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From South China Morning Post Qatar Airways, the third-largest shareholder in Cathay Pacific, said it was willing to provide an equity injection into Hong Kong’s financially battered flagship carrier if approached. “Cathay is a well-established company and as a shareholder, if Cathay Pacific were to approach us for an equity injection, we will definitely support them,” Al Baker, Group CEO of the Doha-based carrier, told the Post. Qatar said it was in a position to help, despite being hit hard by the collapse in global air travel demand. The airline holds a 9.99 per cent stake in Cathay and previously expressed interest in raising its holding, but has been restricted by the limited volume of publicly traded shares. Cathay’s two main shareholders are Swire Pacific and Air China, which hold a 45 per cent and 29.99 per cent stake each. One way for Cathay to bolster liquidity could be to issue new shares. In March, Singapore Airlines issued US$3.8 billion in new shares as part of a wider US$13 billion cash-raising exercise. Cathay said in March it had HK$20 billion (US$2.58 billion) in unrestricted liquidity and subsequently raised HK$5.45 billion in the sale and leaseback of six Boeing 777 planes. The airline said its strong vendor relations, liquidity position and “the availability of sources of funds” meant it would remain a going concern.

From Bangkok Post HANOI: Vietnam will not consider applications for new airlines as it looks to prioritise the recovery of its aviation sector after the impact of the novel coronavirus, the Civil Aviation Authority of Vietnam (CAAV) said on Wednesday. Vietnam's aviation market has seen double-digit annual growth over the past decade but due to the pandemic, the number of arrivals this year is expected to fall by 43% on the year, according to a Transport Ministry report in April. Domestic flights have resumed since April 22, after the government lifted a lockdown order, while international flights are expected to partially resume from June 1. "The government now has to focus on resuming domestic and international routes and supporting existing airlines, which have been hit hard by the outbreak," the CAAV said in a statement. "The establishment of new airline will resume when the pandemic passes." Vietnam suspended all international and most domestic flights in March and April in an effort to curb the spread of the coronavirus, which has infected 288 people in the country Two airlines are awaiting permits, Kite Air of hospitality group Thien Minh and Vietravel Airlines of tourism firm Vietravel. There are five commercial airlines in operation in Vietnam: Vietnam Airlines, Jetstar Pacific, Vietjet Air, Vietnam Air Services Company (VASCO) and Bamboo Airways. =============================================================================================================================================== From Vietnam News Việt Nam ranks second for COVID-19 response in global survey HÀ NỘI — With an index score of 77, Việt Nam is ranked second globally by its citizens for its COVID-19 response, and first among Southeast Asian countries, according to a newly released study of over 23 countries and territories by Singapore-based social research agency Blackbox. Only 14 per cent of Vietnamese citizens felt angry or frustrated during the crisis – the least of any country in the survey. 94 per cent of Vietnamese felt that keeping the public informed on the virus with accurate information had worked in their favour in managing the pandemic, contributing to the country’s excellent performance in the fight against COVID-19, according to the study. David Black, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Blackbox Research, said Việt Nam’s impressive score reflects the country’s swift and strict measures to clamp down on the spread of the virus, as well as its regular and transparent communication with the public on ongoing case investigations. “Việt Nam’s effectiveness in curbing the spread of the virus so far has led to a heightened level of trust and confidence of citizens in their leaders, especially when we compare the country with some of its Southeast Asian neighbours who have at times struggled with testing, contact tracing and dealing with new clusters of cases,” said Black.

Many ASEAN countries to receive vaccine From CNBC American biopharmaceutical company Gilead Sciences has struck a licensing agreement with five generic drugmakers to make antiviral drug remdesivir in 127 countries, not including the United States, the company announced Tuesday. Drugmakers Mylan, Cipla, Ferozsons Laboratories, Hetero Labs and Jubilant Lifesciences will manufacture remdesivir for distribution in “low-income and lower-middle-income countries, as well as several upper-middle- and high-income countries” that face health-care obstacles amid the coronavirus pandemic, the company said. Thailand, Laos, Vietnam, Cambodia, Myanmar and the Philippines will be among those nations. The deal is “royalty-free” until the World Health Organization says the Covid-19 outbreak is no longer a global health crisis or “until a pharmaceutical product other than remdesivir or a vaccine is approved to treat or prevent Covid-19, whichever is earlier,” the company said. The Food and Drug Administration on May 1 granted emergency use authorization for Gilead’s remdesivir drug to treat Covid-19, which has infected more than 4 million people across the globe in a little over four months, according to data compiled by Johns Hopkins University. The intravenous drug has helped shorten the recovery time of some hospitalized Covid-19 patients, new clinical trial data suggests. Without other proven treatments, physicians will likely be considering its use to treat the coronavirus. Gilead CEO Daniel O’Day told CNBC earlier this month that the company was working to expand its supply chain after learning from other serious outbreaks such as influenza. The company has said it expects to produce more than 140,000 rounds of its 10-day treatment regimen by the end of this month and anticipates it can make 1 million rounds by the end of this year. Gilead said it will be able to produce “several million” rounds of its antiviral drug next year.

