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https://www.nationthailand.com/news/30403896

Miss Grand International contestants dazzle in Bangkok’s Covid gloom

NationalMar 19. 2021

By THE NATION

Miss Grand International contestants from around the globe visited Bangkok’s famed Wat Phra Kaew (Temple of the Emerald Buddha) on Thursday, after completing 14 days in quarantine.

The contestants paid their respects to the temple and its iconic Buddha image before moving on to the Grand Palace nearby. The Palace features a mix of eastern and western art – appropriate surroundings for the world’s most beautiful women.

On March 4, the organisers announced that two contestants – from Nigeria and Kenya –had tested positive for Covid-19.

The two were admitted to Piyavej Hospital in Bangkok for further treatment. The remaining contestants all tested negative, organisers added.

A total of 61 contestants will vie for the crown in the final of Miss Grand International 2020 on March 27, at Show DC Hall in Bangkok. The pageant was postponed last year due to Covid-19 restrictions.

The current holder of the crown is Miss Grand International 2019 winner, Valentina Figuera from Venezuela.

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https://www.nationthailand.com/news/30403894

One fatality, 100 new cases reported, half of them in Samut Sakhon

NationalMar 19. 2021

By The Nation

The Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration (CCSA) on Friday reported 100 new cases, four of them overseas travellers in quarantine facilities, and one death.

Of the 55 people exposed to the disease while visiting high-risk areas, 29 were in Samut Sakhon, 8 each in Bangkok and Phetchaburi, 4 in Samut Prakan, two each in Pathum Thani and Narathiwat, and one each in Suphanburi and Mukdahan provinces.

Also read:

Ban on splashing of water, powder or foam parties for Songkran

State of emergency extended until the end of May

Meanwhile, proactive testing led to the discovery of 41 cases — 18 in Samut Sakhon, 14 in Bangkok, three in Pathum Thani, two each in Phetchaburi and Ayutthaya, and one each in Nakhon Pathom and Nonthaburi provinces.

Of the overseas travellers found to be infected in quarantine facilities, two Thais had returned from Japan and the United Arab Emirates, while a Dutch man and a French student had arrived from their respective countries.

73 patients have recovered and been discharged.

Meanwhile, a 53-year-old woman who had diabetes, myocardial infarction and pneumonia in Samut Sakhon became the 90th fatality since the outbreak. She developed cough, had breathing difficulties and lost her sense of smell and taste on January 29. The patient was taken to a private hospital on February 2 with Covid-19 disease detected before transfer to a hospital in Bangkok the next day. She died on March 17 after a blood infection was detected in the previous week.

As of Friday, the number of confirmed cases in Thailand had risen to 27,594. Of these, 24,633 had been contracted locally, including 15,365 who were found via proactive testing, while 2,961 were returnees. So far, 26,450 have recovered and been discharged, 1,054 patients are still in hospitals, and the death toll has increased to 90.

According to Worldometer, as of 10am on Friday, the number of confirmed cases globally had risen to 122.37 million (up by 546,090), 98.66 million have recovered, 21 million are active cases (89,162 in severe condition) and 2.7 million have died (up by 10,473).

Thailand ranks 115th on the global list of most cases, which is topped by the US with 30.36 million, followed by Brazil 11.78 million, India 11.51 million, Russia 4.43 million and the United Kingdom 4.28 million.

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https://www.nationthailand.com/news/30403893

Ban on splashing of water, powder or foam parties for Songkran

NationalMar 19. 2021

By The Nation

The Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration (CCSA) on Friday said that no water-splashing activities or wet parties would be allowed during the Songkran festival next month to avoid Covid-19 transmission.

CCSA spokesperson Dr Taweesin Visanuyothin revealed that the CCSA had prohibited water splashing, concerts or any activities involving close contact between people, such as use of powder paste and foam parties.

However, traditional activities such as religious practices or ceremonies to show respect to the elderly can continue as usual. Inter-provincial travel can continue as normal with proper health practices.

Also read: One fatality, 100 new cases reported, half of them in Samut Sakhon

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https://www.nationthailand.com/news/30403892

State of emergency extended until the end of May

NationalMar 19. 2021

By The Nation

The Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration on Friday extended the emergency decree nationwide for two months, until May 31, in a bid to curb infections.

It is the 11th consecutive extension of the state of emergency since the pandemic.

Recently, Bangkok found a new hotspot in Bang Khae district from proactive testing, with more than 300 cases found by far.

Also read: One fatality, 100 new cases reported, half of them in Samut Sakhon

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https://www.nationthailand.com/news/30403891

Bangkok vocational students giving back to society

NationalMar 19. 2021

By The Nation

Nowadays, many educational institutions are adding social-contribution activities to their courses to create awareness among students about giving back to society.https://www.youtube.com/embed/xpNei0Me-QU?rel=0

Don Muang Technical College in Bangkok is one of them.

Many vocational colleges have a reputation for ill-discipline and violence. But the Don Muang College students are helping change that image with yearly community activities. Recently, they removed graffiti in a neighbourhood near their school, impressing passers-by with their eagerness to do good things for society.

