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https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40017417

A reception to mark the 125th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Russia and Thailand was held at Shangri-La Hotel in Bangkok on Monday, with Foreign Minister Don Pramudwinai designating Russia as an important partner of Thailand.

The event was attended by senior officials of the government, Parliament, city administration, various ministries and departments, as well as the Armed Forces of Thailand at the invitation of the Russian Embassy.

Don, House of Representatives deputy speaker Suchart Tonjaroen and Bangkok Governor Chadchart Sittipunt reportedly attended the reception.

In his welcome speech, Russian Ambassador Evgeny Tomikhin reviewed the history of Moscow-Bangkok ties, stressed on the “steady development” of current relations and the prospects for expanding bilateral cooperation.

Meanwhile, Don highlighted the importance of the “time-tested” relations between the two countries and their “well-developed” legal framework, and said Russia is an important partner of Thailand.

Published : July 06, 2022

By : THE NATION

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40017415

Bangkok Governor Chadchart Sittipunt aims to sign transfer orders against high-ranking Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) officials who were involved in corruption in various projects.

Many people on Monday had filed complaints about corruption by top BMA officials, especially those at district offices.

Initially, a secret investigation team established by Chadchart found five high-ranking district officials allegedly involved in corruption. Lat Krabang district office director Thanasit Methaphanmuang subsequently resigned on Tuesday.

Chadchart also aims to sign transfer orders against top BMA officials who had “failed” to carry out their duties, especially those at the Culture, Sports and Tourism Department, Traffic and Transportation Department and Finance Department.

The officials facing transfer are subordinates of former Bangkok governor Aswin Kwanmuang. They will be relocated in September as many positions will be available at that time due to retirement.

Chadchart said official transfers must be carried out periodically, but officials who are involved in corruption will face punishment immediately if they are found guilty.

He said he has instructed all BMA agencies to check loopholes in operations and propose ways to tackle graft in order to boost transparency.

A group of 30 people led by the chairman of Lat Krabang community network Ronnachai Sangkhamitkul met Chadchart on Tuesday, asking him to clarify graft charges against the five officials and suspend the resignation of the Lat Krabang district office director.

Ronnachai said there is no corruption in Lat Krabang district, claiming that the office director resigned to take care of his father.

Chadchart asked the group not to worry about the issue, saying he is waiting for more information.

The governor said it was the Lat Krabang district office director’s decision whether to resign or not, adding that he hasn’t yet signed any transfer orders.

Published : July 06, 2022

By : THE NATION

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40017414

People should avoid purchasing resold digital lotteries as there could be a problem when receiving prize money, the Government Lottery Office (GLO) warned.

GLO director-general Lt-Colonel Nhun Sansanakom said on Tuesday that people should not buy online lotteries from others after reports that lottery tickets were resold at a higher price.

Nhun said the original buyer’s name is recorded in the Paotang application and only this owner has the right to receive the prize money.

The money will be transferred to the account of the original buyer as lottery ticket rights cannot be transferred, Nhun made it clear.

If the buyer chooses to receive the money at the GLO, he/she will also have to verify their identity.

Nhun warned that anyone who buys digital lotteries from another person might face problems if he/she won any cash prizes, so the GLO suggested that people only buy digital lotteries via the Paotang application as it is secure and buyers will surely be handed the prize money if they win.

The GLO also warned people that it is illegal to resell digital lotteries or sell each ticket for more than 80 baht. Any violator who is reported to the GLO will be fined, it added.

Published : July 06, 2022

By : THE NATION

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40017411

The Cabinet on Tuesday approved a draft royal decree to exempt enforcement of the Personal Data Protection Act (PDPA) on agencies related to national security, public safety, tax collection, international cooperation and legal procedures.

The draft royal decree proposed by the Digital Economy and Society Ministry aims to allow the agencies to collect, use or even reveal personal data.

The Office of the Council of State is currently considering the draft.

Under the draft, agencies related to national security, public safety, tax collection, international cooperation and legal procedures will have the right to collect, use or reveal people’s personal data and will be exempted from facing allegations or being punished under the PDPA.

The act, which came into effect on June 1, requires the government and private sectors worldwide, including officials responsible for data administration and evaluation, to seek permission before collecting, using or revealing any personal data.

Published : July 06, 2022

By : THE NATION

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40017408

Using marijuana or hemp at police stations or in other government complexes under the Royal Thai Police has been prohibited.

The rule applies to police officers, staff and people visiting police stations.

National Police chief Pol General Suwat Jangyodsuk issued an order on Tuesday in a bid to prevent abuse of the two plants, which were removed from Thailand’s narcotics list on June 9.

The order added that the smoke and smell from marijuana and hemp could “create a nuisance” for people visiting government offices such as police stations.

The order also mandated station chiefs and supervisors to monitor the use of both marijuana and hemp among their personnel to ensure compliance with the law and to maintain a positive image.

The current law prohibits the use of marijuana and hemp for recreation or using extracts that have tetrahydrocannabinol of over 0.2 per cent of weight. The law also bans use of the plants by persons under 20 years old, those who are pregnant and nursing women.

Last month Bangkok Governor Chadchart Sitthiphan announced that all schools under the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration must be marijuana- and hemp-free zones.

On Monday, the Education Ministry also announced a ban on the plants in schools nationwide.

The Defence and Interior ministries also issued orders prohibiting their personnel from using marijuana or hemp at military and government complexes.

Published : July 06, 2022

By : THE NATION

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40017407

Five Bangkok districts have been selected to pilot the “Rachapiphat Sandbox”, a medical programme that aims to increase healthcare standards in metropolitan areas using digital technology.