From MSN As Thailand's tourist economy suffers a near-total shutdown from travel restrictions due to the new coronavirus, employees in the industry have been forced to improvise to make ends meet. Air purser Kosit Rattanasopon, 37, has traded in his cabin crew uniform for a delivery driver's jacket, stylishly ferrying food around Bangkok on his Ducati motorbike since the Thai airline he works for grounded all flights. Kosit makes about 1,000 baht ($31.13) per day, just enough to support his father and sister, who also cook boxed meals to sell online. "I know things will not be the same again for at least another year, so I will have to keep doing this," he said. Tourism accounted for 11 percent of Thailand's GDP last year, and border closures and travel restrictions to prevent its spread are expected to decimate the industry for months to come. Those who have new jobs are among the fortunate. Some 4 million Thais work in the tourism sector, and most face a year or more of lost income until a vaccine or new coronavirus treatment allows travel to return to previous levels. Another grounded airline worker, stewardess Thawanan Thawornphatworakul, has transformed her living room into a hair salon. She averages two to three clients per day and charges 150 baht ($4.67) per cut. Thawanan, 36, said her income is nowhere near her airline salary, but it helps. "The income here helps with some expenses and pays the bills," she said. Scuba diving instructor Sermsak Posayajinda, 47, has also found a new income source, making jars of chili paste from his mother's recipes and selling them online. "At first it was only a hobby during COVID-19 period, but the results have been very good, so this will become a business for us in the long term," Sermsak said. Closure of hotels and exhibition centres also disrupted the business of Asaree Jarugosol, 36, who rents out chairs and builds stages for hotels and caterers around Bangkok. Asaree decided to retain all her staff by transforming her warehouse into a factory that makes 2,500 reusable face masks per day, first for local hospitals and now for exporting overseas as worldwide demand surges. "At first we only have one sewing machine operated by one staff ... but now we have some 40 people working a proper production line," Asaree said.

From Bangkok Post Businesses gear for June boost More activities and medium-sized businesses which have been temporarily halted or closed since late March will be allowed to resume next month, as the Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration (CCSA) mulls a further easing of government-imposed restrictions ordered to curb the spread of the novel coronavirus disease. CCSA spokesman Taweesilp Visanuyothin on Monday said the centre -- which is headed by Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha -- will consider on Friday three broad categories of activities and businesses which will be allowed to resume under what he called the "Phase-2 lockdown". On the list are advertisement production, sports competitions without spectators, restaurants, food shops in office buildings, public libraries and department stores. Entertainment venues inside malls, such as movie theatres, are excluded. That said, a government source close to the CCSA said that shopping malls may not be included in the Phase-2 lockdown, which is set to take effect on May 17. Authorities have set a rough timeline for the gradual lifting of lockdowns, with the third phase likely to be announced in early June. The final phase, which is expected to be announced in mid-June, will see "all businesses and activities" reopening, the source said. Markets, food shops, street stalls and hair salons (including pet groomers) are among the businesses that were allowed to reopen on May 3. Outdoor exercises and non-contact sports were also allowed. The latest rounds of inspections conducted on May 10 found that 5,644 or or 30.4% out of the 18,512 venues which reopened on May 3 failed to comply with mandatory health guidelines, with 449 or 2.37% found to be ignoring hygiene practices. The numbers were slightly lower than violations found between May 3-9, during which 109,425 venues were checked, according to the CCSA. ======================================================================================================== International travel seen resuming in October From The Thaiger It’s not looking to good for Thailand’s tourism industry. This year will have the lowest numbers the country has seen in over a decade, and that’s assuming there’s some reopenings for international travel sometime later in the year. With the coronavirus pandemic freezing up international travel, the number of foreign tourists are expected to fall by 65% this year, according to the Tourism Authority of Thailand, TAT. The TAT Governor Yuthasak Supasorn told Reuters that the best case scenario is that domestic tourism will start to improve in June or July, while foreign visitors should come in around October. That might be wishful thinking considering Thai schools are starting back up in July, some already starting with online classes, and no holiday break planned for the school year’s 8-month new “mega term”. Economists estimate families probably won’t be doing much traveling and will have little disposable income available anyway. Future travel restrictions will have an impact on any projected numbers, but it’s unclear what those would be. For now, incoming commercial flights are still banned until at least the end of the month to help contain the Covid-19 virus. Bottomline, predictions are very difficult at the moment as there are so many variable factors – the major one will be tourists’ willingness, or ability, to afford any travel following the huge impact of the pandemic. Also, some countries are still in the midst of their first wave of outbreaks.

