Maya Taylor
- Bangkok News
Transport minister says Suvarnabhumi Airport expansion will begin in July
Plans to expand Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi Airport will kick off in July, according to Transport Minister Saksayam Chidchob. The so-called East Expansion project is expected to take around 2 and a half years to complete, at a cost of 7.8 billion baht. The project will begin in July with a bidding process to appoint a contractor. The plans have already been…
- Tourism News
Tourism Ministry pushing for return of Test & Go from February
Thailand’s tourism minister says he’s pushing for the return of the Test & Go entry scheme, potentially as early as next month. Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn says the resumption of the scheme could mean at least 8 million international tourists this year. The CCSA meets tomorrow to discuss easing a number of restrictions and potentially rebooting Test & Go. The Omicron variant…
- Covid-19 News
Restrictions could be eased, Covid alert lowered after CCSA meeting tomorrow
As infections continue to decline in Thailand, the government meets tomorrow to discuss the easing of a number of restrictions. The CCSA is also expected to lower the country’s Covid alert, from Level 4 to 3. It was raised earlier this month amid concerns over the highly-contagious Omicron variant. The move followed the suspension of the Test & Go entry…
- Thailand News
Tonga tragedy prompts PM to check if Thailand’s prepared for another tsunami
That reminds me… The recent volcanic eruption on the island of Hunga-Tonga-Hunga-Ha’apai in Tonga has prompted the Thai PM to check Thailand’s preparedness in the event of another tsunami. According to a Nation Thailand report, the PM has instructed relevant agencies to keep an eye on developments in Tonga and to ensure Thailand’s disaster warning system is working. Government spokesperson…
- Technology News
Over 95% of content Thailand asks Google to remove is government criticism – the highest rate in the world
A study by virtual private network firm Surfshark shows that since 2011, Thailand has submitted 1,147 requests for Google to remove content. The Bangkok Post reports that over 95% of those requests was about content considered critical of the government – the highest rate in the world. As part of the study, Surfshark says it analysed Google’s Transparency Report. Thailand…
- Covid-19 News
Mix & match formula for vaccines and boosters strengthens immunity against Omicron
Following 2 doses of an inactivated Covid-19 vaccine with a booster mRNA dose increases immunity against the Omicron variant. Dr Supakit Sirilak from the Department of Medical Sciences says tests have shown the mix has proven effective against both the highly-contagious Omicron strain and its predecessor, the Delta variant. The Bangkok Post reports that tests carried out by the Institute…
- Tourism News
The return of Test & Go? Health Minister to propose entry scheme be restored
Thailand’s Public Health Minister says he’s backing the restoration of the Test & Go entry scheme as concerns about the Omicron variant subside. Test & Go was suspended around 4 weeks ago as the highly-contagious Covid-19 variant spread around the globe. Now, Anutin Charnvirakul says he’ll ask the CCSA to consider bringing it back, as well as easing a number…
- Thailand News
Hackers target Twitter account of Thai Revenue Department
The government has advised netizens to be cautious after the Revenue Department’s Twitter account was hacked by unknown attackers. According to a Thai PBS World report, the hackers deleted nearly all previous tweets on the account and changed its name to Revenue/NFT. They then posted just one tweet, which read, “I’m looking to collaborate with NFT projects. DM (direct message)…
- Tourism News
Tourists unsure about new 300-baht fee, question how money will be spent
The jury’s out on Thailand’s new 300-baht tourism fee, with foreigners expressing reservations about its introduction. The Thai government has confirmed that all overseas arrivals will have to pay the 300-baht levy from April. Speaking to the Bangkok Post, a number of foreigners have questioned how the money will be spent. Government spokesman Thanakorn Wangboonkongchana has previously stated that the…
- Phuket News
Back to school in Phuket as governor’s order allows return to onsite learning
One of these provinces is doing its own thing… Despite central government recommending schools move to home learning until January 31, schools in Phuket have been told they can re-open. The Ministry of Education had advised Thailand’s schools to suspend in-classroom learning due to the rapidly-spreading Omicron variant, but Phuket governor Narong Woonciew has issued an order allowing schools on…
