THAILAND LIVE Thailand Live Thursday 25 Mar 2021

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Hefty fines and jail time for anyone who breaches COVID-19 rules this Songkran, BMA warns

 

Picture: Thai PBS

 

Anyone who breaches strict rules put in place to limit the spread of COVID-19 during the Songkran holidays faces hefty fines and even jail time.  

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1211186-hefty-fines-and-jail-time-for-anyone-who-breaches-covid-19-rules-this-songkran-bma-warns/

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UK Govt proposal could be bad news for British tourists visiting Thailand

 

FILE PHOTO for reference only//Credit: Martyn Williams

 

Brits embarking on holidays to Thailand and other far flung destinations look set to be hit with higher taxes under new proposals outlined by the UK Government.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1211180-uk-govt-proposal-could-be-bad-news-for-british-tourists-visiting-thailand/

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Thai central bank holds rate at record low, trims 2021 growth forecast

 

FILE PHOTO: Thailand's central bank is seen at the Bank of Thailand in Bangkok, Thailand April 26, 2016. REUTERS/Jorge Silva/File Photo/File Photo

 

BANGKOK (Reuters) - Thailand's central bank left its key interest rate unchanged at a record low on Wednesday but slightly lowered its 2021 economic growth outlook as the tourism-reliant country recovers slowly from the COVID-19 pandemic.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1211261-thai-central-bank-holds-rate-at-record-low-trims-2021-growth-forecast/

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Phuket tour bus operators seek government help after a year of unemployment

 

 

Tour bus operators on Thailand’s resort island of Phuket are asking for help from the provincial administration after being sued for missing their lease repayments, with some facing bankruptcy, due to a year of unemployment due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1211319-phuket-tour-bus-operators-seek-government-help-after-a-year-of-unemployment/

 

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Row at Chiang Mai U. over a questionable artwork exhibited on campus

 

 

A heated argument is brewing between the administrators of Chiang Mai University and the Fine Arts Faculty, on one side, and the student council, as well as some anti-establishment students, on the other. The row is over the exhibition, in front of the art and culture gallery, of a tri-color Thai national flag with the blue stripe replaced with grey and anti-monarchy wording.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1211320-row-at-chiang-mai-u-over-a-questionable-artwork-exhibited-on-campus/

 

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Unexpectedly large crowd of protesters gather at Ratchaprasong intersection

 

 

Anti-establishment protesters gathered at the Ratchaprasong commercial centre in the heart of Bangkok this evening to hear speakers lambast Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha, demand the abolition of lèse majesté law and the release of all the Ratsadon leaders and followers being held on remand.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1211322-unexpectedly-large-crowd-of-protesters-gather-at-ratchaprasong-intersection/

 

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50:50 campaign may not get immediate extension

By Tanakorn Sangiam

 

   

BANGKOK (NNT) - The government’s 50:50 co-pay campaign expiring on 31st March may not be getting an immediate campaign extension. The Minister of Finance says campaign evaluation is needed to improve future campaigns.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1211324-5050-campaign-may-not-get-immediate-extension/

 

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Farmers can plant hemp after getting approval

By Tanakorn Sangiam

 

   

BANGKOK (NNT) - The Food and Drug Administration and the Department of Agriculture have issued regulations surrounding the cultivation of hemp by the general public, where the plant will remain listed as a narcotic, but farmers can apply for approval to grow it and utilize all its parts.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1211325-farmers-can-plant-hemp-after-getting-approval/

 

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Five attractions named Safety Zone in new tourism campaign

By Tanakorn Sangiam

 

   

BANGKOK (NNT) - In preparation for the return of tourists after the pandemic, the government as approved a Safety Zone campaign promoting safe tourism attractions. The Department of Tourism has now nominated five tourism areas across the country to pilot this campaign.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1211326-five-attractions-named-safety-zone-in-new-tourism-campaign/

 

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Bangkok to host "Longboard Dance Thailand 2021"

By Sirakij Pornbanggird

 

   

BANGKOK (NNT) - As skateboard riding is a very popular sport at present, the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration joined hands with le coq sportif Thailand, to hold "Longboard Dance Thailand 2021"

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1211327-bangkok-to-host-longboard-dance-thailand-2021/

 

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Cabinet resolutions for Songkran 2021

By Praphorn Praphornkul

 

   

BANGKOK (NNT) - A meeting of cabinet ministers yesterday (Mar 23) agreed to extend the use of the emergency decree for two more months, until May 31, and approved guidelines and measures to help limit the spread of COVID-19 during Songkran on the concept of "Songkran in New Normal, Inheriting Thai Culture".

