All being well, Thailand will celebrate Songkran this year: Health Ministry

 

Image: Reuters file photo

 

Thailand will be able to celebrate Songkran this year, providing the number of coronavirus infections continue to fall, the deputy health minister has said.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1201431-all-being-well-thailand-will-celebrate-songkran-this-year-health-ministry/

Thailand says on track to use Sinovac vaccine, despite trial data

 

An employee inspects vials containing CoronaVac, Sinovac Biotech's vaccine against the coronavirus disease (COVID-19), at Butantan biomedical production center in Sao Paulo, Brazil January 12, 2021. REUTERS/Amanda Perobelli

 

BANGKOK (Reuters) - Thailand on Wednesday said it was still on track to receive and administer a coronavirus vaccine by China's Sinovac Biotech starting next month, despite data from a Brazil trial that showed 50.4% efficiency, health officials said.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1201406-thailand-says-on-track-to-use-sinovac-vaccine-despite-trial-data/

Golf quarantine in Thailand now available at six government-approved golf resorts

 

 

Bangkok – The Ministry of Public Health’s Emergency Operation Centre (EOC) for COVID-19 recently announced a list of government-approved golf resorts to allow foreign golfers with advance arrangements for golfing in Thailand an opportunity to undergo a golf quarantine as an alternative local state quarantine option.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1201389-golf-quarantine-in-thailand-now-available-at-six-government-approved-golf-resorts/

No new infections found among crew of Navy aircraft carrier

By THE NATION

 

 

The Royal Thai Navy announced on Wednesday that no new infections have been found after two officers in Chonburi province contracted Covid-19 after visiting a brew house.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1201455-no-new-infections-found-among-crew-of-navy-aircraft-carrier/

 

Wealthy Thais not eligible for ‘We Win’ cash handout campaign

By The Nation

 

FILE PHOTO for reference only

 

One of the criteria used to screen applicants for the government’s “RaoChana” (We Win) monthly cash handouts will be the size of their bank accounts, a Finance Ministry source has confirmed.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1201457-wealthy-thais-not-eligible-for-‘we-win’-cash-handout-campaign/

 

New outbreak to slash Bt140bn off Thai trade, tourism: TMB Analytics

By THE NATION

 

FILE PHOTO

 

The new Covid-19 outbreak will wipe Bt140 billion off Thailand’s trade and tourism revenue, TMB Analytics forecast on Wednesday. Trade and tourism account for 22 per cent of Thai gross domestic product (GDP) and 6.9 million jobs.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1201458-new-outbreak-to-slash-bt140bn-off-thai-trade-tourism-tmb-analytics/

 

ADB commits $2m to promoting climate-smart agriculture in Thailand’s North

By The Nation

 

 

The Asian Development Bank (ADB) and the government announced a US$2-million grant to help promote the adoption of climate-smart agriculture in the North of Thailand.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1201459-adb-commits-2m-to-promoting-climate-smart-agriculture-in-thailand’s-north/

 

THAI insists rehab plan on track

By The Nation

 

Acting THAI president Chansin Treenuchagron

 

Thai Airways International (THAI) on Wednesday insisted its rehabilitation plan is progressing without interruption under Bankruptcy Court supervision.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1201460-thai-insists-rehab-plan-on-track/

 

UPDATE:

 

BCG economic strategy to drive Thailand for next 5 years: Prayut

By The Nation

 

Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha

 

The strategy for national development under the BCG Model – bio-economy, circular economy and Green economy – was approved by the BCG committee on Wednesday.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1201417-green-economy-on-national-agenda/?do=findComment&comment=16164459

 

Transport Ministry wants Bt325bn for 2022 infrastructure plans

By The Nation

 

Transport Minister Saksayam Chidchob

 

Transport Ministry has asked for a budget of Bt325 billion for 2022, of which Bt324 billion is earmarked for 50 infrastructure projects, said minister Saksayam Chidchob.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1201461-transport-ministry-wants-bt325bn-for-2022-infrastructure-plans/

 

Phuket quarantine guests allowed to roam hotel areas

By The Phuket News

 

Phuket Vice Governor Pichet Panaphong at the Phuket Communicable Disease Committee meeting at Phuket Provincial Hall yesterday (Jan 12). Photo: Eakkapop Thongtub

 

