Pattaya: Set to be the hub of international sports and fitness for the people

 

Image: Sophon Cable TV

 

An upbeat mayor of Pattaya Sontaya Khunpluem told Sophon Cable TV that Pattaya and Chonburi and the rest of the eastern seaboard under the EEC plans will become a hub of international sports and fitness.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1207720-pattaya-set-to-be-the-hub-of-international-sports-and-fitness-for-the-people/

Thai PM postpones vaccine jab indefinitely due to technical problem

 

 

Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha’s planned injection of AstraZeneca vaccine, scheduled for 7.30am on Sunday, has been postponed indefinitely due to a technical problem.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1207731-thai-pm-postpones-vaccine-jab-indefinitely-due-to-technical-problem/

 

Thailand officially enters dry season today

 

 

Thailand has officially entered the dry season, starting today (Saturday), which will last until mid-May, according to the Meteorological Department.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1207732-thailand-officially-enters-dry-season-today/

 

Justice Min explains legalization of Kratom

Praphorn Praphornkul

 

 

SURAT THANI (NNT) - The Minister of Justice has traveled to Surat Thani to promote understanding on the growing and use of Kratom, following the Senate passing a draft Narcotics Act that has struck the plant from the nation’s list of illegal drugs.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1207733-justice-min-explains-legalization-of-kratom/

 

Close to 8 million apply for Article 33 aid program

Praphorn Praphornkul

 

 

BANGKOK (NNT) - The Minister of Labor has expressed satisfaction over the near 8 million Article 33 social security members, who have applied for the government’s aid program, accounting for up to 90 percent of all eligible citizens.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1207734-close-to-8-million-apply-for-article-33-aid-program/

 

Sinovac Covid-19 Vaccines Pass Quality Tests

Subhabhong Rarueysong

 

 

BANGKOK (NNT) - The first batch of Sinovac Covid-19 vaccines that arrived Thailand on Wednesday has passed the quality tests and are ready for delivery to state hospitals.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1207735-sinovac-covid-19-vaccines-pass-quality-tests/

 

Former PDRC leaders released on bail

Praphorn Praphornkul

 

 

BANGKOK (NNT) - All eight leaders of the People’s Democratic Reform Committee (PDRC) have been allowed bail and have been released after spending two days in detainment following a guilty ruling over their protest against the administration of Yingluck Shinawatra between 2013 and 2014.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1207736-former-pdrc-leaders-released-on-bail/

 

New Business Registration Tops Highest since January 2019

Subhabhong Rarueysong

 

 

BANGKOK (NNT) - New business registration topped 7,283 in January, the highest since January 2019, driven by the promise of Covid-19 inoculations and upbeat sentiment on the country’s economic outlook.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1207737-new-business-registration-tops-highest-since-january-2019/

 

Thai Exports Reach Highest Growth in 29 Months

Subhabhong Rarueysong

 

 

BANGKOK (NNT) - The Industry Ministry has reported that Thailand’s manufacturing production index (MPI) in January rose to 101.82 from 96.03 points in December, driving the highest export growth in 29 months.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1207740-thai-exports-reach-highest-growth-in-29-months/

 

Gov’t signs MOU promoting social enterprises

Tanakorn Sangiam

 

 

BANGKOK (NNT) - The government has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to promote social enterprises, aiming for concrete development and growth.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1207741-gov’t-signs-mou-promoting-social-enterprises/

 

Insurance businesses still face slowdown in 2021

Tanakorn Sangiam

 

 

BANGKOK (NNT) - The insurance sector is among businesses affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. The Thai Life Assurance Association has predicted insurance businesses this year will continue to face a slowdown from the economic crisis.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1207743-insurance-businesses-still-face-slowdown-in-2021/

 

Military honours and fly-past mark funeral of Britain's Captain Tom

By Hannah McKay

 

The coffin of Captain Sir Tom Moore is carried by members of the Armed Forces during his funeral at Bedford Crematorium, amid the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak, in Bedford, Britain February 27, 2021. Joe Giddens/Pool via REUTERS

 

BEDFORD, England (Reuters) - A military guard of honour and Royal Air Force fly-past marked the funeral on Saturday of Captain Sir Tom Moore, the World War Two veteran who raised millions of pounds for Britain's health service during the coronavirus pandemic.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1207744-military-honours-and-fly-past-mark-funeral-of-britains-captain-tom/

 

Myanmar's U.N. ambassador vows to fight after junta fired him

By Michelle Nichols

 

