THAILAND LIVE Thailand Live Tuesday 3 Mar 2020

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Thailand tourist arrivals may drop six million this year due to coronavirus - tourism authority

 

 

BANGKOK (Reuters) - The number of foreign tourists in Thailand may fall by 6 million this year to 33.8 million, the lowest in four years, due to growing fears over the coronavirus outbreak, the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) said on Monday.

 

Full Story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1151273-thailand-tourist-arrivals-may-drop-six-million-this-year-due-to-coronavirus-tourism-authority/

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Phuket Poll: Should tourists cancel their holiday in Phuket?

By The Phuket News

 

Tourists are screened on arrival at Phuket International Airport. Photo: PR Dept

 

PHUKET:-- With news of the COVID-19 coronavirus dominating headlines worldwide and Thailand suffering its first death over the weekend, fears of the virus spreading has been as contagious as the virus itself.

 

Full Story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1151289-phuket-poll-should-tourists-cancel-their-holiday-in-phuket/

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Ministry expands Covid-19 measures on schools

By The Nation

 

Permanent Secretary and Spokesperson Prasert Boonruang

 

As a measure to contain the Covid-19 outbreak, the Ministry of Education ordered affiliated authorities to sanitise areas in schools and educational institutions nationwide and strictly follow the ministry’s instructions.

 

Full Story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1151297-ministry-expands-covid-19-measures-on-schools/

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Cooperative Promotion Department instructed to urgently support fruit production

By THE NATION

 

 

Agricultural and Cooperatives Deputy Minister Mananya Thaiset has ordered the Cooperative Promotion Department to support and promote fruit production to tackle the impact on the fruit trade amid the Covid-19 coronavirus.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1151329-cooperative-promotion-department-instructed-to-urgently-support-fruit-production/

 

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Remedial measures for SME bank customers

By THE NATION

 

 

The Small and Medium Enterprise Development Bank of Thailand has contacted its customers nationwide, suggesting remedial measures for them amid Covid-19, bank president Nartnaree Rathapat said.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1151330-remedial-measures-for-sme-bank-customers/

 

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Department proposes cut in rental, parking, landing fees at 28 airports

By THE NATION

 

Tawee Gasisam-ang (Photo credit: Department of Airport website)

 

The Department of Airports will ask the Transport Ministry this week to consider its proposal to cut aviation fees at its 28 airports to ease the burden on airlines and businesses suffering from the impact of the Covid-19 outbreak, said director-general Tawee Gasisam-ang on Monday (March 2).

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1151331-department-proposes-cut-in-rental-parking-landing-fees-at-28-airports/

 

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Ministry to step up on business relief packages

By THE NATION

 

Tourism and Sports Minister Pipat Ratchakitprakarn

 

The Finance Ministry will hasten launch of new relief packages for businesses hit hard by impact of the Covid-19 outbreak, said minister Uttama Savanayana on Monday (March 2).

 

Full story: hhttps://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1151332-ministry-to-step-up-on-business-relief-packages/

 

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THAI losses Bt12 billion in 2019

By THE NATION

 

 

Thai Airways International (THAI) and its affiliates witnessed a net loss of Bt12.017 billion in 2019, Bt448 million – or 3.9 per cent – higher than the previous year, the airline announced today (March 2). This translates to Bt5.52 loss per share, Bt0.19 higher than the previous year, or 3.6 per cent.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1151333-thai-losses-bt12-billion-in-2019/

 

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Raid on junk shop suspected of recycling used face masks

 

 

Public health officials and police raided a junk shop in Wiharn Daeng district of Thailand’s central province of Saraburi today and seized tens of thousands used and recycled face masks.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1151334-saraburi-raid-on-junk-shop-suspected-of-recycling-used-face-masks/

 

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NHSC to seek 3.5 billion baht to cope with COVID-19

 

 

The National Health Security Committee (NHSC) is to seek cabinet approval tomorrow (Tuesday) for 3.5 billion baht from the Central Fund, to be used in coping with COVID-19 situation over the next seven months, Public Health Minister Anutin Charnvirakul said today.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1151335-nhsc-to-seek-35-billion-baht-to-cope-with-covid-19/

 

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Thailand asks to negotiate with China on antiviral drug to treat COVID-19

 

   

BANGKOK (NNT) - A meeting between the Deputy Prime Minister and Public Health Minister, Anutin Charnvirakul, and the Charg d’Affaires of the Chinese Embassy in Thailand, Yang Xin, discussed measures and cooperation to address the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1151337-thailand-asks-to-negotiate-with-china-on-antiviral-drug-to-treat-covid-19/

 

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Chained-up monkey forced to lift weights and do sit-ups in tourist show training

Ning Nong the monkey is forced to lift weights, do sit-ups and slam-dunk balls in temperatures soaring higher than 30C as it trains to perform for tourists in Phuket, Thailand

 

