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https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40001291

Social enterprises to get tax breaks worth 10m baht

The Cabinet has approved in principle changes to boost tax breaks for social enterprises and people who support them.

Asocial enterprise is defined as a business or non-profit organisation that applies commercial strategies to maximise financial, social and/or environmental improvement.

The changes to the Revenue Code would exempt corporations or juristic partnerships from paying income tax on funding for social enterprises, including individuals who support social enterprises. The tax exemption will cover funding of up to 100,000 baht per tax year and cover actual expenses as well as investments in social enterprises.

The tax break will be offered until December 31, 2023, to support the operation of social enterprises that benefit society as a whole, in line with the Social Enterprise Promotion Act 2019.

“Though this measure will cost the government about 10 million baht, it will help the operation of social enterprises both in terms of quantity and quality,” government spokesman Anucha Buraphachaisri said on Tuesday.

The tax break could also help the state solve social problems, such as employment for people with special needs, he added. Meanwhile it could boost sustainable community development at the local and national level, said Anucha.

Published : May 25, 2021

By : The Nation

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40001290

Bangkokians can book their jab from Thursday onwards

Bangkokians will be able to book their Covid-19 vaccine via http://www.ไทยร่วมใจ.com or through the “Pao Tang” app from noon on Thursday, while the administration of vaccines will kick off on June 7.

Governor Aswin Kwanmuang said the city administration has coordinated with Krungthai Bank and the National Health Security Office to come up with a registration system specific to Bangkok residents.

Vaccines will be available to all Bangkok residents between the ages of 18 and 59, with the exception of those with seven chronic conditions.

To make things easier, Bangkokians who have used the “Pao Tang” app before will not have to re-enter their information. However, those who have never participated will need to register on the website. People who do not have a smartphone can have a family member register on their behalf, though the number of times this can be done will be limited. They can also register at convenience stores like 7-Eleven, Family Mart, Tops Daily and mini Big C stores from 8.30am to 6pm.

Bangkok administration, in cooperation with the Chamber of Commerce, city hospitals and related agencies, is setting up vaccination stations at the following venues:

• University of the Thai Chamber of Commerce

• The Street Ratchada

• Central Plaza Lat Phrao

• SCG Vaccination Center, Bang Sue head office

• Siam Commercial Bank headquarters

• Sripatum University (Business Administration Technological College)

• CentralFestival EastVille

• Thai PBS

• Samyan Mitr Town

• Asiatique

• True Digital Park

• Thanya Park

• Central World

• Siam Paragon

• Tesco Lotus Rama VI

• The Emporium

• The Mall Bang Kapi

• Robinson Lifestyle Latkrabang

• Tesco Lotus Minburi

• Big C Romklao

• Iconsiam

• Central Plaza Pinklao

• The Mall Bang Khae

• Big C Bang Bon

• PTT Station Rama 2 outbound (KM12)

Published : May 25, 2021

By : The Nation

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40001289

Prisons get 311m baht to fight contagion

The Cabinet on Tuesday approved 311.65 million baht from the 2021 central budget to combat the wave of Covid-19 infections sweeping through Thai prisons and detention centres.

The budget will be used by the Corrections Department to fund the following five measures to contain the contagion:

Purchase of 100,000 RT PCR Covid-19 test kits for 80 million baht.

Construction of field hospitals for critically ill inmates in Bangkok and its vicinity (51.97 million baht).

Construction cost 10 field hospitals in prisons and correctional institutions (92.68 million baht).

Construction/renovation of quarantine rooms for 65 prisons (49.835 million baht).

Purchase of protective gear for prisons and correctional facilities (37.167 million baht).

The Department of Corrections is also contacting the Public Health Ministry to procure anti-viral drug Favipiravia to treat infected inmates.

More than 15,000 inmates and staff at a dozen prisons around the country are thought to have contracted Covid-19.

Published : May 25, 2021

By : The Nation

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40001286

Bangkok sauna raid team checked for Covid after two suspects test positive

All 30 officers who were part of the team that raided the Faros Sauna in Bangkok’s Ramkhamhaeng area on Saturday night underwent Covid-19 tests on Tuesday.

The tests were conducted after two of the 60 partygoers and sauna staff members tested positive.

Officials from the Wang Thong Lang district office also disinfected the police station in a bid to curb the contagion.

Police raided the venue after people in the area told police the sauna was allegedly being used as a site for drug trafficking and could be a source of Covid-19 infections.

At the raid, officers reportedly found packs of methamphetamine, other drugs, a syringe and used condoms.

Bangkok sauna raid team checked for Covid after two suspects test positive

The suspects included party organisers Surat Jitpuengtham, 41, and Nathachpong Saengkaew, 38, and Jinna Kritjinda, 63, who claimed to be the sauna’s owner.

They have been charged with violating the state of emergency, the Communicable Disease Act and the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration’s measures.

Those who tested positive for drug usage will face additional charges under the narcotics laws.

However, seven suspects have denied the charges and pleaded not guilty.

Bangkok sauna raid team checked for Covid after two suspects test positive

The suspects stand to face up to 30,000 baht in fines and/or up to seven months in prison based on their wrongdoing.

Published : May 25, 2021

By : The Nation

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40001284

Cabinet approves registration of personal cars for ride-hailing services

The Cabinet on Tuesday approved a draft regulation proposed by the Transport Ministry to allow people to register their personal cars for commercial use.

Transport Minister Saksayam Chidchob explained that only cars with maximum capacity of seven people would be eligible for registration.

The draft ministerial regulation was drawn up to serve the ride-hailing market via apps such as Grab.

Currently, taxi drivers are required to have a public-vehicle licence, but many drivers in the call-taxi business only have a personal licence.

The ministerial regulation aims to close this loophole and legalise all cars operating in the call-taxi business.
 

