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https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/national/40019619

A school in Nakhon Si Thammarat won plaudits from netizens for its measures to keep young kids safe from being trapped inside its school vans.

Boriboon Witaya School, which runs kindergarten and primary school classes, came in for praise after the Drama Addict Facebook page shared photos of the school’s vans and measures undertaken to prevent possible tragic death.

Drama Addict, which is a popular page on social issues, shared the school’s post on Wednesday, a day after a 7-year-old second grader of a school in Chonburi’s Phan Thong district was found dead after she was left inside a school van.

The driver, who is also a teacher, found the girl lifeless at 4pm when he was about to get ready to drive students back home after class.

He had forgotten to check the interior of his van after transporting students to school in the morning and had locked it, police said. The girl died of suffocation from heat and a lack of oxygen.

In the post, Boriboon Witaya School showed photos of its school vans parked in a row with their back and side doors left open as part of the measures to keep students from being locked or trapped inside.

The school said the teacher assigned to each van would check each student’s name from a list as they get in and out.

The driver then makes it a point to check the interior of his van before cleaning it. The vehicle’s doors are always left open when parked just in case a student is accidentally left inside, the school added.

As of Thursday afternoon, the post garnered more than 29,000 likes and over 10,000 comments and was shared over 12,000 times.

“Good, simple and correct,” one netizen commented.

“Lovely, this will give parents peace of mind. This method is the best,” another commented.

“That’s right. Why should the doors of school vans be locked when the vehicles are parked inside a school?” yet another commented.

According to Channel 3, there were 129 reported incidents of school children being left inside vehicles from 2014 to 2020. Six were killed from 2016 to 2020. Here are five incidents:

– May 11, 2016: a three-year-old girl was left inside a van on the way to a nursery in Samut Prakan. The van had a malfunctioning air-conditioner and students were relocated to another vehicle, but the three-year-old victim was unfortunately forgotten inside the van.

– July 31, 2017: a 6-year-old first grader of a school in Ayutthaya was found left in a pickup truck that was modified to transport children. The kid was trapped inside a space behind the driver. He died three days later.

– August 15, 2018: a van driver left a 3-year-old girl inside his vehicle after driving children to a school in Pattani’s Sai Buri district.

– June 18, 2018: a five-year-old girl was trapped inside the space behind the driver’s seat of a pickup truck used to transport students. The teacher forgot she was inside after helping other kids leave the vehicle at a nursery in Khon Kaen.

– August 11, 2020: a 2-year-old boy was left inside a school van belonging to a nursery in Nakhon Si Thammarat. The van was left parked under the sun from 7.30am to 1.30pm. The boy died four days later.

Published : September 01, 2022

By : THE NATION

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/national/40019616

Thailand has successfully reined in lumpy skin disease (LSD) afflicting cattle, Agriculture and Cooperatives Minister Chalermchai Srion announced on Thursday.

He said the number of reported LSD cases had declined substantially this year when compared to 2021.

This year’s average monthly incidents numbered 389, down by as much as 99.4 per cent from 62,654 last year.

Between January 1 and August 30, only 3,115 cattle were reported to be ill from LSD, most of which were young animals that had not been vaccinated, Chalermchai said.

“This success resulted from the Department of Livestock Development’s strict and continued measures in controlling the lumpy skin disease, as well as good cooperation from cattle raisers,” said the agriculture minister.

Department director-general Sorravis Thaneto said on Thursday that his agency had implemented five key measures in an effort to control LSD in the country. They are close monitoring, strict control of cattle movement, reduction of insects that are potential carriers, proper treatment of animals falling ill from the disease, and cattle vaccination.

LSD is a devastating disease in cattle and buffaloes. The disease causes large skin nodules covering the entire body, poor milk production and miscarriage. However, the morbidity rate varies from 10 to 20 per cent, with low mortality.

The first outbreak in Thailand was reported in March 2021 in northeastern Roi Et province. Another outbreak was reported in Nakhon Phanom, also in the Northeast, two months later.

Last year, the Department of Livestock Development imported 5.36 million doses of LSD vaccines and received another 700,000 doses donated by the private sector, according to Sorravis.

