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From Bangkok Post 72 Covid deaths, 9,276 new cases There were 72 Covid-19 fatalities and 9,276 new cases over the past 24 hours, the Public Health Ministry reported on Friday. Thirty-nine of the deaths were in Bangkok and the average age was 66 years. There were 8,998 cases in the general population and 278 among prison inmates. Since the pandemic started early last year, there have been 2,534 fatalities and 317,506 cases of infection, 240,077 of whom had already recovered. The 9,276 new Covid-19 cases comprised 8,975 local infections, 23 imported cases and 278 in prisons. Bangkok recorded 3,116 cases, followed by 544 in Samut Sakhon, 437 in Samut Prakan, 341 in Lop Buri, 317 in Chon Buri, 265 in Ayutthaya, 243 in Chachoengsao, 236 in Nonthaburi, 214 in Pattani and 211 in Nakhon Pathom. The CCSA spokeswoman said 74,895 people were receiving Covid-19 treatment at hospitals on Thursday. They included 2,685 critically ill patients and 701 dependent on ventilators. Samut Sakhon had one new cluster at a snack factory in Krathum Baen district with 29 Covid-19 cases, Samut Prakan reported a new cluster at a construction workers’ camp in Bang Phli district and Ayutthaya had a new cluster at a community in front of the factory land in Wang Noi district with 117 cases. https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/general/2146139/72-covid-deaths-9-276-new-cases ================================= From The Thaiger / Reuters Thailand among 5 economies most at risk from Delta variant The investment banking firm JP Morgan says there are 5 emerging economies that are most vulnerable to the Delta variant – and Thailand is one of them. According to a Reuters report, the others are South Africa, Colombia, the Philippines, and Peru. The primary reason given for these findings is the low rate of vaccination, with analysts comparing the pace of vaccine rollouts with the spread of the Delta variant first reported in India. In some countries, mass vaccination is not happening quickly enough to offset the surge in infections caused by the highly contagious variant. https://thethaiger.com/hot-news/economy/jp-morgan-includes-thailand-in-5-economies-most-at-risk-from-delta-variant

It's not a word you commonly see. However, Coconuts may have a style guide that permits profanity when it's in the context of a third-party quotation as it it is here.

From Bangkok Post / Forbes 50 richest Thais on Forbes list add B28bn Thailand's 50 richest on the 2021 Forbes list, led by the Chearavanont brothers, did well during the Covid-19 pandemic, with $28 billion added to their combined wealth over the past 15 months. The Stock Exchange of Thailand index jumped 43% during the period, driven by the prospect of an economic recovery and an uptick in exports. The increase helped boost the combined wealth of the country’s 50 richest by more than 20% to $160 billion. The ranking of the top five on the list, whose net worth gains made up nearly half of the total increase, remains unchanged. 2021 Forbes Thailand's 50 Richest The Chearavanont brothers of Charoen Pokphand Group retain their top spot with a net worth of $30.2 billion, up from $27.3 billion last year. Chalerm Yoovidhya, who shares a $24.5-billion Red Bull fortune with his family, is this year’s biggest dollar gainer. He added $4.3 billion to his wealth and holds onto his position as the second richest. Charoen Sirivadhanabhakdi of Thai Beverage remains at the third spot, with his fortune rising to $12.7 billion from $10.5 billion last year. In the fourth place is the Chirathivat family, with $11.6 billion, up by $2.1 billion. At the 5th is energy tycoon Sarath Ratanavadi, who made headlines in April with a $17-billion bid for Intouch Holdings and its wireless firm Advanced Info Services, Thailand’s biggest mobile operator by revenue. His wealth was up by nearly a third to $8.9 billion. Overall, 38 of the 50 listees saw wealth gains, including eight who added more than $1 billion each. The minimum net worth to make the list this year was $737 million, up from $460 million last year. The top 10 richest in Thailand are: Chearavanont Brothers; $30.2 billion Chalerm Yoovidhya; $24.5 billion Charoen Sirivadhanabhakdi; $12.7 billion Chirathivat family; $11.6 billion Sarath Ratanavadi; $8.9 billion Osathanugrah Family; $3.5 billion Somphote Ahunai; $3.3 billion Prasert Prasarttong-Osoth; $3.25 billion Prachak Tangkaravakoon; $3.2 billion Chuchat Petaumpai & Daonapa Petampai; $3 billion https://www.bangkokpost.com/business/2145631/50-richest-thais-on-forbes-list-add-b28bn

