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https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40014060

Three Vietnamese fishing boats were captured by the Thai Naval Area 2 off Songkhla province for raking sea cumbers in Thai territorial waters.

Naval Area 2 deputy commander Rear Admiral Phichit Srirungruang said 15 Vietnamese nationals were arrested on Thursday from the three boats after the naval base was alerted at 7.30am about the boats infiltrating Thai territorial waters.

The three fishing boats were seized near the Songkhla navigation floating light by the HTMS Klongyai ship, Phichit said.

The first boat was captured about 64 nautical miles from the floating light and five men were arrested. The second boat was seized 58 nautical miles from the floating light and six people arrested and the third was seized at 57.7 nautical miles and four people arrested.

Phichit said the three boats were found to be illegally raking for sea cucumbers.

The Vietnamese reportedly said that they had travelled from Ca Mau in southern Vietnam and had been raking the sea bed for sea cucumbers for five days before they were arrested.

The three fishing boats were taken to the Songkhla Naval Base port at 7.30am on Friday and the 15 fishing crew members were tested for Covid-19 before pressing charges against them.

Phichit said he had personally gone to the port to direct the operation.

He said the 15 Vietnamese were charged with using unregistered boats to fish illegally in Thai territorial waters without fishing licences. The boat skippers were charged with directing fishing without skippers’ licences. The 15 were also slapped with the additional charge of being immigrants working in Thailand without a work permit.

Phichit said the latest arrests were the sixth in fiscal year 2022 and nine foreign illegal fishing boats had been seized along with 42 crew members.

Published : April 01, 2022

By : THE NATION

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https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40014057

A top virologist has acknowledged that vaccines would not eradicate Covid-19, saying people must instead learn to live with the virus just as they do with influenza.

Back in 2020, everyone was hoping that vaccines would end a pandemic that was killing up to 5 per cent of those infected, Dr Yong Poovorawan said on Friday.

However, those hopes proved to be too optimistic, especially with the emergence of new vaccine-blunting variants.

“After the Covid-19 vaccines were rolled out in 2021, we found that like influenza jabs they do not offer 100 per cent protection as they cannot eliminate the viral spread,” Dr Yong wrote on Facebook.

“Meanwhile, the efficiency of each vaccine altered depending on each virus variant.”

He pointed out that people can be infected with Covid-19 even after receiving their third or fourth jabs or gaining natural immunity via a previous infection.

Despite an apparent drop in the severity of the disease, Covid-19 was still spreading rapidly, he added.

Thailand recorded 23,379 new cases and 92 fatalities on Friday. However, the fatality rate has dropped from 1-2 per cent to 0.1-0.2 per cent, with most deaths occurring among the vulnerable group – the elderly, and people with chronic diseases who have not been fully vaccinated.

“Fully vaccinated people can be infected and spread the virus but are likely to develop only mild symptoms,” he said. “Children are likely to develop milder symptoms, except those with chronic conditions.”

He added that pregnant women who get jabbed will provide their babies with immunity against the virus for the first month of life.

People must now coexist with Covid-19 and accept the virus as just another respiratory disease, Yong said. Vaccine passports, disease investigation and timelines would soon be a thing of the past.

“We should focus on vulnerable people, such as the elderly, children up to the age of two and people with chronic diseases or low immunity, as Covid-19 presents similar dangers to this group similar as influenza,” he said.

Reopening the country is necessary, he added, pointing out that tourists account for just 50 to 60 new cases per day in Thailand compared to 50,000 to 60,000 domestic cases.

He added that visitors should be screened methods via rapid antigen tests (ATKs) only.

Thailand scrapped mandatory pre-arrival RT-PCR tests for tourists on Friday (April) but they must still take an RT-PCR test on arrival.

“When Covid-19 vaccines cannot protect people from infection, medicines will become necessary, so we are developing effective medications to protect people, especially the vulnerable,” Yong said.

He also hoped that children would be able to return to school next semester.

Published : April 01, 2022

By : THE NATION

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https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40014056

Police have retrieved undersea pipes belonging to Star Petroleum Refining Plc (SPRC) as they investigate one of Thailand’s worst environmental disasters in decades.

The pipes were lifted from the SPRC single-point mooring off Rayong province on Thursday and transported to Map Ta Phut Port by investigators from the Centre for Deforestation, Natural Resource and Environmental Crime Suppression.

The SPRC pipes first sprang a leak on January 26, spilling tens of thousands of litres of oil into the sea. The oil slick blackened several kilometres of Rayong’s Mae Ramphueng Beach and severely damaged local fisheries. More oil gushed from the pipe later when SPRC workers tried to move it.