- Tourism News
Thai airlines pin their hopes on government resuming Test & Go
The president of the Airlines Association of Thailand says the government must allow the Test & Go entry scheme to resume as soon as possible. The scheme was recently suspended as the Omicron Covid-19 variant spread rapidly across the globe. Puttipong Prasarttong-Osoth, who is also the boss of Bangkok Airways, says the scheme was working well, attracting more foreign visitors…
- Tourism News
No cut-off date announced for Test & Go entry with pre-approved Thailand Pass
The Foreign Ministry has confirmed there is currently no cut-off entry date for Test & Go travellers who’ve already received their Thailand Pass. Test & Go has been suspended since December 22 as the Thai government responded to the rapid global spread of the Omicron Covid-19 variant. You would need a Test & Go program approval, and QR code, before…
- Covid-19 News
CCSA concerned about rising Covid numbers among Thailand’s medical workers
The government’s Covid-19 task force says it’s worried about a rising level of infections among the country’s medical workers. Dr. Sumanee Wacharasint from the CCSA has called on all healthcare workers to come forward for a fourth vaccine dose to protect them against the virus. According to a Thai PBS World report, she says medical workers becoming infected is a…
- Tourism News
Major tourism operator calls on government to restart Test & Go
The board chairman of Minor International has called on the Thai government to reinstate the suspended Test & Go entry scheme. Failing that, William Heinecke says they should expand the number of sandbox destinations, according to a Bangkok Post report. Minor International is based in Bangkok and its businesses include Minor Hotels, which operates 530 properties, including the Anantara, Four…
- Bangkok News
Bangkok reports surge in Covid cases linked to restaurant/bars, student dorms
Health officials say there has been a surge in infections in Bangkok, linked to restaurant/bars and other crowded places, such as student dorms. According to a Bangkok Post report, 939 new cases were reported in the capital yesterday, 45 of which were imported. Dr Suthas Chottanapan from the DDC says 300 of the local cases were contracted in restaurants operating…
- Thailand Protest News
Bail extended for pro-democracy activist and protest leader Panusaya
The pro-democracy activist and anti-government protest leader, Panusaya “Rung” Sithijirawattanakul, has had her bail extended, according to a Thai PBS World report. Yesterday, the Bangkok South Criminal Court ruled to extend bail for Panusaya, as well as lifting conditions that had prohibited the young student from leaving her home. Panusaya, one of the leaders of the pro-democracy Ratsadon group, has…
- Pattaya News
Thai police investigate deaths of 2 foreign nationals in Phuket, Chon Buri
Police are investigating the deaths of 2 foreigners this week, one in the eastern province of Chon Buri and the other on the southern island of Phuket. The Bangkok Post reports that 63-year-old Philipe Kernen was found dead at his home in the Phuket sub-district of Rawai earlier this week. The French national was found lying face-down on his bed, with…
- Covid-19 News
Officials say no need to close schools with Covid cases, measures already in place
A Public Health Ministry official says there’s no need to close schools where Covid-19 infections are found as effective measures are already in place. According to a Bangkok Post report, Sumanee Wacharasin says nearly all schools have passed a Covid-19 control evaluation, which checks their disease prevention measures. Furthermore, 95% of students over the age of 12 have now received…
- Tourism News
Tourism operators call on government to delay introduction of 300-baht entry fee
Tourism operators are calling on the Thai government to delay the introduction of a 300-baht tourism fee to give the sector time to recover. The fee is due to take effect from April, with the Bangkok Post reporting that it will apply to foreigners arriving in the kingdom by land, sea, and air. Marisa Sukosol Nunbhakdi from the Thai Hotels…
- Covid-19 News
Survey shows many Thais suffering suicidal thoughts and depression during pandemic
A recent survey shows that many Thais are enduring suicidal thoughts, depression, and burnout as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic. Amporn Benjaponpitak from the Department of Mental Health says the online poll assessed the mental health of over 2.5 million people in Thailand. A Thai PBS World report carries a breakdown of some of the results. Over 8% of…
