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 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...
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Man leaps into river in Cambodia over declined shower invitation
A young man jumped into a river from a bridge in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, after his girlfriend declined his invitation to shower together, a proposal he saw as a gesture of intimacy. This refusal led him to wrongly believe that her love for him had faded, propelling him into a rash act that has since left authorities searching for his…
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French tourist discovers 7.46-carat diamond in Arkansas park
A French national struck it rich when he unearthed a 7.46-carat diamond during a visit to Arkansas’ Crater of Diamonds State Park, making it the eighth-largest gem found at the park. This January, while on a leisurely trip across the United States, Julian Navas made the sparkling discovery that has since captured international attention. The 42 year old from Paris,…
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Legal battle heats up over butter chicken’s true origin in India
A culinary dispute has escalated to the courts in India over the origins of the globally renowned butter chicken, with two Indian restaurant chains claiming the title of inventor of the cherished recipe. The Moti Mahal in Delhi, a large and storied Indian restaurant chain, whose patrons have included notable figures such as former US President Richard Nixon and India’s…
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Truck driver wins lottery twice post-miraculous recovery
The astonishing tale of Bill Morgan, a 37 year old truck driver from Australia, has resurfaced on social networks, earning him the title of the luckiest man alive. His story of winning the lottery twice following a miraculous recovery from clinical death has captivated audiences worldwide. In 1998, Bill Morgan was involved in a severe car accident that left him…
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Man in Taiwan suffers stroke from sudden cold after hot shower
A routine shower ended in a medical emergency for a 30 year old man in Kaohsiung, Taiwan, who suffered a stroke triggered by sudden exposure to cold after stepping out of the bath. Doctors have used this incident to highlight the dangers of abrupt temperature changes and to advocate for public awareness of stroke symptoms encapsulated by the F.A.S.T. mnemonic.…
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Cross-border connections revolution: Visa free travel for Chinese and Singaporeans
Starting from February 9, Chinese and Singaporean travellers can jet off visa-free in a new move to waive the requirement. In an exclusive bilateral agreement unveiled today, January 25, the world’s second-largest economy, China, and the vibrant city-state of Singapore have torn down the bureaucratic barriers, allowing their citizens a visa-free stay of up to 30 days on either side. This…
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Deadly blaze in Jiangxi shop claims 39 lives, President Xi demands action
At least 39 people died and nine were injured in a fire that broke out in the basement of a shop in Xin Yu City, Jiangxi Province, China. The blaze began yesterday afternoon, with smoke billowing from the building, prompting desperate individuals to jump from windows to escape the inferno. President Xi Jinping has ordered a thorough investigation into the…
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Japanese ramen shop offers lifetime noodles for 73,000 baht
A renowned Japanese ramen shop known for its rich chicken broth and soy sauce made an unprecedented offer: lifetime ramen for a one-time payment of 300,000 yen, or approximately 73,000 baht (US$2,042). Uramusashiya, the shop in question, announced through its official Twitter account that this offer, previously available to students for 100,000 yen (US$2,797), is now open to the general…
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Groom honours late bride in solo Malaysian wedding ceremony (video)
In a poignant ceremony that has resonated across social media, a groom proceeded with his wedding despite the absence of his bride, who had tragically passed away from lymphoma shortly before the event. The groom, identified as Daniel, had originally married his partner, Nofar, in Japan during the Covid-19 pandemic, with plans to hold a traditional ceremony in her native…
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Thai company sues Chinese coffee chain Luckin Coffee over trademark infringement
Thailand’s 50R Group unleashed a US$290 million (10 billion baht) legal storm against Chinese coffee giant Luckin Coffee. The lawsuit is over alleged economic losses during a trademark dispute that has shaken the caffeine industry. Thailand’s 50R Group claims it legally staked its claim to the Luckin trademark with the Thai Ministry of Commerce in 2020, unveiling stores in December…
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AirAsia X expansion sparks unprecedented growth
