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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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Boeing’s 737 MAX takes its next step to re-enter commercial service
The US Federal Aviation Administration has approved the next step for the beleaguered Boeing 737 MAX to resume commercial flights after a 20 month grounding. But the factors that partly contributed to the plane’s grounding have not been addressed leaving the plane reliant on software to control its flying characteristics. The plane, a fourth generation makeover of 50 year old…
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Protests kick off again after parliament reject iLaw amendment to Thai Charter
The proposal put forward by iLaw, the only one not proposed by MPs and supported by nearly 100,000 signatures, has been rejected by parliament to be included in discussions for constitutional amendments. It’s set up another afternoon and evening of protests, this time being staged around the Ratchaprasong intersection in central Bangkok. Thousands of protesters have already gathered shouting “f**k…
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Thailand News Today | Emergency Decree, Protesters shot, Baht boost temporary | Nov 18
There’s a link to the final story underneath the video on YouTube. Here we go for Thai PM extends emergency decree to January next year. The government will extend a nationwide emergency decree until at least January 15 next year. The PM has cited the need to prevent a resurgence in coronavirus infections during the peak New Year’s travel period.…
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Thai PM extends Emergency Decree to January next year
The government will extend a nationwide emergency decree until at least January 15 next year. The PM has cited the need to prevent a resurgence in coronavirus infections during the peak New Year’s travel period. The impasse with protesters was not brought up as a reason to extend the current Emergency Decree. The CCSA chaired by PM Prayut Chan-o-cha has…
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Students at Khon Kaen university gather to protest police violence at Bangkok rally
Students at Khon Kaen University, in the north-east of the country, held a rally last night to protest police violence against pro-democracy activists in Bangkok. The Bangkok Post reports that around 50 students came together at around 7pm, to protest the use of tear gas and high-powered water cannons in an effort to stop anti-government activists reaching the Parliament building.…
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6 protesters shot with live rounds in Bangkok, but police deny the claims
6 protesters were reportedly shot in yesterday’s chaos as police tried to repel advancing anti-government protesters as they attempted to march to the front of the Thai Parliament. They were shot with live rounds according to medical staff who attended to their injuries. Inside the parliament lawmakers debated proposals for possible constitutional reform. At this stage it is not clear…
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55 people injured in clashes at Bangkok protests
The Erawan Emergency Medical Service Centre in Bangkok says around 55 people have been injured following clashes during yesterday’s protests in the capital. Violence erupted as pro-democracy activists attempting to reach the Parliament building, clashed with police and rival yellow-shirt pro-establishment groups. A spokesperson for the medical centre says 32 people have been injured by tear gas, which police used…
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Finally! TAT partners with hotels, airlines, to offer travel stimulus package for expats
The Tourism Authority of Thailand is partnering with airlines and over 300 hotels around the country in another domestic tourism stimulus scheme, this time aimed at expats. It’s understood all foreigners and their families, living in the Kingdom, are eligible to avail of the scheme. The “Expat Travel Bonus” offers a 1,000 baht per night discount on hotel accommodation at…
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Thai government earmarks 6 billion baht for 26 million doses of AstraZeneca Covid vaccine
The Thai Cabinet is to put aside over 6 billion baht to procure 26 million doses of the Covid-19 vaccine being developed by AstraZeneca, in conjunction with researchers at Oxford University in the UK. Nation Thailand reports that the National Vaccine Institute will be given 2.38 billion baht to reproduce the vaccine, in an effort to reduce the cost from…
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Thai law to be amended to allow for abortion up to 12 weeks
The Thai Cabinet has approved an amendment to the country’s laws that will permit abortion in the first 12 weeks of pregnancy. Government deputy spokesperson Ratchada Thanadirek confirmed the amendment in a press statement yesterday. “The cabinet has approved to amend the law of abortion in the Thailand Criminal Code, Section 301, for women who are not more than 12…
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Human rights group iLaw calls on Parliament to approve draft charter amendment
The director of iLaw, a Thai human rights non-profit group, is calling on Parliament to approve its charter amendment bill. Jon Ungphakorn made the call as MPs and senators meet for a second day to vote on 7 draft charter amendments. The amendment submitted by iLaw is the only one not submitted by the government and opposition MPs. Yesterday, protesters…
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Academics call on government to hurry up and help the tourism industry
Leading Thai academics are calling on the government to get a move on and help the tourism industry before it’s too late. Addressing a gathering arranged by the Foundation for Labour and Employment Promotion, Kiriya Kulkolkran from Thammasat University’s Faculty of Economics, pointed to the 80% drop in international tourism as a result of the Covid-19 fallout. His estimate includes…
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High season? What high season? Thai tourism has a gap year.
