#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/national/40019209

The Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration (CCSA) will closely evaluate the situation before deciding to lift the emergency decree, government spokesman Anucha Burapachaisri said on Monday.

He explained that CCSA’s announcement on Friday does not mean it is lifting the emergency decree right away. The decree will be in place until the end of September, he said.

He explained that the emergency decree was introduced to allow relevant agencies to collaborate effectively to contain the spread of Covid-19.

Thailand has been under a state of emergency since March 2020.

Anucha also confirmed that the emergency decree was not implemented for other purposes.

Pro-democracy protesters had previously claimed that the emergency decree was meant to stop them from holding anti-government rallies, especially since many protesters were arrested and charged for violating the decree.

“CCSA’s efforts have been lauded by many countries,” he said, adding that many governments were interested in applying these guidelines in their countries.

Anucha said CCSA has also discussed policies and guidelines for the transition of Covid-19 from a dangerous communicable disease to one under surveillance that allows people to coexist with the virus and live normally.

He said more than 90 per cent of people in Thailand have developed immunity against Covid-19, confirming that three jabs provide 90 per cent protection against severe symptoms and death.

Anucha said he hopes Covid-19 will soon become normal flu, which almost everybody gets yearly with mild symptoms, with the exception of the elderly, pregnant women and those with chronic diseases.

“Before October 1, CCSA will evaluate the situation and weigh the risks to see if any mechanisms are necessary to contain the spread and ensure effective management,” he said.

He added that people should wait until after CCSA meets at the end of September.

Published : August 22, 2022

By : THE NATION

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/national/40019208

Households that use less than 500 units per month will get big discounts on their electricity bills under the Energy Ministry’s latest proposal to soften impacts from rising fuel prices.

The Energy Policy Administration Committee will propose the measure to Cabinet within this month, said Energy Minister Supattanapong Punmeechaow on Monday.

Supattanapong, who chairs the committee, said the discounts would last from September to December.

Households that use 301-350 units per month will receive a 75-per-cent discount while those who use 350-500 units/month will get 15 per cent off their bill.

Meanwhile, the tariff for households using less than 300 units per month will drop by 0.9204 baht per unit.

The committee estimates the move will cost the government around 2 billion baht per month or 8 billion baht over the four months.

The ERC announced last week it would increase the fuel tariff from 0.6866 baht to 0.9343 baht per unit from September to December, which will see household power costs rise to a record 4.72 baht per unit. It said the rise was necessary to reflect higher LNG prices in Asia, driven by a fall in Thai and Myanmar gas production, slowing investment by LNG manufacturers, and the Russia-Ukraine war.

Published : August 22, 2022

By : THE NATION

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/national/40019207

Public Health Minister Anutin Charnvirakul will take his Malaysian counterpart on a guided tour of hemp and ganja plantations on Wednesday, a government official said on Monday.

Malaysian Public Health Minister Khairy Jamaluddin is visiting Thailand to attend the Apec (Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation) High-Level Meeting on Health and the Economy in Bangkok on Thursday and Friday.

Deputy government spokeswoman Trisulee Trisaranakul said the Malaysian minister has expressed interest in Thailand’s policy to use ganja and hemp for medicinal purposes and for generating revenue for the country. Malaysia has also announced its policy to use marijuana for medical treatments.

She said Anutin and his Malaysian counterpart would discuss Thailand’s draft marijuana law, the obstacles, problems and restrictions in implementing the policy on using cannabis for medical treatment and as a cash crop.

She said Anutin would also lead a Malaysian health delegation to observe plantations of hemp and ganja and observe the process of making medicines and cosmetics from the plants.

Trisulee said Anutin and Jamaluddin had met and discussed the uses of cannabis during the 75th international health assembly in Geneva in May.

She said the Malaysian minister had told Anutin at that time that he would like to make an observation trip to Thailand to learn from Bangkok’s success in using ganja for medical treatment.

“Anutin has invited the Malaysian minister to make the trip when he attends the Apec high-level meeting on health in Bangkok,” Trisulee said.

Meeting participants would also be led to observe several areas of progress of the Thai Public Health Ministry, she said.

The meeting would also witness the opening ceremony of the Asean Centre for Public Health Emergencies and Emerging Diseases in Bangkok, she added.

Published : August 22, 2022

By : THE NATION

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/national/40019206

Phra Khanong officials on Monday launched a probe after a row of shophouses on Sukhumvit Road at the entrance of Soi Sukhumvit 101/1 were seen to be leaning at an alarming angle.

