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Read this book, Thanathorn tells children and their parents

NationalJan 10. 2021Thanathorn Juangroongruangkit shows the book, ‘To Kill a Mockingbird’, which he has recommended for reading to children and adults. Photo Credit: Thanathorn’s Facebook page. 

By The Nation

The recommendation by Thanathorn Juangroongruangkit for children and adults to read the novel “To Kill a Mockingbird”, has drawn huge support from fans of the opposition leader, amid the lingering political divide between the younger generation and the elders.

“On the occasion of Children’s Day, I do not have a motto or adage but I would like to recommend that Thai children and their parents read the book ‘To Kill a Mockingbird’, which will cultivate fundamental values of democracy, and it serves everyone,” Thanathorn, a leader of the Progressive Movement, posted on his Facebook page on Saturday.

Thanathorn’s book recommendation comes as many pro-democracy leaders, including teenagers, have faced severe charges of sedition, lese majeste and violation of the emergency decree, a result of their participation in political rallies last year. The political divide has also affected Thai families as youths are fighting for true democracy while many of their parents still believe in conservative and authoritarian cultures.

As of Sunday noon, Thanathorn’s post had drawn 55,000 likes, 2,600 shares and 1,400 comments.

“To Kill a Mockingbird” is a novel by American Harper Lee and published in 1960. According to Wikipedia, the book was “instantly successful, widely read in high schools and middle schools in the United States, it has become a classic of modern American literature, winning the Pulitzer Prize. The plot and characters are loosely based on Lee’s observations of her family, her neighbours and an event that occurred near her hometown of Monroeville, Alabama, in 1936, when she was ten.

“Despite dealing with the serious issues of rape and racial inequality, the novel is renowned for its warmth and humour. Atticus Finch, the narrator’s father, has served as a moral hero for many readers and as a model of integrity for lawyers. The historian Joseph Crespino explains, ‘In the twentieth century, To Kill a Mockingbird is probably the most widely read book dealing with race in America, and its main character, Atticus Finch, the most enduring fictional image of racial heroism.”

Thanathorn added that he hoped children would grow up and keep their faith in humanity. The book is translated into Thai language by Nalunta Khupt, and is priced at Bt345, according to Thanathorn.

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Nearly 6,000 Covid-19 cases in less than a month

NationalJan 10. 2021

By The Nation

More than 5,800 people have tested positive for Covid-19 after the latest outbreak.

Dr Taweesin Visanuyothin, spokesperson of the Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration, revealed that from December 15 to January 10, 5,866 cases had been found, with most cases in Samut Sakhon, Chonburi, Rayong, Bangkok and Samut Prakan provinces.

The data corresponds with the report of the Department of Disease Control (DDC) on Saturday that seven people had died and 2,308 were being treated in hospitals with six of them needing respirators, and 1,849 were being treated in field hospitals. About 1,500 patients have recovered and been discharged.

“The number of deaths in the new outbreak is less than 1 per cent, which is considerably lower than in the first wave. Among countries in the region, Thailand’s mortality rate is similar to that of Singapore,” DDC director-general Dr Opas Karnkawinpong said yesterday.

This outbreak also marks the first time in Thailand where the recovered patients were more than new cases because most patients have relatively few symptoms, especially in the case of the central shrimp market in Samut Sakhon.

There are 20 provinces with cumulative cases of 1-10 people, 10 provinces with 11-50 patients, 10 provinces with more than 50, and 19 provinces with no cases in the past seven days; and 19 provinces had no previous cases.

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Red Cross appeals for blood donations amid depletion of reserves

NationalJan 10. 2021

By The Nation

The Thai Red Cross has appealed for blood donations as their stocks are dwindling.

“We invite people to unite in donating blood through the Covid-19 crisis as hospitals across the country are in a critical condition.”

Healthy people can donate blood on Sunday at the National Blood Center, Thai Red Cross Society.

The number of donors has dropped by 50 per cent while the mobile unit has cancelled its blood collection drives due to difficulty in travelling and Covid-19 preventive measure, Red Cross said.

Red Cross also urged blood donors to truthfully answer questions about their health and travel. “If unsure, you should temporarily refrain from donating blood for four weeks, wear a face mask every time you travel, donate blood, wash your hands frequently and keep a distance.

Donate blood at:

▪︎National Blood Service Center, Thai Red Cross Society

▪︎Blood and Plasma Donation Center, 11th Red Cross Station, Wiset Niyom and Bang Khae branch

▪︎National Blood Service Sector

▪︎Blood donation service

▪︎Provincial hospitals across the country

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Where are the smiles on Children’s Day?

NationalJan 10. 2021Some children in Pattani province celebrate Children’s Day on Saturday by swimming on a flooded road.

By The Nation

While the country marked January 9 as Children’s Day, 13 teenagers are fighting charges for engaging in political activities, the Thai Lawyers for Human Rights Centre (TLHR) said.

Children’s Day this year was in stark contrast with previous years, as a large number of school children aged under 18 years had participated in political rallies nationwide last year, the Thai Lawyers for Human Rights posted on their Facebook page on Saturday.

