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https://www.nationthailand.com/news/30404925

Field hospitals needed to help accommodate rising Covid cases: dept

NationalApr 15. 2021

By THE NATION

Field hospitals are necessary to deal with new Covid-19 patients, especially since the number of cases in Thailand is rising daily.The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration has set up field hospitals at the Bang Khun Thian Geriatric Hospital, Rachaphiphat Hospital, 84th Anniversary Stadium and Bangkok Arena.Field hospitals have also been set up in five provinces, including Chiang Mai, where new Covid-19 cases are on the rise.The Department of Health Service Support said all field hospitals are safe, and waste-water management and ventilation were considered when the venues were chosen.

The department said the only asymptomatic patients or those with mild symptoms will be admitted to field hospitals, adding that these facilities were set up to tackle the lack of beds in hospitals.

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https://www.nationthailand.com/news/30404924

Chiang Mai hospital chief rallies exhausted troops for ‘biggest fight of their lives’

NationalApr 15. 2021

By The Nation

As images of Thailand’s exhausted front-line medical workers go viral, one hospital director has apologised to his troops but asked them to launch the biggest fight of their lives against Covid-19.

Thailand’s third wave of infections is rolling fast across the country, and healthcare workers in some areas of the country are buckling under a surge in the number of patients.

One facility on the battle’s front line is Sansai Hospital in Chiang Mai, where new Covid cases are rising in the hundreds each day.

Woravut Kowatcharakul, director of Sansai Hospital, has posted photos on Facebook of his staff working desperately to halt the spread of infections over the Songkran holiday.

Woravut said that many had sacrificed plane tickets and family to wear PPE suits and sterilise field hospitals while being criticised on social media for “slow service”.

However, with patients to look after in field hospitals, his staff had to rise up to protect them until the virus war ends, he said.

Woravut also apologised for dragging them into work during the Songkran holiday to face “the biggest challenge of their lives”.

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https://www.nationthailand.com/news/30404923

Tree lands on six elephants in Chiang Mai camp, three killed almost immediately

NationalApr 15. 2021

By THE NATION

A severe thunderstorm in Chiang Mai’s Mae Wang district on Wednesday evening knocked down an ironwood tree hitting six elephants, three of whom died from the impact.

The incident took place at the Mae Wang Elephant Camp. Of the three injured, two are in severe condition and have been moved to the hospital at Lampang Thai Elephant Conservation Centre.

Meanwhile, two died immediately upon impact and the third elephant, “Joke”, passed away a few hours later.

The Thai Elephant Alliance Association said veterinarians from different organisations were at the camp to tend to the elephants.

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https://www.nationthailand.com/news/30404921

Banks at high-risk areas to be closed temporarily: Thai Bankers Association

NationalApr 15. 2021

By The Nation

To maintain continuous banking services as well as reduce the risk of spreading Covid-19, the Thai Bankers Association has released the following guidelines:

• Bank branches at high-risk areas will be closed temporarily, though customers can still use ATMs as well electronic and online channels. Information on closed branches will be available on the bank’s website.

• The closing time of bank branches nationwide will be adjusted from Friday onwards:

o Branches in department stores or those that are opened for service every day must close by 5pm.

o Other branches to close no later than 3.30pm.

• Fewer service counters will be available, and customers will be required to maintain a reasonable distance.

• In case of infection among staff members or customers, the bank must close immediately for sterilisation. Those who have come in contact with the infected must immediately under tests and self-isolate. Those who test negative can return to work.

The association said these measures are being put in place temporarily for the safety of employees and to curb the spread of the virus, adding that services will return to normal as soon as the Covid-19 situation is resolved.

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https://www.nationthailand.com/news/30404920

1,543 new cases logged in, 409 in Bangkok

NationalApr 15. 2021

By THE NATION

The Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration (CCSA) on Thursday reported 1,543 new cases, with only three from overseas.

The new confirmed cases were found in 62 provinces, with the highest number in Bangkok at 409, followed by 278 in Chiang Mai and 98 each in Chonburi and Prachuap Khiri Khan.

Over the past 24 hours, 61 patients had recovered and were discharged.

