THAILAND LIVE Thailand Live Monday 23 Mar 2020

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TAT believes tourists will return to Pattaya in May

 

PATTAYA:--Call it optimism or wishful thinking, but Pattaya tourism officials believe things will get better for the industry in May.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1155100-tat-believes-tourists-will-return-to-pattaya-in-may/

 

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Sharp increase in Covid-19 cases in provinces 'cause for concern'

 

 

Medical officials are greatly concerned abou the new coronavirus (Covid-19) spreading to other provinces.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1155173-sharp-increase-in-covid-19-cases-in-provinces-cause-for-concern/

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Phuket’s six new cases include Swiss, Canadian

 

Phuket Governor Phakaphong Tavipatana at the meeting today (Mar 22). Photo: Eakkapop Thongtub

 

PHUKET: Phuket Governor Phakaphong Tavipatana has announced that among six new cases of people confirmed as infected with the COVID-19 coronavirus since yesterday were a 26-year-old Swiss woman and a 46-year-old Canadian man.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1155184-phuket’s-six-new-cases-include-swiss-canadian/

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Australian consulate in Phuket still open, as mass cruise passenger transfer conducted at sea

 

The two cruise ships Columbus and Vasco da Gama conducted the mass transfer of passengers 12 nautical miles off the coast of Phuket on Wednesday (Mar 18). Photo: Cruise & Maritime Voyages Australia

 

PHUKET: The office of the Australian Consulate-General in Phuket has confirmed that its staff are still receiving and processing enquiries and notarial services. The confirmation follows many enquiries after the office posted a notice that it has closed to the public temporarily.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1155181-australian-consulate-in-phuket-still-open-as-mass-cruise-passenger-transfer-conducted-at-sea/

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Germany's Merkel goes into quarantine after contact with infected doctor

By Ludwig Burger

 

German Chancellor Angela Merkel arrives for a media statement on the spread of coronavirus at the Chancellery in Berlin, Germany, March 22, 2020. Michel Kappeler

 

FRANKFURT (Reuters) - German chancellor Angela Merkel went into quarantine on Sunday after coming into contact with a coronavirus-infected doctor shortly after announcing more curbs on social interaction to slow the spread of the disease.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1155207-germanys merkel goes-into-quarantine-after-contact-with-infected-doctor/

 

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Germany bans meetings of more than two people in public

 

German Chancellor Angela Merkel gives a media statement on the spread of the new coronavirus disease (COVID-19) at the Chancellery in Berlin, Germany, March 22, 2020. Michel Kappeler/Pool via REUTERS

 

FRANKFURT (Reuters) - Germany tightened curbs on social interaction on Sunday, including a ban on public meetings of more than two people, to slow the spread of the coronavirus.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1155208-germany bans-meetings-of-more-than-two-people-in-public/

 

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Italy bans internal travel as a further 651 die from coronavirus

By Crispian Balmer and Angelo Amante

 

The motorway A4 is seen empty, as the spread of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) continues, near Milan, Italy March 22, 2020. REUTERS/Flavio Lo Scalzo

 

ROME (Reuters) - Italy banned travel within the country on Sunday in yet another attempt to slow the spread of the coronavirus, as data showed a further 651 people had died from the disease, lifting the number of fatalities to 5,476.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1155210-italy-bans-internal-travel-as-a-further-651-die-from-coronavirus/

 

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IOC to start discussions on possible Tokyo 2020 postponement

By Karolos Grohmann

 

The giant Olympic rings are seen in the dusk at the waterfront area at Odaiba Marine Park in Tokyo, Japan, March 22, 2020. REUTERS/Issei Kato

 

ATHENS (Reuters) - The International Olympic Committee is stepping up its "scenario planning" for the Tokyo 2020 Games -- including a possible postponement -- as the coronavirus pandemic spreads, it said after an emergency meeting on Sunday.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1155211-ioc-to-start-discussions-on-possible-tokyo-2020-postponement/

 

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Johnson tells UK: Stay apart or face tougher coronavirus measures

By Andy Bruce and Elizabeth Howcroft

 

Prime Minister Boris Johnson speaks during a news conference on the ongoing situation with the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in London, Britain March 22, 2020. Ian Vogler/Pool via REUTERS

 

LONDON (Reuters) - Britain may need to impose curfews and travel restrictions to halt the spread of the coronavirus if people do not heed the government's advice on social distancing, Prime Minister Boris Johnson warned on Sunday.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1155213-johnson-tells-uk-stay-apart-or-face-tougher-coronavirus-measures/

 

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BOT ready to pump Bt1 trillion into ailing financial markets

By Wichit Chaitrong
The Nation

 

Central bank Governor Veerathai Santiprabhob, third from left, senior officials from the Ministry of Finance and representatives from the financial market hold an emergency press conference on Sunday (March 22) to announce a plan to inject liquidity of over Bt1 trillion into the bond market, which is hit by tight liquidity as a result of virus fears.

