#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/blogs/in-focus/40007131

Nataree Massage parlour mogul Prasert Sukkee, aka Kolak, 63, was dispatched to Bangkok Special Prison on Wednesday after a court denied his bail request. He had been on the run for five years before his arrest on October 4.

Kolak, who had an arrest warrant out for him in a 2016 human trafficking and money laundering case, was finally arrested at a residence in Bangkok Noi on October 4.

He had filed an application with the Criminal Court for temporary release on bail of THB800,000, but the court denied his request, saying he could escape again.

ADVERTISEMENT

In 2016, the Department of Provincial Administration and the military searched the massage parlour in Bangkok’s Huai Khwang district and found that several children under the age of 18 were illegally trafficked into prostitution.

The court issued arrest warrants for nine individuals, six of whom, including Kolak, have been arrested so far. Three others are still on the run.

Published : October 06, 2021

By : THE NATION

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40007127

The Public Warehouse Organisation’s (PWO) disciplinary committee resolved to axe three officials for allegedly flouting laws in the purchase of 500 million packs of rubber gloves worth THB112.50 billion.

Commerce Minister Jurin Laksanawisit said on Wednesday that PWO director Kriangsak Prateepvisut will present the disciplinary committee’s resolution to the organisation’s board of directors soon.

“We have ordered the PWO to take legal action against the three officers,” he said.

ADVERTISEMENT

“We expect the organisation’s tort liability committee to announce who among the three officers must pay compensation for the damage totalling THB2 billion, which includes interest and other expenses.” 

Related stories:

• Charges filed against 3 PWO officials over alleged unlawful purchase of gloves
• Thai rubber glove makers target 20% share of global market
• PWO’s Bt112-bn glove deal being probed for alleged corruption

He added that the National Anti-Corruption Commission is also investigating the case and is expected point out the officials’ guilt soon.

Published : October 06, 2021

By : THE NATION

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40007122

The Department of Health will give away 250,000 Covid-19 antigen test kits (ATKs) to those working in food businesses nationwide in a bid to curb the coronavirus from spreading further.

The kits have been supplied by the National Health Security Office and will be distributed via district health offices.

Approximately 157,452 sets are earmarked for workers in markets, 68,596 for restaurant staff, 18,876 for food stalls and 5,076 for food delivery staff.

To be eligible for the free ATKs, candidates must be working in the establishments/fields mentioned above in areas that have a high number of daily infections and have yet to receive any Covid-19 vaccine.

“With the Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration easing lockdown measures for many businesses, food workers must take extra precautions to keep from becoming infected as they face a high risk interacting with more people,” department director-general Dr Suwanchai Wattanayingjaroenchai said on Wednesday.

ADVERTISEMENT

Health Department set to hand out 250,000 ATKs to food workers

“It is advisable for food workers to take an antigen test every seven days and isolate themselves immediately if they test positive,” he said.

“Food staff must wear face masks while working, wash/sanitise their hands regularly, maintain a distance of 1-2 metres from others and at home separate their personal items from other members of the family,” Suwanchai advised.

“If you suspect that you might have contracted the virus, take an antigen test immediately at home or go to a nearby hospital to receive a test,” he added.

Related Stories

GPO to sell ATK sets for THB40 each

Govt offers tax break to firms buying ATKs for workers

Pharmacies to distribute 8.5m antigen test kits to risk groups

Published : October 06, 2021

By : THE NATION

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40007121

Chiang Mai is to be the first province to welcome Asian tourists with direct flights from November 1 under the “Unlock Thailand” programme, Thanes Phetsuwan, Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) deputy governor of marketing – Asia and South Pacific, said on Wednesday.

“After the discussions with the TAT office and the private tourism sector of Chiang Mai, we have come to a conclusion to welcome the foreign tourists with direct flights to the province instead of having the tourists complete the mandatory stay under the Phuket Sandbox scheme. Our main target is Korean tourists who have continuously travel to Thailand during the last quarter of every year, including tourists from India and Singapore,” he said.

Thanes also said that there will be a meeting between TAT and airline companies on Monday in order for the private sector in Chiang Mai to propose the standard operating procedures.

