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Schools in Mae Sot shut 1 hour after reopening as 5 children test positive

NationalFeb 01. 2021

By THE NATION

All 15 schools in Mae Sot were ordered to shut down on Monday morning less than an hour after reopening, following the discovery that several children had tested positive for Covid-19.

Mae Sot district in Tak province shares a border with Myanmar.

Today is the first day that schools nationwide were permitted to reopen by the Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration (CCSA), after the new wave of virus cases reported since December subsided.

A news source revealed that the order came after a merchant in Mae Sot district tested positive for Covid-19 and was taken to Mae Sot Hospital along with 25 people who were in close contact with him.

“Last night [January 31], further test results showed five children who are related to the patients are also infected,” said the source. “This led to the shutdown of the community where the patients live as well as 15 schools in the municipality.”

As of Monday, Tak has reported 144 cases during the fresh Covid-19 outbreak, with 49 patients currently being treated, 93 recovered and discharged, and two deaths.

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Bangkok schools reopen despite worries

NationalFeb 01. 2021

By The Nation

Schools in Bangkok reopened on Monday after a long break since the New Year’s break, but under strict instructions to follow Covid-19 prevention measures.

Silpsuay Raweesangsoon, Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) permanent-secretary, said schools have been told to limit classrooms to 25 students, avoid gatherings and ensure students wear masks at all times. She said schools can arrange alternative teaching schedules in case there aren’t enough classrooms.

Schools are also required to set up temperature screening and handwashing points outside all classrooms.

She visited schools in Bangkok’s Bang Na district on Monday to ensure measures have been put in place.

Silpsuay also called on schools to explain to parents that it is necessary to ensure their children are infection-free when taken to school. If a child is at risk or has symptoms, then parents need to coordinate with the school and report to the nearest mobile medical unit set up by the Public Health Ministry.

She also recommended that both teachers and parents install the BKK Covid-19 smartphone application to make risk management easier.

Some parents of primary school students, meanwhile, said they were glad that schools have reopened and that they were not concerned because plenty of measures have been put in place.

However, parents of kindergarteners said they were worried because their children were too young, and age-related behaviour may be riskier than other students. They were concerned that their child would come in contact with unclean things and put unclean hands in their mouth. Also, some activities require close physical contact.

Meanwhile, hashtags like #สนับสนุนเลื่อนเปิดเทอม [#SupportPostponeSchoolOpening] show that people are generally worried about the Covid-19 situation, especially since the number of new cases reported daily appears to be rising.

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AOT diversifies into agricultural certification for export

NationalFeb 01. 2021

By THE NATION

Airports of Thailand (AOT) is planning to set up a new subsidiary to serve as a certification hub for agricultural products before they are exported, AOT president Nitinai Sirismatthakarn said.

“The new company will be 51 per cent owned by partners who are experts in the field and 49 per cent owned by AOT,” he said.

“The major partner will be Thai Airfreight Forwarders Association [TAFA], whose members export large quantities of products every year and are in need of certification services,” Nitinai said.

The subsidiary, AOT TAFA Operator (AOTTO) will focus on products such as vegetables, fruit, foods as well as drugs that require a temperature-controlled environment, added Nitinai.

“We aim to promote AOTTO to be a regional hub for agricultural certification by following the standards of the European Union, which will help facilitate entrepreneurs in Thailand and Asean in exporting their products to the EU without having to go through reinspection at the destination countries,” added Nitinai.

AOT had earlier established two subsidiaries in security and ground service businesses — AOT Aviation Security and AOT Ground Aviation Services. The latter is also providing services relating to Covid-19 prevention and disinfection of business venues.

“We expect the revenue from non-aeronautical businesses in 2021 would help make up for lost revenue during the outbreak and in the future will contribute half of AOT’s total revenue,” Nitinai said.

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836 new cases, mostly in Samut Sakhon, found via proactive testing

NationalFeb 01. 2021

By The Nation

The Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration (CCSA) on Monday reported 836 new cases, of whom only four were returnees.

