Maya Taylor
- World News
Body of Australian cricket star Shane Warne flown home to Melbourne
The body of cricket legend Shane Warne has been flown out of Bangkok, landing in his native Melbourne yesterday. According to an AFP report, a private jet transported the body of the 52-year-old, who died of a heart attack last week while on holiday on Koh Samui. After an 8-hour flight, the chartered jet touched at Melbourne’s Essendon North airport…
- World News
Facebook relaxes rules on violent speech during Russia’s war in Ukraine
Facebook’s parent company, Meta, says the social media giant is temporarily easing rules on violent speech as a result of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. According to an AFP report, the invasion, which has been condemned around the world, has created a wave of anger on social media. However, while Facebook is making some allowances for that rage, it will not…
- Tourism News
End in sight for Thailand Pass once Covid-19 declared endemic – TAT
The governor of the Tourism Authority of Thailand says tourism numbers may need to be revised down due to the fallout from Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, which includes surging oil prices and rising inflation. Yuthasak Supasorn adds that entry restrictions will be relaxed in stages as officials move to declaring Covid-19 endemic. Cabinet has already approved a Public Health Ministry…
- Bangkok News
Thais queue to sell gold as war in Ukraine sees prices reach new high
Bangkok residents queued up to sell their gold for cash yesterday, as the ongoing war in Ukraine saw the price of gold reach a new high. According to a Thai PBS World report, Thais lined up outside gold shops along Bangkok’s Yaowarat Road to sell their gold items for cash. The report states that by 12.56pm yesterday, the purchase price…
- Covid-19 News
Bang Sue offering walk-in vaccination, with choice of vaccine, for Thais and foreigners
Covid-19 vaccines are now available at Bangkok’s Bang Sue Grand station, with no appointment necessary, regardless of which dose is required. The Central Vaccination Centre says inoculation is available to both Thais and foreigners, who can also choose which vaccine they want. The move is in response to a surge in infections, including a spike in those developing lung infections…
- Covid-19 News
Government health officials approve plan to make Covid endemic in Thailand by July
The Public Health Ministry’s plan to make Covid-19 endemic in Thailand by July 1 has been given the green light. The plan was approved yesterday by the National Communicable Disease Committee, giving Thailand under 4 months to downgrade the virus from pandemic status. According to health minister Anutin Charnvirakul, Thailand is adopting a policy of safeguarding the health of both…
- Tourism News
Tourism officials not bothered by US advice to citizens to avoid travel to Thailand
Tourism officials have shrugged off a US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention notice which advised citizens to avoid travel to Thailand. Earlier this week, the US CDC added Thailand to its list of Level 4 countries, due to the ongoing Covid-19 situation in the kingdom. However, Yuthasak Supasorn from the Tourism Authority of Thailand says that won’t make much…
- Business News
Fast-food chain A&W to close all branches in Thailand following huge Covid losses
The American fast-food giant A&W looks set to close all 26 branches in Thailand as the economic fallout of Covid-19 takes its toll. According to a Nation Thailand report, Global Consumer Plc, which owns the Thai franchise, is seeking board approval to close all branches in the kingdom. Global Consumer’s annual report shows that last year alone, A&W outlets in…
- Songkran News
Government says Songkran can go ahead, CCSA to decide what that looks like
The Thai government says Covid-19 won’t stop this year’s Songkran celebrations, but insists that disease prevention measures will need to be followed. What that means for the mass water fights that were such a huge part of the celebrations pre-pandemic remains unclear for now. According to a Bangkok Post report, PM Prayut Chan-o-cha has given the green light for interprovincial…
- Bangkok News
Body of cricket star Warne in Bangkok, awaiting repatriation to Australia
Thai police say the body of cricketer Shane Warne is in Bangkok, awaiting repatriation to his native Australia. Warne died of a suspected heart attack last Friday, while on holiday on Koh Samui. He was 52 years old and had a history of congenital disease, according to a Reuters report. Deputy police spokesman Kissana Phathanacharoen says Australian consular officials are…
- Covid-19 News
