#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40011533

The Royal Thai Police and the Department of Land Transport have completed discussions on the point system for motorists and will present their recommendations to the Transport Ministry, Police spokesman Pol Maj-General Yingyot Thepjamnong said.

The move came after Pol Lance Corporal Norawit Buadok, riding a big bike, killed Dr Waralak Supawat-Jariyakul at a zebra crossing in Bangkok on Sunday.

The point system is expected to be enforced in September. Motorists involved in traffic violations will see points deducted from their driving licence.

The fine for motorists violating traffic signs and rules is also likely to be increased to 4,000 baht from 1,000 baht. This is expected to be enforced in July.

Meanwhile in Chiang Mai, a reporter surveyed six zebra crossings in front of Maharaj Nakorn Chiang Mai Hospital after traffic police voiced concern for the safety of residents, doctors, nurses and hospital staff who use the crossings especially during rush hour on a busy 2km stretch of road.

There have been a number of accidents even with traffic lights.

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The police have advised drivers to slow down when they see junctions or zebra crossings to avoid more accidents.

Norawit and his father, Sub-Lieutenant Nikhom Buadok, were ordained as Buddhist monks on Monday.

Norawit said his decision to enter monkhood briefly was not related to the criticism and condemnation he received after the accident. He added that he would leave the monkhood on Wednesday.

Norawit also said his mental health was “not good”. He confirmed that he had already apologised to Waralak’s family.

He said he bought the motorcycle legally almost a month back and the documentation was sent to the duty officer.

Published : January 26, 2022

By : THE NATION

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40011530

A truck transporting 2.3 tonnes of slaughtered chicken overturned on Vibhavadi Rangsit Road in Bangkok at 2am on Wednesday, scattering its cargo across the road less than a week before Chinese New Year.

The overturned truck blocked traffic from Kasetsart University intersection to Rajavibha junction.

Driver Surachet Manosarn told police and rescue staff that he departed from his house in Pathumthani at 1am to transport the chickens to a meatball factory in Samut Prakan.

He was driving at around 100 kilometres per hour when his left rear tire burst. He lost control of his truck and the vehicle ploughed into a barrier then slid down the road for 100 metres, overturning in the process. Fortunately, he did not hit other cars. He was slightly injured.

The police towed the truck to Vibhavadi police station for an inspection while the road surface was cleaned of oil from cars and chicken fat.

Chicken is an important offering during Chinese New Year, being used in “wan wai” worship on the occasion.

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Published : January 26, 2022

By : THE NATION

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40011537

Southeast Insurance, a subsidiary of Thai Group Holdings (TGH), will cease operations after disagreement in the board over its future direction.

TGH executive chairman Chotiphat Peechanon informed the Stock Exchange of Thailand on Wednesday about the decision made at a board meeting on Tuesday.

The company will cease operations after Thai Charoen Corporation Group pays Covid-19 compensation totalling 9.9 billion baht. The company has net assets of 1.8 billion baht with a capital adequacy ratio of 170 per cent.

The board of directors agreed to cease operations of Southeast Insurance and return the licence as the directors refused to transfer the company to Indara Insurance Pcl.

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Published : January 26, 2022

By : THE NATION

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40011525

There are several Covid-19 risks associated with upcoming Chinese New Year celebrations from January 28 to February 3, Department of Disease Control hazard communications director Sumanee Wacharasin noted on Tuesday.

They are:

1. Family gatherings from many places for partying or worshipping of ancestors.
2. Ancestor worshipping among many family members “inside homes”.
3. Travelling to markets or supermarkets to buy offerings, causing crowds
4. Travelling to restaurants to dine or meet with extended families, friends
5. Travelling to shrines to make wishes or pay respect, leading to crowded venues.

Sumanee also advised strict prevention measures at high-risk venues such as restaurants, markets, shrines, or places for a family gatherings:

1. Deploy Covid-free personnel:

• Organisers and staff must be vaccinated according to the criteria.
• They must be tested with antigen kits not more than 72 hours before events.
• They should evaluate the level of risk before entering and use Thai Save Thai or other related applications.
• Everyone must follow the UP-DMHTA measure (universal prevention – distancing, mask wearing, regular hand washing, temperature checks and testing, and using the Thai Chana and Thai Save Thai applications).
• Everyone must avoid activities with close contact, such as dancing or entertainment events.

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2. Improve safety with Covid-free customers:

• Attendees/visitors must register and present their vaccination certificates or antigen test results within 72 hours.
• They must evaluate risks before entering and use Thai Save Thai or other related applications.
• They must follow UP-DMHTA measures.

