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https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40015844

Flash flooding inundated homes, major roads and farms in Chiang Rai on Sunday.

Swelled by two days of heavy rain, the Mae Lao River overflowed into Wiang Pa Pao district, cutting its road link between Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai.

Highway 118 running south from Chiang Rai to Chiang Mai was also reduced to one lane by flooding.

Homes and farms in Wiang Pa Pao’s Ban Hong were inundated by the river runoff.

Wiang Pa Pao district chief Banchong Khunphet said 40 communities were hit by the flash floods, though there were no reports of injuries or deaths so far.

The local administrative organisation was assisting flood victims and cooperating with police to facilitate traffic, he said.

Elsewhere, the Chan River burst its banks and flooded markets and communities in Chiang Rai’s Mae Chan district. More than 300 homes were flooded, with retailers and residents forced to move their belongings to higher ground.

Pheu Thai MP Laong Tiyapairat led a team to survey the flood damage and assist victims, while locals reinforced the riverbank in a bid to prevent more overflows. The police have closed the area to traffic until the rain eases and water levels recede.

Heavy rain also caused a landslide in Chiang Rai’s Mae Saruay district, burying a home in Ban Huai Nam Khun village. Many roads in the area have also been cut. Heavy equipment is being deployed to clear traffic and assist victims.

Published : May 23, 2022

By : THE NATION

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40015842

The Education Ministry is scrambling to reach more than 100,000 students who have dropped out of school during the Covid-19 crisis.

The reopening of schools in Thailand last week revealed a huge number of children missing from class.

“We estimate that up to 120,000 children have left school during Covid-19 and are unable to continue their education after lockdowns were lifted due to family problems and other factors,” said Education Minister Trinuch Thienthong on Saturday.

She said her ministry is working with related agencies including the police to get as many dropouts back to school as possible.

“So far, we have reached out to about 95,000 children and expect to convince them to come back to schools by June to continue their education,” she added.

The ministry is also collaborating with the Vocational Education Commission to provide free boarding and tuition for rural students at 88 vocational schools nationwide. The programme, which is aimed at cutting the dropout rate, serves 5,000 students per year.

Meanwhile, to prevent dropouts due to problems in school, the ministry has established the MOE Safety Centre helpline contactable by phone and social media apps like Line.

“Parents and students can use these channels to directly alert the ministry of problems at schools such as bullying, harassment, or other safety issues, and officials will investigate promptly,” Trinuch said.

Published : May 23, 2022

By : THE NATION

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https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40015841

The results of mayoral and council elections in Pattaya on Sunday are on hold after ballot papers went missing from two polling stations.

Meanwhile, two other polling stations had a surplus of ballot papers, suggesting a mix-up over distribution of voting papers to the four polling stations involved.

“This means the city is unable to announce the total tally of votes in the Pattaya mayor and city council elections on Sunday,” said Pattaya permanent-secretary Pramote Thapthim on Sunday night.

Pramote explained that polling stations No 2 in constituency 1 and No 20 in constituency 4 each reported one missing set of ballot papers for the mayoral election. Meanwhile, polling stations No 29 in constituency 2 and No 5 in constituency 3 were each issued one extra set of ballot papers for the council election.

“We have reported the issue to the Election Commission, which will give a ruling and announce re-elections at the problematic polling stations,” Pramote said. “The city therefore will not announce the official final tally of Sunday elections yet.”

The unofficial tally showed Poramet Ngampichet from the “We Love Pattaya” group won the Pattaya mayorship with 14,161 votes, followed by Pattaya Ruamjai’s Sinchai Wattanasatsathorn (12,336 votes) and the Progressive Movement’s Kittisak Ninwattanatochai (8,713 votes).

Published : May 23, 2022

By : THE NATION

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https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40015837

Ministry of Public Health reported on Monday (May 23) morning that in the past 24 hours there are 4,099 new patients who tested positive for Covid-19, two of whom have arrived in Thailand from abroad.

Death toll increased by 29, while 8,856 patients were cured and allowed to leave hospitals.

Cumulative cases in the country since January 1, 2022 are at 2,192,158.
 

Published : May 23, 2022

By : THE NATION

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40015832

Chadchart Sittipunt held a press conference on Sunday evening to thank Bangkokians for granting him a landslide victory in the gubernatorial election.

As of 8.30pm, he had won more than 697,000 votes of the 1.35 million ballots counted, well ahead of Wiroj Lakkhanaadisorn and Suchatvee Suwansawat who each won some 127,000 votes.

“I am ready to work with both Move Forward and Democrat city council members. It is time we overcame our differences and worked together to push Bangkok forward,” the soon-to-be-governor said. “I want to work for everybody in Bangkok, even those who did not vote for me. I will always be open to different views as long as we don’t argue or hate each other.

“Bangkok is a city full of hope. There are many good things here. Too bad that past events have tarnished its sparkle like an uncut diamond. I will play the role of a diamond cutter and make it shine bright again. Bangkok will become a place where every resident lives in harmony and happiness,” he said.

