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https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40000977

Jurin in trade talks with New Zealand ahead of APEC summit

Commerce Minister Jurin Laksanawisit on Monday laid the groundwork for a key regional trade summit with his New Zealand counterpart Damien OConnor.

New Zealand will host the 2021 Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit on June 4-5 via videoconference.

“New Zealand’s minister asked Thailand to support three statements to be announced at the summit next month,” said Jurin, who doubles as deputy prime minister.

“The first statement is to announce multilateral trading as a key factor in solving the Covid-19 crisis and supporting the BCG [Bio-Circular-Green] economy. The second is to urge APEC members to remove the limit on exporting Covid-19 vaccine, except in case of shortages in their own countries. The third statement focuses on promoting logistics cooperation among member countries to boost imports and exports of necessary products including medical equipment, vaccines, food and agricultural produce.”

Established in 1989 and featuring 21 countries, the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation is responsible for over 70 per cent of Thailand’s international trade at around THB10 trillion per year.

“New Zealand also asked that Thailand scrap import tax on their onion seeds under the free trade agreement between both countries, which the ministry expects to propose to a Cabinet meeting in July,” said Jurin. “Meanwhile, we have asked New Zealand to import more Covid-19 related products from Thailand such as rubber gloves as well as processed foods and fruits to boost trade volume during the pandemic.”

Published : May 17, 2021

By : THE NATION

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https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40000978

Over 100 Myanmar border crossers deported from Chiang Rai

Chiang Rai authorities deported 101 illegal Myanmar border crossers on Monday.

The migrants were handed over to Myanmar authorities at the Mae Sae border point in the northern province after a joint operation by the Army, Chiang Rai Immigration and the Thai-Myanmar Co-operation Office.

Thai authorities said the illegal migrants had been prosecuted and deported in line with the bilateral agreement between the two countries. The number of border crossers from Myanmar has risen dramatically since a bloody crackdown by the Myanmar junta following the February 1 military coup.

Published : May 17, 2021

By : The Nation

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https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40000972

Almost 10,000 inmates in 8 prisons test positive for Covid-19: source

As many as 9,783 prisoners in eight prisons nationwide tested positive for Covid-19 after the Department of Corrections began testing inmates between May 12 and 16, a news source said on Monday.

The cases were found at:

• Chiang Mai Central Prison: 3,929 of 6,469 prisoners infected

• Bangkok Remand Prison: 1,960 of 3,023 prisoners infected

• Central Women’s Correctional Institution, Bangkok: 1,039 of 4,488 prisoners infected

• Klong Prem Central Prison, Bangkok: 1,016 of 8,088 prisoners infected

• Thonburi Remand Prison: 1,725 of 4,015 prisoners infected

• Chachoengsao Central Prison: 43 of 2,671 prisoners infected

• Central Special Treatment Center, Bangkok: 12 of 5,876 prisoners infected

• Nonthaburi Prison: 59 of 2,661 prisoners infected

Chiang Mai governor Charoenrit Sa-nguansat is scheduled to hold a press conference on Monday afternoon to announce official Covid-19 test results of prisoners and steps that will be taken to control the outbreak.

Published : May 17, 2021

By : THE NATION

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https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40000971

Thailand’s Covid caseload soars to 9,635 and 25 deaths

The Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration (CCSA) on Monday reported 25 deaths and 9,635 new cases, including nine overseas arrivals, a 24-hour period.

Bangkok again led the list of most cases with 1,843, followed by 155 in Samut Prakan, 146 in Pathum Thani and 129 in Nonthaburi.

Of the fatalities, 18 were in Bangkok and one each in Suphan Buri, Sukhothai, Samut Sakhon, Samut Prakan, Nonthaburi, Nakhon Sawan and Chai Nat.

Patients who succumbed ranged in age from 33 to 86 and all reportedly suffered from chronic conditions such as high blood pressure, diabetes, obesity, etc.

Of the returnees, seven were Thai nationals returning from Malaysia, Cambodia and Pakistan, and two were foreigners – an Irish national and an Israeli – arriving from their own countries.

Meanwhile, 1,397 patients have recovered and been discharged in the last 24 hours.

As of Monday, the number of confirmed cases in Thailand had risen to 111,082. Of these, 96,862 had been contracted locally, 10,748 in jails and 3,472 were returnees.

