Thais

  • Thailand NewsThais in Myanmar issued emergency documents for repatriation

    Thais in Myanmar issued emergency documents for repatriation

    Emergency travel documents are being issued to the majority of Thais awaiting repatriation in Myanmar, as most of them are without passports, according to a statement by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) yesterday. The MFA revealed that these individuals had their passports taken away by their employers. The information was disclosed by Ruj Thammamomgkol, director-general of the MFA Consular…

  • Thailand NewsGovt orchestrates return of Thai nationals stranded in Myanmar via China

    Govt orchestrates return of Thai nationals stranded in Myanmar via China

    The Thai government is orchestrating the return of 162 stranded Thai nationals from Myanmar’s Shan state through Kunming, China, as the conflict between the Myanmar military regime and local ethnic factions intensifies. The Deputy Police Chief, Surachate “Big Joke” Hakparn, revealed this repatriation strategy yesterday. The chosen route was verbally agreed upon during a recent meeting with Chinese and Myanmar…

  • Crime NewsMore suspects arrested in phone scam duping Americans out of 3 billion baht

    More suspects arrested in phone scam duping Americans out of 3 billion baht

    More suspects are now in Thai police custody in relation to the phone scam that duped unsuspecting elderly Americans out of 3 billion baht. According to the Bangkok Post, 20 people have been arrested- 15 Thais and five Indian nationals- for their involvement in a phone scam that preyed on Americans. Police say they raided places in the provinces of…

  • Crime NewsPotential Thai scammers race to close mule bank accounts as new cybercrime law enacted

    Potential Thai scammers race to close mule bank accounts as new cybercrime law enacted

    Potential Thai scammers, particularly in Nakhon Phanom province, are racing to close suspected mule bank accounts after a new cybercrime law was enacted. According to the Pattaya Mail, the new law took effect on March 17, deeming that those who open a bank account or register a SIM card for a third party for illegal use will face jail time…

  • Thailand NewsPercentage of HIV infections rising among young Thais

    Percentage of HIV infections rising among young Thais

    In a worrying new trend, the percentage of AIDS infections has been rising among young Thais. According to the director of the Disease Control Department’s Division of AIDS, nearly two-thirds of new HIV infections are in young people. The director, Dr Cheewanan Lertpiriyasuwat, said this was much higher than the global average of around 30%. One HIV/AIDS prevention organisation, M…

  • Hot NewsPM calls on Thai citizens to help APEC delegates have a smooth summit

    PM calls on Thai citizens to help APEC delegates have a smooth summit

    Thailand’s Prime Minister is calling on Thais to help APEC delegates have a smooth summit by being good hosts. Prayut Chan-o-cha says the kingdom is ready to host the special summit on November 18. According to Thai PBS World, Prayut asked all parties to ensure orderliness throughout the summit and its related meetings. “This is an event of national importance.”…

  • Tourism NewsSuitcases packed as Thais get ready for domestic travel

    Suitcases packed as Thais get ready for domestic travel

    The number of locals planning their vacations is predicted to spike for the first time since the pandemic broke out over 2 years ago. The President of the Tourism Council of Thailand, Chamnan Srisawat, predicts there will be a high number of Thai nationals travelling domestically in the third quarter of 2022 thanks to the easing of restrictions and regulations…

  • Covid-19 NewsSurvey shows many Thais suffering suicidal thoughts and depression during pandemic

    Survey shows many Thais suffering suicidal thoughts and depression during pandemic

    A recent survey shows that many Thais are enduring suicidal thoughts, depression, and burnout as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic. Amporn Benjaponpitak from the Department of Mental Health says the online poll assessed the mental health of over 2.5 million people in Thailand. A Thai PBS World report carries a breakdown of some of the results. Over 8% of…

  • Thailand NewsPhetchaburi factory sees more than 2,000 infections, field hospital on the way

    Phetchaburi factory sees more than 2,000 infections, field hospital on the way

    After a Phetchaburi province factory has seen Covid-19 infections go from 682 to more than 2,000, a field hospital is on the way to help treat infected workers. The Cal-Comp Electronics factory in the southern province’s Khao Yai district features 781 Thai workers, while the rest are from Myanmar and other countries. Authorities say the 2,111 infections are expected to…

