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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    Moving with family? Here’s how to cut health costs in Thailand

    Relocating to Thailand with your family brings exciting new opportunities, but it also comes with the challenge of managing healthcare costs in a new system. Thailand has both public and private healthcare options, each offering different prices and quality of...

  • 109 new coronavirus cases for Thailand (Saturday)

    109 new coronavirus cases for Thailand (Saturday)

    The Thai Public Health Ministry has reported 109 new coronavirus cases and 2 new death today. This brings the total to 1,245 cases and 6 deaths in the Kingdom. The latest figures brought the total cases to 1,245 across 57 provinces – 1,032 of the patients are Thais. Bangkok has a total of 515 cases, followed by Nonthaburi with 58…

  • Phuket residents told to stay home from 8pm – 3am ‘until further notice’

    Phuket residents told to stay home from 8pm – 3am ‘until further notice’

    A virtual curfew has been announced for the island of Phuket which will restrict residents to their accommodation or homes from 8pm – 3am until further notice. The only exceptions would be URGENT errands. The announcement takes effect from today until further notice, according to the notice signed by the Phuket Governor. The notice “seeks the collaboration of local residents and…

  • 6 new cases in Phuket, most of them from Patong

    6 new cases in Phuket, most of them from Patong

    The Phuket Communicable Disease Committee announced 6 new Covid-19 cases in Phuket today, bringing the total number of official cases to 47. 4 of the 6 new cases were from Patong, the other 2 from Kata and Karon.8 out of 18 new cases on the island since last Thursday had been visiting or working around Bangla Road. “879 people have been…

  • Department of Disease Control says social distancing is a must to slow spread of virus

    Department of Disease Control says social distancing is a must to slow spread of virus

    A leading expert on communicable diseases at the Ministry of Public Health is warning of a massive increase in Covid-19 coronavirus infections unless social distancing guidelines are followed, saying cases could skyrocket to 25,000 by mid-April. Anupong Sujariyakul of the ministry’s Department of Control says that social distancing is crucial to reducing the contagion. Anupol calculates that, if 80% cent…

  • Hundreds of Thai hotels seek aid to protect employees

    Hundreds of Thai hotels seek aid to protect employees

    Will the Thai Social Security Office compensate hundreds of hotels pursuing emergency assistance? Hotels are doing it hard as tourism has come to a virtual halt inside Thailand and hotels are either closing or scaling back their operations substantially. Yesterday, The Thai Hotel Associations sent a letter to the Thai Chamber of Commerce notifying them that hundreds of hotels are…

  • Thailand’s health ministry identifies coronavirus hotspots

    Thailand’s health ministry identifies coronavirus hotspots

    The ministry of Public Health has released a list of what it considers Covid-19 coronavirus hotspots – places and times where the risk of contagion was extremely high. People who were in these places on these dates are urged to self-quarantine themselves in their homes, and to seek medical advice if they feel ill or show symptoms. The list covers…

  • Phuket closes Cape Promthep, other beaches and parks

    Phuket closes Cape Promthep, other beaches and parks

    Add another to the growing list of sites, venues and attractions being shuttered by the Covid-19 coronavirus outbreak in Thailand, Phuket’s popular tourist magnet, Cape Promthep, a lookout point famous for its sunsets, has been closed to visitors. Officials on Thailand’s most popular resort island declared the attraction off limits as virus numbers start to increase around the nation. The…

  • Thai PM suspends military conscription for 3 months

    Thai PM suspends military conscription for 3 months

    Thailand’s mandatory annual military conscription has been put on hold due to the Covid-19 coronavirus outbreak. The Ministry of Defence, under an order from PM and Defence Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha, has postponed this year’s round of the draft, which was scheduled for April 1 to 12, for up to 3 months. Conscription in Thailand is traditionally done by drawing lots…

  • US Covid-19 cases exceed 100,000 people, South Korea leads the world with testing

    US Covid-19 cases exceed 100,000 people, South Korea leads the world with testing

    The US has kicked the number of cases of Covid-19 coronavirus over 100,000 people. As testing continues to expand rapidly, the US is seeing daily spikes of 10,000+ in recent days (18,294 in the past 24 hours). On March 20 there were 19,000 active cases recorded for the US. The numbers are expected to continue to rise steadily in the coming…

  • British PM Boris Johnson tests positive for Covid-19

    British PM Boris Johnson tests positive for Covid-19

    The British PM has tested positive for the coronavirus. Boris Johnson says he developed “mild symptoms over the past 24 hours”, including a cough and temperature. Mr Johnson was last seen last night, UK time, as he clapped outside his home as part of a nationwide gesture thanking National Health Service staff. 55 year old Mr Johnson maintains he is now…

