#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/news/30403050

72 Covid cases logged, Bangkok keeps eye on two infected futsal players

NationalFeb 25. 2021

By The Nation

The number of Covid-19 cases in Thailand was below 100 for the sixth consecutive day on Thursday with 72 testing positive. Of them, nine are returnees in quarantine facilities, and 43 had picked up the infection by visiting high-risk areas.

Samut Sakhon again led with 27 cases, followed by six in Bangkok, two each in Pathum Thani, Ayutthaya and Nakhon Nayok, and one each in Nakhon Pathom, Tak, Samut Songkhram and Saraburi.

The Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration (CCSA)’s deputy spokesperson Dr Apisamai Srirangsan said two of the cases in Bangkok were futsal players who had participated in a competition in Samut Sakhon.

She said the focus is on these two cases because they had come in contact with more than 50 persons, who are now waiting to be tested.

Meanwhile, proactive testing led to the discovery of 20 cases, 16 of whom were in Pathum Thani, three in Samut Sakhon and one in Bangkok.

Of the infected travellers, four are Thai nationals returning from the United Arab Emirates, Oman and Russia, while the rest include a Nigerian, a Bangladeshi, a Kuwaiti and an American who all flew in from their respective countries.

Meanwhile, 192 patients have recovered and been discharged.

As of Thursday, the number of confirmed cases in Thailand had risen to 25,764. Of these, 23,019 had been contracted locally, including 14,480 who were found via proactive testing, while 2,745 were returnees.

So far, 24,734 have recovered and been discharged, 947 are still being treated and the death toll remains unchanged at 83.

Meanwhile, according to Worldometer as of 10am, the number of confirmed cases globally had risen to 113.1 million (up by 438,399), 88.72 million of whom have recovered, 21.87 million are active cases (91,824 in severe condition) and 2.51 million have died (up by 10,814).

Thailand ranks 114th in the global list of most cases, which is topped by the US with 28.97 million, followed by India with 11.05 million, Brazil 10.33 million, Russia 4.2 million and the United Kingdom 4.14 million.

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/news/30403049

People, breeders warned to beware of bird flu

NationalFeb 25. 2021

By The Nation

The Interior Ministry warned breeders and the public at large on Thursday to beware of disease in poultry after a bird flu outbreak in two Asean countries.

Ministry permanent secretary Chatchai Promlert said bird flu has emerged in Vietnam and Cambodia, citing a World Organisation for Animal Health report at the beginning of the year.

He said the Department of Livestock Development had implemented measures to deal with the outbreak as a decline in temperatures could make poultry vulnerable to disease.

“The ministry has instructed government offices nationwide to publicise the issue. Breeders should inform the Department of Livestock Development immediately if their poultry becomes abnormally sick or dies,” he said.

Chatchai also warned breeders not to cook or sell poultry that dies due to illness.

“Breeders should bury or burn the poultry carcasses and wear gloves while touching them. Also, they should improve their poultry coops to make them wind- or rain-proof,” he strongly advised.

He added that breeders can contact the Department of Livestock Development via hotline 06-3225-6888 if their birds become abnormally sick or die.

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/news/30403048

‘Just a mock-up’: govt clarifies photo of PM holding vaccine bottle amid criticism

NationalFeb 25. 2021

By The Nation

Netizens didn’t hold back criticism of Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha and his ministers after they were seen in a photo session holding what appeared to be a bottle of Sinovac vaccine, which is highly sensitive to temperature, during a welcome ceremony to receive the vaccines from China on Wednesday.

However, deputy government spokeswoman Traisuree Taisaranakul came out on Thursday morning to explain that the bottle was merely a sample, or “mock-up”, to allow the media to snap pictures of the ceremony.

After the short ceremony, the vaccine was immediately taken to the Government Pharmaceutical Organisation’s Sripetch Building, DKSH (Thailand), for cold storage to await distribution to the first batch of people after the vaccine is certified safe under the rules of the Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration.

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/news/30403047

19 nabbed in police crackdown on online gambling app

NationalFeb 25. 2021

By THE NATION

Nineteen suspects have been arrested in a police operation dubbed “Shadow App Operation” against an online gambling application across seven provinces, with three others still on the run, National Police chief Pol General Suwat Jangyodsvisit told a press conference on Wednesday, following a crackdown by the Cyber Crime Investigation Bureau.

Police tracked down a total of 22 suspects, three of whom reside in Bangkok, with the rest in Pathum Thani, Ayutthaya, Chiang Mai, Chaiyaphum, Rayong and Saraburi, for their involvement in mobile application “Royal Slot 777”, which is available on both Google Play Store and App Store.

“The suspects opened 133 bank accounts to transfer the money earned from the application, which offered various online gambling games. We believe the money in circulation could amount to between Bt10 million and Bt70 million per month,” said Suwat.