School children last year had called for abandoning strict rules imposed on them, such as mandatory short hair and wearing school uniforms. They had also called for upgrading education quality and demanded that teachers respect their human rights, such as freedom of expression. Their rebellion came amid repeated news reports of school teachers punishing students disproportionately, sexual harassment in schools and suppression of student political voices calling for reform in the country.

The lawyers centre found that many teenagers had been intimidated by the authorities and teachers. Some of them were expelled from their own homes by their parents.

The centre revealed that between July 18 last year to January 7 this year, 13 youths faced police actions, and police had formally charged eight of them.

Three leaders of Bad Student group were accused by police of violating the emergency decree after they gave speeches at a political rally on October 15.

Two of them faced lese majeste charges; one of them is just 16 years old.

Thanakorn, 17, faced three charges — sedition, lese majeste and violating the emergency decree. Another youth aged 17, faced four charges after participating in several rallies, according to the TLHR.

Police also arrested two youths without arrest warrants.

After being arrested, the youths were sent to the Juvenile and Family Court. And they usually face many procedures before they are released on bail. Such practices result in severe human rights violations. Adult suspects are somehow treated better than youths, according to the TLHR.

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245 new Covid-19 cases, while more than 800 have recovered today

NationalJan 10. 2021

By The Nation

The Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration (CCSA) reported 245 confirmed cases on Sunday.

The confirmed cases include 17 Thais working at an entertainment venue, who returned from Myanmar, a Thai female student from India, a Thai woman from Turkey, as well as a Hungarian man and an American man from their respective countries.

Of the cases, 74 were exposed to the virus while visiting high-risk places. Provinces with two-digit cases include Chonburi (12), Bangkok (14), and Samut Prakarn (18).

Proactive testing led to 43 positive cases being found — 23 in Samut Sakhon (one Thai and 22 migrant workers), 10 Thais in Chonburi, 4 in Samut Prakarn (one Thai and three migrant workers), and six migrant workers in Bangkok.

In addition, the source of infection of 107 cases is still being sought, most of them found in Samut Sakhon (50), Chonburi (27) and Rayong (15).

CCSA spokesperson Dr Taweesin Visanuyothin revealed that 17 patients in hospitals had entered the severe stage.

Meanwhile, 882 patients have recovered and been discharged.

The total number of confirmed cases in Thailand has increased to 10,298 – 8,157 of which were contracted domestically, including 2,791 migrant workers, and 2,141 were returnees. So far, 6,428 have recovered and been discharged, 3,803 paitents are undergoing treatment in hospitals, while 67 people have died.

According to Worldometer, as of midnight on Friday, the total number of confirmed cases globally had risen to 90 million (up by 727,131), 64.46 million have recovered, 23.68 million are active cases (108,529 in severe condition) and 1.93 million have died (up by 12,437).

Thailand ranks 129th in the global list of most cases, while the US tops the list with 22.69 million, followed by India 10.45 million, Brazil 8 million, Russia 3.37 million and the United Kingdom 3 million.

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Military officers in Tak provide face masks, handwash gel to locals

NationalJan 10. 2021

By The Nation

Naresuan Force has deployed its military officers to provide face masks and alcohol-based gels to people living near the Vachiraprakan Military Camp in Tak province.

The military officers on Sunday also advised people to follow the Public Health Ministry’s guidelines to contain the spread of Covid-19.

Tak is one of the 28 red-coded provinces where threat of infection is seen as high. The total number of Covid-19 cases currently stands at 40 people.

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Khao Kheow zoo closed until January 31

NationalJan 10. 2021

By The Nation

Khao Kheow Open Zoo in Chonburi province has been closed until January 31 due to the second wave of Covid-19.

The zoo’s assistant director, Anupong Anon, said on Saturday that the move was in response to the Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration adding Chonburi to the list of red-coded provinces where threat of infection is seen as high.

“The zoo has been closed until January 31 or until a change is made, to ensure tourists’ safety,” he said.

He added that the zoo had implemented preventive measures, such as providing cleaning areas and setting up hand sanitising points to win the confidence of tourists.

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Windy day forecast for upper Thailand; isolated thundershowers in South

NationalJan 10. 2021

By The Nation

A strong high-pressure area from China covers upper Thailand, the Thailand Meteorological Department said on Sunday.

Cool to cold weather with strong winds are likely in upper Thailand.

The weather on mountaintops will be cold to very cold with isolated frost. People in upper Thailand should watch their health due to the variable weather, the department said.

The strong northeast monsoon prevails over the Gulf of Thailand and the South, triggering strong wind waves in the Gulf of Thailand, 2-4 metres high in the lower Gulf of Thailand. People on the Southeast coast should beware of waves breaking on the shore. All ships should proceed with caution and small boats should keep ashore until January 13, the department said.

Another high-pressure area from China will extend to cover upper Thailand from January 11-13. Cool to cold weather with strong winds are likely in upper Thailand and a 2-4 degrees Celsius drop in temperature.

