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https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40000025

Don’t respond to offers that sound too good to be true, police warn

People should beware of phishing SMS messages and avoid revealing sensitive information as it may end up costing them far too much, the Royal Thai Police spokesman said recently.

Pol Colonel Siriwat Deepor, deputy chief of the Police Technology Crime Suppression Division, said many people have filed police complaints or told the press about how they were deceived by offers of cash handouts and free Covid-19 vaccines.

Phishing is a fraudulent move to obtain sensitive information or data such as username, passwords, credit card numbers or other sensitive details by pretending to be a trustworthy entity. It is typically carried out via spoof emails, instant messages or text messages, which direct users to enter personal information at a fake website that matches the look and feel of a legitimate website.

Phishing is derived from the word “fishing”, in this case, wrongfully fishing for sensitive information.

“Since banks and financial institutions have a security system that effectively keeps out hackers, criminals usually claim knowledge of account-related issues in a bid to get sensitive information. Once they have such information, they can withdraw cash from victims’ accounts,” Siriwat explained, adding that police have launched a manhunt for such criminals.

He advised people to closely study the link or URL in the SMS as it usually sounds weird and does not match the name of the institution the phishers claim they are from. Don’t press the link and call the related agency’s call centre if possible, he said.

“You should also opt for passwords that are difficult to guess and set up a two-step verification procedure,” Siriwat added.

He went on to say that anyone caught phishing will face punishment under the Computer Crime Act, Gambling Act and Excessive Interest Rate Prohibition Act.

Published : April 20, 2021

By : The Nation

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https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40000023

Prayut lists Thailand’s vaccine procurement plan

Another 500,000 doses of the Sinovac vaccine will be delivered to Thailand on Saturday, Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha announced on Tuesday after the weekly Cabinet meeting.

He added that an additional 1 million doses of the Sinovac vaccine will be delivered in May, though that depends on the Chinese government’s decision.

“Also, up to 6 million doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine will be delivered in June and more batches delivered gradually until the end of the year,” he said.

The prime minister added that the government is currently negotiating the price of the Pfizer vaccine and that it should be delivered in July.

Published : April 20, 2021

By : The Nation

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https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40000021

Thai FDA gives 3 private companies right to import Covid-19 vaccines

Three private firms have been given the okay to import and register for the administration of Covid-19 vaccines, while another company is under consideration, Dr Paisan Dankhum, secretary-general of the Thai Food and Drug Administration (FDA), said on Monday.

“So far, 14 companies have applied for permission to import the vaccine but only four have submitted the necessary documents. The FDA has been carefully considering all candidates with a focus on public safety and health,” he said.

Paisan added that the FDA has never blocked any private party from importing vaccines as claimed on some media channels. “Up until now, the Government Pharmaceutical Organisation has been the sole importer of Covid-19 vaccines and the FDA has been inviting qualified private firms to register as importers,” he said. “We will hold a meeting with the Thai Chamber of Commerce, the Federation of Thai Industries and representatives from private hospitals to address procedures that importers need to follow.

“The FDA has also launched an online platform for companies to register their health products with speed, convenience and transparency,” added Paisan. “We have been strictly following the law in registration procedures with no special treatment being given to any particular applicant to ensure people are safe and can benefit from the products.”

Published : April 20, 2021

By : THE NATION

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https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40000019

Health warning after people rush to buy fah talai jone as ‘Covid cure’

A hospital in Prachin Buri province has warned people that consuming fah talai jone (green chiretta) in huge amounts can damage the kidney and liver.

Chao Phraya Abhaibhubejhr Hospital issued the warning after seeing soaring demand for the herbal extract from people who believe it can protect them from Covid-19.

People are rushing to buy fah talai jone after the Department of Thai Traditional and Alternative Medicine recently announced that the Thai herb had cured more than 300 Covid-19 patients of mild symptoms.

Since the first wave of Covid-19 emerged in Thailand, certain hospitals including Chao Phraya Abhaibhubejhr have been using fah talai jone together with other medicines to treat Covid-19 patients. The patients have reportedly recovered without side effects.

