#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/national/40019752

Thailand’s space agency will support the Royal Thai Armed Forces under a technology-sharing agreement announced on Monday.

Under the agreement, the Geo-Informatics and Space Technology Development Agency (GISTDA) will share surveillance and other data to enhance national security and support missions by the military, GISTDA spokesman Siam Lawawirojwong said.

The space agency will also boost skills among military personnel to protect Thailand’s interests over land, sea, air and space, he added.

GISTDA is currently developing the THEOS-2 satellite to replace its earlier-generation THEOS satellites.

Under the collaboration, the geo-informatics and space databases of both agencies will be linked. This will “create a seamless and more comprehensive network of information to benefit Thai people’s daily life, especially in natural disaster protection and mitigation, and surveillance to prevent insurgent attacks in strategic areas”, Siam said, referring to conflict in the deep South.

He explained that the Royal Thai Armed Forces was engaged in missions to defend against various threats, both domestic and foreign.

“These missions require constant support from other agencies, especially in high technology, to maintain the efficiency of our national security at international standards in an ever-changing world,” he said.

Published : September 05, 2022

By : THE NATION

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/national/40019748

Traffic police will not enforce the new hefty fines against traffic violators for three months while a public awareness campaigns is carried out about the new traffic law and the new fine rates, a senior police officer said on Monday.

Pol Maj-General Preecha Charoensahayanon, deputy director of the Traffic Management Centre of the Royal Thai Police, said although the new traffic law took effect on Monday, he has instructed traffic police nationwide to use the old fine rates for three months.

During the three-month period, traffic police would also educate traffic violators about the heavier penalties that are actually designed to protect motorists against road accidents, Preecha added.

He said although the maximum fines for violating speed limits and traffic lights would be 4,000 baht, police would be fining the violators 500 baht during the three-month period, Preecha said.

“This will give enough time to motorists to adapt themselves and obey the new traffic law,” Preecha said.

After the three-month leniency period, they would use ladder-step fines for offences related to pedestrians’ safety, such as violation of the zebra-crossing sign, red light, and failing to use a safety belt or failing to wear crash helmets in the case of motorcyclists, Preecha added.

The step-fines would start from 500 baht and would increase to 1,000 baht for the second violation of the same offence, he said.

He said police would record the number of violations of each type of offence on the online Police Ticket Management system. The system would state the fine rates for use nationwide, he added.

Preecha said records of drunk-driving before September 5 would not be counted in the new fine system but police would start counting the number of drunk driving occasions from Monday.

The new fine rates for traffic violations include:

– 5,000 to 10,000 baht and/or three-month imprisonment for racing on roads

– 10,000 to 20,000 baht and/or six-month imprisonment for organising road racing

– 2,000 baht for failing to use safety belts. Passengers in all seats must use safety belts.

– 5,000 to 20,000 baht and/or one-year imprisonment for first-time drunk driving.

– 50,000 to 100,000 baht and two-year imprisonment for repeating drunk driving offence within two years

– 4,000 baht for violation of speed limits

– 4,000 baht for violation of red light

– 4,000 baht for failing to stop for pedestrians at zebra crossing

– 2,000 baht for driving against the traffic flow

– 2,000 baht for violation of parking ban

– 2,000 baht for failing to wear crash helmet

– 5,000 to 20,000 baht and/or one-year imprisonment for reckless driving endangering others’ life.

Published : September 05, 2022

By : THE NATION

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/national/40019745

Pattaya residents woke up to find many roads underwater on Monday morning after heavy rain and strong wind battered the city on Sunday night.

People waded through floodwater up to 30 centimetres deep on roads such as South Pattaya, Pattaya Beach, Walking Street and Soi Buakhao. Many routes were impassable to traffic, cutting off some areas of the city. Meanwhile, officials deployed barricades at entrances to heavily flooded roads with signs barring entry to small vehicles.

City authorities also warned people to look out for poisonous animals such as snakes entering their homes to escape the flood.

Many restaurants and businesses on South Pattaya Road were shut on Monday morning after being flooded overnight. Some managed to open after sandbag barricades around their entrances proved effective in keeping the water out.

