Thais told to stay home to lessen burden of medical personnel

By The Nation

 

 

Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-o-cha has urged Thais to stay at home and avoid travelling to other provinces following a Public Health Ministry announcement today (March 20) that the number of confirmed Covid-19 cases had soared to 322 , said Tewan Liptapanlop, head of Prime Minister's Office.

 

Full Story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1154730-thais-told-to-stay-home-to-lessen-burden-of-medical-personnel/

 

 

The United Kingdom is closed: Johnson shutters pubs and restaurants

By Costas Pitas and Paul Sandle

 

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson looks on during a coronavirus disease (COVID-19) news conference inside 10 Downing Street, London, Britain March 19, 2020. Leon Neal/Pool via REUTERS

 

LONDON (Reuters) - Prime Minister Boris Johnson effectively closed down the United Kingdom on Friday, ordering pubs, restaurants, theatres, cinemas and gyms to shut their doors in a bid to slow down the accelerating spread of the coronavirus.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1154768-the-united-kingdom-is-closed-johnson-shutters-pubs-and-restaurants/

 

UK to pay workers' wages as economy shuts down due to coronavirus

By Costas Pitas and Andy Bruce

 

FILE PHOTO: Chancellor of the Exchequer Rishi Sunak speaks during a news conference on the ongoing situation with the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in London, Britain March 17, 2020. Matt Dunham/Pool via REUTERS/File Photo

 

LONDON (Reuters) - Britain said it was taking the unprecedented step of helping to pay workers' wages in an attempt to prevent a surge in unemployment as companies grapple with the near shutdown of the economy due to the coronavirus outbreak.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1154769-uk-to-pay-workers-wages-as-economy-shuts-down-due-to-coronavirus/

 

U.S. senators defend selling shares before coronavirus crash

By Richard Cowan, David Morgan and Susan Cornwell

 

The American Flag flies at the U.S. Capitol Building, as Mayor Muriel Bowser declared a State of Emergency due to the coronavirus disease (COVID-19), on Capitol Hill in Washington, U.S., March 18, 2020. REUTERS/Tom Brenner

 

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Two Republican senators defended themselves on Friday against heavy criticism, including calls that they resign, for selling substantial amounts of stocks before the coronavirus-induced market meltdown and after closed-door briefings on the outbreak.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1154770-us-senators-defend-selling-shares-before-coronavirus-crash/

 

WHO message to youth on coronavirus: 'You are not invincible'

By Stephanie Nebehay

 

FILE PHOTO: Director General of the World Health Organization (WHO) Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus attends a news conference on the situation of the coronavirus (COVID-2019), in Geneva, Switzerland, February 28, 2020. REUTERS/Denis Balibouse

 

GENEVA (Reuters) - Coronavirus can sicken or kill young people as well and they must also avoid mingling and spreading it to older and more vulnerable people, the World Health Organization said on Friday.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1154773-who-message-to-youth-on-coronavirus-you-are-not-invincible/

 

Stimulus measures boost SET by 8%

By The Nation

 

 

Fresh stimulus measures announced by governments and central banks hiked the value of stocks in Thailand by almost 8 per cent on Friday (March 20).

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1154774-stimulus-measures-boost-set-by-8/

 

BOT cuts key rate by 25 basis points in sudden move

By The Nation

 

Bank of Thailand makes an emergency rate cut by 25 basis points to 0.75 per cent , effective on Monday March 23, in response to the economic impact from Covid-19.

 

The Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) voted unanimously on Friday (March 20) to cut the key policy rate by 0.25 percentage point, from 1.00 to 0.75 per cent, effective from March 23 to reduce the interest burden on borrowers affected by the Covid-19 outbreak and to alleviate liquidity strain in the financial markets.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1154775-bot-cuts-key-rate-by-25-basis-points-in-sudden-move/

 

Border provinces asked to close or limit access

By THE NATION

 

 

The governors of border provinces have been asked to consider temporarily closing all permanent crossings in a move to slow the escalation of the Covid-19 situation.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1154778-border-provinces-asked-to-close-or-limit-access/

 

Industry Ministy rearranges work schedules of officials

By The Nation

 

Suriya Jungrungreangkit, Minister of Industry

 

The Ministry of Industry has enhanced its Covid-19 measures by allowing officials to work on shifts or work from home, starting from Monday (March 23).

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1154779-industry-ministy-rearranges-work-schedules-of-officials/

 

Letter of loan guarantee helps keep SMEs afloat amid Covid-19 situation.