From South China Morning Post Why are men more likely to get Covid-19? High levels of enzyme ACE2 may make infection easier Men’s blood has higher levels than women’s of a key enzyme the new coronavirus uses to infect cells, a finding which may help explain why men are more vulnerable to infection with Covid-19, the results of a big European study suggests. Angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) is found in the heart, kidneys and other organs. In Covid-19, the respiratory disease caused by the novel coronavirus, it is thought to play a role in how the infection progresses into the lungs. The study, published in the European Heart Journal, also found that widely prescribed drugs called ACE inhibitors or angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs) did not lead to higher ACE2 concentrations and should therefore not increase the Covid-19 risk for people taking them. ACE inhibitors and ARBs are widely prescribed to patients with congestive heart failure, diabetes or kidney disease. The drugs account for billions of dollars in prescription sales worldwide. “Our findings do not support the discontinuation of these drugs in Covid-19 patients,” said Adriaan Voors, a professor of cardiology at the University Medical Centre (UMC) Groningen in The Netherlands, who co-led the study. Those prescribed these drugs should not stop taking them. The study had started before the coronavirus pandemic, the researchers said, and so did not include patients with Covid-19. But when other research began to point to ACE2 as key to the way the new coronavirus gets into cells, Voors and his team saw important overlaps with their study. Men’s blood has higher levels than women’s of a key enzyme the new coronavirus uses to infect cells, a finding which may help explain why men are more vulnerable to infection with Covid-19, the results of a big European study suggests. Angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) is found in the heart, kidneys and other organs. In Covid-19, the respiratory disease caused by the novel coronavirus, it is thought to play a role in how the infection progresses into the lungs. “When we found that one of the strongest biomarkers, ACE2, was much higher in men than in women, I realised that this had the potential to explain why men were more likely to die from Covid-19 than women,” said Iziah Sama, a doctor at UMC Groningen who co-led the study. CE2 is a receptor on the surface of cells which binds to the new coronavirus and allows it to enter and infect cells. Sama and Voors noted that as well as in the lungs, ACE2 is found in the heart, kidneys, in tissues lining blood vessels, and in particularly high levels in the testes. They said its presence in the testes might partially explain higher ACE2 concentrations in men, and why men are more vulnerable to Covid-19.

From Bangkok Post Medical tourism drop hits Bumrungrad Hospital Bumrungrad Hospital Plc said the plunge in medical tourists traveling to Thailand amid the coronavirus pandemic has squeezed its business, as the majority of the health-care operator’s revenue typically comes from international patients. “The Covid-19 crisis is a very tough test for all businesses,” Chief Executive Officer Artirat Charukitpipat said in a written interview on Monday. “More than 50% of our patients used to come from overseas. They’ve now disappeared. The most important question is how we will get over this crisis. At Bumrungrad, agility runs in our blood. We have great staff, and they are ready to adjust.” The hospital helped pioneer Thailand’s medical-tourism industry about three decades ago. With its core patient base closed off, Bumrungrad has stepped up telemedicine as well as conducting at-home blood tests, vaccinations and drug deliveries, according to Ms Artirat. The hospital operator, whose flagship is in Bangkok, also implemented new residence programmes for those requiring quarantine or physical distancing, she said. In 2019, Bumrungrad treated “632,000 international medical episodes from over 180 countries”, with patients from Myanmar, United Arab Emirates and Kuwait accounting for the biggest share by revenue, according to the hospital’s website. Two-thirds of revenue came from non-Thai patients. Bumrungrad is currently the target of a pending takeover offer of about 85 billion baht by Bangkok Dusit Medical Services Plc, the largest hospital operator in Thailand, according to data compiled by Bloomberg. Bumrungrad said in a filing to the stock exchange on Feb 27 that it was “surprised” by the bid.

