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https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40000893

Thai Muslims swap mosques for social media as Covid dampens Eid celebrations

Celebration of the Eid al-Fitr festival was muted in Thailand on Thursday, as the Covid-19 crisis continued to take a toll – especially on Bangkok and its vicinity. Muslims worldwide celebrate Eid al-Fitr as the end of the Ramadan fasting period.

Traditionally, Muslims gather at mosques for the Eid prayer, before visiting relatives or friends at home to eat sweet dishes. Zakat, or almsgiving, also plays a prominent role at Eid.

However, this year Covid-19 dampened celebrations among Thai Muslims, who make up around 5 per cent of the population.

A source told The Nation Thailand that this year there was no congregation at his community mosque since locals decided to conduct the Eid prayer at home.

Neither was there a communal celebration with relatives and friends. Instead, sweets made at home were delivered to their cousins’ house, he said.

The source explained that though Eid this year was practically silent, communication via phones and internet demonstrated that Muslims were not really parted from each other.

Meanwhile, this year’s zakat donations were transferred via middlemen to those in need, including orphanages. In the past years, almsgiving was done by hand, the source said.

Muslims in several other countries celebrated Eid al-Fitr as usual this year. Photos published by Al Jazeera show people performing the Eid prayer at mosques or town squares in Indonesia, Turkey, China, Pakistan and Scotland. Almost all worshippers in the photos wore medical masks.

Published : May 15, 2021

By : The Nation

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https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40000889

Family of Covid victim sues Prayut, CCSA for THB4.5m

The mother of Kulsub Watthanaphol, a well-known figure in Thailand’s e-sport industry, filed a case at Administrative Court on Friday to demand THB4.53 million in compensation for the death of her son.

Kulsub died on April 23 during the ongoing third wave of the epidemic, becoming Thailand’s 137th Covid-19 fatality.

Kulsub’s brother, Kulchet, appeared in court as his mother’s proxy and demanded the Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration (CCSA), the prime minister, his secretary and the PM’s Office pay compensation of THB4.53 million for “negligence” in treating Kulsub, who contracted Covid-19 from an infection cluster in Bangkok.

Kulchet said that his brother died because he had not received proper treatment in time. “The CCSA announced telephone helplines – 1330, 1422, 1668, 1669 and 1323 – for people who suspected they had contracted Covid-19,” he said.

“When my brother developed Covid-like symptoms he called these numbers. However, they were either busy or someone picked up but did not send help right away.”

Negligence by agencies the family is suing was also what fuelled the Covid-19 outbreak at Thong Lor entertainment venues in late March, Kulchet added. Therefore, those agencies must pay for the damage that has befallen his family, he said.

“Had the CCSA imposed a strict lockdown on entertainment venues and banned travel during the Songkran holiday, the latest wave of Covid-19 with over 2,000 new infections daily would never have happened.”

Kulchet also explained that the THB4.53-million compensation demand was based on the money that Kulsub sent to his mother – THB15,000 every month. Since he died at 35 and would have sent the money until he was 60, his mother is now missing income of THB4.5 million, plus the funeral costs of THB30,000.

Published : May 14, 2021

By : THE NATION

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https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40000887

Modular ICUs that can be built in a week

The Siam Cement Group (SCG) and Rajavithi Hospital have co-developed modular ICU rooms for dealing with Covid-19 patients in a serious condition.

The innovation can be built in just a week.

The modular ICU will be an option for seriously ill patients in case normal ICU rooms in hospitals are not available. The extension unit separates the air circulating in the patients’ area from that of the medics.

The facility has ready medical tools, with nurses in monitoring rooms. There are also rooms for doctors, for wearing protective gear and for trash disposal.

Published : May 14, 2021

By : The Nation

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https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40000886

Transport Ministry to spend THB7.2bn on EEC road network

The Transport Ministry will spend over THB7.2 billion on building a new road network in the Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC) next year.

About THB211.61 has been allocated to the Transport Ministry in the draft budget for fiscal year 2022, said Transport Minister Saksayam Chidchob. The draft budget will be put before the House of Representatives on May 31-June 2.

