A mild 3.2-magnitude earthquake at a depth of 2km was reported in Khao Phang subdistrict in Surat Thani’s Ban Ta Khun district at 6.17am on Wednesday by the Thai Meteorological Department’s Earthquake Observation Division.
The Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Department said locals in Ban Ta Khun and nearby districts did not feel any tremors, and so far there have been no reports of property damage caused by the earthquake.
The department said the area where the quake was reported is 21km northeast of Rajjaprabha Dam, a tourist hotspot.
It coordinated with the Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand to run preliminary diagnostics on the dam structure and found that everything was in normal condition.
The department said it has alerted local authorities of the situation and urged them to closely follow the latest updates from the Meteorological Department.
Rajjaprabha Dam, or Cheow Lan Dam, is a 95-metre-tall multi-purpose structure. It is for electricity generation, irrigation, flood control, and fishing, with a capacity of 5.63 billion cubic metres and 240MW output.
Residents in Chiang Kham’s Ban Pha Lat community in Phayao teamed up to construct a vital wooden bridge with their bare hands – for the fifth time in three years – after no government agencies stepped in to help.
Aconcrete bridge that was built by Phayao’s Rural Roads Department broke in 2020 after being hit by a flash flood.
When no government agency stepped forward to repair the sole bridge, Ban Pha Lat residents banded together and built a wooden bridge as an iron one was way too expensive.
Village headman Somsak Kengdecha said residents in the area have needed the bridge for more than 30 years to cross over to agricultural lands.
He said villagers have built and rebuilt the wooden bridge five times in three years as the Mae Lao Subdistrict Administrative Organisation (SAO) helped “only a bit before it disappeared”.
The community has always hoped a government agency would step in and construct a proper bridge.
Former Palang Pracharath MP Thammanat Prompow inspected the structure on June 5 and ordered related organisations to help before tropical storm Chaba damages or breaks the bridge again this month.
Phayao’s Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Department (DDPM) said at first that an iron bridge would cost 200,000 baht, and the Mae Lao SAO subsequently promised to come up with the needed money.
However, the DDPM later changed the construction cost to 400,000 baht. The SAO replied that it clearly did not have that kind of money.
Somsak said the organisations had flatly ignored his pleas for help.
The villagers have been affected as this is harvesting season, he said. Without a proper bridge it would be difficult for the community to tend their crops or collect them.
Villagers want the organisations to visit the area and help because they need to find more wood to repair the bridge each time a flash flood destroys it.
The Rural Roads Department said it had submitted an application for money for the purpose.
It expects the budget of 16-17 million baht to be approved in 2023 for construction of an 80-metre bridge.
The Rural Roads Department has asked the villagers to wait as the department has already sent an urgent application to its main branch.
A TikTok video posted by a Japanese tourist complaining about “inequality” at a Krabi hot spring after having to pay an entrance fee 10 times the amount locals are charged went viral overnight, with many netizens having their say on Tuesday.
The man posted the video after he visited Klong Thom hot spring, where he was charged a 200-baht entry fee as opposed to 20 baht for Thai visitors.
“A Japanese [tourist] feels the inequality in Thailand. I had to pay 200 baht while Thais pay only 20 baht,” he complained.
The video drew several comments in response, most disagreeing with the poster.
“I am Thai and I have paid tax to maintain this attraction,” one person responded.
“When Thais visit attractions abroad, we are charged more than locals too. This is a common practice,” another commented.
Meanwhile, Klong Thom Nua subdistrict administration organisation chief Sakhon Meekaew responded that the hot spring had been collecting entry fees at this rate for more than 10 years – Thai children 10 baht, adults 20 baht, foreign children 100 baht, foreign adults 200 baht.
“This is the same rate used at Khao Pra-Bang Khram Wildlife Sanctuary, another tourist attraction in Khlong Thom district,” he added.
Sakhon said the Japanese tourist has a right to voice his opinion, but he believed Thais who visit overseas attractions probably feel the same way.
“It is normal that foreign visitors must pay more than locals,” Sakhon felt.
Klong Thom hot spring is a saline hot spring about 46km south of Krabi Airport. The spring, which has a temperature of 40-50 degrees Celsius with a small content of sulfur, is safe for visitors to bathe in.
The attraction comprises five hot spring pounds 1-1.5 metres deep and a five-metre-high waterfall.
The Bangkok Mass Transit Authority (BMTA) has deployed 2,639 buses for 16,852 trips per day from July 13 to 18 to cope with an increased number of passengers for the five-day-long holiday.
Thousands more people are expected to leave Bangkok to visit their hometowns or travel upcountry.
July 13 and 14 are Asanha Bucha and Buddhist Lent, respectively, while Friday, July 15, is a special public holiday. Along with Saturday and Sunday, it’s a total five days of holidays, with the government expecting to promote domestic tourism.
The BMTA announced on Tuesday that it expected more commuters on routes connecting airports and bus terminals, therefore additional buses will ply the following routes:
Airport Bus A1 (Don Mueang Airport-BTS Mo Chit station), increased to 15 buses per day.
