THAILAND LIVE Thailand Live Thursday 5 Mar 2020

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National Disease Control Chief refuses to clarify Phuket coronavirus report

By The Phuket News

 

Deputy Director-General of the Department of Disease Control (DDC) Dr Kajohnsak Kaewjarus flew from Bangkok to face the press in Phuket today and still refused to confirm whether or not the Chinese national in Phuket had tested positive for COVID-19. Photo: Tanyaluk Sakoot

 

PHUKET:-- The Deputy Director-General of the national Department of Disease Control (DDC) Dr Kajohnsak Kaewjarus, flew to Phuket from Bangkok today only to refuse to confirm or deny whether a Chinese tourist in Phuket had contracted the COVID-19 coronavirus as confirmed by a report issued by the DDC last month.

 

Full Story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1151711-national-disease-control-chief-refuses-to-clarify-phuket-coronavirus-report/

 

 

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Thai business groups say economy may shrink if virus impact drags on

 

FILE PHOTO: Cars pass a Skytrain (Bangkok Mass Transit System) construction site in Bangkok, Thailand May 13, 2018. REUTERS/Soe Zeya Tun

 

BANGKOK (Reuters) - The Thai economy might not grow in the first half of 2020, and could even contract over the full year, if the coronavirus epidemic drags for longer than a few months, a group of leading business associations in Thailand said on Wednesday.

 

Full Story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1151668-thai-business-groups-say-economy-may-shrink-if-virus-impact-drags-on/

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Bridge, undersea tunnel in offing for southern tourist traffic

By The Nation

 

 

The government could spend Bt5 billion digging an undersea tunnel linking Lanta Noi and Lanta Yai islands and building a bridge over Songkhla Lake linking Phatthalung and Songkhla provinces, the Department of Rural Roads announced on Wednesday (March 4).

 

Full Story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1151680-bridge-undersea-tunnel-in-offing-for-southern-tourist-traffic/

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Kratom headed for limited May ‘comeback’

By The Nation

 

Justice Minister Somsak Thepsuthin

 

Kratom, the indigenous plant whose leaves have been used in traditional medicine since at least the early 19th century and were once served to welcome guests into the home, could be removed from the narcotics list as early as May.

 

Full Story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1151682-kratom-headed-for-limited-may-‘comeback’/

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Joint panel lowers Thai growth forecast to 1.5-2 %

By THE NATION

 

The Joint Standing Committee on Commerce, Industry and Banking revises down its GDP growth forecast for 2020 at a meeting today (March 4)

 

The Joint Standing Committee on Commerce, Industry and Banking, has revised downward its forecast of Thai economic growth this year to between 1.5 per cent and 2 per cent from its previous projection of 2 to 2.5 per cent.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1151750-joint-panel-lowers-thai-growth-forecast-to-15-2/

 

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Finance Ministry to table first set of relief measures on Friday

By THE NATION

 

Minister Uttama Savanayana

 

The Finance Ministry will propose to the Council of Economic Ministers on Friday a plan to hand out Bt1,000 each to around 10 million low-income earners as part of its first relief package to mitigate the economic impact of the Covid-19 outbreak.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1151751-finance-ministry-to-table-first-set-of-relief-measures-on-friday/

 

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Relief for airlines on the way

By THE NATION

 

All airline executives at the meeting share a common view that it will take one year to 18 months before the situation returns to normal, says Saksayam.

 

The Transport Ministry will finalise relief measures to ease the financial burden of airlines today (March 5), before submitting the package for consideration by the Council of Economic Ministers on Friday , said minister Saksayam Chidchob.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1151752-relief-for-airlines-on-the-way/

 

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Bidding terms imminent for drilling in Gulf

By THE NATION

 

Energy Minister Sontirat Sontijirawong

 

The Department of Mineral Fuels is expected to announce terms of reference for a new round of bidding for petroleum exploration and production concessions in April, Energy Minister Sontirat Sontijirawong said on Wednesday (March 4).

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1151753-bidding-terms-imminent-for-drilling-in-gulf/

 

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Dozens of PPP projects up for consideration on Friday

By THE NATION

 

Transport Minister Saksayam Chidchob

 

The Transport Ministry will submit 41 Public-Private Partnership (PPP) projects for consideration by the Council of Economic Ministers on Friday.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1151754-dozens-of-ppp-projects-up-for-consideration-on-friday/

 

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Suspension of GSP to affect exports of 573 Thai products

By The Nation

 

 

The US suspension of tariff privileges under the Generalised System of Preferences (GSP), which comes into effect on April 25, will affect 573 Thai products, a Cabinet meeting on March 3 was told, Deputy Government Spokeswoman Rachada Thanadirek said.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1151755-suspension-of-gsp-to-affect-exports-of-573-thai-products/

