#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40005769

Bidding for western section of Orange Line to kick off in October

Bidding for the Mass Rapid Transit Authority (MRTA) Orange Line’s Min Buri – Bang Khun Non section will kick off again in October after a bidding session earlier this year was cancelled over graft allegations.

“The MRTA bidding committee will meet this month to approve the terms of reference and then sell bidding envelopes from October,” MRTA governor Pakapong Sirikantaramas said last week.

“We expect interested parties to prepare their proposals and submit them by January next year. The consideration and negotiation process will take another three months, so the bidding should be concluded by April 2022.”

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Orange Line auction ‘to go ahead in October’ despite court cases

In late 2019, the Bangkok Mass Transit System (BTSC), which had bid for the Orange Line, filed a lawsuit against MRTA claiming the bidding conditions had been altered at the request of fellow bidder Italian-Thai Development, despite opposition from BTSC.

The ensuing legal dispute saw bidding for the 13.4-kilometre, 128-billion-baht western section of the Orange Line scrapped altogether on February 3.

On September 1, the Supreme Administrative Court upheld the lower court’s decision to dismiss the case after months of investigation by the National Anti-Corruption Commission and Department of Special Administration.

The project comprises the laying of 13.4km of tracks from Thailand Cultural Centre to Bang Khun Non stations and installation of the train system and overseeing the operation of the 35.9km rail line from Min Buri to Bang Khun Non. The Orange Line is scheduled to be ready for public use in the third quarter of 2027.

Published : September 06, 2021

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40005767

Nurse accused of transferring money from account of comatose Covid patient

A nurse at a private hospital used a comatose patients smartphone to transfer cash from his account, a post on Facebook alleged.

The post went viral on Sunday, but was later invisible as the user may have deleted it or reset privacy.

The Facebook user said the victim was his girlfriend’s father who later succumbed to Covid-19. He said he had filed a complaint with hospital executives and police.

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He explained that after her father had died, his girlfriend had checked his account on his smartphone. She found that there was only THB1,500 left in the account from the previous THB5,000.

He added that his girlfriend’s father lost consciousness on August 23 and became critical on August 30.

“Cash was transferred three times: THB1,000 twice to the account of Miss Suthamas on August 26 and 27 and THB1,500 to make a payment on August 30,” the post said.

“In addition, the nurse deleted the transfer slips and avoided charging the smartphone, so I believe she has done this to many patients so far.”

Published : September 06, 2021

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40005764

Government to continue price guarantee scheme for some crops

The Commerce Ministry plans to continue the price guarantee scheme for various crops for the third year after the National Rice Policy and Administration Committee recently approved the rice price guarantee scheme for crop year 2020-21.

“The government’s price guarantee schemes have helped farmers face problems caused by prices plummeting due to various reasons, so they can still sell their produce at the guaranteed price,” Commerce Minister Jurin Laksanawisit said on Sunday. “However, not all crops will require a guarantee scheme, such as oil palm which is now sold at THB7 per kg, significantly higher than the THB2 per kg price recorded a few years ago. Corn price also has risen to THB10 per kg, while the guaranteed price is only THB8.50.”

Jurin added that latex is probably in need of the price guarantee scheme the most, as the current price has dropped to THB49 per kg, while the guaranteed price from last year is THB57.

“The price of latex has been plummeting due to the shutdown of rubber glove factories in Malaysia, our biggest market, to curb the Covid-19 outbreak. Meanwhile, domestic glove factories are at about 50 per cent capacity due to disease control measures.”

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Jurin added that Thailand’s total export in the seven months of 2021 was THB7.4 trillion, increasing 16.2 per cent year on year, and four times the ministry’s earlier estimate that export would grow by only 4 per cent.

“The ministry hopes that the price guarantee scheme would further help boost exports in the rest of the year. We have already submitted the details for Cabinet approval and the schemes should be announced soon,” he said.

Jurin also added that the price guarantee schemes will not cover fruits and other non-economic crops, but the ministry will employ aggressive measures should farmers face price-related problems.

“The overall fruit market this year is still positive in terms of both output and price although some dealers could not travel to buy fruits from farms in certain provinces due to the Covid-19 lockdown,” he said.

Published : September 06, 2021

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40005762

Recovered Covid-19 patients urged to go for regular kidney checkups

Patients who have been cured of Covid-19 should receive kidney checkups regularly, as they are at risk of their kidney losing efficiency, Dr Anutra Chittinandana, president of the Royal College of Physicians of Thailand, posted on his Facebook on Sunday.

