Thailand News

Discover the most recent and relevant news from across Thailand on The Thaiger’s National News page. Covering a wide range of topics, including politics, business, crime, and lifestyle, our dedicated team brings you breaking news, in-depth analysis, and exclusive stories from Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Pattaya, and beyond.

Stay informed about the latest developments in Thai society, economy, and culture, as well as updates on travel, tourism, and expat life. With The Thaiger, you’ll never miss out on the essential news that matters to you.

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  • Thai AirAsia operating 20 domestic routes from this month

    Thai AirAsia operating 20 domestic routes from this month

    From this month, Thai AirAsia is resuming a number of domestic routes, as well as introducing new ones. TTR Weekly reports that the low-cost carrier is now operating flights from Bangkok’s Don Mueang Airport to Phitsanulok, Nan, Loei, Sakon Nakhon, Surat Thani, Krabi, and Trang. It will also launch a new route from Chiang Mai to Hua Hin from October…

  • All countries now eligible for Thailand’s sandbox programme

    All countries now eligible for Thailand’s sandbox programme

    The Thai government has got rid of its list of “approved countries”, opening up the sandbox tourism programme to fully vaccinated visitors from anywhere in the world. According to a Bangkok Post report, the Tourism Authority of Thailand has welcomed the move, which means Indonesian and Malaysian tourists can now visit the kingdom. Prior to Covid-19, Malaysia was Thailand’s second…

  • Monday Covid Update: 9,930 new cases and 97 deaths

    Monday Covid Update: 9,930 new cases and 97 deaths

    Today, the CCSA reported 9,930 new Covid-19 cases and 97 coronavirus-related deaths. Since April 1, in the latest wave of the virus in Thailand, the CCSA has reported a total of 1,618,499 confirmed Covid-19 cases. In the 24-hour period since the last count, the CCSA has reported 12,336 recoveries. There are now 109,748 people in Thailand being treated for Covid-19.…

  • Thailand to charge foreign arrivals 500 baht “tourism fee” from next year

    Thailand to charge foreign arrivals 500 baht “tourism fee” from next year

    Despite Thailand struggling to reboot its decimated tourism sector, the government is pushing ahead with a proposed tourism fee – and has increased it by 200 baht. The National Tourism Policy Committee originally approved a fee of 300 baht at the start of this year, which would be used to develop tourism destinations and provide tourists with insurance benefits. According…

  • Army to cut spending on foreign weapons, buy domestic instead

    Army to cut spending on foreign weapons, buy domestic instead

    The army is recognising that, with the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic, they shouldn’t be spending massive money to obtain weapons from abroad. Instead, they will look for domestic sourcing for the weapons they purchase and spend on maintaining what they have already. The chief of staff for the army acknowledged that the Thai military is reconsidering its spending since much…

  • Sunday Afternoon Covid-19 Update: Provincial totals

    Sunday Afternoon Covid-19 Update: Provincial totals

    Today, the CCSA reported 10,814 new Covid-19 infections and Coronavirus-related deaths remained below 100 for the second day in a row with 77 deaths. Since April 1, in the latest wave of the virus in Thailand, a total of 1,608,569 confirmed Covid-19 infections have been reported. In the 24 hour period since the last count, the CCSA has reported 11,894 recoveries, 1,233 less than yesterday.…

  • Taxi hailing apps legalised, fares from 40 baht, 10,000 in Bangkok

    Taxi hailing apps legalised, fares from 40 baht, 10,000 in Bangkok

    Taxi hailing apps, with fares starting at 40 baht, have now been officially approved for use in Thailand, having received the sign off by Minister of Transport Saksayam Chidchob. The new ruling allows companies to apply for permissions to operate using mobile apps, subject to a 30-day trial period. The Minister expects 10,000 taxis of up to 7 passenger capacity…

  • Sunday Covid-19: Deaths below 100 for the 2nd day, 10,814 infections

    Sunday Covid-19: Deaths below 100 for the 2nd day, 10,814 infections

    Today, the CCSA reported 10,814 new Covid-19 infections and Coronavirus-related deaths remained below 100 for the second day in a row with 77 deaths. Since April 1, in the latest wave of the virus in Thailand, a total of 1,608,569 confirmed Covid-19 infections have been reported. In the 24 hour period since the last count, the CCSA has reported 11,894…

  • Saturday Afternoon Covid-19 Update: Provincial Totals

    Saturday Afternoon Covid-19 Update: Provincial Totals

    Today, the CCSA reported 11,375 new Covid-19 infections across Thailand. Coronavirus-related deaths fell below 100 for the first time in months with 87 deaths. Since April 1, in the latest wave of the virus in Thailand, a total of 1,597,3741 confirmed Covid-19 infections have been reported. In the 24 hour period since the last count, the CCSA has reported 13,127…

