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Navy chief orders probe into alleged suspicious role of personnel in drug trafficking

NationalJan 26. 2021

By THE NATION

Admiral Chatchai Sriworakhan, Commander-in-Chief of the Royal Thai Navy, has set up an investigation committee to look into the alleged involvement of 16 Navy officials in drug trafficking in Nong Khai province, Navy spokesman Rear Admiral Chettha Jaipiam said on Monday.

The chairman of the Crime Victims Assistance Club, Atchariya Ruangrat-tanapong, had lodged a complaint with the Anti-Corruption Division Police earlier on Monday that Navy officials may be involved in a drug trafficking operation that took place earlier this month.

According to Atchariya, on the night of January 10 officials from the Department of Provincial Administration in Nong Khai seized 2 million amphetamine tablets and 116kg of methamphetamine from a drug trafficker who uses Mekong River as transport route, but the suspect reportedly fled the scene.

“About 20 minutes after the drug seizure, two men who claimed that they were officials from Navy’s Mekong Patrol Operation Command took the drugs from Nong Khai officials, saying that they would secure the evidence and later hold a press conference on the drug seizure,” said Atchariya. “However, the press event was later cancelled.”

According to Atchariya’s complaint, 14 other Navy officials were believed to have taken part in the operation.

Chettha added that the Navy would investigate this matter straightforwardly and would enforce disciplinary and legal actions against the offenders if they were found guilty. “This case is a fireable offence and there will be no protection for the culprits by the Navy,” he said.

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Isolated rain forecast for Bangkok, cool weather continues in upper Thailand

NationalJan 26. 2021

By THE NATION

The Thailand Meteorological Department said on Tuesday that a weak high-pressure system covers the upper North, upper Northeast and the South China Sea.

Cool to cold weather with morning fog and thick fog in some areas are forecast for upper Thailand, while mountaintops are still cold to very cold.

All vehicles should move with caution due to poor visibility, the department said.

Isolated rain is forecast for the lower Central region, including Bangkok and its vicinity, as well as the East.

In addition, the weak northeast monsoon prevails over the Gulf and the South, resulting in isolated rain in the areas.

The weather forecast for the next 24 hours:

North: Cool to cold weather with fog in the morning and thick fog in some areas; temperature lows of 12-18 degrees Celsius and highs of 31-35°C; temperature on hilltops is likely to drop to 4-13°C.

Northeast: Cool weather with fog in the morning and thick fog in some areas; temperature lows of 16-21°C and highs of 32-35°C; temperature on hilltops is likely to drop to 8-15°C.

Central: Cool weather with fog in the morning and thick fog in some areas as well as isolated rain in the lower part; temperature lows of 21-23°C, highs of 34-35°C.

East: Fog in the morning and isolated rain in 10 per cent of the areas; temperature lows of 22-24°C, highs of 32-35°C; waves less than a metre high and one metre offshore.

South (east coast): Cool weather with thundershowers in 20 per cent of the areas; temperature lows of 22-25°C, highs of 30-33°C; waves a metre 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: Fog in the morning and light rain in some areas; temperature lows of 23-25°C, highs of 33-35°C.

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Anutin calls on hospitals to get ready for first batch of Covid-19 vaccines

NationalJan 25. 2021Public Health Minister Anutin Charnvirakul

By The Nation

Thailand’s public health system is getting ready to inoculate people once the first batch of 50,000 doses of AstraZeneca vaccines arrives early next month, Public Health Minister Anutin Charnvirakul said.

Anutin reportedly held a video conference with the ministry’s senior officials and chiefs of public and private hospitals on Monday to inform them about preparations for the first phase of vaccinations.

Dr Sophon Mekthon, chairman of a subcommittee managing Covid-19 inoculations, said private and public medical staff in the frontline will be the first to be vaccinated, especially in high-risk zones like Samut Sakhon, Bangkok, Tak’s Mae Sot district and deep South.

He said that once the first batch arrives, it will take two weeks to distribute and inoculations can begin in the third week.

Experts have been tasked with deciding whether all 50,000 doses will be used as first shots or if some will be kept behind to use as boosters.

Two doses of the vaccine inoculated within four to 12 weeks are required for effective immunisation.

Medical staff can volunteer for inoculations by registering on the “MorPromp” application by February 12.

