Year: 2021

  • Covid-19 NewsBar girls in Pattaya arrested for allegedly violating Covid restrictions while live streaming

    Bar girls in Pattaya arrested for allegedly violating Covid restrictions while live streaming

    Yester evening in Pattaya, 29 out of work “bar girls” (and one foreign national) were arrested by Chon Buri police. They allegedly broke Covid-19 rules as they gathered in a small area to live stream performances for overseas customers. The entrepreneurs were allegedly filming themselves either solo or in groups as they danced and “interacted” with guests for virtual drinks…

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  • Thailand Protest NewsGathering for 89th anniversary of constitutional monarchy

    Gathering for 89th anniversary of constitutional monarchy

    Beginning early this morning, hundreds of people gathered at the Democracy Monument in Bangkok to commemorate the 89th anniversary of the revolution that created the constitutional monarchy of Thailand. At 4:30 am on June 24, 1932, the revolutionaries with the People’s Party declared that the absolute monarchy was over. Today, Ratsadon and other related anti-establishment groups met at the monument…

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  • Crime NewsPolice arrest suspect who allegedly killed Covid patient and 7-Eleven clerk

    Police arrest suspect who allegedly killed Covid patient and 7-Eleven clerk

    Police have arrested the suspect who allegedly shot and killed an employee at a Bangkok 7-Eleven and then broke into a Pathum Thani field hospital, killing a Covid-19 patient early this morning. 23 year old Kawin Saengnilkul, a former special forces soldier, was reportedly holding a person hostage at a relative’s home in Ranong when the police arrive at the…

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  • Covid-19 NewsMultiple Bangkok hospitals stop Covid testing, citing fear of insufficient beds

    Multiple Bangkok hospitals stop Covid testing, citing fear of insufficient beds

    Multiple hospitals in the Bangkok area have stopped doing PCR swab tests for Covid-19. Their rationale is that if some test comes back positive, there won’t be beds for the patients. Other hospitals have “scaled down” the swab tests because their staff is too busy, says Dr Suppachok Kirdlarp. Dr Thiravat Hemachudha, head of the Thai Red Cross Emerging Infectious Diseases…

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  • Pattaya NewsChon Buri governor says Pattaya bars will stay closed for now, Covid cases remain high

    Chon Buri governor says Pattaya bars will stay closed for now, Covid cases remain high

    With ongoing calls from Pattaya bar and nightclub owners to reopen, the Chon Buri governor recently addressed the business owners saying restrictions and disease control measures will stay the same for now as the province still has a number of Covid-19 cases, mostly clustered at markets, factories, construction sites, and migrant worker dormitories. Governor Phakharathorn Tieanchai says many businesses in…

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  • Crime News15 year old stabbed at private school

    15 year old stabbed at private school

    Earlier this week, a mother posted on Facebook to detail her story about her grade 9, 15 year old getting stabbed in school. The stabbing happened at a private school in the northern Phitsanulok Province. The student had been stabbed by a classmate and was subsequently rushed to the hospital. Thai media had contacted 35 year old Orasa Singhavee to…

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  • Thailand NewsUPDATE: Police identify alleged gunman who opened fire at field hospital, killing a patient

    UPDATE: Police identify alleged gunman who opened fire at field hospital, killing a patient

    Update: Police have identified the shooter as 23 year old Kawin Saengnilkul who served as a private in a special warfare unit in Lop Buri. He was dismissed in November 2019. Police told the Bangkok Post that Kawin decided to become a special forces soldier because of his love for weapons. On Kawin’s Facebook page, many of his photos and…

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  • Thailand NewsPM orders investigation into pricey street lamps

    PM orders investigation into pricey street lamps

    Thailand’s PM has ordered an investigation into accused corruption over decorative street lamps in Samut Prakan. Prayut Prayut Chan-o-cha has ordered an investigation into local governments for the purchase of 600 kinaree (animal-human hybrid/Buddhist mythical figures) street lamps in the Racha Thewa sub-district. The Racha administrative organisation is accused of blowing through over 642 million baht to install 6,773 lamps.…

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  • Things To DoTop 5 Thai Restaurants in Bangkok

    Top 5 Thai Restaurants in Bangkok

    Not only is Bangkok famous for its street food – but there is an abundance of Thai fine-dining restaurants in the capital as well. These joints may be slightly pricier, but their passion for Thai flavours and high-quality ingredients speak for themselves. As such, their gourmet meals prove that Thai cuisine can be worth the fancy prices. From award-winners to…

