Thailand
Thailand News Today | Covid outbreak update, migrant workers ‘dumped’, Phuket’s fake cases | Dec 23
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Enough of the serious stuff, let’s talk about news.
Covid outbreak update, migrant workers ‘dumped’, Phuket’s fake cases
• A quick update on Thailand’s current Covid outbreak…. There are 46 new Covid-19 cases confirmed today by the CCSA. 39 were local transmissions while the other 7 were arrivees detected in quarantine.
Out of the 39 local, 11 cases were detected in Bangkok, 5 in Chachoengsao, 3 in Nakhon Pathom, 2 in Kamphaeng Phet, 2 in Tak, 2 in Prachin Buri, 2 in Ayutthaya, 2 in Samut Prakan and 2 in Saraburi, and 1 each in Petchabun, Krabi, Khon Kaen, Nakhon Ratchasima, Nonthaburi, Pathum Thani, Phuket and Suphan Buri.
The total number of cases in Thailand is now 5,762, including 4,095 people fully recovered and another 1,607 currently under hospital supervision and treatment.
• Around Bangkok today there are notable signs that the former precautions are back in many public spaces and private businesses. Mask wearing has never really stopped being a thing but there are now regular temperature checks, check in locations, advice to use the Thai Chana app and the signs are back at business entrances advising people about social distancing and washing hands with sanitiser.
At this stage there has been no confirmations of actual lockdowns or provincial border closures. As usual, we’ll keep you up to date with any changes to the status quo at thethaiger.com
• A group of Burmese migrant workers ended up being dumped on the side of a highway near Bangkok after their employer allegedly took them on a ride, telling them they were going get tested for Covid-19. Much of the current coronavirus prevention measures is focused on hundreds of migrant workers at a seafood market in Samut Sakhon, southwest of Bangkok.
The employer “dumped” the 24 Burmese migrant workers on the side of a highway in Samut Prakan’s Bang Plee area, just outside Bangkok. The migrants had been working near the Mahachai market… a Covid-19 hotspot linked to more than 1,000 infections.
• Yesterday a primary school in Phuket made a Facebook post announcing that a student’s parent tested positive for Covid-19. The post was taken down within an hour, saying they were “unofficially” notified by the province’s public health office about the recent case and they are awaiting results from the second test to verify the case.
This morning the Phuket Provincial Public Health office confirmed the case.
But a fake post yesterday claimed that there were another 21 cases on the island, a post that was widely circulated. Because of the fear caused by the fake news, or from an abundance of caution, at least 15 Phuket Schools were closed today and much of the island’s busy peak traffic vanished as you can see from this video along the island’s busy Thepkasattri Road.
Other schools say they are closing down for the rest of the week.
Schools in Bangkok and Pathum Thani are also closed today with the announcement of local Covid 19 infections.
• At this stage the Prime Minister is signalling an end to any more easing of the border closures and restrictions. He’s also signalled that the CCSA is considering other measures to curb the current outbreaks. New Year celebrations have already been cancelled in many parts of Thailand, including Bangkok and Pattaya.
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Thailand News Today | Island Party Crackdown | January 28

