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Two Thais test positive for Covid-19 in state quarantine facilities

NationalOct 13. 2020

By The Nation

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

A 22-year-old asymptomatic male hotel employee, who had returned from the United States on September 29, tested positive at a Chonburi state quarantine facility on October 11.

A 52-year-old male freelancer, who had travelled from Qatar and Sweden and arrived on October 5, tested positive on October 10 in a Bangkok state quarantine hotel.

Meanwhile, three patients have recovered and been discharged.

The total number of confirmed cases in Thailand increased to 3,643 (703 in state quarantine), 127 are in hospital, 3,457 have recovered and been discharged and the death toll is 59.

According to Worldometer, as of 10am on Tuesday, the total number of confirmed cases has passed 38 million (increasing by 275,232), 28.59 million have recovered, 8.35 million are active cases (69,070 in serious condition) and 1.085 million have died (increasing by 3,756).

Thailand ranks 140th for most cases in the world, while the US has the most number with 8 million, followed by India 7.17 million, Brazil 5.1 million, Russia 1.31 million and Colombia 919,083.

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Police set up 21 checkpoints to deal with Oct 14 political rally

NationalOct 13. 2020

By The Nation

The Metropolitan Police Bureau has set up 21 checkpoints throughout Bangkok to deal with the political rally and other crimes from 8am on October 13 to midnight of October 16.

The 21 police checkpoints are:

1. Samsen Road in front of Supreme Complex department store

2. Phetchaburi Road in front of Chevrolet Service Centre (Ratchathewi)

3. Mahachai Road near Wat Ratchanadda

4. Foot of Phra Pinklao Bridge

5. Foot of Krung Thon Bridge

6. Prachachuen Road near the Prachachuen intersection

7. Pradit Manutham Road under Lat Phrao expressway

8. Rama IX Road at the entrance of Rama IX Soi 46

9. Ratchada Road near the Klong Toei intersection

10. Prajadhipok Road near Phra Phuttha Yodfa and Phra Pok Klao Bridges

11. Phaholyothin Road at the entrance of Soi Phaholyothin 52

12. Suwinthawong Road near the Mahanakorn intersection

13. Lat Krabang Road near the Suvarnabhumi Airport intersection

14. Sukhumvit Road at the entrance of Soi Sukhumvit 70

15. Suksawat Road at U-turn in front of Wat Son

16. Rama II Road in front of PTT gas station

17. Petchkasem Road in front of Southeast Asia University

18. Vibhavadi-Rangsit Road at the entrance of Soi Vibhavadi-Rangsit 44

19. Don Mueang tollway

20. Chalong Rat expressway at Chatuchot checkpoint

21. Burapha Withi expressway at Bang Chak checkpoint

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Cabinet okays law to control sale and use of kratom

NationalOct 13. 2020

By THE NATION

The draft Narcotics Act proposed by the Ministry of Justice to control the use of kratom (mitragyna speciosa) was approved by the Cabinet meeting on Monday, Government deputy spokeswoman Ratchada Thanadirek said.

On March 10, the Cabinet had approved the removal of kratom from Thailand’s narcotics list.

“The draft aims to control the use of kratom and prevent children and adolescents from abusing it,” she said. “The rules to be enforced are as follows:

▪︎ The manufacture, import and export of kratom are only allowed by those who have permission from the Office of the Narcotics Control Board. Violators will be punished with a maximum Bt200,000 fine and maximum two years’ imprisonment.

▪︎ Selling of kratom to persons under 18 years old or pregnant women is prohibited, as well as hiring or allowing persons under 18 years to sell kratom, with punishment at a maximum of Bt200,000 fine and maximum two years’ imprisonment.

▪︎ Selling of kratom in schools, dormitories, public parks, theme parks, or via online channels is prohibited and punishable with a maximum Bt40,000 fine.

▪︎ Any form of advertising or marketing communication of kratom is prohibited and punishable with a maximum Bt500,000 fine and a maximum six months’ imprisonment.

▪︎ Persons under 18 years old are prohibited from taking kratom either in pure form or mixed with other drugs. Encouraging persons under 18 years old or pregnant women to take kratom is also prohibited and is punishable with a maximum Bt2,000 fine.

This law excludes the use of kratom as an ingredient in herbal, medical, food and cosmetic products.

