THAILAND LIVE Thailand Live Monday 16 August 2021

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Thai police clash with protesters near PM's residence

 

Demonstrators protest over the government's handling of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic, in Bangkok, Thailand, August 15, 2021. REUTERS/Soe Zeya Tun

 

BANGKOK (Reuters) -Thai police clashed with protesters near the residence of Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha on Sunday for a fifth time in the past week, with officers using water cannon and teargas against demonstrators hurling projectiles towards them.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1227584-thai-police-clash-with-protesters-near-pms-residence/

 

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'We don't know if we'll survive': Thailand sex workers left struggling as COVID-19 lockdown drags on

Pichayada Promchertchoo

 

Night entertainment venues in Thailand have remained shut for months after the government ordered such venues to be closed temporarily to control the COVID-19 pandemic. (Photo: iStock/PeopleImages)

 

BANGKOK: For Anna, the Walking Street of Pattaya is more than just a famous red-light district. It was her workplace for the past 12 years.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1227586-we-dont-know-if-well-survive-thailand-sex-workers-left-struggling-as-covid-19-lockdown-drags-on/

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Three million more doses of Sinovac vaccine arrive in Thailand from China

 

Three million doses of Sinovac inactivated virus vaccine from China. Credit : The Chinese Embassy in Bangkok Facebook Page

 

The Chinese Embassy in Bangkok said, in its Facebook post, that another three million doses of Sinovac inactivated virus vaccine, in two batches, arrived in Bangkok today, adding “Chinese and Thais are brothers and sisters, fight on Thailand.”

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1227587-three-million-more-doses-of-sinovac-vaccine-arrive-in-thailand-from-china/

 

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Charter amendment bill now with House Speaker for second then final readings

 

House Speaker Chuan Leekpai

 

The constitutional amendments bill, which passed its first reading in a joint sitting of Thailand’s House and Senate in late June, has been sent to House Speaker Chuan Leekpai to be added to the meeting agenda for its second and third readings.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1227588-charter-amendment-bill-now-with-house-speaker-for-second-then-final-readings/

 

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Phuket extends restrictions for 14 days due to high numbers of new COVID-19 cases

 

Passengers from Qatar Airways flight from Doha arrive at Thailand’s Phuket International Airport on August 11, 2021, as part of the “Phuket sandbox” scheme for travellers fully vaccinated against the Covid-19 coronavirus to visit without quarantine. (Photo by Jack TAYLOR / AFP)

 

Phuket has extended its restrictions until the end of August, including the sealing off of the island to outsiders, with some exceptions, due to continuing high numbers of new locally transmitted COVID-19 cases.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1227589-phuket-extends-restrictions-for-14-days-due-to-high-numbers-of-new-covid-19-cases/

 

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Issuing of new, renewed driving licences back on ice

By The Phuket News

 

The Department of Land Transport home page on its website, pictured above as of today (Aug 15), has never informed people that some Provincial Land Transport Offices, including in Phuket, had ever resumed issuing new and renewed licences. Image: DLT

 

PHUKET: The issuing of new and renewed driver’s licences in Phuket has been suspended again, along with assurances that some people stopped by police and found driving with a licence that expired will not be charged.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1227590-issuing-of-new-renewed-driving-licences-back-on-ice/

 

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Phuket Opinion: The problem with Phuket’s COVID containment camps

By The Phuket News

 

An officer looks through the bars to where people who test positive for COVID-19 only by a rapid antigen test but not exhibiting any signs of infection are to be detained. Photo: Phuket City Municipality

 

PHUKET: The move by local officials to create ‘Phuket COVID Care Centers’ should be raising more alarm bells than anyone is willing to report right now. In effect, the “care centers” are nothing more than COVID containment camps, and even then they are just for those who test positive by a rapid antigen test and still are not showing any signs of infection.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1227591-phuket-opinion-the-problem-with-phuket’s-covid-containment-camps/

 

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Thailand’s Industrial Sector Demands More Rapid Antigen Test Kits

By Subhabhong Rarueysong

 

   

BANGKOK (NNT) - The Federation of Thai Industries (FTI) reports that demand for rapid antigen test kits is soaring in the industrial sector, as more than 1,000 factories need to conduct COVID-19 tests on their workers to contain the spread of the virus.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1227592-thailand’s-industrial-sector-demands-more-rapid-antigen-test-kits/

 

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Thai Police Commissioner says violent riot-control was lawful

By Sirakij Pornbanggird

 

   

