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https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40015973

Five groups of medical professionals have allayed growing public fears about monkeypox, saying there is only a slim chance of an outbreak in Thailand, and mass vaccinations are unnecessary.

The Royal College of Physicians of Thailand, Royal College of Paediatricians of Thailand, Infectious Disease Association of Thailand, Paediatric Infectious Disease Society of Thailand, and Preventive Medicine Association of Thailand jointly issued a nine-point statement about monkeypox on Wednesday.

The joint statement, signed by the respective chiefs of the five medical groups, said that outbreaks of the communicable disease in many countries, including the United Kingdom, Canada and the United States, had led to fears of a pandemic similar to Covid-19.

However, the medical groups explained that outbreaks overseas are still limited and there is no need to ban travellers from the affected countries. The groups advised avoiding close contact with travellers from overseas, particularly those with symptoms of the disease.

“Wearing face masks when in close contact with the patients and washing hands after touching them can help reduce the chance of contracting the disease,” the statement said.

It explained that monkeypox is caused by a virus from rodents first found in Africa. The disease’s first infection was reported in monkeys used for experiment, which is the origin of the name “monkeypox”.

“Monkeys are not the disease’s reservoir. Also, there have been no reports of this disease being found in rodents in Thailand,” the statement said.

The groups also noted that smallpox vaccines can prevent monkeypox.

The statement said that Thailand had stopped smallpox vaccinations almost 50 years ago, so Thais aged over 50 should be immune to monkeypox because they have already received smallpox vaccines. But younger people have no immunity to either smallpox or monkeypox, it added.

“However, there is only a small chance of a monkeypox outbreak in Thailand, so there is no need for the public to get vaccinated soon,” the statement said.

Published : May 26, 2022

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https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40015964

People should wear face masks while in public and among gatherings even though the Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration (CCSA) has eased prevention measures, Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha said on Thursday.

According to government spokesman Thanakorn Wangboonkongchana, the premier is monitoring Thailand’s Covid-19 situation closely even though he is attending the 27th International Conference on the Future of Asia in Tokyo until Friday.

Prayut urged educational institutions to watch over students as Covid-19 cases have increased slightly a week after schools reopened, Thanakorn said.

He said Covid-19 clusters were found in some boarding schools, adding that these schools have prepared areas for treating patients.

The prime minister also asked people to strictly adhere to disease prevention measures along with creating awareness on the issue among children in order to contain the spread of Covid-19 and enable children to attend school safely, he added.

The Public Health Ministry aims to ask the CCSA to do away with the mandatory face mask requirement in public places, such as parks.

Dr Jakrat Phittayawong-anon, chief of the Department of Disease Control’s Epidemiology Bureau, said that in the early phase of the no-mask measure, only people in non-high-risk groups would be allowed to take off their masks in areas such as public parks, and the measure would be implemented first in green and blue provinces.

“People in high-risk groups, such as the elderly aged over 60, those with chronic health problems and unvaccinated people will still be required to wear face masks and avoid visiting crowded areas,” he said.

A CCSA meeting last Friday approved the new colour coding of provinces from next month based on the Covid-19 situation.

Fourteen provinces have been added to the green or low-surveillance zone, namely Chai Nat, Phichit, Ang Thong, Nan, Maha Sarakham, Yasothon, Nakhon Phanom, Lampang, Amnat Charoen, Buriram, Trat, Surat Thani, Surin and Udon Thani.

Seventeen provinces will be classified as pilot tourism areas or blue zones – Bangkok, Krabi, Kanchanaburi, Chanthaburi, Chonburi, Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Nakhon Ratchasima, Nonthaburi, Narathiwat, Pathum Thani, Prachuap Khiri Khan, Phang-nga, Phetchaburi, Phuket, Rayong and Songkhla.

The 46 other provinces will remain in the yellow or high-surveillance zone.

Published : May 26, 2022

By : THE NATION

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https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40015961

A soldier and two defence volunteers were injured when a group of insurgents opened fire and hurled pipe bombs at a marine police station in Narathiwat province on Wednesday night, police said.

