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https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40005340

Sacked local police chief says death of drug suspect in custody an accident, denies bribery accusations

A sacked police station chief in Nakhon Sawan province has denied seeking bribes from drug suspects and said the custodial death of a suspect was caused by a new interrogation technique gone wrong.

National Police chief Pol General Suwat Jangyodsuk held a press conference on Thursday night after police arrested Thitisan Uthanapol, who had fled to Chonburi province after allegedly killing a drug suspect in custody.

Complaints were filed against Thitisan by other officers that he had allegedly demanded THB2 million from two suspects, a man and a woman, in a narcotics case. He was also accused of suffocating the man to death with a plastic bag on August 5. Thitisan then allegedly ordered the doctor to attribute the death to a drug overdose and told the woman to keep quiet before releasing her.

Sacked local police chief says death of drug suspect in custody an accident, denies bribery accusations

During the press event on Thursday, police let Thitisan answer questions from the press via telephone.

Thitisan said that he was solely responsible for investigating the drug case as the suspects had been caught with a large quantity of methamphetamine and amphetamine, and he wanted to find out the source of the drugs.

Sacked local police chief says death of drug suspect in custody an accident, denies bribery accusations

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In his interaction with media, Thitisan denied demanding THB2 million from the suspects.

Regarding the death of the suspect in police custody, the former police station chief, who was fired from service on Wednesday, said: “This was the first time that I had used this interrogation technique [covering a suspect’s head with a plastic bag],” he said. “I ordered the doctor to put the cause of death as drug overdose because the suspect’s girlfriend had said that he regularly took drugs.”

When asked about CCTV footage showing him splash water on the suspect who was lying on the ground, Thitisan said he thought the suspect was faking death.

“I am committed to doing my police duty, and I am deeply sorry that my mistake resulted in the suspect’s death. I would like to apologise to the family of the deceased, and to the Royal Thai Police,” he added.

Thitisan also denied rumours he had given THB5 million to the suspect’s father to keep quiet, but admitted that he had given him THB30,000 for funeral arrangements.

Sacked local police chief says death of drug suspect in custody an accident, denies bribery accusations

The National Police chief vowed the case would be investigated in a transparent manner and no effort would be made to protect the officer. He also apologised to the people that such an incident had happened.

Published : August 27, 2021

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40005337

Heavy rains forecast for Bangkok and all regions of the country

The Thailand Meteorological Department said on Friday that a moderate southwest monsoon prevails across the Andaman Sea, Thailand and the Gulf of Thailand while a monsoon trough lies across the lower North, the Central, the East and the lower Northeast regions.

Continuous rainfall is likely across the country with isolated heavy to very heavy rains in some areas.

Waves about two metres high and over two metres during thundershowers are likely in the upper Andaman Sea and the upper Gulf.

All ships should proceed with caution in thundershower areas, 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 31-34°C.

Northeast: Thundershowers in 70 per cent of the areas with isolated heavy rains; temperature lows of 22-25°C, highs of 30-34°C.

Central: Thundershowers in 80 per cent of the areas with isolated heavy rains; temperature lows of 23-24°C, highs of 31-33°C.

East: Thundershowers in 80 per cent of the areas with isolated heavy to very heavy rains; temperature lows of 23-24°C, highs of 26-31°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 23-24°C, highs of 30-34°C; waves a metre to two metres high and two metres during thundershowers.

South (west coast): Thundershowers in 60 per cent of the areas; temperature lows of 20-23°C, highs of 30-32°C; waves a metre to two metres high and over two metres during thundershowers.

Bangkok and surrounding areas: Thundershowers in 80 per cent of the areas with isolated heavy rains; temperature lows of 24-25°C, highs of 29-31°C.

Source: Thailand Meteorological Department

Published : August 27, 2021

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40005336

India will soon know about Talibans capability to run Afghan govt, says leader

Prominent Taliban leader Shahabuddin Dilwar, in response to Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s statement casting doubt on the sustainability of a new regime in Afghanistan, said India will soon know that the Taliban can run the country’s affairs smoothly.

