The Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration on Friday extended the emergency decree nationwide for two months, until May 31, in a bid to curb infections.
It is the 11th consecutive extension of the state of emergency since the pandemic.
Recently, Bangkok found a new hotspot in Bang Khae district from proactive testing, with more than 300 cases found by far.
Nowadays, many educational institutions are adding social-contribution activities to their courses to create awareness among students about giving back to society.https://www.youtube.com/embed/xpNei0Me-QU?rel=0
Don Muang Technical College in Bangkok is one of them.
Many vocational colleges have a reputation for ill-discipline and violence. But the Don Muang College students are helping change that image with yearly community activities. Recently, they removed graffiti in a neighbourhood near their school, impressing passers-by with their eagerness to do good things for society.
Samut Sakhon Governor Verasak Vichitsangsri was discharged from Siriraj Hospital in Bangkok on Friday morning after undergoing treatment since December 28 following a Covid-19 infection.
Veerasak, 58, tested positive for Covid-19 in December and was hospitalised until Friday, while his province has become the country’s hotspot in the second Covid-19 wave, with a total of 16,995 positive cases reported so far.
Dr Prasit Watanapa, dean of the Faculty of Medicine at Siriraj Hospital, told a press conference on Friday that Verasak had recovered and could resume his daily activities as normal.
Prasit added that during the treatment Verasak had been on a respirator two times, for 17 and 42 consecutive days respectively, the longest in hospital’s statistics.
“I would like to thank the doctors, nurses, and everyone for showing their support during my treatment, especially the people of Samut Sakhon, Phichit and Ang Thong provinces,” said Verasak.
“To be honest, I’m surprised that I finally made it after being unconscious for over 40 days.”
Provincial deputy governor Theerapat Katchamat said that there would be restrictions on people meeting with the governor after his discharge so as to maintain social distancing and prevent the risk of re-infection.
Verasak is scheduled to return to his birthplace in Ang Thong to undergo physical therapy for around a month before he can return to work.
Thailand Post trials EV bikes in Bangkok for environmentally friendly delivery
NationalMar 19. 2021Thailand Post’s first EV bike — Benly-E (red) and PCX Electric (white).
By The Nation
Thailand Post Co is moving towards energy conservation and environmental sustainability by switching to electric motorcycles for the delivery.
Thailand Post has joined hands with AP Honda Co for the pilot project.
There are two models being trialled — the PCX Electric and Benly-E.
According to Thailand Post, the two models can be used for a maximum distance of 41 kilometres and 43 kilometres, respectively, per electric charge. This will help cut pollution, dust or small particles in the air and also reduce noise pollution.
Initially, Thailand Post piloted both models of motorcycles for delivery to service users living in the community under Samsen Nai Post Office in Bangkok.
The baht opened at 30.89 to the US dollar on Friday, weakening from 30.82 at close on Thursday.
The Thai currency is likely to move between 30.85 and 31.00, Krungthai Bank market strategist Poon Panichpibool said.
He predicted on Friday morning that the baht would tend to fluctuate in line with the dollar’s movement.
He suggested that investors monitor funds flows of foreign investors in the short term, especially in stocks, which can fluctuate, as crude oil price has decreased sharply, affecting energy stocks.
Moreover, if Thailand’s Ten-Year Treasury yield increased sharply, some foreign investors would sell the bonds, the market strategist added, explaining that this situation would weaken the baht.
He added that the baht would not weaken below 30.90 to the US dollar.
The Bank of Thailand will probably help deal with the baht’s fluctuation, which would be reflected in a decrease in foreign exchange reserves.
Low-income civil servants to get cash handouts under new scheme
NationalMar 19. 2021Finance Minister Arkhom Termpittayapaisith (File Photo)
By THE NATION
A new cash handout scheme is being prepared for 1 million low-income civil servants, Finance Minister Arkhom Termpittayapaisith said on Thursday.
“The Rao Phuk Phan [We Bond Together] campaign will be similar to the Rao Chana [We Win] cash handout scheme that offered Bt7,000 to self-employed people, but this time we aim to help civil servants with low income who have not received any aid from the government,” he said.
“The details of the campaign, such as qualifications of the recipients, and disbursement method, should be finalised soon.”
