Bangkok University pollsters asked 1,117 people across the country what they want the most in 2022, and here are some answers:
• 59.8% want the Thai economy to improve • 53.7% hope there are no more severe variants of Covid-19 • 50.1% hope there are no new Covid-19 clusters • 47.1% wish for peace and unity • 40.8% hope the cost of living remains affordable
When asked what they wanted from the government:
• 40.4% want Phase 4 of the “Kon La Khreung” (Let’s Go Halves) scheme • 20.6% want new welfare schemes to be introduced • 10.7% want New Year accident insurance coverage at a premium of 10 baht • 10.1% want the government to cut the interest on student loans. The poll was conducted between December 17 and 21.
Though many government-sponsored countdown events were cancelled to prevent the spread of Omicron, the private sector was allowed to hold parties to usher in 2022.
Event organisers, however, were instructed to strictly adhere to Covid Free Setting measures, which require all staff and attendees to be fully vaccinated and undergo an antigen test at the entrance. Events could only be held in open-air venues, with a limited number of guests and the application of social distancing.
Here are some photos of top countdown events across the country:
“Centralworld Bangkok Countdown 2022” at CentralWorld shopping mall in Bangkok’s Pathumwan district.
“Amazing Thailand Countdown 2022” at ICONSIAM shopping complex in Bangkok’s Khlong San district.
“Siam Paragon Countdown 2022: The Universe of Happiness Celebrations” at Siam Paragon mall in Bangkok’s Pathumwan district.
Amazing Thailand Countdown 2022 “Amazing New Chapters @Phuket” at King Rama X Public Park on Saphan Hin Beach.
“MONO29 PATTAYA COUNTDOWN 2022” at Bali Hai Pier in Chonburi’s Bang Lamung district.
Amazing Thailand Countdown 2022 “Amazing New Chapters @Chiang Mai” at Royal Park Rajapruek.
Though the capital’s gubernatorial elections are expected to be held in mid-2022, Bangkokians are already studying the four potential candidates.
In a recent Suan Dusit poll, former transport minister and Pheu Thai’s PM candidate Prof Dr Chatchart Sitthiphan came in as the top favourite.
The other three candidates are former King Mongkut’s Institute of Technology Ladkrabang (KMITL) rector Prof Dr Suchatvee Suwansawat, the incumbent Pol General Aswin Kwanmuang and his recently resigned deputy Sakolthee Phatthiyakul.
Pheu Thai’s Chatchart top choice for Bangkokians
Suan Dusit University collected the opinions of 1,135 Bangkokians and also learned that more than 90 per cent of people living in the capital are ready to elect a new leader.
Here’s a look at each candidate’s profile and ranking in the opinion poll:
Ministry of Public Health reported on Saturday (January 1) morning that in the past 24 hours there are 3,011 new patients who tested positive for Covid-19, 57 of whom have been found in prisons.
Death toll increased by 10, while 3,315 patients were cured and allowed to leave hospitals.
The country’s total caseload from Covid-19 stands at 2,226,446 – 2,171,809 of whom have recovered, 32,929 are still in hospitals and 21,708 have died.
Separately, another 28,563 people were given their first Covid-19 shot in the last 24 hours, 65,407 their second shot and 71,835 a booster, bringing the total number of Covid-19 vaccine doses administered nationwide to 104,444,169.
According to Worldometer, confirmed cases globally had risen to 288.54 million on Saturday, 253.71 million of whom have recovered, 29.38 million are active cases (89,849 in severe condition) and 5.45 million have died (up by 5,627).
Thailand ranks 24th in the global list of most cases, which is topped by the US with 55.7 million, followed by India with 34.86 million, Brazil with 22.29 million, the UK with 12.94 million and Russia with 10.5 million.
The Thailand Meteorological Department said on Saturday (January 1) that the rather strong high-pressure system covers upper Thailand. Cool to cold weather and strong winds are forecast in the areas with a decrease in temperature by 1-2 °C.