The minister said that over THB100 billion of the ministry’s 2022 budget will be invested in transport and logistics projects, such as highway 35 (Rama II Road) heading south from Bangkok, and a railway linking Phrae (Den Chai district) with Chiang Rai (Chiang Khong district).

Published : May 14, 2021

By : The Nation

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https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40000884

CCSA eyes easing restrictions on red-zone provinces

The Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration (CCSA) is considering easing restrictions on provinces under strict control soon and will release a new list of guidelines on Saturday.

CCSA spokesman Taweesin Visanuyothin said the easing of restrictions will be considered based on several factors, such as outbreak characteristics, terrain, the number of people at risk of spreading the virus, and the number of vaccinated persons.

CCSA may make the following changes:

Restaurants

Maximum and strict controlled areas: A limited number of people will be allowed to dine in until 9pm and takeaways allowed until 11pm.

Maximum controlled areas: People can dine in until 11pm.

Controlled areas: Open as usual.

Sale of alcoholic beverages is still not allowed.

Schools and Tutoring Centres

Maximum controlled areas: Students allowed to attend class provided the school has received approval from relevant Provincial Public Health Offices.

Controlled areas: Classes can be held as normal, but schools must comply with measures to curb the spread of Covid-19.

Published : May 14, 2021

By : The Nation

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https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40000883

Statement of the Kingdom of Thailand on the Violence in Israel and Palestine

Thailand is deeply concerned by the ongoing violence in Israel and Palestine and strongly urges all parties concerned to exercise utmost restraint and refrain from any provocative actions that could escalate the situation and cause further casualties of innocent civilians and damages to heritage sites.

Thailand also expresses its condolences and sympathies to those who have been affected by the violence.

Published : May 14, 2021

By : Ministry of Foreign Affairs, The Nation

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https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40000882

Impact’s huge Challenger Hall set up as fully equipped field hospital

Bussarakham Hospital, a field hospital in Nonthaburi’s Impact Muang Thong Thani exhibition centre, was opened on Friday in a ceremony presided over by Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha.

The premier was accompanied by Public Health Minister Anutin Charnvirakul and Interior Minister Anupong Paochinda.

“This field hospital has been set up in cooperation with many parties and will be supervised by the Public Health Ministry,” Prayut said in his opening speech. “It is part of the government’s efforts to handle the outbreak, which includes establishing more field hospitals to treat Covid-19 patients and setting up vaccine venues and staff to inoculate as many people as possible.

Impact’s huge Challenger Hall set up as fully equipped field hospital

“We still have the ability to handle the situation better than many other countries. So, don’t lose hope or point fingers at each other,” he added. “We may have to do our best work yet, but at least what we have done is not our worst.”

Prayut also thanked frontline medics for sacrificing their time and effort to keep Covid-19 at bay. “I wish this Bussarakham Hospital will help fulfil our mission in controlling the outbreak and help us overcome this crisis together,” the premier said.

Impact’s huge Challenger Hall set up as fully equipped field hospital

Bussarakham Hospital, set up in Impact’s Challenger Hall, can accommodate 1,200 patients right away and has enough space for another 3,000 to 5,000 beds. The hospital will be staffed with 780 medical professionals, who will work in three shifts at 260 personnel per shift. The hospital is also equipped with respirators for patients who develop severe symptoms.

Impact’s huge Challenger Hall set up as fully equipped field hospital

Published : May 14, 2021

By : THE NATION

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https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40000881

Designer captures gleaming beauty of Siamese Fighting Fish for Miss Universe pageant

The shimmering beauty of the Siamese Fighting Fish was captured in Miss Universe Thailand Amanda Chalisa Obdam’s national costume for the Miss Universe 2020 pageant on Friday. The event was held in Florida.

The costume, designed by Akarach Poosanaphong, was inspired by the Siamese Fighting Fish and Suvannamaccha, a mythical mermaid princess who appeared in the Ramakien.

