Month: January 2021

  • Thailand NewsThai PM is ready to work closely with the US President

    Thai PM is ready to work closely with the US President

    Thailand’s PM Prayut Chan-o-cha sent a letter of congratulations to US resident Joe Biden. He says the Thai government is ready to work closely with the US government to promote cooperation in all aspects and all levels. He also says that Thailand and the US have a long relationship that dates back over 200 years. And, as Thailand is the…

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  • Covid-19 NewsWuhan remembers Covid-19 lockdown on 1 year anniversary

    Wuhan remembers Covid-19 lockdown on 1 year anniversary

    Wuhan is remembering the Covid-19 lockdown that 11 million residents endured on today’s 1 year anniversary. The 76 day lockdown on January 23, 2020 saw public transportation shut down by 10am and a ban on anyone exiting the city, unless they were given special permission. In a city the size of London, locking down painted an eerily quiet landscape. But…

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  • Covid-19 NewsPatong, Phuket Town, Chalong to fund residents’ vaccination

    Patong, Phuket Town, Chalong to fund residents’ vaccination

    Patong and Phuket Town are planning to fund registered residents’ Covid-19 vaccines, Thai and foreign, with the hope to speed up the inoculation process without waiting for the national government. The mayors of both cities say they have already allocated the funds to move forward with purchasing the vaccines after the government approves which ones may be used. Like any…

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  • Visa InformationASQ + Vaccine in Thailand proposal gets the thumbs down

    ASQ + Vaccine in Thailand proposal gets the thumbs down

    OPINION A spokesperson from a Thai tourism association came up with the “cunning idea” yesterday to propose a ASQ + Vaccine package to travellers and tourists. So not only do you get your 14 day mandatory quarantine at an expensive hotel in Bangkok, the opportunity to submit copious amounts of paperwork and drill through the red tape. NOW you get…

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  • Bangkok NewsCourteous thief apologises to Bangkok convenience store: Sorry I’ve a kid

    Courteous thief apologises to Bangkok convenience store: Sorry I’ve a kid

    A young man armed with a knife allegedly robbed a convenience store in Ladprao district of Bangkok, stealing 1,800 baht. Before fleeing on a motorcycle, he apologised to the staff, saying “Sorry. I’ve a kid”. It’s really hard to find a thief with good manners these days. The female staff who was in the store when the man came in…

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  • HealthEfficacy of Covid-19 vaccines will drop during mass inoculations: Thai virologist

    Efficacy of Covid-19 vaccines will drop during mass inoculations: Thai virologist

    Thai virologist Dr. Yong Poovorawan from Chulalongkorn University, has spoken about claims that the efficacy of every vaccine available today, including Covid-19 vaccines, tend to lower after being used in mass inoculations, compared to the findings from the laboratory during human testing trials. He recommends that people should not rely solely on the vaccines alone because uncertainty will remain during…

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  • Thailand Election NewsEducation minister’s wife plans to run for governor of Bangkok

    Education minister’s wife plans to run for governor of Bangkok

    The education minister of Thailand’s wife is planning to run for the governor of Bangkok when the city poll is called, in a move that puts her in direct competition with others for the backing of the ruling Palang Pracharath Party. Nataphol Teepsuwan confirmed on Friday that his wife Taya Teepsuwan, a former core member of the now-defunct Peoples’ Democratic…

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  • Covid-19 NewsChinese propaganda flick released about the Wuhan lockdown

    Chinese propaganda flick released about the Wuhan lockdown

    A new, state-backed film marking the anniversary of the Covid-19 Wuhan lockdown, is using propaganda to praise the central Chinese city. The documentary “Days and Nights in Wuhan” chronicles the suffering that the city’s 11 million residents endured during the 76 day lockdown. 30 filmmakers contributed to the film which included footage of medical staff and front-line workers. The film…

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  • Thailand News1.5 million Thais approaching poverty line

    1.5 million Thais approaching poverty line

    A new report by the World Bank has indicated that 1.5 million Thais are approaching the poverty line after Covid-19 ravaged the tourism-dependent economy. In 2020, the report says the poverty ratio in Thailand increased to 8.8%, compared with 2019’s figure of 6.2%. The report is troubling as the Thai economy already passed rock bottom in the 2nd quarter of…

