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https://www.nationthailand.com/news/30403453

Vaccine passports approved to cut quarantine time in Thailand

NationalMar 08. 2021

By The Nation

The National Committee on Communicable Diseases has approved the use of vaccine passports in Thailand, Public Health Minister Anutin Charnvirakul announced on Monday.

Under the measure, travellers with vaccination certificates will have their Covid-19 quarantine reduced from 14 days to seven days.

However, travellers from South Africa, where a highly contagious coronavirus variant is rife, will still have to undergo the full 14-day quarantine.

In Thailand, Covid-19 vaccination certificates will be issued for a fee of Bt100 by hospitals administering second doses of the vaccine from March 21. The certificates can be used for international travel once the World Health Organisation (WHO) has finalised criteria for vaccine passports.

The Thai vaccine-passport certificate will be valid for one year.

Anutin revealed the reduced quarantine applied to three categories of traveller:

First, foreign travellers who have a vaccination certificate dated not more than three months and not less than 14 days from date of entry. Travellers from South Africa still face 14 days of quarantine.

Second, Thai nationals returning to Thailand with a vaccination certificate dated not more than three months and not less than 14 days from date of entry.

Third, foreigners who have a Covid-free certificate but not a vaccination certificate will have their quarantine cut to 10 days. The measure is due to launch in April, said Anutin.

Meanwhile, the communicable diseases committee expects Covid-19 restrictions to be lifted once 70 per cent of the population has been vaccinated. It also announced plans to procure another 10 million doses of vaccine.

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https://www.nationthailand.com/news/30403451

Thailand places helmeted hornbills under protection

NationalMar 08. 2021

By The Nation

The helmeted hornbill was added to the list of Thailand’s reserved wildlife on Monday at a committee on national wildlife conservation and protection meeting led by Natural Resources and Environment Minister Varawut Silpa-archa.

Sasin Chalermlarp, president of the Seub Nakhasathien Foundation and committee member, said the birds will be officially added to the reserved list once the legal process is complete within a year.

He added that the foundation, together with the Thailand Hornbill Research Foundation, will continue monitoring the situation. These birds hunted because their unique ivory casque commands a high price.

As per the 2019 Wildlife Conservation and Protection Act, people caught hunting or selling protected wildlife will face at least 10 years in prison and/or a fine of Bt1 million. People who hunt or sell reserved wildlife will face up to 15 years in prison and/or a fine of up to Bt1.5 million.

The helmeted hornbill is considered a prehistoric animal and ancestor of other hornbills in Asia. It can be found in Myanmar, Malaysia, Indonesia and Thailand.

A 2019 survey revealed that some 20 helmeted hornbills were spotted in three reservation areas in Thailand, namely the

Budo Sungai Padi National Park, Hala-Bala Wildlife Sanctuary and Khlong Saeng Wildlife Sanctuary. There are fewer than 100 helmeted hornbills nationwide.

Owing to constant hunting and habitat loss, the helmeted hornbill moved up in the list from threatened to critically endangered in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species in 2015. It is listed in Appendix I of CITES.

Conservation group TRAFFIC reported that 2,170 casques were confiscated in just three years in China and Indonesia alone. Meanwhile, at least 546 hornbill parts, mostly casques of helmeted hornbills, have been posted for sale on Thai Facebook pages over the past five years. Traders apparently pay villagers between Bt5,000 and Bt6,000 for a hornbill head, which are then sold at double or triple the amount in cities and other countries.

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https://www.nationthailand.com/news/30403450

AstraZeneca vaccination to launch March 11 with jab for Prayut

NationalMar 08. 2021Gen Prayut Chan-o-cha

By The Nation

The Department of Disease Control (DDC) will release Thailand’s first batch of AstraZeneca vaccine for use in the next two to three days, Public Health Anutin Charnvirakul said on Monday.

Health officials will then start administering the AstraZeneca shots immediately, with Prime Minister Gen Prayut Chan-o-cha likely to be the first to receive the vaccine on Thursday (March 11). Thailand has authorised the AstraZeneca vaccine for use in people aged over 60, while the Sinovac shot is being used for younger people.

Anutin, 54, became the first person in Thailand to be injected with Sinovac vaccine on February 28.

Prayut, who is 66, is due to get his AstraZeneca shot at the Bamrasnaradura Infectious Diseases Institute in Nonthaburi.

