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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Sponsored Working in Thailand: How expat health insurance protects your career and lifestyle
Starting a career in Thailand can be an exciting chapter, but it also brings unique challenges, especially when it comes to health and wellness. For expats, navigating Thailand’s healthcare system and meeting work permit requirements can be difficult. And while...
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Pathum Thani man allegedly lights building on fire, sticks around to laugh and smile
Over the weekend, a man in the central Thai province of Pathum Thani allegedly lit a residential building on fire but rather than fleeing the scene after his criminal act, the man allegedly stuck around to laugh and smile at the destruction. The man allegedly started the fire in the early morning hours, around 2am in the Lam Luk Ka…
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Australian and American on Thai death row released from Thai death row, Supreme Court clears drug trafficking case
An Australian and Thai married couple, and an American man, who were on death row in Bangkok on charges for trafficking crystal methamphetamine have all been released from prison. A report from the Sydney Morning Herald says they had been accused of smuggling half a tonne of crystal methamphetamine for the Hells Angels motorcycle gang in Thailand. After being cleared…
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Monday Covid Update: 12,709 new cases; provincial totals
106 new coronavirus-related deaths were reported today by the Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration, raising the pandemic’s death in Thailand to 15,469. Of that number, 15,375 deaths were during latest and most severe wave of the virus, which was first recorded on April 1. In the 24-hour period since the last count, the CCSA recorded 12,709 new Covid-19 cases and…
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Around 20 people arrested at Koh Samui restaurant for drinking alcohol, gambling, playing pool
A mixture of Thais and foreigners were arrested at a restaurant in Koh Samui over the weekend for allegedly drinking alcohol and gambling. They were also allegedly witnessed playing pool. The bar patrons were in violation of Surat Thani’s Provincial Orders that forbids gatherings, notably gatherings that include drinking alcohol. Around 20 customers were busted for drinking alcohol when police…
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Monday Covid Update: 106 deaths and 12,709 new cases
Today, the Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration reported 12,709 new Covid-19 cases and 106 coronavirus-related deaths. In Thailand’s latest and most severe wave of the virus, which was first recorded on April 1, the CCSA has reported 1,460,323 confirmed Covid-19 infections. In the 24-hour period since the last count, the CCSA has recorded 11,125 Recoveries. Thailand now has 132,573 active…
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Coup anniversary marked by car mob with over 1000 vehicles
A massive car mob of protesters numbering well over 1,000 vehicles braved the heavy rain to call for the prime minister’s removal and to commemorate the 15th anniversary of the coup that began the trend of military control over Thailand. This latest in a continuous succession of protests against the current leaders of Thailand marks the anniversary of the coup…
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Government speeds rollout with 152.9 million vaccines this year
A government spokesperson announced yesterday that between now and the end of October they intend to disperse 24 million Covid-19 vaccines as manufacturers are beginning to have more stock available for Thailand import. Thailand is now expected to receive total of 152.9 million vaccines by the end of this year to battle the Covid-19 pandemic, an amount that will cover…
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Nida Poll: PM Prayut shouldn’t take over PPRP or form new party
A new Nida Poll about the recent shakeups in the government with PM Prayut Chan-o-cha and 5 cabinet members defeating a vote of no confidence shows that only 16% of people believe that the Prime Minister should become the new leader of the Palang Pratharath Party, while many feel it’s time for him to move aside and make way for…
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Lack of migrant workers forces government to appeal to Thais to fill vacant jobs
