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https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40013358

The Thailand Meteorological Department announced on Sunday that in the next 7 days (March 13-19) Thailand will experience hot weather, thunderstorms, gusty winds and hails in some areas.

“During March 13-15, the low-pressure cell covers upper Thailand while the weak southerly and the southeasterly winds prevail over the lower North, the lower Northeast, the Central and the East. Hot weather and haze during the day will occur over the country with isolated thundershowers,” said the department. “The easterly wind prevailing over the South and the Gulf of Thailand will strengthen, while the low-pressure cell over the lower South China Sea will move through Malaysia and the lower Andaman Sea, causing more rains in the Southern region.” 

The department added that during March 16-19, the weak high-pressure system from China will extend to the upper Vietnam and the South China Sea, causing the southerly and the southeasterly winds to bring humidity from the South China Sea to the lower North, the Northeast, the Central including Bangkok and its vicinity and the East. Hot weather is forecast over the upper country, while thunderstorm with gusty wind and hails are likely in upper Thailand.
 

The department warned that from Wednesday to Saturday, people over upper Thailand should beware of severe conditions by keeping off outdoor places, big trees and unsecured billboards. Farmers should prepare for crop damage.

The weather forecast in the next 7 days are as follows:

North: (during March 13-14, 18-19) Hot to very hot weather with haze during the day and thundershowers in 10 per cent of the areas; temperature lows of 23-26 degrees and highs of 36-40 degrees Celsius. 

(During March 15-17) Thundershowers in 10-30 per cent of the areas with gusty winds and hails in some areas; temperature lows of 21-25 degrees and highs of 34-38 degrees Celsius.

Northeast: (during March 13-15, 19) Hot weather with haze during the day and thundershowers in 10 per cent of the areas; temperature lows of 23-26 degrees and highs of 34-38 degrees Celsius. 

(During March 16-18) Hot weather with haze during the day and thundershowers in 20-40 per cent of the areas with gusty winds and hails in some areas; temperature lows of 22-26 degrees and highs of 32-36 degrees Celsius.

Central: (during March 13-15, 19) Hot weather with haze during the day and thundershowers in 10 per cent of the areas; temperature lows of 24-27 degrees and highs of 35-39 degrees Celsius. 

(During March 16-18) Hot weather with haze during the day and thundershowers in 20-40 per cent of the areas with gusty winds; temperature lows of 23-26 degrees and highs of 34-38 degrees Celsius.
 

East: (during March 13-15) Hot weather with haze during the day and thundershowers in 10 per cent of the areas; temperature lows of 24-27 degrees and highs of 33-37 degrees Celsius. 

(During March 16-19) Hot weather with haze during the day and thundershowers in 20-40 per cent of the areas with gusty winds; temperature lows of 23-26 degrees and highs of 31-36 degrees Celsius.

Waves less than a meter high and over 1 meter high during thundershowers.

South (east coast): Thundershowers in 40-60 per cent of the areas during March 13-15, 19 and thundershowers in 10-30 per cent of the areas during March 16-18; temperature lows of 22-26 degrees, highs of 29-35 degrees Celsius; waves a meter high and 1-2 meters high during thundershowers.

South (west coast): Thundershowers in 40-60 per cent of the areas during March 13-15, 19 and thundershowers in 10-30 per cent of the areas during March 16-18; temperature lows of 23-26 degrees, highs of 31-36 degrees Celsius; waves a meter high and 1-2 meters high during thundershowers.

Bangkok and surrounding areas: (during March 13-15) Hot weather with haze during the day and thundershowers in 10 per cent of the areas; temperature lows of 26-28 degrees and highs of 35-38 degrees Celsius. 

(During March 16-19) Hot weather with haze during the day and thundershowers in 20-40 per cent of the areas with gusty winds; temperature lows of 25-27 degrees and highs of 34-37 degrees Celsius.

Source: Thailand Meteorological Department

Published : March 14, 2022

By : THE NATION

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https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40013356

Prime Minister Gen Prayut Chan-o-cha will fly on the first commercial flight from Bangkok’s Don Mueang Airport to Betong Airport in Yala province today (Monday) to inaugurate the airport’s commercial operations, Government House announced on Sunday.

Prayut and Cabinet members will depart from Don Mueang on Nok Air’s DD6260 flight at 10am and touch down at Betong Airport in Yala’s Yarom subdistrict at around noon to preside over the opening ceremony.

The PM will also visit different areas of the airport, including the zone that hosts Yala’s OTOP showcase.

Prayut will also hand out survival bags to Yala locals who have been affected by recent floods, as well as discuss the current situation in Yala with community representatives.

