- Covid-19 News
New Covid-19 test kits produced in Thailand
Today the first batch of 20,000 new Covid-19 test kits, developed by a joint effort of the Siam Bioscience and The Department of Medical Science, has been delivered to Government House. Each locally produced test kit costs around 1,500 baht each, while imported ones will cost about 4,500 baht each. The association of Siam Bioscience and The Department of Medical Science…
- Covid-19 News
‘Pheu Thai’ pledges to work with the ruling party to fight Covid-19
Thailand’s main opposition party ‘Pheu Thai’ has pledged to work with the government in the battle against the Covid-19 outbreak. Party leader Sompon Amornvivat acknowledged that… “Thailand is now facing a crisis of immense proportions, which is affecting everyone’s daily life, with impacts on our health, income and the economy, all of which challenges our ability to weather the crisis…
- World News
Malaysia’s coronavirus cases will peak in mid-April: WHO
Today, The World Health Organisation has announced that the number of coronavirus cases in Malaysia is expected to peak in mid-April as there appears there are signs of a flattening of the infection curve. Malaysia is now ranked the highest number of known infections in Southeast Asia with a total of 2,908 confirmed cases with 102 patients that are in intensive…
- Covid-19 News
DSI Thailand tells 100 officers to self quarantine after an officer contracts Covid-19
100 officers at the Department of Special Investigation have been asked to self-quarantine after one of their officers tested positive for Covid-19. Yesterday DSI deputy director-general, Triyarith Temahivong, said that an investigation officer in the Office of the Secretary of the department had become infected with the disease and around 100 officers who were in close contact with him will…
- Northern Thailand News
Chiang Rai puts strict conditions on people entering the province
As of yesterday, the Governor of Chiang Rai Prajon Pratyakul issued an order that ‘everyone entering Chiang Rai province will have to wear a face mask and undergo screening at checkpoints’. “This order will apply to all visitors whether, on foot, private vehicles or public transport, those who cannot provide evidence of being a local resident or having a workplace…
- Covid-19 News
Thai banks report they can handle the impacts of the virus
As the Covid-19 coronavirus continues to spread in Thailand, authorities have temporarily shut off shopping malls, entertainment and sporting venues while allowing food stalls and restaurants to open, but only for take-out and delivery services. The measures have led to social disruption, unemployment, leave without pay and salary cuts. However, a senior official at the Bank of Thailand reports, “Thailand’s…
- Covid-19 News
Stranded migrant workers can stay and work in Thailand, for now
Today the Thai Labour Ministy is allowing stranded workers from Laos, Cambodia and Myanmar to stay and work beyond the expiration date of their work permits, due to the recent closure of their borders. Labour Minister Mom Ratchawongse Chatumongol Sonakul says that the migrant workers are allowed to continue with their work until the borders reopen. “This decision will benefit…
- Covid-19 News
BOT responds to temporary breakdowns for online payments
The new online payment systems, put in place to provide payments related to government stimulus packages, have suffered from temporary breakdowns in the past few days. Today users also reported problems with the Bangkok Bank’s online payment system and ATMs machines going offline. More users are also reporting problems with the governments’ website providing financial support for informal workers during…
- Covid-19 News
First Covid-19 death in Pattani, southern Thailand
Early this morning an elderly man has passed away from Covid-19 in Yarang district, Pattani province, this is reported as the first fatality from the disease in the deep south provinces. The man was 77 years old, a villager of Moo 5 village in tambon Yarang. On March 13, he was visited by a son who came from Nong Chik…
- Covid-19 News
Bangkok Airways cancels all domestic flights from April 7
Bangkok Airways has announced today that they will cancel all it domestic flights from April 7 – 30. The company’s vice president, Tresarum Sitakalin says the flights that are being cancelled are… Bangkok – Chiang Mai Bangkok – Phuket Bangkok – Trat Bangkok – Sukhothai Bangkok – Samui Samui – Phuket “The company had previously decreased flight frequencies on these…
- Covid-19 News
Thailand’s 2020 exports to fall 500 billion baht
There is no doubt Thailand’s fragile export business is gong to be hit hard by the coronavirus outbreak. Following on from the impacts of the high Thai baht value, regional competition and the fallout from the US-China trade wars, Thailand is poised for one of its worst performing export years. “Under the worst-case scenario in which the coronavirus Covid-19 crisis…