Fitness Thaniya was formerly known as the Clark Hatch Fitness Center when I first started coming to Bangkok. If you stayed at the Tarntawan Place Hotel you could buy a day pass (200 baht I think about 2002). It was a compact place with a nice pool Price included towels and laundered T-shirt and gym shorts that you returned upon leaving. The memory is just one more that reminds me of how great bkk was when I was new to the town--and 19 years younger--and why we miss all the more now.

Hell, I remember when all you needed was Google Translate. Now I guess you need a calculator, lie detector and two-factor identification before you invite a guy to your room.

From Thai Enquirer Government to tighten restrictions amid record infections, denies “lockdown” The government will decide this week on extra Covid restriction measures suggested by the Ministry of Health, the Center for COVID-19 Situation Administration (CCSA) said on Thursday, as rates of infection and death reached new highs. “This is not going to be a full lockdown,” said Dr Apisamai Srirangsan, the CCSA’s deputy spokeswoman. The CCSA will decide on the added measures in hard-hit provinces on Friday, she said. The suggestions cover tighter checkpoints between provinces, temporary closure of businesses, changes in opening hours and mandatory working from home. “We have already been asking people to not make any unnecessary traveling between provinces unless they really have to in previous weeks,” Apisamai said. There have been 7,058 confirmed Covid cases and 75 related deaths in the past 24 hours, the CSSA said. From the total cases that were reported in the past 24 hours, 6,981 were found within the general Thai population, excluding the 68 cases in prisons and the nine imported cases. The previous record for the nationwide daily number within the general Thai population was 6,448 on Tuesday, and the one before that was Monday at 6,070 cases. The 75 Covid related deaths in past 24 hours is also a new record. The previous record was at 57 deaths on June 28. The CCSA said the surge of new cases is driven by the Delta variant, first identified in India, which has led to shortages of hospital beds in Bangkok and surrounding provinces, the hardest-hit provinces in the third wave which started April 1. They also said this week that they are preparing for up to a possible 10,000 cases per day by next week. At the moment, the only nationwide measure in effect is the temporary shutdown of all entertainment venues. Mandatory mask-wearing is being applied with 20,000 baht fine in some provinces. For Bangkok and the surrounding provinces of Samut Prakarn, Pathum Thani, Nonthaburi, Nakhon Pathom and Samut Sakhon, worker camps and working sites are closed, dining-in at restaurants is not allowed and events with more than 20 people are banned until the end of July, but people can still travel between provinces. All of these measures are subject to review by the CCSA on Friday. The Ministry of Public Health’s suggestions of extra measures for 14 days are as follows: The setting up of checkpoints to fully ban unnecessary travelling between provinces Fully implementing the work from home model for both public and private sector The temporary closure of high-risk businesses Adjusting the opening hours of businesses such as shopping centers and convenient stores Reducing public transport schedules to match the expected lowered number of passengers https://www.thaienquirer.com/29581/government-to-tighten-restrictions-amid-record-infections-denies-lockdown/

I don't think Gaybutton will mind if I borrow a post from his board. Pattaya cops walked in on a live broadcast involving three Thai guys that was being beamed to China for a select audience. https://gaybuttonthai.com/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=10704

From Bangkok Post Authorities plan to convert a terminal at the main international airport into a field hospital as a surge in coronavirus infections that’s straining the public health system shows little sign of easing. Airports of Thailand Plc, operator of Suvarnabhumi International Airport, has been asked to convert the newly completed terminal into a facility with an intensive-care unit, medical rooms and support for patients with mild to medium symptoms. The hospital will initially provide at least 5,000 patient beds, according to a government statement late Tuesday. https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/general/2144959/new-suvarnabhumi-airport-terminal-to-become-covid-hospital

