THAILAND LIVE Thailand Live Monday 25 May 2020

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Proposed Pattaya monorail paints a radical future by 2030

By Barry Kenyon

 

Pattaya Mail file photo.

 

The proposal to fund a Pattaya City monorail project has taken a major step forward with the announcement of a 70 million baht feasibility study to link with much wider infrastructure developments. These include the hi-speed railway project to link Bangkok airports with U-Tapao and the emergence of the neighboring Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC) which is already a multi-billion dollar hi-tech Asean zone with its impressive deep-water ports at Laem Chabang and Rayong.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1165588-proposed-pattaya-monorail-paints-a-radical-future-by-2030/

 

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Donations to Pattaya Father Ray Foundation tumble 80% amid pandemic

By Warapun Jaikusol

 

Fr. Sukhum Thanasingh said the Fr. Ray Foundation has been hit hard by the economic recession caused by the coronavirus pandemic.

 

With its entire business model built on handouts, the Father Ray Foundation in Pattaya has hit the skids during the economic recession caused by the coronavirus pandemic.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1165592-donations-to-pattaya-father-ray-foundation-tumble-80-amid-pandemic/

 

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French family enjoys an extended holiday

By The Nation

 

 

A French family is very happy to be stranded on Samui Island in Surat Thani province because of the pandemic crisis, thanks to the hospitality they are enjoying.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1165594-french-family-enjoys-an-extended-holiday-on-koh-samui/

 

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Man with fetish for stealing flip-flops arrested

By The Nation

 

 

A fake rescue volunteer in Nonthaburi province was arrested on Sunday (May 24) for stealing 126 flip-flops, which he revealed to be a sexual fetish.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1165595-man-with-fetish-for-stealing-flip-flops-arrested-in-nonthaburi/

 

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Thailand tourism to contract by 1.69 trillion baht this year – Kasikorn Research

 

Passengers attempt to observe social distancing as a preventive measure against the spread of the COVID-19 novel coronavirus as they ride in a BTS commuter train during rush hour in Bangkok on May 8, 2020. (Photo by Mladen ANTONOV / AFP)

 

The Thai tourism sector is forecast to suffer a revenue reduction, estimated at 1.69 trillion baht this year, due to the COVID-10 pandemic and the weak purchasing power of tourists, according to the Kasikorn Research Centre.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1165597-thailand-tourism-to-contract-by-169-trillion-baht-this-year-–-kasikorn-research/

 

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Hua Hin’s horses for hire to return to beaches next Friday

 

 

Life is gradually returning to Thailand’s Hua Hin seaside resort, after Prachuap Khiri Khan provincial administration eased lockdown restrictions on May 18th, allowing hotels, food shops, shopping malls, department stores, as well horse rental services, to resume operation.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1165598-hua-hin’s-horses-for-hire-to-return-to-beaches-next-friday/

 

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Ten new normal behaviors of Thai people – Suan Dusit Poll

 

People stand in line to enter the Siam Paragon shopping mall as it reopened after restrictions to halt the spread of the COVID-19 coronavirus were lifted in Bangkok on May 17, 2020.

 

Most Thai people have changed their tourism behavior by visiting destinations and using transport which are safe, according to an opinion poll by Suan Dusit University.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1165599-ten-new-normal-behaviors-of-thai-people-–-suan-dusit-poll/

 

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Vendor called out for selling 'donated items'

By The Nation

 

Photo Credit to Red Skull Twitter

 

A grocery vendor is under fire from netizens for alleged fraud after he was found to be selling products meant as donations.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1165600-vendor-called-out-for-selling-donated-items/

 

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Phuket’s Sea Bees Diving steps up for COVID relief

By The Phuket News

 

The campaign is targeting among the poorest on the island. Photo: Sea Bees Diving

 

PHUKET: The multi-award-winning Phuket dive company Sea Bees Diving headed by Holger Schwab has launched its own campaign to help people left without any income to buy food due to the COVID-19 situation.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1165601-phuket’s-sea-bees-diving-steps-up-for-covid-relief/

 

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Firefighters rescue dogs trapped in house on fire

By Eakkapop Thongtub

 

Firefighters were called to the Sing Thao Thani housing estate in Moo 6, Kathu, at around 2:30pm yesterday. Photo: Eakkapop Thongtub

 

PHUKET: Locla firefighters rescued two dogs trapped in a burning room at a house on fire in Kathu yesterday (May 23).