 

The Bank of Thailand (BOT) has pledged to inject over Bt1 trillion to rescue the financial markets while the Ministry of Finance promised extra economic relief to support people affected by the Covid-19 fallout.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1155214-bot-ready-to-pump-bt1-trillion-into-ailing-financial-markets/

 

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Bangkok governor says bank branches in department stores can function

By The Nation

 

 

Update: Commercial banks in Greater Bangkok have closed their branches in department stores except for ones located in the supermarket area of Greater Bangkok beginning Sunday (March 22).

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1155215-bangkok-governor-says-bank-branches-in-department-stores-can-function/

 

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Standard Chartered predicts two more rate cuts by BOT but says that alone won't help economy

By The Nation

 

Tim Leelahaphan

 

The Bank of Thailand (BOT) cut the key policy by 25 basis points at its emergency meeting on Friday, taking the rate to a new low of 0.75 per cent. The decision was a unanimous one.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1155216-standard-chartered-predicts-two-more-rate-cuts-by-bot-but-says-that-alone-wont-help-economy/

 

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Lockdowns not enough to defeat coronavirus: WHO's Ryan

 

FILE PHOTO: Executive Director of the World Health Organization's (WHO) emergencies program Mike Ryan speaks at a news conference on the novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV) in Geneva, Switzerland February 6, 2020. REUTERS/Denis Balibouse/File Photo

 

LONDON (Reuters) - Countries can’t simply lock down their societies to defeat coronavirus, the World Health Organization’s top emergency expert said on Sunday, adding that public health measures are needed to avoid a resurgence of the virus later on.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1155218-lockdowns-not-enough-to-defeat-coronavirus-whos-ryan/

 

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Chiang Mai imposes partial lockdown

 

 

Thailand’s norther city of Chiang Mai is to impose strict measures to limit gatherings of people in venues deemed at high risk of enabling the further spread of COVID-19.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1155219-chiang-mai-imposes-partial-lockdown/

 

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Covid-19: 5 provinces around Bangkok impose tough measures

 

Workers cleaning up Morchit 2 bus terminal on Sunday Morning

 

Bangkok’s five neighbouring provinces of Nonthaburi, Nakhon Pathom, Pathum Thani, Samut Prakan and Samut Sakhon have imposed drastic measures to deal with the coronavirus pandemic by closing a range of retail business, effective  as of today.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1155180-neighbouring-provinces-follow-bangkok-in-closing-many-public-outlets/?do=findComment&comment=15195322

 

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Thai traditional doctor suggests eating Thai herbs to increase immunity

 

   

BANGKOK(NNT) - The Department of Thai Traditional and Alternative Medicine, Ministry of Public Health, has suggested members of the public boost their immunity by eating all Five Food Groups, regularly exercising, getting enough rest, and eating three groups of recommended herbs.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1155220-thai-traditional-doctor-suggests-eating-thai-herbs-to-increase-immunity/

 

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Coronavirus forces states to order nearly one in three Americans to stay home

By Jonnelle Marte and Barbara Goldberg

 

A pedestrian crosses Masonic Avenue after California Governor Gavin Newsom implemented a statewide "stay at home order" directing the state's 40 million residents to stay in their homes in the face of the fast-spreading coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in San Francisco, California, U.S. March 21, 2020. REUTERS/Stephen Lam

 

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Nearly one in three Americans was ordered to stay home on Sunday to slow the spread of the coronavirus pandemic as Ohio, Louisiana and Delaware became the latest states to enact broad lockdowns.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1155223-coronavirus-forces-states-to-order-nearly-one-in-three-americans-to-stay-home/

 

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Panic buying, lockdowns may drive world food inflation: FAO, analysts

By Naveen Thukral

 

FILE PHOTO: A woman looks at an empty shelf with a sign announcing the rationing of toilet paper to one pack per person at a Rewe grocery store in Potsdam, Germany, March 20, 2020, as the spread of the coronavirus disease continues. REUTERS/Michele Tantuss

 

SINGAPORE (Reuters) - Lockdowns and panic food buying due to the coronavirus pandemic could ignite world food inflation even though there are ample supplies of staple grains and oilseeds in key exporting nations, a senior economist at FAO and agricultural analysts said.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1155225-panic-buying-lockdowns-may-drive-world-food-inflation-fao-analysts/

 

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Biden to start considering running mates, consulted Obama

By Trevor Hunnicutt

 

FILE PHOTO: 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

 

(Reuters) - Democratic presidential front-runner Joe Biden said on Sunday he needed to start vetting possible running mates "in a matter of weeks" and that he discussed the pick with former President Barack Obama.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1155226-biden-to-start-considering-running-mates-consulted-obama/

 

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Republican coronavirus bill hits roadblock in U.S. Senate; negotiations continue

 

U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) talks to media after leaving the Senate floor after a meeting to wrap up work on coronavirus economic aid legislation, during the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak, in Washington, U.S., March 22, 2020. REUTERS/Mary F. Calvert

 

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Democrats in the U.S. Senate on Sunday were voting to block a coronavirus response bill as they pushed for more funding to help hospitals and others hurt by the outbreak.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1155227-republican-coronavirus-bill-hits-roadblock-in-us-senate-negotiations-continue/

