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https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40004878

US military dismisses ‘fake news’ that Bangkok lab was origin of Covid

The US military has slammed as fake news online rumours that its medical mission in Thailand leaked the virus that triggered the Covid-19 pandemic.

“Recent allegations have used fake and manipulated documents to smear this research institution and the several hundreds of dedicated and professional Thai and American scientists who work here,” said a statement issued on Wednesday by the Armed Forces Research Institute of Medical Sciences (AFRIMS), which is based in Bangkok.

“Over the past 60 years, the United States Army and the Royal Thai Army have worked shoulder to shoulder at the Armed Forces Research Institute of Medical Sciences in the battle against tropical diseases, said the statement, which was signed by Lieutenant Colonel Brandon Carter, US deputy director of AFRIMS.

“The work done here has saved hundreds of millions of lives in Thailand and across the world,” it added. “And, most importantly, our gold standard laboratory facilities are safe.”

Carter said research at AFRIMS is wholly focused on defeating diseases endemic to Thailand and Southeast Asia, including malaria, dengue, chikungunya, zika, Japanese encephalitis, and HIV.

AFRIMS is currently supporting the development of the Chulalongkorn mRNA vaccine, he added.

“In everything we do, AFRIMS follows all relevant Thai and US laws to maintain the highest standards of proper laboratory conditions. As a result, AFRIMS is one of the safest laboratories in the world.”

The US Embassy in Bangkok describes AFRIMS as “the largest of a global network of US Defense Department Overseas Medical Research Laboratories – with sister laboratories in Peru, Kenya, Egypt, and the Republics of Georgia and Singapore”.

Published : August 18, 2021

By : The Nation

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40004876

Rail Dept vows to upgrade Thai railway to international level

The Department of Rail Transport on Wednesday approved a draft document to establish international standards for Thailand’s electric train system.

The document contains three measures to upgrade the electrified rail service:

1. Standards for the design, installation, testing and verification of power distribution systems. The standards will apply to mainline commuter trains and intercity trains powered by AC electricity.

2. Standard requirements for transformers used in substations, to power the AC drive system or to power ancillary services for electrified main lines.

3. Standards for all rolling stock.

The Department of Rail Transport is also preparing international standards for civil infrastructure, mechanical and rail transport vehicles, electrical and signalling, and safety standards.

Published : August 18, 2021

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40004875

Korat officials accuse Tesco store of concealing outbreak for 26 days

Health authorities in Nakhon Ratchasima have accused Tesco Lotus department store managers of concealing an outbreak of Covid-19 that spawned a serious infection cluster in the Northeast province.

Health authorities in Nakhon Ratchasima have accused Tesco Lotus department store managers of concealing an outbreak of Covid-19 that spawned a serious infection cluster in the Northeast province.

Published : August 18, 2021

By : The Nation

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40004874

PM’s order could sink controversial deal for Chinese ATKs

The Government Pharmaceutical Organisation (GPO)’s deal for Chinese-made rapid antigen test kits (ATKs) came under question on Wednesday when PM Prayut Chan-o-cha insisted all ATKs purchased by Thailand must be certified by the World Health Organisation (WHO).

The order threatens to disrupt the GPO’s purchase of 8.5 million ATKs manufactured by Beijing-based Lepu Medical Technology. The Lepu ATKs are not certified by the WHO and have been banned by the United States over concerns about their accuracy.

Ostland Capital won the bidding last week to supply the ATKs, offering each set at 70 baht in a contract worth 1.014 billion baht.

Earlier this week, the Rural Doctors urged the prime minister to halt the purchase, citing concerns about the quality of the Lepu test kits. The GPO countered that the Lepu ATKs had been approved by the Thai Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

Prayut on Wednesday ordered health agencies to speed up procurement of ATKs that met both Thai FDA and WHO standards.

The PM also instructed the Public Health Emergency Operation Centre and related agencies to urgently solve problems regarding vaccine procurement, community testing, and delays in getting infected people into the treatment system.

Published : August 18, 2021

By : The Nation

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40004867

PM says restrictions could be lifted next month amid signs of infection slowdown

PM Prayut Chan-o-cha on Wednesday announced Covid-19 restrictions could be eased next month amid signs the infection rate is slowing. However, tighter Covid-19 safety measures were needed to combat the outbreak of Delta variant, he said via Facebook.

Prayut acknowledged the daily caseload had risen above 20,000 since lockdown measures were imposed last month but said the number of patients recovering is now higher than the infection rate.

He said his main concern was the fatality rate, especially among the vulnerable group of elderly people and those with underlying health conditions. 
Thailand’s daily Covid death toll soared to a record 312 on Wednesday.

Prayut said the infection rate will likely reach its peak this month before dropping in September. This would allow authorities to adjust the control measures and relax some restrictions on businesses and activities, he added.

The Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration (CCSA) recently extended lockdown measures in Bangkok and 28 other provinces until the end of August. 
The CCSA has meanwhile decided to elevate safety measures under the Universal Prevention method to be practised by every individual.

The 10-point Universal Prevention method is as follows:

1. Leave home only when absolutely necessary.
2. Stay at least 1-2 metres away from others outside.
3. Wear a face mask inside a cloth mask at all times, at home and in public, especially around elderly and high-risk groups.
4. Wash hands with soap or alcohol gel frequently, including before meals, after using the bathroom, after coughing, or after touching shared objects. 
5. Avoid touching your face mask, face, eyes, mouth and nose.
6. People aged over 60 or with chronic conditions must avoid leaving home if possible. If not, they should minimise the time they spend outside. 
7. Clean and sanitise frequently touched surfaces, equipment or physical environment.
8. Use separate personal items.
9. Eat freshly cooked food and do not share dishes or cutlery.
10. If you have Covid-19 symptoms or have been in close contact with an infected person or high-risk location, test yourself with an Antigen Test Kit or visit the nearest hospital.

