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https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40009492

The Department of Medical Sciences has reduced the fee for real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) tests from THB1,300 to THB1,100 to promote accurate testing of the Covid-19 virus amid concerns that the new Omicron variant, which was discovered in South Africa last week, is spreading globally.

“The new rate is applicable for testing at laboratories under the Department of Medical Sciences only,” said director-general Dr Supphakit Siriluck on Wednesday. “They are located at the Thai National Institute of Health, the Genomics Medicine Centre, and the Medical Sciences Centre. The price of the RT-PCR test kits, however, will remain the same,” he said.

“RT-PCR is the method recommended by the World Health Organisation as it can accurately detect the new coronavirus in patients within only a few hours,” Supphakit pointed out.

Medical Sciences Department cuts RT-PCR test fee by THB200

He said that as of Wednesday there was still no report of the B.1.1.529 variant of Covid-19, or Omicron, infecting anyone in Thailand.

“The department has been monitoring the spreading Omicron variant globally via various sources, including the GISAid network. We will notify the public immediately if any Omicron case is detected in the country,” he promised.

Earlier this week, the Public Health Ministry said it was considering keeping RT-PCR tests mandatory for foreign arrivals to prevent the spread of the new variant. The ministry initially planned to let foreign visitors use ATK (antigen test kit), which is cheaper, now that Thailand is reopening more provinces.

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Published : December 01, 2021

By : THE NATION

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https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40009490

The Legal Execution Department ordered the transfer of Chiang Mai Legal Execution Office director Kaiwan Jirakul for allegedly cancelling the auction for Dhara Dhevi Hotel, the departments acting director-general Tussanee Pao-in said on Wednesday.

She said the move came after Global One Asset Management, a preferential creditor of Dhara Dhevi Hotel, filed a lawsuit against officers at Chiang Mai’s Legal Execution Office with the Criminal Court for Corruption and Misconduct Cases Region V.

“The department has now set up a committee to investigate the case and maintain fairness among parties,” she said.

“Meanwhile, the department has ordered Kaiwan to work as the Phayao Legal Execution Office director until January 31 to facilitate the investigation.”

Tussanee Pao-in

Tussanee made it clear that the auction would go ahead as scheduled.

The 123-room five-star luxury hotel was slated to go under the hammer on November 12, December 3 and 24, January 14, February 4 and 25.

The hotel, which was pummelled by the pandemic, had to shut temporarily in early 2020. It then filed for rehabilitation in June 2020. The Appeal Court dismissed this petition on November 18, forcing the hotel to announce bankruptcy.

Related stories:

• Court rejects re-evaluation order, demands Dhara Dhevi auction go ahead as scheduled
• Dhara Dhevi Hotel Chiang Mai goes under the hammer with THB2.1 bn starting price
• Bankruptcy auction of Chiang Mai resort hits snag over reserve price

Published : December 01, 2021

By : THE NATION

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https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40009488

World Health Organisation (WHO) Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus praised Thailand for its health insurance and primary healthcare system, deputy government spokeswoman Traisulee Traisoranakul said on Wednesday.

Ghebreyesus made this remark to Public Health Minister Anutin Charnvirakul after a special session of the World Health Assembly in Geneva, Switzerland, on Tuesday.

Traisulee said Anutin attended the special session to discuss with Ghebreyesus the possibility of allowing Thailand to join WHO’s BioHub System and Universal Health Preparedness and Response in a bid to share experiences and guidelines in preparation for health emergencies,

“Meanwhile, the public health minister took the opportunity to talk about Thailand’s healthcare mechanisms, such as village health volunteers, subdistrict health-promoting hospitals and our mix-and-match vaccine strategy, which enabled the country to effectively deal with the Covid-19 crisis,” Traisulee said.

WHO chief lauds Thailand for health insurance, primary healthcare system

She also said Ghebreyesus advised Anutin to join the African Vaccine Association Trust if Thailand was willing to donate Covid-19 doses to countries with low access to vaccines.

“In this regard, Anutin told the WHO chief that he would discuss the issue with Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha,” Traisulee said.

WHO chief lauds Thailand for health insurance, primary healthcare system

She added that Anutin also congratulated Ghebreyesus for being chosen as WHO director-general for another term.

Related stories:

• Vaccinating the 11 million on the fence will help Thailand achieve 100% jab rate: Anutin
• Anutin apprises new WHO rep of Thailand’s Covid-19 situation
• Fourth jab will be provided to people travelling abroad for trade, meetings

Published : December 01, 2021

By : THE NATION

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https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40009489

Nong Khai province has proposed a “One Day Go” programme without quarantine, hoping to stimulate its tourism economy at the Lao border.

