reader

From Thompson Reuters By Matt Blomberg PHNOM PENH, Sept 16 (Thomson Reuters Foundation) - Foreign workers and tourists stranded in Cambodia during the COVID-19 pandemic have been trafficked and forced to work in sophisticated Chinese-run online scams, a Thomson Reuters Foundation investigation has found. In interviews, nine trafficking victims said they were lured by social media adverts promising well-paid jobs in call centres. Instead, they ended up in shuttered hotel casinos and guarded compounds where they had their passports confiscated before being put to work online. The victims, mainly from Africa and Asia, said they were ordered to create fake profiles on Tinder, WhatsApp and Facebook to entice people into fraudulent investment schemes involving cryptocurrencies, foreign exchange and shares. Those who objected or performed poorly were subjected to violence and threats, victims said. Mary, a teacher from the Philippines, said she miscarried while locked in a room without food and water for three days. "We were desperate," said Mary, who was three months pregnant and four months out of work when she responded in July to a Facebook post offering call centre jobs to English-speaking foreigners. "We thought it was real work but it became a living nightmare," said the 26-year-old, whose name has been changed to protect her identity. Approached for comment on the nine trafficking cases that the Thomson Reuters Foundation uncovered, a spokesperson for the Cambodian interior ministry said, "We also have heard about this before but until now we still do not have any evidence." Continues at https://news.trust.org/item/20210916120210-olp4a

From The Diplomat The government of Laos has authorized six companies to trial mining and trading cryptocurrencies, the Laotian Times reported yesterday, despite its stated concerns that such currencies could be used to facilitate illegal activity. According to a report in the Laotian Times, the trial will proceed while a host of ministries work with the Bank of Laos and the state power supply company Electricite du Laos (presumably because of the immense power required to mine cryptocurrencies) to research and decide upon regulations governing the use of these pseudo-currencies in Laos. The findings of the research and consultation between ministries and relevant organizations will then be discussed at a meeting this week. With prices based on nothing beyond speculation on their future value, cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin, Ethereum, and Litecoin are known for being highly volatile. It is therefore hard to see how opening Laos’ $18 billion to the borderless and inflammable crypto markets will bring any benefit to the country’s population, especially given the host of other pressing problems facing the country. The anonymity of cryptocurrencies – mooted as a major advantage by their boosters – have also unsurprisingly led them to be associated with all manner of criminal activity, from online scams to drug trafficking operations. This suggests that at best, Bitcoin and its counterparts have been vastly oversold. At worst, they are an environmental hazard and a giant fraud. For these reasons, the Chinese government has recently launched a fierce crackdown on the technology, on the reasonable grounds that its lurching price fluctuations posed a threat to the nation’s financial stability. It has banned crypto mining operations and ordering major banks not to do business with crypto companies. In June, the State Council’s Financial Stability and Development Committee stated that it would “resolutely prevent the transmission of individual risks to the wider society.” Continues at https://thediplomat.com/2021/09/despite-crime-concerns-laos-authorizes-cryptocurrency-trial/

It was 29 years ago when James Carville, Bill Clinton's campaign manager, posted a sign in campaign headquarters in Little Rock. Those four words became the mantra that propelled the governor of Arkansas to the White House. Somehow I wouldn't be at all surprised if the Thai PM doesn't have an aide whisper those words in his ear just before he makes a speech. It's not because he learned this in university or through vast business experience. But the people he does listen most carefully to are Thailand's movers and shakers who put him where he is today. They are all too aware that how much is at stake for the economy if it fails to open its doors to the world--the world that had delivered the country from the depths of the '97 banking and real estate crisis. That's why I believe that the decision has been made to move forward despite the Covid situation. I'm not predicting that it will necessarily be a smooth transition. However, it can no longer be resisted.