From Channel News Asia BEIJING: Multiple social media accounts belonging to major university lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) rights groups in China have been blocked from the popular WeChat app, prompting fears of targeted censorship and calls on Wednesday (Jul 7) for an online protest. The WeChat pages of groups, including Huazhong University of Science and Technology Gay Pride and Peking University's ColorsWorld, had their past posts scrubbed and replaced with a notice stating: "All content has been blocked and the use of the account has been stopped" for violations of unspecified social media regulations. The brief notices said that WeChat had received "complaints" about the pages, while the groups' account names had been changed to "unnamed account" on Tuesday, based on publicly visible account records. Super-app WeChat is China's biggest social media platform, with instant messaging, blogs and other content, as well as the ability to make payments. Chinese social media firms frequently censor content deemed to be politically sensitive or inappropriate, with censors previously targeting LGBT-related content on video streaming apps and in foreign films. https://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/asia/lgbt-rights-groups-blocked-china-biggest-social-media-app-wechat-15172100

From Khaosod English Facebook Rescue worker Kornsith Laophan, 18, who was killed as he and other volunteers were fleeing flames surging from a store of chemicals. He stumbled and was overtaken by the fire. From Bangkok Post 80,000 impacted by huge blaze At least 80,000 people have been affected by a massive fire that ravaged the Ming Dih Chemical Co factory complex in Bang Phli district of Samut Prakan on Monday. The blaze was brought under control briefly on Tuesday only to reignite amid the charred ruins of the factory on Tuesday around 4pm, prompting firefighters to spray flame retardant foam in an attempt to control the latest blaze. Overall, firefighters took more than 24 hours to douse the fire that followed an explosion around 3am on Monday. Provincial governor Wanchai Kongkasem on Tuesday said that the damage from the fire spanned a vast radius around the burned-out factory, causing damage to private property and affecting 80,916 people across four tambons in Bang Phli district. Of the total, 34,736 people in 22,563 households were impacted in tambon Racha Thewa, 18,490 people in 12,363 households in tambon Bang Phli Yai, 23,277 people in 17,188 households in tambon Bang Kaew and 4,413 people in 4,177 households in tambon Bang Chalong. Natural Resources and Environment Minister Varawut Silpa-archa said the Pollution Control Department needs to ensure the air quality within 3-5km from the fire-gutted factory is safe before residents in the areas were allowed to return home. An initial inspection showed that the air quality within one kilometre of the site was harmful to health on Tuesday. Mr Varawut also noted the factory opened three decades when there was no environmental impact assessment (EIA) regulation in place. https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/general/2144431/80-000-impacted-by-huge-blaze

From Vietnam News HÀ NỘI — The first shipment of 97,110 doses of Pfizer/BioNTech COVID-19 vaccines arrived at Nội Bài International Airport in Hà Nội on Wednesday morning. Vietnamese deputy health minister Trương Quốc Cường, Christopher Klein, Chargé d'Affaires, of the US Embassy in Hà Nội, and John Paul Pullicino, Country Manager and Chief Representative at Pfizer Việt Nam, were at the airport for the reception ceremony for the first vaccine batch. In total in the 31 million doses will be supplied to Việt Nam in 2021. More shipments of Pfizer vaccines to Việt Nam in subsequent weeks to ensure that Việt Nam will receive three million doses in the third quarter, while the delivery of the remaining 28 million doses will be fulfilled in the final quarter. The Vietnamese health ministry thanked Pfizer for providing training and guidance to readily receive and use its COVID-19 vaccine, Cường said. “One month after signing the deal, we are here today to gladly receive the first shipment of the vaccine, marking a significant milestone in the cooperation between two sides to bring Corminaty vaccines manufactured by Pfizer/BioNTech to the Vietnamese people, to aid the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic,” the health official noted. He urged Pfizer to ensure its delivery schedule of 31 million doses within this year, and consider supplying another 20 million doses as well as the possibility of vaccine production technology transfer in the future. Also according to the diplomat, the US’ top priority at the moment is fighting the pandemic – having committed billions of US dollars to the COVAX Facility and donated millions of vaccine doses to many countries. He also confirmed that two million doses of Moderna COVID-19 as donation from the US Government will arrive in Việt Nam soon. https://vietnamnews.vn/society/987920/first-97110-pfizer-covid-19-vaccine-doses-arrived-in-viet-nam-more-to-come-in-july.html

