Month: June 2021

  • Phuket NewsPhuket market linked to woman’s death

    Phuket market linked to woman’s death

    A popular Phuket market has been ordered to close until next Wednesday after Covid-19 tracing connected the market to an 86 year old woman’s death. Health officials have confirmed the unidentified octogenarian’s caretaker has also been infected. 5 more Burmese workers that lived in the same camp as the caretaker have also tested positive. After the woman’s death and the…

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  • Thailand NewsEmirates and Etihad announce July Phuket flights

    Emirates and Etihad announce July Phuket flights

    Joining in support of reopening Phuket, Emirates Airlines and Etihad Airways have both announced flights resuming in July. Etihad Airways will start back up flights from the United Arab Emirates capital of Abu Dhabi on July 1, while Emirates Airlines will resume flights from Dubai on July 2. Qatar Airways had announced yesterday that they will be resuming flights to…

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  • Covid-19 NewsCovid UPDATE Thursday: 3,886 new infections and 39 deaths, provincial totals

    Covid UPDATE Thursday: 3,886 new infections and 39 deaths, provincial totals

    3,886 new Covid-19 cases and 39 coronavirus-related deaths were reported by the CCSA. Since April 1, the latest wave of infections in Thailand, the CCSA has recorded 140,485 Covid-19 infections with more than 40,000 of those infections in Bangkok. The capital is still recoding nearly 1,000 new cases each day. Phuket, racing towards its July 1 ‘reopening’ reported another 6…

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  • Thailand NewsMotorcycle club donates 40,000 face masks, hand sanitiser to Pattaya prison

    Motorcycle club donates 40,000 face masks, hand sanitiser to Pattaya prison

    Yesterday, the Mini Siam Motorcycle Club Pattaya donated 40,000 face masks and 40 bottles of hand sanitiser to the Pattaya Remand Prison. The donation was led by Mr Thada Boonpan. “There are many confirmed cases of Covid-19 at prisons in Bangkok and other provinces, although Pattaya Remand has so far been spared. We want it to stay that way. We…

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  • Covid-19 News11 million Sinovac doses to arrive in Thailand over the next 3 months

    11 million Sinovac doses to arrive in Thailand over the next 3 months

    Over the next 3 months, Thailand will import 11 million doses of China’s Sinovac Covid-19 vaccine. The locally-produced AstraZeneca Covid-19 vaccine is the primary vaccine planned for Thailand’s mass coronavirus immunisation campaign. Public Health Minister Anutin Charnvirakul says the additional Sinovac doses will help reach the goal of obtaining 100 million doses. So far, Thailand has received 5.5 million doses…

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  • Thailand NewsPhuket bust nabs 2 men with drugs valued at 5.3 million baht

    Phuket bust nabs 2 men with drugs valued at 5.3 million baht

    2 men in Phuket town were arrested on Tuesday for allegedly possessing methamphetamines and crystal valued at around 5.3 million baht. The men allegedly had 14,000 methamphetamine pills (also known as yaba, which roughly translates to “crazy drug”) and about 3 kilograms of crystal meth (also known as ice, tina, or speed). The news of their arrest was announced at…

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  • Covid-19 NewsAmerican expats to US government: give us vaccines!

    American expats to US government: give us vaccines!

    With the visit of US Deputy Secretary of State Wendy R. Sherman, a collection of high-profile American expats living in Thailand released an open letter asking for Covid-19 vaccines. The letter pled with the US government to include arrangements to guarantee vaccines to all US expats in the kingdom. “Don’t abandon us! The US continues to have a growing vaccine…

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  • Politics NewsUS Deputy Secretary of State pledges Covid-19 aid

    US Deputy Secretary of State pledges Covid-19 aid

    PM Prayut Chan-o-cha met with United States Deputy Secretary of State Wendy R. Sherman yesterday to discuss the Covid-19 vaccine situation. The US representative acknowledged Thailand’s struggle to procure and distribute vaccines to everyone in the country, observing that many countries are grappling with similar issues. She declared that the US has been pursuing a policy of procuring excess supplies…

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  • Thailand NewsPolice seize clouded leopard rug after it was posted for sale on Facebook

    Police seize clouded leopard rug after it was posted for sale on Facebook

    Police seized a rug made from wildcat fur last week after it was posted for sale on Facebook for 7,500 baht. The rug appears to be from a clouded leopard and investigators now suspect it may have come from one of the two clouded leopards recorded on hidden camera in a rare sighting last December at the Erawan National Park in…