Apisamai Srirangsan, assistant spokesperson for CCSA, said Thailand found its first domestic Covid-19 case – a taxi driver who contracted without travelling aboard – exactly one year ago.

Of the new cases, 39 had been exposed to the virus while visiting high-risk areas, with Samut Sakhon leading the list with 32 cases, followed by five in Bangkok and two in Ratchaburi.

Meanwhile, proactive testing led to the discovery of 793 cases, with as many as 782 found in Samut Sakhon alone.

Of the four returnees, two are Thais returning from Malaysia and the UK. An American man and a Belgian engineer who flew in from their respective nations also tested positive.

Meanwhile, 899 patients have recovered and been discharged.

As of Monday, the number of confirmed cases in Thailand has risen to 19,618. Of these, 17,155 contracted the virus locally, including 10,077 who were found via proactive testing, while 2,463 are returnees. So far, 12,514 have recovered and been discharged, 7,027 patients are still in hospital and the death toll remains at 77.

According to CCSA statistics, 42 provinces haven’t reported new cases for more than seven days and 14 provinces are still free from infections since the second wave broke out in December. Meanwhile, cases are being found in 14 provinces regularly over the past three days.

Apisamai said a cluster in Ratchaburi linked to people who travelled from Maha Sarakham province reported three new cases, including a four-month-old infant. This brings the number of Covid-19 cases in Ratchaburi to 31. She urged people to avoid travelling between provinces and continue wearing masks and maintain hygiene practices.

According to Worldometer, as of 10am, the number of confirmed cases globally has risen to 103.53 million (up by 396,465), 75.13 million have recovered, 26.15 million are active cases (107,956 in severe condition) and 2.24 million have died (up by 9,292).

Thailand ranks 116th on the global list of most cases. The US tops the list with 26.76 million, followed by India 10.76 million, Brazil 9.2 million, Russia 3.83 million and the United Kingdom 3.8 million.

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Pollution in and around Bangkok hits unsafe levels

NationalFeb 01. 2021

By The Nation

Air pollution in 50 areas in and around Bangkok hit unsafe levels on Monday morning with PM2.5 readings coming in at 41 to 74 micrograms per cubic metre (μg/m3), according to the Pollution Control Department’s Air Quality and Noise Management Bureau.

Thailand’s standard for safe levels of PM2.5 (particles less than 2.5 micrometres in diameter) is 50μg/m3, while the World Health Organisation sets it at 25μg/m3.

The areas affected are:

Bangkok:

Bang Khunthien (59μg/m3)

Thonburi (51μg/m3)

Wang Thonglang (60μg/m3)

Din Daeng (57μg/m3)

Phra Khanong (63μg/m3)

Dusit (53μg/m3)

Pom Prab Sattru Phai (56μg/m3)

Samphanthawong (51μg/m3)

Phya Thai (52μg/m3)

Yannawa (58μg/m3)

Thawee Watthana (55μg/m3)

Suan Luang (59μg/m3)

Bang Na (68μg/m3)

Chatuchak (55μg/m3)

Sai Mai (72μg/m3)

Bang Kapi (62μg/m3)

Lat Krabang (73μg/m3)

Min Buri (65μg/m3)

Nong Chok (74μg/m3)

Prawet (73μg/m3)

Khlong San (52μg/m3)

Bangkok Yai (55μg/m3)

Bangkok Noi (52μg/m3)

Taling Chan (58μg/m3)

Phasi Charoen (52μg/m3)

Nong Khaem (62μg/m3)

Bang Bon (60μg/m3)

Thung Khru (52μg/m3)

Bang Khen (62μg/m3)

Bang Phlat (52μg/m3)

Don Mueang (61μg/m3)

Khan Na Yow (62μg/m3)

Huai Khwang (53μg/m3)

Klong Toei (61μg/m3)

Bang Sue (55μg/m3)

Lat Phrao (57μg/m3)

