U.S. House passes $500 billion coronavirus bill in latest relief package

By Patricia Zengerle and Susan Cornwell

 

U.S. Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) signs H.R. 266, the Paycheck Protection Program Healthcare Enchantment Act, an additional economic stimulus package that passed earlier in the week by the U.S. Senate, during a signing ceremony on Capitol Hill as the coronavirus (COVID-19) disease pandemic continues, in Washington, U.S., April 23, 2020. REUTERS/Tom Brenner

 

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The U.S. House of Representatives overwhelmingly approved a $484 billion coronavirus relief bill on Thursday, funding small businesses and hospitals and pushing the total spending response to the crisis to an unprecedented near $3 trillion.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1161176-us-house-passes-500-billion-coronavirus-bill-in-latest-relief-package/

 

Private sector seeks energy cost subsidy for those hit by Covid-19 crisis

By THE NATION

 

 

Energy Minister Sonthirat Sonthijirawong said on Thursday (April 23) that the private sector, including the Thai Chamber of Commerce, the Federation of Thai Industries and the Federation of Thai SME, had proposed to the ministry to reduce energy cost for entrepreneurs who have been affected by the Covid-19 situation.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1161178-private-sector-seeks-energy-cost-subsidy-for-those-hit-by-covid-19-crisis/

 

Face mask fraud: Couple arrested after running Line page with picture of policeman

 

Picture: INN

 

Immigration chief Pol Lt-Gen Sompong Chingduang gave the results of several cases of fraud and overcharging involving face masks. 

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1161179-face-mask-fraud-couple-arrested-after-running-line-page-with-picture-of-policeman/

 

Summer storms wreak havoc in Phetchabun - power cuts, lamp posts crash onto vehicles

 

Pictures: 77kaoded

 

Many cars and motorcycles were damaged after about 10 lamp posts came crashing down in a violent summer storm in Petchabun province in Thailand's north east. 

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1161181-summer-storms-wreak-havoc-in-phetchabun-power-cuts-lamp-posts-crash-onto-vehicles/

 

YouTube show host Poomjai, 5 others get suspended jail sentence for illegal fishing

By THE NATION

 

 

Famous DJ and YouTube show host Poomjai “DJ Poom” Tangsanga and five others were given suspended jail sentences for unlicensed fishing in Mu Koh Chumphon National Park in August 2019.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1161182-youtube-show-host-poomjai-5-others-get-suspended-jail-sentence-for-illegal-fishing/

 

GSB halts registration for low-interest loan scheme amid overwhelming response

By THE NATION

 

 

Government Savings Bank GSB) has suspended registration for one of its two low-interest loan schemes as it has already reached its limit within seven days of launch.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1161185-gsb-halts-registration-for-low-interest-loan-scheme-amid-overwhelming-response/

 

Shock as assistant official murders "best friend" Phu Yai Ban at Covid-19 checkpoint

 

Picture: 77kaoded

 

Police and local officials were trying to come to terms with a tragedy after an assistant phu yai ban (village chief) gunned down his boss at a Covid-19 checkpoint in the area of north Ao Leuk, Krabi on Wednesday night. 

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1161189-shock-as-assistant-official-murders-best-friend-phu-yai-ban-at-covid-19-checkpoint/

 

Zebras seen as source of disease that is killing horses in Thailand

By The Nation

 

 

Zebras are presumed to be the cause of African Horse Sickness that has killed hundreds of horses all over Thailand, experts said.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1161195-zebras-seen-as-source-of-disease-that-is-killing-horses-in-thailand/

 

Possible end to Pattaya lockdown set to be discussed today

 

Pictures: Thai PBS

 

A decision on  when travel and other restrictions will be lifted in Chonburi will be discussed today (Firday 24)

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1161198-possible-end-to-pattaya-lockdown-set-to-be-discussed-today/

 

Thai driving video: Nutty clip makes national TV

 

video screenshot

 

Channel 7 gave air time to a clip of some particularly poor driving on a hill in Thailand.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1161201-thai-driving-video-nutty-clip-makes-national-tv/

15 new Covid-19 cases close to Thursday's lowest number in a month

By The Nation

 

 

Thailand continued to make gains in containing the Covid-19 outbreak with 15 new cases confirmed over a 24-hour period and no death, Dr Taweesin Visanuyothin, spokesman of the government's Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration, said on Friday (April 24).

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1161204-15-new-covid-19-cases-close-to-thursdays-lowest-number-in-a-month/

 

Bangkok: Taxi drivers chipping in to help homeless and jobless in Lumpini Park

 

Picture: Daily News

 

Chuti Krairiksh - the social development and human security minister - went to Lumpini Park in Bangkok yesterday after a build up of homeless and jobless people in the area. 

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1161205-bangkok-taxi-drivers-chipping-in-to-help-homeless-and-jobless-in-lumpini-park/

 

Deputy PM urged to ease Phuket lockdown, virus expected to cost island B127bn in lost tourism

By Eakkapop Thongtub

 

Deputy Prime Minister Anutin speaks to the press after the meeting. Photo: PR Dept

 

PHUKET: Phuket business leaders have urged Deputy Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul, as well as Tourism and Sports Minister Phiphat Ratchakitprakan and Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) Governor Yuthasak Supasorn, to relax the lockdown restrictions in place in Phuket to relieve the economic suffering of residents and businesses on the island.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1161207-deputy-pm-urged-to-ease-phuket-lockdown-virus-expected-to-cost-island-b127bn-in-lost-tourism/

 

Boy, 2 years old, among four new COVID-19 cases in Bang Tao, total reaches 201

By The Phuket News

 

Image: PR Dept

 