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  • Thailand NewsLat Phrao shopping centres insist they are not the source of new Covid clusters

    Lat Phrao shopping centres insist they are not the source of new Covid clusters

    Central Plaza Lat Phrao, Imperial World, and Union Mall located (mostly) in Bangkok’s Lat Phrao district, deny they are the shopping centres the CCSA was referring to on Wednesday when the CCSA said there was a “Covid cluster from a mall”. The confusion stems from the fact that the CCSA did not specify which mall was responsible for the cluster.…

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  • Thailand NewsPatong Thieves cite unemployment for theft

    Patong Thieves cite unemployment for theft

    Yesterday morning in Patong, a town in Phuket, 2 men, 42 year old Samran Luiprasert and 34 year old Amphon Boonchuaynamphon, were arrested by Patong police for stealing a coffee machine and 2 televisions from a restaurant. The men said they needed money to survive. In the police report, it was said the alleged criminals were found after the owner…

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  • Thailand NewsFire in Rayong kills 1, injures 6

    Fire in Rayong kills 1, injures 6

    Yesterday morning in Rayong, a province on the Gulf of Thailand, a fire broke out in an entertainment venue that was under renovation. 1 worker was killed and 6 workers were reportedly injured. Around 8 am yesterday morning the Rayong fire department showed up at the scene, after being alerted to the fire. The fire department discovered a large one…

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  • Thailand video newsGood Morning Thailand | More 7-11s for Thailand, US expats seek vaccine help, Covid figures

    Good Morning Thailand | More 7-11s for Thailand, US expats seek vaccine help, Covid figures

    Bill, Tim and guest Peter go through all the latest issues around Thailand, including US expats seeking help from the US government to get vaccinated, 700 more 7-11s coming your way and the changing face of Bangkok. We also answer your questions every day. Good Morning Thailand is a new, daily morning program with guests, your comments, issues and lots…

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  • Bangkok NewsMan arrested for allegedly sexually assaulting a woman during a live stream

    Man arrested for allegedly sexually assaulting a woman during a live stream

    Police arrested a 31 year old man for allegedly sexually assaulting a Canadian woman while she was recording a live stream video near Bangkok’s Lumpini Park. In the video, a man runs up from behind the woman and appears to reach his hand below her waist. The woman made a post on Twitter after the incident saying she was going…

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  • Politics NewsPM moved vaccine funds from Health Ministry to Central Fund in case of “urgent need”

    PM moved vaccine funds from Health Ministry to Central Fund in case of “urgent need”

    The PM has been re-jigging the government coffers, saying he transferred funding for Covid-19 vaccines from the Health Ministry to the Central Fund – in case of urgent need. Prayut Chan-o-cha was addressing MPs yesterday, the last day of a 3-day debate on the 3.1-trillion-baht national budget for 2022. In particular, the PM was responding to criticism from the coalition’s…

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  • Pattaya NewsOver 80% of massage shops in Pattaya closed “permanently”

    Over 80% of massage shops in Pattaya closed “permanently”

    The Eastern Spa and Wellness Associations says 80% of massage shops in Pattaya have closed forever, with fewer than 100 still able to operate. Speaking to the Pattaya News, the association’s president, Chairat Ratananophas, says the remaining businesses need financial support and clarity on when they can re-open. Currently, Covid-19 restrictions in the eastern province of Chon Buri mean massage…

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  • Thailand NewsAmerican suspect in Bangkok kidnap for ransom case arrested at airport

    American suspect in Bangkok kidnap for ransom case arrested at airport

    Police arrested an American man, another suspect in the kidnap for ransom case in Bangkok, at the Suvarnabhumi Airport just as he was preparing to leave the country. 38 year old Matthew Wilson is the tenth suspect to be arrested for alleged involvement in the abduction of a Taiwanese businessman after a failed business deal. Other suspects include 2 other American…

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  • Tourism NewsThailand’s quarantine hotels consider move to hybrid model

    Thailand’s quarantine hotels consider move to hybrid model

    Hotels currently operating as alternative state quarantine facilities are considering moving to a hybrid model, as bookings drop ahead of Phuket’s re-opening. ASQ hotels say reduced demand means they may adopt a model whereby they accept both quarantining guests and regular guests from the second half of the year. Prin Pathanatham from the ASQ-ALQ Club Thailand says bookings have started…

