THAILAND LIVE Thailand Live Wednesday 30 June 2021

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Thailand loses 550,000 tourism jobs in Q2 after new virus wave

 

A man rakes the sand on a beach as Phuket gets ready to open to overseas tourists from July 1 allowing fully vaccinated foreigns to visit the resort island without quarantine, Phuket, Thailand June 29, 2021. REUTERS/Jorge Silva

 

BANGKOK (Reuters) - Thailand lost 550,000 tourism jobs in the second quarter, a private industry group said on Tuesday, as the tourism-reliant economy struggles with a third wave of coronavirus infections.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1222140-thailand-loses-550000-tourism-jobs-in-q2-after-new-virus-wave/

 

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Thai tiger park hopes to roar back to life as foreign tourists return

 

A South African cheetah sits near its trainer at its confinement cage in Tiger Kingdom zoo, as Phuket gets ready to open its doors to overseas tourists from July 1 allowing fully vaccinated foreigners to visit the resort island without quarantine, Phuket, Thailand June 28, 2021. Picture taken June 28, 2021. REUTERS/Jorge Silva

 

PHUKET, Thailand (Reuters) - A Thai tiger park in Phuket is gearing up to welcome back overseas visitors this week, as businesses on the resort island hope to benefit from a pilot programme to allow fully vaccinated tourists in the Southeast Asian country.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1222112-thai-tiger-park-hopes-to-roar-back-to-life-as-foreign-tourists-return/

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Extremely Cold Storage Caused Gel in Sinovac Vaccine

 

 

BANGKOK, June 29 (TNA) – Officials found gel inside 110 vials of Sinovac vaccine for COVID-19 because they were kept in too low temperatures.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1222073-gel-like-substance-found-in-110-bottles-of-sinovac’s-covid-19-vaccine/?do=findComment&comment=16608686

 

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Agreement signed for donation of 1.05m doses of AstraZeneca vaccine by Japan to Thailand

 

Photo: Thailand’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs

 

An agreement was signed, between the Thai and Japanese governments today (Tuesday), for the donation by Japan of 1.05 million doses of AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine, with the delivery to Thailand scheduled on July 9th.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1222144-agreement-signed-for-donation-of-105m-doses-of-astrazeneca-vaccine-by-japan-to-thailand/

 

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Armed man forces his way into hotel in Krabi to free his quarantined wife and son

 

 

A man was arrested by police at a poultry farm in Muang district of Thailand’s southern province of Krabi today (Tuesday), just hours after he shot his way into a hotel, where his wife and son were quarantined, to take them back home.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1222145-armed-man-forces-his-way-into-hotel-in-krabi-to-free-his-quarantined-wife-and-son/

 

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Bangkok opens 10 more ‘hospitels’ for asymptomatic COVID-19 patients

 

 

The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA), in cooperation with four hospitals and nine hotels in the capital, has agreed to open ten additional “hospitels”, which will have a combined capacity of 4,424 beds, to accommodate asymptomatic COVID-19 cases and patients with mild symptoms.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1222146-bangkok-opens-10-more-‘hospitels’-for-asymptomatic-covid-19-patients/

 

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PM Prayut to grace Phuket Sandbox launch

By The Phuket News

 

Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha is to visit Phuket on Thursday (July 1) for the official opening of the Phuket Sandbox tourism scheme. Photo: NNT

 

PHUKET: Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha will fly to Phuket on Thursday to preside over the opening ceremony of the Phuket Sandbox tourism scheme.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1222147-pm-prayut-to-grace-phuket-sandbox-launch/

 

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Media mogul faces online backlash after offering to takeover restaurants

By Panithan Onthaworn

 

 

JKN Global Media’s chief executive, Jakkaphong “Anne” Jakrajutatip, faced online backlash on Tuesday after offering to take over troubled restaurants that were suffering after the lockdown of Bangkok.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1222148-media-mogul-faces-online-backlash-after-offering-to-takeover-restaurants/

 

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UPDATE:

 

Thailand’s tourism confidence plunges to all-time low ahead of reopening

By Suchat Sritama

 

Thailand’s government targets three million foreign tourists this year under a phased reopening plan

 

Thailand’s tourism confidence index in 2Q2021 fell to a 10-year low of 11 points as the ongoing pandemic hampered recovery and dampened business confidence, but the Tourism Council of Thailand (TCT) is optimistic of a rebound when the country reopens to international visitors this week.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1222140-thailand-loses-550000-tourism-jobs-in-q2-after-new-virus-wave/?do=findComment&comment=16609449

 

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Groups Urge Thailand to Step Up Action to Protect Foreign Fishermen

