Thailand News
Thailand news, politics, business, crime, and lifestyle—get breaking updates from Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Pattaya, and beyond. Stay informed on Thai society, economy, tourism, and expat life with The Thaiger.
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Sponsored Where to travel in Thailand in April [2025]
Travelling in Thailand is peak during April if you are looking for a real taste of summer. With high temperatures, amazing beaches, and exciting events, April is an amazing time to visit the country as a whole. Due to the...
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Suan Dusit Poll: It’s time for an election and Prayut wouldn’t win
A new Suan Dusit Poll conducted by Suan Dusit Rajabhat University revealed that the majority of Thai people are ready for a new general election and think early 2022 is the time for it. Over 70% of people surveyed felt that Thailand is ready now for new elections, while only just under 23% opposed the idea, with just under 7%…
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Consular Deparment FAQ on Thailand Pass entry November 1
A thorough infographic of the Thailand Pass process was released by the Consular Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for people planning their travel after November 1. The white text on photo backgrounds might not be the easiest way to digest this complex process, so below is the transcribed text of the announcement with some key new information detailed.…
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COVID-19 SUNDAY: Deaths dropped, vaccinations data changed again
Today, the CCSA reported 8,859 new Covid-19 infections, down 365 since yesterday, and 47 Coronavirus-related deaths, down 41 from yesterday. Since April 1, in the latest wave of the virus in Thailand, a total of 1,883,151 confirmed Covid-19 infections have been reported. The death rate in the month of October dropped dramatically, with nearly triple the amount of daily…
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17 more countries added to (almost) no quarantine list in Thailand
Late last night, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced an amendment to the list of countries that can enter Thailand without quarantine starting tomorrow, adding 17 new countries to the list of 46 countries and territories. (But even fully vaccinated travellers will have to spend one night in an SHA+ or ASQ hotel as they wait for their test result).…
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New ban on rallies enacted just before November 1 reopening
In yet another timing coincidence, the Royal Gazette published new rules yesterday placing a ban on rallies and protests just before Thailand reopens to international tourism. As always, the orders were ostensibly put in place to prevent the spread of Covid-19 in the country and to protect incoming tourists from any possible outbreak. The new ban on rallies and similar…
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COVID-19 SATURDAY: 88 deaths, provincial data, vaccination update
Today, the CCSA reported 9,224 new Covid-19 infections, up 256 since yesterday, and 88 Coronavirus-related deaths, up 24 from yesterday. Since April 1, in the latest wave of the virus in Thailand, a total of 1,874,292 confirmed Covid-19 infections have been reported. In the 24 hour period since the last count, the CCSA has reported 8,305 recoveries, up 442 from…
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Chiang Mai Central Prison uncovers Alpha Plus Covid-19 cases
While 98% of Covid-19 in Thailand is now the Delta variant, with fears of some of the new Delta Plus strains creeping into the country, two inmates at Chiang Mai Central Prison have been diagnosed with infections of the Alpha Plus variant. The Covid-19 infection was originally detected in late September from genome sequencing and the Alpha variant discovery has…
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CCSA: Only 7 provinces in the Dark Red Zone, 5 zones used now
In their meeting yesterday, the CCSA has massively reduced the Dark Red Maximum and Strict Controlled Zone from 23 to just 7 provinces ahead of Monday’s reopening to international tourism. The remaining dark red zones are mainly the Covid-19 plagued Deep South, with Nakhon Si Thammarat, Narathiwat, Pattani, Songkhla, and Yala remaining dark red. Tak on Thailand’s western border and…
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PM says cooperation needed as Thailand prepares for reopening
PM Prayut Chan-o-cha has stressed the importance of public and business cooperation ahead of next week’s reopening of Thailand’s borders and the relaxing of quarantine requirements for international visitors. The Bangkok Post has reported Prayut has asked for strict compliance with disease controls, and that protesters do not damage the national image, paving the way for a successful reopening. Prayut,…
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Koh Chang on track for November 11 reopening with sandbox scheme
