Thailand News

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    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....

  • Phuket’s Bangla Road inspected by national and local health officials

    Phuket’s Bangla Road inspected by national and local health officials

    Health officials went to Phuket’s Bangla Road, but not for a beer. The deputy director of Thailand’s Department of Health went to Phuket and inspect the famed walking street in person, reviewing Covid-19 prevention measures. While bars and nightclubs are ordered to be closed nationwide, photos from the provincial health office show bars are the street packed with people, and…

  • Thailand’s southernmost town Betong to reopen to tourism

    Thailand’s southernmost town Betong to reopen to tourism

    Neighboring Malaysia, Betong in southern Thailand will reopen for sightseeing tourists from December 1. The Yala provincial governor says that over 70 percent of residents are fully vaccinated against Covid-19. Several renowned tourist attractions in the region, including the Anyorweng skywalk, hot springs, historical Malayan communist tunnel, and flower fields, have been prepared to welcome guests adhering to anti-Covid measures,…

  • Poverty rising during pandemic, 15 million expected to be on welfare by 2022

    Poverty rising during pandemic, 15 million expected to be on welfare by 2022

    Thailand’s poverty rate has been increasing during the pandemic. According to the deputy Finance Minister, the number of Thais receiving state welfare is expected to increase by over 1 million, totaling around 15 million people. Based on Worldometer statistics, this means that next year over 21% of the population will be on welfare, or around 1 in 5 people in the…

  • SC21- 21st century cellular medicines specialists

    SC21- 21st century cellular medicines specialists

    Sponsored Article Although stem cells are known to work wonders, there is still a lot of misunderstanding about what they are, what they do, and how they work. The good news is that StemCells21 can clear everything up for you. SC21 produces all of its cellular medications in-house, and all of its treatments are performed at its cutting-edge medical centre…

  • Police say no live ammunition was used against protesters in Bangkok yesterday

    Police say no live ammunition was used against protesters in Bangkok yesterday

    Bangkok police denied reports that live ammunition was used against pro-democracy protesters during a clash yesterday evening where at least two protesters were shot. Doctors have not made any detailed statements on the injuries, but police say only rubber bullets were fired at protesters. Officers say they are still investigating the incident. Yesterday evening, a large rally of Thai activists…

  • Monday Covid Update: 6,343 new cases; provincial totals

    Monday Covid Update: 6,343 new cases; provincial totals

    45 coronavirus-related deaths were reported by the CCSA today, raising the pandemic’s death toll in Thailand to 20,081 with 19,987 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 6,343 new Covid-19 cases and 7,663 recoveries. There are now 94,163 people in Thailand being…

  • Bars are closed in Bangkok… but not on Khao San Road

    Bars are closed in Bangkok… but not on Khao San Road

    The Thai government says bars are closed, and will be until mid-January, but if you look hard enough you’ll find many are open… and packed. Over the weekend, the entrance to Bangkok’s notorious Khao San Road was blocked with a Covid-19 checkpoint. To get on the street to party, people needed to show proof of vaccination or test negative for…

  • Covid-19 still a concern for upcoming Loy Krathong festival

    Covid-19 still a concern for upcoming Loy Krathong festival

    The Loy Krathong festival is set to take place this Friday in Thailand. But according to a recent poll, a number of Thais are concerned that the Covid-19 measures in place are inadequate, and that another wave of infections because of the festival is possible. These concerns are making people hesitant to participate in the festivities. Last month, PM Prayut…

  • Supalai Oriental Sukhumvit 39 offers modern and luxurious living

    Supalai Oriental Sukhumvit 39 offers modern and luxurious living

    Sponsored Article Looking for a relaxing experience and lifestyle in the heart of the city? If yes then Supalai Oriental Sukhumvit 39 might just be what you are looking for! Supalai Oriental is a high-rise condominium located at Sukhumvit 39. There are altogether 4 towers with 1,046 units and you have the options to choose between 1 – 3 bedrooms…

  • COVID-19 SUNDAY UPDATE: Vaccinations, provincial totals

    COVID-19 SUNDAY UPDATE: Vaccinations, provincial totals

    Today, the CCSA reported 7,079 new Covid-19 infections, up 22 since yesterday, and 47 Coronavirus-related deaths, down 8 from yesterday. Since April 1, in the latest wave of the virus in Thailand, a total of 1,989,547 confirmed Covid-19 infections have been reported. In the 24 hour period since the last count, the CCSA has reported 6,917 recoveries, down 476 from…

