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https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40000854

Universities can open from June 14

The government has given universities the green light to open from June 14 for the start of the academic year.

On Thursday, the Ministry of Higher Education, Science and Innovation said universities could choose between onsite or online learning, or a mixture of both, according to their virus-prevention capacity.

Those that choose to open for onsite learning must adhere to strict Covid-19 control measures, it added. The ministry is working to create standards for online study to ensure learning outcomes are the same as from studying in lecture rooms.

Meanwhile, ministry secretary Duangrit Benjatiku said vaccination of personnel would help universities to open faster.

University chancellors around the country are keen to have all teachers, staff and students vaccinated before the semester starts. The ministry believes that although students are less likely to develop dangerous symptoms from Covid-19, they should still be vaccinated because they can transmit the virus to vulnerable groups.

Published : May 13, 2021

By : The Nation

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40000853

Narathiwat aims to jab over 60% of residents by August

Narathiwat on Thursday targeted vaccination of more than 60 per cent of its population by August.

Governor Jessada Jitrat revealed that 500,000 (62.5 per cent) of the province’s 800,000 residents would be offered the jab over the next two-three months.

Jessada was speaking after a video meeting with Interior Minister Gen Anupong Paochinda to discuss Covid-prevention measures in the southern border province.

The Interior Minister has instructed all provincial governors to arrange public awareness campaigns on the benefits and importance of being vaccinated against Covid-19.

Jessada revealed that 11,177 people had so far signed up for the Covid-19 jabs in Narathiwat.

Published : May 13, 2021

By : The Nation

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https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40000852

Free internet for low-income Thai households in pipeline

Digital Economy and Society (DES) Minister Chaiwut Thanakhamanusorn has revealed progress on moves to widen internet access for Thais on low income.

Options discussed at a ministry meeting on Thursday included giving free internet access to poor households, Chaiwut said.

The ministry is waiting for approval to appoint a working group that will push the internet as a key tool for reducing socio-economic inequality, which has worsened during the Covid-19 crisis.

Chaiwut said that as well as daily communication and news updates, the internet enables people to register for government relief, purchase products, and make online payments. All these are impossible without an internet signal, which should be considered basic infrastructure, he added. The ministry was therefore pushing to make the internet a widely accessible public utility.

The plan is to reduce the cost of online access for people suffering financial burdens from the Covid-19 crisis, just as the government subsidises electricity and water bills for holders of state welfare cards, he said.

Published : May 13, 2021

By : The Nation

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40000849

PM checks two more shop-and-jab stations in Bangkok malls

Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha oversaw preparations at two more Bangkok vaccination stations on Thursday.

Prayut led a government delegation to “shop-and-jab” points at Chamchuri Square and Samyan Mitrtown in Pathumwan district, a day after his trip to the vaccination station at Central Plaza Ladprao in Chatuchak district.

The vaccination point on Chamchuri Square’s fourth floor will jab around 1,000 people per day from 8.30am-4.30pm, starting Monday next week (May 17).

Meanwhile, the vaccination station on Samyan Mitrtown’s fifth floor will operate from 8am-5pm, injecting up to 1,500 people per day.

PM checks two more shop-and-jab stations in Bangkok mallsPM checks two more shop-and-jab stations in Bangkok malls

The stations, which offer vaccination and symptom-monitoring by medical staff, are being launched across the capital in a joint effort by City Hall and the Board of Trade.

The jabs are currently being administered to registered medical staff and at-risk frontline workers such as teachers, bus drivers and daycare centre staff before being rolled out to the general public in June.

