#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40000098

No outbreak in central Chinatown, insists Bangkok official

Bangkok officials have debunked rumours that Covid-19 has been spreading rapidly through Yaowarat (Chinatown), stating that only one shop in the area had reported an infection.

Bangkok officials have inspected the area and confirmed that no outbreak has taken place, said Khachit Chatchawanit, deputy permanent secretary for the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA).

One person tested positive for Covid-19 at a shop on Ratchawong Road and was sent to a nearby hospital for treatment, he said. The shop has been closed for cleaning, while people exposed to the infected person have been quarantined for 14 days.

Khachit also responded to fears triggered by the sight of an official in full biohazard gear spraying disinfectant in Yaowarat. He said the BMA had not ordered its Ratchawong office to take such action and would instruct employees on the right way to conduct cleaning operations.

Published : April 22, 2021

By : The Nation

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40000097

Suicide prevention expert issues Covid-19 warning and advice

A psychiatrist has advised people on how to combat mental stress caused by Covid-19, which was highlighted on Tuesday when a coronavirus patient in Bangkok committed suicide.

The victim was a 59-year-old railway policeman who tested positive on Sunday and was treated at the Police Hospital in Bangkok. On Tuesday, he was placed under intensive care after his blood-oxygen level dropped. At around 3pm a witness saw him visit the toilet but then fail to return. At 4pm, a nurse went to investigate and found him hanging in the toilet. A medical team tried to revive him but without success, and he was pronounced dead at 5pm.

The results of an investigation into why the patient committed suicide are expected in a few days, said the Department of Disease Control. Police have speculated that the victim had felt guilty for placing his family members at risk of infection.

Dr Prakarn Thomyangkoon, a psychiatrist and suicide-prevention expert, commented that the Covid-19 crisis was impacting not just people’s physical health but also their mental well-being.

People are worried that they may catch the disease, said Dr Prakarn, who is also an adviser to the Medical Services Department.

He said this fear becomes stress which can trigger anger towards everything – infected patients, health systems, medics and even people of a certain race – as seen in the spate of attacks on Asians in the US.

Dr Prakarn urged people to monitor those around them closely, stay in the present, and help each other to relax with Covid-safe activities such as listening to music, watching movies and exercising. He also advised people not to constantly check news updates about the virus, as this can cause too much stress.

“If we or someone close to us becomes infected, the first thing needed is to be mindful,” he emphasised. “This disease can be treated, so don’t panic. Just remain calm and clear-headed.”

Published : April 22, 2021

By : The Nation

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40000094

KU Animal Hospital shuts for a day after customer tests positive

Kasetsart University’s Animal Hospital in Bangkok’s Bang Khen district announced on Thursday that it would close for a day after learning that a customer who visited the hospital last night tested positive for Covid-19.

“The customer brought his dog in for emergency treatment at night and we later found that he was infected,” the hospital said on Thursday.

“During the closure, we will disinfect the premises to prevent Covid-19 from spreading, while owners who have left their pets at the hospital were contacted to take the animals home,” the hospital added.

Published : April 22, 2021

By : THE NATION

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40000086

Fah Talai Jone herb can stop Covid-19 but offers no protection: study

The Andrographolide substance in the Thai traditional herb Fah Talai Jone (Andrographis Paniculata) can prevent Covid-19 from entering body cells and therefore dividing itself, announced Department of Thai Traditional and Alternative Medicine director-general Dr Amporn Benjaponpitak.

“The department has been conducting research into the effectiveness of Fah Talai Jone in Covid-19 patients in cooperation with the Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Chulabhorn Research Institute, the Department of Medical Sciences and the Government Pharmaceutical Organisation,” she said.

“Since December 2020, we have given Fah Talai Jone to 304 Covid-19 patients with non-severe symptoms. Most of the patients responded to the herb immediately and their condition actually improved in five days. The medication also did not have any adverse effects,” she explained.

“Each patient was given the herb containing 180 milligrams of Andrographolide three times a day before meals. However, the use of the herb must be under doctor supervision only,” she advised.

However, Amporn made it clear that although Fah Talai Jone is effective in stopping Covid-19 from progressing, it cannot provide any actual protection against the virus.

“If you suspect that you may have contracted Covid-19, get a test immediately, then stay in isolation and follow the measures suggested by the Public Health Ministry,” she said.

“Fah Talai Jone has been traditionally used to treat fever, cough and a sore throat. However, if your symptoms do not improve in two days of usage, you should see a doctor,” she added.

