Germany

  • Tourism NewsThailand sees 32,627 travellers in 2022, Russians top the list

    Thailand sees 32,627 travellers in 2022, Russians top the list

    As the future of the Thailand reopening hangs in the balance, travellers rushed to get into the country before the doors are pulled shut any further. Russia led the entries into the Kingdom with a few surprising countries making the top 10 list. 32,627 people have entered the country this year, from January 1 to January 4, bringing with them…

  • Tourism NewsGermany removes Thailand from its list of high-risk countries

    Germany removes Thailand from its list of high-risk countries

    The Thai embassy in Berlin says Thailand has been removed from Germany’s list of Covid-19 high-risk countries, according to a Thai PBS World report. Provided they are fully vaccinated with an approved vaccine, travellers from Thailand can now enter Germany without having to quarantine. The accepted vaccines are Pfizer, AstraZeneca, Moderna, and the Johnson & Johnson single-dose vaccine. In addition…

  • Covid-19 NewsOmicron variant and surging Covid-19 affect European nations

    Omicron variant and surging Covid-19 affect European nations

    Following on our reporting on Covid-19 and the Omicron variant spreading throughout the US and in Africa and Australasia, here are some updates on European reactions to the new strain and dealing with a renewed Covid-19 threat. ENGLAND & IRELAND The UK Health Security Agency reported 75 more infections of the Omicron variant bringing the total throughout the country to…

  • Covid-19 NewsNo vaccine, no entry: Germany gets tough on those who refuse to get vaccinated

    No vaccine, no entry: Germany gets tough on those who refuse to get vaccinated

    Alarmed at rising infection rates and anxious to avoid another strict lockdown, the German government is instead imposing restrictions on the unvaccinated. According to a Bloomberg report, the outgoing chancellor Angela Merkel has agreed a raft of new measures with government officials and her successor, Olaf Scholz. Unvaccinated people in Germany will face limits on which public events they can…

  • Covid-19 NewsEurope the only region in the world where Covid deaths are rising

    Europe the only region in the world where Covid deaths are rising

    Covid-19 deaths in Europe rose by 5% last week, making it the only region in the world where Covid fatalities are rising. The World Health Organisation says that, while infection rates have risen across the Americas, Europe, and Asia, Covid-related deaths in all regions have remained stable or dropped – with the exception of Europe. According to an AP report,…

  • Tourism News5 no-quarantine countries named, 17 Thai provinces reopening

    5 no-quarantine countries named, 17 Thai provinces reopening

    As restrictions are easing and Thailand moves towards a more streamlined and accessible reopening, 5 countries have been named in the plan to waive arrival quarantine for 10 countries. Though true to Thai style, nothing has been officially confirmed just 2 weeks before the grand reopening, the US, UK, Germany, China, and Singapore are more than likely candidates to be…

  • Covid-19 NewsVaccine donation from Iceland and Germany confirmed

    Vaccine donation from Iceland and Germany confirmed

    Both Iceland and Germany have each agreed to a donation Covid-19 vaccines to Thailand and the Thai Cabinet has now endorsed receiving the vaccine shipments. A government spokesperson expressed gratitude for the two donations totalling 446,100 vaccine from the two European nations. The spokesman said that the vaccines represented the good relations Thailand have with the countries of Europe as…

  • Covid-19 NewsForeign Ministry denies it wouldn’t work with other countries to get vaccines

    Foreign Ministry denies it wouldn’t work with other countries to get vaccines

    A Foreign Ministry spokesperson has denied claims that officials wouldn’t cooperate with other countries in the procurement of Covid-19 vaccines. According to a Nation Thailand report, Tanee Sangrat insists Thailand has worked with a number of countries in accepting donations, swapping vaccines, and other areas of cooperation. “The ministry has used various channels, such as vaccine swaps, accepting donations, and…

  • Crime NewsGerman fugitives to be extradited to face drug trafficking and production charges

    German fugitives to be extradited to face drug trafficking and production charges

    Thai police are expected to extradite the 2 Germans, who are suspected of being involved in a European drug cartel, back to their home country to face charges. Officials in Germany had filed an Interpol red notice requesting their arrest, and the German Embassy in Thailand alerted Thai Immigration Police. One was arrested in Phuket, and the other at a…

  • Crime NewsAlleged leaders of a drug cartel in Germany arrested in Phuket and Koh Pha Ngan

    Alleged leaders of a drug cartel in Germany arrested in Phuket and Koh Pha Ngan

    The suspected leaders of a European drug trafficking network arrested by Thai police this week had reportedly been living in Thailand for several years as fugitives. Reports say German officials had filed an Interpol red notice for their arrest in a crackdown where 20 people allegedly involved in the drug trafficking operation were arrested in Germany. Allegedly, they were trafficking…

