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https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40017388

Covid-19 insurance claims for over 500 million baht have been made by people using falsified documents since the outbreak of the pandemic, the Thai General Insurance Association said.

Association chairman Anon Vangvasu said on Tuesday that most of the false claims have been found among customers of “Jer Jai Jop” insurance, which promises to pay immediately on testing positive for the new coronavirus.

“As the infection spread to large numbers of the population, insurance companies have had to verify huge volumes of documentation submitted to support the claims,” he said. “This sometimes makes the inspection not thorough enough, while the money has already been paid to customers who were later found to have used falsified evidence.”

Anon added that some people were found to have used fake patient records by inputting patient ID of other infected patients who had been admitted to the hospitals, while many others have filed fake positive test results.

“Using falsified documents to commit insurance fraud is punishable by maximum three years’ imprisonment or 300,000 baht fine, or both,” Anon warned.

The rising Covid-19 claims in Thailand also has caused turmoil among the insurance companies. In March, Syn Mun Kong Insurance (SMK) filed for protection with the Central Bankruptcy Court after it failed to pay claims amounting to a whopping 164 billion baht to 1.95 million people who had purchased its Covid insurance policies.

On July 16 last year, at the height of the pandemic, the company announced that it would cancel all its Covid-19 insurance policies and would return the money to buyers. However, the Office of the Insurance Commission put the brakes on its attempts to renege on its commitments, saying SMK had to honour the policies it had sold. The same message was also conveyed to other insurers. Soon after, many companies halted sales of policies that pay immediately upon testing positive.

Published : July 05, 2022

By : THE NATION

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40017386

The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) has rejected a proposal to turn Khaosan Road into Thailand’s first cannabis hub.

BMA deputy governor Chakkraphan Phiewngarm said the idea was not practical because the tourist destination is located close to several temples and schools.

“The decision will depend on the Public Health Ministry and its regulations to control the sale of cannabis, because the road is near schools and temples,” the deputy governor said.

He added that it would be too complicated to establish a cannabis hub because authorities would have to install equipment to measure whether the products sold exceeded the legal THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) level of 0.2 per cent. THC is the psychoactive compound in cannabis.

The hub idea was floated by Sanga Ruangwattanakul, president of the Khaosan business operators association.

He proposed it after photos surfaced on social media showing Khaosan street vendors openly selling cannabis leaves and buds, as well as ganja in cigarette papers.

Sanga said these vendors had come from elsewhere and were violating the rules by selling their products on the street rather than inside buildings. He said an organised cannabis hub would draw more foreign tourists to the spot.

The deputy governor responded by saying the BMA does not allow street vendors to sell cannabis, hemp and kratom openly. He said vendors must first register with the BMA and can only sell the products they name in the registration.

Chakkraphan said BMA law enforcers (thessakij) in all 50 districts have been ordered to clamp down on the sale of cannabis products, especially around schools.

Published : July 05, 2022

By : THE NATION

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40017377

The government is planning to create two special committees that can come up with ways of tackling economic and energy crises as well as measures to ease people’s cost of living.

The first committee will be chaired by Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha and will focus on the country’s economy. The second committee, led by Energy Minister Supattanapong Punmeechaow, will monitor the global economic and energy situation, and analyse the impact it has on Thailand. The second panel is set to convene soon.

News of the two committees was announced by Prayut on Monday after he attended a three-hour-long meeting with the National Security Council to address economic problems.

“The second committee will also set up plans for trading, investment, energy, finance and banking in line with the current and future global economic and energy situations,” Prayut said.

“It will set up measures for the next three and six months, as well as action for next year so Thailand is ready for changing situations and there is minimal impact on the country.”

Prayut said the government will also review steps taken to reduce the cost of living so far and measures for the next three months (July to September).

“We will find out which measures are working and how they can be improved. Some will be expanded to cover a wider target group, while others will be extended until the end of the year,” he said. “We will also consider more measures based on the available budget.

“In the last quarter, the government will review the measures again and see which are not necessary anymore and can be stopped, so as to not add too much burden on the country’s finances,” Prayut added.

The premier also said he has instructed the Energy Ministry to obtain energy from alternative sources to ensure Thailand has sufficient power for all sectors despite the ongoing energy crisis.

Published : July 05, 2022

By : THE NATION

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40017376

Hospitals across the nation should be prepared to deal with a new Covid-19 wave, the Rural Doctors Society (RDS) said in a Facebook post on Monday citing the Public Health Ministry’s recent announcement.

The ministry issued a directive recently urging hospitals to prepare medical equipment and supplies for Covid-19 patients with severe symptoms and be ready for patient transfers. 

The healthcare system has also been urged to speed up the administration of booster doses among medical staff and citizens, as well as cooperate with related agencies on implementing plans to contain the spread of Covid-19. 

“Everyone should be careful,” RDS advised.

Meanwhile, the Department of Disease Control (DDC) expects the number of Covid-19 patients in hospital to peak by September. 

Dr Chakkarat Pittayawonganon, director of DDC’s Bureau of Epidemiology, said the number of Covid-19 patients being hospitalised has risen in Bangkok and surrounding areas, as well as in provinces popular with tourists. 

