Leaderboard

Your assumptions are partly downright wrong - and partly vastly too simplistic! Many restaurants have closed for good. One of my favourites off Saladaeng in Bangkok Le Table de Tee closed for good during the first lock down in April last year. It was a small niche restaurant that could take not more than 20 diners per evening. Many others will never open their doors again. Restaurants and bars are once again closed in Thailand. Some are able to offer meal delivery. Many of those that survive have fired huge numbers of staff in the hope they can keep losses to a minimum. I spent a few days in a good hotel in Hua Hin last November. Most floors were closed off and staff numbers had again been drastically cut. Many other hotels across the entire spectrum of prices have been closed for many months if not for a year. I have little sympathy for gogo bar owners who in the past did indeed raise drinks prices when the tourism economy was in a bad way. But I have no time for anyone who criticises hotels and restaurants for having overcharged guests prior to the pandemic. I think Thailand has always had a hospitality and restaurant industry with standards of service and cuisine that are as good as anywhere - and better than most.

The frenzy on social media is unsurprising since many Thais still remember the disasters of the 1997 Asian Economic crisis. During the boom years that preceded it, the government was determined to maintain the long-standing exchange rate of US$1 = 25 baht. To do so it had to keep increasing interest rates. But due to various economic pressures, it also decided to dismantle foreign exchange controls. This led to some banking institutions and several finance companies borrowing overseas at much lower interest rates and then relending in Thailand at much higher rates to make major profits. When the speculators arrived in force in 1997, they were successful at the third attempt after Thailand had spent almost its entire foreign exchange reserves attempting to defend the $/baht peg. Crony capitalism had taken a hard knock. The crisis led to several major financial institutions and at least one bank going bust, including the country's largest Finance One. They all held non performing loans on their books amounting to over $3 billion. But many of the borrowers could not repay. The property market collapsed leaving many upstart companies also bankrupt. By December 1997, 56 finance companies had collapsed permanently. Another 58 required emergency funding of 660 billion baht. Bangkok Metropolitan Bank had gone bust but was eventually taken over by Siam City Bank. So a reduction in the guarantee by such a large amount inevitably caused a great deal of concern. Does it mean the country is heading for another meltdown? Very unlikely, I believe. But some may not agree.

From Coconuts Bangkok Marking the International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples, an online exhibition launched today that dives into the rich diversity of ethnicities in Thailand ranging from the Dubbed ‘You Me We Us,’ the website kicked off with information and stories related to the kingdom’s 60 known groups. The platform includes a map, quiz, interviews, articles and videos where audiences can learn about the groups’ histories, citizenship, legal rights, culture, traditions and more. On the website is also a chance to see Becoming Home, a documentary chronicling six stateless youths who hold onto hope and dreams as they struggle against social prejudice and lack of legal recognition. Although the movie hasn’t been released on the site as of the publication time, audiences can check out the trailer below. The exhibition, available from today onward, is organized by the U.N. Development Program, Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn Anthropology Centre, Inter Mountain Peoples Education and Culture in Thailand Association and Council of Indigenous Peoples in Thailand, with the support from the European Union. Before the exhibition, the UNDP and Thai film production studio Realframe organized a series of workshops to teach filmmaking, photography, and infographic skills to people from different ethnic groups. Some of the work they produced can be found in the exhibition. The International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples falls on Aug. 9 every year. In 2016, more than 2,600 indigenous languages were reported to be in danger and at risk of becoming extinct. https://coconuts.co/bangkok/news/you-me-we-us-online-exhibit-tells-thailands-unheard-ethnic-stories/

