#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40005879

Foreign Ministry denies being lax in procuring jabs from other countries

The Foreign Ministry on Wednesday dismissed accusations that it has refused to cooperate with other countries to procure Covid-19 vaccines.

“The ministry has used various channels, such as vaccine swaps, accepting donations and negotiating on vaccine research and development,” said ministry spokesperson Tanee Sangrat.

He gave the example of Thailand’s recent vaccine swap with Singapore, similar to the deal done earlier with Bhutan.

“Singapore was willing to deliver 120,000 doses of AstraZeneca vaccine in return for Thailand’s donation of RT-PCR test kits at the beginning of Covid-19 crisis,” he explained. “However, we decided to do the vaccine swap with Singapore as we believe that every country should help together [to overcome the crisis].”

He also denied accusations that a Moderna representative was unable to contact Thai diplomats with news of a delivery delay, saying the ministry and Royal Thai Embassy in Washington DC had received an e-mail from a pharmaceutical company responsible for Moderna vaccine supply and distribution in Thailand.

“In the e-mail, the representative asked to postpone the delivery of 10 million doses of Moderna vaccine scheduled in the third quarter of this year … as the company’s factory in Switzerland had faced difficulties,” he said.

“The representative did not reveal any documents related to Thailand’s purchase order, such as the number of vaccines or delivery timeframe.”

Related stories:

• Thailand making vaccine deals with partner countries to combat Covid-19, says Foreign Ministry
• Thai mushroom-pickers who strayed into Laos not injected with Pfizer: Foreign Ministry
• Foreign Ministry denies tardiness in issuing COE to Phuket-bound tourists

He added that the Thai Embassy in Washington is contacting US representatives to accelerate the delivery of vaccines and increase the supply.

The Foreign Ministry had also cooperated with China, Japan, the UK, Bhutan, Germany and Switzerland to tackle the Covid-19 crisis, said Tanee.

“In addition, the ministry is currently in talks for vaccine procurement with India, and for public health support with South Korea and Australia,” he added.

He asked people not to make baseless accusations against ministry officials worldwide, saying this would result in confusion among civil servants and the public.

Published : September 08, 2021

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40005878

Vaccination buses roll out to protect at-risk Bangkokians

The first Bangkok Mobile Vaccination Unit (BMV) was inspected by city governor Aswin Kwanmuang on Wednesday.

Aswin visited Wat Thep Nari in Bang Phlat district to oversee the first phase of the BMV project, which is vaccinating at-risk residents of Covid-19 hotspots in the capital.

Bang Phlat has suffered serious outbreaks in entertainment venues and a construction camp.

The mobile vaccination units mean residents will not have to travel far for jabs, reducing the risk of the virus spreading via public transport. The BMVs can also be quickly redeployed to virus hotspots as needed, said the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA).

District offices will manage the vaccination lists and queues to minimise waiting times and prevent crowding at the BMVs, it added.

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The first phase of the project is vaccinating the elderly, people with any of seven underlying health conditions, and disabled people. The project will then offer jabs to the wider population.

On arriving at the mobile vaccination unit, people will be screened and asked to sign the vaccination consent form. Their ID card will then be verified before they receive a dose of vaccine. They will then be monitored for any side effects for 30 minutes and receive an appointment for their second dose.

Each BMV can vaccinate 1,000 people per day. The BMA will deploy seven more of the mobile units to service Bangkok communities on Friday.

Vaccination buses roll out to protect at-risk BangkokiansVaccination buses roll out to protect at-risk BangkokiansVaccination buses roll out to protect at-risk BangkokiansVaccination buses roll out to protect at-risk BangkokiansVaccination buses roll out to protect at-risk Bangkokians

Published : September 08, 2021

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40005876

Hunt on for creators of fake social media accounts in police chief’s name

The Royal Thai Police (RTP) on Wednesday warned that legal action will be taken against people who have set up fake accounts on Twitter and Facebook in the name of National Police chief Pol General Suwat Jangyodsuk.

