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https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/national/40019067

The Public Health Ministry plans to open a vaccination centre at Bang Sue Grand Station in Bangkok until September 30 to meet the transition of Covid-19 to a surveillance communicable disease on October 1.

The vaccination centre director, Dr Mingkwan Wichaidit, said on Thursday that this decision came after discussions between the Department of Medical Services and the Department of Disease Control.

However, to reopen the country and the economy safely, she said the ministry would speed up the vaccination to ensure that around 60-70 per cent of people would have received their third jab.

She added that more than 50 per cent of people have received their third jab.

She expected the new generation of Covid-19 vaccines to be rolled out at the beginning of next year, a little later than the previous estimate of between September and October.

“The vaccination centre will be opened until September 30 to allow people to boost their immunity while waiting for a new generation of vaccines,” she said.

She added that people will be able to receive their Covid-19 vaccine jab at hospitals nationwide if the situation is not worrisome.

Mingkwan added that the vaccination centre at Bang Sue Grand Station, the biggest vaccination centre in Thailand, had administered more than 6.3 million vaccine doses so far.

She added that the ministry is ready to reopen the vaccination centre again within a day if the Covid-19 situation turns worse or if it is necessary to administer a new generation of vaccines.

Mingkwan urged people to receive their jabs, as their beloved ones could become victims of Covid-19, especially the elderly, pregnant women and people with chronic diseases

People can receive their vaccine jab at Bang Sue Grand Station’s vaccination centre by registering with mobile network operators or walk-in.

“We advise people who know when they will be free to receive the vaccine to register with mobile operators in advance,” she added.

Published : August 18, 2022

By : THE NATION

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/national/40019063

There is high risk of major floods this year as 15 more storms are expected to hit the country by the end of the year, a flood expert said.

In a Facebook post on Thursday, Seri Suparatit, a flood expert from Rangsit University, said that there are three factors that might cause a big flood:

1. Accumulated rainfall is higher than normal before the rainy season.

2. The La Niña phenomenon at the end of the year will be strong and will cause water temperature in the western Pacific Ocean to be higher than in the east, leading to high humidity.

3. The Indian Ocean dipole is negative which will cause the temperature in the eastern Indian Ocean to be higher than in the west, causing high humidity.

Seri explained that the estimated rainfall from August to November will be higher than normal including last year. If the amount of rainfall is 18 per cent higher than normal, there would be a great risk of flooding similar to 2011.

Thailand suffered one of its worst floods ever in that year.

However, the flood pattern will not be the same.

He explained that if there are heavy rains above dams, big dams in the Northern region would have around 50 per cent of capacity.

But if it is rains below dam levels, floods will occur in fields in the Central region before moving to cities.

He added that the middle and southern Northeast, the East, and the upper South also face a risk of major floods.

Seri added that there are five uncontrollable factors:

• The amount, direction, and severity of storms; he expected another 15 storms in the rest of 2022 of the 23 total storms expected this year.
• The capacity of water basins is reducing as a result the water level will rise; he cited as an example water in the Central region last year was 20 per cent less than in 2011 while the water level is equal to or higher.
• The preparation and understanding of people in the risky areas
• The conflict of the citizen sector in risky areas
• The management of the situation; he said that related organisations should monitor the situation closely and warn people in time to reduce the impact.

Published : August 18, 2022

By : THE NATION

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/national/40019058

The Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration (CCSA) will on Friday consider downgrading the coronavirus to a communicable disease under surveillance, an official confirmed on Thursday.

General Supot Malaniyom, National Security Council secretary-general in his capacity as director of CCSA operations, said the administration would consider the Public Health Ministry’s proposal during a meeting on Friday.

The ministry is asking the CCSA to downgrade Covid-19 from a dangerous communicable disease to a communicable disease under surveillance from October 1.

Supot said that after the disease is downgraded, the CCSA will consider whether any special law or order is still required to control the situation. If not, the CCSA may be disbanded, he said.

However, the emergency law is still needed for now although the situation has improved, the secretary-general said.

Supot explained that the emergency law was still needed to control arrivals into the country and departures and to prohibit activity that would worsen the spread of the disease.

Covid infections seemed to be on the uptrend but measures to treat infected people and self-treatments were now heading in a promising direction, Supot pointed out.

