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https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40017511

Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha was shocked by the gun attack on former Japanese prime minister Shinzo Abe, Foreign Minister Don Pramudwinai said on Friday.

Don said PM Prayut is about to issue a statement on the incident on behalf of the Thai government and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, in Thailand’s capacity as Asean’s coordinator.

“The prime minister was extremely shocked by the incident. He didn’t think this would happen to his friend,” the foreign minister said.

According to him, Prayut and Abe have known each other for a long time as they often met during bilateral and international conferences, both in Thailand and Japan.

When asked by reporters at Government House on Friday, Prayut said he was aware of the attack on Abe. But he refused to comment on the matter, saying he had a sore throat.

Abe was shot on Friday morning, described as an assassination attempt by the Japanese media, while he was campaigning in the city of Nara ahead of Sunday’s election for the Japanese parliament’s upper house.

The 67-year-old former prime minister was in a “grave condition” after being shot, Japanese media quoted his successor and current PM, Fumio Kishida, as saying.

A 41-year-old man, identified as Yamagami Tetsuya, was arrested at the scene while holding a gun. The suspect has been taken into custody on suspicion of attempted murder, according to Japanese media.

Published : July 08, 2022

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40017510

Patumwan Demonstration School under Srinakharinwirot University announced on Friday that it will switch to online learning from July 8 to 12 after an outbreak of Covid-19 among students and staff.

The school, which is located on Henri Dunant Rd in Bangkok’s Pathum Wan district, said it would resume onsite learning on July 18, as July 13 through 17 are public holidays for Asanha Bucha and Buddhist Lent.

On Thursday, Bangkok Christian College in Bang Rak district switched to online schooling after more than 700 of its students and staff tested positive for Covid-19.

However, the school announced on Friday that the 700 infections represented the total number of cases reported since May 17, the first day of the academic year.

“Currently, about 200 Bangkok Christian College students and staff who have tested positive for Covid-19 are undergoing treatment, from a total of around 5,000,” school principal Waraporn Subsomboon said on Friday.

“To curb the spread, we will switch to online schooling on July 11-12 and again on July 18-19, with public holidays from July 13 to 17. On-site schooling will resume on July 20,” she added.

Waraporn said the school is following Education Ministry guidelines for outbreaks. Students are screened via ATK tests every week and any classes reporting infections are suspended, while everyone at the school must wear face masks at all times.

“We will evaluate the situation periodically and adjust the learning method accordingly,” she said, adding that the school remained committed to onsite learning as the best method of education.

Published : July 08, 2022

By : THE NATION

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https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40017509

Tensions rose on Thailand’s western border area after the Myanmar military sent reinforcements for an expected new attack on opposition forces.

Four battalions of Myanmar troops reportedly have been sent to the border area adjoining Tak province in a renewed attempt to seize the camps of minority Karen forces and the People’s Defence Force of the Myanmar opposition’s National Unity Government.

Military movements and operations could be observed south of Myawaddy town, opposite Tak’s Mae Sot and Umphang districts.

Shots of mortar guns could be heard from the Thai side of the border on Thursday night. The shots reportedly were fired at a village where opposition forces are based.

In Tak’s border district of Phop Phra, the Thai Army conducted frequent patrols to ensure safety for local residents and farmers. The locals started returning to their plantations and orchards after avoiding going to work on their farms due to heavy fighting across the border.

Meanwhile, at least 275 Myanmar villagers seeking refuge in Phop Phra district have sought an extension of their stay due to fears that Myanmar soldiers would return to their village.

Published : July 08, 2022

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40017507

A special task force from the Department of Provincial Administration (DOPA) swooped in and arrested a senior tourist police officer and his accomplice for allegedly collecting protection money from local entertainment businesses.

The senior sergeant major was caught along with Manas (last name withheld), a 46-year-old Suphanburi-native, in the parking lot of a Nonthaburi shopping mall on Thursday night.

Ronnarong Thipsiri, chief of the department’s law-enforcement division, said the department had been alerted of two men pretending to be members of DOPA’s special taskforce and collecting “protection” money from bars and pubs in Nonthaburi’s Bang Yai area. The two men had reportedly been threatening to shut down businesses that refused to pay them a 3,000-5,000 baht monthly fee.

