THAILAND LIVE Thailand Live Thursday 15 July 2021

[webfact]

Thailand considering limits on AstraZeneca vaccine exports

By Panarat Thepgumpanat and Panu Wongcha-um

 

FILE PHOTO: Vials labelled "Astra Zeneca COVID-19 Coronavirus Vaccine" and a syringe are seen in front of a displayed AstraZeneca logo, in this illustration photo taken March 14, 2021. REUTERS/Dado Ruvic/Illustration

 

BANGKOK (Reuters) -Thailand is considering imposing limits on exports of locally manufactured AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccines to fight its own crisis, an official said on Wednesday, a move likely to impact neighbours and stir concerns of vaccine protectionism.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1224073-thailand considering-limits-on-astrazeneca-vaccine-exports/

 

[webfact]

Thai Cabinet approves Space Affairs Act, promoting “New Space Economy” and space exploration in Thailand

 

Image: Google

 

The Thai Cabinet Committee yesterday, July 13th, has approved the draft Space Affairs Act, granting Thailand the opportunity to enter a new future of space technology and exploration.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1224030-thai-cabinet-approves-space-affairs-act-promoting-“new-space-economy”-and-space-exploration-in-thailand/

[webfact]

Purchase of 120 million doses of COVID-19 vaccine for 2022 approved by NVC

 

(Photo by Vincenzo PINTO / AFP)

 

The National Vaccine Committee (NVC) approved today (Wednesday) the procurement of another 120 million doses of COVID-19 vaccine for next year, but withheld its approval of a draft announcement, regarding AstraZeneca vaccine manufactured in Thailand for export, to ensure sufficient vaccine for Thais in the wake of rapid surge in infections.

 

Full Story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1224052-purchase-of-120-million-doses-of-covid-19-vaccine-for-2022-approved-by-nvc/

 

 

[webfact]

Standalone Hairdressers’ Shops, Beauty Salons Can Open

 

 

BANGKOK, July 14 (TNA) – Amid partial business lockdowns in Greater Bangkok, beauty salons and hairdressers’ shops can continue to operate if they stand outside shopping centers and the likes, according to the Center for COVID-19 Situation Administration.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1224054-standalone-hairdressers’-shops-beauty-salons-can-open/

[webfact]

UPDATE:

 

Thai state drugmaker sues critic of its vaccine procurement

 

FILE PHOTO: A healthcare worker holds a vial of the Moderna COVID-19 Vaccine at a pop-up vaccination site operated by SOMOS Community Care during the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic in Manhattan in New York City, New York, U.S., January 29, 2021. REUTERS/Mike Segar

 

BANGKOK (Reuters) - Thailand's state drugmaker on Wednesday said it had initiated a defamation suit against the prominent chairman of a private hospital operator over his criticism of its procurement of Moderna COVID-19 vaccines.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1224029-gpo-files-defamation-against-two-public-figures-over-profit-claim-in-moderna-deal/?do=findComment&comment=16653615

 

[webfact]

COVID alert for Phuket Thai Smile flight from Bangkok

By The Phuket News

 

The COVID alert issued this afternoon (July 14). Image : Phuket Info Center

 

PHUKET: Phuket officials have issued an alert for all people sitting in high-risk areas near a person now confirmed as COVID-positive who travelled on a Bangkok-Phuket flight on July 7.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1224076-covid-alert-for-phuket-thai-smile-flight-from-bangkok/

 

[webfact]

Phuket officials deny claims unhappy Sandbox tourists have gone home as fake news

By The Phuket News

 

Phuket Sandbox tourists have not flown home early because they are unhappy with their stays, Phuket officials said today (July 14). Photo: PR Phuket

 

PHUKET: Phuket Vice Governor Piyapong Choowong has denounced posts on social media that Phuket Sandbox tourists unhappy with their holiday have already flown home as fake news. 

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1224077-phuket-officials-deny-claims-unhappy-sandbox-tourists-have-gone-home-as-fake-news/

 

[webfact]

PM’s spokesperson debunks alleged reversal on mixed-formula vaccination

By Praphorn Praphornkul

 

   

BANGKOK (NNT) - The Prime Minister’s public relations team has debunked claims he reversed an order for vaccinations to be administered using a mixed approach, following media outlets reporting he had reconsidered the decision based on World Health Organization (WHO) advice.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1224078-pm’s-spokesperson-debunks-alleged-reversal-on-mixed-formula-vaccination/

 

[webfact]

Provinces put up more field hospitals

By Tanakorn Sangiam

 

   

