Month: January 2021

  • Covid-19 NewsPhuket governor announces new restrictions for travel to Phuket, effective now

    Phuket governor announces new restrictions for travel to Phuket, effective now

    Travelling to Phuket? You need to be aware of the changed circumstances for arrivals, depending where you’re travelling from. A 3 page announcement was released by the Phuket PR department this afternoon with the new restrictions for arrivals on the island. The announcement splits up travellers into 5 potential groups. All arrivals from the “highest-risk” areas within the ‘red zone’…

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  • Pattaya NewsAustralian dies after falling from Pattaya condo balcony

    Australian dies after falling from Pattaya condo balcony

    A 58 year old Australian man has died after falling from the 8th floor of a condominium in Pattaya last night. It happened around 10pm on Thappraya Road in Nongprue. The name of the condo has not been announced. Police and rescue workers arrived to find the condo residents gathered around the area where the man fell. The body of the…

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  • Covid-19 NewsThe Mor Chana app won’t reveal personal data – Minister

    The Mor Chana app won’t reveal personal data – Minister

    The Digital Economy and Society Minister Buddhipongse Punnakanta says the Mor Chana has be “designed specifically” to protect the user’s data. As an example, it will only display a computer code instead of the user’s name. The Minister says it will only track the movements of each individual and not make their personal information public. He admitted that the Public Health…

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  • Covid-19 NewsFisheries department strengthens hygiene measures at Thailand’s seafood factories

    Fisheries department strengthens hygiene measures at Thailand’s seafood factories

    Thailand’s Fisheries Department has tightened hygiene measures in the country’s seafood factories in a bid to allay the fears of consumers and exporters. The current Covid-19 outbreak in Thailand started at a fish market in the central province of Samut Sakhon last month. Vicharn Ingsrisawang from the Fisheries Department says that since then, some consumers and exporters have voiced concerns…

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  • Covid-19 News20 Thai provinces currently free of Covid-19 infections

    20 Thai provinces currently free of Covid-19 infections

    Thailand’s Covid-19 task force has confirmed that 20 provinces in the country have had no active cases of the virus since the new outbreak began. The Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration has named the provinces as Si Sa Ket, Yasothon, Nong Bua Lamphu, Bueng Kan, Roi Et, Kalasin, Sakon Nakhon, Nakhon Phanom, Mukdahan, Phrae, Phayao, Chiang Rai, Mae Hong Son,…

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  • World NewsWoman jailed in Singapore for lying to Covid contact tracers

    Woman jailed in Singapore for lying to Covid contact tracers

    A 65 year old Singaporean woman, who tested positive for Covid-19 in February, has been jailed for 5 months after officials discovered she lied about having contact with a male friend. Oh Bee Hiok did not disclose that she’d met up with 72 year old Lim Kiang Hong 5 times in the weeks leading up to her diagnosis. It’s understood…

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  • World NewsUS health experts say rampage through Capitol was textbook super-spreader event

    US health experts say rampage through Capitol was textbook super-spreader event

    A day after thousands of Trump supporters stormed the US Capitol building, the country experienced its deadliest day since the Covid-19 pandemic began, recording 4,000 deaths from the virus. And health experts say those figures are certain to get worse, describing the unprecedented rampage through the Capitol as a textbook super-spreader. Thousands of protesters crowded together, forcing their way into…

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  • Thailand NewsThailand’s emergency decree extended again

    Thailand’s emergency decree extended again

    Thailand’s nationwide Emergency Decree has been extended again, this time until the end of February. The decree gives the Thai government the ability to set policies and procedures to prevent the control the spread of Covid-19… things like restricting travel, setting up road checkpoints and introducing other restrictions without having to consult the parliament. All the latest articles about Thailand’s Covid-19…

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  • Covid-19 NewsUS jobs market stumbles back into decline

    US jobs market stumbles back into decline

    The labour market for the world’s largest economy is heading back into reverse mode after slowly chugging back into gear over the past 8 months, following the March stock crash and initial impacts of the US state lockdown measures.. The December report was the first drop since April figures, providing the strongest evidence of the impact of the huge number…

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  • Pattaya NewsChon Buri governor urged to order hotels to close so staff can collect social security

    Chon Buri governor urged to order hotels to close so staff can collect social security

