The week that was in Thailand news: Free at last! Free at last! Well, free to laugh.

 

 

As Thailand began what is now known as "Phase Two" of the coronavirus pandemic, there was some optimism in the air.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1164478-the-week-that-was-in-thailand-news-free-at-last-free-at-last-well-free-to-laugh/

 

More than 20k people have left Phuket, police app confirms

By The Phuket News

 

A woman is stopped at the Phuket Check Point earlier today (May 16). Photo: Phuket Provincial Police

 

PHUKET: More than 20,000 people have now left Phuket due to the economic impact of the COVID-19 restrictions, a new app launched by the Phuket Provincial Police has revealed.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1164514-more-than-20k-people-have-left-phuket-police-app-confirms/

 

SRT expands train services after easing of lockdown

By THE NATION

 

 

The State Railway of Thailand (SRT) will resume 42 services nationwide from May 18, including eight special express and 34 ordinary, commuter and local trains.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1164515-srt-expands-train-services-after-easing-of-lockdown/

 

MP kicks offs 90-day project to feed those impacted by Covid-19

By The Nation

 

 

A ruling party member of Parliament has launched a 90-day project to help the poor and people suffering from the Covid-19 impact in Bang Sue and Dusit districts.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1164516-mp-kicks-offs-90-day-project-to-feed-those-impacted-by-covid-19/

 

THAI brings home 204 nationals stranded in South Korea

By THE NATION

 

 

Thai Airways International (THAI) organised a chartered flight to pick up Thais stranded in South Korea, Squadron Leader Anirut Saengrit, director of the airline's Operations Control Centre, said on Saturday (May 16).

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1164517-thai-brings-home-204-nationals-stranded-in-south-korea/

 

Over 12.66 million apply for free 100 minutes phone calls

By The Nation

 

 

More than 12.66 million telephone numbers have applied for free 100 minutes of voice calls, the Office of The National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC) secretary-general, Takorn Tanthasit, said.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1164518-over-1266-million-apply-for-free-100-minutes-phone-calls/

 

CPF rolls out food trucks to feed those hit hard by Covid-19

By The Nation

 

 

The Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives and Charoen Pokphand Foods (CPF) have arranged a food truck on Saturday (May 16) at Wat Amphawa community in Bangkok Noi district in the capital to hand out ready-to-eat foods to people suffering from the impact of Covid-19.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1164520-cpf-rolls-out-food-trucks-to-feed-those-hit-hard-by-covid-19/

 

BTS trains to run until 10.30pm after curfew hours reduced

By THE NATION

 

 

BTS train services will be available from Sunday (May 17) from 5.15am (Sukhumvit Line) and 5.30am (for Silom Line) until 10.30pm.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1164521-bts-trains-to-run-until-1030pm-after-curfew-hours-reduced/

 

BMTA gears up for big jump in number of bus users

By The Nation

 

 

Bangkok Mass Transit Authority (BMTA) has adjusted its service plan after the lockdown easing, expecting the number of passengers to increase by approximately 100,000 people a day.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1164523-bmta-gears-up-for-big-jump-in-number-of-bus-users/

 

AIS robots to help oversee Covid-19 measures at CentralWorld

By THE NATION

 

 

Leading telecom operator Advanced Info Service (AIS) and CentralWorld department store have jointly marshalled two 5G-controlled AIS robots to ensure shoppers' hygiene and safety at the department store as part of their efforts to further contain the Covid-19 outbreak.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1164525-ais-robots-to-help-oversee-covid-19-measures-at-centralworld/

 

Ikea set to reopen all stores on May 17

By THE NATION

 

 

Ikea Thailand has said it would reopen all its stores -- in Bangna, Bang Yai and Phuket -- on May 17. The reopening is in accordance with the directions issued by the Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration, Ikea said in a statement on May 16.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1164526-ikea-set-to-reopen-all-stores-on-may-17/

 

Entrepreneurs required to register on ThaiChana as part of Covid-19 prevention

By THE NATION

 

 

Entrepreneurs will be urged to register on the ThaiChana (Thai Victory) platform from Sunday (May 17) as a way to prevent Covid-19 when the second phase of lockdown relaxations become effective.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1164527-entrepreneurs-required-to-register-on-thaichana-as-part-of-covid-19-prevention/

