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https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40005060

Laos fines seven Thais for picking mushrooms in border area

Seven Thai nationals were fined by Laos authorities after they were reportedly caught picking mushrooms near the Ubon Ratchathani-Laos border.

The Laos authority at Muang Champassak on Friday brought seven Thai nationals — two males and five females — to the Chong Mek border checkpoint in Ubon Ratchathani’s Sirindhorn district, after the group allegedly entered the forest in the Laos border to pick up mushrooms.

They were reportedly fined THB6,000 each by the Laos authority for entering the country without a vaccination certificate, which is a requirement during the Covid-19 situation.

Laos fines seven Thais for picking mushrooms in border area

The seven were tested via swab method at the border checkpoint, according to the Ministry of Public Health’s regulations, and will stay in quarantine at Yang Noi field hospital for 14 days to monitor their symptoms.

Suwit (last name withheld), aged 33 years, one of the mushroom pickers, said that Laos officials had been taking good care of Thai detainees in Laos’ state quarantine facility while following the Covid-19 prevention protocol.

“They even allowed my relatives living in Laos to send us food that we wished to eat,” he added.

Laos fines seven Thais for picking mushrooms in border area

Published : August 21, 2021

By : THE NATION

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https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40005059

A one-sided battle of elephants

A wild elephant toppled the statue of an elephant erected at the Khao Yai National Park in Nakhon Ratchasima province on Friday.

The elephant attacked the black statue and pulled it down from the pedestal. The statue was removed from the area and sent for repairs.

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A one-sided battle of elephantsA one-sided battle of elephantsA one-sided battle of elephantsA one-sided battle of elephantsA one-sided battle of elephants

Published : August 21, 2021

By : The Nation

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https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40005058

Thailand reports fewer new Covid cases and related deaths

Thailand logged 20,571 new cases with 261 deaths over a 24-hour period, it was reported on Saturday.

On Friday, there were 20,902 new cases and 301 deaths.

Of the new infections, 235 were prison inmates.

Meanwhile, 23,159 patients have recovered and been discharged over the past 24 hours.

Cumulative cases totalled 1,030,281, of whom 818,964 have recovered, 202,230 are still in hospitals and 9,087 have died.

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Separately, another 387,683 people were given their first Covid-19 shot in the last 24 hours, 215,414 their second shot, and 6,338 their third shot, bringing total Covid-19 vaccine doses administered in Thailand to 26,428,101.

According to Worldometer, as of 10am on Saturday, confirmed cases globally had risen to 211.57 million, 189.32 million of whom have recovered, 17.83 million are active cases (109,080 in severe condition) and 4.43 million have died (up by 10,205).

Thailand ranks 33rd on the global list of most cases, which is topped by the US with 38.40 million, followed by India with 32.39 million, Brazil with 20.53 million, Russia with 6.71 million and France with 6.58 million.

Published : August 21, 2021

By : The Nation

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40005057

Press armbands no protective shields during protest crackdowns

Press people have worn armbands since World War II, in order to differentiate them from those on the battlefield. However, bands could not always protect them from attacks.

During the Vietnam War, the press was even asked to not wear the band, as they or the soldiers with them could be easily seen by Viet Cong soldiers.

Of the recent years, an example of violence toward the media persons with armbands was in France, which was in 2019 ranked 32nd in the RSF World Press Freedom Index.

During the first six months of the yellow vests protests in 2018. 54 journalists were injured by police, and 120 were attacked or injured during the time.

Of the journalists, 12 got severe damages, such as broken bones or ribs. In addition, some of them were searched and bullied on social media. This demonstrates that the armbands were sometimes useless for journalists, especially in the big crashes.

In Thailand, Injuries suffered by journalists covering pro-democracy protests in July and August 2021 proved again that the press armbands did not guarantee safety during protests.

Among 180 countries, Thailand in 2021 was ranked 137th in the RSF World Press Freedom Index, even lower than Afghanistan before Taliban took over the country.

Some cases in Thailand have led to the prosecution of law enforcement authorities.

On July 18, two reporters had reportedly suffered injuries caused by rubber bullets fired by crowd control police, in spite of having the press armbands and ID cards. two reporters, along with their agency, later sued the government for THB1.4 million via the Civil Court, and asked for temporary protection.

