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https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40017328

With most vaccinated people developing none or very mild symptoms when infected by the Omicron variant of Covid-19, many are choosing to stay isolated at home.

However, how long should the infected stay isolated to ensure they are free of the virus and can safely interact with others?

In a Facebook post on Monday, leading virologist Dr Yong Poovorawan said studies show that the virus count starts to drop sharply seven days after the symptoms are first observed.

The studies cited have been published in the Journal of the American Medical Association and New England Journal of Medicine.

“After 10 days, the viral load will be extremely low and too weak to be transmitted to others. Hence, the suitable period for self-isolation is at least 10 days from when the symptoms appeared or when you tested positive,” Yong said. “If you can’t complete the 10-day requirement, then at least isolate for seven days and then employ strict preventive measures when interacting with others in the following three days to prevent the spread of the virus.”

The virologist added that the virus shedding period is similar for vaccinated and unvaccinated people.

“Though unvaccinated persons carry a higher viral load compared to those who are fully jabbed, their virus count drops to the same level as vaccinated persons after day 10,” he said.

Published : July 04, 2022

By : THE NATION

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40017326

Provincial governors have been instructed to monitor the consumption of cannabis and hemp in their areas in a bid to prevent the abuse of these plants.

Marijuana and hemp were removed from the list of banned narcotics on June 9.

Meanwhile, the order signed by Interior Ministry’s permanent-secretary Suttipong Juljarern on June 30 lists the following guidelines for governors to follow:

• Marijuana and hemp cannot be used for recreation

• Sale or consumption of cannabis/hemp spiked food or beverages is not allowed in government complexes.

• Government officials cannot consume marijuana or hemp illegally or in a manner that can affect the image of state officials.

• Governors, provincial public health offices and related authorities must provide knowledge and promote public awareness over the cultivation and consumption of marijuana and hemp as permitted by law.

• Local authorities must educate people about the benefits and dangers of marijuana and hemp.

• Authorities must inspect cannabis/hemp-spiked food, beverages and products being sold in their areas to ensure that the amount used is within legal limits.

The Defence Ministry issued a similar order last month, prohibiting its personnel from using marijuana or hemp on military complexes as well as from displaying inappropriate behaviour while under the influence.

Published : July 04, 2022

By : THE NATION

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40017325

Ministry of Public Health reported on Monday (July 4) morning that in the past 24 hours there are 1,995 new patients who tested positive for Covid-19, two of whom have arrived in Thailand from abroad.

Death toll increased by 18, while 2,148 patients were cured and allowed to leave hospitals.

Cumulative cases in the country since January 1, 2022 are at 2,308,665.
 

The country’s total caseload from Covid-19 stands at 4,532,100 – 4,476,564 of whom have recovered, 24,418 are still in hospitals and 30,718 have died.

Separately, another 2,183 people were given their first Covid-19 shot in the last 24 hours, 4,218 their second shot and 29,913 a booster, bringing the total number of Covid-19 vaccine doses administered nationwide to 140,036,597.

According to Worldometer, confirmed cases globally had risen to 554.43 million on Monday, 529.35 million of whom have recovered, 18.72 million are active cases (38,247 in severe condition) and 6.36 million have died (up by 563).

Thailand ranks 26th in the global list of most cases, which is topped by the US with 89.53 million, followed by India with 43.52 million, Brazil with 32.5 million, France with 31.21 million and Germany with 28.39 million.

Published : July 04, 2022

By : THE NATION

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40017321

Bangkokians can apply to join the project to plant 1 million trees across the capital from next week, Bangkok Governor Chadchart Sittipunt said on Sunday.

Chadchart was speaking after joining Canadian Embassy staff to plant Bodhi and Ironwood trees at Vachirabenjatas Park in Chatuchak district.

He said that up to 700,000 trees had been planted under the project so far. He added that City Hall is seeking saplings and places to plant them so people could participate in the project.

“A liveable city is a city with well-cared-for trees,” he said.

All 50 district offices across Bangkok have tree specialists to advise officials on how to trim trees properly and tackle any related disputes, Chadchart said.

He also highlighted his “Bangkok 15 minutes” policy, which aims to create small public parks so that all Bangkokians are within a 15-minute walk of a green space.

“A good public park is one close to people’s residences,” he said.

Published : July 03, 2022

By : THE NATION

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40017318

The Digital Economy and Society Ministry on Sunday warned people against answering calls with the prefix “+697”, saying that the prefix was used by call-centre scammers.

