Chiang Rai immigration police on Sunday arrested three women and a transvestite after one of them boasted online of their illegal return from Myanmar.
On November 24, one of the women announced on Facebook that she and three of her friends had used the natural route to cross into Thailand.
When this post was seen by other social-media users, they attacked the women for being irresponsible and raised concerns about the risk of Covid-19 spreading.
Upon hearing of the post, immigration police collaborated with local authorities and public health officials to hunt down the group. The woman who posted the message was found with one of her friends and arrested at a checkpoint in Chiang Rai’s Mae Chan district.
She was identified as Nongnuch Srihawong, 28, and her friend as Nirawan Chandarui, 29. Neither of them had fever and were taken to the Chiang Rai immigration office for interrogation.
The other two women in Nongnuch’s group were found to have checked into a hotel in Mae Sai district. They were identified as Kanokporn Saensantia, 31, and Pattaraporn Ayuwat, 28. They also had no sign of fever.
Upon interrogation, the four women said they had initially crossed over to Myanmar’s Myawaddy city from Tak’s Mae Sot district to work illegally. They had apparently been offered jobs by a Myanmar man.
However, they decided to return to Thailand after realising that the economic situation in Myanmar is bad and also because they were concerned about Covid-19 cases there. They stayed in Mae Sai district for three days before parting. Nongnuch and Nirawan were heading to Pattaya to look for work, while the other two were planning to travel to Chiang Mai.
Two women were found infected with Covid-19 in Chiang Rai, provincial authorities revealed on Monday.
Both patients, aged 26 and 23, are currently undergoing treatment at Chiangrai Prachanukroh, Chiang Rai authorities, led by provincial governor Prajon Pratsakul, reported on Monday.
They were friends of a 29-year-old woman found infected with Covid-19 last week in Chiang Mai province.
The two patients had crossed the border illegally from Tachileik city in Myanmar to Chiang Rai’s Mae Sai district on Friday. The two decided to visit Bangkok Hospital Chiangrai for a check-up on Saturday.
Around 30 people are at risk from the new cases. They include staff of the hotel where they had stayed, taxi bikers and persons they had met at hospitals. However, the two women had not travelled to crowded areas, unlike the other woman in Chiang Mai who tested positive last week, the authorities said.
They added that most people crossing back from Myanmar to Thailand recently were those who had crossed the border illegally to work in entertainment venues in the neighbouring country.
Timeline of the two new Covid-19 cases in Chiang Rai
Early November:
Two women aged 26 and 23 years travel to work at an entertainment venue in Tachileik district in Myanmar.
Nov 25: Both of them feel sick with low fever and cough. They are aware that a co-worker in the entertainment venue was found to be infected with Covid-19.
Nov 27: In the middle of the night, they cross the Moei River, with a Myanmar national leading the way. After crossing over into the Thai side, they take a motorcycle taxi to buy food and water before staying in a hotel in Mae Sai district (wearing a mask all the time).
They enter the hotel at 9am and stay in separate rooms. They go out at night to a convenience store using the motorcycle of a hotel staff.
Nov 28: At 3pm, the 26-year-old hires a motorcycle from Mae Sai district to Muang district, stopping by a shop located opposite the hotel before going out to get tested.
At 5pm, she is tested for the infection at a private hospital in Chiang Rai.
At 9.30pm, she is transferred to Chiang Rai Prachanukroh Hospital.
The 23-year-old orders food delivery to her hotel room.
Nov 29: At 2am, the 26-year-old’s Covid-19 infection is confirmed.
The same day, the 23-year-old woman starts to have fever, headache, body ache and mucus while staying in the hotel when disease control officers come to take her for testing after the Covid-19 test of her friend is confirmed positive.
Nov 30: Infection of the 23-year-old is confirmed.
The Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration reported 21 new cases in state quarantine facilities over the past 24-hour period on Monday. This is the highest number in several months.
The cases include a Thai man, 35, who arrived from India on November 15 on a flight that also stopped at the United Arab Emirates and checked into a quarantine hotel in Bangkok where he tested positive on November 23.
