#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/blogs/in-focus/40006143

Royal Academy to import 8 million Moderna booster jabs

Chulabhorn Royal Academy (CRA) has teamed up with Zuellig Pharma to import 8 million doses of Moderna for use as booster shots in 2022.

CRA on Tuesday announced it had signed a deal with ZP Therapeutics – a business unit of Zuellig Pharma – to supply and distribute 8 million doses of the mRNA vaccine next year.

The first shipments are expected to arrive in the first quarter of 2022 before being gradually distributed.

Early data indicates the Moderna booster raises immunity against the Delta variant by 42.3 times. Meanwhile, it boosts immunity against Beta and Gamma by 32 times and 43.6 times, respectively.

CRA will collect data of Moderna recipients in Thailand from the end of this year to check its effect on immunity.

The academy plans to distribute the Moderna vaccine to private companies, local government organisations, hospitals and at-risk groups who have had two doses of Sinopharm vaccine.

Published : September 14, 2021

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/blogs/in-focus/40006142

State of emergency in 3 deep South provinces extended

The Cabinet on Tuesday decided to extend the state of emergency in three border provinces in the deep South by another three months, from September 20 to December 19, the deputy government spokesperson Ratchada Thanadirek said.

The state of emergency, however, will not apply to the following districts:

• Si Sakhon, Sungai Kolok and Sukhirin in Narathiwat

• Betong and Kabang in Yala

• Mai Kaen and Mae Lan in Pattani.

Published : September 14, 2021

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40006134

Cabinet approves long-term visas to lure 1 million wealthy foreigners

The Cabinet on Tuesday approved new visa and tax measures to attract “high-potential” foreigners, in a bid to boost Thailand’s Covid-hit economy.

The goal is to attract one million wealthy foreigners within five years, generating about 1 trillion baht of spending, 800 billion baht of investment and 270 billion baht in tax income.

The new measures will offer long-term residency visas for four categories of foreigners: rich global citizens, wealthy retirees, professionals working in Thailand, and high-skilled workers.

To qualify as “rich global citizens”, foreigners must invest at least US$500,000 in Thai government bonds, Thai property or foreign direct investment, or have earned a minimum $80,000 in the past two years and hold at least $1 million in assets.

“Wealthy retirees” must either invest at least $250,000 in Thai government bonds/property and have a minimum annual pension of $40,000, or have a pension of least $80,000.

Professionals working in Thailand will qualify if they have earned at least $80,000 in the past two years and hold intellectual property or a class-A scholarship with five years of research.

High-skilled professionals must have earned a minimum $80,000 in the past two years, or have a master’s and work experience in a targeted industry.

Spouses and dependents will also qualify for long-term visas.

Holders will also be exempted from the need to report to immigration authorities every 90 days.

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Published : September 14, 2021

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40006128

Press barred from Govt House for 14 days after reporter tests positive

Government House in Bangkok was closed to outsiders for 14 days on Tuesday after a reporter there tested positive for Covid-19.

Press were ordered to leave at 11.30am after an antigen test kit (ATK) showed infection in a member of the press corps.

Government House will now be cleaned before reporters and other outsiders are allowed back, said a spokesperson.

Natreeya Thaweewong, director of the spokesperson’s office, asked reporters not to enter Government House, adding that his office would share news of the prime minister’s mission with the press.

Government House will reopen on September 27, but all members of the press would have to present a negative ATK test taken within three days, the spokesperson’s office said.

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Published : September 14, 2021

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40006126

Sinopharm lined up as alternative for children amid concern over Pfizer

Sinopharm may be offered as an alternative vaccine for children before schools reopen on November 1, Public Health Minister Anutin Charnvirakul said on Tuesday.

The current plan is to use Pfizer vaccine to inoculate children aged 12 and up in Thailand. However, concerns have been raised after US research indicated that boys are four to six times more likely to get ill from a rare side effect of Pfizer vaccine – myocarditis (heart inflammation) – than from Covid-19 itself.

