Fears grow that the UK’s Mexican travel ban could spread to Thailand. Concerns are rising that the sudden inclusion of Mexico on the UK’s list of banned destinations could soon apply to Thailand as well. Pattaya Mail

Fears grow that the UK's Mexican travel ban could spread to Thailand

Barry KenyonAugust 7, 2021

The notorious British traffic lights travel system is in the doghouse again.

Concerns are rising that the sudden inclusion of Mexico on the UK's list of banned destinations could soon apply to Thailand as well. The UK has a traffic lights system of grading countries green, amber or no-go red according to the government's assessment of Covid risk. Starting August 8, anyone travelling from Mexico to the UK will be subject on landing to 10 days compulsory quarantine in a state-recognized hotel at a cost of 2,285 pounds for a single traveller.



There are about 6,000 British tourists in Mexico, according to a report in the Evening Standard, and the announcement on August 4 gave only four days' notice before implementation. Panic then broke out in Mexican holiday resorts as Brits desperately tried to change their return flights in a hurry, often with a supplement of an extra 2,000 pounds. But thousands are still stuck in Mexico, fuming at what they perceive as the British government's incompetence and insensitivity. Transport Minister Grant Shapps has denied the accusations, arguing that the traffic lights actually simplify international travelling.

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Fears that Thailand could suffer the same fate draw on the fact that the Philippines have been on the red list since the grading system was introduced. Although the Philippines has more known infections and Covid-related deaths than Thailand, the Land of Smiles is rapidly catching up. In the last 24 hours, for example, Thailand posted around 21,000 new infections compared with 8,000 in the neighboring archipelago. According to the Center for Strategic and International Studies, the Philippines has 10 percent of its population fully vaccinated, compared with 6 percent in Thailand, even though the former has a larger population.

Has he chosen a green, amber or red destination?

Currently, Thailand is graded amber, or medium risk. Fully vaccinated Brits are not required to undertake any kind of quarantine once they return home, but must take PCR tests before and after their flight. British government travel advice has now deleted former warnings that travel to Thailand is "discouraged" – apart from to the secessionist-hit southern provinces. It does include the strong suggestion that visitors buy insurance in advance, but that is superfluous commentary since medical cover of at least US$100,000 is required to obtain a certificate of entry from the Thai embassy in London.




Warnings that Thailand could well switch to red at any time are loud and clear. Even the office of the Thai Tourist Authority in UK warned about the possibility last week. Mark Green, who heads a travel consortium, said British tourists have led the field in supporting the Phuket Sandbox, but probably not for much longer. The World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC) has described the UK's entire traffic light system as "hugely damaging" and is calling for it to be abandoned.

Virginia Messina, spokesperson for WTTC, said, "What's needed now is a watertight policy enabling those who have been fully jabbed to travel freely and not to have to isolate on return. Those who are not fully vaccinated should be able to travel with proof of a negative test, as we are seeing in the European Union." Well said Virginia.



Thailand plans Sinopharm vaccination drive for children and teenagers. Pattaya Mail

Thailand plans Sinopharm vaccination drive for children and teenagers

Pattaya MailAugust 7, 2021

CRA secretary-general Nithi Mahanonda said the academy is preparing to propose, to Thailand's Food and Drug Administration (TFDA), the approval of the use of the Sinopharm vaccine on children and teenagers.

Thailand's Chulabhorn Royal Academy (CRA) plans to expand its Sinopharm vaccination drive to include young children and teenagers aged 3-17, following approval to vaccinate younger people by the Chinese government.

CRA secretary-general Nithi Mahanonda said the academy is preparing to propose, to Thailand's Food and Drug Administration (TFDA), the approval of the use of the Sinopharm vaccine on children and teenagers.



He said all people should be vaccinated, to achieve complete protection, as research suggests that vaccinated people can still contract the coronavirus from unvaccinated people. Although children are much more likely to suffer mildsymptoms, they can easily transmit the virus to older and more vulnerable people, so their vaccinations should not be overlooked.

