Thai government approves relaxation of Covid-19 control measures in many provinces, allowing bars reopening and restaurant alcohol sales in Bangkok, effective dates coming - The Pattaya News

Thai government approves relaxation of Covid-19 control measures in many provinces, allowing bars reopening and restaurant alcohol sales in Bangkok, effective dates coming

Monday, 22 February 2021, 16:31

Bangkok, Thailand-

The Center for Covid-19 Situation Administration (CCSA), chaired by Prime Minister Prayut Chan-O'Cha, this afternoon, February 22nd, has officially approved the easing of Covid-19 control restrictions and zoning readjustment nationwide, effective March 1st (Note-the official orders have not been released, and this date could change, being moved up, according to some sources.).

The extension of the national Emergency Decree to prevent the spread of Covid-19 nationwide will also be implemented until the end of March with the new easing of Covid-19 Coronavirus measures, according to CCSA spokesperson Taweesin Visanuyothin.

The new Covid-19 zoning readjustments are categorized as follows:

DARK RED (Maximum and Strict Controlled Area): Samut Sakhon

ORANGE (Controlled Area): Bangkok, Samut Prakan, Samut Songkhram, Nonthaburi, Nakhon Pathom, Pathum Thani, Ratchaburi, and Tak

YELLOW (High Survey Area): Kanchanaburi, Suphanburi, Ayutthaya, Saraburi, Nakhon Nayok, Chachoengsao, Phetchaburi, Ranong, Chonburi (Pattaya), Rayong, Chumphon, Songkhla, Narathiwat, and Yala

GREEN (Survey Area): The remaining 54 provinces

This also comes with several relaxations of the control restrictions, including restaurants selling alcoholic beverages and bars reopening in some zoning areas.

In red-zoned Samut Sakhon, restaurants can be operated for dine-in customers until 9:00 PM., selling and drinking of alcoholic beverages are still prohibited. Department stores, shopping centers, and shopping malls are allowed to open until 9:00 PM. Pubs, bars, fitness centers, and gyms remained closed. Only online classes are allowed in all educational institutions.

In eight orange-zoned provinces, customers are now allowed to drink alcohol at restaurants in all zoning areas until 11:00 PM. Pubs, bars, and entertainment venues are allowed for reopening, live music is also allowed but dancing is still prohibited. Department stores can be operated as usual. Both online and in-class studying are allowed at all educational establishments, fitness centers, sports clubs, gyms, stadiums can be fully opened but audiences must be limited for indoor competitions.

In 14 yellow-zoned provinces, dine-in restaurants with alcoholic beverage serving, as well as entertainment venues, pubs, and bars, can be operated until midnight. Live music is also allowed but dancing is still prohibited. Shopping malls can be opened during their business hours but still have to limit the number of customers. Educational institutions can welcome their students with both online and in-class studying. Outdoor exercise facilities, gyms, fitness centers, and sports stadiums can be fully opened but audiences must be limited for indoor competitions.

In green-zoned provinces, dine-in restaurants can be opened, as usual, as well as entertainment venues, pubs, bars. Shopping centers and department stores can be operated during their operating hours but still have to limit the number of customers. In-class studying is allowed in all educational institutions. Outdoor exercise facilities, gyms, fitness centers, and sports stadiums can be fully opened but audiences must be limited for indoor competitions.

The new zoning readjustments and the regulations will be in effect at the beginning of March, according to the spokesman. (This could be moved up, as stated earlier). However, everyone is being reminded to stay cautious and follow health measures, including social distancing, Thai-Chana check-in, and face-mask wearing.

A final order from the Royal Gazette should be released in the near future, according to Dr. Taweesin. TPN reminds readers that governors of provinces can also strengthen measures if they wish and each provincial government will release orders around the changes as well.



Emergency law extended but restaurants allowed to serve alcohol until 11pm - The Nation

Emergency law extended but restaurants allowed to serve alcohol until 11pm

Restaurants will be allowed to serve alcohol until 11pm, under a relaxation of restrictions reportedly ordered at a Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration (CCSA) meeting chaired by PM Prayut Chan-o-cha today.

