snoop1130

As many as 3,000 Thai minors catching COVID-19 every day Between 2,000 and 3,000 under 18 year olds are now getting infected with COVID-19 every day, compared to just 366 per week in the first three months of this year, according to Dr. Somsak Akkasilp, director general of Thailand’s Medical Services Department. Full Story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1227713-as-many-as-3000-thai-minors-catching-covid-19-every-day/

Between 2,000 and 3,000 under 18 year olds are now getting infected with COVID-19 every day, compared to just 366 per week in the first three months of this year, according to Dr. Somsak Akkasilp, director general of Thailand’s Medical Services Department. New daily infections, across all age groups in the country, currently average about 20,000. He attributed the surge of infections among minors to increased infections in families, as he cited findings by the Queen Sirikit National Institute of Child Health showing that most of the severe cases among youngsters have genetic diseases, such as brain or heart disease, or are bed-ridden, which require them to be treated in general hospitals, exposing them to greater risk of infection. Full Story: https://www.thaipbsworld.com/as-many-as-3000-thai-minors-catching-covid-19-every-day/ -- © Copyright Thai PBS 2021-08-16 - Whatever you're going through, the Samaritans are here for you - Follow ASEAN NOW on LINE for breaking COVID-19 updates

Volunteers of the Animal Defenders feed rescued dogs at their shelter in Parung, Bogor, West Java province, Indonesia, August 9, 2021. Picture taken August 9, 2021. REUTERS/Adi Kurniawan BOGOR, Indonesia (Reuters) - Four-year-old Indonesian pitbull Gledis was home alone for two days without food when a group of volunteers found her. She is among many pets left behind when their owners tested positive for COVID-19 and were hospitalised or placed in isolation. With more than 3.7 million confirmed cases and over 100,000 deaths, Indonesia is battling one of the worst coronavirus epidemics in Asia. The "AD-19 programme" launched last month by rights group Animal Defender helps pets left in limbo while their owners deal with coronavirus infections. The pets picked up by Animal Defender usually get a checkup before going to an existing animal shelter. The AD-19 programme has in the past month added 40 dogs and four cats to more than 160 guests already at the shelter. Founder Doni Herdaru Tona has been selling homemade food and clothes for cats and dogs to raise cash for the care of the unsupervised pets. His shelter costs about 120 million rupiah ($8,340) to run each month. No donations or payments are accepted from owners. Concerns about virus transmission from animal to human also complicated the situation and meant many pets were abandoned, Doni said. Veterinarian Magda Rumawas said people should not be overly worried and recommends COVID-19 patients in self-isolation keep pets by their side to ease anxiety. "They can keep people entertained and they can help to reduce stress, which is good. But my advice is, do not hug and kiss the dogs," Magda said. The AD-19 rescue mission is tailored to the needs of pet owners, and includes bathing, feeding and the cleaning of cages. "We will do everything according to the owner's request," said Doni. Usually pets are returned to their owners upon their recovery. But in some cases, owners do not return. "The scariest part is our mobile phone is mostly filled by reports of owners who had passed away, and their pets are abandoned," said Doni. -- © Copyright Reuters 2021-08-16

