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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. The Thaiger delivers the latest national news that matters.

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    10 biggest challenges retirees face in Thailand (and how to overcome them)

    Retiring in Thailand comes with many benefits, like warm weather, affordable living, and a rich culture. However, it also brings challenges. Retirees must deal with visa rules, healthcare costs, language barriers, and cultural differences. Rising medical expenses, required insurance, and...

  • Who are the Tigray fighters, and why is Ethiopia at war with them?

    Who are the Tigray fighters, and why is Ethiopia at war with them?

    Since early November 2020, the Ethiopian government and Tigray fighters have been exchanging fire in a conflict that has claimed thousands of lives and has left more than 400,000 people facing famine, according to a recent UN estimate. The conflict has escalated rapidly since June, when fighters began to retake most of Tigray and expand into neighboring regions. The fighters…

  • Phuket officials prepare for road accidents with 17 new banners

    Phuket officials prepare for road accidents with 17 new banners

    Phuket disaster officials are working on a public awareness campaign to try to reduce road accidents, especially with an expected influx of tourists after Thailand’s reopening on November 1. The plans were drawn up in Phuket Town at the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Center Region 18 headquarters during a meeting of the Phuket Road Safety Committee. The meeting…

  • Chiang Mai airport welcomes first international flight, 83 tourists

    Chiang Mai airport welcomes first international flight, 83 tourists

    Chiang Mai has officially joined Thailand’s big reopening launch as the first international flight brought tourists to the “Charming Chiang Mai” programme. After nearly 2 years of being closed to international flights, Chiang Mai Airport welcomed a flight of 83 travellers from South Korea last night. The first flight was operated by Korean carrier Jeju Air and departed from Seoul’s…

  • Department of Corrections fires 10 prison officials for misconduct

    Department of Corrections fires 10 prison officials for misconduct

    10 prison officials have been dismissed by the Department of Corrections after a variety of serious breaches of conduct have been investigated. The dismissals range from smuggling to gross negligence and misconduct relating to 5 murders, and authorities fear that the egregious misconduct has shaken people’s confidence in the Department and the prison system. The Director-General of the DoC detailed…

  • Covid-19 SATURDAY UPDATE: Provincial totals

    Covid-19 SATURDAY UPDATE: Provincial totals

    Today, the CCSA reported 8,467 new Covid-19 infections, up 317 since yesterday, and 69 Coronavirus-related deaths, down 11 from yesterday. Since April 1, in the latest wave of the virus in Thailand, a total of 1,931,166 confirmed Covid-19 infections have been reported. In the 24 hour period since the last count, the CCSA has reported 8,288 recoveries, up 50 from…

  • Paxlovid by Pfizer reduces Covid-19 hospitalisation, death by 89%

    Paxlovid by Pfizer reduces Covid-19 hospitalisation, death by 89%

    Hot on the tail of Merck winning approval for use in the UK for its anti-viral Molnupiravir pill treatment, Pfizer announced yesterday that clinical trials show their new drug, Paxlovid, to be highly effective in treating Covid-19. The pharmaceutical giant was quick to point out that their pill was developed with the specific goal of fighting Covid-19, unlike the Merck…

  • Thailand now equipped to perform 120,000 RT-PCR tests daily

    Thailand now equipped to perform 120,000 RT-PCR tests daily

    The Department of Medical Sciences has been ramping up their testing capabilities and have declared it can now perform 120,000 RT-PCR Covid-19 tests per day. They say it can complete the tests and offer results within 24 hours at any of their 443 active labs that are certified to conduct the tests. Anyone travelling to Thailand is already required to…

  • COVID-19 SATURDAY: 69 deaths, 79 million vaccines given

    COVID-19 SATURDAY: 69 deaths, 79 million vaccines given

    Today, the CCSA reported 8,467 new Covid-19 infections, up 317 since yesterday, and 69 Coronavirus-related deaths, down 11 from yesterday. Since April 1, in the latest wave of the virus in Thailand, a total of 1,931,166 confirmed Covid-19 infections have been reported. In the 24 hour period since the last count, the CCSA has reported 8,288 recoveries, up 50 from…

  • Africalink 05.11.21 – 16 UTC – MP3-Stereo

    Africalink 05.11.21 – 16 UTC – MP3-Stereo

    Ethiopia rebels ‘join forces to defeat Abiy government +++ Preparations are in top gear in Cameroon for tomorrows celebration of Paul Biya’s 39 years in power, but his opponents see it as a mockery. +++ Nigeria state votes in key test for the presidential race++++Sports SOURCE: DW News

  • Thailand reopening sees 13,000 travellers, 10 Covid-19 infections

    Thailand reopening sees 13,000 travellers, 10 Covid-19 infections

    After the first 4 days of Thailand’s big reopening, over 13,000 people have arrived with just 10 of those travellers testing positive for Covid-19. According to the Director of Risk Communication and Health Behavior Development Bureau from the Ministry of Public Health Dr Sumanee Watcharasin, 13,229 people have entered Thailand in the last 4 days, and 10 international travellers –…

  • Will Russia’s new push in ASEAN be another failure?