Last December, the Public Health Ministry approved the use of fah talai jone to treat early-stage Covid-19.

However, Thai experts warn there is no solid scientific evidence that fah talai jone can boost immunity or relieve the symptoms of Covid-19.

The herbal extract has been used for centuries in Asia to combat flu and related diseases.

Chao Phraya Abhaibhubejhr Hospital added that research indicated the herb can help prevent flu if consumed in low amounts continually for three months.

A medic at the hospital said fah talai jone boosted immunity.

Published : April 20, 2021

By : The Nation

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https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40000017

Third Covid wave worse, as new variant more aggressive, warns expert

Thailand’s third wave of Covid-19 infections is more dangerous because the new strain of the virus can live in the body longer than the previous strain, warned Asst Prof Opass Putcharoen, chief of Chulalongkorn Hospital’s Centre of Emerging Infectious Diseases.

In a Facebook post on Tuesday, Opass cited studies on more than 200 Covid-19 patients which showed that the new version of the virus can now live in the human body for more than 10 days compared to the previous strain which could only survive for seven days.

He said the number of young people hit by pneumonitis has also risen compared to the last wave, adding that the latest version of the virus is likely to spread easier and faster than before.

“This time, patients develop severe symptoms less than a week after being infected, so doctors must be ready to treat them as soon as possible,” he said.

He also predicted that hospital ICUs will start filling up with Covid-19 patients from this week, adding that the situation now is similar to the spread of the coronavirus B117 variant in the UK.

“Hence, measures to contain transmissions in communities and vaccine rollout are necessary to tackle the third wave,” he added.

Published : April 20, 2021

By : The Nation

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https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40000018

Four new deaths, 1,443 Covid-19 cases confirmed

The Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration (CCSA) on Tuesday reported 1,443 new cases and four deaths, bringing the total Covid-related fatalities in Thailand up to 108.

Of the deaths, three were Thai nationals, namely a 78-year-old woman and two men, aged 78 and 30. The fourth death was that of an 84-year-old Indian woman.

The Thai woman, a Bangkok resident, was already bedridden with high blood pressure and thyroid problems. Her infection was confirmed on April 3 and she succumbed to the virus on Sunday.

The 78-year-old man ran a business in Bangkok and suffered from high blood pressure and diabetes. He tested positive for Covid-19 on April 15 and died on Monday.

The 30-year-old Bangkok resident had been suffering from obesity. He tested positive for Covid-19 on April 15 and succumbed on Monday.

The 84-year-old Indian woman had been bedridden with thyroid problems and tested positive on Sunday. She died the same day.

Of the 1,443 cases confirmed, the highest number or 350 were in Bangkok, 116 in Chiang Mai, 82 in Chonburi and 60 in Samut Prakan.

Also, two had flown in from overseas, including a Thai woman from Denmark and an Indian man from his own country.

Meanwhile, 171 cases have recovered and discharged from the hospital.

As of Tuesday, the number of confirmed cases in Thailand had risen to 45,185. Of these, 41,943 had been contracted locally, including 20,707 who were found via proactive testing, while 3,242 were returnees.

So far, 28,958 have recovered and been discharged, 16,119 are still in hospitals and 108 have died.

According to Worldometer, as of 11am on Tuesday, the number of confirmed cases globally had risen to 142.72 million (up by 657,827), 121.24 million of whom have recovered, 18.44 million are active cases (108,184 in severe condition) and 3.04 million have died (up by 9,813).

Thailand ranks 107th on the global list of most cases, which is topped by the US with 32.47 million, followed by India 15.31 million, Brazil 13.97 million, France 5.29 million and Russia 4.71 million.

In the last 24 hours, 35,900 people in Thailand received their first shot of the Covid-19 vaccine, while 11,727 got their second shot, bringing the total number of doses administered up to 666,210.

