#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40010865

Public Health Ministry reported on Sunday (January 9) morning that in the past 24 hours there are 8,511 new patients who tested positive for Covid-19, 20 of whom have been found in prisons.

Death toll increased by 12, while 2,605 patients were cured and allowed to leave hospitals.

The country’s total caseload from Covid-19 stands at 2,269,550 – 2,193,867 of whom have recovered, 53,858 are still in hospitals and 21,825 have died.

Separately, another 38,795 people were given their first Covid-19 shot in the last 24 hours, 116,106 their second shot and 228,101 a booster, bringing the total number of Covid-19 vaccine doses administered nationwide to 106,336,237.

According to Worldometer, confirmed cases globally had risen to 306.02 million on Sunday, 258.95 million of whom have recovered, 41.57 million are active cases (94,057 in severe condition) and 5.50 million have died (up by 4,821).

Thailand ranks 25th in the global list of most cases, which is topped by the US with 60.95 million, followed by India with 35.51 million, Brazil with 22.49 million, the UK with 14.33 million and France with 11.81 million.

Published : January 09, 2022

By : THE NATION

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40010864

The moderate high-pressure system from China covers upper Thailand and the South China Sea cause with morning fog and cool to cold in the North and the Northeast, the Thailand Meteorological Department said on Sunday (January 9). 

Meanwhile, morning cool will be likely in the Central and the East regions. 

On mountaintops of the North and the Northeast, cold to very cold is forecast. The minimum temperature of the North mountaintops is in range of 5-14 °C while the Northeast ranges by 8-15 °C.

The weak northeast monsoon prevails across the Gulf of Thailand and the South with isolated thundershowers for the lower South.

The 24-hour weather forecast for different regions:

North: Cool to cold with morning fog; temperature lows of 14-18 °C and highs of 30-35 °C; temperature on hilltops is likely to drop to 5-14 °C.

Northeast: Cool to cold with morning light fog; temperature lows of 15-19 °C and highs of 31-33 °C; temperature on hilltops is likely to drop to 8-15 °C.

Central: Cool with morning light fog; temperature lows of 19-21 °C and highs of 33-35 °C.

East: Cool with morning light fog; temperature lows of 21-24 °C, highs of 32-35 °C; waves below 1 metre high and about 1 metre offshore.

South (east coast): Isolated thundershower; temperature lows of 20-26 °C, highs of 31-34 °C; waves about 1 metre high in Surat Thani upwards, while 1-2 metres high and about 2 metres in thundershowers in Nakhon Si Thammarat downwards.

South (west coast): Isolated thundershower; temperature lows of 23-26 °C, highs of 33-34 °C; waves below 1 metre high and about 1 metre offshore.

Bangkok and surrounding areas: Partly cloudy with morning light fog; temperature lows of 23-24 °C and highs of 34-35 °C.

Source: Thailand Meteorological Department

Published : January 09, 2022

By : THE NATION

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40010858

Chiang Mai’s governor on Friday ordered 23 restaurants in Muang district to shut down for between 3 and 14 days after customers sparked Covid-19 cluster outbreaks. All the establishments served alcohol.

Health officials urged visitors to any of the restaurants to get tested immediately and isolate at home for 7 days even if the result is negative.

All staff including musicians will be ATK tested every three days during the closure. Restaurant owners failing to comply face a fine of up to 100,000 baht and/or one year in prison.

Chiang Mai recorded 298 new infections on Friday, 152 of whom were customers of local restaurants. Local hospitals are treating 1,315 Covid-19 cases, while 672 are in community isolation and 503 people are isolating at home.

Restaurants shut until January 20:

– Living Machine, Suthep sub-district

– Zoe In Yellow, Sriphum

– Hom Bar, Patan

– Thachang Café, Changpheuk

Restaurants shut until January 13:

– Chalui Café, Changpheuk sub-district

– Siew Santitham Plaza, Changpheuk

– SOPA Café, Suthep

– THAY, Suthep

Restaurants shut until January 9:

– Too Nice Nimman, Suthep sub-district

– The PARK Society Bar & Hostel, Changkhlan

– Perng Café, Suthep

– Lao Tong, Fah Ham

– The Riverside Bar & Restaurant, Changmoi

– Seoulhigh, Sriphum

– Blacklist Cafe & Restaurant, Suthep

– 86’s Room, Changmoi

– SPV Café, Changmoi

– Café Wander, Changmoi

– Phojai Bar, Suthep

– Pi Lao in the Garden, Phra Singh

– The Good View Bar and Restaurant, Changmoi

– Lism Café, Changpheuk

– Good Bar Icon Park, Changpheuk

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Published : January 08, 2022

By : THE NATION

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40010857

The Chinese Embassy in Bangkok announced on its Facebook page on Saturday that the latest donation of 500,000 Covid-19 vaccine doses had landed in Thailand.

