Thailand

  • Visa InformationVisa extensions in Thailand for stranded tourists, February 2021 | VIDEO

    Visa extensions in Thailand for stranded tourists, February 2021 | VIDEO

    Stranded foreign tourists, either genuinely stuck in Thailand since April 2020, or stuck here by choice, are able to stay in Thailand until May 30. The order from the immigration department empowers local officers to grant a 60 day visa extensions from January 29 up to May 30. The order coincides with the world’s Covid-19 situation getting worse and more…

  • South Thailand News5 police officers injured in suspected insurgent bomb explosion

    5 police officers injured in suspected insurgent bomb explosion

    5 police officers were injured in a bomb explosion in Narathiwat, a predominantly Muslim province bordering Malaysia that has been plagued with violence related to the religious separatist insurgency. Officers were on their way to investigate a fire at a cell tower in the Si Sakhon district when a bomb planted under the road exploded, injuring 5 officers and damaging…

  • Covid-19 NewsSunday’s Covid-19 report for Thailand, 829 new infections

    Sunday’s Covid-19 report for Thailand, 829 new infections

    829 new Covid-19 infections have been announced today at the daily briefing of the CCSA from the past 24 hours, bringing the accumulated national total 18,782 since Thailand’s first case was announced in January last year. Sunday’s new infections comprised 822 local cases and 7 imported from overseas arrivals. Read about Thailand’s first case, and the first case of Covid-19 outside…

  • Visa Information“Yes, we want tourists back… but with quarantine” – Survey

    “Yes, we want tourists back… but with quarantine” – Survey

    Most Thai residents and tourism operators want Thailand to reopen its borders to international tourists, as long as a 14 day quarantine remains in place, according to the Tourism Council of Thailand survey. The TCT surveyed 785 operators in tourism-related business and 1,444 Thais from November 11 to December 10. 60% of surveyed locals and 50% of tourism operators agree…

  • Thailand NewsThailand News Today – Week in review | January 30

    Thailand News Today – Week in review | January 30

    Thailand News Today covers five days of the news week. Now we have a weekend edition which goes over the biggest, or best stories, from the past week. Out every Saturday afternoon, catch up with Jett and Tim’s major Thai news stories. Welcome to the Thailand News Today Week in Review.

  • Thailand NewsThailand News Today | Monk busted over ‘ice’ alms | January 29

    Thailand News Today | Monk busted over ‘ice’ alms | January 29

    Police arrested a 45 year old Buddhist monk for allegedly getting high on methamphetamine at a temple in the north eastern province of Buriram. The monk allegedly told police that a follower gave him the drugs as a merit gift and convinced him to take it. Local police say they received a complaint from the Baan Kok Mueng temple’s abbot…

  • Transport NewsTaxis and tuk tuks ask Thai government for help

    Taxis and tuk tuks ask Thai government for help

    Unions of Thai Taxi workers and Thai automobile drivers have handed over an official request to a government labour committee to file a request to the government seeking financial support. Thai Taxi workers passed over their requests to Suthep Yoo-on, the chairman of the Labour Committee officially seeking industry support. Just about all sectors of the country’s transport infrastructure have…

  • Covid-19 NewsThailand’s immunisation plan might be delayed, EU threatens ban on vaccine exports

    Thailand’s immunisation plan might be delayed, EU threatens ban on vaccine exports

    Thailand plans to receive the first batch of AstraZeneca vaccines within the next couple of weeks, but the mass immunisation campaign might be put on hold due to possible restrictions on exports from the European Union. The EU warned pharmaceutical companies, like AstraZeneca, that they would take legal action and possibly block exports if the drugmakers do not deliver shots…

  • Covid-19 NewsCCSA Update: 802 new Covid-19 cases

    CCSA Update: 802 new Covid-19 cases

    802 new Covid-19 cases were detected today in the Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration’s daily briefing. Thailand now has 5,551 active cases. The CCSA has reported a total of 17,023 cases and 76 coronavirus-related deaths since the start of the pandemic last year. Most of the cases were found in active case finding, which was rolled out in Samut Sakhon,…

  • Visa InformationThe Koh Pha Ngan party kept rolling at the local police station

    The Koh Pha Ngan party kept rolling at the local police station

    Police have arrested 89 foreigners on the Gulf island of Koh Pha Ngan, breaking any number of laws related to the emergency decree about crowds, mask wearing and current restrictions. They raided a party at the ThreeSixtyBar. 22 Thais were also detained in the raid on Tuesday night after the well-publicised event attracted plenty of local party-goers. Koh Pha Ngan is…

  • Pattaya NewsChon Buri tutoring centre owner arrested for allegedly sexually abusing a student

    Chon Buri tutoring centre owner arrested for allegedly sexually abusing a student