“Astudy published in the Journal of the American Society of Nephrology on kidney outcomes in long Covid-19 patients has compared 89,216 recovered Covid-19 patients with 1,637,467 people who have never been infected,” he said in the post.

“After six months, the study found that the rates of Acute Kidney Injury, End Stage Kidney Disease and Major Adverse Kidney Events have increased among recovered Covid-19 patients, especially those who had been hospitalised and stayed in ICU.

Recovered Covid-19 patients urged to go for regular kidney checkups

Recovered Covid-19 patients urged to go for regular kidney checkups

“The study also found that the kidney’s estimated Glomerular Filtration Rate [eGFR] among post-acute Covid-19 patients could decrease up to 50 per cent,” he added. “Therefore, those who have recovered from Covid-19 should receive regular kidney checkup before the eGFR drops to a dangerous level.”

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Published : September 06, 2021

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40005751

Thailand recorded 13,988 Covid-19 cases and 187 deaths on Monday.

Ministry of Public Health reported on Monday (September 6) morning that in the past 24 hours there are 13,988 new patients who tested positive for Covid-19, 444 of whom have been found in prisons.

Death toll increased by 187, while 17,284 patients were cured and allowed to leave hospitals.

Cumulative cases in the country are at 1,294,522 with 13,042 total deaths.
 

Published : September 06, 2021

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40005750

Isolated heavy rains forecast for the North, Northeast and East

A moderate southwest monsoon prevails across the Andaman Sea, Thailand and the Gulf of Thailand, while a monsoon trough lies across the North and the upper Northeast into the low-pressure cell over Laos and Vietnam, the Thailand Meteorological Department said on Monday.

Thundershowers continue across the country with isolated heavy rains in the North, the Northeast and the East.

People in these areas should beware of flash floods, the department said.

The weather forecast for the next 24 hours:

North: Thundershowers in 70 per cent of the areas with isolated heavy rains; temperature lows of 23-25 degrees Celsius, highs of 31-33°C.

Northeast: Thundershowers in 70 per cent of the areas with isolated heavy rains; temperature lows of 24-25°C, highs of 30-33°C.

Central: Thundershowers in 60 per cent of the areas; temperature lows of 23-25°C, highs of 32-34°C.

East: Thundershowers in 60 per cent of the areas with isolated heavy rains; temperature lows of 23-26°C, highs of 30-33°C; waves a metre high and 1-2 metres during thundershowers.

South (east coast): Thundershowers in 30 per cent of the areas; temperature lows of 24-25°C, highs of 32-35°C; waves a metre high and 1-2 metres during thundershowers.

South (west coast): Thundershowers in 20 per cent of the areas; temperature lows of 21-25°C, highs of 32-34°C; waves 1-2 metres high and two metres during thundershowers.

Bangkok and surrounding areas: Thundershowers in 60 per cent of the areas; temperature lows of 25-26°C, highs of 31-34°C.

Source: Thailand Meteorological Department

Published : September 06, 2021

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40005740

Measures stepped up to contain Covid from spreading in factories

Factories nationwide have been urged to use “bubble and seal” and Good Factory Practice (GFP) methods after more than 60,000 Covid-19 cases within five months.

The Department of Disease Control (DDC) organised a live seminar via Facebook on Saturday entitled “Join Forces Against the Covid-19 Crisis in Establishments”. 

The seminar was a collaboration between the government and the private sector to promote prevention measures in a bid to stop the virus spreading in 19 industrial establishments. 

Consulting and coaching teams joined the seminar to answer questions from participants through Facebook Live.

Kobchai Sungsitthisawad, the permanent secretary at the Ministry of Industry, as the seminar president revealed that there had been 60,380 cases in 845 factories in 62 provinces from April 1 to August 29. Many factories had to suspend operations which impacted the country’s economy. To bring business back to normal, factories nationwide have been urged to use the “bubble and seal” measure by working and doing activities in small groups, and the GFP measure, which is the basis for good hygiene in factories and among employees.

DDC chief Dr Opas Karnkawinpong told the seminar that proper understanding will need to be given to the employees to prevent the  virus from spreading within the companies and communities. Companies need to urge their employees to cooperate and act appropriately in order to achieve a balance between health and economy, he said.

