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https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40003228

Rapid test kits may not be very reliable, experts say

Medical experts have voiced concerns about the reliability of the rapid antigen test kits for Covid-19, especially if the tests are conducted by inexperienced people at home.

Earlier this week, health authorities announced that rapid test kits will be available in hospitals this week before being sold in pharmacies next week.

The test kits are being released to combat the long queues for an RT-PCR test, Public Health Ministry permanent secretary Kiattipoom Wongrachit said on Monday.

However, Dr Thiravat Hemachudha, chief of Chulalongkorn University’s Centre for Emerging Infectious Diseases, questioned the reliability of tests done by people at home.

He pointed out that the result can be wrong if people don’t understand the principles of an antigen test. In other words, testing negative on this rapid test kit does not mean they are not infected, he said.

For instance, the doctor said, saliva and samples taken from the nasal cavity can give different results due to the virus levels at the sources.

However, he conceded that though the test kits would provide unreliable results, there is no other option at this point in time.

Published : July 14, 2021

By : The Nation

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https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40003227

28 children, teachers from Khon Kaen nursery cluster discharged

The first batch of 13 youngsters and 15 teachers from a community children’s centre in Khon Kaen’s Srisuk subdistrict returned home on Tuesday after spending 14 days in isolation at Srinagarind Hospital.

The nursery became a cluster on July 1 after 42 people, including 34 children, tested positive for Covid-19.

The hospital said in a Facebook post that the former patients were taken home in an air-conditioned bus and given gifts.

“The children were happy that they could go home,” the post read.

28 children, teachers from Khon Kaen nursery cluster discharged

As for the rest of the children and teachers still being treated, the hospital said they will soon be discharged if they don’t develop severe symptoms.

28 children, teachers from Khon Kaen nursery cluster discharged

Published : July 14, 2021

By : The Nation

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40003226

THG chairman unfazed by GPO complaint over vaccine mismanagement allegations

The Government Pharmaceutical Organisation (GPO) has filed a police complaint against Thonburi Healthcare Group (THG) chairman Boon Vanasin and mathematician Loy Chunpongthong for attacks related to its import of Covid-19 vaccines.

Boon responded on Wednesday saying he was glad GPO has filed a complaint because it will have to reveal vaccine procurement documents publicly.

The THG chairman had accused GPO of charging private hospitals an extra 5-10 per cent for vaccine management.

Loy, meanwhile, had posted a clip on YouTube saying that the government agency charged private hospitals 100 per cent extra for importing the Moderna vaccine.

In response, the GPO on Tuesday filed a complaint with Bangkok’s Phya Thai Police Station.

In its complaint, GPO said the accusations were untrue and that they caused public misunderstanding.

It also insisted that its aim is to procure more alternative vaccines for the Thai public, not to make a profit on the endeavour.

Published : July 14, 2021

By : The Nation

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40003223

Man arrested for allegedly altering Wikipedia info on top Chula virologist

A 24-year-old man in Bangkok’s Bang Khun Thian district was arrested on Tuesday for allegedly defaming Chulalongkorn University virology specialist Dr Yong Poovorawan by altering an article published on the Wikipedia website.

Before the arrest, Yong’s lawyer filed a police complaint at Pathumwan police station that someone had edited Yong’s biography in an article published on Wikipedia by adding the words: “He is a salesman of the Sinovac vaccine for Gen Prayut Chan-o-cha’s government.”

This quickly went viral and was widely shared online in the past month.

The police’s Cyber Crime Investigation Bureau tracked down the suspect to a house in a village in Tha Kham subdistrict and arrested the man.

Officials also confiscated a mobile phone which they believed was allegedly used to add the damaging words to the original Wikipedia article.

“The suspect was charged with defamation via advertising under Section 328 of the Criminal Code,” the bureau said.

“We are investigating to determine if he also violated the Computer Related Crime Act of 2017 by inputting false information into a computer system,” the bureau added.

“Please use online media responsibly and refrain from sharing news or articles from an unverified source,” the bureau advised. “If you witness a violation of the Computer Related Crime Act, please contact Cyber Crime hotline 1441.”

Published : July 14, 2021

By : THE NATION

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https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40003218

Thailand aims for the stars as draft Space Affairs Act gains Cabinet approval

A Cabinet meeting on Tuesday approved the draft Space Affairs Act, said Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation Minister Anek Laothamatas.

“The act aims to promote the country’s space-related technology as well as cooperation and investment among domestic and overseas parties in the space industry that could benefit the country both economically and socially,” he said.

“It will help Thailand catch up with rapidly growing space technology and provide an opportunity for global space institutes to transfer their knowledge and experience to Thai personnel at professional, college and school levels,” Anek added.

Meanwhile, Geo-Informatics and Space Technology Development Agency director Pakorn Aphaphan said the Space Affairs Act would prepare Thailand for a “new space economy” that will play an important role in the future.

“The act will not only help boost development of space technology, but will also promote investment and employment in other high-technology industries in the country,” he pointed out.

The draft of the Space Affairs Act will now be sent to the Council of State for approval and then must pass Parliament consideration before it can be enacted.

Published : July 14, 2021

By : THE NATION

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https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40003211

Over 5,000 animals to be transported out of Sriracha Tiger Zoo after permanent closure

More than 5,000 animals at the Sriracha Tiger Zoo will soon be transported to another location after the facility closed down permanently on April 30, the Chonburi zoo posted on its Facebook page on Tuesday.

