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https://www.nationthailand.com/news/30403449

Covid fake news complaints in Jan-Feb doubled figure last year

NationalMar 08. 2021Atcharin Pattanapanchai

By The NationComplaints about Covid-19 fake news during the ongoing second outbreak have already almost doubled the figure for 2020, the Digital Economy and Society Ministry said on Monday.

The ministry received 35.47 million complaints between December 19 last year and February 28, said DES permanent secretary Atcharin Pattanapanchai.

That compares with 18.81 million complaints of Covid-19 fake news during the first outbreak (January-September).

In the past two months, the centre against Covid-19 fake news has issued about 140 announcements. Of these, 70 per cent identified fake news, 20 per cent identified distortions of the truth, and 10 per cent confirmed real news.

“News about the second wave of Covid-19 is definitely being highlighted by the public, especially on social media,” Atcharin noted. “The number of fake news reports in the last two months has doubled the number seen last year,” he added.

Since Covid-19 first emerged, the centre has launched a total of 1,346 investigations into suspected fake news about the virus.

Most fake news about Covid-19 is in the health category (719 items, accounting for 53 per cent), followed by fake news about government policy (615 items, 46 per cent) and the economy (12 items, 1 per cent).

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https://www.nationthailand.com/news/30403446

Why can’t the private sector procure Covid-19 vaccines?

NationalMar 08. 2021Yong Poovorawan

By THE NATION

Virologist Dr Yong Poovorawan has stepped in to explain why private companies are not yet allowed to import Covid-19 vaccine to Thailand.

On Monday, the Chulalongkorn University professor responded via Facebook to people inquiring why private companies and hospitals could not procure their own vaccine.

He explained that the Thai and other governments around the world had registered Covid-19 vaccines for emergency use. This meant responsibility for any side effects from inoculation lay with the government, not the vaccine producers.

Therefore, Covid-19 vaccine can only be imported under the government’s contract.

Currently, vaccine producers will not negotiate with private purchasers who have no government authorisation.

However, Dr Yong said private companies will be permitted to export shots once Covid-19 vaccines are fully registered, with responsibility for any side effects passed to the producers.

Thailand launched vaccination last Monday (March 1) after receiving its first shipments of Sinovac and AstraZeneca shots.

The first phase of vaccination covers medics and people with underlying disease, as well as residents of high-risk provinces – Samut Sakhon, Bangkok, Nonthaburi, Nakhon Pathom, Tak, Pathum Thani, Samut Prakan, Samut Songkhram and Ratchaburi.

The second phase covers international travellers including businesspeople, airline staff, diplomats, and members of international organisations.

Thailand has ordered 63 million doses of vaccine, enough to inoculate 31.5 million people in 2021 or roughly 45 per cent of its 66 million people.

The Tourism Authority of Thailand expects the country to reopen to foreign tourists in the third quarter of this year as vaccination rolls out across the world.

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https://www.nationthailand.com/news/30403444

18 anti-establishment movement leaders to be sued for role in Sept 2020 Thammasat rally

NationalMar 08. 2021

By THE NATION

Public prosecutors have decided to file separate lawsuits against 18 members of the Ratsadon group for participating in a political rally on September 19-20, 2020, at Thammasat University and Bangkok’s Sanam Luang area.

The three protest leaders already face charges of violating Article 112 of the Criminal Code or the lese majeste law. They are Panasaya “Rung” Sithijirawattanakul, Jatupat “Pai Dao Din” Boonpattararaksa, and Panupong “Mike” Jadnok.

They have also been charged for sedition under Article 116 of the Criminal Code as well as the unlawful assembly of 10 or more persons under Article 215.

The remaining 15 protest leaders face charges under Articles 116 and 215, or sedition and unlawful assembly. They are Attapon Buapat, Chinnawat Chankrachang, Chukiat Saengwong, Nawat Liangwattana, Nattapat Akhad, Thanachai Euarucha, Thanop Amphawat, Thanee Sasom, Phattharaphong Noiphang, Sitthat Jindarat, Suwanna Tarnlek, Adisak Sombatkham, Anurak Jentawanich, Natchanon Pirote, and Bottom Blues band member Chaiamorn “Ammy” Kaewwiboonpan.

