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Thailand news, politics, business, crime, lifestyle, and tourismā€”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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    Whatā€™s not covered by health insurance in Thailand?

    Health insurance in Thailand has important limits that everyone should know. Many policies do not cover pre-existing conditions, motorcycle accidents, extreme sports, or specific treatments. These gaps can lead to unexpected costs during emergencies. Coverage for outpatient care and hospital...

  • Bangkok man arrested for flogging dodgy medical certificates online

    Bangkok man arrested for flogging dodgy medical certificates online

    A young man in Bangkok has been arrested for peddling fake medical certificates on Facebook Marketplace. Police arrested 24 year old Phitchayaphat Somsri at a house in Lat Phrao district for selling the false certificates, including for Covid-19, for up to 1000 baht each, and say he used quite a number of tools in manufacturing them. A spokesman says the…

  • Bank robber comes in from the rain, makes off with 106,000 baht

    Bank robber comes in from the rain, makes off with 106,000 baht

    Staff at the Bank of Agriculture and Agricultural Cooperatives in Prawet district of southeastern Bangkok got a surprise this week when a lone armed robber came in off the street, out of the torrential rain, and stole 106,000 baht. Brandishing a pistol, the man, caught on security cameras, wore a sky blue cap, a facemask, black shirt, jeans and trainers.…

  • China moves to second phase of successful vaccine trials

    China moves to second phase of successful vaccine trials

    An adenovirus vector vaccine clinical trial in China has successfully concluded its first phase, and a more intensive second phase studying hundred of patients in now taking place. It is the first Covid 19 vaccine that has entered phase two of clinical trials, according to the WHO.Ā  A 84 year old man in Wuhan was vaccinated Monday, becoming the oldest…

  • Singapore hit by a second wave of coronavirus cases

    Singapore hit by a second wave of coronavirus cases

    Singapore was a paragon of coronavirus containment. Covid-19 was under control in the island state. Case number were flattening out. But the virus has made a resurgent return with the previous ‘flattening’ of new cases now spiking. As Italy, Spain, the UK and US founder under a seemingly relentless pandemic, despite lockdowns and best intentions, several Asian nations stand out…

  • US President halts funding for WHO – VIDEO

    US President halts funding for WHO – VIDEO

    At over 600,000 cases, the US has moreĀ Covid-19 infections than any other country. Now, the US President Donald Trump has now announced a cut in US funding for the World Health Organisation, the UN agency tasked with fighting the outbreak worldwide. In a press briefing at the White House Rose Garden yesterday, he said he had instructed his administration to…

  • Thai Covid 19 “Super Spreader” song goes… VIRAL

    Thai Covid 19 “Super Spreader” song goes… VIRAL

    “Don’t just think of fun, or you’ll suffer from Covid If you can’t recover, you could die!” After witnessing the successful Vietnamese public service song and #EndCov campaigns educating the Vietnamese population to wash their hands and take action in the battle against the Coronavirus, the Thai government has doubled down and weaponised the power of Issan music to create…

  • Thailand News Today – Tuesday, April 14

    Thailand News Today – Tuesday, April 14

    Thailand Covid-19 cases rise to 34 (Tuesday), 1 more death Health officials today confirmed 34 new Covid-19 cases from around the country, bringing the total to 2,613. There was one additional death, a Bangkok bus driver, raising the countryā€™s death toll to 41. Todayā€™s number is higher than the 28 recorded yesterday, and comes after five straight days of declines…

  • Thailand facing double whammy – Covid-19 and worsening seasonal drought

    Thailand facing double whammy – Covid-19 and worsening seasonal drought

    The Office of the National Water Resources says up to 6,255 villages in 24 provinces have already been declared as drought-affected areas, while national dams and reservoirs are only at an average of 49% capacity (only 26% of that water is usable.) It has been predicted that the drought could last until at least July. Deputy PM Prawit Wongsuwon says…

  • AoT, already struggling, deny investing in faltering Thai Airways

    AoT, already struggling, deny investing in faltering Thai Airways

    “We’ve got enough problems of our own.” Airports of Thailand is denying claims that it is interested in acquiring a stake in the financially floundering flag carrier Thai Airways, saying that they too are struggling with the sharp drop in revenue after airlines and airport shutdowns related to the Covid-19 pandemic. Thai Airways, once considered one of Asia’s most luxurious…

  • Singapore issues permanent ban for breaking curfew

    Singapore issues permanent ban for breaking curfew

    Twenty four work pass holders had their work permits cancelled and are now permanently banned from working in Singapore for breaking Covid 19 “circuit breaker” rules. The foreign workers were caught eating, drinking and socialising in groups near Tuas View Square in Singapore’s western region. The Ministry of Manpower stepped up inspections of dormitories to ensure safe distancing measures are…