The ministry is also seeking an appropriate channel for members of the public to register for the vaccine. Sophon said Anutin has insisted that Covid-19 immunisation should be delivered on a fair and transparent basis.

Separately, Sophon Iamsirithavorn, deputy director-general of the Department of Disease Control, said initially some 7,000 private and public medical staff working on the frontline will be inoculated followed by some 1,000 related staff working in high-risk areas.

He said also under consideration are some 100,000 people who may develop severe symptoms or even die if infected.

Sophon added that next week, 2.5 million syringes will be distributed to hospitals, adding that there is sufficient supply as syringes are locally produced.

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Samut Sakhon hits hotspot with week-long testing blitz

NationalJan 25. 2021

By The Nation

Covid-19 testing around Samut Sakhon’s Central Shrimp Market has been increased in a bid to stamp out the nationwide outbreak at its source.

The area is being disinfected again after 1,217 tests revealed 113 new cases of Covid-19 among market workers and local residents in recent days. A Siriraj Hospital team and local health officials will descend on the area to collect 60,000 samples from people and workers this week. On Monday, 400 samples were collected and sent to the Siriraj Hospital Lab, with results expected tomorrow. The province has reported 5,332 Covid-129 cases since the outbreak was discovered at the Central Shrimp Market in mid-December. The market has been closed until further notice.

Deputy governor Surasak Pholyangsong said this week’s case search would focus on local factories in Ban Phaeo and Krathum Baen districts, where more than 10 per cent of workers have tested positive. Authorities would consider relaxing some restrictions following the latest case search, he added.

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Siam Bioscience breaks silence on vaccine deal after Thanathorn criticism

NationalJan 25. 2021

By THE NATION

Siam Bioscience on Monday released a statement following criticism by Progressive Movement leader Thanathorn Juangroongruangkit over its role in Thailand’s Covid-19 vaccine programme.

Last Monday Thanathorn slammed the government for slowness in providing vaccines, and questioned the transparency of giving a company owned by the Crown Property Bureau – Siam Bioscience – the right to manufacture the AstraZeneca vaccine locally. Thanathorn alleged documents show there was no selection process or comparison made between companies before Siam Bioscience was handed the task. Last Wednesday, the government filed a charge of lese majeste against Thanathorn over his comments.

On Monday, Siam Bioscience clarified steps that led to the deal, though did not respond directly to Thanathorn’s allegations.

“In October 2020 Siam Bioscience, SCG [Siam Cement Group], AstraZeneca and the Public Health Ministry signed a Letter of Intent to demonstrate their joint commitment to make this vaccine available in Southeast Asia,” said the company statement. “This was followed by a contract manufacturing agreement between AstraZeneca and Siam Bioscience. This agreement also signifies that Siam Bioscience met AstraZeneca’s high technical, operational and ethical standards. Through technology transfer from AstraZeneca, Siam Bioscience is now part of AstraZeneca’s worldwide network of vaccine manufacturing partners.”

Siam Bioscience also outlined its relevant experience:

“AstraZeneca’s Covid-19 vaccine is a modified adenoviral vector grown in mammalian cells. Siam Bioscience has experience with manufacturing and exporting products that use such mammalian cell technology. Our facilities comply with multiple international standards, provide an integrated solution for every step of the process and, as the largest biopharmaceutical manufacturer in Thailand, we have the potential to expand our capacity in the future.”

The company said it was manufacturing the vaccine under a “no profit, no loss” policy for the duration of the pandemic, in line with AstraZeneca’s own commitment.

“The mission to manufacture Covid-19 vaccine is supported by the National Vaccine Institute, Public Health Ministry with a budget of almost Bt600 million, and an additional Bt100 million budget from Siam Cement Group in order to prepare the facilities for manufacturing AstraZeneca vaccine as soon as possible.”

Related story: Siam Bioscience HQ hit with protest over vaccine deal

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MRT Orange Line fares will be kept affordable, MRTA chief promises

NationalJan 25. 2021

By The Nation

Mass Rapid Transit Authority of Thailand (MRTA) announced recently that fares for the Orange Line will start from Bt15 and be charged at an average of Bt2.50 per station.

This fare is based on the assumption that the consumer price index will rise by 2 per cent every year.

