THAILAND LIVE Thailand Live Thursday 16 Apr 2020

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Prayut will reconsider lockdown in last week of April

By THE NATION

 

 

Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha said on Wednesday (April 15) that he will evaluate the Covid-19 situation in the last week of April to see if some restrictions can be lifted.

 

Full Story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1159747-prayut-will-reconsider-lockdown-in-last-week-of-april/

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Phuket Governor ordered out

By The Phuket News

 

Phuket Governor Phakaphong Tavipatana speaks to the press earlier today (Apr 15). Screenshot: Eakkapop Thongtub

 

PHUKET:-- Phuket Governor Phakaphong Tavipatana is to be transferred out of the province by order of the Cabinet at a date yet to be announced.

 

Full Story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1159761-phuket-governor-ordered-out/

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Wave of Thai returnees puts country on its guard

By The Nation

 

Photo:PxHere

 

Thailand is bracing for the return of hundreds more Thais from overseas, potentially adding to a Covid-19 case count which is currently on a declining trend.

 

Full Story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1159744-wave-of-thai-returnees-puts-country-on-its-guard/

 

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Bhumjaithai MP slammed for ‘insulting’ comment

By The Nation

 

 

Public Health Minister Anutin Charnvirakul has slammed fellow Bhumjaithai Party member Boonkua Pussatevo on Wednesday (April 15) for a Facebook comment that was understood as saying “stupid citizens will lead us to death”.

 

Full Story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1159735-bhumjaithai-mp-slammed-for-‘insulting’-comment/

 

 

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Thai Chamber of Commerce floats phased lockdown lift

By THE NATION

 

 

The Thai Chamber of Commerce is preparing to deliver its plan to lift the lockdown to the government.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1159791-thai-chamber-of-commerce-floats-phased-lockdown-lift/

 

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Energy Ministry to consider cutting utility bills for large corporations

By The Nation

 

Sontirat Sontijirawong, Energy Minister

 

The Energy Ministry is acknowledging the private sector’s call for it to reduce the price of electricity by 5 per cent for large enterprises and is looking into what can be done to help them, Energy Minister Sontirat Sontijirawong has said.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1159792-energy-ministry-to-consider-cutting-utility-bills-for-large-corporations/

 

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Kingdom must act now to woo post-Covid investors: Viboon

By The Nation

 

Viboon Kromadit

 

Industrial park operator Amata wants the government to stabilise the economy by launching a new measure to woo international investors and spending Bt1.9 trillion on recovery.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1159793-thailand-must-act-now-to-woo-post-covid-investors-viboon/

 

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Rayong extends ban on alcohol to April 30

By THE NATION

 

File photo

 

The ban on the sale of alcoholic beverages has been extended to April 30 in Rayong as part of a move to stem the spread of Covid-19, deputy provincial governor Piroon Hemarak said on Wednesday (April 15). The ban was originally scheduled to be lifted on Wednesday.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1159794-rayong-extends-ban-on-alcohol-to-april-30/

 

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UPDATE:

 

CCSA to consider whether state of emergency restrictions can be eased

 

 

Thailand’s Centre for COVID-19 Situation Administration (CCSA) will conduct an assessment of the enforcement of measures being imposed under the State of Emergency Executive Decree, including the night curfew, to determine whether they should be extended or whether some of measures can be eased and in which areas.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1159747-prayut-will-reconsider-lockdown-in-last-week-of-april/?do=findComment&comment=15300106

 

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Thai PM admits government can only afford single 5,000 baht subsidy payment

 

 

Thailand’s Government can afford to make only the April payment of the 5,000 baht cash hardship subsidies to nine million freelancers, self-employed, small retailers and employees not covered by the social security scheme.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1159795-thai-pm-admits-government-can-only-afford-single-5000-baht-subsidy-payment/

 

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Govt receives private sector’s donations to hospitals

 

   

BAMGKOK (NNT) - The Prime Minister has received cash donations from private companies for hospitals, in support of their fight against the COVID-19 pandemic.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1159796-thai-govt-receives-private-sector’s-donations-to-hospitals/

 

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UPDATE:

 

Young Thais join 'Milk Tea Alliance' in online backlash that angers Beijing

By Patpicha Tanakasempipat

 

A mobile phone displays an internet meme of a growing online movement called "Milk Tea Alliance" to show solidarity between Thailand, Taiwan and Hong Kong, in this illustration taken on April 15, 2020. REUTERS/Patpicha Tanakasempipat/Illustration

 

BANGKOK (Reuters) - Young Thais have banded together to pillory the Chinese embassy in Bangkok over a feud with Thai celebrities, part of a growing online movement to show solidarity with Taiwan and Hong Kong that has annoyed Beijing.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1159609-coronavirus-china-thailand-social-media-war-escalates/?do=findComment&comment=15300133

 

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More than two million COVID-19 cases now reported worldwide: Reuters tally

 