FILE PHOTO: Indonesian President Joko Widodo gestures during an interview with Reuters at the presidential palace in Jakarta, Indonesia, November 13, 2020. REUTERS/Willy Kurniawan JAKARTA (Reuters) - Indonesia's president on Monday proposed a $188 billion budget for 2022 with a narrowing fiscal deficit and higher growth targets, but some analysts warn uncertainties over the COVID-19 pandemic could push the budget plans off the rails. In his budget speech, President Joko Widodo told parliament the theme of next year's budget would be to accelerate the economic recovery from the pandemic and strengthen structural reforms, with controlling COVID-19 still a main focus. The 2022 budget proposal, amounting to 2,708.7 trillion rupiah ($188.30 billion), was slightly bigger than the 2,697.2 trillion rupiah spending predicted for this year. The 2022 economic growth target was set in a range of 5% to 5.5%, up from 2021's 3.7% to 4.5% estimate. The economy shrank by 2.1% last year, the first contraction since 1998. "We will utilise all resources...to control the pandemic," Jokowi, as the president is popularly known, said. The budget proposal called for a deficit target of 4.85% of GDP, compared with this year's revised deficit forecast of 5.82%. Jokowi said the government was on track to bring the deficit down to under 3% in 2023 https://www.reuters.com/article/indonesia-economy-idINL4N2PD205 to comply with current laws. Josua Pardede, an economist with Bank Permata, said there was downside risk to the growth target if there was another wave of COVID-19 cases amid low vaccination rates. "We project that the fiscal deficit will not be able to return to under 3% in 2023 because interest payments for debt will remain high and this cannot be offset significantly yet by tax revenues," he added. Rating agencies have warned any loosening of Indonesia's hard-won fiscal discipline could bode ill for its credit ratings. Bhima Yudhistira, a director at the Center of Economic and Law Studies, said the budget assumptions were "inconsistent and unrealistic", with a rupiah at 14,350 per dollar and 10-year bond yield at 6.82%, near current levels, even as the U.S. Federal Reserve looks set to taper asset purchases. A tightening of U.S. monetary policy will likely trigger outflows from emerging markets. Southeast Asia's largest economy pulled out of recession https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/indonesia-exits-recession-with-7-gdp-growth-q2-virus-clouds-recovery-2021-08-05 in the second quarter, but COVID-19 mobility restrictions imposed since early July will undermine momentum. For next year, Jokowi proposed 255.3 trillion rupiah in health spending, including on testing, tracing and treatment of COVID-19 and vaccinations, as well as 427.5 trillion rupiah for welfare and 384.8 trillion rupiah for infrastructure. Jokowi targeted a 6% increase in revenues next year, though he did not mention any specific tax measures, despite an ongoing debate in parliament on proposals to raise some taxes. To fund the 2022 deficit, the government has proposed 991.3 trillion rupiah of bond issuance, excluding for refinancing, buybacks and short-term treasury notes. Parliament is expected to vote on the budget in late September or early October. -- © Copyright Reuters 2021-08-16

FILE PHOTO: People receive a coronavirus disease (COVID-19) vaccine dose at Pakansari Stadium in Bogor, on the outskirts of Jakarta, Indonesia August 14, 2021, in this photo taken by Antara Foto/Yulius Satria Wijaya via REUTERS JAKARTA (Reuters) - Indonesian President Joko Widodo said on Monday during his annual state of the nation speech the country must "strike a balance" between health and economic interests amid a surge in COVID-19 cases in Southeast Asia's biggest economy. "The pandemic has indeed significantly slowed down our economic growth, but it must not hinder the process of structural reforms of our economy," the president said in the speech to parliament. Struggling with a surge in infections driven by the Delta variant, Indonesia has become Asia's epicentre for COVID-19, with hospitals overwhelmed at times and the daily death toll recently the highest globally with total fatalities topping 100,000. -- © Copyright Reuters 2021-08-16

This file photo shows the Bureau of Immigration main office in Intramuros, Manila. Bureau of Immigration Facebook Page MANILA, Philippines — The number of arrested foreign national fugitives in the country in the first half of 2021 is still down amid continuing COVID-19 restrictions, the Bureau of Immigration on Monday reported. BI in a statement said operatives arrested 28 foreign fugitives in January to June 2021. The number is lower than records from the same period in 2020, where operatives nabbed 32 wanted foreign nationals. Immigration Commissioner Jaime Morente said: “While admittedly we had much difficulty as our field operatives face exposure to virus, our officers remain steadfast in their duty to cleanse the country of these unwanted aliens.” Full Story: https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2021/08/16/2120390/immigration-bureau-reports-28-foreign-fugitives-arrested-half-2021 -- © Copyright Philstar 2021-08-16

