News
Stay up-to-date with the latest news from across Thailand and beyond with The Thaiger. Our dedicated team brings you breaking news, in-depth analysis, and exclusive stories from this stunning part of the world, covering a diverse range of topics, including local politics, business, culture, and tourism. Keep yourself informed about the Kingdom’s rich history, stunning landscapes, and thriving expat communities, as well as updates on events, attractions, and transportation.
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More than 349,000 people displaced due to violence in Myanmar since February coup
Official figures from the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs this month show that about 349,800 individuals were displaced in the southeast and northwest of the country and needed humanitarian aid since the February 2021 military coup. Fights have intensified between Myanmar’s military and the People’s Defence Forces, locally known as PDFs. Thousands have reportedly fled to…
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First batch of 35 baht ATKs from the GPO on sale today
To combat the rising prices and scarcity of antigen test kits as the Omicron variant and Covid-19 fears spread throughout Thailand, the Government Pharmaceutical Organisation announced the purchase of 3.5 million ATKs to be sold at 35 baht each, with millions more in the works. This morning, the first batch of ATKs went on sale at GPO branches and were…
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Friday Covid Update: 8,158 new cases; provincial totals
15 coronavirus-related deaths were reported by the CCSA today, raising the pandemic’s death toll in Thailand to 21,898 with 200 of those fatalities since the start of this year. In the 24-hour period since the last count, the CCSA recorded 8,158 new Covid-19 cases and 3,942 recoveries. There are now 74,795 people in Thailand being treated for Covid-19. Out of…
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Japan-Thailand cooperation discussed by PM Prayut and Japanese Minister
PM Prayut Chan-o-cha met at Government House yesterday with the Japanese Minister of Economy Trade and Industry to discuss cooperation between Japan and Thailand for future investments. They discussed the benefit to Thailand of the technology that Japan has supplied as well as a plan to meet sustainable development goals for the future. The Prime Minister spoke of the contribution…
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Police raid art gallery opened as nightclub, 100 partygoers reportedly fled from police
In another police raid in Pattaya, more than 100 people reportedly fled a party held at a local art gallery at 10:30pm last night, past the 9pm cutoff time for alcohol sales at restaurants. The Pattaya News says partygoers were jumping fences and climbing out windows to flee from police at the Ma Ha Na Cafe and Art Gallery in…
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Artificial intelligence intended to prevent abuse of state welfare
As a new round of registration is set to commence, the Ministry of Finance is planning to use artificial intelligence to ensure that the state welfare cards issued this year are given only to eligible low-income earners. The Ministry plans to implement new technology to cut down on fraud and to keep urgent financial assistance money from going to those…
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Drunken officer charged for name-dropping Big Joke, Prayut, King
A naval officer has been dismissed from duty and is facing lèse majesté charges after drunken antics where he name-dropped everyone up to and including former King Bhumibol Adulyadej. The officer is being held at the military camp in Sattahip in Chon Buri, facing 4 charges and possible Section 112 charges. The prosecution stems from a December 23 incident with…
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Queen of England revokes military, royal titles from Prince Andrew, as US civil lawsuit proceeds in New York
Queen Elizabeth II has revoked Prince Andrew’s royal patronages and military titles, in response to a forceful letter from armed forces veterans, as a US civil lawsuit against the Duke of York proceeds in the state of New York. The prince, who is the British Queen’s third child and second son, is accused of child sexual abuse in the US…
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No cut-off date announced for Test & Go entry with pre-approved Thailand Pass
The Foreign Ministry has confirmed there is currently no cut-off entry date for Test & Go travellers who’ve already received their Thailand Pass. Test & Go has been suspended since December 22 as the Thai government responded to the rapid global spread of the Omicron Covid-19 variant. You would need a Test & Go program approval, and QR code, before…
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4 Thai women among influential figures recognised in Forbes 50 over 50 Asia list
