THAILAND LIVE Thailand Live Monday 31 Aug 2020

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Kanchanaburi borders with Myanmar closed due to Covid-19 threat

By The Nation

 

Prime Minister General Prayut Chan-o-cha

 

Prime Minister General Prayut Chan-o-cha has ordered closure of all access routes to Myanmar from Kanchanaburi province to prevent the spread of Covid-19 after a suspected second wave of infections in the neighbouring country.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1180180-kanchanaburi-borders-with-myanmar-closed-due-to-covid-19-threat/

 

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No new Covid-19 case in Thailand, as global total exceeds 25 million

By The Nation

 

 

There was no case of Covid-19 in Thailand over a 24-hour period, the Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration reported on Sunday (August 30), while global cases crossed 25 million since the outbreak.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1180182-no-new-covid-19-case-in-thailand-as-global-total-exceeds-25-million/

 

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Ex-senator seeks probe by audit office into AOT, fearing losses for the state

By The Nation

 

Ruangkrai Leekitwattana

 

Former senator Ruangkrai Leekitwattana wants the State Audit Office to scrutinise if the performance of Airports of Thailand (AOT) was costing the government billions of baht after changes in contracts with the private sector.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1180183-ex-senator-seeks-probe-by-audit-office-into-aot-fearing-losses-for-the-state/

 

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Botanical garden in Rayong to be developed as EEC tourist attraction

By THE NATION

 

 

The Rayong Botanical Garden will be developed as a tourist attraction in the Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC).

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1180184-botanical-garden-in-rayong-to-be-developed-as-eec-tourist-attraction/

 

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Demand from China expected to boost tapioca chip exports

By THE NATION

 

 

The demand for tapioca chips should be rising soon, as China is exhausting its stocks of 200-300 million tonnes for manufacturing alcohol, Boonchai Srichaiyongpanich, the newly appointed president of Thai Tapioca Trade Association, said.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1180185-demand-from-china-expected-to-boost-tapioca-chip-exports/

 

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Flood situation 'getting better' in 15 provinces

By The Nation

 

 

Aid is being accelerated to 15 flood-hit provinces, the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation said on Sunday.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1180186-flood-situation-getting-better-in-15-provinces/

 

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Deputy minister checks up on progress of Rayong raw water storage project

By The Nation

 

FILE FOTO

 

Deputy Interior Minister Songsak Thongsri inspects the Thap Ma raw water storage pool project in Rayong province.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1180189-deputy-minister-checks-up-on-progress-of-rayong-raw-water-storage-project/

 

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Jungle paradise in Khao Lak takes concrete steps to preserve nature

By Jintana Panyaarvudh
Special to The Nation
Takua Pa, Phang Nga

 

The signature giraffe-shaped Banyan tree in front of the beach at Khaolak Merlin Resort. /Photo by Jintana Panyaarvudh

 

Twenty years ago, when the second-generation of the Chirayus family wanted to build a resort on Phang Nga’s Khao Lak beach, they decided to go with the concept of sustainability to preserve the environment – and the result was well beyond expectation.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1180191-jungle-paradise-in-khao-lak-takes-concrete-steps-to-preserve-nature/

 

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Thai Health Ministry to oppose resumption of the use of toxic farm chemicals

 

 

Thailand’s Ministry of Public Health (MOPH) is up in arms against the possible resumption of the use of two hazardous substances, paraquat and chlorpyrifos, the use of which, in the agricultural sector, has been prohibited in Thailand since June.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1180192-thai-health-ministry-to-oppose-resumption-of-the-use-of-toxic-farm-chemicals/

 

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Pheu Thai party to seek cut in legal expenses for Chatree gold mine case 

 

 

The opposition Pheu Thai party will seek a reduction of 389 million baht, allocated by the Department of Primary Industries and Mines to legal expenses to defend the suspension of the goldmining operations of Akara Resources Company by the military junta in 2016.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1180193-pheu-thai-party-to-seek-cut-in-legal-expenses-for-chatree-gold-mine-case/

 

 

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CORONAVIRUS (COVID-19)

UPDATE: Pushback from local associations over the Thai government’s “Phuket Model”

By The Thaiger

 

 

UPDATE: Amidst the “plans” and “models” being proposed by the government to re-open Thailand to some form of general tourism (nothing confirmed yet), there’s also been some pushback from operators in some of the hardest hit areas.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1180194-update-pushback-from-local-associations-over-the-thai-government’s-“phuket-model”/

 

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Plan on the table to allow Europe’s ‘snowbirds’ into Thailand for up to 9 months

By The Thaiger

 

 

Another day, another ‘plan’ flown up the pole to see if it will catch some wind. This time a prominent health provider claims the government is developing a new ‘visa’ for sunseekers. If adopted it could allow foreigners to stay in Thailand on a long-stay visa for up to 9 months. Nothing has been finalised as yet but Boon Vanasin, the chairman of Thonburi Healthcare Group, says the special visa would help reboot the country’s devastated tourism industry.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1180195-plan-on-the-table-to-allow-europe’s-‘snowbirds’-into-thailand-for-up-to-9-months/

