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.

  • Sponsored

    Thailand health insurance that covers chronic conditions: What expats need to know

    The Thaiger key takeaways Managing chronic conditions in Thailand requires health insurance that covers specialist visits, medications, tests, and hospital stays. Cigna offers high-coverage plans with access to top hospitals, direct billing, and telemedicine support for convenient long-term care. Expats...

  • Government reveals Thailand’s 2022 tourism slogan | Thaiger

    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…

  • Who is The Thaiger? | Thaiger

    Who is The Thaiger?

    Formed in 2018 as a digital rebrand of The Phuket Gazette, one of Thailand’s largest and most well-known English language regional print newspapers, The Thaiger expanded beyond local Phuket news, going nationwide. Our Thai language offering was launched just a year later and has long since surpassed the readership of the English news, with local Thais coming to read about…

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

    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 | Thaiger

    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…

  • Ex-police chief, lawyer accused of involvement in altering Red Bull heir hit-and-run report | Thaiger

    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…

  • Prayut visits flooding Nonthaburi today, Chaiyaphum yesterday | Thaiger

    Prayut visits flooding Nonthaburi today, Chaiyaphum yesterday

    PM Prayut Chan-o-cha is scheduled to visit the flooding in areas of Nonthaburi province this afternoon according to a government spokesperson. The prime minister is visiting along with his delegation to survey the damage and inspect the situation on the ground. The group will start at the pier of the Pak Kret municipal office and board a boat to navigate…

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

    “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 | Thaiger

    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…

  • Opposition accused of misinterpreting how long PM has left in office | Thaiger

    Opposition accused of misinterpreting how long PM has left in office

    A spokesperson from the PM’s Secretariat Office has slammed opposition parties for trying to end the PM’s term prematurely. Thippanan Sirichana accuses opposition MPs of trying to damage Prayut Chan-o-cha’s reputation because they’re concerned he might score a second term in office. According to a Bangkok Post report, the confrontation is the result of a difference of opinion as to…

  • Plans for digital or crypto assets – the TAT Coin – to grow tourism | Thaiger

    Plans for digital or crypto assets – the TAT Coin – to grow tourism

    The Tourism Authority of Thailand is considering jumping into the world of digital assets by launching its own tourism-based utility token called the TAT Coin. Crypto is often looked at as the way of the future, and traders are considered high-value, big-spending tourists, especially those that work as digital nomads and stay long-term. Discussions are underway with the Securities and…

  • Court rules for Health Ministry, calls dual pricing beneficial | Thaiger

    Court rules for Health Ministry, calls dual pricing beneficial

    In a closely-followed court case, the Administrative Court in Phetchaburi ruled that multi-tiered “dual pricing” in Thai hospitals are not discriminatory as they benefit Thailand, according to the media outlet Coconuts Bangkok. Ewrin Buse, who sued the Ministry of Public Health after discovering he was being charged more for his cancer treatment as a foreigner, vowed to appeal the decision.…

  • New tax to raise cigarette prices by around 8 baht per pack | Thaiger

    New tax to raise cigarette prices by around 8 baht per pack

    Packs of cigarettes are going to get a little more expensive. The Thai Cabinet just approved a new excise tax structure for cigarettes. Retail prices for a pack are expected to rise by 6 to 8 baht. The Finance Minister says the new tax structure is expected to go into effect on Friday, but it still needs to be published…

  • Education Ministry apologises for fake flood photo | Thaiger

    Education Ministry apologises for fake flood photo

    After publishing an edited photo of the Deputy Education Minister wading in floodwaters, the Education Ministry has released a formal apology. Posting yesterday on their Facebook page, the ministry acknowledged the false information. The photo was posted yesterday showing the deputy education minister knee-deep in floodwaters, with a caption stating that she visited the areas that have been flooded as…

  • Constitutional Court delays ruling in landmark marriage equality case | Thaiger

    Constitutional Court delays ruling in landmark marriage equality case

    Thailand’s Constitutional Court has postponed ruling on marriage equality, according to the Foundation for Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity Rights and Justice. The foundation, better known as the FOR-SOGI organisation, says the ruling has been postponed until December 14. According to a Bangkok Post report, the case concerns section 1448 of Thailand’s Civil and Commercial Code. The court was asked…

