At its mobile meeting in Krabi on Tuesday, the Cabinet agreed to set aside 20 billion baht for the National Health Security Office (NHSO) to spend on expenses incurred due to the Covid-19 crisis.
This fund will cover the money spent by public and private hospitals nationwide on services such as screening patients, medicines, vaccines as well as diagnosis and treatment of blood clots created by Covid-19 vaccines.
The Cabinet approved a 20-billion baht loan to the Oil Fuel Fund as it wrapped up its meeting in Krabi on Tuesday.
Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha said this loan will help the fund maintain the price of diesel at a ceiling of 30 baht per litre.
In normal circumstances, the fund spends about 1 billion baht every month to keep the price of diesel stable. However, judging by the skyrocketing price of fuel, the loan should last the fund at least four months, Prayut said.
The government can lawfully lend the Oil Fuel Fund up to 30 billion baht, though it has capped this loan at 20 billion baht.
U.S. Embassy Bangkok, in partnership with the Thai Journalists Association (TJA), kicked off a three-day seminar that explains U.S. foreign policy in the region and provides journalists with insight into the full range of U.S.-Thai bilateral cooperation on Tuesday.
During the in-person media workshop, 20 journalists, selected from a nationwide application process, will learn about U.S.-Thai security, economic, environment, law enforcement, and health cooperation and about the visa operations and cultural exchanges that strengthen our people-to-people ties. The diversity of topics reflects the full spectrum of our bilateral partnership.
U.S. Embassy Charge d’Affaires Michael Heath
U.S. Embassy Charge d’Affaires Michael Heath said, “This seminar marks the first collaborative effort of its kind between the U.S. Embassy and TJA, and I am thrilled the participating journalists will spend the next few days learning more about how staff from across the U.S. Embassy partner with their Thai counterparts every day to advance our mutual interests. Like we do across the world, the United States will continue to support a vibrant, free press which keeps us informed, prevents the spread of mis and dis-information, and serves as a cornerstone of democracy.”
Mongkol Bangprapa, TJA President
Mongkol Bangprapa, TJA President, said this is the first TJA outreach program after COVID-19 restrictions were lifted. He said the program “showcases successful teamwork between TJA and the U.S. Embassy in organizing this training program for reporters. We received almost double the number of participant applications than we can accept, showing the expected benefits. Thai reporters will have a more accurate and well-rounded perspective on U.S. Embassy activities in their reporting.”
U.S. Embassy partners with Thai Journalists Association
The three-day program covers a wide range of activities, including interactive panels, virtual events with U.S.-based experts, and engagements with U.S. agencies in Thailand which have been working hand-in-hand with their Thai partners for years. Participants will have an opportunity to meet alumni of U.S. exchange programs and American officers from a range of U.S. agencies to discuss U.S. priorities and to hear examples of successful cooperation.
The program complements other U.S. Embassy-sponsored efforts to partner with Thai media organizations to strengthen reporting skills, identify and counter disinformation, and deepen understanding of specialized topics.
TJA, Thailand’s largest media association, has long worked to protect the rights of journalists, and to build journalism capacity among its membership.
Police announced on Monday that more arrest warrants have been issued for a gang over suspicion of selling low-quality gloves to foreigners and causing damages worth more than 400 million baht.
The Central Investigation Bureau (CIB) arrested Japanese national Shuichi Ozawa, 42, at a Bangkok hotel last week over charges of manufacturing medical equipment without permission.
Ozawa was tracked down when the foreign buyer filed a complaint, saying the medical gloves manufacturer had not met the order and also refused to refund the deposit of more than 180 million baht.
The investigation was expanded and police raided the suspect’s warehouse in Chonburi’s Sri Racha district, where they found more than 30,000 empty cardboard boxes and over 10 million pairs of gloves in six cargo containers.
Ex-Yakuza member caught as police expand net over fake medical gloves scam
The suspect faces charges of manufacturing medical devices without a licence, producing fake medical devices and manufacturing sub-standard medical equipment.