The new rule applies to all provinces except for Samut Sakhon, the epicentre of Thailand's latest Covid-19 outbreak. Meanwhile, the closure order for entertainment venues and pubs remains in place.

The CCSA also resolved to extend the emergency decree for disease control for another month until March 31.

The outcome of today's CCSA meeting will be announced officially on Tuesday. 

Another warning for foreigners buying property - Bangkok Jack

Another warning for foreigners buying property

A senior government official faces forest encroachment charges after the seizure of a house built by an American man near Khao Kho national park in Phetchabun.

February 22, 2021

Officials inspect the site of a house near Khao Kho national park in Phetchabun. A senior government official reportedly owned the land plot and allowed her American friend to build a house there. (Photo: Sunthorn Kongwarakom)

Authorities filed a police complaint following an investigation by a team of 15 forestry officials, soldiers and local officials at the site in tambon Khao Kho.

They were acting on complaints that a foreign national had illegally built a luxury house in a reserved forest area.

The site in question, officials say, was originally two Ror Or Sor plots — land allocated by the army to defence volunteers who fought communist insurgents four decades ago. Such plots are not supposed to be sold.

Somehow the land ended up in the hands of a forestry official, who in turn sold it to a woman who works in the Office of the Prime Minister. She then allowed an American friend to build there.

When the inspection team arrived, they found a resort house and a shed for construction materials on the plot.

Shortly afterward, an American national, identified as the house owner, arrived along with a Thai man identified later as Panya Sawatongkhol.

Mr Panya told officials that he was authorised by the land owner, Dusita Srichoo, to point out the boundary of the land.

He showed them a letter authorising him to represent the woman and documents related to the land purchase.

Mr Panya said Ms Dusita had bought the 16 rai of land from a forestry official for 960,000 baht in 2009.

After inspecting the boundary, the officials found the land was part of the Phloklon national forest reserve near Khao Kho national park.

A further check showed that the plot claimed to be owned by Ms Dusita duplicated two Ror Or Sor land plots whose original holders were identified as Somboon Suwannachart and Yai In-ngarm.

Authorities said Ms Dusita was not the original land holder, and that the change of ownership violated a 1998 cabinet resolution that allocated land to the poor and landless.

As the land was being occupied illegally, officials moved to seize it. The forest encroachment caused initial damage estimated at 1.13 million baht to the state, they said.

Boonsom Totaensombat, head of the Khao Kho forest protection unit, was assigned to file a complaint with local police against Ms Dusita and others for violating the Forest Reserve Act and the Forest Act.

A source familiar with the investigation said Ms Dusita was director of the analysis and foreign affairs coordination division in the Office of the Prime Minister.

The forestry official from whom she had purchased the land was identified as Preecha Samart, now director of the natural resources and environment office in Nakhon Sawan province. – Bangkok Post

Officials check documents related to a house near Khao Kho national park in Phetchabun as its American occupant looks on. (Photo by Sunthorn Kongwarakom) 

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Rich tourists arrive, in villa quarantine - Bangkok Post

Rich tourists arrive, in villa quarantine

Health officials take a nasal swab from one of the first 13 tourists arriving from Indonesia, for Covid-19 testing, at Phuket airport on Sunday night. (Photo: Achadtaya Cheunniran)

PHUKET: Fifty-nine wealthy foreign tourists arrived in this southern island province on Sunday nightand went into "villa quarantine" at the Sri Panwa Hotel.

The first group, of 13, arrived about 8.20pm on a chartered Garuda Airlines flight from Indonesia to Phuket international airport.

They were welcomed by deputy governor Pichet Panapong, Dr Muanprae Boonlom, director of Patong Hospital, and disease control officials.

The second group arrived on another chartered flight from Indonesia about two hours later.

Mr Pichet said the 59 tourists are from the United Kingdom, the United States, France and Finland. They had converged in Indonesia before proceeding on chartered flights to Phuket.

All of them are staying at the Sri Panwa Hotel in villa quarantine. For the first five days of their 14-day quarantine the visitors must stay in their accommodation. After that, they can make use of the facilities within the grounds of the hotel.

