THAILAND LIVE Thailand Live Friday 20 August 2021

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Prominent Thai doctor says everyone will eventually catch Covid-19, we need to learn to live with it

 

PHOTO: Dr. Manoon Leechawengwongs

 

Prominent Thai doctor, Manoon Leechawengwongs, urged non-infected people to stop discriminating against Covid-19 Coronavirus cured patients as he believes everyone would eventually be infected, sooner or later.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1228084-prominent-thai-doctor-says-everyone-will-eventually-catch-covid-19-we-need-to-learn-to-live-with-it/

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Thai Tourism Sector Expects 500,000 Russian Visitors after Endorsement of Sputnik V Vaccine

 

 

BANGKOK (NNT) - The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) hopes to add 500,000 Russian visitors to its 1 million international tourists this year, after the Centre for COVID-19 Situation Administration (CCSA) allowed tourists inoculated with the Sputnik V vaccine to visit “sandbox” destinations in the country.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1228068-thai-tourism-sector-expects-500000-russian-visitors-after-endorsement-of-sputnik-v-vaccine/

 

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Thai Government May Ease Some COVID-19 Restrictions Next Month

 

 

BANGKOK (NNT) - Thailand’s Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha said some COVID-19 restrictions may be eased next month, if the current lockdown measures prove to be effective in slowing the rate of infections.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1228070-thai-government-may-ease-some-covid-19-restrictions-next-month/

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Thai Airways to Resume Flights

 

 

BANGKOK, Aug 19 (TNA) – Thai Airways International (THAI) announced to resume international and domestic flight operations during the August – October period.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1228088-thai-airways-to-resume-flights/

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Sinovac shot first then AstraZeneca yields better results than 2 shots of Sinovacs

 

Photo by NOEL CELIS / AFP

 

A Mix and Match approach in which a Sinovac vaccine shot is administered as the first jab, followed by AstraZeneca as the second jab yields better results against the Delta variant of the coronavirus than two doses of Sinovac, and the same efficacy as two doses of AstraZeneca with a shorter timespan, according to Thailand’s Medical Sciences Department (MSD) and Siriraj Hospital. 

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1228103-sinovac-shot-first-then-astrazeneca-yields-better-results-than-2-shots-of-sinovacs/

 

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Former revenue chief and senior official get life for ฿3bn illegal tax refund

 

 

Former Revenue Department Director-General Sathit Rangkhasiri and a former Bangkok-based senior revenue official, Siripong Riyakarnthirachote, were sentenced to life in prison by the Criminal Court for Corruption and Misconduct Cases today (Thursday), for approving about three billion baht in tax refunds to 25 companies in 2012 and 2013.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1228104-former-revenue-chief-and-senior-official-get-life-for-฿3bn-illegal-tax-refund/

 

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Phuket Town main fresh market reopens, second market ordered to remain closed

By Eakkapop Thongtub

 

Phuket Town Mayor Saroj Angkanapilas talks with market vendors. photo: Phuket City Municipality

 

PHUKET: The Phuket City Municipality Fresh Market 1 on Ranong Rd in the heart of Phuket Town, and the Downtown Market located on the opposite side of the road, reopened today (Aug 19) after a spate of more than 100 infections saw a seven-day lockdown of the immediate area.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1228105-phuket-town-main-fresh-market-reopens-second-market-ordered-to-remain-closed/

 

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Phuket boutique hotel operators plea for amnesty extension

By The Phuket News

 

The boutique hotel operators submitted their plea for the amnesty to be extended yesterday (Aug 18). Photo: PR Dept 

 

PHUKET: A total of 20 members of the Phuket Boutique Accommodation Consortium (BAC) yesterday filed a formal request pleading for the government to extend the amnesty to upgrade their hotels in order to be registered under the Hotels Act.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1228106-phuket-boutique-hotel-operators-plea-for-amnesty-extension/

 

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Thailand Starts Factory Worker Vaccine Drive to Protect Exports

By Randy Thanthong-Knight

 

Photographer: Nicholas Axelrod/Bloomberg

 

● Program aims to prevent supply-chain disruptions amid outbreak

● Workers to be tested, vaccinated, shuttled from home to plants

 

Thailand has launched a pilot program to test, vaccinate and isolate factory workers to limit Covid-related disruptions to its export-driven manufacturing industry, one of the few bright spots in an economy crushed by the virus. 

