World News
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Sponsored Black Friday is here: Last 48 hours to get your 10% off health insurance plan
With only 48 hours left in this Black Friday promotion, now is your chance to secure comprehensive health insurance at an exclusive 10% discount. For expats living in Thailand, navigating healthcare can bring unexpected challenges. Whether it’s accessing quality healthcare,...
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Rice and shine: Parboiled prices soar as global markets heat up
Global rice markets are heating up as prices for parboiled rice surged this week, driven by robust demand in major export hubs India and Thailand. After three weeks of stability, Indian and Thai exporters are now cashing in on renewed interest, while Vietnamese traders grapple with stagnant sales. India, the world’s largest rice exporter, saw its 5% broken parboiled rice…
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Jetstar flight to Phuket returns to Sydney after wheel damage
A Jetstar flight bound for the sunny shores of Phuket took an unexpected detour back to Sydney after a mechanical mishap forced pilots to prioritise safety. The JQ27 flight landed safely at Sydney Airport on Wednesday afternoon, November 27, following reports of a damaged wheel during take-off. Jetstar’s spokesperson assured passengers the situation was handled expertly. “Our flight from Sydney…
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Cathay Pacific HK airline slammed over 5-hour Bangkok delay
Hundreds of Cathay Pacific passengers endured a travel nightmare in Bangkok when a flight cancellation left them stranded for hours with no answers, no food, and no passports. Passengers of flight CX630, scheduled to leave Bangkok for Hong Kong at 4.55pm on Monday, November 25, found themselves stuck on the plane for over five hours before being shuttled to a…
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AOT confirms facial recognition for international flights
Airports of Thailand Plc (AOT) yesterday announced that the state-owned enterprise will implement facial recognition services at six major airports for international flights starting December 1. The biometrics-based system will be deployed at Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Don Mueang, Hat Yai, Phuket, and Suvarnabhumi airports. AOT anticipates the new technology will significantly streamline the passenger experience, reducing checkpoint processing time…
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New Mumbai-Bangkok flights ready for take-off in late December
Thailand’s friendly skies just got friendlier! Vietjet Thailand is set to connect two vibrant hubs, Mumbai and Bangkok, with its inaugural direct service starting December 23. This new route promises seamless travel for tourists and business passengers alike, sparking a boost in tourism, trade, and cultural exchange between the two bustling cities. Initially, the service will operate daily. Flight VZ761…
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Thai airlines offer 30% discounts on 50,000 seats for new year
The Thai Ministry of Transport announced a new year’s gift for travellers, addressing the issue of expensive flight tickets by collaborating with airlines to offer a 30% discount on 50,000 seats during the new year holiday period. Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Transport, Suriya Jungrungreangkit yesterday, November 27, disclosed that a meeting was convened with the Thai Airline Association.…
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Billionaire’s heir shuns US$5bn fortune for life as forest monk
In a tale that sounds straight out of a spiritual bestseller, Ajahn Siripanyo, the only son of Malaysian billionaire Ananda Krishnan, turned his back on a US$5 billion inheritance to pursue the humble life of a Buddhist monk. Ananda, one of Malaysia’s richest tycoons, oversees a sprawling empire that includes telecom, satellites, oil, real estate, and media. Yet his son,…
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Netflix star smuggles her way out of jail despite £150k cannabis bust (video)
In a sensational twist right out of a crime thriller, Netflix star Olga Bednarska incredibly escaped a long prison sentence despite being nabbed at Manchester Airport smuggling cannabis worth £150,000 (6.75 million baht) through customs. The star of Netflix’s hit reality show Too Hot to Handle, found herself entangled in a scandalous drug-smuggling affair after Manchester Airport customs officers intercepted…
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Eight arrested in hostel horror after 6 tourists die in Laos
Police arrested eight members of staff at a backpacker hostel in Laos after the venue became the centre of a suspected mass methanol poisoning that claimed the lives of six foreign tourists. Eight staff members from the Nana Backpacker Hostel in Vang Vieng, reportedly all Vietnamese nationals, are facing questioning as the investigation unfolds. Australian teenagers Bianca Jones and Holly…
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India launches new flights to Bangkok and Kuala Lumpur this winter
