THAILAND LIVE Thailand Live Wednesday 14 July 2021

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Thailand bans talking on trains as precaution against COVID-19

 

Image: File photo

 

Thailand’s Department of Rail Transport (DRT) has requested that passengers no longer talk on trains in order to help prevent the spread of COVID-19.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1223892-thailand-bans-talking-on-trains-as-precaution-against-covid-19/

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COVID-19 vaccine research: Mixed doses result in greater boost

 

 

BANGKOK (NNT) - Following the National Communicable Disease Committee’s decision to allow people to receive a dose of the AstraZeneca vaccine after getting a first shot of Sinovac, because academic studies indicate that changing the vaccine improves the overall efficacy, making the inoculation equivalent to having received two AstraZeneca doses, Head of the Center of Excellence in Clinical Virology at the Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, Prof. Dr. Yong Poovorawan, has provided a briefing on this topic.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1223896-covid-19-vaccine-research-mixed-doses-result-in-greater-boost/

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299 people found to have broken Thailand’s curfew on the first night

 

 

Police arrested 299 people at police checkpoints for allegedly breaking the newly imposed curfew in 10 provinces, between 9pm last night and 4am this morning, the first night the latest stay-at-home order has been effect, according to Police Spokesman Pol. Maj. Gen. Yingyot Thepjamnong.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1223899-299-people-found-to-have-broken-thailand’s-curfew-on-the-first-night/

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UPDATE:

 

Thai Government launches financial rescue packages for “Dark Red” provinces

 

Bangkok on July 12, 2021, on the first day of stricter lockdown restrictions to try to contain the spread of the Covid-19 coronavirus. (Photo by Lillian SUWANRUMPHA / AFP)

 

Thailand’s cabinet has rolled out financial packages to help employees and employers in nine types of business and freelancers in the 10 province most affected by the latest lockdown measures. The financial assistance will be for one month, but may be extended if the situation warrants it, said Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1223932-thailand-agrees-13-billion-of-measures-to-ease-impact-of-covid-19-curbs/?do=findComment&comment=16650293

 

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Probe urged for permit allowing for Ming Dih Chemical to increase production capacity

 

 

Thailand’s Industry Minister Suriya Jungrungreangkit has been urged, by an environmental advocacy group known as Ecological Alert and Recovery – Thailand (EARTH), to investigate why Ming Dih Chemical, whose factory exploded last week, was allowed to increase its production capacity of Styrofoam pellets, despite the fact that it is surrounded by communities and is not far from Suvarnabhumi International Airport.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1223945-probe-urged-for-permit-allowing-for-ming-dih-chemical-to-increase-production-capacity/

 

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Thai study shows antibody levels after 2 doses of Sinovac drop 50% every 40 days

 

 

Clinical research has shown that the antibody levels in a person fully inoculated with two doses of the Chinese-made Sinovac vaccine drops by half every 40 days, according to Dr. Anan Jongkaewwattana, a virology researcher at the National Centre for Engineering and Biotechnology (BIOTEC).

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1223946-thai-study-shows-antibody-levels-after-2-doses-of-sinovac-drop-50-every-40-days/

 

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Opposition leader urges government to plan for looming shortage of ventilators, oxygen

By Erich Parpart

 

 

The government should come up with an emergency plan to cope with the looming shortages of ventilators and oxygen tanks, an opposition leader said on Tuesday.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1223947-opposition-leader-urges-government-to-plan-for-looming-shortage-of-ventilators-oxygen/

 

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Phuket remains open to intl visitors

By Tanakorn Sangiam

 

   

BANGKOK (NNT) - The government has confirmed Phuket remains open to international tourists visiting as part of the Phuket Sandbox campaign for quarantine-free tourism, denying rumors of the campaign’s termination.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1223948-phuket-remains-open-to-intl-visitors/

 

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Thai Cabinet approves Emergency Decree to be extended until at least the end of September

By Adam Judd

 

 

Thailand-  The Thai Cabinet has approved, for the 13th time, an extension of the Emergency Decree from August 1st until at least the end of September as of this afternoon, July 13th, 2021.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1223949-thai-cabinet-approves-emergency-decree-to-be-extended-until-at-least-the-end-of-september/

 

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Koh Larn and beaches open for now, local business operators say contrary to rumors online Bangkok residents have not fled en masse to Pattaya

By Goong Nang(GN)

 

 

