#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40004077

Economy expected to take up to THB400 bn hit from Covid control measures

The two-week extension of the lockdown period and expansion of the “dark red” zone to cover 29 provinces would cost the economy around THB300-400 billion due to lost economic activities, the Thai Chamber of Commerce said on Sunday.

The Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration (CCSA), chaired by Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha, on Sunday extended lockdown measures for another 14 days starting August 3 in a bid to tackle the fast-spreading Delta variant. In addition, the CCSA also increased the number of provinces in the “dark red” zone from 13 to 29.

The CCSA will evaluate the situation again on August 18 and may extend the lockdown to August 31 if the situation does not improve.

“The damage from lockdown and control measures in 29 dark red zone provinces is estimated at THB300-400 billion per month, as the newly announced dark red zone provinces are business centres and locations of industrial estates, such as Nakhon Ratchasima, Rayong, Saraburi and Samut Songkram,” chamber chairman Sanan Angubolkul said.

Meanwhile the Federation of Thai Industries (FTI) president, Suphan Mongkolsutee, said on Sunday that the government’s extension of the lockdown was not unexpected based on the trend of infections, but classifying more provinces as dark red zones from the 13 earlier would further affect the manufacturing sector. “The dark red zone provinces account for 70-80 per cent of the country’s overall production capacity. Increasing disease control measures would hinder economic activities even further,” he said. “Furthermore, if there aren’t enough rapid testing and vaccination facilities provided to people in these provinces, it could lead to a surge of infections in lockdown areas.”

Published : August 02, 2021

By : THE NATION

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40004074

Pulled down by the Covid crisis, baht on brink of 33 to the dollar

The baht opened at 32.96 to the US dollar on Monday, weakening from 32.88 at close on Friday.

The Thai currency is likely to move between 32.90 and 33.05 during the day and between 32.70 and 33.20 this week, Krungthai Bank market strategist Poon Panichpibool said.

He said the two factors that could determine the baht’s direction was the dollar’s movement and the Covid-19 situation.

Poon predicted that the dollar could move sideways in the short term, while its strengthening factor was a demand for haven assets as the world is in the grip of the virus crisis.

However, the dollar would weaken if economic numbers of the US, such as the nonfarm payroll, were lower than observers’ expectations, he added.

Poon said that the baht could be pressured to touch 33 to the US dollar due to Covid-19 situation in Thailand. However, he believed the Bank of Thailand would help reduce currency fluctuation in some way.

This week, Poon suggested that investors monitor information in the US labour market, as well as performance reports of registered companies.

Published : August 02, 2021

By : The Nation

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40004072

Classification of provinces under dark red, red and orange Covid zones announced

The Royal Gazette website on Sunday published the announcement by the Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration (CCSA) on the updated Covid-19 control zones in Thailand effective from August 3.

Based on the current Covid-19 situation, the CCSA has increased the number of provinces in the “dark red” zone, or areas under highest disease control level, from 13 to 29. The 29 provinces are: Bangkok, Kanchanaburi, Chonburi, Chachoengsao, Tak, Nakhon Pathom, Nakhon Nayok, Nakhon Ratchasima, Narathiwat, Nonthaburi, Pathum Thani, Prachuap Khiri Khan, Prachinburi, Pattani, Ayutthaya, Phetchaburi, Phetchabun, Yala, Rayong, Ratchaburi, Lopburi, Songkhla, Singburi, Samut Prakan, Samut Songkhram, Samut Sakhon, Saraburi, Suphanburi and Ang Thong.

The 37 provinces classified under red zone, or high disease control area, are: Kalasin, Kamphaeng Phet, Khon Kaen, Chanthaburi, Chainat, Chaiyaphum, Chumphon, Chiang Rai, Chiang Mai, Trang, Trat, Nakhon Si Thammarat, Nakhon Sawan, Buri Ram, Phatthalung, Phichit, Phitsanulok, Maha Sarakham, Yasothon, Ranong, Roi Et, Lampang, Lamphun, Loei, Si Sa Ket, Sakon Nakhon, Satun, Sa Kaew, Sukhothai, Surin, Nong Khai, Nong Bua Lamphu, Uttaradit, Uthai Thani, Udon Thani, Ubon Ratchathani and Amnat Charoen.

The 11 provinces classified under orange zone, or controlled area, are: Krabi, Nakhon Phanom, Nan, Bueng Kan, Phayao, Phang Nga, Phrae, Phuket, Mukdahan, Mae Hong Son and Surat Thani.

ADVERTISEMENTx

Classification of provinces under dark red, red and orange Covid zones announced

Published : August 02, 2021

By : THE NATION

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40004066

Expats in Thailand can now register for Pfizer jabs

Registration opened on Sunday for foreigners living in Thailand to get the first dose of the Pfizer vaccine.

The website https://expatvac.consular.go.th/ was opened by the Department of Consular Affairs at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Only those who have not received any Covid-19 vaccination can register. Priority will be given to those over 60 years old, women at least 12 weeks pregnant, and people who have one of the following seven underlying medical conditions:

1. Chronic respiratory diseases

2. Cardiovascular diseases

3. Chronic kidney diseases

4. Cerebrovascular diseases

5. All types of cancer during chemotherapy, radiotherapy and autoimmune therapy

6. Diabetes

7. Obesity (weighing more than 100 kilograms or body mass index more than 35 kilograms per square metre)

Foreign residents of the eligible age, living in any province, can apply.