From The Thaiger Governor orders investigation into complaints of taxi drivers overcharging Taxi fares charged from the Phuket International Airport are now being investigated by provincial authorities. The Phuket governor ordered the probe after criticism over a Facebook post asking if the 900 baht fare from the airport, quoted by a hotel in Patong, seemed too expensive. Taxi prices in Phuket are notoriously high compared to other provinces. On the social media post, many commented on high taxi fares, sparking criticism just as the island province reopens to vaccinated travellers from overseas under the “Sandbox” model. Following the complaints, Phuket Tourist Police posted the maximum taxi fares from the Phuket International Airport to popular destinations and told people to reported if they’ve been overcharged. Governor Narong Woonciew ordered the Phuket Provincial Land Transport Office and the Tourist Police to look into complaints about taxis overcharging. He says the criticism is affecting Phuket’s, especially its image to tourists arriving under the “Sandbox.” “It is a problem that has been discussed many times before the Covid situation, and related agencies are trying to find a more systematic approach… The goal of Phuket is to impress those who have arrived. The transport office has held a meeting with 1,000 public taxi service providers to enhance the measures of SHA+ service in order to meet the required standards so we can impress tourists.” https://thethaiger.com/news/phuket/phuket-governor-orders-investigation-into-complaints-of-taxi-drivers-overcharging

I find myself agreeing with much of what you say. I'd go as far as to say that the US supported the wrong side in Vietnam. The regime in the south was corruption on steroids.

From Thai Enquirer Experts say that Thailand may have Covid-19 infection numbers 3-4 times higher than the total number declared by the government per day, according to insiders within the healthcare sector. According to a doctor at the Bangkok Dusit Medical Services group, experts at the Private Hospitals Association meeting on Wednesday suggested that the real number of Covid-19 infections could be much higher than that being declared by the government. “We have no idea what the total number is but it could literally be 3 to 4 times higher than what is being declared based on the statistics we have gathered at our hospitals,” the doctor said on condition of anonymity. “The reason we don’t know is because private hospitals don’t have the capacity or the mandate to do widespread testing, we can only test people that come to our hospitals,” said the doctor who asked not to be named. “In April, we had infection rates around 10 per cent of people that were tested. Now it is much closer to 20 per cent.” Thailand’s government said that the country saw 6,464 new covid infections in the general public on Wednesday. “We do not know for sure what the actual number is we can only judge it by the rate of infections and by the numbers we see that come to get tested at the hospital,” said Dr Suwadee Puntpanich, a director at Thonburi Bamrungmuang Hospital which is part of the Thonburi Healthcare Group. “But in our hospitals, we have people lining up since 3 am to get tested in the morning as we have a limited number of tests. Of those that we do test, there are days when over half are found to be infected.” If the experts working for the Private Hospital Groups are correct, Thailand’s reopening plans for October may need to be shelved until the population can be vaccinated and protected against further infections. Thailand is currently in the midst of the third, most severe, wave of the pandemic with nearly 300,000 people infected since April 1. https://www.thaienquirer.com/29512/thailand-may-have-infection-numbers-3-4-times-higher-than-the-government-declared-total/

One of the most troubling statements in today's vaccine news is the admission that the three most sought after vaccines (Pfizer, Modern and Astra Zeneca) will be prioritized as "booster" shots to 700,000 medical workers who have already been fully vaccinated with Sinovac. It's not that the health care personnel don't deserve top of the line protection. They do. Sinovac's efficacy, however, is considered so poorly that this surprising step has to be taken. This seems to leave Sinovac in the better-than-nothing category. At the same time, however, the government is acquiring 10.1 million more doses of Sinovac. To be fair, Thailand finds itself trapped between a rock and a hard place. It can't achieve it's desired rollout without Sinovac despite its awareness that it's inferior to the alternative vaccines that cannot be rapidly acquired for myriad reasons. It's similar to the centuries-old military dilemma: you don't go to war with the army you wish you had; you go with the army you have.

