Autopsy to determine cause of Ukraine ambassadors death in resort off Satun
The Central Institute of Forensic Science (CIFS) will perform an autopsy on Monday to find the cause of death of Ukraine ambassador to Thailand, Andrii Beshta.
Foreign Ministry spokesperson Thani Saengrat said that Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha had instructed related authorities to take utmost care in the matter.
“CIFS director Pol Colonel Songsak Raksaksakul would personally oversee the autopsy,” he said.
Beshta died on Sunday morning while vacationing with his son at Bunga Resort in Lipe island off Satun province. The ambassador was 45 years old.
A report by Koh Lipe Police Station said that the ambassador had possibly died due to acute heart failure.
The ambassador’s body was taken to the Police General Hospital in Bangkok at 2.30am before being sent to the CIFS for an autopsy.
Why you must avoid medication for migraine, cold and birth-control pills before vaccination
To reduce the chances of severe reactions, people about to get the get the Covid-19 vaccine should stop taking medicines for migraine and cold or birth-control pills, Prof. Dr Thiravat Hemachudha, head of the Information Centre for Emerging Infectious Diseases at Chulalongkorn University, has said.
In a Facebook post on Sunday, Thiravat said: “Severe reactions are rare but it is best to reduce the chance of occurrence to as low as possible.”
“One of the severe reactions to Covid-19 is constant inflammation that could result in vasoconstriction, or the narrowing of blood vessels and occurrence of a blood clot. Therefore, recipients should refrain from taking drugs that already cause vasoconstriction, such as medicines for migraine and cold,” he said.
“As for patients who are on cannabis oil or CBD oil, such as the Deja Formula Ganja Oil produced by Department of Thai Traditional and Alternative Medicine which helps reduce inflammation, they can continue taking the drug before vaccination without increasing the dosage,” he added.
Thiravat added that women who use female hormones for birth control or treating of other diseases should stop taking the pill at least 14 days before vaccination.
“These recommendations are also applicable to other vaccines,” he said.
Data from the Department of Disease Control revealed that from April 28 to May 28, over 3.5 million doses of Covid-19 vaccine have been administered in Thailand. About 2.41 million got the first jab and 1.09 million have received both jabs.
Hunt on for homeless man who sexually assaulted Canadian woman in Bangkok
Police officers are on the lookout for a reportedly homeless man who allegedly sexually assaulted a Canadian woman near Lumpini Park in Bangkok’s Pathumwan district on May 27, Deputy Metropolitan Police chief Pol Maj-General Piya Tawichai said on Sunday.
“We checked the CCTV footage and found that at around 1.18pm on Thursday, the victim — a social media streamer — was broadcasting her live video on Wireless Road near Gate 1 of One Bangkok Building, when she was sexually assaulted by a man,” he said.
“Preliminary investigation revealed that the assailant was homeless, and we are tracking him down to bring him in for questioning.
“The victim has yet to file a complaint with the police, but we will contact her and ask her to come in and give a statement,” added Piya.
Thundershowers forecast for all regions of Thailand
The Thailand Meteorological Department said on Monday that a moderate southwest monsoon prevails across the Andaman Sea, the South, and the Gulf of Thailand.
Thundershowers are forecast for all regions.
Waves in the Andaman Sea are two metres high and above two metres during thundershowers.
All ships should proceed with caution and keep off thundershower areas, the department said.
The weather forecast for the next 24 hours:
North: Mostly cloudy with thundershowers in 30 per cent of the areas; temperature lows of 24-26 degrees Celsius, highs of 34-37°C.
Northeast: Partly cloudy with thundershowers in 10 per cent of the areas; temperature lows of 25-26°C, highs of 35-37°C.
Central: Mostly cloudy with thundershowers in 20 per cent of the areas; temperature lows of 23-26°C, highs of 34-36°C.
East: Cloudy with thundershowers in 30 per cent of the areas; temperature lows of 25-28°C, highs of 32-36°C; waves 1-2 metres high and over two metres during thundershowers.
South (east coast): Mostly cloudy with thundershowers in 60 per cent of the areas; temperature lows of 23-26°C, highs of 33-35°C; waves a metre high and 1-2 metres during thundershowers.
South (west coast): Thundershowers in 60 per cent of the areas; temperature lows of 22-26°C, highs of 32-35°C; waves two metres high and over two metres during thundershowers.
Bangkok and surrounding areas: Mostly cloudy with thundershowers in 10 per cent of the areas; temperature lows of 26-27°C, highs of 33-37°C.
Continuing Covid crisis takes toll on peoples mental health: poll
Apart from the impact on the economy, the Covid-19 pandemic has also upset peoples mental health, according to a Suan Dusit Poll survey released on Sunday.
The survey entitled “Thais’ mental health during the Covid-19 era” was conducted from May 24 to 27 on 1,713 respondents nationwide.