Published : April 22, 2021

By : THE NATION

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40000080

Hot day with isolated thundershowers forecast for most of Thailand

If you live in upper Thailand expect a hot to very hot day as a heat cell covers the region, the Meteorological Department said on Thursday, adding that the Northeast, the Central region, including Bangkok and its vicinity, and the East are also in for a hot day with isolated thundershowers as a southwesterly wind brings moisture from the Andaman Sea and the Gulf.

Meanwhile, large areas of the South will experience thundershowers too.

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

Bangkok and surrounding areas: Hot day with isolated light rains; temperature lows of 25-27 degrees, highs of 34-37 degrees Celsius.

North: Hot to very hot day with haze and isolated light rains; temperature lows of 23-27 degrees and highs of 36-41 degrees Celsius.

Northeast: Hot day with thundershowers in 20 per cent of the area; temperature lows of 23-26 degrees and highs of 36-37 degrees Celsius.

Central: Hot day with isolated light rains; temperature lows of 24-27 degrees, highs of 36-38 degrees Celsius.

East: Hot day with thundershowers in 20 per cent of the area; temperature lows of 25-27 degrees, highs of 33-37 degrees Celsius; waves less than a metre high and over 1 metre during thundershowers.

South (east coast): Thundershowers in 40 per cent of the areas with isolated heavy rains; temperature lows of 24-25 degrees, highs of 33-35 degrees Celsius; waves a metre high and 1-2 metres during thundershowers.

South (west coast): Thundershowers in 60 per cent of the area with isolated heavy rains; temperature lows of 22-25 degrees, highs of 31-33 degrees Celsius; waves 1-2 metres high and 2 metres during thundershowers.

Published : April 22, 2021

By : THE NATION

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40000073

PM visits Bangkok’s 4th field hospital as Covid spreads

Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha oversaw the preparations at Bangkok’s fourth field hospital on Wednesday as Thailand battles its third wave of Covid-19.

The Erawan 2 field hospital is housed at the Bangkok Arena in Nong Chok district.

Joining Prayut at the opening were Bangkok governor Aswin Kwanmuang and Public Health Minister Anutin Charnvirakul.

The prime minister also appointed government agencies to provide disease-control services such as hotlines, transportation and vaccine administration.

The Erawan 2 field hospital was built to cope with the increasing number of Covid-19 cases. The field hospital can accommodate 400 asymptomatic patients – 180 men and 220 women.

Its services include meals, wireless internet, CCTV cameras and security guards to ensure safety. Patients will be informed of the rules before they enter the field hospital.

The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration is implementing three plans to combat the rising Covid-19 caseload: Boosting capacity at Bangkok hospitals, modifying hotels to become “hospitels” for asymptomatic patients, and launching field hospitals.

As of Wednesday, the total number of beds in Bangkok’s four field hospitals was 1,700, of which 723 beds were occupied:

Bang Khun Thian Geriatric Hospital: 449 beds

Ratchapipat Hospital: 185

Erawan 1 (84th Anniversary Stadium, Bang Bon): 89

Erawan 2 (Bangkok Arena, Nong Chok): 0

(Erawan 2 currently has no patients but will begin admitting cases once disease investigations have been completed.)

A total of 977 beds were still available.

Published : April 21, 2021

By : The Nation

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40000072

Phase 3 of ‘We Travel Together’ scheme opens for tourism operators

Hotels, restaurants and tourism operators who joined previous phases of the government’s “Rao Tiew Duay Kan” (We Travel Together) travel subsidy campaign can register for the third phase until April 30.

The third phase has added another 2 million subsidised room nights plus tighter regulation to solve corruption issues.

Hotels, restaurants, tourist attractions, One Tambon, One Product (OTOP) operators, massage shops, vehicle rental and transport businesses who joined previous phases can register for the third phase at the Rao Tiew Duay Kan website on the following dates:

Central Region from April 21 to 26: Bangkok, Pathum Thani, Nonthaburi, Ayutthaya, Saraburi, Lopburi, Chainat, Singburi, Samut Songkhram, Samut Sakhon, Phetchaburi, Prachuap Khiri Khan, Kanchanaburi, Ratchaburi, Nakhon Pathom, Suphanburi and Ang Thong.

North from April 22 to 27: Mae Hong Son, Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Phayao, Phrae, Uttaradit, Nan, Phitsanulok, Phetchabun, Tak, Uthai Thani, Sukhothai, Kamphaeng Phet, Lampang, Lamphun, Nakhon Sawan and Phichit.

