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https://www.nationthailand.com/blogs/in-focus/40012683

The Thailand Convention and Exhibition Bureau (TCEB) will this week organise the World Tea and Coffee Expo, the largest tea and coffee event in the North, to stimulate the integrated tea-coffee industry and aim to be a global tea-coffee trading hub.

Sakchai Kunanuwatchaidet, the deputy governor of Chiang Mai, said that the province has a tea-coffee strategy for 2018-22 according to government policy.

Chiang Mai is now a city with great potential to become the world’s most important coffee and tea city in terms of both the cultivation area and quality coffee beans, which is the source of the coffee industry. There are more than 1,000 coffee shops in Chiang Mai, including many businesses related to the coffee and tea industry, Sakchai said.

Dr Jutha Tarachai, director of the Northern Convention and Exhibition Bureau, said that northern Thailand is one of the best tea and coffee-growing regions in the country, which is recognised worldwide as a producer of premium coffee beans and fine tea leaves as demonstrated by many international tea and coffee awards.

“The 2nd World Tea & Coffee Expo: The 2nd Tea and Coffee International Symposium” will be held in a hybrid format in Chiang Mai from February 24-27 at the Empress Convention Centre, The Empress Chiang Mai Hotel.

Dr Jutha expects to have more than 1,000 participants and more than 10 million baht worth of transactions during the expo, which will directly benefit coffee and tea producers in the upper northern provinces, especially Chiang Mai, Lamphun, Lampang, Mae Hong Son, Chiang Rai, Phayao, Phrae and Nan.

Published : February 23, 2022

By : THE NATION

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/blogs/in-focus/40012682

The Thai Embassy in Warsaw, which also oversees Ukraine, has said it is making appropriate preparations to evacuate some 250 Thais living in Ukraine as and when necessary.

The embassy in Poland said it has set up a special Line group to communicate and prepare to move them either back to Thailand or travel to safe houses in Poland.

The embassy said it has been in regular communication with the Thai people in Ukraine, offering the timeline of its efforts.

On February 13, the embassy together with the Department of Consular Affairs, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, issued a warning to Thai people to avoid travelling to Ukraine unless necessary during this period due to tensions on Ukraine’s border and asked Thai people in Ukraine to closely monitor the situation.

Chettaphan Maksamphan, Thailand’s ambassador in Warsaw, and embassy staff travelled to the Ukrainian city of Lviv, a city in western Ukraine, around 70 kilometres from the border with Poland, from February 13-15. They explored and set up facilities to use the city of Lviv as a base for evacuating Thai people back to Thailand, the embassy said.

The team met with the manager of Lviv International Airport, discussing the route from Lviv to Warsaw and explored hotels, restaurants, Covid-19 testing centres, etc, the embassy said.

On February 22, the Department of Consular Affairs issued a notification warning Thai people about the tensions on Ukraine’s border, asking them to avoid travelling to Ukraine because the current tensions have widened to Donetsk and Luhansk.

On February 23, the embassy had long-distance meetings with representatives of Thai restaurant workers in various cities of Ukraine to inquire about their livelihood and listen to the problems or concerns of the Thai community in Ukraine.

Published : February 23, 2022

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40012680

The development of some Covid-19 vaccines in Thailand are progressing well and may be ready for the public later this year and next year, the Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration (CCSA) was informed on Wednesday.

CCSA spokesman Taweesilp Visanuyothin revealed information received by the centre in the development of four vaccines in the country.

The Chula-Cov19 vaccine, an mRNA vaccine, is being developed by Chulalongkorn University and it is undergoing second-phase tests on human subjects. The project received funding of Bt2.715 billion from the government.

Phase 1 tested 72 volunteers 18-75 years old. The vaccine successfully stimulated immunity.

In Phase 2, 120 volunteers were tested and it was found that the vaccine’s stimulation of immunity was 2.5 times higher than comparable double doses of other vaccines and natural immunity.

Phase 3 is expected to be done in August 2023

Among the advantages of this vaccine are:

– Can be produced fast

– Does not require a large facility for production

– More flexible for storage and administering

The vaccine is expected to be registered in 2022, with the goal of producing a million doses.