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  • Pattaya NewsChon Buri province reports 0 cases of Covid today

    Chon Buri province reports 0 cases of Covid today

    Chon Buri province is reporting 0 new cases of Covid-19, marking 3 out of 4 days with no new infections. Despite the good news, The Chonburi Department of Public Health is warning residents to “stay vigilant”. A migrant worker tested positive for the virus yesterday but all close contacts, 93 people, to the person have tested negative and went into…

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  • Thailand NewsCCSA Update: 309 new Covid-19 infections in Thailand

    CCSA Update: 309 new Covid-19 infections in Thailand

    The CCSA’s daily briefing today started with an update about a NBT news presenter who has attended the daily briefings at the CCSA studio and testing positive for Covid-19. The CCSA spokesman then announced that all people working in the CCSA studio, including himself, are defined as a “low risk” group for infections. The CCSA spokesman says he, together with…

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  • Environment NewsSmog across Bangkok can be blamed on a ‘Dust Dome’ of pollutants

    Smog across Bangkok can be blamed on a ‘Dust Dome’ of pollutants

    Poor air quality across Bangkok in the past week are not just caused by the PM2.5 dust. We can blame a ‘dust dome’ that is formed with low atmospheric pressure, dust and pollutants from the farmland waste burning, and greenhouse gases. Natural Resources and Environment Minister Varawut Silpa-archa says that the pollutants come from “the improper disposal” of farming waste…

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  • Northern Thailand NewsSon lights himself on fire after asking mom for lottery money

    Son lights himself on fire after asking mom for lottery money

    A woman’s 32 year old son, in northern Thailand’s Phrae Province, is in critical condition from lighting himself on fire after falsely believing that his mother had won the lottery and would not share her winnings with him. Police at Denchai Police Station were alerted of a man who burned himself in Ban Mai Jua, Denchai District and notified a…

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  • Thailand NewsThai tourism operators want to offer vaccination-inclusive packages

    Thai tourism operators want to offer vaccination-inclusive packages

    Vaccination seems to be the great new hope of most of Thailand’s businesses battered by Covid-19, especially the tourism industry. Thai tour operators are now floating the idea of “vaccination tour packages” to attract inbound travellers after the first inoculations are distributed in February. Sort of an STV with vaccination included. The tourism plan is expected to potentially benefit those…

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  • Covid-19 NewsUS President Biden jump starting Covid-19 strategy

    US President Biden jump starting Covid-19 strategy

    Newly inaugurated US President Joe Biden is jump starting his Covid-19 strategy by signing more executive orders on his 2nd day in office. The orders include requiring Americans to wear masks for travelling in planes, ships, intercity buses and public transportation. The orders have fallen short of mandating the wearing of masks for everyone whilst in public spaces. Such mask-wearing…

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  • Covid-19 NewsChinese businessmen hand out food in Pattaya

    Chinese businessmen hand out food in Pattaya

    Chinese businessmen are helping to feed people in Pattaya after handing out over 1,000 meals to the needy last night. The handouts occurred near Third Road with Pattaya City Police nearby to help ensure social distancing and other safety measures. Hundreds of locals were seen queing for the event well before it was scheduled to start, indicating the increasing need…

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  • Thailand NewsThailand’s broadband internet speed ranks #1

    Thailand’s broadband internet speed ranks #1

    Thailand’s broadband internet speed is ranking number 1 after a speed test was conducted in December of last year. It’s ranking climbed 2 spots from the previous speed test out of 176 countries by the Speedtest Global Index, beating out the stiff competition. Singapore and Hong Kong are now at 2nd and 3rd place according to the test, which is…

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  • Covid-19 News50,000 doses of AstraZeneca vaccine to arrive in Thailand in early February, more ahead

    50,000 doses of AstraZeneca vaccine to arrive in Thailand in early February, more ahead

    The first 50,000 doses of the Oxford AstraZeneca vaccines are scheduled to arrive in Thailand in the first week of February. The upcoming shipment is part of the first lot of 26 million doses on the agreed purchase in October last year. Still, Thailand needs another 35 million doses as the procured vaccines are enough for only 30 million people.…

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  • Covid-19 NewsFamous Thai actor tests positive for Covid-19

