Thailand morning news for April 3

Thailand morning news for April 3
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Thailand morning news

Nation-wide curfew imposed from Friday night
Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha has announced a nation-wide curfew, from 10pm until 4am, effective from Friday night, as authorities in Thailand intensify their attempts to control the movement of people and the continuing spread of the COVID-19 pandemic.
— Thai PBS News

Two THAI flights from London found to be Covid-19 hotspots
The Nonthaburi Provincial Public Health Office has announced that passengers of two Thai Airways (THAI) flights from London to Bangkok may be at risk because three people who took these flights were found to be infected with Covid-19.
— The Nation (very annoying popups)

Thailand shuts doors on all new arrivals, including Thais, for two weeks to prepare better quarantine centers
Taweesin Visanuyothin, the spokesman for the Center for the Covid-19 Situation Administration, said Thursday afternoon that Prime Minister Prayut Chan-ocha had ordered the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to issue a new directive prohibiting new arrivals effective immediately, April 2nd, 2020 until April 15th, 2020.
— The Pattaya News

Asean governments jump on dodgy COVID-19 instant test kits (video)
Governments across Asean have raised alarm over the sudden emergence of unregistered COVID-19 instant test kits being sold online and in markets, warning the public not to fall victim to the unproven devices.
— AEC News Today

Failed election candidate held over huge face-masks scandal
A former election candidate of the Paradonraphab Party has been arrested for alleged involvement in the hoarding of face masks by Sia Boy, who claimed to be a close aide to a member of a deputy cabinet minister’s team.
— Bangkok Post

More Papers Required for Visa Extensions Due to ‘National Security’
Nine separate documents are now required for foreigners stranded in Thailand to extend their stay for up to 30 days, the immigration said Thursday.
— Khaosod English

Thailand reports 104 new COVID-19 cases, three new deaths
BANGKOK: Thailand reported 104 new COVID-19 cases, bringing its total to 1,875 cases, a spokesman for the government’s Center for COVID-19 Situation Administration said on Thursday (Apr 2).
— CNA

Baht weakens, sliding 9.5 per cent in 2020
The baht on Thursday (April 2) opened at Bt33.09 to the US dollar, weakening from Wednesday’s close of Bt33/USD, and would move between Bt32.95 to Bt33.20 per US dollar, SCB Securities senior market strategist Jitipol Puksamatanan said.
— The Nation (very annoying popups)

No public transport, taxis during curfew hours
All public transport will be suspended nationwide from 9.30pm to 4am from tomorrow (April 3) in line with the curfew, Transport Minister Saksayam Chidchob said.
— The Nation (very annoying popups)

DSI orders 100 staff to self-isolate
The Department of Special Investigation (DSI) has ordered more than 100 officials to self-quarantine and work from home as they are at risk of having caught Covid-19.
— Bangkok Post

Rescue mission on hold for Thai students in US
The government wants to help repatriate Thai exchange students caught in the US during the Covid-19 pandemic, though some will have to wait until after April 15 to return.
— The Nation (very annoying popups)

Saving the Elephants of Thailand – Interview with John Roberts, GTAEF
For many years, Minor Hotels has been helping the elephants of not just Thailand, but those within the region and even further afield.
— TravelNewsAsia

‘Pheu Thai’ pledges to work with the ruling party to fight Covid-19
Thailand’s main opposition party ‘Pheu Thai’ has pledged to work with the government in the battle against the Covid-19 outbreak.
— The Thaiger

Chiang Rai bans those not wearing face masks from entering
Everyone entering Chiang Rai province will have to wear a face mask and undergo screening at checkpoints, according to an order issued by Governor Prajon Pratyakul on Wednesday (April 1).
— The Nation (very annoying popups)

Over 1,500 Thais cross over from Malaysia via Sadao checkpoint
On Thursday (April 2), more than 1,500 Thais working in Malaysia returned to Thailand through the Sadao border checkpoint in Yala province.
— The Nation (very annoying popups)

Wear a face mask in Samut Sakhon or pay a hefty fine
Sakon Nakhon has banned booze sales, Nonthaburi imposed a curfew and Bangkok ordered stores closed after midnight.
— Coconuts Bangkok

Thailand recognizes that sanitary standards remain vital for fruit exports
Thai fruit exporters have urged growers and business operators to ensure high sanitary standards to protect the industry from effects of the pandemic.
— Fresh Plaza