A news source from the Ministry of Public Health said that the Pfizer vaccine is a part of 1.5 million doses that Thailand has received from the United States as donation, 10 per cent of which — 150,000 doses — have been earmarked for foreigners living in Thailand and Thais who need to travel overseas (eg for study or sport competition).

Published : August 02, 2021

By : THE NATION

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40004059

Thailand recorded 17,970 Covid-19 cases and 178 deaths on Monday

Ministry of Public Health reported on Monday (August 2) morning that in the past 24 hours there are 17,970 new patients who tested positive for Covid-19, 175 of whom have been found in prisons.

Death toll increased by 178, while 13,919 patients were cured and allowed to leave hospitals.

Cumulative cases in the country are at 633,284 with 5,168 total deaths.
 

Published : August 02, 2021

By : THE NATION

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40004057

North, Northeast warned of flash floods as isolated heavy rains forecast for regions

The Thailand Meteorological Department said on Monday that a rather strong southwest monsoon prevails over the Andaman Sea, Thailand and the Gulf of Thailand while a low pressure cell covers Laos and upper Vietnam.

Isolated heavy rains are possible in the North and the Northeast.

People in these areas should beware of the severe conditions that may cause flash floods, the department said.

Waves in the upper Andaman Sea are expected to rise 2-3 metres high and more than three metres during thundershowers. All ships should proceed with caution and small boats should keep ashore, the department said.

The weather forecast for the next 24 hours:

North: Thundershowers in 70 per cent of the areas with isolated heavy rains; temperature lows of 23-25 degrees Celsius, highs of 30-34°C.

Northeast: Thundershowers in 40 per cent of the areas with isolated heavy rains; temperature lows of 24-26°C, highs of 32-34°C.

Central: Thundershowers in 30 per cent of the areas; temperature lows of 24-27°C, highs of 33-36°C.

East: Thundershowers in 40 per cent of the areas; temperature lows of 25-28°C, highs of 32-35°C; waves two metres high and over two metres during thundershowers.

South (east coast): Thundershowers in 40 per cent of the areas; temperature lows of 24-26°C, highs of 33-35°C; waves 1-2 metres high and over two metres during thundershowers.

South (west coast): Thundershowers in 60 per cent of the areas; temperature lows of 21-27°C, highs of 31-33°C; waves 2-3 metres high and over three metres during thundershowers.

Bangkok and surrounding areas: Thundershowers in 30 per cent of the areas; temperature lows of 26-28°C, highs of 33-36°C.

Source: Thailand Meteorological Department

Published : August 02, 2021

By : THE NATION

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40004054

BMA arranges vaccination for religious officials

The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) has conducted a vaccination drive to cover monks, temple staff and officials of other religions, such as Christianity, Islam, Hinduism and Sikhism, at the vaccination centre in SCG Bang Sue headquarters on Sunday.

Monks, temple staff and other religious officials in 35 Phra Nakhon districts received the first AstraZeneca jab on Sunday.

BMA officials will administer the second AstraZeneca jab 12 weeks later, Bangkok Governor Aswin Kwanmuang said.

“Monks, temple staff and other religious officials can register for Covid-19 vaccine jabs via the National Office of Buddhism,” he said.

ADVERTISEMENTx

BMA arranges vaccination for religious officials

He added that the vaccination centre in SCG Bang Sue headquarters also vaccinated disabled people under the Association of the Physically Handicapped of Thailand, and citizens who have registered via the Thai Ruam Jai website.

BMA arranges vaccination for religious officials

“Moreover, Bangkok’s district offices have been instructed to survey communities as some citizens were unable to get vaccination,” he added.

BMA arranges vaccination for religious officialsBMA arranges vaccination for religious officialsBMA arranges vaccination for religious officialsBMA arranges vaccination for religious officials

Published : August 02, 2021

By : The Nation

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40004047

Lockdown extended for 14 days, 29 provinces now in dark red zone

The Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration (CCSA), chaired by Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha, on Sunday extended lockdown measures for another 14 days in a bid to tackle the fast-spreading Delta variant.

The CCSA will evaluate the situation again on August 18.

In addition, the CCSA also increased the number of provinces in the “dark red” zone from 13 to 29. The 29 provinces are: Bangkok, Kanchanaburi, Chonburi, Chachoengsao, Tak, Nakhon Pathom, Nakhon Nayok, Nakhon Ratchasima, Narathiwat, Nonthaburi, Pathum Thani, Prachuap Khiri Khan, Prachinburi, Pattani, Ayutthaya, Phetchaburi, Phetchabun, Yala, Rayong, Ratchaburi, Lopburi, Songkhla, Singburi, Samut Prakan, Samut Songkhram, Samut Sakhon, Saraburi, Suphanburi and Ang Thong.

ADVERTISEMENTx

Meanwhile, restaurants and food kiosks inside department stores and community malls are now allowed to provide delivery and take-home services.

Separately, the CCSA held discussions on procuring 30 million doses of Pfizer Covid-19 vaccines within this year.

Published : August 01, 2021

By : The Nation