#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/news/30403212

10 groups of people prohibited from taking Sinovac vaccine

NationalMar 02. 2021

By THE NATION

Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) deputy governor Pol Lt-General Sophon Phisutthiwong said that Bangkok has received 66,000 doses of Sinovac vaccine allotted by the government and had started inoculating the target group since Monday.

“Medical professionals will be the first group to receive the vaccine at two doses per person, each dose has an interval of three weeks,” he said.

“The second group will be public health volunteers who have high risk of contacting infected patients during proactive testing missions. They will receive the vaccination from next week.”

Sophon added that the last target group to receive the first lot of Sinovac vaccine would be those who have chronic diseases and therefore would be more vulnerable if they contracted Covid-19. They are: those with severe respiratory disease, heart and coronary diseases, stroke, chronic kidney disease, cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy or radiotherapy, diabetes and obesity.

“However, there are 10 groups of people who are prohibited from receiving the Sinovac vaccine,” said Sophon.

They are:

1. Those under 18 years old and over 60 years.

2. Women who are pregnant, are breastfeeding or planning to get pregnant during the vaccination period.

3. Those who have undergone transfusion of blood, plasma or other related products for the treatment of Covid-19 in the last 90 days.

4. Those who have uncontrollable symptoms such as chest pain, trouble breathing, palpitations.

5. Those who are suffering from brain or nervous diseases.

6. Those who have tested positive for Covid-19 in the past 10 days.

7. Those who have acute disease and have been out of the hospital for less than 14 days.

8. Those who have immune deficiency or are taking immunosuppressant.

9. Those who have bleeding disorder or are under anticoagulation treatment.

10. Those who show symptoms of fever, shivering, have trouble breathing or have weakened muscles.

For more information, contact Department of Disease Control at 1422.

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/news/30403211

Air in Bangkok clears, as 24 provinces struggle with high PM2.5

NationalMar 02. 2021

By The Nation

Air quality in Bangkok and its vicinity improved on Tuesday morning, with PM2.5 (particles less than 2.5 micrometres in diameter) readings coming in between 14 and 36 micrograms per cubic metre (μg/m3) of air, the Bangkok Air Pollution Coordination Centre reported.

Bangkok’s Wang Thong Lang district had the highest reading at 36μg/m3, while Samut Prakan’s Bang Prong subdistrict and Samut Sakhon’s Mahachai subdistrict had the lowest readings at 14μg/m3.

The centre said outdoor activity was safe in Bangkok and its vicinity.

However, the Air Quality and Noise Management Bureau reported that air quality had hit unsafe levels on Tuesday in Chiang Mai, Lampang, Khon Kaen, Chiang Rai, Mae Hong Son, Lamphun, Phrae, Phayao, Loei, Nan, Tak, Nong Khai, Ubon Ratchathani, Phitsanulok, Nakhon Phanom, Sakon Nakhon, Roi Et, Kamphaeng Phet, Chaiyaphum, Kalasin, Phichit, Sukhothai, Uttaradit and Petchabun provinces.

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/news/30403210

Procurement regulations for community power plants to be clear after Songkran

NationalMar 02. 2021ERC secretary-general Khomgrich Tantravanich

By The Nation

The Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) will discuss regulations for electricity procurement from community power plants aimed at the grass-roots economy, as well as the draft on annoucements inviting people to sell electricity and join the project on March 3.

ERC secretary-general Khomgrich Tantravanich said if the ERC board approves the draft, the regulations would be announced and another public hearing would be held before publishing it in the Government Gazette.

The implementation time frame for community power plant projects (pilot projects) targeting the purchase of electricity up to 150 megawatts is expected to be slightly different from the original plan. Previously, the ERC had expected that the electricity authority would accept the offer for sale of electricity between March 22 – April 2. However, it may have to be postponed to after the Songkran Festival holidays. A clear schedule will specify details in the regulations.

“Now, the community power plant criteria is comprehensive because it has been through a complete list of opinions which also has a variety of offers, Most importantly, project participants must develop a contract farming system according to the specified criteria,” said Khomgrich.

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/news/30403207

Alleged hunters nabbed in Chiang Mai national park

NationalMar 02. 2021

By The Nation

Four men and a woman who sneaked into Chiang Mai’s Si Lanna National Park with the alleged intention to hunt wild animals were arrested on Monday.

