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https://www.nationthailand.com/thailand/general/40022557

‘Get booster now!’: Cold season triggers Covid surge in Thailand

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 29, 2022

Public Health Ministry has urged people to get a Covid-19 vaccine booster after a surge in the infection rate as the cold season starts.

The number of new confirmed cases soared to 4,914 last week, or 702 per day on average, ministry director-general Dr Opas Karnkawinpong said on Monday.

That figure is thought to be a small fraction of the true infection rate.

Patients severely ill with Covid currently number 553. Of these, 319 are on ventilators. Last week also saw an average 10 Covid-related deaths per day or 74 in total.

Infection rates were particularly high in Greater Bangkok and tourist provinces in the East and South.

The rate of infection is expected to rise in December and January, driven by dropping temperatures and gatherings during the festive period.

Opas said recent Covid-19 deaths came from first-time infections in mostly elderly or chronically ill people. Most victims were either unvaccinated, not fully vaccinated, or had not had a shot for more than three months.

Noting that protection after vaccination wanes over time, he urged people to get regular booster shots.

“Those who have not been vaccinated, please get a vaccine shot quickly. Those who got their last dose more than four months ago, please get another booster dose.

“Studies show that a booster or fourth dose reduces the severity and fatality of Covid-19. It will also strengthen your immunity for New Year festivities,” Opas said.

The ministry has ordered public hospitals in every province to open Covid vaccination centres and is coordinating to increase vaccination spots in Bangkok and tourism provinces, he added. Mobile vaccine services were being rolled out for elderly and bedridden people.

Opas said prevention measures – especially wearing face masks in public– were still important even after being vaccinated.

He also advised those aged 60-plus or with eight underlying health conditions to avoid eating with others or going unmasked in public if they have not been vaccinated in the last six months.

Anyone exposed to Covid hotspots in at-risk places or crowds should isolate from family members for five days and visit a hospital immediately if infected, he said.

Opas said Thailand had enough medicine, medical supplies and beds to treat moderate to severely ill Covid-19 patients.

Related stories

• Ministry downplays Covid spike as virologist issues mask warning
• Domestic tourism flying high, expected to surpass pre-Covid level
• Covid infections surge in Thailand, 3,957 more patients hospitalised last week: DDC

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https://www.nationthailand.com/thailand/general/40022556

Nature’s gift: Phichit farmer taps resin trees for fuel

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 29, 2022

A farmer in Phichit has come up with a novel way of reducing fuel costs – tapping resin trees.

Monrat Wiwitthanakorn, the owner of a perennial tree plantation in Phichit’s Pho Thale district, said on Tuesday that a 10 to 15-year-old resin tree can produce oil that can be mixed with diesel in a 50:50 ratio and serve as perfectly good fuel.

“I have used this mixed oil in farm machines and found no problem. In fact, some machines also work with 100% oil from resin trees,” he said. “It is truly a gift from nature.”

Monrat said to extract the resin, or Yang Na in Thai, one needs to drill a 10 to 20-centimetre-deep hole at the tree’s base about 30cm from the ground.

Then, a rubber hose is tightly fitted to the hole and attached to a receptor. It takes about two days to collect enough oil, he said, adding that the output varies from tree to tree.

Monrat said he has been urging fellow farmers to plant resin trees on unused land as they are environmentally friendly and produce by-products that can help reduce farming costs.

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Phichit gardener showcases THB500,000 desert rose

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Fertiliser costs expected to more than double for Thai farmers

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https://www.nationthailand.com/thailand/general/40022552

Airbus ‘interested’ in building maintenance-repair centres at 3 Thai airports

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 29, 2022

Nakhon Ratchasima, Surat Thani and Phitsanulok airports will be upgraded with Maintenance, Repair and Operations (MRO) centres for aircraft under a public-private partnership project, Transport Minister Saksayam Chidchob said on Monday.

Saksayam said he has ordered the Department of Airports (DoA), which operates the three northern airports, to conduct feasibility studies for the MRO centres. The project aims to boost revenue from provincial airports and establish Thailand as a regional aircraft-maintenance hub.