Chadchart added that he will adapt good policies that have been introduced by other candidates and will work with everybody regardless of their affiliation. He also promised to listen to the new generation.

The presumed winner also thanked his predecessor Aswin Kwanmuang for taking care of the city over the past five years and promised to continue effective policies and fix those that have not worked.

Published : May 22, 2022

By : THE NATION

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40015831

Shortly after Move Forward candidate Wiroj Lakkhanaadisorn conceded defeat, Democrat Party’s Suchatvee Suwansawat also publicly accepted Chadchart Sittipunt as the winner of Sunday’s election.

The Democrat candidate told the press that he had telephoned Chadchart to personally congratulate him earlier.

“I want to ask Mr Chadchart to use a new approach to solve the flooding that has been plaguing Bangkok for decades,” Suchatvee said. “I would also like to see him provide free internet for all and am willing to help any way I can.”

He added that he will continue working for the Democrat Party and provide support to party members who have won seats in the city council.

“I want to thank everybody who voted for me. I will ensure that your trust in me and in the party will not be wasted.”

Published : May 22, 2022

By : THE NATION

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https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40015827

Kla Party leader Korn Chatikavanij congratulated Chadchart Sittipunt on Sunday evening as the vote count indicated the independent candidate was on course to be next Bangkok governor.

“Congratulations to Mr Chadchart for receiving overwhelming support from Bangkok voters,” Korn posted on Facebook. “He is a man of decisive intentions and strong preparation. I also admired his campaign for creating hope instead of hatred among people. It was truly a creative way of campaigning.”

Korn added that the Kla Party was willing to cooperate with Chadchart and the new city council to bring about major changes in Bangkok.

“I realise that people no longer want politicians who take sides but need someone to fix the economy, reduce debts and increase money in people’s pockets,” he said.

“One of the first problems for [Kla] party members on the city council to tackle will be rising prices of basic products.”

The Kla Party had no candidate for Bangkok governor but fielded candidates for the city council in 12 districts of the capital.

Published : May 22, 2022

By : THE NATION

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40015826

Move Forward Party’s Wiroj Lakkhanaadisorn accepted that Chadchart Sittipunt had beaten him and will become Bangkok’s 17th governor.

“Though the counting is not yet completed, the difference is far too high and I must congratulate Mr Chadchart for winning,” Wiroj told the press on Sunday evening. “I want to thank all voters who opted for me and the Move Forward Party today, and also thank them for coming out and exercising their rights.”

He added that preliminary votes revealed that more than 60 per cent of the voters had chosen either Chadchart or him, both of whom have no ties with the government. This, he said, indicates that the Bangkok people have lost hope in the government and want a new governor who can fulfil their needs.

Wiroj also said that all Move Forward candidates who win seats in the city council will be ready to work with the new governor and will continue working along the party’s aim to achieve justice and equality for all through transparent administration.

When asked if the Bangkok election result will affect the upcoming national election, Wiroj said he believes people in other provinces also want justice and equality, and that his party will continue working towards this goal.

Published : May 22, 2022

By : THE NATION

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https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40015821

Bangkok polls wrapped up smoothly at 5pm on Sunday as two key pollsters published the exit polls on who is most likely to become the city’s 17th governor.

According to Super Poll, independent candidate Chadchart Sittipunt may have won by a landslide with 45 per cent of respondents opting for him. Estimates show that he stands to win up to 1.5 million votes in this election.

Move Forward Party’s Wiroj Lakkhanaadisorn came in second with 10.9 per cent, followed closely by former governor Aswin Kwanmuang with 10.8 per cent and Democrat Party’s Suchatvee Suwansawat with 10 per cent.

NIDA Poll’s survey also put Chadchart on top with an affirmative from 50.7 per cent of respondents. Aswin came in second with 10.8 per cent, Suchatvee third with 10.3 per cent and Wiroj fourth with 10.2 per cent.

This pollster also predicted that candidates from Move Forward Party will win the most seats in the city council, though Thai Sang Thai Party appears to have come up empty-handed.

Bangkok has 4,374,131 eligible voters and the Election Commission believes some 3 million came out to cast their ballot on Sunday. An unofficial tally should be announced no later than 9pm.

Published : May 22, 2022

By : THE NATION

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40015815

Nualphan “Madam Pang” Lamsam, manager of Thailand’s U23 men’s football team, voted in Bangkok at a polling station in Sukhumvit Soi 39, Watthana district on Sunday.

Straight after voting, she headed to the airport to catch a flight back to Vietnam. She was hoping to make it in time for tonight’s SEA Games men’s football final.

Nualphan returned to Thailand earlier this week for medical treatment after she suffered an injury to her nose in a freak collision with Thailand’s U23 goalkeeper Kawin Thamsatchanan.

Thailand face hosts Vietnam in the SEA Games gold-medal match.

The final kicks off at 7pm and will be broadcast live on Channel 5.

Published : May 22, 2022

By : THE NATION