Also, Thailand is capable of producing 50,000 LSD vaccine doses every month and the distribution began in June, he said.

In July, the Cabinet endorsed a department request for money to procure 6.3 million LSD vaccine doses to be used as booster shots, according to the director-general.

Published : September 01, 2022

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/national/40019615

More than 740,000 rai in four river basins have been affected by floods, the Geo-Informatics and Space Technology Development Agency (GISTDA) said on Thursday.

The GISTDA reported the flood situation after studying information from the Radarsat-2 satellite on Wednesday.

The agency said 749,396 rai along the Chao Phraya, Pa Sak, Bang Pakong and Mun rivers were affected by floods, especially some areas in Sukhothai, Phitsanulok, Phichit, Phetchabun, Nakhon Sawan, Chai Nat, Sing Buri, Suphan Buri, Ang Thong, Ayutthaya, Nakhon Nayok, Prachinburi and Nakhon Ratchasima.

Precisely 260,558 rai of rice fields were among the areas overwhelmed by floods.

The GISTDA said it had sent satellite images to various organisations to support their missions in planning and monitoring the flood situation.

Meanwhile, the agency has also adjusted its satellite signal reception to monitor the situation in areas that are expected to be flooded.

Those interested in accessing information can visit the http://flood.gistda.or.th website.

Published : September 01, 2022

By : THE NATION

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/national/40019611

The price-guarantee scheme for rice will continue for the fourth year in mid-October as the Commerce Ministry plans to propose the motion to the National Rice Policy and Administration Committee next Wednesday, Minister Jurin Laksanawisit said on Thursday.

Jurin, who doubles as deputy prime minister, was responding to a question from Pheu Thai Phitsanulok MP Nopphadol Luangthongnara, who asked about progress of the scheme during a House of Representatives ordinary meeting on Thursday.

Jurin said he expected the committee to pass the motion with no problem, after which it would be proposed to the Cabinet for approval.

The commerce minister expected the first batch of the subsidy to be disbursed to farmers, who sell rice at lower than guaranteed prices, on October 15.

Jurin said that besides the price-guarantee scheme, the government had implemented other measures to help rice farmers, including a 1,500 baht per tonne subsidy for farmers who keep rice in stock instead of selling to prevent oversupply, and reducing the interest on loans to farmers, millers and rice cooperatives by 3 per cent.

“I insist the rice price-guarantee scheme will be approved on time, as it is part of the price-guarantee scheme for five economic crops – rice, tapioca, rubber, oil palm and corn for animal feed – the government had declared to Parliament under a budget of 150 billion baht,” Jurin added.

Published : September 01, 2022

By : THE NATION

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/national/40019609

Sanctuary officials, students and conservationists took part in a ceremony to remember the late Thai environmental activist, Seub Nakhasathien, who ended his life 32 years ago to draw public attention to poachings and encroachments.

Seub is renowned for his efforts to protect Cheow Lan Lake, Thungyai Naresuan Wildlife Sanctuary, and Huai Kha Khaeng Wildlife Sanctuary.

The ceremony involved giving alms to Buddhist monks and wreath-laying and was held at the management office of the Huay Kha Khaeng Wildlife Sanctuary in Lan Sak district of Uthai Thani province.

After Buddhist monks chanted a prayer for Seub, participants laid wreaths made of pa khao ma cloth in front of a statue of Seub.

The event was jointly presided over by Noppadon Polsen, an assistant to the PM’s Office minister, and Sasin Chalermlarp, president of the Seub Nakhasathien Foundation.

As part of the ceremony, 50 scholarships of 3,000 baht each were given to students, who are children of wildlife and park officials.

Wildlife and park officials also repeated their vow to do their best to protect wild animals and forests.

While being chief of the Huay Kha Khaeng Wildlife Sanctuary, Seub turned the gun on himself on September 1, 1990 to draw attention of all sections of society to the issues of poaching and encroachments at the sanctuary.

Later on, a foundation was created to continue his spirit of protecting the western forests.

