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From Nikkei Asia TOKYO -- Central banks across the world are rushing to develop their own digital currencies in a bid to provide safe and convenient payment systems as digitalization rapidly expands to many segments of the economy. China has been testing its digital yuan in multiple cities while the European Central Bank announced last month plans to proceed with its digital euro project and launch a two-year investigation that will look into the development and impacts of a central bank digital currency (CBDC). The Southeast Asian country launched its "Bakong" digital currency in October 2020, ahead of launch plans from the world's major economies, and is currently the only live CBDC project aside from the Bahamas' Sand Dollar. Bakong was developed by the National Bank of Cambodia, with help from Japanese blockchain technology company Soramitsu, in a bid to increase the presence of its own currency, the riel, and gradually shift away from use of the U.S. dollar. NBC's director general, Chea Serey, who leads the project, told Nikkei Asia that "Bakong started sort of as a willingness to connect up the fragmented payment systems in Cambodia." Unlike cryptocurrencies such as bitcoin, CBDCs are digital forms of fiat money backed and issued by central banks. Bakong allows Cambodian citizens to pay at stores or send money through a mobile app, without the use of cash, and allows for settlements and remittances to be made in riel or U.S. dollars. Cambodia runs a dual-currency system, with the U.S. dollar widely circulating in its economy. The country's dollarization began in the 1980s and 90s, following years of civil war and unrest. Although the use of the riel has increased in terms of digital transactions since Bakong's launch, Chea Serey explains that the digital currency alone will not be able to switch Cambodia from a U.S. dollar-based economy to one based around its local currency. "There are other policies that need to be in place, like having a stable exchange rate and inflation rate, as well as [economic] growth prospects," she said. https://asia.nikkei.com/Business/Markets/Currencies/Cambodia-aims-to-wean-off-US-dollar-dependence-with-digital-currency

From Channel News Asia ASEAN ministers pick Brunei diplomat as envoy to Myanmar KUALA LUMPUR: Southeast Asian foreign ministers on Wednesday (Aug 4) picked Brunei Second Foreign Minister Erywan Yusof as their special envoy to Myanmar, in a breakthrough after months of delay for regional mediation to help end the country's deepening crisis. Erywan has been tasked with ending violence in Myanmar, opening dialogue between the military rulers and their opponents in the crisis-torn country, according to a communique released after meetings on Monday and Wednesday by foreign ministers of the Association of Southeast Asians. Erywan will begin his work in Myanmar to “build trust and confidence with full access to all parties concerned", according to a joint statement. He will also oversee a humanitarian aid package, although no details of the assistance were announced, according to Reuters. Instead, the statement called for the ASEAN Coordinating Centre for Humanitarian Assistance to start work on "policy guidance". The ministers reiterated their concerns, including reports of fatalities and violence. But they stopped short of calling for the release of political detainees, saying only they “heard calls” for their freedom, in a reflection of the sensitivity over the issue. Erywan was among at least four candidates proposed by the grouping, and Myanmar was believed to have preferred a former Thai diplomat. Its decision to cave in to the grouping’s demands indicated the military rulers are still hoping to rely on ASEAN support as they face international condemnation. https://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/asia/asean-appoints-brunei-diplomat-erywan-yusof-myanmar-envoy-15379594

From Channel News Asia Thai hospital tycoon who promised Pfizer vaccine says deal now unlikely BANGKOK: The chair of Thailand's Thonburi Healthcare Group (THG) said on Wednesday (Aug 4) that a deal to import 20 million doses of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine was unlikely to happen, despite his earlier claims that a deal was close. Thailand is battling its biggest COVID-19 outbreak yet, and has been racing to secure vaccines. Last month, THG Chairman Boon Vanasin said talks to clinch a deal with BioNTech was nearing conclusion, but both Pfizer and BioNTech said they were not in talks with THG. "Our problem is that we are unable to import it because it has to come through a government agency," Boon said during a televised interview with the MCOT television station on Wednesday. "I think we won't be able to do it," he added. https://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/asia/thailand-hospital-tycoon-pfizer-biontech-vaccine-deal-unlikely-15379240