Treatment to remain free for Covid patients with moderate or severe symptoms
Emergency Covid-19 treatment will remain free for patients with moderate or severe illness, according to the government. Deputy spokesperson Traisuree Taisaranakul says the new Universal Coverage for Emergency Patients Plus scheme will mean such patients can request treatment at any facility for 3 days, before being transferred to the government or private hospital where they are registered. Currently, Covid patients…
- Bangkok News
Bangkok governor summoned by PM, asked to explain Covid treatment complaints
The governor of Bangkok has been summoned by PM Prayut Chan-o-cha and asked to explain why residents in the capital are unable to access Covid-19 treatment. According to a Nation Thailand report, Governor Aswin Kwanmuang met with the PM and was asked to explain the complaints from Bangkok patients. Addressing the media, the PM confirmed the meeting took place at…
- World News
Booking.com predicts bumpy recovery for travel in Asia-Pacific region
Online travel agency Booking.com says travel in the Asia-Pacific region will be slow to recover as a number of countries adopt a more cautious approach to re-opening. Laura Houldsworth, MD for Asia-Pacific, says while some countries in Southeast Asia are starting to re-open, with various levels of paperwork and restrictions, most North Asian destinations still have significant entry restrictions in…
- World News
US government tells citizens to avoid travel to Hong Kong, New Zealand – and Thailand
Americans are being told to avoid travel to Thailand, Hong Kong, and New Zealand, due to the rise in Covid-19 infections in each country. According to a Reuters report, the travel advisory was issued by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, which has raised its travel alert for Thailand to “Level Four: Very High”. In total, the US…
- Tourism News
Thai government looking at ways to help stranded Ukrainian, Russian tourists
The Thai government says over 7,000 Ukrainian and Russian tourists affected by flight cancellations will be allowed to extend their visas free of charge. It’s one of a number of measures officials are implementing to help visitors stranded as a result of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Other measures potentially include offering shelter and access to a Chinese payment platform, according…
- Tourism News
Phuket, Krabi resorts no longer accepting credit cards from Russian guests
Resorts and hotels in tourist destinations such as Krabi and Phuket are no longer accepting credit cards from Russian guests, according to a Thai PBS World report. The decision comes after 7 Russian banks were excluded from the SWIFT financial global messaging system, leaving many Russians overseas unable to use their credit cards. Card providers Mastercard and Visa have also…
- Crime News
“Joe Ferrari” objects to presence of human rights observers at torture-murder trial
Former police chief Thitisan Utthanaphon is calling for human rights observers to be blocked from attending his trial for torture and murder. Thitisan, who has been nicknamed “Joe Ferrari” because of the lavish lifestyle he lived and the luxury cars he accumulated while on a policeman’s salary, has asked the Criminal Court to stop the rights observers from attending his…
- Koh Samui News
Body of Australian cricket legend to be flown home following autopsy
Police on Koh Samui say the body of Australian cricket player, Shane Warne, will be flown home for a state funeral once the autopsy is completed. The 52-year-old was found dead at a villa on the island on Friday, a day after he arrived. The player is thought to have died of a heart attack. According to a Bangkok Post…
- Covid-19 News
Health ministry says Covid-19 could be considered endemic in Thailand by July
Thailand’s health ministry believes the Covid-19 situation will have improved sufficiently for the illness to be considered endemic by July. According to a Nation Thailand report, government spokesman Thanakorn Wangboonkongchana says the situation continues to improve, paving the way for the virus to be moved from pandemic to endemic status by the middle of the year. He adds that PM…
- Bangkok News
Bangkok officials install more than 62,000 security cameras around the capital
Officials in Bangkok have installed over 62,000 security cameras all over the capital, according to a Nation Thailand report. Bangkok governor, Aswin Kwangmuang, says the installation of 62,217 additional cameras has been done with the safety of residents in mind. The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration has also set up 13 monitoring centres, where CCTV footage can be checked. According to Aswin,…