Their arrival marks the debut of villa quarantine.

On arrival at Phuket airport the tourists went through immigration and then customs before leaving the air terminal via Gate 1.

From there, they were taken to the X-Terminal building inside the airport complex for Covid-19 screening, before heading to the hotel.

'Low chance of side effects for Thais' from inactivated Covid-19 vaccine - The Nation



'Low chance of side effects for Thais' from inactivated Covid-19 vaccine

Inactivated vaccines, which will be used in Thailand, should have a lower chance of causing anaphylaxis or severe allergic reaction, Chulalongkorn University virology specialist Dr Yong Poovorawan has said.

Yong said on Monday on his Facebook page that a study in the United States has found that one month after giving 13.7 million doses of vaccine, the cases of anaphylaxis were found at 4.5 per one million patients, with no report of death from anaphylaxis.

"113 deaths reported after receiving the vaccines were proven after autopsy to not be directly related to the vaccines, according to Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention," said Yong.

"US uses mRNA vaccines from Pfizer and Moderna, which are relatively new and could have many undesirable side effects."

Yong added that virus vector vaccines, such as AstraZeneca's, have been under study for longer [now in third phase], and therefore should have fewer side effects, either in local areas or body's systems.

"Inactivated vaccines, such as Sinovac's, that will be used in Thailand should have even less chance of causing side effects including anaphylaxis," he said.

The vaccine made by China's Sinovac Biotech is due to arrive in Thailand this week.

"They were created by the same procedures that are used to manufacture working vaccines, such as for rabies, polio and Hepatitis A.

"Those who are afraid of the side effects of Covid-19 vaccine can rest assured, as vaccines that Thailand will use have the lowest chance of undesirable side effects," said Yong. "As many Thais as possible should get vaccinated to create a strong immunity, which would help return the outbreak situation to normal as soon as possible."

Public health minister confirms Sinovac vaccines to arrive on Wednesday | Thai PBS World

Public health minister confirms Sinovac vaccines to arrive on Wednesday

views  347

The first lot of Sinovac vaccine from China will arrive in Bangkok on Wednesday at 10am at Suvarnabhumi international airport, Public Health Minister Anutin Charnvirakul said Sunday.

To confirm that the COVID-19 vaccine will definitely arrive on schedule, the minister showed a three and a half minute video clip to the media, showing Chinese workers moving stacks of boxes, containing the vaccine, from a warehouse and loading them onto a container to be flown to Thailand by Thai Airways International.

The consignment carries a message, reading:  "Hello Sinovac Vaccines.  Have a safe flight.  See you on Wednesday!"

More doses will arrive through to April, amounting to two million doses.

It is reported that Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha has accepted an invitation to attend the "COVID vaccines, restoring the Thai Smile" event to take delivery of the vaccines at THAI's warehouse at the airport on Wednesday.

Thailand's well-known virologist, Dr. Yong Poovorawan, of Chulalongkorn University, said in his Facebook post today that, once Sinovac vaccines arrive in Thailand, they must be administered to high-risk groups as quickly as possible, to stop the spread of the virus and gradually restore normality so the economy can start to recover.

He disclosed that more than 200 million doses of various vaccines, such as those from Pfizer, Sinopharm, Moderna, AstraZeneca, Sinovac and Sputnik V, have been given to people worldwide and their side effects are similar to those caused by flu vaccinations.



Thailand’s prime minister survives no-confidence vote - Bangkok Jack

Thailand's prime minister survives no-confidence vote

February 21, 2021

Thailand Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha, third right, gestures to other parliament members after a no-confidence vote against him was defeated in Bangkok

Thailand´s Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha survived a no-confidence vote Saturday in parliament amid allegations that his government mismanaged the economy, bungled the provision of COVID-19 vaccines, abused human rights and fostered corruption.

Nine other ministers also survived the vote.

It marked the second no-confidence test Prayuth´s government has faced since taking office in July 2019, following a contested election after Prayuth seized power in a 2014 coup as the army chief.

In February last year, Prayuth and five Cabinet ministers easily defeated a no-confidence vote in the lower house.