Response to key poll questions:
▪︎ Feelings amid the Covid-19 crisis (multiple choice):
– 75.35 per cent said they are nervous;
– 72.95 per cent said they are hopeless;
– 58.27 per cent said they are bored;
– 45.19 per cent said they are afraid;
– 13.50 per cent said they are fine.
▪︎ What affects respondents’ feelings (multiple choice):
– 88.33 per cent said the Covid-19 outbreak;
– 74.53 per cent said the economic crisis;
– 51.89 per cent said mass vaccination;
– 36.50 per cent said travel;
– 15.98 per cent said illness.
▪︎ How to take care of mental health (multiple choice):
– 91.03 per cent said by being careful;
– 60.82 per cent said studying ways to protect one self;
– 56.60 per cent said doing activities;
– 40.88 per cent said consulting with family members;
– 28.97 per cent said meditation or praying.
▪︎ What should government and private agencies do (multiple choice):
– 74.96 per cent said organise mass vaccination;
– 60.52 per cent said solve the economic crisis;
– 56.51 per cent said give clear information;
– 54.86 per cent said announce relief measures;
– 49.91 per cent said conduct proactive tests.
▪︎ Respondents’ current tension amid Covid-19 crisis:
– 41.97 per cent said they are trying to be patient in order to survive;
– 38.65 per cent said they find it still tolerable;
– 9.46 per cent said they cannot tolerate the situation;
– 6.13 per cent say they want to give up;
– 3.79 per cent said they were unable to tolerate it.
Based on the poll results, four of 100 people cannot tolerate the Covid-19 crisis as it affected their income and jobs, said Suan Dusit Poll analyst Pornphan Buathong.
She pointed out that people’s suicide rate during the Covid-19 crisis has increased, similar to the Tom Yum Kung crisis in 1997.
“Therefore, the government should instruct mental health-related authorities to take care of people who are vulnerable as soon as possible,” she said.
TAT to organise Grand Sale in July to stimulate spending by Thais and expats
The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) is planning to revive tourism by launching “Amazing Thailand Grand Sale 2021”.
TAT Governor Yuthasak Supasorn said discussions were going on with more than 300 partners and entrepreneurs in the tourism industry covering both products and services in the main tourist areas.
The Amazing Thailand Grand Sale 2021 project is scheduled to be held from July 15 to September 15 under the concept “More amazing” to stimulate spending by both Thais and expatriates in Thailand. The concept will aim to promote Thailand as a shopping destination and help revive businesses in all sectors affected by the coronavirus crisis.
A wide variety of gifts and privileges will be on offer to impress tourists and create a variety of shopping experiences both online and on-site, the TAT governor said.
This year, the TAT has invited entrepreneurs across the country, especially those from the main tourist cities; Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Phuket, Songkhla (Hat Yai), Chonburi (Pattaya) and Nakhon Ratchasima, with more than 10,000 people participating in the programme.
In addition, TAT has partnered with famous online platform partners to organise promotional campaigns during this special time.
Tourists who buy products and services from shops participating in the programme could win big prizes in a lucky draw at the end of the two-month event such as gold, car, smartphones, modern communication devices etc, worth more than THB1 million.
Ukraine ambassador to Thailand dies in island resort
Ukraine ambassador to Thailand, Andrii Beshta, died on Sunday morning while taking a vacation with his son at Bunga Resort in Lipe island off Satun province. The ambassador was 45 years old.
Areport by Koh Lipe Police Station said that the ambassador had possibly died due to acute heart failure.
Police said there was no evidence of pain or injuries on his body or signs of foul play at the scene.
Ostap Beshta, the 17-year-old son of the ambassador, said his father was in the room at 11pm on Saturday before he vomited and lost consciousness at 4.30am.
Police and Koh Lipe Tambon Hospital will continue to investigate the cause of death, Koh Lipe Police Station investigation officer Pol Captain Beedan Saripa said.
Beshta was appointed as Ukraine’s ambassador to Thailand in 2015 and came to the country in 2016. He planned to return to Ukraine later this year.
The Thai Foreign Affairs Ministry said the Department of European Affairs was cooperating with the Department of Protocol on issues related to the ambassador’s death.
Foreign Ministry clarifies on Thailand joining Covax Facility
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has clarified that Thailand has entered into an agreement on exchange of vaccines, which was different from joining the Covax Facility.
Ministry spokesman Thanee Saengrat issued the clarification in response to a news report that Thailand had changed its attitude on joining the Covax Facility. The report said that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in April, had directed the Permanent Representative of Thailand to the United Nations in Geneva to approach the Covax Facility run by the World Health Organization (WHO) for a vaccine swap arrangement.
The vaccine swap arrangement is an agreement between two parties when one country wishes to obtain vaccines from another that has surplus vaccine and return it later when there is enough vaccine in the country, the spokesman said.
