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https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40016637

No one has been arrested in Bangkok or its suburbs so far for smoking ganja in public on the charge of causing nuisance to others or for driving under its influence, a deputy chief of Bangkok police said on Tuesday.

Pol Maj-General Jirasan Kaew-saeng-ek, deputy commissioner of the Metropolitan Police Bureau, said no arrests have been made so far related to ganja smoking after the crop was delisted from the narcotics list on June 9.

The Public Health Ministry has issued a directive to declare smoke from ganja or marijuana a public nuisance, implying that smoking ganja cannot be done in the public or in a way that affects others.

Jirasak said the bureau has instructed all police stations under its jurisdiction to receive complaints if people complain of nuisance from ganja smoking in public places.

Reacting to concerns that drivers or motorcyclists, driving under influence of ganja, could cause road accidents, Jirasak said the Metropolitan Police has not yet received such cases so far.

He said blood tests of people involved in road accidents had not detected ganja.

He said police manning road checkpoints were also instructed to monitor if drivers or motorcyclists appeared to be high on ganja. In case of suspicion, the drivers or riders would be sent to hospital for blood test, Jirasan added.

Published : June 14, 2022

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40016636

A 51-year-old man has died of heart failure after smoking cannabis while a 16-year-old boy is among three other people who have suffered overdose symptoms in Bangkok, the governor said on Tuesday.

Chadchart Sittipunt was speaking after chairing a meeting of senior Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) officials on return from his four-day trip to attend his son’s university commencement ceremony in the US.

Chadchart said that since marijuana was decriminalised on June 9, four users had been admitted to BMA-run hospitals with suspected overdose symptoms. That rate of hospitalisation was unheard of before legalisation, he added.

In the first case, a 51-year-old man was rushed to Charoen Krung Pracharak Hospital after he suffered chest pain while smoking marijuana. He later died from what doctors diagnosed as cardiac arrest and heart failure.

According to Harvard Medical School, research indicates that the risk of heart attack in people with cardiovascular disease rises by several times in the hour after smoking cannabis.

In the second case, a boy aged 16 and a half was diagnosed with ganja overdose symptoms and placed on a ventilator in the intensive care unit of Luangpor Thaweesak Chutintharo Uthit Hospital.

Chadchart said the other two cases, aged 17 and 25, were admitted to Taksin Hospital after suffering rapid heartbeat and palpitations following a session of cannabis smoking.

“The BMA’s Medical Service Department has never seen such cases before,” Chadchart said. The department would join hands with the BMA’s health and education departments to educate people about dangers of overdosing on the decriminalised herb, he added.

Chadchart said overdosing could also occur from consuming cannabis in foods.

He said the BMA would monitor the situation and impose a ban on cannabis in schools. It would also educate students and teachers about the dangers while ensuring sale of cannabis is prohibited in front of schools.

Published : June 14, 2022

By : THE NATION

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https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40016623

The Bangkok Mass Transit Authority (BMTA) has said it would resolve the problem faced by commuters of having to wait for a long time at bus stops due to fewer buses running after 8pm.

BMTA director Kittikan Chomdoung Charuworapolkul said on Monday that people have been complaining via Facebook @Rotmaethai (Thai public buses) about significantly fewer BMTA buses running after 8pm, while some have speculated the BMTA is reducing the number of buses it runs to cope with rising fuel price.

“Currently the BMTA has a total of 2,885 buses in operation, down 200 from the previous year, as their rental contracts had already ended,” he said. “Of these, we have to reserve about 5 per cent for use in emergency, meaning there are about 2,740 buses running daily in Bangkok. In addition, the BMTA is currently suffering from staff shortage; 700 positions are vacant. These factors have led to inadequate services at certain times.”

Kittikan assured that the BMTA had not reduced the number of buses at night due to rising fuel cost, but the authority is in the process of adjusting bus routes to suit commuter needs and in accordance with its current resources, both vehicles and staffing.

“The BMTA will try to resolve this issue within 15 days. We have created an online questionnaire where people can report their problems and their public bus needs. To fill the questionnaire, simply scan the QR code sticker on the back of a seat on any BMTA bus. We will use your opinions to further improve our services,” he said.