Airport Bus A2 (Don Mueang Airport-Victory Monument), increased to 12 buses per day.
Airport Bus A3 (Don Mueang Airport-Lumpini Park), increased to 8 buses per day.
Airport Bus A4 (Don Mueang Airport-Sanam Luang), increased to 8 buses per day.
Airport Bus S1 (Suvarnabhumi Airport-Sanam Luang), increased to 5 buses per day.
More buses will also be added on routes to bus terminals and train stations leading to provincial areas, as follows:
– Buses to Chatuchak bus terminal (for Northern and Northeastern provinces): No 3, 16, 49, 77, 96, 134, 136, 138, 145, 509, 517 and 536.
– Buses to Ekamai Bus Terminal (for Eastern provinces): No 2, 23, 25, 71, 72, 501, 508 and 511.
– Buses to the Southern Bus Terminal: No 66, 79, 511, 515, 516 and 556
– Buses to Hua Lamphong train station: No 4, 21, 25, 34, 73 and 501
The Public Health Ministry reported on Wednesday (July 13) that over the past 24 hours, 2,391 Covid-19 patients have been admitted to hospitals.
The death toll has risen by 25, while 1,901 patients have recovered and discharged from hospitals.
The number of cumulative cases in the country since January 1, 2022, stands at 2,327,489.
The country’s total caseload from Covid-19 stands at 4,550,924 – 4,495,935 of whom have recovered, 24,082 are still in hospitals and 30,907 have died.
Separately, another 5,579 people were given their first Covid-19 shot in the last 24 hours, 10,903 their second shot and 48,601 a booster, bringing the total number of Covid-19 vaccine doses administered nationwide to 140,544,783.
According to Worldometer, confirmed cases globally had risen to 563.06 million on Tuesday, 535.52 million of whom have recovered, 21.17 million are active cases (38,472 in severe condition) and 6.38 million have died (up by 1,443).
Thailand ranks 26th in the global list of most cases, which is topped by the US with 90.68 million, followed by India with 43.67 million, Brazil with 33.01 million, France with 32.55 million and Germany with 29.31 million.
Beware if you venture out today, July 13, and tomorrow: continuous rain with isolated heavy to very heavy showers are likely in the North, the Northeast, the Central region including Bangkok and its vicinity, the East and the South, with flash floods and overflows in several areas, the Thailand Meteorological Department warned on Wednesday.
The department cited a strong southwest monsoon, which will prevail over the Andaman Sea, the Gulf and other parts of the country, while a monsoon trough moves across the North and the Northeast.
People should beware of severe conditions that may cause flash floods and overflows on July 13 and 14, the department said.
It advised all ships to proceed with caution and keep away from areas experiencing thundershowers, while small boats in the Andaman Sea and the upper Gulf should stay ashore until July 14.
During July 15-18, the southwest monsoon will weaken and Thailand will see less rain from Friday until Sunday, but isolated heavy rains are still likely in the East and the South.
Here’s the weather forecast for July 13-18:
Bangkok and surrounding areas
July 13-14: Thundershowers in 60-70 per cent of the area with isolated heavy rains.
July 15-18: Thundershowers in 40-60 per cent of the areas.
Temperature lows of 24-28 degrees and highs of 31-37 degrees Celsius.
North
July 13-14: Thundershowers in 60-70 per cent of the area with isolated heavy to very heavy rains.
July 15-16: Thundershowers in 40-60 per cent of the area.
July 17-18: Thundershowers in 20-30 per cent of the area.
Temperature lows of 23-26 degrees and highs of 29-36 degrees Celsius.
Northeast
July 13-14: Thundershowers in 60-80 per cent of the area with isolated heavy to very heavy rains.
July 15-16: Thundershowers in 40-60 per cent of the area.
July 17-18: Thundershowers in 20-30 per cent of the area.
Temperature lows of 22-27 degrees and highs of 29-37 degrees Celsius.
Central
July 13-14: Thundershowers in 60-70 per cent of the area with isolated heavy to very heavy rains.
July 15-18: Thundershowers in 40-60 per cent of the area.
Temperature lows of 22-27 degrees and highs of 33-37 degrees Celsius.
East
July 13-14: Thundershowers in 60-80 per cent of the areas with isolated heavy to very heavy rains; waves 2-4 metres high and over 4 metres during thundershowers.
July 15-18: Thundershowers in 40-60 per cent of the area; waves 2 metres high and over 2 metres during thundershowers.
Temperature lows of 23-28 degrees and highs of 30-36 degrees Celsius.
South (east coast)
July 13-14: Thundershowers in 40-70 per cent of the area with isolated heavy rains; waves 2 metres high and 2-3 metres offshore.
July 15-18: Thundershowers in 40-70 per cent of the area; waves a metre high and over 1 metre offshore.
Temperature lows of 22-27 degrees and highs of 30-37 degrees Celsius.
South (west coast)
July 13-14: Thundershowers in 60-80 per cent of the area with isolated heavy to very heavy rains; waves 2-4 metres high and over 4 metres during thundershowers.
