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Thailand news, politics, business, crime, lifestyle, and tourism—stay updated with breaking news and in-depth analysis from Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Pattaya, and beyond.
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Sponsored Digital nomading in Chiang Mai? What US$1,000 a month really gets you
Chiang Mai has become a popular destination for digital nomads due to its low living costs, rich culture, and active remote work community. The city offers affordable housing, tasty food, reliable internet, and many co-working spaces, making it a great...
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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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16 million baht worth of knockoff clothing in Bangkok warehouse
A search of a business in southwestern Bangkok yesterday after a tip-off about low-quality knockoff goods being sold online led to the arrest of a Chinese man with 16 million baht of merchandise stored in his warehouse. The Economic Crime Division Police obtained a search warrant for a warehouse on Soi Sakaengam 39/2 in Bang Khun Thian and then raided…
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Police volunteer arrested for assault, abduction of estranged wife
Last night police in Muang district of Buri Ram arrested a police volunteer accused of assault and abduction of his estranged wife after threatening her, handcuffing her and dragging her away from her relatives. While the woman was later set free, she suffered serious bruising on her body. The police volunteer is nicknamed Elephant and police picked him up at…
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Kenya: Students make smart air purifier from bamboo
A cheap solution to what is, at times, an invisible problem. Klind Air is a smart air purifier made of bamboo. It was developed by these Kenyan students. David, Caroline and Tonny want to bring the product to market. The filter can be used at home, and in cars and offices. It also monitors indoor air quality. Indoor air pollution…
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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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If vaccinations continue as planned, Health Ministry says Covid could be “under control” by January
The Public Health Ministry has announced that if vaccinations continue at the expected rate, the Covid-19 crisis in Thailand could be essentially “under control” by January 1. As the number of vaccines available steadily increases, the hope is that higher rates of vaccination in the country will allow Thailand’s vital tourism industry to reopen further. The ministry’s permanent secretary, Kiattiphum…
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Booster vaccine recipients yesterday included Pattaya Mayor
At a vaccination campaign in Pattaya yesterday, Pattaya City Mayor Sonthaya Khunploem was spotted receiving his third vaccine booster shot and encouraging others to do so. The event took place at Pattaya City 2 school and health officials administered AstraZeneca booster shots for those who had 2 injections of Sinovac previously. The event also provided second doses of the Sinopharm…
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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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Chanthaburi bans all alcohol as Covid-19 infections surge
The governor of the Eastern province of Chanthaburi has issued an order to ban all sales of alcohol after a surge in Covid-19 infections. The governor says the order is meant to limit gatherings and parties by making it illegal to drink at those events and making it difficult to procure alcohol even. The order has been put into effect…
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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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Krabi received 500,000 doses towards its 100% vaccination goal
Krabi has received 500,000 vaccines from the Ministry of Public Health as the province begins its reopening plan and pushes towards vaccination goals. Krabi, along with Phang Nga, joined Phuket and the Koh Samui islands as Sandbox destinations that international travellers could arrive into for a 7-day soft quarantine before being allowed to travel freely throughout Thailand. Right now, the…
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Friday Covid Update: 11,140 new cases and 116 deaths
Today, the CCSA reported 11,140 new Covid-19 cases and 116 coronavirus-related deaths. Since April 1, in the latest wave of the virus in Thailand, the CCSA has reported a total of 1,660,574 confirmed Covid-19 infections. In the 24-hour period since the last count, the CCSA has recorded 9,933 recoveries. There are now 110,113 people being treated for Covid-19 in Thailand.…
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Covid infections climbing in South, officials say curve should flatten within a month
The Public Health Ministry says that while Covid-19 infections are rising in the south of the country, numbers are expected to level off within a month. According to a Bangkok Post report, Dr Thongchai Lertwilairattanapong says the Delta variant accounts for around 30% of infections in the region, although the Beta variant is more prevalent in Yala, Pattani, Narathiwat, and…
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Thai Lion Air adds more aircraft to fleet as Thailand plans further re-opening
Thai Lion Air is expanding its fleet as Thailand plans to re-open more parts of the country to international travel. The carrier’s chief executive, Aswin Yangkirativorn, says the expanded fleet, which includes 2 Airbus aircraft and 2 Boeing 737s, will serve international destinations. The airline has already taken delivery of the Airbus aircraft, with the Boeing delivery expected before the…
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Thailand to be removed from UK red list from Monday
Thailand is being removed from Britain’s red list, meaning no more hotel quarantine for arrivals from the kingdom. Earlier this week, the UK ditched its advice against non-essential travel for 32 countries, but left Thailand and others on the red list. Now, that list will be cut to just 7 countries from Monday, with Thailand and 46 others coming off.…
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UN targets on Afghan resettlements ‘doable’ says EU, but without commitments
EU member states failed Thursday to commit to a United Nations Refugee Agency (UNHCR) demand for governments to resettle 42,500 Afghans who need protection over the next 5 years. Speaking after a EU-hosted online forum, European Commissioner for Migration Ylva Johansson said the target is “doable” but that it requires EU member states to make pledges. “Countries will also take…
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Africalink on Air – 07 October 2021
South Africa’s Archbishop Desmond Tutu turns 90 +++ UN endorses world’s 1st malaria vaccine as ‘historic moment.’ What impact for Africa +++ Tanzania’s writer Abdulrazak Gurnah wins Nobel Prize for Literature +++ Nigeria’s president presents over 16 trillion Naira 2022 budget to the national assembly +++ Coups in Africa – what gains for young people? SOURCE: DW News
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Inside Europe 07.10.2021
Hidden cash and dodgy dealings: a Pandora’s box of offshore tax theft – Protectors or predators? Two institutions gone awry: the French Catholic Church and the British police – A spot of predictive virology looking ahead to another COVID winter- Turkey clamps down on social media – A Danish artist takes the money and runs – Two tales of two…
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Are Rwanda’s dads ready for paternity leave?