- Expats
Applicants for Thai citizenship must pass new Thai language test
The Thai government has introduced new regulations that require those who apply for Thai citizenship to pass a new Thai language test. According to a Bangkok Post report, government representative Rachada Dhnadirek says the fees for citizenship have also doubled. Up until now, Thai citizenship was based on regulations in place since 1967, which required applicants to speak and understand…
- Phuket News
Phuket seeing healthy tourism demand, with 4,000 Thailand Pass applications a day
The president of the Phuket Tourism Association says the island is proving popular with foreign tourists, receiving 4,000 applications a day through the Thailand Pass system. Bhummikitti Ruktaengam says most of those visitors are from Germany, Russia, Kazakhstan, the United Kingdom, the United States, and France. Bhummikitti credits the success of the island’s Covid-19 measures for inspiring confidence among foreign…
- World News
Air passengers from Thailand to be banned from transiting in Hong Kong over Omicron spread
There are unconfirmed reports that air travellers from Thailand and a number of other countries are to be banned from transiting through Hong Kong. The ban applies to all Group A countries, which have been designated high-risk for Covid-19. Group A includes a number of popular transit routes, such as Singapore, Australia, and several European countries, as well as Thailand.…
- Pattaya News
Major fire guts incense warehouse in Chon Buri
An incense warehouse in the eastern province of Chon Buri has been completely destroyed by fire. The Pattaya News reports that the fire broke out at a joss sticks warehouse in the district of Ban Bueng on Sunday. 10 fire engines attended the blaze in Soi Intara and it took firefighters over an hour to bring the fire under control.…
- Phuket News
Health officials in Phuket warn of bed shortages amid rise in Covid infections
Health officials in Phuket say hospital beds are running out as the infection rate begins to climb once more on the southern island. Kooksak Kookiatkul says that, as of Sunday, Phuket has reported 742 new cases. According to a Bangkok Post report, 513 of those are in local residents, with 2 in foreign residents. 133 have been imported by the…
- Covid-19 News
Health ministry says Covid-19 will become endemic in Thailand this year
Thailand’s Public Health Ministry plans to move Covid-19 from pandemic status to endemic status this year. According to a Bangkok Post report, Dr Kiattiphum Wongrajit says this can be achieved thanks to people cooperating with the vaccine rollout. While the Omicron variant is highly-contagious and spreading rapidly across the country, symptoms are milder and the death rate is lower. “The…
- Covid-19 News
CCSA warns that new Covid infections could jump to 20,000 a day
The CCSA says new Covid-19 infections in Thailand could reach 20,000 a day if the public do not take disease prevention measures seriously. According to a Bangkok Post report, 5,397 Omicron infections have been reported across 71 provinces so far. However, Dr Kiattiphum Wongrajit from the Public Health Ministry says deaths remain low due to the high vaccination rate. “Even…
- Covid-19 News
Koh Chang national park closed due to Covid-19, but island remains open
The popular tourist destination of Mu Koh Chang, on the Gulf of Thailand’s eastern seaboard, has been partially-closed, as a result of Covid-19. Officials have decided to close camp sites and other tourism facilities in the national park. However, the remainder of the island remains open to visitors. According to a Thai PBS World report, there had been some initial…
- Covid-19 News
Officials set up child treatment facilities, expecting a surge in cases in the young
The Public Health Ministry is working with the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration to prepare treatment and isolation facilities for young children infected with Covid-19. According to a Thai PBS World report, officials are anticipating a surge in infections in the young. Dr. Adisai Pattanatang from The Queen Sirikit National Institute of Child Health says the facility can accommodate young Covid-infected patients…
- World News
New York apartment fire kills at least 19, including 9 children
A fire that ripped through a high-rise apartment building in New York has left at least 19 people dead, 9 of them children, according to media reports. The fire broke out mid-morning on the second and third floors of a building on East 181st Street in the borough of the Bronx. According to an AFP report, New York city mayor…