“These accounts have been created by other parties and are not owned by the chief,” said RTP spokesman Pol Maj-General Yingyos Thepjamnong. “The owners of these accounts have posted inappropriate pictures and comments. Sharing or forwarding these posts will cause public confusion.”

Yingyos added that the RTP has contacted relevant authorities to shut down the accounts and is tracking down the creators.

“Entering false data into a computer system in a manner that can hurt national security or stir public agitation is a violation of the Computer Crimes Act, punishable by up to five years in prison and/or Bt100,000 fine. Sharing or forwarding such data also carries the same punishment,” added Yongyos.

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Caught sleeping on the job in Khon Kaen

Published : September 08, 2021

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40005875

Missing toddler ‘Gina’ saved from being sacrificed to forest spirits

The missing Chiang Mai toddler “Gina” was found safe in a hut near her neighbourhood at around noon on Wednesday.

The toddler had been missing for more than three days, and a Myanmar national confessed he had kidnapped the child and left her at a cave some 3 kilometres away as a sacrifice to spirits.

The rescue procedure was streamed live on Facebook, showing how officers found 23-month-old Ponsiri “Gina” Wongsilaroongruang, who had gone missing from her home since Sunday evening.

The toddler had gone from her home in the remote village of Ban Huay Fak Dab in Chiang Mai’s Mae Taeng district.

Police officers, along with villages, had been searching for the child over the past three days but to no avail. Search teams had also brought in police dogs, aerial search drones and helicopters to comb the area, but were unsuccessful.

However, police only made progress when Gina’s father, Suriya, told police about his neighbour, a 44-year-old Myanmar national who goes by the name Siew. Apparently, Gina liked Siew and was often seen walking in and out of his house.

On Wednesday, after hours of intense questioning, the suspect eventually confessed that he had taken Gina to a cave some 3km away as a sacrifice to the forest and mountain spirits. The baby was found in a hut nearby with no signs of injury.

Related news:

• Search team combs Chiang Mai foothills for missing toddler
• Toddlers must also be jabbed to boost herd immunity, advises virologist
• South Korean found hanging in Chiang Mai rental property

Missing toddler ‘Gina’ saved from being sacrificed to forest spiritsMissing toddler ‘Gina’ saved from being sacrificed to forest spiritsPhoto Credit: The Public Relations Department Region 3 Chiangmai

Published : September 08, 2021

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40005873

Phuket’s Covid situation will be resolved in 2 weeks, vows governor

Phuket authorities announced on Wednesday that the ongoing Covid situation should be resolved within two weeks and the Phuket Sandbox scheme will continue uninterrupted.

Provincial governor Narong Woonciew said Phuket has been recording up to 200 new Covid-19 infections daily over the past two weeks, and that tests are being regularly conducted among migrants, fishing communities and slums.

Of the daily cases, 85 per cent are in the “green” group, or asymptomatic as most have received both jabs of the Covid-19 vaccine.

The governor said he expects the situation to be resolved soon, especially since he has tasked local officials and village headmen to monitor communities, especially those with residents in the risk group. They have also been instructed to immediately inform the authorities when anybody tests positive.

The governor has also come up with a guideline for managing “green” patients by getting them to isolate at home. This will also keep hospital beds free for patients in the “yellow” or “red” groups.

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He said more patients in the risk group are being vaccinated, adding that people who received two Sinovac jabs in April will get a booster dose this month.

Narong added that 29,077 foreigners had arrived under the Phuket Sandbox scheme from July 1 to September 6, and 88 of them had tested positive. The project has generated 1.6 billion baht in revenue and put 3.8 billion baht in circulation.

Meanwhile, 492,405 room nights have been booked since the project was launched, with 24 per cent or 125,434 nights in September. 
Another 40,312 nights have been reserved from October to February next year.

Surveys show that 84 per cent of tourists were satisfied with the service of SHA-plus hotels, while 81 per cent were happy with the hospitality of locals.

