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https://www.nationthailand.com/blogs/in-focus/40008364

With the reopening of the kingdom to travellers from 63 countries without quarantine, the number of infected people is likely to increase by the middle of this month, but it’s nothing to worry about, Phuket Public Health doctor Dr Kusak Kukiattikul maintained on Wednesday.

Phuket is presently seeing around 50-60 cases per day.

Kusak said Phuket residents’ mindsets have changed quite a bit. More asymptomatic patients are accepting treatment at home and more people are coming in for vaccinations.

When assessing the situation from past sandbox statistics, the total number of infected people is around 0.3 per cent. If the number of tourists increases to 1,500-2,000 per day, it is still within the capacity of public health, he said.

“Phuket has been through two rounds of crises, gaining lessons and experiences. In the previous round, there were more than 4,500 patients in hospitals, most with minor symptoms. Now, there are only around 800 people in hospitals,” Kusak said.

“In an emergency, many field hospitals that have been closed can be reopened in 24 hours,” he added.

Published : November 03, 2021

By : THE NATION

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40008357

Six of 4,510 travellers have tested positive for Covid-19 after Thailand reopening on November 1, the Department of Disease Controls Bureau of Risk Communication and Health Behavior Promotion said on Wednesday.

The bureau director Dr Sumanee Watcharasin said 2,013 travellers entered Thailand at Suvarnabhumi Airport in Samut Prakan on Tuesday. 

“Of them, 1,769 were exempt from quarantine, 79 were eligible to enter the country under the sandbox programme, 64 have undergone seven days quarantine and 101 have undergone ten days quarantine,” she explained.

“Top five foreign travellers visiting Thailand are Japan, Singapore, Germany, Qatar and China.”

She said more than half of citizens in 17 tourism pilot areas have received their first jab, except Nong Khai where 47.3 per cent of citizens have received the first jab.

She added that Chiang Mai is the most worrisome area as many Covid-19 clusters have emerged, such as markets, working places, families and immigrants. 

“The province has conducted vaccination drives and proactive tests, as well as tightening measures related to alcohol drinking,” she added.

Related stories:

• PM urges govt sectors to brainstorm for ideas to turn Thailand around
• Capital’s restaurants, eateries complying with alcohol regulation
• A guide to Thailand Pass

Published : November 03, 2021

By : THE NATION

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40008358

A man shot his elder brother dead then himself after going berserk at a building in Nonthaburis Plai Bang subdistrict at 2.30pm on Wednesday.

The Nation Thailand had earlier reported via its breaking news that two people died after the man shot four.

Two others sustained injuries in the shooting.

Plai Bang police and rescue workers, who rushed to the scene, found that the man shot his brother then turned the gun on himself while escaping.

Update: Man shoots brother dead, then himself

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Update: Man shoots brother dead, then himself

Published : November 03, 2021

By : THE NATION

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40008356

Bangkok Governor Aswin Kwanmuang on Wednesday announced a ban on fireworks and floating lanterns on Loy Krathong Day, which falls on November 19 this year.

The governor has asked for cooperation from manufacturers, collectors, distributors of fireworks and floating lanterns, as well as the general public in the Bangkok area, not to light and release fireballs, flares, any kinds of lantern or other similar objects into the air, unless authorised by the director of the area. Violators must be punished with imprisonment of not more than three years, or a fine of not more than 60,000 baht, or both.

The sale or use of firecrackers of all kinds and dynamites are also prohibited. Violators will face a fine of not more than 6,000 baht, or imprisonment of not more than three months, or both.

Permission from the local registrar is required for manufacturers, collectors and sellers of fireworks, which must strictly comply with the measures announced by the Department of Health. Any violation will be dealt with under the law as well.

“Bangkok has established a special team from relevant departments to carry out inspections on the production, collection and distribution of fireworks in a bid to provide the highest order and safety for the people,” the governor concluded.

Related news:

• Thais can celebrate Loy Krathong but under some conditions
• Ong Ang canal comes alive with Loy Krathong festivities
• Police gear up for Loy Krathong celebrations in Bangkok

Published : November 03, 2021

By : THE NATION

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/pr-news/in-focus/40008355

Health protocol and vaccines are key to build travel confidence.

