emergency decree

  • South Thailand News

    Emergency decree against insurgency extended in Deep South

    While emergency decrees over the Covid-19 pandemic situation are finally a thing of the past, the continuously troubled Deep South region of Thailand has been operating under an ongoing emergency decree aimed at protecting citizens from the threat of the long-term insurgency constant in the area. The three southern border provinces of Pattani, Yala, and Narathiwat, are a buffer between…

  • South Thailand News

    Thailand extends emergency decree in Deep South

    Thailand is extending the emergency decree in the Deep South for another three months. The decree applies to the border provinces of Yala, Pattani, and Narathiwat and will run from March 20 to June 19. According to the Bangkok Post, the newest extension of the decree marks the 71st time it has been issued. The Deputy Prime Minister, Prawit Wongsuwon…

  • Politics News

    Thailand Cabinet approves emergency decree to crackdown on Internet fraud

    The Thailand Cabinet revealed its commitment to cracking down on Internet fraud by approving a draft emergency decree. Digital Economy and Society (DES) Minister Chaiwut Thanakamanusorn revealed the Cabinet approved the draft emergency decree to combat Internet fraud, which will allow financial institutions to temporarily halt suspicious transactions for scrutiny. The draft, titled “the prevention and suppression of technology crime,”…

  • Thailand Protest News

    Royal arsonist goes on hunger strike

    The royal arsonist convicted of setting fire to a portrait of King Vajiralongkorn and Queen Suthida has gone on a hunger strike while awaiting an appeal. Food delivery rider Sitthichok Sethasavet was found guilty of defaming the royal family, arson, destruction of property, and violation of the Emergency Decree. He was sentenced to two years and four months in prison.…

  • South Thailand News

    Deep South emergency decree extended 3 months

    After a recent car bombing of police apartments in the Deep South province of Narathiwat, the Emergency Situation Administration Committee decided to extend the state of emergency decree in the troubled Southern provinces. The extension means that the current state of emergency will not end on December 20 as scheduled, but will instead continue until March 19 at the earliest.…

  • Covid-19 News

    Thailand’s face mask rules to be scrapped soon

    In two or three weeks, those in Thailand will no longer have to worry about wearing a face mask in most places. According to The Bangkok Post, the Ministry of Public Health will soon cancel such mask-wearing regulations and accompanying fines for breaking such rules. The National Communicable Disease Committee has reportedly already completed a draft announcement that reflects the…

  • Covid-19 News

    Meeting today could decide whether to end Emergency Decree

    A meeting today could decide whether to end Thailand’s long-standing Emergency Decree. The Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration is meeting today in which the Covid-19 operations centre is expected to propose the revocation of the decree from October 1. Secretary-general of the National Security Council and head of the operations centre said yesterday that members have agreed that there has…

  • Covid-19 News

    Spokesman warns end of CCSA, Decree not guaranteed

    Mark Twain is often (mis)quoted as saying, “Rumours of my death have been greatly exaggerated.” And the same, it seems, may be said of the Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration (CCSA) as a government spokesperson said yesterday that, despite an announcement Friday, the lifting of the Emergency Decree and dissolution of the CCSA will be closely evaluated and is not…

  • Covid-19 News

    CCSA to dissolve with end of Emergency Decree October 1

    After over two and a half years, it’s finally time to say goodbye to our old friend, the Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration. PM Prayut Chan-o-cha announced that the Emergency Decree on Public Administration in Emergency Situations which has been in effect since March 24, 2020, and created the CCSA to cope with the coronavirus pandemic, will not be extended…

  • Covid-19 News

    Ban on public gatherings enacted and published in Royal Gazette

    A new ban on public gatherings has been published in the Royal Gazette to combat the recent surge of Covid-19 infections in Thailand. The rule restricting unauthorised public assemblies is permitted under the Emergency Decree that was recently extended for a 19th time, as it has been every two months since it was instituted towards the beginning of the pandemic…

  • Covid-19 News

    Emergency Decree extended by cabinet until end of September

    The Thai cabinet met yesterday to officially extend the State of Emergency in Thailand, announced earlier this month, due to the Covid-19 pandemic. This will be the 19th extension it will prolong the Emergency Decree that was set to expire on July 31, going into effect on August 1 and continuing until September 30. The decree, which was first invoked by…

  • Covid-19 News

    Emergency Decree extended, but vows not to infringe on freedoms

    The Emergency Decree, declared throughout the Covid-19 pandemic, has officially been extended for another 2 months. The decree which declares that Thailand is in an official state of emergency was set to expire on July 31, but this extension covers from August 1 to September 30. This is the 19th time the Emergency Decree has been extended. Prolonging the decree…

  • Covid-19 News

    To wear or not to wear a face mask (in Thailand) – that is the question – OPINION

