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https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40011572

The State Railway of Thailand (SRT) said on Wednesday that the train route from Bang Sue to Bang Bamru stations will remain closed as maintenance being carried out on Rama VI Bridge is not yet complete.

SRT Public Relations Centre director Ekkarat Sriarayanpong explained that the temporary closure came after the structure on Rama VI Bridge collapsed on January 24, making the rail line there impassable for trains.

He said the ITD-ARC joint venture, which is responsible for strengthening the bridge, has been urged to inspect the overall structure to ensure the safety of trains and passengers.

“The reopening date will be announced later,” Ekkarat said.

He said the following train routes have been changed to bypass Rama VI Bridge during the maintenance:

• Express Train No 43 (Bangkok-Surat Thani), changed to Bang Bamru-Surat Thani

• Normal Train No 261 (Bangkok-Hua Hin), changed to Thonburi-Hua Hin

• Express Train No 31 (Bangkok-Hat Yai), changed to Bang Bamru-Hat Yai

• Urban Train No 355 (Bangkok-Nong Pla Duk), changed to Bang Bamru-Nong Pla Duk

• Express Train No 83 (Bangkok-Trang), changed to Bang Bamru-Trang

• Express Train No 85 (Bangkok-Nakhon Si Thammarat), changed to Bang Bamru-Nakhon Si Thammarat

• Express Train No 39 (Bangkok-Surat Thani), changed to Bang Bamru-Surat Thani

• Urban Train No 356 (Nong Pla Duk-Bangkok), changed to Nong Pla Duk-Bang Bamru

• Express Train No 40 (Surat Thani-Bangkok), changed to Surat Thani-Bang Bamru

• Speed Train No172 (Sungai Kolok-Bangkok), changed to Sungai Kolok-Bang Bamru

• Normal Train No 262 (Hua Hin-Bangkok), changed to Hua Hin-Thonburi

• Express Train No 86 (Nakhon Si Thammarat-Bangkok), changed to Nakhon Si Thammarat-Bang Bamru

• Express Train No 84 (Trang-Bangkok), changed to Trang-Bang Bamru

• Express Train No 32 (Hat Yai-Bangkok), changed to Hat Yai-Bang Bamru

• Express Train No 44 (Surat Thani-Bangkok), changed to Surat Thani-Bang Bamru.

Ekkarat said passengers at Bangkok and Samsen stations will be transported to Bang Bamru by car, while passengers at Bang Sue station can take the SRT Red Line train to Bang Bamru station without any extra charge.

He said delivery on the southern route of goods, luggage and motorcycles at Bangkok, Samsen, Bang Sue and Bang Bamru stations was temporarily suspended.

“Passengers who have reserved tickets in advance can request a full refund,” he added.

Published : January 27, 2022

By : THE NATION

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40011571

The Bank of Thailand (BOT) has prepared billions of extra baht for the upcoming Chinese New Year festival, said Somboon Chitphentom, assistant governor of BOT’s Banknote Management Group.

He expected the public to spend 27 billion baht for the festival – 3 per cent lower than the previous year.

Bangkok Bank has arranged around 40 billion baht in branches and 10,000 ATMs across the country for the festival. The bank has also reserved notes for the traditional practice of handing out “ang pao” (red envelopes).

Customers can use the service at 15,000 counter spots in 7-Eleven stores, Lotus’s, or ThailandPost’s Bank@Post. There is also an “e-ang pao” service for this new normal situation.

Siam Commercial Bank has 50 billion baht at ready – nearly the same as last year. Some 23 billion has been reserved for customers in Bangkok while the remaining 27 billion is for customers in other provinces. The bank’s ATMs will hold 26 billion baht while bank branches have prepared 24 billion for the occasion, with 5 billion being new banknotes.

Meanwhile, Kasikorn Bank has arranged 41.8 billion baht for the festival from January 29 to February 1. Of this 19.8 billion baht will be reserved for 551 bank branches across the country, 11.7 billion baht exclusively for branches in Bangkok. The remaining 22 billion will go for 8,900 ATMs – 10 billion alone for Bangkok.