PHUKET: People arriving in Phuket placed under a mandatory 14-day quarantine are allowed to roam the hotel where they are staying, and are not confined to their room, the Phuket health chief has confirmed.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1201462-phuket-quarantine-guests-allowed-to-roam-hotel-areas/

 

Phuket Town incident with unstable drug addict brandishing knives ends safely

By Eakkapop Thongtub

 

Police wait at the entrance to the rowhouse complex on the south side of Phuket Town. Photo: Eakkapop Thongtub

 

PHUKET: An incident on the south side of Phuket Town that saw an emotionally unstable man roaming around in front of a complex of rowhouses with a machete and holding a knife to his own throat ended safely yesterday (Jan 12) after the man’s friend managed to calm the man down.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1201463-phuket-town-incident-with-unstable-drug-addict-brandishing-knives-ends-safely/

 

PM Prayut asks people to provide information about gambling dens

 

   

BANGKOK (NNT) - Previously, Prime Minister and Defense Minister, Gen. Prayut Chan-o-cha, assigned the Deputy Prime Minister, Prof. Dr. Wissanu Krea-ngam, to set up a committee to probe gambling venues in the country. Now, the committee members have been appointed, and people have been urged to cooperate by reporting related information to various government channels.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1201467-pm-prayut-asks-people-to-provide-information-about-gambling-dens/

 

PM Prayut - Government can handle COVID-19 outbreak

 

   

BANGKOK (NNT) - Tuesday (Jan 12), the Prime Minister, Gen. Prayut Chan-o-cha, posted a message on Facebook discussing efforts to address the second wave of the COVID-19 outbreak, while saying that the government is more prepared than in the first wave, in terms of medical equipment and supplies and hospitals. Members of the public also have a better understanding of ways to protect themselves and most people are complying with measures, as advised by the government.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1201469-pm-prayut-government-can-handle-covid-19-outbreak/

 

House impeaches Trump after U.S. Capitol siege; his fate in Senate hands

By David Morgan and Richard Cowan

 

U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) presides over the vote to impeach President Donald Trump for a second time, a week after his supporters stormed the Capitol building, on the floor of the House of Representatives in Washington January 13, 2021. REUTERS/Jonathan Ernst

 

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The House of Representatives voted on Wednesday to make Donald Trump the first U.S. president ever to be impeached twice, formally charging him in his waning days in power with inciting an insurrection just a week after a violent mob of his supporters stormed the Capitol.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1201470-house-impeaches-trump-after-us-capitol-siege-his-fate-in-senate-hands/

 

Explainer: Impeachment or the 14th Amendment: -and Trump be barred from future office?

By Jan Wolfe

 

FILE PHOTO: U.S. President Donald Trump speaks during a visit at the U.S.-Mexico border wall, in Alamo, Texas, U.S., January 12, 2021. REUTERS/Carlos Barria/File Photo

 

(Reuters) - Some U.S. lawmakers have said President Donald Trump should be disqualified from holding political office again following his impeachment on Wednesday for inciting a mob that stormed the Capitol as lawmakers were certifying President-elect Joe Biden's victory.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1201472-explainer-impeachment-or-the-14th-amendment-and-trump-be-barred-from-future-office/

 

Man with 'Camp Auschwitz' sweatshirt, Olympic swimmer charged over Capitol riots

By Sarah N. Lynch and Jonathan Stempel

 

Robert Keith Packer poses for a booking photograph after being arrested on a federal warrant, at the Western Tidewater Regional Jail in Suffolk, Virginia, U.S. January 13, 2021. Western Tidewater Regional Jail/Handout via REUTERS

 

WASHINGTON/NEW YORK (Reuters) - A man clad in a 'Camp Auschwitz' sweatshirt, a gold medal-winning Olympic swimmer, and a Proud Boys supporter are among those arrested by the FBI in connection with the Jan. 6 riots at the U.S. Capitol, the Department of Justice said on Wednesday.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1201473-man-with-camp-auschwitz-sweatshirt-olympic-swimmer-charged-over-capitol-riots/

 

Second year of pandemic 'could even be tougher': WHO's Ryan

 

FILE PHOTO: WHO Health Emergencies Programme Director Michael Ryan in Geneva, Switzerland, October 5, 2020. Christopher Black/WHO/Handout via REUTERS

 

GENEVA (Reuters) - The second year of the COVID-19 pandemic may be tougher than the first given how the new coronavirus is spreading, especially in the northern hemisphere as more infectious variants circulate, the World Health Organization (WHO) said on Wednesday.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1201474-second-year-of-pandemic-could-even-be-tougher-whos-ryan/

 

Bangkok beautification: Governor plants pine trees in Khao San area!