Koh Chang is poised to welcome back foreign visitors amid plans to get a sandbox scheme underway from November 11. The island, in the eastern province of Trat, is gearing up for reopening under the “Koh Chang Sandbox” scheme, with Trat governor Chamnanwit Taerat ordering preparations be made in seeking to breathe life back into the local tourism sector. As…
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Leading Thai shopping centre developer exploring cryptocurrency rollout
Thai retailer Central Retail Corp is piloting a digital currency based on blockchain technology, which it is currently rolling out to employees around the world. Bloomberg reports the cryptocurrency, dubbed “C-Coin”, is being distributed to Central’s 80,000 global employees on merit, in addition to their usual compensation, with it able to be used in place of cash at restaurants or…
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DDC forecasts potential Covid-19 scenarios amid tourism restart
Ahead of next week’s reopening of Thailand’s international borders and the relaxing of quarantine requirements, the Department of Disease Control has provided a rundown of 3 potential Covid-19 scenarios facing the nation. The scenarios – categorised as “green”, “orange” and “grey” – respectively outline the risk of the virus spreading locally against the backdrop of the tourism restart, according to…
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CCSA revises colour-coded zoning, 7 provinces classified as “dark red”
The CCSA announced revisions to its colour-coded zoning classifications, which are based on Covid-19 infection rates in each province. There are now seven provinces classified as “dark red” zones under maximum and strict control with a stay at home order from 11pm to 3am. The CCSA also classified Bangkok, Krabi, Phang Nga, and Phuket as the new “blue zones” which…
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Bangkok officials consider allowing alcohol sales at restaurants
The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration is considering allowing alcohol sales at restaurants starting Monday as the capital reopens to international arrivals. A spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced during a CCSA press briefing this afternoon that the BMA was meeting with relevant authorities to decide whether to lift the alcohol ban. Bangkok is also being reclassified on the Thai…
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Tourism industry aims for improvement over Sandbox for reopening
Thailand’s battered tourism industry is making final preparations for the big November 1 reopening with high hopes of welcoming back international travellers across Thailand. On November 1, the country will reopen with still somewhat convoluted 3 entry options and quarantine-free travel for arrivals from 46 low-risk countries. The Phuket Sandbox, with nearly 58,000 arrivals from July 1, has been viewed…
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Teenager shot at August protest in Bangkok dies after months in a coma
The teenager who was shot in the neck at a protest outside Bangkok’s Din Daeng police station back in August died. According to the Bangkok Post, Amnesty International Thailand confirmed that the 15 year old died yesterday morning after being in a coma for several months. There have been several violent clashes at Din Daeng intersection involving young anti-government protesters…
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November 1 re-opening of Thailand – The Fine Print
And now for some of the fine print, answering questions you may have had about re-entry to Thailand from next Monday, November 1. Who can travel to Thailand? Travellers will be categorised into 3 groups… • The first are fully vaccinated visitors from 46 countries (www.thaiembassy.com). They must stay one night in either a SHA+ certified hotel or an ASQ…
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PM orders clampdown on black market Favipiravir trade following arrests
PM Prayut Chan-o-cha has ordered a crackdown on the illegal trade of the Favipiravir antiviral drug, used to treat Covid-19, following the seizure of hundreds of boxes destined for the online black market earlier this week. Police arrested nine suspects on Tuesday, carrying out coordinated raids across Bangkok, Saraburi, Pathum Thani and Nonthaburi, with a hospital manager alleged to have…
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Army conscript dies a day after receiving second Covid-19 vaccine shot
A 23 year old army conscript died earlier this week after receiving a second Covid-19 vaccine shot, according to the Bangkok Post. According to the report, Khanti Anantasiri, who had no underlying health conditions, died at home in Ratchaburi province on Tuesday afternoon, a day after receiving the AstraZeneca vaccine. He had earlier received the Sinovac vaccine. Khanti had complained…
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More Pfizer vaccines for children arrive in Thailand
Another batch of Pfizer Covid-19 vaccine doses has landed in Thailand, with Department of Disease Control director-general Dr Opas Karnkawinpong confirming the arrival of 1,538,550 doses on Wednesday. As reported by Nation Thailand, Dr Opas said the government has procured the mRNA vaccine for children aged over 12, along with other target groups, with a total of 8 million doses…