AirAsia X soared to new heights, carrying a staggering 890,289 passengers in the fourth quarter of 2023, experiencing a 2.6-fold increase year-on-year. Passenger Load Factor (PLF) has risen to 82%, a remarkable three-percentage-point surge. The surge comes on the heels of an impressive 2.5-fold increase in seat capacity, making it a clear winner in the aviation race. During the quarter…
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Vietnamese village brings incense stick tradition to social media
In the quaint Incense Village of Quang Phu Cau, nestled in the northern part of Vietnam, a vibrant transformation is underway. Dang Thi Hoa, a seasoned artisan with three decades of incense stick craftsmanship, finds herself not just steeped in tradition but riding the wave of Instagram fervour. Lunar New Year, locally known as Tet, has taken on a whole…
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Swedish travellers grounded at Bulgaria’s Varna Airport due to aircraft wheel defect
Hundreds of Swedish travellers were grounded at Varna Airport in Bulgaria after a wheel glitch on a flight from Phuket to Stockholm. A Sunclass Airlines Airbus A330-900neo (reg. OY-VKP) suffered a wheel glitch, throwing a spanner in the works of flight DK2577 from Phuket to Stockholm Arlanda. What was supposed to be a quick refuelling pitstop was met with complications…
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Chememan signs Khimsar agreement to become major lime producer in India
Chememan Public Company Limited (CMAN), a leading lime producer, inked the Khimsar Agreement with Khimsar Mine Corporation (KMC), marking its initiative to set up a state-of-the-art lime factory in Khimsar, Rajasthan, India. This endeavour positions CMAN on the path of becoming a significant lime producer in India. The agreement was signed with KMC, a fresh entrant in the Indian mining…
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TAT holds Amazing Thailand Product event in Indonesia
The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) rolled out the red carpet for the Amazing Thailand Product Update 2024 in Jakarta and Bandung. Aiming to strengthen ties between Thai and Indonesian tourism, this event was more than just a gathering; it was a powerhouse of collaboration. Drawing a crowd of approximately 100 Indonesian tourism wizards in each bustling city, the week-long…
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Update: British man who contracted leukaemia whilst on vacation in Thailand loses battle
The British man from Southend who fought a battle against leukaemia, contracted whilst on holiday in Thailand, in late November last year, has passed away at Southend Hospital. Dean Penson’s fateful journey began when he fell critically ill during a holiday in Thailand, prompting a 10-day hospital stay where doctors initially feared the worst – leukaemia. A desperate fundraising effort…
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Thai woman found dead alongside sister’s husband and daughters
A Thai woman was found dead alongside her sister’s husband and their two young daughters in their Costessey family home near Norwich, in the United Kingdom. The woman, 36 year old Kanticha Noon arrived in the UK on December 27 last year for a family visit, staying at the residence with her sister Nanthaka’s family. The gruesome discovery of their…
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Mysterious red envelope in Tokyo sparks Ghost Wedding fears
A cryptic red envelope found on a Tokyo street sparked intrigue online. The envelope was found near a train station and was picked up and photographed by a passerby who posted the image on Twitter, unaware of the chilling revelation that would follow. The individual stumbled upon the mysterious red envelope near Ueno Okachimachi subway station in Tokyo, Japan. The…
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Chinese rural mindset shifts as daughters disprove age-old favour sons belief
A traditional Chinese rural mindset of favouring sons has been challenged as a family with four daughters, all of whom have married, brings joy and envy to their village during festive seasons. The daughters, along with their respective husbands, regularly visit their parents, bringing gifts and helping with household chores, thus dispelling the long-held belief that only sons can carry…
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US woman lives as infant, spending 10,000 baht monthly on diapers
Paigey Miller, a 29 year old woman from the east coast of the United States, lives her life as an infant, complete with bottle-feeding and nappy-wearing, spending more than 10,000 baht (US$ 292) a month on diapers. Originally a fan of toys and stuffed animals, Miller decided to create social media content for the adult baby community, a lifestyle that…
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Pad Haggis sparks fusion frenzy at Edinburgh’s Ting Thai restaurant