From The Thaiger Health Ministry to distribute 10 million vaccine doses this month The Public Health Ministry has confirmed that 10 million doses of Covid-19 vaccines will be distributed across the country in August. Thai PBS World reports that the vaccine doses will primarily be AstraZeneca and Sinovac, but also include the 1.5 million Pfizer doses donated by the US. Bangkok will receive 1.23 million vaccine doses, with priority being given to elderly residents in the capital and in neighbouring or “dark red” provinces who have yet to be vaccinated. 750,000 vaccine doses will be distributed to the capital’s 25 vaccination centres outside of hospitals. It’s understood each site can expect to receive 1,000 vaccine doses a day, without the involvement of the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration. However, the BMA will be given 500,000 vaccine doses to distribute, with a separate allocation for the vaccination centre at Bang Sue Grand Station, which will vaccinate around 20,000 people a day between now and the end of the month. The UK has also donated over 415,000 AstraZeneca doses, which will be distributed across the high-risk “dark red” provinces. Meanwhile, AstraZeneca Thailand has confirmed that 5.3 million vaccine doses have been delivered to the government, significantly fewer than the 10 million promised. To date, 11.3 million doses of locally-produced AstraZeneca have been delivered. https://thethaiger.com/coronavirus/cv19-vaccines/health-ministry-to-distribute-10-million-vaccine-doses-across-thailand-this-month ===================================== 20,200 new cases and 188 deaths A record high of 20,200 new Covid-19 cases and another high of 188 coronavirus-related deaths were reported today by the Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration. Thailand now has 211,076 active Covid-19 cases. In the latest and most severe wave of the virus, first recorded on April 1, the CCSA has recorded 643,522 Covid-19 cases. In 24 hours, the CCSA says 17,975 Covid-19 patients were released from medical care and confirmed as “recovered.” Over the past week, the daily case counts have been in the 17,000s and 18,000s. The CCSA had earlier predicted that the daily infection rate would exceed 20,000 due to the spread of the highly transmissible Delta variant. https://thethaiger.com/news/national/wednesday-covid-update-record-high-of-20200-new-cases-and-188-deaths

From The Thaiger Hospital extends hours to accelerate expat vaccinations In an effort to accelerate the rollout of vaccines and prevent overcrowding at inculcation centres, MedPark Hospital in Bangkok is opening up vaccination appointments after business hours until August 9 as part of its “Going the Extra Mile, Extra Hours” campaign. The extended hours are from 6pm to 10pm. MedPark Hospital is participating in the ThailandIntervac project by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Public Health Ministry, an immunisation programme focused on incolucating priority groups in high-risk areas. The priority groups include foreign residents who are 60 years old and above, those with one of the specified underlying conditions, and women who are at least 12 weeks pregnant. At MedPark Hospital, health officials are administering the Pfizer, AstraZeneca, and Sinovac Covid-19 vaccines. To register for a vaccination at the MedPark Hospital, click HERE. https://thethaiger.com/coronavirus/vaccine-updates-for-expats-hospital-extends-hours-to-accelerate-vaccinations

From The Thaiger Inter provincial bus services suspended until Aug. 31 The state-run Transport Company announced that all interprovincial bus services will be suspended until the end of the month. Under the recent order imposed by the Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration, interprovincial public transportation out of the 29 “dark red” zones, including Bangkok, is not allowed. The CCSA’s order is in effect until August 16, but a spokesperson says the restrictions are likely to be extended until the end of the month if the Covid-19 situation does not improve. The CCSA will review the disease control measures and zoning in about two weeks. The Transport Company’s suspensions include bus routes in the North, Northeast, East and South. Those who purchased tickets in advance can contact the company for a refund, or to reschedule their trip. The restrictions on interprovincial travel from “dark red” provinces were put in place due to the number of Covid-19 cases involving those who had travelled. While public transportation services from “dark red” provinces are temporarily banned, people can still travel by private car, van or mini-bus. The CCSA has urged the public to stay at home and to only leave the province if travel is essential. https://thethaiger.com/hot-news/transport/transport-company-announces-bus-services-are-suspended-until-august-31 ======================================== 'Pattaya Move On' reopening likely to be postponed as Covid cases surge With Chon Buri ranking as one of the top provinces with the highest number of daily Covid-19 infections, the “Pattaya Move On” reopening plan will likely be delayed due to the rise in cases and slow rollout of vaccines. September was the eyed start date for the reopening plan for specified areas in Chon Buri. The project is similar to the “Phuket Sandbox” model allowing travellers from overseas, who are vaccinated against Covid-19, to enter without undergoing a 14-day quarantine. But that start date is likely to be pushed back, according to the acting president of the Chon Buri Tourism Council, Thanet Supornsahasrungsi. “We might not be able to open as scheduled if the province cannot build herd immunity by the deadline. Even if we did reopen, no tourists would visit us if there’s a widespread pandemic or poor tourist sentiment.” https://thethaiger.com/news/pattaya/pattaya-move-on-reopening-likely-to-be-postponed-as-covid-cases-surge