National park officers also seized three motorcycles, a gun, ammunition, three knives, three headlamps, two amphetamine pills and some heroin in a bottle as evidence, national park chief Phupichit Chuaybamrung said.

He added that national parks and wildlife sanctuaries under the 16th Conservation Area Management Office have been closed until April 30 to prevent forest fires which are usually sparked during the dry season from February to May.

Officials have been instructed to strictly monitor their areas and ensure there are no trespassers or hunters, he said.

The four men and a woman have been initially charged for carrying hunting equipment into the national park and violating the park’s announcement under the 2019 National Park Act.

The four men and a woman have been taken to Phrao Police Station to face additional charges related to firearms and narcotics, he added.

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/news/30403209

42 new Covid-19 cases reported with one death

NationalMar 02. 2021

By The Nation

The Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration (CCSA) on Tuesday reported 42 new cases and a fatality.

Of the 39 people exposed to the disease while visiting high-risk areas, 24 were in Samut Sakhon, five in Pathum Thani, four in Tak and one each in Nonthaburi and Nakhon Pathom provinces.

Meanwhile, proactive testing led to the discovery of four cases, three in Pathum Thani and one in Bangkok.

Of the overseas travellers found to be infected in quarantine facilities, two Thais had returned from the United Arab Emirates and Germany, while a German had arrived from Serbia.

A 92-year-old man in Pathum Thani became the 84th fatality. He suffered from diabetes, high blood pressure and heart disease. He had visited the Pronpat market, the virus hotspot of the province, and bought goods from a merchant who was later found to be infected. Suspected symptoms started to develop with cough and fatigue from February 11. He was taken to a hospital where he was found positive. The symptoms got worse on February 23 and he was put on a respirator. He passed away on February 28.

Meanwhile, 96 patients have recovered and been discharged.

As of Tuesday, the number of confirmed cases in Thailand had risen to 26,073. Of these, 23,284 had been contracted locally, including 14,557 who were found via proactive testing, while 2,789 were returnees. So far, 25,420 have recovered and been discharged, 569 patients are still in hospitals, and 84 have died.

According to Worldometer, as of 10am on Tuesday, the number of confirmed cases globally had risen to 114.99 million (up by 290,255), 90.71 million have recovered, 21.73 million are active cases (90,196 in severe condition) and 2.55 million have died (up by 6,609).

Thailand ranks 114th on the global list of most cases, which is topped by the US with 29.31 million, followed by India 11.12 million, Brazil 10.59 million, Russia 4.26 million and the United Kingdom 4.18.

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/news/30403205

Trend of rising bond yield may push baht down

NationalMar 02. 2021

By THE NATION

The baht opened at 30.22 to the US dollar on Tuesday, unchanged from Monday’s close.

The Thai currency is likely to move between 30.15 and 30.25, Krungthai bank market strategist Poon Panichpibool said.

He said that the baht would strengthen if the market was in risk-on state and the sales of emerging market (EM) assets reduce.

However, Poon warned investors about a fluctuation caused by the rising bond yield, as well as from the hope of an economic recovery.

He explained that these factors would pressure the financial markets, causing EM currencies, including the baht, to weaken or fluctuate.

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/news/30403203

EEC panel okays additional Bt2.7 billion for land expropriation for airports high-speed rail link

NationalMar 02. 2021Photo Credit: EEC Office

By THE NATION

The Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC) Policy Committee on Monday approved an additional budget of Bt2.17 billion for land expropriation for the high-speed rail project linking Suvarnabhumi, Don Mueang and U-Tapao airports, Transport Minister Saksayam Chidchob said.

“The State Railway of Thailand, which is responsible for the expropriation, has proposed that the land expropriation budget be increased to Bt5.74 billion from the original budget of Bt3.57 billion to ensure that the construction was completed within the set timeframe,” he said.

The proposed additional budget of Bt2.17 billion will include:

▪︎ An urgent budget of Bt607.56 million, to be delivered before May 2021, for land expropriation on the Suvarnabhumi-U-Tapao section;

▪︎ Expropriation budget of Bt792.11 million for the Phya Thai-Don Mueang section, to be delivered within 2022;

▪︎ A budget of Bt770.48 million in case land owners filed an appeal.

The EEC board will later submit the revised budget to the Cabinet for approval.

Saksayam added that the airports high-speed rail link project was progressing as planned, and expected that the lands in the first section between Suvarnabhumi to U-Tapao would be delivered by October 24.

