THAILAND LIVE Thailand Live Friday 20 Mar 2020

[webfact]

Phuket Immigration extends permits to stay for foreigners stuck in Thailand

By The Phuket News

 

A man walks away from the Visa Extension section at the Phuket Immigration Office in Phuket Town. Photo: Tanyaluk Sakoot

 

PHUKET: Phuket Immigration is issuing all foreigners stuck in the country due to the COVID coronavirus situation 30-day extensions so they do not have travel and risk infection, The Phuket News was told this morning (Mar 20).

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1154615-phuket-immigration-extends-permits-to-stay-for-foreigners-stuck-in-thailand/

 

[webfact]

Police hunt ‘savings pool’ fraudster

By Eakkapop Thongtub

 

The pool of victims file their group complaint at Kathu Police Station. Photo: Eakkapop Thongtub

 

PHUKET: Kathu Police are looking for a 28-year-old woman from Trang who allegedly stole B50,000 from people who agreed to pay monthly contributions a “rotating savings and credit” pool that they were told they could take turns borrowing money from.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1154617-police-hunt-‘savings-pool’-fraudster/

 

[webfact]

BREAKING

 

Thailand reports 50 new coronavirus infections for total of 322

 

FILE PHOTO//@Reuters

 

BANGKOK (Reuters) - Thailand reported 50 new coronavirus infections, taking its tally to 322, a health official said on Friday, with the majority located in Bangkok, the capital.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1154620-thailand-reports-50-new-coronavirus-infections-for-total-of-322/

 

[webfact]

UPDATE:

 

Forty-one of 50 new Covid-19 cases linked to boxing stadium

By The Nation

 

 

Fifty new cases of Covid-19 were confirmed on Friday (March 20), taking the total number of infections in Thailand since the outbreak over the 300 mark, Dr Suwannachai Wattanayingcharoen, director-general of the Department of Disease Control, said.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1154620-thailand-reports-50-new-coronavirus-infections-for-total-of-322/?do=findComment&comment=15183890

 

[webfact]

Chiang Mai air quality 'worst in the world'

By THE NATION

 

 

Chiang Mai was once again the world's most polluted city, with air quality level at 346, the AirVisual application reported at 9.58am on Friday (March 20).

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1154630-chiang-mai-air-quality-worst-in-the-world/

 

[webfact]

Thailand among recipients of medical kits from Jack Ma, Alibaba foundations

By The Nation

 

Photo credit: alizila

 

The Jack Ma Foundation and Alibaba Foundation are jointly donating 2 million face masks, 150,000 test kits, 20,000 sets of protective gear and 20,000 face shields for Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines and Thailand.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1154632-thailand-among-recipients-of-medical-kits-from-jack-ma-alibaba-foundations/

 

[webfact]

Chachoengsao governor orders 224 people into home quarantine

 

 

Chachoengsao provincial governor Rapee Pongbuppakit has quarantined himself and has notified 224 others, who were in close contact with the mayor of Chachoengsao provincial administration organization (PAO), of the need to enter 14 days of self-quarantine at home.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1154633-chachoengsao-governor-orders-224-people-into-home-quarantine/

 

[webfact]

UPDATE:

 

Governor admits Danish family with COVID under treatment in Phuket

By The Phuket News

 

Phuket Govenror Phakaphong Tavipatana finally admitted the five COVID cases in Phuket this morning (Mar 20). photo: Eakkapop Thongtub

 

PHUKET: Phuket Governor Phakaphong Tavipatana has confirmed that a family of three Danish tourists in Phuket have tested positive for the COVID-19 coronavirus and are currently in hospital receiving treatment.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1154604-first-cases-of-covid-19-announced-in-phuket/?do=findComment&comment=15184031

 

[webfact]

16 national police infected with Covid-19, 220 in quarantine

By The Nation

 

 

Sixteen national police were infected with Covid-19, and 220 policemen would be in quarantine for 14 days to prevent further spread of the new coronavirus, Assistant National Police chief Pol Lt-General Piya Uthayo said.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1154647-16-national-police-infected-with-covid-19-220-in-quarantine/

 

[webfact]

Chinese woman on spitting spree in public transport arrested

 

 

A Chinese woman was arrested on Thursday (March 19) by officials after she was allegedly found spitting repeatedly inside a bus that she took from Bangkok to Saraburi before she rode a train to Bangkok and started spitting again.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1154648-chinese-woman-on-spitting-spree-in-public-transport-arrested/

