Tanutam Thawan

Local Thai journalist speaking fluent Thai and English. Tanutam studied in Khon Kaen before attending Bangkok’s Chulalongkhorn University.
  • Thailand NewsPatrol at Thai-Myanmar border arrest more than 200 migrants over the past 4 days

    Patrol at Thai-Myanmar border arrest more than 200 migrants over the past 4 days

    More than 200 migrants have been caught illegally crossing the Myanmar border into Kanchanaburi over the past 4 days. Many of the Burmese people detained by border patrol officers say they were coming to Thailand for work and had paid off brokers to set them up with jobs. Due to the influx of migrants crossing the border, provincial authorities called…

  • Covid-19 NewsThailand seeks rights to produce Favipiravir antiviral drug

    Thailand seeks rights to produce Favipiravir antiviral drug

    With thousands of people in Thailand being treated for Covid-19 and hundreds in critical condition, the Thai government is now seeking the rights to produce the Japanese-made antiviral drug Favipiravir. In Thailand, the drug has been used to treat those infected with Covid-19, typically those with serious conditions. A very, small portion of Thailand’s population has been fully vaccinated against…

  • Bangkok NewsBangkok sets goal to vaccinate 70% of population by the end of the year

    Bangkok sets goal to vaccinate 70% of population by the end of the year

    With Bangkok as the epicentre of the recent Covid-19 outbreak, infecting over 10,000 people in the capital since April 1, the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration says they now aim to vaccinate 70% of Bangkok residents by the end of the year. Since Thailand started its national Covid-19 vaccination plan in late-February, just 1.4 million doses have been inoculated. Priority was initially…

  • Covid-19 NewsNew Covid-19 zoning with tightened restrictions starts tomorrow

    New Covid-19 zoning with tightened restrictions starts tomorrow

    Starting midnight Saturday, tightened disease control measures will take effect, including restrictions set nationwide as well as restrictions based on the recent colour-coded zoning by the Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration. The restrictions will be in place for at least 14 days. Nationwide restrictions Alcohol sales at restaurants will be prohibited nationwide in an effort to prevent gathering and slow…

  • Crime NewsPolice in Phuket seize 100,000 methamphetamine pills, women arrested on drug charges

    Police in Phuket seize 100,000 methamphetamine pills, women arrested on drug charges

    Police in Phuket arrested 2 women on drug charges and seized a package containing 100,000 methamphetamine pills, 200 grams of crystal methamphetamine, and drug paraphernalia. Police say they received a tip about women suspected of selling methamphetamine and pills known as “ya ba,” meaning “crazy drug” in Thai. Officers tracked down 38 year old Ladawan ‘Mod’ Chuengyang and 24 year old…

  • World NewsFormer Norwegian minister warns against travel to Thailand due to fugitive murder suspect

    Former Norwegian minister warns against travel to Thailand due to fugitive murder suspect

    A former Norweigan justice minister is calling on the country to boycott holiday trips to Thailand due to reports that a man wanted for allegedly killing a Norwegian woman in Laos is now living in Thailand. The former minister, Per-Willy Amundsen, calls the situation of the murder suspect on the run and living free in Thailand a “complete scandal.” “If…

  • Thailand NewsThailand to issue international vaccine passport for travellers

    Thailand to issue international vaccine passport for travellers

    An international vaccine passport, certifying Covid-19 immunisation, will be an official travel document for those travelling overseas, according to an order by the Public Health Ministry’s Disease Control Department. A copy of the vaccine passport along with an order outlining the issuing process, both approved by the department’s director general Opas Karnkawinpong, were published in the Royal Gazette, making it…

  • Thailand NewsQuarantine period for international arrivals is now back to 14 days

    Quarantine period for international arrivals is now back to 14 days

    Quarantine for those entering Thailand from overseas will now go back to the original 14 day period (which ends up being 15 to 16 days). The Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration announced the quarantine extension this afternoon, saying those who obtained their Certificate of Entry prior to May 1, and arrive in Thailand before May 6, will still be able…

  • Covid-19 NewsCovid UPDATE: 1,871 new infections and 10 deaths; provincial totals

    Covid UPDATE: 1,871 new infections and 10 deaths; provincial totals

    1,871 new Covid-19 cases and 10 coronavirus-related deaths were reported today by Thailand’s Public Health Ministry, raising the total count since the start of the pandemic last year to 63,570 Covid-19 infections and 188 fatalities. Covid-related deaths in Thailand have been reported each day since April 17. Thailand now has 27,988 active Covid-19 cases with many infections related to entertainment…

  • Phuket NewsPhuket to close land border from 11pm to 5am each day, essential travel only

    Phuket to close land border from 11pm to 5am each day, essential travel only

    The Phuket governor issued an order to close all land borders to the island province from 11pm to 5am each day to help combat the spread of Covid-19. The borders include the main Tha Chat Chai entry checkpoint in the Thalang district. The closure order will be in place until May 12. Only essential travel will be allowed to pass…

  • Crime NewsOfficers seized 31 million baht in cash and assets in 20 drug trafficking raids

    Officers seized 31 million baht in cash and assets in 20 drug trafficking raids

    In a major crackdown on a suspect drug network run by a woman in Northern Thailand, officers raided 20 locations in the Eastern region and seized cash as well as other assets valued at a total of 31 million baht. Thailand’s Office of the Narcotics Control Board launched an investigation back in October into a suspected drug network said to…

  • Covid-19 NewsAll foreigners eligible for Covid-19 vaccine under Thailand’s vaccination plan, eventually

    All foreigners eligible for Covid-19 vaccine under Thailand’s vaccination plan, eventually

    All expats living in Thailand are eligible to receive the Covid-19 vaccine, according to deputy spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Natapanu Nopakun. He says Thailand plans to roll out a “massive vaccination plan” to vaccinate all people who are living in Thailand, including foreign residents. “All people residing in Thailand, regardless of nationality, are eligible to receive the…

  • Bangkok NewsThai sweet shop gets mixed reviews over Buddhist amulet candies

    Thai sweet shop gets mixed reviews over Buddhist amulet candies

    A Thai sweet shop is facing criticism from many locals and praises from others for making candy Buddhist amulets, which are usually worn around the neck as ‘protection’ from evil spirits. Madam Choops candy shop in Samut Songkhram, just southwest of Bangkok, says the edible amulets made from Thai sugar candy can protect your inner organs (but probably less successful…

  • Crime NewsNuns arrested for allegedly scamming hundreds out of a total of 10 million baht

    Nuns arrested for allegedly scamming hundreds out of a total of 10 million baht

    Police arrested 3 Buddhist nuns at a meditation centre in Thailand’s Isaan region for allegedly scamming more than 400 people, promising returns to those who invested in a fund for the poor. Victims say the nuns took off with a total of around 10 million baht. A nun at the centre claims those who made merit would receive returns, but…