The HXP-GPOVac, is an inactivated vaccine, and is undergoing testing in the second phase. The Government Pharmacy Organisation (GPO) received Bt434.56 million from the government for its development.

In Phase 1, tests were conducted on 210 volunteers 18-59 years old. The vaccine was found to be safe and stimulated a good level of immunity.

Phase 2 tested 250 volunteers 18-75 years old. The vaccine was again found to be safe and stimulated a good level of immunity.

Phase 3 tests are expected in the third quarter of 2023.

Advantages of this vaccine:

– GPO factory facility is ready to make the vaccine without the need for reinvestment.

– The development is receiving support from Programme for Appropriate for Technology in Health

The vaccine is expected to be registered in the third quarter of 2023 and be ready for public use by the year-end. GPO expects to make 10 million to 20 million doses a year.

The Baiya SARS-CoV-2 Vax is a project that aims to develop Covid-19 vaccine from a protein subunit of tobacco leaves. It received a funding of Bt1.469 billion from the government.

Phase 1 tested 48 volunteers 18-60 years old. The vaccine was found to be safe but the level of immunity was not satisfactory. The researchers of Chulalongkorn University are now developing the second model to try to generate better immunity.

Once successful, it will be first plant-based vaccine in Asia.

It is expected to be registered in the third or fourth quarter of 2023 with a production capacity of 1 million to 5 million doses a month or up to 60 million doses a year.

The Covigen vaccine is a needle-free jet injection DNA vaccine project, which received funding of Bt650 million from the government.

It is still in the first and second phases of clinical tests in Thailand.

Once successful, it will be an alternative vaccine that requires no needle injection.

It is expected to be registered within 2023.

Published : February 23, 2022

By : THE NATION

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40012678

Star Petroleum Refining (SPRC) Plc and related agencies on Tuesday began operations to seal leakage in an undersea pipe in Rayong to prevent further impacts on the environment and communities nearby.

The operation was divided into three steps: injecting a sealant into the valves, sucking residual oil out, and wrapping the leaking parts of the damaged pipe under the supervision of foreign experts, the oil pipe manufacturer and related government agencies.

The operation was started by Royal Thai Navy’s divers and underwater drones were deployed from His Thai Majesty Ship (HTMS) Nong Sarai to survey the atmosphere under the single point mooring at a depth of 27-30 metres.

The operation will take 11 days, of which three days will be spent injecting the sealant into the valves. However, the work will also depend on the prevailing weather, waves and winds.

Meanwhile, Marine Department deputy director-general Phuriphat Teerakunphisut said the department and related agencies have deployed their vessels to monitor the operation to ensure that oil slicks will not be washed up.

Published : February 23, 2022

By : THE NATION

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40012675

The operators of restaurants and beach beds and local fishermen at the Mae Ramphueng Beach on Wednesday gave Star Petroleum Refining Plc 15 days to agree to pay them compensation for damages they had suffered from the company’s oil leak incidents.

Restaurant and beach bed operators from the Mae Ramphueng Beach and local fishermen held two separate meetings at Rayong Beach Hotel on Wednesday to draft their demand for compensation from the SPRC.

An undersea oil pipe of the SPRC has leaked three times – the first time on January 25, and twice this month – in the sea off the Map Ta Phut Industrial Estate in Rayong.

After the meeting of restaurant and beach bed operators, Prasert Sirimaha, head of the group of Mae Ramphueng restaurant operators, said the oil leaks had affected the beach and prompted the government to temporarily close the site to tourists. He said the closure and the oil leaks had affected the livelihood of local people in several professions.

Prasert said the group of restaurant operators on the Mae Ramphueng Beach in Tambon Tapong will wait 15 days for a response from the SPRC or the group would take further steps.

Prasert said the restaurant operators are demanding that the company pay each restaurant Bt350,000 for loss of revenue in January, February and March.

He said the operators of beach beds and swimming buoys are demanding a compensation of Bt2,000 a day for three months, a total of Bt180,000 to each operator.

The fishermen’s meeting was presided over by Rayong chief fishery officer Seree Ruanlar.

After the meeting, Seree said the local fishermen from 48 groups demanded a monthly compensation of Bt30,000 for a year for each group.

