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https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40002378

Chiang Rai hospital cuts services after 39 medics test positive

Chiangrai Prachanukroh Hospital in the Northern province has reportedly reduced its services by 50 per cent after 39 of its medics were found to be infected with Covid-19 this week.

Though the medics are asymptomatic, the hospital said it is tracing the infections to find the source and see how many others may have been infected.

Apart from reducing service, the hospital has announced that only one relative or friend can stay with a patient. The hospital has also closed its internal medicine department, which has been marked off as the red zone.

Published : June 23, 2021

By : The Nation

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40002377

Police fire warning as Bangkok braces for return of pro-democracy rallies

Police on Wednesday asked people to obey measures to contain the spread of Covid-19, warning that large gatherings were still outlawed under the state of emergency.

The warning came ahead of pro-democracy rallies planned for Thursday to mark the 89th anniversary of the 1932 revolution that overthrew absolute monarchy and ushered in democracy with the King as head of state. Bangkok police warned on Monday that holding large rallies would violate the emergency law.

On Wednesday, national police chief Suwat Jangyodsuk said his officers were ready to handle the protests.

“The police will perform their duties in line with the law,” Suwat said.

He said officers would set up barriers if necessary, adding that they are keeping an eye on every move made by the protesters.

Several pro-democracy groups have vowed to hold anti-government rallies at protest sites around Bangkok, including Government House, Parliament, Democracy Monument, the October 14 Memorial and Pathumwan intersection.

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Published : June 23, 2021

By : The Nation

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40002373

What may delay or even cancel Phuket sandbox plans

Thailand’s tourism sandbox scheme kicks off on July 1 with Phuket opening its doors first before the scheme expands to Surat Thani’s three islands on July 15.

Some factors, however, may prompt the Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration (CCSA) to put the brakes on the programme or even cancel it altogether.

Under the sandbox, foreigners who can verify they have been inoculated against Covid-19 and test negative can fly into Phuket and move around freely in the province without having to quarantine. After spending 14 days in Phuket and if they still test negative, the tourists can then travel to other parts of Thailand.

The CCSA, however, has warned that the sandbox scheme will be reconsidered or even cancelled if any of the following takes place:
• Phuket has more than 90 new infections per week
• Infections spread across all three of Phuket’s districts or six subdistricts
• More than three unlinked clusters are reported
• More than 80 per cent of hospital beds in the province are occupied by Covid-19 patients
• There is an uncontrollable spread of a mutated variant of the virus

The CCSA said it will employ the following measures based on the severity of the situation:
• Cut down the number of allowed activities
• Employ sealed route measures for tourists
• Make hotel quarantine mandatory
• Consider ending sandbox scheme altogether

As for Surat Thani’s Koh Samui, Koh Tao and Koh Pha-ngan, which are scheduled to reopen on July 15, the CCSA will employ the above measures if infections in these three islands exceed the capacity of Koh Samui Hospital.

What may delay or even cancel Phuket sandbox plans

Published : June 23, 2021

By : THE NATION

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40002369

Bangkok motorists advised to avoid rally sites on Thursday

Police have advised Bangkok motorists to avoid roads around two pro-democracy rally sites on Thursday and use detour routes instead.

Deputy Metropolitan Police chief Jirasan Kaewsaengake said the rally at the October 14 Memorial near Democracy Monument will affect traffic on Ratchadamnoen Klang and Tanao roads, while the rally at Government House and Parliament will affect Ratchadamnoen Nai, Ratchadamnoen Klang, Ratchadamnoen Nok, Tanao, Dinso, Nakhon Sawan, Luk Luang, Phitsanulok, Si Ayutthaya and Rama V Roads, plus Somdet Phra Pinklao Bridge.

To avoid traffic congestion, he advised motorists to use the following routes:

North side: Sukhothai, Nakhon Chaisi, Amnuay Songkhram and Set Siri roads

South side: Wisut Kasat, Lan Luang, Bamrung Muang, Worachak, Yaowarat, Rama I and Rama IV roads

East side: Phaholyothin and Vibhavadi roads, plus Si Rat Expressway

West side: Charansanitwong, Borommaratchachonnani and Arun Amarin Roads

Bridges: Rama VII, Rama VIII, Phra Pok Klao and Phra Phuttha Yodfa Bridges

Traffic updates are available via the 1197 traffic hotline.

