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https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40004740

More clashes as ‘car mob’ rally heads to Prayut’s home

Violent clashes broke out between police and protesters again at the Din Daeng intersection on Sunday as thousands of Bangkok motorists converged to hold a “car mob” rally against the government.

The motorists gathered at key locations including Ratchaprasong and Lat Phrao intersections before heading towards Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha’s home to demand his resignation over the government’s mismanagement of the Covid-19 crisis. 

The rally, which was held simultaneously in 30 other provinces, was led by red-shirt leader Nattawut Saikuar and fellow red-shirt activist Sombat Boonngam-anong. 
Clashes broke out despite leaders declaring they “come with a flag for peace, not war”.

The Nation Thailand takes a look at what happened on Sunday:

Published : August 16, 2021

By : The Nation

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40004738

Indians mark 75 years of freedom with sumptuous splendor

The Indian Embassy in Bangkok marked India’s 75th Independence Day on Sunday in a hybrid mode given the prevailing pandemic and related restrictions in Thailand.

Ambassador Suchitra Durai hoisted the national flag and presided over the singing of the national anthem before reading out the president’s message and addressing the Indian diaspora in Thailand.

In her address, Durai elaborated on recent developments in bilateral relations and programmes and initiatives launched by the Indian government to fight the pandemic and safeguard both the lives and livelihoods of the people of India.

The ambassador’s address was followed by the streaming of a video clip titled “Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav: Celebrating 75 years of India’s Independence” prepared by India’s Culture Ministry. This was followed by a video clip on India’s struggle for independence produced by the Indian Embassy in collaboration with Rich India, a Bangkok-based production house. This was the fourth episode of a video series produced as part of the India@75 celebrations.

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These clips were followed by the streaming of a virtual cultural show, including patriotic songs performed by members of the Indian diaspora and associations, including the Indian Association of Thailand, Indian Women’s Club and the Northeast India Association.

Also featured was a special Ramayana-themed Bharatnatyam dance recital by Sumithra Subramaniam.

The event wrapped up with an online photo exhibition on India’s struggle for freedom and an online exhibition of products from the Tribal Cooperative Marketing Development Federation of India.

A separate expo on Indian motorbikes featuring the Royal Enfield and Bajaj was also showcased in the embassy’s premises and streamed online.

Also streamed during the event was a cultural gala held by the Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR) in New Delhi, depicting various Indian dance traditions and music.

The global digital painting and poster-making competition held by the ICCR on the topic “My Idea of India” was also streamed online, encouraging wider participation.

The Independence Day event was live-streamed on YouTube and the embassy’s Facebook page as well as via other social media platforms.

Two iconic buildings in Bangkok – the Thailand Cultural Centre and the Baiyoke Sky Tower – were also lit up in the Indian flag’s three colours for the occasion.

Published : August 16, 2021

By : The Nation

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40004736

Din Daeng police booth destroyed again during protest

The aftermath of Sunday’s clashes between police and hardcore anti-government protesters in Bangkok was revealed on Monday in dramatic images from Din Daeng intersection.

Photos show the twisted burnt wreckage of the Din Daeng police traffic control booth, which has been destroyed at least twice in recent anti-government protests.

On Monday, Din Daeng Police Station deployed officers to manage traffic at the intersection as the traffic light system was knocked out by the attack on the booth.

Investigating officers also found two large, unexploded firecrackers at the site.

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Din Daeng police booth destroyed again during protest

On Sunday evening, protesters attempting to march to the prime minister’s residence nearby tried to remove a shipping-container barricade erected by police. Officers responded by firing tear gas, rubber bullets and water cannon, with protesters fighting back with fireworks, bricks and stones.

Din Daeng police booth destroyed again during protest

Car tyres and steel fencing were found inside the traffic booth, while the protest site was littered with fireworks and rubber bullet shells.

Din Daeng police booth destroyed again during protest

Municipal officials began a clean-up operation in the area on Monday morning.