Myanmar's ambassador to the United Nations Kyaw Moe Tun holds up three fingers at the end of his speech to the General Assembly where he pleaded for International action in overturning the military coup in his country as seen in this still image taken from a video, in the Manhattan borough of New York City, New York, U.S., February 26, 2021. United Nations TV/Handout via REUTERS

 

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Myanmar's United Nations envoy in New York vowed to fight on Saturday after the junta fired him for urging countries to use "any means necessary" to reverse a Feb. 1 coup that ousted the nation's elected leader Aung San Suu Kyi.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1207745-myanmars-un-ambassador-vows-to-fight-after-junta-fired-him/

 

City make it 20 straight wins with victory over West Ham

 

 

Soccer Football - Premier League - Manchester City v West Ham United - Etihad Stadium, Manchester, Britain - February 27, 2021 Manchester City's John Stones scores their second goal Pool via REUTERS/Gareth Copley

 

MANCHESTER, England (Reuters) - Manchester City moved 13 points clear at the top of the Premier League table after a 2-1 win over West Ham United on Saturday - their 20th straight win in all competitions.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1207747-city-make-it-20-straight-wins-with-victory-over-west-ham/

 

West Brom win as Brighton pay penalty amid VAR chaos

 

 

Soccer Football - Premier League - West Bromwich Albion v Brighton & Hove Albion - The Hawthorns, West Bromwich, Britain - February 27, 2021 West Bromwich Albion's Conor Gallagher and Matheus Pereira in action with Brighton & Hove Albion's Alexis Mac Allister Pool via REUTERS/Clive Mason

 

WEST BROMWICH, England (Reuters) - West Bromwich Albion secured a 1-0 home Premier League victory over Brighton & Hove Albion on Saturday as the visitors missed two penalties and were controversially denied a goal by the Video Assistant Referee (VAR).

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1207748-west-brom-win-as-brighton-pay-penalty-amid-var-chaos/

 

Ten arrested in Barcelona as protests over jailed rapper turn violent

 

 

Demonstrators protest in support of rap singer Pablo Hasel after he was given a jail sentence on charges of glorifying terrorism and insulting royalty in his songs, in Barcelona, Spain, February 27, 2021. REUTERS/Albert Gea

 

BARCELONA (Reuters) - Ten people were arrested in Barcelona on Saturday for assaulting police officers in fresh unrest over the jailing of a rapper for glorifying terrorism and insulting royalty in his songs.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1207749-ten-arrested-in-barcelona-as-protests-over-jailed-rapper-turn-violent/

 

Film aims to change the narrative around singer Billie Holiday's life

By Rollo Ross

 

Jazz photographer Herman Leonard is reflected in one of his photographs of singer Billie Holiday, that he took in 1949, and donated to the National Museum of American History, during a ceremony marking the fifth annual Jazz Appreciation Month in Washington March 30, 2006. REUTERS/Jim Young/Files

 

LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - Billie Holiday, considered one of the greatest jazz singers of all time, has long been remembered for her expressive voice as well as a history of drug and alcohol addiction and her untimely death at age 44.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1207750-film-aims-to-change-the-narrative-around-singer-billie-holidays-life/

 

New Zealand's Auckland starts second COVID-19 lockdown this month

By Lidia Kelly

 

FILE PHOTO: A rainbow appears on the Auckland skyline featuring Sky Tower in New Zealand, July 8, 2017. REUTERS/Jason Reed/File Photo

 

MELBOURNE (Reuters) - Exactly one year after New Zealand recorded its first coronavirus case, the country's biggest city, Auckland, woke up on Sunday to a second lockdown this month as health authorities try to rein in a cluster of the more contagious UK variant.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1207751-new-zealands-auckland-starts-second-covid-19-lockdown-this-month/

 

Dozens of leading Hong Kong democrats brace for national security charges to be laid

By Jessie Pang and James Pomfret

 

FILE PHOTO: Pro-democracy activist Benny Tai leaves the police station on bail in Hong Kong, China January 7, 2021. REUTERS/Lam Yik

 

HONG KONG (Reuters) - Several dozen Hong Kong democrats are due to report to local police stations across the city on Sunday, with some expecting to be charged with breaches of national security as a crackdown on the democratic opposition intensifies.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1207753-dozens-of-leading-hong-kong-democrats-brace-for-national-security-charges-to-be-laid/

 

All English households with school children offered twice weekly COVID tests

 

FILE PHOTO: Nursery staff members at Little Stars Childcare take part in the Staffordshire County Council's pilot testing initiative to allow nurseries to test staff weekly, amidst the spread of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19), in Newcastle-under-Lyme, Staffordshire, Britain February 15, 2021. REUTERS/Carl Recine

