#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40017295

Tropical storm “Chaba” may hit most of Thailand with gusty winds and heavy rain this weekend as it moves northwest over the upper South China Sea.

The Thai Meteorological Department said the storm developed into a typhoon at around 7am on Saturday and is expected to make landfall in southern China over the weekend.

Though the storm will not hit Thailand directly, the department forecasts that a monsoon trough will lie across Myanmar and Thailand’s upper North. This will result in thundershowers, isolated heavy to very heavy rains and gusty winds in the North, Northeast, Central region, East and the west coast of the South.

People have been advised to beware of flash floods and rivers breaking banks.

The areas that may be affected include:

· North: Mae Hong Son, Tak, Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Lampang, Phayao, Phrae Nan, and Uttaradit.

· Northeast: Nong Khai, Bueng Kan, Udon Thani, Sakon Nakhon, Nakhon Phanom, Mukdahan, Amnat Charoen and Ubon Ratchathani.

· Central: Uthai Thani, Suphan Buri, Kanchanaburi, Ratchaburi, Nakhon Pathom, Samut Songkhram and Samut Sakhon.

· East: Nakhon Nayok, Prachinburi, Rayong, Chanthaburi and Trat.

· South: Ranong and Phang Nga.

The department also said strong southwest monsoon winds prevailing over the Andaman Sea will create waves that are up to 3 metres high. Ships have been advised to proceed with caution, while small boats are recommended to stay anchored until July 6.

Published : July 02, 2022

By : THE NATION

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40017294

Over 7 million tourists are expected to enter Thailand in the second half of this year, adding to nearly 2 million in the first half, government spokesman Thanakorn Wangboonkongchana said on Saturday.

Between January 1 and June 28, a total of 1,978,023 foreign visitors entered the Kingdom, generating an estimated 114 billion baht.

The Ministry of Tourism and Sports estimates that another 2.7 million tourists will arrive between July and September, and 4.5 million between October and December, he said.

Arrivals for the whole year are estimated at 9,325,500 with total revenue of about 1.27 trillion baht, he added.

Most arrivals by air this year have been from India, Singapore, Malaysia, Vietnam and the United States while tourists arriving by land have come mainly from Malaysia, Laos, Cambodia, Vietnam and China, Thanakorn said.

Meanwhile, arrivals have surged at southern border checkpoints since the Thailand Pass entry system was scrapped on July 1.

At the Sadao checkpoint in Songkhla province alone, about 5,000 tourists from Malaysia and Singapore crossed into Thailand on July 1. About 100,000 visitors are expected to enter the country through this checkpoint this month.

Published : July 02, 2022

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40017291

People’s tendency to continue wearing facemasks and keeping their hands clean has helped cut down Covid-19 infections in Thailand.

The country registered 2,508 new confirmed cases and 17 deaths on Saturday.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha lauded businesses for continuing to observe Covid-19 prevention measures and giving people access to alcohol gel dispensers.

Government spokesman Thanakorn Wangboonkongchana said on Saturday that a recent Health Department survey learned that 91 per cent of people still wash their hands after touching objects or surfaces.

He said the number of severe cases has risen slightly in some places and that the changes are being closely monitored. As for Covid-19 patients in hospital, he said most fall under the yellow or not-severe group.

He added that the PM is urging people to maintain their health and follow all prevention methods.

Published : July 02, 2022

By : THE NATION

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40017290

A grand prize of 36 million baht was divided between four people who had bought six lottery tickets online, the Government Lottery Office (GLO) said.

GLO board chairman Lawaron Saengsanit said on Saturday that Friday’s lottery draw had gone smoothly. Of the four people, one had bought three tickets and won 18 million baht, while the other three winners had bought one ticket each, for which they got 6 million baht each.

GLO director-general Lt-Colonel Nhun Sansanakom said winners are notified via the “Paotang” application at 6pm on the draw date. He said there are two ways of receiving the winnings, namely:

• Funds can be transferred within 12 hours to the Krungthai bank account linked to the Paotang app. Of the winnings, 1 per cent will be deducted for transfer fees and another 0.5 per cent for stamp duty.
• Those wanting to pick up their winnings in person at the GLO office in Nonthaburi are required to make an appointment. Through this method, they will only have to pay a stamp duty of 0.5 per cent of the prize.