Mountaintops in the North and the Northeast are cold to very cold with temperature ranging from 5 to 15 °C. People should take care of their health due to variable weather.
The Department also mentioned that the strong northeast monsoon prevails across the Gulf of Thailand and the South. Thundershowers and isolated heavy rains are forecast in the lower South. Waves in the Gulf are about 2-3 meters high and over 3 meters during thundershowers. People in the lower South should beware of the severe condition. All ships should proceed with caution and small boats should keep ashore.
The weather forecast for the next 24 hours is as follows:
North: Cool to cold weather; temperature lows of 15-20 degrees and highs of 29-33 degrees Celsius. Temperature on hilltops is likely to drop to 5-12 degrees Celsius.
Northeast: Cool to cold weather with strong winds; temperature lows of 14-18 degrees and highs of 29-31 degrees Celsius. Temperature on hilltops is likely to drop to 7-15 degrees Celsius.
Central: Cool weather in the morning with strong winds; temperature lows of 19-21 degrees, highs of 30-32 degrees Celsius.
East: Cool weather in the morning with strong winds; temperature lows of 21-23 degrees, highs of 31-33 degrees Celsius; waves 1-2 meters high and 2 meters high offshore.
South (east coast): Thundershowers in 40 per cent of the areas with isolated heavy rains; temperature lows of 21-25 degrees, highs of 30-32 degrees Celsius; waves 2-3 meters high and over 3 meters high during thundershowers.
South (west coast): Thundershowers in 20 per cent of the areas; temperature lows of 23-26 degrees, highs of 30-33 degrees Celsius; waves 1-2 meters high and 2 meters high offshore.
Bangkok and surrounding areas: Cool weather in the morning with strong winds; temperature lows of 21-22 degrees, highs of 30-32 degrees Celsius.
The Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation reported 85 deaths and 786 injuries from road accidents on December 29 and 30 – the first two of Thailand’s annual “Seven Dangerous Days”.
Road accidents usually surge during the New Year holidays as thousands of people head to their hometowns.
“December 30 [Thursday] alone saw 442 accidents with 44 deaths and 426 injuries,” said Nirat Phongsitthithavon, director of the department’s Road Accident Prevention and Mitigation Centre. “The total number of accidents over Wednesday and Thursday came in at 784, with 85 deaths and 786 injuries.
“The most common cause is speeding [33.7 per cent], followed by drunk driving [26.3 per cent] and poor visibility [17.8 per cent]. Chiang Mai has seen the most accidents at 31, while Nakhon Ratchasima has seen the highest number of deaths at seven,” he added.
“Most accidents or 83.1 per cent involved motorcycles, followed by pick-up trucks [6.5 per cent] and personal cars [3.53 per cent].
“Motorists are advised to strictly obey speed limits and traffic rules, wear helmet or seatbelt and never drive when under the influence,” Nirat said. “Also follow Covid-19 prevention measures to prevent clusters and another explosion of cases.”
The Omicron variant of Covid-19 accounts for only 9 per cent of new cases in Thailand since November 1, though Delta is still the dominant strain, a Department of Medical Science survey revealed.
“Asurvey conducted nationwide since Thailand opened its doors to foreign tourists on November 1 until December 28 shows that 90.94 per cent of new Covid-19 patients had been infected by the Delta variant,” Dr Suphakit Sirilak, the department’s director-general, said on Thursday.
“Of the new patients, only 8.91 per cent have the Omicron variant, which was only discovered in Thailand on November 30,” he said. “Meanwhile, 0.13 per cent of new patients have the Alpha variant, while 0.02 per cent have the Beta variant.”
The department believes that the highly transmissible Omicron variant will push the number of daily infections to about 13,000 patients in the best-case scenario and 30,000 in a worst-case scenario.
