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 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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Phuket Airport security questioned after sign hacked
A digital sign inside Phuket International Airport was hacked with a political message condemning Israel’s genocide in Palestine just days before Thailand’s busiest travel period. The incident occurred yesterday, April 9 and was reported to the Airports of Thailand (AoT) Phuket, but officials have yet to provide any response. The compromised sign, located near the baggage scan area, flashed the…
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Air India in hot water again after Bangkok in-flight pee incident
Business class on an Air India flight to Bangkok turned into a piddle palace after a sozzled passenger allegedly whipped it out to pee on a fellow traveller mid-flight, despite the loos being in full working order. The Air India high-flyer is now being probed by police after taking the pee, literally, on a fellow business class passenger just before…
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Don Mueang Airport sees 10% rise in Songkran passenger numbers
Don Mueang International Airport is anticipating around 700,000 passengers during the Songkran holiday, marking a 10% increase compared to the previous year. Airports of Thailand Plc (AoT) President Kerati Kijmanawat confirmed today, April 9, that Don Mueang Airport is prepared to accommodate the expected surge in travellers. Wichit Kaewsaitiam, the director of Don Mueang Airport, noted that April 11 is…
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It was a glitch: AirAsia explains price hike on Songkran flights
AirAsia has addressed the recent uproar over skyrocketing ticket prices on flights from Don International Mueang to Sakon Nakhon during the Songkran festival. AirAsia responded to concerns over unusually high ticket prices on its Don Mueang-Sakon Nakhon route during the Songkran period, explaining that the issue was caused by a temporary glitch in its ticket booking system. The airline has…
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Big Joke sends 300 southerners home for Songkran
Former police chief Surachate “Big Joke” Hakparn has made Songkran celebrations even sweeter for over 300 southerners by sending them back home with free flights and VIP bus rides, easing the financial burden during tough economic times. At Don Mueang International Airport, Big Joke, President of the Southern Association under Royal Patronage, personally waved off 320 people headed back to…
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Miss Tourism Myanmar found dead as quake toll rises
The body of Miss Tourism Myanmar 2018 was pulled from the rubble of a collapsed condo in Mandalay, Myanmar, as the country continues to reel from the catastrophic earthquake that struck on Friday, March 28. The death toll has now surged to 3,145, with more than 4,600 people injured and over 220 still missing. Rescue operations remain underway in multiple…
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Thai king and queen to make historic state visit to Bhutan
Thailand’s King Maha Vajiralongkorn and Queen Suthida are preparing for their first official overseas state visit to Bhutan from April 25 to 28, marking a historic moment in strengthening ties between the two nations. The royal visit is in response to an invitation from Bhutan’s King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck, and it promises to be a grand cultural exchange. Upon…
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Woman convicted of keeping Thai women as sex slaves in Australia
In a chilling case of modern slavery, a 63 year old Sydney woman has been found guilty of keeping two Thai women as sex slaves, forcing them into brothels and stripping them of their freedom. Rungnapha Kanbut, herself a Thai national, stood trial last month at the Downing Centre Court on six serious charges, including exercising ownership over a slave…
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Trump’s tariff tantrum: US slaps huge levies on world as trade war erupts
Donald Trump has thrown the world into economic turmoil, launching a full-scale trade war by slapping sweeping new tariffs on imports, including crippling levies on key allies. Thailand has been caught in the tariff crossfire too, with officials claiming the nation could suffer an US$8 billion hit if the US were to even up levies between the two countries. Semiconductor…
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Fake videos of Myanmar earthquake rack up millions of views
In the aftermath of the deadly earthquake that struck Myanmar and parts of Thailand, fake videos purporting to show the devastation have been spreading like wildfire across social media, racking up millions of views. But these clips are far from real, they’re generated using artificial intelligence (AI), and they’re fooling unsuspecting users worldwide. A powerful 7.7-magnitude earthquake hit central Myanmar…
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Pregnant woman saved from quake rubble in Myanmar
