Thailand

  • Thailand NewsA synopsis of Thailand’s educational system

    A synopsis of Thailand’s educational system

    Many expats who decide to settle in Thailand are curious about the public schools’ status. As Thailand is a popular destination for many worldwide, those with kids may be looking to immerse their children in the culture. So, enrolling them into the country’s government-sponsored schools may be an option. However, further research into this reveals that the quality of education…

  • 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…

  • Thailand NewsGovernment considering legalising e-cigarettes amid outcry from health groups

    Government considering legalising e-cigarettes amid outcry from health groups

    The government is looking at ways e-cigarettes could be legalised, in order to offer a less harmful alternative to smoking regular cigarettes. The Digital Economy and Society Minister, Chaiwut Thanakamanusorn, says he believes vaping is safer for people trying to quit smoking, but his comments have been met with fierce opposition from health campaigners, according to a Bangkok Post report.…

  • Covid-19 NewsWednesday Covid Update: 9,886 new cases and 102 deaths

    Wednesday Covid Update: 9,886 new cases and 102 deaths

    Today, the CCSA reported 9,866 new Covid-19 cases and 102 coronavirus-related deaths. Since April 1, in the latest wave of the virus in Thailand, the CCSA has reported 1,638,234 confirmed Covid-19 cases. In the 24-hour period since the last count, the CCSA has reported 10,115 recoveries. There are now 108,022 people being treated for Covid-19 in Thailand. Out of the new cases reported…

  • Visa InformationPhuket “Sandbox” to allow visitors from overseas to apply for “Visa on Arrival”

    Phuket “Sandbox” to allow visitors from overseas to apply for “Visa on Arrival”

    While there has not been an official announcement, travellers entering Thailand through the Phuket “Sandbox” might soon be able to apply for a “Visa on Arrival,” or VOA. A graphic was posted by Phuket officials on Facebook outlining the requirements for a “Visa on Arrival.” According to the post, travellers will need to have a Certificate of Entry, or COE,…

  • Covid-19 NewsTuesday Covid Update: 9,869 new cases; provincial totals

    Tuesday Covid Update: 9,869 new cases; provincial totals

    92 coronavirus-related deaths were reported today by the CCSA, raising the pandemic’s death toll in Thailand to 17,203 with 17,109 of those fatalities during the latest wave, which was first recorded on April 1. In the 24-hour period since the last count, the CCSA has reported 9,869 new Covid-19 cases and 11,152 recoveries. There are now 108,373 people in Thailand…

  • Thailand NewsPolice rescue more than 40 wild monkeys reportedly being smuggled to restaurants

    Police rescue more than 40 wild monkeys reportedly being smuggled to restaurants

    More than 40 monkeys being smuggled to local restaurants were rescued on Friday by officers from Thailand’s Natural Resources and Environmental Crime Division. Nation Thailand reports that officers had received a tip the alleged smugglers were using Highway 359 in the eastern province Sa Kaeo, which borders Cambodia, as a route to smuggle the wild monkeys to restaurants where the…

  • Phuket NewsPhuket bar owner arrested for allegedly serving booze after 10pm

    Phuket bar owner arrested for allegedly serving booze after 10pm

    The owner of a bar in Phuket was arrested for allegedly selling alcohol after 10pm, a violation of the provincial order limiting alcohol sales in an effort to prevent the spread of Covid-19 through socialising. Phuket News reports that the 29 year old who ran the bar was arrested after midnight yesterday at the City Bar on the outskirts of…

  • Thailand NewsSeveral political parties name candidates for PM, ruling party reportedly supports Prayut

    Several political parties name candidates for PM, ruling party reportedly supports Prayut

    In the heat of calls and protests pushing for PM Prayut Chan-o-cha to resign or be removed from office, political parties are now starting to name prime ministerial candidates for the next election, which will be in 2023. Prayut and his government also faced a no-confidence hearing last month. Although the vote ruled in Prayut’s favour, many issues were raised…

  • Crime NewsFormer massage parlour boss arrested on sex trafficking charges after 5 years on the run

    Former massage parlour boss arrested on sex trafficking charges after 5 years on the run

    A massage parlour boss has been arrested on charges of sex trafficking and child prostitution, after evading police for 5 years. Nation Thailand reports that 63 year old Prasert Sukkhee, the former owner of the Nataree massage parlour, was arrested by anti-people trafficking officers in the Bangkok Noi district of the capital. The case against Prasert dates back to 2016,…

  • Covid-19 NewsTuesday Covid Update: 9,869 new cases and 92 deaths

    Tuesday Covid Update: 9,869 new cases and 92 deaths

    Today, the CCSA reported 9,869 new Covid-19 cases and 92 coronavirus-related deaths. Since April 1, in the latest wave of the virus in Thailand, the CCSA has reported 1,628,368 confirmed Covid-19 cases. In the 24-hour period since the last count, the CCSA has reported 11,152 recoveries. There are now 108,373 people in Thailand currently being treated for Covid-19. Out of…

