Samut Sakhon's Major Human Smuggler Arrested - TNA

 Samut Sakhon's Major Human Smuggler Arrested

 

 

BANGKOK, Feb 15 (TNA) - A Thai woman, 45, was arrested for sending illegal Myanmar migrants to the Central Shrimp Market of Samut Sakhon province, the epicenter of the new COVID-19 wave in the country.

 

Pol Gen Suwat Jangyodsuk, commissioner of the Royal Thai Police Office, said Mrs Ratree Wechasuwan, aka Jay Phet, was arrested for allegedly running the biggest human-smuggling network supplying illegal Myanmar migrants to the market in Samut Sakhon.

 

The network was responsible for spreading COVID-19, the police chief said.

 

 

S African variant 'hits' Thailand - Bangkok Post

S African variant 'hits' Thailand

Officials spray water as part of a big cleaning effort at Wat Saket to prevent the spread of Covid-19 on Sunday. Anti-government protesters on Friday called a rally including plans to string a red cloth banner at the temple's Golden Mount, but had to change the plan and hold it on Saturday instead after the temple announced its big clean-up. Varuth Hirunyatheb

The South African Covid-19 variant believed to be resistant to vaccines was detected in a Thai returnee from Tanzania late last month, according to director-general of the Department of Disease Control, Opas Karnkawinpong.

"The department is closely monitoring the situation following concerns the South African variant may have reached Thailand," he told the media in press briefing on Sunday.

The infected patient is a 41-year-old Thai man who had travelled to Tanzania for business before returning to Thailand on Jan 29. He tested positive while staying in state quarantine and is currently in hospital.

Dr Opas insisted there is no evidence in the case of this patient that the mutated variant had led to more severe disease.

"Mutations, such as the G variant from England, may make the virus spread faster but they are less severe," he said.

As of now, there is only a preliminary study suggesting the Covid-19 vaccine provided limited protection against the South African variant, Dr Opas said.

In the wider context of the outbreak, the Ministry of Public Health is now focusing on Pathum Thani province, in addition to Samut Sakhon, after a cluster of new cases was detected at the Pornpat fresh market in Thanyaburi district last week, prompting a temporarily closure order and widespread testing, Dr Opas said.

He said infections had soared at the Pornpat fresh market because a number of cases was among infected vendors who operated stalls at the centre of the seafood hub.

There were 1,333 people tested and 175, more than 10%, came back positive. Some 111 of the infected were Thai and the rest were migrant workers, he said.

The market now has a total of 182 confirmed cases, including people who had travelled there from from eight provinces -- Nakhon Nayok, Phetchaburi, Saraburi, Bangkok, Ayutthaya, Ang Thong, Nakhon Ratchasima, and Phrae.

Disease investigators have speculated the contagion was exacerbated by the market's low ceiling and bad ventilation, the doctor said.

"Some of the vendors sold products at various markets in different provinces, causing the virus to spread to other areas fast," he said.

Nakhon Ratchasima provincial public health chief, Narinrat Pitchayakhamin said the latest case in the province was a seven-year-old boy from Pathum Thani.

The boy travelled to Nakhon Ratchasima with his family on Feb 10 to attend a cremation ceremony and was later found to have contracted the virus.

District chief Sanit Sritawee said health officials are tracking 14 people who were in close contact with the patient during the cremation ceremony in the village.

Nakhon Ratchasima has recorded 11 more cases since the return of Covid-19 to the country.

Nine have recovered and two are still being treated at Maharat Nakhon Ratchasima Hospital, where the new patient was also admitted.

Nakhon Pathom, another province with a rise in cases, reported eight new positive tests on Sunday, bringing the its overall tally to 88, 85 of whom are Thai. All of the new cases are relatives of the previous case, including a 68-year old man living in the same house in tambon Don Faek in Nakhon Chai Si district.

In Samut Sakhon, provincial public health officers sanitised all 22 markets in the municipality over the weekend and all of them, except Rot Fai market, will reopen today.

The Central Shrimp Market in which the first cluster of new cases was blamed for the re-emergence of the virus in Thailand is to remain shut for the time being.

Meanwhile, Thailand on Sunday reported 166 new coronavirus cases, almost half of them from mass testing in Pathum Thani and Samut Sakhon.

Thailand records its first case of South African strain of COVID-19 | Thai PBS World

Thailand records its first case of South African strain of COVID-19

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A Thai gem trader has been found to be infected with the South African strain of COVID-19, the first such case in Thailand, said Dr. Opas Karnkawinpong, director-general of the Disease Control Department, on Sunday.

