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https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40002099

BMA hunts for clusters in Yannawa markets, communities

The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) on Wednesday surveyed markets and workers’ camps in Yannawa district in a bid to nip new Covid-19 clusters in the bud.

Wallaya Wattanarat, BMA deputy permanent secretary, said the number of Covid-19 cases is rising due to the quick transmission of the virus.

“So, BMA has instructed district offices across the city to work on curbing the spread of Covid-19, especially in markets, communities and workers’ camps,” Wallaya said.

Retailers and staff underwent Covid-19 tests in six markets in Yannawa district, namely Rungcharoen, Hiso, Wat Dokmai, Lan Sai, Perm Sap and Bang Pong Pang. City officials have collected 75 samples in each market.

BMA hunts for clusters in Yannawa markets, communities

BMA hunts for clusters in Yannawa markets, communities

BMA officials also visited the Pre-Built company’s workers’ camp on Rama III Soi 77 to check if steps have been taken to curb the spread of Covid-19.

Of the 609 workers inside the camp, 252 had earlier this month tested positive for Covid-19. Of them, 146 are being treated in hospitals or field hospitals and 106 are awaiting test results.

Officials found that Pre-Built has implemented preventive measures such as keeping the area well ventilated, disinfecting the surroundings and monitoring workers’ symptoms.

“Yannawa district officials have been instructed to monitor the situation in the area to control the spread of Covid-19 effectively,” Wallaya added.

BMA hunts for clusters in Yannawa markets, communitiesBMA hunts for clusters in Yannawa markets, communitiesBMA hunts for clusters in Yannawa markets, communitiesBMA hunts for clusters in Yannawa markets, communities

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Published : June 16, 2021

By : The Nation

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40002098

Thailand records 40 deaths, 2,331 new cases

Thailand was hit with 40 Covid-related deaths and 2,331 confirmed cases, including 29 overseas arrivals, over a 24-hour period on Wednesday.

Bangkok led the list again with 807 cases, followed by Nonthaburi (204), Samut Prakan (161), Chonburi (108), and Samut Sakhon (101).

Meanwhile, 4,947 patients have recovered and been discharged in the last 24 hours.

Of the 29 arrivals, 27 were Thais – 26 from Cambodia and one from Saudi Arabia. The other two were a British national and an American from their own countries.

As of Wednesday, the number of confirmed cases in Thailand had risen to 204,595.

So far, 167,665 have recovered and been discharged, 35,405 are still in hospitals, and 1,525 have died.

Meanwhile, another 186,164 people were given their first Covid-19 shot in the last 24 hours, while 83,468 people were given their second shot, bringing the total number of Covid-19 vaccine doses administered in Thailand to 6,780,816.

According to Worldometer, as of 11am on Wednesday, the number of confirmed cases globally had risen to 177.40 million (up by 370,383), 161.83 million of whom have recovered, 11.74 million are active cases (83,680 in severe condition) and 3.83 million have died (up by 9,149).

Thailand ranks 79th on the global list of most cases, which is topped by the US with 34.35 million, followed by India 29.63 million, Brazil 17.54 million, France 5.74 million, and Turkey 5.33 million.

Published : June 16, 2021

By : The Nation

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https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40002097

New rules set for hospitals offering vaccine booking

The Department of Health Service Support (HSS) announced this week that it has set five rules for private hospitals to follow when advertising vaccine registrations:

• The vaccine brand advertised must be registered and approved by the Thai Food and Drug Administration.

• Hospitals must first seek permission from HSS or provincial health offices before launching vaccine booking campaigns.

• If hospitals take money for advance booking but then cannot deliver the jabs, all booking fees must be returned to people.

• Jabs must be delivered during the period advertised.

• Every jab-booking advert must also include a line saying the government provides free Covid-19 vaccines to all Thais.

Published : June 16, 2021

By : The Nation

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https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40002094

Doctor advises delay in reopening Phuket; sandbox could bring more virus mutations, he warns

Prof Dr Prasit Watanapa, dean of Mahidol Universitys Faculty of Medicine, said on Tuesday that the reopening of Phuket under the tourism sandbox scheme from July 1 could make the province vulnerable to the spread of mutated Covid-19 variants.

Under the scheme, foreign tourists who can verify they have been inoculated against Covid-19 and test negative can fly directly into Phuket and move around freely without having to quarantine. After staying in Phuket for 14 days and still testing negative, the tourists can then travel to other provinces in Thailand.

“Personally I think it is too soon to open the country to foreign tourists as the vaccines that have been provided to locals cannot protect against every kind of virus variant,” he warned.

“Furthermore, the province’s disease control measures are not strict or comprehensive enough to contain the virus should a new wave emerge.”

According to the Public Health Ministry, about 400,000 Phuket locals or 60 per cent of the island population have been vaccinated against Covid-19 so far.

“Take the UK for example. They opened the country and now their infection rate has climbed with new variants being discovered in the country,” he said.

