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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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Investigation launched into boy scout drowning in north-east Thailand
Officials in the north-east province of Kalasin have launched an investigation into the drowning of a school student while partaking in boy scout camp activity. 15 year old Thongnoppakao Sitha died on Tuesday, after a teacher allegedly instructed him to dive into a pond. The activity was part of a mock war, in which the teachers threw rocks at the…
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CCSA to decide Songkran rules today
Thailand’s Public Health Minister says the government’s Covid-19 task force will meet today to decide what this year’s Songkran celebrations will look like. While a ban on inter-provincial travel is not expected, Anutin Charnvirakul says provincial governors will impose health screening protocols on those moving between provinces. “We are now on the last lap. Covid-19 vaccines have already arrived and…
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Mother of drowned boy scout accuses school director of negligence
A woman is accusing a school director in the Isaan province Kalasin of negligence after her teenage son drowned during a boy scout challenge at a nearby swamp. Teachers did not notice 15 year old Noppakao Sita was missing. His body was found later that night at around 8pm after a long search by local divers. Teachers running the scout…
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Thailand News Today | New study on Thai road deaths, scam suspect has a GoFundMe page | March 18
Thai roads are among the most deadly in the world and most of the fatal accidents involve motorcycles. We already know that, but a recent study now shows that 80% of motorcycle accidents are related to cars cutting in front of oncoming traffic. Honda and Yamaha partnered with the Thailand Accident Research Centre for the full report which reviewed 1,000…
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TAT says expats are confident in living a “new normal” life in Thailand – VIDEO
Expats are confident in living a “new normal” life in Thailand, according to the Tourism Authority of Thailand. In their recent “Trusted Thailand Report” titled “Expat Life in Thailand,” the authority highlighted popular areas in the country among foreigners and spoke to some expats about life in Thailand during the Covid-19 pandemic. Bangkok’s Sukhumvit Road is the most popular place…
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Most motorcycle accidents in Thailand involved cars cutting in front of traffic
Thai roads are among the most deadly in the world and most of the fatal accidents involve motorcycles. A recent study found that 80% of motorcycle accidents are related to cars cutting in front of oncoming traffic. Honda and Yamaha partnered with the Thailand Accident Research Centre, or TARC, for the “In-depth Accident Investigation in Thailand,” reviewing 1,000 motorcycle accidents…
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Department of Land Transport calls on drivers to use its mobile app to pay car tax
Thailand’s Department of Land Transport says drivers should use the department’s dedicated app to make their annual car tax payments. Yongyut Nakdaeng from the DLT says paying via the app will help reduce the risk of Covid-19 transmission. Motorists will receive a receipt and their tax disc in the post within 5 days. Thai-speaking drivers can call the DLT hotline…
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World Heritage committee to consider delaying Kaeng Krachan national park application
The UNESCO World Heritage Centre says it recognises the plight being faced by indigenous Karen people in Kaeng Krachan national park, in central Thailand. PM Prayut Chan-o-cha says the Karen villagers are not permitted to live in the park, after complaints from environmental rights groups concerned about the effect on the surrounding forest land. The Karen people have submitted a…
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Health Ministry to test efficacy of Covid-19 vaccines over next 2 months
Thailand’s Public Health Ministry says it will test the efficacy of Covid-19 vaccines in those who have received them, to determine if vaccinated people build immunity to the virus. The Department of Medical Services says it will team up with the medical faculties of top universities and expects to have results within 2 months. Somsak Akksilp from the DMS says…
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Investigation underway after 77 migrants allegedly contract Covid-19 at Thai immigration centres
The Disease Control Department has launched an investigation after 77 migrants seemingly contracted Covid-19 while being held at Thai immigration centres in Bangkok. It’s understood around 68 of the illegal migrants are Burmese, while the others are Laotian and Cambodian nationals. They are being detained at immigration offices in the Bangkok districts of Bang Khen and Lak Si. According to…
