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Medical student’s movements since Feb 1 monitored

NationalFeb 17. 2021

By The Nation

Pathum Thani’s Covid-19 operation centre released the timeline of a medical student from Thammasat University’s Rangsit campus who tested positive on Tuesday.

The Faculty of Medicine had issued a statement earlier saying 47 people had come in contact with the student. Of them, 42 tested negative and five are awaiting results. The faculty believes the student may have been infected by patients who had arrived at Thammasat University Hospital for treatment on February 9.

The student’s timeline is as follows:

February 1-4

7am-noon: Attends lecture with 16 fellow students at the university’s Kittiwattana building.

1pm-4pm: Tends to patients at the obstetrics department.

February 5

8am-10am: Attends morning meeting with 16 other students.

10am-4pm: Tends to patients at the obstetrics department.

7pm-9pm: Has dinner with friends at Bankara Ramen, Future Park Rangsit.

February 6-7

7am-8am: Tends to patients at the obstetrics department.

9am-4pm: Studies in his dormitory.

February 8

7am-8am: Tends to patients at the obstetrics department.

8am-noon: Tends to patients at the gynaecology department.

Noon-1pm: Lunches with six friends.

1pm-4pm: Attends lecture.

4pm: Returns to the dormitory.

February 9

7am-8am: Tends to patients at the obstetrics department.

9am-noon: Tends to patients at the gynaecology department. Noon-1pm: Lunches with six friends.

1pm-4pm: Attends lecture.

4pm-5pm: Reports for hospital duty.

5pm-6pm: Dines with his senior at a suki restaurant in U-Square.

6pm-7pm: Dines at a kebab shop on Chiang Rak Road with his friends.

7pm: Returns to the dormitory.

February 10

7am-8am: Tends to patients at the obstetrics department.

8am-noon: Tends to patients at the gynaecology department.

Noon-1pm: Lunches with six friends.

1pm-4pm: Attends lecture.

4pm-11pm: Reports for duty at the hospital’s delivery department. 11pm: Returns to the dormitory.

February 11

7am-8am: Tends to patients at the obstetrics department.

8am-noon: Tends to patients at the gynaecology department.

Noon-1pm: Lunches with six friends.

1pm-4pm: Sits for an exam.

4pm: Goes to study.

5pm-7.30pm: Dines at Ongsa BBQ restaurant.

7.30pm: Returns to the dormitory.

February 12

7am-8am: Tends to patients at the obstetrics department.

1pm: Lunches with eight friends at Luka Siri House, Chidlom Road. Complains of a stuffy nose.

5pm-7pm: Dines at Future Park Rangsit.

February 13

8am-9am: Tends to patients at the obstetrics department.

9am-3pm: Remains in the dormitory.

3pm-5pm: Hangs out with friends at Starbucks, Future Park Rangsit.

5pm: Buys food from a shop on Chiang Rak Road. Develops high temperature.

February 14

Tests positive for Covid-19 at Thammasat University Hospital and is admitted immediately.

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Thai gaming industry could shoot up to Bt33 billion in 2021: DEPA

NationalFeb 17. 2021DEPA president and CEO Nuttapon Nimmanphatcharin

By THE NATION

The Digital Economy Promotion Agency (DEPA), the operating arm of the Digital Economy and Society Ministry, has signed a memorandum of understanding with the Thai Game Software Industry Association (TGA) to promote the creation of games and digital content to give the country’s digital economy a fillip.

“The MOU aims to reduce digital disparity among Thais as well as promote games and digital content that would help strengthen social and economic stability,” DEPA president and CEO Nuttapon Nimmanphatcharin said.

“A survey by DEPA found that in 2020 Thailand’s gaming industry expanded by 14-15 per cent, with a total value of Bt29 billion,” he said. “We estimate that this year its value could increase to Bt33 billion as more people tend to avoid Covid-19 by staying home and playing video games to reduce stress.”

Nuttapon added that next month the DEPA is planning to launch a Game Accelerator Programme under cooperation with the TGA to serve as a platform to boost the capability of Thai game producers and developers to international standards, as well as promote their competitive edge in global markets.

“The gaming industry has a high potential to expand and could generate tremendous revenue for the economy,” TGA president Nenin Ananbanchachai said. “However, it needs proper support from the government and related agencies, especially in personnel talent development and accessibility to funding.”

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Draft plan on plastic waste management gets Cabinet green light

NationalFeb 17. 2021

By THE NATION

A Cabinet meeting approved a draft action plan to manage plastic waste proposed by the Natural Resources and Environment Ministry under a road map that started in 2018 and will end in 2030, a news source said.

“The plan aims to reduce plastic waste by banning four types of products by 2022 and bringing at least 50 per cent of seven types of plastic products into the circular economy by means of reusing and recycling,” the source said.

