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Infected Myanmar worker poses no threat of Covid-19 spreading in Thailand: DDC

NationalNov 01. 2020Dr Opas Karnkawinpong 

By The Nation

A Myanmar worker recently found to be positive for Covid-19 in Phatthalung province did not get infected in Thailand, the Department of Disease Control (DDC) said.

He may have been infected from a Malaysian workplace before he fled to Thailand, Dr Opas Karnkawinpong, director-general of the department, said on Saturday.

Further investigation showed that the Myanmar man, 26, did not have any underlying disease. He had travelled for work to Malaysia in 2018. During the Covid-19 situation, the market was closed. The patient does not have travel documents. Therefore, he wanted to return to Myanmar by travelling through Thailand, across the Mae Sot district border in Tak province.

Opas said on October 26, the patient had travelled alone by bus to Penang state in Malaysia. A broker picked him up to cross the coast to Thailand with eight other travel companions. They slept for one night at Langkawi Island in Malaysia, then at 4am on October 28 they took a boat near the coast at Satun province. After that, he travelled by car to the border of Mae Sot. He was arrested by police at the Pa Bon checkpoint in Phatthalung province.

Dr Opas added that such a patient has a small amount of the coronavirus genetic material, detected by RT-PCR method on October 28, after entering Thailand for just one day, showing he was not infected with Covid-19 in Thailand. The blood test for the immune system found antibodies for the virus.

The patient has been infected for a long time, showing the transmission rate is extremely low. The results of this investigation suggest that the patient may have been infected in Malaysia. Although unable to clearly identify the source of the infection, patients may live in epidemic areas as the market was closed.

Dr Opas said people do not need to panic about this case, but continue their good health practices, such as wearing a mask, keeping clean and social distancing.

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Ong Ang canal comes alive with Loy Krathong festivities

NationalNov 01. 2020

By The Nation

The Loy Krathong festival was celebrated at the Ong Ang canal area on Saturday evening on the theme”Beautiful moon on the edge of the canal”.

People participated in the festival in large numbers after some heavy showers had ceased. On both sides of the canal, shops were set up resembling a small pedestrian street. The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) has promised to change this area into walking street.

Everyone who celebrated Loy Krathong at this event had to float the krathong on their own with strict security. The security personnel prepared a wooden basket for holding the krathong while the security guards provided assistance to prevent people from falling into the water. The BMA made it compulsory for everyone to wear a mask and stay clean to prevent a Covid-19 outbreak.

This year, the BMA had asked for cooperation from the public to use krathong made from natural materials or only ice, and to avoid bread krathong because the fish could not eat them in time and they also spoiled the water.

The event was held from Damrong Sathit Bridge to Panupan Bridge with activities reflecting Thai traditions and contemporary art to support the new generation like a graffiti wall against which people could take pictures.

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Haunted Loy Krathong night at Siam Paragon

NationalNov 01. 2020

By The Nation

Siam Paragon shopping centre celebrated Halloween at the “Siam Paragon Black Weekend Carnival” festival, with an international army of ghosts showcasing their wonders in the “Thriller Flash Dance” show and party in Halloween style on the night of Loy Krathong. Thai ghosts held krathong at Park Paragon, Siam Paragon on Saturday.

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Protest leaders exhausted, have cuts from glass pieces, says Praram 9 Hospital

NationalOct 31. 2020

By The Nation

A medical team from Praram 9 Hospital on Saturday held a press conference to report on the condition of three pro-democracy protest leaders — Parit “Penguin” Chiwarak, Panusaya “Rung” Sithijirawattanakul and Panupong “Mike” Jadnok — who have been admitted there.

Dr Somchai Leelasiriwong, adviser to the hospital’s managing director, said Panupong has scratches from broken glass fragments on some parts of his body. He was suffering from fatigue and his brain is being closely monitored.

Parit has wounds on his hands and legs with broken grass fragments found in some parts of his body.

