World News
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Thai AirAsia X flight changes leave travellers scrambling
Thai passengers have complained online after Thai AirAsia X (AA X) changed several Japan-bound flights and issued flight cancellations, particularly on the Don Mueang to Osaka route, disrupting travel plans in May. The issue gained attention in online Japan travel groups, where multiple passengers shared accounts of sudden flight changes with no prior email or SMS notification. One passenger wrote,…
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US visa applicants must now set social media accounts to public
The United States has expanded screening requirements for the US visa applicants, requiring individuals in multiple non-immigrant visa categories to set their social media accounts to public to support vetting under US law. The update, announced by the US Department of State and shared by the US Embassy in Bangkok on April 20, applies to applicants across a wide range…
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Thailand set for slowest economic growth in ASEAN in 2026, IMF says
Thailand is expected to record the slowest economic growth in ASEAN in 2026 after the International Monetary Fund (IMF) cut its forecast to 1.5%, down from 1.6% projected in January. The downgrade, reported today, April 17, places Thailand behind its regional peers, including Cambodia, Laos and Myanmar. The IMF said Vietnam is expected to lead the region with 7.1% growth, followed…
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Thai Airways cuts May flights across Asia, Europe
Thai Airways has reduced flight frequencies across domestic, Asian and European routes for May in response to weaker tourism demand and high fuel costs. The schedule, reported as of yesterday, April 16, affects key routes from May 1 onwards, with some reductions lasting until the end of the month. On domestic routes, flights to Khon Kaen will be reduced from…
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Rak Chart Party submits UNESCO letter urging tighter review
Representatives of the Rak Chart Party travelled to Paris, France, to submit a letter to UNESCO headquarters today, April 12, expressing appreciation for its recognition of Thai cultural heritage while also calling for careful evaluation of world heritage registrations. The delegation, led by party director Chanin Pinthong and spokesperson Chaiporn Jirawinijnan, said the visit aimed to thank UNESCO for acknowledging…
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Thailand welcomes US-Iran ceasefire, urges serious talks
Thailand has welcomed a reported two-week ceasefire agreement between the United States and Iran, expressing hope that it will lead to lasting peace in the Middle East, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Affairs Minister Sihasak Phuangketkeow said yesterday, April 8. The minister said the conflict and violence had caused widespread damage in Iran and across the region, with the impact…
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Three missing Mayuree Naree crew members confirmed dead
Three crew members of the Mayuree Naree vessel have been confirmed dead following an attack by Iran in the Strait of Hormuz, Thailand’s foreign minister said yesterday, April 8. Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Affairs Minister Sihasak Phuangketkeow stated that rescue teams from Iran and Oman were able to enter the ship and confirmed the deaths of the three crew…
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Thai airlines announce route suspensions after fuel price surge
Thai Lion Air, Nok Air and Thai AirAsia suspended several domestic and international routes amid rising fuel costs linked to escalating conflict in the Middle East. The three airlines announced that the route changes made this week were prompted by higher operating costs following a sharp increase in fuel prices. Thai Lion Air suspended its route from Don Mueang International…
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CAAT warns of flight adjustments after Songkran
Thailand’s Civil Aviation Authority (CAAT) said on April 3 that it is monitoring the impact of Middle East tensions, with airlines expected to adjust flight operations after Songkran due to rising fuel costs and shifting travel demand. CAAT reported that airlines in the Middle East are gradually resuming services, with operations now at more than half of normal levels. Airlines…
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Thai Airways allows two power banks, bans onboard use
Thai Airways International issued a security notice today, April 3, outlining new power bank rules that allow each passenger to carry up to two devices on board, but prohibit their use and charging during flights. The airline said in a social media post that the restriction has been in effect since March 27, in line with safety regulations announced by…