  • UPDATE: American man arrested for allegedly raping a Thai masseuse in Khon Kaen

    UPDATE: American man arrested for allegedly raping a Thai masseuse in Khon Kaen

    UPDATE: Thai media reports that police have arrested a 37 year old American man who allegedly raped a Thai masseuse in Khon Kaen. Police arrested the man at a Bangkok condominium off Sukhumvit Road in the Nana area. In earlier reports in Thai media, police initially thought the suspect was from Australia. Original story… Police in the Isaan province Khon…

  • Thai baht to continue dropping against the USD

    Thai baht to continue dropping against the USD

    The Thai baht is forecast to droop to a 4-year low over the next trading week, and its largest monthly currency drop for over 20 years. The Baht’s challenges shadow US dollar gains over concerns about the US Fed’s (US Federal Reserve) ‘tapering’ plans as it reins in enthusiastic stimulus of the US economy. Thailand’s baht has been the region’s…

  • Saturday Covid-19 Update: New infections, deaths

    Saturday Covid-19 Update: New infections, deaths

    Today, the CCSA reported 11,375 new Covid-19 infections. Coronavirus-related deaths fell below 100 for the first time in months with 87 deaths. Since April 1, in the latest wave of the virus in Thailand, a total of 1,597,3741 confirmed Covid-19 infections have been reported. In the 24 hour period since the last count, the CCSA has reported 13,127 recoveries, 654…

  • New eased rules for travellers entering Thailand enacted

    New eased rules for travellers entering Thailand enacted

    The Tourism Authority of Thailand released a slew of press releases yesterday declaring a broad revision to Sandbox and entry programs and making it easier for international travellers to enter Thailand. The two biggest revisions that just went into effect are the abolishment of an approved country list for travellers to arrive from, and shortening arrival quarantine times from 14…

  • Friday Covid Update: 11,754 new cases; provincial totals

    Friday Covid Update: 11,754 new cases; provincial totals

    123 new Covid-related deaths were reported today, raising the pandemic’s death toll in Thailand to 16,850 with 16,756 of the fatalities during the latest wave, which was first recorded on April 1. In the 24-hour period since the last count, the CCSA recorded 11,754 new Covid-19 cases and 12,473 recoveries. There are now 115,233 people currently receiving treatment for Covid-19.…

  • AirAsia relaunching 9 routes including Phuket-Chiang Mai Oct 15

    AirAsia relaunching 9 routes including Phuket-Chiang Mai Oct 15

    AirAsia announced in a press release today that they will resume many domestic flight routes including from Don Mueang Airport in Bangkok around the country and a Phuket to Chiang Mai direct flight. The flights from Don Mueang will resume on October 15, while the Phuket — Chiang Mai route will recommence the next day. Last month AirAsia reinstated 11…

  • Thailand sees slump during peak travel period, Chinese stay home for Golden Week

    Thailand sees slump during peak travel period, Chinese stay home for Golden Week

    One of Thailand’s peak travel periods, with an influx of Chinese visitors, looks like it will be quiet for another year. The 7-day holiday in China, known as Golden Week, which starts today, used to draw in hundreds of thousands of Chinese tourists, many flocking to Pattaya’s Sohotown and crowding shopping centres, floating markets, and restaurants catering to the holiday,…

  • Thailand allows antigen test kits to be sold online, in regular shops

    Thailand allows antigen test kits to be sold online, in regular shops

    Thailand’s Food and Drug Administration says the sale of Covid-19 antigen test kits in shops and online has now been approved. Dr Paisal Dankhum from the FDA says the Public Health Ministry took the decision to allow more widespread sales, in order to improve public access to ATKs. Previously, the kits could only be purchased through hospitals, health clinics, and…

  • Friday Covid Update: 11,754 new cases and 123 deaths

    Friday Covid Update: 11,754 new cases and 123 deaths

    Today, the CCSA reported 11,754 new Covid-19 cases and 123 coronavirus-related deaths. Since April 1, in the latest wave of the virus in Thailand, a total of 1,586,366 confirmed covid-19 cases have been reported. In the 24-hour period since the last count, the CCSA has reported 12,473 recoveries. There are now 115,233 people currently receiving treatment for Covid-19. Out of…

  • Government reveals Thailand’s 2022 tourism slogan

    Government reveals Thailand’s 2022 tourism slogan

    The Thai government has unveiled the new slogan that will be used to market the country to foreign tourists next year: “Visit Thailand 2022, Now Even More Amazing Thailand Has It All”. Thai PBS World reports that the slogan was revealed at an online meeting of the Centre for Economic Situation Administration yesterday. The meeting was chaired by PM Prayut…

  • Who is The Thaiger?

    Who is The Thaiger?