“Officers also confiscated several items as evidence from the suspects’ bases of operation. This includes eight cars, 45 bank passbooks, Bt2 million in cash and 54 mobile phones,” he said.

A preliminary investigation also revealed that the suspects a year ago had registered 10 companies dealing with different businesses but under the same owner, who is of Chinese nationality.

“The Cyber Crime Investigation Bureau will work with the Anti-Money Laundering Office to investigate the companies for possible involvement in an international money-laundering operation,” Suwat added.

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/news/30403046

Baht up a tad

NationalFeb 25. 2021

By THE NATION

The baht rose slightly to 30.05 to the US dollar on Thursday, weakening from Wednesday’s close of 30.03.

The Thai currency is likely to move between 29.95 and 30.05, Krungthai market strategist Poon Panichpibool said.

He said the baht would continue to move in a narrow range as no new factors have emerged to influence the market.

However, the baht could strengthen if there was a reduction in market fluctuations after the US Federal Reserve chairman gave an assurance that the central bank’s policies would not change quickly.

Poon advised investors to monitor foreign fund inflows in the short term.

Importers would purchase the dollar when the baht strengthens to between 29.90 and 29.95 per US dollar, he predicted.

Meanwhile, Jitipol Puksamatanan, the head of SCB Securities’ Easy Invest team, said most investors were not confident that the dollar would continue to weaken. Moreover, Asian capital markets have witnessed a fluctuation from negative news in each country.

Jitipol suggested investors also monitor Asian stock markets as their performance is related to investment in Asian currencies, including the baht.

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/news/30403038

Officials swoop down on Sukhothai house, arrest owner for allegedly selling protected birds

NationalFeb 25. 2021

By THE NATION

Royal Forest Department officials arrested Panja Akhom, aged 36, at his home in Sukhothai’s Si Satchanalai district on Wednesday following a tip-off that protected birds were sold at this house.

Officials reportedly found 10 white-rumped shamas, a protected animal under the Wildlife Conservation and Protection Act, in separate cages around the house, as well as bird-feeding equipment. They confiscated the rare birds.

Panja reportedly confessed that he had been selling the birds via a Facebook private group, set up exclusively for those interested in owning rare birds.

“The suspect said he sells the birds at Bt400 each, and has earned around Bt100,000 per month,” an official said.

Forestry officials took Panja to the Si Satchanalai Police Station to file charges.

The department aims to release the confiscated birds into the Tham Jao Ram Wildlife Sanctuary in Sukhothai.

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/news/30403037

Don discusses Asean meeting with Indonesia, cross-border cooperation with Myanmar

NationalFeb 25. 2021Don (file photo)

By THE NATION

Foreign ministers from Indonesia and Myanmar visited Thailand on Wednesday to discuss international issues with Foreign Minister Don Pramudwinai, ministry spokesman Thani Saengrat said.

“Indonesian Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi discussed with Don an informal Asean ministerial meeting, which will be held in August,” he said.

“Meanwhile, Wunn Maung Lwin, Foreign Minister in Myanmar’s new military government, discussed cross-border cooperation with the Thai minister, especially in Covid-19 prevention and labour-related cooperation across the 2,400-kilometre border shared by both countries,” Thani said.

“During the meeting with his Myanmar counterpart, Minister Don insisted that Thailand would continue to support peace and stability in Myanmar while hoping to see the situation there return to normal as soon as possible, which is also the collective wish of the whole Asean community,” Thani added.

Wunn Maung Lwin also had talks with Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha on Wednesday as part of his visit to neighbouring countries and Asean members.

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/news/30403036

Cool morning but hot, hazy day in some regions

NationalFeb 25. 2021

By THE NATION

A low-pressure heat system is covering upper Thailand and will bring hot weather with haze during the day, but the morning remains cool in this region and the upper Northeast due to a westerly wind from the Himalayan range, while the Gulf and the Andaman Sea will see weak wind and waves amid an easterly breeeze across the Gulf of Thailand, the Meteorological Department said on Thursday.

From February 28 to March 3, another moderate high pressure system will cover the Northeast while southerly, southeasterly winds will bring humidity from the South China Sea to the lower Northeast, the Central region, the East and Bangkok and its vicinity, the department also said. It forecast some hot days across the country though with thunderstorms and gusty winds in some areas.

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

North: Cool weather in the morning, hot weather during the day; temperature lows of 17-24 degrees and highs of 35-38 degrees Celsius. Temperature on hilltops is likely to drop to 6-15 degrees Celsius.

Northeast: Cool weather in the morning, hot weather with haze during the day; temperature lows of 19-23 degrees and highs of 35-38 degrees Celsius. Temperature on hilltops is likely to drop to 11-15 degrees Celsius.

Central: Hot weather with haze during the day; temperature lows of 22-26 degrees, highs of 36-38 degrees Celsius.