A Thai masseuse, 39, returned from Italy on November 21 and went to state quarantine facility in Chonburi where she tested positive on November 28. She had taken a connecting flight in Qatar.
Two Thai women aged 55 and 42 returned from Germany on November 21 and 26 and checked into a state quarantine hotel in Bangkok and an alternative state quarantine facility in Samut Prakan respectively. They both tested positive on November 26.
Two Thai women – an 18-year-old student and a 30-year-old entrepreneur – arrived from Switzerland on November 22 and checked into an alternative state quarantine hotel in Bangkok, where they tested positive on November 27.
A Japanese man, 57, accompanied by three Thai women aged 21, 25 and 27, arrived from Japan on November 22. The man checked into a state quarantine hotel in Bangkok, while the women checked into a state quarantine hotel in Chonburi. They tested positive on November 27 and 28.
A French businessman, 69, landed in Bangkok on November 23 and checked into a quarantine hotel where he was found positive on November 26.
An 18-year-old Thai student returned from the UK on November 23 and checked into a state quarantine hotel in Chonburi, where she tested positive on November 27.
A Thai masseuse, 33, and a Russian man, 31, arrived from Russia on November 23 and checked into a state quarantine hotel in Chonburi and alternative state quarantine in Samut Prakan respectively. They tested positive on November 27 and 28.
A Thai woman, 60, arrived from Denmark on November 23 and checked into a state quarantine hotel in Chonburi, where she tested positive on November 28.
A 39-year-old medical tourist from Oman arrived on November 26 and checked into an alternative hospital quarantine in Chonburi, where he tested positive for the virus on the same day.
A Thai woman, 38, arrived from the Netherlands on November 28 and tested positive at the screening checkpoint in Suvarnabhumi airport.
A 20-year-old Thai woman who arrived from Switzerland on November 22 and a 20-year-old Thai man who returned from the United States on the same day checked into a quarantine hotel in Bangkok, where they tested positive on November 27. Both were repeat cases as she had first been infected on November 11 and he on November 4.
Two Thai women aged 26 and 23, who work in entertainment venues in Myanmar were caught trying to illegally enter Thailand through natural channels on November 27. They tested positive and had fever, cough and runny nose. They have been sent to Chiang Rai Prachanukroh Hospital for treatment.
Meanwhile, three other patients have recovered and discharged.
The total number of confirmed cases in Thailand has risen to 3,998 (1,034 in state quarantine), 135 of whom are in hospital and 3,803 have recovered and been discharged. The death toll remains unchanged at 60.
As of 10am according to Worldometer, the total number of confirmed cases worldwide has risen to 63 million (up by 502,335). Of them, 43.54 million have recovered, while 18.06 million are active cases (105,549 in severe condition) and 1.47 million have died (up by 7,299).
Thailand ranks 151st for most cases in the world, while the US tops the list with 13.75 million, followed by India 9.43 million, Brazil 6.31 million, Russia 2.27 million and France 2.21 million.
Food manufacturers plan to organise more trade fairs to boost sales after a Covid-19 vaccine becomes available.
“After the vaccine is available in 2021, we expect international trading and travelling to gradually improve, although not to 100 per cent of what they used to be,” said Wisit Limleucha, president of the Instant Food Manufacturers Association.
“The outbreak has put a stop to international trade fairs, while some organisers have opted to hold virtual fairs online, but the result is still not as good as a real fair that features tangible food that customers can taste.
“An online trade conference, while it helps save travel time, cannot fully facilitate business negotiation between exporters and overseas buyers, therefore the organisation of an actual trade fair is highly important to the food export business,” he added.
“We urge the government to promote trade fairs after the vaccine is available, as we estimate that food manufacturers and restaurants will gradually return to their normal business operation that focuses on customers dining in, whereas at present they are making foods for home delivery due to the current lifestyle,” said Wisit.
Meanwhile, Supan Mongkolsuthee, chairman of the Federation of Thai Industries, said that next year the economy was expected to start recovering. He said banks should continue to provide loans to business operators to strengthen their liquidity.
