#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/national/40019036

Tourism and Sports Minister Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn visited Khao San Road in Bangkok’s Phra Nakhon district on Wednesday under a plan to allow restaurants and entertainment venues in selected tourism zones to stay open until 4am.

The ministry is eyeing the famous Khao San Road as a pilot area for the move, which aims to boost tourism and help local entrepreneurs get back on their feet amid an economic downturn.

Phiphat said he had a chat with owners of restaurants and night spots on Khao San Road and most supported the 4am closing instead of the present 2am.

The ministry is working with authorities to draft regulations to control any noise so that these businesses don’t become a nuisance to surrounding communities, he said.

“For those who are still opposed to the idea, we insist the 4am closing will be allowed only on weekends [Friday, Saturday, Sunday] in selected zones, especially those with foreign tourists who make up 70 per cent of overall visitors,” said Phiphat.

“The ministry has considered all factors and is confident the move will have more pros than cons, especially for local tourism businesses trying to reopen after Covid-19 shutdowns.”

The ministry will ask the Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration by September for the go-ahead, and hopes the extended opening hours would come into effect in the last quarter of the year, in time for the high season, Phiphat said.

The 4am closing is expected to be implemented in eight tourism cities, namely Bangkok, Phuket, Krabi, Phang-nga, Pattaya, Hua Hin, Koh Samui and Chiang Mai.

The Centre for Alcohol Studies (CAS) is openly opposing the idea, going as far as to state that extending Thailand’s pub hours to 4am would cause “carnage”.

CAS deputy manager Surasak Chaiyasong said last week that statistics from Australia showed that extending bar hours had led to increased drinking and road accidents. Longer sale hours in Iceland also led to a rise in emergency-ward patients, injuries, quarrels, physical assaults and drink-driving, Surasak added.

Published : August 18, 2022

By : THE NATION

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/national/40019034

Twenty provinces in the North, the Northeast, the East and the deep South have been warned of flash floods and water runoff from August 20-24 due to heavy rains.

The Office of National Water Resources (ONWR) issued the warning on Thursday, citing a Thailand Meteorological Department weather forecast, which said that during August 20-23, a monsoon trough would lie across the North and the upper Northeast. Meanwhile, the southwest monsoon prevailing over the Andaman Sea, the South and the Gulf would strengthen.

These conditions will lead to more showers across the country, with isolated heavy to very heavy rains in the North, the Northeast, the Central region including Bangkok and its vicinity, the East and the South.

The ONWR warned that from August 20-24, the following areas are prone to flash floods and water runoff, and advised people to closely follow the latest updates on weather and water levels.

North: Chiang Rai, Chiang Mai, Mae Hong Son, Tak, Nan, Phitsanulok, Uttaradit, Phetchabun.

Northeast: Kalasin, Nakhon Phanom, Bueng Kan, Sakon Nakhon, Nong Khai, Udon Thani.

East: Chonburi, Rayong, Trat

Deep South: Narathiwat, Yala, Pattani.

The ONWR also urged authorities to closely monitor water levels at 10 large reservoirs in affected areas and issued a warning to surrounding communities. The reservoirs are:

– Mae Ngat Somboon Chon, Chiang Mai

– Kiew Kho Ma, Lampang

– Khwae Noi Bamrung Daen, Phitsanulok

– Bueng Boraphet, Nakhon Sawan

– Pasak Chonlasit, Lopburi

– Nam Phung, Sakon Nakhon

– Ubol Ratana, Khon Kaen

– Bang Phra, Chonburi

– Nong Pla Lai, Rayong.

Published : August 18, 2022

By : THE NATION

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/national/40019033

A charred body was found on Wednesday as officials were investigating a burned down 7-Eleven convenience store at the PTT gas station in Pasemat subdistrict, Su-ngai Kolok district, Narathiwat.

The body was identified as Masarich Mama, 26, a local who had reportedly visited the store on Tuesday night.

The convenience store was one of 17 locations of coordinated bomb and arson attacks by insurgents in Yala, Pattani and Narathiwat on Tuesday night and early on Wednesday.

The 17 locations – nine in Narathiwat, six in Yala and two in Pattani – included eleven 7-Eleven stores, four Mini Big C stores, PTT and Bangchak petrol stations and a telecommunications pole.

Initial reports said the attacks caused mild to severe damages to properties and slightly injured seven civilians.