China has so far donated 50.85 million doses of Covid-19 vaccines to Thailand to help with its bid to build herd immunity.

The embassy said these donations were part of moves to strengthen Thailand and China’s strategic ties.

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Nong Khai eyed as transport hub for China-Laos high-speed railway

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Published : January 08, 2022

By : THE NATION

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40010856

The Department of Rail Transport (DRT), in conjunction with the State Railway of Thailand (SRT), is getting ready to turn Nong Khai province into a logistics hub for the China-Laos high-speed railway.

DRT’s deputy director Pichet Kunathammarak said the province is geographically well placed to serve as a shipping hub and container storage area for Thailand, Laos and China.

SRT is also eyeing the Na Tha station in Muang district to serve the purpose and is seeking funds to study and analyse options for a public-private partnership.

DRT, meanwhile, is looking to adjust regulations and solve problems related to logistics, overall cost and the efficient use of train and road transportation.

The department is also looking into using the Thai-Lao Friendship Bridge for goods that need to be transported in a hurry.

DRT has also earmarked 80 rai of land to use as customs clearance and transfer area.

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The China-Laos railway went into operation on December 3, and should serve as an important connector between Thailand, China and Laos.

However, the route is not running to its full capacity yet due to Covid-19 restrictions.

As of December 2020, 116,552 tonnes of goods worth approximately 4.64 billion baht crossed the Nong Khai border. However, after the China-Laos railway opened, the number of goods transported nearly doubled to 304,119 tonnes worth 6.91 billion baht in December alone.

Published : January 08, 2022

By : THE NATION

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40010854

The Omicron variant may be an indication that the Covid-19 pandemic will come to an end within this year, a respiratory expert with Bangkok’s Vichaiyut Hospital predicted on Friday.

In a Facebook post, Dr Manoon Leechawengongs pointed out that the Omicron variant has mutated significantly from the original coronavirus and its impact is far milder.

“Omicron is proof of a virus’ nature, in that it adapts itself by producing milder symptoms so it does not kill the host and can live inside them for as long as it can,” he said. “Sooner or later, most people will be infected with the Omicron variant regardless of their ethnicity, sex or age.

“Dr Wasan [Chantrathit, chief of Ramathibodi Hospital’s Centre for Medical Genomics] and I agree that as more people get vaccinated against Covid-19, we will achieve herd immunity against the virus, causing the pandemic to come to an end this year,” Manoon said.

“Thanks to Omicron, Covid-19 will eventually become an endemic infection, with young children getting it every year.”

An endemic infection is one that is constantly present to a greater or lesser degree in people of a certain class or living in a particular location.

“Since Omicron produces milder symptoms than the Delta variant, vaccinated people who get it will mostly suffer from symptoms that are no different than a common cold,” he added. “However, I strongly advise those in risky groups, such as seniors, pregnant women and people with underlying health problems to get vaccinated as soon as they can. If you have already had two shots, get a booster before most people in the country are infected by the Omicron variant in the next month or two.”

The World Health Organisation (WHO), however, on Thursday warned against categorising the Omicron variant as mild, saying it was killing people across the planet.

“While Omicron does appear to be less severe compared to Delta, especially in those vaccinated, it does not mean it should be categorised as mild,” WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus was quoted as saying by AFP.

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Published : January 08, 2022

By : THE NATION

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40010853

The Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration (CCSA) announced on Friday that eight destinations will continue being part of the “blue zone” or tourism-pilot area.

All businesses and activities in blue zone areas can be run along the “new normal”. These include all shopping malls, convenience stores, markets, cinemas, etc. Restaurants and eateries can also open as per normal and also serve booze until 9pm, while meetings, fairs and events can be held with no limitations.

