Thailand News - Corona - By Ola J. - Palmtree

Last Tambon Standing: Cherng Talay yet to record COVID-19 infection in current Phuket outbreak

, according to the latest map of infection locations released by the Phuket Provincial Public Health Office (PPHO) today.

COVID-19Coronavirushealth
By The Phuket News

Friday 16 April 2021, 10:24AM

The PPHO map showing the tally of infections in subdistricts across Phuket. Image: PPHO

Although the infections map was released this morning (Apr 16), it is marked as accurate as of yesterday (Apr 15) and marks only 112 cases of infection across the island.

Phuket Governor Narong Woonciew has already confirmed that the number of confirmed infections on the island has risen to 142.

According to the report, Cherng Talay is the only subdistrict on the island that remains free from any COVID-19 infections.

The map shows the number of infections in each subdistrict in Phuket as follows:

Patong - 13 cases

Kathu - 12

Kamala - 11

Wichit - 13

Chalong - 6

Karon - 3

Rawai - 11

Talad Yai Phuket Town - 11

Talad Neua Phuket Town - 2

Rassada - 9

Kow Kaew - 6

Srisoonthorn - 2

Pa Khlok - 2

Thepkrasattri - 5

Sakhu - 3

Mai Khao - 3

Cherng Talay - 0

172718700_3394857817280482_7906738370439354779_n

Chonburi, Thailand-

The Chonburi Department of Public Health announced this morning that the province, which includes popular tourist resort Pattaya City, had 103 new and confirmed cases of Covid-19 today.

By · Friday, April 16, 2021

Covid UPDATE: 1,582 new infections announced, more restrictions on the way
By
Tim Newton
Friday, April 16, 2021
Today the CCSA announced 1,582 new Covid infections across Thailand in the past 24 hours. The small increase on yesterdays total will provide the CCSA with the information they need for this afternoon's scheduled meeting, chaired by the Thai PM. It is expected that they will announce new restrictions but are unlikely to go for total lockdowns of provinces or 'at risk' districts. The Thaiger will bring this information to you ASAP after it is announced.
Here is the list of the current 18 red zone provinces which could have their restrictions raised at this afternoon's meeting of the CCSA. Read more HERE.
Since April 1 there has been a steady growth of new infections, described as the third wave in Thai media – much higher than the number of daily infections in the first and second waves.
During Songkran the case numbers have been…
April 13 – 965
April 14 – 1,335
April 15 – 1,543
April 16 – 1,582
67 people are currently reported to be in a "serious condition" relating to their Covid status.
Thailand's trajectory of daily new cases greatly exceeds the last surge that featured clusters around Samut Sakhon's coastal fish markets and Rayong gambling dens which started on December 20 last year.
Around the world there is a new surge since substantial drops at the start of this year, in both daily infections and deaths. The number of deaths will exceed 3 million, worldwide, today, since the start of the pandemic.
SOURCE: Worldometers.info

Nation will use AstraZeneca, despite blood-clot fears

Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha shows a vial of AstraZeneca vaccine before being inoculation against Covid-19 at Government House in Bangkok on March 16. (Government House photo)

The AstraZeneca vaccine will be the mainstay for the state's Covid-19 vaccination programme, Public Health Minister Anutin Charnvirakul says.

"There are many factors for each country whether to use or not use the vaccine," Mr Anutin said. "But we have expertise to closely monitor the vaccine information.

"We base decisions on scientific knowledge, not news. If something happens, we will let the public know. Please do not worry about it."

Thailand has relied on using 71 million doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine and two million doses of CoronaVac developed by China-based Sinovac Biotech to inoculate about 35 million people or 50% of the population. The ministry will start the Covid-19 jab rollout this June and aims to have 50% of the population immunised by the end of this year.

However, the authority is struggling to deal with trust and fear following unfavourable news about the risk of blood clots. Denmark this week became the first country to stop using AstraZeneca's Covid-19 vaccine altogether, as European officials investigate dozens of reports of very rare blood clots combined with low platelet counts that have arisen in the bloc, as well as Britain.

