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https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40004780

Thammasat set to import Covid-19 vaccines independently

Thammasat University Council announced on Monday that university councillors have unanimously agreed to invoke a regulation that allows it to source medicines and equipment necessary for treating patients.

The regulation stipulates that all relevant departments have the right to offer proposals to independently manufacture, procure, import, distribute and register drugs, medical supplies and equipment necessary for patient care.

The councillors resolved to invoke the regulation because the Thammasat University Hospital has been overwhelmed with Covid-19 patients and the supply of vaccines from the government has been slow.

Signed by university council president Noraniti Setthabut on Monday, the regulation went into effect immediately and will be forwarded to the Cabinet secretariat. This regulation makes Thammasat the second academic institute to import Covid-19 vaccines independently after the Chulabhorn Royal Academy.

Published : August 17, 2021

By : THE NATION

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https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40004779

Covid on durian packages imported from Thailand

A market in China’s Ganzhou city has reportedly found Covid-19 on the surface of durian packages imported from Thailand, the Office of Agricultural Affairs under the Thai Embassy in Beijing reported.

The office explained that the checking and discovery of the virus happened at the Haudongcheng market on August 13.

All people who had touched the packages had already been quarantined and they had tested negative for the virus.

Also, all durian packages were stored for safety, while some fruit and related areas of the market were sterilised.

The office revealed that it had discussed this matter with China’s General Administration of Customs. The authorities said that import of products from the Thai supplier will not be suspended, as the checking result was found in the local area and not at the checkpoint.

However, this discovery would inevitably affect the demand for durian in China, as the report has been shared via social media.

Published : August 17, 2021

By : The Nation

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https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40004776

Marium Project kicks off 2 years after baby dugong dies from ingesting plastic

The Natural Resource and Environment Ministry launched the “Marium Project” on Monday, two years after the death of eight-month-old dugong “Marium”.

The dugong died in a nursery tank on August 17, 2019 – three days after she was rescued by the Trang marine park authorities.

The orphaned dugong succumbed after going into shock and efforts to resuscitate her failed. Several pieces of plastic were found in her intestines later, and vets said she also suffered from a blood infection.

Natural Resource and Environment Minister Varawut Silpa-archa announced that the aim of the “Marium Project” is to put in place serious measures to protect marine animals.

He said with the new measures put in place, Thailand’s dugong population should rise to at least 280 next year. The minister also said serious efforts will be made to reduce plastic waste in the sea.

Meanwhile, Trang has marked August 17-23 as dugong preservation week this year.

Published : August 17, 2021

By : The Nation

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https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40004771

BOT suggests additional THB1 trillion borrowing, hike in VAT for economic recovery

The Bank of Thailand (BOT) estimates loss in revenue caused by the Covid-19 pandemic from 2020 to 2022 at Bt2.6 trillion.

BOT Governor Sethaput Suthiwartnaruepu said on Monday that the prolonging and escalation of the pandemic had hit small and medium-sized operators and people who had lost their jobs the hardest.

“The government reserves will not be enough to stimulate the economy to recover in time and this will leave a huge economic scar that will hinder the country’s economic growth even after the outbreak ends,” he warned.

“The government therefore needs to borrow at least THB1 trillion, or 7 per cent of GDP, and inject it into the economy, which will make long-term public debt decrease faster than not adding the money at all.

“The central bank estimates that public debt will peak at 70 per cent of GDP in 2024 and then start to decline due to economic recovery,” said Sethaput.

“By borrowing THB1 trillion, public debt should remain stable at 62.6 per cent of GDP by 2031. However, without the THB1 trillion injection, the public debt in 2031 could remain at 67.6 per cent.”

Sethaput added that borrowing THB1 trillion would need a specific plan to make the country’s finances stronger again, and one of the main measures would be to increase taxes, especially the value added tax (VAT).

“Increasing VAT is unavoidable since Thailand has kept it at 7 per cent since the financial crisis in 1997 when it should have been 10 per cent,” he said.

“By increasing taxes, it is estimated that the government would have an additional income of THB60 billion per year.”

