#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40013032

The Public Health Ministry has instructed state hospitals in 14 provinces around the capital to treat Covid-19 patients from Bangkok having mild symptoms.

Dr Kiartiphum Wongrachit, permanent secretary at the Public Health Ministry, said the ministry had decided to expand treatments to hospitals in 14 provinces around the capital to help Covid-19 patients who could not contact the 1330 hotline, or who had to wait too long for treatment at hospitals in Bangkok.

Kiartiphum said the hospitals in the 14 provinces are under the Disease Control Department and Mental Health Department. The hospitals will treat people diagnosed with mild Covid-19 symptoms by administering either Thai herbs or Favipiravir anti-viral drug and other medicines depending on their condition and send them home to recover under the “diagnosed, medicine administered, and done” policy of the Public Health Ministry.

The 14 provinces are Pathum Thani, Nonthaburi, Ayutthaya, Nakhon Nayok, Saraburi, Angthong, Lop Buri, Samut Prakan, Samut Songkram, Samut Sakhon, Suphan Buri, Nakhon Pathom, Chonburi and Chachoengsao.

Starting this month, the Public Health Ministry has changed its policy to treat Covid-19 patients with “green”, or mild, conditions as outpatients.

Kiartiphum said Covid-19 patients from Bangkok do not have to worry about expenses for seeking treatments at hospitals outside the medical facilities where they are entitled to free treatment. The Public Health Ministry has consulted all the healthcare funds to provide free treatments to all Covid-19 patients under the OPD treatment policy, Kiartiphum added.

He said the hospitals in the 14 provinces had started taking care of Covid-19 patients from Bangkok beginning Friday and they would be able to treat about 18,650 patients a day.

The permanent secretary said he expected the patient overload in Bangkok to ease once the new policy was implemented for two weeks.

He added that it would be safe to allow patients to isolate and recover at home because the Omicron variant does not cause severe symptoms and only 0.5 per cent of patients who isolate at home risk developing more serious symptoms.

Dr Thongchai Kiratihatthayakorn, deputy permanent secretary for Public Health, said Bangkok residents who tested positive with antigen test kits must wear two layers of face masks and travel in their personal vehicles to a public hospital in one of the 14 provinces.

They must meet doctors in the Acute Respiratory Infection clinics of the hospitals for diagnosis, and they will be administered medicine depending on their symptoms.

The patients will then be sent home and the hospitals will remotely follow up on their condition within 48 hours, Thongchai added.

Published : March 04, 2022

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40013029

The Expressway Authority of Thailand (EXAT) will add its new barrier-free toll system, the Multi-Lane Free Flow or M-Flow, to three more checkpoints on the Chalong Rat Expressway (Ramindra-At Narong), a source said on Friday.

The system will be expanded to Sukhapiban 5-1, 5-2 and Jatuchote checkpoints by July this year.

“The M-Flow system is already installed at Sukhapibal 5-1 and 5-2 checkpoints, while work at the Jatuchote checkpoint is still underway but should be finished by next week,” the source said.

The new tolling system was first launched on February 15 at four checkpoints on Motorway No 9, namely Thap Chang 1, 2, and Thanyaburi 1 and 2.

To use the barrier-free M-Flow tolling system, motorists are first required to register at https://mflowthai.com/mflow or via the MFlowThai mobile application. When they drive through the M-Flow checkpoints, the AI-enabled tolling system will detect the licence plate of the vehicles and register the toll, which can be paid later via credit card, online banking or counter service.

EXAT believes this barrier-free system can allow the flow of up to 2,500 vehicles and greatly reduce congestion at toll booths.

However, the launch of M-Flow has been quite problematic, especially since many motorists have confused the M-Flow lanes with Easy Pass lanes, which is another barrier-free pre-paid toll collection system.

In response, the Transport Ministry has suspended the fine for wrong usage of the M-Flow lane to March 31. The fine was set at 10 times the toll fee.

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New auto toll system kicks in today on Motorway No 9

Transport minister orders suspension of M-Flow fines

Published : March 04, 2022

By : THE NATION

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40013026

The Agriculture and Cooperatives Ministry launched a “rainmaking” project on Thursday in a bid to ease the scarcity of water across the country.

The project was launched in a special ceremony presided over by Agriculture and Cooperatives Minister Chalermchai Sri-on at Nakhon Sawan Airport.

Samroeng Sangphuwong, director-general of the Department of Royal Rainmaking and Agricultural Aviation, said the aim of this nationwide operation is to help farmers and to water forests to prevent fires. He also said that the operation will help refill reservoirs and dams as well as solve dust pollution, especially the problem with PM2.5 fine particles.

