Bangtao didn’t become Phuket’s most talked-about neighbourhood overnight. For a long time, it was a quiet place on the island’s west coast where locals walked their dogs at sunrise and tourists flocked to sunbathe along its eight-kilometre stretch of beach. Then came the beach clubs, the boutique cafes, the new schools, and the arrival of …
The story Bangtao, Phuket: The neighbourhood expats and investors are eyeing in 2025 as seen on Thaiger News.
BRITONS stuck in Israel say the Foreign Office has abandoned them to their fate by failing to help them flee from Iran’s ballistic missile blitz.
They claim officials have refused to draw up evacuation plans and are instead telling those trying to leave that they should take a risky bus journey to Egypt or Jordan.
There are up to 60,000 British citizens who live in Israel and more are likely to have been visiting as the air battle with Iran began.
Those stranded are also angry that the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, led by David Lammy, evacuated the families of diplomats working at the Embassy in Tel Aviv but offered them nothing.
Israeli airspace has been shut since last week and the only flights entering are IDF repatriation jets.
Max Radford, who is stuck in Tel Aviv, said he had “no clear sight” on when he might get back to the UK.
He hit out at the advice to head to Jordan or Egypt with little shelter on route.
He told TalkTV it was against local guidance to hunker down, adding: “What are you supposed to do? Hide in a sand dune if there’s a rocket attack.”
“There is no way that I’m making my way to Jordan or Egypt, which are not particularly friendly countries. What should be happening is preparation in Cyprus. It’s 30 minutes to an hour away on a flight. It’s 200km by vessel.
“The Foreign Office guidance is absolutely ludicrous.”
Judah, who is also stuck in Tel Aviv, told TalkTV that he had called the Foreign Office but was given “zero advice or help or a return phone call”.
An FCDO spokesman said: “The safety and security of British nationals is our top priority. We recognise this is a fast-moving situation that has the potential to deteriorate further, quickly and without warning. That is why we are encouraging British nationals to register their presence and pay close attention to travel advice.”
THIS is the shocking moment a trio of aspiring arsonists accidentally torch their own getaway car.
Security footage from southern Australia shows a clumsy man dousing a house with a liquid – before his escape plan goes up in smoke.
In the video released by South Australia Police, three men are seen pulling up at night outside a fenced-off building in Port Pirie – around 124 miles north of Adelaide.
One of the suspects jumps out of the car and begins dousing the home in Solomontown with liquid from a container.
Police said: “As seen in the footage, three male suspects had attended an address in Young Street and doused the front of the residence with accelerant.”
Liquid can also be seen spilling onto the pavement as the man carelessly pours out the flammable substance.
He then grabs another container from the car, tipping it onto the same area.
The man then gets back inside the car as the trio make their escape.
Suddenly, the inside of the car bursts into flames and begins to roll forward.
The three bungling men can be seen bolting out of the car on both sides.
Police said the men “ran off, abandoning the car in the street”.
They added: “It is extremely likely they have suffered significant burns or injuries in the fire and police urge them to seek medical attention.
“Anyone with information about the identity or location of anyone involved in this incident is encouraged to contact Crime Stoppers immediately.”
When officers arrived at the scene, they discovered the burning car and another fire burning at the front of a nearby home.
Both fires were put out using a fire extinguisher.
The people inside the house were not injured, although the outside was charred by flames, according to police.
It comes as a personal trainer chased down an arsonist after three cars were set on fire outside his house in May.
Mike Hind, 41, captured the blaze on his Ring doorbell in the dead of night as his children were sleeping peacefully.
The gym coach, who lives in Middlesbrough, posted the footage on social media.
A man dressed in joggers can be seen splashing petrol across each of the vehicles, including a Range Rover and Mazda sports car, parked in the driveway at midnight.
The vehicles caught fire instantly, with flames spreading across the drive.
The doorbell footage then shows an undressed Mike running out of the house as the arsonist, in a black checked shirt, runs from the scene.
A HOMELESS “swan whisperer” has been banned from entering Hyde Park after a row erupted over his relationship with the park’s swans.
Anders Fernstedt, 57, had a furious row with a woman after she complained about him kissing and cuddling the birds.
Bird lovers saw Anders, who sleeps rough on the doorstep of a mansion in Knightsbridge, picking up, kissing and stroking the swans.
