THAILAND LIVE Thailand Live Wednesday 28 Apr 2021

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Travelling Phuket expats test positive on return home

 

Photo: PR Phuket

 

PHUKET:-- Two expats from Phuket have tested positive for COVID-19 at the checkpoint leading onto the island while trying to return home from travelling off-island. One of them is an Italian man who returned from a trip to Krabi, the other is a Belgium man who had returned from Bangkok after visiting the Belgium embassy to renew his passport.

 

Full Story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1215221-travelling-phuket-expats-test-positive-on-return-home/

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Anutin vows to work with doctors despite backlash

 

 

BANGKOK (NNT) - The Minister of Public Health has been criticized for the handling of the COVID-19 situation, with a campaign launched online to have him removed from his position. The Health Minister yesterday posted on his Facebook account to thank people who continue to support him, stressing that he will continue to work with medical and healthcare workers to help the people.

 

Full Story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1215230-anutin-vows-to-work-with-doctors-despite-backlash/

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PM appointed Thailand’s “COVID Czar” in sole charge of handling the pandemic

 

 

The Thai cabinet today (Tuesday) designated Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha as the sole authority in charge of all responsibilities and duties, previously vested in his ministers, to deal with the current COVID-19 pandemic.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1215251-pm-appointed-thailand’s-“covid-czar”-in-sole-charge-of-handling-the-pandemic/

 

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JCR Maintains Thailand’s Credit-rating Ceiling at “A-”

By Paphamon Arayasukawat

 

   

BANGKOK (NNT) - The Finance Ministry has reported on Monday that the Japan Credit Rating (JCR) Agency has maintained Thailand’s credit-rating ceiling at “A-” with a “stable” outlook.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1215253-jcr-maintains-thailand’s-credit-rating-ceiling-at-“a-”/

 

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Government Plans New Measures to Remedy Fresh COVID-19 Wave Impact

By Paphamon Arayasukawat

 

   

BANGKOK (NNT) - The government plans to prepare more than 300 billion baht’s worth of new measures to help reduce people’s expenses and stimulate domestic consumption battered by a fresh wave of Covid-19 infections.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1215254-government-plans-new-measures-to-remedy-fresh-covid-19-wave-impact/

 

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Sports Stadia to become latest COVID-19 Field Hospitals in Bangkok

By Paphamon Arayasukawat

 

   

BANGKOK (NNT) - The Public Health Ministry has selected Bangkok’s main sports stadiums and training facilities to be transformed into new Covid-19 field hospitals, as the number of new infections continues to rise.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1215255-sports-stadia-to-become-latest-covid-19-field-hospitals-in-bangkok/

 

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Nothing to fear, nothing to lose – Kobkarn Wattanavrangkul

By Nad Bunnag, Thai PBS World

 

Image Credit: Kobkarn Wattanavrangkul

 

Bringing good things to life means that whatever we are doing, be it business, industry, banking, tourism or sport, you help people to have a better life, especially people in Thailand.”

 

This is Kobkarn Wattanavrangkul’s personal philosophy in life. She is widely acknowledged as being one of the most successful businesswomen in Thailand, and once served as the country’s Minister of Tourism and Sports. 

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1215256-nothing-to-fear-nothing-to-lose-–-kobkarn-wattanavrangkul/

 

 

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UPDATE:

 

Thailand starts stricter COVID-19 shutdown, but experts say not enough

By Panarat Thepgumpanat and Chayut Setboonsarng

 

A shopkeeper is seen behind a protecting plastic curtain as the country struggles with a third wave of infections of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak in Bangkok Thailand April 26, 2021. REUTERS/Jorge Silva

 

BANGKOK (Reuters) - Thailand's government slapped restrictions on travel from India on Monday over concerns of imported coronavirus cases and closed more venues in Bangkok, even as it came under fire for not doing enough to contain a spike in infections.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1215111-thailand-starts-stricter-covid-19-shutdown-but-experts-say-not-enough/?do=findComment&comment=16423038

 

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Koh Chang to remain open to tourists but strict screening measures now in place

 

File photo

 

Koh Chang is set to remain open to tourists, despite a rise in COVID-19 cases on the island.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1215261-koh-chang-to-remain-open-to-tourists-but-strict-screening-measures-now-in-place/

 

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EXCLUSIVE: Government inaction blocking private hospital vaccine purchase despite Prayut promise

By Cod Satrusayang

 

 

