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  • Covid-19 NewsPhuket bars and nightclubs ordered to close for 10 days

    Phuket bars and nightclubs ordered to close for 10 days

    Bars, pubs and nightlife venues in Phuket are ordered to close for the next 10 days while 3 venues on the island where Covid-19 has been reported are ordered to close for at least 14 days. The closure is ordered after the massive events hosted by Kolour where an attendee tested positive for Covid-19. All partygoers are asked to go…

  • Crime NewsImmigration police arrest Frenchman on drug charges, 3 other foreigners for overstay

    Immigration police arrest Frenchman on drug charges, 3 other foreigners for overstay

    Immigration police arrested a French man who was allegedly involved in a crime network who allegedly smuggled cannabis, and arrested 3 other foreigners on overstay charges. Police say the crime network sold cannabis to foreigners living in tourist cities in Thailand. Officers say they suspect there are more people involved in the alleged smuggling operation on the Eastern seaboard, which…

  • Covid-19 NewsUPDATE: 405 new Covid-19 cases, CCSA considers closing nightlife venues across Thailand

    UPDATE: 405 new Covid-19 cases, CCSA considers closing nightlife venues across Thailand

    In what a spokesperson calls a “whopping number” of Covid-19 infections in the past few months, 405 new Covid-19 cases were reported today in the Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration’s daily briefing. Many of the infections are linked to nightlife venues primarily in Bangkok among a young adult population in their 20s and 30s, according to deputy spokesperson for the Ministry…

  • Phuket NewsIf you went to a Kolour party in Phuket, go get tested for Covid-19

    If you went to a Kolour party in Phuket, go get tested for Covid-19

    Partygoers who went to any of the Kolour Beachside parties in Phuket last weekend are asked to go to a local hospital for a Covid-19 test. The parties hosted more than 3,000 people, drawing concern after an attendee tested positive for Covid-19. The Phuket Provincial Government and Phuket Provincial Public Health Office released a statement yesterday advising all partygoers to get…

  • Thailand NewsThailand News Today | Steep rise in Bangkok cluster, Monk rescued from cave | April 7

    Thailand News Today | Steep rise in Bangkok cluster, Monk rescued from cave | April 7

    In today’s episode we look at…Thailand’s covid situation has suddenly swept back to the headlines with potential super spreader events now delivering rising infection numbers, especially in Bangkok and now in the provinces as well. And all this just days away from Songkran when Thais will have the busiest travel period in the past 12 months. Our full coverage coming…

  • Covid-19 NewsTop doctors say Thong Lor cluster might be the UK Covid-19 variant

    Top doctors say Thong Lor cluster might be the UK Covid-19 variant

    The UK variant of Covid-19 might be the strain of the virus that broke out at nightclubs and bars in Bangkok’s Thong Lor area, according to 2 top doctors in Thailand. The B117 variant is said to be faster-spreading – about 1.7 times more contagious than the original strain. Doctors suspect the mutated strain led to the outbreak at the…

  • Tourism NewsThailand tourism leaders come together to discuss the industry’s future

    Thailand tourism leaders come together to discuss the industry’s future

    The following story was submitted by Bill Barnett, the managing director for C9 Hotelworks. The Covid-19 pandemic is the biggest global crisis tourism has ever faced. Against this unprecedented upheaval, many of Thailand’s leading hotel operators and other key players came together under the #ThaiTourismUnited banner at an event in Bangkok, creating a single unified voice to drive the Kingdom’s…

  • Covid-19 NewsCovid-19 update: Spike in cases linked to nightlife in Bangkok and Phuket

    Covid-19 update: Spike in cases linked to nightlife in Bangkok and Phuket

    Bar and club hopping has led to numerous clusters of Covid-19 infections and a spike in the number of daily infections in Thailand. 334 new Covid-19 cases were reported today in the Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration’s daily briefing. Most of the cases are in Bangkok. The steep rise in new infections comes just days before the mass migration of…

  • Covid-19 NewsCovid-19 patient in Phuket worked at Thong Lor nightlife venue

    Covid-19 patient in Phuket worked at Thong Lor nightlife venue

    A Covid-19 patient in Phuket worked at an entertainment venue in Bangkok’s Thong Lor area where a cluster of coronavirus infections have been reported. The 29 year old woman worked as a receptionist at a venue on Thong Lor. Reports don’t say which bar she worked at, but dozens of Covid-19 cases are linked to bars and pubs in the…

  • Tourism NewsAustralia sets travel bubble with New Zealand, Asian countries by August

    Australia sets travel bubble with New Zealand, Asian countries by August

    Travel bubbles for those travelling from Australia to destinations in Asia and the Pacific region could be imposed by August. The country has already agreed on the Trans-Tasman travel bubble with New Zealand, set to start in a few weeks. Singapore is in the cards to be set up next while Australian authorities are looking into other potential bilateral agreements…