On Sunday, photos of the shophouses tilting backwards posted by Facebook user Patai Padungtin sparked concerns that the buildings could collapse at any time.

“These buildings are many years old and are increasingly slumping backwards. Some of them are still open as shophouses, while others already have ‘for sale’ signs out front,” said Patai. “Authorities should investigate the buildings’ structure to prevent a tragedy from happening.”

Phra Khanong district deputy chief Warunluck Pholhan said she had instructed officials to check the structural integrity of the shophouses, measure the angle of tilt, and monitor for cracks or structural weakness.

District officials will also coordinate with the owners of Ture Digital Park and other neighbouring buildings to seek ways to secure the slumping shophouses.

“We expected to complete preliminary investigations today. The district will issue an order for immediate demolition if the building is found to be a danger to the public,” she added.

Published : August 22, 2022

By : THE NATION

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/national/40019196

Two motorists sustained injuries when their vehicles fell into a massive hole on a road in Nakhon Ratchasima on Sunday night.

The drivers said there were no signs indicating there was construction ahead, so they continued speeding down the dark road before hitting plastic orange barriers and plunging into a hole.

The hole had been dug on Mitttraparp Road in Sung Noen Ma Klua Mai area to lay underground sewage pipes.

Simaporn Khadee driving a sedan and Kittichai Wangklang driving a pick-up truck were immediately rushed to the district hospital.

Eyewitness Thanakrit Apimahacharoenpaisarn told police that he was behind the pick-up truck, but they parted ways when he took the traffic bridge and the pickup drove on.

Thanakrit said he then heard a loud bang, so did a U-turn and returned to find the pick-up in the hole along with a car.

Kittichai said he was heading home and driving at 90 kilometres per hour. He said the road was very dark and there were no signs warning him of a construction site up ahead. By the time he arrived at the spot, it was too late to brake and he ended up hitting the barrier and falling in. He later found that a car was already in the hole.

Kittichai said there were no warning lights at the spot either.

Published : August 22, 2022

By : THE NATION

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/national/40019189

Paetongtarn “Ing” Shinawatra’s 37th birthday on Sunday was marked with tuk-tuks driving around the city with “happy birthday” posters tacked to their rear.

Photos of Paetongtarn celebrating her birthday with Pheu Thai’s former secretary-general Phumtham Wechayachai and party’s deputy leader/legal adviser Choosak Sirinin were also posted on the “Ing Shinawatra” Facebook page.

Paetongtarn, former PM Thaksin Shinawatra’s youngest daughter, was recently appointed director of the “Pheu Thai Family”.

More than 700 Facebook users posted comments on the Facebook page, with many voicing support for her as Pheu Thai’s PM candidate. They believe as PM, she can lift corruption charges faced by her father and aunt, former PM Yingluck Shinawatra, and allow them to return home freely.

Paetongtarn responded to her fans by saying “thanks for all your love” under a montage clip of a fleet of tuk-tuks driving around Bangkok.

This birthday celebration added colour to Thailand’s political scene this week, as all sides are waiting to see how the Constitutional Court responds to claims that Prayut Chan-o-cha’s tenure as PM expires on Wednesday.

Article 158 of the Constitution states that a prime minister shall not hold office for more than eight years in total, whether or not consecutively. However, the start date of Prayut’s eight-year tenure is being disputed.

Many people insist the eight-year term started when Prayut first assumed premiership on August 24, 2014 – following the military coup he led in May that year.

Others say his tenure began when the current Constitution came into force on April 6, 2017. A third group believes it should be counted from when Prayut assumed the premiership on June 9, 2019, following the general election in March that year.

Published : August 22, 2022

By : THE NATION

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/national/40019183

The Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand (Egat) on Sunday launched the “Clean Your Air for the Country” campaign for a second time to help reduce people’s power bills by 10 per cent.

Under the campaign, Egat will pay half of the 600-baht bill for cleaning one wall-type air-conditioner per household.

People can register for the subsidy at HomePro, Power Buy, the Mall, the Emporium, Siam Paragon and Blue Port stores before September 30.

According to the campaign:

• Only wall-type air-conditioners with a capacity of no more than 24,000 BTU will be cleaned

• Egat employees and those who have used their rights in the previous campaign are ineligible

Applicants are required to present:

• National ID card

• An electricity bill for any month in 2022.

Registrants can make an appointment for the cleaning service at the site of registration and are required to pay 300 baht up front.

Call (062) 273 9396 or (062) 273 9335 for more information.

Published : August 22, 2022

By : THE NATION

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/national/40019182

A probe has been launched into a video clip featuring a man in a police uniform and a woman in a wedding dress posing in front of five Highway Police vehicles.