According to the CRA, some vaccines, including Sinopharm, have been looked at for use on infants as young as three months old, up to children aged under 12. Currently, vaccines have only been administered to people aged 18 and over. (NNT)

As Covid-19 outbreaks shut down factories and food processing plants and pull infected workers off the job, Thailand now faces the possibility of food supply shortages. Thaiger



Food shortages beginning as Covid-19 limits production

By 

Neill Fronde

Saturday, August 7, 2021 11:37

As Covid-19 outbreaks shut down factories and food processing plants and pull infected workers off the job, Thailand now faces the possibility of food supply shortages. Markets and supermarkets are beginning to see reductions in available stock after nearly 100 food processing plants across the country have been closed or partially closed with production capacity reduced.

Some markets are closing because of a lack of supply of foods to sell. In other public markets, many stalls have closed and ones that remain open often run out of stock, unable to cater to all their customers' demands. Food suppliers with shortages are decreasing the frequency of their deliveries and only delivering a fraction of the quantities ordered to ration stocks that are not keeping up with demand.

The scarcity has also started to drive food prices up with one local vendor saying chicken prices have increased at least 5 baht due to supply shortages and closed processing plants. Shoppers are beginning to feel the squeeze as they find less choice and higher prices at their local markets and supermarkets. Photos are appearing on social media of even big corporations like 7-11 with nearly empty shelves.

Staples like meat, noodles, milk, snacks, sauces, sweets, sausages, and instant meals are often in short supply and shoppers are commenting that they normally stock up, but stores don't have enough now to do that so they just buy what they can when they can. Last year at the outbreak of Covid-19, the government urged people to stay calm and promised there would be no shortages on staple food items like these, even if lockdowns lasted a year.

Food processing plants are trying to keep operating while still keeping employees safe from Covid-19 outbreaks, using the Bubble and Seal technique that seals off infected workers, according to the President of the Thai Food Processor Association. That, along with active testing being performed frequently to stay on top of any emerging cluster, allows factories to continue, even if they must reduce production, a solution far better than pushing ahead at full steam only to be completely closed by a Covid-19 outbreak.

The president of the Thai Wholesale and Retail Trade Association said that many food processing plants have seen 20 to 30% reductions in production capacity. This reduction is negatively complemented by increased demand for groceries as much of the nation is under partial lockdown measures, increasing the amount of home-cooked meals and in-home dining and snacks, creating food shortages.

SOURCE: Thai PBS World

Thailand well on the way to vaccinating 70% of population - vaccine in every province, says Anutin - Anutin's claims can be treated with a degree of skepticism, if not outright fake news, suggests ASEAN NOW who note many reports of unavailability of vaccine in the provinces according to many posts on its forums. ASEAN NOW

Picture: INN

 

Thailand's health minister and DPM Anutin Charnvirakul was upbeat in a visit to Thanyaburi Hospital in Rangsit north of the Thai capital Bangkok yesterday.

 

The embattled minister came bearing gifts - 10,000 doses of Sinovac and Pfizer vaccines - the former for the local authority, the latter for the hospital itself. 

 

They are intended for frontline medical staff reported INN. 

 

Anutin claimed that Thailand was well on the way to the target of achieving 70% of the population vaccinated and further asserted that every province now has vaccine. 

 

He said that he was spending his time making sure that everyone got a jab and ensuring the sick were looked after. 

 

INN made absolutely no attempt to fact-check these claims, notes ASEAN NOW. 

 

Latest figures show that only a small proportion of Thais - mostly in the medical profession - have received two jabs and numbers of one jabbed people remain low, mostly the elderly, people with underlying health problems and pregnant women.

 

Anutin's claims can be treated with a degree of skepticism, if not outright fake news, suggests ASEAN NOW who note many reports of unavailability of vaccine in the provinces according to many posts on its forums. 

 

The Chonburi Department of Public Health announced 1,417 new and confirmed cases of Covid-19 today with nine deaths - The Pattaya News

Chonburi announces 1,417 Covid-19 cases with nine deaths

Saturday, 7 August 2021, 10:59

Chonburi –

The Chonburi Department of Public Health announced 1,417 new and confirmed cases of Covid-19 today with nine deaths, August 7th.

This makes a total of 34,861 cases of Covid-19 in the current round of infections, with 16,988 still under medical care/supervision, and with a total of 165 recorded deaths in Chonburi since the start of this recent round of infections in early April. The details on yesterday's nine new deaths were not given, which is standard for the health department.

Additionally, 776 people were also released and recovered yesterday in Chonburi. 17,708 people in total have now been released from medical care and recovered in Chonburi since this current wave began.

