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https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40017441

Ministry of Public Health reported on Thursday (July 7) morning that in the past 24 hours there are 2,366 new patients who tested positive for Covid-19, four of whom have arrived in Thailand from abroad.

Death toll increased by 20, while 2,234 patients were cured and allowed to leave hospitals.

Cumulative cases in the country since January 1, 2022 are at 2,315,376.
 

The country’s total caseload from Covid-19 stands at 4,538,811 – 4,483,129 of whom have recovered, 24,904 are still in hospitals and 30,778 have died.

Separately, another 5,663 people were given their first Covid-19 shot in the last 24 hours, 13,029 their second shot and 52,385 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 557.71 million on Thursday, 531.52 million of whom have recovered, 19.82 million are active cases (37,545 in severe condition) and 6.37 million have died (up by 1,477).

Thailand ranks 26th in the global list of most cases, which is topped by the US with 89.93 million, followed by India with 43.57 million, Brazil with 32.69 million, France with 31.81 million and Germany with 28.81 million.

Published : July 07, 2022

By : THE NATION

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40017436

The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) aims to request a 1.03-billion-baht budget from the government as a “booster shot” to help the country’s overall tourism industry recover.

TAT Governor Yuthasak Supasorn said this budget will help the agency to achieve the target of generating 1.5 trillion baht in tourism revenue, accounting for 50 per cent of tourism revenue before the Covid-19 crisis in 2019.

He said of the 1.03-billion-baht budget, 432 million baht will be used for tourism products and businesses, 450 million baht for domestic market, 50 million baht for Asia-Pacific market and 103.75 million for Europe market.

Thailand could lose 265 billion baht in tourism revenue if TAT don’t get a booster shot budget, he pointed out.

He added that this issue is in line with Tourism and Sports Minister Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn’s remark, “If we go to war, we must have our weapons,”.

Yuthasak added that even though demand for travelling has increased, the frequency of international flights hasn’t returned to normal yet, causing flight seat occupancy to drop.

He explained that seat occupancy in the first six months this year was 17.33 million seats, accounting for 31 per cent of 56.28 million seats in 2019.

He added that TAT will launch promotional campaigns and road shows to boost seat occupancy by 10.8 million seats this year or 50 per cent of seat occupancy in 2019.

“TAT will discuss with Airports of Thailand and the Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand to ensure that the agency will gain 10.8 million seats,” he said.

Yuthasak also expected the number of domestic travellers this year to drop by 50 million people from the target of 160 million people. He added that the number of domestic travellers in the past six months was only 78.35 million people.

To stimulate domestic tourism, he said TAT will launch promotional campaigns with airlines and hotels to boost flight load factor and hotel occupancy rate to 70 per cent and 55 per cent, respectively.

He said TAT will launch a project with tour bus operators affected by Covid-19 crisis to boost the number of passengers, adding that the agency will subsidise fuel prices for tour bus operators as well.

Published : July 06, 2022

By : THE NATION

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40017434

The delay by the National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC) in considering the merger deal between two telecom giants would be a dereliction of duty, the House of Representatives’ consumer protection commission said on Wednesday.

The commission made the remark during discussions with related agencies to follow up on the merger deal between telecom giants True Corporation and Total Access Communication (DTAC).

Commission adviser Kanapol Tuisuwan said the merger deal worth 217 billion baht is considered the biggest deal in Thailand.

If the merger deal is completed, True and DTAC will be able to generate 83 billion baht in annual revenue, impacting the country’s gross domestic product, he added.

He also pointed out that the merger deal would lead to market domination, adding that the government will lose benefits during the new round of spectrum concession auction.

He further added that True would gain 1.58 billion baht in profit from the merger deal.

However, an NBTC representative stated that the watchdog has the authority to prevent market domination by an entity.

The representative also asked for more time to consider the deal, but the consumer protection commission noted that a delay by the NBTC would be a dereliction of duty, as there has been no answer to society until now.

The commission also believes that the NBTC’s move would lead to mergers without measures to protect consumers’ interests.

Meanwhile, a representative from National Telecom (NT) said it is the NBTC’s duty to consider the merger deal.

It pointed out that the merger deal would cause an impact on market share in the telecom industry. The market share of True and DTAC would jump to 54 per cent compared to 46 per cent of another telecom giant Advanced Info Service (AIS).

The market share of True and DTAC is currently 32 per cent and 22 per cent, respectively, the NT representative said.

It said the merger deal would force small telecom operators and mobile virtual network operators to close their business.

The NT representative also predicted that the merger deal would impact consumers’ alternatives and service efficiency.

It added that service fee would increase and there would be no need to launch promotional campaigns.

Published : July 06, 2022

By : THE NATION

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40017433

The chief of the Pollution Control Department outlined the steps Thailand is taking to fight smog at a five-nation ministerial meeting on cross-border smog control.