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French-born rapper cites ChatGPT in credit dispute with Thai director
A French-born rapper based in South Korea and Thai film director disputed over the credit of a music video after the artist listed herself as the director, citing ChatGPT conversations as part of her explanation. The disagreement surfaced after K-hip hop artist Mouna Loriane De Gallois Kone Kaga, known professionally as Moon, released the music video for her song “Fresh Girls…
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Microsoft to invest US$1 billion in Thailand’s cloud and AI by 2028
Microsoft has announced it will invest more than US$1 billion in Thailand between 2026 and 2028 to develop cloud and artificial intelligence (AI) infrastructure, aiming to strengthen the country’s competitiveness globally and to upskill digital skills for millions of people nationwide. Brad Smith, Microsoft’s vice chair and president, said the company is focusing on what it calls the diffusion rate…
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American man convicted in Thai man’s death released
A court in the United States ordered the release on probation of an African-American man convicted over the death of the 84 year old Thai man Vicha Ratanaphakdee in San Francisco in 2021. The judge ruled he had already completed the custodial portion of his eight-year sentence after receiving credit for time served and placed him on five years of…
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Rights holder accuses Thai publisher of unlicensed comics sales
Tong Li Publishing Co., Ltd issued a Thai-language statement today, March 26, alleging that Thailand-based publisher BURAPAT COMICS has been printing, distributing and selling the comic Hongsa Chom Rachan without legal authorisation. Hongsa Chom Rachan is the Thai release of The Ravages of Time, a Chinese-language historical comic series from Hong Kong set in the Three Kingdoms era that has…
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Thai vessel passes Strait of Hormuz safely, second ship also permitted
A Thai-flagged Bangchak vessel has passed through the Strait of Hormuz safely amid unrest in the area, according to updates yesterday, March 24, from the Iranian Embassy in Bangkok and Bangchak Corporation Plc. A second Thai ship was also reportedly cleared to transit the strait. In a Facebook post on the “IR Iran Embassy in Bangkok Thailand” page, the Embassy…
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Two Thai students killed in Miami Beach hit-and-run
Two Thai nationals were killed in Miami Beach, Florida, after being hit by a car while crossing a road on March 17, during the US spring break holiday period, with police later arresting the driver. The crash happened at about 9.05pm as the pair crossed Collins Avenue near 73rd Street. Rescue workers rushed both victims to the hospital, but they later…
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Thai Airways ticket prices rise 10% to 15% as jet fuel costs jump
Thai Airways gradually increased fares by 10% to 15% as higher jet fuel costs linked to unrest in the Middle East. Thai Airways CEO Chai Eamsiri told media the airline has been managing the impact of the escalating conflict involving a US and Israel coalition and Iran. He said the most immediate effect was the jet fuel prices, which rose…
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US issues alert urging Americans to exercise increased caution
The US Department of State issued a worldwide security alert advising US citizens to exercise increased caution, citing an escalating US-Israel-Iran war. In the alert issued yesterday, March 22, the department urged US citizens, particularly those in Middle Eastern countries, to take extra precautions and follow security guidance provided by the nearest US embassy or consulate. The department said US diplomatic…
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Suvarnabhumi Airport ranking rises to 36th in 2026 world’s best airport
Airports of Thailand (AOT) announced that Suvarnabhumi International Airport was ranked 36th in the 2026 World’s Best Airport list, improving its ranking by three positions from 39th last year. In a Facebook post shared yesterday, March 22, AOT said Suvarnabhumi Airport and Don Mueang International Airport brought pride to Thailand again following service improvements that helped both airports rise in…
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Mum on the run in Asia TikToker jailed after return to UK from Thailand
A British TikToker known online as “Mum on the run in Asia” was sentenced to 26 months in prison for drug offences after returning to the UK from Thailand. The TikTok user, Ellis Matthews, left the UK in 2021 and travelled to Thailand while pregnant. She later attracted attention online for a controversial video posted last year on her TikTok…
