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Thai virus restrictions leave 700,000 migrants out of work, in limbo: MWG

NationalDec 17. 2020

By The Nation

The Migrant Working Group (MWG) has outlined hardships facing an estimated 700,000 migrant workers who have lost their jobs during the Covid-19 crisis in Thailand.

Government restrictions had seen borders close and many migrant-employing businesses collapse, MWG representative Adisorn Kerdmongkol told a press conference marking International Migrants Day on Wednesday (December 16).

Many migrant workers had been laid off, some without compensation from either their employer or the Social Security Fund, he said. Accessing state aid was difficult or impossible for these people.

Meanwhile many laid off migrant workers are unable to find new employers within the 30-day deadline since the law requires proof that their contract was terminated by the original employer.

Also, said Adisorn, the government still lacks clarity on managing migrant workers waiting to enter Thailand to support the economic recovery after restrictions were eased. More than 100,000 migrant workers are currently waiting to enter the country, 69,235 with work permits and visas and 42,168 registered with Thai businesses.

“Most migrant workers who have applied under the MoU system have already borrowed money to travel to Thailand. Unable to travel to work, their debt burdens is are rising,” he said.

The lack of clear and safe guidelines for importing workers was also causing labour shortage problems, he added.

“As a result, the number of migrant workers being smuggled into Thailand is rising.”

Meanwhile 632,833 migrant workers have fallen out of the health system, according to MWG health expert Chuwong Saenkong.

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Workers whose health insurance expires during the Covid-19 situation can’t renew their policies due to difficulties in travelling to complete the process.

Education of migrant children has also suffered during the pandemic. According to a 2018 estimate, there are 300,000 migrant children in Thailand. Only 97,145 are in state schools while most study in migrant learning centres with no legal status.

Siwawong Suktawee, a consultant for the Foundation for Rural Youth (FRY), said the learning centres can be forced to close at any time. “How to make learning centres a sustainable and alternative solution is an important question,” he emphasised.

Also, many foreign students who return home during the holidays are unable to return because they cannot afford quarantine and travel costs. Others who remain in Thailand cannot go to schools as their parents’ financial status is affected. “Without government support, these students may have to quit schools and end up becoming child workers,” he said.

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Communication lines to be buried in bid to make Bangkok a smart city

NationalDec 16. 2020

By The Nation

From next year, many Bangkok roads will be free of the ugly power and communication lines that hang overhead at dangerous angles.

Digital Economy and Society Minister Buddhipongse Punnakanta handed over the plan to TOT acting president Morakot Thienmontree on Wednesday morning. The plan requires the reorganisation of communication lines in inner Bangkok, namely in Pathum Wan and Bang Rak districts, including Lang Suan Road, at the top of Soi Saladaeng and Soi Convent.

The minister said this policy supports the goal of turning Bangkok into a smart metropolis and expects the project to be completed by August 2021.

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Pao Tang app crashes as millions try to register for 2nd phase of subsidy scheme

NationalDec 16. 2020

By The Nation

The Pao Tang app crashed on Wednesday after millions tried to register for the second phase of the government’s shopping subsidy scheme.

Close to five million people had registered for the co-payment scheme within two hours, though many complained they were having technical problems.

Later, Krungthai Bank (KTB) announced on its website that it had closed the application temporarily for some tweaks and expects it to start working again after 2.30pm.

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Udon Thani residents shaken by third assault attempt

NationalDec 16. 2020

By The Nation

After a couple of random brutal attacks over the past two weeks, Udon Thani residents were further shaken when a woman reported that two men charged at her and her mother with a knife on Monday evening.

Chawanlak Phattatrakul, 24, shared her experience on Facebook, which drew the attention of netizens before police stepped in to investigate.

She said she was on a motorbike with her mother when two men on another motorbike approached them, and the man riding pillion pulled out a knife demanding they stop.

However, she said, her mother sped off screaming for help and the offenders fled.

People in the province are concerned about their safety as this is the third time this month that armed men have attacked people in public.

On December 5, a man under the influence of drugs killed two people and injured six, and then again on December 12, a man attacked a Grab employee with a knife on a busy street.

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Plan to bring together accreditation agencies set to miss 2020 deadline

NationalDec 16. 2020

By THE NATION

The National Bureau of Agricultural Commodity and Food Standards’ (ACFS) plan to combine accreditation bodies of four ministries and work together as one entity within this year is likely to miss its deadline.

Meanwhile, the National Economic and Social Development Council (NESDC) has suggested that the timeframe be extended so related agencies can adjust their work process and strategy.

ACFS secretary-general Pisal Pongsapich said the plan is to bring together four accreditation entities, namely the Industry Ministry’s Thai Industrial Standard Institute; the Public Health Ministry’s Department of Medical Sciences; the Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation Ministry’s Department of Science Service; and the Agriculture and Cooperatives Ministry’s National Bureau of Agricultural Commodity and Food Standards.

“The merger was to be completed before the end of 2020, with the Industry Ministry as the main responsible agency,” he said.

“However, the project has yet to take shape as the four agencies have always worked independently.”

The objective of the merger is to cut down on overlapping procedures and create a single platform for the accreditation of all industrial and agricultural products, Pisal added. The new entity will work under the supervision of an executive committee, which will comprise high-ranking officials from the four ministries.

