#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40016063

Nine out of 10 Thais were not surprised that independent candidate Chadchart Sittipunt won the Bangkok governor election, according to a National Institute of Development Administration (Nida) poll published on Sunday.

Meanwhile, a majority expected his victory to have an impact on the government.

Chadchart won the election by a landslide last Sunday, receiving over 1.38 million votes – more than all other candidates combined. The Democrats’ Suchatvee Suwansawat (254,723 votes) and Move Forward’s Wiroj Lakkhanaadisorn (253,938) were a distant second and third.

The former transport minister and Pheu Thai prime ministerial candidate broke Democrat Sukhumbhand Paribatra’s record of 1,256,349 votes, achieved at the last governor election in 2013.

The poll was conducted from May 25-27 among 1,322 voters from different educational and occupational backgrounds nationwide.

Asked how they felt about Chadchart’s election win:

– 77.76 per cent said they were unsurprised as he has the talent and determination to tackle issues for Bangkokians.

– 8.85 per cent said they were moderately unsurprised because he has leadership skills and was able to work with everyone. Some of them said Bangkokians wanted a change.

– 7.34 per cent said they were definitely surprised as he had no experience working for Bangkok.

– 6.05 per cent said they were moderately surprised as he won by a landslide despite not siding with any political party.

Asked what impact Chadchart’s win would have on Thai politics:

– 38.88 per cent said it would affect the government’s popularity.

– 32.53 per cent said it would not affect the government’s popularity.

– 15.96 per cent said it was just an election in one province.

– 9.53 per cent said it would accelerate dissolution of Parliament.

– 8.40 per cent said it would affect only MP elections in Bangkok.

– 6.43 per cent said it would intensify conflict in Thai society.

– 6.35 per cent said Thai society has already overcome conflict.

– 4.99 per cent said opposition parties will use trends set by Chadchart to attack the government.

– 3.33 per cent said the government will use Chadchart’s governorship to boost its reputation.

– 2.12 per cent said some coalition parties would abandon the government to survive.

Published : May 29, 2022

By : THE NATION

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40016061

The Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration (CCSA) on Saturday unveiled the top 10 countries with the highest numbers of visitors to Thailand between May 1 and 27.

Topping the list of nations contributing the most travellers to Thailand was Singapore, while the top five is made up of Asian nations.

The top 10 countries are:

Singapore: 68,435

India: 58,716

Vietnam: 25,273

Malaysia: 24,804

Cambodia: 21,087

US: 20,407

UK: 18,255

Australia: 18,077

UAE: 14,933

Germany: 13,346

A total of 490,637 tourists visited Thailand between May 1 and 27, of which 401,722 were foreigners and 88,915 were Thais.

Meanwhile, 724,291 tourists registered for entry via Thailand Pass between April 29 and May 27. Of these 709,463 were approved, 14,740 rejected, and 7,088 were waiting for approval. From Wednesday, June 1, Thai nationals will no longer have to apply for the pass though the requirement will remain for foreign travellers.

On Sunday, Thailand recorded 3,649 Covid-19 cases and 24 deaths. Meanwhile 5,622 patients recovered and left hospital.

Total cases since January 1 stand at 2,219,213.

Published : May 29, 2022

By : THE NATION

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40016059

The Digital Economy and Society (DES) Ministry has released a list of the top 10 fake news reports that won the most shares and likes between May 20 and 26.

Bumrungrad Hospital’s ear patch for curing deafness, as well as AstraZeneca vaccine causing monkeypox, are among the top 10 fake news stories, said DES spokesperson Noppawan Huajaiman.

The top 10 fake reports are:

• Bumrungrad Hospital’s ear patch for curing hearing loss, tinnitus, deafness, and water in the ear.

• People who received AstraZeneca vaccine are at risk of monkeypox.

• End of Buddhist Lent (Wan Awk Phansa) scrapped to reduce the importance of Buddhism.

• Fake eggs are being manufactured and sold in Thailand.

• The Government Savings Bank is offering 1-million-baht housing loans that can be paid back in instalments of just 10 baht per month.

• The Revenue Department can freeze a bank account without asking for a court order if the case is related to the department.

• The Social Security Office is granting loans that can be paid back in instalments over 36 months.

• The Paotang digital wallet app allows people to borrow 5,000 baht in cash with approval in three minutes.

• People risk becoming deaf if they consume tofu and honey together.

• The Bank of Thailand is sending text messages to people, informing them that they have received a loan.

Published : May 29, 2022

By : THE NATION

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40016055

Public Health Ministry reported on Sunday (May 29) morning that in the past 24 hours there are 3,649 new patients who tested positive for Covid-19, two of whom have arrived in Thailand from abroad.

