Jonathan Fairfield

Thailand confirms first human-to-human coronavirus transmission

 

Chinese tourists buy protective masks at a department store in Bangkok, Thailand January 30, 2020. REUTERS/Athit Perawongmetha

 

BANGKOK (Reuters) - Thailand has seen its first case of human-to-human transmission of the new coronavirus inside the country, a health official said on Friday, as it raised its total number of cases to 19, the second-highest after China.

 

The first patient to contract the virus inside Thailand is a Thai taxi driver, said Tanarak Pipat, deputy director-general of the Department of Disease Control.

 

"(He) ...does not have the record of traveling to China, and it is likely that he was infected (by) a sick traveler from China," Tanarak said.

 

Authorities have conducted virus scans on 13 people, including three family members, who the taxi driver came into contact with. They said that initially none of them had tested positive for the virus.

 

"The overall risk of infection in Thailand is still low, but people should take precautions to protect themselves," Tanarak said.

 

The taxi driver is one of five other coronavirus cases confirmed in Thailand on Friday.

 

Seven of the 19 cases have recovered and gone home while 12 are still being treated at hospitals. All but two of the cases are Chinese tourists visiting the country, the health authority said.

 

The vast majority of the almost 10,000 cases identified have been in China, mostly in and around the virus' epicentre of Wuhan, and health authorities worldwide are seeking to keep the infection from spreading.

 

There have been at least nine cases of human-to-human transmission in five countries outside China: the United States, Germany, Japan, South Korea, Vietnam and now Thailand.

 

The World Health Organization is looking closely at cases of person-to-person transmission outside of Wuhan, which would suggest that the virus may have the potential to spread further.

 

(Additional reporting by Panu Wongcha-um. Writing by Kay Johnson; editing by John Stonestreet)

 

 

 

 

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Chinese tourist in Hua Hin confirmed as Thailand’s sixth case of coronavirus

 

File photo

 

A 73 year old Chinese tourist who had undergone tests having fallen ill with flu-like symptoms has been confirmed as having coronavirus, health officials have said.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1145125-chinese-tourist-in-hua-hin-confirmed-as-thailand’s-sixth-case-of-coronavirus/

 

UPDATE:

Chinese tourist in Hua Hin confirmed as Thailand’s sixth case of coronavirus

 

Please continue discussion here: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1145125-chinese-tourist-in-hua-hin-confirmed-as-thailand’s-sixth-case-of-coronavirus/

 

 

Chinese tourist in Hua Hin confirmed as Thailand’s sixth case of coronavirus

 

File photo

 

A 73 year old Chinese tourist who had undergone tests having fallen ill with flu-like symptoms has been confirmed as having coronavirus, health officials have said.

 

The tourist travelled from Wuhan, the Chinese city at the centre of the outbreak to Suvarnabhumi Airport on January 19, 2020, before traveling to Hua Hin. The tourist reported a high fever on January 23 and was admitted to hospital.

 

The new case in Hua Hin brings the total coronavirus cases in Thailand to six. 

 

Following the announcement, all hotels in Hua Hin have been instructed to check the passports of any Chinese tourists arriving at the hotel, with staff told to immediately inform health officials if any tourists appear sick or show flu-like symptoms. 

 

Hua Hin district chief Thanon Panphipat, who made the announcement, said that monitoring arrivals at hotels was a precautionary measure needed to help prevent the possible spread of the coronavirus given that large numbers of Chinese tourists are expected in Hua Hin during the Chinese New Year festival. 

 

Officials have also announced that passengers arriving at Hua Hin Airport will be screened. 

 

The news comes as Public Health Minister Anutin Charnvirakul announced he will hold an emergency meeting on Sunday with senior officials from the Ministry of Public Health, Ministry of Transport and Ministry of Tourism and Sports to discuss how to prevent the spread of coronavirus in Thailand. 

 

More preventative measures will then be submitted for cabinet approval on Tuesday. 