“We tracked down and ambushed the two men after learning that they were meeting at the parking lot on Thursday night. The arrests were made without the use of any force,” Ronnarong said.

Shortly after the arrest, National Police chief Pol General Suwat Jangyodsuk sacked the police officer immediately and ordered the Tourist Police Bureau to set up a committee to conduct a disciplinary investigation as soon as possible.

“I have also told the Nonthaburi police chief to personally supervise the criminal charges in this case to ensure a fast and transparent investigation,” he said. “The Royal Thai Police will not protect police officers who have broken the law.”

Published : July 08, 2022

By : THE NATION

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40017504

The Central Vaccination Centre announced on Thursday that people can start registering for a Pfizer or Moderna booster shot from Friday onwards.

The vaccines will be administered at Bangkok’s Bang Sue Grand Station and mobile-phone users can book their queue number via their service provider’s website:

• AIS: http://www.ais.th/vaccine
• True: https://vaccine.trueid.net/
• Dtac: https://app.dtac.co.th/vaccine/index.html
• NT: https://covid19vaccine.ntplc.co.th/CVC/home

Registrants will be provided with a QR code, SMS or notification via the “Vaccine Bang Sue” app, which can be shown to vaccination staff.

Vaccinations will be provided from July 11 to 31 from 9am to 4pm.

Those unable to book via a mobile phone service provider can also walk in for service.

The interval period for a Pfizer/Moderna dose is:

• 3rd jab: At least 90 days after 2nd jab
• 4th, 5th, 6th jab: At least 120 days after the last jab

Note:

• Moderna will only be provided for those aged 18 and above
• Walk-ins will get AstraZeneca or Sinovac vaccine
• Thais must register using their ID number, while foreigners must use the Citizen ID number created in the MorProm app
• Vaccine recipients can choose to get the full dose via intramuscular injection or a half dose via intradermal injection.    

Published : July 08, 2022

By : THE NATION

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40017503

The State Railway of Thailand (SRT) and the Department of Highways have been tasked with tackling problems faced by residents affected by mega transport projects.

At a meeting with ministry executives on Thursday, Transport Minister Saksayam Chidchob cited the high-speed railway project linking three key airports.

The project will link Don Mueang, Suvarnabhumi and U-Tapao airports, and allow a seamless route to the Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC).

Saksayam said people who have been affected by the project should be attended to as soon as possible. He said they should either be compensated or given a new residence as required by law.

He also instructed SRT to survey other affected communities in the following areas to determine appropriate aid, namely:

• In Bangkok’s Bang Sue and Chatuchak districts, where SRT is carrying out land-development projects

• Makkasan swamp area, where SRT will develop a residential project

• Along Nakhon Ratchasima-Nong Khai high-speed rail project

• Along Surat Thani-Hat Yai-Songkhla dual-track rail project

The Department of Highways, meanwhile, was instructed to survey communities in the following areas:

• Samut Sakhon’s Thajin subdistrict affected by the Rama II-Wang Manao elevated expressway construction

• Saphan Ruamjai community in Bangkok’s Don Mueang district affected by the construction of department’s new district office

Saksayam instructed both SRT and the highways department to send officials to talk to affected residents and coordinate with local authorities to identify the problems, so correct steps can be taken.

Published : July 08, 2022

By : THE NATION

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40017498

For the first time in 18 years, Thailand Post announced that it is increasing fees for domestic letters and parcels. The new fees, effective immediately, will be valid until December 31, 2024.

In its announcement on Thursday, Thailand Post said the increase was due to rising delivery costs and inflation.

Under the rates, posting letters will cost:

• 10g: 3 baht
• 10-20g: 5 baht
• 20-100g: 10 baht
• 100-250g: 15 baht
• 250-500g: 20 baht
• 500g to 1kg: 35 baht
• 1kg-2kg: 55 baht

Printed materials:

• 50g: 3 baht
• 50-100g: 4 baht
• 100-250g: 6 baht
• 250-500g: 8 baht
• 500g-1kg: 13 baht
• 1kg-2kg: 25 baht
• Anything above 2kg will be charged 12 baht per kilo.

