#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40014192

---

Thailand will not buy the China-made submarine without the MTU396 diesel engine from Germany as specified in the contract, Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha announced on Monday.

Prayut also warned the Chinese manufacturer that it must find a way to honour the contract or Thailand will find a new supplier.

When asked if this issue will be discussed in the May 23 no-confidence debate, he said it should be part of the agenda. He added that the public should be interested in the topic, which has been explained by the Navy several times now. Prayut pointed out that there was no point in getting a submarine without an engine.

Prayut said the committee in charge of the purchase will be responsible for the cancellation, adding that this should not affect diplomatic ties. He pointed out that the deal fell through because the manufacturer could not get an engine, and neither country can be blamed for it.

As per the 13.5-billion baht purchase deal signed in 2017 between the Royal Thai Navy and the China Shipbuilding & Offshore International Co (CSOC), the Yuan-class S26T submarine must have MTU396 diesel engines from Germany’s Motor and Turbine Union company.

However, the German government has prohibited the export of these engines to China because of their use for military purposes. Germany is bound by a European Union arms embargo imposed on China in 1989 after the Tiananmen Square massacre.

As for the upcoming censure debate, he said he will defend his intentions and that he is not responsible for everything.

Opposition leader Pheu Thai Party submitted a censure motion against the government to block Prayut from dissolving the Parliament.

Published : April 05, 2022

By : THE NATION

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40014190

---

Chiang Mai has saved about 1 million cubic metres of water per year since Songkran splashing bans were imposed in 2020, irrigation officials say.

And the total amount saved would reach 3 million cubic metres this month as the splashing ban has been extended for this year’s Songkran festival, said Chiang Mai Irrigation Office director Jarin Kongsricharoen.

Jarin was speaking about the levels in two major dams that feed Chiang Mai with water.

He said the Mae Ngad Somboon Chon Dam in Mae Taeng district has 95 million cubic metres (36 per cent capacity) while Mae Kuang Dam in Doi Saket has 82 million cubic metres (31 per cent).

Normally, the irrigation office reserves about one million cubic metres of water for Songkran splashing each year.

The director expects the two dams have adequate water levels to provide irrigation and tap water in Lamphun and Chiang Mai throughout this year’s dry season.

He said rain from January to early this month had lifted the dam reservoirs to sufficient levels.

Meanwhile the Meteorological Department has forecast more rain late this month, which would further increase dam levels.

He said 28 million cubic metres from the Mae Ngad dam was reserved for irrigation in Chiang Mai and Lamphun while another 40 million cubic metres would be used for irrigation downstream. The remaining 27 million cubic metres would be reserved for use during the dry season.

He said the two dams will supply one million cubic metres per week to eight tap water stations in Chiang Mai and Lamphun.

Published : April 05, 2022

By : THE NATION

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40014188

---

The extension of the Bangkok western outer ring road is about 78 per cent complete and should be ready for traffic by January next year, the Department of Highways said.

The new road, which will eventually connect to two motorways, aims to solve the city’s traffic problems.

Sarawut Songsiwilai, Department of Highways director-general, said on Monday that 7.38 billion baht has been allocated for the construction of the ring road, dubbed Highway 3901-3902.

It will be linked to the M6 and M81 motorways and more in the future in a bid to reduce traffic jams.

The road will also be expanded from two to three lanes and will have a specially designed drainage and lighting system.

Once completed, the department hopes the road will contribute to the development of nearby provinces and boost interprovincial travel.

Published : April 05, 2022

By : THE NATION

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40014186

---

Details of Thailand’s first suspected case of Omicron XJ variant have been released by the Public Health Ministry.

The patient is a 34-year-old parcel delivery man who likely came into contact with people infected with different Omicron variants, said Suphakit Sirilak, director-general of the Department of Medical Sciences.

The suspected XJ case was detected on February 22 and has already recovered. Information on the case has been sent to the Global Initiative on Sharing Avian Influenza Data (Gisaid) to confirm whether it matches the genome for XJ.

XJ is a hybrid form of the BA.1 and BA.2 Omicron strains that was first discovered in Finland.

The “X” denotes a strain that has mutated when a person becomes infected with two Omicron variants.