Published : August 17, 2021

By : THE NATION

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https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40004769

CCSA gives nod to buy 32 million doses of Covid-19 vaccines

The governments Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration (CCSA) on Tuesday approved the procurement of an additional 32 million doses of Covid-19 vaccines to cope with the spreading delta variant of the virus, CCSA spokesman Dr Taweesilp Visanuyothin said.

“The 32 million doses will comprise 12 million doses of Sinovac, 10 million of Pfizer and 10 million other brands the government is negotiating with, depending on who could deliver the fastest,” he said.

“We expect the negotiations to be completed before the end of September so that Thailand can achieve the target of vaccinating 100 million doses within 2021.”

Taweesilp also said that so far 23.59 million doses of Covid-19 vaccine had been administered. Some 17.9 million people have received their first jab (25 per cent of the population), while 5.1 million people have received their second jabs (7.1 per cent).

“A total of 974,563 people received Sinovac as the first jab and AstraZeneca as the second jab. So far none has shown severe reactions and there are no deaths linked to the mix-and-match pattern of vaccination,” added Taweesilp.

Published : August 17, 2021

By : THE NATION

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https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40004759

Fewer showers forecast for all regions as southwest monsoon weakens

The Thailand Meteorological Department said on Tuesday that the southwest monsoon prevailing over the Andaman Sea, Thailand and the Gulf of Thailand was weakening, while a low pressure system still covered upper Vietnam.

Fewer thundershowers are forecast over most regions of the country with isolated heavy rains in the South’s west coast.

Waves in the Andaman Sea and the upper Gulf of Thailand are 1-2 metres high and more than two metres during thundershowers. All ships should proceed with caution during thundershowers, the department said.

The weather forecast for the next 24 hours:

North: Thundershowers in 40 per cent of the areas; temperature lows of 23-25 degrees Celsius, highs of 30-35°C.

Northeast: Thundershowers in 30 per cent of the areas; temperature lows of 24-26°C, highs of 33-35°C.

Central: Thundershowers in 30 per cent of the areas; temperature lows of 24-26°C, highs of 33-36°C.

East: Thundershowers in 40 per cent of the areas; temperature lows of 24-26°C, highs of 32-35°C; waves a metre high and 1-2 metres during thundershowers.

South (east coast): Thundershowers in 60 per cent of the areas; temperature lows of 23-25°C, highs of 30-34°C; waves a metre high and 1-2 metres during thundershowers.

South (west coast): Thundershowers in 60 per cent of the areas with isolated heavy rains; temperature lows of 21-25°C, highs of 30-33°C; waves 1-2 metres high and over two metres during thundershowers.

Bangkok and surrounding areas: Thundershowers in 30 per cent of the areas; temperature lows of 25-27°C, highs of 33-36°C.

Source: Thailand Meteorological Department

Published : August 17, 2021

By : THE NATION

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https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40004758

Daily Covid-19 deaths reach new high on Tuesday at 239 deaths with 20,128 new infections

Ministry of Public Health reported on Tuesday (August 17) morning that in the past 24 hours there are 20,128 new patients who tested positive for Covid-19, 272 of whom have been found in prisons.

Death toll increased by 239, while 20,791 patients were cured and allowed to leave hospitals.

Cumulative cases in the country are at 948,442 with 7,973 total deaths.
 

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Daily Covid-19 deaths reach new high on Tuesday at 239 deaths with 20,128 new infections

Published : August 17, 2021

By : THE NATION

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40004741

Lockdown in Bangkok, 28 provinces extended till Aug 31

The Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration (CCSA) on Monday extended lockdown measures for Bangkok and 28 other provinces until the end of August.

However, banks and financial institutions in malls have been allowed to reopen, said CCSA spokesperson Dr Taweesin Visanuyothin.

Tuesday’s CCSA meeting chaired by PM Prayut Chan-o-cha also resolved to ramp up test, trace and isolation measures via screening rapid antigen kits (ATK) in Bangkok and its vicinities and more personnel to organise isolation at home, in communities or hospitals.

