THAILAND LIVE Thailand Live Friday 18 Dec 2020

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Thailand relaxes travel curbs for tourists from over 50 countries

By Panarat Thepgumpanat

 

A man wearing a protective face mask walks as the spread of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) continues, in Chinatown, one of the city's top tourist spots, in Bangkok, Thailand March 30, 2020. REUTERS/Jorge Silva/Files

 

BANGKOK (Reuters) - Thailand on Thursday eased travel restrictions for citizens from 56 countries in a bid to boost the country's pandemic-hit tourism industry, though visitors will be required to undergo a mandatory two-week hotel quarantine.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1197229-ccsa-offers-incentives-like-visa-extension-to-make-up-for-14-days-lost-in-quarantine/?do=findComment&comment=16089860

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COVID-19 alert in Samut Sakhon after a seafood vendor infected

 

 

A seafood market, in the Muang district of Thailand’s coastal province of Samut Sakhon, has been ordered closed for three days from Thursday after one of the shrimp vendors at the market was found to be infected with COVID-19. 18 people, who were in close contact with the woman, have been quarantined and given swab tests.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1197330-covid-19-alert-in-samut-sakhon-after-a-seafood-vendor-infected/

 

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Foreign Min says strict health measures being maintained for arrivals

 

   

BANGKOK (NNT) - While the rate of COVID-19 infection among the over 100,000 people entering the nation recently was recorded at only 0.7 percent, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has assured the community it will maintain strict health measures well into next year.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1197254-thai-foreign-min-says-strict-health-measures-being-maintained-for-arrivals/

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Yanhee insists its water is loaded with Vitamin C

By THE NATION

 

 

Despite failing a test conducted by the Foundation for Consumers (FFC), Yanhee Vitamin Water issued a statement on Wednesday insisting its bottled water really carries Vitamin C.

 

Full dtory: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1197276-yanhee-insists-its-water-is-loaded-with-vitamin-c/

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Prawn industry more or less escapes fallout of Covid-19

By THE NATION

 

 

The Thai Prawn Association announced on Wednesday that Thailand will produce some 310,000 tonnes of prawns in 2021, 15 per cent more than the 270,000 tonnes produced this year.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1197331-prawn-industry-more-or-less-escapes-fallout-of-covid-19/

 

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Govt corruption highest under NCPO junta, says report by graft watchdog

By The Nation

 

Prayut Chan-o-cha

 

Government corruption hit a new high under the post-coup National Council for Peace (NCPO) junta, according to a report released by the National Anti-Corruption Commission on Thursday.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1197332-govt-corruption-highest-under-ncpo-junta-says-report-by-graft-watchdog/

 

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Phase 2 of ‘We Travel Together’ may be cancelled over corruption

By The Nation

 

PM Prayut Chan-o-cha

 

The second phase of the “We Travel Together” tourism stimulus campaign may be scrapped over corruption fears, according to a source familiar with the matter. 

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1197333-phase-2-of-‘we-travel-together’-may-be-cancelled-over-corruption/

 

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Gaining trade advantage not purpose of exchange-rate intervention, says BOT after US places Thailand on monitoring list

By The Nation

 

Chantavarn Sucharitakul, assistant governor for Communications and Corporate Relations Group at the Bank of Thailand (BOT).

 

The US Treasury Department has placed Thailand on its list of countries being monitored for having a significant bilateral trade surplus with the United States – more than $20 billion (Bt600 billion) – and a material current account surplus (over 2 per cent of GDP), Chantavarn Sucharitakul, assistant governor for Communications and Corporate Relations Group at the Bank of Thailand (BOT), said on Thursday.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1197334-gaining-trade-advantage-not-purpose-of-exchange-rate-intervention-says-bot-after-us-places-thailand-on-monitoring-list/

 

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Manufacturing sentiment rising for seven months in a row: FTI

By The Nation

 

 

The Thailand Industrial Sentiment Index (TISI) has grown for the seventh consecutive month to 87.4 points in November from 86 points in October, proving that confidence in the manufacturing sector is improving, Supant Mongkolsuthree, chairman of the Federation of Thai Industries (FTI), said.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1197335-manufacturing-sentiment-rising-for-seven-months-in-a-row-fti/

 

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Long-stay visas proposed for foreigners who buy Bt3m condos

By The Nation

 

File photo for reference only
 

Thai residency visas for foreigners who invest as little as Bt3 million in property is among five proposals being considered by the Finance Ministry.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1197336-long-stay-visas-proposed-for-foreigners-who-buy-bt3m-condos/

 

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Villa frustrated in goalless draw with Burnley

