Airport (DMK). Beginning December 2, these flights will operate six times a week, offering an attractive blend of convenience and affordability. With one-way fares starting at just 333 Australian dollars (around 7,600 baht), passengers can now book between August 19 and 25, for travel beginning in December.…
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Russian airline Aeroflot relaunches flights to Thailand and India
Russian airline Aeroflot resumes direct flights to popular holiday destinations in Thailand, India, and Seychelles. This news will thrill jet-setters and sun-seekers looking to escape the chill. Starting September 13, Aeroflot will kick off its twice-weekly flights from Yekaterinburg’s Koltsovo Airport to Phuket. These flights, operating every Monday and Friday, will be followed by a new route from Yekaterinburg to…
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Etihad Airways unveils luxurious flatbeds to Phuket in 2025
Etihad Airways is set to elevate the travel experience between Abu Dhabi and Phuket, unveiling plans to launch flights on the Airbus A321LR, featuring flatbed business class seats, from August 2025. The airline’s booking engine has already confirmed these details, showcasing its ambition to connect the UAE with the tropical paradise of Thailand in unprecedented comfort. The inaugural flight on…
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Phuket or leave it: Flooded roads sink travel plans to island airport
Flooding across Phuket is wreaking havoc on travellers bound for the island’s international airport, as waterlogged roads spark major disruptions. Local officials are urging passengers to rethink their travel plans, advising them to allow an extra three to four hours to reach the airport in these treacherous conditions. Phuket International Airport officials issued a public warning, strongly recommending the additional…
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Thai Vietjet takes off: Targets nearly 8 million passengers this year
Low-cost airline Thai Vietjet aims to attract nearly eight million passengers this year by enhancing aircraft utilisation and increasing flights on existing routes, with plans to introduce new Boeing 737 Max jets next year. Thai Vietjet Chief Executive Woranate Laprabang highlighted that the visa-free scheme has significantly boosted demand on international routes, particularly to China. The airline operates flights to over…
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Terminal confusion: Trang Airport’s billion-baht project still up in the air
Residents demanded clarification after the new 1.2 billion baht passenger terminal at Trang International Airport in southern Thailand missed its opening deadline and remains unfinished and in disrepair. The National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) received a complaint from locals in the southern province of Trang, stating that the unfinished airport caused them to lose potential opportunities from the tourism industry. Many…
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Thai Lion Air expands fleet, aims for 7 million passengers
Thai Lion Air is expanding its fleet and reinstating routes in response to rising tourism demand, aiming for 6-7 million passengers and achieving its first post-pandemic profit. Thai Lion Air chief Nuntaporn Komonsittivate made known that domestic and international routes have recovered by 60%, supported by an increase in operational jets to 20 from 11 in recent years. The average…
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AirAsia launches new route from Bangkok to Kathmandu
AirAsia is set to soar into the skies with its latest addition to the South Asian route, offering four weekly flights between Bangkok’s Don Mueang International Airport and Kathmandu, Nepal. The service, launching on October 2, will utilise the A320neo aircraft, renowned for its efficiency and comfort. The airline is rolling out this exciting route with a tantalising promotional fare,…
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Mercedes-Benz shifts into high gear with ByteDance partnership
Mercedes-Benz is revving up its tech game by teaming up with ByteDance’s cloud division, Volcano Engine, to explore cutting-edge large language models (LLMs), generative artificial intelligence (AI), and big data. This turbocharged collaboration aims to supercharge Mercedes-Benz’s in-car systems in China with ByteDance‘s advanced LLM technology, giving their virtual assistants a full-throttle upgrade. According to both companies, ByteDance’s LLMs will…
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Mother pays for daughter’s haircutting antics in Chinese salon
A mother in China faced an unexpected expense when her young daughter cut another customer’s hair at a hair salon, resulting in a hefty compensation fee. The incident occurred at a hair salon in Guangdong province, China. A mother brought her young daughter along to the salon and while the mother was waiting for her turn, chaos suddenly erupted. Her…
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GMM Music partners with Warner Music Asia in massive deal
GMM Music announced a strategic investment partnership with Warner Music Asia (WMA), one of the world’s leading music industry giants. WMA will invest 370 million baht in cash and provide a minimum guarantee payment of 315 million baht to accelerate GMM Music’s growth and expand the Thai music industry, the largest in Southeast Asia, to a global market. Chief Executive Officer…
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Man’s severe pain caused by swallowed plastic fork in intestines
A man suffering from severe abdominal pain for three months, prompting his family to prepare for his funeral, was found to have a surprising cause for his ailment. An unusual discovery in his intestines revealed a plastic fork. In Foshan, Guangdong Province, China, a middle-aged man named Guan sought medical treatment after enduring three months of relentless abdominal pain. A…
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Taiwan netizen’s leaf mistaken for stray cat goes viral
A viral sensation has emerged online in Taiwan, where a netizen shared a humorous experience of trying to rescue what appeared to be a stray cat on the street, only to discover it was something entirely different. According to reports, the netizen recounted that at around 10pm, yesterday, August 12, while driving home after work, they noticed an orange stray…
