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https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40015288

The government is considering revoking the Thailand Pass for Thai nationals returning home, Public Health Minister Anutin Charnvirakul said on Thursday.

The ministry will ask the Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration (CCSA) to allow Thais to re-enter the country freely, as those who later test positive will receive treatment under the UCEP Plus universal emergency treatment scheme.

“As for foreigners, we will consider lifting the Thailand Pass system in the next phase,” said Anutin, speaking after a monthly meeting with senior public health officials.

Anutin said last week that vaccine passports will likely replace the Thailand Pass as the means of screening foreign arrivals. The minimum requirement for vaccine passports would be three doses, as two jabs do not give prolonged immunity, he added.

Thailand has seen a surge of foreign arrivals since Test & Go was scrapped on May 1, ending the requirement for fully vaccinated travellers to book a test and one night in a hotel on arrival.

On Thursday, Anutin noted that the Covid-19 situation in Thailand is improving, with new infections and deaths declining in line with the ministry’s forecast.

“Currently, 20 per cent of respirator beds are occupied,” he said, adding that the Public Health Ministry is maintaining its “3 adequacies” policy of adequate drugs and medical supplies, adequate health professionals, and adequate hospital beds for Covid-19 patients.

On Friday, Thailand recorded 7,705 new Covid-19 infections and 62 deaths, while 11,252 patients recovered and were allowed to leave hospitals. Ten of the new cases were imported.

Since January 1, the country has logged just over 2 million (2,084,884) cases of Covid-19.

Published : May 06, 2022

By : THE NATION

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https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40015278

Ministry of Public Health reported on Friday (May 6) morning that in the past 24 hours there are 7,705 new patients who tested positive for Covid-19, 10 of whom have arrived in Thailand from abroad.

Death toll increased by 62, while 11,252 patients were cured and allowed to leave hospitals.

Cumulative cases in the country since January 1, 2022 are at 2,084,884.
 

Published : May 06, 2022

By : THE NATION

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40015275

Thailand and Japan have agreed to consider elevating their bilateral ties from a “strategic partnership” to a “comprehensive strategic partnership” to reflect their “close and progressive relations”, the Thai Ministry of Foreign Affairs said on Thursday.

The agreement was reached during the Monday’s meeting between Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha and his Japanese counterpart Fumio Kishida at Government House, the ministry said in a statement released on its website.

The two countries established diplomatic relations 135 years ago, and this year marks the 10th anniversary of their strategic partnership.

Kishida paid an official visit to Thailand on May 1-2 as a guest of the Thai government — the first visit by a Japanese prime minister in nine years.

During their meeting, the two prime ministers announced the entry into effect of the 5-Year Joint Strategic Plan on Thailand-Japan Strategic Economic Partnership within this year to serve as a roadmap to steer forward economic relations in potential areas of interest, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Both sides agreed to promote Japanese investment in Thailand’s targeted industries, particularly in electric vehicles, smart electronics, pharmaceuticals, digital and bio-circular-green economy in various parts of Thailand, including the Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC).

Kishida stressed that Thailand is Japan’s largest manufacturing hub in the region and Japan is ready to cooperate with Thailand to develop various economic sectors, particularly in the electric-vehicle industry and innovative digital startups.

The two leaders also agreed to enhance cooperation in security, defence and judicial affairs, as well as on technical matters in third countries, including the Mekong sub-region.

During their meeting, Prayut and Kishida exchanged views on regional and international situations of mutual interest, including the situation in Myanmar, Ukraine, South China Sea and East China Sea, Korean Peninsula, United Nations Security Council reform, as well as the nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation, the ministry reported.

The Japanese PM confirmed his attendance at the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation Summit to be hosted by Thailand in November.

After their meeting, both prime ministers witnessed the signing of three documents involving financial cooperation, transfer of defence equipment and technology, and Japan’s grant for Covid-19 emergency support.

Published : May 05, 2022

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https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40015274

Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha has urged related agencies to mitigate the impact on people in drought-hit areas and to prepare a plan to deal with the upcoming rainy season.

“The premier was satisfied with overall water management and thanked related agencies for allocating water effectively,” Government Spokesman Thanakorn Wangboonkongchana said on Thursday.

He said the National Water Command Centre has instructed related agencies to monitor flood situations in many provinces, namely Ubon Ratchathani, Si Sa Ket, Buri Ram, Surin, Trat, Chumphon, Surat Thani, Nakhon Si Thammarat, Phuket and Krabi provinces.

Meanwhile, the Marine Department has dredged Kham River in Chiang Mai’s Mae Chan district to support water supply during the rainy season, benefiting 339 households, he added.

Thanakorn explained that water reserves nationwide totalled 46.34 billion cubic metres, accounting for 56 per cent of capacity.

Of the total, 40.56 billion cubic metres were stored in 38 large reservoirs, 3.32 billion cubic metres in 355 medium reservoirs and 2.46 billion cubic metres in 139,894 small reservoirs, he explained.

