Thailand morning news for April 8

Thailand morning news for April 8
Advertisement
Online English lessons

Thailand morning news

COVID-19: 38 new cases, one more death
The Spokesman for the Center for COVID-19 Situation Administration (CCSA), Dr. Taweesin Visanuyothin, said today that Thailand now has an accumulated total of 2,258 confirmed cases in 66 provinces.
— NNT

Foreigner complaints and frustration rise over lines at Immigration, Thai Authorities say help is coming and the details are still being “discussed”
Complaints and frustration over lines at Immigration have reached a deafening level, with multiple pictures and e-mails sent today alone to The Pattaya News of a crowd estimated to be in the hundreds at Jomtien Immigration this morning and afternoon.
— The Pattaya News

Only 200 people to be allowed to enter country each day
The Foreign Affairs Ministry issued a statement saying not more than 200 people will be allowed to enter the country each day.
— The Nation (very annoying popups)

MP candidate again linked to mask fraud
A former election candidate of the Paradonraphab Party, Anonvat Vorametchayangkoon, is in hot water again after two women accused him of cheating them out of 520,000 baht in illegal face mask sales.
— Bangkok Post

626 busted over decree violations
More than 600 people nationwide have been prosecuted for defying the emergency decree invoked to contain the spread of the coronavirus.
— Bangkok Post

Cabinet gives green light to B1.9tn stimulus
The cabinet on Tuesday approved 1.9-trillion-baht spending to help people and businesses affected by the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19), including 600 billion baht for six-month cash giveaways and 500-billion-baht soft loans for small and medium-sized businesses.
— Bangkok Post

Thailand reports just 38 new COVID-19 cases – thanks to night curfew
Thailand’s new coronavirus infections fell to just 38 today, from yesterday’s 51, apparently as a result of the nationwide night-time curfew, which began on April 3rd.
— Thai PBS News

Consumer prices drop 0.54% y/y in March, most in over 4 years
Thailand’s headline consumer price index (CPI) dropped 0.54% in March from a year earlier, the weakest in 51 months, but slightly better than expectations, commerce ministry data showed on Tuesday.
— Bangkok Post

PM urges stringent punishment of forest arsonists
The air pollution level this morning has been of concern in nine northern provinces due to active forest fires in the region.
— NNT

Covid centre ‘working to bring Thais home’
The Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration (CCSA) is working with related agencies to bring Thais stranded in airports across the world home as the Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand (CAAT) has extended a ban on all commercial flights to Thailand until April 18 to support the country’s campaign to contain the coronavirus.
— Bangkok Post

Thai Cabinet decides Schools will reopen on July 1st
The Thai Cabinet made a decision on Tuesday afternoon to re-open Thai schools on July 1st, a much later date as opposed to the originally announced May 16th.
— The Pattaya News

1.9 trillion baht stimulus aims to relieve Covid-19 impacts on Thai business
Today, on the weekly meeting with the Thai Cabinet, it was concluded and approved that the third phase of the economic stimulus will commence as of today.
— The Thaiger

CP will start production of medical masks in Thailand
4 weeks ago the Charoen Pokphand Group announced plans to build a factory specifically to start the production of medical masks for medical personnel and Thai citizens.
— The Thaiger

Daughter inadvertently infects her mother with Covid-19
A woman, unknowingly infected by Covid-19 and who failed to quarantine herself on return from abroad, spread the virus to her mother, Dr Opass Putcharoen, head of Chulalongkorn University’s Emerging Infectious Diseases Clinical Centre, said on his Facebook page today (April 7).
— The Nation (very annoying popups)

Local Gov’t Lacks Means to Tackle Wildfires Raging in North, NGOs Say
Local authorities are too underfunded and uncoordinated to deal with a massive outbreak of wildfires in the northern provinces of Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai, which already claimed the lives of five firefighters, volunteers said.
— Khaosod English

Government dismisses rumor of extended curfew hours
The Center for COVID-19 Situation Administration has dismissed a rumor of the government extending hours of the national curfew — which is currently from 10 PM to 4 AM.
— Newsline (video)

