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Cool weather and isolated rain forecast for upper Thailand, isolated heavy showers in South

NationalNov 07. 2020

By THE NATION

The Thailand Meteorological Department said on Saturday that a moderate high pressure system from China covers upper Thailand, bringing cool weather with isolated rain. The northeast monsoon prevails over the Gulf and the South leading to isolated heavy rain over the lower South.

The category 3 tropical storm “Atsani” over southwest Taiwan is expected to downgrade with no effect on Thailand, the department said.

The weather forecast for the next 24 hours:

North: Cool weather with rain in 10 per cent of the areas; minimum temperature 20-24 degrees Celsius, maximum 31-34°C.

Northeast: Cool weather with strong winds and rain in 30 per cent of the areas; minimum temperature 20-22°C, maximum 29-31°C.

Central: Cool weather in the morning with rain in 20 per cent of the areas; minimum temperature 21-23°C, maximum 33-34°C.

East: Cool weather with strong winds and rain in 30 per cent of the areas; minimum temperature 22-24°C, maximum 32-33°C; waves a metre high and 1-2 metres offshore.

South (east coast): Mostly cloudy with thundershowers in 60 per cent of the areas and isolated heavy rain; minimum temperature 23-25°C, maximum 31-33°C; waves a metre high and two metres during thundershowers.

South (west coast): Mostly cloudy with thundershowers in 40 per cent of the areas; minimum temperature 22-24°C, maximum 32-34°C; waves a metre high and two metres during thundershowers.

Bangkok and surrounding areas: Mostly cloudy with rain in 10 per cent of the areas; minimum temperature 23-24°C, maximum 33-34°C.

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Royalist actor-rescue worker Bin facing accusations of fraud

NationalNov 07. 2020Bin Bunluerit 

By THE NATION

Actor and rescue worker Bin Bunluerit has hit back at allegations of fraud during his campaign for flood victims last year, saying the money was collected legally.

Bin, who is facing online criticism for his pro-royalist leanings, said on Thursday that he ran a Facebook donation campaign to help flood victims in Ubon Ratchathani in mid-2019.

He said he raised about Bt422 million from donors across the country.

On Tuesday, the chief of Mae Rim district in Chiang Mai, Boonyarit Nipawanit, compared Bin’s case to that of social media influencer Sean Buranahiran. Sean was criticised earlier this year for raising funds for victims of forest fires in Chiang Mai province without seeking permission as per the Fundraising Control Act.

Bin has been accused of doing the same, as well as violating the Computer Crime Act and committing fraud.

On Thursday, he admitted to being surprised at the size of donations, since his previous campaign for Phitsanulok flood victims had received only about Bt1 million.

He added that he would admit his guilt if any wrongdoing had occurred.

Some social media users voiced suspicion over a luxury Bt1-milllion watch Bin was spotted wearing in an advert, suggesting it was purchased with funds from the donation campaign.

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New Thai-made rapid Covid test to slash screening costs

NationalNov 06. 2020Photo credit: Hfocus.org 

By The Nation

Thailand has developed its first rapid test for Covid-19 that provides results within a day, boosting the country’s fight against the disease.

Developed by the Medical Sciences Department, the new tests could cost as little as Bt100 each once commercially produced, compared to Bt300-Bt500 for imported versions.

The Thai-made rapid test kits use the immunoaffinity method to read serum samples from plasma and blood from the fingertips, explained Supakit Sirilak, department acting director-general.

Once approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the test kits will be used by clinicians to screen people who have had symptoms for more than 15 days.

Produced in conjunction with Siam BioScience, they use the real-time RT PCR technique, recognised by the World Health Organisation.

Currently, 236 Covid-19 laboratories nationwide are checking more than 20,000 samples per day – 10,000 daily in Bangkok alone.

The new test kit is more than 90 per cent accurate, with FDA approval expected to take about one month. The department has a production capacity of 3,000 tests per week but is ready to transfer the technology to commercial producers.

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Chaiyaphum livestock cordoned off for 30 days to prevent spread of disease

NationalNov 06. 2020

By The Nation

Hand, foot and mouth disease, also known as hoof-and-mouth disease, has been found among livestock in Chaiyaphum province, prompting the Department of Livestock Development to ban the transportation of animals for 30 days.

