New virus infections among health personnel soar
The number of new infections among health personnel in Thailand has risen sharply amid calls for better protection for doctors, nurses and other staff on the frontline of the battle against the coronavirus.
— Bangkok Post
Over thirteen million people already successfully registered for government financial aid, millions more expected
Registration for 5,000 baht government aid, for people affected by the coronavirus crisis, was opened yesterday at 6pm via the “เราไม่–ิ้งกัน “อ–คอม” website. Immediately after the registration opened, the website crashed, due to the overwhelming number of applicants.
— The Pattaya News
Thailand announces 143 new confirmed cases of the Covid-19 Coronavirus and one additional death
At a press conference by the Ministry of Public Health and the Department of Disease Control this morning Thailand confirmed 143 new confirmed cases of the Covid-19 Coronavirus and one additional death.
— The Pattaya News
Coronavirus fear sparks Thai prison riot as cases reach 1,388
Prisoners set fire to the canteen of jail in northeastern Thailand and several inmates escaped during a riot on Sunday that was sparked by rumors of a coronavirus outbreak, a senior justice ministry official told Reuters.
— Reuters
Seven airlines to seek bailout to survive
Seven Thai airlines are likely to seek a 16-billion-baht bailout from the Finance Ministry so they can pay their employees while their services are suspended.
— Bangkok Post
Thai nationals take last flight from Singapore to avoid being stranded
As airlines worldwide cut flights due to the coronavirus outbreak, the last service from Singapore to Bangkok departed on Saturday with only a few dozen passengers, mostly Thai citizens desperate to get home to ride out the pandemic.
— Reuters
Seven Thai airlines to seek B16bn bailout
Seven Thai airlines are likely to seek a 16-billion-baht bailout from the Finance Ministry so they can keep employees while their services are suspended.
— Bangkok Post
Thailand’s Covid-19 cases might almost double in a few days: dean
Covid-19 cases in Thailand might jump to 2,000 people within two weeks, Prof Dr Prasit Watanapa, dean of the faculty of medicine, Siriraj Hospital said during a press conference about the Covid-19 test kit on Friday (March 27).
— The Nation (very annoying popups)
Thai AirAsia to stop domestic flights in April
Thai AirAsia will suspend its domestic route service from April 1 to 30, while passengers can change their flights with no limit, the airline announced.
— The Nation (very annoying popups)
Government Sued for Barring Thai Citizens From Flying Home
An activist on Thursday filed a petition to the court demanding legal action against the Thai government for imposing a new border rule that effectively stranded many Thai citizens overseas.
— Khaosod English
Thai army officers involved in boxing event transferred to inactive posts
An army general, who is also the manager of the Lumpini boxing stadium, the scene of a COVID-19 cluster infection, and other army officers allegedly involved in the organizing of the March 6th boxing championship matches, against expert health advice, have been transferred to inactive posts at the army headquarters, pending an investigation.
— Thai PBS News
Thailand’s tourist haven Pattaya devastated as coronavirus hits travel
Beaches are deserted, go-go bars stand empty and cabarets have shut their doors in Thailand’s tourist haven of Pattaya, as business has ground to a standstill after worldwide travel restrictions because of the coronavirus pandemic.
— Reuters
Gov’t Greenlights Bailout for Virus-Stricken Thai Airways
The Minister of Finance said on Thursday that the government will inject a new round of cash bailout for Thai Airways, whose operations have been devastated by the coronavirus pandemic.
— Khaosod English
Phuket locks down, brings all transport to standstill until April 30
Phuket is locking down from Monday (March 30) until April 30 as the number of Covid-19 patients over the country is growing.
— The Nation (very annoying popups)
Parents of AFS students to seek PM’s help to return their children to Thailand
The parents of about 200 Thai students, currently in the USA under the American Field Service (AFS) exchange program, will meet with Thailand’s Prime Minister and Foreign Minister tomorrow (Monday) to seek government support to bring their children back to Thailand.
— Thai PBS News
Prime Minister of Thailand discusses potential additional measures to control Covid-19 in Thailand
This morning, the Prime Minister called a meeting of relevant medical personnel to evaluate the plan for the week ahead and the restructuring of the COVID-19 Administration Center to solve the problem proactively.
