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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High stakes: British man nabbed in 300kg cannabis smuggling bust
A British man from Wolverhampton has been caught red-handed in a massive international drug smuggling operation, with more than 300 kilogrammes of cannabis seized at Heathrow and Gatwick airports. The 22 year old Brit, Peter Kargbo, was nabbed at London’s Gatwick Airport on Saturday, September 21, after arriving from Bangkok with a suitcase stuffed with 20 kilogrammes of cannabis. A…
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Thai Airways rolls out discounts for students, seniors, and monks
Thai Airways (THAI) is rolling out jaw-dropping discounts for select travellers, making it the perfect time to pack your bags and fly for less. The national carrier just announced special fares for students, senior citizens, and religious travellers, with massive savings on both domestic and international flights. But hurry, the sale ends on September 30. Students under 25 can now…
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Hong Kong back in top 3 global financial powerhouses
Hong Kong is back with a bang, reclaiming its position as the world’s third-leading financial centre, overtaking Singapore for the first time in over two years. According to a report published yesterday, September 24, by the Global Financial Centres Index (GFCI), Hong Kong’s strategic moves have paid off as it storms ahead in the latest rankings. In the 36th edition…
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Panda mania hits Hong Kong: Two to arrive from China
Hong Kong is gearing up for panda fever as two giant pandas, gifted by China, are set to arrive in the city on Thursday, September 26. Hong Kong Chief Executive John Lee announced the exciting news, calling it a “major event” for the region. The entire city is buzzing with anticipation, with Lee revealing a citywide naming contest for the…
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Move over Moo Deng: Penguin Pesto steals the spotlight
Among the sea of monochrome penguins at Melbourne’s Sea Life Aquarium, one fluffy superstar is stealing the show – and the Internet can’t get enough of him. Meet Pesto, the penguin chick who’s gone from a 200-gramme hatchling to a massive 22.5 kilogrammes in just nine months! Affectionately dubbed an “absolute unit” and a “linebacker,” Pesto’s viral fame has eclipsed…
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Thailand promotes products with Piccadilly Circus campaign
Thailand’s Ministry of Commerce has launched the Think Thailand Next Level branding campaign to promote Thai products and services. The event, led by Pichai Naripthaphan, took place at Piccadilly Circus in London, aiming to elevate Thailand’s image globally. The campaign’s launch featured a gigantic digital billboard at Piccadilly Circus, a prominent public space and a central hub in London. This…
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New York Times spotlight on Thai dish Larb Gai goes viral
The New York Times’ recent feature on the Thai dish Larb Gai (minced chicken salad) has captured international attention, quickly going viral. The renowned media outlet, with over 19 million followers on Facebook, shared a detailed post about this popular Thai dish, sparking widespread interest. Larb Gai, a dish made from minced chicken, is cooked with mint leaves, basil leaves,…
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AirAsia MOVE unveils exclusive discounts for Visa cardholders
AirAsia MOVE has identified three major travel trends gaining popularity: sustainable tourism, experiential travel, and domestic tourism. These travel styles align with the preferences of modern travellers who seek value-for-money deals, such as flight and hotel packages with special discounts, credit card perks, and eco-friendly destinations. AirAsia MOVE promptly offers exclusive discounts with no minimum spend for Visa cardholders, encouraging…
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Malaysia and Cambodia launch cross-border QR payment system
Malaysia and Cambodia have collaboratively launched a cross-border quick response (QR) payment linkage, enabling consumers and merchants to conduct instant retail payments via mobile applications. This initiative, announced by Bank Negara Malaysia and the National Bank of Cambodia (NBC), aims to enhance the payment experience and expand market reach for over 5 million merchants in both countries, primarily small businesses.…
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Thai AirAsia offers free flights to Paralympic medalists
Thai AirAsia announced free flights for Thai Paralympic athletes who won medals at the 2024 Paralympic Games. Medalists will receive free flights for up to 10 years, both domestically and internationally. Thai AirAsia is offering free flights to all Thai athletes who secure medals at the 2024 Paralympic Games, similar to the benefits previously provided to Thai Olympic athletes. Gold…
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China: Japanese boy fatally stabbed near school
In a shocking incident that has left communities reeling, a 10 year old Japanese boy was fatally stabbed near his school in southern China, dying just a day later. The boy, a student at the prestigious Shenzhen Japanese School, succumbed to his injuries today, September 19, according to Japanese officials. The boy’s attacker, a 44 year old man identified as…
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High stakes: British soccer star’s £600k cannabis own goal
Professional footballer Jay Emmanuel-Thomas has been charged in a sensational attempt to smuggle £600,000 worth of cannabis through Stansted Airport. The 33 year old striker, currently playing for Scottish Championship side Greenock Morton, was nabbed by National Crime Agency (NCA) officers at dawn yesterday, September 18, in Gourock, Inverclyde. The ex-Livingston, Aberdeen, and Arsenal academy star, who resides on Cardwell…
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AirAsia’s new campaign: Are you always on time? (video)