Published : June 23, 2021

By : The Nation

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40002366

People in high-risk areas may get their 2nd AstraZeneca shot faster

Thailand’s National Communicable Disease Committee has decided to reduce the interval between first and second doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine from 12 weeks to eight weeks in areas that have high infection rates.

“The change was proposed by the Department of Medical Sciences based on new data showing that the Delta variant [formerly Indian variant] is spreading rapidly in Thailand,” Public Health Ministry’s permanent secretary Dr Kiattiphum Wongrajit said on Wednesday.

“In the past week, 168 people were infected with the Delta variant, and 661 over the past month.”

He added that providing the second jab of AstraZeneca two weeks faster will help boost recipients’ immunity and subsequently slow down the spread of the variant.

“The original interval between AstraZeneca jabs had been set at 10 to 12 weeks with the option of expanding to 16 weeks,” he added. “This period was approved by the National Communicable Disease Committee on June 14 based on infection statistics in the United Kingdom which had been collected before the Delta variant was discovered.

“The ministry will call on all provincial communicable disease committees to decide whether the interval between first and second doses should be reduced based on the situation in their area,” said Kiattiphum.

Thailand administered 7,906,696 doses of Covid-19 vaccines between February 28 and June 21. Of these, 5,678,848 doses are first jabs and 2,227,848 are second jabs, while 5,550,891 were Sinovac and 2,355,805 AstraZeneca.

Published : June 23, 2021

By : THE NATION

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https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40002365

US embassy sheds light on vaccine situation for American expats in Thailand

The United States embassy in Thailand published the following message for American citizens from charge d’affaires Michael Heath:

To My Fellow Americans in Thailand,

In the past few weeks, many of you have asked about the availability of vaccines in Thailand. I want you to know that I hear you and understand your concerns. I am providing you with an update on the actions our government is taking to ensure you have access to vaccines.

The Biden-Harris Administration has embarked on a global effort to address this pandemic by sharing 80 million vaccine doses worldwide by the end of June and 500 million more in the coming year. The first 25 million of these doses will soon be released, with 7 million going to countries in Asia, including Thailand. We continue to advocate with the Royal Thai Government for fair access to vaccines by our citizens. We are heartened by Thai government commitments to vaccinate Americans and other foreign nationals who reside here, just as Thai and other nationals are receiving vaccinations with ease in the United States.

The US diplomatic mission has not been spared by Covid-19, as several families in our community have endured tragedies from this terrible pandemic. Across the world, many countries are grappling with surges in Covid-19 cases and emerging variants among largely unvaccinated populations, requiring this crisis to be resolved on a global basis. Our government is therefore taking a methodical, equitable, and science-based approach to direct vaccine doses to the most seriously afflicted countries.

The US Department of State is unable to provide vaccines to the millions of Americans who reside outside of the United States. For those who wish to return to the United States to be vaccinated, information on vaccine availability at the state level is available at www.vaccines.gov. Meanwhile, as Thailand pursues its vaccination programme, I will continue to advocate for your equitable access, keeping in mind that many Thai citizens are also waiting for their own vaccines. I welcome your personal experiences with vaccination conditions in your area and have set up a new email account (covidbkk@state.gov) to receive your submissions. We continue to provide updated information on Covid-19 on our embassy webpage at https://th.usembassy.gov/u-s-citizen-services/covid-19- information/. We will work with the Thai government to ensure you are served in line with their goal to vaccinate all residents without regard to nationality.

The United States has made significant progress in fighting this pandemic, but I agree with you that the work is far from done. I am optimistic that vaccine availability in Thailand will increase as the fruits of American technology are made available to the world. Our own health agencies here in Thailand continue to work side-by-side with Thai colleagues to develop vaccines and therapeutics to defeat this pandemic over the long term.

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I will remain in touch with you in the days and weeks ahead as the situation develops.

Published : June 23, 2021

By : The Nation

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40002363

Thailand hits new high with 51 deaths, 3,174 infections

Thailand hit the highest daily death rate on Wednesday with 51 fatalities, while the number of new Covid-19 infections stood at 3,174.

Of the total cases, 2,392 tested positive in hospitals, 720 were found via proactive testing, 36 were found in prisons and 26 were arrivals from overseas.

Bangkok topped the list with 956 cases, followed by Samut Prakan (501), Samut Sakhon (240), Songkhla (185), Chonburi (142) and Pattani (120).

Meanwhile, 1,941 patients have recovered and been discharged in the last 24 hours.

