A private school in Bangkok has suspended all classes for one week, after a grade-6 schoolboy and thirteen of his classmates have tested positive for the H1N1 influenza. The pupil developed flu symptoms and had no record of traveling abroad, unlike other flu patients who had traveled to the United States before showing signs of the virus. In Pattaya, 21 nightclub workers have also tested positive, after two Taiwanese tourists developed flu symptoms upon their return to Taiwan from the Thai beach resort town. The World Health Organization has called an emergency meeting amidst speculation that a first flu pandemic in 40 years might be announced. Australia alone has reported more than 1,200 new cases of infection over the past week.
The Nation
The Nation
When the Thai government imposed an emergency law cracking down on red-shirted protesters on the streets of Bangkok last week, the state’s censors were given liberty to silence critical media, according to Marwaan Macan-Markar of IPS. By the weekend, Community radio stations sympathetic to the anti-government ‘red-shirts’ in northern and northeastern provinces were raided by the police and closed down. Also, the information and technology ministry ordered Internet service providers to shut down 67 websites that were allegedly sympathetic to the ‘red-shirts’ protestors. "The radio stations were closed because they were being used to incite violence," Buranaj Smutharakas, Democrat Party spokesman, told journalists. "The right to free speech ends when it is being used to call for violence."
IPS
IPS
The Thai government will allow sale of alcohol throughout the 4-day Songkran festival in order to boost the flagging tourism industry. The National Committee for Alcohol Consumption Control decided in a meeting that the pros of allowing alcohol sale far outweigh the cons. An alcohol ban would drive away foreign tourists during one of Thailand's most popular festivals, and might also increase sales of illegal liquors. The sale of alcohol during Songkran will be in line with existing regulations, allowing alcohol sale from 11am until 2pm, and 5pm until midnight. The government will launch several anti-alcohol campaigns to discourage drinking and driving and drinking on the back of pick-up trucks. Bangkok Post