#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40008979

Eleven prisoners who reportedly escaped from Khlong Pho Temporary Prison in Nakhon Sawan’s Muang district on Wednesday evening have been captured, Nakhon Sawan police chief Pol Maj-General Raphiphong Sukphaiboon said on Thursday.

“The 11 male prisoners, 10 Thais and one Myanmar national, had climbed up a hole in the ceiling of the holding room used to quarantine prisoners while they await their Covid-19 test results,” he said.

“They went their separate ways after escaping from the building.”

The prisoners were scheduled to be transported to Nakhon Sawan Central Prison upon completing their quarantine.

11 escapees from Nakhon Sawan prison captured

Raphiphong said the police managed to capture five prisoners shortly after the escape, while the rest were nabbed during the night as they tried to head back to their houses, with the last prisoner caught at 2am on Thursday.

A news source revealed that eight prisoners, including the Myanmar man, had been arrested under drug charges, while the other three were detained for theft, fraud and committing an offence against a judicial officer.

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Published : November 18, 2021

By : THE NATION

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40008978

The Department of Land Transport (DLT) is inviting applications from those who are interested in operating app-based ride-hailing services after the Royal Gazette website on Friday published a new set of fees for such services, DLT director-general Jirut Wisanjit said on Wednesday.

Jirut revealed that there are five to six companies that are interested, such as Grab, Bonku, Hello Phuket, and AirAsia. Grab and Bonku have already discussed the issue with the DLT.

Those interested must follow the Transport Ministry’s requirements, with applications mentioning the price range and the size of vehicles that will be used.

The companies must also have drivers ready with cars, according to DLT rules.

Each person can register with only one car. Drivers must also register for a public driving licence, which can be done at DLT offices exclusively on Saturdays and Sundays. The department will accept 200-300 people at a time or according to the place.

The department will also cooperate with the police in carrying out criminal background checks on drivers.

DLT invites people, firms to apply for app-based ride-hailing services

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According to the new rules set by the Transport Ministry, fares for small cars will start at THB40-45 for the first two kilometres, and between THB6 and THB10 for each extra kilometre.

For medium-size cars, fares start at THB45-50 for the first two kilometres and THB7-12 for every kilometre thereafter.

For larger vehicles, it’s THB100-110 for the first two kilometres and THB12-16 for each extra kilometre.

The service fee for hailing a ride via an app starts at THB20, but if a cab is called during rush hour when few vehicles are available, the fee can jump to as much as THB200.

The application will calculate the fare plus the hailing fee in advance so passengers can choose whether to go ahead with the booking.

DLT invites people, firms to apply for app-based ride-hailing servicesDLT invites people, firms to apply for app-based ride-hailing services

Published : November 18, 2021

By : THE NATION

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40008975

Some 56.8 per cent of Thais disagree with the government’s decision allowing restaurants in 17 “blue zone” provinces to serve alcoholic drinks to customers, the latest poll shows.

The go-ahead by the government, amid an easing of the Covid-19 situation, is aimed at promoting tourism and helping businesses get back on their feet. Seventeen provinces have been reopened from November 1 to foreign visitors who are fully vaccinated and test negative upon arrival in the country.

The Anamai Poll, conducted by the Department of Health from November 1 to14 among 2,823 people, has showed that 56.8 per cent of respondents disagree with the decision allowing restaurants to serve alcohol.

Of those who disagree, 86.6 per cent said such a move could cause a spike in infections and lead to new cluster cases, while 56.3 per cent felt the measures restaurants must follow are not strict enough to prevent the virus from spreading. And 53.8 per cent said they did not believe business owners would strictly adhere to disease control measures.

Among those who agree with the measure, 86.6 per cent said the move would help stimulate the economy, 61.4 per cent believed it would promote employment, and 22 per cent felt it would promote tourism and provide visitors with places to hang out at night.

The poll also showed that 70.7 per cent of respondents wanted restaurants which serve alcoholic beverages to pass safety standards, such as the Thai Stop Covid Plus, Covid Free Setting, and SHA.

Almost 70 per cent said that all restaurant employees should be fully vaccinated and take ATK tests regularly, while 65.7 per cent felt such rules should apply to customers as well.

