#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40010884

People flocked to Bangkok’s vaccination hub at Bang Sue Grand Station on Sunday as Thailand’s fifth wave of Covid-19 continued to spread.

Bang Sue is offering a walk-in service for people who haven’t received a Covid-19 jab, while those who want second or third jabs must book ahead via mobile network operators AIS, TRUE, DTAC or NT.

The vaccination centre is now taking third-jab appointments for people who received their second AstraZeneca dose in September or October.

On Sunday, health officials reported 8,511 new cases and 12 deaths over the previous 24 hours. Meanwhile, 2,605 patients recovered and left hospital.

Thailand’s latest wave of infections is being driven by the ultra-transmissible Omicron variant.

The country’s cumulative caseload since the pandemic began stands at 2,269,550 with 21,825 fatalities.

Related stories:

• Bangkok preps for Omicron surge with ambulance drills, entertainment clampdown
• Bangkok readies isolation centres to tackle surge in Omicron cases
• Bangkok restaurants can now serve booze until 9pm

Published : January 09, 2022

By : THE NATION

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/blogs/in-focus/40010883

The government on Sunday denied covering up an outbreak of African swine fever (AFS) in Thailand amid growing suspicion that AFS is to blame for falling local pork supplies and surging prices. AFS is already decimating pig herds in neighbouring Malaysia, Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar and Vietnam as well as dozens of other countries.

Thai pork supplies have dropped 30 per cent this year, and PM Prayut Chan-o-cha has ordered livestock officials to speed up inspections of pig farms.

The government insists livestock inspectors are following international standards and would report any Thai AFS cases to the International Animal Health Organisation, with no cover-up.

AFS, for which there is no vaccine, is fatal to pigs but harmless to humans.

Outbreaks in recent years have seen 500 million pigs culled in China and 5 million in Vietnam alone.

Thailand is now focused on developing a vaccine for AFS, with joint research by Chulalongkorn and Kasetsart universities reporting 60-70 per cent progress. A successful vaccine would be used to protect Thai pig exports worth more than 20 billion baht per year.

Meanwhile the Commerce Ministry is offering cut-price pork at 667 outlets across the country to reduce the burden of higher daily living costs.

Published : January 09, 2022

By : THE NATION

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40010881

Bangkok’s governor has instructed all 50 districts of the capital to make urgent preparations for a surge in Omicron cases.

Aswin Kwanmuang ordered district officials to tighten controls on the spread of Covid-19, focusing on entertainment venues, pubs, bars and karaoke outlets.

District offices were also told to rehearse transport measures for patients to ensure they receive medical treatment quickly.

Patients who develop mild symptoms will be treated under Home Isolation,” Bangkok Metropolitan Administration permanent-secretary Khajit Chatchavanich said on Saturday.

“They will receive a thermometer, fingertip oximeter, anti-fever Fah Talai Jone pills and other drugs,” he explained.

Those whose symptoms worsen will receive Favipiravir or be sent to a community isolation facility, field hospital or hospital, based on the severity of illness.

District offices have also been ordered to set up Emergency Operation Centres to monitor the Omicron situation, and cooperate with agencies in preparing emergency plans.

Related stories:

• Bangkok readies isolation centres to tackle surge in Omicron cases
• Bangkok restaurants can now serve booze until 9pm
• Bangkok to open 6 isolation centres for children as Omicron surge looms

Published : January 09, 2022

By : THE NATION

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/blogs/in-focus/40010880

Thailand was named the world’s 11th best and Asia’s top place for retirees by the International Living website in its 2022 global retirement index.

The ranking was based on a variety of factors including cost of living, food, medical costs, visa convenience, weather, things to do, tradition and culture.

Thailand is popular among retirees because not only does it offer unspoilt beaches and natural getaways, but also has modern conveniences and perhaps some of the friendliest people in the world.

Obtaining a long-stay visa in Thailand is easy, while world-class medical services can be easily accessed at affordable prices.