Koh Larn, Pattaya – Strict Covid-19 restrictions in maximum control zones have affected Koh Larn and Pattaya as domestic tourists have paused their travelling and booking, according to local officials and business operators.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1223950-koh-larn-and-beaches-open-for-now-local-business-operators-say-contrary-to-rumors-online-bangkok-residents-have-not-fled-en-masse-to-pattaya/

 

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Concerns over livelihood outweigh Covid-19 fears in Thailand's deep red zones

Tan Tam Mei

Thailand Correspondent

 

The state of Thailand's tourist industry is reflected in the dim alleyways of the famed Chatuchak weekend market.ST PHOTO: TAN TAM MEI

 

BANGKOK - Lotus Massage Parlour reopened its doors in mid-June and barely a month later, tighter Covid-19 restrictions forced it to shutter again.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1223951-concerns-over-livelihood-outweigh-covid-19-fears-in-thailands-deep-red-zones/

 

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Thailand reports 9,317 new COVID-19 cases, 87 more deaths

 

File photo//REUTERS

 

Thailand on Wednesday (July 14) reported 9,317 new COVID-19 cases and 87 additional deaths over the past 24 hours. 

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1223954-thailand-reports-9317-new-covid-19-cases-87-more-deaths/

 

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Bangkok and nine lockdown provinces get electricity/water bill reduction for two months - check February to know how much

 

File photo

 

The Thai cabinet yesterday approved reductions in the cost of electricity and water bills for the ten provinces affected by the lockdown.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1223965-bangkok-and-nine-lockdown-provinces-get-electricitywater-bill-reduction-for-two-months-check-february-to-know-how-much/

 

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How Thailand rode out COVID waves only to be hit by ‘virus tsunami’ 

By Thai PBS World’s General Desk

 

 

The latest wave of COVID-19 in Thailand has dwarfed its predecessors, with daily figures surging to nearly 10,000 new cases and almost 100 deaths. So, how did Thailand get to this point after doing so well to contain the first wave last year?

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1223970-how-thailand-rode-out-covid-waves-only-to-be-hit-by-‘virus-tsunami’ /

 

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Ministry of Labour says BMA blocking Covid-19 tests for construction worker camps

By Cod Satrusayang

 

 

The Ministry of Labour said on Wednesday that it is unable to conduct Covid-19 tests in sealed up construction worker camps because the Bangkok Governor’s office will not give it the necessary permission.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1223971-ministry-of-labour-says-bma-blocking-covid-19-tests-for-construction-worker-camps/

 

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Singapore economy stumbles, but Q2 GDP pace fastest in a decade

By Aradhana Aravindan

 

FILE PHOTO: A ship docks at Keppel terminal in Singapore November 17, 2020. REUTERS/Edgar Su

 

SINGAPORE (Reuters) -Singapore's economy lost momentum in the second quarter after battling new outbreaks of COVID-19 but expanded at its fastest annual pace in just over a decade, as the city-state continued to rebound from last year's coronavirus-induced plunge.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1223973-singapore-economy-stumbles-but-q2-gdp-pace-fastest-in-a-decade/

 

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Thailand’s renowned Sriracha Tiger Zoo is to close after 24 years in operation

 

 

After 24 years, one of Thailand’s famous tourist attractions, for both Thais and foreigners, is to close for the foreseeable future. Sriracha Tiger Zoo’s management has announced the closure of the park, citing the COVID-19 pandemic.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1223975-thailand’s-renowned-sriracha-tiger-zoo-is-to-close-after-24-years-in-operation/

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UK drives Thailand’s tourism revival from Europe as industry leaders assess Phuket Sandbox progress

AUTHOR: THEODORE KOUMELIS

 

Up to 20% of all Sandbox arrivals at Laguna Phuket have been from the UK. Pictured: Banyan Tree Phuket’s DoublePool Villas

 

As the two-week mark looms since the opening of one of the world’s most aspirational travel destinations, the bold Phuket Sandbox scheme is set to be assessed and analysed by some of its key architects and stakeholders.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1223976-uk-drives-thailand’s-tourism-revival-from-europe-as-industry-leaders-assess-phuket-sandbox-progress/

 

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Thailand’s minivan drivers beg government for assistance as Covid-19 travel restrictions bite

 

Picture: One31

 

One31.net reported that minivan drivers who hire out their vehicles for trips are feeling the brunt of the latest Covid-19 restrictions on inter-provincial travel. 