The programme will be led by Rachapiphat Hospital under the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration’s Medical Service Department in five districts – Thawi Watthana, Bang Khae, Nong Khaem, Phasi Charoen and Taling Chan.

“The Rachapiphat Sandbox aims to increase treatment standards of primary health centres, improve the patient transfer system and utilise telemedicine to expand coverage at the community level,” Bangkok deputy governor Tavida Kamolvej said on Tuesday.

“The programme will use digital technology to help streamline patient management and transfer systems to reduce crowding at major hospitals and health centres in areas with a high density of population, while ensuring that everyone receives high quality treatment via telemedicine regardless of their location,” she said.

Under the programme, 69 primary healthcare centres, which include Public Health service centres, Ob Oon clinics and community health centres in pilot areas, will receive an overhaul regarding patient diagnosis and transfer, Tavida said.

“These primary centres must be able to quickly diagnose patients and coordinate with hospitals for a transfer in case advanced treatment is needed,” she said.

“We will also increase the number of specialised physicians at these centres so they can treat non-critical patients immediately and reduce the burden on major hospitals,” the deputy governor said.

“Covid-19 has made us realise that our public health system still has shortcomings because it is unorganised and has overlapping duties among primary and secondary healthcare institutes,” Tavida said.

“We hope the medical sandbox programme will help us address these problems and serve as a model for a more efficient healthcare system in all of Bangkok as well as in other big cities.”

Published : July 06, 2022

By : THE NATION

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40017404

The House of Representatives on Tuesday passed the third reading of the national police bill with a vote result of 494-40 in favour and four abstentions.

The last section under consideration seeks to delay the implementation of new promotion criteria for police officers for 180 days after the law goes into effect so that it will not affect officers who are up for annual promotion in October.

However, consideration of the second reading of the Organic Act on the Election of Members of Parliament did not reach a conclusion even after a 7-hour session as more than 100 MPs were not present.

This prompted House Speaker Chuan Leekpai to end the meeting and order the MPs and senators to resume meetings on the reading the next day.

The second reading of the Organic Act aims to consider 37 sections relating to the election of MPs. So far only eight sections have been considered.

Published : July 06, 2022

By : THE NATION

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40017403

The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration believes the number of Covid-19 infections will increase significantly in the next month and has instructed authorities to increase disease control measures, especially among school children.

Bangkok deputy governor Tavida Kamolvej said on Tuesday that after the mask mandate in several public places was lifted last month, the city has found increasing infections among school children, especially those in elementary level and above.

“When school children are infected with Covid-19, their symptoms can hardly be detected and they can unknowingly spread the virus to family members, which may include vulnerable people such as elders, those with health problems and pregnant women,” she pointed out.

“We estimate the infections will rise significantly in the next one month, and have tasked district public health offices to administer booster shots to those who have been jabbed more than four months ago, as well as expand the active case finding campaign to limit the spread of the virus at the community level,” she said.

From May 17 to July 4, schools in Bangkok reported 1,885 Covid cases, or 0.74 per cent of the total 253,515 students in the province. Of the infected, 148 are in kindergarten, 1,375 elementary, 304 secondary and 58 in high school.

“Elderly care centres are another place the BMA will increase monitoring over as elders above 60 have a higher chance of developing severe symptoms after becoming infected,” Tavida said.

“Operators of these centres have been instructed to employ the bubble and seal system if possible to limit exposure to the virus, as well as ensure that all staff have received boosters and wear face masks while interacting with elders,” she added.

On Wednesday Thailand recorded 2,428 Covid cases and 22 deaths in the past 24 hours, while 2,049 patients were cured and allowed to leave hospital. Cumulative cases in the country since January 1 are 2,313,010.

Published : July 06, 2022

By : THE NATION

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40017402

Ministry of Public Health reported on Wednesday (July 6) morning that in the past 24 hours there are 2,428 new patients who tested positive for Covid-19, three of whom have arrived in Thailand from abroad.

Death toll increased by 22, while 2,049 patients were cured and allowed to leave hospitals.

Cumulative cases in the country since January 1, 2022 are at 2,313,010.
 

The country’s total caseload from Covid-19 stands at 4,536,445 – 4,480,895 of whom have recovered, 24,792 are still in hospitals and 30,758 have died.

Separately, another 4,858 people were given their first Covid-19 shot in the last 24 hours, 10,700 their second shot and 28,616 a booster, bringing the total number of Covid-19 vaccine doses administered nationwide to 140,093,506.

According to Worldometer, confirmed cases globally had risen to 556.49 million on Wednesday, 530.83 million of whom have recovered, 19.29 million are active cases (38,739 in severe condition) and 6.36 million have died (up by 1,252).

Thailand ranks 26th in the global list of most cases, which is topped by the US with 89.73 million, followed by India with 43.55 million, Brazil with 32.61 million, France with 31.66 million and Germany with 28.67 million.

Published : July 06, 2022

By : THE NATION

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40017401

The Cabinet on Tuesday suspended the occupancy tax levied on hotels for another two years, until June 30, 2024, to relieve Covid-19 impacts on hotel operators.

“Waiving the hotel tax for another two years will help hotel and tourism-related operators rehabilitate as the country reopens to foreign tourists,” said Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha.

“Also, it will benefit the country’s economy in the long term as tourism is the country’s main engine generating revenue.”

Prayut added that the government will issue a ministerial regulation extending the waiver of annual hotel tax at 40 baht per room, after the previous regulation expired on June 30.

The PM said the economy would take time to recover even though the government has eased restrictions on business operations. The tax waiver would reduce hotel operators’ expenses by about 47.35 million baht, he added.

Published : July 05, 2022

By : THE NATION