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https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40004989

Family vows legal action after activist blinded in one eye by alleged police action

Pro-democracy activist Thanat Thanakitamnuay has lost vision in the right eye from alleged action by crowd control police at the anti-government rally on August 13, his family posted on Facebook on Thursday.

The family said that Thanat had participated in the rally at Victory Monument and the Din Daeng junction in Bangkok’s Ratchathewi district and was injured by a cylindrical object allegedly fired by crowd control police.

The police were pushing back the protesters as they tried to march to Prime Minister General Prayut Chan-o-cha’s house on Vibhavadi Rangsit Road to demand his resignation.

Family vows legal action after activist blinded in one eye by alleged police action

“Thanat suffered a serious injury on his right eyebrow and eye socket, which caused a tear in his cornea and ophthalmorrhexis [rupture of the eyeball],” the family said.

“He had undergone a surgery and is now stable. The doctor said he would need further treatment for at least six months, but his right eye will no longer be usable.

Family vows legal action after activist blinded in one eye by alleged police action

“Thanat was exercising his constitutional right by participating in a peaceful protest without any weapon, while the crowd control police were violating international practices in crowd control by firing tear gas cannisters directly at the protesters instead of using parabolic trajectory,” added the family.

“We have, therefore, decided to pursue legal actions, both civil and criminal, against related people or agencies to the fullest extent of the law. The Thanakitamnuay family has no intention of using Thanat’s injury for political benefit of any people or parties in any form,” they added.

Published : August 20, 2021

By : THE NATION

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https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40004987

NHSO gets ready for nationwide distribution of antigen test kits

The National Health Security Office (NHSO) has partnered with the Public Health Ministry and Government Pharmaceutical Organisation (GPO) to distribute 8.5 million Covid-19 antigen test kits (ATK) to hospitals and pharmacies across Thailand.

The distribution follows the NHSO board’s August 4 decision to allow the procurement of the kits.

Dr Kornchakoch Limsommut from the Public Health Ministry’s Office of the Permanent Secretary said the ATK would be distributed nationwide within a week of arrival.

Each province should have at least 40,000 units by the end of September. Provinces with a larger population or higher prevalence of Covid-19 cases will get more units.

Of the 8.5 million kits imported, 1.5 million will be reserved for emergencies, such as the detection of new clusters that will require a quick dispatch of the kits to affected areas.

Dr Kriddhiya Sriprasert, a senior adviser at the NHSO, said the kits are being imported by the GPO, though the NHSO is funding the process.

Once the shipment arrives, GPO will send batches to provincial public health offices and Bangkok’s Health Department, which will then distribute them among local hospitals and pharmacies.

When handing test kits to users, health workers are required to verify their authentication codes and provide instructions to users. The NHSO will also pay 10 baht per test kit to offset the time health workers spend assisting users.

“If users test positive, they must go into home isolation or community isolation. However, they will be required to undergo RT-PCR tests if they want to join the community isolation scheme,” Dr Kriddhiya said.

“If their RT-PCR test results are negative, they should follow health workers’ guidance and retest under the Public Health Ministry’s guidelines.”

The NHSO will involve local pharmacies and private clinics in the ATK distribution plan, added NHSO secretary-general Dr Jadej Thammatach-aree.

The NHSO has established a strong network with pharmacies and private clinics that have participated in the organisation’s previous schemes, including medicine home delivery and home isolation programme.

“We plan to engage pharmacists at local drug stores by asking them to provide advice to people with positive results. The pharmacists can alert local hospitals or give the instruction on how the patients can isolate at home,” he said.

“The NHSO will work with the Public Health Ministry and the GPO to distribute ATK to high-risk populations. We will assess the situation at the end of September and decide if we need to purchase more kits.”

GPO representative Rungpetch Sakulbamrungsil suggested that the NHSO release a list of local pharmacies, their locations, and contacts on its website or mobile application.

This will make it easier for people to reach out to pharmacists for advice on using ATK and self-isolating at home.

Pharmacists can arrange online consultants for Covid-19 patients who may need support under home isolation.

The NHSO will also procure 27 million tablets of anti-viral Favipiravir to ensure there are no shortages.

Published : August 20, 2021

By : The Nation

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https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40004986

Rains ease in upper Thailand, isolated heavy rains in lower South

The Thailand Meteorological Department said on Friday said that a weak southwest monsoon prevails across the Andaman Sea, Thailand and the Gulf of Thailand. Less rain is likely across the country.

Meanwhile, the low-pressure cell covering the coast of Malaysia brings isolated heavy rains in the lower South.

The weather forecast for the next 24 hours:

North: Thundershowers in 30 per cent of the areas; temperature lows of 23-26 degrees Celsius, highs of 30-36°C.

Northeast: Thundershowers in 40 per cent of the areas; temperature lows of 23-26°C, highs of 34-37°C.

Central: Thundershowers in 10 per cent of the areas; temperature lows of 24-27°C, highs of 35-37°C.

East: Thundershowers in 30 per cent of the areas; temperature lows of 25-28°C, highs of 33-36°C; waves a metre high and 1-2 metres during thundershowers.

South (east coast): Thundershowers in 60 per cent of the areas with isolated heavy rains; temperature lows of 24-25°C, highs of 30-35°C; waves a metre high and 1-2 metres during thundershowers.