The monkey named Ning Nong is forced to do weights training at a zoo in Thailand (Image: PetaAsia via ViralPress)

 

Heartbreaking footage shows a monkey being forced to lift weights and do press-ups while training to entertain tourists.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1151338-chained-up-monkey-forced-to-lift-weights-and-do-sit-ups-in-tourist-show-training-in-phuket/

 

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Netanyahu set to declare narrow victory in Israeli election - party spokesman

By Jeffrey Heller

 

FILE PHOTO: A combination photo shows Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Jerusalem February 9, 2020 and Benny Gantz, leader of Blue and White in Tel Aviv, Israel February 17, 2020. REUTERS/Ronen Zvulun, Amir Cohen/File Photo

 

JERUSALEM (Reuters) - Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu planned to declare victory in Israel's election on Monday, a spokesman for his party said, after television exit polls showed him just a seat short of a governing majority in parliament.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1151339-netanyahu-set-to-declare-narrow-victory-in-israeli-election-party-spokesman/

 

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Italy coronavirus deaths jump to 52, cases climb above 2,000

By Gavin Jones and Angelo Amante

 

Very few people are seen in the area surrounding the Colosseum, which would usually be full of tourists, in Rome, Italy, March 2, 2020. Italy's tourism industry has been affected by a coronavirus outbreak, with hotels reporting mass cancellations even in cities with few or no cases of the virus. REUTERS/Remo Casilli

 

ROME (Reuters) - The death toll from coronavirus in Italy jumped to 52 on Monday from 34 the day before and the total number of confirmed cases in Europe's worst affected country climbed past the 2,000 mark.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1151340-italy-coronavirus-deaths-jump-to-52-cases-climb-above-2000/

 

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Klobuchar, Buttigieg to back Biden at rally in Super Tuesday state of Texas

By Trevor Hunnicutt and Jarrett Renshaw

 

FILE PHOTO: Former Vice President Joe Biden and Senator Amy Klobuchar listen as former South Bend Mayor Pete Buttigieg speaks at the ninth Democratic 2020 U.S. Presidential candidates debate at the Paris Theater in Las Vegas Nevada, U.S., February 19, 2020. REUTERS/Mike Blake/File Photo

 

HOUSTON (Reuters) - Former Vice President Joe Biden's Democratic presidential bid picked up steam on Monday as he was set to pick up the endorsements of two former 2020 rivals - Amy Klobuchar and Pete Buttigieg - on the eve of the crucial Super Tuesday primary elections.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1151341-klobuchar-buttigieg-to-back-biden-at-rally-in-super-tuesday-state-of-texas/

 

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U.S. Supreme Court rejects challenge to ban on gun 'bump stocks'

By Andrew Chung

 

FILE PHOTO: A bump fire stock that attaches to a semi-automatic rifle to increase the firing rate is seen at Good Guys Gun Shop in Orem, Utah, U.S., October 4, 2017. REUTERS/George Frey/File Photo

 

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The U.S. Supreme Court on Monday rebuffed a bid by gun rights advocates to overturn President Donald Trump's ban on "bump stocks" - devices that enable semi-automatic weapons to fire rapidly like a machine gun - implemented after the 2017 Las Vegas mass shooting.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1151342-us-supreme-court-rejects-challenge-to-ban-on-gun-bump-stocks/

 

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Child drowns at sea off Greece in first fatality after Turkey opens border

By Lefteris Papadimas and Alkis Konstantinidis

 

Migrants from Afghanistan arrive on a dinghy on a beach near the village of Skala Sikamias, after crossing part of the Aegean Sea from Turkey to the island of Lesbos, Greece, March 2, 2020. REUTERS/Alkis Konstantinidis

 

KASTANIES/LESBOS, Greece (Reuters) - A young Syrian boy died on Monday after being pulled from the sea when a boat capsized off the Greek island of Lesbos, Greek officials said, the first reported fatality since Turkey opened its border last week to let migrants reach Europe.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1151343-child-drowns-at-sea-off-greece-in-first-fatality-after-turkey-opens-border/

 

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U.S. Republican seeks first subpoena in Hunter Biden probe

By David Morgan

 

FILE PHOTO: Chairman of the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee Ron Johnson (D-WI) questions Kirstjen Nielsen (unseen) on her nomination to be secretary of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) in Washington, U.S., November 8, 2017. REUTERS/Joshua Roberts/File Photo

 

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Days after Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden scored a major win at his party's primary in South Carolina, a Republican U.S. senator is seeking the first subpoena in a probe of his son Hunter Biden's role at Ukraine gas company Burisma.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1151351-us-republican-seeks-first-subpoena-in-hunter-biden-probe/

 

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U.S. Senate leader says he hopes Trump intelligence nominee will get bipartisan vote

By Patricia Zengerle

 

FILE PHOTO: U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) speaks to reporters after the Senate voted to acquit U.S. President Donald Trump of both charges in his Senate impeachment trial in Washington, U.S., February 5, 2020. REUTERS/Jonathan Ernst

