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https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40001056

ONCB says it knows which company shipped drug haul to Australia

Thailand’s Office of the Narcotics Control Board (ONCB) said on Tuesday that they have identified the company behind the shipment of methamphetamine to Australia.

ONCB secretary-general Wichai Chaimongkol said the cargo had been loaded on a Chinese vessel, which left Laem Chabang on March 25.

“The cargo was then transferred to a Portuguese vessel in Singapore and arrived in Australia on April 30,” he said.

The Australian Border Force (ABF) intercepted the vessel on May 4 when it docked at Port Botany in Sydney.

He added that the ONCB and Narcotics Suppression Bureau is investigating to see whether the company that shipped the cargo was involved in drug trade or if it had been hired by someone else.

“The board will investigate and confiscate assets from all involved in line with the Justice Ministry’s policy,” he said.

He added that ONCB will also meet with representatives of the Australian Federation Police in Thailand to exchange information in a couple of days.

“We will announce any progress that is made as soon as possible,” he added.

Meanwhile, ABF on Monday launched an investigation into the 316 kilos of crystalised meth or “ice” found hidden in 62 large cardboard boxes labelled as food items and electric barbeque grills.

The drug haul is estimated to have a street value of A$94.5 million or about 2.29 billion baht.

ABF will be investigating the case jointly with New South Wales Police, the Australian Federal Police and NSW Crime Commission.

Published : May 19, 2021

By : The Nation

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https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40001055

29 deaths push Thailand’s Covid toll to 678; 3,394 new cases confirmed

The Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration (CCSA) on Wednesday reported 29 deaths and 3,394 new cases, including 17 overseas arrivals, over the past 24 hours.

Bangkok again led the list with 876 cases, followed by 153 in Samut Prakan, 130 in Nonthaburi and 119 Pathum Thani.

Of the fatalities, 14 were in Bangkok, five in Samut Prakan, two in Pathum Thani, and one each in Chachoengsao, Lamphun, Chonburi, Saraburi, Nakhon Pathom, Kamphaeng Phet, Nong Khai and Nonthaburi.

Patients who succumbed to the virus ranged in age from 42 to 92 and they all reportedly suffered from chronic conditions such as high blood pressure, diabetes, obesity, etc.

Of the returnees, 14 were Thai nationals – seven from Cambodia, three from Bangladesh and one each from Hong Kong, Maldives, UAE and Bahrain. The remaining three were India, South Korea and Cambodia nationals.

Meanwhile, 4,450 patients have recovered and been discharged in the last 24 hours.

As of Wednesday, the number of confirmed cases in Thailand had risen to 116,949. So far, 74,368 patients have recovered and been discharged, 41,903 are still in hospitals, and 678 have died.

Separately, 64,739 people have been given their first Covid-19 shot in the last 24 hours, while 39,911 people were given their second shot, bringing the total number of Covid-19 vaccine doses administered in Thailand to 2,445,645.

According to Worldometer, as of 11am on Wednesday, the number of confirmed cases globally had risen to 164.88 million (up by 611,227), 143.81 million of whom have recovered, 17.66 million are active cases (101,828 in severe condition) and 3.41 million have died (up by 13,943).

Thailand ranks 92nd on the global list of most cases, which is topped by the US with 33.77 million, followed by India 25.49 million, Brazil 15.73 million, France 5.89 million, and Turkey 5.13 million.

Published : May 19, 2021

By : The Nation

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https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40001052

Phuket shut to those without negative Covid-19 test result, proof of jabs

As of Wednesday (May 19), tourists flying into Phuket will be required to produce a negative Covid-19 result or evidence of two jabs of the vaccine, the Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand announced on Tuesday.

“Passengers failing to comply will not be allowed to board the plane,” it said.

CAAT added that the test must be done via RT-PCR or the antigen rapid test method within 72 hours of departure.

Travellers to Phuket are also required to register on www.gophuket.com before entry and check-in via the contact-tracing application Mor Chana (Doctors Win) during their stay in the province.

Entry by land will also be prohibited to those who do not have a negative Covid-19 test result or evidence of inoculation except for those delivering necessary goods and medical supplies, driving emergency vehicles or holding documents allowing entry issued by relevant agencies.

