Tag Archives: Thailand

Did rival drug lords poison Grand Hyatt Erawan murder victims?!

Were the Grand Hyatt Erawan murder victims poisoned by rival drug lords?! Take a look at the viral claim, and find out what the facts really are!

Updated @ 2024-07-20 : Added new details, and photos
Originally posted @ 2024-07-19

Claim : Rival Drug Lords Poisoned Grand Hyatt Erawan Victims!

People are sharing an “article” on WhatsApp, which claims that the Grand Hyatt Erawan murder victims were rival drug lords!

It is really long, so feel free to skip to the next section for the facts!

Interesting insights into the Bangkok tragedy.

DRUGS!

The Hidden World of Bangkok’s Drug Lords: A Riveting Tale of Poison and Power

In an unexpected twist that reads like a gripping crime thriller, the recent tragic deaths of six individuals at Bangkok’s Grand Hyatt Erawan Hotel have unveiled a hidden underworld of drug cartels and ruthless rivalries. Contrary to initial reports of a shooting, it has now been confirmed that these six individuals, all of whom were either Vietnamese Americans or Vietnamese nationals, fell victim to a sophisticated poisoning orchestrated by their rivals.

The victims, three men and three women, were discovered by hotel staff in their opulent suite, leading to a swift and intense police investigation. As details emerged, a shocking narrative of deceit and power struggles within the international drug trade began to unfold.

### The Victims: High-Profile Figures in the Drug Trade

The deceased were not ordinary tourists but prominent figures in a vast drug syndicate operating across Southeast Asia and beyond. Among them was Minh Nguyen, a notorious Vietnamese American who had long evaded law enforcement. Known for his ruthless tactics and immense wealth, Minh was rumored to be the brains behind one of the most sophisticated drug trafficking operations in the region.

Accompanying Minh were his close associates and enforcers, including his trusted lieutenant, Linh Tran, and his financial mastermind, Bao Le. The women, Ha Pham, Mai Vu, and Lan Huynh, played crucial roles in the syndicate, managing logistics, money laundering, and communications.

### The Rivals: A Calculated Strike

Preliminary investigations suggest that this mass poisoning was a meticulously planned attack by a rival cartel, seeking to dismantle Minh’s empire and seize control of the lucrative drug routes. Sources indicate that a deadly toxin was discreetly introduced into their food or drinks during a seemingly innocuous business dinner.

The rival cartel, led by the enigmatic and elusive figure known only as “The Serpent,” has been vying for dominance in the drug trade for years. This calculated strike at the Grand Hyatt Erawan appears to be The Serpent’s most audacious move yet, signaling a new era of brutal power struggles in the criminal underworld.

### The Tour Guide: A Crucial Witness

Amid the chaos and tragedy, a sole survivor has emerged as a key figure in unraveling the mystery. An unsuspecting tour guide, hired to provide the group with local insights, miraculously escaped the poisoning. Now under protective custody, the tour guide has become an invaluable witness, offering crucial information about the group’s movements and interactions leading up to the fatal evening.

The tour guide’s testimony has shed light on the intricate web of deceit and betrayal that characterized the final hours of Minh and his associates. According to his account, the group seemed tense and on edge, frequently looking over their shoulders and speaking in hushed tones. His observations have provided investigators with critical clues about the possible involvement of hotel staff and other external collaborators in the poisoning plot.

### The Aftermath: Chaos and Retaliation

The brazen attack has sent shockwaves through the drug trafficking networks in Southeast Asia. In the wake of the deaths, Minh’s syndicate has been thrown into disarray, with rival factions scrambling for control. Violence has erupted in several key territories as former allies turn on each other, and law enforcement agencies are bracing for an unprecedented wave of criminal activity.

Thai authorities, in collaboration with international law enforcement, are now on high alert, launching a massive manhunt for The Serpent and his operatives. The poisoning has not only exposed the extent of criminal infiltration into high society but also highlighted the dangerous lengths to which these cartels will go to maintain their dominance.

Bangkok, a city known for its vibrant nightlife and bustling streets, is now shrouded in a sense of unease. The Grand Hyatt Erawan, once a symbol of luxury and elegance, has become a stark reminder of the dark forces lurking beneath the surface. As police intensify their investigation, the city’s residents and tourists are left wondering how deep the criminal connections run and what the future holds for the once peaceful metropolis.

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Truth : Rival Drug Lords Did Not Poison Grand Hyatt Erawan Victims!

This is yet another example of fake news circulating on WhatsApp, and here are the reasons why…

Fact #1 : Grand Hyatt Erawan Victims Have Different Names

Let me start by pointing out that six victims who died in the Grand Hyatt Erawan hotel in Bangkok, have completely different names from what was mentioned in the viral WhatsApp article.

The article claimed that these were the victims – Minh Nguyen, Linh Tran, Bao Le, Ha Pham, Mai Vu, and Lan Huynh.

The Thai authorities have officially identified the victims as Sherine Chong, Thi Nguyen Phuong, Thi Nguyen Phuong Lan, Dinh Tran Phi, Hong Pham Thanh, and Hung Dang Van.

As you can see, the viral WhatsApp article didn’t even get a single name correct!

Fact #2 : There Is No Drug Lord Called Minh Nguyen

There is no also Vietnamese American drug lord called Minh Nguyen operating in the Southeast Asian region, with a trusted lieutenant called Linh Tran, and a financial mastermind called Bao Le.

The only Vietnamese American called Minh Nguyen who was involved in the drug trade was a small-time dealer who was arrested in September 2006 for distributing Ecstasy, and sentenced to 21 months in prison.

Fact #3 : There Is No Drug Lord Called The Serpent

Unsurprisingly, there is also no drug lord operating in Southeast Asia called The Serpent.

Fact #4 : Thai Police Called It Murder-Suicide

Thai police investigating the case believe that it was a murder-suicide committed by one of the victims – Sherine Chong, who laced cups of tea with cyanide. Tests confirmed the presence of cyanide in a tea flask and six tea cups, as well as the bodies of the six victims.

The group ordered food and English tea to be delivered to their room on the 5th floor of the Grand Hyatt Erawan hotel. When the hotel staff arrived with the food, only Sherine Chong was present. They offered to brew and serve the tea, but Chong allegedly declined and said that she would take care of it.

Shortly after that, CCTV footage showed all six members of the group gathering outside the room, and then entering. That would be the last time they were seen alive. According to Noppasin Poonsawat, the deputy commander of the Metropolitan Police Bureau:

It all started after 13:57 [on Monday], after the hotel staff brought six teacups, a milk pot and two flasks into the room. We found cyanide on the six cups. According to CCTV, there was no one else – apart from the six members of the group – going inside the room, and none of them were seen coming out, after 14:17.

After the group of six people entered the room, no other visitors were seen entering the room, and no one was observed leaving either. The door remained locked.

The six victims were only found dead the next day, on late Tuesday afternoon, when they were found by the housekeeping staff after they were late to check out.

The plates of food they ordered appeared to be untouched, and still sealed in cling wrap film. Only the tea appeared to have been consumed.

The police ruled out a mass suicide, as some of the victims made future arrangements for their trip, and they were not grouped together when they died. Four bodies were in the living room, two were in the bedroom, with two of the victims appearing to be reaching for the door but collapsed before they could.

Fact #5 : Murder-Suicide Related To Investment Debt Dispute

Police interviews with relatives of the deceased indicated that the murder-suicide is likely due to disputes over an investment project in Japan.

As Major General Theeradet Thumsuthee, head of the Bangkok Metropolitan Police Bureau’s investigation unit, explained:

The case likely stems from debt issues. There is no other possibility. The perpetrator is among the six deceased because they were the only ones who entered the room. There was no one else.

Investigators said that the deceased were a mix of borrowers, lenders, and guarantors. Vietnamese nationals Thi Nguyen Phuong, 46, and her husband, Hong Pham Thanh, 49, apparently invested about 10 million Thai bahts ($278,000/£214,000) with Sherine Chong and a Vietnamese woman to build a hospital in Japan.

When that project did not progress, the investors filed a lawsuit. The six individuals were scheduled to meet in court in two weeks, but Sherine Chong invited them to negotiate before the court date. Initially, they planned to meet in Japan, but later decided to meet in Bangkok instead due to visa issues.

Fact #6 : They Were Not Involved In Drugs

There is also no evidence that the deceased were involved in the trafficking or sale of narcotics.

Husband and wife Hong Pham Thanh and Thi Nguyen Phuong, for example, ran a construction company in Vietnam.

Meanwhile, Dinh Tran Phi is a famous Vietnamese make-up artist who goes by the name Phua Gia Gia, and has been in the beauty industry for almost 20 years. He appeared to be in Bangkok working for Sherine Chong.

Finally, Thi Nguyen Phuong Lan was apparently asked by Sherine Chong to act as a intermediary in the negotiations over the investment.

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Dr. Adrian Wong has been writing about tech and science since 1997, even publishing a book with Prentice Hall called Breaking Through The BIOS Barrier (ISBN 978-0131455368) while in medical school.

He continues to devote countless hours every day writing about tech, medicine and science, in his pursuit of facts in a post-truth world.

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Did study find Long COVID patients all received mRNA vaccine?!

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Did a new study find that Long COVID patients all received the mRNA vaccine for COVID-19?! Take a look at the viral claim, and find out what the facts really are!

Claim : Study Found Long COVID Patients All Received mRNA Vaccine!

People are sharing an article (archive) by The People’s Voice (formerly NewsPunch), which claimed or suggested that a new study found that Long COVID patients all received the mRNA vaccine for COVID-19!

Official Study Finds All Patients With Long COVID Had Received mRNA Vaccine

A new study has found that the majority of patients who experienced so-called ‘long COVID’ were actually suffering side-effects from the harmful vaccine.

“Despite the extensive distribution of vaccines and antiviral therapies, the prevalence of long COVID remains high,” the authors of the paper wrote.

Although definitions of long COVID differ, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) broadly defines long COVID as “signs, symptoms, and conditions that continue to develop after acute COVID-19 infection” that can last for “weeks, months, or years.” The term “long COVID” also includes post-acute sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 infection, long-haul COVID, and post-acute COVID-19.

Studies Link Long COVID to Vaccination

A February report published by the CDC found that more than 8 percent of participants in seven U.S. states reported having experienced long COVID symptoms. In West Virginia, almost 11 percent of survey participants reported long COVID symptoms. However, the agency did not disclose whether survey respondents were vaccinated.

Some research suggests long COVID may be caused by an immune overreaction to the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein that COVID-19 vaccines use to induce antibodies and that vaccination causes some people to generate a second round of antibodies that target the first.

In a February 2023 study published in the Journal of Medical Virology, researchers analyzed the levels of spike protein and viral RNA in patients hospitalized for COVID-19 with and without long COVID. They found that spike protein and viral RNA were more likely to be present in patients with long COVID.

In an August 2023 study published in the International Journal of Infectious Diseases, researchers found the risk of long COVID was lower in those who had previous SARS-CoV-2 infection, and the risk of getting long COVID did not differ by vaccination status. Researchers found that unvaccinated people infected with omicron had the lowest risk of long COVID.

In a 2023 study in the European Review for Medical and Pharmacological Sciences, researchers studied the serum of 81 individuals with long COVID. They found viral spike protein in one patient after the infection had cleared despite having a negative COVID-19 test, and vaccine spike protein in two patients two months after vaccination.

In a December 2022 study published in PLoS One, researchers found patients were more likely to experience long COVID if they had preexisting medical conditions, a higher number of symptoms during the acute phase of COVID-19 illness, if their infection was more severe or resulted in hospitalization, or if they had received two doses of a COVID-19 vaccine.

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Truth : Study Did Not Find Long COVID Patients All Received mRNA Vaccine!

This is yet another example of fake news created / promoted by The People’s Voice, and here are the reasons why…

Fact #1 : mRNA Vaccines Were Not Mentioned In Study

Let me start by pointing out that the study in question never even mentioned mRNA vaccines. In fact, the word “mRNA” does not appear in the paper at all!

You can read the paper in full, and look for yourself – Long-COVID Prevalence and Its Association with Health Outcomes in the Post-Vaccine and Antiviral-Availability Era by Ramida Jangnin et. al.

So why would anyone claim that this study showed that all patients with Long COVID received the mRNA vaccine???

Fact #2 : Thailand Used A Mix Of Vaccines

On top of that, Thailand uses a mix of COVID-19 vaccines – a majority of which were the Oxford-AstraZeneca, and CoronaVac vaccines, both of which are not mRNA vaccines.

So it is more likely that not that the majority of patients in that study did not receive the mRNA vaccine.

Fact #3 : It Was An Observational Study By Telephone

I should also point out that it was an observational study. Observational studies like this cannot prove causality. Perhaps that’s why the study authors themselves pointed out that further prospective research is needed to establish any causality.

However, given the observational nature of our study, further prospective research is needed to establish causal relationships, and longitudinal studies are advised to track the evolution of long-COVID symptoms over time.

To be clear – you cannot use observational studies like this as evidence of causality. This study does not show that COVID-19 vaccines cannot prevent Long COVID. Neither does it show that COVID-19 vaccines increase the risk of Long COVID.

You can read more about this in my earlier fact checking of The Epoch Health’s article on the same study.

Fact #4 : Study Did Not Look At Vaccine Effect On Long COVID

I should also point out that this Thai study was not actually designed to look at the effect of mRNA COVID-19 vaccination on Long COVID.

Not only did it not have a control group of unvaccinated people, almost all of its participants received both COVID-19 vaccinations and antiviral treatment!

In fact, the study did not mention whether anyone was unvaccinated. So it is highly likely that all its participants were at least either fully-vaccinated, or had antiviral treatment!

The cohort consisted of 390 participants… Among them, 96.7% (n = 377) were vaccinated, and 98.2% (n = 383) underwent antiviral treatment.

So how do we know if the Long COVID was caused by the COVID-19 infection itself, the COVID-19 vaccines, or the antiviral treatment? We don’t, because this observational study was never designed to elicit such information in the first place!

Fact #5 : Almost All Study Participants Were Vaccinated!

I should stress yet again, that almost all of the participants (94.8%) in this Thai study were fully vaccinated:

40.5% received two doses of the COVID-19 vaccine, while
54.3% received two doses, and a booster dose.

This is important because such a study would inevitably show that people who were vaccinated can suffer from Long COVID. That doesn’t mean that the vaccines cause Long COVID.

If the same study was conducted on only male patients, it would show that only men had Long COVID. Would that mean that only men get Long COVID? Of course, not. That is only the perception that you may get if the study was conducted on only men.

Fact #6 : Studies Do Not Link Long COVID To Vaccines

The People’s Voice article included a list of studies it claimed or suggested show a link between Long COVID and mRNA (or other types of COVID-19) vaccines. That’s not accurate:

The February 2024 report by the CDC did not link Long COVID to vaccination. In fact, the CDC report pointed out that “information about COVID-19 vaccination … is not included in this report“.

The February 2023 study published in the Journal of Medical Virology only looked at levels of spike proteins and viral RNA in COVID-19 patients. It did not mention anything about vaccines, or link Long COVID to vaccination.

The August 2023 study published in the International Journal of Infectious Diseases only showed that that the risk of Long COVID was higher with the wild-type SARS-CoV-2, compared to the Alpha, Delta and Omicron variants. It did not show a link between COVID-19 vaccines and Long COVID.

The 2023 study in the European Review for Medical and Pharmacological Sciences only identified viral spike protein in one COVID-19 patient, and vaccine spike protein in two patients after COVID-19 vaccination, out of 81 Long COVID patients. It did not show a link between the Long COVID and vaccination.

The December 2022 study in PLoS One did not conclude that receiving COVID-19 vaccines was a predictor of long COVID, calling it “an observational paradox” and a “collider bias” due to their study only looking at patients who received hospital care. I wrote an extensive article on this earlier, after The Epoch Times (again?!) covered it as “a new study“.

Fact #7 : Studies Have Shown Vaccines Reduce Long COVID Risk

Many prior studies, involving millions of people – both vaccinated and unvaccinated, have concluded that COVID-19 vaccines reduce the risk of Long COVID.

A March 2024 study published in The Lancet, involving over 20 million people in the UK, Spain and Estonia, concluded that “vaccination against COVID-19 consistently reduced the risk of long COVID symptoms, which highlights the importance of vaccination to prevent persistent COVID-19 symptoms, particularly in adults“.

A February 2024 study published in Nature Communications, involving 1.1 million patients in Hong Kong, provided “real-world evidence supporting the effectiveness of COVID-19 vaccines in reducing the risk of long-term health consequences of SARS-CoV-2 infection and its persistence following infection“.

A March 2023 meta-analysis of 17 different studies on the effects of vaccines on Long COVID concluded that:

The evidence presented herein recommends SARS-CoV-2 vaccination for the prevention of long COVID in breakthrough cases. Furthermore, evidence does not support that SARS-CoV-2 vaccination exacerbates long COVID symptoms. Thus, most patients with long COVID should be vaccinated for SARS-CoV-2.

As you can see – much larger studies have already shown that COVID-19 vaccines not only do not increase the risk of Long COVID, getting vaccinated will actually reduce your risk of getting Long COVID should you get infected.

Hence, it is no surprise that the US CDC has pointed out that “Vaccination offers protection against the prolonged effects of #COVID19“.

Fact #8 : The People’s Voice Is Known For Fake News

The People’s Voice is the current name for NewsPunch, which possibly changed its name because its brand has been so thoroughly discredited after posting numerous shocking but fake stories.

Founded as Your News Wire in 2014, it was rebranded as NewsPunch in November 2018, before becoming The People’s Voice. A 2017 BuzzFeed report identified NewsPunch as the second-largest source of popular fake news on Facebook that year.

Its articles have been regularly debunked as fake news, so you should never share anything from NewsPunch / The People’s Voice. Here are some of its fake stories that I fact checked earlier:

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Dr. Adrian Wong has been writing about tech and science since 1997, even publishing a book with Prentice Hall called Breaking Through The BIOS Barrier (ISBN 978-0131455368) while in medical school.

He continues to devote countless hours every day writing about tech, medicine and science, in his pursuit of facts in a post-truth world.

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Were Majority Of Long COVID Patients Vaccinated?!

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Did a new study just show that majority of Long COVID patients were vaccinated?! Take a look at the viral claim, and find out what the facts really are!

Claim : Majority Of Long COVID Patients Were Vaccinated!

People are sharing an Epoch Times article, which claims that a study just found that majority of Long COVID patients were vaccinated!

Here is an excerpt from the Epoch Times article, which people are using to suggest or imply that the COVID-19 vaccines are either useless, or increase the risk of developing Long COVID.

Study Finds Majority of Patients With Long COVID Were Vaccinated

Mass vaccination and available antiviral treatments have not prevented vaccinated individuals from experiencing lingering COVID-19 symptoms.

A recent study found that the majority of patients who suffered from long COVID during a time when vaccines and antiviral treatments were widely available were vaccinated.

The observational study published in the Journal of Clinical Medicine, researchers interviewed 390 people in Thailand who contracted COVID-19 during the “fifth wave of the COVID-19 pandemic” when the omicron variant was dominant. Patients were followed by phone from three months after their diagnosis for a year to monitor their physical condition, mental health, sleep disturbances, and quality of life.

Out of 390 people with COVID-19, 377 (97 percent) were vaccinated, 383 (98 percent) underwent antiviral treatment, and 330 (78 percent) developed long COVID syndrome. The most frequently reported symptoms were fatigue and cough. Other reported symptoms included depression, anxiety, and poor sleep quality. The study found that patients under age 60 with a cough as an initial symptom were more likely to develop the condition. In a subset of patients with long COVID, researchers found a notable correlation in females with headaches, dizziness, and brain fog.

Studies Link Long COVID to Vaccination

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Truth : Vaccines Reduce Risk Of Long COVID!

Let’s take a look at the claims made in the Epoch Times article, and find out what the facts really are!

Fact #1 : It Was An Observational Study By Telephone

Let me start by pointing out that the study in question was an observational study that was conducted by telephone. You can read the paper in full – Long-COVID Prevalence and Its Association with Health Outcomes in the Post-Vaccine and Antiviral-Availability Era by Ramida Jangnin et. al.