ADVERTISEMENT

“There are two versions of the Unlock Thailand programme, which are ASEAN and Asia versions. It is a great opportunity to boost the Thai tourism sector as the government has relaxed more conditions, rules and restrictions. We are currently accelerating the procedure in a bid to launch the programme on November 1,” Thanes added.

Related news:

• Chiang Mai will accept foreign tourists by November
• Phu Kradueng’s wonders open to tourists again
• Tourists flock to Phu Chi Fa National Park after CCSA lifts Covid-19 restrictions

Published : October 06, 2021

By : THE NATION

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40007120

A Covid-19 cluster has emerged at Si Sa Ket’s Nam Klieng police station, with as many as 51 out of 60 officers testing positive for the dreaded virus, the provincial public health office announced on Wednesday.

Si Sa Ket provincial public health doctor revealed the cluster case of Nam Klieng provincial police station on Wednesday. A large number of officers were infected, after one officer at the station had felt sick and was tested positive for Covid-19 infection on Sunday.

A total of 51 police officers were found with the infection, out of 60 entire officers at the station, while the remaining nine are required for quarantine and have to be retested for the virus.

“The officials are investigating the timeline of each officer for any risky activities, such as catching criminals or patrolling in communities. The family of these officers will be required for the virus test as well,” said the provincial public health doctor.

ADVERTISEMENT

Related news:

• New clusters force Krabi to go under lockdown
• Funerals biggest cause of cluster infections in many provinces
• Phuket tightens Covid prevention measures after cluster found in supermarket

Published : October 06, 2021

By : THE NATION

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40007117

Phuket’s popular vegetarian festival is being held under strict safety measures from Wednesday until October 14 to curb Covid-19 from spreading further.

Phuket provincial public health doctor Phadungkiet Utoksenee said the province has implemented measures to contain the spread of the disease, such as limiting the number of Chinese temple officials and visitors, conducting tests on officials using antigen kits, reducing the ceremony process and refraining from selling firecrackers (except raft-type ones).

He said the festival is being held as usual, but authorities have implemented Covid-19 preventive rules in a bid to reduce crowding.

ADVERTISEMENT

“All Chinese temples in the province have acknowledged this and are ready to use measures to contain the spread of Covid-19,” he said.

Phuket vegetarian fest gets underway with strict safety measures

Related stories:

• Phuket chosen as World Muaythai Championship host
• Uthai Thani veggie prices rise
• Back to nature

He added that fully vaccinated visitors who had tested negative for Covid-19 using RT-PCR or antigen tests within seven days can participate in the festival.

Published : October 06, 2021

By : THE NATION

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40007116

The much-sought-after 2023 US Green Card Lotto programme is now open for applicants until November 9. Random winners will receive free citizenship with eligibility to travel to the United States from 2023.

Under the Diversity Visa Lottery (DV) 2023, the US State Department will distribute diversity visas in six geographic regions, and no single country can receive more than seven per cent of the available DVs in any one year.

Applicants who are selected must meet simple but strict eligibility requirements to qualify for a DV:

ADVERTISEMENT

1. Applicants must be 18 years of age or older.

2. They should have graduated from Grade 12 or equivalent.

3. If below Grade 12, applicants must have two years of work experience in the last five years. They can use either educational qualifications or work experience.

4. No visa is required.

ADVERTISEMENT

5. Those who had obtained a US visa but overstayed the visa limit will be disqualified. (But if the ban is relaxed, these applicants can be eligible.)

6. Applicants must fill out and submit information that is accurate and complete, including photos of a specified size. If any information is found to be incomplete or incorrect, the State Department will immediately disqualify the person.

7. Applicants must have a valid passport on the day they apply.

Application form: https://bit.ly/3AdfzcR

ADVERTISEMENT

More information: https://bit.ly/3ouTcNQ

Related news:

• U.S. Embassy contractors, visa applicants among Afghans left behind after one of the largest airlifts in history
• Scarce flights, visa issues snarl students plans to reach U.S.
• Don’t fall for ‘too good to be true’ visa offers, warns US embassy

Published : October 06, 2021

By : THE NATION

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40007114

Thailand is to receive more than 300,000 doses of AstraZeneca vaccine under donation from Germany and 100,000 Pfizer doses from Iceland by the end of this month.

