Nattawut, MP Nattacha test positive for Covid-19 despite vaccine jabs
Former red-shirt leader Nattawut Saikuar on Saturday said he had tested positive for Covid-19.
In his Facebook post, he said he received the first AstraZeneca jab on June 8 this year. He apologised to people who had been in contact with him so far.
“I will contact the public health agency to receive medical treatment,” he said.
Earlier, Move Forward Party MP Nattacha Boonchaiinsawat said on his Facebook page that he has been infected with Covid-19.
He said he had received two doses of the Sinovac vaccine, claiming that he had always complied with measures to contain the spread of Covid-19.
He also apologised to people who had been in contact with him, and advised them to undergo 14-day isolation and take the Covid-19 test.
BTS will adjust the schedule of skytrains and public buses in the metropolitan area to comply with a partial 14-day lockdown from Monday to contain the surging virus cases and deaths.
The Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration (CCSA) issued partial curfew orders for Bangkok and nine other provinces.
The other provinces are Nakhon Pathom, Nonthaburi, Pathum Thani, Samut Prakan, Samut Sakhon, Yala, Pattani, Narathiwat and Songkhla.
As per the CCSA order, a curfew will be enforced from 10pm-4am. The BTS Light Green Line (Sukhumvit), Dark Green Line (Silom) and Gold Line skytrains, as well as BRT public buses, must stop operating from 9pm, said BTS director Surapong Laoha-Unya.
He added that parking lots at BTS Mo Chit Station will be closed at 10pm.
“The opening hours of BTS and BRT will be as usual,” he said.
For more information, contact BTS public relations: 0 2617 6000, or visit @btsskytrain Facebook or Line Official, or use BTS SkyTrain application.
Widespread thundershowers and heavy rains forecast for most parts of the country
Continuous rainfall has been forecast across the country with very heavy rains possible in some parts of the East and South regions, the Thailand Meteorological Department said on Sunday.
Amonsoon trough prevails across the lower Central and East of Thailand, and a strong southwest monsoon prevails over the Andaman Sea, Thailand and the Gulf of Thailand, the department said.
“People should beware of the severe conditions that may cause overflows and flash floods,” the department said.
Wind waves 2-4 metres high are expected in the upper Andaman Sea from Phuket northward and above three metres high during thundershowers. In the upper Gulf, waves about two metres high and above two metres during thundershowers are expected.
“All ships in the Andaman Sea and the upper Gulf should proceed with caution, while small boats in the upper Andaman Sea should keep ashore until July 12,” the department added.
The 24-hour weather forecast for different regions:
North: Fairly widespread thundershowers with isolated heavy rains in Mae Hong Son, Chiang Mai, Tak, Sukhothai, Phitsanulok, Kamphaeng Phet, Phichit and Phetchabun provinces; minimum temperature 23-25 degrees Celsius, maximum 32-34°C; southeasterly winds 10-25 km/hr.
Northeast: Scattered thundershowers with isolated heavy rains in Chaiyaphum, Khon Kaen, Nakhon Ratchasima, Buri Ram and Surin provinces; minimum temperature 24-25°C, maximum 32-34°C; southeasterly winds 10-25 km/hr.
Central: Fairly widespread thundershowers with isolated heavy rains in Nakhon Sawan, Uthai Thani, Chainat, Sing Buri, Lop Buri, Ang Thong, Saraburi, Ayutthaya, Suphanburi, Kanchanaburi, Ratchaburi, Nakhon Pathom, Samut Songkhram and Samut Sakhon provinces; minimum temperature 24-25°C, maximum 32-34°C; southeasterly winds 10-25 km/hr.
East: Fairly widespread thundershowers with isolated heavy to very heavy rains in Nakhon Nayok, Prachin Buri, Sa Kaew, Chachoengsao, Chonburi, Rayong, Chanthaburi and Trat provinces; minimum temperature 23-25°C, maximum 28-33°C; southeasterly winds 20-35 km/hr; waves about two metres high and above two metres during thundershowers.
South (east coast): Fairly widespread thundershowers with isolated heavy rains mostly in Prachuap Khiri Khan, Chumphon, Surat Thani, Nakhon Si Thammarat and Phatthalung provinces; minimum temperature 23-25°C, maximum 30-33°C.
Chumphon northward: Southwesterly winds 15-35 km/hr; waves 1-2 metres high and above two metres during thundershowers.
Surat Thani southward: Southwesterly winds 15-30 km/hr; waves about a metre high and 1-2 metres during thundershowers.
South (west coast): Fairly widespread thundershowers with isolated heavy to very heavy rains in Ranong, Phang Nga, Phuket, Krabi and Trang provinces; minimum temperature 19-25°C, maximum 27-31°C.
