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https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40014297

The Federation of Thai Industries (FTI) has called on the government to drop all requirements for travellers to Thailand in order to help boost the country’s economic recovery.

FTI chairman Supant Mongkolsuthree on Thursday suggested scrapping the “Test & Go” programme for people entering Thailand.

Also, necessary public health measures should be in place so that Covid-19 could be relegated to an endemic from a pandemic, which he said could restore confidence in foreign tourists as well as Thai citizens.

An FTI survey showed that the industrial confidence index stood at 89.2 in March, compared to 86.7 a month ago.

“This is the highest increase in 25 months, since March 2020,” Supant said.

He added that the higher confidence among industry operators resulted from the relaxed Covid control measures in Thailand and elsewhere, which led to economic recovery and increased demand.

The FTI chief said that the outlook is even brighter as the Covid-19 situation is improving substantially and vaccinations have covered most of the population.

“Domestic demand is going up and Thailand’s exports are expanding, in line with the global trend,” he added.

Published : April 07, 2022

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40014296

The first shipment of 6 million pills of the antiviral Covid-19 medicine Molnupiravir will arrive this month, the Government Pharmaceutical Organisation (GPO) said on Thursday.

The GPO has placed an order for 20 million pills.

GPO director Dr Withoon Danwiboon said the rest of the order would be gradually shipped to Thailand.

The medicine is developed by Merck and Ridgeback Biotherapeutics.Studies showed it could be used to treat patients infected with the Omicron strain, who do not have severe symptoms.

Withoon said the GPO is still studying the medicine’s bioequivalence in a first step to make the drug in the country. He said the GPO expects to get permission to make the medicine within this year.

He said Molnupiravir has the same price as Favipiravir, but Molnupiravir cannot be used to treat patients who are younger than 18.

He said once the GPO is capable of making Molnupiravir, its price will go down.

Published : April 07, 2022

By : THE NATION

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40014293

Twenty-eight Thais have made it to the Forbes billionaires list for 2022.

“The World’s Billionaires” comprises people with an estimated net worth of over US$1 billion, the American business magazine said.
 

The richest 28 Thais in the Forbes list are:

1. Dhanin Chearavanont of Charoen Pokphand Group (CP Group) — net worth $13.5 billion; ranked 137th in the world

2. Charoen Sirivadhanabhakdi of Thai Beverage — net worth $12 billion; 156

3. Sarath Ratanavadi of Gulf Energy Development — net worth $11.8 billion; 161

4. Sumet Jiaravanon of Charoen Pokphand Group (CP Group) — net worth $5.3 billion; 509

5. Jaran Chiaravanont of Charoen Pokphand Group (CP Group) — net worth $5.2 billion; 523

6. Montri Jiaravanont of Charoen Pokphand Group (CP Group) — net worth $5.1 billion; 536

7. Somphote Ahunai of Energy Absolute — net worth $4 billion; 728

8. Prasert Prasarttong-Osoth of Bangkok Dusit Medical Services — net worth $3.4 billion; 883

9. Vanich Chaiyawan of Thai Life — net worth $3.2 billion; 951

10. Chuchat Petaumpai & Daonapa Petampai of Muangthai Leasing — net worth $2.5 billion; 1,238

11. Prayudh Mahagitsiri — net worth $2.3 billion; 1,341

12. Harald Link — net worth $2.1 billion; 1,445

13. Thaksin Shinawatra — net worth $2 billion; 1,513

14. Wichai Thongtang — net worth $2 billion; 1,513

15. Keeree Kanjanapas — net worth $1.9 billion; 1,579

16. Krit Ratanarak — net worth $1.8 billion; 1,645

17. Manas Chiaravanond — net worth $1.7 billion; 1,729

18. Phongthep Chiaravanont — net worth $1.7 billion; 1,729

19. William Heinecke — net worth $1.7 billion; 1,729

20. Vonnarat Tangkaravakoon — net worth $1.7 billion; 1,729

21. Sathien Setthasit — net worth $1.6 billion; 1,818

22. Niti Osathanugrah — net worth $1.5 billion; 1,929

23. Prachak Tangkaravakoon — net worth $1.4 billion; 2,076

24. Anant Asavabhokin — net worth $1.3 billion; 2,190

25. Chatchai Kaewbootta — net worth $1.2 billion; 2,324

26. Thongma Vijitpongpun — net worth $1.2 billion; 2,324

27. Surin Upatkoon — net worth $1.1 billion; 2,448

28. Pongsak Viddayakorn — net worth $1.1 billion; 2,448

The rankings of the top three Thai billionaires remains the same but their net worth has changed from the previous year.

Dhanin Chearavanont’s net worth in 2021 was $18.1 billion and he was 103rd on the world billionares list.

Charoen Sirivadhanabhakdi’s net worth in 2021 was $13.5 billion, while Sarath Ratanavadi’s net worth crossed $10 billion for the first time this year — his net worth was $8.9 billion in 2021.

Meanwhile, Tesla founder and CEO Elon Musk is the richest person in the world with a net worth of $219 billion, ahead of Amazon’s executive chairman Jeff Bezos.

Forbes said it found 2,668 billionaires, down from a record 2,755 last year. Collectively, the billionaires accounted for net worth of $12.7 trillion, a fall from $13.1 trillion in 2021.

Published : April 07, 2022

By : THE NATION

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40014291

The Saen Saeb canal boat services will be halted during the long Songkran holidays, as the operator expects fewer commuters.

Chavalit Metyaprapas, managing director of Family Transport (2002) Co Ltd, said the company will halt its boat services from Wat Sri Boonruang to Phan Fah Bridge from April 13 to 17 for five days. The services will resume on April 18.

The company said it was halting the service because there will be not many commuters, based on past experience, as Bangkokians were expected to leave the capital to return home or visit tourist destinations in other provinces.

Chavalit said the business situation of the company remained stable with about 10,000 commuters using the services each day. The number had not returned to the pre-Covid levels as many people are still wary of the Omicron variant and many still work from home, he said.

The managing director said the boats were crowded during the rush hours from 5.30am to 9am and from 4pm to 8pm.

Published : April 07, 2022

By : THE NATION

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40014289

Thai farmers’ expenditure on fertilisers is expected to go up by two to three times this year due to the sharp rise in global prices because of the Russia-Ukraine war, and the restrictions on exports by the two countries, an academic said on Thursday.

Spending on imported fertilisers this year is expected to soar to THB200 billion to THB300 billion, Att Pisalwanit, director of Thai Chamber of Commerce University’s Centre for International Trade Studies, said.

The centre estimated that Thai farmers would have to spend more than THB100 billion higher than the cost in 2015 when they spent about Bt110 billion.

Experts said prices in the global fertiliser markets have shot up after both Russia and Ukraine restricted exports to reserve for domestic use since the middle of last year. The war in March aggravated the situation when Russia banned exports of fertilisers and precursor chemicals to 48 countries that joined the international boycott against Moscow.

China has also lowered the volume of exports of fertilisers, as a result the prices of urea fertiliser and di-ammonia phosphate have risen from $400 per tonne and $500 per tonne respectively to $1,200 and $1,300, a spike of about 160-200 per cent.

Att said the situation is hurting farmers badly as the cost of fertilisers constitute 15 per cent of overall expenses of farmers.

Att said the prices of fertilisers in Thailand have increased by over 100 per cent. For example, the prices of nitrogen-based fertilisers increased from THB12,000-15,000 per tonne in 2020 to about THB30,000-35,000 per tonne this year. The price of phosphate-based fertiliser increased from THB20,000 per tonne to about THB38,000 per tonne this year and potassium-based fertilisers rose from THB9,000 per tonne last year to THB32,000 this year.

The five crops that would be affected the most by rising prices would be rice with an estimated increase in cost of THB69 billion, sugarcane with an increase in cost of THB44 billion, oil palms with an increase in cost ofTHB6 billion, rubber trees with an increase in cost of THB29,000, and corn with an increase in cost of THB18 billion.