Published : June 14, 2022

By : THE NATION

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40016621

In a bid to protect consumers from adverse effects and control the use of cannabis in food products, the Department of Health issued new guidelines on Monday.

According to the guidelines, food business operators, including markets, restaurants and outlets, are required to:

• Clearly display that cannabis is being used as an additive.

• Display a list of dishes that include cannabis.

• Display the number of cannabis leaves used in each dish. Under the law, chefs are only allowed to use one leaf for a serving of stir-fries, curries, soups and beverages, and up to two for fried foods.

• Clearly display safety recommendations on consuming food or beverage with cannabis as an additive.

• Clearly display that food with cannabis cannot be consumed by children aged 18 and below and pregnant women. It should also advise people to stop consumption in case of reaction or allergy to tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD) and people should avoid driving or operating machines.

• Do not display information about cannabis’s potential benefits in treating diseases.

Meanwhile, Public Health Minister Anutin Charnvirakul insisted that cannabis has been legalised for medical use and manufacturing of healthcare products only, not for recreational use.

He added that the ministry is ready to listen to people’s comments if they are worried that the plant may be misused.

“The ministry has been making its objective and intentions on the legalisation of cannabis clear over the past three years,” he said. “The ministry has also provided clear information on the correct use of cannabis.”

He said the Food and Drug Administration has launched the “Plookgangja” website and app to provide people with information on cannabis and hemp. People can also register via the website or app for permission to cultivate the plant.

He added that the ministry will accelerate its work on building awareness among public healthcare units so they can provide correct information to people.

Published : June 14, 2022

By : THE NATION

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40016620

The government has decided against launching a fifth phase of the “Khon La Khrueng” (Let’s Go Halves) shopping subsidy because its emergency funds are running low.

Finance Minister Arkhom Termpittayapaisith said on Monday that the government needs to study its revenue streams before launching new measures. He said the 500-billion-baht emergency fund now has 40 billion baht available, which is not enough for the subsidy scheme as it generally requires about 50 billion baht.

“Additional measures to help state welfare cardholders and vulnerable persons will have to be launched alongside the Khon La Khrueng scheme to ease the suffering of all groups of people,” he said.

Apart from this and other schemes launched to mitigate the impact of the Covid-19 crisis, Arkhom said Energy Minister Supattanapong Punmeechaow is now calling for additional measures to help with the rising fuel prices.

Arkhom added that the Finance Ministry is discussing new measures with the National Economic and Social Development Council and should have something in hand before the end of June.

“The measures will focus on low-income earners like motorcycle taxi drivers who have registered with the Department of Land Transport,” he said.

He added that new measures will not be too large-scale, while the government will focus more on generating revenue.

Published : June 14, 2022

By : THE NATION

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40016616

People will be able to take their pets on holiday to Chiang Mai from August thanks to Nok Air’s new “Pet on Board” programme.

The low-budget airline will launch a special pet-friendly package on its Don Mueang-Chiang Mai flights priced at 12,999 baht. The package will cover two passengers and one pet, who will be allocated a seat onboard instead of being carried in a cage in the cargo area.

More details are yet to be revealed, but those interested can keep up with the updates by registering with the Nok Fan Club at: https://booking.nokair.com/en/profile/register

Published : June 14, 2022

By : THE NATION

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40016615

The United States secretary of defence was in Thailand on a three-day visit to discuss military cooperation and exchange views on security issues in the region.

At a meeting on Monday, both Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha, who also doubles as defence chief, and US Defence Secretary Lloyd J Austin III agreed on full cooperation in military and security aspects to cement the long-standing Thai-US bilateral ties.

“The two defence chiefs also exchanged views on the security situation in Southeast Asia, including the South China Sea and Myanmar,” Defence Ministry spokesman General Kongcheep Tantrawanit said on Monday evening.

“Prayut said to his US counterpart that Thailand has always adhered to international laws and principles of humanity to handle conflicts that occur in Thailand’s vicinity as well as their impacts, including providing shelter and aid to Myanmar refugees fleeing war in their country.

“The United States has promised to promote and support the modernisation of Thai military with joint training, provision of military equipment and development of the defence industry, especially in areas of cyber security and aerospace,” he added. “In 2023, the US and Thailand will resume the ‘Cobra Gold’ joint military exercises at full scale once the Covid-19 situation is resolved. Cyber security and aerospace will also be added to the programme.”