The district-level new cases were as follows today:

Mueang Chonburi 290, Si Racha 399, Banglamung (Pattaya) 244, Panat Nikhom 85, Sattahip 14, Ban Bueang 138, Pan Thong 91, Bor Thong 20, Ko Chan 28, Nong Yai 14, and 94 new cases transferred from other provinces for medical care.

The details on the cases are as follows:

1. A risky occupation, meeting a lot of people- 34 cases
2. 14 medical staff
3. Provided a history of traveling to Bangkok – 2 cases
4. Many enterprises in Rayong province, 50 cases
5. Close contacts of confirmed patients, in families – 386 cases, in workplaces – 381 cases, close friends, 22 cases, and parties- 2 cases
6. Close contacts of confirmed patients (under investigation), 123 cases
7. 403 cases are under investigation in general

A total of 1,623 close contact searches were received today with 228 initial proactive searches, and more proactive search reports are pending.

There are currently, in Chonburi, clusters of Covid-19 at 21 establishments and five markets, 10 construction worker camps, and four communities. TPN media notes that this cluster information appears to be outdated but is what was provided by authorities.

Govt 'sorry' for Phuket murder Police ramp up efforts to find culprit. Timeline! Bangkok Post

Govt 'sorry' for Phuket murder

Security camera footage shows Nicole Sauvain-Weisskopf, 57, walking alone past Ao Yon beach at 11.33am on Tuesday, towards Ao Yon waterfall in Muang district, Phuket. (Photo supplied)

The government has expressed sorrow over the murder of a Swiss government official in Phuket as police investigators ramped up their efforts to catch her killer.

Nicole Sauvain-Weisskopf, the 57-year-old deputy protocol chief of the Federal Assembly of Switzerland, was found dead wearing only a T-shirt and jacket at Tone Ao Yon waterfall in tambon Vichit of Muang district in Phuket on Thursday afternoon.

The woman had arrived at Phuket airport on July 13 as a tourist under the Phuket Sandbox scheme, which began on July 1.

Andrea Kotas Tammathin, the Swiss Honorary Consul in Phuket, said she was shocked by the murder.

Foreigners normally visit Thailand on the understanding it was a safe country.

"I feel very sad and have great sympathy for the woman who arrived as a tourist and died because of the actions of a bad person. I call on police to arrest the culprit as soon as possible," Ms Tammathin said.

Government spokesman Anucha Buraphachaisri said that Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha had extended his condolences to the victim's family.

"The prime minister instructed agencies involved to investigate and arrest the culprit as quickly as possible," Mr Anucha said.

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Don Pramudwinai also extended his condolences to the victim's family.

Mr Don phoned the Swiss ambassador to Thailand to express his sympathy directly, according to Tanee Sangrat, spokesman for the Foreign Ministry.

Phuket governor Narong Woonciew extended his heartfelt condolences over the tragedy.

"On behalf of Phuket province and the people of Phuket, I would like to express deep and sincere condolences to the family and friends of Ms Nicole and to the Swiss Confederation," the governor said.

Meanwhile, Pol Lt Gen Kitrat Phanphet, commander of Provincial Police Region 8, said that some of the people police are looking at in their investigation are migrants and ex-prisoners in the island province.

Police are working to determine whether the Swiss woman was killed elsewhere and her body dumped, or whether she was killed at the crime scene.

National police chief Pol Gen Suwat Jangyodsuk flew to Phuket on Friday with a large team of experienced detectives and forensic experts from Bangkok to head the investigation.

"Based on an initial investigation, police believe it was murder," he said.

Pol Gen Suwat said surveillance camera footage showed the victim heading alone towards the crime scene, which is a tourist attraction.

He was waiting for the official autopsy report to determine how she died.

Dr Chalermpong Sukhonthaphol, director of Vachira Phuket Hospital, said forensic doctors at the hospital examined the body on Thursday.

However, the Institute of Forensic Medicine of the Royal Thai Police will do another autopsy.

"Many things have yet to be done. In a murder case, DNA, blood and bodily fluids must be sent to Bangkok to find the cause of death as soon as possible," the doctor said.

The death of the Swiss woman has shaken tourist confidence and affected the Phuket sandbox scheme, says the Tourism and Sports Ministry.

Tourism and Sports Minister Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn said that the ministry has a fund to compensate foreign visitors who have accidents or die in Thailand, with compensation of up to 1 million baht each.

