Air Force delivers oxygen concentrators to India, brings infected Thai embassy staff home
The Royal Thai Air Force (RTAF) carried 30 oxygen concentrators in an Airbus to New Delhi, the Facebook page of the Embassy of India in Bangkok said on Saturday.
The embassy thanked the Thai government and other donors for their assistance.
Apart from the delivery of oxygen concentrators, the Airbus will also pick up four Royal Thai Embassy officials in New Delhi — three are Covid-19 patients and and one has a high risk of infection — and bring them to Thailand for treatment.
Photo Credit: Embassy of India in Bangkok
Photo Credit: Embassy of India in Bangkok
According to the RTAF plan, the three patients will be treated at Ramathibodi Chakri Naruebodindra Hospital, Lerdsin Hospital and Prasat Neurological Institute, while the official with high risk of infection will be quarantined at Bangkok Palace Hotel.
Meanwhile, the Airbus crew and medical team will undergo self-quarantine to contain the spread of Covid-19 in line with the Public Health Ministry’s standards.
Photo Credit: Embassy of India in Bangkok
According to The Washington Post report, India reported more than 400,000 new cases on Saturday, a global record. Experts believe that the number will climb even higher in the coming days, an unimaginable burden for a health system already under siege with hospitals issuing pleas for oxygen.
Anthony Fauci, the Biden administration’s chief medical adviser, urged India to explore ways its military could help alleviate the calamity, saying the situation is “like a war”, in an interview with the Indian Express newspaper.
He also strongly advised India to implement a nationwide shutdown. “No one likes to lock down the country,” he said. But a temporary lockdown “could have a significant impact on the dynamics of the outbreak”.
Sriracha Tiger Zoo owner denies permanent closure, unveils new plans
The owner of Sriracha Tiger Zoo on Sunday disowned a post on its Facebook page that the zoo had shut down permanently.
Sriracha Crocodile Farm managing director Sumeth Panyasakhon, who took over the Sriracha Tiger Zoo in Chonburi province 10 years ago, said on Saturday that the zoo had been closed for 14 days to comply with the Chonburi Communicable Disease Control Committee’s measures to contain the spread of Covid-19.
He said the Facebook post by the zoo’s managing director on permanent closure was not true, adding he would continue operating the zoo even if the zoo’s executives do not want to.
On Friday the zoo’s managing director, Wasan Temsiriphong, had posted on its Facebook page that the zoo had closed permanently from Friday after 24 years of operation. He said in the post that the management would hold a meeting with staff on Monday to discuss the reasons for going out of business.
Sumeth, however, unveiled new plans to make the zoo viable.
“We have an idea to renovate the zoo to make it a one-stop tourist attraction, which would include a community mall, restaurants and coffee shops in a bid to attract Thai tourists,” he said.
He added that Covid-19 had caused international sales of crocodile products to slump by over 50 per cent, but domestic sales enabled the company to pay salaries to its employees.
He added that the company was offering 70 per cent discount on its products, such as crocodile leather bags, meat and food supplements, to stimulate domestic sales as well.
“After the zoo’s Facebook post went viral, we informed the zoo’s executives to delete the message,” he said.
“We will take good care of the animals and employees until the zoo is able to reopen.”
Located in Nong Kham subdistrict, Sriracha Tiger Zoo opened its doors on April 23, 1997. The 250-rai tiger zoo became famous as the largest facility in the world that bred and raised Bengal tigers. The zoo also features talent shows of many animals besides tigers, such as crocodiles, elephants and pigs. There are also exhibition zones for camels, spotted deer, rabbits and more.
Nearly 2,000 new Covid-19 cases and 21 deaths reported
The Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration on Saturday reported 1,940 new cases and a record 21 deaths over a 24-hour period.
Eight deaths were in Bangkok, four in Chiang Mai, two each in Chonburi and Lamphun and one each in Nakhon Pathom, Tak, Rayong, Nakhon Sawan, and Udon Thani provinces.
The ages of those who succumbed to the virus ranged from 39 to 90. All of them reportedly suffered from chronic conditions such as high blood pressure, diabetes, obesity and other complications. The source of infection was mostly in the family and through contact with a patient.
