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https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40014579

After a two-year hiatus during the Covid-19 pandemic, many Thais have opted to travel overseas during the long Songkran holiday period, tour company executives say.

Tour companies have seen a return of 10-15 per cent in their outbound travel customers, compared to the pre-Covid numbers, with European countries being the main destinations.

Many Thais have chosen to take overseas trips because they have not done so for over two years since Covid-19 struck in early 2020, and now they have learned “how to live with Covid”, the tour operators said.

Other contributing factors include resumption of international flights, no strict Covid rules for vaccinated tourists in many countries, and a perception that the dominant Omicron variant causes only mild illness.

Chanok Kalyanamitra, managing director of tour company My Journey Travel, said most of his customers during Songkran are travelling in small groups of lesser than 10 people.

“The popular destinations are in Europe, including Switzerland, France and the UK,” he said.

Each customer is charged more than 120,000 baht on average, about 10-20 per cent higher than the pre-Covid prices, in order to offset the higher cost per head due to the smaller number of customers, according to Chanok.

Rachphol Yamsaeng, general manager at travel organiser Unithai Travel, said that most of his customers are travelling to Europe, mainly Turkey, during this year’s Songkran holidays.

“About 10-15 per cent of our pre-Covid customers have returned. That’s not much but it’s a good momentum. Before Covid, we had 100 outbound tour groups during Songkran,” he said.

He said many tour companies went out of business due to the Covid-19 crisis.

Rachphol is convinced that the demand for air travel remains unchanged and pre-Covid international travel is gradually returning as airlines resume their flights.

Meanwhile, Nond Kalinta, chief commercial officer of Thai Airways International, said the Thai flag carrier has resumed its international flights to 34 destinations — accounting for 30-40 per cent of the pre-Covid volume.

He sees signs of more and more Thais travelling abroad, particularly to Europe, as the Covid crisis seems to be ebbing.

Earlier, Airports of Thailand estimated that the six airports it runs would see 238,800 international passengers between April 11 and 17, an increase of almost 1,800 per cent when compared to the same period last year.

Published : April 15, 2022

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https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40014576

Road accidents in the first four of the “Seven Dangerous Days” of Songkran have claimed 157 lives and injured 1,185, the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation reported on Friday.

Road accidents usually spike due to a large number of people travelling upcountry to their hometowns and the seven dangerous days this year are being counted from April 11 to 17.

“April 14 saw 324 accidents with 41 deaths and 332 injuries,” said Nirat Phongsitthithavon, director of the department’s Road Accident Prevention and Mitigation Centre.

He added that the period from April 11-14 has seen 1,195 road accidents with a total of 157 deaths and 1,185 injuries.

“The most common cause for the accidents is speeding [35.19 per cent], followed by drunk driving [32.41 per cent],” he added. “Motorcycles have had the highest number of accidents at 84.23 per cent, followed by pick-up trucks at 5.06 per cent.”

Of the four days of Songkran, Chiang Mai has reported 44 times more accidents, while Nakhon Ratchasima logged the most traffic injuries at 43 persons. Lampang, meanwhile, has the highest death toll at seven.

The department set up 1,907 checkpoints on major roads nationwide to enforce traffic laws and provide assistance to motorists. Since April 11, 56,377 officers and volunteers have been stationed at these checkpoints, where a total of 406,487 vehicles were pulled over for safety checks. So far, 75,615 motorists have been charged for violating traffic laws. The most common offence is driving without a licence (20,542), followed by riding a motorcycle with no helmet (19,876).

“Motorists are advised to strictly obey the speed limit and traffic laws, wear helmets or seatbelts and never drive when drunk,” Nirat said.

Accidents can be reported via the 1784 hotline or via the Line application @1784DDPM.

Published : April 15, 2022

By : THE NATION

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https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40014575

A police truck was caught on camera colliding with a car in Bangkok’s Don Muang district before fleeing the scene on Thursday night.

Footage of the incident was recorded on the dashboard camera of Nattapong NC Chadong, who posted it on the “Rao Ruk Don Mueang” (We love Don Mueang) Facebook page.

A clip shows the police truck overtaking Nattapong’s vehicle on the righthand side before apparently hitting another car at Wat Phuttha Siam Intersection.

The driver of the police truck is then shown fleeing the scene.

A netizen who commented on Nattapong’s post claimed the same police truck had hit a taxi on Pracha Uthit Road just before the incident that was captured on video.

According to local reports, a motorcycle driver chased after the police truck and asked the driver to stop, suspecting he was drunk. However, the driver refused to do so.

The victims of the incident have reportedly filed a complaint at Don Muang Police Station. Police are investigating to find out which station the truck is based at.