The weather forecast for different regions:

North: Cool to cold with 1-2°C drop in temperature; minimum temperature 13-19°C, maximum 27-31°C; cold to very cold with isolated frost on mountaintops and minimum temperature 5-14°C; northeasterly winds 10-25 kilometres per hour (kph).

Northeast: Cold with strong winds and 1-2°C drop in temperature; minimum temperature 11-13°C, maximum 23-27°C; cold to very cold on the mountaintops with minimum temperature 6-12°C; northeasterly winds 15-35kph.

Central: Cool with strong winds and 1-2°C drop in temperature; minimum temperature 16-20°C, maximum 28-32°C; northeasterly winds 10-30kph.

East: Cool with strong winds and 1-2°C drop in temperature; minimum temperature 16-20°C, maximum 28-33°C; northeasterly winds 20-35kph; waves about two metres high and above two metres offshore.

South (east coast)

Surat Thani northwards: Cool with northeasterly winds 20-40kph; waves 2-3 metres high.

Nakhon Si Thammarat southwards: Isolated thundershowers mostly in Songkhla, Pattani, Yala and Narathiwat provinces; northeasterly winds 20-45kph; waves 2-4 metres high; minimum temperature 21-25°C, maximum 28-30°C.

South (west coast): Partly cloudy with isolated thundershowers mostly in Krabi, Trang and Satun provinces; minimum temperature 21-25°C, maximum 31-33°C; northeasterly winds 15-35kph; waves 1-2 metres high and about two metres offshore.

Bangkok: Cool with strong winds and 1-2°C drop in temperature; minimum temperature 18-20°C, maximum 29-30°C; northeasterly winds 10-30kph.

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Negative Covid-19 test certificate mandatory for travellers to England

NationalJan 09. 2021

By THE NATION

Passengers arriving from all international destinations will be required to present a negative Covid-19 test result before departing for England to help protect against the new strain of coronavirus.

The British Embassy in Bangkok on Friday said

UK Transport Secretary Grant Shapps had announced that from next week inbound passengers arriving by boat, plane or train would have to take a test no more than 72 hours before departing the country they are in, to help protect against the new strains of coronavirus such as those seen in Denmark and South Africa.

The decisive action is in response to the changes seen in the transmission of the virus both domestically and across the globe, the embassy said.

Pre-departure testing will protect travel and will provide an additional layer of safety from imported cases of coronavirus on top of the mandatory 10-day quarantine for arrivals, helping identify people who may currently be infectious and preventing them from travelling to England.

A negative pre-departure test reduces the risk of someone travelling whilst infectious, acting as another safeguard to prevent imported infections, the embassy said. Passengers arriving from countries not on the government’s travel corridor list must self-isolate for 10 days regardless of their pre-departure test result to provide further robust protection from those travelling from high-risk countries.

Prior to departure, passengers will need to present proof of a negative Covid-19 test result to carriers, as well as their Passenger Locator Form. The UK Border Force will conduct spot checks on arrival in England to ensure that passengers are fully compliant.

The move further bolsters existing protective measures which helped to safely enable international travel last year, with self-isolation for new arrivals and travel corridors remaining critical in reducing the risk of imported cases from high-risk countries.

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Thai tyre exports on slippery ground as US mulls anti-dumping duty

NationalJan 09. 2021

By THE NATION

Thai exports of tyres to its biggest market could take a big hit if the United States decides to impose anti-dumping duty.

Such a move would not only affect domestic tyre manufacturers but also Chinese firms who had moved their manufacturing bases to Thailand after China had been ordered to pay the same duty by the US since 2015, said Chaiyasit Samritwanitcha, president of Rubber Product Industry Group at the Federation of Thai Industries.

The US Department of Commerce on December 29 announced that four countries — Thailand, South Korea, Taiwan and Vietnam — were under scrutiny for anti-dumping duty. The department’s final hearing will be concluded on May 13.

“The United States is our biggest automotive tyres market, and if they rule that we have to pay the anti-dumping duty they could switch to importing from our competitors, like Indonesia and India who are not yet subject to the anti-dumping duty,” he said. “The impact from the US decision could be either short or long-term, depending on their following moves. Domestic tyre manufacturers may have to look for alternative markets to make up for the loss of US orders.”

This also means that new manufacturers from China probably would no longer view Thailand as their investment destination and could move their manufacturing bases to either Indonesia or India instead,” he added.

Meanwhile, Kirati Ratchano, director-general of the Department of Foreign Trade, said that according to data from the US Department of Commerce, Thai manufacturers are subject to anti-dumping duty at 13.25 to 22.21 per cent, which is still lower than the other three countries currently under investigation. “Vietnam is reportedly subject to 22.3 per cent anti-dumping duty, while South Korea could be levied from 14 to 38 per cent and Taiwan from 52 to 98 per cent,” he said.

The Ministry of Commerce and Customs Department reported that in the first 11 months of 2020, Thailand exported vehicle tyres valued at Bt154.5 billion. Thailand’s five largest markets are: the United States (Bt77.9 billion export value), Australia (Bt6.58 billion), Japan (Bt6.03 billion), South Korea (Bt5.47 billion) and Malaysia (Bt5.01 billion).