Lottery winners have 15 days to decide how they want to be paid. After 15 days, the only way of getting the winnings will be to pick them up at the GLO office. The cash prize will be held for the winner to pick up for only two years, after which it will have to be forfeited.

Published : July 02, 2022

By : THE NATION

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40017289

The border checkpoint in Sa Kaew’s Aranyaprathet district was buzzing with Cambodian and Vietnamese tourists on Friday – the first day that Thailand lifted all restrictions on foreign arrivals.

The Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration scrapped Thailand Pass as of July 1, which means foreign tourists will no longer have to register or buy Covid insurance worth at least US$10,000. The restrictions were lifted in a move to promote tourism and boost the economy now that the number of infections is dropping.

“The 1,000-plus Cambodian arrivals include vendors who want to sell their goods at the Rong Kluea Market, as well as those who want to visit attractions in Sa Kaew. Most of the visitors hail from Poipet in Cambodia, who crossed over the Thai-Cambodia Friendship Bridge,” Sa Kaew’s Immigration Police chief Pol Colonel Rung Thongmon said on Friday.

“The police and customs office have deployed additional officials at the checkpoint to process documents. The flow has been smooth and fast because tourists do not have to queue up for their Thailand Pass registration to be verified.”

He added that apart from Cambodian tourists, many Vietnamese nationals also entered Thailand via Cambodia.

Some 250 kilometres from Bangkok, the Rong Kluea Market is a well-known hotspot in Sa Kaew. The market, located near the Ban Khlong Luek Border Checkpoint, is known for selling second-hand brand-name garments, crockery, electronics and other products at very cheap prices. Most vendors are Chinese-Cambodian and Vietnamese.

Published : July 02, 2022

By : THE NATION

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40017287

Bangkok Governor Chadchart Sittipunt met Russian Ambassador to Thailand Evgeny Tomikhin at City Hall earlier this week to mark 125 years of bilateral ties and the 25th anniversary of Bangkok and Moscow becoming twin cities.

Bangkok also has a “sister city” deal with St Petersburg.

The photos of the meeting were posted on the Russian Embassy’s Facebook page on Friday.

At the meeting, the two sides expressed interest in economic, scientific, technical and humanitarian cooperation, the organisation of joint cultural and sports events, restoration of tourist exchanges, and the strengthening of bilateral relations.

Chadchart also invited Russian communities and business people living in Thailand to participate in Bangkok’s upcoming festivals including the Open-Air Film Festival and frequent Music in the Garden events.

Former Bangkok governor Bhichit Rattakul, who served from 1996 to 2000, signed a Protocol of Friendly Ties with his Moscow counterpart on June 19, 1997, to promote the exchange of culture, education, science, tourism and sports between the two cities.

Bhichit also signed the Protocol on Cooperation with his counterpart in St Petersburg to promote ties in the fields of education, culture, technology, industry, environment, tourism, economy, science, and trading.

Published : July 02, 2022

By : THE NATION

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40017285

Ministry of Public Health reported on Saturday (July 2) morning that in the past 24 hours there are 2,508 new patients who tested positive for Covid-19 in the country.

Death toll increased by 17, while 1,883 patients were cured and allowed to leave hospitals.

Cumulative cases in the country since January 1, 2022 are at 2,304,342.
 

The country’s total caseload from Covid-19 stands at 4,527,777 – 4,472,373 of whom have recovered, 24,723 are still in hospitals and 30,681 have died.

Separately, another 7,271 people were given their first Covid-19 shot in the last 24 hours, 16,646 their second shot and 57,739 a booster, bringing the total number of Covid-19 vaccine doses administered nationwide to 139,896,534.

According to Worldometer, confirmed cases globally had risen to 553.69 million on Saturday, 528.4 million of whom have recovered, 18.93 million are active cases (36,919 in severe condition) and 6.36 million have died (up by 1,370).

Thailand ranks 26th in the global list of most cases, which is topped by the US with 89.51 million, followed by India with 43.49 million, Brazil with 32.43 million, France with 31.21 million and Germany with 28.39 million.

