First post-lockdown tourists land at Phuket airport

By The Phuket News

 

The first tourists to land at Phuket International Airport since the COVID-19 lockdown began eight months ago arrived today (Dec 18). Photo: AoT Phuket

 

PHUKET:-- The first international tourists to land at Phuket International Airport since the COVID-19 lockdown began eight months ago, arrived in Phuket today (Dec 18).

 

Full Story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1197446-first-post-lockdown-tourists-land-at-phuket-airport/

Chaos and jubilation as freed Nigerian schoolboys reunite with family

By Afolabi Sotunde

 

Rescued Nigerian school boys sit together at the Government house in Katsina, Nigeria, December 18, 2020. REUTERS/Afolabi Sotunde

 

KATSINA, Nigeria (Reuters) - Parents sobbed, mobbed their children in hugs and even kissed the ground in gratitude on Friday as they reunited with scores of schoolboys who had been kidnapped a week earlier in northwest Nigeria.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1197474-chaos-and-jubilation-as-freed-nigerian-schoolboys-reunite-with-family/

 

SET dips 0.1% after week of rises

By The Nation

 

 

The Stock Exchange of Thailand (SET) Index closed at 1,482.38 on Friday, down 1.51 points or 0.1 per cent. Total transactions amounted to Bt117.09 billion with an index high of 1,489.78 and a low of 1,475.01.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1197475-set-dips-01-after-week-of-rises/

 

Over 5,000 spots open in govt institute for public health students

By THE NATION

 

Kiattibhoom Vongrachit

 

The Public Health Ministry’s Praboromarajchanok Institute, where public health workers get their higher education certification, announced on Friday that it will take 3,686 students in the nursing faculty and 1,875 in the faculty of public health and allied health sciences next year.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1197476-over-5000-spots-open-in-govt-institute-for-public-health-students/

 

Thailand Golf Tour swings back with full 2021 season, Bt40m prizemoney

 

 

The All Thailand Golf Tour (ATGT) commissioner Jakraphong Thongyai.

 

The All Thailand Golf Tour (ATGT) has announced a full programme for the 2021 season, with 12 events offering total prizemoney of almost Bt40 million, starting with the Boonchu Ruangkit Championship next month. Three tournaments have increased their prize funds.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1197477-thailand-golf-tour-swings-back-with-full-2021-season-bt40m-prizemoney/

 

U.S. says Ghislaine Maxwell should stay behind bars, deserves no bail

 

 

FILE PHOTO: Charges are announced against Ghislaine Maxwell for her role in the sexual exploitation and abuse of minor girls by Jeffrey Epstein in New York City, New York, U.S., July 2, 2020. REUTERS/Lucas Jackson/File Photo

 

NEW YORK (Reuters) - U.S. prosecutors on Friday said Ghislaine Maxwell, the former associate of Jeffrey Epstein charged with helping enable his sexual abuses, should remain in jail, and urged a federal judge to reject her proposed $28.5 million bail package.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1197479-us-says-ghislaine-maxwell-should-stay-behind-bars-deserves-no-bail/

 

Singapore airport goes sub-zero for COVID-19 vaccine transport plan

 

 

A view of modular cold storage rooms which can be temperature controlled to store the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) vaccines at dnata's cool chain facility in Singapore December 17, 2020. REUTERS/Edgar Su

 

SINGAPORE (Reuters) - As the door of the vaccine transport cart opens at Singapore's Changi airport, the sub-zero temperatures inside collide with the warm, tropical air, creating a carpet of steam like hot breath on a winter's day.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1197480-singapore-airport-goes-sub-zero-for-covid-19-vaccine-transport-plan/

 

U.S. FDA authorizes Moderna's COVID-19 vaccine for emergency use

By Michael Erman

 

FILE PHOTO: Moderna's logo is reflected in a drop on a syringe needle in this illustration taken November 9, 2020. REUTERS/Dado Ruvic/Illustration

 

(Reuters) - Moderna Inc's coronavirus vaccine on Friday became the second to receive emergency use authorization (EUA) from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, welcome news to a nation with a staggering COVID-19 death toll of over 307,000 lives lost.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1197484-us-fda-authorizes-modernas-covid-19-vaccine-for-emergency-use/

 

UK government pushes for lifting of U.S. travel restrictions - sources

By David Shepardson

 

FILE PHOTO: Tail Fins of British Airways planes are seen parked at Heathrow airport, in Britain, March 31, 2020. REUTERS/Toby Melville

 

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The British government is making a concerted effort to persuade the Trump administration to lift or soften travel restrictions that bar most people in the United Kingdom from traveling to the United States, sources briefed on the matter said.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1197491-uk-government-pushes-for-lifting-of-us-travel-restrictions-sources/

 

World No 1 on top of the CME Group Tour Championship leaderboard

 

 

Jin Young Ko (Photo credit to LPGA)

 

