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https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40004240

Dire Covid situation expected to continue impacting baht

The baht opened at 33.15 to the US dollar on Thursday, weakening from Wednesday’s closing rate of 33.14.

The Thai currency is likely to move between 33.10 and 33.20 during the day, Krungthai Bank market strategist Poon Panichpibool said.

Poon explained that the baht would continue to weaken due to the Covid-19 situation. Importers have also purchased US dollars as they are afraid the baht could weaken quickly and sharply, he said.

Moreover, the baht will continue to weaken until the Covid-19 situation gets better, which is expected to be in early September, Poon added.

He said the dollar would strengthen if the US Federal Reserve implements a strengthened monetary policy and investors hold onto safe-haven assets amid concern about the Covid-19 situation.

The dollar could also weaken if investors felt safe and ready to take risks, he pointed out.

Poon believed the key resistance level was between 33.20 and 33.25 to the US dollar. He also felt the Bank of Thailand would help to decrease baht volatility in the short term. Therefore, the currency would tend to stay between 33.10 and 33.20.

The support level would be between 32.90 and 33.00, which is the price range importers are waiting for as a pullback to close risks, he added.

Published : August 05, 2021

By : The Nation

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40004238

Nok Airlines’ rehab plan gets go-ahead from court

Nok Airlines informed the Stock Exchange of Thailand on Wednesday that it has been instructed by the Central Bankruptcy Court to proceed with its rehabilitation plan.

The airline said in line with the court order it has appointed the rehabilitation planners who were proposed in November last year.

The airline had submitted its rehab plan to the court’s Official Receiver Office on May 17, and the office held a meeting with creditors on Wednesday who accepted the plan.

The court is scheduled to hold a follow-up hearing to consider the rehab plan on August 26.

Published : August 05, 2021

By : The Nation

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40004235

Over 250,000 insurance policies handed out to medical staff

The government, the Office of Insurance Commission and insurance companies have together provided 250,120 insurance policies to medical staff working closely with Covid-19 patients.

Public Health Minister Anutin Charnvirakul said the government is deeply concerned over medical staff nationwide who risk getting infected as they treat Covid-19 patients.

“Of the total insurance policies, 223,872 have been provided to medical staff under the Public Health Ministry and 26,248 went to those who are not under the ministry, like staff belonging to the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration, Bhumibol Hospital, the Royal Thai Police, the Royal Thai Navy and the Royal Thai Army Medical Department,” he explained.

“Meanwhile, the Public Health Ministry has provided medical supplies to support staff operations and medical treatment to those who had been infected,” he said.

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Anutin said insurance policies would cover cases of infection until death due to Covid-19, with a maximum premium of THB1 million per person.

He thanked medical staff for working hard during this Covid-19 crisis.

“The Public Health Ministry is ready to support medical staff in all aspects in a bid to boost their morale and combat the virus safely,” he added.

Published : August 05, 2021

By : The Nation

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40004233

Key media organisations to govt: Define fake news, don’t control freedom of speech

Thailand’s six key media organisations held an online seminar on Wednesday under the topic “Are chilling effects from Emergency Decree any real?” aiming to criticise the government for “controlling people’s freedom of speech under the authority of the Emergency Decree”.

The six organisations comprised the National Press Council, the News Broadcasting Council, the Thai Journalists Association, the Thai Broadcast Journalists Association, the Society for Online News Provider Association and the National Union of Journalists Thailand.

After Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha announced on Facebook on July 27 that serious steps would be taken to deal with “fake news”, the organisations promptly issued a statement pointing out that this announcement aimed to limit the freedom and rights of people and the press.

Also, they said, branding reports as fake news is only an excuse for the authorities. They urged the press as a whole to demand that the government “stop using this excuse to control the public”.

During the seminar, Thai PBS World Centre news anchor and director Nattha Komolwathin said the government must understand that the media will always stand by people and that “our main duty is to investigate the one in power”.

“The media have an obligation to present the truth to the people, a mission that has become increasingly difficult in this online era, when misinformation is all around us,” she said.

