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https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40011189

Prime Minister General Prayut Chan-o-cha said on Monday that the timing was not right for a hike in salaries and wages, as the country cannot bear the additional financial burden.

Prayut was reacting to growing criticism that the government had failed to rein in prices while people’s salaries and the minimum daily wage had failed to keep pace with costs.

“Where will we get the money from to increase wages?” Prayut posed, adding whether his critics could find sources of money to facilitate the salary hike.

The Prayut government has increasingly come under fire over the rising price of pork, a staple food for a large section of the population.

Prayut said the government had studied the causes behind the rising pork prices and would be taking action to address the issue.

He said the government was considering whether to ban the export of pork and allow imports to address the supply shortage, which has pushed up prices.

The government has also taken measures to support small-time pig farmers by supporting the production of piglets for the farmers to raise and sell to the pork market.

He clarified that a swine disease outbreak was not the main cause of the pork shortage because the disease had killed only 20 per cent of pigs.

“The government is trying to figure out what has affected the pricing system in the pork market, which has also led to an unreasonable hike in the prices of other goods,” Prayut said.

He said he had assigned the Commerce and Agriculture ministries to jointly probe the cause of the increase in prices. He warned of legal action in cases of unjustified hike in prices.

Prayut said he did not think the price rise could be blamed on a hike in the price of diesel, as the goods price increase margin was higher than that of the revised oil price.

Published : January 17, 2022

By : THE NATION

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40011184

An Army task-force unit tracked down 70 Myanmar nationals who had sneaked across the border into Tak province to seek jobs in Thailand.

Members of the Naresuan Taskforce found 27 men and 43 women hiding in a forest near Ban Pha Phueng village in Wang Chao district’s tambon Chiangthong at around 10pm on Sunday. This was after locals alerted police of the presence of an unknown group of people in the area.

When the group failed to show any valid documents, they were taken to Wang Chao Police Station, where they underwent rapid antigen tests for Covid-19. They will be charged before being deported.

The Myanmar nationals said they had each paid 25,000 baht to a broker who helped them cross over from Myawaddy to Tak, where they were waiting for a Thai broker to pick them up and take them to Bangkok and other provinces for employment.

A soldier said the migrants had sneaked across the border in Phop Phra district and walked to Ban Pha Phueng to wait for the Thai broker to show up.

Published : January 17, 2022

By : THE NATION

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40011183

Thailand’s Siam Bioscience, the only maker of AstraZeneca (AZ) Covid-19 vaccines in Southeast Asia, welcomed UK Minister for Asia Amanda Milling on Monday morning.

Milling was at the manufacturing facility in Bangkok with Public Health Minister to observe the production of the vaccines, AstraZeneca (Thailand) said.

The ministers were welcomed by James Teague, country president for AstraZeneca (Thailand), Nualphan Lamsam, honorary director of corporate communications at Siam Bioscience and Dr Songpon Deechongkit, Siam Bioscience’s managing director.

Siam Bioscience plays a critical role in supplying Covid-19 vaccines to Thailand and other countries in Southeast Asia as well as contributing to the country’s status as a regional medical hub.

The visit has also reinforced collaboration among partners and their commitment to overcome Covid-19, AstraZeneca (Thailand) said in a statement.

Siam Bioscience, a pharmaceutical firm founded by HM King IX the Great over a decade ago, won the right to produce the Covid-19 vaccine in October 2020.

The AstraZeneca vaccine manufactured in Thailand has been approved by the World Health Organisation under its emergency use listing.

[From left: James Teague, country president for AstraZeneca (Thailand); Dr Nakorn Premsri, director of National Vaccine Institute (Thailand); Dr Opas Karnkawinpong, director-general of the Department of Disease Control; Public Health Minister Anutin Charnvirakul; UK Minister for Asia Amanda Milling; UK Ambassador to Thailand Mark Gooding; Nualphan Lamsam honorary director of Corporate Communications at Siam Bioscience; and Siam Bioscience managing director Dr Songpon Deechongkit.]

Published : January 17, 2022

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40011182

Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) officials on Sunday showed up at Ronglaosangjan – an off-licence in Wang Thonglang district that has turned into a restaurant – to ensure it is adhering to Covid-19 prevention measures.

BMA permanent secretary Khajit Chatchavanich said off-licences that are now operating as restaurants must strictly adhere to prevention measures including setting up a screening point and maintaining social distancing.

