Thailand

  • Covid-19 NewsThailand working on 4 Covid-19 vaccines that could be ready by 2023

    Thailand working on 4 Covid-19 vaccines that could be ready by 2023

    Thailand is currently developing 4 different Covid-19 vaccines, which could be ready for public use next year. According to a Nation Thailand report, the CCSA was briefed on the progress of each vaccine at its meeting yesterday. Chula-Cov19 is an mRNA vaccine being developed by a team at Chulalongkorn University and has received over 2.7 billion baht in funding from…

  • SponsoredThai Vietjet – ‘Most Passenger-Friendly Cabin Crew’ ready to fly international

    Thai Vietjet – ‘Most Passenger-Friendly Cabin Crew’ ready to fly international

    Sponsored Article Ready to take your flying experience to a whole new level? If yes then, we’d recommend Thai Vietjet! This airline was recently awarded ‘Most Passenger-Friendly Cabin Crew – Thailand 2021’ by International Finance Magazine, London. Thai Vietjet has a core emphasis on becoming the ‘Airline of Hospitality’, by offering friendly and fun services. Since customer satisfaction has been…

  • Tourism NewsAnutin says reduced Test & Go insurance requirements enough to cover Covid costs

    Anutin says reduced Test & Go insurance requirements enough to cover Covid costs

    Following the CCSA’s decision yesterday to lower the insurance coverage required of overseas arrivals, the health minister says the new figure is enough to cover Covid treatment. The mandatory insurance coverage required to enter Thailand will be reduced from US$50,000 to US$20,000 from March 1. Anutin Charnvirakul says the amount was lowered in order to reduce the costs of travelling…

  • Northern Thailand NewsNortheastern deputy principal accused of flirting with female students

    Northeastern deputy principal accused of flirting with female students

    Yesterday and today, a Facebook page posted chat screenshots of the deputy principal of a Northeastern school offering to change a female student’s grades and buy her a phone if she visited him at his house. The names of the man and the school are not mentioned, but a hashtag trended on social media about the school’s colours and location,…

  • Northern Thailand NewsMonks and novices caught drinking alcohol and involved in an intimate relationship

    Monks and novices caught drinking alcohol and involved in an intimate relationship

    Thai social media has featured a video showing 8 monks and novices were celebrating and drinking alcohol inside their temple accommodation. Another video and a screenshot of the conversation also indicated that the monk had an intimate relationship with the novice. The party was identified to be happening at the Nikom Kitiyaram temple in the northeast province of Ubon Ratchatani.…

  • Thailand NewsWednesday Covid Update: 21,232 new infections, provincial totals

    Wednesday Covid Update: 21,232 new infections, provincial totals

    39 coronavirus-related deaths were reported by the CCSA today, raising the pandemic’s death toll in Thailand to 22,730 with 1,032 of those fatalities since the start of this year, mostly related to the Omicron variant of the coronavirus. In the 24 hour period since the last count, the CCSA recorded 21,232 new Covid infections and 16,662 recoveries. There are now…

  • Northern Thailand NewsArmy general and two others swindled over 43 million baht in fraud case

    Army general and two others swindled over 43 million baht in fraud case

    An army general and two other people were charged yesterday with colluding to defraud others. The three swindled over 43 million baht from two companies between December 2017 and August 2018. They offered the companies services that didn’t exist. One of these fake projects involved telling a firm they could land it a state contract by installing LED lights in…

  • Thailand NewsBREAKING: Thailand Test & Go changes

    BREAKING: Thailand Test & Go changes

    Day 5 PCR test for the Test and Go Program has been scrapped and the mandatory Covid insurance has also been reduced. Tim Newton goes live with the breaking news and answers your questions regarding the Thailand Pass.

  • Covid-19 NewsCovid-19 patients found on Bangkok streets waiting for treatment after cases spike

    Covid-19 patients found on Bangkok streets waiting for treatment after cases spike

    Today, Thailand’s CCSA reported new Covid-19 infections over the past 24 hours have reached 21,232 with 39 Covid-related deaths. Thai media and volunteer groups are also reporting that the availability of beds is “at a crisis point”. Photos of patients being left to wait for treatment on the street or on temple grounds are also being shared around social media.…

  • Environment NewsAfter pipeline spills, Rayong officials say beach is “still unsafe”

    After pipeline spills, Rayong officials say beach is “still unsafe”

    After 3 separate oil spills from the same company within a month, Rayong officials say the Mae Ramphueng beach is still unsafe. Health officials tested urine samples of officials who had to collect the oil. Out of 534 officials, 3 showed unsafe levels of volatile compounds. 18 other officials still await their results. The Rayong Pollution Control Centre also said…

