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A Singaporean's guide to living in Thailand
- Thread starter Leongsam
- Start date
Saved a last portion for today's breakfast. Love this mee siam!
Have a great week ahead everyone
I like mee siam too!
My breakfast this morning
8.15am start preparation, herbs and spices
The cooking
Chicken curry and pratha
It looks really delicious.
Overnight curry is ok but only for one overnight. It may be risky to leave it in the fridge for yet another night and heat it up again.
https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/general/2137715/accused-hospital-gunman-surrenders
Accused hospital gunman surrenders
published : 24 Jun 2021 at 13:23
updated: 24 Jun 2021 at 14:46
Kawin Saengnilkul, 23, surrenders to police in Ranong early Thursday afternoon. (Photo supplied)
A former special forces soldier wanted for shooting dead a patient at a Covid-19 field hospital and a convenience store employee early on Thursday morning surrendered to police shortly after noon.
Kawin Saengnilkul, a 23-year-old from Pathum Thani's Thanyaburi district, surrendered to police in Ranong province at 12.20pm and handed over two guns, police said.
Daily News reported that Pol Lt Gen Kitrat Phanphet, commissioner of the Provincial Police Region 8, led senior police to the house of the gunman's relative in Ranong, where the suspect had holed up.
The Criminal Court approved a warrant for his arrest on initial charges of premeditated murder and carrying firearms in public for unsound reasons.
He is accused of breaking into the Princess Mother National Institute for Drug Abuse Treatment on Phahon Yothin Road in Thanyaburi district of Pathum Thani and killing a 54-year-old patient about 3.30am. The institute functions as a field hospital for Covid-19 patients.
Pathum Thani police also alleged that before the attack at the field hospital, the gunman had shot dead an employee at a convenience store in the Phahon Yothin area of Bangkok about 2am.
He served as a private in a special warfare unit in Lop Buri province, but was dismissed from the service in November 2019.
Mr Kawin had volunteered to serve as a private because of his enthusiasm for weapons, police said.
Police suspected he was mentally ill and said earlier he might be fleeing in a white Isuzu pickup truck to see a relative in the South.
He later surrendered in Ranong province, south of Bangkok.
A gunman, wearing camouflage clothing and red beret, fired a gunshot that shattered the locked front glass door of the institute, about 3.30am and entered the building and shot dead a patient.
Thai PBS reported that the patient was 54-year-old Suksant Sewaphan, who was walking out of a bathroom on the first floor of the male patients' zone when he was shot.
The gunman then moved to a ward and fired many more shots before escaping on a pickup truck. The subsequent shots did not hit anyone.
An army spokesman said earlier that the gunman in the camouflage outfit was not a soldier.
Accused hospital gunman surrenders
published : 24 Jun 2021 at 13:23
updated: 24 Jun 2021 at 14:46
Kawin Saengnilkul, 23, surrenders to police in Ranong early Thursday afternoon. (Photo supplied)
A former special forces soldier wanted for shooting dead a patient at a Covid-19 field hospital and a convenience store employee early on Thursday morning surrendered to police shortly after noon.
Kawin Saengnilkul, a 23-year-old from Pathum Thani's Thanyaburi district, surrendered to police in Ranong province at 12.20pm and handed over two guns, police said.
Daily News reported that Pol Lt Gen Kitrat Phanphet, commissioner of the Provincial Police Region 8, led senior police to the house of the gunman's relative in Ranong, where the suspect had holed up.
The Criminal Court approved a warrant for his arrest on initial charges of premeditated murder and carrying firearms in public for unsound reasons.
He is accused of breaking into the Princess Mother National Institute for Drug Abuse Treatment on Phahon Yothin Road in Thanyaburi district of Pathum Thani and killing a 54-year-old patient about 3.30am. The institute functions as a field hospital for Covid-19 patients.
Pathum Thani police also alleged that before the attack at the field hospital, the gunman had shot dead an employee at a convenience store in the Phahon Yothin area of Bangkok about 2am.
He served as a private in a special warfare unit in Lop Buri province, but was dismissed from the service in November 2019.
Mr Kawin had volunteered to serve as a private because of his enthusiasm for weapons, police said.
Police suspected he was mentally ill and said earlier he might be fleeing in a white Isuzu pickup truck to see a relative in the South.
He later surrendered in Ranong province, south of Bangkok.
A gunman, wearing camouflage clothing and red beret, fired a gunshot that shattered the locked front glass door of the institute, about 3.30am and entered the building and shot dead a patient.