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The Thai Credit Retail Bank meanwhile said it had come out with new ang pao envelopes featuring an illustration of a tiger and the Chinese blessing “Fu Gui Ji Xiang” (Be wealthy and have good fortune”).

Published : January 27, 2022

By : THE NATION

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40011568

The first batch of orange-cap Pfizer vaccines for children aged 5-11 years was delivered to Thailand on Wednesday morning, Department of Disease Control director-general Dr Opas Karnkawinpong said on Thursday.

He said the department would dispatch vaccine-related documents to the Department of Medical Sciences for a check before distributing the doses nationwide.

He explained that each bottle of Pfizer vaccine can be administered to ten children, adding that the vaccine must be kept at a temperature of 2-8 degrees Celsius for ten weeks.

“From January 31, children with chronic disease can receive their jab at hospitals, while other children can get their shots at schools,” he said. “Children who are taking online classes or study outside the education system can receive their jabs at hospitals.”

Opas said the interval between the first and the second jabs for children aged 5-11 years is 3-12 weeks depending on efficiency, safety and the Covid-19 situation.

He said Thailand is the second Asian country after Singapore to receive Pfizer vaccines for children aged 5-11.

“The side effects found after administering the vaccine were mild symptoms that could be cured in 1-2 days, such as fever, cold, fatigue or pain where the jab was given, so medical staff will monitor children’s symptoms for 30 minutes after they receive the vaccine,” Opas said.

“According to global data, side effects in young children are less than in older children due to the lower dosage,” he said.

Opas also said children aged 12-18 will receive the purple-cap Pfizer vaccine similar to adults.

Meanwhile, Queen Sirikit National Institute of Child Health director Dr Adisai Pattatang said there were about 900,000 children with chronic diseases, while parents must give permission for their children to receive the jab.

He said medical staff would delay the vaccination of the young ones who have fever, fatigue and unstable symptoms.

He advised parents to prevent their children from playing or carrying out strenuous exercise after receiving the jab.

Adisai went on to say that he was concerned about heart muscle inflammation as US data showed that eight children got it after receiving the Pfizer vaccine.

“We would like to advise any children who feel chest pain, breathe rapidly or tire easily 2-7 days after the vaccination to see a doctor immediately,” he said.

“Meanwhile, parents should take their children to hospital immediately if they have fever, headache, vomiting, are unable to eat or are unconscious,” he cautioned.

He added that general hospitals that are unable to treat children should send them to medical centres, child health institutes or university hospitals for diagnosis and treatment.

Published : January 27, 2022

By : THE NATION

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40011566

Ministry of Public Health reported on Thursday (January 27) morning that in the past 24 hours there are 8,078 new patients who tested positive for Covid-19, 225 of whom have arrived in Thailand from abroad.

Death toll increased by 22, while 6,595 patients were cured and allowed to leave hospitals.

Cumulative cases in the country since January 1, 2022 are at 183,587.
 

The country’s total caseload from Covid-19 stands at 2,407,022 – 2,302,164 of whom have recovered, 82,760 are still in hospitals and 22,098 have died.

Separately, another 44,412 people were given their first Covid-19 shot in the last 24 hours, 74,003 their second shot and 322,256 a booster, bringing the total number of Covid-19 vaccine doses administered nationwide to 113,622,267.

According to Worldometer, confirmed cases globally had risen to 363.27 million on Thursday, 287.73 million of whom have recovered, 69.89 million are active cases (95,965 in severe condition) and 5.65 million have died (up by 10,647).

Thailand ranks 27th in the global list of most cases, which is topped by the US with 74.18 million, followed by India with 40.37 million, Brazil with 24.55 million, France with 17.73 million and the UK with 16.15 million.

Published : January 27, 2022

By : THE NATION

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40011560

The Thailand Meteorological Department said on Thursday (January 27) that the high-pressure system covers the North and the upper Northeast of Thailand and the South China Sea while the westerly wind at high altitude brings cool to cold condition from Myanmar to the upper Thailand.

Cool to cold weather with fog in the morning are likely in the upper country. Mountaintops in the North and the Northeast are cold to very cold with minimum temperature in the range of 3-14 °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, the southerly and the southeasterly winds prevail over the lower Central including Bangkok and its vicinity and the East regions, causing isolated light rains in the areas.