  • 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…

  • Covid-19 NewsThai people hope Covid-19 vaccine will help end pandemic – survey

    Thai people hope Covid-19 vaccine will help end pandemic – survey

    A Bangkok University poll indicates that around half of the Thai population are holding out hope that the Covid-19 vaccine will help end the pandemic. But the same respondents fear the vaccines’ side effects. The poll was conducted on January 18-20 on 1,186 people nationwide, aged 18 and over. A bare majority, 50.1% say their jobs and incomes would be…

  • Thailand NewsTower Of Babble – Have your say on The Thaiger – January 21

    Tower Of Babble – Have your say on The Thaiger – January 21

    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…

  • Thailand NewsHealth Minister considers making lawbreakers pay for Covid treatment

    Health Minister considers making lawbreakers pay for Covid treatment

    Thailand’s Public Health Minister is considering making lawbreakers pay for their own Covid-19 treatment after pointing out that those who put the public at risk for the coronavirus should foot the bill for treatment. Anutin Charnvirakul floated the idea on his Facebook after a meeting yesterday raised concerns about illegal gambling activities and human-smuggling that has contributed to the rise…

  • Covid-19 NewsSouth Korea confirms Covid-19 outbreak in 32 Thai workers, 28 others awaiting results

    South Korea confirms Covid-19 outbreak in 32 Thai workers, 28 others awaiting results

    South Korean officials have announced a Covid-19 outbreak in 32 Thai workers, with a further 28 waiting for test results. Thailand’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has confirmed the development, with spokesman Tanee Sangrat saying the Royal Thai Embassy in Seoul has been in touch with the affected workers and is ready to help if needed. The Bangkok Post reports that…

  • Politics NewsPoll reveals Thais hope President-elect Biden will be a “good leader”

    Poll reveals Thais hope President-elect Biden will be a “good leader”

    Thailand’s Suan Dusit Poll has revealed that most Thais hope that the President-elect Joe Biden will be a good leader of his country. The opinion survey, by Suan Dusit Rajabhat University, was conducted online on November 13 through November 18, in which 1,038 people responded with their opinions throughout the country. A majority of Thais, almost 90%, responded that they…

  • Chiang Mai NewsFinancial hardship spiking Thailand’s suicide rate

    Financial hardship spiking Thailand’s suicide rate

    Thailand’s police and health workers continue to work with online influencers such as Drama Addict, Mam Po Dum and More Lab Panda, to help identify, and if necessary intervene, in people sharing distressing messages over their battles in the current Covid era. Police have also been recruited specialist to help to prevent suicides and provide counselling. Thailand’s Department of Mental…

  • Thailand News74 Thais in quarantine after Burmese truck driver tests positive for Covid-19

    74 Thais in quarantine after Burmese truck driver tests positive for Covid-19

    74 Thais are now in quarantine after coming in close contact with 2 Burmese truck drivers, who had since tested positive for Covid-19, in Thailand’s northwestern Tak province. According to an unnamed, female doctor’s Facebook post yesterday, all 74 Thais were given PCR tests and told to enter home quarantine for at least 14 days, and are being monitored by Thai…

  • OpinionReturning happiness back to the Thai people. So how’s that going?

    Returning happiness back to the Thai people. So how’s that going?

    OPINION “The flames are rising. Let us be the ones who step in, before it is too late.” Lyrics from the Prayut-penned ditty which was written to help “heal” Thais after the May 2014 coup. The event, some 6 and a half years ago now, brought then-General Prayut Chan-o-cha to the helm of the good-ship Thailand. Following the writing of a…

  • ExpatsShould foreigners go to protests and get involved in Thai politics?

    Should foreigners go to protests and get involved in Thai politics?

    Should foreigners get involved in the Thai protests? Is it any of our business? Is there a danger of being targeted and thrown out of the country? Most foreigners, certainly the vast majority, will say they’re uncomfortable even discussing local politics with Thais, especially THAT other big topic. Most are happy to walk the beaches, explore or sit in the…

  • Covid-19 NewsWhich country in the world is the most confident to re-open its borders for tourism?

    Which country in the world is the most confident to re-open its borders for tourism?