Attapol Charoenchansa, director-general of the department, said Natural Resources and Environment Minister Varawut Silpa-archa had assigned him to participate in the online meeting of environment minsters from five Asean nations on Monday. 

The four other countries joining the 23rd meeting on cross-border smog were Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia and Singapore.

During the meeting, each country reported its preparations to prevent forest fires and subsequent smog in lower Asia, Attapol said.

Attapol reported the preparations Thailand was making to prevent peat swamp forest fires in the southern provinces.

Attapol said he also demonstrated the use of a weather model to predict the air quality seven days in advance from July to October.

The meeting also deliberated on a joint strategic and sustainable plan to manage peat swamp forests in lower Asia, Attapol said.

He said peat swamp forest fires could happen from July to September as it is a dry season for lower Asia and fires in southern Thailand and on Indonesia’s Sumatra island would cause smog that could affect Thailand and other nations in lower Asia.

To cope with such a situation, the department has joined hands with other government agencies under the Natural Resources and Environment Ministry to try to prevent forest fires at peat swamps, Attapol said.

He said Varawut has instructed all agencies of his ministry to integrate operations to try to prevent forest fires.

The agencies were also instructed by Varawut to seek cooperation from local people to prevent the fires by establishing a fire alert network. The local people were told that swamp forest fires would hurt both their health and tourism, Attapol added.

Published : July 06, 2022

By : THE NATION

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40017431

Tsunami detection buoys are only out of position, not broken, a Mineral Resources Department expert confirmed on Wednesday.

Netizens had criticised the tsunami detection system, saying it cannot help Thais after news of a series of earthquakes in the Andamans including one near the Nicobar Islands.

In response, Suwit Kosuwan, an expert on mineral resources management, said the tsunami buoys were out of position for around 2-3 months before the earthquakes and could not be replaced quickly because it would “take a lot of time and the budget was limited”.

He also said online real-time warning would not be available as the buoys were out of position. If there is significant vibration in the water level, a signal would normally be sent to a satellite and warning towers.

Staff might not be able to receive real-time information but they could monitor the information from nearby countries and send a warning, he said.

However, Suwit said he was sure the monitoring and alarm system in each area was “efficient enough” in the advent of a tsunami while the system and equipment have been maintained and people have practised evacuations.

The expert suggested monitoring the situation closely but said he was not concerned as he believed it wouldn’t be nearly as severe as the 2004 tsunami.

Earlier on Wednesday, Phang-nga announced it had made preparations for a tsunami after several earthquakes in the Andaman Sea.

Read More: https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40017419

Published : July 06, 2022

By : THE NATION

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40017429

Two network transformers on Krung Kasem Road that belong to the same lot as the one that caused a fire in Bangkok’s Sampheng area last month were on Tuesday removed by the Metropolitan Electricity Authority (MEA).

The MEA officials will thoroughly inspect them to ensure that they are safe for use.

The MEA move came after a fire broke out at a three-storey shophouse in Sampheng on June 26, killing two persons and injuring 11 others. A preliminary inspection revealed the fire was caused by an explosion from a transformer in front of the building.

MEA governor Wilas Chaloeysat said on Wednesday that there are a total of four network transformers in Bangkok that are from the same lot as the one that caused the fire. The other two are located in Wat Liab district, and are scheduled to be removed for inspection on July 8.

Wilas added that so far this year, the MEA has inspected over 450 network transformers in inner Bangkok and Rattanakosin Island to ensure the safety of surrounding communities and that the power grid is stable.

“The inspection has been carried out annually by dissolved gas analysis method on the gas collected from the transformers, which is similar to a human blood test,” said Wilas. 

“Officials will test and analyse various components of the gas including the humidity, carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, ethylene, methane, and acetylene, which will tell us if the transformers are working properly or not, and which part needs fixing.”

The MEA has also carries out standard checks on over 67,000 transformers in Bangkok, Nonthaburi and Samut Prakan provinces every year. Priority will be given to transformers in highly populated areas to ensure safety for electricity users. So far, over 18,000 transformers have been checked this year.

“Standard checks will include thermal scanning to detect any unusual temperature, testing of safety system, and checks on power load, voltage, connectors, and ground connection,” said Wilas. “The MEA is also using online transformer control and monitoring system to ensure that transformers and related equipment are working properly 24/7.”

Published : July 06, 2022

By : THE NATION

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40017423

Education Minister Trinuch Thienthong reiterated on Wednesday that ganja is banned in all schools following reports that students sneaked some in to smoke while another student coolly carried a cannabis drink.

Trinunch said she signed an Education Ministry directive on June 16 to ban ganja in schools and the directive has already taken effect after being published in the Royal Gazette on Monday.

She was referring to two incidents reported by social media about ganja use and abuse by students.