 

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Thailand’s global ranking for COVID-19 infections improves slightly

 

 

Thailand’s ranking, by number of confirmed COVID-19 infections, has improved from 15th to 16th place, a position it shares with Australia, based on WHO figures, according to Dr. Thaweesilp Wissanuyothin, a senior doctor attached to the 10th Health region.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1151756-thailand’s-global-ranking-for-covid-19-infections-improves-slightly/

 

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Special buses will take Thai workers home when they return from South Korea

 

 

Special transport has been arranged, by the state-run Transport Company, to take returning Thai workers from the airports their homes once they land from South Korea, as a precautionary measure to avoid close contact with other people during their 14-day mandatory home quarantine period.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1151757-special-buses-will-take-thai-workers-home-when-they-return-from-south-korea/

 

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More than 1,100 Thai’s returning from South Korea before March 1st cannot be located

 

 

Thailand’s Ministry of Labour has expressed concern that the whereabouts of 1,181 Thai workers, who returned from South Korea between February 24th and March 1st, are currently not known and the ministry is seeking help from the Immigration Bureau to find them.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1151758-more-than-1100-thai’s-returning-from-south-korea-before-march-1st-cannot-be-located/

 

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Hospitals ordered to admit Covid-19 cases as emergency patients carrying dangerous communicable disease

By The Nation

 

FILE photo

 

The Public Health Ministry has categorised people infected with the new coronavirus (Covid-19) as patients carrying a dangerous communicable disease who must be admitted by hospitals immediately.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1151759-hospitals-ordered-to-admit-covid-19-cases-as-emergency-patients-carrying-dangerous-communicable-disease/

 

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Soi Dog Foundation official statement on Covid-19 and the risk to animal health

ByThe Thaiger

 

 

Sent to us from Soi Dog Foundation by Dr.Alicja Izydorczyk MRCVS…

 

There have not been any cases of suspect COVID-19 infection in dogs or cats in Thailand. At present, there is no evidence to show that companion animals such as dogs and cats can be infected with COVID-19. Additionally, there is currently no evidence that companion animals could be a source of infection to people.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1151760-soi-dog-foundation-official-statement-on-covid-19-and-the-risk-to-animal-health/

 

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Coronavirus death toll jumps to 107 in Italy, all schools shut

By Giuseppe Fonte and Gavin Jones

 

A man wearing a protective face mask to prevent contracting the coronavirus walks past the Duomo Cathedral in Milan, Italy, March 4, 2020. REUTERS/Guglielmo Mangiapane

 

ROME (Reuters) - Italy closed all schools and universities and took other emergency measures on Wednesday to try to slow the spread of the coronavirus in Europe's worst-hit country as the death toll and number of cases jumped.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1151761-coronavirus-death-toll-jumps-to-107-in-italy-all-schools-shut/

 

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Bloomberg bows out of presidential contest but his money will stay

By Jason Lange

 

Former Democratic U.S. presidential candidate Mike Bloomberg speaks after ending his campaign for president in Manhattan in New York City, New York, U.S., March 4, 2020. REUTERS/Carlo Allegri

 

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - After a not-so-Super Tuesday, Michael Bloomberg is out of the presidential nomination contest. But the power of his $60 billion (£46.6 billion) fortune is staying in.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1151762-bloomberg bows-out-of-presidential-contest-but-his-money-will-stay/

 

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Hua Hin Immigration arrest Dutchman accused of using false documents in Pattaya

 

Picture: Naew Na

 

Naew Na reported that a 61 year old man from the Netherlands has been arrested in Pattaya for using and presenting false documents.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1151770-hua-hin-immigration-arrest-dutchman-accused-of-using-false-documents-in-pattaya/

 

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Member of public calls immigration: Japanese pensioner whose Thai wife died found hiding on overstay

 

Picture: Nae Na

 

Phetchabun immigration utilised the now infamous BMW "Smart Car" to arrest a Japanese man living alone in the Wang Chomphu sub-district. 

