Year: 2020

  • World NewsCovid-19 hotline for forgotten migrant workers

    Covid-19 hotline for forgotten migrant workers

    45 year old Maw la Myine is from Myanmar and works for NGO Thai Raks, educating his community about public health issues such as HIV and TB. And now, Covid-19. Maw has a gift for languages, having been a volunteer Mon language teacher to children at home. His ability to speak Thai led to him becoming a translator, liaising between…

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  • Việt NamCập nhật tình hình COVID-19 tại Việt Nam (Ngày T4 6/5): Không ghi nhận ca dương tính nCoV mới, chỉ còn 39 bệnh nhân điều trị

    Cập nhật tình hình COVID-19 tại Việt Nam (Ngày T4 6/5): Không ghi nhận ca dương tính nCoV mới, chỉ còn 39 bệnh nhân điều trị

    Đến 18h ngày hôm nay 6/5, Bộ Y tế không ghi nhận ca dương tính nCoV mới. Tổng số ca nhiễm COVID-19 toàn quốc là 271 người, trong số đó, 232 người đã khỏi bệnh, 39 người đang tiếp tục điều trị. Như vậy, tính đến hết ngày 6/5, Việt Nam ghi nhận (so với 24h trước): Tổng số ca…

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  • Covid-19 News10 arrested in Chon Buri for house party in violation of Emergency Decree

    10 arrested in Chon Buri for house party in violation of Emergency Decree

    Police in Chon Buri province’s Sattahip subdistrict, south of Pattaya, raided a party last night at a house with 10 people, most of them from out of town and described as domestic tourists. The gathering was a direct violation of the Emergency Decree enacted to stop the spread of Covid-19 Na Jomtien police were notified by a “concerned citizen” that…

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  • Covid-19 NewsNew scheduled departure times for people leaving Phuket

    New scheduled departure times for people leaving Phuket

    While Phuket officials have allowed tens of thousands of people to leave the island to head back to their home provinces, the Phuket provincial government only allowed Phuket residents to leave the island in their own vehicles on April 30 and May 1, being the ‘first round’ and ‘second round’ of the mass exodus. But on the first day there…

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  • Crime NewsPark ranger shot dead in Lop Buri clash with poachers

    Park ranger shot dead in Lop Buri clash with poachers

    A park ranger has been killed in a clash with poachers in the central Lop Buri province. 37 year old fish and wildlife ranger Karn Chaiprasert was found dead on Monday with a gunshot wound. The head of the wildlife sanctuary, Wasant Klomchinda, said Karn led a 3 member team on patrol on Sunday in a forest on the Khao…

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  • Covid-19 NewsLifting of alcohol ban sees resurgence in road carnage

    Lifting of alcohol ban sees resurgence in road carnage

    With the alcohol ban lifted the carnage has resumed on Thailand’s roads. The national alcohol ban was lifted in all 76 of Thailand’s provinces, plus Bangkok, last Sunday. The sale and transport of alcohol was banned as part of the national state of emergency in order to stop people drinking and socialising during the Covid-19 crisis. A predictable, and welcome,…

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  • Covid-19 NewsCCSA reports 1 new Covid-19 case, 1 new death (Wednesday)

    CCSA reports 1 new Covid-19 case, 1 new death (Wednesday)

    Thailand’s Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration reported about just 1 new coronavirus patient today, a masseuse, and 1 death, an Australian hotel manager in Khao Lak, Phang Nga province. CCSA spokesman Dr. Taweesilp Visanuyothin reported this morning that the total of Covid-19 cases rose to 2,986 as the 27 year old masseuse tested positive after returning from Russia. She has…

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  • Covid-19 NewsFollow the rules or face the consequences – PM

    Follow the rules or face the consequences – PM

    Thai PM Prayut Chan-o-cha is warning that unless people and businesses continue to adhere to social distancing rules, previously lifted restrictions could be reinstated. Nation Thailand reports that the PM has already issued new guidelines on the sale of alcohol after chaotic scenes in supermarkets across the country following the lifting of the alcohol ban in all but a handful…

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  • Covid-19 NewsUK now second only to the US in reported Covid-19 deaths

    UK now second only to the US in reported Covid-19 deaths

    The death tolls have been shocking, week after week… First, China’s Hubei province, then Italy, Spain and France. Now, the United Kingdom has surpassed them all as it reports more deaths from the Covid-19 coronavirus than any country in Europe, reaching a grim milestone that piles further scrutiny on the response to the pandemic by PM Boris Johnson’s government. The…

