Covid-19 News

Thailand Covid-19 news, vaccine updates, travel restrictions, and government policies—stay informed on case numbers, safety measures, and global developments. Get the latest from The Thaiger, your trusted source for Covid-19 updates in Thailand.

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    How one hospital visit in Thailand could cost more than your whole trip

    Thailand is a favourite spot for travellers who want to enjoy more while spending less. From cheap street food to low-cost hotels and fun attractions, it’s easy to stretch your budget here. But there’s one thing many people don’t think...

  • South Asia risks becoming the next epicentre for Covid-19 pandemic

    South Asia risks becoming the next epicentre for Covid-19 pandemic

    The World Bank has announced that South Asia is advancing towards its worst economic performance in 40 years. With decades of progressing in the battle against poverty, now the nations are facing problems that could bring poverty back to the front doorsteps of South Asia countries – India, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Nepal, Bhutan, Maldives, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh. India, Pakistan, Afghanistan…

  • Up to 10 million Thais out of work in next three months – CCSA

    Up to 10 million Thais out of work in next three months – CCSA

    As many as 10 million Thais could be out of work in the next few months if the current Covid-19 epidemic drags on. Supant Mongkolsuthee, the president of the Federation of Thai IndustriesGovernment, says the Thai government needs to provide timely support for businesses. As head of the Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration’s working committee, tasked with overseeing small and…

  • 300 more “little ghosts” returning from South Korea

    300 more “little ghosts” returning from South Korea

    Health officials announced today that 300 more Thai citizens, dubbed “phee noi” or “little ghosts” in Thai, will be repatriated from South Korea over the next two days. 135 immigration detainees, accompanied by South Korean health officials, will depart tomorrow on a Jeju Air chartered flight from South Korea at 5pm Thai time. The flight will arrive at BKK at…

  • Covid-19 causes ‘Koi’ to contemplate an abortion

    Covid-19 causes ‘Koi’ to contemplate an abortion

    The Planned Parenthood Association of Thailand, under the Patronage of HRH the Princess Mother, marks their 50th anniversary tomorrow, but today more than ever, Thai women are being forced to ask the difficult question of how to manage an unplanned pregnancy during the Covid-19 global pandemic. As government policies to contain the Covid-19 virus continue to devastate Thailand’s economy, some…

  • UPDATE: Thai Returnee from Indonesia commits suicide on last day of quarantine

    UPDATE: Thai Returnee from Indonesia commits suicide on last day of quarantine

    A 51 year old Muslim man from Thailand’s deep south was set to be released from quarantine today but tragically jumped to his death from the 8th floor of a state hospital in Samut Prakan this morning. Police arrived at the scene in Bang Ya Phraek around 2.30am this morning where they found the body of a man in a pool…

  • Thailand’s developers struggle with ‘guaranteed returns’ in Covid-19 property crisis

    Thailand’s developers struggle with ‘guaranteed returns’ in Covid-19 property crisis

    by Bill Barnett of c9hotelworks.com There is one key underlying fundamental for hotel branded residences returns, and the truism that best sums it up is that returns are a function of hotel trading performance and marketplace. In Asia, the largest branded residences market is Thailand. According to C9 Hotelworks market research, the country represents 29% of regional supply with key…

  • New virus cases nationwide fall to 28 (Monday)

    New virus cases nationwide fall to 28 (Monday)

    Health officials confirmed 28 new cases of the Covid-19 coronavirus in the country today, bringing the total to 2,579 since the outbreak began in January. There were 2 additional deaths announced today, bringing the national tally to 40. Today’s new infections are fewer than yesterday’s 33, marking the fifth consecutive day of declines since a spike to 111 on April…

  • China fears ‘second wave’ after six week high in new cases

    China fears ‘second wave’ after six week high in new cases

    China has reported the highest increase in new coronavirus cases, the highest in nearly six weeks sparking fears of a second wave of infections. 108 new cases were reported Sunday, marking the highest number of cases since a peek of 143 cases in early March. Yesterday, The National Health Commission in China confirmed 98 of the 108 new cases were “imported”…

  • Phuket’s new Covid-19 cases fall to 2 (Monday)

    Phuket’s new Covid-19 cases fall to 2 (Monday)

    Phuket has confirmed 2 new cases of the Covid-19 coronavirus today (Monday), half of yesterday’s 4 cases and equal to Saturday’s, as the numbers continue a downward trend. Phuket has virtually sealed itself off, with all roads, ports. As of Friday even the airport officially closed. The governor announced an alcohol ban on Friday night as well, effective until further…

