THAILAND LIVE Thailand Live Thursday 5 August 2021

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Thai hospital tycoon who promised Pfizer vaccine says deal now unlikely

 

FILE PHOTO: Chairman of Thonburi Healthcare Group, Boon Vanasin, speaks during an interview with Reuters at his office in Bangkok, Thailand, July 6, 2021. REUTERS/Artorn Pookasook/File Photo

 

BANGKOK (Reuters) - The chair of Thailand's Thonburi Healthcare Group (THG) said on Wednesday that a deal to import 20 million doses of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine was unlikely to happen, despite his earlier claims that a deal was close.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1226429-thai-hospital-tycoon-who-promised-pfizer-vaccine-says-deal-now-unlikely/

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Phuket Sandbox celebrates one month anniversary as it brings in 800 million THB

 

 

BANGKOK (NNT) - The Phuket Sandbox scheme, is celebrating its one month anniversary since launch day, generating income of 800 million Thai baht, by welcoming around 14,000 fully vaccinated tourists, and recording 300,000 hotel reservation nights.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1226432-phuket-sandbox-celebrates-one-month-anniversary-as-it-brings-in-800-million-thb/

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Numbers low in Thailand's Phuket tourism revival bid - official

 

FILE PHOTO: People receive the Sinovac COVID-19 vaccine as the Thai resort island of Phuket rushes to vaccinate its population amid the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak, and ahead of a July 1 ending of strict quarantine for overseas visitors, to bring back tourism revenue in Phuket, Thailand, April 2, 2021. REUTERS/Jorge Silva/File Photo

 

BANGKOK (Reuters) - Visitors to Thailand's resort island of Phuket in July were at just 1% of pre-pandemic levels, an official told Reuters, as a bid to revive tourism to the Southeast Asian country gets off to a slow start amid its biggest COVID-19 outbreak yet.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1226455-numbers-low-in-thailands-phuket-tourism-revival-bid-official/

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Delta now dominant variant in Thailand with 78.2% found in new cases in most parts of country

 

An illustration released by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Alissa Eckert, MS; Dan Higgins, MAM/CDC/Handout via REUTERS.

 

The readily transmissible COVID-19 Delta variant, which was first confirmed in Thailand in mid-May in a Thai mother and her 4-year son arriving from Pakistan, has now spread through 74 of Thailand’s 77 provinces, accounting for 78.2% of new infections in the country.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1226469-delta-now-dominant-variant-in-thailand-with-782-found-in-new-cases-in-most-parts-of-country/
 

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Challenges of online learning mount as schools in many Thai provinces closed

 

 

The challenges of online learning persist in Thailand as schools in several provinces are ordered closed during the COVID-19 pandemic. The concerns are especially over kindergarten children, for whom online learning may not be suitable, as children of this age require physical development as well.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1226470-challenges-of-online-learning-mount-as-schools-in-many-thai-provinces-closed/

 

[webfact]

190 drivers refused entry to Phuket on first day of ‘island isolation’

By The Phuket News

 

Soldiers check a delivery driver at the checkpoint onto the island yesterday (Aug 3). Photo: Eakkapop Thongtub

 

PHUKET: A total 190 drivers were refused entry to Phuket at the Phuket Check Point onto the island yesterday (Aug 3) on the first day of the ‘island isolation’ from domestic arrivals from the mainland.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1226471-190-drivers-refused-entry-to-phuket-on-first-day-of-‘island-isolation’/

 

[webfact]

Room capacity at ICUs and LQ venues increased

By The Phuket News

 

A second field hospital with 300 beds at Phuket Rajabhat University (PRU) will open tomorrow (Aug 5). Photo: PR Dept.

 

PHUKET: The head of Vachira Phuket Hospital has confirmed that the number of rooms at intensive-care units (ICUs) and in local quarantine venues (LQ) have been increased in order to cope with the expected rise in people infected with COVID-19.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1226472-room-capacity-at-icus-and-lq-venues-increased/
 

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Sandbox Express Bus to help tourists stranded in Phuket

By The Phuket News

 

 

PHUKET: A joint initiative by Phuket officials and the private sector has launched a ‘Sandbox Express Bus’ service so that Sandbox tourists stuck in Phuket under the current shutdown of flights and buses can travel to other provinces.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1226473-sandbox-express-bus-to-help-tourists-stranded-in-phuket/
 

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Search continues for man dragged out to sea at Freedom Beach

By Eakkapop Thongtub

 

The search today continued along the rocky shore nearby. Photo: Eakkapop Thongtub

 

PHUKET: Officers and rescue teams today continued their search for a 21-year-old man who was dragged out to sea by a strong rip current at Freedom Beach, south of Patong, on Monday (Aug 2).

