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https://www.nationthailand.com/news/30404730

Thunderstorms and gusty winds forecast for parts of upper Thailand, rains in South

NationalApr 10. 2021

By THE NATION

The Thailand Meteorological Department said on Saturday that a moderate high-pressure system from China extends to upper Vietnam and Laos. It is expected to further extend to the Northeast of Thailand and the South China Sea later on Saturday.

Meanwhile, the southerly and southeasterly winds bring moisture from the South China Sea and the Gulf of Thailand to the lower North, the lower Northeast, the Central including Bangkok and its vicinity, and the Eastern regions.

Hot weather is forecast for upper Thailand with thunderstorms and gusty winds in some areas. The easterly winds prevailing over the Gulf of Thailand and the South are strengthening, bringing more rain and isolated heavy rain to the South.

The weather forecast for the next 24 hours:

North: Hot day with haze and thunderstorms in 30 per cent of the areas; gusty winds are possible in some areas; temperature lows of 21-24 degrees Celsius, highs of 31-39°C.

Northeast: Hot day with haze and thunderstorms in 30 per cent of the areas; gusty winds are possible in some areas; temperature lows of 23-24°C, highs of 33-36°C.

Central: Hot day with haze and thunderstorms in 30 per cent of the areas; gusty winds are possible in some areas; temperature lows of 23-25°C, highs of 34-36°C.

East: Hot day with haze and thunderstorms in 40 per cent of the areas; gusty winds are possible in some areas; temperature lows of 23-25°C, highs of 31-35°C; waves a metre high and 1-2 metres during thundershowers.

South (east coast): Thundershowers in 40 per cent of the areas; temperature lows of 22-25°C, highs of 31-34°C; waves a metre high and 1-2 metres during thundershowers.

South (west coast): Thundershowers in 30 per cent of the areas; temperature lows of 23-25°C, highs of 34-36°C; waves a metre high and 1-2 metres during thundershowers.

Bangkok and surrounding areas: Hot day with haze and thundershowers in 30 per cent of the areas; temperature lows of 25-26°C, highs of 32-35°C.

Source: Thailand Meteorological Department

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https://www.nationthailand.com/news/30404729

1 million does of Sinovac arrive on Saturday

NationalApr 10. 2021Photo: Facebook @AnutinC

By THE NATION

Public Health Minister Anutin Charnvirakul posted on his facebook @AnutinC on Saturday that one million doses of Sinovac vaccine have arrived in Thailand this morning, and the ministry will distribute them to the people as soon as possible.

Photo: Facebook @AnutinC

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https://www.nationthailand.com/news/30404727

How effective is your Covid vaccine against different strains?

NationalApr 09. 2021

By THE NATION

Samples collected from patients in the new wave of Covid-19 infections showed that many were infected by the British strain of the virus, which spreads 1.7 times faster and generates a far higher viral load in patients.

The most recent wave was sparked by clusters in several nightspots in Bangkok and its vicinity.

Judging by the fact that the UK strain has infected more than 1,500 people in Cambodia since February 20, expert virologist Dr Yong Poovorawan believes it may have been brought into Thailand by people crossing the border.

Dr Anan Jongkaewwattana, a virologist with the National Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (BIOTEC), said the AstraZeneca vaccine appeared to be the most effective against the mutated strain compared to the Chinese Sinovac vaccine.

Only 0.5 per cent of Thai population vaccinated

As of press time on Thursday, more than 711 million doses of the vaccine had been administered globally, with Israel leading the list with more than 60 per cent of its population inoculated with either the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine.

The second highest is the United Kingdom, where 46.7 per cent of the population has been inoculated. In Thailand, just 336,808 people or 0.5 per cent of the population, have received a jab.

Effectiveness of vaccines registered in Thailand

As of Thursday, the Public Health Ministry had approved three vaccines – AstraZeneca, Sinovac and Johnson & Johnson – for use in Thailand.

However, the manufacturers and researchers say that each vaccine’s effectiveness towards different strains varies.

AstraZeneca is 70 to 79 per cent effective against the normal strain, and 70 to 80 per cent effective against the UK strain.

Sinovac provides 50 to 91 per cent protection against the normal strain, but its effectiveness against the British strain has yet to be determined.

Meanwhile, the Johnson & Johnson vaccine provides 66 to 72 per cent protection against the normal strain and 70 per cent against the British strain.

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https://www.nationthailand.com/news/30404724

Bangkok Airways waives rebooking fees for passengers in wake of third Covid wave

NationalApr 09. 2021

By The Nation (sponsored news)

Due to the latest wave of Covid-19 infections and the restrictions imposed on several provinces, Bangkok Airways is offering a waiver of rebooking fees for passengers who hold Bangkok Airways tickets issued on or before April 6 with travel scheduled until April 30.