COVID-19 test free under Health Security for eligible patients
The National Health Security Office (N-H-S-O) has reiterated that those who possess the National Health Security’s universal healthcare program while meeting certain criteria, can receive a free COVID-19 test at participating hospitals.
— Newsline (video)

Thailand Says Lockdown Is Slowing Spread of Novel Coronavirus
Thailand reported the smallest number of new coronavirus cases in about three weeks, saying restrictions on daily life are inhibiting the disease.
— Bloomberg

‘Dissatisfied’ officials admit Thailand needs more COVID-19 testing
Thailand needs more testing for COVID-19, health officials said today, as the confirmed number of infections rose to 2,258.
— Coconuts Bangkok

144,000 lose jobs in shutdown
More than 140,000 employees lost their jobs last month due to the fallout from the Covid-19 pandemic, according to the Department of Employment.
— Bangkok Post

Thailand’s export to see worst performance in 10 years
Despite the weakening baht, the Thai National Shippers’ Council (TNSC) expects export value of the country to contract by at least 8 percent in 2020, with a possibility of double digit contraction looming.
— Vietnamplus

Legal implications of COVID-19 disruption for employers in Thailand
As the COVID-19 situation escalates, governments worldwide are imposing travel restrictions, mandatory quarantine procedures, and curfews and lockdowns in an attempt to slow the transmission of the virus.
— Bangkok Post

Surveying fresh market, people adapting to state of emergency
Vendors at a fresh market in Thailand have confirmed that there is no shortage of regular-sized chicken eggs but indicated public demand for large-sized eggs skyrocketed, leading to shortages.
— Newsline (video)

First outbreak subsidies due this week
The first batch of eligible registrants for a 5,000-baht cash subsidy will receive the money tomorrow, according to a Finance Ministry spokesman.
— Bangkok Post

Phuket Imposes 20,000 Baht Fine for Anyone Not Wearing Face Mask
The Governor of Phuket has issued an order that requires all people going outdoors to always wear a face mask, or face a fine of up to Bt20,000.
— Chiang Rai Times

‘Ninja’ robots to help treat infected
Chulalongkorn University has launched a line of robots to assist medical staff in providing telehealthcare to Covid-19 patients as the number of local infections continues to rise.
— Bangkok Post

BAAC to revise loan goal as farm sector stagnant
The state-owned Bank for Agriculture and Agricultural Cooperatives (BAAC) is poised to revise its new lending target of 101 billion baht for this financial year, starting from April 1, because of knock-on effects from the Covid-19 outbreak on the farming sector.
— Bangkok Post

Public Health Ministry to oversee distribution of Favipiravir
The government has instructed the Ministry of Public Health to oversee the distribution of 287,000 tablets of Favipiravir — medicine believed to be effective in treating COVID-19 patients with mild symptoms — to hospitals in Thailand.
— Newsline (video)

New probe into station cell death
The provincial police chief has promised a new investigation into the death of a man while in police custody.
— Bangkok Post

Returnees from Thailand present new challenges in combating COVID-19 in Cambodia
Cambodian returnees from Thailand who are now in Cambodia present immense challenges to authorities in the fight against COVID-19.
— Khmer Times

Unilever Thailand makes substantial donation worth 40 million baht to Hospital Heroes to fight COVID-19
Robert Candelino (left), CEO of Unilever Thailand, donates consumer goods and essential things to Anuti Charnvirakul, Deputy Prime Minister and Public Health Minister
— Bangkok Post

Women Who Run Thailand’s Biggest Bank Pledge to Avoid Layoffs
Kasikornbank Pcl, Thailand’s biggest lender by assets, can avoid laying off staff during the coronavirus pandemic as the bank’s strong capital structure will enable it to cope with rising bad loans.
— Bloomberg

Medics at risk after tourist dies
A Hungarian tourist who died of Covid-19 had earlier withheld details of his visits to entertainment areas, which resulted in 112 medical staff members being suspended from work and placed in quarantine.
— Bangkok Post

Curfew relief requested for rubber farms
The Rubber Authority of Thailand (RAOT) is asking the government to allow farmers to tap rubber during curfew, said Agriculture and Cooperatives Minister Chalermchai Sri-on.
— Bangkok Post