The statement from the Taliban leader comes a week after Modi commented on the Taliban takeover of Afghanistan saying “an empire on the basis of terror may dominate for some time but its existence is never permanent”.

The Indian premier, in a veiled criticism of Taliban, had on Aug 20 tweeted: “The destroying powers, the thinking that builds an empire on the basis of terror, may dominate for some time in a period of time, but, its existence is never permanent, it cannot suppress humanity for a long time.”

Reacting to the Indian premier’s statement in an exclusive conversation with Radio Pakistan correspondent Bilal Khan Mehsud in Kabul on Thursday, Dilwar warned India not to interfere in the internal affairs of Afghanistan.

He said Pakistan was a neighbour of Afghanistan and a friendly country. Dilawar thanked Pakistan for hosting over three million Afghan refugees.

“We are thankful to Pakistan for its services […] for welfare of the refugees,” he added.

He underlined that Taliban wanted peaceful ties with all countries based on mutual respect.

The Taliban completed a lighting fast takeover of the country, finally walking into Kabul on Aug 16 without firing a shot, according to Reuters.

The group had declared the war in Afghanistan over after taking control of the presidential palace in the Afghan capital.

“Today is a great day for the Afghan people and the mujahideen. They have witnessed the fruits of their efforts and their sacrifices for 20 years,” Mohammad Naeem, the spokesman for the Taliban’s political office, had told Al Jazeera TV.

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Although the group has sought to present a more moderate face since its takeover, the Taliban ruled with an iron fist from 1996 to 2001, before being toppled by US-led forces for sheltering Al Qaeda militants, who were behind the September 11 attacks.

Currently, the group is in talks with a spectrum of leaders and politicians in Afghanistan to form an “inclusive government” to run the country, according to multiple statements by Taliban spokesmen.

Interior Minister Sheikh Rashid had on Monday said the Afghan Taliban reassured the [Pakistan] government that the banned Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) would not be given permission to operate in Afghanistan against Pakistan.

“The Afghan Taliban have reassured [us] that Afghanistan’s land will not be allowed to be used in any case by the TTP,” Rashid had said at a press conference in islamabad.

Rashid had said the government was in “full contact” with the Taliban on the issue of some TTP members such as Maulvi Faqir Mohammad being released after the takeover of Kabul.

Pakistan claims that the TTP was being funded by India and its intelligence agencies, in connivance with the Ashraf Ghani led Afghan government, to carry out terrorism in Pakistan from Afghan soil.

However, after the Taliban takeover of Afghanistan, Information Minister Fawad Chaudhry said the TTP is in a state of “disarray” as Indian funding to the group had come to a halt.

Since taking over, the Afghan Taliban have reassured Pakistan and other stakeholders that they would not allow any group to use Afghan soil against any country, including Pakistan.

Chaudhry said that the announcement by the Taliban that Afghanistan would not be allowed to be used for terrorism against any country was a very “positive” one.

“We think the Taliban authorities will act on this. [….] Pakistan’s top terrorists from the BLA (Balochistan Liberation Army) and TTP are sitting in Afghanistan and we want them.

“We hope we will have cooperation from Afghanistan on this. Inside the country we will look at these matters ourselves,” the information minister told a press conference on Tuesday.

Published : August 27, 2021

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40005334

Free self-test kits are a gamechanger in Thailand’s Covid battle

The National Health Security Board recently approved the procurement of 8.5 million Covid-19 antigen test kits and plans to distribute them to the people.

This will be an essential step to curb the current wave of coronavirus that has disrupted Thai society and the economy.

After Delta infections were first reported in June, the daily caseload in Thailand surged to more than 20,000 confirmed cases and between 150 and 300 deaths.

