THAILAND LIVE Thailand Live Monday 16 Mar 2020

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Germany tries to halt U.S. interest in firm working on coronavirus vaccine

By Paul Carrel and Andreas Rinke

 

FILE PHOTO: Employee Philipp Hoffmann, of German biopharmaceutical company CureVac, demonstrates research workflow on a vaccine for the coronavirus (COVID-19) disease at a laboratory in Tuebingen, Germany, March 12, 2020. Picture taken on March 12, 2020. REUTERS/Andreas Gebert

 

BERLIN (Reuters) - Berlin is trying to stop Washington from persuading a German company seeking a coronavirus vaccine to move its research to the United States, prompting German politicians to insist no country should have a monopoly on any future vaccine.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1153678-germany-tries-to-halt-us-interest-in-firm-working-on-coronavirus-vaccine/

 

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Australia to impose 14-day self-isolation on international travellers

By Kate Lamb

 

Australia follows New Zealand in imposing a self-isolation policy for international travelers arriving in the country, in an attempt to flatten the curve of the coronavirus. 

 

SYDNEY (Reuters) - Australia will impose 14-day self-isolation on international travellers arriving from midnight Sunday and ban cruise ships from foreign ports for 30 days, mirroring restrictions in nearby New Zealand aimed at slowing the spread of the coronavirus.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1153680-australia to-impose-14-day-self-isolation-on-international-travellers/

 

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Mainland China reports 16 new cases of coronavirus, 14 more deaths

 

A resident in protective gear walks past the entrance of a closed secondary school in Wuhan, the epicentre of the novel coronavirus outbreak, Hubei province, China March 9, 2020. REUTERS/Stringer

 

BEIJING (Reuters) - Mainland China had 16 new confirmed cases of coronavirus infections on Sunday, the National Health Commission said on Monday, down from 20 a day earlier.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1153681-mainland-china-reports-16-new-cases-of-coronavirus-14-more-deaths/

 

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Storms hit Bangkok and suburbs: Ten poles crash onto vehicles in Nonthaburi

 

Picture: Daily News

 

Yesterday's strong storm and winds in the Thai capital Bangkok and surrounding areas caused some severe damage. 

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1153691-storms-hit-bangkok-and-suburbs-ten-poles-crash-onto-vehicles-in-nonthaburi/

 

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Thai Economic Outlook Among Asia’s Weakest, With Worse to Come

By Suttinee Yuvejwattana

 

-- Thailand’s economic outlook weakest in Asia after Japan

-- Curbs on daily life mulled after recent spike in virus cases

 

Thailand has second-highest odds of contraction among Asian nations

 

Thailand is preparing to restrict some aspects of daily life after the country’s biggest spike in coronavirus cases, further damaging one of Asia’s weakest economic outlooks.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1153693-thai-economic-outlook-among-asia’s-weakest-with-worse-to-come/

 

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Phetchabun/Pattaya: Virus concern-19 as Belgian returnee tests positive

 

Picture: 77kaoded

 

The governor of Phetchabun province appealed for calm after social media reports stated that a foreigner had been diagnosed with coronavirus.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1153696-phetchabunpattaya-virus-concern-19-as-belgian-returnee-tests-positive/

 

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Pattaya: Makro full of shoppers as Thais and foreigners stock up on food items

 

Picture: 77kaoded

 

Thai media reported that shops and markets in Pattaya were full of people yesterday buying items like rice and dry goods that could easily be prepared into food. 

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1153698-pattaya-makro-full-of-shoppers-as-thais-and-foreigners-stock-up-on-food-items/

 

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Democratic White House contender Biden says he would pick a woman as vice president

By Amanda Becker

 

Democratic U.S. presidential candidate and former Vice President Joe Biden speaks during the 11th Democratic candidates debate of the 2020 U.S. presidential campaign, held in CNN's Washington studios without an audience because of the global coronavirus pandemic, in Washington, U.S., March 15, 2020. REUTERS/Kevin Lamarque

 

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Democratic presidential contender Joe Biden, who had hinted he might choose a woman as his vice presidential running mate if he is picked as the party's nominee, committed to doing so during his debate with rival Bernie Sanders on Sunday.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1153701-democratic-white-house-contender-biden-says-he-would-pick-a-woman-as-vice-president/

 

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Pattaya shut down imminent: Bars and clubs brace for closure order

 

 

The bars, pubs and clubs in Pattaya are bracing for orders from the government to shut to stop the spread of coronavirus in crowded areas.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1153704-pattaya-shut-down-imminent-bars-and-clubs-brace-for-closure-order/

 

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Bangkok and the virus: Major downtown shopping center deserted, shoppers in Tesco instead

 

Picture: Daily News//Facebook Parinya Newws

 

Daily News reported that economic activity in Thailand - especially shopping in major department stores - was plummeting as effects of the coronavirus outbreak  worsened. 