The WHO along with Britain and the European Medicines Agency continues to recommend AstraZeneca's shot on the grounds that its benefits outweigh any risks.

Meanwhile, in England, the vaccine is the main staple for the country's inoculation effort to create herd immunity. Mr Anutin said the UK could see Covid cases drop substantially. Some believe the country has already created herd immunity.

The ministry, he said, set a goal to inoculate all medical staff within one month using part of one million doses of Sinovac Biotech, which is expected to arrive in Thailand next week. The vaccine will mostly be given to medical staff and essential front-line workers and volunteers nationwide.

As of now, Thai authorities have administered 581,308 doses from both brands to about 290,000 people. Two people -- one a senior monk with chronic heart disease and a 41-year-old man also with coronary problems -- died after getting shots. The ministry ruled out any link to the vaccines.

Tares Krassanairawiwong, director-general of the Department of Health Service Support, said on Thursday over 3,700 out of 6,525 beds reserved to accommodate Covid-19 patients have been occupied.

Suitable and vacant hotels are being contacted to serve as hospitals that will accommodate patients with mild and improving symptoms. So far, 23 hotels with a capacity of 4,900 beds have joined and 2,000 beds have been occupied.

FRIDAY UPDATE: There will be the usual press briefing by the Ministry of Public Health at 11:30am this morning. Then at 1:30pm, the prime minister will chair a CCSA meeting to discuss bringing in more restrictions. This will be followed at 4:00pm by a briefing in Thai and English.

Proposals that have come from today's small scale CCSA meeting in Bangkok before a full meeting tomorrow with the Thai Prime Minister in terms of restrictions. Please be advised these are currently only proposals, and not set in stone. Tomorrow's "big" meeting is at 1:30 P.M. through video conferencing. Governors will also be able to strengthen rules, but not decrease them. Additional items could also come up tomorrow, of course.

-Change color zones with 18 provinces red (Including Chonburi, home of Pattaya) and 59 orange provinces.

-Ban alcohol in restaurants, encourage take-out, limit number of customers, earlier closing times depending on color zone.

-Close entertainment venues nationwide.

-Close amusement parks, playgrounds, similar attractions

-Ask for the public not to hold parties, house parties, etc.

-Refrain from teaching and learning in classrooms.

-No activities with more than 50 people

-Ask cooperation for people to work from home if possible.

-Ask provincial disease committees, especially in red provinces, to consider travel restrictions but these will differ by area and not be universal. (Editor's note-Many comments on Thai media have claimed that by enabling essentially 73 separate travel restrictions the confusion could be on purpose, discouraging people from traveling.

-Measures to be until at least the end of April. (extending current closures of entertainment venues in 41 provinces by over another week, at least.)

-It is not a lockdown, and they have asked people not to use that word, and said any sort of overall lockdown is not on the table.

Again, these are all currently ONLY proposals, and nothing is set at this time. Full article shortly.

Covid spreaders to face legal action

Infected woman took local flight to South

People queue up for Covid-19 tests from royally-donated mobile units at the Urban Institute for Disease Prevention and Control in Bang Khen district, Bangkok, on Wednesday. People can walk in for tests, without having to make appointments. (Photo by Nutthawat Wicheanbut)

Legal action will be taken against entertainment businesses and people who recklessly spread Covid-19.

Dr Charaspong Sukree, chief of Nakhon Si Thammarat's public health office, said health officials are liaising with authorities in Bangkok in pressing charges against a Covid-19 patient who boarded a plane after being informed of her positive test result.

He was referring to the province's 7th case, a 26-year-old woman who took a flight to Nakhon Si Thammarat from Don Mueang airport on April 11 after she was told she was infected.

Dr Charaspong said the patient, who had caused havoc at the airports and anxiety among passengers, would be charged with withholding information.

"Authorities will determine where the offences were committed and the patient will be summonsed to answer charges there," he said.

