THAILAND LIVE Thailand Live Thursday 5 Mar 2020

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U.S. opposes releasing a dying Bernard Madoff from prison early

By Jonathan Stempel

 

FILE PHOTO: Bernard Madoff exits the Manhattan federal court house in New York on January 14, 2009. REUTERS/Brendan McDermid/File Photo

 

NEW YORK (Reuters) - The U.S. government opposed Bernard Madoff's request to be freed from prison even if he is close to death from kidney failure, saying he has never accepted responsibility for his massive Ponzi scheme or shown compassion for victims.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1151792-us-opposes-releasing-a-dying-bernard-madoff-from-prison-early/

 

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Commerce Ministry calls meeting on face mask hoarding

 

   

BANGKOK (NNT) - The supply of face masks is reported to be disrupted by panic buy and hoarding. To ensure availability to those needing them, the Ministry of Commerce is enforcing stricter measures requiring those in possession of face masks over a certain quantity to report to the Department of Internal Trade. This is in addition to the current requirement for traders, manufacturers, and exporters to report their inventory.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1151793-thai-commerce-ministry-calls-meeting-on-face-mask-hoarding/

 

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Skål Asia Congress in Phuket postponed

By The Phuket News

 

Sanjay Datta, President of the Skål International Asian Area Committee, broke the news with an email to members yesterday (Mar 4).

 

PHUKET: The 49th Skål Asia Congress, to be held in Phuket from June 25-28 with representatives from the professional tourism and hospitality organisation Skål International, has been postponed due to concerns over the spread of the COVID-19 coronavirus.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1151796-skål-asia-congress-in-phuket-postponed/

 

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Government establishes COVID-19 management center

 

   

BANGKOK (NNT) - A coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) management center has been set up at Government House in Bangkok. Prime Minister and Defense Minister, Gen. Prayut Chan-o-cha, has instructed all relevant agencies to integrate their work to deal with the spread of COVID-19.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1151799-government-establishes-covid-19-management-center/

 

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Thai Feb inflation slows to 0.74%, slightly below forecast

 

FILE PHOTO: A mother and her daughter shop for bananas at a market in Bangkok, Thailand, March 31, 2016. REUTERS/Athit Perawongmetha

 

BANGKOK (Reuters) - Thailand's headline consumer price index (CPI) in February rose 0.74% from a year earlier, slowing from the previous month and below expectations, commerce ministry data showed on Thursday.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1151802-thai-feb-inflation-slows-to-074-slightly-below-forecast/

 

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Rawai longtail boat accident claims driver’s life

By Eakkapop Thongtub

 

The longboat involved in the deadly accident yesterday (Mar 4). Photo: Eakkapop Thongtub

 

PHUKET: A 61-year-old boat driver died after being hit by his longtail boat’s propeller while trying to come to ashore at Nai Harn beach, Rawai yesterday (Mar 4).

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1151803-rawai-longtail-boat-accident-claims-driver’s-life/

 

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Thailand, US and partner nations join Cobra Gold 2020 military exercise

 

   

CHACHOENGSAO (NNT) - The Royal Thai Armed Forces, the United States Armed Forces and partner countries have together participated in the Cobra Gold 2020 military exercise, which focused on humanitarian assistance and disaster relief.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1151807-thailand-us-and-partner-nations-join-cobra-gold-2020-military-exercise/

 

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Very good air quality in most areas of Bangkok; North sees lower dust levels

 

   

BANGKOK (NNT) - People in Bangkok have less to worry about when it comes to levels of particulate matter of 25 microns or less in diameter (PM2.5), as overall air quality in most areas of the capital has improved. The northern region continues to record lower PM2.5 levels, as wind has dispersed accumulated air pollutants. However, the concentration of dust particles is still above the safe limit in some locations.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1151809-very-good-air-quality-in-most-areas-of-bangkok-north-sees-lower-dust-levels/

 

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Thailand reports four new coronavirus cases - including Italian tourist - total 47

 

People wearing protective face masks walk in Bangkok, Thailand March 2, 2020. REUTERS/Chalinee Thirasupa

 