This is important because it appears that the 390 patients were not clinically diagnosed with Long COVID. Rather, they were diagnosed with COVID-19, and the researchers interviewed them by “telephone every three months for a period of one year“.

In short – the reliability of the Long COVID diagnosis is highly dependent on what the patients reported, or are willing to tell the researchers. In addition, the list of physical and mental symptoms the researchers looked at are not exclusive to Long COVID, and may be manifestations of pre-existing or unrelated ailments:

physical : fatigue, cough, sore throat, rhinorrhea (runny nose)
mental : attention deficit, sleep disturbance, depression, post-traumatic stress disorder

Observational studies like this cannot prove causality. Perhaps that’s why the study authors themselves pointed out that further prospective research is needed to establish any causality.

Fact #2 : Study Did Not Look At Vaccine Effect On Long COVID

I should also point out that this Thai study was not actually designed to look at the effect of COVID-19 vaccination alone on Long COVID.

Not only did it not have a control group of unvaccinated people, almost all of its participants received both COVID-19 vaccinations and antiviral treatment!

In fact, the study did not mention whether anyone was unvaccinated. So it is highly likely that all its participants were at least either fully-vaccinated, or had antiviral treatment!

The cohort consisted of 390 participants… Among them, 96.7% (n = 377) were vaccinated, and 98.2% (n = 383) underwent antiviral treatment.

Fact #3 : Almost All Study Participants Were Vaccinated!

I should stress yet again, that almost all of the participants (94.8%) in this Thai study were fully vaccinated:

40.5% received two doses of the COVID-19 vaccine, while
54.3% received two doses, and a booster dose.

This is important because such a study would inevitably show that people who were vaccinated can suffer from Long COVID. That doesn’t mean that the vaccines cause Long COVID.

Fact #4 : Studies Do Not Link Long COVID To Vaccines

The Epoch Times article included a list of studies it claimed or suggested show a link between Long COVID and vaccination. That’s not accurate:

The February 2024 report by the CDC did not link Long COVID to vaccination. In fact, the CDC report pointed out that “information about COVID-19 vaccination … is not included in this report“.

Fact #5 : Studies Have Shown Vaccines Reduce Long COVID Risk

Many prior studies, involving millions of people – both vaccinated and unvaccinated, have concluded that COVID-19 vaccines reduce the risk of Long COVID.

A March 2023 meta-analysis of 17 different studies on the effects of vaccines on Long COVID concluded that:

Hence, it is no surprise that the US CDC has pointed out that “Vaccination offers protection against the prolonged effects of #COVID19“.

Fact #6 : The Epoch Times Is Known For Misinformation

The Epoch Times, a media company associated with the Falun Gong religious movement, is known for promoting conspiracy theories and misinformation. Here are some Epoch Times articles that I have fact checked in the past:

I would highly recommend that you do not believe, or share, any articles published or promoted by The Epoch Times, without first verifying their accuracy and the facts.

Please help us FIGHT FAKE NEWS by sharing this fact check article out, and please SUPPORT our work!

Don’t forget to protect yourself, and your family, by vaccinating against COVID-19!

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Support my work through a bank transfer / PayPal / credit card!

Name : Adrian Wong
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Dr. Adrian Wong has been writing about tech and science since 1997, even publishing a book with Prentice Hall called Breaking Through The BIOS Barrier (ISBN 978-0131455368) while in medical school.

He continues to devote countless hours every day writing about tech, medicine and science, in his pursuit of facts in a post-truth world.

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Is Food Being Fried With Plastic To Last Longer?!

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Are food vendors selling fried food coated with plastic to make them crispy for a longer time?!

Take a look at the viral claim, and find out what the facts really are!

Claim : Fried Food Are Being Coated With Plastic!

People are sharing messages on WhatsApp and social media platforms, claiming or suggesting that some food vendors are coating their fried food in plastic, so they will stay crispy for a longer time!

PISANG GORENG WILL MAKE YOU SICK

This is a true story (from my friend). Mum said my uncle saw it in Tunjang (Kedah) and the pasar malam in Titi Chai Kangar (Perlis) where goreng pisang was sold in the afternoons. The hawker added a plastic drinking straw into a wok of hot oil and let it melt completely before he started to fry some bananas in the bubbling oil. This is why some fried bananas and ubi are so crispy… for hours…!!

My uncle asked the hawker about this, but the hawker did not answer him. When my uncle told my mum about this, they realised this is how the hawkers ensure that fried food stays crispy for their customers. My mum said that in Thailand , they do the same thing to keep fried ikan bilis and fried onions crispy, even if left in the open for hours!!

Another time, I was with my family in Cameron Highlands . It was 3:00 pm and we were hanging around the market area, where there were several hawker stalls. At one of them, there was a big wok of boiling oil with an empty plastic bottle floating in it and slowly melting.

At first I thought it had fallen into the oil accidentally, but then I saw a little girl, about 7-years old, holding a pair of chopsticks and stirring the bottle around in the hot oil. I realised, Oh my God… these people were using melted plastic to fry food, so that the fried snacks would not turn soft when it cooled down later.

Please forward to all your friends… DO NOT EAT CRISPY FRIED SNACKS from the hawkers!! Even if you don’t see them melting the plastic in oil, they might have added the plastic a few hours before. After all, they keep the black oil for next day’s frying as well, to save cost on cooking oil.

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Fried food vendor | Photo credit : Time Out

Truth : Fried Food Are Not Being Coated In Plastic!

This is yet another example of FAKE NEWS being shared on WhatsApp and social media platforms, and here are the reasons why…

Fact #1 : No Evidence Of Fried Food Coated In Plastic

Camera phones and smartphones have been around for some 20 years now, allowing people to snap photos and take video clips of everything that catches our eyes.

Social media is full of people posting photos and videos of everything from purchases and holidays, to acts of crime or tragedies. Yet no one has ever taken a photo or video of a food vendor adding plastic to their cooking oil, or selling fried food coated in plastic.

Fact #2 : No Food Vendor Was Ever Reported For Such Crimes

It is ludicrous to believe that any food vendor would publicly add inedible plastic to their frying oil in full view of their customers. If that actually happened, their customers would have reported them to the authorities.

Yet, no one appears to have ever made such a report. There has been no verified news report on such a crime either. That’s because it never happened.

Fact #3 : Plastic Smells When Melting / Burning

If you have ever accidentally burned or melted any plastic item, you will recall how melting or burning plastic stinks.

If any vendor melts plastic in frying oil, it is very likely their customers would be able to smell the melting plastic. It would be quite impossible for food vendors to get away with melting plastic in their frying oil.

Recommended : Did Bill Gates Create Lab-Grown Meat That Moves?!

Cheese chocolate fried bananas | Photo credit : Denai.my

Fact #4 : Many Plastics Are Heat Resistant

The fake news creator claimed to have personally witnessed a plastic bottle melting in the frying oil. But is that even possible?

Cooking oil and bottled water are stored in plastic bottles made from PET (Polyethylene terephthalate)., which melts at 260°C (500°F).

Palm oil – the most common oil used for deep frying, has a smoking point of just 232°C / 450°F. In other words, the cooking oil will break down and start smoking before the plastic bottle even begins to melt!

The only cooking oils that are stable enough above 260°C are refined safflower oil and avocado oil. They are the only cooking oils that are remotely capable of melting PET plastic bottles. Needless to say, they are both much harder to find and A LOT more expensive than palm oil.

Fact #5 : Plastic Coated Food Is Impossible To Eat

Even if you successfully coat your food with plastic, it won’t be crispy as you might expect. In fact, plastic coated food will be quite impossible to eat.

The plastic coating would be hard to chew through. Try placing a food item inside a plastic bag, and chewing the whole thing. Not much fun, is it?

Fact #6 : Melted Straws Won’t Dissolve In Oil

Most drinking straws are made of polypropylene, which has a melting point of 130 to 171 °C (266 to 340 °F). So it is possible to melt them in frying oil.

However, the melted plastic won’t actually dissolve in the oil, which is what most people expect. Instead, it just becomes a misshapen clump of soft plastic, as this video shows.

Recommended : Can Bak Kut Teh Herbal Soup Cause Liver Damage?!

Fact #7 : Plastic-Coated Food Will Be Waterproof + Last Forever

Plastic-coated fried foods, if they do actually exist, will be quite easy to spot. They will be waterproof and won’t spoil even if you leave them in open air for many days.

Fact #8 : Plastic Cannot Be Digested

Plastic cannot be absorbed or digested by our body. So any fried food coated with plastic, if they do exist, will pass through our gastrointestinal system intact. For example, if you fry anchovies and coat them with plastic, they will pass out in your stool in pristine condition!

The only danger of swallowing these plastic-coated food items is that they may cause intestinal obstruction. That’s why turtles die when they chew on plastic bags.

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Support my work through a bank transfer / PayPal / credit card!

Name : Adrian Wong
Bank Transfer : CIMB 7064555917 (Swift Code : CIBBMYKL)
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Dr. Adrian Wong has been writing about tech and science since 1997, even publishing a book with Prentice Hall called Breaking Through The BIOS Barrier (ISBN 978-0131455368) while in medical school.

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Did COVID-19 Vaccines Cause 17 Million Deaths?!

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Did researchers discover that COVID-19 vaccines were “causally linked” to 17 million deaths?!

Take a look at the viral claim, and find out what the facts really are!

Updated @ 2024-01-09 : Refreshed for the revival of this claim on social media
Originally posted @ 2023-10-03

Claim : COVID-19 Vaccines Caused 17 Million Deaths!

People are sharing an article by The Epoch Times which claims or suggests that COVID-19 vaccines did not save lives, but instead, resulted in 17 million deaths in 17 countries!

Here is an excerpt of The Epoch Times article. Feel free to skip to the next section for the facts:

Researchers Find COVID Vaccines Causally Linked to Increased Mortality, Estimate 17 Million Deaths

Data suggest COVID-19 vaccines haven’t saved lives, but instead, have resulted in 17 million deaths and increased all-cause mortality in 17 countries.

A new scientific report challenges the idea that COVID-19 vaccines have prevented deaths after researchers assessed all-cause mortality in 17 countries and found COVID-19 vaccines did not have any beneficial effect on reducing mortality. Instead, researchers found that unprecedented peaks in high all-cause mortality in each country—especially among the elderly population when COVID-19 vaccines were deployed—coincided with the rollout of third and fourth booster doses.

The report, published Sept. 17 by Correlation Research in the Public Interest (pdf) (not yet peer-reviewed), quantified the vaccine-dose fatality rate (vDFR) for all ages—which is the ratio of inferred vaccine-induced deaths to vaccine doses delivered in a given population. After analyzing mortality data, the researchers calculated a mean all-ages fatal toxicity by injection of vDFR of one death per 800 injections across all ages and countries. This equates to 17 million COVID-19 vaccine-related deaths worldwide from 13.25 billion injections as of Sept. 2, 2023.”This would correspond to a mass iatrogenic event that killed (0.213 ± 0.006) % of the world population (1 death per 470 living persons, in less than 3 years), and did not measurably prevent any deaths,” the authors said. The overall risk of death induced by COVID-19 vaccines is 1,000 times greater than previously reported in data from clinical trials, adverse event monitoring, and cause-of-death statistics obtained from death certificates.

All-cause mortality is the death rate from all causes of death for a population in a specific time period. This is the most reliable data for detecting and epidemiologically characterizing events driving death and for measuring the population-level impact of any surge or collapse in deaths from any cause.

“All-cause mortality is a good feature to use in statistical medical analyses since there is no ambiguity in whether someone has died or not,” Stephanie Seneff, a senior research scientist at Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), told The Epoch Times in an email. “It is highly disturbing that these authors have found a consistent trend among seventeen countries showing a significant increase in all-cause mortality coinciding with extensive COVID vaccine rollout. Their estimate of one death for every 800 injections globally is alarming.”

Ms. Seneff said her investigations into potential mechanisms of vaccine injury have led her to believe that it is plausible that these injections are “extremely toxic” and should not have been approved by regulatory agencies.

Key findings from the 180-page report include: In all countries included in the analysis, all-cause mortality increased when COVID-19 vaccines were deployed.

Nine of 17 countries had no detectable excess deaths following the World Health Organization’s March 11, 2020, declaration of the pandemic until the beginning of the COVID-19 vaccination campaign.
Unprecedented peaks in all-cause mortality were observed in January and February 2022, during the summer season of Southern Hemisphere countries coinciding with or following the rollout of boosters in 15 of 17 countries studied.
Excess all-cause mortality during the vaccination period beginning January 2021 was 1.74 million deaths, or one death per 800 injections, in the 17 countries studied.
The vDFR increased exponentially with age, reaching almost 5 percent among those 90 years and older who received a fourth vaccine dose.

“There is no evidence in the hard data of all-cause mortality of a beneficial effect from the COVID-19 vaccine rollouts. No lives were saved,” Denis Rancourt, co-director of Correlation Research in the Public Interest with a doctorate in physics, told The Epoch Times in an email. “On the contrary, the evidence can be understood in terms of being subjected to a toxic substance. The risk of death per injection increases exponentially with age. The policy of prioritizing the elderly for injection must be ended immediately.”

Show less

Truth : COVID-19 Vaccines Did Not Cause 17 Million Deaths!

In this article, I will go through some of their points, and show you what the facts really are!

Fact #1 : It Was A Self-Published Report

First, let’s start by pointing out that the paper in question (PDF download) is not a published scientific report, but a self-published report by Correlation Research in the Public Interest.

As far as we can tell, it has not been submitted to any scientific or medical journal for publication. Even if a scientific report has not been peer-reviewed, it would be available as a pre-print.

Fact #2 : It Has Not Been Peer-Reviewed

There is also no indication that this report has undergone even the basic peer review process. In fact, The Epoch Times confirmed this at the end of their very long article.

It’s important to note the scientific report has not yet been peer-reviewed. Articles that are ultimately accepted by peer review are often revised prior to publication, indicating potential for improvement.

In other words – subject matter experts have yet to inspect their data and findings, never mind verify and authenticate them. Perhaps this should have been mentioned right from the start?

Fact #3 : World Mortality Dataset Covers 103-124 Countries

The World Mortality Dataset (WMD) is a public database maintained by two researchers – Ariel Kaplinsky and Dmitry Kobak, that has been tracking the mortality rates of 103 countries since January 2021. They later expanded their data to cover 124 countries.

It is peculiar that Correlation Research in the Public Interest would focus only on 17 countries, out of 103-124 countries in the World Mortality Dataset. Why not look at ALL countries covered by the WMD data?

Fact #4 : There Was No Causal Link To Vaccines

The World Mortality Dataset is a big and critical tool for tracking all cause mortality for many countries around the world. However, it is ultimately just a database of all-cause mortality.

There is no way it can be used to demonstrate the causality of any particular cause of death. After all, it only tracks all-cause mortality! It doesn’t differentiate between death from a car accident or a fall, from death from COVID-19, or death from a vaccine injury.

Hence, if you go through the long Correlation Research report (180 pages!!), you don’t see an actual causal link between those spikes in deaths, and COVID-19 vaccines (or any other potential cause of death).

Fact #5 : Eurostat Data Shows Vaccination Reduced Excess Mortality

Perhaps the reason why the European countries were left out of this Correlation Research report is because the Eurostat data showed a strong correlation between high COVID-19 vaccination rates and low excess mortality.

In this chart provided by @dobssi, you can see that the 2021 excess mortality is much lower in countries with high vaccination rates, than countries with low vaccination rates.

Interestingly, two of those highly-vaccinated countries are Australia and New Zealand, both of which had low excess mortality rates in 2021.

The Eurostats data appear to show that Australia has only a small spike in excess death, while New Zealand actually had LOWER excess deaths after vaccinating its population. Imagine that…

Fact #6 : Those Countries Have Seasons

The report claim to look at 17 equatorial and Southern Hemisphere countries because they have “no summer and winter seasons”, so there won’t be “seasonal variations” in their mortality patterns.

But the truth is – countries in equatorial and southern hemispheres have at least two seasons, instead of four seasons typically seen in the Northern Hemisphere.

Take Thailand, for example – a tropical country that evokes images of sandy beaches and warm weather. Well, Thailand actually has three seasons:

a wet season that runs from May to October,
a cool season that runs from November to February, and
a hot season that runs from March May

Its capital, Bangkok, itself experiences wide variations in temperature throughout the year – from as low as 21°C in the winter, to as high as 37°C in the summer.

And how exactly does proximity to the equator affect the SARS-CoV-2 virus or the COVID-19 vaccine??

Fact #7 : Those Countries Have Different Vaccination Rates

It is hard to understand why those 17 countries were chosen out of 103-124 countries in the World Mortality Dataset. Especially when they have different vaccination rates.

Yes, the report states that these countries comprise 9.1% of the global population and 10.3% of all COVID-19 vaccine injections. That gives us the impression that they are all highly-vaccinated countries.

That’s really not the case. These countries have very different vaccination rates, ranging from 44% to 97%!

Country	1 Dose	≥ 2 Doses
Argentina	14%	77%
Australia	2%	95%
Bolivia	60%
Brazil	6%	82%
Chile	2%	90%
Colombia	12%	72%
Ecuador	85%
Malaysia	2%	84%
New Zealand	1%	95%
Paraguay	56%
Peru	6%	83%
Philippines	79%
Singapore	1%	92%
South Africa	46%
Suriname	3%	44%
Thailand	5%	78%
Uruguay	5%	83%

If they did not select those countries for their high vaccination rate, then why choose those countries and not the dozens of other countries located near the equator?

Why not pick large countries like Indonesia or India? Why not pick small countries like Brunei or Maldives? Why pick South Africa when there are many other African countries much closer to the equator?

Did they cherry-pick those countries because their data fitted the narrative, or was it something else?

Fact #8 : World Mortality Dataset Study Identified COVID-19 As Cause

The two researchers who maintained the World Mortality Dataset (WMD) actually published a peer-reviewed study in the eLife journal, on 30 June 2021.

Unlike this Correlation Research report, this was an actual peer-reviewed study, published in a journal and the NIH National Library of Medicine. It was also written by the two people who knows the WMD database best – the very people maintaining and updating it!

Both Ariel Kaplinsky and Dmitry Kobak used their WMD data to look at the impact of COVID-19 on the all-cause mortality from 103 countries, and here was what they found:

We found that in several worst-affected countries (Peru, Ecuador, Bolivia, Mexico) the excess mortality was above 50% of the expected annual mortality (Peru, Ecuador, Bolivia, Mexico) or above 400 excess deaths per 100,000 population (Peru, Bulgaria, North Macedonia, Serbia). At the same time, in several other countries (e.g. Australia and New Zealand) mortality during the pandemic was below the usual level, presumably due to social distancing measures decreasing the non-COVID infectious mortality

Summing up the excess mortality estimates across all countries in our dataset gives 4.0 million excess deaths. In contrast, summing up the official COVID-19 death counts gives 2.9 million deaths, corresponding to the global undercount ratio of 1.4.

In other words – many people were likely being killed by COVID-19 infections, which appear to be undercounted by some 40%.

To be clear – their data do not show COVID-19 vaccines causing those deaths, never mind 17 million deaths!

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He continues to devote countless hours every day writing about tech, medicine and science, in his pursuit of facts in a post-truth world.

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Duangphet Phromthep : Why He Died Suddenly In UK!

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Duangphet Phromthep, the former captain of the football team that was rescued from a flooded Thai cave, died suddenly in the United Kingdom.

Take a look at the viral claims about his sudden death, and find out what the facts really are!

Updated @ 2023-11-04 : Added the official cause of death for Duangphet Phromthep
Originally posted @ 2023-02-16

Claim : Duangphet Phromthep Died Suddenly From Vaccine SADS!

Right after news broke that Duangphet Phromthep died suddenly, people immediately claimed that the 17 year-old former captain of the Wild Boars football team that was rescued from a flooded Thai cave died from vaccine SADS!