The clip posted on the Red Skull Facebook page on Sunday went viral very quickly, with netizens asking why police vehicles were being used for what looked like a pre-wedding photoshoot.

Highway Police chief Pol Maj-General Ekarat Limsangkat said on Sunday that initial investigation showed that the man in the clip was a Highway Police officer in Hat Yai.

“I have not spoken to him yet, but have asked his supervisor to check the log of the vehicles to see for what purpose they had been taken out,” he said.

Ekarat added that police regulations allow the use of police vehicles in films, provided the agency owning them approves it. However, the use of police vehicles for personal gain is prohibited and will result in disciplinary punishment.

Ekarat promised that an investigation committee will be appointed to deal with the case as soon as possible. While waiting for the investigation result, he urged people to not judge the entire police division based on the action of one person.

Published : August 22, 2022

By : THE NATION

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/national/40019180

The Public Health Ministry reported on Monday (August 22) that over the past 24 hours, 1,531 Covid-19 patients have been admitted to hospitals.

The death toll has risen by 28, while 2,298 patients have recovered and discharged from hospitals. 

The number of cumulative cases in the country since January 1, 2022, stands at 2,412,276 with 10,357 deaths.
 

The country’s total caseload from Covid-19 stands at 4,635,711 – 4,584,827 of whom have recovered, 18,829 are still in hospitals and 32,055 have died.

Separately, another 1,948 people were given their first Covid-19 shot in the last 24 hours, 3,477 their second shot and 19,326 a booster, bringing the total number of Covid-19 vaccine doses administered nationwide to 142,467,918.

According to Worldometer, confirmed cases globally had risen to 601.12 million on Monday, 575.55 million of whom have recovered, 19.1 million are active cases (43,934 in severe condition) and 6.47 million have died (up by 908).

Thailand ranks 29th in the global list of most cases, which is topped by the US with 95.35 million, followed by India with 44.35 million, France with 34.35 million, Brazil with 34.28 million and Germany with 31.81 million.

Published : August 22, 2022

By : THE NATION

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/national/40019176

Every era presents new challenges to the business sector, speakers at The Nation’s “Thailand Metaverse Expo 2022” pointed out on Sunday.

The last development in the business world was disruptive technology, they said. With this “disruption”, travellers no longer require travel agencies as the best flight and hotel deals are just a click away. Similarly, newspapers and print media have given way to news websites and social media.

Speaking on “Why Businesses Need the Metaverse”, Kantana Group’s executive chair Sasikorn Chanset and J Ventures’ CTO Woraphot Tharasiriskul said the next wave that businesses will have to look out for is the metaverse. 

Metaverse is a new virtual reality that users can enter via a browser or headset to get a real-time experience.

So, how can businesses keep up with this new reality? And do businesses need the metaverse to survive?

Sasikorn said her company has passed through many stages of technology over the past 71 years. 

Kantana Group, which started off in 1951, graduated from producing radio dramas, films and television series, to interactive reality TV with shows like “Big Brother Thailand” where viewers voted for contestants through text messages. Then came the age of Facebook and Twitter.

But now, with metaverse at our doorstep, Sasikorn reckons that more easily understandable and accessible content is the key connector. She said each person’s understanding of the “metaverse” is different, so the challenge will be to build a community that is unique but globally friendly.

For instance, she said, Thai companies will have to find a way to showcase their “Thainess” in a way that is coherent on a global front. 

To achieve this, she said, companies can start off by creating unique NFTs (non-fungible tokens), as there are no limits to creativity in the metaverse. 

Woraphot, meanwhile, believes NFTs help link the current world to the future. 

“We should be getting ready to step into the metaverse because it offers every type of technology in one place,” he said. “Everyone is learning and developing to get there.”

He pointed out that now people are getting a better understanding of cryptocurrency and blockchain technology through the world of NFTs. Hence, he said, it is important for businesses to be ready. 

“We can’t just sit around and wait for it to happen, because then we will fall far behind,” he warned. 

Also, he said, consumers usually choose businesses that are prepared and the first easy step for businesses is to cash in on NFTs – collectables that are converted from physical objects to virtual ones. 

He said NFTs created by businesses will win fans, and in the future customers will start demanding these virtual objects. However, if you don’t keep up, he said, customers will simply take their business elsewhere.

#ThailandMetaverseExpo2022
#ThailandMetaverseExpo
#TheNation

#TME
#NFTThailand
#Thailand #Metaverse

Published : August 21, 2022

By : Stephanie Adair