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 Thailand vs. the West: What expats save on healthcare each year
Healthcare in Thailand is much cheaper than in Western countries, making it a great choice for expatriates looking for affordable medical care. Both public and private healthcare options offer high-quality services, with savings of up to 80% on procedures like...
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PM Srettha pledges to woo back Russian tourists with revived flights
Thai Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin is gearing up to welcome a surge of Russian tourists to Thailand, unveiling plans to tackle the flight shortage bottleneck yesterday. Acknowledging reports of a burgeoning number of Russian tourists eyeing Thailand for their holidays, PM Srettha highlighted the critical lack of flights to accommodate the demand. “Inadequate flights are hindering the influx of Russian…
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Did Singapore pay millions to keep Taylor Swift to themselves?
Thailand Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin alleges that Singapore may have struck a multimillion-dollar pact to secure Taylor Swift’s exclusivity in Southeast Asia, leaving fans fuming and conspiracy theories swirling. PM Srettha made waves with his claims at a business forum in Bangkok, stating that concert promoter AEG had disclosed Singapore’s purported offer of hefty subsidies, ranging from US$2 million (approximately…
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Chaos outside passport office claims lives in Myanmar
In Myanmar’s Mandalay, a rush for escape turned fatal as two lives were lost in a stampede outside a passport office yesterday. According to an AFP report, the victims, two women aged 52 and 39, succumbed to the overwhelming surge of hundreds clamouring to secure their passage out of the country, amplifying the harrowing toll of Myanmar’s societal upheaval. A…
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Singapore aims to use sustainable aviation fuel in all flights by 2026
Singapore Transport Minister Chee Hong Tat revealed a green initiative to transition all outgoing flights to utilise sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) by 2026. This announcement came during the Changi Aviation Summit, a precursor to the Singapore Airshow. The city-state is committing to a 1% SAF usage target by 2026, with ambitions to elevate this figure to between 3% and 5%…
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Malaysian bride heartbroken as groom’s ex attends wedding
The wedding of a Malaysian bride turned bittersweet when her husband’s ex-girlfriend attended the event, and the groom’s family’s actions left her heartbroken. The father of the groom’s comments struck a particularly painful chord, prompting sympathy from those aware of the situation. Marriage ceremonies are traditionally occasions of immense joy, marking the beginning of a new shared life. Yet, when…
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Brazen subway act atop NYC train sparks safety, decency outcry
A daring and reckless display by two men atop a New York City subway train has become the talk of the online world. The pair engaged in explicit acts in broad daylight, not only shocking onlookers but also creating a serious safety concern. This incident, caught on camera, shows the two individuals performing the dangerous act above the Van Wyck…
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OpenAI breaks barriers with ‘Sora’ project
Artificial intelligence (AI) juggernaut OpenAI unveiled its groundbreaking project dubbed Sora, a text-to-video model set to democratise video creation as we know it. Gone are the days of pricey equipment and inaccessible know-how. With Sora, all you need is a prompt and a dream. Sora operates much like its predecessors, ChatGPT and DALL·E, responding to written cues by conjuring up 60…
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Reddit user’s dream job goes down the drain after office bathroom blunder
A male Reddit user, sharing his misfortune anonymously, detailed his disastrous experience of losing a promising job opportunity due to an unfortunate bathroom blunder. In a post on Monday, February 12, the original poster recounted the events that led to his downfall. “I had pretty much gotten the job at a previous interview and I was just in to fill…
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Soaring travel costs to Phuket spark tourist backlash
The soaring cost of air travel to Phuket has sparked a backlash from local tourists, with low-cost carriers reportedly charging up to 14,000 baht (US$388) for a round trip from Bangkok. Despite making bookings weeks in advance, some travellers reported paying 5,000 baht (US$138) for a one-way ticket. The president of the southern chapter of the Thai Hotels Association (THA),…
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Mike Tyson’s Thailand high: The cannabis 2.0 comeback
In an exclusive interview with Mike Tyson, the boxing legend revealed his daring venture into Thailand’s cannabis market with Tyson 2.0, sparking both business strategy and personal mission. In a deep dive discussion, Tyson unveils the intertwined relationship between cannabis and combat sports, recounting his escapade in Thailand and the serendipity that spared him from the long arm of the…