  • New national curfew exceptions

    New national curfew exceptions

    PM Prayut Chan-o-cha has issued exceptions to the nationwide curfew mandate for some groups and job sectors. The order gives exemption to government authorities, including civil servants on duty by order of state agencies. Also exempt are the first responders such as healthcare personnel who must be available at all hours. This also extends to emergency patients and transport of…

  • Fortress Phuket: The island ‘on hold’ as it contains Covid-19

    Fortress Phuket: The island ‘on hold’ as it contains Covid-19

    Starting today, Phuket goes into a stringent ‘lockdown’ phase which will restrict travel between all sub-districts and districts around the island. An alcohol ban is also in place until further notice. That started on Saturday, April 11. The new restriction are now in play until April 26. During this time, unless you have exceptional medical or emergency circumstances, or government…

  • 660,000 people in Thailand under watch as potential “high-risk” Covid-19 infections

    660,000 people in Thailand under watch as potential “high-risk” Covid-19 infections

    660,000 people around Thailand have been identified as at “high-risk of contracting or spreading Covid-19. The director-general of the Health Service Support Department, Dr. Tharet Krasnairawiwong, says that over the past 2 months more than 11.8 million households around Thailand have been visited, identifying potential risk clusters and people who may have come into contact with the coronavirus. “This group of…

  • Thailand prepares 3,500 hotel rooms to quarantine returnees after flight ban is lifted

    Thailand prepares 3,500 hotel rooms to quarantine returnees after flight ban is lifted

    Thailand is anticipating an onslaught of quarantined returnees once the incoming flight ban is lifted, and the government is preparing about 3,500 private hotel rooms in Bangkok and upcountry, to house them. The ban, imposed by the Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand, is due to expire next Saturday. Thailand’s Deputy Defence Minister and Defence Permanent Secretary met with officials today…

  • With more than 20,000 deaths, US surpasses Italy’s total of deceased coronavirus patients

    With more than 20,000 deaths, US surpasses Italy’s total of deceased coronavirus patients

    Deaths from the Covid-19 coronavirus in the US topped 20,000 yesterday (20,577 to be precise), surpassing Italy, previously the world’s hardest-hit country. It was a grim start to the Easter holiday weekend on which US President Donald Trump had earlier hoped to “reopen the country”. With the report of 1,863 new deaths nationally yesterday, the US has reached two grim…

  • Chiang Mai man caught licking handrail

    Chiang Mai man caught licking handrail

    Chiang Mai police have arrested a 40 year old man after footage of him licking a fence handrail went viral on Facebook. After reviewing the video of the shirtless man in Sarahpi licking a handrail, local police along with healthcare workers were able to identify the man and took him into custody. He has been transported to the Suan Prung Psychiatric…

  • Fake Isaan coronavirus doctor robs the elderly

    Fake Isaan coronavirus doctor robs the elderly

    A man impersonating a doctor from the health department has been arrested in north-eastern Thailand for robbing his patients. 49 year old Isaan man Wanlachon Singthong targeted seniors in the Kamalasai District, of Kalasin Province. He told his victims he was a doctor providing free sanitation services to protect them from the Covid-19 outbreak. When the seniors welcomed him into their…

  • Still here, there and everywhere. The Beatles bringing joy 50 years after break-up.

    Still here, there and everywhere. The Beatles bringing joy 50 years after break-up.

    BTS, Bangtan, RM, Jimin, V, Jin, Suga, J-Hope and Jungkook The Beatles may have broken up 50 years ago, on April 10, 1970. But the music is still bringing happiness around the world, to the generation that were around when the Fab Four were at the pinnacle of their career, and to a new generations who are just making the…

  • Phuket confirms 4 new Covid-19 cases (Sunday)

    Phuket confirms 4 new Covid-19 cases (Sunday)

    Phuket has confirmed 4 new cases of the Covid-19 coronavirus today (Sunday), double yesterday’s 2 cases but still in the low single digits as the numbers are on a downward trend. Phuket has virtually sealed itself off, with all roads, ports. As of Friday night even the airport officially closed. The governor announced an alcohol ban on Friday night as well, effective…

  • Ranong province still Covid-19 free

    Ranong province still Covid-19 free

    Five people in the southern province of Ranong, just north of Phuket, have been placed under observation but initial tests show no signs of a positive infection. Dr Sathit Timkham explained five Ranong residence displayed symptoms similar to Covid-19 including fever, cough and sore throat have been placed in isolation and will continue to be monitored though initial fluid tests…

  • Beware of virus transmission from family members: health officials

    Beware of virus transmission from family members: health officials

    “They may need to sit on different sofas while watching TV together.” An alarming number of Covid-19 coronavirus cases transmitted between family members in the last week has prompted the Thai government to warn that social distancing is important even, perhaps especially, in the home. Many in Thailand are now adapting to living in close quarters for large chunks of…

  • Currency will be a key driver in Phuket’s (eventual) tourism recovery?