From Bangkok Post Majority agree with easing Covid-19 restrictions: Poll A huge majority of people agree that the restrictions imposed to limit the spread of coronavirus should be relaxed now that the situation has much improved, according to the result of an opinion survey by the National Institute of Development Administration, or Nida Poll. The poll was carried out on May 4-7 on 1,259 people aged 18 and above throughout the country to gauge their opinions about the measures which have been imposed by the government, including the lockdown of the country. Asked whether they thought that restrictions should now be relaxed, a huge majority - 83.95% - said "yes". Of them, 34.39% said they strongly agreed with the idea as the number of infections had dropped, people had cooperated with the health guidelines issued by the government and some businesses had been allowed to re-open. A further 49.56% were in more moderate agreement, saying the relaxation would enable people to return to a normal life and resume their work. =============================================================================================================== From Khaosod English Fishing Boats Seek 50,000 Workers as Virus Spurs Migrants to Leave BANGKOK (Xinhua) — Despite adverse effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, Thailand’s fishing industry is currently looking to hire as many as 50,000 men to go out to sea aboard trawlers, said a senior government official on Saturday. Phithoon Damsakhon, chief of the Department of Employment’s provincial branch of Ranong in southern Thailand, quoted the National Fisheries Association of Thailand as reporting some 50,000 men are currently being sought for hire as skippers, mechanics and other crewmembers aboard fishing boats based in several coastal provinces of the country. Tens of thousands of Myanmar migrant workers, earlier employed by the fishing industry either on shore or offshore, have already left for their home country and many others are believed to follow suit, thus aggravating labor shortages in Thailand’s fishing sector, Phithoon said. Many of those migrant workers had been gradually upgraded from being unskilled employees to skilled ones until they have called it quits over the last several years, he said. He suggested the Thais, who might be currently jobless due to the pandemic situation, to go for such fishing occupations available aboard seagoing trawlers, many of which are being anchored off idly in Ranong and other coastal provinces.

From NYTimes John Singer Sargent’s Drawings Bring His Model Out of the Shadows The best exhibitions tell strong human stories, ones that we might not otherwise know. Such is the case with “Boston’s Apollo: Thomas McKeller and John Singer Sargent” at the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum in Boston, a small show that’s built around a sensational painting, and that has an unreadable relationship at its heart. The Gardner is, of course, in lockdown these days, and there’s no telling when that will end. But its show is compelling enough to make an impact even at a distance, through online images, a stirring short video, and an excellent book, all of which I recommend. The lead characters of the tale are named in the title, though in an order of importance that might baffle some historians. Surely, they would think, Sargent (1856-1925) should have been listed first. The European-born American was one of the art luminaries of his day, a power-portraitist to the elite on both sides of the Atlantic (Isabella Stewart Gardner was a repeat sitter) who commanded top prices for his attentions. Thomas Eugene McKeller (1890-1962) was a bellhop and elevator attendant at Boston’s deluxe Hotel Vendome, where Sargent often stayed, and one of the many beautiful men he hired as studio models. Among them, McKeller may have been the only African-American. And he was possibly one of the few models of whom Sargent would come to say, in a letter to a friend,“ I don’t know what I shall do without him.” The two men met in 1916, most likely at the Vendome, when Sargent was visiting from his home in London. At 60, the cosmopolitan bachelor — born in Florence, art-trained in Paris — was in the process of making a career transition from portraiture to the more prestigious genre of architectural decoration. Boston had become the staging place for that change. In 1890, the Boston Public Library invited Sargent to contribute allegorical murals to its interior. Next came an important commission from the Museum of Fine Arts (the M.F.A.) for mural cycles for the rotunda and grand staircase of its new building. Finally, Harvard University asked him to contribute monumental paintings to its Widener Memorial Library, commemorating student lives lost in World War I. Sargent’s response was yes, yes, and yes. It was for the M.F.A. project that Sargent first hired McKeller, whom he likely spotted at the Vendome. Then 26, McKeller had been born in Wilmington, N.C., when the city had had a thriving majority African-American population. And he was there, still a child, in 1898 when an explosion of anti-black violence changed all that. There was every reason for him to leave town and he eventually did, making his way to Boston where, after hotel work and a stint in the Army, he took a long-term post-office position, married at 44, and permanently settled down. (There may have been an additional reason for his departure from home. In the exhibition video, McKeller’s great-niece, Deidre O’Bryant suggests that McKeller was suspected of being gay. “To be gay was taboo,” she says, “even within your own family.”) Continues with additional drawings and a video https://www.nytimes.com/2020/05/07/arts/design/john-singer-sargent-drawings-gardner-museum.html

From Bangkok Post Shopping malls, gyms and amusement parks, considered high-density venues, are expected to reopen next if the number of new Covid-19 infections continues to drop for another week. The Public Health Emergency Operation Centre held a meeting with representatives of eight business clusters in the kingdom to discuss preparations for the next stage of easing the coronavirus lockdown. The meeting was also attended by relevant agencies such as the Interior Ministry, the Tourism and Sports Ministry, the Public Health Ministry, City Hall and local governing bodies. It resulted in a nod for the reopening of shopping malls, restaurants and food shops in shopping malls, health and wellness businesses including spas and massage parlours, beauty salons, fitness centres and gymnasiums, meeting and seminar convention venues, film production locations, amusement parks and water parks. However, the number of new cases in the kingdom must stay low for another week before the businesses can reopen.

