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https://www.nationthailand.com/news/30402973

Bangkok pubs, nightlife allowed to open until 11pm from today

NationalFeb 23. 2021

By The Nation

Bangkok pubs and other nightlife venues can open until 11pm from today, after the communicable disease committee eased Covid-19 restrictions.

However, cockfighting and fish-fighting stadiums will remain closed, said Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) spokesman Pongsakorn Kwanmuang.

Under the new directive, restaurants can serve food and alcohol until 11pm.

Entertainment venues, pubs and massage parlours can also open until 11pm, but tables must be spaced out, with no dancing permitted and customers logged manually or via the ThaiChana or Mor Chana app.

Gyms, fitness centre, exercise facilities can open as usual, while sports stadiums can admit a limited number of spectators.

Banqueting and meeting rooms can also open, but authorities’ permission must be granted for gatherings of more than 300 people.

Bangkok schools can open normally.

The spokesman said the BMA has also joined hands with the Public Health Ministry to roll out vaccinations for the capital’s residents.

Thailand will receive its first shipment of Covid-19 vaccines tomorrow

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https://www.nationthailand.com/news/30402970

Not one, but two vaccine brands will arrive tomorrow: Anutin

NationalFeb 23. 2021

By The Nation

Public Health Minister Anutin Charnvirakul has hinted that not one, but two brands of vaccine will arrive in Thailand tomorrow (Wednesday).

A shipment of 200,000 doses of China’s Sinovac vaccine is set to arrive in Bangkok tomorrow. But in a surprise boost for Thailand’s battle against Covid-19, Anutin said 117,000 doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine were also due to arrive on Thai soil on Wednesday.

Speaking on Tuesday, the health minister said the public would have to wait for official confirmation of the AstraZeneca delivery from Sophon Mekthon, chairman of the Covid-19 vaccine management subcommittee.

Thailand has procured 61 million doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine, but shipments have been delayed by production problems in Europe. On February 5, Anutin announced that the first 150,000 AstraZeneca doses would instead be sourced from a manufacturer in Asia.

Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha was due to become the first Thai to receive a Sinovac jab, but as he is over 60 years of age, the AstraZeneca vaccine is deemed to be a safer option, Anutin said.

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https://www.nationthailand.com/news/30402967

Teenage volunteer succumbs to illness after clearing firebreak in Chiang Mai jungle

NationalFeb 23. 2021

By THE NATION

A 13-year-old volunteer died mysteriously after sweeping up leaves in a jungle near her hometown in Chiang Mai.

Though the child died last week, her mother Aree Kanmangmee, 38, only spoke about it on Tuesday.

She said her daughter, Natthawarun Anusornpana, had joined her father, friends and other villagers to sweep up dried leaves in a local jungle to create a firebreak on Saturday.

Aree said her daughter’s friend had told her that Natthawarun had started vomiting and had fainted while sweeping.

The teenager was brought down the hill for first aid and later taken to hospital.

She then succumbed to her illness on Saturday in Nakhonping hospital.

Aree said initially she thought her daughter had been possessed by an evil spirit but later found out that she had a brain-related illness.

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https://www.nationthailand.com/news/30402964

Drunk gun-happy Phuket police officer injures noodle vendor

NationalFeb 23. 2021

By THE NATION

A brawl among drunks in Phuket became dangerous when one of them decided to shoot in the air but ended up injuring a noodle vendor nearby.

At 5.45am on Tuesday, a police officer who was drinking at a pub in Soi Bangla reportedly had an argument with some foreign patrons and decided to step outside and shoot in the air to threaten the foreigners.

.

However, the gunshots hit noodle vendor Arun Thongplub, 25. pic.twitter.com/306V4BelpP— TheNationThailand (@nationnews) February 23, 2021

At 5.45am on Tuesday, a police officer who was drinking at a pub in Soi Bangla reportedly had an argument with some foreign patrons and decided to step outside and shoot in the air to threaten the foreigners.

However, the gunshots hit noodle vendor Arun Thongplub, 25, in the right armpit and back.

He has been taken to Patong hospital for treatment.

When police arrived, they found the drunken gunman waiting nearby. He was arrested and taken to Patong Police Station. Police said the man was too drunk and incomprehensible as of press time.

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https://www.nationthailand.com/news/30402963

China shows video of Thailand-bound vaccine as jabs prepared for 13 provinces

NationalFeb 23. 2021

By The Nation

The Chinese Embassy in Bangkok has published a video of Sinovac’s vaccine being loaded for the flight to Bangkok. Thailand’s first batch of 200,000 coronavirus vaccines is due to arrive at Suvarnabhumi Airport on Wednesday (February 24).

The 45-second video shows the vaccine shipment being loaded on to a truck. The packages are addressed to the Government Pharmaceutical Organization (GPO), Thailand, and carry the Thai Airways logo.

The Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration (CCSA) has approved emergency use of the 200,000 doses in 13 provinces worst hit by the latest outbreak.

Samut Sakhon will get 70,000 doses – 8,000 for health workers, 6,000 for staff exposed to patients, 46,000 for patients with underlying disease, and 10,000 for the general public.

Bangkok (west side) will get 66,000 doses – 12,400 for health workers, 1,600 for staff exposed to patients, 47,000 for patients with underlying disease, and 5,000 for the general public.

Pathum Thani will get 8,000 doses – 3,000 for health workers, 2,000 for staff exposed to patients, 2,000 for patients with underlying disease, and 1,000 for the general public.

Nonthaburi will get 6,000 doses – 2,000 for health workers, 1,000 for staff exposed to patients, 2,000 for patients with underlying disease, and 1,000 for the general public.

Samut Prakan will get 6,000 doses – 2,000 for health workers, 1,000 for staff exposed to patients, 2,000 for patients with underlying disease, and 1,000 doses for the general public.

Tak (Mae Sot district) will get 5,000 doses – 3,000 for health workers, and 2,000 for staff exposed to patients.

Nakhon Pathom will get 3,500 doses – 2,500 for health workers, and 1,000 for staff exposed to patients.

Samut Songkhram will get 2,000 doses – 1,500 for health workers, and 500 for staff exposed to patients.

Ratchaburi will get 2,500 doses – 2,000 for health workers, and 500 for staff exposed to patients.

Chon Buri will get 4,700 doses. Phuket will get 4,000 doses. Surat Thani’s Koh Samui district will get 2,500 doses.

Chiang Mai province will get 3,500 doses.

The remaining 16,300 doses will be reserved for outbreak control and to vaccinate hospital workers who treat Covid-19 patients.

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https://www.nationthailand.com/news/30402962

TAT expects to welcome vaccinated tourists in third quarter

NationalFeb 23. 2021

By The NationThe Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) has been working on a plan to encourage tourists to return to Thailand from the third quarter of 2021, waiting for more relaxation of measures by the Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration (CCSA).

TAT Governor Yuthasak Supasorn said that all TAT foreign offices have been assigned to monitor and inform the progress of Covid-19 vaccination every two weeks, including country opening guidelines in each country so that the TAT can set its own guidelines to attract this group of tourists.

“We have always been focused on the demand for foreign tourists after the Covid-19 crisis made it impossible to travel internationally. Some markets have already reserved travel packages in advance. Thailand travel packages are receiving goid attention, such as in the Chinese market. A decision is awaited from the Chinese government to allow tourists to leave the country,” said Yuthasak.

Chattan Kunchorn na Ayudhya, deputy governor for International Marketing (Asia and the South Pacific) at TAT, added that they have been adapting plans for tourists to meet their demand. For example, there were 41 South Korean tourists who arrived for golf quarantine on February 18, as the temperature in South Korea is now very cold at minus 6 degrees Celsius.

Meanwhile, the Mumbai and New Delhi office has informed that there are Indian tourists inquiring about having weddings in Thailand with a closed hotel. A special event of two groups, 200-300 people, usually spent at least Bt10 million. Although there is no exact period for entering, they have requested the CCSA to approve making a hotel an “Area Quarantine” and close the hotel for the specific purpose.

“The CCSA has provided guidelines for the Ministry of Public Health on:

1. Plan for people who have already been vaccinated individually or from the country of origin, but Thailand has not been vaccinated;

2. People who have been vaccinated from the country of origin where the vaccination is widely available, but Thailand has not yet been vaccinated and,

3. Both the country of origin and Thailand has had widespread vaccination.

“All of which have to be summarised in detail as soon as possible,” said Chattan.

TAT deputy governor for Europe, Africa, the Middle East and the Americas, Siripakorn Cheawsamoot, said the International Air Transport Association, which has a membership of more than 200 airlines around the world, now has 42 airlines including Thai Airways, Thai Smile, Qatar Airways, Etihad Airways, British Airways, Emirates Airways and others agreeing to an “IATA Travel Pass” for registered travellers who confirm their vaccination.

The vaccinated travellers will be given the privilege, except from health check and Fit-To-Fly paper, which will begin in March and will likely see more and more vaccinated travellers on board.

He said the government needed to make a clear statement on relaxation for tourists from foreign countries, so that the TAT can create plans to lure travellers to visit in the third quarter of this year, as it usually takes around four months to finalise the plan.

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https://www.nationthailand.com/news/30402961

FDA approval for Sinovac vaccine came ‘just in time’, says Anutin

NationalFeb 23. 2021

By The Nation

In a bid to win public confidence, Public Health Minister Anutin Charnvirakul posted a photograph of the Thai Food and Drug Administration’s document approving the Sinovac vaccine, with the caption “Just in time”.

