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https://www.nationthailand.com/news/30403006

AstraZeneca vaccines set to arrive this afternoon, subcommittee confirms

NationalFeb 24. 2021

By The Nation

The first lot of AstraZeneca vaccines will arrive on Wednesday afternoon, Dr Sopon Mekthon, chairman of the government’s subcommittee on Covid-19 vaccine management, confirmed.

Around 100,000 doses of the vaccine will be used to inject 50,000 people.

The Public Health Ministry revealed the AstraZeneca vaccine would also be used to inject people aged 60 and over as China’s Sinovac isn’t recommended for this group of elders.

Thailand will receive AstraZeneca from the company’s plant in Italy, where the European Commission is strictly monitoring exports.

Thai authorities will take at least three days to check the quality of both Sinovac and AstraZeneca vaccines. As soon as the vaccines are considered safe, vaccinations will commence, even if the day is a Sunday.

The first vaccinations will be conducted at the Bamrasnaradura Infectious Disease Institute.

The subcommittee hopes both Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha and Public Health Minister Anutin Charnvirakul will take different vaccines to boost public confidence, with Prayut reportedly set to receive AstraZeneca since he aged over 60 while Anutin will reportedly take Sinovac.

Dr Sophon said there was no big difference between the two vaccines. Both need to be stored at 2-8 degrees Celsius.

After being injected, both ministers will be observed for symptoms, if any, at the hospital for 30 minutes.

For Sinovac vaccines, two doses are required – injected 2-4 weeks apart, but the subcommittee plans to carry out injections 3 weeks apart. On the other hand, the AstraZeneca vaccines need to be injected 10-12 weeks apart.

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https://www.nationthailand.com/news/30403005

Trial runs: free electric boat trips for 6 months on Pakkred-Sathorn route

NationalFeb 24. 2021

By THE NATION

Chao Phraya Express Boat signed a memorandum of understanding with the Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand (Egat) on Tuesday to test run passenger electric boats on the Chao Phraya River from Pakkred pier to Sathorn pier.

“This year marks the company’s 50th anniversary of providing boat services on the Chao Phraya River,” said Chao Phraya Express Boat president Suphaphan Phichaironnarongsongkhram. “We have been working with Egat in developing electric boats that are energy efficient and will help reduce air and noise pollution along the river, effectively tackling the PM2.5 problem that has been threatening the livelihoods of people in metropolitan areas,” she said.

Egat deputy governor Jiraporn Sirikham said the development of electric boats is part of the government’s “One Transport” policy, aiming to integrate various types of public transport under one seamless system.

“The trial run will last for six months. Commuters can board electric boats for free, from Pakkred pier to Rama VII pier, and from Rama VII pier to Sathorn pier.”

Jiraporn added that Egat would collect data from the trial run and use it to develop electric boat services on other routes nationwide.

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https://www.nationthailand.com/news/30403003

Baht rate unchanged in opening trade

NationalFeb 24. 2021

By THE NATION

The baht stayed at 30.03 to the US dollar on Wednesday, unchanged from Tuesday’s close.

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, if the financial market calms down – after the US Federal Reserve chairman gave an assurance that the central bank’s policies would not change rapidly – the baht would tend to strengthen from foreign fund flows into Thailand in the short term, Poon said.

Importers will purchase the dollar when the baht strengthens to between 29.85 and 29.90 per US dollar, he added.

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https://www.nationthailand.com/news/30402996

BTSC sues MRTA for scrapping Orange Line bidding

NationalFeb 24. 2021

By THE NATION

The Bangkok Mass Transit System Plc (BTSC) filed a lawsuit at the Central Criminal Court for Corruption and Misconduct Cases on Monday against the Mass Rapid Transit Authority of Thailand (MRTA) and related parties regarding the MRTA’s cancellation of bidding for construction of the Bt128-billion Orange Line western train section, a news source revealed on Tuesday.

The BTSC claimed that MRTA executives abused their power as government officials, in violation of Criminal Code sections 157 and 165 and Section 172 of the Organic Act on Counter Corruption.

Opposition MP Jirayu Huangsap claimed during last week’s no-confidence debate that the bid conditions had been altered at the request of Italian-Thai Development despite opposition from fellow bidder BTSC.

The ensuing legal dispute saw the bidding scrapped altogether on February 3 for the 13.4-kilometre line from the Thailand Cultural Centre to Bang Khun Non.

By raising this issue, the opposition aimed to gain no-confidence votes against Transport Minister Saksayam Chidchob, which led to six Palang Pracharath Party MPs abstaining from casting their votes due to a “lack of clear explanation to the opposition’s questioning”.