Before arriving in Thailand on Sunday, Austin had attended the Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore, an inter-governmental security conference held annually by the International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS).

At this year’s dialogue, which brought together defence ministers and military chiefs of mostly Asia-Pacific countries, Chinese defence chief Wei Fenghe said China will fight to the very end against Taiwan’s independence.

This declaration has led to concern among several parties in Thailand, notably former red-shirt leader Jatuporn Prompan, who fears the meeting between Prayut and Austin will indicate that Thailand is siding with the US in case China launches war in the region.

Jatuporn reportedly submitted a letter voicing his concerns to the Defence Ministry, but Kongcheep did not elaborate on the subject at the press event on Monday. He only thanked Jatuporn for his concerns and thanked the group camping outside the military headquarters to monitor the meeting for obeying the law.

Published : June 14, 2022

By : THE NATION

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40016614

Ministry of Public Health reported on Tuesday (June 14) morning that in the past 24 hours there are 1,833 new patients who tested positive for Covid-19, one of whom has arrived in Thailand from abroad.

Death toll increased by 19, while 2,155 patients were cured and allowed to leave hospitals.

Cumulative cases in the country since January 1, 2022 are at 2,265,062.
 

The country’s total caseload from Covid-19 stands at 4,488,497 – 4,436,684 of whom have recovered, 21,445 are still in hospitals and 30,368 have died.

Separately, another 1,759 people were given their first Covid-19 shot in the last 24 hours, 2,742 their second shot and 10,849 a booster, bringing the total number of Covid-19 vaccine doses administered nationwide to 138,697,935.

According to Worldometer, confirmed cases globally had risen to 541.03 million on Tuesday, 516.34 million of whom have recovered, 18.35 million are active cases (36,166 in severe condition) and 6.33 million have died.

Thailand ranks 26th in the global list of most cases, which is topped by the US with 87.42 million, followed by India with 43.23 million, Brazil with 31.49 million, France with 29.85 million and Germany with 26.88 million.

Published : June 14, 2022

By : THE NATION

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40016602

The Oil Fuel Fund Executive Committee on Monday agreed to raise the diesel price from 34 baht to 35 baht per litre from Tuesday.

Wisak Watanasap, director of the Oil Fuel Fund Office (OFFO), said the adjustment reflected the rising global diesel price due to Europe’s sanctions against Russia coupled with demand from China as its economy opens.

The OFFO reported the Oil Fuel Fund is 91 billion baht in debt — 54 billion baht from subsidising diesel and 36.5 billion baht from subsidising LPG. The fund has around 11 baht billion of liquidity left and is seeking to borrow 30 billion baht to improve that position.

Current retail prices of diesel are:

Hi-premium B7 diesel: 45.36 baht per litre

Hi-premium S B7 diesel: 46.36 baht per litre

B7 diesel: 33.94 baht per litre

B10 diesel: 33.94 baht per litre

B20 diesel: 33.94 baht per litre

Published : June 13, 2022

By : THE NATION

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40016598

The commission set up by the House to look into developing Tak’s Mae Sot district into an entertainment hub met local agencies to discuss options on Monday.

The discussion focused on investment regulations, business operations and measures to prevent illegal gambling, Bhumjaithai MP Boonlue Prasertsopa, who is the commission’s deputy chairman, said.

He added that the information gathered on Monday will be summarised and reported to the Lower House for consideration to ensure the entertainment project does not affect local interests.

Meanwhile, commission secretary Pakpoom Boonpramuk said a study into the possibility of opening an “entertainment complex” – which is expected to include a casino – in Mae Sot had taken into account the fact that many casinos were up and running on the other side of the border. Mae Sot shares a border with the Myanmar city of Myawaddy.

He added that a proper feasibility study will be conducted later to see if locals in Mae Sot and surrounding areas find this “legal entertainment hub” acceptable.

Several attendees of the Monday meeting reportedly voiced opinions about the advantages and disadvantages of the proposed entertainment complex, tax collection and ways to prevent illegal gambling.

Published : June 13, 2022

By : THE NATION