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https://www.nationthailand.com/thailand/general/40023746

Thailand’s winter Omicron wave has already peaked, says virologist

THURSDAY, JANUARY 05, 2023

Thailand’s latest wave of Covid-19 infections has peaked and is now on a downward trend, Chulalongkorn University (CU)’s top virologist said on Thursday.

Dr Yong Poovorawan explained in a Facebook post that the number of Covid patients being hospitalised has dropped significantly in recent days.

The slowdown of infections this winter came sooner than expected, he added.

The latest Covid wave is being driven by the BA.2.75 Omicron subvariant now dominant in Thailand.

Yong cautioned however that the government needed to monitor against two new Omicron subvariants, BQ.1 and BQ.1.1, which are currently spreading fast in the United States and Europe.

He said Covid infections would be at their lowest in February but warned a new wave could emerge in May or June.

The virologist added that over 70% of Thailand’s population have contracted the SARS-CoV-2 virus and most were infected with Omicron. The high ratio of Omicron infection coupled with vaccination has led to hybrid immunity and strong protection against future infection and severe symptoms, he said.

The need for Thais to get booster shots would gradually reduce as most have been infected with BA.5 Omicron subvariant that provides natural immunity that is superior to protection from mRNA vaccines, he added.

Dr Yong heads the Centre of Excellence in Clinical Virology at CU’s Faculty of Medicine.

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https://www.nationthailand.com/thailand/general/40023743

Chinese tourists will not be subject to stricter Covid-19 screening, minister says

THURSDAY, JANUARY 05, 2023

Thailand will not impose stricter Covid-19 screening for Chinese tourists but will treat them the same as tourists from other countries, Public Health Minister Anutin Charnvirakul said on Thursday.

He made the statement before joining a meeting of government agencies to discuss preparations for the arrival of Chinese tourists beginning on Sunday, following the ending of that country’s zero-Covid policy, which effectively prevented Chinese citizens from travelling outside their country.

Anutin said the Department of Disease Control would be responsible for implementing measures and guidelines to treat foreign tourists equally. He also mentioned that Thailand has strong ties with China.

The US has been joined by Japan, India, Italy, Malaysia, South Korea, Spain and Taiwan in imposing tighter requirements, including negative Covid-19 tests, on visitors from China, where infection rates have soared.

“What we have to do is strictly adhere to existing measures [to contain Covid-19], such as wearing facemasks in crowded places,” Anutin said.

He said the National Health Security Office had the necessary funds to take care of foreign tourists, adding that they could receive Covid-19 vaccines in Thailand.

The Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration was dissolved on October 1 last year, so all ministries must work together to ensure foreign tourists have confidence in Thailand’s Covid-19 prevention strategy, Anutin said.

“If we are not ready, we will lose the opportunity to stimulate the economy from tourism,” he explained.

The Department of Disease Control will monitor the situation and adjust prevention measures if new Covid-19 variants spread in Thailand, the minister said.

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https://www.nationthailand.com/thailand/general/40023739

Thailand ties with Italy on list of world’s top retirement destinations

THURSDAY, JANUARY 05, 2023

Thailand is the world’s 9th cheapest place to live for expat retirees, according to the Annual Global Retirement Index.

The 2023 list of “10 Cheapest Places to Live After Retiring” was compiled by experts at the International Living website and published this week. It details the best places to retire in terms of high quality of life and low cost of living.

Portugal tops the list thanks to the weakness of its currency and ease of acquiring a long-term visa.

Second is Mexico, followed by Panama, Ecuador, Costa Rica, Spain, Greece and France. Thailand ties with Italy in ninth place.

International Living says the list is not just for retirees, but anyone seeking a better and more affordable life, or just to escape the bustle, violence, politics and divisiveness of their home country.

The 2023 list focuses on aspects such as cost of living, climate, visas, housing, and healthcare.

Thailand’s warm, sun-drenched climate makes it an alluring destination for retirees, explains International Living correspondent Rachel Devlin. The country “appeals to those who have a keen sense of adventure and an eye for natural and cultural beauty”. It also retains a unique way of life as the only nation in Southeast Asia to avoid colonisation, she notes.

Devlin also comments on Thailand’s affordability, especially when it comes to real estate.

“Foreigners are able to buy condos very easily and there are bargains everywhere. It is possible to buy a two-bedroom condo for under $30,000 [1.01 million baht] and rentals can be as cheap as $180 [6,000 baht] per month if you need something small and quaint.”

On living costs, Devlin said an expat couple can live comfortably on as little as $1,596 [53,963 baht] per month.

Source: Forbes

Related Stories

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https://www.nationthailand.com/thailand/general/40023735

CEO of Kong Salak Plus Lottery faces money-laundering probe

THURSDAY, JANUARY 05, 2023

The CEO of Kong Salak Plus online lottery platform, Phantawat Nakwisut, has been summonsed by the Department of Special Investigation (DSI) over evidence the company received millions of baht from a money laundering gang.

The DSI’s narcotics branch has been investigating a gang that uses nominee bank accounts to receive money from customers of drug dealers and gambling websites, as well as victims of call centre scams. The gang launders the money and transfers it back to criminal gangs in exchange for a fee.

The DSI said a gang leader arrested on December 10 had revealed a list of customers that the gang has been transferring the cash to. Kong Salak Plus was among the recipients listed, with evidence it had received tens of million baht, according to the DSI director Triyarith Temahivong.