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/news/30403201

One killed, 4 injured in gun attack during a funeral in Ratchaburi

NationalMar 02. 2021

By THE NATION

Gunshots were fired at a gathering of people attending a funeral in Ratchaburi province, leaving one dead and four people injured on Monday.

Police from Photharam station were alerted to the shooting at 8pm on Monday at Wat Thamakham in Sam Reun subdistrict.

They found five injured victims as well as several bullet casings of .22 and 11mm handguns in a sermon hall for a funeral. The injured people were rushed to hospitals but one victim, Waraporn Niamraksa, succumbed to injuries.

One of the injured persons was the Don Sai subdistrict chief, who is in a critical condition. The deceased was a candidate running for mayor of Don Sai municipality in Photharam district.

People at the funeral reportedly told officials that they had heard multiple gunshots while the host was lighting candles and joss-sticks, forcing people and monks to dive for cover on the floor. Several witnesses told police the gunshots came from behind the Buddha image in the sermon hall.

Police speculated that the shooting could have been motivated by local political rivalry. They are gathering evidence and interviewing witnesses to track down the suspect.

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/news/30403200

Thunderstorms, gusty winds and hail forecast for upper Thailand

NationalMar 02. 2021

By THE NATION

The Thailand Meteorological Department said on Tuesday that the moderate high-pressure system has extended to the Northeast and the South China Sea while the heat low remains over the upper Thailand.

In addition, the southerly and southeasterly winds bring humidity from the South China Sea and the Gulf of Thailand to the lower Northeast, the East, and Central regions, including Bangkok and its vicinity.

Thunderstorms as well as gusty winds and hail are forecast for the Northeast, the East, and the Central including Bangkok and its vicinity.

People in upper Thailand should beware of the severe conditions by keeping off unsecured buildings and outdoor places. Farmers should beware of damage to crop, the department said.

The weather forecast for the next 24 hours:

North: Cool to cold in the morning, hot with haze during the day; temperature lows of 15-22 degrees Celsius, highs of 34-39°C.

Northeast: Hot weather with haze during the day, scattered thunderstorms with gusty winds and hail in 40 per cent of the areas; temperature lows of 17-24°C, highs of 33-36°C.

Central: Hot weather with haze during the day, isolated thundershowers with gusty winds in 20 per cent of the areas; temperature lows of 23-25°C, highs of 34-38°C.

East: Hot weather with haze during the day, scattered thunderstorms with gusty winds in 40 per cent of the areas; temperature lows of 23-25°C, highs of 32-36°C; waves less than metre high and a metre offshore.

South (east coast): Isolated thundershowers in 10 per cent of the areas; temperature lows of 22-24°C, highs of 31-35°C; waves a metre high.

South (west coast): Isolated light rain in some areas; temperature lows of 23-25°C, highs of 34-36°C; waves less than a metre high and a metre offshore.

Bangkok and surrounding areas: Isolated thundershowers and gusty winds in 20 per cent of the areas; temperature lows of 24-25°C, highs of 33-36°C.

Source: Thailand Meteorological Department

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/news/30403182

Thailand poised to adopt vaccine passports to kick-start tourism

NationalMar 01. 2021

By The Nation

The tourism minister has asked the Public Health Ministry for approval to launch a vaccine passport system in a bid to kick-start the tourism industry this year.

Tourism and Sports Minister Pipat Ratchakitprakarn said on Monday that the government was waiting for a World Health Organisation announcement on vaccine passports before issuing the measure.

He said that adopting a vaccine passport or a similar method of enabling foreign tourists to skip quarantine would guarantee at least 5 million foreign visitors to Thailand this year.

The Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration (CCSA) was also discussing a 14-day quarantine that would allow foreign tourists to leave their hotel rooms after just three days of self-isolation, he added. Russian tourists in Phuket will likely be the first to experience the eased quarantine restrictions. Tour agents in Russia say demand is high enough for regular Phuket flights of 300-400 Russian tourists.

The Tourism Ministry has also submitted a plan to deliver vaccines to five tourism-dependent provinces – Phuket, Surat Thani, Chon Buri, Chiang Mai and Krabi. The vaccines will be administered to staff at alternative quarantine hotels. The five provinces have a total of 58 alternative quarantine hotels, with more than 6,700 rooms and 13,000 staff.