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1223977-thailand’s-minivan-drivers-beg-government-for-assistance-as-covid-19-travel-restrictions-bite/

 

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Phuket Sandbox is not closing and has actually been a success, set to generate billions of baht: govt

 

Picture: Siam Rath

 

A Thai government spokesman has slammed as fake news reports on social media that the Phuket Sandbox reopening to foreign tourists was over. 

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1223978-phuket-sandbox-is-not-closing-and-has-actually-been-a-success-set-to-generate-billions-of-baht-govt/

 

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Sandbox tourist suffers swab test nosebleed

By The Phuket News

 

Medical personnel conducting swab tests have been urged to exercise more caution when taking swab test samples, Dr Chalermpong said. Photo: PR Phuket

 

PHUKET: Vachira Phuket Hospital Director Dr Chalermpong Sukontapol has instructed medical personnel conducting swab tests to exercise more caution after a tourist who arrived under the Puket Sandbox scheme suffered a nosebleed from a swab sample being taken.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1223980-sandbox-tourist-suffers-swab-test-nosebleed/

 

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Man faces charges for adding ‘Sinovac salesman’ to Thai virologist’s Wikipedia entry

 

 

A Thai man is facing charges for criminal defamation, and possibly computer crimes, for allegedly adding, to the Thai language Wikipedia entry for controversial Thai virologist Prof. Dr. Yong Poovorawan, a claim that Dr. Yong is the “Sinovac salesman for the Prayut Chan-o-cha administration”.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1223985-man-faces-charges-for-adding-‘sinovac-salesman’-to-thai-virologist’s-wikipedia-entry/

 

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Lamppostgate: DSI to investigate alleged corruption in purchase of streetlights

 

Picture: Daily News

 

A member of the Ratchathewa sub-district administration and local residents yesterday went to the Department of Special Investigation in Bangkok to urge them to investigate a scandal now known as "Lamppostgate".

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1223991-lamppostgate-dsi-to-investigate-alleged-corruption-in-purchase-of-streetlights/

 

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Police seize 300 kg of marijuana in Nakhon Pathom - two arrested

 

Picture: Daily News

 

Thailand's 191 police taskforce arrested two men in connection with the distribution of 300 kilos of marijuana. 

 

Full  story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1223993-police-seize-300-kg-of-marijuana-in-nakhon-pathom-two-arrested/

 

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Samui Plus Model reopening begins tomorrow - six regulations to follow before arrival then plenty more after

 

Picture: Daily News

 

Daily News reported on the opening of the three islands in Surat Thani to international tourists and all the regulations that must be followed. 

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1223994-samui-plus-model-reopening-begins-tomorrow-six-regulations-to-follow-before-arrival-then-plenty-more-after/

 

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More baht for your foreign currency - UK pound breaks 45 barrier

 

File photo

 

People exchanging foreign currency for Thai baht have been celebrating as the currency continues its slide.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1223995-more-baht-for-your-foreign-currency-uk-pound-breaks-45-barrier/

 

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Obese Thai/Japanese woman talks of abuse, mockery and robbery on streets of Pattaya

 

Picture: Sanook

 

A Sanook reporter visiting Pattaya police station in the course of their duties said they came across a pitiful case of a morbidly obese woman in a motorcycle car park between the station and Central. 

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1223996-obese-thaijapanese-woman-talks-of-abuse-mockery-and-robbery-on-streets-of-pattaya/

 

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Swiss national and friends help the needy in Pattaya daily on Beach Road

By Adam Judd

 

 

Pattaya, Thailand-In 2020, in 90 days, 27,000 meals in total were distributed on Thappraya Soi 5. at the instigation of Mr. Gachoud Olivier, a Swiss citizen. We originally covered this last year here.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1223997-swiss-national-and-friends-help-the-needy-in-pattaya-daily-on-beach-road/

 

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PM Doesn’t Oppose Mixing Jabs

 

 

BANGKOK, July 14 (TNA) – Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha does not oppose the idea of inoculating people against COVID-19 with different kinds of vaccines in series, according to the government spokesman.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1223998-pm-doesn’t-oppose-mixing-jabs/

 

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UPDATE:

 

Thai graduate arrested after editing Wikipedia to say that Dr Yong was "Sinovac salesman for the government"

 

Picture: Sanook

 

Thai police have arrested a 24 year old engineering graduate for defamation after he edited a Thai Wikipedia page of high profile virologist Dr Yong Poovorawan. 

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1223985-man-faces-charges-for-adding-‘sinovac-salesman’-to-thai-virologist’s-wikipedia-entry/?do=findComment&comment=16651642