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https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40017546

A surge in new Covid-19 infections among students has prompted a call for schools to strictly enforce preventive measures and avoid large gatherings.

Government spokesman Thanakorn Wangboonkongchana said on Saturday that the prime minister has also called on parents to get their children aged between five and 18 vaccinated against Covid so they can attend school safely.

Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha has also reiterated the application of the six-point “DMHT-RC” principle, namely distancing, mask wearing, hand washing, testing, reducing crowds and cleaning.

Schools have been advised to hold activities in small groups, adopt a screening system and conduct isolation drills to prepare for new Covid infections.

Since January 1, Thailand has seen a total of 2,319,604 Covid-19 cases and 9,115 deaths.

More than 140.2 million Covid vaccines have been administered between February 28 last year to July 7 nationwide. Of them, 57 million are first doses, 53.2 million second doses and 29.9 million third doses.

Published : July 09, 2022

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40017543

Two Nation Group media outlets have won recognition from the government for helping in the fight against online scams and threats.

Nation News Agency (NNA) and Thansettakij Online received plaques of recognition from Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha during a ceremony held at Government House on Friday.

PM Prayut presented the honorary plaques to NNA managing editor Pirawat Chotithammo and Thansettakij’s digital news editor Nattapol Wangsap, at a ceremony attended by some 70 police and media representatives.

The prime minister congratulated award recipients and thanked them for their contributions in preventing and suppressing crime involving information technology and the internet.

“Crimes related to IT affect people’s daily lives and national security. A lot of people suffer from the impacts and damage caused by such crimes,” Prayut said.

The prime minister also revealed that Thailand has stepped up collaboration with Cambodia in combating call centre gangs and hybrid scams.

He said the Cabinet on Tuesday gave the green light for the minister of digital economy and society to sign a memorandum of understanding with his Cambodian counterpart on IT-related and online crimes. This would boost Thailand’s battle against cross-border crimes, he added.

Gangs preying on Thai victims often base themselves in neighbouring Cambodia. A number of these Cambodia-based gangs were raided recently, resulting in arrests.

Praising NNA and Thansettakij for their efforts to investigate and publicise online scams, Prayut said: “All parties should help tackle IT-related crimes. The government does not want to use force or enforce the law [too strictly] if this can be avoided.”

Published : July 09, 2022

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https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40017542

Chinese superstar Jackson Wang will take the stage at the exhibition match between Premier League giants Manchester United and Liverpool at Rajamangala Stadium in Bangkok on Tuesday (July 12).

The rapper and GOT7 member announced details of the concert during the press event for “𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐌𝐀𝐓𝐂𝐇 𝐁𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐤𝐨𝐤 𝐂𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐲 𝐂𝐮𝐩 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟐” at Siam Paragon on Saturday. Wang said he would perform a 45-minute show featuring full light and sound effects for Thai fans.

“I’m glad to be back in Thailand after my last concert here three years ago. I have been practising every day to make sure that the concert next week will be the best, for both my fan club and football fans. Making everyone smile is what makes me happy,” said the singer.

Vinij Lertratanachai, CEO of the event’s organiser Fresh Air Festival Ltd, said, “We have been working hard to make the match a special experience for all the fans. Having Jackson Wang join us will make the event even more perfect as he has fan clubs worldwide. It’s a grandiose combination of music and sport for Thai and international viewers.”

Wang’s show “𝐑𝐞𝐝 𝐖𝐨𝐫𝐥𝐝 𝐎𝐩𝐞𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐋𝐢𝐯𝐞 ‘𝐉𝐚𝐜𝐤𝐬𝐨𝐧 𝐖𝐚𝐧𝐠 – 𝐌𝐚𝐠𝐢𝐜 𝐌𝐚𝐧’” will start at Bangkok’s Rajamangala Stadium on July 12 at 6pm. The match itself will kick off at 8pm.

Published : July 09, 2022

By : THE NATION

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40017538

Siriraj Hospital is calling for blood donations as its blood bank is running out of supplies since people have not been donating blood due to rising Covid-19 infections.

“We expect the demand to surge during the long holidays this month, and urge everyone who is healthy and not in a risk group to donate blood to save lives,” Dr Parichart Phermphikul, chief of Siriraj Hospital’s Department of Transfusion Medicine, said on Friday.

Only people weighing more than 48 kilograms can donate blood. Also before donating, people should have slept for at least six hours, consumed no high-fat foods, smoked or had alcohol.

Those suffering from chronic diseases like epilepsy, heart disease or chronic chest pain should consult a physician before donating.

Those who have just received a Covid-19 jab should wait at least seven days before donating blood, while those who have developed an allergic reaction to the vaccine must wait at least 14 days.

Donors can visit Siriraj Hospital from 8.30am to 4pm daily or call (02) 414 0100 or (02) 414 0102 for details.

Published : July 09, 2022

By : THE NATION

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https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40017536

The number of Covid-19 cases in Thailand will start rising from next week and should hit a peak by September, the Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration (CCSA) said.

CCSA spokesman Dr Taweesilp Visanuyothin on Friday attributed this possible surge to the easing of disease control measures, including lifting the mask mandate in several public places.

However, the centre estimates that with continued vaccination and people adhering to the Public Health Ministry’s suggestions to avoid crowded spaces and public gatherings, daily infections will start dropping from November.

The CCSA has urged the Public Health Ministry to evaluate the situation closely to ensure hospital admissions, bed occupation and deaths are kept at a manageable level. This means admissions must not exceed 4,000, less than 25 per cent of hospital beds occupied by patients in serious condition and the daily death count kept at less than 40.

People are being encouraged to continue wearing masks in crowded places or poorly ventilated areas, while operators of high-risk venues like entertainment sites are being urged to employ strict disease-control measures to stop the virus from spreading.