The attack on the Tak Bai Marine Police Station in Tambon Jeh He of Tak Bai district happened at 9.30pm. It was followed by another explosion in front of a convenience store about 1.3 kilometres away about five minutes later.

Police said an unknown number of assailants opened fire and hurled bombs at the station, resulting in exchange of gunfire.

The marine police station caught fire after the explosion. The sound of gunfire by both sides terrified both Thai and Malaysian residents. The station is located on the border and Malaysians were seen standing at the border fence to observe the fighting while Thai residents scrambled for cover.

After the assailants retreated and the gunfire stopped, a soldier and two defence volunteers manning a security checkpoint in front of the police station were found to be injured.

They were identified as Pvt Sulaiman Yusoh, 23, Opas Saensom, 33, and Ekkawat Ketduang, 41. They were injured by bomb shrapnel. Ekkawat suffered more serious injuries as a piece of shrapnel hit the body above the hip.

The three were rushed to the Tak Bai Hospital to receive primary treatment before being moved to the Narathiwat provincial hospital.

Five minutes after the attack on the police staion, an explosion occurred outside a convenience store in Ban Taba village in Tambon Jeh He. No one was injured in the second incident.

Police cordoned off the two explosion scenes for bomb disposal experts.

Published : May 26, 2022

By : THE NATION

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40015951

Ayutthaya on Wednesday held activities to commemorate the 10th anniversary of the royal visit of King Bhumibol Adulyadej the Great to pay respect to the statute of Suriyothai Mahathewi, a royal queen consort of King Maha Chakkraphat who fought and died in the Burmese-Siamese War in 1548.

The statue is located in the Makham Yong Field in Ban Mai subdistrict.

During his visit in May 2012, His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej the Great was accompanied by Her Majesty Queen Sirikit, the Queen Mother, and Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn. They also visited people at Ban Mai and provided moral support after the province survived the great flood in late 2011.

The King had also instructed that a portion of the field become an experimental rice paddy as part of the royal project to deliver rice seeds to farmers in Ayutthaya.

The event on Wednesday included activities such as processions via boats and on elephants, traditional stage performances and a sowing demonstration at the rice paddy.

Published : May 26, 2022

By : THE NATION

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40015946

The Public Health Ministry aims to ask the Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration (CCSA) to do away with the mandatory face mask requirement in public places such as parks.

Dr Jakrat Phittayawong-anon, chief of the Department of Disease Control’s Epidemiology Bureau, said on Wednesday the Covid-19 situation in Thailand was improving, with decreasing daily infections and mortality, so this would be a suitable time to further ease disease control measures.

“The ministry is considering downgrading the Covid-19 warning level from the current level 3 to 2 soon to let people resume their lives as normal. We will ask the CCSA to allow people in certain areas and who are engaged in public activities to go without face masks,” he said.

Jakrat said that in the early phase of the no-mask measure, only people in non-high-risk groups would be allowed to take off their masks in areas such as public parks, and the measure will be implemented first in green and blue provinces.

“People in high-risk groups, such as the elderly aged over 60, those with chronic health problems and unvaccinated people will still be required to wear face masks and avoid visiting crowded areas,” he added.

A CCSA meeting last Friday approved the new colour coding of provinces from next month based on the Covid-19 situation.

Fourteen provinces have been added to the green or low-surveillance zone, namely Chai Nat, Phichit, Ang Thong, Nan, Maha Sarakham, Yasothon, Nakhon Phanom, Lampang, Amnat Charoen, Buriram, Trat, Surat Thani, Surin and Udon Thani.

Seventeen provinces will be classified as pilot tourism areas or blue zones – Bangkok, Krabi, Kanchanaburi, Chanthaburi, Chonburi, Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Nakhon Ratchasima, Nonthaburi, Narathiwat, Pathum Thani, Prachuap Khiri Khan, Phang-nga, Phetchaburi, Phuket, Rayong and Songkhla.

The 46 other provinces will remain in the yellow or high-surveillance zone.

Published : May 26, 2022

By : THE NATION

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40015945

Isolated heavy to very heavy rains are likely in the Northeast, the Central region, the East and the South from May 27 to 31, the Thailand Meteorological Department warned on Thursday.

