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https://www.nationthailand.com/blogs/in-focus/40010685

New Year celebrations in Chonburi resulted in 442 people testing positive for Covid-19 on Sunday, with the highest number of cases in Bang Lamung district. A 68-year-old Chonburi resident with pre-existing chronic conditions also succumbed to the virus despite being double jabbed.

Chonburi authorities reported 14 new clusters, resulting in 342 cases, while eight medics tested positive. The latest numbers were achieved after officials conducted proactive tests at restaurants serving booze in the province.

In comparison, Bangkok only reported 366 infections and one death on Sunday.

Meanwhile, Dr Wichai Thanasopon from the provincial public health office said ATK tests were conducted among 264 people in Chonburi on January 1 and 67 of them tested positive. Some of these people had visited walking streets and may have put many people at risk, he said.

From another set of 79 random samples, 64 or 81 per cent had tested positive for the Omicron strain, nine for Delta while six are still unidentified.

Since April 2021, Chonburi has reported a total of 113,756 cases, with 2,360 still being treated. So far, 110,226 people have fully recovered, while the cumulative death toll stands at 794.

Published : January 02, 2022

By : THE NATION

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40010684

The first day of 2022 saw 73 deaths and 574 people injured in 574 road accidents nationwide, the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation said on Sunday.

January 1 marked the fourth of “seven dangerous days” of the New Year break.

Nirat Pongsitthaworn, Interior Ministry’s deputy permanent secretary, said drunk driving was to blame for 37.28 per cent of accidents, while speeding was responsible for 35.71 per cent of the crashes. Also, he said, 89.27 per cent of the accidents involved motorbikes and most crashes occurred between 3am and 6am on Saturday.

“On Saturday alone, 85,196 motorists were charged for violating traffic laws. Of them, 24,279 were charged for not wearing a helmet and 21,815 were caught for driving without a licence,” he said.

Nirat added that between December 29 and January 1, the toll from 1,906 road accidents has resulted in 226 deaths and 1,894 injuries.

“Chiang Mai has had the highest number of accidents at 74 and most injuries [70], while Bangkok has seen 14 deaths, which is the highest,” he said. “No road deaths during this period have been recorded in 35 provinces.”

Meanwhile, DDPM director-general Boontham Lertsukekasem said the centre on Sunday cooperated with provincial agencies to deploy police officers and volunteers to ensure safety on roads as people start returning from their hometowns.

“We call on motorists to strictly adhere to traffic laws and avoid speeding or driving when drowsy,” he said.

Accidents can be reported via the department’s 1784 hotline or through its @1784DDPM Line account.

Related stories: 

• Road accidents kill 153, injure 1,322 in first 3 of ‘7 dangerous days’
• 85 dead, 786 injured as Thailand’s ‘7 Dangerous Days’ kick off
• Lockdown does little to reduce road deaths in Greater Bangkok

Published : January 02, 2022

By : THE NATION

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/blogs/in-focus/40010683

The Pingxiang Railway checkpoint will open from January 4 to 17 to allow the large quantities of Thai fruit lying stranded at Dongxing into China.

Exporters have until Tuesday to change their phytosanitary certificates after which the fruit can undergo customs clearance at Pingxiang crossing before entering China.

According to the Department of Agriculture, Thailand has exported more than 2 million tonnes of fruit worth 148 billion baht in the first 10 months of 2021.

The top three fruits exported to China are durian, longan and young coconut, but many shipments have been stuck at the border due to new clearance rules introduced late last year.

Published : January 02, 2022

By : THE NATION

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/blogs/in-focus/40010682

Krabi’s beautiful Maya Bay has been opened to tourists from January 1 for the first time since June 1, 2018.

Pramote Kaewnam, chief of Hat Noppharat Thara–Mu Ko Phi Phi National Park, said only 375 tourists can visit for just one hour at a time. He also said swimming in the bay is strictly prohibited.

January 1 saw many speedboats and long-tail boats delivering groups at Phi Phi Leh island’s Loh Samah Bay Pier.

Maya Bay was closed to tourists in June 2018 due to “irreparable” ecological damage and to give the area a chance to recover.