Another Sudden cardiac arrest with unknown cause especially in the young— after Covid infection/Covid vaccine era — spooky

The Vaccine has killed another person in there sleep this time it was the Thai Captain who was 17

Now offical that taking the shitty mRNA jab is more dangerous than being trapped a mile underground in a flooded cave. #DuangpetchPromthep

Steve Kirsch : Captain of Thai Soccer Team Rescued From Cave Dies at 17. No known cause. Lot of kids dying. Never seen anything like this. Worldwide effect.

Truth : Duangphet Phromthep Died From Suicide!

It’s now tradition for anti-vaccination activists to immediately blame all athlete deaths or illnesses on the COVID-19 vaccine.

This is yet another example of FAKE NEWS created and propagated by anti-vaccination activists, and here are the reasons why…

Fact #1 : Duangphet Phromthep Was Found Unconscious In His Dorm

Duangphet Phromthep was the 13 year-old captain of the Wild Boards (Moo Pa) football team that was rescued two weeks after a flash flood trapped them in a Thai cave on 23 June 2018.

Also known as Dom and Nong Dom, Duangphet Phromthep went to Chiang Mai to study sports, and received a scholarship to study at the Brooke House College Football Academy in Leicester, England, last year.

A teacher found Dom unconscious in his dorm on Sunday, 12 February 2023, and called the police. A Leicestershire police spokesperson confirmed this, stating:

Shortly before 1pm on Sunday, police were called to a boarding school in Leicester Road, Market Harborough by the East Midlands Ambulance Service.

The call concerned the welfare of a pupil. The pupil – a 17-year-old boy – was taken to hospital. He has since died.

Duangphet Phromthep was then sent to the Kettering General Hospital. However, he was unresponsive and died on Tuesday, 14 February, 2023. Ian Smith, the principal at Brooke House college released this statement:

This event has left our college community deeply saddened and shaken. We unite in grief with all of Dom’s family, friends, former teammates and those involved in all parts of his life, as well as everyone affected in any way by this loss in Thailand and throughout the college’s global family.

The college is liaising with statutory authorities and the Royal Thai embassy in London, and dedicating all resources to assist our student body, as they as young people process Dom’s passing. Beyond that, we are unable to comment further at this time and would ask for privacy and compassion as we continue to support the students in our care at this time, drawing on the kindness and assistance of the Market Harborough community.

Fact #2 : Duangphet Phromthep Allegedly Had A Head Injury

Claims that Duangphet Phromthep died from a cardiac arrest, or in his sleep from SADS, appear to be completely unfounded.

According to Supatpong Methigo – a Buddhist monk who taught him earlier, Duangphet’s grandmother told him he had died, after hitting his head in an accident.

Phra Khu Prayut Jetiyanukarn, abbot of Wat Phra That Doi Wao in Chiang Rai, said Duangphet’sthat mother phoned him around 6 AM and told him that her son had died. The abbot said according to initial reports, there was an accident, a fall, and Duangphet was injured. He was admitted to the hospital, and put on a ventilator, but later died.

Other relatives told Thai reporters that they were informed that Duangphet had been injured in an accident that led to his death, and that details would be given by his football club in England.

Fact #3 : Duangphet Phromthep’s Death Was Not Suspicious

The cause of death for Duangphet Phromthep was initially not officially confirmed, but the Leicestershire police said that his death was not suspicious, and a file would be prepared for the coroner.

The boy’s death is not being treated as suspicious and a file will be prepared for the coroner.

Fact #4 : Duangphet Phromthep Died From Suicide

On 4 October 2023, an inquest into Duangphet’s death was held at the Leicester Coroner’s Court. Professor Catherine Mason, the senior coroner for Leicester city and South Leicestershire, recorded a conclusion of suicide.

She said that Duangphet “was not known to mental health services, and it is not known why he took the actions that he did“, so “it could not have been foreseen or prevented“. She also stated that the “police investigation has found no evidence of third-party involvement or suspicious circumstances“.

The boy’s death is not being treated as suspicious and a file will be prepared for the coroner.

It may seem obvious now, but I have to point out that Duangphet Phromthep most definitely did not die from any COVID-19 vaccine side effect, as claimed or suggested by many anti-vaccine proponents.

Fact #5 : UK Never Had A Vaccine Mandate For Travellers

The United Kingdom never instituted a vaccine mandate for travellers. Travellers were required to test before flying to the UK, and quarantine on arrival.

The testing requirement was only lifted on 11 February 2022 for fully-vaccinated travellers. Even so, travellers who were not fully-vaccinated could still continue to travel to the UK. They just had to undergo a pre-departure COVID-19 test, and a PCR test on the day of arrival, or the next day.

Fact #6 : Unknown If Duangphet Phromthep Was Vaccinated Against COVID-19

It is unknown if Duangphet Phromthep was ever vaccinated against COVID-19, so it would be wrong for anyone to claim that he died from COVID-19 vaccine side effects.

For all we know – he may not even be vaccinated! The COVID-19 vaccine is not mandatory in Thailand, or the United Kingdom.

Unless his family reveals his vaccination status, anyone who tells you that Duangphet Phromthep was fully-vaccinated is likely lying to you. For certain – he did not die from the COVID-19 vaccine.

Fact #7 : Claims Of Athletes Injured By COVID-19 Vaccine Proven False

So far, claims of athlete deaths / injuries due to the COVID-19 vaccine are often proven false. Here are some other examples:

Will these anti-vaccination activists apologise for lying to you? Nope! They will just move on to the next athlete tragedy…

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Don’t forget to protect yourself, and your family, by vaccinating against COVID-19!

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Dr. Adrian Wong has been writing about tech and science since 1997, even publishing a book with Prentice Hall called Breaking Through The BIOS Barrier (ISBN 978-0131455368) while in medical school.

He continues to devote countless hours every day writing about tech, medicine and science, in his pursuit of facts in a post-truth world.

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Grab Delivery Rider Flew To Singapore To Buy Chicken Rice?!

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Did a Grab delivery rider really fly from Thailand to buy chicken rice in Singapore?!

Take a look at the viral claim, and find out what the facts really are!

Claim : Grab Delivery Rider Flew To Singapore To Buy Chicken Rice!

A TikTok video, which allegedly shows a Grab delivery rider flying from Thailand to Singapore, simply to buy chicken rice, has racked up millions of views.

The 27-second video was recorded and posted by a Thai TikToker called Thita Vy, with these comments:

อยากกินขนมโตเกียว พี่เขาจะไปซื้อที่ญี่ปุ่นให้มั้ย 🤓 #วาสนาผู้ใด๋น้อ #grab #grabth

I want to eat Tokyo snacks. Will he go buy it in Japan for me? #grab #grabth

She apparently encountered this Grab delivery rider, while flying from Bangkok to Singapore. At first, she thought someone had ordered food delivery at the airport. But the man allegedly told her that he had been asked by a customer in Thailand to buy chicken rice in Singapore!

The viral video shows the man queuing up for the flight with the signature green Grab thermal bag, while holding a passport with his flight ticket. He is then shown stowing the thermal bag in the plane’s overhead compartment.

Truth : That’s Not (Really) A Grab Delivery Rider!

Now, we all know that chicken rice in Malaysia is tastier (and much cheaper!) than chicken rice in Singapore, Heck, everything is tastier and cheaper in Malaysia! 😉

In fact, Malaysian food is so delicious, someone actually sent a helicopter to collect 36 packets of Nasi Ganja from a famous nasi kandar outlet Ipoh in July 2021! But I digress…

Here is what we know so far about this viral story about chicken rice…

Fact #1 : Video Was Allegedly Recorded At DMK

According to the media outlet, 8world, the TikToker alleged that the incident occurred on 12 October 2023, at the Don Mueang International Airport.

That is plausible because the video shows people boarding an AirAsia flight, and AirAsia flies from the Bangkok Don Mueang Airport (DMK) to Changi International Airport (SIN) several times a day.

Fact #2 : The Man Flew From Bangkok To Singapore

The video shows the man holding a Thai passport, as he is waiting to board the AirAsia flight. It then cuts to the Changi International Airport, where the man is seen checking the green Grab thermal bag.

So the video does appear to show the man taking an AirAsia flight from Bangkok to Singapore. It, however, does not show him actually purchasing any chicken rice.

Fact #3 : Grab Labelled Video As Fictional

After the video went viral, Grab came out to refute the video, calling it “fictional”:

We understand that the fictional video was created by a member of the public independently.

Fact #4 : Man Was Not A Registered Grab Delivery Rider

In addition, a Grab spokesperson said that it does not offer cross-border food delivery services, and the man in the video was not registered with them as “a delivery partner”:

We do not offer such a service, and the person starring as a delivery partner in the video is not registered with Grab.

It is certainly plausible for rich folks to go to extreme measures to get their favourite foods. For example, Macau tycoon Stanley Ho famously sent 88 Musang King (Mao Shan Wang) durians on a private plane from Singapore to Hong Kong. Note – the durians were from Malaysia. 😉

That said, it doesn’t make sense for the man to put on a Grab uniform, or bring the Grab thermal bag… especially if he isn’t actually a Grab delivery rider!

Fact #5 : Grab Does Not Offer Cross-Border Food Deliveries

Grab said that it does not offer cross-border food deliveries. The only cross-border delivery service Grab offers is its 100+ Cities Delivery service, which is in beta testing.

Even that option only allows users to “order and send food and physical gifts from GrabFood and GrabMart merchant-partners that are available in the recipient’s city within an hour”.

In other words – the food and physical gifts must already be present in the recipient’s city. The only thing that is “cross-border” is the ability to order from another country.

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He continues to devote countless hours every day writing about tech, medicine and science, in his pursuit of facts in a post-truth world.

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Why Viral Video Does Not Show Bangkok Mall Shooting!

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The video which appears to show a gunman shooting at people does not actually the recent Siam Paragon mall shooting in Bangkok!

Take a look at the viral video, and find out what the facts really are!

Claim : Viral Video Shows Bangkok Mall Shooting!

People are sharing a video on WhatsApp and social media platforms, claiming that it shows the recent Siam Paragon mall shooting in Bangkok!

https://www.techarp.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/WhatsApp-Video-2023-10-07-at-15.24.22.mp4?_=1

Truth : Viral Video Does Not Show Bangkok Mall Shooting!

This is yet another example of FAKE NEWS circulating on WhatsApp and social media, and here are the reasons why…

Fact #1 : Video Was Posted In Douyin

I traced the video that was posted to Douyin – China’s version of TikTok. The original poster (OP) is a Douyin user called Master ho (@yzz945201314), and here is the direct link to the video.

Fact #2 : Video Was Posted In August 2023

Master ho posted the video on 9 August 2023. The Siam Paragon mall shooting in Bangkok only occurred on 3 October 2023 – almost two months later.

So there is simply impossible for the viral video to be of the Siam Paragon mall shooting in Bangkok.

Fact #3 : Video Was Recorded In Phuket In June 2023

Even though the viral video was only posted to Douyin in August, it was originally recorded more than a month earlier – on Friday, 28 June 2023.

It was also not recorded in the Siam Paragon Mall in Bangkok. Rather, it was recorded in the Domestic Terminal of the Phuket International Airport.

If you look carefully at the video, you will notice the airport check-in counters, and people carrying luggages. The video was obviously recorded at an airport, and not a mall.

Fact #4 : Siam Paragon Shooter Was Only Armed With Pistol

The Siam Paragon mall shooter was an unnamed 14 year-old teenager from the nearby private secondary school – The Essence.

The boy was only armed with a modified Glock 9mm pistol, and did not have any long guns with him.

The shooter in the viral video was not only armed with a handgun, he also had what looked like an automatic rifle.

Fact #5 : It Was An Active Shooter Drill

The viral video does not show any actual crime, or gun violence taking place. It was an emergency security drill to simulate a response to an “active shooter” in the Phuket International Airport. In the photo above, you can even see a man taking photos or videos of the drill!

The drill was called “Full-scal exercise of Phuket International Airport Emergency Plan (PEMEX 2023), and conducted on the second floor of the Domestic Terminal, at around 11 PM – -after boarding for the final departing domestic flight had cleared the area.

The exercise was designed to simulate the coordinated response of security and anti-terrorism personnel to an active shooter taking hostages in the domestic terminal area. Thai agencies and personnel that took part in this PEMEX 2023 exercise included:

Thai Provincial Police Region 8
Sakhu Police
Phuket Airline Operations Committee (AOC)
Airports of Thailand ground service company (AOTGA)
Airports of Thailand private security company (AOT AVSEC)
Vachira Phuket Hospital
Phuket Provincial Public Health Office
Subdistrict Administrative Organisations (OrBorTor) for Mai Khao, Sakhu, and Thepkrasattri.

Fact #6 : There Are Many Clues In The Video

The truth is – anyone who analyses the video will realise that there are many “issues” with this video:

the gunshots do not sound like real gunshots
gunshots ring out even when the gunman isn’t shooting
none of the victims are bleeding
the person recording the video is bravely standing up to record the video for almost 2.5 minutes
the person recording the video can be heard laughing at around 0:18 in the video
at around 1:30, another man can be seen recording the scene from the upper floor

Fact #7 : OP Likely Reposted From A Different Source

The Douyin poster, Master ho, does not appear to be the person recording the video. He mistakenly labelled the location as Songkhla Airport – more accurately known as the Hat Yai International Airport in the Songkhla Province.

泰国宋卡机场发生枪击事件，听说是演习农因因因

A shooting incident occurred at Songkhla Airport in Thailand. It was said that it an exercise.

However, he clearly stated in the description, and his subsequent comments, that it was just a drill.

Whoever copied this video from his Douyin account is certainly aware that the video was of an airport drill, and posted almost 3 months earlier.

The only conclusion we can draw from this is that – whoever copied the video to share in October 2023, is intentionally trying to mislead people.

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Dr. Adrian Wong has been writing about tech and science since 1997, even publishing a book with Prentice Hall called Breaking Through The BIOS Barrier (ISBN 978-0131455368) while in medical school.

He continues to devote countless hours every day writing about tech, medicine and science, in his pursuit of facts in a post-truth world.

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Did MMA Prodigy Victoria Lee Die From Vaccine SADS?!

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Did rising MMA star Victoria Lee die from vaccine SADS at just 18 years of age?!

Take a look at the viral claims, and find out what the facts really are!

Updated @ 2023-09-27 : Updated with Victoria Lee’s true cause of death, and other new details
Originally posted @ 2023-01-09

Claim : MMA prodigy Victoria Lee died from vaccine SADS!

Right after news broke that Victoria Lee died suddenly, anti-vaccination activists immediately claimed that the 18 year-old rising MMA (Mixed Martial Arts) star was a victim of COVID-19 vaccine sudden adult death syndrome (SADS)!

Hawaiian MMA rising star and ONE Championship atomweight title holder, Victoria Lee has #DiedSuddendly at the age of 18. I’m sure the cause of death is not something safe and effective💉💉💉
#DiedUnexpectedly #suddenlydied #StoptheShotsNow #StoptheShots #mRNA #VaccineDeath

MMA fighter Victoria Lee dies suddenly at 18 – ??? Fake vaccine- gene therapy by #Fauci & the #CCP ?? Another crime against humanity??? Millions will die???

Victoria Lee, rising MMA star in ONE Championship, dead at 18
Another athlete. Too young 18 Too soon WHY? #SADS

Truth : Victoria Lee Did Not Die From Vaccine SADS!

It’s now a tradition for anti-vaccination activists to immediately blame all athlete deaths or illnesses on the COVID-19 vaccine.

This is yet another example of FAKE NEWS created and propagated by anti-vaccination activists, and here are the reasons why…

Fact #1 : Victoria Lee’s Cause Of Death Died On Boxing Day 2022

Victoria Lee (born Victoria Sun-hei Lee on May 17, 2004) was an American mixed martial artist, who was the youngest fighter to ever compete in ONE Championship.

She was the sister of MMA fighters Angela Lee and Christian Lee, and was the current ONE women’s atomweight champion, having successfully defended the title five times since she won it in 2016.

On Saturday, January 7, 2023, Angela Lee announced that her younger sister, Victoria Lee, died almost two weeks earlier – on Monday, December 26, 2022. Victoria Lee was only 18 years old when she died.

On December 26, 2022 our family experienced something no family should ever have to go through…
It is incredibly difficult to say this…
Our Victoria passed away.

She has gone too soon and our family has been completely devastated since then.
We miss her. More than anything in this world. Our family will never be the same. Life will never be the same.

A celebration of her life was held on January 22, 2023, before her burial at the Valley of the Temples Memorial Park.

Fact #2 : Victoria Lee Died By Suicide

While her sister, Angela, did not reveal how she died, she hinted in her Instagram post that Victoria committed suicide. She advised everyone to check on their loved ones, and “keep checking on them” and “tell them how much they mean“.

Please give our family grace and respect during this most difficult time. And please, check on your loved ones. Keep checking on them. Give them hugs and tell them how much they mean to you. You just never know.

While many people naturally understood that as a tacit admission by her sister that Victoria Lee died by suicide, many anti-vaccine activists promoted the idea she not only died from the vaccine, but the family was somehow covering it up.

Her family ended up permanently closed their gym – United MMA Hawaii, possibly to avoid the intense media and public interest over Victoria Lee’s sudden death.

That eventually led to Angela Lee publicly calling for people to stop hiring private investigators, or promote conspiracy theories about her sister’s sudden death.

On 19 September 2023, Angela Lee revealed in an emotional video that her sister, Victoria Lee, committed suicide.

On December 26, 2022, my sister Victoria took her own life.

With that, I hope that everyone will finally lay off her grieving family, and let them have the peace they deserve.

Fact #3 : Victoria Lee Was Set To Defend Her Title

Victoria Lee was the reigning ONE women’s atomweight champion, but has not fought since September 21, 2021 when she defeated Brazilian MMA fighter Victoria Souza in Singapore.

She put MMA fights aside while she focus on graduating from high school, which she accomplished in May 2022.

Before her death, Victoria Lee was slated to defend her title against 24 year-old Zeba Bano from India, for the ONE on Prime Video 6 event in Bangkok on Saturday, January 14, 2023.

It is unknown whether this upcoming match was a catalyst for her suicide. Victoria Lee had a flawless record of 3-0, and had been working hard at the gym to get ready.

Her brother, Christian Lee, recently won the ONE Welterweight World Title on November 20, 2022; and was helping his sister train for the upcoming fight.

Fact #4 : Victoria Lee Was Likely Fully-Vaccinated Against COVID-19

Victoria Lee has never officially revealed her vaccination status, but she was likely fully-vaccinated against COVID-19 before September 21, 2021.

That is because Singapore at that time required all foreign travellers to be fully-vaccinated to enter the country. Therefore, Victoria Lee would have to receive her second dose at least two weeks before flying into Singapore for her September 21, 2021 match against Victoria Souza.

Fact #5 : Vaccine Side Effects Appear Within Hours / Days

While Victoria Lee was likely fully-vaccinated against COVID-19, it is impossible for the COVID-19 vaccine to cause her death as she would have received her doses at least 15 months ago!

She cannot possibly have died from a vaccine side effect, because they appear within hours or days, not months later.

Mild side effects like injection site pain, fever, muscle ache, headache, lethargy develop within minutes to hours of the vaccination.

Anaphylaxis develops within minutes, while other severe adverse reactions like myocarditis and VITT develop within days.

The spike proteins produced by the COVID-19 vaccines also do not stick around for months. If these spike proteins are permanent (as antivaxxers claim), we would have lifelong immunity.

Your own immune system will identify the spike proteins as foreign, and destroy them within a matter of days, although some may last for up to a few weeks. This is part of how vaccines teach your immune system to identify the enemy and destroy it.

Fact #6 : Claims Of COVID-19 Vaccine Injuries Often Proven False

This is yet another example of anti-vaccine activists abusing sudden deaths / injuries to create and propagate FAKE NEWS about the safety and efficacy of COVID-19 vaccines.

So far, most claims of sudden deaths / injuries due to the COVID-19 vaccine have been proven false. Here are some examples:

Will these anti-vaccination activists apologise for lying to you? Nope! They will just move on to the next athlete tragedy…

Please help us FIGHT FAKE NEWS by sharing this fact check article out, and please SUPPORT our work!