The injured reporters claimed that there was no warning from the officials when they started using the rubber bullets.

Published : August 21, 2021

By : The Nation

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40005053

Police clarify on payment of allowances to crowd control officers

Allowances for crowd control police officers who had been working from January 1 to August 16 have not been allotted from the police budget and therefore will not be paid soon, Royal Thai Police (RTP) spokesman Pol Maj-General Yingyos Thepjamnong said on Friday.

“However, those who worked from December 1 to 22, 2020 will be paid an allowance of THB200 per day before August 26,” he added.

Yingyos was responding to a social media post alerting the public that crowd control police officers had been working without any allowances for almost eight months despite frequent protests taking place in several areas.

The post also said that the Crowd Control Police Division had promised to provide tailored uniforms to 310 officers costing THB2,000 each, but the delivered uniforms mostly did not fit the officers.

“The budget for this project is THB620,000 and seems to have been spent improperly. We demand that the RTP provide clarification,” said the post, which was widely shared among netizens earlier this week.

“The contract was awarded to a tailor who offered a package deal of uniform, a backpack and a field flashlight for THB2,000 per set,” said Yingyos.

“The bidding process strictly followed the government’s procurement regulations.

“The tailor took measurements of officers three times at the Crowd Control Police Division on January 14, March 5 and March 10,” he added. “When the uniforms were delivered on March 25, some of them did not fit the officers well. The tailor said that their staffers might have mixed up the measurements, and offered to alter the uniforms.

“Thirty-three officers returned their uniforms for alterations, of whom 30 had already picked up the clothes, while three officers were yet to show up,” he added.

Published : August 21, 2021

By : THE NATION

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https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40005052

Thai game Popyut is all the rage online with 15 billion clicks

“Popyut”, the Thai adaptation of the popular online click game, “Popcat”, achieved a new milestone with 15 billion clicks on Friday, boosted by a new update.

Popcat, the original click game, was a creation of Briton Edward Halls. Popcat features the image of a cat that bares a wide grin with every click.

“Popcat” went viral in Thailand on August 15, when Thailand, which had been locked in a neck-and-neck battle with Taiwan, took first place with 15.8 billion clicks on August 16, within 24 hours.

Thailand currently tops the game’s global leader board.
Inspired by “Popcat”, a Thai website developer has created “Popyut”, revolving around Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha.

On the “Popyut” website prayut.click, the PM changes his posture every time users click with their mouse or tap on their phone.

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The latest update released on “Popyut” on Friday lets users choose their province. Prayut will also open his mouth like a cat and will say “Thailand will win” every 100 clicks.

Published : August 21, 2021

By : The Nation

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40005043

Deaths from Covid over 100 times higher among unvaccinated patients

Deaths linked to Covid-19 among unvaccinated patients were over 100 times higher compared to those who have been inoculated, the Department of Disease Control (DDC) said.

DDC deputy director-general Dr Sophon Iamsirithavorn said on Friday that from July 25 to August 19, 63.8 per cent of total Covid-19 deaths — 2,969 people — were those who had not been vaccinated against Covid-19.

“Only 26 deaths, or 0.6 per cent of total fatalities, were patients who had got two vaccine doses, which are significantly lower,” he said.

“Vaccine greatly helps reduce the chance of severe symptoms and deaths, but they can still occur in elderly patients and those with underlying health problems,” he added.

“Currently about 63 per cent of elderly persons in 13 ‘dark red’ provinces have been given at least one vaccine dose. The Public Health Ministry aims to achieve at least 70 per cent vaccination rate in this particular group by the end of August.”

The DDC reported on Friday that as of August 19, 25,818,666 doses of vaccine had been administered in Thailand. Some 19.5 million people have received their first jab, or 27.2 per cent of total population, while some 5.7 million people have received their second jab, or 7.9 per cent of total population.

About 527,000 people have received the third jab as a booster shot to improve their immunity, mostly among frontline medical professionals.

Of the vaccines being provided in Thailand, about 12.09 million doses were Sinovac, 10.8 million were AstraZeneca, 2.3 million were Sinopharm and 483,237 were Pfizer.

