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 Limited-time deal: Save 20% on Cigna's expat health plans forever
Starting a new life abroad is exciting—new culture, new lifestyle, and new chances to grow. But living far from home also means taking steps to protect your health in unfamiliar surroundings. Without the right coverage, even small health issues can...
-
Kazakhstan airline’s new route to Phuket takes off in October
Kazakhstan airline Air Astana announced the launch of direct flights from Astana to Phuket, with the first flight taking off on October 26. This exciting new route adds to Air Astana’s existing Almaty-Phuket service, which is also getting a boost with daily flights starting the same day. Travellers from Astana can now look forward to jetting off to Phuket three…
-
Thai Air Force to announce new fighter jet choice this week
The Royal Thai Air Force (RTAF) is set to reveal its choice for a new fighter jet model by the end of the week, as announced by ACM Panpakdee Pattanakul. The decision aims to modernise the ageing fleet. Currently, the RTAF is considering the Swedish-made Gripen E-model and the US-made F-16 Block 70 jets. Saab AB, the manufacturer of the…
-
VietJet Thailand offers flights starting at 100 baht
VietJet Thailand has launched an enticing travel promotion titled Fly for Just 100 Baht, allowing passengers to book air tickets between August 26 and August 30 for travel from September 10 to March 31 next year. This deal excludes public holidays and offers fares as low as 100 baht, excluding taxes and fees. Passengers can enjoy this promotional fare on…
-
Thai airlines gear up for massive fleet expansions
Thailand’s airlines are preparing for a massive fleet expansion as the global aviation industry rebounds at full throttle after the Covid-19 pandemic. With air travel poised to double by 2043, as predicted by the International Air Transport Association (IATA), Thai carriers are seizing the opportunity to dominate the skies. Thai Airways International (THAI), the country’s national airline, is leading the…
-
Tomiko Itoka is the ‘top banana’ at 116 years old
The title of the world’s oldest person has now peeled away to Japanese grandmother Tomiko Itoka, who, at 116, has taken over from Maria Branyas, who passed away at 117 on August 20. Tomiko was notified of her new status on August 21 and responded with a warm “thank you,” proving she’s as sweet as her secret to longevity. So,…
-
Nine confirmed dead in Chachoengsao plane crash (video)
A small plane carrying nine people, including passengers and crew, tragically crashed just 10 minutes after takeoff in Chachoengsao province yesterday. All on board are dead. The harrowing incident occurred yesterday afternoon, August 22, when officials began the grim task of recovering the wreckage in Moo 6, Ban Khao Din, Bang Pakong district. Initially, the bodies of the passengers were…
-
Chachoengsao plane crash sparks fears of possible deaths
A small plane crash sparked a frantic search for survivors after it went down in a remote, mangrove-covered area of Chachoengsao province this afternoon. The crash, which occurred at 3.15pm, today, August 22, near Wat Khao Din in the Bang Pakong district, left the plane’s wreckage scattered across the dense, inaccessible forest, leaving rescue teams scrambling to locate any passengers.…
-
Beloved gay penguin dies in Sydney (video)
In a tearful farewell, Sphen, the gentoo penguin who captivated the world as part of a famous same-sex power couple, has died at the age of 11. Sphen and his partner, Magic, shot to global fame in 2018 after falling in love at Sea Life Sydney Aquarium and later adopting and raising two chicks. Their heartwarming story touched millions and…
-
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…
-
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,…
-
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,…
-
Thailand’s ‘Nihao Month’ set to woo Chinese tourists
Thailand is pulling out all the stops to lure Chinese tourists back in droves with the launch of its ambitious Nihao Month campaign. With a staggering target of attracting 8 million Chinese visitors by the end of the year, the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) is betting big on a series of irresistible promotions and star-studded events. Since the beginning…
-
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.…
-
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…
-
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…
-
Korean jet deal with Thailand boosts defence ties
Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) inked a pivotal memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Thailand’s Thai Aviation Industries (TAI). This landmark agreement aims to supercharge the operational rate and support capabilities of the T-50TH aircraft, a key asset in Thailand’s air defence arsenal. This MOU marks a significant milestone in the defence partnership between South Korea and Thailand, with both nations stepping up…
-
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…
-
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…
-
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…
-
Soaring high: Thai AirAsia’s stunning turnaround in 2024
Asia Aviation (AAV), the proud sole shareholder of Thai AirAsia, unleashed its operational results for the first half of 2024, boasting an impressive financial recovery. The figures are staggering, with revenue from sales and services soaring to 25,279 million baht, marking a 32% year-on-year increase. AAV’s profit from core operations skyrocketed by a jaw-dropping 1,015%, reaching 1,950 million baht from…
-
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…
-
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…
-
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…
-
Disney fights Thai doctor’s death lawsuit, citing husband’s agreement
Multinational conglomerate Walt Disney dismissed a lawsuit filed by the husband of a Thai doctor who died after dining at a Disney restaurant in Florida, claiming that her husband agreed to settle any disputes with Disney outside of court when he signed up for the Disney+ streaming service. The Thai doctor, 42 year old Kanokporn Tangsuan, died following a severe…
-
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…
-
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…
-
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…
-
Rare Marvel T-shirt from 1997 sells for over 220,000 baht
A rare Marvel T-shirt from 1997, featuring designs of Silver Surfer, Daredevil, and Spider-Man, has gone viral after an intense bidding war saw its price skyrocket past 200,000 baht on an online auction. The auction, started by Facebook user Sarayut Sakha, showcased a white T-shirt from 1997 with a chest measurement of 22.5 inches and a length of 29 inches.…
-
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…
-
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…
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.