Witnesses at several locations reportedly said assailants had ordered all staff and customers to leave buildings before these were set on fire.

Officials speculated the deceased was trying to escape via the back exit while attackers had not seen him, but the door was locked and he was therefore trapped in the burning store.

On Wednesday Fourth Army Area deputy chief Maj-General Pramote Phrom-in said the attacks were aimed at destroying the atmosphere of peace talks and discrediting the authority of the government.

He was referring to the latest round of peace talks with insurgent leaders on August 1 and 2, which had failed to reach any breakthrough.

Later that evening, Kasturi Mahkota, president of G5, a militant group under the Patani United Liberation Organisation (PULO), insisted the PULO was not involved in any of the attacks. He said he had no idea who was behind them.

He also rejected a rumour that the PULO had organised the attacks in revenge after G5 local leaders were apprehended by security officers.

Related News

Deep South provinces hit by series of attacks; 7-Elevens shut down in Yala, Pattani

Fourth Army orders security boost after deep South hit by 17 attacks in few hours

Published : August 18, 2022

By : THE NATION

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/national/40019031

The Public Health Ministry reported on Thursday (August 18) that over the past 24 hours, 2,143 Covid-19 patients have been admitted to hospitals, one of whom has arrived in Thailand from abroad.

The death toll has risen by 29, while 2,023 patients have recovered and discharged from hospitals. 

The number of cumulative cases in the country since January 1, 2022, stands at 2,404,765 with 10,246 deaths.
 

The country’s total caseload from Covid-19 stands at 4,628,200 – 4,576,263 of whom have recovered, 19,993 are still in hospitals and 31,944 have died.

Separately, another 3,959 people were given their first Covid-19 shot in the last 24 hours, 6,672 their second shot and 24,264 a booster, bringing the total number of Covid-19 vaccine doses administered nationwide to 142,288,644.

According to Worldometer, confirmed cases globally had risen to 598.21 million on Thursday, 572.24 million of whom have recovered, 19.5 million are active cases (44,363 in severe condition) and 6.46 million have died (up by 2,219).

Thailand ranks 29th in the global list of most cases, which is topped by the US with 95.07 million, followed by India with 44.3 million, France with 34.28 million, Brazil with 34.22 million and Germany with 31.73 million.

Published : August 18, 2022

By : THE NATION

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/national/40019025

The Public Health Ministry will provide Thai traditional massage to participants at the 12th Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (Apec) High‐Level Meeting on Health and the Economy.

The meeting will be held at Millennium Hilton Hotel in Bangkok from August 22 and 26.

Department of Thai Traditional and Alternative Medicine director-general Dr Yongyot Thammawut said they will set up an exhibition of Thai traditional medicines at the meeting venue.

He said the department will set up 10 beds to provide neck, shoulder and foot massage to the participants, adding that the massage would be provided in line with Covid-19 prevention measures.

He added that the department would also hand out a variety of herbal products as a souvenir for participants, such as essential oils and cosmetics.

Yongyot added that the meeting would focus on Thai traditional medicine’s role in promoting medical tourism and stimulating the economy.

He added that Thai traditional massage can cure various diseases, including modern office syndrome.

“According to the study, neck and shoulder massage alone can relieve muscle pain similar to taking a muscle relaxant,” he said.

The department will be promoting 13 kinds of Thai herbs, including cannabis, in a bid to promote Thailand as the centre of herbal innovation in the world.

“We expect the development of Thai traditional and alternative medicine to generate up to 78 billion baht this year,” he said.

Published : August 17, 2022

By : THE NATION

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/national/40019024

Bangkok Marathon 2022 is expected to help stimulate the economy and tourism, as well as create awareness of healthcare among people, Bangkok Governor Chadchart Sittipunt said on Wednesday.

The marathon is scheduled to be held on Sanam Chai Road near Grand Palace in Bangkok’s Phra Nakhon district on November 20.

The marathon is organised jointly by the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) and the National Jogging Association of Thailand (NJAT).

Chadchart said the BMA had joined hands with NJAT to make the marathon a world-class event as every city worldwide has its marathon events to attract visitors and stimulate the economy.

He believes that the marathon will be a huge success as many people are concerned about their health.

