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https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40001346

Chulabhorn Royal Academy to import, sell Covid-19 vaccine

The Royal Gazette website on Wednesday published an announcement by Chulabhorn Royal Academy stipulating that the academy had granted its secretary-general the power to enter into a trade agreement with public and private organisations, both domestic and overseas, in matters relating to the provision of medical and public health services during the emergency situation amid the Covid-19 pandemic.

The announcement also said all medical equipment, drugs and vaccines imported by the academy would be considered its property for the purpose of medicine and public health and will not be liable to any kind of legal execution.

On Thursday the academy invited the media to a press conference titled “Approaches to procure and import an alternative Covid-19 vaccine from Sinopharm”, which is held in association with the Public Health Ministry and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), on Friday (May 28) at the academy office located on Chaengwatthana Road, Soi 7, Bangkok.

On Monday, FDA secretary-general Dr Paisan Dankhum said Bio Genetech Ltd, an importer of Sinopharm’s Covilo vaccine, had submitted complete documentation to register the vaccine for use in Thailand and expected approval to come soon.

A news source speculated that Thailand would import at least 1 million doses of Covilo as an alternative to the main Sinovac and AstraZeneca vaccines.

Published : May 27, 2021

By : THE NATION

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40001344

Isolated heavy rains forecast for North, Northeast, South

Don’t get caught in an unexpected shower: isolated heavy rains are forecast for the North, the Northeast and the South as a monsoon trough lies across these regions while the southwest monsoon prevails across the Andaman Sea and the Gulf of Thailand, the Meteorological Department said on Thursday.

It advised all ships to proceed with caution while small boats should keep ashore as waves in the Andaman Sea are 2-4 metres high and above 4 metres during thundershowers.

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

Bangkok and surrounding areas: Mostly cloudy with thundershowers in 40 per cent of the area; temperature lows of 26-27 degrees, highs of 33-36 degrees Celsius.

North: Mostly cloudy with thundershowers in 60 per cent of the area; isolated heavy rains are possible in some areas; temperature lows of 23-25 degrees and highs of 34-35 degrees Celsius.

Northeast: Cloudy with thundershowers in 70 per cent of the area; isolated heavy rains are possible in some areas; temperature lows of 24-25 degrees and highs of 32-35 degrees Celsius.

Central: Mostly cloudy with thundershowers in 40 per cent of the area; temperature lows of 23-27 degrees, highs of 34-36 degrees Celsius.

East: Cloudy with thundershowers in 60 per cent of the area with isolated heavy rains; temperature lows of 24-27 degrees, highs of 31-35 degrees Celsius; waves 2 metres high and over 2 metres during thundershowers.

South (east coast): Mostly cloudy with thundershowers in 60 per cent of the area and isolated heavy rains; temperature lows of 24-26 degrees, highs of 32-35 degrees Celsius; waves 1-2 metres high and 2 metres during thundershowers.

South (west coast): Mostly cloudy with thundershowers in 70 per cent of the area and isolated heavy rains; temperature lows of 21-25 degrees, highs of 29-34 degrees Celsius; waves 2-4 metres high and over 4 metres during thundershowers.

Source: Thailand Meteorological Department

Published : May 27, 2021

By : THE NATION

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https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40001328

First 9 batches of Thai-made AstraZeneca jabs pass quality checks

The first nine batches of AstraZeneca vaccine produced in Thailand have passed official quality checks, the Department of Medical Sciences (DMS) announced on Wednesday.

The department is awaiting results of its checks on another five batches of vaccine sent by local manufacturer Siam Bioscience, DMS chief Dr Supakit Sirilak said.

Siam Bioscience delivered the five batches for checking on Tuesday (May 25), with results expected after three days.

Each batch contains between 1 million and 2 million doses. However, the next batches may be increased to 2.5-3 million doses each once the company gains confidence in the product, said Dr Supakit.

The vaccine is being produced by Siam Bioscience via a technology-transfer deal with AstraZeneca.

AstraZeneca has confirmed that the first batch of vaccine will be delivered next month. Mass vaccination in Thailand is due to start on June 7.