Passengers can rebook their tickets for free or seek a refund in the form of a travel voucher that can be used for future ticketing. Passengers can make changes up to 24-hours before their flight. Visit www.bangkokair.com/travel-voucher for more information.

Passengers who bought their tickets directly from the airline can call 1771 or (02) 270 6699 between 8am and 8pm to make changes. Those who have booked tickets through travel agents are advised to contact their agents directly.

Travellers are also advised to keep track of announcements and change in travel procedures via the Centre for COVID-19 Situation Administration (CCSA) http://www.moicovid.com/ข้อมูลสำคัญ-จังหวัด/, Airports of Thailand www.airportthai.co.th/th/ and Department of Airportswww.facebook.com/DepartmentOfAirports/.

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https://www.nationthailand.com/news/30404720

Vaccine import rules to be eased for private hospitals, PM says

NationalApr 09. 2021

By THE NATION

Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha said on Friday he had talked with operators of private hospitals on collaborating with the government to import Covid-19 vaccines to boost the country’s vaccination drive.

Prayut told reporters that the government had not barred the private sector from procuring vaccines, but complex import regulations were a barrier.

The PM said the government was ready to simplify the import procedures for privately procured vaccines providing they were in line with global standards. But he cautioned that high global demand for vaccines meant manufacturers might not be ready to sell to Thailand.

However, 1.5 million doses of government-procured vaccine would arrive this month, Prayut added.

Thailand is in a race to vaccinate its population of 69 million people as a third wave of infections triggers targeted lockdowns across the country.

Ladprao General Hospital (LPH) has revealed plans to import vaccine brands other than the AstraZeneca and Sinovac jabs procured by the government.

LPH expects to receive its first batch of imported vaccine in the fourth quarter of this year.

Currently, three vaccine brands have been registered for use in Thailand – China’s Sinovac Biotec, AstraZeneca and Johnson & Johnson.

India’s Covaxin is pending registration in Thailand while suppliers of three other brands – Moderna, Sputnik V and Sinopharm – are in talks with the Thai FDA.

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https://www.nationthailand.com/news/30404721

Afraid to travel but flights booked? Thai Vietjet offers options

NationalApr 09. 2021

By The Nation (sponsored news)

With the new wave of Covid-19 infections, Thai Vietjet is offering travellers two options if they wish to stay at home.

People who have bought tickets before April 10 for travel between April 12 and 30 can choose one of the following:

• Free-of-charge travel date change. Allowed one time only and flight must be within July 31. Subject to availability. Re-routing not allowed.

• Exchange ticket for a credit voucher which will be valid only until July 31.

Passengers must contact the airline for date change or voucher at least 72 hours before the original departure time. Passengers can submit an e-form via https://bit.ly/2L6Yv4z (recommended), or contact the airline via Line @Thaivietjet, email vz.support@vietjetair.com, or via Live Chat at https://skyfun.vietjetair.com/

The airline said it has been strictly disinfecting all its aircraft daily in compliance with the Public Health Ministry’s regulations as well as cleaning and disinfecting its company premises to ensure the wellbeing of its staff and passengers.

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https://www.nationthailand.com/news/30404719

Pickup flips on closed motorway

NationalApr 09. 2021

By The Nation

Four people were injured on Friday when their black pickup truck crashed through the barrier to a motorway that is not due to open.

The vehicle smashed into concrete blocks guarding the entrance to the inbound section of Motorway No 6 in Nakhon Ratchasima’s Kham Thale So district on Friday morning. The impact flipped the pickup and scattered a trail of concrete and debris across the closed road.

The Sawang Meta Nakhon Ratchasima rescue team were called to the scene and rushed the vehicle’s four occupants to Maharat Nakhon Ratchasima Hospital.

Nakhon Ratchasima highway police later posted a Facebook message clarifying that the entrance to the motorway in Kham Thale So district is not yet open.

The highway police also confirmed that motorists were able to use the section of Motorway No 6 between Bang Pa-in and Nakhon Ratchasima (Pak Chong to Sikhiu) as usual.

Today is the first day that motorists were able to use the outbound section of the motorway for free. However, the inbound section will open from April 14-19.

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https://www.nationthailand.com/news/30404718

Three more venues added to list of Bangkok hotspots

NationalApr 09. 2021(Representational Image)

By THE NATION

The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) has added three new nightspots to the list of venues being temporarily closed for sparking a cluster of nearly 400 Covid-19 cases recently.

