Thailand

Nibal in High-Performance Training for Upcoming BWF Circuit

Revival Sports athlete Nibal Ahmed is in Thailand for a one-month intensive training camp at Banthongyord Badminton School from January 10 to February 10, 2026. The camp is part of preparation for the 2026 BWF circuit after a seven-month suspension of Maldivian badminton players by the BWF. Nibal has previously trained in Dubai and Indonesia and is a national champion with multiple awards including Best Badminton Player of the Year.

President sends condolences to Thailand following Princess’s passing

President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu sent condolences to King Maha Vajiralongkorn of Thailand on the passing of Princess Bajrakitiyabha. The President praised her distinguished service, dedication to public service, rule of law, and justice system reform. He extended condolences on behalf of the government and people of Maldives.

Revival Sports Continues High-Performance Push with European Tour

Revival Sports' High Performance Team of six athletes departed for Malaysia on June 1 for a two-week training camp, followed by four BWF-sanctioned tournaments in Thailand and Europe: TOYOTA Phuket International Challenge (June 9-14), Czech International Future Series (June 18-21), Yonex Italy Open (June 24-28), and FZ Forza Future Series Nouvelle-Aquitaine (July 2-5). Athletes include Nibal Ahmed, Hussein Zayan Shaheed Zaki, Hassan Zayan Mohamed, Mohamed Khalaf Imraan, Fathimath Nabaaha Abdul Razzaq (Naba), and Aminath Nabeeha Abdul Razzaq (Naby), accompanied by coach Nashfan Mohamed. The tour aims to gain international exposure and prepare for the Indian Ocean Island Games 2027.

Bangkok Airways and Air India Pause Maldives Flights as Fuel Crisis Reshapes Regional Aviation

At Least Eight Killed in Bangkok Train and Bus Collision

At least eight people were killed and more than 30 injured when a freight train collided with a bus at a rail crossing near Makkasan Station in Bangkok. The bus became stuck on the tracks at a red traffic light, preventing barriers from closing. The train was unable to stop, causing a massive fire. Emergency responders rescued victims, and Thai authorities launched an investigation. Thailand has a poor road safety record according to the World Health Organization.

Maldives Among First Stops as Thai Developer Pan Pacific Invests $1.75B in Chinese eVTOL Fleet

Pan Pacific Company Limited signed a $1.75 billion intent agreement to acquire 500 eVTOL aircraft from Shanghai Volant Aerotech. The deal includes CAIEC for infrastructure support. The VE25-100 aircraft, branded Skylar, carry up to six passengers with 200-400 km range and 235 km/h speed. Delivery starts after Chinese certification. Deployment planned in Thailand, Maldives, Southeast Asia, and Africa for passenger transport, tourism, and emergency services.

Foreign Ministry on Full Alert as Maldives Monitors Aftermath of Thailand Earthquake

Following a 7.7-magnitude earthquake in central Myanmar on March 28, 2025, felt in Thailand, the Maldives Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed the safety of Maldivian citizens in Thailand. A 30-story building collapsed in Bangkok, causing casualties. The ministry is monitoring the situation and provided hotline numbers for assistance. States of emergency declared in both Thailand and Myanmar.

18 Dead, 23 Injured in Horrific Tour Bus Accident in Eastern Thailand

A tour bus accident in Prachinburi province, eastern Thailand, killed 18 and injured 23 on Wednesday. The driver lost control due to brake failure, causing the bus to overturn into a ditch. The bus carried 49 Thai nationals on a study trip. Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra expressed condolences and promised an investigation. Thailand ranks ninth globally in road traffic fatalities per WHO 2023 report. A similar incident in 2022 killed 23.

Parliament Approves Appointment of Fuwad as Ambassador to Thailand, Insha to NIC

Parliament approved the appointments of Fuwad Thowfeek as ambassador to Thailand and Mariyam Insha Faisal as a member of the National Integrity Commission. Fuwad, former Elections Commission chairman, was nominated by President Mohamed Muizzu on 25 November and confirmed with 58 votes. Insha, a law graduate and former NIC investigator, was nominated on 24 November and approved unanimously.

Hotel Jen to Host Thailand-Maldives Business Matching Forum on 18 August

The Department of International Trade Promotion (DITP) in collaboration with the Thai Trade Centre will hold the Thailand-Maldives Business Matching Forum at Hotel Jen in Malé on 18 August. The forum, running from 10 am to 4 pm, has free registration and aims to connect Thai exporters of food, fashion, and cosmetics with businesses in the Maldives. Last year's forum was a success and attracted several companies.

MFDA Imposes Ban on Thai Pharmaceutical Products Over Safety Concerns

The Maldives Food and Drug Authority (MFDA) has banned the import and sale of 15 medications from Thailand-based Seven Stars Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd. following a recall by the Thai FDA due to falsified sorbitol. The MFDA warned citizens who import medicines from Thailand for personal use and called on commercial ports to monitor imports.

Maldives Briefs Thai Chamber of Commerce Delegates on Investment Opportunities

The Maldives Ministry of Economic Development and Trade hosted a briefing session at CROSSROADS Maldives for over 170 delegates from the Thai Chamber of Commerce. The session, organized with the Thai Chamber of Commerce, included representatives from the Ministry of Finance and Ministry of Climate Change, Environment, and Energy. It focused on investment opportunities and doing business in the Maldives under President Mohamed Muizzu's administration. The delegates are part of the Top Executive Program in Commerce and Trade (TEPCoT), an annual event by the University of the Thai Chamber of Commerce aimed at enhancing strategic skills for competitiveness.

Government Lacks Clarity on Health Insurance Expansion Timeline

The Maldivian government lacks clarity on expanding the Aasandha health insurance scheme to the UAE and Thailand. President Dr Mohamed Muizzu expressed high expectations for expansion within the year, but no specific timeline. Social and Family Development Minister Dr Aishath Shiham faced parliamentary questions without providing a clear start date. The scheme currently covers Sri Lanka and India. Aasandha costs have increased 60% over five years, with MVR 1.9 billion allocated this year. Dr Shiham assured the expansion won't reduce beneficiaries. The government is working on a policy aligning with the budget, but a launch date is absent.

MIFCO’s Revised Terms for Foreign Buyers Rejected by Thai Companies; British Buyer Onboarded: MIFCO CEO

MIFCO CEO Ahmed Shamah Rasheed announced that from end of March, MIFCO will only sell fish products to companies agreeing to specific conditions, including bringing quality controllers to the Maldives to prevent rejection of exports. Thai companies rejected the revised terms, but a British company was onboarded. Rasheed made these comments before the Parliamentary Committee on State Owned Enterprises in response to questions from MP Yaugoob Abdulla (MDP) regarding rejected inventory and discussions with Thai buyers.

Former Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra Released on Parole

Aasandha in Discussions to Expand Coverage to Thailand, UAE

Aasandha, the state-funded health scheme, is in discussions to expand coverage to include hospitals in Thailand and the United Arab Emirates (UAE). President Mohamed Muizzu expressed desire to expand coverage and include accommodation expenses. Aasandha clarified that recent speculation about refusing coverage outside India and Sri Lanka was due to a misattributed statement by Managing Director Aminath Zeeniya during a parliamentary committee hearing.