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Protest ends at night after police release demonstrators, Ratsadon plans ‘no-confidence’ debate

NationalFeb 11. 2021

By THE NATION

The demonstration organised by the Ratsadon pro-democracy group on Wednesday ended at around 9pm in front of Pathumwan Police Station, shortly after officers released 12 protesters they had arrested earlier, while the group announced that it would hold a no-confidence debate against the government outside Parliament next week.

The protest started on Bangkok’s Pathumwan Skywalk at 4pm in a demonstration dubbed “hitting pots to banish dictators”.

The Pathumwan protesters also handed out stickers to passers-by reading “we do not want Article 112”, referring to the lese majeste law.

Police have charged dozens of people with lese majeste over their participation in pro-democracy protests in the past few months.

Read More: Thai protesters bang pots to ‘banish dictators’

At 7.30pm, protesters marched to Pathumwan Police Station, which is about 2 kilometres from the Skywalk, urging officers to release the arrested members.

At 8.45pm, police released the 12 after negotiations with Methee Amornwutkul, a representative of the Ratsadon’s guard unit.

At 9pm, one of Ratsadon’s leaders, Panasaya “Rung” Sithijirawattanakul, announced the group would hold a no-confidence debate against the government outside Parliament from February 16 to 19, and details would be revealed later.

Wednesday’s protest then came to an end.

A news source reported that while the arrested protesters were being released, three explosive sounds were heard in Soi Chula 5 behind the police station, causing the demonstrators to back away from the area. Witnesses reportedly said the explosions sounded like ping pong bombs. There was no report of any injuries.

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Cool-to-cold weather in upper Thailand, isolated rain in the South

NationalFeb 11. 2021

By THE NATION

A moderate high pressure system is covering upper Thailand, causing cool-to-cold weather in the North and cool mornings in the East and the Central region, including Bangkok, the Meteorological Department said on Thursday.

It added that the northeast monsoon prevails over the Gulf and the South, bringing isolated rain to the South.

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

North: Cool to cold weather; temperature lows of 13-17 degrees and highs of 29-34 degrees Celsius. Temperature on hilltops is likely to drop to 2-10 degrees.

Northeast: Cool-to-cold weather; temperature lows of 14-17 degrees and highs of 29-32 degrees Celsius. Temperature on hilltops is likely to drop to 7-12 degrees.

Central: Cool weather in the morning; temperature lows of 19-22 degrees, highs of 32-34 degrees.

East: Cool weather in the morning with isolated light rain; temperature lows of 19-23 degrees, highs of 31-35 degrees Celsius; waves a metre high and 1-2 metres offshore.

South (east coast): Partly cloudy with thundershowers in 10 per cent of the area; temperature lows of 22-24 degrees, highs of 31-34 degrees Celsius; waves a metre high and 1-2 metres during thundershowers.

South (west coast): Partly cloudy with thundershowers in 10 per cent of the area; temperature lows of 23-26 degrees, highs of 33-35 degrees Celsius; waves a metre high and 1-2 metres offshore.

Bangkok and surrounding areas: Cool weather in the morning; temperature lows of 21-23 degrees, highs of 32-34 degrees Celsius.

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Thai rubber sector overhauled with Bt700m upgrade for factories

NationalFeb 11. 2021

By The Nation

The Rubber Authority of Thailand (RAOT) is spending Bt700 million to upgrade rubber-processing plants as part of its Smart Farmer programme, RAOT chairman Prapan Boonyakiat said on Wednesday.

The programme’s latest project, in Trat, covers 18,095 rubber planters and over 270,000 rai of plantations. Its aim is to integrate farmers, farmers’ institutions, government agencies and the private sector to achieve five goals – cost reduction, productivity, quality development, marketing and management. The target is to have rubber processing plants covering all seven RAOT jurisdictions under an annual budget of Bt700 million.

The RAOT chief said the Rubber Board of Thailand had recently approved a Bt31-million upgrade for the Trat Provincial Rubber Network Cooperative Ltd factory. The upgrade will increase capacity threefold and boost quality of concentrated latex production at the factory. Higher capacity means the factory can support more rubber growers in the region, buying their fresh latex for a good price and then storing the concentrated product to control supply and prices in a highly volatile market.

Thailand released 519,614 tons of latex to the market in January, said the RAOT. However, that figure will fall 32 per cent to 353,224 tons in February and continue to decline through April, it said. Supply of latex will drop by as much as 80 per cent in the coming off-season months, said the RAOT. However, falling supply and rising purchasing power after Chinese New Year should see rubber prices increase to lift the pressure on farmers, it added.

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Thailand to conduct Phase 1 clinical trials on locally produced Covid vaccine in March

NationalFeb 11. 2021

By The Nation

Thailand will start conducting Phase 1 clinical tests on a locally produced inactivated Covid-19 vaccine from March 1, Public Health Minister Anutin Charnvirakul told the press on Wednesday.

