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Govt warehouse agency in trouble over suspected graft

NationalOct 22. 2020

By The Nation

Five private firms are thinking about suing the Public Warehouse Organisation (PWO) over alleged corruption related to a Bt112-billion purchase deal for surgical gloves.

The organisation reportedly closed the deal with local company, Guardian Gloves, on August 13 and the contract showed Pol Colonel Roongroj, then-acting PWO director, as the buyer.

Meanwhile, seven companies had signed a separate deal with PWO worth Bt186 billion. However, one of the firms, KK Oil and Gas Company, is accusing the government of refusing to help the private sector amid the Covid-19 outbreak and forcing them to lose revenue by blocking exports at a time when global demand for surgical gloves was 15 times higher than usual. The company also accused the authorities of corruption.

The company also suggested that PWO sign a new deal with Guardian Gloves, or there may be negative consequences leading to the private companies suing PWO.

Roonroj said the initial deal was not approved by the PWO board, adding that mistakes may have been made but there was no corruption.

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Isaan province considers reopening Laos border for trade

NationalOct 22. 2020

By THE NATION

The Northeast province of Loei is considering reopening its border with Laos now that the risk of Covid-19 infections has eased.

On Thursday, provincial governor Tawatchai Niamsiri met local officers and public health officials at Loei’s public health office.

At the meeting, Dr Preeda Worahan from the public health office said only five Covid-19 patients had been found in the province and the 266 Myanmar migrants currently working there had been tested for the virus.

The officials said they aim to reopen the Bannkhokphai checkpoint in Pak Chom district so border trade with Laos can be restarted. This border has been closed since late March due to Covid-19.

Officials, however, said the reopening should be done under the supervision of soldiers and police, while the movement of migrants should be strictly monitored.

The subject of reopening the border will be studied again next Monday.

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Nakhon Ratchasima residents wallow in stinking flood waters

NationalOct 22. 2020

By The Nation

The flood crisis in Nakhon Ratchasima province worsened on Thursday as the water flooding more than 20 houses in Phimai district has started putrefying.

Other than rising water levels, now Phimai residents have to deal with bad odour from floodwater that has been standing still for more than a week.

Aerial views showed water flowing out of Mun River into residential areas and some 10 pumps being used to drain the water into Phimai dam.

However, with 4.42 million cubic metres, the dam has gone beyond its capacity of 3.6 million cubic metres and will soon have to release water to prevent another flood.

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Bangkok no longer under ‘severe’ state of emergency

NationalOct 22. 2020

By The Nation

The lifting of the “severe” state of emergency imposed on Bangkok was announced in the Royal Gazette on Thursday.

The reason given was that the situation has eased and government officers can continue handling the issue via normal measures.

Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha said the state of emergency will be lifted as of noon on Thursday.

The emergency decree was invoked on October 15 and was to remain in place until November 13 in response to anti-government protests.

The protesters have been calling for Prayut to resign, the Constitution to be made more democratic and for the monarchy to be reformed.

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Manager of chain restaurant sacked over harassment

NationalOct 22. 2020

By The Nation

The manager of an outlet of Bar B Q Plaza in Bangkok’s Pinklao area was sacked for harassing an intern and then trying to cover up by kicking her out of a work Line group.

The man had apparently posted the picture of a schoolgirl in a short skirt with a sexually suggestive caption, and then removed the intern from the chat group when she objected.

His action was captured in time and went viral on the net.

On Tuesday, executives of the chain restaurant were told of the situation and launched an immediate investigation.

Upon learning the story was true, the company apologised and immediately sacked the manager. They have also guaranteed that the victim will be able to complete her internship uninterrupted.

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Ten found positive in quarantine

NationalOct 22. 2020

By The Nation

The Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration on Thursday reported ten new cases in quarantine over a 24-hour period.

The latest cases are:

> A 67-year-old Taiwanese man, who arrived on October 8 and went into quarantine at a Samut Prakan hotel. He was asymptomatic and tested positive on October 19.

> Two Thai male students (aged 24 and 27), who returned from Yemen on October 9. Both were found positive in Chon Buri state quarantine on October 20 without showing any symptoms.

> Two Thai women – a housewife, 52, and a masseuse, 55, who came home from the Netherlands on October 10 and 18. They tested positive during state quarantine in Chon Buri on October 21 and 20, respectively.

> A 66-year-old Thai man, who returned from Belgium on October 10 and went into quarantine in a Bangkok hotel. He developed fever on October 17 before being confirmed positive on October 19.

> A 45-year-old masseuse, who came home from Japan on October 14 and was found positive during quarantine in Chon Buri on October 21.

> A 60-year-old Canadian engineer, who travelled from Turkey on October 16 and tested positive under quarantine at a Samut Prakan hotel on October 20 without showing any symptoms.

> A British woman, 60, and a Thai man, 66, who travelled from the United Kingdom and went into quarantine in Samut Prakan and Chon Buri. Both were found positive on October 20. The man had a visible cough and fever.

Meanwhile, 19 patients have recovered and been discharged in the past 24 hours.

As of Thursday, the number of confirmed cases in Thailand has increased to 3,719 (772 in state quarantine). Of these, 146 are in hospital and 3,514 have recovered and been discharged. The death toll remains unchanged at 59.

According to Worldometer, as of 10am the number of confirmed global cases has risen to 41.46 million (increasing by 437,050 in 24 hours). Of these, 30.9 million have recovered, 9.4 million are active cases (74,099 in severe condition) and 1.13 million have died (increasing by 6,849).

