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https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40001136

Buri Ram’s PPE heroes and their ‘super saleng’

Medics from Buri Ram’s Phrakhon Chai hospital beat the heat by driving a “saleng” or sidecar to locals’ homes to test them for Covid-19.

The medics took a sidecar to people’s homes on May 16.

Prasit Paprakon, a medic at the hospital, said he and his colleagues had finished testing 59 locals, but six persons could not leave their homes.

So, he decided to borrow a sidecar to drive to their homes.

He said that was the only way he and other medics in PPE suits could beat the sweltering heat.

Published : May 21, 2021

By : The Nation

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https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40001134

ONCB joins Australian probe into huge meth haul found on cargo ship from Thailand

Thailand’s Office of the Narcotics Control Board (ONCB) will work with Australia Federal Police (AFP) in investigating the syndicate behind the 316kg of methamphetamine found on a cargo ship from Thailand.

ONCB secretary-general Wichai Chaimongkol said the cargo had been loaded on a Chinese vessel, which left Laem Chabang on March 25.

“The cargo was then transferred to a Portuguese vessel in Singapore and arrived in Australia on April 30,” he said.

ONCB joins Australian probe into huge meth haul found on cargo ship from Thailand

The Australian Border Force intercepted the vessel on May 4 when it docked at Port Botany in Sydney. They found 316 kilos of crystalised meth or “ice” hidden in 62 large cardboard boxes labelled as food items and electric barbeque grills. The drug haul is estimated to have a street value of 94.5 million Australian dollars, or about THB2.29 billion.

“The ONCB have contacted related agencies at Thai embassies overseas to submit financial records and statements of those who are involved with the cargo ship,” said Wichai.

“We have also summoned the truck driver who had delivered the cardboard boxes to the ship for questioning. We believe that arrest warrants for those who are behind the operation will be issued very soon.”

ONCB joins Australian probe into huge meth haul found on cargo ship from Thailand

Wichai added that the ONCB and AFP have been exchanging intelligence relating to international drug trafficking, money laundering and other crime syndicates to ensure effective law enforcement in the Asia-Australia regions.

Published : May 21, 2021

By : THE NATION

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https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40001132

Nearly 3,500 new Covid-19 cases and 32 deaths

The Ministry of Public Health on Friday morning reported 3,481 new patients in the past 24 hours, 951 of them in prisons, and 32 deaths.

Meanwhile 2,868 patients were cured and discharged from hospitals.

Cumulative cases in the country have risen to 123,066 while 735 people have died.

Published : May 21, 2021

By : THE NATION

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https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40001129

Phuket getting ready for tourism sandbox campaign

Deputy Phuket governor Phichet Panaphong on Thursday held a meeting with the communicable disease committee, provincial public health office and representatives from the private sector at the city hall to discuss preparations and progress of the “Phuket Tourism Sandbox” campaign to be launched on July 1.

Under the sandbox scheme, tourists who can verify they have been inoculated with two doses against Covid-19 and test negative can fly into Phuket and move around freely without having to quarantine.

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

Phuket getting ready for tourism sandbox campaign

“Tourists must provide the test result not later than 72 hours prior to arrival, and they will be tested again at the airport when they land,” said Phichet. “They can move freely in Phuket for seven nights before they can travel to other parts of the country.”

Dr Chaloemphol Sukhanthaphol, director of Vachira Phuket Hospital, added that the province had received 400,000 doses of Sinovac vaccine from the government and had already inoculated about 100,000 people since May 18.

Phuket getting ready for tourism sandbox campaign

“We expect to give 200,000 doses for the first jab from May 18 to 31, while the rest will be given as second jab from June onwards,” he said. “Also in June, another 150,000 doses of AstraZeneca vaccine will arrive. This will help us achieve the goal of inoculating 70 per cent of the population faster as AstraZeneca vaccine can increase immunity against Covid-19 by up to 70 per cent after the first jab.”

Phichet added that besides inoculating 70 per cent of Phuket locals, the province will also prepare hospitals and medical professionals in case of an unexpected event after the sandbox programme starts.

Phuket getting ready for tourism sandbox campaign

“We will prepare for the new era of tourism, whereas the quality of the tourists is the main focus instead of quantity. From now on Phuket’s tourism will be clean, safe, fair and environmentally friendly,” he said.

