Month: November 2021

  • World NewsAfricaLink on Air – 30 November 2021

    AfricaLink on Air – 30 November 2021

    Ethiopia denies carrying out attacks inside Sudan+++Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta delivers state of nation address+++France seeks EU-British agreement to solve Channel migrant crisis SOURCE: DW News

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  • World NewsWho benefits from China-Africa relations?

    Who benefits from China-Africa relations?

    China’s donation of one billion doses of its Covid-19 vaccines to Africa was among the first things Chinese President Xi Jinping promised at the 8th Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (Focac) in Dakar, Senegal, which started on Sunday and closes today. According to Xi, 400 million doses are to be produced in the continent. While the announcement could be seen as…

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  • World NewsKashmir: Why is anger rising over secretive militant burials?

    Kashmir: Why is anger rising over secretive militant burials?

    Mushtaq Ahmad Wani cried out for public support after Indian security forces refused to return the body of his teenage son, who was killed in a controversial operation on the outskirts of Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir. “Today it’s about my son. Tomorrow it will be your son as well,” Wani shouted while he was being taken away by Indian police…

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  • Thailand News

    Thailand News Today | Thailand calm over Omicron variant, Crackdown on Human trafficking | Nov 30

    Jett goes through all the main headlines in Thailand that include: Thailand makes adjustments to deal with the Omicron Covid variant, the country cracks down on human trafficking, and the first foreign film to be shot in Thailand since the pandemic. Details on these stories and many more coming right up.

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  • Visa Information

    Cabinet okays new visa scheme allowing a 1 year stay for medical tourists

    A new visa scheme approved, in principle, by the Thai Cabinet today will allow foreigners who are travelling to Thailand for medical treatment to stay in the Kingdom for up to a year. At the moment, many medical tourists stay in the country on 60-day tourist visas, which can be extended for another 30 days, and (before the pandemic) many…

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  • Covid-19 News

    PM Prayut Chan-o-cha says PCR tests will remain a requirement for foreign arrivals

    Thailand will continue using the RT-PCR method to screen arrivals for Covid-19 as a preventative measure to keep the Omicron variant from reaching Thai soil. PM Prayut Chan-o-cha announced today that the Cabinet decided to reverse the CCSA’s decision to change the testing method to the faster, yet less reliable ATK method. The Thai government says the order on PCR…

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  • Thailand News

    More venues in Thailand require proof of vaccination, or ATK test, at the door

    Thailand’s future looks… vaccinated. More and more venues and events are embracing the government’s “Covid Free Setting” guidelines which call for not only staff, but customers to be fully vaccinated, or test negative for the virus, to be considered a “Covid free” area. Bangkok’s Khao San Road was blocked off the other weekend with bouncers checking documents and digital vaccination…

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  • Covid-19 News

    Pfizer CEO says new version of vaccine under development to target Omicron

    Pfizer has reportedly begun developing a new version to combat the Omicron and the tests have been running since last Friday, according to CEO Albery Bourla yesterday, following the warning from the World Health Organisation on the new variant. While Bourla says he doesn’t “believe the immunisations will fail to protect,” he says a study could the study could reveal that…

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  • Asia News

    Taiwanese co-pilot pays off NT$800,000 fine for breaching quarantine rules

    According to the Taipei branch of the Administrative Enforcement Agency (AEA), a co-pilot of a Taiwanese airline has paid off a punishment of NT$ 800,000 (US$ 28,551) for breaching of Covid-19 quarantine rules earlier this year. The co-pilot, identified in the media as Chung, was found to have left his home three times to visit friends and buy food while…

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  • China News

    Shanghai halts 500 flights, issues closure order after 3 three local Covid cases

    After three locally-transmitted Covid-19 cases were reported in Shanghai on Friday, hundreds of flights were cancelled, schools were closed, and tourists activities were shut down. The three positive cases, according to a municipal government statement, were friends from the nearby city of Suzhou who attended an old architecture lecture last week. The three friends had close contact with nearly 200…

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  • Bangkok News

    Bangkok’s SRT Red Line launches commercial service, fares 12 to 42 baht

    After four months of trial operation, commercial services on the Red Line commenced yesterday, with fares ranging from 12 baht to 42 baht, with its operating hours extended until midnight every day. The director-general of SRT Electrified Train Co., Suthep Panpeng, said that with the termination of free services, ridership will initially drop by 20% to roughly 8,000 per day,…

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  • Asia News

    Two South African travellers test positive for Omicron at Singapore airport

    Singapore’s health ministry says two South African travellers tested positive for the new Covid-19 variant “Omicron” transit at Changi Airport on their way to Australia yesterday. Contact tracing has begun for airport personnel who may have come into contact with two travellers. According to the ministry, the two residents of Johannesburg with pre-departure negative tests before boarding a Singapore Airlines…

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  • Covid-19 News

    Tuesday Covid Update: 4,306 new cases; provincial totals

    37 coronavirus-related deaths were reported by the CCSA today, raising the pandemic’s death toll in Thailand to 20,771 with 20,677 of those fatalities during the latest wave, which was first recorded on April 1. In the 24-hour period since the last count, the CCSA recorded 6,407 new Covid-19 cases and 6,165 recoveries. There are now 75,673 people in Thailand being…

