Bangkok

  • Covid-19 NewsBMA admits Covid virus spreading fast in Bangkok, speeds up testing and jabs

    BMA admits Covid virus spreading fast in Bangkok, speeds up testing and jabs

    The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration says it is speeding up mass Covid-19 testing and inoculations in communities hit strongly by the virus, after admitting the virus is spreading fast in Thailand’s capital. The city clerk says the administration, along with the Public Health Ministry and other agencies, are speeding up the collection of nasal swabs for Covid-19 tests, with a plan…

  • Thailand NewsCovid UPDATE: 2,044 new cases and 27 deaths, provincial totals

    Covid UPDATE: 2,044 new cases and 27 deaths, provincial totals

    2,044 new Covid-19 cases and 27 coronavirus-related deaths were reported today in the Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration’s daily briefing. There are now 29,320 active Covid-19 cases. 1,170 Covid patients are in critical condition including 367 on ventilators. Since the start of the pandemic last year, the CCSA has reported a total of 78,855 Covid-19 infections and 363 virus-related deaths.…

  • Covid-19 NewsFriday Covid UPDATE: 27 more deaths, 2,044 new infections

    Friday Covid UPDATE: 27 more deaths, 2,044 new infections

    The Friday report, compiling the regional totals from Thursday, indicates that has been 27 new Covid-related deaths and 2,044 new Covid-19 infections in the past 24 hours. The numbers continue a statistically consistent rise in the number of Covid infections over the past 2 weeks. The CCSA yesterday declared that is is focusing on containing major Covid clusters in 3…

  • Covid-19 News160 infected in Bangkok’s Bang Kae Covid-19 cluster

    160 infected in Bangkok’s Bang Kae Covid-19 cluster

    An outbreak of about 160 new Covid-19 infections was identified today in Bangkok’s Bang Kae district, according to the Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration. 1,413 people were tested by health workers in a Bang Kae department store on three dates – April 28, April 30, and May 1 – after 9 Cambodian employees in the store were confirmed to have…

  • Covid-19 NewsPhuket struggles towards herd immunity, vaccine rollout slow in other provinces

    Phuket struggles towards herd immunity, vaccine rollout slow in other provinces

    So far, 22% of the population in Phuket is fully vaccinated against Covid-19 while the majority of provinces in Thailand have not vaccinated any of the residents, according to data compiled by researcher Peter Scully. Bangkok, the epicentre of recent infections with more than 15,000 confirmed cases since April 1, has only fully vaccinated 1% of the population. Around 10…

  • Covid-19 News“Bangkok Hilton” to make field hospitals for Covid-infected prisoners

    “Bangkok Hilton” to make field hospitals for Covid-infected prisoners

    Klong Prem Central Prison, in Bangkok, is making field hospitals for Covid-infected prisoners to help curb the spread of the virus. The Corrections Department is converting 5 buildings at the “Bangkok Hilton” in Chatuchak district to operate as hospitals, offering 500 beds in total. The prison would act as a home base for new arrivals who test positive for the…

  • Covid-19 NewsFood delivery companies and customers receive new Covid health measures to abide by

    Food delivery companies and customers receive new Covid health measures to abide by

    Thailand’s food delivery services and customers, especially in its capital of Bangkok, are now having to follow 4 additional health measures to help curb the spread of Covid-19. The Director-General of the Department of Disease Control handed down the orders after meeting with food delivery company representatives. The new measures include stricter supervision of employees to ensure that they are…

  • Technology NewsPolice in Bangkok investigate rape cases involving Thai ‘pretties’

    Police in Bangkok investigate rape cases involving Thai ‘pretties’

    Refuting claims by Thai media that police let a serial rapist go free, officers in Bangkok say they are investigating and gathering evidence to arrest a 39 year old man who allegedly raped Thai models and hostesses known as “pretties.” Reports say the suspect met the women for “entertainment” purposes and then raped the women and robbed them. A 22…

  • Covid-19 NewsBangkok opening first ICU field hospital for Covid-19 patients with severe symptoms

    Bangkok opening first ICU field hospital for Covid-19 patients with severe symptoms

    With the rising number of Covid-19 cases and deaths in Bangkok, the epicentre of the new wave of infections, pushing hospitals to their limits, an ICU field hospital is opening in Bangkok. Field hospitals have been used for Covid-19 patients who are asymptomatic, or who have mild symptoms. Those with more severe symptoms have been treated at hospitals. Since the…

  • Bangkok NewsImmigration police in Bangkok arrest 2 people on fraud charges

    Immigration police in Bangkok arrest 2 people on fraud charges

    Immigration police in Bangkok arrested a Japanese man and a Chinese man on fraud charges in separate cases. One suspect arrested for allegedly scamming people out of millions of baht and the other arrested for allegedly making fake electronic cards to make purchases online. The Japanese man, identified as ‘Yamada’, allegedly scammed 3 people by claiming he knew many influential…

