THAILAND LIVE Thailand Live Tuesday 9 Feb 2021

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Bangkok ranked 13th among healthiest cities worldwide

 

 

Bangkok, 8 February, 2021 – The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) is pleased to announce that Bangkok has been named the 13th healthiest city in the world according to a recent ‘Healthy Lifestyles Cities Report’ study by UK health authorities.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1205255-bangkok-ranked-13th-among-healthiest-cities-worldwide/

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Thai health officials skeptical about vaccine passports

 

 

Thai health officials are not convinced about the “vaccine passport” idea, which would allow travellers, who have been vaccinated against COVID-19 to enter Thailand without the need to endure 14-days of quarantine.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1205276-thai-health-officials-skeptical-about-vaccine-passports/

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THAI Responds to Alleged Dismissal of 400 Pilots

 

 

BANGKOK (TNA) – Thai Airways International (THAI) denied the report that it decided to lay off 400 pilots.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1205257-thai-responds-to-alleged-dismissal-of-400-pilots/

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Thailand has contingency plans to secure COVID-19 vaccines

Suwit Rattiwan

 

   

BANGKOK (NNT) - Thailand has contingency plans to secure COVID-19 vaccines from other producers if AstraZeneca cannot deliver the doses it promised in time.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1205241-thailand-has-contingency-plans-to-secure-covid-19-vaccines/

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Thai court overturns takedown order over criticism of vaccine strategy

 

FILE PHOTO: Future Forward Party leader Thanathorn Juangroongruangkit talks to reporters after Thailand's Constitutional Court ruled that key figures of the Future Forward Party were not guilty of opposing the monarchy, at the party's headquarters in Bangkok, Thailand January 21, 2020. REUTERS/Soe Zeya Tun/File Photo

 

BANGKOK (Reuters) - A Thai court on Monday overturned its order for an opposition figure to remove social media videos in which he criticised the government's coronavirus vaccine strategy, which he had called opaque, slow and unfairly favourable to a royal-owned company.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1205302-thai-court-overturns-takedown-order-over-criticism-of-vaccine-strategy/

 

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Over 5.7 million people pass screening to join Rao Chana giveaway scheme

 

 

More than 5.7 million people, out of about 10 million who registered to receive 7,000 baht each under the Rao Chana stimulus scheme, have passed the screening process and will be eligible for the cash subsidies, said Kulaya Tantitaemit, inspector-general of the Finance Ministry on Monday.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1205303-over-57-million-people-pass-screening-to-join-rao-chana-giveaway-scheme/

 

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UPDATE:

 

Samut Sakhon pork vendor infects 87 with COVID-19 in 5 provinces – CCSA

 

CCSA deputy spokesperson, Dr. Apisamai Srirangsan

 

A pork vendor, living in the Ampawa district of Samut Sakhon, has been blamed for the cluster infection of at least 87 people, scattered in and around Bangkok, Samut Sakhon, Ratchaburi, Phetchaburi and Suphan Buri provinces, said CCSA deputy spokesperson Dr. Apisamai Srirangsan on Monday.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1205271-pork-vendor’s-covid-19-cluster-has-87-cases/?do=findComment&comment=16236430

 

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Thailand’s Disease Control Board approves 63-million dose inoculation plan

 

Photo by Thomas SAMSON / POOL / AFP

 

Thailand’s Disease Control Board has approved the COVID-19 vaccine management and distribution plan for 2021. The country’s health minister, Anutin Charnvirakul, said that Thailand will receive 2 million doses of vaccine from Sinovac soon, and AstraZeneca will deliver another 26 million doses in June. Additionally, Thailand has reserved a further 35 million doses, bringing the total available to 63 million this year.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1205304-thailand’s-disease-control-board-approves-63-million-dose-inoculation-plan/

 

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UPDATE:

 

Chinese COVID-19 vaccine due for delivery to Thailand between February, April

Source: Xinhua

 

FILE PHOTO/Xinhua

 

BANGKOK, Feb. 8 (Xinhua) -- A batch of the Sinovac COVID-19 vaccine will be delivered to Thailand between February and April, said Thai Deputy Prime Minister and Public Health Minister Anutin Charnvirakul on Monday.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1205304-thailand’s-disease-control-board-approves-63-million-dose-inoculation-plan/?do=findComment&comment=16236440

 

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A Tesla for a bitcoin: Musk drives price to moon with $1.5 billion purchase

By Subrat Patnaik, Anna Irrera and David Randall

 

FILE PHOTO: SpaceX owner and Tesla CEO Elon Musk arrives on the red carpet for the automobile awards "Das Goldene Lenkrad" (The golden steering wheel) given by a German newspaper in Berlin, Germany, November 12, 2019. REUTERS/Hannibal Hanschke/File Photo

 