They took issue with Anders “interfering” with the protected species at the Round Pond near Kensington Palace.
Anders got into an altercation with two individuals who tried to stop him from kissing the birds, ramming his bicycle into one of them after she refused to stop filming him.
The incident in 2023 saw Virginia Grey, a local resident, and Jon Ferguson, a swan volunteer, confront Anders.
Grey filmed the argument and when she refused to stop Anders branded her “Hitler” before ramming his bicycle into her.
Jon Ferguson then tried to apprehend Anders with the two ending up in a fight, rolling around on the ground.
Mr Ferguson reportedly required stitches on the inside of his mouth and painkillers after the scrap.
Following the tussle on the ground between the two men Anders came back and attacked Ferguson again, kicking him in the ribs and torso.
The incident saw the “swan whisperer” appear at Southwark crown court charged with assault occasioning actual bodily harm.
He was found guilty of the charge by a jury and has been handed a 15-month community order with a 15-day rehabilitation activity requirement.
The judge also imposed a restraining order on Anders preventing him from entering Kensington Gardens or Hyde Park and stopping him from contacting Ferguson or Grey for two years.
Anders was well known in the local community, dubbed the “swan whisperer” by residents.
Some time ago he began living on the front steps of a £210 million mansion on Rutland Gate.
Residents have reportedly given him books, trinkets and clothes, its said he has even been gifted a Hugo Boss tracksuit, a £500 Armani jacket and a Savile Row overcoat.
Anders represented himself in court and cross-examined Grey, asking why she was concerned about his interactions with the swans.
Grey said: “Birds go to anybody who has food. If you go regularly enough they recognise you.
“They will always come over looking for food. It is not because they think you are fantastic.
“But you stroke them, you cuddle them, you kiss them, you pick them up. That is interfering with wildlife, and disturbing them. It is not natural.”
In passing sentence the judge, David Etherington, said: “Mr Ferguson tried to apprehend you but in doing so he fell backward and pulled you over onto the ground and there was a tussle on the ground.
“You then came back and further assaulted him, clearly with blows to the face and he says by kicking his ribcage and torso.”
Etherington added when explaining how the argument began: “The sad thing is all three of you have an interest in the welfare of birds but different views about how this should be achieved.”
Mr Ferguson reportedly warned Anders about touching the swans several times, siting an outbreak of avian flu.
Anders ignored the swan volunteers warnings and continued to play with the swans.
He denied the charge of assault occasioning actual bodily harm.
By Isabel Shaw, Health Reporter
The H5N1 bird flu is running rampant in wildlife around the world and is now spreading in cows.
In recent months, it infected people in Canada and the US leaving them severely unwell.
This increase in transmission has given the virus lots of opportunities to mutate – a process where a pathogen changes and can become more dangerous.
Scientists fear it’s only a matter of time before one of these mutations makes it better at spreading among mammals – and potentially humans.
Experts recently discovered that H5N1 is already just one mutation away from developing the ability to transmit person-to-person communication.
Some experts believe the virus could already be spreading among some animal species.
So far, there is no evidence that H5N1 can spread between humans.
But in the hundreds of cases where humans have been infected through contact with animals over the past 20 years, the mortality rate is high.
From 2003 to 2024, 889 cases and 463 deaths caused by H5N1 have been reported worldwide from 23 countries, according to the World Health Organisation.
This puts the case fatality rate at 52 per cent.
Leading scientists have already warned an influenza is the pathogen most likely to trigger a new pandemic in the near future.
The prospect of a flu pandemic is alarming.
Although scientists have pointed out that vaccines against many strains, including H5N1, have already been developed, others are still in the pipeline.
How’s your June so far? Bangkok in June is a mood of its own. The air is thick with the promise of rain, but just as often the clouds break into brilliant light. If you’ve been pacing your room or scrolling through social media trying to figure out what to do, we’ve rounded up seven …
The story What to do in Bangkok this weekend (June 20 to 22) as seen on Thaiger News.
REMEMBER when we used to laugh at German blokes on holiday?
You could spot them a mile off, with their mullets, vests, questionable moustaches, beer bellies and skimpy swimwear.
Well, now they are laughing at us because while they discovered style, we stole their look and made it worse by adding football shirts and Crocs.