    Famous Thai actor tests positive for Covid-19

    A famous Thai actor has announced he is infected with Covid-19 after posting a video on Instagram. He says both him and his mother were tested, but he was the only one with a positive test result. Techin Ployphet, aka DJ Matoom, says he met an infected but asymptomatic friend on January 9, but that friend didn’t know he was…

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  • Covid-19 News13 Bangkok businesses allowed to reopen tomorrow

    13 Bangkok businesses allowed to reopen tomorrow

    Tomorrow, 13 types of businesses in Bangkok are being allowed to reopen but must have strict disease control measures in place. The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration made the decision which would undoubtedly give many businesses some relief as well as potential customers. Such businesses with restrictions include: Banquet venues, which will need authorisation from BMA for events with over 300 participants…

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  • Northern Thailand News800+ people found in close contact with an infected food vendor in Nakhon Phanom

    800+ people found in close contact with an infected food vendor in Nakhon Phanom

    Local disease control workers are continuing to track and trace Covid-19 infections at several villages in the That Phanom district of Nakhon Phanom, north eastern Thailand. The areas were locked down after a 51 year old local food vendor tested positive for Covid-19 and more than 800 people were reported to have had contact with the infected person. According to…

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  • Thailand NewsBanned politician says government silencing him by invoking Lese Majeste law

    Banned politician says government silencing him by invoking Lese Majeste law

    A banned politician, who criticised the government’s Covid-19 vaccine plan, is claiming the government is silencing him (again) by invoking the Lese Majeste law against him. The alleged defamation case concerns his questioning of using one of the king’s companies as part of the Covid-19 vaccine strategy that he says will slow down the process of inoculations. Thanathorn Juangroongruangkit accused…

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  • Thailand NewsThailand News Today | Gambling crackdown, Seafood market to reopen, Vlogger challenge | Jan 21

    Thailand News Today | Gambling crackdown, Seafood market to reopen, Vlogger challenge | Jan 21

    In a nationwide crackdown on gambling, police in the Isaan province Khon Kaen raided a warehouse and seized more than 400 slot machines. Acting on a court warrant, police searched the warehouse. The locks on the door had been changed and police had to break into the warehouse. Inside, canvases covered 418 slot machines. Police say the machines were “plug…

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  • Thailand NewsGovernment is to allow people to use “legal” parts of cannabis in business

    Government is to allow people to use “legal” parts of cannabis in business

    With intentions to promote cannabis as the country’s potential new cash crop, the government is preparing guideline to allow people to produce, sell or own cannabis and hemp. The permitted businesses, including textile, pharmaceutical, and cosmetics will be able to register to receive FDA permissions from January 29. According to the FDA secretary-general, leaves, stalks, stems, roots, flowers, and seeds…

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  • Covid-19 NewsPattaya hotels take food to the streets in bid to survive

    Pattaya hotels take food to the streets in bid to survive

    Pattaya’s hotels are taking their restaurants to the streets by offering food stalls outside and delivery in a bid to save their businesses during the Covid-19 pandemic. Such changes in their attempts to avoid closing, come as city officials say they will use funds to spruce up the city for Chinese New Years on February 12. As Chonburi province is…

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  • Transport NewsPhuket police confirm speed limit of bypass road after locals complain

    Phuket police confirm speed limit of bypass road after locals complain

    Phuket police are confirming the island’s bypass road speed limit as 50 kilometres per hour. That is, despite years of back and forth between motorists and the law. The latest announcement comes after locals posted online copies of their speeding tickets, which showed the confirmed limit. The stretch of road, almost the only stretch of road where you could get…

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  • Thailand NewsThai senior and disabled citizens will receive 2,000 baht handouts

    Thai senior and disabled citizens will receive 2,000 baht handouts

    While the government’s economic stimulus packages continue to roll out, there is also a concern for the disabled and senior citizens who are excluded from the criteria to get benefits from the government’s major aids at this stage. The Ministry of Social Development and Human Security plans to distribute 2,000 baht handouts to that demographic of the Thai population. According…

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  • Thailand NewsCCSA Update: 142 new Covid-19 infections

    CCSA Update: 142 new Covid-19 infections

    After the welcome drop of new Covid-19 infections yesterday, the CCSA today reports an increase of 142 new confirmed cases in the past 24 hours. 88 cases were found in general health care institutions, while 37 cases are detected on the proactive tests and 17 cases in the state quarantine. The CCSA says the situation is still not stable with…