However, he said, the hospital bed occupancy rate is at 20 to 30 per cent, far lower than the 50-per cent limit. He also said there is plenty of medical supplies to treat all Covid-19 patients. 

“There will be a small Covid-19 wave from July 1, pushing up the number of patients requiring treatment,” he said. 

Thailand lifted all restrictions on July 1, including Thailand Pass for foreigners.

To prevent the situation from getting out of hand, he advised people to continue wearing facemasks in crowded or poorly ventilated areas, especially elderly people aged 60 and above, pregnant women and those with underlying diseases. 

“Vulnerable people should receive their booster shots to reduce the risk of severe symptoms and death,” he added. 

Separately, Dr Nithipat Jearakul, chief of Siriraj Hospital’s Department of Respiratory Disease and Tuberculosis, urged the government to reveal the actual number of Covid-19 cases and asked people to be ready for a new wave. 

He said the actual number of Covid cases had risen to 50,000 per day last week, far higher than the number released by the Public Health Ministry. 

The ministry reported 1,917 new Covid-19 cases and 18 deaths on Tuesday.

“If the government does not contain the spread of Covid-19, the number of patients who develop severe symptoms and deaths will rise,” he said. 

In a related report, Bunyawat Witthayalai School in Lampang’s Muang district is holding online classes after many students, teachers and school officials tested positive for Covid-19.

Published : July 05, 2022

By : THE NATION

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40017375

After a blaze sparked by a faulty transformer torched six shophouses in Bangkok’s Sampheng market last week, Mahidol University’s electrical engineering department has come up with guidelines to prevent a repeat.

The blaze last Sunday, which killed two and injured 11, took firefighters more than two hours to control. The fire also damaged four cars and three motorcycles.

Supun Tiptipakorn, chief of Mahidol University’s Department of Electrical Engineering, explained that transformers are important as they distribute power. He added that most transformers installed outside buildings use oil to prevent short circuits and reduce the temperature.

These oil-type transformers are cheap and their efficiency will drop over time, especially during the hot months when the demand for electricity surges, he said. This can trigger the risk of fire due to voltage overload.

“More than 10,000 of these oil-type transformers were installed in Greater Bangkok and 154 are in inner Bangkok,” he said.

Hence, he said, related agencies should use the following guidelines to prevent transformers from causing damage to people’s lives and properties:

• Use dry-type transformers as they are safer though more expensive.

• Cover areas near transformers with fireproof sheets to prevent fires and do not use transformers with a capacity of more than 250kVA to prevent an explosion.

• Use transformers for no more than 20 years, even those with a lifetime guarantee of 25 years.

• Change oil inside transformers periodically to prevent short circuits and reduce heat.

• Develop a system in which all transformers are checked regularly and people are informed in advance if there is a risk of fire.

• Use only 80 per cent of transformers’ capacity to ensure safety. For instance, only 400kVA should be used from a 500kVA transformer.

• Set up partitions or put up signs stopping people from setting up stalls or parking near transformers. The Metropolitan Electricity Authority (MEA)’s telephone number should be clearly displayed on each transformer so people can contact the authority in case of emergency.

• Keep cables away from transformers as they will trigger a fire.

• Start burying cables and electrical systems, especially in business areas and communities in the heart of the city.

As for people living near transformers, his advice is as follows:

• Close doors and windows near transformers and set up fireproof materials.

• Have a working fire-extinguishing system.

• Monitor the transformer and inform MEA in case of abnormality.

• Avoid activities or parking vehicles near transformers.

• Hold fire drills and evacuation training sessions regularly to boost awareness and reduce loss.

• Get a fire-insurance policy.

Published : July 05, 2022

By : THE NATION

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40017373

The number of Covid-19 patients with mild or no symptoms, categorised as “green patients”, will surge 10-fold due to the easing of disease-control measures, the Department of Disease Control (DDC) reckons.

DDC chief Dr Sophon Iamsirithavorn said on Monday that the department is closely monitoring the number of hospitalised Covid-19 patients, especially those on respirators, to ensure the country’s healthcare system can provide adequate treatment to reduce deaths.

“Currently, Covid-19 patients in the yellow group [moderate symptoms or with chronic conditions] and those in the red group [severe symptoms] are occupying 10 per cent of total available beds,” he said.

The DDC chief said the number of yellow and red patients can be kept low if people get a booster shot every four months to raise their immunity and keep the virus at bay, especially those in high-risk groups.

As of Monday, Thailand has 10,038 Covid-19 patients in hospitals, while the number of patients with mild or no symptoms who are isolated at home or in community isolation centres came in at 14,780.

Of the hospitalised patients, 677 have developed pneumonia and 293 are on respirators, up by 46 and two in a two-week period, respectively.

On Tuesday, Thailand logged 1,917 Covid-19 cases and 18 deaths, while 2,282 patients have recovered and were released from hospitals. Cumulative cases in the country since January 1, 2022, comes in at 2,310,582.