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1226474-search-continues-for-man-dragged-out-to-sea-at-freedom-beach/

 

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Baht could sink even further, analyst warns

By Panithan Onthaworn

 

 

Thailand’s baht could weaken further after reaching its lowest point since late 2017 level of 33 baht per USD, an analyst at Krungsri Securities said on Wednesday, as the economy is challenged by its most severe Covid-19 outbreak so far.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1226475-baht-could-sink-even-further-analyst-warns/
 

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Opposition parties disagree over the transfer of Covid relief funds to the central budget

By Erich Parpart

 

 

Opposition parties are taking issue with the Pheu Thai Party’s decision to support a motion by the government to move a budget worth 16.3 billion baht into the central emergency budget, effectively placing it under the control of Prime Minister Prayut Chan-ocha.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1226476-opposition-parties-disagree-over-the-transfer-of-covid-relief-funds-to-the-central-budget/

 

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415,000 COVID Vaccine Doses Arrive from UK

 

 

BANGKOK (TNA) – Thailand received 415,000 donated doses of the COVID-19 vaccine made by AstraZeneca from the United Kingdom at Suvarnabhumi airport at 9pm on Aug 3.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1226477-415000-covid-vaccine-doses-arrive-from-uk/

 

[Jonathan Fairfield]

Thailand reports another record high in new COVID-19 cases

 

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1226485-thailand-reports-another-record-high-in-new-covid-19-cases/

 

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Brit in Chiang Mai fancied himself as modern day Robin Hood - selling drugs to help the poor

 

Picture: Daily News

 

Region 5 police under the command of Pol Col Thawatchai Pongwiwattanachai announced the arrest of a British national who owns a social cell import business in Chiang Mai and his Thai girlfriend, a DJ at a well known club.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1226497-brit-in-chiang-mai-fancied-himself-as-modern-day-robin-hood-selling-drugs-to-help-the-poor/

 

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Immigration busts: Vietnamese, Indian and Chinese overstayers and Cambodians with fake stamps

 

Picture: Daily News

 

The chief of the Immigration Bureau in Thailand Lt-Gen Sompong Chingduang gave details of four cases resolved by his teams in a briefing yesterday, reported Daily News. 

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1226500-immigration-busts-vietnamese-indian-and-chinese-overstayers-and-cambodians-with-fake-stamps/

 

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Scottish expat stabbed after filming robbery of gasoline machine in Chachoengsao

 

 

A 52 year old Scottish man who has been living in Thailand for two years in Chachoengsao decided to get out his mobile phone and start filming a Thai man trying to damage and steal from a gasoline vending machine outside his rental property. 

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1226503-scottish-expat-stabbed-after-filming-robbery-of-gasoline-machine-in chachoengsao/

 

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ALL visitors to Koh Larn must have been vaccinated TWICE - ten measures announced

 

Picture: Manager

 

Ten new measures have been announced on the holiday island of Koh Larn that now prohibits entry to anyone not fully vaccinated and all people under 18. 

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1226509-all-visitors-to-koh-larn-must-have-been-vaccinated-twice-ten-measures-announced/

 

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Angry fitness fans file complaint after Phuket gym goes bust

By The Phuket News

 

The angry gym members lost some B2.5 million in prepaid membership fees. Photo: PR Phuket

 

PHUKET: A total of 36 fitness fans filed a joint complaint with the Phuket City Police against a gym operator yesterday (Aug 4) after the gym closed its two branches permanently without notice, costing the exercisers more than B2.5 million in lost membership fees.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1226511-angry-fitness-fans-file-complaint-after-phuket-gym-goes-bust/

 

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Thai fruit exports grow more than 42% in first half of 2021

By Supawadee Wangsri

 

   

BANGKOK (NNT) - This year is considered a golden year for Thai fruit and the export market is benefitting. In the first half of the year, Thai fresh fruit exports grew more than 42 percent, especially in the Chinese market which is the number one importer, despite problems at border checkpoints into China.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1226512-thai-fruit-exports-grow-more-than-42-in-first-half-of-2021/