Panusaya is fatigued and dehydrated, and has some wounds on her feet. She is on a drip.

Panusaya, Panupong and Parit were taken to Prachachuen Police Station for another detention on Friday shortly after they were freed from detention by the Bangkok Criminal Court. However, there was pandemonium en route to the police station, which damaged the vehicle in which Panupong and Parit were taken.

Later, all of them were admitted to Praram 9 Hospital.

Dr Somchai added that the three of them have to spend two or three more days at the hospital. However, they have the right to leave the hospital if they do not want to stay there.

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Ayutthaya court rejects police plea for detention of three protest leaders

NationalOct 31. 2020

By The Nation

The Ayutthya provincial court on Saturday dismissed the request of the police to detain three pro-democracy protest leaders, according to Thai Lawyers for Human Rights Centre.

The court is of the opinion that there is no evidence to prove that Parit “Penguin” Chiwarak, Panusaya “Rung” Sithijirawattanakul and Panupong “Mike” Jadnok will flee or will engage in similar activities, the centre reported. The court said there is no reason to detain them, as they are now undergoing treatment in hospital.

The three were freed by a Bangkok court on Friday, which turned down a police request for extension of detention.

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Netizens mourn anti-coup taxi driver on his death anniversary

NationalOct 31. 2020Photo: Thiti Meetam 

By THE NATION

Netizens on Saturday paid tributes to a taxi driver who reportedly rammed his taxi into an Army tank to protest the 2006 coup, and is suspected to have taken his life just months later.

The 2006 coup d’etat was led by General Sonthi Boonyaratglin and the Council for Democratic Reform (CDR) against the elected government of Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra.

A former Army official, Nuamthong Prawan became a taxi driver in early 2006 and made headlines on September 30, 2006 when he drove his taxi, spray-painted with the words “[CDR is] destroying the country”, and “Sacrificing life”, into an M41 Walker Bulldog tank at Bangkok’s Royal Plaza. Nuamthong was severely injured and taken to a police station nearby. “I did it intentionally to protest against the junta that has destroyed our country, and I painted all the words myself,” Nuamthong told reporters from his bed at Vachira Hospital.

Nuamthong was charged with damaging state property. Authorities downplayed the incident, saying that Nuamthong was drunk and no messages were sprayed on the taxi. However, several newspapers reported on the legibility of the words painted on the vehicle. He was discharged from hospital on October 12, and attended the 33rd anniversary of the October 14, 1973 democratic uprising.

On November 1, 2006, Nuamgthong’s body was found hanging, with a hood covering his face, from a footbridge on Vibhavadi Rangsit Road near the headquarters of Thai Rath newspaper in Bangkok. Police ruled the death as suicide after forensic tests reportedly stated there were no traces of a physical assault or struggle. Newspaper clippings about his crash into the Army tank were also found on his body.

His wife, Boonchu, noted, “I couldn’t be more sad losing the love of my life and the leader of my family. I didn’t think he would be this brave, but I’m very proud of him for sacrificing for the country.”

In a Facebook post on Saturday, Pravit Rojanaphruk, a senior staff writer for Khaosod English news website, said: “In remembrance of Nuamthong Prawan, a taxi driver who rammed his car into an Army tank after the Sept 19, 2006 coup. He later committed suicide by hanging to protest the coup today 14 years ago.”

Pro-democracy activist Sombat Boon-Ngam Anong also posted a similar message on his Facebook page on Saturday, saying: “Nuamthong was a proud soldier and he did what he did because he believed that a soldier’s duty is to protect the people, not oppress them.”

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Police gear up for Loy Krathong celebrations in Bangkok

NationalOct 31. 2020Pol Maj-General Piya Tawichai (Left) and Pol Maj-General Jirasan Kaewsangek (Right) 

By The Nation

More than 3,000 police officers have been deployed for the Loy Krathong and Halloween celebrations in Bangkok, the Metropolitan Police Bureau said on Saturday.