“This has prompted the press to become more careful in fact checking and news reporting while complying with the government’s regulations during this emergency situation.

“The biggest problem nowadays is that the CCSA [Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration] has no centralised news agency to provide all Covid-19 related information from one outlet, forcing the media to find information from various sources, which could lead to unintentional reporting of fake news,” Nattha pointed out. “We therefore would like to ask the government how would you define fake news and what are the policies to prevent the exercising of power beyond that definition, especially now that anyone can share news and information online.”

Key media organisations to govt: Define fake news, don’t control freedom of speech

Online News Provider Association president Rawee Tawantharong said that online media are not only under the law but also under policies of each platform that aim to keep news reporting in compliance with professional ethics while allowing people to cross check the media’s credibility.

“Online media have always been committed to our duty as a watchdog for society,” he said.

“The government must have a clear definition and criteria when they say they will take action against online media that cause public panic and fear, as this policy could affect a lot of people since the number of online viewers has increased considerably,” he added.

Published : August 05, 2021

By : THE NATION

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https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40004225

Marine Department tightens measures at Phuket piers, warns about diving in waters off province

The Marine Department has increased screening measures for vehicles entering Phuket via sea channels at all piers in the province in line with measures to prevent imported cases that could affect the sandbox programme, director-general Witthaya Thamuang said on Wednesday.

Phuket’s governor had issued an order barring vehicles from entering the province from August 3 to 16, as part of stricter Covid-19 preventive measures. Exceptions are being made for ambulances, vehicles of rescue staff and financial institutions, and transport of medical tools, chemicals, medicines, animal feed, agricultural products, fuel, parcels, machines, construction material and auto parts.

“The measures also aim to increase travellers’ confidence in the linked tourism campaign called “7+7 Island Hopping”, which allows vaccinated tourists who have stayed in Phuket for seven days to travel to other nearby islands in Surat Thani, Krabi and Phang Nga for another seven days,” Witthaya said.

“However, under increased screening measures, tourists who leave Phuket for other provinces will not be allowed to enter Phuket again as they will not fit the exceptions to enter the island,” he made clear.

“Furthermore, tourists who get on boats that leave Phuket for diving activities in territorial waters of other provinces will not be allowed to return to the island even if they do not disembark anywhere throughout the trips,” he warned.

“[However], the department has presented this issue to Phuket’s communicable disease committee to find a workaround to facilitate tourists under the sandbox programme,” Witthaya added.

The starting date of the 7+7 Island Hopping programme is yet to be announced as it is still pending approval from the Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration.

Published : August 05, 2021

By : THE NATION

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40004219

Daily infections reach new high on Thursday at 20,920 infections and 160 deaths

Ministry of Public Health reported on Thursday (August 5) morning that in the past 24 hours there are 20,920 new patients who tested positive for Covid-19, 262 of whom have been found in prisons.

Death toll increased by 160, while 17,926 patients were cured and allowed to leave hospitals.

Cumulative cases in the country are at 693,305 with 5,663 total deaths.
 

Published : August 05, 2021

By : THE NATION

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40004214

Rains ease across country but North to see isolated heavy showers

Less rain is likely across Thailand but the North will still experience isolated heavy showers as the southwest monsoon prevailing over the country, the Andaman Sea and the Gulf of Thailand is weakening, the Meteorological Department said on Thursday.

It warned people in the North especially to beware of severe conditions that may cause flash floods.

The department also advised all ships to proceed with caution and small boats to stay ashore as waves in the upper Andaman Sea are 2-3 metres high and more than 3 metres during thundershowers.

As for tropical storm “Lupit”, the department said it is presently over the coast of southern China and expected to move towards Taiwan from August 6 to 7 but will not affect Thailand.

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

North: Thundershowers in 70 per cent of the area with isolated heavy rains; temperature lows of 23-25 degrees and highs of 30-34 degrees Celsius.

Northeast: Thundershowers in 30 per cent of the area; temperature lows of 24-26 degrees and highs of 32-35 degrees Celsius.

Central: Thundershowers in 30 per cent of the area; temperature lows of 23-25 degrees, highs of 34-36 degrees Celsius.