Lak Si (59μg/m3)

Saphan Sung (53μg/m3)

Bueng Kum (62μg/m3)

Klong Sam Wa (67μg/m3)

Chom Thong (60μg/m3)

Bang Khae (54μg/m3)

Samut Prakan:

Phra Pradaeng (53μg/m3)

Muang (52μg/m3)

Bang Sao Thong (64μg/m3)

Nonthaburi:

Muang (51μg/m3)

Samut Sakhon:

Krathum Baen (55μg/m3)

Muang (64μg/m3)

Pathum Thani:

Khlong Luang (57μg/m3)

Nakhon Pathom:

Muang Nakhon Pathom (67μg/m3)

People in areas where PM2.5 levels are high have been advised to monitor their health and reduce the time spent outdoors, especially the elderly, children and patients with respiratory diseases.

The PM2.5 problems can be tracked via Air4Thai.com and bangkokairquality.com websites or the Air4Thai and AirBKK smartphone applications.

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DPO targets 500 ‘Milk Land’ shops in five years, eyes 10 per cent boost in sales

NationalFeb 01. 2021

By THE NATION

The Dairy Farming Promotion Organisation (DPO), a state enterprise under the Agriculture and Cooperatives Ministry and producer of Thai-Danish milk, is planning to open 500 branches of “Milk Land” nationwide within the next five years to sell its milk products.

“After DPO had appointed Tea Story Rama IX to manage its subsidiary — Thai-Denmark Milk Land — in May 2020, the number of Milk Land branches has jumped from 102 to 132 in less than a year,” said DPO’s acting director, Suchart Jariyalertsak.

“We aim to open at least 70 new branches yearly and hope to achieve 500 in five years and will increase DPO’s revenue from milk sales by 10 per cent.

“DPO’s Milk Land is distinguished from other brands because we use 100 per cent fresh milk and no powdered milk,” he added.

“We aim to open new branches in community areas, schools and universities, shopping malls, office buildings, and hospitals both in Bangkok and upcountry.”

Thai-Denmark Milk Land will also employ integrated marketing strategy to maximise target coverage, including advertising on digital billboards, BTS Skytrain, mobile media and bus media.

“We aim to attract new generation consumers by using ‘Ma Ma Milk’ music video by popular idol group BNK48, who is also Milk Land’s brand ambassador,” added Suchart.

DPO had been managing Milk Land franchise since its establishment in 2018 before subcontracting to Tea Story, who will be managing the franchise for the next five years.

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Baht strengthens, but all eyes on central bank meeting this week

NationalFeb 01. 2021

By THE NATION

The baht opened at 29.89 to the US dollar on Monday, strengthening from Friday’s close of 29.97.

The Thai currency is likely to move between 29.85 and 30.15 this week and between 29.95 and 30.05 on Monday, Krungthai market strategist Poon Panichpibool said.

This week, most of the market players were in risk-off state. Poon forecast that the market could fluctuate in case economic numbers turn out be negative.

In Thailand, most players are waiting for the result of Bank of Thailand’s meeting. The market strategist forecast that the central bank’s view towards the economy would change due to the second Covid-19 wave that began in December last year. The interest rate will likely be frozen at 0.50 per cent.

In the US, service businesses were pressured by the virus crisis, despite an overall recovery of businesses. The Non-Manufacturing ISM in January decreased from 57.7 points last month to 56.7 points. Meanwhile, the ISM Purchasing Managers’ Index stayed at 60 points this month.

Non-farm payrolls increased only by around 50,000 positions.

In the EU, the economy in the fourth quarter of 2020, contracted by 5 per cent, compared to the fourth quarter of 2019. The Bank of England stayed its interest rate at 0.10 per cent.

Poon said that the dollar would tend to move sideways in the short-term. In case the market is disappointed with US stimulus measures, the Covid-19 crisis intensifies, or vaccine distribution is slow, the US currency would strengthen.

The dollar will weaken in case the market feels relaxed about economic recovery and US stimulus measures.

