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)
Thai PM overrules Bangkok's dining restrictions after record daily COVID19 hike
New COVID-19 restrictions have come into force in Thailand today. Officials continue to shy away from imposing a nationwide lockdown., despite reporting a daily record of 745 new infections. Bangkok and 27 other provinces have been declared high-risk zones.
Thailand introduces more restrictions in 28 provinces amidst second #COVID19 wave
More restrictions kick in today in Thailand, as the country battles a resurgent wave of the coronavirus. The government's COVID19 task force has declared 28 provinces as high-risk zones. Prime Minister Prayut Chan-ocha has signed of measures allowing provincial governors to establish tighter restrictions in these areas. Thailand had the pandemic under control for most of last year. But it's now battling an outbreak blamed on illegal migration from neighboring Myanmar. The country reported 315 new cases on Sunday, most of them, locally transmitted.