Bangkok to shut down malls, more venues to contain #COVID19
Bangkok is closing more places to contain the spread of the #COVID19 pandemic. For the next 3 weeks beginning Mar 22, shopping malls and spas will be closed on top of bars, gyms, schools and universities. Supermarkets and pharmacies will remain open, restaurants can only be opened for deliveries and takeaway.
#COVID19: Impact of Singapore's expanded border restrictions on Thailand
New border restrictions in Singapore will take effect from midnight. Anyone who arrives from an ASEAN country will be issued a 14-day Stay-Home Notice. CNA looks at the impact on travellers from Bangkok.
Thai tourism feeling the pinch as coronavirus keeps Chinese visitors away
The COVID-19 pandemic has led to the postponement or cancellation of several events in Thailand, including the MotoGP race and Songkran festivities in several provinces. Thailand’s tourism authority is expecting a drop of six million visitors compared to 2019. The COVID-19 outbreak has practically wiped out nearly all Chinese tourist arrivals. The Chinese make up more than a quarter of total visitor arrivals in Thailand. Around two million of them visited Phuket in 2019, but that number has now dropped by 70%. Thailand is one of the few countries in the region that has not shut its doors to the Chinese.
Thailand clarifies no mandatory self-quarantine needed for visitors from Singapore
Thailand has clarified that visitors from Singapore need not quarantine themselves if they are healthy. There had been confusion over the country's travel restrictions after a Facebook post by public health minister Anutin Charnvirakul suggested that visitors from 11 "high-risk places" would need to self-quarantine. The minister's post and entire Facebook page later disappeared without any explanation, leaving many -- especially tourists -- with unanswered questions. Mr Anutin has dodged questions on why he posted that document and why it disappeared so quickly, saying that revisions need to be made.
Thailand Postpones MotoGP Race and Bans Fans From Thai League Matches over COVID19 Concerns
Thailand has postponed the MotoGP race scheduled to take place on March 22 to prevent the spread of COVID19. The Thai Football Assocation has also banned fans from all league matches for the month of March.
Thai Government Survives No Confidence, But Tensions Remain
The Thai government survives the vote of no confidence in parliament, partially thanks to an opposition boycott. But tensions remain high admist dozens of student protests across the nation earlier this week.
Thai PM Prayut, 5 Cabinet Ministers Survive No Confidence Vote
Thai Prime Minister Prayut Chan-ocha and 5 other cabinet members have survived the no confidence vote after a week-long censure debate against them.
Thai Parliament Holds No Confidence Vote Against Government
Thai Prime Minister Prayut Chan-ocha will be facing a no confidence motion in parliament later today. This is after a week-long censure debate, the first in nearly 7 years. Days before the debate, the Constitutional Court has also dissolved a key party in the opposition bloc, the 16-month-old pro-democracy Future Forward Party. What does this all mean for the nation's future?
Correspondents' Diary: Phuket Tourism Suffers Amid COVID-19 Outbreak
The outbreak of the COVID-19 virus has severly affected Thailand's tourism industry which enjoyed record visitor numbers from China in recent years. But now with them staying away, popular places like Phuket have fallen silent. We talk to those whose businesses have been affected.
Thai opposition starts censure debate against Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha and five ministers
Thailand's opposition has launched a parliamentary censure debate targeting Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha and five other key cabinet ministers. This is the first censure debate in seven years, and comes days after the constitutional court dissolved Future Forward, a key party in the opposition bloc.
Thai Parliament to Hold No-Confidence Debate against Government
Starting Monday (Feb 24), Thailand’s parliament will hold its first censure debate against the government since the new administration was established last year. Over the course of this week, the opposition will target six members of the Cabinet, including Prime Minister Prayut Chan-ocha. This comes after the Constitutional Court has disbanded the Future Forward Party lsat Friday, the second biggest opposition party.
Thai court dissolves opposition party Future Forward
Thailand’s Constitutional Court has dissolved the opposition Future Forward Party, after finding it guilty of taking an illegal loan from its leader, Thanathorn Juangroongruangkit. Despite the verdict, Mr Thanathorn announced a committee to carry on the party's work.
Opposition Future Forward Party Dissolved by Thai Top Court
Thailand’s Opposition Future Forward Party has been dissolved following a ruling by the Constitutional Court that a loan by its party leader Thanathorn Juangroongruangkit was illegal.
Supporters fill Future Forward HQ before top court verdict
A quick snapshot of the mood at Future Forwad Party HQ before the Constitutional Court decides on their fate.
Thai opposition Future Forward Party threatened by dissolution again over loan case
Thailand’s opposition Future Forward Party face the threat of dissolution- yet again - at the Constitutional Court for an allegedly illegal loan by its leader Thanathorn Juangroongruangkit.
Thai court decriminalizes abortion not meeting certain conditions
Thailand’s Constitutional Court has ruled the criminalization of abortions that do not meet certain conditions to be unconstitutional. It has ordered a revision of the country’s Criminal Code within a year.
Opposition Future Forward Party Dissolved by Thai Top Court
Thailand’s Constitutional Court has dissolved the opposition Future Forward Party, after finding it guilty of taking an illegal loan from its leader, Thanathorn Juangroongruangkit. Despite the verdict, Mr Thanathorn announced a committee to carry on the party's work.
Thai government steps in amid run on masks, hand sanitisers
Concerns over the novel coronavirus outbreak have caused a run on protective masks and hand sanitisers in Thailand. The government is thus stepping in, while factories are ramping up production.
Novel coronavirus: Thailand reports six new cases, bringing national total to 25
On Feb 3, Thailand confirmed six new cases of the novel coronavirus, bringing the national total to 25. Two of them are Chinese tourists, and the other four are Thai nationals. Two of them are drivers who had been in contact with Chinese tourists, while the other two Thai nationals are a couple who had been to Japan and not mainland China. Of the 25 cases in Thailand, eight patients have been discharged.
Preserving the charm of Bangkok's Chinatown
Bangkok's Chinatown -- also known as Yaowarat in Thai -- has always been a draw for locals and visitors, even more so as Chinese New Year approaches. But, its atmosphere is starting to change as new shops, bars and cafes open in the area. CNA's Thailand correspondent Saksith Saiyasombut looks at whether the old neighbourhood can avoid losing its identity through gentrification.