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Desperate singles seek divine intervention at Hanoi ancient pagoda
Amidst the ancient serenity of Hanoi’s Ha Pagoda, a modern-day love story unfolds as hopeful hearts flock, laden with offerings, seeking true love. In central Hanoi, young men and women thronged an ancient pagoda on Valentine’s Day, each bearing offerings in a bid to secure a partner, a quest of paramount importance in Vietnamese society. Respectfully placing a tray adorned…
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Exploited Thai workers: Debt, deception, and the dark side of berry picking in Europe
In the past 18 years, over 110,000 Thai workers embarked on a gruelling journey to Europe, enticed by the promise of lucrative pay in berry fields, yet behind the allure lies a sinister reality of exploitation, debt bondage, and shattered dreams. From the rural heartlands of Thailand’s northeast, hopeful farmers borrowed staggering sums from banks and illegal lenders to finance…
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Thai Airways confirms mega aircraft deal with Boeing
Thai Airways International made headlines by sealing a monumental deal with Boeing, announcing an order for at least 45 aircraft. The airline confirmed on Wednesday, February 13, that the order, which includes options for additional jets, will see the new aircraft joining its fleet between 2027 and 2033. This strategic investment comes at a crucial time for Boeing, offering a…
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Thai Airways’ turbulence at Suvarnabhumi: Transport minister threatens contract termination
Transport Minister Suriya Jungroongreangkit issued a warning to Thai Airways International (THAI) following a series of complaints about subpar ground services at Suvarnabhumi International Airport. Speaking after a pivotal meeting with airport service operators, Suriya unveiled a roadmap for dramatic improvements or contractual consequences. “The ministry has been inundated with grievances regarding the dismal quality of ground services provided by…
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Flight disrupted by vibrating luggage reveals sex toy (video)
An embarrassing incident took place on a flight when a model faced the awkward, embarrassing situation of being asked to disembark due to her continuously vibrating luggage which turned out to come from a sex toy. The incident, which has since become a viral sensation with over 12 million views, was documented in a video posted by the model, Amanda…
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Thai VietJet Air partners with global cargo giant for Asian expansion
Thai VietJet Air has announced a groundbreaking partnership with ECS Group, in a move to reshape its cargo operations across Asia. Under the terms of the agreement, ECS Group’s subsidiary, AVS GSA Thailand, will spearhead the cargo contract, leveraging the expansive network of ECS across the region. This landmark deal, sealed on February 1, empowers Thai VietJet Air with access…
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Classical music world mourns death of renowned Japanese conductor Seiji Ozawa
Japanese conductor Seiji Ozawa, renowned for his vibrant style and cultural fusion, passed away peacefully at the age of 88 on Tuesday, February 6. The music maestro, whose career spanned decades, left an indelible mark on the world of Western classical music. From Chicago to Boston to Vienna, Ozawa mesmerized audiences with his East Asian sensibility, infusing his performances with…
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AOT announces 4.4bn baht plan to boost Suvarnabhumi and Don Mueang airports
Airports of Thailand (AOT) revealed an ambitious investment plan of 4.4 billion baht for enhancements at Suvarnabhumi International Airport and Don Mueang International Airport. These plans were made public by AOT Deputy Director Keerati Kitmanawat, who shared the vision of increasing service and security standards at Suvarnabhumi Airport to meet the passenger traffic that is expected to bounce back to…
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German passenger’s terrifying mid-flight death leaves Lufthansa plane splattered in blood
On a Lufthansa flight from Bangkok to Munich, a 63 year old German passenger sparked panic in the cabin when he began spurting an endless flow of blood. The German passenger boarded the plane visibly ill. As the flight progressed, his condition rapidly deteriorated, causing panic among the passengers. Fellow passenger Martin Missfelder described the scene as absolute horror, with…
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PM Srettha heralds visa-free travel between Thailand and China (video)
In a heartening message marking the Lunar New Year, Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin expressed his optimism about the newly lifted visa requirements between Thailand and China, anticipating a significant boost in bilateral relations and travel. During his well-wishing messages on Lunar New Year, PM Srettha conveyed his hopes that the lifting of visa requirements would foster increased interaction between Thailand…
