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https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40004844

Mae Sot hospital employs ‘village headmen’ to help deal with Covid-19 caseload

“The Story of the Frontier Doctor” (Ruang Lao Moh Chai Daen) Facebook page shared a post thanking Covid-19 patients in Tak’s Mae Sot district lending a much appreciated helping hand to doctors.

“Medics posted at the community and factory isolation centres, field hospital and Mae Sot General Hospital’s subsidiary ward are very appreciative of all that you have done. If it wasn’t for your help, all the doctors, nurses and patients would be in a bad condition,” the post read.

The post said the district has some 3,400 patients and Mae Sot General Hospital, which has a capacity of 350 beds, is stretched beyond its maximum capacity with 500 patients.

Therefore, to deal with these overwhelming numbers, the hospital decided to “employ” patients with mild symptoms to oversee their own ward. So far, 11 such wards or “villages” have been set up with each ward having a “village headman” and an assistant.

Each village headman is presented with a certificate and a 1,000-baht cash reward for their work. The so-called village chiefs are changed every 14 days.

As of Tuesday, Mae Sot’s Covid-19 caseload stood at:

• 695 patients in community isolation centres

• 1,280 in home isolation

• 566 in factory isolation

• 287 in the field hospital

• 464 at Mae Sot General Hospital’s subsidiary ward

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Mae Sot hospital employs ‘village headmen’ to help deal with Covid-19 caseloadMae Sot hospital employs ‘village headmen’ to help deal with Covid-19 caseload

Published : August 18, 2021

By : The Nation

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40004843

TAT estimates 2021 tourist revenue at THB625 bn, most from domestic travel

The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) estimates total revenue from tourism in 2021 will be THB625.7 billion, most of which, or THB540.7 billion, would come from domestic tourists who are expected to make 100 million trips across the year.

The number of total foreign tourists was forecast to be 1.2 million. They are expected to contribute around THB85 billion in revenue to local tourism businesses.

“The tourism industry must adapt to the changing behaviour of travellers due to the pandemic,” TAT governor Yuthasak Supasorn pointed out on Tuesday.

“As the Covid-19 situation in many countries is improving, the competition in the global tourism market in 2022 will be even fiercer,” he predicted.

Yutthasak said TAT projected tourism revenue in 2022 to reach Bt2 trillion in the best scenario, but this target would only amount to two-thirds of tourism revenue in 2019, before the coronavirus spread to Thailand.

“In order to achieve the best-case scenario, Thailand must be able to vaccinate all groups and keep new infections under control by the early fourth quarter of 2021,” he said.

“The reopening of Thailand to all foreign tourists without any quarantine must start as planned in October, while all domestic travel restrictions must be lifted around the same time,” he said.

Yutthasak also revealed that TAT would go ahead with its tourism promotion plan under the so-called “5 Highs” strategy.

“We will focus on attracting ‘high-quality’ tourists who prioritise experience over prices while we provide ‘high-value’ tourism products and services,” he said.

“TAT will also create positive ‘high impact’ communities surrounding tourist attractions by launching anti-pollution and nature conservation campaigns to establish a strong tourism supply chain in the future,” Yutthasak said.

“The last two highs are the promotion of ‘high skills’ of personnel in the tourism business and coming up with ‘high technology’ innovations to penetrate new markets both at the domestic and the international levels,” he added.

Published : August 18, 2021

By : THE NATION

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40004841

Bangkok now struggling with surge in dengue patients

In addition to a surge in Covid-19 patients, Bangkok has reported an unprecedented number of dengue patients between January 3 and July 3 this year, the Department of Disease Control (DDC) said recently.

So far, 1,043 dengue patients have been found in the capital, with 10 districts reporting nearly half the number, namely Bang Khun Thian, Chom Thong, Bang Khae, Yan Nawa, Din Daeng, Thon Buri, Suan Luang, Lat Krabang, Lat Phrao and Bang Na.

The number of dengue patients nationwide stands at 9,878, with four deaths so far. In addition to Bangkok, the other provinces with the highest infection rates include Ranong, Nakhon Pathom, Mae Hong Son, and Rayong.

DDC had earlier launched an anti-dengue campaign in Bangkok, urging residents to keep their homes and nearby areas clean and eliminate stagnant water sources.

