#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40011764

The Thailand Meteorological Department said on Tuesday (February 1) that the westerly wind at high altitude prevails over the North and the upper Northeast of Thailand and brings cool to cold weather and morning fog to the areas. Mountaintops in the North and the Northeast are cold to very cold with temperature in the range of 4-14 °C. People in the upper country should take care of their health due to variable weather. All transports should take more caution due to poor visibility.

Meanwhile, another high-pressure system from China has covered upper Vietnam, Loas and the South China Sea. This forces the southerly and southeasterly winds to blow the humidity from the sea to the lower North, the Northeast, the Central and the East, causing isolated light rains in the areas.

The Department also mentioned that the weak northeast monsoon prevails across the Gulf of Thailand, leading to isolated thundershowers over the South.
 

The weather forecast for the next 24 hours is as follows:

North: Cool to cold weather with fog in the morning and thundershowers in 10 per cent of the areas; temperature lows of 12-17 degrees and highs of 30-36 degrees Celsius. Temperature on hilltops is likely to drop to 4-12 degrees Celsius.

Northeast: Cool to cold weather with fog in the morning and thundershowers in 10 per cent of the areas; temperature lows of 13-21 degrees and highs of 28-34 degrees Celsius. Temperature on hilltops is likely to drop to 8-14 degrees Celsius.

Central: Cool weather with fog in the morning and thundershowers in 10 per cent of the areas; temperature lows of 21-23 degrees, highs of 32-36 degrees Celsius.

East: Partly cloudy with thundershowers in 10 per cent of the areas; temperature lows of 22-25 degrees, highs of 30-35 degrees Celsius; waves less than a meter high and about a meter high offshore.

South (east coast): Partly cloudy with thundershowers in 10 per cent of the areas; temperature lows of 22-25 degrees, highs of 30-33 degrees Celsius; waves less than a meter high and about a meter high during thundershowers.

South (west coast): Partly cloudy with thundershowers in 10 per cent of the areas; temperature lows of 23-25 degrees, highs of 33-35 degrees Celsius; waves less than a meter high and about a meter high offshore.

Bangkok and surrounding areas: Fog in the morning and isolated light rains; temperature lows of 24-26 degrees, highs of 31-35 degrees Celsius.

Source: Thailand Meteorological Department

Published : February 01, 2022

By : THE NATION

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https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40011750

Hundreds of trucks and buses have been removed from the roads after failing exhaust tests, the Department of Land Transport (DLT) announced on Sunday.

The tests were launched in October under Transport Minister Saksayam Chidchob’s policy to clamp down on emissions of PM2.5 pollution.

However, levels of the harmful particles have surged in recent weeks.

DLT director-general Jirut Wisanjit said inspectors checked 101,709 trucks and buses between October 1 and January 30. Of these, 483 were banned from road use after they failed emission tests.

The department warned operators and owners it was against the law to use vehicles that exceed exhaust emission limits. It advised them to fix any vehicle that emitted black smoke and have it checked at a DLT office.

The DLT also asked citizens to help solve the PM2.5 haze problem by sending photos of trucks or buses that emit black smoke with their plate numbers to the 1584 hotline, Line account @1584DLT, https://www.facebook.com/dlt1584, http://ins.dlt.go.th/cmpweb/, the DLT GPS app, or e-mail them to dlt_1584complain@hotmail.com.

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Published : January 31, 2022

By : THE NATION

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40011747

Thailand kicked off its vaccination programme for children aged 5-11 on Monday.

Public Health Minister Anutin Charnvirakul presided over the launch at Queen Sirikit National Institute of Child Health in Bangkok, where at-risk children with seven underlying diseases were first in the queue for jabs.
 

Anutin said the youngsters will receive Pfizer vaccine from a batch of 300,000 doses that have already arrived. Another 300,000 doses per week will be sent to fill Thailand’s order of 10 million Pfizer doses within the next three months, he added.

Anutin said the total shipment should arrive one month ahead of schedule.

Children will receive two Pfizer (Comirnaty) jabs three to 12 weeks apart. The favoured gap between injections is 8-12 weeks, which offers higher immunity and fewer side effects.

Meanwhile, Thailand is currently registering Sinovac vaccine for use in younger children aged over three.
 

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Hospitals have offered parents guidance on the effects of Covid-19 in children as well as the side effects of vaccines:

Covid-19 symptoms in children

• Effects range from no or mild symptoms through to severe pneumonia and death.
• 90% of young patients have mild symptoms such as fever, coughing and muscle aches.
• Only 5% suffer severe symptoms such as severe pneumonia, respiratory failure or circulatory collapse.
• 4% are asymptomatic.
• Complications are rare. They are most often found in high-risk patients such as children under the age of one or patients with underlying diseases.