MRTA governor Pakapong Sirikantaramas said last week that the selection committee’s 50:50 weighting for financial and technical proposals had been altered to 70:30 on August 21, 2020, as the change in conditions was needed to protect the city’s heritage and buildings from Orange Line tunnelling in the old quarter of Bangkok.

“To maintain reasonable financial returns in the present economic conditions, the MRTA decided to use the 70 per cent rule to achieve financial returns and 30 per cent for technical criteria to ensure the safety of people and archaeological sites that are national treasures,” Pakapong said.

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https://www.nationthailand.com/news/30402995

‘Elephant ticket’ protest at police HQ ends peacefully at 8.30pm

NationalFeb 24. 2021

By THE NATION

The protest by Ratsadon pro-democracy rallyists in front of the Royal Thai Police Headquarters came to end at 8.30pm on Tuesday.

The group said earlier on their Facebook page that the rally would focus on alleged corruption in the promotion system for senior police officers.

Protesters took turns giving speeches on a stage, mostly focusing on the “elephant ticket”, or the so-called confidential documents used to allegedly buy and sell senior police positions previously pointed out by Move Forward Party MP Rangsiman Rome during a censure debate earlier this month.

The protesters also urged low-ranking police officers to stand against corruption and uphold the ideology of police in protecting the people.

The rallyists had gathered at Ratchaprasong intersection in Bangkok’s Pathumwan district at 5pm, before marching to the Royal Thai Police Headquarters at 7.30pm.

They also demanded the release of four leaders – Parit “Penguin” Chiwarak, Arnon Nampa, Somyos Prueksakasemsuk and Patiwat “Bank” Saraiyam – who have been charged with lese majeste and sedition after participating in anti-establishment rallies last year.

At 8.30pm, after singing the “Elephant Song”, protest leaders announced the conclusion of their rally and the demonstrators dispersed peacefully.

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https://www.nationthailand.com/news/30402986

Upper Thailand gets warmer today, less rain in the South

NationalFeb 24. 2021

By THE NATION

A low heat system is presently covering the lower North and the upper Central region while southeasterly and southerly winds prevail over the lower Northeast, the Central and East regions, leading to a 1-3°C rise in temperatures in upper Thailand, but mountaintops will continue to experience cold to very cold weather, the Meteorological Department said on Wednesday.

It also mentioned that the easterly wind across the Gulf of Thailand will bring less rain in the South, and added that from February 25-26, a high-altitude westerly wind will bring cool air from Myanmar to the North of Thailand. Temperatures in this region will decrease by 1-3°C.

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

North: Cool weather with fog in the morning; temperature lows of 18-24 degrees and highs of 33-38 degrees Celsius. Temperature on hilltops is likely to drop to 6-15 degrees Celsius.

Northeast: Cool weather with fog in the morning; temperature lows of 18-21 degrees and highs of 35-36 degrees Celsius. Temperature on hilltops is likely to drop to 9-15 degrees Celsius.

Central: Cool weather with fog in the morning and thick fog in some areas; temperature lows of 20-24 degrees, highs of 35-37 degrees Celsius.

East: Partly cloudy with fog in the morning; temperature lows of 22-25 degrees, highs of 31-36 degrees Celsius; waves a metre high and 1-2 metres offshore.

South (east coast): Partly cloudy with isolated light rain; temperature lows of 20-22 degrees, highs of 30-35 degrees Celsius; waves a metre high and 1-2 metres during thundershowers.

South (west coast): Partly cloudy; temperature lows of 19-24 degrees, highs of 34-36 degrees Celsius; waves a metre high and 1-2 metres offshore.

Bangkok and surrounding areas: Partly cloudy with fog in the morning; temperature lows of 23-25 degrees, highs of 33-36 degrees Celsius.

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https://www.nationthailand.com/news/30402974

Zooming about on skateboards new craze for Bangkokians

NationalFeb 24. 2021

By THE NATION

Skateboarding appears to have become popular among both youngsters and adults in Bangkok recently, and the reasons for this are:

• Covid-related restrictions are forcing people to find new hobbies, and

• Being influenced by celebrities or social-media influencers.

Though skateboarding has health benefits, this craze is expected to be short-lived because Bangkok’s footpaths are not smooth enough to make the experience enjoyable.

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https://www.nationthailand.com/news/30402972

How to protect yourself from PM2.5

NationalFeb 24. 2021

By THE NATION

People in Bangkok and its vicinity have been suffering from high levels of PM2.5 in the air or particulate matter smaller than 2.5 micrograms. Exposure to PM2.5 has been linked to lung and heart disease.

