#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40017569

Hua Mark police on Sunday urged motorists to avoid roads around Rajamangala National Stadium in Bangkok on Monday and Tuesday.

The stadium is the venue for the pre-season clash between Premier League giants Liverpool and Manchester United, set to kick off at 8pm on Tuesday.

Police said motorists should avoid Ramkamhaeng Road, Lang Ram Road and Hua Mark Road from 10am to midnight on both Monday and Tuesday. They added that drivers could avoid stadium traffic by using the bypass that links to Rama IX Road and the Srinagarindra-Rom Klao Road.

Both Liverpool and Manchester United are due to hold public training sessions at the stadium on Monday ahead of their sold-out showdown on Tuesday, which will also feature a pre-match concert by K-pop star Jackson Wang of GOT7.

Training sessions from 10am on Monday and on matchday are expected to attract crowds of around 50,000 spectators.

Published : July 10, 2022

By : THE NATION

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40017561

Nation Group executives and reporters along with other media firms joined Bangkok Governor Chadchart Sittipunt in a tree-planting ceremony on Sunday morning.

The event at Rama IX Park in Bang Bon district is part of Chadchart’s campaign to have at least 1 million trees planted in the capital within four years.

Chadchart had issued a challenge to the media on June 26, while he was planting trees at the Puttharak Park in Bang Kae district. In the challenge, the governor called on the media to join forces and plant at least 1,000 trees.

However, many media outlets like Thai PBS, Channel 3, Daily News and Amarin Group, countered that they would plant 1,000 trees each.

The Standard Group, however, has committed itself to 5,000 trees and the Nation Group has pledged to plant at least 2,200.

On Sunday morning, a delighted Chadchart thanked everyone for joining his campaign and touched fists with several participants.

In an interview after the event, Chadchart said he wanted to thank the media for joining his battle against global warming and air pollution, adding that the capital should have enough trees to absorb fine particle dust in the future.

“I want to thank the media for joining hands to help change the capital for the better,” Chadchart said, adding that the media should help push this campaign further by conveying the message to city residents.

He said that since he took office on June 1, 40,000 trees have been planted, adding that at this pace some 2 million trees may be planted during his four years in office.

Meanwhile, Nation Group managing director Virasak Pong-aksorn said everybody at the group’s 10 media companies realises the importance of helping Thailand achieve its Net-Zero goal. He added that the Nation Group supports Chadchart’s 1-million trees policy and hopes to see it implemented successfully.

Virasak added that the Nation Group will also encourage its employees to plant trees at home and will launch campaigns encouraging the general public to do the same.

“I urge every resident to plant at least one tree in their area,” he said. “If all Thais plant one tree each, we will have more than 60 million trees. Imagine how much the country will change then.”

Published : July 10, 2022

By : THE NATION

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40017559

Thailand has seen as many as 2.21 million foreign tourists in the first half of this year thanks to the scrapping of the Test and Go and Thailand Pass schemes.

Citing the Tourism and Sports Ministry’s data from January 1 to July 6 this year, government spokesman Thanakorn Wangboonkongchana said on Sunday that most visitors came from India (249,466), Malaysia (277,146), Singapore (137,739), the United Kingdom (128,369) and the US (112,791).

“The number of arrivals rose sharply from 542,410 in May to 709,967 in June after Test & Go was scrapped from May 1,” he said.

Meanwhile, the first six days of this month saw 191,712 visitors after Thailand Pass was scrapped on July 1.

Thanakorn added that 67.8 million people had taken domestic trips between January 1 and July 6, while the top five destinations were Bangkok, Chonburi, Kanchanaburi, Prachuap Khiri Khan and Phetchaburi.

He added that domestic tourists generated 305 billion baht over the period and foreign tourists brought 125 billion baht to the country.

“Thailand generated close to 430 billion baht in tourism revenue in the first half, which is a good sign for the economy and tourism industry,” he said.

He said the tourism sector should generate more revenue during the high season between October and December when at least 1 million tourists are expected to land in the country every month.

He added that though the PM is satisfied with the signs of recovery, “he has urged people to strictly follow public health measures to stay safe from Covid-19”.