He disclosed that the 41-year old worked in Tanzania for about two months and, on January 29^th, he travelled to Ethiopia before flying back to Bangkok's Suvarnabhumi international airport and entering state quarantine.

On February 3^rd, he tested positive for COVID-19 and, because he had travelled to an African country before returning to Thailand, more tests were conducted and it was determined that he was infected with the South African variant of the virus.

Dr. Opas assured that no medical personnel in contact with the infected man are infected, because they protected themselves and wore full PPE.

For those who arrive in Thailand from countries where the South African strain of COVID-19 is spreading, Dr. Opas said that a rapid screening process will be applied. This means fluid samples will be collected from the arrivals immediately, analyzed and, based on the results, the arriving passenger is sent to hospital.

The COVID-19 variant currently spreading in Thailand is the G strain, which does not develop severe symptoms but it is easily transmittable. 

Chonburi pet dog reportedly injured from cobra poison after protecting child - Pattaya News

Chonburi pet dog reportedly injured from cobra poison after protecting child

Sunday, 14 February 2021, 11:33

PHOTO: Jack Teewareejaroen / Tri Khunnatham rescue team

Chonburi-

A pet dog has reportedly sustained injuries from cobra poisoning after evidently trying to protect a small child from a two meter long cobra in Mueang Chonburi, said the dog's owner this past weekend to the local press.

Rescue workers were notified of the cobra at a house in the Nong Maideng sub-district this weekend.

The rescue workers, which included snake handlers, arrived at the house to find what they described as a fierce cobra. It took about fifteen minutes for rescue workers to carefully catch the cobra with a snake snare.

Ms. Pimjai (no last name given), the dog's owner, told the rescue workers she believed the cobra came into the house following a toad that had earlier entered the home trying to escape the snake. A small child, whose exact relation to Pimjai was not stated, was in the house with her pet dog while Pimjai had been outside working in a garden.

According to Pimjai, the dog jumped in front of the child and began barking at the cobra which caused the snake to spray venom directly into the face of the canine. The dog was later taken to an animal hospital for treatment and is expected to fully recover, according to rescue workers who assisted.

As for the cobra, the snake was released back to a more remote forest in the Chonburi area away from potential people.



Knight Frank Report: State of Villa Market in Phuket 2020, Outlook for 2021 - Phuket News

Knight Frank Report: State of Villa Market in Phuket 2020, Outlook for 2021

PHUKET: Following the release of a candid report on the state of the condo property market in Phuket earlier this week, Nattha Kahapana, Deputy Managing Director and Head of Knight Frank Phuket, has released another straightforward report, this time on the state of the Phuket villa market for 2020, and the outlook for 2021.

In his report, Mr Nattha said that although Phuket is a small island, it has been able to generate considerable revenue for Thailand.

Here is Mr Nattha's report in full:

Villas in Phuket not only serve as holiday homes, but they are also investments with good returns for buyers, as the prices of villas in Phuket have continuously risen. In addition, villas are able to generate rental income for buyers when they themselves are not in residence.

The western area of the island marks the most popular location for villas, as it boasts beautiful beaches. The land on the western side with sea views, however, are beginning to become scarce, which forces developers to look for land to develop in other areas that do not enjoy the proximity and convenience to many amenities. 

Even though the economic situation remains poor, the villa market in Phuket is far from being in oversupply, given that villas usually get constructed once there are buyers. If the economy has not picked up, developers have the option to cancel their construction plans. The villa market is thus relatively free of pressure, unlike the condominium market.

Supply

From the research results of Knight Frank Thailand, it was found that at the end of 2020 the total supply of villas in Phuket stood at 3,871 units. The new supply increased by 4.4% from 2019, which saw the launch of up to 688 new villas from 16 projects. 

In 2020, there were 162 new villas launched for sale from 11 projects. Up to 71% of the newly launched villas in 2020 are situated in the Cherng Talay area, followed by Layan and Kamala Beach areas at 15% and 14%, respectively. Newly launched villas in 2020 included villas priced between B10 to 20 million.

Demand

There have been 3,056 villas sold in Phuket out of a total supply of 3,871 units, representing a 79% sales rate. The sales rate increased from the previous year, which stood at 77% in 2019. This was due to the fact that only 162 new villas entered the supply, which is very low.

There were fewer new villas sold in 2020 than in 2019; in 2020, there were 190 new units sold compared to up to 396 new units sold in 2019. 

Over the past nine years, an average of 256 units sold per year. The COVID-19 pandemic has had a clear effect on villa sales, as the majority of villa buyers in Phuket are foreigners who live in Asia, including China, Singapore and Hong Kong.

