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https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40013445

Covid-19 patients who develop moderate or severe symptoms can receive free treatment under the UCEP Plus scheme from Wednesday, Public Health Ministry permanent secretary Dr Kiattiphum Wongrajit announced on Tuesday.

He said these patients can receive free treatment at government or private hospitals nationwide, while those with mild symptoms will be given free treatment depending on their rights, such as home isolation or outpatient care.

“Under outpatient care, physicians will prescribe Favipiravir, Fah Talai Jone or antipyretic, cough syrup or decongestant, according to the severity of the patients’ symptoms,” he explained.

Kiattiphum said the ministry is considering allowing Covid-19 patients to stay in hospital for seven days and observe their symptoms at home for three days instead of spending ten full days in hospital.

This would enable hospitals to provide effective treatment to patients and improve their quality of life, he said.

“The ministry is also considering whether to choose Molnupiravir over Favipiravir as Thailand can procure Molnupiravir from China and India at a reasonable price similar to Favipiravir,” he said, adding that Paxlovid would be delivered to the country soon.

According to the Department of Health Service Support, Covid-19 patients can be classified into three groups based on their symptoms:

• Mild symptoms: patients who have body temperature of 37.5 degrees Celsius or above, lose their sense of taste and smell, have a cough, runny nose, sore throat, eye infection, rash and diarrhoea. Some of them may develop asymptomatic symptoms.

• Moderate symptoms: patients who have chest tightness, breathing difficulty, lung inflammation, diarrhoea (with more than three toilet trips a day), drowsiness and loss of appetite. Children, the elderly aged 60 or above, people with chronic diseases, pregnant women and people weighing over 90kg are in this group.

• Severe symptoms: patients who have asthma, impaired speech, chest pain, severe lung inflammation, shock, are in a coma, body temperature over 39 degrees Celsius for more than 24 hours and an oxygen saturation level below 94 per cent.

Published : March 16, 2022

By : THE NATION

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40013443

The Marine Department on Tuesday organised a market-sounding seminar for the development of a terminal for large cruise ships at Koh Samui, Surat Thani province.

The seminar was held at Pullman Bangkok King Power Hotel.

“The project will be a public-private partnership [PPP] to build a cruise terminal at Hin Khom Cape in Koh Samui’s Taling Ngam subdistrict,” said Wanchai Butrthongdee, the department’s chief of engineering.

“We have conducted a feasibility study and concluded that the area has economic potential and is ready where engineering and the environment are concerned.”

Wanchai said investment for the ambitious project will be under the PPP net cost format, in which the government will cover land expropriation and construction fees, while its private partners will be responsible for equipment, operation and maintenance of the terminal for a good 30 years.

“If revenue from the terminal is lower than expected, the government will offer a co-investment subsidy to its private partners,” he said. “On the other hand, if the revenue is higher than expected, private partners must share part of their earnings with the government in the form of concession fees.”

The Samui cruise terminal will be able to accommodate two large cruise ships (carrying up to 4,000 passengers) simultaneously, which are equivalent to 80 yachts or six ferries. The terminal is expected to be 362 metres wide and 12 metres deep. The passenger terminal should be able to accommodate up to 3,600 passengers per hour.

In 2019, before the Covid-19 pandemic struck, cruise ships had docked at Thailand’s coasts 550 times, 59 of which were at Samui, making it the third biggest cruise ship docking port in Thailand following Phuket and Laem Chabang.

From 2010 to 2019, the number of tourists entering Thailand via cruise ships increased 5.3 per cent per year.

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Published : March 16, 2022

By : THE NATION

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40013440

Muay Thai star Buakaw Banchamek imparted martial arts training to American soldiers participating in the Hanuman Guardian 2022 military exercise.

On Monday, Buakaw was selected as a special instructor to teach American and Thai soldiers Muay Thai. He was selected because he has taught the art in many countries.

Buakaw provided the soldiers with both theoretical and practical training, including warm-up exercises before fights, punching, kicking, striking with the knee, sparring, and also “wai kru”, a Thai ritual in which students pay respects to teachers.

Hanuman Guardian has been held annually for the past eleven years.

It is being held this year at the 31st Infantry Regiment garrison in Lopburi, having commenced on February 11 and ending on March 24.

Buakaw is currently practising while he is a member of the board of directors of the KickBoxing Association. His Buakaw Village will be used as a training camp for Thai kickboxers who will compete at the Southeast Asian Games in Hanoi, Vietnam, from May 12 to 23.

