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https://www.nationthailand.com/blogs/in-focus/40008605

If there is no new wave of Covid-19 infections, then the Thai tourism sector should embark on its path to recovery early next year, Kasikorn Research Centre said on Tuesday.

Arecent survey revealed that 73.7 per cent of Bangkok residents want to start travelling once the Covid-19 situation is under control. This should prove to be a good supporting factor for the economy during the upcoming holiday season, researchers said.

However, recovery is likely to be gradual because not all areas are ready to receive visitors.

According to prevention measures put in place, all domestic travellers are required to provide proof of double vaccination or a negative ATK test.

Kasikorn Research Centre said it expects Thais to take 29.1 million trips in the last two months of the year, marking a 14.2 per cent drop from the same period last year.

However, the centre said, the number of trips can jump to 155 million times next year provided there are no more outbreaks.

Published : November 09, 2021

By : THE NATION

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/blogs/in-focus/40008604

More tourists can be expected during the holiday season next month now that there are more flights to Thailand, the Immigration Bureau’s deputy chief Pol Maj-General Archayon Kraithong said on Tuesday.

He also dismissed fears of foreign arrivals sparking a new wave of infections in the country, saying more than 20,000 tourists have arrived since November 1, and as of November 8, only 15 were found infected. He added that those found infected have been isolated and are being monitored.

Most vaccinated tourists visiting Thailand hail from the United States and European countries like Germany, the UK and Russia.

Published : November 09, 2021

By : THE NATION

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/blogs/in-focus/40008606

The Cabinet on Tuesday agreed to set aside 1.33 billion baht for the Public Health Ministry to use in its battle against Covid-19, deputy government spokesperson Traisulee Traisornkul said.

Of the funds, 500 million baht will be given to the Public Health Ministry’s Department of Medical Services to purchase 2 million tablets of Molnupiravir. The drug will be used to treat Covid-19 patients who are above 60 or suffer from chronic conditions.

Published : November 09, 2021

By : THE NATION

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40008599

A caravan of 30 vintage cars rolled out of Bangkok’s National Museum on Saturday and headed to different tourist attractions in Greater Bangkok.

The event was organised by the Vintage Car Club and the Tourism Authority of Thailand.

Kwanchai Paphatphong, president of the club, said the caravan’s aim was to promote tourism. He added that all drivers had undergone strict measures to contain the spread of Covid-19.

Vintage car caravan gives Bangkok a glimpse of the past

“The caravan started from National Museum in Bangkok’s Phra Nakhon area and headed for the Samphran Elephant Ground and Crocodile Farm in Nakhon Pathom. The cars then stopped off to pick up treats at the Sookjai Farmer’s Market before stopping for lunch at Suan Sampran,” he said.

Vintage car caravan gives Bangkok a glimpse of the past

“In the afternoon, the caravan headed for the Thai Traditional Arts Museum and Mahidol University Salaya Campus. They also visited the Sireeruckhachati Nature Learning Park where about 800 herbs were gathered and watched a show put up by students from the university’s College of Music before heading home.”

Vintage car caravan gives Bangkok a glimpse of the past

The Vintage Car Club of Thailand’s activities can be followed via www.vintagecarclub.or.th and www.facebook.com/vintagecarclub.

Vintage car caravan gives Bangkok a glimpse of the past

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Vintage car caravan gives Bangkok a glimpse of the pastVintage car caravan gives Bangkok a glimpse of the pastVintage car caravan gives Bangkok a glimpse of the pastVintage car caravan gives Bangkok a glimpse of the pastVintage car caravan gives Bangkok a glimpse of the past

Published : November 09, 2021

By : THE NATION

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40008598

The border checkpoint and motorway in Songkhlas Sadao district should be up and running by early 2023, Deputy Interior Minister Niphon Boonyamanee said on Monday.

The project was initiated in a bid to expand trade between Thailand and Malaysia and generate more than 400 billion baht in revenue once the checkpoint is fully open.

The minister chaired a meeting with related agencies on Monday to look for ways to expedite the opening of the checkpoint as well as listen to reports on progress, problems and obstacles in opening the access point.

Niphon told reporters that the construction of the 2.2-billion-baht Sadao checkpoint and motorway kicked off two years ago. He added that this would be the largest checkpoint in the country and should generate billions of baht in export and import.
 