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  • Phuket NewsPhuket governor outlines plans to track and trace foreign arrivals

    Phuket governor outlines plans to track and trace foreign arrivals

    The governor of Phuket says the authorities and provincial officials are creating a command centre for the purpose of tracking and tracing foreign tourists under the island’s sandbox scheme. The island re-opens in 1 week’s time to vaccinated tourists from low to medium-risk countries. According to a Pattaya News report, governor Narong Woonciew says a meeting was held yesterday between…

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  • Covid-19 NewsThursday Covid Update: Latest wave exceeds 200,000 cases

    Thursday Covid Update: Latest wave exceeds 200,000 cases

    The latest and most severe wave of Covid-19 in Thailand has exceeded 200,000 infections. Since April 1, when the clusters at Bangkok nightlife districts were detected, 203,784 Covid-19 infections have been reported by the Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration. Today, the CCSA reported 4,108 new Covid-19 cases and 31 coronavirus-related deaths. Out of the new cases, 229 were found in correctional…

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  • Thailand NewsGuitarist from “Playground” dies in road incident

    Guitarist from “Playground” dies in road incident

    The guitarist from a well known Thai, alt-rock band “Playground” died in a fatal car accident yesterday morning. The band is seeking the public’s help in providing footage from the incident. 41 year old Watchara “Tui” Chaiphan was involved in a road accident just before 8 am. He was riding a classic motorcycle when he crashed into the back of…

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  • Covid-19 NewsFirst delivery of Sinopharm vaccines approved for distribution

    First delivery of Sinopharm vaccines approved for distribution

    The first lot of Sinopharm doses ordered by the Chulabhorn Royal Academy have passed quality checks and can now be distributed. 1 million doses of the second Chinese vaccine approved for emergency use in Thailand arrived in the Kingdom on June 20, according to a Bangkok Post report. Supakit Sirilak from the Department of Medical Sciences says his department took…

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  • Thailand video newsGood Morning Thailand | Thai Immigration – Are you legal? Latest Covid and Phuket sandbox

    Good Morning Thailand | Thai Immigration – Are you legal? Latest Covid and Phuket sandbox

    Today Tim talks with Benjamin Hart from Integrity Legal regarding immigration and visas with our co-host/comments gatekeeper Christopher Lau from @seelautravel. Latest covid figures, sandbox and more! For more information on how to get into Thailand during the pandemic, CLICK HERE.

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  • Phuket NewsFlight traffic to Phuket expected to increase by 6% next month

    Flight traffic to Phuket expected to increase by 6% next month

    The state agency Aeronautical Radio of Thailand says it expects a 6% uptick in traffic to Phuket International Airport, once the southern island re-opens in a week’s time. Spokesman Tinnakorn Chuwong says the airport is ready to welcome foreign tourists under the sandbox scheme, which has now been given the go-ahead by Cabinet. The Bangkok Post reports that, while overall…

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  • Tourism NewsHotel platform predicts increasing demand for holidays in Thailand

    Hotel platform predicts increasing demand for holidays in Thailand

    With just days to go before Phuket re-opens, and talks underway to re-open the country as a whole in October, one of the world’s largest hotel platforms says the data shows things are looking up for Thailand. Bradley Haines from SiteMinder says Thai hotel operators should feel some encouragement from current booking trends around the world. According to Haines, the…

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  • Bangkok NewsCovid-19 task force pushes back on Bangkok lockdown proposal

    Covid-19 task force pushes back on Bangkok lockdown proposal

    The Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration is so far resisting calls for a 7-day lockdown for Bangkok as cases in the capital soar. Yesterday, Thailand reported 3,174 new infections and a record high of 51 deaths, most of them in Bangkok. However, according to a Bangkok Post report, the CCSA says the pros and cons of locking down the capital…

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  • World NewsHungary anti-LGBT+ law dispute overshadows EU summit

    Hungary anti-LGBT+ law dispute overshadows EU summit

    Tensions between Hungary and the European Commission over the country’s controversial anti-LGBT+ law intensified ahead of Thursday’s EU summit. Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said “the Hungarian bill is a shame.” Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban immediately refuted the criticism. Von der Leyen sent a letter to Orban, protesting against what she said was a bill that “clearly discriminates…

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  • Northern Thailand NewsMeteor causes explosion, green glow above Northern Thailand