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  • Covid-19 NewsVaccination of foreigners kicks off next week

    Vaccination of foreigners kicks off next week

    It’s the moment you’ve all – okay, many of you – have been waiting for. The Thai government says that from Monday, foreigners living in the Kingdom who have registered for Covid-19 inoculation, will start to receive the vaccine. It’s been a long road of anxiety, confusion, and chaos to get to this point and there are probably many who…

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  • Covid-19 NewsThursday Covid Update: 3,886 new cases and 39 deaths

    Thursday Covid Update: 3,886 new cases and 39 deaths

    3,886 new Covid-19 cases and 39 coronavirus-related deaths were reported by the Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration. Since April 1, the latest wave of infections in Thailand, the CCSA has recorded 140,485 Covid-19 infections with more than 40,000 of those infections in Bangkok. Out of the new cases, 1,230 were detected in correctional facilities. Over the past month, thousands of…

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  • Business NewsAnother 700 7-Eleven stores to open across Thailand

    Another 700 7-Eleven stores to open across Thailand

    The operator of the 7-Eleven chain of convenience stores has confirmed it will open another 700 shops in the Kingdom this year. According to a Bangkok Post report this morning, CP All plans to spend between 11.5 and 12 billion baht on expansion in 2021. The company has opened 155 new 7-Eleven stores so far this year, meaning there were…

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  • Thailand NewsCourts order ISPs block 8 users from web, social media

    Courts order ISPs block 8 users from web, social media

    Digital Economy and Society Minister Chaiwut Thanakhamanusorn confirmed today court orders instructing internet service providers to block or remove 8 users the government says used social media or their own websites to post fake news. The ISPs met with the ministry to receive the court order to block the users. The court ordered the ISPs to either remove or block…

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  • Thailand video newsThailand News Today | Airline rules for July 1 ‘opening’, WHO gives thumbs up for Sinovac | June 2

    Thailand News Today | Airline rules for July 1 ‘opening’, WHO gives thumbs up for Sinovac | June 2

    The Thai Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand has announced some specific flight rules for international travellers flying into Phuket after July 1, Sinovac has been approved for emergency use by the World Health Organisation, Thailand’s Public Health Minister says the delivery of 6 million doses of the AstraZeneca Covid-19 vaccine is on schedule and A spokesman yesterday defended the Royal…

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  • Crime NewsNong Chompoo uncle surrenders to police on murder charges

    Nong Chompoo uncle surrenders to police on murder charges

    In an update to the report published this morning when a warrant was issued for his arrest, the uncle of Nong Chompoo has surrendered to the police and is facing murder charges. Chaiphol Wipha, the uncle of a 3 year old girl found dead in Mukdahan last year, turned himself in to the Royal Thai police late this morning. He…

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  • World NewsSerbian volleyball player makes racist gesture during Thai match

    Serbian volleyball player makes racist gesture during Thai match

    A volleyball match in the Nations League is making waves after a Serbian volleyball player made a gesture many considered racist during a game with the Thai team. Sanja Djurdjevic was signalling her teammates during the match when she tugged on the corner of her eyes, narrowing them into a gesture that has often been used as a racist jab…

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  • Transport NewsQatar Airways will fly 4 times weekly to Phuket starting July 1

    Qatar Airways will fly 4 times weekly to Phuket starting July 1

    Qatar Airways is going all-in on the Phuket sandbox plan to reopen the tourist island to international travellers on July 1. The airline has confirmed that they will run flights 4 times per week between the Qatari capital city of Doha and Phuket. This new route is in addition to the airline’s current 12 flights a week to Bangkok. The…

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  • World NewsVietnam Ministry of Labour cracks down on illegal workers

    Vietnam Ministry of Labour cracks down on illegal workers

    In the struggles facing Vietnam with a new Covid-19 outbreak, the country has announced a crackdown on illegal foreign workers. The Ministry of Labour – Invalids and Social Affairs has requested tightening on the rules and enforcement of expats working in Vietnam in an official announcement. They urged provincial and municipal officials to get strict on foreign workers and consider…

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  • World NewsASEAN delegation to visit Myanmar to help find a solution to ongoing crisis

    ASEAN delegation to visit Myanmar to help find a solution to ongoing crisis

    To help find a solution to the ongoing situation in Myanmar following the military coup, an ASEAN delegation will visit Myanmar tomorrow to meet with the leaders of the junta’s State Administrative Council, which has taken the place of the elected civilian government led by the National League of Democracy. Since the February military takeover, an estimated more than 800…