A shortage of migrant workers has driven the Thai government to appeal to Thais to do the jobs that have been left vacant. The Phuket News says there are over 400,000 jobs that need to be filled after migrant workers were unable to fill them due to Covid restrictions, which prevented them from entering Thailand. Labour Minister Suchart Chomklin says…
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Songkhla motorcycle showroom catches on fire, no injuries reported
A motorcycle showroom, N.A. Minibike Company, caught on fire in the southern Thai province of Songkhla early this morning, around 7am. Police say no one was injured as a result of the fire. 7 fire trucks were sent from the Nakhon Hat Yai Municipality to tackle the fire at the N.A. Minibike Company on Supasan Rangsan road. It took firefighters…
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Unemployed Bangkok chef arrested after allegedly trying to sell rare butterflies to undercover agents
An out of work Thai chef was arrested for allegedly trying to sell 8 preserved butterflies, all of which are rare species, to undercover officials from the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation at a shopping centre in Bangkok. The unidentified 29 year old unemployed chef, who previously worked at a Japanese restaurant in a Sukhumvit hotel, allegedly…
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Sunday Covid Update: 117 deaths and 13,576 new cases
117 coronavirus-related deaths and 13,576 new Covid-19 cases were reported today by the Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration. In the 24-hour period since the last count, the CCSA has recorded 12,492 recoveries. Thailand now has 131,095 active Covid-19 cases. Out of the new cases, 395 were found in correctional facilities. Covid-19 infections at Thailand’s prisons and detention centres have been…
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CCSA announces vaccination goals for October; 50% inoculated
Today the Centre for COVID-19 Situation Administration released a statement outlining the vaccination goals for Thailand in October in the fight against the Covid-19 pandemic. Some of their list items seem to contradict each other, with the CCSA vaccination plan calling to inoculate people 50% and then 70% and then “fully”. The main intention of Thailand’s vaccine efforts is to…
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Saturday Covid Update: 122 Deaths 14,109 new infections
122 Coronavirus-related deaths and 14,109 new Covid-19 cases were reported today by the Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration, down slightly from yesterday’s totals. In the 24-hour period since the last count, the CCSA has recorded 13,280 recoveries. Thailand now has 130,128 active Covid-19 infections. Out of the new cases, 1,357 were detected through proactive case finding and 854 were found…
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No “October reopening” plan has been approved – CCSA
While there have been numerous reports on the proposed October 1 reopening date for 5 provinces, many quoting the tourism minister, a spokesperson for the Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration says nothing has been approved. No date on the potential reopening was announced. Natapanu Nopakun, who gives the CCSA report in English, says the current measures for a 14-day quarantine…
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Public Health Ministry defends October 1 reopening
It’s been nearly an hour since The Thaiger has published an article on the potential/definite/impossible reopening of Thailand and it’s various provinces, so it’s time for an update. The Public Health Ministry has responded to criticism that the reopening of Bangkok and 4 other provinces on October 1 is premature and ill-advised. Public Health Minister Anutin Charnvirakul responded to charges…
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Torture and forced disappearances bills pass House vote 368-0
4 bills on torture and forced disappearances have now successfully passed the House of Representatives in a triumph for human rights in Thailand. One member of parliament abstained from voting while the rest voted unanimously in favour of the 4 bills in a vote of 368 to 0. The bills include 34 sections covering a wide range of facets of…
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Thailand Daily Covid Update | Thursday, September 17 |
Caitlin gives you the daily covid 19 figures while going through the upward and downward trends in Thailand as well as looking at the provincial totals across Thailand.