Published : April 20, 2021

By : The Nation

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https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40000016

PM optimistic on containing Covid-19, economic expansion in 2021

Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha is confident that the Covid-19 situation in Thailand will be under control

The spokesperson at the Office of the Prime Minister, Anucha Burapachaisri, reported that the PM was confident the virus would be under control soon, as serious measures have been implemented in the country.

Anucha added that the government had avoided lockdown measures, or even

a curfew, as both measures would affect the whole country in a negative way.

He said the PM believed the Thai economy would expand in 2021, despite the Covid-19 outbreak, as Thai people are being inoculated.

Anucha added that the government had ordered at least 63 million doses of vaccine for use in 2021. Besides, the PM has set up a working team for procuring another 10 million doses of alternative vaccines.

Therefore, at least 35 million people will be immunised within 2021, he said.

In addition, according to the PM, the government had spent almost THB380 million for supporting and helping the damaged economy of the country.

Published : April 20, 2021

By : The Nation

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https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40000015

Third-wave Covid-19 cases in Bangkok

123 symptomatic patients are being treated in eight hospitals under the jurisdiction of the Bangkok Metropolitan Administrations Medical Service Department.

717 asymptomatic patients are at field hospitals
Bang Khun Thian Geriatric Hospital: 443
Ratchapipat Hospital: 194
Erawan 1 (84th Anniversary Stadium, Bang Bon): 80
Erawan 2 (Bangkok Arena Sports Centre, Nong Chok): 0
None of the asymptomatic patients have been admitted to the hospital as yet.

Of the 1,650 beds at field hospitals, 933 are still available.

Source: BMA Medical Service Department, April 19

Published : April 20, 2021

By : The Nation

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https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40000011

Shortage of beds delays hospitalisation for 600 Covid-19 patients in Bangkok

Some 600 Covid-19 patients in Bangkok are forced to stay in isolation at home due to shortage of beds in hospitals for treatment.

Dr Suksan Kittisupphakorn, director of Bangkok Medical Service Department, said on Monday that there were

“505 patients who had been waiting since earlier this month, and today 99 more people have been confirmed as infected after their second test,” he said.

“We expect to transport them to a field hospital within one or two days, as officials are adding more beds to field hospitals in the province and expect to treat an additional 2,926 patients.”

Prof Dr Chalerm Harnpanich, chairman of the Private Hospital Association, added that currently there were about 300 patients being treated for Covid-19 in all private hospitals in Bangkok.

“As the number of infections is still rising, private hospitals will add more beds and move patients who have shown no progressive symptoms to hospitels — hotels converted into hospitals — for patients whose condition is not serious,” he added.

On Monday Bangkok reported 293 new infections, driving accumulated cases in the province since April 1 to 3,615 patients, making it the province with the highest infections in the country, followed by Chiang Mai (2,250) and Chonburi (1,280).

Meanwhile, on Sunday 1,578 doses of vaccine were given in Bangkok, with 136,317 accumulated vaccination doses.

Published : April 20, 2021

By : THE NATION

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https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40000008

Phuket Public Health Office has said that those who wish to enter the province must provide a vaccination certificate of two doses or a Covid-free certificate.

“The measure will be enforced from April 21 until 30,” said the announcement on its Facebook page on Monday. “The test for Covid-free certificate must be taken within 72 hours of entry into the province. Those who do not have a certificate can take a rapid test at Phuket International Airport and Tha Chatchai border checkpoint, at a cost of Bt300 per person.”

The checkpoint at the airport will screen travellers from every province who wish to enter Phuket, while the Tha Chatchai checkpoint will screen only those who have travelled from 17 red zone provinces.

“Every entrant must check in via MorChana platform and register their entry at www.gophuket.com,” said the announcement. “This measure is for everyone except product delivery staff who will not spend the night in the province and they must display a certificate issued by their employers at Tha Chatchai checkpoint.”

From April 3 to 19, Phuket has reported a total of 230 patients from the latest wave, 227 of whom are hospitalised in the province, one was transferred to another province and two patients have been cured and discharged.

Published : April 20, 2021

By : THE NATION