The programme, planned for a December 24 kick-off, is awaiting approval from the Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration (CCSA) before the province discusses it with neighbouring Laos.

The governor affirmed that the province is ready to reopen while more than 50 per cent of locals have been vaccinated.

Department of Consular Affairs deputy director-general Narong Boonsatheanwong said on Tuesday that as the CCSA had earlier approved the reopening of Nong Khai’s Thai-Lao Friendship Bridge border point on December 24, the province had proposed the One Day Go programme in order to boost the economy.

He said the border reopening is a pilot project under which visitors would be allowed to enter the country without the mandatory quarantine.

Visitors under the programme can use their passport or a border pass to cross over and return the same day before 10pm.

Narong said the border pass would allow visitors from Laos to travel through Nong Khai up to Udon Thani city, while Thai tourists would be allowed to travel to Vientiane only.

“The programme will be discussed with Lao officials after it receives approval from the CCSA. As for safety measures, the province will adhere to the same principles and restrictions as Suvarnabhumi International Airport,” Narong said.

Nong Khai hopes to launch One Day Go programme on Dec 24Nong Khai hopes to launch One Day Go programme on Dec 24Nong Khai hopes to launch One Day Go programme on Dec 24

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Nong Khai’s governor told reporters the province was all set for tourists to visit. He said tourism business people are fully vaccinated, while more than 50 per cent of the locals have received the jab. The daily infection rate is less than 10 cases.

“The province is also ready to welcome visitors under the One Day Shopping scheme, with strict virus prevention measures. The pilot areas that are expected to reopen are Mueang Nong Khai, Tha Bo, Si Chiang Mai and Sangkhom districts,” the governor added.

Nong Khai hopes to launch One Day Go programme on Dec 24

Published : December 01, 2021

By : THE NATION

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https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40009487

Chulalongkorn University expert virologist Dr Yong Poovorawan posted on his Facebook page on Wednesday that the Covid-19 Omicron variant can spread quickly according to several pieces of evidence:

1.Its genetic code has a higher number of mutations when compared to the Delta variant. Yong said infections and the rate of spread for Omicron will surely be higher than Delta.

2. Omicron has spread quickly in the South African province of Gauteng. The number of patients there quickly increased in only two weeks and it was found in more than 10 countries. Also the number of people not tested in Africa might be much more, meaning there could be even more infections.

3. From throat examinations, the number of symptoms might be low but the amount of the virus is high so it has a tendency to spread easily.

Yong added that the Omicron variant would surely replace the Delta variant if it is spreading faster and easier.

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Omicron variant has yet to impact tourism: TAT

Govt beefs up border security as it keeps hawk’s eye on Omicron variant

Tourists to Thailand still need to undergo RT-PCR tests, book first night in SHA Plus+ hotel

Published : December 01, 2021

By : THE NATION

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https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40009486

The Finance Ministry revoked Bitcoin Co’s cryptocurrency and digital token trading business licences for violating the ministry’s announcement and Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) regulations, according to a Royal Gazette notice published on Tuesday.

Signed by Finance Minister Arkhom Termpittayapaisith on October 8, the notice said Bitcoin Co’s move to reduce registered paid-up capital to THB3.12 million on February 17, 2020, lay off employees and stop business operations since April 3, 2020, were against SEC regulations.

However, if Bitcoin Co does not agree with the order, the company can file a lawsuit with the Administrative Court within 90 days after acknowledging the order.

Related stories:

• Ken Griffin, hedge fund billionaire, outbids crypto enthusiasts to buy copy of U.S. Constitution for $43 million
• Indias PM urges democratic nations to work together on crypto-currency
• A group of crypto investors is trying to buy an original copy of the U.S. Constitution

Published : December 01, 2021

By : THE NATION

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https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40009484

The 38th Thailand International Motor Expo 2021 is on from today, December 1, until the 12th at Impact Arena in Muang Thong Thani, Nonthaburi.

The exhibition features the latest vehicles from 32 automobile manufacturers and bikes by 12 motorcycle brands.

Besides the new vehicles and prototype cars on display, automakers are competing with one another in offering all sorts of promotions.

The most expensive car featured at the expo is the Rolls-Royce Ghost Extended, with a THB44 million price tag.

Rolls-Royce Ghost Extended

Meanwhile, one attractive prototype is the MG Cyberster, a fully electric sports roadster with the “first e-sports cabin” in the world. The Cyberster can take you from 0 to 100kph in less than 3 seconds and has a range of 800 kilometres.