After 24 years in operation, the tourist attraction in Nong Kham subdistrict was forced to shut down due to a worsening economic status, with the third Covid-19 wave severely affecting revenue.

“All animals in the zoo belong to the Sriracha Crocodile Farm and Product Ltd. They include tigers, crocodiles, elephants, camels, deer, miniature horses and more,” the post said. “Some have been bought and will be sent to their new owners. The remaining animals, which number over 5,000, will be transported to a piece of land owned by the company,” it said.

“Although the future is still uncertain, the company hopes that when the situation improves and investors return, it can reopen the zoo again in Chonburi or in another province as it has already registered the trademark name of Sriracha Tiger Zoo,” the post added.

The 250-rai zoo opened its doors to visitors on April 23, 1997, and had become famous after it claimed to be the largest facility in the world breeding and raising Bengal tigers.

The zoo also featured “talent” shows involving a variety of animals besides tigers, such as crocodiles, elephants and pigs, and had also set up exhibition zones for camels, spotted deer, rabbits and more.

Published : July 14, 2021

By : THE NATION

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https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40003210

Over 1,260 people sue Ming Dih Chemical for THB423m after blast at Bang Phli factory

Precisely 1,266 people have so far filed lawsuits against Ming Dih Chemical Co for negligence that caused a massive explosion in Samut Prakans Bang Phli district on July 5, resulting in one death, injuries and damage to property, Bang Kaew police station chief Pol Colonel Mongkhol Onkaew said on Tuesday.

The fiery blast occurred early in the morning at the company’s foam factory in Soi King Kaew 21 in Rachathewa subdistrict. Residents within a 5-kilometre radius of the factory were ordered to evacuate to avoid danger or inhaling harmful substances. Firefighters brought the huge flames under control on July 6 after spending more than 26 hours battling the blaze.

The incident resulted in one death of a firefighting volunteer and 40 injuries.

“Total compensation demanded from the company is more than THB423 million,” Mongkhol said.

“This includes damage to over 100 houses, 138 cars and 12 motorcycles as well as medical treatment for injuries. We estimate more plaintiffs will show up to file lawsuits this week,” he added.

Published : July 14, 2021

By : THE NATION

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40003197

Isolated heavy rains forecast for Northeast, Central region, East

Thundershowers are forecast for all regions across Thailand with isolated heavy rains in the Northeast, Central and the East as the moderate southwest monsoon prevails over the country, the Andaman Sea and the Gulf of Thailand, the Meteorological Department said on Wednesday.

Here’s the weather forecast for the next 24 hours:

North: Thundershowers in 40 per cent of the area; temperature lows of 24-25 degrees and highs of 33-37 degrees Celsius.

Northeast: Thundershowers in 70 per cent of the area with isolated heavy rains; temperature lows of 23-25 degrees and highs of 33-35 degrees Celsius.

Central: Thundershowers in 60 per cent of the area with isolated heavy rains; temperature lows of 24-26 degrees, highs of 33-37 degrees Celsius.

East: Thundershowers in 70 per cent of the area with isolated heavy rains; temperature lows of 24-26 degrees, highs of 29-33 degrees Celsius; waves a metre high and 1-2 metres during thundershowers.

South (east coast): Thundershowers in 40 per cent of the area; temperature lows of 24-25 degrees, highs of 33-35 degrees Celsius; waves a metre high and 1-2 metres during thundershowers.

South (west coast): Thundershowers in 60 per cent of the area; temperature lows of 20-26 degrees, highs of 30-32 degrees Celsius; waves a metre high and 1-2 metres during thundershowers.

Bangkok and surrounding areas: Thundershowers in 60 per cent of the area; temperature lows of 26-27 degrees, highs of 32-34 degrees Celsius.

Source: Thailand Meteorological Department

Published : July 14, 2021

By : THE NATION

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40003191

Cabinet cuts water, electricity bills for 2 months

The Cabinet on Tuesday approved measures to reduce electricity bills for households and businesses in July and August as part of pandemic-relief measures.

The measures use February’s discounted electricity tariff.

Homes that use up to 150 units of electricity per month will get the first 90 units for free.

Homes that use more than 150 units per month but no more than their February usage will be charged the discounted tariff.

Homes that use more than in February, up to 500 units per month, pay the February rate.

Homes that use 501-1,000 units per month pay the discounted rate up to the value of their February bill, then +50 per cent for additional units.

Homes suing more than 1,000 units per month pay the discounted rate up to the value of their February bill, then +70 per cent for additional units.

Small businesses (excluding government agencies and state enterprises) get the first 100 units free of charge.

Medium and large enterprises, specialised enterprises, non-profit organisations and agricultural irrigation operations will be relieved of the minimum charge until the end of December, paying according to the actual power they consume.

For water use, bills to homes and small businesses will be cut by 10 per cent in August and September.

Meanwhile, the Cabinet said public education institutions will consider cutting tuition and other fees for the first term of 2021.

Published : July 14, 2021

By : The Nation

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40003194

Cobra Gold troops drop guns to raise school

US troops have helped construct a new school building in Sa Kaew province as part of the joint Cobra Gold military exercise.

US Marine Corps Engineers participated in the pillar-raising ceremony for a building at the Baan Mai Thai Pattana School last week, said a US Embassy press release.

Thai and US troops work together to build community projects during every Cobra Gold, which is now in its 40th year.

The embassy said the new 8×20-metre Sa Kaew school building will be a multipurpose classroom for 150 students from Kindergarten to 9th grade while also providing a place for town meetings and after-school activities for both the young and the old.

Published : July 13, 2021

By : The Nation