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https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40010751

The Department of Rail Transport on Tuesday reported that precisely 3,160,216 people travelled by rail during the New Year holidays from December 29 to January 3.

“Of the total rail passengers during these six days, most of them [2,897,234] commuted via electric train in Bangkok and the surrounding provinces,” department deputy director-general Phichet Khunatham said.

“The BTS Green and Gold lines recorded the most passengers – 1,825,928 – followed by the MRT Blue Line at 791,173 passengers and the Airport Rail Link at 135,665 people.”

Meanwhile, 262,982 people used State Railway of Thailand (SRT) interprovincial trains during the six days. Trains on the southern route saw the most passengers – 80,010 – followed by northeastern and northern trains at 71,703 and 61,877 people, respectively.

The department also reported six rail accidents during the six days that resulted in two fatalities and two injuries.

During the period, there were five instances of electrical malfunction, four trains were delayed and one cancelled.

“The SRT added another express train from Tuesday, running from Chiang Mai to Bangkok, and has increased the number of carriages for long-distance trains to make sure people visiting their hometowns during the New Year break can return to Bangkok on time,” Phichet added.

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Published : January 05, 2022

By : THE NATION

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40010749

Bangkok’s famous touristy Khao San Road in Phra Nakhon district has been closed for three days until January 6 for a clean-up after 10 tourists who visited the street during the New Year holidays tested positive for Covid-19, the Khao San Road Entrepreneurs Association announced on Tuesday.

“The 10 infections are from a cluster case found at a restaurant on Khao San Road. All 22 employees of the restaurant have been tested but so far none have turned up positive for Covid-19,” association president Sanga Ruangwatthanakul said.

“During the closure, businesses are encouraged to test their staff via the RT-PCR method and disinfect their establishments to ensure the safety of everyone,” he said.

Sanga said that after the street reopens on Friday it will continue to have screening checkpoints at the entrance and exit. Those who are not vaccinated or have received only a first jab must provide a negative ATK test result before entering.

“To prevent Covid-19 from spreading, business owners have been told to increase the frequency of ATK tests for their staff, and arrange seating at a maximum 50 per cent of capacity in indoor areas and 75 per cent outdoors,” he added.

Related News

It won’t be all song and dance for Khao San Road businesses despite reopening

New, improved, but empty Khao San Road

Bangkok’s Khao San area closely monitored for Covid cases, after-hours boozing

Published : January 05, 2022

By : THE NATION

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40010743

Ministry of Public Health reported on Wednesday (January 5) morning that in the past 24 hours there are 3,899 new patients who tested positive for Covid-19, 68 of whom have been found in prisons.

Death toll increased by 19, while 2,508 patients were cured and allowed to leave hospitals.

The country’s total caseload from Covid-19 stands at 2,239,475 – 2,182,829 of whom have recovered, 34,877 are still in hospitals and 21,769 have died.

Separately, another 2,826 people were given their first Covid-19 shot in the last 24 hours, 7,411 their second shot and 10,044 a booster, bringing the total number of Covid-19 vaccine doses administered nationwide to 104,544,852.

According to Worldometer, confirmed cases globally had risen to 295.6 million on Wednesday, 256.12 million of whom have recovered, 33.96 million are active cases (91,745 in severe condition) and 5.47 million have died (up by 6,574).

Thailand ranks 25th in the global list of most cases, which is topped by the US with 58.04 million, followed by India with 35.01 million, Brazil with 22.32 million, the UK with 13.64 million and France with 10.59 million.

Published : January 05, 2022

By : THE NATION

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40010742

Two Indian travellers that Chonburi public health office have been searching for since Tuesday (January 4) after they tested positive for Covid-19 were found to be treated at Lerdsin Hospital in Bangkok’s Bangrak district, said Pol. Maj. Gen. Aphichart Suriboonya, deputy chief of tourist police at 7pm of Tuesday.

“The tourist police have notified the Indian Embassy in Thailand as soon as we learned about their whereabouts,” he said. “We would like to thank every related party both in Chonburi and Bangkok that helped locate the travellers.”

