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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 Digital nomading in Chiang Mai? What US$1,000 a month really gets you
Chiang Mai has become a popular destination for digital nomads due to its low living costs, rich culture, and active remote work community. The city offers affordable housing, tasty food, reliable internet, and many co-working spaces, making it a great...
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Gold theft suspect drops phone while fleeing the scene
A gold theft suspect in Chon Buri allegedly stole nearly 200,000 baht worth of gold from a shop in the Don Hualor district, but police say he dropped something when he ran out… his phone. An employee at the gold shop told police that a man went into the store on Sunday and asked to see gold items because he…
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Health experts weigh in on risks of re-opening Thailand without quarantine
Following Monday night’s announcement by PM Prayut Chan-o-cha that Thailand will re-open quarantine-free for select vaccinated tourists from November, health experts have voiced concern. The Bangkok Post reports that some prominent medics are worried re-opening without quarantine will provoke a surge in Covid-19 infections. Thira Woratanarat from the Faculty of Medicine at Chulalongkorn University has warned that daily case numbers…
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Indonesia shortens quarantine, to reopen to travellers from 18 countries
Indonesia is reopening its border to allow arrivals from 18 countries and the mandatory quarantine period will be cut down from 8 days to 5. An official overseeing the country’s pandemic response did not specify which countries are included in Indonesia’s reopening plan. Indonesia’s borders have been gradually reopening and the airport on the tourist island Bali will resume international…
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AfricaLink on Air – 12 October 2021
International court backs Somalia in sea dispute with Kenya++ EU places temporary visa restrictions on Gambians++Turkey: Social media under increased threat from government SOURCE: DW News
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India’s main opposition attempts overhaul amid leadership crises
The Indian National Congress, often referred to as the “grand old party of India,” is set to have a high-level meeting on Saturday. The agenda is clear: to find a new chief to invigorate the country’s main opposition party. The Congress — which held power for more than 50 of independent India’s 74 years — secured less than 10% of…
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Thai police crack down on street racing, more than 300,000 motorbikes seized this year
Thai police are cracking down on street racing, and the deputy national police chief says that, since the start of this year, thousands of street racers have faced charges and tens of thousands of parents have faced charges because their children were involved in races. Police are even giving out 3,000 baht to those make a report about street racing…
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Tuesday Covid Update: 9,445 new cases, provincial totals
84 coronavirus-related deaths were reported today, raising the pandemic’s death toll in Thailand 17,835 in 17,741 were during Thailand’s latest wave, which was first recorded on April 1. In the 24-hour period since the last count, the CCSA has reported 9,445 new Covid-19 cases and 11,452 recoveries. There are now 108,174 people receiving treatment for Covid-19. Since the start of…
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Families call on Thai authorities to help teenagers stuck in Myanmar under work contract
A group of parents and grandparents say their teenage children were trafficked to work in Myanmar and are now calling on Thai authorities to bring them back home. The families in Tak’s Mae Sot border district say 10 teenagers, between the ages of 16 and 19, were promised jobs at a casino just across the border in the neighbouring country,…
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Tham Luang, site of dramatic 2018 rescue, re-opens to tourists on Friday
A Thai cave complex, which came to the world’s attention during a dramatic rescue in 2018, will re-open to visitors from Friday. The Tham Luang cave, in the northern province of Chiang Rai, hit the media spotlight when 12 young footballers and their coach became trapped by floodwaters 3 years ago. The Bangkok Post reports that the cave complex, in…
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Opinion divided on proposed 500 baht tourism tax
A plan to impose a 500 baht “tourism tax” on foreign arrivals from next year has divided opinion among tourism operators. A report by Nikkei Asia says some operators are concerned such a move could deter tourists, just as the country prepares to re-open. One of those is the president of the Thai Hotels Association, Marisa Sukosol Nunbhakdi. “The fee…
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Health official defends quality of antigen test kits, acknowledges shortcomings
The head of the Department of Medical Sciences has defended the quality of Lepu antigen test kits, while acknowledging their limitations. The Bangkok Post reports that Dr Supakit Sirilak was responding to complaints that the kits are less accurate and generate false Covid-19 results. Supakit says the kits are not as reliable as PCR testing in which samples are analysed…
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PM Prayut Chan-o-cha’s televised address, translated in English
The following is PM Prayut Chan-o-cha’s televised address to the nation, translated by the Thai government’s public relations department. My fellow citizens, brothers, and sisters: In the last one-and-half years, we have lived with some of the greatest peacetime challenges our country has ever faced in its history, brought about by the Covid-19 pandemic, and one that has left nobody…
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Thailand to lift quarantine for vaccinated tourists from low-risk countries
From November 1, fully vaccinated tourists from at least 10 “low-risk” countries will be allowed enter Thailand without quarantine. According to a Bangkok Post report, the proposal was confirmed by PM Prayut Chan-o-cha in a televised address last night. “The time has come for us to ready ourselves to face the coronavirus and live with it as with other endemic…
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An inquiry exposed sexual abuse within French Catholic Church — now what?