“The 14-day mandatory stay in Phuket might not be long enough as we do not know what the new variants are capable of. Some countries, such as China, have even increased the quarantine period to 21 days. However, extending this period could result in [more] tourists changing their minds or not visiting Phuket at all, which defeats the purpose of the campaign,” Prasit said.

Vaccinations for the general public should fully resume to reach the target of 300,000 people per day in the next 1-2 weeks, he advised.

“During June 7-8 we saw that vaccination units could easily provide jabs to 400,000 people per day, but the vaccination process has now been interrupted due to supply problems, resulting in delays for those who have registered,” Prasit pointed out.

“The situation will improve in coming weeks as more Sinovac and alternative vaccines arrive. Moreover, Siam Bioscience should be able to manufacture more AstraZeneca vaccines and help take the vaccination rate to the original target of 300,000 people per day,” he added.

Published : June 16, 2021

By : THE NATION

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https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40002082

Four elderly sisters may get reprieve from giving up lifetime home

The Justice Ministry has come to the aid of four hapless elderly women in Sukhothai who are about to be kicked out of their home after a nephew used the house as collateral for a loan and could not pay back the money.

The story made headlines earlier this week after the four sisters – aged 94, 82, 80 and 77 – from Sukhothai’s Srisamrong district implored the media to help them before the house they have lived in their whole lives goes to the new owner on June 17.

“Justice Minister Somsak Thepsuthin has ordered the Legal Execution Department to look into the matter and schedule a meeting with the creditor for negotiations on Wednesday [June 16],” said department director-general Aranya Thongnamtako.

Four elderly sisters may get reprieve from giving up lifetime home

“The Sukhothai Provincial Court had in 2012 ordered the house to be sold to pay off the debt. In 2019 the creditor bought the house. They are scheduled to claim the property on June 17,” Aranya added.

Local news sources revealed that one of the nephews of the four elders had applied for a loan of THB450,000 and used the land and house’s title deed as collateral. The house, which is located on 3 ngarn 97 square wah of land, was sold for THB980,500 to pay for the debt plus interest, while the family received the difference of THB365,000.

Four elderly sisters may get reprieve from giving up lifetime home

The eldest sister, Proy (last name withheld), aged 94, said six people have been living in the house – herself, her three sisters, her son and daughter – and all have nowhere else to go if they are forced to quit the house.

“Furthermore, I am suffering from cancer and heart disease, while my youngest sister has asthma,” Proy revealed. “The creditors said they are happy to sell the house back to us for THB2 million, but we have only THB600,000, so any help or donation is welcome,” she pleaded.

Published : June 16, 2021

By : THE NATION

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40002075

Thundershowers forecast across Thailand with isolated heavy rains in the North

The country will see thundershowers with isolated heavy rains in the North as the moderate southwest monsoon prevails across Thailand, the Andaman Sea and the Gulf of Thailand, the Meteorological Department said on Wednesday.

It warned people to beware of the severe conditions while advising all ships in the Andaman Sea to proceed with caution as waves are about 2 metres high and more than 2 metres during thundershowers.

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

North: Thundershowers in 70 per cent of the area with isolated heavy rains; temperature lows of 23-25 degrees and highs of 30-33 degrees Celsius.

Northeast: Thundershowers in 40 per cent of the area; temperature lows of 24-25 degrees and highs of 32-35 degrees Celsius.

Central: Thundershowers in 60 per cent of the area; temperature lows of 22-26 degrees, highs of 31-34 degrees Celsius.

East: Thundershowers in 60 per cent of the area; temperature lows of 24-28 degrees, highs of 31-34 degrees Celsius; waves 1-2 metres high and 2 metres during thundershowers.

South (east coast): Thundershowers in 40 per cent of the area; temperature lows of 23-25 degrees, highs of 32-35 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 24-25 degrees, highs of 32-34 degrees Celsius; waves 2 metres high and over 2 metres during thundershowers.

Bangkok and surrounding areas: Thundershowers in 40 per cent of the area; temperature lows of 26-27 degrees, highs of 33-35 degrees Celsius.

Source: Thailand Meteorological Department

Published : June 16, 2021

By : THE NATION

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40002067

Historic Bangkok moat to be renovated from September

Bangkok’s historic Klong Phadung Krung Kasem will be transformed into an elegant city attraction under a renovation project due to launch in September.

The renovation work will beautify a 1,700-metre stretch of the canal in Hua Lamphong, city Governor Aswin Kwanmuang revealed on Tuesday after meeting with the project committee.

Improvements will be made to the waterway and promenade from Charoen Sawat Bridge to Kasat Suek bridge, and the canal only from Bobae to Charoen Rat Bridge.

The renovation project will start in September and is scheduled for completion in February next year.

The Fine Arts Department has granted permission for the canal upgrade, which is being managed by the Office of Urban Planning and Development.

However, project workers have been warned that the canal renovation must not alter the form and structure of the historic Bangkok landmark.

Historic Bangkok moat to be renovated from SeptemberHistoric Bangkok moat to be renovated from September

Published : June 16, 2021

By : The Nation

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40002065

New rules to support Covid health insurance for long-stay expats

The Cabinet on Tuesday approved in principle new rules to support health insurance for long-stay foreigners under the Non-Immigrant “O-A” visa.

