#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40006986

The State Railway of Thailand (SRT) is facing problems in handing land over for the construction of the high-speed airport railway link due to expropriation problems.

As many as 100 expropriation contracts are on hold due to inaccuracies, while the process of getting land ready for the two-section Phya Thai-Bang Sue phase has been further delayed.

The Transport Ministry said on Saturday that SRT will be able to deliver 170 kilometres for the Suvarnabhumi-U-Tapao link within October 24 as scheduled.

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The ministry admitted that the expropriation process has been delayed due to discrepancies in area measurement and compensation for the expropriated land. The matter has been forwarded to the Budget Bureau for consideration. The bureau was expected to have concluded its review last month.

The ministry expects the problems to be ironed out within 90 days after the October 24 handover and for the construction to be completed on time.

The project, which will link Suvarnabhumi, U-Tapao and Don Mueang airports, involves 700 land expropriation contracts. However, 100 contracts have been rejected and more than 200 people are still squatting in the plots required for the project.

The SRT has taken the squatters to court and expects them to be ready to hand their land over at the beginning of next year.

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• SRT to seek investors for Dark Red Line Extension from June 2022
• CP to build tallest tower in Thailand on SRT’s Makkasan land
• SRT earmarks Bt10.25 billion to acquire land for Northeast double-track project

The Transport Ministry also said the 15.21km for the Bang Sue-Don Mueang section is under preparation, with public utilities such as the pumping station and plumbing being relocated. This area should be ready for delivery to the contractor, CP Group, by February next year.

As for the 22km required for the Phya Thai-Bang Sue section, the Environmental Impact Assessment Report (EIA) is nearing completion and will be handed over to the Office of Natural Resources and Environmental Policy and Planning this month. It is believed the assessment will take six months to review and the area should be handed over to the contractor by the end of next year.

Published : October 03, 2021

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/blogs/in-focus/40006978

More than half of parents responding to a Nida Poll will allow their children to be vaccinated. The online poll by the National Institute of Development Administration (Nida) was conducted from September 27-30 and surveyed 1,089 parents across regions. 

61.43% who have children ready for their children to be vaccinated, 26.17% is waiting for more clear information, and 12.40% will not bring their child to get the vaccine.

Of the parents, 64.72% were convinced of the effectiveness of the vaccine, 46.74% thought vaccination had more benefits than harm, and 40.96% believed the vaccine had the same advantages and disadvantages. 

77.59% of parents concerns about side effects after the injection.

64.13% would like health officials to arrange vaccinations at school and 75.44% agree that vaccinations will allow the school to resume as usual.

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Parents are ready to get their children vaccinated despite concerns about side effects. It is expected to help children go to school safely and reduces the stress level of parents caring for their children at home, said Nida Poll researcher.

Published : October 03, 2021

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40006979

Elephants are shifted from their flooded camp in Ayutthayas Suan Prik sub-district to the kraal in Ayutthaya Historical Park on Saturday afternoon.

The shifting came after the water level of Lopburi River had increased due to the drainage of Pa Sak Jolasid and Rama VI Dams.

Elephants herded to higher ground in Ayutthaya

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Initially, the elephant camp manager Itthiphan Khaolamai has requested permission from Ayutthaya Historical Park to shift a herd of 85 elephants to the historical park’s kraal.

“If the situation worsens, we may shift elephants to Thung Phukhao Thong Reservoir,” he said.

Related news:

• Khao Yai, a true sanctuary for wildlife
• Khao Yai visitor centre’s guardian, Plai Ning, returns to its post
• Kaeng Krachan rangers: Guardians of perfectly tusked Plai Boonchuay

Elephants herded to higher ground in Ayutthaya

Ayutthaya is considered one of the flood-prone provinces as it has many rivers, namely Chao Phraya, Pa Sak, Lopburi and Noi.

Currently, the province’s seven districts were being inundated, namely Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya, Bang Ban, Sena, Phak Hai, Bang Sai, Bang Pa-In and Tha Ruea, causing 15,696 households to be suffered.