Published : July 02, 2022

By : THE NATION

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40017284

The Nation Group marked its 51st anniversary on Friday with a ceremony attended by prominent public figures like Bangkok Governor Chadchart Sittipunt, Deputy Interior Minister Niphon Boonyamanee and Thai Sang Thai Party founder Khunying Sudarat Keyuraphan.

The celebrations at the media company’s head office on Debaratana Road were led by executive chairman and CEO Shine Bunnag, chairman Marut Arthakaivalvatee, vice chairman Somchai Meesen, board executives and management team members.

“As Nation Group enters its 52nd year, we will continue standing by the people as a socially responsible, professional media outfit,” Shine said, underlining the group’s commitment to providing unbiased news.

Chadchart, who showed up in his boy scout uniform, said: “I wish Nation Group a prosperous 52nd year and hope it continues serving the people by presenting factual information via news reports and analysis.

“The Nation has many experts who present news quickly in a clear, concise fashion that suits the tastes of modern people.

“I hope the Nation will continue improving even further with a renewed focus on what people need, as it is necessary for media companies to keep up with technology and trends of the changing world,” the governor said.

The Nation, one of the two leading English-language dailies, was founded by Suthichai Yoon on July 1, 1971, as the Voice of the Nation later shortened to The Nation. On June 28, 2019, it published its last broadsheet version and went digital.

July 1 also marks the 111th anniversary of the National Scout Organisation, which was established in 1911 under the orders of King Rama VI. Chadchart said he chose to wear his boy scout uniform to mark this day.

Published : July 02, 2022

By : THE NATION

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40017275

Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha has instructed state agencies with large tracts of unused land to hand over plots for a government housing scheme for low-income people.

The PM has assigned the Ministry of Social Development and Human Security to discuss the matter with the agencies, said government spokesperson Traisuree Traisaranakul on Friday. The PM came up with the idea after realising that high land prices are a major obstacle to the government’s low-priced housing scheme, she added.

“The prime minister places great importance on housing for low-income earners. He views living quarters as security for people and a foundation for battling social inequality,” Traisuree said.

Gen Prayut proposed that the agencies could enter into long-term land-lease agreements with the housing scheme, which is run by the National Housing Authority and Community Organisations Development Institute.

A total of 82,193 housing units have been built under the scheme between July 2020 and March 2022.

Among those eligible to live in the housing units are former slum dwellers, evicted squatters, the disabled, underprivileged people, and poor families whose houses were destroyed in natural disasters.

Published : July 01, 2022

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40017274

The operator of Soneva Kiri Resort on Friday denied that two of its foreign directors had fled, after police issued warrants for their arrest in connection with a fire at the resort on March 6.

Deputy police chief Sompong Chingduang said on Thursday that resort manager Tropical Island Ltd and its three directors – Sonashah Shivdasani, 45, Karl Michael French, 40, and Paphatya Awaiyawanont, 37 – would be charged with negligence resulting in injuries and damage from the fire.

The blaze at the ultra-luxury resort on Koh Kut island, Trat province, left two guests seriously injured and caused damage worth 34 million baht to guests’ property, including jewellery and luxury watches.

Sompong said Paphatcha had responded to the arrest warrant by surrendering to police. However, the other two directors, both UK nationals, are still missing and police believe they may have fled the country.

In a statement, the resort denied that police had accused its foreign directors of any wrongdoing or issued warrants for their arrest.

“In addition, our foreign directors are not residents of Thailand, and they were not in the country at the time,” the statement said.

It also claimed that press reports detailing the number of accusations levelled at the resort were inaccurate.

The resort said that according to its insurance company’s policy, compensation claims could not be paid out until the investigation is concluded.

“To date, we have not been officially informed that the police investigation has been concluded. Moreover, the cause of the fire has also not been officially communicated to us. We will continue to comply with any requests from the authorities, including the Trat Province Police Department when we are notified of the outcome,” said the resort.

It added that its insurance company was in close communication with the guests affected by the fire and had requested supporting documents in order to proceed with their claims.

Published : July 01, 2022

By : THE NATION