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https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40014632

The first six of Songkran’s “seven dangerous days” have seen a total of 1,720 road accidents and 237 deaths, the Road Safety Thailand committee said on Sunday.

Road Safety Thailand, which oversees road safety, has been recording accidents since April 11, when thousands of people began making their way upcountry for their Songkran break. The holiday wrapped up on Sunday.

At a Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Department press conference on Sunday, the committee said that on Saturday – the sixth of seven dangerous days – 241 road accidents occurred killing 28 people and injuring 246 others.

As of Saturday, a total of 1,696 people have been injured in road accidents, the committee said.

Motorcycle crashes accounted for 81.96 per cent of the accidents, followed by pickups (7.06 per cent) and cars (2.79 per cent).

Road Safety Thailand said the main cause was speeding (35.93 per cent), drunk driving (27.79 per cent) and sudden shifting of lanes (17.62 per cent).

Chiang Mai recorded the highest number of accidents at 62 and the highest number of injuries with 60 people. The highest number of deaths, meanwhile, was recorded in Bangkok with 11, the committee said.

The 10 provinces with no Songkran road tolls so far are Nakhon Phanom, Bueng Kan, Pattani, Yala, Ranong, Lamphun, Samut Songkhram, Singburi, Nong Bua Lamphu and Amnat Charoen.

On Saturday, 56,324 officials were manning 1,900 checkpoints across the country and stopped 410,818 vehicles for safety checks. So far, 70,180 motorists and motorcyclists face legal action for breaking traffic rules, including 19,264 motorcyclists who were caught without a helmet and 8,388 drivers who failed to show their licence.

Published : April 17, 2022

By : THE NATION

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https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40014631

Candidates’ policies will be the key factor in determining who wins the Bangkok governor election on May 22, a poll conducted by the National Institute of Development Administration (Nida) revealed on Sunday.

The poll was conducted on April 4 and 8 among 1,325 Bangkok voters from different educational and occupational backgrounds.

Asked what factor would separate the winner from the losers, 44.75 per cent of voters pointed to the candidates’ policies as the key determiner of the election result.

Next highest in the rankings came candidates’ qualifications or reputation (28.91%), voter bases (9.36%), supporters’ authority (6.19%), campaign strategy (6.04%), media outlets’ support (4%) and campaign budget (0.75%).

Asked what effect the political situation would have on voters’ decisions, 31.25 per cent said a strong effect, 30.41 per cent said absolutely no effect, 24.38 per cent said a small effect and 13.96 per cent said no effect.

Independent candidate Chadchart Sittipunt maintained his status as frontrunner, according to the latest Nida public survey, conducted last Sunday (April 10). Second in the rankings was Aswin Kwanmuang, who resigned the Bangkok governorship he had held since 2016 to run in the election.

Published : April 17, 2022

By : THE NATION

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https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40014630

The Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration (CCSA)’s operation centre chief called on state and private agencies on Sunday to let their staff work from home for a week to minimise infections after Songkran.

General Supoj Malaniyom, director of the CCSA operation centre, also advised vulnerable groups to get a booster shot as soon as possible to minimise deaths in case new infection clusters break out.

Supoj, who is also secretary-general of the National Security Council, said Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha is concerned about a surge in infections now that people are returning from the provinces.

He said the premier has called on relevant government agencies to monitor the situation from Monday to April 24.

People returning to work after spending the past week upcountry are also being advised to monitor their condition for a week and to take a rapid antigen test if they develop any symptoms.

Supoj also quoted Prayut as saying that companies and government agencies should let their employees work remotely for a week to effectively prevent the spread of the virus after the holidays.

Relevant agencies have been instructed to put in place measures for home and community isolation as well as field hospitals to cover new Covid-19 patients, Supoj added.

He said the premier is concerned that the number of Covid-related deaths has not reduced and has instructed all relevant agencies to take steps to reduce fatalities.

Supoj said 90 per cent of those killed by the virus are the elderly and people with chronic conditions who have not received their booster shots yet. Hence, he said, the best way to prevent deaths is to ensure people in this group get their third jab.

He added that the CCSA will likely meet this week to evaluate the situation and see if more measures are necessary to prevent a surge in new infections after Songkran.

Published : April 17, 2022

By : THE NATION

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40014629

The authorities, including the Interior and Transport ministries, were instructed to go on high alert as people start returning to Bangkok after the Songkran break on Sunday.

“The prime minister has applauded people who strictly adhere to traffic laws as well as government officials who are working hard to ensure everybody’s safety,” deputy government spokesperson Traisuree Taisaranakul said.

She added that the prime minister has also called on motorists to adhere to traffic rules, including driving at no more than 90 kilometres per hour, fastening their seat belt, wearing a helmet and not driving under the influence.