Bangkok, Chiang Mai and Hua Hin are the most popular among retirees, who can live for as little as US$1,000 or 33,000 baht per month.

Last year, Bangkok reigned as the champion for the world’s most suitable country for work and leisure.

This year’s top 10 countries for retirement are Panama, Costa Rica, Mexico, Portugal, Ecuador, Colombia, France, Malta, Spain and Uruguay.

Published : January 09, 2022

By : THE NATION

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/blogs/in-focus/40010879

More than 500 Karen refugees fled to Tak’s Mae Sot district on Friday after skirmishes broke out between the Tatmadaw (Myanmar’s military) and Karenni National Progress Party (KNPP).

This is the first time in nearly a decade that the two sides have clashed.

The Thai-Myanmar Border Command Centre said it will provide humanitarian assistance to the 586 refugees, most of whom are women, children and the elderly, and put them up in temporary safe areas.

The Thai border committee has called on its Myanmar counterpart to urge the Tatmadaw to exercise caution when employing gunfire and airstrikes to ensure border guards and Thais living in the area are not affected.

Published : January 09, 2022

By : THE NATION

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40010878

People in Thailand are being urged to switch to chicken in a bid to tackle the shortage of pork, rising prices and to help poultry farmers nationwide.

Somboon Watcharapongpun, president of the Thai Broiler Association, said reducing demand is another way of tackling the rising price crisis.

“Chicken is just as nutritional as pork, is easy to consume and can be bought anywhere,” he said. “Boosting demand will also help more than 10,000 chicken farmers nationwide.”

Somboon added that the government’s moves to cut import tariffs on animal feed was a welcome relief because farmers have had to foot high costs for a long time.

However, he said, the cost of animal feed produced locally was also high because the government has been keeping the price of agricultural crops high.

“We call on the government to reconsider measures related to animal feed, especially corn, in a bid to promote carbon-free breeding of chickens that match the demand of importers, especially those in the European Union,” he said.

“Last year, the price of soybean and soybean meal rose by 30 per cent to 18 baht per kilo, while the cost of corn has risen to 11.50 baht per kilo,” he said.

“The cost of vitamin supplements from overseas has risen by 20 to 30 per cent.”

Related stories:

• Thailand halts pig exports for 3 months to tackle soaring pork prices
• Thailand mulls cutting pig exports to control soaring pork price
• BAAC expects prices of agricultural products to rise in Feb

Published : January 09, 2022

By : THE NATION

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/blogs/in-focus/40010877

Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) is setting up special community isolation centres to serve as waiting areas for Covid-19 patients before they are shifted to hospitals or local quarantine facilities.

This move is to deal with a potential surge in Covid-19 patients now that the highly transmissible Omicron variant is quickly becoming a dominant strain. As of January 4, 2,338 people had tested positive for Omicron in different parts of the country.

Bangkok governor Aswin Kwanmuang said last week that he aims to have 41 such centres with a total of 5,158 beds ready soon.

Khachit Chatchawanit, BMA’s permanent secretary, said on Sunday that so far 13 centres with a total of 1,826 beds are ready and another 28 with an additional 3,332 beds should open soon.

As of Saturday, 137 of the beds were occupied.

The isolation centres that are ready include:

• 175 beds at RBS Logistic, Lat Phrao

• 118 beds at Postal School, Lak Si

• 100 beds at Mansri Waterworks facility, Pom Prab (Sattru Phai)

• 145 beds at Tan Pun Waiting Centre, Huai Khwang

• 500 beds at Saphan Temple, Khlong Toei

• 92 beds at Nasa Bangkok hotel, Suan Luang

• 127 beds at Bangkok Waiting Centre, Kha Na Yaw

• 133 beds at Happiness Centre for All Ages, Bang Kapi

• 114 beds at Happiness Centre for All Ages, Thawee Wattana

• 50 beds at Happiness Centre for All Ages (Women), Bangkok Yai

• 100 beds at Wat Kamphaeng, Phasi Charoen

• 120 beds at Happiness Centre for All Ages, Bang Khuntien

• 52 beds at Kiakkai Waiting Centre (children five to 12), Dusit

Bangkok has also established four field hospitals and seven district field hospitals for residents in six districts with a total of 4,974 beds.