The deputy governor then answered inquiries from local entrepreneurs who attended the meeting and promised to use their suggestions in adjusting the framework of the sandbox campaigns before submitting it to the Cabinet and Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration for approval.

Published : May 21, 2021

By : THE NATION

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https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40001130

Public hearings on Universal Coverage Scheme being held online amid pandemic

The National Health Security Office (NHSO) is holding virtual public hearings to improve the Universal Coverage Scheme (UCS) and answer stakeholders needs, a senior official has said.

The NHSO has not suspended its public hearings despite the Covid-19 third wave in Thailand, said Dr Jedsada Chokdamrongsuk, chairman of NHSO’s subcommittee for communication and public hearing.

“Public hearing is at the heart of UCS’s establishment. The NHSO is committed to engage all stakeholders in its decision-making process as described in Article 18 of the National Health Security Act, which became effective in 2002,” he said.

The NHSO has annually run public hearings to get feedback and hear suggestions from UCS stakeholders, including health providers, patient groups, local administrative organisations, and vulnerable populations.

This year, a series of public hearings from early March to June, are held mainly via Facebook Live and Zoom due to the pandemic. The hearings have been held in four out of 13 NHSO regional areas such as region 13 (Bangkok), region 10 (Ubon Ratchathani), region 9 (Nakhon Ratchasima), and region 8 (Udon Thani), he said.

Public hearings on Universal Coverage Scheme being held online amid pandemic

The NHSO plans to organise virtual public hearings in the rest of the regional areas by the end of May. All opinions will be gathered, analysed, and put in policy recommendations to be discussed during the national-level public hearing on June 25, Dr Jedsada said.

There are seven main issues to be discussed: the scope of public health services provided under UCS, the standard of health services, UCS fund management, NHSO’s operation, Community Health Fund management, stakeholders’ participation, health literacy, and healthcare rights protection, he said.

Public hearings on Universal Coverage Scheme being held online amid pandemic

“Since the introduction of UCS 18 years ago, we have put in consistent efforts to improve the scheme by increasing the benefits package coverage, improving healthcare access, and healthcare rights protection for the beneficiaries,” Dr Jedsada said.

“We are well aware that public hearing gives the UCS ownership to all stakeholders, which make it a crucial element that brings sustainability to the UCS,” he said.

Published : May 21, 2021

By : The Nation

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https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40001122

Ministry to probe gunfire at helicopter in Phetchaburi national park

Minister of Natural Resources and Environment Warawut Silpa-archa on Thursday vowed to investigate the incident of a helicopter of Kaeng Krachan National Park being shot at while surveying the Phetchaburi national park on Wednesday.

Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation chief Thanya Netithamkul said on Thursday that he had reported the matter to the minister.

“The shooting is a serious crime against national park rangers and will be met with swift legal action,” Thanya said.

Ministry to probe gunfire at helicopter in Phetchaburi national park

Six national park officers were in an AS350 helicopter, on a monthly survey of the forest and looking out for any encroachment.

The pilot reportedly saw a man and a woman dashing into a hut that was built in a protected area after they spotted the chopper approaching. The man subsequently ran out with a homemade gun and fired a round towards the rear of the helicopter.

After the incident, the pilot landed the chopper at the Jai Phaen Din ranger base about 7 kilometres away. No officers were injured but the helicopter has a 4-5 cemtimetre long scratch mark on the left side below the window.

Ministry to probe gunfire at helicopter in Phetchaburi national park

Lt-Colonel Thanom Sirimuang who piloted the chopper said that he suspected that the chopper was shot by a shotgun, judging from the gun’s length and smoke that came out of the barrel.

The department has also filed a case at Kaeng Krachan Police Station to track down the shooter and the woman, who were believed to be encroaching on national forest lands.

Published : May 21, 2021

By : THE NATION

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https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40001121

No workers escaped Covid-hit Bangkok camp

Officials have denied a rumour that workers have escaped from a Bangkok construction camp that has been sealed off after an outbreak of Covid-19.

The outbreak was reported last Thursday (May 13) at a camp in Lak Si district run by Italian-Thai Development Plc.