 

[webfact]

PM urges people to avoid travel

By The Nation

 

FILE PHOTO: Government spokeswoman Narumon Pinyosinwat

 

Prime Minister, Prayuth Chan-o-cha, has appealed to all people in the country, especially in Bangkok and metropolitan areas, to avoid travelling to other provinces during the Covid-19 outbreak.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1154650-pm-prayut-urges-people-to-avoid-travel/

 

[webfact]

Thailand Post offers concessional rate to promote more online shopping amid Covid-19 threat

By THE NATION

 

 

Thailand Post Co Ltd is offering a special rate to encourage people to shop for consumer products and protective gears via online channels in an effort to combat the spread of Covid-19.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1154652-thailand-post-offers-concessional-rate-to-promote-more-online-shopping-amid-covid-19-threat/

 

[webfact]

Sixteen-day ban on tourists proposed

By The Nation

 

Mongkolkit Suksintharanon

 

Government coalition parties Thai Civilised, Thai People Justice and Tairaktham will ask Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha to issue an emergency decree about the Covid-19 crisis.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1154655-sixteen-day-ban-on-tourists-proposed/

 

[webfact]

Bangchak offers free hand gel at petrol stations

By THE NATION

 

 

Bangchak Corp will be offering alcohol-based hand sanitiser free of charge at its 200 Bangkok area service stations starting on Monday (March 23) and no fill-up or other purchase is required.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1154659-bangchak-offers-free-hand-gel-at-petrol-stations/

 

[webfact]

Online learning -- one way to combat virus threat

By The Nation

 

Photo by Tanachai Pramarnpanic

 

Apinya Bunditwuthisagul, from the University of the Thai Chamber of Commerce, is one of many teachers who gives lectures via the Cisco Webex Meetings program, which has been increasingly used of late.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1154660-online-learning-one-way-to-combat-virus-threat/

 

 

[webfact]

Fighting COVID-19 is like running a marathon – Dr. Yong Poovorawan

 

 

Fighting COVID-19 is a long-haul battle, like running a marathon, as the contagion will remain with mankind for a long time, at least until there is an effective vaccine, said Thailand’s renowned virologist Dr. Yong Poovorawan in his Facebook post today (Friday).

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1154662-fighting-covid-19-is-like-running-a-marathon-–-dr-yong-poovorawan/

 

 

[webfact]

YouTube to reduce streaming quality in Europe due to coronavirus

By Foo Yun Chee

 

FILE PHOTO: A 3D-printed YouTube icon is seen in front of a displayed YouTube logo in this illustration taken October 25, 2017. REUTERS/Dado Ruvic/Ilustration/File Photo

 

BRUSSELS (Reuters) - Alphabet Inc's YouTube said on Friday it will reduce its streaming quality in the European Union to avert internet gridlock as thousands of Europeans, constrained by the coronavirus outbreak, switch to working from home.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1154665-youtube-to-reduce-streaming-quality-in-europe-due-to-coronavirus/

 

[webfact]

Up to 500 boxing fans could be infected, undetected

By The Nation

 

 

Health authorities have been able to track down only 55 of the thousands of people who were watching boxing matches at Bangkok’s Lumphini Stadium on March 6 when the Covid-19 virus was being transmitted in the crowd.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1154668-up-to-500-boxing-fans-could-be-infected-undetected/

 

[webfact]

Virus’ cost to Thailand likely Bt176 bn, says ADB

By The Nation

 

 

The Covid-19 virus could cost Thailand US$5.6 billion (Bt176 billion), the Asian Development Bank warned on Friday (March 6).

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1154670-virus’-cost-to-thailand-likely-bt176-bn-says-adb/

 

[Jonathan Fairfield]

Tourist seen applying his saliva all over BTS lift

 

 

Another Asian tourist’s reckless, caught-on-camera behaviour in the midst of the Covid-19 outbreak has Thais livid online.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1154681-tourist-seen-applying-his-saliva-all-over-bts-lift/

 

[snoop1130]

New flight rules cause confusion among Thais overseas wanting to fly home

 

A health official checks the forms of incoming passengers during a health assessment at a checkpoint for people flying in from a list of countries and territories that include China, Hong Kong, Macau, South Korea, Iran and Italy, as a precautionary measure against the spread of the COVID-19 coronavirus at Suvarnabhumi Airport in Bangkok on March 9, 2020. (Photo by VIVEK PRAKASH / AFP)

 

The new anti-virus restrictions, just announced by the Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand (CAAT), requiring airlines to demand “fit to fly” health certificates from passengers before boarding a flight to Thailand, have thrown many Thai citizens overseas, who want to fly home, into confusion.

