Year: 2020

  • Covid-19 NewsNew drug has potential to stop Covid-19 without a vaccine

    New drug has potential to stop Covid-19 without a vaccine

    Scientists at China’s prestigious Peking University say a drug being tested at a Chinese laboratory could not only shorten recovery time for those infected with Covid-19, but perhaps even offer short-term immunity. They believe it could “bring the coronavirus pandemic to a halt”. The director of the university’s Beijing Advanced Innovation Centre for Genomics told AFP that the drug has…

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  • Việt NamCập nhật tình hình COVID-19 tại Việt Nam (Ngày T3 19/5): Không ghi nhận ca nhiễm nCoV mới

    Cập nhật tình hình COVID-19 tại Việt Nam (Ngày T3 19/5): Không ghi nhận ca nhiễm nCoV mới

    18h ngày 19/5, Bộ Y tế không ghi nhận thêm ca nhiễm nCoV mới. Tổng số ca nhiễm COVID-19 toàn quốc là 324 người, trong số đó, 264 người đã khỏi bệnh, 60 người đang tiếp tục điều trị. Như vậy, tính đến hết ngày 19/5, Việt Nam ghi nhận: Tổng số ca nhiễm: 324 Số ca khỏi bệnh: 264…

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  • Thailand NewsThailand News Today – Tuesday, May 19

    Thailand News Today – Tuesday, May 19

    Thailand’s new Covid-19 cases – May 19 Today the Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration, reported 2 additional cases of Covid-19 bringing the total number of cases in Thailand to 3,033. No further deaths have been confirmed today, leaving the accumulated toll at 56. The 2 new cases were the daughter and son in law of a previously confirmed Covid-19 patient…

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  • Covid-19 NewsPhase 4 of relaxations may come sooner according to CCSA

    Phase 4 of relaxations may come sooner according to CCSA

    The government’s Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration reported today that pubs, bars and entertainment facilities would be permitted to reopen in the coming weeks if the regular count of new Covid-19 cases remains in single digits. Dr Taweesilp has confirmed that the Covid-19 situation in Thailand continues to improve and has dropped to single digits for the past 22 days.…

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  • Thailand NewsCompetition Commission warns food delivery companies over unfair practices

    Competition Commission warns food delivery companies over unfair practices

    The Office of Trade Competition Commission says it’s keeping an eye on the practices of food delivery companies to ensure restaurants that are currently unable to serve food on their premises are not being ripped off. Nation Thailand reports that the OTCC says operators who hike up their commission will face hefty fines of up to 10% of their annual revenue.…

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  • Transport NewsHighway number 7 from Pattaya to Map Ta Phut opens this Friday

    Highway number 7 from Pattaya to Map Ta Phut opens this Friday

    According to the Thai Highways Department, the long awaited extended section of the Motorway Number 7 from Pattaya to Map Ta Phut will open up this Friday and will be accessible free of charge to users until the end of August. The Director General of the Highways Department informed the media this morning. “From May 22 the public can use…

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  • Covid-19 NewsCabinet gives the green light for Thai Airways to file for bankruptcy

    Cabinet gives the green light for Thai Airways to file for bankruptcy

    Today PM Prayut Chan-o-cha has announced that the Cabinet approved the proposal from the Ministry of Transport that Thai Airways can file for bankruptcy at the Central Bankruptcy Court in order to be rehabilitated under the Bankruptcy Act. “It was the best course to help the troubled airline back onto its feet. Under the rehabilitation plan, Thai Airways will not…

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  • Covid-19 NewsTrial Covid-19 vaccine shows promising results – VIDEO

    Trial Covid-19 vaccine shows promising results – VIDEO

    US biotech firm Moderna announced yesterday that its trial vaccine, the first to be tested on humans, appears to be safe and able to stimulate an immune response against Covid-19 infection, offering a glimmer of hope in the ongoing battle to contain the pandemic. (Interview with trial patient below) The initial findings, from the first 8 people to receive 2…

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  • Covid-19 NewsThailand’s new Covid-19 cases – May 19

    Thailand’s new Covid-19 cases – May 19

    Today Dr Taweesilp Visanuyothin, spokesman of the Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration, reported 2 additional cases of Covid-19 bringing the total number of cases in Thailand to 3,033. No further deaths have been confirmed today, leaving the accumulated toll at 56. No additional patients were discharged from hospital in the past 24 hours, leaving the number of recovered patients at 2,857 cases. The…

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  • Northern Thailand NewsUniversity lecturers suspended over sexual assault allegations