Around 9,000 people will face criminal charges for allegedly defrauding the “We Travel Together” subsidy scheme which was launched to stimulate the local tourist economy and to help hotels and restaurants ravaged from the long list of restrictions and international border closure.
The national police chief says the police plan to prosecute around 9,000 people for conspiring with hotel operators and shop owners to cheat the government subsidy scheme. The scheme, launched by the Tourism Authority of Thailand, covered 40% of room rates and issued 600 baht and 900 baht food vouchers for food and travel.
Lower rates on rooms were intended to draw in more travellers, but a number of hoteliers allegedly raised their prices to get more of the subsidies. Some even created fake hotel bookings. Last month, TAT governor Yuthasak Supasorn filed a complaint against 312 hotels and 202 shops for allegedly cheating the scheme, saying legal action needed to be taken before the launching the second phase of the scheme.
You go out and grab a beer from tomorrow… but at a restaurant only. Bars in “red zones” around the country, including Bangkok, are still closed. But restaurants will be able to go back to serving alcohol and can offer dine-in services until 11pm.
The restrictions on restaurants are to be eased in all provinces except for Samut Sakhon. The easing of restrictions are set to be approved by a panel chaired by PM Prayut Chan-o-cha tomorrow.
While restaurants will be able to serve alcohol and host music performances, dancing is still prohibited in provinces classified as “red zones” and “orange zones.” Restaurants must arrange place tables and chairs to comply with social distancing guidelines.
Bars, pubs and karaoke venues in “red zones,” which include Bangkok, Samut Prakan, Nonthaburi and Pathum Thani, must remain closed.
Police raided a party in Koh Pha Ngan and arrested 111 on charges of violating Covid-19 disease control measures under the Emergency Decree. Immigration police and tourist police raided the event at Three Sixty Bar, a venue on a hilltop near Mae Haad Beach on the island known for its amazing view.
Out of the 111 people arrested, 89 are foreigners and 20 are Thais. Police say 2 other people admitted to organising the party and were charged with colluding in operating an entertainment venue without permission. All 111 people were taken to the police station for legal action.
According to chief of Surat Thani immigration, police heard about party tickets being sold online. The bar wasn’t exactly discrete about hosting the event. Various posts were made on Facebook advertising the “360 Blast & Addict Party” with DJs on 2 dance floors, a music line up until 2am and a “Crazy Market” with clothes, jewelery and food.
Massage shops and spas as well as other similar venues in Chon Buri, including Pattaya, will be allowed to reopen after being closed for nearly a month due to strict Covid-19 control measures. Massage and spa workers gathered earlier this week, lobbying the government to allow their businesses to reopen.
Along with massage shops and spas, tattoo studios and beauty clinics are also allowed to reopen, but must abide by Covid-19 prevention measures like checking customers’ temperatures, supplying hand sanitiser and enforcing social distancing.
Gyms, pools, fitness centres, saunas and massage shops offering “soapy massages” are not included in the order.
Although Chon Buri has gone 6 consecutive days without a local Covid-19 case, it is still classified as a “red zone”, as of today.
A Covid-19 nasal swab test isn’t pleasant. Many will say the long stick inserted deep inside the nasal cavity feels like it’s hitting their brain.
But. Don’t worry, now there’s a new test… an anal swab test. And, they say, it’s more effective at detecting a coronavirus infection.
After a Covid-19 infection was detected at primary school in Beijing, more than 1,000 teachers, staff members and students were tested using the anal swab method as well as the usual nose and throat swab tests.
According to doctors, the alternative anal tests can “increase the detection rate” and is likely to be used more often. We’re sort of hoping the new test doesn’t catch on.
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Thai herb studied for alternative Covid-19 treatment

A study on the efficacy of a Thai herb for treating Covid-19 will move forward after a trial which alternative medicine officials say had promising results. Although, the trial was basic and only involved 6 people.
Initial results show that the herb “andrographis paniculata,” or “fah talai jone” in Thai, can improve patients’ conditions and relieve symptoms without major side effects.
The second phase of the study aims to confirm whether the herb is efficient and safe in treating the patients alongside standard treatment, according to the Department of Thai Traditional and Alternative Medicine.
Following the new wave of infections last month, the department teamed up with Samut Prakan Hospital to launch a pilot study, but just on 6 patients. The 6 Covid-19 patients were given 180 grammes of the herb extracts each day. By the third day, their conditions of cough, sore throat, phlegm, runny nose, muscle pain, and headache had gradually improved.
SOURCE: Bangkok Post
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15,000 people in Samut Sakhon at high risk of infection, health officials concerned

The rising number of infections in Samut Sakhon, most detected through proactive testing, has prompted serious concerns over a “high risk” group of 15,000 people, many who still work and travel as normal.
The number for the high risk group is a rough estimate based on the assumption that there are at least 3 people who came in close contact with each of the 5,000 infected people in Samut Sakhon.
Senior public health officer, Naretrith Katthaseema, says the amount of people at high risk is concerning and poses a challenge to health officials who are working to contain the coronavirus.
He also reiterates that health officials need full cooperation the public to help slow the spread of the virus. Agencies and all parties relating to the industrial factories with a large number of workers should take full responsibility to make sure that disease control measures and related laws are strictly practiced.
SOURCE: Thaivisa
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kent christensen
Wednesday, December 23, 2020 at 9:55 pm
You want money – You want corruption – This is what you get – Happy New Year
Kuhr,claus
Tuesday, December 29, 2020 at 9:21 pm
Alle die wir in thailand wohnen,arbeiten usw.müssen in dieser schweren zeit zusammen stehen und nicht auf auf einander losgehen.covid 19 ist es egal wer und was du bist.kommt wir ziehen in den frieden