Meanwhile, Anutin denied the government was blocking importation of Covid-19 vaccine by the private sector. He said private procurement of vaccine was a good idea, but companies would need to apply for permission and follow the vaccination-monitoring system, including monitoring for side effects for the first 30 minutes after vaccination.

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https://www.nationthailand.com/news/30403449

Covid fake news complaints in Jan-Feb doubled figure last year

NationalMar 08. 2021Atcharin Pattanapanchai

By The NationComplaints about Covid-19 fake news during the ongoing second outbreak have already almost doubled the figure for 2020, the Digital Economy and Society Ministry said on Monday.

The ministry received 35.47 million complaints between December 19 last year and February 28, said DES permanent secretary Atcharin Pattanapanchai.

That compares with 18.81 million complaints of Covid-19 fake news during the first outbreak (January-September).

In the past two months, the centre against Covid-19 fake news has issued about 140 announcements. Of these, 70 per cent identified fake news, 20 per cent identified distortions of the truth, and 10 per cent confirmed real news.

“News about the second wave of Covid-19 is definitely being highlighted by the public, especially on social media,” Atcharin noted. “The number of fake news reports in the last two months has doubled the number seen last year,” he added.

Since Covid-19 first emerged, the centre has launched a total of 1,346 investigations into suspected fake news about the virus.

Most fake news about Covid-19 is in the health category (719 items, accounting for 53 per cent), followed by fake news about government policy (615 items, 46 per cent) and the economy (12 items, 1 per cent).

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https://www.nationthailand.com/news/30403446

Why can’t the private sector procure Covid-19 vaccines?

NationalMar 08. 2021Yong Poovorawan

By THE NATION

Virologist Dr Yong Poovorawan has stepped in to explain why private companies are not yet allowed to import Covid-19 vaccine to Thailand.

On Monday, the Chulalongkorn University professor responded via Facebook to people inquiring why private companies and hospitals could not procure their own vaccine.

He explained that the Thai and other governments around the world had registered Covid-19 vaccines for emergency use. This meant responsibility for any side effects from inoculation lay with the government, not the vaccine producers.

Therefore, Covid-19 vaccine can only be imported under the government’s contract.

Currently, vaccine producers will not negotiate with private purchasers who have no government authorisation.

However, Dr Yong said private companies will be permitted to export shots once Covid-19 vaccines are fully registered, with responsibility for any side effects passed to the producers.

Thailand launched vaccination last Monday (March 1) after receiving its first shipments of Sinovac and AstraZeneca shots.

The first phase of vaccination covers medics and people with underlying disease, as well as residents of high-risk provinces – Samut Sakhon, Bangkok, Nonthaburi, Nakhon Pathom, Tak, Pathum Thani, Samut Prakan, Samut Songkhram and Ratchaburi.

The second phase covers international travellers including businesspeople, airline staff, diplomats, and members of international organisations.

Thailand has ordered 63 million doses of vaccine, enough to inoculate 31.5 million people in 2021 or roughly 45 per cent of its 66 million people.

The Tourism Authority of Thailand expects the country to reopen to foreign tourists in the third quarter of this year as vaccination rolls out across the world.

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https://www.nationthailand.com/news/30403444

18 anti-establishment movement leaders to be sued for role in Sept 2020 Thammasat rally

NationalMar 08. 2021

By THE NATION

Public prosecutors have decided to file separate lawsuits against 18 members of the Ratsadon group for participating in a political rally on September 19-20, 2020, at Thammasat University and Bangkok’s Sanam Luang area.

The three protest leaders already face charges of violating Article 112 of the Criminal Code or the lese majeste law. They are Panasaya “Rung” Sithijirawattanakul, Jatupat “Pai Dao Din” Boonpattararaksa, and Panupong “Mike” Jadnok.

They have also been charged for sedition under Article 116 of the Criminal Code as well as the unlawful assembly of 10 or more persons under Article 215.

The remaining 15 protest leaders face charges under Articles 116 and 215, or sedition and unlawful assembly. They are Attapon Buapat, Chinnawat Chankrachang, Chukiat Saengwong, Nawat Liangwattana, Nattapat Akhad, Thanachai Euarucha, Thanop Amphawat, Thanee Sasom, Phattharaphong Noiphang, Sitthat Jindarat, Suwanna Tarnlek, Adisak Sombatkham, Anurak Jentawanich, Natchanon Pirote, and Bottom Blues band member Chaiamorn “Ammy” Kaewwiboonpan.