Meanwhile, MRTA governor Pakapong Sirikantaramas said despite a court ruling postponing bids for the project, a winner of the bid should be confirmed by March.

He also said the Orange Line will open for service as scheduled because construction should take less time than expected.

Pakapong added that once the bidding process is completed, MRTA will call on the operator to maintain fares for the line between Bt15-Bt45 in a bid to motivate Bangkokians to travel by train.

The MRT Orange Line is divided into two sections – the Eastern section from Suwinthawong to Thailand Cultural Centre (22.5 kilometres) and the second-phase Western section from Thailand Cultural Centre to Bang Khun Non (17.5km).

The Eastern section is scheduled to open in March 2024.

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Samut Sakhon’s shrimp market washed clean

NationalJan 25. 2021

By The Nation
Photos by Korbphuk Phromrekha

Samut Sakhon’s Central Shrimp Market was hosed down with disinfectant in a bid to contain the spread of Covid-19 on Monday.

Firefighters used two fire trucks to spray roads with a chlorine mixture, while government officials and workers washed down the market and residential areas.

This big clean is in line with the province’s plan to reopen the market by the end of this month.

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Commuters slam SRT for suspending some trains, closure of Hua Lumphong station eyed

NationalJan 25. 2021

By The Nation

As of Tuesday, train services to and from several routes will be suspended in line with measures to curb the spread of Covid-19, State Railway of Thailand (SRT) governor Nirut Maneepan said on Monday.

This announcement, however, was met by complaints, with many people posting comments on the SRT Facebook page saying the move was unwarranted as the Covid-19 situation is getting better. They also pointed out that it would be an added burden for people facing financial difficulties, as trains were the cheapest travel option, while some suggested that the service only be stopped at the weekends.

Separately, SRT said it was ready to comply with the Transport Ministry’s guidelines on the use of Bangkok’s main Hua Lamphong Railway Station once the Bang Sue Grand Station is opened.

The SRT has been tasked with coming up with new routes to reduce the number of trains running through the city to avoid traffic jams near railway junctions.

Construction of the Bang Sue Grand Station, which will be Thailand’s largest railway hub, is almost complete, with just the installation of electrical and mechanical systems, and the setting up of a van operator pending.

Meanwhile, the SRT Red Line serving Greater Bangkok will be open to the public in July and up for commercial services from November. Transport Minister Saksayam Chidchob recently said the Hua Lamphong Station should be closed as soon as the Red Line opens, so no trains run through the capital.

Meanwhile, the trains and routes that will be suspended for the time being are:

North

• 207/208 Bangkok-Nakhon Sawan-Bangkok

• 209/210 Bangkok-Baan Takhli-Bangkok

• 211/212 Bangkok – Taphan Hin – Bangkok

• 303/304 Bangkok-Lopburi-Bangkok

• 317/318 Bangkok-Lopburi-Bangkok

• 401/402 Lopburi-Phitsanulok-Lopburi

• 409 Ayutthaya-Lopburi

Northeast

• 233/234 Bangkok-Surin-Bangkok

• 339/340 Bangkok-Kaeng Khoi Junction-Bangkok

• 417/416 Nakhon Ratchasima-Udon Thani-Nakhon Ratchasima

• 419/420 Nakhon Ratchasima-Ubon Ratchathani-Lam Chi

• 423/424 Lam Chi-Samrong Thap-Nakhon Ratchasima

• 427/428 Nakhon Ratchasima-Ubon Ratchathani-Nakhon Ratchasima

• 433/434 Kaeng Khoi Junction-Bua Yai Junction-Kaeng Khoi Junction

• 437/438 Kaeng Khoi Junction-Lam Narai-Kaeng Khoi Junction

• 439/440 Kaeng Khoi Junction-Bua Yai Junction-Kaeng Khoi Junction

South

• 251/252 Thonburi-Prachuap Khiri Khan-Thonburi

• 259/260, Thonburi-Nam Tok-Thonburi

• 261/262, Bangkok-Hua Hin-Bangkok

• 455/456 Nakhon Si Thammarat-Yala-Nakhon Si Thammarat

• 485/486 Nong Pla Duk Junction-Nam Tok-Nong Pladuk Junction

• 489/490 Surat Thani-Khiri Rat Nikhom-Surat Thani

East

• 275/276 Bangkok-Ban Khlong Luek Border Checkpoint-Bangkok

• 277/278 Bangkok-Kabin Buri-Bangkok

• 279/280 Bangkok-Ban Khlong Luek Border Checkpoint-Bangkok

• 281/282 Bangkok-Kabin Buri-Bangkok

• 367/368 Bangkok-Chachoengsao Junction-Bangkok

• 379/380 Bangkok-Hua Takhe-Bangkok

• 389/390 Bangkok-Chachoengsao Junction-Bangkok

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Upper Thailand hit by ‘unsafe’ PM2.5 haze, Bangkok next