On Monday, the Thailand Meteorological Department forecast isolated heavy to very heavy rain for most of Thailand until Saturday due to a strong monsoon depression over the lower North, upper Central and Northeast regions. It said the southwest monsoon prevailing over the South is also strengthening.

Published : September 05, 2022

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/national/40019744

A sculpture of “a thin buffalo carrying a rice bag” went viral among netizens recently, as it was seen as reflective of Thailand’s economic situation when people are working hard for low income.

The sculptor, Thanawat Pongkaew, a student at Rajamangala University of Technology Rattanakosin’s Poh-Chang Academy of Arts, said the inspiration for the sculpture was derived from the current economic situation when many people were struggling to earn a living.

He said the buffalo represents his childhood memory when buffaloes were forced to plough plantations for people, adding that the buffalo clearly reflects the oppression of labour over time.

“I want this sculpture to reflect the current economic situation that isn’t different from the past,” he said.

He said many people were forced to work hard and bear a lot of expense burden for their family, but they were not happy at all.

He revealed that he was working and studying at the same time as he believes that this way he would be able to improve his quality of life.

Published : September 05, 2022

By : THE NATION

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/national/40019740

Lab results show a suspected Guinean national does not have monkeypox, the Department of Disease Control (DDC) said on Monday.

Dr Jakrat Phittayawong-anon, chief of DDC’s Epidemiology Bureau, said the 26-year-old man was isolated as a monkeypox suspect after he showed some symptoms.

He was admitted to Phra Nang Klao Hospital in Nonthaburi on Saturday when he came to seek treatment for blisters in his genitals. He also told authorities that he had engaged the services of a sex worker in Bangkok’s Khao San Road about a week ago.

He said he had arrived directly from Guinea in Africa on March 28.

Dr Suphakit Sirilak, DDC’s director-general, said the number of monkeypox cases remains unchanged at seven since the first case was found in July. The last patient was a 37-year-old Thai woman who had had sexual intercourse with a foreigner. Lab results confirmed her infection on August 27.

Of the seven cases reported in Thailand, three are foreign arrivals and four are locals who had come in contact with foreigners. Four patients have been cured and discharged from the hospital, while three are still being treated.

The monkeypox virus can be spread by touching the rash, pustules or body fluids of a patient, eating uncooked meat and coming in contact with rodents or primates that are carrying the virus.

DDC advises travellers to places where monkeypox is prevalent to avoid touching animals, body fluids or having sexual intercourse with untested persons. It also advises people to always wear a face mask in public, wash hands regularly and eat freshly cooked food.

People who find blisters, rashes or pustules on their body along with symptoms like fever, headache, muscle ache and swollen lymph nodes are advised to get tested immediately or call the DDC hotline at 1422.

Published : September 05, 2022

By : THE NATION

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/national/40019739

A fishing boat went up in flames at Saksit Phithak pier in Songkhla’s Muang district at 5.30am on Monday, and though firefighters arrived immediately, they were unable to save it.

The blaze, which took three fire trucks about two hours to put out, completely decimated the boat named “Hong Yok 6”.

The fire was difficult to control due to the fuel stored inside and strong winds. Also, since the fire trucks could not get close to the scene, firefighters had to pull their hoses from a distance of more than 200 metres.

Investigators are inspecting the wreckage to determine the cause of the blaze.

Published : September 05, 2022

By : THE NATION

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/national/40019735

It took rescuers nearly three hours to pull a trail runner out of a 200-metre-deep chasm in Rayong’s Muang district on Sunday morning.

The man was participating in the “Peak Mountain Khao Yaida Trail 2022” marathon.

The runner had reportedly fainted while falling, so rescuers had to go down and give him oxygen before pulling him out of the crevasse. The rescue effort took time and was tough because of the chasm’s depth and the victim’s large body.

The runner, later identified as Sumeth Trakulhiran, 30, gained consciousness after the rescue and was taken to Bangkok Hospital Rayong for treatment.

His parents, who were at the foot of the Khao Yaida mountain observing the rescue, said their son loves running and had participated in many running events earlier.

The victim’s mother, meanwhile, complained that the organisers were very slow in responding to the accident.

