THAILAND LIVE Thailand Live Thursday 24 Dec 2020

[webfact]

Outbreak in Samut Sakhon rises above 1,200 cases

By The Nation

 

 

Health authorities on Wednesday announced that more than 1,200 people have tested positive for Covid-19 in Samut Sakhon, after an outbreak in the seaside province last week.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1198175-outbreak-in-samut-sakhon-rises-above-1200-cases/

 

[webfact]

CCSA spokesman urges sympathy for migrant workers

 

Migrant workers stand in lines to get COVID-19 tests in Samut Sakhon

 

The Center for Covid-19 Situation Administration (CCSA) has called for understanding and sympathy for Myanmar migrant workers who are being affected by a new surge of the Covid-19 pandemic.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1198127-ccsa-spokesman-urges-sympathy-for-migrant-workers/

[webfact]

Opinion: Migrant workers are not just a dispensable economic cog but living, breathing humans

By Juwee Vorawandthanachai

 

 

In both private and public spheres, the blame has often been placed on the migrant workers trying to survive, without the considering the system that ignores the humanity of these vulnerable communities.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1198133-opinion-migrant-workers-are-not-just-a-dispensable-economic-cog-but-living-breathing-humans/

[webfact]

Bangkok schools closed for 12 days to contain outbreak

By The Nation

 

 

The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) on Wednesday ordered all 437 schools and 299 kindergartens under its jurisdiction to close for 12 days from tomorrow to contain the latest Covid-19 outbreak. 

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1198149-bangkok-schools-closed-for-12-days-to-contain-outbreak/

[webfact]

Education Ministry cancels O-NET exams after virus disruption

By THE NATION

 

 

The Education Ministry has cancelled this year’s ordinary national educational tests (O-NET), explaining that the Covid-19 crisis had prevented schools nationwide from providing sufficient lessons to students.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1198178-education-ministry-cancels-o-net-exams-after-virus-disruption/

 

[webfact]

Defence deputy hunting corrupt border officials who open door for Covid

By The Nation

 

 

Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha on Wednesday tasked Deputy Defence Minister Chaichan Changmongkol with the job of catching corrupt Thai officials who allow illegal immigrants to enter Thailand.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1198179-defence-deputy-hunting-corrupt-border-officials-who-open-door-for-covid/

 

[webfact]

Transport Ministry expands budget for SRT’s Dark Red suburban railway line

By The Nation

 

 

The Transport Ministry is planning to double the investment for the new Dark Red Railway Line and extend it to also cover Ayutthaya, a source from the ministry revealed.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1198180-transport-ministry-expands-budget-for-srt’s-dark-red-suburban-railway-line/

 

[webfact]

Officials check for overpricing, hoarding of masks as demand spikes

By The Nation

 

 

The Commerce Ministry has instructed its provincial offices countrywide to check whether shops are breaking the law by selling overpriced face masks, said permanent secretary Boonyarit Kalayanamit.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1198181-thai-officials-check-for-overpricing-hoarding-of-masks-as-demand-spikes/

 

[webfact]

Thai PM asks public to notify officials of illegal migrant smuggling networks

 

 

Prime Minister Prayut Chan-O-Cha has asked the public to provide the authorities with any information they may have on illegal migrant smuggling networks which, he believes, are the cause of the latest COVID-19 outbreak in Samut Sakhon. He also asked people to be more careful and not to share misleading messages that could create panic or project a false image of Thailand abroad.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1198183-thai-pm-asks-public-to-notify-officials-of-illegal-migrant-smuggling-networks/

 

[webfact]

PM Prayut orders probe into civil servants involved in smuggling of migrants

 

   

BANGKOK (NNT) - The government is conducting more tests on both legal and illegal migrant workers in Thailand, in an effort to limit the spread of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19). Prime Minister and Defense Minister, Gen. Prayut Chan-o-cha, announced the disease-control measures in a national televised address on Dec 22, and posted a message about the COVID-19 situation on Facebook.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1198184-pm-prayut-orders-probe-into-civil-servants-involved-in-smuggling-of-migrants/

 

[webfact]

Govt economic team positive new COVID-19 surge will be contained

 

   

BANGKOK (NNT) - In light of the economic downturn resulting from the original COVID-19 outbreak, concerns have been raised again following a report of a new outbreak in Thailand, with more than 1,000 cases now being linked to a shrimp market in Samut Sakhon. The government’s economic team has reassured the public that Thailand is capable of handling the new crisis, with a safe treasury balance and more economic stimuli by the government in the pipeline.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1198185-thai-govt-economic-team-positive-new-covid-19-surge-will-be-contained/

 

[webfact]

MDES cooperates with five Telecom Operators to provide COVID-19 info to foreigners

 

   

BANGKOK (NNT) - To address a wave of fake news and misinformation about the current COVID-19 situation, the government is taking proactive steps to provide accurate news and information to foreigners and migrant workers in Thailand. One of the measures is sending text messages to their mobile phones.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1198186-mdes-cooperates-with-five-telecom-operators-to-provide-covid-19-info-to-foreigners/

