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https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40003622

Over 150 pro-democracy protesters arrested in Bangkok this month

A total of 154 pro-democracy demonstrators from eight protest groups were prosecuted between July 2 and 18, the Metropolitan Police Bureau (MPB) said on Thursday.

MPB deputy chief Piya Tawichai said all were charged with violating the emergency decree and disease control acts, as well as other laws.

He added that investigation teams will also ask the Criminal Court to revoke temporary release granted to pro-democracy leaders who broke bail conditions by joining protests.

“Warnings have also been given to the Mooban Talu Fah [Village Through the Sky] group not to hold a protest on Thursday evening, and to the Harley group not to rally on Sunday,” he said.

Regarding two Covid-19 patients who protested in front of Government House on Wednesday evening, he said both had been sent for treatment after their tests came back positive. 
“After they recover, both will be charged for joining several previous protests including the rally near Chamai Maru Chet Bridge on Sunday [July 18],” he said.
He also warned that protest leaders who hold rallies will be charged with causing the virus to spread.

Published : July 22, 2021

By : The Nation

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https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40003618

Motorcyclists flee furious buffalo at Narathiwat intersection

A buffalo went on the rampage at an intersection in Narathiwat on July 21, attacking and sending people fleeing in all directions. Here’s a look at the rare occurrence.

Video footage at Rangae Makkha intersection in Narathiwat province.
People normally wait patiently at the red light, but on Wednesday something abnormal happened.
A buffalo appeared as if out of nowhere, going on the rampage in the middle of the road. It’s target? Motorcycle riders.
Seeing the angry animal charge at them, the motorcyclists had no option but to flee, leaving their motorcycles behind in the frenzy. The buffalo then appeared to vent its anger on the bikes, trampling and breaking some.
Fortunately, no one injured. 

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Published : July 22, 2021

By : The Nation

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40003612

Fatigued by Covid infection, 73-year-old gives up and hangs himself

Nonthaburi police were alerted of a suicide at a condo in Bang Bua Thong district at around noon on Thursday and arrived to find the body of 73-year-old Chao Singto hanging from a window.

The deceased’s son, Charlie, 38, said his father had called him on July 15 saying he was feeling ill and wanted something to eat.

“The next day, my father went to get checked at a hospital and learned he had contracted Covid-19,” he said. “I called the authorities to send an ambulance, but they responded saying they would send one as soon as a bed becomes available. He called me last night [Wednesday], saying he was feeling very fatigued and could hardly breathe. I told him to wait a bit and that help was coming.”

Meanwhile, Parisa Phuwanatsupphakit, a village health volunteer in Bang Bua Thong, said Chao worked as a security guard at the condo, where he also lived.

“As soon as he tested positive we put his name on the waiting list for a bed at the nearest field hospital. However, the hospital was full and had no space for new patients,” she said.

“All we could do was bring him three meals a day, until Thursday, when I noticed he had not picked up the food I had left at the door in the morning. So, I had the door opened by another security guard and found Chao hanging from the window.”

Nonthaburi reported 416 new cases on Thursday with 17,781 accumulated cases since April 1. It ranks fourth among provinces with the highest total infections after Bangkok, Samut Prakan and Samut Sakhon.

Published : July 22, 2021

By : THE NATION

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40003610

Haul of over 6,000 amphetamine pills headed to Israel stopped at Suvarnabhumi

The Office of Narcotics Control Board (ONCB) along with the special Airport Interdiction Task Force (AITF) seized two packages containing 6,040 amphetamine tablets at Suvarnabhumi Airport on Wednesday.

“The pills were hidden in the seams of sunhats in packages addressed to a Thai national in Israel. The packages came from Laos,” said ONCB secretary-general Wichai Chaimongkhol. “We are coordinating with narcotics control officials at the Thai embassy in Vientiane to track down the sender.”

Haul of over 6,000 amphetamine pills headed to Israel stopped at Suvarnabhumi

Wichai said this is the second time this month that ONCB and AITF have stopped packages filled with drugs heading to Israel.

