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  • Covid-19 NewsIndonesian cases spike, 24 doctors have now died

    Indonesian cases spike, 24 doctors have now died

    The Indonesian archipelago has announced its highest daily increase in Covid-19 coronavirus cases. There has also been a concerning rise in the deaths of doctors and health workers at the frontline of the national fight against the disease. Statistics have doubled in the last week. The 218 new coronavirus cases took the number overall in Indonesia to 2,491. The 209 confirmed…

  • Covid-19 NewsHungarian tourist dies in Phuket after failing to reveal Bangla Road visits

    Hungarian tourist dies in Phuket after failing to reveal Bangla Road visits

    Dr Chalermpong Sukhonthapol, the director of Phuket’s Vachira Hospital, has revealed details of a Hungarian tourist who recently died of Covid-19, but had earlier withheld details of his visits to the island’s red light district in Bangla Road, Patong. Bangla Road has been the island’s hotzone for new cases of the Covid-19 coronavirus. The case has resulted in more than…

  • Covid-19 NewsUK prime minister moved into intensive care as coronavirus symptoms worsen

    UK prime minister moved into intensive care as coronavirus symptoms worsen

    The UK PM Boris Johnson is now in an intensive care unit after his condition with a bout of coronavirus symptoms “worsened.” A spokesman said he had been moved on the advice of his medical team and was receiving “excellent care”. The 55 year old prime minister was first admitted to the St Thomas’ Hospital in London on Sunday night,…

  • Covid-19 NewsUPDATE: Phuket announces 4 new cases, 5 hotels allowed to remain open

    UPDATE: Phuket announces 4 new cases, 5 hotels allowed to remain open

    New cases announced for Phuket this morning. There are now 123 cases around the island, 4 new patients announced today. 98 people are still awaiting their test results. (5 hotels allowed to remain open – below) Patong was locked down on Saturday, with checkpoints at all entry points, restricting travel in and out of the seaside city, except for essential services and travel. People…

  • Covid-19 News3M denies masks destined for Germany were seized in Bangkok and re-routed to US

    3M denies masks destined for Germany were seized in Bangkok and re-routed to US

    “We cannot speculate where this report originated.” US, Minnesota-based, 3M is denying allegations that 1000s of its face masks, heading for Germany, were ‘seized’ during transit in Bangkok and diverted to the US. The incident is reported to have occurred on April 3. 3M has explained to Germany’s DPA News that it had received no reports of masks being seized or…

  • Crime NewsTrio arrested with 47 kilograms of marijuana they were selling on Facebook

    Trio arrested with 47 kilograms of marijuana they were selling on Facebook

    Pattaya police have arrested 3 people on Saturday who were caught with 47 kilograms of marijuana that they’d been selling around Chonburi and Bangkok 20 year old Nakarachai or Pon-noon, 21 year old Muay Subboonto and 20 year old Nawee Cherndecha were arrested after police received a tip-off. The enterprising trio had also been brazenly selling their ‘consumables’ through a Facebook…

  • Covid-19 NewsPreparing further measures to control the spread of Covid-19

    Preparing further measures to control the spread of Covid-19

    The Thai Ministry of Interior Permanent Secretary has sent an urgent official memo to Provincial Governors around the country informing them that the National Covid-19 Coronavirus Disease Management Centre is calling for a range of measures to be addressed immediately and urgently. “These measures are in accordance with overall stepped up measures to help stop the spread of Covid-19 and…

  • Covid-19 NewsPCT – we’re all going to be suffering from Post-Coronavirus Trauma

    PCT – we’re all going to be suffering from Post-Coronavirus Trauma

    OPINION The sun will rise. All this utter disruption to our lives will come to an end at some time. But the hangover will linger a lot longer than the fairly sudden stop to just everything we were familiar with. Whilst economists will argue whether it’s a recession or depression, the world will go into a long re-awakening after the…

  • Covid-19 NewsArriving flights banned until the end of Monday – CAAT

    Arriving flights banned until the end of Monday – CAAT

    Thailand’s CAAT is stopping all passenger flights from arriving in Thailand from this morning (Saturday) until the end of Monday. The country’s Civil Aviation Authority made the order late yesterday, throwing repatriation efforts of several countries into complete confusion. Stranded visitors, hoping to get home, now find their weekend hopes of repatriation dashed. The country’s aviation regulators say the move is…

  • Covid-19 NewsCoronavirus UPDATE: Tokyo faces climbing case numbers, makers of ‘Corona’ beer suspend production

    Coronavirus UPDATE: Tokyo faces climbing case numbers, makers of ‘Corona’ beer suspend production