- Covid-19 News
Thai health officials predict daily case count of 40,000 – 50,000 by mid-April
The Department of Disease Control says Thailand’s daily new Covid cases could reach between 40,000 and 50,000 by the middle of next month. Health officials warn that infections could even rise to 100,000 if current restrictions are eased. According to a Thai PBS World report, officials have called for strict adherence to Level 4 restrictions, particularly in restaurants, bars, and…
- World News
Second round of Ukraine – Russia talks ends with agreement on humanitarian corridors
A second round of talks between Russian and Ukrainian officials in Belarus has ended with an agreement to form humanitarian corridors. According to a Xinhua report, the talks ended yesterday, with both sides discussing military issues, the possibility of a future political settlement, and the ongoing humanitarian issues. Mykhailo Podoliak, advisor to the Head of the President’s Office of Ukraine,…
- Thailand News
More Thai volunteers sign up to fight Russian forces in Ukraine
Thai nationals, moved by footage of the conflict in Ukraine, are signing up to defend the country following the Russian invasion. Last week, the embassy of Ukraine posted on its Facebook page, appealing to foreigners to help the country fight the Russian offensive. According to a Bangkok Post report, a notice outside the embassy in Bangkok requests applicants to submit…
- Covid-19 News
Chinese mRNA antibody shows promising results for long-term Covid protection
An mRNA antibody therapy developed by Chinese researchers has shown promising results in animal testing, according to a report from the Xinhua news agency. Tests on mice showed the therapy offers long-term protection against Covid-19. The report has been published online in the international journal Cell Research. Test findings revealed that the neutralising human monoclonal antibody, mRNA-HB27-LNP, provided effective protection…
- Thailand News
Thai government promises to eradicate forced prison labour following exposé
The Thai government has vowed to end forced labour in the country’s prisons, following an exposé by the Thomson Reuters Foundation. The foundation’s investigation revealed shocking abuses in the Thai prison system, with inmates forced to make fishing nets for private companies for as little as 30 baht a month. Some said they did not get paid at all. Prisoners…
- World News
In the absence of Chinese tourists, TAT pins its hopes on short-haul markets
With the Chinese market showing no signs of a revival any time soon, the Tourism Authority of Thailand is turning to the neighbours. According to a Bangkok Post report, the TAT says it plans to attract 1.5 million tourists from Southeast Asia, South Asia, and Australia. Thanet Phetsuwan says if travel restrictions are eased in Southeast Asia, Thailand should be…
- Bangkok News
Former Thai airman signs up to fight Russian forces in Ukraine
A former member of the Royal Thai Air Force is volunteering to fight alongside the Ukrainians defending their country against a Russian invasion. According to a Coconuts report, the former airman, who gives his name only as Chanapong, turned up at the Ukrainian embassy in Bangkok yesterday, saying he was there to enlist. “I want the Ukrainian people to know…
- Tourism News
Renewed calls to ditch Thailand Pass and PCR test on arrival
Key figures in Thailand’s tourism industry have renewed their calls for the Thailand Pass and PCR testing on arrival to be scrapped. The sector is now concerned about the potential impact of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine on future tourism numbers. According to a Bangkok Post report, hoteliers now say they fear the invasion could see international arrivals dropping to 10%…
- Covid-19 News
Students with Covid-19 can sit university aptitude tests with doctor’s consent
Government officials have decided that students infected with Covid-19 who need to sit university aptitude tests can do so at specially-prepared sites, if their doctor agrees. Education Minister Treenuch Thienthong says pre-university students who need to sit the General Aptitude Test/Professional and Academic Aptitude Test, scheduled for March 12 – 15, as well as other tests on March 19 and…
- Tourism News
National park officers rescue 5 German tourists lost in Koh Phang Ngan forest
Officers from the Than Sadet National Park on Koh Phang Ngan have rescued a group of 5 German tourists after they got lost yesterday while on a forest hike. The 4 women and 1 man had been doing the Khao Ra hike, which takes in the highest peak on the island, when heavy rainfall caused them to get lost. A…