In the latest motion, his government was also criticized for misusing its power to promote police officials and for establishing a cyber unit to attack government critics on social media, among other complaints.

But a more serious allegation was that Prayuth has deepened divisions in society by using the monarchy as a shield against criticism of his government.

A student-led protest movement has campaigned since last year for Prayuth and his government to step down.

They want the constitution to be amended to make it more democratic, and for the monarchy to be reformed to make it more accountable.

Thailand Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha smiles in parliament after a no-confidence vote against him was defeated in Bangkok, Thailand Saturday, Feb. 20, 2021.

"The biggest fault of Prayuth is that he does not understand the principles of the constitutional monarchy," said Pita Limjaroenrat, leader of the opposition Move Forward Party.

"He used the monarchy to protect himself whenever he was criticized or opposed. This is an evil action, making him no longer qualified to be prime minister," he said.

His accusation refers to the enforcement of Article 112 in the criminal code, also known as the lese majeste law. Prayuth said in June last year that King Maha Vajiralongkorn had expressed his wish for the government not to use the law against defaming the monarchy to prosecute pro-democracy protesters.

Thanathorn Juangroongruangkit, a popular politician who was forced out of parliament last year, was charged last month with lese majeste for alleging that the government´s procurement of COVID-19 vaccines was late and inadequate, and that there was possible favoritism in the awarding of the main contract.

The criticism relates to the monarchy because most of the vaccines that Thailand has ordered are to be produced by Siam Bioscience, a private Thai company owned by the king.

The monarchy is widely considered an untouchable bedrock of Thai nationalism.

The lese majeste law allows anyone to file a complaint with the police, with convictions carrying jail terms of up to 15 years per offense.

According to Thai Lawyers for Human Rights, at least 59 people including several minors were summoned under the law between November and February.

Four well-known protesters including human rights lawyer Arnon Nampa, student leader Parit Chiwarak, and political activists Somyos Prueksakasemsuk and Patiwat Saraiyaem were prosecuted under the law and on sedition charges earlier this month. Their lawyer requested bail but the court denied it.

Prayuth said the debate in parliament was "a good opportunity for both sides to do something together for our country and people. And I am ready to clarify every allegation."

Of the 487 lawmakers, 277 are part of the ruling coalition and 210 are with the opposition.

The censure motion would require a simple majority, or 244 votes, to pass. Prayuth received 272 votes with 206 voting no-confidence and three remaining silent.

On Friday evening, hundreds of protesters held a mock censure motion against Prayuth and the other ministers on the street in front of the parliament building, calling out their alleged corruption and noting their failure to address rising financial inequality in Thailand.

Protesters said another rally was planned on Saturday afternoon.

Police said they would deploy more than 10,000 officers in Bangkok over the weekend to control the crowds and maintain law and order.

vehicles, including water canon trucks, have been dispatched near the parliament.

A pro-democracy protester bangs pots to make noises in front of a picture of Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha during protest near the Parliament where Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha and 9 cabinet ministers are facing the fourth day of censure debate in Bangkok

Police in riot gear arrive ahead of a pro-democracy protest in front of the Parliament

Pro-democracy protesters raise a three-finger salute, a symbol of resistance during a rally near the parliament



What happens to the injured ‘STREET DOGS’ in Thailand..? - Bangkok Jack

What happens to the injured 'STREET DOGS' in Thailand..?

Dozens of disabled stray dogs use wheelchairs to take their daily walk at sanctuary in Thailand

February 21, 2021

The 27 dogs from a shelter in Chonburi, Thailand, appeared to be beaming from ear to ear as enjoyed a stroll with their wheel aides

With tails wagging to a chorus of barks and yelps, dozens of disabled dogs attached to wheels that support their disabled hind legs looked ecstatic as they took their daily walk at a sanctuary in Thailand.

Mostly victims of accidents, the 27 dogs are being nursed back to health at a shelter in Thailand's province of Chonburi southeast of the capital, Bangkok.

They beamed from ear to ear as they took to the rocky track with their wheels for their dose of exercise for the day.

'It's almost like they have no idea that they have a disability and once you put them in the wheelchair for the first time, it's like there's no learning curve,' said shelter official Christopher Chidichimo.

