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https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40001623

How to get a vaccine passport for overseas travel

The Department of Disease Control (DDC) announced on June 1 that Thais who have been vaccinated against Covid-19 can apply for a vaccine passport that will allow them to travel overseas.

“The DDC will issue a certificate to people who have received vaccines that are registered under Thailand’s Drug Law or are certified by the World Health Organisation,” said DDC director-general Dr Opas Karnkawinpong.

“The document must carry the signature of the Department of Disease Control’s director-general or a chosen nominee, as well as the stamp of the agency. One vaccine passport will certify only one individual,” he said.

The following documents are required if you want to apply for a vaccine passport:

1. A valid passport that will not expire in the next six months, along with a photo copy.

2. Identification card, along with a photo copy.

3. Certificate of vaccination against Covid-19 issued by the DDC, along with a copy.

4. An application fee of THB50 per passport.

In case a proxy applies for the vaccine passport for another person, the proxy must also present a letter of authorisation and their identification card, along with a copy.

The DDC will issue a vaccine passport via these four channels:

– Bamrasnaradura Infectious Diseases Institute, Nonthaburi. Tel: 0-2951-1170-9 extn 3430

– Urban Institute for Disease Prevention and Control, Bangkok. Tel: 0-2521-1668

– International Communicable Disease Control Port, Suvarnabhumi Airport, Samut Prakan. Email: porthealth_bbk@ddc.mail.go.th

– General Communicable Disease Division, Department of Disease Control head office, Nonthaburi. Tel: 0-2590-3232, 0-2590-3234-5 or email: travelhealth@ddc.mail.go.th.

For more information, contact DDC hotline 1422.

Published : June 03, 2021

By : THE NATION

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https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40001621

Thailand to import 11 million Sinovac doses from June to August: Anutin

The Government Pharmaceutical Organisation (GPO) will import 11 million Sinovac doses from June to complement the government’s plan of procuring at least 100 million vaccine doses for Thai citizens, Public Health Minister Anutin Charnvirakul said on Wednesday.

“So far we have received 6 million doses of the Sinovac vaccine, 5.5 million of which were through purchase and 500,000 of which were donated by the Chinese government,” he said.

“Sinovac will complement the main vaccine that will be used in Thailand, AstraZeneca, to fulfill the goal of obtaining at least 100 million doses,” Anutin said.

“From June to August, a total of 11 million doses of Sinovac will arrive – at the rate of 2.5 million to 3 million doses per month. In June alone we expect to receive 2.5 million doses, 500,000 of which will arrive on Saturday, one million at the middle of the month and another million at the end of the month,” he explained.

The World Health Organisation approved Sinovac on June 1 for emergency use. Vaccines from Pfizer and partner BioNTech, AstraZeneca, Johnson & Johnson and Moderna have also been cleared by WHO for emergency use.

“The WHO recommended that Sinovac be used for people aged 18 and older in a two-dose schedule with a spacing of two to four weeks between shots,” Anutin said.

“Although it has an efficacy rate of 51 per cent reported from clinical trials, Sinovac offers nearly 100 per cent protection against symptomatic infection and hospitalisation,” the minister said.

“An advantage of the Sinovac vaccine is that it can be kept at 28 degrees Celsius and is therefore easier to manage. More than 400 million doses of Sinovac have been administered globally with no reports of death linked to the vaccine,” he added.

Published : June 03, 2021

By : THE NATION

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https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40001615

US provides Thailand with $30m Covid assistance, reaffirms commitment in helping kingdom battle virus

United States Deputy Secretary of State Wendy R Sherman reiterated the US’s commitment to the people of Thailand in the fight against Covid-19, which includes $30 million in Covid-related assistance to the kingdom, a US Embassy press release said on Wednesday.

Sherman visited Thailand on June 1 and 2 for “strategic discussions” with Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Don Pramudwinai and representatives from international organisations.

The two countries agreed on the importance of continuing to work together to combat the pandemic.

Sherman reaffirmed the deep importance the United States places on bilateral economic, security, and cultural ties between the two nations, which span more than two centuries, and highlighted decades of health cooperation, the statement said.

The visit, which came on the heels of the US-Thai Strategic Dialogue and the deputy secretary’s meetings at the Asean Secretariat, “was an opportunity for both sides to exchange views on defeating the Covid-19 pandemic, deepening security cooperation, increasing trade and investment, and expanding people-to-people ties”.

The two sides agreed on the importance of the US-Thai friendship in addressing economic and security challenges in the region, including the crisis in Myanmar, Mekong regional issues, and the pandemic.

