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 How to reduce out-of-pocket medical expenses in Thailand?
Managing medical expenses in Thailand is important as healthcare costs continue to rise. The country’s healthcare system includes both public and private options, but even with the Universal Coverage Scheme (UCS) for citizens, many still face high out-of-pocket medical expenses....
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APEC summit in Thailand to focus on regional economy
Next year Thailand will be hosting the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit. The Foreign Ministry explains that this year the meeting will be focused on economic recovery and growth in the region following the global Covid-19 pandemic. Promoting cooperation between member nations is the emphasis of this event, reports Thai PBS. The theme of the summit is said to…
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Today’s Loy Krathong breaks traditions, Thais encouraged to celebrate “virtually”
Every year, on the 12th full moon on the lunar calendar, Thais celebrate Loy Krathong, giving thanks to the water goddess by releasing lotus-shaped floating offerings onto the water. Rivers, canals, and other bodies of water are filled with the beautiful offerings, known as krathongs, which are usually made from banana tree trunks and decorated with flowers, leaves, candles, and…
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American businesses pledge continued investment in Thailand
PM Prayut Chan-o-cha says that he is pleased with the ongoing economic relationship between Thailand and the United States. American businesses have pledged continued investment in the country as they acknowledge the many opportunities in Thailand, despite the setbacks that have been caused by Covid-19. A meeting between PM Prayut and the American Chamber of Commerce in Thailand (Amcham) was…
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ChulaCOV-19 vaccine enters a promising third phase of trials
ChulaCOV-19, the mRNA Covid-19 vaccine in development by the Centre of Excellence in Vaccine Research at Chulalongkorn University, is expected to be registered by the middle of next year as it enters a promising third phase of clinical trials. The third round of trials on human test subjects is scheduled to see injections at the beginning of 2021, no later…
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Mass lay-offs at Thai AirAsia as aviation sector continues to struggle
Thailand may have re-opened to international travellers, but the aviation sector continues to struggle as a result of the pandemic. Today, the Bangkok Post reports that Thai AirAsia has announced mass redundancies and extended furlough arrangements for many of its staff. Asia Aviation, the largest shareholder in TAA, says the outlook for the aviation sector remains unstable and the company…
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Thailand aims for 65 million Covid-19 vaccines for next year
Eying long-term Covid-19 strategies, PM Prayut Chan-o-cha has announced that Thailand is targeting obtaining 65 million vaccines for next year. The vaccines are planned to include the newest versions of each brand imported, though the exact allotment of brands and vaccines were not announced. The prime minister did confirm, however, that contracts have already been signed with suppliers to source…
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Pro-monarchy academic says lèse majesté law needs to be more clear
With Thailand’s draconian lèse majesté law in the spotlight as continuous youth-led protests call on an end to law which carries a lengthy prison sentence for insulting the Thai Monarchy, a well-known academic and supporter of the royal family says the law needs to be amended to make it more clear. Under Section 112 of the Thailand’s Criminal Code, also…
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Thursday Covid Update: 6,901 new cases; provincial totals
55 coronavirus-related deaths were reported by the CCSA today, raising the pandemic’s death toll in Thailand to 20,254 with 20,160 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 6,901 new Covid-19 cases and 7,556 recoveries. There are now 90,672 people in Thailand being…
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3 easy steps to make a Krathong for the Loy Krathong Festival
Join Natty and Caitlyn as they show you how to make a Krathong in 3 easy steps for the Loy Krathong Festival. Make your own biodegradable and environmental friendly Krathong.
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Thai authorities issue warning on Trang temple’s cryptocurrency
Cryptocurrency investors in Thailand are being warned not to invest in Somdejcoin, or SDC, which is named after a revered Buddhist monk and developed by a temple in the southern province Trang. Thailand’s Securities and Exchange Commission, or SEC, issued an official statement yesterday warning traders and investors about the decentralised finance token, claiming that the coin’s investment data is…
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Constitutional Court ruling on marriage a setback for same-sex couples
In a setback for the LGBTQ+ community, Thailand’s Constitutional Court ruled that the current law, which says marriage is between a man and a woman, is constitutional. Same-sex marriage activists have argued that the wording of the law, Section 1448 of the Civil and Commercial Code, basically blocks same-sex couples from being legally married. A petition had been filed with…
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“People’s Constitution” to take down “Prayut regime” rejected by parliament
Parliament rejected a draft of the so-called “People’s Constitution,” a proposed legislation to take down what Thais call the “Prayut regime” and scrap the 20 year national strategy. A former Democrat candidate told Thai PBS World that “Prayut regime” essentially allows the prime minister to control the Senate and other organisations mandated under the charter. The “People’s Constitution” draft was…
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Assistant village chief allegedly shoots and kills his 2 year old daughter
An assistant village head in Southern Thailand allegedly killed his two year old daughter after he fired a shot at his wife, but the bullet missed and hit the child. Reports say he then turned the gun to his head and shot himself. Reports say the man was drunk and lashed out at his wife’s birthday party in Nakhon Si…
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US says free press integral to democracy, pledges support for Thai journalists
The Chargé d’Affaires at the US Embassy in Bangkok says the United States pledges to support a free press and independent journalism in Thailand. Michael Heath has described a free press as a vital component of democracy and freedom of expression. The Bangkok Post reports that he was addressing reporters who were attending a seminar at the embassy. The event…
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Emirates A380 to return to Bangkok Suvarnabhumi to meet increased demand