PHUKET: The Phuket Communicable Disease Committee today (Apr 24) announced four more confirmed cases of people in Phuket infected with the COVID-19 coronavirus, all from Bang Tao on Phuket’s west coast.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1161215-boy-2-years-old-among-four-new-covid-19-cases-in-bang-tao-total-reaches-201/

 

Handicapped people lay claim to cash handouts

By THE NATION

 

 

Around 50 representatives from Disabilities Thailand, Thailand Association of the Blind, Association for the Mentally Ill of Thailand, and other organisations related to handicapped people submitted a proposal to the Ministry of Finance, claiming the right to receive the government's Bt5,000 handout amid the Covid-19 crisis.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1161226-handicapped-people-lay-claim-to-cash-handouts/

 

'Covid suicide’ suspected as man jumps from Bangkok condo

By The Natiom

 

 

A man jumped to his death from his condominium in eastern Bangkok at 8.30am on Friday (April 24), in what appears to be the latest in a spate of suicides in Thailand during the Covid-19 crisis.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1161227-covid-suicide’-suspected-as-man-jumps-from-bangkok-condo/

 

INFOGRAPHIC: Thai immigration confirm details of visa amnesty extension

 

 

 

Source: Immigration Bureau

 

Ministry warns about false news on requirement of house registration details for masks

By The Nation

 

 

The Ministry of Industry has warned people not to believe in fake news stating that they have to fill house registration details to receive free masks.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1161230-ministry-warns-about-false-news-on-requirement-of-house-registration-details-for-masks/

 

‘Depressed’ woman jumps off Bangkok MRT station

By The Nation

 

 

A woman fell to her death from the elevated Tha Phra MRT Station in Bangkok Yai district at 9am on Friday (April 24).

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1161231-‘depressed’-woman-jumps-off-bangkok-mrt-station/

 

Nan first province to reopen electrical appliance shops

By The Nation

 

 

Nan on Friday (April 24) became the first province in Thailand to allow electrical appliance shops in department stores, malls and large retail stores to reopen.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1161232-nan-first-province-to-reopen-electrical-appliance-shops/

 

Colour-coding for provinces based on Covid-19 situation

By THE NATION

 

 

The Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration on Friday (April 24) colour-coded provinces nationwide according to the statistics of Covid-19 patients.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1161236-colour-coding-for-provinces-based-on-covid-19-situation/

 

Queuing up for Covid relief

By THE NATION

 

 

People suffering hardship during the Covid-19 crisis queued at Hatyai Wittayalai School on Friday (April 24) to receive necessities donated by teachers, parents and philanthropists in Songkhla province.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1161237-hat-yai-songkhla-queuing-up-for-covid-relief/

 

 

 

Police force cuts 10% of budget to aid virus relief

By THE NATION

 

 

The Royal Thai Police (RTP) has slashed its fiscal 2020 budget by Bt657 million to help the government fight Covid-19, Pol Lt Gen Piya Uthayo, deputy national police chief, said on Friday (April 24).

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1161238-police-force-cuts-10-of-budget-to-aid-virus-relief/

 

Sontirat orders probe into Bt150,000 vegetable carts ordered by Egat

By The Nation

 

 

Energy Minister Sontirat Sontijirawong ordered a probe into the purchase of overpriced vegetable carts under the ‘Supply and Construction of 500/230 kV(GIS)’ project after activist Srisuwan Janya displayed an invoice for Bt150,000 each.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1161239-sontirat-orders-probe-into-bt150000-vegetable-carts-ordered-by-egat/

 

Chiang Mai University students demand 30 per cent cut in tuition fees

By The Nation

 

 

Chiang Mai University students gathered in the university at 10am on Friday (April 24), demanding that tuition fees be lowered by 30 per cent to help them during the Covid-19 crisis.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1161240-chiang-mai-university-students-demand-30-per-cent-cut-in-tuition-fees/

 

Summer heat makes Bueng Kan road ‘explode’

By The Nation

 

 

Extremely high temperatures in Bueng Kan province have made a concrete road expand and “explode”.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1161242-summer-heat-makes-bueng-kan-road-‘explode’/

 

Social-distancing measures to be applied in canal boats

By THE NATION

 

 

The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) will work with the Marine Department to put in place social-distancing measures in Bangkok’s commuter boats, deputy BMA governor Sakonthee Phatthiyakul said on Friday (April 24).

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1161243-social-distancing-measures-to-be-applied-in-canal-boats/

 

Hospital hails recovery of ‘surprise’ coronavirus patient

By The Nation

 

 

A Kanchanaburi hospital that rescued a female Covid-19 sufferer despite not being ready to treat coronavirus cases yesterday held a ceremony to mark her recovery.

 

Full Story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1161249-hospital-hails-recovery-of-‘surprise’-coronavirus-patient/

 

Govt can consider reopening some virus free districts, says expert

By The Nation

 

Dr Chalermchai Boonyaleepun

 

Dr Chalermchai Boonyaleepun, vice president of the Public Health Committee, said on Friday (April 24) that the government should consider lifting restrictions in some districts that have been free of new Covid-19 infections for the past 28 days.

 

Full Story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1161251-govt-can-consider-reopening-some-virus-free-districts-says-expert/

 

Val Kilmer reveals he didn’t want to be in ‘Top Gun’ but begged to be in reboot

By Will Lavin

 

Val Kilmer and Tom Cruise on the set of 'Top Gun'. CREDIT: Paramount Pictures/Sunset Boulevard)

 

Val Kilmer has revealed that he didn’t initially want to appear in the first Top Gun movie but begged to be in the upcoming reboot.

 

Full Story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1161253-val-kilmer-reveals-he-didn’t-want-to-be-in-‘top-gun’-but-begged-to-be-in-reboot/