THAILAND LIVE Thailand Live Wednesday 13 May 2020

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Thai Airways must submit rehabilitation plan by end-May: official

 

FILE PHOTO: Thai Airways airplanes park at the tarmac of the Suvarnabhumi airport in Bangkok, as Thailand will temporarily ban all passenger flights from landing in the country to curb the outbreak of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19), Thailand, April 4, 2020. REUTERS/Athit Perawongmetha

 

BANGKOK (Reuters) - Loss-making Thai Airways International Pcl (THAI.BK) must submit a rehabilitation plan by the end of the month if it wants the government to consider a rescue package, a senior official said on Tuesday.

 

Full Story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1163936-thai-airways-must-submit-rehabilitation-plan-by-end-may-official/

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No Covid risk from eating cooked pork, beef or chicken: virologist

By The Nation

 

 

A Chulalongkorn University virologist has debunked widespread rumours that Covid-19 can be transferred to pigs, cattle or chicken, making their meat unsafe to eat. Dr Yong Poovorawan emphasised, however, that all meat should be cooked thoroughly before consumption in line with normal hygiene practice, since heat kills all viruses including Covid-19.

 

Full Story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1163913-no-covid-risk-from-eating-cooked-pork-beef-or-chicken-virologist/

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Pattaya mayor defends beach closures

By Boonlua Chatree

 

Mayor Sonthaya Kunplome said the beach lockout became necessary to keep groups from gathering after the city-access checkpoints were closed.

 

Pattaya’s mayor defended the closure of the city’s beaches, saying the lockdown became even more necessary after the city-access checkpoints were closed.

 

Full Story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1163919-pattaya-mayor-defends-beach-closures/

 

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Dengue alert issued for Central region

By The Nation

 

 

Thai health officials report that 10,938 people contracted dengue fever from January 1 to May 5 and nine died from the mosquito-borne disease.

 

Full Story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1163921-dengue-alert-issued-for-central-region/

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Food, medicine production may soon get automated

By The Nation

 

 

The manufacturing of food and medicines may soon be automated to allay fears of contamination in the wake of the Covid-19 outbreak.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1163946-food-medicine-production-may-soon-get-automated/

 

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Thailand partners with UN agency to cut CO2 emissions

By The Nation

 

 

The Cabinet on Tuesday (May 12) approved a multibillion-baht project with the United Nations to tackle Thailand’s notorious air pollution problem.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1163947-thailand-partners-with-un-agency-to-cut-co2-emissions/

 

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PM calls scrambling for donations at food banks “unacceptable”

 

 

Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha said today that people scrambling for donated items at food banks must stop, describing it as totally unacceptable.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1163948-pm-prayut-calls-scrambling-for-donations-at-food-banks-“unacceptable”/

 

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CCSA worries that relaxed measures may cause 2nd wave of infection

 

   

BANGKOK(NNT) - The Center for COVID-19 Situation Administration or CCSA has admitted that there are concerns about the possibility of a second wave of a COVID-19 viral outbreak. However the authority has resolved to do its best.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1163949-covid-19-ccsa-worries-that-relaxed-measures-may-cause-2nd-wave-of-infection/

 

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Department of Airports reiterates 14 airports in operations, eight others remain closed

For the period of 1-31 May, 2020, four airlines - Nok Air, Thai AirAsia, Thai Lion Air and Thai Vietjet Air - have resumed domestic flight operations to 14 DOA’s airports and five AOT’s airports.

TAT Newsroom

 

Trang (Credit: Department of Airports).

 

Bangkok, 12 May, 2020, at 09.00 Hrs. – The Department of Airports (DOA), which operates 22 provincial airports across Thailand, is reiterating via its Facebook Page: DepartmentOfAirports that 14 of its airports are in operations while either others remain close for this month.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1163950-14-airports-in-operations-8-others-remain-closed-in-thailand/ 

 

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Koh Larn residents complain about fallout of self-imposed island quarantine

By Jetsada Homklin

 

  

Pattana Boonsawad and top administrators meet with Koh Larn Community leaders to review the negative impact of Covid-19.

