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Thailand news, politics, business, crime, lifestyle, and tourism—stay updated with breaking news and in-depth analysis from Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Pattaya, and beyond.
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Sponsored Where to shop for sports gear at Jungceylon Phuket
Phuket might be known for its beaches and nightlife, but the island also has a thriving fitness culture. From Muay Thai gyms to beach runs at sunrise, staying active is part of daily life for many who live here (as...
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Pattaya bar owners waiting for CCSA to allow later closing hours
Pattaya bar owners are waiting for the Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration to allow businesses to close at later times, as a decision is expected today to reveal new provincial risk assessments. If Chon Buri province, which features Pattaya, is determined to be a “green” zone by the CCSA, the businesses would be allowed to stay open past midnight, with…
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Detained protest leaders taken out of their cells at 2am for Covid-19 testing, Justice Ministry says
The Ministry of Justice has denied that there were any sinister motives behind prison officers’ late-night attempts to remove 3 detained protest leaders from their cells. Fellow detainee and human rights lawyer, Anon Nampa, claims the multiple attempts to remove the activists, the latest of which took place at 2am, constituted intimidation. However, the ministry insists prison officers were attempting…
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Investigation launched into boy scout drowning in north-east Thailand
Officials in the north-east province of Kalasin have launched an investigation into the drowning of a school student while partaking in boy scout camp activity. 15 year old Thongnoppakao Sitha died on Tuesday, after a teacher allegedly instructed him to dive into a pond. The activity was part of a mock war, in which the teachers threw rocks at the…
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CCSA to decide Songkran rules today
Thailand’s Public Health Minister says the government’s Covid-19 task force will meet today to decide what this year’s Songkran celebrations will look like. While a ban on inter-provincial travel is not expected, Anutin Charnvirakul says provincial governors will impose health screening protocols on those moving between provinces. “We are now on the last lap. Covid-19 vaccines have already arrived and…
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Thailand News Today | New study on Thai road deaths, scam suspect has a GoFundMe page | March 18
Thai roads are among the most deadly in the world and most of the fatal accidents involve motorcycles. We already know that, but a recent study now shows that 80% of motorcycle accidents are related to cars cutting in front of oncoming traffic. Honda and Yamaha partnered with the Thailand Accident Research Centre for the full report which reviewed 1,000…
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CCSA Update: 92 new Covid-19 cases, 1 death
92 new Covid-19 cases and 1 death were reported today in the Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration’s daily briefing. Thailand now has 1,028 active Covid-19 cases. Since the start of the pandemic last year, the CCSA has reported a total of 27,494 coronavirus infections and 89 deaths. A 65 year old cancer patient in Samut Sakhon died after testing positive…
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TAT says expats are confident in living a “new normal” life in Thailand – VIDEO
Expats are confident in living a “new normal” life in Thailand, according to the Tourism Authority of Thailand. In their recent “Trusted Thailand Report” titled “Expat Life in Thailand,” the authority highlighted popular areas in the country among foreigners and spoke to some expats about life in Thailand during the Covid-19 pandemic. Bangkok’s Sukhumvit Road is the most popular place…
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Most motorcycle accidents in Thailand involved cars cutting in front of traffic
Thai roads are among the most deadly in the world and most of the fatal accidents involve motorcycles. A recent study found that 80% of motorcycle accidents are related to cars cutting in front of oncoming traffic. Honda and Yamaha partnered with the Thailand Accident Research Centre, or TARC, for the “In-depth Accident Investigation in Thailand,” reviewing 1,000 motorcycle accidents…
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World Heritage committee to consider delaying Kaeng Krachan national park application
The UNESCO World Heritage Centre says it recognises the plight being faced by indigenous Karen people in Kaeng Krachan national park, in central Thailand. PM Prayut Chan-o-cha says the Karen villagers are not permitted to live in the park, after complaints from environmental rights groups concerned about the effect on the surrounding forest land. The Karen people have submitted a…
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Civil Aviation Authority to consider airlines’ requests to ease some Covid measures
The Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand has singled out 8 Thai airlines it still has faith in and believes will stay afloat. The CAAT says that without the Covid-19 crisis, none of the carriers risked going bankrupt and the tough financial situation they find themselves in is solely due to the pandemic. The Bangkok Post reports that the 8 airlines,…
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Health Ministry to test efficacy of Covid-19 vaccines over next 2 months
Thailand’s Public Health Ministry says it will test the efficacy of Covid-19 vaccines in those who have received them, to determine if vaccinated people build immunity to the virus. The Department of Medical Services says it will team up with the medical faculties of top universities and expects to have results within 2 months. Somsak Akksilp from the DMS says…
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Investigation underway after 77 migrants allegedly contract Covid-19 at Thai immigration centres
The Disease Control Department has launched an investigation after 77 migrants seemingly contracted Covid-19 while being held at Thai immigration centres in Bangkok. It’s understood around 68 of the illegal migrants are Burmese, while the others are Laotian and Cambodian nationals. They are being detained at immigration offices in the Bangkok districts of Bang Khen and Lak Si. According to…
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2 killed, 1 injured in early morning Songkhla car crash
2 men were killed and 1 was injured in an early morning accident after their car rear-ended a container truck in Thailand’s southern province of Songkhla. The crash occurred at 12:30am in Rattaphum district at the Khuha intersection on the main highway in tambon Khuan Ru, according to the district’s deputy investigation chief. The car, a Honda City, with Bangkok…
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Top Buddhist organisation in Myanmar stops activities to protest military violence
Myanmar’s top Buddhist organisation is condemning the use of violence by the military against protesters by stopping its regular activities in an apparent protest. The association, named The State Sangha Maha Nayaka Committee, accused an “armed minority” of torture and killing innocent civilians in an apparent break with authorities. According to Thai PBS World, Mahana members could not immediately be…
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Teen drowns in swamp during Thai boy scout challenge
A teenage scout drowned yesterday after jumping in a swamp during a mock war with teachers who were throwing rocks at the students, acting as if the stones were bombs. The teen was later reported missing when he did not return home. It took divers 4 hours to search the 3-metre deep swamp and find 15 year old Noppakao Sita’s…
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2 more Bryde’s whales seen off Koh Samui in marine park
2 more Bryde’s whales are gracing the waters off Koh Samui, after tourists spotted the marine mammals in Ang Thong National Marine Park. Wichwut Jinto, the provincial governor says park officials heard about the sightings and went out to confirm them. The whales were swimming near the islands of Hanuman, Thai Plao, Hin Dap, Wua Kantang and Sam Sao. Wichawut…
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Officials investigated for sexual harassment to be suspended without pay under new measure
Under a new measure approved by the Thai Cabinet, government officials who are under investigation for suspected sexual harassment or assault will be suspended without pay. An investigation will be launched only if there is sufficient evidence that back the claims. If a government official is accused of sexual harassment or abuse, it is the responsibility of that official’s direct…
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Italian man arrested at Bangkok pizzeria for allegedly sexually abusing a 3 year old
A 50 year old Italian man was arrested for allegedly sexually abusing a 3 year old girl. The child’s parents had filed a police complaint last month and police recently tracked down the suspect, arresting him yesterday at Lino Pizzaon Sala Thammasop Road in Bangkok’s Thawi Watthana district. The child’s parents say the man, identified as Aldo, had offered to…
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Officials tracking down foreigners with fake IDs opening up illegal businesses in Chiang Rai
Thai news site TNA is reporting that the Department of Special Investigation is investigating 255 foreigners who are allegedly in possession of fake Thai IDs in the Wiang Kaen district of Chiang Rai. The report also claims that they were operating illegal businesses. One of the suspects is Chinese but carried a Thai ID saying that he was a Thai…
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20 more people killed in Myanmar as UN says victims include women and children
At least 20 more people were allegedly killed in Myanmar as a result of the military cracking down on coup protesters, with the UN saying women and children are among the victims. Now, according to the UN, at least 138 peaceful protesters have been killed since the February 1 military coup. Last Saturday saw 18 people killed, while Sunday saw…
