THAILAND LIVE Thailand Live Wednesday 25 August 2021

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Thailand could see 500,000 more infections if the country rushes reopening

By Panithan Onthaworn

 

 

Thailand could see an additional 500,000 Covid-19 cases and 7,500 fatalities by the end of the year if the prime minister’s reopening plan in October remains on track, a medical professor said on Tuesday.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1228559-thailand-could-see-500000-more-infections-if-the-country-rushes-reopening/

 

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Four Delta sub-variants found in Thailand no immediate cause for alarm

 

 

Four sub-variants of the fast-spreading Delta strain of coronavirus have been found in samples sent to the Centre of Medical Genomics at Mahidol University for examination, said Professor Emeritus Dr. Wasun Chantratita, chief of the centre, today (Tuesday).

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1228611-four-delta-sub-variants-found-in-thailand-no-immediate-cause-for-alarm/

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Thailand to keep VAT unchanged at 7% for another two years

 

FILE PHOTO: Sales staff accept payment by credit card at a department store in Bangkok, Thailand, July 19, 2016. Picture taken July 19, 2016. REUTERS/Athit Perawongmetha

 

BANGKOK (Reuters) - Thailand's cabinet on Tuesday agreed to keep the value-added-tax rate unchanged at 7 percent for another two years, a government official said, to support economic activity as the Southeast Asian nation deals with its biggest COVID-19 outbreak to date.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1228583-thailand-to-keep-vat-unchanged-at-7-for-another-two-years/

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Chinese-made vaccines not effective against Delta variant after one dose

By Pear Maneechote

 

 

A single dose of the Sinovac and Sinopharm vaccines is only 13.8 per cent effective against the new Delta variant, a recent study conducted in Guangzhou, China shows.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1228642-chinese-made-vaccines-not-effective-against-delta-variant-after-one-dose/
 

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Thailand’s antibody test kits on trials with medics at Thammasat University

 

Facebook: BIOTEC-NSTDA

 

Thai researchers at the National Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (BIOTEC) and the Armed Forces Research Institute of Medical Sciences (AFRIMS) have successfully developed a COVID-19 antibody test kit, which was proven to have high rates of sensitivity and specificity, according to Dr. Peera Jaruampornpan, head of the virology and cell technology at BIOTEC.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1228643-thailand’s-antibody-test-kits-on-trials-with-medics-at-thammasat-university/

 

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DPM looks beyond COVID-19 while opening CLMVT+Forum 2021

By Praphorn Praphornkul

 

   

BANGKOK (NNT) - While opening the CLMVT+ Forum 2021, the Deputy Prime Minister has reiterated the need for cooperation among member countries post COVID-19 to make the region a center for trade and investment.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1228644-dpm-looks-beyond-covid-19-while-opening-clmvtforum-2021/

 

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COVID-19 deaths in Thailand pass 10,000

 

File photo: REUTERS

 

Thailand on Wednesday (August 25) reported 18,417 new COVID-19 cases, 21,186 recoveries and 297 additional deaths over the past 24 hours.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1228657-covid-19-deaths-in-thailand-pass-10000/

 

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Video: Policeman charged with murder after torture/extortion of drug suspect shocks Thailand

 

Picture: Daily News

 

The station chief of Muang Nakhon Sawan police in northern Thailand faces a charge of murder after a video posted by a lawyer shocked the nation.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1228675-video-policeman-charged-with-murder-after-tortureextortion-of-drug-suspect-shocks-thailand/

 

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PM speaks of "New Thailand" and Anutin suggests mall and restaurant opening imminent

 

Picture: Daily News

 

Thailand's two main protagonists in the Covid-19 pandemic were both bullish yesterday as they saw light at the end of the tunnel for the country after many months of lockdowns.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1228676-pm-speaks-of-new-thailand-and-anutin-suggests-mall-and-restaurant-opening-imminent/

 

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120 expats in Cha-Am receive Pfizer vaccines

 

Picture: Thai Rath

 

Thai Rath went to Cha-Am hospital yesterday afternoon where the vaccination of foreign residents was picking up pace.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1228678-120-expats-in-cha-am-receive-pfizer-vaccines/

 

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Prachuap officials warn gatherings of more than five people strictly prohibited

By  Paul Andrews

 

File photo

 

Officials in Prachuap Khiri Khan have reiterated that gatherings of more than five people are strictly prohibited.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1228681-prachuap-officials-warn-gatherings-of-more-than-five-people-strictly-prohibited/

 

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Foreigners urged to register for Pfizer jabs as vaccinations get underway at Central in Korat

 

File photo

 