The Cabinet will later forward the draft to the Council of State who will review it after which it will be submitted to Parliament for voting. If the draft is passed, Thailand will be among 37 countries such as Japan, Serbia, Croatia and Syria, who use a specific law to control the consumption of kratom, and not a narcotic law.

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Man wanted for rape of girl, 14, six years ago arrested in Bangkok

NationalOct 13. 2020

By THE NATION

A wanted man has been arrested in Bangkok for allegedly raping a minor girl in Khon Kaen province six years ago.

Region 5 Crime Suppression Division on Monday arrested Trakul (last name withheld), aged 28 years, at a residence on Chalerm Prakiat Road in Bangkok’s Prawet district.

Trakul, who worked as a security guard for a housing project in Nong Bon subdistrict, had an arrest warrant issued by Khon Kaen Provincial Court dated December 8, 2014 for rape of a person less than 15 years old who is not their spouse, as well as for taking a minor from their parents.

Officials said that they had tracking the suspect from Khon Kaen province since 2014 and found out recently that he had fled to Bangkok and was working as a security guard.

“Trakul had been in a relationship with a 14-year-old girl in Khon Kaen, but they had broken up. On August 18, 2014, the suspect called the girl to his house to discuss getting back together, but ended up raping her instead,” said the police. “The victim informed her parents and filed a complaint at Nong Rua Police Station in Khon Kaen.”

Trakul reportedly confessed to his crime on being arrested, after which he was brought to the police station for the legal process.

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No tolls for use of three expressways on October 13

NationalOct 13. 2020

By THE NATION

Toll fee has been waived for the use of the Sirat, Chalerm Maha Nakhon and Udon Ratthaya expressways on October 13 to mark King Bhumibol Adulyadej Memorial Day, which is a national holiday, from 0.01am until midnight.

The Expressway Authority of Thailand (Exat), under the Ministry of Transport, said on Monday that the measure was aimed at facilitating motorists who leave Bangkok during the holiday and return later, reducing traffic jam in front of toll booths, as well as offering people financial relief.

Exat added that it has arranged traffic and rescue staff to provide roadside assistance to motorists 24 hours during the holiday. To inquire about routes or request assistance, please contact Exat call centre at 1543, or do so via the ‘Exat Portal’ mobile application.

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Isolated heavy rain, strong winds forecast for the East and South

NationalOct 13. 2020

By THE NATION

The Thailand Meteorological Department forecast on Tuesday that the strong monsoon trough lies across the upper South and the East, while the strong southwest monsoon prevails across the Andaman Sea, the South and the Gulf of Thailand.

Continuous rainfall is likely over the country with isolated heavy rain and strong winds in the East and the South. People in risky areas should beware of the severe conditions.

Waves 2-3 metres high and more than three metres high in thundershowers are likely in the Andaman Sea. All ships have been advised to proceed with caution and small boats should keep ashore.

The category 3 tropical storm “Nangka” in the upper South China Sea is likely to move through Hainan into upper Vietnam from October 14-15 and will bring increasing rainfall to the East and upper Northeast.

The weather forecast for the next 24 hours:

North: Partly cloudy with thundershowers in 10 per cent of the areas; minimum temperature 20-24°C, maximum 32-34°C.

Northeast: Cloudy with thundershowers in 60 per cent of the areas and isolated heavy rain; minimum temperature 21-23°C, maximum 24-31°C.

Central: Cloudy with thundershowers in 40 per cent of the areas; minimum temperature 21-24°C, maximum 32-34°C.

East: Cloudy with thundershowers in 60 per cent of the areas; minimum temperature 23-25°C, maximum 30-32°C; waves 2-3 metres high and over three metres during thundershowers.

South (east coast): Cloudy with thundershowers in 80 per cent of the areas and isolated heavy rain; minimum temperature 23-25°C, maximum 29-33°C; waves 2 metres high and over two metres during thundershowers.

South (west coast): Cloudy with thundershowers in 80 per cent of the areas and isolated heavy rain; minimum temperature 22-23°C, maximum 28-30°C; waves 2-3 metres high and over 3 metres during thundershowers.

Bangkok and surrounding areas: Cloudy with thundershowers in 30 per cent of the areas; minimum temperature 24-25°C, maximum 31-33°C.

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Thai chicken exports to China rise 75%

NationalOct 13. 2020

By The Nation

The value of Thai chicken exports to China has risen 75 per cent this year, powered by no less than 23 Thai poultry factories now operating in the People’s Republic.