The shelter, run by a foundation called The Man That Rescues Dogs, was set up by a Swede who moved to Chonburi in 2002 and was so dismayed by the poor condition of strays that he started caring for them after work.

But its future is now in doubt, after the coronavirus pandemic led to a 40 per cent drop in donations and slashed the number of foreign visitors.

The 27 dogs, who are mostly victims of accidents, are being nursed back to health at the shelter and particularly enjoy their daily outings

Shelter official Christopher Chidichimo said 'It's almost like they have no idea that they have a disability' once the dogs are placed in the wheelchairs for the first time

'The donations are very important and the volunteers and visitors are equally important, because they come and spread our message,' said Chidichimo, who is a sponsorship coordinator at the shelter.

The shelter spends more than $1,300 (£946.42) each day to care for more than 600 dogs and feed 350 more that live on the streets. – Reuters

The shelter, run by a foundation called The Man That Rescues Dogs, was set up by a Swede who moved to Chonburi in 2002

During their visit, the shelter founder was so dismayed by the poor condition of strays that he started caring for them after work

Sadly the future of the shelter is in doubt after the coronavirus pandemic led to a 40 per cent drop in donations and slashed the number of foreign visitors

The shelter spends more than $1,300 (£946.42) each day to care for more than 600 dogs and feed 350 more that live on the streets

The shelter takes care of a range of dogs from different backgrounds and even offers physiotherapy sessions

Its volunteers also look after paralysed and disabled dogs, including physiotherapy sessions, but scarce funds have forced it to suspend a monthly campaign to spay and neuter strays.

Thailand, estimated to have more than 800,000 stray cats and dogs in 2017, could see their number reach 2 million by 2027 and 5 million in 20 years unless it takes some steps to control numbers, livestock authorities says.

For now, the disabled dogs in Chonburi enjoy their daily rambles. 'They are eager for us to strap them up,' said dog handler Phanuphong Borphuak, referring to the canine mobility aids.

'They run very fast, we humans can't keep up with them.'

After suffering financially as a result of the pandemic the shelter has been forced to suspend a monthly campaign to spay and neuter strays

After their energetic walk the dogs enjoyed a boy of food after working up quite the appetite with their running around



5-meter ‘guardian’ cobra pulled from southern home - Pattaya Mail

5-meter 'guardian' cobra pulled from southern home

Pattaya MailFebruary 21, 2021

Officers predict the cobra had come out of the hills about a half-kilometer away, looking for water.

A thirsty king cobra was pulled from the bathroom of a Krabi house as neighbors debated whether it was a "guardian snake."

Snake rustlers from the Krabi Pitak Pracha Foundation took about 10 minutes to capture the five-meter-long reptile from the house in Muang District Feb. 18.

Rescuers display the captured snake to residents and the press.

Homeowner Boonnit Petchruk, 44, called authorities after her five-year-old daughter started screaming from the bathroom. She walked in to find the snake crawling up the wall, its head at eye level with her daughter.

She pulled the girl out of the house and waited for rescuers, who said the cobra had come out of the hills about a half-kilometer away, looking for water.

The five-meter-long king cobra crawled into Boonnit Petchruk's house and hid behind a washing machine in the bathroom.

A few neighbors criticized the removal of the snake, claiming the highly poisonous reptile was harmless and saying it was good luck and a "guardian" for the house.

Boonnit pointed out to the busybodies that it conveniently wasn't their houses that they said should have a guardian cobra.

Snake rustlers from the Krabi Pitak Pracha Foundation took about 10 minutes to capture the five-meter-long reptile.

A thirsty king cobra was pulled from the bathroom of a Krabi house as neighbors debated whether it was a "guardian snake."

Officers bagged the cobra to return it to nature.



Covid vaccines should go first to worst-affected provinces: poll - Bangkok Post

Covid vaccines should go first to worst-affected provinces: poll

Myanmar migrant workers move to a field hospital in Muang district of Samut Sakhon, one of the hardest-hit provinces in the new Covid-19 outbreak. (Photo by Arnun Chonmahatrakool)

A majority of people say provinces most affected by the second wave of the Covid-19 outbreak should get vaccines first, according to an opinion survey by the National Institute of Development Administration, or Nida Poll.