International travel from India’s Kolkata is in for a major lift this winter, as two major airlines ramp up connections to Southeast Asia. With Thai Lion Air launching four weekly flights to Bangkok and Malaysia Airlines resuming its pre-pandemic route to Kuala Lumpur, Kolkata travellers are set for a world of new options. Starting December 16, Thai Lion Air, a…
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Thai star stuns Hollywood with historic Emmy win (video)
Thai actress Chutimon Chuengcharoensukying, also known as Aokbab, dazzled New York by winning the Best Performance Emmy for her outstanding role in Netflix’s Hunger. Thai cinema’s new leading lady is bringing more than just street food to the table. Aokbab secured the prestigious Best Performance by an Actress award at the 52nd International Emmy Awards in New York City. Her…
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Thai man arrested at Bangkok airport for baht luxury bag scam
Police at Suvarnabhumi Airport apprehended a 36 year old Thai man attempting to flee the country after allegedly scamming several individuals out of over 100 million baht through the sale of counterfeit luxury brand bags. Thanawat’s arrest was executed by immigration police at the airport in Bang Phli, Samut Prakan, at 5pm yesterday, November 25. The arrest warrant had been…
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ASEAN airlines soars with regional stopover rights in 2025
Southeast Asian airlines will soon have the freedom to make multiple stops within ASEAN member states, marking a significant shift from current regulations that only permit direct return flights between destinations. Malaysian Transport Minister Anthony Loke announced that this change will be implemented once all ASEAN member states sign Protocol 5 on Own Stopover Rights. Loke explained in a press…
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Airline satisfaction steady, tech investment urged by IATA
Airline passenger satisfaction has maintained a high level of stability this year, according to findings from the International Air Transport Association (IATA). Despite this consistency, the association has highlighted the need for further investment in technology to better meet customer demands. Insights from IATA’s Global Passenger Survey 2024, based on feedback from over 10,000 respondents across 200 countries, revealed that…
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British tourist dodges death after toxic night at Laos hostel (video)
A British tourist revealed her narrow escape from death after a night out at a notorious Laos hostel turned into a near-fatal encounter with methanol poisoning. This same party spot has become infamous following the tragic deaths of six other holidaymakers, casting a dark shadow over Vang Viang, a village once famed for its boisterous backpacker scene. The unfortunate casualties…
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Don Mueang: Fake bomb threat on flight to Hat Yai causes chaos
A foreign national was arrested after making a fake bomb threat on a flight bound for Hat Yai, causing chaos for passengers and staff. The individual claimed stress from family issues as his motivation, leading to significant disruption. Security at Don Mueang Airport was alerted when a call was received, warning of a bomb on a flight to Hat Yai.…
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AirAsia plans low-cost hubs in Bangkok and Kuala Lumpur
Well-known discount airline AirAsia is setting its sights on replicating the global connectivity success of Dubai but with a low-cost twist centred in Bangkok and Kuala Lumpur. After navigating the challenges posed by the Covid-19 pandemic, the airline is eager to expand its network and leave its tumultuous past during the pandemic behind. Tony Fernandes, the founder of AirAsia, envisions using…
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Thai worker abandoned in Israel after hospital discharge (video)
A Thai worker in Israel who, after being discharged from the hospital, found himself abandoned by his employer at a workers’ camp. The man, unable to recall any personal details, has since disappeared from his accommodation, leaving both his family and fellow workers anxious for his wellbeing. A TikTok user, identified as @jacaky2538, who is also a Thai worker in…
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Thai Lion Air eyes new route to boost Nakhon Phanom tourism
Thai Lion Air is contemplating expanding its flight operations to Nakhon Phanom, in line with the Thai government’s strategy to boost tourism in lesser-known cities. This move is part of an initiative to transform secondary tourism cities into bustling hubs. Deputy Transport Minister Manaporn Charoensri has tasked the Department of Airports (DoA) with exploring avenues to increase flight frequency to…
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British lawyer latest to fall in Laos alcohol poisoning tragedy
A British lawyer has become the latest fatality of alcoholic poisoning in Laos taking the death toll to five people. The chilling incident has sent shockwaves across the globe. The British lawyer Simone White is the tragic fifth victim in a series of suspected mass poisonings in Laos, Southeast Asia. A UK Foreign Office spokesperson grieved alongside her family, confirming…