The department has set up rainmaking units in 10 provinces in five regions, namely:

• Upper North: Chiang Mai and Tak
• Lower North: Phrae and Phitsanulok
• Central: Nakhon Sawan and Kanchanaburi
• Upper Northeast: Udon Thani
• Lower Northeast: Buri Ram
• East: Chanthaburi
• South: Prachuap Khiri Khan

The department is also setting up chemical refilling stations in Khon Kaen and Rayong.

Since February 15, the department has set up four units to monitor the situation and work towards easing the scarcity of water in some areas. It has also sent a helicopter to explore the possibility of forest fires in the North.

Published : March 04, 2022

By : THE NATION

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40013024

The United States has offered to help in renovating one of Thailand’s hidden architectural treasures, a wooden mansion that once belonged to the former ruler of Trang.

US Charge d’Affaires Michael Heath made the offer following his recent visit to the Phraya Ratsadanupradit Mahison Phakdi Museum in the southern province’s Kantang district. He said the US Ambassadors Fund for Cultural Preservation (AFCP) could be used to help renovate the mansion, which is more than a century old.

Heath said Kantang is a unique showcase of Chinese, Malay and Thai heritage as seen in the local food, shrines and residents, adding that he hoped to see the district bustling with tourists again after the Covid-19 crisis.

He said the US fund had already assisted 20 heritage projects in Thailand, including Lanna traditional houses in Chiang Mai, Phi Man Cave archaeological excavations in Mae Hong Son, and flood protection for Wat Chaiwatthanaram in Ayutthaya.

He added that the AFCP considers projects proposed by the government and private sectors every year.

Phraya Ratsadanupradit Mahison Phakdi has deteriorated after more than 100 years of exposure to tropical weather conditions, according to local reports.

The house is now owned and operated as a museum by the Trang ruler’s descendants, so is not eligible for government funding.

Phraya Ratsadanupradit (1857–1913) was a Thai-Chinese provincial administrator renowned for developing Trang’s agriculture and education system.

Published : March 04, 2022

By : THE NATION

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40013019

The government regulator has ordered insurance companies to honour claims for all Covid-19 inpatient treatment from March 1, when the disease was removed from the government Universal Coverage for Emergency Patients (UCEP) scheme.

The Office of the Insurance Commission (OIC) said claims must be honoured for treatment received at hospitals, hospitels and field hospitals.

However, the order does not cover treatment under the home and community isolation system.

The Thai Life Assurance Association and Thai General Insurance Association had been told to inform their members of the new order, OIC secretary-general Suthipol Taweechaikarn said.

Under UCEP, Covid patients received three days of free treatment at any facility – public or private – before being switched to hospital treatment under their state health insurance scheme. But after March 1, those who test positive for Covid-19 but do not require critical care have to pay their own medical bills if they choose to seek treatment at private hospitals. Non-critical patients can still receive free Covid-19 treatment under the home/community isolation system.

OIC said the order would solve the problem of some private hospitals refusing to treat Covid-19 patients as inpatients if their symptoms do not fit the criteria for insurance claims stipulated by the Thai Life Assurance Association.

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Published : March 04, 2022

By : THE NATION

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40013017

The construction of a shortcut road connecting Highway no.3097 to Nakhon Pathom Government Complex to solve traffic congestion is 74 per cent complete and expect to finish within this year, said Apirat Chaiwongnoi, director-general of the Department of Highways on Thursday.

“The project aims to build a shortcut leading to Nakhon Pathom Government Complex under the budget of 440 million baht,” he said. “Currently there is only one road leading to the government complex that has only two traffic lanes passing through the city. The widening of said road is restricted by surrounding commercial buildings.”

Apirat said that once complete, the shortcut road will greatly help reduce traffic congestion during rush hours and help facilitate people wanting to contact government agencies at the government complex.

The shortcut road is 3.217 kilometers long and starts from the intersection between highways no.3097 and no.375 and terminates at Nakhon Pathom Government Complex in Muang district. The project includes the construction of an asphalt road with 6-8 traffic lanes, four reinforced concrete bridges, a water draining system, lighting and traffic sign installations.

Related News

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Highways Dept rushes to fix snarls caused by new barrier-free M-Flow system

Transport minister orders suspension of M-Flow fines

Published : March 04, 2022

By : THE NATION

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40013011

Ministry of Public Health reported on Friday (March 4) morning that in the past 24 hours there are 23,834 new patients who tested positive for Covid-19, 146 of whom have arrived in Thailand from abroad.

Death toll increased by 54, while 19,351 patients were cured and allowed to leave hospitals.

Cumulative cases in the country since January 1, 2022 are at 758,561.
 

The country’s total caseload from Covid-19 stands at 2,981,996 – 2,731,029 of whom have recovered, 227,843 are still in hospitals and 23,124 have died.