File under the more things change, the more they stay the same or TIT (your choice) Extracted from Bangkok Post In other news, the government has put on hold a proposal to remove China and South Korea from a list of "dangerous communicable disease zones", pending the decision of a panel of health experts. The proposal was made by Public Health Minister Anutin Charnvirakul at a CCSA meeting on Thursday. CCSA spokesman Taweesilp Visanuyothin allayed concerns that the proposed removal would lead to an influx of Chinese and South Koreans who might bring the disease with them and spark a new infection wave. "Our measures remain the same. Inbound commercial flights are still banned," Dr Taweesilp said. "Visitors must have fit-to-fly health certificates. If they visit now, they must be quarantined at a state facility for 14 days." "Tourists would not enjoy visiting while these measures are in place," he added. Mr Anutin yesterday said he proposed to remove China and South Korea from the list because the two countries have managed to control the virus situation at home. He said the proposal was also made to boost diplomatic ties with China and South Korea, adding there would also be mutual support in terms of medical supplies distribution. Mr Anutin said the CCSA had agreed to remove them from the list in principle, but the panel of health experts will still review the proposal. "There are many layers of protection," he said. "Please do not worry about the matter."

Let's hope the good secretary is a better manager of finances than he is of flight schedules. For travel this Sunday, seats are available on flights out of Los Angeles, Chicago and San Francisco for Tokyo and Seoul.

From Coconuts Bangkok Only 250 passengers per train To keep people at arm’s length or more aboard the BTS Skytrain, transportation authorities today ordered train capacity cut by three-quarters. After Tuesday morning’s breakdown created worrying scenes of packed platforms and bogies that drew criticism from commuters unable to practice social distancing, the Transport Ministry today said only 250 rather than 1,000 passengers would be allowed to board each train of four cars. “Due to the COVID-19 outbreak, we must practice social distancing, therefore we cannot pack all 1,000 people into a single train,” Chaiwat Tongkamkoon, permanent transport secretary, said Friday. Passengers must stay 1 meter apart to help decrease the risk of COVID-19 infection. Chaiwat said the BTS operator has increased frequency of train arrivals to accommodate commuters during rush hours, with the Sukhumvit Line running trains every 2.4 minutes and the Silom Line roughly every 3.5 minutes. Currently the BTS Skytrain operates 98 trains, each of which has four cars, making for 392 cars in total. Chaiwat did not elaborate on how the measures would be enforced, nor did he discuss how platforms would be kept safe if the reduced capacity led to longer waits.

From Bangkok Post hailand’s CP Group will oversee the Cambodian debut of 7-Eleven convenience stores next year under a master franchise agreement with 7-Eleven Inc, the US subsidiary of 7-Eleven Japan Co. CP All Plc, the conglomerate’s SET-listed retail arm, has concluded a deal with the US firm to operate 7-Eleven stores through CP All (Cambodia) Co beginning in 2021. The first outlet will open in Phnom Penh, a spokeswoman for the Japanese retail group Seven & I Holdings Co said. Stores in Cambodia will offer products such as beverages and snacks found around the world as well as locally suited, ready-to-eat fresh food items. The Japanese retail group also plans to advance into the Indian market within this year, the spokeswoman added.