    Meteor causes explosion, green glow above Northern Thailand

    It’s a bird! It’s a plane! It’s a…. bolide?! Last night in Nothern Thailand, sounds like an explosion were heard while many witnessed a mysterious greenish turquoise glow in the skies above. Scientists suspect it may have been a bright type of meteor called a bolide. The National Astronomical Research Institute of Thailand explained that the sights and sounds many…

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  • Hua Hin NewsElephant that broke into Hua Hin kitchen now in memes and ads

    Elephant that broke into Hua Hin kitchen now in memes and ads

    Andy Warhol said, “in the future, everyone will be world-famous for 15 minutes.” But in today’s world, you haven’t arrived until you’ve become a meme. The elephant that broke the wall into a Hua Hin home’s kitchen on Sunday to snack may have gotten a taste of fame (and a taste of rice too, reportedly) when its video went viral…

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  • World NewsIndia-China tensions drive Ladakh infrastructure overhaul

    India-China tensions drive Ladakh infrastructure overhaul

    As the stalemate between India and China along the fiercely contested Line of Actual Control, the de facto border between the two countries, drags on, the mountainous region of Ladakh is seeing a major infrastructural overhaul, triggering both hope and fear among the local people. New tunnels and roads are being carved out in the toughest terrains of the Himalayan…

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  • Tourism NewsPhuket governer reviews rules, new details for July 1 arrivals

    Phuket governer reviews rules, new details for July 1 arrivals

    In announcing what is expected for the first arrivals in the Phuket Sandbox plan on July 1, Governor Narong Woonsew mostly reconfirmed the rules set out, though a few details and additions came to light. Thailand will welcome back international travellers with the first international flights arriving next Friday. The first arrivals to Phuket will be fully vaccinated Europeans from…

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  • Covid-19 NewsShipment of 2 million Sinovac vaccines arrive from China

    Shipment of 2 million Sinovac vaccines arrive from China

    Today marks the delivery of another 2 million of the Chinese-made Sinovac Covid-19 vaccines arriving in Thailand from China. This delivery is the second this month, following the June 5 arrival of 500,000 vaccines from the Chinese manufacturer, donated by China to help Thailand in its vaccination drive that launched June 7. The arrival of these 2 million additional Covid-19…

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  • World NewsPakistan picks up its COVID vaccination drive just in time

    Pakistan picks up its COVID vaccination drive just in time

    Laiba Zainab, a 25-year-old journalist in Pakistan’s central city of Multan, was eager to receive a shot of China’s Sinopharm COVID vaccine on June 10, after spending five months waiting for her age group to be called. Pakistan’s vaccination drive got off to a bumpy startearlier this year, beset by lack of supply and vaccine hesitancy. In February, only senior…

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  • Northern Thailand NewsAutopsy requested for young policeman with vaccine

    Autopsy requested for young policeman with vaccine

    An autopsy has been requested by the family of a young policeman who died suddenly just 11 days after his second injection of the Covid-19 vaccine. The family of the Khon Kaen police officer want to know definitively if the vaccine was connected at all to his unexpected death. The young man was an officer at the Muang district police…

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  • World NewsWhat’s the secret of Niger’s women’s markets? | Thaiger

    What’s the secret of Niger’s women’s markets?

    These events are organized by few people. But they’ve proliferated in the Nigerien capital. The fairs take place after female entrepreneurs are trained. More than 50 women exhibited some 300 items. Handicraft and agricultural products are exhibited for three days. The turnover is up to €15,000. The fairs attract many customers, including foreigners. Whether they are Nigeriens or foreigners, everyone…

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  • World NewsIndonesia: COVID cases surge as ‘pandemic fatigue’ sets in

    Indonesia: COVID cases surge as ‘pandemic fatigue’ sets in

    Over the past few days, Hendra has been hearing ambulance sirens more often from the window of his home in Depok city, in Indonesia’s West Java Province. “The sound of an ambulance siren can be heard continuously every day,” the 38-year-old journalist told DW, pointing out that it’s due to the alarming rise in COVID cases in the region. Hendra…

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  • Thailand NewsDespite corruption allegations, street lamp project continues in Samut Prakan

    Despite corruption allegations, street lamp project continues in Samut Prakan

    High-priced decorative lamp posts purchased by local governments have been in the public eye for possible corruption and heavily criticised. The lamp posts, equipped with solar cells and adorned with mythical and traditional Thai figures, have been seen as extravagant purchases during the pandemic. Several provinces are being investigated by the National Anti-Corruption Commission over the purchases of overpriced street…