Thailand is not alone. Countries across Southeast Asia are grappling with the Delta variant, pushing governments to restrict travel and economic activities.

Around 80 per cent of people infected with Covid-19 show mild or no symptoms, which helps coronavirus spread swiftly because they are unaware of their infection and transmit the virus to others.

A high prevalence of Covid-19 is reported in many residential areas, especially in Bangkok’s low-income ghettos, where household members are crowded in small living spaces. Many have no clue they are infected unless one (or more) of their family members show symptoms. In many cases, the symptoms develop into serious illness.

The best way to handle this situation, and the Delta variant, is to make people aware of their infection so they will isolate themselves as quickly as possible. Providing them with access to self-test kits, free of charge, is vital.

Previously, only RT-PCR tests were available, with a daily testing capacity of 50,000 to 70,000 in total. It requires at least 24 hours to obtain a result from an RT-PCR test. The long waiting time and limited number of facilities providing RT-CPR tests discouraged many people from getting the tests.

To solve this challenge, Public Health Ministry in collaboration with Food and Drug Administration approved antigen test kits for both professional and home use in July, making the self-test kits available for sale over the counter.

However, many low-income households will not be able to afford the self-test kits. Many people, even the middle class, will hesitate to get tests if they must pay out of their pocket, especially in the ongoing economic downturn caused by the pandemic.

This prompted the NHSO to procure and distribute 8.5 million free antigen test kits to people nationwide.

It cost the government 1 billion baht. But we believe the outcome is worthwhile. It will not only help curb the spread of coronavirus and open a path back to normal life. It will also ensure health equity, as people will be able to get tests regardless of their income.

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The NHSO has been working with the Government Pharmaceutical Organisation and Rajavithi Hospital to find a supplier with quality products at the right price.

We expect that, by September, millions of self-test kits will be handed out by health providers and pharmacies across the country. The beneficiaries will be Thai citizens and migrant workers whose lives are equally threatened by Covid-19.

We plan to distribute more antigen test kits throughout the 2022 fiscal year as we will likely have to live with coronavirus for the next year or two.

Providing free self-test kits is not a new initiative. We have learned of its benefits from other countries, including Britain, where people without Covid-19 symptoms can order free rapid lateral flow test kits online with the National Health Service (NHS).

They receive the test kits, which provide results in minutes, via the post or by picking them up at local test collection sites and pharmacies.

In Singapore, the government announced distribution of antigen test kits to all households as part of its approach of “living with the coronavirus” instead of imposing restrictions on people’s mobility and economic activities.

Singapore has started providing antigen test kits to people linked with Covid-19 clusters, including residents and customers who visited markets and food centres connected to the Jurong Fishery Port, the centre of a recent major cluster.

Early this month, the Netherlands government announced that it would offer two free self-test kits to all eight million households as part of a campaign urging Dutch people to test themselves on their return from summer vacation.

These examples show that many countries see the benefits of extensive testing and its crucial role in reopening borders.

However, testing alone is not enough. We need to implement an effective Covid-19 vaccination programme. The Thai government has put great effort into securing vaccines, both mRNA and inactivated vaccines, from manufacturers.

The NHSO will support all the measures taken by the government to keep society and the economy running despite the ongoing pandemic.

Published : August 27, 2021

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40005331

Thailand recorded 18,702 Covid-19 cases and 273 deaths on Friday

Ministry of Public Health reported on Friday (August 27) morning that in the past 24 hours there are 18,702 new patients who tested positive for Covid-19, 342 of whom have been found in prisons.

Death toll increased by 273, while 20,163 patients were cured and allowed to leave hospitals.

Cumulative cases in the country are at 1,139,571 with 10,587 total deaths.
 

Published : August 27, 2021

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/blogs/in-focus/40005318

Thailand will have 100 smart cities by 2022, promises DES minister

In line with the Thailand 4.0 economic strategy and the 20-year national development agenda, the country should have at least 100 smart cities by next year, Digital Economy and Society (DES) Minister Chaiwut Thanakamanusorn said on Thursday.