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  • Tourism NewsThailand’s Civil Aviation Authority details international flight rules

    Thailand’s Civil Aviation Authority details international flight rules

    The Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand has announced some specific flight rules on the procedure for international travellers flying into Phuket after July 1. This comes just after the Tourism Authority of Thailand laid out more general rules for travel within Thailand for international tourists. Tourism officials from TAT and the island have been steadfastly determined to reopen under its…

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  • Thailand video newsGood Morning Thailand | Bill Heinecke, getting back to Thailand, vaccine roll out

    Good Morning Thailand | Bill Heinecke, getting back to Thailand, vaccine roll out

    Today Tim, Bill and Able talk to Bill Heinecke from the Minor Group, one of Thailand’s most diverse hospitality and lifestyle companies. Bill wrote a letter to the Thai PM and we get his thoughts on the reopening plans of the Thai government. We also answer viewer questions, as we do everyday. Keeping you up to date with all the…

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  • Covid-19 NewsWHO assigns alternative names for Covid variants based on Greek alphabet

    WHO assigns alternative names for Covid variants based on Greek alphabet

    After criticism over naming new variants of Covid-19 based on the country it was first detected, the World Health Orginisation has announced alternative names for the “variants of concern” based off the Greek alphabet… Alpha, Beta, Gamma, Delta, etc. Last week, media outlets in the UK released reports last week saying more than 100 people had tested positive for the…

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  • Crime NewsONCB to investigate transnational drug trafficking operations with routes in Thailand

    ONCB to investigate transnational drug trafficking operations with routes in Thailand

    Following the news of the Thai national arrested in South Korea for allegedly smuggling methamphetamine into the country, Thailand’s Office of Narcotics Control Board is now investigating transnational drug trafficking operations with routes in Thailand. Thailand’s Justice Minister Somsak Thepsutin ordered for the investigation, advising authorities to investigate to see if drug traffickers in Thailand have been involved in operations…

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  • Tourism NewsKLM to introduce Amsterdam – Phuket flights from October

    KLM to introduce Amsterdam – Phuket flights from October

    KLM has announced an expansion to its network from this coming winter, including flights from Amsterdam to Phuket, with a touchdown in Kuala Lumpur. The southern Thai island is one of 6 new destinations being introduced, the others being Mombasa in Kenya, Orlando in the US, Cancun in Mexico, Bridgetown in Barbados, and Port of Spain in Trinidad and Tobago.…

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  • Thailand NewsArrest warrant issued for murder suspect who became a minor celebrity during the investigation

    Arrest warrant issued for murder suspect who became a minor celebrity during the investigation

    A murder suspect, who became famous in Thailand during the investigation, now has a warrant for his arrest over the death of his 3 year old niece. With the continuous and overdramatised media coverage on the case, the 44 year old suspect Chaiphol Wipha became a minor celebrity and gained a fan base, some who have raised donations to help…

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  • World NewsPhilippines confirms delay in imports of AstraZeneca doses from Thailand

    Philippines confirms delay in imports of AstraZeneca doses from Thailand

    The Philippines has announced that the arrival of a first batch of AstraZeneca vaccines being imported from Thailand has been delayed. The delivery of the vaccines, manufactured in Thailand and ordered by the Philippines, has now been pushed back by several weeks. According to a Bangkok Post report, the development gives rise to questions about Thailand’s distribution plans for Southeast…

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  • Covid-19 NewsHealth Minister confident AstraZeneca doses will arrive on time

    Health Minister confident AstraZeneca doses will arrive on time

    Thailand’s Public Health Minister says the delivery of 6 million doses of the AstraZeneca Covid-19 vaccine is on schedule. Anutin Charnvirakul says the doses are expected to arrive in batches, throughout the month of June, and he’s confident the first lot will be here by June 7, when the national rollout begins. “I’m confident the first lot will be put…

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  • Covid-19 NewsWednesday Covid Update: 3,440 new cases and 38 deaths

    Wednesday Covid Update: 3,440 new cases and 38 deaths

    3,440 new Covid-19 cases and 38 coronavirus-related deaths were reported today by the Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration. Since April 1, the latest wave of infections in Thailand, the CCSA has recorded a total of 136,599. Out of the new cases, 1,087 were detected in correctional facilities. Thousands of inmates at more than a dozen Thai prisons have contracted the…

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