The academic said the government should support the setting up of chemical fertiliser plants in the country by using raw material from natural gas.

Att said the Northeast of Thailand also has potash that could be used for making fertilisers.

The academic advised farmers to use less fertiliser and turn to use organic fertilisers.

The research arm of Bank of Ayutthaya predicted that the use of fertilisers would increase by 2.5 per cent to about 5.6-5.8 million tonnes per year until 2024.

Meanwhile, Plengsak Praphaphesat, president of the Thai Fertiliser and Agricultural Supplies Association, on Thursday called on the Internal Trade Department to speed up consideration of requests of fertiliser traders to increase prices.

He said the department should also allow the traders to import more fertilisers to make sure that there would be no shortage because of rising demands.

A fertiliser trader, who asked not to be named, said he hoped the situation would improve soon because Russia has announced increase in exports of its fertilisers after several countries agreed to pay in roubles.

Published : April 07, 2022

By : THE NATION

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40014286

Highway officials have been told to ensure that traffic signs, lighting and related equipment function properly to prepare for a massive surge in motorists travelling to their hometowns during the Songkran holidays from April 13 to 17.

Sarawut Songwilai, director-general of the Department of Highways, said on Thursday that “From April 11 to 17, highway police will establish checkpoints at 201 locations on highways nationwide to enforce traffic discipline and provide roadside assistance to motorists.”

“Meanwhile, the department will make sure that all 581 highway district offices nationwide offer clean bathrooms for passing motorists, strictly following Covid-19 preventive measures, while officials will be on standby to provide information regarding routes and traffic conditions, as well as free hand sanitiser.”

All 75 weight stations and truck stops under the department will also be open 24/7 during the Songkran holidays to make sure that no truck uses road shoulders as parking space, which can potentially cause traffic congestion.

On March 29, the Cabinet showed the green light to a proposal by the Ministry of Transport to waive toll fee on Motorway No. 7 (Bangkok – Chonburi – Pattaya) and Motorway No. 9 (Bang Pa-in – Bang Phli and Phra Pra Daeng – Bang Khun Tian) during the seven days of the Songkran Festival. Motorists can drive past any checkpoints on both motorways free of charge from midnight of April 12 until midnight of April 18.

The Department of Highways will also waive toll fee on Motorway No. 6 (Bang Pa-in – Nakhon Ratchasima) from Pak Chong checkpoint to Sikhiu checkpoint, totaling 35.75km from April 11 to 17. The section will open only for one-way traffic to facilitate the smooth flow of vehicles.

From April 11 to 14, it will open for traffic heading to Nakhon Ratchasima province, and from April 15 to 18, it will be accessible to motorists travelling to Bang Pa-in.

Published : April 07, 2022

By : THE NATION

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40014285

Around 700 drugstores nationwide have joined a National Health Security Office programme to treat asymptomatic and mild Covid-19 patients as outpatients under self-isolation, the NHSO chief said on Thursday.

NHSO secretary-general Jadet Thammathat-Aree said more than 700 drugstores have joined the programme to use the AMED Telehealth app to register and provide services. Some 440 have registered as primary care units for outpatients in the “green” category under the self-isolation programme.

He said public hospitals have been overwhelmed with outpatient cases, so the NHSO has teamed up with the Pharmacy Council to use drugstores as a new channel for taking care of green Covid patients.

Jadet said each drugstore will be given Bt700 per Covid-19 patient and the cost covers:

– Medical advice for patients “to behave” during self-isolation;

– Cost of green chiretta herb capsules and basic drugs for treating symptoms, and other medicines doctors may prescribe, as well as the delivery cost;

– Service fee for providing advice on medicine use and for monitoring the patient’s condition for 48 hours;

– The cost for coordinating patient transfer when their condition deteriorates and they need hospitalisation.

Jadet also said the drugstores would be given Bt150 more if a patient’s condition deteriorates and there’s a need for more advice or more medicine after the 48-hour period.

