#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40010998

A respected epidemiologist at Chulalongkorn University’s Faculty of Medicine warned on Wednesday that the spread of the highly infectious Covid-19 Omicron variant will accelerate in Thailand in the second half of this month.

Doctor Thira Woratanarat issued the warning on his Facebook page, saying the country may not be able to cope with the spread in terms of detecting newly infected people in time.

Thira said the outbreaks of Omicron in other countries showed that new infections occurred swiftly, prompting a curving line of new cases to become nearly vertical in a short period.

Taking into account the trend in other countries, he believes the spread of Omicron will accelerate after the middle of January.

The acceleration of new cases could lead to shortage of rapid antigen test kits (ATK) while laboratory tests using the RT-PCR method will also not be able to cope with fast-spreading new infections.

“This will affect how people lead their lives and how they take care of themselves,” Thira said in his post.

“The virus will spread much faster because people will not know if they have been infected or not,” he warned.

Thira said the government must rush to help by controlling the prices of ATK kits and considering distributing free kits to all families.

The doctor advised everyone to wear two face masks and avoid crammed and poorly ventilated areas to minimise the chance of catching the virus.

He cited World Health Organisation (WHO) figures to show the worsening situation. He said WHO’s weekly epidemiological update on Tuesday showed that the number of new Covid-19 cases around the world increased by 55 per cent while the death rate rose by 3 per cent compared to the previous week.

He said sequences posted on the GISAID site showed that Omicron now accounted for 58.5 per cent of cases, while the Delta variant dropped to 41.4 per cent.

Published : January 12, 2022

By : THE NATION

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40010995

The Cabinet on Tuesday approved a budget of Bt1.1 billion for the construction of a new zoo on a royally granted plot of land in Pathum Thani, government spokeswoman Ratchada Dhnadirek said.

The budget will be used across fiscal years 2023 to 2027, she said.

The Zoological Park Organisation aims to build the new zoo on a 300-rai plot, which has been granted by His Majesty the King for the purpose, in Klong Hok, Tambon Rangsit in Pathum Thani’s Thanyaburi district.

The zoo, to be built in honour of His Majesty the King, will be made an international-level comprehensive facility with exclusive zones for people to learn about nature and the environment and study about local and foreign wildlife, Ratchada said.

There will also be zones for studying about a perfect ecological system and how to conserve and breed wild animals before they are returned to the wild, the spokeswoman said.

Furthermore, the zoo will become a new eco-tourism spot as initiated by late King Rama IX, Ratchada said.

The whole facility will be divided into six zones – a public park, a commercial area, a flood-prevention site, a research area, a car park, and the zoo itself.

The display area will be divided into subzones featuring African, Asian, Australian and South American animals. A display subzone of “cute” animals for kids will also be located there, she added.

Published : January 12, 2022

By : THE NATION

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40010991

Many people queue to buy antigen test kits (ATKs) at PTT station on Vibhavadi-Rangsit Road on Wednesday. ATKs are being sold there until January 17.

PTT, in cooperation with Innobic (Asia), is selling each ATK at 48 baht. The purchase limit is 100 sets per person.

Those interested are advised to make payments via mobile banking applications in a bid to keep Covid-19 from spreading.

Published : January 12, 2022

By : THE NATION

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40010982

Eleven electric buses from Electric Vehicles Thailand Plc (EVT) will offer free rides to Bangkok commuters on two routes – Din Daeng-BTS Sanampao and Rom Klao-Airport Link Lat Krabang.

“The two routes are part of a pilot project to build a comprehensive network of buses that use 100 per cent electricity,” EVT chief executive officer Nuchanat Wasurat said on Tuesday.

“The company had been selected by the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration [BMA] for the project, which aims to increase the use of electric vehicles and reduce air pollution in the city,” she said.

“We expect to sign a contract with the BMA soon and estimate the project will start in mid-2022,” Nuchanat said.

“The Din Daeng route will have six buses while the Rom Klao route will have five. Each bus can carry 20 passengers and the fare will be free during the pilot phase,” she said.

The Din Daeng route runs from Din Daeng district office to Bangkok City Hall 2, Veterans General Hospital and BTS Sanampao station before returning to Din Daeng district office.