Deputy national police chief Roy Ingkhaphairot said on Thursday that work to remove the leaky pipe started at 8pm on Wednesday. Police officials and SPRC technicians removed the E1, E2 and E3 pipe sections that linked the SPM to the rest of the pipeline, using a crane to load them on three boats.

The pipes reached port at 7am were stored at a temporary warehouse ahead of transportation to the Thailand National Metal and Materials Technology Centre for inspection.

Roy said the salvage operation was slightly delayed due to stronger-than-expected undersea currents.

Published : April 01, 2022

By : THE NATION

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40014053

The annual three-month fishing ban was imposed today off Phuket, Phang Nga, Krabi and Trang on the Andaman coast. Net fishing will be prohibited in the areas until June 30 to allow stocks to recover.

The ban covers an area of 4,696 square kilometres spanning Cape Panwa in Phuket province to Laem Yong Star in Trang province.

The Department of Fisheries said the three-month ban on using mesh nets was put in place to protect the Andaman spawning season. The spawning season peaks in June with an average density of 5,161 fish per 1,000 cubic metres of water.

Statistics show that previous bans have been successful, with the annual catch in the Andaman steadily increasing from 207,236 tonnes in 2017 to 388,022 tonnes in 2021, said Chalermchai Suwanrak, deputy director-general of the Fisheries Department. “Mackerel, which is an economic stock of the Andaman Sea, has seen a significant rise in annual catches, from 3,602 tonnes in 2017 to 12,267 tonnes in 2021,” he said.

The closed fisheries would be patrolled by a fleet of six Fisheries Department boats. Any fishing boats caught defying the ban would face arrest and a fine of 50,000 baht or five times the value of their catch, whichever was higher, said Chalermchai.

“We will also release 620,000 fish fry to help repopulate the Andaman Sea,” he added.

Published : April 01, 2022

By : THE NATION

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https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40014051

Travel between provinces is permitted during the Songkran holiday but at-risk people should take a rapid antigen test (ATK) before travelling, the government has announced.

The Centre for Covid-19 Administration Situation (CCSA) announcement was signed by Prime Minister Gen Prayut Chan-o-cha and published in the Royal Gazette on Thursday. It added that people in at-risk groups – especially elders and those with chronic health problems – should be fully vaccinated against Covid-19 including a booster shot to prevent infection during family reunions.

The CCSA also allowed Songkran activities to go ahead at areas designated by provincial public health offices. Activities permitted include pouring water on Buddha images and elders, cultural performances, music shows and processions.

All events must meet Covid Free Setting standards, including mandatory face masks, screening and a limit on the participants (one per 4 square metres). Sale or consumption of alcohol will be banned in activity areas.

Splashing of water in public places outside areas designated by provincial authorities is also prohibited. Face-powder daubing and foam parties are banned altogether during Songkran.

Organisers of activities who do not follow the rules could face legal action, the CCSA warned. The announcement comes into effect from today (April 1).

Related News

Travel allowed but no water-splashing parties this Songkran

New measures announced to curb Omicron outbreak in tourist provinces

CCSA announces order to re-divide Covid zones

Published : April 01, 2022

By : THE NATION

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40014050

Female leaders from 60 countries will meet in Thailand at the world’s top business and economic forum for women in June. 

The 32nd “2022 Global Summit of Women” (GSW) will showcase how women can take a leading role in economic recovery from Covid-19, summit president Irene Nativida told a press conference at Bangkok’s Iconsiam on Thursday.    

The summit will be held at the Bangkok Convention Centre, Centara Grand, on June 23-25 and is expected to generate 80 million baht for Thailand.

Speaking on the theme “Women: Creating Opportunities in the New Reality” will be leaders of governments and multinational companies from Asia, Europe, Africa and the Americas.

The event was originally due to be hosted by Thailand in 2020 but was postponed due to the pandemic.

Irene Nativida

GSW president Irene Nativida said female leadership would be a platform to promote equality and create new opportunities after the pandemic. The summit was a chance to meet face to face for the first time after two years of Covid, to exchange experiences and inspire women in business in the post-pandemic era, she added.

Former tourism minister Kobkarn Wattanavrangkul said the summit will generate confidence in the Thai economy, attracting investment. She also highlighted the summit’s carbon-neutral format – a growing trend in the Kingdom’s MICE (meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions) industry.

Thailand’s MICE industry was worth almost 7 billion baht in 2019 before Covid-19 disrupted global travel.

