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https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40016344

Monkeypox is not that easy to contract and there is a low possibility of the virus sparking an outbreak in Thailand, leading virologist Dr Yong Poovorawan said in a Facebook post on Sunday.

He added that since the disease resurfaced in May, only some 600 people in nearly 30 countries have been infected. Most or 98 per cent of the patients outside Africa are men, while the ratio of male monkeypox patients in Africa is about two thirds.

“The age range of patients outside Africa is 20-50, while in Africa monkeypox has also infected children,” Yong said. “Monkeypox is spreading rapidly outside Africa, in places like Spain, Portugal, the UK and Belgium, due to cultural celebrations that promote close contact between people.

“From the current infection rate, it is possible that monkeypox will be found in Thailand. However, it will likely spread among a small group of people who are at risk,” he said.

The virologist said care must be taken to ensure the virus is not contracted by pets. “If the virus is transmitted from humans to pets, these animals can become carriers and spread to other local species like rats, rabbits and squirrels. Then monkeypox will become endemic in that area,” Yong said.

The Disease Control Department (DDC) said last week that there have been no confirmed monkeypox cases in Thailand so far. However, DDC put 12 people under close observation after they came into contact with a confirmed monkeypox patient who had boarded a transit flight from Bangkok.

Dr Chakkarat Pitayawonganon, director of the department’s epidemiology division, said the situation is not worrying because they are low-risk contacts, adding that they will be monitored for 21 days.

Published : June 06, 2022

By : THE NATION

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40016343

Digital lottery tickets for the June 16 draw were almost sold out on Sunday after more than 5 million were snapped up via the Pao Tang application.

Atotal of 5,085,230 tickets had been sold via the digital system, which was launched this month to combat the problem of ticket overpricing.

“Of the 5,173,500 digital tickets made available, only 88,270 are left and we expect these to be sold out today,” said a spokesperson for the committee tasked with tackling overpriced lottery tickets on Monday.

She added that 10,347 vendors with lottery quota were qualified to sell their tickets via the Pao Tang app. The online tickets went on sale on June 2 at a fixed price of 80 baht. The app has recorded a total of 1,220,176 lottery transactions, with an average purchase of 4.16 tickets per person.

The digital lottery platform was launched after all other measures failed to prevent overpricing.

Authorities have urged the public not to buy from vendors who sell tickets for more than 80 baht.

They can also report overpricing to the Government Lottery Office at (02) 528 9999, available 24/7, with a reward of 1,000 baht offered for every tip-off that leads to successful prosecution.

Published : June 06, 2022

By : THE NATION

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40016337

Bangkokians flocking to Lumpini Park on Sunday for “Music in the Garden” were treated to the sight of their new governor swaying along to the beat.

Chadchart Sittipunt joined the crowd at the Sala Bhirom Bhakdi bandstand in the lush surrounds of the city-centre park.

Served up on the musical menu were live performances of swing and jazz by The Stumbling and DJ Kang.

“Music in the Garden” will pop up at 40 Bangkok parks over the next few weekends, with free performances under Covid precautions (mask-wearing, social distancing, etc).

Published : June 06, 2022

By : THE NATION

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40016335

Songkhla marked World Environment Day by launching a project to preserve the southern province’s main water supply.

On Sunday, local agencies took part in a signing ceremony to restore and protect the Khlong Phumi and Khlong U-Tapao canals, which supply water for agriculture, industry and households in Songkhla.

The ceremony was held at Irrigation Construction Office 11 in Hat Yai and overseen by Lt Gen Kriengkrai Srirak, commander of the 4th Army Area.

Under the project, a provincial environment committee and rapid deployment team have been established to tackle problems such as flooding in canals across Songkhla that disrupts daily in the province.

The move is part of the Songkhla Provincial Administrative Organisation (PAO)’s policy to restore the environment for residents, said PAO president Paijan Maksuwan.

Dej-is Khaothong, a Songkhla MP and Democrat Party deputy leader, said cooperation among agencies and residents is necessary to preserve the environment.

He added that more than 300 youths who participated in the event will act as guardians of Songkhla’s canals.

Published : June 06, 2022

By : THE NATION

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40016324

The Thai Meteorological Department has warned of flash flooding and runoffs from Tuesday to Saturday (June 7-11), when isolated thunderstorms are forecast to sweep across the country.