    The Eastern Hotel Association is urging the governor of Chon Buri to order all hotels in the province to close, so that staff can be eligible for social security payments. Prien Sae Ku, president of the EHA, says that as the province is currently considered “high risk” and people from other provinces are unable to enter without just cause, hotels…

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  • Covid-19 NewsCovid-19 could cost an estimated 9 billion baht loss to the economy – Thai alcohol association

    Covid-19 could cost an estimated 9 billion baht loss to the economy – Thai alcohol association

    An alcohol business association is saying the latest round of restrictions and closures on pubs and bars could cost the industry and businesses 9 billion baht. The Thai Alcohol Beverage Business Association is railing against the Thai government’s policies as they restrict the operations and operating hours of tens of thousands of bars, pubs and clubs around the country. They…

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  • Technology NewsMor Chana app – what you need to know

    Mor Chana app – what you need to know

    So what’s going on with the new Mor Chana app? As far as the Thai Government is concerned, it’s part of their fight to track and trace the Covid-19 virus during this current outbreak. More Chana is a contact tracing tool. In essence, the app will allow you to check in when you go to different locations around Thailand, enter…

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  • Thailand NewsThailand News Today | Southern floods, Face mask fines, Thai Air Asia woes | January 8

    Thailand News Today | Southern floods, Face mask fines, Thai Air Asia woes | January 8

    Thousands of residents in Songkhla, Yala and Narathiwat, in the very south of Thailand, have been evacuated from their homes due to flash flooding from nearly a week of almost continuous heavy rain. Local authorities say a total of 18,024 households across 19 districts have been impacted. In Yala, the Sai Buri River has burst its banks, flooding homes and…

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  • Thailand NewsThais can register for the first round of Covid-19 vaccines this month

    Thais can register for the first round of Covid-19 vaccines this month

    Thai residents can register for the first round Covid-19 vaccination at the end of this month, but no exact date has been released, according to the Department of Disease Control. Frontline healthcare workers as well as those who are in any of the 5 high risk provinces and considered the “most vulnerable” are first priority. The 5 provinces at high…

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  • Northern Thailand NewsSchools and lottery market in Loei close after family tests positive for Covid-19

    Schools and lottery market in Loei close after family tests positive for Covid-19

    Schools and a lottery market in the Northeastern province Loei were ordered to close after a family tested positive for Covid-19. The province is marked as a “yellow zone” under high surveillance with a total of 6 reported Covid-19 infections. Schools will be temporarily closed from today until 24 January, while the lottery market will be closed from today onwards.…

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  • Covid-19 NewsAs Covid-19 spreads, more hotels in Phuket close

    As Covid-19 spreads, more hotels in Phuket close

    Phuket tourism and hospitality business are hit again by the current Covid-19 outbreak with more hotels closing down. Many hotels are starting to close again due to a significant number of bookings cancellations. Most of them can’t handle the costs to stay open and some are expected to permanently shut down. Bill Barnett from c9Hotelworks.com says that the latest outbreak is…

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  • Thailand NewsQuestions raised about when Covid-19 vaccine will be available to expats

    Questions raised about when Covid-19 vaccine will be available to expats

    Expats in Thailand might be in somewhat of a grey area when it comes to Covid-19 vaccines with Thai citizens likely to be the first priority during the rollout of vaccines. For Americans, the US Embassy in Bangkok says the US government does not plan to provide vaccines for “private” Americans living overseas. A representative from Thailand’s Disease Control Department…

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  • Thailand NewsBTS Skytrain headquarters employee tests positive for Covid-19

    BTS Skytrain headquarters employee tests positive for Covid-19

    A BTS Skytrain staff member tested positive for Covid-19, the Bangkok mass transit company announced on their Facebook page. The employee worked at the BTS head office in the Chatuchak district and didn’t work at the BTS stations. Staff that came in close contact with the infected employee will undergo a Covid-19 swab test and are told to self-quarantine for…

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  • Pattaya NewsMan arrested for allegedly stabbing a woman to death at Pattaya Beach

    Man arrested for allegedly stabbing a woman to death at Pattaya Beach

    A man was arrested for allegedly stabbing a woman to death on Pattaya Beach. More than a dozen people at the beach yesterday morning saw a man stab a woman multiple times with a pocket knife, according to Pattaya City Police. Witnesses told police the man and woman had a verbal argument before the altercation became physical. The witnesses gave…