He said that the water in four main dams, namely Bhumibol, Sirikit, Kwae Noi Bumrung Dan and Pasak Jolasid, totalled 10.11 billion cubic metres.

“The water levels in many rivers ranged between low and normal, and it is likely to increase,” he added.

Published : May 05, 2022

By : THE NATION

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https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40015273

The Thailand-Myanmar border checkpoint at Mae Sot district in the northern Tak province remained closed on Thursday, scuttling an earlier plan for reopening after over two years of closure.

The reopening is now expected by May 15, as Myanmar’s local authorities in the Myawaddy town — across the border from Tak — were busy working with relevant agencies in preparation for resumption of immigration services on their side of the border checkpoint, according to informed sources in the Thai security circles.

The border checkpoint, located at the Thailand-Myanmar Friendship Bridge over the Moei River, has been closed since March 23, 2020, following an outbreak of Covid-19.

Thai and Myanmar authorities recently agreed to reopen the border checkpoint on Thursday for Myanmar nationals to enter Thailand without quarantine if they had got at least two shots of Covid-19 vaccine.

However, many residents waiting for increased business following reopening of the checkpoint voiced disappointment after learning that it remained shuttered.

Local business owners said that they have been waiting for the checkpoint to reopen, as that would bring more customers and income to the local economy.

Published : May 05, 2022

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https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40015272

Former Democrat Party deputy leader Prinn Panitchpakdi was on Thursday released on bail and slapped with a travel ban after he reported to police to face another charge of allegedly molesting a minor.

The court approved the bail for Prinn after demanding assets worth Bt200,000 as a guarantee.

The Criminal Court made the decision in a teleconference with Huai Khwang Police Station at 2.50pm after Prinn reported at the police station at 8.50am. Police investigators made the teleconference call to the court to seek Prinn’s temporary detention pending more investigation in the case.

Police investigators had earlier summoned Prinn to hear charges at the station on Thursday. He was charged with taking a minor from her parents and committing sexual misconduct on a person under the age of 18.

According to the victim’s allegations, Prinn molested her while they were riding a chauffeur-driven van to a subway station in 2019. He allegedly talked to her in English to avoid eavesdropping by the chauffer and asked her about her sex life and allegedly tried to molest her.

Prinn went straight to meet the team of investigators in charge of the case without speaking to reporters.

After he was released on bail, Prinn left the police station without talking to the media.

Earlier, Prinn faced charges in three other cases at Lumpini Police Station. The court granted him bail but slapped a travel ban on him.

Prinn has also been charged in Chiang Mai and has been released on bail.

The number of cases against him was still confusing. On April 28, Pol Maj-General Trairong Phiewphan, deputy commissioner of the Metropolitan Police Bureau, said 15 women have filed complaints against him but some of the cases could not be pursued as their statute of limitations had expired.

Investigators at Lumpini Police Station said they were gathering evidence to summon Prinn to face charges.

On Thursday morning, Trairong came to Huai Khwang Police Station to interrogate Prinn.

Trairong said the suspect has the right to file complaints against the accusers and police will gather evidence of both sides and send investigation reports to public prosecutors to decide on whether to arraign them in court.

He said police have so far not received any evidence that would indicate the cases were an attempt to discredit the Democrat Party as some Democrats reportedly claimed.

The deputy Metropolitan Police chief said the five cases being investigated by the Lumpini Police Station cannot be clubbed together into one case because the alleged incidents happened in different places and at different times.

Published : May 05, 2022

By : THE NATION

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https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40015269

Thailand has both strong and weak points in universal health and preparedness, World Health Organisation (WHO) representative in Thailand Dr Jos Vandelaer said on Thursday.

His remark came during an announcement of the Universal Health and Preparedness Review (UHPR) result. The review was conducted between April 21 and 29.

Vandelaer said Thailand has five strong points:

• Support from senior officials who are responsible for implementing policies

• A strong public health system, with more than four decades of investment in universal health coverage and primary care

• Cooperation among various sectors such as the government, private, public and education.

• Process to encourage the participation of citizens

• Digital technologies, innovations and research.

However, he said Thailand faces six challenges:

• Multiple data integration

• Treatment for vulnerable people, such as labourers, people living in slums and the internally displaced

• Preparedness in urban areas and primary care

• Fatigue from coping with the pandemic and citizens’ negligence.

• Innovation development

• Infectious waste management

Vandelaer advised Thailand to:

• Increase investment in digital technologies and innovations

• Develop a multidisciplinary workforce and implement effective strategies to prepare for the next pandemic

• Focus on health promotion among vulnerable people without discrimination

• Enhance self-reliance on vaccines, drugs, test kits and medical supplies

• Develop more strategies and data integration

• Expand cooperation among related sectors to deal with issues such as infectious waste management

• Study best practices and lessons from global pandemic responses.

