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From CNBC CDC safety group says there’s a likely link between rare heart inflammation in young people after Covid shot A CDC safety group said there’s a “likely association” between a rare heart inflammatory condition in adolescents and young adults mostly after they’ve received their second Covid-19 vaccine shot, citing the most recent data available. There have been more than 1,200 cases of a myocarditis or pericarditis mostly in people 30 and under who received Pfizer’s or Moderna’s Covid vaccine, according to a series of slide presentations published Wednesday for a meeting of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices. Myocarditis is the inflammation of the heart muscle, while pericarditis is the inflammation of the membrane surrounding the heart. The agency said there have been 267 cases of myocarditis or pericarditis reported after receiving one dose of the mRNA vaccines and 827 reported cases after two doses through June 11. There are 132 additional cases where the number of doses received is unknown, the CDC said. Roughly 300 million of the shots had been administered as of June 11, the agency said. “This is still a rare event,” Dr. Tom Shimabukuro said at the meeting. For both vaccines combined, there were 12.6 heart inflammation cases per million doses. The cases were more frequent among Moderna’s vaccine recipients at 19.8 cases per million versus eight cases per million for Pfizer’s, he said. https://www.cnbc.com/2021/06/23/cdc-reports-more-than-1200-cases-of-rare-heart-inflammation-after-covid-vaccine-shots.html =============================== From Bangkok Post WHO confirms Sinovac: Thailand proceeds as planned with 100 million doses by end of year The World Health Organization (WHO) on June 1, 2021, validated Coronavac COVID-19 vaccine for emergency use, giving its assurance that the vaccine meets international standards for safety, efficacy and manufacturing. The Sinovac vaccine has also been approved by the Thai FDA for Emergency Use Authorization in preventing mild to serious illness and death from COVID-19. The vaccine is produced by the Beijing-based pharmaceutical company, Sinovac Biotech. Dr. Soumya Swaminathan, Chief Scientist, WHO, said, “The vaccines that will be used in the national roll out in Thailand – AstraZeneca and Sinovac – are effective. WHO has approved both vaccines for adults aged 18 and above, including elderly people, to prevent patients from getting sick or dying from COVID19. These vaccines have saved tens of thousands of lives around the world already. WHO also recommends that all eligible people living in Thailand get vaccinated against COVID-19 as soon as it is offered.” Dr. Soumya added, “The risk of severe illness or death from COVID-19 is much higher than any serious side effects from the vaccines that have been reported. As for the effectiveness percentage, it is impossible to compare between the two vaccines because the studies were conducted in different test conditions under different circumstances.” Dr. Sopon Iamsirithavorn, Director, Division of Communicable Diseases, Department of Disease Control (DDC), Ministry of Public Health, explained the vaccination plan: “Thailand has a clear policy that everyone, including foreigners residing in Thailand, will receive the vaccine and the budget has been planned. The top concern is to reduce severe illness and death and contain the spreading of disease.” https://www.bangkokpost.com/business/2137283

From The Thaiger The Bank of Thailand on Wednesday lowered the country’s economic growth projection for 2021 to 1.8 per cent, down from 3 per cent predicted in March, but kept the policy rate unchanged. The Monetary Policy Committee at the central bank reduced its estimate of gross domestic product (GDP) growth in response to a downturn in international tourists and lower domestic demand impacted by the third wave of Covid-19 pandemic. Projected tourist arrivals for this year plunged to only 700,000 from the 3 million expected earlier in March, despite the fact that Thailand is planning to open its border by October. “Employment in the service sector and the self-employed is more vulnerable and may even recover more slowly,” said the committee assistant-governor Titanun Mallikamas. The MPC also unanimously voted to maintain the benchmark policy rate at 0.5 per cent, given that the third wave of the Covid-19 epidemic has slowed the Thai economy to grow unevenly and less than expected, with a chance of a new wave of infections in the future. https://www.thaienquirer.com/28925/central-bank-lowers-gdp-projection-as-pandemic-drags-on/