The pilot MRO centres in three provinces will be financed by the ministry’s fiscal 2023 budget plus investment from private partners. European aerospace giant Airbus is among several investors, both foreign and Thai, who have expressed interest Saksayam said.

“In 2024, we will start feasibility studies for more MRO centres at Mukdahan, Bueng Kan and Satun airports,” he said. “The new MRO centres will meet high demand for aircraft repair and maintenance services, providing continuous revenue for the Department of Airports,” he said.

Meanwhile, the Treasury Department is evaluating the assets of three other provincial airports – Udon Thani, Buri Ram and Krabi – before their transfer from the DoA to Airports of Thailand (AOT). All three have been earmarked for a 9-billion-baht upgrade under the AOT to meet passenger demands.

Saksayam expects to propose this project for Cabinet approval in the first quarter of 2023.

“Transferring the three airports to AOT will improve the efficiency in airport management and maximise revenue, which will result in a bigger profit share for DoA,” he said.

Related Stories

AOT to start managing Udon Thani, Buri Ram, Krabi airports from 2023

AOT’s losses drop this year as Thailand reopens to tourists

AOT shelves Phang Nga airport viability study for now

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https://www.nationthailand.com/thailand/general/40022550

Free parking at Suvarnabhumi Airport from Friday for Father’s Day weekend

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 29, 2022

Suvarnabhumi Airport will allow free parking in Zone C from December 2-6 to boost tourism during the three-day weekend for National Father’s Day.

December 5 is Father’s Day and the birth anniversary of the late King Bhumibol Adulyadej the Great (Rama IX).

Suvarnabhumi operator Airports of Thailand (AOT) said it is waiving parking fees in Zone C, which has long-term parking for 718 vehicles, to reduce costs for travellers and promote tourism during the holiday.

The airport will also provide a free shuttle bus service from the parking lot to the passenger terminals at Gates 3 and 8 on Level 1. The bus leaves every 15 minutes and is available 24 hours a day over Father’s Day weekend

AOT expects high passenger volume during the long weekend, which coincides with the start of the tourism high season. It urged passengers to arrive at the airport at least three hours before departure time for international flights and at least two hours for domestic flights.

For more information, contact the call centre 1722 or (02) 132 9511.

Related Stories

Suvarnabhumi to introduce faster, more efficient check-ins from Sept 1

Minister threatens to replace THAI baggage handler after Suvarnabhumi delays

Suvarnabhumi Airport allows free parking during long Apec weekend

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https://www.nationthailand.com/thailand/general/40022540

‘Youth themselves country’s soft power’

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 29, 2022

Chanapat Komlongharn

Soft power does not only belong to entertainment. Even though soft power seems to be a technical term, it is the issue that younger nations should be involved in, said Erica Maesincee, who has co-founded Youth In Charge.

Youth In Charge, operated by IN THE LEAD & Co, is a youth empowerment platform, recently organized “Youth In charge day: Youth power drives soft power” at Thai PBS’s head office in Bangkok.

The empowerment platform stressed this event’s campaign theme – “Small steps make great success.”

The event staged a forum on “How young generations can drive soft power”, with 5 invited speakers including Chakrit Pichyangkul, executive director of Creative Economy Agency,  Somyosk Kiataramkul, Organization Manager of Thai Public (TPBS) Broadcasting Service,  Wiparat De-ong, director of National Research Council of Thailand (NRCT), Narong Prangcharoen, Mahidol University’s dean of a College of Music, and Erica Maesincee.

“Younger generations these days are seen as the soft power of the nation,” said Erica.

She also said that “Children are not just the future, yet they are the present as well. We do not need to wait until they graduate or reach the age of 22 to drive the country forward. No matter what fields they are in, they can bring about a positive impact to the nation.”

Wipada added at present, a lot of Thai young generations have participated in several international competitions. As illustrated, of the almost 200 innovators joining Invention International Fair in Seoul this month, 20 percent were still in their secondary or primary grades. 

According to Narong, soft power is neither music nor food, yet it is a citizen in the country.

“Soft power is not just limited to creativity or art. It also recognizes, for example, education and governance. It is apparent that soft power is the people in the country not a musician or whatever” stated Narong.

