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https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40018077

Loan-shark adverts were among almost 200 items caught in the net of the Anti-Fake News Centre this week.

The centre, run by the Digital Economy and Society Ministry (MDES), said it identified 185 items of fake news among almost 12 million (11,864,545) messages screened from July 15-21.

It reported an increase in the number of fake messages from an informal loan operator claiming certification by the Business Development Department.

MDES also highlighted high social media interest in a Line scam to borrow money, and call centre gangs cheating victims with fake promises of undelivered parcels.

The latest 10 most popular items of fake news are:

1. Business Development Department licensing Antrika Damnoenchom to offer informal online loans.
2. Thailand Post officials calling people to inform them about undelivered parcels.
3. Line app scammers pretending to be famous people or high-ranking officers to borrow money.
4. Revenue Department demand for all monks to pay tax through their temple’s account.
5. Fake Government Housing Bank officials asking bank account details to transfer 2,000 baht.
6. PTT Station selling refuelling cards at the special price of 890 baht.
7. Krung Thai offering generous loans of 100,000 baht with installment payments of 300 baht per month via Line @095vlabw.
8. People who haven’t had a third vaccine shot can’t see a doctor.
9. Ma Waeng Nok herb (Solanum nigrum) can treat cervical cancer.
10. New type of banknote is fake and is not legal tender.

MDES Minister Chaiwut Thanakamanusorn was accused on Wednesday during the censure debate of failing to combat the wave of cybercrime.

Pheu Thai Party MP for Loei Saran Timsuwan accused Chaiwut of protecting the government’s stability at the expense of the country’s economy and citizens, leaving them prey to cybercriminals.

Chaiwut denied the accusation, saying every country faced similar issues in the internet era and Thailand had established several agencies to combat cybercrime.

Meanwhile, MDES advised people to be cautious about information received via social media, urging them to report anything suspicious to the Anti-Fake News centre.
 

Published : July 23, 2022

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https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40018076

Dog and cat lovers will soon be able to fly with their pets between Bangkok, Chiang Mai and Phuket, thanks to a new cabin service offered by budget airline Nok Air.

The Pet on Board service will be available from next month on the airline’s Don Mueang-Chiang Mai and Don Mueang-Phuket routes.

A return-flight package priced at 12,999 baht is available for two passengers and one pet.

However, animal passengers will have to meet a long list of requirements.

Pets will only be allowed to enter cabins in a bag or container approved by Nok Air. To prevent mess, they are also required to wear a diaper during the flight.

Dog and cat passengers must be at least two months old, healthy, clean and odour-free. They require a “fit-to-fly” medical certificate issued not more than 15 days before the flight. Female pets must not be pregnant.

Separately, Nok Air offers a pet carriage service in cargo for dogs, cats and rabbits on certain flights, starting at 410 baht.

Pets must be checked in as cargo at least two hours before scheduled departure time.

However, the airline also lists 19 dog breeds that it will not accept for transportation. These include Pekingese, Boxer, Pug, Shar Pei, Chow Chow, Mastiff, Bulldog, Pit Bull, and American Pit Bull Terrier.

Published : July 23, 2022

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https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40018073

More Asian food companies are transitioning to cage-free eggs in response to concerns about animal welfare, a recent report from an international animal protection agency shows.

Sinergia Animal said its recent survey of 50 egg producers in India, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia and Thailand showed that 35 have opted to let their laying hens run free.

Phichamon Thamasook, Sinergia’s corporate communications manager, pointed out that Asia is the world’s largest egg producer with a capacity of 1 billion eggs per year, but most laying hens are raised in battery cages.

“This raising method is very cruel,” she said, adding that battery cages have been banned in Europe, Canada, New Zealand and nine US states.

She explained that battery cages prevent laying hens from moving naturally like perching, nesting, dust bathing and stretching.

Over the past decade, 2,300 food companies worldwide have stopped sourcing eggs from battery farms, she said. However, she said, food companies in Asia are also committing to cruelty-free practices and hopes this trend will continue.

