Oxford has chosen Thailand as a production base to deliver the Covid-19 vaccine to the Asean market.
On Sunday, deputy government spokeswoman Traisuree Taisaranakul said that the government had arranged a credit line from the Bt1 trillion allocated for public health. Approximately Bt40 billion has been allocated in the 2021 fiscal budget to cope with the Covid-19 pandemic, including the procurement and production of vaccines.
Recently, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Public Health Anutin Charnvirakul signed a letter of intent for the production and allocation of a research vaccine against Covid-19 with the University of Oxford. The vaccine developed by the university will use Thailand as a production base for the Asean region.
“The vaccine production of Oxford University is in constant development and has made great progress, with human tests being conducted,” said Traisuree.
Thailand health officials and Oxford will use Siam Bioscience Co Ltd factory for manufacturing the vaccine in cooperation with corporate giant SCG.
Siam Bioscience and Oxford University have a long-standing partnership in research and innovation.
Police are trying to track down the culprits who threw rocks at the windows of the Bangna traffic control booth during Sunday evening’s demonstration.
Pol Colonel Thawatkiat Jindakhuansanong, deputy chief of Metropolitan Bureau 5 and acting chief of Bangna Police Station, said on Monday that forensic staff were gathering evidence at the traffic control booth at the Bangna intersection after some people threw rocks at the booth, damaging several windows.
Demonstrations by pro-democracy protesters, who call themselves “Ratsadon”, took place on Sunday evening at several venues of Bangkok, including Lat Phrao, Asoke, Udom Suk, Bangna intersections, Victory Monument as well as Wongwian Yai BTS station.
Protesters at the Bangna intersection dispersed at around 8.30pm, shortly after the Free Youth group posted on Twitter that the rally at Victory Monument would end.
After the demonstration ended, Bangna officials took a man into custody as a suspected rock-thrower, but he denied the allegation. Police said that the man had a history of drug charges at Bangna Police Station.
Investigating staff are reviewing CCTV camera footage to track down other rock-throwers and will charge them with destroying government properties as well as violating the state of emergency.
Around 200 pro-democracy protesters in Chonburi province, who call themselves “Khana Ratsadon Pattaya”, gathered at 4.30pm on Sunday at Pattaya Beach in front of Royal Garden shopping complex in Muang district.
The local authority reported that the protesters had been gathering since Saturday and then dispersed in the evening, while on Sunday the number of protesters was significantly lower, most of whom were students and local people of Chonburi and nearby provinces.
Rally leaders took turns in giving anti-government speeches while calling Prime Minister General Prayut Chan-o-cha a dictator and urged him to resign. The protesters also sang the national anthem while raising a three-finger salute amid the rain that began pouring down shortly after the demonstration started.
Banglamung district chief Amnart Charoensri and Pattaya Police Station chief Pol Colonel Khemarin Phitsamai were at the venue to closely monitor the situation. The district chief reportedly said that the gathering had not been authorised by local authority and he had no idea when it would end.
The chiefs of 10 districts in Nakhon Ratchasima province have been told to issue urgent warnings to local people to beware of floods, as continuous rains could cause water in the Lam Ta Khong dam, which is now at 96.43 per cent of its capacity, to overflow.
Governor Wichian Chantharanothai on Sunday evening dispatched the urgent letters to the district chiefs.
The 10 districts are: Sikhio, Sung Noen, Kham Thale So, Muang, Chaloem Phra Kiat, Non Thai, Non Sung, Phimai, Chum Phuang and Lam Thamenchai.
“District chiefs must urge people living near banks of rivers connected to the dam, including Boriboon River, Cherng Krai River, Moon River, as well as the basins near these rivers, to prepare for evacuation in case of flash floods, as well as move their belongings to higher ground,” said the letter.
“Furthermore, district chiefs must prepare shelters for evacuees and provide updates on the rain and water situation to local communities using mobile public relations vehicles.”
Rescue staff are also urged to prepare their equipment and stand by for dispatch 24/7.
Traffic around the Victory Monument returned to normal at 8.30pm on Sunday after the protesters dispersed.
The rallies of pro-democracy protesters who call themselves “Ratsadon” had started on Sunday at around 4pm at Victory Monument, prompting officials to close traffic in the area.
The demonstration on Sunday was peaceful compared to Friday night at the Pathumwan intersection where crowd control police used water cannon and shields to force the protesters to disperse.
Rally leaders at the Victory Monument took turns in giving anti-government speeches, urging PM General Prayut Chan-o-cha to resign and release their arrested leaders.