Bangkok again led the list of most cases with 539, followed by 278 in Nonthaburi and 145 in Samut Prakan.
Of the 10 overseas travellers found positive in quarantine, seven were Thais who had returned from South Korea, Norway, South Africa, Sudan and Egypt. A German, an Indian, and a Pakistani coming from their respective countries also tested positive.
Meanwhile, 1,183 patients have recovered and been discharged in the last 24 hours.
As of Sunday, the number of confirmed cases in Thailand had risen to 68,984. Of these, 65,659 had been contracted locally, including 22,314 who were found via proactive testing, while 3,325 were returnees.
So far, 39,481 have recovered and been discharged, 29,481 patients are still in hospitals, and 245 have died.
According to Worldometer, as of 11am on Sunday, the number of confirmed cases globally had risen to 152.82 million (up by 795,819), 130 million of whom have recovered, 19.52 million are active cases (111,896 in severe condition) and 3.21 million have died (up by 12,882).
Thailand ranks 102nd on the global list of most cases, which is topped by the US with 33.15 million, followed by India 19.56 million, Brazil 14.72 million, France 5.64 million, and Turkey 4.85 million.
Meanwhile, another 2,632 people were given their first Covid-19 shot in the last 24 hours, while 4,855 people were given their second shot, bringing the total number of Covid-19 vaccine doses administered in Thailand to 1,484,565.
Isolated thundershowers forecast for Bangkok and most parts of the country
A weak high-pressure system covers the North and Northeast, while the southerly and the southeasterly winds blow across upper Thailand.
Thundershowers are likely in upper Thailand with isolated gusty winds in the Northeast and the North, the Thailand Meteorological Department said on Sunday.
The department advised people to beware of the severe conditions and warned farmers of damage to crops.
The easterly and the southeasterly winds prevail across the Gulf of Thailand, the South and the Andaman Sea with scattered thundershowers and isolated heavy rain, the department added.
The weather forecast for 24 hours:
Bangkok and its vicinity: Isolated thundershowers; minimum temperature 25-26°C; maximum 32-35°C; southeasterly winds 10-25 km/hr.
North: Scattered thundershowers with gusty winds, mostly in Mae Hong Son, Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Phayao, Lamphun, Lampang, Phrae, Nan, Uttaradit, Tak, Sukhothai, Phitsanulok and Phetchabun provinces; minimum temperature 22-25 degrees Celsius, maximum 33-37°C; southwesterly winds at 10-25 km/hr.
Northeast: Scattered thundershowers with gusty winds, mostly in Udon Thani, Sakon Nakhon, Nakhon Phanom, Kalasin, Mukdahan, Khon Kaen, Chaiyaphum, Maha Sarakham, Roi Et, Buri Ram, Yasothon, Amnat Charoen, Nakhon Ratchasima, Surin, Si Sa Ket and Ubon Ratchathani provinces; minimum temperature 23-25°C, maximum 33-35°C; southeasterly winds 10-20 km/hr.
Central: Isolated thundershowers mostly in Lopburi, Saraburi, Uthai Thani, Kanchanaburi and Ratchaburi provinces; minimum temperature 23-26°C, maximum 34-36°C; southeasterly winds 10-20 km/hr.
East: Scattered thundershowers, mostly in Nakhon Nayok, Prachin Buri, Sa Kaew, Chachoengsao, Chonburi, Rayong, Chanthaburi and Trat provinces; minimum temperature 24-25°C, maximum 32-36°C; southeasterly winds 10-30 km/hr; waves under a metre high and 1-2 metres in thundershowers.
South (east coast): Scattered thundershowers mostly in Surat Thani, Nakhon Si Thammarat, Phatthalung, Songkhla, Yala, Pattani and Narathiwat provinces; minimum temperature 24-25°C, maximum 32-34°C; southeasterly winds 15-30 km/hr; waves about a metre high and 1-2 metres in thundershowers.
South (west coast): Scattered thundershowers and isolated heavy rains in Phang Nga, Phuket, Krabi, Trang and Satun provinces; minimum temperature 23-26°C, maximum 32-34°C; easterly winds 15-30 km/hr; waves about a metre high and 1-2 metres in thundershowers.
