Thailand to test over 10,000 people after record COVID-19 surge - Reuter

 Thailand to test over 10,000 people after record COVID-19 surge

 

A healthcare worker takes a nasal swab sample of a child for a COVID-19 test at a migrant community, amid the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak, in Samut Sakhon province, in Thailand, December 20, 2020. REUTERS/Athit Perawongmetha

 

 

BANGKOK (Reuters) - Thailand plans to test more than 10,000 people after a record daily surge in coronavirus cases to over 500, most of which were among migrant workers linked to a shrimp market near the capital, an official said on Sunday.

 

By Wednesday the authorities aim to conduct 10,300 tests in the southwest province of Samut Sakhon, where the outbreak appeared, and such nearby provinces as Samut Songkhram and Nakhon Pathom, Taweesin Wisanuyothin, a spokesman for Thailand's COVID-19 taskforce, told a news conference.

 

"Active case findings will continue in several provinces, actually across the country," he said.

 

Thailand, the first country outside China to report coronavirus infections, has largely kept the outbreak under control with 4,907 cases and 60 deaths.

 

On Sunday, Thailand confirmed 576 new infections, including 516 migrant worker cases announced locally the day before.

 

The new cases include 19 locally transmitted cases in Bangkok and in Samut Sakhon province, where the 516 infections were also found. All of them were linked to the shrimp market in Samut Sakhon. There were also 41 imported cases.

 

Most of the migrant workers in Samut Sakhon are from Myanmar, which has suffered a far worse outbreak than Thailand, where health authorities credit early action with limiting the spread of the virus.

 

Other Southeast Asian countries, including Singapore and Malaysia, have also reported thousands of cases among migrant workers.

 

The surge in cases in Thailand comes just as it is seeking to revive a tourist industry devastated by the pandemic. On Thursday, it eased restrictions to allow more foreign tourists to return.

 

Samut Sakhon outbreak reaches 689 cases, spreads to Bangkok and Samut Prakan - The Thaiger



Samut Sakhon outbreak reaches 689 cases, spreads to Bangkok and Samut Prakan

By 

The Thaiger

Sunday, December 20, 2020

There's been an update in Covid-19 cases stemming from the Samut Sakhon outbreak. Thailand's Public Health Ministry have now upgraded the provincial cluster, including mostly Burmese migrant worker, to 689 cases, all identified through contact tracing. Most worked in and around the provinces coastal fishing market according to the Department of Disease Control.

Some traced cases have been located in Suphan Buri, Nakhon Pathom, Ratchaburi, Bangkok and Samut Prakan. All have so far been traced to the original source of the market.

The numbers are expected to rise as the testing, tracing and quarantining process continues. Importantly, the Department of Disease Control claim they have "the situation under control".

For now, only Samut Sakhon is on a strict "lockdown" with non-essential travel banned in and out of the province plus a nightly curfew imposed until at least January 3. Migrant dormitories and camps have are now on "hard lockdown". Some of the camps have been secured with barbed wire fences and migrant workers have been instructed not to leave the area.

The DDC ask that "the public should remain calm and trust in Thailand's sophisticated health care system and ability for tracking and tracing". They maintain that Thailand "has been ready for another outbreak".

At this stage the DDC say there has been no credible evidence that seafood from the market, or seafood in general, could spread Covid-19 but is urging the public to have their meals hot and not eat them raw.

At this stage the government haven't announced any extension to neighbouring provinces.

More information about the Samut Sakhon outbreak HERE.

😱😱😱😱😱😱😱😱😱😱

 

516 cases in one day – Samut Sakhon, Thailand’s new Covid-19 hotspot - The Thaiger

516 cases in one day – Samut Sakhon, Thailand's new Covid-19 hotspot

By 

The Thaiger

Sunday, December 20, 2020

UPDATE: Some publications are announcing Saturday's daily total in Thailand as 576. We will update the precise number as more information becomes available.