“Plus, people over 60, especially those at high risk, should get a booster shot. So far, only 47.1 per cent or 5.98 million of the 12.7 million people in this group have received a booster shot,” Taweesilp said.

Published : July 09, 2022

By : THE NATION

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https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40017535

The Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration (CCSA) is shifting its vaccine plan for the rest of the year to focus on immunocompromised persons and children under five.

At a meeting chaired by Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha on Friday, CCSA approved the following plan:

AstraZeneca:

• Reduce procurement target for 2022 from 60 million doses to 35.4 million doses. The cost will reduce from 18.76 billion baht to 11.06 billion baht.

• Procure 275,500 doses of long-acting antibody vaccine (LAAB) worth 7.56 billion baht. The LAAB vaccine protects immunocompromised people from developing symptomatic Covid-19.

• AstraZeneca has delivered 8.3 million doses of the vaccine this year, which means 27.1 million doses are pending to meet the new quota of 35.4 million doses.

Pfizer

• So far, 26.4 million doses of the 30 million doses bought have been delivered.

• Of the remaining 3.6 million, 3 million will be switched to the maroon cap vaccine for children aged 6 months to five years.

“The prime minister has insisted that vaccination is key to overcoming Covid-19 and is urging everyone to get a booster shot to meet the target of getting at least 60 per cent of the population vaccinated,” CCSA spokesman Dr Taweesilp Visanuyothin said.

As of July 7, Thailand administered 140.2 million doses, of which some 57 million are first jabs, 53.2 million second jabs and 29.9 million booster shots. So far, 82 per cent of the population has had at least one shot, 76.6 million two shots and 43.1 per cent booster shots.

On Saturday morning, Thailand logged 2,984 confirmed Covid-19 cases and 15 fatalities over a 24-hour period. Also on Saturday, 2,417 patients were discharged from hospitals after having fully recovered.

Thailand’s total Covid cases since January 1, 2022, stands at 2,319,604 and at 4,543,039 since the pandemic started in early 2020.

Published : July 09, 2022

By : THE NATION

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40017533

Ministry of Public Health reported on Saturday (July 9) morning that in the past 24 hours there are 2,084 new patients who tested positive for Covid-19, one of whom has arrived in Thailand from abroad.

Death toll increased by 15, while 2,417 patients were cured and allowed to leave hospitals.

Cumulative cases in the country since January 1, 2022 are at 2,319,604.
 

The country’s total caseload from Covid-19 stands at 4,543,039 – 4,487,492 of whom have recovered, 24,734 are still in hospitals and 30,813 have died.

Separately, another 7,673 people were given their first Covid-19 shot in the last 24 hours, 18,013 their second shot and 45,904 a booster, bringing the total number of Covid-19 vaccine doses administered nationwide to 140,293,548.

According to Worldometer, confirmed cases globally had risen to 559.83 million on Saturday, 532.8 million of whom have recovered, 20.66 million are active cases (37,826 in severe condition) and 6.37 million have died (up by 1,463).

Thailand ranks 26th in the global list of most cases, which is topped by the US with 90.27 million, followed by India with 43.6 million, Brazil with 32.83 million, France with 32.12 million and Germany with 29.02 million.

Published : July 09, 2022

By : THE NATION

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40017524

Three expressways in Bangkok will be toll-free on three public holidays later this month, Transport Minister Saksayam Chidchob announced on Friday.

Toll fees on the Sirat, Udon Ratthaya and Chalerm Maha Nakhon expressways will be waived on Asalha Bucha Day on July 13, the start of Buddhist Lent on July 14, and His Majesty the King’s birthday on July 28.

The minister said the waivers were part of measures to tackle an increase in traffic on the two long weekends – July 13-17 and July 28-31.

The government has tagged “special holidays” – July 15 and July 29 – to allow for two long uninterrupted breaks.

The extended holidays are aimed at encouraging domestic travel to help boost the economy in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic fallout.

Traffic volume is expected to be close to capacity during the two long holidays along the five major corridors from Bangkok to the North, Northeast, Eastern Seaboard, West, and South, the minister said.

Inbound traffic of about 2.39 million vehicles and some 2.41 million vehicles in outbound traffic is expected from July 13-17.

The July 28-31 weekend is expected to see inbound and outbound traffic of 2.15 million vehicles each.

Published : July 08, 2022

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https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40017523

Tourists from Malaysia and Singapore flocked in great numbers to the Betong border checkpoint in Yala province on Friday, in keeping with the trend of Thailand’s southernmost region seeing an increase in arrivals via land following the easing of entry rules.

Through Betong alone, an estimated 2,000-3,000 visitors from the two southern neighbouring countries were expected to cross the border into Thailand on Friday to spend the weekend.

Local officials attributed the sudden increase in arrivals to the recent cancellation of the Thailand Pass entry registration system, Covid-19 insurance, as well as the extension of opening hours for entertainment venues.

Visitors from Singapore and Malaysia, as well as Thai expatriates in Malaysia, started gathering at the Betong border checkpoint early on Friday morning, waiting to pass the immigration process. They came in tour buses, public vans and passenger cars after staying away for the past two years due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

Locals officials expected even busier days in the latter months of this year.

Published : July 08, 2022

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https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40017522

Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha voiced his condolences over the death of Japanese ex-premier Shinzo Abe, government spokesman Thanakorn Wangboonkongchana said on Friday.

PM Prayut expressed his deepest condolences to Abe’s family as well as the government and people of Japan for their great loss, according to the spokesman. 

During his term in office spanning eight years, Abe played an important role in boosting the ties between Japan and Thailand. His visit to Thailand in 2013 was the first by a Japanese government leader in 11 years. 

He was also credited for the closer relationship between his country and member states of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean).

Published : July 08, 2022

By : THE NATION