THAILAND LIVE Thailand Live Friday 29 Jan 2021

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4,000 baht fine and suspended prison sentences for foreigners and Thais arrested at Koh Phangan party

 

Image: Manager

 

Dozens of foreigners and Thais who were arrested for flouting Thailand’s COVID-19 restrictions by attending a party at a bar on Koh Phangan have been given fines and suspended prison sentences.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1203733-4000-baht-fine-and-suspended-prison-sentences-for-foreigners-and-thais-arrested-at-koh-phangan-party/

 

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PM: Vaccine for Health Workers First

 

 

BANGKOK, Jan 28 (TNA) — Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha confirmed the first lot of COVID-19 vaccine was reserved for health and disease control workers.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1203703-pm-vaccine-for-health-workers-first/

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Six golf resorts named as quarantine facilities

By The Nation

 

Photo credit: Mida Golf Club Kanchanaburi

 

The government has placed six golfing resorts on its list of Covid-19 quarantine facilities as Thailand eyes opportunities to reopen its international tourism sector.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1203676-six-golf-resorts-named-as-quarantine-facilitiesv/

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Thailand slides three places in global corruption index

By The Nation

 

 

Thailand scored 36 points and came in at 104 in among 180 countries in Transparency International (TI)’s 2020 Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI).

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1203690-thailand-slides-three-places-in-global-corruption-index/

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Signs of economic recovery in December, but virus sapped sentiment: Finance Ministry

By The Nation

 

Kulaya Tantitemit, acting director-general of the Fiscal Policy Office, is flanked by Pisit Puapan, left, executive director of the macroeconomic policy bureau, and Wuttipong Jittungsakul, fiscal policy adviser, at the press conference on Thursday.

 

The Thai economy showed signs of recovery in December, as domestic and external demand drove up car sales and exports, but consumer confidence sagged after the resurgence of Covid-19, the Finance Ministry said on Thursday.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1203753-signs-of-economic-recovery-in-december-but-virus-sapped-sentiment-thai-finance-ministry/

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Three updated timelines reveal more details on movements of infected singer, PR manager, govt official

By The Nation

 

 

The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) has updated the timelines of three Covid-19 patients who were reportedly unwilling on Wednesday to provide personal information, raising eyebrows and anger among the public.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1203755-three-updated-timelines-reveal-more-details-on-movements-of-infected-singer-pr-manager-govt-official/

 

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Authorities kick off legal proceedings over controversial rubber gloves deal

By The Nation

 

 

Former acting director of the Public Warehouse Organisation Pol Colonel Roongroj Phuthiyawat faces legal proceedings for the controversial Bt112.5-billion purchase of 500 million boxes of gloves from Guardian Gloves Co last year.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1203756-authorities-kick-off-legal-proceedings-over-controversial-rubber-gloves-deal/

 

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Start of inoculations in Thailand delayed due to EU export restrictions

 

Public Health Minister Anutin Charnvirakul

 

Delivery by air of the first shipment of 50,000 doses of AstraZeneca vaccine from Italy has hit a snag, due to the European Union’s recently imposed restriction on the export of the vaccine, causing Thailand’s plan to commence vaccination on February 14th to be postponed, Public Health Minister Anutin Charnvirakul told the media Thursday afternoon, following a meeting of the national vaccine committee.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1203758-start-of-inoculations-in-thailand-delayed-due-to-eu-export-restrictions/

 

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Ratchanok beaten in battle of Thai titans

 

Pornpawee Chochuwong

 

World No 13 Pornpawee Chochuwong upstaged her illustrious compatriot Ratchanok Intanon in the first group B match of the $1.5-million HSBC BWF World Tour Finals at Impact Arena Muang Thong Thani on Wednesday.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1203759-ratchanok-beaten-in-battle-of-thai-titans/

 

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Happiness to the Community Mobiles now operating in 28 provinces

 

   

BANGKOK (NNT) - The Ministry of Social Development and Human Security has launched its "Happiness to the Community Mobiles" campaign, dispensing necessities to groups impacted by COVID-19 in 28 provinces nationwide.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1203760-happiness-to-the-community-mobiles-now-operating-in-28-provincesv/

 

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Taxi and Automobile workforce request Gov’t support

 

   