Sauvain-Weisskopf was found dead among rocks about one kilometre from the entrance to the Ao Yon waterfall in tambon Vichit on Thursday afternoonby Natthapong Seedam, 31, a local resident.

The Swiss woman's body was found under the water covered with a black sheet, with her feet sticking out of the water.

Police estimated she had died three days previously.

Also read: Swiss victim's timeline to murder

Editorial: The shame of Thai tourism

‼️NEW HIGH - #COVID19 Update on Saturday: 21,838 new cases and 212 deaths. Richard Barrow



Bangkok Post highlights 7/8



Dagens Tio i topp. PRD



🟣 Situation updated for children infected with #COVID19: 📌 New cases: +2,469 📌 Total since 1st January: 70,153 🇹🇭 Top 5 locations today: 1️⃣ Bangkok +533 2️⃣ Samut Prakan +168 3️⃣ Chonburi +163 4️⃣ Samut Sakhon +86 5️⃣ Pathum Thani +74. Richard Barrow



Thailand is pinning its hopes on a tourist recovery next year. Of course, Thailand hasn’t given up. After a poor start, the government is at last managing to buy large stocks of vaccines even though the registration bureaucracies are often a minefield of confusion. The aim is to vaccinate fully 70 percent of the population by the end of the year, a goal which looks unlikely but not impossible. - Pattaya Mail

Thailand is pinning its hopes on a tourist recovery next year

Barry KenyonAugust 6, 2021

The virus has hit Thai commercial activity very hard.

Prior to the pandemic, the Thai baht was the strongest currency performer in Asia. It is now the worst, after a third wave of virus infections has quashed all hopes of a quick revival because of the loss of international tourist dollars. The Japanese Mizuho bank noted that the underperformance of the baht was "uncharacteristic": the Thai currency has plunged 10 percent against the US dollar in the last twelve months. Even more against the UK pound.



The huge current account surplus of US$40bn reported before the pandemic has now turned into a US$2.2bn deficit which Asia research for ANZ bank in Singapore described as "unprecedented." Fueled by the more dangerous Delta variant, known cases of infection are already 20,000 plus daily with no sign the spike is ending. There are semi-lockdown restrictions on work, travel and entertainment in Bangkok and a swath of other dark-red provinces including Chonburi – which includes Pattaya.

Thai airports are still largely empty spaces.

Of course, Thailand hasn't given up. After a poor start, the government is at last managing to buy large stocks of vaccines even though the registration bureaucracies are often a minefield of confusion. The aim is to vaccinate fully 70 percent of the population by the end of the year, a goal which looks unlikely but not impossible. The pilot Sandbox scheme, designed to admit vaccinated foreign tourists without quarantine, is still alive but is unlikely to spread nationally in October as originally planned. Next year is a more likely scenario.

Meanwhile, the Thai banking system is also planning for the future. For example, Krungsri (Bank of Ayudhya plc) posted a half-year 2021 profit of 21 billion baht and is investing heavily in next-generation banking experience and high business growth enterprises. Bangkok Bank posted a net profit of just over 13 billion baht in the first half of this year and points out that the country's continuing exports to key trading partners (especially electronics, agricultural products and machinery) are the key to eventual economic recovery. The Kasikorn research center says that all major banks are involved in debt restructuring for retail customers currently unable to repay their loans.



The economic revival of Thailand in 2022 depends essentially on three factors. Firstly, solid progress must continue to be made on the vaccination front. Secondly, the global trajectory of Covid-19 must improve to the extent that tourism can revive. Thirdly, the Thai government must fully disburse the 500 billion baht fiscal response package that has already been agreed. In spite of what pessimists say, there is light at the end of the tunnel. But 2021, to be realistic, is a write-off.



The body of Nicole Sauvain-Weisskopf, 57, assistant protocol chief of the Federal Assembly of Switzerland, was found at the Ao Yon waterfall in tambon Vichit of Phuket’s Muang district on Thursday afternoon. The Nation

National Police chief in Phuket to investigate murder of Swiss national

National Police chief Pol General Suwat Jangyodsuk landed in Phuket on Friday to personally investigate the alleged killing of a Swiss government official.

The body of Nicole Sauvain-Weisskopf, 57, assistant protocol chief of the Federal Assembly of Switzerland, was found at the Ao Yon waterfall in tambon Vichit of Phuket's Muang district on Thursday afternoon.

