THAILAND LIVE Thailand Live Thursday 19 Mar 2020

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Free Promotion for Travel Businesses in Thailand

 

 

Thaivisa has teamed up with the Tourism Authority of Thailand to deliver some fantastic promotions for Expats wishing to save on travel throughout the country.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1153684-free-promotion-for-travel-businesses-in-thailand/

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PM ready to close Thai borders to entry if virus situation worsens to Stage 3

 

 

Thailand’s Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha said today that his government is ready to close the country’s borders to all foreign arrivals, if the COVID-19 pandemic worsens to Stage 3.

 

Full Story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1154274-pm-ready-to-close-thai-borders-to-entry-if-virus-situation-worsens-to-stage-3/

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Antiviral drug on the way from China

By The Nation

 

 

Some 120,000 tablets of Favipiravir, an antiviral drug, will be imported for the battle against Covid-19, Public Health Minister Anutin Charnvirakul said on Wednesday (March 18).

 

Full Story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1154267-antiviral-drug-on-the-way-from-china/

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UPDATE:

 

Pattaya cleans up after tourist tests positive

By The Nation

 

 

There was another “Big Cleaning Day” in Pattaya on Wednesday (March 18), but considerably more serious than the usual litter sweeps of the beach.

 

Full Story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1154149-photos-pattaya’s-‘big-cleaning-day’-is-underway/?do=findComment&comment=15175981

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Bangkok food court rearranges tables to reduce Covid-19 infection chances

By THE NATION

 

 

A food court at Sinthorn Tower on Wireless Road, in Bangkok's Pathumwan district has redesigned seating arrangements to create more space between tables and chairs.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1154316-bangkok-food-court-rearranges-tables-to-reduce-covid-19-infection-chances/

 

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Chai Nat Bird Park closing for duration

By THE NATION

 

 

The birds of Chai Nat Bird Park won’t be falling silent because of the Covid-19 scare, but hardly anyone will be around to hear them – the park is closing until further notice starting on Saturday (March 20).

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1154319-chai-nat-bird-park-closing-for-duration/

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UPDATE:

 

Finance minister self-quarantines after his protection officer gets COVID-19

 

 

Thailand’s Finance Minister Uttama Savanayana has self-quarantined after he learned that one of his protection officers has been admitted to the Police Hospital for treatment for COVID-19.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1154272-finance-minister-uttama-awaits-test-result-after-police-guard-contracted-covid-19/?do=findComment&comment=15177465

 

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Thailand designates 10 more countries as COVID-19 “high-risk”

 

A person wearing a mask stands at a window of a staff accommodation block where British nationals recently flown back from China and at risk from the new virus are being quarantined, at Arrowe Park Hospital, on the Wirral, in Liverpool, England, Wednesday Feb. 5, 2020. Britain on Tuesday urged all of its citizens in China to leave the country because of the outbreak of a respiratory illness from a new virus, while Belgium became the latest nation to announce a confirmed case. (AP Photo/Jon Super)

 

The Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand (CAAT) has designated ten more countries as “high-risk” for COVID-19, and citizens of these countries travelling to Thailand are now required to produce proof of health insurance and doctor’s certificate to enter Thailand. They could also to be subjected to 14-days of quarantine at locations designated by the Thai government.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1154322-thailand-designates-10-more-countries-as-covid-19-“high-risk”/

 

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Cabinet and ThaiPBS roll out social distancing measures

 

Three commuters, center, wear masks as they walk through the World Trade Center transportation hub, Wednesday, March 4, 2020, in New York. (AP Photo/Mark Lennihan)

 

Thailand’s cabinet has taken the initiative by implementing social distancing as a preventive measure to protect against contracting COVID-19, as fears of the deadly virus grip the nation.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1154323-cabinet-and-thaipbs-roll-out-social-distancing-measures/

 

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UPDATE:

 

Thailand claims to have cheaper and faster virus test kits

 

File Photo

 

Thailand claims to have developed 500 baht COVID-19 test kits which are capable producing a result in under an hour.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1154192-new-virus-test-kit-has-results-in-under-an-hour/?do=findComment&comment=15177487

 

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Thailand eyes food export opportunities amidst COVID-19 pandemic

 

   

BANGKOK (NNT) - The drought disaster that started in late 2019, plus COVID-19 pandemic, have caused a major slowdown of the Thai economy. The Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives (MOAC) is now promoting more employment in the agricultural sector, while looking into opportunities for food exports during this global crisis.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1154324-thailand-eyes-food-export-opportunities-amidst-covid-19-pandemic/

 

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Deputy PM Somkid: No shortage of consumer products during COVID-19

 

   

BANGKOK (NNT) - To deal with a rise in demand for consumer products, expected if Thailand enters the likely third phase of the country’s response to contain the spread of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), the Deputy Prime Minister, Dr. Somkid Jatusripitak, who is in charge of economic affairs, today had a meeting with major product manufacturers and modern trading outlets to make sure that there would be no shortage of products.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1154325-deputy-pm-somkid-no-shortage-of-consumer-products-during-covid-19/

