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https://www.nationthailand.com/thailand/general/40023890

Thailand’s Covid-19 numbers drop in first week of 2023

TUESDAY, JANUARY 10, 2023

Thailand’s Covid-19 situation appears to have improved with the number of hospitalisations during the first week of this year falling by half from the previous week.

Dr Tares Krassanairawiwong, director-general of the Department of Disease Control (DDC), said on Tuesday that 997 Covid patients had been hospitalised in the first week of January, averaging at about 142 per day. He said this was half the daily average compared to the last week of 2022, without elaborating.

As of press time, 382 Covid patients were in hospital for lung infections, while 242 of them were on ventilators. However, Tares said the number of lung infections and patients requiring ventilators has dropped by 28% and 30% respectively compared to the previous week.

In the first week of this year, 58 patients succumbed to Covid, averaging eight deaths per day.

All the deaths barring one were of people from the 608 group – 60 or older and those with any of the eight comorbidities.

Of the 58, 32 had received either one dose of Covid vaccine or had not been vaccinated at all, 16 did not get booster shots, while 10 had received a booster more than three months ago.

He said none of the people who had received a booster shot less than three months ago had died.

“Hence, the Public Health Ministry is encouraging people to receive at least four jabs, especially those in the vulnerable group,” he said.

Sopon Iamsirithaworn, DDC’s deputy director-general, said more than 149 million doses of Covid vaccines have been administered in Thailand.

Of them, 57 million were first doses covering 82.7% of the population, 54 million second doses covering 77.7% of the population, 27 million third doses and 6 million fourth doses. The remaining doses were used for the fifth and sixth doses.

He added that the Food and Drug Administration has extended the expiry date of Pfizer vaccines from nine months to 15 months.

The Public Health Ministry is also offering AstraZeneca vaccines for people reluctant to take mRNA vaccines, Sopon added. Both types of vaccines are available at public hospitals and clinics.

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https://www.nationthailand.com/thailand/general/40023887

Cabinet okay to be sought for new Bangkok, Nakhon Nayok, Saraburi expressway link

TUESDAY, JANUARY 10, 2023

The Expressway Authority of Thailand (ETA) will propose the first stage of the Chalong Rat-Nakhon Nayok-Saraburi expressway project this month once it gets the go-ahead from the economic advisory council on Wednesday.

ETA governor Surachet Laophulsuk was speaking to reporters on Tuesday after ETA completed a second public hearing on the first phase of the expressway project.

The plan is to build a 19.25-kilometre-long expressway linking the Chalong Rat elevated expressway to Bangkok’s third ring road dubbed MR10. The budget for this project is 33.4 billion baht.

Surachet said the ETA is confident the project will be endorsed by the National Economic and Social Development Council (NESDC) once it submits the public hearing results on Wednesday.

He said the project should be endorsed because it will help ease the traffic by also linking to the Highways Department’s Bangkok-Kanchanaburi motorway.

Once the project gets the NESDC okay, ETA will forward it to the Cabinet for approval before a royal decree is issued to expropriate land, Surachet said.

He added that the drafting of the royal decree will take about a month and its enactment will take another six months.

Meanwhile, land will be expropriated over 2024-2025 and construction will take 36 months.

Of the 33.4 billion baht earmarked, 7.3 billion baht will be spent on land expropriation, he said.

He added that the project’s net value at present is 29.47 billion baht and the benefit-cost ratio is 2.34 times, while its economic internal rate of return (EIRR) is 19.57%, much higher than the 12% EIRR requirement set by the NESDC.

The ETA governor added that the project’s environment impact assessment was also approved by the National Natural Resources and Environmental Commission last year.

A source from the advisory firm for the project said 950 rai of land will have to be expropriated for the first stage of the project.

The new expressway will link to the Chalong Rat elevated expressway at the Chatuchote gate across the Kanchanapisek eastern ring road, Hathai Rat and Nimit Mai roads before it returns to the ground level at the rest area of the expressway at kilometre marker 11+0404. The road will then elevate again across Klong Kao Road before turning north to connect with Lam Luk Ka Road near the lower Klong Kok Wa Road in Pathum Thani. The first stage will end at the linking point with the MR10 motorway at the Klong Sib subdistrict in Bangkok’s Nong Chok district.

