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Loei’s Phu Kradueng park to welcome visitors from Feb 1

NationalJan 29. 2021

By THE NATION

Phu Kradueng National Park in Loei province will reopen on February 1 after being closed to visitors since January 5 to prevent the spread of Covid-19, the park director, Samret Phusaensri, said on Thursday.

The park was closed from January 5 to 31 after the Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration reported that around 70 per cent of tourists visiting Phu Kradueng are from provinces in the maximum control zone, also known as red zone, where a high number of infections were found.

“From February 1 onwards, tourists must follow preventive measures when entering the park, including pre-registering via QUEQ application, checking in and out on ThaiChana platform, having their ID card scanned before entering, passing thermal screening and wearing face masks,” said Samret. “Tourists are encouraged to wash their hands regularly with hand sanitizers that the park will provide, as well as maintain social distancing in the park areas.”

Samret added that those who travelled from provinces in the maximum control zone must present a certificate stating that they were permitted to travel by the provincial authority.

Phu Kradueng is among Thailand’s best-known national parks, famous for its sea of mist, cool temperature and rich flora and fauna spread over 217,576 rai (34,800 hectares). Its diverse landscape features soaring cliffs, waterfalls, fields and forests, which draw domestic and international visitors throughout the year.

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Two pro-democracy protesters arrested over explosion at Bangkok rally

NationalJan 29. 2021

By THE NATION

Two of three suspects wanted for allegedly throwing a “ping pong bomb” that injured four people on January 17 have been arrested.

The Metropolitan Police on Thursday announced the arrest of Pornchai Prakaphuang (23) and Natthasut Siri-ut (19) for allegedly throwing the small low-pressure explosive — the size of a table tennis ball — at police who were monitoring a rally of pro-democracy protesters in front of Chamchuri Square building in Bangkok’s Pathumwan district. Two police officers, a member of the press and one citizen were injured in the resulting explosion.

The Bangkok Criminal Court on January 27 issued arrest warrants for three suspects in the case for alleged assault, attacking police officers while on duty, possessing an unregistered explosive device, and carrying a weapon to a public place without proper reason. Police said they were tracking down the third suspect whose name has not been disclosed.

Shortly after the arrest was announced, the “Guard Democracy” pro-democracy group posted on its Facebook page photos of police arresting the two, who are members of the group, saying “our members insist that they did not throw the bomb”.

Later on Thursday, a small group of people gathered in front of Pathumwan Police Station urging officials to release the suspects, while police deployed steel barriers to prevent them from entering the premises.

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Cooler weather with strong winds forecast for upper Thailand, more rain in South

NationalJan 29. 2021

By THE NATION

The Thailand Meteorological Department said on Friday that a moderate high-pressure system from China covers the Northeast of Thailand.

Cool to cold weather with strong winds are likely in upper Thailand with a 2-4 degrees Celsius drop in temperature in the North and the Northeast and a 1-3°C drop in the Central, the East, Bangkok and vicinity.

In addition, the westerly trough will be moving through Myanmar and the upper North, resulting in isolated thundershowers with gusty winds in the areas.

Meanwhile, the northeast monsoon prevailing over the Gulf and the South is strengthening, resulting in more rain in the South.

The weather forecast for the next 24 hours:

North: Cool to cold weather with fog in the morning and isolated thundershowers with gusty winds; temperature lows of 15-22°C and highs of 32-35°C; temperature on hilltops is likely to drop to 3-13°C.

Northeast: Cool to cold weather with strong winds; temperature lows of 13-18°C, highs of 29-32°C; temperature on hilltops is likely to drop to 8-12°C.

Central: Cool weather with fog in the morning; temperature lows of 21-24°C, highs of 32-34°C.

East: Cool weather with isolated rain in 10 per cent of the area; temperature lows of 21-24°C, highs of 29-34°C; waves a metre high and 1-2 metres offshore.

South (east coast): Partly cloudy with thundershowers in 30 per cent of the areas; temperature lows of 22-25°C, highs of 30-33°C; waves 1-2 metres high and two metres during thundershowers.

South (west coast): Partly cloudy with thundershowers in 20 per cent of the areas; temperature lows of 23-25°C, highs of 32-35°C; waves a metre high and 1-2 metres offshore.

Bangkok and surrounding areas: Partly cloudy; temperature lows of 23-24°C, highs of 33-35°C.

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Authorities kick off legal proceedings over controversial rubber gloves deal

NationalJan 29. 2021

By The Nation

Former acting director of the Public Warehouse Organisation Pol Colonel Roongroj Phuthiyawat faces legal proceedings for the controversial Bt112.5-billion purchase of 500 million boxes of gloves from Guardian Gloves Co last year.

Roongroj allegedly paid Bt2 billion in advance to the manufacturer, which the National Anti-Corruption Commission later froze.

Commerce Minister Jurin Laksanawisit said on Thursday he has accepted the investigation report and has instructed incumbent PWO director Kriangsak Prateepvisut to decide what action will be taken against 10 people accused in the case. Five of the suspects are PWO employees.

