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https://www.nationthailand.com/thailand/general/40020641

Thailand’s bill for tackling Covid adds up to THB2.5 trillion

MONDAY, OCTOBER 03, 2022

THE NATION

The government has spent nearly 2.5 trillion baht tackling the Covid-19 crisis, the National Economic and Social Development Council (NESDC) said on Sunday.

The money, which included 1.5 trillion baht in borrowing, was spent on free treatment for all Covid-19 patients as well as stimulus schemes to soften the pandemic’s economic impact.

The battle against Covid has seen Thailand register budget deficits of 6.1 per cent in 2020, 9.1 per cent in 2021 and 4.9 per cent this year, according to the Finance Ministry.

On Sunday, NESDC secretary-general Danucha Pichayanan said about 80 per cent of the final 500 billion baht borrowed under emergency decrees has been disbursed. The rest should be disbursed by the end of this year.

The government also used 40.32 billion baht from the 2021 central budget and 16.3 billion baht from the 2022 budget to buy Covid-19 vaccines and compensate people during the pandemic. Another 37.19 billion baht from the 2020-2022 emergency budgets has gone to compensate public health professionals and national security officers.

The government also passed two decrees to soften Covid’s impact on business. The first provided 500 billion baht in soft loans to small and medium enterprises (SMEs) at 0.01 per cent interest. The second was used to establish the Corporate Bond Liquidity Stabilisation Fund to buy bonds from private companies suffering liquidity shortages. The fund has a cap of 400 billion baht.

Additional Covid budget requests will be covered by the emergency central fund in the 2023 state budget, said Danucha.

THE NATION

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https://www.nationthailand.com/thailand/general/40020636

Thailand’s ‘winter’ will start late but will last longer, says Met Dept

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 02, 2022

THE NATION

The cool season will arrive towards the end of this month and stay until late February, the Thai Meteorological Department forecast on Sunday.

The forecast said that though the cool season is starting later than usual, it will last longer this year.

During this period, temperatures in the North and Northeast may drop to as low as 8 degrees Celsius, with frost on hilltops. Greater Bangkok, meanwhile, can expect lows of 15 to 18 degrees Celsius.

The department added that though the weather will only get chilly on some days in the upper South, the region will continue being hit by heavy rain in November and December, resulting in flash floods and overflows. The worst hit will be the eastern coast of the South of Thailand.

The department also warned that more tropical storms may hit the Gulf of Thailand and the South in November and December.

THE NATION

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https://www.nationthailand.com/thailand/general/40020635

Motorist escapes death by the skin of his teeth in Nonthaburi

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 02, 2022

THE NATION

A 64-year-old motorist escaped unhurt when a pole and an acrylic wall landed on his car in Nonthaburi on Saturday evening, police said.

Police said a truck lost control at a bend of the Rama IV bridge, knocking the pole and the transparent acrylic wall off the bridge. The accident took place at 5.30pm at the top of Phumwet Road in Nonthaburi’s Pak Kret district.

The motorist, Chalong Puangla, was not injured though the windshield of his car was shattered and the edge of the left door and front bumper were damaged.

The metal pole with a solar light panel had been put up to warn motorists of the bend in the bridge, while the acrylic sheet was erected to stop vehicles from falling off the bridge.

Chalong said he was heading to the Pak Kret pier when he heard a loud bang and thought he was hit by another vehicle. However, it was not until he was alerted by a motorcycle taxi driver that he realised his car had been hit by a pole and acrylic sheet. The motorbike taxi driver helped him remove the pole and acrylic sheet from under the car.

Natthapong Kathcapong, 41, a taxi motorcyclist from a stand nearby, said he heard a loud noise and upon looking up he saw a fully loaded truck lose control at the bend and hit the pole and wall, which then fell on the car passing underneath.

Police have removed the remainder of the wall and have launched a hunt for the truck.

THE NATION

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https://www.nationthailand.com/thailand/general/40020633

Govt policies feature big in Thailand’s latest fake news list

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 02, 2022

THE NATION

Fake claims about government policy dominated social media from September 23 to 29, the Digital Economy and Society (DES) Ministry said on Sunday.

An increase in government policy-related fake news came as political tension in Thailand intensified, said DES Ministry Spokesperson Noppawan Huajaimun.