Phuket northward: Southwesterly winds 20-45 km/hr; waves 2-4 metres high and above three metres in thundershowers.
Krabi southward: Southwesterly winds 15-35 km/hr; waves 1-2 metres high and about two metres during thundershowers.
Bangkok and surrounding areas: Fairly widespread thundershowers with isolated heavy rain; minimum temperature 25-26°C, maximum 32-34°C; southeasterly winds 10-25 km/hr.
The Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand (CAAT) has suspended air travel between 9pm and 4am, in order to decrease Covid-19 risk for passengers and related personnel.
The suspension takes effect from Monday.
The CAAT said that passengers must be informed if their booked flights are changed, according to the latest order.
The order also specified that airlines must allot seats to passengers strictly following social distancing measures.
The CAAT did not state until when this order will be in effect.
Virus KOs Thailand’s boxing industry, freezing dreams of world domination
Since first arriving early last year, Covid-19 has pummelled every industry in Thailand – including boxing. Virus KOs Thailand’s boxing industry, freezing dreams of world domination
Since first arriving early last year, Covid-19 has pummelled every industry in Thailand – including boxing.
In April 2020, a fight night at Lumpinee Boxing Stadium spawned an infection cluster that spread across the country.
The outbreak was quickly halted but the boxing industry has still not recovered.
Boxing camps remain closed and many have gone bankrupt.
The virus crisis has brought the sport to a halt, freezing the dreams of Thailand’s best young boxers.
Taweesin Laosuwanwat, TL Boxing Promotion’s promoter “Hello, my name is Taweesin Laosuwanwat. I am a promoter for TL Boxing Promotion.” “TL Boxing Promotion arranged boxing matches in March 2020, just before the Lumpinee cluster was detected and the first national lockdown was announced. Last year, the Covid-19 crisis was very new for everyone. We did not know when it would end. All our company could do was to control expenses to survive, as well as help our boxers.” “If asked to compare the current outbreak to the first two outbreaks, I would say it is different. During the first and second outbreaks, people still had hope thanks to their savings and assets they could sell. However, in the current outbreak, I might be able to get through it but the boxers will not. As you know, boxers in Thailand receive no income when they are not fighting.”
Looksaikongdin Gym in Bangkok is closed under restrictions aimed at preventing the spread of Covid-19. The star at this camp is a teenager named Phubadin Yuhanngor, aka Saeng Arthit Looksaikongdin Gym. The 17-year-old phenomenon is ranked world No 15 by the World Boxing Association. Last year, he was seeking matches with big-name international fighters in a bid to move up the rankings. However, Covid-19 has frozen his dream of becoming a world champion since no fights are available during the pandemic. Phubadin Yuhanngor, boxer “Covid-19 has affected the whole industry. There are no matches for me, even behind closed doors. As boxers, our main revenue comes from fights. So, this is a nightmare. I am still a student, so having no income means I have no money for tuition fees.”
The Bangkok Mass Transit Authority (BMTA) will adjust the schedule of public buses in the metropolitan area to comply with Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration’s order to put Bangkok and nine other provinces under a partial 14-day lockdown from Monday to contain the surging virus cases and deaths.
The other provinces are Nakhon Pathom, Nonthaburi, Pathum Thani, Samut Prakan, Samut Sakhon, Yala, Pattani, Narathiwat and Songkhla.
As per the CCSA order, a curfew will be enforced from 10pm-4am, so public transport must stop operating from 9pm to 3am.
“From July 12 to 25, public buses will start running from 5am, while the last bus of the day must reach the depot at 9pm,” said BMTA director Surachai Iamwachirasakul on Saturday.
“The BMTA will increase the number of buses during the morning rush hours [5am to 8am] and in the evening [4pm to 9pm] to alleviate crowding. During these times, buses will operate every 5-10 minutes.”
Surachai urged commuters to wear face masks and maintain social distance on the bus to prevent the spread of Covid-19.
“If the bus is already full, please wait for the next one,” he said.
“People should plan their trips in advance. They are encouraged to leave their workplace before 6pm to avoid the evening traffic jam,” he said.
For more information, contact Call Centre 1348 or visit Facebook @BMTA.
One-kilometre area near factory blast site off limits for public
The Pollution Control Department on Friday declared Soi King Kaew 19 through 25 in Samut Prakan’s Bang Phli district as a restricted area to facilitate work in eliminating chemical residues after the blast at a foam factory.
The fiery explosion early last Monday at the Ming Dih Chemical Co factory in Soi King Kaew 21 in Rachathewa subdistrict forced the evacuation of residents living within a 5-kilometre radius of the factory. Firefighters needed 26 hours to subdue the flames.