Don’t forget to protect yourself, and your family, by vaccinating against COVID-19!

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He continues to devote countless hours every day writing about tech, medicine and science, in his pursuit of facts in a post-truth world.

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Marshall Minor III Wireless Earphones Scam Alert!

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Please watch out for the Marshall Minor III wireless earphones scam! Take a look at the scam, and find out what the facts really are!

Marshall Minor III Wireless Earphones Scam Alert!

Scammers are running Facebook ads that promote an awesome discount for the Marshall Minor III wireless earphones! Here is one recent example:

😣”Frustrating” 😣I had to queue for 5 hours at IOI City Mall to buy MARSHALL MINOR III wireless headphones for only RM179 (original price RM596), I was surprised because I thought they only sold directly I heard it’s open for sale online in 2 more days https://www.marshall-ash.asia/ms And also get the same discount as buying at the store. Free shipping nationwide.

But the 4 hours of queuing was worth it. As a Marshall fan, I was very excited when I heard the news that the Minor III series was coming out. And don’t waste your time waiting, the design is very beautiful, more stylish than the old version 💯 Great sound quality. Clear bus, fast Bluetooth connection, suitable for all types of devices, super battery life, 5 hours of continuous use and 25 hours with charging box, waterproof. The best thing about these headphones is the close-to-ear design. Comfortable, can play sports without worrying about falling. If you don’t buy it, you will be very disappointed.

I let my colleagues borrow it to play games because it sounded so realistic. There is no delay in movement.
Many people ask me if the store still has promotions? I just saw information that the store has a discount in the next 2 days. Order quickly. At the end of the promotion, the price will return to the original price of RM596. I leave the purchase link here for those who want to buy: https://www.marshall-ash.asia/ms

Recommended : Bantuan Rakyat Malaysia Scam Alert!

Marshall Minor III Offer : Why Is It A Scam?!

This is yet another example of SCAMS circulating on Facebook, and here are there reasons why…

Fact #1 : Marshall Minor III Price Absurdly Low

The first thing about scams involving electronics, is that they often promise ridiculous great deals. If it’s too good to be true, it often is just a scam.

In this particular scam, scammers are offering the Marshall Minor III wireless earphones for just RM179 (US$39). That’s absurd, as the Marshall Minor II wireless earphones has an official retail price of $159 (approximately RM699)!

Marshall is a high-end audiophile brand, and its electronics are never cheap. Even if they offer a discount, it wouldn’t be anything like 70% to 75%. That’s just ridiculous.

For your safety, here are legit purchase options online for the Marshall Minor III earbuds :

Malaysia : Shopee | Shopee | Shopee
Singapore : Shopee
United States : Amazon | Amazon
United Kingdom : Amazon

Fact #2 : Facebook Advertisement Is Fake

The Facebook advertisement appears to be created by a handsome influencer called 𝐀𝐥𝐯𝐢𝐧𝐧 𝐂𝐡𝐨𝐧𝐠 瑾.鍾.瑾. with 5.5 million followers.

But that’s what the scammers put in the intro. If you look carefully, this scam page only has 13 followers!

Recommended : Warning – PDRM Parking Fine Scam Alert!

Fact #3 : That Is “Push” Puttichai Kasetsin

The page is not owned by any influencer or digital creator called 𝐀𝐥𝐯𝐢𝐧𝐧 𝐂𝐡𝐨𝐧𝐠 瑾.鍾.瑾.

Those are actually photos of Puttichai Kasetsin – a Thai actor, model, DJ and TV host who is also known as “Push”.

Fact #4 : IOI City Mall Does Not Have A Marshall Outlet

The claim by these scammers that Alvinn Chong queued up for 5 hours at the IOI City Mall to buy the Marshall Minor III wireless earphones is easily debunked.

If you check the IOI City Mall tenant listing, you will quickly discover that it does not have a Marshall outlet.

Fact #5 : Queue Photos Are From Vietnam

The two photos which claim to show long queues for the Marshall Minor III wireless earphones were not taken in Malaysia. They were actually taken in Vietnam.

This photo does not show people in IOI City Mall queueing up outside a Marshall outlet. It actually shows people queuing up for the opening of the 15th Pandora store at the Long Bien Aeon Mall, on 28 April 2022.

Incidentally, Pandora is a Danish jewellery brand, and does not sell Marshall audio products…

The second queue photo is also from Vietnam, but taken many years ago on 11 November 2017. It does not show people queuing up to buy any Marshall products either.

They were actually queuing up at Royal City Shopping Center in Hanoi, for the opening ceremony of the second H&M store in Vietnam.

Fact #6 : Scam Website Not Affiliated With ASH Asia

ASH Asia is an authorised distributor of Marshall products in Malaysia, Thailand and Vietnam.

However, the scam page (https://www.marshall-ash.asia/ms) has nothing to do with ASH Asia, whose official Marshall Minor III page is https://ash-asia.com/ms.

On top of that, ASH Asia does not sell the Marshall Minor III directly (like the scam page). Instead, ASH Asia sells the wireless earphones through Shopee and Lazada.

In fact, if you check the main domain itself, you will get an error message, stating:

Your domain name has been successfully pointed! Please publish a Landing Page with the above domain name to use the service. Thank you!

This not only gives it away as a scam website, it also suggests that the scammers are operating out of Vietnam.

Fact #7 : Scam Website Admits Selling Fake Marshall Minor III

Ironically, the scam website itself has a disclaimer, warning potential buyers that it is not selling genuine Marshall Minor III wireless earphones, but a replica instead…

Most people won’t notice it because if you click to order, the website is designed to skip past this warning.

Fact #8 : Package Apparently Contained “Trash”?

To assure you that this is safe, the scammers say that you only need to pay on delivery. Sounds good, doesn’t it? That guarantees that you will at least receive the item, doesn’t it?

Not quite, as one person who claimed to have purchased from this scam website explained…

I was attracted and clicked in, filling in my address and phone number. Three days later, I got a call saying that my package would arrive through DHL-COD, and asked me to make sure I was home.

I started looking forward to it, but when I thought about it, I became more suspicious. Since when does DHL provide Cash On Delivery service? I can’t believe they would dare to pay for first-class service without any payment from me. I figured it might be a scam!

What’s the scam? You may not have any doubts when you receive the package. When I open it immediately and take a look, then I realized it was full of garbage. [Unfortunately] I had already paid the delivery person, who ran away.

我被吸引点了进去，填了地址电话。跟着三天后有电话来说我的包裹会到，DHL-COD的，确定我在家等。我开始很期待。跟着想，越想越不对。DHL有COD的服务咩？我还没过账他们就这么敢与服务一流到我不敢相信。我猜可能是诈骗！骗什么？当你收到包裹时是不会怀疑，立刻打开来看的。然后才发现里面是垃圾。人跑了钱给了。。。

If true, the scam involves giving you an empty package filled with trash to receive your cash payment. After which, you have no recourse.

Please help us FIGHT FAKE NEWS by sharing this fact check article out, and please SUPPORT our work!

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He continues to devote countless hours every day writing about tech, medicine and science, in his pursuit of facts in a post-truth world.

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PSA : You Still Need Physical Driving Licence Overseas!

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Please be warned – you still need a physical driving licence when you are driving overseas! Your digital driving licence is most likely not valid or legal overseas!

Fined Overseas For Not Having Physical Driving Licence!

In May 2023, two Malaysian men were fined for failing to produce their physical driving licences in Thailand.

Both men were stopped by police while riding motorcycles on car lanes in Phuket. When the Thai police officer asked for their driving licence, they showed their digital driving licences using the MyJPJ app.

However, the Thai police officer said that their digital driving licences were not valid, even though the men explained Malaysia adopted the digital driving licence in February 2023.

In the end, both men had to pay a compound at the police station for not having a valid driving licence.

Even though the incident occurred several months ago, the issue only went viral after the men posted their video in Twitter on 3 August 2023.

And lepastu kalau bawa kenderaan ke Thailand, polis sana mintak kita fizikal kad, kalau takde boleh kena saman

Puas aku explain cakap malaysia dah tak pakai physical card, dia kata tak boleh! End up aku dgn @iqbalasyrafff kena saman jugak 😂 https://t.co/rLBuZSSRsZ pic.twitter.com/2BcCQjY7q8

— acapkay (@acapkay) August 3, 2023

PSA : You Still Need Physical Driving Licence Overseas!

Please be warned that even though Malaysia has adopted the digital driving licence (e-LLM) since 10 February 2023, it is only valid in Malaysia, and not overseas!

In the future, other countries will likely accept digital driving licences, but until that happens, you still need to bring and use a physical driving licence while driving overseas.

On 5 August 2023, Malaysia Transport Minister Anthony Loke commented on the two Malaysian men who were fined in Thailand for failing to produce a physical driving licence. He said that the digital licence is only valid in Malaysia.

He pointed out that the matter (of accepting digital licences) was subject to laws in that country, and the ministry has no authority to determine how laws in other countries are enforced.

He also said that the Road Transport Department (JPJ) will continue to issue physical driving licences, so those who wish to drive overseas should apply for one at JPJ branches when renewing their driving licence.

We have no stopped the issuance of physical copies of driving licences, so if they want to drive in a country that requires a physical licence then they can apply for it at RTD counters when renewing their licence.
– Malaysia Transport Minister Anthony Loke

Physical Driving Licence Only Available In JPJ Branches

Truth be told – this was already mentioned when the digital driving licence was adopted in February 2023. This was what I pointed out back then:

JPJ will continue to offer the physical driving licence to motorists who still prefer it, or need one to drive overseas.

But understandably, many of us probably missed that part. Or forgot that foreign governments may not readily accept the new digital driving licence.

While I’m here, I should also point out that the physical driving licence is now available only at JPJ branches. This may be a bit of a hassle, since it used to be available in Pos Malaysia branches too.

But the good news is – you can now renew your driving licence for 10 years, with a 10% discount to boot! So this should be a once-in-a-decade hassle.

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Name : Adrian Wong
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Dr. Adrian Wong has been writing about tech and science since 1997, even publishing a book with Prentice Hall called Breaking Through The BIOS Barrier (ISBN 978-0131455368) while in medical school.

He continues to devote countless hours every day writing about tech, medicine and science, in his pursuit of facts in a post-truth world.

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Did Joesthetics / Jo Lindner Die From COVID-19 Vaccine?!

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Did bodybuilding star Joesthetics / Jo Lindner die suddenly from COVID-19 vaccine at just 30 years of age?!

Take a look at the viral claims, and find out what the facts really are!

Updated @ 2023-07-07 : Added some extra information
Originally posted @ 2023-07-03

Claim : Joesthetics / Jo Lindner Died Suddenly From COVID-19 Vaccine!

Right after news broke that Jo Lindner, popularly known as Joesthetics on YouTube, died suddenly at home, some people immediately claimed that the popular bodybuilding influencer died from the COVID-19 vaccine or steroid use!

Tom Renz : Seriously? Why is the Daily Wire not mentioning that his #DiedSuddenly event occurred as a direct result of the #COVID #Vaccines? Tie-ins to enemies of freedom like Bill Gates or the WEF? No just steroids… ugh. ⁦@JDRucker⁩ ⁦@VigilantFox⁩

KanekoaTheGreat : NEW — Joesthetics, a popular YouTube bodybuilding star with eight million Instagram followers, died at 30 from an aneurysm after receiving four COVID-19 mRNA vaccines, causing significant bloodwork changes and diagnosed micro clots.

Norma Kay : Joesthetics….. died suddenly
Arterial aneurysm and rupture are known side effects of the mRNA jab. He took 4 jabs

Truth : Joesthetics / Jo Lindner Died From Ruptured Aneurysm!

It’s now tradition for anti-vaccination activists to blame all sudden deaths or illnesses on the COVID-19 vaccine.

Here are the reasons why this is yet another example of FAKE NEWS created and propagated by anti-vaccination activists…

Fact #1 : Joesthetics / Jo Lindner Died From Ruptured Aneurysm

Jo Lindner (born 14 January 1993) was a bodybuilding influencer who is better known as Joesthetics on YouTube.

Just before 4 PM on Friday, June 30, 2023, Jo Lindner was getting ready for a gym session with his bodybuilding friend, Noel Deyzel, when he died suddenly from a ruptured aneurysm.

This was confirmed by his girlfriend, Nicha, who was cuddling with Lindner when he suddenly died. She also said that Lindner had been complaining of neck pain for three days, but did not seek medical attention for it.

Jo is the best place everyone.

Yesterday his past away by aneurysm .. I was there with him in the room.. he put on the necklace in my neck that he made for me ..than ..we was just lay down cuddle..waiting the time to go meet Noel at the gym at 16.00 .. he was in my arms.. than this is just happening too fast.. 3 days ago he kept said that he pain his neck .. we not really realize it… until it too late.

Nicha noticeably did not blame the COVID-19 vaccine for his death, or claim that he died from a vaccine side effect.

Fact #2 : Joesthetics Had A Muscle Condition

Just three weeks earlier – on June 7, 2023, Jo Lindner appeared on Bradley Martyn’s Raw Talk where he revealed that he suffers from rippling muscle disease (RMD) – a rare neuromuscular disorder characterised by increased muscle irritability.

RMD is a genetic disorder, caused by mutations in the CAV3 gene. The same CAV3 genetic mutations can also cause cardiomyopathies (heart muscle problems), although there is no evidence that RMD is associated with aneurysm.

The heart is also a muscle, that’s my biggest concern that what if I get such a bad cramp that my heart gets a cramp.

Fact #3 : Joesthetics Was On Testosterone Replacement Therapy

Just one day before he died, Jo Lindner posted about going back on testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) after losing the gains he made earlier. He also warned his fans about the risks of going on TRT.

When I lost my gains because I went off everything for 1 year but then could not recover my own test levels so went back on trt. Trust me I tried to stop but be aware it might have long term effects for your life. Trt is a big commitment keep that in mind

However, there is no evidence that TRT can aggravate or cause an aneurysm to rupture.

Fact #4 : Joesthetics Was Taking Anabolic Steroids

Jo Lindner admitted earlier that he took anabolic steroids, and said that he had no idea how harmful they could be for his health. He shared that he developed gynaecomastia – the abnormal enlargement of male breast tissue, together with ‘burning nipples’.

During his recent Raw Talk podcast with Bradley Martyn, Joesthetics said that he was taking 75 mg of “tren” in addition to 250 mg of “test” (testosterone) a week. Tren, which is short for trenbolone, is an androgen and anabolic steroid used to increase muscle growth.

Anabolic steroids can cause a variety of cardiovascular problems, from hypertension and thrombosis to heart attacks and weakness of the connective tissue. Dissection of the ascending aorta is particularly associated with bodybuilders using anabolic steroids. Although it is atypical, aortic dissection can present with pain in the neck.

Fact #5 : Joesthetics Was Taking Marijuana

In his Raw Talk podcast with Bradley Martyn, Joesthetics said that he had been taking weed (marijuana / cannabis) for about 6 years.

While cannabis use has not be associated with the development or rupture of aneurysms, a January 2022 study published in the journal Stroke, showed routine marijuana users have a poorer outcome after an aneurysm rupture:

We’re all vulnerable to a bleeding stroke or a ruptured aneurysm; however, if you’re a routine marijuana user, you may be predisposed to a worse outcome from a stroke after the rupture of that aneurysm.
– Michael T. Lawton M.D., senior author of the study, and President and CEO of Barrow Neurological Institute

Fact #6 : Joesthetics Was Vaccinated Against COVID-19

In his recent Raw Talk podcast with Bradley Martyn, Joesthetics said that he received four doses of the COVID-19 vaccine. However, he did not reveal which vaccine he received, so claims that he received the Pfizer or mRNA vaccine are unsubstantiated.

Jo Lindner lives in Thailand, where four different COVID-19 vaccines were offered – the vast majority were from Sinovac or AstraZeneca, with a small proportion from Pfizer:

Sinovac : about 47% of doses
AstraZeneca : about 45.5% of doses
Pfizer : about 6% of doses
Janssen : about 1.5% of doses

With the exception of the Janssen vaccine, the other three COVID-19 vaccines were approved for use as the 3rd and 4th (booster) doses, so it is possible that Jo Lindner never received the Pfizer / mRNA vaccine at all.

Joesthetics also claimed that his “doctor” found heavy metals in his blood after he got vaccinated against COVID-19, and recommended that he undergo plasmapheresis. No approved COVID-19 vaccine contains heavy metal, so that’s a really peculiar claim.

In any case, Joesthetics underwent plasmapheresis twice to clean his blood of heavy metals. So even if you believe that COVID-19 vaccines contain heavy metals (they don’t), Jo Lindner had his blood “cleansed” TWICE, so it would be illogical to still claim that he died from the COVID-19 vaccines.

Fact #7 : COVID-19 Vaccines Cannot Create An Aneurysm

Just in case there is any doubt, COVID-19 vaccines cannot create an aneurysm.

An aneurysm is a physical weakening of an artery that bulges into a blood-filled balloon. Small aneurysms generally do not produce any symptoms unless they rupture. Large ones, however, may exert pressure on nearby nerves and tissues causing symptoms like numbness, weakness, paralysis, etc.

When an aneurysm ruptures, the person will experience a sudden and extremely severe pain and even vomiting and seizures, before losing consciousness. If not quickly treated, the resulting haemorrhage causes death. Getting vaccinated does not increase your risk of developing aneurysms, but these risk factors will:

genetic predisposition, like connective tissue disorders, polycystic kidney disease, history of aneurysm in close family members
untreated hypertension (high blood pressure)
cigarette smoking
drug abuse, especially cocaine or amphetamines (because they raise blood pressure)
intravenous drug abuse, which causes infectious mycotic aneurysms
anabolic steroid use, which causes high blood pressure and atherosclerotic effects
age over 40

Fact #8 : Aneurysm is Not A Vaccine Side Effect

The claim that aneurysm is in the list of vaccine side effects is nonsense and based on the (intentional?) misunderstanding of the Adverse Events of Special interest (AESI) list.

The AESI list is not a list of vaccine side effects. It’s a list of mostly non-specific adverse events that are monitored post-vaccination, and includes COVID-19 and other infections, as well as:

manufacturing and lab test issues like “Manufacturing laboratory analytical testing issue, Manufacturing materials issue, Manufacturing production issue“.
product supply issues like “Product availability issue, Product distribution issue, Product supply issue“.

They are obviously not vaccine side effects, nor related in any way to the performance or safety of the vaccine.

Fact #9 : Claims Of COVID-19 Vaccine Injuries Often Proven False

Most claims of sudden deaths / injuries due to the COVID-19 vaccine have been proven false. Here is the latest dozen of other false sudden death claims!

Will these anti-vaccination activists apologise for lying to you? Nope! They will just move on to the next death or tragedy…

Please help us FIGHT FAKE NEWS by sharing this fact check article out, and please SUPPORT our work!

Don’t forget to protect yourself, and your family, by vaccinating against COVID-19!

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Support my work through a bank transfer / PayPal / credit card!

Name : Adrian Wong
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Dr. Adrian Wong has been writing about tech and science since 1997, even publishing a book with Prentice Hall called Breaking Through The BIOS Barrier (ISBN 978-0131455368) while in medical school.

He continues to devote countless hours every day writing about tech, medicine and science, in his pursuit of facts in a post-truth world.

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Did Shane Warne die suddenly from Covid-19 vaccine?!

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Did Shane Warne die suddenly in Thailand from a heart attack caused by the COVID-19 vaccine?!

Take a look at the viral claims, and find out what the facts really are!

Claim : Shane Warne Died Suddenly From COVID-19 Vaccine!

Shane Warne died suddenly in March 2022 while on holiday in Thailand, but the media is in a frenzy over claims by two cardiologists that his death may have been caused by the COVID-19 vaccine:

A leading UK-based Indian-origin consultant cardiologist and an Australian medic said on Tuesday that they fear the sudden death last year of Australian cricket legend Shane Warne may have been precipitated by the COVID mRNA vaccine that he had taken approximately nine months prior.