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  • Covid-19 NewsCCSA Update: 205 new Covid-19 cases

    CCSA Update: 205 new Covid-19 cases

    205 new Covid-19 cases were reported today in the Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration’s daily briefing. Thailand now has 4,519 active cases with a total of 9,841 infections and 67 deaths since the start of the outbreak last year. In the new wave of infections, the coronavirus has spread to 57 of Thailand’s 77 provinces. New local cases include: Samut Sakhon:…

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  • South Thailand NewsThousands of people evacuated due to flood in deep south Thailand

    Thousands of people evacuated due to flood in deep south Thailand

    Thousands of residents in Songkhla, Yala and Narathiwat, in lower south of Thailand, evacuated their homes due to flash flooding from nearly a week of continuous heavy rain. Local authorities say a total of 18,024 households across 19 districts in the 3 provinces were affected. In Yala, the continuous heavy rain throughout the week caused the Sai Buri River to…

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  • Covid-19 NewsRoyal Thai Army’s Children’s Day activities go online due to Covid-19

    Royal Thai Army’s Children’s Day activities go online due to Covid-19

    Due to the new outbreak of Covid-19, the armed forces is suspending the upcoming national Children’s Day events to be held at Royal Thai Army units across the country tomorrow and will go online instead. All regular activities will broadcast on social media and online platforms including Facebook Live and YouTube, while additional interactive quizzes and prizes for children are…

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  • World NewsBoeing fined .5 billion USD following charges linked to 737 Max crashes

    Boeing fined $2.5 billion USD following charges linked to 737 Max crashes

    Boeing is facing a US$2.5 billion fine following criminal charges pressed by the US Justice Department for defrauding regulators. The department says Boeing concealed information about the 737 Max jet’s automated flight control system, MCAS, that was a major factor in the passenger flight crashes in 2018 and 2019, killing 346 people. In October 2018, Lion Air Flight 610 crashed…

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  • Covid-19 News7-Eleven stores investigated over allegations of face mask price hikes

    7-Eleven stores investigated over allegations of face mask price hikes

    Thailand’s Internal Trade department has investigated the 7-Eleven chain of convenience stores over allegations that face masks are being sold at inflated prices. However, the department says the masks in question do not fall under the 2.50 baht cap imposed by the government. Wattanasak Sur-iam, director-general of the department, says the face masks in question are ordinary masks, not the…

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  • Covid-19 NewsCCSA spokesman apologises for jail threat over non-use of Mor Chana app

    CCSA spokesman apologises for jail threat over non-use of Mor Chana app

    Yet another misunderstanding… The spokesman for the government’s Covid-19 task force has apologised for threatening those who don’t install the Mor Chana app with jail time. Taweesin Visanuyothin, from the Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration has clarified on his personal Facebook page that the risk of imprisonment only applies to those in the 28 provinces currently colour-coded red for “high…

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  • Phuket NewsUp to 20,000 baht fine for not wearing a mask in Phuket

    Up to 20,000 baht fine for not wearing a mask in Phuket

    Wear a mask or pay a hefty fine… and possibly even go to jail. Phuket governor Narong Woonciew issued an immediate order requiring people in the island province to wear a face mask while in public to control the spread of Covid-19. Those who violate the order could face a 20,000 baht fine. Those who breach the order can also…

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  • Covid-19 NewsChiang Mai records 4 new Covid cases linked to same venue

    Chiang Mai records 4 new Covid cases linked to same venue

    The northern city of Chiang Mai has confirmed 4 new cases of coronavirus, all of which are linked to the Warm Up café in the Muang district. The province of Chiang Mai now has 11 active cases and has recorded 57 cases in total, according to deputy governor, Weerapan Dee-on. “The 54th patient in Chiang Mai is a Thai man…

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  • Thailand Protest NewsLeaders of German Embassy rally meet with police, prosecutors

    Leaders of German Embassy rally meet with police, prosecutors

    13 political activists who led thousands of protesters to the German Embassy in Bangkok last October have met with police and prosecutors in the capital. They face charges of violating section 112 of the Criminal Code for the October 26 rally at the embassy. The aim of the gathering was to submit a petition calling on the German government to…