Motorists are also being urged to be careful as thunderstorms and gusty winds brought by yearly summer storms will obstruct the traffic.

The Thai Meteorological Department forecast on Friday that summer storms will sweep across most of the country until Monday.

Published : April 17, 2022

By : THE NATION

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40014628

A motorcyclist was killed when a tree uprooted by a thunderstorm fell on him in Chiang Rai’s Muang district late Saturday night.

Anan Khamfu, 36, was struck while riding his motorcycle in Tambon Mae Yao.

Officials were alerted of the accident at 10.20pm but it took rescue workers about half an hour to cut and remove the large tree, which had blocked the road, and free Anan’s body.

Elsewhere, officials in the Chiang Rai border district of Mae Sai are assessing damage from the storms. District chief Narongpol Kid-arn said a rescue mission has been launched for villagers in Tambon Wiang Phang Kham, Tambon Mae Sai and Tambon Pong Pha, where high winds blew down a tree that blocked the bypass road.

However, the heavy rain had helped reduce PM2.5 haze in the district, he added.

Meanwhile, the Meteorological Department issued its seventh summer-storm warning at 5am on Sunday.

The department said storms would sweep across upper Thailand on Sunday and Monday as a high-pressure system collides with warm air in the Northeast. The result would be thunderstorms, gusty winds and hail for areas stretching down as far as the upper South.

Storms are forecast to hit the following provinces on Sunday:

North: Chiang Rai, Phayao, Phrae, Nan, Lampang, Uttaradit, Phichit, Phitsanulok, Sukhothai, Kamphaeng Phet and Phetchabun.

Northeast: Loei, Nong Bua Lam Phu, Udon Thani, Nong Khai, Bueng Kan, Sakon Nakhon, Nakhon Phanom, Mukdahan, Yasothon, Kalasin, Khon Kaen, Chaiyaphum, Nakhon Ratchasima, Maha Sarakham, Roi Et, Amnat Charoen, Buri Ram, Surin, Si Sa Ket and Ubon Ratchathani.

Central: Nakhon Sawan, Lop Buri, Saraburi, Singburi, Ang Thong, Ayutthaya, Samut Sakhon and Bangkok and its vicinity.

East: Nakhon Nayok, Prachin Buri, Sa Kaew, Chachoengsao, Chonburi, Rayong, Chanthaburi and Trat.

Monday:

North: Chiang Mai, Lamphun, Lampang, Tak, Sukhothai, Kamphaeng Phet, Uttaradit, Phichit, Phitsanulok and Phetchabun.

Northeast: Loei, Khon Kaen, Chaiyaphum, Nakhon Ratchasima, Buri Ram and Surin.

Central: Nakhon Sawan, Uthai Thani, Chainat, Suphanburi, Ayutthaya, Samut Songkhram, Samut Sakhon, Kanchanaburi, Nakhon Prathom, Ratchaburi and Bangkok and its vicinity.

East: Sa Kaew, Chachoengsao, Chonburi, Rayong, Chanthaburi and Trat.

Southeast: Phetchaburi and Prachuap Khiri Khan.

Published : April 17, 2022

By : THE NATION

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40014627

Covid-19 booster shots will be given to 12 to 17-year-olds when schools reopen next month, the Department of Disease Control (DDC) said on Sunday.

DDC director-general Opas Karnkawinpong said 7th to 12th graders with no underlying or chronic conditions will receive a Pfizer jab, so they are protected once they start attending school. The new school year starts on May 15.

Opas said DDC has chosen the Pfizer vaccine because it boosts immunity and causes very few side effects. He added that the vaccines are ready for direct use without being mixed with saline water and can be stored for another 10 weeks or so under 2 to 8 degrees Celsius.

He said each student will only be administered 15 micrograms to minimise side effects.

The DDC chief said students will be given their jabs through the school system, though those who have chronic diseases and are being schooled at home must get their booster at a hospital.

Children suffering from obesity, respiratory problems, cardiac and vascular diseases, chronic kidney disease, cancer or low immunity disease, diabetes or other genetic issues must get their booster at a hospital.

Opas said doctors will decide how to administer the booster jab to children with chronic conditions under medical principles, guidelines from the vaccine maker and with consent from parents.

Published : April 17, 2022

By : THE NATION

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40014626

Rumours that a Thai man arrested by US authorities on April 4-5 is the son of Privy Council president and former PM Gen Surayud Chulanont are fake news, according to the Defence Ministry.

The ministry spoke out after rumours spread that San Chulanont, Surayud’s son, was among members of a yakuza gang arrested in the US on suspicion of trafficking in drugs and weapons.

US authorities revealed on April 7 they had arrested a Japanese yakuza organised crime leader and three Thai men for trafficking heroin and methamphetamine while trying to acquire surface-to-air missiles for rebel groups in Myanmar and Sri Lanka, according to Voice of America.