Published : May 26, 2021

By : The Nation

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https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40001327

36m people to get 2nd shots from Oct-Dec: ministry

Thailand plans to administer first doses of AstraZeneca vaccine to 36 million people between June and September, the Public Health Ministry revealed on Wednesday.

The three-month plan for the first phase of mass inoculation was agreed at Tuesday’s Cabinet meeting, the ministry said.

The second doses would be administered from October to December.

The mass vaccination will target the general public as well as nine other groups. These include medical and frontline staff, people with chronic conditions, the over-60s, Thais leaving to study or work abroad, staff of embassies and international agencies, social security system members, and foreign residents.

Taweesin Visanuyothin, spokesperson of the Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration, said on Wednesday that the vaccination plan is being revised to target outbreaks first, so as to contain the risk of virus transmission.

Published : May 26, 2021

By : The Nation

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40001326

8,000 workers tested in Bangkok’s Huai Khwang after construction site outbreaks

Health officials in central Bangkok’s Huai Khwang district aim to test a total of 8,000 workers after Covid-19 was discovered at two construction sites in the district.

The tests are being administered by a mobile unit in Watthanatham Market on Watthanatham Road.

“The unit will provide testing by swab until May 28 to workers from 25 construction sites in Huai Khwang,” said district chief Anuchit Phiphitkul on Wednesday.

“The district has launched an active case finding campaign after a cluster of 16 infections was reported at a construction site run by Italian Thai Development on Phetchaburi Road,” he said.

The site has been ordered to shut down until Friday, while test results for over 1,000 workers are expected back this evening, he added.

Anuchit said officials are also monitoring a construction site run by Siamese Rama IX Ltd on Rama IX Soi 13 in Bang Kapi subdistrict after four infections were reported at food stalls near the workers’ camp.

The district office ordered the construction site to be closed from May 22-26 (today) to test about 500 workers, whose results are due back today. The workers have been ordered not to leave the camp.

Published : May 26, 2021

By : THE NATION

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https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40001325

Sinovac jab provides over 80% protection, Phuket study finds

A recent survey shows that the Sinovac jabs administered in Phuket have brought the chance of contracting Covid-19 down by up to 83.3 per cent.

Dr Kiattiphum Wongrajit, Public Health permanent secretary, said some 22 per cent of Phuket’s population has received two doses of the Sinovac vaccine, while 45 per cent have received their first jab.

“We studied 1,366 people in the high-risk group who had close contact with confirmed patients in Phuket,” he said. “We found that the chance of contracting the virus had dropped by 73.1 per cent among those who had their first jab and by 83.3 per cent among those who got both jabs.

“Of the 31 infected patients who received one dose of the Sinovac vaccine, only four developed pneumonia, while six patients who received both doses showed no sign of pneumonia,” he added.

“Also, since the start of May, Phuket has seen no new patients among those who have received both doses of Sinovac.

“This proves that Sinovac is effective in preventing the transmission of the virus and reducing the chance of developing severe symptoms,” Kiattiphum said.

“However, people who have received both their jabs are still urged to wear facemasks, wash hands regularly and maintain social distancing to remain completely safe from the virus.”

Phuket was chosen to pilot the government’s tourism sandbox scheme, under which tourists who can prove they have been inoculated against Covid-19 and test negative can fly into Phuket and move around freely without having to quarantine. The programme is set to kick off on July 1, while the province aims to inoculate up to 70 per cent of its population to build herd immunity against the virus.

Similar schemes will be applied to other destinations like Pattaya, Chiang Mai, Krabi, Phang Nga and Surat Thani once more people have been vaccinated and more preventive measures put in place.

Published : May 26, 2021

By : THE NATION

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https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40001324

Man shoots girlfriend in Bangkok taxi after she breaks up with him

A 53-year-old man fatally shot his girlfriend, 19, in a taxi on Wednesday after she told him she was ending their relationship.

The shooting took place close to the Big C Rama II complex on Rama II Road in the west of the city. The shooter exited the taxi and tried to flee but was caught by locals and police.

His girlfriend was rushed to hospital but died from her injury.

Police say the man confessed to shooting his girlfriend when a fight broke out between them after she said she was breaking up their seven-year relationship.