South (west coast): Thundershowers in 70 per cent of the areas with isolated heavy rains; temperature lows of 21-25°C, highs of 31-33°C; waves a metre high and 1-2 metres during thundershowers.

Bangkok and surrounding areas: Thundershowers in 20 per cent of the areas; temperature lows of 26-27°C, highs of 35-36°C.

Source: Thailand Meteorological Department

Published : August 20, 2021

By : THE NATION

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https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40004985

Thailand recorded 19,851 Covid-19 cases and 240 deaths on Friday

Ministry of Public Health reported on Friday (August 20) morning that in the past 24 hours there are 19,851 new patients who tested positive for Covid-19, 325 of whom have been found in prisons.

Death toll increased by 240, while 20,478 patients were cured and allowed to leave hospitals.

Cumulative cases in the country are at 1,009,710 with 8,826 total deaths.
 

Published : August 20, 2021

By : THE NATION

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https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40004957

Kratom legalised from August 24

Cultivation and sale of kratom will be legal from August 24 (Tuesday), government spokesman Anucha Burapachaisri announced today.

The removal of kratom (Mitragyna speciosa) from the narcotics list will also see 1,038 inmates released from prison and their records wiped clean of kratom-related offences, Anucha said.

The move will reduce expenses in the government sector and save the judiciary

1.69 billion baht per year, he added.

A total of 22,076 kratom-related court cases were heard in the first half of this year, each costing an average of 76,612 baht, according to the National Development Research Institute (TDRI).

From August 24, people can plant and consume kratom according to traditional ways of life as well as buy or sell kratom leaves legally. However, it will still be against the law to mix kratom with other drugs. Meanwhile, permission from the government will be required to import or export kratom.

Published : August 19, 2021

By : The Nation

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40004955

Thailand to import 7,800 tonnes of coconuts despite falling price

Thailand will import up to 78,477 tonnes of coconuts tariff-free under the Asean Free Trade Agreement (AFTA) quota covering September to December this year.

The Commerce Ministry says 15 Thai businesses have been granted permission to import coconuts at the rate of 1 per 2.5 coconuts purchased domestically.

However, the Oil and Vegetable Oil Committee has approved the use of World Trade Organisation (WTO) special safeguards to protect Thai coconut farmers from price slumps caused by imports.

If total coconut imports to Thailand this year exceed the WTO trigger volume of 311,235 tonnes, the Customs Department will raise duties. Duties will increase from zero to 72 per cent for AFTA imports and from 54 per cent to 72 per cent on WTO imports.

The National Economic and Social Development Council (NESDC) forecasts Thailand will produce 0.876 million tonnes of coconut this year, down from 1.269 million tonnes last year.

Meanwhile, 0.418 million tonnes of coconut and related products will be imported to the country this year.

However, slowing demand in the first half of 2021 due to Covid-19 has seen the price of coconuts plummet in Thailand.

The price of big coconuts sold by farmers in August averaged 8.19 baht per fruit, a fall of 31.23 per cent from 11.91 baht in the same period last year.

Published : August 19, 2021

By : The Nation

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40004934

Rescue officials coax troubled mother off bridge in Pathum Thani

A distraught woman with her three-year-old son in her arms was spotted standing on the edge of Nuan Chawee Bridge in Pathum Thani on Wednesday. It looked like she was getting ready to jump.

However, rescue officials got to the mother and child in time and spent close to two hours talking her out of committing suicide, the Riverine Squadron reported on its Facebook page on Thursday.

The woman, believed to be 25 to 30 years old, said she wanted to end her life due to family problems, the post read.

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Rescue officials coax troubled mother off bridge in Pathum ThaniRescue officials coax troubled mother off bridge in Pathum Thani

Rescue officials coax troubled mother off bridge in Pathum ThaniRescue officials coax troubled mother off bridge in Pathum ThaniRescue officials coax troubled mother off bridge in Pathum Thani

Published : August 19, 2021

By : The Nation

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40004932

Thailand seeks more Asian tourists, travel bubble with Korea

The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) has announced plans for a “travel bubble” agreement between Thailand and South Korea, to allow quarantine-free travel between the two countries. The scheme will be launched to stimulate the tourism sector once the pandemic eases.

Meanwhile, TAT offices across the region have been tasked with promoting Thailand as a holiday destination to vaccinated Asian tourists amid the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic.

Data from the Phuket Sandbox and Samui Plus tourism schemes indicate the number of Asian tourists is lower than arrivals from Europe and the US.

The marketing plan focuses on Asian territories with lower infection rates, such as China, Hong Kong and Taiwan. It was revealed on Thursday by TAT’s deputy governor for marketing communication, Thanet Petchsuwan, who will become TAT’s deputy governor for international marketing (Asia and South Pacific) on October 1.

“My first mission will be to talk to the new Chinese ambassador to Thailand about the possibility of allowing Chinese citizens to travel abroad,” Thanet said. 
“We are also preparing talks with South Korea to launch a tourist-exchange programme, or travel bubble, without the need for quarantine. We are considering the timing and procedures for the programme’s launch once the Covid-19 situation in Thailand unwinds,” he added.

TAT will also ask regional countries such as Singapore to help reduce the expense of 14-day quarantine for its nationals returning from Thailand.

Published : August 19, 2021

By : The Nation