Month: April 2020

  • Covid-19 News

    Migrant workers in Thailand can now stay until November 30

    Yesterday the Thai government officially announced a blanket extension for the country’s migrant labourers. They will now be permitted to stay until November 30 this year and will be exempted from any sort of overstay penalty. Government Spokeswoman Narumon Pinyosinwat says that the government has backed the Ministry of Labour’s review of the Cabinet resolution on March 24 on the…

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  • World News

    Thai-Malaysian border set to open this weekend

    The Thai-Malaysian border is set to reopen this weekend to assist the struggling rubber trade, causing locals to express concern that a spike in new Covid 19 cases could result in Thailand because of the move. Security officials, however, are assuring the public that intensive screening measures are in place in anticipation of the re-opening. Commander of the Fourth Army…

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  • Northern Thailand News

    Lampang’s horses, and their caretakers, doing it tough

    2020 has been a bleak year for horses and their owners in northern Thailand. Horses and their and caretakers in Lampang province are now starving. Travel restrictions due to the national state of emergency and the Covid-19 crisis mean no income for the owners, and no grass or hay for the horses to feed on. A local rescue team presented…

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  • Covid-19 News

    Ports Authority of Thailand will offer discounts

    “Not only has the number of containers handled by the port decreased, but many trips have also been cancelled,” says director-general, Kamolsak Promprayoon, The Port Authority of Thailand. The PAT board of executives has also agreed to provide assistance to carriers and shipping agents as Covid-19 has taken a heavy toll on the global sea transportation business. They are offering……

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  • Politics News

    Taiwan considers rebranding its flag carrier, China Airlines

    Taipei is considering changing the name of its flag carrier: China Airlines. Perhaps an opportunistic excuse to distance itself from any anti-Chinese ‘Covid’ fallout or just a political ploy whilst China has, well, other things to worry about at the moment. It seems the Covid-19 pandemic has reignited calls to change the name after the airline sent a series of…

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  • Covid-19 News

    Loophole closed – more unemployed to receive payments from Thai government

    The loophole for employees whose businesses were not ordered to close, but are still affected by Covid 19 pandemic, has finally been addressed. The Thai Ministry of Labor secretary Sutthi Sukosol says that compensation will be similar to what employees whose businesses were ordered to close are paid, which is 62% of daily wage based on a maximum monthly salary…

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  • Covid-19 News

    Ex-military doctors recalled by the Royal Thai Air Force

    Even though Thailand’s government has managed to decrease the number of daily infections, authorities still have a huge workload of looking out for patients and processing new arrivals at state quarantine facilities. So 50 ex-military doctors have been recalled by the Royal Thai Air Force in an “essential mission” of battling Thailand’s Covid-19 outbreak. Air force chief Air Chief Marshal Maanat Wongwat…

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  • Covid-19 News

    2.7 billion in “cash gifts” for officials working to fight Covid-19

    Government Spokesperson Traisulee Traisaranakul announced the Thai Cabinet has approved “cash gifts” for government officials working to fighting the Covid 19 outbreak. “The move to disburse cash gifts from the 2.7 billion baht budget was proposed by the Office of the Civil Service Commission.” Those who work in fields directly affected by the outbreak – doctors, nurses and other essential…

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  • Environment News

    ‘Ranger’ the civet and friends saved from Chiang Mai forest fires

    Twenty wild animals including ‘Ranger’ the palm civet, hawks, yellow throated martens, gibbons and leopards, have been rescued from forest fires in Thailand’s northern province of Chiang Mai. The wildlife conservation department says that although some of the animals have been injured in forest fires, they are all now safe and under the care of the animal clinic. They estimate…

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  • Covid-19 News

    Can air-con spread Covid-19?