On Tuesday, a cow was found dead from the disease in the province, forcing the area to be cordoned off while other animals are being vaccinated to control the infection.

Srisamai Chotivanich, the department’s provincial chief, said cattle will be vaccinated for hoof-and-mouth disease as well as for haemorrhagic septicemia.

She also warned farmers to move their livestock to dry areas to prevent further spread of the infection, which can last longer in low temperatures.

Infected animals are usually listless, with no appetite and develop sores in the mouth and feet. They often become weak and succumb to other infections.

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Covid takes 1.5% bite out of Thai chicken exports

NationalNov 06. 2020

By THE NATION

The volume of Thai frozen-and-processed chicken exports fell 0.9 per cent to 618,000 tonnes in the first eight months (January-August) from last year, said Kukrit Areepakorn, head of the Thai Broiler Processing Exporters Association. Meanwhile the total value fell 1.5 per cent to Bt72.2 billion.

“Demand in Japan, South Korea, Malaysia and the European Union has dropped due to Covid-19 restrictions shutting restaurants,” he explained. “The situation is even worse in Japan, our biggest export market, since they called off the 2020 Olympic Games meaning they cancelled orders of chicken from us that were expected to feed participants and tourists.”

However, he said demand has risen continually in Chinese markets as an outbreak of African Swine Fever there has driven people to consume chicken instead of pork.

“But Chinese consumers prefer chicken’s feet and wings – parts for which Thailand still has a lower production capacity than the US and Brazil, who are our main competitors in China.”

Chicken prices in two of Thailand’s major markets had also fallen since early 2020, he said. “In Japan, which takes 45 per cent of Thailand’s chicken exports, the price has dropped from $2,500-$2,800 per tonne to $2,100 per tonne. Prices in the European Union, which takes 34 per cent of our exports, have fallen from $3,000 per tonne to $2,500-$2,600 per tonne.”

He said the association might have to revise downwards its current 2020 projection of 980,000 tonnes of chicken worth Bt120 billion.

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‘Catch me if you can’ dares Nakhon Ratchasima thief

NationalNov 06. 2020

By THE NATION

In an incident reminiscent of the Hollywood thriller “Catch Me If You Can”, a man made off with a handbag in Nakhon Ratchasima and then called back to say nobody could catch him.

Reporters visited the resort in Sikhiu district where the incident took on Friday.

The resort owner, Pranom Jiamsranoi, 63, said the thief was recorded on CCTV entering her office at about 5am on Wednesday and making off with her handbag, which contained Bt800 in cash and cards. She had left the office unlocked.

Her bag and cards were found abandoned nearby and the thief called the resort in the afternoon.

“The man said I’m not afraid and you can’t catch me,” Pranom said, adding that she asked the man to return her money.

The resort owner later filed a police complaint.

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Treasury housing project aimed at the elderly opens for reservation on Nov 9

NationalNov 06. 2020Photo credit : Facebook กรมธนารักษ์ 

By The Nation

A Thai Treasury property meant for senior citizens will open for reservation on November 9.

The project “Rama-Treasury Residence for the elderly” offers accommodation priced at Bt1.82 million per unit.

The Treasury Department signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on August 14 with the Faculty of Medicine, Ramathibodi Hospital, Mahidol University, Government Housing Bank, Government Savings Bank, Krungthai Bank Pcl and Treasury Asset Development Co Ltd of the Bank of Thailand. The residential facility for the elderly, located in Bang Phli district in Samut Prakan province, will soon open for reservation, Treasury Department director-general Yutthana Yimkarun said.

Reservation can be made from November 9-30 with unit prices ranging from Bt1.82 million to Bt2.99 million (including furniture and electrical appliances), Yutthana said.

Booking can be made in two ways:

Through the Internet. The elderly or their representatives can apply and upload required documents through the website of the Treasury Department at https://www.treasury.go.th, or the Treasury Office in Samut Prakan Area at https://samutprakan.treasury.go.th, as well as the website of the project partner network including Faculty of Medicine, Ramathibodi Hospital Mahidol University at https://med.mahidol.ac.th, and Dhanarak Asset Development Co at https://www.dad.co.th.