Germans now cut a dash with their stylish minimalism.
The French embody effortless chic.
The Italians and Spanish dress with cool Latin style.
We, meanwhile, have become the poorly dressed man of Europe.
British men have forgotten how to dress for the sun and stock our summer wardrobes with football shirts, muscle tees, bucket hats, skinny jeans, ¾-length trackies and oversized sunglasses. Our identity crisis is a national disgrace.
On Spanish beaches our kids don’t bury us in the sand because it’s fun. They bury us because they’re embarrassed by us, like cats burying their mess.
Not so long ago, summer used to be a stress-free affair for men of my age — I’m 55.
On beaches we disappeared into the background, unnoticeable behind expanding midriffs and cloaks of matted body hair.
We sat behind windbreaks, vests on, knotted hankies on head, trousers rolled up, reading the Racing Post.
No one expected anything of us. Women fretted about swimwear while we were allowed to gracefully surrender into middle-age spread.
We only had two beach role models, Peter Stringfellow with his thong, and David Hasselhoff, who spent half the 1980s sucking in his stomach and the other half driving a talking car.
But today more is expected of us. Blame social media if you want. The world has moved on.
Men are expected to care more about how they dress. But in the UK it seems we didn’t get the memo and while Europeans got more stylish, British blokes spun off at a tangent, like a divergent timeline in Marvel’s Loki series. But you can do better.
Some men try to break the mould, but get led astray trying to emulate celebrity role models.
Timothée Chalamet can get away with his cargo-shorts-socks-and-sandals ensemble because he’s Timothée Chalamet — but you are not.
Leave the short-shorts to Paul Mescal — because even he doesn’t look good in them.
And despite what the fashion mags tell you, bold matching tops and trousers do not look good on men over 25.
Just look at Brad Pitt in his garish tie-dye tracksuit while out in New York City earlier this month. If a Hollywood superstar can’t pull it off, you definitely can’t.
There are celebrity outliers, however.
Take some pointers from Ryan Gosling, who makes it look easy with plain shirts and chinos, or David Beckham and his neutral bomber jacket, white T-shirt, pleated linen trousers and white trainers, or slightly more daring, Michael B Jordan in an animal print shirt with cool tonal trousers and leather shoes.
Now we are re-establishing better relations with our continental brethren, it’s time to smarten up our act — and the good news is, it’s not hard.
How do I know? Because I did it.
I too was once like you, a hopeless summer fashion victim.
I wore cargo shorts, West Ham footie shirts pulled over my dad-bod beer belly, and athleisure sandals. My swimwear of choice was below the knee board shorts.
On one holiday to the South of France I flirted with budgie smugglers after a traumatic experience in a French open-air swimming pool where board shorts were banned.
I didn’t realise and was frog-marched from the pool by lifeguards who made me purchase tight trunks from a vending machine.
Walking back into the pool in my tiny new Lycra swimwear was like the walk of shame in Game Of Thrones.
Today a 5-inch inseam is as daring as I get (which is good style advice for any man).
My fashion salvation happened after I met a younger, stylish woman, who is now my wife. Stephanie, 45, knocked me into shape and taught me how to dress.
It didn’t take a lot of effort and I even get compliments occasionally from my 23-year-old daughter and 18-year-old son.
So, as you head off for your hols, take a few tips from me. Ditch the football shirts, no one in Mykonos cares about Burnley FC.
Ditch anything with big logos on it. Wear leather sandals or espadrilles. Choose linen or seersucker short-sleeved shirts.
You can’t go wrong with a polo shirt and tailored shorts in neutral palettes. Replace your battered baseball cap with a Panama hat.
Treat yourself to some understated sunglasses.
Bodies should get some attention too. Before 2006, we could get away with a hairy dad bod, but then the film Casino Royale hit the big screen, and when Daniel Craig emerged from the sea like God chiselled from marble he ruined it for all of us.
Now we’re expected to look presentable in swimwear. So, get your back waxed, manscape your chest hair. Have a fake tan, but don’t go mad. Ask for a light one.
Get your eyebrows shaped and tinted. It’s not unusual any more and makes a big difference, I promise. No one is going to think any less of you.
Maybe swap a pint for a glass of rosé occasionally, or a mojito.