Four renowned Thai women have been recognised in Forbes magazine’s list of influential business leaders, scientists, and other notable figures. The 50 over 50: Asia 2022 list acknowledges those who are leaders in their fields in the Asia-Pacific region. According to a Bangkok Post report, Forbes published the list on Tuesday and it includes Jareeporn Jarukornsakul, co-founder and chairwoman of…
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Indonesia kicks off booster shot campaign as Omicron cases rise
The fourth-most-populous country in the world, Indonesia, has started administering Covid-19 booster shots to the public as its infection rates soar, with most of the cases owing to the Omicron variant, which is the highest number in nearly three months. President Joko Widodo of Indonesia stated Tuesday that all those who are qualified for the booster shot will receive free…
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CCSA concerned about rising Covid numbers among Thailand’s medical workers
The government’s Covid-19 task force says it’s worried about a rising level of infections among the country’s medical workers. Dr. Sumanee Wacharasint from the CCSA has called on all healthcare workers to come forward for a fourth vaccine dose to protect them against the virus. According to a Thai PBS World report, she says medical workers becoming infected is a…
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Bangkok reports surge in Covid cases linked to restaurant/bars, student dorms
Health officials say there has been a surge in infections in Bangkok, linked to restaurant/bars and other crowded places, such as student dorms. According to a Bangkok Post report, 939 new cases were reported in the capital yesterday, 45 of which were imported. Dr Suthas Chottanapan from the DDC says 300 of the local cases were contracted in restaurants operating…
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5 criteria set for hospitalising Covid-19 patients in Bangkok
In Bangkok, officials are attempting to take some of the guesswork out of dealing with Covid-19 infected patients while also streamlining the process when someone tests positive for the virus. New guidelines were set forth to assess the level of symptoms and infection and route people either to a hospital or other medical facility or refer them to home isolation.…
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New Ambassador to China discusses cooperation with Thailand
In a diplomatic meeting, Deputy Prime Minister Prawit Wongsuwan met with China’s new ambassador to discuss continued cooperation between China and Thailand. The new Ambassador of China H.E. Han Zhiqiang visited the Thai Deputy Prime Minister in a courtesy call where they discussed a variety of topics. The meeting started with the Thai leader congratulating the new ambassador of China…
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Gene that doubles risk of severe Covid-19 found by Polish researchers
There may be a new method to determine who is most vulnerable during the pandemic, as a gene has been identified by Polish scientists that more than doubles the risk of serious Covid-19 infection. The scientists behind the discovery hope that being able to identify people who are a great risk might prompt them to get vaccinated if they have…
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Thailand continues pushing for tourism revenue despite Covid-19
PM Prayut Chan-o-cha has urged all government agencies to get behind the “Amazing Thailand New Chapter” tourism campaign being readied for launch by the end of January. According to a government spokesperson, the administration is pushing forward with tourism plans that the floundering economy so desperately needs, despite the growing spread of the Omicron variant and Covid-19 infections across the…
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2022 Calendar Watch: Ring in the summer rains with a blast at this year’s Rocket Festival
If you’re craving a pyrotechnic spectacle to fill the gap between Chinese New Year and the Fourth of July, then head northeast to Isaan in mid-May for “Boon Bang Fai” — the annual Rocket Festival. Here you’ll watch teams of tipsy farmers guzzle bottles of local brew and rice wine as they climb rickety bamboo scaffolding with large projectiles slung…
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Philippines sets “no vaccine, no ride” policy for Manila public transportation
If you’re in the Philippines, you’ll need to show your vaccination certificate to use public transportation in the country’s capital Manila. The Southeast Asian country’s new “no vaccine, no ride” policy prohibits those who are unvaccinated against Covid-19 from riding public transportation in Manila starting next week. The controversial restriction was enacted after a fresh wave of Cvoid-19 cases skyrocketed…
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UN’s special envoy urges ASEAN to work toward “inclusive dialogue” with Myanmar
Days after Cambodia’s PM Hun Sen visited Myanmar’s capital Naypyidaw to see the military junta leader Min Aung Hlaing, a United Nations Special Envoy encouraged the rest of Southeast Asian countries to support international efforts to engage all sides in the situation inside tumultuous Myanmar. In a statement released today by the UN, its secretary-special general’s envoy on Myanmar, Noeleen…