She was found wearing only a T-shirt and jacket, while a mobile phone, a pair of blue sports shoes and a black backpack were found nearby. Police said she appeared to have been raped and murdered, though there were no visible injuries on the body.

Reports say Sauvain-Weisskopf had been missing since Tuesday.

The police chief said he and his team will investigate the case and hunt down the suspects.

Foreign Minister Don Pramudwinai called the Swiss ambassador to extend his condolences earlier in the day. The Phuket governor also called the ambassador, promising to hunt down the murderers as soon as possible.

Government spokesman Anucha Burapachaisri said later that Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha also extended his condolences and ordered that the murderer be found quickly. The PM also said protection for tourists must be improved for the sake of the economy.

CHON BURI: The rate of Covid-19 infection remains high in Chon Buri province, with another 1,325 new cases and one death reported on Friday. Bangkok Post

Chon Buri Covid infection rate remains high, one death

A man has his blood pressure checked before getting a Covid-19 vaccine shot at Pattaya City Hospital in Pattay beach town, Bang Lamung district of Chon Buri, on July 22. (Photo: @Prpattayacity Facebook page)

CHON BURI: The rate of Covid-19 infection remains high in Chon Buri province, with another 1,325 new cases and one death reported on Friday.

The number of daily cases has now surpassed 1,000 on seven consecutive days.

The new infections brought the provincial total to 33,444 cases of which 16,932 have already recovered, with 727 discharged over the past 24 hours. A total of 16,356 remained at hospitals.

The latest death brought the total to 156, the Chon Buri public health office said in an update posted on its Facebook page on Friday.

Of the 1,325 new cases, 395 caught the disease from other family members and 103 from colleagues. 

Ninety-one cases were from five clusters – Damoa Electronics (Thailand) Co in Si Racha district (43), Xcellent Manufacturing (Thailand) Co in Bang Lamung district (15), Thai Nok in Muang district (17),  Mitsubishi Electric Consumer Products (Thailand) Co in Muang district (11), and Amagasaki Pipe Co in Muang district (5). 

Thirty-four were medical workers, 30 were in at-risk occupations and 20 were from workplaces in Rayong province.

Five patients told officials they had travelled to at-risk provinces – Bangkok (4) and Nonthaburi (1).

Twenty came into contact with infected people close to them and four attended a party.

Another 364 people came into contact with other confirmed cases and were still under disease investigation. The remaining 346 were being investigated, the provincial public health office said.

Muang district logged the highest number of new cases (353), followed by Si Racha (301), Bang Lamung (223), Ban Bung (121), and Phan Thong (112).  The remaining cases were in other districts.

From July 31 to Aug 5, Chon Buri reported 1,062, 1,147, 1,141, 1,359, 1,678, and 1,312  new cases, respectively.

The province has set up 73 community isolation centres in 11 districts with a combined 3,146 beds to accommodate Covid-19 infected patients in the green group with mild symptoms and those who were unable to self-quarantine at home, according to the Chon Buri public relations office Facebook page.

Thailand bans coral-damaging sunscreens. Bangkok Jack

Thailand bans coral-damaging sunscreens

Thailand have banned sunscreens containing chemicals that damage coral reefs from its marine national parks.

August 6, 2021

Beach image

The kingdom's sandy beaches have long been popular destinations for millions of tourists but concerns are growing that the lotions they use as protection from the tropical sun are harming delicate, slow-growing corals.

An order came into force on Wednesday banning lotions containing oxybenzone, octinoxate, 4-methylbenzylidene camphor or butylparaben from Thailand's marine national parks.

The announcement said the science showed the chemicals "deteriorate coral reefs, destroy coral larvae, obstruct their reproductive system and cause coral reef bleaching".

Thailand follows the Pacific island of Palau and the US state of Hawaii which have already imposed similar bans.

Violators face a fine of up to 100,000 Thai baht ($3,000) though officials have not said how they plan to enforce the ban.

Thailand's key tourism sector has been devastated by the pandemic as the government imposed tough entry restrictions as part of efforts to curb the virus. – AFP

👍👍👍👍Thai baht continues in the right direction, for expats. Bangkok Jack

Thailand's baht declined to its lowest for five-years as the government's over-reaction to the relatively milddelta coronavirus variant strangles the economy.