Dengue fever is a mosquito-borne disease and usually takes five to eight days to incubate in humans.

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The initial symptoms of dengue fever are like those of Covid-19, such as high fever, but other conditions differ.
 
They are:
• High fever, at least 38.5 or up to 40-41° C
• Seizures especially in children with a history of this disease
• Skin rash
• Scurvy
• Red spots on the arm, leg, and body

In comparison, the symptoms of Covid-19 are:
• High fever, at least 37.5 C
• Cough with phlegm and sore throat for four days
• Nausea, vomiting, and diarrhoea
• Difficulty breathing
• Pneumonia

Patients with any of these symptoms are advised to visit the doctor immediately.

Published : August 18, 2021

By : The Nation

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40004838

Cabinet okays Communicable Diseases Act draft amendment

The Cabinet on Tuesday approved a draft amendment to the Communicable Diseases Act in a bid to enhance measures to effectively combat the outbreak of communicable diseases in either normal or critical situations.

Deputy government spokeswoman Traisuree Taisaranakul said the draft amendment was proposed by the Public Health Ministry.

She said emergency public health management was added to the draft amendment to separate management in normal conditions away from a critical situation that may affect public order or state security.

Traisuree said announcement of a State of Emergency may therefore not be necessary in the future.

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She added that the Cabinet also approved a move for the Council of State to consider improving measures to protect frontline medical staff and volunteers.

Published : August 18, 2021

By : The Nation

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40004836

Man rushes wife to police station over breathing difficulty

A man decided to take his wife to Phra Khanong police station in Bangkok as the woman developed breathing difficulties after two hospitals reportedly refused to give them Covid-19 tests.

The incident happened on Tuesday evening.

Krisanapaisan Srisodchumpawat, a witness and a man who contacted the Erawan Medical Centre for the couple, told media that the couple had visited two hospitals for a Covid-19 test but as the hospitals refused to give them one, the couple decided to return to their home in Udomsuk.

While on the way home, the husband sensed that his wife had difficulty breathing, so he immediately took her to the police station nearby for help.

Krisanapaisan also said both husband and wife were infected with Covid-19, according to results of test kits at the station.

Ambulances later arrived at the police station and took both to hospital.

The husband was reportedly under treatment at Bang Na Hospital and his wife at Kluaynamthai Hospital.

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Man rushes wife to police station over breathing difficultyMan rushes wife to police station over breathing difficulty

Published : August 18, 2021

By : The Nation

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40004826

Two Sinovac doses 98% effective against death, severe symptoms: DDC expert

Two doses of Sinovac vaccine are 98 per cent effective in preventing death and severe symptoms from Covid-19, said a Department of Disease Control expert.

Dr Thaweesub Sirapraphasiri said the department had been studying the vaccination history of medical professionals to determine the efficacy of each type of vaccine against Covid-19.

“From May 1 to July 31, some 3,906 medics contracted Covid-19. Approximately 2,154 of them received two Sinovac jabs at least 14 days prior to infection,” he said. “Comparing 598 samples of infected patients who have never been vaccinated, the Sinovac jabs have shown 98 per cent efficacy in keeping patients from developing severe symptoms and or death.”

Thaweesub said Sinovac’s efficacy in preventing infection after two doses is generally 72 per cent, which is considered fairly effective.

“When divided by months, the infection prevention rate of Sinovac from May to July was still above 70 per cent on average, which means the vaccine is effective despite the spreading Delta variant,” Thaweesub said.

Meanwhile, the infection prevention rate of AstraZeneca vaccine after a single dose is 88 per cent and after two doses 96 per cent.

“Both Sinovac and AstraZeneca are effective in preventing infection, severe symptoms and death. Please bring your family members who are in high-risk groups [elders, pregnant women, those with underlying health problems] for vaccination to reduce the chance of infection and deaths,” Thaweesub strongly advised.

Published : August 18, 2021

By : THE NATION

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40004822

Thalu Fah protesters clash with police at Tuesday rally

The “Thalu Fah” pro-democracy group gathered at Ratchaprasong Intersection in Bangkok’s Pathumwan district at 3pm on Tuesday in an anti-government rally that demanded the resignation of Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha.

At around 4pm the crowd marched to the Royal Thai Police Headquarters on Rama I Road and reportedly threw bags of pink paint at the front gate.