Meanwhile, the work-from-home measure will be maintained in the 29 high-infection provinces, with weekly ATK screening for anyone who needs to be at the workplace.

The CCSA ordered isolation measures plus ATK screening for companies and organisations with more than 50 employees.

Dark Red zone factories and workplaces with more than 100 employees must consider full bubble-and-seal operations. Weekly ATK screening and random testing will also take place at markets.

On measures to reduce mortality, the CCSA said vaccination would speed up in the vulnerable group (those aged 60 and over, pregnant women and people with any of seven chronic diseases) to cover at least 80 per cent in Bangkok, 70 per cent in 12 high-infection provinces, and 50 per cent in other areas.

Meanwhile, hospital admission for moderately and severely ill (Yellow and Red-coded) patients would be accelerated, while distribution of favipiravir for Green-coded patients in home and community isolation would be stepped up.

Also, the government will encourage self-screening via ATK tests by ensuring they are easily available at low prices.

Vaccinated foreign tourists who spend seven days on Phuket will also be allowed to access seven other locations – Khao Lak, Koh Yao Yai and Yai Noi in Phangnga, Phi Phi and Railey beach in Krabi, Koh Ngai in Trang, and Koh Samui, Phangan and Tao in Surat Thani.

Published : August 16, 2021

By : The Nation

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40004740

More clashes as ‘car mob’ rally heads to Prayut’s home

Violent clashes broke out between police and protesters again at the Din Daeng intersection on Sunday as thousands of Bangkok motorists converged to hold a “car mob” rally against the government.

The motorists gathered at key locations including Ratchaprasong and Lat Phrao intersections before heading towards Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha’s home to demand his resignation over the government’s mismanagement of the Covid-19 crisis. 

The rally, which was held simultaneously in 30 other provinces, was led by red-shirt leader Nattawut Saikuar and fellow red-shirt activist Sombat Boonngam-anong. 
Clashes broke out despite leaders declaring they “come with a flag for peace, not war”.

The Nation Thailand takes a look at what happened on Sunday:

Published : August 16, 2021

By : The Nation

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40004738

Indians mark 75 years of freedom with sumptuous splendor

The Indian Embassy in Bangkok marked India’s 75th Independence Day on Sunday in a hybrid mode given the prevailing pandemic and related restrictions in Thailand.

Ambassador Suchitra Durai hoisted the national flag and presided over the singing of the national anthem before reading out the president’s message and addressing the Indian diaspora in Thailand.

In her address, Durai elaborated on recent developments in bilateral relations and programmes and initiatives launched by the Indian government to fight the pandemic and safeguard both the lives and livelihoods of the people of India.

The ambassador’s address was followed by the streaming of a video clip titled “Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav: Celebrating 75 years of India’s Independence” prepared by India’s Culture Ministry. This was followed by a video clip on India’s struggle for independence produced by the Indian Embassy in collaboration with Rich India, a Bangkok-based production house. This was the fourth episode of a video series produced as part of the India@75 celebrations.

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These clips were followed by the streaming of a virtual cultural show, including patriotic songs performed by members of the Indian diaspora and associations, including the Indian Association of Thailand, Indian Women’s Club and the Northeast India Association.

Also featured was a special Ramayana-themed Bharatnatyam dance recital by Sumithra Subramaniam.

The event wrapped up with an online photo exhibition on India’s struggle for freedom and an online exhibition of products from the Tribal Cooperative Marketing Development Federation of India.

A separate expo on Indian motorbikes featuring the Royal Enfield and Bajaj was also showcased in the embassy’s premises and streamed online.

Also streamed during the event was a cultural gala held by the Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR) in New Delhi, depicting various Indian dance traditions and music.

The global digital painting and poster-making competition held by the ICCR on the topic “My Idea of India” was also streamed online, encouraging wider participation.

The Independence Day event was live-streamed on YouTube and the embassy’s Facebook page as well as via other social media platforms.

Two iconic buildings in Bangkok – the Thailand Cultural Centre and the Baiyoke Sky Tower – were also lit up in the Indian flag’s three colours for the occasion.

Published : August 16, 2021

By : The Nation