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1153707-bangkok-and-the-virus-major-downtown-shopping-center-deserted-shoppers-in-tesco-instead/

 

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Giant retailers allay public fears, assure adequate stocks of consumer goods

By THE NATION

 

 

The fear that the Covid-19 situation in Thailand will soon reach level 3 pandemic has caused panic buying and hoarding of face masks, hand sanitisers as well as consumer products such as rice, cooking oil, toilet paper, instant noodles and canned goods, Pathaphong Iamsuro, chief commercial officer at Big C Supercenter Plc, said on Sunday (March 15).

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1153709-giant-retailers-allay-public-fears-assure-adequate-stocks-of-consumer-goods/

 

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Thammasat to close both campuses for one week

By THE NATION

 

 

Thammasat University announced on Sunday (March 15) that it will close all campuses for one week from March 16 to 22 as part of efforts to prevent and control the spread of the new coronavirus ( Covid-19) and to prepare for online classes.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1153710-thammasat-to-close-both-campuses-for-one-week/

 

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Ecstasy: Foreigners importing drug could face execution in Thailand

 

Picture: Daily News

 

A leading figure in Thailand's fight against drugs has said that both foreigners and Thais could face execution if convicted of importing the Class 1 restricted drug Ecstasy.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1153711-ecstasy-foreigners-importing-drug-could-face-execution-in-thailand/

 

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Boxing programme co-host of actor 'Deane' also infected with Covid-19

By THE NATION

 

Photo Credit: Facebook @mr.pong17

 

Phinit Pholkhan, who co-hosted actor Matthew Deane’s boxing programme at Lumphini Boxing Stadium in Bangkok, posted on his Facebook page (@mr.pong17) on Sunday (March 15) that he had tested positive for the new coronavirus (Covid-19) and was in hospital.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1153715-boxing-programme-co-host-of-actor-deane-also-infected-with-covid-19/

 

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Trade department chief, transferred over face masks scandal, considers quitting civil service

By THE NATION

 

 

The director-general of the Department of Internal Trade (DIT), Wichai Pochanakit, is considering resigning from civil service after being transferred by the premier to the Office of Prime Minister on Sunday (March 15).

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1153717-trade-department-chief-transferred-over-face-masks-scandal-considers-quitting-civil-service/

 

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Sa Kaeo: English teacher killed in hit-and-run accident in Wang Nam Yen
 

Picture: 77kaoded

 

Thai media reported that staff and pupils of a popular English teacher were in shock after a teacher was killed around 1 am on Route 317 near the Tesco Lotus in Wang Somboon, Wang Nam Yen, Sa Kaeo. 

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1153719-sa-kaeo-english-teacher-killed-in-hit-and-run-accident-in-wang-nam-yen/

 

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Be informed, be aware. Prevention and precautions in a Covid-19 world

ByThe Thaiger

 

 

As of this morning the number of cases of the Covid-19 coronavirus has reached 169,552. The number of deaths related to the virus is now 6,516, representing a death rate of around 3.8%, up from 3.4% two weeks ago, and up from the earlier days when it hovered around 2%. But the number of people that have fully recovered has now grown to 77,753.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1153726-be-informed-be-aware-prevention-and-precautions-in-a-covid-19-world/

 

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Thai woman arrested for conning foreigners in online hotel booking fraud - 4 million in losses

 

Picture: INN

 

Crime Suppression Division police have arrested a Thai woman named only as Kanokkarn at a resort on the Petchkasem Road in Phasi Charoen district of Bangkok. 

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1153727-thai-woman-arrested-for-conning-foreigners-in-online-hotel-booking-fraud-4-million-in-losses/

 

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Poll: 53pc of tourists say will still travel to Phuket even if COVID-19 case confirmed

By The Phuket News

 

Tourists are checked at Phuket International Airport. Photo: AoT

 

PHUKET: More than half of the foreign visitors to Phuket who responded to an online poll by The Phuket News voted that a person in Phuket being confirmed as infected with the COVID-19 coronavirus should not affect tourists’ decision to travel here: “It should not affect their decision at all as long reasonable precautions are taken.”