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Malaysian woman goes viral for transporting durians on car (video)
A durian-loving Malaysian woman, who cannot stand its strong smell, has gone viral for her unique solution of placing the fruit on the bonnet of her car while driving. She shared her experience on TikTok, receiving widespread attention and mixed reactions from netizens. Durian, often dubbed the king of fruits, is known for its divisive nature: people either love it…
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Teenager’s stroke linked to unhealthy lifestyle in heatwave
A 19 year old university student experienced a stroke after leading an unhealthy lifestyle, with doctors identifying five risky behaviours contributing to his condition. Experts warn that even young and seemingly healthy individuals are not immune to stroke risks. The Deputy Head of the Neurology Department at Zhongshan Hospital in Zhejiang Province, China, Hu Xinping, highlighted the increasing number of…
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VietJet to receive ten Airbus jets amid aircraft shortages
VietJet, the Vietnamese budget airline, will receive up to ten Airbus jets this year, as revealed today. The delivery comes as local airlines grapple with aircraft shortages driven by engine recalls and elevated leasing costs. VietJet announced the upcoming arrival of new jets, specifically the A321neo ACF model, starting this month. This move is part of a significant expansion, with…
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ASEAN Troika Plus meeting on Myanmar crisis likely post-summit
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) announced that the ASEAN Troika Plus meeting aimed at addressing the Myanmar crisis may take place after this year’s ASEAN Summit. The Deputy Director-General of the Department of ASEAN Affairs, Bolbongse Vangphaen, revealed that Laos, the ASEAN chair for the year, endorsed Thailand’s proposal for the ASEAN Troika Plus meeting during the 57th ASEAN…
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Rayong governor assesses delayed U-Tapao Airport progress
Deputy Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai, along with Vice Minister for the Office of the Prime Minister Nahathai Tiwphaingam and Rayong Governor Traipob Wongtrairat, visited the delayed U-Tapao Airport and Eastern Aviation City development project sites yesterday to assess ongoing progress. Tharit Issarayangyun, Deputy Secretary-General of the Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC), provided a comprehensive progress update on the project, which is…
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British Airways flights to Bangkok to resume end of October
British Airways is ramping up its flights from London to Bangkok and expanding its codeshare partnership with Bangkok Airways, giving travellers even more options to explore Thailand and Cambodia. British Airways’ direct route from London Gatwick to Bangkok is back on October 28, after a four-year hiatus. Initially operating three times a week, the service will increase to five weekly…
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UK Thai embassy issues warning amid anti-immigration protests
The Thai Embassy in London issued a stern warning for all Thais living in or travelling to the UK: steer clear of crowded places and protests. This urgent advice comes as thousands of anti-immigration protesters take to the streets in towns and cities nationwide. Liverpool, Bristol, Manchester, Blackpool, and Belfast have been pinpointed as high-risk areas. The embassy strongly advises…
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Phumtham inspects U-Tapao Airport project set for 2029 completion
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Commerce, Phumtham Wechayachai visited U-Tapao Airport to monitor the progress of its development project, aiming for completion by 2029. The deputy PM inspected the U-Tapao Airport and Eastern Aviation City development project in Ban Chang district, Rayong province. Accompanied by Tharit Issarayangyuen, Deputy Secretary-General of the Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC) Office, naval representatives, and private…
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‘Succulent Chinese meal’ meme star Jack Karlson dies at 82 (video)
Jack Karlson, the unforgettable face of the “succulent Chinese meal” meme, has died at the age of 82. The Karlson family confirmed the sad news, saying they are grieving “with heavy hearts” as Jack passed away yesterday, August 7, surrounded by his loved ones. Jack became a viral sensation back in October 1991 after his arrest outside the China Sea…
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Thai AirAsia launches new route from Tiruchi to Bangkok
Thai AirAsia will be launching direct flights from southern India’s Tiruchirappalli (also known as Tiruchi) to Bangkok, starting September 21. This move not only expands the airline’s network but also strengthens its foothold in the Indian market. The new service will operate thrice a week, offering flights in the Bangkok-Tiruchi-Bangkok sector on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays. The flight will depart…
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Thailand takes off with green aviation: SAF guidelines
Thailand’s Energy Ministry is poised to unveil groundbreaking guidelines on sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) in the final quarter of this year, according to the Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand (CAAT). This initiative tackles the colossal carbon footprint of the energy sector, the top offender in global warming. With the energy sector spewing out a staggering 69% of total emissions—40% from…
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Thai Lion Air flight delayed over fake bomb threat at Indian airport
At India’s Cochin International Airport, a passenger’s fake bomb threat wreaked havoc, delaying Thai Lion Air flight SL211 and leading to the individual’s arrest. The drama unfolded today during a routine security check before the flight’s departure to Thailand. According to Cochin International Airport Ltd (CIAL), the disruptive passenger made the bomb threat while undergoing the Secondary Ladder Point Check…
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