JAKARTA: Asean leaders prepared to begin Myanmar crisis talks on Saturday with junta leader Min Aung Hlaing, who has become the focus of international outrage over a military coup and crackdown that has left more than 700 dead.

Eight Covid-19 deaths and a record 2,839 new cases, 1,582 of them in Bangkok, were reported on Saturday, bringing the totals to 129 deaths and 53,022 cases.

RAYONG: Pedigree cats confiscated by the Office of the Narcotics Control Board during a drugs raid have found a home with a feline fanatic after being put up for auction.

The government has halved its expected number of international visitors to 3-4 million this year and slashed its tourism revenue forecast.

Whether the state enterprise status of Thai Airways International Plc (THAI) will be returned depends on creditors, Finance Minister Arkhom Termpittayapaisith said on Friday.

Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha is insisting that the government is ready to deal with the latest wave of Covid-19 infections.

The death of an 85-year-old while waiting at home to be admitted to hospital for Covid-19 treatment has sparked a public outcry over bed shortages for virus patients.

Exports in March rose 8.47% year-on-year, hitting a monthly record high in dollar terms as economic stimulus in the United States and vaccine rollouts bolstered hopes for global recovery, the Commerce Ministery said on Friday.

The Public Health Ministry is racing to increase the number of intensive care beds for Covid-19 patients as the rate of infection soars, with ICU units filling up.

The government on Friday reported four new deaths related to Covid-19 and a new daily high of 2,070 infections confirmed over the previous 24 hours.