  • Covid-19 NewsVaccination ramped up in Klong Toey, PM wants outbreak curbed in 2 weeks

    Vaccination ramped up in Klong Toey, PM wants outbreak curbed in 2 weeks

    Officials are accelerating vaccination efforts in the Klong Toey district of Bangkok, along with proactive mass testing in an effort to curb transmission of Covid-19. Posting on his Facebook page, PM Prayut Chan-o-cha says the aim is to inoculate at least 50,000 of the approximately 90,000 residents, stemming the tide of infections within 2 weeks. The Bangkok Post reports that…

  • Covid-19 NewsCovid UPDATE: 2,112 new infections and 15 Covid-related deaths

    Covid UPDATE: 2,112 new infections and 15 Covid-related deaths

    There has been 2,112 new Covid-19 infections announced for Wednesday, according to the Thai health ministry. 15 people have also been reported as dying from Covid-related symptoms in the past 24 hours. 30,222 people are still under state care and observation in hospitals or field hospitals. 1,886 were discharged from care yesterday. 10.042 patients are listed as in serious condition and 343 are…

  • Hot News“Let’s Move Abroad” Thai Facebook group exploding with potential defectors

    “Let’s Move Abroad” Thai Facebook group exploding with potential defectors

    A new Facebook group called “Let’s Move Abroad” is getting some online traction as Thais log in to share ideas and tips on studying and working abroad. The group sprung up just 2 days ago, amidst the current political backdrop that has seen increasing disapproval of the Thai government’s Covid-19 response. Over 524, 500 members have posted questions and anecdotes…

  • Covid-19 NewsCovid UPDATE: 31 people die, 2,041 new infections, provincial totals

    Covid UPDATE: 31 people die, 2,041 new infections, provincial totals

    Today the daily 24 hour infection report for Covid-19 has jumped to back over the 2,000 mark with 2,041 new cases reported by the Thai health ministry. 31 people have died from Covid-related illness as well, a new high. Yesterday the death toll for a single day was 21. The CCSA report that most of today’s reported deaths were from…

  • Covid-19 NewsFlying rules tightened after Covid-19 infections found on Phuket flights

    Flying rules tightened after Covid-19 infections found on Phuket flights

    Disease prevention measures are being tightened for air passengers after several cases of Covid-19 were found on flights from Bangkok to Phuket. The Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand has issued new guidance for airlines and passengers, after passengers on 7 flights, operated by 3 different airlines, subsequently tested positive for the virus. Phuket’s Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration has ordered…

  • Covid-19 NewsCovid-19 testing increased, CCSA blames household spread

    Covid-19 testing increased, CCSA blames household spread

    After a month of the worst Covid-19 outbreak ever in Thailand stemming from the nightlife and entertainment venue scene in Bangkok and around Thailand, authorities have set their sight on another treacherous virus spreader: your household. The Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration worries that while the number of infections being spread in the community and gathering places seems to be…

  • Bangkok NewsBangkok sets goal to vaccinate 70% of population by the end of the year

    Bangkok sets goal to vaccinate 70% of population by the end of the year

    With Bangkok as the epicentre of the recent Covid-19 outbreak, infecting over 10,000 people in the capital since April 1, the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration says they now aim to vaccinate 70% of Bangkok residents by the end of the year. Since Thailand started its national Covid-19 vaccination plan in late-February, just 1.4 million doses have been inoculated. Priority was initially…

  • Covid-19 NewsNew Covid-19 zoning with tightened restrictions starts tomorrow

    New Covid-19 zoning with tightened restrictions starts tomorrow

    Starting midnight Saturday, tightened disease control measures will take effect, including restrictions set nationwide as well as restrictions based on the recent colour-coded zoning by the Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration. The restrictions will be in place for at least 14 days. Nationwide restrictions Alcohol sales at restaurants will be prohibited nationwide in an effort to prevent gathering and slow…

  • Crime NewsTaxi driver relieves stress by shooting slingshot at cars and shops

    Taxi driver relieves stress by shooting slingshot at cars and shops

    Life is pretty stressful lately, but there are right and wrong ways to relieve that stress. A taxi driver in Bangkok chose the wrong way to blow off steam: shooting at cars, buses and restaurants with a slingshot. The 48 year old driver Phaiwan Aechaiyaphum was arrested by the Metropolitan Police Bureau last night at his Suksawat-area room. He is…

  • Covid-19 NewsRestrictions tighten nationwide, Bangkok and 5 other provinces now “dark red” zones

    Restrictions tighten nationwide, Bangkok and 5 other provinces now “dark red” zones

    Disease control restrictions are tightening nationwide. Bangkok and 5 other provinces with a high number of Covid-19 infections are now classified as “dark red” zones under the highest control to combat the spread of the coronavirus, according to the Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration. Under the new zoning measures, the dark red provinces include Bangkok, Chon Buri, Chiang Mai, Nonthaburi,…