(Reuters) - Bitcoin took another large stride toward mainstream acceptance on Monday after billionaire Elon Musk's electric vehicle company Tesla Inc revealed it had bought $1.5 billion of the cryptocurrency and would soon accept it as a form of payment for cars - sending the cryptocurrency shooting higher.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1205306-a-tesla-for-a-bitcoin-musk-drives-price-to-moon-with-15-billion-purchase/

 

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Musk-fuelled bitcoin surge triggers cryptocurrency exchange glitches

 

FILE PHOTO: A Bitcoin digital currency ATM shop is seen in Marseille, France, February 7, 2021. REUTERS/Eric Gaillard

 

(Reuters) - Major cryptocurrency exchanges experienced technical issues on Monday as trading volumes soared after billionaire Elon Musk's Tesla Inc revealed it had purchased $1.5 billion of bitcoin and would soon accept it as a form of payment.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1205307-musk-fuelled-bitcoin-surge-triggers cryptocurrency exchange-glitches/

 

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Saudi Crown Prince announces new draft laws to reform judicial institutions

 

FILE PHOTO: Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman announces a zero-carbon city called "The Line" to be built at NEOM in northwestern Saudi Arabia, January 10, 2021. Bandar Algaloud/Courtesy of Saudi Royal Court/Handout via REUTERS

 

LONDON (Reuters - Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman said the government will discuss a set of new draft laws designed to enhance the efficiency and integrity of the kingdom's judicial system, state news agency (SPA) reported on Monday.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1205308-saudi-crown-prince-announces-new-draft-laws-to-reform-judicial-institutions/

 

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Trump's impeachment trial lawyers aim to shift blame; Democrats say he has no defense

By Richard Cowan, David Morgan and Karen Freifeld

 

Former U.S. President Donald Trump looks on at the Trump International Golf Club in West Palm Beach, Florida, U.S., February 8, 2021. REUTERS/Marco Bello

 

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - On the eve of his impeachment trial on a charge of inciting the deadly U.S. Capitol attack, Donald Trump's lawyers on Monday denied he had encouraged the violence that they blamed on "a small group of criminals," while the Democrats who will prosecute the former president said he has no valid defense.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1205310-trumps-impeachment-trial-lawyers-aim-to-shift-blame-democrats-say-he-has-no-defense/

 

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Netanyahu pleads not guilty to corruption as trial resumes

By Jeffrey Heller

 

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu looks on as he arrives to a hearing in his corruption trial at Jerusalem's District Court February 8, 2021. Reuben Castro/Pool via REUTERS

 

JERUSALEM (Reuters) - Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu pleaded not guilty on Monday to corruption charges at the resumption of his trial, six weeks before voters again head to the polls to pass judgment on his leadership.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1205311-netanyahu-pleads-not-guilty-to-corruption-as-trial-resumes/

 

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North Korea developed nuclear, missile programs in 2020 - U.N. report

By Michelle Nichols

 

FILE PHOTO: North Korean leader Kim Jong Un speaks during the 8th Congress of the Workers' Party in Pyongyang, North Korea, in this photo supplied by North Korea's Central News Agency (KCNA) on January 13, 2021. KCNA/via REUTERS/File Photo

 

NEW YORK (Reuters) - North Korea maintained and developed its nuclear and ballistic missile programs throughout 2020 in violation of international sanctions, said a U.N. diplomat with knowledge of a confidential report given to Security Council members on Monday.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1205312-north-korea-developed-nuclear-missile-programs-in-2020-un-report/

 

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U.S. COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations log biggest weekly drops since pandemic started

 

FILE PHOTO: A pedestrian walks during a snow storm, amid the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic, in the Brooklyn borough of New York City, New York, U.S., February 1, 2021. REUTERS/Brendan McDermid

 

(Reuters) - The United States reported a 25% drop in new cases of COVID-19 to about 825,000 last week, the biggest fall since the pandemic started, although health officials said they were worried new variants of the virus could slow or reverse this progress.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1205313-us-covid-19-cases-and-hospitalizations-log-biggest-weekly-drops-since-pandemic-started/

 

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One year on in Korat: Victims' relatives remember Terminal 21, scene of Thailand’s worst mass shooting

 

Picture: Thai Rath

 

Ceremonies were held yesterday to mark the one year anniversary of Thailand's worst ever mass shooting - the rampage and murder spree of a Thai soldier that ended with the Terminal 21 shootings in downtown Nakhon Ratchasima.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1205317-one-year-on-in-korat-victims-relatives-remember-terminal-21-scene-of-thailand’s-worst-mass-shooting/

 

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Blinken stops short of endorsing Trump recognition of Golan Heights as Israel

 

FILE PHOTO: Newly confirmed U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken removes his face mask as he arrives to hold his first press briefing at the State Department in Washington, U.S., January 27, 2021. REUTERS/Carlos Barria/Pool/File Photo

 