 

Top Pattaya officials ventured to Koh Larn to hear how locals have struggled since they closed their island off to tourists and their main revenue stream.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1163951-koh-larn-residents-complain-about-fallout-of-self-imposed-island-quarantine/

 

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Early end to U.S. state lockdowns could cause needless 'suffering and death' - Fauci

By Makini Brice and Richard Cowan

 

Dr. Anthony Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases is seen in a frame grab from a video feed as he testifies remotely from his home during a U.S. Senate Committee for Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions hearing on the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in Washington, U.S., May 12, 2020. U.S. Senate Committee for Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee/Handout via REUTERS

 

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Leading U.S. infectious disease expert Anthony Fauci on Tuesday warned Congress that a premature lifting of lockdowns could lead to additional outbreaks of the deadly coronavirus, which has killed 80,000 Americans and brought the economy to its knees.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1163952-early-end-to-us-state-lockdowns-could-cause-needless-suffering-and-death-fauci/

 

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Thai social entrepreneurs helping ex-cons and farmers call for coronavirus cash

By Nanchanok Wongsamuth

 

Workers work on a salt farm during the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak at Phetchaburi, Thailand May 9, 2020. REUTERS/Soe Zeya Tun 

 

BANGKOK (Thomson Reuters Foundation) - Poonchai Chitanuntavitaya's Bangkok clinic, which employs vulnerable Thai women as masseuses, reopened this month with staff wearing masks to protect against the new coronavirus, but its future remains in doubt - like scores of ethical businesses.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1163953-thai-social-entrepreneurs-helping-ex-cons-and-farmers-call-for-coronavirus-cash/

 

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EU will push to unlock borders as coronavirus ravages travel and tourism

By Gabriela Baczynska

 

FILE PHOTO: A view shows the empty beach of the Promenade des Anglais in Nice during the outbreak of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in France, May 7, 2020. REUTERS/Eric Gaillard/File Photo

 

BRUSSELS (Reuters) - The European Union executive will recommend on Wednesday that border restrictions be gradually lifted and travel stalled by the coronavirus pandemic allowed to restart in order to revive tourism, a major industry across the 27-country bloc.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1163954-eu-will-push-to-unlock-borders-as-coronavirus-ravages-travel-and-tourism/

 

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Exclusive: U.S. airlines tell crews not to force passengers to wear masks

By Tracy Rucinski

 

FILE PHOTO: A passenger wearing a mask waits in line to check in for a flight as the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) said it temporarily halted flights arriving at New York City airports and Philadelphia on Saturday after a trainee at the New York Air Route Traffic Control Center tested positive for coronavirus disease (COVID-19), at Miami International Airport, Miami, Florida, U.S., March 21, 2020. REUTERS/Carlos Barria

 

(Reuters) - The top three U.S. airlines have told their flight attendants not to force passengers to comply with their new policy requiring face coverings, just encourage them to do so, according to employee policies reviewed by Reuters.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1163955-exclusive-us-airlines-tell-crews-not-to-force-passengers-to-wear-masks/

 

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Trump wants California to let automaker Tesla reopen assembly plant

By Nathan Frandino

 

Motorists drive past Tesla's primary vehicle factory after CEO Elon Musk announced he was defying local officials' restrictions against the spread of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) by reopening the plant in Fremont, California, U.S. May 12, 2020. REUTERS/Stephen Lam

 

FREMONT, California (Reuters) - U.S. President Donald Trump on Tuesday urged that Tesla Inc <TSLA.O> be allowed to reopen its electric vehicle assembly plant in California, joining CEO Elon Musk's bid to defy county officials who have ordered it to remain closed.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1163958-trump-wants-california-to-let-automaker-tesla-reopen-assembly-plant/

 

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Pence keeping his distance from Trump for a few days - White House

By Jeff Mason

 

U.S. Vice President Mike Pence visits the General Motors Components Holding Plant that is manufacturing ventilators for use during the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak, in Kokomo, Indiana, U.S. April 30, 2020. REUTERS/Chris Bergin

 

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. Vice President Mike Pence is keeping his distance from President Donald Trump for a few days in the wake of his press secretary testing positive for the coronavirus, White House spokeswoman Kayleigh McEnany told reporters on Tuesday.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1163959-pence-keeping-his-distance-from-trump-for-a-few-days-white-house/

 

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Quality of commercial banks’ assets expected to be low in Q2

By The Nation

 

 

The quality of commercial banks’ assets is expected to deteriorate in the second quarter owing to the impact of the Covid-19 fallout, a survey conducted by the Bank of Thailand showed. 

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1163961-quality-of-commercial-banks’-assets-expected-to-be-low-in-q2/

 

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Coronavirus stats: Latest numbers on COVID-19 cases among foreigners in Thailand

 

 

Thai PBS has reported on the number of infections from COVID-19 amongst foreigners in Thailand.