The possibility of embassies of foreign governments intervening in the distribution of vaccines to their citizens living in Thailand was discussed on the board a few months back. I recall that numerous problems were brought up that made that scheme difficult. But France and China have found ways to muddle through the dilemma. Chinese nationals in Thailand were able to be vaccinated under Beijing’s “Spring Sprout” global immunisation programme. China had donated 500,000 doses of its Sinovac vaccine to Thailand, and then Thailand then agreed to vaccinate Chinese expats. Around 150,000 Chinese nationals live in Thailand. French nationals ages 55 and older will receive their free inoculation of the single-dose Johnson & Johnson vaccine at one of the 8 Bangkok Hospital locations including Bangkok, Pattaya, Phuket and Koh Samui. Meanwhile, the US continues to claim that it is unable to do so. The Chargé d’Affaires has sent the following letter to US nationals who have inquired about the possibility with the embassy: "The U.S. Department of State is unable to provide vaccines to the millions of Americans who reside outside of the United States.For those who wish to return to the United States to be vaccinated....Meanwhile, as Thailand pursues its vaccination program, I will continue to advocate for your equitable access, keeping in mind that many Thai citizens are also waiting for their own vaccines." Full article available from The Thaiger https://thethaiger.com/coronavirus/us-is-unable-to-provide-covid-19-vaccines-to-americans-who-live-overseas ============================== From the Thai Enquirer Chula professor criticizes government's obsession with Sinovac A leading professor at Chulalongkorn University has come out this week to criticize the government for its continued obsession with acquiring Sinovac vaccines. The professor joined Thai Enquirer to outline her grievances, the same one she shares with millions of other Thais. It might not have been as clear in the beginning, but the inefficiency of this [Sinovac] vaccine has been reported in numerous, real-life cases from many countries, from Indonesia to Brazil, said Professor Siripan Nogsuan, an Associate Professor and the Head of the Department of Government, Faculty of Science at Chulalongkorn University. Professor Siripan said that the main question she has for the government is twofold: why are they still choosing Sinovac over other vaccine alternatives when it’s clear that it is more expensive, and has a much lower efficacy rate? It seems that the Ministry of Public Health, which announced that it was planning to procure at least 28 million more doses of the Sinovac vaccine on Friday, haven’t adequately explained their reasoning, Siripan told Thai Enquirer by phone. “What we, as citizens, need is explanation and answers,” said Professor Siripan. “Why do the government, and the doctors leading the Covid-19 disease control situation, think Sinovac is a better option? What is the basis of their argument and how did they come to this conclusion?” https://www.thaienquirer.com/28886/leading-chula-professor-criticizes-governments-sinovac-obsession/

Thonburi. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wat_Paknam_Bhasicharoen

Thanks for posting about the effects of the Berrigan murder and opportunity it presented for the local media to run wild with theories and speculation. Politicians almost immediately seized on it as means to settle old scores and attempt to focus on their real agendas While looking over the bibliography of Peter Jackson, I came across a reference to a fairly recent book: GHOSTLY DESIRES: Queer Sexuality and Vernacular Buddhism in Contemporary Thai Cinema; Arnika Fuhrmann, 2016. I find the closing paragraph in the book review of the University of British Columbia of particular interest: "Notwithstanding its compact subtitle, Ghostly Desires is about much more than Thai cinema. Fuhrmann pursues these diverse moving image-makers far beyond the nation’s moral-institutional architecture; and their “queering” of that architecture takes her far beyond the critical conventions of gender studies. This adventure confirms what any observer of contemporary Thailand, however engrossed in mainstream evidence, should know: that a genuinely progressive cultural politics, one that refuses to breathe the stifling atmosphere of bourgeois nationalism, has for years been practised there under the mantle of vanguard art. Meanwhile, the parochial culture industry lumbers on like a zombie, in thrall to self-serving elites and their now unashamedly despotic status quo." Despite the fact that we're still in the throes of the pandemic, not much has changed in the five years since those words first appeared.

