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Thailand news, politics, business, crime, lifestyle, and tourism—stay updated with breaking news and in-depth analysis from Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Pattaya, and beyond.
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Sponsored Long-term life in Thailand? 5 reasons private health insurance pays off in the long run
Thailand is a great place for expats and retirees, offering a warm climate, affordable living, and rich culture. However, healthcare can be tricky for foreigners since they aren’t eligible for public health coverage, and private care can be expensive. Private...
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More guidelines announced for schools reopening
Guidelines from the Ministry of Education for the reopening of schools say that 85% of teachers must be fully vaccinated before schools can resume a hybrid of onsite and online learning. Class size is limited to 25 students and they must stay 1.5 metres apart. The 85% aspect of the guidelines had previously been mentioned about 2 weeks prior. The…
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Phuket restaurants can serve alcohol starting October 1
In a decision that should drastically help the Phuket Sandbox and stimulate the economy, the CCSA gave initial approval to an order to allow selling and consuming alcohol in restaurants starting October 1. Thailand has had a national ban on alcohol consumption in groups and in businesses for months, with a recent crackdown on violators, but the rule would only…
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Wary of China, US and EU forge alliance on technology
The chip crisis turned dire when the coronavirus hit. As demand for electronics was skyrocketing in the spring of 2020, manufacturers warned they were running short of semiconductors — key components needed to make devices from smartphones to cars. They had good reasons: In the following months, the shortage forced factories to shut down assembly lines. Tech companies postponed product…
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Ethiopia: War and optimism collide as Abiy Ahmed prepares to form a new government
On October 5 2020, the mandate of the current Ethiopian Parliament expired. Planned elections had been postponed — officially because of the COVID-19 pandemic — sparking swift criticism from opposition parties. That same day, the leaders of the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF) — the dominant party in the country’s northern Tigray region — declared they would no longer recognize…
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Yo, dude! Surfing dogs on Huntington Beach
America is known for its crazy competitions, and the annual Surf City Surf Dog event on Huntington Beach, California, is definitely one of them — a totally rad get-together for the world’s top surfing dogs. SOURCE: DW News
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List of disease restrictions by colour-coded zoning
The Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration decided to extend the colour-coded zoning and corresponding disease control restrictions as well as to lift some measures for provinces classified as “dark red” zones with high Covid-19 infection rates, including shortening the nightly curfew by an hour. The revisions go into effect on Friday. The zoning and restrictions will be in place until…
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Tuesday Covid Update: 9,489 new cases; provincial totals
129 coronavirus-related deaths were reported today by the Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration, raising the pandemic’s death toll in Thailand to 16,498 with 16,404 of those fatalities recorded in the country’s latest wave since April 1. 9,489 new Covid-19 cases were recorded today, the first time cases have been under 10,000 over the past several weeks. Since the start of…
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Alleged drug dealer busted in Chon Buri, police seize drugs and gun
An alleged drug dealer has been arrested in Chon Buri, a province to the south of Bangkok, with 780,000 methamphetamine pills, a kilogram of crystal methamphetamine, 6 kilograms of ecstasy, and a gun, yesterday. The police did not release the name of the alleged drug dealer as they say they don’t want to compromise their investigation into the suspect’s contacts.…
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Army ranger suspected of killing his wife and mother-in-law surrenders to authorities in Songkhla
An army ranger carrying a military-grade firearm allegedly shot and killed his wife and mother-in-law last Thursday. The ranger turned himself in to authorities in the Southern province Songkhla yesterday and is now facing charges for premeditated murder. 37 year old Sgt Maj Pheeraphat Onchart surrendered to his commander at the 47th Ranger Regiment, yesterday. Pheeraphat was then brought to…
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6 dead and 30 provinces affected by tropical storm ‘Dianmu’