  • Thailand NewsThailand News Today | Nightlife crackdown in Bangkok, storm damage in north | April 6

    Thailand News Today | Nightlife crackdown in Bangkok, storm damage in north | April 6

    On today’s program, Covid cases are rising, mainly in Bangkok and down in the south in Narathiwat, bars and pubs closed in 3 Bangkok districts for at least 2 weeks, and the State of Global Air report slams Northern Thailand with its latest statistics. It’s also Chakri Memorial Day, a public holiday here in Thailand. It commemorates the first King…

  • EventsWeekend party event in Phuket reports positive Covid attendee

    Weekend party event in Phuket reports positive Covid attendee

    A band member from Bangkok who attended three ‘Kolour’ party events in Phuket over the weekend has tested positive for Covid-19. The main Kolour Beachside Main Event was held at Cafe Del Mar, along Kamala’s foreshore. Other pre and post event parties were also held at Shelter and Illuzion, both in Bangla Road, Phuket. The promoters Kolour Beachside have a…

  • Thailand NewsLeader of Thai cryptocurrency exchange warns regulators about tight restrictions

    Leader of Thai cryptocurrency exchange warns regulators about tight restrictions

    The co-founder of Thailand’s largest cryptocurrency exchange has slammed regulators for plans to set requirements that would limit who can trade cryptocurrency. Following a drastic spike in domestic crypto trading, Thailand’s Securities and Exchange Commission, decided to look into tighter restrictions and say traders will be soon required to have experience, be educated in trading or pass an exam. Too…

  • Bangkok NewsBangkok may soon be classified as a “red” zone following new Covid clusters

    Bangkok may soon be classified as a “red” zone following new Covid clusters

    Bangkok may soon be classified as a “red” zone under maximum control to prevent the spread of Covid-19 following the rise of infections linked to bars and entertainment venues, primarily off Sukhumvit Road in Thong Lor and Ekkamai. Thailand’s top virologist Yong Poovorawan says the recent Covid-19 clusters, along with Thailand’s slow rollout of vaccines, is “worrying” and fears that…

  • Thailand NewsThailand News Today | Bangkok nightspot Covid clusters, Tesco/CP merger goes to court | April 5

    Thailand News Today | Bangkok nightspot Covid clusters, Tesco/CP merger goes to court | April 5

    We’ll start off with a Covid whip around… some minor clusters popping up around parts of Thailand…. Thailand’s Chon Buri province, which includes Pattaya, has revealed 7 more Covid-19 infections today. There were another 8 yesterday. The new infections are worrying officials, who say they are the most the province has seen in 3 months. Japanese nationals are among the…

  • Covid-19 NewsCCSA Update: 194 new Covid-19 cases, outbreak at Narathiwat prison

    CCSA Update: 194 new Covid-19 cases, outbreak at Narathiwat prison

    194 new Covid-19 cases were reported today in the Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration’s daily briefing. Most cases are linked to an outbreak at a prison in the southern province Narathiwat. A number of other cases are linked to bars and entertainment venues in Bangkok. Out of the 194 new cases, 94 cases were in Narathiwat. Most are prison inmates.…

  • Thailand NewsThailand to discuss travel bubble with Singapore

    Thailand to discuss travel bubble with Singapore

    Thailand is looking into setting up a travel bubble with Singapore. Thailand’s Tourism and Sports Ministry will discuss the idea this week with officials from the Singapore Embassy. Tourism officials are also looking at potential travel bubbles with other neighbouring countries with a low number of active Covid-19 cases, such as Vietnam and Laos, according to sports and tourism minister…

  • Koh Samui NewsForeigners charged with DUI teach English to Koh Samui probation staff

    Foreigners charged with DUI teach English to Koh Samui probation staff

    Foreigners on Koh Samui who have been caught driving while intoxicated are now teaching English to probation officers as part of their community service. Those with a drink driving charge are ordered by the court to complete 24 hours of community service. The foreigners have been teaching probation staff basic greetings and conversational English as well as grammar and legal…

  • Tourism NewsPhuket’s pilot program to reopen Thailand – Interview Bill Barnett | VIDEO

    Phuket’s pilot program to reopen Thailand – Interview Bill Barnett | VIDEO

    There’s a lot more of Thailand besides Phuket, but the southern Thai island has received a lot of attention in the past few weeks because of the intention to remove quarantine for vaccinated international arrivals from July this year. There’s a lot at stake as the rest of Thailand will be watching the pilot program, eager to see it work…

  • World NewsThai Foreign Minister says Karen refugees were not forced back to Myanmar

    Thai Foreign Minister says Karen refugees were not forced back to Myanmar

    Following reports and criticism on Thailand forcing Karen refugees back across the Myanmar border, Foreign Minister and Deputy PM Don Pramudwinai says the claims are not true and that Thailand has been caring for refugees for decades. With the escalating violence in Myanmar following the February 1 military coup, many have fled to Thailand. The United Nations Human Rights Office…