Thai PBS reported that the patient was 54-year-old Suksant Sewaphan, who was walking out of a bathroom on the first floor of the male patients' zone when he was shot.
The gunman then moved to a ward and fired many more shots before escaping on a pickup truck. The subsequent shots did not hit anyone.
An army spokesman said earlier that the gunman in the camouflage outfit was not a soldier.
https://asia.nikkei.com/Business/Tr...10&pub_date=20210625150000&seq_num=9&si=44594
Phuket to reopen for vaccinated tourists without quarantine: 5 things to know
'Sandbox' experiment will be steppingstone for further reopening
Tourists will be able to roam around Phuket after testing negative for the virus upon arrival. © Reuters
MASAYUKI YUDA, Nikkei staff writerJune 25, 2021 13:20 JST
BANGKOK -- In less than a week, Thailand will start accepting vaccinated international travelers at Phuket.
The limited reopening, named the "Phuket sandbox," will be an important steppingstone that may clear the path for Southeast Asia's second-largest economy to fully allow tourists to roam around its soil by mid-October.
Success with reopening Phuket is key to the recovery of the Thai economy, as tourism and related businesses accounted for one-fifth of the country's gross domestic product in pre-COVID times.
To balance incoming visitors' convenience and residents' infection risks, the government has set complicated rules for entering the Andaman island.
What is the Phuket sandbox?
The Phuket sandbox is a field experiment the Thai government has decided to conduct on the world-famous island. Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha's cabinet gave final approval on Tuesday to begin the experiment from July 1.
Phuket will accept vaccinated tourists from abroad without any quarantine period. They will be able to roam around the tropical island after testing negative for the virus upon arrival. If they go on to other destinations in Thailand, they must spend at least 14 nights in Phuket before leaving.
Incoming travelers will also be required to download an app tracing their location. The data will be used to notify them if they have come in close contact with any virus cases.
Who will be able to visit the island?
Incoming travelers must be fully vaccinated at least 14 days before their departure with vaccines registered with Thailand's Ministry of Public Health or approved by the World Health Organization. A vaccine certificate must be presented as a proof.
A negative PCR test result issued no more than 72 hours before departure must also be presented. They also must buy insurance for COVID-19 expenses, with a minimum coverage of $100,000.
Visitors must arrive on a direct flight from a low- to medium-risk country categorized by Thailand's Ministry of Public Health using daily confirmed cases and the Global COVID-19 Index published by Malaysian consultancy firm Pemandu Associates, and must have spent at least 21 days in that country before departure.
Old Phuket Town is seen in Mueang Phuket District, Phuket, Thailand on Monday, Jan. 20, 2020. © AP
The country list is updated twice a month. The most recent list, released on June 16, shows that low-risk areas include Taiwan, Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, Qatar, Israel and Norway.
China, South Korea, the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, Turkey, Germany, Spain, Switzerland, the U.K., Ireland, Denmark, Finland, and the U.S. are in the medium-risk category.
Japan, Indonesia, the Philippines, Malaysia, India, Oman, the Netherlands, France and Brazil are seen as highly risky. Thailand categorizes itself as a high-risk country.
According to the Tourism Authority of Thailand, Singapore Airlines, El Al Israel Airlines, Etihad Airways and Emirates will operate direct flights from July 1, and Thai Airways International will start the following day.
Why would the Thai government conduct such an experiment?
Using the Phuket sandbox experiment as a steppingstone, Thailand has a plan to gradually open up the country for international tourists.
From July 15, the kingdom is set to extend its island-reopening approach to Samui, roughly 250 km northeast of Phuket. Although visitors to Samui will not initially be able to travel freely around the tropical island like in Phuket, they will be able to move around the vicinity of their resort without confining themselves in their room, and travel farther in stages.
The approach will be expanded to other islands such as Phi Phi, Ngai, Railay and Yao in southern Thailand from August, according to the Tourism Authority. The mainland tourist destinations of Chiang Mai, Pattaya and Buriram will start accepting vaccinated tourists from September. From mid-October, all parts of Thailand, including Bangkok, will be reopened to vaccinated tourists without quarantine.
Tourism and related businesses used to account for 20% of the country's gross domestic product. The Thai economy shrank 6.1% in 2020 due to a lack of tourists. On Wednesday, the Bank of Thailand lowered its economic outlook for 2021 and 2022 from 3.0% and 4.7% to 1.8% and 3.9% respectively, as it saw that the ongoing third wave of the COVID-19 pandemic would reduce the number of tourists the country could allow.