South from April 23 to 28: Songkhla, Satun, Nakhon Si Thammarat, Phatthalung, Narathiwat, Yala, Pattani, Phuket, Phang Nga, Surat Thani, Trang, Krabi, Chumphon and Ranong.

East from April 24 to 29: Chonburi, Rayong, Chanthaburi, Trat, Nakhon Nayok, Prachinburi, Sa Kaeo, Chachoengsao and Samut Prakan.

Northeast from April 25 to 30: Nakhon Ratchasima, Chaiyaphum, Ubon Ratchathani, Amnat Charoen, Yasothon, Khon Kaen, Roi Et, Kalasin, Mahasarakham, Nakhon Phanom, Sakon Nakhon, Mukdahan, Udon Thani, Nong Khai, Bueng Kan, Loei, Nong Bua Lamphu, Buri Ram, Surin and Si Sa Ket.

The registration period for operators who did not participate in previous phases will be announced later.

Meanwhile, the May 7 deadline for travellers to apply for discounts under the campaign is likely to be postponed due to the third wave of Covid-19.

Published : April 21, 2021

By : The Nation

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40000070

Hackers busy creating, sharing, spreading fake news, warns ministry

The Digital Economy and Society Ministry announced on Wednesday that the first quarter saw more than 50 million articles, posts and texts that may be dispersing fake information.

Atcharin Pattanapanchai, the ministry’s permanent secretary who also oversees the anti-fake news centre, said the ministry suspects more than 50 million articles to be spreading fake news and that 2,194 are under inspection.

She went on to say that since the establishment of the centre on November 1, 2019, it has seen more than 94 million articles or posts that could be fake, of which 9,775 were inspected.

“Of the 9,775, 54 per cent or 5,301 made false health claims, followed by 4,000 that made false claims about government policy, 300 were related to the economy and 174 to natural disasters,” she said.

She added that 2,276 people have been charged for allegedly violating the anti-fake news law thanks to the help of the police cyber task force.

From January 25, 2020, until March 31 this year, 57 million articles, posts and short messages related to Covid-19 were suspected to be fake, and 2,334 of them have been closely inspected.

“Of the 2,334 items, 1,589 or 68 per cent fall in the health category, 621 under government policy and 124 are related to the economy,” she added.

Meanwhile, INN News has reported that the following claims related to Covid-19 are fake:

• There is a day-to-day method to find out if you are infected.

• That a Covid-19 infection can be confirmed by breathing deeply and holding the breath for 10 seconds.

• That Fah Talai Jone or green chiretta can protect people from Covid-19.

• Kits can be bought to conduct Covid-19 tests at home.

• Bathing in water heated to 41 degrees Celsius can protect against the virus.

• Rinsing the mouth with saline solution or mouthwash can kill Covid-19.

• Adding lime juice to your drinking water can kill Covid-19 and cancer.

• Pfizer’s Covid-19 vaccine can kill people and that this claim comes from a former researcher who was with Pfizer.

Separately, Channel 3 said someone has been sharing a doctored image of the channel saying a nationwide curfew will be enforced from Friday (April 23, 2021) onwards. The channel said the image was broadcast last year and said the government was enforcing a nationwide curfew as of April 3, 2020.

Published : April 21, 2021

By : The Nation

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40000069

Which provinces will fine you THB20,000 for not wearing a face mask?

In response to the third wave of Covid-19 in Thailand, some provinces have ordered people to wear face masks in public. The penalty for violating this order is a fine of up to THB20,000, according to the Communicable Disease Act.

The list of provinces that have issued the mask-wearing order includes Surat Thani, Kanchanaburi, Yala, Trang, Narathiwat, Pattani and Songkhla.

Published : April 21, 2021

By : The Nation

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40000067

Police captain commits suicide after catching Covid-19 virus

A policeman committed suicide while being treated for Covid-19 at a Bangkok hospital, the Royal Thai Police (RTP) said on Wednesday. Police Captain Boonchu Panklin, 59, hanged himself in a restroom at the Police General Hospital on Tuesday.

He was admitted to the hospital on Sunday (April 18) suffering from breathing difficulties. He also had diabetes.

On Tuesday afternoon, Boonchu asked permission to visit the restroom but did not return to his bed. Staff later discovered him hanging but were unable to save his life.

Police said the suicide may have been caused by depression after Boonchu realised he had put his mother and wife at risk of infection. Both are awaiting the results of Covid-19 tests.

The RTP said Boonchu had contacted his cousins and friends to complain about why he had been infected. Police said depression in such cases was an issue they cared about, but Boonchu had only been in hospital for three days so his death was unexpected.

Published : April 21, 2021

By : The Nation