  • Thai flights up 25%, experts suggest travel bubbles, cheaper Covid tests

    Thai flights up 25%, experts suggest travel bubbles, cheaper Covid tests

    Thailand’s reopening isn’t just a boost for Thai tourism businesses; it also provided a ray of hope in Asia for the battered airline industry as the first reopening in the region. The Executive Chairman of Thai AirAsia’s largest shareholder, Asia Aviation, says this sets the tone for flights, the tourism economy, and businesses in the country. Suvarnabhumi Airport in Bangkok,…

  • Tourism in Thailand is slowly returning, still a long road ahead

    Tourism in Thailand is slowly returning, still a long road ahead

    Though the government’s expected flood of tourists entering Thailand since the reopening 2 weeks ago has been closer to a trickle, businesses are seeing a bit of an uptick in tourism. Still, they are calling on the government to loosen Covid-19 restrictions and asking for federal financial programs to be extended and expanded to help speed recovery. The president of…

  • Unlicensed construction may be cause of Koh Larn resort death

    Unlicensed construction may be cause of Koh Larn resort death

    A simple and tragic case of a girl who was found dead in her resort bathroom on the popular holiday island of Koh Larn has taken a twist as officials say the property had no construction license. Though the first information released about her death last week implied a night of heavy drinking led to a fatal accident, poor building…

  • COVID-19 SATURDAY UPDATE: Provincial Totals

    COVID-19 SATURDAY UPDATE: Provincial Totals

    Today, the CCSA reported 7,057 new Covid-19 infections, down 248 since yesterday, and 55 Coronavirus-related deaths, up 4 from yesterday. Since April 1, in the latest wave of the virus in Thailand, a total of 1,982,458 confirmed Covid-19 infections have been reported. In the 24 hour period since the last count, the CCSA has reported 7,393 recoveries, up 507 from…

  • Will Thailand’s nightlife survive another 2 months of closure?

    Will Thailand’s nightlife survive another 2 months of closure?

    OPINION On Friday morning we were talking up the speculation that Thailand’s bars would be permitted to reopen on December 1. It had been a strong rumour, verified with countless politicians and police. Surely, with all the open flouting of the current alcohol ban, the government had just given up and were ready to reopen the bars, officially. The daily…

  • First 10 days: 30,000 arrivals; 147,000 Thailand Pass applicants

    First 10 days: 30,000 arrivals; 147,000 Thailand Pass applicants

    The Tourism Authority of Thailand totalled up some data for the first 10 days of Thailand’s reopening, with over 30,000 arrivals so far and nearly 150,000 applications submitted for the Thailand Pass to gain entry to the country. The TAT’s report states that the combined total of international travellers arriving at all of Thailand’s international airports – both Bangkok airports,…

  • COVID-19 SATURDAY: 55 deaths, 7,057 new infections

    COVID-19 SATURDAY: 55 deaths, 7,057 new infections

    Today, the CCSA reported 7,057 new Covid-19 infections, down 248 since yesterday, and 55 Coronavirus-related deaths, up 4 from yesterday. Since April 1, in the latest wave of the virus in Thailand, a total of 1,982,458 confirmed Covid-19 infections have been reported. In the 24 hour period since the last count, the CCSA has reported 7,393 recoveries, up 507 from…

  • Public Health Minister barred entry to Switzerland over vaccine requirements

    Public Health Minister barred entry to Switzerland over vaccine requirements

    Switzerland barred entry to Thailand’s Public Health Minister Anutin Charnvirakul, reportedly for not meeting the country’s Covid-19 vaccination requirements, and Thai media reports that the minister missed a World Health Organisation meeting. Anutin was the first person in Thailand to be injected with a Covid-19 vaccine on February 28, kicking off the country’s mass immunisation campaign. He was injected with…

  • Friday Covid Update: 7,305 new cases; provincial totals

    Friday Covid Update: 7,305 new cases; provincial totals

    51 coronavirus-related deaths were reported by the CCSA today, raising the pandemic’s death toll in Thailand to 19,934 with 19,840 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 7,305 new Covid-19 cases and 7,900 recoveries. There are now 95,804 people in Thailand being treated for…

  • Reopening of bars and nightclubs pushed to mid-January 2022

    Reopening of bars and nightclubs pushed to mid-January 2022

    It’s going to be at least two months until you’ll be able to legally drink a beer at a bar in Thailand… The long-awaited reopening of bars and nightlife venues has been pushed to January 15, 2022. The CCSA held a general meeting chaired by PM Prayut Chan-o-cha today and decided to push back the reopening date for entertainment venues.…