During this period, the southwest monsoon prevailing over the country, the Andaman Sea and the Gulf of Thailand will strengthen. In addition, a monsoon trough lies across the North and will become a low-pressure cell as it moves over the Gulf of Tonkin.

The department said wind and waves in the Andaman Sea and the Gulf would also become stronger, with waves 2-3 metres high in the Andaman Sea, 2 metres in the upper Gulf and above 3 metres during thundershowers.

People have been warned to beware of heavy showers and accumulated rainfall that could cause flash floods and overflows.

The department advised all ships in the upper Gulf and the Andaman Sea to proceed with caution and keep away from areas experiencing thundershowers, while small boats should stay ashore.

Here’s the weather forecast for May 27-31:

North: Thundershowers in 40-60 per cent of the area; temperature lows of 23-27 degrees and highs of 29-37 degrees Celsius.

Northeast: Thundershowers in 60-70 per cent of the area with isolated heavy to very heavy rains; temperature lows of 22-26 degrees and highs of 30-34 degrees Celsius.

Central: Thundershowers in 40-60 per cent of the area with isolated heavy rains; temperature lows of 22-26 degrees, highs of 30-35 degrees Celsius.

East: Thundershowers in 60-70 per cent of the area with isolated heavy to very heavy rains; temperature lows of 23-28 degrees, highs of 29-34 degrees Celsius; waves about 2 metres high and over 2 metres high during thundershowers.

South (east coast): Thundershowers in 40-60 per cent of the area with isolated heavy rains; temperature lows of 23-26 degrees, highs of 28-35 degrees Celsius; waves 1-2 metres high and about 2 metres offshore.

South (west coast): Thundershowers in 60-70 per cent of the area with isolated heavy to very heavy rains; temperature lows of 23-28 degrees, highs of 30-34 degrees Celsius; waves 2-3 metres high and over 3 metres during thundershowers.

Bangkok and surrounding areas: Thundershowers in 40-60 per cent of the area, mostly from the afternoon to evening; temperature lows of 24-28 degrees, highs of 31-34 degrees Celsius.

Published : May 26, 2022

By : THE NATION

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40015944

Foreign Ministry permanent secretary Thani Thongphakdi attended the 18th Asean-Russia Senior Officials’ Meeting (ARSOM) via videoconference on Monday, the ministry said on Wednesday.

The meeting was co-chaired by Eat Sophea, secretary of state of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation and SOM leader of Cambodia, as coordinator for Asean-Russia Dialogue Relations, and Igor Morgulov, Deputy Foreign Minister of Russia.

The 18th ARSOM highlighted cooperation between Asean and Russia as strategic partners, including the implementation of the Asean-Russia Comprehensive Plan of action.

The meeting also exchanged views on regional architecture and international issues, including Russia’s participation in regional meetings in the context of the situation in Ukraine.

“Thani expressed concern over the situation and humanitarian crisis in Ukraine and its ramifications on multilateral fora, including Asean and Apec,” the ministry said.

“He reiterated Thailand’s adherence to the principles enshrined in the UN Charter, international humanitarian law, and international human rights law, and called for a ceasefire and continuation of political dialogue to find a peaceful settlement.”

Meanwhile, Usana Berananda, director-general of the Department of Asean Affairs, led the discussion on Asean connectivity and integration, highlighting ways forward to further enhance regional connectivity, including strengthening regional linkages to build resilience and enhance Covid-19 recovery efforts; intensifying efforts to implement the Asean-Russia Comprehensive Plan of action 2021-25 and to create synergies with other transregional cooperation frameworks.

“The meeting reflected Russia’s continued commitment to supporting Asean centrality and contributing to the regional security architecture through building strategic trust and promoting win-win cooperation in order to create a peaceful environment conducive to post-Covid economic recovery,” the ministry added.

Published : May 26, 2022

By : THE NATION

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40015943

Ministry of Public Health reported on Thursday (May 26) morning that in the past 24 hours there are 4,924 new patients who tested positive for Covid-19 in the country.

Death toll increased by 37, while 5,560 patients were cured and allowed to leave hospitals.