From Pattaya Mail From August 11, the maximum deposit protection in individual Thai bank accounts is reduced from 5 million to one million baht, or about 22,000 British pounds. Inevitably, this has set off a wave of social media frenzy with foreign retirees and others alarmed that their cash deposits might disappear overnight or even that the whole of the Thai banking system is in danger of disintegration. Best to calm down. The Deposit Protection Act of 2008 was introduced in the wake of the world financial crisis of that era. The amounts protected have been regularly reduced over the years until they reached five million baht. Then, in April 2020, the Thai Cabinet announced the one million limit would come into force in August 2021. But this still covers 98.03 percent of total depositors investing in 35 financial institutions, according to Kasikorn Research Center. Comparisons have to be made with other countries. There is no common pattern. Cambodia has no regulatory deposit protection yet in force, whereas the Philippines guarantees most accounts for 500,000 peso or about 7,000 pounds. The UK mainland has an upper limit of 85,000 pounds, which falls to 50,000 pounds in the Isle of Man and the Channel Isles where most British expats have been forced in recent years to lodge their accounts. The EU protection limit is 100,000 euros. As usual, the devil is in the detail. Refunds are not automatic in every case. As the online Moneyfacts reports, the Halifax and the Bank of Scotland in UK are under the same banking licence, so investors’ protection is limited to one account and not two. In Thailand, foreign currency accounts are not covered. In almost all countries, temporary surges in funds (such as receiving an inheritance or a bonus) will not count in the deposit protection scheme. Bloomberg, the international business and media company, says that the economic ramifications of Covid are far from clear. But its list of most likely banking failures internationally doesn’t even mention Thailand – but does list the USA! Kasikorn Research Center reports that the main intention of the forthcoming depositor reduction in Thailand is to encourage fiscal responsibility in businesses and consumers alike. Even so, there is no denying that Thai banks are overly dependent on unpaid loans and repossessed properties whose notional value may be much higher than reality. Money and risk can never be separated. The best advice for foreigners in Thailand who maintain millions of baht in Thai banks, a very small number of expats, is to spread their cash around more than one financial institution or even to make use of banks in other Asean countries. In reality, in any country, the government is the security for investors. If one bank goes bust, the central authority can bail it out as the UK did in the case of Northern Rock in 2008 which was saved by nationalization. If all banks go bust, your currency will be worthless in any case. Hello the Weimar Republic. https://www.pattayamail.com/latestnews/news/thailands-cut-in-bank-deposit-protection-doesnt-mean-a-collapse-is-imminent-367181

You can't spend that much time in the batmobile and not be seduced.

Was it only me or did anyone else sense that the original post was tongue-in-cheek?

only if granddaughter is stupid she 'd invite grandma, why to risk she spoils festivities?

Equestrian events for 1956 Olympics were held in Stockholm , Sweden instead. Thank you all for very interesting discussions above as I read whole thread in one shot. Not that anybody cares but for the record , Barcelona Olympics in 1992 were last I watched. After that, with 1996 games sold to Atlanta instead to Athens for centennial celebrations I ordered myself to boycott whole thing and grand total of minutes I watched Tokyo games were 3 / three /

You make a persuasive case but I think you should take it to the horses' ears. Without their participation, after all, the equestrian events couldn't go on. There's a very good chance that they don't particularly enjoy the sport, like this one who finally had enough and refused to jump at the Tokyo competition this year. I wouldn't want some rider whipping my butt and urging me to just get on with it (at least I don't think I would). If more horses became aware of the courage this horse displayed, perhaps others would join in a jumping boycott. Another approach would be to encourage fans not to buy tickets to the events. Or start a campaign to get those who donate to stipulate that they didn't want any part of their contribution to go to flying horses to the next games.

I have some friends working there as expats. They told me that the normal shops are always empty. They could get basic food in the US dollar shops, but the queue is always long. The black market exchange rate almost doubles the official one. One of them finally decided to leave, and paid US$10,000 for his one-way ticket. Don’t go there now.

supposedly and according to media reports at the time, it was banned. It may even have actually been blocked for a little while. But no so long after the announcement of the ban, I tried it from my home in BKK and in worked just fine. I believe it still works right now

As interesting as it is to contemplate on how the IOC could go about democratizing the basis on how medals are awarded, it's more suited for an on-line Fantasy Olympics. Imagine trying to explain to Brazilians that their World Cup victory has been re-gifted to Slovenia on the grounds of political correctness. Or to Russian hockey fans that their Olympic title has been re-assigned to Hungary. Or to British Open winner who has to surrender his trophy to a player from Burundi who shot 10 over par. The truth is that fans attend and watch the Olympics to see the best of the best, not the rest of the rest. They want to see the big boys--and girls. NBC and other networks aren't about to pony up the billions they do to see the actual results set aside by even the best of intentions. For better or worse, to the winner goes the spoils. If it was any other way, why would anyone work their butt off for four years in preparation.

