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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Hospital makes plans to move patients due to flooding
The largest hospital in the Northeastern Nakhon Ratchasima province has flooded. After heavy rains in the region, the hospital is now saying that they have made plans to relocate their patients to other facilities if the water levels continue to rise. The Maharat Nakhon Ratchasima hospital flooded yesterday morning when the Lam Takhon canal overflowed. The public health inspector general…
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Local researchers in Thailand develop rapid antigen tests
Local researchers in Thailand have developed a rapid antigen test to detect Covid-19, for use in professional settings at at home. The National Nanotechnology Centre under the National Science and Technology Development Agency developed the test which was subsequently approved by the Food and Drug Administration. The professional version was approved back in July, while the self-test version was approved…
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A 26 year old woman dies after getting first Sinovac vaccine shot
A 26 year old woman has died after getting her first shot of China’s Covid-19, Sinovac vaccine. She received the vaccine on September 24 and suffered from a fever, tight chest, and exhaustion after. Her mother says her symptoms grew worse. On October 12th, the woman went to the hospital but was released and asked to return the next day.…
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235 arrested at restaurant serving alcohol after curfew
Another bust for illegal alcohol and gathering occurred in the early hours of yesterday morning as police in Khon Kaen busted an alcohol-serving restaurant pouring drinks for over 200 customers illegally. In violation of the Covid-19 Emergency Decree and the Communicable Disease Control Act, the Lan Mai restaurant in Maliwan Road in tambon Ban Pet in Muang district was found…
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Constitutional Court rules that Paiboon can stay as MP
The Constitutional Court determined yesterday that the Palang Pracharath Party deputy leader can keep his position as MP. Paiboon Nititawan was under investigation for a number of alleged political and financial indiscretions, and potentially faced losing his job, while having to pay back millions of baht to the government. But the court has ruled that he acted legally and will…
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5 police officers re-assigned following raids on Bangkok venues selling alcohol
Several senior officers from Bangkok’s Lumpini Police Station have been re-assigned following a number of raids on restaurants selling alcohol. The 5 officers have been named by the Pattaya News as Chakkrit Chosoongnoen, Chayachai Nathanakan, Prachya Boonyuen, Ekkarat Malawanno, and Sittisak Sudhom. They are accused of turning a blind eye to venues violating Covid-19 restrictions by allowing the sale and…
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UK government calls on Thailand to accelerate its net-zero target
As the UK prepares to host the 26th UN Climate Change Conference, the British government is urging Thailand to sign a key pact. The UK is hosting the climate talks, known as COP26, in partnership with Italy. The event takes place in Glasgow, Scotland, between October 31 and November 12. The Bangkok Post reports that a press briefing was held…
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PM tells reporters to focus on economy, doesn’t want to talk about election
The Thai PM says he can cope with everything he has to deal with and is not bothered by rumours of political disagreements. However, according to a Bangkok Post report, he then asked journalists to stop asking about the election and focus their questions on the economy instead. Prayut Chan-o-cha was addressing the media after yesterday’s meeting of the Defence…
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Covid-19 Wednesday: 79 deaths, infections below 9,000
Today, the CCSA reported 8,918 new Covid-19 infections, down 204 since yesterday, the first times the new infections dipped under 9,000 in months. There were 79 Coronavirus-related deaths, up 8 from yesterday. Since April 1, in the latest wave of the virus in Thailand, a total of 1,782,989 confirmed Covid-19 infections have been reported. In the 24 hour period since…
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Digital literacy a must for bank card holders after recent cyber fraud incident
In light of the recent cyber fraud incident, in which 40,000 people were victimised in Thailand, a cybersecurity expert is emphasizing the need for digital literacy. Prinya Hom-anek, president of the ACIS Professional Centre, an IT security consulting service, says bank card holders are the most vulnerable in the payment ecosystem. This vulnerability sees criminals targetting the group first, as…
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Thailand requires 3 million baht insurance for ‘retirement’ visas
In a revision to the rules for non-immigrant OA visas, foreigners will now be required to hold a minimum of 3 million baht in health insurance, for in-patient services, in order to be eligible for long-term stays in Thailand, 8 times more than the 400,000 baht that has been previously required. The OA visa is also known as the Retirement…
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Banks confirm refunds to recent cyber fraud victims
After the recent cyber fraud scam that affected at least 40,000 individuals in Thailand, banks are now confirming that they will refund money to such victims. The scam saw small amounts of online withdrawals through hacking users’ debit and/or credit card information. Payong Srivanich, chairman of the Thai Bankers’ Association, says banks will pay back money to the victims of…
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Covid-19 Tuesday: 9,122 new cases, 71 deaths, port of entry data
Today, the CCSA reported 9,122 new Covid-19 infections, down 989 since yesterday. They also reported 71 new deaths, which is up by 8 from yesterday. Since April 1, when the most recent wave of infections began, there have been a total of 1,802,934 reported cases of Covid-19 in Thailand, with 18,407 deaths. Today the Thai Department of Disease…
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How To Meet the Newly Announced Health Insurance Requirements For O-A Visa
Health insurance is required for non-immigrant visa holders O-A and O-X who want to spend their retirement years in Thailand. It has recently be announced there will be change to the regulations for non-immigrant OA visas, visitors will now be required to have a minimum of 3 million baht in health insurance for in-patient care to be eligible for long-term…
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Arrest made for the 14 year old murder of pregnant girl
An arrest was finally made for the murder of a pregnant girl that happened 14 years ago. This case has been cold since the murder was committed in 2007, and the fugitive has been on the run ever since. But yesterday the suspect was finally tracked down and arrested in the remote Northeastern Loei province. Police from the Crime Suppression…
