#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40005707

Restructured tobacco tax regime expected to be effective from Oct 1

A new tobacco tax structure effective from October 1 will bring more than THB60 billion revenue per year, according to the Excise Departments estimates.

The department’s director-general, Lavaron Sangsnit, said that the Minister of Finance would consider the new tobacco tax structure.

It is expected to be presented for Cabinet approval in the last two weeks of September, to be effective on October 1.

Lavaron added that current revenue from cigarette tax is THB60 billion per year. He confirmed that the tax rate will not be lower.

The tax rate was lowered to 20 per cent for cigarette packs priced THB60 or lower. This rate will be used until September 30. The old tax rate was 40 per cent, effective from October 2017. Many cigarette companies decreased their retail price to lower than THB60, to reduce the tax burden.

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Meanwhile, many parties have called for an increase in the tax of roll-your-own (RYO) cigarettes to be closer to the cigarette tax, as it is lower by 6 to 7 times. The price of RYO cigarettes is THB10-12 per carton.

Lawaron said there was a discussion on this issue but confirmed that the same rate would be used. He did not want to affect the target group, which was a low-income group, he said.
 

Published : September 04, 2021

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40005706

Bangkok among 5 provinces in phase 2 of tourism reopening plan

The Ministry of Tourism and Sports is going ahead with the phase 2 of reopening selected tourist areas in five provinces to foreign visitors from October 1, Minister Pipat Ratchakitprakarn said on Friday.

Thailand has piloted the reopening of tourist provinces under the tourism “sandbox” scheme since July 1 in Phuket, followed by the “Samui Plus Model” on July 15 that links to the “7+7 Phuket Extension” scheme. Under the scheme, vaccinated visitors of the sandbox programme, who stayed in Phuket for seven days and test negative for Covid-19, can travel to seven tourist attractions in Surat Thani, Krabi and Phang Nga provinces. After the tourists stay in these provinces for 14 days and test negative, they can then travel to other provinces of Thailand.

“The reopening of Phuket and nearby provinces has been successful so far, while the planned reopening of Buri Ram has been put on hold following the postponement of the Moto GP tournament to 2022,” said Pipat.

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“In the second phase of the reopening, five more provinces — Bangkok, Chiang Mai (Muang, Mae Rim and Doi Tao districts), Prachuap Khiri Khan (only Hua Hin), Phetchaburi (only Cha-Am) and Chonburi (Pattaya, Banglamung and Sattahip districts), will join the scheme.”

Pipat added that the third phase will start on October 15 and cover 22 provinces, namely Mae Hong Son, Chiang Rai, Phrae, Nan, Lamphun, Sukhothai, Udon Thani, Nong Khai, Bueng Kan, Ubon Ratchathani, Loei, Rayong, Chanthaburi, Trat, Ratchaburi, Kanchanaburi, Ranong, Trang, Satun, Songkhla, Nakhon Si Thammarat and Ayutthaya.

“The fourth phase, which is expected to start from January 2022, will focus on extending the travel bubble scheme in border provinces to facilitate cross-border travel with neighbouring countries such as Surin, Sa Kaew, Trat, Chiang Rai, Ranong, Nakhon Phanom, Nong Khai, Mukdahan, Yala, Narathiwat, Songkhla and Satun,” said Pipat.

“The reopening of a province must be approved by the provincial public health office, which will consider the areas’ readiness based on Covid-19 situation, vaccination rate of local population at over 70 per cent and employed disease control measures,” the minister added.

Published : September 04, 2021

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40005705

Increase in new Covid cases but fewer deaths

Thailand reported an increase in new Covid-19 cases on Saturday, but deaths were lower compared to Friday.

There were 15,942 new Covid-19 cases and 257 deaths over the past 24 hours compared to 14,653 and 271, respectively, on Friday.
Of the new cases, 277 were found in prisons.

Meanwhile, 20,351 patients have recovered and been discharged over the past 24 hours.

Thailand’s total caseload from Covid stands at 1,265,082 – 1,097,317 of whom have recovered, 155,134 are still in hospitals and 12,631 have died.

Separately, another 375,914 people were given their first Covid-19 shot in the last 24 hours, 546,043 their second shot, and 3,670 a booster dose, bringing total Covid-19 vaccine doses administered nationwide to 35,218,164.

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According to Worldometer, confirmed cases globally had risen to 220.65 million on Saturday, 197.16 million of whom have recovered, 18.92 million are active cases (105,935 in severe condition) and 4.57 million have died (up by 9,441).

Thailand ranks 29th on the global list of most cases, which is topped by the US with 40.70 million, followed by India with 32.94 million, Brazil with 20.86 million, Russia with 6.98 million and the UK with 6.90 million.