Boxed parcels:

• Less than 1kg: 20 baht
• 1kg and above: 15 baht for every kilo

Anything above 1kg will be calculated as a whole kilogram.

People and businesses who need to post a large number of parcels are advised to use EMS, which charges 19 baht for every kilo posted on Sundays, reduced from 25 baht per kilo on weekdays. The original EMS fee is 32 baht for every 20 grams.

Published : July 08, 2022

By : THE NATION

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40017495

The actual number of Covid-19 infections in Thailand may come in at more than 78,000 patients per day, and people have been advised to protect themselves and their family members.

In a Facebook post on Friday, Chulalongkorn University’s Assoc Prof Dr Thira Woratanarat pointed out that the Public Health Ministry only reports infections that have been confirmed by an RT-PCR test. This comes in at about 2,000 cases per day, but infections that have yet to be confirmed are much higher than that.

Thira, who lectures at the Faculty of Medicine, said that though the mask mandate has been lifted in many public places, wearing a facemask is still key to preventing the virus from spreading.

“Most importantly, people should wear the mask correctly for maximum protection. This means the mask should cover both the nose and mouth with no openings at the cheeks,” he said.

“If you are not sure about the protection provided by one mask, then wear a fabric mask on top to keep it pushed against your face,” the medical expert said. “People who are in close contact with infected persons, like medical professionals or family members, are advised to wear an N95 mask or equivalent.”

Thira added that it was difficult to stop the virus from spreading among family members as people tend to lower their guard at home.

“People living with their families are advised to monitor their symptoms closely and perform ATK tests periodically. If any member is infected, they should be isolated immediately,” he said.

“Covid-19 vaccines help prevent severe symptoms and death, but they are not 100 per cent effective yet. Wearing a facemask and avoiding high-risk places are still key to protecting oneself from the virus,” said Thira.

On Friday morning, the Public Health Ministry reported 2,144 confirmed Covid-19 cases and 20 fatalities over 24 hours. Also on Friday, 1,946 patients had recovered and were discharged from hospitals. Thailand’s total Covid cases since January 1, 2022, stands at 2,317,520 and at 4,540,955 since the pandemic started in early 2020.

Published : July 08, 2022

By : THE NATION

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40017493

Ministry of Public Health reported on Friday (July 8) morning that in the past 24 hours there are 2,144 new patients who tested positive for Covid-19 in the country.

Death toll increased by 20, while 1,946 patients were cured and allowed to leave hospitals.

Cumulative cases in the country since January 1, 2022 are at 2,317,520.
 

The country’s total caseload from Covid-19 stands at 4,540,955 – 4,485,075 of whom have recovered, 25,082 are still in hospitals and 30,798 have died.

Separately, another 5,040 people were given their first Covid-19 shot in the last 24 hours, 11,925 their second shot and 40,410 a booster, bringing the total number of Covid-19 vaccine doses administered nationwide to 140,164,583.

According to Worldometer, confirmed cases globally had risen to 558.77 million on Friday, 532.21 million of whom have recovered, 20.19 million are active cases (37,712 in severe condition) and 6.37 million have died (up by 1,725).

Thailand ranks 26th in the global list of most cases, which is topped by the US with 90.07 million, followed by India with 43.59 million, Brazil with 32.76 million, France with 31.97 million and Germany with 28.93 million.

Published : July 08, 2022

By : THE NATION

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40017484

Bangkok Christian College has decided to return to online schooling after more than 700 of its students and personnel got infected with Covid-19.

After eight weeks of on-site teaching and learning, a sharp increase in the number of new infections has been recorded — 688 students and 70 personnel — Waraporn Subsomboon, the school’s principal and deputy director of academic affairs, said in a statement issued on Wednesday.

She said in order to curb new infections, the school adopted the measure of five-day closure of classes with infections exceeding 10 per cent of total student strength.

The measure led to “satisfactory results to an extent”, the principal’s statement said.

However, new cases increased rapidly over the past week, leading to concerns about potential impacts on on-site schooling.

The school decided to provide online schooling on July 11-12 and again on July 18-19, with public holidays from July 13 to 17, the statement said.

On-site schooling resumes on July 20.

Established in 1852, Bangkok Christian College is a prestigious private boys’ school in Bangkok’s financial district of Silom.

Published : July 07, 2022