From Bangkok Post Pfizer deal, 10.1m more Sinovac shots approved The cabinet has approved the signing of a supply agreement for 20 million doses of the Pfizer Covid-19 vaccine and the purchase of another 10.9 million doses of the Sinovac Biotech vaccine. For the Pfizer shots, the budget was not revealed. For the Sinovac vaccine, PM spokesman Anucha Burapachasri said after the meeting that it would not exceed 6.1 billion baht and the budget would come from borrowings under an executive decree. Also at the meeting, the cabinet allowed the Government Pharmaceutical Organization to buy the Moderna vaccine from Zuellig Pharma Ltd on behalf of private hospitals. Deputy Prime Minister Wissanu Krea-ngam said before the meeting that some vaccine purchase agreements require non-disclosure since the terms and prices were different for each country. The Pfizer vaccine to be ordered soon will unlikely be the first lot of it to be shipped to Thailand. Some officials of the Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration (CCSA) had said earlier that 1.5 million doses donated by the United States would arrive this month and next month. Udom Kachintorn, an adviser to the CCSA, said in the morning that mRNA vaccines — Pfizer and Moderna — or AstraZeneca, which is the viral vector type, would be used on some 700,0000 health workers as a booster shot after this group had been fully vaccinated with the Sinovac vaccine earlier. The next group to receive it would be those at risk — the elderly or those with seven underlying conditions. “The priority is to give a booster shot to some 700,000 fully vaccinated medical workers, who received their second shots 3-4 months ago. The booster shot could be Pfizer — if it arrives in time — or AstraZeneca,” Dr Udom said. He added a local study on eight people showed a person who had been severely allergic to the Sinovac vaccine after the first shot and got AstraZeneca as the second shot developed antibodies eight times those who got two Sinovac shots. Dr Udom said mRNA would definitely become the primary platform in the future. https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/general/2144383/pfizer-deal-10-1m-more-sinovac-shots-approved ============================== From The Thaiger Embassy of Switzerland helps expats get vaccinated The Embassy of Switzerland in Bangkok announced that it has secured AstraZeneca Covid-19 vaccine appointments for 180 Swiss citizens living in Thailand who are at least 55 years old, or who have underlying health conditions. The embassy says Swiss expats living in other provinces in Thailand can also register for a vaccine, but they must travel to Bangkok and be in the capital by 8am on the day of their appointment. The vaccine will be free. The appointments are scheduled for this month and will be accepted on a first-come, first-serve basis. Those eligible to register for an appointment include Swiss citizens who are at least 55 years old or who have underlying health conditions of chronic lung disease, heart disease, kidney disease, stroke, cancer, diabetes or obesity. Swiss expats can send their name, date of birth, passport number, address and phone number to Bangkok.event@eda.admin.ch to schedule an appointment. https://thethaiger.com/coronavirus/embassy-of-switzerland-in-thailand-helps-swiss-expats-get-vaccinated

