Jonathan Fairfield

Pattaya: 60,000 doses of Sinopharm for local residents will arrive this month Image: Daily News Daily News reported that the first lot of vaccine purchased by Pattaya City from the Chulabhorn Royal Academy will arrive this month. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1226600-pattaya-60000-doses-of-sinopharm-for-local-residents-will-arrive-this-month/

Image: Daily News Daily News reported that the first lot of vaccine purchased by Pattaya City from the Chulabhorn Royal Academy will arrive this month. That is 60,000 doses for 30,000 people who have registered their interest. They are named on house registration documents as residents of the tourist city. The cost is 888 baht per dose and the Pattaya mayor Sontaya Kunplome said that the 88 million baht budget had been prepared and was soon to be transferred in full. That is for the full 100,000 doses that the city council has ordered. The mayor said that officials were now rechecking the names on the registration list after which registrants will be told of their vaccination date. Vaccinations will take place at Pattaya City Hospital (Muang Pattaya Hospital) that has a capacity of 2,500 to 3,000 per day. Vaccination is expected to take 10 days and be completed within two weeks, said the media who said that the mayor hopes to create herd immunity with this rollout. -- © Copyright ASEAN NOW 2021-08-06 - Whatever you're going through, the Samaritans are here for you - Follow ASEAN NOW on LINE for breaking COVID-19 updates

Sandbox murder: Police chief due in Phuket today in bid to restore confidence Image: Daily News Daily News reported that the chief of the Royal Thai Police General Suwat Chaengyodsuk will visit Phuket today as part of the investigation into the death of a female Swiss tourist. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1226582-swiss-tourist-dead-believed-raped-murdered-in-phuket-sandbox/page/3/?tab=comments#comment-16717655

Sandbox murder: Police chief due in Phuket today in bid to restore confidence Image: Daily News Daily News reported that the chief of the Royal Thai Police General Suwat Chaengyodsuk will visit Phuket today as part of the investigation into the death of a female Swiss tourist. The media said that the chief decided to go as the case was of high public interest being that of a foreigner in a tourist area. And with the incident happening to a so called Sandbox tourist the whole credibility and confidence of the reopening of Thailand could be at stake. Also yesterday evening Pol Maj-gen Jiraphop Phuridech and other high profile police called in the crack Hanuman taskforce to help local Wichit officers in the investigation and ensure the culprit is apprehended speedily. -- © Copyright ASEAN NOW 2021-08-06 - Whatever you're going through, the Samaritans are here for you - Follow ASEAN NOW on LINE for breaking COVID-19 updates

Thailand reports record high new COVID-19 cases and deaths - but even more recoveries FILE PHOTO: People queue at the Central Vaccination Center as Thailand opens walk-in for first dose of the AstraZeneca vaccination scheme for elders, people with a minimum weight of 100 kilograms and pregnant women amid the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak in Bangkok, Thailand, July 26, 2021. REUTERS/Soe Zeya Tun Thailand's daily COVID-19 cases and deaths both set records again on Friday (Aug 6), as the country counties to battle a surge in infections, the majority of which are of the highly contagious Delta variant. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1226596-thailand-reports-record-high-new-covid-19-cases-and-deaths-but-even-more-recoveries/

FILE PHOTO: People queue at the Central Vaccination Center as Thailand opens walk-in for first dose of the AstraZeneca vaccination scheme for elders, people with a minimum weight of 100 kilograms and pregnant women amid the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak in Bangkok, Thailand, July 26, 2021. REUTERS/Soe Zeya Tun Thailand's daily COVID-19 cases and deaths both set records again on Friday (Aug 6), as the country continues to battle a surge in infections, the majority of which are of the highly contagious Delta variant. Data from the Ministry of Public Health showed that Thailand reported 21,379 new COVID-19 cases and 191 deaths over the last 24 hours. 484 of the new infections were found among the prison population. There was however a slight degree of optimism in Friday's data, with number of recoveries outnumbering the number of new cases. Health officials said that 22,172 had been discharged from hospital or quarantine facilities having made a full recovery. Friday's new cases brings the total number of cases in Thailand since April 1, the start of the so-called 'third wave' to 685,821, while 212,926 patients are still being treated. Thailand has reported a total of 714,684 cases and 5,854 fatalities since the pandemic began last year. -- © Copyright ASEAN NOW 2021-08-06 - Whatever you're going through, the Samaritans are here for you - Follow ASEAN NOW on LINE for breaking COVID-19 updates

Prachuap Khiri Khan ramps up restrictions on migrant workers, camps Prachuap Khiri Khan has tightened restrictions on migrant workers, construction sites and factories in a bid to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1226587-prachuap-khiri-khan-ramps-up-restrictions-on-migrant-workers-camps/