— The Pattaya News
143 new COVID-19 infections, 18% asymptomatic but infectious – Dr. Thaveesilp
Speaking at a press conference today (Sunday), Dr. Thaveesilp Wissanuyothing, spokesman for Thailand’s Command Centre for the Management of the COVID Situation, said that everyone is at risk of contracting COVID-19, and 18% of those infected do not exhibit any symptoms, but remain infectious.
— Thai PBS News
Passengers on stricken cruise ship to leave Australia via Phuket
Hundreds of cruise ship passengers were due to board flights for Germany via Phuket on Sunday, after spending days stranded at sea off the West Australian coast in a stand-off with authorities.
— Bangkok Post
Bt150 discount for M-Pass online top-up to stop Covid-19 spreading
The Department of Highways is offering a Bt150 discount for a Bt1,000 top-up of M-Pass electronic toll collection, to encourage people to avoid paying cash, which might carry the new strain of coronavirus.
— The Nation (very annoying popups)
MRT Blue Line set to launch full service from Monday
The MRT Blue Line will be fully operational from March 30, officials said on Sunday
— The Nation (very annoying popups)
Power to the people – Energy Ministry promises adequate supply of electricity
Thailand’s Energy Ministry says that there will be adequate electricity supply to fuel the demands of people staying and working from home. Millions are cooped up in their homes, raising the domestic electricity supply usage.
— The Thaiger
Tesco Lotus Express to allow only 15 people at one time in stores
Tesco Lotus Express will allow no more than 15 customers at one time in its 1,600 stores nationwide, as part of its social distancing policy, starting from Sunday (March 29).
— The Nation (very annoying popups)
Passengers can carry 350ml hand sanitisers on flights
The Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand has increased the volume of liquid hand sanitiser passengers and cabin crew can bring on board to a maximum of 350 millilitres per bottle, up from the previous limit of 100ml.
— The Nation (very annoying popups)
Prayut Approves Buying Medical Supplies From China, Japan
Thai Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha has approved a 1.5-billion-baht (46-million U.S. dollar) budget for the Ministry of Public Health to buy medicines and medical equipments from China and Japan to cope with the COVID-19 spread in Thailand, Dr. Sukhum Kanchanapimai, at the ministry confirmed on Friday.
— Khaosod English
BMA equips monks with masks, hand gel
The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA)âs Social Development Department has given monks at nine temples facemasks and hand-sanitising gels to curb the spread of Covid-19, BMA permanent secretary Silapasuay Raweesangsoon said on Friday (March 27).
— The Nation (very annoying popups)
Haze eases in North, but not worries
The average accumulation of airborne PM2.5 dust particles has dipped in the North in the last 24 hours, but it’s worse in some areas because of numerous forest fires.
— The Nation (very annoying popups)
Police virus checkpoints put 100 on watchlist
More than 100 travellers across the country were found in random checks on Thursday (March 26) to have high body temperature.
— The Nation (very annoying popups)
Siam Makro’s doors closed for those not wearing face mask
Siam Makro, the operator of Makro retail malls, said that customers not wearing a face mask will not be allowed in its branches in Bangkok and nearby provinces from Saturday (March 28).
— The Nation (very annoying popups)
Governors told to track returnees by app
The Interior Ministry has told all provincial governors to use the âAOT Airportsâ application to track everyone returning home from Bangkok and vicinity, where the vast majority of Covid-19 infections in Thailand have occurred, and from at-risk overseas locales.
— The Nation (very annoying popups)
Thailand runs short of eggs
The price of eggs has increased due to hoarding by people worried about the Covid-19 virus � and the rising summer temperature making hens less productive.
— The Nation (very annoying popups)
Baht continues to rise with low liquidity
The baht on Friday (March 27) opened at Bt32.63 to the US dollar, strengthening from Thursdayâs close of Bt32.77, and would be valued at between Bt32.55 to Bt32.85 per US dollar, SCB Securities senior market strategist Jitipol Puksamatanan said.
— The Nation (very annoying popups)
Stranded Thais allowed to enter Satun
Almost 300 Thai nationals left stranded at the Wang Kelian immigration checkpoint in Malaysia’s Perlis state on Saturday night were allowed to enter Thailand, but they were required to place themselves into quarantine for 14 days at home, the Satun governor said on Sunday.