 

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell said on Monday he was pleased President Donald Trump had announced a nominee for director of national intelligence, without expressing an opinion about Representative John Ratcliffe's fitness for the job.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1151352-us-senate-leader-says-he-hopes-trump-intelligence-nominee-will-get-bipartisan-vote/

 

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North Korea leader Kim oversees long-range artillery drill - KCNA

 

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un visits a drill of long-range artillery sub-units of the Korean People's Army, in North Korea in this image released by North Korea's Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) on March 2, 2020. KCNA via REUTERS

 

SEOUL (Reuters) - North Korean leader Kim Jong Un oversaw a long-range artillery drill on Monday, state media KCNA said on Tuesday.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1151354-north-korea-leader-kim-oversees-long-range-artillery-drill-kcna/

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Video: Motorcycle taxi turf wars - Grab customer asks "Where is your security?" after attack on rider

 

Picture: INN

 

A female customer of Grab bike went online to pose a pertinent question and make other observations after her driver was attacked in a turf war and she was hurt.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1151355-video-motorcycle-taxi-turf-wars-grab-customer-asks-where-is-your-security-after-attack-on-rider/

 

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Pattaya: Saudi attacked then man claiming to be police sergeant starts making threats

 

 

Thai media reported that a 36 year old Saudi national was knocked out in front of an Arab restaurant around 2.30 this morning. 

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1151358-pattaya-saudi-attacked-then-man-claiming-to-be-police-sergeant-starts-making-threats/

 

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MSNBC anchor Chris Matthews announces retirement on air

 

FILE PHOTO: MSNBC anchor Chris Matthews interviews New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio (not pictured) after the conclusion of the first U.S. 2020 presidential election Democratic candidates debate in Miami, Florida, U.S., June 26, 2019. REUTERS/Carlo Allegri

 

(Reuters) - Chris Matthews, a longtime anchor at cable channel MSNBC, said on Monday he was retiring and that Monday night's show would be his last.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1151366-msnbc-anchor-chris-matthews-announces-retirement-on-air/

 

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UPDATE:

 

Factory recycling used face masks as new raided in Saraburi

By THE NATION

 

 

A recycling factory that sold used face masks as new ones was raided by police in Saraburi province on Monday (March 2).

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1151334-saraburi-raid-on-junk-shop-suspected-of-recycling-used-face-masks/?do=findComment&comment=15118755

 

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Drama in Bang Saen: Thai man hauled off to the cells after creating havoc at banks in shopping center

 

Picture: Daily News

 

Police were called after a 27 year old Thai man went berserk in the Laemtong shopping center in Saensuk district of Chonburi yesterday.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1151367-drama-in-bang-saen-thai-man-hauled-off-to-the-cells-after-creating-havoc-at-banks-in-shopping-center/

 

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Covid-19 in Chiang Mai: Nearly 100 taxis returned to finance company as drivers can't meet repayments

 

 

Thai media reported that these virus hit times are so bad in Chiang Mai that taxi drivers have been forced to return almost 100 cabs to a finance company.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1151368-covid-19-in-chiang-mai-nearly-100-taxis-returned-to-finance-company-as-drivers-cant-meet-repayments/

 

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Going viral: Liverpool fan pays homage to his club with crest in his rice paddy

 

 

A lifelong fan of English premier league club Liverpool has paid homage to the team he loves in an unusual way. 

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1151372-going-viral-liverpool-fan-pays-homage-to-his-club-with-crest-in-his-rice-paddy/

 

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Thailand's roads: The carnage continues as 1,262 perish in February - year's total already 2,650 deaths

 

Picture: Daily News

 

Daily News reported that 32 people died in road accidents in Thailand on Saturday. They cautioned that this low number will rise as not all jurisdictions report at the weekend. 

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1151376-thailands-roads-the-carnage-continues-as-1262-perish-in-february-years-total-already-2650-deaths/

 

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Australia to use biosecurity law to restrict movements of coronavirus patients

By Colin Packham and Renju Jose

 

Empty shelves are pictured at Coles Supermarket following reports of coronavirus in the Canberra suburb of Manuka, Australia, March 2, 2020 in this picture obtained by Reuters from social media. Adam Spence via REUTERS

 

SYDNEY (Reuters) - Australia will use a little-known biosecurity law to restrict the movements of people suspected of having coronavirus, its attorney-general said on Tuesday.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1151377-australia-to-use-biosecurity-law-to-restrict-movements-of-coronavirus-patients/

 

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Anutin changes tack: Health minister who blamed farang says masks are not necessary after all

 

Picture: Thai Rath

 

Thailand's under fire health minister Anutin Charvirakul has changed his mind on the use of masks. 

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1151382-anutin-changes-tack-health-minister-who-blamed-farang-says-masks-are-not-necessary-after-all/