Nontarat Phaicharoen and Mariyam Ahmad
Bangkok and Pattani, Thailand

 

Migrant workers sort fish and seafood unloaded from a fishing ship at a port in Samut Sakhon province, Thailand, Jan. 22, 2018// Reuters

 

Advocacy groups representing foreign workers in Thailand’s seafood industry called on the government Tuesday to ensure that employment contracts are made transparent, and to act to prevent workplace exploitation or abuses aboard Thai-owned fishing boats.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1222149-groups-urge-thailand-to-step-up-action-to-protect-foreign-fishermen/

 

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Chonburi monk arrested with crystal meth after reportedly attacking his girlfriend

By Goong Nang(GN)

 

 

Chonburi-A Buddhist monk was arrested and charged as he was found in possession of crystal methamphetamine after Chonburi police were called to a domestic disturbance at a rental room in Samet over the past weekend.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1222150-chonburi-monk-arrested-with-crystal-meth-after-reportedly-attacking-his-girlfriend/

 

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COVID-19: Thailand reports new daily record of 53 deaths; 4,786 new cases

 

REUTERS FILE PHOTO for reference only
 

Thailand on Wednesday (June 30) reported 4,786 new COVID-19 cases and 53 additional deaths over the past 24 hours. 

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1222160-covid-19-thailand-reports-new-daily-record-of-53-deaths-4786-new-cases/

 

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Public health minister gives moral support to embattled Dr. Yong Poovorawan

 

 

Public Health Minister Anutin Charnvirakul has given moral support to Dr. Yong Poovorawan, head of Chulalongkorn University’s Centre of Excellence in Clinical Virology, who is under pressure by an online campaign for his removal from the centre over his support of government vaccination policies without sufficient medical evidence.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1222166-public-health-minister-gives-moral-support-to-embattled-dr-yong-poovorawan/

 

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Thailand's booming autos exports help plug gaping tourism hole

By Orathai Sriring and Satawasin Staporncharnchai

 

FILE PHOTO: Employees work at an assembly line in the Toyota manufacturing plant located in Chachoengsao province, east of Bangkok November 7, 2012. REUTERS/Chaiwat Subprasom/File Photo

 

BANGKOK (Reuters) - As tourism-reliant Thailand struggles with a collapse in foreign visitors, the country's auto sector is picking up some of the slack with the value of car exports tipped to surge to a record this year as the global economy reopens.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1222168-thailands-booming-autos-exports-help-plug-gaping-tourism-hole/

 

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Moderna’s COVID-19 vaccine shows promise against Delta variant in lab study

 

Photo by Fred TANNEAU / AFP

 

(Reuters) – Moderna Inc’s (MRNA.O) COVID-19 vaccine showed promise against the Delta variant first identified in India in a lab study, with a modest decrease in response compared to the original strain, the drugmaker said on Tuesday.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1222172-moderna’s-covid-19-vaccine-shows-promise-against-delta-variant-in-lab-study/

 

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Immigration latest: Dutchman selling dodgy cars, Chinese taking out babies and illegal Cambodians

 

Picture: Daily News

 

The head of Thailand's Immigration Bureau Lt-Gen Sompong Chingduang gave details of the latest arrests of foreigners up to no good in the kingdom. 

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1222176-immigration-latest-dutchman-selling-dodgy-cars-chinese-taking-out-babies-and-illegal-cambodians/

 

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Covid infection latest: Six provinces with no cases, nine provinces with more than 100

 

File photo

 

Daily News reported that there were now only six provinces in Thailand where there were no cases of Covid-19. This was down from 20 and as a result of workers going back up-country to their hometowns.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1222177-covid-infection-latest-six-provinces-with-no-cases-nine-provinces-with-more-than-100/

 

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Man faces year in jail after huge cannabis farm found in Bangkok

 

Picture: Daily News

 

Certain regulations in Thailand about marijuana products may have been eased in recent years but Daily News reported on a case that is a timely reminder that recreational use and certainly the growing of the drug for that purpose remains punishable by heavy fines or years in prison.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1222178-man-faces-year-in-jail-after-huge-cannabis-farm-found-in-bangkok/

 

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Phuket Sandbox rules tweaked

By The Phuket News

 

 

PHUKET: The rules for vaccinated foreign tourists to enter Thailand from tomorrow (July 1) under the ‘Phuket Sandbox’ scheme have been published in the Royal Gazette, with some changes and clarifications to several important rules for tourists wanting to come to Thailand.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1222184-phuket-sandbox-rules-tweaked/

 

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Chinese tourists will return to Thailand in October - "great opportunity" say tourism chiefs

 

Picture: Thai Rath

 

A deputy at the Tourism Council of Thailand told Thai Rath that Chinese tourists would start returning to Thailand from October. 

