Out-of-work Thai chefs cook for others made jobless by virus crisis

Professional chefs on Wednesday started cooking up around 40,000 lunches in Thailand's capital for communities affected by the coronavirus pandemic. Chef Hugs, a local charity, hired 200 chefs and dozens of taxi drivers, many of whom are currently living on very little income, for the 10-day project. Some of the chefs are from renowned restaurants across the city.

"I'm a cook and I don't have work now. I'm in trouble, but I know there are people who are far worse off, so I want to do this for them," said Thanyalak Suttama, preparing trays of ground meat. All chefs involved in the project are receiving 400 baht ($12) a day, while taxi drivers are earning 300 baht ($9) for transporting the food to 50 low-income communities across Bangkok. Around 4,000 meals are being made each day.

Thailand on Wednesday reported no new daily COVID-19 cases for the first time in two months as the government considered easing more restrictions on businesses. (Editing by Janet Lawrence)