Pharmacy Council vice president Preecha Phanwej said the number of asymptomatic and mildly symptomatic Covid-19 patients has increased substantially, so there could be bottlenecks if they need to receive treatment at hospitals.

Preecha said Covid patients who can seek help from registered drugstores must not belong to vulnerable groups, are over 60 years old, have one of eight comorbidities or who are pregnant.

Green Covid-19 patients can check the list of registered drugstores near their homes from the NHSO website and call the store or scan its QR code to use its service.

Registered drugstores will also sport the signs “community pharmacy service” and “network of voluntary pharmacists via telehealth”, Preecha said.

The drugstores can cater only to universal healthcare card holders, government officials and local administration employees, he said.

If the Social Security Office wants to join the programme, it can discuss the issue with the council, he added.

Published : April 07, 2022

By : THE NATION

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40014284

The Consumer Protection Police Division (CPPD) and the Department of Health Service Support arrested Thanakorn (last name withheld), a fake surgeon, at a clinic in Bangkok’s Wang Thonglang district on Thursday.

The arrest came after several people asked the CPPD to investigate the clinic, which they say also advertised its services online.

The police found that Thanakorn had provided surgery to eight celebrities without a medical licence.

The suspect pleaded guilty, saying his licence from abroad was actually a fake one.

The police charged Thanakorn with allegedly inputting fake data into a computer system and conducting surgery without a medical licence. Investigation officers are preparing legal action against him.

Published : April 07, 2022

By : THE NATION

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40014282

The Nakhon Ratchasima Highway Office announced on Thursday that it would open three checkpoints on Motorway No 6 that runs from Bang Pa-in district in Ayutthaya to Kham Thale So district in Nakhon Ratchasima (Korat) on April 11, in time for Songkran, when more motorists are expected to use the highway to travel to their hometowns in the Northeast.

The first two checkpoints are located at Km65 on Mittraphap Road in Korat’s Pakchong district and at the intersection with Highway No 201 in Sikhiu district, both of which had been closed for maintenance.

The third checkpoint is located in Kham Thale So district and will be open for the first time this Songkran to allow motorists to use the brand new 64km-long last section of the motorway that leads to central Korat.

The three checkpoints will open only for one-way traffic to facilitate the smooth flow of vehicles.

From April 11 to 14, they will open for traffic heading to Korat, and from April 15 to 18, they will be accessible to motorists travelling to Bang Pa-in.

Nakhon Ratchasima Highway Office chief Chitphol Lao-An said he estimated the opening of the three checkpoints would help reduce traffic congestion on Mittraphap Road by 25 per cent, or approximately 25,000 vehicles per day, and therefore make Songkran travel a bit more convenient.

Published : April 07, 2022

By : THE NATION

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40014280

The Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration (CCSA) will meet on Friday to discuss measures for containing Covid-19 during Songkran celebrations, the government spokesman said.

Thanakorn Wangboonkongchana said the CCSA would discuss measures to be enforced when a lot of people travel home for Songkran and return to their workplaces after the holiday.

The CCSA will also discuss measures to check the spread at venues holding Songkran celebrations in each province, he said.

Thanakorn quoted Prayut as saying that if people comply with all the Covid preventative measures, the government will be able to cope with the situation after the Songkran holidays, although the number of infections is still expected to rise.

The prime minister also warned Songkran travellers to strictly comply with universal Covid-19 preventive measures a week before travelling home. This includes taking rapid antigen tests to avoid infecting the elderly at their homes.

Travellers are also reminded to continue wearing face masks before and during home visits and during Songkran celebrations, Thanakorn said.

The National Health Security Office has increased the number of its Hotline 1330 lines to 3,000 to allow infected people in vulnerable groups to seek urgent hospitalisation, he added.

There were 26,081 confirmed Covid-19 infections in the past 24 hours, the Public Health Ministry reported on Thursday.

Published : April 07, 2022

By : THE NATION