  • Wednesday Covid Update: 10,414 new cases and 122 deaths | Thaiger

    Wednesday Covid Update: 10,414 new cases and 122 deaths

    Today, the CCSA reported 10,414 new Covid-19 cases and 122 coronavirus related deaths. Since April 1, in Thailand’s latest wave of the virus, the CCSA has reported 1,562,966 confirmed Covid-19 cases.  In the past 24-hours since the last count, 11,580 recoveries have been recorded. There are now 115,423  people in Thailand currently receiving treatment for Covid-19.  Out of the new cases reported…

  • Thai Airways to resume flights to countries with high vaccination rates | Thaiger

    Thai Airways to resume flights to countries with high vaccination rates

    Thai Airways says it will start selling seats on flights to highly-vaccinated destinations from October 1.  The struggling national carrier expects to resume flights to the UK, France, and Germany, as well as Japan and Australia. The Bangkok Post reports that airline bosses made the decision after several destinations reported vaccination rates of around 70%. Airline spokesman, Chai Eamsiri, says…

  • Covid-19 Wednesday Update: 10,414 infections, 122 deaths | Thaiger

    Covid-19 Wednesday Update: 10,414 infections, 122 deaths

    Today, the Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration reported 122 deaths down from yesterday, but a jump from Monday when Coronavirus deaths neared the 100 mark.  10,414 new infections were recorded, an increase of nearly 1000 from yesterday which saw the first day under 10,000 since mid-July. Since April 1, in Thailand’s latest wave of virus, the CCSA has recorded 1,562,966…

  • Siam Piwat benchmarks MICE industry with “Virtual  Inspection” solution, to reinforce its ‘The Icon of Innovative Lifestyle’ vision | Thaiger

    Siam Piwat benchmarks MICE industry with “Virtual Inspection” solution, to reinforce its ‘The Icon of Innovative Lifestyle’ vision

    Press Release Siam Piwat launches “Virtual Inspection” and “Online Reservation” for its convention spaces, a MICE industry benchmark. Offering absolute exhibition and event destinations, now event organizers from across the globe can virtually inspect the convention spaces and conveniently make instant online reservations. (Bangkok, 28 September 2021) Siam Piwat Co.,Ltd is the owner and operator of global retail destinations –…

  • Health Ministry predicts infections will fall to 5,000 a day by end of October | Thaiger

    Health Ministry predicts infections will fall to 5,000 a day by end of October

    Daily new Covid-19 infections are expected to fall to around 5,000 a day by the end of October, according to a Public Health Ministry spokesman. However, Dr. Kiattiphum Wongrajit remains concerned that they could rise again, due to a number of factors. The Bangkok Post reports that the emergence of infection clusters and the arrival of new variants are still…

  • More guidelines announced for schools reopening | Thaiger

    More guidelines announced for schools reopening

    Guidelines from the Ministry of Education for the reopening of schools say that 85% of teachers must be fully vaccinated before schools can resume a hybrid of onsite and online learning. Class size is limited to 25 students and they must stay 1.5 metres apart. The 85% aspect of the guidelines had previously been mentioned about 2 weeks prior. The…

  • Tuesday Covid Update: 9,489 new cases; provincial totals | Thaiger

    Tuesday Covid Update: 9,489 new cases; provincial totals

    129 coronavirus-related deaths were reported today by the Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration, raising the pandemic’s death toll in Thailand to 16,498 with 16,404 of those fatalities recorded in the country’s latest wave since April 1.  9,489 new Covid-19 cases were recorded today, the first time cases have been under 10,000 over the past several weeks. Since the start of…

  • Nearly 200 police have been found guilty of misconduct this year | Thaiger

    Nearly 200 police have been found guilty of misconduct this year

    PM Prayut Chan-o-cha is demanding immediate and severe action be taken against police officers who are found guilty of misconduct. Since January, 176 Royal Thai Police officers have been found guilty of misconduct. The prime minister met with the Royal Thai Police Bureau yesterday to discuss the most recent cases of police misconduct. The Royal Thai Police says that since…