Pisal added that the NESDC has said this project requires further discussion among stakeholders and that more time should be granted to the different agencies so they can adjust their strategy and work procedures.

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Tak big bike, pick-up truck crash claims one

NationalDec 16. 2020

By The Nation

A pick-up truck and a big bike burst into flames when they slammed into each other in Tak province on Tuesday night.

Police were notified of the accident at about 8.30pm and arrived to find the two vehicles burning and the body of the motorbike rider on the side of the road.

The body has been sent to hospital for autopsy.

Police believe the driver of the pick-up managed to jump out in time, but the motorbike rider died from the impact of the crash.

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Police find huge cache of drugs awaiting shipment to Taiwan

NationalDec 16. 2020

By The Nation

Police found 300 kilograms of ketamine in a warehouse raid in Nonthaburi province on Tuesday, which led them to another location in Bangkok’s Huai Khwang district where 228kg of heroin was hidden.

The Narcotics Suppression Bureau learned the drugs were to be shipped to Taiwan and arrested a 29-year-old woman named Saowapha Nasalee for possessing illegal substances with the intention the sell.

The operation was conducted in collaboration with Taiwan’s Criminal Investigation Bureau.

The suspect has allegedly told police that the owner of the house in Huai Khwang had hired her to pack the drugs. Police have learned that this man lives near Prachachuen Road in Bangkok and will trace his connection to the drug trade.

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BTS Green Line extension, BMA Gold Line now officially open

NationalDec 16. 2020Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha

By The Nation
Photos by Korbphuk Phromrekha

The BTS Green Line extension, from Phaholyothin 59 to Khu Khot station, and Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA)’s Gold Line from Krung Thonburi to Klong San stations were officially launched on Wednesday.

At the launching ceremony, Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha said the Green Line extension was in line with his government’s target to make travel more convenient as well as to reduce the air pollution and traffic congestion.

“We hope people will enjoy using these services,” he said.

Meanwhile, Bangkok Governor Aswin Kwanmuang said the BTS Green Line has been at the heart of Bangkok’s mass transit system for more than 20 years, since it was developed in 1999.

“This line connects with the Airport Rail Link, MRT Blue Line and BMA Gold Line, and is expected to accommodate more than 1.5 million people daily,” he said.

The Green Line will connect with the MRT Pink Line from Khae Rai to Minburi and the MRT Yellow Line from Lat Phrao to Samrong by 2022.

He added that rides on the BTS Green Line extension, from Phaholyothin 59 to Khu Khot stations, will be free from Wednesday 1pm to New Year’s Day.

“The BMA Gold Line will also offer free rides from Wednesday 1pm to January 15, after which fares will be set at Bt15,” he added.

The BTS Green Line extension covers seven stations, namely Phaholyothin 59, Sai Yud, Saphan Mai, Bhumibol Adulyadej Hospital, Royal Thai Air Force Museum, Yaek Kor Por Aor and Khu Khot.

The BMA Gold Line covers three stations, namely Krung Thonburi, Charoen Nakhon and Khlong San.

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15 Covid cases found in quarantine

NationalDec 16. 2020

By The Nation

The Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration on Wednesday reported 15 new cases in quarantine over a 24-hour period.

The latest cases are both Thai and foreigners from abroad undergoing quarantine in Bangkok, Samut Prakan and Chon Buri:

> A stewardess, aged 29, and a male British adviser, 43, who arrived from the United Arab Emirates.

> A woman, 27, from Hong Kong.

> A 32-year-old male chef assistant at supermarket in Hungary.

> A male student, 28, and a man, 20, from the United Kingdom.

> A masseuse, 40, from Bahrain.

> A 42-year-old male tunnel construction worker, and an Indian businessman, 31.

> A female chef, 52, from the United States.

> A Brazilian man, 32, and a French female teacher, 48, who arrived from their respective countries.

> Three women, aged 24, 33 and 34, working at an entertainment venue in Myanmar.

Meanwhile, 28 patients have recovered and been discharged.

As of Wednesday, the number of confirmed cases in Thailand has increased to 4,261 (1,267 in state quarantine). Of these, 224 are in hospital and 3,977 have recovered and been discharged. The death toll remains at 60.

According to Worldometer, as of 10am the number of confirmed global cases has risen to 73.8 million (increasing by 587,137). Of these, 51.81 million have recovered, 20.34 million are active cases (117,877 in severe condition) and 1.64 million have died (an increase of 12,635).

Thailand ranks a safe 152nd for most cases in the world. The US has the most number, with 17.14 million, followed by India 9.93 million, Brazil 6.97 million, Russia 2.7 million and France 2.39 million.

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Slight improvement in haze situation

NationalDec 16. 2020

By The Nation

The unhealthy haze situation in the capital has improved slightly, though records show that the level of PM2.5 dust particles in 39 areas exceeded the safety standard.

Bangkok’s Air Quality and Noise Management Division reported on its official Facebook page that a record at 7am on Wednesday revealed the dust content has lessened from previous days in which “still air” led to haze in the city.

The average level of PM2.5 was in the range of 24-98 microgrammes per cubic metre, which means the air will mildly affect residents’ health.

However, some areas are still experiencing high air pollution, such as Nong Khaem district, where the air is not completely safe for breathing.