The baht breached last year's low of 33.187, to reach 33.188, its weakest level since Oct. 31, 2018.

The Bank of Thailand kept its benchmark rate unchanged on Wednesday, but cut its growth forecast for the year to 0.7%, two months after lowering it to 1.8%.

"We have been bearish on the baht due to the resurgence in Covid cases not just in Thailand but regionally," said Charlie Lay, a currency analyst in Singapore at Commerzbank AG.

"As long as the delta variant (hysteria) continues to spread, the bias is still down for the baht."

Thailand's currency has already fallen 9.8% so far this year, to become the worst performer among major Asian economies, as pandemic and political unrest hit the tourism-dependent economy disproportionately hard.

Some analysts are already expecting a rate cut later in the year on the 'risk that the economy may be heading for a second straight annual contraction.'

May be heading? We think that is already a cast-iron certainty.

ÄNTLIGEN !!!! Government to allow private sector to import 25 million Covid-19 vaccine doses. The Thaiger



Government to allow private sector to import 25 million Covid-19 vaccine doses

By 

Maya Taylor

Friday, August 6, 2021 11:11

PM Prayut Chan-o-cha has called on the private sector to import 20 – 25 million alternative Covid-19 vaccines, expected to arrive during the third quarter of this year. With the Delta variant now the dominant strain in the Kingdom and daily new infections topping 20,000, the government is paving the way for the private sector to import vaccines without the involvement of government agencies.

Nation Thailand reports that the PM has created a working group and assigned a number of private companies to import the Sputnik V and Johnson and Johnson vaccines to provide a much-needed boost to vaccination efforts. So far, just 6% of the population has been vaccinated through the government rollout.

Until now, all Covid-19 vaccines have had to be imported through government ministries and agencies, such as the Department of Disease Control, the National Vaccine Institute, and the Government Pharmaceutical Organisation. A dearth of vaccines has led to fierce criticism of the PM and his administration, as infections continue to surge in Thailand's worst wave since the start of the pandemic. The government has been slammed for relying almost solely on China's Sinovac vaccine and locally-produced doses of AstraZeneca. Studies have shown that Sinovac's efficacy is lowered against the Delta variant, while delays and shortages have dogged local production of AstraZeneca.

According to the Nation Thailand report, a senior hospital executive has welcomed the decision to allow the private sector to import vaccines without red tape or the need for a government middle-man. He adds that vaccines already registered in Thailand, such as Pfizer and Johnson and Johnson, can be imported more quickly. While Russia's Sputnik V vaccine is not yet registered in the Kingdom, registration is expected imminently.

Meanwhile, 3.9 million doses of the Moderna vaccine have been ordered through the Government Pharmaceutical Organisation – bad news for those who booked and paid for one of 9.23 million doses at private hospitals. The reduction in the number of doses ordered by the GPO means 50% of paying customers will need to be refunded

From July 2-13, Jaruwan Vanasin bought 950,000 shares in Thonburi Healthcare Group. On July 14, her husband, Boon Vanasin, the chairman of THG, announced the company was buying 20 million doses of Pfizer Inc.’s coronavirus vaccine, THG’s shares soared and Jaruwan made a cool 2.85 million profit. The only problem? There is no deal. Now the Securities and Exchange Commission wants answers. Bangkok Herald





THG Chairman Got Rich on Fake Pfizer Deal Claim; Now SEC Wants Answers

6 August 2021

From July 2-13, Jaruwan Vanasin bought 950,000 shares in Thonburi Healthcare Group. On July 14, her husband, Boon Vanasin, the chairman of THG, announced the company was buying 20 million doses of Pfizer Inc.'s coronavirus vaccine, THG's shares soared and Jaruwan made a cool 2.85 million profit.

The only problem? There is no deal. Now the Securities and Exchange Commission wants answers.

On Thursday, the SEC ordered Boon and THG to provide and explain his supposed agreement with the Defense Ministry to import the Covid-19 vaccines from Pfizer. The answer should be interesting as both the defense officials and Pfizer executives both have denied such an agreement ever existed.

What does exist, however, is damning – albeit circumstantial – evidence that the Vanasins engaged in one of the most bold-faced – and poorly disguised – insider trading scams in history.

At first it appeared Boon's bold claim about buying the much-coveted Covid-19 vaccine was just an attempt to pump up his ego. Then the other shoe dropped and his wife's new US$86,000 stiletto punctured any visage that Boon was just being a well-intending blowhard.

