covid-19

  • Covid-19 News

    Thai PM denies move to extend emergency decree is political

    PM Prayut Chan-o-cha has strenuously denied suggestions that the proposal to extend Thailand’s emergency decree by another month is politically motivated. Addressing the media at a press conference in Bangkok, he emphasised the importance of the decree remaining in place while the risky phase 5 of re-opening gets underway. The PM says that without the powers afforded by the decree,…

  • Covid-19 News

    Thailand’s health officials ready for potential “second wave”

    Thailand’s Public Health Ministry says although it’s hoping for the best, it is preparing for the worst, once the emergency decree is lifted. Acknowledging the risk of a “second wave” of Covid-19 infections as more restrictions are eased, Dr. Sukhum Kanchanaphimai says preparations are underway to ensure the country’s health system can cope. Such preparations include 1.3 million doses of…

  • Covid-19 News

    World hits milestone in Covid-19 total infections and deaths

    The world has hit a new milestone with 500,000+ deaths and 10 million confirmed cases of Covid-19 with officials warning the worst may be yet to come. Meanwhile more than 5.5 million people have recovered from the virus. The statistics surged through the milestones yesterday, coupled with another record mark for daily new infections at 189,000. The true death toll of…

  • Covid-19 News

    The Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration has approved extending the Emergency Decree

    The Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration has approved the proposal from the National Security Council last week to extend the emergency decree until the end of July. The decision was made at a meeting this morning with PM Prayut Chan-o-cha and other relevant officials. Read more about last weeks proposal HERE. The CCSA says the extension was necessary because the…

  • World News

    Hong Kong residents protesters of new national security law arrested

    Hong Kong residents protesting China’s new national security law found themselves arrested for unlawful assembly after fights broke out. Yesterday’s protest was largely supposed to be silent but ended with armed riot police arresting 53 people and using pepper spray on parts of the crowd after chanting and slogans were shouted towards them. Such arrests may be an indication of the…

  • World News

    Cambodia announces changes to entry rules for citizens with foreign passports

    Cambodian nationals who hold foreign passports will likely welcome the government’s decision to do away with the requirement for a US$3,000 deposit to cover Covid-19 costs, along with the compulsory US$50,000 health insurance. But a report in TTR weekly says the changes only apply to Cambodian citizens with foreign passports and a Visa K entry permit. Following the move by…

  • Covid-19 News

    Beach in Chon Buri temporarily closed again due to overcrowding

    Officials in the eastern province of Chon Buri have had to temporarily close the road leading to Bangsaen beach yesterday after significant overcrowding raised safety concerns. Those still trying to get to the popular beach were left disappointed during Sunday morning and early afternoon. As nearby car parks and other areas filled up with visiting vehicles, traffic police made the…

  • Covid-19 News

    India opens one of largest hospitals to treat coronavirus

    After seeing the biggest one-day increase in Covid-19 infections, India is partially-opening one of the world’s largest hospitals specifically to treat the virus. The Sardar Patel COVID Care Center opened on Sunday, making 2,000 of its 10,000 beds available so far with the rest being made available on Wednesday. The opening, coincided with Delhi being marked as the world’s worst-hit…

  • Covid-19 News

    Phuket’s Sirinat National Park to open again from Wednesday

    Sirinat National Park, along the west coast of the north end of Phuket, is set to re-open on Wednesday, according to the province’s deputy governor, Wongsakorn Numchukan. It follows the re-opening of other national parks around the country 2 weeks ago after a 2 month shutdown initiated to curb the spread of the Covid-19 virus. And as with re-openings elsewhere,…

  • Covid-19 News

    UPDATE: Covid-19 cases pass 10 million, deaths surpass 500,000

    The Covid-19 coronavirus has now officially infected over 10 million people worldwide. We emphasise “officially” because today’s sad milestone only accounts for confirmed cases. The 10 million case milestone was almost certainly passed some time ago with the US Centres for Disease Control and Prevention announcing recently that infections in the US alone could be 10 times greater than reported.…

  • Việt Nam

    Cập nhật tình hình COVID-19 tại Việt Nam (Ngày T7 27/6): Ghi nhận thêm 2 ca nhiễm nCoV mới từ Kuwait