From Phuket News Expat Phi Phi GM found dead PHUKET: Search teams on Phi Phi Island found the body of Florian Hallermann, the 56-year-old General Manager of the Zeavola Resort, yesterday (Sept 15). The discovery came after a days-long search involving more than 50 people after Mr Hallermann failed to return to the resort last Saturday (Sept 11). Mr Hallermann’s body was found about 200 metres from a path leading over the hills in the centre of the island, on a steep slope overlooking Ao Plaew (Flame Bay), reports state news agency TNA. The cause of death is still unknown, the agency reported. Mr Hallermann’s body has been recovered from the remote site and officers are in the process of investigating his death, the agency report added. https://www.thephuketnews.com/expat-phi-phi-gm-found-dead-81420.php

I'm shocked....shocked! From Bangkok Post Bangkok's reopening to be postponed Bangkok's reopening for inoculated tourists will be delayed by two weeks as most of the city's residents are still waiting for their second jabs, while the tourism ministry has pledged to open the city to bring at least 1 million international tourists this year. Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn, the tourism and sports minister, said the appropriate timeline for Bangkok should be postponed from Oct 1 to Oct 15 as the capital city is expected to have administered Covid-19 vaccines to 70% of its residents by then. At present, 37% of population is fully vaccinated, while another 33% are in the 8-12 week interval following their first AstraZeneca shot. The revised plan came up after a discussion between the minister and Bangkok governor Aswin Kwanmuang yesterday regarding the readiness of the city, which should be the gateway for inbound tourism. Mr Phiphat said the ministry and Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) had proposed a plan to open just 21 inner districts, but due to possible inconvenience for tourists who might have to travel across districts, the Bangkok governor said the city should wait until the whole conurbation is ready to take part in the programme. "The quarantine-free entry via Bangkok will benefit the whole country as tourists usually visit Bangkok as their first destination before travelling to other provinces. With the 7+7 extension plan which will be enabled at the same time, tourists can stay in the capital city for just seven days and choose another 8 provinces in the pilot reopening programme as their second choice," Mr Phiphat said. Besides Bangkok, Pattaya, Chiang Mai, Hua Hin and Cha-am in the pipeline, Thailand already has Phuket and Koh Samui as the first two destinations for its sandbox programme, while Krabi and Phang Nga were added in the extension programme. https://www.bangkokpost.com/business/2182455/bangkoks-reopening-to-be-postponed

Although this has nothing to do with the aircraft mentioned above, it does reflect on the places they land. The current issue of Barron's looked at the economy and investment prospects in Thailand. One of only a few stocks it liked was Airports of Thailand (AOT). The other was KASIKORNBANK bank. ====================================== From Phuket News AoT to take over three more airports ‘to boost tourism’ BANGKOK: Thailand’s Transport Ministry has revealed that three airports currently run by the Department of Airports (DoA) will soon come under the control of Airports of Thailand (AoT) to help drive tourism growth. Transport Minister Saksayam Chidchob said the ministry has resolved to shift the management of Udon Thani, Krabi and Buri Ram airports to the AoT, which can help expand their capacities and turn them into regional air transport hubs that are well-positioned to handle more tourists, reports state news agency NNT. https://www.thephuketnews.com/aot-to-take-over-three-more-airports-to-boost-tourism-81424.php

From Phuket News Well known and well liked Florian Hallermann, GM of the Zeavola Resort on Phi Phi Island, was last seen on Saturday (Sept 11). Photo: Zeavola Resort The search parties, separated into four teams comprising regular police and tourist police officers, rescue volunteers and members of the public, scoured the island today (Sept 14) and came across a startling discovery, the body of a Thai man found among mangroves on the island, reported Thai-language daily Thai Rath. The Thai man is believed to have died at least three days ago, said the report. Mr Hallermann, an Austrian national, was last seen walking through the Laem Thong area in Moo 8, Phi Phi Island, on Saturday. https://www.thephuketnews.com/search-for-missing-expat-phi-phi-resort-gm-continues-81402.php

Having flown in the 350 and 787 many times, I, too, enjoyed the ride in both types. But by far my longest flights (nearly 18 hours) have been in the 350 Ultra Long Range (ULR) version. While on the subject of Boeing, last night Frontline, the PBS documentary series, aired Boeing's Fatal Flaw, an investigation with The New York Times that examines the commercial pressures, flawed design and failed oversight behind Boeing’s 737 Max jet. https://www.pbs.org/video/boeings-fatal-flaw-xenaq0/