 

Full storyL https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1163964-coronavirus-stats-latest-numbers-on-covid-19-cases-among-foreigners-in-thailand/

 

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Pattaya: Police bust pool villa birthday party - 44 arrested/ drugs found

 

Picture: Siam Chon News

 

A contingent of Chonburi and Pattaya police raided a party in the resort earlier this morning after an informant contacted the authorities.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1163982-pattaya-police-bust-pool-villa-birthday-party-44-arrested-drugs-found/

 

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Medical insurance for foreigners on the cards again

By Barry Kenyon

 

 

They want to go back into the water as soon as possible.

 

The Thai tourist authority this week announced its plan to subject all visitors to a premium charge to pay for travel insurance. The sum per person would not be higher than 300 baht per visit which could bring in revenue as high as 12 billion baht annually if the number of visitors ever reaches the 40 million targeted by the government before the Coronavirus outbreak.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1163984-medical-insurance-for-foreigners-on-the-cards-again/

 

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Video: Naked man arrested after stealing lady's motorcycle at intersection

 

Picture: MCOT

 

Police have arrested a naked man after a series of incidents in Nakhon Sri Thammarat in southern Thailand.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1163986-video-naked-man-arrested-after-stealing-ladys-motorcycle-at-intersection/

 

 

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Overseas holidays for over 60s thrown into doubt due to COVID-19

 

Tourists gather at the Great Pyramids of Giza, on the outskirts of Cairo, Egypt March 8, 2020. REUTERS/Mohamed Abd El Ghany

 

The coronavirus pandemic could curtail the holiday plans of millions of tourists aged over 60.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1163989-overseas-holidays-for-over-60s-thrown-into-doubt-due-to-covid-19/

 

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Desperate taxi driver gets 8 million baht in donations - but he's just a con man, says garage owner

 

Picture: Sanook

 

Sanook reported on the case of a teary eyed taxi driver who convinced the Thai public that he was in dire straights. 

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1163991-desperate-taxi-driver-gets-8-million-baht-in-donations-but-hes-just-a-con-man-says-garage-owner/

 

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Hotels in Asia increasingly worried as debts mount

Andrew J Wood

 

Bangkok’s bustling skyline - Jones Lang LaSalle reports from Thailand that hotels across the region are under extreme financial stress as they face operating with reduced occupancies for the foreseeable future

 

BANGKOK: Hotel property owners across Asia are increasingly turning to creative financing solutions to ride out near-term turbulence. Owners are seeking greater access to debt financing to bolster cash flows as they face an unprecedented period of historically low occupancy rates, closed borders and severe limitations on air travel due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, says JLL. 

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1163992-hotels-in-asia-increasingly-worried-as-debts-mount/

 

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Motorcyclist "almost beheaded" by hanging wires in Ban Chang

 

Picture: Naew Na

 

Thailand's infamous hanging wires are in the news again. 

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1163994-motorcyclist-almost-beheaded-by-hanging-wires-in-ban-chang/

 

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Pattaya: Tourists continue to violate beach ban, but Thai media provide no evidence

 

 

Thai media 77kaoded published a story that said tourists and Thais collecting shellfish continued to flout the Covid-19 beach ban.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1163997-pattaya-tourists-continue-to-violate-beach-ban-but-thai-media-provide-no-evidence/

 

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Pattaya: Cheeky monkey leads park staff on a merry dance before tranq gun brings him down

 

Picture: Thai Rath

 

Thai Rath reported that a "Ling Saep" or cheeky monkey with a penchant for durian was annoying people at a Jomtien housing estate in Moo10.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1164000-pattaya-cheeky-monkey-leads-park-staff-on-a-merry-dance-before-tranq-gun-brings-him-down/

 

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BREAKING

 

Thailand reports ZERO new COVID-19 cases

 

Dr Taweesin Visanuyothin

 

Thailand reported no new COVID-19 cases on Wednesday - the first time no cases have been reported since 9 March.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1164001-thailand-reports-zero-new-covid-19-cases/

 

 

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Former Kaeng Krachan park volunteer trampled to death by wild elephant in fruit orchard

 

Picture: Ban Muang

 

The chief of the Kaeng Krachan national park in Phetchaburi gave details of the death of a man who was trampled by a wild elephant last night.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1164003-former-kaeng-krachan-park-volunteer-trampled-to-death-by-wild-elephant-in-fruit-orchard/

 

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Phetchaburi to enforce strict rules on drinking

By The Nation

 

 

Phetchaburi has warned against drinking alcohol in public places and banned the gathering of people for the purpose after the province lifted the ban on sales of alcoholic beverages.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1164004-phetchaburi-to-enforce-strict-rules-on-drinking/