To support Narong’s statement, Chakrit said that “by definition, soft power is neither limited to creativity nor tradition. Thailand is ranked sixth in Asean and 35 in Asia which is behind Singapore, which does not have any long history of cultural assets, in the Soft Power Index because its criteria encompass other factors namely familiarity, reputation, and influencing power of soft power. 

“Cultural heritage plays only a part of soft power, not all. Besides that, “Thainess” is not limited to only cultural assets we do not need to add Thainess in every soft power product we have. For instance, the renowned Thai movie “Bad Genius” did not contain much Thainess, yet it was rewarded at the international level” added Chakrit. 

Also, Narong and Chakrit were on the same page that to enhance and empower Thai soft power is to focus on people development especially in youth. It required the supports from organizations both in the hands of government and private sectors notably from schools and educational institutes. 

Youth in Charge started “Youth in Charge Academy” last year to create leadership amidst young generations, and “Youth power drives soft power” campaign is its second season.

Around 120-150 participants were attending this event, in which most of them were teenagers.

Youth in charge had joined hands with several partnerships such as Siam Cement Group (SCG), Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), and PTT Public Company Limited. 

Chanapat Komlongharn

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https://www.nationthailand.com/thailand/general/40022539

Thai exports in October see first contraction in 20 months

MONDAY, NOVEMBER 28, 2022

Thailand’s exports last month fell for the first time since January this year by 4.4% compared to the previous month following a decline in export of agricultural, agro-industrial, and industrial goods.

Minister of Commerce and Deputy Prime Minister of Thailand Jurin Laksanawisit revealed that Thailand’s exports in October were valued at US$21.7 billion (801.27 billion baht). It marked the first decline in export value in nine months since January 2022 and the first in 20 months since the beginning of 2021.

In October, agricultural, agro-industrial, and industrial products fell by 4.3%, 2.3%, and 3.5% respectively.

Also, the country’s imports registered a decrease of 2.1%, to $22.368 billion, which led to the trade deficit declining to $596.4 million.

Overall, from January to October, Thailand saw a 9.1% rise in export, accounting for $243.13 billion. The nation’s imports also increased year on year by $258.7 billion, up 18.3%, widening the trade deficit to $15.5 billion.

The drop in imports is reportedly caused by unfavourable prices. Imports of luxury goods fell, but the market was still favourable for capital goods.

The depreciation of the baht, the reopening of countries after Covid, and new markets for Thailand such as Saudi Arabia are among factors boosting exports.

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https://www.nationthailand.com/thailand/general/40022532

People of different faiths rally in Narathiwat against violence, seek peace

MONDAY, NOVEMBER 28, 2022

About 500 local residents demonstrated in the heart of the southern border province of Narathiwat on Monday morning to denounce violence and called for peace a week after a car bomb attack killed a policeman and injured many others.

The demonstration was held inside the compound of the police residential buildings where a car bomb attack on November 22 caused a fire to the building apart from one death and many injuries.

The demonstration was joined by local Islamic leaders, school pupils, university students and local youths of all faiths.

The Islamic leaders led the demonstrators to pray inside the compound for the return of peace to Narathiwat.

Thida Wannalak, chairwoman of the Federation of Buddhist Thais in Narathiwat, said that people of all faiths came together to join the rally against violence and to seek the return of peace to the southern border province.

Thida led the demonstrators to shout their demand for peace at the rally site.

The demonstrators held banners that read “Narathiwat people do not use violence”, “Please stop hurting Narathiwat”, and “We, Narathiwat people, do not want any kind of violence”.

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https://www.nationthailand.com/thailand/general/40022531

SAT, NBTC taken to court over exclusive World Cup broadcast rights to True

MONDAY, NOVEMBER 28, 2022

A public representative on Monday sued the Sports Authority of Thailand (SAT) and National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC) for ceding control of the country’s World Cup broadcasting rights to telecom firm True Corp.

Kuntida Keadkhankaw, a lawyer at Stato Public Law Firm, said at the Central Administrative Court in Bangkok’s Lak Si district that she has been authorised to represent Noppadol Wongwihok, a public representative, to file the lawsuit against the SAT and the NBTC.