Government spokesman Thanakorn Wangboonkongchana announced on Tuesday that the Cabinet has agreed to accept the Covid-19 vaccine donation from Iceland and Germany.

He said that Iceland has disclosed its intention to donate 100,000 doses of Pfizer vaccine to Thailand. The donation agreement of the delivered doses is to be signed by the Public Health Minister Anutin Charvirakul.

Related news:

ADVERTISEMENT

• Don thanks US Senator Tammy for coordinating vaccine donation
• Online forum releases latest on Covid-19 vaccines produced in Thailand
• Third lot of AstraZeneca vaccine donated by Japan arrives

Meanwhile, the bilateral agreement with Germany will also be signed by the minister in order to receive 346,100 doses of AstraZeneca vaccine donation, along with the additional tripartite agreement with the AstraZeneca Company.

“The vaccines are expected to be delivered from Iceland and Germany within October. The supports for vaccine donations reflect the country’s progress in negotiating additional Covid-19 vaccine procurement and diplomatic relations between the European Union,” the government spokesman concluded.

Published : October 06, 2021

By : THE NATION

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40007112

The Cabinet on Tuesday approved the Tourism Authority of Thailand’s (TAT) proposal to allocate a budget of $4.1 million (THB135.5 million) to support the Michelin Guide Thailand 2022-2026 project, deputy government spokeswoman Traisulee Traisoranakul said.

TAT will pay Michelin Travel Partner France Ltd $820,000 per year to publish and promote Michelin Guide Thailand, a travel guide for famous restaurants in various provinces around the country, including Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Phuket, Phang-nga and Ayutthaya.

The company is obligated to survey restaurants in at least three more provinces, one of which will be in the northeast.

TAT will use its own budget to pay the fee in the first year and the government will allocate additional money for TAT in the following years.

“Michelin will be responsible for sending inspectors to survey and rank restaurants in Thailand based on their standards and publish the annual Michelin Guide Thailand to introduce restaurants that pass their evaluation,” she said.

“Furthermore, the company will allow TAT to present a new award called Michelin Thailand Service Award by TAT to entrepreneurs with outstanding services,” Traisulee said.

ADVERTISEMENT

“The Tourism and Sports Ministry said the previous project, Michelin Guide Thailand 2017-2020, has greatly helped improve the country’s image as a travel destination that is rich in food culture and meets international quality and standards,” she said.

“It has also increased the value and potential of Thai food in global markets, as well as attract world class chefs to work in Thailand and promote investment in the high-end restaurant industry,” Traisulee added.

Related Stories

TAT to launch “Unlock Thailand” scheme, aiming at Asian markets

TAT announces details of domestic travel from today

TAT told to propose plan on reopening five provinces to CCSA on Sept 23

Published : October 06, 2021

By : THE NATION

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40007109

The Cute Star Flower (Lasianthus ranongensis Sinbumroong & Napiroon) is a newly discovered plant found at Ngao Waterfall National Park in Ranong’s Muang district and was recently acknowledged by the United States’ PeerJ journal (Plant Biology Section), Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation said in a facebook post on Tuesday.

“The journal gave the scientific name after the discoverers Arun Sinbumroong, Department of National Parks’ forest specialist and Dr Thiewthawat Napiroon of Biotechnology Department at Thammasart University, who collected the sample of the plant from the national park and gave it a proper taxonomy,” said the department. 

The Cute Star Flower or ‘Dara Pilas’ in Thai is of Rubiaceae family which is rich in Scopoletin, a substance usually used for rheumatic arthritis therapy in traditional medicine. The six- to seven-point star flowers give the plant a signature look that distinguishes itself from general dicotyledon which usually have four to five petals or their multiplication. The Cute Star Flower has been found exclusively in tropical forests of Thailand along the Andaman Sea.

“The Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation and discoverers’ research team are looking into ways of multiplying this plant in the areas, possibly by using biotechnology,” added the department.

Related Stories

ADVERTISEMENT

Covid closure brings rare wildlife back to Songkhla national park

Erawan National Park to reopen on Friday

Khao Yai draws a rush of visitors as national park reopens its doors

Published : October 06, 2021