 

Via Thairath & Daily News 

Thanks to Kulsawek Sawekwannakorn

 

Three more cases of suspected coronavirus under observation in Phuket
By Eakkapop Thongtub

 

Phuket Provincial Health Office Chief Thanit Sermkaew. Photo: Eakkapop Thongtub

 

PHUKET: It has been confirmed that three new suspected cases of the coronavirus originating in Wuhan, China were detected at Phuket airport this week.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1145106-three-more-cases-of-suspected-coronavirus-under-observation-in-phuket/

 

Three more cases of suspected coronavirus under observation in Phuket
By Eakkapop Thongtub

 

Phuket Provincial Health Office Chief Thanit Sermkaew. Photo: Eakkapop Thongtub

 

PHUKET: It has been confirmed that three new suspected cases of the coronavirus originating in Wuhan, China were detected at Phuket airport this week.

 

The Phuket Provincial Health Office (PPHO) responded publicly by stating that the health screening system for prevention and control of possible new strains of the coronary virus is in place and proving effective.

 

“There were three individuals who landed on direct flights from Wuhan into Phuket who showed signs of possible infection and who were admitted to hospital for tests,” commented PPHO Chief Thanit Sermkaew.

 

Full story: https://www.thephuketnews.com/three-more-cases-of-suspected-coronavirus-under-observation-in-phuket-74536.php

 

Thailand’s Department of Disease Control (DDC) is handing out a ‘Health Beware Card’ for travellers arriving in Thailand in order to help reduce the risk of coronavirus infection

 

We've not been able to confirm that report yet.

 

There's meant to be a statement from the Ministry of Public Health shortly.

 

In the meantime, here is our latest: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1145100-four-chinese-tourists-in-hua-hin-tested-for-coronavirus /

 

 

Please continue the discussion there. 

Four Chinese tourists in Hua Hin tested for coronavirus 

 

Tourist line-up in a health control at the arrival section at Suvarnabhumi international airport in Bangkok, Thailand, Januaruy 19, 2020. REUTERS/Jorge Silva

 

Four Chinese tourists in Hua Hin are being tested for the coronavirus, multiple Thai news sources report. 

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1145100-four-chinese-tourists-in-hua-hin-tested-for-coronavirus /

 

Four Chinese tourists in Hua Hin tested for coronavirus 

 

Tourist line-up in a health control at the arrival section at Suvarnabhumi international airport in Bangkok, Thailand, Januaruy 19, 2020. REUTERS/Jorge Silva

 

Four Chinese tourists in Hua Hin are being tested for the coronavirus, multiple Thai news sources report. 

 

The four tourists travelled from Wuhan, the Chinese city at the centre of the outbreak to Suvarnabhumi Airport on January 19, 2020, before traveling to Hua Hin. They reported a high fever on January 23 and remain in hospital.

 

Officials stress they are still awaiting test results to confirm if the four tourists have the coronavirus.

 

Doctors are expected to know the results of the tests later on Saturday, INN reported.

 

Thaivisa understands the Ministry of Public Health is due to release a statement on the situation.

 

Officials have urged hotels to monitor tourists arriving from China in order to prevent a possible outbreak.

 

Officials have also coordinated with hospitals in the province in order to screen patients who report a fever, sore throat, temperature and runny nose. 

 

As part of preventative measures, members of the public are urged to avoid crowded areas, wear a facemask and wash their hands frequently.

 

The news comes after public health officials in Thailand on Friday confirmed its fifth case of coronavirus.

 

"The patient is a 33-year-old woman from Wuhan on vacation," Deputy Public Health Minister Sathit Patucha told Reuters, adding that she was under quarantine at Rajavithi hospital and her condition was improving.

 

The woman arrived in Bangkok on Jan. 21 with her daughter and visited a private hospital complaining of a fever, coughing and muscle aches before being transferred to a government hospital on Jan. 23, Sathit said.

 

Her daughter tested negative for the virus.

 

Sources: INN & Daily News

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

His Royal Highness The Crown Prince Officiated the ASEAN Tourism Forum 2020

and Launched the New ASEAN Tourism Website

 

 

Bandar Seri Begawan, [Tuesday, 14 January 2020] – His Royal Highness Prince Haji Al- Muhtadee Billah ibni His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu’izzaddin Waddaulah, The Crown Prince and Senior Minister at The Prime Minister’s Office this evening officiated the opening of the ASEAN Tourism Forum 2020 at the Indera Samudra Grand Hall, The Empire Brunei, Jerudong. 