July 15-18: Thundershowers in 40-60 per cent of the area; waves 1-2 metres high and over 2 metres during thundershowers.
Temperature lows of 23-27 degrees and highs of 29-35 degrees Celsius.
A Thai Manchester United fan was struck in the head by a steel banner that fell during high winds at Rajamangala Stadium in Bangkok on Tuesday.
The incident occurred just three hours before the pre-season match between Premier League giants Liverpool and Manchester United was due to kick off in the stadium at 8pm.
The injured man was seen receiving first aid on the ground where he fell before being rushed to hospital.
Initial investigations indicate the banner fell after being buffeted by rain and strong winds at the stadium.
Around 52,000 fans will watch the game tonight at a sold-out Rajamangala Stadium.
The notorious public bus No 8 will soon be removed from roads after the Bangkok Mass Transit Authority (BMTA) refused to extend its concession contract, a source said on Tuesday.
The move came after the operators failed to meet new service and safety standards under the BMTA reform plan, according to the source.
Plying the route between Memorial Bridge at Victory Monument and Happy Land in eastern Bangkok, the No 8 has become synonymous with reckless driving, road accidents and bad-tempered staff.
Thiraporn Methisuriyaphong, bus operation manager at Thai Bus Transport, one of the three operators of bus No 8, said she was disappointed with the BMTA’s move. She said the company had kept buses running during the Covid-19 crisis despite the low number of passengers, suffering losses totalling 30 million baht as a result.
“All we can do now is sell the vehicles and parts at 50,000 to 60,000 baht per bus, after originally buying them for 1-2 million baht each,” she said, adding that some employees had already quit.
Thiraporn said the three operators will petition the Administrative Court in a bid to get the BMTA’s reform plan revoked.
The Royal Thai Air Force (RTAF) has released a YouTube clip to defend its reaction to an intrusion by a Myanmar fighter jet into Tak province last month.
The clip was released on Monday after the RTAF came under heavy criticism from Thai netizens for allegedly doing nothing in response to the intrusion on June 30.
The Myanmar MiG-29 intruded 4-5 kilometres into Thai air space over Phop Phra district during air strikes on ethnic rebels in a Myawaddy border town. The intrusion panicked Thai locals and reportedly caused classes at two schools to be suspended.
Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha dismissed the incident as “trivial”, however, and said the Myanmar government had apologised.
In the 40-minute clip, Group Capt Porakorn Jinawat, former commander of the RTAF intercepting fleet, said critics may have received “inadequate and incorrect information” about the air force’s reaction to the incident.
Porakorn said brief airspace intrusions can happen accidentally where borders stick out and connect like jigsaw pieces.
He added that the RTAF detects any violation of Thai airspace via radar before ground troops are alerted to verify it.
On June 30, the Myanmar fighter jet flew into Thai territory for just over one minute as it made a turn, Porakorn said.
The RTAF then detected a helicopter flying towards the border, so it dispatched two fully armed F-16 fighter jets to warn Myanmar aircraft not to violate Thai airspace.
He added the RTAF has fighter jets on alert to defend airspace throughout the country.
Some viewers of the clip commented that criticism would have been less harsh if the RTAF had issued the clip earlier.
Airlines, staff and facilities at Suvarnabhumi Airport are ready to cope with the extra rush expected during the long weekend from July 13-17.
In Thailand, there will be two public holidays this week — Asalha Bucha Day (July 13) and the start of Buddhist Lent (July 14). When combined with the weekend offs and the extra holiday declared by the government on July 15, there will be five holidays in total.
The airport’s general manager, Kittipong Kittikachorn, expected the airport to see 90,000 passengers and 580 flights per day during the period.
He said the airport and the Airline Operators Committee in Bangkok have urged airlines and ground staff to be ready for providing services to passengers during the long weekend.
He added that 318 check-in counters, 196 automatic self check-in systems and 42 automatic self bag-drop systems, as well as Zone C passport inspection checkpoints are now available for passengers.
Kittipong added that Zone C parking will be free from July 12 to 18, adding that shuttle buses from the parking lot to the passenger terminals will provide service every 15 minutes and would be available 24 hours a day during the five-day holiday.
In addition, the airport has prepared its staff to provide service to passengers during rush periods, he added.
As part of Covid-19 prevention measures, he said the airport staff would frequently clean surfaces that are touched often and provide alcohol-based sanitation gels to passengers. He added that the staff have been urged to wear a face mask and maintain social distancing while staying in the passenger terminal.
He urged passengers to arrive at the airport at least three hours before departure time for international flights and at least two hours for domestic flights, as it expects a high volume of travellers during the long holidays.
For more information, contact call centre 1722 or 0 2132 9511.
Porakorn said brief airspace intrusions can happen accidentally where borders stick out and connect like jigsaw pieces.
The RTAF then detected a helicopter flying towards the border, so it dispatched two fully armed F-16 fighter jets to warn Myanmar aircraft not to violate Thai airspace.
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