As of Thursday, the number of confirmed cases in Thailand had risen to 37,453. Of them, 34,229 were contracted locally, including 19,095 who were found via proactive testing, while 3,224 were returnees. So far, 28,383 have recovered and been discharged, 8,973 patients are still in hospitals, and 97 have died.

According to Worldometer, as of 11am on Thursday, the number of confirmed cases globally had risen to 138.85 million (up by 803,194) – 111.83 million have recovered, 24.23 million are active cases (106,506 in severe condition) and 2.98 million have died (up by 13,513).

Thailand ranks 111th on the global list of most cases, which is topped by the US with 32.14 million, followed by India 14.07 million, Brazil 13.67 million, France 5.14 million and Russia 4.66 million.

Meanwhile, in the last 24 hours, 1,618 people were given their first shot of the Covid-19 vaccine and 388 their second shot, bringing the total number of Covid vaccines administered in Thailand to 581,311.

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https://www.nationthailand.com/news/30404919

37 killed, 328 hurt in road accidents on Wednesday

NationalApr 15. 2021

By THE NATION

Thirty-seven people died and 328 were injured in 330 road accidents on Wednesday, the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation announced on Thursday.During five days of Songkran – from April 10 to 14 – 192 people lost their lives and 1,818 were injured in 1,795 road accidents.Fifteen provinces were reportedly accident-free on Wednesday.

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https://www.nationthailand.com/news/30404911

Top tourist destinations temporarily closed to visitors

NationalApr 15. 2021

By THE NATION

People have been travelling in droves from main cities, especially Bangkok, to their hometowns or to famous attractions during the Songkran holidays. However, many tourist sites have shut their doors amid a dreaded third Covid-19 wave that has seen the number of infections soar.

Here is a list of closed attractions:

Chiang Mai

1. Huai Nam Dang National Park, from April 10 to 20
2. Doi Inthanon National Park, April 10-16
3. Op Luang National Park, April 11-16
4. Doi Suthep National Park, April 13-18
5. Ob Khan National Park, April 12-18
6. Mae Takhrai National Park, April 12-18
7. Doi Pha Hom Pok National Park, April 13-18
8. Mae Tho National Park, April 12-18
9. Si Lanna National Park, from April 12
10. Mae Ping National Park, April 12-18
11. Khun Khan National Park, April 13-18
12. Doi Wiang Pha National Park, April 13-18
13. Bhubing Palace, from April 13

Mae Hong Son

14. Tham Lod Eco-village, from April 12
15. Long Neck Village, April 12

Chiang Rai

16. Pha Kong Cave, from April 10

Phrae

17. Mae Pan Village, from April 12

Nan

18. Walking Street, from April 10
19. Wat Phumin Temple, from April 14
20. Wat Nong Bua, from April 10

Phitsanulok

21. Chat Trakan Waterfall National Park, from April 12
22. Phu Hin Rong Kla National Park, April 12-30
23. Chan Royal Palace Historical Centre, from April 12
24. The Wat Phra Sri Mahathat Woramahawihan Temple chapel, from April 12

Tak

25. Doi Thule Mountain

Uthai Thani

26. Wat Sanggat Rattana Khiri Temple
27. Wat Thasung
28. Walking Street
29. Hup Pa Tat
30. Kao Pla Ra Mountain
31. Khao Phraya Pai Ruea Cave
32. Thap Salao Dam Park
33. Huai Kha Khaeng Wildlife Sanctuary
34. Pha Rom Yen Waterfall
35. Wat Tham Khao Wong Temple
36. Farmers’ Market Baanrai
37. Giant Tree
38. Wai Waterfall
39. Samorthong Warm Springs
40. Huai Khun Kaeo Dam
41. Wat Pha Thang Temple

Lamphang

42. Chae Son National Park, from April 14
43. Wat Phra That Lampang Luang, from April 13

Nakhon Sawan

44. Kaeng Lan Nok Yoong, from April 12
45. Kaeng Ko Yai, from April 12
46. Chansen Museum, from April 12
47. Bueng Boraphet, from April 11

Uttaradit

48. Phu Soi Dao National Park, from April 13
49. Khao Kho National Park, from April 12

Phetchaburi

50. Chang Hua Man Royal Project
51. Mrigadayavan Palace
52. Laem Phak Bia Royal Project
53. Phetchaburi Aquacultic Demonstration Farm
54. Phra Ram Ratchaniwet