  • Bangkok City Hall closes more venues, but 3 types allowed to reopen

    Bangkok City Hall closes more venues, but 3 types allowed to reopen

    Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA or City Hall as it’s more commonly known), is closing down more public venues around the capital, effective midnight tonight (Friday) until April 30, as it steps up measures to curb the spread of the Covid-19 coronavirus. Sites to remain closed are all sport arenas of both humans and animals (boxing arenas, cockfighting and fish fighting…

  • More than 100 suspect travellers reported across the country

    More than 100 suspect travellers reported across the country

    Yesterday, police staffed 359 random checks points across the country to screen road travellers for the Covid-19 virus. The checkpoints are being staffed by the Royal Thai Police. Deputy Commissioner General Police General Suwat Jangyodsuk, says… “Travellers who had a cough, sore throat, difficulty breathing or any body pain were scanned and more than 100 have now been reported to…

  • Singaporeans face jail, fines if they don’t observe social distancing

    Singaporeans face jail, fines if they don’t observe social distancing

    Singapore authorities have announced tough new measures to combat the spread of the Covid-19 coronavirus, saying that those found guilty of intentionally standing or sitting too near to others could be jailed for up to six months. The city-state has already closed bars and cinemas, as well as banning large events. While Singapore isn’t under lockdown or a state of…

  • King and Queen of Malaysia under quarantine after palace staff test positive for coronavirus

    King and Queen of Malaysia under quarantine after palace staff test positive for coronavirus

    Malaysia has the highest number of Covid-19 coronavirus cases in Southeast Asia (2031 at time of publication), and now its King and Queen are under quarantine after 7 staff members of the royal palace tested positive for the virus. National news agency Bernama made the announcement yesterday. Sultan Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin and his wife Tuanku Azizah Aminah Maimunah Iskandariah have tested…

  • China closes its borders, only allowing Chinese nationals, diplomats and C visas to enter

    China closes its borders, only allowing Chinese nationals, diplomats and C visas to enter

    How the tables can turn within a month or so. Due to the rapid global spread of the Covid-19 virus, China’s Foreign Ministry has announced that they will temporarily suspend all entries into China. This will also include foreign nationals holding valid visas or residence permits in China. Doors closed, but with a few minor exceptions. “The suspension will be starting…

  • UPDATE: 91 new coronavirus cases, 1 more death in Thailand (Friday March 27)

    UPDATE: 91 new coronavirus cases, 1 more death in Thailand (Friday March 27)

    Thailand’s Ministry of Public Health and Department of Disease Control and confirmed a 91 new cases of the the Covid19 coronavirus at their daily press briefing this morning (March 27). There was also an additional death reported. The new numbers bring the total number of confirmed cases in the country to 1136 and deaths to 5. Two Thais have also…

  • Phuket reports 7 new coronvirus cases (Friday March 27)

    Phuket reports 7 new coronvirus cases (Friday March 27)

    7 new Covid-19 coronavirus cases have been confirmed in Phuket, bringing the total confirmed cases on the southern resort island to 41. All appear to originate from the Soi Bangla walking street entertainment area of Patong district. None of the cases is considered critical at this stage. The new cases comprise… • Case 35: A 22 year old Thai woman…

  • People ‘strongly advised’ to stay home for 7 days

    People ‘strongly advised’ to stay home for 7 days

    “People nationwide are strongly urged to stay home and stop socialising for 7 days, starting this weekend, as the government steps up efforts to stem the coronavirus.” Reported, Chief of Defence Forces General Pornpipat Benyasri, who is also in charge of security affairs and has full authority of the anti-virus measures under the emergency decree that PM Prayut Chan-o-cha ordered.…

  • Human Rights Watch blasts the arrest of Phuket artist over online comments

    Human Rights Watch blasts the arrest of Phuket artist over online comments

    A local artist and art gallery owner in Phuket, Danai Ussama, better known as “Mr Zen”, was arrested at his home on the island this week, on the day before Thai PM Prayut Chan-o-cha announced a state of emergency would soon go into effect (which happened on Thursday, March 26). The 42 year old street artist was arrested Monday afternoon and…

  • NBTC sets aside 1 billion baht to help battle virus

    NBTC sets aside 1 billion baht to help battle virus

    “The assistance will only be given for tasks in the fight against the outbreak and the recipients cannot spend the money on other purposes.” The National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission(NBTC) has announced a reserve of 1 billion Baht for medical facilities and public health agencies in the fight against the Covid-19 outbreak. This is due to 130 state hospitals seeking…