Fourteen vaccination stations have been prepared in Bangkok at the following locations:

1. Central Plaza Ladprao (run by staff from Ramathibodi Hospital)

2. Central Plaza Pinklao (Vajira Hospital)

3. Iconsiam (Siriraj Hospital)

4. True Digital Park (Siriraj Hospital)

5. Samyan Mitrtown (Chulalongkorn Hospital)

6. SCG Bangsue (Department of Medical Services)

7. The Mall Bang Kapi (Nopparatrajathanee Hospital)

8. The Mall Bang Khae (Siam University’s faculties of medicine and nursing)

9. Thanya Park (Bangpakok Hospital Group – BHG)

10. Asiatique (BHG)

11. Robinson Lifestyle Latkrabang (BHG)

12. Tesco Lotus Minburi (BHG)

13. Big C Bangbon (BHG)

14. PTT Station, Rama II (BHG)

The Board of Trade will set up an additional 11 vaccination points to bring the total in Bangkok to 25.

PM checks two more shop-and-jab stations in Bangkok mallsPM checks two more shop-and-jab stations in Bangkok malls

Once up and running, the 25 points will be able to vaccinate 38,000-50,000 people per day.

All the vaccination points will operate for seven months in a bid to achieve herd immunity. Bangkok authorities are aiming to inoculate 70 per cent of city residents over the next two months.

Published : May 13, 2021

By : The Nation

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40000848

Bangkok workers camp closed after 196 test positive

Bangkok’s Lak Si District Office has ordered the closure of an Italian-Thai Development (ITD) workers’ camp after 196 labourers tested positive for Covid-19.

The office has also urged ITD to ensure its workers stay within a specific area, so they can be checked.

Published : May 13, 2021

By : The Nation

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40000847

Elephant limps away after collision with 10-wheel truck

A 10-wheel truck smashed into a wild elephant on a dark road in a Buri Ram wildlife sanctuary early this morning, causing damage to both the vehicle and the animal.

Non Din Daeng police and officers from Dong Yai Wildlife Sanctuary rushed to the scene after being alerted to the accident at 3.30am.

The driver of the truck, Lampong Faikhao, told police he was transporting eucalyptus wood from Sisaket to Chonburi. He said the elephant appeared suddenly in front of the truck, making a collision unavoidable.

The elephant was able to limp away from the crash with an injured left rear leg, though extensive damage to the front of the truck indicated a high-impact collision. Sanctuary officials have called in veterinarians to examine the elephant.

Published : May 13, 2021

By : The Nation

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40000846

Agency takes steps to help disabled people deal with Covid impact

The Committee for the Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities has come up with new measures to help the disabled deal with the impact of Covid-19 outbreak, deputy government spokesperson Ratchada Thanadirek said on Wednesday.

“Those who have taken loans from the committee will be given a debt moratorium until March 31 next year,” she said. “The fund will also provide emergency interest-free loans of up to 10,000 baht per person. No guarantors will be required for this loan.

“Applications will be accepted until September 30 and the loan consideration process will take no more than two months from the application date,” she added.

The validity of ID cards held by persons with disabilities will be extended by another six months, so they don’t need to visit the relevant department to renew them.

“This measure will benefit some 50,000 people whose card is scheduled to expire this year,” she added.

The committee has also called on the Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration (CCSA) to consider administering vaccines to disabled persons who do not meet conditions set by the government.

Covid-19 jabs are currently only being provided for people above the age of 60 and those with chronic conditions. There are some 800,000 disabled persons who do not fit the priorities, the committee said, but they should get vaccinated first due to their limited capability of movement.

“The committee is also planning to set up a field hospital that specializes in treating disabled people at the Thailand Science Park in Pathum Thani,” Ratchada said. “The facility will be equipped with special facilities and sign-language translators will also be on hand. There will be 220 beds.”

Published : May 13, 2021

By : THE NATION

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https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40000844

Bangkok community calls for proactive tests after 41 residents infected

Rim Klong Samsen community members are calling on the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) to launch proactive tests in their area as they fear an explosion of new Covid cases.

Somnuek Thapnoi, former area chief, said since April, 41 members of the community had tested positive for Covid-19, while 80 people were under self-isolation.

He said the community committee has been cooking meals for those who have been isolated, adding that 328 households had donated 20 baht each to fund the meals.

“We ask BMA to conduct proactive tests in the community as soon as possible because there is a risk of the area becoming a new Covid cluster in Bangkok,” he said.