    Tính tới 18h ngày 27/6, Bộ Y tế ghi nhận thêm 2 ca nhiễm nCoV mới. Tổng số ca nhiễm COVID-19 toàn quốc là 355 người, trong số đó, 330 người đã khỏi bệnh, 25 người đang tiếp tục điều trị. Như vậy, tính đến hết ngày 27/6, Việt Nam ghi nhận: Tổng số ca nhiễm: 355 Số ca khỏi…

  • Covid-19 News

    China’s Covid-19 cases spike: 17 in Beijing

    Mainland China today reported its highest number of new Covid-19 cases in 4 days, driven by a resurgence of the virus in Beijing. The National Health Commission reported 21 new confirmed infections nationwide on, up from 13 a day earlier and the highest since Monday. In Beijing, 17 new confirmed cases were reported, up from 11 a day earlier and…

  • Covid-19 News

    Government agency issues guidelines to help Thailand’s souvenir suppliers

    Thailand’s Department of Industrial Promotion says it is working on ways to help the country’s souvenir makers recover from the devastation wreaked by the Covid-19 lock-down. Speaking to Nation Thailand, Nattapol Rangsitpol, director-general of the DIP, says the latest advice complements the government’s stimulus campaign Tiew Pan Suk (Trips to Share Happiness), aimed at boosting domestic tourism and the local…

  • Covid-19 News

    Many Thais face salary cuts, job loss due to pandemic, survey finds

    The coronavirus pandemic has already led many into financial difficulties, some being put on temporary leave from their jobs, and others losing their jobs altogether. A recent survey shows that 1 in 4 workers lost their jobs or were currently out of work as a result of the impacts of the pandemic crippling the economy. A significant percentage of those…

  • Việt Nam

    Cập nhật tình hình COVID-19 tại Việt Nam (Ngày T6 26/6): Ghi nhận thêm 1 ca nhiễm nCoV mới từ Cameroon

    Tính tới 18h ngày 26/6, Bộ Y tế ghi nhận thêm 1 ca nhiễm nCoV mới. Tổng số ca nhiễm COVID-19 toàn quốc là 353 người, trong số đó, 330 người đã khỏi bệnh, 23 người đang tiếp tục điều trị. Như vậy, tính đến hết ngày 26/6, Việt Nam ghi nhận: Tổng số ca nhiễm: 353 Số ca khỏi…

  • Covid-19 News

    Covid 19 update: 4 new imported cases found in quarantine (June 26)

    The Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration says that 4 women tested positive for Covid-19 in state quarantine over the previous 24 hour period. There have been no domestic Covid-19 cases for 32 days. Dr Taweesin Visanuyothin reports that 2 of the women, 22 and 27 years old, showed symptoms upon returning from Sudan on June 24 and were diagnosed positive…

  • Covid-19 News

    Health Minister predicts Thailand will have Covid-19 vaccine within 9 months

    Public Health Minister Anutin Charnvirakul says he expects Thailand to have a vaccine against the Covid-19 virus ready within 9 months, provided all goes to plan. He was speaking after a briefing on the development of the vaccine, given by representatives from Bionate Asia, the private company working on the project with Thailand’s National Vaccine Institute. Mr. Anutin says the…

  • Thai Life

    Stranded Russian and friends help monk build houses in Chiang Mai – VIDEO

    When Nikita Proshin left his home in Russia in January to travel for a year, he had no idea he would spend the last 5 months in Thailand. Although he ended up stranded in the Kingdom, through a work-exchange program, he’s helping a Buddhist monk build houses. The 25 year old says he doesn’t know what will happen next, but he…

  • Covid-19 News

    Second-deadliest Ebola outbreak officially over

    After no new cases were reported for 42 days, the world’s second-deadliest Ebola outbreak has been declared officially over. 16,000 frontline workers in The Democratic Republic of Congo have battled against the country’s tenth outbreak for almost two years with a World Health Organisation official saying it was like a mission impossible as more than 2,200 lives were lost. The…

