THAILAND LIVE Thailand Live Thursday 30 Apr 2020

[webfact]

Governor extends closure of Phuket airport to May 15

By The Phuket News

 

The notice posted late today (Apr 29). Image: AoT Phuket

 

PHUKET:-- Phuket Governor Phakaphong Tavipatana has extended the closure of Phuket International Airport for another 15 days from May 1 through to midnight on May 15.

 

Full Story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1162005-governor-extends-closure-of-phuket-airport-to-may-15/

[webfact]

14 provincial airports to be opened for May holidays

By The Nation

 

Tawee Gasisam-ang

 

Up to 14 airports across Thailand will be reopened to support domestic air travel during the long holidays in the beginning of May, Department of Airports director general Tawee Gasisam-ang said on Wednesday (April 29).

 

Full Story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1162006-14-provincial-airports-to-be-opened-for-may-holidays/

 

[webfact]

Narathiwat Airport closed for another month

By The Nation

 

 

The Department of Airports has ordered Narathiwat Airport to remain closed for another month, until May 31. The directive was issued to comply with the ongoing lockdown of the southern province, said the department’s director-general Tawee Gasisam-ang on Wednesday (April 29). Narathiwat’s borders have been shut to control the spread of Covid-19. The airport had been due to reopen on May 1.

 

Full Story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1161993-narathiwat-airport-closed-for-another-month/

[webfact]

THAI denies flights will be cancelled for 4 months after May 31

By THE NATION

 

 

Thai Airways International (THAI) on Wednesday (April 29) dismissed rumours that its operations will be suspended for another four months from the end of May.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1162021-thai-denies-flights-will-be-cancelled-for-4-months-after-may-31/

 

[webfact]

Lockdown eased, but country remains closed to foreign tourists for another month

By The Nation

 

Street vendor Vilai Chanpeng, 54, protests in front of the Finance Ministry on April 28 after the Bangkok market where she works was closed and she was not granted the government’s Bt5,000 remedial cash handout.

 

Though Thailand will allow some businesses to reopen from Friday (May 1), the country is still not ready to welcome foreign tourists, say government officials. Tourists would find it difficult to enter the country anyway, since incoming flights are banned until the end of May, Dr Taweesin Visanuyothin, spokesman of the government's Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration (CCSA), said on Wednesday (April 29).

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1162022-lockdown-eased-but-thailand-remains-closed-to-foreign-tourists-for-another-month/

 

[webfact]

Ex-intelligence chief rejects Phalang Pracharat reshuffle rumours

By The Nation

 

Prawit Wongsuwan, Uttama Savanayana

 

General Ganit Chanpreechaya, a former military intelligence chief and a close associate of Deputy Prime Minister Prawit Wongsuwan, said there is no basis behind rumours of an impending reshuffle in the core coalition Phalang Pracharat Party.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1162023-ex-intelligence-chief-rejects-phalang-pracharat-reshuffle-rumours/

 

[webfact]

Thai government lists three types of business which will reopen first

 

 

As the COVID-19 situation in Thailand gradually improves, the National Infectious Disease Committee has approved the limited reopening of three types of business.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1162024-thai-government-lists-three-types-of-business-which-will-reopen-first/

 

[webfact]

Thai March factory output drops 11.25%, worse than forecast

 

FILE PHOTO: Labourers work at a garment factory in Bangkok, Thailand, May 30, 2016. Picture taken May 30, 2016. REUTERS/Athit Perawongmetha

 

BANGKOK (Reuters) - Thailand's manufacturing production index (MPI) declined for the 11th straight month in March, down 11.25% from a year earlier, hurt by lower production of cars, sugar and petroleum, the industry ministry said on Wednesday.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1162025-thai-march-factory-output-drops-1125-worse-than-forecast/

 

[webfact]

Why COVID-19 Will Worsen Inequality in Thailand

Many Thais were already economically marginalized before the outbreak. Without urgent action, they will fall deeper into poverty.

By M Niaz Asadullah and Ruttiya Bhula-or

 

 

Before the COVID-19 outbreak, Thailand’s capital was the world’s most visited city. Now Bangkok’s once-bustling streets are quiet. With its struggling economy, the timing of the crisis could not be worse for Thailand. Exports have been falling since 2019 while the GDP growth rate remained one of the lowest in Southeast Asia since 2014. These trends will worsen in the coming months. The government predicts the economy will contract by 5.3 percent while the International Monetary Fund estimate is even worse, foreseeing a 6.7 percent drop in GDP. Either scenario would make Thai economy the worst affected in the ASEAN region.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1162026-why-covid-19-will-worsen-inequality-in-thailand/

 

[webfact]

'Life of Pi' actor Irrfan Khan dies of cancer aged 54

By Shilpa Jamkhandikar

 

