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https://www.nationthailand.com/news/30404621

Divers rescue monk in flooded cave in Phitsanulok

NationalApr 07. 2021(Photo: Facebook @PhitsanulokRescue)

By THE NATION

A monk who had gone missing since April 2 was found trapped in Phitsanulok’s Tham Phra Sai Ngam cave on Tuesday morning and pulled out of the flooded cave by 11.30am on Wednesday.

The 46-year-old monk, Manas Khemako, was last seen entering the cave on April 2, after which heavy rains flooded the entrance. Villagers immediately alerted the authorities when they realised the monk was missing.

(Photo: Facebook @PhitsanulokRescue)Two divers were then dispatched to hunt for the missing monk, and one returned to say the monk had been found unharmed. The other diver stayed behind to keep the monk company.

“He is safe but tired and has a low fever,” the diver said.

(Photo: Facebook @PhitsanulokRescue)Phitsanulok governor Ronnachai Jitwiset said the divers evaluated the monk’s health and decided to pull him through the floodwaters.

 The incident brings to mind the case of the “Wild Boars” football team consisting of 12 boys and their coach, who were trapped in the flooded Tham Luang cave in Chiang Rai for 17 days from June 23 to July 10, 2018. The 13 were later fitted out in full-face breathing masks and sedated before being pulled to safety through a hazardous underwater labyrinth. Former Thai Navy Seal Officer Saman Kunan lost his life during the rescue operation.

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https://www.nationthailand.com/news/30404620

334 new Covid-19 cases confirmed, majority in Bangkok

NationalApr 07. 2021

By THE NATION

The Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration (CCSA) on Wednesday reported 334 new cases, seven of which were overseas arrivals in quarantine.

Of the 327 local cases, 153 had been discovered via proactive testing.

The majority of the local patients or 221 were found in Bangkok, followed by 30 in Samut Prakan and 20 in Sa Kaew.

Meanwhile, the infections from overseas included three Thais returning from India, Switzerland and the United Arab Emirates, as well as nationals from Japan, Pakistan, India and Sudan.

Meanwhile, 121 patients have recovered and been discharged.

As of Wednesday, the number of confirmed cases in Thailand had risen to 29,905. Of these, 26,742 had been contracted locally, including 16,496 who were found via proactive testing, while 3,163 were returnees.

So far, 28,069 have recovered and been discharged, 1,741 patients are still being treated, and 95 have died.

According to Worldometer, as of 10am on Wednesday, the number of confirmed cases globally had risen to 133.01 million (up by 576,636), 107.26 million of whom have recovered, 22.87 million are active cases (99,383 in severe condition) and 2.88 million have died (up by 11,802).

Thailand ranks 114th on the global list of most cases, which is topped by the US with 31.56 million, followed by Brazil 13.1 million, India 12.79 million, France 4.84 million and Russia 4.59 million.

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https://www.nationthailand.com/news/30404619

Transport Minister Saksayam ‘has Covid-19’

NationalApr 07. 2021

By THE NATION

Transport Minister Saksayam Chidchob has contracted Covid-19, an official report confirmed on Wednesday.

Earlier on Wednesday morning, Public Health Minister Anutin Charnvirakul said Saksayam – a member of his Bhumjaithai Party – was under treatment in Buriram Hospital with high fever and awaiting the results of a Covid-19 test.

Anutin himself is presently quarantined at home.

On Tuesday, he made merit along with other Bhumjaithai members including Saksayam and another staffer, who was confirmed to be infected with Covid.

The health minister told the press that he wore a face mask all the time when he was with the others.

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https://www.nationthailand.com/news/30404618

Chula specialist fears virus will spread this Songkran, advises extreme caution

NationalApr 07. 2021Dr Yong Poovorawan

By THE NATION

The latest cluster of Covid-19 cases linked to Bangkok’s entertainment venues could pose a new challenge for Thailand, especially during the upcoming Songkran festival, Chulalongkorn University virology specialist Dr Yong Poovorawan warned in a Facebook post on Tuesday.

“Infected patients from new hotspots are mostly young pub goers, therefore their symptoms will be minimal or hard to detect, making it difficult to control the outbreak while those infected could unknowingly spread the virus to others,” Yong said.