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  • Covid-19 NewsHundreds seek Emergency loans from the Government Saving Bank

    Hundreds seek Emergency loans from the Government Saving Bank

    Parn Phet Market Government Savings Bank branch in Mukdahan (north eastern Thailand) reports that hundreds of people have lined up to seek emergency loans from the government to help those affected by the Covid-19 crisis. The queue was stated to have been so long that it stretched out onto the street. After making their online applications, those applicants were asked…

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  • Covid-19 NewsPhuket reports no new Covid-19 cases for fourth day, one new death

    Phuket reports no new Covid-19 cases for fourth day, one new death

    The southern island province of Phuket reported no new Covid-19 cases today, a fourth consecutive day, though there was one additional death. The man was a 63 year old hotelier from Khao Lak in neighbouring Phang Nga province on the mainland, who visited Phuket before falling ill. He travelled to Phuket between March 19-21 and first began exhibiting symptoms on…

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  • Covid-19 NewsYala lab under investigation following Covid-19 testing errors

    Yala lab under investigation following Covid-19 testing errors

    A medical lab in the southern province of Yala, which returned 40 “false positive” Covid-19 test results, is being investigated to determine where the errors came from. Thai PBS World reports that experts from Prince of Songkhla University in Hat Yai and the Medical Science Department in Nonthaburi province have been sent to the lab to investigate the situation. The…

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  • Crime News7 Russians arrested on Koh Phangan

    7 Russians arrested on Koh Phangan

    Police on Surat Thani province’s Koh Phangan, the island best known for its “full moon parties,” have arrested 7 Russian tourists for violating the Emergency Decree. Acting on a complaint filed by concerned Koh Phangan citizens, police raided a two-storey house at Nai Wok village in the wee hours of Monday morning. The next full moon party would have been…

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  • Thailand NewsIssuing of driving licences suspended during emergency decree

    Issuing of driving licences suspended during emergency decree

    The Department of Land Transport has declared a moratorium on the issuing of new driving licences until the emergency decree ends (currently scheduled to end on May 31). Thai Residents reports that DLT Director General Jirut Wisarnjit says the recent extension to the emergency decree means services will not re-open from May 7 as planned. “The decision has been taken…

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  • Covid-19 NewsConcerns in Pattaya over packed trucks transporting construction workers

    Concerns in Pattaya over packed trucks transporting construction workers

    Whilst Thailand’s residents are being told to ensure appropriate social distancing in all circumstances as the country slowly re-opens businesses, Pattaya residents have shared their concern about the conditions local construction workers are being transported, saying there is no social distancing being observed at all. The Pattaya News reports that it has received photos of workers crammed onto packed trucks…

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  • Northern Thailand News1 million methamphetamine pills seized in Chiang Rai

    1 million methamphetamine pills seized in Chiang Rai

    Last night at around 8.30 pm Police officers from the Narcotics Suppression Division 3, under the supervision of Police General Watcharathip Mongkol, arrested 27 year old Atthachai Sai Kaew. The location of the arrest was at Rob Wiang Sub-district, Chiang Rai Province. Reports reveal that Atthachai was smuggling about 1,000,000 methamphetamine pills (yaba). During the arrest, officials found that Atthachai…

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  • Covid-19 NewsUS Joint Chiefs of Staff chairman questions claims that Covid-19 came from Wuhan laboratory

    US Joint Chiefs of Staff chairman questions claims that Covid-19 came from Wuhan laboratory

    The head of the US Joint Chiefs of Staff confirmed yesterday that it remains unknown whether the coronavirus emerged from a wet market in China, a laboratory or some other location. Army General Mark Milley reaffirmed the view of scientists and the world intelligence community “that it was probably not man-made”. “Did it come out of the virology lab in…

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  • Covid-19 NewsAirbnb slashes 1,900 staff to ride out the travel downturn

    Airbnb slashes 1,900 staff to ride out the travel downturn

    Accommodation-sharing online disruptor, Airbnb, says it’s slashing a quarter of its workforce, nearly 2,000 workers, as the Covid-19 pandemic continues to shred the international travel industry. The company said that it plans to soften the blow for former employees with benefits, including providing 12 months of health insurance. Airbnb CEO and co-founder Brian Chesky says the cuts are needed until…

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  • Business NewsPrayut warns Thai Airways that the latest government bailout will be the last

    Prayut warns Thai Airways that the latest government bailout will be the last

    The Thai PM has issued a stern warning to the executives of Thai Airways that the latest bailout is the last from the government. Last week the Finance Ministry agreed to guarantee a 54 billion baht bailout loan for the ailing airline and a further 80 billion baht recovery loan – both massive amounts of money being given to an…

