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People take free food, drinks and everyday items at a sharing store on Ekkamai Soi 3 in Bangkok's Vadhana district on Friday. Each was allowed to take five items for free. The store opens during 11am to 1pm and 3pm to 5pm each day for one month until June 26 to help people affected by the impacts of the Covid-19 outbreak. (Photo: Nutthawat Wicheanbut)
Thailand logs 4 new Covid cases Sunday, all imports Four new Covid-19 cases in state quarantine
There were four new Covid-19 cases but no deaths over a 24-hour period, Dr Panprapa Yongtrakul, spokeswoman of the government’s Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration(CCSA), said on Sunday (May 31).
How will froggy keep safe distance tomorrow at his water therapy joint?
Ministry issues guidelines for massage parlours before reopening on Monday National
May 31. 2020
By The Nation
All massage parlours must register with the Department of Health Service Support via the website and complete a self-assessment e-certificate for officials to check-up on a regular basis.
Under phase three of the government's easing of lockdown measures, massage and spa parlours are allowed to reopen from Monday (June 1.
The operator must send a weekly report to the department to assess the situation and compliance with virus prevention measures,
Dr Akom Praditsuwan, deputy director-general of the Department of Health Service Support under the Ministry of Public Health, said.
He said there are more than 15,000 massage and spa parlours.
Akom also laid out guidelines for massage parlour operators and customers. Shops that fail to comply will be temporarily closed.
Guidelines for massage parlours:
1 Open only one entrance and provide at least one-metre space between the reception and customers while recording personal details.
2 Shop operators must have a temperature screening point for both employees and customers.
3 They must arrange cloth masks, medical masks, and 70-per-cent alcohol hand sanitisers.
4 Everyone in the shop must wear a mask and keep clean.
5 Follow good health practices issued by the Public Health Ministry.
6 Massage chairs must be placed at least 1.5 metres apart.
7 Only one customer per room, but in case of a large room, a folding door or curtain should be installed to separate into individual areas.
8 Provide safe payment options such as online payment.
9 Prepare and provide clean clothing to customers. When massage is over, the clothing must be kept away and be clean.
10 Prepare a proper ventilation system.
11 Employees must change into uniform before providing service.
12 During service, talk to customers only when necessary.
Customers must follow these guidelines:
1 Wear a mask throughout the service.
2 Cooperate for temperature screening and provide true information about personal details.
Thai Parliament approves $84b economic package to ease coronavirus impact
Thailand began this month to gradually ease some restrictions introduced to contain the virus. PHOTO: AFP
BANGKOK (REUTERS) - Thailand's Parliament passed a 1.9 trillion baht (S$84 billion) economic support package on Sunday (May 31) to ease the impact of the coronavirus.
The legislation, comprising three Bills, includes a government plan to borrow one trillion baht and central bank measures worth another 900 billion baht in soft loans and support for corporate bonds.
Of the one trillion baht of borrowing, 600 billion baht will be for public health works and relief measures, and the rest for rebuilding the economy and job creation.
The Bills must next be approved by the Upper House Senate, which is expected to convene in early June, before they can become law.
The latest steps follow billions of dollars of stimulus measures introduced earlier this year to cope with the impact of the coronavirus on the Thai economy, which is heading into a recession.
Thailand began this month to gradually ease some restrictions introduced to contain the virus. More businesses classified as medium to high risks, including cinemas and gyms, will be allowed to reopen on Monday.
Thailand's central bank has said it expects the economy to sharply contract this year as the pandemic hits businesses and households.
Thailand reported four new coronavirus cases on Sunday. The country has confirmed 3,081 cases and 57 deaths since the outbreak began in January.
Songkran holiday in July possible Bangkok Post PUBLISHED : 1 JUN 2020 AT 16:09
Revellers and water fights are absent from Silom Road, one of Bangkok’s top destinations for the Songkran festival, on April 13, 2020, due to the Covid-19 outbreak. (Photo by Wichan Charoenkiatpakul)
A long holiday in July is being considered to make up for the cancellation of Songkran festivities, if the Covid-19 situation allows it, the Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration (CCSA) said on Monday.