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  • Thailand NewsPM Prayut Chan-o-cha calls bluff on claims that he benefits from illegal gambling

    PM Prayut Chan-o-cha calls bluff on claims that he benefits from illegal gambling

    PM Prayut Chan-o-cha is calling bluff on claims that he is benefiting from illegal gambling and is ordering a crackdown on gambling after a cluster of Covid-19 infections were said to be linked to a den in Rayong. The outbreak linked to unlawful activities became a headache for health officials who have been trying to track down elusive gamblers to…

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  • Business NewsThai Air Asia says new Covid outbreak has destroyed business

    Thai Air Asia says new Covid outbreak has destroyed business

    The executive chairman of Asia Aviation, the largest shareholder in Thai Air Asia, says the Covid-19 resurgence has “destroyed the low-cost carrier”. Tassapon Bijleveld says that, even without a national lockdown, bookings have plummeted. “Travel sentiment has plunged lower than last year. This is different this time because people are voluntarily skipping their travel plans even without a nationwide lockdown…

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  • Covid-19 NewsUPDATE: Bangkok’s Emquartier closes some shops after Covid scare

    UPDATE: Bangkok’s Emquartier closes some shops after Covid scare

    One of Bangkok’s trendiest shopping centres, Emquartier, adjacent to the Phrom Phong BTS station, has closed some shops due to the discovery of a Covid-19 infection from one of its customers. As officials track and trace the infection, they discovered that the shopper had visited a clothing store, a Thai restaurant, a fast food outlet (listed in the media release…

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  • World NewsUS Cabinet reportedly considers invoking 25th Amendment to force Trump out of office

    US Cabinet reportedly considers invoking 25th Amendment to force Trump out of office

    The United States Cabinet members are reportedly discussing whether to invoke the 25th Amendment to force President Donald Trump out of office after a mob of protesters breached the US Capitol Building. It would be the first time in US history that a president was removed from office for a non-health related issue. Trump spread conspiracy theories after his loss,…

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  • Business NewsThai Airways delays take off in 2021 | VIDEO

    Thai Airways delays take off in 2021 | VIDEO

    Due to the current outbreak of Covid-19, Thai Airways, Thailand’s flagship airline, is reducing its international flight schedule until at least March 27. A limited schedule of domestic flights are still operating as normal under the airline’s domestic carrier Thai Smile. Thai Airways will reduce international flights to the following destinations: Asia •Hong Kong: One daily return flight – TG638/TG639…

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  • Thailand NewsThailand News Today | 305 infections, No happy ending for massages, Phuket quarantine mooted | Jan 7

    Thailand News Today | 305 infections, No happy ending for massages, Phuket quarantine mooted | Jan 7

    Deputy PM Prawit Wongsuwon says his recent claim that there are no illegal gambling dens in Bangkok was all a misunderstanding. The nation’s favourite watch collector was forced to backtrack after the public scoffed at his claims. The Minister of Misunderstandings said… “I didn’t mean that gambling dens do not exist. We all know that there are gambling dens, but…

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  • Crime NewsMen arrested for dumping dead body on the side of a Bangkok road

    Men arrested for dumping dead body on the side of a Bangkok road

    Bangkok police arrested 2 men who allegedly dumped a dead man’s body on the side of the road in the Nong Khaem district. The suspects allegedly told police that they had invited 33 year old Chalit Nensap to a party, but he then overdosed on methamphetamine and died. To avoid potential drug charges from police, the men decided to get…

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  • Covid-19 NewsBuriram reports first Covid-19 case in 9 months

    Buriram reports first Covid-19 case in 9 months

    After going around 9 months without a Covid-19 case, the Isaan province Buriram reported a local coronavirus infection, according to the Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration. The new wave of infections is far exceeding the first with now 5,048 active cases compared to April’s peak of 1,451. In the new wave of infections, the coronavirus has spread to more than…

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  • Thailand NewsBangkok Airways delays new flights, changes flight schedule due to Covid-19 outbreak

    Bangkok Airways delays new flights, changes flight schedule due to Covid-19 outbreak

    Due to the ongoing spread of Covid-19, Bangkok Airways has made changes to its flight schedule over the next 2 months and has delayed the introduction (or the re-introduction) of new flight routes. All passenger lounges are also closed until the end of the month. Changes set from now until the end of February include flight reductions and route suspensions……

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