Cumulative cases in the country since January 1, 2022 are at 2,206,239.
 

Published : May 26, 2022

By : THE NATION

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40015941

The World Health Organisation (WHO) has praised Thailand’s effective Covid-19 management, deputy government spokeswoman Traisuree Taisaranakul said on Wednesday.

She made the remarks after the meeting between WHO director-general Tedros Adhanom Ghrebreyesus, WHO regional director for Southeast Asia Poonam Khetrapal Singh and Public Health Minister Anutin Charnvirakul at the 75th World Health Assembly in Geneva, Switzerland.

“The WHO will use Thailand’s Covid-19 management as a role model to create international standard for disease management worldwide,” she said, citing WHO director-general and the regional director for Southeast Asia’s remarks.

She said the WHO praised Thailand’s vaccination drive, as 81.4 per cent of Thais have received their first jab and 75.3 per cent have received the second jab.

The WHO also thanked Thailand for participation in its development projects, such as the “WHO Biohub” for research and development of vaccines to deal with emerging diseases, she said

She said Anutin has invited Ghrebreyesus to attend the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation high level meeting on health and the economy, which will be held in Bangkok from August 22 to 26. Thailand will open the Asean Centre for Public Health Emergencies and Emerging Diseases during that time.

She added that Anutin had also thanked the WHO for choosing Thailand as a pilot country for Universal Health and Preparedness Review (UHPR) from April 21 and 29.

Thailand is ready to share its experience on UHPR with other countries, she added, citing Anutin’s remarks.

Published : May 26, 2022

By : THE NATION

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40015937

Wildlife checkpoints nationwide have been told to step up checking of imported wild animals to prevent them from bringing monkeypox into Thailand, Ratchada Suriyakul na Ayutthaya, director-general of the National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation Department, said on Wednesday.

Prasert Sornsathapornkul, director of the CITES wild animals and plants protection division, plans to hold a meeting of concerned agencies to tell them to step up scrutiny for monkeypox at wildlife checkpoints.

Ratchada said the meeting was attended by chiefs of several concerned agencies, including the wild animal healthcare division of the Wild Animals Conservation Office, the Suvarnabhumi airport wildlife checkpoint, animal quarantine centres, medical division of the Suvarnabhumi Airport, and other wildlife checkpoint officials.

Ratchada said the meeting resolved to enforce the following measures:

– All wildlife checkpoints around the country must strictly check wild animals that are imported and they must strictly monitor against smuggling in of monkeys and rodents.

– Importers of wild animals must be informed to test for monkeypox on animals that will be brought into the country, apart from other diseases as per the conditions for the import of zoo and wild animals into Thailand.

– Animal quarantine checkpoint of the Livestock Development Department must check health certificates of animals in risk groups to see whether they have passed the monkeypox test before entering Thailand.

– Officials will seek cooperation from wild animals importers to delay import of animals from countries where monkeypox has been detected.

– Officials at wildlife checkpoints must be more cautious during operations, as they may come into physical contact with animals infected with monkeypox.

– Officials must proactively monitor the health of monkeys and rodents that have already been imported to make sure that they will not be carriers of monkeypox. Their caretakers must also be monitored, whether they have any symptoms similar to monkeypox disease.

– Breeders of foreign wild animals must be informed to monitor against smallpox. They must be told to alert the department immediately if any suspicious case is detected.

So far, the Disease Control Department has maintained that no monkeypox case has been detected in Thailand.

Meanwhile, Wanthanee Watana, deputy Bangkok city clerk, said on Wednesday that no monkeypox case has been detected in Bangkok so far. However, people who have visited countries where the outbreak has occurred may be infected and carry the virus back to Thailand.

She said risk groups include Thai workers, tourists and tourist operators who have visited the countries where monkeypox has spread.

She urged Bangkok residents to monitor closely announcements from the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration.

She said those who had visited countries where the virus has spread should avoid touching carrier animals. After they return to the country, they should monitor their condition and they should consult a doctor immediately if they see rashes on their face, arms and legs.

Published : May 25, 2022

By : THE NATION