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  • Tourism NewsPattaya cleaning up its Walking Street act in time for Chinese New Year

    Pattaya cleaning up its Walking Street act in time for Chinese New Year

    Pattaya City is planning to clean up its Walking Street act in time for the upcoming Chinese New Year. But, as the second wave of Covid-19 mostly destroyed what was left of any foreign or domestic tourism, it might all be in vain. Thousands of businesses remain closed due to Chon Buri province being a “highly controlled” Covid-19 zone, which effectively…

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  • Politics NewsUS Ambassador to Thailand quits after Biden inaugurated

    US Ambassador to Thailand quits after Biden inaugurated

    The US Ambassador to Thailand seems to have quit after only serving less than 1 year in office and moments after President Biden’s inauguration. Michael George DeSombre, who was appointed by President Trump in early 2020, made the announcement of his departure on the embassy’s official social media platform yesterday. A day before, he met with PM Prayut to “thank…

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  • World NewsMigrant workers risk losing their legal status, the Cabinet to extend work permit amnesty

    Migrant workers risk losing their legal status, the Cabinet to extend work permit amnesty

    Over 1.7 million migrant workers in Thailand are going to lose their legal working status because they can’t submit work permit renewal and a health certificate with Covid-19 test results in time. The Labour Ministry then proposes the cabinet will extend the registration period (amnesty) for migrant workers to help maintain their legal status. Migrant workers, including those illegal and…

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  • Thailand NewsThailand’s poorer areas may suffer if vaccines funded by local municipalities

    Thailand’s poorer areas may suffer if vaccines funded by local municipalities

    Thailand’s poorer areas may suffer if Covid-19 vaccine distribution is given the green light to be funded by local municipalities. Suspicions are already being raised as critics say many municipalities who offer to fund the vaccines may have alterior political motives. As many as 20 municipalities are reporting that they have already set aside funding. Ratchaburi Town Municipality, for example,…

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  • Thailand NewsTower Of Babble – Have your say on The Thaiger – January 21

    Tower Of Babble – Have your say on The Thaiger – January 21

    Tower of Babble is where we read some of your comments made on The Thaiger YouTube videos, as well as our website thethaiger.com and Facebook page. Some are insightful, some are interesting, some need to be shared! And some are just plain funny. If you leave a comment under any of our videos it may be shared on our Tower…

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  • Covid-19 NewsSumut Sakhon’s Central Prawn Market to reopen at the end of January

    Sumut Sakhon’s Central Prawn Market to reopen at the end of January

    Samut Sakhon Central Shrimp Market, the epicentre of the latest wave of Covid-19, is ready to reopen by the end of January after a big clean up. The reopening is considered “important” to the province’s economy, according to the province’s deputy governor. It will also be a new beginning for the workers, mostly migrant workers, who have been so profoundly…

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  • Environment NewsAir pollution in Bangkok expected to get worse due to “cold spell”

    Air pollution in Bangkok expected to get worse due to “cold spell”

    Air pollution in Bangkok is expected to get worse over the next few days as pollutants are getting trapped in the atmosphere thanks to a recent cold spell and a lack of wind to blow the haze away from the city. In response to the unhealthy air pollution, The PM’s Office permanent secretary says he has asked several ministries to…

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  • Thailand News210 billion baht stimulus confirmed for “Rao Chana”

    210 billion baht stimulus confirmed for “Rao Chana”

    A budget of 210 billion baht of stimulus handouts to help financially-affected people from the Covid-19 outbreak, has been confirmed and ready to be distributed to 31 million people. Each applicant in the project will get 7,000 over 2 months, but not in cash. They will only get money transferred via the “Pao Tang” app once subscribing to the website…

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  • World NewsUS President Biden reverses Trump’s policies on first day of presidency

    US President Biden reverses Trump’s policies on first day of presidency

    Just after being sworn in, the new US President Joe Biden is reversing Donald Trump’s policies by signing 15 executive actions, principally targeting pandemic and climate change. Joe Biden, now America’s 46th President, said there is “no time to waste” as he referenced America’s battle with Covid-19. “Some of the executive actions I’m going to be signing today are going…

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