 

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Exclusive: U.S. axed CDC expert job in China months before virus outbreak

By Marisa Taylor

 

FILE PHOTO: People coming from the Hubei province wait at a checkpoint at the Jiujiang Yangtze River Bridge in Jiujiang, Jiangxi province, China, as the country is hit by an outbreak of a new coronavirus, February 1, 2020. REUTERS/Thomas Peter - RC2JRE950YUT/File Photo

 

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Several months before the coronavirus pandemic began, the Trump administration eliminated a key American public health position in Beijing intended to help detect disease outbreaks in China, Reuters has learned.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1155228-exclusive-us-axed-cdc-expert-job-in-china-months-before-virus-outbreak/

 

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Cuban doctors head to Italy to battle coronavirus

By Nelson Acosta

 

Cuban doctors take part in a farewell ceremony before departing to Italy to assist, amid concerns about the spread of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak, in Havana, Cuba, March 21, 2020. REUTERS/Alexandre Meneghini

 

HAVANA (Reuters) - Communist-run Cuba said it dispatched a brigade of doctors and nurses to Italy for the first time this weekend to help in the fight against the novel coronavirus at the request of the worst-affected region Lombardy.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1155232-cuban-doctors-head-to-italy-to-battle-coronavirus/

 

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China reports 39 new confirmed cases of coronavirus, all imported

 

FILE PHOTO: A police officer in a protective suit keeps watch on inbound travellers at Shanghai Pudong International Airport following a global outbreak of coronavirus disease (COVID-19), in Shanghai, China March 20, 2020. cnsphoto via REUTERS

 

BEIJING (Reuters) - Mainland China had 39 new confirmed cases on Sunday, the country's National Health Commission said, down from 46 a day earlier.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1155233-china-reports-39-new-confirmed-cases-of-coronavirus-all-imported/

 

 

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Singapore Airlines to ground most of its fleet as travel curbs bite

 

FILE PHOTO: A Singapore Airlines plane sits on the tarmac at Singapore's Changi Airport March 11, 2020. Picture taken March 11, 2020. REUTERS/Edgar Su

 

SYDNEY (Reuters) - Singapore Airlines Ltd <SIAL.SI> said on Monday it would cut its capacity by 96% up to the end of April amid tightening border restrictions that bar foreigners from transiting its hub in an effort to stem the coronavirus pandemic.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1155236-singapore-airlines-to-ground-most-of-its-fleet-as-travel-curbs-bite/

 

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Venezuela prohibits company layoffs and suspends credit collections over coronavirus

 

People gather at a rooftop in a residential building during the national quarantine in response to the spread of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in Caracas, Venezuela March 22, 2020. REUTERS/Manaure Quintero

 

CARACAS (Reuters) - Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro announced on Sunday a series of economic measures to address the financial fallout from the spread of the coronavirus in the country, including prohibiting layoffs while also suspending rent payments and credit payments.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1155238-venezuela-prohibits-company-layoffs-and-suspends-credit-collections-over-coronavirus/

 

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Pattaya: "English Rose" bar brazenly serving drinks to tourists despite Covid-19 ban

 

Picture: The Pattaya News

 

The Bang Lamung district chief and head of the Pattaya police descended on a bar in Moo 9, Nong Prue after complaints that it was serving foreigners drinks in contravention of the current ban due to the coronavirus outbreak. 

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1155241-pattaya-english-rose-bar-brazenly-serving-drinks-to-tourists-despite-covid-19-ban/

 

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Covid-19 in Hua Hin: British "tourist" has virus - four more cases as hospital introduces further measures

 

Picture:  77kaoded

 

Thai media 77kaoded reported that four more people have tested positive for coronavirus in Hua Hin bringing the number of cases in the town to six.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1155243-covid-19-in-hua-hin-british-tourist-has-virus-four-more-cases-as-hospital-introduces-further-measures/

 

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Harvey Weinstein tests positive for coronavirus in prison - union official

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/File Photo

 

(Reuters) - Former movie producer Harvey Weinstein, who is serving a prison sentence for sexual assault and rape, has tested positive for the coronavirus, according to the head of the state corrections officers union.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1155247-harvey-weinstein-tests-positive-for-coronavirus-in-prison-union-official/

 

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Bang Saen: Police move in to discourage people congregating at the beach

 

Picture: Sanook

 

Sanook reported that the police and the local authority moved to stop people congregating at Won Napha and Bang Saen beaches in Chonburi amid fears that it would encourage the spread of the coronavirus. 

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1155249-bang-saen-police-move-in-to-discourage-people-congregating-at-the-beach/

 

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Covid-19 mass exodus from Bangkok: Thousands pack Mo Chit bus station last night

 

Picture: Sanook

 

Sanook reported that Mo Chit bus station was packed with people returning to the provinces last night. 

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1155253-covid-19-mass-exodus-from-bangkok-thousands-pack-mo-chit-bus-station-last-night/