  • Thailand News2 suspected drug cartel leaders arrested in Surat Thani and Phuket

    2 suspected drug cartel leaders arrested in Surat Thani and Phuket

    2 suspected drug cartel leaders whose operations were based in Europe were arrested in the southern provinces of Surat Thani and Phuket this morning. The suspects are Alek Karun, of German/Russian origin and Alexander Wolfien, a German national, says immigration Bureau chief Sompong Chingduang Alek was arrested at a luxury villa on the island of Koh Phangan, in the Surat…

  • Covid-19 NewsUS Air Force lands in India with much-needed Covid-19 supplies, other foreign aid on the way

    US Air Force lands in India with much-needed Covid-19 supplies, other foreign aid on the way

    As India has recently requested foreign aid to help with its severe Covid-19 situation, a US Air Force aircraft has landed in the South Asian country, answering that call with Covid-19 relief supplies. The aircraft departed from California and, according to a statement by the US Department of Defense, was packed with cargo pallets containing more than 400 oxygen cylinders…

  • Tourism NewsPhuket Airport welcomes first 7 day quarantine travellers

    Phuket Airport welcomes first 7 day quarantine travellers

    In the early hours of Saturday, a flight arrived at Phuket International Airport welcoming the first travellers to benefit from the reduced mandatory quarantine launched on April 1. The reduction of the isolation period is part of the 4 stages of fully reopening Thailand to international tourism, planned to roll out over the next 8 months (and probably into early…

  • Transport NewsPhuket International Airport getting ready for reopening

    Phuket International Airport getting ready for reopening

    Phuket International Airport is readying for the island’s reopening by beginning the vaccination process of all employees. The mandatory inoculations is hoped to increase confidence among foreign visitors, as many who have received a Covid vaccine, can now enter the island with relaxed quarantine measures. Just yesterday, officials confirmed that 2 flights from Germany will kick off the airport’s reopening,…

  • Covid-19 NewsGermany advises AstraZeneca Covid-19 vaccine only be given to adults under 65

    Germany advises AstraZeneca Covid-19 vaccine only be given to adults under 65

    German officials advise that the AstraZeneca Covid-19 vaccine should only be administered to people between the ages of 18 and 64. The recommendation follows reports that the AstraZeneca vaccine, developed in partnership with Oxford University, has an efficacy less than 10% in those over 65 years old. The pharmaceutical firm shot down the claims saying the reports are “completely incorrect.”…

  • World NewsAstraZeneca says reports of vaccine’s low efficacy among elderly is “completely incorrect”

    AstraZeneca says reports of vaccine’s low efficacy among elderly is “completely incorrect”

    The pharmaceutical giant AstraZeneca says reports that its Covid-19 vaccine has an extremely low efficacy among the elderly is “completely incorrect.” German newspapers published articles today reporting that the AstraZeneca vaccine, developed in partnership with Oxford University, has an efficacy less than 10% in those over 65 years old. The economic daily Handelsblatt reported that Berlin estimated the vaccine’s efficacy…

  • Bangkok NewsHM the King says “I’m just like other human beings”

    HM the King says “I’m just like other human beings”

    “I’m just like other human beings. On some days I feel despondent. On some days I feel sad.” In a rare occurrence, His Majesty the King Maha Vajiralongkorn sat down and spoke with a group of student volunteers at the 11th Infantry Regiment, the King’s Guard. He explained, candidly, to the 200 high school students “I am just like other…

  • Thailand NewsGermany’s media reports on doubts that the Thai King will return

    Germany’s media reports on doubts that the Thai King will return

    German media are reporting today that they doubt part-time Bavarian tourist and resident, Thailand’s King Maha Vajiralongkorn, will ever return. Thailand’s King spent a large proportion of his time renting a large hotel in the southeast German state of Bavaria since becoming King in 2016 following the death of his father, King Bhumibol Adulyadej. The reports say that the Villa Stolberg…

  • Covid-19 News10 new cases of Covid today in Thailand, all in quarantine

    10 new cases of Covid today in Thailand, all in quarantine

    Thailand has 10 new cases of Covid-19 reported today by the Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration (CCSA). The infections were from those arriving from 8 different countries, with all being in quarantine. The new cases bring the total to 3,902 with the death toll remaining at 60. Germany, Sweden, Switzerland, Czech Republic, Belgium, the Netherlands, US and India were the…

  • Thailand NewsGerman government does not believe the Thai Monarch broke the law on conducting state affairs

    German government does not believe the Thai Monarch broke the law on conducting state affairs