    A 59 year old teacher and owner of a tutoring centre in Chon Buri’s Bang Saen district was arrested for allegedly sexually abusing a 15 year old student. Police say the sexual abuse was caught on camera. In a video obtained by police, the teacher was seen touching the girl’s breasts and then moving his hand under her skirt while…

  • Road deathsMan killed and 2 injured after sports car collides with van in Bangkok

    Man killed and 2 injured after sports car collides with van in Bangkok

    A man was killed and 2 others were injured in a traffic accident last night in Bangkok’s Nong Khaem district. Thai media says 35 year old Natthawat was driving a “souped up” Nissan Skyline when he lost control of the sports car, driving over the median and colliding with an oncoming van. Police responding to the accident on Petchkasem Road…

  • Thailand NewsThailand News Today | Island Party Crackdown | January 28

    Thailand News Today | Island Party Crackdown | January 28

    Around 9,000 people will face criminal charges for allegedly defrauding the “We Travel Together” subsidy scheme which was launched to stimulate the local tourist economy and to help hotels and restaurants ravaged from the long list of restrictions and international border closure. The national police chief says the police plan to prosecute around 9,000 people for conspiring with hotel operators…

  • Covid-19 NewsCelebrity’s birthday “Covid-19 cluster” organisers and partygoers may face charges

    Celebrity’s birthday “Covid-19 cluster” organisers and partygoers may face charges

    With more infections linked to the “birthday party Covid-19 cluster” and some concealing their timeline, the Disease Control Department is urging the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration to take legal action against people involved. Thai media are calling it a “super spreader” party. So far, 26 cases are linked to the birthday event for the 33 year old Thai actor Techin Ploypetch, aka…

  • Bangkok NewsNorwegian man arrested at Bangkok airport for allegedly faking Certificate of Entry

    Norwegian man arrested at Bangkok airport for allegedly faking Certificate of Entry

    Thai immigration police arrested a Norwegian man at Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi Airport for allegedly faking his Certificate of Entry, a document issued by the Thai Embassy to allow foreigners to enter Thailand during the Covid-19 pandemic. The man presented the document to immigration officers at the Bangkok airport. Officers were suspicious and contacted the Royal Thai Embassy in Oslo, Norway who then…

  • Thailand NewsAround 9,000 people to face charges for allegedly defrauding travel subsidy scheme

    Around 9,000 people to face charges for allegedly defrauding travel subsidy scheme

    Around 9,000 people will face criminal charges for allegedly defrauding the “We Travel Together” subsidy scheme which was launched to stimulate the economy and to help hotels and restaurants that were struggling after the lack of travel due to the coronavirus pandemic. The national police chief Suwat Jangyodsuk says the police plan to prosecute around 9,000 people for conspiring with…

  • Thailand NewsRestaurants to serve alcohol again, other restrictions to be eased

    Restaurants to serve alcohol again, other restrictions to be eased

    Go out and grab a beer this weekend… but at a restaurant. Bars in “red zones” are still closed. Restaurants will be able to go back to serving alcohol and can offer dine-in services until 11pm. The restrictions on restaurants, put in place to limit gathering to potentially prevent the spread of Covid-19, are being eased in all provinces except…

  • Thailand NewsAsk The Thais | Road deaths, dating foreigners, and is ‘farang’ racist?

    Ask The Thais | Road deaths, dating foreigners, and is ‘farang’ racist?

    Ask The Thais” is a new segment on The Thaiger where we ask some of our Thai staff to explain some of the unusual and sometimes inexplicable little nuances of Thai culture. You have a question? Send it in and we’ll get our MUCH BETTER LOOKING Thai staff to explain, from a Thai youth perspective, some of their culture and…

  • Thailand News111 people arrested at Koh Pha Ngan party for allegedly violating Covid-19 restrictions

    111 people arrested at Koh Pha Ngan party for allegedly violating Covid-19 restrictions

    Police raided a party in Koh Pha Ngan and arrested 111 on charges of violating Covid-19 disease control measures under the Emergency Decree. Immigration police and tourist police raided the event at Three Sixty Bar, a venue on a hilltop near Mae Haad Beach on the island known for its 360 degree view. Out of the 111 people arrested, 89…

  • Pattaya NewsMassage shops and spas in Chon Buri get the “okay” to reopen

    Massage shops and spas in Chon Buri get the “okay” to reopen

    Massage shops and spas as well as other similar venues in Chon Buri will be allowed to reopen after being closed for nearly a month due to strict Covid-19 control measures. Massage and spa workers gathered earlier this week, calling on the government to allow their businesses to reopen. Along with massage shops and spas, tattoo studios and beauty clinics…