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https://www.nationthailand.com/blogs/thailand/general/40023886

Thailand’s latest population

TUESDAY, JANUARY 10, 2023

The current population of Thailand is 66,090,475 as of December 31, 2022, based on The Interior Ministry of Thailand.

Thailand ranks number 22nd in the world by population in the list of 235 countries/territories. 

Thailand’s population peak will be 2029 with 70.38 mn people after Thailand’s population will be decreased year by year. The Thailand population is projected to reach 70.35 million in 2030 and decrease further to 65.94 million in 2050 and 46.02 million by 2100. 

Total population as of December 31, 2022: 66,090,475
Men: 32,270,615
Women: 33,819,860

Thai citizenship holders: 65,106,481
Men: 31,755,032
Women: 33,351,449

Thais without citizenship papers: 983,994
Men: 515,583
Women: 468,411

Top 5 most populated provinces:
Bangkok: 5,494,936
Nakhon Ratchasima: 2,630,058
Ubon Ratchathani: 1,869,806
Chiang Mai: 1,792,474
Khon Kaen: 1,784,641

Top five least populated provinces:
Samut Songkhram: 189,453
Ranong: 194,226
Singburi: 202,797
Trat: 227,808
Nakhon Nayok: 260,406

Source: Interior Ministry

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https://www.nationthailand.com/thailand/general/40023883

540 motorists caught short as Thailand enforces new point system

TUESDAY, JANUARY 10, 2023

The first day of the new point system on Monday saw 540 motorists getting their points cut mostly for not paying their annual vehicle registration fees in time.

Pol Maj-General Artchayon Kraithong, spokesman of the Royal Thai Police, said most motorists lost one point, though 68 were penalised with a cut of two points.

Artchayon said the top three violations were:

• Driving without proof of paying annual registration fee: 233 motorists

• Driving without a licence plate: 81 motorists

• Violating speed limit: 63 motorists

Artchayon said deputy National Police chief Pol General Roi Ingkhapairoj has been tasked with leading the enforcement of the point system by cooperating with the Land Transport Department, Krung Thai Bank and National Telecom to apply the online Police Ticket Management system to record traffic violations, resulting in point deduction.

The point system aims to encourage motorists to have more discipline and avoid violating the law repeatedly, the spokesman added.

Offences like speeding, riding a motorbike without a helmet, not wearing a seat belt, not slowing down at a crossing or using the mobile phone while driving will cost drivers one point each, he said.

Disobeying traffic signals, like jumping the red light, can cost two points, while fleeing the scene of an accident can cost three points and drunk driving or driving under the influence of drugs can cost drivers four points.

Once all 12 points are exhausted, the driver’s licence will be suspended. Three suspensions in three years will result in the revocation of the licence.

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https://www.nationthailand.com/thailand/general/40023879

SRT suspends scandal-hit signboard project at Bangkok’s central station

TUESDAY, JANUARY 10, 2023

The State Railway of Thailand (SRT) abruptly suspended the scandal-hit 33-million-baht project to change signboards at Bangkok’s Bang Sue Grand Station on Tuesday.

SRT governor Nirut Maneephan signed the order to suspend the project, which includes changing the main signboard at Thailand’s new rail hub to “Krung Thep Aphiwat Central Terminal”, the official name granted by His Majesty the King in September last year.

The order was addressed to the managing director of Unique Engineering and Construction Plc, which won the contract bidding with a proposed price of 33.16 million baht. The SET-listed company signed the contract with SRT on December 29.

Netizens quickly criticised the price as being too high, triggering widespread suspicion that SRT officials may have corruptly profited from the deal.

Transport Minister Saksayam Chidchob ordered a seven-day probe of the project on January 3.