Published : March 16, 2022

By : THE NATION

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40013439

Commerce Minister Jurin Laksanawisit said on Tuesday that he has not approved any price increase of basic consumer products despite some manufacturers filing an appeal to raise prices due to increasing costs from the impact of the Russia-Ukraine war.

The Commerce Ministry stipulated that manufacturers of 18 consumer products and services cannot raise prices without approval from the Department of Internal Trade. They are: instant noodles, eggs and meats, canned foods, bagged rice, seasoning sauces, vegetable oils, carbonated drinks, milk and dairy products, electrical appliances, cleaning products, fertilisers, insecticides, animal feed, iron, cement, paper, drugs and medical equipment, and services of wholesale and retail shops.

“Manufacturers of chemical fertilisers, animal feed, canned foods and construction materials have asked the department to adjust prices upward due to increasing costs of raw materials imported from overseas,” said Jurin.

“The ministry will consider their request on a case-by-case basis to ensure fairness for every party and maintain market stability. The ministry is also working on measures to help reduce people’s cost of living, which should be announced soon,” he said.

Commerce permanent secretary Boonyarit Kalayanamit said the ministry was looking into the rising prices of wheat and corn for animal feed, which Thailand imports from Ukraine, one of the world’s major producers.

“In the end we may have to allow animal feed manufacturers to raise product prices to prevent a shortage of feed, as manufacturers are likely to halt production if raw material costs become too high,” he said.

“However, we will try to limit the price rise at a suitable level so that it does not create too heavy a financial burden on farmers,” he added.

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Published : March 16, 2022

By : THE NATION

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40013438

Foreigners living in Thailand gathered outside the Russian Embassy in Bangkok’s Bang Rak district on Tuesday, urging Russia to end its invasion of Ukraine.

The protest came as Russian Ambassador Evgeny Tomikhin held a press conference at the embassy on the situation between Russia and Ukraine and the relationship between Moscow and Bangkok.

He confirmed the Thai-Russian relationship was still strong despite Thailand voting in the UN against Moscow over the conflict.

Regarding the war, the ambassador reiterated that Russia “had long tried to end this conflict in Ukraine – for the past eight years – in Donetsk and Luhansk, and even last year Moscow proposed measures for security and stability there, but failed to succeed as it was ignored by Western countries, the US and NATO”.

Russian Ambassador Evgeny Tomikhin

Tomikhin defended his country’s military operation in Ukraine, strongly insisting that civilian infrastructure such as schools or residential buildings were “never targeted”.

Published : March 16, 2022

By : THE NATION

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40013437

The Thai-Russian relationship is still strong despite Thailand voting in the UN against Moscow over the Ukraine conflict, Russian Ambassador Evegeny Tomikhin said at a press conference on Tuesday.

“Peaceful security” and “stability” have been part of Moscow’s solution to the Donetsk and Luhansk issues for the past eight years before this escalated into a war in Ukraine, he said.

“Russia respects and appreciates the Royal Thai government’s position regarding the Russia-Ukraine situation and, diplomatically, Russia does not interfere in domestic affairs,” Tomikhin said.

The ambassador stressed on “important” long-term Thai-Russia relations, especially in times of crisis, and noted that Thailand was ready to hear Moscow’s position on the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war despite being pressured by western governments not to do so.

On the domestic level, he said, Thailand has “amazingly assisted” stranded Russian tourists and provided security for the embassy.

Regarding the war, the ambassador reiterated that Russia “had long tried to end this conflict in Ukraine – for the past eight years – in Donetsk and Luhansk, and even last year Moscow proposed measures for security and stability there, but failed to succeed as it was ignored by Western countries, the US and NATO.

Tomikhin also defended his country’s military operation in Ukraine, strongly insisting that civilian infrastructure such as schools or residential buildings were “never targeted”.

The priority, he stated, was to “demilitarise” only the military structure in Ukraine.
Regarding a humanitarian corridor, which Ukraine accused Moscow of not honouring, the ambassador guaranteed that the Russian army would allow people from surrounding cities in Ukraine to evacuate to safety each day from 10am. But he blamed Ukraine’s armed forces for “not allowing the people to leave the cities” and holding them “hostage against Russia’s army”.

Tomikhin went on to compare the current situation with what took place in Donetsk and Luhansk eight years ago. He claimed “innocent children and women who were residing in the area were killed by the Ukrainian armed forces and the situation was largely ignored by Western media”.

