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https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40001765

Thailand marks World Oceans Day by urging all Thais to conserve precious marine life

Thailand is marking World Oceans Day on June 8 (Tuesday) by showcasing the incredible diversity of life in Thai seas while calling on all people to protect it for future generations.

Varawut Silpa-archa, Natural Resources and Environment minister, said there were limitations on how much the government alone could protect the marine ecosystem, but added the challenges could be overcome with the help and cooperation of the Thai people.

Thon Thamrongnawasawat, a renowned marine scholar from Kasetsart University, said management of Thailand’s marine resources was relatively stable, particularly in the conservation and care of marine mammals.

However, many conservation issues need urgent attention and require cooperation from government, the Thai people and communities if sustainability is to be achieved, he added.

He explained that Thai seas are home to more than 28 species of marine mammals, divided into two groups. The first group are mammals that live close to shore and are often seen. This group consists of seven species: dugongs, Bryde’s whales, Omura’s whales, Irrawaddy dolphins, finless porpoises, Indo-Pacific humpbacked dolphins, and bottlenose dolphins. The second group lives in the open sea and includes blue whales, sperm whales, short-finned pilot whales, Fraser’s dolphins, spinner dolphins and long-beaked common dolphins.

Minister Varawut Silpa-archa said oceans are the most difficult natural resource to manage because they are both an economic driver and key component in maintaining balance in the ecosystem. He pointed out that destructive human activities are upsetting this delicate natural balance.

Varawut added that on visits to marine areas he had observed that locals are becoming more involved in conservation because they feel responsible for maintaining marine resources for the generations that follow them.

The minister has assigned his adviser, Yutthaphon Ankinandana, and ministry permanent secretary Jatuporn Buruspat to accelerate the effort to manage marine resources in collaboration with local government agencies, businesses and locals. The effort is being overseen by Deputy PM Prawit Wongsuwan in his role as chairman of the Policy and Planning Committee for Marine and Coastal Resources Management.

“Save the oceans to sustain livelihoods” is Thailand’s slogan for World Oceans Day, chosen from competition entrants. It echoes the United Nations’ theme this year: “The Ocean: Live and Livelihoods” the theme set by the United Nations.

Thailand marks World Oceans Day by urging all Thais to conserve precious marine life

The Department of Marine and Coastal Resources is showcasing marine conservation successes achieved by Thai people and volunteer “Marine Rangers” with a video.

Thailand marks World Oceans Day by urging all Thais to conserve precious marine lifeThailand marks World Oceans Day by urging all Thais to conserve precious marine life

Thailand marks World Oceans Day by urging all Thais to conserve precious marine life

Published : June 08, 2021

By : The Nation

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https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40001767

What to do after the Covid shot?

Today (June 7) was the first day that general Bangkok residents began getting their Covid-19 shot.

Recipients have been given the option of choosing either the Sinovac or AstraZeneca vaccine. Those who opt for the Chinese jab, Sinovac, will get their second jab 21 days later. Those who opt for the AstraZeneca jab will be required to wait eight to 12 weeks.

What to do after the Covid shot?After the jab, people are advised to do the following:

• Check for side effects

• Have a 500mg paracetamol pill in case of fever. Call the 1669 hotline if the fever is very high

• Do not use inoculated arm or rub the inoculated area for at least two days

• Do not consume alcohol or smoke for the first 24 hours of inoculation

• Drink more water

• Continue wearing a face mask in public areas despite being inoculated

• Delay Covid-19 inoculation by two to four weeks if you are taking vaccines for other conditions

Published : June 07, 2021

By : The Nation

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https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40001763

Foreign expats in Bangkok can now book a jab

Foreigners living in Bangkok can register for their Covid-19 jab via the http://thailandintervac.com website as of Monday afternoon.

Initially, registration will be limited to those above the age of 60 or those living with the following conditions:

• Severe chronic respiratory disease

• Coronary artery disease

• Chronic kidney disease (fifth stage)

• Stroke

• Cancer patients receiving chemotherapy

• Diabetes

• Obesity (weighing over 100 kilos or with a BMI of 35 and above)

Those eligible will be required to present the following at the vaccination venue:

• Passport registered at the website

• Evidence of chronic disease/condition issued no more than a year ago

Vaccines available as of June 6:

• Sinovac

• AstraZeneca

Venues where the vaccine is available:

MedPark Hospital

3333 Rama IV Road, Khlong Toei, Bangkok

Vimut Hospital

500, Phaholyothin Road, Samsen Nai, Phya Thai, Bangkok

Phyathai 2 Hospital

943, Phaholyothin Rd., Samsen Nai, Phya Thai, Bangkok

Bangrak Vaccination and Health Centre

9 South Sathorn Road, Yannawa, Sathorn, Bangkok

Contact the Office of International Cooperation via oicddchotline@gmail.com for more information.