Meanwhile, officials from the Ratchathewi District Office have taken 50 people facing the risk of infection in the community to take swab tests at the Kingpetch School.

The officials said community members will have to wait for their turn as many people are waiting to take Covid-19 tests.

Published : May 13, 2021

By : The Nation

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40000842

Kanchanaburi catches over 100 smuggled Myanmar migrants in one day

Kanchanaburi police arrested 105 illegal migrants as they were being smuggled through two border villages on Thursday.

The drama began on Thursday morning when officers waved down four pick-up trucks at Huay U Long Village in Thong Pha Phum district.

“Upon seeing the police, the first truck immediately stopped and tried to back up until it hit the following truck, resulting in both of them turning over,” Kanchanaburi police chief Woranan Sukjaroen said.

Of the 19 migrants on the first truck and eight on the second, six were injured, he added.

“The drivers of both vehicles managed to flee the scene during the commotion.”

Kanchanaburi catches over 100 smuggled Myanmar migrants in one day

Police said that two more trucks following behind were stopped by officials, who found 18 migrants and one Thai driver in the third truck, and 31 migrants but no sign of the driver on the fourth.

“In total, 76 Myanmar migrants were arrested this morning with one driver,” Woranan said. “The suspects admitted that they crossed the border by boat at Huay Kob Village in Thong Pha Phum district and hired an agent to take them to destinations in Thailand via pick-up trucks for THB16,000 per person.”

Also on Thursday, Kanchanaburi border patrol soldiers arrested a group of 29 Myanmar nationals and one Thai guide at Ban Pratudan Village in Muang district after they failed to present entry documents.

“The suspects said they walked across a mountain from Dawei city in southeastern Myanmar and were heading to find jobs in Samut Prakan province,” said the official. “The guide also admitted to collecting a fee of THB13,000 to 20,000 per person.”

All the suspects were taken to Muang Kanchanaburi Police Station for Covid-19 tests and to be charged.

Kanchanaburi catches over 100 smuggled Myanmar migrants in one day

The number of Myanmar nationals caught crossing the border has risen dramatically since the country’s military regime launched a brutal crackdown on civilian resistance following the February 1 coup.

Published : May 13, 2021

By : THE NATION

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40000838

Prison cluster pushes daily Covid caseload to 4,887, 32 deaths

The Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration (CCSA) on Thursday reported 32 deaths and 4,887 new cases, including 16 returnees. Of the new patients, 2,835 were prisoners in the Bangkok Remand Prison and the Central Women’s Correctional Institution.

Of the deaths, 17 were in Bangkok, three in Nakhon Ratchasima, two each in Pathum Thani and Chiang Mai, and one each in Surin, Saraburi, Nakhon Pathom, Phayao, Nakhon Si Thammarat, Surat Thani, Phetchaburi and Phuket.

The ages of those who succumbed to the virus ranged from 38 to 93, and they all reportedly suffered from chronic conditions like high blood pressure, diabetes, obesity, etc.

Meanwhile, the returnees included nine Thais – two each from Laos, Cambodia and Malaysia and one each from Iran, Myanmar and Indonesia. The rest were an American from the US and six arrivals from India, including two Ukrainians, two Polish nationals, one Russian and one Indian.

Bangkok again topped the list with 1,069 new cases, followed by 194 in Samut Prakan and 105 in Pathum Thani.

Over the last 24 hours, 1,572 patients have recovered and been discharged.

As of Thursday, the number of confirmed cases in Thailand had risen to 93,794. Of these, 87,527 infections had been contracted locally, 3,432 were returnees, while 2,835 were detainees.

So far, 60,615 have recovered and been discharged, 32,661 are still in hospitals, and 518 have died.

Meanwhile, another 22,753 people were given their first Covid-19 shot in the last 24 hours, while 81,529 were given their second shot, bringing the total number of Covid-19 vaccine doses administered in Thailand to 2,040,363.

Published : May 13, 2021

By : The Nation