Stay informed with the latest updates, breaking headlines, and current events from around the world.
To prevent a possible shortage of eggs for local consumption, Thailand’s Ministry of Commerce has imposed a 7-day export ban, effective today (Thursday) following a rush by consumers to stock up, in the aftermath of the declaration of a nationwide state of emergency. Commerce Minister Jurin Laksanavisit said today that the temporary export ban might
If one of the directives under the state of emergency decree is to be taken seriously, at least seven of the members of the Prayut cabinet will need to confine themselves at home. Among them are two of Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha’s most trusted comrades-in-arms, Deputy Prime Minister Prawit Wongsuwan, who is 74, and Interior
Powers are flowing into the hands of rulers, among them much-maligned and yet strangely popular Donald Trump and former coup leader Prayut Chan-o-cha. But as democratic principles keep crumbling, albeit momentarily, in many places on earth, the chief villain, COVID-19, is posing a very ironic and unique challenge to all freedom advocates: Defeat me if
The number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in Thailand has exceeded 1,000, since the pathogen was first detected in the country in January, with 111 new cases being reported today by the Ministry of Public Health. The official number of infections in the country is, at the time of the report, 1,045, as the ministry predicts
After weeks of fumbling for answers to deal with the worsening coronavirus pandemic, Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha finally said what many had wanted to hear: “I am in charge.” But what do these grand-sounding words coming from the country’s top leader mean? As prime minister, wasn’t he supposed to be in charge all along? Probably
The boat service on Khlong Saensaeb, a popular travel alternative for Bangkok’s commuters, will suspend operations indefinitely from tomorrow (Friday). Mr. Chavalit Methayaprapas, managing director of the Krobkrua Khonsong (2002) Company, the operator, said today that the company realizes the importance of social distancing, but that the measure is not practical on a commuter boat,
More than three billion people around the world were living under lockdown on Wednesday as governments stepped up their efforts against the coronavirus pandemic which has left more than 20,000 people dead. As the number of confirmed cases worldwide soared past 450,000, UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres warned that only a concerted global effort could
On December 30, researchers using artificial intelligence systems to comb through media and social platforms detected the spread of an unusual flu-like illness in Wuhan, China. It would be days before the World Health Organization released a risk assessment and a full month before the UN agency declared a global public health emergency for the
Road checkpoints, manned by police and military personnel, were set up across Thailand before dawn on Thursday to control inter-provincial travel, in a stringent measure authorized under the recently declared national state of emergency, in an attempt to retard the spread of COVID-19. In Bangkok, seven checkpoints were erected on Bangkok’s main trans-provincial routes. Military
Prince Charles, the eldest son and heir to Queen Elizabeth II, is showing mild symptoms of the new coronavirus but “otherwise remains in good health”, his office said on Wednesday. The 71-year-old and his wife Camilla — who does not have COVID-19 — are currently self-isolating in Scotland, Clarence House said. “The Prince of Wales has tested positive
Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha told the Thai people on Wednesday to expect the worst in the next several weeks or months as the coronavirus continues to ravage the country and as more stringent measures being imposed are going to affect their daily lives. He urged all Thai people to cooperate fully with the government, to
The decision on Tuesday to impose a nation-wide state of emergency was supposed to be the most drastic action to be taken by the Prayut government in its fight against the coronavirus pandemic that has been ravaging the country. Though Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha has yet to spell out what specific dos and don’ts
The government has no plans for the time being to impose a curfew to stem the spread of the coronavirus but will stringently enforce restrictions on travel and gatherings as the state of emergency starts taking effect after midnight of Wednesday, Deputy Prime Minister Wissanu Krea-ngarm said this afternoon. But he did not rule out
The Thai Public Health Ministry reported 107 new COVID-19 cases today (Wednesday), including two medical professionals, bringing the total confirmed infections in the country to 934, including six medical personnel. Dr. Thaveesilp Wissanuyothin, spokesman for the Public Health Ministry, said that the two newly-infected doctors developed minor symptoms, but continued to work and dine