He said the opening of the checkpoint had to be delayed due to the ongoing pandemic and border-crossing negotiations. However, he said, a resolution is in sight and once everything has been cleared, the government will provide more funding for the project.

“The Sadao checkpoint and the 6-kilometre motorway should be ready for operation by late 2022. We are expediting the construction so both projects can be ready in time as a 2023 New Year gift for the people,” Niphon added.

Related news:

• Sadao border closed until May 30 after Covid-19 cases on Malaysian side
• 112 Myanmar nationals caught trying to slip across border in Kanchanaburi
• CCSA addresses worries over new Delta Plus variant, illegal border crossers

Border trade with Malaysia to get extra boost via new Sadao checkpoint in early 2023Border trade with Malaysia to get extra boost via new Sadao checkpoint in early 2023

Published : November 09, 2021

By : THE NATION

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40008596

The northeastern province of Nong Khai is preparing to launch the tourism sandbox programme following the success of Phuket Sandbox that started in July, governor Monsit Phaisarnthanawat said on Tuesday.

The Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration (CCSA) has approved four districts in Nong Khai as “blue zones” or pilot areas among 17 tourist provinces that can welcome foreign tourists who provide evidence of being fully vaccinated against Covid-19 and tested negative without having to quarantine from November 1 onward. These areas are Muang, Tha Bo, Sri Chiang Mai and Sangkhom districts. Nong Khai prepares to launch tourism sandbox programme

“Today (November 9) local authorities and public health offices in Nong Khai meet to discuss the possibility to launch a tourism sandbox programme in the province to promote tourism and cross border trading, especially along the Thai-Laos and Nong Khai-Loei borders,” he said. “We are planning to propose to the CCSA to allow the reopening of the First Thai–Lao Friendship Bridge that directly connects Nong Khai’s Muang district to Vientiane, which will greatly help facilitate tourists and commuters from both countries.” Nong Khai prepares to launch tourism sandbox programme
 

Monsit added that public health offices have finished evaluating the outbreak situation in the province as well as drafted the visitor tracing and monitoring plan to minimize the risk of new cluster cases emerging after the province is fully open. “Hospitals and public health staff have been instructed to prepare to treat new patients in case of emergency, while business owners were told to employ strict disease control measures,” he added.

On Monday Nong Khai reported 15 new Covid-19 infections, with cumulative cases since April 2021 at 4,065 patients. Of these, 3,653 people have been cured and allowed to leave hospitals and 37 people had died.

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Published : November 09, 2021

By : THE NATION

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40008590

Rising sea levels left the grounds of Bangkok’s Wat Arun (Temple of Dawn) and communities on the banks of the Chao Phraya River flooded on Monday.

The inundation was bad enough for Wat Arun’s abbot Phra Phrom Watchara Metee to come out and personally check historically significant structures in the temple complex.

The Chao Phraya River has burst its banks in several places in Bangkok, Nonthaburi and Samut Prakan recently due to rising sea levels.

Chao Phraya bursts its banks, floods Temple of Dawn

Chawalit Chanarat, CEO of TEAM Consulting Engineering and Management Pcl, said Chao Phraya should drop by 10 centimetres on Tuesday and slowly fall to its lowest level by November 18. He also said the floods should start receding from Wednesday.

Chao Phraya bursts its banks, floods Temple of Dawn

Related stories:

• Bangkok, Samut Prakan hit by high-tide floods
• Flooding swamps parts of Rama III Road
• Bangkok prepares for floods

Chao Phraya bursts its banks, floods Temple of DawnChao Phraya bursts its banks, floods Temple of DawnChao Phraya bursts its banks, floods Temple of Dawn

Published : November 09, 2021

By : THE NATION

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/pr-news/in-focus/40008592

Dr. Juree Vichit-Vadakan, Chairperson of the Anti-Corruption and Misconduct Sub-Committee of the National Anti-Corruption Administration Centre (NACAC), announced an important new mechanism called The Good Governance Promotion Clinic to help prevent the misuse, abuse and corruption of the special budget expenditures authorized by the Ministry of Finance in accordance with the Emergency Decree in 2021 to remedy and restore the economy and society affected by the coronavirus pandemic.

