COVID-19: Thailand to require all travellers to obtain health certificate for entry from Mar 22
From Sunday (Mar 22), all travellers – both Thai and foreign – will need to acquire a health certificate before entering Thailand as the country stepped up its efforts to control the ongoing COVID-19 outbreak.
— CNA
Thailand reports 60 new COVID-19 cases: Health official
Thailand recorded 60 new coronavirus cases in the biggest daily jump in the number of cases so far to take its total infections to 272, a health official said on Thursday (Mar 19).
— CNA
Foreigners can claim medical expenses from state for virus treatment in Thailand
Foreign visitors, who are treated for COVID-19 in Thailand, and those who are placed under investigation pending COVID-19 test results, will have the right to claim back the medical expenses they actually paid from the state, according to Mr. Poomisak Aranyakasemsook, director-general of the Comptroller Department.
— Thai PBS News
Forest fire hikes up PM2.5 in Chiang Mai
Yesterday some 200 firefighters were struggling on a Chiang Mai mountain slope to extinguish a forest fire that was pouring more hazardous PM2.5 smoke particles into the skies and, eventually, into the lungs of northern Thailand residents.
— The Thaiger
Vendors jailed for selling overpriced masks
Five vendors have been sentenced to between six months and 18 months in jail for selling face masks at inflated prices while two others have got a suspended jail term and a fine of 25,000 baht each.
— Bangkok Post
Help for salaried workers sought
The Thai Chamber of Commerce is calling on the government to come up with urgent measures to help “salarymen” after many companies initiated 15-day leave programmes without pay.
— Bangkok Post
PM warns governors to enforce strict measures to contain virus spread or face transfer
All Thailand’s provincial governors have been told to file daily reports, on the enforcement of measures to contain the spread of COVID-19, to the Committee Managing the COVID-19 Situation, headed by Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha.
— Thai PBS News
Gov’t MP Accused of Intentionally Spreading Coronavirus
An aide to an opposition party leader on Thursday accused a coalition MP of deliberately trying to spread the coronavirus after leaving his quarantine to attend a House Committee meeting.
— Khaosod English
Cambodia tells its citizens in Thailand to stay here
Cambodia’s embassy in Thailand has advised all Cambodian citizens who are here now to remain here for the duration of the Covid-19 crisis to safeguard their homeland.
— The Nation
PM orders COVID 19 information center to be ready for stage 3
The Prime Minister has reiterated that Thailand remains in state 2 of the COVID-19 epidemic, however saying that the country is ready should we enter Stage 3.
— Newsline (video)
Funds to cover virus treatment
The cost of Covid-19 treatment will be covered by the country’s health security funds, the Department of Health Service Support (DHSS) said on Wednesday.
— Bangkok Post
Thailand shutdown: Workers in informal jobs struggle to survive
Thailand’s government has introduced tougher measures to try to control the spread of the new coronavirus.
— Aljazeera
Minister ‘sorry’ for prayer plan
Prime Minister’s Office Minister Tewan Liptapallop on Wednesday apologised for “unclear” communications on a controversial plan to have monks nationwide gather and pray for Thailand to escape the Covid-19 pandemic.
— Bangkok Post
Thailand probes case of cleaning staff who collapsed in Suvarnabhumi airport
Suvarnabhumi Airport is investigating an incident where an airport cleaning staff collapsed in front of the passenger terminal, raising fears among the public that she was infected with Covid-19.
— The Star Online
Myanmar closes Myawady-Thai border gates
The government on Thursday shut down the Myawady border gates in Kayin State, which is one of the busiest border gates going to and from Thailand, a local legislator said, as part of the efforts to prevent COVID-19.
— Myanmar Times
DPM Somkid No shortage of consumer products during COVID 19
Deputy Prime Minister for economic affairs Dr. Somkid Jatusripitak had a meeting with major product manufacturers and modern trading outlets to make sure that there would be no shortage of products, in the wake of COVID-19 outbreak.
— Newsline (video)
Thailand eyes food export opportunities amidst COVID 19 pandemic
The Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives is now promoting more employment in the agricultural sector, while looking into opportunities for food exports amid the COVID-19 crisis.
— Newsline (video)
Travellers from 15 countries must have Covid-free certificates
The Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand now requires air passengers, Thai and foreign, travelling from 15 countries to show Covid-19-free health certificates and Covid-19 insurance before boarding their flights to Thailand.