As many as 934 Omicron infections were detected in Thailand as of Thursday, 577 of whom were arrivals from abroad and 357 were local transmissions.
More than 60 per cent of the cases have been found in Bangkok, Kalasin in the Northeast and Phuket in the South.
Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha has ordered state agencies to expand Covid-19 prevention measures once the holiday period is over.
Theerapat Prayurasiddhi, permanent secretary of the Office of the PM, said on Thursday that Prayut wants agencies to consider the following measures between January 1 and 14, namely:
• Work from home if possible
• Avoid large gatherings such as meetings, seminars, training and examinations. On-site activities can be held provided all Covid-19 prevention measures are strictly adhered to or if the event cannot be cancelled or postponed.
The Nation Thailand gathered a list of 2022 New Year countdown events that you can attend on December 31 in Bangkok and other provinces around Thailand.
Bangkok:
“ASIATIQUE Thailand Countdown 2022” at Asiatique: The Riverfront mall in Bang Kho Laem district. Event starts from 11pm.
“Siam Paragon Countdown 2022: The Universe of Happiness Celebrations” at Siam Paragon mall in Pathumwan district. Event starts from 4pm.
“Amazing Thailand Countdown 2022” at ICONSIAM shopping complex in Khlong San district.
“Centralworld Bangkok Countdown 2022”, broadcasted live via One 31 channel and facebook page of Central department store. Event starts from 10.15pm.
Phuket: Amazing Thailand Countdown 2022 “Amazing New Chapters @Phuket” at King Rama X Public Park on Saphan Hin Beach.
Chiang Mai: Amazing Thailand Countdown 2022 “Amazing New Chapters @Chiang Mai” at Royal Park Rajapruek.
Rayong: Amazing Thailand Countdown 2022 “Amazing New Chapters @Rayong” at Moonlight Beach.
Nakhon Ratchasima: Amazing Thailand Countdown 2022 “Amazing New Chapters @Nakhon Ratchasima” at the city hall.
Ayutthaya: Amazing Thailand Countdown 2022 “Amazing New Chapters @Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya” at Wat Phra Ram.
Phetchabun: “Khao Kho Countdown 2022” at Khao Kho scenic point.
Buri Ram: “Kite Flying Countdown 2022” at Chang Arena.
Roi Et: “Roi Et Tower Countdown 2022” at Roi Et Tower.
Prachuap Khiri Khan: “Hua Hin Beach Camp Countdown 2022 presented by Chang” at Intercontinental Hua Hin Resort.
Ratchaburi: “Amazing Thailand Countdown 2022 @Ratchaburi” at Pracharat Phattana Dam. Event starts from 4pm.
Chonburi: “Koh Larn Countdown” at Na Ban Pier on Koh Larn. Event starts at 7.30pm.
Sukhothai: “Amazing Night Sukhothai Countdown 2022” at Sukhothai Historical Park. Event starts from 5pm.
Pattaya: “MONO29 PATTAYA COUNTDOWN 2022” at Bali Hai Pier in Bang Lamung district. Event starts from 4pm.
Krabi: “Ao Nang Beach Festival Countdown 2022” at Ao Nang Beach. Event starts from 4pm.
Kanchanaburi: “Tha Muang Countdown 2022″ at Nang Loy market in Tha Muang district.
Suphanburi: “Suphanburi Light Festival 2022″ at Banharn-Jamsai Tower.
Ang Thong: “Ang Thong New Normal New Year 2022” at Ang Thong Intersection in Muang district.
Tak: “Light of Koh Loy Festival” at Koh Loy in Muang district.
Uthai Thani: “AMAZING THAILAND COUNTDOWN 2022 @Uthai Thani” at Sa Kae Krang Plaza. Event starts from 5pm.
Lampang: “Nakhon Lampang New Year Festival 2022” at Clock Tower in Muang district. Event starts from 5.30pm.
Pheu Thai’s Chatchart top choice for Bangkokians
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