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Woman, 50, suspected of jumping to her death in Bangkok

NationalOct 30. 2020

By THE NATION

In a suspected case of suicide, a 50-year-old woman jumped to her death from an eight-storey building in Bangkok’s Yai district on Thursday.

Tha Phra Police Station was informed at 4pm on Thursday about the death outside a building on Soi Charan Sanitwong 3. Police found the found the body of Sumalee (last name withheld) lying on the ground with multiple wounds. They reportedly found a letter on the body that said, “If I die, do not call my relatives. Let my husband Sawai handle everything.”

Staff from Wichaiwet Rescue Foundation, who had arrived at the scene before the police, said that a witness had called his foundation after they saw a woman falling from the top of the building onto the parking lot. “We tried to give her CPR but she was already dead after hitting the ground,” he added.

The woman’s body was sent to Siriraj Hospital for autopsy to determine the cause of death, while police has contacted her husband to come and identify the body and take custody of it for the funeral.

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Widespread rains forecast for upper Thailand, isolated heavy showers in the South

NationalOct 30. 2020

By THE NATION

The Thailand Meteorological Department said on Friday that a low pressure cell covers the North and Northeast of Thailand, bringing widespread rain to upper Thailand.

Strong southwesterly winds prevail over the South and the Gulf bringing isolated heavy rain to the South.

People in the risky areas should beware of severe conditions that may cause flash floods and water runoffs, the department said. Waves over the Andaman Sea and the Gulf are expected to be about two metres high and above two metres during thundershowers. All ships should proceed with caution, the department said.

The weather forecast for the next 24 hours:

North: Cool weather with rain in 70 per cent of the areas; temperature lows of 20-24 degrees Celsius, highs of 28-30°C. Temperature on hilltops is likely to drop to 10-15°C.

Northeast: Cool weather with rain in 60 per cent of the areas; temperature lows of 20-21°C, highs of 24-28°C. Temperature on hilltops is likely to drop to 12-15°C.

Central: Cloudy with rain in 70 per cent of the areas; temperature lows of 22-24°C, highs of 28-30°C.

East: Cloudy and strong wind with thundershowers in 70 per cent of the areas and isolated heavy rain; temperature lows of 22-25°C, highs of 28-30°C; waves two metres high and over two metres during thundershowers.

South (east coast): Cloudy with thundershowers in 60 per cent of the areas and isolated heavy rain; temperature lows of 23-25°C, highs of 30-33°C; waves 1-2 metres high and two metres during thundershowers.

South region (west coast): Cloudy with thundershowers in 70 per cent of the areas and isolated heavy rains; temperature lows of 22-24°C, highs of 27-32°C; waves two metres high and over two meters during thundershowers.

Bangkok and surrounding areas: Mostly cloudy with rain in 60 per cent of the areas; temperature lows of 24-25°C, highs of 29-31°C.

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Prayut to visit Phuket as tourism efforts fall flat

NationalOct 30. 2020

By THE NATION

The prime minister will visit Phuket on Monday (November 2) to discuss ways to restore the South’s Covid-battered tourism industry.

The PM will meet with local business leaders and listen to their ideas on how to open tourist island to more visitors, Energy Minister Supattanapong Punmeechaow said on Thursday. 

The premier will also hear their requests for government remedial measures.

The government’s so-called “Phuket Model”, proposed in August as a way of reopening Thailand to foreign tourists, now appears to have been shelved.  

According to a government report, revenue from foreign tourists has dropped to almost zero in Thailand since a flight ban was imposed at the end of March. Hotel occupancy rates were only 30 per cent in September, increasing from 13.4 per cent in June.

The report indicated that hotels where the occupancy rate was rising were mostly in and around Bangkok. Meanwhile tourism in southern provinces, which are heavily reliant on foreign visitors, was in a very bad state.

A representative from Phuket’s old town said an idea to promote the historic community as a tourism hotspot would be put to the prime minister on Monday.