Published : May 19, 2021

By : THE NATION

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https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40001051

Baht ‘unlikely to strengthen’ in present situation

The baht opened at 31.40 to the US dollar on Wednesday, strengthening from Tuesday’s closing rate of 31.45.

The Thai currency is likely to move between 31.35 and 31.50 during the day, Krungthai Bank market strategist Poon Panichpibool said.

He believes the baht will not strengthen over the long course, as several Asian countries are still in a Covid-19 crisis. Also, foreign investors have come under pressure in this situation to sell their assets in Asia.

The resistance level of the baht is at 31.60 per US dollar, with support at 31.30, Poon added.

Published : May 19, 2021

By : The Nation

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https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40001043

PM puts the brakes on walk-in vaccinations

Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha said on Tuesday that he did not want to focus on providing Covid-19 jabs to walk-in public at the moment as the present stock of vaccines is not yet adequate to cover all citizens.

“By allowing walk-in vaccinations, large crowds might flock to certain units and could cause a commotion, especially in Bangkok, where the population is much denser than in the provinces,” he said.

“I want the primary registration channel to still be the Mor Phrom application or Line account, and have urged related agencies to fix problems as soon as possible after people could not register online.”

Besides the Mor Phrom platform, Thai citizens who are not in the priority groups can also register to get vaccinated at public hospitals or public health offices in their hometowns starting May 31. Registration for foreigners living in Thailand will commence in August.

“I want everyone to stop talking about walk-in vaccinations until we have clear measures to implement this. We can discuss the topic again when there are enough doses for everyone,” the premier said.

“The issue of walk-in vaccinations is a delicate one and requires careful planning and management,” he pointed out.

“The Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration should be the only agency to provide updates on walk-in vaccinations should there be any, to prevent causing public confusion,” Prayut added.

Published : May 19, 2021

By : THE NATION

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https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40001042

PM expresses condolences to families of two Thai workers killed by Hamas rockets

Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha has extended his condolences to the families of two Thai workers killed in a Hamas rocket strike in southern Israel’s Eshkol region on Tuesday, said Labour Minister Suchart Chomklin.

“The PM also expressed concern about eight other workers who have been injured by shrapnel and has ordered the ministry to contact the families of the victims and provide compensation and assistance as specified by the laws,” Suchart said.

“The Royal Thai Embassy in Tel Aviv informed me that at 14.35 [local time] on Tuesday, rockets were fired from the Gaza Strip by the Hamas group into Israel’s Eshkol, a town located 14 kilometres from the Strip,” he said.

“The explosion killed two Thai workers at an agricultural product packaging factory and injured eight others. The injured were rushed to Soroka hospital for treatment. Two of them are still in critical condition. Fifteen other Thai workers are in shock from the strike,” Suchart said.

He said officials from the labour division at the embassy have already visited the injured and promised to provide medical allowances from the fund for Thai workers in foreign countries.

“The ministry will also dispatch officials to visit the families of the deceased and injured in Thailand to show them support and notify them of the benefits they will receive as per labour laws,” he added.

Published : May 19, 2021

By : THE NATION

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https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40001039

More rains forecast for most of Thailand, isolated heavy showers in the South

The Central region including Bangkok, the Northeast, the South and the East will see more rain on Wednesday, with some areas being hit by heavy showers as the strong southwest monsoon prevails over the country, the Andaman Sea and the Gulf of Thailand, the Meteorological Department said, adding that the North will experience a hot day with thundershowers in some areas.

The department also advised all ships to proceed with caution as waves in the gulf will be above 2 metres during thundershowers.

Here’s the weather forecast for the next 24 hours:

North: Hot day with thundershowers in 20 per cent of the area; gusty winds are possible in some areas; temperature lows of 25-27 degrees and highs of 35-39 degrees Celsius.

Northeast: Mostly cloudy with thundershowers in 70 per cent of the area and isolated heavy rains; temperature lows of 24-27 degrees and highs of 34-36 degrees Celsius.

Central: Mostly cloudy with thundershowers in 40 per cent of the area; temperature lows of 25-28 degrees, highs of 33-37 degrees Celsius.