Prachuap Khiri Khan has tightened restrictions on migrant workers, construction sites and factories in a bid to prevent the spread of COVID-19. With immediate effect, more stringent measures will be imposed and the movement of workers will be prohibited to prevent transmission throughout migrant workers in the province. Mr. Prompiriya Kitnuson, Deputy Governor of Prachuap Khiri Khan Province, told Hua Hin Today that movement of new migrant workers into the province is banned until August 31. Full story: https://www.huahintoday.com/hua-hin-news/prachuap-khiri-khan-ramps-up-restrictions-on-migrant-workers-camps/ -- © Copyright Hua Hin Today 2021-08-06 - Whatever you're going through, the Samaritans are here for you - Follow ASEAN NOW on LINE for breaking COVID-19 updates

Prachuap health officials plead with people not to host parties Health officials have urged people in Hua Hin and throughout Prachuap Khiri Khan to refrain from hosting parties. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1226586-prachuap-health-officials-plead-with-people-not-to-host-parties/

Health officials have urged people in Hua Hin and throughout Prachuap Khiri Khan to refrain from hosting parties. Health officials say that people should not host parties – including small get-togethers at family homes – in order to prevent covid outbreak clusters that are difficult to control. The request to refrain from hosting parties comes direct from provincial health chief Dr. Suriya Kuharat, who on Wednesday described the COVID-19 situation in the province as “very worrisome”. Full story: https://www.huahintoday.com/hua-hin-news/prachuap-health-officials-plead-with-people-not-to-host-parties/ -- © Copyright Hua Hin Today 2021-08-06 - Whatever you're going through, the Samaritans are here for you - Follow ASEAN NOW on LINE for breaking COVID-19 updates

Rattanakorn Market in Pattaya reopens after temporary closure to control Covid -19 Rattanakorn Market reopens this week after one week’s temporary closure to control the spread of the Covid -19 virus, according to Banglamung officials. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1226585-rattanakorn-market-in-pattaya-reopens-after-temporary-closure-to-control-covid-19/

Rattanakorn Market reopens this week after one week’s temporary closure to control the spread of the Covid -19 virus, according to Banglamung officials. The Banglamung District Chief Wuttisak Sainghadachoe ordered the temporary closure of several markets in Banglamung for seven days last week. The Banglamung District Chief ordered the temporary closure of Rattanakorn Market specifically from July 26th to August 1st for a big cleaning, staff Covid-19 testing, and sanitation and training measures. The training included teaching vendors how to take additional precautions against Covid-19 and how to help socially distance potential customers. Full story: https://thepattayanews.com/2021/08/05/rattanakorn-market-in-pattaya-reopens-after-temporary-closure-to-control-covid-19/ -- © Copyright The Pattaya News 2021-08-06 - Whatever you're going through, the Samaritans are here for you - Follow ASEAN NOW on LINE for breaking COVID-19 updates

Penguins missing visitors, say keepers, at locked-down Thai Zoo A penguin plays with a ball as members of the staff try to keep it fit and entertained during their daily waddle, due to lack of visitors following the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) restrictions, at a zoo in Chonburi near Bangkok, Thailand August 5, 2021. REUTERS/Juarawee Kittisilpa CHONBURI, Thailand (Reuters) - The flip flop sound of penguin feet rang out at an empty zoo in Thailand on Thursday as a parade of birds waddled out of their enclosure for their daily splash in a pool to keep them healthy during a COVID-19 lockdown. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1226584-penguins-missing-visitors-say-keepers-at-locked-down-thai-zoo/