Bangkok Governor Aswin Kwanmuang announced on Monday the closure of all entertainment venues in Khlong Toei, Wattana (Thong Lor and Ekkamai) and Bang Khae districts until April 19, after 118 people who visited entertainment venues in these areas tested positive for the virus. Restaurants and entertainment venues in other districts are allowed to stay open until only 9pm and ordered to maintain strict Covid-19 preventive measures.

“Compared to April last year, the number of infected persons this April has jumped from dozens to hundreds per day,” Yong pointed out. “This is because last year people took preventive measures, including checking in and out via the Thai Chana mobile platform, whereas nowadays most people ignore these measures,” he said.

“Furthermore, last year the government moved Songkran holidays in April to other months to limit inter-provincial travel, but this year Songkran holidays will go ahead as usual (April 13-15). The long weekend starts as early as April 10 and a large number of people are expected to travel to their hometowns” said Yong. “So the risk of the outbreak spreading during Songkran this year is greater, as young people who have unknowingly contracted the virus could spread it to their family members, especially elders during the reunion,” he warned.

“I want to urge those who will visit their families during Songkran to strictly adhere to preventive measures, including wearing face masks, washing your hands regularly, maintaining social distance and avoiding touching public surfaces,” Yong wrote.

“Alternatively, you can visit them online via video calls or video conferencing, which is also a great way to save on travel expenses while keep everyone safe from the virus,” Yong advised.

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https://www.nationthailand.com/news/30404612

Baht strengthens, but ‘could weaken’

NationalApr 07. 2021

By THE NATION

The baht opened at 31.30 to the US dollar on Wednesday, strengthening from its close of 31.41 on Monday.

The Thai currency is likely to move between 31.25 and 31.40 during the day, Krungthai Bank market strategist Poon Panichpibool said.

He said there is a chance the baht could weaken, despite the dollar weakening slightly. In the next one or two months, the dollar will move in a stable range, or strengthen again, if the US economy continues to recover.

Poon added that several foreign currencies were purchased for the purpose of paying dividends, and the baht would weaken more from this financial activity, especially during the week after Songkran, when the purchasing rate of currencies tends to increase.

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https://www.nationthailand.com/news/30404606

Monk trapped in flooded Phitsanulok cave in case similar to ‘Wild Boars’

NationalApr 07. 2021Photo: Facebook เอกกู้ภัยข่าวภาพ จุดเนินมะปรางพิษณุโลก

By THE NATION

A rescue plan is underway for a monk who is reportedly missing after he was last seen entering a cave in Phitsanulok province’s Nern Maprang district on April 2, the Ake Rescue Foundation posted on their Facebook page on Monday.

The Tham Phra Sai Ngam cave is part of the huge Thung Salaeng Luang National Park.

Photo: Facebook เอกกู้ภัยข่าวภาพ จุดเนินมะปรางพิษณุโลก

“Villagers who have regularly given alms to the monk, who is known as Ajarn Nut, aged 46, said they had not seen him for several days and suspected he was trapped in the cave after he was seen entering it. The cave is now flooded due to heavy rains in the past few days,” the foundation said.

Local officials are presently surveying the cave to formulate a rescue.

Photo: Facebook เอกกู้ภัยข่าวภาพ จุดเนินมะปรางพิษณุโลก

The incident brings to mind the case of the “Wild Boars” football team consisting of 12 boys and their coach, who were trapped in Tham Luang cave in Chiang Rai for 17 days from June 23 to July 10, 2018, after they entered the cave and were trapped when heavy rains caused instant flooding. The 13 were later fitted out in full-face breathing masks and sedated before being pulled to safety through a hazardous underwater labyrinth. Former Thai Navy Seal Officer Saman Kunan lost his life during the rescue operation.

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https://www.nationthailand.com/news/30404605

Transport minister in self-quarantine after staffer tests positive

NationalApr 07. 2021Saksayam (File Photo)

By THE NATION

Transport Minister Saksayam Chidchob is in self-quarantine for 14 days after one of his ministry staff tested positive for Covid-19, Bhumjaithai Party spokesman Suphachai Jaisamut said on Tuesday.

Saksayam is also the party’s secretary-general.