Chaiamorn is under police custody for allegedly burning a portrait of the King outside Khlong Prem Central Prison on the night of February 28.

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https://www.nationthailand.com/news/30403443

Prayut marks Women’s Day by promising a greater role for women in Thai society

NationalMar 08. 2021

By The Nation

At the annual Women’s Day event in Government House on Monday, Prime Minister Prayut Cha-o-cha said in a teleconferenced speech that a 20-year national strategy has been established to bring social discrimination to an end in Thai society.

He said the strategy will promote gender equality, family responsibility and social development as well as boost opportunities for women and their role in the country’s economic, political and administrative sectors.

Quoting the prime minister, government spokesman Anucha Burapachaisri said equality and the empowerment of women are the key foundations to a strong society and sustainable development of the country.

He added that the prime minister applauded all women’s groups and organisations that have been honoured with awards this year.

Thailand has marked Women’s Day since 1989 in an event organised by the Social Development and Human Security Ministry. This year’s concept is in line with sustainable development goals that will help achieve gender equality and empower the country’s female population.

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https://www.nationthailand.com/news/30403442

Chiang Mai hotels offer huge discounts to lure crowds during Songkran break

NationalMar 08. 2021

By The Nation

In a bid to revive the tourism industry in the North, especially after the second wave of Covid-19 infections hit Thailand in mid-December, Chiang Mai hotels are offering huge discounts to woo local tourists.

La-Iad Bungsrithong, president of the Thai Hotels Association’s (THA) northern chapter, said Thais usually head to the islands during the hot season. However, she said, Chiang Mai hotels are hoping huge discounts will encourage people to head North instead.

“Around 1,000 hotels have reopened in Chiang Mai, signifying some 3,000 rooms. However, the average occupancy rate in March has been just 3 per cent due to people’s drop in purchasing power and low season. Bookings for the Songkran holidays in April only show signs of occupancy rise a little to 5 per cent. Hotels, however, hope that massive discounts will offer at least 10 per cent occupancy,” La-Iad said

Meanwhile, foreign tourists who accounted for 30 per cent of visitors to Chiang Mai in 2019, are still not visible due to Covid-related restrictions. This is even though many countries have launched mass vaccination strategies.

Chiang Mai normally attracts some million Chinese travellers yearly, though there have been no arrivals so far this year because Beijing has yet to allow overseas travel.

La-Iad said though 2021 is expected to be better for Chiang Mai’s tourism industry, hotels in the province have to make adjustments to not just control costs, but also earn enough to support employees. She added that some hotels have started offering takeaways to survive.

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https://www.nationthailand.com/news/30403441

Monorail eyed for Hat Yai

NationalMar 08. 2021Concept design for Hat Yai monorail. Photo credit: Songkhla PAO

By The Nation

Songkhla Provincial Administrative Organisation (PAO) has put in for Bt17.59 billion to build a monorail in Hat Yai to help ease traffic congestion problems in the city.

Hat Yai is the province’s economic heart and a tourist destination in the lower South.

The project’s environmental impact assessment was approved in June last year and will soon be handed to the Cabinet for approval.

The Songkhla PAO will further study the project in line with the 2019 Private Investment Act and hand the report to the State Enterprise Policy Office. If there are no changes to the report, the project will be put up for bids within this year.

Each monorail is expected to carry 464 passengers and the fare is expected to be fixed at Bt20 throughout the line. The 12.54-kilometre system will include 12 stations from Klong Wa to the Rod Tuu station

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https://www.nationthailand.com/news/30403434

Trigger happy tambon chief injures four in Nakhon Phanom

NationalMar 08. 2021

By THE NATION

A Nakhon Phanom tambon chief reportedly pulled out his gun at a pub on Sunday night and began shooting randomly, injuring at least four people.

He was apparently angry at members of his staff.

Initial investigation revealed that Paisan Saengnarai, 58, chief of tambon Na Ngua, had consumed alcohol at a restaurant before arriving at the scene.