 

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Court still awaiting additional evidence in speedboat collision case

By Khunanya Wanchanwet

 

The boats involved in the deadly collision last month. Photo: Eakkapop Thongtub

 

PHUKET: Police have confirmed they are still collecting evidence to support the case of the speedboat collision that killed two Russian children and injured 19 others last month.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1154326-court-still-awaiting-additional-evidence-in-speedboat-collision-case/

 

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Measures out to cut costs of airlines

By THE NATION

 

 

The Cabinet today (March 17) approved the relief package proposed by the Transport Ministry for airlines reeling from the impact of Covid-19, said Transport Minister Saksayam Chidchob.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1154327-measures-out-to-cut-costs-of-airlines/

 

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In bid to slow coronavirus, Canada shuts borders to foreign nationals

By Kelsey Johnson and David Ljunggren

 

Few drivers wait to cross through US customs at the Canada-US border near the Peace Arch Historical State Park in Blaine, Washington, USA, after Canada's Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced additional measures to combat the spread of novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19), in Richmond, British Columbia, Canada March 16, 2020. REUTERS/Jesse Winter

 

OTTAWA (Reuters) - Canada closed its borders to all foreign nationals except U.S. citizens and permanent residents on Monday, with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau urging people to limit social contact to stem the spread of the new coronavirus.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1154328-in-bid-to-slow-coronavirus-canada-shuts-borders-to-foreign-nationals/

 

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Italy reports 475 new coronavirus deaths, lifting total death toll to 2,978

 

A medical worker in a protective suit monitors a coronavirus patient who is being transferred in an ambulance from the intensive care unit of the Gemelli Hospital to the Columbus Covid Hospital, which has been assigned as one of the new coronavirus treatment hospitals in Rome, Italy, March 16, 2020. Picture taken March 16, 2020. Gemelli Policlinico/Handout via REUTERS

 

ROME (Reuters) - The death toll from an outbreak of coronavirus in Italy has surged in the last 24 hours by 475 to 2,978, an increase of 19%, the biggest jump in numerical terms since the contagion came to light last month, officials said on Wednesday.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1154330-italy-reports-475-new-coronavirus-deaths-lifting-total-death-toll-to-2978/

 

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Coronavirus: British Pound plunges to its lowest level in over 30 years

Saikat Chatterjee, Iain Withers

 

FILE PHOTO: Wads of British Pound Sterling banknotes are stacked in piles at the Money Service Austria company's headquarters in Vienna, Austria, November 16, 2017. REUTERS/Leonhard Foeger

 

LONDON (Reuters) - The British pound plunged on Wednesday to its lowest level against the dollar since 1985 and to a more than decade-low versus the euro as coronavirus fears and a global rush to hold dollars overshadowed stimulus efforts.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1154331-coronavirus-british-pound-plunges-to-its-lowest-level-in-over-30-years/

 

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The revolution that wasn’t: Bernie Sanders' second presidential bid falls to earth

By Simon Lewis and Michael Martina

 

U.S. Democratic presidential candidate Senator Bernie Sanders announces that he will be continuing his campaign for U.S. president at least through his March 15 debate with former Vice President Joe Biden as he holds a news conference in Burlington, Vermont, U.S. March 11, 2020. REUTERS/Lucas Jackson

 

DETROIT (Reuters) - Michigan voter Monique Dooley believed in Bernie Sanders’ forceful message of support for America’s working class.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1154332-the-revolution-that-wasn’t-bernie-sanders-second-presidential-bid-falls-to-earth/

 

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Melania Trump to star in U.S. coronavirus awareness ads

By Dan Whitcomb

 

FILE PHOTO: U.S. first lady Melania Trump walks off stage after addressing the 2020 PTA Legislative Conference in Alexandria, Virginia March 10, 2020. REUTERS/Kevin Lamarque

 

LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - First lady Melania Trump will urge Americans to wash their hands and keep their distance from one another to fight coronavirus in a new TV ad campaign produced with major U.S. broadcast networks, the White House said on Wednesday.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1154336-melania-trump-to-star-in-us-coronavirus-awareness-ads/

 

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U.S. immigration agency to delay some arrests due to coronavirus

By Ted Hesson

 

FILE PHOTO: U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers conduct a targeted enforcement operation in Atlanta, Georgia, U.S. on February 9, 2017. Courtesy Bryan Cox/U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement via REUTERS

 

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The United States will delay arresting some people suspected of violating immigration laws until after the coronavirus crisis, authorities said on Wednesday, one of several recent emergency moves that could hamper President Donald Trump's aggressive immigration crackdown.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1154337-us-immigration-agency-to-delay-some-arrests-due-to-coronavirus/

 

