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Airline trainee in Don Mueang Airport tests positive for Covid-19

NationalDec 28. 2020

By The Nation

A trainee at an airline that operates flights out of Don Mueang Airport has tested positive for Covid-19, Flying Officer Sumpun Kutranon, general manager of the airport, said on Monday.

He said the trainee had lost his sense of smell on December 23 and tested for Covid-19 at a hospital the following day.

“The trainee is being treated in hospital because the test came in positive on Christmas Day,” he said.

He said the airport authorities have checked all CCTV footage and found the trainee had worn a mask at all times.

“However, those who came into contact with the trainee have been instructed to go into self-quarantine and wait for results. Those who are at low risk of infection were instructed to monitor their symptoms and strictly observe measures put in place by the Public Health Ministry,” he said.

Flying Officer Sumpun Kutranon

Sumpun said the airport has implemented the following measures to curb the spread of the virus:

• The airport’s medical division has been instructed to cooperate with the Department of Disease Control on containing the spread of virus.

• The airport will call those who came into contact with the patient and have them tested in hospital.

• All areas inside passenger terminal will be disinfected every hour.

• Passengers’ temperature will be checked at all entrances. Anybody with body temperature above 37.3 degrees Celsius will not be allowed to enter.

• Seating in terminal area has been marked out to ensure social distancing.

• Staff will either be made to work from home or on a shift basis to reduce congestion.

• Staff must wear a face mask at all times.

“The airport and Public Health Ministry are monitoring the situation closely,” he said.

The airport can be contacted via the 1722 hotline or by calling its PR centre at (02) 535 1192.

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Tourists cancel hotel bookings over new wave of infections

NationalDec 28. 2020

By THE NATION

More than 20 per cent of bookings for Chiang Mai’s Mon Jam area have been cancelled in response to the new wave of Covid-19 infections.

Mon Jam is a popular attraction in the province, as its mountaintop viewpoints offer stunning vistas of the Mae Rim Valley and the Royal Project.

Wichit Methaanankul, president of the Mon Jam Agro Tourism Association, said the cancellations accounted for up to Bt1 million in lost earnings.

However, he said, he hopes tourism will recover in the beginning of 2021, adding that hotel operators are required to practice health measures in line with the Public Health Ministry’s requirements.

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Narathiwat, Pattani still inundated

NationalDec 28. 2020

By The Nation

Even though floods in the South have improved, people in Narathiwat and Pattani are still suffering.

The Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation is collaborating with soldiers and responsible organisations to help residents who have been flooded in since December 16.

Pumps and other equipment have been put in place to drain water and officials have been urging people to monitor weather forecasts, so they can be prepared for natural disasters.

As of Monday, 43,46 households in five provinces were affected, 29,716 of which are in Narathiwat and 712 in Pattani.

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Govt eyes offering long weekend every month next year

NationalDec 28. 2020Pipat Ratchakitprakarn

By The Nation

The government plans to add a long weekend to every month next year in a bid to stimulate the economy, Tourism and Sports Minister Pipat Ratchakitprakarn said on Monday.

For instance, he said, the Chinese New Year, which falls on Friday, February 12, can be made a public holiday, making the weekend longer.

He said the ministry will ask the Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration (CCSA) to let foreigners visit Thailand and arrange quarantine so they can leave their rooms but not the hotel.

However, he said, this can be considered once the new wave of infections has improved.

The Public Health Ministry is also expected to consider reducing quarantine days from 14 to 10, though the CCSA has yet to give it the go-ahead.

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BAAC launches cash-back campaign to help farmers, boost spending during New Year

NationalDec 28. 2020

By THE NATION

The Bank for Agriculture and Agricultural Cooperatives (BAAC) has earmarked Bt3 billion for a cash-back campaign for customers returning up to 20 per cent of interest on their loans, said Kasab Ngernrungrong, BAAC deputy manager.

“Farmers can get back up to 20 per cent of the interest they have paid, while cooperatives or juristic persons will get up to 10 per cent,” he said. “The campaign is to help farmers prepare for next year’s harvest as well as boost spending during the holiday period as part of the government’s economic stimulus measures.”

To be eligible, customers’ accounts must be at the “normal” status and be no more than 15 months behind in interest payment as of October 31. If they make payments toward their loan from December 1, the bank will return 20 per cent of interest for individuals or 10 per cent for cooperatives or juristic persons the very next day.

“The maximum limit per customer is Bt50,000. The campaign will run through March 31 or until the Bt3 billion budget is used up,” he added.

Customers who are more than 15 months behind in interest repayment will also be benefit from the campaign when their repay their debt. However, instead of transferring cash in to their accounts, BAAC will reduce 20 per cent of the interest (or 10 per cent for cooperatives or juristic persons) from the remainder of their principle.

“BAAC will send an SMS to customers after the cash is transferred to their account. Those who use the BAAC Connect mobile application will also receive a notification via the official Line account ‘BAAC Family’,” Kasab added.

Contact any BAAC branch or call (02) 555 0555 for more information.

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Virologist urges Samut Sakhon shrimp market visitors to voluntarily test for Covid-19

NationalDec 28. 2020Dr Yong Poovorawan

By The Nation

In a Facebook post on Monday, Chulalongkorn University’s expert virologist Dr Yong Poovorawan advised people who visited the shrimp market in Samut Sakhon to take Covid-19 tests in a bid to contain the spread of the virus.

He said the new round of Covid-19 infections was severe, adding that the number of patients in this wave is far larger than the first round of infections started at a boxing stadium and entertainment venues in Bangkok.