    Will Russia’s new push in ASEAN be another failure?

    Speaking at the fourth Russia-ASEAN summit, Russian President Vladimir Putin reiterated his country’s eagerness to boost cooperation with Southeast Asian nations. Moscow has made similar pledges almost annually since Putin announced a new eastward-looking foreign policy in 2010. “Russian interest in its far eastern flank remains unchanged since Peter the Great: access to the region’s development and prosperity,” said Joshua…

  • Thailand Pass – The Full Guide

    Thailand Pass – The Full Guide

    All you need to know about the Thailand Pass. Here’s the website for the Thailand Pass. tp.consular.go.th ___________________________________________________________________________________________________ If you need assistance with your Thailand Pass application you can enlist the services of AQ.in.th Team by using their Full Service Thailand Pass service (average approval time 12-48 hours).  

  • Thai woman found dead in bathroom of Koh Larn resort

    Thai woman found dead in bathroom of Koh Larn resort

    A Thai woman on holiday on the resort island of Koh Larn near Pattaya was found dead in her bathroom, according to the Pattaya Police. The 26 year old woman was staying at a resort, the name of which has not been released pending further investigation, near Sangwan Beach on the tropical island. The woman was staying with 2 friends…

  • Police say there’s enough evidence to convict “Joe Ferrari” on all 4 charges

    Police say there’s enough evidence to convict “Joe Ferrari” on all 4 charges

    The Royal Thai Police say they have gathered enough evidence to convict the former police superintendent “Joe Ferrari” on all four charges he faces, including killing by torture, which carries a maximum penalty of death. The officer, Thitisan Uthanapol, is accused of suffocating a suspect to death while demanding a 2 million baht bribe. The police handed over a 2,000+…

  • Pattaya Music Festival begins tonight under Covid-19 safety measures

    Pattaya Music Festival begins tonight under Covid-19 safety measures

    The Pattaya Music Festival is set to begin tonight… but don’t expect packed crowds and beer. Rather than the audiences squeezing tight to get close to the stage, last year, attendees sat in chairs with each seat placed a certain distance apart to prevent the spread of Covid-19. With Thailand still experiencing a wave of the coronavirus, the festival needed…

  • Friday Covid Update: 8,148 new cases; provincial totals

    Friday Covid Update: 8,148 new cases; provincial totals

    80 coronavirus-related deaths were reported by the CCSA today, raising the pandemic’s death toll in Thailand to 19,542 with 19,448 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 8,148 new Covid-19 cases and 8,238 recoveries. There are now 97,480 people in Thailand being…

  • Covid-19 subsiding in Philippines drops capital region to Alert Level 2

    Covid-19 subsiding in Philippines drops capital region to Alert Level 2

    As Covid-19 infections start to slow in the Philippines, Metro Manila and the capital region will reduce their restriction rating to Alert Level 2 out of 5. The easing will be in effect until November 21 as vaccination rates are increasing and daily infections are subsiding. The country is still reporting close to 2,000 infections per day, though yesterday say…

  • Police to crack down on politically motivated crimes during local elections

    Police to crack down on politically motivated crimes during local elections

    Local elections are serious in Thailand… So serious that police plan to deploy tens of thousands of officers during the November 28 sub district polls to crack down on politically motivated crimes and violations of local election law as well as to prevent clashes between candidates. In the past, crimes and violations driven by local politics have ranged from destroying…

  • Pattaya police see no proof of alcohol in restaurant, but customers fled

    Pattaya police see no proof of alcohol in restaurant, but customers fled

    Like teenagers at a house party, customers ran from a restaurant near Bali Hai as Pattaya City Police raided the business looking for illegal alcohol service. The raid happened at 9 pm last night as police made the rounds, inspecting businesses and making sure restaurants were obeying the continued ban on alcohol sales and consumption now that it has been…

  • Why great coffee is an office must-have

    Why great coffee is an office must-have

    Press Release Why do we need coffee at the office? This is not a rhetorical question. Do we need to socialize with team members and customers? Do we need it because it boosts our energy which helps us be more productive? Do we need it because it’s our craving? Do we need it because it’s the icebreaker in meetings? Or,…

