THAILAND LIVE Thailand Live Friday 24 Apr 2020

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Unicef boosts Thailand’s Covid testing push

By The Nation

 

 

Unicef is contributing to national efforts to expand testing for Covid-19 by providing testing reagents worth Bt5 million. The reagents will support Bamrasnaradura Infectious Diseases Institute (BIDI), a main centre for testing as Thailand battles the pandemic.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1161065-unicef-boosts-thailand’s-covid-testing-push/

 

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Expert virologist spells out main criteria for Covid-19 safe zone

By THE NATION

 

Yong Poovorawan

 

Only a place that has been free from a Covid-19 case for 28 days can be considered a safe zone, Dr Yong Poovorawan, expert virologist at Chulalongkorn University, said.

 

Full Story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1161077-expert-virologist-spells-out-main-criteria-for-covid-19-safe-zone/ 

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Police ordered to monitor food handouts after brawl

By The Nation

 

 

Police are tightening security and social distancing measures at food-handout stations in Bangkok after violence broke out as people queued for giveaways. Police had to intervene on April 12 when an ugly brawl broke out as people queued for free food being given out near Sanam Luang.

 

Full Story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1161090-police-ordered-to-monitor-food-handouts-after-brawl/

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Exercising in public not banned in Patong, but mayor urges everyone to stay at home

By Khunanya Wanchanwet

 

Patong Mayor Chalermluck still urged people to stay at home as much as possible. Photo: Patong Municipality

 

PHUKET:-- Patong Mayor Chalermluck Kebsup has confirmed there is no ban on people exercising in public in Patong, but still urges everyone to venture out of their homes as little as possible.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1161097-exercising-in-public-not-banned-in-patong-but-mayor-urges-everyone-to-stay-at-home/

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UPDATE:

 

AOT approves reduction in rates for concessionaires, airlines

By THE NATION

 

 

Airports of Thailand (AOT) will provide temporary financial relief to concessionaires and airlines affected by the new coronavirus (Covid-10) outbreak by reducing rents and charges.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1161058-airports-of-thailand-offers-discount-for-airlines-as-passengers-drop/?do=findComment&comment=15332011

 

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Industrial confidence hits 28-month low

By The Nation

 

Photo Credit: PxHere

 

The Industrial Confidence Index in March dropped to a 28-month low of 88.0 under the impact of Covid-19, Suphan Mongkolsuthi, Federation of Thai Industries (FTI) chairman, said on Thursday (April 23).

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1161131-industrial-confidence-hits-28-month-low/

 

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More quarantine sites sought as returnees isolated

By The Nation

 

Institution for Urban Disease Control

 

The authorities are putting the 1,206 returnees under 14-day quarantine to prevent the spread of Covid-19.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1161132-more-quarantine-sites-sought-as-returnees-isolated/

 

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Udon Thani man found hanging after handout rejection

By The Nation

 

 

A man in Udon Thani province hanged himself after his application for the government’s Bt5,000 relief payment was rejected, leaving him with no money to support his daughter.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1161133-udon-thani-man-found-hanging-after-handout-rejection/

 

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30 dugongs spotted off Trang’s Libong Island

By The Nation

 

 

As many as 30 dugongs were found on Wednesday (April 22) off the shore of Trang’s Hat Chao Mai National Park.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1161134-30-dugongs-spotted-off-trang’s-libong-island/

 

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Thai Red Cross offers up some of its funds for battle against Covid-19

By THE NATION

 

 

The Thai Red Cross Society has offered to cut its own budget by Bt97.44 million to add to the funds contributed by ministries and other government agencies to deal with the Covid-19 crisis.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1161135-thai-red-cross-offers-up-some-of-its-funds-for-battle-against-covid-19/

 

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Thai returnees switch border crossings after virus outbreak at Sadao

By The Nation

 

 

Thai nationals in Malaysia continued to flow through Songkhla’s Padang Besar border checkpoint on Thursday (April 23), after the Sadao checkpoint was temporarily closed on Wednesday.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1161136-thai-returnees-switch-border-crossings-after-virus-outbreak-at-sadao/

 

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One million farmers urged to update status to receive Bt15,000 payments

By The Nation

 

 

The Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives has urged farmers to register their households quickly with the state, if they want to be eligible for the government’s Bt15,000 monthly handouts and other Covid-relief measures.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1161137-one-million-farmers-urged-to-update-status-to-receive-bt15000-payments/

 

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After years of foot-dragging, Ban Sukhawadee sees Pattaya bulldoze encroaching buildings

By Boonlua Chatree

 

  

Deputy City Manager Sutham Petchket oversaw a task force of soldiers, police, Banglamung and Pattaya officials who brought in bulldozers to demolish a building at Sukhawadee House.