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1211328-cabinet-resolutions-for-songkran-2021/

 

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Anutin observes police COVID-19 field hospital

By Tanakorn Sangiam

 

   

BANGKOK (NNT) - Detainees found infected with COVID-19 at immigration detention centers in Bangkok have been transported to the police’s field hospital for COVID-19 patients, converted from an indoor gym at the Royal Thai Police Sports Club.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1211329-anutin-observes-police-covid-19-field-hospital/

 

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SEC introduces infrastructure promoting capital markets’ digital transformation

By Tanakorn Sangiam

 

   

BANGKOK (NNT) - The Securities and Exchange Commission has introduced sandboxed digital infrastructure to support digital transformation of capital markets and the issuance of digital assets by securities companies, all in line with the government’s policy to elevate Thailand’s economy to a truly digital one.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1211330-sec-introduces-infrastructure-promoting-capital-markets’-digital-transformation/

 

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EU's vaccine failure is because it didn't 'shoot for the stars,' Macron says

 

French President Emmanuel Macron leaves after visiting a pharmacy amid COVID-19 pandemic in Valenciennes, France March 23, 2021. Yoan Valat/Pool via REUTERS

 

PARIS (Reuters) - European leaders failed to see that COVID-19 vaccines would be developed as soon as they were and this was why rollouts in the EU now lagged behind some other countries, French President Emmanuel Macron said in an interview broadcast on Wednesday.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1211331-eus-vaccine-failure-is-because-it-didnt-shoot-for-the-stars-macron-says/

 

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Merkel rejects vote of confidence over Easter lockdown reversal

By Joseph Nasr

 

FILE PHOTO: German Chancellor Angela Merkel speaks at a news conference after a meeting with state leaders to discuss options beyond the end of the pandemic lockdown, amid the outbreak of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19), in Berlin, Germany, March 23, 2021. Michael Kappeler/Pool via REUTERS

 

BERLIN (Reuters) -German Chancellor Angela Merkel on Wednesday rejected demands for a vote of confidence in her government over a U-turn on a circuit-breaker lockdown over Easter that compounded discontent with her handling of the coronavirus pandemic.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1211332-merkel-rejects-vote-of-confidence-over-easter-lockdown-reversal/

 

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Stranded Suez ship's owner, insurers face millions in claims

By Carolyn Cohn and Jonathan Saul

 

Workers are seen next to a container ship which was hit by strong wind and ran aground in Suez Canal, Egypt March 24, 2021. Suez Canal Authority/Handout via REUTERS

 

LONDON (Reuters) - The owner and insurers of one of the world's largest container ships stuck in the Suez Canal face claims totalling millions of dollars even if the ship is refloated quickly, industry sources said on Wednesday.

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1211334-stranded-suez-ships-owner-insurers-face-millions-in-claims/

 

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Koh Samui: Return to foreign tourism begins with "Samui Wonderland" pilot in July

 

Picture: Manager

 

The district chief of Koh Samui island in the south of Thailand told a meeting that foreign tourism would start to return in July.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1211339-koh-samui-return-to-foreign-tourism-begins-with-samui-wonderland-pilot-in-july/

 

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Anutin in discussion with "many countries" over vaccine travel bubble - but cagey over who they are

 

Picture: Daily News

 

Thailand DPM and health minister Anutin Charnvirakul told Daily News that he was in discussion with "many countries" to form so-called travel bubbles of vaccinated tourists. 

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1211342-anutin-in-discussion-with-many-countries-over-vaccine-travel-bubble-but-cagey-over-who-they-are/

 

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PM vows to combat corruption on OECD forum

 

Thai PBS World Tonight [24th March 2021]

 

Prime Minister General Prayut Chan-o-cha made a speech for the opening ceremony of the 2021 OECD Global Anti-Corruption & Integrity Forum, held in Paris, where he addressed their success on handling the COVID-19 pandemic and their efforts in tackling corruption.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1211343-pm-vows-to-combat-corruption-on-oecd-forum/

 

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Pattaya: One million doses of vaccine targeted ahead of October reopening

 

Picture: Manager

 

Officials in Pattaya hope to get a million doses of vaccine from the government to vaccinate people in Bang Lamung and Sattahip ahead of the reopening of large scale tourism in October.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1211346-pattaya-one-million-doses-of-vaccine-targeted-ahead-of-october-reopening/

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Thai man killed as violence flares in the street in Trat

 

Picture: Daily News

 

Police were called after violence flared last night in downtown Trad in the east of Thailand. 