In the worst-case scenario, when cases rise rapidly, there will also be medical teams to oversee patients isolating at home.

Published : January 09, 2022

By : THE NATION

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40010875

Trat’s Mu Koh Chang National Park will be closed to tourists from Sunday to curb the spread of Covid-19, especially since the number of new cases is surging on the tourist island of Koh Chang.

The national park straddles several districts, including 52 islands with the most notable one being Koh Chang in the archipelago.

“The national park is closed for overnight stay and camping, and all tourism activities will be cancelled until the situation returns to normal,” the national park’s chief Nipon Pinyo said on Saturday.

The national park is popular with travellers thanks to its stunning Klong Plu and Than Mayom waterfalls, the Koh Rang-Koh Ngam snorkelling site and Kai Bae viewpoint.

Related stories:

• 6 missing Covid-positive foreigners found in Koh Chang
• 6 Covid-positive foreigners missing in Koh Chang
• No camping in Koh Chang until Jan 31

Published : January 09, 2022

By : THE NATION

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40010867

Alcohol can be served until 9pm in food outlets that have passed the SHA Plus or Thai Stop Covid 2 Plus standards, the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) announced on Saturday.

The announcement, signed by Bangkok governor Aswin Kwanmuang, went into effect on Sunday.

Meanwhile, operators of entertainment venues, pubs, bars and karaoke outlets that want to change their status to food outlets must request permission from district offices to evaluate their venue readiness in line with disease prevention and control measures.

Like restaurants, these venues must also pass the SHA Plus or Thai Stop Covid 2 Plus standards and will only be allowed to serve alcohol until 9pm.

The SHA Plus or Amazing Thailand Safety and Health Administration standard means at least 70 per cent of the staff have been fully vaccinated and all other hygiene and safety measures have been met.

Related stories:

• Booze can be served in blue provinces from Jan 16, but no dancing allowed
• Bangkok’s Khao San area closely monitored for Covid cases, after-hours boozing
• Booze can be served until the wee hours of 2022, says CCSA

Published : January 09, 2022

By : THE NATION

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40010866

The six Covid-positive foreigners who had gone missing were tracked down in Koh Chang on Saturday.

Tourist Police Office 6 Inspector Pol Lt-Colonel Pattanapong Siricharoennam said the six tourists claimed they did not intend to escape and that they had not been informed of their test results.

“We have cooperated with public health officials in Koh Chang to provide medical treatment to the six tourists,” Pattanapong said.

Trat authorities on Friday launched a hunt for the six foreigners who had entered Thailand under the Test & Go scheme and checked out of their hotels in Koh Chang after testing positive for Covid-19 on January 4.

“Their test results came back positive for Covid-19, but the authorities have not been able to contact them since Wednesday [January 5] and we believe they may have left the island,” acting Koh Chang district chief Chanchai Phacharawarangkun said on Friday.

The tourists who had gone missing are:

• Arnaud Cachia, 32 (France)

• Romain Thiauld Gretten, 32 (France)

• Marek Zbignien Bonleckl, 62 (Poland)

• Krause Dariusz Tomasz, 51 (Poland)

• Oleheming Borgem Kolstad, 38 (Norway)

• Johan Debernardi, 31 (Switzerland)

Related stories:

• 6 Covid-positive foreigners missing in Koh Chang
• No camping in Koh Chang until Jan 31
• Koh Chang, Koh Kood almost fully booked for Oct 22-24 long weekend

Published : January 09, 2022

By : THE NATION