Leading after 36 holes for the first time since the 2018 Indy Women in Tech Championship, World No. 1 Jin Young Ko leads the CME Group Tour Championship at -9 after a second-round 67 at Tiburon Golf Club.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1197493-world-no-1-on-top-of-the-cme-group-tour-championship-leaderboard/

 

Isolated heavy rains in the South raise risk of flash floods

By THE NATION

 

 

People in the South should beware of severe weather conditions that may cause flash floods, as a rather strong northeast monsoon covers the Gulf, bringing thundershowers and isolated heavy to very rains to the South from Nakhon Si Thammarat southwards, the Thailand Meteorological Department said on Saturday.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1197495-isolated-heavy-rains-in-the-south-raise-risk-of-flash-floods/

 

WHO investigators heading to China in early January to probe virus

 

 

A person wearing a mask rides a bicycle of bike-sharing service on a street, almost a year after the start of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak, in Wuhan, Hubei province, China December 17, 2020. REUTERS/Aly Song

 

ZURICH (Reuters) - World Health Organization (WHO) officials said on Friday an international team led by the U.N. agency would be going to China in the first week of January to investigate the origins of the coronavirus pandemic.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1197498-who-investigators-heading-to-china-in-early-january-to-probe-virus/

 

High hopes for 5G to broaden Phuket’s economic base

By Tanyaluk Sakoot

 

AIS workers install a 5G signal station in Phuket. Photo: AIS

 

PHUKET: 5G coverage across the island is already nearing 100% with only lesser populated areas remaining to be connected, as hopes run high that the new level of connectivity will help lure many different types of businesses not dependent on tourism to start up on the island.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1197499-high-hopes-for-5g-to-broaden-phuket’s-economic-base/

 

Big jump in Covid-19 cases in Samut Sakhon, but situation 'not worrisome'

By THE NATION

 

 

More than 2,000 people in Samut Sakhon province who might have been at risk of infection have been tested for Covid-19 and so far 13 people have been found positive, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Public Health Anutin Charnvirakul said on Friday evening.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1197501-big-jump-in-covid-19-cases-in-samut-sakhon-but-situation-not-worrisome/

 

No risk of Covid-19 from consuming seafood, fisheries official assures

By THE NATION

 

 

There is no reason for people to avoid consuming seafood after a woman who ran a seafood shop in the Samut Sakhon prawn market tested positive for Covid-19, a senior official at the Department of Fisheries has said.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1197502-no-risk-of-covid-19-from-consuming-seafood-fisheries-official-assures/

 

About 700 Vendors and Buyers Abuse Co-payment Scheme

 

 

BANGKOK, Dec 18 (TNA) – The Finance Ministry has found about 700 vendors and buyers abused the co-payment subsidy scheme of the government.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1197508-about-700-vendors-and-buyers-abuse-co-payment-scheme/

 

Four charged for operating scam related to the government’s co-payment scheme

 

 

Police have filed charges against four people for allegedly operating an online scam, in collaboration with subscribers tothe government’s 50:50 co-payment scheme, in an attempt to cheat the government of the funds intended for the subscribers.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1197510-four-charged-for-operating-scam-related-to-the-government’s-co-payment-scheme/

 

Thai troops on full alert at the borders to stop illegal entry to the country

 

 

Royal Thai Army chief, General Narongphan Jitkaewtae / AFP
 

Thai military strength has been increased and put on full alert along the country’s borders, to prevent the possible spread of COVID-19, especially from Myanmar.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1197511-thai-troops-on-full-alert-at-the-borders-to-stop-illegal-entry-to-the-country/

 

Bangkok air quality sees big improvement

By THE NATION

 

 

Air quality in Bangkok has returned to healthy levels, the Air Quality and Noise Management Division of Bangkok said.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1197512-bangkok-air-quality-sees-big-improvement/

 

Military and police chiefs decline awards from Armed Forces school

By THE NATION

 

Armed Forces Academies Preparatory School

 

The country's security chiefs have made a bold statement by turning down awards from the Armed Forces Academies Preparatory School (AFAPS).

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1197514-military-and-police-chiefs-decline-awards-from-armed-forces-school/

 

Baby turtles hatch, new nest found in Phang Nga

By The Phuket News

 

Baby turtles hatched last night in Phang Nga. Photo: DMCR

 

PHUKET: A total of 72 baby leatherback turtles hatched and successfully made their way into the sea from a nest on Bang Khwan Beach last night (Dec 18), the Department of Marine and Coastal Resources (DMCR) reported.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1197518-baby-turtles-hatch-new-nest-found-in-phang-nga/

 

Smuggled orangutans start new life after repatriation to Indonesia

By Yudi Saputra

 

An orangutan, which was seized from the Thailand-Malaysia border 3 years ago, looks from a cage at Sultan Thaha Saifuddin Airport in Jambi before being released into the forest, in Indonesia December 18, 2020. Antara Foto/Danendra via REUTERS

 

