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https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40009860

Thailand has been ranked No 5 out of 195 countries in the recently published 2021 Global Health Security Index, Public Health Minister Anutin Charnvirakul announced on Friday.

The index, compiled by the John Hopkins Centre for Health Security at Johns Hopkins University and Nuclear Threat Initiative, is based on each country’s capacity to respond to epidemics and pandemics. The index is compiled every two years.

“The 2019 Global Health Security Index put Thailand in 6th place among 195 countries,” Anutin said. “This year our ranking has climbed up one place with a score of 68.2 [from 100], showing that our public health system is strong even during the Covid-19 outbreak.”

In the “Detection and Reporting” part of the index, Thailand won 91.5 points, putting it in first place globally. Australia and United States ranked second and third in this category, respectively.

In the “Rapid Response” category, Thailand netted 67.3 points and finished second after Finland.

“We could not have been successful in disease prevention and control without the cooperation of all parties in government, private sector as well as citizens, especially the dedication of frontline medical professionals that have helped us keep the Covid-19 outbreak under control,” Anutin added.

The top 10 countries in the 2021 Global Health Security Index are: the United States (75.9), Australia (71.1), Finland (70.9), Canada (69.8), Thailand (68.2), Slovenia (67.8), United Kingdom (67.2), Germany (65.5), South Korea (65.4) and Sweden (64.9).

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Published : December 11, 2021

By : THE NATION

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40009854

The State Railway of Thailand (SRT) on Friday dismissed rumor circulated on social media that urban trains no longer stop at Bangkok Railway Station, also known as Hua Lamphong, under SRT’s order in a bid to force commuters to use Red Line trains instead.

“Many have speculated that the number of Red Line train users has been rising lately, while some said that it was due to SRT’s ban of urban trains from stopping at Hua Lamphong,” said Ekkarat Sri-Arayanphong, chief of SRT public relation centre. “This is simply not true. All urban trains are still pulling up at Hua Lamphong station.”

Ekkarat clarified that Red Line trains are seeing more users since the route can fulfill the need of more commuters in Bangkok areas. “Moreover, currently SRT collects the fare of Red Line trains starting at only 12 baht, as we aim to reduce people’s financial burden by offering affordable, high quality public transport services,” he added.

Ekkarat further added that from December 23 onward urban trains running from Bang Sue Grand Station to Rangsit Station will shift to using elevated tracks similar to the Red Line trains, while the territorial routes will be discontinued. Five territorial stations/stops therefore will be shut down, namely Bang Khen Station, Lak Si Station, Km. 11 Stop, Thung Song Hong Stop, and Keha Km.19 Stop.

“The discontinuation of territorial routes is not a plan to replace urban trains with Red Line trains. It aims to make the fullest use of elevated tracks as well as to use Red Line’s infrastructure to support urban trains in other routes,” said Ekkarat.
 

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Published : December 11, 2021

By : THE NATION

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40009848

Ministry of Public Health reported on Saturday (December 11) morning that in the past 24 hours there are 4,079 new patients who tested positive for Covid-19, 19 of whom have been found in prisons.

Death toll increased by 39, while 7,302 patients were cured and allowed to leave hospitals.

The country’s total caseload from Covid-19 stands at 2,164,859  – 2,090,253 of whom have recovered, 53,455 are still in hospitals and 21,151 have died.

Separately, another 125,704 people were given their first Covid-19 shot in the last 24 hours, 159,220 their second shot and 70,643 a booster, bringing the total number of Covid-19 vaccine doses administered nationwide to 97,177,327.

According to Worldometer, confirmed cases globally had risen to 269.45 million on Saturday, 242.3 million of whom have recovered, 21.84 million are active cases (89,013 in severe condition) and 5.31 million have died (up by 7,602).

Thailand ranks 24th in the global list of most cases, which is topped by the US with 50.71 million, followed by India with 34.68 million, Brazil with 22.18 million, the UK with 10.72 million and Russia with 9.96 million.