From Bangkok Post Phuket still set to open to foreign tourists The planned reopening of Phuket and Surat Thani provinces remains intact despite more than 4,000 new Covid-19 cases and 35 deaths nationwide on Monday, according to the government's senior epidemic spokesman. Taweesilp Visanuyothin, spokesman for the Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration, said on Tuesday that the reopening of Phuket on July 1 and Surat Thani (Koh Samui and Koh Phangan islands) later remains possible. Both provinces were reporting new daily cases in single figures. Dr Taweesilp said that there were clear criteria for the government to stop the reopening. For Phuket, they were: - more than 90 new Covid-19 cases per week - outbreaks in all three districts - more than three clusters or widespread and unrelated infections - at least 80% of local hospital beds occupied - a widespread and uncontrollable outbreak of virus mutations Dr Taweesilp said there would be four steps, based on the number of new cases, in any lockdown of Phuket, as follows: - reduction in activities - sealed routes - hotel quarantine - an end to the Phuket Sandbox reopening project For Koh Samui and Koh Phangan, their reopening would be halted if Covid-19 cases exceeded the number of local hospital beds, the spokesman said. Dr Taweesilp reported 4,059 new Covid-19 cases confirmed over the past 24 hours. Representatives of entertainment venues met Phuket deputy governor Wikrom Jakthee at the provincial hall on Tuesday, seeking permission to reopen their premises when the island province opens to foreign tourists on July 1. They also asked for assistance, saying workers in the entertainment sector of Phuket had no income since the government-ordered the closure of their businesses to control Covid-19. They said they could operate while strictly observing disease control measures. https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/general/2136615/phuket-surat-thani-still-set-to-open-to-foreign-tourists

From Bangkok Post Gap now 8 weeks between AZ doses A top medical committee has agreed to narrow the gap between doses of the AstraZeneca Covid-19 vaccine to eight weeks from 10-12 weeks previously in places where there have been outbreaks of the Delta variant, an official said on Tuesday. Areas where the more contagious Delta variant, first identified in India, had been detected could "adjust the timing for the second dose," said Kiatiphum Wongrajit, permanent secretary at the public health ministry. The move comes after the government last week abandoned plans for a 16-week gap between AstraZeneca doses in a bid to stretch vaccine supplies to reach more people. https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/general/2136631/govt-to-narrow-gap-for-astrazeneca-shots-in-bid-to-curb-delta-variant ================================= From Thai Enquirer Delta variant’s danger and new studies raises questions about Thai vaccine program The spread of new Covid-19 variants have public health officials concerned with the country’s vaccine program with some vaccines reportedly less capable of stopping or containing the virus. Most concerning is the Delta variant, which was first identified in India, and has become the dominant strains in some countries. Within a span of six months, it has now spread to at least 74 countries worldwide. Research shows the Delta variant to be much more contagious and deadlier than previous strains of the virus. The World Health Organization (WHO) declared it as a “virus of concern,” with its chief scientist Soumya Swaminathan saying that it was “on its way to becoming the dominant variant globally because of its increased transmissibility,” last Friday. Thai public health officials warn that it poses a significant threat in Thailand. (Read more here) They also have concerns but the country’s vaccination program in light of the Delta Variant’s dangers. As of June 19, 2021, around 7.5 million of the Thai population have been vaccinated with either the Sinovac or AstraZeneca vaccine. Five and a half million of those have been vaccinated with the first dose of Sinovac, while 2.1 million have been vaccinated with the second dose. But the application of the Sinovac vaccine is problematic. Emerging data shows that the current vaccines, especially the ones with lower efficacy rates like the Sinovac, are not effective in stopping the transmission of the Delta variant. Indonesian officials said this week that more than 350 of its frontline healthcare workers and doctors have been infected, with dozens hospitalized, with the Delta variant, despite being vaccinated with the Sinovac. https://www.thaienquirer.com/28831/delta-variants-danger-and-new-studies-raises-questions-about-thai-vaccine-program/ ==================================== Boosters may be needed The Public Health Ministry is speeding up a study looking into the need for a third Covid-19 vaccine shot for people who are fully vaccinated as certain coronavirus variants are more infectious than others. Along with this study, a ministry committee is tasked with assessing whether it is safe for people to be jabbed using different vaccine brands after the initial first shot is given, said Dr Opas Karnkawinpong, director-general of the Department of Disease Control (DDC) on Monday. Dr Opas, however, insisted it was still too soon to say whether a booster shot is actually needed and if the shot can come from a different manufacturer. "Knowledge [about the virus and the vaccines is updated] constantly so we need to wait until we have sufficient information to support any new decisions to make," he said. "We have a team that is following up on this and will decide what will be the most suitable [for Thailand's situation]." Dr Opas was responding to questions over the need for a booster shot for vaccine recipients in Thailand and whether it could come from a different brand. https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/general/2136019/boosters-may-be-needed ================================ From Tourism Authority of Thailand