Seree said the demand would be submitted to the provincial committee mediating compensations to forward to the company.

Published : February 23, 2022

By : THE NATION

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40012674

The Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration (CCSA) on Wednesday approved a proposal to open schools for on-site education.

For boarding schools, low-risk low-contact students, teachers and personnel will be able to attend on-site study normally but should use the Thai Save Thai app.

High-risk close-contact students, teachers and personnel will have to carry out activities in a quarantine zone called the Sandbox Safety Zone for seven days and monitor their symptoms for three days after that.

They will be tested on the fifth or sixth day and on the tenth day.

Any infected students, teachers or personnel at boarding or day schools will need to undergo school isolation organised by a public health service unit or a provincial communicable disease committee.

As this will be a test period, the CCSA meeting on Wednesday acknowledged Department of Health director-general Dr Suwanchai Wattanayingcharoenchai’s proposal that students with mild symptoms could still take an examination but the venue should be well-ventilated.

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CCSA spokesperson Taweesin Visanuyothin said Covid-19 patients with no symptoms or mild ones could still study and sit for exams but they must be separated from others in a zone with maximum prevention measures.

The Education Ministry reported that of the 122 schools that reopened for the second semester, 28.7 per cent closed with only one confirmed case and 55.7 per cent were shut because of infections in more than one classroom. Meanwhile, 9 per cent were closed because of infections at nearby schools.

Published : February 23, 2022

By : THE NATION

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40012671

Thailand has been left out of the US 2021 Review of Notorious Markets for Counterfeiting and Piracy, the first time it has happened in years, the Department of Intellectual Property (DIP) said on Wednesday.

DIP director-general Vuttikrai Leewiraphan said that the US Trade Representative had unveiled the list on February 17 and he was greatly pleased to see Thailand’s name excluded from the list.

He said it was the first time in many years and praised the country’s proactive efforts to suppress IP infringement. It is a reflection on how Thailand is serious in trying to solve the issue and build confidence for international trading and investment, he said.

Vuttikrai added that protecting IP, suppressing IP infringement, and supporting the creation and utilisation of IP for commercial purposes are the DIP’s mission, in order to increase the value of products and services and capability to compete for the business sector.

He said the DIP wanted to thank government agencies and the private sector that were working together to solve this issue. This US report will be beneficial for Thailand’s image and business operation, which will support creative industries, innovations and technologies, he said.

The DIP remains determined to develop the IP system, support innovation and creativity, and help the recovery of the Thai economy amid the Covid-19 situation. The department will cooperate with every sector to prevent IP infringement, he promised.

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Published : February 23, 2022

By : THE NATION

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40012670

The Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration on Wednesday decided to cancel the requirement for foreign arrivals under the Test & Go scheme to receive a second RT-PCR test in the country.

During its meeting chaired by Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha, the CCSA also agreed to reduce health insurance coverage for foreign tourists from US$50,000 to $20,000 (648,000 baht).

The new rules will take effect on March 1, CCSA spokesman Dr Taweesilp Visanuyothin said on Wednesday.

Under current rules, foreign tourists who arrive through the Test & Go scheme must book hotels in advance for the first day and fifth day of their stay so that they can take RT-PCR tests on these days.

Now, the second RT-PCR test will not be required and a hotel booking receipt for the fifth day will also not be needed, Taweesilp made clear.

Instead, foreign tourists will be required to take a rapid antigen test, or ATK, and report the result via the Mor Chana app.

Foreign tourists are required to download and use the app once they arrive.

The tourists are still required to register via the Thailand Pass website and they must show a negative RT-PCR test result taken not more than 72 hours before departure from their countries, Taweesilp said.

He said there had been 144,610 foreign arrivals from February 1 to 21 – 88,755 under Test & Go and 48,156 via the extended sandbox scheme.

Tourism operators and the Thai Chamber of Commerce had earlier called on the government to abolish the second RT-PCR test for foreign tourists, saying the test would unnecessarily add the burden of extra cost on them.

They pointed out statistics in recent days showing that most new cases were found among locals, not foreign arrivals. They said several other countries had also stopped the Covid-19 tests for foreign arrivals.