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Cyber fraud case renews talks over the safety of online banking
After at least 40,000 people in Thailand were victims of online banking cyber fraud, the Cyber Crime Investigation Bureau is renewing talks over the safety of such online transactions. The losses recently incurred by those using online banking are thought to be over 10 million baht after hackers stole credit and debit card information. Kornchai Klayklueng, the commissioner of the…
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Covid-19 pill treatment highly effective at preventing hospitalisation, death
A prominent Thai virologist says the world’s first oral treatment for Covid-19 is highly effective if taken within 5 days of symptoms developing. Dr Yong Poovorawan from the Centre of Excellence in Clinical Virology at Chulalongkorn University made the statement on his Facebook page yesterday. According to a Bangkok Post report, he was citing research published on the health sciences…
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Tourism sector not getting its hopes up over domestic travel
Those working in Thailand’s tourism sector aren’t getting their hopes up about a big boost to domestic travel any time soon. Wutthiphum Jurangkool, chief executive at Nok Air, says ongoing concerns about Covid-19, coupled with weak purchasing power, will make this November very different to last. “Domestic tourism reached its peak last November, thanks to low infection rates and the…
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Covid-19 Monday: 10,111 infections, 63 deaths, provincial data
Today, the CCSA reported 10,111 new Covid-19 infections, down 752 since yesterday, and 63 Coronavirus-related deaths, down 5 from yesterday. Since April 1, in the latest wave of the virus in Thailand, a total of 1,764,949 confirmed Covid-19 infections have been reported. In the 24 hour period since the last count, the CCSA has reported 10,612 recoveries, up 229 from…
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Protector of junta-sponsored constitution to face judgement
A Constitutional Court is expected make a ruling on a protector of the junta-sponsored constitution this Wednesday. Paiboon Nititawan is the MP and legal expert of the ruling Palang Pracharath Party. Paiboon is also the deputy leader of the Palang Pracharath Party. He is also the legal advisor to deputy PM General Prawit Wangsuwan, who is the party leader. Now,…
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Certificates of vaccination can now be submitted through Mor Prom app from today
From today, those who have been fully vaccinated can now submit an application through the Mor Prom mobile app to receive a certificate of vaccination online. The move by the Bamrasnaradura Infectious Diseases Institute was made to help reduce long queue lines over applying for the certificates. The institute’s director, Kitpong Sunchatawirul, says the previous time-consuming lines were not ideal, so the institute decided to…
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Prominent economic think-tank welcomes November 1 re-opening plans
A leading economic research body says a planned re-opening to international tourism from November will give the Thai economy the boost it needs. According to a Nation Thailand report, the Kasikorn Research Centre predicts further economic growth from next year, provided the government gets Covid-19 under control. It points out that the country’s tourism sector will only see a full…
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Thailand to host top world badminton events in 2022
Thailand is set to host the the world’s top badminton events next year after being chosen as the location for the Thomas Cup and Uber Cup finals. The Thomas Cup is the men’s team event, and the Uber Cup is for the women’s teams. The tournament is set to take place in Bangkok between May 8-15. This is the 2nd…
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SO Sofitel Hua Hin opens its doors to welcome all visitors!
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Japan makes donation of another 385,000 AstraZeneca vaccines
In what seems like a frequent periodical occurrence, Japan has made yet another donation of AstraZeneca vaccines to Thailand this week. The Japanese government declared that they had sent another 385,210 vaccines that arrived late Friday night. A government spokesperson confirmed the donation and say that PM Prayut Chan-o-cha expressed his thankfulness to Japan for this donation and their continued…
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Dusit Poll: Thailand is not ready for international reopening
A new poll from Suan Dusit Rajabhat University expresses the majority opinion that Thailand is not ready for a reopening to international tourism. The Suan Dusit Poll was conducted October 11 to 14 with 1,329 people from all over Thailand responding online. The poll was conducted to gauge the people of Thailand’s feelings about PM Prayut Chan-o-cha announcing that the…
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Covid-19 Sunday: 10,863 infections, 68 deaths, provincial data
Today, the CCSA reported 10,863 new Covid-19 infections, up 215 since yesterday, and 68 Coronavirus-related deaths, down 14 from yesterday. Since April 1, in the latest wave of the virus in Thailand, a total of 1,754,838 confirmed Covid-19 infections have been reported. In the 24 hour period since the last count, the CCSA has reported 10,383 recoveries, a change of…
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Chulabhorn Royal Academy announces vaccine booster signups
Chulabhorn Royal Academy is now taking advance vaccine bookings for reasonably-priced Moderna and Sinopharm doses to qualified applicants. The academy is making vaccines available for organisations, corporate entities, hospital administrations and members, as well as employees in the public for booster shots. They are launching the vaccine signup programme as a commemoration of the Chulabhorn Hospital on its 12 year anniversary.…
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Thammasat University negotiates multiple deals for vaccines
A new deal has been struck between 2 private hospitals and Thammasat University to purchase and import 5 million Pfizer and Moderna mRNA vaccines. This is an addition to a recently negotiated deal to procure 2 million modern vaccines, making a total of 7 million doses that the school will help bring into Thailand after recently being approved by the…
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Covid-19 Saturday Update: 10,648 cases, 82 deaths, provincial data
Today, the CCSA reported 10,648 new Covid-19 infections, a change of +162 since yesterday, and 82 Coronavirus-related deaths, a change of -12 from yesterday. Since April 1, in the latest wave of the virus in Thailand, a total of 1,743,975 confirmed Covid-19 infections have been reported. In the 24 hour period since the last count, the CCSA has reported 10,794…
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