He also said that once the tests are complete, the Government Pharmaceutical Organisation (GPO) will produce 25-30 million doses in its Saraburi plant,

The minister went on to say that the government has already purchased 61 million doses as part of an AstraZeneca/Siam Bioscience deal and 2 million doses from China’s Sinovac.

He said 26 million doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine will be produced in Thailand between May and June.

He went on to say that the government is not relying on just one source, adding that the GPO research team tested Covid-19 vaccines on fertilised chicken eggs last year and is now trying it out on animals.

Studies so far have shown the vaccine to be effective and safe, and GPO will cooperate with Mahidol University’s Faculty of Tropical Medicine to conduct Phase 1 clinical trials on humans in March.

“If the study goes as expected, GPO will be able to start rolling out inoculations alongside Phase 3 clinical trials and should be able to produce 25 to 30 million doses per year for domestic use,” Anutin said.

Dr Kiattiphum Wongrajit, the Public Health Ministry’s permanent secretary, said this is the first locally produced Covid-19 vaccine to be tried out on humans. He said Thailand already has a factory in Saraburi that produces influenza vaccines, which has the potential to manufacture Covid-19 vaccinations on an industrial scale.

Dr Withoon Danwiboon, GPO director, said the vaccination produced in the factory covers three strains of the virus, and this will soon be expanded to cover four strains.

He said producing the Covid-19 vaccine at this factory will not be difficult because the manufacturing process is the same.

The plant currently produces up to 30 million doses of influenza vaccine and is funded by the National Vaccine Institute. He added that if an additional Bt150 million is spent to install additional vaccine packaging lines, its production capacity will rise to approximately 60 million doses per year.

If the tests on Covid-19 vaccines prove to be successful, the plant will not have to divide its production capacity between the two vaccines, as the doses will be produced based on the country’s needs.

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Thai agricultural exports under FTA grew 2.2% last year

NationalFeb 11. 2021

By The Nation

Thai agricultural exports under free trade agreements (FTAs) were worth Bt490.72 billion in 2020, up 2.2 per cent from a year earlier, the Office of Agricultural Economics (OAE) said on Wednesday. However, Thai agri-exports to all countries last year fell 3.2 per cent as Covid-19 battered economies.

Thailand enjoyed an agricultural trade surplus with its nine FTA partners of 3.7 per cent in 2020.

“Exports to China expanded the most, followed by Hong Kong, Peru, Chile, New Zealand and Australia,” said OAE secretary-general Chantanon Wannakejohn.

Export of fresh fruit increased the most at Bt83.57 billion, followed by fresh/frozen chicken (Bt27.78 billion), tapioca (Bt21.62 billion), frozen fruit (Bt6.99 billion), fresh/frozen fish (Bt4.35 billion) and fresh/frozen pork (Bt3.27 billion).

Thailand’s agricultural trade with Asean in 2020 expanded 0.8 per cent year on year, but exports dropped by 5.75 per cent.

However, Thailand still enjoyed a trade surplus of Bt171.33 billion with Asean countries.

Exports to Vietnam expanded the most, followed by Malaysia and Cambodia.

Thai agricultural exports to Asean were led by sugar (Bt47.49 billion), non-alcoholic drinks (Bt47.10 billion), seasonings (Bt25.21 billion), natural rubber (Bt23.27 billion) and livestock (Bt23.10 billion).

“Thai agricultural trade stayed in positive territory amid the global impact of Covid-19 because of changing consumer behaviour, countries easing import restrictions, and Thai measures to contain Covid-19,” said Benjawan Siripoe, OAE expert on International Agricultural Economics Policy.

The OAE may seek more agri-export markets abroad while launching campaigns to boost domestic consumption, she said.

She added that Agriculture and Cooperatives Minister Chalermchai Sreeon is focused on securing the confidence of overseas and domestic consumers by improving the quality of Thai produce in line with Covid-19 preventive guidelines.

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Thai FDA denies claim it blocked Chinese vaccine

NationalFeb 10. 2021

By The Nation

The Thai Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on Wednesday denied a claim it had barred registration of China’s Sinopharm Covid-19 vaccine.

Sinopharm’s Thai distributor, Vnova International Co, earlier complained that the FDA’s “unfair” rejection meant Thailand had lost the opportunity to use the vaccine.

FDA secretary-general Dr Paisan Dankhum said the Sinopharm application has not been rejected and a special channel has been opened to facilitate registration as quickly as possible. If all documents are supplied, the application process will take about 30 days, he said.

Vnova International first contacted the FDA on January 11 to ask for information about Sinopharm’s Covid-19 vaccine registration, the FDA chief said. The FDA provided the information on the application process and documents needed. On February 8, Vnova sought further advice on filing documents for vaccine registration. So far, it has not filed any registration documents but said it would do so this month or next month, according to Paisan.