From Thai Enquirer The Ratchaphreuk Taxi Cooperatives are turning abandoned taxis into vegetable gardens and frog ponds over the roofs and hoods of the cars, and converting them into a way to help their employees who are suffering from the Covid-19 pandemic. As a result of the lack of tourists and lockdown measures, taxi drivers have returned their rentals since February, leaving more than 300 taxis in the lot. Continues with photos https://www.thaienquirer.com/32706/abandoned-taxis-turned-into-vegetable-gardens-and-frog-ponds-to-support-workers/

China's government seems bent on expounding on the virtues of virile, manly men, wholly devoid of the slightest bit of effeminacy. Such men, they say, are better prepared to defend against any enemy of the state and better suited to lead the economy to new heights. It was about 90 years ago that the brash Ernst Rohm was pushing an even more sinister view on homosexuality in pre-war Germany. As commander of the Sturmabteilung (the Nazi party's storm troopers), he charged that that homosexuals were widespread within the party and should be purged. Many suspects were castrated and imprisoned. But Rohm's fate eventually caught up with him when even Hitler had to acknowledge what was already widely known: Rohm himself was gay. And that wouldn't look good on a resume of the man who commanded a force of over two million of those manly men. What course China's fledgling campaign against the signs and symptoms of gayness will take remains unknown. Proponents, however, would be well served to be reminded that history frequently repeats itself. ================================ From The Diplomat Is the CCP About to Rehabilitate the Cultural Revolution? The official historical narrative – as defined by Xi Jinping – is set to feature prominently at the CCP plenum in November. There are claims that a new “Resolution on History” may be on the horizon in China. This would revise a previous “Resolution on History” issued under Deng Xiaoping in 1981 criticizing the Cultural Revolution. “Questions of the party’s historical experience and major successes” and “summarizing the 100-year struggle” will be the focus of the Sixth Plenum of the 19th Party Congress scheduled for November, according to a Xinhua report on August 31. Following Xinhua, on September 1 privately owned New York-based media company Duowei News claimed the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) has a third “Resolution on History” in the works, citing unnamed sources “closely involved in party governance.” Deng Yuwen, who formerly edited the CCP newspaper Study Times but is now frequently critical of the party, argued that a “Third Resolution on History” is likely in an op-ed for Deutsche Welle Chinese last week. According to Deng, proposing a “Resolution on History” would be a risky move for Xi, revealing his insecurity, but if successful could help to reinforce his power and address lingering dissatisfaction over his removal of term limits. “Although Xi could completely ignore these questions [over his abolition of term limits] … to do so would undermine him among skeptics in the party, of whom there are more than a few, including at an elite level.” The backdrop to the announcement of the Sixth Plenum’s focus on history and “struggle” includes a firebrand essay published in official media earlier in the month, titled “Everyone can sense that a profound transformation is underway.” The piece, written by ultra-leftist Li Guangman, praised the CCP’s crackdown on what Li described as “capitalist cliques” and “sissyboy celebrities.” It first appeared on an obscure blog but was republished in edited form by outlets including The People’s Daily, the CCP’s official mouthpiece. Talk of a “Cultural Revolution 2.0” is underway on Chinese discussion forums beyond the reach of China’s censors. According to Deng Yuwen, a “New Cultural Revolution” is the wrong label for Xi’s program as it ignores the fact that the maintenance of stability remains a high priority. “A more appropriate description for what Xi thinks he is doing is ‘Creating a Clean Society’,” said Deng in a YouTube broadcast on Tuesday. “He doesn’t want to hand over an ‘unclean’ society to the next generation of the CCP.” https://thediplomat.com/2021/09/is-the-ccp-about-to-rehabilitate-the-cultural-revolution/

