Month: May 2021

  • Thailand NewsTrained dogs highly accurate at identifying Covid-19 infections, study shows

    Trained dogs highly accurate at identifying Covid-19 infections, study shows

    Dogs could replace temperature and infrared scanners at Covid-19 screening points. A new study shows that dogs can be trained to identify the coronavirus, even when people are asymptomatic. The dogs are more than 90% accurate, the study says. Socks and face masks from 200 people who tested positive for Covid-19 were collected by researchers from the London School of…

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  • Thailand NewsRawai residents who register for a vaccine have a chance to win gold, cash

    Rawai residents who register for a vaccine have a chance to win gold, cash

    Rawai residents who register for a Covid-19 vaccine have a chance to win gold. In an incentive to get people vaccinated, Phuket’s Rawai municipality is starting a lucky draw with 10 gold necklaces as well as cash prizes up for grabs. Many governments and businesses in Thailand and overseas have started incentives to entice people to get vaccinated. A town…

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  • Covid-19 NewsMonday Covid-19 Update: 2,713 new cases and 30 deaths, provincial totals

    Monday Covid-19 Update: 2,713 new cases and 30 deaths, provincial totals

    2,713 new Covid-19 cases and 30 coronavirus related deaths were reported today in Thailand, raising the total case count since the start of the pandemic to 135,439 and the death toll to 806. The are now 45,307 active Covid-19 cases in Thailand. Out of the new cases reported today, 206 infections were at correctional facilities. Thousands of inmates at around…

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  • Crime NewsMan arrested for alleged involvement in 600 million baht lottery ticket scam

    Man arrested for alleged involvement in 600 million baht lottery ticket scam

    Police arrested a man for his alleged involvement in a fraudulent lottery ticket scam which generated an estimated 600 million baht. More than 50 people say they fell victim to the scheme with some claiming they lost thousands of baht after they purchased lottery tickets online, but the tickets were never delivered. Wutthipat Lerlob allegedly coaxed people into investing in…

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  • World NewsDonald Trump sued for using the term “China Virus” to refer to Covid-19

    Donald Trump sued for using the term “China Virus” to refer to Covid-19

    A civil rights group is suing former US president Donald Trump for coining the term, “China Virus” to refer to Covid-19. The Chinese Americans Civil Rights Coalition have filed a complaint in a federal court in New York, alleging that Trump’s terminology had no substance to back it up and was a source of distress to Chinese Americans. The former…

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  • Crime NewsPolice in Bangkok arrest 62 men at “chemsex” party

    Police in Bangkok arrest 62 men at “chemsex” party

    62 men in Bangkok were arrested at a so-called “chemsex” party where gay and bisexual men are said to take drugs like methamphetamine to enhance sex. The men now are facing charges over violating the disease control measures which prohibit large gatherings, especially those where people are in “close contact.” Half of the them tested positive for drugs and will…

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  • World NewsMalaysia imposes restrictions on movement in latest Covid-19 battle

    Malaysia imposes restrictions on movement in latest Covid-19 battle

    Officials in Malaysia have introduced a number of additional restrictions aimed at curbing the spread of Covid-19, following a record near 7,000 new infections yesterday. Sunday was the fifth day of new cases remaining above 6,000. A Nation Thailand report states that new disease prevention measures aim to curb the movement of people as much as possible without adversely affecting…

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  • Thailand NewsPolice shoot and kill suspected hitman and 16 year old in Chumphon

    Police shoot and kill suspected hitman and 16 year old in Chumphon

    A suspected hitman was killed by police in the upper southern province Chumphon. Police say he was the most wanted hitman in the region. A 16 year old was also killed by police during the altercation and another man was injured. The suspected hitman, 43 year old Thirayut Chukaeo from Nakhon Si Thammarat, had 4 warrants out for his arrest…

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  • Technology NewsChip shortage sees spike in new computer product prices

    Chip shortage sees spike in new computer product prices

    A global chip, or semiconductor shortage, is pushing new computer prices higher along with the demand for IT devices as more and more people turn to remote work and schooling. Somsak Pejthaveeporndej, chief executive of VST ECS Thailand, says the worldwide shortage includes integrated circuits that are used in a wide range of devices such as computers and IT products. Somsak…

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  • Environment NewsThai industry body lobbies for better disposal system for used face masks