Vandelaer pointed out that the fundamental principles that enabled countries to effectively tackle emergency situations on public health were a commitment by political leaders and participation by various sectors, as well as the three frameworks of responsibility – universal health, emergency preparedness and citizens’ health.

Meanwhile, Public Health Minister Anutin Charnvirakul said both Thailand and WHO experts found that the country had good, flexible and concrete universal health and preparedness.

“WHO experts praised Thailand for its policies and measures that take care of its citizens amid the Covid-19 crisis, including treatment and the country’s vaccination drive,” Anutin said.

He added that WHO asked Thailand to share its experience on UHPR during the World Health Assembly in the latter part of May in a bid to improve public health systems.

Published : May 05, 2022

By : THE NATION

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40015266

The National Energy Technology Centre (ENTEC) on Thursday signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the National Science and Technology Development Agency (NSTDA), the Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand (Egat), The Stallions Co Ltd, and Dongguan Tailing Electric Vehicle Co Ltd (TAILG) of China to study electric motorcycles among bike taxi riders in Thailand.

The cooperation is a part of the United Nations’ development project called “Integrating Electric 2 & 3 Wheelers into Existing Urban Transport Modes in Developing and Transitions Countries”, which has been implemented in six countries — the Philippines, Vietnam, Ethiopia, Kenya, Uganda and Thailand.

ENTEC director Sumittra Charojrochkul has said that the programme in phase 1 studied the possibility of incorporating electric vehicles into the existing motorcycle and tricycle taxi system in line with the government’s target to become a net zero emissions society by 2050.

“In the second [current] phase, we will select 50 motorcycle taxi riders to use electric motorcycles “Engy” manufactured by The Stallions in the pilot area where Egat has set up battery-swapping stations and related facilities,” she said. “All participants will receive training on using and maintaining electric vehicles as well as how to safely use the battery-swapping station.”

ENTEC and NSTDA will collect the data on electric motorcycle usage of 50 candidates for one year and then analyse the energy that they have saved, the emissions that have been reduced as well as the challenges to design a suitable model policy to promote the use of electric vehicles among taxi riders throughout Thailand.

Sumittra added that Egat has finished installing 11 battery-swapping stations in Bang Kruai district of Nonthaburi province, using lithium nickel manganese cobalt oxide-type battery that can be easily swapped to support all-day continuous usage.


“We believe that in the future, the battery-swapping station will be a viable business that attracts investors and manufacturers, as the station has been designed to accommodate batteries of various brands,” she added.

Published : May 05, 2022

By : THE NATION

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https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40015264

Natural Resources and Environment Minister Varawut Silpa-archa is pushing for collaboration with Netflix in promoting Thailand’s soft power.

He offered the US-based subscription streaming service and production company his ministry’s help in producing content relating to Thailand’s national parks, which he expected would enhance the country’s positive image and boost its post-Covid economy.

The chief executive of Netflix is scheduled to meet Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha in June to discuss the matter, according to Varawut.

He said Netflix Thailand executives met him and representatives from other state agencies recently to discuss potential content for the streaming service, as well as its marketing plan.

“The Natural Resources and Environment Ministry is ready to cooperate to create content for promoting the soft power, image and good perception of Thailand,” Varawut said.

“The ministry oversees 155 national parks, both on land and sea. We are ready to work with different organisations in creating a good image [about Thailand]. Netflix is a big window that can show Thailand to the world,” he pointed out.

As an example, the minister cited a Netflix documentary series on national parks in the United States hosted by former president Barack Obama.

“That’s the kind of soft power Thailand has the potential to portray,” he said.

Varawut said his ministry sought suggestions from Netflix regarding its strengths and weaknesses on the matter.

“We will adapt future work with related companies to make their production in Thailand more convenient.”

Varawut also said his ministry focused on Netflix because it was influential on social media, as many of its audience actually visited the locations featured in dramas and documentaries streamed on the platform.

Published : May 05, 2022

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https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40015260

The story of a Facebook user, Faikham BW, meeting a black panther at Kaeng Krachan National Park has gone viral among netizens since Wednesday.

The Facebook post received more than 24,000 likes and 11,000 shares as of Thursday.

The user said she found a black panther drinking water inside a basin on her way to the Phanoen Thung mountain. 
Kaeng Krachan National Park is located between Phetchaburi and Prachuap Khiri Khan provinces, covering an area of 2,914 kilometres. It is the largest national park in Thailand.

She admitted that she was shocked by the sight. She said that she locked the car and turned off its engine to ensure the black panther would not get scared.

“Suddenly, it [black panther] got close to my car with its fierce eyes,” she said, “After making sure that my car did not pose a threat, the black panther laid down on the ground and rolled around on its back like a cat.”

She added that the black panther returned to the forest when another car arrived at the scene.

“When I arrived at the Phanoen Thung mountain, a national park official told me that I was lucky to have seen a black panther because they don’t show up easily,” she added.

She also asked people who plan to go to national parks to drive their vehicles slowly, so that wild animals living there are safe.

Published : May 05, 2022

By : THE NATION