The eight provinces are:

• Bangkok
• Kanchanaburi
• Krabi
• Chonburi
• Nonthaburi
• Pathum Thani
• Phang Nga
• Phuket

These eight provinces along with blue zone districts in 18 provinces that fall under the “controlled” orange zone will be regulated along the lines of green-zone provinces.

The 18 provinces are:

• Khon Kaen
• Chanthaburi
• Chiang Rai
• Chiang Mai
• Trat
• Nakhon Ratchasima
• Buri Ram
• Prachuap Khiri Khan
• Ayutthaya
• Phetchaburi
• Ranong
• Rayong
• Loei
• Samut Prakan
• Surat Thani
• Surin
• Nong Khai
• Udon Thani

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The CCSA has indefinitely postponed the opening of an additional six provinces under the blue zone, namely Trat (Khlong Yai), Sa Kaew (Muang and Aranyaprathet), Mukdahan (Muang district), Bueng Kan, Nakhon Phanom and Ubon Ratchathani (Muang and Sirindhorn).

Published : January 08, 2022

By : THE NATION

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40010852

The Royal Thai Consulate General in New York posted the latest on travelling to Thailand on Saturday.

As of January 7, the following regulations apply:

• Those who obtained the Thailand Pass for the Test & Go scheme by registering before December 22 will be qualified for a one-day quarantine provided their Covid-19 test is negative upon arrival. There is no restriction on the date of arrival.

• Those who have obtained the Thailand Pass by registering after December 22 will be required to stay in an Alternative Quarantine (AQ) hotel or within a sandbox area for seven days if they are fully vaccinated. The period is extended to 10 days for the unvaccinated or those who have received their vaccines less than 14 days before arrival.

• Those who have had Covid-19 over the past three months can enter Thailand by presenting a medical clearance letter. The consulate also noted that former Covid-19 patients may be required by the airline to present a negative RT-PCR result before boarding or at their transit airport.

As of Friday, the sandbox scheme has been expanded to cover more destinations apart from Phuket, namely Surat Thani’s Koh Samui, Koh Pha-ngan and Koh Tao, and the provinces of Phang Nga and Krabi. Under the scheme, fully vaccinated Thai and foreign travellers are required to book seven nights in an AQ hotel and take two RT-PCR tests.

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Published : January 08, 2022

By : THE NATION

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40010851

Ubon Ratchathani residents have been ordered to stay indoors from 11pm to 4am from Saturday onwards until further notice, though exceptions will be made for emergencies and the transportation of goods.

Governor Phongrat Phiromrat announced the curfew on Friday, saying that it was necessary to control the rising number of new infections in the province. As many as 525 new patients were reported on Friday in the province, where 3,149 are still undergoing treatment.

Meanwhile, a longer curfew has been imposed in five villages where cluster cases were reported until January 21. The villages are Rakthai in Na Yia sub-district, and Non Sawang, Sam Yaek Wang Sua, Sawang Aron and Sawang Sukkasem villages in Phaiboon sub-district.

Residents of these villages are required to stay indoors from 9pm to 4am, while gatherings of more than two people, dining at restaurants and the sale of alcohol is also banned during the said period.

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Published : January 08, 2022

By : THE NATION

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40010850

Trat authorities are searching for six foreign tourists who entered Thailand under the Test & Go scheme and checked out of their hotels in Koh Chang after being tested for Covid-19 on January 4.

Under the Test & Go scheme, visitors are required to wait in their hotels until their tests come back negative. After that, they can travel to selected areas.

“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 district has filed a missing person report at Koh Chang Police Station so officials can launch a search for them. Hotels in Trat have also been instructed to notify officials immediately if they find the six tourists.”

The tourists being sought are:

• Arnaud Cachia, 32 (France)

• Romain Gretten, 32 (France)

• Marek Zbignien Bonleckl, 62 (Poland)

• Krause Dariusz Tomasz, 51 (Poland)

• Oleheming Borgem Kolstad, 38 (Norway)

• Johan Debernardi, 31 (Switzerland)

On Friday, Trat reported 53 new infections, with 173 patients currently being treated for Covid-19. No new deaths from Covid-19 were reported in the province.

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Published : January 08, 2022

By : The Star