 

Soccer Football - Premier League - Aston Villa v Burnley - Villa Park, Birmingham, Britain - December 17, 2020 Aston Villa's Jack Grealish looks dejected after missed chance Pool via REUTERS/Molly Darlington

 

BIRMINGHAM, England (Reuters) -Aston Villa were left to rue the woodwork and missed chances as they were held to a goalless draw in an entertaining Premier League game at home to Burnley on Thursday.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1197338-villa-frustrated-in-goalless-draw-with-burnley/

 

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Lewandowski beats Messi and Ronaldo to FIFA Best Player Award

 

Soccer Football - Bundesliga - Bayern Munich v VfL Wolfsburg - Allianz Arena, Munich, Germany - December 16, 2020 Bayern Munich's Robert Lewandowski celebrates scoring their second goal Pool via REUTERS/Christof Stache

 

ZURICH (Reuters) -Bayern Munich forward Robert Lewandowski was named The Best FIFA Men's Player 2020 on Thursday, beating off competition from last year's winner Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1197339-lewandowski-beats-messi-and-ronaldo-to-fifa-best-player-award/

 

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Premier League to trial concussion replacements, votes against five subs

By Hardik Vyas

 

FILE PHOTO: Soccer Football - Premier League - Burnley v AFC Bournemouth - Turf Moor, Burnley, Britain - February 22, 2020 General view of the Premier League logo on a match ball before the match REUTERS/Phil Noble

 

(Reuters) -Premier League clubs on Thursday agreed in principle to introduce additional permanent concussion substitutions after the sport's rule-making body IFAB approved trials.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1197340-premier-league-to-trial-concussion-replacements-votes-against-five-subs/

 

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Sweden's king says 'we have failed' over COVID-19, as deaths mount

 

FILE PHOTO: Sweden's King Carl Gustaf poses for a photo before recording his annual Christmas Day speech to the nation, at Stockholm Castle, Sweden, December 16, 2019. Fredrik Sandberg/TT News Agency/via REUTERS

 

STOCKHOLM (Reuters) -Sweden's king said his country had failed in its handling of COVID-19, in a sharp criticism of a pandemic policy partly blamed for a high death toll among the elderly.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1197341-swedens-king-says-we-have-failed-over-covid-19-as-deaths-mount/

 

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Exclusive:

Microsoft breached in suspected Russian hack using SolarWinds -sources

By Joseph Menn

 

FILE PHOTO: A Microsoft logo is seen next to a cloud in Los Angeles, California, U.S. June 14, 2016. REUTERS/Lucy Nicholson/File Photo

 

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Microsoft was hacked as part of the suspected Russian campaign that has hit multiple U.S. government agencies by taking advantage of the widespread use of software from SolarWinds Corp, according to people familiar with the matter.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1197343-microsoft-breached-in-suspected-russian-hack-using-solarwinds-sources/

 

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Suspected Russian hacking spree used another major tech supplier -sources

By Joseph Menn

 

FILE PHOTO: SolarWinds Corp banner hangs at the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) on the IPO day of the company in New York, U.S., October 19, 2018. REUTERS/Brendan McDermid/File Photo

 

SAN FRANCISCO (Reuters) -The massive hacking campaign disclosed by U.S. officials this week and tentatively attributed to the Russian government extended beyond users of pervasive network software made by SolarWinds that had been compromised.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1197344-suspected-russian-hacking-spree-used-another-major-tech-supplier-sources/

 

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Trump says he is not involved in potential prosecution of Biden's son Hunter

By Sarah N. Lynch

 

FILE PHOTO: Democratic presidential nominee and former Vice President Joe Biden's son Hunter Biden speaks by video feed during the 4th and final night of the 2020 Democratic National Convention, as participants from across the country are hosted over video links from the originally planned site of the convention in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, U.S. August 20, 2020. 2020 Democratic National Convention/Pool via REUTERS

 

WASHINGTON (Reuters) -President Donald Trump said on Thursday that he had nothing to do with any potential prosecution of President-elect Joe Biden's son, Hunter, who has disclosed that his taxes are being investigated by a federal prosecutor in Delaware.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1197345-trump says-he-is-not-involved-in-potential-prosecution-of-bidens-son-hunter/

 

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COVID-19 in Samut Sakhon: Hunt on for two Myanmar workers - people not wearing masks face 20k THB fines

 

Picture: Daily News

 

The governor of Samut Sakhon province south west of the Thai capital of Bangkok said that authorities were hunting for two Myanmar workers after a 67 year old owner of a shrimp and fish business at the local market tested positive for Covid-19.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1197349-covid-19-in-samut-sakhon-hunt-on-for-two-myanmar workers-people-not-wearing-masks-face-20k-thb-fines/

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Koh Samui: Holiday island  is in a "coma" on its last tourism legs

 

Picture: Voice TV

 

Thai meadia Voice TV painted a grim picture of the tourism situation in the once thriving holiday island of Koh Samui saying it was in a coma. 