A penguin plays with a ball as members of the staff try to keep it fit and entertained during their daily waddle, due to lack of visitors following the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) restrictions, at a zoo in Chonburi near Bangkok, Thailand August 5, 2021. REUTERS/Juarawee Kittisilpa CHONBURI, Thailand (Reuters) - The flip flop sound of penguin feet rang out at an empty zoo in Thailand on Thursday as a parade of birds waddled out of their enclosure for their daily splash in a pool to keep them healthy during a COVID-19 lockdown. Thailand is fighting its biggest coronavirus outbreak yet and has introduced strict movement curbs that have seen many public places, including zoos, shuttered. "I noticed that they felt a bit confused because when they walk out, there's usually a lot of people waiting for them," said Tossapol Kosol, a penguin specialist at the Khao Kheow Open Zoo just outside Bangkok, the Southeast Asian country's capital. "Now when they come out and there's no one here, they sometimes stop to look around, as if they're wondering where all the people have gone," he said. Over the last year, Tossapol and his colleagues at the zoo have had to find ways to exercise the animals despite the lack of visitors. 2021-08-05T144149Z_1_LOV000N4R3WZ7_RTRMADV_STREAM-2000-16X9-MP4_HEALTH-CORONAVIRUS-THAILAND-PENGUINS-MOBILE-READY.mp4 After feeding the 41 penguins 25 kilogrammes (55 pounds) of mackerel, Tossapol and his colleagues march the penguins in unison down a long gangway that leads from their air-conditioned enclosure to an outdoor pool for exercise. Zoo director Tawin Rattanawongsawat said that although he was unable to accept visitors - most of whom would have helped feed the penguins during normal times - life at the zoo had to find a way to carry on, for the welfare of its animals. "There's no visitors these days, so they're being fed by their carers instead," he said. "They must be wondering why it's always the same faces, where are the children and their parents?" "They must be a bit lonely." (Reporting by Juarawee Kittisilpa; Writing by James Pearson; Editing by Alexandra Hudson) -- © Copyright Reuters 2021-08-06 - Whatever you're going through, the Samaritans are here for you - Follow ASEAN NOW on LINE for breaking COVID-19 updates

Swiss tourist dead, believed raped, murdered in Phuket Sandbox The woman’s body was found in a creekbed near the Ao Yon Waterfall. Photo: Eakkapop Thongtub PHUKET: The body of a 57-year-old Swiss woman who is believed to have been raped and murdered was found in a creekbed near the Ao Yon Waterfall in Wichit, on Phuket’s east coast, yesterday afternoon (Aug 5). Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1226582-swiss-tourist-dead-believed-raped-murdered-in-phuket-sandbox/

The woman’s body was found in a creekbed near the Ao Yon Waterfall. Photo: Eakkapop Thongtub PHUKET: The body of a 57-year-old Swiss woman who is believed to have been raped and murdered was found in a creekbed near the Ao Yon Waterfall in Wichit, on Phuket’s east coast, yesterday afternoon (Aug 5). Region 8 Police Commander Lt Gen Kitrat Panpetch held a special press conference at Wichit Police Station last night and confirmed that the woman had arrived on the island on July 13. The woman’s body was found by Nattapong Sridum, 31, a local resident in Wichit. Full story: https://www.thephuketnews.com/swiss-tourist-dead-believed-raped-murdered-80943.php -- © Copyright Phuket News 2021-08-06 - Whatever you're going through, the Samaritans are here for you - Follow ASEAN NOW on LINE for breaking COVID-19 updates

Thailand Live 6 August : https://aseannow.com/topic/1226581-thailand-live-thursday-6-august-2021/

DPM Prawit calls for serious action against fake news BANGKOK (NNT) - The Deputy Prime Minister has ordered serious action be taken against the spread of fake news, instructing police to proceed to the full extent of the law against violators, while urging the public not be deceived or share fraudulent stories. Full Story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1226572-dpm-prawit-calls-for-serious-action-against-fake-news/

Thai Bank Deposit protection cut to 1 million THB Bangkok (NNT) - Thai Banks are to provide deposit protection on only 1 million THB, starting on Aug 11 onwards Full Story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1226573-thai-bank-deposit-protection-cut-to-1-million-thb/

Thailand reports another record high in new COVID-19 cases Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1226485-thailand-reports-another-record-high-in-new-covid-19-cases/

Thailand on Thursday reported 20,920 new COVID-19 cases, another record high for daily new infections. ● 20,658 new infections ● 262 prison / prison infections New deaths: 160 Total infections since April 1: 664,442 Total number: 693,305 cases with 5,663 deaths The news comes as health officials on Wednesday confirmed the Delta variant is now the dominant variant in Thailand, found in 78.2% of cases throughout the country. -- © Copyright ASEAN NOW 2021-08-05 - Whatever you're going through, the Samaritans are here for you - Follow ASEAN NOW on LINE for breaking COVID-19 updates

