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https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40014853

A senior police officer tasked with tackling the problem of overpriced lottery tickets has vowed to take legal action against all violators “without exception”.

Assistant National Police chief Pol Lt-General Surachate Hakparn said on Saturday that investigators need time to collect evidence and build a case against violators, who will be dealt with “fairly and transparently”.

He said action will be taken against all online platforms selling lottery tickets at prices higher than legal limits.

Violators will be fined as per their offence, he added.

“There will be no preferential treatment.”

A major online platform, whose office was recently raided by police on suspicion of selling overpriced lottery tickets, announced on Saturday morning that it will be selling lottery tickets at 95 baht each, instead of 80 baht due to “high cost”.

Surachate said on Saturday that police investigators appeared to be too slow in some cases because many of the suspect platforms involved more than 30,000 downline participants in their complex multi-level marketing (MLM) scheme.

“In one case, more than 1,700 witnesses were questioned. Some platforms have complex structures and police need to examine them carefully,” he said.

In March, police raided the offices of three major online lottery vendors as part of a crackdown on lottery-ticket overpricing.

Published : April 23, 2022

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https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40014852

Bus fares will not be increased once the government stops subsidising diesel and removes the 30-baht per litre price cap from May 1, the Department of Land Transport said.

“The department will find other measures to help reduce the operational costs to ensure public transport operators can continue providing services after next month,” department director-general Jirut Wisanjit said on Friday.

He added that so far no bus operators have contacted the department to discuss the lifting of the 30-baht price cap on diesel. “Operators can file an appeal to adjust their fares at the Central Land Transport Control Committee. However, they should wait until the price of diesel stabilises to submit details of the operational cost,” he said.

“Most importantly, factors that warrant raising public transport fares could come from many aspects apart from the cost of fuel,” he added.

Bus companies running regular public transport routes cannot raise their fares without approval from the Central Land Transport Control Committee. Violators can face up to 50,000 baht in fines and have their permits revoked. However, operators of non-regular routes and tour buses can adjust their fares based on market mechanisms, provided the fare is agreed upon by passengers first.

Published : April 23, 2022

By : THE NATION

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40014851

Hospitals are making special preparations for the start of the school year next month, as data shows more than half of children killed by Covid-19 are under five years old.

The Omicron variant has caused the number of childhood Covid-19 infections to surge, government spokeswoman Ratchada Thanadirek said on Saturday.

In January, more than half of children who died from Covid-19 were under five years old – too young to be vaccinated. The government is urging parents to get vaccinated while instructing public hospitals to launch a special treatment system for children infected after the school year starts.

Hospitals have been ordered to arrange beds, medical personnel, and a transfer system in case of a rapid rise in the number of severely ill children.

The government is also hastening the vaccination of children aged 5 to 11 at schools.

Meanwhile, the Public Health Ministry’s Immunity Promotion Subcommittee has proposed boosting fully vaccinated children aged 12 to 17 with a half or full dose of Pfizer after an interval of four to six months. Vaccination points at schools will administer half doses from May 9, with another half dose available at local hospitals after the appropriate interval.

Published : April 23, 2022

By : THE NATION

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40014849

One week after the Songkran holiday, Covid-19 patients occupy just over one-third of available hospital beds nationwide, the Medical Service Department reports.

“Currently 35.8 per cent of around 180,000 hospital beds for Covid-19 patients are being used,” department director-general Somsak Akkasilp said on Friday. Twenty-five per cent of available beds are occupied by pneumonia patients, he added.

The government forecast a surge of up to 100,000 cases per day after Songkran.

“The department will evaluate the situation again at the end of this month to draw up a management plan for hospital beds,” Somsak said.

Most newly infected patients have mild or no symptoms due to the Omicron variant, he added.

Worryingly, however, infections in children have increased from January. Small children have a higher chance of developing severe symptoms as they are too young to be vaccinated.

“More than 50 per cent of Covid-19 deaths in children under five are found in unvaccinated patients, most of them with underlying health problems,” he said.