His one-storey wooden house at the sanctuary office has been preserved with all his belongings, including a camera, so that students and the public can be inspired by his love for wildlife.

Published : September 01, 2022

By : THE NATION

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/national/40019608

Twenty-eight Cambodian construction workers were lucky to escape with light injuries in a scaffolding collapse in Bangkok’s Yan Nawa district.

The Bang Phongphang police station received a report on Wednesday night that the workers were injured at a construction site on Sathu Pradit 31 Road.

An office and shrine of the Hindu BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha (Thailand) denomination was under construction at the site. The 28 were working on the third floor of the planned six-storey building 10 metres above ground.

The male and female Cambodian workers were transporting cement to the third floor when the scaffolding collapsed. They were slightly injured with scratches and bruises.

Rescue staff gave the 28 first aid because they did not want to go to hospital.

The workers believed the scaffolding collapsed due to excessive weight. Rain all day was another factor. Fortunately, the scaffolding was not high so none of the 28 was severely injured or died.

The police contacted the Yannawa district office to shut the site for a thorough inspection before deciding to allow the construction to go ahead or order a temporary stop.

Published : September 01, 2022

By : THE NATION

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/national/40019607

Caretaker Prime Minister General Prawit Wongsuwan on Thursday ruled out the possibility that Bangkok would be swamped by massive flooding of the kind experienced in 2011.

Prawit gave the assurance while on an inspection trip to a Chachoengsao tap water-making plant to monitor the progress of a water management project in the eastern province.

“There is concern that heavy rains this year will cause flooding as in 2011, but I affirm that won’t happen,” Prawit gave the assurance.

He explained that his confidence was based on cooperation between the Royal Irrigation Department and the Office of National Water Resources in constantly managing water from heavy rainfall upstream and tackling drought over the past few years.

Prawit was apparently referring to a grim forecast by Dr Seri Suprathit, director of Rangsit University’s Climate Change and Disaster Centre.

Seri predicted the country would be hit by 15 more storms this year, which was likely to trigger 1,200mm rainfall this month, in October and November. He warned the “belt of storms” would move down to the central provinces, and “100-year-level rains” would unavoidably cause massive flooding in Bangkok to the level experienced in 2011.

In 2011 too, Seri had warned that Bangkok would be hit by massive flooding, but the government of then prime minister Yingluck Shinawatra had dismissed the possibility, before his warning became true.

Prawit said on Thursday that his government attached importance to water resources management and had been implementing necessary measures to prevent floods and drought for the past three years.

“We have been doing this for three years and you can see that no drought has been reported,” Prawit said.

“The government is extremely worried about water-related disasters, so all government agencies were instructed to be on standby all the time to tackle any arising problems immediately.”

For Chachoengsao, Prawit said the government had been implementing short-term, middle-term and long-term plans to ensure adequate raw water for making tap water.

As part of the plans, the government had installed water gates to prevent sea water from flowing into the Bang Pakong River, Prawit added.

He was accompanied by Labour Minister Suchart Chomklin on the inspection trip, and received by Palang Pracharath Party MPs from Chachoengsao, Chonburi and Samut Prakan.

Published : September 01, 2022

By : THE NATION

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/national/40019606

Pharmacies must dispense Covid-19 antiviral drugs only to patients with a prescription, the Public Health Ministry warned.

The Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration had decided to allow pharmacies to sell Favipiravir, Molnupiravir and Paxlovid from Thursday.

Public Health Minister Anutin Charnvirakul said on Thursday that he ordered pharmacies to hand out the Covid-19 drugs only to patients with prescriptions because doctors can now decide which patients need what antiviral drugs.

He also ordered related organisations such as the Food and Drug Administration and provincial public health offices to monitor information on antiviral drug dispensation at pharmacies.

Meanwhile, the National Health Security Office (NHSO) reported that it had started dispensing Covid-19 antiviral drugs via telemedicine apps from July 11.