Foreigners over 60 living in Nakhon Ratchasima have been urged to register for Pfizer inoculations against Covid-19 via a website address.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1228683-foreigners-urged-to-register-for-pfizer-jabs-as-vaccinations-get-underway-at-central-in-korat/

 

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Urgent call for blood donors

By The Phuket News

 

Photo: Phuket Regional Blood Center / file

 

PHUKET: The Phuket Regional Blood Center at Saphan Hin is in urgent need of blood donors for a long-term Phuket expat who cannot undergo open-heart surgery without it.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1228686-urgent-call-for-blood-donors/

 

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Samui: Thai man admits to playing the field - TWO out of THREE girlfriends test positive for Covid

 

Picture: Sanook

 

Sanook reported that Thai social media was having a laugh over the case of a 33 year old Thai man in Koh Samui.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1228687-samui-thai-man-admits-to-playing-the-field-two-out-of-three-girlfriends-test-positive-for-covid/

 

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Thai police bust online gun trader at his Nan gun factory - the haul of weapons is extensive!

 

Picture: Naew Na

 

Naew Na reported that top brass in conjunction with the Bo Klua police in Nan province in the far north of Thailand arrested a 46 year old gun trader called Worachart in Dupong sub-district of Santisuk district. 

 

https://aseannow.com/topic/1228689-thai-police-bust-online-gun-trader-at-his-nan-gun-factory-the-haul-of-weapons-is-extensive/

 

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Rescued turtle’s stomach clogged with plastic waste

By Eakkapop Thongtub

 

The turtle is slowly getting better in care at the centre. Photo: Eakkapop Thongtub

 

PHUKET: More than 300 pieces of trash, mostly plastic, have been recovered from the faeces of a green sea turtle rescued from Kata Beach last month, now in care at the Sireetarn Marine Endangered Animals Rescue Center based on Cape Panwa, Wichit.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1228691-rescued-turtle’s-stomach-clogged-with-plastic-waste/

 

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Cabinet U-turns on COVID-19 antigen test kits’ WHO standards

 

 

The cabinet, with the agreement of the Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha, withdrew his instruction, issued a week ago, that the rapid antigen test kits (ATK), to be procured by the National Health Security Office (NHSO), must meet WHO standards, paving the way for the signing of a deal to buy Chinese-made kits.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1228693-cabinet-u-turns-on-covid-19-antigen-test-kits’-who-standards/

 

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"Savage Jack" who murdered two students in horrendous Father's Day attack in Udon gets death penalty

 

Picture: Sanook

 

The man who stabbed two female students to death and injured six others in a rampage in downtown Udon Thani in Thailand's north east last year has been sentenced to death.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1228694-savage-jack-who-murdered-two-students-in-horrendous-fathers-day-attack-in-udon-gets-death-penalty/

 

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Video: All part of the service! Kerry deliver guy praised after putting the washing out of the rain

 

Picture: Sanook

 

A video posted under the name of bamboobuster on TikTok featured a Kerry motorcycle delivery rider who arrived at a house to make a delivery.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1228696-video-all-part-of-the-service-kerry-deliver-guy-praised-after-putting-the-washing-out-of-the-rain/

 

[Jonathan Fairfield]

Thai domestic car sales drop 11.6% y/y in July

 

FILE PHOTO: A general view during the media day of the 41st Bangkok International Motor Show after the Thai government eased measures to prevent the spread of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in Bangkok, Thailand July 14, 2020. REUTERS/Jorge Silva

 

BANGKOK (Reuters) - Domestic car sales in Thailand declined 11.62% in July from a year earlier to 52,442 vehicles, the lowest level in seven months, the Federation of Thai Industries (FTI) said on Wednesday.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1228743-thai-domestic-car-sales-drop-116-yy-in-july/

 

[Jonathan Fairfield]

Thailand develops robotic system to squeeze out more vaccine doses

 

A vaccine extraction machine called AutoVacc, designed by the Chulalongkorn University's Biomedical Engineering Research Center to extract extra doses out of AstraZeneca vaccine vials, is seen in Bangkok, Thailand August 23, 2021. Picture taken August 23, 2021. REUTERS/Juarawee Kittisilpa

 

By Juarawee Kittisilpa

 

BANGKOK (Reuters) - As Thailand struggles with its worst coronavirus outbreak yet, researchers in the country have developed a machine to draw out COVID-19 vaccine doses more efficiently and optimise lower-than-expected supplies.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1228744-thailand-develops-robotic-system-to-squeeze-out-more-vaccine-doses/

 

[Jonathan Fairfield]

Thailand urges pregnant women to get vaccinated, cites higher risks

 