Compared to elsewhere in Africa, Rwanda has relatively generous maternity benefits. Women who are formally employed are entitled to full pay for 12 weeks after giving birth and if they have delivery complications, they can take an additional month off. Now a coalition of civil society organizations is pushing to extend paid parental leave to Rwanda’s men, who currently only…
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Chulabhorn Royal Academy rolls out booster vaccines
Booster shot registration has begun for Chulabhorn Royal Academy as they prepare to launch their drive to give third vaccines on October 20. The first round will be for those who received 2 injections of Sinovac and the second round will be for AstraZeneca vaccine recipients. Moderna and Sinopharm booster shots will commence 9 days later for special organisations and…
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Why are tensions increasing between China and Taiwan?
China’s military flew tens of fighter aircraft as many as 149 times toward Taiwan in recent days, in what is the most recent attempt at putting pressure on the self-governing island by displaying Beijing’s military might. Even though all flights were in international airspace, they prompted Taiwanese defense forces to scramble jets in response and raised fears that any miscalculation…
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Police raid Korat restaurant after curfew with live music, booze
In the northern province of Nakhon Ratchasima, 39 people were arrested as police raided a restaurant breaking several Covid-19 rules and restrictions. The raid took place last night in Muang district at around 10:30 pm. Health and administrative officials accompanied the police to the Lamer Restaurant & Karaoke on Sirinakhon Road where they found 28 customers inside and 11 staff…
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Frequently asked questions about teaching in Thailand
Many travellers who wish to teach in Thailand definitely have questions about the whole process. From visas to degrees, to being a native English speaker, we have the most pertinent information for you below on working as an educator in Thailand. The most frequently asked questions are listed, along with answers to help guide you in your job search. 1.…
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Nakhon Si Thammarat police: don’t throw eggs at PM Prayut
Perhaps in an effort to do some damage control for today’s visit from PM Prayut Chan-o-cha to inspect flood preparedness in the Southern province of Nakhon Si Thammarat, the provincial police released an official warning notice instructing people to be on good behaviour for the prime minister’s visit. After several stops of his flood surveying tour has been met by…
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12 children and a journalist held in riot police officer shooting
A group of 13 people were held for questioning at Din Daeng flats in Bangkok in the early hours of this morning after an incident late last night saw a riot policeman shot. The group rounded up by police consisted of one staff member of an independent media organisation and 12 teenagers and younger children. Tensions have been rising in…
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6 warrants out for death of 1 million swiftlets, theft of bird’s nest
Six arrests have been made in connection with the shocking story last month of caves raided in Phatthalung where 1 million swiftlets were killed and their valuable birds’ nest plundered. Swiftlets, unlike other birds, make their nests entirely out of their own saliva which has been prized, especially in Asian culture, as a healing delicacy. Authorities estimated a 5 billion…
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A guide to finding the best real estate agent for your property
Finding a real estate agent to help you sell your property is an important decision. And, it is apparent after a quick search on the internet, that there are many who offer world-class services. But, how do you know which agent follows through on their services offered? Or which agent makes the process the least stressful? Such things as a…
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Weekly Phuket Covid-19 Update: Deaths and infections slowing
Over the past week in Phuket, Covid-19 daily infections have been slowly decreasing with 165 new infections today and no new deaths. But Sandbox infections have been creeping up with 20 new infections found in international travellers over the past week. Daily infections peaked September 21 with 254 new cases that day, and by the end of September, finally fell…
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Quarantine hotel near Suvarnabhumi airport evacuated after fire
A fire erupted at an alternative quarantine hotel in Samut Prakan, just southeast of Bangkok. Yesterday night, around 80 people evacuated the building when they noticed black smoke. The hotel provides accommodation for the mandatory 14-day quarantine for those entering Thailand from overseas. No injures were reported. The fire took place at the Siam Mandarina Hotel Suvarnabhumi on King Kaew…
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