Separately, another 71,198 people were given their first Covid-19 shot in the last 24 hours, 24,486 their second shot and 112,986 a booster, bringing the total number of Covid-19 vaccine doses administered nationwide to 124,396,024.

According to Worldometer, confirmed cases globally had risen to 442.41 million on Friday, 375.03 million of whom have recovered, 61.38 million are active cases (73,184 in severe condition) and 6 million have died (up by 7,567).

Thailand ranks 33rd in the global list of most cases, which is topped by the US with 80.84 million, followed by India with 42.95 million, Brazil with 28.91 million, France with 22.9 million and the UK with 19.07 million.

Published : March 04, 2022

By : THE NATION

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40013009

The Racha Thewa Tambon Administrative Organisation (TAO) in Samut Prakan province is once again in the eye of a storm over another controversial purchase.

The TAO on Thursday invited electronic bids for the procurement of 720 solar-powered street lamps, with the median price set at around 68.27 million baht, or 94,821 baht apiece.

The bidding specification requires that each of the street lamps must be topped with a sculpture of Kinnari, the mythical half-bird, half-woman.

The Anti-Corruption Organisation of Thailand (ACT) estimated that since 2013, the Racha Thewa TAO’s Kinnari lampposts have cost almost 1 billion baht.

On Thursday, the group reported on its Facebook page “Watchdog ACT” that the results of Racha Thewa TAO’s e-bidding for the new set of Kinnari lampposts would be unveiled on March 11.

“Again, they make another purchase. We must closely watch this new purchase project,” the Watchdog ACT wrote in its Facebook post.

Last year, the Racha Thewa TAO was accused of overpaying for the purchase of 6,773 solar-powered Kinnari poles — costing 642.6 million baht, or 94,884 baht each — between 2019 and 2021.

The controversial purchase came under the scrutiny of the National Anti-Corruption Commission although the Racha Thewa TAO’s executives denied any irregularities or deviation from regulations.

Only one company was involved in the procurement and installation of those decorative poles along the streets in many areas under the TAO’s jurisdiction.

Published : March 03, 2022

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40013007

Thailand’s exports to Myanmar through the southern Ranong province have seen an increase following the military conflict between Russia and Ukraine.

Nit Ouitekkeng, deputy chairman of the Ranong Chamber of Commerce, said on Thursday that border trade between the province and Myanmar’s Kawthoung town became more active as the Russia-Ukraine war threatened to have a global economic fallout.

More orders for consumer products and necessary goods came from the other side of the border, he said.

At Ranong’s border checkpoint, cargo container trucks formed a long line, waiting to cross into the western neighbouring country.

Ranong mainly supplies products from Thailand to the middle part of Myanmar.

Cement and construction materials have seen an increase in orders from Myanmar, in addition to consumer products, according to Nit.

He said there seemed to be a concern that besides Myanmar’s political violence and the Covid-19 pandemic, the latest conflict could lead to a shortage of goods.

Products from Thailand having high demand in Myanmar are: fuel and lubricants, steel pipes, cement, metal products, fishing nets, and energy drinks.

Published : March 03, 2022

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40013006

About 30 per cent of the Thai population — or over 20 million people — are suffering from obesity, and the problem is worsening in children and teenagers, an expert warned on Thursday.

Assistant Professor Dr Sanit Wichansawakun, a lecturer at the Clinical Nutrition Division of Thammasat University’s Faculty of Medicine, said that a nationwide survey between 2019 and 2020 had found that 42.2 per cent of Thais aged 15 and above are obese, while 39.4 per cent have a potbelly.

Bangkok has the highest percentage of people with obesity — 47 per cent — and as many as 65.3 per cent of women in the city were found to have a potbelly, she said.

“The problem raises the risk of non-communicable diseases [NCDs] like diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, heart diseases and cancer,” Sanit said at a panel discussion held at the Miracle Grand Convention Hotel.

The event was held as part of a campaign called “World Obesity Day: Everybody Needs to Act”.

The organisers were the Public Health Ministry’s Bureau of Non-Communicable Diseases, the Association of Thai NCD Alliance, the Royal College of Paediatricians, and the Thai Health Promotion Foundation.

World Obesity Day is observed globally on March 4.

Professor Dr Ladda Mo-suwan, an executive member of the Association of Thai NCD Alliance, said that obesity also affected a large group of Thai babies aged below five. In 1992, it was found that 9.2 per cent of infants in this age group were fat, up from 8.8 per cent a year earlier.

As many as 12.4 per cent of children aged 6-14 were obese last year, up from 11.7 per cent in 2018, she said.

The doctor warned that obesity in people at a young age would raise their risk of NCDs four times higher than those with no weight problem. She suggested reduced intakes of sweets and oily foods, as well as proper exercising.

Published : March 03, 2022