  • Thailand Covid-19 cases rise to 34 (Tuesday), 1 more death

    Thailand Covid-19 cases rise to 34 (Tuesday), 1 more death

    Thai health officials today confirmed 34 newĀ Covid-19 cases from around the country, bringing the total to 2,613 since the beginning of the outbreak. There was one additional death, a Bangkok bus driver, raising the country’s death toll to 41. Today’s number is higher than the 28 recorded yesterday, and comes after five straight days of declines since the 111 recorded…

  • Up to 100,000 Thais at risk from alcohol-related ‘withdrawals’ during national ban

    Up to 100,000 Thais at risk from alcohol-related ‘withdrawals’ during national ban

    Yesterday experts announced that up to 100,000 Thais who have become seriously dependent on alcohol are at risk during the nationwide booze ban. The ban on alcohol sales was imposed in order to minimise large gatherings and also to curb coronavirus related infection risks, especially during the traditional Songkran celebrations. According to the director of Centre for Alcohol Studies at…

  • Fire in Kanchanaburi sends foul smoke over Burmese border

    Fire in Kanchanaburi sends foul smoke over Burmese border

    Yesterday, a large area of the province of Kanchanaburi was engulfed in stinking toxic smoke after a garbage fire ripped through a 3-rai (51,667 squared metres) garbage dump in the district of Sangkhlaburi, right on the Burmese border. The garbage tip is located next to a sugarcane farmer’s village. 2 fire trucks were sent by Kanchanaburi officials to extinguish the…

  • Up to 10 million Thais out of work in next three months – CCSA

    Up to 10 million Thais out of work in next three months – CCSA

    As many as 10 million Thais could be out of work in the next few months if the current Covid-19 epidemic drags on. Supant Mongkolsuthee, the president of the Federation of Thai IndustriesGovernment, says the Thai government needs to provide timely support for businesses. As head of the Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administrationā€™s working committee, tasked with overseeing small and…

  • Bodies of two teen girls found in Kwae Noy river, Kanchanaburi

    Bodies of two teen girls found in Kwae Noy river, Kanchanaburi

    The bodies of two teen girls who went missing in the Kwae Noy river last Friday in the western province of Kanchanaburi, were discovered yesterday morning. Friday, three teenage students from Ban Kao Withaya School in Kanchanaburi went for a swim in the Kwae Noy river. The girls were quickly overpowered by the strong current and washed downriver. An onlooker…

  • Thailand News Today – Monday, April 13

    Thailand News Today – Monday, April 13

    New virus cases nationwide fall to 28Ā  Health officials confirmed 28 new cases of the Covid-19 coronavirus in the country today as the trend continues down. Todayā€™s total brings the reported country total to 2,579 since the outbreak began in January. There were also 2 additional deaths announced today, bringing the national tally to 40. Todayā€™s new infections are fewer…

  • 4 teenagers violate the order not to celebrate Songkran outside

    4 teenagers violate the order not to celebrate Songkran outside

    Under the emergency decree that has been announced by PM Prayut Chan-o-cha, it has been confirmed that Songkran (the traditional Thai new year festival) is officially postponed this year to lessen the spread of the Covid-19 outbreak. However, 4 teenagers defying the emergency decree was arrested in Roi Et province, far north-eastern Thailand, after live broadcasting their water wars. The…

  • Education minister does U-turn on ‘tablets for students’ plan

    Education minister does U-turn on ‘tablets for students’ plan

    The government has done a swift U-turn on last week’s plans to purchase tablets (iPads and the like, not medicines) for Thailand’s students for home learning during the Covid-19 crisis. The Thai Education Minister Nataphol Teepsuwan says his ministry will now focus on maximising existing resources and “not invest money buying new equipment unnecessarily”. “We will ask for digital TV…

  • Chiang Mai hiking spots go up in flames

    Chiang Mai hiking spots go up in flames

    Wildfires in Thailand’s north have made plenty of news in recent months, and now, Chiang Mai’s Doi Mon Jong mountain, one of northern Thailandā€™s most popular hiking spots has become the latest victim. Doi Mon Jong, in the province’s Om Koi District, is considered a legendary “unseen” destination for its breathtaking views, beauty and nature. Nearly 20 rai (3.2 hectares)…

  • Still here, there and everywhere. The Beatles bringing joy 50 years after break-up.

    Still here, there and everywhere. The Beatles bringing joy 50 years after break-up.