  • Crime NewsFormer cop accused of torture and murder was involved in seizure of over 400 luxury cars

    Former cop accused of torture and murder was involved in seizure of over 400 luxury cars

    A man accused of murder and fired from his role as police chief in the northern province of Nakhon Sawan was involved in the confiscation of over 400 luxury cars. According to deputy national police chief, Suchart Thiraswasdi, disgraced former cop Thitisan Utthanaphol was involved in the seizure of 410 high-end vehicles that had been smuggled into Thailand from Malaysia…

  • Thailand Weather UpdatesWidespread flooding easing across affected provinces

    Widespread flooding easing across affected provinces

    Officials say the widespread flooding that has affected Bangkok and several other provinces is showing signs of easing. However, there are already forecasts of another storm that could affect Thailand from next week. AP News reports that so far, 8 people have been killed by the floods, with 1 woman still missing. Thousands of homes have been affected, across 32…

  • Covid-19 NewsMonday Covid Update: 9,930 new cases; provincial totals

    Monday Covid Update: 9,930 new cases; provincial totals

    97 Covid-related deaths were reported today by the CCSA, raising the pandemic’s death toll in Thailand to 17,111 with 17,017 of those fatalities during the country’s latest wave, which was first recorded on April 1. In the 24-hour period since the last count, 9,930 new Covid-19 cases and 12,336 recoveries were reported. Thailand now has 109,748 active cases. Since the…

  • Crime NewsKhon Kaen police seek court approval to extend detention of American rape suspect

    Khon Kaen police seek court approval to extend detention of American rape suspect

    Police in the Isaan province Khon Kaen are seeking court approval to extend the detention of the sexual assault suspect, who allegedly beat and raped a Thai masseuse. The chief of the Muang Khon Kaen police station says officers want to detain the American for another 12 days due to concerns that the man might try to flee. 37 year…

  • Crime NewsSwiss man arrested for allegedly beating a man to death, claiming self-defence

    Swiss man arrested for allegedly beating a man to death, claiming self-defence

    A 63 year old Swiss man was arrested for allegedly beating a Thai man to death. Police say the Swiss national, identified as Rudolf, told officers that the man had come to his home, pointed a gun at his head, and demanded money. Officers say Rudolf confessed to beating the man, but did not intend to kill him, adding that…

  • Pattaya NewsVaccination drive accelerated in Pattaya to prepare for November reopening

    Vaccination drive accelerated in Pattaya to prepare for November reopening

    The rollout of Covid-19 vaccinations is being accelerated in Pattaya to prepare for reopening in November. The city’s mayor Sonthaya Kunplome says he expects more than 80% of the population in Pattaya to be fully vaccinated by October 15. Pattaya City Hospital is being used as the main vaccination centre with up to 2,600 doses of AstraZeneca and Sinopharm being…

  • Thailand NewsThai AirAsia operating 20 domestic routes from this month

    Thai AirAsia operating 20 domestic routes from this month

    From this month, Thai AirAsia is resuming a number of domestic routes, as well as introducing new ones. TTR Weekly reports that the low-cost carrier is now operating flights from Bangkok’s Don Mueang Airport to Phitsanulok, Nan, Loei, Sakon Nakhon, Surat Thani, Krabi, and Trang. It will also launch a new route from Chiang Mai to Hua Hin from October…

  • Tourism NewsAll countries now eligible for Thailand’s sandbox programme

    All countries now eligible for Thailand’s sandbox programme

    The Thai government has got rid of its list of “approved countries”, opening up the sandbox tourism programme to fully vaccinated visitors from anywhere in the world. According to a Bangkok Post report, the Tourism Authority of Thailand has welcomed the move, which means Indonesian and Malaysian tourists can now visit the kingdom. Prior to Covid-19, Malaysia was Thailand’s second…

  • Covid-19 NewsMonday Covid Update: 9,930 new cases and 97 deaths

    Monday Covid Update: 9,930 new cases and 97 deaths

    Today, the CCSA reported 9,930 new Covid-19 cases and 97 coronavirus-related deaths. Since April 1, in the latest wave of the virus in Thailand, the CCSA has reported a total of 1,618,499 confirmed Covid-19 cases. In the 24-hour period since the last count, the CCSA has reported 12,336 recoveries. There are now 109,748 people in Thailand being treated for Covid-19.…