From Business Mirror Blued hosts new platform for gay talents with ‘Super Idol’ This September, the gay social networking and dating app Blued is launching “Super Idol,” a talent competition to showcase LGBTQ+ talents from around the globe. “The year 2021 is shaping up to be a promising year for LGBTQ+ talents despite limitations set by the pandemic. Recently, famous drag personalities announced the premiere of two drag shows in the Philippines,” said Liam Lu, Head of Blued International. “This time, Blued is proud to host a new platform for even more gay talents with ‘Super Idol’.” Blued is the world’s first LGBTQ+ app to introduce a live streaming feature in 2016. It also introduced Voice Chat Rooms and Quick Chat—functions for live audio conversations and video call speed dating, respectively. Recently, the app launched its global #LiveYourPride campaign in celebration of this year’s Pride Month. Additionally, Blued Philippines celebrated gays of all shapes and stories through “Living My Gay Life,” a local campaign which featured notable personalities such as viral content creators Sassa Gurl and Pipay Kipay, along with filmmaker and HIV advocate Wanggo Gallaga. “Filipinos are known to be a pageant and talent show-loving people. This is evident in their active participation in both local and international competitions,” said Lu. “With ‘Super Idol,’ we hope that the next big Filipino LGBTQ+ talent will be able to showcase their unique brand of star power and charisma on a larger, global stage.” From the colorful gay pageants of small barrios to the anticipated “Drag Cartel” shows of popular bars, LGBTQ+ talents have long been carving their own niche in the local scene. With the boom of more competitions like this both on television and online, Blued is also out to create and redefine its own safe space for talented Filipino gays—even in the time of the pandemic. https://businessmirror.com.ph/2021/09/13/blued-hosts-new-platform-for-gay-talents-with-super-idol/

He says "sure." He'll meet you a week from Friday in front of the tacos shop on Soi 4 at 8 straight up. He'll be the guy with the bulge in his pants and you'll be guy with the lecherous grin on your face.

From Thai Enquirer The cabinet on Tuesday approved measures to attract foreign investors and experts to Thailand for a long-term stay with a 10-year visa. Thanakorn Wangboonkongchana, the government’s spokesman, said that the measures should attract more than one million foreign investors and experts within five years, which should increase the amount of money spent in the economy by more than one trillion baht. “This includes 800 billion baht from the expected increase in investment and 270 billion baht from the expected increase in tax collections,” he said. The measures include: A 10-year “long-term resident visa,” also for spouse and children A work permit Exemption from foreign income tax Land and real estate ownership and rentership rights 90 days report not required No quota of hiring four Thais for every one foreign employee The four groups that can apply for the visa include: Wealthy global citizen: People with a high income of at least US$80,000 in income over the past two years and a minimum asset of $1 million Wealthy pensioner: Pensioners, age 50 and above, with a stable pension of at least $80,000 over the past two years Work-from-Thailand professional: Foreign workers with employers outside of Thailand, more than five years of working experience and make at least $80,000 over the past two years High-skilled professional: Professionals working in targeted industries such as future services, infrastructure buildings, logistical systems and digital systems who make at least $80,000 over the past two years https://www.thaienquirer.com/32668/cabinet-approves-long-term-10-year-visa-to-attract-foreigners/

