National
Thailand Grants Visa Extensions for Foreigners Affected by COVID-19
The Thai government has issued an announcement, granting automatic visa extensions for foreigners in Thailand who have been affected by the COVID-19 crisis.
The spread of COVID-19 has led to an increasing number of infected persons and many people have died. The Thai government has announced the closure of points of entry into the Kingdom to contain the spread of the disease.
It has also issued an announcement, granting automatic visa extensions for foreigners in Thailand who have been affected by the COVID-19 crisis.
The announcement was made on 7 April 2020 and signed by Prime Minister General Prayut Chan-o-cha and Interior Minister General Anupong Paojinda. It covers three groups of foreigners, as follows:
1. Foreigners with resident visas who normally reside in Thailand
The first group includes foreigners with resident visas who normally reside in Thailand but are now overseas and required to return to Thailand within a year of their departure.
Since they might not be able to re-enter Thailand in time due to the COVID-19 pandemic, they will be granted an extension of their compulsory return deadline. However, they are required to return to Thailand as soon as the situation improves within the period specified by the Immigration Bureau.
2. Foreign visitors whose visas expired on 26 March 2020 or thereafter
The second group involves foreign visitors whose visas expired on 26 March 2020 or thereafter. They will be granted automatic visa extensions until 30 April 2020, and notification of staying in the Kingdom will be extended for those whose expiry date of stay permit falls within the period between 26 March and 30 April 2020.
However, when the situation improves sufficiently or returns to normal, they are required to proceed with their visas within the period specified by the Immigration Bureau.
3. Visitors from neighboring countries who hold a temporary border pass
The third group includes visitors from neighboring countries who hold a temporary border pass issued on 23 March 2020, or thereafter. They will be allowed to stay in Thailand until the borders are re-opened, and will be required to leave Thailand within seven days after the borders reopen.
Meanwhile, the Ministry of Public Health on 8 April 2020 reported 111 new COVID-19 cases in Thailand, raising the number of confirmed cases to 2,369. Out of the number of confirmed cases, 888 have been cured; 1,451 are still hospitalized; and 30 have died.
National
Abuse against women still prevalent in Thailand
Like many other Asian countries, Thailand is a patriarchal society in which women are generally tied to the role of family caretaker which usually means raising children and taking care of the elderly, as well as other household chores like cooking and cleaning.
In December 1999, the United Nations designated Nov 25 as the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, to commemorate the murder of the Mirabal sisters, the three Dominican political activists who opposed the dictatorship of Rafael Trujillo in 1960.
Banking
Thai cabinet approves 350 billion baht Aid for COVID-hit Businesses
Thailand unveiled new measures to help small and medium COVID-hit businesses in the tourism industry hit by a liquidity crunch.
The Thai cabinet has approved assistance worth 350 billion baht($11 Billion) to help businesses affected by COVID-19 with soft loans and asset warehousing.
Markets
Thai Mango growers complain of low prices and fewer exports
Because of the global COVID-19 pandemic, their mangoes are not being exported, due to fewer buyers, and their prices have plunged to between 10 and 20 baht per kilogram, depending on size.
Mango orchard owners in Thailand’s northern province of Phitsanuloke are seeking help from the provincial administration to promote the sale of their sweet fruit, particularly Barracuda Mango variety.
Thai fruit exports to FTA markets up 107 percent
China, Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia, the Philippines, Hong Kong, Australia and Chile are top importers of Thai fruits, especially fresh durian,...
Digital Revolution and Repression in Myanmar and Thailand
Activists have also proactively published social media content in multiple languages using the hashtags #WhatsHappeningInMyanmar and #WhatsHappeningInThailand to boost coverage...
3 Reasons to Be Optimistic About the Baht Right Now
Probably one of the most important factors for the rise of the Baht is the continued weakness of the US...
Will Thailand’s plan for quarantine-free tourism set a global trend?
According to the Tourism Authority of Thailand, the quarantine-exemption measures implemented in Phuket will be extended to five other key...
Thailand Approves Latest Economic Relief Package for Businesses
Some 250 billion baht (US$8 billion) was allocated for soft loans while the remaining 100 billion baht (US$3.2 billion) will...
Southeast Asia remains a hot spot for plastic pollution
The use of plastics is deeply embedded in our daily lives, in everything from grocery bags and cutlery to water...