  • 6 dead and 30 provinces affected by tropical storm ‘Dianmu’ | Thaiger

    6 dead and 30 provinces affected by tropical storm ‘Dianmu’

    The tropical storm Dianmu, which passed through northern Thaiand last week, has resulted in flooding across 30 provinces and has claimed 6 lives since September 23. The report says Dianmu has resulted in reported flooding in Chiang Mai, Lamphun, Lampang, Tak, Sukhothai, Phitsanulok, Phetchabun, Phichit, Kamphaeng Phet, Loei, Khon Kaen, Chaiyaphum, Yasothon, Nakhon Ratchasima, Buri Ram, Surin, Si Sa Ket,…

  • St. Andrews International School, joins global event for children’s wellbeing | Thaiger

    St. Andrews International School, joins global event for children’s wellbeing

    Press Release On 30 September, St. Andrews International School, Sathorn has planned activities involving the entire school community of children, parents and employees to mark Global Be Well Day, a worldwide event led by Cognita, the group of 85 schools of which St. Andrews Sathorn school is a member. Over 58,000 children around the world will be taking part to…

  • Thailand’s reopening divided into 4 phases | Thaiger

    Thailand’s reopening divided into 4 phases

    Thailand is looking toward the future as the Center for Covid-19 Situation Administration announced yesterday its plan to gradually reopen the country. The CCSA’s plan consists of 4 phases that take into consideration tourism revenue, geography, and Covid preventive measures. Pilot phase: October 1 to October 31. Phuket, Surat Thani, including Koh Samui, Koh Pha-ngan and Koh Tao islands. Phang…

  • Thai PM hit with 50-million-baht lawsuit from angry restaurant operators | Thaiger

    Thai PM hit with 50-million-baht lawsuit from angry restaurant operators

    The Thai PM is being sued for 50 million baht by a restaurant group which is also representing 39 other restaurant operators. The Bangkok Post reports that the Never Ending Summer Co has filed a class-action suit against Prayut Chan-o-cha, seeking compensation for financial losses endured as a result of the government’s alleged mismanagement of Covid-19. The Civil Court issued…

  • Tuesday Covid Update: 9,489 new cases and 129 deaths | Thaiger

    Tuesday Covid Update: 9,489 new cases and 129 deaths

    Today, the Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration reported 9,489 new cases and 129 coronavirus-related deaths. Since April 1, in Thailand’s latest wave of virus, the CCSA has recorded 1,552,552 confirmed covid-19 infections. In the 24-hour period since the last count, the CCSA has reported 12,805 recoveries. There are now 116,711  people in Thailand currently receiving treatment for Covid-19. Out of…

  • Central Thailand told to prepare for possible flooding | Thaiger

    Central Thailand told to prepare for possible flooding

    Officials from Bangkok and the nearby provinces of Nonthaburi and Pathum Thani are being told to prepare for possible flooding, following the Royal Irrigation Department’s decision to accelerate the discharge rate of water from the Chao Phraya Dam in Chai Nat in expectation of more rain. Thanakorn Tantikul, director of the Ayutthaya irrigation projects says the move was made to…

  • Police say new approach is needed to fight crime using a combination of technology and community participation | Thaiger

    Police say new approach is needed to fight crime using a combination of technology and community participation

    15 police stations across the country are participating in an innovative project that joins technology with an interpersonal approach to tackle crime. National police chief Suwat Jangyodsuk says police must reevaluate how they fight crime. He insists police must be knowledgeable and study modern policing. Suwat says educated police work more efficiently in what can be a fluid social environment.…

  • Monday Covid Update: 10,288 new cases; provincial totals | Thaiger

    Monday Covid Update: 10,288 new cases; provincial totals

    101 new coronavirus-related deaths were reported today by the Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration, raising the pandemic’s death toll in Thailand to 16,369. The country’s latest wave, which was first recorded on April 1, has accounted for 16,275 of those fatalities. In the 24-hour period since the last count, the CCSA recorded 10,288 new Covid-19 cases and 12,494 recoveries. Thailand…