Thailand

The government expects public investment spending of more than 400 billion baht in the second quarter to help the flagging economy weather the impact of the coronavirus outbreak, Finance Minister Uttama Savanayana said on Thursday. Even before the epidemic that originated in China, the trade-reliant economy has been under pressure, buffeted by the Sino-US trade war, sluggish investment, a delayed …

The Constitutional Court has ruled a section of the Criminal Code unconstitutional, effectively decriminalising abortion in Thailand. The ruling takes effect 360 days after the ruling date on Wednesday, or on Feb 13 next year.  The court also ordered the section and a related one be amended to make them in line with the 2017 constitution. The ruling came after …

Three Thais aboard the quarantined cruise ship Diamond Princess, moored in Japan, are infected with the new coronavirus (Covid-19), officials announced on Thursday, as two elderly Japanese passengers were reported to have died from the disease. Foreign affairs spokesman Cherdkiat Atthakor said three Thai nationals, a passenger and two crew members, were now being treated in a hospital in Japan. …

Thailand has called on Israel to review its decision to ban Thais from entering the country in a bid to control the spread of deadly coronavirus (Covid-19). As a result of the ban, the Labour Ministry will have to postpone sending Thai workers to Israel under the employment cooperation project between the two countries. The situation is being assessed daily. …

Two elderly passengers from the coronavirus-hit cruise ship moored near Tokyo have died, public broadcaster NHK said on Thursday, as a second group of passengers began disembarking after two-weeks quarantined onboard. More than 620 of the passengers on the Diamond Princess liner have been infected on the ship, which has been quarantined since Feb 3, initially with about 3,700 people …

137 Wuhan returnees got discharged earlier quarantined at the Sattahip naval base in Chon Buri province while the returnee under observation for possible infection remained, pending retests. Deputy Public Health Minister Sathit Pitutecha said at the naval base that the quarantine on the returnees was successful as 137 people returned home as planned. The other returnee under observation remained at …

The Diamond Princess has proved a fertile breeding ground for the virus with at least 542 positive cases, and there is mounting criticism of Japan’s handling of quarantine arrangements as passengers ready to disperse into the wider world. Relieved passengers began leaving a coronavirus-wracked cruise ship in Japan on Wednesday after testing negative for the disease that has now claimed …

A man accused of shooting dead his ex-wife and wounding another woman at a cosmetic clinic inside a shopping mall in Bangkok on Tuesday has been arrested. Danusorn Numcharoen, 28, was taken into custody about 4.30am on Wednesday in tambon Huay Mae Phiang of Kaeng Krachan district, Phetchaburi province, by Phayathai and Metropolitan Division 1 police under a court warrant. …

The Public Health Ministry’s new travel advisory for Japan and Singapore is sparking concern among Thai tourists, many of whom are asking tour operators to refund their tickets. The ministry on Tuesday advised people to delay travelling to Japan and Singapore while the two countries grapple with deadly coronavirus (Covid-19). Those who cannot avoid visiting the two countries should take …

US car maker General Motors confirms that roughly 1,500 workers from its Thai operations have to be laid off this year once Chinese maker Great Wall Motors takes ownership of the Rayong facilities. But the government hopes the new owner can invigorate the country’s fledgling electric vehicle (EV) industry and spur a transition away from internal combustion engines. On Monday, …