Spokesperson Noppawan Huajaimun said these fake news items were possibly sparked by the intensifying political tensions in Thailand.

Anti-government groups have launched protests against Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha winning the eight-year tenure limit case on Friday.

Fake news about Covid-19, meanwhile, has dropped significantly since the Public Health Ministry announced that the condition would be considered a “communicable disease under surveillance” from Saturday, she said.

“Of the 159 fake news items, 74 were related to government agencies, followed by 56 on healthcare products and services, 23 on natural disasters and six on the economy,” she said.

The top 10 fake news were:

• Two storms will hit the upper Northeast

• A tropical depression storm will hit Ubon Ratchathani

• Department of Employment is offering online and part-time jobs

• The Bank for Agriculture and Agricultural Cooperatives is offering emergency loans via SMS

• A mosque is spotted on a 50 baht banknote

• People can make donations to the Priest Hospital via bank account number 798-0-27740-6

• A herbal drink recipe that can cure lung cancer

• Consuming steamed mangosteen can cure cancer

• Chinese foot pads help people lose weight while sleeping

• Food supplements containing probiotics and vitamin D can cure allergies.

Fake news can be reported via https://www.antifakenewscenter.com, AFNCThailand on Twitter, the @antifakenewscenter Line account or by calling the 1111 hotline extension 87.

THE NATION

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https://www.nationthailand.com/thailand/general/40020623

Army deploys troops to defend Bangkok, central provinces against floods

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 02, 2022

THE NATION

Soldiers from the Bangkok-headquartered First Army Area are defending eight central provinces against flooding, the Army announced on Sunday.

Troops were deployed Sunday to work with government agencies and volunteers to strengthen flood defences and aid victims in the Chao Phraya basin, said the Army press release.

Army chief Gen Narongphan Jitkaewthae ordered the operations earlier this week as tropical storm Noru lashed Thailand with heavy rain and floods.

The Army said troops were deployed to clear canals and drainage channels in eight provinces, including Bangkok, Pathum Thani, Nonthaburi, Ayutthaya and Prachinburi.

The troops also reinforced embankments along major rivers to prevent flooding of communities and key roads, while helping residents to move their belongings upstairs.

In Bangkok, personnel from the First Division of the King’s Guard worked alongside Dusit district officials and volunteers to build a 200-metre-long wooden walkway in Wat Theva Ratchakhunthorn community, where the road and houses have been flooded by heavy rain and rising tides.

In Ang Thong and Ayutthaya, troops are building sandbag walls to protect communities on the Chao Phraya riverbank.

The Army said soldiers were also dispatched to help prevent flooding in Prachinburi’s Prachantakham district and Prachuap Khiri Khan’s Sam Roi Yod subdistrict.

THE NATION

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https://www.nationthailand.com/thailand/general/40020619

Trail runners rescued after flash flood hits Phu Kradueng National Park

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 02, 2022

THE NATION

About 30 trail runners in Loei’s Phu Kradueng National Park had to be rescued on Saturday night after becoming stranded by a flash flood.

Renowned athlete Itthipol Samutthong alerted authorities via Facebook that a stream had become a torrent, cutting off athletes competing in the “Ultra-Trail Phu Kradueng Wake Up Run 2022”.

Officials rushed to the scene, located about one kilometre from the finish line, and managed to secure a rope across the river.

Video footage shows the runners wading waist-deep through the strong current in the dark as they cling to the rope for safety.

Itthipol posted on Facebook again at 11.43pm, thanking officials for helping the runners out of a tight spot.

Phu Kradueng National Park chief Adisorn Hemthanon said the incident was caused by heavy rain. He added that most of those trapped were athletes who had set off on Saturday morning to run 100-kilometre and 50-kilometre routes.

“We managed to help all runners to cross the creek after the water receded at around 10pm,” he said.

More than 1,000 athletes participated in the ultra-trail run, which began at 5am on Saturday and ended 11am on Sunday.

THE NATION

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https://www.nationthailand.com/thailand/general/40020609

Thailand lifts all Covid-19 restrictions for foreign arrivals

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 01, 2022

From October 1, people entering Thailand will no longer be required to produce negative Covid-19 test results or proof of vaccination.

These relaxed entry measures are in line with the revocation of the emergency decree in force since the arrival of Covid-19 in Thailand in March 2020.