MG Cyberster

Another highlight of the show is the miniature Pocco, released in Thailand for the first time. The three-door electric Pocco MM comes with a THB399,000-469,000 price tag, while the electric five-door Pocco DD costs between THB389,000 and 449,000.

PoccoPocco

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All visitors to the motor expo must be fully vaccinated or be tested with an antigen test kit for THB99.

Motor show hits the road with latest vehicles, low-priced electric cars, promotions galoreMotor show hits the road with latest vehicles, low-priced electric cars, promotions galoreMotor show hits the road with latest vehicles, low-priced electric cars, promotions galore

Published : December 01, 2021

By : THE NATION

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https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40009482

There is currently no sign of a slowdown in the number of foreign visitors entering Thailand after 17 tourist provinces were reopened on November 1, despite the recent discovery of the Covid-19 Omicron variant, the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) said on Tuesday.

Omicron, which was dubbed a “variant of concern” by the World Health Organisation (WHO) last week, is a new and potentially more contagious coronavirus strain, and Thailand and other countries have in recent days restricted travel from southern Africa, where the strain was first detected.

“It has been one month since the government reopened selected tourist provinces to vaccinated foreign visitors. More than 300,000 foreigners have applied for the Thailand Pass to enter the country under this scheme,” TAT governor Yuthasak Supasorn said.

“About 100,000 foreigners entered Thailand in November alone, which roughly equalled the number of total foreign visitors entering Thailand in the first ten months of 2021,” he said.

Omicron variant has yet to impact tourism: TAT

“Despite the news about the Omicron variant, the number of visitors is still showing an increasing trend,” Yuthasak said.

“We expect that visitors in the last two months of 2021 could exceed 400,000, bringing total visitors throughout the year to about half a million.”

Yuthasak also said the number of foreign visitors from some European countries has dipped, but it is unlikely to relate to Omicron concerns.

“Travellers from these countries could have postponed their visit to Thailand as their countries are reimposing lockdown measures in response to the re-emergence of a Covid-19 wave in their areas,” he said.

“Many targeted European countries, such as Germany, still show a high number of flight reservations to Thailand,” he added.

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TAT offers guidelines for people wanting to visit Thailand

Published : December 01, 2021

By : THE NATION

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https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40009481

Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) is planning to organize the New Year festival and Buddhist chanting ceremony from December 31 to January 1 at Lan Khon Mueang Town Square in Phra Nakhon district, said Chaloemphol Chotinuchit, deputy BMA permanent secretary on Tuesday.

“BMA’s Office of Culture, Sports and Tourism will be responsible for organizing the events,” he said. “The events aim to welcome the year 2022 and promote Thai tradition of merit making and Buddhist chanting on New Year Day.”

Chaloemphol added that activities will be held under new normal standard to prevent the spreading of Covid-19. Participants must wear facemasks and strictly follow disease control measures announced by Ministry of Public Health.

Bangkok plans New Year festival and chanting ceremony

BMA will hold an official press conference regarding the events on December 23 from 1.30pm onward at Bangkok City Hall in Phra Nakhon district.
 

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Published : December 01, 2021

By : THE NATION

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https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40009479

The government is keeping a close watch on the Covid-19 situation amid fears over the latest Omicron variant, and has ordered border agencies to increase security and screening measures for all visitors entering Thailand, government spokesman Thanakorn Wangboonkongchana said on Tuesday.

“Prime Minister General Prayut Chan-o-cha has said that security officials at borders must strictly follow disease-control regulations. If any illegal migrants are reported to have slipped into the country, those responsible officials would be punished,” he warned.

“The prime minister also ordered related agencies to closely follow the latest updates on Omicron, especially the rate of its spread and severity of symptoms compared to known variants such as Delta and Alpha.”

On Saturday, the Public Health Ministry announced that from December 1 Thailand would ban visitors by air from eight African countries to prevent the spread of the new, more easily transmissible Covid-19 variant, which was reported on November 24 in South Africa. The countries are Botswana, Eswatini, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa and Zimbabwe.

Govt beefs up border security as it keeps hawk’s eye on Omicron variant

“PM Prayut also said that in order to strengthen the economy that is slowly recovering, the government would continue to vaccinate people to increase their immunity and prevent severe symptoms and deaths,” Thanakorn said.

“The government will also provide accurate information about the new variant and inform people promptly if there is any Omicron case reported in the country,” he added.

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Tracking the spread of Omicron variant

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Published : December 01, 2021

By : THE NATION