The department has set the following Clinical Practice Guidelines for Covid-19 patients in four different groups:

1. Patients who test positive but have no symptoms will be given Fah Talai Jone capsules at their doctor’s discretion.

2. Patients who have mild symptoms and no underlying health problems will be given Favipiravir tablets.

3. Patients who have underlying health problems or develop pneumonia but do not need respirators will be monitored closely at hospitals and given either Favipiravir, Remdesivir, Molnupiravir or Nirmartelvir/Ritonavir (Paxlovid) depending on their symptoms.

4. Patients who require respirators or oxygen therapy will be given Remdesivir.

On Saturday, Thailand recorded 20,052 new Covid-19 cases and 129 deaths over the previous 24 hours.

Published : April 23, 2022

By : THE NATION

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40014848

Farms in several provinces hiked the price of eggs from 3.4 baht to 3.5 baht per egg on Friday, making a carton of 30 eggs 3 baht more expensive and adding to the cost-of-living crisis.

Farmer cooperatives in Chachoengsao, Chonburi, Suphanburi, Chiang Mai and Lamphun told the Association of Hen Egg Farmers that production costs had jumped from 2.94 baht to 3.2 baht per egg in the past month due to the rising price of animal feed.

However, association president Manote Chuthabthim said the actual price of eggs at the farm gate will vary depending on negotiations and relationship with buyers.

“For example, regular customers could be granted a cheaper price of 3.4 baht per egg,” he explained.

He also urged immediate government action to relieve shortages of raw materials for animal feed that are hitting animal farmers and feed manufacturers.

“We have asked the Commerce Ministry to reduce the import tariff on corn, wheat and soybean for animal feed, but the ministry has so far not proposed this measure to Cabinet.”

Last Saturday (April 16), the Swine Raisers Association of Thailand announced the price of live pigs at farms had risen from last week’s 92-96 baht to 96-98 baht per kilo. Meanwhile, wholesale and retail pork prices were set at 150-156 baht and 190-196 baht per kilo, respectively, rising from 147-153 baht and 182-192 baht.

The rising price of animal feed has pushed the cost of pig raising to nearly 98 baht per kilo, the association said.

The price hikes stem from the ongoing war in Ukraine, a major producer of raw materials for animal feed.

Published : April 23, 2022

By : THE NATION

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https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40014843

The Thai government’s Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration (CCSA) on Friday approved ending the Test & Go scheme and opening the country to foreign travellers from May 1.

From next month, those who wish to enter Thailand must follow the following steps.

1. For vaccinated travellers:

– Register for the Thailand Pass with a copy of your vaccine certificate and evidence of Covid-19 insurance with at least US$10,000 coverage.

– No test upon arrival required.

– Travellers are advised to take a rapid antigen test (ATK) while in Thailand. If the test is positive, they shall enter treatment covered their insurance.

– Those who come into high-risk close contact with infected people must isolate for five days and monitor their symptoms for another five days. ATK tests shall be taken on day 5 and day 10 after contact with Covid-19 cases.

2. For unvaccinated travellers:

– Register for a Thailand Pass and present a negative RT-PCR result taken within 72 hours of departure as well as evidence of $10,000 Covid-19 insurance, or

– Register for a Thailand Pass, present evidence of $10,000 Covid-19 insurance and book 5 days at an alternative quarantine facility.

– Upon arrival, remain in the alternative quarantine system and take an RT-PCR test on day 4 or day 5.

– Travellers advised to take an antigen test (ATK) while in Thailand. Those who test positive shall enter treatment under their insurance.

– Those who come into high-risk close contact with infected people must isolate for five days and monitor their symptoms for another five days. An ATK test shall be taken after day 5 five and day 10 after contact with Covid-19 cases.

Related News

Thailand removes all hurdles, opens fully for foreign arrivals from May 1

Published : April 23, 2022

By : THE NATION

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40014837

Ministry of Public Health reported on Saturday (April 23) morning that in the past 24 hours there are 20,052 new patients who tested positive for Covid-19, 48 of whom have arrived in Thailand from abroad.

Death toll increased by 129, while 22,361 patients were cured and allowed to leave hospitals.