PWA extends water bill deadline 20 days
The Provincial Waterworks Authority (P-W-A) will extend the deadline for paying water bills for 20 days for the months of April to June, in order to help members of the public cope with economic fallouts of the COVID-19 outbreak.
— Newsline (video)

Thailand to launch training schemes for jobless amid COVID-19
Thailand will launch training programmes for unemployed people as part of the third series of its government’s stimulus measures to ease the impact of the COVID-19 on the economy, said Thai Deputy Prime Minister Somkid Jatusripitak.
— Vietnamplus

New charter judges named
The appointments of four new Constitutional Court judges and the new court president have been formally announced in the Royal Gazette.
— Bangkok Post

Most SE Asian stocks chase global markets higher as virus spread slows; Thailand surges 6%
Most Southeast Asian stock markets rose on Tuesday, tracking equities around the world, as sentiment was aided by coronavirus infections slowing in Europe and the United States, while Thailand surged more than 6% on rallying oil prices.
— The Edge Markets

Thammasat University’s Library Becomes the First Library in Thailand to Receive Environmental Management ISO Certificate
Thammasat University’s library has received an environmental management certificate according to ISO 14001:2015 standards from SGS (Thailand) Co. Ltd. because the library is aware of environmental management at the organization level in order to be accepted in the international standard.
— QS WOW News (media release)

World body puts off badminton events in Thailand and Indonesia
The Badminton World Federation (BWF) has suspended a number of tournaments scheduled for May, June and July because of the coronavirus pandemic, the sport’s governing body announced on Monday.
— Bangkok Post

Health ministry advises elders on preventive measures against COVID-19
The Department of Health Director General Panpimol Wipulakorn said today that most COVID-19 patients in Thailand are of working age, however they could carry and unknowingly transmit the virus to elderly family members at home.
— NNT

Cabinet acknowledges postponement of first semester of 2020 academic year
The Government Spokeswoman, Prof. Dr. Narumon Pinyosinwat, said the cabinet meeting acknowledged the Ministry of Education’s proposal to defer the start of the new semester to July 1, in an effort to help the nation contain the spread of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).
— NNT

HRH Princess Sirindhorn assigns Chaipattana Foundation to set up fund to fight COVID-19
Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn has instructed the Chaipattana Foundation to set up a fund to help hospitals and health care providers in the fight against the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).
— NNT

Thai Muslim pilgrims from Indonesia enter quarantine program
Officials have reported that a group of eight pilgrims returning from Indonesia have arrived in Yala Province and will be subject to a 14-day home quarantine program, as a precautionary measure against COVID-19.
— NNT

Military officers patrol risk areas in Chiang Mai to prevent forest fires
Hotspots have continued to aggravate the forest fire situation in Chiang Mai. The Disaster Relief Center, of the 33rd Military Circle, has dispatched military officers to patrol forest areas to prevent and extinguish forest fires throughout Chiang Mai province.
— NNT

Three curfew violators in Pattaya sentenced to three months in prison
Three Thai men, who were not named to the press, were caught in Pattaya last evening violating the National Thailand curfew. Pattaya City Police posted on their Thai social media channels and reminded its Thai and English audience not to go out between 10 PM and 4 AM without a valid reason.
— The Pattaya News

Pattaya City to help give food and supplies for local residents affected by Covid19 Coronavirus Crisis
The Pattaya City Government is preparing to give food and supplies to residents who are being affected from the Covid19 virus crisis.
— The Pattaya News

Not recommended: Smoking marijuana at a police checkpoint
Most of us approach a police checkpoint with a bit of anxiety and apprehension but sometimes the “sabai sabai” approach makes for a more interesting interaction when you roll down your window.
— The Thaiger

A Bangkok hospital offers free drive-through Covid-19 tests for taxi drivers
Few industries see more contact with potentially infected people than transportation services. That is why a new drive through testing system has been developed in the nation’s capital.
— The Thaiger

Curfew violations on the rise
Despite the Emergency Decree of a nationwide curfew enforced by police checkpoints, armed soldiers, hefty fines and threats of jail time, people are still found to be violating the orders by going out.
— The Thaiger