By THE NATION

 

 

The state-owned Thai Credit Guarantee Corporation (TCG) has issued up to 43,000 letters of guarantee (LG) to operators of small and medium enterprises (SMEs) affected by the Covid-19 outbreak , guaranteeing a total of over Bt24 billion in loans.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1154780-letter-of-loan-guarantee-helps-keep-smes-afloat-amid-covid-19-situation/

 

Kids should help their parents, says kid

By The Nation

 

 

There are three simple things that children can do help their parents cope during the Covid-19 outbreak, says a 13-year-old Facebook user.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1154781-kids-should-help-their-parents-says-kid/

 

Armed drug suspects arrested in Pa Khlok

By Eakkapop Thongtub

 

The ‘home-made’ firearms seized in the raids. Photo: Thalang Police

 

PHUKET: Police seized three home-made firearms in drug raids on two houses in Pa Khlok earlier this week.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1154782-armed-drug-suspects-arrested-in-pa-khlok/

 

Chaos over new Thai entry restrictions on coronavirus

Panu Wongcha-um, Chayut Setboonsarng

 

A woman wears a protective face mask due to the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak, as she waits for costumers in central Bangkok, Thailand March 19, 2020. REUTERS/Soe Zeya Tun

 

BANGKOK (Reuters) - Confusion over Thailand’s new coronavirus curbs left travellers scrambling on Friday as Thai citizens queued at embassies abroad to get special travel papers and foreigners faced the challenge of producing a negative test for the disease.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1154689-new-flight-rules-cause-confusion-among-thais-overseas-wanting-to-fly-home/page/2/?tab=comments#comment-15186864

 

Thailand’s PM will take decisive action over COVID-19, but at the right time

 

 

Thai Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha is ready to take decisive action at the appropriate time, to cope with the relentless spread of COVID-19 but, for the time being, he prefers the step-by-step approach, to reduce the impact on the people, said government spokeswoman Mrs. Narumon Pinyosinwat on Friday evening.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1154786-thailand’s-pm-will-take-decisive-action-over-covid-19-but-at-the-right-time/

 

Thai Lion Air will suspend operations from March 25th to end of April

 

 

Thai Lion Air has notified the Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand that it will temporarily suspend operations, for both domestic and international flights, effective March 25th, until the COVID-19 outbreak situation eases off or May 1st, whichever is the later.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1154787-thai-lion-air-will-suspend-operations-from-march-25th-to-end-of-april/

 

WHO praises Thailand for its efforts to contain COVID-19

 

 

The World Health Organization’s representative in Thailand has praised Thailand for its ability, to date, to contain the spread of COVID-19 and for being the first country, outside China, to identify a coronavirus as the cause, according to Public Health Minister Anutin Charnvirakul.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1154790-who-praises-thailand-for-its-efforts-to-contain-covid-19/

 

Thai cafe serves coffee on wheels to maintain social distance

By Artorn Pookasook

 

A man receives a coffee in a cart pulled by a rope as a transportation system after a cafe adopted a social distance policy for their customers amid fears of coronavirus outbreak in Bangkok, Thailand March 20, 2020. REUTERS/Chalinee Thirasupa

 

BANGKOK (Reuters) - A cafe in Thailand has started using a pulley system to serve coffee on wheels as coronavirus infections force businesses to practice social distancing.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1154795-thai-cafe-serves-coffee-on-wheels-to-maintain-social-distance/

 

Wall Street dives, ends worst week since 2008, as New York, California impose restrictions

By Caroline Valetkevitch

 

Traders work on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) in New York, U.S., March 20, 2020. REUTERS/Lucas Jackson

 

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Wall Street wrapped up its worst week since October 2008, with the Dow Jones Industrial Average and S&P 500 sliding more than 4% on Friday as tough restrictions imposed by New York and California to try to limit the spread of the coronavirus fueled worries about damage to the U.S. economy.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1154796-wall-street-dives-ends-worst-week-since-2008-as-new-york-california-impose-restrictions/

 

North Korea fires suspected short-range missiles, South Korea says, amid coronavirus

By Joyce Lee

 

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un guides artillery fire competition in this image released by North Korea's Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) on March 20, 2020. KCNA via REUTERS ATTENTION EDITORS - THIS IMAGE WAS PROVIDED BY A THIRD PARTY. REUTERS IS UNABLE TO INDEPENDENTLY VERIFY THIS IMAGE. NO THIRD PARTY SALES. SOUTH KOREA OUT. NO COMMERCIAL OR EDITORIAL SALES IN SOUTH KOREA.