What will make the experiment success or failure?
The purpose of the experiment is to build confidence among Thais on accepting foreign tourists while controlling the local epidemic. It will help the government nurture a public mood accepting gradual expansion of the program and eventually will allow the country to fully reopen to vaccinated visitors.
Tourism and Sports Minister Pipat Ratchakitprakarn said a command center would be set up to monitor epidemics on the island. The center will determine whether to continue, suspend or completely stop the program, depending the situation. Ninety confirmed cases per week, transmission across three districts or six subdistricts, or the wide spread of new variants would trigger a halt to the experiment, affecting the plan for further reopening.
What key factors could bring success?
Cooperation among tourists and residents in guarding against the virus is critically important.
To ensure the safety of Phuket's residents and incoming travelers, the islanders are now being rapidly vaccinated -- as of Tuesday, 45.3% had received a second dose. The government is racing to bring the percentage to over 70% before the reopening test begins.
Islanders are being asked to strictly follow precautions named DMHTTA, which stands for distancing, mask-wearing, hand-washing, temperature-checking, testing and alert application installing.
In order to minimize the risk of the virus entering the kingdom, Thai authorities must stringently check if tourists correctly meet all the requirements.
Phuket may also have to regain its charms. Its turquoise-blue waters and white beaches remain attractive, but long closures have put some popular restaurants and shops permanently out of business. Partygoers used to choose Phuket for debaucheries, but pubs and bars are not currently allowed to operate, although restaurants are allowed to serve alcohol.
Phuket to reopen for vaccinated tourists without quarantine: 5 things to know
'Sandbox' experiment will be steppingstone for further reopening
Tourists will be able to roam around Phuket after testing negative for the virus upon arrival. © Reuters
MASAYUKI YUDA, Nikkei staff writerJune 25, 2021 13:20 JST
BANGKOK -- In less than a week, Thailand will start accepting vaccinated international travelers at Phuket.
The limited reopening, named the "Phuket sandbox," will be an important steppingstone that may clear the path for Southeast Asia's second-largest economy to fully allow tourists to roam around its soil by mid-October.
Success with reopening Phuket is key to the recovery of the Thai economy, as tourism and related businesses accounted for one-fifth of the country's gross domestic product in pre-COVID times.
To balance incoming visitors' convenience and residents' infection risks, the government has set complicated rules for entering the Andaman island.
What is the Phuket sandbox?
The Phuket sandbox is a field experiment the Thai government has decided to conduct on the world-famous island. Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha's cabinet gave final approval on Tuesday to begin the experiment from July 1.
Phuket will accept vaccinated tourists from abroad without any quarantine period. They will be able to roam around the tropical island after testing negative for the virus upon arrival. If they go on to other destinations in Thailand, they must spend at least 14 nights in Phuket before leaving.
Incoming travelers will also be required to download an app tracing their location. The data will be used to notify them if they have come in close contact with any virus cases.
Who will be able to visit the island?
Incoming travelers must be fully vaccinated at least 14 days before their departure with vaccines registered with Thailand's Ministry of Public Health or approved by the World Health Organization. A vaccine certificate must be presented as a proof.
A negative PCR test result issued no more than 72 hours before departure must also be presented. They also must buy insurance for COVID-19 expenses, with a minimum coverage of $100,000.
Visitors must arrive on a direct flight from a low- to medium-risk country categorized by Thailand's Ministry of Public Health using daily confirmed cases and the Global COVID-19 Index published by Malaysian consultancy firm Pemandu Associates, and must have spent at least 21 days in that country before departure.
Old Phuket Town is seen in Mueang Phuket District, Phuket, Thailand on Monday, Jan. 20, 2020. © AP
The country list is updated twice a month. The most recent list, released on June 16, shows that low-risk areas include Taiwan, Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, Qatar, Israel and Norway.
China, South Korea, the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, Turkey, Germany, Spain, Switzerland, the U.K., Ireland, Denmark, Finland, and the U.S. are in the medium-risk category.
Japan, Indonesia, the Philippines, Malaysia, India, Oman, the Netherlands, France and Brazil are seen as highly risky. Thailand categorizes itself as a high-risk country.
According to the Tourism Authority of Thailand, Singapore Airlines, El Al Israel Airlines, Etihad Airways and Emirates will operate direct flights from July 1, and Thai Airways International will start the following day.