Thailand's CCSA has announced more than 500 Covid-19 cases among migrant workers at the centre of its seafood industry, on an enormous 1-day rise in a country that had gone into mild panic after just 1 or 2 daily community cases in recent months. Samut Sakhon, just south west of Bangkok, has been put under a lockdown with a curfew imposed from 10pm – 5am daily. The curfew went into effect last night and will last until at least January 3 in the wake of the new surge.

The borders to the province have also been closed with movements in and out of the province banned for now.

Samut Sakhon is a hub for Thailand's fishing industry with tributaries running from the Gulf of Thailand. Four infections were reported at a shrimp market last Friday. The first case was a 67 year old woman – a vendor at a local fish market.

Preciously Thailand's highest number of daily reported cases was 188 on March 22 this year.

The centre for the current outbreak has focussed on Burmese migrant workers in Samut Sakhon's coastal fishing markets and industry. Fishing workers from Myanmar form the vast majority of the new cases. Myanmar has suffered a far worse outbreak of Covid-19 than Thailand having reached a total of 115,187 detected cases, after being at a total of 919 cases on September 1.

Thailand is among the world's 10 largest shrimp and fish exporters.

Thailand's Disease Control Department director-general announced that the 576 new cases were discovered after Covid-19 testing that included 1,192 migrant workers. 90% were asymptomatic. They have expressed concern that Samut Sakhon shares provincial borders with Greater Bangkok.

"The effect will be minimal as the infections occurred in young and strong migrant workers."

More than 550 new cases were reported, a huge surge to Thailand's total of 4,800 cases which includes 60 Covid-related deaths in the country of 69 million. Thailand's Covid-19 case load has been fewer than any country with such a large population, except Vietnam.

The DSD says there is a high likelihood of finding more cases within the migrant fishing community. The province has now been ordered closed until January 3 and put under a 10am to 5pm curfew. The major southern route from Bangkok goes straight through the middle of the province although there are other routes that can be taken to the north of Samut Sakhon.

Samut Sakhon's Governor Wirasak says the surprising the number of infections was "more than expected".

Nearly 1.9 million Burmese workers were accounted for in Thailand in 2019, although the real number could be twice as many. Another recent outbreak was traced to both Thais and Burmese who crossed the porous northern border points illegally.

The surge in cases, so close to Bangkok, comes just as the country is trying to reboot a tourist industry that has been devastated by the government's reaction to the pandemic, with border closures and travel restrictions.

SOURCES: Bangkok Post | CNA |Reuters

Idag

 

Public urged not to panic after big jump in Covid-19 cases, one in Bangkok – Thai Newsroom



Public urged not to panic after big jump in Covid-19 cases, one in Bangkok

December 20, 2020  Nina

THE spokesman for the Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration (CCSA) today (Dec. 20) urged the public not to panic after the number of Covid-19 cases shot up by 576 overnight explaining that this is not a second wave of infection but it is a new outbreak with the authorities gearing up to test over 10,000 individuals in various provinces to control it, Thai Rath newspaper reported.

Dr. Taweesilp Visanuyothin pointed out that Samut Sakhon has been locked down while the smaller CCSA committee has held a meeting today.

Where the spreading of this deadly disease by a 67-year-old shrimp vendor in Samut Sakhon is concerned, an additional case has been found with this being a 20-year-old man who is in serious condition.

Regarding the 78-year-old woman in Prachachuen area of Bangkok having also been infected with coronavirus, he pointed out that she has a history of regularly buying food at the Samut Sakhon market and her case was already included in today's report.

Meanwhile Sanook.com later quoted Samut Prakan Governor Wanchai Khongkasem as saying that three persons had contracted Covid-19 at a shop selling cockles in Pak Nam market.

One of them is a Thai national who is a fresh seafood trader and the other two his Laotian workers.

This case is also linked to Samut Sakhon province because the trader picks up seafood from there to sell here.

Another 22 individuals with close contact with the three of them have been tested and all got initial negative results.

At the same time Dr Pira Areerat, a public health official in Ayutthaya province, revealed that Bang Pa-in Hospital had sent in a report that a 29-year-old asymptomatic woman had tested positive for coronavirus. She had just returned from Chiang Mai to work at a beauty salon in this province.