— Bangkok Post
Hotels in Thailand pay 3% less on water, electricity bills to ease COVID-19 impacts on tourism
The COVID-19 pandemic has already had various impacts on society and the economy.
— Pattaya Mail
Taps on eastern seaboard ‘won’t run dry’, says Prawit
The government has assured households on the eastern seaboard that their taps will not run dry over coming months.
— Bangkok Post
In Thailand, the poor can’t afford to self-quarantine
Pun is a Grab taxi driver working in Thailand’s Surat Thani province.
— Today Online
Thailand faces workers ‘Layoffs’ on COVID-19 despite Govt. incentives
Deputy Prime Minister Somkid Jatusripitak has asked operators to continue employing their workers despite the economic slowdown resulting from the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).
— Pattaya Mail
Infected man refuses to identify people he was in contact with
Health and local administrative authorities in Nakhon Si Thammarat and Chachoengsao are trying to trace people who were in close contact with new confirmed cases of Covid-19.
— Bangkok Post
Thailand’s water shortage and inequality crisis
Shortages of water are a huge problem for Thailand. The government’s attempts to promote industrial investment in the Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC) — Chon Buri, Rayong and Chachoengsao — has caused water demand in the region to rise drastically.
— East Asia Forum
A new era for refugee protection in Thailand?
On Sept 26, 2016, Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha pledged to establish a national screening mechanism to distinguish people in need of international protection from other migrants in Thailand, implicitly acknowledging Thailand’s responsibility towards refugees for the first time.
— Bangkok Post
Institutes jointly develop WIN masks to fend off COVID 19
Several institutes have jointly developed Washable Innovative Nano (WIN) masks to help combat the spread of COVID-19.
— Newsline (video)
B39bn Don Mueang 3rd phase gets nod
The Airports of Thailand Plc (AoT) board has approved a master plan for the third-phase development of Don Mueang airport costing an estimated 39 billion baht, a source at the AoT said on Wednesday.
— Bangkok Post
Thailand promotes ‘Work from Home’ solutions to defeat COVID-19
As the COVID-19 pandemic continues in all parts of the world, social distancing measures are being heavily encouraged, one of which is for companies to allow their employees to work from home.
— Pattaya Mail
Labour Ministry’s Bangkok One Stop Service centers temporarily closed
The Ministry of Labour has temporarily shut down its One-Stop Service centers in Bangkok in compliance with the government’s measures to limit the spread of COVID-19.
— Newsline (video)
Parties must hold AGMs despite epidemic
All political parties must hold annual general meetings no later than next month, despite the virus epidemic, Deputy Prime Minister Wissanu Krea-ngam said.
— Bangkok Post
Tourism Ministry to return B1.4bn in deposits
The Tourism Ministry is poised to return 1.4 billion baht in deposits to tour companies that registered with the Tourism Department, while acknowledging that a year-long pandemic could slash the number of international visitors in 2020 to 10 million.
— Bangkok Post
Map of Thailand’s coronavirus infections to launch in new app
Because Thailand 4.0 believes in the power of smartphone apps, the Public Health Ministry is launching a new one it says will offer more detailed coronavirus information.
— Coconuts Bangkok
Royal Thai Navy hands out 500 face masks in Sattahip
The Royal Thai Navy and government officials distributed face masks to people worried about the coronavirus.
— Pattaya Mail
Prudential Thailand, TMB Bank in bancassurance tie-up
PRUDENTIAL plc on Thursday said its Thai subsidiary, Prudential Life Assurance (Thailand), has entered into a strategic bancassurance partnership with TMB Bank.
— The Business Times
Expats Coming Together in Chiang Mai to Help Fellow Expats
Expats in Chiang Mai Thailand are beginning to come together to create support systems for the most vulnerable as the covid-19 virus escalates.
— Chiang Rai Times
Immigration denies rumours of border closures with Cambodia
SA KAEO: Immigration authorities have moved to quell rumours of impending border checkpoint closures which had prompted Cambodians to cross into Thailand to buy bottled water.
— Bangkok Post
Bangkok governor issues stern warning over closures
Bangkok’s governor Asawin Kwanmuang is warning business owners that they face heavy fines, even jail if they disobey orders to close.