The Bangkok Post's lead this morning is about the Oct. 1 re-opening but--unsurprisingly--it's woefully short on details. Nothing about what tourists (domestic, international), nothing about entry requirements, nothing about movement restrictions, nothing about insurance requirements. What is there a lot about? Phetchaburi . Tourism to reopen despite Covid, minister says Tourism and Sports Minister Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn has confirmed Bangkok, Chon Buri, Phetchaburi, Prachuap Khiri Khan and Chiang Mai will begin implementing their tourism reopening plans on Oct 1 as planned. The 21 other provinces will follow suit on Oct 15, he said on Tuesday, dispelling doubts over whether the government would be able to proceed with its plan in the face of the ongoing pandemic. Mr Phiphat admitted the high number of new Covid-19 infections is a major hindrance but said the ministry is fully prepared for the reopening. Asked about the 200 plus new cases of Covid-19 recorded daily in Phuket, he said these high figures stem from the province’s active case finding in every community, including migrant workers. Phuket was the first province to pilot the tourism reopening programme. Deputy Prime Minister and Public Health Minister Anutin Charnvirakul said that the ministry is fully prepared for the Oct 1 reopening. Phetchaburi is ready to reopen to tourists on Oct 1, with effective Covid-19 controls to reduce the threat of new infections, deputy provincial governor Natthawut Phetpromsorn said on Tuesday. Strict disease control measures remain in place to contain infection clusters, said Mr Natthawut. Bubble and seal measures applied at factories and markets have reduced the incidence of the disease, he said. Now that infections have dropped, Phetchaburi can prepare to reopen for tourism on Oct 1, in line with the government’s plan, he said. All sectors are well-prepared, he said, adding that tourists can have confidence that popular destinations such as Cha-am district are safe and free from the virus. Visitors could enjoy their stay in the province, said Mr Natthawut. Phetchaburi public health office chief Phetchakit Thaensawat said that 54% of targetted groups in the province have been vaccinated, comprising mainly people aged 60 years and over, and people with any of seven underlying conditions, and pregnant women. Vaccination would reach 70% when more vaccines arrive, Dr Phetchakit said. https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/general/2181731/tourism-to-reopen-despite-covid-minister-says

If there's any upside, the outlook bodes well for continued strong job prospects for constructions workers.

It has to be a good omen.... ...that Jupiter is advertising for staff on Facebook.

From Pattaya Mail The inferno on Pattaya Walking Street, which consumed the entire structure, could be seen from kilometers away, with a towering plume of smoke visible in nearby subdistricts. A ferocious fire destroyed an Indian nightclub on Pattaya’s Walking Street, injuring no one, but taking 10 fire companies to extinguish. Flames broke out at the Nashaa Club around 9:30 p.m. Sept. 12 and spread rapidly through the four-story shophouse and damaging two adjacent structures. Nashaa, along with the rest of Walking Street’s nightlife businesses, have been closed since April and the blaze broke out after Pattaya’s 9 p.m., so the building and the street were vacant, save for a lone security guard. No firefighter injuries also were reported. The inferno, which consumed the entire structure, sending flames shooting out on to Walking Street, could be seen from kilometers away, with a towering plume of smoke visible in nearby subdistricts. Security guard Patvioda Srisuk, 32, said his first hint at trouble began with the sound of an explosion, suspected to be a gas cannister. That would trigger a serious of dangerous explosions over the next hour that made it extremely dangerous for firefighters to enter and battle the fames from inside. Pattaya Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Department officials classified the fire as nearly a Category 7, one of the worst on record, with heat the made it nearly impossible to approach. They feared the building’s metal roof would collapse, but the blaze was controlled fast enough to prevent any parts of the shophouse from falling. Based on the number of “for sale” and “for rent” signs across Pattaya during the coronavirus pandemic, nearly all bars in the city have gone, or are close to going, bankrupt. Owners have been deprived any sort of compensation for the government, leaving owners few options to recover their losses. Continues with photos https://www.pattayamail.com/news/massive-fire-destroys-indian-nightclub-on-pattayas-walking-street-371714

From The Thaiger / BP Developments in next 2 weeks to decide next steps An advisor to the Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration says what happens in the next 2 weeks is crucial to determining any further easing of restrictions. According to a Bangkok Post report, Dr Udom Kachintorn says there is unlikely to be any further relaxing of measures until officials are sure the situation is under control. Udom says the easing of restrictions on September 1 could have caused a surge in news infections, adding that the recent decline in infections is because of the lockdown introduced from July, coupled with more people being vaccinated. He says that in order to keep infections trending downward, people must continue being careful. “The lockdown easing from September 1 has flattened the downward trend and cases will begin to rise, so we must rely on the public’s precautions and universal prevention measures. State agencies and the private sector must conduct random spot tests every week.” Udom adds that having people fully vaccinated might not always translate to falling infection rates, as can be seen in the US and Europe. In Thailand, the predominant Covid-19 strain is the highly contagious Delta variant. Thailand has reported 132 Covid-related fatalities and 12,583 new infections in the last 24 hours. 1,177 were detected as a result of mass testing, while 163 were found in prisons. There are currently 132,113 patients undergoing treatment for Covid-19 in Thailand. https://thethaiger.com/coronavirus/ccsa-monitoring-developments-in-next-2-weeks-to-decide-next-steps

