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https://www.nationthailand.com/news/30403714

Six cute furballs among assets of drug gang up for auction

NationalMar 15. 2021

By THE NATION

Six cute cats are among assets up for auction after being confiscated from a suspected drugs gang.

On Monday, drug suppression police raided a residence in Rayong’s Klaeng district and arrested the occupant, Tathep Arun, on suspicion of belonging to a drug network run by “Kook Rayong” Soradet Sonsiri. Soradet is already in custody.

Police said Tathep laundered money and took care of financial transactions for the network.

The Kook Rayong network was a large drugs gang working in the eastern region.

Total assets confiscated today were worth over Bt35 million.

Officials identified the cats’ owner as Soradet’s wife, Achara Namnil, who is still on the run. The cute creatures had been left at the residence for around two months.

The cats will be checked by the Department of Livestock Development before being auctioned along with other confiscated assets.

“The owner is allowed to contact us about her cats despite being a suspect,” the police said.

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https://www.nationthailand.com/news/30403713

Ban Bang Khae old-age home shuts doors to prevent infections

NationalMar 15. 2021

By The Nation

Ban Bang Khae Social Welfare Development Centre for Older Persons (Ban Bang Khae) shut its doors to visitors on Monday in a bid to contain the spread of Covid-19.

The move was in response to the discovery of several asymptomatic cases in a market nearby.

Related story:

One death, 78 new cases confirmed, mostly from proactive testing

Suchitra Pitayanoraset, director-general of the Department of Older Persons, said she has instructed Kanokwan Luangmongkollert, who oversees the old-age home, to raise awareness among the elderly and officials on measures to contain the spread of the virus.

“People who have visited risky areas must observe their symptoms, create a timeline and take a Covid-19 test,” Suchitra said.

“Preventive measures include refraining from outdoor activities, undergoing cleaning operations, maintaining distance from others, washing hands and wearing facemasks.”

She added that so far nobody at Ban Bang Khae has tested positive.

“However, the centre and related agencies will monitor the situation closely to deal with future situations,” she added.

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https://www.nationthailand.com/news/30403712

Angry father ready to take on Nonthaburi school notorious for abuse

NationalMar 15. 2021

By THE NATION

The father of a student at the Sarasas Witaed Ratchaphruek School in Nonthaburi has sworn to fight tooth and nail against charges he claims are completely false.

Last week, Santi Khanpiriyaanan was handcuffed for allegedly violating the Computer Crime Act as per charges filed by the school.

Last year, the Sarasas Witaed Ratchaphruek School made the headlines when CCTV footage of young student being abused went viral. The most horrendous clip was that of a teacher banging a 3-year-old kindergartner’s head on her desks, pushing her to the ground and twisting the ears until she screamed in pain.

Though Santi’s daughter was not one of the victims, he often criticised and questioned the school’s standards on the parent association’s Facebook page.

He now faces charges of posting false information on the page.

On Monday morning, Santi and his lawyer Ronnarong Kaewpetch, visited Central Investigation Bureau in Nonthaburi’s Pak Kret district indicating that he was serious about fighting back.

He said the arrest itself was suspicious because he had not received a summons as is the norm, and believes the school called in favours from some influential persons.

He added that the school had also tried to expel his daughter after he raised questions about the school’s operations on Facebook last year.

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https://www.nationthailand.com/news/30403710

BMA kicks off Bangkok cleaning campaign by tidying up Lam Phak She canal

NationalMar 15. 2021

By THE NATION

Bangkok governor Pol General Aswin Kwanmuang on Monday launched the “Kid Jak Khlong” (Think for Canals) campaign at the capital’s Lam Phak She canal in Nong Chok district.

The campaign aims to clean up areas around canals, improve the landscape and maximise water draining capabilities to prevent future flooding.

Present at the event were officials from the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) Department of Drainage and Sewerage as well as volunteers from the Royal Thai Air Force, Bang Khen Police Station, Phra Nakhon Rajabhat University and the general public.

“Today, more than 400 volunteers will help pick up trash from the canal, paint the bridges as well as clean roads and footpaths nearby to cut down on PM2.5 dust particles [smaller than 2.5 micrometres in diameter]. Also, EM [effective microorganisms] will be injected into the canal to improve water quality,” Aswin said.

The Lam Phak She canal is 180 metres long, 8m wide and about 1m deep. It runs between the Lam Phak She and Lam Toi Ting subdistricts and was once an important transport route. Now the canal is clogged by water hyacinth and trash, which have reduced its drainage capabilities during the rainy season.