  • Thailand NewsBangkok Airways to resume 2 domestic flights

    Bangkok Airways to resume 2 domestic flights

    Bangkok Airways will resume Bangkok-Trat and Bangkok-Sukothai roundtrip flights on Monday after being suspended for 3 weeks due to Covid-19. Some flights will remain suspended until March 27. Starting on Monday, Bangkok Airways will offer roundtrip flights for 7 destinations: Bangkok – Samui Bangkok – Phuket Bangkok – Krabi Bangkok – Lampang Bangkok – Chiang Mai Bangkok – Trat route…

  • Thailand NewsHouse votes to remove kratom from Thailand’s narcotics list

    House votes to remove kratom from Thailand’s narcotics list

    The Thai House of Representatives voted to remove the plant kratom from the Thailand’s narcotics list and classify it as a controlled substance to be used for medicinal purposes. Kratom, a plant in the coffee family, is known for its relaxing effects and has been used in traditional medicine. In a 319-7 vote, with 3 abstentions, the House agreed to…

  • Thailand NewsHotels and restaurants raided, 50 arrested for allegedly cheating “We Travel Together” subsidy scheme

    Hotels and restaurants raided, 50 arrested for allegedly cheating “We Travel Together” subsidy scheme

    Several hotels and restaurants in Phuket and Chaiyaphum were raided this morning and 50 people were arrested for allegedly stealing from the government subsidy scheme “We Travel Together.” The scheme was launched to help businesses that were financially hit by the lack of tourists during the Covid-19 pandemic and to stimulate the battered economy. Last month, the Tourism Authority of…

  • Thailand News27 migrants allegedly disguised as monks arrested on illegal entry charges, Bangkok abbot under investigation

    27 migrants allegedly disguised as monks arrested on illegal entry charges, Bangkok abbot under investigation

    Immigration police arrested 27 Cambodians for allegedly entering Thailand illegally and impersonating Buddhist monks. Police say the migrants allegedly disguised themselves as Buddhist monks at Wat Talom in Bangkok’s Phasi Charoen district. The temple’s abbot is also under investigation for allegedly assisting and hiding illegal migrants. Police searched the temple after receiving a tip that hundreds of monks lived in…

  • Thailand NewsTruck driver crashes into accident scene, severely injuring police officer

    Truck driver crashes into accident scene, severely injuring police officer

    A trailer truck drove into an accident scene, crashing into 9 vehicles and severely injuring a police officer who was directing traffic in Surat Thani’s Muang district. Rescue workers and another police officer were able to jump out of the way before the truck ploughed through the accident scene and into a roadside tyre shop. 2 people were being treated…

  • Pattaya NewsChon Buri could be removed from “red zone” list, tourists expected to flock to Pattaya

    Chon Buri could be removed from “red zone” list, tourists expected to flock to Pattaya

    After several consecutive days without a local Covid-19 case, Chon Buri might soon be removed from the government’s list of “red zones” for high risk of Covid-19. Once lockdown restrictions are eased, the coastal province expects to have an influx of tourists to Pattaya. The province has been under strict disease control measures and is classified as one of the…

  • Covid-19 NewsThai DJ Celebrity party is likely to be “super spreader” event

    Thai DJ Celebrity party is likely to be “super spreader” event

    The birthday party of Techin Ploypetch, better known as “DJ Matoom”, is now considered a super-spreader source of Covid-19, with 19 people already found infected after attending the event. According the CCSA spokesperson during the daily briefing today, “Transmissions in Bangkok should be highlighted. They show the possibility of a person becoming a super-spreader”. The birth of the super spreader birthday…

  • Thailand video newsThailand News Today | Thailand’s vaccination roll-out | January 26

    Thailand News Today | Thailand’s vaccination roll-out | January 26

    Bangkok restaurants may soon be allowed to stay open a little later. Health officials are considering easing up Covid-19 prevention measures by extending restaurant dine-in closing times to 11pm. If the proposal gets the green light, it may lead to the lifting of the alcohol ban. After the order of shutting entertainment venues and banning alcohol sales in Bangkok, Samut…

  • Thailand NewsMassage workers in Pattaya call for reopening of spas and massages shops

    Massage workers in Pattaya call for reopening of spas and massages shops

    A group of about 50 workers from Pattaya massage shops and spas gathered together to call for the reopening of their businesses after being closed for the past month due to Covid-19 restrictions. The group called themselves the “Pattaya Health Massage” presented a letter signed by 60 massage shops, spas and gyms to Bang Lamung District Sheriff this morning. Chon…

  • Thailand News16 Thai Navy officials investigated for alleged involvement in drug trafficking

    16 Thai Navy officials investigated for alleged involvement in drug trafficking

    The Royal Thai Navy is investigating 16 of its officials for alleged involvement in a drug trafficking operation earlier this month in the Isaan province Nong Khai which borders Laos. If the officials are found guilty, the Navy will immediately take both disciplinary and legal action, according to a spokesperson. Local officials reportedly seized 2 million amphetamine tablets and 116…