CCSA spokesman Taweesilp Visanuyothin said a holiday for the deferred Songkhan period is possible next month on condition of low numbers of coronavirus cases. "July could be a period to make up for Songkran if everything goes well," he added.
The government delayed the Thai new year festival holiday from April 13-15 until further notice due to fears large gatherings and the homecoming of revellers could exacerbate the virus outbreak.
The sharp drop in new cases and deaths, the possible end of the emergency decree and a government attempt to promote local tourism have raised hopes that a long holiday replacing Songkran could be imminent.
Dr Taweesilp said keeping the number of new cases and deaths low will be a factor to consider when authorising a replacement for Songkran.
BANGKOK - The biggest party in Thailand’s ruling coalition was hit by mass resignations of executive members on Monday (June 1) amid growing talk of internal discord.
Mr Paiboon Nititawan, deputy leader of Palang Pracharath Party, announced on Monday afternoon that 18 of its 34 executive members had quit the board, paving the way for fresh internal elections to pick new executives and a party leader.
Although some expect this to lead to a Cabinet reshuffle, Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha played down the turmoil in the party. He is not an official member of Palang Pracharath, but was nominated by the party for premiership.
“It’s not time to think about this. I have said this repeatedly... there is tremendous suffering out there,” he said in response to reporters’ questions.
Asean’s second largest economy shrank 1.8 per cent in the first quarter compared to a year earlier, as the coronavirus pandemic shuttered tourism and manufacturing and decimated global trade. The Kingdom’s planning agency expects its whole-year gross domestic product to shrink 5 to 6 per cent.
With the Bank of Thailand slashing its benchmark interest rate to a record low of 0.5 per cent, Thailand’s Lower House passed a 1.9 trillion baht (S$84.6 billion) support package over the weekend to soften the pandemic’s economic toll.
Palang Pracharath is currently led by Finance Minister Uttama Savanayana. Its secretary-general is Energy Minister Sontirat Sontijirawong. Both of them were ministers in the former military government who quit just before the 2019 polls to run for election under this new party.
Palang Pracharath, however, is cobbled together from many factions which have long rivalled one another for influence in the government.
Chulalongkorn University political scientist Pitch Pongsawat said the politicians within the party are disgruntled that Mr Prayut is leaning on technocrats like Dr Uttama to run the government.
After the Palang Pracharath leadership is changed, Mr Prayut will be pressured to reshuffle his Cabinet, Dr Pitch said. “He will have to do it, otherwise he will not get support in Parliament,” he said.
Among the 18 members who have resigned from Palang Pracharath’s board are Deputy Agriculture Minister Thammanat Prompao, Education Minister Nattapol Teepsuwan, and Digital Economy and Society Minister Puttipong Punnakan.
Related Story Thai govt survives first no-confidence motion in 7 years
“Change is normal for political parties, especially Palang Pracharat which is new and big, with more than 100 MPs leading the government coalition,” said Mr Paiboon when announcing the resignations on Monday.
Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Prawit Wongsuwan, the party’s chief strategist, has been tipped to become the new party leader. The former army chief is widely seen to be a central figure in the comeback of key military figures in the post-election government.
Asked if Mr Prawit will become the new party leader, Mr Paiboon said: “General Prawit is our senior and a core pillar (of the party)... But to elect new executives, we have to wait for the general assembly and see what our members think.”
Thailand logs 1 new Covid case Wednesday, no deaths Bangkok Post PUBLISHED : 3 JUN 2020 AT 11:45 Returnee from Mideast is only new virus case
People visit a Buddhist amulet market in Bangkok on Tuesday, as more sectors of the economy reopen following restrictions
to halt the spread of the Covid-19 novel coronavirus. (AFP)
PPRP fight 'over B1tn Covid kitty' Bangkok POst PUBLISHED : 3 JUN 2020
A power struggle within the ruling Palang Pracharath Party (PPRP) is raging, with major factions plotting a leadership change and a push for a cabinet reshuffle so they can control the Finance Ministry which is to oversee a 1-trillion-baht Covid-19 relief plan, a PPRP source told the Bangkok Post.
