South Koreans Arrive for Thailand’s First ‘Golf Quarantine’

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22 February 2021, 15:29

A woman destined for Thailand’s first “villa quarantine” gets a COVID-19 test on Feb. 21, 2021 at Phuket International Airport.

BANGKOK — The government pandemic center announced Monday that a group of 41 South Koreans have landed in Thailand for what is termed as the country’s first ever “golf quarantine.”

The 41 South Korean nationals are currently quarantined at Artitaya Golf Country Club in Nakhon Nayok, having arrived on Thursday, a center spokeswoman said. The travelers will be confined in their rooms for only five days and allowed to use the country club’s golfing facilities afterward, if they test negative for the coronavirus .

Pandemic center spokeswoman Apisamai Srirangsan said the government is open to suggestions quarantine experience that would be attractive to foreign travelers.

“Business owners can suggest other quarantine ideas, and even arrange for food delivery and selling items in the quarantine area,” Apisamai said at the news conference. “With this system, the economy can develop while following safety measures.”

Quarantine tourism for the ultrarich travelers appears to be underway. The pandemic center announced last week that a group of around 70 “international socialites” will land in Phuket as part of a travel bubble. On Sunday, 59 of them already arrived on the island via two flights: a private jet carrying 13, and a chartered flight carrying 46, officials said.

The group will undergo a luxury “villa quarantine” at Sri Panwa Resort, whose owner made news in September for lashing out at pro-democracy demonstrators. The cost wasn’t mentioned.

นักกอล์ฟจากเกาหลี 728x471 1 — A photo of South Koreans arriving for Thailand’s first Golf Quarantine group released by the government on Feb. 22, 2021.

The border remains closed to tourism in general, however. Although several trade federations have called for the border to reopen to foreign travelers who are already vaccinated against COVID-19, the government has yet to make any formal decision on the matter.

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Health officials also announced Monday that an active case search in Pathum Thani covering 13,000 people have turned up at least 430 infections. Most of them, 413, were linked to an outbreak at Pornpat Market in the province.

But the case number nationwide is falling. According to the coronavirus response center, Thailand logged 89 new infections as of Monday, 73 of them local and the rest found in quarantine for arrivals from overseas.

“We are seeing infections in [just] two digits per day now,” Apisamai said.

Of these numbers, 31 cases were found in Samut Sakhon, 11 in Tak, and 9 in Pathum Thani.

The infections in Tak were traced to a trucker who transports items between Thailand and Myanmar.

Apisamai said markets nationwide should conduct tougher social distancing and screening measures. Many markets currently do not require customers to check in via the government’s app for COVID-19 tracking, or Thai Chana.

‘Miss Grand Mexico’ Criticized For Posing With Buddha Image

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Khaosod English

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22 February 2021, 13:04

BANGKOK — Some of the devout Buddhists on Monday are finding fault with a Mexican beauty queen who took photos and a video of her in a swimsuit next to a Buddha image.

Miss Grand Mexico Angela Yuriar, 19, posted the video on Sunday with the caption, “Thailand here we go,” though she later deleted it. Yuriar is set to attend The Miss Grand International 2020 pageant in Bangkok next month.

“Due to her ignorance of Buddhist culture, she wore a swimsuit and took photos with the Buddha image, creating a scandal about decorum and religious sensitivity,” Beng Nang Ngam, a beauty pageant fanpage, wrote online.

“Due to her lack of understanding about religion, I think she has to come out and say something. But still sending her our support!”

Hardline Buddhist groups have often expressed outrage against foreigners using the sacred image of the Buddha as kitschy souvenirs, tattoos, or decorative items. A well-funded campaign, called Knowing Buddha, also urges tourists not to buy Buddha images to be used back home as decorations.

“In her country, it might be normal, but here it’s very inappropriate. I saw that once they used the Buddha’s head to make an ashtray. We have to explain to them and they will understand,” Facebook user Here Nat wrote in a comment under a news article.

However, some pointed out that according to Buddhist teachings, the Buddha himself had asked his followers not to worship him or turn him into an idolatry image.

“If we go back in time and tattle to the Buddha, he wouldn’t be angry,” user Chetsada Thamchaikul wrote in a comment. “He rejected worshiping the image. His representation is the Dhamma. We are the ones who created such rituals to worship the person instead of his teachings.”