 

[webfact]

Real win fifth game in a row to keep pace with Atletico

 

Soccer Football - La Liga Santander - Real Madrid v Granada - Estadio Alfredo Di Stefano, Madrid, Spain - December 23, 2020 Real Madrid's Casemiro celebrates after the match REUTERS/Susana Vera

 

MADRID (Reuters) - A towering header from Casemiro and an added-time strike from Karim Benzema saw Real Madrid beat a stubborn Granada side 2-0 at home on Wednesday to notch a fifth consecutive La Liga victory and go level on points with leaders Atletico Madrid.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1198188-real-win-fifth-game-in-a-row-to-keep-pace-with-atletico/

 

[webfact]

Rare Skriniar goal gives Inter another win

 

Soccer Football - Serie A - Hellas Verona v Inter Milan - Stadio Marc'Antonio Bentegodi, Verona, Italy - December 23, 2020 Inter Milan's Milan Skriniar celebrates scoring their second goal with teammates REUTERS/Alberto Lingria

 

VERONA, Italy (Reuters) - Inter Milan chalked up their seventh successive Serie A win on Wednesday, overcoming Verona 2-1 away with a rare Milan Skriniar goal to keep up the pressure on neighbours AC Milan.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1198189-rare-skriniar-goal-gives-inter-another-win/

 

[webfact]

'Upset' Mourinho chides Spurs' Alli for Stoke goal

By Andrew Cawthorne

 

FILE PHOTO: Soccer Football - Carabao Cup - Quarter-Final - Stoke City v Tottenham Hotspur - bet365 Stadium, Stoke-on-Trent, Britain - December 23, 2020 Tottenham Hotspur manager Jose Mourinho is interviewed after the match REUTERS/David Klein

 

STOKE-ON-TRENT, England (Reuters) - Tottenham Hotspur manager Jose Mourinho scolded out-of-favour midfielder Dele Alli on Wednesday for a failed flick that lost his team possession and gave Stoke an equaliser in a League Cup quarter-final the Premier League side eventually won 3-1.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1198190-upset-mourinho-chides-spurs-alli-for-stoke-goal/

 

[webfact]

Defying Congress, Trump vetoes defense bill and threatens government shutdown

By Andy Sullivan and Steve Holland

 

U.S. President Donald Trump waves as he boards Air Force One beside first lady Melania Trump at Joint Base Andrews in Maryland, U.S., December 23, 2020. REUTERS/Tom Brenner

 

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. President Donald Trump vetoed a bipartisan defense policy bill on Wednesday and raised the prospect that the United States could face a government shutdown during a pandemic, stirring new turmoil in Washington as he headed to Florida for Christmas.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1198191-defying-congress-trump-vetoes-defense-bill-and-threatens-government-shutdown/

 

[webfact]

UPDATE:

 

Brexit trade deal may be imminent, senior EU source says

By Gabriela Baczynska

 

FILE PHOTO: Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government Robert Jenrick arrives on Downing Street, following the outbreak of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19), London, Britain, June 9, 2020. REUTERS/Toby Melville/File photo

 

BRUSSELS (Reuters) - A senior European diplomat told Reuters on Wednesday that a Brexit trade deal could be imminent, raising hopes that Britain and the European Union could avoid a turbulent economic rupture in just eight days.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1198130-no-brexit-trade-deal-yet-as-serious-issues-remain-british-minister-says/?do=findComment&comment=16107083

 

[webfact]

Right-wing challenge to Netanyahu builds ahead of Israeli election

By Rami Ayyub

 

FILE PHOTO: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu speaks with member of the Knesset for Likud Zeev Elkin as they attend the swearing-in ceremony of the 22nd Knesset, the Israeli parliament, in Jerusalem October 3, 2019. REUTERS/Ronen Zvulun

 

TEL AVIV (Reuters) - A right-wing challenge to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in a March Israeli election gained momentum on Wednesday with the defection of a long-time ally to an upstart rival party.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1198192-right-wing-challenge-to-netanyahu-builds-ahead-of-israeli-election/

 

[webfact]

U.S. to ship around 4.7 million vaccine doses next week -U.S. Army General

By Carl O'Donnell and Lisa Baertlein

 

FILE PHOTO: U.S. Army General Gustave Perna testifies before the Senate Armed Services Committee during his confirmation hearing to co-lead Operation Warp Speed, an effort to find a vaccine for the coronavirus disease (COVID-19), in the Dirksen Senate Office Building on Capitol Hill, in Washington, U.S. June 18, 2020. Chip Somodeville/Pool via REUTERS

 

(Reuters) -The U.S. government and its partners will distribute 4.67 million doses of Pfizer Inc and Moderna Inc's COVID-19 vaccine next week, bringing the total number of doses slated for shipment this year to around 20 million, U.S. Army General Gustave Perna said on Wednesday.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1198193-us-to-ship-around-47-million-vaccine-doses-next-week-us-army-general/

