Can "vaccine passports" reopen Thailand's borders?
Countries whose economies are heavily dependent on tourism - like Thailand - are eager to welcome tourists again. So-called "vaccine passports" could be the key here. But how can Thailand ensure that foreign tourists arrive and leave safely?
Phuket reopening to visitors who have been vaccinated against COVID-19
Thailand is reopening its resort island of Phuket to visitors who have been vaccinated against COVID-19. From Jul 1, they will not need to serve quarantine if they have taken their jabs. It is a key step for the tourism-reliant nation.
COVID-19: Thailand to reduce mandatory quarantine period for foreign travellers
Thailand will reduce the mandatory quarantine period for foreign travellers from next month. It will shorten the quarantine from two weeks to 10 days.
COVID-19: Thailand to start administering AstraZeneca vaccine
Thailand will start administering the AstraZeneca jab on Mar 16 after a brief delay over concerns of side effects in Europe.
Thai court rules referendum must be held before parliament can rewrite constitution
Thailand's Constitutional Court has allowed the process of charter change in the country to continue. The court ruled it is the parliament's duty and authority to write a new constitution, but a referendum must first be held.
3 more protest leaders in Thailand charged with lese majeste, denied bail
Three Thai protest leaders have been denied bail and detained after being charged with insulting the monarchy. Together with 15 others, they also face trial for sedition and breaching a ban on public gatherings when they took part in a rally in Bangkok last September. Four other activists are already in jail awaiting trial over the same protests.
Thailand starts COVID-19 vaccination rollout
Thailand continues its COVID-19 vaccine rollout for a second day after the first jabs was given to the country’s Public Health Minister and medical frontline workers. 13 provinces will be part of the initial inoculation plan. Thailand has received doses from Sinovac and AstraZeneca, but for now only the only from China will be used.
Thai court ousts three Cabinet ministers found guilty of sedition
Three Cabinet ministers in Thailand have lost their jobs. They were among 40 people found guilty of taking part in anti-government protests several years ago. The demonstrations were aimed at changing the government of then-prime minister Yingluck Shinawatra. The political chaos paved the way for the military coup of 2014.
First COVID-19 vaccines arrive in Thailand with rollout starting soon
The first 200,000 doses COVID-19 vaccines by Sinovac from China have arrived in Thailand on Wednesday morning. Another 117,000 doses of AstraZeneca vaccines are also scheduled to arrive on the same day. Thailand has faced much criticism over its vaccine policy.
Anti-govt protesters gather at parliament after Thai govt survives no-confidence vote
Thai anti-govt protesters gathered for the second evening in a row as the government of Prime Minister Prayut Chan-ocha survived a no-confidence vote.
Thai protesters rally outside parliament ahead of no-confidence vote for PM Prayut
Tight security in Bangkok, as the police brace for more anti-government protests. Crowds have gathered in front of parliament, where lawmakers are debating a no-confidence motion against Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha. A vote will take place tomorrow (Feb 20).
Thai PM Prayut grilled on first day of parliamentary censure debate
Thai Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha and his administration are facing their second no-confidence motion. The parliament is holding a censure debate that's expected to culminate with a vote on the weekend. The opposition has accused the government of mismanaging the COVID-19 outbreak, and anti-government protesters have resumed rallies demanding Mr Prayut's resignation.
Thai protesters clash with police as anti-govt rallies set to continue
Thai anti-government protesters and police have clashed at a rally in Bangkok. Several people have been arrested, several other people injured. Thai anti-govt and pro-democracy protesters have congregated at Democracy Monument again in their continued campaign for political reforms and an end to royal defamation laws.
Thai anti-govt mass protests return to the streets of Bangkok
After a short pause, Thai anti-govt protests have returned on the streets of Bangkok to continue their demands for political reforms. A brief scuffle at a nearby police station nearly escalated, before all detained were released.
Thailand to ease COVID-19 restrictions, as govt pledges vaccines will still arrive in February
Thailand is planning to ease COVID-19 restrictions by reopening schools and some businesses next week. But it will depend on the severity of the outbreak in each region. Meanwhile, authorities insist that first batches of AstraZeneca vaccines will still arrive in Februarry, despite shipping delays in Europe.
Thai opposition politician Thanathorn defends criticism of govt's COVID-19 vaccine policy
A banned Thai opposition politician has defended his criticism of the government's COVID-19 vaccine strategy, which heavily relies on a local manufacturer owned by King Maha Vajiralongkorn. Thanathorn Juangroongruangkit has been charged with insulting the monarchy, but he has vowed to keep campaigning for reforms. Mr Thanathorn would become the highest profile case to be charged with royal defamation that punishes criticism of the monarchy with up to 15 years in jail per offence.
Thai government files royal defamation complaint against opposition figure Thanathorn
A prominent Thai opposition politician has responded to charges of royal defamation and computer crimes. Thanathorn Juangroongruangkit had been demanding for more transparency on the government's COVID-19 vaccine policy, as well as its dealings with a local drug manufacturer Siam Bioscience, which is owned by the King. Mr Thanathorn has been banned from politics and his party was dissolved in 2020. He could become the highest-profile case to be tried under the lese majeste law, which punishes criticism of the monarchy with up to 15 years in jail per offence.
Thai woman sentenced to 87 years in jail under lese majeste law
A record jail term has been handed down for insulting the Thai monarchy. A former civil servant has been sentenced to 87 years in prison for sharing audio clips that violate the lese majeste law. But it has been reduced by half after she pleaded guilty.
One year after Thailand's first COVID-19 case, second wave threatens to undo recovery
It's been a year since Thailand reported its first case of COVID-19. The patient was a Chinese tourist from Wuhan – who was also the first recorded case outside China. Compared to many other countries, Thailand was mostly on top of the pandemic for much of last year. But a new outbreak could undo its efforts and threaten economic recovery.
Thais start new year with concerns of new COVID-19 wave
Thais were hoping for a good start into 2021, but a new surge of COVID19 cases has people worried that the country could go into another lockdown. (Recorded on Jan 5, 2020)