Just a few small tweaks and the new stylish you will fit right in on beaches from the Costas to the Greek islands.
Make the UK cool again, just don’t mention Brexit.
A MIGRANT was rescued with his dog after surviving for three days in a rubber dinghy adrift in The Channel.
The Afghan man, who gave his name as Barry, told rescuers he found pet Bella in a French refugee camp while fleeing the Taliban.
They set sail on the dangerous 21-mile journey earlier this week but the boat’s engine failed before they reached Britain.
Emergency services spotted a red distress flare fired at sea around 6.30pm on Wednesday off the coast of Brighton, East Sussex.
A HM Coastguard helicopter helped bring Barry and Bella to shore an hour later alongside rescue teams and RNLI lifeboats.
They were met by Sussex Police officers who transferred them to Border Force.
The dog, believed to be a Lancashire Heeler, is the sixth pooch known to have entered the UK by small boat.
Others were a mixed breed, Jack Russell, pomeranian, Yorkshire terrier and chihuahua, as previously revealed by The Sun.
Due to not having correct documentation, they are quarantined for up to four months to prevent spreading infectious diseases like rabies.
A Sussex Police spokesman said: “Police assisted HM Coastguard following a report of a man in a boat off the coast of Brighton on Wednesday.
“The man and a dog were safely brought to shore and passed to Border Force officials.”
A HM Coastguard spokesman added: “HM Coastguard has responded to reports of a person in the water in waters between Brighton Marina and Pier.
“A man was located safe and well in a vessel that had reportedly experienced engine issues.”
BOSSES at much-delayed HS2 spent £1,200 a month decorating offices with tropical plants.
The rail project’s chiefs paid £4,819 in four months on greenery with Funky Yukka — described as specialists in “creating flourishing workspaces”.
Taxpayer-funded HS2 splashed out on government Electronic Purchasing Card Solutions cards up to October 2024.
Plant firm Funky Yukka has offices in Stafford – close to the HS2 HQ in Snowhill, Birmingham.
Clients include Tesla, Amazon Jimmy Choo, Mango, HSBC and the BBC.
It emerged as Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander this week confirmed a delay to the project, which has already had its northern routes axed.
William Yarwood, media campaign manager at the TaxPayers’ Alliance, said: “HS2 is the prime example of a quango being allowed to run amok given the extraordinary catalogue of waste it has been guilty of.
“Politicians handed over control of one of the largest infrastructure projects in UK history to an un-elected body of bureaucrats and it’s no surprise that having been given an inch they’ve taken a mile.
“Ministers need to take far firmer control over the delivery and spending of HS2, if they’re not going to scrap it altogether.”
A spokesperson for HS2 said its Funky Yukka contract had ended.
They added: “We are transparent about our costs and will bear down on unnecessary spend.”
WORRIED cancer patients are flooding a charity with calls asking whether fat jabs are safe to use.
Some of the concerns are being raised by those already having treatment such as chemo or hormone therapy.
But others are fretting that using weight loss medication could increase their cancer risk.
Other questions posed to Macmillan Cancer Support’s helpline include asking if they were safe for someone who has had a previous thyroid cancer diagnosis, or before cancer surgery.
Studies suggest the jabs might reduce the risk of some cancers but research is ongoing and they may not be safe for everyone.
The rise in queries prompted the charity’s Dr Owen Carter to urge caution before using the jabs.
He said: “Recently we have seen a noticeable increase in calls to Macmillan’s support line and a flurry of messages on our online community about weight loss drugs.
“It’s understandable that lots of people are interested in new drugs which accelerate weight loss, particularly if they want to manage their weight before or after treatment for cancer.
“While ‘quick fixes’ may seem attractive, we simply do not know enough about the long-term impact of these weight loss medications to recommend them if they’re not prescribed by a specialist.
“Additionally, certain weight loss medications carry warnings about a potential link with thyroid cancer.
“However, we know that eating well and staying as active as possible are proven to help people feel better, increase their energy levels and strengthen their immune systems, which can help them to manage their weight and cope better with cancer treatment.”
Eating well and staying active were better ways to increase energy levels and strengthen immune systems, which, in turn, would help manage weight and cope with treatment, he added.
OUR much-loved astrologer Meg sadly died in 2023 but her column will be kept alive by her friend and protégée Maggie Innes.