FILE PHOTO: Philippine Health Secretary Francisco Duque holds a flowchart for the COVID-19 vaccine simulation during a press briefing at the Research Institute for Tropical Medicine in Muntinlupa, Metro Manila, Philippines, February 9, 2021. REUTERS/Eloisa Lopez/File Photo MANILA (Reuters) - The Philippine health minister, facing questions over more than $1 billion in COVID-19 spending, denied on Saturday that any money was "stolen", as his department vowed to account for every peso. The country is battling one of Asia's worst coronavirus outbreaks, and the spread of the virulent Delta variant is overwhelming hospitals and healthcare workers https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/philippines-extends-travel-ban-10-countries-over-delta-concerns-2021-08-13, some of which have warned of mass resignations over unpaid allowances. "You will be assured that no money went into corruption. None was stolen. I am sure of that," Health Secretary Francisco Duque told DZMM radio on Saturday. The state auditor has flagged "deficiencies" involving 67.3 billion pesos ($1.33 billion), casting doubts on the regularity of related transactions in the country's pandemic response. The health ministry said it will submit its explanation, including required documents, to the state auditor next week, ahead of a Sept. 27 deadline. The Philippines on Saturday recorded 14,249 new COVID-19 infections, its second-biggest daily increase, and 233 additional deaths. The positivity rate was a record high, with a quarter of the nearly 53,000 people tested confirmed positive. With more than 1.71 million infections and 29,838 deaths, the Philippines has the second-highest COVID-19 cases and fatalities in Southeast Asia, next to Indonesia. The Manila capital region, an urban sprawl of 16 cities that is home to more than 13 million people, remains under a strict lockdown to contain the spread of the Delta variant. Only around 11% of the country's 110 million people are fully immunised. Nearly a quarter of the country's 1,291 hospitals are at the critical risk level - with occupancy rates at or above 85% - government data showed. Small hospitals near the capital region are getting overwhelmed by surging cases. A 50-bed public hospital in Binan city south of the capital is trying to treat 100 to 200 patients, most of them in corridors and tents separated by curtains in the parking lot, Dr. Melbril Alonte, its medical director, told DZMM radio "The sad truth is patients continue to increase and there are no signs of it easing," Alonte said, adding that the facility's nurses and doctors are already getting sick from exhaustion. Dozens of nurses could resign over months of unpaid special risk allowance, Jocelyn Andamo, secretary general of the Filipino Nurses United, told Reuters. Healthcare workers will hold a nationwide protest next week, she said. -- © Copyright Reuters 2021-08-16

FILE PHOTO: A 3D-printed Facebook logo is seen placed on a keyboard in this illustration taken March 25, 2020. REUTERS/Dado Ruvic/Illustration/File Photo/File Photo WASHINGTON (Reuters) -Facebook Inc and Amazon.com Inc have asked the U.S. government for approval to operate a new undersea data cable between the Philippines and California after China Mobile agreed to exit the plan, a government agency said on Friday. The two companies told the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) they intend to start commercial operation by late 2022 and said the new data connection will provide significant new capacity on routes where capacity demand continues to increase substantially each year. The companies in a joint filing said the new cable will help to support Facebook applications and provide Amazon and its affiliates with capacity to support Amazon’s cloud services and connect its data centers. A Facebook spokeswoman said the project parties agreed "the best path forward to complete the construction and bring the... cable system into operation was to restructure the system ownership, allowing the parties to deliver on the goal of bringing connectivity to more people and regions." Amazon and China Mobile did not immediately respond to requests for comment. The United States has repeatedly expressed concerns about China’s role in handling network traffic and potential for espionage. Around 300 subsea cables form the backbone of the internet, carrying 99% of the world’s data traffic. In September 2020, Facebook, Amazon and China Mobile withdrew their application to connect San Francisco and Hong Kong as part of the Bay to Bay Express Cable System. In March, Facebook withdrew a separate FCC application for a Hong Kong to California cable. In April 2020, the FCC approved Alphabet Inc unit Google's request to use part of a U.S.-Asia undersea telecommunications cable, that excluded Hong Kong, after U.S. agencies raised national security concerns. Google agreed to operate a portion of this 8,000-mile (12,875-km) Pacific Light Cable Network System between the United States and Taiwan, but not to Hong Kong. Google and Facebook helped to pay for construction of the completed link but U.S. regulators have blocked its use. The companies in August 2020 abandoned the proposal to use the Hong Kong portion. In May 2019, the FCC voted unanimously to deny China Mobile the right to provide services in the United States, citing risks that the Chinese government could use the approval to conduct espionage against the U.S. government. -- © Copyright Reuters 2021-08-16