 

Pattaya brought in bulldozers to demolish a building at Sukhawadee House after the tourist attraction spent more than a year thumbing its nose at the city for encroaching on public land.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1161138-after-years-of-foot-dragging-ban-sukhawadee-sees-pattaya-bulldoze-encroaching-buildings/

 

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Thai authorities giving 1,000 baht to Pattaya-area residents

By Warapun Jaikusol

 

 

Thousands of Pattaya-area residents line up to apply for 1,000-baht stipends from Nongprue Subdistrict aimed at alleviating some of the economic pain of the coronavirus lockdown.

 

Thousands of Pattaya-area residents applied for 1,000-baht stipends from Nongprue Subdistrict aimed at alleviating some of the economic pain of the coronavirus lockdown.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1161139-thai-authorities-giving-1000-baht-to-pattaya-area-residents/

 

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Pattaya, Chonburi province report no new Covid-19 cases April 23

By Pattaya Mail

 

  

No new Covid-19 cases reported in Pattaya City, Chonburi Province April 23.

 

Chonburi Public Health Office reported at 8 a.m. April 23 that the number of accumulated coronavirus (COVID-19) cases is now at 86.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1161140-pattaya-chonburi-province-report-no-new-covid-19-cases-april-23/

 

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COVID-19 quarantine training held at Beverly Hotel Pattaya

By Jetsada Homklin

 

Staff of the Beverly Hotel Pattaya undergo intensive training in preparation for the task ahead.

 

When the COVID-19 pandemic broke out, the rapid spread and social consequences caught millions of people unaware and hundreds of thousands of travelers were stuck overseas. But slowly and surely, people are trickling back to their home countries where they are put under strict quarantine for at least 14 days.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1161141-covid-19-quarantine-training-held-at-beverly-hotel-pattaya/

 

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Australian, American among four charged for ‘Abandoned Phuket Zoo’ post

By Eakkapop Thongtub

 

Two of the suspects at Chalong Police Station today (Apr 23). Photo Eakkapop Thongtub

 

PHUKET: Two foreigners and two Thai nationals have been charged with trespass and breach of the Computer Crimes Act for entering Phuket Zoo allegedly without permission and posting online claims that animals at the zoo had been abandoned, and for setting up an account to receive donation to collect money to feed the animals.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1161142-australian-american-among-four-charged-for-‘abandoned-phuket-zoo’-post/

 

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European firms step up COVID-19 vaccines work, UK team starts human trials

By Kate Kelland and Valentina Consiglio

 

FILE PHOTO: Small bottles labbeled with a "Vaccine COVID-19" sticker and a medical syringe are seen in this illustration taken taken April 10, 2020. REUTERS/Dado Ruvic/Illustration

 

LONDON/ROME (Reuters) - Scientists in Britain began clinical trials of a potential COVID-19 vaccine on Thursday as other vaccine developers across Europe also stepped up work on experimental shots against the disease caused by the new coronavirus.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1161143-european-firms-step-up-covid-19-vaccines-work-uk-team-starts-human-trials/

 

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Poll signals strengthening support for Biden over Trump in three battleground states

By Chris Kahn

 

FILE PHOTO: Hand sanitizer and disinfectant wipes are seen on a table as voters cast their ballots in the Democratic primary in Warren, Michigan, U.S. March 10, 2020. REUTERS/Rebecca Cook/File Photo

 

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Republican President Donald Trump trails Democrat Joe Biden among registered voters in three battleground states that he narrowly carried in 2016 and are seen as crucial to winning November's election, according to an Ipsos public opinion poll conducted exclusively for Reuters.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1161144-poll-signals-strengthening-support-for-biden-over-trump-in-three-battleground-states/

 

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Czechs lift ban on movement and travel, speed up reopening shops as new COVID-19 cases slow

By Robert Muller and Jason Hovet

 

People keep social distance while waiting in line to be tested for the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) as a part of a study about undetected infections with the coronavirus in the population in Prague, Czech Republic, April 23, 2020. REUTERS/David W Cerny

 

PRAGUE (Reuters) - The Czech Republic eased restrictions on Thursday aimed at slowing the spread of the new coronavirus after a drop in new cases sparked optimism the outbreak had so far been brought under control.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1161148-czechs-lift-ban-on-movement-and-travel-speed-up-reopening-shops-as-new-covid-19-cases-slow/

 

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Trump thinks report on Kim Jong Un illness was incorrect

 

U.S. President Donald Trump addresses the daily coronavirus task force briefing at the White House in Washington, U.S., April 23, 2020. REUTERS/Jonathan Ernst

 

