Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha has tasked the Interior Ministry with ensuring that all infectious waste is handled safely to prevent the spread of Covid-19 in communities, deputy government spokesperson Traisulee Traisoranakul said on Monday.
She said this is because the volume of infectious waste is expected to rise as people travelling during the New Year break have to be screened for Covid-19 via ATKs and have to wear surgical masks while onboard public transport.
“The PM has ordered the Interior Ministry to instruct local agencies accordingly,” she said.
Traisulee added that the Public Health and Transport ministries are providing free ATK tests at Bangkok bus terminals until Monday to cover people returning from their hometowns.
“People who test positive through ATK tests will be given RT-PCR tests to confirm the infection,” she said.
Chiang Mai’s Hang Dong Police Station issued a statement on Sunday denying it had hired “pretties” to hand out free coffee to motorists at a checkpoint outside the district office.
The statement came after images of two women dressed provocatively handing out cans of coffee to motorists went viral on social media and sparked anger among netizens.
“The women were sent by a sushi buffet restaurant in Hang Dong district, which had expressed an interest in joining the police’s road-safety campaign during the New Year holidays. The restaurant, however, did not inform us in advance that they were sending pretties,” the statement read.
“The campaign aims to promote road safety by handing out free coffee to motorists, so they do not feel drowsy while driving. Apart from private partners, volunteers from organisations and members of the general public also joined the campaign.”
The statement went on to say that after inspecting the checkpoint, Chiang Mai’s deputy police chief ordered the two women to stop their activities and instructed officers and volunteers to strictly adhere to traffic laws.
Bangkok residents who went back to their hometowns during the four-day New Year break have started returning. Here we capture the crowds at Bangkok’s Hualamphong Station and Don Mueang Airport on Sunday evening.
Photos by Sukpamorn Hengprapakorn and Korbphak Phromlekha
Photographs of Bangkok’s 2022 countdown were published by many news agencies alongside images captured in other major cities like Sydney, Hong Kong, Dubai, London and New York.
The highlight was Iconsiam’s “Amazing Thailand Countdown 2022” held under the theme “Win the World for Thailand”, which showcased the beauty of the Chao Phraya River and Thai identity.
The images were published by Reuters, CNN, Associated Press, Agence France-Presse, ABC, NBC, BBC, Xinhua, Al Jazeera, ABC, Voice of America, The Daily Mail, The Sun, Euro News, Global News and Phoenix TV to name a few.
Interprovincial bus operator Transport Company said it expected around 50,000 bus passengers per day between January 3-4 as people are heading back to Bangkok after visiting their hometowns during New Year holidays.
“We expect to run up 3,700 interprovincial trips [buses and vans] per day from January 3 to 4 to make sure that no passenger is left behind,” said the company’s president Sanyalux Panwattanalikit on Sunday. “We have asked the BMTA (Bangkok Mass Transit Authority) to send public buses to the platforms of Mo Chit bus terminal so that passengers can make a connection trip to BTS stations and other routes immediately.”
“We have also informed all available taxi drivers via JS100 and FM91 radio stations to pick up passengers directly from the platforms to reduce crowding at the bus terminal,” he added.
Sanyalux added that the company has ordered all staffers and urged all passengers to wear a facemask and check-in and out using the ThaiChana tracing application to prevent the spreading of Covid-19.
The Thailand Meteorological Department said on Monday (January 3) that the rather strong high-pressure system covers upper Thailand. Cool to cold weather and strong winds are forecast in the areas.
Mountaintops in the North and the Northeast are cold to very cold with temperature ranging from 3 to 15 °C. People should take care of their health due to variable weather.
The Department also mentioned that the rather strong northeast monsoon prevails across the Gulf of Thailand and the South. Thundershowers and isolated heavy rains are forecast in the lower South. Waves in the Gulf are about 2-3 meters high and over 3 meters high during thundershowers. People in the lower South should beware of the severe condition and rain accumulation that may cause flash flood and overflows. All ships should proceed with caution and keep off thundershowers, while small boats should keep ashore.
The weather forecast for the next 24 hours is as follows:
North: Cool to cold weather with morning fog; temperature lows of 15-18 degrees and highs of 28-33 degrees Celsius. Temperature on hilltops is likely to drop to 3-12 degrees Celsius.
Northeast: Cool to cold weather with strong winds; temperature lows of 14-19 degrees and highs of 28-32 degrees Celsius. Temperature on hilltops is likely to drop to 8-15 degrees Celsius.
Central: Cool weather in the morning with strong winds; temperature lows of 19-22 degrees, highs of 30-32 degrees Celsius.
East: Cool weather in the morning with strong winds; temperature lows of 19-24 degrees, highs of 30-33 degrees Celsius; waves 1-2 meters high and 2 meters high offshore.
South (east coast): Thundershowers in 30 per cent of the areas with isolated heavy rains; temperature lows of 21-24 degrees, highs of 28-30 degrees Celsius; waves 2-3 meters high and over 3 meters high during thundershowers.