When asked to define the terms of Russia’s so-called “special military operation” versus “war”, the ambassador compared the “operation” to the war in Afghanistan that has been “going on for the past 20 years”.

He reiterated Moscow’s stance on its objective to “demilitarise” the Ukrainian military infrastructure, saying Russia wants to feel secure and safe at its border”.

The press briefing, which saw high attendance by the Thai media, was shut to Western media. The Russian Embassy reasoned that this was due to “limited space” and to “prevent Covid-19 infections”, so it could only accommodate Thai media.

Published : March 16, 2022

By : THE NATION

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40013436

The Cabinet approved the extension of work permits for Cambodians, Laotians and people from Myanmar for two more years, Government spokesperson Thanakorn Wangboonkongchana said on Tuesday.

They need to have worked in Thailand for more than four years.

Thanakorn said the Cabinet signed a memorandum of understanding on labour cooperation under an employment agreement.

It will allow Cambodians, Laotians and people from Myanmar who have worked in Thailand for more than four years to apply for a work permit extension of up to two years.

The approval aims at solving the problem of travel for foreign workers in the present Covid-19 situation. It will also respond to demand for foreign workers so the business and economic sectors can move forward, he pointed out.

The Cabinet also approved an Interior Ministry draft regulation which will allow these workers to be able to stay in Thailand for six more months to apply for work permits.

Under the MoU, there are 54,236 workers from Myanmar, 26,840 from Cambodia and 25,504 from Laos.

Published : March 16, 2022

By : THE NATION

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40013435

The Public Health Ministry will allow people to return to their hometowns during the Songkran festival this year as most citizens have been vaccinated, Public Health Minister Anutin Charnvirakul said on Tuesday.

He said Thailand would also vaccinate as many elderly as possible, including people with chronic diseases.

“Hence, the Public Health Ministry is willing to allow people to reunite with their families in their hometowns during the Songkran festival this year as most of them have been vaccinated,” he said.

“However, to ensure their safety, family members should take the elderly and bedridden patients for a Covid-19 jab to boost their immunity,” he advised.

Anutin also said the ministry had distributed vaccines to subdistrict hospitals and set up teams to administer vaccines at homes while monitoring symptoms after vaccinations.

The health minister asked people to refrain from dining outdoors with others, gathering or holding parties at least a week before travelling to their hometowns.

Anutin said it would be safer if all family members received Covid-19 booster jabs, so they could celebrate the festival happily.

“However, we cannot let people conduct activities freely as in Western countries as they would be at risk of infection,” he said.

Anutin went on to say that Covid-19 patients who develop moderate or severe symptoms can receive free treatment under the UCEP Plus scheme from Tuesday.

He said patients with mild symptoms can receive free treatment under home isolation or outpatient care.

“We believe these schemes will enable hospitals to have beds available for patients in need,” he added.

Published : March 16, 2022

By : THE NATION

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40013431

Prime Minister General Prayut Chan-o-cha has ordered relevant agencies to draw up measures to help reduce people’s cost of living amid increasing energy prices due to the Russia-Ukraine war, government spokesman Thanakorn Wangboonkongchana said on Tuesday.

“The government will announce short- and long-term measures soon,” he added.

On Tuesday afternoon, the PM met with representatives from the Energy, Finance, Labour, Commerce, Agriculture and Cooperatives ministries, as well as the Bank of Thailand, the Fiscal Policy Office and the National Economic and Social Development Council to discuss suitable measures to help people affected by the energy price crisis, especially low-income earners and labourers.

“PM Prayut insisted that aid measures should prioritise people who have been affected the most, while using a limited budget to the fullest and for minimal impact on taxpayers,” said Thanakorn.

“Short-term measures will aim to reduce the financial burden immediately, while long-term measures will focus on promoting sustainable economic expansion.”

A news source from Government House said measures were expected to be announced as early as Wednesday afternoon.

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Published : March 16, 2022

By : THE NATION

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40013425

Ministry of Public Health reported on Wednesday (March 16) morning that in the past 24 hours there are 23,945 new patients who tested positive for Covid-19, 48 of whom have arrived in Thailand from abroad.

Death toll increased by 70, while 23,339 patients were cured and allowed to leave hospitals.

Cumulative cases in the country since January 1, 2022 are at 1,027,207.
 

Published : March 16, 2022

By : THE NATION