While Thailand is gradually welcoming international tourists with initiatives such as the Sandbox and the government’s opening plan, a survey by digital travel platform, Agoda, found while Thai people expect outbound travel to return soon –  with one in two think travel in Asia will be possible within the next six months and 29 per cent for travel outside Asia, they are not inclined to hop on a plane to travel just yet until they feel more assured by health and safety protocols and vaccination rates.

Travel expectations
Half of Thai respondents anticipate that travel within Asia will be possible in the next six months, with 2 in 5 (40 per cent) anticipating some travel restrictions in place or travel through travel bubble or corridors only.

When it comes to taking trips after restrictions are lifted, 51 per cent plan to travel in Asia and 42 per cent outside of Asia within a year or more, while 4 per cent and 5 per cent respectively hoping to travel immediately.  Just under a quarter, 23 per cent, don’t plan to travel within Asia until at least 80 per cent of the world’s population is vaccinated against Covid-19.  The figure is even higher for travel outside Asia (28 per cent) and is the highest among Baby Boomer (1946 – 1964) 32 per cent and Gen X (1965 – 1980) 29 per cent.

Related news:

• Over half of Thai travellers to choose domestic destinations in 2022 – Visa Study
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Travel confidence
The Agoda survey found that the top three factors that will give Thais the confidence to explore again are (#1) health and safety protocols followed by accommodations, (#2) knowing that hotel service staff are vaccinated, and (#3) being vaccinated against Covid-19 with at least one shot.

• The same proportion of Male respondents view vaccinated hotel service staff and themselves being vaccinated against Covid-19 with at least one shot as important.

Published : November 03, 2021

By : THE NATION

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40008354

Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha asked every government sector to brainstorm for ideas to turn Thailand around after reopening, to develop infrastructure in the long term.

Deputy government spokesperson Trisulee Trisaranakul said on Wednesday that Prayut said the country’s reopening on Monday was the starting point to turn Thailand around “in every dimension”.

In the latest meeting of the economic committee of the Center for Covid-19 Situation Administration, Prayut asked various sectors to find new ways to work on tasks that can be carried out immediately and tasks that might take some time, such as developing infrastructure.

Trisulee mentioned that the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) responded to Prayut’s order with a new concept for tourism in 2022: “Amazing Thailand, Amazing New Chapters”. The concept will respond to tourists’ needs in everything with “new wonderful stories”.

Apart from inviting tourists to get a new experience in Thailand, the concept will also promote “new normal” tourism, focusing on health, sanitation, and safety.

Business sectors should adapt by using technologies to respond to tourists’ behaviour in this new age. Tourists will mostly use online technology to reduce risks of Covid-19.

PM urges govt sectors to brainstorm for ideas to turn Thailand around

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Businesses sectors also have to adjust by changing their target groups from focusing on quantity to quality. They need to focus on diverse tourists markets such as Europe and the US as well as Asia and Southeast Asia, Trisulee added.

Published : November 03, 2021

By : THE NATION

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40008353

Two people died after a man went berserk and shot four at a building in Nonthaburis Plai Bang subdistrict on Wednesday.

Two others sustained injuries in the shooting.

Police officers are blocking the escape route at the building where the man lived.

Related stories:

• 9 protesters held over Oct 6 Din Daeng clash, shooting of officer
• Suspect arrested over shooting that put 15-year-old protester in coma
• Thai shooters suffer case of rusty trigger-finger at Paralympics

Published : November 03, 2021

By : THE NATION

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40008352

More than 600 restaurants and eateries in Bangkok are complying with the regulation to serve alcoholic beverages only until 9pm, the Metropolitan Police Bureau said on Wednesday.

The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration has allowed restaurants and eateries to serve alcoholic beverages from November 1, provided they meet all prevention measures and SHA standards.

Pol Maj-General Jirasan Kaewsangek, deputy commissioner of the Metropolitan Police Bureau, said police are cooperating with administrative officers to create awareness among restaurant and eatery operators across the capital.