From CNN (CNN)Carl Nassib, a defensive lineman with the Las Vegas Raiders, became the first active NFL player in league history to announce that he is gay. "What's up, people," Nassib said Monday in a video on Instagram. "I'm Carl Nassib. I'm at my house here in Westchester, Pennsylvania. I just wanted to take a quick moment to say that I'm gay. I've been meaning to do this for a while now, but I finally feel comfortable enough to get it off my chest." Nassib, 28, is entering his second season with the Raiders. He was drafted by the Cleveland Browns in the third round of the 2016 NFL draft. He played for the Browns from 2016-2017, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2018 and 2019 and was signed by the Raiders as an unrestricted free agent on March 23, 2020. https://www.cnn.com/2021/06/21/us/nfl-carl-nassib-gay-spt/index.html

From Reuters /MSN he Royal Wat Paknam Phasi Charoen temple on the outskirts of Bangkok dates back to 1610 and is located on a island created by canals flowing from the Chao Phraya river. Work on the statue, which is as tall as a 20-storey building, started in 2017 and should be completed this year, but due to the coronavirus pandemic the official opening may be pushed back to 2022, said temple spokesman Pisan Sangkapinij. The Phra Buddha Dhammakāya Thepmongkhon statue, made of copper and painted gold, sits in a seated lotus posture. Parts were produced in China before being shipped to Thailand to be assembled. It should be visible from all parts of the raised train line that spans the capital Bangkok, said Pisan. ====================================== The giant Buddha statue of Wat Paknam Phasi Charoen temple is seen in Bangkok, Thailand, June 10, 2021. Picture taken June 10, 2021 with a drone. REUTERS/Jorge SilvaReuters

Some of the funniest lines--and facial expressions--could make this a spotted dick cult favorite.

The BBC Witness History program today aired this look back at the roots of efforts to establish gay liberation. Not surprisingly, it was exasperation with years of repression that became the tipping point that launched the campaign. From BBC Radio How a protest outside New York's Stonewall Inn inspired the modern gay rights movement. Listen at this link: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/w3ct1x0y

Back home or on the road, everyone's entitled to conduct their affairs as they see fit, no question. I lived 80% of my life being very discreet, very concerned about what others would think of me if they knew I was gay. If I can’t now walk with who I want, where I want, when I want, when will I? And if someone doesn't want to walk beside me, that's fine because others will.

I've made it a practice not to parade ever since leaving the army eons ago. And to be honest, I don't give any consideration to what the staff or spectators are thinking. I'm concerned only with how me and my guest experience what's going on. If I was uncomfortable walking beside a younger man, then I agree it would be a problem for me. But have been doing it for a long time and that's never been an issue. If the young man was uncomfortable, then he's probably in the wrong line of work. Although I've never had a young man express any hesitation along those lines. Somehow both of us have to get upstairs to my room. He could walk a few meters behind me I suppose. I understand that in some traditional Asian cultures, a wife walks several steps behind her husband, but that would feel particularly odd in this situation. I understand that others may feel differently and adopt alternative methods of arrival. No problem.

Ditto about Amara, now my top choice.

