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https://www.nationthailand.com/blogs/in-focus/40009127

No pig-to-human transmission of Covid-19 has been found in Thailand, the authorities say in response to a news report that recently went viral on social media.

The report claimed that three children in Haiti had picked up Covid-19 from pigs, but their symptoms were not severe.

Sorawit Thanito, director-general of the Department of Livestock Development, pointed out that the coronavirus found in pigs, porcine deltacoronavirus (PDCoV), was different from the coronavirus that affects humans.

He also said that though pigs can contract coronavirus, the symptoms they display are mild. There are six strains of coronavirus found in pigs, and they can be classified into three genera, namely alpha, beta and delta. The virus normally causes gastrointestinal disorders, respiratory problems and nervous disorders.

To date, more than 4,477 samples of meat collected from businesses and fresh markets have been tested since the onset of the outbreak. None of the samples have been found contaminated with Covid-19.

He went on to say that consumers can rest assured that meat certified by the Department of Livestock Development is safe to consume and free from Covid-19. He explained that the meat can be traced back and all production processes are hygienic.

Sorawit confirmed that Thailand has not detected coronavirus in pork and has also not been able to find how the virus can be transmitted from pigs to humans.

Published : November 22, 2021

By : THE NATION

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/blogs/in-focus/40009126

Transport Minister Saksayam Chidchob listed all the reasons why trains, especially long-distance ones, will only be stopping at Bang Sue Grand Station from Tuesday.

Bangkok commuters raised a hue and cry after the ministry announced that no trains will be pulling up at Hualamphong Station as it is being converted into a commercial area.

Saksayam said his ministry had discussed this matter with the State Railway of Thailand (SRT) and assigned its financial arm, SRT Asset, to manage all assets to ensure SRT starts earning. He said SRT Asset was told to not just manage the land around Hualamphong, but also to oversee other plots owned by SRT.

He said the ministry found that SRT has been making continuous losses due to bad revenue management. Currently, its balance sheet shows liabilities of about 160 billion baht, when its actual liability stands at 600 billion baht.

Saksayam pointed out that SRT has several plots of land with earning potential, like the land near Thonburi Station, near Bang Sue Grand Station, Bangkok’s RCA area, near Hualamphong station, etc.

SRT Asset believes that after adjustments are made, SRT can earn up to 5 billion baht in the first year, which should double to 10 billion baht in the fifth year. Eventually, over 30 years, SRT should have 800 billion baht in revenue, which will put it back in the black.

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Published : November 22, 2021

By : THE NATION

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/pr-news/in-focus/40009125

Today, the United States delivered one million life-saving doses of the Moderna mRNA vaccine to help Thailand fight COVID-19.

Charge d’Affaires Michael Heath, Witchu Vejjajiva, Director-General of the Department of American and South Pacific Affairs, and Dr. Sophon Iamsirithavorn, Deputy Director-General of the Department of Disease Control attended the arrival ceremony at Suvarnabhumi Airport.

This delivery of Moderna doses complements the historic shipment of 1.5 million Pfizer mRNA COVID-19 vaccine doses provided by the United States to Thailand in July of this year.

“This new shipment reaffirms our support to Thailand as we stand shoulder-to-shoulder to overcome this global pandemic. While the first tranche of vaccines helped Thailand contain the COVID-19 outbreak, this second tranche will help Thailand reach its goal of vaccinating 70 percent of the population by January, paving the way for the country’s economic recovery,” said Chargé d’Affaires Michael Heath.

The U.S.-provided Moderna doses will support Thailand’s ongoing vaccination efforts and boost public confidence as Thailand moves forward with plans to reopen and reenergize its economy. The United States and Thailand have had a special economic relationship since the signing of the Treaty of Amity and Commerce nearly 200 years ago. Today, our economic partnership is even stronger, and the United States is Thailand’s largest export market. The United States is proud to contribute to the Kingdom’s economic recovery by ensuring the availability of safe and effective vaccines.

This latest vaccine delivery builds upon U.S. Government investments in Thailand of more than $1 billion in total assistance over the past 20 years, which includes nearly $214 million for health. In addition to these 2.5 million COVID-19 vaccine doses, the United States has provided tens of millions of dollars in COVID-19 related assistance to Thailand since the start of the outbreak.

Working with partners across the globe to end the devastating public health and economic effects of this pandemic, the United States has so far delivered more than 250 million doses of COVID-19 vaccines to more than 100 countries. President Biden has committed to getting safe and effective shots in arms around the world.

The provision of 2.5 million mRNA doses, and the millions of doses the United States is providing to neighboring countries, will help Thailand and the region accelerate vaccination campaigns, keep people safe, and speed up the global economic recovery.

The Moderna COVID-19 vaccine was developed by the American company Moderna, the United States National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) and the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA). It has received emergency use authorization by the U.S. and Thai Food and Drug Administrations and the World Health Organization.

