China

  • Covid-19 NewsCoronavirus UPDATE – 31,481 infections world-wide, the search for a cure

    Coronavirus UPDATE – 31,481 infections world-wide, the search for a cure

    “…the coronavirus has proven itself to have higher infection rates and lower fatality rates when compared with Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS) and severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS)” As the coronavirus outbreak in China surges past the 30,000 mark, having infected 31,481 people, the global scientific community are racing to find a reliable treatment and vaccine. Most of the people…

  • Covid-19 NewsCoronavirus UPDATE: Thursday afternoon, 1,200+ patients now fully recovered

    Coronavirus UPDATE: Thursday afternoon, 1,200+ patients now fully recovered

    As of Thursday afternoon, World Health Organisation officials have raised the death toll to 565, with a total of 28,299 cases identified around the world. The number of full recoveries now exceeds 1,200 and rising fast as many of the earlier cases progress to full recovery. Below we’ve catalogued a lot of the latest news from around the world from…

  • Environment NewsThai government scraps Mekong blasting project

    Thai government scraps Mekong blasting project

    The government has officially abandoned a controversial plan to blast rapids on the Mekong river in Chiang Mai province. The Chinese-led dredging and blasting plan, initiated in 2001, met with fierce opposition from locals and environmental groups, and the Cabinet agreed to scrap it at a weekly meeting on Tuesday. The plan was to enable ships to carry goods from…

  • Covid-19 NewsCoronavirus UPDATE – 28,276 confirmed cases, many people continue to recover

    Coronavirus UPDATE – 28,276 confirmed cases, many people continue to recover

    The month-long outbreak of the novel coronavirus shows no sign of letting up with the death toll rising, along with the list of new cases and an increasingly long list of full recoveries. Chinese health officials have raised the death toll to 565, with a total of 28,276 cases identified around the world. The number of full recoveries now exceeds…

  • Covid-19 NewsCoronavirus UPDATE – Confirmed cases surpass 20,000

    Coronavirus UPDATE – Confirmed cases surpass 20,000

    There are now 20,638 cases of the Novel Coronavirus . So far, there have been 427 deaths, all but one in China. There have also been 688 people recovering from the virus. Importantly, the death rate has been only 2%, a low rate compared to similar outbreaks of flu-like viruses in the past. Even though the outbreak has spread around…

  • Covid-19 NewsChina now battling an outbreak of bird flu in Hunan

    China now battling an outbreak of bird flu in Hunan

    On top of the growing Coronavirus outbreak and efforts of authorities to contain the spread, Chinese officials have now reported a case of the potent H5N1 bird flu in Shaoyang city in central China’s Hunan province. The province is south of Hubei but the outbreak of bird flu is unrelated to the Wuhan coronavirus. Avian influenza, aka. H5N1, avian flu…

  • Covid-19 NewsCoronavirus UPDATE – Confirmed cases exceed 17,000, 362 deaths

    Coronavirus UPDATE – Confirmed cases exceed 17,000, 362 deaths

    The Novel Coronavirus (2019-nCoV) has now spread to 27 countries and territories worldwide. There are 17,387 confirmed cases and 362 deaths as of this morning. Welcome to our Monday morning update as we enter a new month with the coronavirus still growing , both inside China and outside, with the first death outside China over the weekend – a 44…

  • Covid-19 NewsCoronavirus UPDATE – first death outside China, 14,559 confirmed cases

    Coronavirus UPDATE – first death outside China, 14,559 confirmed cases

    Deaths from the coronavirus outbreak have now reached 305 today, including the first outside China, a 44 year old Chinese man in the Philippines. 14,559 people are now confirmed with the virus, the vast majority in China. Whilst the fatality rate remains at 2% with the current level of cases, many have also recovered and returned home. Many remain in…

  • Covid-19 NewsThailand’s King sends message of support to China

    Thailand’s King sends message of support to China

    “Myself and the Thai people stand by the Chinese people and wish you success in overcoming this crisis, with the expectation that the situation will be restored to normal as quickly as possible.” His Majesty Maha Varichalongkorn, the King of Thailand has expressed his concern over the novel coronavirus outbreak in China and is wishing the Chinese government success in…

  • Economy NewsBaht loses nearly half its 2019 gains

    Baht loses nearly half its 2019 gains

    The Thai baht, whose meteoric rise seemed unstoppable only weeks ago, has become Asia’s worst performing currency so far this year. It’s lost nearly half of its 2019 gains in just a month as fears over the Wuhan Coronavirus outbreak threaten Thai tourism. The Year of the Rat has not been kind to Thailand. As late as December, there were…

  • Covid-19 NewsCoronavirus UPDATE: Thai cases up to 19, US declares coronavirus a public health emergency

    Coronavirus UPDATE: Thai cases up to 19, US declares coronavirus a public health emergency

