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.
-
Sponsored Why retirees in Thailand are choosing long-term health insurance over quick fixes
Retirees in Thailand are increasingly seeing the importance of health insurance in protecting their well-being during retirement. With insurance requirements for retirement visas and rising healthcare costs, many are moving away from short-term plans and choosing long-term coverage. Long-term health...
-
Mid-air tyre fiasco: United Airlines jet loses wheel (video)
In a heart-stopping incident, a tyre from a United Airlines plane departing from San Francisco International Airport went rogue mid-air, hurtling down onto a parking lot nearby. SFO spokesperson Doug Yakel confirmed the tyre, dislodged from Japan-bound United Flight 35, crash-landed in an airport employee parking zone, wreaking havoc on multiple vehicles. Thankfully, no injuries were reported in the alarming…
-
Vietnam’s rice exports projected to decline amid quality shift
A downward shift is projected for Vietnam’s rice exports in the current year, with estimates ranging between 6.5 and 7.0 million metric tonnes. This is a noticeable drop from the previous year’s record high of 8.1 million tonnes, as reported by the Vietnam Food Association. Vietnam, ranking third globally in rice exports after Thailand and India, indicated a strategic shift…
-
Double trouble: British lookalikes forge unlikely friendship on flight to Thailand
An airport mix-up led a pair of British lookalikes to discover they not only shared the same flight but also the same name, sparking an unlikely friendship. The lookalikes, Mark Garland, a 58 year old bus driver from Trowbridge, Wiltshire, and another Mark Garland, a 62 year old builder from Warmley, Bristol, were inadvertently seated next to each other on an…
-
Leopard in the room: Indian boy’s purr-fect phone escape
A young boy in India encountered a leopard in his room while playing on his phone, managing to quietly exit and lock the animal inside. The 12 year old boy, Mohit Ahir, displayed remarkable composure and bravery during the incident. Ahir, the son of a security official at a wedding event, was waiting for his father in the office room…
-
Wheelchair-bound British beautician launches accessible salon
In a remarkable display of resilience, the British beautician, who was paralysed following a balcony fall in Thailand, has launched a pioneering new salon where accessibility is not merely a feature but a guiding principle. Struggling to access conventional beauty treatments after her life-altering accident, Maddi Neale-Shankster envisioned a haven where wheelchair users and the able-bodied could share the same space…
-
Thai Night Hong Kong 2024 returns with global partnerships
The Department of International Trade Promotion (DITP), under Thailand’s Ministry of Commerce, is abuzz with excitement as Thai Night Hong Kong 2024 approaches. Themed Inspiring Thailand, the event, scheduled for next Monday, March 11 at FILMART, aims to shine a spotlight on the remarkable achievements of the Thai entertainment industry. Presided over by Her Royal Highness Princess Ubolratana Rajakanya Sirivadhana Barnavadi,…
-
Scoot to fly to Krabi and Hat Yai with new state-of-the-art jets
Scoot, the budget carrier under Singapore Airlines, is about to revolutionise travel with its cutting-edge E190-E2 jets, set to take flight in May. With the delivery of the first and second of nine E2s scheduled for April, Scoot has unleashed its grand plan, unveiling the initial destinations for these state-of-the-art aircraft. The E2s will pave the way for Scoot to…
-
US woman detained for Thai restaurant fatal shooting and robbery
A woman was apprehended and slapped with a staggering US$100,000 (approximately 3.6 million baht) cash bail by the Department of Corrections in the US for her involvement in a fatal shooting and robbery outside a local Thai restaurant. Jenna Manibusan’s alleged shooting and robbery of Sumittra Lairopi triggered a cascade of legal proceedings, escalating into a gripping courtroom drama. A…
-
Tourists banned from Kyoto’s Geisha District
In a bold move to protect Kyoto’s iconic geisha from relentless harassment by tourists, the local council in Gion has decided to ban sightseers from the district’s narrow backstreets. The decision comes after a surge in appalling incidents where traditional entertainers found themselves accosted and disrespected by unruly visitors. This move marks the latest effort to safeguard the revered geisha…
-
Jetstar Asia soars to Krabi and Clark, Philippines
Jetstar Asia announced two direct routes to Krabi and Clark, Philippines, promising to whisk passengers away to paradise. Starting June 7, thrill-seekers can jet off to the mesmerising shores of Krabi, with the low-cost carrier offering six weekly services to this South Thai gem. From June 16, travellers can hop aboard for a journey to the heart of the Philippines’…