  • Tourism News‘One Night In Bangkok’, an unlikely hit about a bygone era in Thailand

    ‘One Night In Bangkok’, an unlikely hit about a bygone era in Thailand

    “One night in Bangkok and the world’s your oyster The bars are temples but the pearls ain’t free” When ‘One Night In Bangkok’ was released in 1984 it was an unlikely hit. It was the opening song from a (at the time) little-known stage pop-opera called ‘Chess’. The song made Number 1 in South Africa, West Germany, Switzerland and Australia,…

  • Covid-19 NewsBangkok places biohazard bins throughout the city for used face masks

    Bangkok places biohazard bins throughout the city for used face masks

    To help combat the spread of Covid-19 in Bangkok where cases have soared past 10,000 over the past month, more biohazard garbage bins are being placed throughout the city to dispose of used face masks and other waste that could be contaminated with the virus. Medical waste in Bangkok has increased to 20 tonnes per day since the start of…

  • Covid-19 NewsCovid UPDATE: 2,012 new infections, provincial updates

    Covid UPDATE: 2,012 new infections, provincial updates

    2,012 new Covid-19 infections and 15 coronavirus-related deaths were reported by the Ministry of Public Health’s Department of Disease Control this morning. Over the past month, more than 32,000 Covid-19 infections have been reported. There are currently 27,119 active Covid-19 cases in Thailand. 695 patients are in critical condition with 199 of those patients on ventilators. Out of the 2,012…

  • Covid-19 NewsMRT train station employee diagnosed with Covid-19

    MRT train station employee diagnosed with Covid-19

    Despite strict adherence to Covid-19 safety measures, a staff member of the Metropolitan Rapid Transit Authority in Bangkok has tested positive for the virus. The MRT made an announcement today about the employee, whose gender was not revealed. They confirmed that the Covid-19 infected staff member worked on the MRT Chalong Ratchadham line – the purple line – at the…

  • OpinionPM takes over Thailand’s vaccine roll out. Public Health Minister found under bus – OPINION

    PM takes over Thailand’s vaccine roll out. Public Health Minister found under bus – OPINION

    OPINION I went to register my name at a local private hospital in Phuket last Saturday for a place in the Covid vaccine queue. It was at the Bangkok Hospital Phuket. The first response from the reception area after the customary welcoming wai was “do you have insurance?” I said yes, but that was not relevant to why I was…

  • Bangkok NewsBTS Skytrain to take Bangkok Metropolitan Administration to court over 30 billion baht debt

    BTS Skytrain to take Bangkok Metropolitan Administration to court over 30 billion baht debt

    With the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration unable to pay its 30 billion baht debt for the BTS Skytrain’s Green Line extension, the Bangkok Mass Transit System is preparing to take the issue to court. The 30 billion baht owed to the Skytrain operator includes costs incurred while operating the Green Line as well as other related expenses dating back to 2018,…

  • Thailand News3 people infected at Thai Government House while Thai PM fined over not wearing mask

    3 people infected at Thai Government House while Thai PM fined over not wearing mask

    3 people at Thailand’s Government House have been infected with Covid-19, prompting the facility to shut down for cleaning. The adviser to PM Prayut Chan-o-cha made the announcement that the building would be closed from April 29 to May 7, with all publications to be distributed online via Facebook and the LINE app. About 95% of officials who work at…

  • Thailand NewsCovid-19 patients in Bangkok sent to other provinces due to overcrowded hospitals

    Covid-19 patients in Bangkok sent to other provinces due to overcrowded hospitals

    To help ease overcrowding at hospitals in Bangkok, where more than 10,000 people have tested positive for Covid-19 since April 1, some coronavirus patients are now being sent to the neighbouring provinces Samut Prakan and Samut Sakhon, just south of the capital, for treatment. Field hospitals are reopening in Samut Sakhon, the epicentre of the last wave of infections in…

  • Thailand NewsThailand sets grim record of highest daily Covid deaths since start of pandemic

    Thailand sets grim record of highest daily Covid deaths since start of pandemic

    Thailand is setting a rather grim record today as its death toll from Covid-19 has reached the highest daily amount since the pandemic started. 15 new deaths were reported today, setting a new daily record for the third time in 4 days. The deaths consisted of Thai nationals, with 9 men and 6 women, aged 24 to 88. Most of…

  • Covid-19 NewsBangkok car riders must wear face masks if 2 or more people in car

    Bangkok car riders must wear face masks if 2 or more people in car

    Bangkok car riders now must wear a face mask if more than 2 people are in the car. The City Hall made the announcement yesterday, as part of the measures by the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration aimed at stopping the spread of Covid-19. Family members in the same car aren’t being excluded from the rule. Questions on social media have signaled…