    The international toll has reached 1,097,810 and deaths 59,140 with no sign of a slowdown at this stage (7.30am Thai time). The world will be adding 100,000+ new case every 24 hours within the next few days unless we start to see a flattening of the curve. The US has had another day of burden for its health system –…

  • Thailand NewsThailand News Today – Friday, April 3

    Thailand News Today – Friday, April 3

    hosted by Tim Newton 103 new virus Covid-19 coronavirus cases confirmed, 4 more deaths Covid-19 coronavirus cases in Thailand rose to 1,978 with 103 cases confirmed since yesterday, and another 4 patients dying. Today’s number continues a the trend of new cases in Thailand levelling out. 104 new cases were reported yesterday, 120 on Wednesday, 127 on Tuesday. Nationwide curfew…

  • Covid-19 NewsMassive pay cuts for Thai Airways staff

    Massive pay cuts for Thai Airways staff

    Beginning this Saturday, employees of Thai Airways will no longer work and will be forced to take a significant cut in pay. The announcement comes after the airline said it would halt all flights due to the Covid-19 outbreak, which has forced many countries to close their borders. Chakkrit Parapuntakul, acting Thai Airways president, said the suspension comes with pay cuts ranging…

  • Thailand NewsThailand News Today – Thursday, April 2

    Thailand News Today – Thursday, April 2

    Hosted by Tim Newton Thailand confirms 104 new coronavirus cases (Thursday) Thailand now has at total of 1,875 Covid-19 coronavirus cases, another drop in newly announced cases. 104 new cases were confirmed over the last 24 hours and 3 more patients died. Total deaths now stand at 15. This continues a hopeful trend of new cases in Thailand dropping as…

  • Covid-19 NewsThailand’s food delivery services are booming

    Thailand’s food delivery services are booming

    Whilst most businesses have been turned upside down by the disruptions caused by the Thai government’s reaction to Covid-19, along with enforced closures, at least one business is booming at this crazy time. With restaurants closed to sit-down customers, the delivery services are providing a valuable service getting food to customers stranded at home whilst applying social distancing for the…

  • Covid-19 NewsCoronavirus UPDATE: Bad 24 hours in UK and US, Panama comes up with novel prevention

    Coronavirus UPDATE: Bad 24 hours in UK and US, Panama comes up with novel prevention

    World totals surged in the past 24 hours to reach 935,287 cases since the start of the outbreak of the Covid-19 coronavirus in late December (totals read at 7.50am Thai time). The case numbers will likely move through the 1 million milestone in the next 24 hours. 47,192 people have died as a result of the Covid-19 virus and 194,000…

  • Thailand NewsThailand News Today – April 1, 2020

    Thailand News Today – April 1, 2020

    Thailand coronavirus cases rise to 1771, two more deaths Thailand’s now has 1,771 Covid-19 coronavirus cases, with 120 new cases confirmed over the last 24 hours and 2 more patients succumbing to the disease. As of today 1,429 patients are under treatment, 23 are in critical condition. 342 have recovered and been discharged. There has now been a total of…

  • Covid-19 NewsStranded. Nearly 21,000 Russians struggling to get home.

    Stranded. Nearly 21,000 Russians struggling to get home.

    The Russian Ambassador to Thailand claims there are about 20,800 Russian citizens stranded in the Land of Smiles. Ambassador Tomikhin says they’re desperate to get home. He says that most of them are stuck in Phuket and neighbouring provinces (Phuket is in virtual lockdown with the airport being closed to all passenger flights on April 10). Another 8,000 in and around…

  • Thailand NewsThailand News Today – Tuesday, March 31

    Thailand News Today – Tuesday, March 31

    “Far from over” in the Asia-Pacific region – WHO update The World Health Organisation says that the coronavirus pandemic is “far from over” in the Asia-Pacific region. Regional Director for the Western Pacific at the WHO, Takeshi Kasai, says “Let me be clear. This is going to be a long-term battle and we cannot let down our guard, we need…

  • Covid-19 NewsPhuket records 7 new cases, total 69 (Tuesday)

    Phuket records 7 new cases, total 69 (Tuesday)

    The southern island of Phuket, closed to land and sea, and inter-provincial public transport yesterday to stem the spread of the disease, has reported 7 new cases today (Tuesday). It brings the total in Phuket to 69 confirmed cases. Details of today’s new cases are as follows… Case 63: An Australian man, aged 69, a manager at a Khao Lak hotel.…

  • Covid-19 NewsGovernment says they won’t allow Thai Airways to collapse

    Government says they won’t allow Thai Airways to collapse

    “All rumours about a lay-off aren’t true. News involving Thai Airways that didn’t come from the Finance Ministry should be considered false.” Thailand’s deputy PM Somkid Jatusripitak says the government won’t allow its struggling national airline Thai Airways to collapse. He dismissed rumours of impending lay-offs due to the virus outbreak. Thai Airways has been a financial basket-case for the…