 

[webfact]

COVID-19 variant present in Ireland, new curbs needed

By Padraic Halpin

 

A man walks past a graffiti of a Frankenstein wearing a protective face mask on a doorway amid the spread of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic, in Galway, Ireland, December 22, 2020. REUTERS/Clodagh Kilcoyne

 

DUBLIN (Reuters) -Irish health chiefs believe a new variant of COVID-19 found in neighbouring Britain is present in Ireland, but not solely responsible for a rapid spread of the disease that will require restrictions beyond those announced just 24 hours ago.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1198194-covid-19-variant-present-in-ireland-new-curbs-needed/

 

[webfact]

Chonburi gets first Covid case in 240 days - Cambodian illegal is positive

 

Picture: Daily News

 

Chonburi's governor Phakrathorn Thianchai said yesterday that after 240 days without a case the province has registered its first.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1198197-chonburi-gets-first-covid-case-in-240-days-cambodian-illegal-is-positive/

 

[webfact]

Thailand continues to reopen for travellers slowly and safely

TAT Newsroom

 

TAT's special tourist initiatives support ongoing Thai government COVID-19 measures, including 14-day quarantine and Certificate of Entry documents

 

 

Bangkok, 23 December, 2020 – Thailand’s tourism sector continues to safely and slowly reopen welcoming international travellers to the country with special tourist initiatives, while also remaining vigilant by enforcing strict public health guidelines to protect all during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1198204-thailand-continues-to-reopen-for-travellers-slowly-and-safely/

 

[webfact]

Migrants by roadside in Bang Plee were not dumped, suggests police spokesman

 

PIcture: INN

 

It appears that the Myanmar migrants from Samut Sakhon reported to have been dumped by the road in Bang Plee south east of Bangkok were not abandoned at all. 

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1198205-migrants-by-roadside-in-bang-plee-were-not-dumped-suggests-police-spokesman/

[webfact]

Covid outbreak: Thirty percent of bus passengers cancelling New Year trips - north especially affected

 

Picture: Daily News

 

The head of the Department of Land Transport said that around 30% of people who have booked to travel on buses out of Bangkok for New Year have cancelled their journeys.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1198206-covid-outbreak-thirty-percent-of-bus-passengers-cancelling-new-year-trips-north-especially-affected/

[webfact]

Anutin champions the wearing of face masks once again - everything is under control

 

Picture: Daily News

 

Thailand's DPM and health minister Anutin Charnvirakul has once again told the public to continue to wear face masks.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1198208-anutin-champions-the-wearing-of-face-masks-once-again-everything-is-under-control/

 

[webfact]

1,000 bed field hospital to be set up in Samut Sakhon

 

Picture: Bangkok Biz News

 

Army and navy personnel will set up a 1,000 bed field hospital to help treat COVID-19 patients in Samut Sakhon, the province at the centre of a major outbreak of the virus.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1198212-1000-bed-field-hospital-to-be-set-up-in-samut-sakhon/

[webfact]

Ang Thong seafood vendor tests positive for Covid-19

By THE NATION

 

 

A 44-year-old female seafood vendor in Ang Thong’s Muang province has tested positive for Covid-19, Governor Khajornkiat Rakpanichmanee said on Wednesday.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1198215-ang-thong-seafood-vendor-tests-positive-for-covid-19/

 

[webfact]

Migrant workers banned from entering or leaving Phuket

By The Phuket News

 

The movement of migrant workers into or out of Phuket has been banned by order of the provincial government.

 

PHUKET: Phuket Governor Narong Woonciew has issued an order for employers of migrant workers to not move any migrant workers into or out of the province.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1198217-migrant-workers-banned-from-entering-or-leaving-phuket/

 

[webfact]

TOT-CAT merger to make new firm '3rd biggest service provider, surpassing Dtac'

By THE NATION

 

 

TOT’s merger with CAT Telecom to become one entity called the National Telecom Public Company Limited, or NT Telecom, will be completed on January 7, while the mobile telephone and broadband Internet businesses of the two companies will also be combined into one brand, said Digital Economy and Society (DES) Minister Buddhipongse Punnakanta.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1198218-tot-cat-merger-to-make-new-firm-3rd-biggest-service-provider-surpassing-dtac/

 

[webfact]

U.S. suspects Iranians created website threatening U.S. election officials

By Mark Hosenball

 

FILE PHOTO: FBI Director Christopher Wray speaks during a press conference to announce that two alleged Islamic State militants known as the 'Beatles' will arrive in the United States to face trial on U.S. charges for their alleged involvement in beheadings of Western hostages, at the Justice Department in Washington, U.S., October 7, 2020. Jim Watson/Pool via REUTERS

 

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. security agencies said on Wednesday they had highly credible information indicating that Iranian cyber actors were responsible for creating a website earlier this month featuring death threats aimed at U.S. election officials.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1198219-us-suspects-iranians-created-website-threatening-us-election-officials/