From The Toronto Star By Jennifer SizelandSpecial to the Star The thin stern of a pastel-blue-painted boat barely created ripples as the driver propelled us to the moss-fringed mouth of the river cave. We glided past plumes of pale green butterflies, which had gathered to lick salt from the muddy banks, before the damp dark of being inside a karst jolted our senses. My partner and I were midway through a yearlong overland whirl through Asia, and after seven months of life on the road, sailing along a river in Laos felt like the antidote to travel exhaustion. Until then, I had been trying to see and do it all — a hard-to-resist temptation in a continent as vast and fascinating as Asia — and it wasn’t until Laos that I learned to slow down. As I stood on the banks of Nong Khai, looking over the Mekong River that forms the natural border with Thailand, I could see lush trees and bushes after the choking dryness of my preceding weeks in Northern Thailand. Laos was an enigma to me, a departure from the well-beaten paths through places like India and Thailand. There was something so intriguing about a country I’d rarely heard about. As soon as we arrived, I could see that the capital, Vientiane, was unlike any other in Southeast Asia, a relaxed city with tree-lined streets, an easy café culture and palpable history, reflected in ancient, gilded Buddhist monuments and French-colonial architecture. It felt right to sip our first Beerlao by the banks of the Mekong as the sun went down, with fireflies flitting over the water. The whole city seemed to be out on the expansive promenade, taking an exercise class, having manicures and pedicures, shopping or playing cards. I watched as a Ferris wheel spun at a snail’s pace, and it struck me that Laos had a patience I didn’t yet possess. I had to know what the countryside had to offer. The drier season meant that the ex-party town of Vang Vieng was much quieter than normal. Its prime attraction was traversing the Nam Song River in the inner tubes of old truck tires. With the river so low, tubing meant drifting past cows taking a drink, and gazing upon the emerald-covered karsts that line the bank. It was so relaxing that some in our group actually fell asleep. Rivers are the open veins of Laos as they criss-cross the country, and swimming is a beloved national pastime as a result. It’s considered the ultimate way to recharge, so we took ourselves as close to it as possible by staying on a stilt lodge on the Nam Ou River in Nong Khiaw. The river barely moves due to a dam upstream and the limestone crags surrounding it, creating a small oasis we revelled in. Once we travelled past the charming yet sleepy city of Luang Prabang, the already-tiny tourist trail dissipated completely. This meant we had to learn to slow down even more, as public transport became barely existent. Continues with more photos https://www.thestar.com/life/travel/2021/07/31/in-laos-southeast-asias-antidote-to-travel-exhaustion-i-finally-learned-the-art-of-slowing-down.html

From Bangkok Post Weekend city jab shutdown A shortage in supplies of Covid-19 vaccines led to the weekend closure of 25 vaccination centres in Bangkok, while the "Mor Prom" app also cancelled all bookings scheduled for Friday and Saturday and has yet to resume offering new appointments. Chairman of the Thai Chamber of Commerce (TCC) Sanan Angubolkul said on Sunday that supplies had not arrived as scheduled, forcing all 25 vaccination centres operated by the TCC and private sector in Bangkok to suspend operations until new deliveries are made. "We have no choice but to close our vaccination centres from tomorrow [today] onward until we get more vaccines; we hope there will be spare vaccines allocated by the centre at Bang Sue Grand Station to help ease congestion there," he said. At the same time, the account for the "Mor Prom" application announced yesterday that due to a technical error, all bookings made for Friday and Saturday were cancelled and no further bookings would be taken until the app is fixed. "People can still register directly on hospital websites. The Mor Prom team would like to apologise for the inconvenience," it said. It was unclear what caused the problem with the app or how long the repairs will take. https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/general/2158215/weekend-city-jab-shutdown

To be fair, the Post has not been shy about acknowledging the existence of corruption and cronyism in the past. And in an opinion piece in today's Thai Enquirer, you'll find the following excerpt: "Do our politicians even have political beliefs? Or is it a pu pu platter of electoral promises designed to get them elected so they can reap the most rewards from corruption and cronyism."