-
Bangkok airports hit turbulence: Ranked among world’s worst
Suvarnabhumi International Airport and Don Mueang International Airport in Bangkok ranked among the worst air travel hubs in Asia according to Business Financing’s recent report. The financial information and research website from the UK, Business Financing, launched the Best & Worst Airports in the World, According to Business Travellers in February this year. This rank is based on the business…
-
Thai PM sets sail with plans for exclusive mid-sea airport in Hua Hin
Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin plans to create a cutting-edge mid-sea airport in Hua Hin, exclusively catering to the jet-setting elite. This visionary project aims to connect Thailand’s most stunning destinations, promising unparalleled luxury and convenience for affluent travellers. But the innovation doesn’t stop there. The Airports of Thailand (AOT) is gearing up for a groundbreaking seaplane terminal at Phuket International…
-
US Army captain defying tradition with a Buddhist twist
In a bustling Southwestern bar at a Royal Thai Navy (RTN) base, a US Army captain stood out, not just for his uniform but for the emblem adorning his cap, the Buddhist wheel of dharma, a rare sight in military circles. Chaplain (Captain) Songkran Waiyaka, one of only 10 Buddhists among over 3,000 religious leaders in the Army, often finds…
-
Father throws young son from Hong Kong shopping centre rooftop
A seven year old boy narrowly escaped death after his father, burdened by debt and despair, attempted a gruesome murder-suicide at a bustling Hong Kong shopping centre. The young primary two pupil is in critical condition, fighting for his life at Queen Elizabeth Hospital’s intensive care unit following the harrowing ordeal, which unfolded atop the six-storey Kowloon City Plaza. Security…
-
Thai Airways operates new routes to Perth, Colombo, and Kochi
Come March 31, Thai Airways (THAI) will operate flights to Perth in Western Australia and Colombo in Sri Lanka. In addition, THAI’s first flight to Southwest India’s Cochin Airport will take off on April 2. Chief Commercial Officer, Korakot Chatasingha, unveiled the grand plans yesterday, promising a daily dose of connectivity between Bangkok and Perth, complementing the airline’s existing routes to…
-
China aims for 5% growth amid economic slowdown
China is poised to set its growth target for the year at about 5%, according to a government work report obtained by Bloomberg News. This growth target hints at the possibility of the government introducing more stimulus to boost the economy’s confidence, which is currently slowing. Premier Li Qiang is expected to disclose the annual gross domestic product (GDP) goal…
-
British man dies from vitamin D overdose, spurs health warning
An 89 year old British man tragically passed away after nine months of consuming excessive amounts of vitamin D supplements, leading to a fatal case of hypervitaminosis D. This is characterised by elevated blood calcium levels, which ultimately caused heart failure. The incident has sparked medical professionals to raise alarms over the potential dangers of overconsumption of dietary supplements. David…
-
Bangkok’s Rama followed the deer as far as Paris
Khon Ramayana episode: “Phra Ram Tam Kwang” (Rama Followed the Deer) is one of the Thai performances that the Thai Arts and Culture Group from the Culture, Sports and Tourism Department performed at the activity area on the rooftop of the Galeries Lafayette department store, located in a major shopping area in the middle of Paris. It attracted a lot…
-
Thai pilot turns midwife to deliver baby on Taiwan to Bangkok flight
In a tale straight out of a gripping Hollywood movie, a Thai airline pilot stepped up to the plate as the heroic Bruce Willis/John McClane-type protagonist to deliver a baby after a pregnant mother went into labour on a flight from Taiwan to Bangkok. The courageous Thai pilot, Jakarin Sararnrakskul, reportedly lacked medical training beyond basic first aid but he…
-
Runway blackout: Krabi Airport power failure affects 508 passengers
Krabi International Airport suffered a power failure on the runway on Saturday night, affecting three flights and 508 passengers. The Acting Director of the Airport Department, Montri Dechasakulsom, reported that a power failure occurred at the third apron of Krabi Airport on Saturday, March 2, preventing aircraft from landing or taking off at the time. Montri said three flights and…
-
Thailand speeds up development of six airports to boost global aviation ranking