East: Thundershowers in 30 per cent of the area; temperature lows of 25-28 degrees, highs of 32-35 degrees Celsius; waves 2 metres high and over 2 metres during thundershowers.

South (east coast): Thundershowers in 40 per cent of the area; temperature lows of 23-26 degrees, highs of 32-35 degrees Celsius; waves 1-2 metres high and 2 metres during thundershowers.

South (west coast): Thundershowers in 40 per cent of the area; temperature lows of 20-25 degrees, highs of 30-34 degrees Celsius; waves 2-3 metres high and over 3 metres during thundershowers.

Bangkok and surrounding areas: Thundershowers in 30 per cent of the area; temperature lows of 26-28 degrees, highs of 33-36 degrees Celsius.

Source: Thailand Meteorological Department

Published : August 05, 2021

By : THE NATION

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40004201

Unemployment rate soars to 5-year high in first half of 2021

Thailand’s unemployment rate in the first half of 2021 rose to a five-year high of 1.96 per cent, according to the latest job market survey conducted by JobsDB.

However, overall job demand in online platforms and channels rose 6.7 per cent compared with the second half of 2020.

The survey also shows the ratio of job vacancies to job applications is 1:80.

The most in-demand jobs remain: 1) Sales, Customer Service and Business Development, which accounts for 15.3 per cent of the market; 2) IT, (14.8%); and 3) Engineering, (10%).

The sectors showing greatest recovery in employment demand are: 1) Electronics; 2) Insurance; and 3) Manufacturing. Meanwhile, the sectors with lowest employment demand are: 1) Travel and Tourism, (51%); 2) Professional Services, (22%); and 3) Industrial Goods, (21%).

JobsDB said it would organise another virtual career fair in September to support Thailand’s labour market.

Published : August 04, 2021

By : The Nation

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40004204

Govt preparing report on Thai human rights for UN

The Thai government is preparing its Third Round of Universal Periodic Review (URP) reports to present to the United Nations Human Rights Commission in August-October, government spokesman Anucha Burapachaisri said on Wednesday.

Thailand latest URP report focuses on sustainable development under the philosophy of sufficiency economy, Anucha said.

He added that the government believes sustainability is possible when civil society, the private sector, volunteers, women, children and other sectors are encouraged and make meaningful contributions to society and governance, especially under the epidemic situation of Covid-19.

The spokesman said the government’s actions focused on the protection and promotion of human rights and its future direction, including the protection of development rights, eradication of poverty, and access to public utilities.

The review also covers improvements made to the Anti-Human Trafficking Act, BE 2551 (2008), namely the definitions “Perform any acts to illegally obtain benefit for themselves or other persons” and “forced labour or services”. The government also vows to increase measures to help and protect the welfare of victims of forced labour.

Meanwhile, the UPR also covers work on rights of specific groups, such as laws protecting children from online media, gender equality in the workplace, a draft act on the Protection and Promotion of Ethnic Livelihoods, the Partner Act draft to enable LGBT people to register their marriage partners, and the drafting of the Act on Prevention and Enforced Disappearance, which is currently being reviewed by Parliament.

Published : August 04, 2021

By : The Nation

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https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40004202

Chulalongkorn Hospital seeking older volunteers for mRNA vaccine trial

Chulalongkorn University’s Faculty of Medicine is seeking healthy volunteers for human trials of its ChulaCov19 vaccine in elderly people. To be eligible, volunteers must be 56-75 years old with no underlying disease and never have been infected with Covid-19 or vaccinated.

Those who meet the preliminary criteria will be invited to participate in screening from August 3-10 August while vaccination will start at the end of August.

The ChulaCov19 vaccine is an mRNA vaccine made from fragments of the coronavirus’ genetic material. When the body receives this tiny piece of genetic material, it builds the spike protein and stimulates the immune system to fight the virus.

The first clinical trial launched on June 14 with two groups of 72 people. The first group consisted of 36 volunteers aged 18-55 years old and the second group consisted of 36 volunteers aged 65-75 years old.

Published : August 04, 2021

By : The Nation