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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Tuesday Covid Update: 9,445 new cases, provincial totals
84 coronavirus-related deaths were reported today, raising the pandemic’s death toll in Thailand 17,835 in 17,741 were during Thailand’s latest wave, which was first recorded on April 1. In the 24-hour period since the last count, the CCSA has reported 9,445 new Covid-19 cases and 11,452 recoveries. There are now 108,174 people receiving treatment for Covid-19. Since the start of…
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Families call on Thai authorities to help teenagers stuck in Myanmar under work contract
A group of parents and grandparents say their teenage children were trafficked to work in Myanmar and are now calling on Thai authorities to bring them back home. The families in Tak’s Mae Sot border district say 10 teenagers, between the ages of 16 and 19, were promised jobs at a casino just across the border in the neighbouring country,…
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Half a million baht in sex toys and products seized in series of raids
Sex toys and sexual enhancement drugs were seized by Thai police in a series of raids in Bangkok and the neighbouring province of Samut Prakan. Thai media reports that a Thai husband and Vietnamese wife were arrested for allegedly importing the products illegally. Officers held a standard press conference, displaying the seized items including boxes of dildos, packages of synthetic…
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Opinion divided on proposed 500 baht tourism tax
A plan to impose a 500 baht “tourism tax” on foreign arrivals from next year has divided opinion among tourism operators. A report by Nikkei Asia says some operators are concerned such a move could deter tourists, just as the country prepares to re-open. One of those is the president of the Thai Hotels Association, Marisa Sukosol Nunbhakdi. “The fee…
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PM Prayut Chan-o-cha’s televised address, translated in English
The following is PM Prayut Chan-o-cha’s televised address to the nation, translated by the Thai government’s public relations department. My fellow citizens, brothers, and sisters: In the last one-and-half years, we have lived with some of the greatest peacetime challenges our country has ever faced in its history, brought about by the Covid-19 pandemic, and one that has left nobody…
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Thailand to lift quarantine for vaccinated tourists from low-risk countries
From November 1, fully vaccinated tourists from at least 10 “low-risk” countries will be allowed enter Thailand without quarantine. According to a Bangkok Post report, the proposal was confirmed by PM Prayut Chan-o-cha in a televised address last night. “The time has come for us to ready ourselves to face the coronavirus and live with it as with other endemic…
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BREAKING: Vaccinated travellers from 10 countries allowed to enter without quarantine starting November 1
Starting November 1, vaccinated travellers from 10 countries, including the US and UK, will be able to enter Thailand without undergoing quarantine, PM Prayut Chan-o-cha announced tonight. Travellers will need to show proof that they are vaccinated against Covid-19 and will need to test negative for the virus both before departure and upon arrival. This is a developing story.
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Police in Central Thailand raid party, arrest 220 teenagers
Police raided a large party in the central province Saraburi and arrested 220 teenagers yesterday for violating Covid-19 prevention measures. Officers say they raided a popular entertainment venue that has been shutdown for years, but the space has been used illegally for underground parties. After an anonymous tip, the Nong Khae Police suppression team searched the venue, and found a…
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Monday Covid Update: 10,035 new cases; provincial totals
60 coronavirus-related deaths were reported today by the CCSA, raising the pandemic’s death toll in Thailand to 17,751 with 17,657 of those fatalities during the latest wave of the virus, which was first recorded on April 1. In the 24-hour period since the last count, the CCSA has reported 10,035 new Covid-19 cases and 10,590 recoveries. There are now 110,265…
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Koh Samui to ease domestic entry restrictions
It’s going to be a little bit easier for domestic travellers to enter Koh Samui… at least for those with the vaccine. Starting Friday, those who are fully vaccinated and arriving to the island off the Surat Thani coast domestically will not need to undergo a Covid-19 test. Koh Samui Governor announced the easing of the domestic entry requirements. The…
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Netflix’s “Squid Game” draws concern from Thai police about impact on youth
Thai police are warning youth to not imitate the violent games from the popular Korean series on Netflix “Squid Game.” With people spending more time at home due to tight restrictions, such as curfews and business closures, people are watching more TV shows and movies. The deputy spokesperson for the Royal Thai Police say they are concerned that the violence…
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Covid-19 cases are rising, not falling – CCSA infection numbers called into doubt
The Covid-19 infection numbers being reported by the CCSA are being called into question by the Rural Doctors Society. According to a Thai PBS World report, the RDS argues that the number of daily new cases is going up, not down. According to the report, the society says that yesterday, the CCSA reported 2 figures for new cases – 10,817…
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Workers’ rights group calls for “special leave” for Covid-19 patients
An employee rights group says the government should create “special leave” for workers recovering from Covid-19. Suthasinee Kaewleklai from the Migrant Workers Rights Network says that currently, employers are deducting the time from annual leave and sick leave. With leave entitlements maxing out at 30 days, many workers find all their time off is being used up on Covid-19. “Once…
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Communities around the Chao Phraya River see more flooding
Around Thailand, riverside communities have been plagued with flooding as the high tides have raised water levels on the Chao Phraya River. In Nonthaburi and Pathum Thani, there are no floodwalls and residents are being warned against possible flooding again today. The Chao Phraya River will likely reach its highest level of the year with today’s high tide, bringing flooding…
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NIDA poll calls for PM Prayut to quit, House dissolve, Cabinet reshuffle
With the upcoming election, a new poll from the National Institute of Development Administration found that 40% of people feel PM Prayut Chan-o-cha should announce he is quitting as prime minister by next August. The NIDA poll asked political opinions from 1,311 people of various occupations and educations levels nationwide by phone on October 5 to 8. The poll addressed…