Why would the Thai government conduct such an experiment?
Using the Phuket sandbox experiment as a steppingstone, Thailand has a plan to gradually open up the country for international tourists.
From July 15, the kingdom is set to extend its island-reopening approach to Samui, roughly 250 km northeast of Phuket. Although visitors to Samui will not initially be able to travel freely around the tropical island like in Phuket, they will be able to move around the vicinity of their resort without confining themselves in their room, and travel farther in stages.
The approach will be expanded to other islands such as Phi Phi, Ngai, Railay and Yao in southern Thailand from August, according to the Tourism Authority. The mainland tourist destinations of Chiang Mai, Pattaya and Buriram will start accepting vaccinated tourists from September. From mid-October, all parts of Thailand, including Bangkok, will be reopened to vaccinated tourists without quarantine.
Tourism and related businesses used to account for 20% of the country's gross domestic product. The Thai economy shrank 6.1% in 2020 due to a lack of tourists. On Wednesday, the Bank of Thailand lowered its economic outlook for 2021 and 2022 from 3.0% and 4.7% to 1.8% and 3.9% respectively, as it saw that the ongoing third wave of the COVID-19 pandemic would reduce the number of tourists the country could allow.
What will make the experiment success or failure?
The purpose of the experiment is to build confidence among Thais on accepting foreign tourists while controlling the local epidemic. It will help the government nurture a public mood accepting gradual expansion of the program and eventually will allow the country to fully reopen to vaccinated visitors.
Tourism and Sports Minister Pipat Ratchakitprakarn said a command center would be set up to monitor epidemics on the island. The center will determine whether to continue, suspend or completely stop the program, depending the situation. Ninety confirmed cases per week, transmission across three districts or six subdistricts, or the wide spread of new variants would trigger a halt to the experiment, affecting the plan for further reopening.
What key factors could bring success?
Cooperation among tourists and residents in guarding against the virus is critically important.
To ensure the safety of Phuket's residents and incoming travelers, the islanders are now being rapidly vaccinated -- as of Tuesday, 45.3% had received a second dose. The government is racing to bring the percentage to over 70% before the reopening test begins.
Islanders are being asked to strictly follow precautions named DMHTTA, which stands for distancing, mask-wearing, hand-washing, temperature-checking, testing and alert application installing.
In order to minimize the risk of the virus entering the kingdom, Thai authorities must stringently check if tourists correctly meet all the requirements.
Phuket may also have to regain its charms. Its turquoise-blue waters and white beaches remain attractive, but long closures have put some popular restaurants and shops permanently out of business. Partygoers used to choose Phuket for debaucheries, but pubs and bars are not currently allowed to operate, although restaurants are allowed to serve alcohol.
PRO-DEMOCRACY ACTIVISTS MARCH AGAINST GOVERNMENT
ByAssociated Press
-
June 25, 2021 9:00 am
BANGKOK (AP) — Pro-democracy protesters took to the streets of Thailand’s capital on Thursday, marking the anniversary of the overthrow of the country’s absolute monarchy by renewing their demands that the government step down, the constitution be amended and the monarchy become more accountable.
The protesters defied a ban on large gatherings instituted to fight a coronavirus surge that shows little sign of abating. It was their first large protest after a hiatus of about three months caused by the pandemic and the jailing of protest leaders, who have since been released on bail.
The government of Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha is facing widespread criticism that it botched pandemic recovery plans by failing to secure adequate vaccine supplies. It also has been blamed for the economic slump caused largely by measures to contain the pandemic.
On June 24, 1932, a group of progressive army officers and civil servants proclaimed constitutional rule and the transition to parliamentary democracy, ending Thailand’s absolute monarchy. The anniversary in recent years has become an occasion for pro-democracy rallies.
Protesters gathered early Thursday by Bangkok’s Democracy Monument, a traditional demonstration venue, to light candles and read out the 1932 proclamation of the end of the absolute monarchy.
Several hundred then marched to Parliament, where protest leaders submitted a letter stating their concerns. Lawmakers were voting Thursday night on several proposed constitutional amendments that fell far short of those sought by the protesters, which include restoring more power to political parties and elected office holders.
“We come out today to insist on the principle that the constitution must come from the people,” said Jatupat Boonpattararaksa, a protest leader also known as Pai Dao Din.