The US Justice Department said Takeshi Ebisawa, Sompak Rukrasaranee, Somphob Singhasiri and Suksan Jullanan were arrested in New York on April 4 and 5 on suspicion of drug and arms trafficking and money laundering.

Defence Ministry spokesman General Kongcheep Tantravanich said Suksan Jullanan was neither Surayud’s son nor a soldier, as rumoured, adding that the suspect has nothing to do with the Privy Council president.

He also claimed that fake news was now being spread widely to defame the ministry.

“Suksan, who holds both Thai and American nationality, is not a soldier and has never been a soldier,” he said, urging people not to share the rumour.

Meanwhile rumours that the US had banned Thai imports in retaliation over the case were also fake news, he added.

Published : April 17, 2022

By : THE NATION

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40014625

High PM2.5 levels are forecast in Bangkok and its vicinity as well as the North and Northeast from Thursday to Saturday (April 21-23).

The Centre for Air Pollution Mitigation (CAPM) warns that PM2.5 will rise due to burn-offs in the North and Northeast, stagnant air, and smoke from vehicles as people return from their hometowns after the Songkran holiday.

The centre urged people to refrain from burning refuse or agricultural waste, avoid using vehicles and monitor for symptoms caused by poor air quality.

“People in areas where PM2.5 pollution is bad should avoid outdoor activities and wear face masks. Those who have symptoms should seek medical advice,” CAPM said. Symptoms include shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, coughing and eye irritation.

On Sunday morning, PM2.5 levels exceeded the national safe limit in areas of the North including Chiang Mai, Nan and Lampang.

Thailand’s safe limit is 50 micrograms of PM2.5 per cubic metre (μg/m3), though the World Health Organisation sets it at 15μg/m3.

The PM2.5 situation across Thailand as of Sunday morning:

• North: Readings coming in at 15 to 66μg/m3

• Northeast: 25 to 47

• Central region and West: 21 to 45

• East: 23 to 37

• South: 12 to 28

• Bangkok and its vicinity: 21 to 47

Published : April 17, 2022

By : THE NATION

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40014624

Police on Sunday were seeking a court order to prevent former Democrat Party deputy leader Prinn Panitchpakdi from leaving the country after he was hit with multiple accusations of sexual abuse.

However, his highest-profile accuser arrived at Bangkok South Criminal Court on Sunday to oppose any granting of bail for Prinn.

Anna Hathairat, a prominent member of the Ruam Thai United Party, said she wanted to prevent Prinn from escaping overseas or using his authority to threaten other victims. Anna has filed a rape complaint against Prinn.

Police said they will ask the court to make it a bail condition that Prinn does not leave the country, as the suspect has a house outside Thailand and his alleged offences carry severe penalties and involve many complainants.

Five women have filed complaints of alleged sexual abuse by Prinn so far, though lawyer Sittra Biebangkerd said that number could grow to more than 20.

Prinn surrendered at Lumpini police station on Saturday to acknowledge one charge of rape two of sexual assault. He denied the charges and said he would fight the cases to clear his name.

Anna said she would continue campaigning for the Bangkok Metropolitan Council election after being informed by the election commission that she could not withdraw from the race. However, she said she would still be able to handle the legal case.

She was joined in her protest against granting bail to Prinn by pro-democracy activist Thanat “Hi-so Luk Nat” Thanakitamnuay.

Thanat said he hoped the Democrat Party would take responsibility for the case, adding that Prinn had not yet contacted him. 

Published : April 17, 2022

By : THE NATION

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https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40014623

The number of Covid-19 cases in Thailand is now on a downward trajectory, according to Chulalongkorn University science lecturer Jessada Denduangboripant.

Citing Public Health Ministry statistics, he explained that the number of infections during the Omicron outbreak surged in February before peaking at the beginning of March.

He said the infection curve then climbed again at the end of March after the Omicron BA.2 subvariant arrived in Thailand. However, the caseload began declining in April.

“Hence, we can confirm that the number of Covid-19 cases in Thailand is currently on a downward trajectory,” he wrote in a Facebook post on Saturday.

“The decline in Covid-19 infections is in line with the global situation, which saw new cases peak two months ago before falling.”

However, Thailand’s infection curve has fallen more slowly than elsewhere as the country was hit by simultaneous outbreaks of the Omicron BA.1 and BA.2 subvariants, he added.

Jessada also forecast a rise in new cases after Songkran but said the infection rate would not reach the level it did at the beginning of the Omicron outbreak.

He added that the number of patients developing lung problems and being placed on respirators is still high, in line with the number of daily Covid-19 infections.

“Hence, we have to prepare to see these numbers increase for a while,” he added.

Thailand recorded 17,775 new cases and 128 deaths on Sunday.

Published : April 17, 2022

By : THE NATION