The minister said the words “smart city” can be defined in many ways, but for his ministry, it stands for a city that uses modern, intelligent technology and innovation to boost efficiency in city services and management. Also, he said, administration costs should be low, and resources used to the optimum to serve the population.

Chaiwut said smart cities should be designed, so they are not just liveable cities but also provide residents with a good quality, sustainable lifestyle.

Published : August 26, 2021

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/blogs/in-focus/40005317

Thai business leaders urge Digital Health Pass system to speed up reopening

Thai business leaders are urging the government to adopt a Digital Health Pass system to allow reopening of economic activities during the pandemic.

Thai Chamber of Commerce (TCC) chairman Sanan Angubolkul said digital health passes would enable businesses to reopen safely supported by public health measures.

TCC president Kalin Sarasin added that the universal health pass would allow medium-risk businesses to reopen quickly, adding that high-risk businesses would remain closed under the system.

The proposed Digital Health Pass system would be used to check customers’ immunisation history and Covid test results via Public Health Ministry data to confirm they are not infected.

Studies on easing business restrictions abroad showed it was possible to coexist with the pandemic while keeping the infection and fatality rate low, Kalin said.

The Thai private sector believes this method should be used only for medium-risk businesses, he added.

“Communication and asking for cooperation from people are very important. The approach [for reopening] has to be simple and practical,” he said.

The TCC also recommended that the Digital Health Pass should be able handle foreigners’ vaccine certificates and support offline operation to prevent the system from crashing if overwhelmed.

Published : August 26, 2021

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/blogs/in-focus/40005315

Thai factories with over 10% infection rate must “bubble and seal”

Factories where more than 10 per cent of employees are infected with Covid-19 must adopt the “bubble and seal” measure, health officials said on Thursday.

The directive covers Thailand’s 3,300 large factories (200 workers or more) and is aimed at halting serious outbreaks in factories that are hampering Thailand’s industrial sector and spawning cluster infections in communities.

The Department of Health said that factory operators who find that more than 10 per cent of their workers are infected must notify local disease control officials within three hours and adopt the bubble-and-seal measure immediately. They must not continue to operate under normal restrictions, it warned.

Published : August 26, 2021

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40005314

Police catch murder-suspect cop

Former police station chief Thitisan Uthanapol, who fled after allegedly murdering a drug suspect in Nakhon Sawan province, was arrested on Thursday at (the place has not been confirmed).

Aclip of Thitisan and his team trying to suffocate an arrested drug dealer after demanding a 2-million-baht bribe went viral on social media earlier this week.

he clip ended with an image of the suspect lying dead.

Thitisan was first transferred to an inactive post on Sunday and finally sacked on Tuesday. An arrest warrant accusing him of participating in illegal acts, collaborating to intimidate an individual and committing murder has also been issued.

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Police catch murder-suspect copPolice catch murder-suspect cop

Published : August 26, 2021

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40005310

Srinakarin building at risk of collapsing, people urged to avoid area

An MP has advised people to avoid using Srinakarin Road in Bangkoks Bang Kapi district as a commercial building in the area is at risk of collapsing.

Palang Pracharath MP Thitipat Chotidechachainan said representatives from the Engineering Institute of Thailand and Bangkok Metropolitan Administration, as well as police, firefighters and rescuers were stationed at the scene.

Residents living close to the building have been evacuated while the stretch of the road on which it is located has been closed to vehicles and pedestrians.

“The owner is moving assets from the building, while officials from the Metropolitan Electricity Authority have cut the building’s electricity supply,” said Thitipat in comments posted on Facebook.

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Srinakarin building at risk of collapsing, people urged to avoid area

She asked people to avoid using Srinakarin Road from Lam Salee Intersection to Soi Srinakarin 1.

Published : August 26, 2021