So far, 17 different hybrid strains have been discovered, running from XA to XS. However, Gisaid currently recognises only three as true hybrids, namely XA, XB, and XC. The others are being analysed to confirm whether they are hybrids.

Meanwhile, scientists are still investigating XJ to find out if it is more contagious or severe than previous strains.

According to the Department of Medical Science, Omicron now accounts for 99.84 per cent of all new cases in Thailand, with 92.2 per cent caused by the BA.2 subvariant.

Suphakit urged people to avoid risky behaviours and protect themselves by wearing face masks, avoiding eating together, and getting a booster dose.

Published : April 05, 2022

By : THE NATION

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40014183

---

Top virologist Dr Yong Poovorawan has urged people to get at least three doses of Covid-19 vaccine to prevent severe illness from the ultra-infectious Omicron variant.

“Vaccines can help reduce the chance of severe symptoms and death significantly,” said the Chulalongkorn University scientist on Facebook.

“Statistics show that people in risky groups, especially the elderly, have lower hospitalisation and mortality rates if they receive the vaccine before infection.”

Yong explained that vaccination stimulates immunity and reduces severity of symptoms if people do catch the virus.

“However, this immunity only lasts for 4-6 months. This is why a booster shot or a third dose is important to keep Covid-19 at bay,” he said.

He added that a half-dose of mRNA vaccine, which is highly effective, was sufficient for a booster shot.

“If you can reserve an mRNA vaccine such as Pfizer or Moderna, getting only half a dose in your third and fourth shots at a 4 to 6-month interval is more than enough to keep your immunity high,” he said.

A total of 130.13 million doses of Covid vaccine have been administered in Thailand since vaccination began on February 28 last year, according to official data.

Of these, 55.69 million were first jabs, 50.38 million were second jabs, and 24.06 million were boosters.

Published : April 05, 2022

By : THE NATION

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40014181

---

Daily Covid-19 infections will double to around 50,000 cases after the Songkran holiday (April 13-15), the Department of Disease Control (DDC) estimates.

Covid fatalities will also rise above 100 per day in the period from April 19 to May, with 3,000 pneumonia cases, and 900 on respirators, it added.

However, this “optimistic” scenario will only occur if the majority of people obey disease control measures such as mask-wearing, social distancing and food hygiene.

Widespread failure to obey these measures will bring a worst-case scenario of 100,000 daily infections, with up to 6,000 pneumonia patients – 1,700 needing respirators – and over 250 deaths per day,” DDC Epidemiology Bureau chief Dr Jakrat Phittayawong-anon said on Monday.

Currently, about 500 Covid-19 patients are on respirators, compared to about 1,400 after the Songkran festival in 2020, Jakrat said.

“This indicates that the current Covid-19 variant is causing less severe symptoms, but the infection rate is 2-3 times higher than in 2020 if we positive ATK tests,” he added.

Medical Service Department chief Dr Somsak Akkasilp said 10 provinces with the highest infection rates still have hospital beds for patients with moderate and severe symptoms (yellow and red categories).

“The department has told private hospitals and medical colleges to add more beds for Covid-19 patients if the occupation rate rises above 80 per cent after Songkran,” he said. The department has also boosted its stocks of Favipiravir and Molnupiravir to 75 million tablets in preparation for a surge of cases after Songkran.

Thailand recorded 24,892 new Covid-19 cases and 97 deaths on Monday.

Published : April 05, 2022

By : THE NATION

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40014180

---

People aged over 60 can ride the MRT for free this Songkran (April 13 to 15), which kicks off with National Elderly Day on April 13.

Both MRT lines – Blue and Purple – will be free for seniors who show their ID cards at a ticket booth, Mass Rapid Transit Authority of Thailand (MRTA) governor Pakapong Sirikantramas said on Monday.

The MRTA said travellers can also celebrate Songkran by pouring water on Buddha images at most stations along the route. However, passengers are not allowed to carry water guns into the train system.

Extra security guards and dogs will be deployed to ensure safety and implement the ban on water splashing in the train system, as per orders of the Centre of Covid-19 Situation Administration.