BANGKOK (NNT) - Provinces across the country are now putting up more field hospitals to cope with the surge in COVID-19 cases. These field facilities are intended to accommodate patients with mild symptoms, while freeing up beds at general hospitals for those in more critical condition.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1224079-provinces-put-up-more-field-hospitals/

 

[webfact]

Parliament committees to suspend meetings; Budget Committee adopts Zoom calls

By Tanakorn Sangiam

 

   

BANGKOK (NNT) - The parliament has asked that all in-person committee meetings be suspended for two weeks as part of COVID-19 prevention measures, with one exception. The Budget Committee will continue to host its meetings while using Zoom calls to conduct relevant interviews.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1224080-parliament-committees-to-suspend-meetings-budget-committee-adopts-zoom-callsv/

 

[webfact]

Phuket Sandbox, key to economic progress

By Praphorn Praphornkul

 

   

PHUKET (NNT) - After 14 days of allowing visitors to enter without quarantining, the Deputy Governor of Phuket province has confirmed the Phuket Sandbox project has proceeded as planned despite turnout not being as many as expected with just over 4,500 people arriving so far, generating cashflow of an estimated 450 million baht. Local residents have voiced faith in the plan, and acknowledged it as the key to economic progress.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1224081-phuket-sandbox-key-to-economic-progress/

 

[webfact]

Thai netizens mostly endorse Thaksin’s vow to return

By Areeya Kunawaradisai

 

 

The hashtag #พี่โทนี่กลับไทยแน่ (Tony’s definitely coming back to Thailand) was trending on Twitter Wednesday, a day after former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, popularly nicknamed ‘Tony Woodsome’, declared on chatroom App Clubhouse that he is “definitely coming back.”

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1224082-thai-netizens-mostly-endorse-thaksin’s-vow-to-return/

 

[webfact]

Provincial hospitals near capacity as Covid patients flood home

By Erich Parpart

 

 

Covid patients looking to return to their home province for treatment should check with the intended hospital first as hospital beds are also beginning to fill up in other provinces besides Bangkok, the government said on Wednesday.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1224084-provincial-hospitals-near-capacity-as-covid-patients-flood-home/

 

[webfact]

Twitter bans account of prominent Thai hospital administrator

By Cod Satrusayang

 

 

Twitter banned the account of a prominent Thai hospital administrator on Wednesday, although no reason was given for the ban.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1224086-twitter-bans-account-of-prominent-thai-hospital-administrator/

 

[webfact]

Hua Hin Mayor confirms Soi 102 landfill site to close on July 20, proposal to send trash to Nakhon Pathom

By Paul Andrews

 

Image: Hua Hin Municipality.

 

Hua Hin Mayor Mr. Nopporn Wutthikul has told local residents the controversial landfill site on Soi 102 will no longer be used after July 20.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1224099-hua-hin-mayor-confirms-soi-102-landfill-site-to-close-on-july-20-proposal-to-send-trash-to-nakhon-pathom/

 

[webfact]

Hua Hin reaffirms plans to reopen to tourists on Oct 1, despite slow vaccine rollout

By Paul Andrews

 

 

Hua Hin is still aiming to reopen to foreign tourists on October 1, despite being some way off its vaccination target.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1224103-hua-hin-reaffirms-plans-to-reopen-to-tourists-on-oct-1-despite-slow-vaccine-rollout/

 

[webfact]

Thailand reports record high 98 coronavirus deaths and 9,186 new cases

 

File photo//REUTERS/Athit Perawongmetha

 

Thailand on Thursday (July 15) reported 9,186 new COVID-19 cases and 98 additional deaths over the past 24 hours. 

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1224106-thailand-reports-record-high-98-coronavirus-deaths-and-9186-new-cases/

 

[webfact]

Public Health Ministry procures 16 million Favipiravir tablets for COVID-19 patients

 

Image Credit: Government Pharmaceutical Organisation

 

To treat patients infected with COVID-19, the Ministry of Public Health (MoPH) has procured an additional 16 million Favipiravir antiviral tablets, which are expected to arrive in Thailand this month.