The Bangkok Post, on the occasion of its 75th anniversary, thought it would be fitting to invite several "visionary leaders" to tell us how they imagine the Thailand of 2031 in all its potential guises, from the economic and political to the technological, environmental and social. Here's a few takeaways: "Mass tourism will give way to small groups of eco-conscious travellers, he said. National park regulations will be updated with sustainability in mind." The wet dream of hi-so bigwigs for several years, this portends the great advantage of leaving behind what has made Thailand one of the world's most visited destinations and instead catering to small groups of wealthy eco tourists. Why they think it's necessary to wait a decade to see how that plays out in reality when the evidence is available today in the streets of Bangkok and Pattaya. "The pandemic also triggered a big gap in income disparity because poor people are less able to cope with the crisis due to low education levels and lack of access to digital technology." No argument there. Unfortunately, nothing follows about changing the public education system that perpetuates those levels. "The private sector will continue to play a vital role in propelling growth and development in the next decade, but the country's stumbling block remains the bureaucracy, says Somkiat Tangkitvanich, president of the Thailand Development Research Institute (TDRI)." He's surely got that right. In regard to the political landscape over the next 10 years, Mr Stithorn predicts deep-seated divisions in society and politics will remain at least five years from now. The ruling Palang Pracharath Party (PPRP) is staying loyal to the "three Por" clique led by Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha, Deputy Prime Minister Prawit Wongsuwon and Interior Minister Anupong Paojinda. At the same time, opposition parties, made up mainly of large parties — Pheu Thai and Move Forward — vary in the way they operate in parliament, even as they are described as the mainstay of the "pro-democracy" camp. "A turning point will come after the senators lose their power to co-elect a prime minister along with MPs in 2023. That is when the progressive party will gain an upper hand in parliament as it draws on support from younger voters. The base of older voters captured by the PPRP will dwindle while most first-time voters are likely to cast their ballots for the MFP and Pheu Thai. "But the majority of votes from younger voters will go to the pro-democracy bloc. They won't switch sides," he said. If he's right, those deep seated divisions he cites could resolve themselves by about 2026. At least it's something to look forward to. You can read the article in its entirety at https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/special-reports/2158083/thailand-2031-a-glimpse-into-the-future

From Bangkok Post Daily records 178 Covid deaths, 18,912 new cases Covid-19 numbers continue to set records, with 178 deaths and 18,912 cases over the past 24 hours, the Public Health Ministry reported on Saturday morning. Of the new cases, 18,102 cases were in the general population and 810 among prison inmates. Over the past 24 hours, 10,750 Covid-19 patients were discharged from hospitals. https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/general/2157651/daily-records-178-covid-deaths-18-912-new-cases =============================== From Pattaya Mail US Senator says 2.5m more Pfizer vaccine doses to Thailand A donation of 1.5 million Pfizer brand COVID-19 vaccines by the United States is set to arrive in Thailand today (July 29, 2021) while Voice of America (VOA) has reported a US Senator of Thai heritage claims another 2.5 million doses are to be made available to the Kingdom. US Senator Lt. Col. Ladda Tammy Duckworth (a native of Thailand) reportedly indicated the US has prepared another 2.5 million doses of Pfizer brand vaccine for Thailand after dispatching an initial donation of 1.5 million doses. The senator remarked that the provision was in light of the US’s acknowledgement that the COVID-19 pandemic is borderless and that a public health crisis in one region would inevitably expand to others. ttps://www.pattayamail.com/thailandnews/us-senator-indicates-donation-of-additional-2-5m-pfizer-vaccine-doses-to-thailand-365474

Anyone of us who's traveled to Hanoi has walked around Hoan Kiem Lake. I always stayed in the old Quarter and made the loop every evening. Today, Hanoi is in lockdown. The Vietnam Express published a series a deserted, eerie scenes from the city that remind us that this time it's sadly different. Continues with more photos https://e.vnexpress.net/photo/news/hanoi-calls-it-a-night-after-sundown-amid-covid-restrictions-4332945.html

I agree that foreigners in the country should avoid protests and demonstrations. However, foreigners--wherever they might be--who believe that this poses a threat to the people of Thailand should not be inhibited from expressing those about fears the actions the government is taking. If people and nations don't do so about atrocities in Myanmar, that nation's junta will feel even more free to kill its citizens than it already does. If more foreigners had done so in the 30's, it's not impossible that the Holocaust might have been prevented. Excerpt from Thai Enquirer Opinion column This government has the temerity to think that they can keep passing decrees and laws that infringe on our freedom without consequences. They are wrong. So we are letting you know at Thai Enquirer that nothing will change, that we will continue to hold power to account. Though this new law was designed to target us and our colleagues who do a thankless job everyday, we will not be scared into biting our tongue or holding in our critiques. We believe that in a just society, the first line of defense against the encroachment of totality and despotism is a free and fair press. We will work and act accordingly.