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. President Donald Trump on Thursday threw more cold water on reports earlier this week that North Korean leader Kim Jong Un was gravely ill, but declined to say if he had been in touch with officials there.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1161149-trump-thinks-report-on-kim-jong-un-illness-was-incorrect/

 

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UK royal Meghan's privacy action against tabloid goes to London High Court

By Michael Holden

 

FILE PHOTO: Britain's Meghan Markle, Duchess of Sussex, leaves after meeting academics and students for a roundtable discussion on female access to higher education with the Association of Commonwealth Universities, at the University of Johannesburg, Johannesburg, South Africa, October 1, 2019. REUTERS/Toby Melville

 

LONDON (Reuters) - The first court hearing in a privacy case brought by Meghan, Britain's Duchess of Sussex, against a tabloid newspaper for printing part of one of her letters takes place at London's High Court on Friday.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1161150-uk-royal-meghans-privacy-action-against-tabloid-goes-to-london-high-court/

 

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Sunlight, heat and humidity weaken coronavirus, U.S. official says

 

FILE PHOTO: U.S. President Donald Trump addresses the daily coronavirus task force briefing at the White House in Washington, U.S., April 23, 2020. REUTERS/Jonathan Ernst

 

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The coronavirus appears to weaken more quickly when exposed to sunlight, heat and humidity, a U.S. official said on Thursday in a potential sign that the pandemic could become less contagious in summer months.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1161151-sunlight-heat-and-humidity-weaken-coronavirus-us-official-says/

 

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Pandemic dims lights on Thailand's $5bn nightlife sector

Government plans aid for bars and restaurants, but recovery prospects uncertain

MARIMI KISHIMOTO, Nikkei staff writer

 

The coronavirus has brought Bangkok's world-famous nightlife to a pause.  (Photo by Akira Kodaka) 

 

BANGKOK -- These are hard times for Thailand's vaunted nightlife industry.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1161154-pandemic-dims-lights-on-thailands-5bn-nightlife-sector/

 

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Pompeo says U.S. may never restore WHO funds after cutoff over pandemic

By David Brunnstrom and Humeyra Pamuk

 

FILE PHOTO: FILE PHOTO: U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo speaks at a press briefing at the State Department in Washington, U.S., April 22, 2020. Nicholas Kamm/Pool via REUTERS

 

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said the COVID-19 pandemic shows the need to overhaul the World Health Organization, warning that Washington may never restore WHO funding and could even work to set up an alternative to the U.N. body instead.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1161155-pompeo-says-us-may-never-restore-who-funds-after-cutoff-over-pandemic/

 

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China reports six new coronavirus cases in mainland vs 10 a day earlier

 

People wearing protective face masks leave work after office hours in Central Business District, as the spread of the new coronavirus disease (COVID-19) continues, in Beijing, China, April 17, 2020. REUTERS/Thomas Peter

 

BEIJING/SHANGHAI (Reuters) - Mainland China reported 6 new coronavirus cases as of end-April 23, down from 10 reported a day earlier, putting the total number of COVID-19 infections at 82,804.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1161158-china-reports-six-new-coronavirus-cases-in-mainland-vs-10-a-day-earlier/

 

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Virgin Australia owes $4.4 billion to creditors based on initial review: administrator

 

FILE PHOTO: A Virgin Australia Airlines plane takes off from Kingsford Smith International Airport in Sydney, Australia, March 18, 2020. REUTERS/Loren Elliott

 

SYDNEY (Reuters) - Virgin Australia Holdings Ltd owes A$6.9 billion ($4.39 billion) to more than 10,000 creditors based on an initial review, according to an affidavit from one of the company's administrators.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1161162-virgin-australia-owes-44-billion-to-creditors-based-on-initial-review-administrator/

 

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Covid-19: Domestic flights set to return May 1st - but its flying with a virus twist

 

Picture: Daily News

 

Daily News reported that Thailand is set to return to the skies on May 1st when many domestic airlines will resume operations.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1161169-covid-19-domestic-flights-set-to-return-may-1st-but-its-flying-with-a-virus-twist/

 

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Enough water at reservoirs to supply EEC until June - IEAT

By THE NATION

 

Representational Image

 

The estimated water levels at the four main reservoirs in the Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC) should be adequate to last through the drought spell until June, Somjin Philuek, governor of Industrial Estate Authority of Thailand (IEAT), said.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1161173-enough-water-at-reservoirs-to-supply-eec-until-june-ieat/

 

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Curfew breakers: 16,000 stopped since restrictions began

 

Picture: INN

 

Police spokesman Pol Col Krissana Pattanacharoen said yesterday that 16,000 people had been arrested for breaking Thailand's 10 pm to 4 am nighttime curfew since the restrictions began on April 3rd. 

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1161174-curfew-breakers-16000-stopped-since-restrictions-began/