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Thai government officials offered special promotional fares on Air Asia
Thai Air Asia has launched a promotional deal targeting government officials, members of the Federation of Thai Industries and the Thai Chamber of Commerce, as well as employees of state enterprises. The perks will also apply to their travel companions. The thinking behind the deal is that government officials were some of the first to be vaccinated and are not…
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Occupancy at alternative quarantine hotels takes a nosedive
Bookings at alternative quarantine hotels have plummeted, with Prin Pathanatham from AQ Club Thailand saying average occupancy is currently around 25 – 30%. It’s believed rumours the quarantine period may be reduced from next month have led to the drop in bookings, coupled with signs that infections may have peaked. And Prin says the resumption of domestic flights from dark…
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Desperate hotel operators look to Bangkok re-opening for signs of hope
Even with plans still up in the air and nothing confirmed, Thai hotel operators are pinning their hopes on Bangkok’s proposed re-opening next month. The president of the Thai Hotels Association says that while hotels don’t expect a huge uptake in bookings immediately, they are hopeful that average occupancy might reach 15 – 20% in the last 3 months of…
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Friday Covid Update: 171 deaths and 14,555 new cases
171 coronavirus-related deaths and 14,555 new Covid-19 cases were reported today by the Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration. In the 24-hour period since the last count, the CCSA has recorded 13,691 recoveries. Thailand now has 129,421 active Covid-19 cases. Out of the new cases, 1,156 were detected through proactive case finding and 790 were found in correctional facilities. Covid-19 infections at…
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Will it, won’t it? October re-opening in doubt as Anutin defers to medical experts
Thailand’s public health minister has responded to comments from top medics who have questioned the wisdom of re-opening the country next month. Anutin Charnvirakul says any re-opening will need the go-ahead from the Department of Disease Control, adding that nothing has been confirmed yet. “No one said the country will re-open on October 1.” The Bangkok Post reports how, back…
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NACC ordered to disclose their findings regarding Deputy PM Prawit’s watch scandal
The National Anti-Corruption Commission has been ordered by the Central Administrative Court to show their findings in regard to an investigation into the pricey wristwatches that Deputy PM Prawit Wongsuwan has been noted to wear in public. The court ruling came yesterday. The court decided that the findings should be revealed, such as witness testimonies and Prawit’s testimonies, in order…
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Phuket Vegetarian Festival gets “green light” to run from October 6 to 14
WARNING: The content below contains photos and videos of self-mutilation that some people may find disturbing. The annual Phuket Vegetarian Festival has been given the “okay” to be held from October 6-14. For those who haven’t heard of the festival, it’s not exactly known for the vegetarian food. It’s actually a very spiritual celebration where some practice self-mutilation to enter…
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Thursday Covid Update: 13,897 new cases; provincial totals
188 coronavirus-related deaths were reported today by the Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration, raising the pandemic’s death toll in Thailand to 14,953. Out of those fatalities, 14,859 were during the country’s latest and most severe wave of the virus, which was first recorded on April 1. In the 24-hour period since the last count, the CCSA has reported 13,897 new…
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Covid-Free Setting zones require all staff vaccinated by October 1
Starting October 1, Thailand will roll out their Covid-Free Setting measures in an effort to safely reopen businesses. Yesterday Department of Health Chief Suwanchai Wattanayingcharoenchai announced that as part of that rollout, shopping centre employees and staff at other at-risk businesses must be fully vaccinated by that October 1 launch. The Department of Health head made the declaration while visiting the…
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Ice delivery truck loses control on Phuket road, kills 1 and injures 3
A Ukrainian national was killed and 3 people were injured when a truck that delivers ice lost control on Thepkasattri Rd in Phuket this morning. The truck had crossed a median strip and rammed itself head-on into oncoming traffic. The ice truck then hit the Ukrainian woman on her motorbike and another truck. Police got to the scene around 7:30am.…
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Man allegedly poses as famous DJ on Facebook to get donations for Covid, keeps the money
A man who posed as a famous disc jockey, DJ Poom, on Facebook is being investigated by Thailand’s Immigration Bureau after 2 banks lodged complaints against him for allegedly soliciting donations for Covid and then allegedly pocketing the money. He is also accused of stealing data and cash after making a site that sells products. The 2 banks are the…
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Parents must decide by September 24 if they want their children to get Pfizer vaccine
Before schools reopen, parents will have to decide if they want their children inoculated with the Pfizer vaccine. They have until September 24 to make up their minds, says the Education Ministry. The Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration provided the vaccination timeline yesterday. 12 to 17 year olds will have access to the Pfizer vaccine if they wish to get…
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