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  • World NewsIndonesian Paralympic powerlifter says no disability can destroy a dream

    Indonesian Paralympic powerlifter says no disability can destroy a dream

    Indonesian para-athlete Ni Nengah Widiasih was partially paralyzed by polio as a child. At the 2020 Paralympics, she won a silver medal for weightlifting. She says when you dream big and try hard nothing can stop you. SOURCE: DW News

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  • Asia News

    Verdicts in Myanmar’s Aung San Suu Kyi trial postponed until Monday

    According to a source acquainted with the proceedings in Myanmar, the first verdicts in the trial of former State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi were adjourned to Monday by a court under the military junta. The court was set to rule on allegations of incitement and violations of Covid-19 guidelines under a natural disaster law today, one of nearly a…

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  • Video

    Legalise porn, Thai names, More vaccines | Thaiger Bites | Ep.71

    Jay and Tim go through your video messages, comments and feedback from Youtube, Facebook, Instagram and Thaiger Talk forum on the website.

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  • Bangkok News

    Foreigner claims Bangkok taxi pocketed 1,000 baht for ride down Sukhumvit

    A foreigner in Bangkok claims he was ripped off by a taxi driver who drove him from Thong Lor to Sukhumvit Soi 11, saying the driver didn’t use a meter and pocketed 1,000 baht. Apparently, the driver claimed the passenger had handed him 100 baht. A Thai woman posted a video of the confrontation with the taxi driver on TikTok…

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  • Thailand News

    Flash floods from heavy rain hit three districts in Surat Thani

    Last night, villages in three districts in Southern Thailand’s Surat Thani province were hit by flash floods due to heavy rain and local rescue teams along with the military assisted residents in moving their belongings to higher ground. Governor Wichawut Jinto and Chamnong Sawatwong, chief of the provincial disaster prevention and mitigation office, led the relief effort, which included territorial…

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  • Covid-19 News

    Thailand entry restrictions on African countries in response to Omicron

    In response to the emergence of the Omicron Covid-19 strain, which is designated by the World Health Organisation as a “variant of concern,” the Thai government has set a travel ban on those from eight African countries said to be of high risk of the newly found variant and imposed restrictions on those from other countries in Africa. Issuance of…

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  • Thailand News

    Ministry prepares to bring back Thais from eight African countries starting tomorrow

    With Thai authorities issuing a travel ban on those from 8 African countries reporting the new Omicron variant, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is preparing to bring Thai citizens in the high risk countries back to Thailand. Citizens living in Botswana, Eswatini, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, and Zimbabwe can apply for a COE (certificate of entry) to return…

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  • Bangkok News

    PM asks for public to be consulted on plans for Hua Lamphong station

    The Thai PM has asked the Transport Ministry to gauge the public’s view on the redevelopment of Bangkok’s Hua Lamphong station. The Bangkok Post reports that the station is set to close in around 3 weeks’ time. A government spokesman says PM Prayut Chan-o-cha has tasked all relevant agencies to take public opinion into account in any commercial development proposals.…

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  • Bangkok News

    Bangkok’s Yellow Line skyrail starts test runs

    The newest addition to Bangkok’s skyrail is here.The Yellow Line, which travels from Lat Phrao to Samrong in Samut Prakan, has reportedly begun its test run since last Thursday from the maintenance depot near Sri Iam station in Bang Na district. The Yellow Line, which is a joint venture worth 54,768.455 million baht between Thailand’s Mass Rapid Transit Authority and…

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  • Tourism News

    Tourism officials welcome Czech movie filming in Phuket and Krabi

    The Tourism Authority of Thailand is celebrating Thailand’s re-opening to international movie stardom once more. The southern provinces of Krabi and Phuket are being used as locations for a Czech movie currently being filmed in the kingdom. Nation Thailand reports that a film crew, consisting of 22 actors, directors, producers, and technicians are in Thailand to film a romantic comedy…

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  • Thailand News

    Thai PM to visit Udon Thani tomorrow

    According to government spokesman Thanakorn Wangboonkongchana, PM Prayut Chan-o-cha will visit Udon Thani, one of Thailand’s largest cities, in the north east of the country, tomorrow to meet with the public and private sectors in the region to discuss provincial development and welcoming tourists under the Udon Plus scheme. Politically, the north east has always seen as a strong region…

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  • Thailand News

    Phuket yacht startup banks funding for 2022

    The following is a press release from Boatcrowd. Chartering a private yacht is among the most exclusive, luxurious, and unforgettable experiences you can ever have. It opens you up to explorations and adventures that you would never experience on land, and it’s the perfect way to relax, enjoy, and see more of the world. As Covid restrictions are being lifted…

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  • Bangkok News

    Bangkok Metropolitan Administration opens up registration for free Covid-19 vaccines