The four types of plastic products to be banned by 2022 are:

> Plastic bags with a thickness of less than 36 microns;

> Foam containers for foods, excluding shock-absorbing foam for industrial use;

> Plastic beverage cups with a thickness of less than 100 microns, and

> Plastic straws, except for use in cases of necessity, such as for children, the elderly and patients.

The seven plastic products, at least 50 per cent of which would be targeted for reuse or recycling by 2022, are:

> Heavy duty plastic bags

> Single-layer plastic film containers

> All types of plastic bottles

> Plastic bottle caps

> Plastic beverage cups

> Plastic food containers and trays

> Plastic spoons, forks and knives.

“Under this plan, the ministry aims to reduce plastic waste by 780,000 tonnes per year and reduce the cost of waste management by Bt3.9 billion annually,” the source said.

“It would also reduce the area needed for waste landfill by up to 2,500 rai and reduce emission of greenhouse gases equivalent to 1.2 million tonnes of carbon dioxide,” the source added.

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Baht weakens, may continue streak as dollar strengthens

NationalFeb 17. 2021

By THE NATION

The baht opened at 29.96 to the US dollar on Wednesday, weakening from Tuesday’s close of 29.86.

The Thai currency is likely to move between 29.88 and 29.98, Krungthai market strategist Poon Panichpibool said.

He also said the baht would weaken slightly, due to a strengthened dollar, while investors in Asia would offload risk assets.

Financial markets were cautious, with risk assets being sold for speculation after long-term bond yields – such as the US Ten-Year Treasury yield – rose in value. The US yield grew more than 10 basis points to 1.30 per cent, the highest in a year. This increase pressured the gold price, which dropped 1.3 per cent to $1,795 (Bt53,797) per ounce.

The increase led to the dollar strengthening over other main currencies. The dollar index has lately reached 90.5 points, pressuring the Australian dollar and euro to weaken by 0.3 and 0.2 per cent, respectively.

On Wednesday, markets expected industrial production in the US to rise by 0.4 per cent from last month, while the capacity utilisation rate would reach 74.8 per cent to support increased demand.

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THAI employees seek probe into ‘fake’ funeral allowance certificates believed to cost company Bt14m

NationalFeb 17. 2021

By THE NATION

Twenty members of the Savings Cooperative for Employees of Thai Airways International (THAI) and their lawyers filed a complaint on Tuesday with the Crime Suppression Division, urging an investigation into some members of the cooperative who might have used fake death certificates to receive funeral allowances that the company has been providing via the savings cooperative.

“The cooperative has found that the number of members filing for funeral allowance has increased suspiciously over several years,” said cooperative representative Weerayut Thuankong, who joined the 20 in filing the complaint.

“We checked the evidence they submitted and found that the death certificates appeared to be fake, as the persons declared dead are still working for the company.”

Weerayut said the cooperative checked evidence dating back to 2013 and found 26 cases, which has caused an estimated Bt14 million in damages to the company.

“We only have evidence until 2013, but we believe there could be more members who have committed this fraud before that, so we are asking the police to launch a full investigation,” he added.

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FDA warns public against consuming slimming product

NationalFeb 17. 2021

By THE NATION

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is warning consumers to beware of a slimming product called “Mang Luck Capsule”, which claims to be made from sweet basil (ocimum basilicum) and helps “eliminate” excessive fat in the body, thus “accelerating weight loss” for overweight people.

“The FDA tested the product, which has not received approval, and found that it contains sibutramine, an appetite suppressant which is illegal in Thailand,” said vice secretary-general Supattra Boonserm.

“The unauthorised manufacturing, importing, exporting, selling or possessing of sibutramine is punishable by a maximum 20 years’ imprisonment and/or a Bt2-million fine,” she warned.

“Sibutramine is a dangerous substance, especially for those who have heart disease, high blood pressure, liver or kidney disease or glaucoma, and for pregnant women,” she said.

“The side effects include a dry month, headache, insomnia, constipation, high blood pressure, accelerated heartbeat and even death.”

The FDA together with the police have already launched an investigation into the manufacturer and/or importer of the product.

Supattra said the FDA investigated the product after receiving complaints from consumers, who saw advertisements for the capsule online and doubted its effectiveness in eliminating fat as claimed.

“If you wish to lose weight, the safest ways are to go on a diet and exercise regularly,” she added. “For those who have information about illegal slimming products, contact FDA hotline 1556 or the agency via the Oryor mobile application.”

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Thundershowers, gusty winds forecast across Thailand

NationalFeb 17. 2021

By THE NATION

A weak high-pressure system from China is presently hovering over Thailand’s Northeast and is expected to cover the Central region and the East on Thursday, while southerly and southeasterly winds are bringing moisture from the South China Sea to Thailand’s lower North, the Central area and the East, causing isolated thundershowers with gusty winds, the Meteorological Department said on Wednesday.