“The area within 1 kilometre radius from the blast site — from Soi King Kaew 19 to 25 — is now off limits. People who live in this area are not yet allowed to return to their homes until further notice,” department director-general Attapol Charoenchansa said on Friday.
One-kilometre area near factory blast site off limits for public
“The department is working to eliminate styrene and formaldehyde that are still found in the areas. We will also use other kinds of chemicals to make the chemical residue in the area non-flammable to prevent future combustion and explosion while officials are working.
“We have tested the air quality level within one to 20 kilometres from the factory and it is still at a safe level,” he added.
Attapol added that KO Health Ltd has donated 100kg of microbial enzymes to help eliminate the burning and chemical smell around the blast site.
“The department mixed the microbial enzymes with 10,000 litres of water and sprayed it over the ground and water resources in the areas,” he said.
“These microbial enzymes are certified by World Health Organization as safe for humans, animals and plants. It helps reduce the chemical smell as well as helps make water in canals clearer.”
Disposal of chemical at Samut Prakan blast site to take 5-10 days
With about 600 tonnes of styrene left at the foam factory, the site of a deadly blaze last week in Samut Prakan province, the company tasked with clearing the site says the process will take 5-10 days depending on weather conditions.
Akkhie Prakarn Public Co Ltd (AKP), which specialises in industrial waste disposal and is based in Samut Prakan’s Bang Pu district, will be responsible for the disposal of chemical at Ming Dih Chemical Co factory where an explosion occurred last Monday, the company announced on Saturday.
Disposal of chemical at Samut Prakan blast site to take 5-10 days
The fiery explosion at the foam factory in Soi King Kaew 21 in Rachathewa subdistrict forced the evacuation of residents living in a 5-kilometre radius of the factory.
“The company has started transporting styrene from the blast site to dispose of at our incinerator in Bang Pu district, which is capable of burning at 1,200 degrees Celsius to destroy the chemical at the molecular level,” AKP chief executive officer Wanchai Leungwiriya said on Saturday.
“As there are about 600 tonnes of styrene left at the foam factory, we expect that the process will take 5-10 days depending on weather conditions. Rains could slow down the unloading of the chemical from the factory’s reserve to our ISO tank trucks.
Disposal of chemical at Samut Prakan blast site to take 5-10 days
“We will work as fast as we can to make the area safe as soon as possible so that people residing near the factory can safely return to their homes,” added Wanchai.
He also assured that AKP is highly experienced in the disposal of chemical and industrial waste, including styrene, which is mostly used in resin and plastic industries. “We use methods that are certified under industrial standards to ensure the safety of nearby communities and environment,” he said.
Bangkok logs nearly 3,200 cases as Thailand sees record infections and deaths
Thailand logged a record number of Covid-19 cases and related fatalities on Saturday.
The Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration said there were 9,326 new cases and 91 deaths, both numbers the highest on a single day since the pandemic began.
The country’s total caseload increased to 326,832 patients and 2,625 deaths.
Bangkok accounted for more than half of the new cases with 3,191 people testing positive, followed by 672 in Pathum Thani, 603 in Samut Prakan, 551 in Samut Sakhon, 359 in Chonburi and 334 in Nonthaburi.
Meanwhile, 3,841 patients have recovered and been discharged in the last 24 hours.
Of the total 326,832 infections in Thailand, 243,918 have recovered fully and returned home, 80,289 are still in hospitals, and 2,625 have died.
Meanwhile, another 330,371 people were given their first Covid-19 shot in the last 24 hours, while 69,537 were given their second shot, bringing the total number of Covid-19 vaccine doses administered in Thailand to 12,375,904.
According to Worldometer, as of 11am on Saturday, the number of confirmed cases globally had risen to 186.83 million, 170.88 million of whom have recovered, 11.92 million are active cases (77,803 in severe condition) and 4.03 million have died (up by 8,287).
Thailand ranks 62nd on the global list of most cases, which is topped by the US with 34.71 million, followed by India with 30.79 million, Brazil 19.02 million, France 5.8 million and Russia 5.73 million.
Phuket schools, colleges closed as Thailand hits record 9,326 Covid cases
Authorities in Phuket have decide to close all schools in the province, due to the aggravating Covid-19 situation in the capital and other worrying areas of the country.
According to the order issued on Friday, all schools, tuition centres and universities will be closed from July 12 to 23.
The instititions are required to provide online courses for students during this period.
On Saturday, Thailand logged a new high of both daily cases and deaths at 9,326 and 91 respectively.
One-kilometre area near factory blast site off limits for public
Disposal of chemical at Samut Prakan blast site to take 5-10 days
Disposal of chemical at Samut Prakan blast site to take 5-10 days