Death toll increased by 24, while 5,622 patients were cured and allowed to leave hospitals.

Cumulative cases in the country since January 1, 2022 are at 2,219,213.

Published : May 29, 2022

By : THE NATION

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40016053

Bangkok governor-elect Chadchart Sittipunt has instructed the city’s law enforcers to “remain strict” with street vendors until he assumes his post and decides whether to relax the rules.

He was speaking on Saturday after many vendors returned to Bangkok’s pavements following his landslide victory in the May 22 gubernatorial election.

Chadchart is viewed as more sympathetic to roadside selling than his predecessors, having campaigned on a pledge to “provide places for street vendors in a way that does not obstruct sidewalks”.

The governor-elect inspected Tha Phra intersection in the city’s Bangkok Yai district on Saturday, where he met with residents to hear their complaints.

“This morning I learned that street vendors have returned to many areas. I would like to ask the tessakit [municipal law enforcement] to be as strict as before on this matter. There’s a power vacuum now as I have yet to assume my post,” Chadchart said.

He was directing his instruction at the City Law Enforcement Department of the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA).

Chadchart said his administration would determine areas where roadside vending will be permitted, but until then the law should be enforced as before.

“Vendors should wait to see if there will be changes in the regulations and implementation methods,” he added.

Chadchart previously inspected the intersection on Tuesday, when he pointed to uneven pavements and obstructive steel plates from construction work on infrastructure projects.

Both issues had been resolved by the time he returned on Saturday. Chadchart thanked the contractors and relevant authorities for “solving the problems for the people”.

He also stressed that all 14 construction projects under the BMA must follow suit, adding that contractors should inspect construction areas for any problems.

After his election win last Sunday, Chadchart has spent the past week inspecting city areas to witness problems first-hand, including garbage collection, homelessness, damage to roads and sidewalks, and clogged canals.

Published : May 28, 2022

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40016050

Dr Taweesin Visanuyothin, spokesman for the Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration (CCSA), said on Saturday that he has tested positive for the coronavirus.

He reported that he has mild symptoms but has taken 10 days off work. The spokesman also apologized to co-workers who may have come close to him over the past week.

“Let me rest for 10 days. My ATK test showed two lines [positive result] yesterday. I have a slight sore throat, but everything else is normal,” Taweesin’s Facebook post read.

“I apologise to colleagues, who came into contact with me over the past week. Take care and undergo ATK tests regularly.”

Last Monday, Taweesin attended the opening of a coffee shop at Somdet Chaopraya Institute of Psychiatry. Earlier, on May 20, he held a press conference on the latest Covid-19 situation at Government House.

Published : May 28, 2022

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40016049

The Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand (CAAT) on Saturday issued airlines with a special Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) on the country’s latest entry policy, reflecting cancellation of the Thailand Pass system for returning Thai nationals from Wednesday, June 1.

Foreign travellers, however, are still required to register for Thailand Pass to receive the QR code, which will be checked at the airport on arrival. The QR code is generated immediately on registration, with no waiting period.

The NOTAM contained the latest guidelines for passengers and airlines as follows:

– Thai nationals can show a vaccine certificate or their negative rapid antigen (ATK) or RT-PCR test to enter Thailand. No registration for Thailand Pass required.

– Non-Thai nationals must register via Thailand Pass and submit all required documents to receive the QR code. Airlines can reject passengers who fail to show the QR code before boarding.

– Travellers with a certificate of full vaccination against Covid-19 will not have to take a test upon arrival. However, they are advised to take a test if they display Covid-like symptoms.

– Partially vaccinated or unvaccinated travellers who show a negative ATK or RT-PCR test taken within 72 hours of arrival can enter Thailand in the same way as vaccinated travellers.

– Foreign travellers must also show evidence of Covid-19 insurance with coverage of US$10,000 or similar evidence of coverage for Covid-19 treatment during their stay in Thailand.

– Airlines are responsible for checking passengers’ Thailand Pass QR codes. Any passengers who land in Thailand without the QR code will be placed in the airline’s care.

– Foreign travellers with no Thailand Pass QR code, no vaccine certificate and no negative test result must follow the instructions of airport officials when they arrive in Thailand.

– Staff at airports must obey Covid-19 preventive measures, including face-mask wearing and temperature screening at entrances and exits.

Published : May 28, 2022

By : THE NATION

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40016047

Fares to cross the Chao Phraya by ferry will go up by 0.5 baht per trip from Wednesday (June 1) due to the rising price of diesel fuel, the Thai Boats Association (TBA) announced on Saturday.