Good advice. In my 19 years (18, actually, since none occurred last year) of visits to bkk, I avoided the known hotels that impose joiner fees. However, I was never once stopped from briningg a guy to my room in any of the others. I use to like to stay a few nights during each trip in one of the top-tier hotels around Silom. Before it closed, the Dusit Thani was my favorite by far. And, like the other 5-star digs, staff discretion was always observed. But regardless of where I was staying, anytime I brought a guy to my room I made a habit of talking directly with him as we passed through the lobby. Even if he didn't understand much, or any, of my English, it was clear to observers that we were comfortable in each other's company. I think that helps put everyone concerned at ease.

Good question. I found this video on YouTube that claims that eight pro male footballers have come out: According to USA Today, "Mexican fans have a history of using the homophobic chant that translates to male prostitute which has largely gone unpunished. Between November 2015 and March 2017, the country was cited for improper fan behavior nine times. Anti-gay chants were the cause for eight of those citations." (Puto is the masculine form of the multi-functional Spanish puta, meaning " prostitute." It's used as a slur against people who are gay and an insult to anyone perceived as weak or contemptible.) Outsports reports "While some people push back against the notion that calling someone a “male prostitute” (English translation for “puto”) is anti-gay, that ship has sailed long ago. Most recently, Major League Soccer fined and suspended USMNT player Sebastian Lletget for directing the slur toward a teammate in a private setting (and then sharing it on Instagram)."

Whether I see strong turnouts where PeterRS sees few in the pics I posted is wholly subjective and in the eyes of the beholder. Everyone can judge for themselves. But I agree with him on the point that a successful demonstration of gay pride is, and should be, in the hands of those who are (1) gay and (2) choose to put their preference on display for all to see. I don't find it surprising that those spokespersons featured in the OP were not your average Bangkok gay man or woman. As in all efforts to end repression--regardless of type--it's radicals who get the ball rolling. Their views may appear out of the mainstream or even extreme, but without them progress wouldn't happen. The annual White Party could be cited as a sort of substitute by some. It may be a well-attended commercial event but it's actually far from a gay pride parade where any and all can march down Silom without having to buy a ticket. Pride parades are opportunities for the hi-so's to march side by side with the proletariat along with and their supporters as one body. It's the unity that makes all the difference.

From Taiwan News AIPEI (Taiwan News) — The U.S. donation of 2.5 million Moderna vaccine doses arrived at Taoyuan International Airport at 4:30 p.m. on Sunday (June 20), CNA reported. American Institute in Taiwan (AIT) Director Brent Christensen and Central Epidemic Command Center (CECC) head Chen Shih-chung (陳時中) were both at the airport to greet the arrival of the vaccines. After the completion of the customs procedure, the vaccines were sent to a cold-storage warehouse for testing and sealing. The AIT announced the donation in a Facebook post on Saturday night, writing, “The shipment includes the 750,000 doses announced on June 6, and an additional 1.75 million doses. The donation reflects our commitment to Taiwan as a trusted friend, and a member of the international family of democracies.” https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/en/news/4227995

From Reuters / BP Philippines signs deal for 40m Pfizer Covid vaccine doses MANILA: The Philippine government has signed a supply agreement for 40 million doses of the Covid-19 vaccine developed by Pfizer Inc and BioNTech SE, the head of the government's Covid-19 vaccine procurement said on Sunday. Deliveries of the vaccine, among several brands of coronavirus shots allowed for emergency use in the Southeast Asian country, will begin "after eight weeks starting August", Carlito Galvez said in a statement. The deal comes as a delay in vaccine deliveries had earlier this month forced some cities in the capital region to close vaccination sites, complicating Manila's efforts to ramp up its immunisation drive in an Asian country with one of the biggest numbers of infections and deaths. With the latest deal, the Philippines has now secured the delivery of 113 million doses from five vaccine manufacturers: Sinovac with 26 million doses, Sputnik V with 10 million doses, 20 million doses from Moderna, 17 million doses from AstraZeneca, and now 40 million doses from Pfizer, Galvez said.