Thailand’s Virus Test Number Trails Behind S. Korea, But Surpasses Japan
Approximately 70,000 people have been tested for coronavirus in Thailand so far, health officials said on Tuesday, the same day they reported one more fatality claimed by the virus.
— Khaosod English

Surat Thani, which includes Ko Samui and Ko Phangan, orders hotel closure
The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) would like to provide an update from Surat Thani province regarding its measures to
— Richard Barrow in Thailand

Commerce Ministry takes steps towards reducing price of palm oil
Commerce Minister Jurin Laksanawisit has told the Department of Internal Trade (DIT) to cut the price of palm oil by Bt2 to Bt3 to ease the burden on consumers during the Covid-19 crisis.
— The Nation (very annoying popups)

Vigilante Facebook Page Shames, Threatens to Shoot ‘Shit Tourists’
A Facebook page with more than half a million followers threatened to harm “shit tourists” who venture outside on Phuket island during the coronavirus outbreak.
— Khaosod English

Phuket seals off three more areas – Kathu, Chalong and Srisoonthorn
The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) would like to provide further updates that Phuket has ordered a lockdown of three more areas – Kathu, Chalong and Srisoonthorn Sub-districts, in addition to Patong, Karon and Rawai, as part of the unprecedented measures to stop the spread of the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19).
— Richard Barrow in Thailand

5,000 Baht Cash Handouts Extended to 6 Months
The government’s 5,000-baht cash relief program for those put out of work by the coronavirus pandemic was extended to 6 months in a Cabinet meeting on Tuesday.
— Khaosod English

Thais stranded in Tokyo airport plead for help
Five Thai exchange students, who on their way back from the United States found themselves stranded in Tokyo’s Haneda Airport, are pleading for help.
— The Nation (very annoying popups)

Agency sees -1% inflation
Thailand’s inflation rate may be as low as -1% this year as the escalating spread of Covid-19 has weakened overall domestic demand.
— Bangkok Post

Cheap loans, debt moratorium focus of new B1tn stimulus
Low-interest loans and a six-months debt moratorium for small and medium-sized enterprises are the fulcrum of a new 1 trillion baht stimulus package to tackle the economic impact of the coronavirus outbreak announced on Tuesday.
— Bangkok Post

Extensive testing for virus in Phuket
Health officials are extending testing for coronavirus infections in the province, with a target to examine up to 3,000 people in high risk groups, Dr Pitakpol Boonyamalik, an inspector-general at the Public Health Ministry, said on Tuesday.
— Bangkok Post

Thai stocks surge on easing virus cases, economic stimulus
Thai stocks surged as trading resumed after the Chakri Memorial Day holiday, boosted by rising optimism about a waning coronavirus outbreak and the government’s new economic stimulus.
— Bangkok Post

1,200 Violate Virus Curfew on Monday Night, Gov’t Says
Over 1,200 people were caught breaching the nighttime curfew on Monday night alone, government officials said.
— Khaosod English

Pattaya preparing for city closure on April 9th
Pattaya City is preparing for a 24 hour closure manned by multiple checkpoints on April 9. The Banglamung District Chief Amnart Charoensri revealed this afternoon that Pattaya ( In Banglamung district ) has the top number of confirmed cases at 30 in Chonburi.
— The Pattaya News

Police hunt Burmese man accused of killing Chon Buri boy
Police in Chon Buri have launched a manhunt for a Burmese worker who is a suspect in the murder of an 11 year old boy.
— The Thaiger

Storms damage hundreds of houses
Fierce summer storms have damaged more than 200 houses in Chok Chai district over the past two days.
— Bangkok Post

Foreigners in Thailand worried about their security
Ever had the feeling you’re not wanted at the moment? As the highly infectious Covid-19 disease spreads through Bangkok’s streets, Thai PBS World reports the city’s expatriate community has multiple reasons to be nervous.
— The Thaiger

Thailand celebrates Chakri Day
Across the country, provinces today held ceremonies celebrating Chakri Memorial Day, honouring King Rama I’s accession as king and commemorating the establishment of the Chakri Dynasty.
— NNT

Popular Pattaya Vlogger Kev in Thailand passes away from Cancer
As confirmed by his sister on his social media profile this evening, popular YouTube Vlogger Kev in Thailand has passed away today from cancer.
— The Pattaya News