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1211348-thai-man-killed-as-violence-flares-in-the-street-in-trat/

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Thailand mulls ambitious bid to co-host 2034 FIFA World Cup

 

Image: FIFA

 

The Thai government is once again looking at the possibility of Thailand hosting the 2034 FIFA World Cup.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1211351-thailand-mulls-ambitious-bid-to-co-host-2034-fifa-world-cup/

 

 

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Thailand sticks to 4% GDP growth target this year - deputy PM

 

FILE PHOTO: Construction workers are seen in a building in Bangkok, Thailand March 8, 2017. Picture taken March 8, 2017. REUTERS/Jorge Silva/File Photo

 

BANGKOK (Reuters) - Thailand is maintaining its economic growth target of 4% this year, supported by fiscal measures as well as authorities' containment of a new coronavirus outbreak and vaccine distribution plans, a deputy prime minister said on Thursday.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1211356-thailand sticks-to-4-gdp-growth-target-this-year-deputy-pm/

 

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Songkran 2021: Here's what you can and can't do 

 

Picture: Sanook

 

Thai media Sanook published clear details of what you can and can't do at this year's Songkran celebration or Thai New Year next month.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1211357-songkran-2021-heres-what-you-can-and-cant-do /

 

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Sim Cards: Thai couple ripped off 2,000 people to the tune of millions, say PCT

 

Picture: INN

 

The head of Thailand's tech police or PCT and deputy RTP commissioner Pol Gen Damrongsak Kitipraphat announced the arrest of a husband and wife who sold bogus sim cards on Facebook on a page called Import Group.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1211358-sim-cards-thai-couple-ripped-off-2000-people-to-the-tune-of-millions-say-pct/

 

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From prison camp to ballot box: North Korean defector seeks British election win

By Natalie Thomas, Andy Bruce and Phil Noble

 

Jihyun Park, who fled North Korea before settling in Britain, poses for a photograph after deciding to stand for election as a Conservative party candidate in the upcoming local elections in the Moorside Ward in Bury, Britain, March 22, 2021. REUTERS/Phil Noble

 

BURY, England (Reuters) - Sixteen years after she was left to die unremembered outside a labour camp in North Korea, Jihyun Park will enter the British political history books if she wins office in local elections this May.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1211360-from-prison-camp-to-ballot-box-north-korean-defector-seeks-british-election-win/

 

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Thailand orders lingerie maker to compensate workers in rare case

By Nanchanok Wongsamuth

 

FILE PHOTO

 

BANGKOK (Thomson Reuters Foundation) - A Thai lingerie manufacturer has been ordered by authorities to compensate more than 1,200 workers who were dismissed without severance pay and wages owed to them when the factory shut down.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1211361-thailand-orders-lingerie-maker-to-compensate-workers-in-rare-case/

 

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Thailand aims to be hub of medical wellness and cannabis retreats

 

Picture: Manager

 

Thailand has been declared the hub of medical wellness tourism worldwide.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1211362-thailand-aims-to-be-hub-of-medical-wellness-and-cannabis-retreats/

 

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North East: jealous drug crazed husband slashes wife to death, puts her in sack and dumps her in the pond

 

Picture: Sanook

 

Kamalasai police captain Watcharin Mirae was called to the village of Ban Bung Hai after relatives of a woman found her floating in a pond in a sack around 9.30 pm on Tuesday. 

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1211363-north-east-jealous-drug-crazed-husband-slashes-wife-to-death-puts-her-in-sack-and-dumps-her-in-the-pond/

 

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No bail for drug suspect's foreign cats - they go under the hammer next month

 

Picture: Naew Na

 

They were an unusual seizure as part of a drugs bust of a man known as "Kuk Rayong" (the Rayong cook).

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1211364-no-bail-for-drug-suspects-foreign-cats-they-go-under-the-hammer-next-month/