Published : September 04, 2021

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40005698

50km highway in Koh Samui expected to be fully ready next year

About 70 per cent of Highway 4169 in Koh Samui, Surat Thani province, has been finished, and the balance would be ready by March 2022, the Department of Highways said.

The contract for construction of the highway was signed on February 20, 2018.

Of the 50-kilometre long highway around the island, being built at a cost of THB701 million, 34 kilometres have already been finished and opened for public use.

The unfinished part was 15.5km long, from Ban Hua Thanon in Na Muang sub-district to Ban Chaweng in Bo Put sub-district.

The construction of Highway 4169 will support more traffic, enhance safety, promote tourism for Surat Thani and southern Thailand, the authority said.

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The project is expected to spread economic prosperity at the local and national levels.

The highway, known previously as Taweeratphakdee Road, circled around communities on the island to the Koh Samui district office.

50km highway in Koh Samui expected to be fully ready next year

Published : September 04, 2021

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40005697

Phuket authorities urged to push for 3rd vaccine dose as Covid cases increase

Tourism entrepreneurs in Phuket have suggested to authorities to arrange the third dose of Covid-19 vaccine for locals, as new cases are still being found in the province, and this factor could affect tourism.

On Friday, the Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration announced that 235 cases were found in the past 24 hours in Phuket. Also, in the past seven days, daily new cases had averaged over 200.

The Phuket Boutique Accommodation Consortium said that the infection statistics were undoubtedly related to the decision to travel in the province of foreigners.

Consortium chairman Pachara Luelamai suggested that the government arrange the third dose for Phuket residents in order to boost their immunity.

Separately, Phuket Governor Narong Woonciew admitted that there was an increase in the number of cases among locals. However, only 85 cases were spotted among over 27,000 foreigners who visited Phuket under the sandbox scheme, he added.

He told the press that around 77 per cent of total population in Phuket had already received the second dose, and 400,000 doses of the third jab were being proposed to the central authorities of Thailand.

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Published : September 04, 2021

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40005696

Sinovac not a low-quality vaccine, Chinas embassy hits back at critics

Chinas embassy in Bangkok on Friday issued a statement on its Facebook page, rebutting the accusations of some people that Sinovac vaccine is low quality and ineffective.

“The Chinese government delivered Sinovac vaccine to Thailand at the first chance we could to help the country fight Covid-19, although the vaccine demand in China was still high and the production capability was still inadequate,” said the embassy.

“Every dose of vaccine sent by China represents the goodwill and friendship that China has maintained with Thailand for a long time.

“The vaccines sent by the Chinese government have been approved by the World Health Organization in its emergency use list and has passed clinical trials as required by the Thailand Food and Drug Administration standards,” said the embassy.

“They are safe, effective and have been fully certified in terms of quality.”

The embassy added that a clinical study in Chile has revealed that Sinovac vaccine is over 86 per cent effective in preventing severe symptoms and deaths among Covid-19 patients, while a study by the Indonesian government has shown that the vaccine is up to 95 per cent effective.

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“However, there are certain people and parties in Thailand who are accusing Sinovac of being a low-quality vaccine that lacks efficacy against Covid-19,” added the embassy. “This accusation completely ignores scientific evidence and is harming China’s goodwill for Thailand. The embassy would like to urge such people and parties to stop this dreadful action.

“China is willing to continue helping Thailand in the fight against Covid-19 with the sincerity and mutual goodwill that both countries share. We wish that Thailand can overcome this crisis and return to normal as soon as possible,” added the embassy.

Published : September 04, 2021

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40005695

As part of new vaccine strategy, purchase of Sinovac to be wound down

The Public Health Ministry will slow down the purchase of Sinovac vaccine through the rest of the year in order to focus on vaccines that can be administered to children.

“The ministry will buy only 12 million doses of Sinovac in the rest of this year, which will be used for the Sinovac-AstraZeneca combo vaccination,” Dr Sopon Iamsirithaworn, deputy director-general of the Disease Control Department, said on Friday.

“Once the stock of Sinovac is depleted, an AstraZeneca-Pfizer combo will be used, while the non-combo vaccination would be either two doses of AstraZeneca or two doses of Pfizer.”

Sopon added that the reason for slowing down the purchase of Sinovac is not because the vaccine was less effective, but the ministry would focus on procuring vaccines that are safe for children.

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“We will not buy more of the current Sinovac vaccine unless there is a study proving it can be safely administered to children,” he said. “Furthermore, the ministry is waiting for a new formula of Sinovac vaccine that is currently under development specifically for the new virus variants, as the current vaccine had been developed from the Wuhan virus.”

When asked about a social media post that receiving three jabs of vaccine could cause lymphoma, Sopon said that there was currently no conclusive information to prove the contention. “However, the immune system could be at risk of abnormal cell division if it were overly stimulated. We will need to study further to confirm the long-term effects of getting a third jab,” he said.