 

LONDON (Reuters) - All households in England with school or college aged children will be offered two rapid COVID-19 tests per person per week to support the government’s priority to get young people back in the classroom, the health ministry said on Sunday.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1207754-all-english-households-with-school-children-offered-twice-weekly-covid-tests/

 

AstraZeneca vaccine will be ready for use in mid-March

 

 

The first batch of 117,600 doses of AstraZeneca vaccine, which have already arrived in Thailand from South Korea, will have to go through a quality control reconfirmation process before they can be used, tentatively in the middle of March, according to the AstraZeneca pharmaceutical company.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1207755-astrazeneca-vaccine-will-be-ready-for-use-in-mid-march/

 

Thai MP Sira courting controversy but flirting with disaster

 

 

Although new to Parliament, Sira Jenjaka has lost no time in stealing the limelight from veteran MPs – drawing publicity for his outspoken views, belligerent talk and ability to take centre stage in one controversy after another.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1207756-thai-mp-sira-courting-controversy-but-flirting-with-disaster/

 

Bangla shooter released on bail

By Eakkapop Thongtub

 

Pornthep Channarong is escorted from Patong Police Station on Thursday (Feb 25). Photo: Eakkapop Thongtub

 

PHUKET: The drunken off-duty policeman who shot a noodle vendor on Bangla Rd on Tuesday (Feb 23) has been released on bail.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1207757-bangla-shooter-released-on-bail/

 

Leatherback turtle nest hatches on Kata Beach

By The Phuket News

 

A baby leatherback turtle makes its way across the sand at Kata Beach last night (Feb 27). Photo: DMCR

 

PHUKET: A total of 29 baby leatherback turtles broke through the sand and made their way into the sea at Kata Beach last night (Feb 26), as a large gathering of well-wishers stood back to watch.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1207759-leatherback-turtle-nest-hatches-on-kata-beach/

 

Phuket seafood festivals return to lure more tourists

By The Phuket News

 

The three-day ‘Roi Rim Lay’ seafood festival at Saphan Hin this weekend will be repeated in Patong and Cherng Talay in the hope of boosting incomes of local vendors. Photo: PR Phuket

 

PHUKET: The first of three large-scale seafood festivals was launched at Saphan Hin last night (Feb 26) in the hope of helping local people make an income by attracting more domestic tourists to the island.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1207760-phuket-seafood-festivals-return-to-lure-more-tourists/

 

Environment Minister inspects reef growing under Phang Nga sea

Tanakorn Sangiam

 

 

PHANG NGA (NNT) - The Minister of Natural Resources and the Environment has inspected the growth of baby coral under the sea in Phang Nga, where artificial reefs have been created.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1207762-environment-minister-inspects-reef-growing-under-phang-nga-sea/

 

Rayong requests 4,000 COVID-19 vaccine doses

Tanakorn Sangiam

 

 

BANGKOK (NNT) - Rayong province has asked the Center for COVID-19 Situation Administration for a special allocation of COVID-19 vaccine, citing repeated transmissions in the area.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1207764-rayong-requests-4000-covid-19-vaccine-doses/

 

Gen Prawit orders lasting solutions to water issues in the south

Praphorn Praphornkul

 

 

BANGKOK (NNT) - At a meeting of the Southern Border Provinces Development Commission, Deputy Prime Minister Gen Prawit Wongsuwan, has expressed concern over the cycle of flooding and drought and ordered relevant units to develop plans to remedy the situation.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1207765-gen-prawit-orders-lasting-solutions-to-water-issues-in-the-south/

 

Ko Samui Hospital rehearses COVID-19 vaccination process

Tanakorn Sangiam

 

 

SURAT THANI (NNT) - Ko Samui in Surat Thani is among areas in 13 provinces receiving the first doses of COVID-19 vaccine. Ko Samui Hospital today rehearsed vaccination steps to ensure a smooth operation, as the vaccine doses are expected to arrive at the hospital in a couple of days.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1207766-ko-samui-hospital-rehearses-covid-19-vaccination-process/

 

China, UAE join Thailand and HK in central bank digital currency project

Subhabhong Rarueysong

 

 

BANGKOK (NNT) - China and the United Arab Emirates have joined the cross-border digital transaction scheme named Project Inthanon-LionRock, which is a joint project between the Bank of Thailand (BOT) and the Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA).

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1207769-china-uae-join-thailand-and-hk-in-central-bank-digital-currency-project/