On July 16, officials found more than a kilo of methamphetamine hidden in three thermos mugs.

“Preliminary investigation revealed that the mugs were heading to a camp in Israel, where some Thai workers take drugs to help them put in longer hours,” he said.

Meanwhile, Justice Minister Somsak Thepsutin expressed concern about Thai workers overseas taking drugs, especially at a time when there is a severe labour shortage in many countries due to Covid-19.

“Please don’t get involved in drug abuse as it will not only have a bad effect on you but can also affect bilateral relations,” he said.

Published : July 22, 2021

By : THE NATION

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https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40003608

13,655 new cases, 87 deaths as Thailand hits daily record again

Thailand crossed the 10,000 mark for a second day running on Thursday with 13,655 new infections, pushing its caseload to 453,132. Deaths over the past 24-hours stood at 87.

Of the total infections, 9,254 tested positive in hospitals, 3,845 were found via proactive testing, 545 were in prisons, while 11 were arrivals from overseas.

Meanwhile, 7,291 patients have recovered and been discharged in the last 24 hours.

Of the total 453,132 cases, 312,377 have recovered and been discharged, 137,058 patients are still in hospitals, and 3,697 have died.

Separately, another 246,284 people were given their first Covid-19 shot in the last 24 hours, while 33,289 were given their second shot, bringing the total Covid-19 vaccines administered in Thailand to 15,084,696.

According to Worldometer, as of 11am on Thursday, the number of confirmed cases globally had risen to 192.82 million, 175.34 million of whom have recovered, 13.34 million are active cases 82,219 in severe condition) and 4.14 million have died (up by 8,539).

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Thailand ranks 50th on the global list of most cases, which is topped by the US with 35.14 million, followed by India with 31.25 million, Brazil with 19.47 million, France with 6 million and Russia 5.9 million.

Published : July 22, 2021

By : The Nation

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https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40003607

Thai Army gives up space to set up screening centres nationwide

The Army has offered its club in Bangkok to be used as a screening site for Covid-19 patients in the capital and surrounding areas.

The site will be able to accommodate 300 to 400 patients.

The Army said it has joined hands with provincial health agencies to set up 19 such screening sites nationwide. These centres will receive patients before transferring them to proper medical facilities if their symptoms worsen.

So far, 3,323 beds are available at these centres nationwide.

In line with PM Prayut Chan-o-cha’s suggestion, Army chief General Narongpan Jitkaewthae issued an order that all buildings owned by the armed forces be offered up for use in the battle against Covid-19.

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Thai Army gives up space to set up screening centres nationwideThai Army gives up space to set up screening centres nationwideThai Army gives up space to set up screening centres nationwideThai Army gives up space to set up screening centres nationwideThai Army gives up space to set up screening centres nationwide

Published : July 22, 2021

By : The Nation

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40003606

Thailand’s frontline medics get new, more efficient protective helmets

The powered air-purifying respirator (PAPR) protective helmets with an eight-hour battery life will be a boon to frontline medics in the battle against Covid-19, said Dr Surasak Leelaudomlipi, Director of Ramathibodi Hospital on Wednesday.

These PAPR helmets were developed in a collaboration between Ramathibodi Hospital and the Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand (Egat).

Apart from being able to last up to eight hours, the helmet’s filter system traps pathogens, is light, quiet and streamlined for efficient use.

“So far, 300 PAPR helmets have been delivered to more than 35 hospitals across the country and another 200 are expected to be delivered within this month. The first batch was funded via Egat’s fundraising platform ‘Tejai’, and funds are being raised to produce another 500 helmets,” Surasak said.

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Thailand’s frontline medics get new, more efficient protective helmets

Published : July 22, 2021

By : The Nation

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40003605

Thailand’s very own mRNA vaccine ‘will be ready for use by yearend’

Chulalongkorn University expects to complete the first phase of human trials of its mRNA Covid-19 vaccine within this month, Dr Chalermchai Boonyaleepun, deputy chair of the Senate’s public health committee, said on social media.