Published : August 21, 2021

By : THE NATION

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40005034

Thailand recorded 20,571 Covid-19 cases and 261 deaths on Saturday

Ministry of Public Health reported on Saturday (August 21) morning that in the past 24 hours there are 20,571 new patients who tested positive for Covid-19, 235 of whom have been found in prisons.

Death toll increased by 261, while 23,159 patients were cured and allowed to leave hospitals.

Cumulative cases in the country are at 1,030,218 with 9,087 total deaths.
 

Published : August 21, 2021

By : THE NATION

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40005033

Thundershowers forecast for all regions, isolated heavy rains in lower South

The weak southwest monsoon prevails across the Andaman Sea, Thailand and the Gulf of Thailand, bringing thundershowers to parts of the country, the Thailand Meteorological Department said on Saturday.

Meanwhile, the low-pressure cell over the coast of Malaysia Malacca strait will bring isolated heavy rains to the lower South.

The tropical storm “Omais” over the Pacific Ocean is expected to move towards Taiwan with no effects on Thailand, the department said.

The weather forecast for the next 24 hours:

North: Thundershowers in 40 per cent of the areas; temperature lows of 23-25 degrees Celsius, highs of 30-36°C.

Northeast: Thundershowers in 30 per cent of the areas; temperature lows of 22-25°C, highs of 34-35°C.

Central: Thundershowers in 30 per cent of the areas; temperature lows of 23-26°C, highs of 35-36°C.

East: Thundershowers in 40 per cent of the areas; temperature lows of 25-27°C, highs of 33-36°C; waves a metre high and 1-2 metres during thundershowers.

South (east coast): Thundershowers in 40 per cent of the areas with isolated heavy rains; temperature lows of 24-25°C, highs of 31-35°C; waves a metre high and 1-2 metres during thundershowers.

South (west coast): Thundershowers in 70 per cent of the areas with isolated heavy rains; temperature lows of 21-25°C, highs of 31-33°C; waves a metre high and 1-2 metres during thundershowers.

Bangkok and surrounding areas: Thundershowers in 40 per cent of the areas; temperature lows of 26-27°C, highs of 34-35°C.

Published : August 21, 2021

By : THE NATION

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40005015

Orange Line auction ‘to go ahead in October’ despite court cases

The Mass Rapid Transit Authority of Thailand (MRTA) will relaunch bidding for construction of the MRT Orange Line in October, after the Supreme Administrative Court dismissed an appeal against the earlier bidding process.

MRTA claimed the auction delay was caused by the Covid-19 epidemic and said it was complying with the Integrity Pact approved by the Cabinet to ensure transparency of the project.

MRTA governor Pakapong Sirikantaramason said on Thursday the Orange Line contractor is expected to be validated in March or April 2022. The contract is for the 35.9-kilometre western section, from Bang Khun Non to Min Buri (Suwinthawong), which has a budget of 1.2 billion baht.
The news comes after the Supreme Administrative Court upheld an Administrative Court order to dismiss the case brought by Bangkok Mass Transit System (BTSC) over the first bidding process. MRTA scrapped the process in February after bidder BTSC complained that changes to the terms could lead to unfair competition.

The court ruled in March to drop the case as the dispute no longer existed once the bidding had been scrapped.

The MRTA said it had conducted market sounding for the new bidding process, which had been delayed by Covid-19. Meanwhile, the government has asked the Anti-Corruption Cooperation Committee and Finance Ministry to draw up an Integrity Pact including observers, to ensure transparency in the Orange Line auction.

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Orange Line auction ‘to go ahead in October’ despite court cases

The process will take one month, with the auction criteria announced in October and private-sector bids taken from November to December. The contractor is expected to be selected in March-April 2022 and will be able to start construction work immediately.

The MRTA said construction would be expedited so it does not affect the Orange Line eastern section, which is expected to open around mid-2025. The western section is scheduled to open three years later.

However, three cases brought by BTSC are still hanging over the Orange Line auction.

The first is an Administrative Court case concerning the MRTA’s cancellation of the first bidding process.
The second is a claim for damages over the change in bidding rules.
And the third is a Criminal Court case accusing officials of corruption and misconduct.

Published : August 20, 2021

By : The Nation