OMFG I just realized that I know Ezekiel from here in Toronto -- so that's what's he's up to since Remington's strip club here closed down Thank you so much @BlkSuperman for passing this over. Going to make finding the perfect gift for the birthday boy much, much easier. ¡Muchísimas gracias!

Today's Bangkok Post carries a piece in the business section that calls for replacing travel-related portals with a government run site! It seems that these hi-so money gurus think by turning over the reins of what was one of the nation's greatest provider of foreign currency to the the same government that managed the vaccine acquisition and roll out is a sure road to success. You cant make these things up. If that's not enough, the same group believes that they can eliminate the need for migrant labor by concocting "ecosystems"--whatever the hell that means. I've been traveling to Thailand for a long time. I've probably used most Thai booking sites and many international ones and never had a problem finding what I was looking. for. In the end you have to ask, "who'll benefit from these changes?" Not to worry, it's the venture capitalists who stress the need for "tax incentives" for those who do the investing--of course. The best reason for not following their advice: don't fix something that's not broken. Thailand's tourism sector has been functioning very well on its own for decades without the help of big brother. https://www.bangkokpost.com/business/2162323/uncertainty-continues

Sounds more socialist than capitalist...some really screwy thinking.... I fear for Thailand's future if this idea catches on.

Anyone game enough to appear in public with a bejewelled top like that must surely be gay. No "discussion" needed!

Spurred by the hotel promo vdo under Gay Asia, this is an ad prepared by students from one of Bangkok's Universities. The gay overtones are very clear! Not sure who developed this also very gay ad.

Second commercial makes me want to cry. Reminds me of watching tv in the hotel on vacation while waiting for night life to start up. Just the sound of the lady speaking Thai at the end of the commercial.

In the lead-up to the games, and in the first few days of competition, I was very sceptical as to whether or not the games could outrun Covid. But somehow Japan managed to keep the virus at bay inside the Olympic bubble even as it was threatening to run rampant outside. Well done, Japan! So sorry I doubted you. I really should have known better.

a single location makes the most sense, but that would limit the amount of graft the IOC can engage in - so it's probably a non-starter

If we were to only include sports that make sense these days, really, what sports will survive? I guess shooting will, but archery wont. Running and walking will, high jump and pole vault wont. Football is just 20 guys chasing one ball, and 2 guys guarding the post, fencing is really medieval, and i could go on and on. I agree that sports that did not have majority of the countries playing them should not be in the olympic. The olympic spirits is to bring people together, so sports like baseball with only 6 countries participating is weird to say the least. A quick google says at least 18 nations have taken part throughout the few times it has been in the olympic. Still a low number. One sports that malaysian has been hoping to be featured was squash, of course for a simple reason that we have a great team here lol.

The skill involved in dressage and show jumping is enormous. I’m not into either sport but the highlights I saw of the dressage in particular were amazing. For sportsmen and women in this field, the olympics is so important and it would a great shame if they were dropped. Moving horses internationally is not that difficult and is a necessity of international competition including horse racing. The bicyclists need to take their bicycles, the sailors their dinghies, the rowers their boats and the equestrians need their horses. I’m in favour of javelin and shot put too. Quite a skill to see how far things can be thrown. Great to see new records being broken for fastest sprint, highest and longest jump, furthest throw etc. These simple sports are at the very heart of the Olympics.