3. Have a Covid-free environment

• Follow Covid-Free Setting measures strictly.
• Have screening points for staff, while attendees must register.
• Clean the area, equipment and surfaces before and after an event. Toilets and contact points must be cleaned every 1-2 hours.
• The audience should be kept at least five metres away from the concert/entertainment stages. Booths and stores at events must be separated by at least 1-2 metres.
• The number of attendees must be limited to one person per four square metres and a sign must show the number of the audience. Avoid gathering at one spot.
• Closed areas should be well-ventilated.
• Walking areas, ventilation should not be blocked.
• Reduce the number of spots for worshipping, use electric incense candles.

Published : January 26, 2022

By : THE NATION

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40011524

Prime Minister General Prayut Chan-o-cha led a team on an official visit to Saudi Arabia on Tuesday to meet Crown Prince, Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Mohammed bin Salman Al Saud in order to strengthen ties between the two countries.

This marks the first time in 30 years that a Thai PM has visited Saudi Arabia.

Prayut’s team includes Foreign Affairs Minister Don Pramudwinai, Energy Minister Supattanapong Punmeechaow, Labour Minister Suchart Chomklin, government spokesman Thanakorn Wangboonkongchana and deputy government spokeswoman Rachada Dhnadirek.

The premier and his team received a warm welcome from Mohammed bin Salman Al Saud at Al Yamamah Palace at 8.30pm on Tuesday, according to a report by the Saudi Arabian press.

Don said the visit was the result of six years of work by the Foreign Affairs Ministry since trilateral discussions took place among Thailand, Saudi Arabia and Bahrain at the 2nd Asia Cooperation Dialogue in Bangkok on October 9 and 10, 2016.

Published : January 26, 2022

By : THE NATION

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40011523

Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha’s visit to Saudi Arabia on Tuesday and Wednesday is the result of six years of work by the Foreign Affairs Ministry since trilateral discussions among Bangkok, Riyadh and Bahrain in 2016, Foreign Minister Don Pramudwinai said on Tuesday.

The talks took place at the 2nd Asia Cooperation Dialogue on October 9 and 10, 2016, in the Thai capital.

Prayut had discussed ties and cooperation with Prince Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa, then-prime minister of Bahrain and then Saudi foreign minister Adel bin Ahmed Al-Jubeir.

“The government has been working and following up on our relationship with Saudi Arabia for the past six years until PM Prayut made an official visit today [January 25], making him the first Thai PM to visit Saudi Arabia in 30 years,” Don pointed out.

Saudi Arabia downgraded diplomatic ties with Thailand, which were established in 1957, after the theft of around US$20 million (Bt659.7 million) worth of jewels by a Thai janitor in 1989. This sparked a long-standing row that became known as the “Blue Diamond Affair”.

“What happened in the past will not be brought up during this visit as it would not benefit anyone. Furthermore, every party involved in the incident has already been remedied,” said Don. “During this visit as a guest of Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, PM Prayut will focus on discussing our future relationship and co-op projects between the two nations,” Don said.

“The Foreign Affairs Ministry also hopes a Thai ambassador will soon be appointed for Saudi Arabia following the success of this visit, which will greatly benefit the governments and people of both countries,” he added.

Prayut and his team will arrive back in Thailand on Thursday at 8.45pm via Don Mueang International Airport, where they will take RT-PCR tests and remain in isolation under Covid-19 preventive measures.

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Published : January 26, 2022

By : THE NATION

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40011521

A meeting of the Office of the Narcotics Control Board (ONCB) approved a proposal to remove cannabis and hemp from the Category 5 narcotics list, Public Health Minister Anutin Charnvirakul said on Tuesday.

Apart from Anutin, the others who attended Tuesday’s meeting chaired by Deputy Prime Minister Wissanu Krea-ngam at Government House included Justice Minister Somsak Thepsutin and ONCB secretary-general Wichai Chaimongkhol.

The proposal was submitted by the Public Health Ministry’s controlled drugs committee to remove both plants from the list of illicit drugs. The move aims to promote the use of cannabis and hemp in medical, research, industrial and food applications and thus make them new “economic” crops. However, this only applies to cannabis and hemp grown in the country and excludes cannabidiol extracts with tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) of more than 0.2 per cent.

“The plants that are still on the Category 5 narcotics list are opium, psilocybin mushroom and cannabis extract with more than 0.2 per cent of THC,” Anutin said.

