Year: 2020

  • Covid-19 NewsEmergency Decree extended through June amidst accusations of political motivation

    Emergency Decree extended through June amidst accusations of political motivation

    As widely predicted, the Cabinet yesterday extended the Emergency Decree for a third month, to its limit at the end of June. Dr Taweesin Visanuyothin, spokesman for the Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration, quickly explained that the decree was enforced because it enabled more than 40 laws to be tied together to allow for quick enforcement at the national level.…

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  • Politics NewsGovernment to provide more financial aid to small and medium-sized businesses

    Government to provide more financial aid to small and medium-sized businesses

    Thailand’s Ministry of Finance has been tasked with coming up with plans for additional financial aid to small and medium-sized enterprises affected by the Covid-19 crisis. Government Spokesperson Narumon Pinyosinwat made the announcement yesterday. “The Ministry of Finance will estimate the budget to be used as well as the loan limit and interest rate, and will present to the Cabinet…

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  • World NewsThai Doctor faces charges in “wombs-for-hire” scandal

    Thai Doctor faces charges in “wombs-for-hire” scandal

    A Thai doctor faces charges of human trafficking and involvement in a Chinese-funded cross-border surrogacy service, using Thai women to carry babies for Chinese couples. Police say that the doctor, whose name is being withheld, previously worked at a state hospital in the Victory Monument area of Bangkok and allegedly provided “assisted-reproductive services” to surrogate Thai mothers, usually at clinics…

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  • Thailand NewsElephant injures 2 Burmese men in Kanchanburi

    Elephant injures 2 Burmese men in Kanchanburi

    2 Burmese men were attacked and critically injured by an elephant in a forest in the western province of Kanchanaburi’s Thong Pha Phum district last night, according to Thong Pha Phum National Park officials. They had only patchy details of the incident. 35 year old “Tun” and 60 year old “Ngae” had gone into the forest to pick mushrooms in…

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  • World NewsBurma or Myanmar? Myanmarese or Burmese?

    Burma or Myanmar? Myanmarese or Burmese?

    We refer to Myanmar a lot in our news because it’s a bordering foreign country to Thailand and many people from Myanmar work in and around Thailand. But is it Myanmar or Burma, and are the people that live there Myanmarese or Burmese? As you’ll read across the media there is no precise answer to the question with foreign powers…

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  • Northern Thailand News2 dead, over 1,000 ill in Korat dengue fever outbreak

    2 dead, over 1,000 ill in Korat dengue fever outbreak

    2 people have died and more than a thousand have fallen ill since the beginning of the year in an outbreak of dengue fever in the northeastern Nakhon Ratchasima province. The head of the provincial public health office yesterday said that all people in the province infected with Covid-19 have fully recovered and been discharged, and there have been no…

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  • World NewsCentral Thailand prepares for return of thousands of Burmese workers

    Central Thailand prepares for return of thousands of Burmese workers

    The central province of Samut Sakhon is preparing for the return of over 5,000 migrant labourers from Myanmar over the next month. The workers had returned to their home country to obtain the required paperwork and officials now say their employers must take responsibility for their quarantine. Employers are being asked to arrange accommodation to house the workers for the…

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  • Central Thailand NewsBaby born after mother gives birth at checkpoint in Chai Nat

    Baby born after mother gives birth at checkpoint in Chai Nat

    A baby boy was born at a checkpoint in Chai Nat, Central Thailand yesterday morning after a mother in labor made an emergency stop at one. The road block had been set up to check on travellers for Covid-19. The 30 year old mother and her husband were headed for the local hospital in Chai Nat, but couldn’t make it…

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  • Covid-19 NewsCovid-19 update: 9 new cases, all imported (May 27)

    Covid-19 update: 9 new cases, all imported (May 27)

    The Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration announced 9 new cases of Covid-19 at this morning’s daily press briefing. All 9 were ‘imported’ cases by Thai nationals returning from overseas, “bringing attention to the importance of the state quarantine process and border control”, according to CCSA spokesman Dr Taweesilp Visanuyothin. Of the 9 cases, two recently returned from the US. The two…

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  • Crime NewsGunman kills 3 at Northern Thailand radio station

    Gunman kills 3 at Northern Thailand radio station

    Thai media reports 3 people are dead after a shooting today at the National Broadcasting Services of Thailand radio station in Phitsanulok, Northern Thailand. One other person is injured. Khaosod English reports that the suspected gunman, Win Sonsuk, has already been arrested. He was a staff member at the radio station. He was working as a transmitter engineer. One of…

