In the first week of December 2008, new visa rules came into force in Thailand. The new ruling mainly affects visitors entering Thailand at a land border checkpoint without a visa. Visitors arriving at any of Thailand’s international airports should not be affected by the new rules. Arriving in Thailand by Land or Sea Crossing [...]
Tsunami Victims Remembered
December 26, 2008 by
Today is the fourth anniversary of the tsunami which claimed the lives of an estimated 220,000 people. In Thailand, over 5,000 people died and the day has been marked by acts of remembrance along the Andaman Coast. Tourists and locals came together to pay their respects and take part in merit-making activities such as releasing [...]
Appointment of New Thai PM Endorsed by the King
December 17, 2008 by
Thailand’s King Bhumibol Adulyadej has today officially endorsed the appointment of the new Thai prime minister, Abhisit Vejjajiva. Royal endorsement is a matter of protocol, but it now means that Abhisit has cleared all the formalities and can begin his new role as the leader of the country. The leader of the Democrat Party faces [...]
Democrat Leader is Thailand’s New Prime Minister
December 15, 2008 by
Today’s extraordinary session of parliament has resulted in a new prime minister being appointed in Thailand. The new man in what has become a very hot seat is Abhisit Vejjajiva. The 44-year-old leader of the Democrat Party becomes Thailand’s third different prime minister this year and it is yet another twist in the nation’s complicated [...]
King Misses Birthday Speech
December 5, 2008 by
Today is the king of Thailand’s 81st birthday and is being celebrated all over the country with merit-making activities and people doing good deeds (such as donating blood) to honour the king. The king’s birthday is a public holiday in Thailand and also marks Father’s Day with the king being viewed as the father of [...]
Flights Resume at Bangkok Airport
December 4, 2008 by
Flights have resumed to and from Bangkok’s international airport. Although Suvarnabhumi airport anticipates that most areas will be up and running by tomorrow, there is still a large volume of travellers trying to get in and out of Thailand and it could be another week before airlines can fully clear the backlog. The airport closures [...]
Protests Called Off and Bangkok Airports to Open Again
December 2, 2008 by
The anti-government protesters who have been occupying Bangkok’s two airports for the past week have confirmed they are bringing their protest to an end. The announcement follows today’s judgement by the Constitutional Court which has unseated prime minister Somchai. The protesters say all demonstrations will end tomorrow, December 3. Airports of Thailand (AOT) must now [...]
Is Bangkok Airport Set to Re-Open?
December 2, 2008 by
There are conflicting reports about whether Bangkok international airport is getting ready to re-open following today’s court ruling which has disqualified Somchai as prime minister. Some news channels are reporting that the anti-government protesters have agreed to end their occupation of Bangkok’s two airports. Initially, a PAD protest leader was apparently quoted as saying that [...]
Thai Prime Minister and Ruling Party Ousted by Court Ruling
December 2, 2008 by
Thailand’s Constitution Court has today ruled against the current prime minister and his political party, the People Power Party (PPP). Prime Minister Somchai is disqualified from office with immediate effect and the PPP has been ordered to dissolve. The court ruling found the PPP guilty of electoral fraud during the December 2007 elections. Under Thai [...]
Protesters to Vacate Government House
December 1, 2008 by
The anti-government PAD (People’s Alliance for Democracy) protesters have announced they will leave the grounds of Government House in Bangkok. They have occupied the complex since August, forcing the government to carry on its business elsewhere. On the face of it this could be seen as good news, however it seems the protesters will now [...]