  • ExpatsTourism Authority of Thailand aims to attract expat golfers

    Tourism Authority of Thailand aims to attract expat golfers

    The Tourism Authority of Thailand is poised to organise golf events targeted at Thailand’s expatriate community as part of efforts to restore confidence in domestic tourism under the banner “Stay Play Safe”. Minister of Tourism and Sports Phipat Ratchakitprakarn says that the motivation behind the campaign is “to re-energise a sector that has been badly hit closures and restrictions brought…

  • Thai Life“Mommy, there’s a snake!” – Expat in Phuket shares her story

    “Mommy, there’s a snake!” – Expat in Phuket shares her story

    The following story was written by Amy Sukwan, an American who has been living in Thailand for 7 years. To share a story with The Thaiger, click HERE. “Mommy, there’s a snake!” my 8 year old daughter Eliza said, waking me up in the middle of the night. I came out of our modest bungalow in Phuket at some unholy…

  • Thailand NewsThailand News Today | Monk dies after C-19 vaccine, Phuket dusts off international airport | April 2

    Thailand News Today | Monk dies after C-19 vaccine, Phuket dusts off international airport | April 2

    In today’s episode we look at…An elderly monk has died after being vaccinated for Covid-19, Phuket Airport’s international terminal is switching its light on for the first time in nearly a year, and an elaborate banquet set up in Chon Buri… but all the guest were dead. A 70 year old monk has died the day after he was injected…

  • Covid-19 NewsThai Health Minister “confident” the monk’s death is not related to the Covid vaccine

    Thai Health Minister “confident” the monk’s death is not related to the Covid vaccine

    Following the death of a monk just a few hours after being vaccinated against Covid-19, Thailand’s public health minister expressed his sympathy, but says he is confident that the vaccine is not the cause of death. Anutin Charnvirakul says the 71 year old monk had underlying conditions of severe diabetes and high blood pressure. An autopsy is being conducted to…

  • Crime NewsCourt sentences Thailand’s “Jack the Ripper” to death

    Court sentences Thailand’s “Jack the Ripper” to death

    The convicted serial killer known as “Jack the Ripper in Thailand” has been sentenced to death. The Khon Kaen court in the Isaan province announced its decision today, sentencing convicted murderer Somkid Poompuang to death. In 2005, Somkid was convicted of murdering 5 women, including a singer and 4 masseuses. He had sex with the women before killing them, either by…

  • Covid-19 NewsMonk dies after getting Covid-19 vaccine, 3 others treated at the hospital

    Monk dies after getting Covid-19 vaccine, 3 others treated at the hospital

    UPDATE: Reports now say the monk died just a few hours after receiving the vaccine. A 71 year old monk died just a few hours after he was injected with the Covid-19 vaccine while 3 other monks at the same temple, Wat Samphanthawong Moranaphap in Bangkok, were taken to the hospital sometime after being injected with the vaccine to be…

  • Thailand NewsSome guidelines for commenting on The Thaiger

    Some guidelines for commenting on The Thaiger

    The news business has changed. A LOT. One of the big changes the more traditional news platforms are struggling with is the two-way conversation between news publishers and their readers/viewers. Not only do customers now have the ability to engage with the publishers, they frequently do so. We think that’s great. But with this engagement there is also a commensurate…

  • World NewsPolice arrest 2 Lao men, seize 550 kilograms of methamphetamine at Mekong River bank

    Police arrest 2 Lao men, seize 550 kilograms of methamphetamine at Mekong River bank

    In another drug bust by the Mekong River, police seized 550 kilograms of crystal methamphetamine valued at around 275 million baht. Methamphetamine trafficking across the river from Laos to Thailand has spiked since the Myanmar coup. Many militant groups in Myanmar border towns rely on synthetic drug production as a main source of income. With tightened patrol along the Thai-Myanmar…

  • Thailand NewsThailand News Today | Thailand lures big spenders, 2,000 Burmese refugees shelter in north | April 1

    Thailand News Today | Thailand lures big spenders, 2,000 Burmese refugees shelter in north | April 1

    In today’s episode we look at… The Thai government are pinning their hopes on luring higher end tourists and travellers. The Thai government is looking to rich, high spending foreigners as the borders are prised open in coming months. Twenty-six new Covid-19 cases were reported today by the CCSA, 21 infections in the greater Bangkok area and five imported cases.…

  • Tourism NewsVaccinated against Covid-19? Quarantine is cut down to 7 days

    Vaccinated against Covid-19? Quarantine is cut down to 7 days

    Travellers who are vaccinated against Covid-19 can now undergo a reduced quarantine period of 7 days upon entering Thailand. The new, shorter quarantine period goes in effect today in Phuket, Krabi, Phang-nga, Chiang Mai, and Pattaya. Those who are not vaccinated must quarantine for 10 days, which ends up being 11 nights, while those from countries with mutated strains of…