The warning was made by DES spokeswoman Noppawan Huajaimun, who explained that the +697 prefix was assigned to numbers based on IP (Internet Protocol) telephony.

Noppawan said that since IP phone numbers do not have to be registered with the authorities, call-centre scammers tend to use them to make untraceable calls to victims.

As a result, she said, the DES asked the National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission and mobile phone operators to assign incoming IP calls with the +697 prefix to alert customers of the potential danger.

“The DES would like to thank the NBTC for issuing a measure requiring all mobile phone operators to attach the +697 prefix to all incoming IP calls so that people can notice it easily,’ Noppawan said.

“To avoid being deceived, people should not answer such calls.”

She added that people who receive SMS messages or calls from suspicious numbers can tell their mobile phone operators to block them.

Published : July 03, 2022

By : THE NATION

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40017315

The 5.146 million digital lottery tickets issued for the July 17 draw were snapped up within 28 hours – a record since the new system was introduced on June 2.

Lawan Saengsanit, director-general of the Revenue Department who chairs the Government Lottery Office (GLO)’s board of directors, said 4,211,348 tickets were bought up by 5pm on Saturday and the remainder grabbed up by 10.30am on Sunday.

Lawan believes digital lottery tickets are being bought up quickly because they satisfy buyers’ needs.

“People can search for specific numbers and buy the tickets at 80 baht each,” Lawan said. “Most of all, they do not have to worry about fraud because the tickets are being sold via the government’s Paotang app.”

The Paotang app was used by the government to provide public subsidies.

The first lot of 5.17 million digital tickets for the June 16 draw had been bought up in five days, while the 5.15 million tickets for the July 1 draw were snapped up in three days.

Lawan said lottery tickets are selling so fast because the new system allows winners to redeem their prize money quickly and conveniently without fear of being cheated.

The GLO board chairman added that the app will be further developed to allow discounts on numbers that are not popular, as well as allow buyers to purchase tickets from disabled people, especially the blind.

“Voice-control features will have to be added to the app, so it is more convenient for the blind. We are currently discussing this with the Thailand Association of the Blind,” Lawan said.

Separately, GLO director Lt-Colonel Noon Sansanakhom said the agency will hold public hearings from July 20 to August 10 to hear the opinions of those affected by the GLO’s plan to change its lottery format.

The GLO had announced that it would gradually increase the quota of digital lottery tickets by 2 million per draw, starting with the lot issued for the August 1 draw, until there are 20 million digital lottery tickets on sale within this year.

The new quota will come from vendors caught reselling their tickets via other platforms or charging more than 80 baht per ticket.

The GLO is also looking into a new three-digit lottery system.

Noon said the law requires GLO to hold public hearings before it changes its lottery format, details of which are already displayed on the agency’s website.

He added that GLO will gather public opinion via its website and email from July 20 to August 10. Government agencies can also provide their opinions via written and mailed statements, he added.

The public hearings will kick off in Chiang Mai on July 20, in Chonburi on July 24, Khon Kaen on July 27, Loei on August 4, Nakhon Si Thammarat on August 6 and in Bangkok on August 9.

Published : July 03, 2022

By : THE NATION

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40017314

Thailand’s Koh Pha-ngan topped the list of the world’s 16 best workation destinations, followed by Spain’s Gran Canaria and the Portuguese capital of Lisbon.

The rankings were based on four criteria, namely monthly accommodation cost, internet speed, fun and safety.

“The island [in Surat Thani province] is suitable for long-term stay and thanks to its full-moon parties, it is famous among Thai and foreign tourists,” government spokesman Thanakorn Wangboonkongchana said on Sunday.

He added that the government is working on reviving Thailand’s tourism sector and that PM Prayut Chan-o-cha had urged tourism-related agencies to promote six Andaman provinces. Prayut, who had been speaking at the Thailand Tourism Congress in Phuket on June 6, said he wanted the provinces of Phuket, Phang Nga, Krabi, Ranong, Trang and Satun to be turned into world-class destinations.

“The plan to promote these provinces is in line with the 20-year national strategy to boost Thailand’s competitiveness and potential on the international stage,” he said.

Thanakorn added that Prayut was pleased with Koh Pha-ngan’s ranking and thanked the tourism sector for expanding Thailand’s potential so it is admired internationally.