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Nation TV hit by protest as pro-democracy carnival takes over Silom

NationalOct 29. 2020

By The Nation

Pro-democracy demonstrators rallied at Interlink Tower in Bangkok’s Bang Na district on Thursday to protest against Nation TV, which they accuse of being a mouthpiece for government propaganda.

Photos by Supakit KhumkunMetal barriers were erected to protect the building, formerly known as Nation Tower, as the protesters blocked two lanes of traffic on Bangna-Trat Road from 4.48pm.

Concerned over safety, they later moved to the opposite side of the building but continued their calls for Nation TV to broadcast the truth rather than being blinded by its support for the government.

Prominent activist Sirawit Seritiwat gave speeches calling on Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha to resign, as about 20 policemen oversaw the protest.

The Nation website maintains a separate editorial line and staff, and has distanced itself from Nation TV coverage.

Meanwhile across town, the main pro-democracy rally in the Silom area was hosting a satirical performance to call for transparency in how taxpayers fund the monarchy.

Photos by Korbphuk PhromrekhaAt MBK Center, a group of students called Khana Chula also gave speeches and performance on the violence used against peaceful protesters at Pathumwan intersection on October 16, when anti-riot police fired water cannon laced with a chemical irritant.

Photos by Supakit Khumkun

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Thai students top global ranking for political alertness but flunk on equality

NationalOct 29. 2020

By THE NATION

Thai students are highly alert to social issues compared to their peers overseas, according to the findings of an international report released last week.

Development (OECD) last Thursday, was based on a 2018 survey of 15-year-olds around the world. The OECD surveyed their outlook as global citizens and their views on environmental and human rights issues.  

Education economist Pumsaran Tongliemnak said the report’s findings reflect the political awareness of students today, since the 15-year-olds surveyed were now in the age group of hyper-aware students that is pressing for changes to the status quo.

Pumsaran, who works at the Equitable Education Fund, said Thai students scored high on alertness for social issues, compared to children overseas. Girls showed more interest in the issues than boys, and children from wealthier families followed the issues more than those in poorer families.

Thai children topped the OECD rankings when it came to monitoring news via social media networks such Facebook and Twitter. They also ranked third for concern about environmental issues and energy saving.

However, the report also found weak points.

Thai youths ranked very low for respect and equality towards people of different cultures, Pumsaran noted.

The education economist urged adults to read the report to gain insights into Thailand’s young generation.

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Tests find French woman did not contract Covid-19 in Samut Prakan hotel

NationalOct 29. 2020Dr Sopon Iamsirithaworn 

By The Nation

Dr Sopon Iamsirithaworn, director of the Disease Control Department’s Bureau of General Communicable Diseases, said on Thursday the French patient’s test did not match that of two other foreign guests at the same hotel who tested positive. He said tests showed the woman had contracted the infection 17 days earlier, which rules out the Samut Prakan hotel.

“Though we haven’t found the source of her infection, we still have to revise our guidelines for alternative state quarantine sites and cut down the risk of spreading the virus,” Dr Sopon said.

Public Health Minister Anutin Charnvirakul, meanwhile, said guidelines for hotels used as quarantine sites will have to be reviewed after traces of Covid-19 virus were found on the gym equipment of the Samut Prakan hotel where the French woman had been staying.

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NACC panel to look into govt agency’s suspicious Bt112 bn deal for surgical gloves

NationalOct 29. 2020

By The Nation

The National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) has set up a committee to look into allegations of corruption in a Bt112-billion deal for surgical gloves between the Public Warehouse Organisation (PWO) and a private company.

The PWO board has accused Pol Colonel Roongroj Phuthiyawat, former director of PWO’s central administrative office, of graft in the deal signed with Guardian Gloves.

He has been accused of not following the Government Procurement and Supplies Management Act as well as intending to conceal the identity of the company.

An initial investigation found that the transaction between PWO and Guardian Gloves was highly suspicious and the accounts were immediately suspended.

