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https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40004002

Vaccination open in six “red provinces” for expats aged 60-plus

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Friday said that expatriates living in Thailand can get themselves vaccinated in Bangkok and five nearby “dark red” provinces.

The ministry’s spokesperson, Tanee Sangrat, said that besides the vaccination service at the Bang Sue Grand Station in Bangkok, foreigners could also access centres in Nakhon Pathom, Nonthaburi, Pathum Thani, Samut Prakan and Samut Sakhon provinces.

The vaccination is available for two groups of foreigners:
1. Foreigners aged 75 and above can receive walk-in vaccination by showing their passport and evidence of residence. The walk-in service will be suspended after August 1.
2. Foreigners aged 60 to 75 need to register in advance on the google form (https://forms.gle/ULAqvx8eiDoX3v5Q9). An email or SMS appointment will be sent after that. Some 200 to 300 foreigners from this group will be vaccinated daily.

Tanee added that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs will open the vaccination registration in advance for foreigners at the beginning of August. The vaccination will be open for people in all age groups, but will focus on foreigners aged 60 and above.

The Ministry of Labour will be responsible for vaccinating foreign workers.
According to the Ministry of Public Health, 150,000 doses of Pfizer vaccine donated by the US will be utilised to inoculate foreigners, especially elders and those with chronic disease.

Published : July 31, 2021

By : The Nation

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https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40004001

Majority of Thais in red provinces ready to wear face mask at home: poll

The Department of Health revealed recently that only 20 per cent of Thai people wore face masks at home, while 75 per cent were concerned about infection among family members.

This information was based on the Anamai Event Poll, conducted between July 19 to 28 with 1,324 samples.

The poll also pointed out that 67 per cent of people in 13 red provinces would be amenable to follow the department’s advice if it campaigned for them to wear masks at home for 14 days. In addition, 84 per cent of locals in other provinces agreed to the same idea.

Published : July 31, 2021

By : The Nation

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https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40003993

Tourism Ministry puts Phuket “7+7 Island Hopping” scheme on the back burner

The proposed “7+7 Island Hopping” programme under the Phuket sandbox project has been postponed indefinitely, pending approval from the Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration, Minister of Tourism and Sports Pipat Ratchakitprakarn said on Friday.

The move follows Phuket authorities tightening transport screening measures via sea, air and land from August 3 to 16 to prevent Covid-19 patients from entering the province.

The “7+7 Island Hopping” programme aims to allow vaccinated foreign tourists who have stayed in Phuket for seven days to travel to other nearby islands for another seven days. These islands are: Koh Samui, Koh Pha Ngan and Koh Tao in Surat Thani province; Koh Phi Phi, Koh Ngai and Railay Beach in Krabi province, and Khao Lak, Koh Yao Noi and Koh Yao Yai in Phang Nga province. The other prerequisite is that the tourist must test negative for Covid-19 via RT-PCR test, which will be performed twice during their stay in Phuket.

Pipat added that Phuket’s increase in screening measures will not affect the Phuket sandbox program as it is primarily aimed at foreign tourists visiting the islands, while the screening measures will focus on preventing Thais who have high risk from entering the province.

On Friday Phuket reported 35 new cases, with cumulative cases in the province since April 1 rising to 1,108 patients, 30 of them visitors under the sandbox programme; 823 people have been cured and discharged while 12 people have died.

Published : July 31, 2021

By : THE NATION

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https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40003989

Four target groups to get Pfizer vaccine from August 9

The 1.5 million doses of the Pfizer Covid-19 vaccine that Thailand has received as a donation from the US will be given to four target groups starting August 9, Dr Opas Karnkawinpong, director-general of the Disease Control Department, said on Friday.

The four target groups are:

▪︎ Medical professionals who are treating Covid-19 patients at hospitals and field hospitals nationwide, who have already received two doses of other vaccines, will be given a booster shot. The CDC has earmarked 700,000 doses for this group.

▪︎ People aged over 60, pregnant women, children aged over 12 years and those with seven underlying health problems living in 13 “dark red” provinces — 645,000 doses.

▪︎ Foreigners living in Thailand and Thais who need to travel overseas, with priority given to those over 60 years, pregnant women, and those with seven underlying health problems — 150,000 doses.

▪︎ 5,000 doses will be reserved for research purposes with the approval of the Research Ethics Committee.

Four target groups to get Pfizer vaccine from August 9

“We expected the Pfizer vaccine to be delivered to vaccination units by August 5-6 and will start providing jabs from August 9 onwards,” said Opas.

“The Pfizer vaccine must be administered at an interval of 2-3 weeks, so we estimated that by the end of August all 1.5 million doses will be provided.”

Published : July 31, 2021

By : THE NATION

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https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40003982

Isolated heavy rains forecast for the Northeast, East and South

The Thailand Meteorological Department said on Saturday that a rather strong southwest monsoon prevails over the Andaman Sea, Thailand and the Gulf of Thailand, while a low pressure cell covers upper Vietnam.