 

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Interior Ministry develops Mae Kha Canal in Chiang Mai

 

   

CHIANG MAI (NNT) - The Minister of the Interior has inspected development of Mae Kha Canal in Chiang Mai.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1180196-interior-ministry-develops-mae-kha-canal-in-chiang-mai/

 

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Majestic Lyon beat Wolfsburg to win Women's Champions League

 

Soccer Football - Women's Champions League - Final - VfL Wolfsburg v Olympique Lyonnais - Reale Arena, San Sebastian, Spain - August 30, 2020 Olympique Lyonnais' Sarah Bouhaddi celebrates with the trophy and teammates after winning the Champions League, as play resumes behind closed doors following the outbreak of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) Pool via REUTERS/Villar Lopez

 

(Reuters) - Striker Eugenie Le Sommer scored one goal and made another as Olympique Lyonnais beat VfL Wolfsburg 3-1 to win the UEFA Women's Champions League for an unprecedented fifth time in a row.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1180197-majestic-lyon-beat-wolfsburg-to-win-womens-champions-league/

 

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Fit-again Thauvin fires Marseille to win in Ligue 1 opener

 

Soccer Football - Ligue 1 - Metz v AS Monaco - Stade Saint-Symphorien, Metz, France - August 30, 2020 AS Monaco's Sofiane Diop in action with Metz's Opa Nguette REUTERS/Pascal Rossignol

 

BREST, France (Reuters) - Olympique Marseille striker Florian Thauvin scored a first goal in more than a year and set up two others to help his side to a winning start in their 2020-21 Ligue 1 season with a 3-2 success at Brest on Sunday.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1180198-fit-again-thauvin-fires-marseille-to-win-in-ligue-1-opener/

 

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Messi contract is valid, says La Liga, after he fails to attend medical

 

FILE PHOTO: Soccer Football - Champions League - Quarter Final - FC Barcelona v Bayern Munich - Estadio da Luz, Lisbon, Portugal - August 14, 2020 Barcelona's Lionel Messi looks dejected after the match, as play resumes behind closed doors following the outbreak of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) REUTERS/Rafael Marchante/Pool/File Photo

 

BARCELONA (Reuters) - La Liga on Sunday released a statement saying Lionel Messi's Barcelona contract was still valid, days after his shock announcement that he wants to leave the club and hours after he failed to attend a pre-season medical.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1180199-messi-contract-is-valid-says-la-liga-after-he-fails-to-attend-medical/

 

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Johnson, Matsuyama share lead at unforgiving Olympia Fields

 

FILE PHOTO: Aug 27, 2020; Olympia Fields, Illinois, USA; Dustin Johnson plays his tee shot on the 14th hole during the first round of the BMW Championship golf tournament at Olympia Fields Country Club - North. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports

 

(Reuters) - World number one Dustin Johnson and Japan's Hideki Matsuyama will share a two-stroke lead going into the final round of the BMW Championship on Sunday after shooting one-under-par 69s on Saturday.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1180200-johnson-matsuyama-share-lead-at-unforgiving-olympia-fields/

 

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One shot dead in Portland as rival protesters clash

By Kanishka Singh

 

Medics and police personnel (bottom) surround the victim of a shooting in Portland, Oregon, U.S. August 29, 2020, in this still image obtained from a social media video. Courtesy of Sergio Olmos/Social Media via REUTERS.

 

(Reuters) - One person was shot dead in Portland late on Saturday as protesters from rival groups clashed in the northwest U.S. city, which has seen frequent demonstrations for months that have at times turned violent.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1180201-one-shot-dead-in-portland-as-rival-protesters-clash/

 

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India sets global record with single-day rise in coronavirus cases

By Mayank Bhardwaj

 

FILE PHOTO: A healthcare worker wearing personal protective equipment (PPE) takes a swab from a police officer for a rapid antigen test at a special testing center for Gujarat Police, amid the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak, in Ahmedabad, India, August 17, 2020. REUTERS/Amit Dave

 

NEW DELHI (Reuters) - India on Sunday reported the biggest single-day jump in coronavirus infections of any nation in the COVID-19 pandemic, as the epicentre shifts to the south Asian giant.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1180202-india sets-global-record-with-single-day-rise-in-coronavirus-cases/

 

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Trump intel chief defends briefings ban, Democrats raise subpoena threat

By David Morgan

 

FILE PHOTO: Director of National Intelligence (DNI) John Ratcliffe arrives to brief Congressional leaders on reports that Russia paid the Taliban bounties to kill U.S. military in Afghanistan, on Capitol Hill in Washington, U.S., July 2, 2020. REUTERS/Leah Millis

 

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. President Donald Trump's intelligence chief on Sunday defended his decision to cease in-person Congressional briefings on election security, while Democrats said the move would suppress critical information about foreign election meddling and warned they may subpoena testimony.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1180203-trump-intel-chief-defends-briefings-ban-democrats-raise-subpoena-threat/