South (west coast): Thundershowers in 20 per cent of the areas; temperature lows of 22-25 degrees, highs of 30-32 degrees Celsius; waves a meter high and 1-2 meters high offshore.
Bangkok and surrounding areas: Cool weather in the morning with strong winds; temperature lows of 20-23 degrees, highs of 30-33 degrees Celsius.
With the arrival of 2022, many people have started making their holiday plans for the year. However, for those who can’t decide, the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) has joined up with Leica Camera to launch #RediscoverThailand.
This campaign invites people to help restore Thailand’s tourism industry by sharing photographs of attractions, local people, food, nature and “secret” getaways. Here are some ideas:
Ban Rak Thai (Mae Aw), Mae Hong Son
This sleepy village nestled in a lush valley in the North of Thailand and sitting on the edge of a reservoir is famous for its breathtaking views and cool weather. It is about 40 kilometres from Mae Hong Son town and less than a kilometre from Myanmar. This village was founded by former Kuo Min Tang soldiers who fled China’s Yunnan province after the Communist takeover. What makes this tiny village unique is that the residents have hung on to their traditions and Yunnan identity, which is reflected in their costumes, language, architecture and cuisine.
Koh Kood, Trat
This unspoilt slice of tropical heaven in the Gulf of Thailand is the fourth largest island in the country and the southernmost of the Koh Chang Island chain. Apart from its pristine white sand beaches, Koh Kood also boasts some beautiful waterfalls, like the 10-metre-high Khlong Chao in the centre of the west coast. It’s a perfect place for urbanites to escape to for a quick recharge.
Thung Wua Laen Beach, Chumphon
This small gateway to the South is usually not on people’s travel itinerary, but its unspoilt Thung Wua Laen beach offers a perfect getaway. The pristine white sand gently slopes into shallow, calm waters, giving beach lovers a perfect opportunity to soak up the sun and wallow in warm waters.
Khaisaeng Resort, Nakhon Nayok
Located on the banks of Khlong Wang Takhrai, the Khaisaeng Resort provides basic accommodation in natural surroundings. The intrepid few can also set up tents and sleep under the stars. The area is perfect if you want to sit back and admire lush surroundings as you are caressed by cool breezes.
Phuket
This island in the South of Thailand is not just popular among Thais but is also a top destination for foreign travellers. Think long, white, pristine beaches set against turquoise blue waters where you can surf or snorkel to explore the underwater world. The city’s Chinese-Portuguese architecture and varied cuisine offer tourists not just great photo opportunities but also a spectacular gourmet experience.
New Year celebrations in Chonburi resulted in 442 people testing positive for Covid-19 on Sunday, with the highest number of cases in Bang Lamung district. A 68-year-old Chonburi resident with pre-existing chronic conditions also succumbed to the virus despite being double jabbed.
Chonburi authorities reported 14 new clusters, resulting in 342 cases, while eight medics tested positive. The latest numbers were achieved after officials conducted proactive tests at restaurants serving booze in the province.
In comparison, Bangkok only reported 366 infections and one death on Sunday.
Meanwhile, Dr Wichai Thanasopon from the provincial public health office said ATK tests were conducted among 264 people in Chonburi on January 1 and 67 of them tested positive. Some of these people had visited walking streets and may have put many people at risk, he said.
From another set of 79 random samples, 64 or 81 per cent had tested positive for the Omicron strain, nine for Delta while six are still unidentified.
Since April 2021, Chonburi has reported a total of 113,756 cases, with 2,360 still being treated. So far, 110,226 people have fully recovered, while the cumulative death toll stands at 794.
The first day of 2022 saw 73 deaths and 574 people injured in 574 road accidents nationwide, the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation said on Sunday.
January 1 marked the fourth of “seven dangerous days” of the New Year break.
Nirat Pongsitthaworn, Interior Ministry’s deputy permanent secretary, said drunk driving was to blame for 37.28 per cent of accidents, while speeding was responsible for 35.71 per cent of the crashes. Also, he said, 89.27 per cent of the accidents involved motorbikes and most crashes occurred between 3am and 6am on Saturday.
“On Saturday alone, 85,196 motorists were charged for violating traffic laws. Of them, 24,279 were charged for not wearing a helmet and 21,815 were caught for driving without a licence,” he said.
Nirat added that between December 29 and January 1, the toll from 1,906 road accidents has resulted in 226 deaths and 1,894 injuries.
“Chiang Mai has had the highest number of accidents at 74 and most injuries [70], while Bangkok has seen 14 deaths, which is the highest,” he said. “No road deaths during this period have been recorded in 35 provinces.”
Meanwhile, DDPM director-general Boontham Lertsukekasem said the centre on Sunday cooperated with provincial agencies to deploy police officers and volunteers to ensure safety on roads as people start returning from their hometowns.
“We call on motorists to strictly adhere to traffic laws and avoid speeding or driving when drowsy,” he said.
Accidents can be reported via the department’s 1784 hotline or through its @1784DDPM Line account.
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