Meanwhile, Lerdsin Hospital posted on facebook on the evening of Tuesday that: “The two Indian nationals that Chonburi authorities were looking for have been admitted at Lerdsin Hospital. They have been closely monitored by medical professionals while receiving standard Covid-19 treatment.”

Dr Apirat Katanyutanon, chief of Chonburi Public Health Office, said earlier on Tuesday that Ankit Sejwal, 30, and Preeti Panwar, 32, had entered Thailand under the Test & Go scheme and tested negative upon arrival. However, they did not know that they tested positive in subsequent RT-PCR tests, which prompted the office to launch the search.

Related News

Chonburi health authorities hunt for 2 Indian Covid-19 patients

Omicron surge could bring end of pandemic for Thailand, says expert

Anutin puts surge in Covid-19 cases down to irresponsible partygoers, venues

Published : January 05, 2022

By : THE NATION

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40010741

The Thailand Meteorological Department said on Wednesday (January 5) that the moderate high-pressure system covers upper Thailand. Cool to cold weather is forecast in the North while and the Northeast, the Central and the East will experience a cool morning.

Mountaintops in the North and the Northeast are cold to very cold with temperature ranging from 6 to 15 °C. People should take care of their health due to variable weather.

The Department also mentioned that the northeast monsoon across the Gulf of Thailand and the South is weakening, but still brings isolated thundershowers to the lower South.

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

North: Cool to cold weather; temperature lows of 13-19 degrees and highs of 30-33 degrees Celsius. Temperature on hilltops is likely to drop to 6-12 degrees Celsius.

Northeast: Cool weather in the morning; temperature lows of 16-21 degrees and highs of 29-33 degrees Celsius. Temperature on hilltops is likely to drop to 8-15 degrees Celsius.

Central: Cool weather in the morning; temperature lows of 21-23 degrees, highs of 32-33 degrees Celsius.

East: Cool weather in the morning; temperature lows of 22-24 degrees, highs of 32-34 degrees Celsius; waves a meter high and 1-2 meters high offshore.

South (east coast): Thundershowers in 30 per cent of the areas; temperature lows of 23-26 degrees, highs of 30-33 degrees Celsius; waves a meter high and 1-2 meters high during thundershowers.

South (west coast): Thundershowers in 30 per cent of the areas; temperature lows of 23-26 degrees, highs of 31-33 degrees Celsius; waves a meter high and 1-2 meters high offshore.

Bangkok and surrounding areas: Partly cloudy; temperature lows of 23-24 degrees, highs of 32-34 degrees Celsius.

Source: Thailand Meteorological Department

Published : January 05, 2022

By : THE NATION

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/blogs/in-focus/40010740

The Cabinet on Tuesday set aside 2.13 billion baht from the 2022 national budget to fund the restoration of infrastructure damaged by flooding.

The rainy season between May and October brought heavy rains and subsequent flooding to many provinces in Thailand, causing damage to national highways and rural roads.

The departments of highways and rural roads have already spent about 8 billion baht repairing 663 roads in 31 provinces.

Under the new budget, the Department of Highways will be given 1.65 billion baht and the Department of Rural Roads 476.44 million baht to repair more roads damaged by flooding.

The Highways Department plans to use the funds to repair infrastructure in Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Lampang, Khon Kaen, Chaiyaphum, Nakhon Ratchasima, Kalasin, Kamphaeng Phet, Nakhon Sawan, Ayutthaya, Phetchabun, Lopburi, Sukhothai, Kanchanaburi and Tak.

The Department of Rural Roads, meanwhile, will fix roads in Chiang Mai, Mae Hong Son, Chaiyaphum, Nakhon Sawan, Kamphaeng Phet, Sukhothai and Ranong.

Published : January 04, 2022

By : THE NATION

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/blogs/in-focus/40010739

The Cabinet on Tuesday approved a law amendment banning the import-export of pirated products, the latest move of a crackdown on Thailand’s infamous market in fake goods.