Deputy Metropolitan Police chief Pol Maj-General Piya Tawichai said National Police chief Pol General Suwat Jangyodsuk had instructed police officers to strictly inspect areas, especially event areas, fireworks factories and entertainment venues to prevent crimes and accidents, as well as set up body temperature screening checkpoints to prevent the spread of Covid-19.

Meanwhile, Deputy Metropolitan Police chief Pol Maj-General Jirasan Kaewsangek said they had also organised rapid deployment forces with equipments to facilitate traffic movement for ambulances.

He asked people to travel by mass transit systems to reduce traffic congestion and follow Covid-19 prevention measures.

“To prevent accidents, motorists should study about parking lots around the event area before travelling and obey traffic rules, such as giving way to ambulances, wearing helmet and avoiding alcohol when driving,” he added.

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Thammasat students’ question varsity on disclosing personal info of graduates to outside agencies

NationalOct 31. 2020

By The Nation

Thammasat University’s graduate committee on Friday asked the campus and related agencies to clarify on the reported disclosure of the personal data of the graduates to outside agencies.

This is related to the screening of the graduates by the university and the state authorities before the graduates entered the campus on the certificate giving days on Friday and Saturday.

Friday was the first day for handing over certificates to graduates from the 2018 academic year.

The committee said that it had received complaints from the graduates and students and those participating in the event about their worries on the screening process, which gathered personal information through ID card reading, asking for personal informaiton or taking personal photos.

It was also reportedly found that the information on the graduates participating and declining to participate in the certificate receiving rehearsal event was disclosed. The information is personal and the consent of the graduates should be taken first before providing it to the outside agencies, the committee said.

The committee issued the statement on Friday to ask the university and related agencies to clarify why they had disclosed such information to outside agencies.

It also wanted to learn about the policy of the agencies which collected the graduates’ personal information, including their written data and photos, and how long this data would be kept, and how they protected the owners of this personal data.

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BEC World laying off 30 per cent of its workforce to cut cost amid economic crisis

NationalOct 31. 2020Patcharasri “Kalamare” Benjamas 

By The Nation

Media company BEC World, the operator of TV Channel 3, on Friday announced it was laying off 30 per cent of employees, including celebrities Patcharasri “Kalamare” Benjamas and Kulnadda “Nina” Pachimsawat effective from the end of December because of Covid-19’s impact on the economy.

In a statement, the company said the move was aimed at reducing its operating cost due to fall in revenue during the economic slowdown and other crises.

“However, workers who are being laid off would receive compensation and benefits in line with the law,” the company said.

Later, Patcharasri said on her Instagram on Saturday that she had worked with TV Channel 3 for 23 years.

“I understand the current situation and respect the company’s decision,” she said, adding that there would be no Kalamare today if there were no Channel 3.

“Channel 3 is part of my family, so I am ready to assist the company anytime even though I am no longer an employee.”

She added that she does not have a plan to work with other TV channels and believed that the company had made the best decision.

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Iconsiam offers ice and environmentally friendly krathong

NationalOct 31. 2020

By The Nation

Iconsiam shopping mall is inviting people to float krathong made of ice and other natural materials to celebrate Loy Krathong at the “Iconsiam Chao Phraya River of Eternal Prosperity” event on Saturday.

Tipparat Suthamsamai, Flower Pavilion executive who invented the ice krathong, said she trialled her creation for three weeks to make sure that it would float on the river and look beautiful when people took pictures.

“We decorated the ice krathong with flowers and treats that do not affect the environment. When the ice melts, these flowers and treats would become food for the fish,” she said.

Aside from ice krathong, she added that the Flower Pavilion would offer krathong made of other natural materials, such as banana leaves, bio papers and corn husks as well.

“The price of our krathong starts at Bt100 each. They are available at Iconsiam’s River Park in Bangkok today,” she added.