Published : July 23, 2022

By : THE NATION

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https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40018069

A Nigerian man, who is Thailand’s first monkeypox patient, is believed to have fled to Cambodia, police said on Saturday.

The 27-year-old, identified as Osmond Chihazirim Nzerem, entered Thailand in October last year on an education visa, which expired in January.

He later travelled to Phuket, where he visited a local hospital last Saturday (July 16) with small blisters on his skin. Tests confirmed he has monkeypox, but health officials have not been able to track him down.

According to police records, Nzerem left his condominium at about 9pm on Tuesday (July 19) in a Honda car.

Security officials in the border province said on Saturday that the patient may have sneaked into Cambodia.

A likely “natural exit” may be the canal below a newly built bridge linking Thailand and Cambodia, a source said. People who want to cross over without undergoing immigration formalities usually swim across the canal and get picked up on the other side to be driven to the seaside town of Sihanoukville, the source added.

Separately, Public Health Minister Anutin Charnvirakul said on Saturday that Thailand will inform Cambodia about the case.

Published : July 23, 2022

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https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40018066

Heavy to very heavy rain can be expected in 36 provinces on Saturday and Sunday, the Thai Meteorological Department announced.

In the Saturday weather report, the department explained that a monsoon trough is lying across the lower North, upper Central and lower Northeast of Thailand. In addition, a moderate southwest monsoon is prevailing over the Andaman Sea, the South and the Gulf of Thailand. Plus, south and southwestern winds prevail over the lower Northeast.

These factors, the department said, will bring heavy rain to some areas in the North, Northeast, Central region, the East and the South. The department also warned of flash floods and water bodies overflowing.

The affected areas over Saturday and Sunday are as follows:

Saturday

• North: Mae Hong Son, Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Phayao, Phrae, Nan, Lamphun, Lampang, Uttaradit, Sukhothai, Phichit, Phitsanulok, Tak, Kamphaeng Phet and Phetchabun.
• Northeast: Loei, Chaiyaphum, Nakhon Ratchasima, Buri Ram, Surin, Si Sa Ket and Ubon Ratchathani
• Central: Nakhon Sawan, Uthai Thani, Chai Nat, Kanchanaburi and Ratchaburi.
• East: Nakhon Nayok, Prachinburi, Chonburi, Rayong, Chanthaburi and Trat.
• South: Ranong, Phang-nga and Phuket

Sunday

• North: Mae Hong Son, Chiang Mai, Sukhothai, Phitsanulok, Tak, Kamphaeng Phet, Phichit and Phetchabun.
• Northeast: Chaiyaphum, Khon Kaen, Nakhon Ratchasima and Buri Ram.
• Central: Uthai Thani, Kanchanaburi and Ratchaburi.
• East: Rayong, Chanthaburi and Trat.
• South: Ranong and Phang-nga

Meanwhile, winds over the Andaman Sea and the Gulf of Thailand remain moderate with waves in the upper part of the sea and the Gulf rising about 2 metres high.

The lower Andaman will rise by about 2 metres and above 2 metres in areas with thunderstorms. Hence, the department said, all boats should proceed with caution.

People are urged to follow updates via https://www.tmd.go.th/ or call (02) 399 4012-13 or the 1182 hotline.
 

Published : July 23, 2022

By : THE NATION

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40018062

A top virologist has called on the authorities to change the definition of “fully vaccinated” to cover three doses of the Covid-19 vaccine.

In a Facebook post on Saturday, virologist Dr Yong Poovorawan said the rule of a successful vaccination system is to provide basic doses followed by a booster to raise immunity.

“For instance, for Hepatitis B, patients must receive two basic jabs one month apart and then a booster five months later. Only then is the patient considered ‘fully vaccinated’,” Yong explained.

He said this principle should also apply to Covid-19, in which the patients are given the first two jabs and then a booster four to six months later to keep their immunity high.