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Former immigration chief “Big Joke” back at Royal Thai Police
The former immigration chief known as “Big Joke” has been appointed by PM Prayut Chan-o-cha as advisor of the Royal Thai Police after a 2-year hiatus from law enforcement. Surachet Hakparn, nicknamed Big Joke by Thai media, suddenly fell from grace in back 2019 when he was sidelined into an inactive role without any published reason. He even ended up…
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2 killed, 1 injured in early morning Songkhla car crash
2 men were killed and 1 was injured in an early morning accident after their car rear-ended a container truck in Thailand’s southern province of Songkhla. The crash occurred at 12:30am in Rattaphum district at the Khuha intersection on the main highway in tambon Khuan Ru, according to the district’s deputy investigation chief. The car, a Honda City, with Bangkok…
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Teen drowns in swamp during Thai boy scout challenge
A teenage scout drowned yesterday after jumping in a swamp during a mock war with teachers who were throwing rocks at the students, acting as if the stones were bombs. The teen was later reported missing when he did not return home. It took divers 4 hours to search the 3-metre deep swamp and find 15 year old Noppakao Sita’s…
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2 more Bryde’s whales seen off Koh Samui in marine park
2 more Bryde’s whales are gracing the waters off Koh Samui, after tourists spotted the marine mammals in Ang Thong National Marine Park. Wichwut Jinto, the provincial governor says park officials heard about the sightings and went out to confirm them. The whales were swimming near the islands of Hanuman, Thai Plao, Hin Dap, Wua Kantang and Sam Sao. Wichawut…
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CCSA Update: 248 new Covid-19 cases, 1 death
248 new Covid-19 cases and 1 death were reported today in the Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration’s daily briefing. Thailand now has 975 active Covid-19 cases. Since the start of the pandemic, the CCSA has reported a total of 27,402 coronavirus infections and 88 deaths. The CCSA did not release information on the recent coronavirus death. Health officials rolled out…
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Officials investigated for sexual harassment to be suspended without pay under new measure
Under a new measure approved by the Thai Cabinet, government officials who are under investigation for suspected sexual harassment or assault will be suspended without pay. An investigation will be launched only if there is sufficient evidence that back the claims. If a government official is accused of sexual harassment or abuse, it is the responsibility of that official’s direct…
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Officials tracking down foreigners with fake IDs opening up illegal businesses in Chiang Rai
Thai news site TNA is reporting that the Department of Special Investigation is investigating 255 foreigners who are allegedly in possession of fake Thai IDs in the Wiang Kaen district of Chiang Rai. The report also claims that they were operating illegal businesses. One of the suspects is Chinese but carried a Thai ID saying that he was a Thai…
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20 more people killed in Myanmar as UN says victims include women and children
At least 20 more people were allegedly killed in Myanmar as a result of the military cracking down on coup protesters, with the UN saying women and children are among the victims. Now, according to the UN, at least 138 peaceful protesters have been killed since the February 1 military coup. Last Saturday saw 18 people killed, while Sunday saw…
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Thais ok with limiting Songkran water fights – Nida Poll
A recent poll has revealed that a majority of Thais are ok with limiting or banning this year’s Songkran water splashing activities. The National Institute of Development Administration conducted the poll via telephone interviews with around 1,315 people over the last 2 days. The Nida poll reported today that almost 44% of respondents said water splashing should be prohibited nationwide…
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Thailand’s PM says Karen villagers can’t live in national park
Thailand’s PM says Karen villagers are not allowed to live in Phetchaburi’s Kaeng Krachan National Park after welcoming the UN to investigate the ethnic minority group’s living conditions in the park. PM Prayut made the announcement after the government recently accepted villagers’ demands for consideration in return for them leaving their protest site yesterday outside of the Government House. PM…
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Government warns of fake apps attempting to cash in on handout scheme
