Thailand

Around the world, countries are expanding access to hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) and chloroquine (CQ), related compounds that are synthetic forms of quinine, which comes from cinchona trees and has been used for centuries to treat malaria. HQ which is the less toxic of the two, is also used as an anti-inflammatory to treat conditions like rheumatoid arthritis and lupus, purposes it …

State-owned Government Savings Bank (GSB) expects the bank’s sponsored 150 billion baht in soft loans, part of efforts to help small businesses hurt by the Covid-19 outbreak, to be taken out within two months. Based on previous soft-loan schemes, the entire amount should be doled out within two months, said Chatchai Payuhanaveechai, GSB president and chief executive. Based on previous …

Property developers are opting for online channels and applications to sell residential units and provide services to customers, while minimising possible risks from coronavirus infections. Vittakarn Chandavimol, chief of corporate strategy and creation for SET-listed developer AP Thailand, said the company has applied technological adaptations to working processes and customer services. “We’re using online channels such as live streaming through …

Chiang Mai province was hit by unprecedented levels of air pollution on Wednesday as intensifying forest fires sent PM2.5 levels in some areas up to 592 microgrammes per cubic metre (ug/m3) of air, almost 12 times above safe levels. The level of PM2.5 — fine dust that can get lodged in lungs and cause coronary disease — rose to 592 …

Covid-19 preventive measures have been relaxed for the next few days for foreign travellers transiting via Thailand to a third country within 24 hours. The Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand (CAAT) announced on Wednesday (March 25) that transiting foreigners no longer need to produce a medical certificate proving they are free from infection and an insurance policy to cover medical treatment. They do, …

India’s billion-plus population went into a three-week lockdown on Wednesday, with a third of the world now under orders to stay indoors, as the coronavirus pandemic forced Japan to postpone the Olympics until next year. Financial markets soared after a catastrophic month as the US Congress looked set to pass a mammoth stimulus bill, joining the world’s central banks in …

There is big concern that many workers will return to their hometowns outside Bangkok, which could aid the spread of the virus. The workers have lost their jobs following the closure of some businesses and aim to return to their hometowns in other provinces as the cost of living there is a lot less expensive than in the capital.  People …

Local officials have been instructed to keep track of people returning from Bangkok and nearby provinces and ensure they go into 14-day self-isolation, to help stem the coronavirus epidemic, as a 6th infection was confirmed in the province. Governor Wichian Chantaranothai said on Tuesday the 6th patient was a 38-year-old man who caught the virus from the 5th patient, a …

Minor is preparing to close hotels in Bangkok and at-risk areas around the country to limit the coronavirus outbreak, says William Heinecke, chairman of Minor International Plc. In an open letter to Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha on Tuesday, he said the rapid outbreak is becoming the greatest threat to the global economy ever seen. Minor would like to support containment …

One of four Covid-19 patients in Nakhon Si Thammarat was discharged from hospital in Tha Sala district yesterday and praised medical staff for their professional treatment. The 21-year-old patient, who was confirmed fully recovered, had originally been admitted on March 2 after returning from Iran where he is studying. Dr Kitti Rattanasombat, director of Tha Sala Hospital, however, said the …