Ruling Palang Pracharath Party sacks Thamanat, 20 other MPs
Thailand's ruling party has sacked its secretary general Thamanat Prompow, along with 20 other MPs. Palang Pracharath leaders say Mr Thamanat made unacceptable demands and his disruptive behaviour was affecting the party's work. The move could cause a major political shake up for Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha's government.
The Year Ahead 2022: Thailand's Hopes for Reopening & Recovery
Not wanting to be held hostage by the pandemic any longer, countries like Thailand have started to reopening to tourists. But with still many uncertanties ahead, can the country bounce back in 2022? (Filmed in November and early December 2021)
Thailand scraps quarantine-free travel due to Omicron variant
Thailand will revoke its quarantine-free travel scheme from today over omicron concerns. Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha says no new applications for the Thailand pass will be accepted.
COVID-19: Thailand detects its first potential case of Omicron variant
Thailand has detected its first potential case of Omicron as the COVID-19 variant continues its global march. The strain has now been detected in close to 50 countries and regions, including locations in Asia like Japan and Hong Kong.
Apple warns Thai activists about 'state-sponsored attackers' targeting their iPhones
Apple has warned activists in Thailand that their iPhones may have been targeted by the government. It has issued alerts to at least 20 people critical of Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha's administration. The tech giant has warned them that their devices may have been hacked by "state-sponsored" attackers. Their data could be remotely accessed, as well as the camera and microphone on their devices.
Thai lawmakers reject attempt to amend constitution
Thai lawmakers have rejected an attempt to amend the constitution. The proposed changes, dubbed the "People's Constitution", are the latest effort by civil society groups to give more power to elected officials.
Thai court finds protest leaders guilty of attempting to overthrow monarchy
Thailand's constitutional court has ruled that three protest leaders are guilty of attempting to overthrow the monarchy. All three had been charged after calling for reform of the royal institution.
Thailand reopens to vaccinated tourists after 18 months of COVID-19 restrictions
Thailand has reopened to vaccinated visitors from 63 countries and territories after 18 months of COVID-19 restrictions. Bangkok and Phuket have welcomed the first wave of travellers who will not have to serve a lengthy quarantine. However, there is still a lot of red tape and paperwork to be done: Passengers have to apply for an entry permit, show they are fully vaccinated, have a negative test and insurance policies. Officials are expecting about one million visitors to arrive between now and March 2022 -- a far cry from the record 39 million Thailand welcomed before the pandemic in 2019.
Thailand prepares to reopen for (some) fully-vaccinated tourists
Thailand is reopening for fully-vaccinated travelers from 63 countries and territories in an attempt to revive the vital tourism sector. But is the country prepared and how quickly will it take for the recovery?
COVID-19: Thailand to reopen to more vaccinated visitors from November
Thailand will reopen to more visitors from November as it looks to boost tourism. Mandatory quarantine will be waived for 10 regions. But travellers must be fully vaccinated. The new rules apply to tourist hotspots like Bangkok, Chiang Mai and Krabi.
COVID-19: Thailand battles public criticism while dealing with its worst virus outbreak
Thailand is still in the midst of its worst COVID-19 wave since the beginning of the pandemic with record highs being set several times in the past few weeks. As the Thai government battles the pandemic and public criticism, it is also waging a fight on another front, against what it sees as misinformation.
Thai protesters clash with police after thwarted plans to march on palace
Anti-govt protesters have called off their rally today after hours of clashes with the police, who have used tear gas and rubber bullets against them. It’s been over a year as protesters are calling for the ouster of PM Prayut Chan-ocha and reforms of the monarchy amidst a spiraling pandemic situation.
COVID-19: Thailand reports more than 20,000 new cases
New COVID-19 infections in Thailand have exceeded 20,000 for the first time. The number of fatalities has also hit a new record, with nearly 190 deaths.
Thai PM Prayut enters eighth year in office amid growing COVID-19 crisis
Thailand's Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha has begun his eighth year in office. He entered politics in 2014, seizing power through a military coup. The former army chief is now leading the country through a growing crisis. Saksith Saiyasombut looks at what the pandemic heralds for Mr Prayut's remaining two years as prime minister.
COVID-19: Thailand imposes tougher restrictions, including Bangkok curfew
A curfew will be imposed in Bangkok as Thailand fights its worst outbreak of COVID-19. There will also be limits on the size of gatherings and restrictions on unnecessary travel between provinces. More than 9,000 new infections have been reported, a new record. Across Southeast Asia, many governments are struggling to contain new coronavirus outbreaks driven by the Delta variant.
Phuket reopens to foreign travellers for first time in over a year
Thailand's resort island of Phuket has welcomed international travellers for the first time in more than a year. Hundreds have arrived under a quarantine-free programme for vaccinated visitors. The Phuket Sandbox is seen as a trial for Thailand to begin reopening its borders later this year. Thailand is grappling with its worst COVID-19 outbreak, but Phuket has remained relatively unscathed. Thailand lost some $50 billion in tourism revenue in 2020, and the government is expecting some 100,000 foreigners to visit Phuket in 3Q2021.
Phuket to go ahead with reopening plans despite surge in COVID-19 cases
Thailand has reported a record 53 deaths from COVID-19 in the last 24 hours. The daily COVID-19 death toll has been steadily increasing since the third wave of the coronavirus hit in April. Despite coronavirus numbers rising again, the tourism-dependent kingdom is still forging ahead with plans to open up. Phuket is going to trial a model that could allow fully vaccinated tourists to come back without quarantine.
Thailand plans to reopen to foreign visitors in 120 days: PM Prayut
Thailand wants to reopen its borders within 120 days -- Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha announced the goal in a national address. The target would put the country's reopening sometime by mid-October. Fully vaccinated travellers will not have to quarantine.
Thailand begins mass vaccination campaign against COVID-19
Thailand launched its COVID-19 mass vaccination drive on June 7. AstraZeneca and Sinovac jabs are being administered. 1.8 million AstraZeneca doses -- the first of six million due this month -- have arrived in the country. The aim is to ensure there are enough shots to go around, particularly in the smaller provinces. The government has been criticised for its slow rollout and over-reliance on local vaccine production. Only 6% of Thailand's population have received at least one dose since late February.
COVID-19: Travel agents in Thailand offer vaccine tours amid slow rollout in country
The Thai government has been criticised for the sluggish COVID-19 vaccination rollout. Instead of waiting, some wealthier Thais are going the distance to get the inoculation.