Published : November 22, 2021

By : THE NATION

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40009121

The carcass of a dugong was found floating off the coast of Trang’s Koh Muk island on Monday and has been taken to the Marine and Coastal Resources Research Centre, lower Andaman Sea, for an autopsy.

There were no obvious signs of injury on the body of the 1.2-metre-long animal. The dugong’s sex has yet to be determined.

The dugong population in Thailand is quite small, with only about 250 spotted in the Gulf of Thailand and the Andaman Sea.

In the Andaman area, small groups of dugong have been seen between Ranong and Satun provinces, though most of them are spotted around Koh Libong and Koh Muk in Trang province.

In the Gulf of Thailand, small groups can be seen in Rayong, Trat, Chumphon and Surat Thani.

No sign of injury on dead dugong found near Trang’s Koh Muk

The Department of Marine and Coastal Resources said dugongs have a very high mortality rate with at least 12 dying every year.

Related news:

• Dugongs spotted around Lawa Yai island after park closed to tourism
• Marium Project kicks off 2 years after baby dugong dies from ingesting plastic
• Dugong found disembowelled off Krabi islands

No sign of injury on dead dugong found near Trang’s Koh Muk

Published : November 22, 2021

By : THE NATION

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40009119

Vehicles travelling on the Chalong Rat Expressway through Rama IX-I toll booths will enjoy a 10 baht discount on toll fees for another year, Transport Minister Saksayam Chidchob said on Monday.

The Expressway Authority of Thailand (Exat) has been providing this discount since the toll booths opened in January this year. Toll fees currently stand at 30 baht for four-wheelers, 50 baht for six to 10 wheelers, and 70 baht for vehicles with more than 10 wheels.

The subsidy was scheduled to end on December 31 this year.

“Extending the discount aims to ease the financial burden on motorists and promote the use of the expressway,” the minister said.

10-baht discount on Chalong Rat Expressway extended by another year

Saksayam also said that no toll will be charged on the Burapha Withi (Bang Na-Chonburi) and Kanchanaphisek (Bang Phli-Suksawat) expressways for five days – from midnight December 30 to January 3 – to facilitate travellers during the New Year break.

The government has marked January 3 as a public holiday to compensate for January 1, which falls on a Saturday. People are expected to head to their hometowns for this four-day-long weekend.

Related News

Bangkok expressways to get more speed detectors soon

Exat expects early Cabinet nod for expressway in Phuket

Toll-free motorways, expressways during New Year festival

Published : November 22, 2021

By : THE NATION

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40009118

Officials of the State Railway of Thailand (SRT) last week visited the Ayutthaya train station to inspect preparations being made for the high-speed railway project that is currently under construction.

Joined by representatives from the Fine Arts Department, the visit aimed to ensure that the changes made to the existing station pose none or very little impact to the nearby Ayutthaya Historical Park.

Located in Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya District, the Ayutthaya Historical Park was declared a Unesco World Heritage Site in 1991 under Criteria III as an excellent witness to the period of development of a true national Thai art.

“SRT will conduct a joint HIA [Heritage Impact Assessment] study with the Fine Arts Department and present the findings to the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation [UNESCO] to address their concerns about the development project,” SRT governor Nirut Maneephan said.

“Initially, SRT will adjust the design of the station and reduce the height of the runways by 4 metres to minimise the impact to nearby areas.”

Changes made to Ayutthaya train station for high-speed railway closely monitored

The high-speed railway is a joint project with SRT, China Railway International and China Railway Design Corp. The project’s Phase 1 covers a 253km rail track from Bangkok to Nakhon Ratchasima being built under a budget of 50.63 billion baht. The route comprises six stations – Bang Sue, Don Muang, Ayutthaya, Saraburi, Pak Chong and Nakhon Ratchasima.

Related News

SRT signs 5 contracts for high-speed railway from Bangkok to Korat

Tunnel construction completed on high-speed railway to China-Vietnam border

Bangkok-Nong Khai high-speed rail contract inked with China

Published : November 22, 2021

By : THE NATION

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40009117

The prime minister is satisfied with the government’s management of the vaccine rollout, especially the delivery of combination shots, government spokesman Thanakorn Wangboonkongchana said on Monday.

He said that the Sinovac-AstraZeneca and the Sinovac-Sinovac-AstraZenca combo provided 80 to 90 per cent protection against developing severe symptoms and death from Covid-19.

He said these combinations were 70 to 80 per cent more effective than just two jabs of AstraZeneca.

As of noon on Sunday, Thailand had administered 88.87 million Covid-19 shots nationwide. Of them, 46.6 million people were given their first shot, 39.1 million their second shot and 3 million their third shot. Meanwhile, 59 per cent of the 68 per cent of the population that is eligible for Covid-19 shots has been fully vaccinated.

Separately, 70 per cent of people living in 16 provinces have received at least their first shot. These provinces are Bangkok, Phuket, Samut Prakan, Samut Sakhon, Nonthaburi, Chonburi, Pathum Thani, Nakhon Pathom, Phetchaburi, Krabi, Phang Nga, Ranong, Rayong, Chachoengsao, Trat and Ayutthaya.