 

Democrats launch probe of Trump's firing of State Department watchdog

By Susan Heavey and Jeff Mason

 

FILE PHOTO: U.S. State Department Inspector General Steve Linick departs after briefing House and Senate Intelligence committees at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, U.S. October 2, 2019. REUTERS/Jonathan Ernst/File Photo

 

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Democrats in Congress on Saturday launched an investigation into President Donald Trump's move to oust the State Department's internal watchdog, accusing the president of escalating his fight against any oversight of his administration.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1164528-democrats-launch-probe-of-trumps-firing-of-state-department-watchdog/

 

Rwanda genocide suspect Kabuga arrested in France after decades on the run

By Dominique Vidalon and Elias Biryabarema

 

A view shows the apartment building where Rwanda genocide suspect Felicien Kabuga was arrested in Asnieres-sur-Seine near Paris, France May 16, 2020. REUTERS/Gonzalo Fuentes

 

PARIS/KAMPALA (Reuters) - Rwandan genocide suspect Felicien Kabuga, who is accused of funding militias that massacred about 800,000 people, was arrested on Saturday near Paris after 26 years on the run, the French justice ministry said.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1164531-rwanda-genocide-suspect-kabuga-arrested-in-france-after-decades-on-the-run/

 

Eerie silence across stadiums as Bundesliga restarts

 

 

Soccer Football - Bundesliga - Borussia Dortmund v Schalke 04 - Signal Iduna Park, Dortmund, Germany - May 16, 2020 Stewards wearing protective face masks stand in front of turnstiles outside the stadium before the match, following the outbreak of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) REUTERS/Leon Kuegeler DFL regulations prohibit any use of photographs as image sequences and/or quasi-video

 

BERLIN (Reuters) - From social distancing substitutes using airport stairs, to disinfected balls and a potential television audience of one billion, the Bundesliga enjoyed a chequered restart as the first major sports league to resume amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1164535-eerie-silence-across-stadiums-as-bundesliga-restarts/

 

Government set to revive tourism

By THE NATION

 

 

Tourism and Sports Minister Pipat Ratchakitprakarn and the Tourism Authority of Thailand stand ready to revive the tourism sector once the Covid-19 outbreak slows down, Government Deputy Spokesperson Traisulee Traisoranakul said on Saturday (May 16).

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1164536-government-set-to-revive-tourism/

 

British grocer Tesco's slavery review reports abuses in Malaysia and Thailand

 

 

FILE PHOTO - Signage is seen outside a Tesco extra superstore near Manchester, Britain January 8, 2020. REUTERS/Phil Noble

 

KUALA LUMPUR (Reuters) - U.K.-based multinational groceries chain Tesco PLC <TSCO.L> has found abuses against migrant workers at its stores and distribution centres in Malaysia and Thailand, it said in its annual modern slavery statement.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1164538-british-grocer-tescos-slavery-review-reports-abuses-in-malaysia-and-thailand/

 

Afternoon storm deluges Pattaya

By Pattaya Mail

 

On Soi Khao Noi, motorbikes and small cars found it impossible to traverse the river of runoff.
 

An hour of rain flooded parts of Pattaya as the city braces for the start of another rainy season.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1164541-afternoon-storm-deluges-pattaya/

 

Pattaya housing garbage removed after residents create online stink

By Patcharapol Panrak

 

A Najomtien housing project where authorities allowed mountains of garbage to pileup until they were embarrassed on social media.

A Najomtien housing project got a long-overdue cleanup after authorities negligently allowed mountains of garbage to pileup until they were embarrassed on social media.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1164542-pattaya-housing-garbage-removed-after-residents-create-online-stink/

 

Get your pets ready for June free vaccines

By Pattaya Mail

 

Pattaya City has announced their mobile pet care units events for June.