The poll was conducted through telephone interviews on Feb 15-17 on 1,318 people aged 15 and over of various levels of education and occupations throughout the country. Respondents were asked to break down prioritisation of vaccinations by province, age group and occupation.

More than half of respondents -- 56.90% -- said provinces with high infection rates in the second wave of the outbreak should be given priority. A further 16.77% said vaccinations should begin at the same time in all provinces; 10.70% favoured provinces with important tourist attractions; 10.39% cited all border provinces; and 5.24% favoured provinces with a high number of industrial investments.

Asked which age groups should get vaccinated first, 38.01% chose those in the working age group of 20-59, while 37.10% would prirotise the elderly aged 60 and over. A further 15.10% said people in all age groups should get a jab at the same time, while 9.79% favoured youths and children aged below 20.

Asked which occupations should get priority, 40.48% chose medical and health staff; 14.41% manual labourers; 8.87% workers in tourism-related businesses; 7.59% everyone at the same time; 5.29% workers in the travel and transport industries; 4.93% students; 4.85% business operators and freelance workers; 4.38% government officials and state enterprise workers; 3.82% employees of private companies; 3.49% heads of families, retirees and the jobless; 1.41% people in the farming sector; and 0.48% for politicians.

Asked whether vaccination for foreigners in the country should be compulsory, 44.54% said "yes"; 28.22% said it should be voluntary; 26.25% said vaccination should be compulsory only for foreigners from high-risk countries; and 0.99% had no comment or were not interested.

Asked whether foreigners in Thailand should pay the cost of vaccination by themselves, 38.92% said all foreigners should pay for the vaccine; 31.72% said only foreigners who pay taxes should get free vaccinations; 25.72% said all foreigners should be vaccinated free of charge; 0.68% said foreigners and the government should share the cost of the vaccine evenly; and 2.96% had no comment or were not interested. 

21/2 by region

 

Phuket divided on taking COVID vaccine: Poll - Phuket News

Phuket divided on taking COVID vaccine: Poll

PHUKET: People living in Phuket or with an otherwise vested interest in the island are divided over whether or not they would take a COVID vaccine at this stage, according to responses to an online poll conducted by The Phuket News.

With Phuket amid a big push to attract domestic tourists to the island and the call by all major Phuket businesses associations, not just tourism industry representatives, for the island to re-open to international visitors from Oct 1, all eyes are turning to COVID vaccinations as Phuket's big hope to restart the island's economy.

As such, while recognising that many factors affect the decision, The Phuket News launched an online poll on Feb 10 asking the simple question: "Would you take a COVID vaccine?"

The poll closed at midnight on Friday night (Feb 19).

Overall, 28% of respondents voted an outright "Yes" to taking a COVID vaccine, and a further 28% voted "It depends on the vaccine".

The remaining 43% voted an outright "No" to taking a COVID vaccine.

Of the 28.47% respondents who voted "Yes", 10.88% were Thai nationals, 67.36% were local expatriate residents and 21.76% were foreign visitors to Phuket.

Among the 43.36% who voted "No" 49.32% were Thai nationals, 39.46% were local expatriate residents and 11.22% foreign visitors to Phuket.

Hanging in the balance were those who voted "It depends on which vaccine" (28.17%), of whom 15.18% were Thai nationals, 74.87% were local expatriate residents and the remaining 9.95% were foreign visitors to Phuket.

By demographic, of the Thai nationals who took part in the poll 10.77% voted "Yes" and 14.87% voted "It depends on which vaccine", but a huge 74.36% voted a plain "No".

Of those who marked themselves as "Local expatriate residents", 33.42% voted "Yes", 29.82% voted "No" and the remaining 36.76% voted "It depends on which vaccine".

Of those who entered the poll as a "foreign visitor to Phuket", 44.68% voted "Yes" to taking a COVID vaccine, 35.11% voted "No" to taking a vaccine and the remaining 20.21% voted "It depends on which vaccine".