Some 41 per cent said restaurants should set a maximum time that each customer can drink in their establishments, while 6.2 per cent said they should limit the amount of alcohol per table to promote responsible drinking.

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Published : November 18, 2021

By : THE NATION

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40008974

The procurement of light attack aircraft from the United States is transparent and based on national interest, the Royal Thai Air Force (RTAF) said on Wednesday.

The RTAF had signed the US$143-million (THB4.68 billion) deal with US aircraft manufacturer Textron Aviation Defence on Sunday, the first day of the Dubai Air Show.

Under the pact, eight Beechcraft AT-6 Wolverine aircraft, ground support equipment, spare parts and other equipment will be procured for the 41st Wing’s light attack operations in Chiang Mai.

Air Force spokesman AVM Prapas Sornchaidee said the procurement was based on various aspects, including cheap repair costs, a short training period and the aircraft’s potential for military operations in border areas.

He said the Air Force had also signed an agreement with Textron and related government agencies, including the Comptroller-General’s Department and an anti-corruption cooperation committee in a move to prevent corruption in the procurement.

“We would like to confirm that this purchase is aimed at maintaining the Air Force’s potential to protect our national sovereignty, while the process has been conducted in a transparent and worthy manner,” he made clear.

Published : November 18, 2021

By : THE NATION

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40008972

The 1st Division King’s Guard has put military personnel and vehicles on standby after Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha asked the armed forces to prepare trucks to transport goods if truck operators decide to strike on December 1.

The move comes in an attempt to prevent the cost of goods from escalating, which would affect daily livelihoods.

The 1st Division has readied 34 two-tonne FTS trucks that normally carry 12 soldiers and their belongings. The vehicles can also tow armaments and are agile even over rough terrain.

The cost of transportation using Army trucks will be calculated according to the distance driven.

Army vehicles ready to roll in transportation of goods if truckers go ahead with strike

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Published : November 18, 2021

By : THE NATION

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40008971

The Constitutional Court unanimously ruled on Wednesday that Section 1448 of the Civil and Commercial Code, which only allows for a man and a woman to register their marriage, is not against the Constitution.

The ruling came in response to a request by the Central Juvenile and Family Court, which sought an interpretation as to whether Section 1448 contradicts Sections 25, 26 and 27 of the charter, which guarantees equal civil rights for all citizens.

A female couple, Phuangphet Hengkham and Pheomsap Sae-ung, sought to legally wed on February 14 last year but were rejected by the registrar, who cited Section 1448.

They subsequently petitioned the Central Juvenile and Family Court, seeking to overturn the registrar’s dismissal of their request.

The Constitutional Court, however, said parliament, the cabinet and other government organisations should draft a law to ensure the rights of all people are equally protected, regardless of their sexual orientation.

Section 1448 stipulates that a marriage can take place only when the man and woman close 17. But the court may, in case of having an appropriate reason, allow them to marry even before they are 17.

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Published : November 18, 2021

By : THE NATION

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40008968

Finance Minister Arkhom Termpittayapaisith said on Wednesday that the ministry will not reduce excise tax for oil fuel as proposed by the Land Transportation Association of Thailand.

On Tuesday the association announced that 20 per cent of its truck drivers would stop working and would bring their vehicles to a rally in front of Energy Ministry’s headquarters in Bangkok’s Chatuchak district, while urging the government to reduce fuel tax by 5 baht per litre, in order to cut the diesel price to 25 baht per litre.

Currently the government fixes the retail price of diesel fuel at 30 baht per litre.
 

“Fuel tax is one of the government’s major revenues and cannot be reduced,” said Arkhom. “The government will continue using the money from Oil Fuel Fund, which has around 7 billion baht left, to keep the diesel’s retail price at 30 baht per litre until year end.”

“The Cabinet has also approved the Oil Fuel Fund to borrow additional money at up to 30 billion baht to maintain its solvency, while previously the fund was allowed to borrow not exceeding 20 billion baht,” he added.

Arkhom further added that he expected that global fuel prices will gradually come down after the winter season during end of 2021 and early 2022. “Furthermore, many countries have started shifting from oils to other types of energy, which will gradually reduce the demand for oils in the future,” he added.

Finance Ministry had earlier revealed that if the fuel tax were reduced by 5 baht per litre, the government will lose the revenue of up to 150 billion per year, and that the ministry could not find revenue from other sources to compensate this loss. 