  • Covid-19 NewsVaccination of over 5 million school students gets underway

    Vaccination of over 5 million school students gets underway

    The vaccination of Thai school students gets underway today, with over 5 million students expected to receive a Covid-19 vaccine. The vaccination drive is in preparation for the new school term in November. According to a Bangkok Post report, students between the ages of 12 and 18 will be vaccinated with the Pfizer mRNA vaccine, starting with those in dark…

  • Thailand NewsUPDATE: American man arrested for allegedly raping a Thai masseuse in Khon Kaen

    UPDATE: American man arrested for allegedly raping a Thai masseuse in Khon Kaen

    UPDATE: Thai media reports that police have arrested a 37 year old American man who allegedly raped a Thai masseuse in Khon Kaen. Police arrested the man at a Bangkok condominium off Sukhumvit Road in the Nana area. In earlier reports in Thai media, police initially thought the suspect was from Australia. Original story… Police in the Isaan province Khon…

  • Visa InformationThai Cabinet Committee officially extends Special Tourist Visa

    Thai Cabinet Committee officially extends Special Tourist Visa

    While the idea of extending the Special Tourist Visa in Thailand was announced recently, yesterday the Thai Cabinet Committee officially approved the extension. The plan has been in place for one year already, and will now continue until at least September 30, 2022, and is aimed at attracting well fear foreign travellers to visit Thailand spend big money while they’re here.…

  • Covid-19 NewsFriday Covid Update: 11,754 new cases; provincial totals

    Friday Covid Update: 11,754 new cases; provincial totals

    123 new Covid-related deaths were reported today, raising the pandemic’s death toll in Thailand to 16,850 with 16,756 of the fatalities during the latest wave, which was first recorded on April 1. In the 24-hour period since the last count, the CCSA recorded 11,754 new Covid-19 cases and 12,473 recoveries. There are now 115,233 people currently receiving treatment for Covid-19.…

  • Thailand NewsThailand sees slump during peak travel period, Chinese stay home for Golden Week

    Thailand sees slump during peak travel period, Chinese stay home for Golden Week

    One of Thailand’s peak travel periods, with an influx of Chinese visitors, looks like it will be quiet for another year. The 7-day holiday in China, known as Golden Week, which starts today, used to draw in hundreds of thousands of Chinese tourists, many flocking to Pattaya’s Sohotown and crowding shopping centres, floating markets, and restaurants catering to the holiday,…

  • Thailand NewsBlood supplies low during pandemic, LGBTQ activists call to be allowed to donate

    Blood supplies low during pandemic, LGBTQ activists call to be allowed to donate

    Blood supplies in Thailand have reportedly run critically low over the recent months as many donation centres have suspended operations due to the Covid-19 situation. With calls from the Thai Red Cross society for blood donations, LGBTQ activists are urging the Red Cross to change their criteria to allow those in the gay and transgender communities to donate, especially now…

  • Covid-19 NewsThailand’s largest field hospital closes as last Covid-19 patient discharged

    Thailand’s largest field hospital closes as last Covid-19 patient discharged

    Thailand’s largest Covid-19 field hospital has closed its doors as the number of seriously ill patients and new infections continues to fall. The Public Health Ministry closed Busarakham field hospital yesterday. The facility was located at the Impact exhibition and convention centre in the central province of Nonthaburi. According to a Bangkok Post report, the hospital opened on May 14…

  • Covid-19 NewsFriday Covid Update: 11,754 new cases and 123 deaths

    Friday Covid Update: 11,754 new cases and 123 deaths

    Today, the CCSA reported 11,754 new Covid-19 cases and 123 coronavirus-related deaths. Since April 1, in the latest wave of the virus in Thailand, a total of 1,586,366 confirmed covid-19 cases have been reported. In the 24-hour period since the last count, the CCSA has reported 12,473 recoveries. There are now 115,233 people currently receiving treatment for Covid-19. Out of…

  • Phuket NewsOfficials expect tens of billions of baht in Phuket tourism revenue in next 6 months

    Officials expect tens of billions of baht in Phuket tourism revenue in next 6 months

    The governor of the Tourism Authority of Thailand expects Phuket to welcome 1 million foreign visitors in the next 6 months. Yuthasak Supasorn says this will generate around 60 billion baht in tourism revenue, as a result of some travel restrictions being relaxed. “We expect the number of visitors will significantly increase in the final quarter factoring in the quarantine…

  • Covid-19 NewsThursday Covid Update: 11,646 new cases; provincial totals

    Thursday Covid Update: 11,646 new cases; provincial totals

    107 Covid-related deaths were reported today by the CCSA, raising the pandemic’s death toll in Thailand to 16,727 with 16,633 of those fatalities during the latest wave, which was first recorded on April 1. In the 24-hour period since the last count, 11,646 new Covid-19 cases and 10,887 recoveries were reported. There are now 116,075 people in Thailand currently receiving treatment…