THAILAND LIVE Thailand Live Wednesday 24 Feb 2021

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Thailand Mulls Waiving Quarantine Rule for Vaccinated Tourists

Suttinee Yuvejwattana, Bloomberg News

 

File photo for reference only

 

(Bloomberg) -- Thailand may scrap mandatory quarantine for foreign visitors vaccinated against Covid-19 as it may help the nation revive its tourism industry, according to Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-Ocha.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1207233-thailand-mulls-waiving-quarantine-rule-for-vaccinated-tourists/

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Thailand to start first coronavirus vaccinations this week

 

FILE PHOTO: A healthcare worker takes a nasal swab sample from a migrant worker during proactive testing at their work place, amid the spread of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak, in Samut Sakhon province, Thailand January 29, 2021. REUTERS/Soe Zeya Tun

 

BANGKOK (Reuters) - Thailand will start vaccinating priority groups including health workers against COVID-19 by the end of this week, its prime minister said on Tuesday, a day ahead of the arrival of the country's first coronavirus vaccines.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1207236-thailand-to-start-first-coronavirus-vaccinations-this-week/

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Drunken Phuket police officer shoots noodle vendor on Bangla Rd

By Eakkapop Thongtub

 

Cpl Pornthep Channarong of the Phuket Provincial Police is caught on CCTV firing at close range at Mr Aroon. Image: CCTV / Eakkapop Thongtub

 

PHUKET:-- A 25-year-old noodle vendor from Trang was shot and beaten by a Phuket Provincial Police officer on Bangla Rd, Patong, before dawn this morning (Feb 23).

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1207239-drunken-phuket-police-officer-shoots-noodle-vendor-on-bangla-rd/

 

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Thailand increases debt plan for current fiscal year

 

FILE PHOTO: Thai baht notes are seen at a Kasikornbank in Bangkok, Thailand, May 12, 2016. REUTERS/Athit Perawongmetha

 

BANGKOK (Reuters) - Thailand's cabinet on Tuesday approved a higher debt management plan of 1.54 trillion baht ($51.32 billion) for the current fiscal year to September to help facilitate borrowing for coronavirus relief measures, a government spokesman said.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1207281-thailand increases-debt-plan-for-current-fiscal-year/

 

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Tiger Woods hospitalized after being involved in car accident

 

FILE PHOTO: Golf - The Masters - Augusta National Golf Club - Augusta, Georgia, U.S. - November 15, 2020 Tiger Woods of the U.S. on the 4th hole during the final round REUTERS/Mike Segar/File Photo

 

LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - Golfer Tiger Woods was hospitalized on Tuesday after being involved in a single-vehicle accident in Los Angeles, police said.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1207282-tiger-woods-hospitalized-after-being-involved-in-car-accident/

 

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Natural sparkling water to be distributed free of charge in Kanchanaburi

 

 

Naturally carbonated water, from underground sources in Huay Krajao district of Thailand’s Kanchanaburi, will be distributed to people in the district, on a trial basis, free of charge on Wednesday by Department of Groundwater Resources.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1207283-natural-sparkling-water-to-be-distributed-free-of-charge-in-kanchanaburi/

 

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NESDB says retiree needs 2.8 – 4 million baht savings to survive for the rest of life

 

 

People in Thailand need retirement savings of between 2.8 and 4 million baht to survive for the rest of their lives, according to the National Economic and Social Development Board (NESDB) Secretary-General Danucha Pichayanan on Tuesday, referring to a special report, titled “Income Security for the Aged: For a Better Quality of Life”, authored by the government’s think-tank.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1207284-nesdb-says-retiree-needs-28-–-4-million-baht-savings-to-survive-for-the-rest-of-life/

 

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'Starbucks of toilets' makes splash in Thailand

Amid COVID wave, Mister Loo chain of public pay potties emerges as winner

 

Mister Loo co-founders Andreas Wanner, left, and Dominik Schuler at the company's toilet facility in Bangkok. (Photo by Marimi Kishimoto)

 

MARIMI KISHIMOTO, Nikkei staff writer

 

BANGKOK -- A chain of pay public toilets has emerged as a major winner amid the COVID-19 pandemic in Thailand. The facilities are operated by Mister Loo, a Swiss startup that aims to become the "Starbucks of toilets." With public awareness of hygiene growing as the deadly virus spreads, the operator of upscale toilets is winning popularity in Southeast Asia by emphasizing their cleanliness.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1207285-starbucks-of-toilets-makes-splash-in-thailand/

 

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Trump may soon have to answer rape allegations under oath

By Linda So

 

FILE PHOTO: U.S. President Donald Trump rape accuser E. Jean Carroll departs from her hearing at federal court during the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic in the Manhattan borough of New York City, New York, U.S., October 21, 2020. REUTERS/Carlo Allegri

 