The department added that the northeast monsoon over the Gulf of Thailand and the South is strengthening and will bring more rain to the South.

Here’s the weather forecast for the next 24 hours:

North: Cool weather with fog in the morning and thundershowers in 10 per cent of the area as well as gusty wind; temperature lows of 16-22 degrees and highs of 32-37 degrees Celsius. Temperature on hilltops is likely to drop to 3-14 degrees Celsius.

Northeast: Cool weather with thundershowers in 10 per cent of the area and gusty wind; temperature lows of 17-23 degrees and highs of 33-35 degrees Celsius. Temperature on hilltops is likely to drop to 10-15 degrees Celsius.

Central: Mostly cloudy with thundershowers in 10 per cent of the area and gusty wind; temperature lows of 23-25 degrees, highs of 34-36 degrees Celsius.

East: Mostly cloudy with thundershowers in 10 per cent of the area; temperature lows of 22-25 degrees, highs of 31-35 degrees Celsius; waves less than a metre high and 1 metre offshore.

South (east coast): Mostly cloudy with thundershowers in 10 per cent of the area; temperature lows of 21-25 degrees, highs of 30-34 degrees Celsius; waves a metre high and 1-2 metres during thundershowers.

South (west coast): Partly cloudy with isolated light rain; temperature lows of 21-25 degrees, highs of 34-36 degrees Celsius; waves less than a metre high and 1 metre offshore.

Bangkok and surrounding areas: Mostly cloudy with thundershowers in 10 per cent of the area and gusty wind; temperature lows of 24-26 degrees, highs of 32-34 degrees Celsius.

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Thailand detects 2 new cases of South African Covid variant

NationalFeb 17. 2021Dr Opass Putcharoen, chief of Thai Red Cross Emerging Infectious Diseases Clinical Centre

By The Nation

Three people have now tested positive in Thailand for the highly contagious South African strain of Covid-19, a health official confirmed on Tuesday.

Dr Opass Putcharoen, chief of Thai Red Cross Emerging Infectious Diseases Clinical Centre, said all three cases were found to be carrying the B1.351 South African strain in Thai quarantine.

The first was a 41-year-old Thai gemstone merchant who tested positive on February 3 after returning from Tanzania. He suffered severe pneumonia but is recovering after being treated with Remdesivir.

However, two more people have since tested positive for the South African variant in quarantine, said Dr Opass.

Thailand has ordered 61 million doses of the AstraZeneca Covid-19 vaccine, which is thought to be only 10 per cent effective against mild and moderate cases caused by the South African strain.

Dr Opass urged the government to speed up vaccination and efforts to contain virus transmission, adding that health officials must monitor for Covid-19 variants that might affect the vaccine’s efficiency.

The South African variant is one of three Covid-19 strains being monitored around the world.

The other two are the Brazilian strain and the highly infectious UK strain – of which nine cases have been detected so far in Thai quarantine. Dr Opass warned that another strain similar to the South African variant had recently emerged abroad.

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Thai Airways jet to land with first vaccine batch on Feb 24

NationalFeb 17. 2021

By The Nation

Thai Airways International (THAI), as the national carrier, has been assigned to fly 200,000 doses of CoronaVac vaccine from China to Thailand on February 24.

Flight TG675 will depart Beijing at 6.50am (local time) and arrive at Suvarnabhumi Airport in Bangkok at 11.05am. The Airbus A350-900 will be carrying the first batch of 2 million vaccines that Thailand has ordered from Chinese company Sinovac.

The vaccine will be carried in temperature-controlled containers. CoronaVac can be safely stored at normal fridge temperatures.

Public Health Minister Anutin Charnvirakul has said the Thai Food and Drug Administration is ready to authorise CoronaVac for emergency use.

Thailand has also ordered 61 million doses of AstraZeneca’s vaccine, but shipments from Europe have been delayed.

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BTS fares remain unchanged

NationalFeb 16. 2021

By THE NATION

Passengers are not being charged fares for some 26 BTS stations, the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) said on Tuesday.

The free stations are on the BTS Green Line, from Bearing to Kheha and from Mo Chit to Khu Khot.

Bangkok’s Skytrain system covers 61 stations with a combined route length of 68.25 kilometres.

As of Tuesday, the maximum BTS fare remained unchanged at Bt59, despite talk last week of the maximum fare on the Green Line being raised to Bt104.

The Green Line extension from Bearing to Kheha has been open for public use since April 3, 2018, while the extension to Khu Kot was completed in December last year.

The Bangkok Mass Transit System (BTSC), which has been operating the system under a concession agreement with the BMA, has not been collecting additional fares for the extension. The BMA now owes BTSC about Bt9.6 billion in retroactive operating fees.