The FDA insisted it was not blocking any Covid-19 vaccine registration and was ready to give advice or answer questions to speed up the process.

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Bang Pa-in gets ready for historic weddings on Valentine’s Day

NationalFeb 10. 2021First Thai marriage certificate

By The Nation

Ayutthaya’s Bang Pa-in district office has been dressed up for couples who want to get married on Valentine’s Day, which falls on the last day of Chinese New Year this year, district chief Watchara Krasaechat said on Wednesday.

Bang Pa-in is popular among Thai couples because this was the site of the first Western-style marriage in Thailand.

On August 26, 1918, Prince Prajadhipok Sakdidej (King Rama VII) and Princess Rambhai Barni Swastiwat (Queen Rambai Barni) registered their marriage at the Vorapat Piman Throne Hall, Bang Pa-in Palace.

This was the first time ever that a Thai couple said “I do” and exchanged rings – diamond rings in this case. Diamond rings were also given to the guests as party favours.

The Bang Pa-in District Registration Office will offer marriage services on Sunday from 8am and will even present lucky couples with a memorable gift.

Bang Pa-in District Office

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Protesters accused of attacking cops on Bangkok skywalk

NationalFeb 10. 2021

By THE NATION

Police say charges are being prepared against pro-democracy protesters who attacked police officers on Bangkok’s Pathumwan Skywalk on Tuesday.

The alleged attack came after a court on Tuesday denied bail to four leaders of the Ratsadon pro-democracy group – Parit “Penguin” Chiwarak, Arnon Nampa, Somyos Prueksakasemsuk and Patiwat “Bank” Saraiyam.

The court reasoned that the defendants may commit the same offence again if released.

Shortly after the court’s decision, the Ratsadon Facebook page called on its members and supporters to gather at MBK Skywalk in Bangkok’s Pathumwan district to urge the court to release the four.

National police deputy chief Piya Tawichai said this morning that the local station was collecting evidence against protesters who allegedly injured officers.

He said other protesters will be charged for violating the emergency decree and the Communicable Disease Act by gathering on the skywalk.

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BoI privileges considered for investors in Bt846m cross-border transport centre in Nakhon Phanom

NationalFeb 10. 2021(Representational Image)

By THE NATION

The Board of Investment (BoI) has agreed in principle to a public-private partnership project to build a cross-border transport centre in Nakhon Phanom to promote border trade between Thailand and Laos, Transport Minister Saksayam Chidchob said on Wednesday.

“The project, to be overseen by the Department of Land Transport, will comprise an inland container depot and a distribution centre. It is believed that this project will boost the development of factories and warehouses in the areas,” he said. “Private firms investing in the project will obtain benefits under BoI’s regulations, including a reduction or exemption of corporate income tax for up to 13 years and tariff exemption on imported machinery.”

The cross-border transport centre will be located within the Nakhon Phanom special economic zone, which covers the districts of Muang and Tha Uthen.

Saksayam added that the department is in the process of expropriating land, which should be completed by the third quarter of this year. “We reckon private partners will be invited to invest by April this year and contracts should be signed before the end of the year,” he said. “A budget of Bt846 million has been earmarked for the project, which should be ready to go into operation by 2025.”

The ministry believes the transport centre will help reduce logistics costs for businesses in Nakhon Phanom and promote economic growth not just in the special economic zone but also in the rest of the Northeast.

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Vendors at fresh markets face highest risk of infection: CCSA

NationalFeb 10. 2021

By The Nation

An analysis of Covid-19 cases originating from markets shows that vendors face a greater risk of infection compared to shoppers, Dr Taweesin Visanuyothin, spokesman for the Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration (CCSA) said.

The centre studied 1,815 cases that were linked to markets nationwide and learned that 90.19 per cent were vendors and only 9.81 per cent were customers.

Most of the infections or 96.86 per cent were found in fresh markets and 3.14 per cent in flea markets. Also, most of the patients or 88.27 per cent were Myanmar migrant workers at fresh markets, especially those selling seafood.

The 1,815 cases hailed from 36 provinces, though Samut Sakhon led the list with 1,496 patients found in fresh markets and 46 in flea markets, followed by Bangkok with 71 from fresh markets and six from flea markets, Nonthaburi with 51 from fresh markets and one from flea markets, Pathum Thani 26 and one, and Samut Prakan 23 and one.

The key reason for the infections was people’s failure to follow the “DMHTT” measures or distancing, mask-wearing, hand washing, temperature screening and Thai Chana check-in. Failure to clean frequently touched areas such as toilet doorknobs was also blamed for the infections.

It is recommended that vendors sit behind plastic panels to protect themselves. Vendors face a higher risk of infection because they need to travel to different areas to purchase stock.

Dr Taweesin added that vendors need to strictly follow the preventive methods because they stay in the market for long periods, compared to customers who just grab and go.