For more on the summit and to register, visit: https://globewomen.org/globa/summit/

Published : April 01, 2022

By : THE NATION

Ministry of Public Health reported on Friday (April 1) morning that in the past 24 hours there are 28,379 new patients who tested positive for Covid-19, 62 of whom have arrived in Thailand from abroad.

Death toll increased by 92, while 23,843 patients were cured and allowed to leave hospitals.

Cumulative cases in the country since January 1, 2022 are at 1,433,291.
 

Published : April 01, 2022

By : THE NATION

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40014039

To combat the spread of the Omicron variant, the Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration (CCSA) has announced new measures for “pilot tourism provinces”.

The new measures were announced in the Royal Gazette on Thursday.

From April 1, those entering Thailand through the “pilot tourism provinces”, including Krabi, Phuket, Phang-nga, and Surat Thani (only the islands of Tao, Phangan, and Samui), can travel within those provinces after testing negative for Covid-19 in their first RT-PCR test on arrival in Thailand.

However, the travellers are not allowed to change their hotels or other lodgings at more than three places if isolation is required. The accommodations must be certified by authorities and located in the pilot tourism zone, according to the Royal Gazette.

The CCSA came up with the measures amidst rising concern over a huge increase in new Omicron cases across the country.

Earlier, the CCSA decided to cancel the requirement for pre-departure RT-PCR tests for international arrivals under the Test & Go scheme, effective from April 1.

However, they must take the test upon arrival and self-administer an antigen test on the fifth day of their stay in Thailand.

The move was part of the relaxation of Covid-19 preventive measures in a bid to revive the country’s vital tourism sector.

Published : March 31, 2022

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https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40014038

A police raid on a fruit middleman’s warehouse in Chanthaburi province found that almost one in five durians stored there was unripe, a senior official of the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives said on Thursday.

Police found 73 unripe durians weighing over 200 kilograms, representing 17 per cent of the fruit stored there, according to Rapibhat Chandarasrivongs, director-general of the Department of Agriculture.

All the unripe durians were confiscated and taken to the province’s Khlung district police station for further legal action.

He said the warehouse owner would face legal action under the Penal Code and the Consumer Protection Act.

Also, the growers could see their good agricultural practices (GAP) certificate confiscated, and the export permit of the middleman could be revoked by the Department of Agriculture.

The ministry has warned durian growers, harvesters and middlemen that it is against the law to sell the fruit when it is not fully ripe — a practice that is threatening the reputation of Thailand’s “king of fruit” in the export market, particular in China, where durian is very popular.

According to the Penal Code, any seller who deceives the buyer about the origin, nature, quality or quantity of goods will be jailed for up to three years and/or fined a maximum of THB60,000.

The Consumer Protection Act also prohibits sellers from providing false information about the source, condition, quality or essence of goods or services. If found guilty, the violator faces a jail term of up to six months and/or a fine of no more than THB100,000. Under this law, repeat offenders will face twice the penalty.

Published : March 31, 2022

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40014032

The Agriculture and Cooperatives Ministry will help boost sales of locally grown durian and mangosteen through its online media campaign, a senior official disclosed on Thursday.

Chantanon Wannakejohn, secretary general of the ministry’s Office of Agricultural Economics, said the campaign would include holding live promotion events through the Lazada online shopping platform.

In this way, consumers can buy durian and mangosteen directly from growers at reasonable prices, he said, adding that the ministry guarantees the quality of the fruits offered for sale.

Agriculture and Cooperatives Minister Chalermchai Sri-on will hold a press conference on the matter in April, along with the ministry’s private sector partners, Chantanon said.

He added that the live-sale events would sprout in May and continue until June, when durian and mangosteen are expected to flood the market.

The online marketplace campaign is part of the ministry’s efforts to increase sales channels for farm products, both offline and online, in order to stimulate domestic consumption.

Since 2020, the ministry has worked with Lazada in holding a campaign titled “Turning farmers into professional online vendors”, according to Chantanon.

He said Thailand Post and Kerry Express have become the ministry’s logistics allies in delivering fruits from growers.

Representatives from the ministry’s relevant agencies, Lazada, Thailand Post, Kerry Express and the Federation of Thai Industries (FTI) took part in an online meeting on Wednesday to discuss plans for this year’s campaign.

The ministry will be responsible for selecting agricultural cooperatives, community enterprises and co-farming groups with quality durians and mangosteens, Chantanon said.

He said the FTI is responsible for distributing the products to relevant industrial groups while Thailand Post and Kerry will offer delivery services at special rates throughout the campaign period.

“Durian is the king of Thai fruits while mangosteen is the queen. Both are delicious and they should be consumed together for a healthy body balance,” he added.

Published : March 31, 2022