Pattaya City has announced their mobile pet care units will be hosting rabies vaccines, neutering, and tick and flea vaccines from 09.00-12.00 noon at the following locations in June:

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1164543-get-your-pets-ready-for-june-free-vaccines/

 

South in grip of rainy spell, mostly hot weather in upper Thailand

By The Nation

 

 

Isolated heavy rains are forecast for parts of the South as the tropical depression over the lower Bay of Bengal intensifies into tropical cyclone “Amphan”.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1164544-south-in-grip-of-rainy-spell-mostly-hot-weather-in-upper-thailand/

 

More restrictions eased as ‘Phase 2’ of lifting lockdown begins

By The Phuket News

 

Shopping malls are allowed to stay open until 8pm as long as they strictly observe mandatory health guidelines. Photo: Central Group

 

PHUKET: Hundreds of businesses across the island are allowed to open from today (May 17) as Phase 2 of the relaxation of the restrictions introduced to prevent the spread COVID-19 come into effect.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1164547-more-restrictions-eased-as-‘phase-2’-of-lifting-lockdown-begins/

 

Thailand’s PM thanks billionaires for their help

 

 

Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha has expressed his heartfelt thanks to the 20 Thai billionaires from whom he sought help during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic in the country.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1164548-thailand’s-pm-thanks-billionaires-for-their-help/

 

Chatuchak market coming back to life

Tarin Angskul

 

 

BANGKOK (NNT) - Physical distancing and hygiene measures are being strictly implemented at Chatuchak Weekend Market which has been allowed to reopen. The number of people inside the market at any one time is capped at 20,000, while vendors and customers are satisfied with measures in place to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1164549-chatuchak-market-coming-back-to-life/

 

Commerce Ministry launches another discount campaign

Tanakorn Sangiam

 

 

KHON KAEN (NNT) - The Ministry of Commerce has launched the third round of a discount campaign for the people, with 158 shopping malls across the country offering special discounts on 1,717 items.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1164554-commerce-ministry-launches-another-discount-campaign/

 

CMU opens North’s first negative pressure room

 

 

CHIANG MAI (NNT) - The Faculty of Medicine of Chiang Mai University (CMU) has unveiled the North’s first ever negative pressure room for airborne infection isolation.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1164556-cmu-opens-north’s-first-negative-pressure-room/

 

Caught in India's lockdown, 23 migrants die in truck crash going home

By Saurabh Sharma

 

A police rescue team work to lift a truck at the site of an accident where a truck carrying migrant labourers collided with another, killing and injuring several people in Auraiya, Uttar Pradesh, India, May 16, 2020 in this still image taken from video. ANI via REUTERS TV

 

LUCKNOW, India (Reuters) - A truck crammed with migrant labourers trying to reach their distant homes amid a nationwide lockdown crashed in northern India on Saturday, killing at least 23 and injuring 35.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1164559-caught-in-indias-lockdown-23-migrants-die-in-truck-crash-going-home/

 

Spain plans last emergency decree extension as protests break out

By Silvio Castellanos and Guillermo Martinez

 

A man wearing a protective face mask and a Spanish flag marches and bangs saucepan lids as he attends a protest against the Spanish government's handling of the coronavirus crisis in Madrid, Spain May 16, 2020. REUTERS/Susana Vera

 

MADRID (Reuters) - Spain's government will seek to extend its coronavirus state of emergency one last time until late June, Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez said on Saturday as anti-government protests broke out around the hard-hit country.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1164562-spain-plans-last-emergency-decree-extension-as-protests-break-out/

 

Last patient leaves Thammasat field hospital, but facility remains on standby

By The Nation

 

 

The last Covid-19 patient left Thammasat University’s field hospital on Saturday night 51 days after it was opened, Prinya Thaewanarumitkul, the university’s Vice Rector for Sustainability and Administration (Rangsit Centre), posted on his personal Facebook page.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1164563-last-patient-leaves-thammasat-field-hospital-but-facility-remains-on-standby/

 

British police arrest 19 at London protest against social distancing

 

 

A protester is detained by police officers during a demonstration in Hyde Park, following the outbreak of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19), London, Britain, May 16, 2020. REUTERS/Peter Nicholls

 

LONDON (Reuters) - London police arrested 19 people on Saturday for deliberately breaking social distancing guidelines in protest against the rules, on the first weekend since Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced a slight loosening of England's lockdown.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1164564-british-police-arrest-19-at-london-protest-against-social-distancing/