From ESPN Mexico's men's national team will play its next two home games behind closed doors due to a recurrence of an anti-gay chant during the CONCACAF pre-Olympic qualifying tournament, FIFA announced Friday. A fine of roughly $65,000 was also attached to the ruling, and further sanctions were threatened, including a points reduction. "The FIFA Disciplinary Committee has sanctioned the Mexican Federation with a fine of 60,000 Swiss francs and the condition that they play their next two official home games behind closed doors as a consequence of the anti-gay chants heard in the matches against the Dominican Republic and the United States, played in Guadalajara on March 18 and 24, respectively," the FIFA statement said. Mexico's next two official home games are World Cup qualifiers against Jamaica on Sept. 2 and Canada on Oct. 7. According to FIFA's statutes on discrimination, more severe punishments may be given for future breaches in order to stamp out the behavior. Those include a reduction in points in official tournaments, including World Cup qualifiers, or Mexico being banned entirely from any tournament under FIFA's purview, including the World Cup itself. "Additionally, the committee has opened a second disciplinary dossier in relation to the anti-gay chants heard from Mexican fans in a friendly played against Iceland in Arlington, Texas on May 29," the statement continued. Mexico manager Gerardo "Tata" Martino expressed concern about the ramifications if the chant continued. "I want to call on our fans to reflect on what these attitudes create for us. It pulls our team away from its fans. It means we play in empty stadiums and even that we could miss out on an international competition," Martino said. https://www.espn.com/soccer/mexico-mex/story/4413264/mexico-sanctioned-by-fifa-for-recurrence-of-fans-anti-gay-chant

I believe that there's an expectation within hi-so Thai society that they should maintain conservative and traditional values. But I also think that's as much--if not more--a political expression as it is a moral one. And it's hardened more in the last generation because the wealthy classes feel a need to be more cohesive in the face of rising dissatisfaction from the working class who aren't as willing to accept the growing gap in wealth distribution. As you get outside the major cities of Bangkok and Chiang Mai, traditional values are a bit different, particularly in the agrarian north east. The most important is loyalty to family and friends. Few among the working classes have investment portfolios to cushion their retirements. They are comforted by the fact that their children won't forget them and that they will always have a place to live. And if their son or daughter turns out to be gay, it's not threatening because they're not subject to high society norms. As to whether Bangkok should again have a pride parade, I agree the decision--and responsibility--should be driven by the gay community and supported by the business community (and not just the bars and gay clubs). That's how I think it survives so well in Taipei (see final photo below). I've only been in bkk for one pride parade, 2006 (second photo). But I recall that there was a strong turnout, as there appears to have been in the first pride parade (top photo).

From VN Express YouTube has honored Dustin Phuc Nguyen as one of four pioneering LGBTQ+ creators in Southeast Asia who use the streaming platform to advocate for their communities. "Dustin Phuc Nguyen gave up a potential TV host career as a VJ for MTV channel in 2016 to co-start his YouTube channel, Dustin On The Go, where he hosts his own creative shows, starring top celebrities and influencers," YouTube said in a blog post on June 18. Many of his talk shows have become very popular, including ‘Bar Stories,’ in which he meets and talks with celebrities while drinking cocktails, and ‘Caraoke with Dustin.’ He came out as gay in a talk show on national television in 2019 and has since been an advocate for the LGBTQ+ community. In 2020, he ran ‘Love Is Blind,’ a blind date talk show that connected couples of all genders. "We want to explore topics that are often on the sidelines of the mainstream discussion," he once told media outlet Vietcetera in an interview. "There are many untold stories in this world and even more talented people, but they get little recognition." On being honored as a pioneer LGBTQ+ creator, he said in a Facebook post, "Nothing makes me happier than doing my favorite work and being myself." The others honored were Brendan Tan of Singapore, Mikey Bustos of the Philippines and Koen Danai of Thailand. https://e.vnexpress.net/news/life/trend/vietnamese-youtuber-among-four-pioneering-southeast-asian-lgbtq-creators-4296529.html

