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https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40005086

Five solutions being considered to tackle noise pollution from red line trains

The Department of Rail Transport (DRT) has offered five solutions to tackle noise pollution from electric trains and suburban trains in Bangkok and its vicinity after complaints from the public about the dark red line, Bang Sue – Taling Chan.

The Department of Rail Transport clarified that the construction of electric trains and suburban trains in Bangkok and its vicinity had been designed and analysed for environmental impacts.

An environmental impact assessment report had been prepared in accordance with Section 46 of the Enhancement and Conservation of National Environmental Quality Act BE 2535 and its amendments for noise and vibration to be in accordance with the standard, the department said.

The department said it had examined and found that there were no complaints about the rail network in the area that the Mass Rapid Transit Authority of Thailand was responsible for, on the Blue Line and the Purple Line. However, there were some complaints on the Green Line and the Dark Red Line.

The railways authority held discussions with the SRT, and reached the following conclusions:

1. The SRT has adjusted the train operation practice from the original 4am for trial runs to no later than midnight.

2. SRT has urged train operators to use the horn only when necessary.

3. SRT is considering the installation of soundproof walls in the community near the railway boundary to reduce the noise impact on the people.

4. SRT is considering closing the steerageway/installing a barrier to prevent intruders from entering the traffic area, which poses a risk and leads to use of horns.

5. The DRT and SRT carry out inspections and maintenance of roadways in good condition to reduce the noise effect, especially around curves.

Srisuwan Janya, president of the Association against Global Warming, had submitted a petition to the Office of the Auditor-General on August 20, acting on complaints from people affected by noise and vibration problems from various electric train lines, especially the dark red line trains. He stated that several complaints had been made to the relevant authorities, but no action was taken to fix the problem.

Published : August 22, 2021

By : The Nation

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https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40005082

Vaccination of children and booster dose for public to start by next year

AstraZeneca has heeded Thailands request for an increase in supply of Covid-19 vaccines from September, Dr Opas Karnkawinpong, director-general, Department of Disease Control (DDC), said.

Under the current terms from June-August, Thailand is receiving on average 5-6 million doses per month.

Opas said that from September, Thailand will receive 7.2 million doses.

As for the vaccine procurement plans for 2022, it is likely that vaccinations may require booster doses to increase immunity among those who have taken two doses, including expanding inoculation to other target groups like children, he said.

Research by many agencies in many countries has found that immunity is reduced after two doses, irrespective of the type of vaccine. Therefore, it is necessary to find additional vaccines to inject two groups, namely children who have not been vaccinated at all and booster dose groups.

The National Vaccine Board has suggested that by 2022 at least 120 million additional doses of vaccine will be provided and a variety of vaccines, including inactivated, mRNA, Virus vectors, proteins, etc. This decision has been approved by the Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration.

The National Vaccine Institute intends to import 50 million doses of Pfizer vaccine and 50 million doses of AstraZeneca. If a company can produce an efficient version 2 and it is safe, it could be sent as a second batch. The quantity and delivery time will be negotiated further, said Dr Opas.

Published : August 22, 2021

By : The Nation

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https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40005080

Medical group questions plan to order rapid antigen test kits for home use

The governments idea of allowing people at home to use rapid antigen test kits (ATK) is fraught with risks, as the World Health Organisation (WHO) has not yet endorsed such test kits, the Federation of Doctors of central and general hospitals has warned.

In an article published on its website on Friday, the federation said only four types of test kits had been certified by the WHO, all of which were required to be examined by medical personnel, and could be dangerous if used by the general public.

On Tuesday, the prime minister approved ordering 8.5 million Covid-19 screening kits, or ATKs, for self or home use, that must be registered by the Thai Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and certified by the WHO.

 
In the article, the federation said an order had been issued to buy ATKs that did not exist yet.

 
The article said that there were two types of rapid tests: the type that were required by medical personnel to examine (professional use), and the type that allowed people to test by themselves at home. The WHO had certified only four types of ATK for emergency use, according to the data on July 14, which were the types that have to be tested in a medical setting by qualified personnel. 

The National Health Security office (NHSO) has assigned the Government Pharmaceutical Organization (GPO) to purchase the ATKs for home use, but it would be impossible for the GPO to provide the particular ATK, except distributing the professional-use type for home use instead, the article said.

The four types of rapid test kits certified by the WHO for use in laboratories and by medical personnel are:

1. The SD Biosensor, Z’s Standard Q Covid-19 Ag Test (nasal) that can be tested for administration by healthcare workers and labs only.
2. The Abbott Rapid Diagnostics jena GmbH’s Panbio Covid-19 Ag Rapid (Nasopharyngeal) that can be used only by professionals.
3. The Abbott Rapid Diagnostics jena GmbH’s Panbio Covid-19 Ag Rapid (nasal) that is intended for professional use only.
4. The Premier Medical Corporation Private Limited’s Sure Status Covid-19 Antigen Card Test that can be used by healthcare providers.