Meanwhile, 67,200 patients have recovered and been discharged, 43,268 patients are still in hospitals, and 614 have died.

Separately, 19,940 people were given their first Covid-19 shot in the last 24 hours, while 2,218 people were given their second shot, bringing the total number of Covid-19 vaccine doses administered in Thailand to 2,264,348.

According to Worldometer, as of 11am on Monday, the number of confirmed cases globally had risen to 163.69 million (up by 538,086), 142.14 million of whom have recovered, 18.16 million are active cases (102,492 in severe condition) and 3.39 million have died (up by 9,853).

Published : May 17, 2021

By : The Nation

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https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40000970

10,000-plus jabs daily will be given at Bang Sue Grand Station from May 24: Transport Minister

Vaccination points will be set up at the Bang Sue Grand Station’s first floor and mezzanine from next Monday (May 24), Transport Minister Saksayam Chidchob announced on Sunday.

He said vaccinations will be administered from 9am to 8pm daily and the aim is to inoculate more than 10,000 people.

“State officials, cabbies and motorbike taxi operators registered with the Transport Ministry will be inoculated first from May 24 to 31, before members of the public can walk in for their jab from June until the end of this year,” he said.

He added that he will personally oversee the preparation of the vaccination facilities on Friday (May 21).

To ensure all groups of people receive their Covid-19 jab, he said people will only have to show their ID card to get a queue number at the Bang Sue Grand Station.

“The queue card will indicate when people can receive their jab,” he said.

The ministry has also tied up with the Bangkok Mass Transit Authority to provide air-conditioned buses from Victory Monument, BTS Mo Chit station, MRT Chatuchak Park Station, Transport Company’s van terminal and Bang Pho Pier to Bang Sue Grand Station.

“The ministry has also asked the Mass Rapid Transit Authority of Thailand to open the link between the MRT Bang Sue Station and the Bang Sue Grand Station,” the ministry’s deputy permanent secretary Sorapong Paitoonphong said.

He added that the ministry was cooperating with the Public Health Ministry to provide 150 to 200 medical staff to administer vaccines at the train station.

“Ambulances from the Burachat Chaiyakon Hospital and Airports of Thailand will be on standby for emergencies,” he added.

Published : May 17, 2021

By : The Nation

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https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40000969

Retail, shopping mall associations vow to comply with CCSA guidelines

The Thai Retailers Association (TRA) and Thai Shopping Centres Association (TSCA) announced they are ready to comply with the Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration (CCSA)’s decision to ease restrictions as of Monday.

TRA chairman Yol Phokasub and TSCA president Nopporn Witoonchart said shopping malls, as well as supermarkets within malls nationwide, will be closed at 9pm as stipulated. Convenience stores, meanwhile, will operate from 4am to 11pm.

“Restaurants inside shopping malls will be allowed to serve a limited number of people [25 per cent of total seats or one table restricted to one person] until 9pm,” they said.

“It will remain mandatory for people to wear facemasks while outdoors and they must refrain from gatherings.”

They added that the private sector will be urged to have employees work from home until the CCSA or provincial governments lift restrictions fully.

“The TRA and TSCA will seek cooperation from the private sector to contain the spread of Covid-19, so we can overcome the crisis as soon as possible,” they added.

Retail, shopping mall associations vow to comply with CCSA guidelines

Published : May 17, 2021

By : The Nation

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40000968

Third-wave dampens TAT’s bid to boost domestic tourism

The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) believes it will not be able to meet its 2021 target because few people are travelling due to the third wave of Covid-19.

TAT governor Yuthasak Supasorn said the organization expects 90 million locals to take trips this year, slightly less than 90.52 million in 2020.

People have been taking fewer trips because the Covid-19 crisis has been affecting incomes and their decision to spend, he said.

In the first quarter of the year, less than 20 million locals went travelling, he said, adding that TAT and the Tourism and Sports Ministry had initially aimed for 100-120 million local tourists this year.

Yuthasak added that TAT plans to introduce promotions to stimulate domestic tourism once the third wave ends.

Published : May 17, 2021

By : The Nation

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https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40000966

45 per cent of vaccines earmarked for medics, risk groups administered

Over 1.1 million doses of Covid-19 vaccine have been administered to health professionals and frontline workers, Disease Control Department director-general Dr Opas Karnkawinpong said on Sunday.