(Reuters) - During a December visit to New York City, writer E. Jean Carroll says she went shopping with a fashion consultant to find the “best outfit” for one of the most important days of her life - when she’ll sit face-to-face with the man she accuses of raping her decades ago, former President Donald Trump.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1207287-trump may-soon-have-to-answer-rape-allegations-under-oath/

 

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Bitfinex, Tether owner pays $18.5 million fine to settle NYAG cryptocurrency cover-up charges

By Jonathan Stempel

 

FILE PHOTO: Photo illustration of Bitfinex cryptocurrency exchange website taken September 27, 2017. Picture taken September 27, 2017. REUTERS/Dado Ruvic/Illustration

 

NEW YORK (Reuters) - The owner of the Tether cryptocurrency and Bitfinex trading platform will pay an $18.5 million fine to settle charges it commingled client and corporate funds to cover up $850 million that went missing, New York Attorney General Letitia James said on Tuesday.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1207288-bitfinex-tether-owner-pays-185-million-fine-to-settle-nyag-cryptocurrency-cover-up-charges/

 

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Former House security chief denies 'optics' dictated decisions before Capitol riot

By Susan Cornwell

 

FILE PHOTO: Barbed wire and security fencing surrounds the U.S. Capitol in Washington, U.S., January 26, 2021. REUTERS/Al Drago

 

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The U.S. House of Representatives' former top security official on Tuesday denied authorities had rejected stationing National Guard forces at the Capitol last month ahead of a rally by Donald Trump's supporters out of concerns that it might look bad.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1207289-former-house-security-chief-denies-optics-dictated-decisions-before capitol riot/

 

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EU to keep COVID-19 curbs on non-essential travel amid chaotic border measures

By Gabriela Baczynska and Sabine Siebold

 

FILE PHOTO: European Union flags flutter outside the European Commission headquarters in Brussels, Belgium August 21, 2020. REUTERS/Yves Herman/File Photo

 

BRUSSELS/BERLIN (Reuters) - European Union government leaders will agree on Thursday to maintain curbs on non-essential travel within the EU despite the bloc's executive asking six countries to ease border restrictions on Tuesday.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1207291-eu-to-keep-covid-19-curbs-on-non-essential-travel-amid-chaotic-border-measures/

 

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Last statue of dictator Franco removed in 'historic day' for Spain

 

Local workers load a statue of former Spanish dictator Francisco Franco, the last one remaining in Spain, into a truck after removing it from its location in Melilla, Spain, February 23, 2021.REUTERS/Jesus Blasco de Avellaneda

 

MELILLA, Spain (Reuters) - The last statue of former Spanish dictator Francisco Franco was removed on Tuesday from the city gates of Melilla, a Spanish enclave and autonomous city on the northwest African coast.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1207290-last-statue-of-dictator-franco-removed-in-historic-day-for spain/

 

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Pattaya: Going green! Electric "Baht bus" trial coming soon

 

Picture: Sophon Cable TV

 

Pattaya is going green as mayor Sontaya Khunpluem's dreams of turning the resort into a "Smart City" take shape.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1207297-pattaya-going-green-electric-baht-bus-trial-coming-soon/

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Bangkok: Girlfriend arrested for murdering boxing instructor in Soi On Nut

 

Picture: Sanook

 

Prawet police have made an arrest after 46 year old boxing instructor Wichan Malithong was found dead from a stab wound to the neck in On Nut Soi 70/1 on Monday night.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1207298-bangkok-girlfriend-arrested-for-murdering-boxing-instructor-in-soi-on-nut/

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Phuket retirees refused visa renewal for failing bank balance asked to apply for COVID visa

By The Phuket News

 

A foreigner has an application processed at the Phuket Immigration Office in Phuket Town. Photo: The Phuket News / file

 

PHUKET: Phuket Immigration is urging all expats staying on retirement visas whose applications to renew their one-year permit to stay have been refused due to financial reasons to apply for a 60-day “COVID visa” so they can continue to stay in the country.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1207304-phuket-retirees-refused-visa-renewal-for-failing-bank-balance-asked-to-apply-for-covid-visa/

 

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Thai PM set to get first jab - AstraZeneca - as first batch of two vaccines arrive today

 

Picture: Sanook

 

Health minister and Deputy Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul told the press after a MoPH meeting yesterday that the first batches of Covid-19 vaccine would arrive today. 

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1207306-thai-pm-set-to-get-first-jab-astrazeneca-as-first-batch-of-two-vaccines-arrive-today/

 

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Covid spokesman announces "Yacht Quarantine" proposal, invites public to share ideas on boosting tourism

 

File photo for reference only

 

An upbeat Taweesin Visanuyothin said the public and tourism operators should contact the authorities if they have any bright ideas.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1207312-covid-spokesman-announces-yacht-quarantine-proposal-invites-public-to-share-ideas-on-boosting-tourism/

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Over 55’s set to receive 5,000 baht each to travel in Thailand

 

File photo for reference only

 

Thai media reported on the latest schemes to stimulate the devastated tourism sector.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1207315-over-55’s-set-to-receive-5000-baht-each-to-travel-in-thailand/

 

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Melo Mania! Now Pattaya cook realizes he has valuable pearl he found ten years ago!