Thalu Fah protesters clash with police at Tuesday rally

Crowd-control police responded by using water cannon, managing to drive the protesters back to Ratchaprasong Intersection, after which they formed a line in front of Police General Hospital to prevent the demonstrators from advancing.

Thalu Fah protesters clash with police at Tuesday rallyThalu Fah protesters clash with police at Tuesday rally

Some of the protesters dispersed from Ratchaprasong and at around 5pm regrouped at Sam Liam Din Daeng junction in Ratchathewi district, where they held a rally on Monday in a bid to march to Prayut’s residence on Vibhavadi Rangsit Road, which prompted the police to deploy containers and barriers on the road to block the rallyists.

Thalu Fah protesters clash with police at Tuesday rally

At 6pm crowd-control police were deployed at Sam Liam Din Daeng to monitor the situation. Protesters reportedly lobbed firecrackers and flares at the officers, who responded by firing tear-gas canisters to prevent the crowd from storming the barriers.

At around 8.30pm the demonstrators retreated to Din Daeng Flats and Pracha Songkro Intersection and later dispersed.

Thalu Fah protesters clash with police at Tuesday rally

After the rallyists left the area, police reportedly found three unexploded homemade bombs near Victory Monument.

They set up a barrier around the area while waiting for an EOD team to dispose of the bombs.

Thalu Fah protesters clash with police at Tuesday rally

Published : August 18, 2021

By : THE NATION

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40004816

Daily Covid-19 deaths reach new high on Wednesday at 312 deaths with 20,515 new infections

Ministry of Public Health reported on Wednesday (August 18) morning that in the past 24 hours there are 20,515 new patients who tested positive for Covid-19, 248 of whom have been found in prisons.

Death toll increased by 312, while 22,682 patients were cured and allowed to leave hospitals.

Cumulative cases in the country are at 968,957 with 8,285 total deaths.
 

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Daily Covid-19 deaths reach new high on Wednesday at 312 deaths with 20,515 new infections

Published : August 18, 2021

By : THE NATION

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40004807

Rains ease across country as southwest monsoon weakens

Less rain is likely over Thailand except for isolated heavy showers in the lower South amid a weakening southwest monsoon across the country, the Andaman Sea and the Gulf of Thailand, the Meteorological Department said on Wednesday.

It added that waves in the Andaman Sea and the upper Gulf are about 1 metre high and 1-2 metres during thundershowers.

Here’s the weather forecast for the next 24 hours:

North: Thundershowers in 40 per cent of the area; temperature lows of 23-24 degrees and highs of 33-36 degrees Celsius.

Northeast: Thundershowers in 30 per cent of the area; temperature lows of 23-26 degrees and highs of 33-37 degrees Celsius.

Central: Thundershowers in 20 per cent of the area; temperature lows of 23-26 degrees, highs of 35-37 degrees Celsius.

East: Thundershowers in 30 per cent of the area; temperature lows of 24-26 degrees, highs of 31-35 degrees Celsius; waves a metre high and 1-2 metres during thundershowers.

South (east coast): Thundershowers in 40 per cent of the area with isolated heavy rains; temperature lows of 23-24 degrees, highs of 31-34 degrees Celsius; waves a metre high and 1-2 metres during thundershowers.

South (west coast): Thundershowers in 40 per cent of the area with isolated heavy rains; temperature lows of 20-25 degrees, highs of 30-33 degrees Celsius; waves a metre high and 1-2 metres during thundershowers.

Bangkok and surrounding areas: Thundershowers in 10 per cent of the area; temperature lows of 24-27 degrees, highs of 33-36 degrees Celsius.

Source: Thailand Meteorological Department

Published : August 18, 2021

By : THE NATION

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40004801

Banks in Bangkok malls can open till 8pm from Aug 18

Banks and financial institutions in Bangkok malls can open until 8pm from Wednesday (August 18), city governor Aswin Kwanmuang said today.

The lockdown closure restriction has been lifted for banks, credit card leasing businesses and other financial services located in the capital’s shopping malls, shopping centres, community malls and similar establishments. However, all operators will have to comply with disease controls or face up to one-year imprisonment and/or a fine of up to 100,000 baht.

Published : August 18, 2021

By : The Nation