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Friday Covid Update: 8,968 new cases and 64 deaths
8,968 new Covid-19 cases and 64 coronavirus-related deaths were reported by the CCSA today. There are now 99,301 people in Thailand receiving medical treatment for Covid-19. In the latest and most severe wave of the virus, first recorded on April 1, the CCSA has reported 1,865,078 confirmed Covid-19 cases. Out of the new cases, 190 were found in correctional facilities.…
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Thailand Pass: all systems go for Monday
The new Thailand Pass system launches on Monday when the country re-opens with minimal quarantine for vaccinated tourists from select countries. The Bangkok Post reports a government spokesman as saying the new system will replace the Certificate of Entry with a more streamlined process. Thanakorn Wangboonkongchana says the online system will allow tourists, Thais, and foreign residents of Thailand to…
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Bangkok public transport back to normal capacity on Monday
Bangkok’s BTS, BRT and Gold Line public transport systems will resume normal operating hours from Monday alongside the government’s move to reopen Thailand’s international borders and lift the nightly curfew in the capital. According to Nation Thailand, Bangkok Mass Transit System director Surapong Laoha-Unya said the resumption of regular services comes with all employees having been fully vaccinated and required…
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Thailand’s Industry Ministry is backing hemp as a new cash crop
The Thai government is getting behind the hemp industry amid long-term plans to grow the local market and drive flow-on benefits to associated sectors. The Bangkok Post reports the Industry Ministry is currently laying out a budget plan, with it targeting the development of new products in the medical sector and support for tourism. Industry Minister Suriya Jungrungreangkit said, according…
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Thursday Covid Update: 9,658 new cases; provincial totals
84 coronavirus-related deaths were reported by the CCSA today, raising the pandemic’s death toll in Thailand to 19,006 with 18,912 of those fatalities during the latest wave, which was first recorded on April 1. In the 24-hour period since the last count, the CCSA recorded 9,658 new Covid-19 cases and 8,526 recoveries. There are now 99,144 people in Thailand being…
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BlackPink’s Lisa says “no” to Phuket New Year countdown event
Grand plans by the Tourism Authority of Thailand, to attract international acts for a New Year countdown concert in Phuket, has come crashing down today now that YG Entertainment in South Korea, the management for the K-pop star Lalisa “Lisa” Manoban, made an official statement saying she won’t be coming. The ‘BlackPink’ Thai-born star was a hot ticket for the…
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Truckers and tour bus drivers plan strike over diesel prices
Thai truckers are set to go on strike on Monday as part of a campaign to have diesel prices capped at 25 baht per litre for one year. As reported by Thai PBS World, the strike – which will coincide with Thailand’s reopening on November 1 – will span about 80,000 trucks, including some tour buses. The campaign, labelled “truck…
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PM Prayut Chan-o-cha to outline Thailand’s path to net zero at UN Climate Change Conference
PM Prayut Chan-o-cha will outline Thailand’s push to achieve carbon neutrality by 2065 at the 26th UN Climate Change Conference in the United Kingdom next week. The Bangkok Post has reported Prayut will formally announce the country’s new pledge and provide details about its long-term strategies to drive down greenhouse gas emissions. In essence, he will provide a roadmap of…
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Chinese travel to Thailand may resume late next year
Chinese authorities may let their citizens travel to Thailand again in about one year, according to predictions from the Association of Thai Travel Agents. While China has made the elite list of 46 countries allowed to enter Thailand without quarantine in the Test & Go scheme starting November 1, harsh travel restrictions in China will prohibit Chinese tourists, an important…
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Thailand eyeing EV benefits, but consumer incentives remain unclear
The Thai government is reportedly looking to spark local interest in electric vehicles, with the Finance Ministry poised to approve a number of measures designed to promote their use. The Bangkok Post reports a source on the National Electric Vehicle Policy Committee as stating the measures are expected to significantly bring down the prices of imported EVs. With the government…
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