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 Moving to Thailand? Here are the health documents you should prepare before you go
The Thaiger key takeaways Valid passport, visa documents, health certificate, and vaccination records are essential for immigration and medical care in Thailand. Health insurance that meets visa requirements, like Cigna, provides protection, direct billing, and access to a wide hospital...
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Qatar Airways 2024’s best airline, Bangkok Airways best regionally
Qatar Airways has been named the best airline in the world for 2024, overtaking last year’s champion, Singapore Airlines, meanwhile, Bangkok Airways secured the title of the world’s best regional airline for the eighth consecutive year, according to Skytrax’s World Airline Awards. Qatar Airways achieved the top spot in the annual rankings, while Singapore Airlines fell to second place. Emirates…
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Malaysia Airlines flight to Bangkok returns to Kuala Lumpur
Malaysia Airlines has clarified an emergency incident involving flight MH780, en route from Kuala Lumpur to Suvarnabhumi Airport in Bangkok. The flight had to return to Kuala Lumpur International Airport due to technical issues. Flight MH780, operated by Malaysia Airlines, declared an emergency code 7700, indicating a serious issue requiring immediate attention. The aircraft descended from its cruising altitude to…
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Post-pandemic airfares to remain high amid travel surge
Despite a slight relief due to declining jet fuel prices and increased flight capacity, airfares are expected to remain high in the post-pandemic travel surge and are unlikely to revert to pre-pandemic levels soon. AirAsia Aviation’s CEO Bo Lingam spoke on the changes in travelling patterns post-pandemic in an interview. “[The aircraft] load factor is around 90%, this was unheard…
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The surge of online casinos in Asia: Leading countries and key drivers
Asia could soon become the largest online gambling market in the world if more countries legalize the industry. For a long time, Asian countries remained quiet while the rest of the world made laws to permit sports betting and online casinos. Now, Asian countries are changing their gambling laws left, right, and centre, from China to India. In this article,…
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Deadly flesh-eating bacteria spreading in Japan
Japan is grappling with a significant outbreak of a flesh-eating bacteria known as streptococcal toxic shock syndrome (STSS), which has already infected 1,019 people and shows no signs of slowing down. Cases of STSS in Japan have surged to 1,019 as of yesterday, June 20, a number that has already surpassed the total reported cases for last year. At the…
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Thailand’s durian diplomacy: Cracking the chinese market wide open
Thailand is going all out to secure its crown in the lucrative Chinese durian market. The government has rolled out a series of innovative strategies, including high-tech farming enhancements and stringent quality controls, to ensure Thailand remains the top durian supplier to China. Prime Minister’s Office spokesman Chai Wacharonke announced at a press conference that Thailand has significantly bolstered its…
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Japanese tourist exposes corrupt Thai traffic officer in viral video
A Japanese tourist exposed a corrupt Thai traffic police officer by sharing a video of the officer in Bangkok asking him to secretly pay 500 baht to avoid a charge for driving without an international driving licence. The Japanese YouTuber shared a video with the caption, “How to deal with corrupt Thai police when you get arrested.” In the video,…
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Malaysia and China join forces on billion-dollar rail project
China’s plans to extend the East Coast Rail Link (ECRL) into Thailand are set to transform Southeast Asian trade. Chinese Premier Li Qiang announced the initiative during his visit to Malaysia yesterday. The US$10 billion (approximately 366 billion baht) ECRL, a key project of China’s Belt and Road Initiative, aims to connect Malaysia’s east and west coasts by 2026. Initially…
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Cargo plane chaos shuts down Hong Kong International Airport
Hong Kong’s quest to reclaim its status as a premier international aviation hub hit turbulence this week when a cargo plane incident brought Hong Kong International Airport to a standstill. Cathay Pacific Airways’ gradual resumption of services to pre-pandemic levels has been overshadowed by the chaos caused by a runway shutdown. A runway closure following a cargo plane emergency forced…
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Sky-high opportunities: Vietjet Thailand holds recruitment event
Vietjet Thailand took off with its largest recruitment event in six years on June 15, transforming the Paragon Cineplex in Siam Paragon into a bustling hub of aviation career opportunities. This year’s Sky Career Festival, an annual extravaganza since 2018, saw the launch of Vietjet Thailand’s groundbreaking Major Cadet Pilot Training Programme. Over 10,000 eager attendees flocked to explore diverse…