Sinovac will arrive on a Thai Airways flight at 8am on Wednesday. The airline said it was preparing to send an Airbus flight TG675 to Beijing to pick up the first lot of 200,000 doses from Sinovac Biotech.

Thailand has signed up for 2 million doses of the vaccine and will get complete delivery by April.

Once the first lot arrives on Wednesday, it will be checked for safety and quality before health officials start distributing it within five days of arrival.

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https://www.nationthailand.com/news/30402960

Police tell motorists to avoid Ratchaprasong intersection on Tuesday

NationalFeb 23. 2021

By THE NATION

Bangkok police have advised commuters to avoid routes around Ratchaprasong intersection from 3pm onward on Tuesday (February 23) as Ratsadon pro-democracy protesters plan to rally there at 7pm.

The Ratsadon group said Tuesday evening’s protest will focus on alleged corruption in the promotion system for senior police officers.

“To avoid being caught in jams, please avoid Rajdamri Road (Rajdamri-Pratunam intersections), Rama I Road (Chaloem Phao-Ratchaprasong intersections) and Ploenchit Road (Ratchaprasong-Chidlom intersections),” said deputy metropolitan police chief Pol. Maj-General Piya Tawichai.

Police advised motorists to use the following routes to bypass the rally venue: Ratchaprarop Road, Phetchaburi Road, Phya Thai Road, Rama IV Road, Henri Dunant Road, Sarasin Road, Silom Road, Sathon Road, Wireless Road, Sukhumvit Road, Soi Tonson and Lang Suan Road.

Piya added that traffic police will be stationed in the area to help traffic flow and ease the impact on the public.

Motorists can call the Traffic Control and Command Centre’s 1197 hotline, use the M-Help Me smartphone application, or visit the www.trafficpolice.go.th.

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https://www.nationthailand.com/news/30402959

Nearly 100 suspects nabbed over online casinos this year: DES Ministry

NationalFeb 23. 2021Buddhipongse Punnakanta

By The Nation

As many as 98 people have been arrested so far this year for allegedly running online casinos, Digital Economy and Society (DES) Minister Buddhipongse Punnakanta said on Tuesday.

The ministry and the Police Cyber Taskforce have been collaborating on the crackdown since the start of the year.

Buddhipongse said gambling websites have been circulating more than Bt1.9 billion and that most of the suspects had been arrested in Phitsanulok, Chonburi and Chachoengsao.

“The most recent case was that of Apirak ‘Sia Po’ Chatanon, a former celebrity boxer and net idol who was arrested over allegations of money laundering and running the online casino Galaxy Online,” he said.

He said officials have been instructed to continue forwarding complaints filed at the @DESMonitor Facebook page to police, so the scourge of online gambling can be brought to an end as soon as possible.

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https://www.nationthailand.com/news/30402958

AirAsia CEO expects world to open up soon as Covid-19 vaccines roll out

NationalFeb 23. 2021

By THE NATION

Now that Covid-19 vaccines are being rolled out in many countries, Malaysian-based budget carrier AirAsia sees this as a clear indicator of a global travel reboot soon.

The airline’s key international market, namely Indonesia, Singapore, China and Australia, have kicked off inoculation programmes, while other regional countries like Thailand and the Philippines are expected to start vaccinating people within the first quarter of this year.

“AirAsia has spent the travel downtime to put in place rigorous digital initiatives and innovative technologies that would make air travel even safer and more seamless post-COVID-19. Better testing, leisure travel bubbles, anti-veil medicines and importantly, digital health passports providing a single tool for health records across Asean and beyond, are also coming soon, to support the global travel recovery,” AirAsia Group CEO Tony Fernandes said.

“I am confident AirAsia will recover faster than many due to our low-cost model, position in the market and the fast-tracking of our digital transformation to become Asia’s leading travel and lifestyle super-app, which has helped to mitigate adverse effects from the pandemic.

“We have been through our fair share of crises in the past including starting out just after 9/11, bird-flu epidemics, tsunamis and earthquakes to name a few, but Covid-19 has by far, posed the most challenging situation we have ever experienced.

“I remain optimistic we will achieve our fundraising target of 2.5 billion ringgit. The first tranche of the private placement of up to 20 per cent of the total issued shares of AirAsia Group was completed last week, with 11.07 per cent placed out, raising a total of 250 million ringgit. This reflects the solid market and investors’ confidence in the company.

“We are working towards obtaining approval for a loan within next month. Concurrently, we have positive ongoing discussions for other fundraising support measures in many of our key markets such as Thailand, Indonesia and the Philippines which we will announce in due course. Other capital raising and financial support measures are being considered, including capital raising for our digital entities. We expect further clarity to be reached on all funding efforts by the end of March,” Fernandes said.

AirAsia has recently introduced several new products that provide new revenue streams including the Airasia super app, logistics, e-commerce, fintech, as well as new procedures and innovations such as biometric facial recognition to make flying more hygienic and contactless.