Event organiser Kitpong Chawaldit said the medical team had rushed to the scene as soon as the accident took place, but the operation took time due to the chasm’s depth.

He also confirmed that medical teams had been stationed at all risky spots and were ready to provide assistance to all participants.

Published : September 05, 2022

By : THE NATION

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/national/40019733

As of Monday, all car passengers will be required to wear seat belts or face a fine of 2,000 baht.

This is in line with the 13th amendment to Article 123 of the 1979 Land Traffic Act and applies to vehicles with no more than seven seats. This rule also covers backseat passengers on four-door pick-up trucks.

However, passengers in an extended cab or flatbed of pick-up trucks are not expected to wear seatbelts, provided the number of passengers does not exceed the safety limit.

The Royal Thai Police said the safety limit of rear bed passengers is being considered by relevant agencies and will be announced by December 4.

Metropolitan Police deputy chief Pol Maj-General Jirasan Kaewsaeng-Ake said initially police officers will focus on issuing warnings and fines will only be considered on a case-by-case basis.

Two new clauses are planned for the 13th amendment, namely car seats or specialised seats for children under the age of six and passengers under 135 centimetres tall must wear a seatbelt or use a special seat to prevent injuries in case of an accident.

These clauses will not go into effect until authorities reduce the tax on car seats and announce details of requirements, which will also be finalised before December 4.

Published : September 05, 2022

By : THE NATION

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/national/40019730

Most of Thailand will be hit with isolated heavy to very heavy rain until Saturday, the Meteorological Department said on Monday.

The rain is brought by the strong monsoon trough lying across the lower North, upper Central and Northeast region, while the southwest monsoon prevailing over the Andaman Sea, South and Gulf of Thailand is also strengthening.

People are warned to beware of flash floods, runoffs and overflows, especially along waterways, near foothills and lowlands. Boats and ships have been advised to proceed with caution and keep out of thundershowers.

The typhoon Hinnamnor on the east of Taiwan is forecast to move to the south of the Korean peninsula and Japan without affecting Thailand.

Scattered to fairly widespread thundershowers with isolated heavy to very heavy rain has been forecast for Greater Bangkok, North, Northeast, East, South and Central regions from Monday to Saturday.

The temperature is expected to vary between a low of 21 to 28 degrees and high of 27 to 37 degrees Celsius.

The coastal region on the East of Thailand will see up to 3-metre high waves, which will become higher in thundershowers.

The east coast of the South will see waves of 1 to 2 metres high, and higher in thundershowers. Meanwhile, on the southern west coast, from Phuket upwards, the waves are expected to be about 2 to 3 metres high and over 3 metres high in thundershowers. From Krabi downwards, waves will be 2 metres high and higher in thundershowers.

Published : September 05, 2022

By : THE NATION

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/national/40019727

A social media influencer famous for helping underprivileged people has admitted he was duped by a Cambodian beggar who reportedly earns over 150,000 baht a month in Thailand.

Gunnathat Pongpaiboonwet, better known as Gun Jompalang, said on Saturday he had decided to help a male beggar nicknamed “Uncle V” who was seen at Wat Sri Amata Nakhon in Phan Thong district, Chonburi. Writing on Facebook, Gun explained he was saddened by photos posted online of an old man bent in a V-shape due to his disability. In a bid to help, he contacted friends and the social development and human security office in Chonburi.

But an hour later, Gun informed his Facebook followers that he had been fooled.

Gun said he contacted the Chonburi social development office, who identified the man as Cambodian national Gome Phormee, 47. The office said the man had repeatedly sneaked across the border with his wife, daughter and mother-in-law. He was arrested and deported three times in 2015 before being arrested again on Saturday.

The Thai Rath news website reported that Gome and his family members earned about 5,000 baht per day begging separately at various markets. It added that his disability was genuine but did not prevent him from walking.

Locals told Thai Rath that the man had been begging in the locale for 10 years but lived a good life with money to buy expensive shrimp, among other things.

Police arrested Gome, his wife and daughter and detained them at the Muang Chon Buri police station pending deportation. The mother-in-law was found with legal travel documents so will not be deported.

Published : September 04, 2022

By : THE NATION