Public updates on coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) should be made on a regular basis via text-based warnings, as the number of infected people in the Philippines soared to 24 on Monday, according to Senator Grace Poe on Tuesday. The initial step to contain a virus is to provide information on it via all available means. Improving the spread of information …

Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha has shelved a plan to hand out more money to low income earners in a bid to prop up a sagging economy now reeling under the added impact of the coronavirus epidemic. Gen Prayut said on Monday the proposed 2,000 baht handout will not go into the cabinet on Tuesday, but other measures were on course …

The Songkran party on Khao San Road and activities in two neighbouring communities have been cancelled this year to prevent the possible spread of coronavirus disease. Piyabutr Jeewaramonaikul, president of the Khaosan Business Association, on Monday announced the decision to scrub the April water-splashing festival there this year. Such a large gathering of revellers could expose holidaymakers to the Covid-19 …

Thailand’s aviation regulator said airlines should ask passengers coming from high-risk territories for health certificates to establish they are free of the new coronavirus. Travellers who can’t provide documentation should be prevented from boarding flights to the Asian nation, according to a Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand notice posted Monday. Carriers are liable for treatment costs if they fly in …

Deputy Agriculture and Cooperatives Minister Thamanat Prompow admitted on Monday that his assistant had met a man who was said to be hoarding face masks, but he denied they discussed the mask trade. Mr Thamanat was responding to a report on Facebook alleging  that his close aide had a hoard of 200 million medical masks for resale to China. His …

Michael Heath, the US embassy’s charge d’affaires, said the annual Cobra Gold military drill ensures US and Thai soldiers can join forces in every situation, ranging from humanitarian assistance to disaster relief. Despite the spread of the Covid-19 disease, US Army Brig Gen Josh Rudd, the Deputy Commanding General for Operations of the 25th Infantry Division, said the US military …

PUTRAJAYA –   Azam Baki has been named as the new MACC chief commissioner, replacing Latheefa Koya who resigned last week. The Prime Minister’s Office said in a statement that Azam’s promotion is effective today. Azam, 57, Seen as one of the country’s top graft-busters, played a key role in the anti graft agency’s investigations on 1MDB-related matters and led investigations …

KUALA LUMPUR  – Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin  was seen leaving Istana Negara around noon today (Monday) after having an audience with the Yang di-Pertuan Agong Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah.\ Muhyiddin was believed to have submitted the list of the new federal Cabinet line-up of his newly formed government to His Majesty. The Prime Minister’s Office, in …

PETALING JAYA – Umno supreme council member Puad Zarkashi has suggested that Azmin Ali is excluded from the new cabinet line-up. While Umno president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi had offered to be excluded from the new cabinet led by Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin, Puad said that the same should be applied to to Azmin. “The person remains innocent until proven guilty …

KUALA LUMPUR – Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad said on Sunday  that he would only allow to set up a meeting with the new PM on one condition – He must get rid of all  political leaders from Umno implicated in corruption. The former premier was qouted saying in an interview with  Astro Awani that there is no need for him …