Chonburi Governor orders more Covid-19 related temporary targeted closures: company and dormitories The Chonburi Governor, Phakkhrathon Thianchai, has announced yesterday (August 15th) the temporary closure of a company and dormitories in Ban Bueng. Full Story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1227697-chonburi-governor-orders-more-covid-19-related-temporary-targeted-closures-company-and-dormitories/

The Chonburi Governor, Phakkhrathon Thianchai, has announced yesterday (August 15th) the temporary closure of a company and dormitories in Ban Bueng. The order was posted by the Chonburi Public Relations office last night. The orders conclude, “Many Covid -19 confirmed cases were being found at companies and dormitories in the Ban Bueng area. “In order to control the spread of the virus, the Chonburi communicable disease committee has ordered the following temporary closure of the places below.” -- © Copyright The Pattaya News 2021-08-16 - Whatever you're going through, the Samaritans are here for you - Follow ASEAN NOW on LINE for breaking COVID-19 updates

FILE PHOTO: Malaysia's Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin wearing a protective mask arrives at a mosque for prayers, amid the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak in Putrajaya, Malaysia August 28, 2020. REUTERS/Lim Huey Teng/File Photo (Reuters) - Malaysian Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin resigned https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/malaysian-pm-expected-resign-after-months-political-turmoil-2021-08-16 on Monday citing a lack of parliamentary support, but agreed with the king to remain caretaker premier until a government can be formed. Following is reaction from political and market analysts: NIK AHMAD KAMAL NIK MAHMOD, LAW EXPERT, INTERNATIONAL ISLAMIC UNIVERSITY OF MALAYSIA "The king will have to wait until he can find a replacement, someone who can command the majority in parliament. It might take a few days or weeks." "If it will take more than a month then it will raise a lot of issues, especially when there is no clear-cut definition on what are the powers and limits of a caretaker prime minister." "All the political parties are divided. There is no one currently who could command a majority, so they are now coercing each other to support the candidate that they are putting forward. "If things prolong and cannot be resolved in the immediate future, then that need to appoint a cabinet may arise as Muhyiddin will not be able to deal with all of the matters affecting the country." "The king will be waiting for people to come and see him and prove that they have a majority. The other option that he has is to call for the parliament to convene and have a vote of confidence for each of the candidates." BRIDGET WELSH, ASIA RESEARCH INSTITUTE, UNIVERSITY OF NOTTINGHAM, MALAYSIA "It's difficult to predict. But now, (the king) has probably got a good sense of who the major players are, so perhaps what he might do is to meet with them. And it depends on how they can deliver the numbers ... it might also give Muhyiddin a chance to regroup and get his own numbers as well. "As he has resigned, Muhyiddin shouldn't be in the caretaker position for a long time. Malaysia's international reputation has been affected, so there is considerable pressure to find an acceptable leader ... The sooner Malaysia gets a new, non-Muhyiddin government, the better." WELLIAN WIRANTO, ECONOMIST, OCBC BANK, SINGAPORE "While there have been some market movements, including the ringgit (currency) weakening, the degree remains small and discreet. "Still, at a time when COVID-19 remains prevalent and the economy has lost momentum, even if the situation is unresolved, the market would want to see at least some pathways out of the political quagmire that Malaysia has landed itself in." ABHAY GUPTA, EMERGING ASIA FIXED INCOME AND FX STRATEGIST, BANK OF AMERICA SECURITIES, SINGAPORE "The two key issues for Malaysian assets are firstly, how long it takes to resolve the crisis and secondly, the stability of the new regime, rather than which political party comes to power. "The overall impact would be determined by duration of the political vacuum but we believe Malaysia has well developed institutions ... which could cushion the impact on the economy if an adverse scenario materialises." PETER MUMFORD, EURASIA GROUP PRACTICE HEAD, SOUTHEAST AND SOUTH ASIA "Deputy Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob is well-positioned to succeed Muhyiddin, given his number two position in government and the fact he is from the pro-Muhyiddin wing of UMNO (United Malays National Organisation), making him more palatable to Bersatu (Muhyiddin's party). "However, UMNO is divided over who should be the next prime minister. "If all UMNO and Bersatu MPs are on board, as well as the other parties ... then the 'new' government would have 115 MPs - a small majority, meaning political instability risks will not be dramatically reduced by Muhyiddin's resignation. "(Opposition leader) Anwar Ibrahim is currently less well placed to seize the crown — though this may become conceivable if UMNO and Bersatu cannot agree on a new prime minister." -- © Copyright Reuters 2021-08-16