Fare rises will apply on the following eight routes:

1. Bang Si Muang Pier-Nonthaburi Pier, up from 3.5 baht to 4 baht

2. Wat Rakhang Pier-Wang Lang Pier (3.5 baht to 4 baht)

3. Thonburi Railway Pier-Tha Phra Chan Pier (3.5 baht to 4 baht)

4. Wang Lang Pier- Prannok Pier (3.5 baht to 4 baht)

5. Tha Tian Pier- Wat Arun Pier (4 baht to 4.5 baht)

6. Ratchawong Pier-Ding Daeng Pier (3.5 baht to 4 baht)

7. Si Phraya Pier-Khlong San Pier (4.5 baht to 5 baht)

8. Oriental Pier-Wat Suwan Pier (4 baht to 4.5 baht)

The Marine Department approved the fare hike, citing increased costs shouldered by ferry operators from the rising diesel price this year.

“Furthermore, the Covid-19 situation has also resulted in a sharp fall in passengers, from around 5,000-6,000 people per day before the outbreak to 400-500 people per day now,” said TBA deputy permanent-secretary Suthee Suphaporn.

He said boat operators could not continue in business without the fare rise.

He added that the association also requested price hikes for Chao Phraya express boats and Saen Saeb canal services, but the Marine Department asked it to postpone the hike to avoid adding to people’s financial burdens.

Published : May 28, 2022

By : THE NATION

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40016045

The Cabinet will still have the last say in the new Bangkok governor’s decision over the dispute with Green Line operator Bangkok Mass Transit System (BTSC), Deputy PM Wissanu Krea-ngam said on Saturday.

Wissanu was responding to news that governor-elect Chadchart Sitthiphan is planning to examine the concession contract between the city and BTSC to ensure it complies with the 2019 Public-Private Partnership Act.

Chadchart’s immediate response to the issue has given hope to many that he may be able to end the 32-billion-baht dispute between the Skytrain operator and the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA).

In September last year, BTSC filed a lawsuit against BMA, suing the city for the 12 billion baht it is owed for operating the Green Line extension and another 20 billion baht it is owed for the train operating system. The suit was filed after the BMA reportedly failed to pay the money owed within the April deadline.

The Interior Ministry, which supervises the BMA, believes the dispute can be solved if BTSC is granted an additional concession contract to settle the debts.

“If the new governor can come up with a different solution, he should propose it to the Interior Ministry, which will then forward it to the Cabinet for approval in line with the Constitution,” Wissanu said. “However, the Cabinet may decide to take a different approach or suggest that the Interior Ministry adjust BMA’s solution as necessary for the country’s benefit.”

The deputy PM also added that there is no deadline within which the Green Line dispute must be settled, but if the Cabinet were to be dissolved suddenly, the new government will still need to follow the same regulations as per the Constitution.

Published : May 28, 2022

By : THE NATION

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40016042

The state-operated Transport Co Ltd will have buses running on 10 routes from Thailand to Laos from June 15.

Sanyalux Panwattanalikit, Transport Co president, said nine more routes will be added to the first Mukdahan-Savannakhet route opened on May 9.

The nine new routes are:

• Nong Khai-Vientiane
• Udon Thani-Vientiane
• Ubon Ratchathani-Pakse
• Khon Kaen-Vientiane
• Bangkok-Vientiane
• Nakhon Phanom-Thakhek
• Udon Thani-Udon Thani International Airport-Nong Kha-Vang Vieng
• Chiang Rai-Bokeo
• Loei-Luang Prabang

These routes are scheduled to be opened from June 15 and tickets will be available at all Transport Co ticketing booths across the country. They can also be bought online via https://tcl99web.transport.co.th/Home.

Meanwhile, the other three bus routes to Laos, (Chiang Mai-Luang Prabang, Bangkok-Pakse and Nan-Luang Prabang), and the two bus routes to Cambodia, (Bangkok-Aranyaprathet-Poipet-Siem Reap and Bangkok-Aranyaprathet-Poipet-Phnom Penh) are yet to open.

Sanyalux said the company currently runs buses on 14 routes in the North, 24 in the Northeast and East and 13 in the South of Thailand.

On domestic routes, people with a membership card will get a 5 per cent discount, while students and Transport Ministry officials will get 10 per cent off. The company will also give discounts to volunteer groups later. Discounts are also given to people based on criteria set by the Department of Land Transport.

Visit transport.co.th or call 1490 for more information or updates.

Published : May 28, 2022

By : THE NATION