He said she did not violate the law in Nakhon Si Thammarat as she informed authorities as soon as she landed. However, a private laboratory would also be held responsible for failing to notify the Department of Communicable Disease Control or the Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration (CCSA) to initiate the quarantine process.

Based on the patient's timeline, she took the Covid-19 test at a private clinic on April 9 and was informed of the positive result on April 10. She boarded an evening flight to Nakhon Si Thammarat the following day.

In Phuket, three entertainment venues linked to the spread of the Covid-19 would face legal action, Pol Lt Gen Kittirat Phanphet, chief of the Provincial Police Region 8, said on Wednesday.

A committee chaired by Phuket deputy police chief, Pol Col Suwat Kaewphrom, has also been set up to follow up on the legal process and ensure all the parties involved are held to account.

In Chiang Mai, local authorities on Wednesday pressed charges against a hotel for allegedly failing to comply with the disease control measures after it failed to collect information from a guest who had travelled from a high-risk area. The guest checked in at the hotel in San Kamphaeng district on April 11, a day after she took a Covid-19 test at a hospital in Bangkok.

She received the test result, which was positive, on April 12.

The district's disease control operation centre found that the hotel had violated the province's disease control measures.

169287023_1646152032237676_7396531594526310357_n

Chonburi-

The province of Chonburi has 97 confirmed and new cases of the Covid-19 Coronavirus today according to the Chonburi Department of Public Health.

Thousands of tests have taken place over the past week and will continue according to health officials.

Time spent on internet surges in 2020

People are glued to their phones while waiting for the skytrain at Victory Monument station in Bangkok. Pornprom Satrabhaya

Thais spent almost half the day on the internet on average in 2020, partly driven by the pandemic, while Facebook, YouTube and Line remained the most popular social media platforms in Thailand, according to a survey by the Electronic Transactions Development Agency (ETDA).

"Thai users increased their time spent online to 11 hours and 25 minutes in 2020, an increase of one hours and three minutes from 2019. Generation Y and Z were the main users as they engaged in online study," said Chaichana Mitrpant, executive director of ETDA, citing the "Thailand Internet User Behavior 2020" report.

The report surveyed more than 20,000 respondents in Thailand from April to June last year.

In 2013, when ETDA began the survey, Thais spent an average of only four hours and 36 minutes a day on the internet, which means the amount of time had tripled by 2020, he said.

Some 78.3% of respondents cited easier internet access and broader internet coverage for making it convenient for them to connect online.

"Covid-19 is another factor causing people to engage in more online activities to avoid going out," said Mr Chaichana.

Looking deeper, daily time spent on the internet on weekdays was 11 hours and 23 minutes on average, a jump of one hour and 31 minutes from a year earlier, while on weekends the time spent was 11 hours and 29 minutes, a drop of six minutes from a year before.

Gen Y (aged 20-39) was the biggest user of the internet, spending an average of 12 hours and 26 minutes per day, followed by Gen Z (younger than 20) with 12 hours and eight minutes, Gen X (40-55) with 10 hours and 20 minutes, and Baby Boomers (56-74) with eight hours and 41 minutes.

"Covid-19 caused the closure of education facilities and led to online study," he said.

"Most workplaces also adopted a work-from-home policy."

Social media had the most popular online engagement by Thais, with 95.3% of the respondents, followed by watching TV, clips, movies and online music at 85%, then information searches at 82.2%.

Some 77.8% said they engage in online chat, while 67.3% shop online.

Mr Chaichana said Facebook, YouTube and Line were still the main social media channels for Thais, according to 98.2%, 97.5% and 96% of the respondents, respectively.

Short-form video-sharing platform TikTok saw strong growth with 35.8% of respondents engaged with it.

He said respondents believed only 50% of the news and information shared online is true or credible.

Some 97% said they came across fake news on the internet.

Malls, shops told to shut by 9pm

Retailers and malls nationwide have been asked to close earlier at 9pm, following the private sector's most recent bid to help curb the country's third Covid-19 outbreak.