— The Thaiger
Thai Chamber of Commerce reassures public that there is no shortage in food goods and no need to panic shop
Demand for consumable products will likely increase if the spread of COVID-19 expands further.
— The Pattaya News
Emerging infectious diseases expert warns “Time is running out for Thailand”
Chulalongkorn University’s Centre for Emerging Infectious Diseases chief, Dr. Thiravat Hemachudha, has warned the Thai government that time is running out for Thailand if it does not immediately close its borders to all arrivals.
— Thai PBS News
Thailand’s army launches anti-COVID-19 clean-up in the capital
Army Commander-in-Chief General Apirat Kongsompong has ordered troops of the First Army Region to clean roads and footpaths throughout Bangkok every night until March 31st.
— Thai PBS News
BoT demands all banks provide 7 key services
The Bank of Thailand has demanded all financial institutions continue providing seven financial services, including deposits, money withdrawals, fund transfers, payments, cash management and settlement systems, in an effort to avoid potential coronavirus-related disruption.
— Bangkok Post
Flying blind: What Thailand should learn from its neighbors to fight COVID-19
It may be too late to save Thailand from a severe outbreak of COVID-19 but the experience of other countries in Asia provides some valuable lessons, writes Anthony Kuster.
— Isaan Record
Virus deadly for what is seen as weak leadership
An outcry over the Prayut government’s failure to combat the new coronavirus pandemic has grown into widespread calls for the government to quit.
— Thai PBS News
Follow Covid-19 coronavirus cases in Thailand here – live tracker
Understandably residents in Thailand are wanting to know where the current Covid-19 Coronavirus cases are around the Kingdom.
— The Thaiger
Dairy firm ex-MD gets one-year jail term
The Kanchanaburi provincial court has sentenced a former managing director of Thai Diary Industry Co to one year in jail for encroaching on a forest area in the compound of Erawan National Park, where a resort was built.
— Bangkok Post
Entertainment shut down in four provinces
Another four provinces have ordered the closure of all entertainment venues for 14 days, as efforts continue to contain the spread of the novel coronavirus disease (Covid-19).
— Bangkok Post
7 swim to Koh Samui to raise marine ecosystem awareness
7 swimmers, including actor and singer Phakhin Khamwilaisak, also know as “Tono”, have begun an 82 kilometre ocean swim for over 18 days to increase public awareness of the environment and the need to reserve Thailand’s marine ecosystem.
— The Thaiger
Prime Minister of Thailand stresses all citizens will be taken care of financially during COVID19 crisis
The Prime Minister has stated that he understands the ordeal that people are going through during these difficult times and stressed that the government will take care of its citizens during the COVID-19 crisis.
— The Pattaya News
Chonburi Governor releases statement, confirms six total cases of Covid-19 Coronavirus were found in Chonburi since start of outbreak
The Chonburi Governor,Pakarathorn Tienchai, released a statement this afternoon stressing the importance of the closures of entertainment venues for fourteen days.
— The Pattaya News
Thai equities down again
The Thai stock market plummeted during morning trading on Thursday, in line with a sea of red seen in other Asia-Pacific bourses as rising Covid-19 cases and a plunge in oil prices continued to fan fears of an impending recession.
— Bangkok Post
Healthmin to Install 400 More Beds for Virus Patients
The Thai ministry of public health on Wednesday reassured the public that there will be sufficient hospital beds to accommodate COVID-19 patients.
— Khaosod English
IT spending projected to shrink in 2020 from pandemic
Thailand’s IT spending will be subdued this year, with meagre or flat growth as the best case scenario because the coronavirus outbreak is taking a heavy toll on the segment, according to tech pundits.
— Bangkok Post
Bouncer allegedly kills 1, wounds 2 in Koh Samui
A security guard at a pub in Koh Samui has allegedly opened fire on guests yesterday, killing one and injuring two.
— The Thaiger
Thai hospitals deploy ‘ninja robots’ to aid virus battle
Thai hospitals are deploying ninja robots to measure fevers and protect the health of overburdened medical workers on the frontlines of the coronavirus outbreak.
— CNA
Feature photo John Le Fevre
This week’s Thailand morning news feature photo focuses on World Water Day, March 22.
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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Thailand morning news for March 20 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
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- 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