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https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40002902

Volunteer firefighter hailed as hero after losing life in Samut Prakan inferno

The body of Korasit Roaphan, a 19-year-old volunteer firefighter who died battling a chemical blaze in Samut Prakan on Monday, was taken to Bangkok’s Wat Thung Khru for funeral rites on Tuesday.

Korasit, from the Somdet Chaophraya Emergency Rescue Unit, participated in efforts to extinguish the fire after an explosion at Ming Dih Chemical factory in Bang Phli district on Monday.

He was the only fatality reported from the incident, which also injured around 40 people and damaged 70 houses and 15 vehicles.

Thousands of netizens mourned his death, thanking him for his brave service and expressing their condolences to his family.

Volunteer firefighter hailed as hero after losing life in Samut Prakan inferno

Volunteer firefighter hailed as hero after losing life in Samut Prakan inferno

Volunteer firefighter hailed as hero after losing life in Samut Prakan infernoVolunteer firefighter hailed as hero after losing life in Samut Prakan infernoVolunteer firefighter hailed as hero after losing life in Samut Prakan infernoVolunteer firefighter hailed as hero after losing life in Samut Prakan infernoVolunteer firefighter hailed as hero after losing life in Samut Prakan infernoVolunteer firefighter hailed as hero after losing life in Samut Prakan inferno

Published : July 06, 2021

By : The Nation

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40002901

Bang Lamphu canal to become electrified tourism route through old Bangkok

Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) has announced plans to upgrade scenery and transport along the historic Bang Lamphu canal, to create a new tourism route through old Bangkok.

BMA permanent secretary Silapasuay Raweesangsoon said on Tuesday that several issues need to be tackled along the 1,500-metre klong, including cracks in the canal walls, encroachment by buildings, messy communication cables and wastewater.

“Agencies under the BMA have been ordered to resolve the issues and plan guidelines to improve the scenery and operate an electric ferry service on the canal,” she said.

She added that the upgrade will create a tourism route to boost the income of people in the area, as the canal links several tourist attractions, including Pipit Banglamphu Museum and Santichaiprakarn Park.

Bang Lamphu canal to become electrified tourism route through old Bangkok

Bang Lamphu canal to become electrified tourism route through old Bangkok

Published : July 06, 2021

By : The Nation

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40002900

Thailand to buy 20 million doses of Pfizer jabs

The Cabinet on Tuesday approved the purchase of 20 million doses of the Pfizer Covid-19 vaccine.

Doses are expected to be delivered to Thailand by October.

Published : July 06, 2021

By : The Nation

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https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40002899

Reopening of Samui, Pha-ngan and Tao confirmed for July 15

Three resort islands in Surat Thani – Samui, Pha-ngan and Tao – will reopen for foreign tourists from July 15 under the “Samui Plus Model” scheme, authorities confirmed on Tuesday.

Thanakorn Wangboonkongchana, secretary-general of the Prime Minister’s Office, said international tourism was ready to resume on the islands as 71.4 per cent of residents (89,000 people) had been vaccinated against Covid-19.

Conditions for entry are similar to those imposed by the Phuket Sandbox scheme, which launched on July 1. During the first 7 days, all foreign visitors stay on Samui, though they will be permitted to travel around the island on sealed routes. After their first week, tourists can travel freely around Samui and also to Koh Pha-ngan and Koh Tao.

They will be tested Covid-19 three times: on their day of arrival, on day six or seven, and on day 12 or 13.

Published : July 06, 2021

By : The Nation

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https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40002898

Air pollution at chemical inferno site normal, says PCD

The Pollution Control Department (PCD) said on Tuesday that the quality of air near the site of the chemical inferno is not at dangerous levels as some people believe.

An explosion in the wee hours of Monday morning sparked a blaze at the Ming Dih Chemical factory in Soi Kin Kaew 21 in Samut Prakan’s Bang Phli district.

After 26 hours of battling the blaze, firefighters eventually managed to shut off all valves of chemical storage tanks to ensure no more flames are fanned.

Photos and video clips of gigantic plumes of smoke have been widely shared via social media since the explosion, sparking worries about the quality of air in nearby areas.

In response to these worries, the department posted on its Facebook page an average air-quality reading based on results from five of its stations in Samut Prakan. The readings are:

• PM2.5 (24-hour average): 5-22 micrograms per cubic metres (µg/m3)

• PM10 (24-hour average): 11-36µg/m3

• Ozone (8-hour average): 30-46 parts per billion

• Carbon dioxide (8-hour average): 0-0.52 parts per million

• Nitrogen dioxide (1-hour average): 5-10 parts per billion

• Sulfur dioxide (1-hour average): 0-7 parts per billion

PCD said the pollution was at normal levels but did not specify the exact timeframe of the readings.

Published : July 06, 2021

By : The Nation

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40002896

Anti-graft panel targets 15 officials in ‘Boss’ hit-and-run case

The National Anti Corruption Commission (NACC) on Tuesday set up a nine-person committee to investigate 15 current and retired officials involved in the 2012 fatal hit-and-run case against Vorayuth “Boss” Yoovidhya, Red Bull scion and heir to one of Thailands richest families.