Published : June 07, 2021

By : The Nation

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https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40001762

Environmentalist urges Thais to stop eating home of clownfish

Environmental academic Thon Thamrongnawasawat has urged Thais to stop harvesting Haddons sea anemone, which is the habitat of several species including clownfish.

Haddon’s sea anemone is a delicacy popular in the South, where it is known as Hed Loop.

Speaking on Monday, one day ahead of World Oceans Day, Thon demanded that locals stop consuming the anemone, which is also a draw for tourists and divers.

He added that this marine species is unable to reproduce in farms, so those that live in the sea are important and should be researched further.

Haddon’s sea anemone is classified as protected species in Thailand, along with coral, gorgoniidae and tridacna.

However, Thon said locals on Surat Thani’s Samui and Pha-ngan islands have been consuming the anemone for many years.

“Eating Hed Loop on a local scale is not a problem, but on a business scale it is worrying” he said, adding that increasing demand for the anemone had led to poaching of the species.

“Clownfish cannot live without their homes. And the anemone is not a main food of human beings. Thailand is not currently suffering famine when we would have no choice but to consume this sea creature. By law, Hed Loop is a protected species like the panther and wild ox, which means people are banned from hunting, selling or eating it,” he said.

Published : June 07, 2021

By : The Nation

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https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40001761

Thai netizens celebrate instances of generosity

The Thai social-media world was abuzz with tributes to a man in Phetchaburi’s Khao Yoi district, whose generosity was demonstrated in a TikTok clip.

The clip of a woman tearfully thanking a person on the other side of the camera was posted on social media by TikTok user aoddy_.

The poster and his friends are believed to be local volunteers who have donated medicines and necessities to those affected by the fallout of the Covid-19 crisis.

The woman in the latest clip had apparently received a rice cooker and allergy medications.

Nothing has been revealed about those involved in the clips or when the incident took place.

Earlier clips uploaded by “aoddy_” show similar donations being made to needy people.

Published : June 07, 2021

By : The Nation

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https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40001760

Thailand tracking drug-smuggling rings after busts in Australia, South Korea

The Justice Ministry has joined hands with foreign agencies in a bid to crack international criminal rings smuggling drugs from Thailand to foreign markets, Minister Somsak Thepsuthin said on Monday.

The move comes after Australian and South Korean authorities recently intercepted large shipments of drugs from Thailand.

“Australian police submitted information on 316 kilograms of crystal meth found on a cargo ship from Thailand on May 8 in Sydney, which enabled us to track down the suspects behind the smuggling operation,” said Somsak. “We now know that the drugs were sent from Mukdahan to the South of Thailand before being shipped overseas in electrical appliance boxes.”

He added that Thai authorities are also cooperating with South Korean police after a Thai smuggler was found with over 4 kilos of methamphetamine at Incheon Airport in Seoul earlier this month. Further investigation revealed this shipment was heading for “phi noi” or little ghosts – Thai illegal migrants.

Phi Noi refers to Thais who enter a foreign country, often as tourists, but stay there to work once their visas expire.

“We also found that these buyers are using new methods to order drugs such as mobile applications, online delivery and private couriers, as well as paying with bitcoin, which makes it harder for officials to track them down,” added Somsak. “This prompted the ministry to work closely with foreign agencies to stay ahead of the drug dealers.”

The minister pointed out that Thailand is a prime target for drug syndicates because it hosts the Golden Triangle along with convenient transportation routes by air, sea and land.

The Golden Triangle, covering the mountainous borderland of Thailand, Laos and Myanmar, is thought to be one of the world’s largest producers of methamphetamine and opium.

“Since 2019, we have seized an increasing amount of drugs in Thailand – significantly higher than the amount that slipped through and reached destination countries such as Australia, Japan, Taiwan and Hong Kong,” the justice minister said.

Heroin and methamphetamine account for most of the drugs seized, he added.

Published : June 07, 2021

By : THE NATION

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https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40001757

PM visits inoculation centre, assures enough vaccine for everybody

Prime Minister General Prayut Chan-o-cha on Monday visited the Bang Sue Grand Station in Bangkok’s Chatuchak district where the Central Vaccination Centre opened to inoculate the general public.

The government’s mass vaccination drive kicked off on Monday for people who had pre-registered via the Thai Ruam Jai website and through mobile operators, which have been accepting registrations since May 27.

Prayut was accompanied by Public Health Minister Anutin Charnvirakul, Transport Minister Saksayam Chidchob, Interior Minister Anupong Paochinda and Digital Economy and Society Minister Chaiwut Thanakhamanusorn.

PM visits inoculation centre, assures enough vaccine for everybody

“Please rest assured that there will be enough vaccine for everyone, no matter on which channel you have registered,” Prayut said. “Vaccines that we have ordered will continue to arrive in Thailand in lots, as the global vaccine demand is still high. The government will prioritise vaccination in areas that have high rates of infection or are at risk of developing cluster cases.”