The tropical storm Dianmu, which passed through northern Thaiand last week, has resulted in flooding across 30 provinces and has claimed 6 lives since September 23. The report says Dianmu has resulted in reported flooding in Chiang Mai, Lamphun, Lampang, Tak, Sukhothai, Phitsanulok, Phetchabun, Phichit, Kamphaeng Phet, Loei, Khon Kaen, Chaiyaphum, Yasothon, Nakhon Ratchasima, Buri Ram, Surin, Si Sa Ket,…
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St. Andrews International School, joins global event for children’s wellbeing
Press Release On 30 September, St. Andrews International School, Sathorn has planned activities involving the entire school community of children, parents and employees to mark Global Be Well Day, a worldwide event led by Cognita, the group of 85 schools of which St. Andrews Sathorn school is a member. Over 58,000 children around the world will be taking part to…
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Kanchanaburi experiences earthquake so minor hardly anyone notices it
A minor earthquake of magnitude 3.2 was recorded by seismologists in western Thailand’s Kanchanaburi province early this morning. No damage or injuries were recorded and the Bangkok Post says no one even felt the temblor. The Meteorological Department says the temblor happened just before 5am and was centred 6 kilometres underground, somewhere under the Sri Sawat district, and 50 kilometres…
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Pattaya mayor confirms Pattaya reopening postponed to November
The Mayor of Pattaya City has officially confirmed the city’s reopening to vaccinated foreign tourists has been delayed to November. The announcement follows a similar one made by the centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration, yesterday. The Pattaya City Mayor Sontaya Khunplomek says many provinces have delayed their reopening from October to November, including Chon Buri, the province Pattaya is situated…
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Thai PM hit with 50-million-baht lawsuit from angry restaurant operators
The Thai PM is being sued for 50 million baht by a restaurant group which is also representing 39 other restaurant operators. The Bangkok Post reports that the Never Ending Summer Co has filed a class-action suit against Prayut Chan-o-cha, seeking compensation for financial losses endured as a result of the government’s alleged mismanagement of Covid-19. The Civil Court issued…
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Tuesday Covid Update: 9,489 new cases and 129 deaths
Today, the Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration reported 9,489 new cases and 129 coronavirus-related deaths. Since April 1, in Thailand’s latest wave of virus, the CCSA has recorded 1,552,552 confirmed covid-19 infections. In the 24-hour period since the last count, the CCSA has reported 12,805 recoveries. There are now 116,711 people in Thailand currently receiving treatment for Covid-19. Out of…
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Central Thailand told to prepare for possible flooding
Officials from Bangkok and the nearby provinces of Nonthaburi and Pathum Thani are being told to prepare for possible flooding, following the Royal Irrigation Department’s decision to accelerate the discharge rate of water from the Chao Phraya Dam in Chai Nat in expectation of more rain. Thanakorn Tantikul, director of the Ayutthaya irrigation projects says the move was made to…
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Police say new approach is needed to fight crime using a combination of technology and community participation
15 police stations across the country are participating in an innovative project that joins technology with an interpersonal approach to tackle crime. National police chief Suwat Jangyodsuk says police must reevaluate how they fight crime. He insists police must be knowledgeable and study modern policing. Suwat says educated police work more efficiently in what can be a fluid social environment.…
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Phuket governor petitions Bangkok to end restaurant alcohol ban, bar closure order
The governor of Phuket has lodged a formal appeal for restaurants on the southern island to be allowed to sell alcohol and for nightlife to be re-opened. The Phuket News reports that Narong Woonciew submitted the request to the Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration yesterday, citing the unprecedented financial struggles faced by locals as a result of the restrictions. The…
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Member of European Parliament wants Bulgarian cops watched
At a press conference in Sofia recently, Sophie in’t Veld, the chair of the European Parliament’s Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs, accused Bulgarian Prosecutor General Ivan Zhev of invoking “extraordinary powers” to target the opposition. In ‘t Veld, who led a European Parliament delegation to Bulgaria in December to investigate reports of official misdeeds, said Zhev had…