From The Thaiger Plan for 16-week gap between AstraZeneca vaccines dropped Thailand’s plan to milk 2 extra vaccines from each vial of AstraZeneca may have seemed shady, though the technique to do so was safe and did not reduce efficacy, but yesterday the government dropped an actual dangerous plan to cut corners and pump up their vaccination figures. A senior health official confirmed that they were giving up on a plan to boost statistics of how many people have received a vaccine by delaying second AstraZeneca shots to a 16-week gap and instead administering those shots to new patients first. The government had planned to give people their first dose of AstraZeneca and then wait 16 weeks before administering their second dose. The maximum tested interval between the first and second vaccines is 12 weeks, approved by the European Medicines Agency. So the Thai plan would buy the government a month to give first injections to more waiting people before having to give second doses, thus driving up their figures for who has received at least one vaccines. The 16-week gap plan could make better-looking statistics but also runs the risk of rendering all the AstraZeneca first vaccines administered essentially useless. No human trials have been conducted on the efficacy of the 2 dose vaccines when administered 16 weeks apart, a full month beyond the maximum gap approved. Maybe because of this risk, the government backed down on the 16-week plan and will now administer the second dose of AstraZeneca within 10 to 12 weeks of the first dose. The communicable disease committee wants to switch back to their original plan, but the assistant to the Public Health Minister commented that the interval between vaccines could still be extended down the road if needed. The need to stretch out vaccinations with moves like the 16-week gap distribution has come after local manufacturing of AstraZeneca by Siam Bioscience has stalled with delivery dates pushed back in Thailand, Malaysia, the Philippines, and Taiwan. Shortages have been reported throughout the country and provinces are prioritising and rationing doses. https://thethaiger.com/coronavirus/plan-for-16-week-gap-between-astrazeneca-vaccines-dropped ========================================= From Tourism Authority of Thailand

From Bangkok Post Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital is trumpeting the work being done at its new Gender Health Clinic (GHC), one of the first to focus specifically on catering to the needs of the transgender community. In a recent press briefing, Assoc Prof Kasian Panyakhamlert, co-founder of GHC, said the clinic is pioneering new ways to treat and communicate with transgender people, who have special needs and have often shunned mainstream health services. Dr Thanapop Bampenpiankul, a specialist at the clinic, reiterated the clinic's open-minded approach to healthcare provision. "Some transgender people are content to play out their assumed gender role just in the way they dress, while others want to use hormones or have sex-affirming surgery," Dr Thanapop said. According to Dr Thanapop, most trans men want to remove their ovaries but only 3%-4% want to undergo gender reassignment surgery, particularly as expert care is needed to avoid potentially life-threatening complications. Transgender men are born female but self-identify as male. Dr Thanapop said GHC provides sex-affirming surgery services for transgender people including top surgery to reshape their chests, bottom surgery to reshape the genitalia and other related surgery such as cheek and jaw reshaping and Adam's apple reduction. He said the clinic has strict guidelines to follow when sex reassignment surgery is sought. One is that transgender people must receive a psychological evaluation from mental health professionals before undergoing any irreversible procedures. The clinic is also a learning centre for physicians and medical students and it has been working closely with Chulalongkorn University's Centre of Excellence in Transgender Health. https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/general/2134787/new-clinic-for-trans-healthcare

As Anddy says above, the PM's plan to reopen the country is more idea than actionable plan. From Bangkok Post New conditions set for reopening The plan to reopen the country comes with conditions, with a major requirement that only provinces that have vaccinated 70% of their population will be allowed to open completely, according to a Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration (CCSA) meeting. In addition, the Phuket sandbox tourism model could be paused on short notice if infections spike to 90 cases per week. Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha on Wednesday announced a 120-day deadline for the country to reopen to international tourists and the return of normal business conditions. However, at a CCSA meeting on Friday, the body noted the mid-October goal for reopening might not be achieved nationwide. "We learned from our first failed attempt to reopen Phuket to tourists last year that such a plan should have mutual agreement from the local community. The provincial government should make the evaluation on whether the province is ready to open to international tourists," said Tourism and Sports Minister Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn. Mr Yuthasak said 18 airlines are ready to fly to Phuket, offering roughly 200 flights. The number of booked seats stands at 6,789, but the TAT estimates it will rise to 9,000-10,000. https://www.bangkokpost.com/business/2134799/new-conditions-set-for-reopening