THAILAND LIVE Thailand Live Wednesday 10 Feb 2021

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Fewer tourists entered Thailand in the last six months than would normally enter in a single day pre COVID-19

 

Image: Reuters file photo

 

Stats on the number of foreigners who have entered Thailand since July last year reveal the devastating impact the pandemic is having on the county’s tourism industry and economy as a whole. 

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1205429-fewer-tourists-entered-thailand-in-the-last-six-months-than-would-normally-enter-in-a-single-day-pre-covid-19/

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Bangkok Governor orders delay of fare increase on Green Route train service

 

Photo by PORNCHAI KITTIWONGSAKUL / AFP

 

The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) has postponed its plan to increase the maximum train fare on the Green Route to 104 baht, scheduled for February 16th.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1205408-bangkok-governor-orders-delay-of-fare-increase-on-green-route-train-service/

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Illegal gambling a trump card for opposition in censure debate against govt 

 

 

Illegal gambling will be among the issues fired at Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha and nine members of his Cabinet in next week’s censure debate.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1205413-illegal-gambling-a-trump-card-for-opposition-in-censure-debate-against-govt/

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Rape scene depicted in Thai soap opera sparks outrage on Twitter

 

One controversial scene from “Mia Jum Pen” soap opera [Courtesy: Ch3Thailand]

 

#NoMoreRapeOnScreen (#ข่มขืนผ่านจอพอกันที) became the fastest trending hashtag in Thailand today, after the latest episode of “Mia Jum Pen”, or Wife on Duty, sparked outrage on social media because of a scene depicting the rape of a female character which, in the story, was videotaped by a criminal.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1205426-rape-scene-depicted-in-thai-soap-opera-sparks-outrage-on-twitter/

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Locals voice protest against gold exploration in Chanthaburi province

 

 

A network of about 40 civic groups and local organizations in Thailand’s eastern province of Chanthaburi is voicing strong opposition to the granting of approval for gold exploration by a mining company.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1205445-locals-voice-protest-against-gold-exploration-in-chanthaburi-province/

 

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Hua Hin airport will be further upgraded

Subhabhong Rarueysong

 

   

HUA HIN (NNT) - Hua Hin airport in Prachuap Khiri Khan will be further upgraded to serve larger aircraft for long-haul flights in 2 years.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1205447-hua-hin-airport-will-be-further-upgraded/

 

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KMITL showcases COVID-19 inventions

Tanakorn Sangiam

 

   

BANGKOK (NNT) - King Mongkut’s Institute of Technology Ladkrabang. (KMITL) has showcased recent inventions by Thai researchers designed to help combat COVID-19, while revealing the concept to build world’s first hospital with a special focus on development of medical equipment.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1205448-kmitl-showcases-covid-19-inventions/

 

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Cabinet tackles issue of elder allowances

Praphorn Praphornkul

 

   

BANGKOK (NNT) - The Cabinet has decided to halt demands for repayment resulting from excess elder allowance payouts, and has cancelled legal action taken against numerous senior citizens, while instructing the agencies responsible to implement measures to avoid a repeat of the problem.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1205449-thai-cabinet-tackles-issue-of-elder-allowances/

 

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OIE: COVID-19 propelled many Industrial sectors

Panod Srisinsuphya

 

   

BANGKOK (NNT) - COVID-19 having severely affected the world’s economy, has nevertheless contributed to the major growth of many sectors especially those able to meet current demands.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1205450-oie-covid-19-propelled-many-industrial-sectors/

 

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PM stresses BCG model promotion

Tanakorn Sangiam

 

   

BANGKOK (NNT) - The Prime Minister has emphasized the government’s commitment to promoting the Bio-Circular-Green (BCG) economic model as an escape path for the country from the middle income malaise, while promoting domestic investments.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1205451-pm-prayut-stresses-bio-circular-green-model-promotion/

 

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Trade watch: Thai exports in EU

Praphorn Praphornkul

 

   

BANGKOK (NNT) - Thailand’s export sector has been hit hard by the COVID-19 pandemic, as exporters could do little but wait for the situation to improve.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1205452-trade-watch-thai-exports-in-eu/

 

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Retailer Sentiment Index drops further amid new COVID-19 infections

Subhabhong Rarueysong

 

   

BANGKOK (NNT) - Retailer Sentiment Index in January has dropped further due to the new wave of COVID-19 infections, to the same level as in April last year.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1205453-retailer-sentiment-index-drops-further-amid-new-covid-19-infections/

 

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Vietnam to impose 34% anti-dumping tax on sugar imports from Thailand