OPINION High season. What’s happening to Thailand’s traditional tourist high season this year? (Sounds of crickets and tumbleweed rolling down the streets) Just as last year’s high season was wrapping up, the Covid-19 pandemic became real and much of the world closed its borders in March. Thailand hoteliers, tour operators and airlines had to endure a very quiet low season,…
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Police deploy water cannons and tear gas, Royalists throw bricks – the protests outside parliament
UPDATE: 6 people were shot with live rounds in yesterday’s scuffles. Read more HERE. The current spate of protests in Thailand took an ugly step forward yesterday when police resorted to using a high power water cannon truck with the water laced with a chemical irritant. They also fired tear gas and, according to protesters, used rubber bullets. Photos show…
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Man gets caught in crossfire in rival gang clash, grenade explodes in his hand
As rival gangs exchanged gunfire at a Chanthaburi province fruit market, a man tried to break up the fight by holding up a grenade and threatening to use it. The plan backfired. 34 year old Thammarat Suntorn was shot multiple times in the crossfire and the grenade ended up exploding in his hand. Thammarat was severely injured with several gunshot…
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Thailand News Today | Protesters v Police, Quarantine reduction, VietJet passenger arrest | Nov 17
A busy day of news with the protests underway as we were preparing today’s program. We will keep you up to date with the latest at thethaiger.com Police use tear gas and water cannons against protesters outside Thai parliament this afternoon Police in riot gear and gas masks have deployed water cannons and tear gas on protesters out the front…
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UPDATE: Riot police deploy water cannons and tear gas at protest outside Parliament
Police in riot gear and gas masks used high pressure water cannons and tear gas against pro-democracy protesters who attempted to remove a 3 layer concrete barricade set up to block passage to the Thai Parliament building in Bangkok. A police officer confirmed with the reporters on site that the water was laced with tear gas. Photos shared in social…
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Special holiday weekend expected to generate 12.6 billion baht – TAT governor
With this Thursday and Friday deemed “special holidays” in an effort to boost domestic tourism, 3.02 million people are expected to travel around Thailand and generate over 12.6 billion baht in tourism revenue, according to the Tourism Authority of Thailand. The recent Covid-19 cases could influence travellers’ plans, TAT governor Yuthasak Supasorn says. In Bangkok, a Hungarian diplomat tested positive…
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Thai VietJet passenger arrested for allegedly saying the “airline should be bombed”
We might think all sorts of things when flight delays inconvenience us. But most of us stew in the departure lounge. Mike decided to vent his anger. A Thai VietJet passenger was arrested after he allegedly muttered “I think this airline should be bombed” just as he was boarding a flight at the Phuket International Airport. 26 year old Mike…
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Thailand’s Covid-19 task force to debate quarantine reduction proposal tomorrow, again
After deciding in last week’s meeting to continue on with the mandatory 14 day quarantine, the issue of a reduction from 14 days to 10, is back on the table. The Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration will meet tomorrow to discuss a proposal, again, to reduce mandatory quarantine from 14 days to 10, for arrivals from low-risk countries. But, again,…
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Tourism officials fear local Covid cases may dampen enthusiasm of domestic travellers
The Tourism Authority of Thailand has expressed concern that the emergence of local Covid-19 infections may negatively affect travel during the November 19-22 holiday period. TAT governor, Yuthasak Supasorn, says there’s a risk that local infections, such as the Krabi resident who tested positive recently, may be dampening enthusiasm among domestic tourists. Local tourism officials are desperate to reboot Thailand’s…
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Women’s rights activists gather at pro-democracy rallies to raise awareness about sexual harassment