From Bangkok Post Govt mulls easing more curbs Shopping malls and large retail outlets selling construction materials will be allowed to reopen as lockdown mea­sures are eased further on May 17 if there is no surge in new infections. China and South Korea will also be the first countries to be removed from a list of the government's dangerous communicable disease zones. The issues were discussed at a meeting of the Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration (CCSA) chaired by Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha on Thursday. Taweesilp Visanuyothin, the CCSA spokesman, said the centre will gather opinions about the next round of disease control relaxation from today until next Tuesday and draft the relaxation measures next Thursday. "The next stage of relaxation will begin on May 17 unless the number of new Covid-19 cases soars," he said. "If the situation is brought under control, shopping malls will be allowed to reopen. If each business can maintain [strict social distancing] measures, malls and other businesses can also resume operations. However, this also depends on cooperation from the people," Dr Taweesilp said. Sukhum Karnchanapimai, permanent secretary for public health, said large retail outlets selling construction materials and furniture may also be allowed to reopen in the next stage because buildings and houses in several provinces have been destroyed and damaged by natural disasters and their owners badly need to buy new materials. Moreover, the CCSA agreed with a proposal by Public Health Minister Anutin Charnvirakul that countries where the Covid-19 crisis has eased can be removed from the government's list of dangerous communicable disease zones. Mr Anutin told the meeting the proposed de-listing will help normalise Thailand's relations with them. However, it was also agreed that the de-listing process must be gradual and that people from those de-listed countries will not be allowed to enter Thailand straight away. Meanwhile, the CCSA on Thursday reported three new coronavirus cases, all Thais, bringing the total in Thailand to 2,992. No additional deaths were reported, leaving the accumulated toll at 55. ======================================================================================== From Coconuts Bangkok Chatuchak Market reopens this weekend After being closed over a month, the popular weekend destination Chatuchak Market will resume operations Saturday Wanlaya Wattanarat of City Hall said yesterday that the outdoor flea market would be allowed to reopen this weekend, with some mandatory restrictions including limited opening hours and social-distancing measures due to the coronavirus outbreak. All shoppers and vendors must wear face masks while distance must be maintained between each person. Hand sanitizer will be installed at several spots in the sprawling complex. People are encouraged to order food for takeaway. Restaurants or stalls wishing to seat diners must provide seats at least 1.5 meters apart from each other. Despite the measures announced, it is difficult to imagine any meaningful enforcement at the sprawling marketplace which on a typical day teems with shoppers squeezing past each other in narrow lanes. Operating hours will limited to 5am to 6pm, as a national overnight curfew remains in place, Wanlaya said.

From The Nation Air force provides anti-covid barriers for use in taxis The Royal Thai Air Force (RTAF) has designed and presented special barriers to five taxi fleets in Bangkok for use in preventing the spread of the coronavirus disease between the driver and passengers in the backseat. The RTAF made the initial barriers, which can be easily installed and removed without the need for modications to the vehicle. The barriers are intended to prevent the spread of the Covid-19 disease virus and boost the confidence of both passengers and drivers. A team of aeronautical engineers prepared the blueprint and have given it to the taxi fleet operators, so they can have more of them made themselves. They were based on aircraft bulkhead barriers. The air force engineers used the Toyota Altis 2017-2018 model, which is common intaxi fleets, as their standard for the barriers. They are made from sheets of polycarbonate, which is transparent and durable. Each includes six ventilating fans with a high efficiency particulate air filter. They include a special opening where passengers can pass through the fare. The materials for making the barriers are readily available. The air force puts the cost at around 2,700 baht each.

Pattaya blocks all access to beaches to avoid second wave In a move to prevent a second wave of infections, Pattaya City has decided to block all access to beaches despite the easing of restrictions. Jeerawat Sukontasub, chief of the Pattaya Municipality, said municipal authorities and local agencies have blocked nine beach entrances, including the two leading to the 2-kilometre-long Pattaya Beach. Access to Jomtien, Phra Tamnak, Cozy, Wong Amat and Krating Rai beaches as well as Lan Pho Nakluea Park and the Bali Hai Pier has been blocked. The areas will be strictly closed off from May 9 to 31 from 9am to 9pm daily and officers will be on standby to keep an eye. Violators will be let off with a warning the first time, but repeat offenders will face a heavy penalty.

From CNBC Airbnb hosts are building their own direct booking websites in revolt Short-term rental hosts are banding together and launching their own direct-booking websites in an effort to diversify their business after years of mounting frustration with Airbnb and other short-term rental providers. Some of these websites were already in the works. But many hosts have recently prioritized their own direct-booking websites after a turbulent past two months, as the coronavirus pandemic spurred widespread cancellations and many grew unhappy with Airbnb’s reimbursement policies. Although these independent websites lack the consumer base that comes with a large service such as Airbnb, they give hosts more power when it comes to how they brand and market their properties. Direct-booking websites also offer hosts an avenue where they can rent their properties to guests at a cheaper price while generating a higher profit than they can when a middleman such as Airbnb is involved. Additionally, they offer hosts more control over situations where guests request refunds, cause damage or complain about a property, according to numerous short-term rental hosts who spoke with CNBC. Competition from these new direct-booking websites represents the latest challenge for Airbnb, which has endured a tough 2020. The company had lined up bankers to lead a public offering, which would test whether Airbnb could live up to its $31 billion private market valuation from 2017. But as the coronavirus decimated travel around the world, the company instead raised $2 billion in new debt funding at a valuation of $18 billion and announced major cost-cutting initiatives, including plans to lay off 25% of its staff, or nearly 1,900 employees.