A man reacts as a medical worker takes a mouth sample for coronavirus during a community testing, as authorities race to contain the spread of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in Abuja, Nigeria April 15, 2020. REUTERS/Afolabi Sotunde

 

(Reuters) - The number of cases of COVID-19 reported worldwide passed two million on Tuesday, according to a Reuters tally.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1159797-more-than-two-million-covid-19-cases-now-reported-worldwide-reuters-tally/

 

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U.S. coronavirus death toll tops 30,000, New Yorkers told to wear masks

By Maria Caspani and Doina Chiacu

 

Medical workers respond at Maimonides Medical Center during the outbreak of the coronavirus disease (COVID19) in the Brooklyn borough of New York, U.S., April 14, 2020. REUTERS/Caitlin Ochs

 

NEW YORK/WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The U.S. coronavirus death toll - the highest in the world - surged past 30,000 on Wednesday after doubling in a week, while the hardest-hit state of New York ordered residents to wear masks in certain settings to combat the pandemic.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1159798-us-coronavirus-death-toll-tops-30000-new-yorkers-told-to-wear-masks/

 

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Pompeo urges full transparency on coronavirus in call with top Chinese diplomat

By Humeyra Pamuk

 

FILE PHOTO: U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo addresses the daily coronavirus task force briefing at the White House in Washington, U.S., April 8, 2020. REUTERS/Kevin Lamarque

 

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on Wednesday pressed China's top diplomat on the need for full transparency and information sharing as Washington ramped up its pressure on Beijing over the coronavirus outbreak.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1159799-pompeo-urges-full-transparency-on-coronavirus-in-call-with-top-chinese-diplomat/

 

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North Korea hacking threatens U.S. and global financial system: U.S. officials

By Raphael Satter

 

FILE PHOTO: A man holds a laptop computer as cyber code is projected on him in this illustration picture taken on May 13, 2017. REUTERS/Kacper Pempel/Illustration

 

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. government officials warned on Wednesday about the threat of North Korean hackers, calling particular attention to banking and other financial services.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1159800-north-korea-hacking-threatens-us-and-global-financial-system-us-officials/

 

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Biden earns backing from Warren, swing-state Democrats in show of unity against Trump

By Joseph Ax and Amanda Becker

 

FILE PHOTO: Democratic U.S. presidential candidate Senator Elizabeth Warren talks to reporters outside her house about the end of her campaign for U.S. president after informing her staff that she is withdrawing from the 2020 U.S. presidential race in Cambridge, Massachusetts, U.S., March 5, 2020. REUTERS/Brian Snyder/File Photo

 

(Reuters) - U.S. Senator Elizabeth Warren endorsed former Vice President Joe Biden for president on Wednesday, delivering another high-profile backing from a liberal former rival as he aims to unify the Democratic Party ahead of a bruising contest with Republican President Donald Trump.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1159801-biden-earns-backing-from-warren-swing-state-democrats-in-show-of-unity-against-trump/

 

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Global reaction to Trump withdrawing WHO funding

 

U.S. President Donald Trump listens during a meeting with recovered coronavirus disease (COVID-19) patients and family members in the Cabinet Room at the White House in Washington, U.S., April 14, 2020. REUTERS/Leah Millis

 

(Reuters) - U.S. President Donald Trump has instructed his administration to temporarily halt funding to the World Health Organization (WHO) over its handling of the COVID-19 disease pandemic.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1159803-global-reaction-to-trump-withdrawing-who-funding/

 

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Gates ups pandemic funds to $250 million, says Trump WHO move makes 'no sense'

By Kate Kelland

 

FILE PHOTO: Melinda Gates speaks to Oprah Winfrey on stage during a taping of her TV show in the Manhattan borough of New York City, New York, U.S., February 5, 2019. REUTERS/Carlo Allegri/File Photo

 

LONDON (Reuters) - Pulling funding from the World Health Organization (WHO) is a dangerous and nonsensical move when the world is facing the health crisis brought by the COVID-19 disease pandemic, Melinda Gates said on Wednesday.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1159808-gates-ups-pandemic-funds-to-250-million-says-trump-who-move-makes-no-sense/

 

 

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Iranian vessels come dangerously close to U.S. military ships

By Idrees Ali

 

Four Iranian Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Navy (IRGCN) vessels, some of several to maneuver in what the U.S. Navy says are "unsafe and unprofessional actions against U.S. Military ships by crossing the ships’ bows and sterns at close range" is seen next to the guided-missile destroyer USS Paul Hamilton in the Gulf April 15, 2020. U.S. Navy/Handout via REUTERS

 

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Eleven vessels from Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Navy (IRGCN) came dangerously close to U.S. Navy and Coast Guard ships in the Gulf, the U.S. military said on Wednesday, calling the moves "dangerous and provocative."