Proposed by the Commerce Ministry, the amendment will boost prevention of intellectual property infringement at the border and bring Thai law in line with the Trade-Related Intellectual Property Rights Agreement (TRIPS) and the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP), said government spokesperson Rachada Dhnadirek.

The draft ministerial regulation has two core aims.

It designates products that infringe on trademarks and bans their export, import and transit through the Kingdom.

It also requires traders to report trademark or copyright details to the Customs Department to enable inspection of suspect goods.

The government’s crackdown on counterfeit goods saw the Kingdom removed from the US Notorious Markets List in 2020.

Published : January 04, 2022

By : THE NATION

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/blogs/in-focus/40010738

The Cabinet has earmarked 4.18 billion baht for the World Specialised Expo 2028, which is scheduled to be held in Phuket. Secondary events are also being planned for other Andaman provinces.

Plans to host the expo were proposed by Phuket governor Narong Woonciew on November 3 and approved by the Cabinet on November 16 last year.

A bid for the expo, signed by Public Health Minister Anutin Charnvirakul, who is also deputy PM, was then sent to the Bureau of International Expositions (BIE) on December 14.

However, BIE stipulates that the host of the expo submit details of the event’s funding in advance, which Thailand will provide on January 7.

Narong believes the world expo will help Phuket broaden its base and reduce its overdependence on tourism.

Specialised expos normally last for three months.

Published : January 04, 2022

By : THE NATION

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40010733

Provincial health authorities in Chonburi launched a hunt on Tuesday for two Indian travellers who tested positive for Covid-19.

In a Facebook post, the public health office said anybody who knows the whereabouts of Ankit Sejwal, 30, and Preeti Panwar, 32, should immediately call Vibharam Laemchabang Hospital at (033) 009800.

Dr Apirat Katanyutanon, chief of Chonburi Public Health Office, said both travellers had entered Thailand under the Test & Go scheme and tested negative upon arrival. However, they did not know that they tested positive in subsequent RT-PCR tests.

He added that the office has also called on the Indian Embassy to help track down the two travellers so they can undergo treatment as soon as possible.

Related stories:

• Omicron surge could bring end of pandemic for Thailand, says expert
• Anutin puts surge in Covid-19 cases down to irresponsible partygoers, venues
• Virus experts warns Thailand could lose race against super-infectious Omicron

Published : January 04, 2022

By : THE NATION

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40010731

In a bid to help families overburdened with debts incurred in the fallout of Covid-19, Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha has called on related agencies to come up with solutions.

“The PM also hopes that lawmakers will approve a new draft on student loans as it will ease the burden on more than 5 million students and guarantors,” government spokesman Thanakorn Wangboonkongchana said on Tuesday.

He said a committee chaired by Energy Minister Supattanapong Punmeechaow is working to solve eight types of debts with the following measures:

• Student loans: Extending repayment period, allowing students to start repaying when they have a job and reducing the interest rate on defaulted payment to 2 per cent.

• Debt restructuring: Making it part of the national agenda, getting specialised institutions to restructure debts so debtors do not need to worry about legal procedures.

• Vehicle loans: Fixing the cost of debt collection

• Civil servant loans: Easing the burden on civil servants, especially teachers and police officers, by cutting the interest rate to no more than 5 per cent, reducing life insurance premiums and guaranteeing fees.

• Ceiling rate and fees: Reconsidering rates as well as launching protection measures.

• Credit card and personal loans: Setting up a debt clinic to tackle the problem.

• Soft loans: Making it easier for individual, small and medium enterprises to take soft loans.

• Judicial process: Setting up a Thai Business Mediation Centre to address business and finance-related disputes.

Thanakorn also quoted Prayut as saying that the household debt trap needs to be tackled as soon as possible because it affects the economy and society.

“The premier believes people can be free of debt if they have the intention, discipline and plans for repaying their debts,” he added.

Published : January 04, 2022

By : THE NATION