 

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Biden condemns Portland violence, says Trump 'recklessly encouraging' it

By Michael Martina

 

FILE PHOTO: A police officer removes a barricade erected by demonstrators during a protest against police violence and racial injustice in Portland, Oregon, U.S., August 23, 2020. REUTERS/Terray Sylvester

 

DETROIT (Reuters) - Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden on Sunday called violence at protests in Portland, Oregon, unacceptable and challenged President Donald Trump to stop "recklessly encouraging" it, after one person was killed during clashes between rival groups.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1180204-biden-condemns-portland-violence-says-trump-recklessly-encouraging-it/

 

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English shops to double charge for single-use plastic bags to 10p

 

FILE PHOTO: Shoppers carry shopping in plastic bags in the West End, in London, Britain December 27, 2018. REUTERS/Henry Nicholls

 

LONDON (Reuters) - All retailers in England will charge for single-use plastic carrier bags from next April with the price doubling to 10 pence ($0.13), the government said on Monday as it stepped up efforts to reduce plastic waste.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1180205-english-shops-to-double-charge-for-single-use-plastic-bags-to-10p/

 

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U.S. coronavirus cases top six million as Midwest, schools face outbreaks

By Lisa Shumaker

 

FILE PHOTO: Emergency Medical Technicians (EMT) leave with a patient at Hialeah Hospital where the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) patients are treated, in Hialeah, Florida, U.S., July 29, 2020. REUTERS/Marco Bello

 

(Reuters) - U.S. cases of the novel coronavirus surpassed 6 million on Sunday as many states in the Midwest reported increasing infections, according to a Reuters tally.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1180206-us-coronavirus-cases-top-six-million-as-midwest-schools-face-outbreaks/

 

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Protesters crowd Minsk as Belarus leader gets birthday call from Putin

 

Opposition supporters take part in a rally against presidential election results in the centre of Minsk, Belarus August 30, 2020. Tut.By via REUTERS

 

(Reuters) - Belarusians chanting "Happy Birthday, you rat" and flying red-and-white opposition flags gathered near President Alexander Lukashenko's residence on Sunday as protesters kept up pressure on the veteran leader to resign, before dispersing peacefully.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1180207-protesters-crowd-minsk-as-belarus-leader-gets-birthday-call-from-putin/

 

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Rahm secures playoff win at Olympia Fields with 66-foot putt

 

Aug 30, 2020; Olympia Fields, Illinois, USA; Jon Rahm reacts to making over a 60 foot birdie putt on the 18th hole to win in a playoff against Dustin Johnson during the final round of the BMW Championship golf tournament at Olympia Fields Country Club - North. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports

 

(Reuters) - Spain's Jon Rahm sunk a breathtaking 66-foot putt to win the BMW Championship on Sunday in a thrilling playoff win over American Dustin Johnson.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1180208-rahm-secures-playoff-win-at-olympia-fields-with-66-foot-putt/

 

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Woods aims to 'clean up' rounds ahead of U.S. Open

 

FILE PHOTO: Aug 30, 2020; Olympia Fields, Illinois, USA; Tiger Woods hits out of the rough on the 9th hole during the final round of the BMW Championship golf tournament at Olympia Fields Country Club - North. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports

 

(Reuters) - Tiger Woods' PGA Tour season ended with a thud at Olympia Fields Country Club on Sunday, with the 15-time major winner finishing with a dismal 11 over par through the fourth round of the BMW Championship.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1180209-woods-aims-to-clean-up-rounds-ahead-of-us-open/

 

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Hunt on for elder sibling after brother shot and beheaded in sugar cane field

 

Picture: Sanook

 

Police and rescue services called to a sugar cane field in the Ban Rai area of Uthai Thani at the weekend found a grisly scene.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1180219-hunt-on-for-elder-sibling-after-brother-shot-and-beheaded-in-sugar-cane field/

 

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Two dead one missing in septic tank at large Pathum Thani company

 

Picture: Sanook

 

An investigation is underway after two people were found dead inside a septic tank at a large company on the Pathum Thani to Lat Lum Kaew Road on Sunday. 

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1180220-two-dead-one-missing-in-septic-tank-at-large-pathum-thani-company/

 

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Government to hike repayment in bid to rein in public debt

By The Nation

 

Patricia Mongkhonvanit, director-general at the Public Debt Management Office (PDMO)

 

The government has increased debt repayment to 3 per cent of the total national annual budget in order to maintain fiscal discipline, the Finance Ministry said.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1180221-government-to-hike-repayment-in-bid-to-rein-in-public-debt/

 

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Video: Driver survives after six-wheel truck drags his car across the road 

 

Picture: Sanook

 

Shocking footage from the north east of Thailand showed the moment when an out of control six-wheel truck plowed across the median and into a Honda jazz waiting innocently at the red light. 

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1180222-video-driver-survives-after-six-wheel-truck-drags-his-car-across-the-road/