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1222185-chinese-tourists-will-return-to-thailand-in-october-great-opportunity-say-tourism-chiefs/

 

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U-turn! Plans for five day July holiday are OFF as Thai government DON'T want you to travel after all

 

Picture: Daily News

 

In a startling U-turn the Thai cabinet yesterday decided to cancel Tuesday July 27th as a nationwide public holiday. 

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1222186-u-turn-plans-for-five-day-july-holiday-are-off-as-thai-government-dont-want-you-to-travel-after-all/

 

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Phetchaburi: Famous naughty elephant now helps himself to cat food!

 

Picture: Daily News

 

Officials at the Kaeng Krachan national park in Phetchaburi province were alerted after two wild elephants went to a market area at the Chalerm Prakiat Pattana housing estate. 

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1222187-phetchaburi-famous-naughty-elephant-now-helps-himself-to-cat-food/

 

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‘Walk-in’ vaccinations of those aged 75+ begin today at Bang Sue Grand Station

 

 

People aged 75 and over can get vaccinated at Bang Sue Grand Station in Bangkok, from today until July 18th, without registration, in a bid to increase the number the elderly being inoculated, which remains low, according to the Department of Medical Sciences.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1222191-‘walk-in’-vaccinations-of-those-aged-75-begin-today-at-bang-sue-grand-station/

 

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Hua Hin: Local authority working on app to register people for 50,000 doses of Sinopharm

 

Picture: Ban Muang

 

Mayoral advisor Aphikhun Sirakhunchai said after a meeting of local officials in Hua Hin yesterday that they would be spending 50 million baht on Sinopharm vaccine.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1222194-hua-hin-local-authority-working-on-app-to-register-people-for-50000-doses-of-sinopharm/

 

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Thai netizens amused after family dog steals grandma’s false teeth

 

Picture: Daily News

 

Thai social media was having a great laugh yesterday after a family posted that there was a great kerfuffle when gran's false teeth went missing.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1222197-thai-netizens-amused-after-family-dog-steals-grandma’s-false-teeth/

 

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Knifeman escapes with 60 baht weight in gold jewellery from Lotus in Pathum Thani

 

Picture: Daily News

 

Pathum Thani provincial police are investigating after a man armed with a knife stole 60 baht weight in gold jewelry from Bangkok Golds on the second floor of the Lotus store in Klong 2 Lam Lukka last night.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1222198-knifeman-escapes-with-60-baht-weight-in-gold-jewellery-from-lotus-in-pathum-thani/

 

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Still no repairs after music teacher falls into the sewage

 

Picture: Sanook

 

Sanook reported on a case of a 64 year old owner of a music school in Chachoengsao in central Thailand who fell down a drain and was covered in sewage. 

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1222201-still-no-repairs-after-music-teacher-falls-into-the-sewage/

 

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Thailand will open to tourism in mid-October

 

Photo : Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT)

 

After more than the six weeks of combating the upticks in virus infections throughout the country, the Prayut government announced last Wednesday that Thailand will be open for tourists to visit within 120 days. This would mean that by the morning of October 15, visitors from local and abroad can travel in Thailand without any quarantine providing that they have been fully vaccinated.

 

Full Story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1222229-thailand-will-open-to-tourism-in-mid-october/

 

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As Thai tourist island reopens, small businesses say left behind

 

Dimitry and Alona from Ukraine swim at Patong beach as Phuket prepares to open to overseas tourists from July 1, allowing foreigners fully vaccinated against the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) to visit the resort island without quarantine, in Phuket, Thailand June 30, 2021. REUTERS/Jorge Silva

 

PHUKET, Thailand (Reuters) - As Thailand's government prepares to celebrate its reopening to foreign tourists this week, many businesses on the holiday island of Phuket aren't so enthusiastic about the return of visitors.

 

Full Story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1222231-as-thai-tourist-island-reopens-small-businesses-say-left-behind/

 

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Patong top choice for Phuket Sandbox bookings

 

Patong Mayor Chalermsak Maneesri conducts an inspection along the Patong beachfront as part of the preparations to welcome Phuket Sandbox tourists. Photo: Patong Municipality

 

PHUKET: Patong is the top choice of locations for bookings made under the Phuket Sandbox scheme, which starts tomorrow (July 1), Phuket Governor Narong Woonciew has confirmed.

 

Full Story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1222232-patong-top-choice-for-phuket-sandbox-bookings/