Year: 2021

  • Business NewsAnother 700 7-Eleven stores to open across Thailand

    Another 700 7-Eleven stores to open across Thailand

    The operator of the 7-Eleven chain of convenience stores has confirmed it will open another 700 shops in the Kingdom this year. According to a Bangkok Post report this morning, CP All plans to spend between 11.5 and 12 billion baht on expansion in 2021. The company has opened 155 new 7-Eleven stores so far this year, meaning there were…

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  • Thailand NewsCourts order ISPs block 8 users from web, social media

    Courts order ISPs block 8 users from web, social media

    Digital Economy and Society Minister Chaiwut Thanakhamanusorn confirmed today court orders instructing internet service providers to block or remove 8 users the government says used social media or their own websites to post fake news. The ISPs met with the ministry to receive the court order to block the users. The court ordered the ISPs to either remove or block…

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  • Thailand video newsThailand News Today | Airline rules for July 1 ‘opening’, WHO gives thumbs up for Sinovac | June 2

    Thailand News Today | Airline rules for July 1 ‘opening’, WHO gives thumbs up for Sinovac | June 2

    The Thai Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand has announced some specific flight rules for international travellers flying into Phuket after July 1, Sinovac has been approved for emergency use by the World Health Organisation, Thailand’s Public Health Minister says the delivery of 6 million doses of the AstraZeneca Covid-19 vaccine is on schedule and A spokesman yesterday defended the Royal…

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  • Crime NewsNong Chompoo uncle surrenders to police on murder charges

    Nong Chompoo uncle surrenders to police on murder charges

    In an update to the report published this morning when a warrant was issued for his arrest, the uncle of Nong Chompoo has surrendered to the police and is facing murder charges. Chaiphol Wipha, the uncle of a 3 year old girl found dead in Mukdahan last year, turned himself in to the Royal Thai police late this morning. He…

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  • World NewsSerbian volleyball player makes racist gesture during Thai match

    Serbian volleyball player makes racist gesture during Thai match

    A volleyball match in the Nations League is making waves after a Serbian volleyball player made a gesture many considered racist during a game with the Thai team. Sanja Djurdjevic was signalling her teammates during the match when she tugged on the corner of her eyes, narrowing them into a gesture that has often been used as a racist jab…

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  • Transport NewsQatar Airways will fly 4 times weekly to Phuket starting July 1

    Qatar Airways will fly 4 times weekly to Phuket starting July 1

    Qatar Airways is going all-in on the Phuket sandbox plan to reopen the tourist island to international travellers on July 1. The airline has confirmed that they will run flights 4 times per week between the Qatari capital city of Doha and Phuket. This new route is in addition to the airline’s current 12 flights a week to Bangkok. The…

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  • World NewsVietnam Ministry of Labour cracks down on illegal workers

    Vietnam Ministry of Labour cracks down on illegal workers

    In the struggles facing Vietnam with a new Covid-19 outbreak, the country has announced a crackdown on illegal foreign workers. The Ministry of Labour – Invalids and Social Affairs has requested tightening on the rules and enforcement of expats working in Vietnam in an official announcement. They urged provincial and municipal officials to get strict on foreign workers and consider…

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  • World NewsASEAN delegation to visit Myanmar to help find a solution to ongoing crisis

    ASEAN delegation to visit Myanmar to help find a solution to ongoing crisis

    To help find a solution to the ongoing situation in Myanmar following the military coup, an ASEAN delegation will visit Myanmar tomorrow to meet with the leaders of the junta’s State Administrative Council, which has taken the place of the elected civilian government led by the National League of Democracy. Since the February military takeover, an estimated more than 800…

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  • Tourism NewsThailand’s Civil Aviation Authority details international flight rules

    Thailand’s Civil Aviation Authority details international flight rules

    The Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand has announced some specific flight rules on the procedure for international travellers flying into Phuket after July 1. This comes just after the Tourism Authority of Thailand laid out more general rules for travel within Thailand for international tourists. Tourism officials from TAT and the island have been steadfastly determined to reopen under its…

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  • Thailand video newsGood Morning Thailand | Bill Heinecke, getting back to Thailand, vaccine roll out

    Good Morning Thailand | Bill Heinecke, getting back to Thailand, vaccine roll out