Anutin said that the Thai Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is inspecting documents from the makers of Sinopharm and other vaccines to check whether these vaccines could be used to inoculate children.

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FDA secretary-general Phaisan Dankhum said last week that Sinopharm’s importer had sent documents for approval on September 2 and that the process should not take more than 30 days.

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The Pfizer vaccine has already been approved for use in children by the Thai FDA.

Anutin said the current Covid-19 vaccination rate in Thailand has risen to around 900,000 doses per day, greatly reducing severe symptoms among people who have been fully vaccinated.

“The ministry will evaluate the situation to consider which lockdown measures can be eased from next month,” he added.

Published : September 14, 2021

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40006124

Palang Pracharath MP Wirat, 86 others face legal action over graft allegations

The Office of the Attorney General on Tuesday filed a lawsuit against Phalang Pracharath MP Wirat Rattanaset and 86 others for corruption in the construction of futsal fields in Nakhon Ratchasima schools.

Of the 87 defendants, 81 reported to the Supreme Court’s Criminal Division for Persons Holding Political Positions in Bangkok.

The absentees included Wirat and fellow Phalang Pracharath MPs, Tassaneeya Rattanaset and Tassanaporn Ketmetheekarun, who claimed they were attending a session at the House of Representatives.

The Supreme Court will appoint three judges to consider whether the accused are guilty. If found guilty, the court will then appoint nine judges and launch a trial. Absentees will face arrest.

The allegations are related to the 2012 fiscal budget under which 4.45 billion baht was allocated to Education Service Area Offices in Nakhon Ratchasima and other 17 provinces in the North and Northeast.

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Wirat, Tassaneeya and Tassanaporn had allegedly told their subordinates to contact directors of schools under Nakhon Ratchasima Primary Educational Service Area so they could allocate funds for the construction of futsal fields in their school.

Public prosecutors say this unlawful allocation of state funds violated Article 168 of the 2007 Constitution.

Wirat and Tassaneeya were Pheu Thai MPs at that time and Tassanaporn mayor of the Huai Thalaeng subdistrict.

Related stories:

• NACC looking into two projects in Trang
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• Charges filed against 3 PWO officials over alleged unlawful purchase of gloves

Published : September 14, 2021

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40006118

Vignette of Phanom Rung temple in ‘LALISA’ has Blackpink fans flocking to Buri Ram

Buri Ram’s Khmer-influenced Phanom Rung temple has returned to the spotlight after it was featured in the LALISA music video released via YouTube last week.

The pop star behind the music video – Lalisa “Lisa” Manoban – hails from Buri Ram.

Lisa debuted in South Korea in 2016 as a member of the Blackpink girl group that was launched by YG Entertainment.

On Friday, the Blackpink YouTube channel released the LALISA music video featuring Lisa as a solo artist. Lisa is the only Thai member of the group, and her first solo recording has been met with great excitement.

Apart from delivering a catchy tune in modern South Korean style, the music video incorporates many Thai elements such as signs in the Thai language, traditional costumes and different locales.

These references delighted the group’s Thai fans, and the music video became a hot topic of discussion on social media.

The fact that Buri Ram’s ancient Phanom Rung temple was featured in the video has also seen Lisa’s fans flock to the national park.

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Provincial authorities said on Tuesday that the number of tourists visiting Phanom Rung National Park has doubled from around 200 to 400 per day since the music video was released.

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Local tourist Sirirak Kittiraweewat, 28, said she had travelled from Surin to see the temple with her own eyes after seeing a simulated version in the music video. She said she was impressed by its beauty and stunned that buildings like this could have been constructed in ancient times. The temple complex was constructed between the 10th and 13th centuries.

Published : September 14, 2021

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40006116

Thailand’s daily cases drop to 11,786 infections, 136 deaths

Thailand’s daily numbers dropped to 11,786 new infections and 136 deaths over the past 24 hours on Tuesday. Of the new cases, 271 were in prisons.

Meanwhile, 14,738 patients have recovered and been discharged over the past 24 hours.