Published : October 03, 2021

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/blogs/in-focus/40006972

Chiang Mai has announced its readiness to welcome visitors to stimulate the citys economy and will accept travellers to four provinces from October 1 for Thai travellers and November 1 for foreign tourists.

Rattaphol Naradisorn, deputy governor of Chiang Mai, revealed that Chiang Mai province is ready to receive a lot of tourists, including accommodation, tourist attractions, and the safety of public health. 

The Chiang Mai Communicable Disease Committee issued a notice on September 1 allowing people arriving from highly restricted areas to not be tested for COVID-19.

People who have been recovered from COVID-19 for less than 3 months must present a medical certificate or had an Antigen Test Kit (ATK) result from a medical facility no later than 72 hours before their arrival in Chiang Mai. Fully vaccinated tourists can skip 14-day quarantine.

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After meeting with TAT, Chiang Mai has guidelines for opening the area in 4 pilot districts first, namely Mueang District, Mae Rim District, Mae Taeng District, Doi Tao District. 

Thai travellers will allow entering from October 1 to all areas of the province. After ensuring health safety, the province will accept vaccinated foreign tourists from November 1 to the pilot districts.

Chiang Mai will accept foreign tourists by November

Published : October 03, 2021

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40006976

Covid-related fatalities in Thailand fell below the 100 mark for a second day running, with 77 deaths over the past 24 hours on Sunday. Thailand also logged 10,828 new Covid-19 cases, 104 of which were in prisons.

Meanwhile, 11,894 people have recovered and been discharged over the past 24 hours.

The country’s total caseload from Covid-19 stands at 1,637,432 – 1,508,167 of whom have recovered, 112,251 are still in hospitals and 17,014 have died.

Separately, another 89,620 people were given their first Covid-19 shot in the last 24 hours, 176,074 their second shot and 22,322 a booster, bringing the total number of Covid-19 vaccine doses administered nationwide to 54,869,411.

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According to Worldometer, confirmed cases globally had risen to 235.41 million on Sunday, 212.22 million of whom have recovered, 18.37 million are active cases (87,544 in severe condition) and 4.81 million have died (up by 5,690).

Thailand ranks 27th in the global list of most cases, which is topped by the US with 44.49 million, followed by India with 33.81 million, Brazil with 21.45 million, the UK with 7.87 million and Russia with 7.56 million.

Related news:

• Pattaya launches major vaccination drive ahead of November opening
• GPO promises some Moderna shots this month
• Thailand recorded 11,375 Covid-19 cases and 87 deaths on Saturday

Published : October 03, 2021

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40006975

In a joint statement on Saturday, the Government Pharmaceutical Organisation (GPO) and the Private Hospital Association announced that they will do their best to distribute Moderna vaccines within this month.

The agencies made this statement after manufacturer Zuellig Pharma announced on Friday that 1.9 million doses should be delivered by November. However, it also said it was trying to procure supplies from other sources like the US to deliver some doses in October.

“The GPO and the Private Hospital Association will monitor and speed up the distribution in line with Zuellig Pharma’s statement,” GPO said. “Upon receiving the first batch, GPO will allocate doses to hospitals that have placed purchase orders as soon as possible.”

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GPO added that based on Zuellig Pharma’s comments, another 6.8 million doses will be delivered in the first quarter of next year.

Related news:

• 1.9 million doses of Moderna to land in Thailand this year
• 3 million Lepu test kits to land in Bangkok today
• Bangpakok Hospital Group opens registration for Moderna jabs

The joint statement came in response to public anger and demand for refunds from people who have paid for their Moderna jabs since July.

Earlier, the GPO had said the vaccine would start arriving in batches every month from October and in response, private hospitals have been setting up vaccination schedules. People have paid 1,650 baht per dose or 3,300 baht for two jabs of Moderna inclusive of insurance and other fees.

