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https://www.nationthailand.com/news/30404024

Over 400 new Covid-19 cases in one of the biggest surges in weeks

NationalMar 23. 2021

By The Nation

The Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration (CCSA) on Tuesday reported 401 new cases and one death.

Of the new cases, 46 had been contracted locally, 337 were found via proactive testing and 18 were overseas travellers in quarantine.

The country’s 92nd death was a 75 year-old Thai man who lived in Bangkok. He had heart valve regurgitation, high blood pressure and Alzheimer’s disease. His Covid-19 test was positive on March 14 and he died on March 19.

Of the 18 overseas arrivals who tested positive, 11 Thais and seven foreign nationals had arrived from the UK, Belgium, UAE, Croatia, Myanmar, Ethiopia, Tunisia, Greece, Netherlands, Pakistan, Syria, Qatar and Malaysia.

Meanwhile, 103 patients have recovered and been discharged.

As of Tuesday, the number of confirmed cases in Thailand had risen to 28,277. Of these, 25,275 had been contracted locally, including 15,829 who were found via proactive testing, while 3,002 were returnees.

So far, 26,766 have recovered and been discharged, 1,419 patients are being treated, and 92 have died (32 in the second outbreak).

According to Worldometer, as of 10am on Tuesday, the number of confirmed cases globally had risen to 124.29 million (up by 405,372), 100.26 million of whom have recovered, 21.29 million are active cases (90,820 in severe condition) and 2.73 million have died (up by 7,021).

Thailand ranks 116th on the global list of most cases, which is topped by the US with 30.57 million, followed by Brazil 12.05 million, India 11.68 million, Russia 4.46 million and the UK 4.30 million.

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https://www.nationthailand.com/news/30404022

No problems reported as ministry disburses Bt5.7 billion under cash handout scheme

NationalMar 23. 2021

By THE NATION

The Ministry of Labour on Monday disbursed over Bt5.72 billion cash to those registered for the latest cash handout scheme — “Mor33 Rao Rak Kan” (Section33 We Love Each Other) — without any problem, Minister Suchart Chomklin said.

The scheme offers Bt4,000 via the Pao Tang application to Thai nationals under Section 33 of the Social Security Act who do not hold a state welfare card, have not joined the Rao Chana (We Win) scheme and have less than Bt500,000 in savings.

“Monday is the first day that we have transferred the first lot of Bt1,000 to registrants under the scheme. So far there is no report of problems such as the system malfunctioning or people not receiving their money,” he said.

“So far 5,720,967 people have been approved to receive the handout, or 77 per cent of total people who are qualified.”

Suchart added that it was estimated the scheme would help inject more than Bt11.4 billion into the economy.

“The next instalment of cash would be disbursed on March 29, April 5 and April 12 respectively at Bt1,000 per time,” he added.

“Recipients can spend the money at participating merchants from 6am to 11pm daily until May 31.”

People who had already registered but were not accepted can submit an appeal before March 28 at www.ม33เรารักกัน.com Those who do not have a smart phone to receive the money via Pao Tang application can contact Social Security office in their province during office hours, while presenting a smart ID card to verify their identity.

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https://www.nationthailand.com/news/30404019

Demand for foreign currencies from importers could weaken baht

NationalMar 23. 2021

By THE NATION

The baht opened at 30.89 to the US dollar on Tuesday, unchanged from the close on Tuesday.

The Thai currency is likely to move between 30.80 and 30.95, Krungthai Bank market strategist Poon Panichpibool said.

He said the baht would still fluctuate in line with the dollar.

The baht could weaken during the day due to pressure from importers’ purchase of foreign currencies.

However, the market strategist believed that the baht would see a.sharp drop, as exporters would aim to sell their dollars when the Thai currency falls to between 30.90 and 31 per US dollar.

Also, the baht would weaken to 31.25 in case it reached 31, he added.

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https://www.nationthailand.com/news/30404017

Stadium converted into 100-bed Covid-19 hospital in Bangkok district

NationalMar 23. 2021

By THE NATION

National Police chief Pol General Suwat Chaengyodsuk on Monday visited the Boonyachinda Stadium in Bangkok’s Lak Si district which has been recently converted into a field hospital to quarantine and treat persons infected with Covid-19.