This video about a Filipino boy who rescues a dog from the water will do it. Several days ago the local press put out a plea for information about the youth's identity. Today he was identified as "Angelo", a 16-year-old worker at a market in Laguna. I'm a dog lover and hope this brings a smile to your face at a time when we're finding increasingly less to smile about. https://www.facebook.com/AKFanimalrescue/videos/1415611865504964/

From Toui Tre News Vietnam’s leading private conglomerate Vingroup will build a plant capable of producing up to 200 million COVID-19 vaccine doses per year under a U.S. technology transfer, amid the country’s efforts to secure enough jabs for slowing COVID-19 infections. The vaccine plant will be constructed under a technology transfer agreement that Vingroup made with U.S.-based Arcturus Therapeutics, a company focused on the discovery, development, and commercialization of therapeutics for rare diseases and vaccines. The plant, to be located at the Hoa Lac Hi-Tech Park in Hanoi’s Thach That District, will have a designed capacity of between 100 and 200 million doses a year. The mRNA-based vaccine developed by Arcturus is expected to undergo clinical human trials in August in Vietnam before being produced, the Ministry of Health said. https://tuoitrenews.vn/news/society/20210730/vietnams-vingroup-to-build-covid19-vaccine-plant-in-hanoi/62338.html

I continue to counsel patience, Peter.

The giant UFO whisked them away to another galaxy, of course. Scientists to this day are listening for their radio messages. All good things to those who wait, Peter. 😊

From MSN / AP Thailand sets up hospital at Don Mueang; Cambodia closes border Workers rushed to finish the 1,800-bed hospital at Don Mueang International Airport, where beds made from cardboard box materials were laid out with mattresses and pillows. It is to be ready for patients in two weeks. The airport, a domestic and regional hub, has had little use because almost all domestic flights were canceled two weeks ago. The quick spread of the delta variant also led neighboring Cambodia to seal its border with Thailand on Thursday and order a lockdown and movement restrictions in eight provinces. Thailand reported 17,669 new cases and 165 deaths on Thursday, its highest number since the pandemic began in early 2020. Of those, 7,875 cases and 127 deaths were in metropolitan Bangkok, a region of nearly 15 million people. A volunteer and a worker prepare a 1,800-bed field hospital set up inside a cargo building in Don Mueang International Airport in Bangkok Thursday(AP Photo/Sakchai Lalit) https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/world/thailand-sets-up-hospital-at-airport-cambodia-closes-border/ar-AAMHff3