Covid-19 impact on airlines ‘severe’: IATA
Thai Airways International (THAI) operated its last international service out of Suvarnabhumi International Airport Wednesday, before the flag carrier goes into an “operational hibernation” because of the Covid-19 pandemic.
— Bangkok Post

Public Health Ministry: COVID-19 patients must be treated in hospitals
The Ministry of Public Health has indicated that people suspected of being infected with COVID-19 must receive medical treatment in hospitals for two to seven days, even if no symptoms are present.
— NBT World (video)

Ministry of Labor raises unemployment benefits
The Cabinet this week approved a 12-percent increase in unemployment benefits for employees and workers affected by COVID-19.
— NBT World (video)

MDES joins hands with HUAWEI, brings AI solution in tackling COVID-19 situation
in Thailand to Ramathibodi Hospital, for faster and more accurate diagnosis
— Bangkok Post

Solid financials offer firepower to weather crisis
Like other countries, Thailand is fighting a war against Covid-19.
— Bangkok Post

Ministry of Industry to give free face mask this April
The Ministry of Industry is providing 10 million pieces of cloth masks to the citizens of Bangkok and its vicinity.
— NBT World (video)

COVID pandemic: misinformation spreads in Thailand about police powers to fine people who fail to wear face masks in public
The Thai-language message translates to English as: “When you go outside, don’t forget to wear a mask. Otherwise if you see the [police] checking point, you will be fine for 200 THB”.
— AFP Factcheck

Thailand push online trade for fishermen
The Fisheries Department has introduced online trade in aquatic animals to help the fishermen who are affected by export bans and the government’s campaign for people to stay home due to the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic.
— Pattaya Mail

BoT: Banks can handle virus impact
Thailand’s banking sector is strong enough to cushion against a potential upsurge in bad debt and debt restructuring cases stemming from the coronavirus outbreak and official measures to contain the spread, says a senior official at the Bank of Thailand.
— Bangkok Post

Thailand reopens 4 ports at Mekong River to allow essential goods from China to reach country
Thailand has lifted its ban to close four ports at the Mekong River to allow essential goods to be shipped to and from China as Thailand is currently facing the COVID-19 outbreak.
— Xxinhuanet

Rooftop party busted in Phuket
Police arrested nine foreigners and five Thai women for partying in violation of the order against gathering in crowds, to control the spread of coronavirus disease.
— Bangkok Post

Thailand rises on stimulus hopes; Malaysia up as infection curve flattens
Thailand shares closed higher on Thursday on hopes of fresh stimulus measures to cushion the coronavirus’ impact on its economy, while Malaysian equities gained as the rate of new infections slowed.
— The Edge Markets

Looming Global Condom Shortage Spurs Thai Firm to Ramp Up Output
Thailand’s largest condom manufacturer is at maximum output to fill the gap left by other makers affected by coronavirus lockdowns.
— Bloomberg

Thailand’s 50 Richest 2020: Fortunes Decline $28 Billion Amid Covid-19 Pandemic
Thailand’s export-and-tourism-dependent economy, already weakened by the U.S.-China trade war, was dealt a further blow by the Covid-19 outbreak.
— Forbes

Koh Chang Officials and residents concerned with tourists fleeing Chonburi and Pattaya area as restrictions tighten
Officials and residents in Trat are concerned that as restrictions get tighter in Pattaya and Chonburi, including an announcement from the Disease Control Committee of Chonburi that more measures are awaiting a signature from the Chonburi Governor, including closure of beaches, hotel closures and more, that thousands are fleeing Chonburi and Pattaya.
— The Pattaya News

PTT to sell 70% alcohol at all its Bangkok petrol stations from April 4
PTT Oil and Retail Business (PTTOR) will sell 100,000 bottles of 70 per cent alcohol through all PTT petrol stations in Bangkok at a special price as of April 4 before expanding sales to its petrol stations nationwide.
— The Nation (very annoying popups)

New Covid-19 test kits produced in Thailand
Today the first batch of 20,000 new Covid-19 test kits, developed by a joint effort of the Siam Bioscience and The Department of Medical Science, has been delivered to Government House.
— The Thaiger

ERC orders Q2 power bills to be cut by 3%
Monthly electricity bills across Thailand will drop 3% from April to June by order of the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC).
— Bangkok Post

250 Germans fly out of Phuket before airport closes on April 10
Some 250 German nationals flew out of the southern island of Phuket this morning on a special flight chartered to take them home before the airport closes on April 10. Condor Airlines flight DE8759 took off at 10:10am.
— The Thaiger