Arkhom added that the new scheme would use the same Bt210-billion budget that the Cabinet had approved for Rao Chana. “Although the Rao Chana campaign has 32.3 million registrants, more than the previous estimate of 31.1 million, we believe that the budget will be adequate for both campaigns, as Rao Chana will pay the money in instalments with intervals between them, allowing the ministry to manage the cashflow in time.
“There is no need for the government to divert budget from other projects to support Rao Phuk Phan,” Arkhom said.
On Thursday, 961 people at risk of contracting Covid-19 in Bang Khae district were inoculated with the Sinovac vaccine, the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) said on Friday.
The vaccine drive started on Wednesday with 705 people being inoculated at BMA’s mobile vaccination unit in Sirisetthanont Market.
The Public Health Ministry and the BMA aimed to inoculate 6,000 people facing the risk of infection due to the Bang Khae cluster. The vaccination drive will run until March 21.
Chawin Sirinak, BMA’s deputy permanent secretary, said 961 of the 1,000 registrants were vaccinated on Thursday, while 39 people did not get the jab either due to high blood-pressure or change of mind.
“Three people who got vaccinated on Thursday have shown non-severe side-effects such as dizziness and being lightheaded. The patients got better after about 30 minutes of rest,” he said.
Chawin added that those who had been vaccinated would receive their second jab between April 7 and 11.
The Thailand Meteorological Department said on Friday that a heat low covers the lower North and the upper Central regions while the southerly and the southeasterly winds blow over the lower North, the Northeast, the Central and the East.
A hot to very hot day with haze is forecast for the upper country, while isolated thundershowers are expected in some areas. People in upper Thailand should take care of their health due to the hot conditions, the department said.
The department also forecast that from March 21 to 22, another strong high pressure area from China will extend to cover upper Thailand and the South China Sea, bringing hot to very hot weather conditions to the upper portion of the country. Summer storms, thunderstorms with gusty winds and hail are expected in the Northeast, the North, the Central including Bangkok and its vicinity, the East and the upper South regions. People should stay safe from the severe conditions by keeping away from open areas, big trees and unsecured billboards, the department said. Farmers were warned of damage to crop.
The weather forecast for the next 24 hours:
North: Hot to very hot day with haze and isolated thundershowers in 10 per cent of the areas; temperature lows of 19-26 degrees Celsius and highs of 36-41°C.
Northeast: Hot day with haze and isolated thundershowers in 10 per cent of the areas; temperature lows of 23-25°C, highs of 36-38°C.
Central: Hot day with haze and isolated thundershowers in 10 per cent of the areas; temperature lows of 23-26°C, highs of 36-39°C.
East: Hot day with haze and isolated thundershowers in 10 per cent of the areas; temperature lows of 24-27°C, highs of 32-37°C; waves less than a metre high and a metre during thundershowers.
South (east coast): Partly cloudy with isolated light rains; temperature lows of 21-25°C, highs of 32-36°C; waves a metre high.
South (west coast): Hot day with isolated light rains; temperature lows of 21-25°C, highs of 34-37°C; waves less than a metre high and a metre offshore.
Bangkok and surrounding areas: Hot day with haze; temperature lows of 25-27°C, highs of 34-37°C.
Britain’s National Health Service (NHS) is leading the global battle against Covid-19 thanks to its nationwide database, healthcare network and commitment to equality.
This was the conclusion of Thailand’s ambassador to the UK, speaking in a recent interview.
Thai Ambassador Pisanu Suvanajata arrived in London four years ago and promptly registered with the NHS. The publicly funded healthcare system provides universal and free healthcare access to all UK residents – including foreigners.
As a beneficiary of the NHS, he has occasionally visited the local community clinic and consulted with a general practitioner or GP. He found the NHS is an effective health insurance system that makes healthcare services affordable and accessible while standing strong as the UK’s defence against the Covid-19 pandemic.
Founded in 1948, the NHS is a blueprint for countries aiming to achieve Universal Healthcare Coverage. Thailand adopted the NHS model when it introduced its Universal Coverage Scheme in 2002.
The NHS is also the central mechanism of the UK government’s Covid-19 vaccination programme, as Pisanu noted in a recent briefing with Thailand’s National Health Security Office.
The UK government aims to offer vaccination to every resident adult by the end of July. As of March 15, more than 24 million UK residents had received their first jab and over 1.6 million their second.