    BTS, Bangtan, RM, Jimin, V, Jin, Suga, J-Hope and Jungkook The Beatles may have broken up 50 years ago, on April 10, 1970. But the music is still bringing happiness around the world, to the generation that were around when the Fab Four were at the pinnacle of their career, and to a new generations who are just making the…

  • Gang of 6 steal 5 motorbikes from Ayutthaya police station

    Gang of 6 steal 5 motorbikes from Ayutthaya police station

    A police officer of the Ruea Police station in Ayutthaya, north of Bangkok, said “while he was reorganising confiscated bikes parked in the police station he had noticed that there were 5 motorbikes missing .” Authorities have now arrested 19 year olds Sipakij Kantaklin and Chachwan Rummana from Saraburi province, northeast of Bangkok.Ā The 2 suspects worked with 4 teenagers and…

  • Chon Buri struggles with severe drought

    Chon Buri struggles with severe drought

    As Thailand faces its worst drought in 40 years, officials in Chon Buri met yesterday to discuss a solution regarding lack of water and low water pressure in the province’s Sattahip district, south of Pattaya, also the home to a naval base. Responding to many recent complaints, Sathira Pueakprapan, a member of the council in Chonburi, told reporters that Sattahip…

  • Soi Dog Foundation distributes over 11 tonnes of food to stray animal feeders across Phuket

    Soi Dog Foundation distributes over 11 tonnes of food to stray animal feeders across Phuket

    In preparation for the island-wide ‘lockdown’ and travel restrictions from April 13-26, the Soi Dog Foundation has distributed over 11 tonnes of dog and cat food to stray animal feeders across Phuket.Ā A fleet of animal rescue vehicles delivered 470 large bags of dog food and 140 large bags of cat food to popular feeding hotspots, such as temples, as well…

  • Thailand News Today – Friday, April 10

    Thailand News Today – Friday, April 10

    50 new coronavirus cases nationwide (Friday), 1 death 50 new Covid-19 coronavirus cases were confirmed around Thailand, a slight drop from yesterdayā€™s 54.Ā  There was also one new death. The total number of infections since the outbreak began now stands at 2,473. 33 patients have died. The cases span 68 of Thailandā€™s 76 provinces. 1,013 people have completely recovered and…

  • Stricken horse farm owners consider suing government over AHS virus outbreak

    Stricken horse farm owners consider suing government over AHS virus outbreak

    An outbreak of African Horse Sickness has already killed more than 200 horses in 4 provinces, including Nakhon Ratchasima, Prachuap Khiri Khan, Chon Buri and Phetchaburi since itĀ was first reported on March 26. Now, at least 1 owner of a horse farm is considering suing the National Park, Wildlife and Plant Conservation Department, along with other agencies, Ā for approving imports…

  • Thailand News Today – Thursday, April 9

    Thailand News Today – Thursday, April 9

    Chamber predicts 7 million Thai people to be jobless by June 7 million Thais could be on the unemployment queue by June in dire predictions from an industry chamber. The Joint Standing Committee on Commerce, Industry and Banking have predicted that 7 million people will be joblessĀ  by June.Ā  The report saysā€¦ ā€œLow wage workers will be affected the most…

  • North still choked with dangerous smog

    North still choked with dangerous smog

    Chiang Mai takes the number one spot for air pollution yet again today, as a thick shroud of smog blankets huge areas of the province. Thailand’s Pollution Control Department reported today that dangerously thick smog covered the upper northern provinces of Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai and Mae Hong Son. A red alert signifying severe air pollution was posted for the…

  • Stranded Burmese permitted to return home

    Stranded Burmese permitted to return home

    Stranded Burmese people at Chiang Rai’s Mae Sai Tachileik border crossing in Northern Thailand have been allowed to return home to Myanmar. The Burmese people, stuck in Thailand since borders were closed as a prevention in the spread of Covid-19, have been held in quarantine at Phra That Doi Wao temple in Mae Sai. Myanmar officials allowed them to cross…

  • Grand opening of Nakhon Ratchasima war room

    Grand opening of Nakhon Ratchasima war room

    In a joint effort with locals, government, the private sector and Former Deputy prime minister Suwat Liptapanlop, Nakhon Ratchasima has officially announced the opening of a “War Room”. The purpose of the situation room is to combat the deadly disease and to prevent the spread of the Covid-19 virus locally in the province. The centre is also Ā producing free cloth…

  • Thailand News Today – Wednesday, April 8

    Thailand News Today – Wednesday, April 8

    111 new Thai coronavirus cases. 3 more deaths, all foreigners 111 new confirmed cases of the Covid-19 coronavirus have been announced today.Ā  Of the 111 cases announced today, 69 got the virus from contact other infected people, while 42 were those returning from a religious festival in Indonesia. Phuket is the province with the highest percentage of active Covid-19 cases,…