 

REUTERS FILE PHOTO for reference only

 

HANOI (Reuters) - Vietnam said on Tuesday it plans to impose anti-dumping duties on raw sugar that originates in Thailand, claiming soaring imports are undermining its domestic sugar industry.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1205454-vietnam-to-impose-34-anti-dumping-tax-on-sugar-imports-from-thailand/

 

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Thailand Bets on Chinese Shots to Start Rollout By Month End

By Prim Chuwiruch and Randy Thanthong-Knight

 

-- Vaccinations program delayed from earlier plan of Feb. 14

-- Thailand aims to inoculate up to 65% of population by year-end

 

Vials of Sinovac Covid-19 vaccine. Photographer: Dimas Ardian/Bloomberg

 

Thailand will rely on Covid-19 vaccines from China’s Sinovac Biotech Ltd. to kick off an inoculation drive that aims to cover about two-thirds of the nation’s eligible population by the end of this year, potentially paving the way for a full reopening of its tourism industry.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1205455-thailand-bets-on-chinese-shots-to-start-rollout-by-month-end/

 

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Graphic video of Capitol attack opens Trump's historic impeachment trial

By David Morgan and Richard Cowan

 

Members of the National Guard patrol at the U. S. Capitol as the second impeachment trial of former U.S. President Donald Trump is scheduled to begin in Washington, U.S., February 9, 2021. REUTERS/Joshua Roberts

 

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Donald Trump's historic post-presidency impeachment trial began in the Senate on Tuesday, with Democrats who are hoping to disqualify him from again holding public office again showing graphic video of last month's deadly storming of the U.S. Capitol that he is charged with inciting.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1205456-graphic-video-of-capitol-attack-opens-trumps-historic-impeachment-trial/

 

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Golf-Johnson withdraws from AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am to rest

 

FILE PHOTO: January 9, 2021; Maui, Hawaii, USA; Dustin Johnson hits his tee shot on the fourth hole during the third round of the Sentry Tournament of Champions golf tournament at Kapalua Resort - The Plantation Course. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports

 

(Reuters) - World number one Dustin Johnson, fresh off his triumph at the European Tour's Saudi International, has withdrawn from this week's AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am, his manager said on Tuesday.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1205460-golf-johnson-withdraws-from-att-pebble-beach-pro-am-to-rest/

 

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Biden administration plans to continue to seek extradition of WikiLeaks' Assange - official

By Mark Hosenball

 

FILE PHOTO: WikiLeaks' founder Julian Assange leaves Westminster Magistrates Court in London, Britain January 13, 2020. REUTERS/Henry Nicholls/File Photo

 

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - President Joe Biden's administration plans to continue to seek to extradite WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange from the United Kingdom to the United States to face hacking conspiracy charges, the U.S. Justice Department said.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1205458-biden-administration-plans-to-continue-to-seek-extradition-of-wikileaks-assange-official/

 

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Hong Kong tycoon Jimmy Lai denied bail in national security case

By James Pomfret

 

Media mogul Jimmy Lai, founder of Apple Daily, arrives the Court of Final Appeal by prison van in Hong Kong, China February 9, 2021. REUTERS/Tyrone Siu

 

HONG KONG (Reuters) - Hong Kong's top court denied bail on Tuesday to media tycoon and Beijing critic Jimmy Lai, the most high-profile person to be charged under the city's national security law.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1205459-hong kong tycoon-jimmy-lai-denied-bail-in-national-security-case/

 

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UPDATE:

 

Senators vote to proceed with Trump's impeachment trial after graphic video

By David Morgan and Richard Cowan

 

Members of the National Guard patrol at the U. S. Capitol as the second impeachment trial of former U.S. President Donald Trump is scheduled to begin in Washington, U.S., February 9, 2021. REUTERS/Joshua Roberts

 

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. senators voted on Tuesday to move forward with Donald Trump's impeachment trial on a charge of inciting the deadly assault on the Capitol, rejecting a claim the proceeding was unconstitutional after viewing graphic video of the January attack.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1205456-graphic-video-of-capitol-attack-opens-trumps-historic-impeachment-trial/?do=findComment&comment=16239266

 

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Britain tightens travel restrictions with hotel quarantine and prison threat

By Sarah Young

 

People wait for the arrivals at Heathrow Airport, as tighter rules for international travellers start, amid the spread of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic, in London, Britain, January 18, 2021. REUTERS/Henry Nicholls

 

LONDON (Reuters) - Britain will require passengers arriving from countries where worrying coronavirus variants are spreading to pay for 10 days of quarantine in hotels, while rule-breakers will face heavy fines or jail terms, under tighter restrictions from next week.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1205465-britain-tightens-travel-restrictions-with-hotel-quarantine-and-prison-threat/

 

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Retired expats keep Thai beach resort ticking over

Resident seniors help to sustain local economy amid worsening pandemic

 

Robin Ingle, the Welsh proprietor of Hungry Hippo, is surviving off Pattaya's "old boys" in the time of COVID-19. (Photo by Peter Janssen)

 

PETER JANSSEN, Contributing writer

 

PATTAYA, Thailand -- Hungry Hippo is one of the few food and beverage outlets that remain busy in Pattaya....