ChulaCov19 Vaccine as Effective as Pfizer’s BANGKOK, Aug 16 (TNA) – The ChulaCov19 vaccine proved to be as effective as the Pfizer vaccine when it comes to antibody stimulation to fight COVID-19, according to its developers. Full Story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1227693-chulacov19-vaccine-as-effective-as-pfizer’s/

BANGKOK, Aug 16 (TNA) – The ChulaCov19 vaccine proved to be as effective as the Pfizer vaccine when it comes to antibody stimulation to fight COVID-19, according to its developers. King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital, the Thai Red Cross Society and the Chula Vaccine Research Center announced the achievement of their ChulaCov19, Thailand’s first mRNA COVID-19 vaccine, after the first phase of its clinical trials with Thai volunteers on June 24. They developed the vaccine together with the University of Pennsylvania. Full Story: https://tna.mcot.net/english-news-759426 -- © Copyright TNA 2021-08-166 - Whatever you're going through, the Samaritans are here for you - Follow ASEAN NOW on LINE for breaking COVID-19 updates

Over 500 tourists join Samui Plus SAMUI (NNT) - The president of the Tourism Association of Koh Samui, said today that Samui Plus is already a successful project. Over 500 tourists have joined the program. Full Story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1227692-over-500-tourists-join-samui-plus/

SAMUI (NNT) - The president of the Tourism Association of Koh Samui, said today that Samui Plus is already a successful project. Over 500 tourists have joined the program. It is now a month since the cabinet gave its approval for Samui island to follow the Phuket Sandbox scheme, allowing the “Samui Plus model” to welcome vaccinated foreign tourists to the island. According to the statistics, there are already 500 visitors comprising 320 tourists from European countries, and a further 257 who traveled from Phuket. Of the total number of visitors, two of them were found to have been infected with Covid-19 but had now recovered. A closer look at Chaweng เฉวง beach, reveals tourists who have finished their 14 days of quarantine and returned a negative test result, now enjoying the surrounding area bringing activity to streets and beaches that had been silent for a year. It is expected that more tourists will be coming to the island almost every day via Bangkok Airways, as 20 tourists flew in yesterday. Ratchaporn Poolsawad, the president of the Tourism Association of Koh Samui, has acknowledged that with the number of tourists still low, it is likely that only about 60 million baht had been spent on the Samui Plus project so far. However, Samui tourism is expected to welcome more tourists who have traveled on from Phuket. He also confirmed that Samui Plus is able to secure safety for all and asks all tourists to maintain the present hygienic measures. -- © Copyright NNT 2021-08-16 - Whatever you're going through, the Samaritans are here for you - Follow ASEAN NOW on LINE for breaking COVID-19 updates

PM Prayut concerned about spread of fake news BANGKOK (NNT) - Prime Minister and Defense Minister, Gen. Prayut Chan-o-cha, has expressed his concern about the spread of fake news, and has instructed all units to monitor and clarify information within 24 hours to prevent public misunderstanding. Full Story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1227691-pm-prayut-concerned-about-spread-of-fake-news/