The Rom Klao route runs from Rom Klao Housing Community to Queen Sirikit 60th Anniversary Garden and Airport Link Lat Krabang before heading back to the housing community.

“If the pilot project is successful, we expect to see more electric bus routes connecting Bangkok train stations such as the Green, Red and Pink lines to provide a seamless network of public transport powered purely by electricity,” she added.

Related News

Electric bus system to zap travel time from suburbs to central Bangkok

Thailand partnering with South Korea on electric bus development

Chiang Mai University goes green with 40 new electric buses

Published : January 12, 2022

By : THE NATION

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40010981

Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) is readying medical professionals to provide Covid-19 vaccine to children aged 5-11 at their schools in the province, while those over 12 years old can now get the jab at Bangkok Youth Center (Thai – Japanese).

“We will provide vaccination under a school-based system for children aged 5-11 in Bangkok areas soon,” said Panrudee Manophaiboon, director of BMA Health Office on Tuesday. “We have compiled the list of all children qualified to get the jab who already provided their parents’ consent, and are allocating medical professionals to administer the jabs at their schools.”

“As for children aged over 12 years in Bangkok areas, they can get a Covid-19 jab at Kilawes 2 Building in the Bangkok Youth Center (Thai – Japanese) in Din Daeng district,” she added. “The vaccination centre there can provide jabs to around 2,000 people daily. Recipients can either walk-in or pre-register online via QueQ application.”

The BMA Health Office will also distribute printed media to schools in the province detailing how-to and suggestions to prepare children before and after getting Covid-19 vaccine. The office has urged all vaccine recipients to register on Mor Phrom application which tracks vaccination history and side effects for future reference.
 

Related News

Omicron fear closes 109 Bangkok schools for one week

NHSO distributes ATKs as schools in Bangkok get ready to reopen

More students to be jabbed as Bangkok schools get ready to reopen in November

Published : January 12, 2022

By : THE NATION

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40010973

Ministry of Public Health reported on Wednesday (January 12) morning that in the past 24 hours there are 7,681 new patients who tested positive for Covid-19, 12 of whom have been found in prisons.

Death toll increased by 22, while 3,350 patients were cured and allowed to leave hospitals.

The country’s total caseload from Covid-19 stands at 2,292,290 – 2,204,135 of whom have recovered, 66,286 are still in hospitals and 21,869 have died.

Separately, another 49,784 people were given their first Covid-19 shot in the last 24 hours, 133,047 their second shot and 330,377 a booster, bringing the total number of Covid-19 vaccine doses administered nationwide to 107,271,904.

According to Worldometer, confirmed cases globally had risen to 314.18 million on Wednesday, 261.79 million of whom have recovered, 46.87 million are active cases (95,475 in severe condition) and 5.52 million have died (up by 7,847).

Thailand ranks 25th in the global list of most cases, which is topped by the US with 63.39 million, followed by India with 36.06 million, Brazil with 22.63 million, the UK with 14.73 million and France with 12.57 million.

Published : January 12, 2022

By : THE NATION

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40010972

The Thailand Meteorological Department said on Wednesday (January 12) that another moderate high-pressure system covers the Northeast of Thailand and the South China Sea. Cool to cold weather, strong winds and a decrease in temperature by 1-4 °C are forecast in the Northeast while the North, the Central and the East will experience cool morning with light fog.

Mountaintops in the North and the Northeast are cold to very cold with temperature ranging from 4 to 14 °C.

The Department also mentioned that the northeast monsoon across the Gulf of Thailand and the South becomes stronger and brings isolated thundershowers to the lower South.

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

North: Cool to cold weather with fog in the morning; temperature lows of 15-18 degrees and highs of 29-36 degrees Celsius. Temperature on hilltops is likely to drop to 4-14 degrees Celsius.

Northeast: Cool to cold weather and strong winds; temperature lows of 14-18 degrees and highs of 29-32 degrees Celsius. Temperature on hilltops is likely to drop to 7-14 degrees Celsius.

Central: Cool weather with light fog in the morning; temperature lows of 19-21 degrees, highs of 32-34 degrees Celsius.