  • Covid-19 News

    Thai PM concerned about “second wave” of virus when Thailand’s nightlife resumes

    Thai PM Prayut Chan-o-cha has voiced his concerns about the re-opening the country’s bars, clubs, and other nightlife that may lead to a second wave of the Covid-19 virus. It’s currently proposed, but not finalised, that Phase 5 easing of restrictions would allow pubs, bars, and other entertainment venues to re-open from July 1. The precise guidelines imposed on re-opening…

  • Covid-19 News

    Pattaya authorities call for patience amid confusion over rules for nightlife reopening

    As the owners of bars, clubs, and other entertainment venues look forward to being allowed open their doors from July 1 (sort of), officials at Pattaya City Hall have been inundated with calls about the new rules that govern reopening. A report in The Pattaya News says there is plenty of confusion, as the government’s Covid-19 task force has issued…

  • Covid-19 News

    What happens to leftover Guinness from Covid-19 lockdowns?

    Humans aren’t the only ones who become merrier when drinking Guinness, as apparently Christmas trees also enjoy the occasional splurge, and have been used to soak up the leftovers thanks to the Covid-19 lockdown imposed on many bars and pubs. The thousands of pints of Guinness, that weren’t drunk during the Covid-19 lockdown, are being used to fertilise Christmas trees…

  • Covid-19 News

    Chinese citizens in Russia caught forging Covid-19 results

    The Chinese Embassy in Moscow has caught several of its citizens trying to forge Covid-19 test results in order to be allowed to fly back to China. But the numbers of those producing counterfeit tests is unclear and the embassy has not revealed what cities or areas of Russia the hopeful returnees were residing. It is also unclear how many of…

  • Covid-19 News

    Australia reports largest rise of Covid-19 in two months

    Australia’s second most populous state of Victoria has deployed ambulances and mobile test centres after recording the largest rise of daily Covid-19 infections in two months. 33 people have reportedly tested positive in the southern state for coronavirus in the past 24 hours, marking nine days of double digit new cases. Desperate to contain the outbreak, authorities are beginning a testing…

  • Covid-19 News

    Qantas cuts 6,000 jobs to recover huge revenue losses

    Australia’s Qantas Group is cutting at least 6,000 jobs after a massive revenue loss due to the Covid-19 pandemic. The jobs losses will be spread across all parts of the business while continuing to stand down 15,000 employees in an effort to recover. The Qantas Group includes the Qantas ‘full service’ brand and the JetStar discount airline offshoot. 20 % of…

  • Covid-19 News

    UK starts human testing on experimental Covid-19 vaccine

    The UK is joining the race to develop a Covid-19 vaccine with volunteers already getting jabbed as the testing continues. But the new vaccine isn’t merely a weaker version of the actual virus- it ‘clones’ the virus so its receivers don’t actually get infected with Covid-19. Imperial College London is behind the new vaccine which uses synthetic strands of genetic code,…

  • World News

    Pakistani plane crash “due to pilot error”

    A preliminary report over last month’s Pakistani plane crash reveals the pilots made errors that caused them to crash the plane, resulting in the loss of 98 lives. The pilots were reportedly distracted as they were chit-chatting about the coronavirus and didn’t even bother to lower the plane’s landing gear. Furthermore, they tried to land the aircraft when they were…

  • Covid-19 News

    Brazilian court rules President Bolsonaro must wear face mask

    A judge in Brazil has ruled that the country’s controversial leader, President Jair Bolsonaro, must wear a face mask in public as the Covid-19 pandemic continues to wreak havoc on the country. Brazil is second only to the US in terms of the number of confirmed cases and deaths. To date, 53,874 people have died from the virus, with 1.2…

  • Covid-19 News

    Update on Asia’s quest for a Covid-19 vaccine

    Partnerships have formed between some of the world’s leading pharmaceutical companies, as well as collaboration between countries as Asia’s best minds are working together in a bid to be the first to create a Covid-19 vaccine. Here is an update on four leading countries in Asia, in the search to find a cure for the notorious Covid-19 virus which was swept the…

  • World News

    China’s second-richest is an ex-Google employee

    Apparently, working for any kind of technology company in today’s world can reap massive wealth. That’s the case for one of China’s citizens who became the second richest person in the nation after previously working for Google. Colin Huang is valued at $45.4 billion by Forbes, placing him second in China after Tencent’s Pony Ma after his e-commerce company Pinduoduo…