Internet cafes to be closed for cleaning ????
Friday, July 10, 2009
Phuket internet cafes to be off line for two weeks
PHUKET CITY: Internet cafes throughout Thailand will be closed for two weeks following the death of a Phuket university student last week.
Public Health Minister Witthaya Kaewparadai has announced plans to close tutorial schools and Internet cafes nationwide in a bid to prevent the spread of the A(H1N1) virus that causes swine flu.
Schools and internet cafes will be asked to spend the two weeks thoroughly cleaning their computers to prevent them from becoming sources of infection.
The venues, which are usually crowded with young people, must close on Monday July 13 and remain closed until July 28.
Mr Witthaya and senior ministry officials at the Government House met with Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva to discuss the pandemic.
Deputy Public Health Minister Manit Nopamornbodi announced 290 more new cases of type-A (H1N1) influenza on Tuesday, bringing the official total of cases in Thailand past the 2,700 mark.
The vast majority have already been cured, but around 110 patients were still in hospital as of Tuesday.
There have also been 14 confirmed deaths from the disease, including the one case in Phuket.
For local reaction to the closure order, read the hard copy edition of the Gazette that hits newsstands on Saturday. https://teakdoor.com/images/smilies1/You_Rock_Emoticon.gif https://teakdoor.com/images/smilies1/You_Rock_Emoticon.gif Print this story | Send it to a friend Phuket, Thailand Send Letter to Gazette Editor https://teakdoor.com/images/smilies1/You_Rock_Emoticon.gif10:33 local time
Internal Security Act now in force in Phuket
Internal Security Act now in force in Phuket
Military hardware, much of it on flatbed trucks, rolled onto the island yesterday afternoon.
Defense Minister Prawit Wongsuwan, who is in charge of security during the meetings, said no street demonstrations would be allowed during the meetings, which would include the 16th Asean Regional Forum (ARF) and Post Ministerial Conferences.
“Phuket must have no protests whatsoever,” he said.
“No areas will be designated for demonstrations, there will be no road blockages, and there will be no protest letters submitted.
“Not even a peaceful gathering is allowed.”
General Prawit asked prospective protest groups, including the red shirts and local and foreign non-government organizations, to comply with the regulations.
He said international standards would be applied in providing security for the leaders of the 28 countries due to attend.
The Internal Security Act will remain in force in Phuket for two weeks, until July 24.
Gen Prawit said he did not think the extra security would affect local businesses and said he was confident the meetings would run smoothly.
Deputy government spokesman Supachai Jaisamut said Cabinet had ordered relevant authorities to cooperate with officials from the Internal Security Operations Command, who are empowered to designate certain buildings or places off-limits.
Unauthorized people are not allowed to carry weapons outside their residences and the Isoc director has the power to ban the use of electronic devices in certain areas.
The Isoc chief can also impose restrictions on the use of certain roads or vehicles, the spokesman said.
Suthep Thaugsuban, Deputy Prime Minister in charge of security affairs, said local residents would be told about any restrictions.
Gatherings will not be allowed at the airport or on roads to and from the airport, or in areas around the hotels where the delegates will stay, the spokesman said.
Phuket Provincial Police have also been busy gearing up for the event.
On Wednesday morning, hundreds of policemen in full riot gear practiced their crowd control techniques outside Phuket City Police station.
The exercise involved using shields to form phalanxes to drive off protesters.
A band of volunteer motorcycle taxi drivers who acted as 'protesters' relished the opportunity to hurl plastic bottles of water and other missiles at the police.
Phuket Gazette
