#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40011438

The national telecom watchdog plans to move Bangkok’s infamous entangled overhead communication cables underground starting next month.

Trairat Wiriyasirikul, acting secretary-general of the National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission, said the NBTC regards moving the overhead cables on Bangkok roads as a priority.

The operation will start in February in cooperation with the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration and the Metropolitan Electricity Authority.
Communication lines with a combined length of about 400 kilometres hanging on power poles above Bangkok’s roads will be moved underground, Trairat said.
The scenes of entangled communication lines in Bangkok often made negative headlines when foreign celebrities took their pictures and shared them on social media, prompting the Thai government to promise to tackle the problem.
In October, Hollywood actor Russel Crowe who was in Thailand to film a movie, took a picture of Bangkok’s communication cables and posted it on his Twitter page with the caption: “Bangkok dreaming …”.
In 2016, Microsoft co-founder-turned-philanthropist Bill Gates posted a photo and commented about the tangled cables on his Facebook page but he later deleted the post apparently because he had inaccurately identified the communication lines as power cables.

Trairat said that after completing the operation in Bangkok, the NBTC would get down to moving communication cables totalling some 2,000 kilometres in the provinces underground. The NBTC will work with the Provincial Electricity Authority to handle the cables in the provinces.
He said the whle project could take three years.
Once all the communication lines go underground, the country would look tidy in line with the policy of Prime Minister General Prayut Chan-o-cha, Trairat added.
He said the NBTC had resolved at its meeting on January 21 to provide financial support for the operation, following up on a Cabinet resolution on November 23 to tackle the tangled overhead communication lines.

Published : January 24, 2022

By : THE NATION

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40011434

The Laos-China railway will offer Thailand more opportunities and help Chumphon become an export hub very soon, Alongkorn Ponlaboot, adviser to the minister of agriculture and cooperatives, said on Sunday.

He was in Chumphon on behalf of Agriculture and Agricultural Cooperatives Minister Chalermchai Sreeon to release 1.5 million giant freshwater prawns and other marine life into a canal in Muang district.

The aim of the ceremony is to help fishermen and locals affected by Covid-19 as well as repopulate the waters.

At the event, Alongkorn said the 3-billion-baht irrigation system and flood-prevention project in Chumphon had made good progress and would be completed by 2024.

He also pointed out that Chumphon province has great potential, especially since its per capita income at 200,000 baht per person is among the top 20 in the country.

He added that the minister is working towards boosting Chumphon’s gross provincial product (GPP) to 100 billion baht this year, with the agricultural sector being the key driver.

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Apart from key cash crops like durian, oil palm, rubber, coconut and coffee, Chumphon’s economy will also benefit from the tourism sector, he said.

Meanwhile, Chalermchai’s plan is to develop Chumphon’s economy from three aspects, namely:

• Turning the province into a fruit hub in the South. Alongkorn said Thailand’s fruit exports had surged in the first 11 months of 2021, hitting an all-time high at 150 billion baht. Last year was also the first time that 100 billion baht worth of durians had been exported. Chumphon is the second largest supplier of fruit in Thailand.
• Turning Chumphon into a hub for Robusta coffee. The minister aims to develop the coffee industry in Chumphon along the lines of the Arabica coffee project applied in the North.
• Turning Chumphon into a gateway to the South. The province has ports connecting the mainland to islands in the Gulf of Thailand and can serve as a kick-off point for divers. Alongkorn advised the province to prepare for an influx of travellers once the Covid-19 situation improves.

Published : January 24, 2022

By : THE NATION

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40011431

Thailand is reopening to foreign travellers under the “Test & Go” scheme from February 1, though this time some changes have been made.

Under the new set-up, tourists will have to isolate for five days and take RT-PCR tests on the first and the fifth day. They also have to provide proof of prepayment for the tests as well as payment for five days accommodation in a government-approved SHA hotel or alternative quarantine (AQ).

Tourists arriving under the Test & Go scheme are also required to show proof of medical insurance.

Governor Aswin Kwanmuang said on Sunday that the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) has inspected restaurants and entertainment venues that have turned into eateries. BMA is also looking for night venues that may be operating illegally.

The authorities have also ordered district offices to allow entertainment venues, pubs, bars and karaoke joints that want to operate as restaurants to put in place all prevention measures and receive the SHA+ or Thai Stop Covid 2 Plus certification.

These establishments will first be evaluated by relevant district offices before being allowed to operate.

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Restaurants will also be allowed to serve booze until 11pm.