The case was closed in July 2020 after prosecutors dropped the last remaining charge against Vorayuth over the killing of a motorcycle cop – a decision police did not object to. However, the prosecutors’ decision sparked a public outcry and accusations of corruption, prompting PM Prayut Chan-o-cha to order an independent inquiry led by Vicha Mahakun, a legal expert and former NACC commissioner. Meanwhile, prosecutors announced fresh charges against Vorayuth of reckless driving causing death, and cocaine use, though he remains a fugitive after fleeing the country in 2017.

In September 2020, Vicha reported findings indicating that 10 police officers and prosecutors conspired to get Vorayuth off the hook. “Evidence clearly indicates that investigators did not work professionally since some allegations were left out of the case report,” he said.

Vicha said he would coordinate with the Public Sector Anti-Corruption Commission (PACC) and NACC on further investigation of the case, which led to today’s launch of the NACC panel. The investigation has now expanded to cover five more individuals.

“The 15 individuals to be investigated include high-ranking police officers, both still in office and retired, prosecutors and other related officials,” said NACC deputy secretary-general Niwatchai Kasemmongkol on Tuesday. “Under Section 48 of the NACC Act, the committee must complete its investigation within two years but can extend the investigation period once, for a maximum of one year.”

Published : July 06, 2021

By : THE NATION

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https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40002894

Chemical blaze put out but toxic residue lingers

The explosion and fire at a chemical factory in Samut Prakan caused one death, 40 injuries and damage to 100 houses nearby, the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation reported on Tuesday.

Korasit Roaphan, a 19-year-old firefighting volunteer, was killed while helping to extinguish the fire in Bang Phli on Monday morning.

The blast occurred around 2.50am on Monday at the Ming Dih Chemical Co factory in Soi King Kaew 21, Rachathewa subdistrict. On Tuesday morning firefighters finally brought the blaze under control after more than 26 hours. According to the department, 751 firefighters and volunteers took part in the operation.

On Monday, 1,992 people residing near the blast radius were told to evacuate to nine evacuation centres set up by the department in Samut Prakan. A local source revealed some evacuees returned to their homes after the fire was put out, despite the department’s warning to stay put until the Pollution Control Department (PCD) had inspected and confirmed the area was safe.

“People are concerned that their homes might get robbed if they stay away for too long,” said the source.

PCD officials reportedly found potentially dangerous levels of toxic styrene, a precursor chemical, within a 1-kilometre radius of the factory and have ordered people to avoid the area. Styrene is a “known carcinogen” and also neurotoxic.

The disaster prevention department added that Their Majesties the King and Queen have donated 300 tents for the evacuation centres, 300 survival bags and a kitchen to provide meals for evacuees.

Published : July 06, 2021

By : THE NATION

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https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40002891

Prayut grateful to agencies for quenching Bang Phli inferno

Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha on Tuesday thanked government agencies for working tirelessly to extinguish the inferno that erupted at the Ming Dih Chemical factory in Samut Prakan on Monday.

However, he also urged the agencies to continue monitoring the situation to ensure flames don’t erupt again.

“Residents who had been evacuated are advised to stay away until officials [the Pollution Control Department] inspect the air quality and deem it safe for people to return,” said government spokesman Anucha Burapachaisri.

He added that Prayut also appreciated people for their generosity in providing food and other necessities to the evacuees.

“The government will do its best to ease victims’ suffering,” Anucha added.

Published : July 06, 2021

By : The Nation

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40002890

57 deaths, 5,420 new patients as Thailand’s third wave rages on

Thailand logged 57 deaths and 5,420 new cases of Covid-19 on Tuesday, bringing the country’s total caseload to 294,653 infections and 2,233 deaths.

Of the new cases, 4,070 were tested in hospitals, 1,305 found through proactive testing, 37 tested positive in prisons and eight came from overseas.

Bangkok again led the list with 1,492 cases, followed by Samut Sakhon (398), Samut Prakan (318), Chonburi (266), Pattani (262), Nonthaburi (242), Pathum Thani (208), Nakhon Pathom (206), Yala (135) and Songkhla (132).

Meanwhile, 3,586 patients have recovered and been discharged in the last 24 hours.

Of the total 294,653 infections, 227,023 have recovered and been discharged, 65,297 are still in hospitals, and 2,333 have died.

Separately, another 217,375 people were given their first Covid-19 shot in the last 24 hours, while 63,267 people were given their second shot, bringing the total number of Covid-19 vaccine doses administered in Thailand to 11,058,390.

According to Worldometer, as of 11am on Tuesday, the number of confirmed cases globally had risen to 184.92 million, 169.29 million of whom have recovered, 11.63 million are active cases (77,740 in severe condition) and 4 million have died (up by 6,049).

Thailand ranks 65th on the global list of most cases, which is topped by the US with 34.59 million, followed by India with 30.61 million, Brazil with 18.79 million, France with 5.78 million, and Russia 5.63 million.

Published : July 06, 2021

By : The Nation