The 8th edition of the Miss Grand International pageant will take place at Show DC in Bangkok on March 27. It was supposed to be held last year, but postponed due to the coronavirus pandemic. The contestants are expected to start arriving in Bangkok on Feb. 28.

The current titleholder of the Thailand-based franchise is Valentine Figuera of Venezuela. Thailand’s representative in the pageant is Patcharaporn “Nam” Chantarapadit.

Bangkok Ban on Booze in Restaurants Lifted, Bars Reopen

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Khaosod English

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22 February 2021, 11:00

img_20200405_185145 — Khaosan Road is seen on Apri 6, 2020.

Major update: The Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration approves the proposal to reopen bars and allow alcohol to be sold in restaurants in Bangkok, starting on Tuesday, though they will have to close by 11pm.

BANGKOK — The Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration, or CCSA, is set to discuss on Monday whether bars in Bangkok will be allowed to reopen and a ban on alcohol sales in restaurants lifted.

The announcement was made by Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha himself, who wrote online Sunday that he’s aware the restrictions were having an impact on small enterprises in the capital.

“One of the issues to be deliberated is the easing of restrictions on consumption of alcohol in restaurants and reopening of nightlife establishments,” Prayut said. “The meeting will discuss this matter in the most careful manner, since it’s an issue that affects many small businesses, restaurants, and business operators.”

The ban was imposed in early January in a bid to curb the new wave of coronavirus infections, which resurfaced in Samut Sakhon province in late December.

The impact is believed to be devastating for many businesses in Bangkok, who were already left struggling in the pandemic throughout 2020, though a number of establishments have begun to serve alcohol discreetly in recent weeks.

Alcohol trade groups have repeatedly urged the government to lift the ban. But health authorities insist the shutdown is necessary to prevent crowds and gatherings that could spread the virus.

The ban is still maintained in the capital even as other cities like Chonburi and Chiang Mai already allowed bars to resume their operations.

The CCSA reports 92 new coronavirus cases on Sunday. Thailand’s total infection number stands at 25,415 as of Sunday, with 83 deaths linked to the coronavirus.

12 Japan Firms Will Kill Business Deals Involving Uyghur Forced Labor

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Kyodo News

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22 February 2021, 09:01

1000 (10) — People take part in a rally condemning China's alleged human rights violations against Uyghurs in Hong Kong on Dec. 22, 2019. (Kyodo)

TOKYO (Kyodo) — Twelve major Japanese companies have established a policy of ceasing business deals with Chinese companies found to benefit from the forced labor of the Muslim Uyghur minority in China’s far-western Xinjiang region, a Kyodo News investigation showed Sunday.

Pressure has been mounting on Japanese firms to take action over such human rights abuses in the supply chain after the United States and Britain imposed import restrictions on cotton and other products originating from the autonomous region.

Continue reading the story here.

Why Some Texans Are Getting Sky-High Energy Bills

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Associated Press

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22 February 2021, 09:01

1000 (1) — DeAndré Upshaw shows a $5,000 bill from Griddy on his cell phone for his 900-square-foot apartment during very cold weather in Dallas, on Friday, Feb. 19, 2021. (Lola Gomez//The Dallas Morning News via AP)

By The Associated Press

After unusual icy weather left millions of Texans without power, some are facing another crisis: Sky-high electricity bills.

The surge in pricing is hitting people who have chosen to pay wholesale prices for their power, which is typically cheaper than paying fixed rates during good weather, but can spike when there’s high demand for electricity. Many of those who have reported receiving large bills are customers of electricity provider Griddy, which only operates in Texas.

Among them is Susan Hosford of Denison, Texas. On a typical February day, she pays Griddy less than $2.50 for power. But the one-day cost spiked to hundreds of dollars after the storm. In all, she was automatically charged $1,346.17 for the first two weeks of February, which was more than she had in her checking account, causing her bank to charge her overdraft fees and affect other bills.

“This whole thing has been a nightmare,” she said.

1000 5 12 — *In this Feb. 16, 2021, file photo, a woman wrapped in a blanket crosses the street near downtown Dallas. (AP Photo/LM Otero, File)*

Here’s more on the soaring electricity bills:

What Are Wholesale Electricity Prices?

Wholesale electricity prices fluctuate based on demand. Because natural gas pipelines and wind turbines froze up in Texas, there was less power available, but high demand for electricity, causing wholesale prices to shoot up, said Joshua Rhodes, an energy research associate at the University of Texas.