Surat Thani bans its staff from leaving the province
Authorities in Surat Thani have banned all provincial staff and those of state enterprises from leaving the province without urgent reasons, in a bid to control the Covid-19 crisis in the area.
The order was issued on Friday, signed by Governor Wichawut Jinto.
Also, the authority has closed Ko Raet island from Friday, after a resident of this island tested positive for Covid-19.
40 per cent of labourers in Bangkok earning less than their expenses: poll
A Bangkok Poll revealed that the income of 40.2 per cent of labourers in Bangkok and its vicinity was lower than their expenses amid the Covid-19 crisis. Bangkok Universitys research centre said that the poll had 625 respondents.
Of the people polled, 81.8 per cent had been affected by Covid-19; 52.2 per cent had lower income, 23.3 per cent worked harder, and 22 per cent received no overtime payment or bonus.
Some 44.7 per cent said they had no savings, as their income and expenses were equal.
Meanwhile, 40.2 per cent had income lower than their expense, and the rest 15.1 per cent earned enough to be able to save.
Asked what the solution was to their problem, 54.3 per cent of respondents said they were waiting for government assistance, 30.7 per cent were borrowing, 27.8 per cent wanted to find a part-time job and 20.7 per cent were spending from their savings.
Sriracha Tiger Zoo in Chonburi province posted on its Facebook page that it was closing down permanently from Friday, 24 years since it opened.
The management will hold a meeting with employees next Monday to explain the reasons for going out of business as well as discuss other issues, said Wasan Temsiriphong, the zoo’s managing director.
Wasan added that the main reason behind the zoo’s closing was the current economic situation and the third wave of Covid-19 that had affected the zoo’s revenue.
Located in Nong Kham subdistrict, it opened its doors on April 23, 1997. The 250-rai tiger zoo became famous as the largest facility in the world that bred and raised Bengal tigers. The zoo also featured talent shows of many animals besides tigers, such as crocodiles, elephants and pigs. There were also exhibition zones for camels, spotted deer, rabbits and more.
PM outlines governments efforts to help people amid the pandemic in Labour Day address
Prime Minister General Prayut Chan-o-cha said his government was working hard to control the pandemic, stimulate the economy and help people in vulnerable groups affected by the pandemic.
In a statement on National Labour Day on Saturday, the PM sent his best regards to all labourers who he said contributed to the country’s economic and social development.
“Due to the ongoing outbreak of Covid-19, the government has to cancel all labour day activities for another year for the safety of all labourers and the general public,” he said.
“The ‘Rao Mai Ting Kan’ [We Don’t Leave Anyone Behind], ‘Kon La Khreung’ [Let’s Go Halves], ‘Rao Chana’ [We Win] and ‘Mor33 Rao Rak Kan’ [Section33 We Love Each Other] were all schemes implemented to help labourers in all groups,” Prayut added.
“We have also reduced social security contribution, utility bills and interest rates of several loan programmes to make sure that everyone can stay strong and overcome this crisis together.”
Prayut added that the government would continue to promote labour protection and benefits to be at the same level as international standards, as well as provide necessary training and development programmes to improve labour skills in accordance with market demands when the Covid-19 situation improves.
“I would like to urge every labourer to take care of their health in the new normal by wearing face masks, maintaining social distancing, washing your hands regularly, eating freshly cooked foods and avoiding going to crowded spaces,” said Prayut.
“Lastly, I wish everyone a healthy body and strong spirit to help drive the country forward steadily into the future.”
MDES joins hands with Huawei strengthening in Thailand’s public health sector
(MDES) joins hands with Huawei Technologies (Thailand) Co., Ltd in supporting field hospital with leading communication innovations, helping medical personnel better tackle COVID-19
The Ministry of Digital Economy and Society (MDES) joins hands with Huawei Technologies (Thailand) Co., Ltd in strengthening Thailand’s public health sector, especially for the field hospitals, required to accommodate the increasing number of COVID-19 patients. The cooperation covers the provision of technologies for medical use, aiming to boost safety for the medical staff and patients and reducing the risk of infection transmission within the Bang Khun Thien field hospital in Bangkok. In alignment with Huawei’s commitment to providing continuous support to the Thai society, the AI-assisted diagnose solution, 5G telemedicine, InPatient area Intelligent Management, and eLTE broadband trunking, all managed from the IdeaHub control centre, and worth more than 6 million THB, will enhance the handling of the pandemic and support the hi-speed and convenient communication network for the staff working onsite.