Kanchanaburi

55. Chong KhaoKhat Museum, from April 9
56. Hin Dat Hot Spring, from April 5

Suphan Buri

57. Phu Toei National Park, April 1-30

Lopburi

58. Somdet Phra Narai National Museum, closed for the Sonkran holidays

Rayong

59. Wang Chan Forest Learning Center, from April 7

Chanthaburi

60. Kung Krabaen Bay Royal Development Study Centre, from April 11

Prachin Buri

61. National Museum, closed during Songkran holidays Nakhon Ratchasima
62. Thap Lan National Park

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https://www.nationthailand.com/news/30404909

Bangkok Airways temporarily closes ticketing offices in capital, Chiang Mai, Phuket

NationalApr 15. 2021

By THE NATION

Bangkok Airways will close its ticketing offices in Bangkok, Chiang Mai and Phuket from April 16-25 “due to the current Covid-19 crisis and the fact that the situation is expected to intensify”, the airline announced in a press release on Thursday morning.

Its office-based employees will be allowed to work from home for the time being, but its front-line employees dealing with ground passenger services and in-flight passenger services, its aircraft maintenance engineers as well as those tasked with running its operating systems will “strictly follow” the company’s precautionary and prevention protocols.

“These employees will be required to wear surgical face masks, gloves and face shields and are requested to wash their hands frequently as well as limit their travel to high risk areas,” the press statement said.

“The airline is committed to prioritising the health and safety of our passengers and staff. The company will continue to strictly follow precautionary measures against Covid-19 as required by the Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand,” the firm added.

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https://www.nationthailand.com/news/30404907

Karen national arrested over elephant carcass in Phetchaburi

NationalApr 15. 2021

By THE NATION

A 26-year-old Karen man was arrested on April 13 by national park rangers in Petchaburi’s Huay Khom Krit forest, which is a part of the huge Kaeng Krachan National Park, for allegedly killing an elephant in a protected area.

“The suspect is called Sudi [last name withheld] of Karen nationality,” Phichai Watcharaphongphaiboon, director of Protected Areas Regional Office 3, said on Thursday. “He also possessed a .22 custom-made rifle, 66 bullets and the carcass of boa constrictor, which was already smoked as food.”

Phichai said the rangers tracked down the suspect after they found an elephant carcass in the forest’s Tana Creek and speculated that it was killed by a group of hunters. The carcass was sent to Kaeng Krachan police station on April 14 for an autopsy to determine the exact cause of death.

“Sudi reportedly confessed that he and two of his countrymen, Jilly and Blaeto [last names withheld] had been hunting animals in the forest, but the two escaped before the rangers showed up,” Phichai said. “Officials are canvassing the area to track down the two suspects.”

Kaeng Krachan is the largest national park in Thailand with nearly 3,000 sq km of forest area spanning Phetchaburi and Prachuap Khiri Khan provinces. It lies on the border with Myanmar.

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https://www.nationthailand.com/news/30404900

Chiang Mai to open 2nd field hospital as infections jump

NationalApr 15. 2021

By THE NATION

Chiang Mai is set to open a new field hospital at Maejo University in San Sai district after the province reported 270 new Covid-19 cases on Thursday, driving up the accumulated cases there to 1,461 patients since the new wave began in late March.

“The field hospital at Chiang Mai International Exhibition and Convention Centre is currently treating about 1,200 patients, while it has a capacity of 1,500 beds,” field hospital director Dr Amphon Iamsri said.

“We are planning to add 500 beds to this hospital, and open a second field hospital at Maejo University with a capacity of 400 beds on Friday [April 15].”

Maejo University rector Assoc Prof Dr Weerapon Thongma said the patients to be treated at the university field hospital must be screened first at the convention centre hospital as the campus can accommodate only patients with non-severe symptoms.

“We have also built additional restrooms on the campus for patients and public health staff,” he added.

Meanwhile, San Sai district chief Siwa Thamikanon said the local administrative organisations under his jurisdiction have agreed to dispatch 20 health volunteers each day to work at Maejo University to ensure the second field hospital operates smoothly.