A story of hope for the family and friends of those trapped beneath the rubble of a Bangkok building emerged today from Myanmar’s capital, when a 63 year old woman was rescued 91 hours after she became trapped beneath the wreckage of her building. Emergency workers carefully extracted her after tirelessly digging through debris, marking one of the most extraordinary…
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King Charles sends condolences after deadly quake in Myanmar
King Charles III of England has sent a message of condolence to the people of Thailand following the devastating 7.7-magnitude earthquake that struck Myanmar on Friday, March 28 and was felt across the region, particularly Bangkok. In a royal message released by the British Embassy in Thailand, the monarch expressed his “heartfelt sympathy” to His Majesty King Maha Vajiralongkorn and…
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Secret drug discovery raises questions over Shane Warne’s death in Thailand
New revelations have emerged regarding the circumstances surrounding the death of Australian cricket legend Shane Warne, with claims that a powerful sex drug was discovered at the scene but later removed by police. Fifty-two-year old Warne passed away in March 2022 while on vacation with friends on the Thai island of Koh Samui. A postmortem concluded that the former cricketer,…
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Nepal and Thailand to sign key agreements at BIMSTEC summit
A significant diplomatic development is on the horizon as Nepal and Thailand prepare to sign a series of crucial agreements during Nepalese Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli’s visit to Thailand for the Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC) summit. The visit, scheduled from April 2 to 4, will not only focus on the summit but…
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Budget airline launches direct flights to Krabi from India
Thailand’s picturesque Krabi province just became more accessible to Indian travellers, as budget airline IndiGo launched its inaugural direct flight from Mumbai to the popular beach destination. The flight landed at Krabi International Airport last night, March 24, marking the start of a new chapter in travel between India and Thailand’s stunning Andaman coast. Flight 6E1085, an Airbus A320, touched…
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Sour deal: China squeezes out 19 Thai products over safety fears
China has slammed the brakes on 19 Thai products, including sweetened condensed milk, citing safety concerns and labelling issues. The move, part of a broader crackdown that saw 357 shipments from 38 countries rejected in January this year, has sent shockwaves through Thailand’s export sector. According to the Ministry of Commerce, the General Administration of Customs of China (GACC) released…
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Thai king and queen open Suvarnabhumi’s terminal and runway
King Maha Vajiralongkorn and Queen Suthida yesterday inaugurated the first satellite terminal and the third runway at Suvarnabhumi Airport in Samut Prakan province. This ceremony coincided with the auspicious royal event marking the king’s 72nd birthday on July 28 last year. Upon their arrival, they were welcomed by key figures, including Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra, Deputy Prime Minister Suriya Juangroongruangkit,…
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Thai deputy PM Phumtham visits Uyghur community in Xinjiang
Deputy Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai recently visited the Uyghur community in the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region after a return to their homeland. Phumtham apologised for their prolonged detention of 11 years, emphasising that the government had acted appropriately by reuniting them with their families. Yesterday, March 19, Phumtham, also the defence minister, along with a media contingent, visited a Uyghur…
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High hopes: Thai pilots poised to reclaim skies amid foreign pilot row
The Thai Pilots Association (TPA) is quietly optimistic about reclaiming the nation’s skies. Following reassurances from the Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand (CAAT), it’s anticipated that the temporary lift allowing foreign pilots on domestic routes will not stretch on, revealed TPA President Teerawat Angkasakulkiat. “The Cabinet’s resolution, with its vague deadlines, allowed each wet lease agreement to endure for six…
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Zero baht, zero excuses: VietJet Thailand unveils sky-high savings
Budget travellers, get ready! VietJet Thailand is rolling out a jaw-dropping promotion with flight tickets starting from 0 baht (excluding taxes and fees), giving passengers the chance to travel across Thailand and beyond for next to nothing. But act fast—the deal is only available for bookings from March 18 to 22, covering travel between April 20 and October 25 (excluding…