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Missing man emerges from forest after 3 weeks dodging elephants
Like a scene out of an adventure movie, a 43 year old man stumbled out of a clearing in eucalyptus and rubber plantations to recount an incredible 21-day journey he spent lost in the wilderness and fleeing from wild elephants. The tale took place in Prachin Buri, the central province to the east of Bangkok after the man, Thongsa Wanthumma,…
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Malaysia waives quarantine for vaccinated travellers recently infected with Covid-19
Malaysia has waived quarantine for fully vaccinated travellers with a history of previous Covid-19 infection starting today. Visitors must present proof that they are fully vaccinated as well as documents showing that they recently contracted Covid-19 and have recovered, according to Health Minister Khairy Jamaluddin. Along with proof of vaccination, those who have previously been admitted to a hospital for…
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Health Minister insists cannabis is not a narcotic, high-inducing THC still illegal
Cannabis is not a narcotic drug… at least that’s what Thailand’s Public Health Minister is saying. In an interview with Thai media, Anutin Charnvirakul said cannabis (not with the high-inducing component THC) is legal and can be grown as well as used for medical purposes, adding that authorities should let residents grow the once-criminalised plant and sell cannabis as a…
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More than 5,000 Singapore students aged 5 to 6 signed up for vaccinations
A representative from the Early Childhood Development Agency told Singapore media The Straits Times that more than 5,000 children from age 5 to 6 have been registered for their Covid-19 vaccines yesterday. The report followed the announcement by Singapore’s Education Minister Chan Chun Sing that about 80,000 students or more than one-third of the Primary 1 to 6 cohorts had…
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Royal Thai Navy reopens its three hospitals in response to Covid spike
The Royal Thai Navy reopened three of its field hospitals, including two in Chon Buri, that can house 1,109 patients following the recent influx of new Covid-19 cases, according to Navy Chief Admiral Somprasong Nilsamai on Monday. Today, Chon Buri ranks as the province with the highest number of new Covid-19 infections. Under the provincial public health offices in command,…
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Thursday Covid Update: 8,167 new cases; provincial totals
14 coronavirus-related deaths were reported by the CCSA today, raising the pandemic’s death toll in Thailand to 21,883 with 185 of those fatalities since the start of this year. In the 24-hour period since the last count, the CCSA recorded 8,167 new Covid-19 cases and 3,845 recoveries. There are now 70,594 people in Thailand being treated for Covid-19. Out of…
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Authorities say children with Covid-19 will be treated, beds available
After stories online of children being turned away from Covid-19 treatment, the director of the Queen Sirikit National Institute of Child Health assurance that there are plenty of beds available for any kids that become infected with the virus. Despite anecdotal posts online, the director says the occupancy of children’s beds, as well as the infection rates of children, have…
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12 Pattaya restaurant owners, managers arrested for breaching 9pm cutoff for booze
A dozen of owners and managers of Pattaya’s bars-turned-restaurants were arrested for allegedly serving alcohol past the 9pm cutoff time. Some bars reportedly lowered their shutters to make it appear like the venue was closed, but continued to serve booze to customers inside. Some turned off the lights and music at 9pm, but stayed open, serving alcohol discretely with disposable…
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Indonesia joins hands with Japan to promote clean energy
The bilateral relationship between Japan and Indonesia has taken the next step towards clean energy as the two nations agreed to cooperate on decarbonisation technologies such as hydrogen, ammonia, and carbon capture and storage (CCS), according to Reuters, citing the Japanese industry ministry. The memorandum of cooperation (MOC) was signed on the same day while Japanese Industry Minister Koichi Hagiuda…
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Phuket’s critical situation calls for increased support
The following is a press release from Living Waters Phuket. The deteriorating tourism situation plus rising Omicron cases have led to a demand for immediate and increased community support from Living Waters Phuket. Living Waters Phuket Foundation, together with 5 Star Marine, are dealing with a steep increase in demand for their ‘Life Bags’ from local communities in need, as…
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