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  • Covid-19 NewsPeople returning from Phuket to Krabi greeted with 14 day quarantine

    People returning from Phuket to Krabi greeted with 14 day quarantine

    Some Krabi residents, joining the exodus from Phuket after the Phuket opened its only land border at Sarasin Bridge last week, were greeted with a mandatory swab-test yesterday. 76 Krabi residents returned from Phuket yesterday, Krabi’s governor, Kitibadee Prawit, joined public health officials and Krabi Hospital’s director in overseeing collection of swab samples from a group of 76 returnees on…

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  • Thailand NewsVisakha Bucha Day, Buddhist holiday – alcohol ban today

    Visakha Bucha Day, Buddhist holiday – alcohol ban today

    Today is a public holiday in Thailand to mark Visakha Bucha Day, the most significant day in the Buddhist calendar, commemorating three defining events in the life of the Lord Buddha; his birth, attaining enlightenment at 35 years old, and then his death 45 years later, which all occurred on the full-moon day of the sixth lunar month. Visakha Bucha…

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  • Business NewsBusiness winners and losers, and the lumpy recovery

    Business winners and losers, and the lumpy recovery

    As we slowly start to emerge from enforced lockdowns, how have things changed? There have been early ‘winners and losers’ but the profound changes to our lives will now start to morph into lingering economic hardships and unpredictable business outcomes. Different countries are going to restart their economies at varying speeds and retain some restrictions and drop others, depending on…

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  • Covid-19 NewsAre businesses applying the Thai government hygiene standards?

    Are businesses applying the Thai government hygiene standards?

    According to the Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration (CCSA), small, local restaurants are the biggest offenders when it comes to ignoring government hygiene measures to control the reduce any return of the virus. The surveys were done to provide the government with CCSA spokesperson Dr Taweesin Visanuyothin says that 9,383 businesses from all sectors nationwide had been checked by public…

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  • Việt NamCập nhật tình hình COVID-19 tại Việt Nam (Ngày T3 5/5): Không ghi nhận ca dương tính nCoV mới, 11 bệnh nhân được ra viện

    Cập nhật tình hình COVID-19 tại Việt Nam (Ngày T3 5/5): Không ghi nhận ca dương tính nCoV mới, 11 bệnh nhân được ra viện

    18h ngày hôm nay 5/5, Bộ Y tế không ghi nhận ca dương tính nCoV mới. Tổng số ca nhiễm COVID-19 toàn quốc là 271 người, trong số đó, 232 người đã khỏi bệnh, 39 người đang tiếp tục điều trị. Như vậy, tính đến hết ngày 5/5, Việt Nam ghi nhận (so với 24h trước): Tổng số ca nhiễm:…

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  • Thailand NewsThailand News Today – Tuesday, May 5

    Thailand News Today – Tuesday, May 5

    Lack of social distancing at BTS stations in Bangkok This morning with thousands of people heading off to work in Bangkok, they ended up stranded at BTS stations after services were hit by a “technical error”. A post via twitter at 6am from BTS SkyTrain authorities, stated “there has been a technical error from on the rail line near National…

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  • Việt NamTin Covid-19: Cụ bà 88 tuổi – bệnh nhân nặng được xuất viện

    Tin Covid-19: Cụ bà 88 tuổi – bệnh nhân nặng được xuất viện

    “Bệnh nhân 161” là cụ bà 88 tuổi, một trong năm bệnh nhân Covid-19 nặng nhất cả nước, từng phải thở máy và hồi sức tích cực, được công nhận khỏi bệnh và xuất viện hôm nay. “Bệnh nhân 161” là người cao tuổi nhất trong số các bệnh nhân. Trong quá trình điều trị Covid-19 tại Bệnh viện Bệnh…

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  • Việt NamHà Nam: “Bệnh nhân 251” từng nhiễm Covid-19 tử vong

    Hà Nam: “Bệnh nhân 251” từng nhiễm Covid-19 tử vong

    Trường hợp bệnh nhân đã bị nhiễm Covid-19 tử vong tại Hà Nam được xác định do xơ gan giai đoạn cuối. Bệnh nhân nam, 64 tuổi (trú tại Bình Lục, Hà Nam) tử vong rạng sáng 1/5. Trước đó, từ ngày 20/3, bệnh nhân được điều trị các bệnh xơ gan giai đoạn cuối, suy kiệt, bệnh gút nặng,…