 

Picture: Facebook Bangkok Governor

 

The beautification and gentrification of Bangkok has continued with pine trees planted in the Khao San area.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1201479-bangkok-beautification-governor-plants-pine-trees-in-khao-san-area/

 

Pattaya: Three major hotels shut temporarily - 18 tourist venues too

 

Picture: Tansettaki

 

The second spike of Covid-19 and the severe restrictions placed on travel in Chonburi have resulted in three major luxury hotels and 18 other tourist sites temporarily closing, report Thai business news Thansettakij. 

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1201482-pattaya-three-major-hotels-shut-temporarily-18-tourist-venues-too/

 

Fire 'kills dinosaur’ in Khon Kaen

By THE NATION

 

 

A giant dinosaur statue located on Khon Kaen-Kalasin Road in Khon Kaen Muang district’s Phra Lab subdistrict caught fire and was completely damaged while it was being disassembled on Wednesday. There were no reports of death or injury.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1201483-fire-kills-dinosaur’-in-khon-kaen/

 

Pattaya massage shop busted for breaching COVID-19 rules

 

 

A raiding party led by Bang Lamung official Pornchai Sang-iat and Pol Maj Chainarong Chai-in accompanied by Department of Provincial Administration staff and other Pattaya police raided the "Am Massage for Health" parlor in Central Pattaya yesterday, reported Siam Chon News. 

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1201484-pattaya-massage-shop-busted-for-breaching-covid-19-rules/

 

Pattaya: FREE multi-story car park coming this year

 

FILE PHOTO

 

The page of Pattaya City reported on Facebook that Terminal 21 executives led by Praset Sri-ularpong met with Pattaya's mayor Sontaya Khunpluem to discuss plans for a multi-story car park to be built to be built in front of Foodland. 

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1201486-pattaya-free-multi-story-car-park-coming-this-year/ 

 

Cold and deserted: The story of two of Thailand’s most popular destinations

 

 

Thai media in both Pattaya and Chiang Mai had similar stories to tell. 

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1201488-cold-and-deserted-the-story-of-two-of-thailand’s-most-popular-destinations/

 

Phuket: Patong most beautiful in years - but no one there to enjoy it

 

Picture: Daily News

 

A post on the fanpage of "A Day to Chill" reported that Patong Beach in Phuket was more beautiful than it has been for years.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1201489-phuket-patong-most-beautiful-in-years-but-no-one-there-to-enjoy-it/

 

Thailand’s first factory quarantine facility up and running

By THE NATION

 

 

Pattaya Food Group (PFG) has converted its factory in Samut Sakhon into the country’s first factory quarantine facility for treating and isolating Covid-19 patients, the government’s Covid-19 Information Centre posted on its Facebook page on Wednesday.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1201491-thailand’s-first-factory-quarantine-facility-up-and-running/

 

Aswin not sure yet on whether he’ll seek another term as Bangkok governor

By THE NATION

 

 

Bangkok Governor Pol General Aswin Kwanmuang said on Wednesday that he has yet to decide whether he will run for another term.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1201493-aswin-not-sure-yet-on-whether-he’ll-seek-another-term-as-bangkok-governor/

 

Education Ministry to decide when kids can return to school,  says MOPH official

 

FILE PHOTO for reference only

 

The question as to when children will be allowed to go back to school is on the minds not just of children but parents having to look after children at home and come to terms with online learning and more child-care. 

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1201496-education-ministry-to-decide-when-kids-can-return-to-school- says-moph-official/

 

One year on from pandemic start - encouraging signs but Thais warned to keep up vigilance

 

Picture: Daily News

 

Dr Jakrarat Pithayawonganon speaking from the department of Public Health said yesterday it was now a year to the day since the first case of coronavirus  became apparent in Thailand. 

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1201500-one-year-on-from-pandemic-start-encouraging-signs-but-thais-warned-to-keep-up-vigilance/

 

Baht could strengthen further depending on US Fed move

By THE NATION

 

 

The baht opened at 30 to the US dollar on Thursday, strengthening from 30.03 at close on Wednesday.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1201501-baht-could-strengthen-further-depending-on-us-fed-move/