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https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40005285

Factories reel under cost burden of compulsory Covid prevention measures

More than 60,000 factories are hit by a spike in costs due to the government’s Covid-19 prevention measures that have been enforced in provinces with a high infection rate, Wisit Limleucha, vice president of the Federation of Thai Industries (FTI), said on Wednesday.

The government has stipulated that factories in “dark red” provinces, having more than 50 employees, or using machinery of over 50 horse power, must establish a Factory Accommodation Isolation (FAI) centre with beds for at least 10 per cent of total employees to isolate staff who might have contracted Covid-19. Any businesses failing to comply will face a shutdown.

“More than 60,000 factories are bound by this rule and their costs are going up from establishing the FAI,” he said. “Furthermore, the government’s bubble and seal initiative also forces factories to perform Covid-19 testing on all employees every week. These factories, which hire a total of 3.2 million people, are being burdened by the cost of antigen test kit [ATK]. For example, if a 300-staff factory were to perform testing every week at 100 per cent of employees, the cost of ATK will be Bt257,143 per month,” he added. “However, if the government reduces the mandatory testing to 10 per cent of employees every 14 days, the cost will come down to Bt12,857 per month.

“This problem can be solved by either reducing the mandatory testing rate or the government supporting the cost of ATK,” he added.

Wisit said the government had yet to roll out measures that would directly help entrepreneurs. “The only support we have received so far is letting employees under the social security scheme register for Covid-19 vaccine, but the vaccines provided are still not enough for all employees,” he said.

“The FTI urges government support for testing equipment for factories in dark red zones which require a budget of around Bt5 billion. “Furthermore, the government must provide vaccine to 100 per cent of factory employees as soon as possible to stop the virus from spreading.

“Without proper support, factories that are not financially strong, especially small and medium enterprises, would eventually have to shut down,” he warned.

Published : August 26, 2021

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https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40005284

Media bodies and police agree on safety measures for personnel covering political protests

Six key Thai media organisations on Wednesday met with Deputy Metropolitan Police chief Pol Maj-General Piya Tawichai to discuss measures to reduce the risk for media while reporting political protests in Bangkok.

The organisations included the National Press Council, News Broadcasting Council, Thai Journalists Association, Thai Broadcast Journalists Association, Society for Online News Provider Association and National Union of Journalists Thailand.

At the two-hour meeting, it was agreed that the Thai Journalists Association would be the central agency in charge of issuing new armbands to members of the press to show their status while working at rally sites. Other organisations, including the police, would no longer issue other armbands to avoid confusion.

The meeting initially agreed to use light green colour for new media armbands, but would later issue other colours based on the type of media, provided the new colours were not the same as armbands of other organisations, such as medics.

The new armbands will replace all existing armbands used by the media, while the sewing materials will be more durable and the colour more visible in the dark.

Members of the press wearing the armbands must also be equipped with a press identification card while working to ensure that they have an original affiliation that is responsible for their actions.

The press and police agreed to meet again next month when the new armbands are ready.

Published : August 26, 2021

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https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40005283

US donates 1m vaccines to Vietnam as Covid-19 cases, deaths rise in Asean

Southeast Asia continued to see an upsurge in new cases and related deaths, collated data showed.

Asean countries reported 89,577 new cases on Wednesday, higher than Tuesday’s 83,520, while deaths rose to 2,296 from 2,265 the previous day.

Total Covid-19 cases in the region crossed 9.56 million, while the death toll increased to 212,676.

Vice President Kamala Harris said on Wednesday that the United States would donate 1 million Pfizer coronavirus vaccine doses to Vietnam, where only 2 per cent of the population has been vaccinated. The US has already donated 5 million doses to the country. She said the vaccines would start arriving in Vietnam within a day.

In addition to the new vaccine doses, the US will provide $23 million to help Vietnam expand distribution and access to vaccines, combat the Covid-19 pandemic and prepare for future disease threats.