“Tomorrow [January 26] the Bhumjaithai Party will present the drafts of cannabis and hemp acts to Parliament. We hope all MPs will vote for these, after which they will be announced in the Royal Gazette and become effective in the next 120 days,” he said.

“People who are interested in growing hemp and cannabis should wait until all the details of the two acts are finalised,” Anutin made it clear.

“From now on growing them will be much easier, but growers still need to register with related authorities and follow the restrictions on growing volume and application,” he added.

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Published : January 26, 2022

By : THE NATION

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40011514

Ministry of Public Health reported on Wednesday (January 26) morning that in the past 24 hours there are 7,587 new patients who tested positive for Covid-19, 156 of whom have arrived in Thailand from abroad.

Death toll increased by 19, while 7,801 patients were cured and allowed to leave hospitals.

Cumulative cases in the country since January 1, 2022 are at 175,509.
 

The country’s total caseload from Covid-19 stands at 2,398,944 – 2,295,569 of whom have recovered, 81,299 are still in hospitals and 22,076 have died.

Separately, another 41,545 people were given their first Covid-19 shot in the last 24 hours, 73,034 their second shot and 307,158 a booster, bringing the total number of Covid-19 vaccine doses administered nationwide to 113,181,596.

According to Worldometer, confirmed cases globally had risen to 359.35 million on Wednesday, 284.68 million of whom have recovered, 69.04 million are active cases (95,828 in severe condition) and 5.63 million have died (up by 9,647).

Thailand ranks 27th in the global list of most cases, which is topped by the US with 73.45 million, followed by India with 40.08 million, Brazil with 24.33 million, France with 17.3 million and the UK with 16.05 million.

Published : January 26, 2022

By : THE NATION

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40011513

The Thailand Meteorological Department said on Wednesday (January 26) that the high-pressure system covers the upper North and the upper Northeast while the upper westerly wind prevails across upper Thailand. Cool to cold weather with light fog in the morning are likely in the upper country.

Mountaintops in the North and the Northeast are cold to very cold with minimum temperature in the range of 5-15 °C. People in the upper country should take care of their health due to variable weather. All transports should take more caution due to poor visibility.

The Department also mentioned that the weak northeast monsoon prevails across the Gulf of Thailand and the South and brings isolated thundershowers to the South.

The weather forecast for the next 24 hours is as follows:

North: Cool to cold weather with light fog in the morning; temperature lows of 14-18 degrees and highs of 29-35 degrees Celsius. Temperature on hilltops is likely to drop to 5-13 degrees Celsius.

Northeast: Cool weather with light fog in the morning; temperature lows of 16-20 degrees and highs of 33-35 degrees Celsius. Temperature on hilltops is likely to drop to 10-15 degrees Celsius.

Central: Cool weather with light fog in the morning; temperature lows of 20-21 degrees, highs of 34-36 degrees Celsius.

East: Cool weather with light fog in the morning and isolated light rains; temperature lows of 21-24 degrees, highs of 32-35 degrees Celsius; waves less than a meter high and about a meter high offshore.

South (east coast): Cool weather in the morning with thundershowers in 10 per cent of the areas; temperature lows of 22-25 degrees, highs of 31-33 degrees Celsius; waves less than a meter high and about a meter high during thundershowers.

South (west coast): Partly cloudy with thundershowers in 10 per cent of the areas; temperature lows of 22-26 degrees, highs of 33-35 degrees Celsius; waves less than a meter high and about a meter high offshore.

Bangkok and surrounding areas: Partly cloudy with light fog in the morning; temperature lows of 23-26 degrees, highs of 32-35 degrees Celsius.

Source: Thailand Meteorological Department

Published : January 26, 2022

By : THE NATION

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40011512

The first batch of orange cap Pfizer Covid-19 vaccines for children aged 5-11 years will be delivered to Thailand on Wednesday, the Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration (CCSA) said on Tuesday.

On receiving approval from paediatricians, these vaccines will be administered to children aged 5-11 years with seven chronic diseases.

“The next batch of orange cap Pfizer Covid-19 vaccines will be administered to Prathom 6 children and will be kept as a reserve for tackling any possible Covid-19 outbreak,” the CCSA said.

As of Tuesday, another 22,996 people were given their first Covid-19 shot in the last 24 hours, 47,236 their second shot and 218,124 a booster, bringing the total number of Covid-19 vaccine doses administered nationwide to 112,759,859.

Published : January 25, 2022

By : THE NATION