Adding insult to injury, Boon later claimed THG lost a 600-million-baht when the "purchase" deal fell apart last month. Again, he's the only one claiming there ever was a deal.

The SEC, in a statement, said Thursday that "contradicting information might cause misunderstand and have impacts on shareholders' benefits, investors' decisions and share prices".

The commission ordered Boon to come clean within seven days.

According to SEC securities and derivatives holding reports – which corporate executives must file when trading shares in their own companies – Jaruwan bought 950,000 THG shares in eight separate transactions in the 11 days before Boon's bogus announcement at an average share price of 29 baht.

As soon as BBC Thai reported Boon's claim about importing the highly sought mRNA vaccine from Pfizer-BionTech, THG's share price shot up 13 percent on July 15 and closed at 32 baht on July 20. That netted Jaruwan a profit of 2.85 million baht.

SEC officials said two weeks ago that an investigation into Jaruwan's trades was likely. The SEC is now working with the Stock Exchange of Thailand, with the SET collecting prelliinary data for a deeper probe.

If the agency concludes the couple engaged in illegal insider trading, it will prosecute.

In its statement to the SET, THG insisted the stock trades were legitimate as was its deal to import the vaccines. The company said it would up the the stock exchange when it obtained a date on which the Pfizer drugs would arrive.

Nearly half of businesses expect normal Thai life to resume in the first quarter of next year, according to a Bank of Thailand survey. Bangkok Post

BoT: Firms expect normalcy in Q1 2022

The Siam skytrain station is empty during the lockdown in the capital. Wichan Charoenkiatpakul

Nearly half of businesses expect normal Thai life to resume in the first quarter of next year, according to a Bank of Thailand survey.

The business sentiment index, which was conducted from July 1-22 on 260 businesses of all sizes, found 45% of respondents expect public confidence in spending life outside the home, including travelling as normal, will resume when new daily Covid-19 infections fall below 50, which they anticipate will happen in the first quarter of 2022.

Some 24% of respondents said they expect lives to return to normal when new infections are 51-100 per day, while 16% expect this shift at 101-500 cases, with 15% looking at 501-1,000 new cases.

A total of 34% of respondents expected normal life to resume in the first quarter of 2022, while 26% predicted the second half of 2022, 18% the fourth quarter of 2021, 11% the second quarter of 2022, and 10% the third quarter of 2021.

Just over one-fifth, or 22.8%, of respondents said they had enough liquidity to cover business operations for the next 3-6 months, while 19.9% said they were prepared for the next six months to one year. Some 12.6% reporting having enough cash to last less than three months.

The survey found the liquidity of businesses in July barely changed from the previous month.

However, the level of business recovery in all industries in July declined from the previous month, mainly due to the prolonged pandemic and the government's tougher measures to contain new infections. In particular, the tourism, construction and retail sectors reported weaker recovery rates.

In July, tourism had the lowest recovery level at 46.8%, followed by 63.1% for real estate and construction, 66.9% for trade, 72.2% for services excluding tourism, and 77.6% for the manufacturing sector.

The government extended its lockdown and curfew measures for two more weeks and added 16 provinces to its "strict control zones", representing areas hit hardest by the pandemic. The curfew is from 9pm–4am, affecting a total of 29 provinces.

The employment recovery level of all business sectors in July was steady from the previous month, excluding tourism and construction.

Many tourism businesses closed temporarily, in line with plunging foreign tourist arrivals.

‼️NEW HIGH - #COVID19 Update on Friday: 21,379 new cases and 191 deaths. 2 Aug: 17,970 - 178 dead 3 Aug: 18,901 - 147 dead 4 Aug: 20,200 - 188 dead 5 Aug: 20,920 - 160 dead. Richard Barrow



Bangkok Post highlights 6/8



Press Briefing of the Centre for COVID-19 Situation Administration (CCSA) on August 05, 2021. NNT

 Press Briefing of the Centre for COVID-19 Situation Administration (CCSA) on August 05, 2021