    Currency will be a key driver in Phuket’s (eventual) tourism recovery?

    OPINION by Bill Barnett from c9hotelworks.com In the lead-up to the Covid-19 crisis one constant complaint by Thailand’s hotel sector has been the strength of the Thai Baht. Zeroing in specifically on the Mainland Chinese market, the rapid demise to the island was in part triggered by the tragic boat accident in mid-2018, along with a number of other country-wide negative…

  • PM urges Thailand to observe Songkran at home on April 13

    PM urges Thailand to observe Songkran at home on April 13

    PM Prayut Chan-o-cha is calling on all citizens and residents to refrain from celebrating Songkran, cancel their trips home and avoid all gatherings during the 3 day festival, which kicks off on Monday. The government announced last month that the Songkran holidays would be postponed to later, unspecified dates, in line with efforts to curb the spread of the Covid-19…

  • Viral video urges Indonesian Muslims to march on virus hotspots – VIDEO

    Viral video urges Indonesian Muslims to march on virus hotspots – VIDEO

    A video clip, showing Indonesian Muslim pilgrims being urged to gather at Covid-19 hotspots is getting lots of attention. Some are concerned that the best intentions of the muslim leaders could lead to uncontrolled local outbreaks of Covid-19. In the clip, Muslim worshippers on a “Dawah” (missionary) pilgrimage are encouraged not to be afraid of the virus and to march…

  • PM Prayut to attend online session of the ASEAN council to discuss regional Covid-19 impact

    PM Prayut to attend online session of the ASEAN council to discuss regional Covid-19 impact

    Yesterday the Thai Foreign Minister Don Pramudwinai announced that the ministers have agreed to work on 3 points that were proposed by a group working under the ASEAN Coordinating Council on Public Health emergencies. The guidelines are as follow… A Covid-19 ASEAN Response Fund which will be used to purchase medical equipment and support research on treatment and vaccines Providing…

  • New Covid-19 cases fall to 45 in Thailand

    New Covid-19 cases fall to 45 in Thailand

    45 new Covid-19 coronavirus cases were confirmed at this morning’s briefing by the the Ministry of Public Health and the Covid-19 Coronavirus Situation Response Centre, a slight drop from yesterday’s 5o and Thursday’s 54. Two more deaths were also reported. The total number of infections since the outbreak began now stands at 2,518. 35 patients have died. The cases span…

  • New regulation for patients who conceal information related to Covid-19

    New regulation for patients who conceal information related to Covid-19

    Yesterday a new regulation was put in place under the Department of Medical Services, relating to patients at public hospitals who cover up their travel history or conceal any medical conditions or information relating to the coronavirus. Violators could now face up to 6 months of imprisonment or a fine up to 10,000 baht. The announcement cites Article 137 of…

  • Chiang Rai restricts travel in and out until April 30

    Chiang Rai restricts travel in and out until April 30

    Chiang Rai, Thailand’s northernmost province, has now been partially locked down, effective today until April 30, by order of its governor. Only four routes in or out will remain open. Vehicles and passengers will undergo strict screening at entrance and exit checkpoints. Those with a fever or who fail to wear facemasks will be not allowed to enter. Until April…

  • US Embassy passes on message to Thailand from US Department of State

    US Embassy passes on message to Thailand from US Department of State

    “Our countries have enjoyed a profound friendship for over 200 years. Our friendship and decades-long health partnership have given us the resilience to address this global health crisis caused by Covid-19.” The message from spokesperson Morgan Ortagus from the US Department of State. In the same statement issued yesterday, the US Embassy sent their good wishes to the people of…

  • Crackdown on mask hoarders as police seek Facebook admin for defamation – VIDEO

    Crackdown on mask hoarders as police seek Facebook admin for defamation – VIDEO

    UPDATE: The Technology Crime Suppression Division of Thailand is working with police to search for more suspects involved in a network connected to the March 31 arrest of Phanyot Paradonraphab, chief of the little known Paradonraphab political party. Phanyot allegedly imported 513,300 masks illegally under a company he opened called Thai Health International and managed to sell more than 640,000,…

  • 6,500 curfew violators face judgement

    6,500 curfew violators face judgement

    Although more than 6,500 curfew breakers have been arrested over the period of the 10pm-4am curfew, the PM Prayut Chan-o-cha says he won’t extend the current curfew hours or add any new measures that restrict people’s rights, saying that public cooperation has seen rates of infection decrease. The PM spoke to the country on TV last night. “Since January 4,…