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https://www.nationthailand.com/international/40006100

HCM City to extend lockdown until September end, delay COVID ‘green cards’

HCM CITY — HCM City authorities have announced an extension of the lockdown until the end of September from mid-month as instructed by the Government, and delayed a plan to issue COVID ‘green cards’ until further notice.

Speaking at a meeting on Monday, Dương Anh Đức, vice chairman of the city People’s Committee, said that the city would even impose stricter social distancing measures in some high-risk districts.

Low-risk areas like districts 7, Cần Giờ and Củ Chi, where the pandemic has been basically controlled, could ease measures, he added.

Directive 16 requires people to stay at home except for essential tasks like buying food or medicines.

Nguyễn Văn Nên, secretary of the city Party Committee, said the city was unlikely to contain the outbreak by September 15 as required by the Government last month, and was likely to do so by the end of the month. 

He said the city would also delay issuance of COVID green cards.

It would continue to consult medical and economic experts to further tweak the green card system and its requirements, depending on the pandemic status, he said. 

Đức said, “The city will place safety first before it gradually opens the economy.”

Earlier authorities said the city would gradually ease isolation measures based on risk assessment, epidemiological surveillance data and the response capacity of the health sector to reopen the economy, provide essential services and ensure distribution and transport of goods.

Classification of industries and units based on certain criteria would be carried out in order to gradually restore their operations.

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It would work with the ministries of health and information and communications to use a single application to automatically check people’s information across the country. 

One of the criteria for issuing green cards is receiving two shots of vaccines.

Đức said under the green card model social distancing regulations could be relaxed for people meeting certain requirements. “Vaccinating the population quickly is important for reopening the economy,” he added.

People who have fully recovered after getting COVID would be exempt from vaccination for six months but could go to work just like those who have received their second shot. 

Issuing green cards is one of seven proposals made by the Department of Health.

The others are universal vaccination, raising public awareness, community-based care, improving treatment, epidemiological surveillance, and consolidating the healthcare system.

The city targets giving all adults aged 18 and above their first shot by September 15 and second shot by the end of the year.

Children who have underlying diseases or are obese will be immunised first when more vaccines are available.

As of September 12 more than 7.8 million adults have received their first shots (85.2 per cent of the population), and 1.3 million have received both shots.

HCM City is the country’s pandemic hotspot with nearly 300,000 cases since late April.

It has been imposing strict preventive measures, carrying out tests to isolate patients and instructing citizens to “stay where they are”. — VNS

Published : September 14, 2021

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https://www.nationthailand.com/international/40006099

Inter-Korean missile race intensifies amid tension

S. Korea has better submarines to launch missiles, N. Korea has better missiles

South Korea and North Korea are locked in an expanding arms race to bolster their naval power through submarine-launched ballistic missiles (SLBM) with no end to tensions in sight.

SLBMs are hard to intercept because they are fired from submarines deep in the sea. Seven countries that have nuclear weapons — China, France, India, North Korea, Russia, the UK and the US – have developed them. South Korea is the only non-nuclear state to have tested them recently.

Nuclear warheads make North Korea’s SLBMs far more powerful than South Korea’s. But Seoul has a lead in submarines and is looking to widen the gap.

North’s upper hand in missile

North Korea, which last tested its SLBM lineup in October 2019 with the Pukguksong-3, revealed the latest 5 series in January this year. The 5 series is believed to be able to fly longer and carry larger warheads than the Pukguksong-3, which could fly about 2,000 kilometers, well beyond the Korean Peninsula.

South Korea’s Hyunmoo series could fly about 800 kilometers and reach anywhere in North Korea. The South Korean military has said it will increase the range and firepower. But experts say Seoul’s missiles pale in comparison to Pyongyang’s.

“Ballistic missiles without a nuclear warhead atop are no match to those with one. North Korea just has better SLBMs, unless we decide to go nuclear on ours,“ said Ryu Seong-yeop, an intelligence analyst at the Korea Research Institute for Military Affairs in South Korea.

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Ryu said the military’s plan to make more ballistic missiles capable of carrying heavier warheads could destroy North Korea’s underground missile bases, but not directly counter Pyongyang’s nuclear missiles.