    Thai industry body lobbies for better disposal system for used face masks

    The Federation of Thai Industries is pushing for an improved disposal system for discarded face masks, pointing out that they are the new threat to the environment. Since the arrival of the pandemic in early 2020, the number of discarded face masks has shot up, with reports of masks in waterways already affecting animals. Apiphop Phungchaikul from the FTI says…

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  • World News13 killed in northern Italy cable car accident

    13 killed in northern Italy cable car accident

    13 people have lost their lives after an Italian cable car slammed into the side of a mountain in northern Italy. 2 children were also critically injured in the accident. The 9 and 5 year olds were taken to a pediatric hospital in Turin by helicopter. The Italian president and PM expressed their “profound grief,” while offering condolences to the…

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  • Covid-19 NewsPrivate hospitals to order 5 million Moderna vaccine doses for paying customers

    Private hospitals to order 5 million Moderna vaccine doses for paying customers

    Private hospitals in Thailand say they are ordering 5 million Moderna vaccine doses for paying clients who may want a different vaccine brand. Thailand’s Private Hospital Association, which includes more than 200 private hospitals across the country, is reviewing orders for the vaccine from its members and will order the vaccines through the Government Pharmaceutical Organisation. Officials say private hospitals…

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  • Politics NewsOpposition vows to oppose budget, calls on coalition members to do likewise

    Opposition vows to oppose budget, calls on coalition members to do likewise

    Thailand’s main opposition party says it will oppose the national budget when it enters parliament on May 31. The Pheu Thai party is also calling on members of the ruling coalition to do the same. Deputy party leader Yutthapong Charassathien says his party will vote against the budget to prevent the bill from passing. According to a Bangkok Post report,…

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  • Covid-19 NewsExperts say a choice in Covid-19 vaccines will help boost immunity against variants

    Experts say a choice in Covid-19 vaccines will help boost immunity against variants

    A choice in Covid-19 vaccines is being touted by health experts as a way to help protect against virus variants. Such experts are calling on the Thai government to include a variety of brands in its national vaccination drive after the South African variant was discovered in the South last Saturday. The B.1.351 variant is thought to be the most…

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  • Thailand NewsPhetchaburi factory sees more than 2,000 infections, field hospital on the way

    Phetchaburi factory sees more than 2,000 infections, field hospital on the way

    After a Phetchaburi province factory has seen Covid-19 infections go from 682 to more than 2,000, a field hospital is on the way to help treat infected workers. The Cal-Comp Electronics factory in the southern province’s Khao Yai district features 781 Thai workers, while the rest are from Myanmar and other countries. Authorities say the 2,111 infections are expected to…

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  • Covid-19 NewsVillages in southern Thailand closed off due to cases of South African variant

    Villages in southern Thailand closed off due to cases of South African variant

    Health officials in the southern province of Narathiwat have sealed off 9 villages after 3 confirmed cases of the Covid-19 variant first detected in South Africa. Opas Karnkawinpong from the Disease Control Department says the villages in the Tak Bai district have been closed off to prevent the virus spreading further in the province. The district sits across the Kolok…

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  • Phuket News400k baht in donations for noodle vendor shot by off-duty police

    400k baht in donations for noodle vendor shot by off-duty police

    The unfortunate noodle vendor that was in the wrong place at the wrong time when a drunken off-duty police officer fired a stray shot that paralysed the vendor has received nearly 400,000 baht in donations. Aroon Thongplab was accidentally shot on Bangla Road in Patong in the early morning of Feb 23 by the agitated inebriated officer. The bullet hit…

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  • Crime News57 men arrested in drug and sex party in Bangkok sauna shop

    57 men arrested in drug and sex party in Bangkok sauna shop

    A Bangkok area sauna shop was raided after reports of a drug and sex-fueled party and 57 men were arrested inside. The shop is located in the Wang Thonglang district of Bangkok, and local residents complained last night of large groups gathering at the establishment. Police arrested the 57 men for a variety of charges including drug crimes and violation…

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  • Thailand NewsCan Thailand be ready to open on July 1? | VIDEO

    Can Thailand be ready to open on July 1? | VIDEO

    So here we are, about 5 weeks away from Thailand re-opening, again, to general travel. Except for the much publicised busload or two of Chinese tourists who have graced our shores over the past 6 months, tourism, has been very patchy. Well, statistically a lot closer to non-existent. Except for domestic travel, which the Thai government have been pumping up…