“As the government starts reopening the country, many industries will gradually improve including tourism, food manufacturing and processed agricultural products,” he said. “However, the export sector might still be suffering from the baht’s strengthening.
“In the past, Thailand has relied heavily on supply chain from China, which has resulted in our manufacturing sector being severely impacted when the outbreak spread in China,” he said.
“To avoid such a problem, we need to promote the building of a domestic supply chain, especially in agricultural products, as well as securing various trade partners to spread the risk in case of any unexpected event.”
The baht opened at 30.31 to the US dollar on Monday, weakening from 30.28 at close on Friday.The Thai currency is likely to move between 30.20 and 30.40 on Monday and between 30 to 30.50 this week, said Jitipol Puksamatanan, senior director of the chief investment office at SCB Securities.
Jitipol advised investors to monitor investment direction at the end of this year.
He also predicted that there would be speculation in the Asian region, if the market sees that the US or EU economy is not recovering at a reliable rate.
Jitipol expected the market this week to move in a narrow range, while the US ISM Manufacturing purchase managers index will be announced on Tuesday.
Moreover, the US ADP Employment report is scheduled to be announced on Wednesday and Thursday.
On Friday, Thailand’s consumer price index and the US Nonfarm Payrolls would be revealed.
In addition, the dollar index this week will move between 91 and 93 points, from the present 91.8 points.
The organiser of the Hua Hin Red Cross Festival in Prachuap Khiri Khan province has clarified that there was no fatality from a malfunctioning ride on Friday but a hydraulic system failure had left three children injured.
On Sunday the organiser, Pannee Klomtheri, invited members of the press to visit the theme park located in front of Bluport Department Store to clarify the incident where a ride had malfunctioned on Friday night and injured young riders.
A Facebook user named Yaniz Phookpan had posted a picture of a giant octopus ride at the theme park on Friday and said that a ride had malfunctioned and tilted down, causing at least one death.
“The incident took place at around 10pm on Friday night. The hydraulic system of the giant octopus ride malfunctioned when about 10 children were riding it,” said Pannee.
“Three children were injured and were sent to Bangkok Hua Hin Hospital with some bruises. Doctors said all the kids are now fine. There was no death caused by the incident.”
Pannee added that the giant octopus and nearby rides would be closed until the fair ends, while officers from Hua Hin Municipality would later visit the site for inspection. “The repair is expected to take several days as the parts must be imported,” she said.
Meanwhile, Hua Hin mayor Nopphon Wutthikul has said that the organiser had submitted incomplete documents to the authority when applying for permit to operate a temporary theme park.
“Preliminary inspection revealed that they had yet to submit safety certification signed by licensed engineers from related government agencies. We will further investigate this matter to find out if there was misconduct by any official,” he said.
The theme park opened on November 27 and closes on December 6.
A suspect in a robbery at a Government Housing Bank (GH Bank) branch in Bangkok was arrested on Saturday by police from Bang Khun Thian station.
Phaiboon Sara, aged 46 years, is accused being involved in an armed robbery at GH Bank’s branch in Ekachai Soi 86 in Bangbon district on November 25.
The gun-wielding robber made off with 500,000 cash while no one was injured.
Phaiboon reportedly confessed that he had used a plastic gun to threaten bank tellers, removed the plastic partition on the counter and hopped over it to grab the cash from the drawer. He then left the bank, crossed the flyover bridge in front of Bangpakok 8 hospital, threw the gun away and got on a public van.
Police said that they had tracked the suspect down to a house in Samrong Nua subdistrict in Samut Prakarn province where he reportedly confessed to the crime and revealed that he had hid the money at a hotel room in the Sukhumvit area. Officials reportedly searched the hotel room and found Bt391,390 cash and clothes that matched what the robber had worn as seen in CCTV footage.
Phaiboon was brought to Bang Khun Thian Police Station for interrogation.
By THE NATIONAnti-establishment demonstrators of the “Ratsadon” group announced at their rally on Sunday at the 11th Infantry Regiment base that their next rally would be held in front of the Constitution Court in Bangkok’s Lak Si district on Wednesday.