Wholesale prices are typically as low as a couple of cents per kilowatt-hour but spiked to $9 per kilowatt-hour after the storm. Fixed rate customers pay a set amount that doesn’t rise as much. Typically, they pay around 12 cents per kilowatt-hour. But Rhodes said fixed rate customers could see their price rise by a few cents later this year as companies hit by the icy conditions look to recoup their costs — but their bills won’t be in the thousands.

People are able to pay wholesale prices in Texas because it’s one of the only states that lets people pick which company it buys power from, Rhodes said.

What Is Griddy?

Griddy, which launched in 2017, charges $10 a month to give people a way to pay wholesale prices for electricity instead of a fixed rate. It warned customers of raising prices and urged them to switch providers. The company said wholesale prices returned to normal as of Feb. 20.

1000 4 19 — In this Feb. 17, 2021, file photo, Juan Guerrlo, center left, waits in line to fill his propane tanks in Houston. Customers had to wait over an hour in the freezing rain to fill their tanks. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip, File)

How Many People Are Affected?

Griddy said it has 29,000 members. It’s unclear how many other Texans also pay wholesale prices from other companies.

“We won’t get the full picture on the financial devastation for maybe 30 to 90 days,” said Ed Hirs, an energy fellow at the University of Houston.

Will Those Who Got Large Bills Get Financial Help?

That’s unclear. Texas Governor Greg Abbott said Sunday that he is working with members of the legislature to address skyrocketing energy bills and “find ways that the state can help reduce this burden.” But he didn’t give specifics on what that may be. For the time being, the state has stopped companies from cutting off power for not paying.

Rhodes said bailing out customers may be a hard sell since they opted to pay wholesale prices and may have paid a much lower price than others for some time.

US Coronavirus Death Toll Approaches Milestone of 500,000

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Associated Press

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22 February 2021, 09:00

1000 (12) — President-elect Joe Biden and his wife Jill Biden are joined by Vice President-elect Kamala Harris and her husband Doug Emhoff during a COVID-19 memorial event at the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool, Tuesday, Jan. 19, 2021, in Washington. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)

By The Associated Press

The U.S. stood Sunday at the brink of a once-unthinkable tally: 500,000 people lost to the coronavirus.

A year into the pandemic, the running total of lives lost was about 498,000 — roughly the population of Kansas City, Missouri, and just shy of the size of Atlanta. The figure compiled by Johns Hopkins University surpasses the number of people who died in 2019 of chronic lower respiratory diseases, stroke, Alzheimer’s, flu and pneumonia combined.

“It’s nothing like we have ever been through in the last 102 years, since the 1918 influenza pandemic,” the nation’s top infectious disease expert, Dr. Anthony Fauci, said on CNN’s “State of the Union.”

The U.S. virus death toll reached 400,000 on Jan. 19 in the waning hours in office for President Donald Trump, whose handling of the crisis was judged by public health experts to be a singular failure.

The first known deaths from the virus in the U.S. happened in early February 2020, both of them in Santa Clara County, California. It took four months to reach the first 100,000 dead. The toll hit 200,000 deaths in September and 300,000 in December. Then it took just over a month to go from 300,000 to 400,000 and about two months to climb from 400,000 to the brink of 500,000.

Joyce Willis of Las Vegas is among the countless Americans who lost family members during the pandemic. Her husband, Anthony Willis, died Dec. 28, followed by her mother-in-law in early January.

There were anxious calls from the ICU when her husband was hospitalized. She was unable to see him before he died because she, too, had the virus and could not visit.

“They are gone. Your loved one is gone, but you are still alive,” Willis said. “It’s like you still have to get up every morning. You have to take care of your kids and make a living. There is no way around it. You just have to move on.”

Then came a nightmare scenario of caring for her father-in-law while dealing with grief, arranging funerals, paying bills, helping her children navigate online school and figuring out how to go back to work as an occupational therapist.

Her father-in-law, a Vietnam vet, also contracted the virus. He also suffered from respiratory issues and died on Feb. 8. The family isn’t sure if COVID-19 contributed to his death.

“Some days I feel OK and other days I feel like I’m strong and I can do this,” she said. “And then other days it just hits me. My whole world is turned upside-down.”