From The Thaiger / Thai PBS 7 Bangkok Bang Sue Grand Station volunteers are currently under investigation for a suspected scam. However, Amnat Traipot, the commander of the railway police said today that even more people are suspected of being involved with the scam. The Bang Sue scam was reported to the police yesterday by officials from the Department of Medical Services. Reportedly, the volunteers would make reservations for people when the facility was closed. Amnat says multiple people will be summoned for questioning, such as people who did not personally register themselves but retained the services of volunteers at a cost of 400 to 1,200 baht a person, and that they accepted cash or a money transfer. The director of the vaccination facility, Dr Mingkwan Vichaidith spoke of the Bang Sue scam saying officials first noticed something was amiss in the registration system last week when additional reservations appeared after the facility closed. Additional poking around into the matter revealed 2 volunteers had made the registrations for around 2,000 people through the True mobile phone system during off hours, says Dr Mingkwan. The doctor adds that there is evidence of money changing hands via money transfers that incriminates 4 volunteers. The doctor says people should register by themselves and to avoid scams like this where con artists/volunteers ask for money to get you a vaccination reservation. It has been reported on social media that there are large crowds at the Bang Sue site, but the Health Minister cleared up the matter by saying it was just an issue of “camera angles or whatever”. The health minister has yet to address this Bang Sue scam, or the other issues it was riddled with today including online registrations opening 2 hours late, the 18-59 age group quota quickly filling up, and a variety of other, unspecified problems. https://thethaiger.com/coronavirus/bangkok-bang-sue-scam-under-investigation-7-volunteers-and-counting-to-be-questioned ==================================== Sleeper trains in Bangkok to become isolation facilities Sleeper trains in Bangkok are being converted into isolation facilities for Covid-19 patients who are waiting for a hospital bed to become available. With the surge of Covid-19 cases, today hitting a record high of 17,669 new cases, hospitals in Bangkok, the epicentre of infections, have run low on beds to treat patients infected with the coronavirus. At Bang Sue Grand Station, 15 sleeping cars will become temporary isolation areas for those waiting for a hospital bed to become available. Each train car has 16 beds, allowing 240 people to isolate themselves at the railway station. https://thethaiger.com/news/bangkok/sleeper-trains-in-bangkok-to-become-isolation-facilities-for-covid-19-patients ==================================== US to donate 2.5 million vaccine doses to Thailand According to a Thai PBS World report, the US has confirmed it will donate 2.5 million doses of Covid-19 vaccines to Thailand. Thai-American senator Tammy Duckworth made the announcement during a webinar on Thai-US relations. It’s understood the donation is part of a pledge by the administration of US President, Joe Biden, to provide vaccines for developing countries. The US has already donated 1.5 million doses of the Pfizer vaccine to Thailand, with the Thai government pledging to administer 700,000 doses to every frontline healthcare worker in the country. Despite the assurances, a group of medical workers and other concerned persons have called on the US to oversee the distribution of the donated vaccines in order to hold the government to its word. The long-awaited Pfizer doses are now expected to land in the Kingdom tomorrow, with the US Embassy planning a press conference to confirm their arrival. Thai PBS World reports that 645,000 doses will be given to the elderly, women who are more than 12 weeks’ pregnant, and people with underlying conditions. 150,000 doses will be given to foreign residents who meet the same criteria. 40,000 doses will be used to study the vaccine’s efficacy against new variants, while 5 doses will be reserved for further research. Thailand has already taken delivery of over a million doses of AstraZeneca, donated by the Japanese government. The UK government has also announced its intention to donate 415,000 vaccine doses to Thailand, part of 9 million doses it plans to donate to countries around the world. https://thethaiger.com/coronavirus/cv19-vaccines/us-government-to-donate-2-5-million-vaccine-doses-to-thailand

Interesting but I think my theory is more likely, as told to me by a KLM flight attendant I met in a sauna in Toledo a few months after the crash. He claimed that the flight was part of a spy mission, or that it was an assassination attempt on Congressman Larry McDonald, an anti-communist and leader in the John Birch Society. After leaving the Sauna, I stopped at a bar next door and struck up a conversation with vacationing CIA agent who claimed that the flight had been forced to land but had done so safely at Sakhalin, a Russian island. This fits with a NY Times report that said "a Korean Air Lines Boeing 747 jetliner on a flight from New York to Seoul with a stop in Anchorage, had been forced down by Soviet Air Force planes and that all 240 passengers and 29 crew members were believed to be safe." A Miami Herald article reported a Korean Air Lines confirmation that the jet was safe, and also noted that Korean state news said the same. I've heard other conspiracy theory that the plane was actually abducted midair by giant UFO that whisked it off to a galaxy unknown. This was later to become the basis for a Star Trek episode. But I'm sticking to the one related to me by the gorgeous flight attendant. That's the great thing about conspiracy theories: they come in all shapes and sizes.

