A Singaporean's guide to living in Thailand

[yinyang]

'Thai unemployment at nearly 10 per cent' due to Covid-19
National
Jun 05. 2020

By THE NATION

The unemployment rate of Thai people in Bangkok and nearby provinces increased to 9.6 per cent due to the impact of Covid-19 and the lockdown measures, Kasikorn Research Centre said.

The research was conducted from May 21 and 28, the centre said.

The centre revealed that 61.4 per cent of researched people were unemployed due to the virus crisis and lockdown measures. The other 38.6 per cent were unemployed due to other reasons.

The unemployment rate would hit its highest point in the second quarter, before gradually decreasing in the latter part of this year when the state of emergency is relaxed and if a second Covid-19 wave does not happen.

Some 6.4 per cent of employed persons said that their companies would possibly close down due to the pandemic, while another 17.4 per cent informed that they could lay off staff in this situation and they would be included.

Most households facing the threat of unemployment earned lesser than Bt20,000 per month, the research centre added.

The researchers, furthermore, found that 95.5 per cent of researched households have been affected by the social distancing. Among them, 52.5 per cent had lower earnings.

The centre said that 25.4 per cent of people wanted the government to stimulate and help the economy recover, after the remedial measures implemented previously end.

 

[yinyang]

Thai Lion Air selling tickets, expecting international flights
to resume in August
National
Jun 05. 2020

By THE NATION

Thai Lion Air has started selling Bangkok-Jakarta round-trip air tickets, expecting its first international flights to take-off within August.

The airline said that there would be good news for the international flight market if the Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand did not extend its ban on international flights, which was scheduled to end on June 30.

In addition to the Bangkok-Jakarta route, Thai Lion Air plans to restart other routes from Bangkok to Singapore, Taiwan, China and Japan. However, the schedule for these flights has not been concluded, depending on the government’s measures.

Thai Lion Air aims to restart its flights between Bangkok and Phuket in the middle of this month. It also plans to increase the frequency of flights from Bangkok to Chiang Mai, Ubon Ratchathani, Nakhon Si Thammarat, Surat Thani and Hat Yai to two times a week, as domestic passengers have returned since May-end.

Those needing to take the flights at this time were mostly businessmen and people who wanted to return to their home town, it added.

 

[CPTMiller]

Thai Lion Air selling tickets, expecting international flights
to resume in August
National
Jun 05. 2020

By THE NATION

Thai Lion Air has started selling Bangkok-Jakarta round-trip air tickets, expecting its first international flights to take-off within August.

The airline said that there would be good news for the international flight market if the Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand did not extend its ban on international flights, which was scheduled to end on June 30.

In addition to the Bangkok-Jakarta route, Thai Lion Air plans to restart other routes from Bangkok to Singapore, Taiwan, China and Japan. However, the schedule for these flights has not been concluded, depending on the government’s measures.

Thai Lion Air aims to restart its flights between Bangkok and Phuket in the middle of this month. It also plans to increase the frequency of flights from Bangkok to Chiang Mai, Ubon Ratchathani, Nakhon Si Thammarat, Surat Thani and Hat Yai to two times a week, as domestic passengers have returned since May-end.

Those needing to take the flights at this time were mostly businessmen and people who wanted to return to their home town, it added.

It seems most likely i can plan a working trip to Bangkok on September

 

[dredd]

It seems most likely i can plan a working trip to Bangkok on September

Yes, that would be safe... but no guarantees. As stated before, the Thai government flip flops more than the MIW. Not to be a wet blanket, but to plan for September, you'll need to see the situation in September. Just saying....

 

[CPTMiller]

Yes, that would be safe... but no guarantees. As stated before, the Thai government flip flops more than the MIW. Not to be a wet blanket, but to plan for September, you'll need to see the situation in September. Just saying....

Ok bro.
I shall wait and see

 

[yinyang]

Whistle-blowing Thai soldier drags military corruption back into spotlight

Sergeant Narongchai Intharakawi alleges that he is being persecuted for exposing graft that the army itself has since acknowledged.

https://www.straitstimes.com/asia/s...drags-military-corruption-back-into-spotlight
Tan Hui Yee
Indochina Bureau Chief

BANGKOK - A Thai soldier challenging disciplinary proceedings has dragged military corruption back into the national spotlight, just four months after the kingdom's worst mass shooting pressed the army to promise reform.