From Coconuts Bangkok Gone is its nauseating traffic, and empty are its malls. Rows of fashionable bars lie shuttered, there’s a hush over normally chaotic Chinatown, and the monitor lizards and ravens have Lumphini Park all to themselves. Digital billboards carry on like nothing is amiss in contrast to the ghostly CentralWorld mall behind them. Along mall row, in front of Siam Paragon, taxis queue for no one and nearly empty buses parade by on schedule. But one place that seems to defy all that, or any sense of crisis, is the capital’s Khlong Toei Market. Continues with video in English narration https://coconuts.co/bangkok/news/life-goes-on-at-bangkoks-largest-fresh-market-despite-shutdown-video/ ========================================================================================================================== From The Nation and Bangkok Post Proposed plan to revive THAI approved by state enterprise body Thai Airways International (THAI) will borrow money to survive the coronavirus crisis, and will remain a state enterprise, the Finance Ministry announced on Wednesday. The State Enterprise Policy Committee (SEPC) has resolved to revive the operations of Thai Airways International (THAI) in line with the proposals put forward by the Transport and Finance ministries, said Prapas Kong-led, director of the State Enterprise Policy Office. “The newly appointed committee held its first meeting today [April 29] chaired by Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha,” he said. “The committee is responsible for ensuring transparency and good governance among state enterprises.” At its meeting, the panel approved two points on the agenda, namely: 1. Appointing two sub-committees that are responsible for SEPC’s urgent missions: 1.1 State Enterprise Development Planning Subcommittee, chaired by former PTT CEO Thewin Wongwanich; 1.2 State Enterprise Evaluation Subcommittee, chaired by the Finance Ministry’s permanent secretary. An informed source said the meeting also agreed that professionals should be brought in to manage the struggling airline.

The music was great. It was the testimonials, however, of two of my favorite Broadway actors, Nathan Lane and Jason Alexander, who told us stuff we really didn’t know before about the man. It also reminded me what I missed about the city. In the brief lead-in to the performance, the audience hears what was once typical street sounds from the theater district (traffic, horns). I realized immediately that that was also what I missed. This somehow got me to thinking what I’m truly missing about Bangkok, and Silom in particular: that cacophony of the street. Hawkers, waiters, barmen, vendors, masseurs all angling for my attention. A stream of faces comes to mind that I can recall clearly. But the individual voices I find increasingly difficult to recapture with the same precision. And I fear losing them. To me, Bangkok would always be there. For 18 years it was just a matter of going. Now that that has changed, I’m more aware than ever of what I had come to take for granted.

From South China Morning Post Hong Kong will ease quarantine restrictions on travellers from mainland China, providing exemptions for school pupils crossing the border daily and any arrivals from the north deemed economically important, the city’s health chief says. However, details of the policy were still being ironed out, officials said. The decision was made as the city recorded no new coronavirus cases for a third day in a row on Tuesday. It was the fifth time in nine days there were no new infections, with the total number of cases still at 1,037. Secretary for Food and Health Sophia Chan Siu-chee told a press conference that measures were being relaxed because the city government was satisfied the Covid-19 crisis on the mainland was largely under control. Apart from cross-border students and related personnel, the other exempted group would be businesspeople, including those who had “manufacturing operations or business activities or provided professional services, and their travelling is considered to be in the interests of Hong Kong’s economic development”, Chan said. Despite those adjustments, Chan also announced the extension of immigration restrictions on general visitors by one month to June 7, and the requirement for arrivals to report their health and travel history would be extended to August 31.

From Bangkok Post The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration plans to reopen restaurants, markets, exercise venues, parks, hairdressers, clinics, animal hospitals and grooming parlours, golf courses and driving ranges. Bangkok governor Aswin Kwanmuang said on Tuesday the city's current lockdown to curb the spread of Covid-19 was set to expire at midnight on Thursday. The BMA had informed the government of its plan to reopen venues in eight categories, with strict conditions to ensure disease control. The communicable disease committee would make a decision on Wednesday. He did not specify a reopening date, but officials expected it would be Friday. He said restaurants would have to seat customers 1.5 metres apart, comply with opening hours as restricted by the emergency decree, and not sell alcoholic beverages. Markets and flea markets would be allowed to sell their usual goods. Sports and exercise facilities would be opened for activities that do not require people to gather closely - such as walking, running, badminton, tennis and table tennis. Sports that require teams, or players in close contact, would continue to be suspended. They included football, softball, volleyball and basketball, and also fitness classes. Parks would reopen, but visitors would be prohibited from forming groups. Barbers and hairdressers could provide only hair washing, cutting and drying, and must stop for cleaning every two hours. Customers would not be allowed to wait at the shops, and would have to make appointments. Staff would be required to wear face masks and face shields. Pet grooming shops and pet hospitals would reopen, but a customer could bring only one pet at a time. The premises would have to close for cleaning every two hours. Health clinics would reopen, but beauty clinics would remain closed. Golf courses and driving ranges would reopen. Before entering such places, customers must have their body temperature checked, wear a face mask, clean their hands with soap or alcohol, and stay 1.5-2 metres apart from each other, the Bangkok governor said. Mr Aswin said he would wait for the government's decision on whether to lift the ban on sales of alcoholic beverages.