 

SEOUL (Reuters) - North Korea fired two projectiles that appeared to be short-range ballistic missiles into the sea off the east coast of the Korean peninsula, South Korea's military said on Saturday, after what analysts said was a show of confidence during the coronavirus epidemic by announcing an April legislature session.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1154797-north-korea-fires-suspected-short-range-missiles-south-korea-says-amid-coronavirus/

 

Deserted streets, digital dancing as Argentina goes into lockdown

By Nicolás Misculin, Eliana Raszewski and Cassandra Garrison

 

Police officers stand outside a hostel looking for people who might have violated mandatory isolation, to avoid the spread of coronavirus disease (COVIT-19), in Buenos Aires, Argentina March 19, 2020. Picture taken March 19, 2020. REUTERS/Matias Baglietto

 

BUENOS AIRES (Reuters) - Argentina went into full lockdown mode on Friday, with streets in Buenos Aires largely deserted, while workers and school kids in the capital logged on remotely to offices, classrooms and even digital dancing lessons, after a mandatory quarantine was imposed.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1154799-deserted-streets-digital-dancing-as-argentina-goes-into-lockdown/

 

Algerians forego weekly protest amid coronavirus

By Lamine Chikhi

 

A general view shows empty streets after an anti-government protest were suspended, following the spread of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19), in Algiers, Algeria March 20, 2020. REUTERS / Ramzi Boudina

 

ALGIERS (Reuters) - Algerian protesters heeded a presidential order over the coronavirus, and the pleas of some of their own leaders, by not staging their weekly demonstration against the ruling elite on Friday for the first time in over a year.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1154800-algerians-forego-weekly-protest-amid-coronavirus/

 

Olympics cannot go ahead, says UK Athletics chairman

 

 

FILE PHOTO: Football - Soccerex African Forum 2012 - Durban, South Africa - 23/10/12 Nic Coward - General Secretary of the Premier League during the opening ceremony Mandatory Credit: Action Images / Abhiram Indrarajan/File Photo

 

LONDON (Reuters) - The Tokyo Olympics should be called off to spare athletes the "stress" of trying to train in the middle of the coronavirus pandemic, UK Athletics chairman Nic Coward said on Friday.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1154802-olympics-cannot-go-ahead-says-uk-athletics-chairman/

 

Covid-19: Most of Thailand’s land borders now closed

 

Image: Mae Sot border file photo

 

Thai media reported that Thailand's hand was largely being forced by authorities in bordering countries closing their frontiers in response to the coronavirus crisis.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1154778-border-provinces-asked-to-close-or-limit-access/?tab=comments#comment-15186850

 

Proper disposal of medical waste: part of the fight against Covid-19, says ADB

By The Nation

 

 

Amid the spread of Covid-19 around the world, governments in several countries are focused on the question of how to improve medical waste disposal. The subject of medical incinerators at hospitals is a key part of the discussion.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1154805-proper-disposal-of-medical-waste-part-of-the-fight-against-covid-19-says-adb/

 

Brawling monkeys fed by Thai villagers as tourism dries up

 

A man feeds monkeys near Prang Sam Yod temple, following significant impact on tourism after the outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) spread, in Lopburi, Thailand, March 18, 2020. Picture taken March 18, 2020. REUTERS/Soe Zeya Tun

 

LOPBURI, Thailand (Reuters) - A mass brawl between two troupes of monkeys in Thailand's Lopburi province, captured on a video clip that went viral online last week, sparked concerns that the animals might be starving as coronavirus pandemic was keeping tourists away.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1154806-brawling-monkeys-fed-by-thai-villagers-as-tourism-dries-up/

 

BTS lift guy who shocked netizens with disgusting behavior is arrested - He's a 32 year old Thai

 

 

Image: Daily News

 

Daily News reported that the man who shocked netizens with filthy behavior in a BTS lift has been arrested.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1154808-bts-lift-guy-who-shocked-netizens-with-disgusting-behavior-is-arrested-hes-a-32-year-old-thai/

 

Popular blogger Richard Barrow shares experience of intensive screening at Suvarnabhumi

 

 

A thermographic device displays the temperature of arriving passengers before they enter immigration at Bangkok's Suvarnabhumi International Airport, Thailand Mar 14, 2020. (Photo: Reuters/Athit Perawongmetha)

 

Thailand based blogger Richard Barrow has written about his experiences after arriving at Suvarnabhumi airport from the UK on Thursday. 

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1154811-popular-blogger-richard-barrow-shares-experience-of-intensive-screening-at-suvarnabhumi/

 

Chinese woman who spat on bus and train has had a fever for three weeks - arrested and now in hospital

 

 

Image: Sanook

 

A Chinese woman who caused a Covid-19 panic after spitting on a Saraburi bound bus and a train has been arrested.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1154813-chinese-woman-who-spat-on-bus-and-train-has-had-a-fever-for-three-weeks-arrested-and-now-in-hospital/

 

Hot day and thundershowers forecast for upper Thailand

By THE NATION

 

 

The Thailand Meteorological Department forecast on Saturday (March 21) that a thermal low covers upper Thailand causing hot weather during the day.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1154816-hot-day-and-thundershowers-forecast-for-upper-thailand/

 

"Sorry about the fake virus news" - Thai man says sorry to market owner with a garland

 

 

Image: Sanook

 

A Thai man who posted that a female trader at a busy market in Chonburi had come down with coronavirus has admitted that he made it all up.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1154819-sorry-about-the-fake-virus-news-thai-man-says-sorry-to-market-owner-with-a-garland/