The DSI chief said the money-laundering gang also provided a debt-collecting service and took video clips of assaults on victims who failed to make payments and forwarded them to the criminal gangs.

Triyarith also warned people not to accept any invitation to open a bank account in exchange for a fee, as they could find themselves involved in money laundering.

Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha ordered a probe of Kong Salak Plus on December 29 after the company boasted a whopping 18 billion baht in sales this year.

The 15-day investigation by the Government Lottery Office, Anti-Money Laundering Office and Department of Special Investigation is focusing on the operations and tax filings of the popular lottery ticket seller, owned by tycoon Phantawat.

Phantawat on Wednesday denied his company is a customer of the money laundering gang and said he was ready to explain everything to the DSI.

“However, this gang could be using their money to buy lottery tickets from us,” he wrote on Facebook.

Related Stories

PM orders probe of Kong Salak Plus lottery after owner boasts THB18bn sales

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https://www.nationthailand.com/thailand/general/40023733

NACC probing THB33m signboard change at Bang Sue Central Station

THURSDAY, JANUARY 05, 2023

The National Anti-Corruption Committee (NACC) has launched a probe into the 33-million-baht project to change signboards at Bangkok’s main Bang Sue Station being carried out by the State Railway of Thailand (SRT).

The suspiciously expensive project sparked criticism among netizens after the bid winner, Unique Engineering and Construction, informed the Stock Exchange of Thailand (SET) on December 29 that it had signed the contract with SRT.

The 150-day project worth 33.16 million baht includes changing the station’s main signboard to its official name of “Krung Thep Aphiwat Central Terminal” and putting up the SRT logo. The station was renamed by His Majesty the King in September.

NACC chief Niwatchai Kasemmongkol said on Wednesday that the anti-graft committee has received complaints regarding the project and has started collecting evidence for the investigation.

He added that the investigation will focus on whether or not the SRT followed regulations for the bidding process on government projects. The NACC will also investigate officials for evidence they have abused their authority in awarding the contract.

The investigation comes under the jurisdiction of the Auditor General’s Office and not the NACC, as in the case of decorative solar-powered lamp posts in Samut Prakan.

On Tuesday, Transport Minister Saksayam Chidchob launched a separate probe to check whether the project’s budget matches the job done. He said he expects the investigation to be completed within seven days.

The SRT has denied any wrongdoing and insists it abided by government rules on granting contracts.

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Transport Ministry to investigate SRT’s expensive signboard project

Train tickets to most parts of Thailand now available at Bang Sue Grand Station

Hua Lamphong or Bang Sue Grand Station? Public asked which they prefer

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https://www.nationthailand.com/thailand/general/40023728

New Year holiday death toll at 282 after six of ‘7 dangerous days’

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 04, 2023

As many as 239 road accidents on Tuesday left 259 people injured and 15 dead, raising the death toll during the year-end break to 282, the Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Department (DDPM)’s Road Safety Centre reported on Wednesday.

As on the sixth day of the “7 dangerous days” (December 29, 2022 to January 4, 2023), the centre instructed Bangkok and provincial authorities to carefully monitor the speed limits of motorists so as to prevent road accidents.

Deputy permanent secretary at the Interior Ministry, Chotnarin Kerdsom, said that the centre has been in collaboration with relevant agencies to gather data regarding road accidents that occur during the period.

Car accident data on Tuesday:

Top causes of accidents

• Speeding – 38.49%

• Getting cut off – 24.47%

• Drunk driving – 15.48%

Vehicle type with the most accidents

• Motorcycles – 82.73%

Where most accidents took place

• Straight roads – 86.61%

Location of most accidents

• Highways – 48.12%

• Village roads – 24.27%

Time of most accidents

• 6pm-7pm – 9.21%

Age-range of most casualties

• 40-49 – 16.79%

Chotnarin said that on Tuesday alone, up to 55,787 officials were deployed at 1,880 road checkpoints countrywide, with 365,238 vehicles being stopped.

Of a total of 54,629 who faced legal action on Tuesday, 15,873 will be charged with riding motorbikes without a helmet, 15,494 with driving without a licence, and 7,384 with breaking the speed limit, among others.

Nakhon Si Thammarat province had the highest number of road accidents with 12 recorded on Tuesday and the highest number of injuries at 12. Meanwhile, Chachoengsao and Phuket provinces had the highest number of deaths at two people each.

Over the past six days, Chotnarin said Thailand had recorded 2,201 road accidents, in which 2,197 people were injured and 282 killed.

He said that Nakhon Si Thammarat had the highest number of road accidents at 76 as well as the highest number of injuries at 81.

Meanwhile, Chiang Rai experienced the highest number of fatalities at 13 people, followed by Bangkok and Pathum Thani (11 people each).
Six provinces — Narathiwat, Bueng Kan, Phang Nga, Yala, Satun and Sukhothai — did not report any road deaths, he added.

Boontham Lertsukhikasem, director-general of DDPM and secretary-general of the centre, said that the main roads heading to the capital are mostly free of traffic, as holidayers were already back at their residences.

To report an incident, the centre can be reached via Line application @1784DDPM or contact 1784, Boontham added.

Related stories:

• Road accidents kill 40 more people on Monday as holiday death toll climbs to 263
• Thailand’s ‘7 dangerous days’ road toll rises to 218, with 66 deaths on New Year’s Day
• 214 motorists caught for drunk driving on first of Thailand’s 7 dangerous days