— Bangkok Post
Seven prisoners who fled Buriram prison captured
Seven convicts who tried to escape from a prison in Buriram province in the morning have been arrested.
— The Nation (very annoying popups)
A message in English from The Pattaya City Police Chief to all local residents
The following is a message sent to us by the Pattaya City Police Chief that he wanted to pass on to the entire Pattaya English speaking community.
— The Pattaya News
Lamphun reports its first two Covid-19 cases
Lamphun province has reported its first two Covid-19 cases.
— The Nation (very annoying popups)
Soi Dog foundation continues its work to help stray animals in Thailand during Covid19 Coronavirus crisis
Soi Dog carried out GDP annual vaccination As life in Phuket slows to cope with the Covid-19 pandemic, Soi Dog Foundation’s vital work to help the island’s vulnerable street animals continues.
— The Pattaya News
Wife and two children of man who died of Covid-19 test positive
The wife and two children of a man who died after being infected by the new coronavirus, have tested positive for Covid-19.
— The Nation (very annoying popups)
Six tips to register for the Bt5,000 cash handout scheme
The government’s cash handout initiative will open for registration at 6pm on Saturday (March 28). It aims to help those not covered by the social security system, who are affected by the order to close certain business venues to prevent the spread of Covid-19.
— The Nation (very annoying popups)
Thais show generosity and ingenuity to outwit deadly virus
As fear of catching Covid-19 grows, many Thais are doing what they can to help the country pull through this crisis – whether they are celebrities or just ordinary people wanting to lend a hand.
— Thai PBS News
Hotels want temporary closure to be deemed ‘force majeur’
Hotels that want to temporarily shut operations during the Covid-19 situation are seeking to register as closure due to force majeur in order to help their employees.
— The Nation (very annoying popups)
Commercial banks close all branches over weekend to prevent overcrowding
Kasikornbank, Siam Commercial Bank, Krungthai Bank and TMB-Thanachart Bank announced on Friday (March 27) that they would close all branches nationwide on Saturday and Sunday (March 28-29), while electronic services would remain available.
— The Nation (very annoying popups)
Opinion: Emergency Power in the Hand of an Ex-Dictator is Worrying
Even though I personally support lockdown measures as long as there are adequate compensations to affected people, we can debate whether a state of emergency is really warranted at this point.
— Khaosod English
GPSC bags four firms at 39.5MW
Global Power Synergy Plc (GPSC), the power generation arm of national energy firm PTT Plc, took over four firms yesterday operating nine solar farms in Thailand with total capacity of 39.5 megawatts.
— Bangkok Post
Thailand’s PM orders military conscription postponed until July or August
The Thai Ministry of Defence has decided to postpone this year’s round of military conscription, scheduled to take place from April 1st to 12th, by as much as three months, due to concerns over the spread of COVID-19.
— Thai PBS News
KMIT volunteers its dorms as field hospital
King Mongkut’s Institute of Technology Ladkrabang is prepared to turn its dormitories into a field hospital in the battle against Covid-18, its president said on Friday (March 27).
— The Nation (very annoying popups)
Three hurt in Pattaya crane collapse
Employees of construction firm Rungrueng Architect (2005) were on Friday (March 27) repairing six houses in Pattaya damaged that morning in a crane collapse.
— The Nation (very annoying popups)
More public venues in Bangkok face closure
More public venues in Thailand’s capital face closure, from tomorrow until end of April, as the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) tightens the partial lockdown of the city to stem the spread of COVID-19.
— Thai PBS News
Thirty horses die suddenly, cause unknown
The Thailand Equestrian Federation is urging horse fanciers to not transport any animals after 30 died in the Northeast on Thursday (March 26), the cause or causes undetermined.
— The Nation (very annoying popups)
Cafe Amazon to close 73 stores
CafeAmazon, Thai coffeehouses owned by PTT, announced on Friday (March 27) to temporarily close 73 stores in Bangkok and metropolitan areas to prevent Covid-19 from spreading.
— The Nation (very annoying popups)
Playgrounds out of bounds for children in Chachoengsao
Chachoengsao Governor Rapee Pongbuppakit has issued a new order to close more venues in the province’s battle against Covid-19.