Published : July 05, 2022

By : THE NATION

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40017371

The Education Ministry has formally banned the use of marijuana and hemp in schools under its jurisdiction in a bid to prevent abuse and addiction among schoolchildren.

Cannabis and hemp were removed from Thailand’s list of banned narcotics on June 9.

The announcement, signed by Education Minister Trinuch Thienthong, was published on the Royal Gazette website on Monday and enforces the following regulations immediately:

• No sale or use of marijuana and hemp allowed in schools and government complexes.

• Students, school staff and government officials are not allowed to use marijuana or hemp for recreation.

• School administrators are required to monitor all food, beverage and snacks sold on campus to ensure they do not contain marijuana or hemp extract.

• School administrators should hold activities, training or campaigns to boost awareness of marijuana and hemp’s impact on physical and mental health, with an emphasis on the dangers of abuse or overdose.

• Personnel using marijuana or hemp for medical purposes must use them under the strict guidance of a physician. Those needing the plants for research must notify their supervisor or institute administrator.

Bangkok Governor Chadchart Sitthiphan announced last month that all schools under the jurisdiction of the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration must be marijuana and hemp-free zone.

The Defence and Interior Ministries have also issued similar orders, prohibiting personnel from using marijuana or hemp on military and government complexes.

Published : July 05, 2022

By : THE NATION

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40017369

Ministry of Public Health reported on Tuesday (July 5) morning that in the past 24 hours there are 1,917 new patients who tested positive for Covid-19, three of whom have arrived in Thailand from abroad.

Death toll increased by 18, while 2,282 patients were cured and allowed to leave hospitals.

Cumulative cases in the country since January 1, 2022 are at 2,310,582.
 

The country’s total caseload from Covid-19 stands at 4,534,017 – 4,478,846 of whom have recovered, 24,435 are still in hospitals and 30,736 have died.

Separately, another 1,464 people were given their first Covid-19 shot in the last 24 hours, 2,528 their second shot and 8,747 a booster, bringing the total number of Covid-19 vaccine doses administered nationwide to 140,049,334.

According to Worldometer, confirmed cases globally had risen to 555.28 million on Tuesday, 530.02 million of whom have recovered, 18.9 million are active cases (38,483 in severe condition) and 6.36 million have died (up by 804).

Thailand ranks 26th in the global list of most cases, which is topped by the US with 89.57 million, followed by India with 43.53 million, Brazil with 32.54 million, France with 31.45 million and Germany with 28.54 million.

Published : July 05, 2022

By : THE NATION

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40017361

Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha has told Bangkok Governor Chadchart Sittipunt to resubmit his project to improve the skybridge linking Lumpini Park and Benjakitti Park.

Chadchart told reporters after a meeting with Prayut at Government House that the PM had asked for more details about the project.

Chadchart said the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration has proposed a budget of 260 million baht to improve the sky walkway to make it accessible for the elderly.

The so-called green bridge is now too steep to climb for the elderly, he said.

The BMA has proposed to build more access to the bridge and build toilet rooms for people who will use the walkway to exercise.

The BMA would also be in charge of improving the water quality of Klong Singto canal under the bridge, which is now polluted, the governor added.

Chadchart said Prayut agreed with the project in principle but wanted more details.

Published : July 04, 2022

By : THE NATION

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40017360

A respiratory disease expert at Siriraj Hospital said on Monday that the government was greatly underreporting the number of new Covid infections, saying daily new cases were estimated at about 50,000.

Assoc Prof Dr Nithiphat Chiarakun, head of the department of respiratory diseases and tuberculosis of Mahidol University’s Siriraj Faculty of Medicine, posted on his Facebook wall that the Covid-19 situation now was very worrying.

He said he had received information that the real number of new infections late last week had reached about 50,000 a day, not about 2,000 a day as reported by the Public Health Ministry.

He urged the public and all sides to cooperate to prevent new infections so that the spread could be slowed down. He said it was necessary to avoid a situation of inadequate hospital beds and medical manpower as had happened in the past.

Nithiphat noted that the number of people admitted to hospitals, who tested positive for Covid, was rising. But he said that most of them were ill with other diseases and their condition had been complicated by the Covid infection.

The number of patients with Covid had led to medical personnel assigned to treat Covid patients having to work two times harder.

The doctor added that most major hospitals in Bangkok and in the provinces had to start looking for hospital beds in anticipation of many more Covid patients.

“The situation contradicts the number provided by the government that many more hospital beds are available. Such numbers are only a framework for expansion but the real bed numbers are dwindling,” the doctor wrote.

He added that prepared number of beds have almost been used up to care for patients having other diseases.

He said the figures reported by the government were low because officials did not fully report the infection numbers every day, especially during the transitional period for downgrading Covid to endemic status.

Nithiphat added that the country was now in bad shape due to limited budget and medical personnel to take care of new Covid patients with severe conditions.

“If we don’t join forces to slow down and control new infections, we may see people with severe conditions left in communities and the number of fatalities may rise,” the doctor warned.

“It’s about time now that the government must tell the truth and warn people to get ready to cope with a bad situation.”

Published : July 04, 2022

By : THE NATION