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1159810-iranian-vessels-come-dangerously-close-to-us-military-ships/

 

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Trump to announce 'guidelines' on reopening U.S. economy Thursday

 

FILE PHOTO: U.S. President Donald Trump addresses the daily coronavirus task force briefing in the Rose Garden at the White House in Washington, U.S., April 15, 2020. REUTERS/Leah Millis

 

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. President Donald Trump said on Wednesday that data suggested the country had passed the peak on new coronavirus infections, and said he would announce "new guidelines" for reopening the economy at a news conference on Thursday.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1159813-trump-to-announce-guidelines-on-reopening-us-economy-thursday/

 

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U.S. stalling massive IMF liquidity boost over Iran, China - sources

By David Lawder and Andrea Shalal

 

FILE PHOTO: The International Monetary Fund (IMF) headquarters building is seen ahead of the IMF/World Bank spring meetings in Washington, U.S., April 8, 2019. REUTERS/Yuri Gripas/File Photo

 

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. opposition to opening new avenues of funding for Iran and China is preventing the International Monetary Fund from deploying a powerful tool to help countries fight the economic impact of the coronavirus, according to two sources familiar with the matter.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1159816-us-stalling-massive-imf-liquidity-boost-over-iran-china-sources/

 

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Northern Ireland coronavirus restrictions extended by three weeks

 

General view of the empty Belfast City Centre as the spread of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) continues, Belfast, Northern Ireland, April 15, 2020. REUTERS/Jason Cairnduff

 

BELFAST (Reuters) - Northern Ireland will keep coronavirus restrictions in place for another three weeks, First Minister Arlene Foster said on Wednesday, keeping the British-run region in line with similar measures in neighbouring Ireland due to run until May 5.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1159818-northern-ireland-coronavirus-restrictions-extended-by-three-weeks/

 

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Exclusive: New York taps McKinsey to develop 'Trump-proof' economic reopening plan

By Jarrett Renshaw

 

FILE PHOTO: New York governor Andrew Cuomo speaks in the Manhattan borough of New York City, New York, U.S., March 30, 2020. REUTERS/Carlo Allegri/File Photo

 

(Reuters) - New York Governor Andrew Cuomo has hired high-powered consultants to develop a science-based plan for the safe economic reopening of the region that can thwart expected pressure from U.S. President Donald Trump to move more rapidly, state government sources told Reuters on Wednesday.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1159821-exclusive-new-york-taps-mckinsey-to-develop-trump-proof-economic-reopening-plan/

 

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China reports 46 new coronavirus cases in mainland

 

A man wearing a face mask is seen under a bridge of Yangtze river in Wuhan after the lockdown was lifted in Wuhan, capital of Hubei province and China's epicentre of the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak, April 15, 2020. REUTERS/Aly Song

 

BEIJING (Reuters) - China reported 46 new confirmed cases of the coronavirus in the mainland, the same as a day earlier, according to the country's health authority on Thursday.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1159823-china-reports-46-new-coronavirus-cases-in-mainland/

 

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Supplies for coronavirus field hospital held up at U.S.-Mexico border

By Julia Love and Mica Rosenberg

 

A family of migrants are seen outside a tent at a migrant encampment where more than 2,000 people live while seeking asylum in the U.S., while the spread of Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) continues, in Matamoros, Mexico April 9, 2020. REUTERS/Daniel Becerril

 

(Reuters) - Red tape and rules on exporting medical gear have delayed work on a field hospital for migrants in an asylum camp near Mexico's border with Texas, undercutting efforts to prepare for the coronavirus pandemic, according to organizers of the project.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1159824-supplies-for-coronavirus-field-hospital-held-up-at-us-mexico-border/

 

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Pattaya and the virus: Were you shopping in Terminal 21 Foodland on Sunday April 5th? 

 

 

The Chonburi governor has issued an urgent letter to warn anybody who was shopping in Foodland on the evening of Sunday April 5th to monitor symptoms of coronavirus. 

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1159825-pattaya-and-the-virus-were-you-shopping-in-terminal-21-foodland-on-sunday-april-5th /

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UPDATE:

 

Krabi: Scandinavian pensioners/Thai women arrested for contravening emergency decree at house drinks party

 

Picture: Naew Na

 

The Ao Nang police chief Pol Col Apichart Jinapen sent in his men after he got a tip that a group of foreigners and Thai women were enjoying themselves in the garden of a house having a drinks party. 

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1159718-krabi-drinking-party-raided-by-police/?do=findComment&comment=15300680

 

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Teen lost his job because of Covid-19 - stole from Phuket tourists to make ends meet

 

 

Wichit police in Phuket announced the arrest of an 18 year old Thai man from Songkhla after thefts from two tourists at separate hotels last week. 

 

Source: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1159833-teen-lost-his-job-because-of-covid-19-stole-from-phuket-tourists-to-make-ends-meet/

 

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Cash gifts okayed for government officials fighting Covid-19

By THE NATION

 

 

The Cabinet on Wednesday (April 15) approved cash gifts for government officials whose work is related to fighting the Covid-19 outbreak, Deputy Government Spokesperson Traisulee Traisaranakul said.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1159837-cash-gifts-okayed-for-government-officials-fighting-covid-19/