Aswin added that BMA has hastened the rollout of Covid-19 vaccines to boost safety, prevent outbreaks and drive the economy.

Published : January 24, 2022

By : THE NATION

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40011430

Motorists in Thailand do not need to carry a physical driving licence and can instead show a screen capture of their “DLT QR licence”, the Department of Land Transport (DLT) announced on Sunday.

“This also means the licence holder can submit a print of the DLT QR licence’s screen capture in either colour or black and white as a valid ID when dealing with government agencies that require such documents,” the department said.

For the screen capture to be eligible, it must contain readable information of the front and back of the driver’s licence and QR code which can be scanned to obtain the licence holder’s information from DLT’s database.

To use the e-driving licence, motorists must first change their traditional licence to a smart one with a QR code that is linked to the DLT’s application. The change can be made at any DLT branch office (relevant fees apply).

“Traditional driving licences [without the QR code] can be used until they expire, after which they will be replaced with a smartcard upon renewal,” the department said. “Those who hold the [now discontinued] lifetime driving license can use their traditional licence for as long as they like.”

For more information, visit https://www.mot.go.th or call 1356.

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Published : January 24, 2022

By : THE NATION

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40011427

Covid-19 vaccines will boost people’s immunity against all variants of the new coronavirus, including Omicron, the Department of Disease Control was quoted as saying in Nonthaburi public health office’s Facebook page on Sunday.

“Vaccines can reduce the chance of developing severe symptoms, hospitalisation and deaths by up to 90 per cent,” the post said. “People who have received two jabs more than three months ago should get a booster immediately to keep Omicron at bay.”

The Nonthaburi public health office has also invited people to register for an AstraZeneca booster via https://www.นนท์พร้อม.com/nontprompt/vcevent/slot/47.

Those who get a booster via this setup will automatically be booked for a fourth shot of the Pfizer vaccine three months later.

“There is no restriction on nationality or residence. Anyone who has already received two shots of any vaccine can register,” the office said. “The jabs will be administered at Central Westgate department store from Thursday onwards.”

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Published : January 24, 2022

By : THE NATION

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40011426

Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha will visit Saudi Arabia from Tuesday to Wednesday as a guest of Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, the Government House announced on Sunday.

Prayut’s visit will be the first leader-level talks between the two governments in more than 30 years and the aim of the visit is to foster bilateral ties between the two countries, the announcement said.

In a bid to rekindle the long-stalled friendship, Foreign Minister Don Pramudwinai visited Saudi Arabia in January 2020.

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

The theft became one of Thailand’s biggest unsolved mysteries with many police top brass implicated.

One year after the theft, three Saudi diplomats were killed in Bangkok in three separate incidents in one night.

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Published : January 24, 2022

By : THE NATION

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40011420

Ministry of Public Health reported on Monday (January 24) morning that in the past 24 hours there are 7,139 new patients who tested positive for Covid-19, 195 of whom have arrived in Thailand from abroad.

Death toll increased by 13, while 8,100 patients were cured and allowed to leave hospitals.

The country’s total caseload from Covid-19 stands at 2,384,639 – 2,280,109 of whom have recovered, 82,485 are still in hospitals and 22,045 have died.

Separately, another 49,456 people were given their first Covid-19 shot in the last 24 hours, 101,051 their second shot and 438,401 a booster, bringing the total number of Covid-19 vaccine doses administered nationwide to 112,471,503.

According to Worldometer, confirmed cases globally had risen to 352.13 million on Monday, 279.85 million of whom have recovered, 66.67 million are active cases (95,653 in severe condition) and 5.61 million have died (up by 4,627).

Thailand ranks 26th in the global list of most cases, which is topped by the US with 71.93 million, followed by India with 39.54 million, Brazil with 24.04 million, France with 16.69 million and the UK with 15.78 million.

Published : January 24, 2022

By : THE NATION

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40011419

The Thailand Meteorological Department said on Monday (January 24) that the westerly wind covers the North and the Central regions and causes the areas to become cooler by 1-2 degrees Celsius. Frost is possible on some mountaintops in the North.

Meanwhile, the southerly and southeasterly winds prevail across the Northeast and the East regions, resulting in isolated thundershowers in some areas. People in the upper country should take care of their health due to variable weather. Farmers should prevent for crop damage. 

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; temperature lows of 12-20 degrees and highs of 28-34 degrees Celsius. Temperature on hilltops is likely to drop to 3-10 degrees Celsius with frost in some areas.