Two days later, the National Anti-Corruption Committee (NACC) launched its own investigation, focusing on the legality of the special “urgent” bidding process and the conduct of responsible officials.

Related Stories

Transport Ministry to investigate SRT’s expensive signboard project

NACC probing THB33m signboard change at Bang Sue Central Station

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https://www.nationthailand.com/thailand/general/40023878

Ministry probes claims that Thai academics are buying theses for promotion

TUESDAY, JANUARY 10, 2023

Higher Education Minister Anek Laothamatas has ordered an urgent probe into claims that many university academics have purchased theses in a bid to gain promotion.

Anek announced the investigation on Tuesday after allegations raised by fellow academics were widely shared on social media.

The claims said that certain academics have either hired others to write research studies or merely purchased them to get their names published in international academic journals and claim credits needed for promotions at their universities.

“I would like to thank the academics and the media for showing concern and for pointing out loopholes in the publishing of academic work,” Anek said.

He also acknowledged that some academics may have presented others’ research work as their own.

“Universities must investigate this seriously and take swift action,” he said.

Ministry permanent secretary Siririrk Songwilai emphasised that Section 70 of the Higher Education Act explicitly bans people from hiring others to do research or writing in a bid to gain academic posts or promotions.

Siririrk said the same law prohibits people from selling their academic work or labour to others. The penalty for this practice is three years imprisonment or a maximum fine of 60,000 baht, he added.

Siririrk said he had told the Council of University Presidents of Thailand that universities must check their academics’ research and writing thoroughly.

He said the ministry has also dispatched teams to investigate universities and will pass on any evidence found to the council.

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https://www.nationthailand.com/thailand/general/40023876

PM2.5 pollution hits unsafe levels in 19 Bangkok districts

TUESDAY, JANUARY 10, 2023

Much of Bangkok was blanketed in hazardous smog on Tuesday morning, with monitoring stations in almost two dozen districts showing PM2.5 particles had exceeded the safe level of 50 micrograms per cubic metre.

The Bangkok Air Quality Division reported that 19 of its monitors showed PM2.5 dust in the 51-90mg/m3 range, where it starts to impact on health.

A level of more than 90mg/m3 is considered hazardous to health.

The 19 monitoring stations showing unsafe levels of PM2.5 were:

– Klong Sam Wa district office: 56mg/m3

– Pathumwan district in front of Samyan Mitrtown mall: 56

– Thonburi district at Mahaisawan Intersection: 55

– Wang Thong Lang district at Esso petrol station on Soi Lat Phrao 95: 54

– Nong Khaem district police booth on Ma Charoen Road: 54

– Lat Krabang district in front of Lat Krabang Hospital: 54

– Khlong San district under Taksin bridge: 54

– Bang Sue district office: 54

– Bang Phlat district office: 53

– Prawet district in front of Seacon Square mall, 53

– Yannawa district near Bank of Ayudhya head office: 53

– Samphanthawong district at Odeon roundabout: 53

– Bangkok Yai district at Tha Phra Intersection: 53

– Bueng Kum district office: 52

– Lak Si district office: 51

– Sathorn district office: 51

– Phasi Charoen district in front of Siam University: 51

– Nong Chok district office: 51

– Bang Khun Thian district office: 51

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https://www.nationthailand.com/thailand/general/40023873

YouTube scam: Teen’s suicide sparks hunt for Thai gang offering easy money

TUESDAY, JANUARY 10, 2023

The Cyber Crime Investigation Bureau is seeking an arrest warrant for the leader of a group that allegedly deceives people into paying for a chance to start earning from YouTube.

The case came to light when a 15-year-old Mathayom 3 student, identified only as Arthit, hanged himself in a wooded area in Nonthaburi’s Pakkret district on Sunday afternoon.

Arthit’s suicide note included an apology to his mother for stealing up to 15,000 baht from her purse. Investigators later found that the victim had been deceived into investing with the criminals, who lured him by promising he could earn money by watching video clips on YouTube.