The Office of the Public Sector Anti-Corruption Commission (PACC), as Secretariat of the NACAC, is responsible for implementing the Good Governance Promotion Clinic through a host of activities with cooperating partners such as the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC), the Auditor General of Thailand, the Provincial Governance Committee, the Department of Special Investigation (DSI), the Ministry of Interior, quasi-civil society organisations such as the Community Organisation Council, the Community Organisation Development Institute and other civil society groups.

The Good Governance Promotion Clinic is based on the premise that certain cases classified as corruption occurred due to the lack of, or poor understanding of, or poor oversight, or inexperience with the complex government rules and regulations involved with managing grants and projects. Such cases do not involve actual misuse or abuse of public funds, but because they are in violation of official regulations are considered corruption cases.

The Clinic provides officials from the PACC to visit, advise and exchange ideas in a friendly consultation with project operators around the country. PAAC’s various partners would bring their expertise to provide the needed assistance that the PACC alone may not be able to carry out fully. This new and innovative mechanism started in October 2020 and, as of October 28, 2021, the Clinic has made field visits as well as given counsels to 270 projects in 67 provinces. The suggestions and recommendations provided by the Clinic to the project owners have enabled them to abide by official guidelines before the budget disbursement process thus preventing any wrongdoing. However, cases of suspected wrongdoing and corruption will be forwarded for investigation by responsible parties.

Related news:

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• Corruption complaint filed over lavish Samut Prakan streetlights
• NACC to probe suspected corruption in buying of solar-powered lamp posts

Dr. Juree added that the Sub-Committee’s activities as well as the overall performance of the NACAC will henceforth be communicated to both Thais and foreigners on an ongoing basis because the fight against corruption requires the synergy from all peoples in society. In addition, the public needs to know what measures and activities are in place to help prevent corruption and spare the public the sense of discouragement, cynicism, and pessimism that the presence of corruption often evokes.

Published : November 09, 2021

By : THE NATION

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40008580

The Mass Rapid Transit Authority of Thailand (MRTA) will hold a public hearing session for the construction of Autonomous Rail Rapid Transit (ART) system in Phuket province on November 12 at Royal Phuket City Hotel in Muang district.

“Phase one of the project will cover the 42 km. distance from Phuket International Airport to Chalong Intersection,” said MRTA governor Pakapong Sirikantramas on Monday. “The section will consist of 21 stations, 19 of which at ground level, one elevated, and one underground station.”

“Phase two will start from Tha Nun to Muang Mai stations and cover the distance of 16.5 kilometers. Once completed, the trackless ART tram will help alleviate traffic congestion in Phuket’s downtown.”

Pakapong added that the public hearing session will allow private sector and locals to present their opinions on the project as well as discuss the impact of the construction on Phuket locals and tourists.

The ART project replaced the MRTA’s original plan to build a tram system in Phuket that had been presented in late 2020. MRTA has opted to using ART system instead of tram due to cheaper investment while being able to transport the same amount of passengers. The Phuket tram project was scheduled to be usable within 2026.
 

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Published : November 09, 2021

By : THE NATION

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40008579

Ministry of Public Health reported on Tuesday (November 9) morning that in the past 24 hours there are 6,904 new patients who tested positive for Covid-19, 258 of whom have been found in prisons.

Death toll increased by 61, while 8,024 patients were cured and allowed to leave hospitals.

The country’s total caseload from Covid-19 stands at 1,982,495 – 1,865,487 of whom have recovered, 97,244 are still in hospitals and 19,764 have died.

Separately, another 125,899 people were given their first Covid-19 shot in the last 24 hours, 327,818 their second shot and 15,478 a booster, bringing the total number of Covid-19 vaccine doses administered nationwide to 80,968,807.

According to Worldometer, confirmed cases globally had risen to 251.07 million on Tuesday, 227.32 million of whom have recovered, 18.68 million are active cases (76,386 in severe condition) and 5.07 million have died (up by 5,489).

Thailand ranks 24th in the global list of most cases, which is topped by the US with 47.44 million, followed by India with 34.37 million, Brazil with 21.89 million, the UK with 9.33 million and Russia with 8.83 million.

Published : November 09, 2021

By : THE NATION