“There is a misunderstanding around Thailand’s vaccination tally, which says that nearly 80 per cent of the population has received second doses. This info cannot be used to conclude that the majority of Thais are fully vaccinated, as the actual number of people who got booster shots is only about 40 per cent,” he said.

“The government and responsible agencies need to change the definition of ‘fully vaccinated’ to cover three doses of the vaccine instead of two, as our vaccination rate at three doses is still low and needs to go up as fast as possible. Ideally, the vaccination rate of three doses should be at 90 per cent,” he added.

As of July 21, more than 140 million Covid-19 vaccine doses have been administered in Thailand. Of them, 57 million are first jabs covering 82.1per cent of the population, 53.3 million second jabs (76.7 per cent), and 30.4 million doses third jabs and over (43.8 per cent).

Published : July 23, 2022

By : THE NATION

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40018061

The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) posted photographs of mountains of garbage that was fished out of Bangkok canals on Friday. The operation was conducted after several parts of the capital were inundated on Thursday after overnight rain.

“Officials have been collecting garbage floating in the canals, blocking the sewerage and slowing down the drainage,” the post said. “These big and small pieces of refuse are the reason why the city gets flooded every time it is hit with heavy rain.”

On Thursday, Governor Chadchat Sittipunt said people should refrain from throwing rubbish into rivers or canals just because garbage collectors have not shown up.

“Please keep your garbage at home and wait for the trucks to come and collect it,” he said.

Published : July 23, 2022

By : THE NATION

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40018060

No animals except service dogs are allowed on the BTS Skytrain system, the Bangkok Mass Transit System (BTSC) announced on Friday.

In a Facebook post, the company said exceptions were only made for two types of service canines – seeing-eye dogs for the visually impaired and K-9 dogs for security work.

“Passengers cannot travel with their pets on the BTS system, even if they are secured in a bag, basket, cage or any other kind of carrier, so other passengers are not disturbed,” BTSC said. “If a security officer asks to check your bag, please cooperate for the security of everyone.”

Published : July 23, 2022

By : THE NATION

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40018059

The Public Health Ministry reported on Saturday (July 23) that over the past 24 hours, 2,578 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 1,877 patients have recovered and discharged from hospitals. 

The number of cumulative cases in the country since January 1, 2022, stands at 2,350,028.
 

Published : July 23, 2022

By : THE NATION

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40018048

A fugitive Malaysian businessman operating in Thailand has been arrested in southern Songkhla province for alleged money laundering.

Teow Wooi Huat, the founder of MBI Group International, was arrested in the early hours of Friday by a team led by National Police assistant chief Pol Lt-General Surachate Hakparn.

Police also searched his MBI Group office in Sadao district on the Thai-Malaysian border.

His capture came after recent arrests of local politicians in Songkhla and Nakhon Si Thammarat provinces for alleged involvement in illegal online gambling.

An investigation led by Surachate discovered their links to Teow, police said on Friday. The businessman was found to be the major financier of the online gambling rings.

MBI Group’s office in Thailand is located on a plot of land spanning over 100 rai (16 hectares). It is involved in a wide variety of businesses worth over 10 billion baht, ranging from hotels and entertainment places to amusement park and real estate.

The Malaysian businessman had been arrested in 2017 on the charge of drug dealing. He fled Songkhla and later managed to escape prosecution.

In 2018, Malaysian authorities charged Teow with financial crimes. His assets were seized for his connection with a pyramid scheme. He fled from Malaysia to Thailand last year.

His company MBI Group International made headlines in Malaysia in October 2019 when scores of Chinese nationals rallied outside the embassy in Kuala Lumpur, claiming they had lost their life savings to the firm.

The people said they had been “cheated” by an online pyramid scheme allegedly run by MBI Group International. Teow was also wanted in Malaysia in connection with a 336-million-ringgit (US$83 million) money-laundering scam in Macau.

Published : July 22, 2022