He also faces two lawsuits filed by the victims and another two are in the offing, officers said.
Police also arrested Ozawa’s Thai wife, identified only as Supanida, 24, last week on suspicion of selling the merchandise.
Ozawa is believed to have been a member of the Sumiyoshi Yakuza gang in Japan.
At its weekly meeting on Tuesday, the Cabinet discussed the funding required for development projects in six provinces along the Andaman coast.
The meeting was held at Sofitel Krabi Phokeethra Golf & Spa Resort in Krabi’s Muang district.
The Cabinet decided to allocate more than 10 billion baht for the development of several projects in six provinces, namely Krabi, Trang, Phang Nga, Phuket, Satun and Ranong. The projects include the dredging of the Kantang watercourse in Trang, building an airport and port for cruise ships in Phang Nga, a light rail network in Phuket and an airport in Satun among others.
The budget will also cover the development of a medical system and command centre for tourism, sheep husbandry and halal processing and sustainable fishery in the Andaman region.
Security was tight at the hotel in response to a pro-democracy protest on Monday. However, no protesters were seen in the vicinity of the hotel on Tuesday.
Prime Minister’s Office Minister Anucha Nakasai was absent on Tuesday because he has been tasked with attending a meeting related to the drafting of a “people’s constitution”.
Cabinet discusses funding for development projects in Andaman provinces
Rising seas will raise the water level of the Chao Phraya River on Loy Krathong Day, the Royal Thai Navys Hydrographic Department said on Tuesday.
The river, which is expected to rise until November 28, burst its banks in several areas last week and flooded several riverside communities. Several roads in the area also had to be closed.
The statement said the river near the Navy headquarters in Bangkok Noi will rise by 1.8 to 2 metres in line with moderate sea levels and by 1.7 to 1.9 metres near the Phra Chulachomklao Fort in Samut Prakan.
“Hence we call on residents to follow reports of potential flooding via the department’s website,” the statement said.
Call the RTN Disaster Mitigation Centre at (02) 475 2117 and (02) 173 6551 for more information.
Public prosecutors have submitted the case against Pol Colonel Thitisan Uthanapol and his six subordinates at the Central Criminal Court for Corruption and Misconduct Cases on Monday.
The Office of the Attorney General (OAG) spokesman Itthiphon Kaewthip said the seven have been charged with malfeasance, abuse of authority, torture resulting in death and coercion.
Itthiphon added that the OAG is urging the court to deny all bail requests as this is a serious case and closely watched by the public.
“The suspects should not be granted bail as they could escape or tamper with evidence,” he said. “The OAG is confident that the submitted documents provide enough details to prosecute the suspects on all charges, especially torture resulting in death, which carries a death sentence.”
Former Nakhon Sawan Police Station chief Thitisan, 30, and six of his subordinates were accused of suffocating 24-year-old drug suspect Chiraphong Thanapat on August 5 while trying to extort 2 million baht from him.
A clip posted on social media shows Chiraphong’s head being covered by plastic bags during interrogation. He was pronounced dead the following day and Thitisan is accused of telling the doctor to put the cause of death down to drug overdose.
The other six police officers involved in the fatal interrogation include Pol Major Rawirot Disthong, Captain Songyos Klainak, Lieutenant Thoranin Maswanna, Snr Sgt-Major Wisut Boonkiew, Snr Sgt-Major Suphakorn Nimcheun, and Sgt-Major Paweekorn Khammarew.
Thitisan is popularly known as “Joe Ferrari” due to his collection of expensive sports cars.
The Criminal Court on Monday denied bail for pro-democracy leader Panusaya “Rung” Sithijirawattanakul on a lese majeste case involving her wearing crop top outfit.
The court said she had repeatedly committed similar offences since she and four others, namely Parit “Penguin” Chiwarak, Panupong “Mike” Jadnok, Benja Apan and Phawat Hiranphon, were indicted by public prosecutors on June 29. She also violated the conditions set by the court in other cases, it added.