The number of cases soared overnight after 519 people out of 1,191 people tested for coronavirus in Samut Sakhon province got positive results, or 44% in all. Results of 1,453 more people who had been tested are awaited.

Health officials expect the total to rise as 10,300 more people in various provinces will be tested on December 20, 22 and 23, 2020.

Dr. Taweesilp emphasised the coronavirus test is free for both Thais and foreigners and the country has to together get through this situation. He urged people to not panic because in having found out about the new outbreak quickly it has helped the authorities to act quickly too.

CCSA reported at 11 a.m. that there were 19 confirmed cases of infection in the country over the past 24 hours and 516 cases among foreign workers. Quarantined in state facilities are 41 patients while another 17 have recovered and been discharged, taking the total of 4,041. Altogether 806 patients are being treated in various hospitals while the death toll remains unchanged at 60.

CAPTION:

Top: Dr. Taweesilp talking to the press today. Photo: Thai Rath



New CURFEW as Thailand suffers VIRUS OUTBREAK - Bangkok Jack

New CURFEW as Thailand suffers VIRUS OUTBREAK

December 20, 2020

Despite being the first place to register an infection outside China, the kingdom had been mostly unscathed by the pandemic

Thailand's biggest seafood market and the surrounding area were locked down Saturday to contain a coronavirus outbreak, after the country's largest spike in cases since the pandemic began.

Despite being the first place to register an infection outside China, the kingdom had been mostly unscathed by the pandemic, with just over 4,000 cases and 60 deaths so far.

But on Saturday night, authorities announced 548 positive cases connected to a seafood market in Mahachai, Samut Sakhon province, about 40 minutes southwest of Bangkok.

"We have announced the shrimp market is a severe disease control area," provincial governor Veerasak Vijitsaengsri said.

A strict lockdown and curfew were introduced around the market until early January, affecting schools, sports stadiums, playgrounds and shopping malls.

However, Sunday's local elections were expected to go ahead as planned, as long as voters wore masks.

Foreign workers have been banned from leaving the province.

"The total number is 548 and 90 percent (of cases) have no sign of sickness and most of them are foreign workers," said Opas Kankavinwong, director general of the Disease Control Department.

A girl wearing a face mask and Santa Claus hats watches as medical officials test people for coronavirus at the seafood market

Samut Sakhon Gov. Veerasak Vichitsangsri said late Saturday that strict measures, including a 10 p.m.-5 a.m. curfew, will be taken in the province to combat the outbreak. The restrictions will be in effect until Jan. 3.

Moe Kyaw Thu from the Raks Thai Foundation, which is coordinating testing, said it aimed to screen 4,000 people over the weekend.

"The population in Mahachai is roughly 70 percent Thai and 30 percent migrant workers, which means the source of the virus spreading could come from migrant workers, particularly Myanmese workers," he said.

Myanmar has had more than 115,000 cases of coronavirus and Thai authorities have been ramping up border controls over recent months. 

Thai hotel industry now ‘BLEEDING TO DEATH’ - Bangkok Jack

 Thai hotel industry now 'BLEEDING TO DEATH'

December 20, 2020

In Thailand the travel and tourism  industry is suffering. With no end in sight to the stifling government imposed travel restrictions, businesses large and small are hemorrhaging and struggling to survive.

Thailand Hotel operators, according to the Nation, are pleading with the government to reopen the country and launch measures soon to help their businesses, which are bleeding to death, they claim.

Suphajee Suthumpun, Dusit Thani's group chief executive officer, said if the country is not reopened soon, hotel operators will suffer heavy losses.

Also, she said, banks and financial institutions are not granting loans easily to tourism businesses to because of the risks.

"Hence, we want to ask the government to issue financial measures to support tourism businesses and to instruct the Thai Credit Guarantee Corporation to guarantee loans for small and medium enterprises," she said.

"We also want to ask the central bank to ease rules related to debentures as many large enterprises' debentures are nearing maturity."

Suphajee also encouraged the Tourism and Sports Ministry to set up a tourism recovery fund that will allow hotel operators to borrow by using their hotel as a collateral.