He explained that the trial, which kicked off in June, is being conducted on two groups of volunteers – ages 18-55 and 65-75.

The trial is using doses of three sizes – 10, 25 and 50 micrograms (mcg). In comparison, the Pfizer and Moderna doses are 30mcg and 100mcg respectively.

Chalermchai said the locally produced vaccine can be stored for three months at a temperature of between 2-8 degrees. In comparison, the Pfizer vaccine can only be stored for a month and the Moderna jab for just a week in these temperatures.

Chalermchai also said the university aims to boost the vaccine’s efficacy against new variants.

He added that the locally developed mRNA vaccine will be ready for use by the fourth quarter of this year or early next year, while the second version of the vaccine will be available three to six months later.

Published : July 22, 2021

By : The Nation

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40003602

Netizens complain Let’s Go Halves privileges can’t be used for online food deliveries

The hashtag “Khon La Khrueng” (Let’s Go Halves) became a top trending topic among netizens on Wednesday as they complained they could not use privileges under the scheme when ordering food deliveries online during the lockdown.

This came after food delivery platform Line Man announced it would from Friday suspend services allowing people to use privileges under the scheme in order to comply with Finance Ministry regulations.

Finance Ministry spokeswoman Kulaya Tantitemit insisted that using the privileges on food delivery platforms is against regulations of the scheme and may be considered corruption.

The government on Tuesday imposed lockdown measures to curb the spread of Covid-19 in the dark red zone provinces of Bangkok, Chachoengsao, Chonburi, Nakhon Pathom, Nonthaburi, Narathiwat, Pathum Thani, Pattani, Ayutthaya, Yala, Songkhla, Samut Prakan and Samut Sakhon.

Under the measures, people living in these provinces have been asked to refrain from going outdoors unless necessary, while curfew has been imposed from 9pm to 4am.

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Kulaya said the ministry is currently developing a central system to enable people participating in the Khon La Khrueng scheme to use the privileges on food delivery platforms.

She said the ministry would discuss the details and regulations with food delivery platforms but this may take a while.

Published : July 22, 2021

By : The Nation

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40003600

Business leaders offer 4-point strategy to revive Thai economy

Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha met 40 CEOs and business leaders via video conferencing on Wednesday to discuss how the economy can be rebuilt in the wake of the Covid-19 crisis.

The event was hosted by the Federation of Thai Industries (FTI)

“The prime minister said Thailand is facing difficult challenges, but both the government and private sector have the same goal – overcoming this crisis together,” government spokesman Anucha Burapachaisri said. “Therefore, all parties have to set aside their differences and build mutual understanding to achieve that goal.”

FTI chairman Supant Mongkolsuthree said the 40 CEOs have offered the government a four-point strategy on helping the business sector survive amid the worsening outbreak:

• Disease control: The government must work with private partners to establish non-hospital vaccine units to boost the inoculation rate as well as provide rapid testing to people at risk. A digital platform should be established to provide comprehensive telemedicine services to expand healthcare coverage and reduce the risk of infections in hospitals

• Remedies for businesses and individuals affected by lockdown: This should include not just businesses that were ordered shut but also industries that have suffered labour shortage due to the lockdown.

• Short- and long-term economic stimulus plans: The government must stimulate spending among high-income earners as well as promote private investments, which will result in a boost in employment and a more stable economy.

• Post-Covid rehabilitation plan: A public-private joint committee should be formed to design campaigns that help put the country back on the track of long-term development goals such as new agriculture promotion, quality tourism campaigns and digital transformation.

“Prime Minister Prayut thanked the CEOs for their suggestions and said the four-point proposal is in line with the government’s policies in driving the country forward amid the outbreak,” Anucha said. “The government will try to implement the strategies in the frame of law, and the premier insists we will be able to fully open the country within 120 days [as per a promise Prayut made on June 16].”

Published : July 22, 2021

By : THE NATION