The old rules required purchasing Thai health insurance through the website Longstay.tgia.org, which has suffered operating problems. The new rules offer a lifeline for expats over the age of 70 who cannot purchase insurance in Thailand and thus face having their applications for extension of stay rejected.

The new rules were set out as follows:

1. The first visa application must include health insurance or government welfare with minimum coverage of $100,000 or 3 million baht for medical expenses and treatment of Covid-19.

2. Applications for extension of stay can use health insurance from abroad or government welfare from abroad. This must be certified by a relevant government agency, such as a foreign embassy in Thailand or the country’s Foreign Ministry.

3. If an insurer refuses coverage due to health risks, visa applicants must submit additional documents including the letter of refusal, plus securities, deposits and other health insurance accounting for at least 3 million baht.

The Cabinet assigned the Immigration Bureau to improve rules and conditions governing applications for short-term visas, while the Foreign Ministry has been tasked with upgrading guidelines for O-A visa applications.

Published : June 16, 2021

By : The Nation

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40002062

Prayut sorry for ‘many problems’ with mass vaccination drive

Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha on Tuesday apologised to people whose vaccination appointments had been postponed after numerous hospitals suspended their inoculation drives.

He said the government had distributed 7 million vaccine doses to provinces nationwide, of which 6.5 million had been administrated to people so far.

He said he was closely following news about vaccine allocation and putting his best effort into tackling problems.

Many hospitals and jab stations across the country have postponed appointments after running out of doses soon after nationwide inoculation launched last week on Monday.

“We will find a way to solve the problems to ensure maximum benefit for people, and alleviate their worries,” said Prayut.

He gave the following explanation of how vaccine is allocated:

1. Once vaccines arrive, the Public Health Ministry checks and delivers them to provinces nationwide.

2. The number of vaccines allocated to each province is based on its population, its infection rate, its number of registrants via Mor Phrom (Doctors Ready) or other booking platforms, risks of infection, and economic importance.

3. If the number of vaccines is insufficient, each province must prioritise the elderly and people with chronic diseases who have already registered for vaccination.

4. If it is necessary to postpone the vaccination drive, each province must vaccinate registrants sequentially and not make them register again.

“As director of the Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration, I would like to apologise for the many problems that have occurred so far,” said the PM.

He also insisted that the mass vaccination programme was transparent and free of corruption.

Published : June 15, 2021

By : The Nation

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40002060

Chonburi prepares ‘Pattaya Move On’ sandbox in bid to open by August

Tourism operators in Pattaya are set to propose their very own tourism sandbox scheme, called “Pattaya Move On”, to the government to consider.

Thanet Supornsahatrangsi, acting chair of the Chonburi Tourism Industry Council, said the operators will propose the project to Tourism and Sports Minister Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn and National Security Council secretary-general General Nattapol Nakpanit next week.

Pattaya Move On will allow vaccinated foreigners to enter Chonburi, provided they spend the first three days isolated in the hotel. After that, they will be allowed to travel to Bang Lamung and Sattahip districts, and go even further within the province after 14 days.

To kick off the project, 900,000 doses of Covid-19 vaccines are required for the 450,000 residents of Bang Lamung and Sattahip districts.

Chonburi is one of the 10 provinces the government is planning to open to tourists without requiring mandatory quarantine from October. The other provinces are Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Prachuap Khiri Khan, Phetchaburi, Phuket, Krabi, Surat Thani, Phang Nga and Buri Ram.

“We will encourage the government to kick off the project in August, so we can iron out any problems that arise before fully opening the doors,” Thanet said.

He expects about 10,000 to 20,000 foreign tourists to visit Chonburi between August and September.

“The numbers should rise in October when people from Europe come to Thailand to escape winter,” he said.

He added that this project also aims to draw tourists from Singapore, Vietnam, Hong Kong, South Korea, Taiwan, Japan, Germany, Russia, the United Kingdom, Scandinavia, Switzerland, the Netherlands, Russia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Armenia, Moldova, Kyrgyzstan, Azerbaijan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Ukraine.

Chairat Rattanopas, president of the Eastern Spa and Wellness Association, said only 6.97 million people visited Chonburi last year, far fewer than the 18.6 million in 2019.

“Thai and foreign tourists visiting Chonburi last year generated 66.49 billion baht, a lot less than 276.32 billion baht in 2019,” Chairat said

Phisut Sae-khu, president of the Thai Hotels Association – Eastern Chapter President, said only about 100 hotels of the more than 1,000 registered in Pattaya have opened for business.

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Thitipas Siranatsrikul, chief of the Association of Chonburi Attractions, said some 15 tourist attractions are open for service and Nong Nooch Tropical Garden, Ramayana Water Park, Cartoon Network Amazone, the Sanctuary of Truth and Tiffany’s Show Pattaya are ready to join the project.

Published : June 15, 2021

By : The Nation