Published : July 10, 2022

By : THE NATION

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40017558

A recent opinion survey found that most Thais do not earn enough to cover their monthly expenses and a large number of respondents said their monthly income has dropped.

The survey was conducted by the National Institute of Development Administration (Nida) by interviewing 1,312 respondents by phone from July 6 to 8.

The respondents were at least 18 years old and came from different educational backgrounds, careers and different parts of the country.

According to the survey, 60.06 per cent of respondents said their monthly income was lower than their expenses, while 32.62 per cent said their income just about covered their expenses. The poll found that only 7.32 per cent earned more than they spent.

Also, 47.10 per cent of the respondents said their income had dropped, 46.72 per cent said their income has remained unchanged and 6.18 per cent said they earned more.

The poll found that the following bills had the biggest impact on respondents:

• Petrol: 32.73%

• Daily necessities: 25.79%

• Electricity: 13.47%

• Cooking gas: 6.1%

• Car payments: 3.36%

• House mortgage: 2.79%

• Tap water: 3.18%

• Study materials or equipment for children: 2.32%

• Home rent: 1.79%

• Public transport: 1.5%

• Other expenses: 3.05%

• No effect: 1.56%

• Don’t know, not interested: 0.04%

The pollsters placed the margin of error at 97 per cent.

Published : July 10, 2022

By : THE NATION

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40017557

All transport agencies have been instructed to strictly follow traffic and safety guidelines as well as apply Covid-prevention rules during the upcoming long weekends this month.

The public holidays in July include Asalha Bucha Day (July 13), the start of Buddhist Lent (July 14) and His Majesty the King’s birthday on July 28. The government has tagged an extra day – July 15 and July 29 – to the public holidays to allow for long weekends in a bid to stimulate domestic tourism.

Government spokesman Thanakorn Wangboonkongchana said Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha has instructed the Transport Ministry and other agencies to ensure people’s safety as many will be travelling to other provinces or returning home during the holidays.

He also said that toll fees will be waived on July 13-14 and July 28 on three expressways, namely Si Rat, Udon Ratthaya and Chalerm Maha Nakhon. Parking in Suvarnabhumi Airport’s Zone C will also be free from July 12 to 18 and from July 27 to August 1.

The Department of Highways will open Highway No 6 in Nakhon Ratchasima’s Sikhiu and Kham Thale Sor districts from July 13 to 17 and again from July 28 to 31 in a bid to ease travel and prevent congestion on Highway No 2 (Mittraphap Road), he said.

“The PM has also urged people to be careful and strictly follow traffic signs and officials’ recommendations, so they can travel and spend time safely with their families during the upcoming holidays,” he said.

Published : July 10, 2022

By : THE NATION

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40017555

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken arrived in Bangkok on Saturday and is scheduled to meet Foreign Minister Don Pramudwinai on Sunday morning.

He will also meet Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha later in the day.

Blinken’s visit was previously slated for December last year, but it was cancelled after a member of his press team tested positive for Covid-19.

The secretary of state was welcomed on Saturday night by Chettaphan Maksamphan, director-general of the Department of American and Pacific Affairs.

Before arriving here, Blinken was in Bali to attend the G20 Foreign Ministers Meeting.

Chettaphan said Blinken and Don will sign a Thailand-US communique on strategic alliance and partnership to boost bilateral ties. The two countries mark 190 years of diplomatic relations next year, he added.

“This reflects the importance of strategies and dynamics to boost Thailand-US relations,” he said.

He added that the pact will focus on strategies for revival in the fallout of the Covid-19 crisis, drive green and digital economies, renewable energy, cyber security, climate change and public health. The two leaders are also expected to discuss the United States’ hosting of Apec 2023 and the crisis in Myanmar.

Blinken, Don and Chettaphan will also sign a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on supply chain covering the manufacturing process of key business sectors, including agriculture, energy and trade.

“This MoU will make Thailand a valuable part of the US supply chain and offer opportunities in export, import and investment,” he said.

Published : July 10, 2022

By : THE NATION

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40017554

Most of Thailand will be hit by heavy rain and strong winds until Thursday, the Thai Meteorological Department warned on Sunday.

It explained that a strong southwest monsoon over the Andaman Sea and the Gulf of Thailand, as well as a monsoon trough over the South China Sea, will bring isolated heavy to very heavy rains in almost all parts of the country.