The CCSA will also consider a Public Health Ministry plan to distribute Covid medicine via private hospitals and clinics before the drugs are made available at drugstores but only on a doctor’s prescription, he said.

The ministry earlier said it would ask the CCSA to allow private hospitals and clinics to buy antiviral drugs directly from companies for treating Covid.

During the meeting on Friday, governors who chair provincial communicable disease committees will be instructed to implement an operation plan to prepare their provinces for declaring Covid an endemic disease.

The meeting will also consider opening more border checkpoints, according to Supot.

He added that if the Tourism and Transport ministries request the CCSA to extend the opening hours of pubs and bars to 4am in main tourist destinations, the CCSA would in turn ask the Interior Ministry to consider the matter and if the extension would affect Covid prevention measures in the tourist provinces.

Published : August 18, 2022

By : THE NATION

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/national/40019057

Legendary Thai actor Sombat Metanee — one of the world’s most prolific movie stars — passed away in his sleep in his home in Bangkok on Thursday. He was 85.

His family became aware of his passing when they attempted to wake him up in the morning.

His funeral rite is being held from Thursday (August 18) to next Wednesday (August 24) at Phra Sri Mahathat Woramahawihan Temple in Bangkok’s Bang Khen district.

Sombat is survived by his wife Kanchana and their five children — four sons and one daughter.

A legend of the Thai silver screen, Sombat had been a familiar face in the entertainment industry for many decades. He was once listed in the Guinness Book of World Records as the most prolific movie actor, acting in 617 films, virtually all as the protagonist.

By his own count, Sombat had made more than 2,000 films and television shows and series, including Thai soap operas known as “lakorn”.

Sombat began his acting career in 1961 and soon became popular.

During his heyday in the 1960s and 1970s, described as the “golden era” of the Thai film industry, the actor often worked on several films at the same time.

On average, he starred in 30 films a year, covering various genres ranging from action, drama and comedy to romance and musical.

Also well known for his singing voice, Sombat released a number of movie soundtrack records and albums.

During his long career, the veteran actor continued to star in Thai films and television series while making frequent appearances on talk shows and in television commercials.

Born on June 26, 1937, in the northeastern province of Ubon Ratchathani, his mother’s hometown, Sombat worked briefly in an engineering consulting company before he was drafted for military service.

After his conscription was completed in 1959, Sombat was looking for a job when he ran into an acting scout. His tall build and looks helped him get his first acting job at Channel 7 TV station. He starred in a drama series alongside Wilaiwan Wattanapanit, a popular actress at that time.

His first movie was “Rung Phet” (Diamond Rainbow) released in 1961.

In December 2016, the National Culture Committee selected Sombat as a National Artist in the field of performance arts.

The veteran actor also made his foray into politics. In April 2006, he was elected a senator for Bangkok but Parliament was dissolved after the military coup in September that year. Sombat was instead appointed a member of the National Legislative Assembly set up after the coup.

In 2007, Sombat became deputy leader of a new political party called Pracharaj, but he failed to get elected.

He later joined Pheu Thai Party and contested the 2011 general election as its party-list candidate, but failed to get elected.

Sombat once disclosed that he had been approached by three sisters of former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra — Yingluck, Yaowapa and Yaowaret — to join Pheu Thai in order to help with the national reconciliation efforts.

The legendary actor revealed that he had known Thaksin and his family for over three decades from the time the future prime minister was a police captain.

Published : August 18, 2022

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/national/40019054

Some 100 motorcycle taxi riders gathered at the Land Transport Department (DLT) to demand that it put the brakes on GrabBike services and stop riders with white licence plates from registering for yellow ones.

The group first came together at Victory Monument on Thursday before moving to the Transport Ministry to inquire about the “progress” of shutting down GrabBike and yellow plate registrations.

Motorcycle Taxi Association of Thailand representative Santi Patipanrat said it were capitalists who stand to benefit as riders provided services through an application and they could get customers anywhere.

Santi added that he will not negotiate with the authorities any more if the issue does not come to an acceptable conclusion.

Another representative, Chamnan Cherdchai, argued that riders who follow the rules have lost 30 to 40 per cent of income because of a limited service area.