On December 20, 2020, Panusaya walked at the Siam Paragon shopping centre in Bangkok while wearing a crop top and writing messages urging to abolish Section 112, or lese majeste law, on her arms and waist.
Panusaya was at the court on Monday for a testimony while the court scheduled January 24 for evidence examination. After her bail was denied, she was sent to the Central Women’s Correctional Institution in Bangkok’s Chatuchak district.
Section 112 of the Criminal Code states that “whoever defames, insults or threatens the King, the Queen, the Heir-apparent or the Regent shall be punished with imprisonment of three to 15 years”.
Ministry of Public Health reported on Tuesday (November 16) morning that in the past 24 hours there are 5,947 new patients who tested positive for Covid-19, 53 of whom have been found in prisons.
Death toll increased by 62, while 7,943 patients were cured and allowed to leave hospitals.
The country’s total caseload from Covid-19 stands at 2,030,700 – 1,918,452 of whom have recovered, 92,105 are still in hospitals and 20,143 have died.
Separately, another 114,573 people were given their first Covid-19 shot in the last 24 hours, 258,814 their second shot and 25,834 a booster, bringing the total number of Covid-19 vaccine doses administered nationwide to 85,412,126.
According to Worldometer, confirmed cases globally had risen to 254.59 million on Tuesday, 230.19 million of whom have recovered, 19.28 million are active cases (77,608 in severe condition) and 5.12 million have died (up by 5,315).
Thailand ranks 24th in the global list of most cases, which is topped by the US with 48.08 million, followed by India with 34.45 million, Brazil with 21.96 million, the UK with 9.6 million and Russia with 9.11 million.
The Thailand Meteorological Department said on Tuesday (November 16) that the weak high-pressure system covers upper Thailand and the South China Sea, resulting in cool weather with morning fog in the North and the Northeast. All transports should proceed with caution in foggy areas.
The weak northeast monsoon prevails across the Gulf of Thailand and the South, bringing isolated heavy rains to the South. People in these areas should beware of the severe condition. Waves are 1-2 meters high in the Gulf and about 2 meters high during thundershowers.
The weather forecast for the next 24 hours is as follows:
North: Cool weather and fog in the morning with isolated light rains; temperature lows of 20-22 degrees and highs of 32-35 degrees Celsius. Temperature on hilltops is likely to drop to 9-15 degrees Celsius.
Northeast: Cool weather and fog in the morning with isolated light rains; temperature lows of 19-22 degrees and highs of 32-34 degrees Celsius. Temperature on hilltops is likely to drop to 12-15 degrees Celsius.
Central: Fog in the morning with isolated light rains; temperature lows of 22-25 degrees, highs of 33-35 degrees Celsius.
East: Partly cloudy with thundershowers in 10 per cent of the areas; temperature lows of 23-25 degrees, highs of 33-35 degrees Celsius; waves a meter high and 1-2 meters offshore.
South (east coast): Thundershowers in 70 per cent of the areas with isolated heavy rains; temperature lows of 24-25 degrees, highs of 29-33 degrees Celsius; waves 1-2 meters high and 2 meters during thundershowers.
South (west coast): Thundershowers in 60 per cent of the areas with isolated heavy rains; temperature lows of 21-25 degrees, highs of 31-33 degrees Celsius; waves a meter high and 1-2 meters offshore.
Bangkok and surrounding areas: Partly cloudy with isolated light rains; temperature lows of 24-25 degrees, highs of 33-34 degrees Celsius.
U.S. Embassy Charge d’Affaires Michael Heath
Mongkol Bangprapa, TJA President
U.S. Embassy partners with Thai Journalists Association
Ex-Yakuza member caught as police expand net over fake medical gloves scam
Ex-Yakuza member caught as police expand net over fake medical gloves scam
Cabinet discusses funding for development projects in Andaman provinces
Cabinet discusses funding for development projects in Andaman provinces
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