THAILAND LIVE Thailand Live Thursday 16 Dec 2021

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Nine Omicron cases confirmed in Thailand to date, five others await confirmation

 

Photo by Handout / US Food and Drug Administration / AFP

 

One more Omicron variant case has been confirmed in Thailand, bringing total confirmed cases to date to nine, plus five potential cases still awaiting confirmation by means of whole genome sequencing (WGS) tests, according to Director-General of the Medical Sciences Department Dr. Supakit Sirilak.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1243194-nine-omicron-cases-confirmed-in-thailand-to-date-five-others-await-confirmation/

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Reactions to Thailand’s one of the oldest railway station being closed

 

 

Thai citizens have mixed reactions about the closure of Hua Lamphong Station in central Bangkok, one of the very first stations of Thailand from over 100 years, as to develop the area into a mix-used area, where all railway lines including commercial, short-distance, and long-distance lines were relocated to Bang Sue Station.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1243219-reactions-to-thailand’s-one-of-the-oldest-railway-station-being-closed/

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Refugees at Tak border camp in destructive protest against alleged assault by volunteers

 

Photo from www.mgronline.com

 

Myanmar refugees went on the rampage at a camp in Thailand’s western province of Tak on Tuesday night, torching checkpoints and vehicles, in protest against the detention and alleged assault by Thai defence volunteers of four of their countrymen who snuck out of the camp to find work.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1243168-rangers-deployed-to-refugee-camp-after-riot/?do=findComment&comment=17049363

 

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US Secretary of State cancels visit to Thailand over COVID-19 concerns

 

This handout photo taken and released on December 15, 2021 by Malaysia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs shows Malaysia’s Foreign Minister Saifuddin Abdullah (R) welcoming US Secretary of State Antony Blinken upon his arrival at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Putrajaya. (AFP PHOTO / Malaysia Ministry of Foreign Affairs)

 

US Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken has cut his Southeast Asian tour short and cancelled appointments in Thailand tomorrow (Thursday), over COVID-19 concerns following a confirmed COVID-19 infection in a member of the travelling press corps.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1243234-us-secretary-of-state-cancels-visit-to-thailand-over-covid-19-concerns/

 

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UNESCO recognises Thailand’s ‘Nora’ folk dance, jasmine rice wins Best Rice Award 2021

 

In this photo taken on December 11, 2021 a dancer takes part in a “nora” performance. (Photo by Madaree TOHLALA / AFP)

 

The United Nations Education, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) today (Wednesday) recognised “Nora”, a traditional folk dance drama from southern Thailand

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1243235-unesco-recognises-thailand’s-‘nora’-folk-dance-jasmine-rice-wins-best-rice-award-2021/

 

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Commerce minister discusses American support for BCG model with US charge d’affaires

By Namo Vananupong

 

    

BANGKOK (NNT) - The Bio-Circular-Green (BCG) Model for economic development has become a key agenda for the public and private sectors in Thailand. Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Commerce Jurin Laksanawisit today (15 Dec) discussed with Michael Heath, of the U.S. Mission in Thailand, about Thailand’s BCG push.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1243236-commerce-minister-discusses-american-support-for-bcg-model-with-us-charge-d’affaires/

 

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PM underlines model city campaigns in official southern visit

By Tanakorn Sangiam

   

 

YALA (NNT) - The Prime Minister today visited Yala and Pattani on a trip to inspect progress from government campaigns, where the model city development campaigns gained special emphasis, along with projects enhancing the quality of life.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1243237-pm-underlines-model-city-campaigns-in-official-southern-visit/

 

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Chana industrial park protesters head home satisfied with Cabinet resolution

By Namo Vananupong

 

    

BANGKOK (NNT) - Locals from Chana district in Songkhla who have been demonstrating in Bangkok for the past couple of days have expressed satisfaction with the Cabinet’s resolution to delay the commencement of the Chana industrial estate project in order for a Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) to be conducted. The demonstrators have now left their protest site to return to Songkhla.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1243181-chana-protesters-agree-to-end-rally-after-cabinet-amends-published-resolutions/?do=findComment&comment=17050109

 

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Pattaya prepares Covid-free countdown events