AirAsia is taking punctuality to new heights with its latest Thai campaign, “Thank You for Being on Time.” In a bold move, the airline is not just focusing on its timeliness but celebrating passengers who make punctuality a lifestyle. The campaign, created by the creative agency Chujai, features two heartwarming video spots directed by Thanachai Srivichai. The 15 and 48…
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Man dies on Hong Kong-bound Cathay Pacific plane from Dhaka
A 47 year old Bangladeshi man died after collapsing aboard a Cathay Pacific flight from Dhaka to Hong Kong. The man reportedly fainted during the flight and was later declared dead, despite immediate efforts to revive him. The incident unfolded on flight CX662, which had taken off from the Bangladeshi capital at 2am local time and touched down in Hong…
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Heartless landlord in China evicts terminally ill woman
A landlord in China is under fire after heartlessly evicting a cancer-stricken tenant, fearing her death could devalue his property. Zhang, the landlord from Beijing, booted out Wang, a terminally ill woman renting his flat, claiming that her presence could turn the property into a haunted house and slash its value by up to 1 million yuan (nearly 4.7 million…
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Phuket Airport skips memorial for One-Two-Go crash victims again
The Airports of Thailand (AoT) once again dodged the chance to hold an official memorial service in Phuket for the 90 victims of the One-Two-Go Flight OG269 disaster. This marks the 17th consecutive year that local officials have avoided organising any remembrance ceremonies for one of Thailand’s deadliest air crashes. On the anniversary of the tragedy, Monchai Tanode, General Manager…
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City in chaos: Typhoon Bebinca slams Shanghai
Typhoon Bebinca, the most powerful storm to strike Shanghai since 1949, has left the city paralysed, as flights were cancelled, and major attractions, including Disneyland, shut their doors. The storm, which made landfall on Monday, brought China’s financial hub to a grinding halt during the country’s three-day Mid-Autumn Festival holiday. Chaos began on Sunday evening when all flights out of…
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Jet fuel boom: Thailand’s aviation set for sky-high growth
Thailand’s aviation sector is ready to soar, fuelled by a surge in air travel and jet fuel demand, according to Bangkok Aviation Fuel Services Plc (BAFS). The refuelling giant, which serves Suvarnabhumi and Don Mueang airports, is seeing a bright future as the aviation industry bounces back from the pandemic slump. BAFS President ML Nathasit Diskul revealed the company’s expected…
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Thai woman caught lying on baggage conveyor at Krabi Airport
A video of a Thai woman lying on a baggage conveyor belt at Krabi Airport has gone viral, drawing heavy criticism on social media. The incident, which occurred yesterday, September 16, was shared by the account @RedSkullxxx with the caption, “Can you lie down like this? I saw it on Instagram, it seems to be a Thai at Krabi Airport.”…
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Phatthalung unveils 71 billion baht airport plan to boost tourism
A plot of land spanning 1,496 rai near Songkhla Lake in Phatthalung has been earmarked for constructing a new airport, aimed at boosting tourism and transport in the southern province and its neighbours. Anticipated to become a central hub for Phatthalung, Songkhla, and Nakhon Si Thammarat, the land in Khuan Maphrao subdistrict, Mueang district is owned by the Department of…
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Sneaky love: Japanese woman finds hubby behind harassment calls
A Japanese woman endured daily harassment through phone calls for several weeks before discovering the culprit was her husband, who claimed he acted out of love. A 31 year old woman living in Amagasaki, Hyogo Prefecture, began receiving numerous calls from an unknown number several weeks ago. The calls, which occurred daily, often exceeded 100 times a day. The mysterious…
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Passengers on IndiGo flight to Phuket stranded for hours
Passengers on an IndiGo flight from Mumbai to Phuket endured a travel nightmare yesterday, September 13, as their journey turned into a chaotic ordeal. The flight was unexpectedly diverted to Penang International Airport in Malaysia due to bad weather, leaving travellers stranded for hours with clogged washrooms, no food or water, and stuck on the tarmac for over three hours.…
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Emirates takes luxury to new heights with fragrance collaboration
Emirates is soaring to new heights, unveiling its latest luxury enhancement—a first-of-its-kind partnership with Irish organic beauty brand VOYA. Launching aboard First and Business Class, Emirates teamed up with VOYA to create bespoke Eau de Toilette fragrances, marking a new chapter in its premium travel experience. With sophistication and understated luxury at its core, this exclusive range is VOYA’s first-ever…
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Chiang Rai flood chaos: Flights resume partially
Passengers flying to and from Chiang Rai’s Mae Fah Luang Airport today are in for a nightmare journey as severe flooding threatens to derail travel plans. The airport confirmed four inbound and four outbound flights will operate but is urging travellers to allow up to five hours just to reach the terminal. Flights operated by Thai Airways International, Nok Air,…
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BLACKPINK’s Lisa wins music video award again in New York
K-pop group BLACKPINK’s Lisa (Lalisa Manoban) took home her second MTV Video Music Award in a jaw-dropping moment that had fans buzzing worldwide. The 2024 VMAs, held at UBS Arena in New York yesterday, September 11, saw Lisa win Best K-pop song for her chart-topping single Rockstar—her first release under her own label, LLOUD. The 27 year old Thai K-pop…