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  • Business News4 new board members for THAI restructure, 1 has airline experience

    4 new board members for THAI restructure, 1 has airline experience

    Four new board members for Thai Airways are the face of hope for the national airline as it addresses massive losses and restructuring. The airline’s business is now being addressed under the country’s Bankruptcy Act. Piyasvasti Amranand, Pirapan Salirathavibhaga, Boontuck Wungcharoen and Pailin Chuchottaworn have joined the Thai Airways executive board. Piyasvasti served as the airline’s president from June 2009…

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  • Northern Thailand NewsAlleged drug runner busted with methamphetamines valued at 18 million baht

    Alleged drug runner busted with methamphetamines valued at 18 million baht

    Police in Issan’s Maha Sarakham province yesterday announced the seizure of more than 600,000 methamphetamine pills from an alleged drug runner making deliveries. Officers stopped and searched a man seen tossing a plastic bag from his car, and more more than 600,000 methamphetamine pills were found in more bags inside the vehicle. 43 year old Somphan Sri-ubon was arrested after…

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  • Environment NewsUnemployed elephants: Some return to the wild, others sent to work in logging business

    Unemployed elephants: Some return to the wild, others sent to work in logging business

    The drop in tourism has had a huge impact on the elephants in Northern Thailand, leaving many elephants, you could say, unemployed. While some elephants are out of business and been taken back to their natural habitat, others are struggling in captivity and might be sent off to work in animal labour which some people may deem as unethical. A reporter…

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  • Covid-19 News5 Thai students test positive for Covid-19 after returning from Saudi Arabia

    5 Thai students test positive for Covid-19 after returning from Saudi Arabia

    5 students, who returned to Thailand from Saudi Arabia via Malaysia, have now been confirmed as being infected with the Covid-19 virus. The students are part of a group of 39 returning citizens who arrived back in the country via the Padang Besar road checkpoint at the Malaysian border. All 39 are reported to be in mandatory state quarantine at…

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  • Northern Thailand NewsDozens get hospitalised after eating raw meat salad

    Dozens get hospitalised after eating raw meat salad

    Dozens of Northern Thailand villagers became sick after eating raw buffalo meat and were treated for food poisoning at local hospitals. All 79 people treated ate the raw buffalo meat. The meat was sold in beef stalls at wet markets in Phayao Province next to Chiang Rai, Thai media reports. Some people bought the meat, possibly thinking it was beef,…

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  • Technology NewsInternet service blocks PornHub, backs down after outrage

    Internet service blocks PornHub, backs down after outrage

    It’s no secret pornography is a little tricky to access in Thailand (according to someone else’s research). Recently, the internet service True Online confirmed that they are blocking the popular site PornHub, but quickly backed down on their statement after a storm of angry comments on Twitter. “I pay you asshole, are you my parents?” one person wrote on Twitter,…

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  • Covid-19 NewsBank report predicts extended timeframe for Thai tourism recovery

    Bank report predicts extended timeframe for Thai tourism recovery

    As the severity of the current situation facing Thailand’s lucrative tourism industry starts to sink in, Kasikorn Bank Research Centre have released a report with some stark predictions. Thailand’s tourism and hospitality industry faces losses of 1.69 trillion baht in 2020 and recovery “may not be clearly evident” next year. The report also foreshadows strict ‘new normal’ procedures as government measures…

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  • Việt NamCập nhật tình hình COVID-19 tại Việt Nam (Ngày T3 26/5): Thêm 1 ca nhiễm nCoV mới từ Nga

    Cập nhật tình hình COVID-19 tại Việt Nam (Ngày T3 26/5): Thêm 1 ca nhiễm nCoV mới từ Nga

    Tính tới 18h ngày 26/5, Bộ Y tế ghi nhận thêm 1 ca nhiễm nCoV mới. Tổng số ca nhiễm COVID-19 toàn quốc là 327 người, trong số đó, 272 người đã khỏi bệnh, 55 người đang tiếp tục điều trị. Như vậy, tính đến hết ngày 26/5, Việt Nam ghi nhận: Tổng số ca nhiễm: 327 Số ca khỏi…

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  • Thailand NewsThailand News Today – Tuesday, May 26