  • Want to come to Thailand? Here’s the process and required documents – VIDEO

    Want to come to Thailand? Here’s the process and required documents – VIDEO

    Thailand has officially reopened to vaccinated travellers from overseas. Those travelling from countries considered by the Thai government to be at a low risk of Covid-19 are eligible for quarantine exemption, with just a minimal isolation period for visitors at their hotel as they wait for Covid-19 test results. Those from other countries can enter under a Sandbox programme or…

  • Thai woman’s bedtime routine rudely interrupted by giant King Cobra

    Thai woman’s bedtime routine rudely interrupted by giant King Cobra

    A 3-metre long King Cobra recently slithered into a 55 year old Thai woman’s bed in southeastern Thailand, giving her a not-so-fun surprise. The woman, Janhom Bamrungchai, says she was in the bathroom, when the snake made its move to enter her home and hide in her bed. She was shocked upon finding it and called emergency services to remove…

  • Thailand International Boat Show to kick-start luxury tourism revival

    Thailand International Boat Show to kick-start luxury tourism revival

    Press Release International boat brands, superyachts, supercars, luxury real estate and more are on display to thousands of expected visitors from Thailand and overseas. Phuket, Thailand, 29 October 2021 – The Thailand International Boat Show will take place at the award-winning Royal Phuket Marina from 6-9 January 2022 and is set to attract thousands of high net worth individuals from…

  • Despite errors, over 65,000 have applied for Thailand Pass

    Despite errors, over 65,000 have applied for Thailand Pass

    Despite a rash of technical issues, in just 4 days since launching the Thailand Pass, over 65,000 people have applied for it in order to reenter Thailand. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs reported the figures yesterday and stated that 13,000 people have already been approved in the new scheme. From November 1 until yesterday morning, 65,338 applications for the Thailand…

  • 4 new holidays in Thailand hoped to stimulate domestic travel

    4 new holidays in Thailand hoped to stimulate domestic travel

    Apparently in an effort to boost tourism revenue in Thailand, the Thai Cabinet has approved the creation of 4 new holidays in the middle of next year that allows for extra-long weekends. The government hopes that the creation of these long holiday weekends will encourage domestic travellers to take short getaway holidays around Thailand and stimulate the economy. The move…

  • Friday Covid Update: 8,148 new cases and 80 deaths

    Friday Covid Update: 8,148 new cases and 80 deaths

    8,148 new Covid-19 cases and 80 coronavirus-related deaths were reported by the CCSA today. In the 24-hour period since the last count, the CCSA reported 8,238 recoveries. There are now 97,480 people in Thailand receiving treatment for Covid-19. In the latest and most severe wave of the virus in Thailand, first recorded on April 1, the CCSA has reported a…

  • On-site learning resumes in over 10,000 Thai schools, another 20,000 to follow

    On-site learning resumes in over 10,000 Thai schools, another 20,000 to follow

    Over 10,000 schools across the country have resumed in-classroom learning, with another 20,000 to follow. Dr Suwanchai Wattanayingcharoenchai from the Department of Health says over 35,000 schools around Thailand have met the Public Health Ministry’s requirements for a safe re-opening. However, under the “Thai Stop Covid Plus” assessment system, final approval needs to come from the communicable disease committee in…

  • Soft tourism openings expected for Hua Hin and Cha-am in last quarter of 2021

    Soft tourism openings expected for Hua Hin and Cha-am in last quarter of 2021

    The Tourism Authority of Thailand expects a soft re-opening for the holiday destinations of Hua Hin and Cha-am during the last quarter of 2021. In total, deputy TAT governor Nithee Seeprae says both resort cities are only expected to receive 5% of 2019’s foreign tourist numbers. According to a Bangkok Post report, he says foreign tourists cannot stay in either…

  • EU-funded hijab campaign sparks outrage

    EU-funded hijab campaign sparks outrage

    Young European Muslims say a decision to cancel a newly launched EU online campaign to promote acceptance of hijab is “an attack on human rights.” “Attacks on this vital campaign take place in a wider environment of a shrinking of civic space, where government actors routinely censor and limit the freedom of speech when it doesn’t fit their political agenda”…

  • Opinion: Ethiopia at risk of Balkanization

    Opinion: Ethiopia at risk of Balkanization

    Jeffrey Feltman’s visit to Ethiopia on Thursday is the West’s last desperate attempt to rescue the tottering country. The US special envoy for the Horn of Africa will try topersuade Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed to agree to a ceasefire and peace talks. The hope is to bring an end to the war between the Ethiopian government and the Tigray…