Northern Thailand
Potential floods in the forecast, crocodile farmers prepare

Crocodile farms are advised to tighten security measures to prevent the crocodiles from escaping in case of a potential flood. With the Mekong River continuing to rise and monsoon rains in the forecast, the reptile farms in Northern Thailand are warned to take precautions and closely monitor the weather.
The farms Nong Khai were recently inspected by an officer from the Department of Fisheries to see if cages could hold up if the river level continues to rise. He went to 3 crocodile farms in the area. Altogether, the farms house about 170 crocodiles. The officer says all farms have adequate cages, strong enough to keep the reptiles in if there was a major flood, but the officer still warned the farmers to keep a close watch on weather reports.
The Mekong River is at its highest this year and has risen above 7 metres. Since yesterday, it rose 41 centimetres. The Thai Meteorological Department predicts heavy rains in the North and Northeast until Sunday. The department says people should beware of severe conditions that may cause flash floods.
SOURCES: Nation Thailand | Thai Meteorological Department
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Road deaths
Driver charged in bus fire that killed 5, injured 12

After yesterday’s horrific bus fire left 5 dead and 12 injured, the driver is now charged with reckless driving causing deaths and injuries. The tour bus ended up in flames at 12:30 am, not long after leaving the Khon Kaen bus terminal heading to Bangkok with 33 passengers on board. The bus had originated in Bung Kan and stopped in Udon Thani to add more passengers before stopping in Khon Kaen. The driver reported hearing a sound he thought was a rear tyre exploding right before the wheel caught fire. The blaze reached the engine compartment and from there quickly spread to engulf the entire bus.
The 48 year old driver, Patsadee Kham-on from the Isan province of Maha Sarakham, was burned in the bus fire accident as well. He remains in custody today after being escorted to Khon Kaen Court for a judge to approve his detainment pending further investigation. Police are advocating that bail be refused for the driver.
Among the victims in this crash were a 21 year old man from Sakon Nakhon, as well as a 23 year old woman from Bung Kan and 2 women from Udon Thani. One woman was 28 years old while the younger woman, 23 years old, was travelling with her 6 year old daughter who was also killed in the crash. Police advised that relatives could collect the victim’s bodies at Srinagarind Hospital’s forensic medicine department. They also directed families of the victims to the Ban Haet police station to gather documentation for claiming compensation. Procedures have started by the Office of the Insurance Commission to examine the accident and charred bus and to determine compensation.
The cause of the bus fire has not been officially determined and experts from the Land Transport Department have a pending examination. While investigations continue, compensations from insurance is expected to be 1.5 million baht per death, plus an additional half a million baht as part of the Road Accident Victim Protection Act of 1992. The bus belongs to 407 Pattana Company, and was carrying insurance issued by Viriyah Insurance Plc.
SOURCE: Bangkok Post
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Coronavirus (Covid-19)
Northern Thai provinces starting Covid restrictions as 3rd wave spreads

Thailand’s northern provinces are starting to impose more self-quarantines or travel restrictions to combat the recent Covid-19 outbreak that has spread quickly throughout northern Thailand. Phichit and Lampang provinces are the latest in northern Thailand to impose a variety of covid-19 restrictions on people entering.
A Thailand Interior Ministry told Chiang Rai Times that the longer list emphasises the seriousness of the 3rd wave of the coronavirus. The new wave originated in nightlife venues in Bangkok and has spread to 74 out of Thailand’s 77 provinces, as of yesterday. Health inspectors believe the new and more contagious UK strain of Covid-19, named B117, arrived in Thailand from Cambodia through migrants.
But as the CCSA has largely placed restrictions in the hands of each provincial government, many are confused about what guidelines they must follow upon entering certain provinces. Northern Thailand’s Lampang province, for example, orders visitors from Bangkok, Nonthaburi, Pathum Thani, Samut Prakan, Nakhon Pathom and Chiang Mai to report immediately to local health authorities or officials, but it does not require them to undergo quarantine for 2 weeks if test results are negative.
Visitors are advised to check updated information at moicovid.com as the rules are different in each province. So far, 42 provinces have imposed self-quarantine. Phichit, Lampang and Ubon Ratchathani were the latest to join 39 other provinces imposing a variety of restrictions on people entering their provinces.
Visitors to the website posted multiple questions, mostly on whether they needed to be quarantined.
Provinces that impose self-quarantine or other requirements on travellers:
NORTH
- Chiang Mai
- Kamphaeng Phet
- Lampang
- Lamphun
- Nan
- Phayao
- Phetchabun
- Phichit
- Phitsanulok
- Phrae
- Tak
- Uttaradit
NORTHEAST
- Amnat Charoen
- Bung Kan
- Buri Ram
- Chaiyaphum
- Khon Kaen
- Maha Sarakham
- Mukdahan
- Nakhon Phanom
- Nakhon Ratchasima
- Nong Bua Lam Phu
- Nong Khai
- Sakon Nakhon
- Ubon Ratchathani
- Udon Thani
- Yasothon
CENTAL AND EAST
- Chai Nat
- Lop Buri
- Nakhon Sawan
- Sa Kaeo
- Saraburi
- Sing Buri
- Uthai Thani
SOUTH
- Chumphon
- Narathiwat
- Pattani
- Phangnga
- Ranong
- Satun
- Songkhla
- Trang
SOURCE: Chiang Rai Times
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Coronavirus (Covid-19)
All new Covid-19 infections in Chiang Mai are linked to nightlife venues

All of the new Covid-19 infections reported by health officials in Chiang Mai yesterday are linked to local nightlife venues. Over the past few days, 47 cases linked to bars and nightclubs have been confirmed, including the 36 new cases reported yesterday by the provincial communicable disease control panel.
With the rise of infections linked to entertainment venues, Chiang Mai authorities decided to close clubs, pubs, karaoke bars and other entertainment venues for the next week. Alcohol sales are also banned for the next 7 days. A field hospital has been set up at the Chiang Mai International Exhibition and Convention Centre to care for a potential influx of Covid-19 patients.
“Those travelling to Chiang Mai from provinces considered the highest risk of infection, including Bangkok, Nonthaburi, Samut Prakan, Pathum Thani and Nakhon Pathom, must self-isolate for 14 days.”
The recent infections are linked to 7 venues in the area including Warm Up Cafe Chiang Mai, Tha Chang Café Chiang Mai, DC Chiang Mai, Infinity Club Chiang Mai, Ground, Living Machine and Consol’s Garden.
“Those who visited the venues are asked to go to a local hospital for a Covid-19 test.”
SOURCES: Bangkok Post | Nation Thailand
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Toby Andrews
Friday, August 21, 2020 at 1:34 pm
It looks an evil devil.
“A chance of freedom Snappy we may not end up as cowboy boots after all”
Alan
Friday, August 21, 2020 at 9:54 pm
All leather products come from animals. I wondered about the crocodile products in Thailand, now I know where they come from. . 1930 s where i live in they had mink farms. However the amount of fish needed to keep the fed proved unsustainable, even though it was in the vicinity of a massive lake system. What do thy feed the crocs and what is the food bill?