On Monday, a female paediatrist, Suteera Uapairojkij, posted on her Facebook wall that she had learned about ganja use in a school from a teacher.

Suteera quoted the unnamed teacher of the unidentified school as saying that during his long years of teaching, he had “never experienced anything like what he recently encountered”.

According to Suteera, the teacher found a student carrying a cannabis drink in a vacuum flask to school one morning.

Then at noon, secondary school students locked their classroom door to smoke marijuana.

Suteera quoted the teacher as saying that when another teacher entered the room to stop them, a boy threatened to assault the teacher. When the school summoned the parents of the boy, it found they did not prohibit their son from smoking ganga.

Suteera said the school then advised the parents to send the boy for treatment for marijuana addiction.

The education minister said all schools must launch awareness campaigns among parents and students about the negative impacts of marijuana and hemp.

“I would like to emphasise here that smoking ganja or eating food containing cannabis ingredients is prohibited in schools,” Trinuch said.

“There is only one exemption – medical use as prescribed by doctors.”

She said the Education Ministry would seek the Interior Ministry’s help to enforce the ban.

The ministry will also seek cooperation from food and drink shops near schools not to sell food or drinks with cannabis, she added.

Published : July 06, 2022

By : THE NATION

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40017419

Phang-nga has made preparations for a tsunami after the advent of several earthquakes centred in the Andaman Sea.

Governor Chamroen Thipphayaphongthada said on Wednesday the local disaster prevention and mitigation office is closely monitoring the earthquake situation in the Andaman Islands and surrounding areas.

The office found that the frequency of earthquakes on Monday and Tuesday increased compared to the past but it has not affected Thailand and there have been no reports of any tsunami yet.

Chamreon said the office ordered every district chief (except for Kapong) to inform the local administration, local leaders, volunteers and network partners of the situation so news updates can get out to residents.

He said people should follow news mainly from government agencies and strictly follow the district’s tsunami plan. Staff have been allocated and trained in each district and will follow the plan as soon as there is a tsunami warning.

Meanwhile, Rangsit University’s Climate Change and Disaster Centre director Seree Supratid said the situation was abnormal, but asked people not to panic.

Seree advised residents in Phang-nga, Ranong, Krabi, Phuket and Satun to follow the situation closely, because a series of small earthquakes could unleash a big, powerful one and in turn possibly lead to a tsunami.

Published : July 06, 2022

By : THE NATION

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40017417

A reception to mark the 125th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Russia and Thailand was held at Shangri-La Hotel in Bangkok on Monday, with Foreign Minister Don Pramudwinai designating Russia as an important partner of Thailand.

The event was attended by senior officials of the government, Parliament, city administration, various ministries and departments, as well as the Armed Forces of Thailand at the invitation of the Russian Embassy.

Don, House of Representatives deputy speaker Suchart Tonjaroen and Bangkok Governor Chadchart Sittipunt reportedly attended the reception.

In his welcome speech, Russian Ambassador Evgeny Tomikhin reviewed the history of Moscow-Bangkok ties, stressed on the “steady development” of current relations and the prospects for expanding bilateral cooperation.

Meanwhile, Don highlighted the importance of the “time-tested” relations between the two countries and their “well-developed” legal framework, and said Russia is an important partner of Thailand.

Published : July 06, 2022

By : THE NATION

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40017415

Bangkok Governor Chadchart Sittipunt aims to sign transfer orders against high-ranking Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) officials who were involved in corruption in various projects.

Many people on Monday had filed complaints about corruption by top BMA officials, especially those at district offices.

Initially, a secret investigation team established by Chadchart found five high-ranking district officials allegedly involved in corruption. Lat Krabang district office director Thanasit Methaphanmuang subsequently resigned on Tuesday.

Chadchart also aims to sign transfer orders against top BMA officials who had “failed” to carry out their duties, especially those at the Culture, Sports and Tourism Department, Traffic and Transportation Department and Finance Department.

The officials facing transfer are subordinates of former Bangkok governor Aswin Kwanmuang. They will be relocated in September as many positions will be available at that time due to retirement.

Chadchart said official transfers must be carried out periodically, but officials who are involved in corruption will face punishment immediately if they are found guilty.

He said he has instructed all BMA agencies to check loopholes in operations and propose ways to tackle graft in order to boost transparency.

A group of 30 people led by the chairman of Lat Krabang community network Ronnachai Sangkhamitkul met Chadchart on Tuesday, asking him to clarify graft charges against the five officials and suspend the resignation of the Lat Krabang district office director.

Ronnachai said there is no corruption in Lat Krabang district, claiming that the office director resigned to take care of his father.

Chadchart asked the group not to worry about the issue, saying he is waiting for more information.

The governor said it was the Lat Krabang district office director’s decision whether to resign or not, adding that he hasn’t yet signed any transfer orders.

Published : July 06, 2022

By : THE NATION