Chonburi Governor set to announce additional restrictions and measures in Chonburi, including hotel closures
At a meeting of the Communicable Disease Committee this afternoon for Chonburi Province the Chonburi Governor and the committee discussed several new measures to help restrict and stop the spread of the Covid19 Coronavirus.
— The Pattaya News

Two Bangkok hotels ready to house recovering Covid-19 patients
The Public Health Ministry urged Bangkok hotels on Thursday (April 2) to make room for Covid-19 patients who are close to recovery.
— The Nation (very annoying popups)

Three new Covid-19 cases found in Chiang Rai village, district chief calls for lockdown
Wandee Ratchomphu, chief of Chiang Rai’s Mae Chan district, called on governor Prajon Pratyakul today (April 2) to shut down Ban Pang Phak Hi village in sub-district Pa Teung after three new Covid-19 cases were uncovered.
— The Nation (very annoying popups)

Canal boats armed against virus
Bangkok’s canal ferry service is joining other city transport providers in ramping up measures to combat coronavirus.
— The Nation (very annoying popups)

Storm wreaks havoc in Loei
Dozens of buildings were left destroyed or damaged in Loei after a storm slammed into the northeastern province on Thursday (April 2).
— The Nation (very annoying popups)

The innovation of Chula COVID-19 strip test
Interview with Asst. Prof. Dr. Suthira Taychakhoonavudh, Lecturer at Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chulalongkorn University and Assoc. Prof. Dr. Natcha Thawesaengskulthai, Vice President for Innovation and New Development, Chulalongkorn University.
— Thai PBS News

Survey unmasks Thais’ viral hygiene habits
An online survey of hygiene habits has revealed how national habits have changed as Thais seek to protect themselves and others from the raging Covid-19 contagion.
— The Nation (very annoying popups)

Bangkok, Phuket order convenience stores closed overnight to battle virus
To fight the spread of the Covid-19 coronavirus, Bangkok’s convenience stores, food shops and stalls are to be closed from midnight to 5am, effective from now until end of April, by order of City Hall (the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration, or BMA).
— The Thaiger

RTAF to test its robot nurse among Covid-19 patients
Royal Thai Air Force (RTAF) is currently developing a robot nurse to help medical personnel enter patient area, RTAF chief Air Chief Marshal Manat Wongwat said on Thursday (April 2).
— The Nation (very annoying popups)

Virus victim on train had just returned from India
A 57-year-old Thai man found dead on a Bangkok-Narathiwat on Tuesday (March 31) had just returned from India, initial investigations show.
— The Nation (very annoying popups)

Free Covid-19 testing for taxi drivers
Prince Hospital Suvarnabhumi is offering free testing for Covid-19 infection for taxi drivers until April 10.
— The Nation (very annoying popups)

Thai Airways goes into hibernation until end of May, others ground fleets too
After a decade of financial struggles and corporate upheaval, Thailand’s national flag carrier, Thai Airways, with a previous reputation as one of Asia’s premier airlines, is ceasing all flights for a period of at least two months, due to the Covid-19 coronavirus pandemic.
— The Thaiger

Mahasarakham orders shops closed at night
The Northeast province of Mahasarakham on Thursday (April 2) tightened restrictions aimed at halting the spread of deadly Covid-19 virus.
— The Nation (very annoying popups)

13 students quarantined after flying with Covid-19 patient
A recent report said that 13 students have been quarantined after arriving from the same flight, which a Covid-19 patient found dead at a train station on Tuesday (March 31) had taken from Pakistan.
— The Nation (very annoying popups)

Thai South Emerges as New Virus Hotbed, Imposes More Restrictions
Local authorities in southern provinces on Thursday introduced new travel restrictions amid an uptick in reported coronavirus cases in the region.
— Khaosod English

300 Thais returning from Cambodia to be quarantined
Some 300 Thais will be quarantined when they return from Poipet after the Cambodian government ordered all 125 casinos nationwide to shut down to prevent the spread of Covid-19.
— The Nation (very annoying popups)

Gov’t to Sanitize Coins and Banknotes to Prevent Coronavirus
Thailand’s Ministry of Finance on Wednesday said the Treasury Department will release new coins and collect old ones for a thorough cleanup to help stem the spread of COVID-19.
— Khaosod English

 

 

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).

 

 

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.

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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.

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