Thailand

  • Thailand NewsAmnesty International condemns “shocking” 87-year sentence for lèse majesté offences

    Amnesty International condemns “shocking” 87-year sentence for lèse majesté offences

    Amnesty International has roundly denounced Thailand’s sentencing of a 65 year old woman to 87 years’ imprisonment for the offence of lèse majesté and violation of the Computer Crimes Act. Nation Thailand reports that the sentencing has also been condemned by Human Rights Watch, who described it as, “a spine-chilling signal that not only criticisms of the monarchy won’t be…

  • Crime NewsPolice search for man who allegedly stole 1.9 million baht worth of gold at gunpoint

    Police search for man who allegedly stole 1.9 million baht worth of gold at gunpoint

    Police are searching for a man who allegedly pulled out a gun and stole 119 gold necklaces worth more than 1.9 million baht from a Tesco Lotus gold shop in the Isaan province Nakhon Ratchasima’s Non Thai district. The man allegedly pulled out a gun and yelled at the Yaowarat Krungthep gold shop staff to get down on the floor.…

  • Thailand Protest NewsSecurity guard slaps student for displaying protest sign at Bangkok mall – VIDEO

    Security guard slaps student for displaying protest sign at Bangkok mall – VIDEO

    A security guard at the luxury Iconsiam shopping mall in Bangkok has slapped a student activist after she held up a protest sign at the facility. The confrontation occurred at around 2.30pm yesterday, when the Thammasat University student displayed a sign that read, “You monopolised the vaccine so the Monarchy could take the credit.” The student, named as 21 year…

  • Bangkok NewsMan arrested for allegedly importing millions of fake designer sunglasses

    Man arrested for allegedly importing millions of fake designer sunglasses

    A 42 year old Chinese man was arrested for allegedly importing fake designer sunglasses after police raided 2 locations in Bangkok’s Thonburi area and seized 3 million pairs of fake designer sunglasses worth around 300 million baht. Officers from the Department of Special Investigation raided multiple rooms at the Dao Khanong Condominium and the BMC Dao Khanong Cinema. The department…

  • Covid-19 NewsAstraZeneca vaccine could be approved for emergency use in Thailand this week

    AstraZeneca vaccine could be approved for emergency use in Thailand this week

    Thailand’s Food and Drug Administration is likely to approve a Covid-19 vaccine developed by AstraZeneca in partnership with Oxford University as early as this week. The vaccine, already given the go-ahead in the US and UK, would be approved for emergency use, with administration likely to begin next month. Healthcare workers and those with underlying conditions will be prioritised. Opas…

  • Visa InformationCovid-19 test NOT required for visa extensions (at least not today)

    Covid-19 test NOT required for visa extensions (at least not today)

    No, you don’t, yes, you do… Expats are scratching their heads over the mixed messages circulating in relation to the latest Thailand immigration requirements, not to mention the announcements (and retractions) published in the nation’s English-language media outlets. It all began over the weekend, when the nation’s favourite part time travel blogger, Bangkok Post fanboy and School staff in Samut…

  • Tourism NewsThe Thai government threw a tourist party (sound of crickets) | VIDEO

    The Thai government threw a tourist party (sound of crickets) | VIDEO

    The Thai Government, flushed with the success of their containment of Covid-19, decided to market the Land of Smiles to the world as the safe place to travel. With the annual wet season starting to weaken the tourists would flock back to the S E Asian country that had such a remarkable success containing, then almost eradicating itself, of the…

  • Thailand NewsSRT studies alternative plans for Bang Sue Grand Station after no show of interested bidders

    SRT studies alternative plans for Bang Sue Grand Station after no show of interested bidders

    There seems to be little interest in the new Bang Sue Grand Station project, which is planned to be Thailand’s new railway hub in place of Bangkok’s Hua Lamphong Railway Station and the largest railway station is Southeast Asia. Bidding for the station’s Plot A opened 3 weeks ago, with envelopes each costing 500,000 baht, but not one was sold.…

  • Thailand NewsThai FDA files complaint against TV celebrity for false advertising

    Thai FDA files complaint against TV celebrity for false advertising

    A well-known TV host in Thailand is under fire after she made advertisements saying health supplement products could change a person’s face shape and even help people recover from Covid-19. The Thai Food and Drug Administration filed a complaint with the Consumer Protection Division against TV star Patcharasri “Kalamare” Benjamach for false advertising. Kalamare advertised Botera “power shots.” The drinks…

  • Thailand NewsWoman sentenced to 43 years in prison for violating lèse majesté law

    Woman sentenced to 43 years in prison for violating lèse majesté law

    The Bangkok Criminal Court sentenced a former public official to more than 4 decades in prison for violating the country’s strict lèse majesté law on insulting or defaming the Thai Monarchy. The woman, a former Revenue Department official known as Anchan, was found guilty on 29 counts of violating Section 112 of the Criminal Code, known as the lèse majesté…