At 4.45pm, the PM and Cabinet members will return to Don Mueang Airport.

Nok Air will fly from Don Mueang to Betong three times a week on Monday, Wednesday and Friday, using ATR-72 and Q-400, which have a capacity of 70-80 passengers.

Related News

Betong Airport set to open for commercial flights on March 14

Yala’s Betong Airport to start servicing flights from April

Yala’s Betong district is ready to welcome tourists

Published : March 14, 2022

By : THE NATION

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https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40013355

Ministry of Public Health reported on Monday (March 14) morning that in the past 24 hours there are 22,130 new patients who tested positive for Covid-19, 27 of whom have arrived in Thailand from abroad.

Death toll increased by 69, while 23,508 patients were cured and allowed to leave hospitals.

Cumulative cases in the country since January 1, 2022 are at 983,520.
 

Published : March 14, 2022

By : THE NATION

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https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40013348

Speculators have been snapping up huge tracts of land in three districts of Ranong province along the potential route of the Chumphon-Ranong deep-sea port link and this is causing severe problems for local people, a Ranong resident said on Sunday.

The complaints were echoed by Somchai Hasachak, chief of a self-learning centre and tourism promotion group in Ranong’s Kapoe district.

Somchai said the large-scale buying up of land was causing hardship for locals because the new landowners were putting up fences that blocked entrances to villages and access to natural water resources such as ponds and lakes.

He added that once the government announced it was building a land bridge linking the deep-sea ports in Chumphon and Ranong, speculators have been buying up land from villagers along the expected route through the districts of Suk Samran, Kapoe and Muang.

Somchai said as soon as the investors bought up plots, some as large as 5,000 rai, they walled them off. He said these walls blocked villagers from accessing local water sources as they usually took these routes to go fishing. He added that routes leading to tourist sites were also blocked.

“Local people are now in serious trouble, so I’m sending complaints on their behalf to various government agencies, including village, tambon and district chiefs,” Somchai said.

Earlier, the subcommittee pushing for the implementation of the Southern Economic Corridor said it preferred the 91-kilometre route starting from Riew Cape in Chumphon’s Lang Suan district to Ao Ang Bay in tambon Ratchakrud in Ranong’s Muang district.

The subcommittee has also proposed building a deep-sea port in Ao Ang.

Published : March 13, 2022

By : THE NATION

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https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40013347

The US Embassy has commended Thailand for joining the UN vote to condemn Russia’s invasion of Ukraine while also rejecting rumours that its Chiang Mai branch will be used as a missile base.

“We commend Thailand for joining the overwhelming majority of countries that voted at the UN to demand that Russia immediately cease its use of force in Ukraine,” US Chargé d’ Affaires and acting Ambassador Michael Heath told Thai media on Thursday.

Thailand joined 141 countries in supporting the resolution to condemn Russia during an emergency meeting of the UN General Assembly at UN headquarters in New York on March 2.

Heath condemned the conflict as “Putin’s war of aggression”.

“Ukraine posed no threat to Russia, and Putin alone bears responsibility for the senseless violence and invasion of sovereignty,” he said, adding that the US will continue to seek a diplomatic and peaceful resolution to the war.

Heath also dismissed rumours that the US was building a bunker under its new consulate in Chiang Mai to store missiles and spy equipment targeted at China.

“America has had a consulate in Chiang Mai for 72 years and we are proud to be the oldest foreign consulate in northern Thailand. For 72 years, the consulate has been on the site of a beautiful old house that was never designed to be an office so we are excited about finally moving into a new modern office building,” he said, explaining why the consulate was moved.

“Like all US diplomatic facilities worldwide, the new consulate office building must meet high physical security requirements and is designed to meet modern environmental standards. This new building will also better enable us to provide services to the people of the region and the tens of thousands of American nationals who call northern Thailand home.”

He said the US government needed a consulate in Chiang Mai because about 17,000 Americans live in the northern city.

He said the old consulate may be turned into a learning centre or library.

Published : March 13, 2022

Though government agencies say they have settled more than 90 per cent of public complaints during the 2021 fiscal year, Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha wants more efficiency in public services.

Government spokesman Thanakorn Wangboonkongchana said on Sunday that 95,000 or 93.44 per cent of 101,691 public complaints received in 2021 had been resolved.

He added that the rest of the cases are being deliberated upon by concerned agencies.

The top five government agencies with the most complaints are:

• Finance Ministry (8,017)

• Royal Thai Police (4,901)

• Public Health Ministry (4,812)

• Labour Ministry (4,655)

• Transport Ministry (1,258)

The Government Savings Bank topped the list of state firms that received the most or 566 public complaints.