Published : September 04, 2021

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40005688

Isolated heavy rains forecast for North, Northeast and East

The Thailand Meteorological Department said on Saturday that a moderate southwest monsoon prevails across the Andaman Sea, Thailand and the Gulf of Thailand.

Amonsoon trough lies across the North and the upper Northeast, changing into a low-pressure cell in the Gulf of Tonkin.

Isolated heavy rains are likely in the North, the Northeast and the East. People in these areas should beware of flash floods, the department said.

The weather forecast for the next 24 hours:

North: Thundershowers in 80 per cent of the areas with isolated heavy rains; temperature lows of 23-24 degrees Celsius, highs of 30-32°C.

Northeast: Thundershowers in 80 per cent of the areas with isolated heavy rains; temperature lows of 23-24°C, highs of 30-32°C.

Central: Thundershowers in 60 per cent of the areas; temperature lows of 23-25°C, highs of 32-33°C.

East: Thundershowers in 60 per cent of the areas with isolated heavy rains; temperature lows of 23-26°C, highs of 30-33°C; waves a metre high and 1-2 metres during thundershowers.

South (east coast): Thundershowers in 40 per cent of the areas; temperature lows of 22-25°C, highs of 31-34°C; waves a metre high and 1-2 metres during thundershowers.

South (west coast): Thundershowers in 40 per cent of the areas; temperature lows of 20-25°C, highs of 32-34°C; waves 1-2 metres high and two metres during thundershowers.

Bangkok and surrounding areas: Thundershowers in 60 per cent of the areas; temperature lows of 24-25°C, highs of 31-34°C.

Source: Thailand Meteorological Department

Published : September 04, 2021

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40005687

Thailand recorded 15,942 Covid-19 cases and 257 deaths on Saturday

Ministry of Public Health reported on Saturday (September 4) morning that in the past 24 hours there are 15,942 new patients who tested positive for Covid-19, 277 of whom have been found in prisons.

Death toll increased by 257, while 20,351 patients were cured and allowed to leave hospitals.

Cumulative cases in the country are at 1,265,082 with 12,631 total deaths.
 

Published : September 04, 2021

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40005681

BMA getting ready to tackle a very wet rainy season

With heavy rainfall expected this month and rising sea levels, the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) has speeded up its work on improving the city’s drainage system and flood monitoring stations.

The project covering 15 high-risk spots should be completed before the end of the year.

Governor Aswin Kwanmuang said on Friday that he has instructed district offices, drainage authorities and other relevant agencies to closely monitor and resolve flooding problems.

BMA getting ready to tackle a very wet rainy seasonBMA getting ready to tackle a very wet rainy season

Drainage is being improved in the following areas:

• Ratchawithi Road, in front of Suan Dusit Rajabhat University and at the foot of Krungthon bridge – 12 per cent done
• Chan Road, from Soi Bampen Kuson to Yannawa post office – 75 per cent ready
• Sathu Pradit road at Chan Road intersection – 75 per cent complete
• Bang Khun Thian – Chai Thalae along the coast of Bay of Bangkok from Rama II Road to Khlong Sakae Ngam – 95 per cent complete

Meanwhile, flood monitoring stations are being set up in 11 areas across Bangkok and should be ready before yearend. The stations are being set up at:

• Ratchadaphisek Road covering Ratchayothin intersection to Soi Aphaphirom – 85 per cent ready
• Chaengwattana Road – 95 per cent complete
• Pracha Songkhro Road, from clock tower roundabout to Pracharat Bamphen Road – 84 per cent ready
• Prachasuk Road – 84 per cent complete
• Phaholyothin Road from Khlong Sam Sen to Khlong Bang Sue – 90 per cent ready
• Sukhumvit Road, from Asoke intersection to Sukhumvit 71 – 4 projects 70 to 98 per cent complete
• St Louis Road at Chan Road intersection – 75 per cent complete
• Ramkhamhaeng Road outside Ramkhamhaeng University – three projects that are between 85 and 96 per cent complete
• Srinakarin Road, from Lamsalee Intersection to Krungthep Kreetha Road – 80 per cent done
• Suwinthawong road from the Minburi Electricity Authority to Rajauthit intersection – 100 per cent complete
• Ekachai Road at the mouth of Soi Ekachai 56 – 100 per cent complete.

Related news:

• BMA fine-tunes water pumping stations to deal with flooding
• Floods damage over 20,000 rai of farmlands this year
• RID needs 2-3 days to drain flooded Bangpoo industrial estate

BMA getting ready to tackle a very wet rainy seasonBMA getting ready to tackle a very wet rainy season

Published : September 03, 2021