    A research letter published by Guangzhou Centres for Disease Control in China looked at 10 coronavirus cases of 3 families who ate in adjacent tables at the same time. The study proposes that droplet transmission by the restaurant’s air conditioning system was increased. The initial patient arrived from Wuhan and dined at the restaurant with 3 family members. Two other…

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  • Thailand News

    Thai Government pharmaceutical organisation boosts production of key medicines

    Dr Mukdavan Prakobvaitayakit, the deputy managing director of The Government Pharmaceutical Organisation says “the GPO has been increasing the amount of production for chronic disease medication by 50%. ” This unexpected Covid-19 pandemic has hit the stockpile of 5 – 6 key medicines, which are being used in the treatment of Covid-19. In normal circumstances, GPO usually purchases raw materials…

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  • Covid-19 News

    Thailand’s Muslim leader issues special instructions for Ramadan 2020

    The Muslim holy month of Ramadan will last from From April 24 or 25 to May 23 or 24 (depending on the lunar cycle) this year, during which time the faithful will practice fasting and take part in religious activities at mosques, residences and other designated areas. The spiritual leader of Thailand’s Muslims, the Sheikhul lslam, has issued an announcement…

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  • Covid-19 News

    New national Covid-19 cases drop to 29 (Thursday), 3 more dead

    Thai health officials today confirmed 29 new Covid-19 cases over the past 24 hour period, and 3 more deaths, bringing Thailand’s total number of patients to 2,672 since the beginning of the outbreak. This continues an encouraging downward trend, with 54 new cases a week ago, 50 on Friday, 45 on Saturday, 33 on Sunday, 28 on Monday and 34…

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  • Covid-19 News

    When will Thailand’s booze bans end?

    Though there has been no national ban on alcohol sales, all 77 of Thailand’s provincial governors have banned booze in their efforts to slow the spread of Covid-19. Many people have now long run down their pre-ban panic-buying stash. There have also been reports of alcohol dependent residents coming to the surface seeking medical help. Bangkok and Chiang Mai both began…

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  • Việt Nam

    Tình hình Covid-19 Thế giới (Sáng T5 16/4): Hơn 2 triệu ca nhiễm nCoV toàn cầu

    Số ca nhiễm Covid-19 toàn cầu tiếp tục tăng mạnh, vượt mức 2 triệu ca nhiễm và vượt ngưỡng 130.000 người tử vong vì nCoV tính tới sáng ngày 16/4. Dịch bệnh vẫn diễn biến phức tạp tại Mỹ và châu Âu. Theo thống kê của Đại học Johns Hopkins, thế giới hiện ghi nhận: 2.056.055 ca nhiễm. 134.354 ca…

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  • Bangkok News

    Police arrest 3 as they crack down on fake mask and gel network

    Provincial Police Region 1 officers have arrested 3 people who have been charged with selling a large quantity of fake hand gel dispensers and face masks. The arrests were made in Samut Prakan (south of Bangkok), Pathum Thani (north of Bangkok) and Bangkok. The provincial police believe that all 3 suspects are part of a bigger network of distributors and…

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  • Covid-19 News

    Thailand Post delivers 28 million hygienic masks nationwide

    Thailand Post has successfully delivered nearly 28 million hygienic masks to the Interior and Public Health ministries over the past month. Nearly 16.8 million were sent to the Ministry of Public Health to be redistributed to provincial public health departments and 99 hospitals nationwide, while another 11 million masks were delivered to the Ministry of Interior to be distributed to 77 cities…

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  • Covid-19 News

    Phuket reports no new Covid-19 cases (Thursday)

    Health officials in Phuket today reported no new Covid-19 cases, a first since the first cases were reported on March 20 after weeks of denials. This continues an encouraging downward trend: 3 cases were reported yesterday, down from Tuesday’s 10 which was the first time new cases reached double digits since 10 were reported on April 5. 13 cases were reported…

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  • Crime News

    Pattaya man allegedly confesses to stabbing murder of ex-wife

    …and has allegedly confessed to the murder. The original story can be found HERE: The suspect has now been identified as 52 year old Boonlert Khunmoon of Chon Buri’s Banglamung district. The victim was 50 year old Sudjai Rodmanee, the suspect’s ex-wife. The incident took place near the Chon Buri Land Office in Pattaya mid-morning yesterday. Boonlert followed Sudjai on…