“In addition, they had a mutually respectful and positive discussion on the value of democracy, human rights and fundamental freedoms, including the freedom of expression,” the press statement said.

Both sides highlighted the importance of cooperation in regional forums, including Apec, Asean, and the Mekong-US Partnership.

Sherman was also able to meet with representatives of international and non-governmental organisations to discuss humanitarian assistance for those displaced by the violence in Myanmar.

As she did at meetings with the Asean Secretariat in Jakarta, the deputy secretary affirmed the United States’ call for an end to violence and an immediate return to democracy for the people of Myanmar at each of her meetings in Bangkok.

Published : June 03, 2021

By : THE NATION

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https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40001614

Budget bill draft gets initial nod from MPs

The draft fiscal 2022 budget bill was approved in principle by the House of Representatives in a vote on Wednesday night.

Of the 472 members of Parliament present in the House, 269 MPs voted in favour, 201 against and two abstained.

The House will now appoint 72 committees to consider the budget bill and propose an amendment within 30 days. The committees will hold their first meeting on June 4 at 10am.

The fiscal 2022 budget bill is proposed to be THB3.1 trillion, and its allocations will include:

Central budget: 571.04 billion

Prime Minister’s Office: 34.01 billion

Defence Ministry: 203.28 billion

Finance Ministry: 273.94 billion

Foreign Ministry: 7.61 billion

Tourism and Sports Ministry: 5.16 billion

Social Development and Human Security Ministry: 24.66 billion

Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation Ministry: 124.18 billion

Agriculture and Cooperatives Ministry: 110.12 billion

Transport Ministry: 175.85 billion

Digital Economy and Society Ministry: 6.97 billion

Natural Resources and Environment Ministry: 28.32 billion

Energy Ministry: 2.71 billion

Commerce Ministry: 6.52 billion

Interior Ministry: 316.52 billion

Justice Ministry 24.32 billion

Labour Ministry 49.74 billion

Culture Ministry: 7.10 billion

Education Ministry: 332.39 billion

Public Health Ministry: 153.94 billion

Industry Ministry: 4.38 billion.

Published : June 03, 2021

By : THE NATION

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https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40001603

Hot day forecast for most of Thailand, isolated light rains in some areas

Most of the country will experience hot weather on Thursday while some areas will see isolated rains as the weak southwest monsoon prevails over the Andaman Sea, the Gulf of Thailand and other regions across the nation, the Meteorological Department said.

It added that tropical storm Choi-wan over the west coast of the central Philippines is expected to move northwest to the upper South China Sea and will have no effect on Thailand.

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

Bangkok and surrounding areas: Hot day with isolated light rains; temperature lows of 27-29 degrees, highs of 34-39 degrees Celsius.

North: Hot day with thundershowers in 10 per cent of the area; temperature lows of 25-28 degrees and highs of 36-39 degrees Celsius.

Northeast: Hot day with isolated light rains; temperature lows of 25-28 degrees and highs of 37-39 degrees Celsius.

Central: Hot day with isolated light rains; temperature lows of 24-28 degrees, highs of 36-39 degrees Celsius.

East: Hot day with thundershowers in 10 per cent of the area; temperature lows of 26-28 degrees, highs of 34-38 degrees Celsius; waves a metre high and 1-2 metres during thundershowers.

South (east coast): Mostly cloudy with thundershowers in 30 per cent of the area; temperature lows of 24-27 degrees, highs of 34-36 degrees Celsius; waves a metre high and 1-2 metres during thundershowers.

South (west coast): Mostly cloudy with thundershowers in 30 per cent of the area; temperature lows of 23-26 degrees, highs of 33-35 degrees Celsius; waves a metre high and 1-2 metres during thundershowers.

Source: Thailand Meteorological Department

Published : June 03, 2021

By : THE NATION

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https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40001601

Free ‘vaccination buses’ to Bangkok jab hub from Monday

A free air-conditioned shuttle bus service will ferry Bangkok residents to the city’s main Covid-19 vaccination point at Bang Sue Grand Station from Monday (June 7).

The Bangkok Mass Transit Authority (BMTA) will operate three free bus routes to the station as mass vaccination kicks off next week. The free buses will be available from 8am to 8pm for people who have pre-booked their jabs.

The three services are as follows.

1. Victory Monument-Bang Sue Grand Station every 5-10 minutes.

2. Bang Pho ferry stop-Bang Sue Grand Station every 10 minutes (also stopping at MRT Tao Poon Station).

3. Central Ladprao-Bang Sue Grand Station every 5-10 minutes (also stopping at BTS Mo Chit Station and Bangkok Bus Terminal in Chatuchak).