    Formed in 2018 as a digital rebrand of The Phuket Gazette, one of Thailand’s largest and most well-known English language regional print newspapers, The Thaiger expanded beyond local Phuket news, going nationwide. Our Thai language offering was launched just a year later and has long since surpassed the readership of the English news, with local Thais coming to read about…

  • Updated regulations on Thailand’s quarantine period for international arrivals

    Updated regulations on Thailand’s quarantine period for international arrivals

    Starting tomorrow, the mandatory quarantine period for vaccinated travellers entering Thailand will be reduced from 14 days to seven. Those who are either unvaccinated, or who cannot show proof of their vaccination status, face a longer quarantine period of between 10 to 14 days. The mandatory isolation period is waived for vaccinated travellers entering Thailand through the pilot reopening projects…

  • Thailand inks deal for 60 million AstraZeneca vaccines in 2022

    Thailand inks deal for 60 million AstraZeneca vaccines in 2022

    A new deal signed with AstraZeneca confirms the purchase of 60 million vaccines next year for Thailand to use as booster shot third vaccines. The Ministry of Public Health signed the deal with the Covid-19 vaccine manufacturer to acquire the booster shots over the course of 3 quarters of 2022. The signing was accompanied by a ceremony attended by Minister…

  • Ex-police chief, lawyer accused of involvement in altering Red Bull heir hit-and-run report

    Ex-police chief, lawyer accused of involvement in altering Red Bull heir hit-and-run report

    A former national police chief and a lawyer for the fugitive Red Bull heir, Vorayuth “Boss” Yoovidhya, are being investigated over the 2012 fatal hit-and-run case and are accused of ordering an officer to change the reported speed the billionaire was driving when sped his Ferrari through Bangkok’s Thong Lor district, running over a police officer and killing him. Reports…

  • Prayut visits flooding Nonthaburi today, Chaiyaphum yesterday

    Prayut visits flooding Nonthaburi today, Chaiyaphum yesterday

    PM Prayut Chan-o-cha is scheduled to visit the flooding in areas of Nonthaburi province this afternoon according to a government spokesperson. The prime minister is visiting along with his delegation to survey the damage and inspect the situation on the ground. The group will start at the pier of the Pak Kret municipal office and board a boat to navigate…

  • Minister Don meets US officials over vaccine donation to Thailand

    Minister Don meets US officials over vaccine donation to Thailand

    In Washington DC, Minister of Foreign Affairs Don Pramudwinai met with US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken and US Senator Tammy Duckworth to discuss the 1 million Pfizer vaccines the US donated that Thailand has yet to collect. Last week both sides argued that they were waiting on the other’s bureaucratic red tape to complete the donation, with Minister of…

  • Thursday Covid Update: 11,646 new cases and 107 deaths

    Thursday Covid Update: 11,646 new cases and 107 deaths

    Today, the CCSA reported a slight uptick of 11,646 new Covid-19 cases and 107 coronavirus-related deaths. Since April 1, in Thailand’s latest wave of the virus, the CCSA has reported a total of 1,574,612 confirmed Covid-19 cases. In the 24-hour period since the last count, the CCSA has recorded 10,887 recoveries. There are now 116,075 people in Thailand currently receiving…

  • Opposition accused of misinterpreting how long PM has left in office

    Opposition accused of misinterpreting how long PM has left in office

    A spokesperson from the PM’s Secretariat Office has slammed opposition parties for trying to end the PM’s term prematurely. Thippanan Sirichana accuses opposition MPs of trying to damage Prayut Chan-o-cha’s reputation because they’re concerned he might score a second term in office. According to a Bangkok Post report, the confrontation is the result of a difference of opinion as to…

  • Plans for digital or crypto assets – the TAT Coin – to grow tourism

    Plans for digital or crypto assets – the TAT Coin – to grow tourism

    The Tourism Authority of Thailand is considering jumping into the world of digital assets by launching its own tourism-based utility token called the TAT Coin. Crypto is often looked at as the way of the future, and traders are considered high-value, big-spending tourists, especially those that work as digital nomads and stay long-term. Discussions are underway with the Securities and…

  • New tax to raise cigarette prices by around 8 baht per pack

    New tax to raise cigarette prices by around 8 baht per pack

    Packs of cigarettes are going to get a little more expensive. The Thai Cabinet just approved a new excise tax structure for cigarettes. Retail prices for a pack are expected to rise by 6 to 8 baht. The Finance Minister says the new tax structure is expected to go into effect on Friday, but it still needs to be published…

  • Wednesday Covid Update: 10,414 new cases; provincial totals

    Wednesday Covid Update: 10,414 new cases; provincial totals

    122 coronavirus-related deaths were reported by the CCSA today, raising the pandemic’s death toll in Thailand to 16,620 with 16,526 of those fatalities during the latest wave, first recorded on April 1. In the 24-hour period since the last count, the CCSA has recorded 10,414 new Covid-19 cases and 11,580 recoveries. There are now 115,423 people in Thailand currently receiving…