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Maria Kolesnikova: A heart for Belarus
The sentencing was a rare opportunity for the public to see Maria Kolesnikova, who had spent nearly a year in pretrial detention. On September 6, a court in Minsk sentenced the opposition politician to 11 years in a penal colony on charges including “extremism.” Her colleague, Maksim Znak, got one year less. The pair, who challenged Belarus’ disputed presidential election,…
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Monday Covid Update: 10,288 new cases; provincial totals
101 new coronavirus-related deaths were reported today by the Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration, raising the pandemic’s death toll in Thailand to 16,369. The country’s latest wave, which was first recorded on April 1, has accounted for 16,275 of those fatalities. In the 24-hour period since the last count, the CCSA recorded 10,288 new Covid-19 cases and 12,494 recoveries. Thailand…
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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…
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Consumer complaints hotline targets rip-off shopkeepers
A nationwide hotline number is now in operation to allow consumers to file complaints against shop owners who overcharge for basic necessities. Nation Thailand reports that the Commerce Ministry has launched the 1569 hotline following complaints of excessive charges for essential goods. Shopkeepers are being warned they face penalties of over 7 years’ imprisonment and/or a fine of 140,000 baht…
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Phuket Car rental business says gang rented cars and then sold them off
The owners of a car rental business in Phuket are out 10 cars and vans after a gang said they wanted to rent the vehicles for business, including work with a large cannabis operation, but failed to return the vehicles. The owners say they are worried the vehicles have already been sold off in other provinces. One of the rental…
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TAT pushes for Indonesia, Malaysia to be added to approved list for Phuket sandbox
The Tourism Authority of Thailand says there is demand in the Malaysian and Indonesian markets, but both countries are currently off the approved list for the Phuket sandbox. The Bangkok Post reports that Sophon Tantayotai from the TAT’s Jakarta office says Indonesians are allowed to travel abroad but cannot avail of the Phuket sandbox, instead having to quarantine for 14…
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Powerful earthquake strikes near the Phillippines main island
A powerful earthquake struck just off the Philippines’ main island of Luzon, today. There was no reported damage or injuries, says the US Geological Survey and officials. The earthquake registered at a deep, 5.7 magnitude and hit near the Batangas province around midnight, Thailand time. Locals in Manila say there were woken up when their houses started shaking. The USGS…
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OnlyFans arrest sparks calls for reform of prostitution and pornography laws
Following the arrest of an OnlyFans content creator on pornography charges, there have been renewed calls in Thailand for sex work to be legalised. A woman, known as Nong Khai Nao, who is a content creator for the subscription platform, and her boyfriend, were arrested for filming sexual acts and posting it on OnlyFans. The site allows people to pay…
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DSI says land documents were illegally issued for the Phuket “Sri Panwa” resort
The luxury resort in Phuket accused of land encroachment will now be investigated by the National Anti-Corruption Commission, the Department of Land, and the Anti-Money Laundering Office. Thailand’s Department of Special Investigations looked into the “Sri Panwa” project in Phuket and said that the resort illegally acquired land rights documents. According to Nation Thailand, the DSI found that Sri Panwa…
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12 Burmese migrant workers arrested in Kanchanaburi
12 Burmese migrant workers have been arrested near a border village in the Muang district in western Thailand’s Kanchanaburi province. Police say the group was arrested yesterday for illegal entry. The group of 5 men and 7 women were arrested by an army patrol from the Lat Ya Task Force around 4pm. The Bangkok Post says the group was hiding…
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Australian PM unsure about appearing at UN climate summit
The Australian PM, Scott Morrison, who is facing pressure to adopt a 2050 net-zero carbon emissions goal said today that he may not go to this year’s UN climate summit in Glasgow, Scotland due partially to his extensive travels this year. Australia is noted for being the world’s largest coal exporter by value as well as still being dependent on…
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