Chaiamorn is under police custody for allegedly burning a portrait of the King outside Khlong Prem Central Prison on the night of February 28.

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https://www.nationthailand.com/news/30403443

Prayut marks Women’s Day by promising a greater role for women in Thai society

NationalMar 08. 2021

By The Nation

At the annual Women’s Day event in Government House on Monday, Prime Minister Prayut Cha-o-cha said in a teleconferenced speech that a 20-year national strategy has been established to bring social discrimination to an end in Thai society.

He said the strategy will promote gender equality, family responsibility and social development as well as boost opportunities for women and their role in the country’s economic, political and administrative sectors.

Quoting the prime minister, government spokesman Anucha Burapachaisri said equality and the empowerment of women are the key foundations to a strong society and sustainable development of the country.

He added that the prime minister applauded all women’s groups and organisations that have been honoured with awards this year.

Thailand has marked Women’s Day since 1989 in an event organised by the Social Development and Human Security Ministry. This year’s concept is in line with sustainable development goals that will help achieve gender equality and empower the country’s female population.

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https://www.nationthailand.com/news/30403442

Chiang Mai hotels offer huge discounts to lure crowds during Songkran break

NationalMar 08. 2021

By The Nation

In a bid to revive the tourism industry in the North, especially after the second wave of Covid-19 infections hit Thailand in mid-December, Chiang Mai hotels are offering huge discounts to woo local tourists.

La-Iad Bungsrithong, president of the Thai Hotels Association’s (THA) northern chapter, said Thais usually head to the islands during the hot season. However, she said, Chiang Mai hotels are hoping huge discounts will encourage people to head North instead.

“Around 1,000 hotels have reopened in Chiang Mai, signifying some 3,000 rooms. However, the average occupancy rate in March has been just 3 per cent due to people’s drop in purchasing power and low season. Bookings for the Songkran holidays in April only show signs of occupancy rise a little to 5 per cent. Hotels, however, hope that massive discounts will offer at least 10 per cent occupancy,” La-Iad said

Meanwhile, foreign tourists who accounted for 30 per cent of visitors to Chiang Mai in 2019, are still not visible due to Covid-related restrictions. This is even though many countries have launched mass vaccination strategies.

Chiang Mai normally attracts some million Chinese travellers yearly, though there have been no arrivals so far this year because Beijing has yet to allow overseas travel.

La-Iad said though 2021 is expected to be better for Chiang Mai’s tourism industry, hotels in the province have to make adjustments to not just control costs, but also earn enough to support employees. She added that some hotels have started offering takeaways to survive.

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https://www.nationthailand.com/news/30403441

Monorail eyed for Hat Yai

NationalMar 08. 2021Concept design for Hat Yai monorail. Photo credit: Songkhla PAO

By The Nation

Songkhla Provincial Administrative Organisation (PAO) has put in for Bt17.59 billion to build a monorail in Hat Yai to help ease traffic congestion problems in the city.

Hat Yai is the province’s economic heart and a tourist destination in the lower South.

The project’s environmental impact assessment was approved in June last year and will soon be handed to the Cabinet for approval.

The Songkhla PAO will further study the project in line with the 2019 Private Investment Act and hand the report to the State Enterprise Policy Office. If there are no changes to the report, the project will be put up for bids within this year.

Each monorail is expected to carry 464 passengers and the fare is expected to be fixed at Bt20 throughout the line. The 12.54-kilometre system will include 12 stations from Klong Wa to the Rod Tuu station

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https://www.nationthailand.com/news/30403434

Trigger happy tambon chief injures four in Nakhon Phanom

NationalMar 08. 2021

By THE NATION

A Nakhon Phanom tambon chief reportedly pulled out his gun at a pub on Sunday night and began shooting randomly, injuring at least four people.

He was apparently angry at members of his staff.

Initial investigation revealed that Paisan Saengnarai, 58, chief of tambon Na Ngua, had consumed alcohol at a restaurant before arriving at the scene.

Upon arrival at the pub, he reportedly had a conflict with members of his staff, so returned to his car to get his gun and began shooting until he was overpowered by others.

The pub is located along Highway No 212 in Ban Phaeng district and the case is being processed by Ban Phaeng police.