THAILAND LIVE Thailand Live Friday 22 Jan 2021

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Thai regulator approves AstraZenca vaccine for emergency use: sources

By Panarat Thepgumpanat

 

FILE PHOTO: A health worker fills a syringe with a dose of the Oxford/AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine at the Appleton Village Pharmacy, amid the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak, in Widnes, Britain, January 14, 2021. REUTERS/Jason Cairnduff

 

BANGKOK (Reuters) - Thailand's Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has granted emergency use approval for the COVID-19 vaccine of AstraZeneca Plc, three health ministry sources said on Thursday.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1202663-thai-regulator-approves-astrazenca-vaccine-for-emergency-use-sources/

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50,000 doses of AstraZeneca vaccine to arrive in first week of Feb: Anutin

By The Nation

 

 

The first 50,000 doses of the AstraZeneca/Oxford vaccine will arrive in Thailand in the first week of February, Public Health Minister Anutin Charnvirakul said on Wednesday.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1202610-50000-doses-of-astrazeneca-vaccine-to-arrive-in-first-week-of-feb-anutin/

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Human trafficking cases in Thailand hit decade low due to COVID-19

By Nanchanok Wongsamuth

 

People walk in the street on a rainy night in Bangkok, Thailand, August 22, 2020. REUTERS/Jorge Silva - RC24JI9I43GS

 

BANGKOK (Thomson Reuters Foundation) - Police in Thailand last year launched the lowest number of human trafficking investigations in a decade as coronavirus restrictions on businesses and borders hindered criminal networks, according to a soon-to-be released government report.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1202632-human-trafficking-cases-in-thailand-hit-decade-low-due-to-covid-19/

 

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NBTC to crack down on questionable food supplements, starting with cordyceps

By THE NATION

 

 

The National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC) announced on Wednesday that it is tying up with the Food and Drug Administration to hunt down those who have been falsely advertising food supplements since 2018.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1202696-nbtc-to-crack-down-on-questionable-food-supplements-starting-with-cordyceps/

 

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UPDATE:

 

Thailand hopes for 4% growth in US exports this year: DITP

By The Nation

 

Department of International Trade Promotion (DITP) director-general Somdet Susomboon

 

Thailand is targeting a 4 per cent growth in exports to the US this year, Department of International Trade Promotion (DITP) director-general Somdet Susomboon said.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1202644-new-us-president-seen-as-positive-for-thai-us-trade/?do=findComment&comment=16187638

 

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Almost 5m workers hit by delayed economic recovery after new Covid wave: BOT

By The Nation

 

Chayawadee Chai-Anant, senior director in the BOT economic and policy department. File photo

 

The new wave of Covid-19 will delay Thailand’s economic recovery and affect 4.7 million workers, a senior official at the Bank of Thailand (BOT) has warned.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1202701-almost-5m-workers-hit-by-delayed-economic-recovery-after-new-covid-wave-bot/

 

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Thailand can expect 4-5% growth this year, says Finance Minister

By The Nation

 

Finance Minister Arkhom Termpittayapaisit

 

The Thai economy should expand by 4 to 5 per cent this year, Finance Minister Arkhom Termpittayapaisit said on Thursday at the World Bank’s Thailand Economic Monitor event.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1202702-thailand-can-expect-4-5-growth-this-year-says-finance-minister/

 

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Thai scientists race to develop homemade COVID-19 vaccine amid second wave of infections

By Pichayada Promchertchoo

 

ChulaCov19 is a vaccine that is being developed by the Medicine Faculty of Chulalongkorn University in Thailand to fight the COVID-19 pandemic. (Photo: Chula VRC)

 

BANGKOK: As the Thai government races to secure more COVID-19 vaccines from various sources, a group of medical scientists is preparing for the first clinical trial of a home-grown cure they are developing to fight the pandemic.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1202704-thai-scientists-race-to-develop-homemade-covid-19-vaccine-amid-second-wave-of-infections/

 

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Too early to say when COVID-19 lockdown will end, UK PM Johnson says

By Alistair Smout

 

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson takes questions in parliament in London, Britain January 20, 2021 in this still image taken from a video. REUTERS/REUTERS TV

 