Isolated heavy rains will be likely in the Northeast, the East and the South of Thailand. People in these areas should beware of the severe conditions that may cause flash floods, the department said.

Waves in the upper Andaman Sea are 2-3 metres high and more than three metres high during thundershowers. All ships should proceed with caution and small boats should keep ashore, the department said.

The weather forecast for the next 24 hours:

North: Thundershowers in 40 per cent of the areas; temperature lows of 24-26 degrees Celsius, highs of 33-36°C.

Northeast: Thundershowers in 40 per cent of the areas with isolated heavy rains; temperature lows of 25-26°C, highs of 32-36°C.

Central: Thundershowers in 40 per cent of the areas; temperature lows of 25-27°C, highs of 35-37°C.

East: Thundershowers in 40 per cent of the areas with isolated heavy rains; temperature lows of 24-28°C, highs of 32-35°C; waves 1-2 metres high and two metres during thundershowers.

South (east coast): Thundershowers in 60 per cent of the areas; temperature lows of 24-26°C, highs of 31-35°C; waves 1-2 metres high and two metres during thundershowers.

South (west coast): Thundershowers in 70 per cent of the areas with isolated heavy rains; temperature lows of 20-25°C, highs of 28-31°C; waves 2-3 metres high and over three metres during thundershowers.

Bangkok and surrounding areas: Thundershowers in 40 per cent of the areas; temperature lows of 26-27°C, highs of 33-36°C.

Source: Thailand Meteorological Department

Published : July 31, 2021

By : THE NATION

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https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40003981

Daily infections and deaths reach new high on Saturday at 18,912 infections and 178 deaths

Ministry of Public Health reported on Saturday (July 31) morning that in the past 24 hours there are 18,912 new patients who tested positive for Covid-19, 810 of whom have been found in prisons.

Death toll increased by 178, while 10,750 patients were cured and allowed to leave hospitals.

Cumulative cases in the country are at 597,287 with 4,857 total deaths.
 

Published : July 31, 2021

By : THE NATION

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https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40003976

Thai media hit back against ban on ‘fearmongering’ news as Covid surges

Representatives of six media associations on Friday met with government officials to express concern over new restrictions which ban media from disseminating information that incites fear or may affect national stability.

The new restrictions allow officials to block reports that cause fear, even if they are true.

Representatives from the National Press Council, News Broadcasting Council, Thai Journalists Association, Thai Broadcast Journalists Association, Society for Online News Provider Association and National Union of Journalists Thailand visited Government House on Friday to express Thai media’s opposition to the ban.

The new restrictions were issued under Article 9 of the emergency decree and came into effect after being published in the Royal Gazette on Friday.

Critics have slammed the ban as a way of criminalising criticism of the government’s policies to combat the Covid-19 pandemic.

On Wednesday, the six media associations called on the government to lift restrictions on media freedom imposed under the emergency decree. In a joint statement, they acknowledged that a small number of media agencies occasionally present inaccurate news but said “their actions were not the result of any intentional plot to disseminate falsehoods or cause damage to society, as is often alleged by the government and its information officers”.

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“We call upon all professionals in the media and news agencies to stand united and oppose the government’s new measures,” added the statement.

Government spokesman Anucha Burapachaisri said the new order would plug a hole in laws against misinformation and was not intended to limit free expression of the media. He also invited media figures to discuss points in the new restrictions they were concerned about.

Published : July 30, 2021

By : The Nation

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https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40003974

Pfizer jabs donated to Thailand with no strings attached, says US govt

The United States Embassy announced on Friday that the US had donated 1.5 million doses of Pfizer vaccine to Thailand with no conditions attached.

The batch of 1.5 million doses of Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine donated by the US government arrived at Suvarnabhumi Airport at 4am on Friday morning, according to US Chargé d’Affaires Michael Heath.

The Pfizer mRNA vaccine is considered more effective than the AstraZeneca and Sinovac vaccines currently being offered by the Thai government.

“Our vaccines do not come with strings attached,” Heath said in a Facebook statement. “We have the singular objective of saving lives and we know that none of us is safe until all of us are safe. As such, we are happy to hear that the Royal Thai Government has committed to distributing these vaccines equitably to all residents of Thailand and to prioritising those most at risk.”

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Heath also confirmed that the US will donate another 1 million doses of Covid-19 vaccine to Thailand as part of its commitment to share 80 million vaccine doses to combat the global pandemic.

“The amount includes 23 million doses for Asia,” said Heath, adding that the donations will help Thailand and the region accelerate their vaccination campaigns, keep their populations safe, and ensure that their economies can recover quickly.

The Thai government has pledged to use the donated vaccines to inoculate 700,000 front-line medical workers and 645,000 vulnerable people – those over 60, pregnant in high-risk zones, or with any of seven chronic health conditions. Another 150,000 doses are reserved for vulnerable expats, with the remainder allocated for research and emergencies.