    The Thai PM, chairing today’s CCSA meeting, has asked people in Thailand to keep wearing their masks. The words were carefully crafted. “…although there are no legal obligations for people to wear face masks, people are still very strongly advised to do so, especially when it is deemed necessary.” In other words, you don’t HAVE to. So nothing has changed…

  • Covid-19 News

    BREAKING: CCSA address face masks, emergency decree, and foreign arrivals

    Today, Thailand’s Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha met with the Covid-19 Situation Administration – the CCSA – to discuss Covid rules and restrictions in Thailand. Namely, the use of face masks, the extension of Thailand’s emergency decree, and foreign arrival figures. The CCSA started by saying that cases of Covid subvariants BA.4 and BA.5 are on the rise in Thailand. Face…

  • Politics News

    Thai PM to keep ‘special law’ despite opposition

    PM Prayut Chan-o-cha yesterday dismissed accusations the nation’s emergency decree is only in place to control the anti-government protestors. Move Forward Party MP Rangsiman Rome on Sunday demanded the PM lift the special law, claiming it is only being used to take legal action against protesters rather than curbing the spread of the Covid-19. Rangsiman says the government had eased…

  • Visa Information

    Deadline to apply for “Covid” visa extension extended by 2 months

    The deadline to apply for a 60-day “Covid” visa extension in Thailand has been extended by two months, until July 25. The extension follows the Thai government’s decision to extend the country’s “State of Emergency” until July 31. A “Covid” visa extension is designed for foreigners residing in Thailand who are unable to return to their home country due to…

  • Thailand News

    Thailand’s State of Emergency extended, again

    Two years into Thailand’s reaction to the Covid pandemic, Thailand’s State of Emergency will remain in effect after being extended for another two months. The emergency decree allows the Government to tackle the outbreak through its Covid-19 task force – the CCSA. The Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration makes decisions, relating to internal Covid policy and government reaction, on the run…

  • Thailand News

    Thailand’s State of Emergency extended, Covid-19 is still a pandemic – PM Prayut

    Two years into the pandemic, Thailand’s State of Emergency is still in effect and has been extended for another two months, giving the government sweeping powers to tackle the outbreak through its establishment of a Covid-19 task force. The decree was extended from April 1 to May 31. In a press conference today, PM Prayut Chan-o-cha said Covid-19 is still…

  • Thailand News

    Do you legally have to wear masks in Thailand?

    With the Covid 19 pandemic came the wearing of masks as the new normal in Thailand, and many other countries around the world. Some people are fine with wearing masks whilst other remain strongly opposed to it, for a variety of reasons. Whether you like it or not it is “strongly encouraged” to wear a mask in Thailand. But do…

  • Covid-19 News

    Thailand extends State of Emergency for another two months

    Thailand’s State of Emergency was extended for another two months. The decree, which was first invoked by PM Prayut Chan-o-cha in March 2020, gives the government sweeping powers, through the establishment of the Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration, to set restrictions and measures to combat the spread of the coronavirus in Thailand. The decree was last set to expire on…

  • Phuket News

    Tourists not wearing masks face tough talk from Phuket authorities

    Expressing frustration against tourists that disregard Covid-19 safety rules and regulations, authorities in Phuket say they will take legal action against foreigners who don’t wear their face masks in public. Phuket’s immigration chief called on authorities to strictly enforce the regulations set out by the local Communicable Disease Committee that required that masks be worn at all times in public.…

  • Pattaya News

    Police raid Bang Lamung pool party in violation of Covid-19 rules

    In what has become a common occurrence, police in Pattaya raided another illegal party in violation of Covid-19 regulations, this time a pool party in Bang Lamung. Police described the venue, saying it was like a tavern or villa converted into a pool party location that was serving drinks and blasting music long after curfew with no regard for Covid-19…

  • Crime News

    UPDATE: Israeli escapee given slap-on-the-wrist fine

    Ohad Baruch, the Israeli tourist who violated Thai law and the emergency decree by fleeing his SHA+ hotel to Pattaya and Koh Samui while waiting for RT-PCR tests, has received a small fine and will face deportation. The punishment for violating the emergency decree is up to 40,000 baht and 2 years in prison, but today the Bangkok South Municipal…

  • Crime News

    Israeli Covid-19 rule escapee facing charges, deportation

    The Israeli man who broke Thai Covid law and left his SHA+ hotel in Bangkok before Covid-19 test results came back, is now back in Bangkok, in custody of Thong Lor Police and faces charges and deportation. The Israeli man, Ohad Baruch, was flown on the 9:40pm Bangkok Airways flight from Koh Samui Airport to Bangkok on Monday night after…

  • Covid-19 News

    Emergency Decree extended until January 31

    The Emergency Decree has been extended until January 31, giving the Thai government sweeping powers to impose measures to combat the spread of Covid-19. In its general meeting chaired by PM Prayut Chan-o-cha, the CCSA decided to extend the decree due to the ongoing Covid-19 situation. The decree was imposed at the start of the pandemic in March 2020 and…