Cardiologists Dr. Aseem Malhotra and Dr. Chris Neil, who is also President of the Australian Medical Professionals’ Society (AMPS), said the post-mortem findings for Warne, 52, revealed coronary atherosclerosis or heart disease. They said their research shows that a COVID mRNA vaccine can cause a rapid acceleration of coronary disease, especially in those that may already have undetected mild heart disease.

Truth : Shane Warne Died From A Heart Attack

It’s now tradition for anti-vaccination activists to blame all sudden deaths or illnesses on the COVID-19 vaccine.

Here are the reasons why this is yet another example of FAKE NEWS created and propagated by anti-vaccination activists…

Fact #1 : Shane Warne Died From A Heart Attack

Shane Warne (born Shane Keith Warne on 13 September 1969) was an Australian cricketeer, who became a TV commentator after he retired, working for both Sky and Fox until his death.

On 4 March 2022, Shane Warne was holidaying on the island of Ko Samui in Thailand, when his friend found him unconscious in his villa. They attempted to revive him by CPR after calling for help.

When Thai paramedics arrived, they found a pool of vomit* by his bed, and bloodstains from the prolonged CPR. They attempted CPR as he continued to be “unresponsive” with a “weak pulse”.

An ambulance arrived shortly after and took him to the local hospital, where he was pronounced dead. His body was later taken by ferry to a Surat Thani hospital for an autopsy.

On 7 March 2022, the Thai police announced that Shane Warne’s autopsy results confirmed that he died of “natural causes” from a “congenital disease“. They ruled out any foul play, and said that Shane Warne died from a suspected heart attack.

* Vomiting is one of the symptoms of someone suffering a heart attack

Fact #2 : Shane Warne Had Heart Disease

Shane Warne had been suffering from chest pains before he even arrived in Thailand, and had earlier seen a doctor about his heart.

Shane also suffered from asthma, even though he was a life-long smoker, and just finished a “ridiculous” fluid-only diet, according to his manager, James Erskine.

He did go on these ridiculous sorts of diets, and he was just finished with one. It was a bit all or nothing. It was either white buns with butter and lasagna stuffed in the middle or he would be having black and green juices.

He obviously smoked most of his life. I don’t know. I think it was just a massive heart attack.

Warne’s family also confirmed that he had been suffering from heart problems, and asthma in the weeks leading to his death, and that he just completed a 14-day liquid-only diet.

Fact #3 : Shane Warne’s Autopsy Confirmed Atherosclerosis

On 13 February 2023, Shane Warne’s death certificate was released, revealing his official cause of death – coronary artery atherosclerosis.

This confirms that Shane Warne died from a heart attack brought about by atherosclerosis of his coronary arteries.

Fact #4 : Atherosclerosis Takes Years To Develop

Atherosclerosis is the thickening and/or hardening of the arteries that occurs when a sticky substance called plaque (which consists of cholesterol, fats, and other substances) builds up inside your arteries.

It generally takes years to develop significant atherosclerosis, although a 2020 study showed that it can rapidly increase in people between the ages of 40 and 50. Even so, that study showed progression over 3 years.

Fact #5 : No Evidence COVID-19 Vaccines Cause Atherosclerosis

While the press reports claim that Dr. Aseem Malhotra and Dr. Chris Neil conducted research that showed that “a COVID mRNA vaccine can cause a rapid acceleration of coronary disease“, there is no evidence of such research.

It is possible that Dr. Aseem Malhotra was referring to the “Gundry study” which allegedly showed that mRNA COVID-19 vaccines double the heart attack risk. If so, that has already been shown to be misleading back in December 2021.

It was an abstract, and not a peer-reviewed study
The journal published an Expression of Concern over the lack of data or statistical analysis
The PULS test used does not directly assess cardiac health
Most of the PULS test results were not revealed, or analysed
The PULS test is not used in mainstream cardiology

If mRNA vaccines really do cause atherosclerosis in a matter of months, then millions of people would have died from heart attacks in the 2.5 years since they were administered to billions of people. Yet, we have seen no such thing.

Fact #6 : Shane Warne Was Fully-Vaccinated

Shane Warne was fully-vaccinated against COVID-19, a fact he revealed when he shared about the time he caught COVID-19 in August 2021, and weathered it just fine.

It was a bit like a hangover, I had a pounding headache. The first couple of days, when I tested positive, I just had a thumping headache and I had one day where I had the shivers, but (was) sweating, like when you have the flu.

I lost a bit of sense of taste for a few days, but after three or four days I was fine. I have apparently got the holy grail. I have been double vaccinated and I have had Covid, so I am meant to be absolutely fine now.

While some of the press did report that Shane Warne was placed on a ventilator, it was not because he was short of breath. Rather, he was testing a special ventilator:

It wasn’t because I could not breathe, or anything like that, it was basically a special ventilator that I was trialling to make sure there were no longer-lasting effects that Covid would have on me.

I have been fine, I have been able to run, I have been able to do everything. I have been absolutely fine.

Fact #7 : Vaccine Side Effects Appear Within Hours / Days

Even though Shane Warne was fully vaccinated against COVID-19, he was fully-vaccinated more than nine months before his death!

He cannot possibly have suffered from a vaccine side effect, because they appear within hours or days, not months later.

Mild side effects like injection site pain, fever, muscle ache, headache, lethargy develop within minutes to hours of the vaccination.

Anaphylaxis develops within minutes, while other severe adverse reactions like myocarditis and VITT develop within days or weeks.

The spike proteins produced by the COVID-19 vaccines also do not stick around for months. If these spike proteins are permanent (as antivaxxers claim), we would have lifelong immunity.

Please help us FIGHT FAKE NEWS by sharing this fact check article out, and please SUPPORT our work!

Don’t forget to protect yourself, and your family, by vaccinating against COVID-19!

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Dr. Adrian Wong has been writing about tech and science since 1997, even publishing a book with Prentice Hall called Breaking Through The BIOS Barrier (ISBN 978-0131455368) while in medical school.

He continues to devote countless hours every day writing about tech, medicine and science, in his pursuit of facts in a post-truth world.

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New JobStreet Study : 2023 Remains Jobseekers’ Market In Asia!

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A new JobStreet study just revealed that 2023 will remain the jobseekers’ market in Asia! Here is what you need to know.

New JobStreet Study : 2023 Remains Jobseekers’ Market In Asia!

On 1 March 2023, SEEK, the parent company of JobStreet and JobsDB – Asia’s leading online employment marketplaces, released a new study on the jobseekers’ market in Southeast Asia and Hong Kong, together with the Boston Consulting Group (BCG) and The Network, a global alliance of recruitment websites.

The study, which surveyed 97,324 respondents in Malaysia, Indonesia, Hong Kong, the Philippines, Singapore and Thailand, delivered these key findings:

34% of talents are actively looking for a new job
their top 3 motivations for seeking for a new job are:
– 49% are looking for a more interesting position, or higher seniority
– 30% feel they lack opportunities for upward career progress
– 27% are unsatisfied with their current salary and benefits
54% are not actively looking for a job, but would consider a job opportunity with better financial compensation
74% of talents in the region are approached multiple times per year for new job opportunities
36% of talents are approached about new job opportunities every month
70% of talents believe they have strong negotiation power
IT talents are the most coveted in Malaysia, Indonesia, Hong Kong, the Philippines and Singapore, being frequently approached with job opportunities

You can download the full report here.

Despite the waves of layoffs by tech companies in the region and around the world, the demand for tech talent still remains based on the reports’ findings. This is consistent with SEEK’s observation of a 29% YoY (2021 vs 2022) increase in job ads for tech roles in the region, based on data from our JobStreet and JobsDB platforms.
– Peter Bithos, CEO of SEEK Asia

2023 JobStreet Study Findings : Top Talent Priorities

The 2023 study by JobStreet parent company, SEEK and the Boston Consulting Group, also gave us a look at what are the top priorities for talents in the Southeast Asia and Hong Kong region:

Most respondents (71%) desire, above all, a stable job with a good work-life balance. This preference is dominant across job roles, countries, and age groups.

22% say that unattractive financial compensation is a deal breaker
17% say that poor work-life balance is a deal breaker
amount of time off, and job security tie as deal breakers in third place

People’s expectations towards work have changed radically in the past few years. Most jobseekers don’t want to live to work anymore – they want to work to live. Employers must understand that while a high salary may be a way to raise the attention of in-demand talent, money is not enough to retain them on the long run. A culture that supports work-life balance, allows for flexibility, and emphasises good workplace relationships is equally important.
– Sagar Goel, Partner and Associate Director at Boston Consulting Group (BCG)

Jobseekers are also interested in a better recruiting process:

67% want a smooth and timely process, as 49% will refuse even an attractive job offer if they face a negative experience
recruitment platforms like JobStreet and JobsDB are the top channel used when applying for a job.
Advanced digital tools are not favoured, even among the young generation. Many prefer personal interactions during the recruitment process – only 24% were comfortable participating in an AI-led automated interview.

2023 JobStreet Study Findings : The Malaysian Context

The study also looked at the Malaysian context for jobseekers in 2023:

Malaysia’s labour market remains positive, with 30.9K new jobs
Talents in Malaysia have lower job opportunities than the global average. However, 69% of respondents feel they have a strong negotiation power over employers.
1 in 3 employees are willing to try different careers by reselling to new professions – this is approximately 5% higher than the regional average
top 3 more coveted talents in Malaysia (based on the percentage of respondents who are approached most frequently with job opportunities) are:
– Information Technology
– Digitisation, data science, and artificial intelligence
– Education, such as teachers and trainers
61% of Malaysians expressed their preference for hybrid working models, which is 7% higher than the global average.

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Thai Government Calls Bhakdi Claims “Fake News”!

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The Thai government has labelled claims by Sucharit Bhakdi that it is going to ban the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine as “fake news”!

Take a look at the viral claims, and find out what the facts really are!

Bhakdi Claimed Thai Government Will Ban Pfizer COVID-19 Vaccine!

Retired professor Sucharit Bhakdi recently went viral, and sparked numerous articles claiming that the Thai government is planning to ban the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine.

Allegedly, the Thai government decision came after the royal family was told that Princess Bajrakitiyabha was put into a coma by the Pfizer vaccine!

These claims were based on two short videos, edited out of a much longer 45-minute long video, that I reproduced below:

Did Thailand vow to be the first country to declare the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine contracts "null and void"?! 🧐

Here are the facts : https://t.co/xD2rUj8ryf #TechARP #Thailand #SucharitBhakdi #Pfizer #COVID19 #Vaccine #Vaccination #Business #Health #Facts #FactsMatter #FactCheck pic.twitter.com/jedvEimodF

— Dr. Adrian Wong (@DrAdrianWong) January 30, 2023

Is Pfizer in trouble with the Thai government over the Thai Princess' "vaccine injury"? 🧐

Here are the facts : https://t.co/rA0NEbou2v #TechARP #Thailand #SucharitBhakdi #Pfizer #COVID19 #Vaccine #Vaccination #Princess #Royalty #Health #Facts #FactsMatter #FactCheck #Thai pic.twitter.com/heDgIgroF5

— Dr. Adrian Wong (@DrAdrianWong) January 30, 2023

Thai Government Calls Bhakdi Claims “Fake News“!

The Thai government has called those viral claims by retired professor Sucharit Bhakdi “fake news”. Here is what you need to know!

Fact #1 : Thai Ministry of Public Health Called It Fake News!

On Friday, February 3, 2023, the Department of Disease Control of the Thai Ministry of Public Health posted a statement on Facebook, calling the claims by Sucharit Bhakdi “fake news”.

ข่าวปลอม อย่าแชร์! ❌

กรมควบคุมโรค กระทรวงสาธารณสุข ได้ดำเนินการตรวจสอบข้อเท็จจริง พบว่าประเด็นดังกล่าวนั้น เป็นข้อมูลเท็จ

ขอให้ประชาชนอย่าหลงเชื่อ และขอความร่วมมือไม่ส่ง หรือแชร์ข้อมูลดังกล่าวต่อในช่องทางสื่อสังคมออนไลน์ต่างๆ

Here is the English (machine) translation of their statement:

Fake news, don’t share! ❌

Department of Disease Control, Ministry of Public Health has conducted a fact check found that such issues false information

The public is requested not to be fooled. We ask for your cooperation not to send, or share such information on social media channels.

Fact #2 : Thai Government Still Recommends Pfizer COVID-19 Vaccine

An official with the National Vaccine Institute, which is under the Thai Ministry of Public Health, confirmed to The Associated Press, that:

there are no plans to change Thailand’s contract with Pfizer, or any other COVID-19 vaccine manufacturer already under agreement.
the vaccine is safe and still recommended for the general public.
Thailand is also evaluating the Pfizer bivalent vaccine booster dose.
there are no plans yet to stop ordering the current Pfizer vaccine, and switch to the newer bivalent vaccine.

There are no orders to stop or slow down usage or reconsider its use. We are still moving forward and using it.

Fact #3 : Sucharit Bhakdi Claims He Spoke To Thai “Advisors”

While calling some of the online claims as an “exaggeration”, Sucharit Bhakdi wrote in an email on Monday, February 6, that he spoke to “highest ranking advisors”.

I did speak with highest-ranking advisors to the government and Royal Family, thereby explaining why Thailand could and should annul the Pfizer purchase contract.

No more, no less. And they seemed to be convinced. Nothing has happened due to internal counter-movements. We are renewing our efforts, however, and with luck there will be things to report in about 2 weeks.

But note the curious turn of phrase – “highest-ranking advisors to the government and Royal family”, instead of just saying “highest-ranking government officials”.

That is open to interpretation – were those “advisors” actual Thai government officials, or just Thai activists whom Bhakdi believes are advising the Thai government and/or Royal family?

Fact #6 : Unknown If Princess Bajrakitiyabha Was Vaccinated

Despite Sucharit Bhakdi’s claims that Princess Bajrakitiyabha received her third dose just 23 days before her collapse, I simply cannot find any evidence of that.

Neither Princess Bajrakitiyabha, nor the Thai royal family, or even the Thai government, has ever publicly revealed her vaccination status.

Perhaps Bhakdi is privy to her vaccination status, but he did not share any evidence to back up his claim, and I cannot corroborate his claim.

Unless and until the Thai royal family or government reveal her vaccination status, and what (if any) COVID-19 vaccine she received, it would be wrong for anyone to claim (without evidence) that she was injured by the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine.

Fact #7 : Princess Bajrakitiyabha’s Cause of Collapse Still Unknown

The Thai palace released a statement on 19 December 2022, in which it stated that “no heart defect could be found“, dismissing earlier assessments that she suffered a cardiac event.

Later, the palace said that she suffered a brain aneurysm, and in a January 7 statement, attributed her collapse to an irregular heartbeat caused by a mycoplasma infection.

While we can debate whether the Princess’ condition was caused by an arrhythmia caused by a mycoplasma infection, or a hemorrhagic stroke from a ruptured brain aneurysm, one thing seems certain – it had nothing to do with any COVID-19 vaccination.

Please help us FIGHT FAKE NEWS by sharing this fact check article out, and please SUPPORT our work!

Don’t forget to protect yourself, and your family, by vaccinating against COVID-19!

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Support my work through a bank transfer / PayPal / credit card!

Name : Adrian Wong
Bank Transfer : CIMB 7064555917 (Swift Code : CIBBMYKL)
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Dr. Adrian Wong has been writing about tech and science since 1997, even publishing a book with Prentice Hall called Breaking Through The BIOS Barrier (ISBN 978-0131455368) while in medical school.

He continues to devote countless hours every day writing about tech, medicine and science, in his pursuit of facts in a post-truth world.

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Did Thailand Ban Pfizer Vaccine Over Princess’ Coma?!

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Did Thailand ban the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine because it caused Princess Bajrakitiyabha’s coma?!

Take a look at the viral claims, and find out what the facts really are!

Claim : Thailand Banned Pfizer Vaccine Over Princess’ Coma!

This message has gone viral on WhatsApp and social media, claiming that Thailand just banned the Pfizer vaccine because it caused Princess Bajrakitiyabha’s coma!

It’s a long post, so feel free to skip to the next section for the facts!

Thailand to BAN Pfizer After Thai Princess Falls Into A Coma Following Booster Jab

A Thai government spokesperson told Professor Sucharit Bhakdi this week that his country could soon become the first in the world to nullify and make void its contracts with pharmaceutical giant Pfizer.

According to Bhakdi, the spokesperson said, in reference to the company’s experimental covid “vaccines,” that “we will see to it that Thailand is the first country in the world to declare this contract (with Pfizer) null.”

We are told that the Royal Family in Thailand was directly impacted by Pfizer’s covid injections, which reportedly harmed the king’s daughter, Princess Bajrakitiyabha. Because of this, Thai authorities are working towards ending the country’s relationship with Pfizer.

Bhakdi says he met with top government advisors and explained to them how the entire premise behind the “vaccines” is built on a throne of lies. Pfizer fraud is the only thing backing the jabs as there is no safety data to show they work as claimed.

Upon hearing this, Thai government advisors were shocked and assured Bhakdi that they are making preparations to sever Pfizer’s contracts with the country.

Thailand seeks billions in retribution from Pfizer for fraudulent covid injections

In addition to ending the Pfizer contracts, the Thai government also plans to seek retribution to the tune of billions of dollars in payback from the company. That money will then go towards compensating all Thai people who “lost their existence” as a result of the Pfizer covid jab rollout.

“The discussion he cited having with the Thai government spokespeople, in conjunction with their advisors to the Thai Royal family, is significant,” writes Nicholas Creed for The Daily Bell.

“The monarchy is revered by Thais, to the point of being sacrosanct and beyond reproach; subject to strict Lèse-majesté laws being invoked when criticism is made of the Royal family.”

In short, the Royal Family of Thailand holds great sway and influence over affairs such as this. The Thai people trust its decisions and are sure to support this move to remove Pfizer from their nation.

It was reported back in December that Princess Bajrakitiyabha collapsed from a heart attack after getting jabbed by Pfizer. This is the basis upon which the Royal Family is now moving towards holding Pfizer accountable for its crimes against humanity.

“If anything was going to awaken the Thai people from indoctrinated slumber, incurring their wrath and outrage at the scale of how badly they have been duped – this would probably be it,” Creed says, noting that up until now the Thai people fell for the mass psychosis and “uniformed worship of the new normal ideology.”

“I want to wake up from this nightmare.”

In the comments, someone wrote that Pfizer not only bullied but also bribed government officials, many through blackmail, into buying and distributing Pfizer’s covid shots to their populations.

“Fraud vitiates everything,” this person added, noting that contract law, which is color of law, is chartered under Roman Canon law.

“Common law is superior to color of law. The Magna Carta is superior to Roman Canon law. The Constitution of the United States of America is supreme in America.”

Another wrote that Pfizer and its executives, including CEO Albert Bourla, need to have all of their assets seized, including those being held in banks around the world.

“Go out and arrest all Pfizer executives on your soil,” this person added. “These cockroaches have to be hiding in a country somewhere.”

Show less

No Evidence Thailand Is Planning To Ban Pfizer Vaccine At All!

There is really NO EVIDENCE that Thailand has banned, or is planning to ban, the Pfizer vaccine because it caused Princess Bajrakitiyabha’s coma!

Fact #1 : Claims Likely Based On Edited Videos

The claims in the viral message appear to be based on two viral videos that were edited to remove some context. I confirmed that by watching and comparing both video clips to the full interview of Sucharit Bhakdi by Pascal Najadi.

It looks like the person who edited the videos wanted to remove references to the fact that Bhakdi was talking to Thai activists, not Thai officials. I covered both videos separately in these articles:

Fact #2 : No Evidence Bhakdi Spoke To Thai Government Officials

If you watch the full video or read the extended transcripts in the two articles above, you will realise that Sucharit Bhakdi did not actually claim to have met any Thai official, never mind advisors to the royal family.

He appeared to have only met Thai activists who claimed that they can “connect” him with the authorities.

Fact #3 : No Evidence Thai Officials Plan To Nullify Pfizer Contracts

There is also no evidence Thailand is actually planning to nullify the Pfizer vaccine contracts. In fact, Bhakdi himself called for people to “start a movement” to “file a case against Pfizer-BioNTech“.