Initial investigations show the truck does not belong to Don Muang Police Station, according to reports.

Published : April 15, 2022

By : THE NATION

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https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40014574

The National Vaccine Institute sounded the alarm on Thursday over a social-media rumour that booster jabs are not needed as infection with Omicron builds strong immunity against Covid-19.

The institute warned that people who rely on “natural immunity” from infection were risking severe illness or even death, as well as long Covid in adults and multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children.

It added that booster jabs were safe and offered strong protection against the current Omicron infection wave, as proven by data from countries worldwide.

“Amid the Omicron pandemic, two Covid-19 jabs do not protect people from infection, but they provide 85 per cent protection against death,” the institute explained.

“The third jab provides 34-68 per cent protection against infection and 98-99 per cent against death, while the fourth jab provides 80-82 per cent protection against infection.”

The institute said there was no record of anyone dying from Covid-19 after receiving the fourth jab.

However, data shows that only 35 per cent of Thais had received a booster jab as of April 8.

The take-up rate for boosters is also low in the three groups at highest risk of severe symptoms and death from Covid-19 – the over-60s, pregnant women and people with one of seven chronic conditions (lung complaints, cardiovascular disease, chronic kidney disease, stroke, obesity, cancer and diabetes).

“Only a small proportion in these groups have a received booster jab,” said the institute, urging them to get another Covid-19 jab to protect themselves.

It said people could also keep themselves and their loved ones safe from the virus by keeping their guard up and following official measures.

Published : April 15, 2022

By : THE NATION

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https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40014572

The Highway Department has announced that motorists returning to Bangkok can use the inbound Bang Pa-in-Nakhon Ratchasima motorway for free.

No toll fees will be collected for the Bangkok-bound motorway from Friday to Monday.

The fee waiver on the Pak Chong-Si Khiew-Kham Thalay Sor section of the motorway is aimed at reducing congestion on the Mittraphap Road at a time when many people are expected to drive back to the capital.

The department had waived toll fees for the outbound section from April 11 to 14 for motorists heading out of the capital.

The free section of the motorway can be entered and exited via three gates at kilometre markers No 65, No 5 and No 8, the department added.

This part of the motorway will be open to motorists from 6am to midnight.

The department has also warned motorists against stopping at Lam Ta Kong Dam to take photographs of the scenic view as they may block traffic and cause accidents.

Published : April 15, 2022

By : THE NATION

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https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40014571

Highway police in Chiang Rai proved that traffic violators cannot get away easily when they showed up at the homes of two law-breaking motorists to serve them with arrest warrants.

In a post on the Highway Police Division’s Facebook page, the Highway Police Station 5 said the two were served arrest warrants because not only did they repeatedly violate the traffic law, but also refused to pay their fines.

The northern provinces of Phayao and Chiang Rai come under this station’s jurisdiction. The suspects, identified only as Warissorn and Karn, were arrested in cooperation with Muang Chiang Rai Police Station.

According to the post, Warissorn had jumped traffic lights and ignored traffic signals 47 times, while Karn had jumped traffic lights 25 times.

“The two never paid fines and continued violating traffic law,” the post said.

The highway police said these two were arrested to prove to other motorists that they cannot get away without paying their traffic tickets.

“We are not sure who came up with the idea that motorists do not have to pay fines when they get their tickets and can repeatedly violate the law. Though we may be quiet, we can track them down to their door. How can they possibly continue committing the same wrongdoing again and again and think they can get away with it?” the post said.

Published : April 15, 2022

By : THE NATION

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https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40014569

The Justice Fund has spent THB190 million to help 2,457 low-income people and victims of violent crimes during the past six months, Justice Minister Somsak Thepsuthin said on Friday.

Between October 1, 2021 and March 31, 2022, the fund has approved THB190 million to help low-income people related to lawsuits against them and for compensating crime victims, Somsak said.

The fund helped 1,425 people fight legal cases in court and is assisting 130 others, Somsak said.

The fund has also provided money to help 473 people offer financial guarantee for release on bail and it is helping 119 others. So far, the fund has paid compensations to 14 crime victims and it considering 18 other cases.

Somsak added that 80 low-income people had sought legal advice from the fund and 66 of them had been helped.

The fund approved THB18 million for helping legal cases of low-income people from the total budget of THB45 million.

The fund had budgeted THB130 million to provide money to help crime suspects secure release on bail, but it has spent THB168 million to help them.

The fund has paid out THB160,000 to help victims of crime victims from the THB2 million budget, and has spent THB3.2 million to provide legal knowledge to people from the budget of THB20 million.