The global death toll was approaching 2.5 million, according to Johns Hopkins.

While the count is based on figures supplied by government agencies around the world, the real death toll is believed to be significantly higher, in part because of inadequate testing and cases inaccurately attributed to other causes early on.

Despite efforts to administer coronavirus vaccines, a widely cited model by the University of Washington projects the U.S. death toll will surpass 589,000 by June 1.

“People will be talking about this decades and decades and decades from now,” Fauci said on NBC’s “Meet The Press.”

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Associated Press Writer Heather Hollingsworth in Kansas City, Missouri, contributed to this report.

CP Foods Signs MOU With Chiang Mai University for Developing Insect Protein

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Khaosod English

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22 February 2021, 06:00

Charoen Pokphand Foods PCL (CP Foods) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Chiang Mai University to develop insect-based protein from Black Soldier Fly (Hermetia illucens), embracing Bio-Circular-Green Economy (BCG) model and driving Thai agriculture industry towards a sustainable growth.

The agreement, which was recently signed by Clinical Professor Niwes Nantachit, M.D., President of Chiang Mai University, and Dr. Pairat Srichana, senior vice president of CP Foods, aims at commercializing insect-based protein that is a sustainable alternative food source for animals and human. It is also offering great circular economy opportunities since the insects can efficiently help recycling biowaste.

Assoc.Prof.Dr Yuthana Phimolsiripol, director of Food Innovation and Packaging Center (FIN) at Chiang Mai University, said that, initially, the University researched on multiple Black Soldier Fly’s products such as skincare from the insect’s larvae oil. The University has joined hands with CP Foods to explore commercial opportunities from the research.

Under this MoU, CP Foods will fund the project and jointly develop the first smart farm for Black Soldier Fly in Thailand. This pilot farm will also be a learning centre for students, farmers, and the community.

“Chiang Mai University and CP Foods have the same goal, which is to explore the new products for driving Thai agriculture sector towards sustainable growth, using BCG economy model as an outline. This research will not only benefit both organizations, but also farmers across the country, who can generate extra income from this new economic insect.” Dr. Yuthana.

Dr. Pairat added that CP Foods has been working on alternative protein sources, whether it is plant-based protein, cell-based protein, and insect-based protein in response to the new sustainable food trend and building food security.

He explained that the company has a keen interest in insect sector. Previously, the company has developed cricket feed in 2013 and starting to research on the benefits of Black Soldier Fly in 2016.

“Black Soldier Fly is a sustainable choice for alternative protein and fat sources. Therefore, we are making a traceable and value-added insect protein. We hope that our partnership with Chiang Mai University will pave the way for a sustainable and profitable insect industry in Thailand.” Dr. Pairat said.

CPF Secures IPHA Certificate on Strict Measures Against COVID-19

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Khaosod English

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22 February 2021, 06:00

Charoen Pokphand Foods PCL (CPF) announced the winning of Industrial and Production Hygiene Administration (IPHA) certificate thanks to its stringent measures to safeguard production lines from the new coronavirus (COVID-19).

Mr. Siripong Aroonratana, CPF’s Chief Operating Officer – Livestock Business, said that CPF has placed extreme emphasis on food safety throughout the production chain and the most stringent safety measures have been enforced after the outbreak of COVID-19, to protect workers, working premises and the entire production process as an assurance to consumers. It was not a surprise that CPF’s 9 plants where feed mill, food processing and ready meals are produced are the first to win IPHA certificate, a joint initiative of the Federation of Thai Industries, the Public Health Ministry and the Industry Ministry to build confidence among consumers.

“CPF has exercised the toughest disease prevention measures. Under the Covid-19 Monitoring and Management Center, we established teams to tackle human and animal epidemic. A number of measures have been deployed to assure consumers of food safety which can be traced from upstream to downstream. IPHA certificate is another confirmation of our efficient practices,” he said.

IPHA certificates will be given to food-processing factories that pass the assessment on hygienic standards for workplace, production process and workers.

CPF’s disease prevention framework focuses on 7 areas – hygiene, preventive measures, procurement, communications with employees, cooperation with the government sector and remediation. The safety of “employees” is the priority, as only safe employees can help the Company proceed with the production of safe food for all consumers.