So far, 317 off-licences have turned into restaurants in Bangkok and Khajit cautioned them against violating regulations.

“For instance, if any restaurant is caught selling booze after 9pm, they will be fined 7,000 baht for the first violation and up to 20,000 baht if they are caught again,” he said. “District directors can immediately shut down restaurants that are caught violating measures.”

Meanwhile, Ronglaosangjan’s manager Rapin Suwanpan said he understands moves to contain the spread of Covid-19 and was ready to make changes to survive.

Published : January 17, 2022

By : THE NATION

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40011177

The eruption of the Hunga-Tonga-Hunga-Ha’apai underwater volcano near the South Pacific kingdom of Tonga on Friday and Saturday has had no effect on Thailand, deputy government spokesperson Traisulee Traisoranakul said on Sunday.

The volcano first erupted on Friday, sending an enormous plume of ash some 19 kilometres into the air, before it erupted again on Saturday evening. The Saturday eruption sent a 1.2-metre-high tsunami wave toward the coast of Tonga’s capital Nuku’alofa.

It also triggered tsunami warnings and advisories for several countries across the Pacific, including American Samoa, New Zealand, Ecuador, Peru, Chile, Australia, Japan and the US West Coast from California to Alaska.

“The volcano is about 9,500km away from Narathiwat’s coast and has, therefore, not had any effect on Thailand,” she said. “However, the National Disaster Warning Centre is monitoring the situation and will provide updates regularly.”

Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha, meanwhile, has instructed relevant agencies to keep in touch with countries in the Pacific region that may be affected by the tsunami and promptly issue warnings to Thais living there.

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Published : January 17, 2022

By : THE NATION

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40011171

Thailand’s Covid-19 situation has started to stabilise after the first two weeks of 2022, Public Health Ministry’s permanent secretary Dr Kiattiphum Wongrajit said on Sunday.

“In the first week, we saw a rising number of new infections due to the spread of Omicron, which is more highly transmissible than the Delta variant,” he said. “However, the number of new infections have started stabilising and heading downwards, while the number of patients with severe symptoms is also dropping.”

“After two weeks of 2022, we have recorded the lowest number of Covid-19 patients ever who require respirators,” he added.

“Though the trend is improving, Thailand still maintains alert level 4, which means all high-risk venues will be closed, people will have to refrain from travelling and participating in large gatherings to contain the spread of the virus,” Kiattiphum said. “People are also advised to get a Covid-19 booster shot and regularly undergo ATK tests.”

Kiattiphum added that if the situation continues improving, the ministry will urge the Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration (CCSA) to ease some measures so people’s lives can return to normal as soon as possible.

Over the past 24 hours on Monday morning, 6,929 people tested positive for Covid-19, of whom 209 had come from overseas. The death toll rose by 13, while 5,255 patients were discharged from hospitals.

Since the pandemic began in 2020, Thailand has seen 2,331,414 Covid-19 cases, including 107,979 this year, with 2,227,266 complete recoveries so far. The accumulated death toll stands at 21,938, including 240 so far this year.

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Published : January 17, 2022

By : THE NATION

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40011169

Police recorded nine instances of electoral law violations during the Sunday by-elections in Chumphon’s Constituency 1 and Songkhla’s Constituency 6.

“Officials received eight complaints in Chumphon and one in Songkhla,” deputy National Police chief Pol General Damrongsak Kittiprapas said on Sunday.

Of the eight cases in Chumphon, five were related to voters taking photographs of their ballots, two were about vandalising candidates’ posters (one suspect has been arrested), while one person was caught for shooting at a candidate’s campaign vehicle.

In Songkhla, police received a complaint about a candidate violating the electoral law while campaigning for votes. The Election Commission is investigating this case.

“Overall the election day was peaceful in both provinces,” Damrongsak said. “I thank all police officers who have been working hard to maintain public order. Police will continue monitoring the situation closely and will stay alert for any violence that may erupt.”

Police have been deployed to both provinces since January 11 to maintain peace and order.

Related News

Results of a by-election in Chumphon province

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Aspiring MPs vie for votes ahead of crucial Bangkok by-election

Published : January 17, 2022

By : THE NATION

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40011167

Ministry of Public Health reported on Monday (January 17) morning that in the past 24 hours there are 6,929 new patients who tested positive for Covid-19, 209 of whom have arrived in Thailand from abroad.