JAMBI (Reuters) - A pair of critically endangered orangutans, rescued from smugglers on the Thai-Malaysian border in 2017, have arrived in Indonesia to undergo rehabilitation so they can finally be released back into their native forest habitat.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1197521-smuggled-orangutans-start-new-life-after-repatriation-to-indonesia/

 

The Empires Strike Back: Disney, Comcast, AT&T set streaming battle

By Helen Coster

 

FILE PHOTO: The logos of Disney+, Netflix, HBOMax and CBS in this combination photo from Reuters files. REUTERS/File Photos/File Photo

 

(Reuters) -Next year, as coronavirus vaccines roll out around the world, consumers are expected to return to restaurants, sports arenas and cinemas.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1197547-the-empires-strike-back-disney-comcast-att-set-streaming-battle/

 

K-Pop? How about T-Pop? Thai artists shoot for global audience

By Chayut Setboonsarng and Jiraporn Kuhakan

 

Members of Thai female band Lyra record a music video in Bangkok, Thailand December 10, 2020. Picture taken December 10, 2020. REUTERS/Jiraporn Kuhakan

 

BANGKOK (Reuters) - Move over K-Pop. Here comes T-Pop.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1197549-k-pop-how-about-t-pop-thai-artists-shoot-for-global-audience/

 

Justin Bieber teams up with former rivals for Christmas song

By Mindy Burrows

 

FILE PHOTO: Justin Bieber performs at iHeartRadio Jingle Ball concert at Staples Center in Los Angeles, Californiam U.S., December 2, 2016. REUTERS/Mario Anzuoni/File Photo

 

LONDON (Reuters) - Five years ago pop star Justin Bieber was locked in a contest for Britain's favourite Christmas song with a group of little known health workers. He gave in.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1197550-justin-bieber-teams-up-with-former-rivals-for-christmas-song/

 

Sydney imposes lockdown on beach suburbs as COVID cluster grows

 

 

People wait in line at a coronavirus disease (COVID-19) testing clinic at Mona Vale Hospital in the wake of a new outbreak in the Northern Beaches area of Sydney, Australia, December 18, 2020. REUTERS/Loren Elliott

 

SYDNEY (Reuters) - A quarter million people in Sydney's northern beach suburbs were ordered on Saturday into a strict lockdown until Christmas Eve to help contain a coronavirus cluster with authorities fearing it may spread across Australia's most populous city.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1197551-sydney-imposes-lockdown-on-beach-suburbs-as-covid-cluster-grows/

 

Boeing 'inappropriately coached' pilots in 737 MAX testing: U.S. Senate report

By David Shepardson

 

FILE PHOTO: Grounded Boeing 737 MAX aircraft are seen parked in an aerial photo at Boeing Field in Seattle, Washington, U.S. July 1, 2019.REUTERS/Lindsey Wasson

 

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Boeing officials "inappropriately coached" test pilots during recertification efforts after two fatal 737 MAX crashes killed 346 people, according to a lengthy congressional report released on Friday.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1197553-boeing-inappropriately-coached-pilots-in-737-max-testing-us-senate-report/

 

U.S. charges China-based Zoom executive with disrupting Tiananmen crackdown commemorations

By Jonathan Stempel

 

People take pictures in Tiananmen square following an outbreak of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19), in Beijing, China September 8, 2020. REUTERS/Carlos Garcia Rawlins/Files

 

NEW YORK (Reuters) - U.S. prosecutors on Friday charged a former China-based executive at Zoom Video Communications Inc with disrupting video meetings commemorating the 31st anniversary of the Tiananmen Square crackdown at the request of the Chinese government.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1197554-us-charges-china-based-zoom-executive-with-disrupting-tiananmen-crackdown-commemorations/

 

Italy government orders Christmas, New Year lockdown to prevent COVID surge

 

People take pictures of the Christmas tree at Duomo square as the government prepares to bring in further restrictions over the Christmas period to curb the spread of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in Milan, Italy, December 18, 2020. REUTERS/Flavio Lo Scalzo

 

ROME (Reuters) - Italy will be placed under nationwide lockdown for much of the Christmas and New Year holiday, Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte said on Friday, as the government looks to prevent a fresh surge in coronavirus cases.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1197555-italy-government-orders-christmas-new-year-lockdown-to-prevent-covid-surge/

 

French modelling agent who knew Jeffrey Epstein placed under investigation

 

 

FILE PHOTO: U.S. financier Jeffrey Epstein appears in a photograph taken for the New York State Division of Criminal Justice Services' sex offender registry March 28, 2017 and obtained by Reuters July 10, 2019. New York State Division of Criminal Justice Services/Handout via REUTERS.

 

PARIS (Reuters) - Jean-Luc Brunel, a longtime French modelling agent who knew the late financier Jeffrey Epstein, was placed under investigation and remanded in custody, the office of the Paris prosecutor said on Saturday.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1197556-french-modelling-agent-who-knew-jeffrey-epstein-placed-under-investigation/