From The Irrawaddy Junta to Build New Crematoriums as COVID-19 Death Toll Soars Myanma Radio and Television, the junta-controlled broadcaster, announced on Tuesday that ten crematoriums are being built simultaneously at cemeteries in Yangon, Myanmar’s largest city, which has seen the highest fatalities nationwide in the coronavirus third wave. The crematoriums will be able to cremate more than 3,000 bodies per day. The newly-built crematoriums in Yayway, one of Yangon’s major cemeteries, can cremate over 1,000 bodies per day, said the junta-controlled media. The move has provoked the ire of the many people who have lost relatives and friends to COVID-19 over the past two months due to the mismanagement of the military regime. Many patients were turned away by public hospitals and forced to rely on treatment at home, including sourcing their own medical oxygen, even as the junta was restricting the sale of oxygen to individuals. https://www.irrawaddy.com/news/burma/myanmar-junta-to-build-new-crematoriums-as-covid-19-death-toll-soars.html ======================================== US Defense Secretary Chides Myanmar Junta US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin decried the actions of Myanmar’s military rulers on Tuesday and urged ASEAN to keep demanding an end to the violence. “The Myanmar military’s refusal to respect the inalienable rights of the Burmese people and to defend their basic well-being is flatly unacceptable,” Austin said during a lecture in Singapore, the AP news agency reported. “A military exists to serve its people, not the other way around. And so we call on the Myanmar military to adhere to the ASEAN five-point consensus and to forge a lasting peace,” he added. The five-point document calls for an immediate end to violence and the start of a dialogue among contending parties, with a special ASEAN envoy mediating in the talks. However, the envoy has yet to be appointed. Austin said the US would work with partners in the region to urge Myanmar’s military to “move in the right direction” and release civilians it has imprisoned. The US general is in Southeast Asia visiting key countries and allies including Singapore, the Philippines and Vietnam to strengthen relationships.

Vitamin D is being further studied for its effects on preventing and treating Covid. The following rationale is an excerpt from the US National Institutes for Health: "Because the vitamin D receptor is expressed on immune cells such as B cells, T cells, and antigen-presenting cells, and because these cells can synthesize the active vitamin D metabolite, vitamin D also has the potential to modulate innate and adaptive immune responses." Although the NIH says the evidence of its effectiveness is inconclusive at this time, further studies are being conducted. Vitamin D deficiency is more probable when a person is not exposed to sufficient sunlight, which would be the case if they are quarantining at home. My primary care physician put me on 2,000 units a day to help maintain bone density. I believe it's readily available in Thai pharmacies and stores like Boots and Watson's without prescription. The cost should be quite reasonable. I'd certainly second Spoon's recommendation of providing an oximeter.

From The Thaiger Officials reluctant to cancel Phuket sandbox, lifeline for desperate locals Officials have confirmed that the Phuket sandbox scheme will not be cancelled, despite rising infections on the island. At least not for now. The Bangkok Post reports that despite the island reporting 40 new infections yesterday, the highest number since it re-opened to foreign tourists, the governor is reluctant to put an end to the financial lifeline for desperate locals. Instead, a number of additional restrictions have been introduced. Most of the new infections are cases of local transmission, primarily in people arriving from high-risk “dark red” provinces to look for work. Officials have responded by strengthening measures to get on to the island, including the need for domestic arrivals to have proof of vaccination and a negative Covid-19 test. To date, the sandbox scheme has resulted in 278,623 hotel nights booked between July and September, a tiny light at the end of a very long, dark tunnel. Yuthasak Supasorn from the TAT says the scheme will continue, but efforts must be made to curb the spread of the virus, adding that the Phuket scheme is also helping tourism elsewhere. “We have to stay on high alert and try to decrease daily infections over the next 7 days to sustain the programme in the long run. We have to keep this fortress steady as the province is a test run for other destinations. For example, Samui has most of its international visitors flying from the Phuket sandbox, rather than its Samui Plus model.” Another concern for Yuthasak is the perception of Thailand abroad, with a number of countries classifying it as a high-risk destination. “We have to work two times harder to convince the international community Phuket is safe for travel, which is difficult when Covid-19 cases are peaking nationwide.” https://thethaiger.com/coronavirus/cv19-thailand/cv19-phuket/officials-reluctant-to-cancel-phuket-sandbox-lifeline-for-desperate-locals

From Bangkok Post Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha has estimated the intense Covid-19 situation will affect the country for the next two to three weeks or four weeks at most, said Deputy Public Health Minister Sathit Pitutecha. Mr Sathit said Gen Prayut told this to a cabinet meeting on Tuesday where the PM added that relevant agencies must let people know the reality of the situation. The kingdom had a record high of 16,533 new Covid-19 cases and 133 new fatalities over the past 24 hours, the Public Health Ministry reported on Wednesday morning. Mr Sathit said the prime minister has given a directive that in 14 days, the lockdown and the curfew will be reviewed and a decision will be made based on the severity of the situation at that time. The deputy public health minister said the cabinet meeting discussed measures underway to bring down the Covid-19 curve, including sending those infected back for treatment in their home provinces so to alleviate overcrowding at hospitals and medical facilities in the hardest-hit provinces, including Bangkok. https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/general/2155735/pm-gauges-virus-review ==================================

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