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https://www.nationthailand.com/news/30403890

Samut Sakhon governor goes home after long and successful battle against Covid-19

NationalMar 19. 2021

By THE NATION

Samut Sakhon Governor Verasak Vichitsangsri was discharged from Siriraj Hospital in Bangkok on Friday morning after undergoing treatment since December 28 following a Covid-19 infection.

Veerasak, 58, tested positive for Covid-19 in December and was hospitalised until Friday, while his province has become the country’s hotspot in the second Covid-19 wave, with a total of 16,995 positive cases reported so far.

Dr Prasit Watanapa, dean of the Faculty of Medicine at Siriraj Hospital, told a press conference on Friday that Verasak had recovered and could resume his daily activities as normal.

Prasit added that during the treatment Verasak had been on a respirator two times, for 17 and 42 consecutive days respectively, the longest in hospital’s statistics.

“I would like to thank the doctors, nurses, and everyone for showing their support during my treatment, especially the people of Samut Sakhon, Phichit and Ang Thong provinces,” said Verasak.

“To be honest, I’m surprised that I finally made it after being unconscious for over 40 days.”

Provincial deputy governor Theerapat Katchamat said that there would be restrictions on people meeting with the governor after his discharge so as to maintain social distancing and prevent the risk of re-infection.

Verasak is scheduled to return to his birthplace in Ang Thong to undergo physical therapy for around a month before he can return to work.

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https://www.nationthailand.com/news/30403889

Thailand Post trials EV bikes in Bangkok for environmentally friendly delivery

NationalMar 19. 2021Thailand Post’s first EV bike — Benly-E (red) and PCX Electric (white).

By The Nation

Thailand Post Co is moving towards energy conservation and environmental sustainability by switching to electric motorcycles for the delivery.

Thailand Post has joined hands with AP Honda Co for the pilot project.

There are two models being trialled — the PCX Electric and Benly-E.

According to Thailand Post, the two models can be used for a maximum distance of 41 kilometres and 43 kilometres, respectively, per electric charge. This will help cut pollution, dust or small particles in the air and also reduce noise pollution.

Initially, Thailand Post piloted both models of motorcycles for delivery to service users living in the community under Samsen Nai Post Office in Bangkok.

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https://www.nationthailand.com/news/30403887

Funds flows into stock market, Thai treasury yield to determine baht direction

NationalMar 19. 2021

By THE NATION

The baht opened at 30.89 to the US dollar on Friday, weakening from 30.82 at close on Thursday.

The Thai currency is likely to move between 30.85 and 31.00, Krungthai Bank market strategist Poon Panichpibool said.

He predicted on Friday morning that the baht would tend to fluctuate in line with the dollar’s movement.

He suggested that investors monitor funds flows of foreign investors in the short term, especially in stocks, which can fluctuate, as crude oil price has decreased sharply, affecting energy stocks.

Moreover, if Thailand’s Ten-Year Treasury yield increased sharply, some foreign investors would sell the bonds, the market strategist added, explaining that this situation would weaken the baht.

He added that the baht would not weaken below 30.90 to the US dollar.

The Bank of Thailand will probably help deal with the baht’s fluctuation, which would be reflected in a decrease in foreign exchange reserves.

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https://www.nationthailand.com/news/30403882

Low-income civil servants to get cash handouts under new scheme

NationalMar 19. 2021Finance Minister Arkhom Termpittayapaisith (File Photo)

By THE NATION

A new cash handout scheme is being prepared for 1 million low-income civil servants, Finance Minister Arkhom Termpittayapaisith said on Thursday.

“The Rao Phuk Phan [We Bond Together] campaign will be similar to the Rao Chana [We Win] cash handout scheme that offered Bt7,000 to self-employed people, but this time we aim to help civil servants with low income who have not received any aid from the government,” he said.

“The details of the campaign, such as qualifications of the recipients, and disbursement method, should be finalised soon.”

Arkhom added that the new scheme would use the same Bt210-billion budget that the Cabinet had approved for Rao Chana. “Although the Rao Chana campaign has 32.3 million registrants, more than the previous estimate of 31.1 million, we believe that the budget will be adequate for both campaigns, as Rao Chana will pay the money in instalments with intervals between them, allowing the ministry to manage the cashflow in time.

“There is no need for the government to divert budget from other projects to support Rao Phuk Phan,” Arkhom said.

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https://www.nationthailand.com/news/30403876

Nearly 1,000 people get Covid-19 jab in Bangkok hotspot district

NationalMar 19. 2021

By THE NATION

On Thursday, 961 people at risk of contracting Covid-19 in Bang Khae district were inoculated with the Sinovac vaccine, the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) said on Friday.

The vaccine drive started on Wednesday with 705 people being inoculated at BMA’s mobile vaccination unit in Sirisetthanont Market.

The Public Health Ministry and the BMA aimed to inoculate 6,000 people facing the risk of infection due to the Bang Khae cluster. The vaccination drive will run until March 21.

Chawin Sirinak, BMA’s deputy permanent secretary, said 961 of the 1,000 registrants were vaccinated on Thursday, while 39 people did not get the jab either due to high blood-pressure or change of mind.

“Three people who got vaccinated on Thursday have shown non-severe side-effects such as dizziness and being lightheaded. The patients got better after about 30 minutes of rest,” he said.

Chawin added that those who had been vaccinated would receive their second jab between April 7 and 11.