Indian actor Irrfan Khan arrives for the screening of the film "Dabba (The Lunchbox)" at the 38th Toronto International Film Festival September 8, 2013. REUTERS/Mark Blinch/Files

 

MUMBAI (Reuters) - Irrfan Khan, an Indian actor who brought versatility and style to recent hit films and had roles in Hollywood movies such as "Life of Pi" and "The Namesake", died on Wednesday, aged 54.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1162027-life-of-pi-actor-irrfan khan dies-of-cancer-aged-54/

 

 

[webfact]

Construction site fire in South Korea kills at least 38

 

Smoke rises from a warehouse which is currently under construction, after it caught fire, in Icheon, South Korea, April 29, 2020. Yonhap via REUTERS

 

SEOUL (Reuters) - A fire at a construction site in South Korea killed at least 38 people and injured another 10 on Wednesday, fire authorities said.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1162028-construction-site fire in south korea kills-at-least-38/

 

[webfact]

Data on Gilead drug raises hopes in pandemic fight, Fauci calls it 'highly significant'

By Deena Beasley and Manas Mishra

 

FILE PHOTO: An ampule of Ebola drug Remdesivir is pictured during a news conference at the University Hospital Eppendorf (UKE) in Hamburg, Germany, April 8, 2020, as the spread of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) continues. Ulrich Perrey/Pool via REUTERS

 

(Reuters) - The top U.S. infectious disease official said Gilead Sciences Inc's experimental antiviral drug remdesivir will become the standard of care for COVID-19 after early results from a key clinical trial on Wednesday showed it helped patients recover more quickly from the illness caused by the coronavirus.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1162029-data-on-gilead-drug-raises-hopes-in-pandemic-fight-fauci-calls-it-highly-significant/

 

[webfact]

UK to test 100,000 people for COVID-19 to check spread

 

General view outside Chelsea and Westminster Hospital, following the outbreak of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19), London, Britain, April 29, 2020. REUTERS/John Sibley

 

LONDON (Reuters) - Britain plans to test a randomly chosen group of 100,000 people for COVID-19 as part of its efforts to understand infection rates better before loosening restrictions on the public, its health ministry said on Thursday.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1162030-uk-to-test-100000-people-for-covid-19-to-check-spread/

 

[webfact]

U.S. coronavirus outbreak soon to be deadlier than any flu since 1967 as deaths top 60,000

By Lisa Shumaker

 

Healthcare workers gather for lunch purchased by members of the New York City Police Department (NYPD) outside the Brooklyn Hospital Center, during the outbreak of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in the Brooklyn borough of New York City, New York, U.S., April 28, 2020. REUTERS/Brendan McDermid

 

(Reuters) - U.S. deaths from the novel coronavirus topped 60,000 on Wednesday and the outbreak will soon be deadlier than any flu season since 1967, according to a Reuters tally.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1162031-us-coronavirus-outbreak-soon-to-be-deadlier-than-any-flu-since-1967-as-deaths-top-60000/

 

[webfact]

Migrants jobless and trapped under Thai coronavirus lockdown

By Nanchanok Wongsamuth

 

Volunteers give free foods for migrant workers from Myanmar who lost their jobs following the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak in Bangkok, Thailand April 23, 2020. REUTERS/Soe Zeya Tun - RC2BAG9UFD1Y

 

BANGKOK (Thomson Reuters Foundation) - Htoo Gay War quit her job as a domestic worker in January because her employer refused to allow her to take one day off each week - just before Thailand reported its first case of the novel coronavirus pandemic.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1162038-migrants-jobless-and-trapped-under-thai-coronavirus-lockdown/

 

[webfact]

Booze ban: Governor doesn't wait for government, extends ban to May 15th

 

Picture: Daily News

 

The governor of Nakhon Phanom province in the north east of Thailand is not waiting for a government decision on whether to extend the ban on the sale of alcohol or not. 

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1162048-booze-ban-governor-doesnt-wait-for-government-extends-ban-to-may-15th/

 

[webfact]

Thai govt issues order extending emergency measures - alcohol ban unclear

 

FILE PHOTO: Reuters

 

The Thai government has passed an order confirming all emergency measures previously put in place to help combat the spread of COVID-19  will be extended until further notice.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1162054-thai-govt-issues-order-extending-emergency-measures-alcohol-ban-unclear/

 

[webfact]

Stranded Russian tourist takes refuge at Surat Thani temple

 

Picture: New TV

 

Thai media featured the story of a 22 year old Russian man who is stranded in Thailand and living at a southern temple.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1162058-stranded-russian-tourist-takes-refuge-at-surat-thani-temple/

[webfact]

Thailand praised by foreigners for helping tourists left stranded due to COVID 

 

Picture: Daily News

 

Many foreigners stranded in Thailand have nothing but praise for the Thai authorities. 