“Ballistic missiles are a vehicle, the means, not the end itself. What we mount matters the most,” Ryu said, suggesting that the military use its 2022-26 defense blueprint, worth 315 trillion won ($271 billion), to bring in more fighter jets — such as the US-made F-35 — and improve its missile defense.

Shin Jong-woo, a senior analyst at the Korea Defense and Security Forum, said Seoul cannot compete with Pyongyang, at least on SLBMs, because South Korea cannot employ nuclear devices. Shin also suggested bolstering air power with the latest stealth fighter jets to target North Korean leadership.


South’s edge in submarine

North Korea touts more powerful SLBMs but it has yet to make operational a submarine capable of firing them. Pyongyang, which partially revealed in 2019 a modified Soviet-era Romeo-class model, has never publicly test-fired an SLBM from the 3,000-ton submarine.

The regime is believed to be working on building a 4,000-ton submarine that could carry as many as six SLBMs, twice the number the Romeo class carries. But it is unclear how long and deep the North Korean submarines can stay underwater — a capability vital to delivering a surprise attack.

Meanwhile, South Korea test-fired this month an SLBM from its Dosan Ahn Chang-ho class submarine, the country’s first 3,000-ton homegrown vessel capable of carrying as many as six SLBMs, the highest number for a diesel-powered submarine.

The Dosan class is able to stay underwater for as long as three weeks and reach depths of 400 meters and beyond.

The Navy plans to make the Dosan class combat ready as early as August next year and by the late 2020s deploy six submarines in total, each of which could carry up to 10 SLBMs.

Seoul, which is eyeing launching bigger submarines as part of the 2022-26 defense plan, is also close to greenlighting a nuclear-powered submarine, which will further contribute to enhancing its naval power to strike back Pyongyang in case it is attacked first.

By Choi Si-young/The Korea Herald

Published : September 14, 2021

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https://www.nationthailand.com/international/40006098

Poverty in Afghanistan could have catastrophic consequences for regional stability: Jaishankar

Noting that Afghanistan was passing through a ‘critical and challenging phase’ following its takeover by the Taliban, India today warned that the imminent threat of increased poverty in the war-torn nation could have ‘catastrophic consequences’ for regional stability.

Addressing a high-level UN meeting on the humanitarian situation in Afghanistan, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar drew attention towards a UNDP report which stated that the levels of poverty in the troubled nation could rise from 72 per cent to 97 per cent.

“India has always supported the UN role in Afghanistan’s future. We believe the UNSC resolution 2593 should guide the international community’s approach in dealing with the situation in Afghanistan,” he said.

The minister said India was monitoring developments in Afghanistan with “understandable concern” and would stand by the people of that nation just as in the past. “India’s approach is guided by the historical friendship with the people of Afghanistan. This will continue to be the case.”

Jaishshankar said there has been a sea change in the political, economic, social and security situation in Afghanistan and consequently in its humanitarian needs. “It’s important that the issue of travel and safe passage that can emerge as an obstacle to humanitarian assistance be immediately sorted out. Those who wish to travel in and out of Afghanistan should be granted such facilities without obstruction,” he added.

The normalisation of regular commercial operations of Kabul airport would not only assist in that regard but then become the basis of a regular flow of relief material. This would also accelerate activities that would complement domestic relief measures, he said.

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He was also of the view that the humanitarian assistance to the people in Afghanistan should be non-discriminatory.

Published : September 14, 2021

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https://www.nationthailand.com/international/40006097

China warns US against Taiwan office name change

BEIJING – China on Monday warned the United States against any attempt to elevate relations in essence or engage in official interactions with Taiwan, including allowing the change of the name of the Taipei Economic and Cultural Representative Office (TECRO) in the United States.

China has lodged solemn representations with the United States over media reports that the Biden administration is considering allowing Taiwan’s Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) authority to rename TECRO as “Taiwan Representative Office”, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Zhao Lijian said at a press briefing. 

On the same day, a mainland spokesperson said Beijing resolutely opposed the development of official ties or the establishment of official entities between China’s Taiwan region and countries that have diplomatic ties with China.

Zhu Fenglian, a spokesperson for the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council, made the remarks in response to the media reports.