He said the association requested the DLT to shut down illegal applications and punish unauthorised riders. It also disagreed with extending the period for allowing illegal riders to register.

Chamnan asked the Transport Ministry to help by creating an application to improve competition.

Santi dispatched 10 representatives to meet with Wirach Pimpanit, adviser to Transport Minister Saksayam Chidchob, and officials from the DLT and related organisations.

Published : August 18, 2022

By : THE NATION

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/national/40019052

An academic network is inviting Thai people to cast their digital vote this weekend on whether Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha should step down on completing eight years as PM on August 24.

The voting is being organised by People’s Voice, a network of academics from eight universities, namely Thammasat, NIDA, Srinakharinwirot, Rangsit, Burapha, Chiang Mai, Prince of Songkla, and Ubon Ratchathani, in collaboration with media organisations in Thailand.

Prayut will finish eight years in office next week as he had taken the reins of PM on August 24, 2014 following a military coup staged by him that led to the installation of a government backed by the junta’s National Council for Peace and Order.

The current Constitution, which came into force in April 2017, prohibits anyone from serving as prime minister for longer than eight years. However, there has been a debate on whether the stipulation takes effect retrospectively, as Prayut had taken office before the current Constitution came into effect.

The voting will start on 6am on Saturday (August 20) and end at midnight on Sunday (August 21). People can vote by scanning the QR code that appears on TV channels and social media pages of participating media with their mobile phone and vote “yes” or “no”. Each mobile number can vote only once.

Participating media include Nation TV, Thairath TV, Workpoint News, PPTV, The Standard, The Matter, The Momentum, and The Reporters.

The results of the poll will be announced on the following Monday.

Published : August 18, 2022

By : THE NATION

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/national/40019051

The renovation of Rajini pier as a new Bangkok landmark on the Chao Phraya River bank is 95 per cent complete and will open for service next month, Deputy Transport Minister Atirat Ratanasate said on Thursday.

Atirat was speaking to reporters while making an inspection trip to evaluate progress of the renovation.

The pier, which is located in Rachini Alley, Phra Borm Maha Ratchawang subdistrict, Phra Nakhon district, is a mere 50 metres from Sanam Chai MRT station.

Rajini is one of 29 shuttle boat piers which the Marine Department has renovated or is renovating.

The Transport Ministry plans to develop the new pier as a hub for shuttle services, linking boat, railway and road transportation, Atirat said.

The Transport Ministry will install a system next year to turn Rajini into a smart pier to enable the transportation links, he added.

Atirat said the new pier structure was designed taking into account “Thainess” and will be the most beautiful one on the Chao Phraya and a new landmark in Bangkok.

He said the renovation involved three main construction features:

– A two-storey building with 1,277 square metres of usage area. It will have a roof that can be used for public activities and double up as a viewpoint on the river. The interior decorations will reflect Thainess.

– A convenient walkway is being built to link the pier to Sanam Chai MRT station. The gate to the pier will also reflect Thainess.

– A 9×24-metre floating buoy has been built for shuttle boats to dock, with an adjustable stairway for people to walk up from the boats.

Atirat said once the renovation is complete, the number of commuters using the pier will rise from 782 a day now to 1,900.

Four other piers are under renovation and will be ready for service this year:

– Tha Tien pier. The renovation is 68 per cent complete and will be finished on September 30.

– Tha Bang Pho pier. Around 78 per cent of construction has been done and will be completed on September 20.

– Tha Phraram 7 pier. About 40 per cent of the renovation has been carried out and the pier will be ready on October 31.

– Tha Phayup pier. The renovation is 60 per cent complete and will be finished on September 30.

Renovation of Tha Kiak Kai would be completed next year, the Marine Department added.

Published : August 18, 2022

By : THE NATION

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/national/40019049

A loan to the state oil fund is considered as public debt which the Office of the Fuel Fund must repay within seven years, Finance Minister Arkhom Termpittayapaisith made it clear on Wednesday.

His statement came after the Cabinet on Tuesday approved an executive decree that would enable the Finance Ministry to guarantee a loan of 150 billion baht to the Fuel Fund.

Arkhom revealed that the fund’s balance sheet was largely “negative” and it was risky to borrow any money from banks, so the Finance Ministry had to step in to guarantee the loan.