  • List of provinces by the CCSA’s colour-coded zoning, in effect Tuesday

    List of provinces by the CCSA’s colour-coded zoning, in effect Tuesday

    In its general meeting chaired by PM Prayut Chan-o-cha, the CCSA decided to approved the following zoning, starting next Tuesday, November 16. The “dark red” zones have been reduced from seven provinces to six, with Chanthaburi reclassified as a “red” zone under less stringent disease control measures. A spokesperson says the nightly curfew in “dark red” zones from 11pm to…

  • Modern luxury cultivated in Thai tradition

    Modern luxury cultivated in Thai tradition

    Sponsored Article The Thailand International Boat Show is delighted to have the InterContinental Phuket Resort as one of its key exhibitors and sponsors. “It is quite an achievement for the island of Phuket to stage the Thailand International Boat Show 2022 in January as soon as tourism starts to assume normalcy,” says Bjorn Courage, the general manager of the Intercontinental…

  • Shining Stars – brightening young minds since 2008

    Shining Stars – brightening young minds since 2008

    Sponsored Article Shining Stars Kamala is excited to open its doors for its thirteenth year in the community. Shining Stars Kamala is a small progressive preschool and kindergarten located in Phuket, Thailand. This school offers an English-intensive curriculum for local and international students situated between the lush jungle hills and the west coast beach of Phuket. This small school allows…

  • Dogs to help Thailand’s prisoners prepare for reintegration into society

    Dogs to help Thailand’s prisoners prepare for reintegration into society

    Dogs are going to some of Thailand’s prisons as part of a new therapy programme by the Department of Corrections to help psychologically prepare inmates for reintegration into society after release and to improve the mental health of inmates by reducing anxiety and depression. Justice Minister Somsak Thepsuthin also said some convicts will learn vocational skills that could potentially help…

  • Thailand will give fourth vaccine for those who need it for travel

    Thailand will give fourth vaccine for those who need it for travel

    Apart from the growing evident reality of global inequality of access to vaccines, across Thailand there is still a gap where some people are struggling to get access to their first vaccine while others have had their third booster shot already. Now Thailand is beginning a round of fourth Covid-19 vaccine injections for those who require one, mainly for international…

  • Government warns pro-democracy activists to behave

    Government warns pro-democracy activists to behave

    The Thai government has warned pro-democracy activists to cease any activity they see as a threat to the monarchy. Deputy PM Wissanu Krea-ngam issued the warning in the wake of a Constitutional Court ruling that found 3 activists guilty of plotting to overthrow the monarchy. Anon Nampa, Panupong “Mike” Jadnok, and Panusaya “Rung” Sithijirawattanakul all deny the accusations, insisting they…

  • Government considers easing entry rules, antigen testing may replace PCR test

    Government considers easing entry rules, antigen testing may replace PCR test

    In anticipation of more international arrivals in the coming months, the Thai government is reviewing current entry requirements. According to a Bangkok Post report, officials may replace the PCR test with antigen test kits and rules could be relaxed for people unfortunate enough to have sat near an infected passenger during their flight. Any amendment of the current rules would…

  • CCSA meeting tomorrow to revise colour zones and restrictions

    CCSA meeting tomorrow to revise colour zones and restrictions

    Tomorrow the Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration will hold a general meeting to consider possible colour zone adjustments and additional disease control measures for the country. The CCSA meeting will be chaired by PM Prayut Chan-o-cha and will discuss all areas of pandemic management. According to the Government House, the 3 primary topics of tomorrows meetings will be continuing and…

  • Thailand Pass problems? Support beefed up with 24-hour hotlines

    Thailand Pass problems? Support beefed up with 24-hour hotlines

    The Thai government has been touting the success of the Thailand Pass programme while quietly acknowledging a cornucopia of shortcomings and problems users have encountered and publicly complained about. But, due to the high volume of complaints about problems in attempting to register on the Thailand Pass website, the Department of Consular Affairs has beefed up their helplines with a…

  • Government panel created to defend consumers online from fraud

    Government panel created to defend consumers online from fraud

    A new panel was established by The Ministry of Digital Economy and Society, which will be in place to protect online shoppers from fraud. As Thailand’s internet economy experiences massive growth, problems related to online transactions are rising, too. With this panel, the government aims to help protect consumers from these internet scams. Secretary general of the Thailand Consumer Council…