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https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40003459

Thai durian producers urge rail link with China to tap soaring demand

The Thai Durian Association has urged the government to ease the bottleneck that’s strangling durian exports by linking Thailand’s rail network with the Laos-China railway.

Set for completion in 2024, the Laos-China railway offers a potential route for durian shipments to China, where demand for the Thai fruit is soaring.

However, association chairman Phanusak Saiphanich said there is currently no connection between the Thai rail network and the Laos-China link. He urged the government to reach an agreement with Laos on linking the rail routes.

Thailand currently ships durians to China via sea and road. Transportation by ship takes longer and places the products at more risk of spoilage. However, ships are a cheaper transportation method than trucks.

Despite churning out huge quantities, Thai durian producers are still struggling to meet growing demand for the fruit in China, said the association.

“They [Chinese] consume an average 2 kilos of durian per person per year and the market still has room to expand, but there is a problem with distribution,” Phanusak said.

Published : July 19, 2021

By : The Nation

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40003457

Covid-related depression drives nurse to suicide

A nurse in Nakhon Pathom jumped to her death on Monday morning, leaving behind her three-month-old baby.

It is believed that depression and stress drove her to kill herself.

Police said CCTV recordings show the 34-year-old jumping off the fourth-floor balcony of Mettapracharak Hospital in Sampran district.

The nurse’s white shoes were found placed near the jumping-off point.

The fourth floor is devoted to Covid-19 patients, and she was assigned to tend to them. CCTV recording shows the deceased walking around in the staff room for 10 minutes before walking out and jumping off the balcony.

Her husband and colleagues said the deceased had been showing signs of stress and was worried she would transmit the virus to her child. She had shown symptoms of clinical depression earlier and had reportedly asked to be moved to another department in August.

The body has been sent to the Institute of Forensic Medicine, Siriraj Hospital for autopsy.

Published : July 19, 2021

By : The Nation

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40003455

Tear gas was ‘standard procedure’ for pro-democracy protest on Sunday, say police

Police on Monday insisted they had followed procedures in their violent crackdown on anti-government protesters on Sunday. Police fired water cannon, tear gas and rubber bullets at protesters, 16 of whom were arrested at the rally. Fourteen of those arrested were guards while two were detained for firing a burning strawman at officers.

Among those arrested was Thanadech Srisongkram or “Mon”, who was wanted for participating in a rally outside the Public Health Ministry in Nonthaburi on July 16.

Piya Tawichai, deputy commander of the Metropolitan Police Bureau, said on Monday that police had used appropriate strategies to prevent further damage and violence during the protest. Officers made constant warning announcements throughout the protest, he added.

“The international-standard tear gas used on Sunday can cause pain to the skin and body.” Piya said the gas is more effective when used in an enclosed spot, like Panichayakarn junction.

Tear gas was ‘standard procedure’ for pro-democracy protest on Sunday, say policeTear gas was ‘standard procedure’ for pro-democracy protest on Sunday, say police

Tear gas was ‘standard procedure’ for pro-democracy protest on Sunday, say police

Eight policemen were injured, six of whom were treated in hospital. The number of injured protesters is still unknown, Piya said.

Police are gathering evidence for arrest warrants for more than 10 protesters, he added.

Tear gas was ‘standard procedure’ for pro-democracy protest on Sunday, say policeTear gas was ‘standard procedure’ for pro-democracy protest on Sunday, say policeTear gas was ‘standard procedure’ for pro-democracy protest on Sunday, say policeTear gas was ‘standard procedure’ for pro-democracy protest on Sunday, say policeTear gas was ‘standard procedure’ for pro-democracy protest on Sunday, say policeTear gas was ‘standard procedure’ for pro-democracy protest on Sunday, say police

Published : July 19, 2021

By : The Nation

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40003453

Teens in hot water after partying at Chiang Mai reservoir

Authorities finally lost patience with groups of teenagers partying next to a popular Chiang Mai reservoir in defiance of Covid-19 restrictions on Sunday.

Administrative officials swooped at Huai Cho reservoir in San Sai district and arrested 27 teens for drinking alcohol in violation of the ban on gatherings.

The arrests came after officials had warned another group of 63 people against meeting at the reservoir, a popular local haunt.

The teenagers were charged with breaching the Chiang Mai Communicable Disease Committee’s order and detained for interrogation at Maejo Police Station.

Teens in hot water after partying at Chiang Mai reservoirTeens in hot water after partying at Chiang Mai reservoir

Teens in hot water after partying at Chiang Mai reservoir

Published : July 19, 2021

By : The Nation

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40003452

People in dark-red zone provinces urged to stay put

Checkpoints will be set up at the borders of the 13 dark-red zone provinces to stop interprovincial travel in a bid to contain the worsening Covid-19 crisis, the Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration (CCSA) said on Monday.

CCSA spokesperson Dr Taweesin Visanuyothin urged people to avoid going outdoors during the day, unless they need to purchase necessities, have a doctor’s appointment, it’s their turn to get a Covid-19 jab or for work that cannot be done at home.

He said public health officials, transport staff, public transport drivers and people who have to work outdoors will be allowed to cross the border.