Thailand’s accumulated infections rose to 228,539 on Wednesday. Of these, 189,777 have recovered, 37,018 are still in hospital, and 1,744 have died.

Meanwhile, the last 24 hours saw another 165,673 people being given their first Covid-19 shot, while 75,966 people got their second shot. This brings the total number of doses administered in Thailand to 8,148,335.

According to Worldometer, as of 11am on Wednesday, the number of confirmed cases globally had risen to 179.92 million (up by 369,588). Of these, 164.68 million have recovered, 11.35 million are active cases (81,952 in severe condition) and 3.89 million have died (up by 8,240).

Thailand ranks 76th on the global list of most cases, which is topped by the US with 34.43 million, followed by India (30 million), Brazil (18.05 million), France (5.76 million), and Turkey (5.38 million).

Published : June 23, 2021

By : The Nation

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40002361

Woman caught for setting ex’s motorbike alight over broken promises

Police finally tracked down the woman who is believed to have set fire to her ex-husband’s motorcycle and burned another five bikes in the vicinity in a Bangkok parking lot on Monday.

The woman was captured on CCTV pouring oil on a motorbike and setting it on fire before escaping in a taxi. The fire then spread to another five motorbikes parked nearby.

The incident took place in the parking lot of Srinakharinwirot University Prasarnmit Demonstration Secondary School in the Asok area.

The owner of the bike told police that the suspected arsonist is his ex-wife. The couple had split up three months ago and he believes she is still struggling with heartache.

On Tuesday, a woman only identified as Kanokwan, 36, was tracked down to a rented room in Bangkok’s Khlong Toei area. Police added that the suspect was hiding her cupboard when they found her.

The woman has reportedly confessed to setting the motorbike alight, saying she did it because her ex broke his promise of selling his motorbike to help clear his sister’s debts.

She also reportedly said she was planning to surrender to the police at some point.

The woman has been charged for damaging other people’s property.

Published : June 23, 2021

By : The Nation

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40002354

Samut Prakan administration votes to buy more lamp posts despite calls for graft probe

The Rachathewa Subdistrict Administrative Organisation (SAO) in Samut Prakan’s Bang Phli district has approved a budget of THB68.1 million to buy an additional 720 decorative solar-powered lamp posts despite controversy surrounding an earlier purchase, a news source revealed on Tuesday.

Earlier this month Samut Prakan residents approached the National Anti-Corruption Commission to investigate the budget disbursement by the Rachathewa SAO, which had reportedly spent an unusually high amount of money on the street lamp posts sporting designs of the mythological Kinnari, a half-bird, half-woman creature, and equipped with a solar power panels.

The Rachathewa subdistrict is claimed to have paid THB642.6 million for 6,773 posts, or THB94,884 apiece. The project listed Bangkok Road Lighting Co Ltd as the sole contractor.

Rachathewa SAO president Songchai Nokkhamin said earlier that the organisation still had plans to buy additional lamp posts and would not delay the purchase despite demands for a corruption probe.

The source revealed that at the latest Rachathewa SAO meeting, 15 members voted for the purchase, five voted against and four abstained, leading to the motion approving the purchase of an additional 720 of the controversial lamp posts.

“The project stemmed from the need of locals to have street lighting in their neighbourhood. The SAO has set up three committees to supervise the project’s TOR [terms of reference] setting, the e-bidding process and post-installation inspection,” Songchai said.

“The lamp posts will not only provide lighting but will also improve the neighbourhood’s image, as Rachathewa is located at Suvarnabhumi Airport, a gateway to Thailand,” he argued.

Published : June 23, 2021

By : THE NATION

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40002352

Baht strengthens a tad in opening trade

The baht opened at 31.69 to the US dollar on Wednesday, strengthening from Tuesday’s closing rate of 31.74.

The Thai currency is likely to move between 31.65 and 31.75 during the day, Krungthai Bank market strategist Poon Panichpibool said.

Poon explained that the baht had weakened due to concern among foreign investors about the Covid-19 situation in Thailand, prompting them to sell their risky assets in the country.

Meanwhile the dollar weakened as the market was more ready to accept risk, he said, predicting that the US currency would move in a narrow range and could continue to weaken if Asian and European economies start to recover or strengthen.

He therefore suggested that investors monitor the Covid-19 situation on the two continents.

However, the baht would not weaken sharply as exporters aimed to offload their dollar holdings at the appropriate time, he added.

Published : June 23, 2021

By : The Nation