Meanwhile, Indonesia’s food and drug agency on Wednesday approved Russia’s Sputnik V Covid-19 vaccine for emergency use in the country. Sputnik V is the sixth vaccine to be approved for use in Indonesia following Sinovac, Sinopharm, AstraZeneca, Moderna and Pfizer.

Indonesia, which has a population of approximately 276 million, has fully vaccinated 32.7 million people so far, while 58 million others have received their first shot.

Published : August 26, 2021

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https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40005282

Heavy rains forecast for most parts of the country

A strong southwest monsoon prevails across the Andaman Sea, Thailand and the Gulf of Thailand, while a monsoon trough lies across the North and the upper Northeast, the Thailand Meteorological Department said on Thursday.

More rain is likely across the country with isolated heavy to very heavy rains in the North, the Northeast, the Central, the East and the South’s west coast.

Waves about two metres high and over two metres during thundershowers are likely in the upper Andaman Sea and the upper Gulf, the department said. All ships should proceed with caution in thundershower areas.

The weather forecast for the next 24 hours:

North: Thundershowers in 70 per cent of the areas with isolated heavy rains; temperature lows of 24-25 degrees Celsius, highs of 32-34°C.

Northeast: Thundershowers in 70 per cent of the areas with isolated heavy rains; temperature lows of 22-26°C, highs of 31-33°C.

Central: Thundershowers in 80 per cent of the areas with isolated heavy rains; temperature lows of 24-25°C, highs of 33-35°C.

East: Thundershowers in 80 per cent of the areas with isolated heavy to very heavy rains; temperature lows of 23-25°C, highs of 27-33°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 22-25°C, highs of 32-34°C; waves a metre high and 1-2 metres during thundershowers.

South (west coast): Thundershowers in 60 per cent of the areas with isolated heavy rains; temperature lows of 19-24°C, highs of 29-32°C; waves 1-2 metres high and over two metres during thundershowers.

Bangkok and surrounding areas: Thundershowers in 70 per cent of the areas with isolated heavy rains; temperature lows of 24-25°C, highs of 32-34°C.

Source: Thailand Meteorological Department

Published : August 26, 2021

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https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40005281

Thailand recorded 18,501 Covid-19 cases and 229 deaths on Thursday

Ministry of Public Health reported on Thursday (August 26) morning that in the past 24 hours there are 18,501 new patients who tested positive for Covid-19, 139 of whom have been found in prisons.

Death toll increased by 229, while 20,606 patients were cured and allowed to leave hospitals.

Cumulative cases in the country are at 1,120,869 with 10,314 total deaths.
 

Published : August 26, 2021

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/blogs/in-focus/40005259

CCSA to speed up jabs for expecting mothers

With Thailand’s Covid-19 cases soaring daily, the Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration (CCSA) announced on Wednesday that it will focus on vaccinating women who are at least 12 weeks into their pregnancy.

CCSA spokesperson Dr Apisamai Srirangsan said at least one or two mothers succumb to the virus daily. Thailand recorded 297 deaths on Wednesday, one of whom was a mother-to-be, she said.

So far, only 27,519 or 5.5 per cent of the 500,000 expecting women have received their first shot, and only 0.4 per cent or 2,078 have received their second shot.

Apisamai said women carrying a child are 2.5 times more at risk because breathing is already difficult with an enlarged womb, and it worsens with the virus.

The Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists has written to its provincial offices to ensure all women who are at least 12 weeks into their pregnancy are vaccinated as soon as possible.

Apisamai said getting a jab at this stage is safe and can provide immunity to both the mother and unborn child.

Thailand’s total caseload hit 1,102,368 on Wednesday with 18,417 new cases and 297 deaths.

Published : August 26, 2021

By : The Nation

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https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40005255

Ministry issues guidelines on using rapid antigen test kits correctly

The Public Health Ministry has issued guidelines on using antigen test kits (ATK) at home and steps users should take to ensure accurate and safe results.