Pre-pandemic, I never hesitated to lock in an airfare well in advance, usually just after returning from my previous trip. That was then, this is now. Four unknowns make booking way out hazardous for four reasons: First, you aren’t assured that the carrier you book will actually fly on your chosen days. Second, you don’t know if your destination will be open to you. Third, you don’t know what local restrictions may be in place on your departure date. Fourth, change fee ambiguities. Some fare have no change fees but you do have to pay any fare differences. Unless you’re prepared to book fully refundable fares, no carrier is offering refunds. I’ve noticed that “no change fees” are becoming progressively less frequent. I've noticed that some Expedia listings may not indicate "no change fee" but when you go to the air carrier's website, they do show no fees on same flight. If the airline is responsible for a schedule change, your fare should not change. Using Expedia to check schedules and fares, I considered two destinations: Bangkok and Hanoi. I sampled New York and London departures. Dates sampled: Departing 19 October, returning 19 November. (Please bear in mind that flight offerings and fares are subject to change without notice. The following were sampled on the afternoon of 5 July). NEW YORK TO BANGKOK ECONOMY: fare range $759-$997 Best value: Finnair $791 (duration 20:45) Runner-up: Cathay Pacific $915 (duration 21:00) BUSINESS: fare range: $3080 to $5936 Best value: Finnair $3080 (duration 20:45) Runner -up: Eithad $3089 (duration 29:20) NOTE: it stops in Phuket first LONDON TO BANGKOK ECONOMY: fare range: $604 to $719 Best value: Swiss Air $611 (duration 13:40 Runners-up: Lufthansa $664 (duration 14:40) Finnair $676 (duration 14:55) BUSINESS: fare range $2058 to $4122 Best value: Swiss Air $2058 (duration 13:40) Runner-up: Lufthansa $2081 (duration 14:40) NEW YORK TO HANOI ECONOMY: fare range $944 to $1200 Best value: Cathay Pacific $1178 (duration 21:55) NOTE: chose this over competitors due to significant differences in duration) BUSINESS: fare range $2452 to $6680 Best value: Japan Air $2452 (duration 27:35) Runner-up: Qatar Airways $4243 (duration 21:55) LONDON TO HANOI ECONOMY: fare range $826 TO $1174 Best value: Turkish Air $826 (duration 15:45) Runner-up: Cathay Pacific $1174 (duration 19:55) BUSINESS: fare range $3621 to $4792 Best value: Turkish Air $3621 (duration: 15:45) Runner-up: none really due to huge cost differences WHAT TO LOOK FOR AS YOUR INTENDED TRIP DATE GETS CLOSER What I'm looking out for is more flight offerings. Most carriers that were servicing Southeast Asia destinations have yet to resume the frequency of operations that we were accustomed to before the pandemic. When countries announce hard plans to reopen to foreign tourists. carriers will begin to slowly build capacity. But I expect the change will be gradual.

From Pattaya Mail By Barry Kenyon The 520,000 British pensioners who live abroad, including 30,000 or so in Thailand, are being encouraged to use their newly-endowed power to vote in UK general elections. The idea is to vote only for a political party which guarantees to upgrade their state pensions annually, just like their contemporaries back home. The right to the expat vote in British elections was agreed earlier this year by Boris Johnson’s government and replaced an old rule that the franchise lapsed after 15 or more years abroad. However, there is an elaborate registration procedure in constituencies which may deter all but the most fervent expats. Many constituencies have changed their names and boundaries over the years. The freezing of the UK old age pension – at the level when they left Britain – applies to expats living in more than half of all countries, including Thailand and most of the Commonwealth. However, Brits living in the European Union, the United States and even the Philippines do receive annual increases in the normal way. The reasons are archaic. A special Brexit deal was reached with the EU, whilst some other countries are exempt from freezing because of “reciprocity”. Best of luck sorting that one out. John Duffy, chairman of the International Consortium of British Pensioners, said the discriminatory practice was indefensible as the frozen pensioners had paid their taxes in working life just like everyone else. He believed that a huge effort from elderly expats could make a real difference at general election time. The next one is scheduled for 2024 but could come earlier as the law for fixed-term parliaments has been abolished. https://www.pattayamail.com/news/british-expats-in-thailand-warm-to-the-idea-of-unfreezing-their-old-age-pensions-362330