In a Facebook post on Friday, BMA spokesman Pongsakorn Kwanmuang called on people who visited Snail Thonglor, Babyface Superclub in Ekkamai and THAY Ekkamai since March 22 to contact the BMA via http://bkkcovid19.bangkok.go.th/ or call (02) 203 2393, (02) 203 2396 or (02) 203 2883.

Including the three new additions, 24 nightspots in eight Bangkok districts are being closed for two weeks from Friday. They are:

Watthana district

1. Krystal Club Thonglor 25

2. Bar Bar Bar

3. Ekamai Beer House

4. Emerald Thonglor 13

5. Dirty Bar

6. Bottoms Up Thonglor

7. AINU Hokkaido Izakaya & Bar

8. The Cassette Music Bar Ekkamai

9. 63 Music House Ekkamai

10. Snail Thonglor

11. Babyface Superclub

12. THAY Ekkamai

Bang Khae district

13. Peek Mai Restaurant

Phasi Charoen district

14. The Jazz

Lat Phrao district

15. M Club

16. 76 Garage

Wangthonglang district

17. 69 TomDiiz Pub

18. Dollar Bangkok

Huay Kwang district

19. The Play Exclusive Club

20. TOPONE Club Bangkok

21. Chill Chill Restaurant

22. Hiso Ciety

Din Daeng district

23. Dubai Luxury Club

Bang Kapi district

24. 7-Ducks Pub & Lounge

Source: https://www.springnews.co.th/society/807660

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https://www.nationthailand.com/news/30404717

More than 100,000 vaccine jabs given in Bangkok

NationalApr 09. 2021

By THE NATION

More than 100,000 Covid-19 vaccine doses have been administered in Bangkok since the inoculation programme launched six weeks ago, according to authorities.

On Thursday 7,731 doses were injected, taking the total administered in the province to 103,333 doses, the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) said.

However, this figure still represents less than 1 per cent of the capital’s population, estimated at 10,722,815 residents. To achieve herd immunity, around 70 per cent of the population must have antibodies against Covid-19.

Five groups prioritised to receive the vaccine in Bangkok are:

1. Public health staff and volunteers (55,126 vaccinated so far).

2. Seniors aged over 60 (11,616).

3. Workers in close contact with Covid-19 patients (10,194).

4. People with chronic diseases (7,625).

5. People living in high-risk zones (18,722).

A total of 7,121 Bangkok residents had received the two doses of vaccine necessary for full inoculation.

The BMA said it will continue to vaccinate people in priority groups, especially after the new outbreak of Covid-19 stemming from entertainment venues in the Thong Lor area.

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https://www.nationthailand.com/news/30404716

It’s official: bars, parlours, nightspots in 41 provinces closed for 2 weeks

NationalApr 09. 2021

By THE NATION

The Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration (CCSA) on Friday ordered the closure of entertainment venues, massage parlours and other nightspots in 41 provinces, for at least 14 days from Saturday.

The move is aimed to tackle a recent outbreak that has spread from pubs and clubs in Bangkok’s Thong Lor area.

The closure order covers Bangkok, Pathum Thani, Nonthaburi, Nakhon Pathom, Samut Prakan, Samut Songkhram, Samut Sakhon, Ayutthaya, Saraburi, Lopburi, Nakhon Nayok, Chonburi, Rayong, Chachoengsao, Sa Kaew, Chanthaburi, Prachinburi, Saraburi, Suphanburi, Kanchanaburi, Phetchaburi, Ranong, Chumphon, Nakhon Si Thammarat, Prachuap Khiri Khan, Surat Thani, Songkhla, Yala, Narathiwat, Nakhon Ratchasima, Khon Kaen, Chaiyaphum, Udon Thani, Buri Ram, Tak, Loei, Chiang Mai, Lampang, Chiang Rai, Phuket and Phetchabun.

CCSA spokesperson Taweesin Visanuyothin said the measure will run from midnight on Friday to at least April 23.

Other provinces also have the power to close nightspots temporarily if necessary, he added.

Communicable disease committees in each province can also ask the CCSA for permission to ease restrictions if they think the Covid-19 situation there is under control.

Taweesin added that the government has talked with the private sector on procuring vaccines other than the AstraZeneca and Sinovac doses provided by the state.

A total of 559 new cases of Covicd-19 were reported by the CCSA on Friday. Most were detected in Bangkok (268), followed by Samut Prakan (46), Chonburi (46), Prachuap Khiri Khan (30), Sa Kaew (16), Pathum Thani (12) and Nonthaburi (10).

In all, 45 provinces have logged new Covid-19 cases over the past week.