Meanwhile, the NACC panel will interrogate Roongroj and other involved officials to uncover the truth.

The PWO board claims Roongroj did not have the authority to seal a deal worth more than Bt50 million because he was only acting director in August, making the order unlawful.

However, Roongroj has maintained that the deal was not approved by the board, adding that mistakes may have been made but there was no corruption.

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Bangkok Airways to start Krabi flights from Sunday

NationalOct 29. 2020

By The Nation

Bangkok Airways announced on Thursday that it will start flying to Krabi daily from Sunday onwards, and that all measures to contain the spread of Covid-19 will be strictly observed.

The first flight from Suvarnabhumi Airport will take off at 8.30am and land in Krabi at 10am, while the last flight will depart Krabi at 7.40pm and land in Bangkok at 9.10pm. There are two flights daily to Krabi and back.

“The airline’s boutique lounge at Krabi airport will be open to Bangkok Airways passengers from 8.30am to 10.45am and from 5.30pm to 7.40pm. Passengers will be required to wear a face mask at all times except when eating or drinking,” a Bangkok Airways official said.

Guidelines and service procedures for using the Bangkok Airways lounge is available here. Passengers can also get more information by calling the 1771 hotline or (02) 270 6699 from 8am to 8pm.

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Chula student council hopes Chit Phumisak’s story can help bridge the divide in society

NationalOct 29. 2020

By The Nation

The Student Government of Chulalongkorn University (SGCU) officially apologised to revolutionary Chit Phumisak, who was pulled off the stage by student extremists 67 years ago for sharing avantgarde ideas on education.

Chit, who is also referred to as Thailand’s “Che”, was attacked by student extremists in 1953 and subsequently suspended from university for one year.

In a Facebook post on Thursday, the student council recounted the incident in a bid to raise awareness about respect for different opinions. It also slammed the university for its archaic practice of attacking students who do not follow the rules.

When Chit was attacked he was presenting an updated version of textbooks containing information, which at that time was seen as far too liberal.

The post said Chit had been born before his time, as his thoughts were not restricted by the tradition that has shackled Thai society for a long time. The revolutionary had devoted himself to write books, songs and poems to reflect inequality in society.

SGCU said Chit’s story should teach Thais to respect one another and not use violence against people with different opinions.

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New team to review criteria for state quarantine sites after signs of possible risk found

NationalOct 29. 2020Dr Tares Krassanairawiwong 

By The Nation

The Public Health Ministry has set up a panel to assess the 101 alternative state quarantine centres (ASQs) and see if allowing quarantined people to use hotel facilities will put others at risk.

Dr Tares Krassanairawiwong, chief of the Department of Health Service Support, said traces of the Covid-19 virus was found on gym equipment at a hotel in Samut Prakan that was being used as an ASQ. The team has found that several points need to be reviewed, such as allowing quarantined people to use the gym, how many times must an area be cleaned to ensure all signs of the virus have been removed, etc.

Also read: French tourist develops Covid-19 symptoms after completing mandatory quarantine

Dr Tares said that even though all quarantine sites have been provided with strict guidelines, some hotels may not follow them meticulously. Hence, he said, the Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration (CCSA) has to boost awareness and understanding to guarantee safety while ensuring travellers’ comfort.

One approach will be to classify countries based on risk levels to determine guidelines for treating each quarantined person. This list of low, medium and high-risk countries can be considered every 15 days.

As for the Samut Prakan hotel where a French woman who later tested positive had been staying, health authorities have instructed it to stop accepting new guests until the current lot has moved out.

So far, 101 hotels providing 13,004 rooms in total have been chosen as ASQ facilities, including two that are under review and seven are awaiting approval. Meanwhile, 21 hotels have been approved outside Bangkok and its vicinity, namely one in Buri Ram, one in Chonburi, eight in Phuket, one in Prachinburi and 10 in Surat Thani.