At 8.29, the Free Youth group posted on Twitter that the rally at Victory Monument would end. “We would like to thank everyone for joining the rally. Please stay tuned for the schedule of the next rally. Take care of each other and return home safe,” it added.
After the protesters dispersed, police reopened traffic around Victory Monument.
On Sunday there were also gatherings of protesters at several venues of Bangkok, including Lat Phrao, Asoke, Udom Suk, Bangna intersections and Wongwian Yai BTS station, where protesters dispersed at around 8pm and traffic in the areas returned to normal.
The Thailand Meteorological Department forecast on Monday that a weak monsoon trough lies across the lower Central, the upper South and the East, while the weak southwest monsoon prevails across the Andaman Sea, the South and the Gulf of Thailand.
Rainfall will ease in most parts of the country except for some isolated heavy showers in the Northeast, the East and the South.
People in risky areas should beware of the severe conditions, the deparrment said.
Moderate winds are expected with waves in the Andaman Sea about two metres high and more than two metres high during thundershowers. All ships should proceed with caution, the department said.
The weather forecast for the next 24 hours:
North: Mostly cloudy with thundershowers in 40 per cent of the areas; minimum temperature 21-23 degrees Celsius, maximum 27-29°C.
Northeast: Cloudy with thundershowers in 60 per cent of the areas and isolated heavy rain; minimum temperature 19-21°C, maximum 25-27°C.
Central: Mostly cloudy with thundershowers in 60 per cent of the areas; minimum temperature 19-22°C, maximum 25-26°C.
East: Cloudy with thundershowers in 60 per cent of the areas and isolated heavy rain; minimum temperature 21-23°C, maximum 25-28°C; waves 1-2 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; minimum temperature 22-25°C, maximum 27-33°C; waves 1-2 metres high and over two metres during thundershowers.
South (west coast): Cloudy with thundershowers in 70 per cent of the areas and isolated heavy rain; minimum temperature 22-24°C, maximum 27-29°C; waves two metres high and over two metres during thundershowers.
Bangkok and surrounding areas: Mostly cloudy with thundershowers in 60 per cent of the areas; minimum temperature 21-22°C, maximum 25-26°C.
The Royal Thai Police has said it will not allow public gatherings that might cause security threats, and they will apply the law for violations of the emergency decree.
The police also said that they had followed international regulations in dispersing the protesters in order to maintain peace and security, and their actions did not involve extreme violence.
They said that two fake news articles were published to defame the police and the persons involved in the publication of false information would face punishment.
However, the pro-democracy protesters in defiance of the state of emergency plan to gather on Sunday at three major sites in Bangkok: Terminal 21 Asoke, Ha Yaek Lat Phrao station and Tha Phra MRT station.
On Saturday, the massive demonstrations almost brought Bangkok traffic to a standstill in the evening, as they held coordinated protests at several locations, such as Lat Phrao, Bangna, Kaerai and Wong Wien Yai, while the suspension of mass transit service ordered by police also worsened traffic.
Protest locations nationwide:
Bangkok- 4pm Victory Monument main gathering
4pm Asoke minor gathering
Gatherings around the country
2pm Suphanburi – Old city wall of Suphan Buri
3pm Nonthaburi – Sam Yaek Bang Yai intersection
3pm Saraburi – Bypass-Saraburi Stop public park
3pm Khon Kaen – Sithan Lake
4pm Nakhon Ratchasima – Rajamangala University of Technology Isan
4pm Pathumthani – Future Park Rangsit
4pm Samut Prakan – Imperial Samrong
5pm Samut Sakhon – Phutthamonthon Sai 4 intersection
5pm Yasothon – City Hall
5pm Udon Thani – Udon Thani Rajabhat University
5pm Si Sa Ket – City Hall
5pm Salasin – Old City Hall
5pm Chonburi – Bowin intersection
5pm Rayong – Ban Chang park
5pm Phuket – 72nd Anniversary Queen Sirikit Park
6pm Singburi – City Pillar Shrine
Prachinburi – Old City Hall no time provided
Chachoengsao – City Hall no time provided
Chanthaburi – Lan Chan courtyard no time provided
The Ratsadon supporters have reached Imperial World Samrong. by Supakit KhumkunThe Ratsadon supporters have reached Victory Monument. by Korbphuk Phromrekha
Police have ordered the closure of some BTS train stations, skywalk as well as boat piers on Sunday.
National Police chief Suwat Chaengyodsuk issued the order to stop using transport routes and their buildings except by relevant officers.
The facilities will be closed for service from 2.30pm on Sunday until further notice.