    University lecturers suspended over sexual assault allegations

    Two Isaan university lecturers have been suspended following sexual assault allegations The 47 year old male lecturer was accused of sexually abusing his own children – a 9 year old girl and a 7 year old boy, allegedly on several occasions. The man has been charged with statutory child rape, according to the Bangkok Post. The man was accused by his…

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  • Northern Thailand NewsMother leaves newborn in north east forest after giving birth

    Mother leaves newborn in north east forest after giving birth

    A newborn baby was found in an Isaan forest recently. Thai news reports say that the baby was covered in blood with the umbilical cord still attached. Luckily, the baby survived and is now in the care of a local hospital. A villager found the newborn while walking through the forest in the Nakhon Ratchasima province, north east Thailand, and…

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  • Educatione-learning leaves many students locked out of new school term

    e-learning leaves many students locked out of new school term

    Many Thai children, with no smartphone or internet to access online classes, find themselves unable to begin their new school term and participate in the online learning. The issue has become a hot topic among netizens after cases emerged in the northeastern Nakhon Ratchasima province of children unable to join online classes. One 54 year old woman there says that…

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  • Covid-19 News“Amazing Trusted Thailand” – tourism rebrands

    “Amazing Trusted Thailand” – tourism rebrands

    International tourists still can’t enter Thailand, so the country is using this time to rebrand their tourism promotions. The aim is to add some “trust” in regards to the country’s health profile with hopes that tourists will visit Thailand worry-free. Tourism is going from the “Amazing Thailand” brand to “Amazing Trusted Thailand.” The intention is that they want tourists to…

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  • Covid-19 NewsGlobal recovery unlikely to happen next year – IMF

    Global recovery unlikely to happen next year – IMF

    The head of the International Monetary Fund says the global economy is going to take longer than initially thought to recover fully from the shock caused by the Covid-19 coronavirus. She’s also warning against the danger of protectionism. Kristalina Georgieva says the Fund is likely to revise its forecast for a 3% contraction in GDP in 2020 downward, but gave…

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  • Tourism NewsHotels across Thailand angered by European tour group’s failure to pay up

    Hotels across Thailand angered by European tour group’s failure to pay up

    Around 173 Thai hotels are appealing to the PM for help after a European tour group reneged on up to 2 billion baht in unpaid bills. Daily News reports that the TUI tour group has left hotels in Phuket, Phang Nga, Krabi and Surat Thani struggling with significant cash flow problems after trying to renegotiate its contract so that it would…

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  • Crime NewsPush for chemical castration punishment for Thailand’s convicted sex offenders

    Push for chemical castration punishment for Thailand’s convicted sex offenders

    What’s the proper punishment for those convicted of rape? Some Thai officials say prison time is not enough and are pushing for chemical castration of convicted offenders. The House committee tackling the country’s rape problem made more calls for a chemical castration law. Back in December, Justice Minister Somsak Thepsutin said he supported the proposed law. “The issue of sexual abuse…

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  • Economy NewsThai GDP drops nearly 2% in first quarter

    Thai GDP drops nearly 2% in first quarter

    The Thai economy’s slumped by nearly 2% year-on-year during Q1, 2020. In it’s full-year forecast, the National Economic and Social Development Council forecasts that the Thai GDP would drop 5-6% for the year. As a comparison, the economy tanked 7.6% during the 1997 financial crisis. The Gross Domestic Product in Q1 dropped by 1.8%, compared to a rise of 1.5% in the…

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  • Pattaya NewsPattaya officials inspect beaches for compliance with closure order

    Pattaya officials inspect beaches for compliance with closure order

    With all beaches in Chonburi province closed for now, officials in Pattaya carried out an inspection of the city’s stretches of beaches to ensure restrictions are being adhered to. The Pattaya News reports that Mayor Sonthaya Khunpluem and various other officials visited several beaches at the weekend and say they are satisfied with their findings. They also dragged the media…

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  • Covid-19 NewsEffectiveness of government contact tracing app called into question

    Effectiveness of government contact tracing app called into question

    As shopping centres around Thailand re-open for business, questions are being asked about the effectiveness of the contact-tracing procedures rolled out by the government. Most shoppers are now required to register their presence by providing their phone number each time they enter or leave a mall or store. Sometimes manually by a shop assistant physically writing down your phone number…

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  • Covid-19 NewsThai company steps up to ease condom shortage

    Thai company steps up to ease condom shortage

    A shortage of condoms is one thing. A shortage of condoms while people around the world are stuck at home is another. Since a top condom manufacturer in Malaysia halted production due to the coronavirus pandemic, a Thai company is now stepping up to fill the gap. Thai Nippon Rubber Industry, the country’s biggest condom manufacturer, is increasing production by…