East: Partly cloudy with hot weather during the day; temperature lows of 22-26 degrees, highs of 31-37 degrees Celsius; waves less than metre high and 1 metre offshore.

South (east coast): Partly cloudy; temperature lows of 20-23 degrees, highs of 31-36 degrees Celsius; waves a metre high.

South (west coast): Partly cloudy; temperature lows of 20-24 degrees, highs of 34-36 degrees Celsius; waves less than a metre high and 1 metre offshore.

Bangkok and surrounding areas: Hot weather with haze during the day; temperature lows of 25-27 degrees, highs of 33-37 degrees Celsius.

Source: Thailand Meteorological Department

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/news/30403025

Swiss bank ties up with KBank to look after ultra-high net worth individuals in new normal

NationalFeb 25. 2021

By THE NATION

Private Swiss bank Lombard Odier has joined KBank Private Banking to launch a comprehensive study called “Connection, Transition, Transformation: Engaging Asia’s UHNWI in the New Normal”.

The study’s core objective is to understand the concerns of leading ultra-high net worth individuals (UHNWI) across Asia in the Covid era and steering the industry to better address their needs.

With insightful feedback from 150 UHNWI respondents in Thailand, Singapore, Indonesia, the Philippines, Hong Kong, Japan, and Taiwan, the report unveiled a wide range of findings that get to the heart of this, including technology, investment, family and sustainability.

“The disruptions and impact of the pandemic are manifold and have forced leading families and entrepreneurs in the region to rethink everything. One thing is clear – UHNWIs have reflected a strong desire for a trusted local adviser that helps them navigate and access markets they can no longer travel to easily and form relationships with banks that are aligned with their principles and convictions.

“Our alliance with KBank Private Banking encapsulates this – through KBank Private Banking, Thai UHNWIs can access opportunities via Lombard Odier’s network of alliances in the region,” said Vincent Magnenat, chief executive officer for Lombard Odier’s Asia operations.
Balancing technology and humans

Covid-19 has become a game-changer, putting the entire world on the same page. For UHNWIs, there is a greater shift towards digitalisation. The report showed that Thailand is among the top three countries in Asia where most UHNWIs believe “more digital, less physical” interactions will become the norm.

However, not everything can go digital, especially private banking and building trust. Surprisingly, 59 per cent of Asian UHNWIs and most Thai UHNWIs prefer physical meetings at or outside the bank once the Covid-19 crisis comes to an end.

Hunt for something extra

The Covid-19 fallout has led Asian UHNWIs to perceive markets as increasingly dynamic and segmented. Results, however, show that investors who have lived through the financial crisis have the ability to stay focused. Of the Thai participants, up to 70 per cent, have not changed the characteristics of their portfolio.

In terms of assets, some Asian UHNWIs have decided to adopt a conservative bias, turning to traditional safe havens such as gold, the Swiss Franc, the Japanese Yen, and sovereign bonds. Other Asian UHNWIs see this as a time of opportunity, placing more interest in private equity and private debt as a low-interest rate is expected to be part of the new norm.

With a potential reversal in globalisation, many participants expressed a strong desire for a trusted local adviser who will help them navigate, access local markets, and capitalise in this time of uncertainty.

Most Thai UHNWIs, or 87 per cent, said the availability of extra services will influence their choice of bank, listing treasury management capabilities, access to real asset opportunities and ability to be connected with entrepreneurs as the three most important services.

Urgency for family governance

For many Asian UHNWI families, the pandemic has brought to the forefront some key longer-term questions for family businesses, family values and family wealth governance.

As a result, they are cautiously exploring and putting governance structures in place. According to the report, 35 per cent of Thai UHNWI families have already structured their family governance, and the crisis has prompted 45 per cent without a structure in place to start thinking of adopting one.

Real-estate advisory service has also become one of the fastest-growing family wealth planning service offerings for Thai UHNWI families. In 2020, KBank Private Banking studied the real-estate portfolios of 121 clients, covering 940 plots of land.

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/news/30403022

Thai military announces overhaul to cut number of generals

NationalFeb 24. 2021

By THE NATION

The Thai military has announced a major overhaul of its forces aimed at cutting the number of high-ranking officers.

Thailand has a notoriously top-heavy military, with about 1,700 generals – or one general for every 212 soldiers, according to Prof Paul Chambers, a military affairs expert at Naresuan University.

On Wednesday, the Royal Thai Armed Forces (RTAF) announced that unnecessary units will be removed, while the setting up of new units under major generals, rear admirals, air vice marshals and other high-ranking officers will be suspended.
An RTAF spokesperson said the changes stemmed from high-level talks.

Some units will be assigned to cover more duties, while unnecessary units will be scrapped, he added.

Meanwhile, quotas for some posts will be reduced as post-holders resign, he said.

The new guidelines are expected to cut the number of high-ranking officers – major generals, rear admirals, and air vice marshals – by 5 to 10 per cent. The overhaul will start from this April.