    Thailand News Today – Tuesday, May 26

    Bangkok woman dies of salmonella poisoning after eating ‘death dumplings’ Following the death of a Bangkok woman who fell ill after eating dumplings, lab tests have now come back proving there were detected traces of salmonella bacteria. The Samut Prakan provincial health office confirms that several members of the woman’s family also fell ill after eating the dumplings, which were…

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  • Bangkok NewsWoman charged after abandoning cats at Wat Pho

    Woman charged after abandoning cats at Wat Pho

    A Bangkok woman has been fined after she tossed five bags, each containing a cat, over a wall and into Wat Pho on Sunday evening. Maybe she thought she was doing a good deed by dumping the cats off at the Bangkok temple, but she was dressed like a common thief working at night. Videos show her dressed in all…

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  • Hot NewsUPDATE: ‘Bleach mum’ was the maternal mother of sick boy

    UPDATE: ‘Bleach mum’ was the maternal mother of sick boy

    Today local Thai media report the latest update about the women allegedly forcing her children to drink bleach. Her adopted daughter died due to ‘allergies’ back in December. But the latest case of her sick son now unveils a suspected malicious intent to cause illness in her children. Doctors at Thammasat Hospital in Bangkok confirm that a DNA identity test…

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  • Covid-19 News3 quarantined returnees confirmed with Covid-19 in Thailand (May 26)

    3 quarantined returnees confirmed with Covid-19 in Thailand (May 26)

    Today, in the Centre of Covid-19 Situation Administration’s daily press conference, Dr. Taweesilp confirmed 3 new cases of coronavirus in Thailand, of which all were recorded as quarantined overseas repatriates. This brings Thailand ‘s total of confirmed Covid-19 cases to 3,045. The death toll remains at 57 fatalities with no additional deaths reported today. Dr. Taweesilp says from the new cases…

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  • World NewsCritics say new security laws will infringe on Hong Kong’s autonomy

    Critics say new security laws will infringe on Hong Kong’s autonomy

    Hong Kong’s embattled leader Carrie Lam has tried to reassure rattled residents and international investors that proposed national security laws won’t trample on the city’s rights and freedoms. She has joined the chorus of reassuring support for Beijing’s attempts to find better ways to control the destabilising protests that have disrupted the city for seven months over the past year.…

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  • Bangkok NewsBangkok woman dies of salmonella poisoning after eating ‘death dumplings’

    Bangkok woman dies of salmonella poisoning after eating ‘death dumplings’

    Following the death of a Bangkok woman who fell ill after eating dumplings, lab tests have come back proving there were detected traces of salmonella bacteria in the snack. Prakit Wongprasert from the Samut Prakan provincial health office confirms that several members of the woman’s family also fell ill after eating the dumplings, which were purchased from a local vendor.…

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  • Environment NewsDozens of plastic containers per person in state quarantine

    Dozens of plastic containers per person in state quarantine

    …and the rest of us haven’t been helping the plastic problem either. Thailand started the year eco-friendly by banning single-use plastic bags. All good, but with “stay at home” orders and mandated quarantines, plastic waste has been increasing. One Thai artist, who stayed in a state quarantine facility, added up all the plastic containers and bottles he used during his…

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  • Business NewsNo role for Transport Ministry in Thai Airways rehab plan

    No role for Transport Ministry in Thai Airways rehab plan

    After initially insisting on having a say in the management of the rehabilitation plan for the beleaguered Thai Airways, the Ministry of Transport has conceded that, with its holding in the airline reduced to less than 50%, it no longer has any jurisdiction over what is now a listed public company. Deputy Transport Minister Thaworn Senneam says the struggling carrier…

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  • Covid-19 NewsNumber of curfew arrests drops

    Number of curfew arrests drops

    Quite a few people have stayed out late, rebelling against the nation wide curfew that requires people to be at home from 11pm to 4am. More than 200 people were arrested during ‘no go’ hours from late Sunday to early Monday this week. But the nightly number of curfew arrests has dropped over the past month. Earlier this month, Thai media…

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  • Crime NewsEvidence mounts against “bleach mum”

    Evidence mounts against “bleach mum”

    Officers of the Crime Suppression Division say text messages on the popular Line application show that a woman accused of forcing her two year old “son” to swallow bleach isn’t the boy’s biological mother. This evidence, together with DNA test results expected next week, may lead to human trafficking charges being pressed against the woman as well. A Line chat…