An injured victim is carried away from the flames in a fireman's lift at the burning Ming Dih Chemical factory in Bang Phli district, Samut Prakan, on Monday. One rescuer died fighting the blaze and at least 60 people were injured by the massive explosion and subsequent fire. (Rescue foundations photo) From Bangkok Post One rescuer was killed and more than 60 people injured in an overnight explosion and inferno at a chemical factory that continued to send black smoke into the sky over Bang Phli district of Samut Prakan late into Monday afternoon. Helicopters, some from the army, were called in to help firefighters spray flame retardant foam over the burning Ming Dih Chemical Co factory complex. They were battling to keep the advancing flames away from further stores of chemicals at the site, and prevent another explosion. Authorities warned of toxic fumes being generated by the burning chemicals. The initial explosion, which was felt nine kilometres away, damaged 73 houses and 15 cars in the nearby neighbourhood. Thai Rath identified the dead victim as Kornsith Laophan, 18, who was killed as he and other volunteers were fleeing flames surging from a store of chemicals. He stumbled and was overtaken by the fire. The Taiwanese-owned factory manufactures plastic foam and pellets. The Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Department said the inferno began with an explosion about 3.20am. What set it off was not known. Homes within a five-kilometre radius were evacuated amid fears of further explosions of the reported 50 tonnes of chemicals stored at the premises. Firefighters and helicopters were reportedly trying to defend one particular area that held 20,000 litres of chemicals. Pollution Control Department director-general Attapol Charoenchansa warned people that styrene monomer fumes from the blaze were carcinogenic . Continues with video https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/general/2143767/factory-inferno-kills-1-at-least-60-injured

Deadline to apply for “Covid” visa extension July 29; office closures From The Thaiger Deadline to apply for “Covid” visa extension July 29; office closures The deadline to apply for a 60-day special “Covid” visa extension is July 29, but many should apply at least a week prior as Immigration offices will be closed for public holidays during the last week of the month. Immigration offices in expat-dense areas tend to get packed during the days leading up to the deadlines. The special visa extension is intended for foreigners who cannot leave Thailand due to the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic. The extension is somewhat of an alternative to so-called “border runs” since people cannot easily leave the country and re-enter on a new visa. The deadline to apply for a 60-day special “Covid” visa extension is July 29, but many should apply at least a week prior as Immigration offices will be closed for public holidays during the last week of the month. Immigration offices in expat-dense areas tend to get packed during the days leading up to the deadlines. The special visa extension is intended for foreigners who cannot leave Thailand due to the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic. The extension is somewhat of an alternative to so-called “border runs” since people cannot easily leave the country and re-enter on a new visa. The extension costs 1,900 baht and can be granted if… A foreigner cannot return to their home country due to the Covid-19 pandemic. There are no return flights available. The foreigner has a letter from their embassy requesting a temporary stay. The Thai Immigration Bureau has pushed the deadline to apply for the extension back several times, usually making the announcements at the last minute. The bureau is likely to push the deadline back by another couple of months given the current situation with limited international flights and Covid-19 still on the rise around the world. There has been no announcement yet about pushing back the deadline. Foreigners who are on visas with an end date approaching should visit their local immigration office before the visa expires to avoid overstay charges. Office closures… Monday, July 26 and Wednesday, July 28 are reserved for Buddhist holidays and to honour HM the King Maha Vajiralongkorn Phra Vajiraklaochaoyuhua’s Birthday. The Thai government initially set Tuesday, July 27 as an extra holiday to promote travel and boost the economy, but with the recent surge of Covid-19 cases, the Cabinet cancelled the special holiday. https://thethaiger.com/hot-news/visa/deadline-to-apply-for-covid-visa-extension-july-29-office-closures ================================== From Thai Enquirer Officials question Sinovac efficacy Thailand’s government must answer some hard questions after the leak of an internal document suggesting a cover-up in terms of Sinovac efficacy, opposition MPs told Thai Enquirer on Monday. The document, which shows some of the minutes of a June 30 meeting at the public health ministry, reveals a debate between public health officials and academics whether or not to give Pfizer vaccines to medical workers who have already been vaccinated with Sinovac. It has since been verified as real. (Read more here) Opposition MPs have used the opportunity to press the government on its vaccination program. “Do these people not care about the lives of the medical workers that are risking their lives to helping the country?” asked Wiroj Lakkhanadisorn, Move Forward Party MP. Wiroj told the Thai Enquirer that it is now irrefutable that there are people inside the government who do not want to be made to look bad given their previous support of Sinovac. The face saving, extends, worryingly to the government not giving frontline medical workers mRNA vaccines in case it makes them look bad. Other parliamentarians have chimed into Wiroj’s statements and said that defending the Sinovac vaccine at this point bordered on the absurd. “Defending the Sinovac Vaccine is no different from defending the GT200 in the past,” said Pichai Naripthaphan, Deputy Leader of the Pheu Thai Party. Pichai told the Thai Enquirer that giving the third Pfizer as a booster to medical workers was imperative given the inefficiency of the Sinovac vaccine. “In Indonesia, where medical workers that were given two doses of the Sinovac vaccine, people have continued to be infected causing another lockdown. https://www.thaienquirer.com/29399/opposition-parliamentarian-blast-government-after-leaked-document-controversy/