  • Covid-19 NewsWear a mask and avoid crowds – Phuket Governor

    Wear a mask and avoid crowds – Phuket Governor

    A announcement from the Phuket Governor is asking people, now almost marooned on the island since midnight last night, to take extra precautions to slow the spread of the Covid-10 coronavirus around Phuket. Probably the main message to take from this new announcement is that you are expected to wear a face mask any time you are in public spaces…

  • Covid-19 NewsFortress Phuket. The island closes off Sarasin Bridge and boating traffic, except supplies

    Fortress Phuket. The island closes off Sarasin Bridge and boating traffic, except supplies

    Phuketians, you are marooned on a tropical island. Well, almost… Today the Phuket Governor has rolled out another level of lockdowns for the southern island. The new rules come into force tonight at midnight (00.01am March 30) and will run until the end of April, or until announced otherwise. There are a few exceptions as noted in the official declaration…

  • Covid-19 NewsNearly 300 Thais stranded at the southern border, paperwork issues

    Nearly 300 Thais stranded at the southern border, paperwork issues

    Around 300 Thais trying to return to Thailand are stranded at the Wang Kelian immigration checkpoint in northern Malaysia’s Perlis State. On the other side is Thailand’s Wang Prachan checkpoint in Satun’s Khuan Don district. They’ve been denied entry after failing to comply with the strict new regulations set by the Thai authorities. Thailand and Malaysia have closed their checkpoints…

  • Covid-19 NewsPower to the people – Energy Ministry promises adequate supply of electricity

    Power to the people – Energy Ministry promises adequate supply of electricity

    Thailand’s Energy Ministry says that there will be adequate electricity supply to fuel the demands of people staying and working from home. Millions are cooped up in their homes, raising the domestic electricity supply usage. But many businesses have closed up, easing up some of the demands on total supply. Energy Minister Sonthirat Sonthijirawong says there should be enough power…

  • Covid-19 NewsThings to know about the Covid-19 Coronavirus

    Things to know about the Covid-19 Coronavirus

    Coronavirus has spread to 176 countries or territories around the world and claimed more than 31,000 lives, as of Sunday, March 29. More than 665,000 people around the world have now been infected, including more than 141,000 who have fully recovered at this stage. The US has recorded nearly 20,000 new cases in the last 24 hours plus 515 new…

  • Covid-19 NewsThailand’s airlines line up for 16 billion baht lifeline

    Thailand’s airlines line up for 16 billion baht lifeline

    Thai airlines are mostly grounded, basically due to lack of traffic from government restrictions to stop people from travelling. But they still have staff and regulations that require them to be paid. So 7 Thai airlines are seeking a 16 billion baht lifeline from the Thai Finance Ministry so they can keep employees whist their planes remain on the ground.…

  • Covid-19 News109 new coronavirus cases for Thailand (Saturday)

    109 new coronavirus cases for Thailand (Saturday)

    The Thai Public Health Ministry has reported 109 new coronavirus cases and 2 new death today. This brings the total to 1,245 cases and 6 deaths in the Kingdom. The latest figures brought the total cases to 1,245 across 57 provinces – 1,032 of the patients are Thais. Bangkok has a total of 515 cases, followed by Nonthaburi with 58…

  • Covid-19 NewsPhuket residents told to stay home from 8pm – 3am ‘until further notice’

    Phuket residents told to stay home from 8pm – 3am ‘until further notice’

    A virtual curfew has been announced for the island of Phuket which will restrict residents to their accommodation or homes from 8pm – 3am until further notice. The only exceptions would be URGENT errands. The announcement takes effect from today until further notice, according to the notice signed by the Phuket Governor. The notice “seeks the collaboration of local residents and…

  • Covid-19 NewsChinese tourists arrested for breaking quarantine rules in Phuket

    Chinese tourists arrested for breaking quarantine rules in Phuket

    Four Chinese citizens have been arrested, after having their temperatures checked, in the Saku area, Phuket, after “defying coronavirus quarantine rules”. They spent Thursday night at Saku police station for leaving their rented accommodation without notifying authorities of their move from their previously registered address. Two of them were found at a house in Phuket Town, the other two had headed to…

  • Covid-19 NewsUS Covid-19 cases exceed 100,000 people, South Korea leads the world with testing

    US Covid-19 cases exceed 100,000 people, South Korea leads the world with testing

    The US has kicked the number of cases of Covid-19 coronavirus over 100,000 people. As testing continues to expand rapidly, the US is seeing daily spikes of 10,000+ in recent days (18,294 in the past 24 hours). On March 20 there were 19,000 active cases recorded for the US. The numbers are expected to continue to rise steadily in the coming…