The Public Health Ministry has also procured 20 million doses of Pfizer-BioNTech, which are due to arrive in the fourth quarter this year.

Published : July 30, 2021

By : The Nation

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https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40003969

DHL Express delivers US donation of 1.5m Pfizer-BioNTech Covid-19 vaccine doses to Thailand

DHL Express, the worlds leading express service provider today successfully delivered the first batch of 1.5 million Pfizer-BioNTechs Covid-19 vaccine doses donated by the United States government to Thailand.

DHL Express, the world’s leading express service provider today successfully delivered the first batch of 1.5 million Pfizer-BioNTech’s Covid-19 vaccine doses donated by the United States government to Thailand. From door-to-door in just three days, DHL Express flew the vaccines in thermal packaging and subsequently arranged for it to be sent directly to a designated warehouse in Thailand.

The arrival of 1.5 million doses, part of the US donation to Southeast Asian countries, aims to help Thailand and the region accelerate their vaccination programs and provide equitable access to immunization as to keep their populations safe, and ensure that their economies can recover quickly.

“We are deeply grateful for the trust that our customers have placed in us in handling this precious cargo. It marks another milestone in combatting the spread of Covid-19, assisting the country’s recovery and protecting healthcare professionals on the frontline from Covid-19 infection. We are proud to leverage our capabilities and network to transport this life-saving cargo in accordance with the stringent logistics requirements to get through the pandemic,” said Herbert Vongpusanachai, Managing Director at DHL Express Thailand & Head of Indochina. “To date, DHL has transported close to 550 million vaccine doses to 147 countries worldwide. This is in line with our mandate of connecting people and improving lives and we are proud to continue playing an active role in seeking a safe, new normal for the businesses and communities we serve.”

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DHL Express delivers US donation of 1.5m Pfizer-BioNTech Covid-19 vaccine doses to Thailand

One of the key challenges faced in the shipment of the COVID-19 vaccines is the stringent temperature requirements of the vaccine. The vaccine was delivered in specially designed thermal shipper packaging customized by the manufacturer. Each shipment was packed with dry ice to regulate the temperature, enabling its use in locations that lack the physical infrastructure to otherwise maintain the required temperature. Temperature trackers equipped with sophisticated GPS technology are fitted within each thermal shipping box to provide full visibility throughout the shipment’s entire journey.

DHL Express arranged for the collection of the vaccines from facilities in the US before it was airlifted to the DHL Express Bangkok Hub and Gateway, where they would then be distributed to designated locations in Thailand.

More than 9,000 life sciences and healthcare specialists work across DHL’s dedicated global network so that pharmaceutical, medical devices, clinical trials and research organisations, wholesalers and distributors, as well as hospitals and healthcare providers are connected across the value chain and through digitalisation, from clinical trials to point of care, and every step in between.

DHL’s portfolio for the healthcare industry includes 150+ pharmacists, 20+ clinical trials depots, 100+ certified stations, 160+ GDP-qualified warehouses, 15+ GMP-certified sites, 135+ medical express sites, and a time-definite international express network covering over 220 countries and territories.

On a global scale, logistics providers are challenged to establish medical supply chain rapidly to deliver vaccines of unprecedented amount of more than 10 billion doses worldwide—also in regions with less developed logistics infrastructures, where approximately 3 billion people live. To provide global coverage over the next two

Published : July 30, 2021

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https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40003966

BMA launches drive to inoculate monks in Bangkok

In a bid to prevent infection clusters in temples, the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) had vaccines administered to monks and temple staff in 221 monasteries in Bangkok’s Thonburi area on Friday.

The operation, conducted in cooperation with Rachapiphat Hospital, saw 577 monks and 309 staff get their first dose.

Bangkok governor Aswin Kwanmuang, who oversaw the operation at Wat Srisudaram Worawihan in Bangkok Noi district, said temples in 14 districts of Bangkok have been covered, so far.

Aswin attended the operation in Wat Srisudaram Worawihan because the temple is serving as a field hospital and isolation centre.

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BMA launches drive to inoculate monks in Bangkok

The governor added that BMA will launch a vaccination drive for monks and temple staff in 35 districts on August 1.

“Temples and monks are required to register for a jab via the National Office of Buddhism,” he said.

BMA launches drive to inoculate monks in Bangkok

He added that BMA has also put in place strict measures for the cremation of Covid-19 patients who have succumbed to the virus, including providing protective gear to body removers, banning cleaning of bodies and limiting the time spent on funeral rites.

BMA launches drive to inoculate monks in BangkokBMA launches drive to inoculate monks in BangkokBMA launches drive to inoculate monks in BangkokBMA launches drive to inoculate monks in BangkokBMA launches drive to inoculate monks in BangkokBMA launches drive to inoculate monks in Bangkok

Published : July 30, 2021

By : The Nation