The emergency decree was extended repeatedly until the Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration decided to lift it at the end of September. The centre was also dissolved last week.

The Public Health Ministry, meanwhile, has downgraded Covid-19 to a “communicable disease under surveillance” from a “severe communicable disease”.

People entering Thailand from October 1 will no longer be required to produce negative ATK or RT-PCR test results or proof of vaccination. However, those with Covid-like symptoms will be required to undergo testing.

Those who test positive but have mild or no symptoms will not be required to be isolated but are advised to wear a mask and maintain social distancing while in public places.

Foreigners will also be allowed to stay in the country for an extra 15 days. For instance, tourists using the visa-on-arrival option can stay 30 days instead of 15, while those arriving under visa exemption rules will get a 45-day stamp on their passports instead of 30 days. This rule is applicable until March 31, 2023.

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https://www.nationthailand.com/thailand/general/40020608

Chai Nat flood rescue drama reveals grim secret

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 01, 2022

THE NATION

Images of Buddhist monks rescuing an aged man from heavy flooding in Chai Nat province went viral on Saturday with netizens commenting on the monks’ sacrifice and kindness.

It was later revealed that the monks from Wat Phai Lom were actually carrying the corpse of 98-year-old Phao Thongsa-Ad to the ambulance. Phao had died from old age earlier in the day and the ambulance could not get to his house in Sapphaya district due to heavy flooding.

Chai Nat’s Sapphaya district has been inundated since earlier this week after Chao Phraya Dam began releasing water to prepare for heavy rain expected in the North of Thailand until Monday.

The Thai Meteorological Department said on Friday that heavy rain was being brought in by the tropical storm Noru, which has weakened over Myanmar.

Many areas in Sapphaya district are underwater, including Pho Nang Kham Dock subdistrict where Wat Phai Lom is located. Many households did not have enough time to move their belongings to higher ground, especially those living along the Maharat canal.

On Saturday, acting governor Nathee Montariwat visited flood victims and provided them with survival kits. He has also instructed local officials to strengthen the levee along the Chao Phraya River to prepare for overflows.

THE NATION

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https://www.nationthailand.com/thailand/general/40020607

New mobile app for ‘most accurate’ updates, forecasts on weather/water levels

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 01, 2022

People can now use the ThaiWater mobile application to get the latest updates on water levels and weather in Thailand. The information is gathered from more than 50 agencies and organisations.

Deputy government spokesperson Rachada Dhnadirek said on Saturday that the app was developed by the Hydro-Informatics Institute (HII), which falls under the Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation Ministry.

The goal is to give the public quick access to accurate information, she added.

The app makes available updates and forecasts on rainfall; level of water in dams, reservoirs and major waterbodies; wind speed and storms.

The app provides information on a province-by-province basis and users can mark their “favourite location” for notifications. The ThaiWater mobile app is free of charge for Android and iOS systems.

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https://www.nationthailand.com/thailand/general/40020603

Phuket tourist and service worker test positive for monkeypox

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 01, 2022

THE NATION

The Public Health Ministry announced on Saturday that Thailand’s ninth and 10th monkeypox patients have been found in Phuket.

The ninth case is a 37-year-old Thai female who works in the service industry, said ministry permanent secretary Dr Opas Karnkawinpong.

She reported that she developed a fever, sore throat, and muscle aches on September 17 before breaking out in a rash that lasted until September 25.

She also said that on September 17 she had met a 54-year-old German male who developed a rash and pustules on his chest a few days later.

She visited a hospital in Phuket and was tested and diagnosed with monkeypox. The Disease Control Department then traced the German male, who was tested and confirmed to be Thailand’s 10th monkeypox case.

Opas urged people to avoid close contact with strangers or those who have a fever or skin rash. He also advised wearing face masks in public, washing hands frequently, eating freshly cooked food, and not touching sick animals.

Monkeypox virus is transmitted by close contact with infected lesions, body fluids, respiratory droplets and contaminated materials such as bedding.

Opas said tight monitoring for monkeypox was still in place with a focus on proactive screening in risky areas and speeding up lab tests for faster diagnosis.

Those who come into contact with at-risk groups or people with monkeypox symptoms are urged to visit a hospital to get tested or contact the 1442 hotline.

THE NATION