Published : May 25, 2021

By : The Nation

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40001283

The different Covid-19 variants attacking Thailand

The third wave of the Covid-19 outbreak is the most severe and worrisome, especially in financial terms, because many businesses have been forced to close again.

Though the original strain of SARS-CoV-2 came to Thailand from Wuhan, China in January last year, the UK variant of the virus, which is 1.7 times more contagious and deadlier, sparked the third wave in April. It was found to have infected many patrons of entertainment venues in Bangkok’s Thong Lor area.

On May 5, the Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration (CCSA) also reported that the Brazilian strain of the virus was found in quarantine facilities.

On May 21, health officials confirmed that workers at a construction camp in Bangkok’s Lak Si area had been infected by the Indian strain.

On May 22, the South African strain was spotted among patients in Narathiwat’s Tak Bai district.

The different Covid-19 variants attacking Thailand

Published : May 25, 2021

By : The Nation

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40001282

Bangkok hotline offered as alternative channel to book jabs

The National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC) and Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) are launching a hotline to book Covid-19 jabs in the capital.

The 1516 hotline would be open from 8am to 8pm for Bangkokians to book jabs, said Trairat Viriyasirikul, NBTC deputy secretary-general of strategic and internal affairs. Calls to the line would be free of charge, he added.

Other channels being set up to register for vaccination are http://www.ไทยร่วมใจ.com, the “Paotang” mobile app, and supermarket and convenience stores such as 7-Eleven, Family Mart, Tops Daily, and mini Big C.

The supermarket and convenience store channels are for people who cannot use the internet. They will be open between 8.30am and 6pm.

Trairat also explained that registrants can also choose where they get vaccinated either at a specific hospital or the following venues in Bangkok:

1. University of the Thai Chamber of Commerce

2. The Street Ratchada

3. Central Plaza Ladprao

4. SCG Headquarter Bangsue Vaccination Centre

5. Siam Commercial Bank Headquarter

6. Sripatum University

7. Central Festival Eastville

8. Thai PBS building

9. Samyan Mitrtown

10. Asiatique

11. True Digital Park

12. Thanyapark

13. Central World

14. Siam Paragon

15. Tesco Lotus Rama IV

6. The Emporium

17. The Mall Bangkapi

18. Robinson Lifestyle Ladkrabang

19. Tesco Lotus Minburi

20. Big C Romklao

21. Icon Siam

22. Central Plaza Pinklao

23. The Mall Bangkae

24. Big C Bangbon

25. PTT Station Rama II

Published : May 25, 2021

By : The Nation

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40001281

Imams, monks roll up sleeves to beat vaccination hesitancy in deep South

Buddhist monks and Islamic leaders in Narathiwat province got their Covid jabs at Waeng Hospital in Waeng district on Tuesday, in a move to encourage mass vaccination in the border province.

“Waeng district shares a border with Malaysia and is at risk of imported cases of Covid-19,” said district chief Russadee Pureeya. “The province has been urging local people to get vaccinated against the virus. Today, Buddhist monks and imams are getting jabs at local hospitals to reassure the public that vaccination is not against religious principles.”

Imams, monks roll up sleeves to beat vaccination hesitancy in deep South

Recipients were being interviewed and examined to ensure it was safe for them to get the jab, he added.

“No recipients on Tuesday displayed severe allergic reactions after the jab. Only minor muscle aches have been reported.”

Imams, monks roll up sleeves to beat vaccination hesitancy in deep South

Three districts in Narathiwat are under lockdown after an outbreak of the South African variant of coronavirus (B1.351) in the southern border province. Three variant cases discovered in Tak Bai earlier this month have spawned eight more infections, prompting the closure of Tak Bai, Su-ngai Padi and Bacho.

Imams, monks roll up sleeves to beat vaccination hesitancy in deep South

Published : May 25, 2021

By : THE NATION

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40001280

Koh Sukon islanders lose battle to save beached dolphin

The Risso’s dolphin found beached in Trang’s Koh Sukon island on Monday has died despite every effort to keep it alive.

As soon as islander Ongart Pattaradamrongkiat spotted the dolphin, he called on his friends to help move it to deeper waters. Though they took it to the area in a boat, the cetacean refused to dive.

They then contacted the Rajamangala University of Technology Srivijaya for help.

Veterinarian Dr Piyarat Khumraksas and her team of marine officials showed up and tried to treat the animal, but in vain.

The dolphin’s condition gradually worsened, and it died on Tuesday. Its body has been taken to the university for further examination.

Another member of this deep-sea dolphin family was found beached in Krabi province in 2019, and it too died tragically.

Published : May 25, 2021

By : The Nation

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40001278

Australia and Thailand share the proverb “a friend in need is a friend indeed”.

As Thailand faces the COVID-19 third wave, healthcare workers throughout the country, and especially in Bangkok, have been working tirelessly at the frontlines to protect us all.

To show our appreciation for their efforts, Australian Embassy staff have made a donation to support doctors, nurses and staff at our neighbouring King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital.

This morning, H.E. Mr Allan McKinnon PSM, Australian Ambassador to Thailand, delivered the donations to frontline healthcare workers at the hospital in central Bangkok. The donated items include daily amenities, as many staff cannot leave their dormitories due to the strict pandemic restrictions, as well as lunchboxes from Toby’s on Saladaeng, a local Australian-style café.
 

Australia and Thailand share the proverb “a friend in need is a friend indeed”.

This donation is just a small token of the Australian Embassy’s support for our Thai friends. At the Government-level, Australia is providing $2.8 million to support Thailand’s rollout of COVID-19 vaccines, as part of Australia’s regional Vaccine Access and Health Security Initiative.

Published : May 25, 2021

By : The Nation