The Discipline Examination Board, which was appointed last week, has started the disciplinary examination of Roongroj and two PWO level eight executives, who have confessed to having a hand in the controversial deal.

All three face severe disciplinary offences and may be suspended until their criminal trial is complete.

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Thailand slides three places in global corruption index

NationalJan 28. 2021

By The Nation

Thailand scored 36 points and came in at 104 in among 180 countries in Transparency International (TI)’s 2020 Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI).

In 2019, Thailand ranked 101 in the index.

The 2020 list was topped by Denmark and New Zealand, winning the highest score of 88. Among Asean countries, Thailand came in sixth, with Singapore topping the list and taking the third position globally with 85 points. The second highest in the region was Brunei, with 60 points (ranking 35 globally), followed by Malaysia with 51 points (57 globally), Timor-Leste 40 points (86 globally), Indonesia 37 points (102), while Vietnam and Thailand tied with the same score.

This index is an important barometer showing that the media and public are seriously aware of corruption among government agencies, state enterprises, the private sector and civil society.9. The top-scoring countries in Asia Pacific are New Zealand (88 points), Singapore (85), and Australia (77).

Meanwhile, the lowest-scoring countries in Asia Pacific are North Korea (18), Afghanistan (19) and Cambodia (21).

The index has been released annually since 1995, with scores set between 0 and 100 points, in which 100 points means no corruption at all.

This year’s CPI showed that 120 out of 180 countries have fallen in ranking, with South Sudan and Somalia being the lowest scoring countries with just 12 points.

This index is an important barometer showing that the media and public are seriously aware of corruption among government agencies, state enterprises, private sector and civil society.

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Universities in safe zones can open up, says education minister

NationalJan 28. 2021

By The Nation

Universities can hold classes, exams as well as training sessions and activities on campus provided they strictly follow Covid-19 prevention measures, Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation Minister Anek Laothamatas announced on Thursday.

However, universities in areas that are under maximum control are only allowed to hold online classes.

Meanwhile, students, lecturers or university personnel who are unable to travel due to Covid-19 restrictions must inform their superiors, so they are not marked absent.

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Army signs solar power agreement with Egat

NationalJan 28. 2021

By The Nation
Photos by Korbphuk Phromrekha

The Army has joined hands with the Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand (Egat) to study development of renewable energy generating plants on Army land.

Army chief Narongphan Jitkaewthae signed the agreement with Egat governor Boonyanit Wongrukmit at the Royal Thai Army Radio and Television Station’s Benjarangsarit Building in Bangkok’s Phaya Thai district on Thursday.

The collaboration between the military and the state-owned electricity generator aims to “modify the country’s energy structure to reduce dependence on imported fuel and cut electricity bills for people”, according to the briefing.

The Army said it will identify suitable areas to locate solar-power plants on its land over the next three months.

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Six golf resorts named as quarantine facilities

NationalJan 28. 2021Photo credit: Mida Golf Club Kanchanaburi

By The Nation

The government has placed six golfing resorts on its list of Covid-19 quarantine facilities as Thailand eyes opportunities to reopen its international tourism sector.

Three of the resorts are in the western province of Kanchanaburi, about two hour’s drive from Bangkok. Another is in Lamphun, half an hour’s drive from Chiang Mai.

The six golfing quarantine resorts are:

1. Mida Golf Club, Kanchanaburi province

2. Evergreen Hills Golf Club & Resort, Kanchanaburi

3. Blue Star Golf Course, Kanchanaburi

4. Athitaya Golf and Resort Course, Nakhon Nayok

5. Sawang Resort Golf Club and Hotel, Phetchaburi

6. Artitaya Chiang Mai Golf club and Resort, Lamphun

Meanwhile, the government has also added the centre of excellence for elderly care at Suan Sunandha Rajabhat University in Samut Songkhram province to its list of wellness quarantine facilities.

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158 migrants detained in Ranong head home to Myanmar

NationalJan 28. 2021

By The Nation
Photos by Charoon Thongnual

The first batch of 158 Myanmar migrant workers left Ranong to head home on Thursday.

Earlier, 402 migrants detained in Ranong Immigration Office quarantine facility held a peaceful protest on Monday demanding that they be sent home.

Provincial officials told them that Myanmar was not ready to take them back due to the escalating Covid-19 situation there.

The migrants, who were screened before boarding the 13 long-tail boats, thanked Thai officials for helping them return home.

The rest of the detainees will be deported in similar batches, officials said.

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School gets a good wash before reopening on Monday

NationalJan 28. 2021

By THE NATION

Staff and teachers of Bangkok’s Ban Bang Kapi School got together to give the school premises a proper clean before students can return to classes on Monday (February 1).

Schools in Bangkok are allowed to reopen next month as the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration relaxes control measures that were enforced on January 4 after a new wave of Covid-19 infections hit Thailand in December.

Schools must employ Covid-19 preventive measures including enforcing the wearing of face masks, maintaining social distance practices, installing partitions in the cafeteria and organising a schedule for lunch breaks and bathroom breaks to stop students from crowding the cafeteria and toilets. Students will also be made to wash their hands every hour while in school.