“The staffer was sent to hospital for treatment on April 6,” he said. “The minister took a Covid-19 test at Buriram Hospital on Tuesday evening and the result came back negative. He will remain in self-quarantine for 14 days and will take a test again on April 8.”

Suphachai said Minister Saksayam and other MPs of the party who attended a party meeting and merit-making activity last week are undergoing self-quarantine for 14 days and therefore will not attend a Parliament meeting during this period.

“The Bhumjaithai Party apologises for any inconvenience caused by this incident, and advises anyone who has had close contact with the minister and staff to get a Covid-19 test immediately,” Suphachai added.

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https://www.nationthailand.com/news/30404604

Restaurants, entertainment venues under close watch

NationalApr 07. 2021

By THE NATION

The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) is ensuring that entertainment venues and restaurants in the province are strictly following regulations on opening and closing hours to curb Covid-19 from spreading further after a new cluster of cases was found relating to entertainment venues earlier this week.

Bangkok Governor Aswin Kwanmuang announced on Monday the closure of all entertainment venues in Khlong Toei, Wattana (Thong Lor and Ekkamai) and Bang Khae districts until April 19, after 118 people who visited entertainment venues in these areas tested positive for the virus.

“We have been dispatching officials to inspect restaurants and entertainment venues such as pubs and bars in other districts to make sure they close at 9pm,” said BMA permanent secretary Silapasuay Raweesangsoon. “Owners must also employ Covid-19 preventive measures, including installing thermal screening checkpoints, enforcing the wearing of face masks, providing hand sanitising gels or a washing station, cleaning public surfaces regularly and maintaining social distancing practices,” she said.

“The BMA inspected 14,166 restaurants, pubs and bars in the province from March 1 to April 1,” Silapasuay said.

“During the Songkran Festival [April 10-15], we will increase the frequency of inspection at bus terminals to ensure that people travelling to and from their hometowns follow Covid-19 preventive measures,” she added.

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https://www.nationthailand.com/news/30404603

Thundershowers forecast across Thailand

NationalApr 07. 2021

By THE NATION

Keep your umbrellas handy. Thundershowers with gusty winds and isolated heavy rains are forecast for upper Thailand while the South too will experience isolated thundershowers, the Meteorological Department said on Wednesday, mentioning that a westerly trough covers the upper Northeast while southerly and southeasterly winds bring moisture from the South China Sea and the Gulf of Thailand to the lower North, the Northeast, the Central region including Bangkok and its vicinity, and the East.

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

Bangkok and surrounding areas: Thundershowers in 30 per cent of the area; temperature lows of 25-26 degrees, highs of 33-34 degrees Celsius.

North: Thundershowers in 40 per cent of the area with gusty wind possible in some areas; temperature lows of 20-25 degrees and highs of 27-34 degrees Celsius.

Northeast: Thundershowers in 30 per cent of the area; temperature lows of 22-26 degrees and highs of 32-36 degrees Celsius.

Central: Thundershowers in 30 per cent of the area, with gusty wind in some areas; temperature lows of 24-26 degrees, highs of 33-36 degrees Celsius.

East: Thundershowers in 40 per cent of the area; temperature lows of 23-25 degrees, highs of 31-35 degrees Celsius; waves a metre high and 1-2 metres during thundershowers.

South (east coast): Thundershowers in 60 per cent of the area with isolated heavy rains; temperature lows of 24-26 degrees, highs of 29-34 degrees Celsius; waves a metre high and 2 metres during thundershowers.

South (west coast): Thundershowers in 40 per cent of the area; temperature lows of 23-26 degrees, highs of 33-35 degrees Celsius; waves a metre high and 1-2 metres during thundershowers.

Source: Thailand Meteorological Department

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https://www.nationthailand.com/news/30404591

New minister isolates herself after visitor to her Sa Kaew home tests positive

NationalApr 06. 2021

By The Nation

Education Minister Treenuch Thienthong has isolated herself for 14 days after learning on Tuesday that one of the guests who visited her home on Sunday had tested positive for Covid-19.

The guest had shown up at the newly appointed minister’s home in Sa Kaew province to congratulate her.

“Out of social responsibility, I will go into self-quarantine and will perform my duties from Wednesday via the Zoom application,” she said.

Results of her Covid-19 test are yet to be released.