"Since the Covid-19 vaccine is expected to be ready next year, the government should come up with an e-visa system to help tourists return to the country," she added.

Chaiyapat Paitoon, Minor International's chief strategy officer, said the company had lost more than Bt14 billion in the first nine months of the year, and its businesses in Thailand accounted for Bt2 billion of the losses.

Parkpoom Prapasawudi, vice president of the Erawan Group's Hotel Asset Management division, also weighed in saying hotel occupancy has been at 20 percent for more than five months due to travel restrictions.

"The situation in Thailand is different from China and Europe, where occupancy rate is 50 to 60 percent and 30 to 40 percent, respectively," he said, adding that the country must be reopened because hotels cannot survive if occupancy remains so low.

"If the government does not want to reopen the country, then it should launch measures to support the hotel business," he said, adding that hotel operators were unable to come up with a business plan because the government has not provided any clear directions.

The government should launch a campaign to boost public awareness on reopening the country, because it is not possible for Thailand to be free of Covid-19 forever.

Cool Season Will Be Cooler This Year - Bangkok Jack

Cool Season Will Be Cooler This Year

December 20, 2020

It's coat and scarf time in Thailand

Mountaintops peeking from a sea of fog, while groups of aunties in jackets raise their arms to the sunrise – that's how Thais are greeting lower temperatures this week, a sure sign that the Cool Season is indeed around the corner.

This year's Thai-styled winter will be colder nationwide by an average of 1C, said Seree Supratid, director of the Climate Change & Disaster Center at Rangsit University – and you will feel it.

"Isaan will be colder than the north this year. That doesn't mean we will see snow or anything like that, since on average we're 1C cooler than last year. But people will feel the difference," Seree said by phone. "That's because it's been so hot these past three years."

2020 is a La Nina year, in which the sea surface temperatures in the equatorial Pacific are lower than normal, in contrast to El Nino, where the oceans are warmer for a part of the cycle.

Will Bangkok feel the drop? Will there be a glorious week of Europe-like weather? Yes, and yes.

"Oh, for sure there will be that cool weather period. It will feel cooler than average as well, since worldwide weather is quite unstable," Seree told Khaosod.

The Thai "winter," which began in late October, is expected to be gone at the end of February. – CTN News 

Thai Ministry of Public Health announces 516 new cases of Covid-19 in Samut Sakhon, mostly Burmese migrant workers - Pattaya News

Thai Ministry of Public Health announces 516 new cases of Covid-19 in Samut Sakhon, mostly Burmese migrant workers

Saturday, 19 December 2020, 21:48

Samut Sakhon-

The Thai Ministry of Public Health announced this evening at an emergency press conference 516 new cases of Covid-19, primarily foreign migrant workers from Myanmar.

This brings the total to 548 since the first patient, a 67-year-old Thai woman, was identified earlier this week who is a shrimp farmer at a local market and works closely with the migrant community. Samut Sakhon has thousands of foreign migrant workers from Myanmar. Myanmar is currently having a major outbreak of Covid-19 which, according to the Public Health Minister Anutin Charnvirakul may have come from an illegal migrant who snuck into Thailand.

Nearly all of those detected with the disease are asymptomatic (about 90 percent) or have very mild symptoms according to the Ministry of Public Health. Samut Sakhon Governor Veerasak Vichitsaengsri told the press tonight the province will enact multiple restrictions to handle the situation.

Samut Sakhon is being placed under a series of restrictions which include domestic travel restrictions with some areas completely restricted. A full list will be released soon according to the Governor. Nearly all non essential business is being closed in the area including malls, bars, boxing stadiums, fishing ponds, salons, movie theaters, massage shops, nightclubs, entertainment venues, etc. The markets involved are also being closed. The Shrimp Central Market and Sri Mueang Apartments are being placed under a hard lockdown along with an accompanying migrant camp and community.

Restaurants in the affected area of Samut Sakhon will be restricted to takeout only, added the Health Department. All sports and events and other gatherings are to be cancelled. Some schools are closed. The restrictions will run until after the New Year through January 3rd.