“The Royal Thai Police’s Immigration Bureau has converted the stadium into a 100-bed field hospital due to the rising number of infections among migrant labourers who had entered Thailand illegally and are awaiting to be sent back to their countries,” he said.

“Currently the quarantine facilities at the Immigration Bureau’s Suan Plu and Bang Khen branches have 1,615 persons in them, and there could be more in the future.”

The Ministry of Public Health announced on Monday that 395 people held at quarantine facilities of Bang Khen Immigration Bureau had tested positive for Covid-19.

“The infections were found as early as on March 11 in nine people. On March 13, 52 more people were found infected. On March 15, 16 people who had close contact with patients tested positive,” it said in a press release.

“From March 18-21, the ministry launched proactive testing and found 318 more people infected, most of whom are asymptomatic.”

The ministry added that all infected persons and those with high risk have been separated, quarantined and treated at certified hospitals to prevent the virus from spreading to nearby communities.

“The field hospital will help alleviate congestion at local hospitals and will aim specifically in treating and quarantining infected migrant labours,” added Suwat. “If the number of infections is still rising, we will expand the field hospital accordingly.”

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https://www.nationthailand.com/news/30404011

Nearly 7,000 people get Covid jab in Bangkok hotspot

NationalMar 23. 2021

By THE NATION

The Sinovac vaccine was administered on Monday to 1,399 people at risk of contracting Covid-19 in Bang Khae district, the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) said on Monday.

The vaccine drive started on March 17 with the BMA moving a mobile vaccination unit to Sirisetthanont Market in Bang Khae district, which is a hot spot of recent cluster cases.

The Public Health Ministry and the BMA had aimed to inoculate 6,000 people facing risk of infection until March 22.

On Saturday, the mobile unit moved to Inmanoradee Temple in Phasi Charoen district, which is adjacent to Bang Khae, to facilitate vaccination of wider groups.

Chawin Sirinak, BMA’s deputy permanent secretary, said 1,399 of the 1,429 registrants were vaccinated on Monday and 54 people did not get the jab either due to being physically unfit or they had a change of mind.

“Two people who got vaccinated on Monday had shown non-severe side-effects such as dizziness and lightheadedness. The patients got better after about 30 minutes of rest,” he added.

During the six days of the vaccine drive, the BMA has vaccinated 6,842 people in Bang Khae and nearby areas, exceeding its target, after which the mobile unit service at Inmanoradee Temple was closed.

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https://www.nationthailand.com/news/30404010

Isolated thundershowers, gusty winds forecast for some parts of Thailand

NationalMar 23. 2021

By THE NATION

The Thailand Meteorological Department said on Tuesday that the high-pressure system over upper Thailand and the South China Sea had lowered temperatures in the areas, except the North which is still hot during the day.

Isolated thundershowers and gusty winds are also possible in some areas. People should keep off open areas, big trees and unsecured billboards, the department said. Farmers were warned of damage to crop.

On March 23-24, the easterly winds across the South and the Gulf will strengthen, bringing more rain and isolated heavy rains to the South. Strong winds blow across the Gulf of Thailand and the Andaman Sea, triggering waves 1-2 metres high and about two metres high during thundershowers, the department said.

The weather forecast for the next 24 hours:

North: Hot day with thundershowers and gusty winds in 20 per cent of the areas; temperature lows of 20-25 degrees Celsius, highs of 34-37°C.

Northeast: Partly cloudy with gusty winds; temperature lows of 17-22°C, highs of 31-34°C.

Central: Thundershowers in 10 per cent of the areas; temperature lows of 22-26°C, highs of 32-36°C.

East: Thundershowers in 10 per cent of the areas; temperature lows of 23-25°C, highs of 32-35°C; waves a metre high and 1-2 metres during thundershowers.

South (east coast): Mostly cloudy with thundershowers and gusty winds in 40 per cent of the areas; temperature lows of 22-25°C, highs of 32-34°C; waves 1-2 metres high and two metres during thundershowers.

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

Bangkok and surrounding areas: Hot day with haze; temperature lows of 24-26°C, highs of 33-36°C.