  • Thailand NewsLow hanging cable flings a man off his motorbike – VIDEO

    Low hanging cable flings a man off his motorbike – VIDEO

    A low hanging electricity cable caught a man by the neck and dragged him off his speeding motorbike in Khon Kaen, north eastern Thailand. The rider, who also was wearing a full face helmet, was able to bounce back, repair his broken bike, and continued on his journey. The footage was captured by a security camera at a car maintenance…

  • Covid-19 NewsMor Prom’s chatbot gives you free Covid-19 advice and online diagnosis

    Mor Prom’s chatbot gives you free Covid-19 advice and online diagnosis

    A chatbot has been added to the Covid-19 application, Mor Prom. The update allows users to examine information about their Covid-19 symptoms, and it’s about 85% accurate according to an assistant to the public health minister. “The Mor Prom chatbot is not a medical diagnosis but it helps those who are infected with Covid-19 if they should seek urgent treatment.” Users…

  • Thailand NewsThailand’s businesses appeal to government to lower labour import cost

    Thailand’s businesses appeal to government to lower labour import cost

    Thai businesses say they need more workers, and have appealed to the Labour Ministry to reduce costs of importing migrant workers from surrounding countries like Myanmar and Cambodia. Labour ministers said business operators are concerned that if not enough workers are brought in on time, their businesses won’t be able to meet orders and will have to pay fines. PM…

  • Tourism NewsOfficials to review Test & Go requirements at CCSA meeting today

    Officials to review Test & Go requirements at CCSA meeting today

    The government’s Covid-19 task force meets today to review the country’s entry requirements, with a decision expected on whether to ditch the day 5 PCR test. Under Thailand’s Test & Go entry scheme, overseas arrivals are required to take 2 PCR tests, despite already having a negative test result prior to departure from their home country. The first test is…

  • Phuket NewsTAT says Phuket sandbox has generated over 43 billion baht in revenue

    TAT says Phuket sandbox has generated over 43 billion baht in revenue

    The Phuket sandbox scheme has so far generated over 43 billion baht in revenue, with visitor numbers steadily increasing. So says the Phuket office of the TAT, in a Bangkok Post report today. According to TAT Phuket director, Nanthasiri Ronnasiri, the sandbox scheme initially welcomed around 300 foreign tourists a day when it first launched last July. Since then, that…

  • Covid-19 NewsRemoval of Covid-19 from universal coverage scheme to be delayed indefinitely

    Removal of Covid-19 from universal coverage scheme to be delayed indefinitely

    A controversial decision to remove Covid-19 from the treatments covered under the Universal Coverage for Emergency Patients scheme is set to be delayed indefinitely. The delay comes as Covid infections continue to rise nationwide. According to a Bangkok Post report, Public Health Minister Anutin Charnvirakul confirmed the delay after yesterday’s Cabinet meeting. “The government and Public Health Ministry want to…

  • Tourism NewsTourism businesses respond angrily to Covid alert being increased to Level 4

    Tourism businesses respond angrily to Covid alert being increased to Level 4

    Thailand’s tourism operators have slammed the government’s decision to raise the Covid-19 alert to Level 4, accusing officials of damaging domestic travel sentiment. They say people should be allowed to move to “living with the virus” instead of being discouraged from travel and taking a backward step in Thailand’s recovery. Chamnan Srisawat from the Tourism Council of Thailand says the…

  • Thai LifeTop 10 hard truths of living as an expat in Thailand

    Top 10 hard truths of living as an expat in Thailand

  • TravelCity Guide: Top 5 beaches to visit in Phuket

    City Guide: Top 5 beaches to visit in Phuket

    One of the best things about visiting Thailand is, indeed, its beaches, which are some of the most beautiful in the world. Phuket, in Thailand’s south, is clearly one of the most popular areas to be a beach bum. Located off the Andaman Sea, its islands surrounding it provide day trips galore. But, a few of those beaches seem to…

  • TravelThailand’s 8 most iconic landmarks

    Thailand’s 8 most iconic landmarks

    Thailand’s top iconic landmarks represent some of the country’s exotic culture. As such iconic attractions draw in hoards of tourists every year, it is no wonder why when you actually see them for yourself. From beautiful floating markets to all-white temples, here are 8 of the most iconic landmarks to visit in the Land of Smiles. 8 Of Thailand’s Most…

  • Pattaya NewsForeign cyclist pronounced dead after being hit by pick up truck in Chon Buri