  • Anutin misspoke again, later apologises, again

    Anutin misspoke again, later apologises, again

    “We’re not happy with some health personnel who do not take good care of themselves. They should have set an example for others.” Thailand’s volatile Public Health Minister Anutin Charnvirakul yesterday criticised medical personnel infected with the Covid-19 coronavirus , drawing furious responses on social media until he apologised, again. The deputy PM and Bhumjaithai Party leader originally told reporters…

  • Defence chief: Stay home for the sake of the nation, or curfew is inevitable

    Defence chief: Stay home for the sake of the nation, or curfew is inevitable

    “We should control ourselves instead of being forced to by the state.” Under the state of emergency that went into effect yesterday, the head of Thailand’s defence forces Pornpipat Benyasri has urged people to stay in their homes today and the weekend or face an enforced curfew to fight the spread of the Covid-19 coronavirus. Pornpipat, who under the emergency…

  • Lies, damn lies and statistics – reporting the ‘stats’ of Covid-19

    Lies, damn lies and statistics – reporting the ‘stats’ of Covid-19

    The world pushed through the half a million new cases today, along with 24,000+ deaths, as authorities around the globe struggle to contain the Covid-19 virus as it continues to spread. Today there are 532,000+ active cases, and growing quickly, some 60,000 more identified cases than there were just two days ago. The USA is now the leader in cases,…

  • What are your Consulates doing to help at this time?

    What are your Consulates doing to help at this time?

    Australia’s Consul-General in Phuket Matthew Barclay says he understands many people want to know what Australia’s government representatives are doing to help during this time. Matt gives The Thaiger a quick perspective about the services available from your country’s consular representatives during this crazy time. The services provided by Matt in Phuket are much the same as you can expect…

  • 7 Thai cabinet members are ‘high risk’ personnel and should be isolated

    7 Thai cabinet members are ‘high risk’ personnel and should be isolated

    One of the directives under the state of emergency decree is a measure for certain types of people who are asked to stay home due to being in a high risk category if they contract the virus. The 3 groups are… Seniors aged 70 years and above People with chronic illnesses such as diabetes, high blood pressure, cerebrovascular diseases, respiratory…

  • Blue Flag grocery vehicles deployed in greater Bangkok to encourage staying home

    Blue Flag grocery vehicles deployed in greater Bangkok to encourage staying home

    With the state of emergency requiring people to stay home as much as possible and keeping their ‘social distance’ in public to fight the spread of the Covid-19 coronavirus, the Ministry of Commerce has launched a fleet of Blue Flag vehicles to sell and deliver groceries and other consumer goods at affordable prices, right to people’s homes. Starting yesterday, mobile…

  • Thailand’s chicken egg exports banned for 7 days

    Thailand’s chicken egg exports banned for 7 days

    “The 7 day ban is a trial period, if the situation does not improve by next week, we may consider extending the ban.” Deputy PMr and Minister of Commerce Jurin Laksanawisit says… “Currently domestic production capacity averages 40 million eggs per day, while Thailand’s daily consumption is 39 million, and 2 million were exported. To deal with the problem, the…

  • ‘Boxing Stadium Cluster’ investigation over banned March 6 event

    ‘Boxing Stadium Cluster’ investigation over banned March 6 event

    The head of the Royal Thai Army, General Apirat Kongsompong today ordered the creation of a committee to track down those responsible for holding a competition in Lumphini Boxing Stadium on March 6, days after it was ordered closed. The stadium, which is under the management of the army, has been a major hotzone for the spread of the Covid-19…

  • 20,000 expected to apply for unemployment in Chiang Mai

    20,000 expected to apply for unemployment in Chiang Mai

    With thousands of businesses shuttered and public spaces closed to fight the spread of the Covid-19 coroavirus, Chiang Mai’s social security office expects some 20,000 laid-off workers to register for unemployment benefits. “People started registering on Tuesday and we’re getting at least 1,000 a day on average. And they’re not just Chiang Mai people, but also from other provinces.” Registration…

  • No public transport bus tickets until at least April 30

    No public transport bus tickets until at least April 30

    “We cannot provide additional buses and all available buses have been used. Complying with the social distancing policy halves the number of passengers per bus.” Due to the state of emergency declared by PM Prayut Chan-o-cha to fight the spread of the Covid-19 coronavirus, the president of state enterprise Transport Company, Jirasak Yaovatsakul, announced today that ticket sales for all…