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1197350-koh-samui-holiday-island -is-in-a-coma-on-its-last-tourism-legs/

 

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U.S. response to Putin may close door to more arms control talks under Trump

 

Russian President Vladimir Putin attends his annual end-of-year news conference, held online in a video conference mode, at the Novo-Ogaryovo state residence outside Moscow, Russia December 17, 2020. Sputnik/Alexei Nikolsky/Kremlin via REUTERS

 

WASHINGTON/MOSCOW (Reuters) -The United States, responding to Russia blaming Washington for starting a new arms race, on Thursday reiterated a proposal already rejected by Moscow for extending their last strategic arms limitation treaty, appearing to close the door to talks in the final weeks of the Trump administration.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1197356-us-response-to-putin-may-close-door-to-more-arms-control-talks-under trump/

 

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UPDATE:

 

Samut Sakhon tightens control measures after woman tests positive for Covid-19

By THE NATION

 

 

A 67-year-old woman who runs a seafood shop has been confirmed positive for Covid-19 in Samut Sakhon province.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1197349-covid-19-in-samut-sakhon-hunt-on-for-two-myanmar workers-people-not-wearing-masks-face-20k-thb-fines/?do=findComment&comment=16091007

 

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Chonburi records most road accidents in Thailand - Route 7 to Pattaya the worst in the country

 

Picture: Thai Rath

 

The chief of Thailand's highways department has revealed data from the Highway Accident Information Management System (HAIMS) for the month of November. 

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1197353-chonburi-records-most-road-accidents-in-thailand-route-7-to-pattaya-the-worst-in-the-country/

 

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Tragedy strikes as father dies on the way to hospital appointment - driver son, 17, survives

 

Picture: Sanook

 

Sanook reported on an accident on Route 3051, the Bang Or to Ban Na Road in Nakhon Nayok province in central Thailand. 

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1197354-tragedy-strikes-as-father-dies-on-the-way-to-hospital-appointment-driver-son-17-survives/

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Thai honesty: Netizens praise poor sweet selling kid for handing in 6,500 baht

 

Picture: Sanook

 

Thai netizens were full of praise for a child who sells sweets at a gas station in Ayutthaya in central Thailand after she handed in 6,500 baht she found left at an ATM machine. 

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1197355-thai-honesty-netizens-praise-poor-sweet-selling-kid-for-handing-in-6500-baht/

 

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VIDEO: Huge python bursts through the ceiling as man uses toilet

 

video screenshot

 

A Facebook user called Joe Nopparat got a shock when a python appeared from a hole in his bathroom ceiling and started doing aerial acrobatics. 

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1197357-video-huge-python-bursts-through-the-ceiling-as-man-uses-toilet/

 

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Pattaya: Mercedes Benz broken into in the night - clinic owner scares thief off

 

Picture: Pattaya Update News

 

Nong Prue police responded after the owner of a children's clinic reported an attempted theft.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1197361-pattaya-mercedes-benz-broken-into-in-the-night-clinic-owner-scares-thief-off/

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Video: Definitely not cool! - Media shares "black smoke" pick-up as Bangkok splutters

 

video screenshot

 

As Bangkok continued to splutter with air pollution a video shared online showed one of the contributing factors.v

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1197362-video-definitely-not-cool-media-shares-black-smoke-pick-up-as-bangkok-splutters/

 

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Administration takes on Bangkok pollution

By THE NATION

 

 

The Bangkok city administration and the government have launched measures to combat air pollution in the Thai capital.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1197366-administration-takes-on-bangkok-pollution/

 

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PTT pledges job creation in 2021 to revive Thai economy

By THE NATION

 

 

PTT will continue its efforts to provide jobs to new graduates and to those who have become unemployed due to the Covid-19 situation, said Auttapol Rerkpiboon, president and chief executive officer of PTT Plc.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1197368-ptt-pledges-job-creation-in-2021-to-revive-thai-economy/

 

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PM urges public to report economic campaign fraud

 

   

Following reports of shops and hotels attempting to defraud the government’s economic stimulation campaigns, the Prime Minister has stressed all persons involved must be prosecuted, whatever kind of fraud it is.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1197369-pm-prayut-urges-public-to-report-economic-campaign-fraud/