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Spanish woman loses 27.5 million baht in fake Keanu Reeves scam
A Spanish woman has fallen victim to a scam involving a fake Keanu Reeves, losing over US$750,000 in the process. The scammer claimed the funds were for investing in the production of John Wick 5. Chloe, the victim, shared her distressing experience on a Spanish television show. Initially, the impostor responded to one of her social media posts. This interaction…
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Thailand aims to become regional aviation hub by 2030
Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin unveiled a vision to transform the country into a regional aviation hub as part of the Ignite Thailand, Aviation Hub initiative, aiming to enhance Thailand’s capacity and attractiveness in the aviation sector. The Bangkok-born prime minister stressed the need to address existing problems before upgrading the aviation hub. Suvarnabhumi International Airport, once ranked 13th globally, has fallen…
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British Airways flights to Bangkok and Kuala Lumpur resume soon
British Airways (BA) resumes flights to Kuala Lumpur and Bangkok this year, marking a significant step in its regional expansion strategy. Chairman and CEO Sean Doyle expressed the importance of this strategic return. “For a global carrier like us, expanding our network in Asia as quickly as possible is crucial. With more aircraft joining our fleet in the coming years,…
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Thai AirAsia’s Fifth Freedom routes to Japan take off
Thai AirAsia launched its much-anticipated Fifth Freedom routes, creating a seamless travel experience connecting Bangkok, Taiwan, and Japan. The airline’s inaugural flight from Bangkok’s Don Mueang Airport to Taipei, followed by a final leg to Okinawa, garnered an overwhelming passenger response. The Taipei to Okinawa route boasted a staggering 99% load factor, arriving at a warm reception and a lively…
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Phetch-Hua Hin Airport set to go international by 2025
To catapult Thailand’s aviation industry into the global elite, Hua Hin Airport in Prachuap Khiri Khan Province is undergoing a spectacular transformation. Rebranded as Phetch-Hua Hin International Airport, this dazzling upgrade is slated for completion by late 2025. Earlier this week, Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin made his second visit to the construction site, rallying support from key agencies to ensure…
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AirAsia resumes direct flights from Kuala Lumpur to Pattaya
AirAsia resumed its direct flights between Kuala Lumpur and Pattaya, yesterday, June 17. The airline will now operate this popular route three times a week, with flights scheduled every Monday, Friday, and Sunday. Flight AK840 is set to take off from Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KUL) at 11am, landing in Pattaya’s U-Tapao Rayong-Pattaya International Airport (UTP) at 12.05pm. The return…
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RTAF eyes SAAB Gripen jets to replace ageing F-16s
Thailand is considering replacing its ageing fleet of F-16 fighter jets with SAAB’s Gripen models, as revealed during a recent tour of SAAB’s headquarters in Stockholm. Reporters from Thailand were given an extensive look at the Gripen E/F manufacturing line and a flight simulator, showcasing the modern technology and capabilities of the fighter jets. The Royal Thai Air Force (RTAF)…
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AirAsia unveils direct flights from Bali to Phuket and Malaysia
Indonesia AirAsia has launched two international routes from Denpasar, Bali, to Phuket in Thailand, and Kota Kinabalu in Malaysia. This strategic move aims to boost Indonesia’s tourism by enhancing air connectivity. Veranita Yosephine Sinaga, President Director of Indonesia AirAsia, stated that these new routes are a significant step in the airline’s commitment to expanding its air network and strengthening Indonesia’s…
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Philippines intensifies illegal offshore gambling crackdown
The authorities in the Philippines have intensified efforts to shut down illegal offshore gambling operations amidst growing calls for a complete ban due to alleged connections to criminal syndicates. The country’s gaming regulator revealed approximately 250 to 300 offshore gambling firms are operating without a licence, a significant increase from the 46 legitimate operators. This information was disclosed by Alejandro…
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Budget airlines push jet fuel tax cut to reduce airfare prices
Budget airlines have issued an appeal to the Finance Ministry to reduce the excise tax on jet fuel, to help mitigate their operational costs with the fragile state of the industry. Following a meeting with representatives from low-cost airlines, Deputy Finance Minister Julapun Amornvivat reported that the carriers discussed economic challenges and reiterated their commitment to supporting government measures aimed…