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1151772-member-of-public-calls-immigration-japanese-pensioner-whose-thai-wife-died-found-hiding-on-overstay/

 

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British fund industry warns companies on climate risk

 

FILE PHOTO: Pedestrians walk over the Millennium Bridge in view of skyscrapers in the financial district in London, Britain February 17, 2020. REUTERS/Simon Dawson/File Photo

 

LONDON (Reuters) - Britain's investment industry trade body has warned companies ahead of their 2020 annual general meetings that they must disclose more about how they are handling climate change risk.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1151773-british-fund-industry-warns-companies-on-climate-risk/

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U.S. Supreme Court justices divided in abortion case; Roberts may hold key

By Lawrence Hurley and Andrew Chung

 

A demonstrator holds up an abortion flag outside of the U.S. Supreme Court as justices hear a major abortion case on the legality of a Republican-backed Louisiana law that imposes restrictions on abortion doctors, on Capitol Hill in Washington, U.S., March 4, 2020. REUTERS/Tom Brenner

 

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. Supreme Court justices appeared divided on Wednesday in a major abortion rights case, with Chief Justice John Roberts representing the potential decisive vote on a challenge to a Louisiana law that could make it harder for women to obtain the procedure.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1151774-us-supreme-court-justices-divided-in-abortion-case-roberts-may-hold-key/

 

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Pattaya and the virus: Resort's events schedule obliterated for at least next six months

 

Picture: Sophon Cable

 

Almost all major events due to be held in Pattaya over the next six months have been cancelled as officials in the resort battle to prevent any outbreak of the coronavirus. 

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1151777-pattaya-and-the-virus-resorts-special-events-obliterated-for-at-least-next-six-months/

 

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Ecstasy! More than 100,000 pills seized in packages sent from Europe to Thailand in last 5 months

 

Picture: INN

 

Thai drug enforcement has reported that parcels sent from Europe containing the recreational drug "Ya E" or Ecstasy had been intercepted by the AITF or airport taskforce. 

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1151778-ecstasy-more-than-100000-pills-seized-in-packages-sent-from-europe-to-thailand-in-last-5-months/

 

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Person helping police with inquiries after imitation bomb and map found in deserted Bangkok building

 

Source: Daily News

 

Police and Thai bomb disposal experts were called to a deserted four story building in Lad Prao Soi 62 after a suspicious looking device was found on the flat roof. 

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1151780-person-helping-police-with-inquiries-after-imitation-bomb-and-map-found-in-deserted-bangkok-building/

 

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Jurors in Robert Durst's California murder trial see clips of 'The Jinx'

By Rachel Parsons

 

Robert Durst sits for opening statements in his murder trial in Los Angeles, California, U.S., March 4, 2020. Etienne Laurent/Pool via REUTERS

 

LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - Los Angeles prosecutors on Wednesday played parts of movies they said incriminate Robert Durst, the New York real estate heir charged with murdering his best friend to cover up his killing of his ex-wife.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1151782-jurors-in-robert-dursts-california-murder-trial-see-clips-of-the-jinx/

 

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Hailstorm in Khon Kaen: Looks like a hurricane hit a restaurant!

 

video screenshot

 

Footage posted on Facebook of a summer storm that hit Khon Kaen yesterday evening featured winds and hail sweeping through a restaurant in the Ban Wa sub-district. 

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1151784-hailstorm-in-khon-kaen-looks-like-a-hurricane-hit-a-restaurant/

 

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Brake failure! Warnings about removing shoes after car slams into power pole

 

Picture: Daily News

 

Daily News reported that Thai social media was abuzz with shares after a police fan page in Ayuthaya posted pictures and advice after an accident in which a Mazda 3 slammed into a power pole. 

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1151785-brake-failure-warnings-about-removing-shoes-after-car-slams-into-power-pole/

 

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Down Pattaya way: 37 million baht spent on pontoon to boost tourism - it's guaranteed for two years!

 

 

Thai Rath reported that the Na Jomtien municipality had spent 37,350,000 baht on a pontoon stretching out into the sea at the Had Ban Ampher beach. 

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1151786-down-pattaya-way-37-million-baht-spent-on-pontoon-to-boost-tourism-its-guaranteed-for-two-years/

 

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Thai honesty: Taxi driver returns 100,000 baht and gold to grieving Thai family

 

Picture Ban Muang

 

More than 100,000 baht in cash, gold and a cash check has been returned to a grieving Thai family who left funeral donations on the back seat of a Bangkok cab in the middle of the night. 

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1151788-thai-honesty-taxi-driver-returns-100000-baht-and-gold-to-grieving-thai-family/

 

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British regional airline Flybe due to go into administration -source

By Sarah Young

 

A Flybe plane takes off from Manchester Airport in Manchester, Britain January 13 2020. REUTERS/Phil Noble

 

* Airline already struggling before coronavirus hit demand

* Accounting firm EY ready to handle administration

* Planes continuing to fly for now

* Flybe failure to hurt UK govt plans for regional connectivity (Adds owner comments, company and industry background)

 

LONDON, March 4 (Reuters) - British regional airline Flybe is due to go into administration within hours, a source told Reuters on Wednesday, as the already struggling carrier failed to withstand the plunge in travel demand caused by coronavirus.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1151790-british-regional-airline-flybe-due-to-go-into-administration-source/