    Total confirmed worldwide cases: 11,374 Total confirmed cases in China: 11,221 Total conformed cases in Thailand: 19 Total deaths: 259 And, as the weeks wear on, it is clear that most people are recovering from their symptoms and getting on with their lives. No one, outside of China, has died from the coronavirus infection. Many countries have now issued strict…

  • Covid-19 NewsThailand considers suspending visa-on-arrival for Chinese

    Thailand considers suspending visa-on-arrival for Chinese

    The Cabinet committee responsible for “preventing emerging diseases” will meet today to roll out various measures in the wake of the coronavirus outbreak affecting the region, according to Thai Public Health Minister Anuthin Charnvirakul. One proposed measure is the temporary suspension of visa-on-arrival for Chinese nationals, in line with the Chinese ban on outbound group tours. Anuthin stressed that the…

  • Covid-19 NewsCoronavirus UPDATE – 6,057 confirmed cases, 132 dead, Wednesday 11.30am

    Coronavirus UPDATE – 6,057 confirmed cases, 132 dead, Wednesday 11.30am

    The Coronavirus has now infected a confirmed 6,057 people who are undergoing treatment, and the death toll has reached 132. 125 of those deaths are isolated to Hubei Province in central China. The largest city of Hubei is Wuhan, the epicentre of the current outbreak which first came to light in mid-December last year at a fresh meat market. Germany…

  • Covid-19 NewsCoronavirus UPDATE – 5,578 confirmed cases, 131 dead

    Coronavirus UPDATE – 5,578 confirmed cases, 131 dead

    We awake to the latest news today on the spread of the Coronavirus where 5,578 people are now confirmed as infected and undergoing treatment, and the death toll reaching 131. 125 of those deaths are isolated to Hubei Province in central China (graph below). The largest city of Hubei is Wuhan, the epicentre of the current outbreak which first came…

  • Covid-19 NewsCoronavirus – six new cases confirmed in Thailand

    Coronavirus – six new cases confirmed in Thailand

    Six new cases of of the novel coronavirus are now confirmed for Thailand by the Ministry of Public Health. That brings the total number of cases detected to 14. The six new cases have all been hospitalised. Dr. Suhum Kanchanapimai, the Public health permanent secretary, confirmed that five of the six confirmed cases were members of the same Chinese family…

  • Covid-19 NewsNo permission from Beijing to evacuate Thais from China

    No permission from Beijing to evacuate Thais from China

    China has so far not granted Thailand permission to land a plane to evacuate Thais in light of the Wuhan Coronavirus outbreak. PM Prayut Chan-o-cha says China is handling the situation, and the Thai government must prepare a list of Thai nationals currently in China, an assembly point and a departure table before permission is given. “China confirmed that it can…

  • Covid-19 NewsAdditional thermal screening for Chinese arrivals at Thai airports

    Additional thermal screening for Chinese arrivals at Thai airports

    “The number of Chinese tourists is likely to drop by half this year – creating an enormous impact on Thailand’s tourism industry.” Thailand’s health authorities are taking more stringent precautions over Chinese arrivals in Thailand following the confirmation of coronavirus case #6 in Hua Hin, a resort town south west of Bangkok. Panlop Singhaseni, Prachuap Khiri Khan’s governor, says they are…

  • Covid-19 NewsCoronavirus UPDATE: President Xi addresses “grave situation of the rapid spreading epidemic”

    Coronavirus UPDATE: President Xi addresses “grave situation of the rapid spreading epidemic”

    The Novel Coronavirus that infects the respiratory tract and gives patients flu-like symptoms, is now responsible for at least 42 deaths in central China (40 in Hubei), with 15 new fatalities reported yesterday, and more than 1,409 cases in total. At this stage the spread of the virus outside China has been extremely isolated with overseas authorities quarantining any confirmed…

  • Covid-19 NewsCoronavirus UPDATE: 15 Chinese cities are now in lockdown

    Coronavirus UPDATE: 15 Chinese cities are now in lockdown

    Things are moving fast with the Wuhan novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV) outbreak. Amid dramatic lockdowns of at least 15 Chinese cities, affecting millions, much remains uncertain about the coronavirus and its method of transmission, or the extent of its spread outside central China. International health authorities continue to scrutinise the virus’ spread and effects with the World Health Organisation meeting daily…

  • Thailand NewsThai, Air Asia suspend flights to Wuhan because of Novel Coronavirus

    Thai, Air Asia suspend flights to Wuhan because of Novel Coronavirus

    Thai Airways and Thai Air Asia are both taking steps to prevent any possible spread of Novel Coronavirus pneumonia through tourist arrivals from Wuhan, the source of the outbreak. Thai Air Asia, which operates two daily flights to Wuhan from Bangkok and one from Phuket, suspended services yesterday. Meanwhile Malaysia-based Air Asia, has also suspended scheduled flights to and from Kota Kinabalu…