    Today Tim, Bill and Able talk to Bill Heinecke from the Minor Group, one of Thailand’s most diverse hospitality and lifestyle companies. Bill wrote a letter to the Thai PM and we get his thoughts on the reopening plans of the Thai government. We also answer viewer questions, as we do everyday. Keeping you up to date with all the…

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  • Covid-19 NewsWHO assigns alternative names for Covid variants based on Greek alphabet

    WHO assigns alternative names for Covid variants based on Greek alphabet

    After criticism over naming new variants of Covid-19 based on the country it was first detected, the World Health Orginisation has announced alternative names for the “variants of concern” based off the Greek alphabet… Alpha, Beta, Gamma, Delta, etc. Last week, media outlets in the UK released reports last week saying more than 100 people had tested positive for the…

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  • Crime NewsONCB to investigate transnational drug trafficking operations with routes in Thailand

    ONCB to investigate transnational drug trafficking operations with routes in Thailand

    Following the news of the Thai national arrested in South Korea for allegedly smuggling methamphetamine into the country, Thailand’s Office of Narcotics Control Board is now investigating transnational drug trafficking operations with routes in Thailand. Thailand’s Justice Minister Somsak Thepsutin ordered for the investigation, advising authorities to investigate to see if drug traffickers in Thailand have been involved in operations…

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  • Tourism NewsKLM to introduce Amsterdam – Phuket flights from October

    KLM to introduce Amsterdam – Phuket flights from October

    KLM has announced an expansion to its network from this coming winter, including flights from Amsterdam to Phuket, with a touchdown in Kuala Lumpur. The southern Thai island is one of 6 new destinations being introduced, the others being Mombasa in Kenya, Orlando in the US, Cancun in Mexico, Bridgetown in Barbados, and Port of Spain in Trinidad and Tobago.…

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  • Thailand NewsArrest warrant issued for murder suspect who became a minor celebrity during the investigation

    Arrest warrant issued for murder suspect who became a minor celebrity during the investigation

    A murder suspect, who became famous in Thailand during the investigation, now has a warrant for his arrest over the death of his 3 year old niece. With the continuous and overdramatised media coverage on the case, the 44 year old suspect Chaiphol Wipha became a minor celebrity and gained a fan base, some who have raised donations to help…

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  • World NewsPhilippines confirms delay in imports of AstraZeneca doses from Thailand

    Philippines confirms delay in imports of AstraZeneca doses from Thailand

    The Philippines has announced that the arrival of a first batch of AstraZeneca vaccines being imported from Thailand has been delayed. The delivery of the vaccines, manufactured in Thailand and ordered by the Philippines, has now been pushed back by several weeks. According to a Bangkok Post report, the development gives rise to questions about Thailand’s distribution plans for Southeast…

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  • Covid-19 NewsHealth Minister confident AstraZeneca doses will arrive on time

    Health Minister confident AstraZeneca doses will arrive on time

    Thailand’s Public Health Minister says the delivery of 6 million doses of the AstraZeneca Covid-19 vaccine is on schedule. Anutin Charnvirakul says the doses are expected to arrive in batches, throughout the month of June, and he’s confident the first lot will be here by June 7, when the national rollout begins. “I’m confident the first lot will be put…

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  • Covid-19 NewsWednesday Covid Update: 3,440 new cases and 38 deaths

    Wednesday Covid Update: 3,440 new cases and 38 deaths

    3,440 new Covid-19 cases and 38 coronavirus-related deaths were reported today by the Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration. Since April 1, the latest wave of infections in Thailand, the CCSA has recorded a total of 136,599. Out of the new cases, 1,087 were detected in correctional facilities. Thousands of inmates at more than a dozen Thai prisons have contracted the…

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  • Thailand NewsThai Navy stands by decision to purchase 3 Chinese tanks

    Thai Navy stands by decision to purchase 3 Chinese tanks

    A spokesman yesterday defended the Royal Thai Navy’s decision to buy 3 Chinese tanks, while the country struggles to purchase an adequate supply of Covid-19 vaccines. According to a Bangkok Post report, Navy spokesman Chettha Chaipiam says the purchase was agreed prior to the arrival of the pandemic. He points out that, the 398-million-baht agreement was signed during the 2020…

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  • World NewsIt’s a yes: WHO approves Sinovac for emergency use