Despite promises made by Prime Minister Prayut Chan-ocha, government hurdles and red-tape have made it impossible for private hospitals to acquire vaccines on their own despite having the agency and connections to make it happen.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1215266-exclusive-government-inaction-blocking-private-hospital-vaccine-purchase-despite-prayut-promise/

 

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Coalition partner parties add to mounting government criticisms

By Erich Parpart and Cod Satrusayang

 

 

A growing number of parliamentarians from coalition partner parties are criticizing the government’s Covid-19 response plan, adding to the mounting criticisms aimed at Prime Minister Prayut Chan-ocha.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1215267-coalition-partner-parties-add-to-mounting-government-criticisms/

 

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Bangkok: Middle eastern couple arrested on long overstay in Sukhumvit

 

 

Immigration police were suspicious of a couple on a motorcycle in the parking lot of the First Tower in Sukhumvit Soi 1, Bangkok.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1215268-bangkok-middle-eastern-couple-arrested-on-long-overstay-in-sukhumvit/

 

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People in Korat who won't reveal timelines face fines and jail

 

Picture: Daily News

 

The governor of the north eastern Thai province of Nakhon Ratchasima Wichian Jantharanothai has threatened people who do not reveal where they have been and other data will be jailed for one year and/or fined 10,000 baht.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1215271-people-in-korat-who-wont-reveal-timelines-face-fines-and-jail/

 

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Thailand reports 2,012 new coronavirus cases, 15 new deaths

 

FILE PHOTO: A healthcare worker takes a nasal swab sample from a person for a coronavirus disease (COVID-19) test, as the country deals with a fresh wave of infections after tackling earlier outbreaks, in Bangkok, Thailand April 16, 2021. REUTERS/Athit Perawongmetha/File Photo

 

BANGKOK, April 28 (Reuters) - Thailand on Wednesday reported 2,012 new coronavirus cases, bringing the country's total number of confirmed infections to 61,699 since the pandemic began last year.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1215275-thailand-reports-2012-new-coronavirus-cases-15-new-deaths/

 

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Chonburi reports 108 new COVID-19 cases

 

FILE PHOTO for reference only

 

Health officials  in Chonburi on Wednesday reported 108 new COVID-19 cases, bringing the total number of cases in the province to 2,153.

 

Full story:  https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1215283-chonburi-reports-108-new-covid-19-cases/

 

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Hua Hin reports just 9 new COVID-19 cases as new infections across the province fall significantly

 

FILE PHOTO for reference only

 

Health officials in Prachuap Khiri Khan reported that there were just 9 new COVID-19 cases in Hua Hin on Wednesday and only a total of 11 throughout the whole province.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1215285-hua-hin-reports-just-9-new-covid-19-cases-as-new-infections-across-the-province-fall-significantly/

 

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Phuket foreigners told to be COVID ‘socially responsible’ or face expulsion

By The Phuket News

 

From left: Matthew Barclay, Australian Consul-General to Phuket; Phuket Governor Narong Woonciew; Seven Smulders, Honorary Consul to Phuket for the Netherlands; and Phuket Vice Governor Piyapong Choowong. Photo: PR Phuket Photo: PR Phuket

 

PHUKET: Foreigners in Phuket caught ignoring COVID prevention measures and acting in a manner deemed to be not “socially responsible” will face legal penalties and may even face being kicked out of the country.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1215290-phuket-foreigners-told-to-be-covid-‘socially-responsible’-or-face-expulsion/

 

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Pattaya: Go out without a mask and face a fine - pay 6K on the spot for first offence

 

PIcture: Sophon Cable TV

 

The district chief of Bang Lamung that encompasses Pattaya said that officers from the Department of Provincial Administration and the police were out checking that everyone was wearing a mask outside their homes. 

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1215292-pattaya-go-out-without-a-mask-and-face-a-fine-pay-6k-on-the-spot-for-first-offence/

 

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Scary moment: Bit of metal thrown up by pick-up in front shatters windshield

 

 

Channel 3 featured a video (that cannot be embedded here) that showed a piece of metal lying in the road being thrown up by a pick-up.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1215293-scary-moment-bit-of-metal-thrown-up-by-pick-up-in-front-shatters-windshield/

 

 

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Pantip Plaza gold shop robber arrested - nearly all 38 baht weight recovered

 

Picture: Daily News

 

Deputy commander of the Royal Thai Police Pol Gen Suchart Theerasawat announced the arrest of a 21 year old man yesterday after a gold shop robbery in Bangkok last week.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1215294-pantip-plaza-gold-shop-robber-arrested-nearly-all-38-baht-weight-recovered/

 

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Work from home: Company won't pay salary for group who caught Covid after dining at a mall

 

Picture: Sanook

 

Sanook published a story from a Facebook user that they said served as a warning for people given permission to work from home. 