Yol Phokasub, president of Thai Retailers Association (TRA), said on Wednesday the TRA and Thai Shopping Centre Association (TSCA) jointly announced to their members and trade partners nationwide that they must maximise their Covid-19 screening measures.

Both associations asked their members to close earlier at 9pm, starting from today and until further notice.

These businesses are also being advised to suspend all activities that would involve gatherings of large numbers of people. They are further being advised to have their staff work from home as much as possible, said Mr Yol.

He said the two associations hope their move will lead to more action by the private sector in supporting the country's work to contain Covid-19 and ending the latest wave of the outbreak as soon as possible.

Meanwhile, Phuket -- the tourist island that was on track to becoming the country's model for opening up to tourists after the year-long economic devastation Covid-19 has caused -- will be asked to return to lockdown mode again, said Dr Pitakpol Boonyamalik, a public health inspector.

"The number of new Covid-19 infections in this health region continues to soar by the day. I must propose that the provincial communicable disease control committee of Phuket, in particular, considers locking down the province after Songkran in order to contain the outbreak situation there," Dr Pitakpol said on Wednesday during an online conference for health officials in the southern region.

Dr Pitakpol oversees the 11th Health Area of Thailand -- covering Chumphon, Surat Thani, Nakhon Si Thammarat, Phuket, Phangnga, Krabi and Ranong In July, Phuket will be the first province to waive the quarantine requirement for vaccinated foreign visitors, as part of the government's plan to reopen the country.

Dr Pitakpol said that despite the cases in the southern region being relatively low, with none listed in a high-risk zone, the situation is still worrying.

"Many of our current patients did not have a history of travelling into the outbreak zones before, which points to the possibility that they could have contracted the virus from people who were quarantining at home or people who were deliberately concealing their travel history," said the doctor.

Thailand-

The Thai government will be discussing further restrictions for "high-risk" provinces on Thursday, April 15th, 2021, and Friday, April 16th, 2021 as Covid-19 cases increase at a national level on a daily basis.

The proposed restrictions, which authorities caution against calling a full-fledged lockdown, will be discussed first at a smaller Center for Covid-19 Situation Administration (CCSA) meeting on Thursday, April 15th, 2021, led by General Natthaphon Nakaphanich, Secretary-General of the National Security Council.

The proposals will, according to General Natthaphon, primarily be discussed for Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Chonburi (Pattaya), and the Prachuap Khiri Khan area (Hua Hin.) These are all popular domestic tourist areas and as a result have seen the bulk of the current cases associated with a cluster that originally stemmed from entertainment venues, according to authorities, that have already been closed in 41 provinces for at least two weeks.

General Natthaphon did not specifically state what restrictions would be on the table or possibilities. He noted that the current cases of Covid-19 were over 90% asymptomatic, with most people affected being 18-29 years old. He stated, however, the concern would be cases spreading to the elderly or vulnerable.

On Friday, April 16th, 2021, the proposals will be brought to a full-scale meeting of the CCSA and relevant agencies the Ministry of Public Health at 1:30 P.M. that will be led by Prime Minister Prayut Chan O'Cha and done via video conferencing. It is possible announcements may be made immediately following the meeting.

Provincial governors have already made some closure decisions in the high-risk provinces, with Hua Hin and Chiang Mai stopping alcohol sales in restaurants for instance, or Chonburi closing cinemas.

The Pattaya News will keep you updated as more information is released. As of press time, only entertainment venues and cinemas/theaters remain closed in Chonburi, with no quarantine or entry rules to enter or leave the province.

Si Racha –

A brand new baby hippopotamus at the Khao Kheow Open Zoo in Si Racha got her name this week officially and is now called 'Moo Wan'. (Sweet Pork)

The baby is a female hippo who was born on January 14^th. The hippo is very healthy, according to zoo officials, and has become a major attraction for the park. The name of the baby hippo was up for voting from the public with prizes on the line.