Published : August 16, 2021

By : The Nation

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40004735

No VIP list for Pfizer shots insists state hospital

Bangkok’s Bhumibol Adulyadej Hospital announced on Monday that there was no “VIP” list for Pfizer shots and no nominees were added to the list of vaccine registrants.

It explained that names had gone missing from the registration list due to miscommunication and system error. 
The hospital also said that every medic, especially those on the frontline, who had registered for a Pfizer shot will get their jab within a week. 

Air Marshal Thanawitt Sakulsangprapa, chief of the Royal Thai Air Force’s Directorate of Medical Services, said he was sorry that medical personnel missed out on their shots initially, but insisted everyone will get their jab by the end of this week. 

“I can confirm that no Pfizer shot has been given to any VIPs, and personally I don’t think any commander would give shots to outsiders before their own subordinates. The first round of Pfizer vaccines is booster doses for frontline medics who have received two doses of Sinovac. 
“Those whose names have been left out will get their jab in the next round, including staff members who have not received any vaccines yet,” the air marshal said.

No VIP list for Pfizer shots insists state hospital
The Department of Disease Control (DDC) has allocated 3,700 doses of the Pfizer vaccine to the hospital for its medical personnel and frontline staff. The hospital earmarked 2,400 doses as booster shots for staff members who have received two doses of Sinovac, while 600 will be given the AstraZeneca vaccine as their third shot.

Hospital director Air Chief Marshal Isaraya Sukcharoen said DDC had called on the hospital to provide names of those who have received both shots of the Covid-19 vaccine. A list carrying each frontline medic’s name, along with those who work in the back office, administration department, as well as electricians and plumbing staff, was sent to the DDC on July 21. 

“There were no nominees listed. As for the list that has gone viral online and highlights names of people who were not given the Pfizer shot, this list was not final. The registration was done via Google Form, which is not reliable. The hospital is in the process of improving its registration system.

“As many as 600 Pfizer doses will be administered on Monday and another 300 on Tuesday. The remainder will be administered in the next round,” the hospital director said.

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No VIP list for Pfizer shots insists state hospitalNo VIP list for Pfizer shots insists state hospital

Published : August 16, 2021

By : The Nation

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40004733

Rural doctors slam GPO for buying test kits at double the price

In a Facebook post on Sunday, the Rural Doctors Society announced that the Lepu antigen test kits bought by Thailand were being sold for less than a dollar on Alibaba.

The Government Pharmaceutical Organisation (GPO) and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) have put in an order for 8.5 million kits with Ostland Capital. Each kit is priced at 70 baht, and Rural Doctors said the price should have been negotiated to less than a dollar (33.32 baht) considering the size of the order.

Two days ago, Rural Doctors also questioned the authorities’ decision to buy Lepu antigen test kits, considering their quality and precision are questionable.

The doctors asked GPO why it did not buy the kits directly from Alibaba for half the price, instead of getting a private company to pocket huge profits.

The Rural Doctors Society has called on the GPO, FDA, Rajavithi Hospital and Public Health Ministry to reveal details of the deal and has urged the government to solve this problem, so it doesn’t become another failure.

Published : August 16, 2021

By : The Nation

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40004732

Government action needed to control price and supply of antigen test kits

An antigen test kit (ATK) is essential to test for Covid-19 at home, but sadly the selling price in Thailand is high when compared to other countries.

An ATK in Thailand is priced at THB350 to THB400 per kit (for single use). The price is extremely high as some people need to use it many times or even every day.

There are 34 suppliers registered with the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) as of Thursday, offering different types of ATKs They are imported from many countries, such as China, South Korea, Switzerland, and Spain.

The average price of ATK on foreign websites is THB100 per kit/use. The prices as shown on some websites were:

▪︎Alibaba 88 cents (THB60) to US$1.19 (THB100 per kit/use) on average, including transportation and other import costs.
▪︎eBay THB80-180 on average
▪︎Amazon THB165 on average

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Information from the Ministry of Commerce revealed that there were 10 brands of ATK in the market. The average price was THB250 to THB350 per kit, while other brands are reconsidering the selling price.