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Thailand’s PM says Karen villagers can’t live in national park
Thailand’s PM says Karen villagers are not allowed to live in Phetchaburi’s Kaeng Krachan National Park after welcoming the UN to investigate the ethnic minority group’s living conditions in the park. PM Prayut made the announcement after the government recently accepted villagers’ demands for consideration in return for them leaving their protest site yesterday outside of the Government House. PM…
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Myanmar military unfazed by looming sanctions
Myanmar’s military is unfazed by looming sanctions with generals saying they are ready to withstand being isolated by the international world. UN special envoy on Myanmar Christine Schraner Burgener says at least 38 more people have been killed as of today with thousands fleeing an industrial suburb of Yangon after 40 people were killed there on last Sunday. Residents also…
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Government warns of fake apps attempting to cash in on handout scheme
Thailand’s Labour Ministry has warned the public to be aware of fake mobile applications when registering for the government’s latest cash handout scheme. Spokeswoman Ratchada Thanadirek says that while a number of apps may be masquerading as registration platforms for the Mor33 Rao Rak Kan (“We Love Each Other”) campaign, registration is only possible via one official website. “The scheme…
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Protest leader asks court to look into late-night attempts to remove 2 activists from cells
Human rights lawyer and prominent pro-democracy activist, Anon Nampa, has called on the Criminal Court to investigate alleged attempts to remove 2 detained activists from their cells at Bangkok Remand Prison. Anon says the suspicious activity took place on Monday night, with a group of unidentified men trying 3 times to remove the activists, telling them they needed to be…
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Finance Minister says vaccination rollout will drive economic recovery
Thailand’s Finance Minister is pinning his hopes on the rollout of Covid-19 vaccines to kick-start the decimated economy. Arkhom Termpittayapaisith says the economy should begin to recover in the last quarter of the year, saying the government’s vaccination drive will boost the public’s confidence, leading to more domestic travel. The minister adds that he experienced no problems after receiving the…
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Krabi businesses battle to survive the tourist crisis | VIDEO
Ao Nang beach, usually a thriving hub for backpackers and day trippers, is doing it tough. But the local business people want you to know that it’s open for business and the area is still beautiful and more more pristine than ever. There are currently 5 airlines flying into Krabi at the moment, most with multiple flights each day. That…
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Bang Khae vaccination drive begins as Bangkok records 100 new infections
The rollout of Covid-19 vaccines in the Bang Khae district of Bangkok gets underway today, as officials act swiftly to prevent the further spread of the virus. 100 new cases have been recorded in Bangkok in the last 24 hours, which accounts for 69% of Thailand’s new infections. The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration is overseeing the vaccination drive, which will take…
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THAILAND NEWS TODAY | PM gets his vaccine, consumer group suing over CP/Tesco merger | March 16
Watch Thailand News Today here (we are unable to load on YouTube today) https://fb.watch/4gj8DOKiYp/ After a few false starts, the Thai PM Prayut Chan-o-cha got the first AstraZeneca vaccine in Thailand this morning. The week of delays were apparently due to safety concerns about the AstraZeneca and considerations for the PM’s age. A government spokesperson called the prime minister’s inoculation…
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China to facilitate visas for foreigners inoculated with Chinese-made Covid-19 vaccine
China will issue visas to foreigners who have been inoculated with Chinese-made Covid-19 vaccines. Chinese embassies in various countries including the United States, Australia and the United Kingdom released a statement yesterday saying they would facilitate visas for applicants who have been vaccinated with Chinese-made jabs. Only those who are travelling to China for work, or those who have family…
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Got a good “Thailand” story? Write for The Thaiger as a guest blogger
The Thaiger is looking for story submissions from guest bloggers. We want to hear anything and everything Thailand-related. What’s that “Thailand” story you always tell at the pub, or to your friends overseas? Everyone has at least one. Have you been bitten by a poisonous centipede? Been to Thai jail? Spent time at a Buddhist monastery? Fallen in love? We’re…
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