In addition, there are also foreigners from Russia, the Middle East, Europe, Australia and New Zealand. 

When COVID-19 began spreading, foreigners were unable to travel into Thailand or Phuket, resulting in a significant drop in sales.

Some projects turned to online sales and offered discounts in order to attract customers during the COVID-19 pandemic; this helped generate sales but not many.

The group of buyers at this time included foreigners who have been to and viewed the projects; previously, they had not made the decision to buy but when selling prices were lowered, they decided to make the purchase.

In 2020, Cherng Talay represents the area with the highest sales volume, with 57 units sold. This was followed by Kamala and Bang Tao, with 38 units and 34 units sold, respectively.

Cherng Talay offers many amenities and conveniences for its residences and tourists, such as a new shopping mall called Porto de Phuket. Developed by the Central Group, it is the first open-style mall that features restaurants, pubs and places to drink and dine. Opened in 2019, it enhances comfort and convenience.

Additionally, the Cherng Talay area houses a community mall, Boat Avenue Phuket.

A section of Laguna is also situated in Cherng Talay, and Laguna provides many hotels operated by leading hospitality brands, restaurants and a golf course.

Such facilities and amenities have thus created a comfortable, convenient lifestyle in Cherng Talay, which has boosted the popularity of villas in the area, especially the inland villas in Pasak.

The Kamala area is especially popular for villas among foreigners because the area houses what has become known as the "millionaire range". Also, it is located near Patong, which has a comprehensive range of amenities.

In terms of price levels, the best-selling villas in 2020 were those with a low selling price, i.e. not exceeding B20 million per unit.

The villas with the highest number sold were those in the B11 to 20 million per unit range. In 2020, there have been 92 such units sold, followed by villas priced under B10 million, of which there were 54 units sold.

Selling Prices

The selling prices of villas in Phuket depend on several factors such as views from the unit. It is therefore necessary to segment the villas into three types: 1) Oceanfront Villa situated on the beach or on a mountain by the sea; 2) Sea View Villa located away from the immediate beach area or on a mountain with sweeping views of the ocean; and 3) In Land Villas with no ocean vistas.

The Oceanfront Villa commands the highest price per unit. The selling prices in the table (in the image gallery above) are from projects with remaining units for sale; it shows that Oceanfront Villas in the sales process start at B292 million, going up to B370 million.

As for Sea View Villas in the sales process, prices start at B5.9 million and go as high as B56.7 million.

In Land Villas start at B6.7 million and go up to B45 million. The starting price of In Land Villas exceeds that of Sea View Villas as the In Land Villas that are in the process of being sold are of a larger size than the Sea View Villas.

Aside from the views, the selling prices of villas in Phuket are affected by other factors such as distance to the beach, the surroundings of the villa and whether amenities are within easy reach, the size of the land and the size of the villa's construction area.

Outlook for Villa Market in Phuket

Mr Nattha expects the villa market in Phuket in 2021 to continue its slowdown throughout the year, due to the effects of the new wave of COVID-19. 

New investments in property development in the first half of 2021 will likely be slow, and there is no new investment expected.

In the first half of 2021, the economy of Phuket is not expected to improve because of the dearth of tourism income. Foreign tourists still cannot travel to the country, and while the economy has not improved, there is an effect on the real estate sector as well as the development of villas for sale.

At any rate, we expect Phuket's economy to pick up in the second half of 2021.

Developers should start investing in new project launches, especially those that are targeting foreign buyers from the Chinese market. This is certain to happen and there will be more buyers than before the COVID-19 outbreak; we are seeing many signs that Chinese buyers would like to purchase property in Thailand and Phuket as second residences rather than as investments as they did in the past.

Chinese people are of the view that, should there be a spread of an infectious disease such as COVID-19, Thailand, including Phuket, would be a safe, liveable place, with good public health systems and measures against the spread of infection diseases.

In normal circumstances, Chinese people enjoy travelling to and vacationing in Phuket, and have always been interested in investing in Phuket's real estate. As such, the Chinese market is likely to return to the island in the latter half of this year.

---

See also: 'Knight Frank delivers 'frank' report on Phuket condo market'  

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Majority believe protesters have backers: Nida Poll - Bangkok Post

Majority believe protesters have backers: Nida Poll

A majority of people believe the People's Group which has staged pro-democracy demonstrations is receiving backing from certain individuals, according to the result of a survey by the National Institute of Development Administration, or Nida Poll.