• From February 28 to August 02, 2021, Thailand has already administered 19 million doses of vaccines
• The British embassy in Bangkok yesterday handed over 415,000 doses of AstraZeneca vaccine, donated by the UK, to Department of Disease Control at Suvarnabhumi airport
• As of July 31, 2021, over 280,075 foreigners in Thailand have been administered with COVID-19 vaccines. These include diplomatic corps, those being vaccinated through organizational arrangement, representatives of international organizations, foreign media, expats in particular organizations and foreign nationals aged 60 and over.
• The Ministry of Foreign Ministry in hands with the Ministry of Public Health have launched a new registration platform for foreign nationals of all ages in Thailand to register for vaccination via https://expatvac.consular.go.th
• COVID-19 situations in Thailand (+20,920)
• www.Thailandintervac.com will no longer accept registration for COVID-19 vaccination, however it will provide the latest updates on alternative vaccine options for foreigners residing in Thailand

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CHON BURI: Seven more Covid-19 deaths and 1,312 new infections were reported in this eastern province on Thursday, with the spread of the disease showing no sign of abating. Bangkok Post

Chon Buri reports 7 more Covid deaths, 1,312 new infections

People have their blood pressure checked before receiving a Covid-19 vaccine shot at Pattaya City Hospital in Pattay beach town, Bang Lamung district of Chon Buri, on July 22. (Photo: @Prpattayacity Facebook page)

CHON BURI: Seven more Covid-19 deaths and 1,312 new infections were reported in this eastern province on Thursday, with the spread of the disease showing no sign of abating.

Of the new cases, 395 caught the virus from other family members and 261 from colleagues, the Chon Buri public relations office said in an update posted on its Facebook page on Thursday.

Forty-three infections were from five clusters – Sung Chul Hitech Co in Si Racha district (12), Amorn Nakhon Market in Bang Lamung district (11), Xcellent Manufacturing (Thailand) Co in Ban Bung district (8),   Amagasaki Pipe (Thailand) Co in Muang district (7), and Sony Technology Co in Muang district (5).

Another 17 patients were in at-risk occupations, seven were medical workers and 30 were from workplaces in Rayong province.

Six told officials they had travelled to other provinces – Bangkok (2), Pathum Thani (2), Chachoengsao (1) and Rayong (1).

Fourteen came into contact with infected people close to them and three were infected at a party.

Another 215 people came into contact with other confirmed cases and were still under disease investigation. The remaining 320 cases were being investigated, the provincial public relations office said.

The new infections brought the provincial total to 32,119 cases of which 16,205 had already recovered, with 597 discharged over the past 24 hours. A total of 15,759 were being treated at hospitals. The seven fatalities brought the total to 155.

Si Racha district had the highest number of new cases (374), followed by Muang district (276), Bang Lamung (207) and Phan Thong (120). The remaining cases were in other districts, the announcement said.

Over the five days from July 31 to Aug 4, the province reported 1,062, 1,147, 1,141, 1,359 and 1,678 new cases, respectively.

Baht could sink even further, analyst warns. Thailand’s baht could weaken further after reaching its lowest point since late 2017 level of 33 baht per USD, an analyst at Krungsri Securities said on Wednesday, as the economy is challenged by its most severe Covid-19 outbreak so far. - Thai Enquirer

Baht could sink even further, analyst warns

August 4, 2021

Thailand's baht could weaken further after reaching its lowest point since late 2017 level of 33 baht per USD, an analyst at Krungsri Securities said on Wednesday, as the economy is challenged by its most severe Covid-19 outbreak so far.

The Thai baht has fallen more than 9 per cent against the USD since the end of 2020, making it one of the world's worst performers this year.

"We see another 3-4 per cent downside risk to the THB depending on the Covid-19 situation and economic and political landscape in the coming quarters," Isara Ordeedolchest said in a research note.

Isara pointed out that the divergence started between late of the first quarter this year and early of the second quarter when the third wave emerged in Thonglor cluster venues then followed by more infections from Thai New Year holidays.

Isara noted that the downturn in Thailand's long-term government bond yields and broad money growth has weighed on the growth aspect of Thai baht.

"The THB is unlikely to recover meaningfully as Thailand's economic growth trajectory is expected to trail behind regional economies until at least 2022,' he warned.

"Thailand's baht has gone from being one of Asia's strongest currencies before the pandemic to one of its worst performers this year," a Financial Times report said, as the pandemic wreaks havoc on the country's vital tourism industry.

The loss of tourism money, which the Thai economy relies on, has crushed prospects of a quick economic rebound, turning formerly bullish buyers of its assets into bearish, it said.