From the BBC Two arrested over plot to kill Myanmar UN ambassador Two Myanmar citizens have been arrested in the US for allegedly plotting to kill or injure Myanmar's UN ambassador. The US attorney's office in New York said Phyo Hein Htut and Ye Hein Zaw had planned to hire attackers to force Kyaw Moe Tun to step down. He is a vocal critic of Myanmar's military rulers, who seized power in a coup on 1 February. The junta later fired him - but he continues to represent the country's civilian government at the world body. "Phyo Hein Htut and Ye Hein Zaw plotted to seriously injure or kill Myanmar's ambassador to the United Nations in a planned attack on a foreign official that was to take place on American soil," US Attorney Audrey Strauss said in a statement on Friday. https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-58088866

Google lens haha.

Adopted from Cambodia at 18 months of age by his new dad in Florida, Jordan Windle will compete in Friday's 110m platform competition. From MSN / NBC He was adopted and raised by a gay dad. Now he's an Olympian and symbol for LGBTQ rights Watching Jordan Windle execute a perfect dive from the 10-meter platform — analogous to jumping headfirst from a three-story building — you’d never know he was scared of anything. “I’m afraid of heights,” he told NBC Asian America, “but I love putting on a show. Being able to fall from 10 meters and create such a little splash — the reaction is incredible.” After placing second at the Olympic trials in June, the University of Texas at Austin senior will compete in the men’s 10-meter platform preliminary at the Tokyo Olympics on Friday. The 22-year-old diver, who was adopted at 18 months old from Cambodia by a single gay American man, has spent the last 15 years preparing for this moment. Windle, who was the youngest person to ever qualify for the Olympic diving trials at age 12, has made waves in the sport since he started diving at age 7 at an aquatics summer camp in South Florida. Tim O’Brien, the son of U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Hall of Fame diving coach Ron O’Brien, immediately spotted how Windle naturally pointed his toes and positioned his shoulders behind his neck. He believed Windle could be a national champion one day. Windle went on to be a six-time junior national individual champion, a seven-time senior national champion and a two-time NCAA champion, setting a men’s platform diving record at the Big 12 Championships in 2018. Since the start of his diving career, he’s been compared to the Olympic legend and activist Greg Louganis, who is also adopted and has served as a mentor to Windle for many years. When Windle and his father co-authored the children’s book, “An Orphan No More: The True Story of a Boy,” Louganis wrote the foreword. As a transracial adoptee, Windle said, he was bullied as a child for having a gay father “and just being different in general.” A longtime ally to the LGBTQ community, Windle uses his platform to educate and encourage others to support marginalized people and was part of the “It Gets Better” anti-bullying campaign when he was younger. While millions of Americans will root for Windle as he competes this week, he’s also something of a hero in his homeland, and the first diver of Cambodian descent to compete in the Games. When Windle first returned to Cambodia in 2016 as a national champion, his arrival caused a media storm. His diving exhibition in Phnom Penh was attended by hundreds of local schoolchildren and orphans, he said, to whom he spoke via a translator. Since making the U.S. Olympic diving team, Windle said, he has seen an influx of Cambodian fans following him on social media. The Olympian plans to return to Cambodia in the future and hopes to start a nonprofit diving program in the Southeast Asian country one day. “Once I visited, it showed me that there are people out there looking for opportunity,” he said. “I can share my story and give them that opportunity to take a chance and live a great life in the future.” But for now, his focus is on enjoying the remaining days of his Olympics journey and performing the exceptional dives he’s worked toward since childhood. Continues with photos and video https://www.msn.com/en-us/sports/olympics/he-was-adopted-and-raised-by-a-gay-dad-now-hes-an-olympian-and-symbol-for-lgbtq-rights/ar-AAMWl1W