The top five administrative agencies that received the highest number of complaints are:

• Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (7,301)

• Nonthaburi (1,403)

• Samut Prakan (1,216)

• Pathum Thani (1,044)

• Chonburi (939)

The top 10 issues that the public had problems with last year are:

• Public health services, especially Covid-19 treatment

• Government projects, such as remedies for people affected by the Covid-19 crisis

• Rising cost of living

• Pollution, such as noise pollution from entertainment venues

• Telephone services

• Power outage

• Political incidents, including demonstrations

• Problems with water utilities

• Gambling dens

• Nuisance from road construction and road projects

The spokesman added that the prime minister also wanted government agencies to disseminate correct information to the public to counter fake news that may spark public dissatisfaction.

Published : March 13, 2022

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https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40013345

Security in the southern province of Yala was tightened on Sunday after alleged insurgents began hanging banners and defacing roads in some areas demanding the independence of “Patani state”.

The banners were apparently put up to mark the 62nd anniversary of Barisan Revolusi Nasional (BRN), once an active umbrella group of insurgent cells in the deep South.

Banners reading “Free Patani. Patani is not Siam” were found in several spots in Yala. Malay-Muslim insurgents have been calling the provinces of Pattani, Yala, Narathiwat and four districts of Songkhla the “Patani” state and have been demanding independence from Thailand.

The latest act of insurgency comes after a bomb attack in Yala’s Bannang Sata district on March 10 injured 10 rangers and civilians.

Yala police chief Pol Maj-General Tinnakorn Rungmat ordered police to join forces with troops and Interior Ministry officials to step up security after catching sight of the banners. on

Security has also been tightened in preparation for Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha’s visit, who will arrive on the first flight to land at Betong International Airport in Yala on Monday.

Banners and spray-painted signs were found at several locations in Yala’s Muang and Bannang Sata districts on Sunday morning. For instance, a banner calling for independence was seen in front of a rock-grinding mill in Muang district’s tambon Lidol, and another large sign demanding the liberation of “Patani’ was found at the construction site of Yala’s city gate.

Meanwhile, Highway No 410 in Bannang Sata sported spray-painted signs saying the Patani United Liberation Organisation was responsible for violent attacks in the deep South.

In response, the police, military and Interior Ministry officials set up checkpoints on many roads in the two districts.

The Yala police chief ordered police to be on full alert at major checkpoints on the four main roads leading to downtown Yala.

The Patani Kingdom was invaded by Siam in 1786 and eventually completely absorbed by the country in 1902.

Published : March 13, 2022

By : THE NATION

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https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40013344

Economic sanctions will be imposed on the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (Apec) trade bloc if the Russia-Ukraine conflict continues, the Royal Thai Armed Forces Security Centre said on Sunday.

It said Russia recently blacklisted eight Apec members, namely the US, Canada, Australia, Japan, South Korea, Singapore, Taiwan and New Zealand.

Thailand is chairing Apec this year but the Foreign Ministry insists the war will not disrupt October’s meeting of the 21-member bloc.

Apec consists of the US, Russia, China, Japan, Australia, Canada, South Korea, Hong Kong, New Zealand, Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, Philippines, Thailand, Taiwan, Chile, Mexico, Papua New Guinea, Peru and Vietnam.

“If the Russia-Ukraine conflict continues, economic sanctions on Apec will emerge,” the centre said.

It added that Thailand, which is hosting Apec forums this year, will be under pressure if the US and its partners boycott the forums.

Meanwhile, the centre said it had compiled a list of terrorist groups that have conflicts with Apec members and is focusing on the Asean region and lone-wolf terrorists.

It added that officials in the three Southern border provinces were keeping an eye on locals who had travelled to countries at risk of terrorism as the US had sent Islamist prisoners from Afghanistan back to their homelands last year.

“Currently, no movements are being detected among terrorist groups,” the centre said, adding that the 21 Apec members have not flagged up any special concerns ahead of this year’s meetings.

The centre said security, venues and intelligence for the October-November Apec meeting were in place as the country’s reputation would be at stake.

Published : March 13, 2022

By : THE NATION

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40013343

A recent opinion survey found that most Thais are concerned about the fallout of the Russia-Ukraine war and are worried that the cost of living, which is already high, will rise further.

The survey, conducted by Suan Dusit University, involved 1,143 people nationwide from March 7 to 10.