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https://www.nationthailand.com/news/30403709

One death, 78 new cases confirmed, mostly from proactive testing

NationalMar 15. 2021

By The Nation

The Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration (CCSA) on Monday reported 78 new cases and one death.

Of the total, 15 had been exposed to the virus in high-risk areas, with Tak leading the list with nine cases, followed by three in Samut Sakhon, and one each in Bangkok, Samut Prakan and Suphanburi.

Proactive testing led to the discovery of

Meanwhile, proactive testing led to the discovery of 59 cases. Of them, 36 were in Samut Sakhon (four Thais and 32 Myanmar nationals), 22 in Bangkok and one in Pathum Thani.

Of the four returnees found infected, three were Thais returning from the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain and Myanmar, as well as a Polish businessman who flew from his own country.

Meanwhile, Thailand’s 87th death from Covid was an 88-year-old Pathum Thani resident whose house is located close to Pornphat market – a hotspot in the province.

He began showing symptoms on February 12 with breathing difficulties and loss of appetite. He tested positive on February 15 and was taken to the hospital. He developed a blood infection and acute renal failure on February 28. His body stopped responding to medication and he eventually succumbed on Saturday. Nobody in his family has tested positive, so far.

Separately, 80 patients have recovered and been discharged.

As of Monday, the number of confirmed cases in Thailand had risen to 27,005. Of them, 24,074 had been contracted locally, including 15,024 who were found via proactive testing, while 2,931 were returnees.

So far, 26,234 have recovered and been discharged, 684 patients are still being treated, and the death toll has risen to 87.

According to Worldometer, as of 10am, the number of confirmed cases globally has risen to 120.42 million (up by 363,965), 96.97 million have recovered, 20.78 million are active cases (89,312 in severe condition) and 2.67 million have died (up by 5,774).

Thailand ranks 116th on the global list of most cases, which is topped by the US with 30.08 million, followed by Brazil with 11.48 million, India 11.39 million, Russia 4.39 million and the United Kingdom 4.58 million.

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https://www.nationthailand.com/news/30403708

UOB Thailand installs self-disinfecting film on high-touch surfaces at its branches

NationalMar 15. 2021

By THE NATION

UOB Thailand on Monday announced that it had enhanced Covid-19 precautionary measures within its branches.

It has applied an anti-microbial coating with NanoShield technology on high-touch surfaces, including teller counters, queue kiosks, writing counters and advisory desks.

The self-disinfecting coating is an added protection to maintain a safe environment for customers and colleagues given the continued risk of the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic, the bank said.

The anti-microbial, self-disinfecting film is formulated with copper nanoparticles, which are proven to kill germs, virus and bacteria that they come into contact with, within minutes.

All 152 UOB Thailand branches will be coated with the anti-microbial self-disinfecting film by the end of the month, the bank said.

The bank has already implemented the protective measures at branches located in high-risk areas such as Samut Sakhon and Samut Songkhram provinces.

Piyaporn Ratanaprasartporn, head of channels and digitalisation, UOB Thailand, said, “Caring for the health and well-being of our customers and colleagues is foremost on our mind. The recent surge of Covid-19 cases in the country reflects the ongoing global challenge of containing this infectious virus. With banking being an essential service, we want to ensure that we take every precaution we can to create a safe environment for all who work in or visit our branches.”

UOB Thailand’s latest initiative adds to its existing measures to ensure a safe environment for everyone at its premises. These include:

▪︎carrying out temperature screening for all visitors;

▪︎ensuring that anyone entering UOB premises must scan a Thai Chana Quick Response (QR) code to check in and check out;

▪︎compulsory wearing of masks;

▪︎adhering to a one-metre safe distancing requirement when at the bank’s premises;

▪︎continuing with increased cleaning frequency at all branches, ATMs and self-service banking lobbies.

While UOB Thailand’s branches remain open, customers have been advised to visit UOB branches only for important banking services that cannot be conducted through the bank’s digital services.

Customers looking for information on their UOB credit card and UOB Personal Loan account can also do so via UOB (Thai) Line Connect, the bank said.

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https://www.nationthailand.com/news/30403706

Foreign funds flows, Treasury yield impact on dollar to determine baht direction

NationalMar 15. 2021

By THE NATION

The baht opened at 30.72 to the US dollar on Monday, strengthening from Friday’s close of 30.78.

The Thai currency is likely to move between 30.50 and 31.00 this week and between 30.65 and 30.80, Krungthai Bank market strategist Poon Panichpibool said.

He said the direction of US Ten-Year Treasury yields still affected the dollar.

The market strategist explained that the dollar would continue strengthening if the yields rise. The risk-off market situation had led to investors holding more and more dollars, in order to avoid volatility. This had led to emerging market currencies weakening.