Published : June 03, 2021

By : The Nation

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https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40001600

Digital map shows location of vaccination points in and around Bangkok

Bangkok residents can now check the location of their nearest Covid-19 vaccination point via a digital map.

GPS mapping firm GlobeTech has developed the NOSTRA Map application (https://map.nostramap.com/NostraMap/…) to pinpoint the location of dozens of jab points at hospitals and other facilities across the capital and surrounding areas.

Utilising Public Health Ministry data, the map also enables to check information such as congestion levels at vaccination points before they travel, so they can avoid queues.

GlobeTech general manager Wichai Saenghiranwattana said the NOSTRA Map is part of efforts to maximise the efficiency of the vaccine rollout, getting as many people vaccinated in the fastest possible time.

Users can check the location of jab points by clicking “data layer” on the left side of the map. The points are shown as red pins in the shape of a syringe. The map includes route details for users.

The NOSTRA Map app also provides the locations of the Covid-19 testing labs and alternative state quarantine (ASQ) accommodation.

Published : June 03, 2021

By : The Nation

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40001599

Phuket in rush to inject 780,000 doses before reopening to foreign travellers next month

Phuket will need to administer an estimated 780,000 Covid-19 jabs in less than a month to meet its target of inoculating 70 per cent of the population before reopening to foreign tourists.

As of Tuesday (June 1), the island had administered just 170,000 of the estimated 930,000 jabs required before it can safely open as scheduled on July 1.

On Wednesday, Deputy Governor Piyapong Chuwong reiterated that at least 70 per cent of the local population must be vaccinated before the quarantine-free “sandbox” pilot scheme launches for foreign tourists.

Targeted for vaccination are 466,000 Thais, expats and migrant workers on Phuket.

These consist of 310,000 Phuket locals, about 100,000 workers from other provinces, and 56,000 foreign workers from Myanmar, Laos and Cambodia, Piyapong said.

As of Tuesday, 170,000 people had received their first shot of Sinovac vaccine, with their second shot due in mid-June, he added.

From Monday (June 7), AstraZeneca jabs will be rolled out for people over 60 and those with underlying health conditions, said the deputy governor.

However, Phuket authorities have announced that migrant workers will be vaccinated on June 3-5 – a decision that has been criticised for prioritising this group over elderly people and those with underlying health issues.

Published : June 03, 2021

By : The Nation

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https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40001598

Ministry says 2 million doses will be ready for jab rollout on Monday

The Public Health Ministry says about two million doses of Covid-19 vaccine will be delivered before nationwide vaccination kicks off on Monday (June 7).

The ministry’s Department of Disease Control (DDC) confirmed the rollout would launch on June 7 with both AstraZeneca and Sinovac vaccines.

The assurance came after AstraZeneca (Thailand) confirmed it will deliver 6 million doses of vaccine in June. AstraZeneca vaccine is being manufactured by royally owned Thai company Siam Bioscience, but it remains unclear how many of the 6 million jabs will be made in Thailand.

DDC deputy chief Sopon Iamsirithaworn said hospitals were being supplied with vaccine ahead of the June 7 deadline.

Thailand’s mass vaccination programme is also open to foreign residents, though they must pre-register for jabs.

Four batches of vaccine totalling 5-6 million doses will be delivered in June, the DDC said. The ministry said it will deliver 240,000 AstraZeneca doses to hospitals in the next 1-2 days and about 1 million doses at the end of each week. Provinces with higher infection rates will get more doses, though every district will get vaccine in the next 4-5 months, Sopon said. Bangkok will get a higher proportion of doses due to its large population and high infection rate.

Thailand plans to administer 100 million doses of vaccine to fully inoculate 50 million people or 70 per cent of the population within this year. AstraZeneca has pledged 61 million doses, while Sinovac will deliver 10-16 million per month in batches of 3 million.

Meanwhile the government expects talks for 20 million doses of Pfizer vaccine to be finalised in the third quarter this year. Talks are also underway for about 5 million Johnson & Johnson jabs.

Published : June 03, 2021

By : The Nation

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https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40001597

Some expats can book their jabs from June 7

Foreigners living in Thailand can register for their Covid-19 jab from June 7 onwards, Dr Sopon Iamsirithaworn, deputy director of the Department of Disease Control, told the press on Wednesday.

He explained that initially, only the elderly and people with chronic diseases will be given priority, and they can book their jabs in advance via www.thailandIntervac.com from June 7.

Currently, embassy officials, their families and staff of international organisations are being inoculated in three designated hospitals, he said, adding that more hospitals will join the programme soon.

Published : June 02, 2021

By : The Nation