Published : December 11, 2021

By : THE NATION

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40009842

The Thailand Meteorological Department said on Saturday (December 11) that the moderate high-pressure system covering upper Thailand is weakening. Cool weather with light fog in the morning is likely in the North, the Northeast, the Central and the East. Mountaintops in the North and the Northeast are still cold to very cold. People should take care of their health due to variable weather and be careful of poor visibility.

Meanwhile, the northeast monsoon across the Gulf and the South is weakening and leads to isolated thundershowers of the lower South. 

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

North: Cool weather with fog in the morning; temperature lows of 16-20 degrees and highs of 29-33 degrees Celsius. Temperature on hilltops is likely to drop to 7-14 degrees Celsius.

Northeast: Cool weather with light fog in the morning; temperature lows of 16-21 degrees and highs of 30-32 degrees Celsius. Temperature on hilltops is likely to drop to 8-15 degrees Celsius.

Central: Cool weather with light fog in the morning; temperature lows of 20-22 degrees, highs of 31-33 degrees Celsius.

East: Cool weather with light fog in the morning; temperature lows of 20-24 degrees, highs of 31-34 degrees Celsius; waves a meter high and 1-2 meters offshore.

South (east coast): Partly cloudy with thundershowers in 20 per cent of the areas; temperature lows of 23-25 degrees, highs of 31-32 degrees Celsius; waves 1-2 meters high.

South (west coast): Thundershowers in 10 per cent of the areas; temperature lows of 22-25 degrees, highs of 32-34 degrees Celsius; waves a meter high and 1-2 meters offshore.

Bangkok and surrounding areas: Partly cloudy and cool weather with light fog in the morning; temperature lows of 22-23 degrees, highs of 32-33 degrees Celsius.
 

Source: Thailand Meteorological Department

Published : December 11, 2021

By : THE NATION

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40009838

Soldiers tracked 16 Myanmar nationals who had entered the country illegally to a rented house in Ranong on Friday. Also detained were three Thais who are believed to have helped them.

During interrogation, the detainees said that they had travelled from Kawthaung in Myanmar to Thailand’s border in Ranong, where waiting motorbikes took them to the house.

The group claimed they had paid up to 25,000 baht each to be smuggled into Thailand.

The detainees were tested for Covid-19 before being shifted to the Muang Ranong Police Station.

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Published : December 10, 2021

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https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40009837

The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) is checking the condition of all ambulances under its jurisdiction to ensure they operate efficiently.

The project was launched by Bangkok’s deputy governor Pol Lt-General Sophon Pisuthiwong at Lan Khon Muang Plaza near City Hall on Thursday.

There are currently 62 BMA-run health units with 220 ambulances, 95 of which are equipped with life-support equipment.

As of press time, 66 of these ambulances had been inspected.

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Published : December 10, 2021

By : THE NATION

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40009836

A recent poll conducted by the Department of Health showed that though people in Thailand are afraid of contracting the Omicron Covid-19 variant, they are also concerned about air pollution.

Dr Suwanchai Wattanaying-charoencha, the department’s director-general, said on Thursday that the presence of PM2.5 particulate matter in the air has exceeded safe levels in Bangkok, Samut Sakhon, Samut Prakan, Phichit and Phitsanulok.

The World Health Organisation recommends that PM2.5 should be no higher than 25 micrograms per millilitre of air. Thailand, however, sets this level at 50mcg.

PM2.5 refers to dust particles that measure 2.5 microns or less in diameter and are fine enough to travel deeply into the respiratory tract, causing throat and lung irritation. It can also affect people with breathing difficulties.

Suwanchai said the PM2.5 level is likely to rise further at the end of this month, due to weak winds. However, he said, stronger winds from the South China Sea mid this month should ease the situation in the upper Northeast as well as Bangkok and nearby areas for a while.

The poll showed that most people are worried about PM2.5 damaging their health, while 80 per cent said they feared long-term damage. Meanwhile, 70 per cent said they knew where to find information about PM2.5 levels.