Phuket’s Covid situation will be resolved in 2 weeks, vows governorPhuket’s Covid situation will be resolved in 2 weeks, vows governorPhuket’s Covid situation will be resolved in 2 weeks, vows governor

Most of the tourists had come from the US, followed by the UK, Israel, Germany and France.

Apart from Phuket, tourists also showed interest in travelling to Bangkok, Surat Thani, Chiang Mai, Prachuap Khiri Khan and Krabi.

Published : September 08, 2021

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40005872

Thailand marks rise in infections with 14,176 new cases, 288 deaths

Thailand’s daily Covid-19 caseload over the past 24 hours on Wednesday rose to 14,176 new infections and 228 deaths. Of the new cases, 506 were found in prisons.

Meanwhile, 16,769 patients have recovered and been discharged over the past 24 hours.

Thailand’s total caseload from Covid-19 stands at 1,322,519 – 1,166,364 of whom have recovered, 142,644 are still in hospitals and 13,511 have died.

Separately, another 399,650 people were given their first Covid-19 shot in the last 24 hours, 424,676 their second shot, and 1,687 a booster shot, bringing the total Covid-19 vaccine doses administered nationwide to 37,461,284.

According to Worldometer, confirmed cases globally had risen to 222.78 million on Wednesday, 199.30 million of whom have recovered, 18.88 million are active cases (104,636 in severe condition) and 4.60 million have died (up by 8,448).

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Thailand ranks 29th on the global list of most cases, which is topped by the US with 41.21 million, followed by India with 33.10 million, Brazil with 20.91 million, the UK with 7.06 million and Russia with 7.05 million.

Published : September 08, 2021

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40005871

Heavy continuous rainfall inundates Pattaya, some parts of Chonburi

Many areas in Pattaya and other parts of Chonburi province were inundated on Wednesday due to non-stop rain overnight.

The Thai Meteorological Department has forecast continuous rainfall across Thailand with isolated heavy to very heavy showers in lower Northeast, Central, East and South, with the strong southwest monsoon prevailing across the country.

The severe tropical storm Jolina (Conson) is currently over central Philippines and moving west-northwest to the South China Sea. It is expected to arrive at the Gulf of Tonkin by September 12-13, affecting Vietnam and some parts of China.

Related stories:

• Thundershowers, isolated heavy rains forecast across country
• Thailand censured for releasing dam water, flooding border area
• Floods damage over 20,000 rai of farmlands this year

Heavy continuous rainfall inundates Pattaya, some parts of Chonburi

Meanwhile, many parts of Pattaya are inundated in 30 to 70 centimetres of water, namely Sukhumvit, South Pattaya, Central Pattaya, North Pattaya and Naklua roads.

Though no injuries or fatalities have been reported so far, floods have damaged people’s properties such as cars, motorbikes and furniture.

Heavy continuous rainfall inundates Pattaya, some parts of Chonburi

People have been urged to move their assets to higher ground and told to avoid using flooded roads. Chonburi’s Bang Lamung district is expected to suffer heavy rain for a while.

Heavy continuous rainfall inundates Pattaya, some parts of Chonburi

Published : September 08, 2021

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40005870

Green light given to new names for some electric train stations

The committee for railway supervision and management has approved new names for some Orange, Purple, Pink and Yellow Line electric train stations.

This came during a teleconference meeting on Monday chaired by Department of Rail Transport director-general Kittiphan Panchan.

Several related organisations such as the Mass Rapid Transit Authority of Thailand, the State Railway of Thailand, BTS and the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration reportedly attended the meeting.