Cumulative cases in the country since January 1, 2022 are at 1,924,655.
 

Published : April 23, 2022

By : THE NATION

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40014836

In a rare celestial phenomenon last seen more than 1,000 years ago, an alignment of the planets Mars, Venus, Jupiter and Saturn will be visible to the naked eye in Thailand from Monday to Wednesday (April 25-27).

Such a “parade” of the four planets has not been seen since the year 947AD, according to experts.

The National Astronomical Research Institute of Thailand (Narit) reported on its website on Friday that the four planets would “appear together” before dawn on those three days, from 4am until sunrise.

The planetary alignment will be visible in the eastern sky of the country, along with the Moon, the agency said.

“If the sky is clear and free from clouds, people across Thailand will be able to see the beauty of this astronomical phenomenon before sunrise,” Narit said.

On those three days, the Moon appears at different positions — next to Saturn on Monday, near Mars on Tuesday, and adjacent to Venus and Jupiter on Wednesday.

The parade of the four planets can be viewed from both the northern and southern hemispheres next week, albeit on different days.

For example, it is expected to be visible in India predawn from Saturday, and in Australia for a brief moment shortly before dawn on Sunday.

Published : April 22, 2022

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40014835

Marijuana advocate Aram Limsakul on Friday called on the government to relax laws so cannabis growers could collect a variety of stock seeds for genetic development of local strains.

He said Thailand has many experienced cannabis growers, but the law prohibits them from developing parent-stock seeds.

“We want the government to unlock the law and make it easier to make parent-stock seeds. Growers are a major part of the industry. Without good growers and good seeds, you can’t get good products,” Aram said.

He was speaking at the Cannabis Wealth seminar on the topic “Thai cannabis in the world market”, held at the Grand Hyatt Erawan Hotel in Bangkok.

Aram, a founder of the Thai cannabis growers association, also said that it was “against principle” to prohibit cannabis growers from using their product. He added that the law should encourage cannabis growers, not deter them.

“We are founding an association of professional cannabis growers to encourage illegal growers to do it legally. This way we can spread knowledge among the enterprises,” he said.

Following recent amendment of laws, people in Thailand will be allowed to grow “as many cannabis plants” as they like in their own homes from June 9, according to Public Health Minister Anutin Charnvirakul.

The cannabis grown must be of medical grade and used for medicinal purposes only. Official registration is not required for growing weed at home, but growers are advised to inform authorities so that Thailand can meet the requirements of international treatises.

However, growing cannabis for recreational use is not allowed and smoking marijuana is still prohibited.

It is currently legal in Thailand for registered companies to sell marijuana products which contain less than 0.2 per cent tetrahydrocannabinol or THC, the main psychoactive compound in marijuana that gets people “high”.

Published : April 22, 2022

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https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40014834

The Thai private sector is pushing for another extension of the government’s “Kon La Krueng” co-payment scheme as an economic stimulus measure.

Sanan Angubolkul, chairman of the Thai Chamber of Commerce and Board of Trade of Thailand, said on Friday that phase five of the scheme would help boost the country’s gross domestic product (GDP) by 0.63 to 0.65 per cent.

“This would certainly keep Thailand’s GDP growth above 3 per cent this year,” he said.

Sanan estimated that a 1,500-baht subsidy for each of about 30 million Kon La Krueng participants would cost about 45 billion baht but spur circulation of about 90 billion baht.

“The Chamber of Commerce realises the government wants to maintain the country’s financial and monetary discipline, after a lot of money has been spent on different [economic stimulus] measures,” Sanan said.

“But further stimulus will bring a better result. It adds money to the economic system while helping to sustain small businesses and keep jobs,” he added.

He said that more challenges were waiting for the government in May, as the rising diesel price was threatening to stall Thailand’s economic recovery.

Sanan also thanked the government’s Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration (CCSA) for heeding the private sector’s call to cancel RT-PCR Covid tests for every traveller entering Thailand, starting from May 1.

“We believe the cancellation will help revive the country’s tourism, trade and investment,” he said.

Published : April 22, 2022