For business continuity, CPF puts in place a number of measures which cover 3 key aspects:

Food security: the Company’s production line must not be disrupted, to prevent food shortages.
Supply chain and logistics: The government assistance has been sought to facilitate transportation of raw materials to factories and food products to consumers, even during lockdown.
Disease prevention: Employees in Thailand and overseas are given guidelines on how to protect themselves against the disease while the Company stocks up alcohol gel and face masks and orders some employees to work from home. Employees returning from risk areas are allowed to self-quarantine for 14 days without having to take leave.

CPF has dutifully and continuously churned out safe food for consumers since the outbreak began. Furthermore, it has shared preventive measures and crisis management tips with suppliers, farmers and any interested parties, to join the national endeavor in sailing all through hard times.

CP Foods’ Fund for Elderly Project Reaches 10th Anniversary of Supporting Underprivileged Seniors

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Khaosod English

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22 February 2021, 06:00

Charoen Pokphand Foods Public Company Limited (CP Foods) celebrates 10th anniversary of its “CPF Fund for Elderly” project by providing multiple supports to over three hundred senior citizens living in poverty across the country, driving Thailand toward becoming a quality aging society.

Mr. Wuthichai Sithipreedanant, Senior Vice President for Corporate Social Responsibility and Sustainable Development of CP Foods, said the company launched “CPF Fund for Elderly” project in 2011 to provide care for underprivileged elderly people nearby its operations.

The aim of this project and the fund is to find a sustainable solution to continuously support the elderly aged above 60 years old surrounding the factories and farms who are neglected, unaided, or impoverished. The project continues to add new participants annually.

The company has supported a total number of 869 underprivileged elders in the past decade. As of 2021, there are 345 participants in the project.

Under the scheme, the company provides financial support for 2,000 Baht per person every month for a lifetime. Also, CP Foods provides food and consumer staples as well as making a monthly visit to increase their quality of life and enable them to live happily.

During the COVID-19 outbreak, extra safety measures have been put into place to minimize potential infection. For example, while visiting the elders, volunteers are required to wear a face mask and hand gloves. The volunteers and the elders must maintain social distancing measure.

“CP Foods realizes the importance of the elderly in society. Therefore, the project is being one of driving forces in Thailand transition towards a quality aging society.” said Mr. Wuttichai.

Thailand is estimated to become an aged society by 2024. This means the number of people aged 60 years and over will be over 20%.

Family of Doctor Who Died of COVID Forwards Donations to Medical Funds

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Khaosod English

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21 February 2021, 12:30

S__7864537 — Residents lay down flowers at Panya Medical Clinic on Feb. 18, 2021.

BANGKOK — The physician who died from the coronavirus would go on to save more lives even in his death.

All funerary donations made to Panya Hanphanitphan, M.D., will be passed along to foundations and hospitals in order to buy medical equipment, pay for funerals of those who cannot afford the cost, and support volunteer doctors working in rural communities, according to his family.

The announcement was made online by Panya’s eldest son, Panprach Hanphanitphan, who thanked everyone who donated to his family at the funeral in Maha Sarakham province.

Panya tested positive for the coronavirus on Feb. 2 and died on Thursday at Maha Sarakham provincial hospital, where he had worked for 35 years. He was 66.

Local health officials suspect Panya contracted the virus from one of his patients who sought treatment with him at his clinic; three individuals who were later found with the coronavirus had visited the clinic throughout January.

150404992 267697678074080 8089398826035141709 n e1613729173388 — *Panya Hanphanitphan’s funeral on Feb. 18, 2021, at the Eang Teck Tung Foundation Shrine in Maha Sarakham.*

Panprach said donations made to his father will be forwarded to a number of organizations, including two hospitals in Maha Sarakham and one in Khon Kaen, as well as a foundation dedicated to supporting doctors who volunteered to serve in rural areas.

The money will be spent on new coronavirus protective gears, hospital equipment, more wards for patients, a new morgue, cleaning fees of hearses, and a new emergency medical response unit.

Panya’s neighbors also gathered in recent days to lay down flowers in front of his clinic in Maha Sarakham city center.

The health ministry said on Thursday that at least 36 health professionals have been infected with the coronavirus in Thailand so far, including 6 of them who caught the virus from their patients.

The government was supposed to start an inoculation program against COVID-19 for frontline health workers this month, but that hasn’t happened so far. The health ministry said the first shipment of vaccine will arrive on Feb. 24.

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