Or, they can reserve through assigned staff (walk-in) at the Treasury Department or Dhanarak Asset Development on week days.

To be eligible, the person has to be a Thai national, aged at least 58 on the date of reservation, or 60 years or more as of the actual date of residence. They must be healthy, relying on themselves, and not have a disease or disease symptoms that can impede their occupation in the project area according to the opinion of the Faculty of Medicine, Ramathibodi Hospital Mahidol University.

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Debt clinics will not clear your debts, only make payments easy: ministry

NationalNov 06. 2020

By THE NATION

The Digital Economy and Society Ministry has warned people not to believe or spread rumours that the Bank of Thailand’s “Debt Clinic by SAM” will help pay off debts below Bt2 million.

The debt clinics have been organised in cooperation with Sukhumvit Asset Management (SAM).

“The ministry’s Anti-Fake News Centre contacted the Bank of Thailand to verify this information and was told it is not true,” the ministry said. “Under this campaign, SAM does not provide loans to people who have debts of less than Bt2 million.”

It explained that for each approved applicant, SAM will combine their debts from different sources, such as credit cards, cash cards and personal loans, into a single account. This deal only covers people who owe no more than Bt2 million in total.

“This will allow applicants to continuing paying their debts at a reduced rate of interest instead of paying several creditors, each of whom have their own interest rate,” it said.

Call the Bank of Thailand’s 1213 hotline or visit www.bot.or.th for more information. Fake news can be reported via www.antifakenewscenter.com.

Related Story: SAM sets up debt clinics to help ease suffering of overwhelmed debtors

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Phuket’s tram plan may be replaced with electric bus rapid transit

NationalNov 06. 2020

By The Nation

Transport Minister Saksayam Chidchob on Thursday reported on the progress of the mass transit system (tram) for Phuket province at the mobile Cabinet meeting in the province.

The pilot tram route was planned from Phuket International Airport to Ha Yaek Chalong, a distance of 41.7 kilometres, with a

budget of approximately Bt35 billion.

Initially, the ministry had given the Mass Rapid Transit Authority of Thailand (MRTA) to consider adjusting the operating system to reduce construction costs due to the fact that large cities in foreign countries have adapted to use rubber-wheeled electric vehicles (EV) since they can save more than Bt10 billion in construction costs and cheaper fare.

However, the MRTA is still in the process of designing the project details. Therefore, the project can still be improved. The draft terms of reference do not specify that it must be developed into a train tram only. So, as time changes, It should be replaced by the traditional bus that is less expensive and worthwhile.

According to the latest study, only about 39,000 passengers per day were found to be using the system.

In this regard, the adjustment of the bus system will take less time to consider suitable alternative transportation systems. The plan seems to have been changed to a Bus Rapid Transit (BRT), but with electric vehicles (EVs) run on the centre of the road. It is expected to be proposed to the Cabinet for approval within this year and open for service in 2026.

“Using road medians should not be a problem. The MRTA has discussed with the Department of Highways to dismantle the road medians, rework the road surface and use the barrier between the lanes of the BRT bus and general cars,” said Saksayam.

He also said to use the road median area to develop the BRT bus route, the MRTA must study the opportunity to develop a commercial area or further adjustment.

The distance is approximately 42km and has 21 stations. In the future, there are plans for this project to connect with trains going to Phang Nga at Phuket Airport to facilitate travel for people and tourists travelling to Phang Nga province.

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Prayut challenges his successor to be greater, better, more honest

NationalNov 06. 2020

By The Nation

Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha has issued a challenge, saying the person who succeeds him should be greater, better and more honest.

According to Matichon, the premier made this declaration in a keynote address at the Thailand National Defence College on Thursday. Though media were not allowed to attend the event, a video recording of the speech was released.

In the speech, Prayut said the country’s educational system was not bad, but it focused far too much on academics, when people should be educated about patriotism, history and loyalty.

“I hope the person who comes after me will be greater, better and more honest or as honest as me,” he said, adding that he was tired and bored of using his authority and power.

He said he had used his power to “nurture good people and punish bad people”, which was a really tough job.

Prayut wrapped up by saying he does not understand why people keep saying he has exploited his power, when he has done everything according to law.