“Please strictly follow these Universal Prevention measures amid this high-risk situation, and be patient,” said Prayut. He also expressed gratitude for the work of medics, front-line personnel, volunteers and every organisation involved in the battle against Covid-19. 

“We are seeking every solution to manage this crisis and revitalise the country and its economy as soon as possible,” he concluded.

Published : August 18, 2021

By : The Nation

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https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40004859

28 arrested at birthday party in swanky Bangkok resort

Police arrested 28 people, nine of them underage, for partying at a swanky resort in Bangkok’s Din Daeng district in the early hours of Wednesday.

Police said that they were alerted by neighbours at 3.40am that a party was in full swing at the resort on Soi Inthamara 47.

Officers raided room 39 on the ground floor of the poolside resort and arrested the young partygoers for breaching the emergency-decree ban on gatherings of more than five people.

28 arrested at birthday party in swanky Bangkok resort

Thipsuphaporn (last name withheld) said she had booked the room for a birthday party for two of her friends, who then invited more people. Police checked the room for drugs but found no illegal substances.

28 arrested at birthday party in swanky Bangkok resort

All 19 adult partygoers were charged with violating the emergency decree, which carries a penalty of up to two years in prison and/or a Bt40,000 fine. The nine underage suspects will be charged separately by the Central Juvenile and Family Court.

Published : August 18, 2021

By : THE NATION

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https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40004849

Food deliveryman foots customers’ food bill

Netizen “พ.” shared her experience with a deliveryman’s sheer generosity and kindness in a post on Twitter.

On Tuesday, พ. tweeted that she had placed an order via a delivery app and specified that she was a Covid-19 patient and that the deliveryman should hang the packages at the door.

When the food arrived, the deliveryman rang the doorbell and wished her good health. After he left, พ. opened the door to find not just her food but also some money and a note reading: “You don’t need to pay for the food. Please save your money to look after yourself. I live in Soi 2 as well. Get well soon.”

The patient, who posted a photo of the note and money under her tweet, said this good deed has made her day.

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Food deliveryman foots customers’ food bill

Published : August 18, 2021

By : The Nation

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40004847

Five things Phuket Sandbox tourists were impressed with

It has been almost 50 days since the Phuket Sandbox programme took off, with the scheme now being considered satisfactory and foreign tourists saying they were impressed with things such as airport transportation, service and screening.

The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) reported that from July 1 to 31, there was a tourist cash flow of THB829 million, which in turn generated an income of THB1.92 billion for the economy. 

Approximately 2,719 people, who were employed during the period, earned THB210 million in wages. 
The economic value of the scheme was reported to be THB816 million, with THB87 million in tax income. 
The scheme saw 190,843 hotel night bookings during the period.

A TAT survey on tourist satisfaction from July 11 to August 10 showed that out of 88 participants, 77 per cent were in the 25-56 age range. Some 35 per cent said they would travel further to other provinces, such as Bangkok and Chiang Mai.

The five things that impressed foreign tourists under the Phuket Sandbox scheme were:

1. The quality of SHA+ transportation from Phuket International Airport.
2. The overall service at the airport.
3. The reservation system of the airport’s SHA+ transportation.
4. The reservation system of SHA+ hotel bookings.
5. The screening system upon arrival.

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Five things Phuket Sandbox tourists were impressed with

Published : August 18, 2021

By : The Nation

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40004846

… And poof! It was all gone

Wednesday morning brought shock and dismay to a 70-year-old Nong Khai resident when her house went up in flames just as she was returning from giving alms to monks.

Fire engulfed the house in Phon Phisai district at about 5am. Songkram Suwachan said she was giving alms to monks as usual just outside the house and as she turned to return, she heard a loud explosion and watched her house go up in flames.

The fire engulfed Songkram’s wooden house rapidly and stretched to the wooden house next door. It took firefighters nearly two hours to control the blaze, though both homes were practically razed to the ground. Police suspect the fire had been caused by a short circuit.

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… And poof! It was all gone

Published : August 18, 2021

By : The Nation

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40004845

312 deaths, 20,515 new cases as Thailand’s caseload nears 1 million

For the first time since the pandemic began, Covid-related deaths in Thailand crossed the 300 mark on Wednesday with 312 casualties reported. Daily infections, meanwhile, stood at 20,515, with 248 found in prisons.

Meanwhile, 22,682 patients have recovered and been discharged over the past 24 hours.

Since the epidemic kicked off last year, Thailand has had 968,957 Covid-19 cases, 753,119 of whom have recovered, 207,553 are still in hospitals and 8,285 have died.

Separately, another 355,408 people were given their first Covid-19 shot in the last 24 hours, 153,519 their second shot, and 9,191 their third shot, bringing the total Covid-19 vaccine doses administered in Thailand to 24,618,749.

According to Worldometer, as of 10am on Wednesday, confirmed cases globally had risen to 209.40 million, 187.68 million of whom have recovered, 17.33 million are active cases (107,841 in severe condition) and 4.39 million have died (up by 9,907).

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Thailand ranks 34th on the global list of most cases, which is topped by the US with 37.90 million, followed by India with 32.29 million, Brazil with 20.42 million, Russia with 6.64 million and France with 6.50 million.

Published : August 18, 2021

By : The Nation