Published : October 03, 2021

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40006973

Chonburi’s tourist magnet, Pattaya City, is accelerating its Covid-19 vaccination drive in a bid to boost herd immunity before the city reopens in November.

The authorities are placing a special focus on elderly, bed-ridden patients as well those with chronic diseases and those vulnerable to infections.

Pattaya’s mayor Sonthaya Kunplome on Saturday oversaw the vaccination drive at Pattaya City Hospital and also led teams to the homes of bed-ridden patients.

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He said based on the number of vaccines allocated so far, he expects more than 80 per cent of the Pattaya population to have received both jabs by October 15.

“Pattaya is also vaccinating people who haven’t been listed as residents as well as foreigners and migrants to ensure everybody is protected,” he said.

Pattaya launches major vaccination drive ahead of November opening

Related news:

• Thailand to reopen tourism hotspots to fully vaccinated visitors from November
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Pattaya City Hospital is the main venue where AstraZeneca and Sinopharm jabs are being administered to as many as 2,600 people daily.

Published : October 03, 2021

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40006974

The Thai Rice Exporters Association has voiced concerns about an oversupply of jasmine rice in local markets now that many orders from the US and Europe have been cancelled due to high freight costs.

The Thai Rice Exporters Association reported on Saturday the Customs Department’s data of Thai rice exports. The exports from January to August valued at 58,684 million baht (US$1,906.7 million), with a volume of 3,178,887 tonnes. The export volume and value decreased by 14.0 per cent and 23.3 per cent respectively, compared to the same period in 2020.

The volume and value of Thai rice exports in August had increased from July. The export volume of white rice in August was 274,377 tonnes, increased by 101 per cent compared to the previous month. Meanwhile, parboiled rice exports amounted to 161,925 tonnes, dropped by 7.7 per cent from July. The jasmine rice exportation in August rose by 5.3 per cent from the previous month, which amounted to 78,823 tonnes.

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The association expects more than 700,000 tonnes of rice exportation in September as there are constant demands of white rice and parboiled rice for the festive season at the end of the year among international markets, including Africa, the Middle East, and Asia.

However, the exports of jasmine rice have not yet returned to normal, despite the considerable dropping price, as there have been some logistical problems in The US and Europe shipping routes, where freight rates are at a record high, the Thai Rice Exporters Association added.

Related news:

• Export of Thai rice surges due to weaker baht, bigger harvests
• After 7-year ban, Iraq to import second lot of Thai rice
• Agency pushes for rubber price guarantee scheme to help farmers in Covid fallout

Published : October 03, 2021

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40006960

Ministry of Public Health reported on Sunday (October 3) morning that in the past 24 hours there are 10,828 new patients who tested positive for Covid-19, 104 of whom have been found in prisons.

Death toll increased by 77, while 11,894 patients were cured and allowed to leave hospitals.

Cumulative cases in the country are at 1,637,432 with 17,014 total deaths.

Published : October 03, 2021

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/blogs/in-focus/40006959

Department of Primary Industries and Mines (DPIM), Ministry of Industry asks for cooperation to stop spreading false rumours that the Thai state loses in Akara Gold Mining Case.

Niran Yingmahisaranon, Director-General, addressed the rumour on social media, saying Thailand loses gold mining case with approximately 70 billion baht payment, is false information.

Dispute Resolution between Thailand and Kingsgate Consolidated Limited, Australia Major shareholder of Akara Resources Public Company Limited, holder of gold mining concession certificate in Phichit and Phetchabun Provinces are now still in the arbitration process and no final verdict has yet been issued.

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The two parties are in the process of negotiating to find a mutual settlement. This is a normal process that runs parallel to the arbitration process, said Niran.

“The online community has repeatedly spread false information and false rumors about the dispute between Thailand and Kingsgate. It was a process that deliberately spreads false news to confuse the public. I would like to ask for the cooperation of the people or those who are interested in the progress of dispute resolution between Thailand and Kingsgate to follow government communication channels,” said Niran.

Published : October 03, 2021