Nation TV’s Ittipat Pinrarod reported that the group’s administrator, “Admin Paopao”, usually handed out details of the so-called job, including the number of clips to watch, wages and fees. The exchange was usually conducted via Line.

The wages offered ranged between 400 baht for 10 clips and 5,000 baht for 50 clips, while the fee ranged between 100 and 1,000 baht.

“This group lured people by claiming they can earn easy money,” Ittipat said, adding that after hooking people, the group then talked them into investing money.

He said the group’s bank account, registered in the name of Opas Phalaprom, has been blacklisted.

Related stories:

• Frenchman arrested after Thai woman complains of luxury brand scam
• Thai police bust ‘Tinder’ scam gang after trafficked call centre workers escape
• Malaysian parents heartbroken over son’s death in Thailand linked to job scam

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https://www.nationthailand.com/thailand/general/40023871

Hunt continues for Romanian diver gone missing in Phuket seas

TUESDAY, JANUARY 10, 2023

Phuket officials are continuing to search for a Romanian national who reportedly did not surface after diving near Koh Kaew Nok island on Sunday.

Sebastian Emil Somesan, 46, had dived down to a depth of about 30 metres to free a snagged anchor of his speedboat.

Somesan along with fellow Romanian Alexandru Florin Miron and Thai woman Saowalak Kanhawong had pulled out of Nai Harn Beach on his speedboat “Shonica” on Sunday.

His friends said they dropped anchor about 100 metres from the shore, but when they wanted to move on and found the anchor stuck, Somesan decided to dive down to free it. However, he did not resurface after the anchor was released.

Miron and Saowalak looked around for the missing man before calling emergency services.

A search was immediately launched for the missing man, with Rawai mayor Aroon Solos joining provincial agencies such as the Third Naval Area Command, marine police and Kusoldham Phuket Foundation.

A command centre has also been set up at Ya Nui Beach for the missing man’s friends and relatives to contact local officials.

A leader of the Kusoldham Phuket Foundation’s diving team said on Tuesday the search had to be called off on Monday due to poor visibility and strong tides.

“There’s a 20-30% possibility that the missing man will be found,” the leader said, adding that there is a possibility that strong currents will have swept him away.

Related stories:

• Online platform helps owners find their missing pets
• 5 crew members of doomed HTMS Sukhothai still missing
• Cambodian casino fire kills 19, dozens more missing

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https://www.nationthailand.com/thailand/general/40023870

Whistleblower Chuwit reassured after talk with PM Prayut on triad case

TUESDAY, JANUARY 10, 2023

Ex-massage parlour tycoon and politician Chuwit Kamolvisit said he has received personal assurances from Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha that justice will be done in the Chinese triad case.

Whistleblower Chuwit talked with the PM on the sidelines of an event to unveil Prayut as a United Thai Nation Party member on Monday evening.

The meeting came after Chuwit expressed frustration with the Metropolitan Police Bureau (MPB)’s probe of the triad case, accusing MPB chief Lt Gen Thiti Saengsawang of “not investigating matters that need investigating”.

Chuwit sparked the police investigation in November after revealing information on alleged Chinese triads operating in Thailand. He blew the whistle following a police raid on a Bangkok nightclub linked to businessman Chaiyanat “Tuhao” Kornchayanant, who is suspected of being a triad kingpin.

Tuhao later surrendered after an arrest warrant was issued for him, but denies any wrongdoing.

After meeting with Prayut at Queen Sirikit National Convention Centre on Monday, Chuwit said the PM had vowed to deal with the triad case but said it would take time as procedures had to be followed.

Chuwit praised Prayut for his sincerity and readiness to hear comments from people.

“Today, I was satisfied after hearing from General Prayut,” he said, adding that he would continue to help with the triad investigation.

“The PM also told me that he will punish suspects in the case if they are found guilty,” Chuwit added.

Related stories:

• More assets of alleged drug kingpin under scrutiny of narcotics control board
• Police target Tuhao ‘lieutenants’ as triad investigation nears end
• Tuhao’s wife arrested in Bangkok over money laundering charges