By Tanakorn Sangiam

 

    

PATTAYA (NNT) - Businesses are responding favorably to the government’s decision allowing this year’s countdown celebrations to take place. The beachside city of Pattaya this year is planning its official 3-day countdown event, under stringent disease control measures to prevent infections.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1243238-pattaya-prepares-covid-free-countdown-events/

 

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Brands Advised to Pay More Attention to ‘Silver Shoppers’

By Paul Rujopakarn

 

    

BANGKOK (NNT) - A market agency is advising brands to pay more attention to senior citizens due to their open-mindedness and strong purchasing power.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1243239-brands-advised-to-pay-more-attention-to-‘silver-shoppers’/

 

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Chiang Mai named among Conde Nast Traveler’s best destinations in the world

Luxury Six Senses Yao Noi in Phang-Nga Bay also honoured, as one of Asia’s best hotels and resorts

TAT Newsroom

 

 

Bangkok, 15 December, 2021 – The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) is pleased to report that Chiang Mai has been included in Conde Nast Traveler’s Gold List 2022, as one of the best destinations in the world.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1243240-chiang-mai-named-among-conde-nast-traveler’s-best-destinations-in-the-world/

 

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Air pollution reaches ‘unhealthy’ levels in Bangkok

By Caleb Quinley

 

Bangkok’s Real-time Air Quality Index reported “unhealthy” levels of air pollution on Wednesday afternoon. The pollution monitor says Bangkok has exceeded 151 points in the morning and reached high PM2.5 levels in multiple districts in the capital.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1243241-air-pollution-reaches-‘unhealthy’-levels-in-bangkok/

 

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Officials concerned that a rising crypto asset trend poses a real threat to Thailand’s financial stability

by Joseph O' Connor

 

 

Thailand has seen explosive growth in the cryptocurrency sector since January, a process that has seen the country create its first billion-dollar startup or unicorn. Research conducted by Kasikorn Research Centre shows that over 50% of investors already have holdings in the new industry.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1243242-officials-concerned-that-a-rising-crypto-asset-trend-poses-a-real-threat-to-thailand’s-financial-stability/

 

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Digital Tech to Boost Standard of Living in Thailand

Alita Sharon

 

 

To enhance the standard of living for people through digital technology, 15 areas have been earmarked for the government to implement the development of smart cities. A meeting was held of the National Smart City Steering subcommittee, chaired by Deputy Prime Minister recently.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1243243-digital-tech-to-boost-standard-of-living-in-thailand/

 

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Thailand reports 3,684 new COVID-19 cases, 26 deaths, 4,531 recoveries

 

File photo: REUTERS

 

Thailand on Thursday (December 16) reported 3,684 new COVID-19 cases, 4,531 recoveries and 26 additional deaths over the past 24 hours. 

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1243252-thailand-reports 3684-new-covid-19-cases-26-deaths-4531 recoveries/

 

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Inside Pattaya’s struggling sex trade amid pandemic and downturn

By Caleb Quinley

 

 

Pattaya’s sex trade died when Covid hit. But one former sex worker has become an unlikely hero in its wake.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1243255-inside-pattaya’s-struggling-sex-trade-amid-pandemic-and-downturn/

 

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Thai police bust 300 million baht online gambling operation in Nonthaburi as legal casino debate continues

 

Picture: Naew Na

 

Region 1 police armed with arrest warrants visited two luxury houses in estates in Nonthaburi where an online gambling operation was centered, reported Naew Na.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1243261-thai-police-bust-300-million-baht-online-gambling-operation-in-nonthaburi-as-legal-casino-debate-continues/

 

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Thai police fine one of their own 500 baht for sidewalk parking after social media shaming

 

Picture: Daily News

 

Police in Chiang Mai have fined a lance corporal 500 baht after he was caught on social media and shamed when parking on the sidewalk.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1243270-thai-police-fine-one-of-their-own-500-baht-for-sidewalk-parking-after-social-media-shaming/

 

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Hua Hin tourism leader calls for greater support for small hotels

By Paul Andrews

 

 