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  • Covid-19 NewsLack of social distancing at BTS stations in Bangkok

    Lack of social distancing at BTS stations in Bangkok

    This morning with thousands of people heading off to work, they ended stranded at BTS stations after services were hit by a “technical error”. A post via twitter at 6:03 am from BTS SkyTrain authorities, states “there has been a technical error from on the rail line near National Stadium and Siam stations, the delay will take roughly 10 minutes.…

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  • Covid-19 NewsUpdate on Chiang Mai’s Covid-19 situation

    Update on Chiang Mai’s Covid-19 situation

    A report of the situation in the Chiang Mai states that at this time there are still no reports of any additional Covid-19 infections being found in the northern city. The total still remains at 40 infected, 38 discharged from hospital, 1 death of a patient who died in the hospital, and 1 patient remaining in hospital receiving medical attention.…

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  • Covid-19 NewsThailand’s Covid-19 situation, May 5

    Thailand’s Covid-19 situation, May 5

    The spokesman of the Covid-19 Coronavirus Situation Administration, Dr. Taweesin Visanuyothin, announced today that only 1 new case of the Covid-19 virus had been detected across the kingdom. This is a drop from the 18 recorded cases yesterday, and was the lowest daily number since March 9. The single case is a Thai male, a 45 year old in Narathiwat…

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  • Covid-19 NewsWHO and intelligence community awaiting evidence from US President Trump about “Wuhan lab” claims

    WHO and intelligence community awaiting evidence from US President Trump about “Wuhan lab” claims

    The World Health Organisation says they’re awaiting evidence to support “speculative” claims by the US President and Secretary of State that the new coronavirus originated in a Chinese lab in Wuhan. The Five Eyes, a network involving UK, US, Australia, New Zealand and Canada intelligence officials, say they do believe that Beijing has not necessarily been transparent about how coronavirus initially spread…

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  • Covid-19 NewsGovernment health official warns of near-certainty of “second wave” of Covid-19

    Government health official warns of near-certainty of “second wave” of Covid-19

    With the easing of some restrictions put in place to slow and eventually halt the spread of the Covid-19 virus, a government health official is now warning of the rise of a “second wave” from next week is “inevitable”. Nation Thailand reports that the Director of the Division of Communicable Diseases issued his warning yesterday, saying an increase in the…

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  • Covid-19 NewsOfficials issue reminder of nationwide time restrictions on alcohol sales

    Officials issue reminder of nationwide time restrictions on alcohol sales

    With the alcohol ban having been lifted in all but a handful of provinces, government officials are warning retailers and consumers that the restrictions on what time alcohol can be sold still remain in place. It comes after one wholesaler in Nonthaburi, just outside Bangkok, was found to be selling alcohol outside of the legally authorised hours of 11am – 2pm…

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  • HealthObesity on the rise in the Land of Smiles

    Obesity on the rise in the Land of Smiles

    Thailand has a health problem and it appears to be an even bigger concern than the current Covid-19 pandemic. The World Health Organisation says nearly one third of the Thai population is now overweight and 9% of the country is obese. Malaysia currently holds the dubious honour of having the highest obesity rate in Southeast Asia – but Thailand is…

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  • Covid-19 News292 Thai nationals return home from Hong Kong and The Maldives

    292 Thai nationals return home from Hong Kong and The Maldives

    Yesterday at around 5pm, 292 Thai nationals returned home from Hong Kong and The Maldives, all 292 passengers have been sent straight to a state-organised quarantine centre for 14 days, both city hotels that were currently empty. The first flight arrived from Hong Kong at 3:59 pm. 161 passengers were on board the plane.Upon landing all passengers passed the initial…

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  • World NewsBroke Russian family deported from Indonesia for busking – VIDEO

    Broke Russian family deported from Indonesia for busking – VIDEO

    A Russian couple and their young child have been deported from Indonesia, after a video of them busking illegally at a market on Lombok island went viral. Coconuts reports that officials did not charge them with violating the conditions of their visa, with the Head of the Mataram Immigration Office saying he understood the family had been caught up in…

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  • Covid-19 NewsSecond round of tests confirm 40 Covid-19 cases in Yala were “false positives”

    Second round of tests confirm 40 Covid-19 cases in Yala were “false positives”

    A second round of tests carried out on 40 people who tested positive for the Covid-19 virus in the southern province of Yala, have all come back negative. The Bangkok Post reports that the initial tests have now been confirmed as “false positives”. Now a third test is being run to remove any doubt. The spokesman for the Centre for Covid-19…

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