All but 14 of 799 new cases are migrant workers From Channel News Asia SINGAPORE: Singapore reported 799 new COVID-19 cases as of 12pm on Monday (Apr 27), taking the national tally to 14,423. The vast majority of the new cases are work permit holders residing in foreign worker dormitories, the Ministry of Health (MOH) said in its preliminary release of figures. Fourteen cases are Singaporeans or permanent residents. Singapore is now in a "circuit breaker" period to stem the spread of COVID-19. The circuit breaker was scheduled to end on May 4 but has been extended until Jun 1.

From Khaosod English Bars, Cinemas, Salons, and Sport Stadiums Among Last to Reopen BANGKOK — The government is expected to reopen businesses at a different pace depending on the level of coronavirus risks associated with the venues, according to a proposal submitted by the pandemic taskforce. In the proposal by the Center for the COVID-19 Situation Administration, businesses are categorized into white, green, yellow, and red codes. White code implies no danger associated with the venues, while red is the last to reopen. The red-code businesses include pubs, internet cafes, karaoke bars, theatres, movie houses, and trade exhibitions. Parties with gatherings of a large number of people, tutorial school, sports stadiums, and air-conditioned sports venues are also included. The center said people tend to spend a lot of time with little physical distance in these closed spaces, and some of them tend to attract multiple from different areas, which could pose an infection risk. The center’s guideline cited Lumpinee Boxing Stadium, a known cluster of infections, as a proven evidence that such a place is too risky to reopen. On the opposite pole of the classification is code white. This category includes vendors and open-aired stalls. Operators need not register to reopen the businesses as they are exempted due to low risks involved. Code green is low-risk businesses. They must register online and abide by the government guidelines before reopening their businesses. The group includes small air-conditioned shops such as bookshops, clothing stores, general goods stores, and construction material shops. Public parks and opened-air sports fields such as tennis courts are also included. Yellow-code businesses are those classified as moderately risky. Operators of these businesses must not only apply online before reopening their businesses but require an approval by the government first. They include flea markets, fresh markets, shopping malls, food courts, beauty and hair salons, and medical and dental clinics. Some sports facilities such as swimming pools and badminton courts are also listed in this category. The center added that the classification can be altered if the pandemic situation changes in the coming days. ====================================================================================== NOTE -- The Pattaya News has published an article that attempts to clarify the reported extension of the national government's lock down period through May 31. Readers are advised that the situation is subject to day-to-day changes. Local governors appears to have greater latitude in determining when and how individual businesses and facilities can reopen. Extracted from Pattaya News Many businesses allowed to gradually re-open The announcement has caused confusion among some who believe that the Emergency Decree means that nearly all businesses will have to remain closed and all current strict restrictions, such as public parks and beaches closed, will not be lifted for another month. This is not true. The Decree primarily allows for the Thai Government and the CCSA to easily control and manage the overall situation in the country and help stop the spread or a second potential wave of the Covid-19 Coronavirus. Restrictions in place can, and have, been eased and strengthened on a daily basis as the order allows for fluidity based on the overall situation. In addition, many orders and restrictions have the ability to be adjusted or lifted based on the decisions of the local Governor. Without this order, these restrictions can not be applied (or removed) easily on a National level. Provincial Governors also have significant leeway in making decisions about openings for their districts and areas, as much of easing local business measures are, as stated above, guidelines and not hard rules. In Chonburi, for instance, where Pattaya is based, salons (Which are a red item on the National chart for opening) have been opened for weeks with no problems or reported issues based on the Governor’s discretion. Additionally, electronic stores, also closed in nearly every other province in the country except Nan, have been open for several weeks in Chonburi. The success of opening salons in Chonburi helped implement guidelines on a national level. It is highly possible that other “red businesses” will be given a trial run in Chonburi as well. Orders such as beach and park closures, alcohol sales restrictions, etc. will be based on the decision of the Governor, which is expected this week in Chonburi.