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Thai woman reports missing accessories after Bangkok to Shanghai flight
A Thai woman shared her experience online to warn other travellers after she said designer accessories went missing from her suitcase during a flight from Bangkok to China. The woman posted in the Facebook group เที่ยวเองเซี่ยงไฮ้ Shanghai (travel to Shanghai on your own) on Monday, March 16. She said the incident happened on a trip from Suvarnabhumi International Airport to…
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Labour Ministry confirms Thai worker killed in attack in Israel
A Thai national working in Israel was killed yesterday, March 18, amid escalating conflict in the region, prompting Thailand’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs to urge Thai citizens to move away from high-risk areas for safety. Labour Minister Trinuch Thienthong said today, March 19, that officials at the Royal Thai Embassy in Tel Aviv confirmed the death of the Thai worker, Chaiwat…
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AEROTHAI says 1,000+ Middle East flights to Thailand cancelled
More than 1,000 flights to Thailand have been cancelled by airlines from the Middle East since February 28, according to Aeronautical Radio of Thailand (AEROTHAI), as the regional conflict continues to affect traffic through Thai airspace. Surachai Nuprom, AEROTHAI’s deputy executive director and acting executive director, said today, March 18, that the impact on flight volumes in Thailand has become…
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Thai aviation industry costs rise as AAT seeks government relief
The Airline Association of Thailand (AAT) has met executives from six member airlines to discuss rising cost pressures on the Thai aviation industry, as it prepares to ask the government for urgent relief measures. The AAT said it recently convened a meeting with top management from its member airlines: Bangkok Airways, Thai AirAsia, Thai AirAsia X, Nok Air, Thai Lion…
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2 Thai transwomen arrested over high heel attack in Hong Kong
Hong Kong police arrested two Thai transwomen after they attacked a Chinese man with high heels, allegedly due to a financial dispute, on Saturday, March 14. Local news agency, HK01, reported the incident happened at about 8pm at Kin Hing Building on Argyle Street in Mong Kok, Hong Kong. The case involved two Thai transwomen, aged 29 and 30, and…
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Thai doctor catches Chinese thief, stealing on Udon Thani-Bangkok flight
A Thai doctor chased down and detained a Chinese man who stole 200,000 baht in cash during a Thai Airways flight from Udon Thani to Bangkok on Friday, March 13. In a Facebook post, the doctor said the incident occurred on a Thai Airways flight from Udon Thani province to Suvarnabhumi International Airport. He said the plane departed Udon Thani…
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20 Thai crew return after Strait of Hormuz ship attack, but 3 remain missing
Twenty Thai crew members from Precious Shipping Public Company Limited (PSL) arrived in Thailand yesterday, March 15, after being rescued following a Strait of Hormuz ship attack on March 11. Three crew members remain missing. PSL’s cargo ship Mayuree Naree was attacked by Iranian forces at about 11.30am on March 11 while travelling from the United Arab Emirates (UAE) to…
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Muscat embassy welcomes 20 Thai crew members after rescue
The Thai Ambassador to Muscat hosted a dinner and held discussions with the 20 crew members from the Mayuree Naree vessel at the Ambassador’s residence in Oman yesterday, 14 March, following an incident near the Strait of Hormuz. Ambassador Warunee Pankrajang, together with embassy officials, held talks and a dinner with crew of the Mayuree Naree, along with the manager…
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Navy confirms three Thai cargo ship crew alive but still unreachable
The Royal Thai Navy confirmed today, March 13, that three Thai crew members from the cargo ship Mayuree Naree are still alive but cannot yet be reached after the vessel was attacked near the Strait of Hormuz. Speaking at the Royal Thai Navy Headquarters, Admiral Thadawut Tatpitakkul, Chief of Staff of the Royal Thai Navy, gave an update on the…
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Jet skis, inflatable boats proposed for Thai cargo ship crew search
Thai public figure Gun Jompalang has proposed using small vessels as an option for the Royal Thai Navy as efforts continue to locate three Thai crew members missing after the cargo ship Mayuree Naree was attacked near the Strait of Hormuz. Gun Jompalang said today, March 13, that he had taken the family of one of the missing crew members…
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