Sergeant Narongchai Intharakawi, 33, alleges that he is being persecuted for exposing graft that the army itself has since acknowledged. He has refused to serve army detention for an alleged disciplinary infraction, and now could be tried in a military court for dereliction of duty.
The defiant army clerk has drawn broad sympathy in a kingdom long used to seeing graft allegations brushed off by the army while the rank and file fall into silence. After being interviewed on national television on Wednesday (June 3), he held a press conference in Bangkok on Friday, where supporters approached him for selfies.

Such high-profile exposes by junior officers are very rare, says Mr Yingcheep Atchanont, programme officer of civil rights group Internet Law Reform Dialogue, who expects this to be a test case of how the army treats whistle-blowers it had earlier promised to listen to.
Having staged 12 successful coups since 1932, the army occupies a pivotal position in Thai politics. Former generals like Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha continue to hold sway in the post-election government.

"I want the army to be transparent and accountable," Sgt Narongchai told The Straits Times on Friday, looking calm and composed in a black jacket.

"I want the army to respect human rights, and not be ruled by the elite," he said. "And I want tax money to be used properly, to benefit the country rather than cronies. The army belongs to the people."

Sgt Narongchai, who works in the army's ordnance department, claims his superiors made him fake their attendance of bogus trips in order to claim allowances. He filed a complaint to the ombudsman last September, which he says raised tension between him and his senior officers. After a new army whistle-blowing hotline was established in February, he tried that channel too, but was threatened and pressured to withdraw his complaint, he says. Fearing for his safety, he stopped turning up for work.
He has even brought his complaint to a Parliament committee on graft.

Army spokesman Winthai Suvaree says its investigation did find grounds for Sgt Narongchai's allegations, and has forwarded the case to the National Anti-Corruption Commission.
The army's hotline has drawn some 600 complaints so far. "Those 600 cases were lodged by junior officers too," Colonel Winthai told Thairath TV channel during an interview on Wednesday. "I don't think there's anything to worry about, or that those 600 others should worry too."
Related Story
Coronavirus: Thai army slashes budgets amid backlash over armament procurement
Related Story
Thai army begins reform after mass shooting but analysts remain sceptical

The hotline was established in response to Thailand's worst mass shooting, where a disgruntled soldier seized weapons from a military base and killed his commanding officer and 28 other people in an overnight rampage in February. He had apparently been cheated through a housing loan arrangement under an army welfare scheme.

The bloodbath in the north-eastern province of Nakhon Ratchasima sparked intense scrutiny of corruption, cronyism and exploitation within the army. Army chief Apirat Kongsompong apologised and vowed to clean up the shady business dealings of some senior officers.

 

[Froggy]

Have this for brunch today

 

[Froggy]

Fried noodles for lunch today

 

[yinyang]

 

[yinyang]

Seven new Covid-19 cases – all in state quarantine
National
Jun 08. 2020

 

[Froggy]

Almost midnight last night, feeling hungry so made a simple fried noodle

 

[Froggy]

https://asia.nikkei.com/Business/Te...date=20200608190000&seq_num=25&si=%%user_id%%

Video: Thai businesses develop robots to adapt to coronavirus era
High demand in medical and hygiene sectors, as 5G networks help
MARIMI KISHIMOTO, Nikkei staff writerJune 8, 2020 12:02 JST


BANGKOK -- The coronavirus outbreak has accelerated the development of the robotics industry in Thailand, as companies race to devise solutions to meet increased hygiene and medical needs.

Robotics is one of 10 strategic sectors that the government wants to focus on, but the industry's development had been slow until now. The coronavirus pandemic has moved things forward rapidly and companies have now developed robots that can take body temperatures, check mask usage, as well as conduct remote medical examinations.