That would not be necessary if the Thai government is already planning to nullify the Pfizer vaccine contracts.

And if we are able in Thailand to start a movement to say, file a case against Pfizer-BioNTech that they pay for the damage they have done, let’s make it.

Fact #4 : Use Of Pfizer Vaccine Minimal In Thailand

It is odd that Sucharit Bhakdi is so focused on the Pfizer vaccine when the Moderna vaccine uses a similar mRNA and lipid nanoparticle delivery technology.

In any case, the use of Pfizer and Moderna mRNA vaccines in Thailand is minimal. This is partly because the mainstay of the Thai COVID-19 vaccination programme was the AstraZeneca vaccine, that was eventually manufactured by Siam Bioscience (owned by King Vajiralongkorn himself).

But due to supply issues, Thailand imported and used large amounts of the Sinovac CoronaVac vaccine, and eventually the Sinopharm BIBP vaccine.

mRNA vaccines from Pfizer and Moderna only make up 5.7% of the COVID-19 vaccines delivered to the Thai government.

Vaccine Brand	Doses Ordered	Doses Delivered
Sinovac	31.1 million	26.52 million
AstraZeneca	61 million	25.5 million
Sinopharm	15 million	15 million
Pfizer	30 million	3.5 million
Moderna	13 million	560,200

Fact #6 : Unknown If Princess Bajrakitiyabha Was Vaccinated

Despite Sucharit Bhakdi’s claims that Princess Bajrakitiyabha received her third dose just 23 days before her collapse, I simply cannot find any evidence of that.

Neither Princess Bajrakitiyabha, nor the Thai royal family, or even the Thai government, has ever publicly revealed her vaccination status.

Perhaps Bhakdi is privy to her vaccination status, but he did not share any evidence to back up his claim, and I cannot corroborate his claim.

Fact #7 : Princess Bajrakitiyabha’s Cause of Collapse Still Unknown

It is interesting to note that the person who edited the viral video cut out the part where Sucharit Bhakdi claimed that Princess Bajrakitiyabha’s heart failed.

The truth is – the cause of her sudden collapse has not been publicly revealed, but the Thai palace released a statement on 19 December 2022, in which it stated that “no heart defect could be found“, dismissing earlier assessments that she suffered a cardiac event.

So while we still do not know why Princess Bajrakitiyabha suddenly collapsed (Thai royal expert Andrew MacGregor Marshall claims it was a hemorrhagic stroke), we have known since December 2022 that she did not have a “heart defect” of any kind.

Please help us FIGHT FAKE NEWS by sharing this fact check article out, and please SUPPORT our work!

Don’t forget to protect yourself, and your family, by vaccinating against COVID-19!

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Support my work through a bank transfer / PayPal / credit card!

Name : Adrian Wong
Bank Transfer : CIMB 7064555917 (Swift Code : CIBBMYKL)
Credit Card / Paypal : https://paypal.me/techarp

Dr. Adrian Wong has been writing about tech and science since 1997, even publishing a book with Prentice Hall called Breaking Through The BIOS Barrier (ISBN 978-0131455368) while in medical school.

He continues to devote countless hours every day writing about tech, medicine and science, in his pursuit of facts in a post-truth world.

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Is Pfizer In Trouble Over Thai Princess Vaccine Injury?!

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Is Pfizer in trouble in Thailand over Thai Princess Bajrakitiyabha’s vaccine injury?!

Take a look at the viral claims, and find out what the facts really are!

Claim : Pfizer In Trouble Over Thai Princess Vaccine Injury!

A video clip of Professor Sucharit Bhakdi has gone viral on Twitter, claiming that top Thai authorities are preparing to declare the Pfizer vaccine contracts null and void, purportedly over Thai Princess Bajrakitiyabha’s vaccine injury!

Top Thai authorities including advisors to the King have been in discussions with Prof. Sucharit Bhakdi and are prepared to see to it that the Pfizer contracts are declared null and void!! The Royal Family has been alerted that the princess is most likely a victim of the jab!!

The Thai Princess who collapsed 23 days after her booster is still in a coma. The Royal Family have been alerted that the purported diagnosis of a bacterial infection is ‘ridiculous’ and that she is most likely the victim of the jab.

Thai Government Vows to be “First Country” to Declare Pfizer Contracts “Null” After Princess Drops of Heart Attack, Dr. Bhakdi Presents “Fraud”

No Evidence Pfizer Is In Trouble Over Thai Princess In Coma!

There is really NO EVIDENCE that Pfizer is in any trouble over Thai Princess Bajrakitiyabha being in coma after suddenly collapsing, and here are the reasons why…

Fact #1 : The Video Was Edited To Remove Context

Like the first viral video clip, this video clip also appears to have been edited to remove some context.

Specifically, it appears to be edited to make Sucharit Bhakdi appear as if he talked to Thai officials, when he was actually referring to Thai activists!

Here are my rough transcripts from the second video clip, with the removed parts highlighted in bold.

Then I said, guys, something happened you know, in December, and that is that one daughter of the present king, Rama the 10th, collapsed and is in coma. She, within, I think it was 23 days after the third shot.

44 years old, never been seriously ill, collapsed and is now in a coma. And the diagnosis that was given by the authorities and by the university is so ridiculous. She’s supposed to have a bacterial infection that will never do what she’s suffering from.

And so, we determined… and the activists in Thailand who have been on this for many, many months now. Great guys, also a professor from the University of Bangkok.

He’s gotten in touch with the royal family, and we are sending information to the royal family, to alert them to the fact that in all probability, the princess is suffering as a victim of this jab, as so many people around the world have been suffering.

The part that was removed was short, but it was sufficient to remove the context that Bhakdi was not talking to Thai officials, who would have clearly known that their Crown Princess Bajrakitiyabha had been in coma since December 2022!

But more critically, the person who edited the video appears to intentionally leave out this very pertinent part right after the section above.

Why? Because Sucharit Bhakdi claimed that Princess Bajrakitiyabha suffered from a heart failure. As you will see in Fact #4, the Princess did not suffer from heart failure!

It’s cardiac. Her heart failed. Okay? Her heart failed, and because her heart failed, her brain did not get the oxygen, and she’s still in the intensive care department in Thailand now, after more than six weeks. So it’s very, very serious.

Right after that, Sucharit Bhakdi suggested that the Thais should try to “start a movement” to file a case against Pfizer-BioNTech. That is a clear indication he was talking to Thai activists, and not Thai officials.

And if we are able in Thailand to start a movement to say, file a case against Pfizer-BioNTech that they pay for the damage they have done, let’s make it.

Is Pfizer in trouble with the Thai government over the Thai Princess' "vaccine injury"? 🧐

Here are the facts : https://t.co/rA0NEbou2v #TechARP #Thailand #SucharitBhakdi #Pfizer #COVID19 #Vaccine #Vaccination #Princess #Royalty #Health #Facts #FactsMatter #FactCheck #Thai pic.twitter.com/heDgIgroF5

— Dr. Adrian Wong (@DrAdrianWong) January 30, 2023

Fact #2 : Use Of Pfizer Vaccine Minimal In Thailand

It is odd that Sucharit Bhakdi is so focused on the Pfizer vaccine when the Moderna vaccine uses a similar mRNA and lipid nanoparticle delivery technology.

But due to supply issues, Thailand imported and used large amounts of the Sinovac CoronaVac vaccine, and eventually the Sinopharm BIBP vaccine.

mRNA vaccines from Pfizer and Moderna only make up 5.7% of the COVID-19 vaccines delivered to the Thai government.

Vaccine Brand	Doses Ordered	Doses Delivered
Sinovac	31.1 million	26.52 million
AstraZeneca	61 million	25.5 million
Sinopharm	15 million	15 million
Pfizer	30 million	3.5 million
Moderna	13 million	560,200

Fact #3 : Unknown If Princess Bajrakitiyabha Was Vaccinated

Despite Sucharit Bhakdi’s claims that Princess Bajrakitiyabha received her third dose just 23 days before her collapse, I simply cannot find any evidence of that.

Neither Princess Bajrakitiyabha, nor the Thai royal family, or even the Thai government, has ever publicly revealed her vaccination status.

Perhaps Bhakdi is privy to her vaccination status, but he did not share any evidence to back up his claim, and I cannot corroborate his claim.

Fact #4 : Princess Bajrakitiyabha’s Cause of Collapse Still Unknown

It is interesting to note that the person who edited the viral video cut out the part where Sucharit Bhakdi claimed that Princess Bajrakitiyabha’s heart failed.

Please help us FIGHT FAKE NEWS by sharing this fact check article out, and please SUPPORT our work!

Don’t forget to protect yourself, and your family, by vaccinating against COVID-19!

Please Support My Work!

Support my work through a bank transfer / PayPal / credit card!

Name : Adrian Wong
Bank Transfer : CIMB 7064555917 (Swift Code : CIBBMYKL)
Credit Card / Paypal : https://paypal.me/techarp

Dr. Adrian Wong has been writing about tech and science since 1997, even publishing a book with Prentice Hall called Breaking Through The BIOS Barrier (ISBN 978-0131455368) while in medical school.

He continues to devote countless hours every day writing about tech, medicine and science, in his pursuit of facts in a post-truth world.

Go Back To > Fact Check | Health | Tech ARP

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Please support us by visiting our sponsors, participating in the Tech ARP Forums, or donating to our fund. Thank you!

Did Thailand Vow To Nullify Pfizer Vaccine Contracts?!

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Did Thailand vow to be the first country to declare the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine contracts “null and void”?!

Take a look at the viral claims, and find out what the facts really are!

Claim : Thailand Vow To Declare Pfizer Vaccine Contracts Null + Void!

A video of Professor Sucharit Bhakdi has gone viral on Twitter, claiming that Thailand is preparing to declare the Pfizer vaccine contracts null and void!

Top Thai authorities including advisors to the King have been in discussions with Prof. Sucharit Bhakdi and are prepared to see to it that the Pfizer contracts are declared null and void!!

Thai Government Vows to be “First Country” to Declare Pfizer Contracts “Null” After Princess Drops of Heart Attack, Dr. Bhakdi Presents “Fraud”

No Evidence Thailand Vowed To Nullify Pfizer Vaccine Contracts!

There is really NO EVIDENCE that Thailand has vowed to be the first country in the world to declare the Pfizer vaccine contracts as null and void!

Fact #1 : The Video Was Edited To Remove Context

Like the second viral video, this video clip appears to be edited to remove some context. I confirmed that by watching and comparing the video clip to the full interview of Sucharit Bhakdi by Pascal Najadi.

It looks like the person who edited the video wanted to remove references to the fact that Bhakdi was talking to Thai activists and not Thai officials.

Here are my rough transcripts from the first video clip, with the removed parts highlighted in bold.

Let me tell you the wonderful thing that happened when we decided to go back to Thailand for a holiday, which was badly needed. This was the beginning of January this year. There are Thai activists in Thailand with whom we have been connected over the past year.

They said, if you come to Thailand… uh, I’m still a Thai by the way… I’m Thai-German… we will connect you with the authorities and advisors to the highest authorities in Thailand, and this is what happened.

So I have the opportunity, the first opportunity in three years, to talk to the top advisors of a government in any country.

And it was very, very impressive, because I laid out to them that this whole COVID-19 agenda is a fake, and why it is a fake, and I was able to lay out for them the proof that the COVID vaccinations were based on fraud.

The person who edited the video, also appears to be trying to scrub out the part where Bhakdi was referring to safety pharmacological studies in 2021 and 2022.

The EMA – European Medical Agencies – was asked again and again and again to reveal whether BioNTech Pfizer had ever performed any safety pharmacological study in 2021 and 2022, and the answer is available to us and to you.

The official answer submitted on the 18th of October of 2022. 18th of October, which we have at our disposal, the EMA declared officially that safety pharmacological studies were never performed. Never. And they were never deemed necessary. So now we have it.

It also appears that the first video was scrubbed to remove the part where Bhakdi stated that it was not the mRNA that was the problem, but the lipid packaging that protected it.

The person who edited the video also removed the part where Bhakdi said that the Thais were Googling information on the Pfizer-BioNTech contract. This would have alerted any viewer that Bhakdi was talking about Thai activists, and not Thai officials who would not need to Google such information.

[/su_note]

And when I told the Thais this, you know guys, they jumped up, they jumped up in the roof. And so they said Thailand is going to join Switzerland. Thailand is going to join Switzerland and show the world how to go, because the contract to buy millions of doses of that damn vaccine that is deadly, known to be deadly.

Not because of the mRNA, but just because of the lipids that are packaging the mRNA, that is enough to kill people. Not even the spike protein is necessary. You just have to take the packaging, and that it in itself is deadly. And that it in itself will cause anyone, will force anyone to say that nothing that is packaged in this deadly package can be safe. If the package itself is deadly, then you don’t have to ask what is in the package.

And then they said alright, and they were Googling and said, the contract was signed in Thailand with Pfizer-BioNTech and in this case, it was based on fraud because there were no safety studies and therefore, and it is now known that, this package is not safe. It is immaterial what is in in the package. It is not safe, because of the packaging.

And so they said to me – we will see to it that Thailand is the first country in the world that is going to declare this contract null, and nullify the contract. Which means that Pfizer BioNTech is going to have to pay back those billions to Thailand, with which Thailand will recompensate those peoples [sic] that have lost their existence.

Did Thailand vow to be the first country to declare the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine contracts "null and void"?! 🧐

Here are the facts : https://t.co/xD2rUj8ryf #TechARP #Thailand #SucharitBhakdi #Pfizer #COVID19 #Vaccine #Vaccination #Business #Health #Facts #FactsMatter #FactCheck pic.twitter.com/jedvEimodF

— Dr. Adrian Wong (@DrAdrianWong) January 30, 2023

Fact #2 : No Evidence Bhakdi Spoke To Thai Officials

As mentioned above, the viral video clip appears to have been edited to remove references to Thai activists, likely to convey the perception that Sucharit Bhakdi was speaking to Thai officials.

If you watch the full video or read the extended transcript above, Sucharit Bhakdi does not actually claim to have met any Thai official, never mind advisors to the royal family. He appears to have only met Thai activists who claimed that they can “connect” him with the authorities.

Fact #3 : No Evidence Thai Officials Plan To Nullify Pfizer Contracts

The full video, and the extended transcript above, shows that Sucharit Bhakdi appears to have spoken only with Thai activists, not Thai officials.

Therefore, there is no evidence Thailand is actually planning to nullify the Pfizer vaccine contracts. In fact, Bhakdi himself called for people to “start a movement” to “file a case against Pfizer-BioNTech“.

That would not be necessary if the Thai government is already planning to nullify the Pfizer vaccine contracts.

And if we are able in Thailand to start a movement to say, file a case against Pfizer-BioNTech that they pay for the damage they have done, let’s make it.

Fact #4 : Use Of Pfizer Vaccine Minimal In Thailand

It is odd that Sucharit Bhakdi is so focused on the Pfizer vaccine when the Moderna vaccine uses a similar mRNA and lipid nanoparticle delivery technology.

But due to supply issues, Thailand imported and used large amounts of the Sinovac CoronaVac vaccine, and eventually the Sinopharm BIBP vaccine.

mRNA vaccines from Pfizer and Moderna only make up 5.7% of the COVID-19 vaccines delivered to the Thai government.

Vaccine Brand	Doses Ordered	Doses Delivered
Sinovac	31.1 million	26.52 million
AstraZeneca	61 million	25.5 million
Sinopharm	15 million	15 million
Pfizer	30 million	3.5 million
Moderna	13 million	560,200

Fact #5 : Pfizer COVID-19 Vaccine Safety Was Evaluated In 2020

I should also touch on the claim that the safety of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine was never tested.

Pfizer actually conducted their Phase 1/2 trial in 2020, testing the first participants on May 5, 2020, and posting the first date on August 20, 2020. That was followed up by the large Phase 3 trial, whose study was peer-reviewed and published in the New England Medical Journal in December 2020.

In other words, safety studies were carried out on the Pfizer vaccine in 2020, but not in 2021 or 2022 because it was the same vaccine.

It appears that the the first viral video was edited to removed the part about the EMA being asked whether Pfizer performed the safety tests in 2021 and 2022, to convey the false perception that Pfizer never conducted safety tests at all.

Please help us FIGHT FAKE NEWS by sharing this fact check article out, and please SUPPORT our work!

Don’t forget to protect yourself, and your family, by vaccinating against COVID-19!

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He continues to devote countless hours every day writing about tech, medicine and science, in his pursuit of facts in a post-truth world.

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Did Thai Princess Bajrakitiyabha Collapse From Vaccine?!

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Did Thai Princess Bajrakitiyabha collapse from a heart attack caused by her COVID-19 vaccination?!

Take a look at the viral claims, and find out what the facts really are!

Updated @ 2022-12-20 : Added new information on her possible stroke.
Originally posted @ 2022-12-16

Claim : Thai Princess Bajrakitiyabha Collapsed From Vaccine-Induced Heart Attack!

Right after news broke that Thai Princess Bajrakitiyabha collapsed from a heart attack, anti-vaccination activists immediately claimed that the likely successor to the Thai throne was a victim of the COVID-19 vaccine!

Here are some examples on social media:

Another prominent young adult has “sudden unexpected medical crisis.” Healthy and fit Thai Princess was outside walking her dogs when she collapsed.💉💉💉

Thai princess (44) collapses from heart condition. Might this have been suicide attempt as it definitely wasn’t the #vaccine? Phew! #Safeandeffective #Keepboostin #DiedSuddenly

Thai princess took the juice and collapsed with massive heart complications. The vax kills and is designed to kill. Hundreds Re croaking every day worldwide. Media and government hide the facts.

Truth : Thai Princess Bajrakitiyabha Did Not Collapse From Vaccine-Induced Heart Attack!

It’s now a tradition for anti-vaccination activists to immediately blame all celebrity deaths or illnesses on the COVID-19 vaccine.

This is yet another example of FAKE NEWS created and propagated by anti-vaccination activists, and here are the reasons why…

Fact #1 : Princess Bajrakitiyabha Did Not Suffer From A Cardiac Event

Princess Bajrakitiyabha (born Princess Bajrakitiyabha Narendira Debyavati, the Princess Rajasarini Siribajra / พัชรกิติยาภา นเรนทิราเทพยวดี on December 7, 1978) was the only child born to King Maha Vajiralongkorn and his first wife, Princess Soamsawali.

At 8:20 AM on Wednesday, December 14, 2022, Princess Bajrakitiyabha (also known as Princess Patty or Princess Pa) was running with her dog during a training session for the upcoming Working Dog Championship by the Royal Thai Army when she collapsed and lost consciousness at the Khao Yai National Park.

According to the official statement, she was taken to the Pak Chong Nana Hospital for “a heart problem” where her condition “improved” and she was in a “stable condition”, before being flown to the Chulalongkorn Hospital in Bangkok for further treatment.

However, Thai royal expert Andrew MacGregor Marshall disputes that, stating that Princess Bajrakitiyabha had a stroke from a ruptured brain aneurysm that caused a massive subarachnoid haemorrhage, resulting in cardiac and respiratory arrest that was originally said to be a “heart attack”. He also claimed that she was brain dead on arrival at Pak Chong Nana Hospital, but the medical staff there took turns to keep her alive using CPR for many hours.

In the early morning of Thursday, December 15, she was airlifted by helicopter to the Chulalongkorn Hospital. There, she was kept alive using an ECMO (Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation) life support machine. Andrew further claims that the doctors had already concluded that she was brain dead and will never recover.

Fact #2 : Princess Bajrakitiyabha’s Cause of Collapse Still Unknown

Whether she is brain dead or otherwise, the cause of Princess Bajrakitiyabha’s sudden collapse has not been publicly revealed.

However, the Thai palace released a statement on 19 December 2022, in which it stated that “no heart defect could be found“. This suggests that Andrew MacGregor Marshall may be correct in his claims that she suffered from a ruptured brain aneurysm.

The statement also stated that “medication and tools” were being used to support her heart, lungs and kidneys – an indirect acknowledgement that she is being kept alive by an ECMO machine.