 

Full Story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1154689-new-flight-rules-cause-confusion-among-thais-overseas-wanting-to-fly-home/

 

[snoop1130]

Newin reports Covid-19 foreigner’s infection, touts ‘Buriram Model’

By THE NATION

 

Newin Chidchob

 

A foreign tourist is being treated for Covid-19 infection at Buriram Hospital, according to a Facebook post by prominent citizen Newin Chidchob on Friday (March 20).

 

Full Story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1154690-newin-reports-covid-19-foreigner’s-infection-touts-‘buriram-model’/

 

[snoop1130]

Laid off? Register for unemployment online

By The Nation

 

 

Anyone who’s been laid off work due to the Covid-19 outbreak can register for unemployment benefits online.

 

Full Story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1154693-laid-off-register-for-unemployment-online/

 

[snoop1130]

Traffic on friendship bridge higher as Myanmar shuts port over Covid-19 fears

By THE NATION

 

 

The number of people crossing the Thai-Myanmar Friendship Bridge at Tak province on Friday (March 20) have increased after Myanmar closed its port that linked the two countries, as a measure to prevent the spread of Covid-19.

 

Full Story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1154695-traffic-on-friendship-bridge-higher-as-myanmar-shuts-port-over-covid-19-fears/

 

[snoop1130]

Virus-free Laos takes umbrage at Thai TV anchor

By The Nation

 

 

A Thai TV news anchor has people in Laos fuming after demeaning their health system.

 

Full Story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1154697-virus-free-laos-takes-umbrage-at-thai-tv-anchor/

 

[snoop1130]

Bangkok Airways offers options for ticket-change, refund

By THE NATION

 

 

Bangkok Airways has announced a host of options for passengers holding tickets,issued on or before March 17 2020 for all flights until April 30, but no longer wish to depart on the scheduled dates.

 

Full Story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1154699-bangkok-airways-offers-options-for-ticket-change-refund/

 

[snoop1130]

Come back to fight coronavirus, UK begs 65,000 former nurses and doctors

 

People queue for a supermarket, as the spread of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) continues, in London, Britain, March 20, 2020. REUTERS/Dylan Martinez

 

LONDON (Reuters) - Britain has asked 65,000 former nurses and doctors to return to work and will deploy final-year medical students to fight the coronavirus health crisis, the health ministry said.

 

Full Story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1154701-come-back-to-fight-coronavirus-uk-begs-65000-former-nurses-and-doctors/

 

[snoop1130]

China's new imported coronavirus cases at record; no domestic transfers for second day

 

FILE PHOTO: March 17, 2020 picture of staff in protective suits accompanying a passenger outside a centralized facility for screening and registration near the Beijing Capital International Airport in Beijing as the country tries to contain imported cases of the coronavirus. REUTERS/Thomas Peter

 

BEIJING/SHANGHAI (Reuters) - China's imported coronavirus cases have risen to a record 228, data showed on Friday, as infected travellers spread to ever more provinces, adding pressure on authorities to toughen entry rules and health protocols.

 

Full Story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1154703-chinas-new-imported-coronavirus-cases-at-record-no-domestic-transfers-for-second-day/

 

[snoop1130]

Retailers sure of ready supply of all goods

By THE NATION

 

 

The Thai Retailers Association says 24,500 stores and malls across the country have confirmed they’re in no danger of running out of any commodities despite some customer hoarding of food and other essentials being observed due to the Covid-19 scare.

 

Full Story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1154705-retailers-sure-of-ready-supply-of-all-goods/

 

[snoop1130]

Only collective action will prevent a lockdown — Anutin

 

 

Deputy Prime Minister and Public Health Minister Anutin Charnvirakul today called for collective efforts by all Thais to fight the coronavirus pandemic which continues to ravage more than half of the countries in the world.

 

Full Story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1154706-only-collective-action-will-prevent-a-lockdown-—-anutin/