    Foreign cyclist pronounced dead after being hit by pick up truck in Chon Buri

    Officers from Huay Yai Provincial Police Station were notified of a road incident on the Sattahip – Korat road in Bang Lamung district of Chon Buri. At the scene, one foreigner, who was believed to be a local expat, was found dead in a watercourse adjacent to the road. Thai media reported that the foreign victim was about 60 –…

  • Thailand NewsPublic Health Ministry assures government will continue to cover covid treatment costs — for critical cases

    Public Health Ministry assures government will continue to cover covid treatment costs — for critical cases

    Speaking at a press conference on Monday, Public Health Minister Anutin Charnvirakul assured Thai citizens that their Covid-related costs will continue to be covered after planned changes to the Universal Coverage for Emergency Patients scheme — or UCEP — takes effect in March. He also dispelled rumours that the existing scheme would be abandoned altogether, reaffirming that citizens infected with…

  • Phuket NewsOverpriced mangosteens in Phuket go viral on Tiktok – how much per kilo!?

    Overpriced mangosteens in Phuket go viral on Tiktok – how much per kilo!?

    A Thai TikToker has shared a video of a street vendor in Phuket selling mangosteens at the rather steep price of 500 baht per kilogram, considered too expensive for Thai people (or anyone for that matter). The Tiktoker said she didn’t mean to offend the seller by claiming that the price was ridiculously high, but merely sought out other people’s…

  • Thailand NewsMonks host funeral for scarecrow named ‘Covid’ to ward off disease

    Monks host funeral for scarecrow named ‘Covid’ to ward off disease

    Well, anything is worth a try at this stage! Monks at a temple in the central Thai province of Suphan Buri have hosted the funeral for a scarecrow, which was named “Mr. Covid Omicron”. Thai locals believed this ceremony could help ward off evil, which is Covid-19 in this case. Residents were scared and worried about the spread of Covid-19…

  • TravelCity Guide: 5 Hotels for travellers near Suvarnabhumi International Airport

    City Guide: 5 Hotels for travellers near Suvarnabhumi International Airport

    Thailand has opened up to international travellers and more people are visiting for business and leisure. Booking a hotel near the airport has many conveniences, especially for businessmen and those who have to catch a layover flight. Suvarnabhumi International Airport is the main airport in the Big Mango and you’re likely to pass through it, whether you’re flying internationally or…

  • PropertyCentral Pattana reports B7.1 billion profit in 2021

    Central Pattana reports B7.1 billion profit in 2021

    Central Pattana, a retail and property developer in Thailand, made 7.1 billion baht in net profit and received 28.9 billion baht in revenue in 2021, despite Covid-19 challenges. CPN’s Chief Financial Officer described 2022 as another difficult year for the company since the pandemic has had a greater impact on customers’ lifestyles and numerous businesses than the previous year. “The…

  • World NewsOffice and retail property predictions for Asia Pacific in 2022

    Office and retail property predictions for Asia Pacific in 2022

    CBRE, leading international property consultants, foresees a record year for Asia Pacific commercial real estate investment in 2022, driven by steady economic growth and pent-up investor demand, according to the company’s 2022 Asia Pacific Real Estate Market Outlook. CBRE expects total investment volume this year to grow by at least 5% to more than US$150 billion, surpassing the previous pre-pandemic…

  • Covid-19 NewsTuesday Covid Update: 18,363 new infections, provincial totals

    Tuesday Covid Update: 18,363 new infections, provincial totals

    35 coronavirus-related deaths were reported by the CCSA today, raising the pandemic’s death toll in Thailand to 22,691 with 993 of those fatalities since the start of this year. The CCSA has recorded 18,363 new Covid infections and 15,651 recoveries. There are now 169,074 people in Thailand currently being treated for Covid-19. Out of the new cases recorded today, 31…

  • Thailand NewsStar Petroleum vows to seal underwater pipeline and “clean up” oil slicks in Rayong

    Star Petroleum vows to seal underwater pipeline and “clean up” oil slicks in Rayong

    Star Petroleum Refining, the petrochemical company behind 3 separate oil leaks about 20 kilometres off the Rayong coastline, has now been approved by Map Ta Phut Provincial police and Marine Department to seal leaks in their underwater pipeline. The company says that works have begun today, starting with clearing the most recent oil leak of around 12,000 spare metres that…

  • Thailand NewsPM Prayut insists former police investigator into human trafficking in Thailand can return from exile

    PM Prayut insists former police investigator into human trafficking in Thailand can return from exile

    Following the human trafficking of Rohingya people at the border of Thailand and Malaysia reported yesterday, PM Prayut declared that Thailand “was serious about human trafficking”, and the situation was “improving”. He also said that the former Thai policeman in exile in Australia, who shared the story about the case back in 2015, left the country “by himself “and insisted…