    It’s a yes: WHO approves Sinovac for emergency use

    The CoronaVac vaccine from Chinese firm Sinovac has been approved for emergency use, making it the second Chinese vaccine to be approved by the World Health Organisation. The approval paves the way for more widespread global distribution, particularly as part of the Covax scheme. The scheme aims to provide poorer countries with equal access to Covid-19 vaccines but up to…

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  • Phuket NewsPhuket foreigners can register for vaccine leftovers

    Phuket foreigners can register for vaccine leftovers

    Starting tomorrow, foreigners residing in Phuket can register for a Covid-19 vaccine. On Thursday and Friday, they can receive a vaccination from the “surplus” of doses still available. To register for the vaccine, foreigners are instructed to use the “Phuket Must Win” web portal. Mr Pracha Asawathira, who is with the Ministry of Digital Economy and Society, and “involved” with…

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  • Thailand video newsThailand News Today | Government puts brakes on BKK, more police arrested over kidnap | June 1

    Thailand News Today | Government puts brakes on BKK, more police arrested over kidnap | June 1

    Just as Bangkok was about to reopen some venues and businesses, the order was shut down by the Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration, Thai Brewers Association has delivered a petition to the CCSA and the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration asking them to reverse the ban of alcohol sales in restaurants and bars, Two high ranking police officers in Bangkok have now…

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  • Covid-19 News324 schools open in Lampang

    324 schools open in Lampang

    Today, 324 schools across 13 districts in Lampang, a northern Thai province, opened their doors for the first semester in the “New Normal” system. At one Lampang school, Boonwart Wittayalai, students are set to alternate the days they go to school with, presumably, days they don’t go to school and learn online. Before entering a classroom, students must wash their…

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  • Thailand NewsBody found in water off Patong

    Body found in water off Patong

    Yesterday, a man’s body was found in the sea near Tri Trang Beach, a lesser-known beach between Patong and Paradise Beach, south of Patong. Patong Police are investigating the matter. Rescue workers were called in around 3:40 pm to the Coral Beach Bridge at the southern tip of Patong beach. A local fisherman had reportedly hauled the unidentified corpse ashore.…

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  • Covid-19 NewsMalaysia imposes lockdown

    Malaysia imposes lockdown

    Starting today, Malaysia imposed a strict lockdown on its country. The region avoided the first Covid-19 wave, thanks largely to decisive action: closing borders, issuing curbs. However, Southeast Asia has become the new Covid-19 epicentre, as their efforts to curb outbreaks have been impeded by recent Covid outbreaks, glacial slow vaccine rollouts, and citizens who have restriction fatigue. Malaysia has…

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  • Covid-19 NewsSoutheast Asia: The new covid-19 epicentre

    Southeast Asia: The new covid-19 epicentre

    Some western countries appear to have turned the tide against Covid-19 (China and India have also administered between 640 million and 208 million doses, respectively). The middle East is showing promise in vaccinating its citizens. But health experts predict some countries could be months or even weeks from being able to come out on the other side of their current…

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  • Crime NewsThai man faces charges for allegedly smuggling methamphetamine into South Korea

    Thai man faces charges for allegedly smuggling methamphetamine into South Korea

    A 32 year old Thai man is facing charges for allegedly trafficking $12.1 million USD worth of methamphetamine into South Korea. The man was arrested earlier this month for allegedly smuggling around 4 kilograms of methamphetamine hidden in bags of protein supplements on a flight from Thailand to South Korea, according to Korean media. The man was allegedly paid 200,000 baht…

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  • Thailand NewsCountries push back against being associated with variants, new system may be coming soon

    Countries push back against being associated with variants, new system may be coming soon

    It is one thing to hear a foreign country be connected to the name of a virus, it’s another thing when it’s your country. It feels personal. Last week, many Thais were incensed to have their country associated with a Covid variant. Likewise, the Indian government has called for having all references to the “Indian Variant” scrubbed from social media. They…

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  • Things To DoTop 5 muay Thai boxing stadiums

    Top 5 muay Thai boxing stadiums

    Upon the many cultural delights of Thailand rests the ancient martial art of Muay Thai. Considered as Thailand’s national sport, Thai Boxing, can be seen throughout the nation in many Muay Thai boxing stadiums. Despite the fact that the sport is a popular activity among local Thais, foreigners from around the world are mesmerised by the sport’s required intensity and…