In total, the Justice Fund has spent Bt190 million on different missions from the THB197-million budget, Somsak added.

The minister said he had instructed agencies of the Justice Ministry to speed up providing legal assistance to low-income people so that they could have proper legal defence in court and could be released on bail.

After the Songkran holidays, the help would be carried out in a proactive manner. The goal is to bury forever the old saying ‘Only the poor go to jail’, Somsak said.

He said low-income people who need legal assistance can call hotline 1111 ext 77.

Published : April 15, 2022

By : THE NATION

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https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40014568

The Thai pavilion at the Netherlands ’ international horticultural exposition “Floriade Expo 2022” was opened by officials from the Agriculture and Cooperatives Ministry on Thursday.

This was soon after the expo was officially opened by the Netherlands’ King Willem-Alexander. The expo, held in the Dutch city of Almere this year, has been held every 10 years in the Netherlands since 1960.

This year, 26 countries are participating namely Bangladesh, Belgium, Chad, China, Colombia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Congo, Ecuador, Ethiopia, France, Germany, Ghana, India, Italy, Japan, Luxembourg, Qatar, South Korea, Somalia, Sudan, Surinam, Thailand, Emirates, Turkey and Yemen.

Also joining the event are three international horticultural organisations, namely India’s Spiritual Garden, Turkey’s Lisnia Nature and the Sino-Europe Horticultural Association (SEHA).

The expo, which wraps up on October 9, is expected to attract more than 2 million visitors.

“Thailand’s pavilion will demonstrate the country’s agricultural potential and progress, building confidence in the quality and standard of Thai agricultural and health products, exchange and expand cooperation on horticulture and raise awareness about environmental conservation and sustainable development,” the Agriculture Ministry’s permanent-secretary Thongplew Kongjun said. “This would help promote opportunities for market expansion of Thai agricultural products internationally.”

Thailand’s pavilion is decorated with traditional murals and architecture as well as potted flowers that are believed to bring good fortune. The area around the pavilion is divided into different zones showcasing Thailand’s horticultural diversity, such as a pond with water lilies, a garden sporting perennial plants, kitchen herbs, plants that clean water, a waterside garden as well as orchids and other exotic species. The pavilion can also be visited via https://thailandfloriade2022.com/, which offers tours in both virtual reality and augmented reality.

The expo in Almere is open to visitors daily from 10am to 7pm.

Published : April 15, 2022

By : THE NATION

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https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40014566

The Department of Royal Rainmaking and Agricultural Aviation deployed aircraft from April 4 to 14 to induce rain in Tak, so more water can be added to the Bhumibol Dam.

It also hopes the rain will help prevent forest fires in Tak and neighbouring Chiang Mai province.

“Since the beginning of April, Tak and Chiang Mai have seen very little rain, which could lead to Bhumibol Dam being unable to irrigate farms in the basin. The hot and dry weather can also spark forest fires,” Samrerng Saengphuwong, the department’s director-general, said on Thursday.

“Forest fires are the main contributor to the PM2.5 air pollution problem which affects people’s health and jeopardises road safety as smog can hinder motorists’ vision,” he added.

Samrerng went on to say that the department will continue making rain in areas that have less rainfall including Tak, Chiang Mai, Uthai Thani and Kanchanaburi until Sunday.

The Thailand Meteorological Department has forecast that a low-pressure cell will cover upper Thailand all this week, resulting in hot to very hot weather and haze during the day.

“However, the Meteorological Department said that from Friday to Sunday, a high-pressure cell from China will extend over the Northeast and bring isolated thundershowers and gusty winds to some areas,” he said.

“The Department of Royal Rainmaking and Agricultural Aviation will therefore suspend its operation in the Northeast during the said period. We advise farmers in these areas to take steps to prevent crop damage from thundershowers and strong winds, while people returning to Bangkok from their hometowns should exercise extra caution due to slippery roads.”

Published : April 15, 2022

By : THE NATION

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https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40014565

Storms will sweep across most of the country this weekend and Monday (April 16-18), the Thai Meteorological Department warned on Friday.

Ahigh-pressure system over China will whip up summer storms in the Northeast on Saturday, it said.

The severe weather will then spread down the country as far as the upper South.

“Outbreaks of summer storms are forecast followed by thunderstorms, gusty wind and hail,” said the department.

It warned people in affected areas to keep away from large open spaces, big trees and unsecured billboards.

“All transport systems should proceed with caution during the storms, and farmers should make preparations to prevent crop damage,” it added.

For updates, visit the Thai Meteorological Department website at www.tmd.go.th or contact 1182 and (02) 399 4547.

Published : April 15, 2022

By : THE NATION