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Thailand urged to upgrade regional airports to boost tourism
The Airlines Association of Thailand (AAT) called upon the government to upgrade more regional airports to international status, aiming to boost tourism and generate more revenue for Thaniland’s 55 second-tier cities. At the Ignite Tourism Thailand event, chaired by Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin, AAT President Puttipong Prasarttong-Osoth highlighted the need for developing regional airport facilities to handle international flights. This…
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Singapore Airlines pays out after turbulence tragedy
Singapore Airlines has offered compensation to passengers following a terrifying turbulence incident that left one dead and many injured. Singapore Airlines announced it will provide US$10,000 (approximately 360,000 baht) in compensation to passengers who sustained injuries during a severe turbulence incident on a flight from London to Singapore. The tragic episode, which occurred last month, left a 73 year old…
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Jetstar Asia launches new route from Singapore to Krabi
Jetstar Asia is soaring high with its latest addition to its flight network. Last Friday, the airline launched a new route from Singapore to the stunning resort destination of Krabi in southern Thailand, adding over 60,000 seats annually. The inaugural flight, 3K573, took off from Singapore Changi Airport at 7.32am local time (6.32am Thailand time) and landed in Krabi at…
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Muay Thai boxer shares near-death experience on Qatar flight
A Muay Thai boxer recounted his near-death experience when he and other passengers were stranded for three hours on a Qatar Airways flight from Greece to Qatar, even though a fire broke out at the back of the aircraft. The Muay Thai boxer, known as Thananchai Sit Song Phi Nong, visited the city of Patras in Greece to participate in…
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Thailand’s aviation hub dreams delayed by global supply issues
Thailand’s ambition to become the leading aviation hub in the region by 2030 may face significant delays due to global supply chain disruptions, according to the International Air Transport Association (IATA). The country needs to remove unnecessary regulations and accelerate digitalisation efforts to improve aviation efficiency. IATA‘s Director-General, Willie Walsh expressed his views at the group’s annual general meeting in…
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New automatic passport control tested at Suvarnabhumi Airport
The new Automatic Channel for passport control at Suvarnabhumi Airport was personally tested by Wisanu Prasarttong-Osoth, chairman of Airports of Thailand (AOT), before its official launch yesterday. This system aims to ease congestion at immigration checkpoints. Wisanu participated in a real-world test of the new automatic passport control system before heading to Malaysia on flight TG415. The new system is…
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Austrian Airlines to operate more flights to Bangkok
Austrian Airlines, boasting a modern fleet of Airbus A320s, Boeing 767s, and Boeing 777s, has increased its weekly flights from Vienna to Bangkok to 13 flights. Brendan Shashoua, Lufthansa Group Senior Director Sales – Southeast Asia and the Pacific made the announcement. “Since 1988, Austrian Airlines has connected Vienna with the vibrant Thai capital of Bangkok. With Thailand being a…
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Queensland’s direct flights to Bangkok resume after four years
Jetstar is launching direct flights from Queensland‘s Brisbane Airport to Bangkok this December, a route last serviced by Thai Airways (THAI) before its suspension in March 2020 due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Brisbane Airport (BNE), backed by the Queensland Government, has been pivotal in restoring international connections post-pandemic. Reintroducing the Bangkok route is one of the final pieces in this…
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Thai Pilots Association opposes eased restrictions for foreign pilots
The Thai Pilots Association vehemently opposed a controversial government proposal to ease restrictions on foreign pilots flying with Thai carriers temporarily. Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin recently pinpointed the slow resumption of flights as a significant hurdle for Thailand’s tourism sector. Post-pandemic personnel shortages are a global issue, but the prime minister believes Thailand needs a quick fix. During a visit…
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Woman hides 47.9m baht lottery win from ex-husband
A woman from California, in the United States, hit the jackpot by winning a US$1.3 million lottery (47.9 million baht). Eleven days later, she decided to file for divorce from her husband of 25 years. This incident dates back to 1996. Californian Denise Rossi kept her lottery win a secret and abruptly ended her marriage, leaving Thomas shocked and confused.…
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