BANGKOK (NNT) - Prime Minister and Defense Minister, Gen. Prayut Chan-o-cha, has expressed his concern about the spread of fake news, and has instructed all units to monitor and clarify information within 24 hours to prevent public misunderstanding. Deputy Government Spokeswoman, Traisuree Taisaranakul, said today that Gen. Prayut is following up on the order to have all government agencies set up centers to correct fake news and distorted reports, to provide facts to the public in a timely manner. Due to the spread of fake news and distorted information, the Prime Minister has instructed each ministry to set up its own anti-fake news center, to continually check and verify news and information, particularly on social media. The centers operated by each ministry or government agency are required to clarify and provide facts within 24 hours Ms. Traisuree said the Prime Minister’s order is aimed at helping people receive correct information and to prevent misunderstandings, panic and anxiety, especially during the COVID-19 situation, where numerous fake news items and false information are spread online. The related agencies have to check the reports and provide factual information to the people. Ms. Traisuree added that the Prime Minister has thanked the press and online media, including influencers, for presenting facts to the public, while urging the public to follow the news from credible sources. If they are uncertain, they should check various sources to be sure of the truth before sharing the news. -- © Copyright NNT 2021-08-16 - Whatever you're going through, the Samaritans are here for you - Follow ASEAN NOW on LINE for breaking COVID-19 updates

Thailand’s exports of historically high value in Q22021 BANGKOK (NNT) - The value of Thailand’s exports in the second quarter of 2021 was recorded at 67.8 billion USD - an historically high level. Exports increased 36.2 percent - the most recorded in 44 quarters - from 5.0-percent growth in the previous quarter, according to the Office of the National Economic and Social Development Council. Full Story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1227690-thailand’s-exports-of-historically-high-value-in-q22021/

BANGKOK (NNT) - The value of Thailand’s exports in the second quarter of 2021 was recorded at 67.8 billion USD - an historically high level. Exports increased 36.2 percent - the most recorded in 44 quarters - from 5.0-percent growth in the previous quarter, according to the Office of the National Economic and Social Development Council. Export items of increased value included passenger cars (89.1 percent), pickups & trucks (190.5 percent), vehicle parts & accessories (102.2 percent), electrical equipment (24.6 percent), computers and parts (37.6 percent), rubber products (40.0 percent), rubber (97.3 percent), and cassava (48.2 percent). The Thai Economy in the second quarter of 2021 increased 7.5 percent, compared to a 2.6-percent contraction in the previous quarter. After being seasonally adjusted, the economy grew by 0.4 percent from the first quarter. In the first half of 2021, the Thai economy expanded by 2.0 percent. Meanwhile, accommodation and food service activities contracted by 17.2 percent, further declining from 37.1-percent in the preceding period. The number of foreign tourists dropped 99.4 percent and the average occupancy rate was 12.20 percent. On economic stability, the unemployment rate was 1.9 percent, slightly lower than 2.0 percent in the previous quarter and also 2.0 percent in the same quarter last year. At the end of June 2021, international reserves stood at 247 billion USD and public debt was at 8.83 trillion Baht or 56.1 percent of GDP. The Thai economy in 2021 is expected to grow in the range of 0.7 – 1.2 percent, recovering from a 6.1-percent contraction in 2020, and revised down from the range of 1.5 – 2.5 percent in the previous projection (as of May 17th, 2021). Economic growth over the remainder of the year is likely to be subject to the following vital limitations and risks, including uncertainty arising from the new wave of the COVID-19 pandemic, the fragile financial position of both households and businesses amid a high unemployment rate, with additional impact from the resurgence of COVID-19, risks affecting exports, and the manufacturing sector being affected by an outbreak of the virus in industrial areas, coupled with the constraints on the global value chain and international logistics, and volatility in the global economic and financial situation. Policy management in the remaining months of 2021 should put an emphasis on containing the domestic outbreak, providing remedial assistance to affected people, implementing measures to support economic recovery once the outbreak can be contained, by focusing on policy to promote domestic spending and the tourism sector, preparing areas for a resumption of economic activities, implementing surveillance measures to prevent a resurgence of the new outbreak, and helping entrepreneurs to resume their usual business operations, encouraging the export of goods, maintaining growth momentum with government expenditure and public investment, stimulating private investment and preserving the domestic political environment, as well as maintaining economic stability. -- © Copyright NNT 2021-08-16 - Whatever you're going through, the Samaritans are here for you - Follow ASEAN NOW on LINE for breaking COVID-19 updates