BANGKOK (NNT) - The Royal Thai Police Commissioner has confirmed the riot control strategy that has been criticized as being too harmful to protesters, was lawful and in accordance with the international standard.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1227593-thai-police-commissioner-says-violent-riot-control-was-lawful/

 

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Sub-district hospitals to become vaccination centers in rural area

By Sirakij Pornbanggird

 

   

BANGKOK (NNT) - The Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Public Health revealed today that the ministry’s committee has agreed to enable sub-district hospitals and mobile units to become vaccine providers to cover people in rural areas.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1227594-sub-district-hospitals-to-become-vaccination-centers-in-rural-area/

 

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Thai woman ordained to make merit for Swiss tourist murdered on Phuket

Woraprat Lerpaisal

 

   

BANGKOK (NNT) - On 14 August 2021, Miss Kanjana Suthikul, a member of “Thai Bhikkhunis”, was ordained as a female monk, by the Venerable Dhammananda Bhikkhuni, the abbess of Songdhammakalayani Monastery, in Nakhon Pathom Province of Thailand.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1227595-thai-woman-ordained-to-make-merit-for-swiss-tourist-murdered-on-phuket/

 

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Nigerian and Thai nationals arrested in Bangkok after reportedly exporting illegal drugs to Australia

By Nop Meechukhun

 

 

Bangkok – A Nigerian and Thai couple was arrested at a private parcel drop-off in Bangkok on Friday evening, August 13th, after reportedly shipping illegal drugs to Australia by hiding them in a set of Buddhist monk offerings.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1227596-nigerian-and-thai-nationals-arrested-in-bangkok-after-reportedly-exporting-illegal-drugs-to-australia/

 

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Thailand flexes financial muscle to grapple with climate crisis

 

Workers on a wind turbine in Chaiyaphum province, Thailand.//ADB/Gerhard Joren

 

“Social responsibility and sustainable profit” can go hand in hand according to the chief of Thailand’s government pension fund. The UN, and some of the biggest players in the Thai economy, are working together to support efforts by the country’s finance and banking institutions to speed up the South East Asian country’s transition to a net zero carbon economy.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1227597-thailand-flexes-financial-muscle-to-grapple-with-climate-crisis/

 

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30,000 people vaccinated in Hua Hin

By Paul Andrews

 

 

Health officials on Sunday gave an update on the progress of the vaccine rollout in Hua Hin.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1227599-30000-people-vaccinated-in-hua-hin/

 

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Officials inspect factory in Sam Roi Yot linked to spike in COVID-19 cases

By Paul Andrews

 

 

Local officials have inspected a factory in Sam Roi Yot at the centre of a spike in COVID-19 cases in the province.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1227600-officials-inspect-factory-in-sam-roi-yot-linked-to-spike-in-covid-19-cases/

 

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COVID-19: Thailand reports 21,157 new coronavirus cases

 

File photo: Reuters

Thailand on Monday (August 16) reported 21,157 new COVID-19 cases and 182 additional deaths over the past 24 hours.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1227608-covid-19-thailand-reports-21157-new-coronavirus-cases/

 

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Cutback in deposit insurance a challenge for banks and account holders

 

 

Many depositors may have to think hard about the safety of their cash deposits in commercial banks after deposit insurance was slashed to a maximum of Bt1 million from Bt5 million per depositor per financial institution.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1227618-cutback-in-deposit-insurance-a-challenge-for-banks-and-account-holders/

 

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Officials take swift action against foreigners in Koh Phangan not wearing masks

 

Picture: Manager

 

The authorities in Koh Phangan in southern Thailand have come down hard on a group of Europeans who were shamed on social media not wearing masks at a port.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1227619-officials-take-swift-action-against-foreigners-in-koh-phangan-not-wearing-masks/

 

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Vaccine queues: Large crowd of Pfizer hopefuls gather from 5 am outside Lotus in Samut Prakan

 

Picture: Sanook

 

Sanook reported that there were large crowds of people gathering at Lotus's Sailuat branch in Samut Prakan on Sunday after a hospital announced about Pfizer vaccines.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1227625-vaccine-queues-large-crowd-of-pfizer-hopefuls-gather-from-5-am-outside-lotus-in-samut-prakan/

 

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Thailand road carnage: Driver escapes death pictured hugging dead friend in wreckage of pick-up

 

Picture: Daily News

 

A pick-up driver told the police that everything went blank as he drove three female friends along Laem Chabang Road in Khao Khan Song sub-district of Sriracha yesterday.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1227627-thailand-road-carnage-driver-escapes-death-pictured-hugging-dead-friend-in-wreckage-of-pick-up/

 