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  • Việt Nam

    Cập nhật tình hình COVID-19 tại Việt Nam (Sáng T5 16/4): Một ca mới ở miền núi phía Bắc

    6h ngày hôm nay 16/4, Bộ Y tế ghi nhận thêm một ca nhiễm COVID-19 mới. Tổng số ca nhiễm COVID-19 toàn quốc là 268 người, trong số đó, 171 người đã khỏi bệnh, 97 người đang tiếp tục điều trị. Như vậy, tính đến sáng ngày 16/4, Việt Nam ghi nhận: Số ca nhiễm: 268. Số ca khỏi bệnh:…

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  • Việt Nam

    Tình hình Covid-19 tại Đông Nam Á: Ghi nhận hơn 22.000 ca nhiễm nCoV

    Các nước Đông Nam Á tăng hơn 1.000 ca nhiễm Covid-19 trong một ngày, đưa tổng số ca nhiễm được ghi nhận lên 22.180, trong đó có 958 ca tử vong. Philippines Tổng số ca nhiễm: 5.453 ca (tăng 230 ca). Số ca tử vong: 349 ca (tăng 14 ca). Số người hồi phục: 353 ca (tăng 58 người). Là vùng…

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  • Covid-19 News

    Travel and tourism in the Land of Smiles – 12 predictions

    OPINION by Andrew Wood Casting our eyes into the crystal ball has never been so difficult with so many varied issues clouding the post-coronavirus future. For Thailand, the future of world and domestic travel has never been so critical as tourism drives much of the Thai economy. Will the tourists come back? Will they be allowed back? When? And under what…

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  • Covid-19 News

    Thai Department of Corrections suspends 7,890 prison sentences in past six months

    The Director-general of the Thai Department of Corrections Police Colonel Naras Savestanan, has announced that he will speed up the process to grant suspended sentences, or lessen the prison terms, for qualified inmates right across Thailand. Inmates who are facing minor offences and shown good behaviour during their incarceration are also to be included in the process. “The number of…

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  • Business News

    NBTC seeks to reduce mobile bills by 30%

    Hopefully for both prepaid and postpaid subscribers. The National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission has been meeting with Thailand’s telecom operators in an effort to lower mobile phone service fees for users. The NBTC say the fee reduction proposal is for both prepaid and postpaid subscribers and seeks to reduce fees up to 30%. The initiative is aimed at helping people manage…

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  • South Thailand News

    Medical team from Songkhla come to Phuket to help during Covid-19 outbreak

    Phuket health workers have welcomed a special team of much-needed medics from southern Thailand’s Songkhla Nararin Hospital. The 50 medics arrived in Phuket yesterday to assist with Covid 19 cases and testing on the island. The team, led by the Nararin Hospital director, set up a field hospital to assist patients suffering from Covid 19. Phuket currently has the second…

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  • Politics News

    Thai Health Minister demands apology for inflammatory comments

    Public Health Minister Anutin Charnvirakul has criticised fellow Bhumjaithai Party member Boonkua Pussatevo for a Facebook comment that, according to The Nation, translates loosely to “stupid citizens will lead us to death” and has asked for a public apology over the comments. The remarks follows a computer glitch affecting the distribution of the 5,000 baht assistance many citizens were expecting.…

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  • Covid-19 News

    PM says restrictions could be eased by April 30

    The current national state of emergency is due to expire on April 30. While PM Prayut Chan-o-cha has hinted he might extend it, which he has the constitutional right to do (up to 90 days), he says that he’ll evaluate the Covid-19 situation in the last week of April to see if some restrictions can be lifted. The PM has…

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  • Chiang Mai News

    Food queues run 2 kilometres around Chiang Mai moat

    There was a group of Chiang Mai city volunteers who published a donation point to receive offerings that are serving the dual purpose of helping impoverished victims of the Covid-19 pandemic and letting the goodness of this year’s otherwise-non-existant Songkran festival shine through. The response, from donators and recipients has been phenomenal. Over the last week the queues running around…