NationalJan 25. 2021

By The Nation

Thailand’s PM2.5 pollution eased on Monday with Bangkok, the Central, East and South regions all declared “safe” by the government’s Centre for Air Pollution Mitigation (CAPM).

“However, the air quality in 25 North and Northeast provinces – Chiang Rai, Phayao, Chiang Mai, Nan, Lampang, Phrae, Uttaradit, Sukhothai, Phitsanulok, Tak, Kamphaeng Phet, Phetchabun, Uthai Thani, Lopburi, Saraburi, Prachin Buri, Nong Khai, Loei, Nakhon Phanom, Khon Kaen, Kalasin, Roi Et, Chaiyaphum, Ubon Ratchathani and Nakhon Ratchasima – is unsafe,” said CAPM deputy spokeswoman Siwaporn Rangsiyanon.

Chiang Mai on Monday suffered PM2.5 levels as a high as 66 micrograms per cubic metre (μg/m3), according to the CAPM, though the popular aqicn.org website measured levels as high as 164μg/m3 over the past 48 hours. Thailand’s safe level is set at 50μg/m3, twice that of the World Health Organisation.

The air quality in Bangkok and its vicinity would hit unsafe levels again on Wednesday and Thursday, according the CAPM forecast. Air quality in other regions is likely to improve.

“Therefore, we ask people to refrain from burning crops in the open air, reduce time spent on outdoor activities, use protective accessories and see a doctor if they have symptoms [such as breathing difficulties],” said the spokeswoman.

The CAPM is cooperating with other government agencies to tackle the PM2.5 situation.

“The Natural Resources and Environment Ministry has ordered its officials to collect information related to wildfire, smog and PM2.5 for provincial governors, while the Department of Local Administration has instructed its officials to prevent and resolve problems related to PM2.5 in their area, especially agricultural and community areas,” Siwaporn said.

She added that PM2.5 levels can be monitored via the Air4Thai.com website or smartphone app, or the CAPM Facebook page. Other pollution-monitoring websites are available.

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Chiang Mai link emerges in infection of 19 people from three clusters

NationalJan 25. 2021

By The Nation

The Department of Disease Control (DDC) revealed that the party cluster involving a Radio DJ, which had now infected 19 people, was linked to an entertainment venue in Chiang Mai

Dr Opas Karnkawinpong, the DDC director-general, reported on Sunday that an investigation into the case of Techin Ploypetch, also known as DJ Matoom, revealed that an infected man who attended the DJ’s birthday party had travelled to Chiang Mai during the New Year festival (January 1-5 ).

The first infected patient, 33, went to DJ Matoom’s condominium on January 9 and talked with him for 30-60 minutes without a mask on. The asymptomatic DJ then brought the virus to the party.

Another cluster was started when a suit shop owner came into contact with the first patients and developed symptoms on January 18, which later spread to at least three businessmen.

The last cluster from the Chiang-Mai-club linked patient began on January 16 when the infected suit shop owner joined a real estate agent’s 25th birthday party on January 16 with 12 people joining the party. Of them, four have tested positive, including the NBT news anchor.

Chart shows how the superspreader carried the virus to three clusters in Bangkok. Photo Credit: Department of Disease Control

Meanwhile, the first patient started to get sick on January 16.

Dr Opas said there were around 19 infected patients from various professions, including a 26-year-old airline employee, a 23-year-old singer and actor, a 34-year-old police officer, a 43-year-old PR manager, a 34-year-old stylist, found in three clusters. He said parties posed a virus risk, especially those held in closed and badly ventilated areas, where participants drink alcohol, smoke and do not wear masks.

There are concerns that such clusters would affect the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration meeting to consider lifting the strict measures in place, as the new clusters have the potential to spread widely.