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Phuket marks 49 new local infections, 78 held after ATK tests

 

Image: PPHO

 

PHUKET: The Phuket Provincial Public Health Office (PPHO) marked 49 new local COVID-19 infections on the island yesterday (Aug 15), bringing the total number of people recognised as infected with COVID-19 in Phuket since Apr 3 to 1,989.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1227639-phuket-marks-49-new-local-infections-78-held-after-atk-tests/

 

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Road rage video: Thai man arrested after pistol whipping middle aged "Grab" woman in Lat Krabang

 

Picture: Daily News

 

A 36 year old man called Sethawut is in the custody of the Lat Krabang police after a road rage incident was filmed.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1227644-road-rage-video-thai-man-arrested-after-pistol-whipping-middle-aged-grab-woman-in-lat-krabang/

 

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Thammasat Hospital Faces COVID Vaccine Shortage

 

 

PATHUM THANI, Aug 16 (TNA) – The field hospital of Thammasat University will use up all its stock of COVID-19 vaccine doses on Aug 17, according to its director.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1227647-thammasat-hospital-faces-covid-vaccine-shortage/

 

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Thai Q2 GDP beats forecasts, but outlook cut as COVID-19 hampers recovery

By Orathai Sriring and Kitiphong Thaichareon

 

FILE PHOTO: People visit shopping center to celebrate New Year Eve during the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak in Bangkok, Thailand December 31, 2020. REUTERS/Soe Zeya Tun

 

BANGKOK (Reuters) - Thailand's economy unexpectedly grew in the second quarter from the first helped by exports and government spending even though fresh coronavirus outbreaks battered consumption and tourism.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1227649-thai-q2-gdp-beats-forecasts-but-outlook-cut-as-covid-19-hampers-recovery/

 

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Phuket Sandbox: US and UK tourists top latest figures - July spending 1.9 billion baht

 

Reuters file photo for reference only

 

Latest figures from the Centre for Covid Situation Administration  (CCSA) as reported by Bangkok Business news revealed the top ten nations providing tourists to the Phuket Sandbox reopening of Thailand scheme. 

 

Full story:: https://aseannow.com/topic/1227650-phuket-sandbox-us-and-uk-tourists-top-latest-figures-july-spending-19-billion-baht/ 

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Phuket officials push for Phang Nga, Krabi Sandbox travel bubble

By The Phuket News

 

Phuket Vice Governor Vikrom Jakthee explained the tri-province Sandbox travel bubble plan to CCSA members yesterday (Aug 15). Photo: PR Phuket

 

PHUKET: Phuket officials are moving ahead with plans to create a Phuket - Phang Nga - Krabi ‘sealed area’ for Phuket Sandbox tourists, Phuket Vice Governor Vikrom Jakthee  confirmed yesterday (Aug 16).

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1227651-phuket-officials-push-for-phang-nga-krabi-sandbox-travel-bubble/

 

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Super Poll: Thais should come together during the crisis and not sow division - cave rescue cited

 

 

The latest poll conducted in Thailand called for the people to come together to solve the pandemic crisis.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1227653-super-poll-thais-should-come-together-during-the-crisis-and-not-sow-division-cave-rescue-cited/

 

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Thailand’s Justice Ministry Speeds up Production of Fah Talai Jone Tablets to Tackle Shortage

By Subhabhong Rarueysong

 

   

BANGKOK (NNT) - Thailand’s Justice Ministry has instructed the Office of the Narcotics Control Board (ONCB) to repair an amphetamine-making machine to produce Fah Talai Jone (Andrographis paniculata) tablets, to address the current shortage.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1227654-thailand’s-justice-ministry-speeds-up-production-of-fah-talai-jone-tablets-to-tackle-shortage/

 

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Thai Health Authorities Suggest Hygiene Measures for Recovered COVID-19 Patients

By Subhabhong Rarueysong

 

 

BANGKOK (NNT) - Thailand’s Department of Disease Control (DDC) is urging recovered COVID-19 patients, who have completed the 14-day treatment and have returned home, to practice five hygiene measures until the pandemic ends.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1227655-thai-health-authorities-suggest-hygiene-measures-for-recovered-covid-19-patients/

 

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 Poll: Thai people spend 1-2 hours a DAY on COVID stats - but only half believe them

 

REUTERS file photo for reference only

 

The latest poll from Suan Dusit University asked Thai people how they were accessing Covid-19 stats, what they were most interested in, how this affected them and whether they believed what they were told. 

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1227658-poll-thai-people-spend-1-2-hours-a-day-on-covid-stats-but-only-half-believe-them/