FILE PHOTO: A pregnant woman wears a protective face mask due to the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak, as she came out from Suvarnabhumi Airport at Bangkok, Thailand March 20, 2020. REUTERS/Soe Zeya Tun

 

BANGKOK (Reuters) - Thailand's coronavirus task force on Wednesday called on pregnant women in the country to get vaccinated against COVID-19, citing a higher risk of deaths among those who become infected with the coronavirus.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1228745-thailand-urges-pregnant-women-to-get-vaccinated-cites-higher-risks/

 

[Jonathan Fairfield]

Thailand can raise public debt ceiling if needed

 

FILE PHOTO: Thai finance minister Arkhom Termpittayapaisith speaks during an interview with Reuters in Bangkok, Thailand January 21, 2021. REUTERS/Chalinee Thirasupa

 

By Orathai Sriring and Satawasin Staporncharnchai

 

BANGKOK (Reuters) - Thailand's fiscal position remains strong and it can raise its public debt ceiling if necessary, the country's finance minister said on Wednesday, as the Southeast Asian nation deals with its worst COVID-19 outbreak to date.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1228746-thailand-can-raise-public-debt-ceiling-if-needed/

 

[Jonathan Fairfield]

Thai unemployment rate dips in Q2 but virus curbs to hit jobs

 

FILE PHOTO: Closed bars are pictured at the Ratchada Railway Night Market in Bangkok, Thailand, April 17, 2021. REUTERS/Athit Perawongmetha

 

BANGKOK (Reuters) - Thailand's unemployment rate in the second quarter dipped from a 12-year high in the previous three month, but restrictions to contain the country's biggest coronavirus outbreak are likely to impact more jobs, the state planning agency said on Wednesday.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1228747-thai-unemployment-rate-dips-in-q2-but-virus-curbs-to-hit-jobs/

 

[Jonathan Fairfield]

4 policemen arrested for allegedly killing suspect in viral video, manhunt for others underway

 

 

 

The already tainted reputation of the Thai police has been dealt another devastating blow by the release of a viral video clip, purportedly showing a group of plainclothes officers torturing a suspect to death.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1228675-video-policeman-charged-with-murder-after-tortureextortion-of-drug-suspect-shocks-thailand/?do=findComment&comment=16770816

 

[Jonathan Fairfield]

CCSA to consider limited easing of restaurant dine-in restrictions

 

 

Thailand’s Ministry of Public Health will seek approval from the Centre for COVID-19 Situation Administration (CCSA), at its meeting this Friday, of guidelines for restaurants and other eateries in COVID-19 “dark red” provinces, should they are allowed to resume limited dine-in services.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1228749-ccsa-to-consider-limited-easing-of-restaurant-dine-in-restrictions/

 

[Jonathan Fairfield]

“Mix & Match” with Sinovac then AstraZeneca implemented for those 18+

 

 

Director of the Emergency Health Hazard Division of Thailand’s Disease Control Department, Dr. Chawetsan Namwat, has announced new vaccination plans.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1228750-“mix-match”-with-sinovac-then-astrazeneca-implemented-for-those-18/

 

[Jonathan Fairfield]

Chalong Underpass closed during day for two weeks for maintenance

 

Chalong Underpass will be closed from 9am to 3:30pm each day until Sept 11 while maintenance works are being carried out. Photo: Phuket Highways Office

 

PHUKET: Both lanes through the Chalong Underpass closed today (Aug 25) and will remain closed from 9am to 3:30pm until Sept 11 while officers carry out maintenance works to the lighting and water drainage system in the tunnel.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1228752-chalong-underpass-closed-during-day-for-two-weeks-for-maintenance/

 

[Jonathan Fairfield]

Phuket property company accountant facing charges for embezzling B33mn

 

The police report signed by Lt Col Ratthakhet Manmueng, who as Chief Investigator of the Phuket City Police is also a Phuket City Police deputy commander. Photo: Supplied

 

PHUKET: An accountant with a Phuket luxury property management firm has been arrested and is facing charges for embezzling B33 million from the company’s accounts.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1228753-phuket-property-company-accountant-facing-charges-for-embezzling-b33mn/

 

 

[Jonathan Fairfield]

13 supercars, and much more discovered at 2-acre luxury home of wanted policeman “Chief Joe”

 

 

An investigative team of the Royal Thai Police arrived at Superintendent (Police Chief) Thitisan “Chief Joe” Uttanaphon’s luxury residence in Bangkok today, August 24th, to track down the house owner following the issue of an arrest warrant by Nakhon Sawan Provincial Court this morning.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1228754-13-supercars-and-much-more-discovered-at-2-acre-luxury-home-of-wanted-policeman-“chief-joe”/