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  • Thailand NewsSuan Dusit Poll: most people will get gov’t Covid-19 vaccine

    Suan Dusit Poll: most people will get gov’t Covid-19 vaccine

    A new Suan Dusit Poll this week reveals that a majority of people in Thailand are willing to be vaccinated against Covid-19 by whatever shot is available from the government. The poll, conducted by Suan Dusit Rajabhat University, surveyed 2,644 people online throughout Thailand between May 17 and May 20 about their opinions on the government’s push to vaccinate people…

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  • Thailand NewsSunday UPDATE: 3,382 new infections and 17 deaths, provincial totals

    Sunday UPDATE: 3,382 new infections and 17 deaths, provincial totals

    This morning the public health ministry has announced 3,382 new cases of Covid-19 and 17 new deaths across Thailand. The daily numbers, again, are oddly statistically consistent with the daily toll around 1,900 – 2,500 for the past month (with few variations). Although the daily totals, even without the prison numbers, are slowly creeping up, mostly as a result of…

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  • Covid-19 NewsDoctor urges Pfizer, Moderna vaccine to fight B.1.351 variant

    Doctor urges Pfizer, Moderna vaccine to fight B.1.351 variant

    Reacting to the news that the B.1.351 variant of Covid-19 (commonly nicknamed the South African variant) has now been found in Thailand, a senior doctor at the Siriraj Centre of Research Excellence Management has called upon the government to obtain Pfizer, Moderna, and Johnson & Johnson vaccine as quickly as possible. In a Facebook post yesterday, the doctor suggested that…

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  • Politics NewsHappy Birthday? 7 year anniversary of coup in Thailand

    Happy Birthday? 7 year anniversary of coup in Thailand

    Yesterday markED the 7th anniversary of the coup in which the National Council for Peace and Order took control of Thailand and Gen. Prayut Chan-o-cha, then chief of the Thai Army, rose to power. Differing opinions persist as regards progress for Thailand in the last 7 years and also the failings of the Thai ‘government’ since the coup. Some argue…

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  • Crime News350kg of compressed marijuana seized off Mekong River

    350kg of compressed marijuana seized off Mekong River

    Navy officers in the Laos-bordering province of Nakhon Phanom seized a compressed marijuana shipment of about 350 kilogrammes as it was being offloaded from the Mekong River. 2 men were arrested while 3 more fled and have not been apprehended yet in the bust that took place late Friday night. The northern province, separated from Laos by the Mekong River,…

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  • Crime NewsPattaya mansion shooting suspect in jail, 6 associates lose visas

    Pattaya mansion shooting suspect in jail, 6 associates lose visas

    The suspected gunman in last week’s Pattaya luxury mansion shooting remains in custody while 6 others believed to be living there have had their visas revoked. Region 2 Police officers confirm that the suspect, who opened fire on two police officers while they were attempting to serve a search warrant at the mansion, is being held in the Nong Plalai…

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  • Covid-19 NewsB.1.351 South African Covid-19 variant found in Thailand

    B.1.351 South African Covid-19 variant found in Thailand

    Like the world’s most morbid bingo game, Thailand can mark off B.1.351 on its Covid-19 scorecard. The strain of Coronavirus, sometimes called the South African variant, has been detected in undocumented migrants working in the southern province of Narathiwat. After studying samples collected May 13 from the cluster in the Tak Bai district, the Covid-19 Network Investigations group and independent…

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  • Bangkok NewsFriso and Gregg have been working in Bangkok’s Klong Toey slums for a year

    Friso and Gregg have been working in Bangkok’s Klong Toey slums for a year

    If you would like to help, please send a message at either of these Facebook pages. Bangkok Community Help is a registered Foundation. https://www.facebook.com/BkkCommunityHelp https://www.facebook.com/dinnerfromthesky There are some amazing people helping out their local Thai communities to get through this Covid mess in Thailand; foreigners rolling up their sleeves to help communities hard hit by the Thai government’s restrictions and…

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  • Thailand NewsCovid Sunday UPDATE: 3,382 new infections and 17 deaths

    Covid Sunday UPDATE: 3,382 new infections and 17 deaths

    This morning the public health ministry has announced 3,382 new cases of Covid-19 and 17 new deaths across Thailand. The daily numbers, again, are oddly statistically consistent with the daily toll around 1,900 – 2,500 for the past month (with few variations). Although the daily totals, even without the prison numbers, are slowly creeping up, mostly as a result of…