From Vietnam News Almost one million adults were vaccinated against COVID-19 in Hà Nội over the weekend as the capital city is ramping up inoculation efforts, according to the city’s Health Department. The department said 411,000 injections were administered on Saturday and 537,828 on Sunday. This was the highest number of people vaccinated since the city began its push to inoculate all adults, and was almost eight times higher than most injections given each day last month. Along with the city’s health workers, about 400,000 medical staff from 11 northern provinces supported Hà Nội in both testing and vaccinations. https://vietnamnews.vn/society/1030427/ha-noi-injects-almost-1-million-vaccine-shots-in-two-days.html =============================== From Channel News Asia Fifteen people including a seven-year-old boy have been found inside a refrigerated truck in Vietnam after they tried to escape areas of the south badly hit by COVID-19, state media said Monday (Sep 13). Vietnam has been battling a devastating fourth wave of the virus since April and tens of millions of people are under stay-at-home orders, with domestic travel largely forbidden. On Sunday, police in Binh Thuan province discovered the group of 15 inside a vehicle that had aroused suspicion as it tried to pass a virus checkpoint on its way north, Ho Chi Minh City's Phap Luat online newspaper said. "Police were so surprised to see 15 people at the back of the truck ... Some of them were sweating and showed symptoms of breath shortness," the report said, adding the passengers were carrying negative COVID-19 test certificates. A passenger said they had asked the driver to turn off the truck's refrigeration system as it had been too cold. https://www.channelnewsasia.com/asia/vietnam-fleeing-covid-19-refrigerated-truck-2174296

"I'm having an old friend for dinner"

From CNN / MSN Six members of an Islamist militant group were sentenced to death on Tuesday by a court in Bangladesh for the brutal killing of two gay rights campaigners five years ago. The killings were part of a series of attacks on atheist bloggers, academics and other minorities that shocked the South Asian nation of 170 million and led many to go into hiding or flee abroad. Of the eight defendants in the case, six were found guilty of murder and sentenced to death, public prosecutor Golam Sarwar Khan said. The Special Anti-Terrorism Tribunal also convicted the six of belonging to a terrorist organization, the al Qaeda-inspired domestic militant organization Ansar Ullah Bangla Team, Khan said, a group that police believe is responsible for the murders of more than a dozen secular activists and bloggers. The men's defense lawyer, Nazrul Islam, said they would appeal their sentences. The tribunal acquitted two other defendants, who are on the run and were tried in absentia, Khan said. Of the six men sentenced to death, two are also on the run and were tried in absentia. One of them is Syed Ziaul Haq, a sacked army major believed to be the group leader and accused of masterminding the killings. Mannan's magazine, Roopbaan, had no official permission to publish in Bangladesh, a Muslim country where same-sex relationships are illegal and the LGBTQ+ community has long been marginalized. "We are happy with the judgment. At least after a long time, we get justice," said Shahanur Islam, a gay rights campaigner. https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/world/bangladesh-sentences-6-militants-to-death-for-killing-gay-activists/ar-AANXH9K ================================= Gay Games in Hong Kong face attacks as China’s proxies target LGBT groups HONG KONG —When Hong Kong was announced in 2017 as host of the 11th Gay Games next year, the first time the event would be held in Asia, it was a nod to the city's status as a cosmopolitan place and a relative bright spot in the region for progressive causes. Now, attacks on the Gay Games from local lawmakers aligned with Beijing are revealing bigotry in the financial hub, where space for promoting ideas such as equality and diversity has shrunk under China’s tightening control. Amid a crackdown enabled by a national security law introduced last year, the Hong Kong activists who would typically push back against such attacks are either behind bars or in exile. Leading the crusade is Junius Ho, a pro-Beijing lawmaker who has called the Gay Games “disgraceful” and a “wolf in sheep’s clothing” that could violate the security law. Another lawmaker, Priscilla Leung, said activists could use the sports and cultural event to promote political causes. Peter Shiu, a member of a center-right party, said Hong Kong can “tolerate” but not promote homosexuality. https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/world/gay-games-in-hong-kong-face-attacks-as-china-s-proxies-target-lgbt-groups/ar-AANVAdE