Read more about our previous story in the link below.

https://thepattayanews.com/2021/02/27/khao-kheow-open-zoo-in-si-racha-welcomes-new-baby-hippo-holds-contest-for-name/

Mr. Taewin Rattanawongsawat, who is the director of the Khao Kheow Open Zoo, told The Pattaya News, "We got more than 20,000 votes from people in Thailand."

"The 'Moo Wan' name had the highest votes. After we ran a raffle for those who voted for a cash grand prize, we got the winner who is Ms. Namfon Viriyapongpan from Bangkok. She received a cash prize for 3,000 baht." Taewin stated.

"Another 10 prizes are zoo tickets. Check out the prize winners at our Facebook page 'สวนสัตว์เปิดเขาเขียว Khao Kheow Open Zoo' or call 0-3831-8444 ext. 212." Taewin added.

"We are keeping strict hygienic measurements during the Covid -19 pandemic. Tourists who are visiting the zoo have to follow these precautions, such as wearing a mask and social distancing as well as limiting the crowd sizes who visit the zoo." Taewin concluded.

April 14, 2021

Beware giant snakes in Pattaya floodwaters

April 14, 2021

Animal-control authorities managed to corral the huge python before anyone was hurt.

Pattaya's often-raging floodwaters carry more danger than just property damage.

A resident of the Five December Community off Soi Siam Country Club said April 11 that he saw a four-meter-long python swimming in storm runoff from Sunday's big storm.

Community President Surin Yimyai contacted animal-control authorities who arrived in time to find the snake and took it away before anyone was hurt.

Residents watch in awe as the scene unfolds.

These snakes are beautiful creatures – when seen from a distance.

NNT file photo for reference only

As of Wednesday, at least 42 Thai provinces now have some form of entry restrictions for travellers from so-called high risk locations.

However, the restrictions vary quite drastically from province to province.

Lampang, Phichit and Ubon Ratchathani were the latest provinces to announce restrictions on arrivals.

Requirements for travellers from Bangkok, Pathum Thani, Nonthaburi, Samut Prakan, Nakhon Pathom and in some cases, Chiang Mai, range from being required to self quarantine for 14 days, take a rapid COVID-19 test or confirm whereabouts to local health officials.

Some provinces only require quarantine for people from certain districts in Bangkok, namely Bang Khae, Klong Toey and Wattana, as well as Pathum Thani, Nonthaburi, Samut Prakan.

Whereas other provinces only require quarantine for those who visited high risk venues - mainly the Thonglor bars and nightclubs - which have been confirmed as the source of the major cluster discovered in the capital.

In many provinces, self quarantine is not required if a person takes a rapid COVID test and tests negative.

If you do still plan to travel, the advice is to seek the latest information regarding your destination province before you begin your journey.

The situation is fluid and is ever changing, so try to get as up to date information as you can prior to your departure.

Provinces enforcing entry restrictions for travellers are:

North:

Chiang Mai, Kamphaeng Phet, Lampang, Lamphun, Nan, Phayao, Phetchabun, Phichit, Phitsanulok, Phrae, Tak, Uttaradit.

Northeast:

Amnat Charoen, Bueng Kan, Buri Ram, Chaiyaphum, Khon Kaen, Mahasarakham, Mukdahan, Nakhon Phanom, Nakhon Ratchasima, Nong Bua Lam Phu, Nong Khai, Sakon Nakhon, Ubon Ratchathani, Udon Thani, Yasothon.

Central, East and West:

Chainat, Lopburi, Nakhon Sawan, Sa Kaeo, Saraburi, Sing Buri, Uthai Thani

South:

Chumphon, Narathiwat, Pattani, Phangnga, Ranong, Satun, Songkhla, Trang

Meanwhile, in Prachuap Khiri Khan, where on Tuesday the total number of cases surpassed 300, officials are only requesting quarantine from people who visited high risk venues.

In Phuket, officials have said quarantine is not neededfor arrivals from high risk areas.

In Surat Thani, quarantine is not required but people entering the province need to scan in the 'Save Surat' QR code.