Casablanca (1942) - Ageless. Lawrence of Arabia (1962) - Classic cast, terrific soundtrack; a true epic. Silence of the Lambs (1991) - Anthony Hopkins; need I say more. All the best movies have already been made. "I'm shocked...shocked.." "He likes your lemonade" "Goodbye, Clarice"

From The Thaiger 70% of city Covid cases are Delta strain One of Thailand’s top virologists is in the news again this week. This time, Dr Yong Poovorawan is making the news for his assertion that 70% of all new Covid cases in Thailand are of the Delta variant. Earlier this week, Dr Yong Poovorawan faced allegations of mishandling Thailand’s Covid situation. A petition was even started calling for his removal. Yesterday, Dr Yong posted on Facebook to say that the Delta variant was first detected among construction workers and is the 4th variant to appear on the scene. He went on to re-cap the spread of the Alpha variant from the Thonglor area of Bangkok, and how another wave came from Samut Sakhon through Burmese migrant workers. The doctor warns in his post that people who are infected with the Delta variant often don’t realise where they got it due to the variant’s easy transmissibility. He says the infections will only go up and recommends everyone is diligent in their Covid precautions. For example, he suggests if it is not necessary to go outside, don’t. https://thethaiger.com/news/national/renowned-thai-doctor-says-70-of-new-covid-cases-are-delta-variant =========================== 5,916 new infections Today the public health department has announced 5,916 new infections and 44 Covid-related deaths. 39 of the total are attributed to Thai prisons. The report indicates a stabilisation of numbers after 3 days hovering around the 6,000-per-day level of new cases. But Sundays often return lower-than-usual reports. https://thethaiger.com/news/national/sunday-covid-update-5916-new-infections-provinces

The ownership of Siam Bioscience has been widely reported in the Thai media. This was made clear in the Bangkok Post earlier this year. "Thailand-based Siam Bioscience Co Ltd, 100%-owned by the Crown Property Bureau, produces the vaccines for AstraZeneca, with a capacity of 200 million doses a year for exports to Asean." https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/general/2046003/35m-more-shots-to-be-bought-in-2021 Oz cautioned members not to post comments or articles "negative of the monarchy" last year. As far as I have observed, his warning has been complied with.

You're correct. You did refer to the Bangkok Post. My apology. The point I'm making is that Siam Bioscience is not a sensitive entity to be avoided. It's a legitimate company operating in Bangkok. It is indeed frequently mentioned in reporting in all Thai media sources because it's a manufacturer and distributor of Astra Zenaca's vaccine. That's a publicly acknowledged fact, not speculation. Representatives of the current Thai administration have discussed it and have been quoted in the local media. Here's a photo from June 4, 2021, that appeared in the Bangkok Post. It depicts a proud moment for Siam Bioscience and the Health Ministry. The Ministry of Public Health receives the first 1.8 million doses of AstraZeneca's Covid-19 vaccine produced by Siam Bioscience, on Friday https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/general/2126903/az-delivers-first-1-8m-doses-of-locally-produced-covid-19-vaccine