“To prevent the spread of Covid-19, all users of MRT trains must wear face masks at all times, pass a thermal scanner before entering the station, register on the ThaiChana platform and are encouraged to use alcohol hand sanitisers before and after using the trains,” added Pakapong.

Published : April 05, 2022

By : THE NATION

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40014179

---

A record number of candidates have registered for the first Bangkok gubernatorial election in nine years, which is due on May 22.

Thirty-one candidates for governor and 382 candidates for city councillor positions were listed when the five-day registration period closed at 4.30pm on Monday, said Khajit Chatwanit, Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) permanent secretary.

The number of candidates vying for the governor’s post is the highest since the first election was held in 1975, he added.

The last election, in 2013, saw 25 candidates contest for the post, which was won by Sukhumbhand Paribatra.

This year’s gubernatorial candidate list features 25 men and six women, the youngest being 43 and the oldest 72.

Among city council candidates, the youngest is 25 and the oldest is 82.

List of governor candidates and their numbers:

1. Wiroj Lakkhanaadisorn

2. Thita Rangsitpol Manitkul

3. Sakoltee Phattiyakul

4. Suchatvee Suwansawat

5. Weerachai Laoruangwattana

6. Aswin Kwanmuang

7. Rosana Tositrakul

8. Chadchart Sittipunt

9. Watcharee Wannasri

10. Supachai Tantikom

11. Sita Divari

12. Prayoon Krongyoth

13. Paisal Kittiyaowaman

14. Thanet Wongsa

15. Tootpreecha Loetsantatwati

16. Sasikarn Waddhanachan

17. Uthen Chatphinyo

18. Sumana Phanphairoj

19. Kraidech Bunnak

20. Amonpan Oonsuwan

21. Niphatphon Suwanchana

22. Waranchai Chokechana

23. Chaloemphol Uttarat

24. Kosit Suvinitjit

25. Praphat Banjongsirijaroen

26. Monthol Ngernwatthana

27. Phumiphat Assawaphuphin

28. Sarawut Benjakul

29. Kritchai Phayomyaem

30. Phongsa Chunam

31. Witthaya Jangkobphatthana

BMA’s election commission will check their qualifications and announce the list of qualified candidates on April 11. Those who fail the qualification screening can appeal before April 14.

Each candidate can display campaign signs in two sizes: up to 30x42cm at no more than 10 times the number of polling stations, and 130x245cm at no more than five times the number of polling stations.

“Candidates can run their campaigns via traditional method and on social media, websites, YouTube, mobile apps, e-mail, SMS, or other electronic channels until 6pm on May 21,” Khajit said.

Published : April 05, 2022

By : The Star

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40014173

---

Ministry of Public Health reported on Tuesday (April 5) morning that in the past 24 hours there are 21,088 new patients who tested positive for Covid-19, 93 of whom have arrived in Thailand from abroad.

Death toll increased by 91, while 27,519 patients were cured and allowed to leave hospitals.

Cumulative cases in the country since January 1, 2022 are at 1,534,140.
 

Published : April 05, 2022

By : THE NATION

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40014168

---

Thai Foreign Minister Don Pramudwinai and his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi have issued a joint message supporting peace talks between Russia and Ukraine.

Wang Yi held talks with Don, who is also deputy prime minister, in Tunxi, in China’s Anhui province, on Saturday.

During the meeting, Wang Yi cited the important opinions expressed by China’s President Xi Jinping on April 1 to European Union leaders on solving the Ukraine crisis in the current circumstances, according to China’s Foreign Ministry.

China’s Foreign Ministry said Wang Yi and Don discussed the situation related to the Russia-Ukraine conflict and the two sides agreed on four points:

First, China and Thailand support Russia and Ukraine to continue peace talks until a peace agreement is reached.

Second, the two countries will join hands to prevent a large-scale humanitarian crisis and provide humanitarian assistance in time.

Third, the two countries will join hands to curb the negative fallout and maintain the momentum of global economic recovery.

Fourth, the two countries will cherish the hard-won peace and development in the Asian region and promote peace and stability in the region and beyond.

China’s Foreign Ministry said the two sides hoped that all countries will make joint efforts to end the Russia-Ukraine crisis.

Published : April 04, 2022

By : THE NATION