The minister said he would look into how the Office of the Fuel Fund reduces expenses and manages revenue.

The fund does not have to use the entire 150 billion baht as the decree allows, he added.

Arkhom reiterated that the money the fund borrows will be considered public debt even if the ministry did not guarantee the loan, as the Cabinet had already approved a 30-billion-baht loan.

It will affect public debt during a certain period but the ministry has set a condition for the Office of the Fuel Fund to repay the loan in seven years, Arkom said.

He told the Energy Ministry that borrowing should be a last resort because there were costs and interest associated with loans.

However, the borrowing will not affect the government’s budget because the Office of the Fuel Fund has the responsibility to manage and repay the loan, Arkhom added.

Published : August 18, 2022

By : THE NATION

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/national/40019045

Despite repeated calls by doctors to suspend the decriminalisation of ganja, Public Health Minister Anutin Charnvirakul hinted at the opposite – further legalising the plant for recreational use.

Anutin dropped the hint on Wednesday during the “Meet the Press: Cannabis” event held by the Public Relations Department.

Anutin, leader of the Bhumjaithai Party which championed its free ganja use campaign during the previous election, said a new cannabis bill may be amended to allow recreational use if the people accept it and know how to use it safely.

“In Thailand for the time being, we don’t advocate recreational use, but that will not be definite, it can be amended when people have full understanding on how to use it correctly and it might come, but not now,” Anutin said during the event.

He also said the cannabis bill, which is being vetted by a special House committee, will be sent back to the House this week for the second and third readings.

Several groups of doctors and medical personnel have called on the government to suspend the decriminalisation of ganja pending an enactment of the cannabis law. They voiced concern that during the vacuum period and without a law to govern the use of ganja, youths and children may abuse its use by consuming it as a drug or smoking it and suffer from adverse effects.

More than 850 medics at Ramathibodi Hospital have joined a campaign to halt the legalisation of ganja until controls on cannabis usage – especially among children – are implemented.

But Anutin on Wednesday argued that legalisation of medical cannabis has not been harmful to society as feared by doctors.

He pointed out that during the past two months after cannabis was decriminalised, only 60 people were admitted to hospital under supervision of the Public Health Ministry. This was just one per day on average, which was a very tiny percentage compared to Thailand’s population of 70 million, he pointed out.

Anutin also noted several more countries plan to follow in Thailand’s footsteps by decriminalising cannabis.

He cited Germany in particular, saying the European nation aims to legalise the plant for recreational use as many there were using it anyway.

“The German government feels that once cannabis is fully legalised, quality can be controlled, people will become safer and it will cut the number of ways for making money in ‘dark’ markets,” Anutin said.

The public health minister also cited the case of Canada, saying the legalisation of ganja four years ago has generated revenue of €2 billion (72 billion baht) for the country per year.

“Once more world markets open, Thailand will have bigger markets to export ganja products to,” Anutin believed.

“It is expected that after Germany legalises it, other EU nations would follow suit,” he added.

Published : August 18, 2022

By : THE NATION

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/national/40019044

The Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) spelt out four reasons for its decision to raise the fuel tariff from September, which in turn would cause a rise in household electricity fees.

On Monday, the ERC announced it would increase the tariff from 0.6866 baht per unit to 0.9343 baht, which would see household power fees rise to 4.72 baht per unit.

It said the four reasons for the increase are:

1. The decreasing amount of gas in the country.

Thailand has had to import spot LNG to replace insufficient gas, but the Russia-Ukraine war has sent the price of this LNG soaring amid volatile delivery. Therefore, using LNG or fuel will significantly increase the price of producing energy.

2. Gas production in Myanmar has decreased.

The amount produced in that country will keep decreasing from the end of 2022 to the beginning of 2023.

3. LNG manufacturers have slowed investment.

The Covid-19 crisis hit energy demand, but with many countries now recovering, LNG demand has outstripped production, with the current situation affecting the price and negotiations for the gas.

4. The Russia-Ukraine war.

The conflict has forced Russia to reduce or halt natural gas sales to Europe, so the demand for LNG has increased significantly in Europe, indirectly affecting the LNG price in Asia.

Published : August 18, 2022

By : THE NATION