In her Instagram post, Amanda said: “Not only is the Siamese Fighting Fish known for its vibrant array of colours of elongated pelvic fins, but also for its courageous nature. Moreover, it has appeared in Thai classical literature such as poetry and ancient documents centuries ago.

“Thailand’s national costume ‘Siamese Fighting Fish’ is particularly inspired by the unique tricolour fish named ‘Tri Rong’ [or three colours], which was successfully bred to resemble the colours of the Thai national flag – red, white and blue. With its uniqueness and scarcity, it became the most expensive fighting fish in history,” the post read.

“Crystallised, gleaming, streaming fabric mimics the vivacious, feisty, graceful characteristics of this ‘Splendid Warrior’ fish, while elaborate accessories reflect traditional Thai art and cultural richness of Thailand.”

Published : May 14, 2021

By : The Nation

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https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40000880

Thailand reports 30 deaths, 2,256 new Covid cases

The Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration (CCSA) on Thursday reported 30 deaths and 2,256 new cases, including five returnees.

Of the deaths, 11 were in Bangkok, four in Ratchaburi, two each in Pathum Thani and Sa Kaew, and one each in Samut Prakan, Chachoengsao, Chonburi, Sukhothai, Maha Sarakham, Chiang Rai, Suphan Buri, Nonthaburi, Roi-Et, Phattalung and Surat Thani.

The ages of those who succumbed to the virus ranged from 15 to 85, and they all reportedly suffered from chronic conditions like high blood pressure, diabetes, obesity, etc.

Meanwhile, the returnees were five Thais, two each from Malaysia and Cambodia, and one from the United Arab Emirates.

In terms of new infections, Bangkok again topped the list with 1,087 new cases, followed by 157 in Pathum Thani, 131 in Nonthaburi and 121 in Samut Prakan.

Over the last 24 hours, 1,702 patients have recovered and been discharged.

As of Friday, the number of confirmed cases in Thailand had risen to 96,050. Of these, 89,595 infections had been contracted locally, 3,437 were returnees, while 3,018 were detainees.

So far, 62,316 have recovered and been discharged, 33,186 are still in hospitals, and 548 have died.

Meanwhile, another 21,302 people were given their first Covid-19 shot in the last 24 hours, while 63,067 were given their second shot, bringing the total number of Covid-19 vaccine doses administered in Thailand to 2,124,732.

Separately, according to Worldometer as of 11am on Friday, the number of confirmed cases globally had risen to 161.82 million (up by 743,191), 139.62 million of whom have recovered, 18.85 million are active cases (104,224 in severe condition) and 3.35 million have died (up by 13,398).

Thailand ranks 94th on the global list of most cases, which is topped by the US with 33.62 million, followed by India 24.04 million, Brazil 15.43 million, France 5.84 million, and Turkey 5.08 million.

Published : May 14, 2021

By : The Nation

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https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40000878

Govt campaigns for people to get their Covid jab

In a bid to build herd immunity and reduce the number of Covid-19 cases as soon as possible, the government has been encouraging people to get their jabs.

Currently, people can sign up for a jab via the Mor Phrom (Doctors Ready) Line application, make an appointment with medical facilities or even show up at the vaccination venues.

Meanwhile, the Department of Disease Control (DDC) is advising people who want to receive a Covid-19 jab without registering to:

• Check out which medical facility provides the service or the nearest vaccination venue

• Prepare ID card or other identity documents like passport

• Inform officials at medical facilities or vaccination station – if the queue is full, officials will make an appointment with the recipient for the following day

• Those with chronic diseases are advised to consult a doctor before getting a jab.

The Public Health Ministry has indicated that around 30 per cent of the jabs will be booked through the Mor Phrom app, 50 per cent through hospitals and 20 per cent will be walk-ins.

However, it said, adjustments can be made depending on the circumstances.

Dr Kiattiphum Wongrajit, Public Health Ministry’s permanent secretary, said mass vaccinations will be rolled out from June, once all preparations have been made. He also said Thailand will have enough Covid-19 vaccines for everyone.

Published : May 14, 2021

By : The Nation