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  • Thailand video newsGood Morning Thailand | C-19 Vaccines – Yes? No?, Thailand re-opening latest, Phuket Sandbox

    Good Morning Thailand | C-19 Vaccines – Yes? No?, Thailand re-opening latest, Phuket Sandbox

    Episode 7. Today’s guest Hayden Rhodes, a health professional, father and family man. He’s come to his conclusion about vaccines. How about you? We also have the latest in the Sanbox reopening details for Thailand Bangkok’s on-again, off-again restriction updates. Tim Newton is joined by Bill Barnett from c9HotelWorks. All the latest information about Thailand and Phuket reopening at thethaiger.com

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  • World NewsState of emergency extended in Japan

    State of emergency extended in Japan

    A month before the Olympic Games begin, a state of emergency has been extended in 9 Japanese prefectures, including Tokyo. The extended decree is in force until June 20 and covers Hokkaido, Tokyo, Aichi, Osaka, Hyogo, Kyoto, Okayama, Hiroshima, Fukuoka, and Okinawa. In the prefectures of Saitama, Chiba, Kanagawa, Gifu, and Mie, strict non-emergency restrictions are in force and have…

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  • Visa Information60-day “Covid” visa extension now allows stays until late September

    60-day “Covid” visa extension now allows stays until late September

    Foreigners who are stuck in Thailand, either by choice or because they cannot return to their home country due to the pandemic, can now stay in the “Land of Smiles” until late September. The Thai Immigration Bureau recently announced that the deadline to apply for the 60-day “Covid” visa extension has been pushed from May 29 to July 29, now…

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  • Thailand NewsThai Brewers Association asks for reprieve from alcohol ban

    Thai Brewers Association asks for reprieve from alcohol ban

    Yesterday, the Thai Brewers Association delivered a petition to the CCSA and the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration asking them to reverse the ban of alcohol sales in restaurants, bars as the ban has been harmful to their businesses and they have not been given any other options. The statement reads: The Thai Brewers Association truly understands the goodwill and purpose of…

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  • Bangkok NewsThai government allegedly ticked-off with Bangkok Metropolitan Administration

    Thai government allegedly ticked-off with Bangkok Metropolitan Administration

    The government is becoming increasingly irritated by the Bangkok Governor and his administration, according to a Thai Enquirer report. The media outlet says senior officials at the Public Health Ministry and at the Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration are critical of the governor’s random handling of the pandemic and its associated restrictions. The report is based on feedback from an…

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  • Crime NewsPolice officers arrested for alleged involvement in Bangkok kidnap

    Police officers arrested for alleged involvement in Bangkok kidnap

    Two high ranking police officers in Bangkok have been arrested for alleged involvement in the kidnap of a 60 year old Taiwanese businessman for a US$3 million ransom. Police say the man was abducted in broad daylight from a restaurant in the Thong Lor district over a failed business deal for rubber gloves. The March 28 incident where 60 year…

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  • Covid-19 NewsGovernment unsure if local administration budgets can be used to buy vaccines

    Government unsure if local administration budgets can be used to buy vaccines

    In what could put yet another spanner in the works, the Thai government is questioning if local authorities can purchase vaccines and whether state-allocated budgets can be used for this purpose. The Bangkok Post reports that officials at the Interior Ministry fear a chaotic rollout, with several local administrative organisations racing to order supplies of Sinopharm, the latest vaccine to…

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  • Things To DoTop 7 Places to Take Your Pet Dog in Bangkok

    Top 7 Places to Take Your Pet Dog in Bangkok

    Bangkok isn’t particularly well-known for being pet-friendly as most public spaces and parks in the city don’t allow animals. However, there are many spots and cafes in Bangkok that are happy to welcome your furry friends. We’ve picked out a selection of the top 8 places to take your pet in Bangkok, ranging from malls, pet cafes (some even with…

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  • Covid-19 NewsCCSA shuts down order to reopen 5 types of venues in Bangkok

    CCSA shuts down order to reopen 5 types of venues in Bangkok

    Just as Bangkok was about to reopen some venues and businesses, the order was shut down by the Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration. After businesses went weeks under a strict closure order, the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration agreed to loosen restrictions and decided to reopen 5 types of venues and businesses, with conditions to prevent the spread of Covid-19, but the…

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