 

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Thailand’s unemployment rate at 5 year high

 

Picture: Daily News

 

Job search platform JobsDB reported that the pandemic drove Thailand's unemployment rate up to 1.96% in the first quarter of this year.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1226513-thailand’s-unemployment-rate-at-5-year-high/

 

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Krabi: No truth to 500 baht "entry fee" says provincial deputy, they are paying for antigen tests

 

Picture: Daily News

 

The deputy governor of Krabi in the south of Thailand told Daily News there was no truth to rumors online that bent officials were charging people 500 baht just to get in the province.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1226514-krabi-no-truth-to-500-baht-entry-fee-says-provincial-deputy-they-are-paying-for-antigen-tests/

 

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Police arrest Samut Prakan students armed with knives and explosives

 

Piture: Daily News

 

Police in Samut Prakan were alerted after a group of around a dozen students aged 15-18 were seen milling about in the area of Sukhumvit Road in Pak Nam sub-district.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1226515-police-arrest-samut-prakan-students-armed-with-knives-and-explosives/

 

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Policeman in road rage incident stripped of position - media suggests he was one who climbed on car

 

Picture INN

 

A senior sergeant major attached to the Bang Poo police has been temporarily stripped of his position as an inquiry into his behavior is mounted.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1226516-policeman-in-road-rage-incident-stripped-of-position-media-suggests-he-was-one-who-climbed-on-car/

 

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Drug dealing police officer arrested near Hua Hin

By  Paul Andrews

 

 

A police officer from Nong Plub Police Station in Hua Hin district who was just weeks away from retirement has been arrested on drug charges.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1226517-drug-dealing-police-officer-arrested-near-hua-hin/

 

[webfact]

Back to jail you go! Facebook vaccine fraudster sold 3,300 baht jabs to more than 50 victims

 

Picture: INN

 

Thailand's tech or cyber cops arrested a 20 year old man called Thapakorn at a hotel in Si Maha Phot district of Prachinburi after complaints he tried to sell vaccines on Facebook.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1226518-back-to-jail-you-go-facebook-vaccine-fraudster-sold-3300-baht-jabs-to-more-than-50-victims/

 

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Motorbike rider killed as car makes deadly U-turn

By Eakkapop Thongtub

 

The remains of Mr Pracha’s motorbike. Photo: Eakkapop Thongtub

 

PHUKET: A 30-year-old man died in a collision between the motorbike he was riding and a car waking u-turn on Srisoonthorn Rd westbound, in Srisoonthorn, last night (Aug 4).

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1226519-motorbike-rider-killed-as-car-makes-deadly-u-turn/

 

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Substandard Oximeters Rampant

 

 

BANGKOK, Aug 5 (TNA) – Rescue volunteers urged the government to solve the problem of widespread substandard oximeters which they said harmed users.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1226520-substandard-oximeters-rampant/

 

 

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Thai Tourism Minister maximises his 14 days in “Phuket Sandbox”

TAT Newsroom

 

 

Bangkok, 05 August, 2021 – The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) would like to report that H.E. Mr Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn, Minister of Tourism and Sports, has been maximising his 14-day stay under the “Phuket Sandbox” programme with a number of public and private activities that reiterate the island’s health and safety in place to ensure the measures for both tourists and the local people.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1226524-thai-tourism-minister-maximises-his-14-days-in-“phuket-sandbox”/

 

[snoop1130]

Thonburi Healthcare President accused of allegedly sharing fake news of Pfizer vaccine procurement

 

 

Atchariya Ruangrattanapong, Chairman of the Crime Victims’ Assistance Club, has filed a complaint against the President of Thonburi Healthcare Group (THG), Dr. Boon Vanasin, for allegedly sharing fake news of the THG’s Pfizer vaccine procurement.

 

Full Story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1226536-thonburi-healthcare-president-accused-of-allegedly-sharing-fake-news-of-pfizer-vaccine-procurement/

 

[snoop1130]

Chonburi Governor orders more Covid-19 related temporary targeted closures: Several companies, medical clinic, and dormitories

 

 

The Chonburi Governor, Phakkhrathon Thianchai, has announced last night (August 4th) the temporary closure of a company, medical clinic, and dormitories in Naklua and Chonburi area.

 

Full Story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1226537-chonburi-governor-orders-more-covid-19-related-temporary-targeted-closures-several-companies-medical-clinic-and-dormitories/