The NHSO said the following three applications have been used 9,043 times, or 177.3 per day, on average for the purpose:

1. Good Doctor (patients with mild or no symptoms in Greater Bangkok and Chonburi) – 4,942 times
2. MorDee (patients with mild or no symptoms in all areas) – 1,950 times
3. Clicknic (patients with mild or no symptoms and vulnerable patients in all areas) – 2,152 times.

The NHSO also launched its “Outpatient with Self-Isolation” programme on June 24 involving 532 pharmacies across the country.

According to information on Monday, 55,482 patients have been treated under the programme. Most – or 21,200 patients – are from Bangkok, followed by Nonthaburi with 4,564, Chonburi 4,367, Chiang Mai 2,806, Nakhon Pathom 2,651 and patients from other provinces.

Published : September 01, 2022

By : THE NATION

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/national/40019605

The Fédération Cynologique Internationale (FCI) has approved official certification of Thailand’s Bangkaew Dog as a new breed, making it only the second Thai breed to be officially certified by the Belgium-based international canine federation.

The FCI, which comprises 98 member countries and has approved more than 355 dog breeds, granted the first official-breed certificate to Thailand’s Ridgeback in 2003. The Bangkaew was granted a temporary certificate by the FCI in 2011 and its status has only now been upgraded to official this year.

The FCI described the Bangkaew as “an old breed that originated from Bangkaew village in Bang-rakam district, Phitsanulok province. The breed traces its ancestry back to a cross between a Buddhist abbot’s local black & white female dog and a now extinct wild dog, producing today’s breed. In 1957, selective breeding from single litters produced the generations seen today.

“The Thai Bangkaew Dog is regarded as a precious heritage of Phitsanulok. The dogs are bred widely in the province and have become so famous nationwide that they now are bred in every part of Thailand,” the FCI said.

“The Thai Bangkaew is a square built, well-proportioned dog, never low on legs, with a fairly wide and deep chest. It has a double coat that should form a ruff around the neck and shoulders and a pluming tail, more pronounced in males than females. Its behaviour is described as ‘alert, intelligent, loyal, watchful and obedient’. The breed is easy to train. It could be slightly aloof towards strangers,” the federation added.

Former Phitsanulok veterinary chief Dr Nisit Tangkrakarnphong told BBC Thai that “I am glad the Bangkaew Dog has finally received recognition by the FCI and I am happy for all breeders. From now on, it is not just a Phitsanulok breed but an official one of Thailand”.

The 80-year-old veterinarian said he started scouting villages in Phitsanulok to find the best dog breeds in 1971. He bought around 25 males and 70-80 females at 300 baht each with a budget granted by the provincial veterinary office in a quest to breed a suitable guard dog that is “beautiful, strong, loyal to its owner and fierce toward intruders”.

Nisit said the Bangkaew breed was first officially recorded in Phitsanulok’s Red Cross Fair of 1980. Since then, it has become popular among dog lovers across Thailand.

A pure breed Bangkaew puppy can fetch up to 10,000-20,000 baht, while the modern breed has been adjusted to reduce fierceness towards strangers to make the Bangkaew a more family-friendly dog, he added.

Published : September 01, 2022

By : THE NATION

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/national/40019598

The Digital Economy and Society (DES) Ministry is promoting the use of technology to tackle cases of students being left behind in school vans.

This move comes after many cases of students being found dead after being forgotten inside school vans.

The latest case happened in Phan Thong district of Chonburi province on Tuesday when a seven-year-old girl suffocated to death inside a school van. 

DES Minister Chaiwut Thanakamanusorn said the ministry’s smart school-bus system features an internet of things (IoT) sensor which can notify teachers and guardians about students inside the van via smartphones.

The ministry also aims to add face recognition system to enable users to know whether all students had gotten off the van, he added.

“The smart school bus will enable users to help students inside the vehicles quickly,” he said.

He said the Digital Economy Promotion Agency has been appointed to set up the smart system in 3,500 vans, expecting to be completed within this year.

He added that the ministry would cooperate with the Education Ministry and related agencies to set up the system in all school vans nationwide.

“If the project is successful, it will save many students’ lives and no one will be forgotten inside school vans,” he added.

Published : September 01, 2022

By : THE NATION