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  • Việt Nam

    Chính thức: Hà Nội, TP HCM cùng nhiều tỉnh, thành cách ly xã hội đến 22/4

    Thủ tướng Chính Phủ chấp thuận đề xuất của Ban chỉ đạo phòng chống Covid-19 quốc gia, cách ly xã hội đến ngày 22/4 đối với 12 tỉnh, thành có nguy cơ lây lan dịch bệnh cao bao gồm Hà Nội và TP HCM. Trong cuộc họp trực tuyến với 63 tỉnh thành về công tác phòng chống Covid-19 diễn…

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  • Covid-19 News

    Government only has enough to pay 5,000 baht aid package for 1 month – PM

    Shortly after the national state of emergency was declared in Thailand, the government of PM Prayut Chan-o-cha announced an aid package of 5,000 baht per month to “informal workers” left behind by the Covid-19 crisis. The original announcement, part of a 117 billion baht stimulus package, was for 3 months, but this was later extended to 6 months, despite the…

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  • Việt Nam

    Cập nhật tình hình COVID-19 tại Việt Nam (Tối T4 15/4): Không ghi nhận thêm ca nhiễm nCoV mới

    18h ngày hôm nay 15/4, Bộ Y tế không ghi nhận thêm ca nhiễm COVID-19 mới. Tổng số ca nhiễm COVID-19 toàn quốc là 267 người, trong số đó, 171 người đã khỏi bệnh, 96 người đang tiếp tục điều trị. Như vậy, tính đến hết ngày 15/4, Việt Nam ghi nhận (so sánh với 24h trước): Số ca nhiễm:…

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  • Crime News

    Police nab another suspect in notorious Forex-3D Ponzi scheme

    Police in Bangkok have arrested yet another suspect in the infamous Forex-3D Ponzi scheme which duped thousands with false promises of high returns and resulted in losses of tens of billions of baht. Department of Special Investigation officials have now arrested 30 year old Sitthanat Pho-ngern on a warrant issued by the Criminal Court. He’s charged with luring people to…

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  • Northern Thailand News

    Mobile blood driver deployed in Khon Kaen

    “Families that have 3 or more people who are willing to donate blood, authorities will be sending mobile units that will visit homes in the main city area of Khon Kaen province today.” This from Dr Sujira Kwasaen, director of The Khon Kaen Regional Health Promotion Centre 7. The Khon Kaen Regional Health Promotion Centre 7 is working with The…

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  • Thailand News

    Thailand News Today – Wednesday, April 15

    30 new Covid-19 cases (Wednesday), 2 more deaths Thai health officials today confirmed 30 new Covid-19 cases, taking the national total to 2,643. New cases – 30 Total cases – 2,643 Death toll – 43 2 new deaths raise the national tally to 43. Today’s result follows the general trend of fewer new cases each day. But a spokesman for…

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  • Việt Nam

    Tình hình Covid-19 Thế giới (Chiều T4 15/4): 2 triệu ca nhiễm, gần 130.000 người chết vì nCoV

    Số ca nhiễm Covid-19 toàn cầu tiếp tục tăng mạnh, với khoảng 2 triệu ca nhiễm và vượt ngưỡng 120.000 người tử vong vì nCoV tính tới chiều ngày 15/4. Mỹ tiếp tục ghi nhận số ca tử vong kỷ lục trong một ngày Theo thống kê của Đại học Johns Hopkins, thế giới hiện ghi nhận: 1.996.862 ca nhiễm…

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  • Crime News

    Australian man arrested over child sexual abuse charge

    Thailand’s Crime Suppression Division police have arrested 63 year old William James Petrie, an Australian man living in Central Thailand on sexual abuse charges in his home country. He was arrested at his house in Chachoengsao, east of Bangkok, where he was living with his Thai wife and her family. The man’s wife, whose identity has been withheld, said she…

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  • South Thailand News

    Songkhla zookeepers close up whilst keeping the tigers cool

    Songkhla Zoo has announced its closure today as part of the southern province’s lockdown, but the zookeepers still have to take care of animals with the summer temperatures high and on the rise. The animals can become distressed at this time of the year with the extreme heat and need constant veterinary care. The zookeepers say they’re are trying as…

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