“The PM also believes promoting Andaman provinces will attract more tourists to Thailand, which will not only generate revenue at the local level but also result in economic recovery,” he added.

The rankings were published on June 15 by William Russell, a leading provider of international health, life and income protection.

Published : July 03, 2022

By : THE NATION

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40017312

Thailand is gearing up for an influx of Karen refugees as the Myanmar army continues bombing Karen villages in the border town of Myawaddy.

AMyanmar fighter jet bombed two villages on Saturday, killing three people and injuring three others. The injured have been sent across to Tak’s Phop Phra district for treatment. Of those killed, one held a Thai ID card, the second a card of hilltribe people and the third a 10-year stay permit.

Refugees, meanwhile, have been streaming across the border, and as of press time, the number of people seeking shelter at the Ban Muen Rue Thai community had swollen to 255.

Separately, Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha said that Myanmar’s military government has offered an apology for its MiG-29 fighter jet straying into Thai airspace on Thursday.

Prayut, who also doubles as the defence minister, has called on people to have faith that the Thai Army will successfully protect national sovereignty, adding the incident was “no big deal”.

The Myanmar military has been pounding Karen villages just across the Thai border since noon on Thursday, throwing people living on the Thai side into a panic.

Published : July 03, 2022

By : THE NATION

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40017310

Most Bangkokians support the governor’s decision to designate seven sites in the capital for public rallies, survey results released on Sunday show.

The National Institute of Development Administration (Nida) collected opinions of 1,310 respondents aged 18 and above from different backgrounds in Bangkok on June 27-29.

The respondents’ thoughts on Bangkok Governor Chadchart Sittipunt allocating seven public areas for rallies were:

• 54.89% strongly agree as rallies in these areas will not disturb others or obstruct traffic, and the demonstration can be controlled effectively

• 29.16% moderately agree as it will help maintain order

• 9.16% strongly disagree as it will encourage protesters to hold more rallies and create conflicts in society

• 6.71% moderately disagree as rallies bring chaos and officials will not be able to control the situation

• 0.08% do not care

When asked what Bangkok authorities should do if rallies are held on roads instead of these seven areas:

• 40.08% do not provide facilities like toilets and take legal action against protesters

• 36.79% provide all facilities as protesting is people’s right

• 22.44% provide no facilities

• 0.69% do not care

When asked if they are confident the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) can control protesters under this new set-up:

• 36.18% moderately believe

• 26.26% moderately do not believe

• 22.60% strongly believe

• 14.65% strongly do not believe

• 0.31% do not care

Separately, the “People’s Assembly”, led by former red-shirt leader Jatuporn Promphan, announced it will hold a rally at Lan Khon Muang square on Sunday at 4pm to protest against the government’s failure to tackle rising fuel prices.

Groups can gather to protest at the following sites:

• Lan Khon Muang square, Phra Nakhon

• Thai-Japanese Youth Centre, Din Daeng

• Open space under Ratchawipha Bridge, Chatuchak

• Parking lot in front of Phra Nakhon district office

• 72nd Anniversary Stadium, Minburi

• Chalermprakiat sports centre in Thung Khru

• Monthon Pirom Park in Taling Chan

Published : July 03, 2022

By : THE NATION

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40017302

Public Health Ministry reported on Sunday (July 3) morning that in the past 24 hours there are 2,328 new patients who tested positive for Covid-19, three of whom have arrived in Thailand from abroad.

Death toll increased by 19, while 2,043 patients were cured and allowed to leave hospitals.

Cumulative cases in the country since January 1, 2022 are at 2,306,670.

The country’s total caseload from Covid-19 stands at 4,530,105 – 4,474,416 of whom have recovered, 24,989 are still in hospitals and 30,700 have died.

Separately, another 8,992 people were given their first Covid-19 shot in the last 24 hours, 21,834 their second shot and 72,923 a booster, bringing the total number of Covid-19 vaccine doses administered nationwide to 140,000,283.

According to Worldometer, confirmed cases globally had risen to 554.09 million on Sunday, 528.84 million of whom have recovered, 18.88 million are active cases (37,000 in severe condition) and 6.36 million have died.

Thailand ranks 26th in the global list of most cases, which is topped by the US with 89.52 million, followed by India with 43.50 million, Brazil with 32.47 million, France with 31.20 million and Germany with 28.39 million.

Published : July 03, 2022

By : THE NATION