East: Cool weather with light fog in the morning; temperature lows of 18-23 degrees, highs of 31-33 degrees Celsius; waves less than a meter high and over a meter high offshore.

South (east coast): Mostly cloudy with thundershowers in 10 per cent of the areas; temperature lows of 20-24 degrees, highs of 30-32 degrees Celsius; waves 1-2 meters high and about 2 meters high during thundershowers.

South (west coast): Mostly cloudy with isolated light rains; temperature lows of 22-25 degrees, highs of 33-34 degrees Celsius; waves less than a meter high and about a meter high offshore.

Bangkok and surrounding areas: Cool weather with light fog in the morning; temperature lows of 21-23 degrees, highs of 32-35 degrees Celsius.

Source: Thailand Meteorological Department

Published : January 12, 2022

By : THE NATION

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/blogs/in-focus/40010971

Foreign applicants for Thai citizenship must now pass a Thai language test, under new rules approved by the Cabinet on Tuesday. Foreign applicants must take an exam set by the Nationality Application Committee or show proof they are studying at an Education Ministry school.

Under the new rules, applicants must be able to speak and understand Thai. The old rules only required applicants to “have knowledge of the Thai language”.

Applying for Thai citizenship has also become more expensive

The Cabinet approved doubling the application fee from 5,000 baht to 10,000 baht.

The application fee for children rises from 2,500 baht to 5,000 baht.

Meanwhile the certificate of naturalisation now costs 1,000 baht, up from 500 baht.

Application for recovery of Thai nationality costs 2,000 baht.

The new processing deadline for applications is 90 days, or 120 days for applications filed from abroad.

Benefits of Thai citizenship include being able to buy property, work without a visa, and own a Thai company.

Published : January 11, 2022

By : THE NATION

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/blogs/in-focus/40010970

Phuket is adding 300 hotel isolation rooms for foreign travellers who test positive for Covid-19, after a marked increase in infections. Last week, Phuket’s daily infection rate rose from 238 new cases on Wednesday to 742 on Sunday.

The Phuket Tourism Association found that some tourists had to wait for insurance claims or alternative quarantine accommodation after testing positive. Not all had funds available to do this, it added.

In response, it established the Travellers Communication Isolation (TCI) centre to accommodate this group of tourists. The move will see 300 Hotel Isolation Rooms open on Wednesday (January 12) at three Phuket hotels.

The Communicable Disease Committee has instructed Phuket hotels to offer 5 per cent of their rooms to the Hotel Isolation Room programme for tourists who test positive.

Phuket’s infection rate is rising among both locals and foreign tourists under the sandbox and Test & Go schemes, according to authorities. Those arriving on Phuket are screened twice, with 1 per cent currently testing positive in the first test and about 4 per cent in the second.

Phuket is still receiving about 4,200 bookings per day from foreign tourists, according to the tourism association. Most arrivals are from Germany, Russia, the UK, US and France.

Published : January 11, 2022

By : THE NATION

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/blogs/in-focus/40010965

The Cabinet on Tuesday earmarked 18.16 billion baht for nine mega-projects in Bangkok, namely: • Bridge over the Chao Phraya River connecting Kiakkai intersection with Saphan Dang intersection.

• Second bridge over the Chao Phraya River from Kiakkai intersection (Section 5) connecting to elevated motorways and routes from Kamphaeng Phet Road to Phaholyothin Road.

• The Phraya Ratchamontri drainage tunnel from Phasi Charoen to Sanam Chai canal.

• Reinforced concrete dam in the Bang Phai Canal running from Khlong Phraya Ratchamontri to the canal’s end in Greater Bangkok.

• Reinforced concrete dam with a wastewater collection system in Saen Saep Canal from Min Buri floodgate to Nong Chok floodgate.

• Reinforced concrete dam in Bang Na from Kret canal to Chao Phraya River.

• Extension of drainage tunnel under Bang Sue canal from Ratchadaphisek Road to Lat Phrao canal.

• Phase 2 of the Min Buri wastewater treatment project

• Preventing and solving coastal erosion problems in Bang Khunthien.

Published : January 11, 2022

By : THE NATION