“We believe that Bangkok Marathon will help stimulate the economy, create awareness on healthcare and announce Bangkok’s readiness to fully reopen the city after the Covid-19 crisis,” he said.

He added that he would hold discussions on how to make the marathon a remarkable event and attract foreigners similar to overseas events, such as New York City Marathon, London Marathon and Tokyo Marathon.

Bangkok Marathon 2022 will be organised in four categories, including 42.195 km marathon, 21.1 km half marathon, 10.55 km mini marathon and 5 km micro marathon

Registration is open at the normal price until August 31. An additional fee will be charged from September 1 to 30.

Interested people can register via the website: http://www.bkkmarathon.com.

Published : August 17, 2022

By : THE NATION

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/national/40019022

Thailand will highlight its successful decriminalisation of ganja during the Apec High Level Meeting on Health and the Economy next week, Public Health Minister Anutin Charnvirakul said on Wednesday.

The meeting of Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation member nations is scheduled to be held in Bangkok on August 25-26.

During the meeting, Anutin said he would present the country’s ganja policy and its success.

Anutin added that the Public Health Ministry is in talks with its Malaysian counterpart about the cannabis policy after Malaysia expressed an interest in Thailand’s decriminalisation of marijuana.

Anutin said the Public Health Ministry was providing advice to Malaysia on how to draft the law to decriminalise marijuana for medical use.

He insisted that the decriminalisation in Thailand was done strictly for medical purposes and not for recreation.

Anutin was apparently responding to growing criticisms from doctors that the policy to decriminalise marijuana of his Bhumjaithai Party was doing more harm than good. His party had promised to push for the implementation of the policy during the previous election campaign.

Many doctors have voiced concern that the decriminalisation of marijuana, without a law to govern the use of ganja, would allow youths to abuse it as narcotics.

Anutin said actually such a law was not required because the Public Health Ministry has issued a directive governing the use of cannabis and hemp for medical purpose.

He said the mobile app of the ministry for people to register their marijuana plants also educated them on how to use the plants for medical purpose.

He noted that after the weeds were decriminalised two months ago, the number of people suffering from acute symptoms of marijuana use had actually been declining.

Anutin said the figures from the emergency wards of hospitals under control of the Public Health Ministry showed that from June 6 to August 16, only 60 people were admitted to emergency wards because of ganja use.

“That is an average of only one patient a day. This has no significance,” Anutin added.

On the economic aspect, Anutin said, he expected the country to get about 25 billion baht this year in revenue from ganja and hemp products, which could later increase two or threefold.

He said farmers would get more income from hemp and growing marijuana because the plants could be used to make a lot of products.

Reacting to concerns that foreign tourists would abuse cannabis as a drug, Anutin said the government would issue guidelines for tourists that they can use ganja only for medical purpose, not for recreation.

He said the government would also welcome foreign investors to research and make products from ganja and hemp in Thailand.

With foreign investments, Anutin said he expected Thailand to be a leader in Asia in ganja and hemp innovation.

Regarding the bill to regulate the use of ganja, Anutin said the special House committee vetting the bill would send the bill back for the second reading within this week.

Published : August 17, 2022

By : THE NATION

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/national/40019019

Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha on Wednesday condemned a series of attacks by insurgents in Yala, Pattani and Narathiwat, said government spokesman Thanakorn Wangboonkongchana.

The 17 coordinated bomb and arson attacks – some leading to mild damages while others caused severe damage – mostly targeted 7-Eleven and Mini Big C stores as well as petrol stations, slightly injuring seven civilians on Tuesday night and early on Wednesday.

Some of the suspects had been arrested as of Wednesday afternoon, Thanakorn said.

“The prime minister has urged officials to investigate the incidents to find the motive behind the attacks and arrest all suspects as soon as possible,” the spokesman said.

“He also advised officials to use extra caution during investigations and prioritise the safety of life and property of locals, as well as increase security measures if necessary.”

Prayut termed the attacks outrageous, adding they aimed to inflict damage to life and property of innocent people by targeting convenient stores and petrol stations.

“The culprits must be brought to justice to the fullest extent of the law,” ordered Prayut.

Related News

Deep South provinces hit by series of attacks; 7-Elevens shut down in Yala, Pattani

Fourth Army orders security boost after deep South hit by 17 attacks in few hours

Published : August 17, 2022

By : THE NATION

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/national/40019011

The Election Commission (EC) has barred an interim cabinet from using the state budget or resources in any manner that could influence or tip the scales of the election.