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A source at the Federation of Doctors of central and general hospitals explained that the ATK reagents for professional use and home use were not much different. But the sticks used to collect samples in the nasal cavity for examination were different. Professionals use a longer stick because the samples are collected from the area of the posterior nasal cavity about 6-7 centimetres deep. The testing stick for home-use is shorter, as the sample is collected in the nasal cavity about two centimetres deep.

“It can cause danger and harm if the professional ATK is used by those who have not been trained to collect samples from the posterior nasal cavity. If the test procedure is not done correctly, the testing stick could break and cause problems. The professional-use type is to be used by trained personnel, otherwise it can give out false results or can cause danger,” said the source.

Published : August 22, 2021

By : The Nation

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https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40005070

Isolated heavy rains forecast for parts of the East and South

Thundershowers are forecast for some parts of all regions with isolated heavy rains in the west coast of the South, the Thailand Meteorological Department said on Sunday.

Aweak southwest monsoon prevails across the Andaman Sea, Thailand and the Gulf of Thailand.

The tropical storm “Omais” over the Pacific Ocean has intensified into a severe tropical storm. It is moving to the East China Sea with no effect on Thailand, the department said.

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The weather forecast for the next 24 hours:

North: Isolated thundershowers mostly in Mae Hong Son, Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai and Tak provinces; minimum temperature 24-26 degrees Celsius, maximum 33-37°C; southwesterly winds 10-20 km/hr.

Northeast: Isolated thundershowers mostly in Loei, Chaiyaphum, Khon Kaen, Amnat Charoen, Ubon Ratchathani, Si Sa Ket, Buri Ram and Nakhon Ratchasima provinces: minimum temperature 25-26°C, maximum 35-37°C; southwesterly winds 10-20 km/hr.

Central: Isolated thundershowers mostly in Kanchanaburi, Ratchaburi, Nakhon Pathom, Samut Sakhon, Samut Songkhram and Uthai Thani provinces; minimum 24-26°C, maximum 34-37°C; southwesterly winds 10-20 km/hr.

East: Isolated thundershowers with isolated heavy rains in Nakhon Nayok, Prachinburi, Rayong Chanthaburi and Trat provinces; minimum temperature 24-27°C, maximum 33-35°C; southwesterly winds 15-30 km/hr; waves about a metre high and 1-2 metres during thundershowers.

South (east coast): Scattered thundershowers mosly in Surat Thani, Nakhon Si Thammarat Phatthalung, Songkhla, Yala, Pattani and Narathiwat provinces; minimum temperature 24-26°C, maximum 32-34°C; southwesterly winds 15-30 km/hr; waves about a metre and 1-2 metres in thundershowers.

South (west coast): Scattered thundershowers with isolated heavy rains in Krabi, Trang and Satun provinces; minimum temperature 20-25°C, maximum 31-33°C; southwesterly winds 15-30 km/hr; waves about a metre high and 1-2 metres in thundershowers.

Bangkok and surrounding areas: Isolated thundershowers; minimum temperature 26-28°C, maximum 33-35°C; southwesterly winds 10-20 km/hr.

Published : August 22, 2021

By : The Nation

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https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40005066

Thailand recorded 19,014 Covid-19 cases and 233 deaths on Sunday

Ministry of Public Health reported on Sunday (August 22) morning that in the past 24 hours there are 19,014 new patients who tested positive for Covid-19, 196 of whom have been found in prisons.

Death toll increased by 233, while 20,672 patients were cured and allowed to leave hospitals.

Cumulative cases in the country are at 1,049,295 with 9,320 total deaths.

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Thailand recorded 19,014 Covid-19 cases and 233 deaths on Sunday

Published : August 22, 2021

By : The Nation

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https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40005065

Somsak oversees ramp-up of herbal pills production for Covid

Justice Minister Somsak Thepsutin on Saturday checked the production of green chiretta herbal pills, using narcotic pumping machines confiscated by the authorities.

The ramp-up in production was to make up the shortage of the herbal pills for prisoners infected with Covid-19.

Once their requirement is met, the minister said the medicine will be distributed to other people.

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Somsak oversees ramp-up of herbal pills production for Covid

Published : August 21, 2021

By : The Nation

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https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40005064

Over 200 people arrested after recent anti-government protests

More than 800 cases related to the protests in Bangkok and perimeter areas have been filed at the Metropolitan Police Bureau from July 1 to August 19, Deputy Metropolitan Police chief Pol Maj-General Piya Tawichai said on Saturday.

“During this period, 468 people have been in violation of the Emergency Decree on Public Administration during Emergency Situation and other offences. Of these, 207 have already been arrested by the police,” he added.

Piya added the latest rally was on Friday at 4pm at Sam Liam Din Daeng junction in Ratchathewi district, where protesters tried to take down containers that police had set up, while throwing objects at crowd control police.