These rapid test kits can now be bought over the counter for use at home and though they produce results faster than the RT-PCR method, they can also be false and inaccurate results. 

A false positive can be caused by contamination, the presence of another virus or an incorrect examination procedure. However, those whose ATK result is positive – be it false or not – will still have to undergo an RT-PCR test.
The ATK may also provide a false negative because it cannot detect low amounts of the virus, so the person may be infected and can transmit the virus to others. 

The kits can be purchased from pharmacies that have a pharmacist present and have registered with the Thai Food and Drug Administration. 
Each brand of the test kit is different and uses different samples, such as from the nasal cavity, the nasopharyngeal cavity or saliva. 
Users are advised to carefully read and understand the instructions before using and dispose of the kit properly after use. 

If the ATK provides a positive reading, the patient can choose to isolate at home or call the 1330 hotline for removal to a community isolation centre. 
If the ATK test is negative, people should monitor themselves for symptoms and strictly adhere to prevention measures to avoid infecting others. 

Related reports:
https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40005080
https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40005061

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Ministry issues guidelines on using rapid antigen test kits correctly

Published : August 25, 2021

By : The Nation

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40005252

Whales spotted amid Bangkok skyscrapers

A pod of Bryde whales was discovered frolicking in front of the Bangkok skyline on Tuesday.

Photos of the whales feeding at the mouth of the Chao Phraya River south of Bangkok were posted on the Facebook page of Jirayu Ekkul Wildlife Photography.

The page administrator said the pod is expected to stay in the area, off Samut Prakan province, for one or two months.

The pictures are evidence that the Chao Phraya River offers an abundance of natural resources.

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Photo Credit: Jirayu Ekkul Wildlife PhotographyPhoto Credit: Jirayu Ekkul Wildlife Photography

Photo Credit: Jirayu Ekkul Wildlife Photography

Published : August 25, 2021

By : The Nation

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40005250

Kind farmer leads volunteer mission to feed Bangkokians hit by virus crisis

Long queues form early each morning outside a motorcycle shop on Bangkok’s Phitasanulok Road, where a farmer is donating her produce to feed people facing hardship from Covid-19.

Sumon Saengrattanaphaiboon, 61, president of Civil Defence Volunteers Centre in Chom Thong district, launched the relief campaign this month.

Kind farmer leads volunteer mission to feed Bangkokians hit by virus crisis

Since August 1, the group has been handing out 150 lunchboxes per day and plans to continue until the end of the month.

Kind farmer leads volunteer mission to feed Bangkokians hit by virus crisis

“The eggs and vegetables [in lunchboxes] are from my own 2-rai farm in Nonthaburi province where I raise over 200 chickens,” said Sumon. “They are free of insecticides and other chemicals. I want everyone to have a high-quality meal even in this time of crisis,” she said.

Kind farmer leads volunteer mission to feed Bangkokians hit by virus crisis
 

Published : August 25, 2021

By : THE NATION

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https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40005247

BMA’s vaccination buses to roll out next week

The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA)’s fleet of “BKK Mobile Vaccination” units will start delivering jabs to people at home in about a week, BMA said on Wednesday.

In a Facebook post, BMA spokesperson Pongsakorn Kwanmuang said the units with a medical team will start rolling out within a week. 

The BMV buses have a hospital-standard medical setup inside where jabs can be administered safely. The vehicles will be sterilised daily.

The BMV project, inspired by similar efforts in Vietnam and China, cuts down on the risk of infection from public transport and makes it easier for people with travel restrictions. The BMV units can also travel to offices and deliver jabs to people who cannot leave work. 

“BMA is making full progress in both proactive testing and administering jabs in a bid to control the epidemic,” Pongsakorn’s post read.

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BMA’s vaccination buses to roll out next weekBMA’s vaccination buses to roll out next weekBMA’s vaccination buses to roll out next week

Published : August 25, 2021

By : The Nation