Recently, a meeting of the Central Committee on the Prices of Goods and Services, chaired by Commerce Minister Jurin Laksanawisit, decided to form a subcommittee to monitor and analyse the situation of ATK. The committee will also create guidelines for sale of ATK.

The government could compare the prices with those in foreign countries to find the appropriate price and ensure sufficient stocks of ATK in the market. If the National Health Security Office could distribute 8.5 million ATKs according to the plan, importers will be forced to reconsider their profit margin from selling ATKs.

Published : August 16, 2021

By : BangkokBizNews

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40004729

21,157 new cases, 187 deaths mark another record day for Thailand

Thailand logged 21,157 new cases and 182 deaths over a 24-hour period on Monday.

Of the 21,157 new cases, 658 are in prisons.

Meanwhile, 20,984 patients have recovered and been discharged over the past 24 hours.

Since the epidemic kicked off last year, Thailand has had 928,314 Covid-19 cases, 709,646 of whom have recovered, 210,934 are still in hospitals and 7,734 have died.

Separately, another 117,620 people were given their first Covid-19 shot in the last 24 hours, 35,804 their second shot, and 9,087 their third shot, bringing the total Covid-19 vaccine doses administered in Thailand to 23,592,227.

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According to Worldometer, as of 10am on Monday, confirmed cases globally had risen to 208 million, 186.47 million of whom have recovered, 17.16 million are active cases (106,686 in severe condition) and 4.37 million have died (up by 8,095).

Thailand ranks 35th on the global list of most cases, which is topped by the US with 37.47 million, followed by India with 32.26 million, Brazil with 20.36 million, Russia with 6.60 million and France with 6.47 million.

Published : August 16, 2021

By : The Nation

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40004728

Failing health after Covid-19 forces Samut Sakhon governor to quit

Samut Sakhon governor announced in a Facebook post on Sunday that he was stepping down as he is not strong enough to do his job after recovering from Covid-19.

Writing under the pseudonym “Sakravee Srisangdharma”, Veerasak Vichitsangsri said: “People have been asking why I don’t transfer to another province. And though I have applied, my request has been ignored. I am not able to travel, and my body has not been the same since I was discharged from Siriraj Hospital. Now I get tired easily, start coughing, sneezing, have a runny nose and difficulty breathing.” 

The governor said his doctor has put his failing health down to stress and lack of rest, but he said he could not avoid that due to his job. He said he had asked for a transfer owing to health issues, but his request was denied due to “internal politics”. 

“My dream of working for the government until retirement has come to an end because I have been working too hard. My seniors who had promised to help don’t seem to be doing anything. After my name was not included in the transfer orders, my doctor suggested I resign,” he said. 

“My daughter is concerned about my health and reminds me that I have only one more year left in this job, but many years to live after that. Therefore, my mental and physical health should be my top priority. This situation also reminds me of an old Thai proverb: ‘They will use me when I’m good, but [won’t] treat me when I’m sick’,” he said. 

Veerasak said he decided nearly a week ago that he would hand in his resignation on Monday. “I cannot fight anymore. I’m done. It’s over,” the governor said. 

His resignation is expected to be effective from the end of September, after which he will head back to his hometown of Ang Thong.

Published : August 16, 2021

By : The Nation

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40004727

Covid jabs don’t provide full protection

Despite being inoculated, young and healthy people can still get very sick from Covid-19 and can potentially transmit the virus to vulnerable individuals like the elderly.

It’s on you to protect them by wearing a mask at home or in their presence.
 

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Covid jabs don’t provide full protection

Published : August 16, 2021

By : The Nation

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40004717

Thailand Cultural Centre marks 75th Indian independence day

The Thailand Cultural Centre in Bangkok was lit up in the colours of the Indian national flag to celebrate the 75th Independence Day of India, the Facebook page of the Embassy of India in Bangkok said on Sunday.

August 15 is marked as the country’s independence from British rule in 1947.

India retained King George VI as head of state until its transition to a full republic, when the nation adopted the Constitution of India on January 26, 1950.

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Thailand Cultural Centre marks 75th Indian independence day

Published : August 16, 2021

By : The Nation