“So far, 657 restaurants and eateries are complying with regulations,” he said.

He added that 3,414 restaurants and eateries have registered for the SHA standard.

Capital’s restaurants, eateries complying with alcohol regulation

Meanwhile, Pol General Krisana Pattanacharoen, deputy spokesman of the Royal Thai Police, asked restaurant and eatery operators to inform their customers about the regulations when it is almost 9pm as this issue needs cooperation from everyone.

Related stories:

• Bangkok restaurants can serve booze, but only until 9pm
• Restaurants can finally serve booze, but only in Bangkok, Phuket, Krabi, Phang Nga
• Alcohol back on menu in Chiang Mai but pubs stay closed

Published : November 03, 2021

By : THE NATION

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40008350

Marine Department officials toiled on Wednesday to salvage 51 containers at the site where two cargo ships crashed into each other on the Chao Phraya River in front of Samut Prakan’s city hall in Muang district on Tuesday afternoon.

The impact caused half of one cargo ship, which carried the 51 containers, to sink under the water.

The ship was identified as the OPK 3, a-670 tonne gross cargo vessel belonging to OPK Global Logistics Ltd.

51 containers being salvaged from cargo ship crash site in Samut Prakan

About 500 metres from the half-sunken ship was the anchored NP Pathumthani, a 355-tonne gross cargo vessel that sustained damage at the front.

There were no reports of any injuries or deaths from the accident.

51 containers being salvaged from cargo ship crash site in Samut Prakan

Wanchai Sabaijai, an OPK Global Logistics manager, said the OPK was carrying 51 containers from Saha Thai Port in Samut Prakan to Laem Chabang Port in Chonburi when the NP Pathumthani, which was travelling “off course”, T-boned it and caused it to leak and partially sink.

“A crane ship has been deployed to pick up the 51 containers from the half-sunken ship,” said Marine Department deputy director-general Phuri Theerakulpisut. “After that, officials will use patrol ships to push the OPK 3 toward the riverbank in order to drain water from its hull and fix the leak. We have also deployed buoys around it to prevent oil from leaking into the river,” he explained.

51 containers being salvaged from cargo ship crash site in Samut Prakan

“We expect the operation to be completed in three days, after which all vessels should be able to travel in the particular area as normal,” he said.

Phuri added that the containers were found to carry agricultural products and ceramic ware. He advised ship operators who have to use the route to take extra caution around the salvage site.

Meanwhile, police officers are interviewing the ship helmsmen and witnesses to determine the cause of the accident.

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Published : November 03, 2021

By : THE NATION

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40008348

Bangkokians should prepare for PM2.5 dust (particles less than 2.5 micrometres in diameter) during the cooler season from December to February, while real-time air quality information can be checked via websites and a phone application, the governor said on Wednesday.

Bangkok Governor Aswin Kwanmuang posted on Facebook on Wednesday that there is a chance that the PM2.5 dust is likely to exceed the standard value in January, as it usually happens every year. 

The governor said that in 2020, the capital began to experience the PM2.5 dust situation early in December, due to the spread down of the weakening cold air mass which caused weak or calm winds. Also, the prevailing wind that brings dust from the burnings in an open space from the central region and neighboring countries into the east side of Bangkok is causing PM2.5 dust to accumulate higher.

“There are 70 permanent PM2.5 dust monitoring stations throughout the capital. If any area is found with dust that exceeds the standard, the officials will urgently take action in order to control air pollution to be in the standard and safe for public health,” said Aswin.

The governor also urged Bangkokians to access the air quality information in real-time at www.air4bangkok.com, www.bangkokairquality.com and the AirBKK mobile phone application in a bid to prepare and protect themselves and their family.

Related news:

• Higher PM2.5 levels may return from late October, could exceed health standard in Jan, Feb
• Bangkok prepares to battle PM2.5 problem as cool season approaches
• New face masks can repel both PM2.5 and Covid-19

Capitals dwellers advised to prepare for dust problem

Published : November 03, 2021

By : THE NATION