Related news:

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Measures stepped up to contain Covid from spreading in factories

Published : September 05, 2021

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/blogs/in-focus/40005739

Unvaccinated Covid patients must take at least one dose within three months

Covid patients who have never been vaccinated must receive one dose within three months of getting infected, deputy government spokeswoman Traisulee Traisoranakul said.

She said there were doubts about the guidelines for vaccinating people who had been infected with Covid-19. There is a risk of being infected with the delta variant even for those who had been infected with Covid-19, she said.

The Department of Disease Control (DDC) has informed that patients of Covid-19 who have never been vaccinated or haven’t completed two injections yet, are both recommended to get one dose of any type of Covid-19 vaccine within 1-3 months after the onset of illness.

Meanwhile, infected patients who have completed two injections do not need another dose.

“Vaccination will be carried out in accordance with the guidelines set by the Department of Disease Control. This is updated as more information becomes available as Covid-19 is an emerging disease. The team of doctors and experts analyse new information before laying down guidelines for vaccinating people for their utmost safety,” said Traisulee.

Published : September 05, 2021

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40005738

Ex-patients cause a stir with outburst on food at Covid isolation centre

Former Covid-19 patients who were treated at the Thung Tako community facility in Chumphon province have accused authorities of overpricing food of low quality. They complained that the poor quality of food was not worth the THB150 charged per day.

On Saturday, two men who had recovered from the infection showed reporters two bags of a food set provided to patients at the Covid-19 community isolation centre (CI) in the Chumphon College of Technology and Agriculture, Thung Tako district.
The men claimed that the price was not justified by the quantity and quality of the food. 

The first food bag consisted of cooked rice, a boiled egg and spicy stir-fried vegetables with three pieces of pork. The second bag had fried rice with three pieces of sausages, soup with one piece of ash gourd, boiled green bean dessert, and a packet of chillies and fish sauce. 

Ex-patients cause a stir with outburst on food at Covid isolation centreEx-patients cause a stir with outburst on food at Covid isolation centre
The men said that after their test results came out positive on August 14, they had received treatment at Thung Tako hospital for two days, and were transferred to the district’s CI three days later. 

After 4-5 days at the CI, the men found that they were provided the same food menu. The quality dropped significantly that they had to opt for donated dried food. The former patients also questioned the packaging quality, as the food was delivered in thin plastic bags. 

“We urge the authorities to investigate. The food costs THB150 per patient, but the actual quality and quantity of what is provided should cost only around THB60. We call for only moderate quality of food for hundreds of patient at the CI,” said one of the former patients. 

Afterwards, the reporters travelled to the food preparation location. The kitchen was located inside a palm fruit picking yard, which they found inappropriate to cook food hygienically. 

The government budget to provide food for patients is THB15,000 per day, and there are almost 150 patients receiving treatment at Chumphon’s Thung Tako CI daily.

Related news:

• Big jump in number of poor and very poor schoolgoing children in Covid aftermath
• Thailand recorded 15,452 Covid-19 cases and 224 deaths on Sunday
• A Covid-19 ‘haunting’ in Buri Ram

Ex-patients cause a stir with outburst on food at Covid isolation centreEx-patients cause a stir with outburst on food at Covid isolation centre​​​​​​​

Published : September 05, 2021

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40005737

Sandbox tourism programme helps generate THB3.8 billion revenue for Phuket

The Phuket “sandbox” tourism programme generated THB3.81 billion circulating funds to the economic system, the Tourism and Sports Ministry said on Saturday.

Tourism and Sports Minister Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn explained that from July 1 to August 31 this year, 26,400 foreign travellers had visited Phuket under the scheme.

“The top five foreign travellers who visited Phuket were from the US (3,482), UK (3,351), Israel (2,909), Germany (2,092) and France (2,083),” he said.

He said the scheme had generated THB1.63 billion in revenue — THB565 million in accommodation, THB376 million in tourism products and services, THB350 million in foods and beverages, THB229 million in healthcare services and THB114 million in other expenses.

Related stories:

• Phuket authorities urged to push for 3rd vaccine dose as Covid cases increase
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• Only 150,000 more foreign tourists expected this year: KResearch

He added that economic activities under the Phuket sandbox scheme had generated THB3.81 billion circulating funds to the economic system.

“The programme also helped create 5,352 full-time jobs,” he added.

Published : September 05, 2021