Symptoms after receiving Covid-19 vaccines

• Pain at injection site: 79-86%
• Fatigue: 60-66%
• Headache: 55-66%
• Heart inflammation (myocarditis or pericarditis) found in 56-69 people per 1 million doses
• Heart inflammation found in only 4-5 females per 1 million doses

Symptoms to look out for after vaccination

Like adults, children should sit and monitor their symptoms for 30 minutes after receiving the jab.

• Chest tightness or chest pain
• Gasping or fatigue
• Heart palpitations
• Loss of consciousness, feeling faint or unusually tired

What to do before receiving the jab

• Do not receive another vaccine at the same time as the Covid-19 jab. People should wait at least 14 days before receiving another vaccine, unless in an emergency such as rabies vaccination for an animal bite.
• Children and women who are menstruating, breastfeeding or pregnant are eligible for Covid-19 vaccination.
• Children or teenagers recovering from Covid-19, complications, or Kawasaki disease (MIS-A or MIS-C) should wait for 1-3 months before receiving the vaccine. Children undergoing plasma treatment can receive the vaccine immediately after 90 days.

Sources: Sikarin Hospital, Siriraj Hospital (Mahidol University), King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital, The Thai Red Cross Society

Published : January 31, 2022

By : THE NATION

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40011746

Seafood from Rayong sea can still be consumed, except barracudas, Deputy Public Health Minister Satit Pitutecha said in a Facebook post on Monday, citing the Regional Medical Sciences Centre 6 Chonburi’s research.

The study on heavy metal, cadmium, mercury and lead in seafood was conducted as consumers were wary of safety in consuming seafood after the oil spill incident in Rayong’s Map Ta Phut Industrial Estate last week.

The study was conducted by collecting 14 samples from fishing markets on Suchada, Ban Phe and Phala Beaches.

“Seafood from Rayong sea is still edible, except barracuda as its mercury values slightly exceeded acceptable standards,” he said.

The Regional Medical Sciences Centre 6 Chonburi will collect oil spill washing up on the beaches for its research in order to ensure consumers’ safety.

Published : January 31, 2022

By : THE NATION

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40011743

A total of 2,025 medical personnel were infected with Covid-19 in January, around 66 people per day on average, Dr Thira Woratanarat from Chulalongkorn University posted on his Facebook page on Monday.

He said the number of the Omicron variant BA.2 cases had increased after they were infected with BA.1, while the number of new cases in South Africa is stable.

He said the increase in BA.2 cases was in line with research that it was more contagious than BA.1. However, BA.2 is no more likely to escape immunity than BA.1, according to current information. The information on severity and reinfection is not enough at the moment, he said.

Thira added that each country should be able to analyse the cause and fix it after learning from the past to create an efficient system and mechanism.

The process of deciding on a crisis must be based on empirical data and knowledge of international standards.

Thira said every citizen must have the right to access in-depth information on policies and measures. They will not understand the effect of the decision if they do not have enough information.

He added that there must be inspection and a balancing mechanism for the government which is responsible for citizens’ health, welfare and safety. Society will be able to handle a crisis in the future if we have this mechanism and citizens have information. Citizens will be able to take care of themselves and become a health-literate society.
 

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Meanwhile, a virology expert posted on his Facebook page on Sunday that even half a dose of an mRNA booster yielded the same result as a full dose.

Yong said the mRNA booster dose after two doses of inactivated vaccines offered high immunity. He cited an Oxford study and by many countries including Brazil, Chile and Indonesia.

He said many foreign countries gave only half a dose or 50 micrograms of Moderna vaccine as the booster dose.

Yong suggested increasing the use of Moderna vaccines in Thailand to reduce the side-effects. Currently, people are administered 30mcg of the Pfizer vaccine. Ideally, people should receive a full dose of vaccine if adequate stocks are available, he said.

Published : January 31, 2022

By : THE NATION

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40011744

Interior Ministry and Election Commission officials will meet on February 21 to schedule long-overdue elections for the governors of Bangkok and Chonburi’s Pattaya, said Interior Minister General Anupong Paochinda on Monday.

According to Anupong, the elections will likely take place in May.

He was responding after senator Wanchai Sonsiri inquired about the progress of gubernatorial elections during a Senate meeting on Monday morning.

“I expect the Election Commission to submit the election dates for Cabinet approval and announce them by the end of March,” he said. “After the dates are officially announced, the election must be held within 60 days.”

He added that May was a suitable choice since it contained no long holidays or religious festivals. However, he said that the Election Commission had the final decision on poll dates.

Anupong added that the election for Bangkok governor and members of Bangkok Metropolitan Council would be held simultaneously.

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Published : January 31, 2022

By : THE NATION

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40011738

A small fire at a Chinese shrine in a shophouse in Bangkok’s Ratburana district was put out in time before it could spread, thanks to alert neighbours. No casualties were reported.

