The BTS Skytrain is as ubiquitous in Bangkok as great street food and fake Viagra, and it’s now added 4 new stops to extend its reach. The new BTS Green Line extension, running fro Mor Chit station and Khu Khot station in Rangsit, opened to the public today. The new extension was officially launched by PM Prayut Chan-o-cha this morning, and opened to commuters from 1:30pm.

The 4 new stations are: Royal Forest Department, Bang Sua, 11th Infantry Regiment and Wat Phra Sri Mahathat. In a trip that took 11 minutes, the PM travelled from Ha Yaek Lat Phrao station (on Phahon Yothin Road, before the four new stations) to the end of the line at Wat Phra Sri Mahat.

The extension of the northern service covers 4.2 kilometres, and travel on the new section is free until the end of the year. Whoo Hoo!

The system now comprises 47 stations along two lines: the Sukhumvit Line running northwards and eastwards, and the Silom Line which serves Silom and Sathorn Roads, the central business district of Bangkok, terminating at National Stadium and Bang Wa.

SOURCE: Bangkok Post

At this morning’s daily press conference, the Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration announced a single new case of Covid-19.

The case is a 45 year old Thai man who recently returned from Kuwait. He’s reportedly a factory worker and arrived in Bangkok on May 24. he was diagnosed with the virus after a second test on June 3.

Today marks the 11th day in a row in the country with no cases transmitted locally.

Thailand now has a total of 3,102 cases in total since the start of the outbreak. 2,971 of those cases have fully recovered and been released, 3 of them in the 24 hours before the briefing. The recovery rate is 96%

73 people remain in hospital under treatment in Thailand and the death toll remains at 58.

SOURCE: The Pattaya News

A report in Nation Thailand says that Thailand’s army chief Apirat Kongsompong has ordered the transfer of all committee members at the Lumpini Boxing Stadium in Bangkok. The dressing down and side-lining of the officials comes after the committee went ahead with a boxing match at the stadium on March 6, two days after the government ordered such venues to close, as part of the Covid-19 lockdown measures.

The stadium is owned and operated by the Royal Thai Army.

The stadium was later found to be a hotbed for the virus, generating a cluster of hundreds of infectionsthat spread beyond Bangkok and into other provinces. A subsequent inspection has revealed serious problems with the venue’s hygiene and disease prevention measures.

Army Chief Apirat Kongsompong is ordering the transfer of all committee members, having already transferred the manager, Rachit Arunrungsee, who is reportedly set to retire in September.

SOURCE: Nation Thailand