He added that the Thai currency could weaken up to 31.25 at this time. He also warned investors about the sales of stocks, as some market players tended to lose confidence in the Thai situation, due to the delays in vaccination and the new cluster in Bangkok’s Bang Khae area.

However, it was possible the Thai currency would strengthen again if the dollar weakened and foreign funds flowed back into the Thai capital market, he said.

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https://www.nationthailand.com/news/30403703

King grants biosafety vehicles for Covid-19 tests in Bang Khae area

NationalMar 15. 2021

By THE NATION

His Majesty King Maha Vajiralongkorn has granted four biosafety vehicles to public health officials to collect samples from people in Bangkok’s Bang Khae district after 80 asymptomatic cases were reported among visitors to some markets in the area, Bangkok Governor Aswin Kwanmuang said on Sunday.

Read More: Visitors to six markets urged to contact Bangkok officials after 80 cases found

People who have visited Sirisetthanont Market, Bang Khae Shopping Centre Market, Kitti Market, Phasom Market, Bang Khae New Market, and Wonder Market from February 20 to March 13 should come and receive testing via nasal swab method at the mobile unit,” he said.

“The mobile unit will be stationed at a public park near The Mall Bang Khae from 9pm on Monday and Tuesday.”

Aswin added that each biosafety vehicle can accommodate 800 patients a day, and he will consider extending the testing period if more people showed up.

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https://www.nationthailand.com/news/30403702

Phuket authority warns public of crocodile on the loose

NationalMar 15. 2021File Photo of Ao Chalong Pier

By THE NATION

People residing near the Ao Chalong Pier in Muang district in Phuket were on Sunday alerted to the sighting of a crocodile on Saturday at around 3pm.

“We advise operators of boat services and general public to exercise extra caution when entering the pier area, either to park their boats or for other activities,” said Natchaphong Pranit, acting director of Phuket Port Authority Office. “If you find or have information about the crocodile, please contact hotline 1199 or tel 076-391-174.”

The Ao Chalong Pier is Phuket’s main boat anchorage, set on Chalong Bay, the province’s largest bay some 10km south of Phuket downtown. It is a well-known spot for tourists, as boats can be chartered here to visit smaller islands for diving and snorkelling trips.

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https://www.nationthailand.com/news/30403701

Nakhon Pathom driver who tested positive for Covid-19 had visited Bang Khae market

NationalMar 15. 2021Representational Image

By THE NATION

The timeline of a taxi driver in Nakhon Pathom province who tested positive for Covid-19 revealed a connection to Bangkok’s latest hotspot at Bang Khae market.

Nakhon Pathom’s Public Relations Department posted on its Facebook page a timeline of the latest confirmed Covid-19 cases in the province on Sunday.

“The 122nd patient found in Nakhon Pathom since the start of the new wave is a Thai male aged 63 years, a native of Phutthamonthon district,” said the department.

“The man is a taxi driver who had visited Bang Khae market in Bangkok to buy food with his wife — the 121st patient confirmed earlier.”

The travel history of the patient, besides visiting Bang Khae market early in the morning, is as follows:

February 26 – He picked up a passenger from Phramongkutklao Hospital and dropped them off at Don Mueang airport, while wearing a face mask.

February 27 – He picked up a passenger from Pak Khlong Talad and dropped them off at Central Rama II, while wearing a face mask.

February 28 – He picked up a passenger from Soi Sathu Pradit and dropped them off at Ekamai, and then from Ekamai to Southern Bus Terminal, while wearing a face mask.

March 1 – He brought his car to a service centre in Soi Phetkasem 48.

March 2 – He visited a market in Setthakit Village, Bang Khae district.

March 3 – He picked up a passenger from BTS Bang Wa and dropped them off at Ratchaphreuk Food Centre, while wearing a face mask.

March 4 – He picked up a passenger near Phetkasem 48 Market, while wearing a face mask.

March 5 – He picked up a passenger from Hua Lamphong station and dropped them off in the Pratunam area, while wearing a face mask.

March 6-7 – He visited Bang Khae Market with his wife and then stayed home.

March 8-10 – He stayed home to take care of his wife, but went to a grocery once while wearing a face mask.

March 11 – He took his wife to Kanjanapisek Medical Centre to test for Covid-19 together with his son. His wife was confirmed infected as the 121st patient.

March 12 – He came back to the medical centre for testing together with his son. At 9pm he was confirmed as the 122nd patient and his son was the 123rd.

“The three are being treated at Nakhon Pathom Hospital,” the department said.