 

Full story:  https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1153728-poll-53pc-of-tourists-say-will-still-travel-to-phuket-even-if-covid-19-case-confirmed/

 

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Phuket airport starts screening walk-ins

By The Phuket News

 

People entering the International Terminal or the Domestic Terminal at Phuket International Airport are now being screened. Photo: AoT Phuket

 

PHUKET: The Airports of Thailand management team operating Phuket International Airport (AoT Phuket) has posted a formal notice announcing that they have set up screening points at the entrances to both the international and domestic terminals to check people entering the facility for possible infection of the COVID-19 coronavirus.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1153729-phuket-airport-starts-screening-walk-ins/

 

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Thai central bank says will monitor impact of Fed's moves

 

A man stands in front of the empty shelves of toilet paper at a supermarket, after the coronavirus outbreak in Bangkok, Thailand March 15, 2020.

 

BANGKOK (Reuters) - Thailand's central bank said on Monday it would monitor the impact of the U.S. Federal Reserve's moves on market participants' confidence.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1153735-thai-central-bank-says-will-monitor-impact-of-feds-moves/

 

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Army welfare chief tests positive for Covid-19

By The Nation

 

General Nattaphan Srisawat

 

The chief of the Army's welfare department, Maj-General Rachit Arunrangsri, was confirmed to be infected with Covid-19 after a lab test at Phramongkutklao Hospital showed him positive for the new coronavirus, the Royal Thai Army’s special adviser, General Nattaphan Srisawat, said on Monday (March 16).

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1153751-army-welfare-chief-tests-positive-for-covid-19/

 

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THAI grounds 12 more planes to cut costs amid slump in demand

By THE NATION

 

 

Thai Airways International Plc (THAI) is grounding 12 planes to reduce operational cost amid the Covid-19 situation.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1153752-thai-grounds-12-more-planes-to-cut-costs-amid-slump-in-demand/

 

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Entertainment venue owners don’t agree with plan to shut them down

By The Nation

 

FILE photo

 

Owners of Chiang Mai’s entertainment venues came out against the Public Health minister’s plan to close entertainment venues to curtail the spread of Covid-19.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1153754-entertainment-venue-owners-don’t-agree-with-plan-to-shut-them-down/

 

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Government prepares hospital for Covid-19 patients if situation reaches phase 3

By The Nation

 

Photo credit: Bangkunthian Geriatric Hospital official facebook

 

The Bangkunthian Geriatric Hospital has been prepared to treat Covid-19 patients if the virus situation aggravates.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1153758-government-prepares-hospital-for-covid-19-patients-if-situation-reaches-phase-3/

 

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8 Singapore International School students not infected: CEO

By THE NATION

 

 

The eight suspected students of Singapore International School of Bangkok (SISB), Pracha Uthit campus, have not been infected with Covid-19, chief executive officer Yew Hock Koh insisted.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1153759-8-singapore-international-school-students-not-infected-ceo/

 

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Bat guano collectors in Thailand undeterred by possible link to coronavirus

By Juarawee Kittisilpa

 

Bat guano collectors fill bags outside of a bat cave at Wat Khao Chong Phran in Ratchaburi, Thailand March 14, 2020. REUTERS/Juarawee Kittisilpa

 

RATCHABURI, Thailand (Reuters) - Thai villagers scouring a dark cave for bat guano, sought after by farmers as a nutrient-rich crop fertiliser, are undaunted by scientists' suggestion that it could be behind a coronavirus that has infected more than 150,000 people worldwide.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1153762-bat-guano-collectors-in-thailand-undeterred-by-possible-link-to-coronavirus/

 

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Ministry told of disruption to Thai fruit export

By THE NATION

 

 

The Ministry of Agricultural and Cooperatives has been informed by the Office of Agricultural Affairs in five countries – China, Japan, South Korea, Australia, and US – on the impact on Thai fruit export from the Covid-19 outbreak , said Anan Suwannarat, the ministry’s permanent secretary.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1153764-ministry-told-of-disruption-to-thai-fruit-export/

 

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Chachoengsao PAO officers made to work online for 5 days

By The Nation

 

 

Chachoengsao Governor Raphee Pongbuppakit today (March 16) ordered Provincial Administration Organisation (PAO) officers to work online for five days while their office is cleaned after Chachoengsao PAO chairman Kitti Paopiamsap contracted Covid-19.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1153767-chachoengsao-pao-officers-made-to-work-online-for-5-days/

 

 

 

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Songkran holidays to be postponed in attempt to 'limit public movement'

By THE NATION

 

 

A meeting of the Covid-19 Administration Centre, chaired by Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha, approved a motion to postpone the Songkran holidays from April 13-15 to later dates, deputy government spokeswoman Rachada Thanadirek said on her Twitter account today (March 16).

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1153772-songkran-holidays-to-be-postponed-in-attempt-to-limit-public-movement/