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  • Covid-19 NewsDeputy PM says politics not involved in Emergency Decree extension

    Deputy PM says politics not involved in Emergency Decree extension

    “There is a week to go before entering the third phase of relaxation. Whether a further easing will occur depends on this week. I want to urge everyone to keep their guard up at all times.” With the second month of Thailand’s national state of emergency coming to a close, a deputy PM says fear of second wave of Covid-19…

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  • Covid-19 NewsGovernment warns Thai residents over fake contact-tracing sites

    Government warns Thai residents over fake contact-tracing sites

    The Thai government has issued a warning after a number of complaints from people being sent incorrect links and annoying pop-ups when attempting to “check in” at various businesses. The country’s Covid-19 task force says the government’s official “Thai Chana” contact-tracing website does not do this and warned citizens to make sure they only follow legitimate links. Dr. Taweesin Visanuyothin,…

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  • Economy NewsThailand’s economic forecast among Asia’s worst: central bank governor to step down

    Thailand’s economic forecast among Asia’s worst: central bank governor to step down

    The governor of the Bank of Thailand will step down when his term ends in September. Veerathai Santiprabhob announced yesterday that he has decided against seeking a second 5 year term for “family reasons.” His departure comes as Thailand sees its economy contracting as much as 6% this year, mostly as a result of the impacts of lockdown provisions to…

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  • Politics NewsThai police deny using emergency decree as political tool

    Thai police deny using emergency decree as political tool

    Following the arrest of two activists in Bangkok on Friday, police deny using the emergency decree to suppress political dissent. Both activists were arrested at the Bangkok Arts and Culture Centre, where a small group was commemorating the 6th anniversary of the May 2014 military coup that swept PM Prayut Chan-o-cha to power, tossing out the elected government of Yingluck…

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  • World NewsMillions of baht worth of cigarettes seized after smuggled over Burmese border

    Millions of baht worth of cigarettes seized after smuggled over Burmese border

    Illegal cigarettes, valued around 2.6 million baht, have been confiscated by police after they were smuggled in over the Burmese border and into the province of Prachuap Khiri Khan, Thai media reports. Three men were caught by police shortly after they crossed the border, but one was able to run back into Myanmar. Although it was just cigarettes, smuggling of…

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  • Crime NewsTwo brothers shot dead after fight over pickup truck

    Two brothers shot dead after fight over pickup truck

    Three brothers got into a fight over a pickup truck their deceased father left for one of the sons. It ended with two of them shot dead, Nation Thailand reports. A witness says that the pickup truck was left behind for 39 year old Sarayut Mustofadi, but his older brother, Seri, took the truck. Witnesses say Sarayut and his brother,…

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  • Crime News12 curfew violators arrested in Pattaya after breaking through a checkpoint – VIDEO

    12 curfew violators arrested in Pattaya after breaking through a checkpoint – VIDEO

    12 curfew breakers were arrested in Pattaya City last night just before midnight after a black Hyundai van vehicle broke through a police curfew checkpoint. Reports suggest that the black Hyundai van ran through the checkpoint, causing Banglamung and Pattaya officers to give chase before eventually catching the suspects at an intersection in North Pattaya. 4 Thai nationals, all under the…

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  • Thailand NewsThailand News Today – Monday, May 25

    Thailand News Today – Monday, May 25

    2 new cases of Covid-19 reported in Thailand with one additional death Today there have been 2 new confirmed cases of the Covid-19 Coronavirus in Thailand with 1 additional death. The 2 new cases consist of 1 imported case from a Thai National being repatriated from Russia last Wednesday. She’s currently under state quarantine in Chon Buri province. The other…

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  • Việt NamCập nhật tình hình COVID-19 tại Việt Nam (Ngày T2 25/5): Thêm 1 ca nhiễm nCoV mới từ Pháp

    Cập nhật tình hình COVID-19 tại Việt Nam (Ngày T2 25/5): Thêm 1 ca nhiễm nCoV mới từ Pháp

    Tình tới 18h ngày 25/5, Bộ Y tế ghi nhận thêm 1 ca nhiễm nCoV mới. Tổng số ca nhiễm COVID-19 toàn quốc là 326 người, trong số đó, 272 người đã khỏi bệnh, 54 người đang tiếp tục điều trị. Như vậy, tính đến hết ngày 25/5, Việt Nam ghi nhận: Tổng số ca nhiễm: 326 Số ca khỏi…

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