From CNN Hong Kong (CNN)Countries across Asia are grappling with their worst coronavirus outbreaks of the pandemic, spurred by low vaccine rates and the highly-contagious Delta variant. While nations such as China, Japan and South Korea are seeing growing outbreaks, the sharp edge of the Delta wave is being keenly felt in Southeast Asia, with countries seeing rapid rises in case numbers and deaths. Southeast Asian nations that managed to contain outbreaks last year are now struggling with overwhelmed health services, a lack of hospital beds, equipment, and oxygen. They have also reimposed lockdowns, shuttering factories in crucial manufacturing hubs and restricting the movement of citizens already suffering financially. Frustrations among citizens forced to endure yet more curbs on their freedoms and ability to work are reaching boiling point -- and protests against their governments' handling of the outbreaks have broken out in Malaysia and Thailand. Meanwhile, Myanmar is on the verge of collapse as a February military coup and ensuing bloody crackdown has shattered the health system and vaccinations have completely stalled. While wealthier countries, like the United Kingdom and Singapore, are seeing renewed outbreaks, they have fully vaccinated more than half of their populations. Comparatively, Vietnam has fully vaccinated less than 1% of its population, Thailand around 5%, the Philippines 7.2%, and virus epicenter Indonesia 7.6%, according to Our World in Data. More than a year and a half into the pandemic, the more contagious Delta variant is exposing the weaknesses of nations with low vaccine rates, even if they previously had control of the virus. Vietnam Perhaps nowhere in Southeast Asia is that flip more evident than in Vietnam. Last year, the country was held up as a leading example in containing the virus thanks to an aggressive strategy of early screening of passengers at airports and a strict quarantine and monitoring program. For the past year and a half, residents have been able to live a relatively normal life and the economy actually grew by 2.9% in 2020, according to the World Bank. But since late April, Vietnam has reported a sharp increase in Covid-19 infections. On Wednesday, Vietnam reported 7,623 new cases, down from 8,620 on Sunday with most new infections in Ho Chi Minh City, the Health Ministry said. In total, Vietnam has confirmed 177,813 cases, more than 85% of those were reported in the past month alone, according to data from Johns Hopkins University. Of Vietnam's 2,327 deaths, about half were reported in the past month. The government has imposed strict lockdowns in the capital, Hanoi, and Ho Chi Minh City to try to curb further spread and Covid treatment centers have been set up to accommodate more patients. But the outbreak has put pressure on the government to increase its vaccine supply and ramp up inoculations. So far, only 0.6% of Vietnam's 96 million population has been fully vaccinated, according to JHU. Indonesia The world's fourth most populous nation, Indonesia, recently overtook India as Asia's Covid epicenter, and the outbreak has been devastating with a high of more than 50,000 cases a day. Of its 354 million reported cases since the pandemic began, 1.2 million were recorded in the past month, according to JHU. On Wednesday, Indonesia surpassed 100,000 coronavirus deaths, becoming only the second country in Asia to do so. On Wednesday, 1,747 fatalities were reported by the Health Ministry and 35,867 cases. If the spread continues unabated, experts say it could push Indonesia's health care system to the brink of disaster. Some fear the situation may be worse than the numbers show, because not enough people are getting tested for the virus. One local survey found that nearly half of the 10.6 million residents of the capital, Jakarta, may have contracted Covid-19. The country is suffering a health crisis, with hospitals stretched to their limits, full cemeteries expanded to hold the Covid dead, and exhausted health care workers. Experts say Indonesia is now reaping the costs of not implementing strict lockdowns nor investing enough in efficient contact-tracing systems. On Monday, the government announced an extension of the highest Level 4 restrictions in several cities