About 500 demonstrators regrouped in the evening at an elevated walkway near shopping malls in central Bangkok, where they listened to speeches before dispersing peacefully shortly after 8 p.m.
The student-led pro-democracy movement sprung up last year, largely in reaction to the continuing influence of the military in government and hyper-royalist sentiment. The army in 2014 overthrew an elected government, and Prayuth, the coup leader, was named prime minister after a 2019 general election put in power a military-backed political party. Critics say the constitution enacted during military rule skewed election rules to favor the army’s proxy party.
The movement was able to attract crowds of as many as 20,000-30,000 people in Bangkok in 2020 and had followings in major cities and universities. However, a coronavirus surge late last year caused it to temporarily suspend activities and lose momentum.
The movement became controversial as its leaders focused on the monarchy in their speeches and activities. They charged that the king holds power and influence beyond that allowed under the constitution.
Since becoming king in 2016, Maha Vajiralongkorn has gained more direct control over the vast fortune of the royal palace — estimated to exceed $30 billion — as well as command of some key military units in the capital.
During the same time, memorials, statues and other symbols associated with the 1932 revolution have been removed.
The monarchy is widely considered to be an untouchable bedrock element of Thai nationalism. Defaming key royals is punishable under a lese majeste law by up to 15 years in prison per count. Many people still revere the monarchy, and the military, a major power in Thai society, considers its defense a key priority.
The government responded to the protesters’ criticism of the monarchy by charging leaders under the lese majeste law.
Parit Chiwarak, among those jailed, said Thursday the protesters are standing by their original demands.
“The discussion of reforms, including the monarchy, must be continued because if we stop demanding, we will never get it,” said Parit, who is better known by the nickname Penguin. “But as long as Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha remains prime minister, the amendment of the constitution remains impossible. As long as Prayuth Chan-ocha remains prime minister, reform of the monarchy remains impossible.”
A separate protest Thursday targeted Prayuth specifically, uniting one-time supporters and opponents of the military. Nitithorn Lamlua, an ardent royalist who was a leader of 2014 protests against the elected government of Yingluck Shinawatra that led to then-army commander Prayuth staging a coup and seizing power, gathered a few dozen supporters outside the prime minister’s office at Government House to demand his resignation.
Another slightly larger group sought to join them but was turned back by police after minor pushing and shoving. It was led by Jatuporn Prompan, a former lawmaker who was a leader of the “Red Shirt” group that was politically allied with the government the army ousted in 2014.
“Getting Prayuth ousted is a common demand of all groups. If Prayuth is still in power, it is impossible to accomplish other demands,” Jatuporn said. “We don’t care who will be the next prime minister, but Prayuth must get out. The only condition for the next prime minister is that the person must be capable enough to solve the current problems.”
Pro-democracy supporters march along a road during a demonstration in Bangkok, Thailand, Thursday, June 24, 2021. Photo: Wason Wanichakorn / AP
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Story: Chalida Ekvittayavechnukul. Associated Press journalists Tassanee Vejpongsa and Grant Peck contributed to this report.
https://www.facebook.com/sharer.php?u=https://www.khaosodenglish.com/news/crimecourtscalamity/2021/06/25/pro-democracy-activists-march-against-government/
Thailand announces new Covid-19 restrictions in Bangkok, other provinces
BANGKOK (REUTERS) - Thailand on Sunday (June 27) announced new restrictions centred around its capital in a bid to tackle the country's worst coronavirus outbreak.
The new measures, which will be implemented for 30 days from Monday, include a ban on restaurant dine-ins in Bangkok, the capital, and five surrounding provinces, according to a document published in the country's royal gazette.
Shopping malls in Bangkok and the five provinces must be closed by 9pm, and parties or celebrations, or activities involving a gathering of more than 20 people will be banned for the same duration, the document said.
It also said construction sites in the six areas will be shut down and workers' camps will be sealed off to contain clusters. The order followed the emergence of more clusters in construction camps in the capital, which has 575 such sites housing about 81,000 workers.
Since May, 37 clusters have been found in Bangkok camps.
Authorities will set up checkpoints in Bangkok and the five provinces to limit travel and relocation of construction workers, the document said, adding that there will also be checkpoints in the country's four southern provinces near Malaysia.
#BangkokLockdown was trending on Twitter in the early hours into Sunday, with internet users criticising the timing of the announcement and saying they were taken by surprise by the new measures.
Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha said on Friday he wanted to avoid the word lockdown and that specific businesses and activities would be targeted to contain the virus.
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