A senior figure from the tourism sector in Hua Hin and Cha Am has called on the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) to provide greater support for small hotels and guesthouses in the area.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1243273-hua-hin-tourism-leader-calls-for-greater-support-for-small-hotels/

 

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Chiang Mai authorities begin crackdown on smoke emitting vehicles

 

Picture: Daily News

 

Daily News made much of the start of a crackdown on black smoke belching vehicles in Chiang Mai yesterday.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1243275-chiang-mai-authorities-begin-crackdown-on-smoke-emitting-vehicles/

 

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Thai man in Pattaya points finger at Koreans after drug arrest

 

Picture: Daily News

 

Daily News reported that a Thai man arrested in Pattaya sang like a bird after admitting sending drugs in packets of crisps (chips).

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1243279-thai-man-in-pattaya-points-finger-at-koreans-after-drug-arrest/

 

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Hua Hin: Provincial governor cracks down on "booze being sold in coffee mugs"

 

Picture: Daily News

 

Daily News reported that the provincial governor of Prachuap Khirikhan has ordered a crackdown after it was discovered that alcohol was being sold in coffee cups. 

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1243280-hua-hin-provincial-governor-cracks-down-on-booze-being-sold-in-coffee-mugs/

 

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TISI promises to improve the quality of face masks

 

 

The Thai Industrial Standards Institute (TISI) has promised to step up measures to improve the quality of face masks on the market after 41 different mask companies failed standards tests.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1243284-tisi-promises-to-improve-the-quality-of-face-masks/

 

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Driver’s arm broken in road rage incident in Thonburi

 

Picture: Thai Rath

 

Two Thai drivers both admitted they were in the wrong after a road rage incident on a bridge in the early hours of the morning in Thonburi west of the Thai capital Bangkok yesterday.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1243285-driver’s-arm-broken-in-road-rage-incident-in-thonburi/

 

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Mysterious lucky duck eggs turns out to be a stone

 

Picture: Daily News

 

An artifact that a north eastern couple believe is holy has been proved to just be a stone. 

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1243286-mysterious-lucky-duck-eggs-turns-out-to-be-a-stone/

 

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Transgender people denied equal rights: HRW report

By Caleb Quinley

 

 

Transgender people in Thailand struggle to obtain access to legal recognition of their gender identity, making them vulnerable to systemic discrimination, a new Human Rights Watch report with the Thai Transgender Alliance said today.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1243288-transgender-people-denied-equal-rights-hrw-report/

 

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Excessive PM2.5 dust covering 23 areas in and around Bangkok

 

 

23 areas in Bangkok and surrounding provinces are experiencing air pollution today (Thursday), with the amount of PM2.5 dust in the atmosphere exceeding the 50-micron safety level, partially due to weak air circulation.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1243290-excessive-pm25-dust-covering-23-areas-in-and-around-bangkok/

 

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Thailand's latest tourist attraction for "farang selfies": Those Hanging Wires!

 

Picture: Sanook

 

Thai netizens in Phetchabun went into irony overdrive after a frustrated woman posted on Facebook about the ever enlarging and unsightly tangle of wires outside her home.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1243291-thailands-latest-tourist-attraction-for-farang-selfies-those-hanging-wires/

 

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Pheu Thai’s Anurak Tangpanithanon ceases to function as MP after Supreme Court accepts graft case

 

 

Anurak Tangpanithanon, a Pheu Thai MP for Mukdahan province, has been barred from working as a legislator, effective from yesterday (Wednesday), after the Supreme Court’s Criminal Division for Political Office Holders accepted a case alleging corruption, filed against him by Thailand’s National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC).

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1243299-pheu-thai’s-anurak-tangpanithanon-ceases-to-function-as-mp-after-supreme-court-accepts-graft-case/

 

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Jailbreak Case Closed, Probe into Its Saw Blade Continues

 

 

NAKHON PATHOM, Dec 16 (TNA) – The commissioner of the Provincial Police Region 7 and the governor of the Nakhon Pathom Central Prison announced the closure of the jailbreak case which involved nine inmates while an investigation went on for their saw blade hidden in a lotion. bottle.

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1243300-jailbreak-case-closed-probe-into-its-saw-blade-continues/