By yesterday, 1,060 of the 1,667 workers in the camp had tested positive for Covid-19. Of those infected, 819 have been sent to hospital while the rest are isolating within the sealed camp. Authorities are delivering three meals a day to the groups of infected and non-infected workers at the camp, who have been separated from each other.

Police and soldiers guarding the workers told reporters that no one had escaped from the camp, despite the rumours. They added that anyone caught escaping faces up to one year in jail and a maximum fine of THB100,000.

Published : May 21, 2021

By : The Nation

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40001119

Thundershowers forecast for Bangkok and all regions

The Thailand Meteorological Department said on Friday that a rather strong southwest monsoon prevails over Thailand, the Andaman Sea and the Gulf of Thailand, leading to thundershowers, isolated heavy rains and gusty winds in the South and the East.

People in these regions should beware of the severe conditions, the department said.

Waves in the Andaman Sea are above two metres during thundershowers. All ships should proceed with caution, the department said.

The weather forecast for the next 24 hours:

North: Hot to very hot day with thundershowers in 10 per cent of the region; gusty winds are possible in some areas; temperature lows of 24-29 degrees Celsius, highs of 37-40°C.

Northeast: Thundershowers in 30 per cent of the areas; gusty winds are possible in some areas; temperature lows of 24-27°C, highs of 35-37°C.

Central: Thundershowers in 20 per cent of the region; gusty winds are possible in some areas; temperature lows of 25-27°C, highs of 36-38°C.

East: Thundershowers in 40 per cent of the region with isolated heavy rains; temperature lows of 23-26°C, highs of 32-36°C; waves 1-2 metres high and two metres during thundershowers.

South (east coast): Thundershowers in 60 per cent of the region with isolated heavy rains; temperature lows of 24-26°C, highs of 33-36°C; waves 1-2 metres high and two metres during thundershowers.

South (west coast): Mostly cloudy with thundershowers in 60 per cent of the areas and isolated heavy rains; temperature lows of 23-26°C, highs of 31-34°C; waves two metres high and over two metres during thundershowers.

Bangkok and surrounding areas: Thundershowers in 20 per cent of the areas; temperature lows of 24-26°C, highs of 34-37°C.

Source: Thailand Meteorological Department

Published : May 21, 2021

By : THE NATION

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40001109

Bangkok convenience stores to offer jabs from June 7

All adults in Bangkok can book their Covid-19 vaccination at convenience stores from June 7, City Hall said on Thursday.

“We are now asking operators to help to reserve vaccinations through convenience stores, malls and hospitals,” said Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) spokesperson Pongsakorn Kwanmuang.

Guidelines for people aged 18-59 who want to reserve a jab from June 7 would be announced next Tuesday (May 25), he added.

The announcement came after the National Communicable Diseases Committee instructed all provincial governors to launch on-site registration for jabs from June 7.

Bangkok has reserved all of its allocated vaccine to inoculate at-risk medical and frontline staff battling 34 cluster outbreaks in the capital. The Public Health Ministry is deploying additional vaccine doses to the worst-hit districts. So far, 519,022 doses have been administered in Bangkok.

Another 2.5 million jabs are expected to arrive in June, allowing vaccination centres across Bangkok to open to all adults aged 18-59.

Meanwhile, those aged over 60 or with chronic health conditions who have already registered for jabs via the Mor Prom app and other channels are still advised to get vaccinated at hospital so they can be monitored by a doctor

Published : May 21, 2021

By : The Nation

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https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40001108

Bangkok bus drivers jabbed from Monday

Bangkok public bus drivers and conductors will be vaccinated against Covid-19 at Bang Sue Grand Station from May 24-31, Bangkok Mass Transit Authority (BMTA) said on Thursday. The move is part of efforts to vaccinate all frontline transport workers to boost confidence among commuters and contain the surge of infections in the capital, said BMTA director Surachai Iamwachirasakul.

Bangkok recorded 1,001 new Covid-19 infections and 11 deaths on Thursday.

Bangkok authorities have urged all operators of buses, taxis, tuk-tuks and motorbike taxis to register for free Covid-19 vaccination by tomorrow (May 21). The jab rollout at Bang Sue station will launch on Monday.

Published : May 21, 2021

By : The Nation