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  • Business NewsThai Airways files for bankruptcy protection

    Thai Airways files for bankruptcy protection

    Despite Thai Airways issuing a press statement and taking to social media to deny rumours it intends to file for bankruptcy, various media reports appear to confirm the struggling carrier will file for Chapter 3/1 of the Corporate Reorganisation section of the Bankruptcy Act. This is the Thai equivalent of Chapter 11 bankruptcy in the US. TTR Weekly reports that…

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  • World News“Off the charts” – biggest drug seizure in decades

    “Off the charts” – biggest drug seizure in decades

    “Truly off-the-charts.” That was the assessment of Jeremy Douglas from the UN Office of Drugs and Crime talking about a major drug seizure in Myanmar’s northern Shan state. How off the charts? Authorities seized 200 million methamphetamine tablets (yaba), more than 500 kilograms of crystal methamphetamine (ice), and 35.5 tonnes and 163,000 thousand litres of precursor chemicals used to manufacture…

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  • Covid-19 NewsGlobal aviation in acute crisis

    Global aviation in acute crisis

    by Andrew J Wood “…by the end of May 2020 most airlines in the world will be bankrupt.” Global aviation has been battered and commercial scheduled air traffic remains mostly grounded as countries enforce their lockdowns and travel restrictions. There are few signs that the end is in sight. For the largest of carriers like IAG (British Airways), United, American…

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  • Việt NamCập nhật tình hình COVID-19 tại Việt Nam (Chiều T2 18/5): Ghi nhận 4 ca nhiễm nCoV mới, 2 bệnh nhân là tiếp viên hàng không

    Cập nhật tình hình COVID-19 tại Việt Nam (Chiều T2 18/5): Ghi nhận 4 ca nhiễm nCoV mới, 2 bệnh nhân là tiếp viên hàng không

    18h ngày 18/5, Bộ Y tế ghi nhận thêm 4 ca nhiễm nCoV mới. Tổng số ca nhiễm COVID-19 toàn quốc là 324 người, trong số đó, 263 người đã khỏi bệnh, 61 người đang tiếp tục điều trị. Như vậy, tính đến hết ngày 18/5, Việt Nam ghi nhận: Tổng số ca nhiễm: 324 Số ca khỏi bệnh: 263…

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  • Thailand NewsThailand News Today – Monday, May 18

    Thailand News Today – Monday, May 18

    Click here to watch….. https://youtu.be/5NnXB4l03Cs Thailand’s Covid-19 numbers, 2 from Bangkok, one in Phuket 3 new cases of the coronavirus have been announced in Thailand today, bringing the total cases to 3,031. No additional deaths were recorded, leaving the accumulated toll at 56. Of the 3 new cases reported, two were a man and a woman in Nonthaburi province (north…

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  • Covid-19 NewsRegistration steps for travel to or from Phuket

    Registration steps for travel to or from Phuket

    Although Phuket is still trying to maintain strict measures to control the spread of the Coronavirus and the island is still under a modified lock down. According to local Thai media you can apply to enter or leave the island with 2 methods of registration, Thai or foreigner. OPTION ONE. Departures from other provinces, travelling to Phuket, or people living…

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  • Northern Thailand NewsParents believe murdered Mukdahan girl was killed by a local

    Parents believe murdered Mukdahan girl was killed by a local

    The body of 3 year old girl, missing since Monday, was found naked and apparently strangled in a forest in the northeastern province of Mukdahan on Thursday. Now her parents believe their daughter was killed by a local villager. “Nong Chompoo’’ Wongsricha went missing on May 10. After a massive search involving some 500 officers and volunteers, police in Dong…

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  • Northern Thailand NewsRobbers stole 1.05 million baht in cash from a Chiang Rai bank

    Robbers stole 1.05 million baht in cash from a Chiang Rai bank

    Today at 10am Police in Chiang Saen district Chiang Rai (which borders Myanmar and Laos on the so-called Golden Triangle), were notified that a pair of robbers had stolen 1.05 million baht from the local Krungthai Bank. Police authorities are currently chasing down the 2 suspects who pulled off the daring daylight robbery on the bank. Both suspects were dressed in…

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  • Covid-19 NewsBangkok officials conduct spot checks on 200 shopping centres and retailers