Popular Edinburgh eatery Ting Thai is set to redefine Burns Night celebrations with its daring culinary creation, the Pad Haggis. This limited edition dish, born from the success of Ting Thai’s trendsetting Pad Thai, promises a fiery twist to the traditional Scottish supper. Exclusively available through the Deliveroo app from January 23, the Pad Haggis is poised to add an…
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STARLUX Airlines to launch LA and San Francisco to Chiang Mai flights
Taiwanese airline, STARLUX Airlines, is launching new routes from Los Angeles and San Francisco to the northern province of Chiang Mai. The launch event, held at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) on January 16 showcased the distinct traditions of Chiang Mai while underscoring TAT’s unwavering commitment to enhancing US-Thailand travel. As a warm Chiang Mai welcome, passengers on the inaugural…
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NZ pilot strips naked at airport security check after argument
Every frequent flyer knows the drill: the seemingly endless choreography of removing liquids, laptops, belts, and shoes at airport security, but one senior pilot for Air New Zealand decided to go one step further and strip naked at Queenstown International Airport (ZQN). Neil Abbott, described by his colleagues as a “bit of a character,” was set to fly to Auckland Airport…
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PM Srettha discusses direct flights from Brussels to Bangkok at WEF
At the 54th World Economic Forum in Davos, Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin met Belgium Prime Minister Alexander De Croo to discuss stronger ties between the two nations at the Congress Centre on January 17. Coming out of the high-profile meeting, the prime minister-cum-finance minister pledged to explore the prospect of direct flights between Brussels and Bangkok with the involvement of…
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Thai PM hails Thailand as top Airbnb hotspot and UK Telegraph’s 6th best destination this year
Thailand emerged as the ultimate getaway for Chinese tourists, clinching the top spot on Airbnb‘s coveted list and securing the 6th position in The Telegraph’s must-visit destinations for 2024. Government spokesperson Chai Wacharonke revealed that Thailand outshone all rivals on Airbnb’s hotel booking platform during the winter season of December 2023 to February 2024. “Thailand is the most sought-after destination…
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Police general takes flight: Aims to soar Suvarnabhumi Airport into global top 50 in 2 years
The new chairman of Airports of Thailand (AoT), Police General Visanu Prasattongosoth, announced an ambitious plan to elevate Suvarnabhumi International Airport into the top 50 global airports within two years. The strategy, revealed yesterday, January 18, is part of AoT’s broader initiative to upgrade and increase the capacities of six airports under its jurisdiction, in response to the anticipated global…
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Vietjet Air and Trip.com join hands for better travel service
Vietjet Air signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with global travel giant Trip.com Group to provide a more convenient experience for travellers worldwide. Passengers are in for a treat as Vietjet Air’s official website will soon serve as a one-stop-shop for a plethora of travel offerings from Trip.com Group. From hotels to airport transfers, attractions, and activities, travellers can effortlessly…
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Thai Airways unveils new route to India’s Kochi
Thai Airways (THAI) made its intentions known to operate flights to Southwest India, by applying to India’s civil aviation authorities to introduce a brand-new route from Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi Airport to Kochi in Kerala. Scheduled to take off in April, the airline plans three weekly flights. Renowned for its impeccable service, THAI is set to dispatch its A320-200, exclusively configured for…
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China’s population plummet, two million decline in a year
China witnessed a massive decline in population last year with a decrease of two million, marking the nation’s second consecutive annual dip, according to government reports. The aftermath of Covid-19 restrictions lifting unleashed a demographic whirlwind, unveiling unforeseen challenges for the once-populous Asian giant. The statistics bureau disclosed that deaths surged by a staggering 690,000, reaching 11.1 million – more…
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Thailand domestic boarding regulations tighten
The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) revealed new regulations for non-Thai passengers taking domestic flights in Thailand. Effective from January 16, the Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand (CAAT) tightened control on the boarding pass and ID checks. The CAAT laid down the law, demanding an exact match between the name on the boarding pass and the passenger’s government-issued ID. Whether…
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