The exchange arrangement is a practice that many countries have, such as between South Korea and the United States, the spokesman said.
Entering into a vaccine swap arrangement is separate from negotiating a vaccine purchase agreement or joining the Covax Facility, Thanee said, adding it was just one dimension of cooperation that the Thai side can have with the Covax Facility.
The cooperation between Thailand and the Covax Facility is in terms of being a donor country, he said. He added that in December last year, the Thai government had donated US$100,000 (THB3.2 million) to The Access to COVID-19 Tools (ACT) Accelerator through the WHO to support the development and allocation of vaccines and drugs as Global Public Goods.
The Thai government will provide another $100,000 through the ACT Accelerator mechanism directly to the Covax Facility to support vaccine operations for the global community, he said.
Thailand is also considering the possibility of collaborating with the Covax Facility in the future by donating vaccines when Thailand has enough supplies for the country.
The opportunities for vaccination for Thai people are not underestimated, he assured.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has sought a vaccine swap arrangement with other countries in addition to the Covax Facility, such as Israel, the UAE, Bahrain, Australia, the United States and South Korea, and the Thai proposal is under consideration, he said. Some countries, such as Australia and South Korea, have already informed that they are still facing a shortage of vaccines in their countries, the spokesman said.
BMA aims to transform Lumpini Park into a world-class landmark
Bangkok Governor Aswin Kwanmuang unveiled ambitious plans to transform the citys park.
In a Facebook post, he said: “If you think of an area with green plants in a wide garden with a large pond, where we can stand and breathe fresh air, relax, exercise, meet and take part in activities in the city, is convenient to visit, probably one will not think beyond a park”.
BMA aims to transform Lumpini Park into a world-class landmarkA city with a big park symbolises the quality of life of the city in many countries such as Central Park in New York, Hyde Park in London, Garden by the Bay in Singapore, and they are known all over the world, he said.
Lumpini Park was the first public park in Thailand. King Rama VI gave up the royal garden land to serve as a botanical garden, with more than 360 rai of green space, tracks for running and cycling, areas for exercise, and also a green bridge, and a route connecting to Benjakitti Park as well. The park will celebrate its 100th anniversary in 2025.
BMA aims to transform Lumpini Park into a world-class landmark
The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) has plans to improve the park’s historical value, showing the identity of the city just like the world’s top parks, and develop it into an area that everyone can use equally.
There will be an adjustment of the road and walkway from the entrance of Rama 6 to Radio road, the overhead power cables will be moved underground and corridor space will be increased.
The highlight of the development is to add a connection point for Lumpini Park, Green Bridge and Benjakitti Park, bringing it to life with walkways and bike lanes to provide space for everyone, of all genders, ages and people with disabilities to be able to use the park in accordance with the universal design concept, Aswin said.
PM proposes closer bilateral ties with South Korea through 3P strategy
Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha held discussions with South Korean President Moon Jae-in on a cooperative partnership strategy, focusing on green economy, future industries and health in the post-Covid-19 era.
In a telephone conversation on May 28, the two leaders discussed continuing the momentum of the Thailand-South Korea Strategic Partnership and advancing bilateral cooperation, a statement issued by the Thai Foreign Ministry said.
Prayut also expressed his support for South Korea as host of the Second Partnering for Green Growth and Global Goals 2030 or the Second P4G Summit, which the Thai PM will attend via live videoconference on May 31.
Prayut highlighted promoting cooperation through linking of the two countries’ corresponding national development strategies, including with South Korea’s New Southern Policy and New Southern Policy Plus. He proposed strengthening the bilateral strategic partnership in the post-Covid-19 era in three key areas, or three Partnerships (3Ps), namely, for green economy, future industries and health, the Foreign Ministry statement said.
PM proposes closer bilateral ties with South Korea through 3P strategy
Prayut emphasised the importance of developing a green economy partnership by building upon the Thai government’s implementation of the Bio-Circular-Green (BCG) economy model to achieve balanced and sustainable growth. Links could be identified between the BCG model and South Korea’s Green New Deal.
Both leaders underlined the potential to develop partnership on future industries.
PM proposes closer bilateral ties with South Korea through 3P strategy
The Thai PM invited South Korea to invest in high-tech industries in the Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC) and proposed that the Office of EEC and the Korea Trade-Investment Promotion Agency work together to push forward for concrete cooperation.
In addition, the two leaders agreed to promote health partnership, including through the early convening of the first bilateral foreign and health ministers’ 2+2 dialogue on health security and the conclusion of an agreement on health cooperation to pave the way for furthering medical and health cooperation in the future, the statement said.
Both leaders were pleased with close cooperation under sub-regional and regional frameworks. They exchanged views on regional and international issues, including developments in Myanmar and Korean Peninsula.
Prime Minister Prayut also congratulated President Moon on hus successful visit to the United States, the Foreign Ministry statement said.