BANGKOK (Reuters) - Thailand reports four new coronavirus cases, bringing its total to 47 since January, Suwanchai Wattanayingcharoen, director-general of the Department of Disease Control said in a news conference on Thursday.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1151810-thailand-reports-four-new-coronavirus-cases-including-italian-tourist-total-47/

 

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Vajira Hospital rubbishes social media rumours about depleted face mask stocks

By THE NATION

 

 

Vajira Hospital in Bangkok’s Dusit district said on Thursday (March 5) that the hospital has face mask stocks for operating room staff to last two months.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1151822-vajira-hospital-rubbishes-social-media-rumours-about-depleted-face-mask-stocks/

 

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Welcome to Pattaya: vet attacks couple for legal parking

 

PATTAYA:--A Pattaya veterinarian showed he was kinder to animals than humans when he attacked a couple who had the audacity to park their car in front of his office.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1151827-welcome-to-pattaya-vet-attacks-couple-for-legal-parking/

 

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1 killed, 2 hurt in Sattahip motorbike collision

 

SATTAHIP:--One person died and two others were injured when their motorcycles collided in Sattahip.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1151826-1-killed-2-hurt-in-sattahip-motorbike-collision/

 

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Walking Street guard beaten before, after motorbike crash

 

PATTAYA:--A Walking Street security guard fleeing a youth gang attack slammed his motorbike into a pickup truck in central Pattaya.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1151824-walking-street-guard-beaten-before-after-motorbike-crash/

 

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Woman rescued from fire in locked Pattaya apartment

 

PATTAYA:--Pattaya firefighters rescued a woman locked in her burning apartment by her partner.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1151830-woman-rescued-from-fire-in-locked-pattaya-apartment/

 

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Pattaya’s biggest ever property scam: Ukrainian man on the run after 300 MILLION baht fraud

 

 

A Ukrainian man is on the run after allegedly carrying out what has been described as Pattaya’s biggest ever property fraud.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1151845-pattaya’s-biggest-ever-property-scam-ukrainian man-on-the-run-after-300-million-baht-fraud/

 

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School argument ends in double shooting

By The Nation

 

 

Police in Mae Hong Son are trying to sort out confused testimony about a school shooting on Wednesday night (March 4) that left a teacher and a volunteer severely wounded.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1151847-school-argument-ends-in-double-shooting/

 

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Ministry to dispatch Blue Flag cars across country to sell face masks

By The Nation

 

 

The Department of Internal Trade (DIT) under the Commerce Ministry will launch a caravan of 111 Blue Flag cars to sell face masks nationwide in order to alleviate the problems of expensive masks and shortage of supply.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1151849-ministry-to-dispatch-blue-flag-cars-across-country-to-sell-face-masks/

 

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PM launches meet-the-people forum to hear economic concerns

By THE NATION

 

 

PM Prayut Chan-o-cha is ready to meet people face to face at Government House and hear their economic problems.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1151850-pm-prayut-launches-meet-the-people-forum-to-hear-economic-concerns/

 

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Former DSI chief Tharit Pengdit gets to two years in prison for abuse of power

 

 

Thailand’s Appeals Court has overturned the Criminal Court’s acquittal of former Department of Special Investigation (DSI) director-general Tharit Pengdit and sentenced him to two years in prison for abuse of power.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1151853-former-dsi-chief-tharit-pengdit-gets-to-two-years-in-prison-for-abuse-of-power/

 

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Thailand's foreign retirees see their good life slip away

Surging baht and new rules dull the country's allure for budget-minded expats

GEORGE STYLLIS, Contributing writer

 

Pattaya has been popular with foreign expats and tourists since American servicemen flocked there during the Vietnam War.  (Photo by George Styllis)

 

PATTAYA, Thailand -- From the mountains of Chiang Mai to the beaches of Phuket, Thailand has long been a draw for foreign retirees wishing to spend their golden years in tropical bliss. But for the many who have enjoyed paradise on the cheap, their dreams are ebbing away as the country opens up to a wealthier class of retirees.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1151856-thailands-foreign-retirees-see-their-good-life-slip-away/

 

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Thailand’s Koh Phangan full moon party cancelled

By The Thaiger

 

PHOTO: 10,000+ partygoers will have to make other plans for March 8 - Flickr

 

…until further notice.