A 400-billion-baht allocation under the ministry's 1-trillion-baht borrowing scheme is the latest issue contributing to the internal rift, the source said, adding that infighting has gripped the PPRP since the Covid-19 outbreak reached Thailand early this year.
Some factions have been trying to push for a change in the party's leadership, with party leader and Finance Minister Uttama Savanayana, and secretary-general and Energy Minister Sontirat Sontijirawong the main targets for removal, the source said.
The factions include the Sam Mitr (Three Allies group) led by Suriya Jungrungreangkij; the Chon Buri group led by Suchart Chomklin, the Korat group led by Virat Ratanasate; the group of Bangkok MPs led by Nataphol Teepsuwan, and a group of northern MPs led by Capt Thamanat Prompow, the source said. These factions want Deputy Prime Minister Prawit Wongsuwon, the PPRP's chief strategist, to replace Mr Uttama as party leader.
As a result, 18 party executive committee members, who belong to these factions, resigned on Monday, triggering an election for a new leader and executive committee within 45 days.
The next move will be for these factions to push for a cabinet reshuffle so their people can take control of "A-list" cabinet posts, particularly the finance portfolio currently held by Mr Uttama, the source said.
The Finance Ministry is overseeing the plan to borrow about 1 trillion baht to help people affected by the pandemic, repair the financial system and restore economic security. An executive decree authorising the borrowing was passed by MPs on Sunday.
Of the 1 trillion baht, 600 billion is for financial aid and health-related plans for those whose jobs and businesses have been hit by the pandemic. The remaining 400 billion is for economic and social rehabilitation via projects aimed at creating jobs, strengthening communities and building infrastructure.
From the 400-billion-baht portion, the 273 government MPs will receive 80 million baht each while the 207 opposition MPs will receive 40 million baht each. There will still be almost 300 billion baht left over and this is why the finance minister post is being eyed by the PPRP factions, the source said.
Deputy Prime Minister Somkid Jatusripitak yesterday told reporters that party members must thrash out their differences.
On Sunday, MPs also approved another decree worth 500 billion baht to help affected SMEs, and another worth 400 billion to boost liquidity.
Netizens angry after Anutin caught breaking own social distancing rules National
Jun 04. 2020
By The Nation
Public Health Minister Anutin Charnvirakul has become the focus of netizens’ anger after he and his entourage flouted social distancing rules while eating at a restaurant.
Photos of the minister and his party of 10 sitting close to each another over the meal have gone viral, prompting social media users to criticise Anutin for ignoring measures set by his own ministry.
The photos were taken on May 20 and posted along with a message – presumably by the restaurant owner – expressing gratitude to Anutin for visiting the restaurant.
A Facebook page named “Seal Psychiatrist” pointed out that while the Public Health Ministry has been emphasising the importance of the social distancing measures, its leader failed to do so.
The page noted that people learn how to behave from role models, and chided Anutin for failing in his duty to set an example for others.
Govt mulling which ‘red’ businesses can reopen in phase 4 easing Jun 04. 2020
By The Nation
Authorities are now considering which high-risk businesses will be allowed to reopen under the next phase of lockdown easing, the government’s Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration (CCSA) revealed today (June 4).
CCSA spokesman Dr Taweesin Visanuyothin said that the virus might be with us for months or even years, so the government had to carefully consider which “red” (high contagion risk) businesses could reopen. The CCSA has asked operators of “red” businesses to report their Covid-19 preventive measures and plans, so the agency could make decisions on whether they could open.
Businesses and activities currently in the running to restart in the fourth phase of lockdown easing are:
1. Educational institutes – for classes, training, and exams.
2. Nurseries and centres for the elderly.
3. Educational science attractions.
4. Meeting rooms holding more than 200 attendees.
5. TV and film productions with crews of more than 100 people.
6. National parks (restricted to certain areas).
7. Beaches (restricted to certain areas).
8. Amusement parks, playgrounds, and game centres.
9. Gyms, fitness centres, and sports stadiums.
10. Convention halls larger than 20,000 square metres, for concerts, expos, and events.
11. Entertainment venues, pubs, bars and karaoke outlets.