Tops Market, a supermarket chain in Bangkok, was one of the first retailers to use robots in the pandemic. In late April, the company placed a monitor at the front of the store that can read customers' temperatures. Anyone with a temperature above 37.5 degrees Celsius will trigger an alarm and denied entry.

The device was developed by Central Tech, a subsidiary of Central Group, the largest retailer in Thailand. Using facial recognition technology, the monitor also sounds an alarm and prevents customers from entering if they are not wearing masks. Central Group plans to install the machines at 15 stores -- most of them either Tops Markets or FamilyMart convenience stores -- in Bangkok by the end of May.

When CentralWorld, a shopping center in Bangkok, resumed operations on May 17, it introduced a new worker: a four-legged, mobile robot "K9" developed by Advanced Info Service, the largest telecommunications company in Thailand. A bottle of hand sanitizer is mounted on the back of the robot which approaches shoppers in its vicinity, encouraging them to sanitize their hands.

A device developed by Central Group to check body temperatures. (Bangkok)

The Central Group also installed another type of robot that uses ultraviolet light to sterilize areas in some of its stores.

"We have introduced new technology to ensure the safety of our employees and our customers," Central said.

Competition is also rising among companies to develop robots to support medical facilities. In March, AIS teamed up with Chulalongkorn University, Thailand's best, to test a robot for use in hospitals. The robot can measure the temperature of patients and relay that message to medical staff in a different room. It also allows patients to communicate with medical staff through video calls.

An automated machine used by Central Group to sterilize its shop floor.

AIS calls it the "first 5G robot in Thailand," as it relies on fifth-generation networks to transmit vast amounts of data quickly. It plans to introduce 23 units to 22 hospitals by early May. The machine can also be used to transport medicine and sanitizers, and to measure blood oxygen levels.

"I'm glad I could make a new normal for medical facilities in the future," said Wasit Wattanasap, head of the nationwide operations and support department at AIS, who was involved in developing the robot. He said that his team is now focusing on expanding the capabilities of the robot to respond to voice commands and to clean itself using ozone and ultraviolet light.

True Corp., Thailand's number two telecommunications company, also started to develop a medical robot in March, offer medical treatment via video calls, as well as to transport food and medical equipment.

Engineering students at Chulalongkorn University have also developed their own robots -- "Pinto," or lunchbox, which transports food and medicine; "Nong Grajok," which is used for communication between doctors and patients; and "Ninja," which sends patients' medical data, like blood pressure and temperature, to doctors elsewhere.

In April, the university's alumni donated 103 robots to hospitals.

A four-legged robot dog “K9” offers hand sanitizer to a shopper in Bangkok. (Photo by Akira Kodaka)

Industry experts said they hoped this trend to innovate will continue.

"Thai companies have not tried to make their own robots," said Chalermpon Punnotok, CEO of CT Asia Robotics, which has been developing automated machines since before the coronavirus epidemic. "In Thailand, the talented students choose jobs at well-known foreign companies or conglomerates. Not many take the path of developing their own robots."

Until now, Thailand had been content to rely on foreign companies for high-tech innovations but the coronavirus outbreak might have changed that mindset.

 

[eatshitndie]

more will die in future from weakened immune systems due to over-sanitization with chlorine, chemicals and poisons. the human immune system needs to toughen up with all kinds of germs, bacteria, and viruses.

 

[yinyang]

Thought this was a nice vid on Krungthep's lockdown with positive outlook (with colours of Thailand)

 

[yinyang]

Govt eyes easing of entry ban
Priority for virus-free areas, says Somkid
Bangkok Post PUBLISHED : 9 JUN 2020 AT 09:44

The government is considering easing entry restrictions for foreign visitors possibly in the third or final quarter of this year, with priority given to those arriving from coronavirus-free areas, says Deputy Prime Minister Somkid Jatusripitak.

He said relaxing inbound travel restrictions is the first step in kickstarting the tourism industry, but the government has to be prudent in screening travellers and implementing an efficient tracking system to reduce the risk of a second wave of infections.
Mr Somkid said visitors from countries or areas where Covid-19 outbreaks have been contained are likely to be the first to get the green light and that he has already raised the issue with Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha.