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Labour icon John Prescott dies at 86, leaves lasting legacy (video)
The world has bid a fond farewell to controversial former British Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott, who died at the age of 86. Prescott, a political firebrand, and a cornerstone of Tony Blair’s New Labour movement was a custodian of traditional Labour values. He died peacefully in a care home, surrounded by his beloved family and the soothing melodies of…
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Aussie teen dies in Bangkok after Laos poisoning, 4 dead
One of the Melbourne teenagers on an idyllic backpacking adventure in Asia has died in a Bangkok hospital from a suspected methanol poisoning incident in Laos. Bianca Jones, a 19 year old Australian tourist, became the latest person to die from a suspected methanol poisoning incident in Laos after drinking vodka shots. The Aussie teen’s death is the fourth in…
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Flight chaos: Air India passengers twice-stranded in Phuket
Over 100 passengers on an Air India flight to New Delhi found themselves stranded in Phuket for over 80 hours, enduring a string of delays due to persistent technical issues with their aircraft. The saga began when the flight, initially scheduled for departure on the night of November 16, was postponed by six hours, with the airline citing technical faults…
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Pichai spices up the US: 50 influencers back authentic Thai food
Commerce Minister Pichai Naripthaphan has enlisted the help of 50 powerful US influencers to promote a wave of authentic Thai restaurants across the US. The star-studded event took place in Hollywood, California, where Pichai awarded prestigious Thai Select certificates to seven US-based Thai restaurants. The 6pm ceremony, yesterday, November 19, which was broadcast live on social media by influencers with…
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Thailand partners with Turkey to build high-speed rail empire
Thailand is gearing up to transform its rail landscape by partnering with Turkey’s state-owned train manufacturer, Türasaş, in a bold step towards high-speed travel. Transport Minister Suriya Jungrungreangkit revealed on Monday, November 18, that the collaboration aims to boost Thailand’s transport sector and establish a domestic rail manufacturing industry. During his recent visit to Türasaş’s Sakarya facility in Turkey, Suriya…
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Thai smile, Roman style: New Italy-Thailand flight to boost tourism
Thailand just got a little closer to Italy. The inaugural ITA Airways direct flight from Rome to Bangkok touched down at Suvarnabhumi Airport, marking the beginning of a new era for tourism and business travel between the two countries. This direct route, running five times a week, offers Italian travellers a smoother journey to Thailand’s famous beaches, cultural sites, and…
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Airlines to add 73,000 seats for new year travel in Thailand
Six airlines are set to increase their seat offerings by over 73,000 during the new year period to prevent excessive price hikes during the festive season. This effort, led by the Transport Ministry, involves collaboration with Thai Airways International and other members of the Airlines Association of Thailand (AAT), including Bangkok Airways, Thai AirAsia, Nok Air, Thai Lion Air, and…
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Thailand airports to rival global top 20 within five years, says AoT
Thailand’s major airports are set for a significant transformation as Airports of Thailand (AoT) aims to elevate them into the top 20 globally within five years, drawing inspiration from Singapore’s renowned Changi Airport. This ambitious plan, spearheaded by the Transport Ministry, targets Suvarnabhumi International Airport as a key player in achieving this goal. Permanent Secretary for Transport, Chayatan Phromsorn, confirmed…
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Thai Airways cash turbulence: Will shareholders give a capital lift-off?
In a dramatic twist, shareholders of Thai Airways International (THAI) are in a heated debate over whether to pump more cash into the airline, despite its recent financial turnaround. With a shiny rehabilitation plan in place, which includes a bold proposal for capital injection, the airline’s comeback story is under the microscope. Central to this saga is the question of…
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Naked intruder found living under Los Angeles home for six months
A woman discovered an unexpected intruder living beneath her Los Angeles home for approximately six months. The 93 year old found a naked man hiding in a small underground space, prompting police intervention to remove him. Despite efforts involving police dogs and tear gas, the man resisted leaving. Police identified the man as 27 year old Isaac Betancourt, who was…
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