Zhu warned that any trick played by the DPP to seek “Taiwan independence” is doomed to fail.

Published : September 14, 2021

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https://www.nationthailand.com/pr-news/international/40006096

Thai-Lao businesses launch “Flash Laos”, enter e-commerce in CLMV countries

Flash Express and the AIF Group Laos on September 9 announced a joint investment to step into the CLMV market and launch Flash Laos a full service of express logistics by land and air in Laos.

Customers will be able to deliver parcels between Thailand and Vientiane to support the growth of E-Commerce business, boost the economies of Laos and Thailand, and seamlessly connect.

Flash Express Co., Ltd. is a Thai full service logistics provider, and the first Thai start-up to become an international unicorn under the direction of its CEO, Mr Komsan Lee. Mr Komsan said the expansion of Flash services to Laos is a source of pride for the Thai start-up, expanding a full service logistics business in CLMV with a strong strategic partner, AIF Group Laos.

“We will be partners in both land and air full logistics service providers. Through an economic and social study of the CLMV market, Flash foresees an opportunity for full service logistics to neighbouring countries, being well prepared in terms of labour and resources.

Moreover, the Thai government is continuously developing infrastructure between Thailand and neighbouring countries, which will be an opportunity and good direction for logistics businesses.”

Mr Komsan added that from a successful business model of Flash Express in Thailand and technology that has been developed over the past three years, the company is now ready to launch “Flash Laos” a full logistics service by land and air with the same concept used in Thailand.

Thai-Lao businesses launch “Flash Laos”, enter e-commerce in CLMV countries

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The concept is the first and only express logistics service provider that operates 365 days a year.
“We will also provide booking in advance via the Flash Express Application where customers can prebook a delivery service, from in-person pick up, receiving parcels, tracking, to checking the service fee by themselves,” Mr Komsan said.

Cooperation between Flash Express and the AIF Group Laos will have two main parts. The first part, “Flash Laos”, will provide logistics services from Thailand to Vientiane.

The second part will be the key cooperation of both companies, expanding the service to cover all parts of Laos. In addition, the second part will include a cross-border logistics service between Thailand and Laos to support customer demand for B2B, B2C, and C2C.

The second part of the venture will be launched in November 2021 and Flash Laos will recruit new local business partners with the concept of house opening as a parcel pick up. This will provide jobs and income opportunities for our Lao partners, Mr Komsan said.

Chairman of the AIF Group Laos, Mr Rithikone Phoummasack, said “We are pleased to partner with the first Thai unicorn and rely on both the AIF Group and Flash Thailand’s expertise to bring best practices and ease cross-border deliveries for the fast-growing Lao logistics industry.”

“Flash Laos, a fully integrated digital service provider, will help support the continuous growth of our E-Commerce division, already bolstered by the recent integration of a local marketplace platform within the group’s activities,” Mr Rithikone emphasised.

“The strategic venture further enhances our capacity to deliver superior digital services and better serve Laos’ fast-growing consumer base,” he added, “and leverages AIF Group’s strong understanding and expertise of the Lao and regional markets to enable local consumers to seamlessly exchange goods between Thailand and Laos.”

About Flash Express Thailand Flash
Express (Thailand) Company Limited is a Thai full service logistics provider, and is the first Thai start-up to become an international unicorn under the concept “In mind, In delivery”.

The company was established in 2018 by Mr Komsan Lee, the Chief Executive Officer and the management team and Thai officers. It is the first express service provider to implement a policy of receiving free parcels at the front door (Door-to-Door Service) and is available 365 days a year.

Flash Express is a subsidiary of the Flash Group, a Thai-based fully integrated E-Commerce service provider. Flash Logistics services include large-scale transportation, Flash Fulfillment, product warehousing, and financial services (Flash Money/Flash Pay).

About AIF Group Laos
AIF Group is one of the biggest and the most dynamic business groups in Laos, employing more than 3,000 workers from 17 countries. The group’s core business activities include Banking & Financial Services; Energy Utilities; Construction, Property & Infrastructure Development; E-Commerce, Telecom & Technology Services; Trading; as well as Agriculture, with operations in Laos, Vietnam, Cambodia, Thailand, and Singapore.

Published : September 14, 2021