East: Mostly cloudy with thundershowers in 70 per cent of the area; temperature lows of 25-28 degrees, highs of 32-36 degrees Celsius; waves 1-2 metres high and 2 metres during thundershowers.

South (east coast): Mostly cloudy with thundershowers in 60 per cent of the area and isolated heavy rains; temperature lows of 25-26 degrees, highs of 34-35 degrees Celsius; waves 1-2 metres high and 2 metres during thundershowers.

South (west coast): Mostly cloudy with thundershowers in 70 per cent of the area and isolated heavy rains; temperature lows of 22-25 degrees, highs of 31-32 degrees Celsius; waves 2 metres high and over 2 metres during thundershowers.

Bangkok and surrounding areas: Mostly cloudy with thundershowers in 30 per cent of the area; temperature lows of 27-29 degrees, highs of 34-37 degrees Celsius.

Source: Thailand Meteorological Department

Published : May 19, 2021

By : THE NATION

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https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40001031

Krung Thep Bridge closed from 10pm on Thursday

Krung Thep Bridge will be closed for maintenance checks at 10pm on Thursday (May 20) before reopening at 4am on Friday, authorities announced on Tuesday.

The Department of Rural Roads (DRR) said it was necessary to close the Bangkok bridge for six hours from Thursday night to check the pumping system.

Motorists have been advised to use the Rama III Bridge and Sathorn Bridge instead.

Published : May 19, 2021

By : The Nation

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https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40001030

Field hospital ‘corruption’ is fake news, says Health Ministry

Rumours of corruption in setting up Thailand’s largest field hospital are fake news, the Public Health Ministry said on Tuesday.

Bussarakham Hospital in Nonthaburi’s Impact Muang Thong Thani exhibition centre cost THB13 million, not THB200 million as falsely claimed by internet rumours, said Thongchai Keeratihattayakorn, deputy permanent secretary at the ministry. He added that the new facility also treats general patients as well as Covid-19 cases.

Thongchai was responding to a social media post allegedly showing a 50-bed field hospital set up by volunteers that cost just THB170,000, and comparing it with Bussarakham Hospital.

Opened by the prime minister and health minister last Friday, Bussarakham currently has 1,092 beds but can be expanded to 5,000 beds. It treats Covid-19 patients with mild to moderate symptoms, operating with a staff of 20 doctors, 130 nurses and 10 pharmacists, said the ministry.

A total of 267 patients have been admitted to Bussarakham Hospital in the four days since opening, 61 of them with moderate symptoms. Some patients are being treated with oxygen.

“If a patient needs a high-pressure oxygen machine, we can take care of it. There are also negative pressure rooms,” said Thongchai.

Patients who develop severe symptoms will be transferred to Ramathibodi or Siriraj hospital.

Bussarakham Hospital occupies 20,000 square metres in Impact’s Challenger Hall and is divided into two zones: a 270-bed area for patients requiring oxygen and an area for general patients. Also provided is an artificial-grass garden with sofas and television for patients to relax. Meanwhile, the Department of Mental Health is arranging stress-busting activities at the hospital, which also offers toys for young patients.

Published : May 19, 2021

By : The Nation

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https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40001029

AstraZeneca side effects more likely in young adults: Chula study

As Thailand prepares to expand vaccination from elderly recipients to the general population, top virologist Yong Poovorawan cautioned that working-age people were more likely to experience side effects such as fever and body aches from the AstraZeneca jab.

“We have rarely seen elderly people complain of fever after vaccination with AstraZeneca,” said Dr Yong.

However, younger recipients, especially those under 30, tended to seek painkillers after vaccination, he added.

Dr Yong heads the Centre of Excellence in Clinical Virology at the Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, where a study has confirmed Covid-19 vaccine side effects impact the young more strongly. However, symptoms are temporary with fever typically lasting 24 hours or occasionally for two days. Young people have a stronger reaction to vaccines thanks to their healthier immune systems, the study suggests.

Thailand needs to administer 300,000 jabs per day to meets its target of 100 million Covid-19 vaccinations by the end of this year, according to Dr Yong.

So far, 2.26 million of the 100 million doses of vaccine have been administered, or about 2.2 per cent.

Published : May 19, 2021

By : The Nation