The poll was conducted in telephone interviews on Feb 8-10 on 1,315 people aged 18 and over of various levels of education and occupations throughout the country to compile their opinions on the protests staged by the People's Group, or the so-called "three-finger protesters".

Trending on Bangkok Post

Somchai probe unaffected by legal hitch

Somchai probe unaffected by legal hitch

The bail granted to Somchai Jutikitdecha, 56, who is accused of being the man behind illegal casinos linked with a recent Covid-19 outbreak in the eastern provinces, will not affect their ongoing inquiry, police insisted yesterday.

A majority, 67.60%, of the respondents believed the protesters were led in the demonstrations by core members of the People's Group while 32.40%thought there were acting independently.

Moreover, 65.25% believed the group was supported in many ways from behind by certain individuals while 34.75% did not think so.

Concerning reports of an internal conflict in the People's Group, 41.22%believed the conflict was between individuals; 25.48% said it was a temporary misunderstanding in the group; 16.88% believed the conflict did exist; and, 6.42% thought it was only a deception.

The respondents were also asked to comment on various issues concerning the past activities and conduct of the People's Group, with each allowed to give more than one comment.

Some of their comments on certain issues, with splitting views, were as follows:

- 20.23% viewed the group as fighting by democratic means while 6.54% said it was doing out of democratic means with an aim to achieve victory;

- 16.20% thought the group had paid no respect to the laws while 2.51%said it had;

- 9.89% said it had infringed on the rights and human dignity of other people while 8.90% said it had paid due respect to other people on this issue;

- 9.13% said the group did not respect to or accept opinions deemed different from its own while 8.29%viewed it as giving respect to and accept different opinions; and

- 4.26% said the group had lied and distorted facts while 3.12% thought it adhered to facts and was reasonable.

👍👍👏👏 Mobile phone shop owner finds new success during Covid – 19 pandemic in Pattaya with ‘Alan Burger’👍👍👏👏 - Pattaya News

Mobile phone shop owner finds new success during Covid – 19 pandemic in Pattaya with 'Alan Burger'

Sunday, 14 February 2021, 11:00

Pattaya-

A second hand phone shop owner has found renewed success during the Covid – 19 pandemic with his burger shop, 'Alan Burger', in Pattaya.

The second hand phone shop is on Pattaya Third Road between Soi Chalerm Phrakiet 15 and Soi Chalerm Phrakiet 13.

In front of the phone shop is a burger stall called 'Alan Burger'. The burger menu starts from only 39 baht. Many Thai and foreign customers have visited the burger shop since the idea for a rebranding of the business temporarily came about.

The shop owner, Mr. Baramee Wantanee, 44, told The Pattaya News, "I have suffered twice from the pandemic due to Covid-19 related closures and lack of customers. Although my business was deemed essential and wasn't closed like many other places, both times the government ordered restrictions to control the virus devastated me as travel restrictions, lack of income, and fear of the virus kept people at home. This time (in January), I had no money to pay my rent and my staff."

"I decided to close my phone shop and like many others leave Pattaya. I had already contacted a moving truck to relocate all my belongings to my hometown in the north of Thailand."

"Meanwhile, to pass the time during the last period of closure restrictions and lack of customers I started experimenting with making my own burgers, something I have always been passionate about. Since I was young, I've enjoyed western style burgers and wanted to try my hand at my own recipes." Baramee continued.

"My friends tried my burgers and they really liked it, suggesting I try to sell them professionally. So, I decided to start my own burger business with the money I had left."

"I opened the burger shop without high expectations but have been pleasently surprised at the turnout and public reaction. Despite the still difficult situation in Pattaya and lack of tourists I have been making enough to support myself while the mobile phone business, reliant on tourism, is not profitable in the area. My customer base is a variety of Thai nationals and foreign expats and I now have regular customers who visit me almost every day. "

"Anyone who has lost their way please remember there will always be opportunity if we don't give up. I am 44 years old but you are never too old to do what you love and try something new." Baramee concluded.

Covid vaccination priority: Tourism industry will have to wait until there are sufficient doses - Thailand News - Thailand Visa Forum by Thai Visa

Covid vaccination priority: Tourism industry will have to wait until there are sufficient doses

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Covid vaccination priority: Tourism industry will have to wait until there are sufficient doses

Image: Bangkok Business News

A leading figure in the fight against Covid-19 has stated where the priorities lie when it comes to vaccination. 

And it is not the tourism industry, at least not yet.

Workers in the sector will have to wait their turn behind health care workers, people with chronic illness, the obese and those over 60. 

It has also been announced that 10 provinces - including Bangkok, Chonburi and Rayong - will be getting some vaccine early.