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Call off Olympics, says quadruple gold medallist Pinsent

 

FILE PHOTO: Rowing - 2018 Oxford University vs Cambridge University Boat Race Press Conference - Thames Rowing Club, London, Britain - March 22, 2018 Women's Boat Race Umpire Sir Matthew Pinsent during the press conference Action Images via Reuters/Matthew Childs/File Photo

 

(Reuters) - Four-time Olympic rowing champion Matthew Pinsent has called for Tokyo 2020 to be called off, describing the International Olympic Committee (IOC) as "tone deaf" for proceeding with the Games amid the coronavirus outbreak.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1154339-call-off-olympics-says-quadruple-gold-medallist-pinsent/

 

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Trump says he will invoke wartime act to fight 'enemy' coronavirus

By Jeff Mason and Steve Holland

 

U.S. President Donald Trump addresses the daily coronavirus response briefing as Veterans Affairs Secretary Robert Wilkie looks on at the White House in Washington, U.S., March 18, 2020. REUTERS/Jonathan Ernst

 

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. President Donald Trump moved on Wednesday to accelerate production of desperately needed medical equipment to battle the coronavirus pandemic and said an estimate that U.S. unemployment could conceivably reach 20 percent was a worst case scenario.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1154341-trump-says-he-will-invoke-wartime-act-to-fight-enemy-coronavirus/

 

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Qantas to cease international flying, tells majority of workforce to take leave

By Jamie Freed

 

Qantas planes are seen at Kingsford Smith International Airport, following the coronavirus outbreak, in Sydney, Australia, March 18, 2020. REUTERS/Loren Elliott

 

SYDNEY (Reuters) - Qantas Airways Ltd <QAN.AX> said on Thursday it will halt all international flights from late March until at least the end of May and is putting two-thirds of its workforce on leave after Australia told citizens not to travel overseas due to the coronavirus.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1154342-qantas-to-cease-international-flying-tells-majority-of-workforce-to-take-leave/

 

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Harvey Weinstein moved to maximum security prison in upstate N.Y.

By Karen Freifeld

 

FILE PHOTO: Film producer Harvey Weinstein arrives at the New York Criminal Court during his ongoing sexual assault trial in the Manhattan borough of New York City, New York, U.S., February 24, 2020. REUTERS/Carlo Allegri

 

(Reuters) - Former movie producer Harvey Weinstein on Wednesday was transferred to a maximum security prison in upstate New York to serve a 23-year sentence for sexual assault and rape.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1154344-harvey-weinstein-moved-to-maximum-security-prison-in-upstate-ny/

 

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Koh Samui: Bouncer opens fire on men after warning about bringing in drinks from outside

 

 

Gunfire erupted outside a pub on beach road Chaweng as a security bouncer opened fire on guests. 

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1154347-koh-samui-bouncer-opens-fire-on-men-after-warning-about-bringing-in-drinks-from-outside/

 

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Phatthalung: Dozens of shots fired at house after argument over motorbike accident

 

FILE PHOTO: M16

 

Police in Phatthalung in Thailand's far south were called after a war weapon was used to fire on a house in Muang district. 

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1154349-phatthalung-dozens-of-shots-fired-at-house-after-argument-over-motorbike-accident/

 

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Wartime spirit! Drinkers on the beach as Pattaya entertainment all but shut down

 

Picture: 77kaoded

 

Thai media reported that tourists and locals in Pattaya had put mats on the beach and gone there to drink after the pubs, clubs and beer bars of the resort were shut for at least the next two weeks. 

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1154357-wartime-spirit-drinkers-on-the-beach-as-pattaya-entertainment-all-but-shut-down/

 

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Hua Hin and the virus: Resort bucks the trend and stays open for business

 

Picture: 77kaoded

 

It was business as normal in Hua Hin yesterday - at least as normal as can be expected in these virus hit times. 

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1154359-hua-hin-and-the-virus-resort-bucks-the-trend-and-stays-open-for-business/

 

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Samut Prakan: Entertainment places comply with government orders to shut

 

Picture: 77kaoded

 

Thai media 77kaoded reported that entertainment places in the province of Samut Prakan had complied with government directives to shut until the end of the month amid the ongoing coronavirus outbreak. 

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1154360-samut-prakan-entertainment-places-comply-with-government-orders-to-shut/

 

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Thai Travelers Who Visited Laos Likely Carried COVID-19 Across the Mekong

 citizen journalist

 

This file photo shows the Third Lao-Thai Mekong Friendship Bridge that extends from Khammouane province in Laos to Nakhon Phanom province in Thailand.

 

As Vietnam and Cambodia reported increases in the number of confirmed COVID-19 cases, authorities in Thailand warned their Lao neighbors that a group of Thai nationals that recently visited Laos on a day trip had tested positive for the coronavirus.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1154365-thai-travelers-who-visited-laos-likely-carried-covid-19-across-the-mekong/