    You’ll be surprised by the answer. Cooped up in our offices and homes, we’re all yearning to travel again. Whilst the suitcase is gathering dust, travellers around the world are wondering when and how they’re going to be able to return to their favourite holiday destinations. A comprehensive international survey has come up with some surprising results about the confidence…

  • Covid-19 NewsGlobal cases of Covid-19 top 20 million

    Global cases of Covid-19 top 20 million

    While Thailand has recorded no new case of Covid-19 in the last 24 hours, the pandemic continues to escalate around the world, with global cases of the virus now topping 20 million. The Thai government’s Covid-19 task force says confirmed cases in Thailand stand at 3,351, with 414 of those detected among people in state quarantine. Nation Thailand reports that…

  • ExpatsBangkok Midnight Marathon 2020 bans foreigners

    Bangkok Midnight Marathon 2020 bans foreigners

    It’s official. The Bangkok Midnight Marathon 2020 is closed to foreigners. Popular blogger and Samut Prakan school employee Richard Barrow posted the news last night saying… “For some reason, the organisers of this year’s Bangkok Midnight Marathon have decided not to allow foreigners to run. I hope this doesn’t become part of the ‘new normal’.” Unsurprisingly, the social media outrage was…

  • Covid-19 News310 out of 50,000 repatriates tested positive for Covid-19: minister

    310 out of 50,000 repatriates tested positive for Covid-19: minister

    Thailand’s foreign affairs minister has reported to the Senate that full assistance is being provided to Thai nationals stranded overseas due to the Covid-19 world pandemic. This is despite the recent controversy surrounding an Egyptian airman visiting Thailand who tested positive after visiting shopping spots in the eastern Rayong province. The minister responded to questions from Senators, pointing out that…

  • Covid-19 NewsThailand’s domestic tourism provided 4 times the number of international travellers in 2019

    Thailand’s domestic tourism provided 4 times the number of international travellers in 2019

    Thailand has had plenty of interruptions to its tourism industry over the past two decades… There was that other coronavirus scare, ‘SARS’, in 2003, the Indian Ocean tsunami of 2004, the global recession and riots in Thailand in 2009, major flooding at the end of 2011, political demonstration in 2013 and 2014, the bloodless military coup of May, 2014, the bombing…

  • World NewsState quarantine for Thais entering Singapore, while harder hit nations get a pass

    State quarantine for Thais entering Singapore, while harder hit nations get a pass

    Singapore’s government will continue to require that all Thai arrivals to the city-state undergo a 14 day mandatory state quarantine before being allowed to enter the country and mingle with the general population. Singapore, which has 45,298 total cases, says that Thais must serve their “Stay Home Notice” at dedicated government quarantine facilities. Arrivals from China, which has seen a total…

  • Covid-19 NewsFirst post-Covid flight from China lands in Bangkok

    First post-Covid flight from China lands in Bangkok

    The first charter flight from China to Thailand has landed in Bangkok, after Thailand partially lifted its 3 month ban on foreign arrivals on July 1. Yesterday, a Spring Airlines flight flew 31 Thai nationals and 21 members of a Chinese company in Thailand from Shanghai’s Pudong International Airport to Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi International airport. All foreigners, except those with work…

  • Covid-19 News“World Health Organisation is an unreliable source on health issues” – Thai doctor

    “World Health Organisation is an unreliable source on health issues” – Thai doctor

    With the Covid-19 crisis has all but passed in Thailand (today marks the 24th consecutive day without a local transmission), Thais now view the World Health Organisation as an unreliable source on health issues, at least according to a specialist at Bangkok’s Vichaiyut Hospital. He complains that the WHO is slow in providing information. “Especially when they inform the public…

  • Covid-19 NewsElectricity discount has been switched off

    Electricity discount has been switched off

    Yesterday the Ministry of Energy announced that the national electricity discount from March to May, which differed based on the amount of electricity used and size and type of the venue, has ended and will not be renewed. But, at best, the discount was merely a perfunctory political gesture, not a useful saving for most Thai residences. The discount was…

  • Covid-19 NewsThousands of Thais to return by the end of May

    Thousands of Thais to return by the end of May

    The Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration has announced that all Thai nationals, stranded abroad during the peak of the outbreak, will be repatriated. The government is preparing to welcome around 7,000 returnees who will arrive by the end of the month. Taweesilp Visanuyothin, spokesman for the CCSA says that the centre is working closely with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs…

  • Covid-19 News292 Thai nationals return home from Hong Kong and The Maldives

    292 Thai nationals return home from Hong Kong and The Maldives

    Yesterday at around 5pm, 292 Thai nationals returned home from Hong Kong and The Maldives, all 292 passengers have been sent straight to a state-organised quarantine centre for 14 days, both city hotels that were currently empty. The first flight arrived from Hong Kong at 3:59 pm. 161 passengers were on board the plane.Upon landing all passengers passed the initial…