  • Krabi NewsSuspected British Coronavirus patient, confirmed NOT to have the virus – UPDATE

    Suspected British Coronavirus patient, confirmed NOT to have the virus – UPDATE

    It’s now been confirmed that a British man, in critical condition in a Thai Hospital, has not contracted the Chinese Coronavirus. Ashley Shorley, who was holidaying on Koh Phi Phi at the time, became seriously ill with a “flu virus” on December 27. He was rushed by boat (reported as a sea plane in other media) to Phuket where his condition worsened. He…

  • World NewsChinese scientists identify the ‘Wuhan Virus’. Screening continues on Thai-bound flights.

    Chinese scientists identify the ‘Wuhan Virus’. Screening continues on Thai-bound flights.

    The mysterious pneumonia-like disease striking dozens of people in Wuhan, China, has now been identified as from the same family of viruses as the deadly SARS (severe acute respiratory syndrome). This news from Chinese scientists today. Earlier today The Thaiger reported that three Thais and a Chinese citizen had been detected arriving from Wuhan in the Hubei province with suspected viral…

  • Transport NewsThailand’s high speed rail future “not the right fit”

    Thailand’s high speed rail future “not the right fit”

    After years of delays, negotiations and more negotiations, bullet trains (high-speed trans) are coming to Thailand. But with one project underway, another already approved and others being considered, many speculate if high speed rail is the right fit for the Kingdom. Critics say the existing contracts with the Chinese are more about a political jibe at the US over its criticism…

  • Thailand NewsThailand and the US sign new defence treaty

    Thailand and the US sign new defence treaty

    PHOTO: Thai PM Prayut Chan-o-cha and US Secretary of Defence Mark Esper with the newly-signed defence alliance treaty yesterday in Bangkok – The Nation The US-Thailand Joint Vision Statement 2020 advances the 2018 US National Defence Strategy and Thailand’s 20 Year National Strategy objectives “by reaffirming our shared commitment to the long-standing defence alliance.” This statement was issued by the…

  • World NewsLeave something behind? Man forgets finger in Chinese taxi after dash to hospital

    Leave something behind? Man forgets finger in Chinese taxi after dash to hospital

    A man in China has been reunited with the severed finger he left in the back of a taxi after a mad dash to hospital in Wuhan. Thai Residents reports that the man, named only as Xu, is a construction worker who lost his finger in an accident at the site where he was working. After a local doctor told…

  • Economy NewsSit down, shut up and hang on – The Asian century is here

    Sit down, shut up and hang on – The Asian century is here

    GRAPHIC: paragkhanna.com In the nineteenth century, the world was ‘Europeanised’. In the twentieth century, it was ‘Americanised’. This century it is all about being ‘Asianised’. With more than half of the world’s population, Asia has gone swiftly from low to middle-income status in a single generation. Today, its global share of trade grows quickly, along with capital, people, knowledge, transport,…

  • World NewsUS downgrades delegation to ASEAN summits

    US downgrades delegation to ASEAN summits

    The US is downgrading its participation in two Asia-Pacific summits in Bangkok next week, a move sure to disappoint Asian partners worried by China’s expanding influence. US President Donald Trump is expected to attend the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation forum in Chile in November, but the most senior official from his administration, when Thailand hosts the annual East Asian Summit…

  • Việt NamTim Cook vấp phải phản đối khi ngày càng “thân Trung Quốc”

    Tim Cook vấp phải phản đối khi ngày càng “thân Trung Quốc”

    PHOTO: Reuters Mới đây, thông tin CEO của hãng công nghệ lừng danh thế giới Apple – Tim Cook nhận chức chủ tịch trường đại học Thanh Hoa ở Bắc Kinh, Trung Quốc khiến giới trẻ Hồng Kông phản đối kịch liệt. Trước đó, làn sóng chỉ trích từ Hồng Kông đã bùng phát mạnh mẽ khi Apple xóa ứng…

  • World NewsHong Kong won’t rule out accepting help from China over protests

    Hong Kong won’t rule out accepting help from China over protests

    PHOTO: AFP Following more violent protests in Hong Kong, Chief Executive Carrie Lam says China stepping in to end the crisis is not out of the question. Angry demonstrations have rocked the city for four months now, having started out as protests against a proposed extradition bill that could have seen criminals sent to China for trial. The Hong Kong…

  • Economy NewsFocus back on US-China trade talks – Asian markets rise

    Focus back on US-China trade talks – Asian markets rise

    “A large percentage of the market thinks China may roll the dice and take advantage of what they think is Trump’s weakened political state.” Asian markets rise today as investors resume their focus on the next round of China-US trade talks this week. But hopes for success are being tempered by mixed messages from both sides of the table. There has been…