    Bangkok officials conduct spot checks on 200 shopping centres and retailers

    Following the further easing of Covid-19 restrictions, officials in Bangkok are carrying out inspections on shopping malls, shops and restaurants to ensure the guidelines governing the “new normal” are being adhered to. Nation Thailand reports that the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration has assigned officers to conduct the checks across 50 districts in the capital. They will be checking that adequate social…

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  • Crime NewsWoman accidentally shot during father-son fight in Nakhon Si Thammarat

    Woman accidentally shot during father-son fight in Nakhon Si Thammarat

    A man accidentally shot and killed his daughter-in-law during a fight with his son last night in southern Thailand. After a heated argument around 7:30 pm Sunday, a father got out a shotgun to shoot his son, but the trigger failed, Thai media reports. The son, 33 year old Niran Rakkaew, then tried to grab the in the gun from his…

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  • Crime NewsPhuket woman shot in her bed, ex-husband wanted

    Phuket woman shot in her bed, ex-husband wanted

    A young woman was shot at while she was asleep in her bed early yesterday morning in Thepkrasattri, central Thalang district. Her ex-husband is currently a prime suspect. 23 year old Duenphen Waree was targeted around 5:50am Sunday at her home in Thepkrasattri, Phuket, according to a report from Thalang Police. Waree’s mother woke up from the sound of 5 gun…

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  • Business NewsTesco addressing migrant worker abuse at Thailand distribution centres

    Tesco addressing migrant worker abuse at Thailand distribution centres

    Migrant workers at Tesco’s distribution centres in Thailand are being abused, according to an annual modern slavery statement from the UK-based company. Out of 187 migrant workers interviewed in Thailand, many had issues with unexplained and illegal wage reductions, excessive overtime hours, indebtedness through recruitment fees. Migrant workers at Tesco’s distribution centres in Malaysia had similar problems. Last year, Tesco reported migrant workers…

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  • Covid-19 NewsThailand’s Covid-19 numbers, 2 from Bangkok, one in Phuket

    Thailand’s Covid-19 numbers, 2 from Bangkok, one in Phuket

    Today at his daily press conference, spokesperson Dr. Taweesilp Visanuyothin reported 3 new cases of the coronavirus in Thailand, bringing the total cases to 3,031. No additional deaths were recorded, leaving the accumulated toll at 56. Dr. Taweesilp reveals that of the new cases 3 cases reported, two were a man and a woman in Nonthaburi province (north west of capital)…

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  • Covid-19 NewsGolden Triangle drug trade thrives during pandemic

    Golden Triangle drug trade thrives during pandemic

    The Golden Triangle is notorious for one thing. Drugs. And while the coronavirus pandemic is crippling businesses across Thailand, the drug industry around the Myanmar-Laos-Thailand border seems to be flourishing. Actually, really well. Production of synthetic drugs coming in from the Golden Triangle is hitting record highs, the Chiang Rai Times reports. Opium and heroin production in the Golden Triangle has…

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  • Việt NamCập nhật tình hình COVID-19 tại Việt Nam (Sáng T2 18/5): 32 ngày không lây nhiễm nCoV trong cộng đồng

    Cập nhật tình hình COVID-19 tại Việt Nam (Sáng T2 18/5): 32 ngày không lây nhiễm nCoV trong cộng đồng

    6h ngày 18/5, Bộ Y tế không ghi nhận thêm ca nhiễm nCoV mới. Tổng số ca nhiễm COVID-19 toàn quốc là 320 người, trong số đó, 260 người đã khỏi bệnh, 60 người đang tiếp tục điều trị. Như vậy, tính đến sáng ngày 18/5, Việt Nam ghi nhận: Tổng số ca nhiễm: 320 Số ca khỏi bệnh: 260…

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  • Politics NewsGovernment claims 2010 Bangkok protest crackdown was legal

    Government claims 2010 Bangkok protest crackdown was legal

    A spokesman for Thailand’s Democrat Party, currently part of the ruling coalition, says former PM and party chairman Abhisit Vejjajiva did nothing wrong in ordering the 2010 military crackdown on protesters in Bangkok. Khaosod English reports that Ramet Rattanachaweng’s comments come as activists commemorated the 10 year anniversary of the crackdown, in which around 100 people died, by projecting an…

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  • Covid-19 NewsNew Zealand social distancing rules see PM turned away from café

    New Zealand social distancing rules see PM turned away from café

    New Zealand PM Jacinda Ardern has been turned away from a café due to restrictions she put in place as part of the country’s response to the Covid-19 virus. When the café, in the capital city of Wellington, reached the maximum number of customers permitted under social distancing rules, it was forced to turn away the PM, who had arrived with…

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