The following excerpts are from a special report from Channel News Asia on what happened when individual Thai volunteers decided that they couldn't idly stand by as Covid overwhelmed Bangkok's health care system. When the city emerges from the depths of the crisis, it will be volunteers like this, and the front-line medical workers, who can be credited for turning the corner and not the posturing politicians who grab the daily headlines. Volunteers travel on a motorbike as they transport an oxygen tank for a coronavirus disease (COVID-19) patient in Bangkok, Thailand August 5, 2021. Picture taken on August 5, 2021. REUTERS/Soe Zeya Tun BANGKOK: In April, a video clip of an e-sport legend went viral in Thailand. It was a Facebook live recording broadcast by Kunlasub ‘Up’ Wattanaphon, who once led a big e-gaming clan named VGB or Vagabond Team to successfully compete in various tournaments. “I’m close to collapse. I’m quarantining myself now but I don’t think I’ll make it,” said the 34-year-old ex-gamer in the clip. He had been trying in vain to seek treatment for COVID-19 for about a week and his condition was deteriorating. Coughing and struggling to breathe, Up recounted his ordeal with despair. “The hospital wouldn’t take me. Hotlines didn’t help. Hopeless. I’m going live in case any friends of mine could help. Please help me.” Up was admitted to a hospital the following day. By then, his lung function was only at 20 per cent. He died two days later. His final Facebook broadcast not only captured his painful moments, but also put the state of the public healthcare system in the spotlight. At that time, Thailand was witnessing the start of what would soon become the worst wave of COVID-19 it has dealt with so far. Infections spread very quickly from one of Bangkok’s fanciest neighbourhoods, where the wealthy had partied in exclusive nightclubs, into poor communities, crowded prisons and squalid worker camps. In just over five months, Thailand has reported more than 1.32 million cases and 13,826 casualties. Most of the cases are concentrated in Bangkok. Several months of soaring infections has turned the Thai capital into a hotbed of the pandemic, placing an enormous strain on its public health infrastructure. Many people have been left frustrated and disappointed by the government’s handling of the health crisis amid reports of limited testing, full hospital beds and shortages of vaccines. Voluntary groups started by ordinary citizens have since jumped into action, doing whatever they can to help the most vulnerable people. ZENDAI: A SOCIAL THREAD THAT SAVES LIVES For Bangkok residents, each day begins with reports of thousands of new infections. But for Kamonlak ‘Mahmud’ Anusornweeracheewin, a former inmate on death row, his day starts with a race against time to save as many lives as he can. He walked free from prison after serving 15 years and 10 months for drug charges. His sentence had initially been reduced to life imprisonment, and good behaviour later resulted in him being released. Currently, he volunteers with a COVID-19 response group called Zendai to rescue people in critical condition. Many of them are old, debilitated and living alone, with no family member to care for them. Mahmud, 41, knows what it is like to be forsaken and suffering. He also remembers how it feels to be given another chance at life when there is no hope. “Whenever I come across a severe case, I feel sorry for them. So when I have a chance to help them, I want to do it,” he said. Zendai has provided healthcare assistance to tens of thousands of people in Bangkok and nearby provinces, often when help from the government was unavailable or delayed. Its Facebook page receives about 1,000 requests for help daily - from hospital transfers to finding hospital beds - while its hotline is flooded with a further 1,000 calls every day. Taking its name from a Thai word for ‘thread’, Zendai functions as a connector between patients and healthcare providers. It was formed in April, shortly after Up’s death, by people who did not want his story to be repeated. The group offers emergency hospital transfers for people who are infected with the coronavirus but unable to travel by themselves. It also assists those in need with basic medical care and provides rapid testing in local communities as RT-PCR tests remain limited in public hospitals. Zendai’s volunteers in white protective gear are often seen tending to elderly patients and the less fortunate in underprivileged areas. Day and night, they travel around Bangkok to visit patients stuck at home, supplying them with food, medicines and oxygen cylinders to keep them alive. “The public healthcare system is truly overwhelmed. Government schemes - whether it would be the home isolation system or the registration of patients in the yellow and red groups for hospital beds - aren’t working so well just yet. Their COVID-19 testing isn’t working well either. This could be because they weren’t designed properly,” said Zendai co-founder Chris Potranandana. “Zendai’s mission isn’t just about helping people. We also want to encourage the right way to manage a system.” With 130 volunteers, Zendai has managed to save many lives when Bangkok’s healthcare system is overflowing with patients. CONSTRUCTION WORKERS LEFT ON MARGINS OF SOCIETY Since April, the Thai government has introduced various measures and restrictions to contain the deadly virus. Public movement has been reduced by a night curfew and several bans on social activities in highly infected areas such as Bangkok and its nearby provinces. While most people have been allowed some freedom of movement, one profession has spent at least a month in enforced confinement - construction workers. In June, clusters of COVID-19 broke out at construction sites and worker camps in Bangkok. As a result, hundreds of such venues were shut and sealed off for at least 30 days from Jun 28. All construction work was suspended and workers were prohibited from leaving the sites, even to buy food. Security officers were also employed to guard the entrance and exit of camps with cases of infected people. Bangkok is home to some 80,000 construction workers in more than 500 work sites, according to Labour Minister Suchart Chomklin. Many of them are not covered by social security and had to live with zero income for several weeks. Continues with photos https://www.channelnewsasia.com/asia/thailand-focus-civil-society-covid-19-bangkok-health-system-2164051