— The Nation (very annoying popups)
Infections will skyrocket without social distancing, says official
If the public were to ignore pleas to maintain safe social distancing, Thailand could have more than 25,000 people infected with the Covid-19 virus by mid-April, a Health Ministry official has warned.
— The Nation (very annoying popups)
Train services suspended amid dearth of passengers
With the Covid-19 scare halving passenger numbers, State Railway of Thailand (SRT) is suspending train services on 22 routes from Wednesday (April 1) âuntil the situation improvesâ.
— The Nation (very annoying popups)
True triples bandwidth capacity as Internet, mobile usage see big leap due to Covid-19
There has been a sharp spike in internet and mobile usage as more people are staying at home due to the Covid-19 threat, Jirachai Kunakorn, chief network operations officer at True Corporation Plc, said.
— The Nation (very annoying popups)
Will local immigration offices in Isaan stay open during the COVID-19 outbreak?
As the COVID-19 outbreak continues to disrupt life in Thailand, foreigners in Isaan may be wondering whether their immigration status will be put in jeopardy.
— Isaan Record
Drug party raided in Chiang Rai for defying public gathering ban
Authorities are cracking down and enforcing the ban on on public gatherings under the the state of emergency declared to fight the Covid-19 coronavirus epidemic last week.
— The Thaiger
Nakhon Phanom tightens scrutiny as returnee from Bangkok becomes first Covid-19 patient
Nakhon Phanom has discovered its first Covid-19 case, provincial governor Siam Sirimongkol told a press conference on Friday (March 27).
— The Nation (very annoying popups)
Analysis: Thais hopeful but many wary of military-style ’emergency’
The state of emergency declared by Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha on Wednesday targets a new national threat that even the authors of the old emergency law could not have imagined…
— Thai PBS News
A safe distance on Bangkok buses
Every other seat on Bangkok Mass Transit Authority (BMTA) buses is now marked âSocial distancing “do not sit here” in a bid to stem the spread of Covid-19.
— The Nation (very annoying popups)
Thai chef in NYC dies of COVID-19
A Thai chef, working at a Thai restaurant in New York City, died of COVID-19 today. A Facebook post, by a compatriot in New York City, reported that the…
— Thai PBS News
Gambling wife arrested after husband calls police in Nakhon Ratchasima
Thailand’s recently declared state of emergency has meant the temporary closure of many businesses, leaving a lot of people with a lot of time on their hands.
— The Thaiger
Feature photo Sachi23
This week’s Thailand morning news feature photo focuses on COVID-19 in Asean.
Find our previous morning news feature photos in the AEC News Today Morning News Feature Photos gallery where you will find a pictorial display of daily life throughout the Asean Economic Community (AEC).
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About Thailand morning news.
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Thailand morning news for March 30 added by John Le Fevre on
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John Le Fevre
He has spent extensive periods of time working in Africa and throughout Southeast Asia, with stints in the Middle East, the USA, and England.
He has covered major world events including Operation Desert Shield/ Storm, the 1991 pillage in Zaire, the 1994 Rwanda genocide, the 1999 East Timor independence unrest, the 2004 Asian tsunami, and the 2009, 2010, and 2014 Bangkok political protests.
In 1995 he was a Walkley Award finalist, the highest awards in Australian journalism, for his coverage of the 1995 Zaire (now Democratic Republic of Congo) Ebola outbreak.
Prior to AEC News Today he was the deputy editor and Thailand and Greater Mekong Sub-region editor for The Establishment Post, predecessor of Asean Today.
In the mid-80s and early 90s he owned JLF Promotions, the largest above and below the line marketing and PR firm servicing the high-technology industry in Australia. It was sold in 1995.
Latest posts by John Le Fevre (see all)
- COVID-19 in Asean: update for July 26 — 16 mln case barrier breached, Vietnam records community transmission – July 26, 2020
- COVID-19 in Asean: update for July 25 — new high for daily infections, 16 mln infection barrier to break today – July 25, 2020
- COVID-19 in Asean: update for July 24 — Asean tops 230,000 cases, nudges 90,000 active – July 24, 2020
- Thailand morning news for July 24 – July 24, 2020