Corruption watchdog asked to investigate Pfizer vaccinations at Bhumibol Hospital The National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) is being urged to investigate allegedly suspicious inoculations at Bhumibol Hospital, using US-donated Pfizer vaccine intended for medics. Full Story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1227683-corruption-watchdog-asked-to-investigate-pfizer-vaccinations-at-bhumibol-hospital/

How COVID-19 has changed the way we shop The ongoing outbreak is affecting our lives in various ways and going to grocery shopping is no exception. Gone are days when we stopped at a supermarket to pick up a few things on the way home from work. Equally, there’s no more dropping by the fresh market in the neighborhood in the vague hope the stalls might still have some tasty fruit and veg left. Full Story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1227680-how-covid-19-has-changed-the-way-we-shop/

The National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) is being urged to investigate allegedly suspicious inoculations at Bhumibol Hospital, using US-donated Pfizer vaccine intended for medics. Well-known activist Srisuwan Janya, from the Thai Constitution Protection Association, submitted a petition to the NACC, demanding that it probe the conduct of the director of Bhumibol Hospital and the chief of the Directorate of Medical Services of the Royal Air Force (RTAF) over an allegation, by a nurse at the hospital, that her name was deleted from the list of medics to be inoculated and that several names on the list are duplicates. Srisuwan claims that his own investigation found that the list was printed in alphabetical order, instead of by priority, and that there are duplicate names with some names replaced by numerals. He also claimed that the hospital was allocated more vaccine doses than the number of medical personnel and that several of them have not been given their third booster jabs. Full Story: https://www.thaipbsworld.com/corruption-watchdog-asked-to-investigate-pfizer-vaccinations-at-bhumibol-hospital/ -- © Copyright Thai PBS 2021-08-16 - Whatever you're going through, the Samaritans are here for you - Follow ASEAN NOW on LINE for breaking COVID-19 updates

The ongoing outbreak is affecting our lives in various ways and going to grocery shopping is no exception. Gone are days when we stopped at a supermarket to pick up a few things on the way home from work. Equally, there’s no more dropping by the fresh market in the neighborhood in the vague hope the stalls might still have some tasty fruit and veg left. With the lockdowns and curfews in Thailand’s capital and other red zone provinces, our grocery shopping has changed dramatically. The changes are also fuelled by the fact that a lot of Thai consumers have turned to cyberspace to shop since the pandemic hit more than a year ago. No one can predict how long these changes will last or whether they will continue once the COVID crisis is over. But many of the ways we’ve adapted our grocery shopping are likely here to stay. Full Story: https://www.thaipbsworld.com/how-covid-19-has-changed-the-way-we-shop/ -- © Copyright Thai PBS 2021-08-16 - Whatever you're going through, the Samaritans are here for you - Follow ASEAN NOW on LINE for breaking COVID-19 updates

Thailand needs $30 billion more to help virus-hit economy - central bank chief FILE PHOTO: Thai baht notes are seen at a Kasikornbank in Bangkok, Thailand, May 12, 2016. REUTERS/Athit Perawongmetha BANGKOK (Reuters) - Thailand needs a further 1 trillion baht ($29.9 billion) to help support jobs and income losses, its central bank's governor said on Monday, as the country struggles with its biggest COVID-19 outbreak to date. Full Story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1227679-thailand-needs-30-billion-more-to-help-virus-hit-economy-central-bank-chief/

FILE PHOTO: Thai baht notes are seen at a Kasikornbank in Bangkok, Thailand, May 12, 2016. REUTERS/Athit Perawongmetha BANGKOK (Reuters) - Thailand needs a further 1 trillion baht ($29.9 billion) to help support jobs and income losses, its central bank's governor said on Monday, as the country struggles with its biggest COVID-19 outbreak to date. The projected amount equivalent to 7% of GDP "is reasonable" given the problems the economy is facing, Bank of Thailand Governor Sethaput Suthiwartnarueput told a news conference. -- © Copyright Reuters 2021-08-16 - Whatever you're going through, the Samaritans are here for you - Follow ASEAN NOW on LINE for breaking COVID-19 updates