Thailand ranks a safe 146th for most cases in the world.

The US has the most number, with 8.58 million, followed by India (7.7 million), Brazil (5.3 million), Russia (1.44 million) and Spain (1.04 million).

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Meatball vendor killed in car accident, driver flees scene

NationalOct 22. 2020

By The Nation

A meatball vendor was killed in a horrifying auto accident in Bangkok’s Suan Luang district on Thursday, with the driver reportedly leaving his BMW and a girl who was with him at the scene before fleeing in van.

Khlong Tan station police were alerted to the accident early in the morning and rushed to the scene with King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital paramedics and rescue volunteers.

They found meatball vendor Udom Saengkanya, 49, dead on the street with a mutilated skull and broken limbs.

They also noticed a woman standing next to the white BMW parked nearby. Officers said she looked confused.

They learned that after the car hit Udom, the driver called for a van to pick him up and fled the scene.

The woman was still in shock and unable to provide the police with any useful information.

The police have collected footage from surveillance cameras and hope to identify the offender.

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Protesters hand Prayut’s representative ‘resignation’ letter for PM to sign

NationalOct 22. 2020

By The NationPro-democracy protesters amassed under the name Ratsadon – which groups the United Front of Thammasat and Demonstration, Free Youth, Free People, and others – without an official leader on Wednesday evening.

These groups have been using social media to inform the public of the time and sites of various protests, especially in Bangkok.

The United Front of Thammasat and Demonstration group called for a gathering at 4pm at Victory Monument. Later, Ratsadon notified the protesters to prepare to move from Victory Monument to Government House to carry out symbolic activities, which was later revealed to be submitting a letter of resignation for the prime minister to sign.

The head of this procession was led by a volunteer who wore a tear-gas protection outfit. They gradually walked towards Phaya Thai Intersection.

Nititorn Lamlua

At the intersection, well-known royalist lawyer Nititorn Lamlua stood in front of the masses, demanding that protesters “stop insulting the Monarchy”.

Chaos ensued as the two sides faced off.

The royalist group blocked the road with steel panels and Ratsadon guards negotiated and tried to push ahead.

Ratsadon protesters later closed Petchaburi Road to clear the path for the demonstrators to move down the road. Vehicles had to instead use the bridge over Ratchathewi Intersection instead.

The protesters then came upon police barriers and attempted to break through the barricade at Urupong Intersection to enter Phitsanulok Road heading to Government House. They were able to break through the barriers and head to Yommarat Road.

Todsaporn Sinsomboon tried to calm protestors down

When they arrived at Phanitchayakan Intersection in front of Government House, police were there with water trucks and crowd-control units.

The situation became tense.

Protesters hold aloft a sign reading: “I will beat you if there is another coup

A sign is held by protesters saying “Calm down, calm down”

Finally, after negotiations with Metropolitan Police deputy chief Pol Colonel Attawit Saisueb, they said they would refrain from entering Government House. Shortly later they submitted a “resignation” letter for PM Prayut Chan-o-cha to sign.

After they submitted a “resignation” letter to Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha’s representative, giving the PM three days to quit. They warned that if Prayut does not resign, they would intensify their protest.

A sign says “Go home, see you next time” as protesters disperse at Government House.

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3 killed, over 63,000 households hit by flooding in 33 provinces

NationalOct 22. 2020Photo Credits to DDPM News 

By The Nation

Three people have been killed so far, three injured and 63,672 households affected by the flood crisis caused by storms since October 7, the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation reported on Thursday.

Some 33 provinces have been hit by the disaster – Ubon Ratchathani, Nakhon Ratchasima, Chaiyaphum, Sisaket, Buriram, Surin, Prachinburi, Sa Kaeo, Chachoengsao, Chanthaburi, Chonburi, Rayong, Uthai Thani, Samut Songkhram, Samut Sakhon, Suphanburi, Kanchanaburi, Chainat, Singburi, Ratchaburi, Nakhon Pathom, Pathum Thani, Phetchaburi, Prachuap Khiri Khan, Chumphon, Nakhon Si Thammarat, Surat Thani, Phang Nga, Krabi, Phuket, Trang, Satun and Songkhla.

Even though the situation in 14 provinces has improved, flood water remains in 17 provinces.

Rescuers have been dispatched to help affected people and solve water drainage problems.

The department is coordinating with various organisations in each province to handle the crisis and examine the damage in order to request financial assistance from the Finance Ministry.

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Baht under pressure, but strengthens in opening trade

NationalOct 22. 2020

By THE NATION

The baht opened at 31.19 to the US dollar on Thursday, strengthening from 31.24 at close on Wednesday.

The Thai currency is likely to move between 31.10 and 31.30, said Jitipol Puksamatanan, senior director of the chief investment office at SCB Securities.

On Wednesday, the S&P 500 decreased by 0.2 per cent. Also, recent US polls have put Joe Biden ahead of Donald Trump, meaning that Biden could likely be the next president, he noted.

At the same time, the financial market was in a risk-on state. The dollar weakened by 0.6 per cent, compared to other main currencies, while the US Ten-Year Treasury yield increased by 2 basis points to 0.80 per cent, Jitipol said.

However, the market was not pressured by the oil price. WTI crude oil decreased by 4.1 per cent due to investors’ concern over low consumption and the Covid-19 crisis around the world.

In Thailand, the baht has been moving without any clear direction as the currency was pressured by the highly fluctuating capital market.

Jitipol advised investors to monitor Thailand’s trade report, to be announced on Thursday.