While hundreds and thousands gather at pro-democracy protests to call on government, constitutional and monarchy reform, Thai women’s rights activists attending the Bangkok rallies are raising awareness about sexual harassment and rape. The activists say they want to end the “victim blaming” culture where women are said to bring harassment and even rape upon themselves by dressing a certain way.…
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Bangkok police urge drivers, pedestrians, to avoid Parliament area ahead of today’s protest
Police in Bangkok say motorists and pedestrians should steer clear of routes around the Parliament today or risk heavy congestion and road closures. The advice comes ahead of a planned rally in the capital, as Parliament begins a 2 day session to vote on draft charter amendments. Already this morning there has been a protest from Royalist groups, clad in…
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More positive news in Covid fight as second vaccine found to be nearly 95% effective
Health officials around the world are sounding more cautious notes of optimism, with news that US company Moderna has found its Covid-19 candidate vaccine to be 94.5% effective in clinical trials. Following results last week that a vaccine developed by US firm Pfizer, in conjunction with its German partner BioNTech, had an effectiveness rate of 90%, both developments would appear…
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Tsunami warning buoys to be installed, replacing Thailand’s out-of-action buoys
Tsunami warning buoys will be re-installed after one buoy got loose and floated off and the other appeared to have been scavenged for parts. The buoys transmit real-time data, allowing officials to detect underwater earthquakes. 30 experts from Thailand’s Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation departed from the Phuket Deep Sea Port to install the buoys. First, they will replace…
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Thai Supreme Court upholds 50 year prison sentence for ex-tourism chief
The Supreme Court upheld the decades long prison sentences for the former Tourism Authority of Thailand governor and her daughter who took bribes from Hollywood producers for a contract to manage Bangkok International Film Festival from 2002 to 2007. The ruling puts an end to the high profile case. The Supreme Court upheld the Appeal Court ruling from May 2019,…
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Thailand News Today | The RCEP reset, Hotel Talkfest, Protesters to be arrested | November 16
First day of the week with another Thailand News Today, all the latest news from around Thailand and the region. Hoteliers to discuss how to revive Thailand’s crippled hospitality industry The Tourism and Sports Ministry is holding a talkfest with15 hotel operators expected to join to discuss recovery solutions for the battered industry. Some top executives are planned to pitch…
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Thai travel agents propose opening borders to tourists from “low risk” Chinese provinces
Foreign tourists are entering Thailand slowly… very slowly. Only around a couple hundred tourists have entered the country since travel restrictions were put in place 7 months ago. Thailand needs to step up, according to the Association of Thai Travel Agents. Travel agents warn that around 2 million people could lose their jobs if foreign tourists aren’t allowed to enter…
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Roadside bomb explodes as rangers drive to a wedding in Southern Thailand
In the southern province of Narathawit, an area troubled by insurgency-related violence right on the Thai-Malaysia border, a bomb exploded as rangers were driving to a wedding. None of the soldiers were injured, but the bomb caused major damage to the pickup truck. Here’s is a longer explanation of the 2 decade-long southern insurgency. The bomb was an improvised explosive…
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In the middle of the Covid pandemic “now is the winter of our discontent”
In the northern hemisphere anyway, winter is on the way, a dangerous time for authorities trying to mitigate the sudden surge of new cases and deaths from Covid-19 in parts of Europe, the UK and the US. With a vaccine timeline still ‘flexible’, the only cushioning to a further spread of the pandemic is more social distancing, face-masks, attention to…
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