and areas, including the capital, and the islands of Java and Bali for another week. Meanwhile the country's health minister said the devastating wave had peaked in some areas, and authorities were aiming to start gradually reopening its economy in September, according to Reuters. Malaysia Despite a national lockdown, Malaysia has also seen an exponential rise in cases and deaths, with the outbreak forcing a month-long suspension of Parliament. Anger among the people is mounting. Hundreds broke coronavirus restrictions to protest in the capital, Kuala Lumpur, over the weekend against the government's handling of the outbreak and called on Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin to resign. Following the suspension of a special sitting of the legislature on Monday due to Covid, opposition lawmakers marched toward the Parliament building also demanding Muhyiddin's resignation. Frustration over the mounting deaths, vaccine rates and economic pain is exacerbated by Malaysia's current political crisis, in which Muhyiddin's government appears on the verge of collapse after taking control of the ruling coalition following elections last year. Last week, thousands of overworked Malaysian doctors went on strike over conditions in hospitals, saying they have been pushed to the brink, as beds and ventilators run low. The protest came as total Covid cases in Malaysia surpassed 1 million with the country reporting its highest number of daily infections. On Wednesday, Malaysia reported a new record number of cases, with 19,819 new infections, according to the Health Ministry, up from about 7,000 a month ago. Covid deaths are also at record levels, with 257 reported on Wednesday. Thailand Although it was the first country to report a Covid-19 case outside of China in January last year, Thailand kept its infection numbers low in 2020 thanks to successful containment measures. This year, however, it is facing a much bigger challenge. After containing a second wave that started last December, Thailand is struggling to curb a third wave of infections that has pushed daily caseloads and death tolls to unprecedented levels. On Wednesday, Thailand reported a record high in daily confirmed cases, with 20,920 infections -- the second day of reporting over 20,000 cases, according to the Center for Covid-19 Situation Administration (CCSA). Thailand also recorded 160 deaths, bringing the total death toll to 5,663. Hospitals in the capital, Bangkok, have become overwhelmed by the surge in cases and demand for beds has greatly outstripped capacity. Authorities are racing to lessen the burden on the health care system. Bangkok is dispatching more than 400 doctors and nurses from provincial areas to the city's slums and densely populated areas to test and isolate 250,000 residents, said Dr. Supat Hasuwannakit, president of the Rural Doctor Society. "We may be unable to reduce the rate of infection just yet, but we hope to ease the bed situation in Bangkok and slow down the death rate," Supat said. On Tuesday, Thailand extended its national lockdown until the end of the month to slow the rising cases. Now, 29 provinces have been placed under the strictest protocol, meaning 40% of the country's population will be under lockdown, according to CNN's calculation of data from the CCSA. Myanmar On Thailand's border, Myanmar is collapsing under the double crisis of pandemic and military coup. There is a desperate oxygen shortage in the country, with families of the seriously ill queuing for oxygen or frantically searching online for Covid treatments. Residents are choosing to self-treat at home, doctors say. If they do go to hospital they are often turned away as the facilities are running out of oxygen, treatments and beds, and there's not enough staff to care for patients, they said. The United Nations estimates only 40% of the country's health care facilities are still able to function. Reported daily cases in Myanmar have risen from about 100 in early June to about 5,000 a day, with the total confirmed infections at 315,118, according to the World Health Organization. Myanmar has also reported 10,373 deaths. Continues with graphs and photos https://www.cnn.com/2021/08/04/asia/southeast-asia-delta-covid-explainer-intl-hnk/index.html