The Royal Gazette website on Tuesday published an EC regulation stating that the interim cabinet, which is in charge after the government term expires or after parliament dissolution, is prohibited from undertaking the following action:

– Organising a cabinet meeting outside Government House.

– Organising training courses for personnel of public or private agencies using the state budget.

– Approving the disbursement of state budget.

– Approving the distribution of state resources without proper cause.

– Disbursing travel and public relations expenses from state agencies.

– Using state resources such as frequencies, radio and television broadcasting or telecommunication equipment for public relations.

The EC stated that the regulation, which is effective immediately, aims to limit the conditions and actions of the interim cabinet to ensure equal opportunities in the upcoming election.

The commission could, however, exempt or relax any of the prohibitions if necessary.

Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha will tentatively complete eight years in office this month after taking the reins as PM on August 24, 2014, following a military coup staged by him that led to the installation of a National Council for Peace and Order-backed government.

The latest Constitution, which came into force in April 2017, prohibits anyone from serving as prime minister for longer than eight years. However, it remains unclear when exactly Prayut’s eight-year term ends as he took office before the current Constitution came into effect.

Published : August 17, 2022

By : THE NATION

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/national/40019004

The Fourth Army Area chief ordered stepped-up security after Muslim insurgents launched 17 coordinated attacks late on Tuesday and early on Wednesday, mostly targeting convenient stores and petrol stations and slightly injuring seven civilians.

The Fourth Army chief dispatched security forces to control the situation and fight fires after the attacks commenced at 11.50pm at a 7-Eleven store in a PTT petrol station in Yala’s Yaha district.

Staff and customers of the convenient store told police a man with a Muslim woman’s hijab and a flu mask walked into the shop and placed a black bag on the cashier’s counter, bluntly saying:

“If you don’t want to die, leave.”

The staff and customers scurried out of the shop through the backdoor and about ten minutes later an explosion occurred, resulting in a huge fire that engulfed the shop.

Of the 17 attacks, police said 11 spots were either mildly or severely damaged by explosions and fire.

There were three other badly damaged spots in Yala:

– A Mini Big C store in tambon Kayu Bohkoh in Raman district.

– A 7-Eleven store in Bannang Sata village. Firefighters managed to quickly put out the blaze so the shop was not severely damaged.

– A 7-Eleven in Ban Niang village in tambon Pohseng, Muang Yala district. The shop was badly damaged by an explosion and subsequent fire.

Police gave details of five other attacks in Narathiwat:

– An explosion and a fire at a 7-Eleven store in a PTT petrol station in Moo 1 village in tambon Sakor, Si Sa Khon district, at 12.30am on Wednesday. A 14-year-old boy and 23-year-old women were slightly injured.

– A 7-Eleven in Moo 1 village in tambon Si Sa Khon, Si Sa Khon district, was hit by a blast and fire.

– A 7-Eleven in a PTT petrol station in Moo 4 village in Bacho district was completely burned down. A Myanmar national, delivering goods for the shop, was hurt.

– A PTT petrol station was set on fire in Moo 7 village in tambon Pasemus, Sungai Kolok district.

Police also gave details of two attacks in Pattani:

– An attacker detonated a homemade bomb at a petrol dispenser in a Bangchak petrol station in Moo 8 village, tambon Bor Thong, Nong Chik district. The station was engulfed in a blaze that spread to a Big C store inside the station.

– Assailants set fire to a mini Big C store in Moo 5 village in tambon Nam Dam, Thung Yang Daeng district, causing severe damage.

Police said the 17 attacks in the three provinces were mostly carried out by motorcyclists, who either hurled Molotov cocktails at the back and front of convenient stores or placed homemade bombs and detonated them by remote control.

Bomb disposal teams and scientific crime detection officers were dispatched to the scenes to gather evidence on Wednesday morning.

A Fourth Army Area source said that after the latest round of peace talks with insurgent leaders on August 1 and 2 failed to reach any breakthrough, the insurgents have stepped up attacks.

According to the source, the insurgents focused more on symbolic targets, public utilities and economic targets.

The latest attacks were apparently aimed at destroying the atmosphere of peace talks and discrediting the authority of the government, the source added.

Published : August 17, 2022

By : THE NATION