Thailand’s Labour Ministry has warned the public to be aware of fake mobile applications when registering for the government’s latest cash handout scheme. Spokeswoman Ratchada Thanadirek says that while a number of apps may be masquerading as registration platforms for the Mor33 Rao Rak Kan (“We Love Each Other”) campaign, registration is only possible via one official website. “The scheme…
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Protest leader asks court to look into late-night attempts to remove 2 activists from cells
Human rights lawyer and prominent pro-democracy activist, Anon Nampa, has called on the Criminal Court to investigate alleged attempts to remove 2 detained activists from their cells at Bangkok Remand Prison. Anon says the suspicious activity took place on Monday night, with a group of unidentified men trying 3 times to remove the activists, telling them they needed to be…
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Socially distanced Songkran traditions allowed, water fights likely to be banned
Thailand’s Culture Minister says that, while this year’s Songkran holiday will go ahead, activities such as water splashing, foam parties, and the daubing of powder paste are likely to be banned. Itthiphol Kunplome adds that the Bangkok Metropolitan Association may decide to close Khao San Road, normally a water fight epicentre. The Bangkok Post reports that this year, the Thai…
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Finance Minister says vaccination rollout will drive economic recovery
Thailand’s Finance Minister is pinning his hopes on the rollout of Covid-19 vaccines to kick-start the decimated economy. Arkhom Termpittayapaisith says the economy should begin to recover in the last quarter of the year, saying the government’s vaccination drive will boost the public’s confidence, leading to more domestic travel. The minister adds that he experienced no problems after receiving the…
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Bang Khae vaccination drive begins as Bangkok records 100 new infections
The rollout of Covid-19 vaccines in the Bang Khae district of Bangkok gets underway today, as officials act swiftly to prevent the further spread of the virus. 100 new cases have been recorded in Bangkok in the last 24 hours, which accounts for 69% of Thailand’s new infections. The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration is overseeing the vaccination drive, which will take…
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THAILAND NEWS TODAY | PM gets his vaccine, consumer group suing over CP/Tesco merger | March 16
Watch Thailand News Today here (we are unable to load on YouTube today) https://fb.watch/4gj8DOKiYp/ After a few false starts, the Thai PM Prayut Chan-o-cha got the first AstraZeneca vaccine in Thailand this morning. The week of delays were apparently due to safety concerns about the AstraZeneca and considerations for the PM’s age. A government spokesperson called the prime minister’s inoculation…
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6,000 people to be vaccinated in Bangkok’s Bang Khae after cluster of infections
Following the recent cluster of Covid-19 infections in Bangkok’s Bang Khae district, city officials plan to vaccinate 6,000 people in the area who are at risk of infection. Starting tomorrow, 500 to 600 people in the district will be vaccinated against the coronavirus each day, according to Bangkok Metropolitan Administration spokesperson Pongsakorn Kwanmuang. Inoculations will take place at hospitals and…
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China to facilitate visas for foreigners inoculated with Chinese-made Covid-19 vaccine
China will issue visas to foreigners who have been inoculated with Chinese-made Covid-19 vaccines. Chinese embassies in various countries including the United States, Australia and the United Kingdom released a statement yesterday saying they would facilitate visas for applicants who have been vaccinated with Chinese-made jabs. Only those who are travelling to China for work, or those who have family…
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Thailand’s Chulalongkorn University trains dogs to sniff out Covid-19
Covid-19 has a smell only some dogs can sense. In Thailand, 6 dogs have been trained at Chulalongkorn University’s Faculty of Veterinary Science to sniff out the coronavirus. Apparently, the dogs are 95% accurate at identifying those infected with the virus, even those who are asymptomatic. Researchers gathered sweat samples from Covid-19 patients, using cotton swabs to soak up perspiration…
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149 new cases of Covid today- Covid-19 Update
Thailand is reporting 149 new cases of Covid-19 today, with 144 being locally-transmitted. 90 of the cases were found during proactive screening of people related to the recent Bang Khae market cluster in Bangkok. Samut Sakhon recorded 31 new caes and Pathum Thani recorded 2, with all being found during proactive screening in communities. 1 new case was recorded among…
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