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  • Thailand video newsThailand News Today | Sandbox is GO, vaccine cocktails, US warning on Thai travel | June 23

    Thailand News Today | Sandbox is GO, vaccine cocktails, US warning on Thai travel | June 23

    Cabinet confirms that travellers will be able to travel back to the land of smiles from July 1, Researchers at the Centre of Excellence in Clinical Virology at Bangkok’s Chulalongkorn University are investigating if combining vaccine doses from different brands might boost immunity against the Delta variant of the coronavirus, A truck driver was killed in an explosion last night…

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  • Tourism NewsCCSA gives details on “Phuket Sandbox” and “Samui Plus” travel schemes

    CCSA gives details on “Phuket Sandbox” and “Samui Plus” travel schemes

    The “Phuket Sandbox” and “Samui Plus” travel schemes were approved by the Thai Cabinet yesterday, allowing the islands to reopen to travellers who are vaccinated against Covid-19. Phuket is set to reopen on July 1 while the trio of islands in the Gulf of Thailand, Koh Samui, Koh Pha Ngan and Koh Tao, is set to reopen on July 15.…

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  • Covid-19 NewsGap between AstraZeneca vaccines cut from 16 to 12 to 8 weeks

    Gap between AstraZeneca vaccines cut from 16 to 12 to 8 weeks

    In response to the spread of the Delta variant of Covid-19, the Public Health Ministry plans to decrease the time between the first and second AstraZeneca vaccines for people. The Delta variant is more contagious and spreads more quickly than the original Coronavirus so the decision was made to accelerate the vaccination process to protect against it. Just a few…

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  • Covid-19 NewsWednesday Covid Update: Daily death count hits record high; provincial totals

    Wednesday Covid Update: Daily death count hits record high; provincial totals

    The Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration recorded 3,174 new Covid-19 cases today, raising Thailand’s total count since the start of the pandemic last year to 228,539. A record high of 51 coronavirus-related fatalities was recorded today, most in Bangkok, raising the pandemic’s death toll in Thailand to 1,744. The new high in the daily death count is “quite a worrying…

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  • Covid-19 NewsUS is “unable” to provide Covid-19 vaccines to Americans who live overseas

    US is “unable” to provide Covid-19 vaccines to Americans who live overseas

    The United States Department of State is “unable” to provide Covid-19 vaccines to Americans who are currently overseas as the US government’s global vaccine effort focuses on distributing millions of vaccines to countries seriously impacted by the pandemic, the Embassy of the US in Thailand Charge d’Affaires Michael Heath wrote in a statement addressed to Americans in Thailand. The US…

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  • Tourism NewsSandbox could be revised, cancelled if Covid-19 outbreaks occur

    Sandbox could be revised, cancelled if Covid-19 outbreaks occur

    With Phuket scheduled to reopen to international travellers next Friday, the Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration has put together a “Plan B” for closing the Sandbox in case of outbreaks. Deputy Director-General of the Department of Information Natapanu Nopakun, who also acts as the Deputy Spokesman of the Foreign Affairs Ministry, outlines possible scenarios in an English address during the…

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  • Tourism NewsUS Warns its citizens against traveling to Thailand

    US Warns its citizens against traveling to Thailand

    While Thailand is pushing full steam ahead to reopen to international tourism, the United States government issued a statement warning Americans not to travel to Thailand citing Covid-19 risks and civil unrest in the south. The US Department of State Bureau of Consular Affairs regularly updates travel information for US citizens wishing to go abroad, issuing a Travel Advisory Level…

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  • Covid-19 NewsEmbassy of France in Thailand starts vaccine campaign for French nationals ages 55+

    Embassy of France in Thailand starts vaccine campaign for French nationals ages 55+

    French nationals living in Thailand, who are 55 and older, can now register for a Johnson & Johnson Covid-19 vaccine. The Embassy of France in Thailand has organised a vaccination campaign for French nationals, providing the single-dose Covid-19 vaccine for free. The costs are subsidised by the French government. The campaign starts today and will end next month. Inoculations will…

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  • South Thailand NewsDriver killed after truck crashes from bridge, explodes in Hat Yai

    Driver killed after truck crashes from bridge, explodes in Hat Yai

    A truck driver was killed in an explosion yesterday night after the vehicle drove off a bridge in Songkhla’s Hat Yai district and burst into flames. The truck transporting containers full of racks of eggs had passed the Sadao border checkpoint and was headed toward Nakhon Pathom. Officers investigating the incident say the truck crashed through a railing on the…

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