Here is a look at the top NATIONAL stories, chosen by our Pattaya News/TPN National team, from last week, December 13th to the 19th, with some commentary. They are not in any particular level of importance but are listed in the order of date of publication.
1. Thai Covid Center announces New Year’s Eve alcohol allowances and new province rezoning, Chonburi now joins the Blue Zones
The Covid Center has approved serving and drinking alcoholic beverages in all provinces nationwide, despite their color zoning, on the night of New Year’s Eve until 1:00 AM. of the following day to celebrate the holiday seasons. And on December 16th onwards, provinces in the yellow and blue zones are allowed alcohol drinking at qualified restaurants under the guidelines of their provincial orders.
2. Chana villagers march to Government House to seek Thai Government action against Chana industrial estate project
Local villagers traveled from the southern province of Songkhla to protest an industrial park project scheduled for roughly 20,000 rai of land in Chana district, claimed by the government that the land would be a “Prototype City of Advanced Futuristic Industries”. However, some of the protesters claimed that they were forced to leave their land in order for future development and, therefore, opposed the project and gathered for an overnight protest in front of the Government House, urging for the government to delay the project until the SEA (Strategic Environmental Assessment) is done. The group called off the gathering on the following day after the Cabinet Committee agreed to follow the protesters’ proposal.
3. Thai Covid-19 Center approves shortening period of booster doses to fight Omicron variant
The shortening period was approved to prevent severe illness and possible fatalities among Thai nationals from the Covid-19 Omicron variant. The average gap for the third dose is between 4 – 6 weeks, depending on the type of Covid-19 vaccine previously received. The list can be observed in the full article below.
Thai Covid-19 Center approves shortening period of booster doses to fight Omicron variant
4. Qualified nightlife and entertainment workers in Thailand to receive 5,000 baht in financial aid by the end of December
A 5,000 baht compensation will be officially distributed for the first time to qualified Thai nightlife and entertainment venue workers as well as self-employed people registered with the Social Security Office (SSO), starting December 29th. As a part of the Ministry of Labor’s financial remedy project, the payout is for workers who are affected by the Thai government’s ongoing closure measures. Those who are not registered with the Social Security Office are encouraged to do so as soon as possible in order to receive the payout by mid-January.
And, that is all for this week. Thank you as always for reading the Pattaya News/TPN News!
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