The severe weather warning was triggered by a monsoon trough lying across upper Laos and upper Vietnam and also strengthening of the southwest monsoon over the Andaman Sea, Thailand and the Gulf. The conditions will bring more rain to upper Thailand this week, with isolated heavy rain in the North, Northeast, Bangkok and Central region, the East and the southwest coast.

The department warned vehicles and trains to proceed with caution, while farmers should protect their crops. Ships in the Andaman Sea and the Gulf should also proceed with caution and avoid sailing during thunderstorms.

The weather forecast for June 7-11 is as follows:

North: Rain across 60-70 per cent of region with isolated heavy rain. Temperature lows of 23-27C and highs of 31-37C.

Northeast: Rain in 60-70 per cent of region with isolated heavy rain. Lows of 23-26C and highs of 31-36C.

Central: Rain in 60-70 per cent of region with isolated heavy rain. Lows of 23-28C, highs of 32-37C.

East: Rain in 60-70 per cent of region with isolated heavy rain. Lows of 23-28C, highs of 30-36C; waves 1-2 metres high and over 2 metres during thundershowers.

South (east coast): Rain in 30-40 per cent of area. Lows of 23-28C, highs of 30-36C; waves 1-2 metres and about 2 metres offshore.

South (west coast): Rain in 30-40 per cent of area with isolated heavy rains. Lows of 23-28C, highs of 29-34C; waves 1 metre but rising higher during thundershowers.

Bangkok and vicinity: Rain in 40-60 per cent of area with isolated heavy rains. Lows of 25-28C and highs of 31-36C.

Published : June 06, 2022

By : THE NATION

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40016320

Ministry of Public Health reported on Monday (June 6) morning that in the past 24 hours there are 2,162 new patients who tested positive for Covid-19, two of whom have arrived in Thailand from abroad.

Death toll increased by 27, while 4,879 patients were cured and allowed to leave hospitals.

Cumulative cases in the country since January 1, 2022 are at 2,245,520.
 

Published : June 06, 2022

By : THE NATION

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40016316

The committee in charge of tackling overpriced lottery tickets said on Sunday that selling tickets via the Paotang app will not affect lottery vendors.

Tipanan Sirichana, spokesperson of the panel, said the digital version is being launched to tackle the problem of overpricing after all other measures failed. She added that the digital version will not eat into the quota of current vendors provided they do not break rules.

She said the 5,173,500 tickets up for sale via the Paotang app had been seized from vendors who were selling them at a high price or those who had sold their tickets off to middlemen. Tipanan added that the Global Lottery Office (GLO) had cancelled the quota of thousands of vendors caught breaking rules.

“The government has not stolen the rights of any vendors,” she insisted. “If you comply with the law, your right will not be affected. [Don’t worry] if you are not selling overpriced tickets or reselling them to illegal platforms.”

The GLO had given small vendors a quota for lottery tickets but found that many of these vendors resell their tickets to major platforms like Blue Dragon and Kong Salak Plus.

Initially, Kong Salak sold scanned tickets at the set price of 80 baht. However, after learning that most vendors sold their tickets to Blue Dragon, it set up the Kong Salak Plus platform to sell tickets at a higher price based on how much vendors charged.

On Thursday, some 1,000 vendors whose quota had been terminated gathered outside the Nonthaburi Court to demand that their rights be restored.

The vendors said they are suing GLO for unfair termination and want the court to issue an injunction so they can continue selling tickets while waiting for a verdict.

Meanwhile, Tipanan said on Sunday that new vendors can register as online sellers this month, provided they do not tamper with the 80-baht fixed price.

She said that though the government is in charge of the online sales platform, vendors can have their own stores on the Paotang platform.

She added that vendors selling the digital version will only need to pay 1.5 per cent of their winnings instead of 2 per cent like before. Of the 1.5 per cent deducted, 0.5 per cent is paid to GLO and the rest to Krung Thai Bank for the operation of the Paotang system.

Tipanan added that from Thursday to 3pm Saturday, more than 4 million digital tickets had been sold via the Paotang app.

Published : June 05, 2022

By : THE NATION

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40016312

New Bangkok governor Chadchart Sittipunt defended the city’s drainage department chief on Sunday amid a public uproar over Bangkok canal dredging.

The outcry was sparked when Drainage and Sewerage Department director Somsak Udomsak told Chadchart he had only received enough budget to dredge two of the city’s 1,980 canals. Somsak was responding during Chadchart’s Facebook live session to check progress of anti-flood preparations ahead of the rainy season.

His answer triggered an outpouring of criticism on social media, with many netizens questioning the efficiency of the director.