According to the survey, 52.04 per cent of the respondents said they were somewhat interested in the ongoing war, 30.71 per cent were very interested, 13.04 per cent were relatively uninterested while 3.85 were not at all interested.

When asked how they have been monitoring news about the war, 84.89 per cent said they followed it via social media, and 59.04 per cent said they watched TV reports. Respondents were allowed to choose more than one answer to this question.

Asked if they were concerned about the war, 53.81 per cent said they were somewhat concerned, 21.34 per cent were very concerned, 19.95 per cent rather unconcerned and 4.9 per cent were not at all concerned.

In response to the question asking them to list the negative impacts of the war on Thailand, 88.32 per cent cited rising oil prices, 63.39 per cent cited the rising cost of living, while 51.19 per cent were concerned about rising gold prices. Respondents were allowed to choose more than one answer to this question.

When asked what they wanted the Thai government to do, 75.4 per cent said the government should come up with measures to cope with the war fallout, 66.78 per cent said the government should help people affected by the war, while 56.33 per cent said the government should remain neutral.

As for their thoughts on the ongoing conflict, up to 57.46 per cent said the leaders of Russia and Ukraine should hold another round of negotiations to end the war, while 53.9 per cent said they should come to a compromise for the sake of the people and 52.69 per cent said they should find a peaceful solution.

When asked if they backed Thailand’s decision to sign a UN resolution demanding that Russia pull out of Ukraine, 56.59 per cent said they wanted the war to end as soon as possible, while 51.46 per cent said Thailand did the right thing for the sake of humanity. Respondents were given more than one option to this question.

Published : March 13, 2022

By : THE NATION

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https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40013341

Buoyed by the fact that five hospitals under the Public Health Ministry’s jurisdiction were included in Newsweek’s list of 30 best hospitals in Thailand, the ministry’s permanent secretary said the ranking was evidence that services provided by state hospitals was of top quality.

“The evaluation and ranking of these hospitals shows that hospitals under the Public Health Ministry have the potential to provide top medical services both in the eyes of medical experts, doctors and the people,” said Kiattiphum Wongrajit, permanent secretary for the ministry.

“The Public Health Ministry will continue improving its medical and public health services to allow the people to receive convenient, fast and quality services.”

The Newsweek recently released its World’s Best Hospitals 2002 ranking, which lists the best hospitals in 27 countries, including US, Germany, Japan, South Korea, France, Thailand and Singapore.

According to the magazine, a total of 2,200 hospitals in 27 countries are ranked in their own countries and 150 of them are selected as the world’s best 150 hospitals.

Privately-owned Bumrungrad International Hospital was ranked No 1 in the Thailand list and is the only Thai hospital to make it to the 150 best in the world list, coming in at number 146.

The five hospitals under the ministry’s jurisdiction included in the list of 30 best hospitals in Thailand are:

• Rajavithi Hospital: 75.04% (No 11)

• Khon Kaen Hospital: 74.25% (No 24)

• Buddhachinnaraj Phitsanulok Hospital: 74.19% (No 25)

• Songkhla Hospital: 74.09% (No 28)

• Hat Yai Hospital: 74.03% (No 29)

Several other public hospitals in Thailand are also on the list of top 30 hospitals in Thailand but they do not come under the Public Health Ministry. Most are university hospitals, while one belongs to the Royal Thai Army – the Phramongkutklao Hospital which scored 74.26 per cent and was ranked 23.

The university hospitals that were added to the list include:

• Siriraj Piyamaharajkarun Hospital: 90.24% (No 2)

• Ramathibodi Hospital: 82.83% (No 4)

• King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital: 82.64% (No 7)

• Maharaj Nakhon Chiang Mai Hospital: 75.03% (No 12)

• Vajira Hospital: 74.85% (No 17)

• Srinagarind Hospital: 74.58% (No 20)

• Songklanagarind Hospital: 74.29% (No 22)

• Chakri Naruebodindra Medical Institute: 74.14% (No 27)

Apart from Bamrungrad, the other private hospitals that made it to the top 30 in Thailand were Bangkok Hospital at number 3 and Samitivej Sukhumvit Hospital at number 5.

Newsweek said the best hospitals lists are based on three data sources:

• Over 80,000 medical experts, including doctors, hospital directors and healthcare professionals, in 27 countries were invited to participate in an online survey. They were asked to recommend the best hospitals in their countries and in other countries.

• Publicly available data from surveys on patient experiences.

• Key performance indicators (KPIs) of hospitals, like data on quality of treatment and hygiene measures.

The full list is available at https://www.newsweek.com/worlds-best-hospitals-2022/thailand.

Published : March 13, 2022

By : THE NATION