Wichuda Akaramethathip, director the Department of International Trade Promotion (DITP) office in China, said this year’s African swine flu outbreak had forced China to produce more chicken. The downside is that the chicken price in August dropped 1.6 per cent year on year for the first time in three years.

Chinese official statistics reveal that Covid-19 wiped 30 per cent off business turnover, but China’s market for chicken rose by 93 per cent to US$1.99 billion (Bt62 billion) this year.

Thai shipments account for 9 per cent of chicken imported by China so far in 2020.

Thailand has sent a total 78,369 tonnes of fresh chicken to China this year, with volume up 70 per cent and value up 75 per cent to $222.41 million year on year.

The increase in Thai chicken shipments to China this year has generated huge income for Thailand, Wichuda said.

A crucial factor in the trade was the registration of eight new Thai poultry factories in China, bringing the total to 23. However, because demand has not yet matched increased production, the price has fallen in China, so Thai chicken exporters should monitor Chinese markets closely, she added.

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Thailand’s big banks sinking billions into digital transformation

NationalOct 13. 2020

By THE NATION

Four of Thailand’s biggest commercial banks are hastening moves to stay ahead of the wave of digital disruption now sweeping the country.

Siam Commercial Bank (SCB) is in the final year of its four-year digital transformation plan but is already drafting a new plan for the next three to four years, said SCB president Arak Sutivon.

Meanwhile Krungthai Bank president Payong Srivanich said his company has set up a subsidiary, Infinitaas, dedicated to developing its digital banking technology.

Over at Bangkok Bank (BBL), executive director Thaweelap Rittapirom said its transformation was being led by a three-fold strategy of digitalisation, regionalisation and urbanisation. BBL has also extended its reach to Indonesia by taking a stake in Permata Bank. Meanwhile, it is planning to build more banking infrastructure to boost the life quality of BBL customers.

Kasikorn Business-Technology Group (KBTG) has just drafted the second phase of its transformation plan, which will run until 2023. KBTG president Ruangroj Poonpol said his organisation also aimed to expand abroad, especially in Asia. It plans to invest Bt5 billion in digital development next year.

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High-speed railway project set to take off, EIA on rail tracks in Ayutthaya okayed

NationalOct 12. 2020

Transport Minister Saksayam Chidchob

By The Nation

Transport Minister Saksayam Chidchob announced on Monday that the Thailand-China high-speed railway project, aiming to link the mainland with Laos and Thailand, is ready to kick off.

Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha will on October 28 sign a memorandum of understanding (MoU) for the construction of Phase 1, which will cover 253 kilometres between Bangkok and Nong Khai. This project is expected to cost Bt50.63 billion.

The Centre for Economic Situation Administration (CESA) will also discuss the finer details of the project with the Chinese side after the MoU has been signed.

Separately, the Fine Arts Department has approved the environmental impact assessment (EIA) report on setting rail tracks in Ayutthaya. The department had initially objected to the plan over fears that the railway line may damage the historic sites in the city.

Meanwhile, the State Railway of Thailand (SRT) also recently presented an EIA report on the construction of a rail track between Bangkok and Ayutthaya’s Phachi district to Deputy PM General Prawit Wongsuwan for consideration in his capacity as chair of the National Environment Board.

Saksayam said NPA Construction’s objection to Italian-Thai Company winning the bid for the construction of the Saraburi and Nakhon Ratchasima sections of the rail track was awaiting court decision.

“A committee has been set up to work on the case once the court issues a verdict,” he said.

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1,500 tested in Mae Sot after infected drivers spark fears of contagion from Myanmar

NationalOct 12. 2020Dr Sopon Iamsirithaworn, director of the DDC’s Bureau of General Communicable Diseases 

By The Nation

The Department of Disease Control (DDC) has revealed progress in testing people who may have come into contact with three Myanmar drivers who tested positive for Covid-19 in the border district of Mae Sot, Tak province.

Dr Sopon Iamsirithaworn, director of the DDC’s Bureau of General Communicable Diseases, said 74 close contacts of the drivers in Thailand had tested negative but had been quarantined for 14 days.

Three mobile testing units have collected samples from at least 1,500 Thais and foreigners in Mae Sot a bid to prevent an outbreak in Myanmar spreading through the Mae Sot border point to Thailand.

Authorities in Myanmar confirmed 1,910 new Covid-19 cases in the 24 hours up to Sunday, with 48 new deaths. Myanmar has so far recorded 27,974 cases in total, with at least 646 deaths.