  • Visa InformationUPDATE: Confusion over Covid-19 tests for visa extensions

    UPDATE: Confusion over Covid-19 tests for visa extensions

    UPDATE: Khaosod English removed a story on Covid-19 tests for those seeking visa extensions and replaced it with the article “Immigration backtracks on plan to require Covid-19 test for visa extensions.” They say the previous report sparked uproar among expats and immigration police spokesperson has since apologised for the misunderstanding. Original article… Confusion reigns today over whether Covid-19 tests will…

  • Covid-19 NewsOutbreak in Samut Sakhon is “worrying,” CCSA spokesperson says

    Outbreak in Samut Sakhon is “worrying,” CCSA spokesperson says

    While the number of daily new Covid-19 cases continues to drop, health officials are still scrambling to contain the virus in the prime hotspot: Samut Sakhon. The outbreak in the coastal fishing province is “worrying,” according to Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration spokesperson Taweesilp Visanuyothin. Health officials rolled out a proactive mass testing campaign after a spike of Covid-19 cases…

  • Thailand NewsTower of Babble, commenting about your comments – Tuesday, January 19 | VIDEO

    Tower of Babble, commenting about your comments – Tuesday, January 19 | VIDEO

    Tower of Babble is where we read some of your comments made on The Thaiger YouTube videos, as well as our website thethaiger.com and Facebook page. Some are insightful, some are interesting, some need to be shared! And some are just plain funny. If you leave a comment under any of our videos it may be shared on our Tower…

  • Covid-19 NewsCCSA Update: 171 new Covid-19 cases

    CCSA Update: 171 new Covid-19 cases

    171 new Covid-19 cases were reported today in the Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration’s daily briefing. The majority of the cases were detected in a proactive testing campaign. Thailand now has 3,168 active Covid-19 cases. The CCSA has reported a total of 12,594 infections and 70 deaths since the start of the pandemic last year. Out of the 171 new…

  • Pattaya NewsChon Buri records no new Covid-19 infections for first time in 3 weeks

    Chon Buri records no new Covid-19 infections for first time in 3 weeks

    For the first time in 3 weeks, since it was hit by the resurgence of Covid-19 in late December, the eastern province of Chon Buri has recorded no new cases. It comes after weeks of restrictions and the closure of businesses, including nightlife and entertainment venues. The provincial Department of Public Health confirmed the positive development, which is being attributed…

  • Thailand NewsResearch shows home-learning causes 50% drop in mathematical ability among Thai students

    Research shows home-learning causes 50% drop in mathematical ability among Thai students

    Research shows that online learning causes a 50% drop in mathematical comprehension, and a 30% drop in reading literacy among Thai students. Research presented by the government’s Equitable Education Fund indicates that months of home-learning cannot match in-school study and in fact, can cause a deterioration in students’ ability. With schools currently closed in 28 Thai provinces, thousands of children…

  • Thailand NewsGovernment in control of Mor Chana app, says user data will be kept private

    Government in control of Mor Chana app, says user data will be kept private

    The Thai government is taking full control of the Mor Chana application, which is used to trace Covid-19 infections and alert users if they are in a high risk area. The Digital Economy and Society Minister says the government will still be working closely with the app developers, adding that users can be assured that their data will be kept…

  • Thailand NewsThailand News Today | Weekend Bangkok bombs, Thailand fires, Covid update | January 18

    Thailand News Today | Weekend Bangkok bombs, Thailand fires, Covid update | January 18

    369 new Covid-19 cases were reported today during the daily briefing. Most cases were detected in Samut Sakhon in a mass testing campaign. Thailand currently has 3,147 active Covid-19 cases under treatment and investigation. 12,423 infections have now been detected since the start of 2020 – 8,186 of them reported since December 20 last year… just a month back. 12…

  • Covid-19 NewsVisitors to Phuket from “highest risk” areas must show Covid-19 test results

    Visitors to Phuket from “highest risk” areas must show Covid-19 test results

    People arriving Phuket from the “highest risk” areas are required to take a swab test by the staff at emergency operation centres (EOC) or show the test result document endorsed by the EOC staff made within 72 hours of their arrival. The revised order is effective from now until January 31, according to the Phuket Governor. Those people who are…

  • Thailand NewsPM Prayut Chan-o-cha considers legalising gambling

    PM Prayut Chan-o-cha considers legalising gambling

    In the midst of a nationwide crackdown on gambling, an effort driven to contain Covid-19 by stopping the illegal gatherings after an outbreak at a Rayong gambling den, PM Prayut Chan-o-cha says now he will consider the legalisation of gambling. He says he’ll start by staging discussions about the pros and cons. In the recent wave of Covid-19, major clusters…

  • Thailand NewsTower Of Babble – Have your say on The Thaiger, January 18 | VIDEO