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1162063-thailand-praised-by-foreigners-for-helping-tourists-left-stranded-due-to-covid/

 

[webfact]

Pattaya: Tourism recovery may take TWO YEARS, says industry expert

 

Picture: on31

 

A leading tourism industry expert said that Pattaya's recovery from the coronavirus pandemic may take two years.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1162066-pattaya-tourism-recovery-may-take-two-years-says-industry-expert/

 

[webfact]

14,000 people register to leave Phuket in domestic repatriation drive

By The Phuket News

 

Photo: PR Phuket

 

PHUKET: More than 14,000 people have registered to leave Phuket under a project to get Thais stuck in Phuket back to their home provinces.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1162068-14000-people-register-to-leave-phuket-in-domestic-repatriation-drive/

 

[webfact]

Covid-19 desperation: Thai woman, 19, draws picture of Thai PM and blames him for her troubles - then hangs herself

 

Picture: Daily News

 

A nineteen year old Thai woman drew a picture of Thailand's Prime Minister Prayut Chan-ocha and blamed him and his government and their actions during the coronavirus pandemic.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1162073-covid-19-desperation-thai-woman-19-draws-picture-of-thai-pm-and-blames-him-for-her-troubles-then-hangs-herself/

 

[webfact]

Covid-19: Pattaya beach remains off limits but restrictions for Koh Larn eased, says Chonburi governor

 

Picture: Thai Rath

 

Thai Rath reported that the governor of Chonburi province held a Covid-19 meeting with his staff yesterday in which it was decided to relax restrictions on the  travel lockdown concerning Koh Larn. 

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1162078-covid-19-pattaya-beach-remains-off-limits-but-restrictions-for-koh-larn-eased-says-chonburi-governor/

 

[webfact]

Video: Mother of all overloaded trucks - how on earth did that pass inspection!?

 

video screenshot

 

A video clip posted on popular Facebook page featured a vehicle that was loaded so high with baskets it almost touched the roof at a checkpoint.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1162082-video-mother-of-all-overloaded-trucks-how-on-earth-did-that-pass-inspection/

 

[webfact]

Thailand reports seven new coronavirus cases, no new deaths

 

FILE PHOTO: Reuters

 

BANGKOK (Reuters) - Thailand on Thursday reported seven new coronavirus cases but no new deaths, taking its tally to 2,954 cases while fatalities remained at 54 since the outbreak began in January.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1162084-thailand reports-seven-new-coronavirus-cases-no-new-deaths/

 

[webfact]

Health sector stocks hit hard by Covid-19 shutdown measures

By THE NATION

 

Representational Image

 

Stocks in the health industry as of April 28 have slid by 18.13 per cent compared to the same period last year and are down by 19.3 per cent from end of 2019, Yuanta Securities Ltd reported.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1162087-health-sector-stocks-hit-hard-by-covid-19-shutdown-measures/

 

[webfact]

Army buys agricultural produce to help local farmers hit hard by Covid-19

By THE NATION

 

 

The Royal Thai Army has become an agricultural customer to help farmers suffering from the Covid-19 situation and the nationwide shutdowns.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1162089-army-buys-agricultural-produce-to-help-local-farmers-hit-hard-by-covid-19/

 

[webfact]

Phuket COVID-19 fallout to cost more than B127bn: PSU expert

 

The breakdown of the expected economic impact of COVID on Phuket. Image: Dr Chayanon Pucharoen

 

PHUKET: The outbreak of the COVID-19 coronavirus cost Phuket more than B31 billion in lost tourism revenues in April alone, and is on track to cost the island more than the initial “worst case scenario” prediction of B127bn, says a tourism economic expert at the Prince of Songkla University (PSU) Phuket campus.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1162090-phuket-covid-19-fallout-to-cost-more-than-b127bn-psu-expert/

 

[webfact]

Three new COVID cases in Phuket, all from one house in Bang Tao

By The Phuket News

 

Image: PPHO

 

PHUKET: The Phuket Provincial Public Health Office (PPHO) today (Apr 30) announced three more confirmed cases of people infected with the COVID-19 coronavirus

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1162091-three-new-covid-cases-in-phuket-all-from-one-house-in-bang-tao/

 

[webfact]

All Phuket lockdown orders remain in effect until further notice

By The Phuket News

 

All provincial orders issued by Phuket Governor Phakaphong Tavipatana, including the ban on visiting any beaches in Phuket, remain in effect until otherwise ordered. Photo: PR Phuket

 

PHUKET: All current and existing provincial and health orders issued to prevent the spread of the COVID-19 coronavirus are to remain in effect from May 1 until otherwise ordered, by order of the Prime Minister.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1162092-all-phuket-lockdown-orders-remain-in-effect-until-further-notice/