If Andrew is correct that she suffered a massive subarachnoid haemorrhage and is now brain dead, the ECMO machine can oxygenate her blood to keep her body alive, but her damaged brain won’t be able to recover.

In any case, the latest statement appears to confirm that the earlier assessment that she suffered a cardiac event is no longer true. This would dispel claims by anti-vaccination activists that she died from a vaccine-induced heart attack or cardiac arrest!

Fact #3 : Unknown If Princess Bajrakitiyabha Was Vaccinated

The Thai royal family is pro-vaccination, with Siam Bioscience (owned by King Vajiralongkorn) licensed to produce the AstraZeneca vaccine.

The vaccine was also promoted with a public vaccination by Princess Sirivannavari Nariratan at the Chulalongkorn Hospital on March 23, 2021.

That said, it is currently unknown if Princess Bajrakitiyabha was vaccinated against COVID-19, so it would be wrong for anyone to claim that she died from COVID-19 vaccine side effects.

For all we know – she may not even be vaccinated! The COVID-19 vaccine is not mandatory in Thailand, despite what anti-vaccination activists may claim.

Fact #4 : Vaccine Side Effects Appear Within Hours / Days

Even if Princess Bajrakitiyabha was vaccinated against COVID-19, she would have received all of her doses many months ago.

She cannot possibly have died from a vaccine side effect, because they appear within hours or days, not months later.

Mild side effects like injection site pain, fever, muscle ache, headache, lethargy develop within minutes to hours of the vaccination.

Anaphylaxis develops within minutes, while other severe adverse reactions like myocarditis and VITT develop within days.

The spike proteins produced by the COVID-19 vaccines also do not stick around for months. If these spike proteins are permanent (as antivaxxers claim), we would have lifelong immunity.

Fact #5 : Deaths / Injuries From COVID-19 Vaccines Can Be Proven

Despite anti-vaccination activists chalking up celebrity deaths to the vaccine; death or injury from rare vaccine adverse effects like anaphylaxis, myocarditis and VITT can be proven.

Anaphylaxis (severe allergic reaction) from Pfizer or Moderna mRNA vaccines happens within minutes. That’s why people are asked to wait for 15-30 minutes after getting the vaccine. People who get an anaphylactic shock will require an epinephrine shot to quickly relieve it.

Vaccine-induced myocarditis has distinct histopathology findings that are different from typical myocarditis, so a pathologist will be able to determine if the myocarditis was caused by the vaccines or otherwise.

Thrombosis with Thrombocytopenia Syndrome (TTS) is very specific to the AstraZeneca and Johnson & Johnson vaccines. It is also easily differentiated by its unique combination of blood clots in large veins of the brains, abdomen and lungs, together with low platelet counts leading to bleeding tendencies.

Fact #6 : Claims Of Celebrities Injured By COVID-19 Vaccine Proven False

This is yet another example of anti-vaccination activists abusing celebrity deaths / injuries to create and propagate FAKE NEWS about the safety and efficacy of COVID-19 vaccines.

So far, claims of celebrity deaths / injuries due to the COVID-19 vaccine have been proven false at every instance. Here is the latest dozen of other false celebrity claims!

Will these anti-vaccination activists apologise for lying to you? Nope! They will just move on to the next celebrity tragedy…

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He continues to devote countless hours every day writing about tech, medicine and science, in his pursuit of facts in a post-truth world.

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Dell 40-Nation Survey : Employees Are Greatest Asset!

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Dell Technologies just conducted a new 40+ country survey to find out things have changed after two years of accelerated digital transformation!

Take a look at their results, and find out why most businesses consider employees as their greatest asset!

Dell 40-Nation Survey : Employees Are Greatest Asset!

After two years of accelerated digital transformation during the COVID-19 pandemic, 64% of IT leaders in Malaysia (APJ: 45%; Global: 50%) say their organisations know what it takes to digitally transform a workforce.

But after such rapid change, many employees now face the challenge of maintaining the pace. What’s more, more than two-thirds of the 10,500 respondents believe that their organisations are not able to engage with their employees properly when planning transformation programs.

The results suggest that after 2 years rapid transformation, businesses and their workforce are in need of time to recharge, reflect and refine before embarking on new or iterating projects.

The research also highlights how there is still the danger os digital transformation stalling, as 68% of Malaysian respondents (APJ: 72%; Global: 64%) believe that their employees’ resistance to change can lead to failure.

Over half or 57% of Malaysian respondents (APJ: 62%; Global: 53%) fear that they will be shut-out of the rapidly-evolving digital world due to a lack of people with the right authority or vision to capitalise on opportunities offered by new technologies, like as-a-Service models.

Most organisations around the world – including Malaysia – realise the need to digitally transform, but they find digital transformation hard, and their people don’t always embrace change.

This human-technology friction is only compounded by the pandemic and what we end up with is businesses that are more digitally resilient, but many of their people are exhausted.

Today, businesses aspiring for sustainable success need to be asking themselves how they can thoughtfully and purposefully help their people navigate further change.

– Mak Chin Wah, country manager, Malaysia and general manager, Telecom Systems Business, South Asia, Dell Technologies.

Dell 40-Nation Survey : Readiness For Digital Change

Dell and independent behavioural experts also studied survey respondents’ appetite for digital change, and they found that only 8% of the Malaysian workforce – from senior business leaders to IT decision-makers and staff – are pursuing modernisation projects (APJ: 7%; Global: 10%).

Furthermore, 40% of Malaysian respondents are slow or reluctant to embrace change (APJ: 46%; Global: 42%).

Breakthrough Benchmark	Malaysia	APJ	Global
Sprint: Will chase innovation and trailblaze technological change.	8%	7%	10%
Steady: Poised to adopt technological change, selected by others.	50%	41%	43%
Slow: Inclined to hold back and observe / deliberate.	40%	46%	42%
Still: Tend to anticipate problems and resist proposed technology innovations based on perceived risk.	4%	6%	5%

Dell 40-Nation Survey : The Way Forward

The Dell study also charts a way forward for businesses to focus on keeping pace with digital transformation:

1. Connectivity

Businesses performed tremendous feats to connect, collaborate, and conduct business online during the pandemic, but the job is not done.

Around 76% of Malaysian respondents say they need their organisations to provide the necessary tools and infrastructure to work anywhere (along with the autonomy to choose their preferred working pattern) (APJ: 78%; Global: 72%).

In fact, they worry their employees might be left behind because they do not have the right technology to shift to a highly distributed model (where work and compute are not tied to a central place, but occur everywhere).

Technology alone is not enough. Businesses also need to make work equitable for employees with different needs, interests, and responsibilities, including the 82% Malaysian employees (APJ: 78; Global: 76%) that would like their organisation to do any of the following:

Clearly define their ongoing commitment to flexible work arrangements and the practicalities of making it work – Malaysia: 54% (APJ: 46%; Global: 40%)
Equip leaders to effectively and equitably manage remote teams – Malaysia: 41% (APJ: 42%; Global: 42%)
Empower employees to choose their preferred working pattern and provide the necessary tools / infrastructure – Malaysia: 49% (APJ: 47%; Global: 44%)

2. Productivity

Every employee’s time is limited and there are now too few qualified candidates for open roles. To address these limitations, businesses can delegate repetitive tasks to automated processes and free-up employees to focus on higher-value work.

At present, 19% of Malaysian respondents say that their work is stimulating and not repetitive (APJ: 32%; Global: 37%). With the opportunity to automate more repetitive tasks, 81% of Malaysian respondents would look forward to learning new, sought-after skills and technologies, like leadership skills, courses in machine learning, or focusing on more strategic opportunities to elevate their role (APJ: 74%; Global; 69%).

However, businesses with limited budgets are concerned they will not be able to advance their workforce and compete.

3. Empathy

At their heart, businesses must build a culture, modelled by empathetic leaders, that treats people as their greatest source of creativity and value.

The research shows there is still work to do and empathy has to inform decision making – from simplifying technology for approximately half (Malaysia: 51%; APJ: 52%; Global: 49%) who often feel overwhelmed by complex technologies, to tailoring change programs to individuals’ skills (Malaysia: 54%; APJ: 50%; Global: 41%;) of employees believe their leaders do this).

Dell 40-Nation Survey : A Quick Primer

To find out how things have changed after two years of accelerated digital transformation, Dell Technologies conducted a survey across 40+ countries from all regions of the world, from August to October 2021.

Fieldwork was conducted by Vanson Bourne, and involved 10,500 senior business decision-makers, IT decision-makers and knowledge workers (employees involved in digital transformation).

In Asia Pacific & Japan (APJ), 2,900 respondents across 11 locations were surveyed. The APJ locations include Australia, India, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, New Zealand, Philippines, Singapore, South Korea, Thailand, and Vietnam. In Malaysia, 200 number of respondents were surveyed.

On 22 September 2022, Dell Technologies presented their key findings at the Dell Technologies Forum 2022, held in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

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Do Vegan Tonkotsu Noodles Contain Pork?!

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Do vegan Tonkotsu noodles contain pork, and are therefore not halal for Muslims to eat?!

Take a look at the viral photo, and find out what the facts really are!

Claim : Vegan Tonkotsu Noodles Contain Pork!

A packet of vegan Tonkotsu noodles has gone viral, with people claiming that it contains pork, and is therefore not halal for Muslims to consume. It’s often accompanied by comments like:

Kepada yg suka sgt Japanese Food. Berhati2 lah. (To those who love Japanese food, be careful)

Dunia hari ini… hati2 bila membeli (Be careful when buying things in today’s world)

Something is off about this

Truth : Vegan Tonkotsu Noodles Do NOT Contain Pork!

The photo of the Tonkotsu noodles packet has gone viral, with Muslim netizens in Malaysia, Indonesia and Thailand deeply concerned about its halal status, so here is what you need to know…

Fact #1 : That Is A Packet Of Vegan Tonkotsu Instant Noodles

First, let me just point out that many netizens did not bother to look at the photo properly.

It is stated clearly on the packet that it contains Tonkotsu with pork bone broth flavour.

The small labels also point out that this packet is not only vegan, it has a gluten-free soup base.

Fact #2 : Vegan Tonkotsu Noodles Do Not Contain Meat

This packet of vegan Tonkotsu noodles does NOT contain meat. Certainly not pork.

In fact, vegan food products by definition do NOT contain any animal products. That means it won’t contain meat, eggs, dairy products, or any other animal-derived substances.

The soup is made to mimic the taste of pork bone broth, using yeast extracts and garlic powder amongst other things.

For example, here are the ingredients of the Nissin Tonkotsu Instant Noodles – a similar vegan tonkotsu ramen product :

Noodles: Wheat Flour, Palm Oil, Tapioca Starch, Salt, Potassium Chloride (Salt Substitute), Sodium Phosphates, Potassium Carbonate, Sodium Carbonate, Sodium Alginate, Guar Gum, Green Tea Powder, Tocopherols, Ascorbyl Palmitate.

Soup Base: Sugars (White Sugar, Glucose Syrup, Dextrose), Salt, Monosodium Glutamate, Hydrolyzed Soy Protein, Yeast Extracts, Soy Sauce Powder (Soybeans, Wheat, Salt), Garlic Powder, Fully Hydrogenated Palm Oil, Onion Powder, Dehydrated Green Onion, Guar Gum, Maltodextrin, Vegetable Oil, Milk Protein, Silicon Dioxide. Black Garlic Oil: Palm Oil, Garlic, Vegetable Oil, Caramel Colour.

As you can see – its ingredients are not only completely halal, they are also completely vegan.

Fact #3 : NAHA Halal Logo Was Used Without Permission

The packet of vegan Tonkotsu noodles also has a Nippon Asia Halal Association (NAHA) logo, which proclaims that it had been certified halal.

However, NAHA issued a statement on August 19, 2022 stating that it did not certify this noodle producer as Halal, and the brand did not receive their permission to use the NAHA Halal logo.

We never certify this company as halal. Even if the product is vegan, our Halal standards clearly explain that we dont allow this kind of label even if all ingredients are halal and process is halal dedicated. We are searching which company has used this label with our halal mark without our permission. Please discourage this and wherever you saw this product, please inform the store that this is fake label and fraud label.

Fact #4 : Invalid NAHA Logo Does Not Mean It Is Not Halal

I have to point out that NAHA did not certify this company, so the use of their label is illegal, even if the product itself is halal.

That is a certification issue, and does not mean that the vegan noodles are not halal.

For example, if the noodle company paid NAHA to certify this particular Tonkotsu instant noodle product, it would receive a certificate and the right to use the halal logo for just 1 year.

If the brand does not continue to pay NAHA for the halal certification, it will lose the right to use its halal logo, even though the instant noodles have not changed one bit, and remain just as halal as it was before.

In other words – certification confirms that the product is halal, but the lack of certification or even the use of lapsed / false certification does not mean that the product is not halal.

NAHA, for example, offers halal certification for mineral water with a 2-year validity period. But does that mean that mineral water without the NAHA logo is not halal?

Of course, if you are in doubt about whether vegan noodles are truly halal, it’s best to check with the religious authorities in your country.

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He continues to devote countless hours every day writing about tech, medicine and science, in his pursuit of facts in a post-truth world.

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Why Sony Hiked PlayStation 5 Prices Globally!

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Sony just gave everyone a “nice” August surprise, by hiking PlayStation 5 prices globally by up to 24%!

Here is what you need to know…

Sony Hikes PlayStation 5 Prices Globally, Except US!

Sony has had a hard time producing enough PlayStation 5 consoles, with available units getting snapped up within minutes, often by scalpers.

It doesn’t seem to be a situation that will likely be resolved until 2024, but that does not mean Sony is willing to lose out on profits just because there’s still a shortage of chips worldwide.

On 25 August 2022, they sprung a “nice” surprise by announcing an immediate hike to PlayStation 5 prices globally… except in the United States.

Japan gets a short reprieve until September 14, so consumers there can still enjoy the lower price, but with virtually no stock at hand, that probably won’t make much of a difference.

Europe

PS5 with Ultra HD Blu-ray disc drive – €549.99
PS5 Digital Edition – €449.99

PS5 with Ultra HD Blu-ray disc drive – £479.99
PS5 Digital Edition – £389.99

Japan (effective Sept. 15, 2022)

PS5 with Ultra HD Blu-ray disc drive – ¥60,478 yen (including tax)
PS5 Digital Edition – ¥49,478 yen (including tax)

China

PS5 with Ultra HD Blu-ray disc drive – ¥4,299 yuan
PS5 Digital Edition – ¥3,499 yuan

Australia

PS5 with Ultra HD Blu-ray disc drive – AUD $799.95
PS5 Digital Edition – AUD $649.95

Mexico

PS5 with Ultra HD Blu-ray disc drive – MXN $14,999
PS5 Digital Edition – MXN $12,499

Canada

PS5 with Ultra HD Blu-ray disc drive – CAD $649.99
PS5 Digital Edition – CAD $519.99

Singapore

PS5 with Ultra HD Blu-ray disc drive – SG$799
PS5 Digital Edition – SG$669

Malaysia

PS5 with Ultra HD Blu-ray disc drive – RM2,499
PS5 Digital Edition – RM2,069

Indonesia

PS5 with Ultra HD Blu-ray disc drive – IDR 9,699,000
PS5 Digital Edition – IDR 8,199,000

Thailand

PS5 with Ultra HD Blu-ray disc drive – THB 18,690
PS5 Digital Edition – THB 15,690

Philippines

PS5 with Ultra HD Blu-ray disc drive – PHP 30,790

Vietnam

PS5 with Ultra HD Blu-ray disc drive – VND 15,990,000

In the United Kingdom, prices are going up by £30 for both the Blu-ray and Digital Edition versions – a 6% to 8% hike.

In Europe, the €50 hike raises the console’s price by 10% to 12.5% for the Blu-ray and Digital Edition versions respectively.

In Australia, the A$50 hike raises the console’s price by 6.7% to 8.3% for the Blu-ray and Digital Edition versions respectively.

Here in Malaysia, the RM200 hike raises the console’s price by 8.7% to 10.7% for the Blu-ray and Digital Edition versions respectively.

The highest increase though will be in Japan. The ¥10,498 increase is a massive 21% hike over the original price of ¥49,980 for the Blu-ray edition. The Digital Edition was originally priced at ¥39,980, but it will cost 24% more after its price is raised by ¥9,498.

Why Is Sony Hiking PlayStation 5 Prices Globally, Except US?!

It is certainly odd and rare for companies to raise prices on a product in the middle of its lifespan. I should point out that the PlayStation 5 is almost 2 years old, having been launched on November 12, 2020.

Sony Interactive Entertainment President and CEO Jim Ryan blamed the decision on “challenging economic conditions” which caused “high global inflation rates, as well as adverse currency trends“.

The global economic environment is a challenge that many of you around the world are no doubt experiencing. We’re seeing high global inflation rates, as well as adverse currency trends, impacting consumers and creating pressure on many industries.

Based on these challenging economic conditions, SIE has made the difficult decision to increase the recommended retail price (RRP) of PlayStation 5 in select markets across Europe, Middle East, and Africa (EMEA), Asia-Pacific (APAC), Latin America (LATAM), as well as Canada. There will be no price increase in the United States.

Why not the United States? Probably because Sony is not doing quite so well in that market, getting edged out by Xbox Series X/S. So it looks like Sony does not want to upset the apple cart there just yet…

PlayStation 5 is doing great in other countries, so Sony apparently felt confident enough to raise prices without the risk of potential customers jumping to the Xbox bandwagon in protest.

Ultimately, this boils down to profit. If Sony cannot get enough units out the door, the only way to increase profits is to raise prices. And if raising prices will keep the shareholders happy and protect their own bonuses, it’s no surprise that Sony executives would sign off on this.

Even more shockingly – Sony is raising prices most in its own turf. Japanese gamers will have to put up with a massive price hike of 21% to 24%.

It really does not pay to be a fan of Sony products…

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Thailand Decriminalises + Encourages Marijuana Cultivation!

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Thailand has not only decriminalised marijuana, they are actively encouraging its cultivation!

Here is what you need to know…

Thailand Decriminalises + Encourages Marijuana Cultivation!

On 9 June 2022, Thailand removed marijuana (ganja) from its banned narcotics list, effectively becoming the first country in Asia to decriminalise it.

People in Thailand are now allowed to grow cannabis plants and sell them. In fact, the government is even giving away one million cannabis seedlings to encourage its cultivation!

This is part of the government’s plan to promote medical marijuana, as part of its medical tourism industry. Thai Public Health Minister Anutin Charnvirakul said recently :

We should know how to use cannabis. If we have the right awareness, cannabis is like gold, something valuable, and should be promoted.

Recreational Marijuana Use Is Still Banned In Thailand

Officially, recreational use is still banned, with cannabis approved only for medical use (since 2018), but the government is unlikely to prosecute anyone smoking marijuana privately.

After all, every household that registers with the government is allowed to cultivate up to six cannabis plants at home!

People smoking marijuana in public though could be arrested, and potentially invite a 3-month jail sentence and a 25,000 baht ($725 / RM3.2K) fine under the Public Health Act.

Thai Public Health Minister Anutin Charnvirakul said :

We still have regulations under the law that control the consumption, smoking or use of cannabis products in non-productive ways.

We [have always] emphasized using cannabis extractions and raw materials for medical purposes and for health.

There has never once been a moment that we would think about advocating people to use cannabis in terms of recreation — or use it in a way that it could irritate others.

On the other hand, the Thai government will also release about 4,000 people who were convicted of cannabis-related offences and imprisoned.

That suggests that the Thai government is working to relax rules on recreational use, with a wider law on cannabis trade and control being considered.

The current rules also allow people to smoke marijuana in private, as long as they declare it is for medical purposes.

It is also allowed to be used in food and drinks, or other products, as long as they contain less than 0.2% of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) – the chemical compound that gives people the “high” feeling.

That said, it is quite impossible for the authorities to monitor and regulate how much THC goes into food and drinks… so the line they drew in the sand is already blurred.

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Over 560 Monkeypox Cases Confirmed In 25 Countries!

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Over 560 monkeypox cases have now been confirmed in at least 25 countries outside of Africa!

Find out if the monkeypox outbreak could become a new pandemic we have to worry about!