In a substantial move to elevate Thailand’s aviation stature on the global platform, the Airports of Thailand Public Company Limited (AOT) fast-tracked the development of six of its national airports. This ambitious venture, set in motion on March 2, entails an estimated investment of 210 billion baht (US$5.86 billion). It resonates with the Thai government’s policies aimed at transforming Thai…
-
Thailand’s aviation hub plans receive airline approval
The Thai government’s initiative to transform the country into an aviation and logistics hub has been met with approval from airlines. However, concerns regarding congestion at major airports and the significant investment required to accommodate increasing demand persist. Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin recently unveiled plans to capitalise on Thailand’s strategic location in Southeast Asia to attract more international airlines to…
-
PM Srettha’s billion-baht plan to transform Suvarnabhumi Airport
Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin announced plans to boost the annual capacity of Suvarnabhumi International Airport in Samut Prakan. “We’re gearing up to more than double our capacity to a staggering 150 million passengers annually.” Currently handling a substantial 60 million passengers, Suvarnabhumi Airport is set for a dramatic makeover, including the addition of a third runway. This makeover will catapult…
-
Don Mueang Airport combats congestion with designated drop lanes
An initiative to combat heavy traffic congestion at Don Mueang International Airport‘s Terminal 2 will see the enforcement of designated passenger drop lanes for taxi drivers starting today, March 1. This mandate is part of the Transport Ministry’s broader strategy to enhance passenger experience at the nation’s largest low-carrier hub, an imperative necessity as the Songkran holiday period is expected…
-
Thailand PM unveils plan to become global cargo distribution hub
Thailand Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin envisions the country as a regional aviation centre and one of the world’s top five cargo distribution hubs. During a live broadcast scheduled for Friday at 9.30am, the premier will elaborate on this ambitious plan on the government’s NBT television channel and various online and social media platforms. The news of this upcoming discourse was…
-
Thai woman plunges to death from 23rd floor of condo in Malaysia
A 32 year old Thai woman met her untimely demise after being allegedly pushed by her boyfriend from the 23rd floor to the seventh floor of a condominium in Setia Alam, Malaysia. Shah Alam OCPD Assistant Commander Mohd Iqbal Ibrahim disclosed that the authorities received a distressing report regarding the incident precisely at 10.02pm local time (9.02pm Thailand time) last…
-
Man executed for murder of ex-fiancée in Singapore
In a sombre statement released yesterday, the Singapore Police Force (SPF) confirmed the execution of a Bangladeshi national for the murder of his former fiancée at a budget hotel in Geylang back in 2018. Despite fervent appeals for clemency, the president’s decision stood firm, sealing Ahmed Salim’s grim fate. This chilling incident marks the Republic’s first judicial execution for murder since…
-
Thai VietJet cites safety reasons for refusing disabled passengers
Several Thai people with disabilities stepped forward to lodge complaints with the Ministry of Transport, accusing Thai VietJet Air of refusing to accommodate them. The airline responded to the accusations today, February 29, stating that it denied service to certain disabled passengers as a precautionary safety measure. The president of the Association for the Empowerment of Disabled Women (AEDW), Saowaluck…
-
Global forests in crisis: Shocking decline revealed
In a staggering revelation, the world’s forests have undergone a drastic reduction of nearly 20 million square kilometres over the past 30 years, plunging from 42.03 million square kilometres in 1992 to 40.44 million square kilometres in 2021, as per the latest data from the World Bank. Attributing this alarming loss to the relentless encroachment of agriculture and industrialisation, the…
-
Chinese city gives out lottery tickets to boost birth rates
Authorities in Xi’an, China, are rolling the dice on love with a jaw-dropping scheme aimed at tackling the nation’s plummeting birth rates. In a bold move to combat China’s declining birth rates, the city of Xi’an is set to splash a whopping 700,000 yuan (equivalent to 3.6 million baht) on lottery tickets, all in the name of encouraging newlyweds to…
Broke? Find employment in Southeast Asia with JobCute Thailand and SmartJob Indonesia. Rich? Invest in real estate across Asia with FazWaz Property Group or get out on a yacht anywhere with Boatcrowd. Even book medical procedures worldwide with MyMediTravel, all powered by DB Ventures.