  • Bangkok News

    Police bust Bangkok pub serving alcohol, 61 arrested

    After receiving complaints that alcohol was being illegally served in violation of Covid-19 restrictions, Thong Lo Police raided a pub serving alcohol illegally on Soi Sukhumvit 23 in the Wattana district of Bangkok. The raid that took place last night led to the arrest of 61 guests found drinking alcohol without social distancing. 35 women and 26 males were taken…

  • Thailand News

    235 arrested at restaurant serving alcohol after curfew

    Another bust for illegal alcohol and gathering occurred in the early hours of yesterday morning as police in Khon Kaen busted an alcohol-serving restaurant pouring drinks for over 200 customers illegally. In violation of the Covid-19 Emergency Decree and the Communicable Disease Control Act, the Lan Mai restaurant in Maliwan Road in tambon Ban Pet in Muang district was found…

  • Bangkok News

    93 arrested for alcohol in restaurant across from police station

    In what has become a common occurrence, police raided an establishment and arrested people illegally serving and consuming alcohol. In Pathumwan district of Bangkok Monday night, police raided a restaurant within a shopping centre and arrested 93 people with alcoholic beverages. In real estate, as in illegal alcohol sales, location is everything, and the raid occurred on the second floor…

  • Crime News

    Chon Buri Police arrest 30 people in luxury resort gambling raid

    A luxury resort hosting an alleged gambling den was raided by Chon Buri police with 30 suspected gamblers taken into custody. Chon Buri police raided the resort in Takean Tia sub-district of Bang Lamung yesterday afternoon. Police reported confiscating various gambling paraphernalia and cash in the raid. The raid stretched for over 5 hours with the police arriving around 3…

  • Covid-19 News

    Police raid Korat restaurant after curfew with live music, booze

    In the northern province of Nakhon Ratchasima, 39 people were arrested as police raided a restaurant breaking several Covid-19 rules and restrictions. The raid took place last night in Muang district at around 10:30 pm. Health and administrative officials accompanied the police to the Lamer Restaurant & Karaoke on Sirinakhon Road where they found 28 customers inside and 11 staff…

  • Thailand Protest News

    Activists petition to stop emergency decree being used to curtail freedom of speech

    A human rights NGO has petitioned the Civil Court to abolish the government’s use of the emergency decree to quash freedom of expression. The Internet Law Reform Dialogue group filed the petition against the PM, Prayut Chan-o-cha, and the relevant authorities. According to a Bangkok Post report, iLaw manager Yingcheep Atchanond, feminist activist Chutima Tangkliang, and Atthapol Buapat from the…

  • Covid-19 News

    Thailand reduces quarantine to 7 days for fully vaccinated arrivals from October

    The Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration has approved a reduction in mandatory quarantine for vaccinated arrivals from Friday. Fully vaccinated travellers will now face quarantine of 7 days instead of 14. Unvaccinated arrivals, or those who cannot prove their vaccination status, will still be subject to a longer quarantine period of between 10 and 14 days. The CCSA also agreed…

  • Bangkok News

    Police bust hotel party with ecstasy and ketamine, 59 arrested

    In the early hours of this morning in Bangkok, police arrested 59 young people in possession of illegal drugs and having an illegal party at a hotel in the Ram Intra area. The event was a birthday party, and 29 men and 30 women were in attendance and were arrested last night. Police from the Khok Khram police station, along…

  • Thailand News

    Khon Kaen restaurant busted for allegedly serving alcohol

    Another venue, this time in northeastern Thailand’s Khon Kaen province, has been busted for allegedly selling customers alcohol. The restaurant tried to hide the fact that they were serving alcohol but proved no match for the officials that raided the eatery, yesterday. The unnamed restaurant, which is somewhere close to the Khon Kaen University, was raided by police and soldiers.…

  • Thailand News

    Morning Top Stories | New disease control law, Thai border patrol tightens security | September 22 |

    Caitlin gives us a covid update as well as all the morning headlines across Thailand and regional headlines around Asia: New disease control law in the works to replace Emergency Decree, Phuket Vegetarian Festival under tight restrictions and Malaysia reaches target of 80% adults fully vaccinated. As well as a Covid update.

  • Thailand News

    GMT | OnlyFans creators arrested; another possible reopening delay | Episode 94

    In today’s episode, Jay and Tim talk about a not-so-happy ending for an OnlyFans star in Thailand, a possible further delay to reopening plans for provinces in Thailand, and a draft amendment to Thailand’s Communicable Disease Act.  

  • Economy News

    Industry body says Thai government must borrow another 1 trillion baht

    The chairman of The Federation of Thai Industries is calling on the government to borrow another 1 trillion baht to kick-start the economy in 2022. Supant Mongkolsuthree says the extra funds are desperately needed to boost an economy devastated by the fallout from the pandemic. According to a Bangkok Post report, he says the government’s borrowing of 500 billion baht…