 

Upon arrival, His Royal Highness was greeted by Yang Berhormat Dato Seri Setia Awang Haji Ali bin Apong, Minister of Primary Resources and Tourism, Brunei Darussalam as Chairman of the ATF 2020. 

His Royal Highness was also greeted by all the ASEAN Tourism Ministers before consented for a group photo with ASEAN Tourism Ministers attending the Forum. His Royal Highness then proceeded to view a mini showcase by Ministry of Transport and Infocommunications, and Huawei Technologies (Brunei) Sdn. Bhd. 

 

At the exhibit, His Royal Highness was demonstrated on the use of Virtual Reality Technology in travel and was briefed on Digital Technologies for Smart Tourism by the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Transport and Infocommunications; and on 5G Technology in Smart Travel by the CEO of Huawei Technologies (Brunei) Sdn. Bhd. 

 

At the opening ceremony, His Royal Highness consented to officiate the ASEAN Tourism Forum 2020 and launched the new ASEAN Tourism website. His Royal Highness then consented to receive a pesambah presented by the Minister of Primary Resources and Tourism. 

 

The new ASEAN Tourism website would serve as a one-stop platform for integrated information for the public on ASEAN tourism products and activities. It hopes to drive more interest to the Southeast Asian region as a preferred destination to experience the culture and authentic life of the ASEAN people thereby, strengthening people-to-people connectivity and deepening cross-culture understanding. 

 

Prior to the launching, Yang Berhormat Dato Seri Setia Awang Haji Ali bin Apong, Minister of Primary Resources and Tourism in his sembah alu-aluan thanked His Royal Highness for gracing this evening’s event and to officiate the Opening Ceremony of the ASEAN Tourism Forum 2020. 

 

Yang Berhormat Dato then highlighted that the ASEAN tourism industry has seen significant growth in the last decade and continues to be an important contributor to socio-economic development in ASEAN. This year’s ATF theme “ASEAN – Together Towards a Next Generation of Travel” is relevant for what the world is facing today, as it reflects the way in which the tourism industry is rapidly progressing. In this regard, ASEAN Tourism greatly recognizes that innovation and technology brings benefits to the tourism industry, and shapes the way in which governments, key stakeholders and communities embrace the current trend of digital transformation. 

 

The opening event of the ATF 2020 included a variety of cultural performances. Before leaving the event, His Royal Highness bid farewell to the ASEAN Tourism Ministers.

 

The 23rd ASEAN Tourism Ministers Meeting and Related Meetings will commence tomorrow, 15th January until 16th January 2020 at The Empire Brunei, Jerudong. 

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Bullying rampant among students in Thai schools

 

 

Among students between 10 to 15 years old in Thailand, 91.79 per cent have been bullied, according to a survey of 15 schools, said Athiwat Niemmeesri of the Lawyers for Children and Youth network.

 

Physical abuse of younger students by their seniors is the most common occurrence accounting for 62.07 per cent, followed by verbal abuse and online bullying.

 

Athiwat said that Thai society needs to acknowledge the wrongdoing of bullying in schools despite it being seen as a normal behaviour among students.

 

Thanicha Limpanich, manager of the Family Network Foundation under the Ministry of Public Health said new technologies played a part in intensifying bullying among children.

 

Thailand is ranked second after Japan among countries with the highest rates of bullying and the victims are getting younger.

 

Children who bully others usually grew up in a negative environment or possess a genetic trait for violence while bullied children could develop mental conditions such as depression.

 

“Parents shouldn’t let children face this predicament alone. They should pay attention to any abnormal behaviour such as anxiety, frustration or physical evidence of bullying, discuss with them to find a solution,” said Thanicha.

 

She also suggested that schools should adopt measures such as having teachers who specialise in this matter.

 

Ticha Na Nakorn, Director of the Baan Kanjanapisek Juvenile Vocational Training Centre, added that Thai society has let bullying grow by believing that verbal abuse is just an expression.

 

The suicide rate among children is much higher these days as many feel lonely and vulnerable. Parents and schools should join up for solving the problem.

