The death of another dugong has prompted Natural Resources and Environment Minister Varawut Silpa-Archa to push efforts to boost the population of the endangered mammals.
Varawut said urgent action was needed after the discovery of a dugong carcass on a beach in Trang province on Sunday.
The animal is thought to have been killed by a stingray, as a barb was found imbedded in its skin.
Varawut said it was the second dugong found dead within a few days, the other having been pregnant. He said was concerned about Thailand’s population of dugongs, which is thought to number less than 250.
The minister ordered Sophon Thongdee, director-general of the Marine and Coastal Resources Department, to find ways of conserving the population and lowering the death toll.
An existing conservation project aims to boost the number of dugongs in Thai seas to 280 by the year 2022.
House Speaker Chuan Leekpai is still allowing MPs from high-risk provinces to enter the Parliament complex, though he has demanded stricter screening measures.
He said on Tuesday that MPs will meet in Parliament between December 23-25 to vote on laws, adding that Covid-19 was another topic that should be discussed.
He said all MPs, including those from Samut Sakhon’s Mahachai area which has been a source of Covid-19 infections, can enter the Parliament complex but need to be careful.
He added that MPs will only be allowed one person to accompany them, and they must wear a face mask all the time.
As for the migrant labourers building a structure in the complex, Chuan said the company that hired them should be responsible for preventive measures.
A Buddhist chanting ceremony organised by the government at central temples in each province every Saturday will be cancelled from this week to avoid the risk of Covid-19 spreading, Anucha Nakasai, minister attached to the Prime Minister’s Office, said on Tuesday.
The activity, arranged by the government through the National Office of Buddhism, had started on December 5, to mark the birthday of late King Bhumibol Adulyadej and to commemorate his royal grace and kindness towards Thai people.
“To avoid the gathering of people according to disease control measures, the Saturday ceremony would be cancelled, as well as the Watchnight Buddhist Service scheduled on New Year’s eve and New Year day,” he said. “During New Year holidays, people are advised to stay at home and spend time with your family. You can also offer Buddhist prayers at home.
“The government is concerned about people’s safety, and urges everyone to follow the measures announced by Department of Disease Control to stay safe from Covid-19, including wearing face masks, washing your hands regularly, avoiding public gatherings or in crowded areas, and taking care of your health,” he added.
By The NationThe Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration (CCSA) reported 427 new cases both in quarantine facilities as well as among migrant workers over a 24-hour period on Tuesday.
Of the cases 397 were migrant workers in Samut Sakhon province, while 16 were local cases, including three in Saraburi, two in Samut Prakan, one in Chachoengsao, five in Bangkok, two in Pathum Thani, one in Phetchaburi, one in Uttaradit and one in Nakhon Pathom. In addition eight Thais and six foreigners tested positive in quarantine.
All the domestic cases reported today were linked to the outbreak in a Samut Sakhon shrimp market.
Dr Taweesin Visanuyothin, spokesman for the CCSA, said health officials have learned that people from 21 provinces had travelled to Samut Sakhon recently.
The provinces in question are Chiang Mai, Phetchaburi, Nakhon Ratchasima, Suphanburi, Kanchanaburi, Nakhon Pathom, Ratchaburi, Prachuap Khiri Khan, Samut Songkhram, Chumphon, Saraburi, Pathum Thani, Ayutthaya, Nonthaburi, Bangkok, Songkhla, Samut Prakan, Prachinburi, Chachoengsao, Chonburi and Rayong.
However, Covid-19 cases were only found in a few provinces so far.
A map provided by the CCSA depicts the density of patients in different parts of Thailand. Red stands for most cases (Samut Sakhon), orange covers provinces with cases linked to Samut Sakhon and green marks provinces from where people travelled to the affected area but did not get infected.
The cases in quarantine facilities include one Thai who returned from Bahrain, three returning from Pakistan, three from the United States and one from Kuwait. The foreigners included a Russian IT manager from Germany, a Swiss national from Italy, two students from Sudan, a French chef and a Pakistani businessman.
Meanwhile, 25 patients have recovered and been discharged.
The total number of confirmed cases in Thailand has risen to 5,716 (1,373 in state quarantine and 1,273 from hunt of active cases). Of the total, 1,578 are in hospital and quarantine facilities, while 4,078 have recovered and been discharged. The death toll remains unchanged at 60.
According to Worldometer, as of 10am, the total number of confirmed cases globally has risen to 77.71 million (up by 534,219). Of them, 54.59 million have recovered, while 21.41 million are active cases (106,279 in severe condition) and 1.7 million have died (up by 8,899).
Thailand ranks 143rd for most cases in the world, while the US tops the list with 18.47 million, followed by India 10.07 million, Brazil 7.26 million, Russia 2.87 million and France 2.48 million.
Dr Taweesin said tests on 2,051 people in a 2-kilometre radius of the shrimp market in Samut Sakhon found 914 people positive or a rate of 44 per cent; of the 653 samples in vicinity of the Talay Thai market 91 came out positive accounting for 14 per cent; while of the 1,099 samples in the Thai Union market, 84 came out positive, accounting for 8 per cent of positive rate.
Pie-chart shows the rate of detection of cases in Samut Sakhon.
As for the rising number of people wanting to be tested for Covid-19, he said that is difficult because there is a limited number of health officials. However, he said, people who are concerned and are linked to the outbreak area can ask for a free test.