    To coincide with the Smart Entry scheme for public safety, the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration has opened the Covid-19 vaccine registration for Thais and non-Thais aged 18 and up. The programme will deliver the first dose, as well as the second and third doses. From now on, registration will be done through the QUEQ application. Those who intend to vaccinate in…

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  • Covid-19 News

    Public Health Ministry monitoring Omicron variant, public urged not to panic

    Thailand’s Public Health Ministry says the public shouldn’t panic over the emergence of the Omicron Covid-19 variant. Dr Kiattiphum Wongrajit says the ministry is monitoring the situation and on alert for possible Omicron cases. Meanwhile, people should continue to observe existing disease prevention measures. “The departments of Medical Sciences and Disease Control have been tasked with monitoring the new variant…

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  • Crime News

    Bomb attack damages vehicles carrying ballot boxes from local election in Yala

    A bombing in the Deep South province Yala damaged several vehicles carrying ballot boxes from a local election. After the polls closed on Sunday for the Bannang Sata tambon administration organisation elections, eight vehicles were used to take the ballot boxes to the district office. As the vehicles drove on a rural road at around 7:55pm, a parked motorcycle exploded. A…

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  • Video

    Sandbox stay shortened, Alcohol sale restrictions eased | Good Morning Thailand | Ep.142

    In today’s episode, Jay and Natty talk about the “Sandbox” stay shortened to 5 days for vaccinated travellers from overseas and Alcohol restrictions to be eased further in Bangkok from tomorrow ___________________________________________________________________________________________________ If you need assistance with your Thailand Pass application you can enlist the services of AQ.in.th Team by using their Full Service Thailand Pass service (average approval time 12-48 hours). ___________________________________________________________________________________________________

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  • Thailand News

    Crackdown on human trafficking as Thailand tries to upgrade its ranking

    Thailand is to get tough on people smugglers, according to deputy PM Prawit Wongsuwon in a Bangkok Post report today. The government aims to upgrade the country’s 2022 ranking in the US Trafficking in Persons Report, after being downgraded to the Tier 2 Watchlist in this year’s report. Being given a Tier 2 Watchlist ranking means a government is deemed…

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  • Tourism News

    No plans to reverse re-opening, despite Omicron variant – Tourism Ministry

    Thailand’s Tourism Minister says there will be no going back for the country’s re-opening plans, despite the emergence of the Omicron variant. According to a Bangkok Post report, Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn says closing the borders is not an option anymore. “Nobody wants another border closure as it was really difficult for us to re-open the country. Our economy still suffers from…

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  • Video

    Thailand Top Stories | Alcohol extension, Reversal on Thai Pass testing | Nov 29

    The Thai government is looking to reverse last Friday’s announcement to ditch the PCR tests-on-arrival in Thailand, with rapid antigen testing, following the emergence of the Covid variant Omicron. The cutoff time for alcohol sales at restaurants in Bangkok is being pushed from 9pm to 11pm.

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  • World NewsCOVID: South Korean cities grapple with cab shortage

    COVID: South Korean cities grapple with cab shortage

    Han Ye-jung could always count on an available taxi to bring her home, after working late into the night at her company’s office in central Seoul. However, that has changed since the start of the pandemic. At present, flagging down a taxi requires good luck or a test of endurance, Han told DW. A shortage of cabs in South Korea’s…

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  • World NewsWhy are Russian 'vaccine tourists' flocking to Europe?

    Why are Russian ‘vaccine tourists’ flocking to Europe?

    It’s unclear whether the Russian homegrown vaccine Sputnik V will be approved anytime soon in the West, making life difficult for many Russian nationals. That’s because entry to many countries requires proof of vaccination against COVID-19 with a jab that is approved in the European Union (EU). It’s not only tourists who are affected. Many Russian citizens also travel abroad,…

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  • World NewsIran nuclear talks resume — will they yield results?

    Iran nuclear talks resume — will they yield results?

    Representatives of Iran and diplomats from Britain, China, France, Germany and Russia are gathering at the Palais Coburg hotel in Vienna on Monday to try to salvage the 2015 international nuclear agreement. The United States is taking part in the talks indirectly, with diplomats from the other countries acting as go-betweens. The negotiations are aimed at bringing Iran back into…

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  • World NewsGambia election: President Barrow’s candidacy splits youth vote | Thaiger

    Gambia election: President Barrow’s candidacy splits youth vote

    On December 4, Gambian voters will head to the polls to elect a new president. The election will mark the first time voters decide since the electoral defeat of former president Yahya Jammeh in 2016 ended his 22-year dictatorship. Saturday’s vote will likely set the course for democratic governance in the Gambia for the years to come. The stakes are…

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  • World NewsAsia-Europe summit: Is the EU gaining more ground in Indo-Pacific?

    Asia-Europe summit: Is the EU gaining more ground in Indo-Pacific?

    European leaders are renewing calls to strengthen diplomatic relations with Indo-Pacific countries, amid geopolitical challenges posed by China and changes to trans-Atlantic relations brought on during the Trump era. At last week’s 13th Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM), the president of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, stressed that “Asia matters to Europe.” During the two-day virtual conference, leaders from the…

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