Beds are seen as the Thai government prepares to convert an air cargo warehouse into a coronavirus disease (COVID-19) field hospital at Don Mueang International Airport in Bangkok, Thailand July 28, 2021. REUTERS/Soe Zeya Tun/Files BANGKOK (Reuters) -Thailand on Sunday extended tighter containment measures in the capital and high-risk provinces probably until the end of August in a bid to slow the spread of COVID-19 as the country deals with its biggest outbreak to date. Thailand reported 18,027 infections and 133 deaths on Sunday, bringing the cumulative total to 615,314 cases and 4,990 fatalities, mostly from an outbreak since April that is being fuelled by the highly transmissible Alpha and Delta variants. The restrictions, including travel curbs, mall closures and curfews, will be expanded to 29 provinces classified as "dark red zone" from 13, Apisamai Srirangsan, spokeswoman for the government's COVID-19 task force, told a televised news briefing. The measures will start on Tuesday for 14 days and will be reviewed on Aug. 18, she said. "If the situation does not improve and is still worrying, the curbs will be extended to Aug. 31," she added. Earlier on Sunday, government sources said the curbs would continue until the end of the month. The number of infections in the provinces is now higher than in Bangkok, so containment measures have to be tightened to curb the spread, Apisamai said. Restaurants in shopping malls will be allowed to open only for deliveries, while construction camps can also resume under "bubble and seal" measures, Apisamai said. Last month, the government called on people to follow the restrictions, warning without cooperation record daily could reach 30,000 under a worse-case scenario. The curbs has hit economic activity, and the finance ministry on Thursday slashed its 2021 economic growth forecast to 1.3% from 2.3% seen earlier. Thailand started its mass vaccination drive in June and aims to inoculate 50 million people by the end of the year. But so far, only 5.8% of its more than 66 million population are fully vaccinated, while about 21% have received at least one dose. (Reporting by Orathai Sriring and Panarat Thepgumpanat Editing by Louise Heavens) -- © Copyright Reuters 2021-08-01 - Whatever you're going through, the Samaritans are here for you - Follow ASEAN NOW on LINE for breaking COVID-19 updates Dark red zone provinces from August 3 Bangkok, Ayutthaya, Chachoengsao, Chonburi, Kanchanaburi, Lopburi, Nakhon Nayok, Nakhon Pathom, Nakhon Ratchasima, Narathiwat, Nonthaburi, Pathum Thani, Pattani, Phetchabun, Phetchaburi, Prachinburi, Prachuap Khiri Khan, Ratchaburi, Rayong, Samut Prakan, Samut Sakhon, Samut Songkhram, Saraburi, Singburi, Songkhla, Suphanburi, Ang Thong,Tak and Yala.

Provincial health chief Dr. Suriya Kuharat has urged people living in Prachuap Khiri Khan province to register to receive a COVID-19 as soon as possible. Dr. Suriya said the sooner people register, the sooner they can receive the vaccine and herd immunity can be built throughout the province. However, for expats in Hua Hin, actually being able to register for a vaccine is easier said than done, especially for people aged under 60. Full story: https://www.huahintoday.com/hua-hin-news/as-prachuap-battles-five-covid-19-clusters-locals-urged-to-register-for-vaccines/ -- © Copyright Hua Hin Today 2021-08-01 - Whatever you're going through, the Samaritans are here for you - Follow ASEAN NOW on LINE for breaking COVID-19 updates

Two executives of the Maya pub, in Thailand’s Hua Hin resort town, which was the epicenter of cluster of over 1,000 COVID-19 infections following an illegal concert held there in March, have been sentenced to three months in prison without suspension by the Prachuap Khiri Khan provincial court, said the provincial governor, Mr. Pallop Sinhaseni today (Saturday). The company which owns the pub, Maya Music Entertainment Company, was also fined 40,000 baht by for breaches of the Communicable Disease Act, while the two executives, Chalee Srithongkul and Komkrit Pilakong, were personally fined 20,000 baht each. Both Chalee and Komkrit were released on bail of 30,000 baht each. Full story: https://www.thaipbsworld.com/two-executives-of-hua-hin-pub-blamed-for-covid-19-cluster-get-3-months-in-prison/ -- © Copyright Thai PBS 2021-08-01 - Whatever you're going through, the Samaritans are here for you - Follow ASEAN NOW on LINE for breaking COVID-19 updates

A new vaccine registration website for foreigners in Thailand will open on August 1, it has been announced. According to a post on the Thai government's official Facebook page, the new registration website, which is available at: https://expatvac.consular.go.th/ will live go live on Sunday morning. "A new platform for COVID-19 vaccine registration for foreign residents of all age groups in all provinces in Thailand will be available on 1 August 2021 at 11.00 a.m" "Foreign nationals aged 60 - 74 who have already registered with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ website will have their records moved to this new vaccination site soon", the post reads. No information on who will able to register for the vaccines, or if certain groups will be prioritised, was available at the time of posting. The schedule of when vaccines will be administered and which vaccine doses will be used was also not known. The news comes as the Prime Minister on Friday confirmed that some of the Pfizer vaccines recently donated by the United States will be given to foreigners in Thailand. -- © Copyright ASEAN NOW 2021-08-01 - Whatever you're going through, the Samaritans are here for you - Follow ASEAN NOW on LINE for breaking COVID-19 updates