Meanwhile, he said, everyone should continue wearing masks and keeping their hands clean, because this is still the best way of fighting the virus.
Cosmetics shop EveAndBoy announced it was closing its Siam Square One branch for a day on Tuesday after learning that a Covid-19 patient had reportedly visited the shop on December 14.
In a Facebook statement posted on Tuesday morning, it said the branch in Bangkok’s downtown Siam area was being closed for a deep clean.
Meanwhile, all members of staff at the branch will be tested for the virus and quarantined for 14 days. It is believed the Siam Square One branch will be run by another set of staff.
The announcement said the remaining 13 branches of EveAndBoy will operate as usual, adding that it has implemented stricter measures to check on customers at all its shops.
The Covid-19 patient who visited Siam Square One complex on December 14 was a 49-year-old restaurant owner. She was in the complex from 6pm to 9pm and was found to be infected on Monday.
Deputy Prime Minister Prawit Wongsuwan defended officials at the borders, saying nobody could be blamed for the new Covid-19 outbreak.
He said on Tuesday that more soldiers had been sent to the borders to control the influx of illegal migrants.
He went on to say that the government was monitoring the situation to decide whether lockdown measures should be applied again, adding that people should not panic.
Prawit said there were several natural routes connecting Thailand with neighbouring countries and they had to be blocked.
As for corruption, he said he does not believe any officials will have accepted money to let illegal migrants cross the borders.
A list of 28 locations are at risk for Covid-19 infection and people who have visited these places have been urged to screen for fever.
Dr Nattapol Pruatphongphan from Bangkok Hospital Phitsanulok has collected information about the ongoing outbreak in various areas.
He warned medical personnel who might have made contact with people from the high-risk areas or people from those locations to be screened for high body temperature. The high-risk places are:
Samut Sakhon: The Central Shrimp Market, Ton Son Mahachai Night Market, Mae Puang Market, Talay Thai Market, Mahachai Villa Flea Market, Krok Krak Market, Kheha Nadi Market, Mahachai Niwet and Baan Ua-athon Tha Chin.
Samut Prakan: Pak Nam Seafood Market and a seafood shop in, Pak Nam sub-district, Muang district.
Nakhon Pathom: Tha Sao Flea Market and Nakhon Chai Si district.
Bangkok: Nuanchan Market in Bueng Kum district and the residential area near Prachachuen Road in Bang Sue district.
Pathum Thani: Wat Sa Bua Flea Market in Thanyaburi district and a flea market in Nong Sua district.
Ayutthaya: Bang Si Thong Village market and a motorcycle taxi stop near Chiang Rak Noi Bridge in Bang Pa-in district.
Saraburi: Jaew Hon Ta pa hot pot restaurant in Nong Khae district and Muang district market.
Suphanburi: Seafood markets in Song Phi Nong and Bang Pla Ma district.
Uttaradit: Three markets (Pa Khanun market, main municipal market, and Tha Sao market in municipal area) in Muang district.
Chiang Mai: A salon in Mae Ai district and a bus Bangkok-Ban Tha Ton.
Implementing measures to prevent the spread of Covid-19 is far more important than worrying about the number of patients, Dr Yong Poovorawan, a virologist at Chulalongkorn University, said on Tuesday.
In a Facebook post, he said people were concerned after Thailand saw the highest spike in a single day on Sunday.
“However, the most important thing is putting in place measures to prevent the spread of the virus as soon as possible, such as controlling migrant workers’ movements, conducting proactive tests on migrant workers and locking down the province,” he said, citing Singapore’s efforts to contain the virus even though it has 60,000 patients most of whom are migrant workers.
He added that an epidemic in a specific area was far easier to control than a widespread outbreak, especially when it comes to vulnerable people.
“Hence, everyone should observe Covid-19 preventive measures to curb the spread of the virus,” he added.
The Ministry of Commerce held a meeting of government agencies, tapioca farmers and exporters to discuss solutions for the plummeting price.
The price of cassava fell to Bt2.1 per kilogram, in contrast with rising demand in the global market, said Keerati Ratchano, director-general of the Foreign Trade Department.
“The department promised to employ measures to make sure that tapioca to be exported meets international standards, especially in terms of starch percentage, to avoid incidents where importers use quality as a reason to lower the buying price,” he said.
“In the coming months, the situation should improve as domestic demand for tapioca chips should rise quickly because domestic manufacturers will need them to produce alcohol gels to cope with rising Covid-19 cases.”
Boonchai Sriyongpanich, chairman of Thai Tapioca Trade Association, added that members of the association agreed to buy fresh tapioca with 25 per cent starch from farmers at Bt2.5 per kg in order to motivate farmers to continue growing.
“The plummeting price and the risk of the unpreventable CMD (Cassava Mosaic Disease) would push farmers to grow other crops instead of tapioca and would result in domestic supply shortage,” he said.
“The association had earlier estimated total tapioca production next year at 28.3 million tonnes, but due to CMD and possible drought we may have to lower the estimates by 5-10 per cent, while this year’s total production is recorded at around 25 million tonnes.
“Domestic demand for tapioca is currently at 40 million tonnes, whereas we need to import chip and fresh tapioca from Laos and Cambodia to meet the demand,” he added.
In 2019 Thailand exported 5.59 million tonnes of tapioca with total value of $2.6 million, down 16.36 per cent compared to the previous year.
Chuan Leekpai 
(File Photo) 
Prawit Wongsuwan 
Dr Yong Poovorawan 
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