 

Source: https://www.nationthailand.com/news/30380328

 

Thailand the “Land of Smiles” to host the Women’s Amateur Asia-Pacific in 2020

 

Image: Siam Country Club

 

The third edition of the Women’s Amateur Asia-Pacific will be staged at the Siam Country Club, Pattaya, Thailand from 12 to 15 February 2020.

 

Female amateur golfers from across Asia-Pacific will compete for invitations to play in two major championships - the AIG Women’s British Open and The Evian Championship, as well as an exemption into the Augusta National Women’s Amateur Championship and the Honda LPGA Thailand.

 

The Women’s Amateur Asia-Pacific attracts 83 of the best women golfers from 20 countries to contest the coveted title which was claimed by local favourite and inaugural champion Atthaya Thitikul of Thailand in 2018 and Yuka Yasuda of Japan in 2019.

 

The championship has been developed by The R&A and Asia-Pacific Golf Confederation (APGC) to unearth developing talent and provide a pathway for Asia-Pacific’s elite women amateurs to emerge on the international stage.

Enter the January 2020 Thaivisa Photography Competition

 

The competition will run until 31st Jan 2019 

 

The winning entry for January will receive a phone recharge with a value of ฿1000 within 30 days of the end of the competition.

 

The 1,000 baht credit is available on prepaid phones only. 

 

Please note that by submitting an image in to this photo competition, you are giving your permission for that image to be potentially used in the annual Thaivisa Calendar. If you are not aware of the calendar, here is the 2020 calendar.

 

This was the winning entry from the November competition:

 

Image: Andrew Dwyer
 

 

 

Competition Rules

 

- Contributing members may submit up to four of their own photos per month.

(Members can re-submit an image in a following months competition providing it hasn't been a winner in a previous months competition.)

 

- Please only one photo per post!

 

- The photos must be Thailand related and also comply with thaivisa forum rules.

https://www.thaivisa.com/forum/terms/

 

- A title, Basic Exif data, location and date may be added, but no extra comments to try and win more votes will be allowed.

 

- All entries will be included in a gallery as posted and at the end of the month this gallery will then be sent to the judges who will choose the winner.

 

- Please note that likes can still be given but will play no part in deciding what is presented for judging.

 

- All entries will be considered regardless of the time of the month posted.

 

How to post images

 

Instructions on how to post images can be found here:

https://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/942998-posting-images-on-to-a-thread/#comment-11149553

 

Please keep dropping by and give your support (likes) to the new images being posted.

 

Those images gaining 10 likes or more will be added to the "Best Shots Gallery " for the month in question.

This gallery is not part of the monthly competition and will also include images from across all the general photographic threads that accumulate 10 likes or more.

 

 

Note.......We will drop by the thread every day or so to remove the posts not containing images, so please don't be annoyed if you see one of your posts is missing, thanks for your understanding.

 

Please add your best shots, and contribute to the rest of the photo forum 

 

Other parts of the photo forum here:

https://forum.thaivisa.com/forum/84-photography-and-the-arts/

Properties rented out for residential purposes subject to lower tax rate, ministries confirm

 

Homes or condominium units put up for rent as residential property will not be subject to the higher tax rate applied on rental properties for commercial use but will be charged at the lower tax rate applied to residential properties.

 

The Finance and Interior ministries have agreed to relax tax rules on home and condominiums units rented out by their owners as residential property.

 

Prasong Poontaneat, permanent secretary of Finance Ministry, yesterday clarified the land and building tax which will be enforced next year.

 

He said homes or condominium units put up for rent as residential property will not be subject to the higher tax rate applied on rental properties for commercial use but will be charged at the lower tax rate applied to residential properties.

 

That means the annual tax charge would be just Bt200 per million baht value of the property, not the Bt3,000 rate for commercial use properties. His announcement will be welcomed by Thais who were both confused and worried about the new tax charges to be enforced next year.

 

Lavaron Sangsnit, director general of the Fiscal Office, added that homes and condominiums rented out via Airbnb.com or registered as homestays will however be subject to commercial rates.

 

The two ministries will shortly announce the full details of land and building tax collection on these d properties, he added.

 

Source: https://www.nationthailand.com/business/30379856