LONDON (Reuters) - It is too early to say when the national coronavirus lockdown in England will end, British Prime Minister Boris Johnson said on Thursday, as daily deaths from COVID-19 reach new highs and hospitals become increasingly stretched.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1202707-too-early-to-say-when-covid-19-lockdown-will-end-uk-pm-johnson-says/

 

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Biden pivots away from old court battles, helps ignite new ones

By Lawrence Hurley

 

FILE PHOTO: U.S. President Joe Biden swears in presidential appointees in a virtual ceremony in the State Dining Room of the White House in Washington, after his inauguration as the 46th President of the United States, U.S., January 20, 2021. REUTERS/Tom Brenner/File Photo

 

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - President Joe Biden in his short time in office already has turned the page on some major legal battles that consumed former President Donald Trump's administration while also taking actions certain to ignite new ones likely headed toward the U.S. Supreme Court.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1202712-biden-pivots-away-from-old-court-battles-helps-ignite-new-ones/

 

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First big suicide attack in Baghdad for three years kills at least 32

 

The site of a twin suicide bombing attack in a central market is seen in Baghdad, Iraq January 21, 2021. REUTERS/Thaier al-Sudani

 

BAGHDAD (Reuters) - Two men blew themselves up in a crowded Baghdad market on Thursday, killing at least 32 people in Iraq's first big suicide bombing for three years, authorities said, describing it as a possible sign of the reactivation of Islamic State.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1202715-first-big-suicide-attack-in baghdad for-three-years-kills-at-least-32/

 

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EU to tighten travel curbs for virus hot spots as third wave fears mount

By Philip Blenkinsop and Kate Abnett

 

A medical staff member receives a dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech coronavirus disease (COVID-19) vaccine at the CHIREC Delta Hospital in Brussels, Belgium January 21, 2021. REUTERS/Yves Herman

 

BRUSSELS (Reuters) - The European Commission proposed to EU leaders on Thursday identifying "dark red" coronavirus hot spots from which all but essential travel would be discouraged after a meeting to discuss the mounting challenge from more infectious virus variants.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1202714-eu-to-tighten-travel-curbs-for-virus-hot-spots-as-third-wave-fears-mount/

 

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US ambassador to Thailand resigns

 

Picture: US Embassy

 

Michael George DeSombre, the United States' Ambassador to Thailand, has resigned from his post with immediate effect.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1202718-us ambassador-to-thailand-resigns/

 

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UPDATE:

 

Thai PM sends best wishes to departing Trump

 

Picture: The Bangkok Insight

 

Thai prime minister Prayuth Chan-ocha received a courtesy visit from departing US ambassador Michael DeSombre at Government House. 

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1202718-us ambassador-to-thailand-resigns/?do=findComment&comment=16187975

 

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'High doses of Vitamin C cannot prevent Covid-19'

By THE NATION

 

 

The Digital Economy and Society Ministry has warned people not to believe or share news and Internet posts claiming that injecting 10,000 milligrams of Vitamin C can help prevent Covid-19.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1202731-high-doses-of-vitamin-c-cannot-prevent-covid-19/

 

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Pattaya: 161 slot machines found near a school - another tip from the public

 

Picture: Daily News

 

Senior police from Chonburi and Bang Lamung officials with a search warrant from the Pattaya court raided business premises near a school yesterday. 

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1202730-pattaya-161-slot-machines-found-near-a-school-another-tip-from-the-public/

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Koh Larn now open - but few tourists

 

Picture: Sophon Cable TV

 

Sophon Cable TV reported in Facebook that the lockdown in Koh Larn was now over.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1202729-koh-larn-now-open-but-few-tourists/

 

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Outdoor burning ban announced as air quality worsens

 

   

BANGKOK (NNT) - The Center for Air Pollution Mitigation has asked all provinces to ban outdoor burning from now until 23rd January, while the air quality index in Bangkok has reached the code-red unhealthy level in several areas.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1202735-outdoor-burning-ban-announced-as-air-quality-worsens-in-thailand/

 

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Samut Prakan plans to open field hospital

 

   

BANGKOK (NNT) - Samut Prakan province will soon begin the conversion of a university auditorium into a field hospital for COVID-19 patients, in order to help alleviate the patient load at main hospitals.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1202738-samut-prakan-plans-to-open-field-hospital/

