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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    8 Pneumonia prevention tips for expat families in Thailand

    With World Pneumonia Day on November 9, it’s the perfect time to consider how you can protect your family from this serious illness, especially in Thailand, where unique climate and seasonal factors come into play. Pneumonia can be especially dangerous...

  • Our take on the new GWM Haval H6 ULTRA

    Our take on the new GWM Haval H6 ULTRA

    The recent launch of Great Wall Motor’s 2021 Haval H6 ULTRA Hybrid SUV in Thailand, has definitely set car lovers’ tongues wagging. Around 3 months ago, GWM announced it would be introducing the new H6 Haval ULTRA (the top model for the Thai range) with an accompanying theme of ‘It’s Time to CHANGE.’ The SUV is a true hybrid, including…

  • Widespread flooding easing across affected provinces

    Widespread flooding easing across affected provinces

    Officials say the widespread flooding that has affected Bangkok and several other provinces is showing signs of easing. However, there are already forecasts of another storm that could affect Thailand from next week. AP News reports that so far, 8 people have been killed by the floods, with 1 woman still missing. Thousands of homes have been affected, across 32…

  • Monday Covid Update: 9,930 new cases; provincial totals

    Monday Covid Update: 9,930 new cases; provincial totals

    97 Covid-related deaths were reported today by the CCSA, raising the pandemic’s death toll in Thailand to 17,111 with 17,017 of those fatalities during the country’s latest wave, which was first recorded on April 1. In the 24-hour period since the last count, 9,930 new Covid-19 cases and 12,336 recoveries were reported. Thailand now has 109,748 active cases. Since the…

  • Khon Kaen police seek court approval to extend detention of American rape suspect

    Khon Kaen police seek court approval to extend detention of American rape suspect

    Police in the Isaan province Khon Kaen are seeking court approval to extend the detention of the sexual assault suspect, who allegedly beat and raped a Thai masseuse. The chief of the Muang Khon Kaen police station says officers want to detain the American for another 12 days due to concerns that the man might try to flee. 37 year…

  • Vaccination drive accelerated in Pattaya to prepare for November reopening

    Vaccination drive accelerated in Pattaya to prepare for November reopening

    The rollout of Covid-19 vaccinations is being accelerated in Pattaya to prepare for reopening in November. The city’s mayor Sonthaya Kunplome says he expects more than 80% of the population in Pattaya to be fully vaccinated by October 15. Pattaya City Hospital is being used as the main vaccination centre with up to 2,600 doses of AstraZeneca and Sinopharm being…

  • 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.…

  • Vaccination of over 5 million school students gets underway

    Vaccination of over 5 million school students gets underway

    The vaccination of Thai school students gets underway today, with over 5 million students expected to receive a Covid-19 vaccine. The vaccination drive is in preparation for the new school term in November. According to a Bangkok Post report, students between the ages of 12 and 18 will be vaccinated with the Pfizer mRNA vaccine, starting with those in dark…

  • 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…

  • 3.68 million students registered to receive Pfizer vaccines

    3.68 million students registered to receive Pfizer vaccines

    Pfizer vaccines are ready to be administered beginning Monday to young people at schools and universities with 3.68 million students registered so far. The Ministry of Public Health and Ministry of Education are working together the vaccinate 70% of high school and vocational school students by the end of October ahead of classroom learning recommencing in November. The ministries are…

  • 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…

  • Crackdown on illegal firearms nets 300 guns, 51 arrests

    Crackdown on illegal firearms nets 300 guns, 51 arrests

    In a countrywide push to get illegal firearms off the streets of Thailand, police have announced that they made 51 arrests and seized over 300 guns. The campaign to crackdown on illegal guns was initiated in response to the recent surge in crimes across Thailand that have been committed using firearms. Police reported that, along with the 300 guns they…

  • 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…

  • Blood supplies low during pandemic, LGBTQ activists call to be allowed to donate

    Blood supplies low during pandemic, LGBTQ activists call to be allowed to donate

    Blood supplies in Thailand have reportedly run critically low over the recent months as many donation centres have suspended operations due to the Covid-19 situation. With calls from the Thai Red Cross society for blood donations, LGBTQ activists are urging the Red Cross to change their criteria to allow those in the gay and transgender communities to donate, especially now…

  • 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…

  • Thursday Covid Update: 11,646 new cases; provincial totals

    Thursday Covid Update: 11,646 new cases; provincial totals

    107 Covid-related deaths were reported today by the CCSA, raising the pandemic’s death toll in Thailand to 16,727 with 16,633 of those fatalities during the latest wave, which was first recorded on April 1. In the 24-hour period since the last count, 11,646 new Covid-19 cases and 10,887 recoveries were reported. There are now 116,075 people in Thailand currently receiving treatment…

  • 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…

  • “Sandbox” period in Phuket shortened to 7 days for vaccinated travellers

    “Sandbox” period in Phuket shortened to 7 days for vaccinated travellers

    With the recently relaxed rules on the quarantine period for overseas arrivals, those who enter Thailand under the “Phuket Sandbox” will only be required to stay in the province for seven days instead of the previous 14. The “Sandbox” pilot reopening project allows vaccinated travellers from abroad to roam freely on the island rather than isolate in a hotel. The…

  • 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…