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1215295-work-from-home-company-wont-pay-salary-for-group-who-caught-covid-after-dining-at-a-mall/

 

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Covid-19 Cases in Bangkok Will Be Sent to Samut Prakan and Samut Sakhon

By Paphamon Arayasukawat

 

   

BANGKOK (NNT) - The Ministry of Public Health is sending the overflow of Covid-19 cases in Bangkok to adjacent Samut Prakan and Samut Sakhon provinces for treatment.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1215300-covid-19-cases-in-bangkok-will-be-sent-to-samut-prakan-and-samut-sakhon/

 

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DMS Approves Siam Bioscience’s AstraZeneca Vaccine

By Paphamon Arayasukawat

 

   

BANGKOK (NNT) - The Department of Medical Sciences (DMS) has approved the standard for samples of AstraZeneca vaccine licensed to be produced locally, which has been registered with the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and was manufactured using AstraZeneca’s viral vector technology.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1215303-dms-approves-siam-bioscience’s-astrazeneca-vaccine/

 

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Fines for not wearing masks outside: Police can use their discretion, says RTP spokesman

 

Picture INN

 

A spokesman for the Royal Thai Police has said that officers can use their discretion when it comes to fining people not wearing masks outside their homes.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1215305-fines-for-not-wearing-masks-outside-police-can-use-their-discretion-says-rtp-spokesman/

 

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Thai March factory output up 4.12% y/y, slightly below forecast

 

FILE PHOTO: Labourers work at a garment factory in Bangkok, Thailand, May 30, 2016. Picture taken May 30, 2016. REUTERS/Athit Perawongmetha/File Photo

 

BANGKOK (Reuters) - Thailand's manufacturing production index (MPI) in March rose 4.12% from a year earlier, its first annual increase in 23 months, due in part to a low base effect, the industry ministry said on Wednesday.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1215307-thai-march-factory-output-up-412-yy-slightly-below-forecast/

 

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Prachuap hospital appeals for blood donations amid critical shortage

 

Picture: Talk News Online

 

The director of Prachuap Khiri Khan hospital Dr Pongphat Theeranantachai has made an urgent appeal for donations of blood.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1215313-prachuap-hospital-appeals-for-blood-donations-amid-critical-shortage/

 

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60+ provinces in Thailand now issuing fines for not wearing face masks

 

Image: Reuters file photo

 

More than 60 provinces in Thailand are now issuing fines for anyone who fails to wear a face mask when leaving their home.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1214850-60-provinces-in-thailand-now-issuing-fines-for-not-wearing-face-masks/

 

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Higher, faster, deadlier: Third wave of COVID triggers growing fear in Thailand    

By Thai PBS World’s General Desk 

 

 

A grim warning has been issued by a leading medical expert as Thailand grapples with its third and worst wave of COVID-19: expect a double-digit death toll to become regular daily occurrence.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1215320-higher-faster-deadlier-third-wave-of-covid-triggers-growing-fear-in-thailand/

 

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All bridges to Phuket to close late night as health officials ‘exhausted’

The Phuket News

 

Image: PR Phuket

 

PHUKET: All bridges onto and off the island are to be closed to all traffic, except emergency service vehicles and trucks delivering goods, from 11pm to 5am each night to help exhausted health officers cope with the volume of people being checked for COVID-19, Phuket Vice Governor Piyapong Choowong confirmed. 

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1215327-all-bridges-to-phuket-to-close-late-night-as-health-officials-‘exhausted’/

 

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Lockdown proposed for Bangkok and five other Deep Red zone provinces

 

A dog stands between covered vans for tourist transport parked along an alley outside a closed travel agency in Bangkok on April 8, 2021. (Photo by Mladen ANTONOV / AFP)

 

The Centre for COVID-19 Situation Administration (CCSA), headed by Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha, will be asked to impose lockdowns in the six Deep Red zone provinces, where the rates of new infections are not slowing.

 

Full Story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1215340-lockdown-proposed-for-bangkok-and-five-other-deep-red-zone-provinces/