Death toll increased by 13, while 5,255 patients were cured and allowed to leave hospitals.

The country’s total caseload from Covid-19 stands at 2,331,414 – 2,227,266 of whom have recovered, 82,210 are still in hospitals and 21,938 have died.

Separately, another 14,305 people were given their first Covid-19 shot in the last 24 hours, 28,791 their second shot and 129,341 a booster, bringing the total number of Covid-19 vaccine doses administered nationwide to 109,542,145.
 

According to Worldometer, confirmed cases globally had risen to 328.77 million on Monday, 267.45 million of whom have recovered, 55.77 million are active cases (96,037 in severe condition) and 5.55 million have died (up by 3,992).

Thailand ranks 26th in the global list of most cases, which is topped by the US with 66.99 million, followed by India with 37.37 million, Brazil with 23.00 million, the UK with 15.21 million and France with 14.17 million.

Published : January 17, 2022

By : THE NATION

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40011161

The Thailand Meteorological Department said on Monday (January 17) that the westerly trough moved to cover the upper North of Thailand and Laos, causing isolated thundershowers and gusty winds in the areas. People in the upper North should beware of the severe conditions by keeping off open areas, big trees and unsecured billboards, while farmers should prevent for crop damage.

Meanwhile, the weak high-pressure system covers upper Thailand and the South China Sea, bringing cool to cold weather and light fog in the morning to the North and the Northeast. Mountaintops in the North and the Northeast are cold to very cold with temperature ranging from 7 to 15 °C. All transports should take caution due to poor visibility. 

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

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

North: Cool weather with light fog in the morning and thundershowers in 20 per cent of the areas along with gusty winds; temperature lows of 16-20 degrees and highs of 29-35 degrees Celsius. Temperature on hilltops is likely to drop to 7-15 degrees Celsius.

Northeast: Cool to cold weather with light fog in the morning; temperature lows of 16-20 degrees and highs of 31-33 degrees Celsius. Temperature on hilltops is likely to drop to 10-15 degrees Celsius.

Central: Cool weather with light fog in the morning; temperature lows of 19-23 degrees, highs of 32-35 degrees Celsius.

East: Cool weather with light fog in the morning; temperature lows of 19-22 degrees, highs of 31-34 degrees Celsius; waves less than a meter high and over a meter high offshore.

South (east coast): Partly cloudy with isolated light rains; temperature lows of 19-25 degrees, highs of 30-32 degrees Celsius; waves 1-2 meters high and about 2 meters high during thundershowers.

South (west coast): Partly cloudy; temperature lows of 20-25 degrees, highs of 32-35 degrees Celsius; waves a meter high and 1-2 meters high offshore.

Bangkok and surrounding areas: Cool weather with light fog in the morning; temperature lows of 22-23 degrees, highs of 33-34 degrees Celsius.

Source: Thailand Meteorological Department

Published : January 17, 2022

By : THE NATION

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/blogs/in-focus/40011157

Teachers at government schools in Bangkok marked Teachers Day on Sunday (January 16) by issuing a 7-point manifesto for reform.

Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha marked the occasion with a slogan: “Develop teachers, Develop children, Learn for the future”.

However, the Bangkok Teachers Club said improvement of teachers and education would only come through reform, not slogans.

In their 7-point manifesto, which they submitted to representatives at Parliament on Thursday, they demanded:

1. An education budget that covers classroom equipment so teachers do not have to pay for it themselves.

2, A set salary for classroom support staff, to maximise the time teachers spend with students rather than being distracted by other duties.

3. A reduction of unnecessary tasks and assessments for teaching and learning, to allow teachers to devote themselves fully to lessons and curriculum-based experiences.

4. Stable and clear steps of advancement in the teaching profession, so that teachers do not lose opportunities along the way. Widen the criteria for teacher development from academic standing to other characteristics.

5. Boost teacher numbers to address shortages.

6. A halt or reduction of unnecessary “on-the-job” training for professional teachers after they have completed intensive courses at teacher-education institutes.

7. Adequate housing for teachers or reimbursement of rent to reduce the burden of accommodation expenses.

National Teachers Day has been held on January 16 every year since it was inaugurated in 1945.

Published : January 16, 2022

By : THE NATION