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Political parties begin to name their nominees for prime minister
Names are beginning to be thrown around as each political party plans their nomination for the next prime minister of Thailand. The Palang Pracharath Party currently ruling have chosen to nominate current prime minister PM Prayut Chan-o-cha, who does not belong to a political party, instead of their own party leader, though rumours say they are preparing one or two…
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November reopening to international tourists predicts 1.5 trillion baht
Bangkok and areas in 4 key provinces are set to reopen on November 1 and the government is predicting that will lead to 1.5 trillion baht in tourism revenue for 2022. The goal is to open without quarantine restrictions for international tourists, barring any unforeseen surge in Covid-19 infections too dire to contain. A government spokesperson said that a total…
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Thailand nabs many spots in Conde Nast Traveler’s annual list
Despite the decimated tourism economy due to Covid-19, Conde Nast Traveler still ranks locations in Thailand amongst the top in the world in their annual Readers’ Choice Awards. Bangkok was ranked 9th in the world’s “Best Big Cities” while 3 of the top 10 islands of Asia were located in Thailand, and Hua Hin earned a nod for having the…
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Sunday Covid-19 Update: 84 deaths, 10,817 new infections
Today, the CCSA reported 10,817 new Covid-19 infections, a change of +187 since yesterday, and 84 Coronavirus-related deaths, a change of +11 from yesterday. Since April 1, in the latest wave of the virus in Thailand, a total of 1,682,021 confirmed Covid-19 infections have been reported. In the 24 hour period since the last count, the CCSA has reported 9,981…
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FTI warns Thailand must reopen to international tourists
With such a long time since tourists were welcomed into Thailand, the Federation of Thai Industries fears that potential tourists may be wandering away from Thailand. The FTI chairman warned that the window may be closing to still attract these travellers. They say absence makes the heart grow fonder, but as Thailand’s closure to most international travellers stretches to more…
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Viral LINE post among students claims Pfizer vaccine is a killer
A viral message by teenage groups being spread on the LINE application claiming that the Pfizer vaccination program for young people is a tool for committing genocide has been strongly condemned by the government. A campaign to vaccinate students between the ages of 12 and 17 with the Pfizer vaccine was put in place to safely reopen schools in November.…
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Covid-19 restrictions eased: domestic flights can fly full
The Ministry of Public Health says domestic airlines will have their capacity limits lifted and be allowed to fly full planes after the Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration agreed to remove the limit. Until this new Covid-19 decree, flights were limited to 75% maximum capacity. The director for emergency health hazards and diseases warned that the easing of capacities does…
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Why investing in Thailand property is a great idea
Besides being a tropical paradise, there are many other reasons to invest in Thailand property. As the country has shown strong and consistent growth in recent years, housing and land prices continue to rise. And, as many expats continue to choose Thailand, finding a dream home here at a fraction of the price is often very possible. Additionally, average property…
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Saturday Covid-19 Update: Death back under 100, cases down
Today, the CCSA reported 10,630 new Covid-19 infections, a change of -510 since yesterday, and 73 Coronavirus-related deaths, a change of -43 from yesterday. Since April 1, in the latest wave of the virus in Thailand, a total of 1,671,204 confirmed Covid-19 infections have been reported. In the 24 hour period since the last count, the CCSA has reported 10,542…
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Customers at Isaan restaurant face 2 months in jail for drinking alcohol
Customers drinking alcohol at a restaurant in the Isaan province Nakhon Ratchasima reportedly face two-month prison sentences and a 12,500 baht fine. The Bangkok Post reported that Thai police raided the restaurant on Wednesday night and arrested 39 people including customers and staff. Police say the bar was open past the hours set by emergency orders and was serving alcohol.…
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Tropical storms Lionrock and Kompasu expected to bring extra rain to Thailand
Get ready for more rain over the next week, just about everywhere around Thailand. Two large tropical storm systems are predicted to pass through Thailand early next week. The storms, named Lionrock and Kompasu, are anticipated to make landfall on Monday. The National Water Command Centre reports that the storms will affect the Northeast and Central regions of Thailand, but…
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Friday Covid Update: 11,140 new cases; provincial totals
116 coronavirus-related deaths were reported today by the CCSA, raising the pandemic’s death toll in Thailand to 17,534 with 17,440 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 has recorded 11,140 new Covid-19 cases and 9,933 recoveries. There are now 110,113 people being treated…
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School textbook calls democracy “corrupt”, supports dictatorship
A story that has gone viral in Thai social media over the last few days raised ire over a grammar textbook that called democracy corrupt and endorsed dictatorship. The textbook turned out to be published originally in 2008, was last published in 2012, and was removed from approval for use in classroom learning in 2016. The original post was shared…
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TAT 80% revenue recovery plan: get travellers to spend double
While the Tourism Authority of Thailand admits the revenue figures for 2021 are grim and likely won’t improve monumentally in the final quarter, they still have a rosy outlook on the tourism market rebounding over the next few years. The TAT is estimating that by 2023 tourism revenue will have recovered to 80% of the huge numbers seen at its…
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Thailand hotels hopeful on reopening, short-term focus on domestic travellers
With Thailand’s traditional high season approaching, along with plans to reopen more key tourist destinations, hotels and hospitality groups are hoping that the arrival of more tourists this year will provide a much needed boost to the economy. This is especially the case in Bangkok, which is traditionally so reliant on tourism. But with reopening plans having been delayed repeatedly,…
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