Thanks for reminding me PeterRS...NIVEA For Men and KA Lip Care added to the shopping list.

One thing is to get him oxymeter, so he can quickly monitor his oxygen level. Happy hypoxia is dangerous so early detection is crucial. Other than that, his young age will protect him, whats more important is for him to ensure he is not infecting others. Knowing when to seek help is also crucial. Im not sure how thailand is managing this but over here, those who are quarantine at home will have to update their symptoms daily on the app, and if experiencing things like difficulty breathing, and signs of blood clot (pain in legs, stomach, head etc), they need to go to emergency asap. Having oxymeter to know oxygen level is also helpful as anything below 95% require medical attention. But since the boy is young, i wont worry much on this. Also to be aware of is the long covid effect, which require doctor's check up from time to time after he is cured. Mental health is also crucial during this period, due to many reasons.

Treat whatever symptoms he has, take acetaminophen (I was surprised by this, I avoid Tylenol, my liver works hard enough as it is) Stay hydrated, get lots of rest...Headaches was the worst part and being more sleepy than normal. From the internet: If someone is showing emergency warning signs, get medical care immediately. Emergency warning signs include: Trouble breathing Persistent pain or pressure in the chest New confusion Inability to wake or stay awake Bluish lips or face

From CNN Sports Hong Kong fencer Edgar Cheung looks at his gold medal after beating Italy's Daniele Garozzo in the men's foil final on July 26. It was Hong Kong's first gold at the Summer Olympics in 25 years. Fabrice Coffrini/AFP/Getty Images

From Pattaya Mail For the few still holding out hope, it’s now official: Pattaya is not reopening to foreign tourists Sept. 1. In truth, it never was. No matter how much Mayor Sonthaya Kunplome and tourism-industry associations talked up the “Pattaya Move On” plan, Sept. 1 was never a realistic date and the plan was never approved by anyone. The Tourism Authority of Thailand – which, in fact, can’t open a noodle stand on its own, let alone a city – said Aug. 10 there was no way Pattaya could start welcoming fully vaccinated foreigners in three weeks and wouldn’t even predict when Pattaya will be. Pattaya Mayor Sonthaya Kunplome, however, admitted defeat, saying that, without TAT’s backing, Pattaya cannot continue to lobby for reopening. Pattaya is not alone. TAT also pulled its support for reopening of Hua Hin. https://www.pattayamail.com/news/its-official-pattaya-not-reopening-sept-1-367286 =================================== Covid-19 sinks Pattaya-Hua Hin ferry The Pattaya-Hua Hin ferry survived summer storms, pier renovations and mechanical issues, but Covid-19 finally sunk the service. Mayor Sonthaya Kunplome announced Aug. 10 that Royal Passenger Line Ltd. had requested that its contract for Pier 3 at the Bali Hai jetty not be renewed and that it was suspending its catamaran service to Prachuap Khiri Khan, probably forever. https://www.pattayamail.com/news/covid-19-sinks-pattaya-hua-hin-ferry-367278 ===================================== 92% of Covid-19 patients in Thailand are infected by Delta variant Thailand’s Department of Medical Science (DMS) has revealed that more than 90% of COVID-19 patients have been infected by the Delta variant of the virus. DMS Director-General Dr. Supakit Sirilak said the department has been studying new infections each week and, of the 1,632 samples surveyed last week, 1,499, or 91.9%, had been infected by the Delta variant, while 129, or 7.9%, had picked up the Alpha variant and 4, or 0.2%, had the Beta strain. No other strains of COVID-19 have been detected in Thailand so far. He said the trend of infections in Thailand shows that the Delta variant is fast becoming the mainstream and can be found in every province, while the Alpha variant will eventually cease to exist. As for the Beta variant, it will remain in southern provinces and not spread to other regions. https://www.pattayamail.com/thailandnews/92-of-covid-19-patients-in-thailand-are-infected-by-delta-variant-367402

From Chanel News Asia The Lower Sesan 2 dam has sparked controversy since long before its December 2018 launch. (File photo: Ly Lay/AFP) PHNOM PENH: A massive China-financed dam in Cambodia has "washed away the livelihoods" of tens of thousands of villagers while falling short of promised energy production, Human Rights Watch (HRW) said on Tuesday (Aug 10). The 400-megawatt Lower Sesan 2 dam in the kingdom's north-east has sparked controversy since long before its December 2018 launch. Fisheries experts had warned that damming the confluence of the Sesan and Srepok rivers - two major tributaries of the resource-rich Mekong River - would threaten fish stocks crucial to millions living along the Mekong's flood plains. Tens of thousands of villagers living upstream and downstream have suffered steep losses to their incomes, HRW said in Tuesday's report, citing interviews conducted over two years with some 60 people from various communities. "The Lower Sesan 2 dam washed away the livelihoods of indigenous and ethnic minority communities who previously lived communally and mostly self-sufficiently from fishing, forest-gathering and agriculture," John Sifton, Human Rights Watch's Asia advocacy director and the report's author, said on Tuesday. "Cambodian authorities need to urgently revisit this project's compensation, resettlement, and livelihood-restoration methods." "There's no doubt at all that (the dam) contributed significantly to the larger problems the Mekong is facing right now," said Mekong energy and water expert Brian Eyler, while adding that more research was needed on the exact losses. https://www.channelnewsasia.com/asia/cambodia-dam-destroyed-livelihoods-tens-thousands-human-rights-watch-2103306