Data-driven vaccination“When I first arrived here, I had to register with the NHS and have a medical check-up,” recalled Pisanu.
His information – including address, phone number, and health conditions – is kept in the NHS database. The database became crucial for the UK government in running the vaccination programme starting from December 8 last year.
“Because it [the NHS] has the database, it can reach individuals through SMS to notify them of their vaccine appointment,” Pisanu said.
The message says there is no need to reply if you are available on the scheduled appointment date.
“If you are not available, you text back with ‘No’ and someone will reschedule your vaccine appointment and send another SMS,” said Pisanu, who recently received his first vaccine dose.
Vaccination is provided at neighbourhood health units. Those who arrive punctually do not need to wait in a queue.
It takes about 15 seconds to receive the jab and another 15 minutes to monitor for any side effects. Appointments are automatically made for each vaccine recipient to return 10 weeks later to get their second dose.
Around seven million UK residents per month have been vaccinated since the programme was launched.
“The UK can speed up vaccination because it has data and uses appropriate technology such as SMS – which is the simplest but most effective [communication] and very practical.”
A ‘spiderweb’ health network
Covid-19 vaccination is also offered in some hospitals and pharmacies, as well as at local clinics run by GPs and at larger vaccination centres.
“The NHS system builds a spiderweb-like network of health facilities and pharmacies. There are seven centres which distribute vaccines to thousands of community clinics and medical centres across the country,” said Pisanu.
“People are vaccinated at health facilities not more than 10 miles (16 kilometres] from their home. I think this is the right approach. The vaccination programme should take into account convenience for people. This also encourages people to come for vaccination,” the ambassador added.
The vaccine programme benefits from a community health network made up of general practitioners, pharmacists, and the private sector. The NHS established the network to prevent overcrowding at hospitals.
“You can get a prescription from a general practitioner at a community clinic, then go to a pharmacy such as Boots and get your medicine,” Pisanu said.
The medical data of patients are usually shared between clinics and pharmacies.
“You can go straight to the pharmacy and buy drugs at affordable prices too. Postal delivery of medicines is also available.”
“The engagement of the private sector in the health system is based on mutual benefit sharing. [A profit-making] pharmacy such as Boots can sell health products and also dispense drugs covered by the NHS.”
The UK health system also engages trained volunteers who assist in running several health programmes, including Covid-19 vaccination.
‘Glue’ for social unity
“The health system here treats humans with equality. Every resident will get the coronavirus vaccines regardless of their race and nationality as long as they have registered with the NHS. Meanwhile, members of the society cooperate with each other to get through the crisis,” observed Pisanu.
“The UK government also implements an effective communication strategy and educates people to understand the safety and effectiveness of Covid-19 vaccines regardless of their manufacturers.”
The government provides residents with free Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine imported from Belgium and Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine manufactured in the UK.
Pisanu received the Pfizer-BioNTech jab, while his wife was given Oxford-AstraZeneca.
The vaccination programme also has a role to play in restoring national unity after Britain’s divisive move to leave the European Union.
“The UK government must strengthen social confidence as a result of Brexit,” said the ambassador.
He also noted that the UK will host the G-7 meeting and COP-26 Climate Change Conference in November this year.
But thanks to its clear objective and practical strategy, the UK government has an effective road map to reopen the country, said Pisanu.
“Integral to this road map is a vaccination plan that rests on the principle of free and equal access to vaccines,” he added.
A recent survey found Thais to be the biggest beer drinkers in Asia, while Czechs topped the list in the world.According to this year’s World Beer Index published on expensivity.com, Thais consume 142 bottles of beer per person per year on average, followed by South Koreans who consume 130 bottles per person yearly.In world rankings, Czechs consume an average of 468 bottles of beer per person per year, followed by the Spanish at 417 bottles, while Germany came in third with 411 bottles despite its famous yearly beer festival Oktoberfest.
Worldwide, Germans are the biggest spenders, with per-person spending on beer coming in at US$1,908, followed by Poland at $1,738, Lithuania at $1,586, and Austria and the UK at a tie with $1,554.In Asia, the top five countries where beer is most expensive are China, Japan, Singapore, Thailand and Malaysia.
Thailand Post’s first EV bike — Benly-E (red) and PCX Electric (white).
Finance Minister Arkhom Termpittayapaisith (File Photo)