Upon arrival at the pub, he reportedly had a conflict with members of his staff, so returned to his car to get his gun and began shooting until he was overpowered by others.

The pub is located along Highway No 212 in Ban Phaeng district and the case is being processed by Ban Phaeng police.

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https://www.nationthailand.com/news/30403433

71 new cases reported, most of them in Samut Sakhon

NationalMar 08. 2021

By The Nation

The Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration (CCSA) on Monday reported 71 new cases, 23 of them overseas travellers in quarantine facilities.

Of the 41 people exposed to the disease while visiting high-risk areas, 34 were in Samut Sakhon, three in Prachinburi, two in Tak and one each in Bangkok and Pathum Thani provinces.

Meanwhile, proactive testing led to the discovery of seven cases — six in Samut Sakhon and one in Pathum Thani.

Of the overseas travellers found to be infected in quarantine facilities, 19 Thais had returned from Denmark, Italy, the United Kingdom and the United Arab Emirates. Foreigners included a Palestinian who had travelled from Lebanon, a Vietnamese from Zambia, as well as a Pakistani, and an American from their respective countries.

Meanwhile, 33 patients have recovered and been discharged.

As of Monday, the number of confirmed cases in Thailand had risen to 26,441. Of these, 23,580 had been contracted locally, including 14,688 who were found via proactive testing, while 2,861 were returnees. So far, 25,777 have recovered and been discharged, 579 patients are still in hospitals, and 85 have died.

According to Worldometer, as of 10am on Monday, the number of confirmed cases globally had risen to 117.44 million (up by 371,812), 92.96 million have recovered, 21.88 million are active cases (89,499 in severe condition) and 2.6 million have died (up by 5,734).

Thailand ranks 115th on the global list of most cases, which is topped by the US with 29.7 million, followed by India 11.23 million, Brazil 11 million, Russia 4.32 million and the United Kingdom 4.21.

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https://www.nationthailand.com/news/30403429

Wide fluctuation of baht seen in the short term

NationalMar 08. 2021

By THE NATION

The baht opened at 30.53 to the US dollar on Monday, unchanged from the last close on Friday.

The Thai currency is likely to move between 30.40 and 30.55 on Monday and between 30.20 and 30.70 this week, Krungthai Bank market strategist Poon Panichpibool said.

Poon said the baht situation had not changed since last week. In the short term, the currency will fluctuate in a wide range, in line with the dollar.

The baht and other emerging market currencies tend to weaken from investors’ selling, as the US bond yield has continually risen.

In addition, importers and foreign corporations are still purchasing the dollar, pressuring the baht to strengthen in a narrow range.

Meanwhile, the dollar will be sold in case the baht weakens to 30.50 to the dollar, the market strategist added.

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https://www.nationthailand.com/news/30403428

17 packages with meth found on beach in Trat

NationalMar 08. 2021

By THE NATION

Officials have warned locals against keeping suspicious packages containing methamphetamine that washed up on Ko Mak beach in Trat province.

Ko Kud Police Station in Trat was alerted to the suspicious packages washed up at Daeng Beach of Koh Mak on Sunday. They rushed to investigate and confirmed that they were methamphetamine. The 17 packages, each with a kilo of meth, were found scattered on the beach.

“We are investigating the origin of these drugs. We suspect that they could belong to the same lot found on Koh Samui beach in Surat Thani province last January,” said Pol Colonel Wichian Yantarat, deputy Trat police chief, said.

The 17 bags of methamphetamine had been found on a beach in Taling Ngam subdistrict of Koh Samui district on January 27.

Ko Kud district chief Somsak Juthawongsakul added that migrant workers who reside near the beach informed officials about the packages on Sunday.

“We are not sure if these are all of the drugs washed up on the beach,” he said. “Any locals who might have picked these packages must contact police officers immediately and must not keep them, as they are illegal narcotics with high penalty for possession.”

Ko Mak is one of Trat’s 66 islands in Gulf of Thailand located 35km from the mainland with 27 km of coastline.