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1165602-firefighters-rescue-dogs-trapped-in-house-on-fire/

 

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Businesses Bustling Again at Rim Khong Walking Street in Nong Khai

 

   

NONG KHAI (NNT)-At Rim Khong Walking Street in Nong Khai province, the market’s atmosphere has finally become lively again since the second phase easing of disease prevention measures, last week.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1165603-businesses-bustling-again-at-rim-khong-walking-street-in-nong-khai/

 

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PM orders investigation into state quarantine kickbacks

 

   

BANGKOK (NNT)- The Prime Minister has ordered an investigation into alleged state quarantine kickbacks in order to take further tough action against the wrongdoers.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1165604-pm-prayut-orders-investigation-into-state-quarantine-kickbacks/

 

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Life after coronavirus: future of Thai tourism industry is in Chinese hands, and phones

-- Southeast Asia’s tourism giant is looking to China to refloat its battered travel industry

-- Partnerships with digital firms and social media influencers are among the strategies to win back Chinese visitors

Vincent Vichit-Vadakan

 

Thai health officials take the temperatures of foreign tourists to prevent the spread of the novel coronavirus in February, before flights were grounded. Photo: EPA

 

Few people are as aware of the devastation the novel coronavirus  has inflicted on international travel as Chattan Kunjara Na Ayudhya, a deputy governor of the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT).

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1165605-life-after-coronavirus-future-of-thai-tourism-industry-is-in-chinese-hands-and-phones/

 

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Coronavirus pandemic

Thailand looking at quarantine waiver for selected tourists

Tan Hui Yee

Indochina Bureau Chief

 

The usually crowded Khaosan Road in Bangkok last Friday. The Thai authorities are looking at matching tourists from low-risk countries with low-risk places within the kingdom.PHOTO: REUTERS

 

BANGKOK • The Thai authorities are mulling over waiving quarantine requirements for selected foreign travellers when the ban on incoming commercial flights is lifted, by matching tourists from low-risk countries with low-risk destinations within the kingdom.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1165606-thailand-looking-at-quarantine-waiver-for-selected-tourists/

 

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Defiant Netanyahu goes on trial in Israel charged with corruption

By Maayan Lubell and Dan Williams

 

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu attends the first working cabinet meeting of the new government at the Chagall Hall in the Knesset, the Israeli Parliament in Jerusalem May 24, 2020. Abir Sultan/Pool via REUTERS

 

JERUSALEM (Reuters) - Benjamin Netanyahu on Sunday became the first serving Israeli prime minister to go on trial, proclaiming his innocence in the corridor before walking into court to face charges of bribery, fraud and breach of trust.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1165607-defiant-netanyahu-goes-on-trial-in israel charged-with-corruption/

 

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France has lowest daily rise in new coronavirus cases and deaths since lockdown

By Geert De Clercq

 

People enjoy the sunny weather sitting on the banks of the river Seine amid the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak, in Paris, France, May 24, 2020. REUTERS/Christian Hartmann

 

PARIS (Reuters) - French authorities reported the smallest daily rise in new coronavirus cases and deaths on Sunday since before a lockdown began on March 17, raising hopes that the worst of the epidemic is over in France.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1165608-france-has-lowest-daily-rise-in-new-coronavirus-cases-and-deaths-since-lockdown/

 

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Lufthansa to resume flights to 20 destinations from mid-June

 

FILE PHOTO: Aircraft of the German carrier Lufthansa are parked on the tarmac, as the spread of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) continues, at the airport in Frankfurt, Germany March 24, 2020. REUTERS/Ralph Orlowski/File Photo