Published : May 26, 2021

By : The Nation

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40001323

CCSA suspends Mor Prom app for jab reservation

The Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration (CCSA) said vaccine reservation process via the Mor Prom (Doctors Ready) application has been suspended, but it can still be used for other services.

CCSA spokesperson Dr Taweesin Visanuyothin said other channels will be set up for people to register for the jab, adding that those who have already registered via Mor Phrom will get their shot on the day scheduled.

Published : May 26, 2021

By : The Nation

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https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40001322

Thailand hits new record high of 41 deaths, 2,455 confirmed cases

The Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration (CCSA) on Wednesday reported 2,455 new cases, including 16 returnees, and a record high of 41 deaths.

Bangkok led the list with 975 cases, followed by 259 in Petchaburi, 122 in Nonthaburi and 100 in Samut Prakan.

The capital also led the list of fatalities with 16 dead, followed by seven in Samut Prakan, three in Nonthaburi, two each in Chonburi and Pathum Thani, and one each in Singburi, Sukhothai, Udon Thani, Narathiwat, Loei, Sakhon Nakhon, Nakhon Sawan, Prachin Buri, Trang, Nakhon Si Thammarat and Samut Sakhon.

Of the 16 returnees, 13 were Thais, including seven from Cambodia, three from Saudi Arabia and one each from Malaysia, India and the US. The three foreign arrivals were Kuwaiti, Maldivian and Myanmar from their home country.

Meanwhile, 2,571 patients have recovered and been discharged in the last 24 hours.

As of Wednesday, the number of confirmed cases in Thailand had risen to 137,894. So far, 91,765 people have recovered and been discharged, 45,256 patients are still in hospitals and 873 have died.

Meanwhile, another 113,486 people were given their first Covid-19 shot in the last 24 hours, while 9,428 people were given their second shot, bringing the total number of Covid-19 vaccine doses administered in Thailand to 3,147,227.

According to Worldometer, as of 11am on Wednesday, the number of confirmed cases globally had risen to 168.51 million (up by 523,429), 150.01 million of whom have recovered, 15.01 million are active cases (96,302 in severe condition) and 3.49 million have died (up by 12,086).

Thailand ranks 85th on the global list of most cases, which is topped by the US with 33.94 million, followed by India 27.15 million, Brazil 16.19 million, France 5.6 million and Turkey 5.2 million.

Published : May 26, 2021

By : The Nation

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40001319

Experts evaluate Airport Rail Link system before handover on Oct 25

Another 1.7 billion baht has been injected in the Airport Rail Link project and foreign experts sent to inspect the rail system as well as the readiness of stations before the system goes into operation on October 25.

The Eastern High-Speed Rail Linking Three Airports Co Ltd said it hopes to elevate the rail link into a mass transit system that encompasses travel routes between Bangkok and its suburbs. The high-speed rail project will also link the three main airports in Greater Bangkok, namely Don Mueang, Suvarnabhumi and U-Tapao, from 2026.

Supachai Chearavanont, chief executive officer of Charoen Pokphand Group and chair of the Eastern High-Speed Rail Linking Three Airports Co’s executive board, said the company was ready to ensure a smooth transition from the State Railway of Thailand as per contract. He said the system has been progressing according to plan and set timeline.

Foreign and local experts are also conducting detailed site visits and collecting opinions about the rail link’s development and improvements to ensure seamless service upon handover.

“This project is the nation’s hope in reviving the economy, thus the company has been working to provide passengers a better travel experience once we take over operations.

“This has to be excellent from the first step with readiness in all aspects,” Supachai said.

Sarit Jinnasith, president of Eastern High-Speed Rail Linking Three Airports Co Ltd, said that though his company will receive management rights from October 25, it has found the need to invest more in operations and station improvements to ensure the provision of seamless service.

“The company prioritises preparations for the handover, thus when foreign experts recommended an improvement in the system and stations, the company decided to pour an additional 1.7 billion baht before the official handover,” he said.

Apart from improving the operation before the handover, the company is also planning further development and improvements in other aspects to boost safety and security, as well as enhance the level of service.

The project’s overview and progress can be viewed at

Published : May 26, 2021

By : The Nation