Over 560 Monkeypox Cases Confirmed In 25 Countries!

People are now worried about the rapid spread of monkeypox globally. although the WHO has said that it is unlikely to become a pandemic like COVID-19.

Discovered in 1958, the first human infection was only reported in 1970, and there were only like 400 cases from 1970 to 1986.

Monkeypox became more common over time, with 2000 cases per year reported between 2011 and 2014, and several outbreaks in the US (2003 and 2021), UK (2018 and 2021), and Singapore (2019)..

However, nothing has come close to the 2022 monkeypox outbreak which has now affected at least 25 countries outside of Africa, with over 560 cases!

Country	Confirmed Cases	Suspected Cases	Total
United Kingdom	179	–	179
Spain	120	–	120
Portugal	96	–	96
Canada	26	37	63
Germany	33	–	33
Netherlands	26	–	26
France	17	–	17
United States	15	–	15
Italy	14	–	14
Belgium	9	–	9
Czech Republic	5	–	5
Switzerland	4	–	4
UAE	4	–	4
Sweden	3	–	3
Ireland	2	1	3
Argentina	2	–	2
Australia	2	–	2
Denmark	2	–	2
Israel	2	–	2
Slovenia	2	–	2
Austria	1	–	1
Finland	1	–	1
Malta	1	–	1
Mexico	1	–	1
Thailand	1	–	1
TOTAL	568	56	617

Monkeypox Cases May Increase, But Unlikely To Become Pandemic

On 30 May 2022, the World Health Organisation’s top monkeypox expert, Dr. Rosamund Lewis, gave a public briefing on the 2022 monkeypox outbreak.

Here is a summary of the key points Dr. Lewis shared in that public session :

She does not expect the monkeypox outbreak to turn into another pandemic like COVID-19.
There are still many unknowns about this outbreak, including how exactly it is spreading.
The suspension of mass smallpox immunisation decades ago may have resulted in increased transmission.
Vast majority of current cases seen in gay, bisexual or men who have sex with men.
There is a higher proportion of people with fewer visible lesions that are more concentrated in the genital region, and sometimes nearly impossible to see. This is a danger because they are infectious even though their lesions are not visible.
There is a window of opportunity to shut down the outbreak so it does not become endemic in new areas.

Fortunately, the 2022 monkeypox outbreak appears to be of the less virulent West African strain, because there is no proven treatment.

The smallpox vaccine can offer up to 85% protection against monkeypox, and certain antiviral treatments can be attempted.

But otherwise – hospitals can only offer supportive treatment as the patient isolates for 2-4 weeks until the disease resolves.

Read more : What You Must Know About Monkeypox!

Monkeypox primarily spreads through close contact, but can spread through respiratory droplets. However, it is far less contagious and is not airborne like COVID-19.

Infected people are also not considered contagious until they start showing symptoms, which limits transmission. This is unlike COVID-19 which is often spread by people who are asymptomatic.

The best way to describe its ability to infect people would be to understand its R0 (Reproduction Number, pronounced as R naught) – how many people an infected person is expected to pass the disease along to.

The ancestral COVID-19 virus has an R0 of between 2 to 3, which increased to 8 with the Omicron variant. That’s really contagious – every infected person will (on average) transmit the virus to 8 other people.

On the other hand, past outbreaks of monkeypox had an R0 of less than one. That means even though there may be clusters of several cases, even outbreaks, the cases die out on their own.

Virus	R0
Measles	12 to 18
Omicron COVID-19	8
Smallpox	5 to 7
Ancestral COVID-19	2 to 3
H1N1 (2009)	1.5 to 2.5
Monkeypox	<1

Monkeypox fortunately does not spread very efficiently between humans. Generally, you need to have skin-to-skin contact with an infected person, or come into contact with his/her bodily fluids, to get infected.

The people most at risk would be close contacts of the infected person, like family members or healthcare workers taking care of them.

Transmission is really happening from close physical contact, skin-to-skin contact. It’s quite different from COVID in that sense.
– Dr. Maria Van Kerkhove, WHO Infectious Disease Epidemiologist

It’s not as highly transmissible as something like smallpox, or measles, or certainly not Covid. It does not spread easily from person to person, the risk to the general public is low.
– Anne Rimoin, infectious disease epidemiologist at University of California.

That is why it is very unlikely to become a pandemic, although if it spreads to susceptible rodent populations, it could become endemic in those areas.

There is also the fact that the monkeypox is so closely related to the smallpox virus, the smallpox vaccine offers 85% protection against monkeypox infections.

In fact, one smallpox vaccine – JYNNEOS – was approved in the United States to serve as protection against monkeypox. Even though there is no public access to this vaccine, that can quickly change.

Several countries, including the United States, have strategic reserves of smallpox vaccines, which can be deployed in a monkeypox outbreak.

Countries have also started purchasing smallpox vaccines :

19 May 2022 : Spain’s Ministry of Health announced that it was in the process of purchasing thousands of doses of smallpox vaccines
24 May 2022 : CDC announced that the US is in the process of releasing some JYNNEOS smallpox vaccine doses for people who are “high risk”.
25 May 2022 : the German government announced that it was buying 40,000 doses of the JYNNEOS smallpox vaccine from Bavarian Nordic.
26 May 2022 : the UK Health Security Agency announced that it purchased 20,000 doses of the JYNNEOS smallpox vaccine from Bavarian Nordic.

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Malaysia Reopens International Borders On 1 April 2022!

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The government of Malaysia just announced the reopening of international borders on 1 April 2022!

Here is what you need to know!

Malaysia Reopens International Borders On 1 April 2022!

On 3 March 2022, the Minister of Defence announced that the 13th Quartet Meeting has agreed in principle to reopen all national borders, based on three basic objectives:

to ensure smooth journeys for travellers,
based on science and the latest facts on COVID-19, and
comparing border reopening requirements with other countries.

This decision was made after the Ministry of Health had a meeting with other ministries and agencies on reopening the borders on Saturday, 26 February 2022.

On 8 March 2022, the Prime Minister of Malaysia, Ismail Sabri Yaacob, announced that Malaysia will reopen all international borders on 1 April 2022.

Based on that decision in principle, the Ministry of Health and all relevant ministries and agencies will finalise the protocols for pre-departure and arrival in Malaysia.

But here is what the Prime Minister announced so far :

All Malaysian citizens can travel freely internationally, as long as they have valid travel documents.
All foreigners with valid travel documents can freely travel in and out of Malaysia, without apply for MyTravelPass, which will be abolished.
All travellers have to activate MySejahtera, and fill in the Pre-Departure Form using the Traveller option in MySejahtera.
All travellers who are fully-vaccinated with two doses of COVID-19 vaccine do not need to undergo any quarantine.
However, travellers must show a negative RT-PCR test taken within 2 days before departure.
In addition, travellers must undergo a professionally-administered RTK-Ag test within 24 hours of arrival in Malaysia, and report the results in MySejahtera.

More Malaysia VTL Options In Addition To Reopening Borders

In addition, the Prime Minister announced that they are looking at expanding the Vaccinated Travel Lane (VTL) scheme that allows for quarantine-free travel.

Currently, the VTL scheme is limited to Singapore, but the Prime Minister has announced that two more VTL schemes will soon be implemented :

Malaysia-Thailand VTL,
Malaysia-Brunei VTL, and
Malaysia-Indonesia.

The government is also looking at other countries to add to the VTL scheme.

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UOB Buys Citibank Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand + Vietnam!

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UOB just announced that they will take over Citibank consumer business in Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand and Vietnam!

Here is what you need to know…

UOB Buys Citibank Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand + Vietnam!

On 14 January 2022, UOB announced that they won the bid to take over Citibank consumer business in Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand and Vietnam.

The acquisition of Citibank in Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand and Vietnam will cost UOB about S$5 billion (about RM15.5 billion or USD 3.72 billion).

When completed around early 2024, the acquisition of Citibank Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand and Vietnam will expand UOB’s retail customer base to approximately 10 billion in the region (including Singapore).

The sale comes more than 8 months after Citi announced in April 2021 that it would be exiting the consumer banking market in 13 markets. Citi, however, will continue to retain its Singapore assets.

The acquisition will affect some 5,000 Citi employees in those four countries, about 36% of whom have worked at Citi for more than a decade.

Official Statement By Citibank Malaysia On UOB Purchase

On 14 January 2022, Citibank Malaysia issued this advisory on the acquisition of Citi’s Consumer Banking business in Malaysia :

Dear Valued Customer,

I am writing to let you know that Citi in Malaysia has reached an agreement with UOB Group for the acquisition of Citi’s Consumer Banking business in Malaysia.

This is a positive outcome for Citi, our people, and our customers.

UOB Group will acquire Citi’s consumer business which includes credit cards, personal loans, retail banking, mortgages and wealth management solutions for high net-worth individuals.

We are delighted to find a strong partner in UOB Group, a leading Pan-Asian institution committed to providing great products, services and customer experiences. They have established a strong presence in Southeast Asia backed by a global network of 500 offices and have a reputation for building lasting relationships with customers.

Rest assured, there will be no immediate impact to your credit card accounts, loan accounts, deposits, investments, or any other product you may hold with us. This announcement is the start of a process that we expect will take time, with closing of the transaction subject to regulatory approvals.

Until such time, all our Consumer Banking business operations, Citibank service teams including our Relationship Managers, branches, call centers, Citibank Online and mobile banking services, will continue to serve you as usual.

Citi remains committed to serving you with excellence. Together with UOB Group, we will be sharing further updates with you in the future.

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AstraZeneca + Sinovac Booster Dose Approved In Malaysia!

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The AstraZeneca and Sinovac vaccine booster doses have been approved in Malaysia!

Here is what we know so far…

AstraZeneca + Sinovac Booster Dose Approved In Malaysia!

On 17 November 2021, the Malaysia Drug Control Authority (DCA) agreed to give conditional approval for the use of the AstraZeneca and Sinovac vaccines as booster dose in Malaysia.

Both AstraZeneca and Sinovac booster doses were approved for all individuals 18 years and above who received the same primary series vaccine.

This is homologous vaccination, the opposite of heterologous vaccination being carried out right now with Sinovac recipients receiving the Pfizer booster dose.

The DCA also announced the conditional registration of the AstraZeneca vaccine manufactured by SK Bioscience Co., Ltd. in South Korea. Malaysia has now approved three AstraZeneca vaccine manufacturers :

AstraZeneca Nijmegen B.V., Netherlands
Siam Bioscience Co., Ltd., Thailand
SK Bioscience Co., Ltd., South Korea

How Will AstraZeneca + Sinovac Booster Dose Be Given In Malaysia?

The AstraZeneca and Sinovac booster dose will be given after these intervals :

AstraZeneca : 6 months after Dose 2
Sinovac : 3 to 6 months after Dose 2

While both vaccines have been approved as booster doses, it does not mean that everyone will get to receive them.

The COVID-19 Immunisation Task Force – Booster (CITF-B) will target specific groups to receive these booster doses, which will be detailed later…

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Did Thai Student Die From Mixing Of COVID-19 Vaccines?

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Did a 20 year-old Thai student die from the mixing of her COVID-19 vaccines?

Find out what happened, and what the FACTS really are!

Claim : Thai Student Died From Mixing Of COVID-19 Vaccines!

People are sharing a Bangkok Post article about a Thai student who recently died of a stroke, after receiving a Sinovac vaccine and then the AstraZeneca vaccine.

They are claiming that her death shows the danger of mixing COVID-19 vaccines.

The danger of mixing vaccines

A student who developed blood clots after getting her second Covid-19 vaccine shot and her left leg was amputated has since died of a haemorrhagic stroke after brain surgery.

She had been inoculated first with the Sinovac vaccine, and then given AstraZeneca as her second dose.

Truth : Thai Student Did NOT Die From Mixing Of COVID-19 Vaccines!

This is yet another COVID-19 vaccine FAKE NEWS, and here are the reasons why!

Fact #1 : Vaccine Mixing Will Not Cause Blood Clots / Stroke

Most people do not even bother to read the Bangkok Post article to find out what they reported, and accepted the fake claim at face value.

The Bangkok Post never associated her death with the mixing of COVID-19 vaccines. That was added by the fake news creator.

Vaccines are like self-defence classes, so taking different vaccines (also known as heterologous vaccination) has been shown to impart better protection against COVID-19.

Taking different vaccines won’t interact with each other or cause problems like blood clots or stroke, because they are taken weeks apart.

Fact #2 : She Developed Blood Clots Which Required Amputation

The student, Ketsiree Kongkaew, received the Sinovac vaccine for her first dose, and subsequently the AstraZeneca vaccine on 13 August 2021.

She complained of fever and chest pains about 3 days later, which a doctor at the Phangnga Hospital diagnosed as a bladder infection.

However, she later experienced severe pain in her left leg, which an X-ray revealed were blood clots that required urgent surgery.

She was put on thrombolytic drugs to dissolve the clots, and transferred to two other hospitals, before doctors decided to amputate her leg.

Fact #3 : AstraZeneca Vaccine Can Cause TTS / VITT

The Bangkok Post article did not directly associate her blood clots with the AstraZeneca vaccine, only noting that they occurred after she received the AstraZeneca vaccine.

The AstraZeneca vaccine is known to cause a rare side effect called thrombosis with thrombocytopenia syndrome (TTS) or vaccine-induced thrombotic thrombocytopenia (VITT).

This side effect is unusual because it causes blood clots to develop in the large veins of the brains, abdomen or lungs, together with low platelet counts, leading to bleeding tendencies.

It can also cause blood clots in large arteries like the carotid and middle cerebral arteries, but again, together with low platelet counts. These arterial blood clots are much less common than venous blood clots.

It is unknown if Ketsiree’s blood clots are related to the AstraZeneca vaccine, since they developed in her leg’s artery. But it is certainly a possibility.

Fact #4 : She Died From A Haemorrhagic Stroke 2 Months Later

On Friday, 22 October 2021, Ketsiree developed a haemorrhage stroke (bleeding in her brain), due to the thrombolytic drugs she was taking to treat the blood clots.

She underwent emergency surgery, but did not recover and had to rely on a ventilator. She was pronounced dead on Monday, 25 October 2021.

Her death was therefore a result of a haemorrhagic stroke that occurred 2 months later, and not TTS / VITT from the AstraZeneca vaccine.

Rescue volunteers taking the body of 20-year-old student Ketsiree Kongkaew to Ao Luk district of Krabi province on Monday night for funeral rites and burial. Credit : Radio Thailand

Fact #5 : COVID-19 Can Cause Similar Blood Clots

While the AstraZeneca vaccine can cause TTS / VITT, the risk is exceedingly low.

More importantly, and this is something most people do not know – COVID-19 itself can cause similar blood clots in the cerebral vein, at much higher levels.

The Journal of American College of Cardiology recently reported that the risk of cerebral vein thrombosis (blood clots in the a major brain vein) is much higher with COVID-19 than vaccines :

Cerebral Vein Thrombosis Risk	Per Million People	Difference
Patient with COVID-19	207	+8,525%
AstraZeneca Vaccine	3.6	+50%
Normal Population	2.4	Baseline

So the benefits of getting vaccinated against COVID-19 still far outweigh the risk of getting TTS / VITT from the AstraZeneca vaccine.

More importantly, we can watch out for early symptoms of TTS / VITT, and seek early treatment before complications develop.

There are many fake news about COVID-19 vaccines, so please take such alarming news with a grain of salt.

The truth is – all approved COVID-19 vaccines have been certified to be safe and effective through large clinical trials.

Protect yourself and your family – get vaccinated against COVID-19!

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Malaysia Approves AstraZeneca Vaccine By Siam Bioscience!

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Malaysia has conditionally approved the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine, manufactured by Siam Bioscience in Thailand!

Find out this means for the COVID-19 vaccination program in Malaysia!

Malaysia Approves AstraZeneca COVID-19 Vaccine By Siam Bioscience!

On 4 June 2021, the Malaysia Ministry of Health announced that the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine manufactured by Siam Bioscience in Thailand received conditional approval.

AstraZeneca COVID-19 Vaccine Solution for Injection
Registrant : AstraZeneca Sdn Bhd
Manufacturer : Siam Bioscience Co. Ltd., Thailand

This conditional approval would allow the AstraZeneca manufactured by Siam Bioscience to be used in the Malaysia COVID-19 vaccination program, helping to increase the speed of the vaccination process.

AstraZeneca Vaccine : Why Separate Approval For Siam Bioscience?

The AstraZeneca vaccine had earlier received conditional approval for use in Malaysia. However, they were manufactured by Medimmune Phama B.V. in The Netherlands.

The Malaysia National Pharmaceutical Regulatory Agency (NPRA) has to vet and approve AstraZeneca vaccine doses manufactured by other factories.

Just like how AstraZeneca vaccine doses manufactured by SK Bioscience had to first vetted for conditional approval, the same goes for these vaccine doses manufactured by Siam Bioscience.

AstraZeneca Vaccine : A Quick Primer!

The AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine, codenamed AZD1222, is a viral vector vaccine.

It uses a chimpanzee adenovirus – ChAdOx1 – which has been modified to prevent replication, to introduce a DNA sequence of the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein.

Once injected, the vaccine enters the cell and “teaches” it to produce the SARS-CoV-2 spike proteins and express them on its surface.

These spike proteins triggers the immune response to create antibodies that will protect you against the real SARS-CoV-2 virus.

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Tesco Stores In Malaysia Are Now Lotus’s Malaysia Stores!

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This is officially the end for Tesco Stores in Malaysia – they are henceforth known as Lotus’s Stores!

Tesco Stores In Malaysia Are Now Lotus’s Stores!

On 15 February 2021, Tesco Malaysia announced that their stores will henceforth be known as Lotus’s Stores.

This is the end of an era – Tesco Malaysia is no more after just under 19 years in operation, with 49 stores.

The first Tesco Malaysia store opened in Puchong, Selangor in May 2002. And in 2007, Tesco even bought over Makro, which was rebranded as Tesco Extra.

Even though their store fronts have not been updated, their receipts were changed today to state :

LOTUSS STORES (MALAYSIA) SDN BHD
(Formerly Known As TESCO STORES (MALAYSIA) SDN BHD)
(Reg No. 200001018812 (521419-K))

The rebranding exercise is expected to be completed by the end of 2021.

Tesco Malaysia / Lotus’s Malaysia : Official Statement

Tesco Malaysia also updated their description, noting the change in name and management :

Lotuss Stores Malaysia Sdn. Bhd. (Registration No. 200001018812 (521419-K)) (formerly known as Tesco Stores (Malaysia) Sdn. Bhd.) is a member of the Charoen Pokphand Group Co., Ltd (C.P. Group) since December 2020. The C.P. Group is a multinational conglomerate, operating across various industries ranging from agricultural, industrial to service sectors. C.P. Group currently has investments in 21 countries and economies.

Having acquired Tesco Malaysia’s business in December 2020, Lotus’s Malaysia has now assumed the operations of all existing Tesco stores, employing over 8,600 employees across one head office, two distribution centres, and 62 stores throughout Peninsular Malaysia. It also has Malaysia’s most extensive online grocery home shopping network with over 100 delivery trucks and operations in Penang, Johor Bahru, Melaka, Negeri Sembilan, and Ipoh. Lotus’s Malaysia expects to complete its rebranding exercise by end 2021.

Tesco Stores In Malaysia + Thailand : Sold To CPRD In 2020

On 9 March 2020, Tesco PLC agreed to sell Tesco Stores in Malaysia and Thailand to C.P. Retail Development Company Limited (CPRD) of Thailand for US$10.6 billion, including debt.

This was finalised on 9 December 2020, after formal approval by the OTCC in Thailand and the earlier approval by the Malaysia Ministry of Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs on 10 November 2020.

At that time, Tesco Group CEO, Ken Murphy said,

“I would like to thank all our colleagues in Asia for their hard work and dedication to our customers over many years. They have built a very strong business. I’m confident that the agreement with CP Group will ensure that they are well setup for continued success. This sale allows us to focus on our businesses across Europe and to continue delivering for customers, make a significant contribution to our pension deficit and return value to shareholders.”

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