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The department has suggested that people can take the following steps to protect themselves from pollution and Covid-19:

• Check out the latest air-quality reading via the “Air4Thai” application before leaving your home.
• Carry extra masks.
• Maintain your health by getting enough rest and drinking a lot of water.
• Eat a balanced diet and consume more fruit and vegetables that carry antioxidants.
• Keep doors and windows closed and seal any holes.
• Keep your home dust-free.
• Avoid outdoor activities when the PM2.5 level exceeds safe levels.
• People with chronic conditions should keep up with their medication.
• Report any abnormal symptoms to the doctor immediately.
• Help reduce PM2.5 levels by not burning fires outdoors, cutting down on exhaust emissions and planting more trees.

Details on how people can protect themselves and the latest PM2.5 reading is available via Line account “One4U” or air4thai.pcd.go.th website.

Dr Suwanchai also said masks don’t just offer protection from Covid-19, but also from fine dust particles in the air. Hence, he said, people must wear masks while outdoors.

Published : December 10, 2021

By : THE NATION

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40009833

The locally-made Baiya Covid-19 vaccine, which is currently undergoing human trials, can be adjusted to fight against the Omicron variant, Dr Waranyu Pooncharoen, co-founder and chief technology officer of Baiya Phytopharm, said on Thursday.

The Baiya vaccine uses a genetically engineered tobacco extract to trigger an immune response against Covid-19.

“The first generation of Baiya vaccine has already been injected in volunteers aged between 18 to 60 and nobody has shown any severe side effects so far. We are now waiting for the result of immunity stimulation among recipients,” he said.

“The second generation of the vaccine has been further improved in terms of immunity stimulation and human trials should begin in January.

“Once the results are out, researchers will choose between these two formulae before entering phase two of human trials, which should start in March on a larger group of candidates,” he added.

“Virus mutation does not always mean that existing vaccines will become ineffective,” Waranyu added.

“Our researchers are testing the vaccine’s efficiency in animals infected with the Omicron variant and will adjust the protein formula of the vaccine to make it more responsive against the new variant.

“The process will not take long as only parts of the tobacco gene need to be altered, while the manufacturing process will remain largely the same,” he said.

The company is expected to launch the vaccine by the end of next year in Asia’s first plant-based vaccine factory located in Chulalongkorn University. The facility is capable of producing as many as 5 million doses per month or up to 60 million doses per year.

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Published : December 10, 2021

By : THE NATION

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https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40009831

Pilots, crew members and passengers on domestic flights will be prohibited from wearing face masks with an exhalation valve, the Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand (CAAT) director-general Suttipong Kongpool announced on Thursday.

He said the ban aims to curb the spread of Covid-19 and will be implemented immediately.

“The aim is to improve safety in air travel according to the recommendations of the World Health Organisation and regulations of the International Civil Aviation Organisation,” he added.

Flight personnel and passengers are required to only wear medical or cloth masks at all times while on the plane. Exceptions can be made in an emergency situation.

CAAT is also urging flight operators to encourage passengers to carry an extra cloth or medical mask in case the one they are wearing is damaged or misplaced.

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Published : December 10, 2021

By : THE NATION

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40009828

Airports of Thailand Plc (AOT) revealed on Thursday (December 9) that slot reservation of international flights has increased 10 per cent since Thailand reopened the country to vaccinated visitors on November 1. 

According to AOT’s report, international flight slot reservation from November 1 to December 31 has increased by 1,518 flights from 15,614 flights being reserved before November 1, bringing the number of total confirmed international flights throughout the year to 17,132.

AOT also reported that flight slot reservation in December increased from 7,649 to 9,483 flights, or 24 per cent jump from the previous month.

AOT attributed the increase in international flights to the rising demand for travel during high season around year end. 

In the first week of this month (December 1-8), AOT has recorded a total of 2,159 flights, or an average of 270 flights per day. This number is a 7.6 per cent increase from average flight in November at 251 flights per day.
 

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Published : December 10, 2021

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