Green light given to new names for some electric train stations

Here are the new names:

Orange Line

• OR04 Democracy Monument
• OR16 Ramkhamhaeng University
• OR17 SAT (Sports Authority of Thailand)
• OR18 Ramkhamhaeng 34
• OR19 Yaek Lam Sali
• OR28 Yaek Rom Klao

Purple Line

• PP22 Democracy Monument
• PP25 Wongwian Yai
• PP30 Yaek Pracha Uthit

Pink Line

• PK05 Royal Irrigation Department
• PK06 Yaek Pak Kret
• PK08 Chaeng Watthana-Pak Kret 28
• PK19 Ram Inthra Kor Mor 4
• PK22 Ram Inthra Kor Mor 6
• PK24 Ram Inthra Kor Mor 9
• PK25 Outer Ring Road-Ram Inthra

Yellow Line

• YL09 Yaek Lam Sali
• YL11 Hua Mak

Related stories: 

• MorPhrom app upgraded for use in air travel
• Bidding for western section of Orange Line to kick off in October
• Updates on transport services in Thailand

Green light given to new names for some electric train stations

The committee also endorsed improvement of the physical environment and facilities at the Red Line suburban railway system (Don Mueang and Lak Hok stations) and the tactile surface at the Airport Rail Link.

The committee additionally approved guidelines to specify colour codes of various train routes to meet certain standards and enable related authorities to utilise them effectively.

Published : September 08, 2021

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40005868

Economy at risk of contraction in Q3: Krungsri Research

Thailand’s overall economy is at risk of contraction in the third quarter due to restrictions on economic activities to curb Covid-19 from spreading further, Krungsri Research revealed on Wednesday.

In its monthly economic report, Krungsri Research said the private sector’s consumption index in July contracted -5.3 per cent from the previous month after weakened purchasing power due to restricted economic activities under the government’s anti-Covid orders.

“This has also brought down the consumer confidence index and private investment index, the later by -3.8 per cent month on month, especially in the machinery and construction sectors,” it said.

“Exports still have the potential to expand although the trend started to slow down due to a surge in Covid-19 infections in some of the countries which are our trade partners,” Krungsri Research said.

“Meanwhile, the industrial output index has contracted -5.1 per cent from the previous month due to low demand and a temporary halt in operations at factories where clusters have been found.”

Krungsri said that although the Phuket tourism sandbox opened in July, the number of foreign visitors to the province so far has been recorded at only 18,056, significantly lower than its tourist statistics before the outbreak.

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“We estimate there is a high probability that the economy in the third quarter will contract from the previous quarter, which will be the first contraction since the second quarter of last year,” said Krungsri Research.

“The major contributing factor is the government’s use of strict disease control measures in 29 ‘dark red’ provinces in early August, as most of these provinces are manufacturing bases.”

Krungsri Research also estimated that without further government aid, up to 27.6 per cent of businesses will suffer from liquidity problems, which may eventually lead to permanent shut-downs, while 9.3 million workers are at risk of either having their salaries reduced or losing their jobs altogether.

Published : September 08, 2021

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40005865

Nine Hat Yai tour guides commit suicide as pandemic brings travel industry to its knees

The pandemic is having such a monstrous impact on Hat Yais travel industry that as many as nine tour guides have committed suicide since 2019 and more than 600 in the Songkhla district have lost their jobs.

Some have been hit by depression while some have been caught for petty theft. Many survive only on donated food each day.

Songkhla Professional Guides Association president Wittaya Lim painted the gruesome picture to reporters on Tuesday. He said there were more than 600 unemployed tour guides in the district. Each day some of them have to closely follow social media to see where food is being distributed.

Wittaya revealed that since the beginning of the Covid-19 pandemic in 2019, nine guides have committed suicide after losing their jobs and going back to their hometowns. Some guides returned to Bangkok and are suffering from depression and some have even got caught stealing.

“The Tourism and Sports Ministry needs to provide help to guides nationwide due to unemployment. There should be some sort of compensation and full vaccination measures for them as they are also front-line personnel who have been directly impacted by the pandemic,” Wittaya pleaded.

Related news:

• Tourism ministry eyes campaigns to boost local travel next month
• TAT launches campaign to boost Chonburi’s tourism industry
• Tourism extension scheme brings the buzz back to Krabi, Phang Nga, Surat Thani

Nine Hat Yai tour guides commit suicide as pandemic brings travel industry to its kneesNine Hat Yai tour guides commit suicide as pandemic brings travel industry to its knees​​​​​​​

Published : September 08, 2021