 

FRANKFURT/BERLIN (Reuters) - Lufthansa <LHAG.DE>, which is in talks with the German government over a 9 billion euro ($9.8 billion) bailout, will resume flights to 20 destinations from mid-June, including some holiday hot-spots, a spokeswoman said on Sunday.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1165609-lufthansa-to-resume-flights-to-20-destinations-from-mid-june/

 

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Johnson risks party wrath to back aide who crossed UK during lockdown

By Costas Pitas and Elizabeth Piper

 

Britain's Prime Minister Boris Johnson in Downing Street following the outbreak of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19), London, Britain, May 20, 2020. REUTERS/Peter Nicholls/File photo

 

LONDON (Reuters) - British Prime Minister Boris Johnson backed his senior adviser Dominic Cummings on Sunday, despite calls from within his own Conservative Party for the aide to resign for driving 250 miles during the coronavirus lockdown.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1165610-johnson risks-party-wrath-to-back-aide-who-crossed-uk-during-lockdown/

 

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Cologne grab late goals to earn 2-2 home draw with Fortuna

 

Soccer Football - Bundesliga - FC Cologne v Fortuna Dusseldorf - RheinEnergieStadion, Cologne, Germany - May 24, 2020 FC Cologne's Jhon Cordoba scores their second goal, as play resumes behind closed doors following the outbreak of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) REUTERS/Thilo Schmuelgen/Pool

 

COLOGNE, Germany (Reuters) - Late headers by substitute Anthony Modeste and Jhon Cordoba allowed Cologne to salvage a 2-2 home draw against Fortuna Duessledorf in the Bundesliga after Mark Uth had missed a penalty for the hosts on Sunday.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1165611-cologne-grab-late-goals-to-earn-2-2-home-draw-with-fortuna/

 

 

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Werner hat-trick helps Leipzig crush hosts Mainz 5-0

 

Soccer Football - Bundesliga - 1. FSV Mainz 05 v RB Leipzig - Opel Arena, Mainz, Germany - May 24, 2020 RB Leipzig's Timo Werner in action with 1.FSV Mainz 05's Moussa Niakhate, as play resumes behind closed doors following the outbreak of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) REUTERS/Kai Pfaffenbach/Pool

 

BERLIN (Reuters) - RB Leipzig's Timo Werner scored a hat-trick as they demolished hosts Mainz 5-0 on Sunday to reclaim third place in the Bundesliga with an emphatic victory after three straight draws.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1165612-werner-hat-trick-helps-leipzig-crush-hosts-mainz-5-0/

 

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Former Hong Kong governor: China's proposed national security law should be on G7 agenda

 

FILE PHOTO: Former Hong Kong governor Chris Patten speaks at the Foreign Correspondents' Club in Hong Kong, China November 25, 2016. REUTERS/Bobby Yip

 

(Reuters) - The United Kingdom should ensure that China's efforts to impose a new national security law on Hong Kong are on the agenda for the G7 meeting in June, Chris Patten, the last British governor of Hong Kong wrote in the Financial Times newspaper on Sunday.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1165614-former-hong-kong-governor-chinas-proposed-national-security-law-should-be-on-g7-agenda/

 

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Iran fuel shipment nears Venezuelan shores, Maduro thanks Tehran

By Deisy Buitrago and Marianna Parraga

 

FILE PHOTO: People with vehicles wait in line in an attempt to refuel at a gas station of the state oil company PDVSA in Maracaibo, Venezuela, May 17, 2019. REUTERS/Isaac Urrutia/File Photo

 

CARACAS (Reuters) - The lead vessel of a five-tanker flotilla carrying fuel supplied by Iran to gasoline-thirsty Venezuela neared one of state-run PDVSA's ports as President Nicolas Maduro thanked Tehran on Sunday.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1165615-iran-fuel-shipment-nears-venezuelan-shores-maduro-thanks-tehran/

 

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Huddersfield owner says 50 or 60 clubs could go bust in next year

 