Here is how you can protect yourself:
• Wear facemask while outside
• Only leave home when necessary, especially children and elderly
• Avoid exercising outdoors
• Avoid polluting activities
• Keep doors and windows closed
• Reduce the use of automobiles
Source: Department of Disease Control

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https://www.nationthailand.com/news/30402965

Dusit Thani posts losses of over Bt1bn in 2020

NationalFeb 24. 2021Suphajee Suthumpun

By THE NATION

Hotel and property developer Dusit Thani has posted losses of Bt1.011 billion for 2020 after Covid-19 restrictions brought global tourism to a halt.

Dusit Thani Group CEO Suphajee Suthumpun said the loss was to be expected following ongoing travel restrictions and the temporary second-quarter closure of its properties in line with government directives.

However, she said Dusit Thani’s efforts to mitigate the impact of the global pandemic on its business were reflected in its quarterly revenue increase of 60.3 per cent in the fourth quarter.

Over the past year, the company had remodelled its revenue streams, concentrating on non-room businesses and preparing for the tourism rebound by enhancing its customer services, she added.

“For example, we transformed vacant land at Dusit Thani Hua Hin into a nature-based tourist attraction complete with paddies for growing and harvesting rice, which we believe will become a unique selling point. Similar models will be introduced at other Dusit Hotels and Resorts to drive sustainable value.”

Dusit Thani also opened five new hotels worldwide, and grew its regional food business by acquiring The Caterers, a catering company for schools and events in Vietnam.

It also opened three new branches of its KAUAI healthy “grab-and-go” food outlets in Bangkok, under a joint venture with South Africa’s Real Foods Group.

Suthumpun said she was optimistic that tourism will start to recover as more people receive vaccinations and traveller confidence returns.

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https://www.nationthailand.com/news/30402977

Ethisphere Announces Chareon Pokphand Group Company Limited as one of the 2021 world’s most EthicalL Companies for the 1st time

NationalFeb 23. 2021

By THE NATION

Recognition honors companies who prioritize values-based decisions within their business and their overall commitment to integrity.

BANGKOK, THAILAND – February 23, 2021 – CHAROEN POKPHAND GROUP COMPANY LIMITED, or C.P. Group a Thai-Based conglomerate has been recognized as one of the 2021 World’s Most Ethical Companies by Ethisphere, an organization that measures and advances the standards of ethical business practices. C.P. Group has been recognized for the first time, and is one of 7 honorees in the Food, Beverage & Agriculture industry. There are 135 companies honoured this year, with awardees panning 22 countries and 47 industries.

C.P. Group’s businesses have prioritized the implementation of the Group’s Corporate Governance Principles, in an effort to ensure that the Group’s operations in every jurisdiction meet the highest levels of integrity and uphold the highest degree of accountability and transparency. These principles aim to empower the Group and its employees to deliver long-term value for all stakeholders for sustainable business growth and to be a responsible corporate citizen in every country the Group operates in.

“Integrity has been embedded into our DNA and is the foundation for our ethics since we were founded 100 years ago,” said Suphachai Chearavanont, CEO of Charoen Pokphand Group. “Being recognized as one of the World’s Most Ethical Companies is a true honour, we’re still on a journey and I am greatly appreciative of the collective efforts of all our employees.

“While addressing the tough challenges of 2020, we saw companies lead – above all other institutions – on earning the trust of stakeholders through resilience and a commitment to ethics and integrity,” said Ethisphere CEO, Timothy Erblich. “The World’s Most Ethical Companies honorees continue to demonstrate an unwavering commitment to the highest values and positively impacting the communities they serve. Congratulations to everyone at CHAROEN POKPHAND GROUP COMPANY LIMITED for earning the World’s Most Ethical Companies designation.”

Methodology & Scoring

Grounded in Ethisphere’s proprietary Ethics Quotient®, the World’s Most Ethical Companies assessment process includes more than 200 questions on culture, environmental and social practices, ethics and compliance activities, governance, diversity and initiatives to support a strong value chain. The process serves as an operating framework to capture and codify the leading practices of organizations across industries and around the globe.

This year, the process was streamlined and question set expanded to gauge how applicants are adapting and responding to the global health pandemic, environmental, social, and governance factors, safety, equity, and inclusion and social justice.

Honorees

The full list of the 2021 World’s Most Ethical Companies can be found at https://worldsmostethicalcompanies.com/honorees.