“People should be prepared for severe conditions that may cause flash floods and break riverbanks. They should also exercise caution during thundershowers,” the department said.

It also warned that strong winds will create waves as high as 4 metres in the upper Andaman Sea and even higher during thundershowers. It forecast 3-metre-high waves in the lower Andaman and above 2-metre-high waves in the upper Gulf.

“Ships should proceed with caution and beware of thundershowers. Small boats in the Andaman Sea should stay anchored from July 10 to 14,” the weather report said.

People are advised to closely follow the weather report on http://www.tmd.go.th or call the 1182 hotline or (02) 399 4012-13.

Published : July 10, 2022

By : THE NATION

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40017548

Public Health Ministry reported on Sunday (July 10) morning that in the past 24 hours there are 2,004 new patients who tested positive for Covid-19, one of whom have arrived in Thailand from abroad.

Death toll increased by 22, while 2,159 patients were cured and allowed to leave hospitals.

Cumulative cases in the country since January 1, 2022 are at 2,321,608.

The country’s total caseload from Covid-19 stands at 4,545,043 – 4,489,651 of whom have recovered, 24,557 are still in hospitals and 30,835 have died.

Separately, another 11,202 people were given their first Covid-19 shot in the last 24 hours, 23,422 their second shot and 84,462 a booster, bringing the total number of Covid-19 vaccine doses administered nationwide to 140,412,634.

According to Worldometer, confirmed cases globally had risen to 560.33 million on Sunday, 533.24 million of whom have recovered, 20.70 million are active cases (37,831 in severe condition) and 6.37 million have died.

Thailand ranks 26th in the global list of most cases, which is topped by the US with 90.31 million, followed by India with 43.62 million, Brazil with 32.87 million, France with 32.11 million and Germany with 29.02 million.

Published : July 10, 2022

By : THE NATION

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40017546

A surge in new Covid-19 infections among students has prompted a call for schools to strictly enforce preventive measures and avoid large gatherings.

Government spokesman Thanakorn Wangboonkongchana said on Saturday that the prime minister has also called on parents to get their children aged between five and 18 vaccinated against Covid so they can attend school safely.

Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha has also reiterated the application of the six-point “DMHT-RC” principle, namely distancing, mask wearing, hand washing, testing, reducing crowds and cleaning.

Schools have been advised to hold activities in small groups, adopt a screening system and conduct isolation drills to prepare for new Covid infections.

Since January 1, Thailand has seen a total of 2,319,604 Covid-19 cases and 9,115 deaths.

More than 140.2 million Covid vaccines have been administered between February 28 last year to July 7 nationwide. Of them, 57 million are first doses, 53.2 million second doses and 29.9 million third doses.

Published : July 09, 2022

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40017543

Two Nation Group media outlets have won recognition from the government for helping in the fight against online scams and threats.

Nation News Agency (NNA) and Thansettakij Online received plaques of recognition from Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha during a ceremony held at Government House on Friday.

PM Prayut presented the honorary plaques to NNA managing editor Pirawat Chotithammo and Thansettakij’s digital news editor Nattapol Wangsap, at a ceremony attended by some 70 police and media representatives.

The prime minister congratulated award recipients and thanked them for their contributions in preventing and suppressing crime involving information technology and the internet.

“Crimes related to IT affect people’s daily lives and national security. A lot of people suffer from the impacts and damage caused by such crimes,” Prayut said.

The prime minister also revealed that Thailand has stepped up collaboration with Cambodia in combating call centre gangs and hybrid scams.

He said the Cabinet on Tuesday gave the green light for the minister of digital economy and society to sign a memorandum of understanding with his Cambodian counterpart on IT-related and online crimes. This would boost Thailand’s battle against cross-border crimes, he added.

Gangs preying on Thai victims often base themselves in neighbouring Cambodia. A number of these Cambodia-based gangs were raided recently, resulting in arrests.

Praising NNA and Thansettakij for their efforts to investigate and publicise online scams, Prayut said: “All parties should help tackle IT-related crimes. The government does not want to use force or enforce the law [too strictly] if this can be avoided.”

Published : July 09, 2022