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1228107-thailand-starts-factory-worker-vaccine-drive-to-protect-exports/

 

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The Federation of Thai Industries Suggests it may take 8-10 years for Tourism to Recover

Story and picture

By Andrew J Wood

 

 

BANGKOK:  Speaking at Thursday morning’s webinar “Gearing up Thailand Economic Recovery in 2022 and Beyond” organised by the Thai Exhibition Association (TEA) and sub-headed A Brighter Outlook for Thailand’s Exhibition Industry, Mr. Montri Mahaplerkpong Secretary General of the Federation of Thai Industries (FTI) suggested it may take 8-10 years for tourism to recover. 

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1228111-the-federation-of-thai-industries-suggests-it-may-take-8-10-years-for-tourism-to-recover/

 

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COVID-19: Thailand reports 19,851 coronavirus cases

 

FILE PHOTO: REUTERS/Chalinee Thirasupa

 

Thailand on Friday (August 20) reported 19,851 new COVID-19 cases and 240 additional deaths over the past 24 hours.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1228115-covid-19-thailand-reports-19851-coronavirus-cases/

 

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TAT eyes travel bubble with South Korea - China on radar too

 

Picture: Bangkok Business News

 

The Tourism of Thailand's new deputy director of marketing in the region said that to mark his elevation he was instructing 17 offices in Asia to work on new marketing plans for the Covid/post Covid era.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1228117-tat-eyes-travel-bubble-with-south-korea-china-on-radar-too/

 

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TAT proposes paying part of quarantine bill for tourists

 

Reuters file photo for reference only

 

The Tourism Authority of Thailand's newest director of Asia and the south Pacific told Bangkok Business News that tourists are clearly desperate to come to Thailand.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1228118-tat-proposes-paying-part-of-quarantine-bill-for-tourists/

 

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A quick look at Covid-19 and medicines being developed in Thailand

By Pear Maneechote

 

 

Thailand, like other countries around the world, has been working on indigenous vaccines that will supplement its vaccine programs.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1228120-a-quick-look-at-covid-19-and-medicines-being-developed-in-thailand/

 

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Confusion reigns over domestic flights to Phuket Sandbox - when will it start?

 

Picture: Thai Rath

 

Conflicting reports emerged in the media in Thailand as to when flights between Phuket and Bangkok's two main airports would resume for foreign tourists wanting to connect to the Sandbox on the southern Thai island.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1228129-confusion-reigns-over-domestic-flights-to-phuket-sandbox-when-will-it-start/

 

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Anutin: Vaccination of foreigners living in Thailand has been expanded to the provinces

 

Picture: The Standard

 

Thailand's DPM and health minister Anutin Charnvirakul told his counterpart at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs DPM Don Pramudwinai yesterday that the vaccination of foreigners residing in Thailand had now been expanded to the provinces.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1228131-anutin-vaccination-of-foreigners-living-in-thailand-has-been-expanded-to-the-provinces/

 

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Man high on yaba opens fire while driving pick up in Udon Thani

 

Picture: Daily News

 

Daily News reported that Pol Col Pongphan Nakkhwa of the Kumphawapi police in Udon in Thailand's north east was informed by neighboring forces of an ongoing chase entering his jurisdiction.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1228140-man-high-on-yaba-opens-fire-while-driving-pick-up-in-udon-thani/

 

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Chinese manager arrested at loan shark operation - it had moved from Bangkok to Phuket

 

Picture: Naew Na

 

Thailand's chief of immigration Pol Lt-Gen Sompong Chingduang and his staff gave details of a bust of a Chinese run loan sharking operation in Phuket.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1228143-chinese-manager-arrested-at-loan-shark-operation-it-had-moved-from-bangkok-to-phuket/

 

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Immigration finally get their man! Indian picked up in Bangkok was laundering drug money buying gold

 

Picture: Naew Na

 

Thailand's immigration police led by Pol Lt-Gen Sompong Chingduang announced the arrest of a 31 year old Indian man called Johndek.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1228145-immigration-finally-get-their-man-indian-picked-up-in-bangkok-was-laundering-drug-money-buying-gold/

 

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Phuket officials crackdown on overpricing

By The Phuket News

 

Photo: Phuket Commerce Office

 

PHUKET: The Phuket Government has called on officials to be extra diligent in checking product prices in shops across the island in order to protect against any possible overpricing during the period of economic fallout from the COVID-19 pandemic.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1228146-phuket-officials-crackdown-on-overpricing/

 

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UPDATE:

 

Thai Government Launches “Factory Sandbox” Scheme to Protect 3 Million Jobs

By Subhabhong Rarueysong

 

