Thailand plans higher tour operator deposits amid tourism rebound
SUNDAY, AUGUST 30, 2026
Thailand’s Department of Tourism proposes raising tour operator security deposits to as much as THB200,000 as tourism rebounds from the Covid-era downturn.
DDC says Thailand’s top Covid variants show no signs of greater severity
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 03, 2026
Thailand’s Department of Disease Control says the country’s three most detected Covid-19 variants — NB.1.8.1, JN.1 and XEC — are being closely monitored, with current data showing no evidence of more severe illness or higher death risk.
Govt urges calm as dominant NB.1.8.1 Covid strain shows no sign of greater severity
TUESDAY, JUNE 02, 2026
The government says Thailand’s dominant Covid-19 strain, NB.1.8.1, is being closely monitored but has shown no evidence of causing more severe illness, despite a seasonal rise in infections.
The Criminal Court has acquitted Thanathorn Juangroongruangkit in a Section 112 case over his Covid-19 vaccine livestream, ruling that his criticism was directed at the prime minister’s vaccine management.
DDC urges calm over Singapore Covid spike, says NB.1.8.1 already dominant in Thailand
SUNDAY, MAY 24, 2026
Thailand’s Department of Disease Control says people should not panic over Singapore’s Covid-19 rise, noting that the NB.1.8.1 variant is already the dominant strain in Thailand but has not led to a severe outbreak.
NB.1.8.1 now Thailand’s dominant Covid variant as officials track Singapore surge
SUNDAY, MAY 24, 2026
Thailand’s Department of Disease Control says the NB.1.8.1 Covid-19 variant now accounts for 50.95% of detected samples in the country, while officials monitor a sharp rise in cases in Singapore.
Health officials say the Omicron offshoot is under close watch globally, but there is still no evidence it causes more severe illness than other circulating strains.
National Vaccine Institute has debunked claims that the Covid “Cicada” variant came from crickets, saying it remains under monitoring and vaccines still protect against severe illness