Source: Thailand Meteorological Department

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https://www.nationthailand.com/news/30403994

Few Thais save for the future, NESDC finds

NationalMar 23. 2021

By The Nation

Household debts in Thailand will likely rise as Thais generally start their savings plans too late, the National Economic and Social Development Council (NESDC) said on Monday.

Jinanggoon Rojananan, NESDC’s deputy secretary-general, said a Stock Exchange of Thailand study shows that Thais usually invest in savings schemes when they are 42 years old, compared to Americans, who start saving from the age of 30.

“Meanwhile, only 2.2 per cent of Thai households start investing, while most Thais have a high level of debt,” she pointed out.

Household debt in the third quarter of 2020 stood at Bt13.77 trillion, accounting for 86.6 per cent of the country’s gross domestic product.

“Many households cannot save because they have to repay debts, especially the Generation Y, which spends 69 per cent of its earnings on luxury goods,” she said.

Also, some 70 per cent of people in this generation have either sought bank loans or used credit cards to fund their love for luxury goods, she said.

Hence, she said, the government should come up with new ways of tackling the ageing society, such as developing labour skills in line with digital disruption, encouraging students to enter the job market more quickly as well as extending the retirement age from 60 to 63.

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https://www.nationthailand.com/news/30403997

FCCT warns police about targeting reporters after rubber-bullet injuries

NationalMar 22. 2021

By THE NATION

The Foreign Correspondents’ Club of Thailand (FCCT) has expressed serious concern about the injuries inflicted by rubber bullets on journalists covering protests around Bangkok’s Sanam Luang on Saturday night.

The FCCT noted that police had used water cannon, tear gas and rubber bullets to disperse the protesters.

It also urged Thai authorities to recognise that journalists covering the protests are doing their jobs and should not be targeted.

The statement was issued after one journalist was hospitalised for a head scan after being struck in the head by a rubber bullet on Saturday night.

The FCCT endorsed a statement by six Thai media associations calling for authorities to respect the democratic right of people to protest peacefully, without provocation, weapons or the use of force. The media statement also called on police to avoid violence by clearly informing protesters and the media in advance about the steps to be taken.

Meanwhile, the FCCT cited United Nations guidelines stating that rubber bullets should only be used as a last resort against violent protesters and should be aimed at the lower body of individuals identified as posing a specific risk, and never aimed at the head.

The media club also urged Thai authorities to review their crowd-control procedures and to take particular care not to use force on working journalists in a protest.

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https://www.nationthailand.com/news/30403996

Parit handed 15 days in jail for contempt of court

NationalMar 22. 2021Krisadang Nucharat

By THE NATION

The lawyer for Parit “Penguin” Chiwarak said on Monday that the detained protester had been sentenced to 15 days in prison for contempt of court at a hearing last Monday (March 15).

Lawyer Krisadang Nucharat said Parit had been found guilty of improper actions during the preliminary Criminal Court hearing for cases stemming from anti-establishment protests on September 19-20 last year.

Parit admitted on Monday he had tried to read a statement in court without the judge’s permission and had addressed the judge in a disrespectful manner, said his lawyer.

In the statement, Parit said he was going on hunger strike to demand bail release for other protesters being held on charges of sedition and lese majeste.

The court cut his sentence to 15 days instead of the usual one month, citing his confession.

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https://www.nationthailand.com/news/30403993

Thai shop weaves world’s biggest bamboo hats

NationalMar 22. 2021

By THE NATION

Sukhothai residents have found a new way to stay cool in the blistering heat of Thai summer. Local shop Thai Chana Suek has fashioned what it says are the world’s largest hats made from bamboo. The remarkable headgear measures 2 metres in width, offering plenty of shade for the wearer – and even a few friends.

Worawut Inkhamma, owner of Thai Chana Suek, explained that the products were probably the biggest hats people can wear. Each took around one day to weave and sew. The price tag is Bt1,600.

Worawut, 52, said local hatmakers were known for their traditional and normal-size hats. However, they decided to get creative and see if they could produce a super-sized design. The huge sunhats proved popular with customers and are now a lucrative sideline to the shop’s more conventional items.

As well as hats of all sizes, Thai Chana Suek also produces bags, shawls, shirts and sarongs.