   

BANGKOK (NNT) - Thailand’s government has launched a pilot "Factory Sandbox" program to test, vaccinate and isolate factory workers, with the aim of limiting COVID-related disruptions to Thailand’s important export-driven manufacturing sector.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1228107-thailand-starts-factory-worker-vaccine-drive-to-protect-exports/?do=findComment&comment=16756117

 

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Latest stats reveal very few tourists using the Samui Plus program

 

Picture Siam Rath

 

Siam Rath quoted the district chief of Koh Samui who gave the latest figures for visitors under the Samui Plus Model reopening of Thailand to foreign tourists.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1228149-latest-stats-reveal-very-few-tourists-using-the-samui-plus-program/

 

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Kanchanaburi encroachment: 5 star floating resort owner agrees to move and avoid jail

 

Picture: Daily News

 

Resort owners on the Kwae Noi river within the confines of the Sai Yok national park in Kanchanaburi in the west of Thailand have been warned that new laws mean their encroachment can be prosecuted no matter how long they have been there.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1228152-kanchanaburi-encroachment-5-star-floating-resort-owner-agrees-to-move-and-avoid-jail/

 

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Gold shop robbing woman flees, causes accident then steals motorcycle from good samaritan

 

Picture: Sanook

 

It was an extraordinary robbery - reminiscent of Bonnie and Clyde except this one only involved a woman.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1228155-gold-shop-robbing-woman-flees-causes-accident-then-steals-motorcycle-from-good-samaritan/

 

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Thailand’s economy staring at recession at year-end

 

(Photo by Tim Mossholder)

 

The Thai economy rebounded in the second quarter, growing by 7.5 percent year on year, after a 12.1 percent contraction during April-June last year. The high economic growth in the second quarter compared to the same period last year is the result of an unusually low base, and is not an accurate reflection of the economic reality.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1228158-thailand’s-economy-staring-at-recession-at-year-end/

 

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Nakhon Sri Thammarat: Police arrest drug taking husband who murdered his pregnant wife

 

Picture: Sanook

 

Police in the Chang Klang district of Nakhon Sri Thammarat in southern Thailand have arrested a Thai man called Tawan who murdered his pregnant wife last week.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1228161-nakhon-sri-thammarat-police-arrest-drug-taking-husband-who-murdered-his-pregnant-wife/

 

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Thai PM urged to review suspension of deal to buy 8.5 million China-made ATKs

 

Photo: Facebook – Ostland Capital

 

Ostland Capital, the firm which won the bidding to supply the Government Pharmaceutical Organization (GPO) with 8.5 million rapid antigen test kits (ATKs), worth almost 600 million baht, has asked Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha to reconsider his instruction to the GPO that the ATKs must be approved by the World Health Organization (WHO).

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1228163-thai-pm-urged-to-review-suspension-of-deal-to-buy-85-million-china-made-atks/

 

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Thailand reaches 1 million COVID-19 cases, plans vaccine boosters

 

A volunteer wears PPE during the funeral of a person who died from coronavirus disease (COVID-19) a temple in Bangkok, Thailand August 5, 2021. Picture taken August 5, 2021. REUTERS/Soe Zeya Tun

 

BANGKOK (Reuters) - Thailand's passed the 1 million mark in coronavirus cases on Friday, 97% of which were recorded in the past five months, as the country struggles to boost vaccinations and get on top of one of Asia's most severe COVID-19 outbreaks.

 

Full Story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1228179-thailand-reaches-1-million-covid-19-cases-plans-vaccine-boosters/

 

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Former Phuket City Police Chief caught in COVID allowance fraud

 

 

Former Phuket City Police Chief, and now Former Region 8 Police Deputy Commander, Col Sompong Thiparpakul is now facing corruption charges. Photo: The Phuket News / file

 

PHUKET: Region 8 Police Deputy Commander Col Sompong Thiparpakul, who previously served as Chief of the Phuket City Police, has been discharged from the Royal Thai Police after being found swindling police allowances for extra work performed in battling the COVID-19 pandemic.

 

Full Story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1228180-former-phuket-city-police-chief-caught-in-covid-allowance-fraud/

 

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Car Mob Visited 3 Embassies

 

 

BANGKOK, Aug 20 (TNA) – Anti-government protesters traveled in their “car mob” to three embassies to file complaints on government responses to rallies and COVID-19 vaccines.

 

Full Story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1228181-car-mob-visited-3-embassies/