The Department also mentioned that the weak northeast monsoon prevails across the Gulf of Thailand and the South and brings isolated light rains to the South.
 

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

North: Cool to cold weather with fog in the morning and thick fog in some areas; temperature lows of 13-19 degrees and highs of 30-36 degrees Celsius. Temperature on hilltops is likely to drop to 3-13 degrees Celsius.

Northeast: Cool to cold weather with fog in the morning; temperature lows of 15-21 degrees and highs of 31-35 degrees Celsius. Temperature on hilltops is likely to drop to 8-14 degrees Celsius.

Central: Cool weather with fog in the morning; temperature lows of 21-22 degrees, highs of 34-36 degrees Celsius.

East: Cool weather with fog in the morning and isolated light rains; temperature lows of 22-25 degrees, highs of 31-35 degrees Celsius; waves less than a meter high and about a meter high offshore.

South (east coast): Partly cloudy with isolated light rains; temperature lows of 22-25 degrees, highs of 30-34 degrees Celsius; waves less than a meter high and about a meter high during thundershowers.

South (west coast): Partly cloudy with isolated light rains; temperature lows of 23-26 degrees, highs of 33-35 degrees Celsius; waves less than a meter high and about a meter high offshore.

Bangkok and surrounding areas: Partly cloudy with light fog in the morning and isolated light rains; temperature lows of 23-26 degrees, highs of 33-35 degrees Celsius.

Source: Thailand Meteorological Department

Published : January 27, 2022

By : THE NATION

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40011559

The government has no objections to Kingsgate Consolidated, a parent company of Akara Resources, reopening the Chatree gold mine which straddles the border between Phetchabun and Phichit provinces, but it must be in line with new Mineral Act, Deputy Prime Minister Wissanu Kreangam said on Wednesday.

His reaction follows Kingsgate Consolidated informing the Australian Securities Exchange that the company has received four mining leases from the Thai government to reopen the Chatree gold mine, which was closed in January 2017.

Wissanu said agencies responsible for this matter can perform their duties in line with their procedures and authority, adding the agencies will report the progress to him and the Cabinet every three months.

He added that irrespective of the dispute between the Thai government and Kingsgate Consolidated, the company can reopen the Chatree gold mine, but they must follow the provisions of the new Minerals Act, including land permission, environment and community.

“The National Council for Peace and Order [formed after the 2014 coup] had ordered the temporary suspension of Kingsgate Consolidated’s business as new minerals-related laws had not been framed at that time. It is now up to agencies responsible for the matter to investigate and report to the government periodically,” he said.

He said responsible agencies have to report the progress every three months.

He added that he was not sure whether an arbitration ruling would be made at the end of this month because the previous arbitration ruling in Singapore had been postponed due to the Covid-19 crisis.

Published : January 26, 2022

By : THE NATION

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/blogs/in-focus/40011557

Thailand and Saudi Arabia will strengthen cooperation in labour and Riyadh is seeking foreign support in tourism management, Labour Minister Suchart Chomklin said after bilateral discussions with Ahmad bin Sulaiman Alrajhi, Saudi Minister of Human Resources.

This is an opportunity for Thai entrepreneurs, as well as skilled and semi-skilled workers to participate, Suchart said.

Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Human Resources is aiming to hire some 8 million good, skilled workers from different countries. Thailand can participate in and would like labour cooperation to occur as soon as possible, especially for service sector workers, in hotels, health and the construction industry, he said.

As for the quality of life and welfare of foreign workers in Saudi Arabia, there will be the E-Contract Program, which is an electronic contract that aims to protect workers’ rights and reduce conflicts between employees and employers. The Labour Mobility Initiative programme will allow workers to move freely to increase flexibility, build efficiency and the ability to be active in the labour market.

As of December 2021, there were 1,345 Thai workers working in Saudi Arabia. Most of the Thai workers travelling to work are escorted by employers and have a re-entry work permit.

Positions that Thai workers travel to work include welders, technicians, mechanics, factory workers, machine operators, workers producing general products, assistant cooks, maids, etc.