Scheduled local elections tomorrow in Samut Sakhon will take place, according to the Public Health Ministry but under strict social distancing rules and other protective measures.

The area is under a requested stay home period of 10:00 PM to 5:00 AM at night, although it is not hard enforced if people have necessary reasons to travel but must have permission from local authorities.. Residents are being requested (but not hard ordered) not to leave the province although certain areas will have hard domestic travel restrictions according to the Governor.

Foreigners are not allowed to enter or exit Samut Sakhon during this period of time according to the Governor. Thais may do so but must register and go through a proper process. They may only travel if it is deemed necessary. Maj. Gen. Wattana Yikhan, Deputy Commissioner of the Provincial Police Region 7, announced that checkpoints have been implemented at all routes in and out of the province and will be manned by officers checking credentials of those traveling.

This is a developing story updates may be made at any time.

Why CP group got the nod for takeover of Tesco - The Nation

Why CP group got the nod for takeover of Tesco

The Office of Trade Competition Commission (OTCC) on Friday published a report on its decision regarding Charoen Pokphand's (CP) acquisition of Tesco's Thailand business from Ek-Chai Distribution System.

The OTCC on November 6 voted 4:3 in favour of the US$10-billion (Bt302.5 billion) takeover deal.

According to the report, the majority of the commissioners who voted for the acquisition argued that the acquisition was necessary for business operation and would help create revenue for the country's economy. It would also help preserve the sales channels of domestic products as well as expand exports to Malaysia, as CP would also acquire Tesco Lotus in Malaysia under this deal.

"The deal would subsequently increase domestic sales and exports, create more employment and promote both retail and manufacturing industries," said the commissioners.

The majority of the commissioners also said that the deal would not create serious negative impact on the economy, as it would not create unemployment in other related sectors, such as wholesale, which is responsible for 50 per cent of the country's GDP.

"The deal would instead create up to 1.1 million jobs in the small, medium and large industrial supply chain while keeping the manufacturing sector uninterrupted," they added.

"It will not add to the impact of Covid-19 that has resulted in recession in the macro economy and caused uncertainty among future investors, both domestic and overseas."

Meanwhile, a minority of commissioners who voted against the acquisition argued that the acquisition could affect Thailand's economy as it could lead to monopoly, unfair market dominance and socio-economic disparity, as CP is already the largest manufacturer of agricultural and consumer products that are vital to daily life, while the acquired party holds a large market share in wholesale and retail modern trade.

"The acquisition could also result in an obstacle for new entrepreneurs to enter the market, while other businesses would need to adjust their strategies and lower their costs and selling price to remain in the market," said the minority of commissioners.

"As the biggest player in the market, CP will have more bargaining power against suppliers of products and raw materials, while SME manufacturers will be at a disadvantage when negotiating trade terms with suppliers.

"Furthermore, the acquisition will result in fewer number of competitors, and in the long term consumers will have limited choices of products and prices," they added.

The OTCC also set terms and conditions that the acquisition parties: CP Retail Development Ltd and Tesco Stores (Thailand) Ltd, as well as their parent companies: CP All and Ek-Chai Distribution System, must follow:

1. The acquisition parties must not acquire other businesses in a similar sector for three years, excluding those in e-commerce.

2. CP All and Ek-Chai must increase the sales of SME products, including agricultural products, community products and OTOP in 7-Eleven and Tesco Lotus stores by at least 10 per cent annually for a period of five years.

3. The acquisition parties must not share related marketing information to product distributors, manufacturers or suppliers of raw materials. The information shall be classified as a trade secret.

4. Ek-Chai will abide by conditions stated in the contract or agreement that they have made with product distributors or manufacturers for a period of two years, unless product distributors or manufacturers agree to change the terms of the contract or agreement.

5. CP All and Ek-Chai must promote SMEs by providing credit terms of 30 days for agricultural products, community products and OTOP, and 45 days for other types of products for a period of five years.

6. CP All and Ek-Chai must submit their business operations report to the OTCC every three month for a period of three years.