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Senior flight attendant sues United Airlines for calling her a snitch
A senior United Airlines flight attendant filed a lawsuit against the airline, alleging harassment and retaliation after reporting safety violations. The 52 year old flight attendant, Ingrid Raganova, claims she was labelled a snitch and subjected to online abuse after reporting breaches of Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and airline regulations by her colleagues. Raganova, who has been with United for…
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Thai woman nabbed in 90 million cannabis haul in Taiwan
In a dramatic drug bust at Taiwan’s Taoyuan International Airport, a 24 year old Hong Kong Airlines worker and a 62 year old Thai woman were caught with over 45 kilogrammes of cannabis, worth an eye-watering 90 million Taiwanese dollars (approximately 94 million baht). The joint operation by Taiwan’s customs officials and the Aviation Police on April 18 uncovered the…
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Chiang Rai Airport remains open amid flooding, flights from Bangkok cancelled
Mae Fah Luang International Airport in the northern province of Chiang Rai remains open despite heavy flooding in the area. However, some airlines cancelled flights for safety reasons. The official Facebook page of Mae Fah Luang Airport issued an announcement this morning, September 12, stating that the airport is open as usual, although the entrance is flooded. The water level…
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Hong Kong Airlines launches daily flights to Chiang Mai next month
Hong Kong Airlines is upping the ante for travel lovers, rolling out a brand-new daily flight to Chiang Mai starting on October 27. This exciting expansion marks the airline’s third destination in Thailand, adding to its Bangkok and Phuket routes, and promises to give tourists even more reasons to visit the Land of Smiles. Flight HX749 is set to take off…
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Typhoon Yagi wreaks havoc on Vietnam’s industrial heartland
Typhoon Yagi has crippled Vietnam’s northern industrial powerhouse, leaving factories flattened and global supply chains in peril. The most powerful storm to hit Asia this year made landfall last Saturday, September 7, but its destructive reach extended into today, with floods and landslides killing dozens and devastating vital infrastructure, including roads and power networks. The storm’s wrath could have a…
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Thai Airways to take off from India’s Gaya Airport in October
India’s Gaya International Airport is gearing up for a major transformation as international flight operations kick off on October 10, with Thai Airways (THAI) taking the lead. The boom is expected right after the conclusion of Pitru Paksha, a key period in Hindu traditions. The Gaya Airport Authority has officially unveiled the flight schedule, THAI’s take-off on October 10 will…
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London firefighters take on 110-floor climb to honour 9/11
In a powerful tribute to the bravery of their New York counterparts, two British firefighters will tackle an extraordinary feat: climbing the equivalent of 110 floors—while wearing full fire gear. The firefighters, 35 year old Sam Hayward and 40 year old Jonathan Freeman from Bethnal Green Fire Station in East London, are set to undertake the gruelling challenge this afternoon…
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Pastry drama: Temu croissant lamp turns out to be edible (video)
We’ve all had our fair share of disappointing online shopping experiences but this one takes the biscuit—or should we say, croissant. TikTok user Neta Murphy, with the handle @froginahatgirl, got more than she bargained for when her much-anticipated parcel from Chinese e-commerce company Temu arrived. Instead of the quirky croissant lamp she ordered, she unwrapped what turned out to be…
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Thai kid sensation dominates international kiteboarding
A Thai kid rising star in the world of kiteboarding has made waves by securing an impressive 4th place at the prestigious International Super Cup Kiteboarding Championship on Jeju Island, South Korea. At just 9 years old, Thanawat Promwaen, also known as Shane, the youngest competitor in the professional men’s category, is already being hailed as a future Olympic hopeful. But…
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Finnair boosts flights to the Middle East and Asia, including Phuket
Finnair is giving winter travellers more ways to escape the cold, with a major expansion of its flight schedule to the Middle East and Asia. Starting this November, Finland’s flagship airline will increase its flights to popular warm-weather hotspots like Phuket and Dubai, responding to growing demand from European sun-seekers. From November 2, Finnair will operate daily flights from Helsinki…
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Australia cracks down: Social media ban for kids in the works
Australia is set to make waves with a bold plan to keep kids off social media, citing concerns for their mental and physical wellbeing. In a sweeping move, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese announced his government’s intention to introduce legislation that would restrict children’s access to platforms like Instagram and TikTok by the end of the year. “I want to see…
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China approves three more Thai poultry plants for export
Thailand’s Department of Livestock Development announced that the General Administration of Customs of China (GACC) recently approved and registered three additional Thai poultry processing and production facilities for export. This approval brings the total number of certified Thai poultry plants exporting to China to 26. The continuous approval of Thai poultry export facilities by China reflects confidence in Thailand’s stringent…