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Monday stopped short of endorsing the Trump administration's recognition of the occupied Golan Heights as part of Israel, instead noting that the territory was important for Israel's security.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1205318-blinken-stops-short-of-endorsing-trump-recognition-of-golan-heights-as-israel/

 

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Bitcoin extends gains above $47,000 in Asia

 

FILE PHOTO: A representation of virtual currency Bitcoin is seen in front of a stock graph in this illustration taken January 8, 2021. REUTERS/Dado Ruvic

 

SINGAPORE (Reuters) - Cryptocurrencies extended gains in Asia on Tuesday, with bitcoin and ethereum reaching record highs, in the wake of a Tesla Inc investment in bitcoin.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1205319-bitcoin-extends-gains-above-47000-in-asia/

 

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One year on from Terminal 21 shooting, hero still faces major surgery

 

Picture: Sanook

 

Life changed for ever for 27 year old Jirattikan Nopthai when he arrived for work at Terminal 21 in downtown Nakhon Ratchasima on February 8th 2020. 

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1205321-one-year-on-from-terminal-21-shooting-hero-still-faces-major-surgery/

 

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Myanmar general pledges again to hold new election as anti-coup protests grow

 

Policeman stands behind a banner reading "if this line is crossed, Myanmar police force will fire with live ammunition" during a protests against the military coup and to demand the release of elected leader Aung San Suu Kyi, in Naypyitaw, Myanmar, February 8, 2021. REUTERS/Stringer

 

(Reuters) - Myanmar's military leader said on Monday his junta would hold a new election and hand power to the winner as tens of thousands of people took to the streets for a third day to protest against the coup that overthrew Aung San Suu Kyi's civilian government.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1205325-myanmar general-pledges-again-to-hold-new-election-as-anti-coup-protests-grow/

 

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No one left behind: Thailand gives biggest hint yet that expats will be eligible for COVID-19 vaccines

 

REUTERS FILE PHOTO for reference only

 

Thailand’s health minister on Monday gave the strongest indication yet that expats residing in the country will be included in the roll out of the COVID-19 vaccination. 

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1205334-no-one-left-behind-thailand-gives-biggest-hint-yet-that-expats-will-be-eligible-for-covid-19 vaccines/

 

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The bars and clubs might be open, but Pattaya’s famous nightlife looks dead and buried

 

Picture: Pattaya Update News

 

It was reminiscent of Mr Bumble wandering down a snowy street in Oliver Twist offering a "Boy for Sale".

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1205336-the-bars-and-clubs-might-be-open-but-pattaya’s-famous-nightlife-looks-dead-and-buried/

 

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Thai som tam lady in league with Africans selling 10 million baht's worth of rubber gloves

 

Picture: Daily News

 

It seems like an unlikely combination. A Thai som tam (papaya salad) lady and an international gang of Africans. 

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1205337-thai-som-tam-lady-in-league-with-africans-selling-10-million-bahts-worth-of-rubber-gloves/

 

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School director who brandished a gun at assembly resigns his post

 

Picture: Daily News

 

The school director who scared pupils and teachers at an assembly at the flagpole by brandishing a gun has resigned.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1205338-school-director-who-brandished-a-gun-at-assembly-resigns-his-post/

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A message to cheating husband! Police called to car covered in panties, bras and sanitary pads

 

Picture: Sanook

 

Police in Wang Nam Khiaw in central Thailand were called yesterday morning after reports that a woman was driving around the local 79 Market in a car covered in bras, sanitary napkins and panties. 

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1205339-a-message-to-cheating-husband-police-called-to-car-covered-in-panties-bras-and-sanitary-pads/

 

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Video: Netizens irate at driver performing totally unnecessary tyre burnout at traffic lights

 

Picture: Sanook

 

A post on the popular Facebook site of "Hear Khap Rot" showed a pick-up in a cloud of smoke. 

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1205340-video-netizens-irate-at-driver-performing-totally-unnecessary-tyre-burnout-at-traffic-lights/

 

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Natural phenomenon turns Bali Hai cape green!

 

Picture: Siam Rath

 

Siam Rath reported that tourists, locals and schoolchildren were heading for Bali Hai cape in Pattaya to take pictures.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1205341-natural-phenomenon-turns-bali-hai-cape-green/

 

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7-Elevens and Family Marts in Chonburi can resume normal trading hours

 

File photo for reference only
 

Convenience stories in Chonburi can now resume 24 hour trading, officials announced on Monday.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1205343-7-elevens-and-family-marts-in-chonburi-can-resume-normal-trading-hours/

 

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Chinese New Year will do little to boost fortunes of Thailand’s decimated tourism industry

 

REUTERS FILE PHOTO for reference only

 

The second wave of the pandemic has dealt Thailand's tourism industry another hammer blow for the lucrative Chinese New Year celebrations.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1205344-chinese-new-year-will-do-little-to-boost-fortunes-of-thailand’s-decimated-tourism-industry/