Editor’s note: The following article contains graphic details of sexual assault and child abuse. “The father took me to his tent and closed it,” said the victim. “He kissed me on the lips, with his tongue. It was disgusting. He caressed me. I was petrified,” the victim continued. “He taught me words I didn’t know — like masturbation and fellatio.…
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AfricaLink On Air – 11 October 2021
News+++ Sankara trial begins in Burkina Faso+++South Africa fears COVID surge as local election campaigns start+++Rwanda’s circumcision plan to stop HIV+++Flavored ARVs in Kenya help children take HIV medication+++Sports SOURCE: DW News
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Kashmir: Minority killings increase amid violent demographic tensions
Last week, two Hindu schoolteachers and a pharmacist in Srinagar were killed by militants who claimed their victims were right-wing Hindu nationalists implementing New Delhi’s “occupation designs” for Kashmir. Their deaths are part of a recent spate of killings, which are being blamed on an Islamist militant insurgency challenging New Delhi’s rule in the restive region. Hindus, also called “Pandits”…
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Shazia Batool: Woman with polio uses art to empower others
Shazia Batool remains undeterred by polio and is striving to promote the rights of women and people with disabilities in Pakistan’s Balochistan region. SOURCE: DW News
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Philippines: What does Maria Ressa’s Nobel Peace Prize mean for the rights movement?
The Nobel Peace Prize for Filipino journalist Maria Ressa has brought global attention to the struggle for human rights and press freedom in the Philippines. It is also the first time the prize, whose previous recipients include Mother Teresa, was awarded to a journalist. Ressa shares the award with Russian journalist, Dmitry Muratov. “The Nobel Prize upholds the sanctity of…
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Afghanistan: What will the Taliban do without an enemy to fight?
In the first half of August, Taliban forces toppled the previous, internationally backed Afghan government in a lightning offensive. This swept Taliban fighters, who had spent years “in the mountains” — an often literal euphemism for waging guerrilla warfare — into cities, towns, and regular army bases abandoned by former government forces. Now, the militant group wants to build “strong…
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Police in Central Thailand raid party, arrest 220 teenagers
Police raided a large party in the central province Saraburi and arrested 220 teenagers yesterday for violating Covid-19 prevention measures. Officers say they raided a popular entertainment venue that has been shutdown for years, but the space has been used illegally for underground parties. After an anonymous tip, the Nong Khae Police suppression team searched the venue, and found a…
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Monday Covid Update: 10,035 new cases; provincial totals
60 coronavirus-related deaths were reported today by the CCSA, raising the pandemic’s death toll in Thailand to 17,751 with 17,657 of those fatalities during the latest wave of the virus, which was first recorded on April 1. In the 24-hour period since the last count, the CCSA has reported 10,035 new Covid-19 cases and 10,590 recoveries. There are now 110,265…
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Koh Samui to ease domestic entry restrictions
It’s going to be a little bit easier for domestic travellers to enter Koh Samui… at least for those with the vaccine. Starting Friday, those who are fully vaccinated and arriving to the island off the Surat Thani coast domestically will not need to undergo a Covid-19 test. Koh Samui Governor announced the easing of the domestic entry requirements. The…
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Netflix’s “Squid Game” draws concern from Thai police about impact on youth
Thai police are warning youth to not imitate the violent games from the popular Korean series on Netflix “Squid Game.” With people spending more time at home due to tight restrictions, such as curfews and business closures, people are watching more TV shows and movies. The deputy spokesperson for the Royal Thai Police say they are concerned that the violence…
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Covid-19 cases are rising, not falling – CCSA infection numbers called into doubt
The Covid-19 infection numbers being reported by the CCSA are being called into question by the Rural Doctors Society. According to a Thai PBS World report, the RDS argues that the number of daily new cases is going up, not down. According to the report, the society says that yesterday, the CCSA reported 2 figures for new cases – 10,817…
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Workers’ rights group calls for “special leave” for Covid-19 patients
An employee rights group says the government should create “special leave” for workers recovering from Covid-19. Suthasinee Kaewleklai from the Migrant Workers Rights Network says that currently, employers are deducting the time from annual leave and sick leave. With leave entitlements maxing out at 30 days, many workers find all their time off is being used up on Covid-19. “Once…
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Phuket tourism operators banking on 5 billion baht recovery fund
Businesses on the resort island of Phuket are counting on a 5 billion baht fund to revitalise the decimated tourism sector. Thanet Tantipiriyakit from the Phuket Tourism Council says tourism operators on the island are pinning their hopes on the fund being created. “We’re keeping our fingers crossed that the fund will materialise. With the money, we can breathe a…
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Communities around the Chao Phraya River see more flooding
Around Thailand, riverside communities have been plagued with flooding as the high tides have raised water levels on the Chao Phraya River. In Nonthaburi and Pathum Thani, there are no floodwalls and residents are being warned against possible flooding again today. The Chao Phraya River will likely reach its highest level of the year with today’s high tide, bringing flooding…
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Pattaya Waterfront Condo building requests to resume construction
An infamous Pattaya eyesore has been scheduled for demolition, but the owners submitted a surprise request to resume construction on the Waterfront Condo building on Bali Hai Pier. The 53-story condominium at the entrance to the Bali Hai Pier has been abandoned for years since 2014 and last September authorities served a legal demolition order against the owners of the…
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Political parties begin to name their nominees for prime minister
Names are beginning to be thrown around as each political party plans their nomination for the next prime minister of Thailand. The Palang Pracharath Party currently ruling have chosen to nominate current prime minister PM Prayut Chan-o-cha, who does not belong to a political party, instead of their own party leader, though rumours say they are preparing one or two…
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Sunday Afternoon Covid-19 Update: news and provincial totals
Today, the CCSA reported 10,817 new Covid-19 infections, a change of +187 since yesterday, and 84 Coronavirus-related deaths, a change of +11 from yesterday. Since April 1, in the latest wave of the virus in Thailand, a total of 1,682,021 confirmed Covid-19 infections have been reported. Provincial Covid-19 totals can be found below. In the 24 hour period since the…
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