Picture: Bangkok Biz News

There are no plans to implement a nationwide lockdown in order to tackle the latest wave of COVID-19 infections in Thailand, officials have said.

On Tuesday, Dr Opas Karnkawinpong head of Thailand's Department of Disease Control (DDC) said that there were no plans to enforce a nationwide lockdown.

However, further restrictions, including the lockdown of provinces with high numbers of confirmed cases is being considered by the government.

On Wednesday, National Security Council General Natthaphon Nakaphanich reiterated that the government has been discussing possibly imposing provincial lockdown measures, namely in Bangkok and the surrounding areas, Chiang Mai and Prachuap Khiri Khan.

According to Bangkok Biz News, officials are reluctant to impose a national lockdown in order to avert adversely affecting people in areas where the outbreak is not so severe.

Provinces with the most #COVID19 cases as of midnight last night:
1. Bangkok: 1,689
2. Chiang Mai: 880
3. Chonburi: 594
4. Samut Prakan: 416
5. Narathiwat: 304
6. Prachuap Khiri Khan: 265
7. Samut Sakhon: 166
8: Pathum Thani: 124
9. Sa Kaeo 105
#โควิด19 #โควิดวันนี้ #Thailand

Thailand News - Corona - By Ola J. - Palmtree

fredag 16 april 2021

PHUKET: Cherng Talay remains the only subdistrict on the island that has yet to record a confirmed infection of COVID-19 during the current outbreak - Phuket News

103 cases of Covid-19 added in Chonburi today says Public Health Department - Pattaya News

Covid UPDATE: 1,582 new infections announced, more restrictions on the way | Thaiger

Nation will use AstraZeneca, despite blood-clot fears -Bangkok Post

FRIDAY UPDATE: There will be the usual press briefing by the Ministry of Public Health at 11:30am this morning. Then at 1:30pm, the prime minister will chair a CCSA meeting to discuss bringing in more restrictions. This will be followed at 4:00pm by a briefing in Thai and English. Richard Barrow

torsdag 15 april 2021

Proposals that have come from today's small scale CCSA meeting in Bangkok before a full meeting tomorrow with the Thai Prime Minister in terms of restrictions. Pattaya News

Inget ont som inte har något gott med sig....

15/4

Covid spreaders to face legal action 👏👏👏👏👏👏 Infected woman took local flight to South 😡😡😡😡😡😡

BIRTHS IN THAILAND - The Nation

The province of Chonburi has 97 confirmed and new cases of Covid-19 today Thursday, 15 April 2021, 9:05. Pattaya News

Thais spent almost half the day on the internet on average in 2020, partly driven by the pandemic, while Facebook, YouTube and Line remained the most popular social media platforms in Thailand, according to a survey by the Electronic Transactions Development Agency (ETDA). Bangkok Post

Malls, shops told to shut by 9pm - Bangkok Post

onsdag 14 april 2021

Thai Government to discuss further “targeted” restrictions for Covid-19 Thursday and Friday for high-risk provinces, including Chonburi Wednesday, 14 April 2021, 21:43. Pattaya News

All shopping malls in Thailand will close by 9pm from Thursday (April 15) until further notice, the Thai Retailers Association and Thai Shopping Centre Association said on Wednesday. #ShoppingMall #ThailandNews - The Nation

April 1st - 14th. The Nation

New baby hippo at Khao Kheow Zoo in Si Racha gets her name after 20,000 votes from Thai residents - Pattaya News

Beware giant snakes in Pattaya floodwaters - Pattaya Mail

Domestic Covid-19 cases in Thailand April 14th. NBT World

At least 42 provinces now have entry restrictions for travellers - Thai Visa

Govt not considering nationwide lockdown - provincial lockdown more likely - Thai Visa

Provinces with the most #COVID19 cases as of midnight last night - Richard Barrows

14/4 ! 😢😱😢😱😢😱😢😱

Bangkok Post - Flood warning for lower Chao Phraya River basin provinces including Greater Bangkok

Om mig