Published : January 02, 2022

By : THE NATION

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/blogs/in-focus/40010680

Images of “big piles of garbage”, ranging from bottles to cans of fake snow spray, strewn along the length of Phuket’s Patong beach were posted on Facebook over the weekend.

The images attracted strong comments, with many netizens slamming partygoers for being ignorant, selfish and uncaring.

One of the main posts read: “Celebrate the festival of happiness and leave suffering for others. New Year’s aftermath 2022. Thank you!”

Published : January 02, 2022

By : THE NATION

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40010679

As many as 7,391 motorists were arrested for drunk driving between December 29 and 31, the first three of “seven dangerous days”.

“This was up 75.39 per cent compared to the same period last year,” deputy National Police chief Pol General Damrongsak Kittiprapas said on Saturday.

He added that 1,240 checkpoints have been set up across the country to ensure motorists’ safety during the New Year holidays. Of these, 769 checkpoints are responsible for traffic discipline and 471 aim to catch drunk drivers.

Over the three days, 198,159 motorists were detained for violating traffic laws, up 7.64 per cent compared to the same period last year.

Damrongsak, however, said road accidents, injuries and fatalities between December 29 and 31 have dropped compared to the same period last year. This year there were:

• 1,339 road accidents, down by 309 or 18.75 per cent

• 153 deaths, down by 31 or 16.85 per cent

• 1,322 injuries, down by 313 or 19.14 per cent

“The cause for most accidents or 34.96 per cent was speeding and 29.93 per cent was due to drunk driving,” he said.

Damrongsak called on motorists to refrain from drinking alcohol, take care of their health, check their vehicle, study traffic routes and adhere to the law.

“Police officers are ready to take care of motorists until they reach their destination safely,” he added.

Motorists requiring assistance can call 191 or 1193.

Related stories: 

• 85 dead, 786 injured as Thailand’s ‘7 Dangerous Days’ kick off
• Lockdown does little to reduce road deaths in Greater Bangkok
• Number of road accidents involving pedestrians aged over 60 rose in first half of 2019

Published : January 02, 2022

By : THE NATION

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40010673

Ministry of Public Health reported on Sunday (January 2) morning that in the past 24 hours there are 3,112 new patients who tested positive for Covid-19, two of whom have been found in prisons.

Death toll increased by 12, while 2,921 patients were cured and allowed to leave hospitals.

The country’s total caseload from Covid-19 stands at 2,229,558 – 2,174,730 of whom have recovered, 33,108 are still in hospitals and 21,720 have died.

Separately, another 5,993 people were given their first Covid-19 shot in the last 24 hours, 9,894 their second shot and 12,111 a booster, bringing the total number of Covid-19 vaccine doses administered nationwide to 104,472,167.

According to Worldometer, confirmed cases globally had risen to 289.70 million on Monday, 254.14 million of whom have recovered, 30.11 million are active cases (89,072 in severe condition) and 5.45 million have died (up by 3,875).

Thailand ranks 24th in the global list of most cases, which is topped by the US with 55.86 million, followed by India with 34.88 million, Brazil with 22.29 million, the UK with 13.10 million and Russia with 10.51 million.

Published : January 02, 2022

By : THE NATION

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40010672

The Thailand Meteorological Department said on Sunday (January 2) that the rather strong high-pressure system covers upper Thailand with cool to cold in the North and the Northeast. 

Morning cool with strong winds will be likely in the Central and the East regions. Cold to very cold is forecast on mountaintops. The minimum temperature of the North mountaintops is in range of 7-15 °C while the Northeast ranges by 10-16 °C. 

“People in the upper country should keep healthy due to the variable weather,” the department said.

The strong northeast monsoon prevails across the Gulf with isolated heavy rains in the lower South. The strong wind forces the waves about 2 metres in the upper Gulf, 2-3 metres in the lower Gulf and above 3 metres in thundershowers, while the Andaman Sea has waves 1-2 metres high and offshore about 2 metres high. 

“People in the South (east coast) should beware of inshore surges while the lower South beware of heavy rains,” the department said, “All ships should proceed with caution and small boat in the lower Gulf keep ashore.”