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1205468-retired-expats-keep-pattaya-ticking-over/

 

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Click "like" on ads and get free money - Foreigners and Thais fall victim in massive online swindle

 

Picture: Naew Na

 

Dozens of victims of an online investment swindle went to Pattaya police yesterday to register complaints.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1205471-click-like-on-ads-and-get-free-money-foreigners-and-thais-fall-victim-in-massive-online-swindle/

 

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Pattaya is NOT dead: Thai media reports slammed online and now comes better news

 

Picture: We Love Pattaya58

 

Reports published in the Thai media from Pattaya earlier in the week that Walking Street was deserted may have been true but it is certainly not the case in other expat hangouts in the resort.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1205479-pattaya-is-not-dead-thai-media-reports-slammed-online-and-now-comes-better-news/

 

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The Supremes co-founder Mary Wilson dies aged 76

 

FILE PHOTO: Singer Mary Wilson, a founding member of the Motown female singing group The Supremes, arrives as a guest at the premiere of the new film "Sparkle" starring Jordin Sparks and the late Whitney Houston in Hollywood August 16, 2012. REUTERS/Fred Prouser/File Photo

 

LONDON (Reuters) - Mary Wilson, a founding member of The Supremes, has died at the age of 76, her publicist has said.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1205485-the-supremes-co-founder mary wilson dies-aged-76/

 

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Reddit user claiming to be Tesla insider now says bitcoin posts were not true

By Bhargav Acharya

 

FILE PHOTO: Representations of virtual currency Bitcoin are seen in front of Tesla logo in this illustration taken, February 9, 2021. REUTERS/Dado Ruvic/Illustration

 

(Reuters) - A Reddit user who claimed in a post a month ago to be a Tesla Inc insider and knew about the electric car maker's purchase of bitcoin said on Tuesday that his assertions were not true.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1205487-reddit-user-claiming-to-be-tesla-insider-now-says-bitcoin-posts-were-not-true/

 

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Pattaya’s reliance on foreign tourism must end, local officials told

 

Picture: Sophon Cable TV

 

The penny seems to have finally dropped for the resort of Pattaya and where it fits into plans for the development of the Eastern Seaboard.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1205489-pattaya’s-reliance-on-foreign-tourism-must-end-local-officials-told/

 

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New Hollywood remake of 'Wizard of Oz' is in the works

By Lisa Richwine

 

A first edition of Frank L. Baum's "The Wonderful Wizard of Oz" sits on display at Christie's auction house in New York, December 12, 2006. REUTERS/Shannon Stapleton/File Photo

 

LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - Hollywood is preparing to take another trip down the yellow brick road with a remake of classic movie "The Wizard of Oz," one of the most celebrated films of all time.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1205490-new-hollywood-remake-of-wizard-of-oz-is-in-the-works/

 

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Thailand Road Carnage video: Seven vehicle pile-up leaves six injured

 

Picture: 77kaoded

 

A major pile-up on the Kanchanaphisek or Bangkok ring-road last night was a scene of utter devastation. 

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1205492-thailand-road-carnage-video-seven-vehicle-pile-up-leaves-six-injured/

 

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Pattaya to become the next Miami and on a par with Singapore and Dubai, says mayor

 

File photo for reference only

 

Pattaya Mayor Sonthaya Khunplume has revealed ambitious plans to transform the resort into a truly world class tourist destination, on a par with the likes of Dubai, Singapore and Miami.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1205496-pattaya-to-become-the-next-miami-and-on-a-par-with-singapore-and-dubai-says-mayor/

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Rayong: Good Covid news as governor lifts restrictions on restaurants, bars and massage

 

Picture: Daily News

 

The governor of Rayong, Channa Iamsaeng announced good news regarding the pandemic for people in the eastern Thai province, home to many expats.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1205501-rayong-good-covid-news-as-governor-lifts-restrictions-on-restaurants-bars-and-massage/