 

Full story:  https://aseannow.com/topic/1224107-public-health-ministry-procures-16-million-favipiravir-tablets-for-covid-19-patients/

 

[webfact]

Opinion: Government’s misplaced priorities has Thailand firmly back in the third world

By James Wilson and Cod Satrusayang

 

 

This second round of lockdown has seen some of the most heart-breaking consequences of failed government policy, doubly so as all of this could have been avoided.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1224111-opinion-government’s-misplaced-priorities-has-thailand-firmly-back-in-the-third-world/

 

[webfact]

Rights group calls for government to reconsider worker camp policy, uphold human rights standards

By Erich Parpart

 

 

The government should reconsider its decision to stop Covid testing and providing healthcare for migrant workers who have been confined to camps, a Human Rights Watch representative told Thai Enquirer this Thursday.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1224112-rights-group-calls-for-government-to-reconsider-worker-camp-policy-uphold-human-rights-standards/

 

[webfact]

Democrat Party leadership refuses calls by members to leave the coalition

By Cod Satrusayang

 

 

Senior leaders within the Democrat Party say they will not lead the party out of the ruling coalition despite increasing calls by members to leave.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1224113-democrat-party-leadership-refuses-calls-by-members-to-leave-the-coalition/

 

[webfact]

Phuket no go: Land transport measures stepped up today after thousands turned away

 

File photo//Credit Phuket Police

 

Phuket's governor Narong Wunsew - presiding over the Sandbox opening to foreign tourists for two weeks - yesterday announced new measures to stop Covid-19 getting in via land. 

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1224123-phuket-no-go-land-transport-measures-stepped-up-today-after-thousands-turned-away/

 

[webfact]

Deal set to be agreed for private hospitals in Thailand to purchase Moderna vaccine

 

Picture: Sanook

 

The deputy chief of the Government Pharmaceutical Organisation told Sanook that the plan to distribute the Moderna vaccine through private hospitals is ahead of schedule. 

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1224128-deal-set-to-be-agreed-for-private-hospitals-in-thailand-to-purchase-moderna-vaccine/

 

[webfact]

"No one is safe until everyone is safe" - Aussie couple highlight foreigners facing vaccine trouble in Thailand

 

Picture: PPTV36

 

Mainstream Thai media PPTV 36 (Channel 36) has highlighted the plight of foreigners living in Thailand who have been unable to get vaccinated. 

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1224131-no-one-is-safe-until-everyone-is-safe-aussie-couple-highlight-foreigners-facing-vaccine-trouble-in-thailand/

 

[webfact]

Man using illegal proof of vaccine denied entry at checkpoint

By The Phuket News

 

The man is questioned and his vehicle checked. Photo: Phuket Provincial Information Center

 

PHUKET: A man has been apprehended at the Phuket checkpoint by police and denied entry after it was discovered he was illegally using a friend’s proof of vaccination certificate to enter the island.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1224133-man-using-illegal-proof-of-vaccine-denied-entry-at-checkpoint/

 

[webfact]

Phuket marks another three Sandbox tourist infections

By The Phuket News

 

Image: PPHO

 

PHUKET: Another three Sandbox tourists have tested positive for COVID-19, bringing the total number of Sandbox tourists who have tested positive for the virus since July 1 to 10, according to the daily COVID situation report issued by the Phuket Provincial Public Health Office (PPHO) report for yesterday (July 14)

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1224134-phuket-marks-another-three-sandbox-tourist-infections/

 

[webfact]

Samui Plus Model: First visitors to be foreign journalists, only 80 bookings over next 4 months

 

Picture: Daily News

 

The much heralded reopening of the southern Thai island of Koh Samui begins today under the "Samui Plus Model" that follows on from the Phuket Sandbox that was initiated with similar fanfare two weeks ago. 

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1224136-samui-plus-model-first-visitors-to-be-foreign-journalists-only-80-bookings-over-next-4-months/

 

[webfact]

Lightning strike: One farmer dead another injured in Lopburi - 2021 death toll reported as 171

 

Picture: Daily News

 

Pattana Nikhom police in Lopburi province in central Thailand were called after two women were struck by lightning in a cassava field. 

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1224138-lightning-strike-one-farmer-dead-another-injured-in-lopburi-2021-death-toll-reported-as-171/

 

[webfact]

Thailand says AstraZeneca asked to delay delivery of 61 million vaccine doses

 

FILE PHOTO: People receive the first dose of AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine against the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) at the Central Vaccination Center, inside the Bang Sue Grand Station, Thailand, June 21, 2021. REUTERS/Athit Perawongmetha

 

BANGKOK (Reuters) - AstraZeneca has asked Thailand to extend the timeline for the delivery of 61 million doses of its COVID-19 vaccine by five months, a deputy minister said on Thursday, a move likely to disrupt further the country's sluggish vaccine rollout.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1224141-thailand asks-astrazeneca-to-extend-delivery-timeline-for-61-million-vaccine-doses/

[webfact]

Thumbs up for the Phuket Sandbox - but they ain't tourists!

 

Picture: Daily News

 

Daily News reported on a very positive experience for a Thai/Swiss couple and their children who took advantage of the Phuket Sandbox. 

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1224147-thumbs-up-for-the-phuket-sandbox-but-they-aint-tourists/