In Thailand, no factor could influence the baht, except the dollar’s movement and foreign fund flow, he said.

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Chiang Mai greenlights reopening of pubs, bars as no infections in 19 days

NationalFeb 01. 2021

By THE NATION

The Chiang Mai public health office posted on its Facebook page on Sunday that the provincial communicable disease committee had approved the reopening of entertainment venues from February 1.

All the venues must strictly follow Covid-19 preventive measures, which are:

1. Proper ventilation system with the capacity of at least 10ACH (air change per hour) must be installed and turned on during opening hours.

2. Customers must check-in and check-out via the Thai Chana platform.

3. Business owners must put up a notification of the maximum number of customers it can accommodate based on their service area (1 customer per 4 square metres)

4. Thermal scanning must be provided at all entrances based on CCSA regulations.

Chiang Mai’s entertainment venues including pubs, bars, karaoke booths and similar businesses had been ordered shut by the committee from January 6 in a bid to curb the spread of the virus after a new wave was reported in Thailand in December.

The public health office added that as of Sunday the province had not found new cases for 19 consecutive days. All the 23 patients who were infected in the second wave had been treated and discharged.

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Police officers injured in bomb trap by suspected insurgents

NationalFeb 01. 2021

By THE NATION

Five police officers were injured in Narathiwat province when an explosive went off while they were investigating a burning cell tower.

The attack occurred on Iregasae–Srisakhon Road in Sri Sakhon subdistrict at 11.30am.

Sri Sakhon Police Station was called to inspect a cell tower which had been set on fire. When police reached the site, a bomb planted nearby went off, damaging the police pickup truck and injuring the five officers. They were sent to Sri Sakhon Hospital for treatment and are now in a stable condition.

Narathiwat deputy police chief Pol Colonel Suthon Sukwiset said that the Explosive Ordnance Disposal team investigated the site and found the bomb had been planted under the road surface and wired to a 25kg LPG cylinder. Officials suspect that the bomb was ignited by a communication radio signal.

“The bombing could be a coordinated attack on officials planned by an unknown group of insurgents,” he said.

“Earlier that morning, an unknown suspect had set fire to a cell tower using motorcycle’s tyres as fuel, probably in an attempt to lure officials into the bomb trap.”

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Upper Thailand gets warmer with morning fog, more rain forecast for South

NationalFeb 01. 2021

By THE NATION

The Thailand Meteorological Department said on Monday that the moderate high-pressure system over upper Thailand is becoming weaker, resulting in a rise in temperatures by 1-2 degrees Celsius and light morning fog.

Meanwhile, the moderate northeast monsoon across the Gulf and the South leads to isolated thundershowers in the lower Gulf and the South. Moderate winds will raise waves up to more than two metres high during thundershowers. All ships should proceed with caution and keep off thundershowers, the department said.

The weather forecast for the next 24 hours:

North: Cool to cold weather; temperature lows of 14-18 degrees Celsius and highs of 30-35°C; temperature on hilltops is likely to drop to 3-10°C.

Northeast: Cool to cold weather with light fog in the morning; temperature lows of 15-20°C and highs of 30-33°C; temperature on hilltops is likely to drop to 8-12°C.

Central: Cool weather with light fog in the morning; temperature lows of 18-22°C, highs of 32-35°C.

East: Cool weather with light fog in the morning; temperature lows of 21-24°C, highs of 32-34°C; waves a metre high and 1-2 metres offshore.

South (east coast): Thundershowers in 30 per cent of the areas; temperature lows of 21-25°C, highs of 30-32°C; waves two metres high and over two metres during thundershowers.

South (west coast): Partly cloudy with thundershowers in 30 per cent of the areas; temperature lows of 22-25°C, highs of 32-34°C; waves a metre high and 1-2 metres offshore.

Bangkok and surrounding areas: Cool weather with light fog in the morning; temperature lows of 22-24°C, highs of 32-34°C.