Northeast: Cool weather in the morning with thundershowers in 10 per cent of the areas; temperature lows of 14-21 degrees and highs of 28-33 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 20-22 degrees, highs of 32-35 degrees Celsius.

East: Cool weather in the morning with thundershowers in 10 per cent of the areas; temperature lows of 20-23 degrees, highs of 30-34 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 21-24 degrees, highs of 29-34 degrees Celsius; waves a meter high and 1-2 meters high during thundershowers.

South (west coast): Partly cloudy with isolated light rains; temperature lows of 23-25 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 22-23 degrees, highs of 32-34 degrees Celsius.

Source: Thailand Meteorological Department

Published : January 24, 2022

By : THE NATION

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/blogs/in-focus/40011417

From Monday, Bangkok restaurant customers will have an extra two hours to sit back and relax with alcoholic drinks, after authorities eased Covid-19 restrictions.

The capital’s Communicable Disease Committee approved the extension of the drinking deadline from 9pm to 11pm in restaurants that meet SHA+ or TSC2+ criteria.

The move comes as a boost for the tourism industry, which expects to see foreign arrivals increase from February 1 when the quarantine-free Test & Go scheme resumes.

However, bars and nightclubs will remain closed under Covid-19 controls.

Published : January 23, 2022

By : THE NATION

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40011416

The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) on Saturday kicked off proactive Covid-19 testing in 80 communities to screen people who may be at risk of infection.

The scheme, which wraps up on January 31, aims to contain the spread of the highly transmissible Omicron variant, BMA permanent secretary Khajit Chatchavanich said on Saturday.

The tests will be conducted using antigen test kits that can provide results in 30 minutes. Those who test positive for Covid-19 will then undergo an RT-PCR test for confirmation.

Those who test positive using the RT-PCR test will receive treatment either at home, at a community isolation centre, field hospital or a hospital, based on their symptoms.

Those interested can show up at their local testing centre with their ID card and a blue pen. Everyone is required to strictly adhere to the DMHTTA principles to protect themselves from infection.

The tests are scheduled as follows:

• January 22: Theptavee and Ranee 5 villages

• January 23: Soi Kunnatee, Pattana Moo 8 villages, Wat Dao Khanong communities

• January 24: Leng Buai Ia, Meenthong Pattana, KC4 Ruamjai village, opposite Thanin Factory, Suksomboon village, Boonsong and Taksin Samphan communities

• January 25: Suksawat, Fuengfah Pattana, Darussalam Sangsan, Nuanchit, Pattana Ban Sam In, behind Chandrakasem Rajabhat University, Wat Soi Thong, Ruen Thong 2 village, Km24 village, Duang Duen and Wat Yang Suttharam

• January 26: Wang Daeng, Nimit Mai Pattana, Prasanmitr Pattana, Moo 14 Pattana, Rom Yen village, Penang Market, Penang Pattana Market, Mitr Samphan, Rungrueang, Samakee Thewa Soonthorn, Jessada 1, Phromsuk village, Sirinakhon village, behind Ruam Pattana flats, Soi Dok Rak, Sala Ruamjai Pattana, Suksan 9 village, Chao Phraya Siam, Charansanitwong 66/1 and Pung Tao Kong shrine area

• January 27: Phrom Pattana, Ruam Namjai Pattana, near Lat Buakhao canal, Rom Pradu, behind Supapong Market, Palang Samakee, Suksan 1, Ruen Thong 3 village, Amarin Niwet village 3 plan 1, Hansa Sangsan, Pattana Wat Intrawas village 2 and Charan 31 Ruamjai

• January 28: Wat Intharawihan, Sri Nakhon village, Ruam Palang Pattana, Moo 3 Eastern Sam Wa Subdistrict, Ruam Jai Samakee, Ban Kluai, Wat Phraya Krai Phase 3, Wat Phai Ngern, Ban Rewat Niwet 2, Seng Pairoh, Thung Satit, Supapong, Wattananan, Southern Ruamjai Pattana, Lert Ubon 4 village, Porn Phra Ruang Prasit National Housing Authority, Thung Khru Police Station, Soi Mala, behind Thai Rama Theatre and Saeng Thong

• January 29: Ratchathani village

• January 30: Khlong Chan Youth Centre village

• January 31: Ket Pairoh 1-2, Ket Pairoh 3-5 and Tim Rueangvej

Related stories:

• BMA gets strict with event organisers
• Bangkok setting up Emergency Operations Centre in all 50 districts for New Year festivities
• BMA sends out teams to ensure Covid-19 measures met, hunt for new cases

Published : January 23, 2022

By : THE NATION