The Public Health Ministry also expects to administer 100 million doses sooner than initially planned.

Related News

Vaccinating the 11 million on the fence will help Thailand achieve 100% jab rate: Anutin

Chulalongkorn Uni to seek FDA registration for its ChulaCov-19 vaccine in mid-2022

Thailand economy expected to recover in Q1/2022: TU-RAC

Thanakorn said the government’s aim is to keep the number of Covid-19 patients and maintain the number of deaths at less than 100, as it has been for more than a month now.
On Sunday, 7,006 patients tested positive for Covid-19, while 7,591 patients reported full recovery. Sunday also saw 29 deaths, which is the lowest in five months.

Since April 1, when the third wave was sparked, Thailand has seen 2,035,718 patients, 1,929,497 of whom have recovered.

He said these numbers reflect the government’s success in dealing with the Covid-19 situation and the cooperation of medics and the public.

The spokesman said the government was procuring vaccines to distribute across the country and called on people who have not been vaccinated to get their jabs to help create herd immunity.

The immunity granted by the vaccines will help reduce severe symptoms and deaths, while also helping the country reopen to tourists as planned.

Published : November 22, 2021

By : THE NATION

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40009115

Scores of people rushed to Phuket beaches on Sunday to scoop up caranx and torpedo scad fish that were left behind by the ebbing tide.

This usually occurs in November and December when the fish move closer to the shore to feed on small shrimp or krill.

Most of the people collecting the bounty were fishermen who managed to bag 3 to 4 kilograms of fish and even sold some cheaply.

Ebbing tide leaves behind a bounty for Phuket

Related News

Grand International queens arrive at their first Phuket gala in spectacular style

Cabinet greenlights proposing Andaman national parks as world heritage sites

MRTA to go ahead with Phuket ART project to fix traffic congestion

Ebbing tide leaves behind a bounty for PhuketEbbing tide leaves behind a bounty for PhuketEbbing tide leaves behind a bounty for Phuket

Published : November 22, 2021

By : THE NATION

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40009112

The Thai Red Cross Society is calling on people to donate blood as hospitals nationwide are doing surgeries that had previously been postponed and their blood stocks are running low.

On Sunday, the Thai Red Cross Society’s National Blood Centre said it was only able to meet 43 per cent of the orders for blood put in by hospitals.

It said that since November 1, hospitals have resumed their normal services and surgeries are now being seen to. This rise in surgeries has increased the demand for blood and there is not enough available for patients with blood-related diseases or those who may suffer acute blood loss.

Hence, healthy people are being invited to urgently donate blood. Every donation made before December 31 will be awarded a “Blood Hero” T-shirt designed by Smileyhound by Greyhound while stocks last.

Donations can be made at various venues nationwide, namely:

• Red Cross units in Bangkok: Red Cross Station 11 in Wiset Niyom, the Mall shopping centres in Ngamwongwan, Bang Khae and Bang Kapi, the Emporium Shopping Centre in Sukhumvit and Baan Song Thai in Bang Sue district.

• Hospitals in Bangkok: Police General, Somdej Phra Pinklao, Ramathibodi, Bhumibol Adulyadej, Phramongkutklao and Vajira hospitals.

• Government blood donation centres: Lopburi, Chonburi, Ratchaburi, Nakhon Ratchasima, Khon Kaen, Ubon Ratchathani, Nakhon Sawan, Phitsanulok, Chiang Mai, Nakhon Si Thammarat, Songkhla and Phuket.

Related news:

• Call for blood donations as supplies run short nationwide
• Siriraj calls for blood donations as its supplies run low
• Thai Red Cross asks provinces to book free Moderna doses

Published : November 22, 2021

By : THE NATION

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40009101

Ministry of Public Health reported on Monday (November 22) morning that in the past 24 hours there are 6,428 new patients who tested positive for Covid-19, 553 of whom have been found in prisons.

Death toll increased by 49, while 7,882 patients were cured and allowed to leave hospitals.

The country’s total caseload from Covid-19 stands at 2,071,009 – 1,964,805 of whom have recovered, 85,768 are still in hospitals and 20,436 have died.

Separately, another 71,076 people were given their first Covid-19 shot in the last 24 hours, 101,076 their second shot and 13,487 a booster, bringing the total number of Covid-19 vaccine doses administered nationwide to 88,989,235.

According to Worldometer, confirmed cases globally had risen to 257.83 million on Monday, 232.76 million of whom have recovered, 19.9 million are active cases (79,730 in severe condition) and 5.17 million have died (up by 4,114).

Thailand ranks 24th in the global list of most cases, which is topped by the US with 48.59 million, followed by India with 34.51 million, Brazil with 22.02 million, the UK with 9.85 million and Russia with 9.33 million.

Published : November 22, 2021

By : THE NATION