With the increasing number of COVID-19 patients in Thailand, and many hospitals almost exceeding capacity, the medical personnel are working tirelessly to offer their patients the best medical care. In this direction, the government and public health sector have been cooperatively setting up several field hospitals, including the 1,000-bed Bang Khun Thien Hospital in Bangkok, to cope with the spread of COVID-19 nationwide with urgency. Additionally, in order to help doctors and nurses better cope with the influx of cases, an important mission for the Ministry of Digital Economy and Society has been to integrate/adapt digital technology within the Thai public health sector. The aim has been to help tackle the medical equipment, medical personnel, and hospitals deficiency challenges, by bringing technologies from a world-class company like Huawei to handle and prevent the ongoing spread of COVID-19.
Mr. Chaiwut Thanakhamanusorn, Digital Economy and Society Minister (2nd left); and Abel Deng, CEO of Huawei Technologies (Thailand) Co., Ltd, with the communication system managed from the IdeaHub control centre
Mr. Chaiwut Thanakhamanusorn, Digital Economy and Society Minister, spoke about the cooperation with Huawei Technologies Thailand: “The government encourages the integration of technology into the country’s administration which includes COVID-19 management, in line with the urgent policy as approved by the Cabinet. The Ministry has put significant focus on the safety of its citizens and the management of the ongoing spread of COVID-19.
Apart from the communication system provided to Bang Khun Thien field hospital by the Ministry and
the National Telecom Public Company Limited, the Ministry has also recognized the capabilities and benefits of Huawei’s world-leading technologies for providing efficient world-class medical solutions as well as experts, to enhance and support Thai doctors and medical personnel’s efficiency and convenience. These technologies will help reduce the workload of the on-site staff, manage the patients with immediacy and provide remote health services to COVID-19 patients by medical experts and reduce the risk of infection for medical personnel. We would like to extend our gratitude towards Huawei Thailand for their full cooperation and a very quick installation of all the technologies within only two days.”
Dr. Suparach Suwattanaphim, the director of Bang Khun Thien field hospital, has also made some remarks regarding the technology implementation at the field hospital, “We would like to thank the Ministry of Digital Economy and Society and Huawei Technologies Thailand who have brought 5G, AI, and communication network to help prevent the spread of COVID-19. The 1,000-bed Bang Khun Thien field hospital is the largest in Bangkok and the patient management system is much-needed. Obtaining technology from Huawei to manage these issues will greatly help the medical personnel’s workload as well as reduce the risk of infection. I am positive that the cooperation from every sector and the implementation of medical technology will quickly help improve the situation.”
Demonstration of the communication system managed from the IdeaHub control centre
Mr. Abel Deng, CEO of Huawei Technologies (Thailand) Co., Ltd, stated that “Amidst the ongoing spread of COVID-19, digital technology has become essential assistance for the public health sector in tackling the deficiency of medical equipment, medical personnel, and hospitals. With 5G technology, Cloud and AI can respond to multiple types of challenges that the public health sector is encountering at the moment. With the AI-assisted diagnosis solution, the medical personnel can analyze CT quantification results of cases of infection with high accuracy. The 5G Telemedicine allows medical experts across Thailand to coordinate with doctors and on-site personnel in providing online consultation to patients, monitoring patient’s conditions via smart devices from anywhere, which helps reduce the infection risk to medical personnel. The InPatient area intelligent Management is based upon AI technology installed in the screening camera at the entrance, and helps monitor the density of the high-risk area, measure the body temperature as well as support the eLTE broadband trunking (eLTE). The eLTE can be quickly deployed with a mobile broadband standalone system or private network, can provide group communication between medical staff, and can be used for multimedia services for remote disease control and treatment without using a public network. Furthermore, it also accommodates organizing internal staff meetings, hotline communication between medical personnel and security officers including the transfer of video or media for remote treatment. The aforementioned solution can also be effectively utilized on 5G network.