Thailand’s total caseload from Covid-19 stands at 1,406,542 – 1,262,896 of whom have recovered, 129,025 are still in hospitals and 14,621 have died.

Separately, another 237,043 people were given their first Covid-19 shot in the last 24 hours, 438,126 their second shot, and 1,500 a booster shot, bringing the total Covid-19 vaccine doses administered nationwide to 40,953,025.

According to Worldometer, confirmed cases globally had risen to 226.11 million on Tuesday, 202.75 million of whom have recovered, 18.71 million are active cases (102,383 in severe condition) and 4.65 million have died (up by 6,807).

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Thailand recorded 11,786 Covid-19 cases and 136 deaths on Tuesday.

Thailand marks slow decline with 12,583 new cases, 132 deaths

Thailand sees slight improvement in Covid situation

Thailand ranks 29th on the global list of most cases, which is topped by the US with 42.14 million, followed by India with 33.29 million, Brazil with 21.01 million, the UK with 7.26 million and Russia with 7.16 million.

Published : September 14, 2021

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40006115

New clusters force Krabi to go under lockdown

Krabi will go under a second lockdown from Wednesday after several infection clusters were found in different districts since Sunday. The authorities have not announced how long this lockdown will last.

The Provincial Communicable Diseases Committee has tightened safety measures, such as getting malls and convenience stores to close by 8pm and ensuring restaurants are only 25 per cent full.

On Monday, 64 new cases were linked to three major clusters at the Ton Tuay market in Nua Khlong district, the Kaeo Korawaram temple in Muang Krabi district and on Phi Phi island. Phi Phi island will be under lockdown from September 18 to 24.

All travellers to Krabi are required to provide documents showing they have had both doses of the Sinovac or Sinopharm vaccines or the first dose of AstraZeneca vaccine no less than 14 days before entry. A Covid-19 negative test result within seven days is also required.

All district chiefs are required to set up community screening points, and migrant workers are forbidden from travelling in and out of the province.

Restaurants are not allowed to turn on their air-conditioner, can operate until 8pm and seat no more than 25 per cent of their capacity. Alcohol consumption in restaurants is prohibited, while dining in is prohibited in eateries in Khlong Thom and Nua Khlong districts.

Shopping malls can stay open until 8pm, though no promotional activities are allowed. Convenience stores can open from 5am to 8pm.

Schools are required to conduct online classes, while all sports clubs, gyms, massage parlours, internet cafes and gaming shops will remain closed.

Public transport is provided from 4am to 8pm. People are not allowed to leave their residence from 9pm to 4am and gatherings of more than five people are prohibited.

However, people travelling under the “7+7” Phuket Sandbox scheme are allowed to enter Krabi.

Published : September 14, 2021

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40006107

BTSC asked to explain reasoning behind cancellation of BTS 30-day passes

The Department of Rail Transport (DRT) will call on the Bangkok Mass Transit System (BTSC) to explain why it has decided to cancel monthly tickets for the BTS system, DRT director-general Kittiphan Panchan said on Monday.

On September 1, BTSC announced it was cancelling all BTS monthly passes due to “the uncertainty of the Covid-19 situation”. Holders of monthly passes have until September 30 to use them up.

“Cancelling these passes will affect regular commuters and burden them with additional expenses at a time when the cost of living is already high due to Covid-19,” Kittiphan said. “We want the company to explain the necessity of this decision as well as show what impact the Covid-19 situation has had on their operational cost.”

Though DRT does not have the powers to force BTSC to continue providing monthly passes, he said he hopes to negotiate a delay in the cancellation, at least until after the Covid-19 situation improves. This way the impact on consumers can be minimal.

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Meanwhile, BTSC director Surapong Laoha-Unya said the company has been providing monthly passes for 15 years now, but it is no longer needed as most people are working from home due to the Covid-19 situation.

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“We conducted a market survey before deciding to cancel monthly passes for the BTS system,” he said.

Published : September 14, 2021