Published : January 26, 2022

By : THE NATION

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/blogs/in-focus/40011556

The Office of the Attorney-General has expressed concern over the cocaine use charge against fugitive Vorayuth “Boss” Yoovidhya nearing the end of its statute of limitations.

The office on Wednesday released a statement on the results of the year 2021 and the direction of proactive action in 2022.

Itthiporn Kaewthip, a spokesman for the office, reported on the progress into the case case against Vorayuth, heir to an energy drink giant, who allegedly killed a police officer in a hit-and-run case dating back to 2012.

Prosecutors have charged Vorayut on two counts: rash driving causing the death of another person, whose statute of limitations expires in 2027; and the charge of cocaine use, which expires on September 3, 2022.

Dr Jumpon Phansumrit, director-general of International Affairs Department, Office of the Attorney-General, revealed that last year the parliamentary committee had called to explain the case against Vorayut. He investigated and found that the matter had not yet been referred to the office for extradition.

“We are still waiting for the extradition process. Several laws and treaties state that we must provide a possible address as one of the three key conditions for extradition. We have all facts, legal and statutes, except possible addresses,” said Jumpon.

Prayut Petchkhun, the deputy spokesman for the office, said that finding out the residence of the accused abroad was not within the prosecutor’s purview.

“We admit we are worried because the statue of limitations on the cocaine charge is about to expire on September 3, 2022. As long as the accused has not been identified, we will not be able to file a lawsuit against Vorayuth in the court,” said Prayut.

“We have only heard from the press that Vorayuth lives in England or Austria. What the police sent the prosecutor was a copy of the court’s arrest warrant, but the extradition warrant had not yet been issued. If you know the address of the accused in a foreign country, our prosecutors are ready to take any action to request extradition,” he said.

Published : January 26, 2022

By : THE NATION

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/blogs/in-focus/40011555

The MRTA is preparing to launch a trial credit card service so that commuters can tap in and out of MRT Blue-Purple Line stations.

Vithaya Punmongkol, vice governor of the Mass Rapid Transit Authority of Thailand (MRTA), revealed that the MRTA will begin a trial to allow payment of fare for the MRT Blue Line and Purple line via EMV Contactless (Europay Mastercard and Visa) with all major credit cards having the contactless symbol, beginning January 29.

The service is a collaboration between MRTA, Bangkok Expressway and Metro Public Company Limited, as the concessionaire, and Krungthai Bank, which has taken responsibility for the development and installation of the card reader system and management of the fare payment system.

The MRTA has installed an EMV card reader in the 53 stations on the MRT Purple Line and Blue line for trial from January 29.

An average 37,000 passengers used the MRT Purple Line every day in December 2021, less than half of the average 75,000/day during the pre-Covid-19 period. The Blue Line too was sharply down to an average of 200,000 passengers/day, from 530,000 in the pre-Covid-19 period.

In January 2022, passenger traffic on both routes is likely to increase due to the improving pandemic situation. The Purple Line carried an average of 39,000 passengers/day, while the Blue Line had more than 200,000 passengers/day.

Published : January 26, 2022

By : THE NATION

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/blogs/in-focus/40011554

Direct flights between Saudi Arabia and Thailand could resume in May, Suttipong Kongpool, director of the Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand (CAAT), said on Wednesday.

He was responding to an announcement by Saudi Arabia Airlines, the national airline of Saudi Arabia, about resuming flights to Thailand in May.

Suttipong said the announcement by the airline was likely just advance information to interested passengers, however the airline has not yet applied for an official flight schedule.

The Saudi airline announced direct and regular flights. This is considered a revival of the route between the two countries, as Saudi Airlines has not flown regular flights to Thailand for over 30 years. The number of scheduled flights per week is still unknown.

“From the schedule announced by the airline to start flying in May 2022, it is considered the time for the summer flight schedule where CAAT has allocated flights. But we still find some slots available. If Saudi Airlines begins the process of requesting to fly in, I believe that it will be able to fly during the specified period,” Suttipong said.

In order to request a flight, the airline must:

 Apply for the right to fly as a Designated Airline through diplomatic channels.

 Request a flight slot

 Apply for an official flight permit

Published : January 26, 2022

By : THE NATION