Read on to see what’s written in the stars for you today.
ARIES
March 21 to April 20
As Mars settles down, life may feel quieter on the surface – but you are growing the deep self-esteem that opens important new doors at work.
You have great advice to offer, but make sure it does not sound like criticism.
To win the heart that is right for you, set aside power games and focus on pure love games.
TAURUS
April 21 to May 21
Pluto, planet of the unexpected, is right at the top of your chart right now.
So you could suddenly be so attracted to someone the opposite of your usual type.
This could prove such a loving relationship.
Work-wise, you can talk about your ambitions and the right person will hear about you.
Get all the latest Taurus horoscope news including your weekly and monthly predictions
GEMINI
May 22 to June 21
A reunion with friends you have not seen all year, can prove how strong the bond between you remains – you could even be inspired to build a business together.
Your optimism draws lots of people to you, but it’s another Gemini who could be The One.
When you know you are loved, the passion could be perfection.
Get all the latest Gemini horoscope news including your weekly and monthly predictions
CANCER
June 22 to July 22
A new face joining the family may be at first such a surprise – yet you could be so good for each other.
While the moon and Venus travel together, you could face too many love choices.
Work through these by making clear decisions.
At work, you can read a manager’s mind – with profitable results.
Get all the latest Cancer horoscope news including your weekly and monthly predictions
LEO
July 23 to August 23
Jupiter, the friendship planet, and Neptune, the planet most likely to fulfil dreams, are well-placed to make this a remarkable day for you.
But you must expect the best of key people in your life.
If you are looking for love, you could walk into a sports shop single – and walk out again connected to someone special.
Get all the latest Leo horoscope news including your weekly and monthly predictions
VIRGO
August 24 to September 22
Listening, and giving good advice, are Virgo star skills.
With you in charge of the action in your life, cooperation replaces quarrels, and successes swap for delays.
You could fall in love fast when you meet a look-a-like of a previous passion interest.
A talented member of the family needs some encouragement.
Get all the latest Virgo horoscope news including your weekly and monthly predictions
LIBRA
September 23 to October 23
Your gift for making people and places happier can change opposition into cooperation where it really matters.
This can point to a new way of earning a living and transform your future.
Saucy fun and fancy treats may make it easy to fall in love.
But you are ready for the real challenge of building a future for two.
Get all the latest Libra horoscope news including your weekly and monthly predictions
The traditional dates used by Mystic Meg for each sign are below.
SCORPIO
October 24 to November 22
Giving your time, love and (if needed) forgiveness can start a best-ever passion phase – no matter how long you have been a couple.
Refresh mind, body and spirit with an exercise plan that involves every aspect of you.
Really losing yourself in a story or performance can unlock a creative dream deep inside.
Get all the latest Scorpio horoscope news including your weekly and monthly predictions
SAGITTARIUS
November 23 to December 21
Saturn is prepping for a productive phase in your talent zone.
So a role on the business side of showbiz, or sport, could help you to shine.
Making space for equality in long-term love, makes it sexier and more fun, too.
If you start the day single, first see your soulmate where pictures are displayed.
Get all the latest Sagittarius horoscope news including your weekly and monthly predictions
CAPRICORN
December 22 to January 20
You always want a project, or a relationship, to be perfect – and it could be very good – but do resist setting a gold standard that is just too high for anyone to reach.
If you start the day single, with generous Jupiter in your marriage chart, you recognise genuine love the moment you meet it, even if no one else may seem to agree.
Get all the latest Capricorn horoscope news including your weekly and monthly predictions
AQUARIUS
January 21 to February 18
You think very clearly and won’t let emotions get in the way of making clever, but always fair, decisions.
This can apply equally to family life and to work.
But in the love sphere, try not to play it too cool when you meet an enigmatic Pisces, maybe for the second time.
This is love that will be best served hot.
Get all the latest Aquarius horoscope news including your weekly and monthly predictions
PISCES
February 19 to March 20
Your values chart looks stable and strong – and knowing a partner appreciates what you bring to the relationship can deepen the love.
If you are looking, The One has family roots on opposite sides of the world.
Winning luck can climb to its strongest point, when it is linked to a closer-to-home version of a TV show.
Get all the latest Pisces horoscope news including your weekly and monthly predictions
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