Residents of Soi Pracha Uthit 27 spotted black smoke billowing over a four-storey shophouse so they alerted fire police at 10.10am.

Firefighters arrived at the scene with volunteers from the Poh Teck Tung Foundation. When they broke into the shophouse’s ground floor, they saw a Chinese shrine in front of the elevator in flames. Firefighters took about 20 minutes to put it out.

The shophouse is rented by Pakkawadee Suksingsam-ang, 46. She was not at home when the incident happened.

Police suspect that fire from joss sticks might have caused the incident. The damage was limited as neighbours spotted the smoke before the fire could spread further.

Monday is the worship day of Chinese New Year celebrations.

Published : January 31, 2022

By : THE NATION

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40011737

A group of anti-vaxxers rode into Bangkok on Monday to demand that the Education Ministry stop forcing school children to take Covid-19 jabs.

The group, Chiang Mai People Protecting Rights, led by Dr Notphoptham Phopthamcharoenjai, began their 900-kilometre journey on bicycles in mid-December.

The Education Ministry is urging parents to allow their five to 11-year-olds to take the Pfizer Covid-19 vaccine. However, the group wants the ministry to reconsider this resolution and handed in a letter explaining their misgivings.

The letter was received by a senior Education Ministry official, who promised to pass it on to the minister.

The group said that though the Education Ministry claimed that the shots will be provided voluntarily, that was not really the case.

They said many schools were either forcing the children to get jabbed or imposing other measures like stopping them from attending class or insisting parents pay for the rapid antigen tests.

The group said Covid-19 vaccines are alienating children and affecting their mental status and rights. The group also alleged that Covid-19 vaccines were still at trial stage and could affect children’s health.

The anti-vaxxers said children have a low risk of picking up the virus, and if they do, their immunity is high enough for them to recover quickly. They also pointed out that the vaccine does not really keep the virus at bay.

The group said available data shows that the vaccine has many side effects, so schools should stop forcing students to take them.

Published : January 31, 2022

By : THE NATION

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40011735

The Marine Department has been instructed to clear the oil slick from a beach in Rayong province as soon as possible to mitigate environmental impact.

An underwater pipeline owned by Star Petroleum Refining Plc (SPRC) sprung a leak last Tuesday, releasing 160,000 litres of oil in the sea before it could be plugged.

“The Marine Department is using FS49 boats, which are usually used to collect floating garbage, to deploy booms some 350 metres from the Rayong shoreline as well as place absorbent sheets in areas where the slick is too thick to be eliminated with chemical dispersants,” Phuripat Theerakulpisut, the Marine Department’s deputy director-general, said on Sunday. “Bangchak Corporation has provided the boom and absorbent sheets for this operation.”

Phuripat added that a preliminary survey shows that the film of oil on the surface of the sea is thin enough for the current and wind conditions to push it through gaps in the boom and float towards Khao Laem Ya National Park and the west of Koh Samet. He added that the national park has been instructed to have boats ready to deploy absorbent sheets if the oil slick gets closer.

“Once we have finished deploying the boom and absorbent sheets, the Marine Department will survey affected coastal areas and test the quality of water periodically. It will take a

ll measures necessary to bring the marine environment back to its normal state as soon as possible,” he said.

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Published : January 31, 2022

By : THE NATION

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40011734

Star Petroleum Refining Plc (SPRC) has announced it will pay compensation to all those affected by the Rayong oil spill.

“The company will establish a complaint centre in association with Rayong authorities to accept complaints from people affected by the incident. We will make sure that appropriate compensation is provided in a timely manner,” said Sunday’s announcement. “The centre can be reached via telephone number 038-699-881.”

Earlier, Star Petroleum announced that an underwater pipe at its floating jetty about 20 kilometres southeast of Map Ta Phut port leaked at 8pm on Tuesday, spilling 160,000 litres of oil into the sea.

On Saturday, Rayong’s Mae Ram Phueng Beach was declared a disaster zone after oil from the spill washed ashore. Satellite images showed the slick had spread across 47 square kilometres of sea.

SPRC and the Royal Thai Navy’s Marine Pollution Prevention and Mitigation Centre are now battling to prevent the giant oil slick from engulfing Koh Samet, one of Thailand’s main holiday islands and rich in corals and marine life.

SPRC said it has deployed booms in a bid to protect Rayong’s shoreline from further damage and is using absorbent sheets and vacuum trucks to remove crude oil from the beach. It added that experts in oil slick elimination were supervising the clean-up operation.

“We are deeply sorry for the incident and insist that we will use our fullest ability to eliminate the oil slick under safety standard to limit the impact on marine environment and coastal communities,” said the announcement. “We will provide updates periodically until the situation returns to normal.”

SPRC also said that the company’s refinery was still operating as normal.

Greenpeace noted that Star Petroleum was responsible for a similar spill in 1997.

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Published : January 31, 2022

By : THE NATION