The eLTE broadband trunking (eLTE) increases communication efficiency and stability between personnel at the field hospital.
“As a leading technology company, Huawei Technologies (Thailand) Co., Ltd is also a trusted ICT partner in Thailand and a proactive digital transformation enabler who continuously strives to contribute with social value. Huawei is pleased to provide support to the government, hospitals, and medical personnel in handling the COVID-19 pandemic. To improve the current situation, we have gathered our experts to complete the installation of all the technologies and solutions for Bang Khun Thien field hospital within only two days. We strongly believe that these technologies will help lessen the workload of the personnel, deliver convenience to doctors and reduce exposure to infection for everyone working at the field hospital.” Mr. Abel Deng added.
This latest cooperation between Huawei and the Thai government to tackle the spread of COVID-19 follows previous collaborations in 2020, with Huawei providing leading innovations to reinforce its commitment – to deliver continuous support to the Thai society. In 2020, Huawei delivered 7 sets of Huawei Telemedicine Video Conferencing Solution, worth 10 million Thai baht to the Department of Disease Control and hospitals in Thailand to minimize the infection risk for medical staff. Additionally, Huawei also provided an AI-assisted solution to Ramathibodi Hospital and Siriraj Hospital, attempting to reduce the workload of Thai medical personnel at that time. The solution operates based on Huawei CLOUD and 5G, helping doctors analyze
Record 21 deaths as over 1,800 new Covid-19 cases reported
The Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration on Saturday reported 1,891 new cases and a record 21 deaths over a 24-hour period.
The fatalities included 10 in Bangkok, two each in Chonburi and Samut Prakan and one each in Ubon Ratchathani, Kalasin, Nakhon Si Thammarat, Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Pathum Thani and Phetchaburi provinces.
The ages of those who succumbed to the virus ranged from 39 to 90. All of them reportedly suffered from chronic conditions.
Bangkok again led the list of most cases with 739, followed by 142 in Samut Prakan and 126 in Chonburi.
Of the seven overseas travellers found positive in quarantine, five were Thais who had returned from India, Singapore, Qatar, Denmark and Italy. An Indian and a Pakistani coming from their respective countries also tested positive.
Meanwhile, 1,821 patients have recovered and been discharged in the last 24 hours.
As of Saturday, the number of confirmed cases in Thailand had risen to 67,044. Of these, 63,729 had been contracted locally, including 22,172 who were found via proactive testing, while 3,315 were returnees.
So far, 38,075 have recovered and been discharged, 28,745 patients are still in hospitals, and 224 have died.
Since April 1, 130 people have succumbed to the virus. Thailand’s third wave of Covid-19 infections was sparked by some cluster cases in mid-March.
According to Worldometer, as of 11am on Saturday, the number of confirmed cases globally had risen to 152 million (up by 871,598), 129.27 million of whom have recovered, 19.43 million are active cases (111,365 in severe condition) and 3.19 million have died (up by 14,266).
Thailand ranks 104th on the global list of most cases, which is topped by the US with 33.1 million, followed by India 19.15 million, Brazil 14.66 million, France 5.61 million, and Turkey 4.82 million.
Meanwhile, another 19,474 people were given their first Covid-19 shot in the last 24 hours, while 45,990 people were given their second shot, bringing the total number of Covid-19 vaccine doses administered in Thailand to 1,477,078.
Photo Credit: Embassy of India in Bangkok
Photo Credit: Embassy of India in Bangkok
Photo Credit: Embassy of India in Bangkok
Mr. Chaiwut Thanakhamanusorn, Digital Economy and Society Minister (2nd left); and Abel Deng, CEO of Huawei Technologies (Thailand) Co., Ltd, with the communication system managed from the IdeaHub control centre
Demonstration of the communication system managed from the IdeaHub control centre
The eLTE broadband trunking (eLTE) increases communication efficiency and stability between personnel at the field hospital.