 

Picture: Sophon Cable TV

 

Another Melo pearl has surfaced this time in Pattaya.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1207316-melo-mania-now-pattaya-cook-realizes-he-has-valuable-pearl-he-found-ten-years-ago/

 

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Pattaya bars and clubs allowed to open until midnight

 

File photo for reference only

 

Bars, pubs, clubs and other entertainment venues in Pattaya can now stay open until midnight.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1207319-pattaya-bars-and-clubs-allowed-to-open-until-midnight/

 

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UPDATE:

 

Tee off in Thailand as tourists arrive for golf quarantine

By Chayut Setboonsarng, Sangmi Cha

 

BANGKOK (Reuters) - Thailand has welcomed golfers from South Korea for the country’s new golf quarantine programme in a bid to boost tourism revenue hit hard by the coronavirus pandemic.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1206700-golf-quarantine-first-arrivals-from-korea-and-will-spend-5571-baht-a-day/?do=findComment&comment=16276272

 

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Life with two wives - Ratchaburi man and his ladies put a different spin on "mia luang" "mia noi"

 

Picture: Sanook

 

Sanook reporters went to Ratchaburi where they found a Thai man happily living with two Thai women. 

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1207323-life-with-two-wives-ratchaburi-man-and-his-ladies-put-a-different-spin-on-mia-luang-mia-noi/

 

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Restrictions eased on sporting events and "12 hour" transit at Suvarnabhumi

 

File photo

 

Thailand's Covid-19 spokesman Taweesin Visanuyothin announced an easing of restrictions on sporting events and attendance by the public.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1207325-restrictions-eased-on-sporting-events-and-12-hour-transit-at-suvarnabhumi/

 

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BTSC Accuses MRTA of Illegally Scrapping Bidding Contest

 

 

BANGKOK, Feb 24 (TNA) - Bangkok Mass Transit System Plc (BTSC) filed a complaint with the Central Criminal Court for Corruption and Misconduct Cases against the Mass Rapid Transit Authority (MRTA) for scrapping a bidding contest for the Orange Line project.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1207327-btsc-accuses-mrta-of-illegally-scrapping-bidding-contest/

 

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China's bid to stop Wuhan COVID-19 spread cut deaths elsewhere from other causes - study

 

FILE PHOTO: A worker wears a mask during a government organised media tour at Tongji Hospital following the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak, in Wuhan, Hubei province, China September 3, 2020. REUTERS/Aly Song/File Photo

 

SHANGHAI (Reuters) - The number of deaths in China - excluding the coronavirus epicentre of Wuhan - fell slightly during the first three months of 2020, suggesting efforts to control the spread of COVID-19 reduced deaths from other causes, a new study showed.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1207328-chinas-bid-to-stop-wuhan-covid-19-spread-cut-deaths-elsewhere-from-other-causes-study/

 

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PHOTOS: Thailand reports 93 new COVID-19 infections as first vaccines arrive in Bangkok

 

Photos: กวาง ไตรศุลี ไตรสรณกุล

 

 

Thailand reported 93 new coronavirus cases on Wednesday, the fifth consecutive day where the number of new infections have been at double digits.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1207337-photos-thailand-reports-93-new-covid-19-infections-as-first-vaccines-arrive-in-bangkok/

 

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Young Thai woman's crime spree comes to an end - arrested for armed bank heist in Prachuap Khiri Khan

 

 

Daily News reported an extraordinary spree of crime after the woman charged with attempting an armed bank robbery in Prachuap Khiri Khan was caught.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1207338-young-thai-womans-crime-spree-comes-to-an-end-arrested-for-armed-bank-heist-in-prachuap-khiri-khan/

 

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Parents claim primary school teacher abused thirteen children at Surin school

 

Picture: Sanook

 

Police in Surin in the north east of Thailand are investigating an extremely serious case of multiple sexual assaults on thirteen early primary school children.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1207339-parents-claim-primary-school-teacher-abused-thirteen-children-at-surin-school/

 

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Phuket police officer faces attempted murder charge over Bangla shooting

 

Forensic police investigate the scene of the shooting on Bangla Rd yesterday (Feb 23). Photo: PR Phuket

 

PHUKET: The drunken Phuket police officer who shot a noodle vendor on Bangla Rd, Patong, early yesterday morning will face at least three charges, including attempted murder, the Phuket Provincial Police chief has confirmed.

 

Full story: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1207340-phuket-police-officer-faces-attempted-murder-charge-over-bangla-shooting/