BANGKOK (NNT) - Groups of Taxi workers and Thai automobile workers handed a request to a committee of labor to file a request to the government seeking support.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1203761-taxi-and-automobile-workforce-request-gov’t-support/

 

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Biden reopens online health insurance marketplaces, citing 'damage' from Trump

By Trevor Hunnicutt

 

U.S. President Joe Biden puts down his pen after signing executive orders strengthening access to affordable healthcare at the White House in Washington, U.S., January 28, 2021. REUTERS/Kevin Lamarque

 

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. President Joe Biden on Thursday reopened the nation's online health insurance marketplace for people who cannot obtain coverage through their employers, in a move he said was aimed at undoing "damage" done by his predecessor Donald Trump.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1203763-biden-reopens-online-health-insurance-marketplaces-citing-damage-from-trump/

 

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Exclusive: Proud Boys leader was ‘prolific’ informer for law enforcement

By Aram Roston

 

Members of the far-right Proud Boys, including leader Enrique Tarrio (C), rally in support of President Trump to protest against the results of the 2020 U.S. presidential election, in Washington, November 14, 2020. REUTERS/Hannah McKay

 

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Enrique Tarrio, the leader of the Proud Boys extremist group, has a past as an informer for federal and local law enforcement, repeatedly working undercover for investigators after he was arrested in 2012, according to a former prosecutor and a transcript of a 2014 federal court proceeding obtained by Reuters.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1203764-exclusive proud boys leader-was-‘prolific’-informer-for-law-enforcement/

 

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Chonburi governor officially confirms closure of hotels and tourist attractions, reopening of schools

 

 

Chonburi governor Pakarathorn Thianchaion on Thursday ordered the temporary closure of all hotels and tourist attractions in the province.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1203766-chonburi-governor-officially-confirms-closure-of-hotels-and-tourist-attractions-reopening-of-schools/

 

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Pentagon warns Taliban on failure to meet commitments on violence, terrorism

 

FILE PHOTO: A U.S. soldier keeps watch at an Afghan National Army (ANA) base in Logar province, Afghanistan August 5, 2018. REUTERS/Omar Sobhani/File Photo

 

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The Biden administration believes it is hard to see a way forward for a negotiated settlement with the Taliban unless the militant group meets its commitments under a 2020 deal, although Washington remains committed to the effort, the Pentagon said on Thursday.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1203768-pentagon-warns-taliban-on-failure-to-meet-commitments-on-violence-terrorism/

 

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China sharpens language, warns Taiwan that independence 'means war'

By Tony Munroe and Yew Lun Tian

 

A Taiwan flag is seen during a Navy drill ahead of the Lunar New Year in Kaohsiung, Taiwan, January 27, 2021. REUTERS/Ann Wang

 

BEIJING (Reuters) - China toughened its language towards Taiwan on Thursday, warning after recent stepped up military activities near the island that "independence means war" and that its armed forces were acting in response to provocation and foreign interference.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1203769-china-sharpens-language-warns-taiwan-that-independence-means-war/

 

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First known U.S. cases of potent South African COVID-19 variant found in South Carolina

By Julie Steenhuysen

 

A healthcare worker prepares a coronavirus test in Elizabeth, New Jersey, January 8, 2021. REUTERS/Eduardo Munoz/File Photo

 

(Reuters) - A potent coronavirus variant originating in South Africa and possibly resistant to current vaccines and antibody treatments has been detected for the first time in the United States in two South Carolina patients, health officials said on Thursday.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1203770-first-known-us-cases-of-potent-south-african-covid-19-variant-found-in-south-carolina/

 

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WHO-led team in Wuhan probing COVID origins to begin field work

By Gabriel Crossley

 

Chinese officials arrive at a hotel where members of the World Health Organization (WHO) team tasked with investigating the origins of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) stay, in Wuhan, Hubei province, China January 29, 2021. REUTERS/Thomas Peter

 

BEIJING (Reuters) - A World Health Organization-led team of experts investigating the origins of the COVID-19 pandemic was due to meet with Chinese scientists on Friday, and plans to visit labs, markets and hospitals in Wuhan, the WHO said.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1203783-who-led-team-in-wuhan-probing-covid-origins-to-begin-field-work/

 

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Thai giant-killer stuns world No 1 to book place in last 4 of World Tour Finals

By THE NATION

 

Pornpawee Chochuwong reacts after her stunning win over world No 1 Tai Tzu-ying

 