On that day, the court will read the verdict in a case against Prime Minister General Prayut Chan-o-cha of breaking Army rules by living in a military house after his retirement.
Former Army chief General Apirat Kongsompong had said that Prayut and Deputy Prime Minister Prawit Wongsuwan, both retired generals, were exempted because of their significant contributions to the country’s well-being.
The rally on Sunday started at around 4pm. Protesters marched from BTS Wat Phra Sri Mahathat station to the 11th Infantry Regiment base in Bangkok’s Bang Khen district, demanding the return of the military unit to the Defence Ministry. The regiment, along with the 1st Infantry Regiment base, was transferred to Palace control under Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha’s administration.
“On Wednesday, we will gather as many people as possible at the court to witness the reading of the verdict and to find out whether or not the Constitution Court is capable of delivering justice to the people,” said
Parit “Penguin” Chiwarak, a protest leader.
“The verdict reading will start at 3pm and we will gather there starting from two. I will also be there.”
Protesters announced the end of their Sunday rally at 10.15pm, then peacefully dispersed.
The Thailand Meteorological Department said on Monday that a rather strong high-pressure system covers upper Thailand and the South China Sea, causing cool to cold weather and strong winds.Temperature is expected to fall by 1-3 degrees Celsius.
The strong northeast monsoon prevails over the Gulf and the South bringing isolated heavy to very heavy rain in the South. People should beware of the severe conditions that may cause flash floods and water runoffs.
Waves in the Gulf are two metres high and above three metres during thundershowers. All ships should proceed with caution and keep off thundershowers, the department said. Small boats should keep ashore until December 4.
The weather forecast for the next 24 hours:
North: Cool to cold weather; minimum temperature 14-19°C, maximum 30-32°C; temperature on hilltops is likely to drop to 8-15°C.
Northeast: Cool to cold weather with strong winds and isolated light rain; minimum temperature 15-20°C, maximum 28-30°C; temperature on hilltops is likely to drop to 10-17°C.
Central: Cool weather with strong winds and isolated light rain; minimum temperature 20-23°C, maximum 30-33°C.
East: Partly cloudy with isolated light rain; minimum temperature 23-25°C, maximum 30-33°C; waves a metre high and 1-2 metres offshore.
South (east coast): Mostly cloudy with thundershowers in 60 per cent of the areas and isolated heavy to very heavy rain; minimum temperature 23-24°C, maximum 30-32°C; waves two metres high and over three metres during thundershowers.
South (west coast): Mostly cloudy with thundershowers in 40 per cent of the areas and isolated heavy rain; minimum temperature 22-25°C, maximum 31-34°C; waves 1-2 metres high and two metres during thundershowers.
Bangkok and surrounding areas: Partly cloudy with strong winds and isolated light rain; minimum temperature 23-24°C, maximum 32-34°C.
The Agricultural Land Reform Office (ALRO) is planning to repossess lands that had been provided to farmers who later died without any heirs, to continue using those lands for agriculture.
Deputy Agriculture and Cooperatives Minister Thammanat Phromphao said:
“Currently, 275,807 farmers have died without any heirs for continuing agricultural activities on the lands they had received from the ALRO, and we are planning to get those lands back and give them to other farmers who fit the criteria.”
“There are also cases where their actual heirs did not show up to sign the transfer papers due to various reasons, such as their parents had got the lands illegally (eg by buying from the real recipient), and they are afraid of legal action if they accept those lands.”
Thammanat further added that the ALRO had so far given 39.3 million rai of land to over 2.93 million farmers nationwide.
“This year, the office has allotted 411,543 rai of land to 45,755 farmers,” he said.
“The ALRO currently has more than 4 million rai of land left to provide to suitable farmers. However, only 3.5 million rai is considered suitable for agricultural purposes.
“The ALRO will also work with related agencies in building infrastructure, such as roads, tap water and electricity facilities on its lands surrounding the lands that had been given to farmers, to promote the formation of new local communities and markets,” he said. “This will help encourage farmers to continue their agricultural activities on those lands instead of abandoning them or selling them to others.”