    Tower Of Babble – Have your say on The Thaiger, January 18 | VIDEO

    Tower of Babble is where we read some of your comments to The Thaiger YouTube videos. Some are insightful, some are interesting, some need to be shared! And some are just plain funny. If you leave a comment under any of our videos it may be shared on our Tower of Babble each day. Facebook Bangkok smog Mcnab James And…

  • Crime NewsPolice arrest “prime suspect” in narcotics case linked to 10 deaths in Bangkok

    Police arrest “prime suspect” in narcotics case linked to 10 deaths in Bangkok

    Police arrested a man suspected of producing the ketamine-based illicit drug cocktail linked to at least 10 deaths in Bangkok. The man is also charged with attempted murder for allegedly shooting his girlfriend at a Bangkok apartment. Police say 33 year old Amornthep Chalermwat, known as Un Kiwi, fled Bangkok and was arrested in Phetchabun’s Bung Sam Phan district yesterday.…

  • Covid-19 NewsCCSA Update: 369 new Covid-19 cases

    CCSA Update: 369 new Covid-19 cases

    369 new Covid-19 cases were reported today in the Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration’s daily briefing. Most cases were detected in Samut Sakhon in a mass testing campaign. Thailand now has 3,147 active Covid-19 cases. Since the started of the pandemic, the CCSA has reported 12,423 cases – 8,186 of those cases were reported in the new wave of infections.…

  • Thailand NewsAustralian man wanted for allegedly sexually abusing children in Thailand

    Australian man wanted for allegedly sexually abusing children in Thailand

    A 44 year old Australian man is wanted by Thai police for allegedly sexually abusing children in Thailand. Adam James Fox financially supported some migrant children in poverty stricken areas and allegedly sexually abused them. Adam James Fox is wanted for allegedly sexually assaulting or abusing at least 3 Burmese boys, all under 15 years old, at his home in…

  • Bangkok NewsPolice raid Bangkok restaurant, more than 80 people face charges for violating Emergency Decree

    Police raid Bangkok restaurant, more than 80 people face charges for violating Emergency Decree

    More than 80 people face jail time and fines for allegedly violating disease control measures under the Emergency Decree after police raided a Bangkok pub and restaurant. The Indian restaurant Taj Café off Sukhumvit Road in the Watthana district was raided over the weekend after a complaint reporting that customers were smoking hookah, which is illegal in Thailand, and that…

  • Thailand NewsPolice say at least 2 people to be arrested in Bangkok bomb attack – UPDATE

    Police say at least 2 people to be arrested in Bangkok bomb attack – UPDATE

    Police say they will issue arrest warrants for at least 2 people in connection to yesterday’s bomb attack in Bangkok. According to Thai PBS World, the people are suspected of throwing a ping pong bomb into a group of police officers in front of the Chamchuri shopping centre that injured 3 policemen and 1 reporter. But previous reports by Khaosod…

  • Thailand NewsThailand’s PM says he won’t let Thais become vaccine “guinea pigs”

    Thailand’s PM says he won’t let Thais become vaccine “guinea pigs”

    Thailand’s PM is saying he won’t let Thai people become vaccine “guinea pigs” in his Facebook post today as he points to reports of serious negative side effects that some people have suffered after getting jabbed with the Covid-19 vaccine. Instead, PM Prayut Chan-o-cha says he will wait for more information from the experts about whether such side effects were…

  • Thailand NewsPolice hunt for those behind Bangkok bomb attack near pro-democracy protest site

    Police hunt for those behind Bangkok bomb attack near pro-democracy protest site

    Police are hunting for those responsible for yesterday’s bomb attack that hit near a pro-democracy protest site in Bangkok. The attack occurred at Samyan Intersection at around 6pm, leaving 4 people injured, including 2 policemen. Bangkok police chief Phukphong Phongpetra says the device used appears to be a pingpong bomb, which was filled with nails. Demonstrators gathered yesterday in front…

  • Thailand News374 new cases today – Covid update

    374 new cases today – Covid update

    New case numbers have jumped alarmingly again today, even though the growth curve was starting to flatten a bit this week. Thailand is reporting 374 new cases of Covid-19 today over the past 24 hours, bringing the total to over 12,000 infections since the pandemic began. Only 10 of those cases were non-local infections as they were found in state quarantine.…

  • Thailand NewsThailand’s PM asks people to avoid political gatherings over concerns for their health

    Thailand’s PM asks people to avoid political gatherings over concerns for their health

    Thailand’s PM is asking people to avoid political gatherings over concerns for their health due to the recent cooler weather. As the country is still not out of the woods with the recent Covid-19 breakout, the cold weather, in the northern half of the country, is adding to PM Prayut Chan-o-cha’s health concerns for Thai people. Government spokesman Anucha Burapachaisri…