7. Acquisition parties must set the business code of conduct to be displayed to the public, while they shall uphold the code of conduct as well as abide by regulations stated in the Trade Competition Act BE 2560.

Related Story: OTCC sets new criteria for businesses to be considered monopolies

Thai PM concedes ‘we need foreigners back’ - Bangkok Jack

Thai PM concedes 'we need foreigners back'

December 19, 2020

Thai Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha is failing on every level

Thailand needs to attract foreign tourists back and have a welcoming system of disease control in place, so local people can start earning money again, according to Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha.

The return of foreign visitors would begin with only a limited number of arrivals, to test the country's disease control measures, which would be comprehensive, he claims.

He sought to allay concerns that tourists could bring with them a new wave of coronavirus disease. Gen Prayut said the government would not let visitors arrive as they pleased.

"There will be forms to fill in. Flights must be traceable. When they reach their destinations their whereabouts will have to be confirmed and they will be isolated from others," the prime minister said.

It is safe to assume that there will be a lot more hoops to jump through than that. And a lot more money to somebody too.

But, he seems to finally understand that the return of tourists is essential for the country.

"If nothing is done, things will get worse. Premises will be shut down. Employees will be laid off. How can the government afford to help them all?" he said.

He didn't mention that it is his government's panic response to yet another, standard flu-like virus that has caused all the unnecessary problems for the Thai people in the first place.

And he gave an assurance that visitors would be monitored, and said he hoped that local people would welcome them back.

"Local people must take care (of the visitors) because the benefits will go to them, not the government," Gen Prayut said.

"Please rest assured that if (the disease) is detected, we will be able to contain it," he said – without having any idea of what he is talking about.

The prime minister said officials were drafting procedures for handling arriving tourists and considering which would be the first destinations to receive them.

The biggest economic impact has been on the provinces that used to get a large number of foreign tourists, he said.

The prime minister did not say how tourists would be persuaded to come back to Thailand even if they do have the opportunity to.

Is Thailand now TOO EXPENSIVE for ex-pats? - Bangkok Jack

Is Thailand now TOO EXPENSIVE for ex-pats?

Bangkok and Chiang Mai remain among the 30 most expensive cities for expats in Asia, with Ashgabat in Turkmenistan still on top of the global and Asian tables.

December 19, 2020

And why not...?

The Thai capital ranked 28th, one place above Chiang Mai, according to the latest ECA International survey on the cost of living for expatriates. In the global rankings, Bangkok was 60th and Chiang Mai 142nd, it added.

But Bangkok dropped out of the top 50 global ranking from the last survey released in December last year.

Bangkok has lost a considerable amount of its appeal for budget-conscious expatriates, having risen 64 places over the past five years, according to the survey.

ECA International said the growing economy and increased foreign investment — at least, prior to the coronavirus pandemic — had made Thailand more expensive, fuelled by the stronger baht.

"The baht has strengthened considerably — making the country more expensive for expatriates and tourists," said Lee Quane, regional director for Asia at ECA International. "However, this trend has slowed over the past year, partly in response to government attempts to weaken the baht in order to keep the country competitive."

The survey has been carried out in March and September every year since 2005. It is calculated based on a basket of items such as accommodation rental and utility fees. Car prices and school fees are not included.

Hong Kong was the second most expensive city in Asia after Ashgabat but ahead of Tokyo and Singapore. Singapore was also the most expensive place for expats in Southeast Asia.

The Chinese territory also remained sixth in the global standings, one place ahead of the Japanese capital. Singapore was 14th in Asia despite dropping two notches from the previous survey.

Ashgabat's meteoric rise to the top of the ranking is largely attributable to the economic problems of the Turkmenistan government, according to ECA.

The energy-rich Central Asian nation has faced severe inflation and a black market for foreign currencies has caused the cost of imports to rise, said Mr Quane.

Both of these factors have sparked a large increase in the costs visitors pay in Ashgabat.

Mr Quane said Chinese cities fell across the board in the latest rankings due to signs of a weakening economy and poorly performing currency, even before Covid-19 started to take its toll. – The Bangkok Post