 

The next Full Moon Party, scheduled for March 8, has been cancelled. The memo from the Mayor of Koh Phangan says that the hugely popular monthly party has been cancelled due to fears associated with the Covid-19 virus. The memo also says that there will no further monthly parties until fears over the outbreak pass.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1151858-thailand’s-koh-phangan-full-moon-party-cancelled/

 

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Help on the way, says finance minister

By The Nation

 

Uttama Savanayana

 

Admitting that the Covid-19 outbreak has struck a heavy blow to the economy, Finance Minister Uttama Savanayana says tax relief and direct monetary aid is on the way for citizens.

 

Full Story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1151873-help-on-the-way-says-finance-minister/

 

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Future Forward ex-MPs set to launch new party

By The Nation

 

Thanathorn Juangroongruangkit, Pita Limjaroenrat, Piyabutr Saengkanokkul

 

Kao Klai Party has been chosen as the name of a new party being launched by former executives of the dissolved Future Forward Party.

 

Full Story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1151874-future-forward-ex-mps-set-to-launch-new-party/

 

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How Prayut government finds itself in a state of flux

 

Photo from Thai Government

 

Thailand, like many places in the world, is facing a medical and economic crisis brought about by the fearsome COVID-19 virus. Throw in the political uncertainties on both side of the great national divide and the country is in an uncharted and potentially treacherous territory.

 

Full Story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1151875-how-prayut-government-finds-itself-in-a-state-of-flux/

 

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Price of food, soda drive up inflation

By The Nation

 

 

Inflation grew by 0.74 per cent last month, chiefly because of the higher prices of fresh and instant food and soda beverages, the Trade Policy and Strategy Office reported on Thursday (March 5).

 

Full Story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1151877-price-of-food-soda-drive-up-inflation/

 

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Virus dries up Songkran for beach town

By THE NATION

 

 

In a foretaste of what could become a national trend, the mayor of a popular beach town in Chonburi has curtailed next month’s Songkran festivities due to the risk of Covid-19 contagion.

 

Full Story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1151879-virus-dries-up-songkran-for-beach-town/

 

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Nicki Minaj’s husband Kenneth Petty ‘arrested after failing to register as sex offender’

By Zara Woodcock

 

Nicki Minaj’s husband Kenneth was ‘arrested (Picture: Getty)

 

Nicki Minaj’s husband Kenneth Petty was ‘arrested’ US Marshalls on an indictment for failing to register as a sex offender.

 

Full Story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1151880-nicki-minaj’s-husband-kenneth-petty-‘arrested-after-failing-to-register-as-sex-offender’/

 

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Tattoos: 'The more I have, the more confident I feel'

By Michael Baggs

 

MAXINE STACEY, BUZZ CARTER, JAMIE RUTTER

 

You probably know Post Malone for two things: massive hit singles and having loads of tattoos - some on his face.

 

Full Story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1151881-tattoos-the-more-i-have-the-more-confident-i-feel/

 

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Fans appalled after Drake refers to ‘Baby Momma’ as a ‘fluke’ on new song ‘When to Say When’

By Annie Lord

 

A photo shared on former adult film star Sophie Brussaux’s Instagram account – since made private. Pusha T has alleged that Drake fathered a child with her. (Sophie B/Instagram)

 

Drake fans are in uproar after he referred to his ‘Baby Momma’ as a fluke on new song “When to Say When”.

 

Full Story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1151882-fans-appalled-after-drake-refers-to-‘baby-momma’-as-a-‘fluke’-on-new-song-‘when-to-say-when’/

 

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Vocational school students helping with face mask, hand gel production

By THE NATION

 

 

The Office of the Vocational Education Commission (VEC) has asked vocational schools nationwide to produce more face masks and hand gels to ease supply shortage in the market, said Narong Pawponsong, secretary of the commission.

 

Full Story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1151884-vocational-school-students-helping-with-face-mask-hand-gel-production/