From Channel News Asia TOKYO: Japan can now give defence equipment and technology to Vietnam under an agreement signed on Saturday (Sep 11), as the two countries step up their military cooperation amid worries about China's growing military influence. Japan's Defence Minister Nobuo Kishi said the deal elevates their defence partnership “to a new level” and that Japan and Vietnam plan to deepen defence ties through multinational joint exercises and other means. Details about the transfer of specific equipment, including naval vessels, will be worked out in subsequent talks, the ministry said. https://www.channelnewsasia.com/asia/japan-vietnam-sign-defence-transfer-deal-amid-china-worries-2172121

From Washington Diplomat The US-ASEAN Business Council, a powerful Washington-based corporate association active in 10 Southeast Asian countries, has named Ted Osius as its new president and CEO. Osius, a former US ambassador to Vietnam, assumed his new job Aug. 23, replacing Alexander Feldman, who led the council for 12 years. Feldman has since relocated to Singapore as president of Boeing Southeast Asia. In a Sept. 8 interview, Osius told The Washington Diplomat that COVID-19 recovery efforts top the agenda of his organization, whose main mission is to promote US trade and investment in the 10 members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN): Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam. “With the emergency response to covid, the private sector can help fill in some of the gaps, not necessarily in providing vaccines, but at least support for those who are in trouble—oxygen, PPE, home health kits, that sort of thing,” he said. “Our council’s been very involved in this, and our companies have been phenomenal. Once the epicenter shifted from India to Indonesia, we kicked into gear, and now we’ll be looking at other countries in ASEAN that need our help.” In the longer term, Osius called for “greater openness” in trade policy by ASEAN member states to speed up the post-covid return to economic normalcy. “ASEAN used to be characterized by openness, but there’s been a little retreat during covid, some hunkering down,” he said. “That’s natural. Governments are looking after their own people first. Regulations have sprung up overnight because countries are very worried. But harmonizing those regulations will help accelerate the recovery. Specific pieces need to be dealt with, like supply chains and moving people across borders.” Formed in 1984, the US-ASEAN Business Council comprises 170 member companies. Together, they generate nearly $7 trillion in revenue and employ more than 14.5 million people. Besides Washington, the council has offices in New York, Bangkok, Hanoi, Jakarta, Kuala Lumpur, Manila, Singapore and Yangon. https://washdiplomat.com/ted-osius-ex-us-envoy-in-hanoi-to-head-us-asean-business-council/