BTS Skytrain will close 10 stations; Mo Chit, Ha Yaek Lad Phrao, Phahon Yothin 24, Asoke, Udom Suk, Bangna, Chong Nonsi, Surasak, Krung Thonburi and Wongwian Yai.
MRT underground will close five stations: Hua Lamphong, Lumpini, Sukhumvit, Phahon Yothin, and Chatuchak Park.
The skywalk from Ha Yaek Lad Phrao station (BTS) to Phahon Yothin station (MRT) and Asoke station (BTS) to Sukhumvit station (MRT) also will be closed.
A timeline of events in the pro-democracy protests on Saturday.
The strategy for the day was unclear initially after Friday’s crackdown by police. In the morning, the United Front of Thammasat and
Demonstration told supporters to keep watching for updates. Initially there were plans to meet at every BTS station, followed by a rally at Victory Monument. But before 3pm, they announced three rally sites in the Bangkok area — Lat Phrao, Udom Suk and Wong Wian Yai.
Ha Yak Lat Pao intersection
3pm: The crowd starts to gather at Lat Phrao BTS station and begins to claim the Lat Phrao intersection area.
4pm: Panupong ‘Mike’ Jadnok, one of the main leaders, tweets a message “Ramkhamhaeng student fellows. Let us meet at King Ramkhamhaeng the great monument [in the university] now. The concept of today’s protest is to keep moving. Where a police car is found, we will flatten its tyres.”
4.10pm: The crowd at the Lat Phrao intersection calls for the prime minister’s resignation. “Let go our friends … Prayut get out”, they shout.
4.35pm: The group moves from the Udom Suk intersection to the Bangna intersection.
4.50pm: The crowd from the Udom Suk intersection arrives at the Bangna intersection. Meanwhile, around Wongwian Yai BTS station, a group of protesters begin to gather while at the Taksin intersection they assemble on road islands and sidewalks.
Taksin intersection
4.59pm: The United Front of Thammasat and Demonstration posts a message: “8pm today! May everyone leave, take a break and come join the fight together next day!”
6.05pm: Protesters at the Taksin intersection seize control of the full area.
6.14pm: BTS staff at all stations ask passengers to leave, and close service.
6.20pm: Sam Yan Mitr Town area is dark after the building closes.
6.25pm: A group of protesters at the Lat Phrao intersection have tasked guards with setting up a barrier to block officers following rumours that there will be a dissolution of the assembly.
6.30pm: A group of demonstrators at Ramkhamhaeng University, led by Mike, moves the rally from King Ramkhamhaeng the great monument to the chancellor’s building to demand switching on of the lights.
6.32pm: The protesters end the assembly at Udom Suk and Sam Yan Mitr Town BTS stations.
6.35pm: Protesters at the Lat Phrao intersection take control of the area, erecting a steel fence to block traffic while traffic police administer the area, opening the road for only one route.
Khae Rai intersection
6.38pm: Protesters block roads around the Khae Rai intersection in Nonthaburi province.
6.45pm: Activists at the Lat Phrao intersection tell protesters to be prepared after they are tipped off that a water truck and police force would come to disband them.
Protesters make hand signs to ask for more helmets and glasses
6.46pm: Protesters at the Bang Na intersection dissolve the protest and gradually move out of the area.
6.48: The protest stops at the Wongwian Yai BTS station.
6.52pm: The crowd at Ramkhamhaeng leaves the university and heads towards Khlong Tan.
7.24pm: Protest at the Lat Phrao intersection ends. The demonstrators return home gradually.
7.50pm: There are reports of protesters in many areas, such as the Lat Phrao intersection, the Bang Na intersection and the Udom Suk intersection gradually leaving the area. Some remain there as well as at Wongwian Yai after the end of the demonstration at the Taksin intersection had been announced.
A crocodile’s hopes of a hearty meal were dashed when it was spotted trying to sneak into a chicken coop in Udon Thani province on Saturday.
At 4pm, rescuers were called to help catch the three-metre-long crocodile, while it was attempting to get into the coop of a local in Mak Khaeng subdistrict.
They spent one hour before they managed to close its mouth and five men had to carry it to the vehicle so that they could transport the reptile back into captivity.
The reptile reportedly put up a fight and it was a tough challenge for the rescuers, who had no experience of dealing with crocodiles, to subdue the animal.
Pitchaya Chiewkanrob, 60, said that her house was not located near the water so the crocodile had to come from the farm. Police are looking for its owner.
The Ratsadon supporters have reached Victory Monument. by Korbphuk Phromrekha