“This is equal to 45 per cent of the total 2.5 million doses of vaccine that have been reserved for this group,” he said.

“The recipients include doctors, nurses, public health officers and volunteers who have high risk of contracting the virus from active case finding campaigns.”

Opas added that from February 28 to May 14, 687,909 staffers under the Ministry of Public Health had been given the first dose while 409,019 persons had been given two doses of the vaccine.

Meanwhile, 203,213 public health volunteers have been given the first jab and 82,068 had already received two jabs.

“We will continue to vaccinate medical professionals until the 100 per cent target is achieved to make sure that they are well protected against the virus while treating patients,” he added.

“Next month we will receive 6 million doses of AstraZeneca vaccine, and another 10 million doses in each of the following months. Medical professionals can therefore rest assured that there will surely be adequate vaccines for everyone,” said Opas.

The department had also conducted an online poll from April 29 to May 13 on their website. Among the 5,056 respondents, 60.4 per cent wanted to be vaccinated against Covid-19, 18.1 per cent said they were not sure, 9.8 per cent said they felt indifferent whether or not they got the vaccine, and 11.7 per cent said they did not want to be vaccinated.

The reasons for getting vaccinated among the respondents were: To prevent infection (45.9 per cent), to prevent severe symptoms after infection (26.5 per cent), to reduce chances of death due to underlying health problems (8.2), to resume their normal lifestyle (4.5 per cent) and to travel overseas (2.3 per cent).

Published : May 17, 2021

By : THE NATION

#SootinClaimon.Com : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation.

https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40000965

Corrections dept rejects Panusaya’s claim, says none of her ex-cellmates infected

The Department of Corrections announced on Sunday that no cellmates of anti-establishment leader Panusaya “Rung” Sithijirawattanakul have tested positive for Covid-19.

This announcement was in response to Panusaya’s Facebook post, in which she said she had picked up the infection at the Central Women’s Correctional Institution before she was released on May 6. She also added that her parents had contracted the virus from her.

“We have tested more than 1,500 inmates in the zone Panusaya was being held, and they have all tested negative,” the department said.

It added that Panusaya arrived at the prison on March 8 and had been quarantined until April 26. She was also tested for Covid-19 twice using the swab method, once on March 10 and then again on April 23. Both times the result was negative. After completing her quarantine on April 26, she was shifted to the remand zone until her release on May 6.

“The remand zone houses some 1,500 inmates, including Panusaya and her four cellmates,” the department said. “We conducted tests on May 8 and nobody tested positive.”

The department added that convicts are held in another zone of the Central Women’s Correctional Institution.

“There are 2,900 inmates in this zone, and 1,039 of them were found infected as reported earlier,” it said. “All of the infected have been transferred to hospitals for treatment.”

Published : May 17, 2021

By : THE NATION

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https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40000962

NHSO earmarks THB100 million for those suffering from Covid-19 vaccine reactions

People who have allergic reactions after receiving Covid-19 vaccine will be compensated by the National Health Security Office (NHSO), the office’s secretary-general, Dr Jadet Thammathat-Aree, said on Sunday.

“The NHSO has set aside a budget of THB100.32 million to compensate vaccine recipients in case of allergic reactions. Everyone can claim this compensation irrespective of whether they are insured under social security, hold a state welfare card, are a civil servant or a health professional,” he said.

“This compensation is effective retroactively from April 5.”

The criteria for compensation are as follow:

▪︎ Maximum THB400,000 in case of death or total disability

▪︎ Maximum THB240,000 in case of losing an organ or disability

▪︎ Maximum THB100,000 in case of continuous injury or sickness.

“Affected people can file a case at public hospitals, provincial public health offices or NHSO branch offices nationwide. Each case will take up to five days for consideration,” he added.

Jadet added that so far 267 people had filed cases to claim compensation in two provinces — Chiang Mai and Ubon Ratchathani — while other provinces have yet to submit their total tally.

“In Chiang Mai alone, 91,551 doses of vaccine have been given while only 218 persons have allergic reaction, or 0.24 per cent, of which 0.05 per cent are severe cases with no death,” he said. “The most common reactions reported are low fever and muscle ache, while the most common severe reactions are high fever and numbness.”

Published : May 17, 2021

By : THE NATION