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  • Covid-19 NewsCovid-19 outbreak in Phetchaburi factory of 682 employees

    Covid-19 outbreak in Phetchaburi factory of 682 employees

    682 employees in a Cal-Comp Electronics factory in Phetchaburi have been infected with Covid-19, forcing a 14-day closure. The company has 3,300 employees and results are still pending for 2,000 more employees Covid-19 tested in the outbreak. The factory owners intend to take care of all their employees during this voluntary shutdown. The cluster has widespread repercussions, as the provincial…

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  • Bangkok News1000+ Covid-19 infections and Indian variant in work camp

    1000+ Covid-19 infections and Indian variant in work camp

    A construction site camp in the Laksi district of Bangkok that had found a Covid-19 outbreak recently has spiralled out of control with over 1,000 Covid-19 infections including the dreaded Indian variant. 66% of the camp workers tested positive for Covid-19, with 36 of the 80 samples analyzed revealing the Indian variant, a strain much more contagious than the original.…

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  • Covid-19 NewsRawai bar charged for Covid-19 violation, serving alcohol

    Rawai bar charged for Covid-19 violation, serving alcohol

    The Honey Pot, a popular bar in Rawai, Phuket, was raided last night, with the manager being charged for serving alcohol in violation of Covid-19 restrictions. The Chalong Police arrived around 10:20 pm after receiving a tip about a local bar selling alcohol the foreigners. The bar manager was taken into custody and brought to the Chalong Police Station. The…

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  • Covid-19 NewsDDC justifies plan to get 2 extra doses per AstraZeneca vial

    DDC justifies plan to get 2 extra doses per AstraZeneca vial

    The Department of Disease Control in Thailand has come under fire for plans to stretch vials of AstraZeneca to get more Covid-19 vaccines out of each vial. While the official recommendation is to produce 10 vaccines out of each AstraZeneca vial, the DDC argues that there’s enough material inside to produce up to 12 shots. The government has been receiving…

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  • Thailand NewsCovid UPDATE: 3,052 new cases, 24 Covid-related deaths, provincial totals

    Covid UPDATE: 3,052 new cases, 24 Covid-related deaths, provincial totals

    This morning the public health ministry added another 3,052 infections and 24 new Covid-related deaths over the past 24 hours. Out of today’s new cases, 605 came from the country’s prisons where major clusters have emerged. The daily totals, even without the prison numbers, show a slow upward trend in new cases, the vast majority around Bangkok in high-density housing…

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  • World NewsThai PM orders a crackdown on Thailand’s leaky borders

    Thai PM orders a crackdown on Thailand’s leaky borders

    Thai PM Prayut Chan-o-cha is asking the country’s security authorities to “step up” surveillance along the country’s four borders – with Myanmar, Malaysia, Cambodia and Laos – to help stem the flow of illegal migrants sneaking into Thailand. Thailand shares a massively long 2,500 kilometre border with Myanmar, most of the area undefined and littered with walking tracks through dense…

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  • Technology NewsFor the 0.81%: Microsoft officially retires Internet Explorer

    For the 0.81%: Microsoft officially retires Internet Explorer

    If you are a tech dinosaur who misses his flip phone and is still mourning the loss of MySpace and AOL, perhaps you’d better sit down before reading on. After a 25 year run, Microsoft announced that it is officially retiring Internet Explorer, once the browser that ruled the internet. Before you fire up your old Netscape Navigator to Ask…

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  • World NewsBTS smash YouTube records with their new song “Butter” and are courted by Rock royalty

    BTS smash YouTube records with their new song “Butter” and are courted by Rock royalty

    On Thursday the internet-of-music went into a minor churn when the band Queen’s Twitter account commented about the forthcoming BTS release of ‘Butter’, the South Korean band’s second full-English track. “Are you ready, hey are you ready for this? Another One Bites The Dust.” Was Queen doing a collaboration with the 21st century’s biggest music act? A quick listen to…

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  • Covid-19 NewsPhuket pushes for proactive vaccination to reach 70% goal

    Phuket pushes for proactive vaccination to reach 70% goal

    A push is underway to get people registered for mass vaccination in Phuket in an effort to still reach the 70% threshold to reopen to international tourists on July 1. In a meeting on the Phuket Tourism Sandbox plan at the provincial hall on Thursday, a new proactive scheme was hatched to get people registered and vaccinated. Phuket has set…

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