She said the SAT became the World Cup broadcast licence-holder after purchasing broadcasting rights costing 1.4 billion baht from Fifa.

Of the total amount, 600 million baht came from NBTC’s Broadcasting and Telecommunications Research and Development Fund for Public Interest to ensure that all people could watch the World Cup matches free.

“However, the SAT made a contract to hand control over the country’s World Cup broadcasting rights to True via its platforms, such as IPTV, internet and mobile transmissions,” she said.

“Meanwhile, there is a block on World Cup broadcasts on other telecommunication companies’ platforms.”

She said these actions were proof that the SAT and the NBTC had been negligent in performing their duty to ensure that all people could watch the World Cup matches for free.

Kuntida pointed out that more than 1 million people have set top boxes of other telecommunication companies and are unable to watch the World Cup matches.

She added that the legal team has already prepared evidence and is ready to clarify the issues at anytime in order to maintain fairness for all people.

Earlier, the Intellectual Property and International Trade Court on Friday evening ordered Super Broadband Network Ltd (SBN), operator of AIS Playbox, to halt its broadcast of the quadrennial football tournament.

The court order came after True appealed to the court for an injunction to protect the company’s exclusive rights to broadcast half of the 64 World Cup matches.

Related stories:

• Chula expert slams deal to hand Thailand’s World Cup rights to True
• World Cup broadcast war escalates as AIS ordered to halt screenings
• NBTC tells True to return exclusive broadcast rights for 16 World Cup matches

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https://www.nationthailand.com/thailand/general/40022527

Bangkok explodes in a rainbow of colours for its 2nd pride parade

MONDAY, NOVEMBER 28, 2022

The LGBTQI community came together in all its splendour in Bangkok to participate in Thailand’s second pride parade on Sunday.

The first parade was held in June this year, which was also named pride month.

This parade, dubbed Thailand Pride Festival 2022, was organised by the APCOM Foundation, which has been working on equal rights and fighting the social stigma and discrimination levelled against the LGBTQI (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersexual).

The festival, which saw brightly costumed participants parade their diversity from the Silom-Narathiwat intersection to Chamchuri Square, also attracted many Bangkokians, foreigners, political party representatives and gender diversity activists.

The parade ended at Chamchuri Square, where a fair had been organised featuring art and cultural exhibitions, recreational activities, merchandise, performances and discussions.

Chanan Yodhong, who oversees opposition leader Pheu Thai Party’s gender diversity policy, said the labour market and manufacturing sector need to make adjustments to provide equal opportunities to people of all genders.

“Pheu Thai Party is promoting two issues to maintain equality: law amendments and expansion of the universal healthcare scheme,” he said.

Related stories:

• LGBTQ+ protesters gather in Khon Kaen to demand equal marriage rights
• Thai govt bank launches housing loans for LGBTQ+ couples
• Thirty-One Patriot Front members arrested near Idaho pride event

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https://www.nationthailand.com/thailand/general/40022526

Ubon beauty Arisara crowned this year’s ‘Original’ Miss Tiffany

MONDAY, NOVEMBER 28, 2022

Ubon Ratchathani’s Arisara “Kwang” Kankla was crowned this year’s “Miss Tiffany: The Original” at a gala celebration on Sunday.

The extravaganza was held at Tiffany Show Pattaya in Chonburi and also saw the transgender beauty winning in the “Best of Tiffany’s Fashion Shoot” and “Miss Photogenic” categories.

Apart from the million-baht crown designed by God Diamonds, Arisara also won an MG ZS Limited Edition car, 300,000 baht in cash and a gift voucher from Pratunam Polyclinic among other goodies.

Though the 21-year-old is a trained nursing assistant, she also enjoys traditional and contemporary dance and co-owns a cosmetic surgery business. She also spends her free time working as a volunteer at M Plus Foundation to boost awareness of preventing Aids.

The two runners-up were Napichaya “Namfah” Pimpru and Nattaphat “Earth” Waichana.

Related stories:

• Filipina wins transgender pageant in Thailand
• ‘Not here for decoration’: Thai transgender MPs make history in parliament
• Suan Dusit student crowned Miss Tiffany 2018 in Pattaya