    Germany says His Majesty the King has not violated the European country’s ban on conducting foreign politics on German soil where he resides. The government in Berlin briefed lawmakers this week, saying the Thai Monarch is allowed make occasional decisions regarding Thai state affairs, but he cannot continuously conduct business from overseas, a source from parliament told Reuters. So far,…

  • Covid-19 News13 new Covid-19 cases in quarantine

    13 new Covid-19 cases in quarantine

    13 new Covid-19 cases were detected in quarantine including 4 Thai students, according to the Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration. The total number of confirmed Covid-19 cases is at 3,759 with 3,561 recoveries and 59 deaths. 139 people are currently receiving medical treatment for the coronavirus. A 49 year old Frenchman travelling from France tested positive for Covid-19 on Monday,…

  • Thailand Protest NewsFrom Bangkok to Berlin – protesters deliver letter to German Embassy

    From Bangkok to Berlin – protesters deliver letter to German Embassy

    Protesting students last night submitted a letter to the German Embassy, to be passed on to the German Government. The protest started around 4pm when the rally gathered at the Sam Yan intersection, near the Chulalongkorn University, and made its way along Rama IV Road to the German Embassy in Sathorn Road, some 1.5 kilometres. After some 10,000+ students descended…

  • Politics NewsGerman politician raises questions about the status of Thailand’s Head of State

    German politician raises questions about the status of Thailand’s Head of State

    German politicians have raised questions in parliament about the status of Thailand’s Head of State as a part time resident in the state of Bavaria, after protests in Thailand have continued to make international news, drawing attention to Thailand and the Thai government’s fragile political situation. Frithjof Schmidt, from Germany’s Green Party, has questioned the German Foreign Ministry about its…

  • World NewsState quarantine for Thais entering Singapore, while harder hit nations get a pass

    State quarantine for Thais entering Singapore, while harder hit nations get a pass

    Singapore’s government will continue to require that all Thai arrivals to the city-state undergo a 14 day mandatory state quarantine before being allowed to enter the country and mingle with the general population. Singapore, which has 45,298 total cases, says that Thais must serve their “Stay Home Notice” at dedicated government quarantine facilities. Arrivals from China, which has seen a total…

  • Covid-19 NewsUK starts human testing on experimental Covid-19 vaccine

    UK starts human testing on experimental Covid-19 vaccine

    The UK is joining the race to develop a Covid-19 vaccine with volunteers already getting jabbed as the testing continues. But the new vaccine isn’t merely a weaker version of the actual virus- it ‘clones’ the virus so its receivers don’t actually get infected with Covid-19. Imperial College London is behind the new vaccine which uses synthetic strands of genetic code,…

  • World NewsCovid-19 today: World snapshot

    Covid-19 today: World snapshot

    Despite many vaccines being in the works, and mostly all nations imposing safety measures surrounding Covid-19, The World Health Organisation says the pandemic is still growing around the world. “The epidemic is now peaking or moving toward a peak in a number of large countries,” said Dr Michael Ryan, WHO’s emergencies chief. So here is what’s happening around the world…

  • World NewsRussia celebrates WWII Victory Day today

    Russia celebrates WWII Victory Day today

    Russia is celebrating Victory Day today after postponing it for over one month. The national holiday parade in Moscow celebrates the former Soviet Union defeating Nazi Germany in World War II, where over 20 million lost their lives. The parade, named the 1945 USS victory parade, kicked off at 10 am this morning and is especially significant as critics say…

  • World NewsGermany arrests Syrian doctor for alleged torture

    Germany arrests Syrian doctor for alleged torture

    A Syrian doctor living in Germany is the latest refugee to be arrested after he allegedly tortured a detainee in his home country. The doctor is expected to be charged with crimes against humanity and causing grievous bodily harm in a military prison where he previously worked. He allegedly beat a prisoner to the point of unconsciousness after being called…

  • World NewsRiot in Germany causes multiple injuries and arrests

    Riot in Germany causes multiple injuries and arrests

    After investigating a potential drug trafficking ring in downtown Stuttgart, Germany, police came under attack as riot broke out against them. The brawl resulted in 24 arrests and 19 police officers wounded, according to city officials who reiterated their support of its law enforcement. The Mayor condemned the protests saying they were unacceptable and that neither alcohol nor the desire to protest…

  • Covid-19 NewsRepatriation flight from Germany arrives in Bangkok

    Repatriation flight from Germany arrives in Bangkok

    Last night 110 Thai people, living abroad and having been affected by the Covid-19 travel restrictions and flight bans, arrived from Frankfurt, Germany on a specially-chartered Lufthansa flight. The flight number LH772 arrived at Suvarnabhumi Airport where all the passengers passed initial screening with no high fevers detected and medical paperwork intact. Thai citizens, who weren’t in Frankfurt, had to make…