The 24-hour weather forecast for different regions:

North: Cool to cold; temperature lows of 15-19 °C and highs of 29-33 °C; temperature on hilltops is likely to drop to 7-15 °C.

Northeast: Cool to cold with strong winds; temperature lows of 14-19 °C and highs of 29-31 °C; temperature on hilltops is likely to drop to 10-16 °C.

Central: Partly cloudy with morning cool and strong winds; temperature lows of 18-22 °C and highs of 30-32 °C.

East: Cool in the morning with strong winds; temperature lows of 20-23 °C, highs of 31-33 °C; waves 1-2 metres high and about 2 metres offshore.

South (east coast): Cool in the morning in upper part with isolated thundershower and heavy rains in lower part; temperature lows of 22-24 °C, highs of 29-31 °C; waves about 2 metres high and above 2 metres in thundershowers in Surat Thani upwards, while 2-3 metres high and above 3 metres in thundershowers in Nakhon Si Thammarat downwards.

South (west coast): Isolated thundershower; temperature lows of 23-25 °C, highs of 30-33 °C; waves 1-2 metres high and about 2 metres offshore.

Bangkok and surrounding areas: Cool in the morning with strong winds and a decrease in temperature by 1-2 °C; temperature lows of 21-23 °C, highs of 30-33 °C.

Source: Thailand Meteorological Department

Published : January 02, 2022

By : THE NATION

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40010670

Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha applauded the organisers of countdown events as well as partygoers for strictly adhering to Covid-19 prevention measures.

“PM Prayut is pleased that the events concluded without any problems thanks to the cooperation of all parties in adhering to measures such as Covid Free Setting and Universal Prevention,” government spokesman Thanakorn Wangboonkongchana said on Saturday.

“The success of these New Year events could set a new standard for celebrations in the future.”

In a bid to prevent the spread of Omicron, event organisers were instructed to strictly adhere to Covid-19 preventive measures such as requiring that all staff and attendees are fully vaccinated and undergo an antigen test at entrances. Events could only be held in open-air venues, with a limited number of guests and the application of social distancing.

“In Bangkok, countdowns at CentralWorld, Iconsiam and Siam Paragon shopping malls saw participants wearing facemasks and maintaining a safe distance from one another, while organizers provided free ATK tests at entrances and demanded to see vaccination certificates,” Thanakorn said. “Similar steps were taken at events in other tourist provinces like Chonburi, Phuket and Chiang Mai.

“PM Prayut is pleased that people willingly follow the Public Health Ministry’s measures to protect themselves from Covid-19,” he added. “This means we are ready to move ahead with reopening the country so the economy can recover fully, while people can rest assured that they will remain safe from the virus.”

Related News

Thailand ushers in 2022

Countdown 2022 events around Thailand

Andrea Bocelli to ring in 2022 in Phuket’s amazing countdown extravaganza

Published : January 01, 2022

By : THE NATION

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40010669

More than 1.3 million people used Thailand’s railway services on December 29 and 30, with more than 90,000 people travelling upcountry.

The five lines that saw the highest number of passengers were:

• Southern: 26,852 passengers
• Northeast: 26,420 passengers
• Northern: 23,402 passengers
• Eastern: 11,010 passengers
• Mahachai-Mae Khlong: 6,066 passengers

Meanwhile, more than 1.28 million people used rail services in Greater Bangkok on December 29 and 30:

• Airport Rail Link: 57,446 passengers
• SRT Red Line: 15,590 passengers
• MRT Purple Line: 50,721 passengers
• MRT Blue Line: 355,242 passengers
• BTS: 805,331 passengers

Separately, a train crashed into a pick-up truck that was trying to cross the tracks in Nakhon Ratchasima at around 11am on December 30. Two people were slightly injured and taken to Maharat Nakhon Ratchasima Hospital for treatment.

Related News

Thais make big wishes for 2022

85 dead, 786 injured as Thailand’s ‘7 Dangerous Days’ kick off

Thailand ushers in 2022

Published : January 01, 2022

By : THE NATION