 

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Vote for Old Kent Road on Phuket Monopoly

By The Phuket News

 

Image: Winning Moves UK

 

PHUKET: The Phuket edition of Monopoly was announced just a few weeks ago, and now the makers of the game are asking people to vote for what they think should replace Old Kent Road.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1202739-vote-for-old-kent-road-on-phuket-monopoly/

 

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Body of tourist found at bottom of Pha Diew Dai cliff in Nakhon Nayok

By THE NATION

 

 

Officials of Khao Yai National Park were alerted to a person possibly going missing on Thursday after tourists spotted a motorcycle parked at Pha Diew Dai cliff, a famous scenic point in Nakhon Nayok province, for two days with no sign of the owner.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1202742-body-of-tourist-found-at-bottom-of-pha-diew-dai-cliff-in-nakhon-nayok/

 

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Thai police don't know the law, admits RTP chief

 

Picture: Sanook

 

The chief of the Royal Thai Police has admitted that his own men do not know the law.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1202745-thai-police-dont-know-the-law-admits-rtp-chief/

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Thai driver with TWO HUNDRED traffic tickets arrested after going through red lights yet again

 

Picture: Daily News

 

The patience of the Highway Police finally ran out in the case of a Bangkok woman living in Chiang Rai in the north of Thailand.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1202737-thai-driver-with-two-hundred-traffic-tickets-arrested-after-going-through-red-lights-yet-again/

 

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Ganja Noodles and "Happy" Kapow on the menu when foreign tourists return

 

Picture: The Bangkok Insight

 

When foreign tourists return to Thailand they can expect to enjoy plenty of new dishes utilizing the now decriminalized parts of marijuana plants.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1202733-ganja-noodles-and-happy-kapow-on-the-menu-when-foreign-tourists-return/

 

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"Chonburi Model" Covid testing sees 800 tested

 

Picture: Daily News

 

Ministerial aide Surachai Chaitrakoonthong went to Chonburi to see testing for Covid first hand.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1202746-chonburi-model-covid-testing-sees-800-tested/

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Arrest warrant issued for pro-democracy guard over alleged false claims of abduction

By THE NATION

 

 

The Bangkok Military Court has issued an arrest warrant for Mongkol Santimetakul, 23, one of the pro-democracy movement’s guards who had claimed that he was abducted by mysterious men on Saturday night.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1202748-arrest-warrant-issued-for-pro-democracy-guard-over-alleged-false-claims-of-abduction/

 

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Phuket police hunt Japanese restaurant burglar

By The Phuket News

 

The man was caught clearly on the restaurant’s security CCTV. Image: Supplied 

 

PHUKET: Police are searching for a man who broke into a Japanese restaurant in Phuket Town Wednesday night (Jan 20) and robbed the venue of B7,500 cash.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1202753-phuket-police-hunt-japanese-restaurant-burglar/

 

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Phuket protected forest encroachment to be handed to DSI

By The Phuket News

 

The team of investigators confirmed that the affected area covers 108 rai. Photo: PR Phuket

 

PHUKET: The investigation into the encroachment of more than 100 rai of protected forest in Phuket’s Nakkerd Hills will be handed to the Department of Special Investigation (DSI) to investigate further as a special case.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1202755-phuket-protected-forest-encroachment-to-be-handed-to-dsi/

 

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Top Iran leader posts Trump-like golfer image, vows revenge

 

Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei delivers a televised speech, in Tehran, Iran January 8, 2021. Official Khamenei Website/Handout via REUTERS

 

DUBAI (Reuters) - The Twitter account of Iran's Supreme Leader on Friday carried the image of a golfer resembling former President Donald Trump apparently being targeted by a drone, vowing revenge over the killing of a top Iranian general in a U.S. drone attack.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1202758-top-iran-leader-posts-trump-like-golfer-image-vows-revenge/

 

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"Sorry I've got a kid" - knife wielding robber hits Bangkok convenience store

 

Picture: Sanook

 

A lone robber armed with a knife apologized to staffers at a Lad Prao convenience store that he had a child (or children).

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1202750-sorry-ive-got-a-kid-knife-wielding-robber-hits-bangkok-convenience-store/