Meanwhile, the Public Health Ministry reported on Wednesday that there were 21,232 confirmed new cases in the previous 24 hours, compared to 18,363 reported on Tuesday. The ministry said 168 of the 21,232 were imported cases.

Published : February 23, 2022

By : THE NATION

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40012669

A road map is being implemented to ensure Phetchaburi province will remain in the Unesco’s Creative Cities Network of Gastronomy, the Designated Areas for Sustainable Tourism Administration (Public Organisation) said.

Group Captain Athikhun Kongmee, director of the organisation, said Phetchaburi was accepted as a member of the Unesco Creative Cities Network (UCCN) of Gastronomy late last year but it still has challenges to retain its UCCN status.

Athikhun said his organisation last week joined hands with the Phetchaburi provincial administration, Silpakorn University, and Phetchaburi Rajabhat University to hold an online seminar to brainstorm ideas on how to further develop the province as a gastronomy UCCN city.

The seminar was held last week with some 300 attendants from both private and state agencies, including seven other UCCN member cities, which are Phuket, Sukhothai, Usuki (Japan), Tsuruoka (Japan), Chengdu (China), Macau (China), and Overstand (South Africa).

Speaking during the seminar, Phetchaburi Governor Natthawut Phetpromsorn said the provincial administration will implement a five-year road map to further develop Phetchaburi as a UCCN gastronomy city with sustainability.

As part of the road map, farmers in the province will be encouraged to run farms with organic produce so that the foods made in the province will be safe and uncontaminated.

For example, the provincial administration will encourage oyster farmers not to use rubber tyres as hosts for their oysters but they will be encouraged to use other organic materials.

The farmers will also be taught to be creative in making new dishes from their products.

The governor said the province will carry out at least 55 projects from 2022 to 2026 to further develop Phetchaburi as a gastronomy creative city.

During the seminar, Tatiyaporn Jarumaneerat, a representative of Phuket, said restaurant operators and local people need to be creative in making new dishes from the foods and they must turn to use social media as a channel to try to increase their income.

Representatives from the other UCCN gastronomy cities also shared the experience of management of their cities during the seminar.

Alexis Crump from Tsuruoka in Japan said the city gives priority to maintaining balance between human beings and nature.

She said the principle has been enforced from the origin to the destination of the food production chain.

Frieda Llyod from Overstrand in South Africa said being on the UCCN network allowed her city to become the centre of foods and tourism development in the region and has helped bring more income to the region.

Published : February 23, 2022

By : THE NATION

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40012666

The Cabinet has only asked the Public Health Ministry to review its plan to remove Covid-19 from the list of conditions eligible for free emergency treatment and has not rejected the plan outright, Public Health Minister Anutin Charnvirakul said on Wednesday.

The ministry is due to remove Covid from the Universal Coverage for Emergency Patients (UCEP) scheme on March 1.

Anutin said the Cabinet’s response aims to ensure the plan is considered thoroughly. He added that the plan did not aim to save expenses because money would come from the central budget for tackling Covid-19.

He went on to say that the ministry is dealing with the expansion of hotline 1330 to enable Covid-19 patients to receive treatment as soon as possible.

Anutin also thanked the government and private sectors, such as Zendai, for revealing problems related to the Covid-19 crisis, while insisting that beds in Bangkok and other provinces are still available.

He said the Public Health Ministry is cooperating with the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration on “managing medical facilities without any conflicts”.

“The important thing is we have to make sure that the number of Covid-19 patients who develop severe symptoms and death will not increase,” he said. “Meanwhile, we have to accelerate administering booster doses to contain the spread of the virus.”

The minister said it is up to discussions between the Public Health permanent secretary and the Department of Disease Control director-general whether daily Covid-19 case reports would be cancelled or not, and the ministry will not correct or conceal the real number of cases.

Anutin also said the Department of Disease Control would ask the Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration to cut foreign tourists’ health insurance coverage from US$50,000 to $30,000 (970,000 baht) during a meeting on Wednesday.

He added that it would be appropriate to treat international tourists who are infected with Covid-19.

Published : February 23, 2022

By : THE NATION