Chadchart said on Sunday that he himself should be blamed for raising the question during the live talk, and not giving Somsak time to prepare a more accurate picture of canal dredging.

Chadchart said it was explained to him later that Chadchart was referring to Bangkok’s two main canals – presumably the Saen Saeb and the Phadung Krung Kasem – while the city’s sub-canals come under the jurisdiction of district offices.

“Please don’t criticise him. The director is really determined in his work,” Chadchart said, pleading for public understanding.

Chadchart also denied rumours that a contractor hired to dredge Lat Phrao canal had abandoned the job. He said the contractor had actually abandoned a project to reinforce the sides of Khlong Lat Phrao, which meant the canal could not be dredged.

Sakchai Boonma, former deputy to ex-Bangkok governor Aswin Kwanmuang, on Saturday urged Chadchart to remove Somsak as city drainage chief.

Sakchai said that as deputy governor, he had supervised the dredging of over 150 canals in Nong Chok and Lat Krabang districts.

Sakchai said the drainage department also used its own workers and machines to dredge over 20 canals, so he did not understand why the director said only two canals had been dredged.

He added that the Bangkok Council had earlier approved a budget for dredging the two canals but later allocated budget for dredging at least 10 more canals.

The department on Saturday issued a statement saying there were 1,980 canals and drainage ditches in Bangkok with a combined length of 2,745 kilometres. It said it dredged 138 canals (282km) in 2020 and another 42 more canals (89km) in 2021. It said it had received budget to dredge 42 more canals (60km) this year, with work on 32 canals due for completion this month.

Contractors will be hired for the remaining 10 canals this month, it added.

The department said it had also been dredging with its own machines and workforce, cleaning 35 canals. It plans to dredge another 65 canals on its own without waiting for the 2023 budget, the statement added.

Published : June 05, 2022

By : THE NATION

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40016311

The Royal Irrigation Department will clear all main waterways of water hyacinth and debris ahead of the rainy season, the department’s chief announced on Sunday.

Prapit Chanma said he has instructed irrigation offices nationwide to speed up the clearing of weeds that block the flow of rivers and canals before heavy rains arrive. He said there will be less flooding if waterways can freely flow into the sea.

Also, he said, removing the weeds will also make it easier to travel down the waterways.

Prapit said his department plan to continue removing weeds and debris from canals and rivers all year in line with Agriculture Minister Chalermchai Sri-on’s policy.

He added that irrigation offices are rushing to clear the water weeds that are piling up behind dykes and dams. He blamed the overgrowth on early rains.

Prapit said the Royal Irrigation Department’s machinery office is rushing to clear the Bang Pakong irrigation dam in Chachoengsao’s Muang district. The office has deployed cranes on rafts and other tools to clear the overgrowth.

Meanwhile, Anek Kansangwon, director of the Royal Irrigation Machinery Office, said his office has reached an agreement with irrigation offices nationwide to cooperate in clearing the weeds.

Anek said his office has deployed 222 small fibreglass boats designed for clearing weeds to the 17 irrigation offices so they can start working right away.

The boats come armed with equipment to push the weeds ashore and pull them out upon reaching the bank.

Anek reckons each boat can get rid of about 10 tonnes of hyacinths in an hour. He added that local administrative offices are also seeking some 400 such boats, but he said the office has yet to discuss the cost and budget with them.

Published : June 05, 2022

By : THE NATION

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40016307

Bangkok’s new governor Chadchart Sittipunt marked World Environment Day on Sunday by collecting trash from the Chao Phraya River and planting trees at Rama VIII Park, next to the bridge of the same name.

Joining Chadchart and city residents in the activities was Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) permanent secretary Khajit Chatchavanich.

The theme for this year’s World Environment Day theme, “Only One Earth”, was changed to “Only One Bangkok” by the new governor to inspire Bangkokians to take care of their environment.

He also vowed to plant 1 million trees in the capital within four years, as per his campaign promise.

Chadchart said his environmental policies are designed to help Thailand meet its target of net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2030. However, the BMA could not achieve this aim without participation from Bangkok communities and residents, he added.

Chadchart also climbed into a red kayak to lead a fleet of 50 boats in a 30-minute trash collection activity in the Chao Phraya. After failing to collect much trash, another participant told the governor that there had been plenty of garbage floating in the river yesterday.

Chadchart replied: “It’s alright that no trash was found today, we will take care of [the problem] together.”

Published : June 05, 2022

By : THE NATION