FILE PHOTO: Soccer Football - Championship - Huddersfield Town v Derby County - John Smith's Stadium, Huddersfield, Britain - August 5, 2019 Huddersfield Town Chairman Phil Hodgkinson Action Images/Ed Sykes

 

LONDON (Reuters) - Up to 60 English lower league soccer clubs could go out of business if the sport fails to plan for the impact of COVID-19 beyond the current season, Huddersfield Town owner Phil Hodgkinson said on Sunday.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1165619-huddersfield-owner-says-50-or-60-clubs-could-go-bust-in-next-year/

 

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Haiti voodoo leaders prepare temples for coronavirus sufferers

By Andre Paultre and Robenson Sanon

 

A Mambo, a voodoo priestess, dances at a ceremony during the outbreak of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19), in Port-au-Prince, Haiti May 1, 2020. Picture taken May 1, 2020. REUTERS/Jeanty Junior Augustin

 

PORT-AU-PRINCE (Reuters) - Haiti's voodoo leaders have trained priests of the Afro Caribbean religion to concoct a secret remedy for the novel coronavirus and to prepare the sacred initiation chambers of their temples to receive patients.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1165620-haiti-voodoo-leaders-prepare-temples-for-coronavirus-sufferers/

 

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Coronavirus 'cover-up' is China's Chernobyl - White House adviser

 

FILE PHOTO: U.S. and Chinese flags are adjusted before the opening session of trade negotiations between U.S. and Chinese trade representatives at the Diaoyutai State Guesthouse in Beijing, Thursday, Feb. 14, 2019. Mark Schiefelbein/Pool via REUTERS/File Photo

 

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - A top White House official on Sunday likened China's handling of the coronavirus outbreak to the Soviet Union's cover-up of the meltdown at the Chernobyl nuclear power plant in 1986.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1165621-coronavirus-cover-up-is-chinas-chernobyl-white-house-adviser/

 

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Govt earmarks Bt2 billion for state-backed pawn shops

By THE NATION

 

 

A Cabinet meeting has approved the Social Development and Human Security Ministry’s proposal to provide soft loans to state-backed pawn shops totalling Bt2 billion, Minister Juti Krairiksh said on Sunday (May 24).

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1165624-govt-earmarks-bt2-billion-for-state-backed-pawn-shops/

 

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Ninety one year old passenger crushed to death under wheels as he gets off the bus

 

Picture: Sanook

 

Tragedy struck on Suksawat Road inbound in Bangkok yesterday after a 91 year old passenger was crushed under the wheels of a bus.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1165629-ninety-one-year-old-passenger-crushed-to-death-under-wheels-as-he-gets-off-the-bus/

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All eyes on Chinese dams as Mekong countries count down to the monsoon

By The Nation

 

 

Researchers are worried that Chinese dams will hold back much of the water in the Mekong River this year, similar to last year's erratic flow after the monsoon which exacerbated the drought in the Northeast of Thailand, Laos, Cambodia and Vietnam.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1165630-all-eyes-on-chinese-dams-as-mekong-countries-count-down-to-the-monsoon/

 

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Novice monk falls onto railings at temple

 

 

Sanook reported that a novice monk fell off the second floor of monks' quarters at the temple of Wat Chaichana Songkhram (Wat Tuek) around 10.30 pm last night. 

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1165632-novice-monk-falls-onto-railings-at-temple/

 

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Hertz files for U.S. bankruptcy protection as car rentals evaporate in pandemic

By Mike Spector

 

FILE PHOTO: A logo of the American car rental company Hertz is seen at Bordeaux Airport in Merignac, Southwestern France, February 4, 2016. REUTERS/Regis Duvignau/File Photo

 

NEW YORK (Reuters) - The more than a century old car rental firm Hertz Global Holdings Inc filed for bankruptcy protection on Friday after its business was decimated during the coronavirus pandemic and talks with creditors failed to result in much needed relief.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1165635-hertz-files-for-us-bankruptcy-protection-as-car-rentals-evaporate-in-pandemic/