But these will be people in the high risk groups, not the tourism sector. 

Expats living in Thailand were not mentioned in the latest story from Bangkok Business News though migrant workers got a nod.

Dr Sophon Mekthon said that the aim of the vaccination program was to deliver a safe, efficient and quality vaccination to vulnerable groups then get the economy going - in that order.

Vaccine was limited so in the first phase health workers with direct contact to Covid patients would be prioritised along with those with chronic illnesses. 

Among these were heart and later stage kidney patients, those with cancer undergoing chemotherapy or radiation, diabetics, the over 60s and obese people.

This was itemised as those weighing 100 kilos or more and having a BMI of 35. 

When the country gets more vaccine then the economy and general society can be innoculated in phase two.

This will involve vaccination for health workers behind the front lines then those in the tourism industry.

Dr Sophon specifically mentioned hotel employees, those in the entertainment industry, guides, people travelling abroad like pilots and cabin crew, international businessmen, people in the public who travel, embassy staff, officials who need to travel and then workers in industry.

In the first phase of vaccination from now until April ten provinces will be prioritised with 2 million doses - enough for two shots each for just one million people. 

The provinces and the number of nursing and ER locations each will have to deliver the vaccine in brackets are as follows: 

Samut Sakhon (10 locations)
Bangkok (62)
Samut Prakan (30)
Nonthaburi (21)
Pathum Thani (22)
Rayong (13)
Chonburi (32)
Chanthaburi (14)
Trat (8) and 
Tak (11).

Each of these will be allocated a proportion of the two million doses with Bangkok and Samut Sakhon getting by far the lion's share.

For example Bangkok will get 800,000, Samut Sakhon 820,000, Chonburi 28,000 and Rayong just 18,000. 

In each of the ten areas the number of people in each vulnerable group has also been itemised so that for example in Bangkok 32,000 health care workers and 8,000 who have close contact with the sick will get a jab along with 100,000 each of the chronically sick and over 60s and the general public and workers 160,000.  

The 14,000 people in Chonburi - that includes Pattaya - who will get the 28,000 initial doses will be just 10,000 medical personnel and 4,000 who come into close contact with the sick. 

The figures seemed to indicate that except in Bangkok, Samut Sakhon and Tak in Thailand's north west, the aging population and the chronically sick would have to wait behind medical staff and those with close contact with the sick until they could get a jab when more vaccine becomes available.   

Source: Bangkok Business News



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COVID 19 vaccine is our last chance, say Phuket business leader - Thai Visa

COVID 19 vaccine is our last chance, say Phuket business leader

 

Image: PPTV36

 

A Phuket tourism leader has told the government that local organisations need to be able to procure vaccines against Covid themselves. 

 

Without this measure Phuket tourism is dead for ever. 

 

Phoomkit Raktaengam's comments come after earlier in the week local authorities were told that they could not sort out and pay for their own vaccine programs.

 

It would all be done centrally by the state. Many have criticized what they see as the slow rollout while tourism businesses are on their very last legs.

 

Phoomkit's letter on behalf of 14 organistaions in Phuket was sent to the provincial governor Narong Wunsew via the Ombudsman and copied to the prime minister. 

 

He said that drastic action was needed urgently or Phuket won't have a tourism industry to save come October 1st.

 

This has been a date put forward for a realistic return of foreign tourism. 

 

Talking to PPTV36 he likened the pandemic to a marathon with the finishing tape in sight saying he was prepared to do anything to get to the wire.

 

Admitting that tourism businesses are strapped for cash he didn't doubt that they would be prepared to come up with money for vaccines saying it was the only hope.

 

The tourism industry could bounce back, he said, with vaccination and an end to quarantine for tourists from abroad. 

 

"It's not too late, but it's the last chance for Phuket," he warned.

 

Source: PPTV36

 

Chulalongkorn University closed until end of month to contain COVID19 spread - PBS World



Chulalongkorn U closed until end of month to contain COVID19 spread

views  1,618

Bangkok's Chulalongkorn University has now closed its campus until February 28^th and is urging all its staff and students not to leave their lodgings or meet other people during the lockdown period, in a bid to contain the spread of COVID-19.

On Wednesday, the university reported that 16 employees, most of whom reside in dormitories on-campus, tested positive for coronavirus and are undergoing treatment.

Online classes will be provided during the lockdown and lecturers have been asked to adjust their assessment methodology, such as by using online or take-home examinations, instead of in person exam sessions.

To ensure as much essential faculty work continues as is possible, some staff may be required to work in the office, said the university.