Thailand’s unheralded Pornpawee Chochuwong stunned world No 1 Tai Tzu-ying to book a place in Saturday’s semi-finals of the $1.5-million BWF World Tour Finals on Thursday.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1203786-thai-giant-killer-stuns-world-no-1-to-book-place-in-last-4-of-world-tour-finals/

 

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Buriram monk didn't want to offend man who donated Ya Ba - so he succumbed

 

Picture: Daily News

 

A monk in the north east of Thailand told police he didn't want to offend an associate who turned up with an alms donation so he accepted it.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1203788-buriram-monk-didnt-want-to-offend-man-who-donated-ya-ba-so-he-succumbed/

 

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Hua Hin: Covid free after woman's visit - schools set to reopen Monday

 

 

Dr Suriya Khuhapat of the Prachuap Khiri Khan department of public health declared that there were no problems resulting from the visit of a woman to Hua Hin who later tested positive from Covid-19.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1203790-hua-hin-covid-free-after-womans-visit-schools-set-to-reopen-monday/

 

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Two killed, several injured after ‘drunk’ foreigner crashes into motorcyclists in Hua Hin

 

 

At least two people have been killed and several people injured when a foreigner driving a pickup truck at high speed crashed into motorcyclists in Hua Hin.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1203791-two-killed-several-injured-after-‘drunk’-foreigner-crashes-into-motorcyclists-in-hua-hin/

 

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Thailand claims to have found cure for baldness

 

Picture: Bangkok Business News

 

The Thais have found a great way to cure baldness and hair loss - extract of seaside mangrove tree.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1203794-thailand-claims-to-have-found-cure-for-baldness/

 

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Loei's Phu Kradueng park to welcome visitors from Feb 1

By THE NATION

 

 

Phu Kradueng National Park in Loei province will reopen on February 1 after being closed to visitors since January 5 to prevent the spread of Covid-19, the park director, Samret Phusaensri, said on Thursday.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1203797-loeis-phu-kradueng-park-to-welcome-visitors-from-feb-1/

 

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Two pro-democracy protesters arrested over explosion at Bangkok rally

By THE NATION

 

 

Two of three suspects wanted for allegedly throwing a "ping pong bomb" that injured four people on January 17 have been arrested.

 

 

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1203800-two-pro-democracy-protesters-arrested-over-explosion-at-bangkok-rally/

 

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Fraudster and his two Thai wives ripped off people online to the tune of 10 million baht

 

Picture: Daily News

 

Police in Buriram announced the arrest of a Thai man and two wives. They are a criminal gang responsible for ripping off many people with fraudulent online sales.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1203803-fraudster-and-his-two-thai-wives-ripped-off-people-online-to-the-tune-of-10-million-baht/

 

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Foreigners stranded in Thailand due to COVID-19 can now stay until end of March

 

 

The Thai Immigration Bureau has announced that foreigners who are still stranded in Thailand due to the COVID-19 situation can remain in the country until the end of March.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1203808-foreigners-stranded-in-thailand-due-to-covid-19-can-now-stay-until-end-of-march/

 

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Tourism minister: Foreigners will start returning in second half of the year -10 million on the way

 

File photo

 

Thailand's tourism minister Pipat Ratchakitprakan told the Thai media that all those under his command were working on the 2021 tourism masterplan.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1203814-tourism-minister-foreigners-will-start-returning-in-second-half-of-the-year-10-million-on-the-way/

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Phuket Marine Police step up with food handouts for people in need

By The Phuket News

 

More than 500 people in need turned out to receive rice, noodles and snacks at the Region 8 Marine Police Station in Phuket Town yesterday (Jan 28). Photo: PR Phuket

 

PHUKET: Region 8 Marine Police Chief Col Prasert Srikhunrat yesterday (Jan 28) led an event to hand out packs of rice and instant noodles to more than 500 people in need who have been affected by the COVID-19 crisis.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1203817-phuket-marine-police-step-up-with-food-handouts-for-people-in-need/

 

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Thailand reports 802 new COVID-19 infections - majority found in Samut Sakhon

 

REUTERS FILE PHOTO for reference only

 

Thailand reported 802 new coronavirus cases on Friday.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1203821-thailand-reports-802-new-covid-19-infections-majority-found-in-samut-sakhon/