“On Friday, officers arrested 26 people and confiscated over 200 pipe bombs, ping pong bombs and improvised explosive devices as well as six motorcycles,” he said.

“The suspects were charged with gathering more than five people during the emergency situation, while those possessing explosive devices would also be charged with violation of the Explosives, Fireworks and Imitation Firearms Act.”

Piya added that crowd control police would be deployed on Saturday to monitor the situation as the Thalu Fah group had announced they would hand over a letter to the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights located on Rajdamnoen Avenue at 2pm. “We will also deploy officials at Sam Liam Din Daeng junction as we suspect the protesters would regroup there after they submit the letter,” he said.

Published : August 21, 2021

By : THE NATION

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https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40005063

Teacher appeals for help as poor student misses online classes

A teacher in Nakhon Ratchasima province has sought help from the public for one of her students, who is living in acute poverty.

On Saturday Natthanan Choocheewa, a teacher at Srisuk Wittaya School in Non Sung district, visited her student Rungthiwa Duenklang, 16, at her home, after noting her absence from online classes for several days.

On visiting the student’s house, the teacher found out the poor family had only one smartphone for online classes. Her student was forced to miss classes as she needed to share her phone with her younger brother, who too needed the gadget for his online learning.

The teacher revealed that Rungthiwa and her family lived in a shabby cabin, with inadequate electricity from solar cells. Moreover, the girl’s father was jobless due to the Covid-19 crisis in the country.

Those who want to help the girl can donate to the teacher’s bank account 020369496763 in Government Savings Bank.

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Teacher appeals for help as poor student misses online classesTeacher appeals for help as poor student misses online classesTeacher appeals for help as poor student misses online classesTeacher appeals for help as poor student misses online classes

Published : August 21, 2021

By : The Nation

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https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40005062

Meth worth over THB600 million seized from sea off Trang

Marine police in Trang province seized 650 kilograms of “ice”, or methamphetamine, from the sea on Saturday, estimated to be worth THB600 million.

The police received a tip-off from fishermen that they had found the drug 40 nautical miles off the coast in the Andaman Sea near Koh Rok.

When police reached the scene, they found a large quantity of drugs floating in the sea with the gallon bucket as a buoy. At the first spot 15 nautical miles from Koh Rok, there were 20 sacks of ice. The second spot was 13 nautical miles from Koh Rok, where 12 sacks of ice were found.

Police seized the 32 sacks and 20 bags of ice, weighing 650 kilograms. The selling price was estimated at THB300,000 to THB500,000 per kilogram.

After initial investigation, police believe the smuggling ring must be connected with many provinces adjoining the sea. The group might be an international drug trafficking network or from three southern provinces. The drug was reportedly destined for Indonesia and Australia. Police estimate the drug would be worth over THB1 billion at the destination.

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Meth worth over THB600 million seized from sea off Trang

Police said more information will be announced at the official press conference.

Meth worth over THB600 million seized from sea off TrangMeth worth over THB600 million seized from sea off Trang

Published : August 21, 2021

By : The Nation

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https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40005061

Pharmacies to distribute 8.5m antigen test kits to risk groups

Pharmacies nationwide will distribute 8.5 antigen test kits (ATK) to citizens in risk groups, the Pharmacy Council of Thailand said on Thursday.

According to the council president, Jiraporn Limpananont, citizens in the risk group must register with the National Health Security Office (NHSO) to receive the ATK. Those categorised as risk groups include:
▪︎Families of patients
▪︎Those who have travelled to places where there were patients
▪︎People who are likely to be infected, such as those coughing or having fever

Jiraporn said that the NHSO would send the list to the selected or nearby pharmacies. The pharmacy will contact them to question their symptoms or confirm if they are in the risk groups by telephone or Line. After that, they will send the ATK to the house with guidelines on how to use it properly.

After testing, citizens who received the ATK must send a photo of the result to the pharmacy. If the result is negative, they will be in home quarantine and get another ATK after 3-5 days.

If the result is positive, pharmacists will ask about their symptoms to evaluate their symptom levels (green-yellow-red).

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If they are healthy or asymptomatic patients, they will be in home isolation. Pharmacists will send medicines and monitor their symptoms. They will move to community isolation instead if they cannot be in home isolation.

Patients in the yellow or red group will be sent to hospitals.

She also mentioned that pharmacies will be the servicing unit for home isolation and will send Favipiravir to patients.

There were over 10,000 eligible pharmacies nationwide; 1,000 pharmacies already have joined but the organisation is promoting more pharmacies to join.

She added that the NHSO has cooperated with the council and the Food and Drug Administration while waiting for the ATKs. Once they get the ATK, the system will be ready and will separate patients from citizens to reduce the virus spreading.

Published : August 21, 2021

By : The Nation