Those crossing the border will be required to prove the reason for travel, will have to check-in via the Thai Chana platform as well as register on CCSA’s website.

The dark-red provinces include Bangkok, Chachoengsao, Chonburi, Nakhon Pathom, Nonthaburi, Narathiwat, Pathum Thani, Pattani, Ayutthaya, Yala, Songkhla, Samut Prakan and Samut Sakhon.

Published : July 19, 2021

By : The Nation

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40003451

Volunteers led by 24-year-old provide free transport to Covid patients

A volunteer association in Rayong’s Ban Chang district said on Monday that it has modified a bus to transport Covid-19 patients nationwide free of charge.

The association’s founder, 24-year-old Jakkrit Taentang, said he and other volunteers raised funds to buy the bus as the number of Covid-19 cases is likely to rise.

He said the bus had been modified in line with the Public Health Ministry’s Covid-19 measures, such as partitioning off the driver and sealing the seats with plastic.

“The bus will not stop until it arrives at the destination in a bid to contain the spread of Covid-19,” he said, adding that his association was planning to get another four such buses.

Volunteers led by 24-year-old provide free transport to Covid patients

The group’s first mission was to transport 50 Covid-19 patients from the Government Complex in Bangkok to their hometown in Nakhon Phanom.

“We are providing transport services for Covid-19 patients without expecting anything in return,” he added.

Those wishing to use the service can call the association at (061) 749 5913 and (094) 576 2484.

Volunteers led by 24-year-old provide free transport to Covid patientsVolunteers led by 24-year-old provide free transport to Covid patients

Published : July 19, 2021

By : The Nation

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40003450

Samut Prakan smash up claims 2, injures 14

A 10-wheeler swerving into the opposite lane slammed into a pick-up truck speeding from the other side in Samut Prakan’s Bang Pu area on Sunday evening.

The pickup was reportedly carrying 15 workers from a warehouse in Samut Prakan’s Khlong Dan sub-district.

Two were killed from the crash, one instantly, while one is in critical condition. The remaining passengers and the two drivers sustained minor to medium injuries.

Police said they were waiting for the drivers to be discharged from hospital so they can be interrogated.

NationThailand hopes this clip will remind motorists to always use caution and strictly obey traffic laws.

Published : July 19, 2021

By : The Nation

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40003449

Thailand-Pakistan free trade pact nears finalization

Thailand is expected to complete discussions on a free trade agreement (FTA) with Pakistan within this year.

Auramon Supthaweethum, director-general of the Department of Trade Negotiations (DTN), said only one out of 13 items was left on the agenda.

DTN believes that the FTA with Pakistan will help boost the Thai economy by 0.18 to 0.32 per cent or between US$200 million and $800 million in value.

The sector that will benefit the most from the FTA is auto-parts, in which Thailand already holds a one-fifth market share in Pakistan.

The FTA will also help turn Pakistan into a production base for the South Asia, Middle East and China markets. Auramon pointed out that Pakistan has policies that support investment in over 22 special economic zones.

Pakistan is a large, attractive market with some 30 million consumers, and also has abundant natural fishing resources with will be beneficial for Thailand’s seafood industry.

Pakistan is also Thailand’s second-largest trade partner in South Asia, with trade valued at $980 million.

Published : July 19, 2021

By : The Nation

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40003446

Bang Sue Central Station open for longer hours for vaccination

Bang Sue Central Station will be open from 9am to 6pm from Monday for Covid-19 vaccination.

Confirmation SMS will be sent to those who are registered.

The longer hours, including on holidays, are expected to ease the rush at hospitals and medical centres.

The Central Vaccination Centre has already sent an SMS about the new appointment time to those who had made reservations.

The Central Vaccination Centre is a collaboration between the Public Health and Transport Ministries, utilising 14,000 square metres of space at Bang Sue Central Station as the main free Covid-19 vaccination centre, capable of 10,000-20,000 jabs per day.

Published : July 19, 2021

By : The Nation

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40003448

Foodpanda hit by boycott after threatening to fire rider at pro-democracy protest

A campaign to boycott foodpanda was launched on Sunday after the brand announced it was firing one of its riders for participating at a pro-democracy protest in Bangkok.

Protesters gathered at Democracy Monument on Sunday to demand the prime minister’s resignation, as well as more effective mRNA vaccines in the government’s inoculation programme.

One video clip of the demonstration showed a rider in a foodpanda uniform at the protest site. In response, the brand announced via Twitter that he would be fired. Its justification for the move was that foodpanda’s policies oppose “all kind of violence and terrorism”.

The response was later shared online, triggering calls by pro-democracy protesters and even some restaurant owners for a boycott of the food-delivery app.

Amid the online backlash, foodpanda later issued an apology and said it was still examining the incident.

Police on Sunday fired water cannon, tear gas and rubber bullets at protesters after some tried to force their way through a barricade and razor wire.

Owned by the Germany-based company Delivery Hero, foodpanda arrived in Thailand in 2012 and is now a multinational concern with businesses across Europe and Asia.

Published : July 19, 2021

By : The Nation