The A380 is to return to the skies over Bangkok as Emirates upgrades capacity on flights to the capital to meet increased demand. TTR Weekly reports that Thailand’s recent re-opening to vaccinated tourists from approved countries has led to strong demand, with around 10,000 arrivals registered at Suvarnabhumi every day. In order to add capacity and frequency to its services,…
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Constitutional Court upholds anti-LGBTQ marriage language
In a major blow to LGBTQ+ rights in conservative Thailand, the Constitutional Court upheld the Thai Civil and Commercial Code section that essentially outlaws gay marriage. The passage, Section 1448, limits the scope of marriage, defining it by saying, “a marriage can take place only between a man and a woman.” The Court ruled that this legal definition of marriage…
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Flooding in Bangkok expected during Loy Krathong as Chao Phraya continues to rise
The Chao Phraya River is expected to continue rising as the Loy Krathong festival draws near. A Royal Thai Navy Hydrographic Department report said yesterday that sea levels are rising, which will cause the river to rise, too. Bangkok and other communities near the river have been experiencing flooding over the past few weeks, and the Chao Phraya has repeatedly…
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Doctors successfully perform Thailand’s first “acardiac twin” surgery
Surgeons reportedly performed Thailand’s first surgery involving twin reversed arterial perfusion sequence, or TRAP, where the cardiac system of one normally developed foetus is supplying blood for another, known as the “acardiac twin,” which is poorly developed, often missing a heart, head, and limbs. On Wednesday, surgeons at Srinagarind Hospital of Khon Kaen University successfully performed the surgery, stopping the…
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Man arrested for allegedly shooting his 88 year old father to death in Southern Thailand
Police arrested a man for allegedly killing his 88 year old father at his home in Songkhla’s Hat Yai district. On Monday, father and son were reportedly in a heated argument when 60 year old Seree Kuldamrongwiwat allegedly fired shots at his father. The Bangkok Post reports that the fatal shooting was caught on surveillance cameras. Saree was arrested yesterday…
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RT-LAMP test could reduce time and cost of Covid-19 testing
A new style of Covid-19 test has been created in Thailand by a team at Chulalongkorn University and is said to be accurate, easy, and cheap. The 3-gene RT-LAMP method test was developed by the Faculty of Medicine, the Faculty of Science, the Department of Chemistry, the Department of Microbiology, and the Innovation Hub of Chulalongkorn University. The Covid-19 test…
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Wednesday Covid Update: 6,524 new cases; provincial totals
56 coronavirus-related deaths were reported by the CCSA today, raising the pandemic’s death toll in Thailand to 20,199 with 20,105 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 6,524 new Covid-19 cases and 7,191 recoveries. There are now 91,382 people in Thailand being…
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National park officials in Chachoengsao search for elephant critically injured from gunshots
Thailand’s National Park Service team and veterinarians are working hard to find a wild elephant, known as “Plai Noo Sing,” who was shot several times and critically injured in a forest in Chachoengsao, east of Bangkok. Since last week, officials from Khao Ang Rue Nai Wildlife Sanctuary have been on the lookout for a 20 year old wild elephant who…
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Prayut reportedly says draft charter amendments should not touch the Monarchy
As Thai politicians mull over changes to propose to the country’s constitution, PM Prayut Chan-o-cha announced that any amendments lawmakers are seeking to make, the institution of the Royal Family must be left untouched, according to the Bangkok Post. Bangkok Post reporters spoke with a source who attended a mobile cabinet meeting in Krabi, which was chaired by the prime…
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Cabinet approves plan to revive tourism in provinces along the Andaman Sea
A multibillion baht development plan for the Andaman provinces was approved yesterday by the Thai Cabinet. This plan will apply to the six provinces in Southern Thailand along the Andaman Sea, and will be focused on encouraging economic development and social programmes in the region. 32 different projects will be funded in the Phuket, Phang Nga, Trang, Ranong and Satun…
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Thai PM warns bars, nightlife not to open, defends ongoing closure order
PM Prayut Chan-o-cha has defended the CCSA’s decision to delay the re-opening of Thailand’s nightlife to January 15. Bars and clubs around the country had been widely anticipating a re-opening on December 1. However, any hopes of making some revenue over the normally busy end-of-year period have now been dashed. Bars and nightlife venues have decried the decision, which now…
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Truckers protest diesel prices at Ministry of Energy
A protest by truckers took place on a Bangkok highway yesterday to bring attention to the high price of diesel. The truckers are calling for a cap on fuel prices, and drove in a convoy to the Ministry of Energy to make their demands known. The drivers parked their trucks along 4 roads around Bangkok, according to the Bangkok Post.…
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Blackpink’s Lisa given award by hometown of Buriram
The town of Buriram in Northeastern Thailand presented an honorary award to Thai K-pop star Lisa earlier today. Lalisa Manoban, also known by her stage name ‘Lisa,’ was honoured for her efforts to promote education in her native province, and also for her work as a role model for Thai youth. Lisa is a member of the famous K-pop girl…
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Storks take over mango farm in Ang Thong, owners put property up for sale
The owner of a mango plantation is throwing in the white towel after her farm was overrun by storks. The 20-hectare farm in the central Ang Thong province is now up for sale, and the owner says that the farm can no longer operate thanks to the new residents. The birds came 3 years ago, according to what the owner…
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Proposal submitted to parliament for the legalisation of pornography and sex toys
A group, including the 19 year old OnlyFans content creator who had been arrested on pornography charges, went to parliament and submitted a proposal to the House Speaker’s office calling on the legalisation of sexually explicit videos as well as sex toys. The arrest of the OnlyFans content creator back in September drew criticism and sparked a renewed debate on…
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Tuesday Covid Update: 5,947 new cases; provincial totals
62 coronavirus-related deaths were reported by the CCSA today, raising the pandemic’s death toll in Thailand to 20,143 with 20,049 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 5,947 new Covid-19 cases and 7,943 recoveries. There are now 92,105 people in Thailand being…
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