“It doesn’t have to be an entire country — we can allow visitors from towns or provinces which are free from the coronavirus. Travel restrictions will be gradually eased and foreign visitors are expected to return in the third or fourth quarter of this year,” he said.
The third quarter of the year starts next month.

According to Mr Somkid, stimulating local spending and tourism are vital to kickstarting the economic recovery, especially considering the sluggish imports at the moment.

The Finance Ministry is also considering a fresh assistance package which will be rolled out in the third quarter to coincide with the easing of travel restrictions, said Mr Somkid.

He said local tourism is picking up after the third phase of lockdown easing, but a fresh package will lure more people to travel and spend and maintain the recovery’s momentum.
“We hope the package will keep the momentum all the way to early next year. We expect the import sector to bounce back next year. But if it doesn’t, the Finance Ministry will have to figure out how to help the people,” he said.

Deputy Prime Minister Wissanu Krea-ngam, meanwhile, signalled that the enforcement of the emergency decree, which is set to expire on June 30, could be extended.
Mr Wissanu, who oversees legal affairs, has been assigned by Gen Prayut to figure out which laws or measures can be used as an alternative to battle a second round of the outbreak.

He said extending the emergency decree is one of the options the government is considering to curb the risks of a second wave. He noted that the emergency decree enables swift action and coordination, unlike the Communicable Diseases Control Act.
Without the decree, officials assigned by the Public Health Minister under the Communicable Diseases Control Act cannot integrate their operations with military officials, he said.
According to Mr Wissanu, the decree has allowed for the smooth implementation of the government’s 14-day mandatory quarantine programme for all overseas returnees.

He said the decree enables returnees to be brought from Suvarnabhumi airport in Samut Prakan to the state quarantine facility in Chon Buri’s Sattahip district without delay.
“I can’t imagine such operations proceeding under the Communicable Diseases Control Act,” he said.
“It is possible to extend the enforcement of the emergency decree. It is also possible to extend it and remove measures such as the night curfew and allow public gatherings.”

However, Pheu Thai Party member Thossaporn Serirak insisted the government must further ease the lockdown measures and lift the emergency decree to allow people to get back to work and earn a living.
There are other legal instruments which the government can use to prevent a second wave, he insisted.

Meanwhile, the Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration (CCSA) on Monday reported seven new cases of coronavirus.
Since all of the cases were reported in state quarantine venues, CCSA spokesman Taweesilp Visanuyothin said this meant Thailand has reported zero local transmission for two weeks.
Of the new cases, two were students who arrived from Pakistan on Saturday. Four people, including an 11-year-old student, returned from the United Arab Emirates on Friday while the others returned from the United States on Thursday.
The new cases brought the total number of infections in Thailand to 3,119, with 58 deaths. The number of discharged patients stood at 2,973 on Monday.

Dr Taweesilp also said the CCSA would cancel press briefings on Saturdays and Sundays as the number of new cases has continued to decrease and restrictions are being eased.
Starting this week, he would give briefings on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays while his assistant, Dr Panprapa Yongtrakul, would cover Tuesdays and Thursdays.

 

[yinyang]

Yummy, this
https://www.nationthailand.com/news/30389263?utm_source=category&utm_medium=internal_referral

 

[Froggy]

Had a nice dinner last night at an upmarket Isaan restaurant in The Promenade Mall in Bangkok

Jadjaan

Modern and nice decor

Kitchen

Gai yang - roast chicken with Thai herbs

Somtam Sua - its somtam with some rice noodle

Somtam Thai

Tom Saeb - spicy soup

Sai thod - fried pig intestine

Simple fried rice

Dinner

 

[yinyang]

Two new virus cases in 24 hours, both in state quarantine

 

[Froggy]

This morning cooked a tofu porridge for breakfast. Its something really simple yet made me think of my mom's cooking, think of home.

(minced-pork, fried tau-gua, pig's liver, egg)

 

[yinyang]

Four new Covid-19 cases found in state quarantine
National
Jun 10. 2020
https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailan...returnees-test-positive-for-covid-19#cxrecs_s