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EU blasts Thailand over Uyghur deportations and lese-majeste
In a scathing rebuke, the European Parliament passed a resolution condemning Thailand for deporting Uyghur refugees to China and urged the European Commission to pressure Bangkok into reforming its lese-majeste law, releasing political prisoners, and improving human rights standards. The vote, held yesterday, March 13, saw overwhelming support, with 482 votes in favour, 57 against, and 68 abstentions. The resolution…
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Thai Airways slashes baggage limit to 23kg: How it affects you
Passengers flying with Thai Airways will soon have to pack a little lighter, as the airline has announced a reduction in checked baggage allowance for certain Economy Class tickets. Effective April 1, the standard baggage weight for some economy fare classes will be reduced from 25kg to 23kg. The new baggage policy applies to domestic and international flights for passengers…
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Phumtham denies handpicking pro-govt media for China trip
Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Phumtham Wechayachai has strongly denied allegations that only pro-government media were selected to accompany him on an upcoming trip to China. The visit, set for March 18, aims to check on the 40 Uyghurs deported from Thailand last month, a move that sparked international condemnation. Phumtham’s response comes after People’s Party MP Rangsiman Rome accused…
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Thai AirAsia offers 30% Songkran discount on direct bookings
Thai AirAsia is offering a 30% discount during the Songkran festival for direct bookings made from March 11 to 20. The airline is supporting the Ministry of Transport’s policy by adding special flights during this peak travel period across five routes from Bangkok (Don Mueang) to Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Nakhon Phanom, Udon Thani, and Ubon Ratchathani. The discount applies…
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Thailand halts airport transfer plan due to financial concerns
Thailand’s Transport Ministry has abruptly scrapped plans to transfer Krabi, Udon Thani, and Buriram airports to Airports of Thailand Plc (AOT), citing financial and operational concerns. Instead, officials are shifting focus towards developing state-run airports to generate more income and reduce reliance on government funding. Deputy Transport Minister Manaporn Charoensri announced yesterday, March 6, that the transfer, initially approved by…
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Military drill blunder leaves 4 Thais injured in South Korea
Two fighter planes mistakenly dropped eight bombs in a residential area in South Korea during a military drill between the country and the United States, resulting in 15 injuries. Four of the injured victims are Thai nationals. The spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Thailand, Nikorndate Palangkul, reported that the ministry received notification of the bombing in Pocheon,…
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Lufthansa sets sights on Thailand as expansion takes off
The Lufthansa Group is focusing on expanding its operations in Asia and Thailand, while also diversifying into non-airline businesses. Carsten Spohr, chief executive of the group, highlighted that Thailand is not just a tourism hub but also a lucrative business destination. The demand for cargo from Thailand is rising, and the Asia-Pacific region is the fastest-growing market for maintenance, repair,…
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World’s longest kiss Thai couple split after record-breaking romance
A Thai couple who set the Guinness World Record for the longest kiss have now separated, ending their record-breaking love story more than a decade after their historic smooch. Ekkachai and Laksana Tiranarat became global sensations in 2013 when they locked lips for an astonishing 58 hours and 35 minutes, breaking their own 2011 record of 46 hours and 24…
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AirAsia and TAT launch budget flights to 16 Thai cities
AirAsia is making domestic travel more affordable than ever, joining forces with the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) to encourage travellers to explore hidden gems across the country. The budget airline is rolling out one-way fares starting at just 880 baht, giving tourists the chance to visit 16 destinations spanning all four regions of Thailand. The limited-time promotion is available…
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Thailand allegedly snubbed US, Canada, Oz, Uyghur asylum offers
Thailand snubbed asylum offers, from the US, Canada, and Australia, and deported 48 ethnic Uyghurs to China, according to Reuters. The move comes despite a decade-long detention limbo and impassioned calls from UN human rights experts for the Uyghurs’ safety. The Government of Thailand staunchly defended the deportation, asserting it was carried out in line with their legal and human…
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