The prime minister also attended a video conferencing session with governors of provinces that also opened vaccination units in their areas on Monday and asked them if everything was running smoothly. He then thanked medical professionals for sacrificing their time and energy to make sure that people get vaccinated so as to contain the outbreak.

PM visits inoculation centre, assures enough vaccine for everybody

The Central Vaccination Centre at Bang Sue Grand Station can vaccinate up to 10,000 people per day and will be manned by over 500 medical professionals daily. The Public Health Ministry has been doing test runs since May 24 to make sure that it can inoculate people who have registered via Thai Ruam Jai website and with four mobile phone operators (AIS, DTAC, True and CAT Telecom) from June 7.

Registration is a prerequisite and vaccination centres will not accept walk-in candidates.

Published : June 07, 2021

By : THE NATION

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https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40001756

Security team foils bid to smuggle illegal Myanmar migrants into Thailand

A team of military and police officers swooped down on a Thai trafficker as he tried to smuggle 11 Myanmar nationals into Thailand via Kanchanaburi’s Sai Yok district on Monday.

Of the 11 migrants, five were hiding inside a 1,000-litre plastic tank, two each in the two 200-litre barrels, while the other two were sitting out front with the driver.

The migrants said they had been picked up in the Dawei area by a Thai, who had been paid 20,000 to 25,000 baht for the job.

Suspect Pradit Klahan, 62, who lives in Sai Yok district, said he was given 1,500 baht for driving the migrants from Thung Chang village to an intersection in the Ban Kao area in Kanchanaburi’s Muang district. The 11 Myanmar nationals were to be taken to Samut Sakhon for jobs

All suspects were screened for their body temperature before being sent to Sai Yok Police Station for legal action.

Prasit has been charged with concealing and helping illegal migrants evade arrest. The 11 Myanmar nationals were charged with illegal entry as well as violating the Communicable Disease Act and the provincial emergency decree to contain Covid-19 infections.

Published : June 07, 2021

By : The Nation

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https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40001755

Thailand joins battle to lift patent protection on Covid vaccines

Commerce Minister Jurin Laksanawisit on Sunday called for the lifting of intellectual property protection on Covid-19 vaccines, so countries can start producing shots for their people.

He made the remark during a virtual meeting with trade ministers from Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (Apec) countries.

At the meeting, Jurin said:

• Thailand will help with the transportation of vaccines and other essential goods required in the battle against Covid-19.

• Thailand will comply with the World Trade Organisation (WTO) pact to facilitate trading.

• Thailand will start its mass vaccine rollout as soon as possible and will be ready to provide support to other countries seeking vaccines.

• Thailand supports compulsory licensing, which enables countries to start producing Covid-19 vaccines without seeking permission from the patent owner. Thailand will also push for Covid-19 vaccines to be removed from intellectual property protection lists as per the Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (Trips) agreement.

• Thailand backs WTO’s move to accelerate negotiations on vaccine production with the World Health Organisation.

• Thailand backs the WTO in seeking a conclusion on many pending issues, such as support in the fishing industry, temporary exemption of e-commerce tax and promotion of agricultural products.

Apec, meanwhile, said the following:

• A trade mechanism to tackle the Covid-19 outbreak, multilateral free trade and pathway to sustainability is required.

• The setting up of a Covid-19 vaccine supply chain to facilitate the trade of vaccines and essential goods is necessary.

• Support on trade and transportation of essential goods is required.

Published : June 07, 2021

By : The Nation

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40001753

33 deaths, 2,419 new cases logged in Thailand

As many as 33 deaths and 2,419 new Covid-19 cases in Thailand were reported on Monday over a 24-hour period.

Of the total, 1,347 were patients admitted to hospitals, 949 found via proactive testing, 91 inmates tested positive, while 32 were returnees.

Bangkok led the list with 943 cases, followed by Samut Prakan with 321, Phetchaburi with 265 and Trang with 106.

Of the 32 returnees, 31 were Thai nationals, with 28 flying in from Cambodia and one each from Jordan, Malaysia and the United Arab Emirates. The 32nd arrival was a Bangladeshi from Bangladesh.

Meanwhile, 2,999 patients have recovered and been discharged in the last 24 hours.

As of Monday, the number of confirmed cases in Thailand had risen to 179,886. So far, 129,516 have recovered and been discharged, 49,101 patients are still in hospitals, and 1,269 have died.

Meanwhile, another 9,754 people were given their first Covid-19 shot in the last 24 hours, while 17,837 were given their second shot, bringing the total number of Covid-19 vaccines administered in Thailand to 4,218,094.

According to Worldometer, as of 11am on Monday, the number of confirmed cases globally had risen to 174.04 million (up by 327,663), 157.05 million of whom have recovered, 13.25 million are active cases (87,231 in severe condition) and 3.74 million have died (up by 7,677).

Thailand ranks 80th on the global list of most cases, which is topped by the US with 34.21 million, followed by India 28.9 million, Brazil 16.9 million, France 5.71 million, and Turkey 5.28 million.

Published : June 07, 2021

By : The Nation