“The virus is spreading quickly this time because it emerged at a shrimp market where farmers, fishermen and retailers from many provinces had gathered,” he said.

“Therefore, people who have been to the shrimp market recently should undergo tests, especially since asymptomatic young people can spread the virus faster.”

He added that it was necessary to set up field hospitals to quarantine asymptomatic patients because it is impossible to quarantine everyone in hospitals.

“People should help contain the spread of Covid-19,” he said

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Hip-hop dancer’s skull cracked in inexplicable attack in Buri Ram

NationalDec 28. 2020

By The Nation

Buri Ram police have issued summonses for five men who allegedly beat up hip-hop dancer Nopparat Boonrat, 23, on December 23 at a restaurant in Lahan Sai district.

Nopparat, who came in second at a hip-hop doubles competition in Poland in 2018, was attacked without any clear motivation and his skull was cracked.

The victim was immediately sent to hospital, and despite the pain in his head, he is still able to speak and eat.

Three of the attackers have been identified as vocational school students aged between 20 and 23.

The offenders face arrest if they fail to answer their summonses on Monday.

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Majority of people blame oficials for letting ‘illegal’ migrants into country: poll

NationalDec 28. 2020

By THE NATION

A poll shows the majority of people believe government officials took part in importing illegal migrants, the cause of the new wave of Covid-19 outbreak in Samut Sakhon province.

The Super Poll Research Centre surveyed 1,352 people nationwide from December 20-26, using both quantitative and qualitative techniques, said Dr Noppadol Kannikar, the centre’s director.

“Of the respondents, 97.3 per cent believe that government officials have taken part in importing illegal migrants, while only 2.7 per cent said other parties are behind the operation,” he said. “When asked about their opinion regarding the new outbreak, 90.1 per cent said they felt sad that most of the New Year activities are cancelled, while 9.9 per cent said they were indifferent to the development.”

“Some 83.3 per cent of the respondents condemned related government agencies and officials for not taking responsibility, but instead putting the blame on other agencies,” added Noppadol. “Meanwhile, 16.7 per cent of respondents do not blame anyone for the new wave of outbreak.”

When asked about measures they believe should be employed to overcome the new outbreak, respondents have varied opinions. Some 90 per cent said all citizens must be socially responsible and employ strict health measure to prevent the virus spreading; 87.8 per cent added that Prime Minister General Prayut Chan-o-cha must take drastic measures against government officials taking part in importing illegal migrants, while 87.4 per cent said local officials must also investigate the matter to uncover those who are behind the illegal migrant operation.

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Apart from Covid, RSV latest threat to respiratory health

NationalDec 28. 2020

By The Nation

The Department of Disease Control is warning people to protect themselves from the respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), which surfaces in the winter season.

Since November, several RSV infections were reported in Chaiyaphum, Ubon Ratchathani, Udon Thani, Nakhon Ratchasima, Mukdahan, Chiang Mai and Lamphun provinces, with two patients having succumbed so far.

The Public Health Ministry’s records between 2017 and 2020 show that the number of RSV infections usually peaks between August and November and often continues into January.

Most cases are in the Northeast and North due to cooler temperatures compared to other regions.

People have been suggested to always wear face masks and ensure children are protected as they are most susceptible to the virus.

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Anutin in quarantine after meeting with infected Samut Sakhon governor

NationalDec 28. 2020

By The Nation

There were 144 new Covid-19 patients, including 115 domestic cases, over a 24-hour period on Monday, the Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration (CCSA) said.

14 migrant workers also found positive in Samut Sakhon during proactive testing.

As for cases linked to the Samut Sakhon outbreak, there were two each in Pathumthani, Nonthaburi and Nakhon Nayok, 17 in Nakhon Pathom, five in Samut Prakarn, 10 in Bangkok, and one each in Ratchaburi, Samut Sakhon and Sukothai.

The CCSA said 21 cases were linked to Rayong’s gambling den outbreak, one in Chonburi and one in Chiang Mai.

Forty-nine cases are under health investigation for tracking the source of the infection: seven in Bangkok, five in Chonburi, one in Nakhon Pathom and Nonthaburi, and 35 in Rayong.

Fifteen travellers from abroad tested positive in quarantine facilities. The new cases in quarantine facilities comprised one Thai who had returned from Switzerland, two from the United States, one from Japan, three from the United Kingdom, one from Turkey, a Ukrainian businessman from Netherlands, a Nepali man, a German man, two Japanese men, and a Danish man from their respective countries.

CCSA spokesman Dr Taweesin Visanuyothin confirmed that Samut Sakhon Governor Veerasak Vijitsaengsri has been infected with the disease and has been admitted to hospital. Meanwhile, Public Health Minister Anutin Charnvirakul, who had participated in the meeting with the governor, has quarantined himself and taken a virus test. He is awaiting the result.

Meanwhile, 19 patients have recovered and been discharged.

The total number of confirmed cases in Thailand increased to 6,285 (1,450 in state quarantine and 1,370 from active case finding), 2,045 are in hospital and 4,180 have recovered and been discharged, while 60 have died.

According to Worldometer, as of 10am on Monday, the total number of confirmed cases had increased to 81.14 million (up by 410,102), 57.29 million have recovered, 22.07 million are active cases (105,385 in severe condition) and 1.77 million have died (up by 7,041).

Thailand ranks 142nd for most cases in the world, while the US has the most number with 19.57 million, followed by India 10.2 million, Brazil 7.48 million, Russia 3.05 million and France 2.55 million.