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Chinese man flies home in personal aircraft for Lunar New Year
The Chinese online community has been captivated by an image of a father and his young daughter taking a unique approach to returning home for the Chinese New Year: flying in a personal aircraft. The Lunar New Year, a time when millions undertake the arduous journey home, often leads to congested roads and transportation systems. To avoid this annual ordeal,…
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Canadian man claims fear of criminal gang forced him to open plane door
The Canadian passenger, who attempted to open the door of a Thai Airways plane on February 7, claimed that he had to escape the aircraft because a criminal gang from Vietnam was after him. The foreign man was clean from drugs, and there was no mention of mental health issues. The 40 year old Canadian man, Wong Sai Heung, was…
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Thai AirAsia boosts flights to visa-free Japan and China
In response to robust demand, Thai AirAsia is set to increase flights to coveted travel destinations like Japan and China, which offer visa-free access to visitors. The airline also plans to introduce a fresh route to Okinawa. The initiative comes from Thai AirAsia’s chief executive, Santisuk Klongchaiya, who also helms SET-listed Asia Aviation (AAV). According to him, the surge in…
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13-year search ends in murder’s cruel revelation
A family’s relentless 13-year search for their missing daughter tragically ended with the arrest of a suspect and the confirmation that she had been murdered shortly after her disappearance in Harbin, Heilongjiang Province, China. The girl vanished on January 7, 2011, just metres from her home, prompting her parents to dedicate their lives to finding her, even offering a 100,000…
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Thai Airways responds to Chiang Mai Airport door incident
Thai Airways addressed a recent incident at Chiang Mai Airport where a Canadian passenger’s attempt to open an aircraft door while waiting for takeoff caused several flights to circle without being able to land. The disruption occurred yesterday (February 7), leading to temporary chaos as flights were unable to touch down at the airport. Chiang Mai Airport experienced significant disruption…
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Taiwan halts group tours to China amid escalating tensions
Travel agents in Taiwan have been ordered to cease organising new group tours to China as tensions between Beijing and Taipei continue to escalate. Despite China reopening its borders to other popular tourist destinations post-pandemic, Taiwan remains excluded from the list of approved destinations for Chinese nationals. Since the end of the pandemic, China has gradually allowed its citizens to…
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Hong Kong ex-student leader clashes with court judge over political statements
A former student leader involved in the 2019 Hong Kong protests faced a dramatic courtroom clash with the judge as she attempted to make political statements during her trial for rioting. Althea Suen’s impassioned plea was repeatedly interrupted, leading to a tense showdown at the West Kowloon Law Courts Building, Hong Kong. Suen, former head of the University of Hong…
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German airline Condor to operate direct flights to Bangkok and Phuket
German airline carrier Condor unveiled plans to revitalise travel to Asia by introducing non-stop flights from Frankfurt to Bangkok and Phuket starting in September. Condor is gearing up to spread its wings with a thrilling new route expansion. The airline is set to add seven weekly flights to Thailand. Frankfurt to Bangkok flights will operate four times a week while the…
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Thailand and Cambodia to discuss joint exploitation of hydrocarbon resources
Thailand and Cambodia consented to further dialogues concerning the mutual exploitation of the hydrocarbon resources in the Overlapping Claims Area (OCA), located in the Gulf of Thailand, a territory claimed by both nations. The matter was discussed during the recent meeting between Thai Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin and Cambodian leader Hun Manet, as they aimed to enhance cooperation for the…
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Mountain ride at Hong Kong Disneyland malfunctions, 12 rescued
At Hong Kong Disneyland, 12 thrill-seekers found themselves stranded on the iconic rollercoaster Hyperspace Mountain as it ground to an abrupt halt. Authorities sprang into action as police and fire services rushed to the scene following distress calls at precisely 3.16pm local time (2.16pm Thailand time) this afternoon. Despite the harrowing situation, there were no injuries reported and no smoke or…
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