Disasters and emergency response

The government will extend a nationwide state of emergency through Jan 15 to prevent a resurgence in coronavirus infections during the peak New Year’s travel period, an official said.A meeting of the Covid-19 task force chaired by Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha approved the extension to ...

The National Economic and Social Development Council (NESDC) would propose new projects worth Bt100 billion to the Cabinet related to labour skills training and for investments in projects in the communities, council secretary-general Danucha Pichayanan said.The projects would be funded from the Bt400-billion budget, which ...

Migrant workers who have completed a four-year contract will be allowed to stay in Thailand for another two years to help solve the problem of labour shortage due to the Covid-19 outbreak.Labour Minister Suchart Chomklin said the Cabinet had resolved on Tuesday that workers who ...

The Federation of Thai Industries (FTI) plans to support a proposal to reduce the mandatory quarantine period for foreign tourists from 14 to 10 days during the Centre for Economic Situation Administration’s (CESA) meeting this week.This measure would improve business activities, said Supant Mongkolsuthree, the ...

Using digital data technologies to become a “smart government” is crucial if Thailand wants to restore national competency and keep up with the world.“It’s not enough for state agencies to have their digital data systems and applications,” said Itsakul Unahakate, a lecturer from Thammasat University’s ...

Thailand’s economy will shrink this year by less than previously estimated as government support measures alleviate the impact of the coronavirus pandemic, according to the finance ministry.The Southeast Asian nation, which has seen trade and tourism battered by the pandemic, will contract 7.7% in 2020, ...

Cross-border cargo trade resumed over the second Thai-Myanmar Friendship Bridge in Mae Sot on Monday morning after Covid-19 restrictions were eased.The lockdown imposed on two communities in the district will be lifted on Tuesday morningKeep reading ...

The Pollution Control Department has been tasked with monitoring floodwater around the country after complaints of foul-smelling odour from stagnant runoff.The Natural Resources and Environment Ministry has expressed concern about hazardous pollution in the floodwater, as drains and sewers become overwhelmed by seasonal downpours.Keep reading ...

The Royal Irrigation Department (RID) has warned of rising water levels in the Chao Phraya River but played down flooding risks in Bangkok even though 13 provinces had flooded on Saturday.RID deputy director-general Thaweesak Thanadachopol said a monsoon trough covering the lower part of the ...

Thailand welcomed its first foreign tourists in seven months on Tuesday, bringing a tiny ray of hope to a vital industry that has been brought to its knees by the coronavirus crisis.Thirty-nine Chinese tourists flew into Suvarnabhumi Airport on the outskirts of Bangkok on a ...