Boxing fans preparing to donate blood plasma to help others with their recovery
Today, boxing fans who has fully recovered from the Covid-19 virus has announced that they are planning to donate their blood plasma to help doctor and medical officials study on ways to help others.
— The Thaiger

Govt cuts bills for low-electricity households
The Cabinet on Tuesday (April 7) approved plans to extend the amount of free electricity for households that use a meter which does not exceed 5 amperes.
— The Nation (very annoying popups)

Face masks compulsory in Phuket
The provincial communicable disease committee on Tuesday issued an order requiring people going outdoors to always wear a face mask, or face a fine of up to 20,000 baht.
— Bangkok Post

No import duties on virus related goods
The Cabinet on Tuesday (April 7) approved the Finance Ministry’s draft regulations to waive import duty for materials that can be used to cure, diagnose or prevent the Covid-19 virus, government spokesperson Narumon Pinyosinwat said.
— The Nation (very annoying popups)

Khaosan Road Won’t Return to Normalcy ‘Till 2021’
The street associated with Bangkok’s tourism and free-wheeling parties is now shuttered in the dark, and a bar manager there said he didn’t expect the situation to improve by this year’s end.
— Khaosod English

Surat Thani village headman kills monk and his assistant
A ‘Phu Yai Barn’ or village headman has been arrested after allegedly killing a monk and his assistant near the entrance to Khao Phela monastery in Tha Chana district, Surat Thani Province.
— The Thaiger

Proper use and disposal of sanitary masks
With new regulations in Phuket for the compulsory use of sanitary face masks, it is important to know how to properly use and dispose of sanitary masks.
— The Thaiger

Resort Owner Takes in 3 Russian Tourists Stranded in Phuket
A hotel owner in the locked down island of Phuket on Tuesday said three Russians stranded there are now staying at the resort for free.
— Khaosod English

CP imports first mask-making machine to beat shortages
Charoen Pokphand Group (CP) says the first of two surgical mask-manufacturing machines it is importing from China arrived at Suvarnabhumi Airport on Sunday night (April 5).
— The Nation (very annoying popups)

Eight, including magnate’s daughters, charged with violating curfew
Eight people violated a curfew in Mukdahan province on Monday, with two claiming to be daughters of a Phitsanulok magnate.
— The Nation (very annoying popups)

Covid Cat Craze Challenge aka. Flying Pussy Competition
What do we get when we add panic buying of toilet rolls, worldwide sports on hiatus, and lots of free time during the Covid-19 global pandemic quarantine measures?
— The Thaiger

 

 

Feature photo Suvarnabhumi Airport
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).

 

 

About Thailand morning news.

Thailand morning news roundup is the most comprehensive hand-curated selection of Thailand English language news headlines published. Each weekday we scour hundreds of local and international news sites and websites to find the most recent Thailand English language news today.

We filter our the dull, the boring, the repetitive, and the click-bait and package all of the Thailand daily news that you need to know to start your day into an easy to read, time saving format of Thailand news headlines and first paragraphs before 7.15am Bangkok time.

We clearly identify the source of all the Thailand news headlines, whether it is behind a paywall, a media release, or whether the news site uses annoying pop-up advertising or auto-play video, in case those things annoy you too. If a website uses particularly invasive pop-up adverts, we’ll tell you.

This enables you to make an informed choice of whether you want to learn more by clicking directly through to the original Thailand news article, or keep on reading the remaining Thailand daily news headlines.

Click here to get your Thailand English language news today by email before 8am Bangkok time daily. Remember to watch out for the confirmation email from us to confirm your subscription. Check your trash folder if you do not see it.

For more immediate updates download the AEC News Today Mobile App from the Apple or Google stores, or follow us on Twitter.

 

#Independentmedia

Governance, not government; policies not politics.

 

The following two tabs change content below.

John Le Fevre

Thailand editor at AEC News Today

John is an Australian national with more than 40 years experience as a journalist, photographer, videographer, and copy editor.

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.

Support independent media by sharing using these tools. Do not steal our content

Make a comment

Your email address will not be published.