Disasters and emergency response
Local startup deals down, funding surges
The number of startup funding deals plunged to 30 in 2020, down from 41 the year before, due to the pandemic as investment focused more on companies in the growth stage, according to tech media Techsauce.However, the total investment in local startups surged to US$364 ...
Suchit Leesa-Nguansuk
Public hearings on Universal Coverage Scheme being held online amid pandemic
The National Health Security Office (NHSO) is holding virtual public hearings to improve the Universal Coverage Scheme (UCS) and answer stakeholders needs, a senior official has said.The NHSO has not suspended its public hearings despite the Covid-19 third wave in Thailand, said Dr Jedsada Chokdamrongsuk, ...
The Nation Reporter
Thailand Extends State of Emergency as Covid Deaths Surge
Thailand will extend a nationwide state of emergency to tackle the coronavirus pandemic for another two months as the deadliest phase of the outbreak to hit the nation so far shows no signs of easing.The Center for Covid-19 Situation Administration, headed by Prime Minister Prayuth ...
Third-wave dampens TAT’s bid to boost domestic tourism
The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) believes it will not be able to meet its 2021 target because few people are travelling due to the third wave of Covid-19.TAT governor Yuthasak Supasorn said the organization expects 90 million locals to take trips this year, slightly ...
The Nation Reporter
Financial system increasingly vulnerable
The Thai financial system has become more vulnerable due to negative shocks from the recent Covid-19 outbreak, says the Bank of Thailand (BoT).The financial situation of Thai households has become more fragile as reflected in the elevated debt-to-income ratio which is higher compared to other ...
Somruedi Banchongduang
GSB suspends relief-loan applications after huge demand crashes system
The state-owned lender Government Savings Bank (GSB) temporarily stopped accepting applications for its Covid-19-relief loans on Thursday as more than 100,000 requests are pending in the system, amid online backlash.“We expect to resume taking loan applications again early next week,” said GSB director Withai Rattanakorn ...
Hospitals should not bill patients for Covid treatment, says NHSO
Private hospitals cannot charge Covid-19 patients for treatment, the National Health Security Office (NHSO) said.NHSO secretary-general Jadet Thammathat-Aree held a video conference with private hospitals nationwide on Wednesday. He said later that the NHSO had asked private hospitals not to charge Covid-19 patients.Private hospitals attending ...
Apinya Wipatayotin
Thailand says it’s not ‘fast spinning out of Covid-19 control’
With reference to your article Thailand fast spinning out of Covid-19 control published on May 13, 2021, I feel compelled to set the record straight as follows. The article’s claim that AstraZeneca has chosen Siam Bioscience to produce its vaccine was based on “unknown reasons” is ...
Third wave of pandemic could be death sentence for Thai hotels
Two years ago, the seaside in front of Seksith Pimolnat guesthouse on Phuket’s Patong Beach was packed. Holiday makers from Siberia, China, and the various corners of the European Union crowded together in a cacophonous revelry.Today, Patong is deserted. Another casualty of the coronavirus pandemic.“Many ...
Third Covid wave rocks Thai economy
Thailand and many of its neighbours are struggling with the spread of Covid-19 cases while they await the beginning of mass vaccination programmes to counter the pandemic.Thailand’s financial system has been hit hard by the latest coronavirus outbreak and the central bank says its economy ...