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Published : November 18, 2021

By : THE NATION

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40008962

Ministry of Public Health reported on Thursday (November 18) morning that in the past 24 hours there are 6,901 new patients who tested positive for Covid-19, 144 of whom have been found in prisons.

Death toll increased by 55, while 7,556 patients were cured and allowed to leave hospitals.

The country’s total caseload from Covid-19 stands at 2,044,125 – 1,933,199 of whom have recovered, 90,672 are still in hospitals and 20,254 have died.

Separately, another 301,736 people were given their first Covid-19 shot in the last 24 hours, 462,429 their second shot and 55,154 a booster, bringing the total number of Covid-19 vaccine doses administered nationwide to 86,890,826.

According to Worldometer, confirmed cases globally had risen to 255.73 million on Thursday, 231.15 million of whom have recovered, 19.44 million are active cases (78,713 in severe condition) and 5.14 million have died (up by 7,874).

Thailand ranks 24th in the global list of most cases, which is topped by the US with 48.29 million, followed by India with 34.47 million, Brazil with 21.98 million, the UK with 9.68 million and Russia with 9.18 million.

Published : November 18, 2021

By : THE NATION

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40008955

The Thailand Meteorological Department said on Thursday (November 18) that the weak high-pressure system covers upper Thailand and the South China Sea, resulting in cool weather in the North and the Northeast and morning fog in upper country. All transports should proceed with caution in foggy areas.

The weak northeast monsoon prevails across the Gulf of Thailand and the South while the low-pressure cell covers the lower South. Isolated heavy rains are likely in the South. People in these areas should beware of the severe condition.

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

North: Cool weather and fog in the morning with isolated light rains; temperature lows of 21-23 degrees and highs of 32-35 degrees Celsius. Temperature on hilltops is likely to drop to 10-16 degrees Celsius.

Northeast: Cool weather and fog in the morning with rains in 10 per cent of the areas; temperature lows of 21-24 degrees and highs of 32-33 degrees Celsius. Temperature on hilltops is likely to drop to 13-16 degrees Celsius.

Central: Fog in the morning with thundershowers in 10 per cent of the areas; temperature lows of 23-26 degrees, highs of 31-34 degrees Celsius.

East: Mostly cloudy with thundershowers in 20 per cent of the areas; temperature lows of 24-25 degrees, highs of 33-34 degrees Celsius; waves a meter high and 1-2 meters offshore.

South (east coast): Thundershowers in 70 per cent of the areas with isolated heavy rains; temperature lows of 23-26 degrees, highs of 28-33 degrees Celsius; waves a meter high and 1-2 meters during thundershowers.

South (west coast): Thundershowers in 70 per cent of the areas with isolated heavy rains; temperature lows of 22-25 degrees, highs of 29-31 degrees Celsius; waves a meter high and 1-2 meters offshore.

Bangkok and surrounding areas: Mostly cloudy with rains in 10 per cent of the areas; temperature lows of 25-26 degrees, highs of 33-35 degrees Celsius.

Source: Thailand Meteorological Department

Published : November 18, 2021

By : THE NATION

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/blogs/in-focus/40008945

The Bank for Agriculture and Agricultural Cooperatives (BAAC) has teamed up with the Greenhouse Gas Management Organisation (TGO) and the Faculty of Forestry, Kasetsart University, to impart knowledge to the community on carbon sequestration according to the Low Emission Support Scheme and award certificates to communities that operate under the standard by converting the value of greenhouse gas sequestration into income, BAAC manager Thanarat Ngamwalairat said on Wednesday.

The BAAC has supported the community, providing THB100 per tonne of carbon – not more than THB50,000 per community – for 45 communities participating in the project involving a total of 880,791 trees accounting for 279,644 tonnes of carbon sequestration.

The BAAC and TGO are also cooperating to upgrade the valuable wood community to the Thailand Voluntary Emission Reduction Programme (T-VER) to extend the sale of carbon credits.

Two communities – Ban Li Tree Bank and Ban Daeng Tree Bank in Khon Kaen – have so far registered for the T-VER.

They are expected to produce 3,025 tonnes of CO2 carbon credits through the project period.

Published : November 17, 2021